Packfill

Agreed. Their playoff chances all but disappeared when Baron left.

Boris would definitely count. I think once you get into the twenties it becomes more difficult to identify NBA talent.

True. That said, it seems the top teams always have late-first and/or second rounders playing meaningful minutes on their rosters: Boston: Powe, Perkins, Rondo, Big Baby Detroit: Maxiell, Johnson, Afflalo Lakers: Walton, Turiaf, Farmar Spurs: Parker, Ginobili

Do you think he will average 12 and 6 playing 20 minutes a night or less?

Do you really think Zaza is a "great" back-up big man? When I think of "great" back-up big men I think of Kevin McHale and Mychal Thompson. Even for the Hawks, imagine how great it would be to have an Antoine Carr coming off the bench as opposed to Zaza.

I can think of 5 off the top of my head: 1. They lack the finances to own the organization without Belkin. 2. They hired bad lawyers who allowed them to sign a poorly drafted agreement. 3. They retained BK for as long as they did. 4. They rehired Woody. 5. Executives are leaving the organization and are not being replaced. We need to consider why some of these people are leaving.

I didn't see the option for, "It doesn't matter."

The bench looked good pn paper this time last season too: Law/Salim/Childress/Shelden/Zaza. But we know how that turned out.

True. Sometimes it is the small deals that set up the big ones. Getting lucky doesn't hurts either.

What does it say about your career when Randolph Morris makes you expendable? If the team is serious about winning it should sign a veteran big man to play some minutes in the event that Horford or Smith miss any time. Best guy left is Juwan Howard. After that, maybe Donyell Marshall or Robert Horry (though both look done to me). None of these guys should be expected to play big/medium minutes for an extended basis, but they are still better options then anything on the Hawks bench right now.

Better then Washington and Toronto is possible, though unlikely. Better then Orlando or Detroit is a very, very long shot.

Agreed.

According to articles in the AJC last summer Smith cut weight going into this past season.

I think he was a star but is on the decline. Is he really better then Mo Williams at this point?

Deng is a very good player to measure Marvin's performance off of since they both left school after their freshmen years, both have taken a backseat to other offensive options on their teams and both play the same position. Obviously Deng had an even better third season then his fourth season, so Marvin does have some catching up to do.

Isn't the answer: Better then Chris Paul or Deron Williams?

No one is saying Miami will equal Boston's win total, just that they could end-up with a record around the .500 mark. Big difference.

I think Miami has a chance if Wade is healthy, just because he is such a transcendent talent. Keep in my they addressed their shooting shortcomings to a degree by acquiring James Jones. Mario Chalmers is a decent prospect at the point position. Marcus Banks will also be better in a system like Miami's due to Wade handling a decent amount of the playmaking and ballhandling. I don't see them as a 50 win team but 40 is not out of the question. Remember, Boston started last season with the big three and then Rondo and Perkins in the starting line-up, neither of whom you could call sure things. At the end of the day the one thing we can count on is one or two teams underperforming expectations - either because of injuries or some other reason (i.e., Chicago last season) , and one or two teams exceeding expectations (i.e., New Orleans, Portland, Philly, etc., last season). The Hawks have a good chance at the playoffs for the second year in a row as long they get something from Bibby or Acie.

I agree. Given how young all the other bigs are I think a veteran is needed - if Horford or Smith gets injured they need someone who can give the team some minutes. Zaza has the experience to step up but Solo and Morris are basically rookies given their lack of playing time.

Woody is the head coach, remember? Flip will be his new "Tyonne Lue" - a veteran undersized shooting guard who hits shots on occassion but otherwise is an absolute waste on the floor.

I guess this means that JJ will be the back-up small forward given that they have now signed two veteran shooting guard reserves. This also potentially cuts into Law's minutes.

Given how little depth the Hawks have up front he has every opportunity to play meaningful minutes. Whether he is dedicated enough and try hard enough it is all up to him. History tells us that undermotivated big men generally do not have a history of changing though (see e.g., Stanley Roberts, Oliver Miller, Chris Washburn, Jerome James, etc.).

Agreed.

No kidding. The Hawks need to cross the 40 win plateau and then the 50 win plateau before their championships window can be discussed. The Hawks just have to hope that someone like Oden doesn't become the next Shaq or Duncan and reign over the NBA championship during the Hawks' "championship window."

I would have taken Paul then (my posts from the period should evidence that) and obviously would do so now.