Spurs @ Hawks: A moment of Silence for Sweet Lou

Post #41 » by **ATL Boy** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:03 pm

Joe had his faults with Atlanta but he was still a 6 time all-star with us and our leader for many years, it wasn't his fault that he signed a max contract (you can't say that you wouldn't have taken a $120 million over 6 years) and I was really disappointed that many fans booed him every time he touched the ball much like how the Cavs fans did when Lebron came back to Cleveland. I'm not saying that he deserved a Billups type reception when coming back to Detroit but he didn't deserve the Lebron treatment.

Post #42 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:53 pm

ATL Boy wrote:Joe had his faults with Atlanta but he was still a 6 time all-star with us and our leader for many years, and I was really disappointed that many fans booed him every time he touched the ball

Atlanta Fans are like a spiteful ex-girlfriend.

Just mean for no reason.

Rip2137 · Post #43 » by **Rip2137** » Thu Jan 17, 2013 10:58 pm

Are you guys kidding? Really? The HIGHEST PAID PLAYER IN THE NBA told the PEOPLE THAT PAY HIS SALARY he didn't care if they showed up or not.

In what way, shape, or form would that make your fans love you? If he went out swinging in his last series here, maybe some people would forget, but even on casual sites like the AJC comments section, people CLEARLY still remember that. The Hawks barely got in the news and THAT statement jumped to the front page of some things because it showed the stereotypical spoiled athlete.

Post #44 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:50 am

Rip2137 wrote:Are you guys kidding? Really? The HIGHEST PAID PLAYER IN THE NBA told the PEOPLE THAT PAY HIS SALARY he didn't care if they showed up or not.

In what way, shape, or form would that make your fans love you? If he went out swinging in his last series here, maybe some people would forget, but even on casual sites like the AJC comments section, people CLEARLY still remember that. The Hawks barely got in the news and THAT statement jumped to the front page of some things because it showed the stereotypical spoiled athlete.

I get what you're saying, but that's really his only transgression in 6 years. He said it in a moment of frustration. If we can forgive Josh speaking out of turn in a moment of frustration, can't we forgive our 6-time All Star for the same thing?

As Josh likes to say: It is what it is.

As Drew likes to say: What happened happened.

And at that point, he wasn't the highest paid player. (He was working on the original Hawks contract)

Rip2137 · Post #45 » by **Rip2137** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:57 am

His other transgression was that his effort was constantly bring questioned because he would go long stretches of playing like he didn't care then would blame his teammates for his bad play. I am sure that has something to do with it

parson · Post #46 » by **parson** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:41 am

Jamaaliver wrote:In those three games without Josh:

Hawks avg 107 ppg. Allowing 97 ppg

Here's the thing: we're better offensively without Smith, yet much better defensively with him. If only we could have Smith on defense and .... I don't know, some lowpost-playing SF on offense; someone who rebounded and passed the ball and abused SFs down low.

If only.

Post #47 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:37 pm

parson wrote:Here's the thing: we're better offensively without Smith, yet much better defensively with him.

I'd agree with that. We just need to find another player(s) who brings the type of defense that Josh can. There are a few 2nd Tier centers who rebound/block shots at the same rate of Josh Smith. But who obviously aren't the scorer he is.

Gortat, Asik, Noah, Ibaka, Larry Sanders, Drummond, Marc Gasol come to mind.

Noah is likely unnattainable. The rest, would require some crveative trade packaging.

Rip2137 · Post #48 » by **Rip2137** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:37 pm

Yeah, but none of those guys are as good defensively. Josh's D is ALOT more than blocking shots. He can switch to anyone on the court, and is more of a athletic shot blocker, meaning he can stay on his man longer than the others.

Asik, Noah, Ibaka, Gasol...those guys are unattainable. I would honestly add Drummond to that list as he has tremendous upside and is younger.

The only guy that is remotely attainable is Marcin Gortat, but you can have him in the offeseason anyway, so I wouldn't give up any assets for him.

Post #49 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 1:53 pm

RIP, just heard an interesting stat:

AL Horford and Jeff Teague are each averaging 20 ppg in games Josh sits out this year.

Any thoughts that maybe Josh is hampering Teague's progress?

Post #50 » by **Jamaaliver** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 2:07 pm

The economic impact of a visit from the Atlanta Hawks:

Earlier this year we saw Portland's sellout streak, which had gone on for years, end when the Hawks came to town.

And now, ahead of our visit to Brooklyn-

4 days ago:

1 day ago:

parson · Post #51 » by **parson** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:36 pm

Rip2137 wrote:The only guy that is remotely attainable is Marcin Gortat, but you can have him in the offeseason anyway, so I wouldn't give up any assets for him.

How so? I thought he was signed through next year.

Rip2137 · Post #52 » by **Rip2137** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:04 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:RIP, just heard an interesting stat:

AL Horford and Jeff Teague are each averaging 20 ppg in games Josh sits out this year.

Any thoughts that maybe Josh is hampering Teague's progress?

Again, too small of a sample size. Teagues previous career high came with Josh out there, he scored one more point the other night with him out.

If its not a good 10-15 game sample size, its a little silly to think you can get a pattern going.

I will say, Josh definatley hampers Teague by not outleting the ball fast enough. Besides that, its just a function of a guy missing. Marvin had great scoring averages when joe was gone, Sheldon Williams averaged 20-10 when he got more than 25 minutes here. Again, small sample sizes can tell you alot of stuff.

Rip2137 · Post #53 » by **Rip2137** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:05 pm

parson wrote:
Rip2137 wrote:The only guy that is remotely attainable is Marcin Gortat, but you can have him in the offeseason anyway, so I wouldn't give up any assets for him.

How so? I thought he was signed through next year.

Ah, you are right sir. I thought he was in his last year, but he just declined the extention from Phoenix to become a FA after next season, not this one.

GrimeyKidd · Post #54 » by **GrimeyKidd** » Fri Jan 18, 2013 11:43 pm

Horford likely out. Strained right calf, maybe limited play

Post #55 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:21 am

GrimeyKidd wrote:Horford likely out. Strained right calf, maybe limited play

Post #56 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:53 am

Nets come out working through their guards. Deron's playing like a man with a point to prove.

JJ and Deron have the Nets first 14 points.

Post #57 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 1:13 am

Johan Petro sighting. We are scraping the bottom of the barrel.

smittylo · Post #58 » by **smittylo** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 1:26 am

Damnit it looks like Lou might have blew his knee out. Bad looking injury but let's hope for the best.

Post #59 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 1:39 am

Vivlamore at AJC reports the initial diagnosis is a knee sprain.

Lets hope it's nothing more. MRI tomorrow.

Hawk4Playoffs · Post #60 » by **Hawk4Playoffs** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 1:47 am

really hope its just a strain... i would hate to see him out for the rest of the year