What's our next step?

parson · Post #1 » by **parson** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 2:43 am

Our defense is good, so good that it makes us contenders to go deep in the playoffs. However, we're not good enough to win it all. When we were holding CHI to 30 points in the 2nd half, we weren't scoring all that much, ourselves.

So what is our next goal? Is it to allow Hinrich to jell with the rest of the offense? Will he become a great playmaker? The problem is, as I see it, that we're going to have to decide who we are. Are we Billy Knight's dream team - a group of long players who are interchangeable? If we are, then Horford stays at Center with Smoove at PF and the rest of the team is set just as it is.

Or are we a Center away - facing having to move Horford to PF and trading Smoove (to acquire that Center)?

Hinrich jelling or a Center arriving -- what say ye is the next goal?

theatlfan · Post #2 » by **theatlfan** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 3:16 am

My main goal would be to get a MLE C, so there's no need to trade a core piece for him. An MLE C could give us nice lineup versatility where we could mix and match our lineup for really any situation. He doesn't need to be great or anything, just supply good post D, rebound some, and set a hard pick. We don't need a superstar...

As far as the type of talent to consider, remember that Kendrick Perkins got only about less than $1M more to start than an MLE contract in his recent extension, so don't convince anyone that you can't get a decent C for the price. Depending on the merits of the new CBA, I'd think that guys like Nazr Mohammed and Przybilla (if he prove he's continued to get healthier) would also get somewhere around that level this off season - albeit neither will get deals as long. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise if Chandler ended up around that area either unless Cuban goes all salary happy again ala Haywood. So the guys are out there, but how can we make it happen? That's a much bigger ?...

If we swallow the LT, then I could see us extending the MLE to some of these names. If not, then if we could shed Marvin and Zaza for pure cap space, we might be able to gain the space to do it. We could replace Marvin with a lesser paid guy (Jamario Moon?) and be able to offer the MLE to someone. Personally, I hope the ASG decides to try and make a run before selling off the club and goes into the LT for the fun of it. Doubt it happens, but it would be fun...

Geaux_Hawks · Post #3 » by **Geaux_Hawks** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 5:07 am

Shed Marvin and Zaza along with a 2nd round pick to Minnesota for Beasley(Not the sharpest knife,but is a versatile scorer),then take a gamble and hope Portland would decline Oden's rights if not convince them to give him away for a future pick.Sign Joe Alexander,Scottie Reynolds and Courtney Sims from the D League.Re-sign Armstrong and Wilkins.Sign Crawford to a MLE and hope our gambles pays off.

Nazr and Pryzbilla are back-up guys if we can't get Oden

I think the Hawks can be the most versatile athletic team in the League with this team.would have a decent bench as well.Our versatility could be a strength.The "Tax" would be unavoidable most likely

1-Hinrich,Teague,Reynolds
2-Joe,Crawford,Wilkins
3-Josh,Beasley,Joe Alex,Wilkins
4-Horford,Josh,Beasley,Armstrong
5-Oden/MLE,Sims,Armstrong

parson · Post #4 » by **parson** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 5:15 am

Just finished watching a recording of last night's game someone gave to me. I'd love for us to get our hands on Omer Asik. CHI lucked out when they traded for him.

Geaux_Hawks · Post #5 » by **Geaux_Hawks** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 5:23 am

parson wrote:Just finished watching a recording of last night's game someone gave to me. I'd love for us to get our hands on Omer Asik. CHI lucked out when they traded for him.

Never will happen.Chicago denied Houston and told them only Kevin Martin could loosen the grip the Bulls have on Asik.I don't blame you though,I salivated over the guy(Not really but you get my drift),when the Hawks played Chicago.

ATL DirtyBird · Post #6 » by **ATL DirtyBird** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 7:28 pm

Improving at the center position and bench. In reality, the core is not good enough to contend regardless of the center position.

If youre looking for the next step towards contention, your not gonna find it with this particular team.

myrak433 · Post #7 » by **myrak433** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 9:05 pm

ATL DirtyBird wrote:Improving at the center position and bench. In reality, the core is not good enough to contend regardless of the center position.

If youre looking for the next step towards contention, your not gonna find it with this particular team.

this couldn't be more untrue then saying Horford shouldn't be an All-Star. this core is good enough to contend ( core being Joe, Smith, Horford, and Jamal) they just need to round out the roster, if the Hawks added a center best case Bogut, or Dalemert or Nene. I believe we can win with Captain Kirk as our point gaurd. then all that would had to be done is get more depth and someone like a Beasley or Bargnani to come of the bench and help Crawford with the second unit scoring.

Kirk/ Teague
JJ/JC
Smith/Beasley
Horford/Powell
Bogut or Nene or Dalembert/ZaZa
or
Kirk/Teague
JJ/JC
Smith/Marvin
Horford/Bargnani
Bogut or Nene or Dalembert/ZaZa

that is a team that can win it all.

Geaux_Hawks · Post #8 » by **Geaux_Hawks** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 9:49 pm

myrak433 wrote:
ATL DirtyBird wrote:Improving at the center position and bench. In reality, the core is not good enough to contend regardless of the center position.

If youre looking for the next step towards contention, your not gonna find it with this particular team.

this couldn't be more untrue then saying Horford shouldn't be an All-Star. this core is good enough to contend ( core being Joe, Smith, Horford, and Jamal) they just need to round out the roster, if the Hawks added a center best case Bogut, or Dalemert or Nene. I believe we can win with Captain Kirk as our point gaurd. then all that would had to be done is get more depth and someone like a Beasley or Bargnani to come of the bench and help Crawford with the second unit scoring.

Kirk/ Teague
JJ/JC
Smith/Beasley
Horford/Powell
Bogut or Nene or Dalembert/ZaZa
or
Kirk/Teague
JJ/JC
Smith/Marvin
Horford/Bargnani
Bogut or Nene or Dalembert/ZaZa

that is a team that can win it all.

Bargnani at Center can win it all

Kirk/Teague/Scottie Reynolds(Great defense)
JJ/JC/Scottie Reynolds(Great Offense)
Smith/Joe Alex/Wilkins(Versatility)
Horford/Armstrong(Natural Position)
Bargnani/MLE maybe(Scoring Center with decent backup)

Bogut only if new ownership accepts hitting the taz

BadWolf · Post #9 » by **BadWolf** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 11:06 pm

how are you gonna get Bogut or Nene? Or even Bargnani for that matter...
Maybe Dalembert takes a MLE offer, just not sure why he'd go to AStlanta over some contender or Kings if he likes it there...

Geaux_Hawks · Post #10 » by **Geaux_Hawks** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 11:41 pm

BadWolf wrote:how are you gonna get Bogut or Nene? Or even Bargnani for that matter...
Maybe Dalembert takes a MLE offer, just not sure why he'd go to AStlanta over some contender or Kings if he likes it there...

Dump Marvin and Zaza somewhere

myrak433 · Post #11 » by **myrak433** » Fri Mar 4, 2011 11:48 pm

BadWolf wrote:how are you gonna get Bogut or Nene? Or even Bargnani for that matter...
Maybe Dalembert takes a MLE offer, just not sure why he'd go to AStlanta over some contender or Kings if he likes it there...

may not be able to get Bogut or Nene, but you may be able to put together a trade with Marvin and teague with draft picks. as far as Dalembert why wouldn't he want to sign with Atlanta this is a play off team and only getting better every year. Miami, Boston can't sign everyone, those are the only teams that are perceived better than us that needs a center. and will Boston be better than us next year? really? Ray Allen will be 37 next year, Garnett will be 36 Shaq damn 40, Pierce will be 34, and Jermaine O'neal is done. So that only leaves them with Rondo. That's an old ass team. do you really think they will be this good next year with the whole team players almost 40? Dalembert is 29 years old now, what would you do if it was you? Atlanta next year? or Boston next year? I could see Miami but thats about it.

parson · Post #12 » by **parson** » Sat Mar 5, 2011 3:01 am

ATL DirtyBird wrote:Improving at the center position and bench. In reality, the core is not good enough to contend regardless of the center position.

If youre looking for the next step towards contention, your not gonna find it with this particular team.

I think we're one step away. Without Smoove or a good bench and with poor efficiency from the 2 spot (Joe and Jamal a combined 16 of 37 and 2 of 11 from 3), we went down the wire with one of the best teams in OKC. Our core is pretty good.