buckeye242424

That's a nice point. He seems to disappear sometimes on the court now when watching them play...it's never been like that before. Yet, he's still doing his thing. We have so many guys that focus our attention - depth - that Bibby just gets folded into the mix.

Rajon is my biggest fear. Not so much his scoring, but his assists. He had 11 vs. Utah. Who's going to guard him and prevent him from dribbling all around the court and into the paint to get someone an open look?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/chris_mannix/11/12/johnson/index.html?eref=sihp

I hate watching Knicks games. Frazier is the biggest homer announcer out there. He's annoying. Geesh, the Knicks are 1-8. I 'd hate to hear him when they're having any success...

9 assists last night.

Joe Johnson is a critical piece to this puzzle. We need him to play, and play well. I've been a fan of his since we signed him, and I still am. That being written, something is off. And I'm not meaning stats. Statistically he's doing what he should be doing, for the most part. It's in his demeanor, his body language, his interaction with teammates on the floor. He seems annoyed, and it's carrying through the game and into the post game comments. Is it the pressure of playing for the contract? Is it the obvious improvement of Smoove and the addition of Crawford stealing his thunder in his contract year? I don't know? Something just seems off to me...just my opinion.

A great win! Simply because if we would have lost then beat the Celts...it wouldn't have mattered. Similar to Charlotte and Denver. Marvin isn't hurting the team. 6-2 and looking strong. He's not standing out because he's not as talented as his teammates and there's no offense. It's not his fault. He's making the best of a bad situation as an individual. We're winning. He's part of it, and he's not a liability.

Of course it's directed at Smoove. Smoove is doing these commercials with the NBA elite and being hyped as the next big superstar. He's putting up numbers, see Denver, that will give him all-star consideration if they remotely continue. He hasn't taken any 3 pointers this year, yet, because it appears he's finally learned it's not a strength. Which begs the question? How many all-stars can the Hawks have? I suppose having two make the team is a possibility with our recent moderate success....but it's doubtful. How would it look in around the NBA, as far as JJ in probably his last big contract year, if Jamal Crawford steals the limelight and Smoove makes the All-Star team? Not good. JJ is being more vocal now than he has EVER been. It's kind of shocking actually, compared to his previous years as a Hawk. And, it's also shady. I'm not buying in to this "he's finally acting like a superstar". I'm sure its part of it, but I find it ironic that it's a contract year, a BIG contract year, and now he's starting to be critical of coaches and players?

Interesting read. Although, "Power Rankings" are the opinions of usually one man...like a Mark Stein or Hollinger for their respected sports site's. I don't put too much stock in power rankings. I do check them because I like to see the Hawks creep up...so I'm guilty of the sole purpose of them anyway, I just think they're useless. Now they are predicting where the Hawks will "rank" 3 years down the line? Good entertainment.

They're also number 6 in the cnnsi.com rankings: Atlanta Hawks (5-2) They are a hard team to figure out. They won at Portland and at home against Denver last week but were blown out by 20 at Charlotte, in the process surrendering 103 points to a Bobcats team that came in averaging an NBA-low 79.8. They will face their biggest test of the young season on Friday when they meet the Celtics in Boston. It's like the media recognizes the talent - both placing the HAwks as the sixth best in the NBA thusfar - but they're scared to justify it because we're the Hawks. Although, with the embarrassing loses (despite the good ones mentioned) are we really the sixth best team in these irrevalent rankings?

He's still so young. I know that argument is played, but the reality is he hasn't approached his peak after 6 years. I lump D. Howard in that discussion too. Scary. Hell, maybe it was all the Adidas commercials he did with the likes of Chauncey, KG, and Duncan's of the world? Maybe a little one on one conversations with HOF's during downtime really opened his eyes? So far, he's changed his game -albeit - for the better for him and the team. Only 7 games in, but I hope it sticks! As fans, it's all we can hope for....

I agree with that too. Mainly because most people around here follow the team for all 82 games and when a player like Zaza is starting at center instead of an injured Horf, it's all Zaza's fault for not being as effective. I hear ya... I've been guilty. I won't deny it. I think the Hawks have a better showing in the second round vs. the Cavs if we're healthy. Do we win with everyone healthy, no. Do we get swept? I dunno, moot point. But injuries happen all the time, and they're unfortunate. Shouldn't ever be an excuse to why you win or lose a game in November or a series in June.

Agreed. In 82 games, does it really matter? That's why the season is so long. The NBA weeds out the "contenders" with the "pretenders". All teams go through injuries, and unless it's a season ending one to your francise player, there's no excuse. When we look back after the all-star break, are we really going to say that the win vs. Denver the seventh game of the season was a fluke because K-Mart was hurt?? I doubt it. Part of the game.

I agree to a point, but I disagree at the same time. Doesn't make much sense, but I can see where you can make the assumption about Joe. Three reasons why: 1. Woody's offense still hasn't changed much. There's a time and place for one-on-one, it's the NBA. But I think the players are realizing there own talents, and the talents around them - and if they don't "get mine" by doing it on their own, they're not going to score because there's no system in place to get easy buckets. One exception, only 7 games in, and Smoove is dishing out a high number of assists. This however, is awesome to see. 2. He's playing for $$$$. This is the best team the Hawks have had in a long time, and for sure in his tenure. He's known as the best player. Having the reputation of being the best player on, suddenly, a team that's no longer taken lightly while playing for his biggest contract??? Recipe for more shots, and criticisms in the media. In this thread, after the Bobcat game, he more or less call out Woody about the number of one-on-one plays made by the team. Now he says in regards to his teammates "It's me,me, me. It's crazy man". Well dude, how is that any different from past years? Only that is was you getting all the 1 on 1 opportunties? 3. Jamal Crawford. Finally there's a Hawk close to par, if not a wash, or better, who can score the ball as well as JJ. JJ's never had to worry about who was relied on to do the scoring. It was always him. Not anymore. Jamal presents a significant challenge to #2. Is JJ going to be offered francise money when his points per game go down, but the team gets better?? That being written, I don't see JJ acting selfishly. I do see a change in his style of play, but the MOST GLARING behavior is his willingness to open up. He's not quiet Joe anymore. He's vocal, at least in the media, whihc makes me hope he's doing it in the locker room too. What's his motive? He genuienly cares about this team and how good they can really be....or is he just moaning because he doesn't like what's going on and he's laying the foundation of why he left come next summer?

I'll take it! I hope I can see it. On my guide on League Pass, I see no Hawks game...I'm worried. Anyone tell where else I could see it on-line??

It wasn't a fluke. They tanked on purpose, hoping to get s legit shot at Duncan. Finishing with the third worst record in the league was enough. Every four or five years (maybe not now because of the one and done rule) there's a college player,or in LeBron's sake high school player, out there that's head and shoulders above the rest. So I do think there's some luck involved...at the expense of season after you lose your MVP. But, whatever. They got the best PF of all time and are still reaping the benefits.

What would impress you? 12-13 ppg with a team loaded with scorers? Teague will play more, it's been 5 games, 3 out west.

They are performing well, and have been for a couple of years. There isn't a clear cut number two. JJ is one. After that, it's scoring by comittee, Anyone else on the Hawks can emerge. Marv doesn't need that role defined for him. Neither does Bibby, Smoove, or Horf, or Craws....

You're worried about the future when we are having success now? What happens when we give up Horf, our center - best froncourt player on a thin line - and our starting SF for a point guard. I don't care if he's the best. It makes the Bibby signing stupid, our number one draft pick in Teague stupid, and the signing of Crawford questionable. Not to mention we would be starting Zaza and Craws...which brings Mo Evans playing huge minutes. Not a chance. Horf and Marv for Paul with the way our team is set up now is not the correct direction.

Yes it is. Today. Pay attention to details. Why would we want Chris Paul, Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford, and Jeff Teague on the team. Why would we give up our starting SF, and C? My point was, if that trade was made today, there's no way it improves our team. We would get killed inside worse than we are now, and we would be overloaded on the perimeter.

But he is scoring and hitting the open looks. He's a shooter now, and good outlet for JJ's double, or Craw. I think he hits a significant cold streak, we'll see more of Teague. Right now, roll with the stars and the vets....

That's true. He won't get the media attention, but to us, the people that watch him night-in/night-out - he's an asset defensively. That shouldn't be overlooked.

I wouldn't today, that's for sure!

Well you admit he plays solid defense, which is true. Averaging 14 points a game isnt being "slack".

This isn't too far off to what he averaged last year. I don't see it increasing though, with his scoring opportunities will go down with the addition of the improved bench, specifically Crawford. Yet another Marvin hate thread only addressing offense and points. Defense is 50% of the game, and he's one of our better ones....