Packfill

The problem is the alternatives aren't any better.

I don't expect him to get great overnight. My point is you only get better by repetition and practicing against NBA players at game speed. Our entire team shoots jumpers way too much. That's why on average we shoot way less free throws than our opponents, and we tend to fold in the clutch when the other team takes it to the rack and we shoot long jumpers. And if there's anyone on this team with the body to take it to the rack and get dunks, layups, and/or get to the free throw line, it's Josh Smith.

And it pisses me off twice as much because he does relatively well when he does take it to the rack, like he did a couple of times last night. I guarantee that if for every 3 he took he would have driven straight to the hole instead, he would have gotten a lot more points on those posessions on average. And he would get the other team in foul trouble.

It's different in a clutch situation when we need a 3, it comes to him and he's open. I'm fine with those. But unless we really need a 3, he should be taking it to the hole. Develop that skill rather than trying to develop your 3 pt shooting.

If the Hawks trade down I think they should target Patrick O'Bryant (is that his name?), the center from Bradley who played well in the tournament - assuming he is even coming out.

Is anyone other then Diesel actively rooting against Marvin?

I know there are alot of people (myself included) who were critical of the pick and believe Paul would have been the better pick, but with the exception of Diesel and a few overly-pro Smoove posters no one is really against him. Obviously the "what ifs" will continue until Marvin proves himself, but that is the nature of the beast - people expect something from a number 2 pick regardless of his age.

Again, I am not rooting against Marvin, but I do have some serious concerns as to whether the team is being constructed in the best possible manner. Those concerns include whether Marvin and Smoove will workout as the starting forwards for the Hawks. Those concerns, while you may disagree with them, remain valid until proven otherwise.

He would certaintly fit the bill, but right now he says no so my statement above assumes he is not in the draft.

I think Aldridge would be a no-brainer if he were available when the Hawks pick. The problems arise if he is not available because there doesn't seem to be anyone else that so perfectly fits the needs of the team.

This has been discussed many times and I just can't get past how bad an idea bringing Iverson in would be. He is a phenomenal player, but he would destroy whatever cohesiveness this team is in the process of building.

Ugh. Are you paying attention to what people are talking about? No one said one undersized player was bad. What we are discussing is TWO undersized playes playing next to each other.

Lets go through the guys you list:

Olajuwan - He was a center. He played next to 7'4" Ralph Sampson and later 6'10" Otis Thorpe, both power forwards. Neither were undersized.

Barley - Definitely undersized at power forward. That said, he is somewhat of an anomoly but he did play next to the likes of Moses Malone in Philly (Moses was only 6'10" but was a wide body and arguably not undersized for the time he entered the league) and played next to 6'10" Tom Chambers and 7'0" David West in Phoenix if I am not mistaken (can't really remember).

Rodman - He played power forward for the Bulls. The Bulls starting center was a 7', I think Longley or Perdue at the time. Again, neither were undersized (neither was 6'7" long armed Scottie Pippen at small forward).

Worthy - Worthy was a SMALL FORWARD, a 6'9" one at that. So he was in no way undersized.

Brand - Undersized in height but he is a wide body with long arms that helps compensate for his size. Moreover, he is lined up next to 7'0" Chris Kamen, who is not undersized for a center.

Agreed. He will be a much better post defender than say Antoine Walker who was an All-Star as a PF in Boston.

I think Josh is clearly showing he can be a stud SF but it is way too early to determine whether he can play PF.

He would be nice to have as a bench guy but my understanding is that his game is still in the early development stage and he is not quite ready for real minutes.

If you combine the rosters of Atlanta and Orlando you would end up with a great team! They have everything the Hawks need and vice versa.

Theo has done o.k., but outside of that one year in Philly before he got injured and traded to the Hawks he hasn't exactly been a game changer or made a genuine contribution to a winning team. As such, I wouldn't consider him to be anything special.

I think people are talking in general about whether the Hawks can be successful with an undersized frontcourt - i.e., with Smoove and Marvin at the forwards.

I was advocating, along with others, that for that combo to be successful the Hawks are going to need a real banger in the post with some semblance of a post game on offense. Finding that guy obviously is easier said then done.

You proved the point - they only have one undersized player, the 6'9" center. Plus there is NO 6'9" player currently in the NBA that plays bigger then Ben Wallace. He is an exception tot he rule.

Can't really answer this because it depends in large measure on who the specific player they bring in is. Basically what I want to see is a good front court. I think the biggest need a defensive minded big with some semblance of a low post game on offense. Whether that individual is a center or power forward is a secondary concern.

A lot really depends on the coaching staff and front office. If they think Marvin and Smoove together work as the starting forwards, then I think we desparately need a big man at center. If the front office sees Smoove and Marvin as small forwards and only part time power forwards, then we need a power forward ASAP.

True to an extent. I believe Pau was always advertised as an inside guy. Dirk's shooting obviously was his calling card.

I just think that it is pointless to get one of those guys when the team has a crying need for some interior defense and post offense. Aldrige would be the best fit - or Noah if he declares. Thomas also would fit but the problem with him is that he may be too small to play center even in an age with smaller centers. Maybe ge will bulk up in a few years.

If the pick came down to Bargnani, Morrison or Gay I think the Hawks best move would be a trade, because none of those guys fit a need.

I do think this that the team should start addressing its needs this off-season. They have plenty of young talent to develop at the wing positions.

No real surprise that he is declaring.

That is why i don't want the Hawks to pick Bargnani.

I think you are making an argument out of nothin. The point is regardless of how tall the player is, the Hawks need someone who can play good post defense and has a decent post game on offense. Obviously, the taller that player the better as long as he has some mobility. Alonzo in his prime would be perfect - even if he isn't 7'. A Dwight Howard may even work because he plays bog. What the Hawks do not need is a 7' finesse player.

Maybe "threads" was a bad choice of words, but you certaintly have your fair share of anti-Al "posts."

But you are right, the Hawks would be incapable of making a come back with Al and would be incapable of having 25+ assists in a game with Al.

You realize that by posting all these anti-Al threads you are effectively becoming to Al what Diesel is to Marvin.

Don't go down to that level.

Couldn't agree more. 30 ain't that old. Garnett and Smoove would be an absolutely lethal forward combo.

I am not so sure he plays under control.

Donta does have game. He looks like he belongs when he is on the court.

I agree that Woody is not the long term answer. Realistically, both BK and Woody should get a pass this season and their long term status with the team evaluated next season. Next year at this time (i.e., the second half of next season) I want to see the team winning consistently. If the team still isn't winning then it will be time to upgrade the leadership.

Can you imagine the inside-outside game that would have allowed UNC to play?

Wow.