99PROBL3MS

:cant believe: You can't really believe this can you?

The part about getting Woody fired was just comic relief after we discussed things such as effort, unwillingness to fight over the top of screens, lazy closeouts, Crawford dribbliing into traps, etc. All the things people like us who have watched ATL all yeasr knew. I feel your point Ben but would you not be willing to give up Craw and Mo Evans expiring 13M for a shot at Chris Paul? We know JJ will never be a Lebron/Prime-Kobe type player but I honestly do think he can be every bit as good (and probably better) than the 2008 Paul Pierce that was a key component of Boston's 2008 championship. You have to love the possibility of adding Chris Paul to this group as well as some enforcers to the bench like Kurt Thomas and Chuck Hayes. Maybe Haywood would sign on for MLE? Who knows but I can't wait to find out. I just don't want to go back to fighting for a playoff spot whene could try to make one last push with this team. Heck what is Lenny Wilkens doing nowadays? Lol

The problem with Woody's offense is that in the regular season when you see a different team every couple nights you can win by having talents such as Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford, Al Horford, and Josh Smith. In the playoffs, when you see the same team 7 times over two weeks, they have time gameplan for you and adjustments must be made. The Magic have done a great job of trapping, doubling and shading D12 towards JJ this series. They have dared the rest of this team to beat them. Craw and Horf had great games yesterday and we still lost by 30pts. JJ missed some shots we have seen him routinely make all season. He can't be Lebronesque which is pretty much what we have asked him to be the last 3 years, but he can still be the key cog on a championship caliber team much like Paul Pierce was for Boston in 2008. I say get Chris Paul in here for a trade involving Craw and Mo's expiring contracts and see what we can do. As frustrated and disappointed as we are in JJ. He is far more disappointed in himself I am sure. My buddy is an NBA Scout and I asked him what he thought was wrong. He said it appears like the Hawks players are trying to get Woody fired. Let's home they can win game 4 and give us something to cheer about.

I still think the Hornets could possibly be interesting in taking on the expiring contracts of Crawford and Evans (who probably won't opt out....smh) for Chris Paul. The same could apply for Tony Parker who the Spurs want to move. That gives ATL the PG they have missed the past three playoff seasons. As well as three legit allstar players. (Assuming JJ would resign) We still wouldn't have that elite superstar the caliber of Lebron, prime-Kobe etc. but Boston proved will 3 good allstar caliber guys and solid role players you can win it all. Chris Paul/Tony Parker, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams along with a functional bench should be able to compete with anyone over a 7 game period

Pretty much. I am sure the other players would have said the same thing. I don't think this is JJ being cynical.

When I read those statements, I don't think of it as some big bad idictment on how JJ feels about the fans. I am willing to bet you could have asked anyone in that lockerroom the same question and got a similar response in so many words. These guys just got embarrassed for the 3rd time in a row and booed off of their "home"court. I am sure Smoove would have said the same thing. If I was in their shoes, fans would be the last thing on my mind also. I would be more worried about how to win game 4 and not suffer another embarrassing loss.

Just my two cents: First, someone must convince Mo Evans that he is better off opting out. That 2.6M could be used to land someone far more productive. I let Joe Smith, Collins, and all the expirings walk. I resign Joe Johnson. He is making 14.9M now. I offer 5yr/78M (a slight raise to 15.6M) which is not as much of a cap strapper. I offer Kurt Thomas a one year contract. I offer Chuck Hayes a two year contract at 2M. Then: 1) If Mo doesn't opt out, I would try to trade Crawford (expiring 10M contract) and Mo Evans (expiring 2.6M) to New Orleans for Chris Paul (13M). or PG: C.Paul SG: J.Johnson SF: Marvin WIlliams PF: Josh Smith C: Al Horford Jeff Teague Mike Bibby Chuck Hayes Zaza Pachula Michael Finley/Jerry Stackhouse etc. *Draft scoring guard 2) SnT with Memphis: Rudy Gay (offer Marvin's price of 4yr/28M) for Marvin Williams + Draft pick(s) PG: Jeff Teague SG: J.Johnson SF: R. Gay PF: Josh SMith C: Al Horford J.Crawford M.Bibby Zaza Kurt Thomas Chuck Hayes Mo Evans I have tried to think of some scenarios to vastly improve this team without starting over. It will be interesting to see what happens this summer. we either make some moves to become a contender or start over from scratch and fight for the playoffs. I think added a very good veteran PG could be huge for the now and future in helping develop Teague. I know the Spurs are looking to move the oft-injured Tony Parker who is only 27years old. At the least we need to secure a PG and add a true Center such as Brendan Haywood who should come cheaper than what he made this season (6M). If Matt Barnes and Mo Evans both opt out, I would offer Barnes what we pay Evans in a heart beat. I don't know but it will be interesting to see what happens.

I think he is just tired and banged up guys. A summer of rehab will do him well.

Man f### the Magic. They will get theirs in Phillips today. Like C-Webb said yesaterday, Atlanta is a contender at home. The problem is winning on the road. Let's hope that holds true tomorrow! LET'S GO HAWKS!!!!!!

Maybe I am mistaken, but show me where he has ever come out and said he deserves an extension. I am not saying I agree with the statment. I am not saying I agree with it. I am not saying it was a smart thing to say, but I think it should be taken with a grain of salt.

I don't buy the setting low expectations deal. When has Woody ever taken major credit for the success of this team. I havre never heard him use the word "I" when discussing the success of the team. It is always "we". I think he is just calling it how he sees it. As he says, they have him getting fired every year.

I am not suprised at all by Smith's actions or comments. He has done the same thing all year. Arguing with the refs instead of getting back on defense. Why are we shocked? Also, I am lmao @ the "He is still growing as a player." He has been in the NBA for six seasons now. When does the maturation start top occur? Having watched him for 6 years now, he is even worse now than 4 or 5 years ago. He needs a reality check.

Now Joe is nothing more than a good role player. If you say so...... :cant believe:

Marvin needs a serious wakeup call.

I still have some faith in Woodson. He is a top 15 NBA coach and I think with some help offensively, he could be an elite coach. Defense is his forte' though. When him and the players backs were against the wall in Gm 6 and 7, they held the Bucks to their lowest two point totals of the season. MVP is right though. Woodson is at his best under pressure. I personally can't wait to see what Woody and the Hawks do tonight. The Magic are a weird team. They had Cleveland down by 41pts in the 3rd last April. The Cavs kept Lebron and some starters in to make it look respectable. Woody pulled his guys. They turned around and lost to the Grizzlies at home 3 days later. It wouldn't suprise me to see ATL win tonight. I can't wait!

Wade is a warrior. He was giving the Celtics 40.

JJ talking the talkJoe realizes it is now or never for him. If he can do what he knows he needs to do, we can compete and possibly even win this series. He carries a heavy burden for this team and he has to come out strong. The good news is that he plans to. I am excited to see if he can tomorrow night. If he does we certainly have a chance at the upset. Sorry if this article has already been posted.

If the Hawks win tomorrow and JJ owns I am sure you will be on the hush.......until he has another off night of course. You have the biggest case of JJ hate I have ever seen anywhere. Its sickening almost.

Lebron's defensive IQ crushes Wade? You are kidding with that one surely. What makes him such a better defender in your eyes? Is it that they make a Top 10 highlight for all of his blocks? He plays NO on ball defense. Due to the ineptitude of his teammate, Wade is often forced to defend the other teams primary perimeter threat. How many times has Lebron done so? Wade is much more likely to give up his body and take a charge. Aside from the offball/chasedown blocks, and the occasional play in the passing lanes, I don't see this great Defensive IQ you speak of. You really think Lebron is a better defender than another small Forward like Shane Battier?

I am on board. Maybe its just me, but I would rather make a team beat me shooting from 23ft and further than let D12 have a field day. All playing him str8 up did to us lastnight was get us into the penalty with 7 or 8 minutes left in each quarter. I wish we had a Perkins, Dalembert, KG, Shaq, Rasheed Wallace, Noah etc. that could play him str8 up but that isn't the case. It has to be one or the other in my opinion. Take the thinking out of it. Either you double him everytime or you play him straight up. I hope we double him and make them beat us from the outside.

I know stats aren't the end all be all when it comes to NBA "All-Defense" but when is the last time a player has been top 10 and steals and top 5 in blocks? Lebron gets too much credit as a defender. He is a good offball shot blocker and his athleticism allows him to get a lot of chasedown blocks. He does a nice job of playing the passing lanes but what else does he do defensively? Dwyane Wade blocks more shots than Lebron, plays the passing lanes better and is much better as an onball defender. He never gets much credit as a defender though. At least not as much as Lebron.

I agree . Good post. I think the problem with JJ last night was that he tried too hard to get others involved. He wasn't selfish enough in my opinion. I will give him props for crashing the boards last night. He had 7 rebounds in the first half (3 offensive). He has to become a factor and be more selfish in this series offensively. The magic don't have anyone who can guard him on the perimeter so he can't settle for those long fadeaway jumpers. Strong guard play is the only way we can win this series because our bigs can't handle D12. There isn't any amount of coaching Woody can give Horford to help him defend D12. Howard is just that dominant. Offensively, you have to make jumpshots from the perimeter. That is where JJ, Craw, and Bibby come in.

LMAO this is joke but I know it would happen. Josh has more Blocks, more steals, and more defensive rebounds than LeBallhog yet he doesn't get the first team spot. That's a joke.

I mentioned in a thread last week how sick I am that the Hawks took Teague at #19 and the Hornets got Collison at #21. No disrespect meant to Teague but this team would be ridiculous with DC at the point. During the 25 games he started while CP3 was out Collison averaged 18.6pts 8.6assist, 3.8reb and 1.8stls. Getting that kind of production forom the PG position would make ATL unstoppable bibby doesn't even give us half of that. It would make Joe much more dangerous not having to serve as the primary ballhandler and playmaker. He would be far more dangerous. We could dream. Hindsight is definitely 20/20. Maybe the Hornets are willing to move Collison now CP3 is back? I would trade my draft picks and whatever else they wanted for DC lol.

Damn. That is good stuff. Thanks fore posting. Hopefully Woody is well aware of this.