http://blogs.ajc.com/hawks/2010/07/10/atlanta-hawks-camp-chatter/?cxntfid=blogs_hawks

Some observations and chatter after two open practice sessions at Philips Arena:

 The Hawks haven’t offered Shaq a contract yet. We Already knew that..

 There’s still the open question of what kind of role he’s willing to accept on his new team. The Hawks also are said to be looking at Brad Miller, Ilgauskas, Kurt Thomas, Kwame Brown and Anthony Tolliver. oooh good to know

 Johan Petro was a possibility before he agreed with New Jersey on a three-year, $10 million deal. That should give you an ideal that it’s still a seller’s market for centers. aaah bummer(or was it?)

L.D.’s summer plan for Teague:

“What I told him is basically I am going to turn him loose. I want him to be himself. I don’t want him to be concerned about making mistakes and missing shots because I have all the confidence in the world in his ability. He can break the defense down, he can get into the interior of the defense. He knows how to make plays. He is just one of the guys on our team with that breakdown ability. I want to allow him to be himself and play carefree and go out and have fun. No restrictions for him.”

Now this I like. Looks like someone knows what needs to be done with our former rookie to loosin him up.

L.D. on Jordan Crawford (how’s JC2 for a nickname?):

“This kid has speed, he has quickness, he can make shots. He does a great job reading the defense. I see him being a real good plus to us because the kid can score. He has that uncanny ability with scoring, whether out on the perimeter or getting to the basket. He finds ways to score. He seems to be a pretty clever basketball player. I am excited about him.”

 L.D. isn’t turning him loose like Teague, though. He wants Crawford to get used to his likely role with the Hawks, which means being a low-volume, high-efficiency scorer.

“I know he was a big-time scorer in college and I don’t want to take away his aggressiveness,” Drew said. “But shot selection is a big key at this level. I will allow him to be himself but I will be letting him know if I think it’s a bad shot.”

More info about camp can be be found via cunninghams blog on ajc.com

"I wish I had it to do all over again and, starting 20 years ago, I'd be suspending Phil and Pat Riley for all the games they play in the media," Stern said yesterday. "So our coaches should be quiet, because this is a good business that makes them good livings and supports a lot of families. And if they don't like it, they should go get a job someplace else."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Stern-ready-to-suspend-Phil-Jackson-?urn=nba,236246

Thoughts? Something to stir the......mind persyalol

“Maybe go to Ruth’s Chris or something,” he said. 

“There’s pretty much nothing to do,” Smith said. “Miami has some really good restaurants. I never really did anything in Milwaukee. I would be happy to just find a restaurant. I’m not bashing the city but I’ve never actually did anything in Milwaukee so I really don’t know what is around there.”

"Would you go there?" Smith asked. "Everybody knows there ain’t nothing to do in Milwaukee, man. Everybody knows that, (even) the people that live there."

Now, I wouldn't mind a more entertaining series but man J-smoove kinda sorta in a way dissed Milwaukee.(ala joakim noah treatment). Could this backfire hawks fans or is it just an innocent laugh?

I read this comment on ajc.com by RA and i just fell in love with this statement:

Elite teams don’t peak around corners trying to spot the neighborhood bully so that they can run in the other direction before they get spotted and beaten to a pulp. Elite teams go looking for the neighborhood bully, stare him down, and say, "let’s dance." I’m sorry, but as a Hawks fan my question isn’t "who do we play?"

My question is "WHOSE NEXT?"

Continue reading this post »

                                                       Josh Smith's Jumpshot v.s. Joe Johnsons Isolation

Okay, I contradict myself so much on these two topics that it should be a crime. The main reason I hate and love these two moves is because I have been watching these players for a very long time and its hard not to criticize your favorite players. Its no secret Josh's game has grown, but we all know when we see him set his feet we all start to cringe at the possibility of  that brick.

Although, there are occasional times where I want him to take that shot which is a reason unknown to me. He is getting better at this jumper and now I have to bite my tongue to the best of my ability because that jumper on a consistent basis could mean smoove will be unstoppable.

(Im still cringing looking at him)

Now jj is my screen saver and my first hawks jersey(after 'nique of course), but I cant shake the urge to want him to pass it. Although when he has games like against oklahoma and the clippers, who am I to criticize? Right? JJ has been in the league long enough to gain respect for everything he does although there are bitter sweet effects to his game. I have learned to live with them but cant help wonder if he did this or that..........

While I happened to be surfing the web in search of NBA news, I happened to find the NBA's Midseason Report Card by Sean Powell. He rated our hawks as an: 

                                                                                           A-

and here is his analysis on our hawks this season:

The Hawks can beat anybody. Ask the Celtics -- Atlanta is 3-0 against Boston. That in itself is a victory for this club and demonstrates the growth shown by the Hawks over the last few years. Management decided to keep the young nucleus intact and made a big off-season addition in Crawford. Both have paid off handsomely, as the Hawks have stayed near the top of the East all season.

Are they squarely with the big boys in the East, with the Celtics and Cavaliers and Magic? Well, if they're a cut below, then only by a sliver. Provided they stay healthy, the Hawks will be big challenge for any title contender in a seven-game playoff series. Unlike last season, they have a terrific player coming off the bench, and Johnson will be in contract drive once the postseason begins.

Still, we wonder if they'll have what it takes to pull out a Game 7? That's the only lingering question.

Explanation of Marking System

• A - Superior (so were superior lol)
  
• B - Above Average
• C - Average
• D - Below Average
• F - Failing

You can find his entire report card on the hawks back court, front court, defense, etc on nba.com.
 

Johnson, who was limping a bit after treatment, said his injury(right foot) is “nothing major.” He has started all 40 games this season.

“I ain’t going to be missing no games,” he said. “We’ve got something special going on here.”

Joe Johnson knows whats going on hawks fans! See, he knows what they are going for, or attempting to go for. But, does he really know? For these last couple of games, he has looked a little lost to me. I guess the injury was what was causing the ball to stay in his hans eh? I love ya jj, but get it together. Please get it together.  Get better JJ and Smoove! (right achilles for smoove) They will play tonight  although they missed practice on tuesday.

My fellow hawks fans,

We remember those short years ago when our team was the one at the bottom of the bottom building up and fighting for respect. Although I don't like bringing up the past, we were that excited team ready to win. So please hawks, don't do what you did in Charlotte. Don't make it seem as if a team is not  worthy just because their at the bottom of the bottom. Remember you were once that team that was waiting in the wings to alter someones winning record. Let's play legit basketball tonight and do like the randmo has been doing, give it all you got even if it doesn't count.

via alt.coxnewsweb.com

Can it really be happening fellow hawksfans? Could our hawks really be taking that next step up that large ladder to startum?

I know, maybe too soon. But after tonights game, the questions are endless. Can they make major comebacks against better teams. Not even just better teams, to be precise the elite of the league. Are Crawford and Johnson enough to get us over that hump? Can Smoothcoming into his destiny get us where we need to be?

To be or not to be, That is the ultimate question.( lol seriously its like my first time blogging)