thecampster

Yep...really long summer. We're arguing hypotheticals.

Yep..that's Mike...welcome back

I've been thinking that all summer. I've looked at the roster makeup and we aren't too far away on the roster but it has some holes. But we have multiple packable players and more than 15 that could make the roster if given a chance. We also have a few million under the LT. My guess is we send away about 8-11 million in expiring salary in 2-3 players and take back someone's 10-13 million dollar issue to better balance the roster.

Some people point things out, others attempt to ruin every thread. There is a difference and I notice who is who. I hope you know I don't have any problem with you Cap?

Funny, I usually only see Trolls when I play World of Warcraft.

Don't be surprised if some of our players are moved before the first game. Preseason showcase is one way to do that.

I know right? You just beat Miami in the preseason. Enjoy it.

okay, took me a couple of days but I got it shared on my facebook and twitter.

Forget the name of the player a second.Pretend we have a chance to sign a player who averages 17ppg, 9 rpg, 1.5 spg, 3.9 apg and 1.8 bpg while shooting 48%.Those are his 3 year averages between the ages of 24-26. What is he/she worth? Not taking defensive presence, etc into the equation and not taking arguing with refs in to the equation. Those stats = a 15 million dollar per year player in the current NBA.Take a look at last year's 14-15 million dollar players. Do those stats fit in this list (remembering the player was 24-26)? 18. Paul Pierce Boston Celtics $15.3 million 19. Andrew Bynum Los Angeles Lakers $15.1 million 20. Antawn Jamison Cleveland Cavaliers $15.0 million 21. Rudy Gay Memphis Grizzlies $15.0 million 22. Brandon Roy Portland Trailblazers $14.9 million 23. Chauncey Billups New York Knicks $14.2 million Roy, Gay, Jamison. Current NBA salary structure would dictate that based on past performance, he would command a salary starting at 15 per. Increasing his ppg to 21-25 and he's a max player. Someone will pay it, the question is will it be us.

Anyone know the date for this years open scrimmage? Usually a Saturday afternon.

other article talked about Josh working with a strength and conditioning coach for the first time ever this off season. From the look of his forearms....it worked.

Okay, one second on Josh. I've never heard that song before. I think that's definitely going on the mp3 player.

Well I was having a good evening....thanks for posting this, now I can get on with making my Joseph "didn't think I would ever get out of Atlanta" Johnson voodoo doll.

Utah's system wanted him to facilitate to people who weren't aggressive to the basket (hence why they wanted Marvin...at least he tries to finish).

I think the decision on Petro hinges on whether we go Josh 3, Al 4, Zaza 5 or with our small lineup. I don't think Petro isn't going anywhere unless its as part of a trade. A 3 million dollar expiring has significant value.

I think the question of top 10 any position is really too subjective to answer. Explanation follows.1. Impact - This is the obvious one with Josh as he is the type of player that can truly impact a game. One block, one thunderous dunk and the game swings. 2. Off ball and defense - many people only look at how many points a person scores. If that was the case, you could just sort Yahoo stats by PPG and have your list. The reality is many of the high profile players seriously lack in other areas. Some are weak defensively. Some struggle when not the first option or in the passing game, etc. If you value these things, your perception of Josh is positive. If you value pure scoring ability, Josh isn't even top 10 at his position.3. System - Kevin Love is a really good example here. Taking nothing away from Love, but the system he is in helps him get those rebounding numbers. JJ, is another good example. When you get to go iso 10 times a game, your scoring totals will go up. Some of the PF's are in systems that really help their offensive numbers while others are able to rely on stellar defensive teammates to hide their inefficiencies.This is why I so highly value PER, win shares and defensive win shares. All stats have flaws, but when I measure a player, I want to measure what matters most. Do they help my team win? Is the player a winner? I would call Josh a winner and at the PF position, in that category alone he is top 10.

How ridiculously bad are these ratings? Answer:Nick Collison, Taj Gibson, Darren Collison and Omer Asik all rank higher than both Jeff Teague and Devin Harris. But even crazier, Wilson - 9.08 PER, sub 40% FG shooting - Chandler is ranked 93rd. Just shows the knowledge of these "experts".

I think Jenkins performance in Summer League made the brass say, HMMMMMM maybe we went a little overboard. I'm expecting Korver and others to be moved soon for a better big man. The signing and camp invite of James and Anderson show of managements intentions a bit.

Teague at 109 might be a little low but once again this is opinion of a number of writers and they may believe like I do that Harris might be the eventual winner as PG.

The constant use of "that word" and other language is the disturbing part, along with the undertones in the video. It's a bit much for me. Point though was that the first video posted wasn't even on the level of this.

This is a shining example of why the Nets struggle. Damion James is a quality player. Average handles, good stroke, tenacious rebounder, active player in need of motivation at times and NBA refinement. They have the guy for two years on a team that is tanking. They barely developed him, didn't let him play to his strengths. You don't trade for a guy, give him 16 and then 24 minutes a game but then give him little direction. You waste the trade and then the player. The guy isn't Lebron and is barely a Marvin type on his good day but for a player that can be had for 1/4th of what you paid Marvin, you don't give up on him after 2 years.

Look, I could do without the language and yes their basic behavior wasn't professional but there was nothing outlandish or crazy about this and why did you have to throw Josh into this. He had what was basically a cameo in the middle. Many pro athletes show up in videos (a much more disturbing one Josh was in was talked about here http://hawksquawk.net/community/topic/354061-j-smoove-in-new-video/page__hl__music but is no longer available on youtube. Marvin's was taken down as well.) Believe me, much more disturbing things than this make it on video. The Jamal video was by far the worst song and the T.I. song Smith was in was in terrible taste. But there's nothing about a bunch of guys hitting the town, posing for photos that should disturb you. He was very accommodating to the girls having photos taken and respectful with his hands as well.

30 teams in the league. 5 starters per team. So basically you could make an over/under based on the average position of the top 8 players listed on your team. Hmmm...who's left. Lou Williams ( top 50 ) Jeff Teague ( top 75) Josh Smith (top 30) Al Horford ( top 30 ) Anthony Morrow (175 - 200 candidate) Kyle Korver (175 -200 candidate) Devin Harris (top 75) Lets see how those predictions fare out.

I have a sneaking suspicion Ivan hasn't signed waiting on Kyle Korver to be trade packagable around Sept 15. A matter of when and where we can sign players and including them in sign and trades.

Not true according to 82games.com I think the real question people need to ask is are we better with which starting 3/4/5 Smith Horford Zaza vs Korver Smith Horford Is Smith a better all around player at the 3 than Korver? Other than outside shooting, this is no contest. Smith is a superior defender, passer and gulp, ball handler. Is Horford a better all around 4 than Smith? Tougher question but I would have to say "yes". Josh struggles in post defense against skilled 4's. As good as Josh is, he does have weaknesses and we are better man to man with Horford at the 4 over the 5 where Al has the same issue. It is a matter of size. Is Zaza a better all around 5 than Al? This is a definite No with a caveat. Against teams weak at center, Zaza is actually dominant and is possibly more effective than Al in that he can dominate the glass and allow Smith and Teague to free lance defensively. But against a center with skills and/or shotblocking ability, Zaza is quick to get into foul trouble and his size advantage on offense is negated quickly. The real answer here is I think against about 30-35% of the teams in the league, Smith/Horford/Zaza is a far superior frontline causing massive matchup issues or negating another team's strengths. But on most nights we are better to put the extra shooter on the floor to spread things out for Smith and Horford down low. The key will be getting them into 1 on 1 post ups with kick outs and into pick n roll situations offensively. This is probably the least discussed benefit to our using Pick n Roll over JJ's iso's. Pick n Roll gets Smith closer to the basket and off the perimeter and gets both Smith and Horford in offensive rebound position for easy put backs. Smith at the 3 changes that some and is a scheme drawback.