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Basketball is back!!!

I'm excited for the season. New faces on the Hawks as well as rookies to be excited about.

I attended the Free Hawks practice this past Saturday, here's what I saw:
1. Kyle, Kent, Thabo and THJr looked ready to go. THjr shot well from 3 and got to the rim.
2. Muscala played well which was a surprise
3. Our rookies were hustling, Prince filled the stat sheet
4. Dwight still cannot hit his free throws. He looked tentative in the 1st 10 minue stretch. Picked it up in the next 10.
5. Edy makes Dwight look tiny
6. No Dennis (ankle), Millsap (knee) and Jack (ACL)
7. I was surprised by Delaney's defense.

OT: The Hawks cut the last guy (I think) we signed after the practice and signed a PG, Josh Magette to a training camp deal.

Great to finally have basketball back! I'll probably be at all 3 preseason home games.

Bought my tickets to opening night this morning.
GO Hawks!!!

From Graham Chapple over at Hawkshoop:

How screwed disadvantaged the Hawks would be without Paul Millsap

Have you ever wondered how the Hawks would look like without Paul Millsap? Well, here is your chance because he, along with Jarrett Jack, are missing — at least — the first two games of preseason, per Chris Vivlamore.

If you didn’t already appreciate the amazing work that Paul Millsap does and all he adds to the Hawks’ cause, these two games (on the road against the Grizzlies and the Spurs) might help you along… But, then again, it’s preseason, so it probably won’t matter…

Here


It will indeed be interesting to see how we fare without our three top players from last season. Even if it is only for a couple of pre-season contests.

cont.:

Will Dennis and Dwight form a similar connection?

I have been quite adamant about Schröder and his readiness to be a starting point guard. Having watched him play all of last season I really didn’t believe he was ready to be the team’s starting PG. I thought he was too erratic, too inconsistent. Defensively, he’s absolutely ready, but I still question his readiness to be a starting point guard.

So, I’m looking forward to seeing how Dennis handles the responsibility of being the team’s starting point guard, whether he’s ready or not, and how he and Dwight Howard gel on the court. The key to the Hawks’ season and their title aspirations lie with those two players. If they aren’t up for it, forget it.

No Millsap, no problem.
104 points, 21 point win, 28 assists, 53 rebounds.
Edy with 15pts/10rbs in 21 minutes.

It's so nice to have basketball back.
I look forward to what the new additions bring to the team and how everybody vibes together.
Let's have a good active season on the boards here and within the game threads.

Go 'head, Edy.

Edy looks like he'll be a contributor this season. It'll be a nice change going from not having a legit 7-footer for a decade to now having a 7'3 beast being able to spell our 7-foot stalwart.

ATL Boy wrote:Edy looks like he'll be a contributor this season. It'll be a nice change going from not having a legit 7-footer for a decade to now having a 7'3 beast being able to spell our 7-foot stalwart.

Indeed. We've gone without a true, bruising inside presence for years. Now, all of a sudden we have three strong inside players to control the paint?

GREAT!!! (I just wish AL was here to see it.)

Is Tavares in a contract year also?

Jamaaliver wrote:

ATL Boy wrote:Edy looks like he'll be a contributor this season. It'll be a nice change going from not having a legit 7-footer for a decade to now having a 7'3 beast being able to spell our 7-foot stalwart.

Indeed. We've gone without a true, bruising inside presence for years. Now, all of a sudden we have three strong inside players to control the paint?

GREAT!!! (I just wish AL was here to see it.)

Is Tavares in a contract year also?

Hawks hold a team option on Edy for next season $1.01 mil.

The way Bud has used THJR has to have messed with the guy's head.

xccelerate wrote:The way Bud has used THJR has to have messed with the guy's head.

Agreed.

I'm sure there was a tactical reason for playing him for the first time with the 'B' Team:

• Seeing how he perfprms as a starter
• Testing how he performs as the #1 option
• comparing his playmaking and defense to Taurean's

But it undoubtedly effected his performance, playing alongside unproven young players.

Not too much to take away from this game overall...though, Jarrett Jack better get better soon becaue Will Bynum is a threat for his job.

Jamaaliver wrote:

xccelerate wrote:The way Bud has used THJR has to have messed with the guy's head.

Agreed.

I'm sure there was a tactical reason for playing him for the first time with the 'B' Team:

• Seeing how he perfprms as a starter
• Testing how he performs as the #1 option
• comparing his playmaking and defense to Taurean's

But it undoubtedly effected his performance, playing alongside unproven young players.

Not too much to take away from this game overall...though, Jarrett Jack better get better soon becaue Will Bynum is a threat for his job.

I thought Delaney would be the backup PG and Jack would be the 3rd PG.

simon24 wrote:I thought Delaney would be the backup PG and Jack would be the 3rd PG.

And that's a distinct possibility.

But I'd be terrified of having two veteran, All-Star bigs playing alongside one PG who's never been a starter in this league and backed up by another PG with -0- NBA experience.

That's a lot of inexperience to have at one position...which is why I think having Jarrett or Bynum available early is paramount.


Delaney is still, technically, just another NBA rookie.

Dennis has been in the league 3 years in the same system - the 'fear' is over blown. He will have his struggles and ups and down but nothing to fear.

jayu70 wrote:Dennis has been in the league 3 years in the same system - the 'fear' is over blown. He will have his struggles and ups and down but nothing to fear.

I suppose...but I have been told by a reliable source that the offense won't and can't be the same moving forward.

jayu70 wrote:The offense won't be and can't be the same. I expect Bud to revamp the offense around the players strength.

Here


Changes in offensive scheme, responsibilities and personnel could lead to some growing pains...from everyone.

Jamaaliver wrote:

jayu70 wrote:Dennis has been in the league 3 years in the same system - the 'fear' is over blown. He will have his struggles and ups and down but nothing to fear.

I suppose...but I have been told by a reliable source that the offense won't and can't be the same moving forward.

jayu70 wrote:The offense won't be and can't be the same. I expect Bud to revamp the offense around the players strength.

Here


Changes in offensive scheme, responsibilities and personnel could lead to some growing pains...from everyone.

It's not a complete overhaul of the offensive philosophy and system.
Just like when switched from Pero to Tiago off the bench with Dennis. Same system different tweaks. We are are not reinventing the wheel.
Yes, there will be growing pains that's a far stretch to being 'terrified'.

Edy's has a couple great positions in the post but the ball isn't getting to him.