STANDING PAT

[Gray Mule]

If Atlanta makes no more trades or free agent signings, what will the Hawks have to open the season?

Too many centers and not enough back-up point guards.  They can't play all those centers on a regular basis and, heaven forbid, Trae has to miss extended time, we would be in serious trouble.

Other than that, the Atlanta Hawks appear to be in great shape.  All the other problems from last season have apparently been fixed.  

This team is younger and taller.  Most of our young players seem to fit nicely.   A little short on experience but this too shall pass.  The deeper we go into the season, the more experienced the entire team becomes.

I believe that this team, as it stands right now, can and will go past the .500 mark.  But only if we remain healthy.

What say ye?  Am I just super optimistic or just plain crazy?  Please share your opinion on this.  

(Note:  Opinions are like noses.  Everyone has one and they are all different!)

[Dragitoff]

I'm less concerned with the backup PG situation than others only because if Trae has a significant injury, this team isn't doing much regardless who the backup or 3rd string PG is.  Trae will play 36mpg if healthy so that's only 12mpg for a backup PG and Bufkin, Daniels, and Vit all have PG type skills even if they are more of a combo guard or wing than a traditional PG.  Bogi also has really good play-making skills and gravity as a shooter so pairing him with any of those 3 can also put someone on the floor who has good defensive abilities. 

I do wish we had one less center (Zeller) on the team in favor of another solid lead guard, but I also think Nance can play enough 4 alongside OO to make that work too.  OO and Capela each missed time last year so having depth that can play center isn't hurting my feelings whatsoever. 

[djjob23]

If no other moves are made, we’ll go into the season without addressing our starting C issue. The league is getting bigger and stronger at C and ATL will struggle against teams that have larger frontcourts. On paper I think we’re a solid 41 win team (9th in East), but adding injuries to the equation, I can see this team winning ~34 games next year. Man I hope I’m wrong, but if we miss the playoffs, I can see this being the last season with Trae.

Edited August 13 by djjob23

[JayBirdHawk]

4 hours ago, Dragitoff said:

I'm less concerned with the backup PG situation than others only because if Trae has a significant injury, this team isn't doing much regardless who the backup or 3rd string PG is. 

Here's why I'm still concerned:

- we have never fully solved the offense when Trae sits. It's been a big Achilles heel.

- Kobe seems injury prone.

[JeffS17]

4 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

- we have never fully solved the offense when Trae sits. It's been a big Achilles heel.

I think this will always be the case to some extent with Trae ball but we have better bench pieces this year so Id like to think our bench will do well

[ABH]

12 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Here's why I'm still concerned:

- we have never fully solved the offense when Trae sits. It's been a big Achilles heel.

- Kobe seems injury prone.

Kobe hasn't proved anything yet..need a legit back pg

[Dragitoff]

14 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Here's why I'm still concerned:

- we have never fully solved the offense when Trae sits. It's been a big Achilles heel.

- Kobe seems injury prone.

I have the same concern, but having Dyson and Vit along with Wallace in the G League gives us something when he sits.  I really hope Quin is able to work something on that front (when Trae sits).  If Dyson and Risacher start, that moves Bogi and Hunter to the bench along with whatever center doesn't start.  That gives you offensive weapons off the bench that we haven't consistently had in years past.  Health is still the wild card here.  Beyond the injury stuff, I also still expect Bufkin to have the "rookie" type bumps and bruises due to not playing much last year due to injury.  He's still a work in progress.  That's where the added depth we didn't have last year should help.  Solid vets like Nance could be DNP many nights if everyone's healthy and no trades are made.  We didn't have that luxury last year. 

Again, I'd rather have a reliable vet backup PG over Zeller, but I wouldn't be shocked to see us roll into next season exactly this way.  If we get an injury and need to make a tough decision, they'll do it then most likely. 

[AHF]

2 hours ago, Dragitoff said:

I have the same concern, but having Dyson and Vit along with Wallace in the G League gives us something when he sits. 

Again, I'd rather have a reliable vet backup PG over Zeller

Take Wallace off that list and add Kobe and Bogi.  This may be an area that you would like to buffer and would absolutely swap out for Zeller in a heartbeat but this is a comparatively small concern compared to last year's massive roster holes, imo.  There will be a dropoff without Trae but that is partly because he is just really good.  No backup is going to replicate that.  And if we are going to have a spot where the roster collapses when someone is missing at least it is at PG where Trae has a strong history in terms of being healthy and where we are probably taking a big hit anyway if he is hurt.  Our overall roster depth looks much improved this season.

Quote

but I wouldn't be shocked to see us roll into next season exactly this way.  

I'm kind of sitting where I will be surprised if we don't roll into next season the way we are right now.

[Dragitoff]

26 minutes ago, AHF said:

Take Wallace off that list and add Kobe and Bogi.  This may be an area that you would like to buffer and would absolutely swap out for Zeller in a heartbeat but this is a comparatively small concern compared to last year's massive roster holes, imo.  There will be a dropoff without Trae but that is partly because he is just really good.  No backup is going to replicate that.  And if we are going to have a spot where the roster collapses when someone is missing at least it is at PG where Trae has a strong history in terms of being healthy and where we are probably taking a big hit anyway if he is hurt.  Our overall roster depth looks much improved this season.

I'm kind of sitting where I will be surprised if we don't roll into next season the way we are right now.

I had that list that way because the response was to someone saying they didn't trust Kobe's health and/or proven ability as the backup PG. Agreed that Bogi's playmaking skills can absolutely be the driving force when Trae hits the bench. 

[AHF]

5 minutes ago, Dragitoff said:

I had that list that way because the response was to someone saying they didn't trust Kobe's health and/or proven ability as the backup PG. Agreed that Bogi's playmaking skills can absolutely be the driving force when Trae hits the bench. 

Agree but I do see Kobe as a key part of that rotation when he is available so in my thinking about depth I think you are right that he should be included even if we can't trust him to be healthy based on his first year.  I don't think Wallace should be counted on for anything but extreme emergency minutes.

[Gray Mule]

I don't know what we really have.  He's missed a lot of time, injured.   I do know that last season, whenever a trade was mentioned, our opponent was always wanting us to add Kobe Bufkin to any deal as a sweetener. 

This registered on my poor brain as, "Hey!  He must be pretty good.  Seems that everyone else wants him."

Fingers crossed.  I'm hoping he stays injury free this season.  We need a good break or two.

[macdaddy]

Last year we had 4 PGs on the roster.  Now we have two or maybe three if we are counting Dyson.  I think Quin is depending on Kobe this season. 

[Dragitoff]

15 minutes ago, AHF said:

Agree but I do see Kobe as a key part of that rotation when he is available so in my thinking about depth I think you are right that he should be included even if we can't trust him to be healthy based on his first year.  I don't think Wallace should be counted on for anything but extreme emergency minutes.

We're in agreement then.  Kobe had a rough go his rookie season health-wise, but they invested a 1st round pick on him because of his talent so I definitely think he gets the opportunity to prove himself and probably has a reasonable leash on that too.  He's going to have rough times, but I think they'll give him the chance to learn and play.  His ability as a POA defender is exciting.  I love that this team has more secondary play makers than in recent years even after trading away an All-Star PG in Murray. 

11 minutes ago, Gray Mule said:

I don't know what we really have.  He's missed a lot of time, injured.   I do know that last season, whenever a trade was mentioned, our opponent was always wanting us to add Kobe Bufkin to any deal as a sweetener. 

This registered on my poor brain as, "Hey!  He must be pretty good.  Seems that everyone else wants him."

Fingers crossed.  I'm hoping he stays injury free this season.  We need a good break or two.

DON'T SAY THE WORD BREAK!!!! 

[ATLHawks3]

21 hours ago, Dragitoff said:

I'm less concerned with the backup PG situation than others only because if Trae has a significant injury, this team isn't doing much regardless who the backup or 3rd string PG is.  Trae will play 36mpg if healthy so that's only 12mpg for a backup PG and Bufkin, Daniels, and Vit all have PG type skills even if they are more of a combo guard or wing than a traditional PG.  Bogi also has really good play-making skills and gravity as a shooter so pairing him with any of those 3 can also put someone on the floor who has good defensive abilities. 

I do wish we had one less center (Zeller) on the team in favor of another solid lead guard, but I also think Nance can play enough 4 alongside OO to make that work too.  OO and Capela each missed time last year so having depth that can play center isn't hurting my feelings whatsoever. 

I agree. I think the more pressing need is finding a quality backup 4, since the lack of depth at that position last season put us in a bind.

I don’t trust Mo Gueye at all with serious rotation minutes at the 4. He needs another year in College Park.

[Dragitoff]

42 minutes ago, ATLHawks3 said:

I agree. I think the more pressing need is finding a quality backup 4, since the lack of depth at that position last season put us in a bind.

I don’t trust Mo Gueye at all with serious rotation minutes at the 4. He needs another year in College Park.

I pray JJ stops wearing low-top basketball shoes.  I pray the entire league does.  it's dumb, but to your point, completely agree.  I think they'd use guys like Hunter (small-ball 4 that doesn't rebound), Nance, and even Roddy ahead of Gueye right now on the depth chart at 4.  I could even see them running Gary Bird out there as a small-ball 4 in certain matchups. 

[ATLHawks3]

10 minutes ago, Dragitoff said:

I pray JJ stops wearing low-top basketball shoes.  I pray the entire league does.  it's dumb, but to your point, completely agree.  I think they'd use guys like Hunter (small-ball 4 that doesn't rebound), Nance, and even Roddy ahead of Gueye right now on the depth chart at 4.  I could even see them running Gary Bird out there as a small-ball 4 in certain matchups. 

Oh no. You’re asking to let opponents score every time with Garrison at the 4. 

[Dragitoff]

7 minutes ago, ATLHawks3 said:

Oh no. You’re asking to let opponents score every time with Garrison at the 4. 

Except for the 2 possessions per game he takes the charge. 

[AHF]

1 hour ago, Dragitoff said:

I pray JJ stops wearing low-top basketball shoes.  I pray the entire league does.  it's dumb, but to your point, completely agree.  I think they'd use guys like Hunter (small-ball 4 that doesn't rebound), Nance, and even Roddy ahead of Gueye right now on the depth chart at 4.  I could even see them running Gary Bird out there as a small-ball 4 in certain matchups. 

I also see Hunter and Nance as the primary backups at PF (even if Hunter starts at SF).  Roddy should play ahead of Gueye or he is really just a filler on the roster.  Garrison should not play a minute at PF.  I'd definitely rather see Vit getting minutes there if we are pressed into desperation although he clearly can only matchup effectively on more finesse PFs.

[Dragitoff]

1 hour ago, AHF said:

I also see Hunter and Nance as the primary backups at PF (even if Hunter starts at SF).  Roddy should play ahead of Gueye or he is really just a filler on the roster.  Garrison should not play a minute at PF.  I'd definitely rather see Vit getting minutes there if we are pressed into desperation although he clearly can only matchup effectively on more finesse PFs.

i think Roddy is ahead of Gueye on the depth chart, if only to start the season.  He played decent minutes last year for a depleted Memphis team as well as Phoenix so he's got the edge.  Gueye clearly has the long-term talent edge, but needs to get better and stay healthy before getting real minutes for a team trying to win . He's still very raw, but has crazy length and talent potential.  Roddy is short, but has that stocky frame and just seems like one of those gritty dudes that play hard.  Can't shoot very good, but surround him with the right squad and that need is lessened. 

[JayBirdHawk]

2 hours ago, Dragitoff said:

I pray JJ stops wearing low-top basketball shoes.  

I think he's in hightops in the offseason videos I've seen.