We're too small.

[parson]

I know Ferry is waiting for the offseason to commit his money, but this team is giving up. When Horford is playing with a beat-up hip, when Smith looks beat, THAT'S ALL WE HAVE.

We have to stop playing the small lineup. Zaza can't anchor the middle alone, so we have to get another big man to either tag team with him or to handle the middle by himself.

Some how, some way, we have to get another Center, move Horford to PF and Smith to SF and stop beating them up.

Once the players quit, it's over.

[Yungsta404]

we have been undersized for YEARS and never had a true center since mutombo. The management has had some truely pathetic attempts to fix our size issue by getting guys like ethan thomas, eric dampier, and jason collins.

[Hawk4Playoffs]

Don't forget draft picks like soloman jones, sheldon williams, keith benson...

[Jamaaliver]

I agree that size is needed. Last night we were undersized at every single position in the starting lineup when compared to CHI. Don't know if it would have helped, but starting Zaza last night might have been a good start.

I've believed for sometime that getting a real center and moving AL to PF would give us an advantage in the paint, on the boards, in a zone defense, etc.

[Rip2137]

Last night no one could hit a shot AT ALL. EVERYONE shoot horribly and no bench player could hit a single shot in the first half. You can have all 7'12" players on the court, if they can't score, they can't score

[MaceCase]

We're too soft.

[parson]

Last night no one could hit a shot AT ALL. EVERYONE shoot horribly and no bench player could hit a single shot in the first half. You can have all 7'12" players on the court, if they can't score, they can't score

When you're up against a bigger man, it's easier for him to push you around and affect your shot. Take the time to look up average shooting percentages OUTSIDE the paint. I've seen the numbers at between 30-35%. Essentially, teams shoot about the same from 3 as they do from inside the arc.

If you can push a team out of the paint, make them shoot from the perimeter and keep them from getting offensive rebounds (which result in short shots), then you can be a dominant defense. How else do you think Larry Bird's Celtics were so good defensively when only McHale and Dennis Johnson were good defenders?

[Geaux_Hawks]

Its funny how we complain about needing size, but would have never took a chance on Robin Lopez, Koufos, Pekovich, Vucevic, Hawes before now. Anyway, I think Mozgov would be fine for us.

[Rip2137]

Last night no one could hit a shot AT ALL. EVERYONE shoot horribly and no bench player could hit a single shot in the first half. You can have all 7'12" players on the court, if they can't score, they can't score

When you're up against a bigger man, it's easier for him to push you around and affect your shot. Take the time to look up average shooting percentages OUTSIDE the paint. I've seen the numbers at between 30-35%. Essentially, teams shoot about the same from 3 as they do from inside the arc.

If you can push a team out of the paint, make them shoot from the perimeter and keep them from getting offensive rebounds (which result in short shots), then you can be a dominant defense. How else do you think Larry Bird's Celtics were so good defensively when only McHale and Dennis Johnson were good defenders?

Because they weren't the only good defenders. Guys like Cedric maxwell, Robert Parish and Chris Ford were good defenders as well. (well Parish would foul the hell out of you, but thats a FORM of defense.) Even Larry Bird was amazing off the ball defensively with his sneaky shot blocking and steals.

[Skyhawk1]

We're too soft.

I agree 100%.

[parson]

Don't forget draft picks like soloman jones, sheldon williams, keith benson...

Shelden was a huge mistake but I don't see how we can complain about Solomon and Benson. I'm fine with taking shots on big men in the 2nd round (I'd love to take more shots on big men in the FIRST, as well). Take a gander at Jones' combine numbers: 6' 9.75", 224lbs., 7' 4" wingpan, 9' 1" vertical reach, 7.4% body fat, 39" vertical leap and a max vertical reach of 12' 4".

Ferry can take all the gambles he wants on numbers like that.