I can't be the only one that has noticed. But every Hawks-Celtics broadcast has roughly three different NBA, TNT, ABC, or ESPN promos that feature Celtic players if not the whole team, while not using any promos with Hawks players.

I don't blame the entities involved for using Celtic players or for not using any Hawks. But the producers involved in the broadcast seem to have no problem running these promos during the series these players are involved in. Doesn't it concern you that the NBA and it's partners (ESPN/TNT/ABC) are openly marketing one of the teams it is in the middle of covering? Doesn't that seem like a conflict of interest? Why doesn't TNT just ask Kevin Harlan to wear a Boston jersey while he's at it.

Yeah, I may be overreacting. But a league that has a history of image problems relating to bias and corruption should be more conscious of the choices it makes when using players to market the game.

Hello, my name is Axhfan. I'm a recovering Josh Smith fan.

At first I was caught up in the excitement of it all. The blocked shots, the stat stuffing, it all seemed so glamorous. Then I saw the flip side. The unenergetic lows, arguments with coaches and refs, and then... jump shots.

At first I ignored it, made excuses. People told me I should trade him away and I never listened. I knew he would mature. I knew he would grow into a consistent 20-10 combo forward. They didn't understand that he's still getting better.

Every time I was ready to give up hope Josh would do something spectacular, erasing any doubt. People told me he shouldn't take 3-pointers, then he took it out of his game completely. When he started shooting them again the following season, I said he had improved his J and now he was a deep threat.

Then the 3s stopped falling.

The 3s stopped falling, the long 2s stopped falling, and the post game dried up.

I'm finally ready to call it quits. I'm ready to give up on "Smoove". No longer will I suffer the hectic nature of a Josh Smith season. I'll leave that for the fantasy owners. It's time to trade him in for a better man. It's time for the steady relationship an Emeka Okafor would bring. Sure, he's not flashy, but he'd be enough for me.

But it has become clear. It's time to trade Josh Smith.

There's been a lot of talk about Steve Nash's availability. Not really sure how available the point guard really is, and it's unlikely the Hawks would have the balls for that kind of big time deal. So there's a very good chance this thread is really just fantasy and all for fun. But I wanna hear some proposals. His contract isn't insane but it would probably be a deal mostly involving expiring contracts and picks.

Parameters:

1. If using the trade machine, you must be able to back up your trade for EVERY team and not just ours. Remember that the trade machine is helpful tool but does not take logic into consideration.

2. Keep in mind the Hawks' reluctance to destroy our core. The closest thing to a blockbuster deal we've made (the JJ and Bibby trade) involved scrap pieces on a horrible team and picks. Now that we're a fairly decent playoff team, things are different. While there is no golden cow to cater to on the team, most likely JJ, Horford, and Smooth are staying put.

3. This will not turn into a self-loathing vent about how we will never ACTUALLY have a major trade to bolster the team.

Honestly, arn't yall?

We'll have a new coach next year (Black Kojak seems like a nice guy but he's an average coach).

Joey will be gone (Can't operate a fast break, can't share, can't make buckets when anybody pays attention).

And early indications have Zero Wing in the starting lineup (I still LOVE Mike Bibby, this will never change).

Do you realize that our starting lineup (If we do not use cap room on a JJ replacement) will be Teague, Crawford, Marv, Smooth and Horford? That's insane! You thought we were athletic before? Wait until we get a coach who knows how to initiate fast breaks rather than walking the ball up and down the court and waiting for a turnover to run.

Next season's team, if nothing else, is gonna be fun as Hell to watch.

Obviously this could look different depending on how we spend our money this offseason. But as long as we use our draft picks properly (Can I interest you in Gani Lawal?), and add some pieces to upgrade our bench, I think we'll still be a dynamic team next year.

With JJ gone and Jeff as a starter, the Hawks are even younger and cheaper with an unknown cieling.

I want Joe back and I want him here long-term, but if it requires a max deal then let him go.

Here are the candidates to replace the Joe Show.

John Salmons - Essentially the same player as Johnson though not quite as good defensively..... or offensively. But Salmons would fill the JJ void. And he has the added value of already playing with Bibby in Sacramento. Overall, I think Salmons would be a good alternative and just a lateral move.

Anthony Morrow - Call me bias for the GT grad but Morrow would be a nice option. In his two years at Golden State Morrow has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the league and the only good defender on a horrible defensive squad. Morrow is young, though, so the Spirit may be reluctant to give him the keys to the team. So Morrow, if signed, could fill Jamal's spot as Jamal fills Joe's. Either way, Anthony could be a nice pickup. Especially considering his upside.

Rudy Gay - Probably not as well rounded a player as JJ, but arguably still better. If Memphis can't lock this guy up the Hawks should definitely take a look at him, even if that means letting Joe leave. Plus, don't you kinda wanna get back at the Griz for almost stealing Smooth from us?

Micheal Redd - If healthy, could be a major steal. Though I don't see any logical reason for Redd to opt outta his contract.

Al Harrington - I realize he's a Foreward. Bring him off the bench to fill Jamal's scoring, then let Jamal start. Bam!

Allen Iverson - I don't care. I love AI. There.

Richard Jefferson - I don't want him. But he may be available. Not to mention we would finally have a player to provide that much needed chemistry with Jason Collins!

Jamal Crawford - "The Difference" may turn into "The Stopgap" if all goes horribly wrong this off season. I love Jamal off the bench, but the thought of Crawford and Bibby having to defend the best guards in the league to start a game? Not for me.