Packfill

When I said the that the Hawks roster was "as talented" as the bucks I was refering mostly to talent/potential not so much current production. Yes the Bucks are stronger now because of their players are more advanced than the Hawks because of all the youth. The point is though, that we have some very promising young players that, in a year or two, could leap frog the Hawks over the Bucks.

The Bucks played hard and have some good players - but where is the upside? Time will tell. I am not expecting to make the playoffs this year but I think the Hawks are laying a foundation with more upside then a team like the Bucks.

If Harrington does like to work in the post on offense, whether that be from the SF or PF position, then having a big man who can hit a jump shot ala Collier makes alot of sense.

Is he better at PF or SF?

Realistically, does anyone think that the Bucks roster is more talented than what the Hawks roster is starting to look like for this season? I mean, Redd is great and the Bucks players are a bit more seasoned, but if they do not get Thomas their front court is real thin.

The only way the Hawks end up with Swift and Battier is by trading Jason Terry, which leaves the Hawks with no point guard, no outside shooting and only Collier at center. I am not saying it is a bad trade but just pointing out that it creates as many problems as it fixes.

Well it is nice to know that the Hawks are finally putting a full roster together. Harrington is a bargin compared to what some of the other free agents are getting this year.

It doesn't matter if the team sucks for the upcoming season. What does matter is (1) are the young players developing and (2) will we be in position to make improvements in 05-06.

The Bucks did reasonably well last year without having a roster any more talented then the Hawks will be fielding this year so anything is possible.

The amount of his contract, since it is only one year, is not material. The more important issue is, as Weez and others have mentioned, is does he put forth an effort in light of the fact that the Hawks are not likely going to be winning many games this year. And even more important, what type of influence does he have on the young guys.

I have said before that with all these young guys on the team the hawks need a veteran leader. The guy does not have to be a superstar, just a solid professional with the right attitude. Avery Johnson as a back up point guard/assistant coach would not be a bad idea if not signed already.

If we are going to trade Terry to the Griz then we need a point guard back in return, either Troy Bell or the guy from UCLA who's name escapes me (apparently West loves the guy). Battier isn't really a need at this point.

I think we are better off keeping Terry then trading him for Swift, especially if Harrington can play power forward.

Depends. If Miami wins a championship they get the best of the deal.

Orlando definitely had no choice in the matter, so they did well to get some value in return. Francis can put up stats but I think he has some limitations as a point guard that can prohibit a team from playing up to its potential. He will probably put up huge stats this year because Dwight will not be ready to carry the load - much like Yao as a rookie - the question is whether he will learn to defer/feed dwight when he matures.

They should make the playoffs but Houston was a much more talented team last year (Francis/Mobley/Jackson/Cato/Yao) than Orlando will be this year (Francis/Mobley/Turkoglu/Howard/Cato), so there is no guarantee. I wouldn't trade Yao and Jackson for Howard and Turk, and I would take Van Gundy over whomever Orlando is trotting out there at coach.

I agree completely. The first team is much better. Would they have had the cap space to sign Turkoglu without the trade?

I think Utah has done a great job of amassing talent, thought it was at a cost. A potential starting line-up of Arroyo/Harpring/Kirilenko/Boozer/Okur with Lopez, Giricek, Snyder, Humphries and Collins off the bench is a solid team - especially since they were considered one of the least talented teams in the NBA a year ago.

He is going to have to get much bigger to play power forward.

Any way you can get some beta from the Hawks camp on this? I think Martin would be good for the Hawks, but since Boozer has now set the market at $68 million it seems Kenyon slots in better at aroun $75 million then a max deal of $85+ million.

Also are there any teeth to the rumored Dallas trade? I hope that one is not true.

Saw this on nba.com. He has played in three games for them so far, playing around 20 minutes with decent results:

9 pts, 10rbs

10 pts, 1 rb, 1 blk

6 pts, 8 rbs

I think Kyle Davis, who is also on the Hawks summer roster, is playing for another team as well. He had 6 blocks in one game.

Don't get me wrong, I am intrigued by the idea of Ron Artest as a Hawk, just not the starting power forward.

That would be by far the smallest team in the NBA. Artest is a shooting guard or small forward (mostly small forward), he is 6'7" and has no business at power forward - especially if skinny 6'9" Swift is your center.

I would take the gamble with Artest over Harrington.

But as ar as Tinsley goes, my impression is that he is not a good defensive player either, so he doesn't fit. I think the trio of Terry/Childress/Diaw could get it done as far as ballhandling and distribution. That trio fits the "versatile" theme Knight is pushing - on any given trip up the court one of the three could serve as the primary ballhandler.

Actually, I think Jason Terry is a better fit for our current projected line-up with Diaw and Childress at the wings because he brings necessary offense to the table and his ballhandling/distribution shortcomings are made up for by the presence of two other ballhandlers, Diaw in particular.

Again, if the Hawks don't go big and sign Kmart then I think the smart thing to do is make a play for Etan Thomas and resign Pryz and Collier, then call it a day.

I rather sign a guy like Etan Thomas than trade for Gooden. Gooden is Reef-lite, not as talented and softer on D.

I don't think it would hurt the Hawks too bad because we have nearly $20 million in cap room and outside of Kenyon (who tie up around $11 mill) none of the other available free agents - i.e., a Swift, Thomas, etc. - are going to command much more than $6.5 to start.

My question is this then: Why would the Pacers be able to get by with Terry's ballhandling/distributing deficiencies where as the Hawks can not? Indiana would not have another ballhandler in the line-up if Artest and Jackson start, or Miller for that matter. Maybe Bender, but that is asking alot of him.

Is he signed long-term? Also, does anyone know the contract details of Pollard and Tinsley, or where I can find that information?

This trade is interesting. I think it makes more sense if Harrington can actually play the 4, Leaving Diaw and the Smiths to fill in at the 3.