A little hype from ESPN, but TMAC rains on the parade

[Sultanofatl]

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[_s_t_u_r_t_]

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Of course, McGrady is only saying what Schlenk himself has said, though not with the same level of candor and negativity.

And of course, this is why you have to leave open the possibility that I've been right all along... that, given the wrong draft slots and assuming he isn't persuaded (a) there's a player currently on his roster capable of being considered an elite talent (which I've demonstrated previously can be defined fairly well in terms of finishing top 5 in MVP voting twice or more) or (b) that there's a future elite talent he can acquire in the 2019 draft... he will not be allergic to pursuing a trade with a franchise that projects to continuing to be basement dwellers next season, and flipping this year's picks for another shot at it in 2020.

[graymule]

As the man says, "No free agent will come - - They just don't want to play for Atlanta. NBA fans here from all over but
they are not really Hawk fans. Maybe, over time, with this new team, we can change.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

It's interesting to me that McGrady talks about the fan base being the problem--i.e., I suppose referencing all the times we've played the Bulls or the Celtics and found that the crowd was not overwhelmingly cheering for the home team.

"Interesting" because there was a time when most of the talk centered on how no one would want to play for such a dysfunctional ownership.

Glass half-full, that's not the discussion any more.

Glass half-empty.... also... that's not the discussion any more... we didn't solve it by having a more stable ownership and front office like many of us thought could/would happen.

How do you convert fans to cheer for the home team more like other cities' fans do?

[Hazer]

This is already changing with Trae, Collins, Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, and one of the best arenas in the league. It’s happening...

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

This is already changing with Trae, Collins, Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, and one of the best arenas in the league. It’s happening...

So, I don't live in ATL, so I don't go to games and I don't know one way or the other...

Specific to the allegation that ATL games attract too many fans of other teams.... do you think McGrady's just lost in his own past experience then, and uninformed?

Or, when you say "changing" present tense, are you acknowledging there's a lot of truth to what he said even now?

And what makes now any different than when we were winning in 2015? If we didn't already put that problem to death then, what makes one so sure that it's being put to death now, when we're not even yet a playoff team?

I'm not challenging the assertion. I'm just looking for more insight.

[kg01]

This is already changing with Trae, Collins, Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, and one of the best arenas in the league. It’s happening...

So, I don't live in ATL, so I don't go to games and I don't know one way or the other...

Specific to the allegation that ATL games attract too many fans of other teams.... do you think McGrady's just lost in his own past experience then, and uninformed?

Or, when you say "changing" present tense, are you acknowledging there's a lot of truth to what he said even now?

And what makes now any different than when we were winning in 2015? If we didn't already put that problem to death then, what makes one so sure that it's being put to death now, when we're not even yet a playoff team?

I'm not challenging the assertion. I'm just looking for more insight.

Wait, an ESPN employee relies on stale, ill-informed information on a city other than Boston or LA?



Do you think he did some level of research to come to his conclusion? If you believe this, I have some beachfront property in Kansas for sale. For you? I'll give it to you cheap.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

I chuckle with you, my friend, at that thought... but then, I think the counterpoint would be that McGrady probably still circulates in a lot of circles with today's players and has some first-hand conversation insight. Just because he's associated with ESPN doesn't mean he doesn't still hear things, and from players from all over, not just certain markets.

[Hazer]

This is already changing with Trae, Collins, Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, and one of the best arenas in the league. It’s happening...

So, I don't live in ATL, so I don't go to games and I don't know one way or the other...

Specific to the allegation that ATL games attract too many fans of other teams.... do you think McGrady's just lost in his own past experience then, and uninformed?

Or, when you say "changing" present tense, are you acknowledging there's a lot of truth to what he said even now?

And what makes now any different than when we were winning in 2015? If we didn't already put that problem to death then, what makes one so sure that it's being put to death now, when we're not even yet a playoff team?

I'm not challenging the assertion. I'm just looking for more insight.

It’s still going on, hell some dude was flashing his Knicks jersey to the camera at the 76ers game. Because Atlanta is an extremely transient city due to being a national/international business and entertainment center. But it’s already changing. T-Mac reminds me of a financial advisor who’s recommending a buy at the top of the s-curve, he’s a bit behind the forward edge of information and will be surprised when it happens because he didn’t already see it coming like some (or most).

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Yeah, but let's be fair... ATL isn't alone in that way.

DC probably has that problem more than any city in the country, but I don't get the impression that it's such a problem that free agents don't want to play for the Wizards, or the Nats, or the Redskins because of it.

[Hazer]

This is already changing with Trae, Collins, Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, and one of the best arenas in the league. It’s happening...

So, I don't live in ATL, so I don't go to games and I don't know one way or the other...

Specific to the allegation that ATL games attract too many fans of other teams.... do you think McGrady's just lost in his own past experience then, and uninformed?

Or, when you say "changing" present tense, are you acknowledging there's a lot of truth to what he said even now?

And what makes now any different than when we were winning in 2015? If we didn't already put that problem to death then, what makes one so sure that it's being put to death now, when we're not even yet a playoff team?

I'm not challenging the assertion. I'm just looking for more insight.

It’s still going on, hell some dude was flashing his Knicks jersey to the camera at the 76ers game. Because Atlanta is an extremely transient city due to being a national/international business and entertainment center. But it’s already changing. T-Mac reminds me of a financial advisor who’s recommending a buy at the top of the s-curve, he’s a bit behind the forward edge of information and will be surprised when it happens because he didn’t already see it coming like some (or most).

Half my Alpharetta subdivision consists of peeps from Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, DC, NY/Long Island, and Massachusetts. Lots of engineers and Corp middle-management types from New England. It’s just the nature of metro Atlanta. But their Atlanta-born kids have graduated from college and are now staying in the area.

[Hazer]

Yeah, but let's be fair... ATL isn't alone in that way.

DC probably has that problem more than any city in the country, but I don't get the impression that it's such a problem that free agents don't want to play for the Wizards, or the Nats, or the Redskins because of it.

It’s actually just about even on the transient thing. And DC hasn’t exactly been some super hot FAcy destination.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

Yeah, but let's be fair... ATL isn't alone in that way.

DC probably has that problem more than any city in the country, but I don't get the impression that it's such a problem that free agents don't want to play for the Wizards, or the Nats, or the Redskins because of it.

It’s actually just about even on the transient thing. And DC hasn’t exactly been some super hot FAcy destination.

Even if we grant that it's "even," it's not a matter of being a super hot FAcy destination... DC is no better a destination than any other, true.... but the heart of the matter is that DC isn't considered any worse than average... ATL should be so fortunate in that way. We're not.

[Hazer]

Yeah, but let's be fair... ATL isn't alone in that way.

DC probably has that problem more than any city in the country, but I don't get the impression that it's such a problem that free agents don't want to play for the Wizards, or the Nats, or the Redskins because of it.

It’s actually just about even on the transient thing. And DC hasn’t exactly been some super hot FAcy destination.

Even if we grant that it's "even," it's not a matter of being a super hot FAcy destination... DC is no better a destination than any other, true.... but the heart of the matter is that DC isn't considered any worse than average... ATL should be so fortunate in that way. We're not.

Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, Trae, and Collins are about to attract FAs. Maybe not the KDs, The Brows, or Grik Friks, but I can definitely foresee the Thompsons, Butlers, and Kawhis giving us a look see. Mark my words

[Hazer]

It’s actually just about even on the transient thing. And DC hasn’t exactly been some super hot FAcy destination.

Even if we grant that it's "even," it's not a matter of being a super hot FAcy destination... DC is no better a destination than any other, true.... but the heart of the matter is that DC isn't considered any worse than average... ATL should be so fortunate in that way. We're not.

Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, Trae, and Collins are about to attract FAs. Maybe not the KDs, The Brows, or Grik Friks, but I can definitely foresee the Thompsons, Butlers, and Kawhis giving us a look see. Mark my words

If Coach El-P continues his trajectory, don’t underestimate star players’ love and admiration for him. LaBrawna has stated he’s one of his favorite coaches, and also claims Jent helped his shot more than anything/anyone. Now he ain’t coming here (fine with me, not a fan), just saying.

[_s_t_u_r_t_]

You're giving me a lot of "trust me" and "I just feel it" kind-of response. Not dismissing you could be right. It would just be more comforting if there was something more fact/substance based.

Yes, Pierce may be liked, but don't tell me that there aren't any other teams that don't have coaches that players like... same Jent or any assistant.

And none of that, regardless, addresses McGrady's point that there are players who don't even merely think of ATL as average, but a location where some players specifically *don't* want to play due to the lack of a consistently supportive fan base.

[Hazer]

Even if we grant that it's "even," it's not a matter of being a super hot FAcy destination... DC is no better a destination than any other, true.... but the heart of the matter is that DC isn't considered any worse than average... ATL should be so fortunate in that way. We're not.

Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, Trae, and Collins are about to attract FAs. Maybe not the KDs, The Brows, or Grik Friks, but I can definitely foresee the Thompsons, Butlers, and Kawhis giving us a look see. Mark my words

If Coach El-P continues his trajectory, don’t underestimate star players’ love and admiration for him. LaBrawna has stated he’s one of his favorite coaches, and also claims Jent helped his shot more than anything/anyone. Now he ain’t coming here (fine with me, not a fan), just saying.

El-P’s rep with star players, and connection to players like Steph and LeBron and Embiid who he’s previously worked with, could pay off attracting someone like an Embiid or Thompson of his upward trajectory continues.

[jayu70]

It’s actually just about even on the transient thing. And DC hasn’t exactly been some super hot FAcy destination.

Even if we grant that it's "even," it's not a matter of being a super hot FAcy destination... DC is no better a destination than any other, true.... but the heart of the matter is that DC isn't considered any worse than average... ATL should be so fortunate in that way. We're not.

Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, Trae, and Collins are about to attract FAs. Maybe not the KDs, The Brows, or Grik Friks, but I can definitely foresee the Thompsons, Butlers, and Kawhis giving us a look see. Mark my words

In some ways the perception of the old Hawks ownership's stench still fills the air. Being so bad for so long takes awhile to turn it around and I think Schlenk is making that happen.
Renovations to Arena, practice facility, getting out in community, communitt court renovations etc.
On the court, I think we finally have players that guys may actually want yo play with. We didn't have that before despite going to the playoffs for 10 years.
There's a feeling in the air in Atlanta.

[Hazer]

Even if we grant that it's "even," it's not a matter of being a super hot FAcy destination... DC is no better a destination than any other, true.... but the heart of the matter is that DC isn't considered any worse than average... ATL should be so fortunate in that way. We're not.

Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, Trae, and Collins are about to attract FAs. Maybe not the KDs, The Brows, or Grik Friks, but I can definitely foresee the Thompsons, Butlers, and Kawhis giving us a look see. Mark my words

In some ways the perception of the old Hawks ownership's stench still fills the air. Being so bad for so long takes awhile to turn it around and I think Schlenk is making that happen.
Renovations to Arena, practice facility, getting out in community, communitt court renovations etc.
On the court, I think we finally have players that guys may actually want yo play with. We didn't have that before despite going to the playoffs for 10 years.
There's a feeling in the air in Atlanta.

But but but Jay-B, we can’t just go with “all obvious indicators point to.” Sturt needs an empirical chart or something

[jayu70]

Ressler, Schlenk, CLP, Trae, and Collins are about to attract FAs. Maybe not the KDs, The Brows, or Grik Friks, but I can definitely foresee the Thompsons, Butlers, and Kawhis giving us a look see. Mark my words

In some ways the perception of the old Hawks ownership's stench still fills the air. Being so bad for so long takes awhile to turn it around and I think Schlenk is making that happen.
Renovations to Arena, practice facility, getting out in community, communitt court renovations etc.
On the court, I think we finally have players that guys may actually want yo play with. We didn't have that before despite going to the playoffs for 10 years.
There's a feeling in the air in Atlanta.

But but but Jay-B, we can’t just go with “all obvious indicators point to.” Sturt needs an empirical chart or something