Packfill

I agree to an extent, but until Dallas or Phoenix wins a championship I will have reservations about building a team deviod of a low post presence. Plus, Phoenix will have that presence once Amare is back.

No question the limited roster last year allowed Smoove and Childress to play more and thus develop - Marvin doesn't have that luxory. But I still believe both Smoove and Childress had better rookie years then Marvin is having to date.

As long as one of the two turns into a good player I am fine, doesn't matter which. So far, Smoove is a better player then Marvin. I also believe Smoove had a better rookie year then Marvin is having, despite the fact that Smoove was younger at the time and right out of high school.

But we will see. There are always guys who when you watch them the skills are obvious - guys like Marvin, Derrick Coleman (when he was with 'cuse), Jimmy Jackson (he was great at Ohio State), Grant Hill, etc. Not all of those player are able to translate those skills into actual on the court production. Dominique Wilkins was like Smoove in that he really didn't have the greatest skills (Dominique did not have the prettiest shot or the best handle), but he used what gifts he had to become one of the best players in the game. Smoove may be one of those guys.

Talent is key, but the team is in danger of becoming overwhelmingly perimeter oriented. If Al goes there really is not reliable post presence left on the roster. That definitely is a concern going forward.

I disagree. I think Salim's lack of ball handling and indifferent defense make him a liability on the court when he is not hitting his shots, which has been the norm of late. Again, best case scenario for Salim is that he becomes a Vinnie Johnson type offensive weapon of the bench. Absent that, he will have a Tony Delk/Eddie House/Fred Hoiberg type career.

Salim is not a starting caliber guard either - especially starting point guard. Same is true of Lue, although he is arguably the best the Hawks have currently.

I doubt Ivey is in the NBA next year. Hopefully the Hawks address their glaring hole at the point guard position in the off-season.

I don't think he is immortal. He has his limitations. that said he is one of the best point guards in the NBA at the age of 20.

Your post deserved it. Accept the fact that Paul is rookie of the year and move on. Why rip off the scab? Because a 20 year who has played big minutes leading his team to an improbable run at the playoffs may have hit the rookie wall?

Being critical of Paul is a joke.

Sarcasm on) I am sure New Orleans is regreting the pick now. (sarcasm off).

Are you kidding me? Duncan and Garnett have never done that - what makes you think Smoove can? Unless you are talking about 5 fouls, 3 turnovers and 3 dunks per game.

Unbelivable.

Why can't Woody get him to play some D?

My eyes just got a little misty.

That line-up is no better then what they have right now. Lue, Chillz (to a lesser extent) and Pryz are borderline starters at best.

In reality JJ can have a leading role (option 1.a) on a winning team, it is just that needs an option 1.b. That option 1.b may eventually be a Smoove or Marvin, but what is really needed is a Jermaine O'Neal type.

I do not understand why people get so offended when someone says that JJ or some other Hawks player is not a basketball god. JJ is very good but he just is not on the level of a Jordan or even a Kobe, Wade, Pierce, etc.

Then what the hell is your point here? Just trying to get a rise out of people?

Marbury is nothing like Nash, Kidd or any other true point guard and does nothing but drag down the teams he plays for while collecting a huge check.

Allen Iverson is a chucker but he is a chucker who plays his #$ off and wins games. I can root for a chucker like that. How can you expect anyone to root for the Hawks to acquire someone like Marbury?

Why would Portland need another forward with Randolph, Miles, Outlaw, Monya, etc. already on their roster? Plus they have Webster who can play at the forward position.

I would love Blake too but we have nothing of value to Portland.

The upshot of all the back court injuries is at least we got a chance to see what Ivey could do in an expanded role. Turns out, he is not so good. At least they were able to determine this so that they can move in a different direction next year.

No way Memphis trades Stoudamire for Lue. Stoudamire played well for them until injured. Lue is incapable of being anything more then a back-up. The Hawks would be lucky to get a second round pick for him in a trade.

Those are some great points. He has strengths and obvious weaknesses as well, but the way people talk about him he is the devil incarnate. He is not a Steve Francis, Stephon Marbury or Ron Artest chemistry killer.

I am at a loss as to why the coaching staff plays him at the 4 on defense when Smoove would likely be a better fit. Anyone know why?

You are right he hasn't proven anything, but Al has proven time and time again that he is not clutch so I'll take my chances with the new guy.

Outside of the true superstars do you expect someone to get 34 ponts a night? Again, I am not advocating that Al is a superstar or anything akin to that, just that he is a solid NBA player.

19/7/3 for a small forward who is the second offensive option on a team is not bad.

I don't understand most of you guys. You constantly hate on Al. Is Al a superstar? No. But, he is a very solid player. He plays hard, average 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists per game. Those are good numbers for a small forward! (and don't give me the crap about the power forward stuff, we know he is a small forward who is frequently placed at power forward by a bad coach). His numbers are substantially similar to JJ's (just revers rebounds and assists) who everyone loves.

Yes his defense is less then stellar, but if the Hawks had a competent head coach he would place Al more on the perimeter on defense rather then matching him up inside with bigger players.

Now, I am not advocating that he be resigned necessarily because of the glut of small forwards on the team, but he is a sold player who when used correctly can help a team win. No he does not deserve a max contract or really anything close to that, but for $7-9 million in todays NBA he is a nice player to have.

Most of you have such a love/hate relationship with Hawks players. You love a guy initally based on potential then hate him if he doesn't become a "superstar." This has happened with JT, SAR, Antoine, Al, Alan Henderson, Lorenzen Wright, etc.

If Josh Smith is a power forward why doesn't the team's coach use him at that position?

I beg to differ. Obviously a defensive oriented big man is a major need as well but they are needs 1.A and 1.B as far as I am concerned. The Hawks need both to become a complete team and to have any realistic chance of being successful when they eventually make it into the playoffs.

I think Foye will "play point guard" but more in the mode of a Luther Head or Steve Francis type, meaning he is not really a point guard but only plays one because of his height.

As evidenced by last nights game and many other games over the past few seasons, the Hawks need someone who can bring the ball up the court against pressure defenses, direct the offense when things stagnant and generally lend a helping hand to JJ.

I just have my doubts about another combo guard - the Hawks already have JJ, Lue and Salim to fill that role, why get another?