Packfill

For another losing situation?

For all the "squawking" we do, we have to remember that being a Hawks fan makes all of us a part of a small community and we stand together in the end.

Right now it is just speculation as to what Smith will become. It is really up to him and the coaches. The coaches need to decide what they want him to be. On his end if he is going to be a power forward he has to continue getting stronger and work on a post game and post defense, blocking out, etc. If he is going to be a small forward he has to learn to dribble, work on his jump shot and learn to stay in front of his man on defense.

He may become Ben Wallace - he may become Keon Clark. He may become Dominique or he may become Kenny "Sky" Walker.

Howard as I think he has more potential on the defensive end. I believe Bosh is the superior scoring threat though and probably always will be.

He should know better.

Why didn't he sign with the Hawks previously? Either BK did not want him or he did not want to play for the Hawks.

Plus, it is unclear whether Pryz is worth more then the mid-level exception.

Maybe you haven't notice but Anderson is not very good. PJ Brown is playing most of the minutes at center for NO. PJ likely will not be wearing a NO uniform next year. So, Pryz is a pretty good fit there and they don't have the bad blood that exists between Pryz and Atlanta for whatever reason.

You want Atlanta to stockpile centers by acquiring Nene and Pryz. Why wouldn't NO want to do the same?

Plus Okafor is a power forward. Prezac is their center. Chandler can play power forward (although he is not playing well period right now) for the Bulls and is injury prone so I imagine they wouldn't mind stockpiling talent as well.

Slim and none!

He wasn't exactly telling the truth when he proclaimed JJ the Hawks new point guard in the off-season.

Charlie V?

Those would be about the same odds that Vegas would have given the Hawks of landing JJ.

Trace met with BK on a season ticket holder get together and asked him why Przybilla left. BK wouldn't give specifics other than to say he wanted him but Joel wanted to go elsewhere.

Lets be honest here, even if Donta develops into a player his chances of getting meaningful playing time are slim to none with Marvin/Chill/JJ/Salim in his way.

I would do the Donta for Loren Woods trade but doubt it will have a meaningful impact on the court.

The thing I don't understand is why people want/expect him to fail? He is a 20 year old rookie that has played brilliantly and his play has directly translated into wins for a team that is very young and lacks talent. To suggest that a 20 year old will not improve is laughable. Obviously it can happen, but it would be the exception not the norm.

Why are we sure of this? Did BK try and resign him? Did Pryz just say he doesn't want to be in Atlanta? Either way it makes the chances of signing him as a free agent slim to none.

I am sorry, but regardless of where you stand on the Marvin/Paul debate, that is the biggest load of crap ever.

John Stockton never slowed down did he? Mark Price got worse? Kevin Johnson was hindered by his six foot frame? Larry Bird was hindered by his lack of athleticism? Reggie Miller was thrown of his game because of his lack of strength?

There are hundreds of players with exceptional athletic abilities that were not able to translate that into NBA stardom.

I doubt both would sign long-term due to the playing time issue.

Francis is a shooting guard (he is not a point guard, watch him play). Joe Johnson and Salim Stoudamire are shooting guards. Why do the Hawks need Francis?

But you gotta love his potential!

So he is injury prone?

Foyle's contract is an abomination. The Hawks want no part of that.

You think the Hawks will win giving up 45 pts in the paint per game?

Any big man who has ability will get paid. Nene is seen by most non-Hawks homers as being the best available center. He will get paid.

The key issue is that the Hawks have all the leverage against him. How many offer sheets did Curry, Chandler and Dalembert get from other teams last year?

Coming off an injury Nene is unlikely to go the Rodmonovich route taking a one year tender offer. And other teams are unlikely to sign him to an offer sheet for fear the Hawks will simply match. After the JJ episode other teams know the Hawks will pay a player they like.

Nene may not like it but he will quickly learn losing a season due to injury in a contract year can be expensive.

But do any of those guys help their teams win?

I am pretty sure Al would sign a long term deal with the Hawks if given a fair offer and if the team continues to develop.

As for Nene's injuries lowering his contract expectations it clearly should. But Chandler has a bad back which is a big deal with big men. Nene's injuries are expected to fully heal and result in no long term damage.

Someone will likely offer him $10 million because of the dearth of big men - the question is whether he becomes an anchor player who plays to the value of his contract or whether he becomes a colossal waste of money like Adonal Foyle, Eric Dampier, Michael Olowakandi, Shawn Bradley, Jerome James, etc.

I am not sure his injury lowers his contract number that much since Chandler and Curry both have potentially chronic problems and still got big deals and Dalembert has not been able to stay healthy and got a big deal.

I am torn. I think Nene is a good prospect, but not a great prospect. He fills a definite need for the Hawks but I am unsure he will develop into even as valuable player as Al is. Al seems to still be improving so it is not like he has maxed out - and his leadership cannot be ignored. I firmly believe that chemistry is as important as talent to succeed.

I agree with this statement. It is the same reason why Travis Outlaw and Skita always look so good in the preseason - probably not to the same degree but the same principal.

That is my experience anyway from all the sports I played. Once the level of intensity drops it makes it a lot easier to do things.