HawksTalk Thread

[AFBlue]

There are a few posters in here that follow the Atlanta Hawks, hoping against hope that they finally turn the corner and deliver on the immense potential they have in their current roster. The purpose of this thread is to discuss any and all Hawks business, be it the players, management, ownership, or just updates on their games.

[AFBlue]

I'll start it out...


I can't believe the lineup this team trots out there for extended minutes...

PG Joe Johnson
SG Josh Childress
SF Josh Smith
PF Marvin Williams
C Zaza Pachulia

The only player of that five playing in his true position is Josh Smith. Childress is a SF, Johnson is a SG, Marvin Williams a SF and Zaza a PF. No wonder their defense is horrendous, they have no legitimate inside presence (as much as I love Zaza, he's an offensive-oriented player that's soft on interior D) and not enough quickness on the wings to guard smaller, slashing guards. The saddest thing is that these players are individually good (possibly GREAT) but the team as a whole is so horrible constructed in an ass-backward manner that they'll never put together a legitimate contending team so long as they remain as they are.

[monosylab1k]

I'll start it out...


I can't believe the lineup this team trots out there for extended minutes...

PG Joe Johnson
SG Josh Childress
SF Josh Smith
PF Marvin Williams
C Zaza Pachulia

The only player of that five playing in his true position is Josh Smith. Childress is a SF, Johnson is a SG, Marvin Williams a SF and Zaza a PF. No wonder their defense is horrendous, they have no legitimate inside presence (as much as I love Zaza, he's an offensive-oriented player that's soft on interior D) and not enough quickness on the wings to guard smaller, slashing guards. The saddest thing is that these players are individually good (possibly GREAT) but the team as a whole is so horrible constructed in an ass-backward manner that they'll never put together a legitimate contending team so long as they remain as they are.

Yeah, this team is way too backloaded with the 6-9 forward. Shelden Williams is also there on the bench, and that guy's got alot of potential too.

I still hold out alot of hope for Marvin Williams, but drafting Chris Paul would have this team in playoff contention right now. Tyron Lue has been solid, but he's nothing more than a good backup, and Claxton has been a total bust signing so far. One good point guard would really give this team a serious shot at the playoffs, especially with how weak the East is.

This team's got talent and potential out the ass, but no direction whatsoever. I dunno how much input he has regarding the personnel they get, but I actually think Woodson has done really well with what he's been given.

[monosylab1k]

SF Josh Smith
PF Marvin Williams

I don't see enough Hawks games in Dallas to really see how they play for a full game, but it seems like Smith would be a better fit at PF. He's a much better rebounder and defensive player, and alot more aggresive than Williams, from what I've seen. Last year when Smith thought he was a 3pt shooter, this might not have worked, but from what you see, do u think swapping these two would work a little better?

[monosylab1k]

Last year when Smith thought he was a 3pt shooter,

okay i just looked at his numbers and he's shooting more three's than ever this season. i thought there was gonna be some emphasis on him playing more inside this season? i dunno, it just seems like he plays alot "bigger" of a game than williams.

[AFBlue]

I don't see enough Hawks games in Dallas to really see how they play for a full game, but it seems like Smith would be a better fit at PF. He's a much better rebounder and defensive player, and alot more aggresive than Williams, from what I've seen. Last year when Smith thought he was a 3pt shooter, this might not have worked, but from what you see, do u think swapping these two would work a little better?

Actually Josh Smith does also see time at the 4 spot, but Marvin sees the most time at that position.

As underdeveloped an inside game as Marvin Williams has, it's better than the inside game of Josh Smith, which is almost non-existent. Williams is also built stronger than Smith and probably has 15 pounds on him. You are right though, that Josh Smith is a potentially great shot blocker and good rebounder, while Williams has yet to develop in those areas.

Both are incredible slashing to the basket and both can finish in traffic. Williams has really improved his aggressiveness this season, and because he has no three-point shot to fall back on as of yet, he relies on his slashing ability and it pays off.

I think that both CAN see some minutes at the 4 in small ball sets, but I think spend more time at the 4 than they SHOULD. They get routinely abused in the post and on rebounds.

Shelden Williams, though dealing with that shoulder injury, has been a mild dissapointment for them this season. He was supposed to be the low-post bruiser on O & D, but has yet to really establish himself as a prescence. I think the Hawks were hoping for Emeka Okafor when they drafted Shelden, but that's not what they got...

[AFBlue]

okay i just looked at his numbers and he's shooting more three's than ever this season. i thought there was gonna be some emphasis on him playing more inside this season? i dunno, it just seems like he plays alot "bigger" of a game than williams.

He has a much more well-rounded game than Williams, but he's young and still inconsistent. While his three-point shot has become more reliable, he's still at his best when slashing and drawing contact. I think J-Smoove (that's Josh Smith for all you non-Hawk followers) has the most potential of them all, but he needs to be reigned in a bit more...disciplined.

[AFBlue]

Oh and I do give Woodson some credit. He's not a great coach, and maybe not even a good one, but I have been impressed with his ability to get the most out of his team. It must frustrate the out of him though that his team plays horrible D.

[AFBlue]

I still hold out alot of hope for Marvin Williams, but drafting Chris Paul would have this team in playoff contention right now. Tyron Lue has been solid, but he's nothing more than a good backup, and Claxton has been a total bust signing so far. One good point guard would really give this team a serious shot at the playoffs, especially with how weak the East is.

I also hold out hope for Marvin. I think he showed everyone he was going to be a force with the way he dominated the Summer League. The injury he suffered really tempered that aggressiveness when he first came back, but he's been playing stronger of late.

Tyronn Lue is the X-factor for this team. He's a GREAT locker room guy and their true leader (not best player). When he plays with the team, they are more energetic and more dangerous on offense. He doesn't really create for others like you hope a PG would, but let's just say I wouldn't mind him being a backup for the Spurs...

The sad part about the Claxton signing is how much they paid him and for how long. Claxton is a classic backup PG being paid starter money and that's tough to live up to. I liked him in a Spurs uni, but even I knew then he wasn't worth what the Hawks s ed out to get him. It will really hurt their chances to put someone legitimate alongside JJ and maintain their core...

Your comment on the PG is an understatement. If the Spurs had drafted Chris Paul, they would be a playoff team right now. I know they lack the interior D, but so do the Suns and look how far they've gotten with a pass-first PG at the helm...

[monosylab1k]

He has a much more well-rounded game than Williams, but he's young and still inconsistent. While his three-point shot has become more reliable, he's still at his best when slashing and drawing contact. I think J-Smoove (that's Josh Smith for all you non-Hawk followers) has the most potential of them all, but he needs to be reigned in a bit more...disciplined.

Yeah I love his game. And some of his blocks are just SICK. there are times when he and Marvin both look like they coud become really big stars in this league, but it's gonna take alot more time. I guess that's the frustrating thing right now, seeing the talent and potential, but knowing that it's probably another 2 or 3 years away from fully blossoming. If they could just get that PG, they could definitely be a poor man's Phoenix right now.

[TDMVPDPOY]

josh smith is starting to become the next ak47 with better numbers filling the stat sheet on good nights....

had they drafted CP3, they wouldve been playin in the playoffs for the last 2 years, look at the cast around cp3 now on the hornets when he arrived, they nearly made the playoffs and team record was superior to the hawks.

JS, SW, CC are good if they play in the suns system....

JJ is a n joke to begin with, his overrated....yeh he did good on the usa team, but on the hawks is like any other good player on a scrub team filling the sheet but not getting wins = lame, look at steph when he was there, how about harrington...look at the many times ginoboli exposing this fool, and dude made this years allstar team was a n joke.

[AFBlue]

Joe Johnson is no joke. Yes I know Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson both had career years when they were in Atlanta, but JJ is for real. He plays decent defense, can score from anywhere on the court, can handle the ball, and even be a distributor from time to time.

Edit: He plays out of position at the point too often and he does have an inflated view of himself, but he averages 25/4/4...hard to overrate that.

[mavsfan1000]

The Hawks suck. They don't even deserve a thread.

[AFBlue]

The Hawks suck. They don't even deserve a thread.

And yet one was created and will continue despite your disapproval...

a.k.a.... off!

[TDMVPDPOY]

Joe Johnson is no joke. Yes I know Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson both had career years when they were in Atlanta, but JJ is for real. He plays decent defense, can score from anywhere on the court, can handle the ball, and even be a distributor from time to time.

Edit: He plays out of position at the point too often and he does have an inflated view of himself, but he averages 25/4/4...hard to overrate that.

25/4/4 doesnt mean when ur team doesnt make the playoffs in a weak conference.

compared his team record against cp3 hornets whose playin in the west against tougher teams, yet they manage to post up a good team record as compared to the lame ducks in the east who play against weak eastern teams 3-4 times....

dude is overrated.

[monosylab1k]

Joe Johnson is no joke. Yes I know Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson both had career years when they were in Atlanta, but JJ is for real. He plays decent defense, can score from anywhere on the court, can handle the ball, and even be a distributor from time to time.

Edit: He plays out of position at the point too often and he does have an inflated view of himself, but he averages 25/4/4...hard to overrate that.

Yeah really. He may not be at the same level as Lebron or Wade, but he's only a small notch below it. He was just as badass in Phoenix, and alot of Suns fans will tell you that, besides Nash, he was the most valuable player on that team. He's Penny Hardaway in his prime, without the injuries.

[FromWayDowntown]

The Hawks suck. They don't even deserve a thread.

They've never been as bad as the Mavs were once upon a time.

And the Hawks have at least won a le.

[angel_luv]

They've never been as bad as the Mavs were once upon a time.

And the Hawks have at least won a le.

Oh snap!

[monosylab1k]

25/4/4 doesnt mean when ur team doesnt make the playoffs in a weak conference.

compared his team record against cp3 hornets whose playin in the west against tougher teams, yet they manage to post up a good team record as compared to the lame ducks in the east who play against weak eastern teams 3-4 times....

dude is overrated.

the team is still young as , they're all raw and need to learn how to win. Joe Johnson's one of the few more polished guys on that team. the Hawks may have given up a bit too much for him, but Joe Johnson will be the cornerstone of the franchise for the next 5-10 years, and they'll become a very good team in that time.

If they can get a smart PG that can play up-tempo, they'll be a playoff team in a year or two.

[AZLouis]

25/4/4 doesnt mean when ur team doesnt make the playoffs in a weak conference.

compared his team record against cp3 hornets whose playin in the west against tougher teams, yet they manage to post up a good team record as compared to the lame ducks in the east who play against weak eastern teams 3-4 times....

dude is overrated.

JJ is real.

As a Suns fan I had the oppurtunity to watch this guy grow from a young player with potential to probably edging out Shawn Marion as wheel #3.

He never missed a regular season game with the Suns. His only missed games were the result of breaking his orbital bone after Jerry Stackhouse took him down. He proceeded to shoot his free throws and then play a few games in the WCF agains the Spurs with a broken orbital bone.

He is multi-talented and to boot he seems like a great guy.

The Suns screwed up big time by refusing to pay him an extra $1 million per year prior to the last year of his contract.

Luckily it netted them Boris Diaw and the Hawks 1st rounder this year (unless it's top 3).

[Xylus]

Joe Johnson is one of the most complete players in the game, which is why he's been so good in Atlanta. It's not really his fault that the Hawks suck--they sucked when he got there because the whole team just isn't that good.

I just hope the Hawks get that #4 pick!

[BUMP]

And the Hawks have at least won a le.

wtf? when?

[monosylab1k]

wtf? when?

1958

[T-Pain]

hey is royal ivey still on the hawks?

[monosylab1k]

hey is royal ivey still on the hawks?

yeah he's toiling on the bench.