Packfill

How good is Maresse Speights? He is currently fifth overall in PER and his numbers look pretty good given his age, experience and playing time.

I think it was two years ago where Smoove had the highest per on the team, so I think it has more to do with the fact that he accumulates stats across the board (i.e., blocked shots in addition to points, etc.).

Did JJ really play 39 minutes in this game?

The second quarter will be an early test of Woody's committment to utilize the bench and get JJ some rest.

If Dwight Howard is not currently the best center on the planet then there is a very, very short list of people in front of him - and I can't think of their names. So in that sense, making such a claim is not necessarily "overrating him".

There is a reason why he is an end of the bench type of player. Shaq is not as big a concern these days as he used to be, given his age and declining quickness. Dwight Howard, on the other hand, would have chumped Collins as easily as he chumped the rest of the big men on the roster.

I agree. To me JJ is a little like Lamar Odom - he can be the "man" but would make a terrific number 2 guy on a real contender, where his efficiency and multitude of skills would be the perfect compliment to a superstar who is the focal point of the offense and opposing defenses. JJ has enough skills to take advantage of the relative lack of attention he would receive.

It goes without saying that Collins can't guard Shaq/Howard 1-on-1. That is why he is an end of the bench kind of guy. He is 6 fouls worth of heft, which is more then the Hawks have had in previous years, so he is an upgrade.

Bogut can't stay healthy, so in that sense he is a disappointment. But a 14 point 10 rebound center is better then a 16 point per game small forward anyday.

I don't think fear is the right word, but the Wizards have the type of talent where, if (big if for sure) it comes together, they could certaintly challenge for the 4th seed. I wonder about Toronto as well with the addition of Turkoglu.

Oakley's offensive game was limited to shooting jump shots, as you note. As such, I really hope Al's game does not resemble Oakley's. Horford will never be Kevin McHale but lets hope he at least becomes a modest low post scorer.

Better then the Lakers? Farmar Vujacic/Brown Walton Odom Mbenga Spurs? Hill Ginobili Finley Blair Ratliff Magic? Williams Pietrus Barnes Anderson Gortat I don't know. A little unfair because the Lakers and Spurs each have a stud in Ginobili and Odom coming off the bench. Magic bench can shoot lights out with Pietrus, Barnes and Anderson, and if Williams can still play . . .

Any of those guys may be sitting behind someone, so it is relative. I still think Flynn will be the best when it is all said and done, probably by a decent margin as well.

Since none of them have played a real NBA game, it is hard to say, but based on college careers and summer league Flynn is the obvious choice. He is a natural leader.

Thank you. Hope this clears up the situation for everyone.

If we assume the Hawks are going to improve due to the continued development of the young guys due to the fact they are under 25, then doesn't Cleveland (is Lebron 25 yet?), Orlando (Dwight is the same age as Al/Josh/Marvin, maybe development from Gortat and Anderson too) and Boston (Rondo also same age as Al/Josh/Marvin, plus Big Babby, if he returns, and Perkins) get a bump from continued development of their "young" guys? In the end, I do think the Hawks have the most to gain from the development of their young players (how much better can LeBron and Dwight get), but they also have the most improvement to make as a team to crack the top 3 - there was a significant gap between those three and the Hawks last year. That being said, injuries will likely be the deciding factor.

I think the teams goal should be 50 wins. Barring significant injuries, anything less could be seen as a sign of stagnation. I think the key to any improvement lies in the frontcourt, at least one of Smith, Williams and Horford needs to take the next step. They are all still young but have sufficient NBA experience that the age excuses are wearing thin.

That list is pretty terrible as well.

I agree with you. Centers cost alot of money because there are so few that are any good. At least with Okafor, a team gets some legitimate production. If Horford improves and has numbers like Okafor then he will likely get a similar contract.

In the imortal words of Homer Simpson, "Doh!"

I don't understand what the Bobcats are thinking on that trade.

Agreed.

Are you kidding? The Hawks absolutely would benefit by having a veteran bigman on the team to help mentor Smith and Horford, particularly one that has a reputation of being a good team guy. Realistically, the other "bigman" roster spot will be filled by some kid, which makes sense, put the real "developmental" guys the organization needs to concern itself with now are Al, Josh and Marvin.

Miller is not a perfect fit for Portland, but since it is only a two year deal (with team option for year 3), it is hard to criticize Portland for bringing in a veteran leader like Miller. That team won 54 games last year with Steve Blake at the point. If Miller is even a slight upgrade, they should be a strong team.

True, you need a mix of veterans and young legs to win in the NBA. That said, in a year or two a starting five of Harris, Mayo, Durant, Smith and Oden could dominate - with Durant as the obvious centerpiece.