Atlanta's first legitimate PG in 15 years....

[flava]

The Hawks finally have a legitimate PG.

Long gone are the days of JT, Mookie Blaylock, Bimbo Coles, Jacque Vaughn, Emanuel Davis, Brevin Knight, Eldridge Recasner, etc., etc.

We finally have a tough PG that can lead this team and teach them the mentality of tenacious D.

Payton, as many of you have alluded, could be re-signed for a few years to serve as a mentor. His career assist per game average of above seven is something the Hawks haven't seen in many years.

Couple all of this with the first rounder and the fact that it opens up PT for our younger players and life is looking up for the Hawks!

flava

[BOShforRoy]

Why would Payton want to stay here?

[AHF]

Mookie was a legitimate point guard. No a star PG, but he was legit.

Mookie at his prime in Atlanta will be better than GP's prime in Atlanta, I am willing to bet (especially defensively).

[flava]

payton want's to be the man. he also wants to be in a warm weather city. yes, he want's to win a championship, but i don't think it's his highest priority.

maybe being a mentor won't be his highest priority either, but if he's willing he could teach the hawks (particularly diaw, childress and smooth) how to 'play for keeps.'

flava

[DominiqueWilkins]

Quote:

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Why would Payton want to stay here?

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Thats the point, he wont stay in Atlanta, and I don't see why people are even trying to think otherwise.

Lets just hope Gary plays very hard, and works well with our current players. No drama!!

[ATL_BALLER]

I hope he reports...

[Wretch]

Not only was he a decent PG, he was an outstanding penetrator, a solid passer, a good playmaker, and one of the best defenders in the league. Though those Hawks weren't flashy, they were absolutely tremendous on the defensive end. That's the one thing they had going and they were anchored by Mook and Deke.

Mook's biggest drawback was his penchant for launching the ball at the arc on the break...or just whenever he felt like it.

[Wretch]

Probably won't even report.

[troubleman]

Quote:

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Not only was he a decent PG, he was an outstanding penetrator, a solid passer, a good playmaker, and one of the best defenders in the league. Though those Hawks weren't flashy, they were absolutely tremendous on the defensive end. That's the one thing they had going and they were anchored by Mook and Deke.

Mook's biggest drawback was his penchant for launching the ball at the arc on the break...or just whenever he felt like it.

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Actually Mookie couldn't penetrate to save his life. That's why he was always jacking up three's, because he rarely beat anyone off the dribble. He was good in all of the other areas that you mentioned.

[Plainview1981]

Yeah.. Brickhouse Blaylock was better in his prime. But

Blaylock wasn't that good of a PG.