Are Hawks better next year?

[ATLien_]

12 hours ago, AHF said:

Nope.  Just spouting off on what measurables I've paid the most attention to over the years and the fact that Bembry's stats suggest  he has done much more with his wingspan than Prince has as far as rebounding, steals, deflections, blocks, etc.  I expect Bembry's jumper is what will hold him back early on.

I would also add the Baylor played mostly zone  defense which tends to drive rebounding numbers down. I'm not sure how it impacts steals and blocks, but it's  sometimes hard to compare. 

[Thomas]

Looks like Bembry could increase our number of foul shots taken which would help improve on one of our weaknesses. His ball handling and driving should help our overall offense starting sometime later in the season. Of course I'm hoping both he and Prince are ready very, very early on but I know thats expecting a ton. 

[EazyRoc]

If everyone really works hard on their outside shooting, this team could be really special. You have a guard that can penetrate and a big that you have to pay attention to down low. I know people believe Dwight has fell off, but I think he can still be much more effective than any center we've had with his size and strength. The key will be outside shooting and getting solid contribution from at least one of our rookies. 

[Guest]

Lets get Ray Allen lol

[AHF]

3 hours ago, Thomas said:

Looks like Bembry could increase our number of foul shots taken which would help improve on one of our weaknesses. His ball handling and driving should help our overall offense starting sometime later in the season. Of course I'm hoping both he and Prince are ready very, very early on but I know thats expecting a ton. 

I hope they are both "hits" in the draft and can contribute early in complimentary ways.  I am envisioning Prince becoming a starter over the course of the season (ala Tayshaun) who does a bit of everything, has range to keep defenses honest, and is just a solid contributor.  I am envisioning Bembry being more of a high energy, high impact guy off the bench - coming in and stirring the pot while having bigger weaknesses that could be exploited over longer minutes.  We all hope they can both be studs.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, Spud2Nique said:

Lets get Ray Allen lol

We need a motivational speaker or something?

Anyway, can I be honest with y'all?  The real reason I'm on board with the Howard acquisition is that finally someone on the team will hate James Harden as much as I do.  When was the last time anyone on the team actually disliked an opposing player?

Not sure Teague/Dennis hating notIsaiah Thomas counts.  I mean, does the flyswatter hate the fly?  They both basically just have a job to do, you know what I mean?

[Thomas]

6 minutes ago, kg01 said:

 Not sure Teague/Dennis hating notIsaiah Thomas counts.  I mean, does the flyswatter hate the fly?  They both basically just have a job to do, you know what I mean?

Yeah that PG Thomas gets away with anything and everything when the ball is in his hands so I'm guessing all opposing PGs have a real intense dislike of him.

[Guest]

17 minutes ago, kg01 said:

We need a motivational speaker or something?

Anyway, can I be honest with y'all?  The real reason I'm on board with the Howard acquisition is that finally someone on the team will hate James Harden as much as I do.  When was the last time anyone on the team actually disliked an opposing player?

Not sure Teague/Dennis hating notIsaiah Thomas counts.  I mean, does the flyswatter hate the fly?  They both basically just have a job to do, you know what I mean?

Lol...James Harden won the Shaqtin a fool award so I kinda feel bad for him. He's the first "star" to win it I think. I just think his defense is god awful and he doesn't pass enough on offense. I don't know how the hell he was whining about Dwight as a teammate. Harden has to be the worst teammate ever. When the Rockets first got him from the thunder I thought they got a good player but looking at it now, it might have set the rockets back in the long run.

[Guest]

Just now, Spud2Nique said:

Lol...James Harden won the Shaqtin a fool award so I kinda feel bad for him. He's the first "star" to win it I think. I just think his defense is god awful and he doesn't pass enough on offense. I don't know how the hell he was whining about Dwight as a teammate. Harden has to be the worst teammate ever. When the Rockets first got him from the thunder I thought they got a good player but looking at it now, it might have set the rockets back in the long run.

We've seen the best of what a Harden-led team will ever be.  And now ... chuckle ... they've tapped 'antoni as the coach to take them to the next level?  Let's just call him Har en from now on.

[REHawksFan]

The reasons I think the Hawks will be better this year have probably been touched on already but I'll just put it out there like this:

1. I think they will be a more balanced team in terms of toughness down low (rebounding) versus shooting outside.  I don't know why but the idea of a Center taking more 3's and getting less Rebs just makes me sick.  I know the Hawks will be sacrificing some scoring by subbing in D12, but I think it will be a net positive as teams won't be as likely to get 2nd chances.  I also think D12 opens up shots for the wings, which can only help.

2. I think the injury to Kyle last summer was really undersold last season in terms of how it impacted his preparation.  I know he's old, but Ray Allen is pushing social security and he can still shoot.  There's a place for guys like Kyle in this league and I think he can excel next year if put in the right situation.  Shooters shoot and Kyle is every bit the sharp shooter that others are.  Give him a full summer of good workouts and I think we'll all see a lot closer to 2014-15 Kyle rather than 2015-16 Kyle.  Hopefully, he comes off the bench and is used as a specialist rather than a 35+ min guy. 

3.  I'm optimistic about Baze and Prince from an offensive standpoint.  I'm hopeful they will start Baze at SG and that Prince will eventually work into starting at SF.  A lineup of D17 / Baze / Prince / Sap / D12 is very intriguing to me. 

So basically, the increased toughness, a healthy and prepared Kyle, and the potential of Baze and Prince give me reasons to think this team will be better than last year.  The first two points are what I'm really hanging my hat on.  The 3rd pt is more hopeful. 

 

[Thomas]

An absolutely perfect post I do believe!

[AnnieMay]

On July 4, 2016 at 4:06 PM, Ebert said:

It depends on these three players:

-Dennis Schröder

-Taurean Prince

-Dwight Howard

 

 

They will be the key to success this year. We know what we are getting from anyone else (except Bembry, who could also become a good bench player).

I agree and I also think if Hardaway Jr. improves the way I expect he will,I like our chances of being a top 3 seed.If Dwight can get his free throw percentage in the 65 to 70 range we have an excellent chance to contend for a conference championship.

[Thomas]

2 minutes ago, AnnieMay said:

I agree and I also think if Hardaway Jr. improves the way I expect he will,I like our chances of being a top 3 seed.If Dwight can get his free throw percentage in the 65 to 70 range we have an excellent chance to contend for a conference championship.

Yeah I agree about THJ improving because his late season run was pretty good. His wrist was a problem for him against the Cavs.

[AnnieMay]

4 minutes ago, Thomas said:

Yeah I agree about THJ improving because his late season run was pretty good. His wrist was a problem for him against the Cavs.

Yes ,definitely and call me crazy but I think he can give us some spot minutes at the point if need be.He showed some flashes of playmaking ability.Something like a poor mans Jamal Crawford but a more willing passer.Since we are so deep at the wings, and lack pg depth,would not be surprised if Bud were to give Timmy some minutes there.

[AHF]

I'm hoping to be impressed by his improvement this year.  His 26.9% fg% in the playoffs left a bad taste in my mouth last season along with him finishing the season where he started - DNP-CD.

[Thomas]

Well we know THJ can put it on the floor and get to the rim as well as sink free throws if he gets hacked in the paint. Still wondering about a vet PG coming in at Lamar's expense. Just too much youth for those forty eight minutes. Bud does know how to create options on the floor though.  

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, AHF said:

I'm hoping to be impressed by his improvement this year.  His 26.9% fg% in the playoffs left a bad taste in my mouth last season along with him finishing the season where he started - DNP-CD.

Don't start!  Just 'cause you vanquished your arch nemesis doesn't mean you have free reign to start Tim-bashing again.

[AHF]

4 minutes ago, Thomas said:

Well we know THJ can put it on the floor and get to the rim as well as sink free throws if he gets hacked in the paint. Still wondering about a vet PG coming in at Lamar's expense. Just too much youth for those forty eight minutes. Bud does know how to create options on the floor though.  

This is an area I am hoping he really improves.  He did great at hitting free throws but pretty terrible at getting to the line.

[Thomas]

Just now, AHF said:

This is an area I am hoping he really improves.  He did great at hitting free throws but pretty terrible at getting to the line.

Believe he will have more consistent opportunities to do so in his second year in Bud's system here.

[AnnieMay]

5 minutes ago, Thomas said:

Well we know THJ can put it on the floor and get to the rim as well as sink free throws if he gets hacked in the paint. Still wondering about a vet PG coming in at Lamar's expense. Just too much youth for those forty eight minutes. Bud does know how to create options on the floor though.  

Right. I would love to see us bring in Jarret Jack or even take a gamble at Lawson,I would probably prefer Lawson since we share the same last name, lol.We could definitely use another vet at that position.Im concerned about our lack of cap space,though.