OKay, let's get that good out of the way. Jeff Teague is looking good in mini-camp. Josh Smith dunked on the freakishly athletic Kevin Love. Now on to the matter at hand. The Hawks re-signed Bibby and Zaza which they had last year, this does not make them a better team because Bibby isn't getting any better and his strong point is not making others better. Zaza is not getting better people, he is what he is, a garbage man/ hustle type guy. They signed Crawford which is iffy rather it makes them better or not.If his attitude is right with his initial role which will almost without a doubt be off the bench he could make us better. Finally, this ongoing issue of Marvin the dissappointment is a dissappointment. What makes this guy think he has done anything more than the minimum for a guy picked 2nd overall in the draft is beyond me (qualifying offer is based on draft status for his contract). Finally, Joe Smith, why persue him? With all the young guys that you can get or atleast make an offer for the mid-level exception it just doesn't make since. Hakim Warrick, Leon Powe, Big Baby, Chris Wilcox, Channing Frye, and the list goes on. This is dissappointing that the Hawks are making such questionable decisions while teams like Detroit and Toronto gain ground.

It's been reported that Marvin wants something around 5 yr 40 mill. I think Wallace has around 4 yr 41 mill on his contract left. If we can do this swap and also get a sweetner would you do this? Wallace would bring everything Marvin brings but at a higher level and he is still only 27 years old. For some reason it seams like rumors always come up at some point every year of Wallace being moved. I think ATL would be a good destination for him.

NBA.COM

Good good riddance. We don't need anymore players that just jump high and run fast. He was a good baseline player though and that's something I wish Marvin could learn from him. My concern is what can we get from Milwaukee in a sign and trade? Letting a guy you picked #5 (too high) overall just walk is totally unacceptable. Hopefully Milwaukee will not be his only stop or we can get another team involved in it. Above is the article.

Big Baby (R): I like his skill and obviously he just knows how to play, but on the flip side, why would you pay him a long-term contract when Dejuain Blair a guy with the same makeup was there and you could have paid him what ever seeing that 2nd rd picks don't get guaranteed or predetermined contracts?

Leon Powe (R): Injured last year for the playoffs might hurt his pockets, but in a lot of ways since he is bigger and has a more defined body I would like him as a garbage-man type hustle 4, more than Big Baby, but as I expressed earlier it would have to be at a 2.5 to 3 year max clip due to that injury last year.

Brandon Bass: Good energy type 4. Can stick some open jumpers. Rebounds at a decent clip and can score pretty well around the basket. Good athlete.

Antonio Mcydess: Old, but good. He can make the open J. Al could actually learn some pretty good stuff from this guy. He rebounds well for a guy his age and with his injury history. Can play both PF and C especially as a backup playing about 20 to 25 minutes or less a night. I would love it.

Marquis Daniels: Would be a upgrade over Mo Evans. Possesses good offensive skills getting to the rack and can make open shots, has the ability to defend. You would basically look to move Mo Evans if you could sign Marquis.

Hakim Warrick (R): Under the radar type of guy, but he would be a good backup 4 and a upgrade from what we have. He is long, lean, and athletic. Can score around the rim and does well on the break type situations.

Marcin Gortat (R): Quality back-up big man, if he can be gotten for less than Zaza I would do it. He actually may have more upside and ability to grow than Zaza.

Chris Wilcox: Athletic and talented, but inconsistent, he is worth a look plus the guy could feal rejuvenated by playing with a quality team like the Hawks.

Drew Gooden: Drew Gooden brings energy, scores, and has experience. He is a quality backup guy for anybody.

Channing Frye(R): There was a time when this guy looked like he a had a chance to be Lamarcus Aldridge unfortunately it was only his rookie campaign. He should come cheap and is a definite upgrade of Randolph Morris and Solo.

P.S. some guys were left off on intent because I want no part of them or don't think there going to leave there current teams regardless. (Rasheed, Trevor Ariza).

I just heard this reported on ESPN that the two teams have spoken and the Hawks are willing to part with Josh Smith for Amare. Why would the Hawks do this? Amare has been injured each of the last 3 years and he doesn't play any defense at all. I would not trade Josh for Amare as I have stated before. I would possibly trade Marvin Williams, Josh Childress (if he returns) as the primary players for Stoudemire. This would be a huge mistake for the Hawks. Steve Nash would make Josh Smith into Shawn Marion deluxe, meaning, 25 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast, and the Hawks would look just as stupid as they would be for making this trade. The Suns style is taylor-made for Josh Smith and the Hawks style is not good taylor-made for Stoudemire.

Would u do this trade? They would cost us about 1.5 mill a year more than Marvin's qualifying offer and Randolph salary. My only problem with this is that Thorton does not shoot it from the 3 point line as well as Marvin. By the way I just heard on ESPN that the Suns have spoken to the Hawks and the Hawks are willing to part with Josh Smith for Amare and I say hell no.

Who sticks out to you? I think Josh Heytvelt would be good to pick up. He is 6"11 and skilled. He could end up being Brad Miller who wasn't drafted and has played a big role on some pretty good teams. Dionte Christmas is another guy I would look at a little. He can score, but can he be a knock-down shooter type? Im sure there are other guys out there. We really need to pick up a big or 2 and maybe a knock-down shooter type specialist. Who do you have on your radar?

What would you give up for a second chance at the 2nd overall pick in the draft?

Im not high on Marvin but I question will the 2nd pick in this years draft every be as good as Marvin. I like Thabeet but he could possibly never develop and is not worth the 2nd pick IMO. Rubio doesn't intrigue me. I'm not mad at management if they ignore these speculations and make my major moves in Free Agency.

Coming Soon. I hate to do this, but Im just being realistic. I did not even watch last nights game and I want watch Saturday's. Rather Joe is injured or not it seems we are being given and taking every available reason to lay down and play dead, but I will hold off until we are officially over for the year. Coming soon, real soon.

P.S. There have been a lot of additions to this second Board.

Game 2. I will take it other than the fact that I dont feel that ATL contested enough shots tonite. Other than that, I will take it. The 1 shot that indicates what I feel about game 2 is the bank shot by Wade. They made a record number of 3's for the Heat franchise. I also beleive it was a lucky night for the Heat. It's fools goal to think that the Heat will make that many 3's again, just as it was fool's goal to think the Hawks would blow the Heat out everygame. Just contest every shot and you should be fine, barring the refs sending Wade to the line 15 + times a game in Miami.

Finally, I find it a little disturbing that this was the lead story on Sportscenter. When we demolished the beloved D-Wade and crew on Sunday we got a mention in the 2nd or 3rd segment. The media are a bunch of fools for a Superstar. One more thing every possession always comes down to one on one. 5 people cant shoot the ball. Kenny Smith is really disappointing me with his ignorance. F the media and there D-Wade hype. Play some defense and come home 2-2 and determined.

Needs:

Small Forward: Marvin is done. He is too young to be having back issues. T-Mac's decline started the same way.

Point Guard: Bibby may walk at the end of the year. Futhermore; he has 3 years or so left at a starting level. Need to find backup and eventual replacement.

Big: Zaza may walk at end of the season. Futhermore; you need a rotation of 3 legit bigs to take the next step IMO.

BIG BOARD

1 Thabeet: Very unlikely to fall here.

2 Aldrich, Cole: Unlikely to fall here if he enters at all. Upside could be Kaman. On the other hand, he could be Aaron Gray. Worth a shot though.

3 Hill, Jordan: Unlikely to fall here. Is a rebounder at worst he can be one of the Davis brothers that played for Indiana.

4. Johnson, James: Somewhat Possible. Rebounds, has size to defend and I have seen him go coast to coast with more fluidness than Josh, more aggressive to the hole than Marvin. Would be a Great pick.

5. Young, Sam: My only doubt about this guy is he is 24 or 25 which will cut his career to 10 years if he is lucky.  Defense, Offense, and he will step up.

6. James, Damion: Mid-range game looks just as good or better than Marvins.  Finishes well.Does not handle well and probably doesn't have NBA 3 point range.

7. Lawson, Ty: Good change of pace guy if nothing else he can give what Speedy would be able to give if he was playing. On the other hand, he could be Raymond Felton with a little more quicks.

8. Flynn, Jonny: Has a chance to be a really good starter. Scores better than Lawson. Pushes it well. More athletic than Lawson . He just doesn't impress me on defense and he turns it over a lot more than Lawson. Could be better than Lawson on the Pro-Level though. Young Stephon Marbury like elevation on mid-range jumper.

9. Price, AJ: The guy can score and I think he can be a really good pick and roll player because he can shoot. Dont know how much of a passer he is though and he has only bested the 2:1 turnover ratio 1 out of 3 years.

10. Collins, Sheron: This guy can definitely be a change of pace guy if nothing else. He could turn into a 15p, 8 ast, guy also.

11. Thorton, Marcus: If you can get Flip without the ability to play point guard in the 2nd round, you should seriously consider it.

12. Douglas, Toney: Numbers dont support him being a point and size doesn't support him being a 2, but he can play and definitely could be a guy that you let come of the bench and just do what he does.

13. Heytvelt, Josh: Size, but doesn't rebound. Skills, but does not always put them to use. He has definite pick and pop ability though.