Finally, a National Writer respects the Hawks.

[Inside_Man]

SI's Jack MaCallum gives the Hawks some respect.

"Last year I saw the Nets surprise the world by having a great season. Who will be the surprise winners and losers this season?

--Javi Lopez, Austin, Texas

My choice for surprise winners are Atlanta in the East and Portland in the West. Now, what constitutes being a "winner?" I don't think the Hawks are going to the Finals or anything like that, but I like them to make some noise and finish, perhaps, as high as fourth or fifth in the East. The Trail Blazers are the only team, top to bottom, with the talent to beat the Lakers or the Kings. I don't think Portland will defeat those two clubs, but if it doesn't implode it can be the third best team in the West, in my opinion."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_ga.../11/01/mailbag/

[Guest]

Looks like he already wrong about the Blazers...

Can't believe a team with that much talent lost

to Denver.

[chillzatl]

Talent and chemistry are two different things. You know that. They've had plenty of talent for the last few years and have had ZERO chemistry. Why would anyone be surprised if they don't do anything this year?

[Guest]

The Kings also lost to the Heat but I think

that was more before of Pat Riley defense

game plan.

Losing to Denver is bad.I will be sick at my

stomach if we lose to Denver tomorrow.

[Diesel]

Defensive intensity is high.

Caron Butler is a player.

They got a scoring Big man.

Riley has taken the team that was built around Zo and made them a team built around Jones.

[Guest]

The Heat are a bottom feeder team...HOWEVER they

will fight and win some games.They can still win 30

something games is possible.They aren't that talented

overall,but they will catch a few people off guard.I

dunno where the [censored] Malik Allen came from but he

has been scoring for them.

[Diesel]

I don't like Grant, but Butler, Jones, and Allen provides PUNCH.

Not to mention Best.

I think that Miami is better than many critics give them credit for. Butler is ROY material simply because he will play alot. And he's good.

Miami will go as far as Jones go. IF he starts to get inconsistent they will be too. However, I think they could wind up winning 40. Allen is doing his best Zo imitation right now. If he can keep it up, I give them 40 wins.

[Guest]

Do you know anything about this Malik Allen?

Eddie Jones is going to be a inconsisant shooters

that is just the way it is.Brian Grant was a decent

player at one time....dunno what really happend

to him.

[jaywalker72]

...by the Heat, and in particular Malik Allen. He scored in a variety of ways against Reef and Hendu in the exhibition in Birmingham....

They are a tough, aggressive team, and while they don't have an all-star roster, you better be ready to get physical with them, and with Jones, Butler, and Allen, they have enough to win.

[Diesel]

I know a few things about Allen.

He played at Nova and was missed because of Bradley getting all the press.

At Nova, he was a great shot blocker and had a really good touch on his shot. He was Pat Ewing like in that respect. He had some post moves but his thing was that face up 14-15 footer. I remember a couple of games from his Jr. Yr. I remember seeing him dominate the WVU mountaineers when they had some guy who was a McDonalds all american playing against him. I also remember him playing St. John's and Georgetown but I wasn't paying much attention to him.

I guess he was like a 13 ppg, 6 rpg, 1-2 bpg player.

I think he didn't go high becuase of his weight, height, and Bradley????

[Guest]

I remember when I saw that he had [censored] slapped

Shareef i was wondering why Shareef was getting

schooled by scrub.But looks like Allen could be a

15PPG and he appears to be a guy that will shoot

at a high percentage.