Oct 21: Miami @ Atlanta

[HMFFL]

Oct 21 8:00 PM EDT



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[kdizzle]

Jeff Teague probably going to play in this game?

You guys think he will take over the starting job from Bibby anytime soon? Need to know if he is a pass first guard or a score first guard?

Thanks,

[azuresou1]

Teague should play.

I hope he takes over by December. He's primarily score-first, but his vision I would say is above-average. I think he worries too much about making mistakes which ironically causes him to make more.

I'm assuming this is for fantasy, in which case I think he's worth a late round flier.

[evildallas]

Bibby is much better for the offense, the problem is he has no lateral movement anymore so he's a blight on D. I too hoped that Teague would take over by December if not starting most of the minutes played, but now I'm wondering if the timing of the injury will set him back too far and it'll take until the all-star break to grow into that role.

I normally gloss over preseason, but this year seemed less meaningful than ever. I suppose it was all the little injuries.

[evildallas]

A rant only included here because today is the last time Lebron visits Philips until March:

ESPN is at it again. Now they are doing shows (and rotating segments) on whether or not Lebron James is hated and why and if it is racially motivated. I'm sure they left out the obvious question in their survey of "does ESPN's constant coverage of Lebron James contribute to your dislike of him?" My answer would be a resounding yes.

As for racism, sure there is still racism in the country. But ESPN's constant harping on it with respect to Lebron James I believe is having the effect to make him less likable because most rational people have problems with him as the poster child for discrimination.

I admit that my dislike of Lebron grew greatly from "The Decision". I thought it was an unbelievable insensitive move to his previous fan base. Far worse than Joe Johnson's I don't care if they show up comments about the Atlanta fans in the playoffs. But my outrage over the handling of his free agency would probably have dissipated if ESPN had constantly been shoving the Miami Heat and Lebron specifically down our throats. By the way I still don't hate Chris Bosh because he didn't do a nationally televised show to flip off the Raptors fan nor is he mentioned very often in the ESPN deluge of coverage on the Heat.

I won't be at the game tonight. I gave my ticket away. It's preseason and I see more than enough Lebron on ESPN without trying to last me until March.

[azuresou1]

LeBron has been a douche for a long time, and I wish nothing but ill upon him.

It's kind of a shame, I actually like Wade, and Bosh is kind of funny if a bit insecure.

[HMFFL]

I only have a second to comment about Lebron but I just read many of his quotes over the years and all I could do is laugh. As far as ESPN goes, I rarely go to the site, I mute the tv when Lebron is playing, and I only watch ESPN when they air a game.

Link to thread with the quotes: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1057226

[evildallas]

Sadly, I'm a sports glutton and I often leave ESPN on in the background while I work and mute it when it gets too annoying (which has been more and more frequently of late). They did have a good point on First Take about the Lebron requesting the haters to tweet him. A white and a black sportswriter both said that it is the nature of being a public figure in the age of the internet and perceived anonymity that you will receive a lot of hateful messages including racist comments. Nothing is unique to Lebron in this area. And that by encouraging them to send hateful messages he is just promoting that. One surmised that this is an attempt to play the sympathy card with the public and is failing. They went on to say he needs to shut up and play basketball and that is the best way to repair his image. I agree with that, but some of us are lost forever because we feel we've gotten to know the real Lebron.

Thanks for that quote thread. Although that much 3rd person commenting almost made my head explode.

[BAMABIRD]

Sounds like ESPN is on this blog right now. GO HAWKS!

[J the Drafter]

As a Magic fan, I'm loving the way the Hawks are playing right now. They're moving the ball well and they've been active on defense. I think the lapses will subside as those behaviors become habit. It will be interesting to see how they play this year.

[evildallas]

Looks like a regular season game out there. Josh is still taking too many long jumpers. I made it until midway through the 2nd quarter before I had to mute.

[evildallas]

Anyone know if Jordan Crawford is injured or just a coach's decision DNP?

[HMFFL]

Times like theses are when I really appreciate ZaZa. I like seeing him be a bully inside and not back down.

[nvc]

great game to watch. easily the best the hawks have looked this preseason. Joe seems in great form.

[HoopsGuru25]

It's hard for a pre-season game to hold my interest(much like regular season baseball)....but this has been enjoyable.

[BAMABIRD]

Josh Smith dont make me come down there to Phillips and snatch you off the court!! Why are you jacking up 3's with less than 2min left in the game with only a 3pt lead? Josh don't start that BS!!!

[azuresou1]

It was a pretty good game for everyone all around except for Smoove who seems to have regressed to taking long jumpshots.

Al not hitting all those open looks was a little disappointing.
Bibby actually played great defense tonight and was pretty clutch. The difference between him running the offense and Teague is still pretty sizable.
Juwan Howard had like a 5 minute stretch where he was dominating.

**** LeBron.

[ballhawk1]

Jeff Teague looks like the PG of the future.

pretty entertaining for a preseason game.

[ATL DirtyBird]

Joe taking 23 shots to get 27 is still annoying. Wish he would get to the line more often.

Didnt watch the game but Josh has reverted to being an even bigger douche? GOD!

[evildallas]

Josh got the only complaining T, not a surprise. His shot selection was real disappointing. Both teams played with regular season intensity. Bibby can still play D if he is matched up against Chalmers, House, or Arroyo.

I know the Heat have injuries right now, but I got to say their supporting cast didn't impress me or evidently Lebron very much considering how little he seemed to trust in them.

I know it was just preseason, but it was good to see Atlanta not fold like a lawn chair late against a Lebron team.