Lebron to the..............Hawks?

[PandaKidd]

We can all dream right? good to see that at least the National Media isnt completely dismissing us

Lebron James...... on the Atlanta Hawks? That is a scenario that was touched on by Grantland's Zach Lowe on Friday afternoon. Before things get crazy, Lowe was not "reporting" or even "predicting" that the Hawks would be in the mix for James' services, but he paints a very optimistic picture of the potential fit that Atlanta could provide, should LeBron choose to open up his market.

The full context of Lowe's thoughts on the Hawks and LeBron can be found here, but there were a few nuggets that are particularly intriguing. To kick things off, Lowe references Atlanta's ability to clear nearly $17 million in cap room, something we've discussed at length in this space, by simply shipping Lou Williams and his $5 million-plus salary out of town. Moving Lou in a variety of scenarios would be intriguing from a flexibility standpoint, but swinging for the fences with a max-level free agent would be, quite obviously, the most "exciting" one, especially for a casual fan.

Good freaking luck trying to guard a starting lineup of Jeff Teague, LeBron, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, and Al Horford. That is a ton of shooting and creativity, and if you play stretches with Pero Antic in Horford’s spot, the degree of 3-point shooting reaches scary levels. There’s enough defense among the LeBron-Millsap-Horford trio for the Hawks to survive on that end, and Mike Budenholzer would have them playing a sound system.

Well, yes. The Hawks would be absolutely impossible to guard with the aforementioned starting lineup, and that doesn't even get into the fact that guys like DeMarre Carroll (!) would be available off the bench. Obviously, this is a dream scenario, but "good freaking luck" sounds about right.

In addition, Lowe makes reference to the "Spurs East" mantra that we certainly enjoy.

The Hawks under Budenholzer and Danny Ferry are trying to build the Spurs East, only with more 3-point shooting. (Budenholzer is a shooting zealot, and was known as Matt Bonner’s strongest backer on the Spurs’ coaching staff.) They want high-IQ players who keep the machine moving, share the ball, and shoot from range. Ball-stoppers need not apply. You think LeBron fits that vision? Duh.

Last week, Jason Walker weighed in on the hope that was afforded to Atlanta die-hards by the Spurs capturing yet another title, but it is nice to see this mentioned elsewhere. Mike Budenholzer is already one of the more respected tacticians in the game, and with a flexible, dynamic roster that already includes a star in Al Horford and fringe stars in Paul Millsap and (maybe) Jeff Teague, there is life.

LeBron James probably isn't coming to Atlanta, but #eventhehawks can dream big, and one of the best basketball minds around agrees.

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2014/6/20 ... -zach-lowe

[NekiEcko]

Yea, even know that it wont happen (we can all dream), but that means alot of NBA writers and other NBA FO is now not dismissing this team as a joke any more. Heck, Coach Bud already has a coach tree right now with Quinn going to Utah. Now that is telling you that the Hawks is getting more respect, but I think if that even happens, i will run through Downtown Seattle doing the "Yes" chant.

[ATLHawksfan21]

I think we would have had a good shot at melo or lebron if Al played the full year last year. We would have made it past the first round and possibly to the ECF and there would be no concerns over his injury history.

We are still their best shot at getting to the finals in my opinion. If lebron comes here, miami is no longer a contender, indy wouldnt compete with us with the addition of lebron and horford. A 100% rose with chicago may be tough but thats highly unlikely in his first year back off of two knee injuries. There would be no competition in the East.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[azuresou1]

I think we had a healthy Al we would have taken Miami to 7 in the ECF.

I also think if we get LeBron and Al is healthy, we become the league favorites to win it all. Simple as that. And that's including if Love or Melo goes to Houston.

[ATLHawksfan21]

I think we had a healthy Al we would have taken Miami to 7 in the ECF.

I also think if we get LeBron and Al is healthy, we become the league favorites to win it all. Simple as that. And that's including if Love or Melo goes to Houston.

I think the same goes for Melo. I think Melo fits our offensive scheme better than Lebron actually. We get Lebron or melo and we are the clear cut favorites in the East unless the big 3 in Miami take big time paycuts and add another key player or two.

[jagstang76]

I think we had a healthy Al we would have taken Miami to 7 in the ECF.

I also think if we get LeBron and Al is healthy, we become the league favorites to win it all. Simple as that. And that's including if Love or Melo goes to Houston.

I think the same goes for Melo. I think Melo fits our offensive scheme better than Lebron actually. We get Lebron or melo and we are the clear cut favorites in the East unless the big 3 in Miami take big time paycuts and add another key player or two.

UHHHHH, are you joking!?!?!?

Melo is the antithesis of the type of player for our system. He's a ball-stopper and iso guy. He doesn't play D and doesn't pass much. About the only thing he does that works for us is shoot.

LeBron on the other hand is EXACTLY what we would want. He's unselfish almost to a fault. He's smart and hard-working. He's a team guy and plays 100% in all facets of the game. Oh, and he's pretty much unstoppable.

I doubt this happens too, so I won't get my hopes up. However, it is a very intriguing thought and if Ferry can at least get an opportunity to present it to LeBron, I think he'd have to think long and hard about it.

[ATLHawksfan21]

I think we had a healthy Al we would have taken Miami to 7 in the ECF.

I also think if we get LeBron and Al is healthy, we become the league favorites to win it all. Simple as that. And that's including if Love or Melo goes to Houston.

I think the same goes for Melo. I think Melo fits our offensive scheme better than Lebron actually. We get Lebron or melo and we are the clear cut favorites in the East unless the big 3 in Miami take big time paycuts and add another key player or two.

UHHHHH, are you joking!?!?!?

Melo is the antithesis of the type of player for our system. He's a ball-stopper and iso guy. He doesn't play D and doesn't pass much. About the only thing he does that works for us is shoot.

LeBron on the other hand is EXACTLY what we would want. He's unselfish almost to a fault. He's smart and hard-working. He's a team guy and plays 100% in all facets of the game. Oh, and he's pretty much unstoppable.

I doubt this happens too, so I won't get my hopes up. However, it is a very intriguing thought and if Ferry can at least get an opportunity to present it to LeBron, I think he'd have to think long and hard about it.

Melo is better at playing off the ball than lebron. Lebron needs the ball in his hand to be at his best and he turns every one in to jumpshooters due to his lack of a consistent jumper. Melo is an elite catch and shoot player from just about every spot on the floor and he has an elite post game as well. He would be perfect in our system with all the open shots which result from our ball movement. We would have to adjust our system for Lebron a lot more than we would have to for Melo.

Melo went beast mode during the Olympics when he played off ball.

[Jamaaliver]

UHHHHH, are you joking!?!?!?

Melo is the antithesis of the type of player for our system. He's a ball-stopper and iso guy. He doesn't play D and doesn't pass much. About the only thing he does that works for us is shoot.

I only regret that I have but one upvote to give for this post.


Spurs, in their 16 \year run of excellence, have NEVER featured a wing player who plays like CARMELO Anthony. He'd have to stop playing to his strengths completely to adjust to our system...

If we hated iso-JOE, iso-Melo in our system would drive us nuts.

[Rip2137]

Derek Anderson kinda tried to be that Melo type player in San Antonio...but that's as close as you get.

I think Melo could be great off the ball...Just like Joe was great off the ball in Phoenix. But that's just not realistic to think he is suddenly going to buy in and do that.

[ATLHawksfan21]

UHHHHH, are you joking!?!?!?

Melo is the antithesis of the type of player for our system. He's a ball-stopper and iso guy. He doesn't play D and doesn't pass much. About the only thing he does that works for us is shoot.

I only regret that I have but one upvote to give for this post.


Spurs, in their 16 \year run of excellence, have NEVER featured a wing player who plays like CARMELO Anthony. He'd have to stop playing to his strengths completely to adjust to our system...

If we hated iso-JOE, iso-Melo in our system would drive us nuts.

Funny that you mention Iso-Joe. What does Iso-Joe and Iso-Melo have in common? They both played for Mike Woodson who LOVES to run isos.

Yall are fooling yourselves if you don't think melo is capable of adapting. You are also fooling yourselves if you don't think we would be absolutely unstoppable on offense if we added melo.

[Jamaaliver]

Funny that you mention Iso-Joe. What does Iso-Joe and Iso-Melo have in common? They both played for Mike Woodson who LOVES to run isos.

Yall are fooling yourselves if you don't think melo is capable of adapting. You are also fooling yourselves if you don't think we would be absolutely unstoppable on offense if we added melo.

Carmelo Anthony was a ball-stopping isolation player long before he met Mike Woodson.
It's why he had such trouble adjusting to a wide open offense like Mike D'Antoni's.

As far as offense:

Over the last 37 years only three teams have won a championship after ranking outside the top 10 in defensive efficiency in the regular season.

Emphasizing offense at the expense of defense won't win a championship.

[azuresou1]

When was the last time you guys watched Melo? 2011? Melo has evolved considerably as a basketball player and as a teammate.

You're crazy BTW if you don't think San Antonio would jump at the chance of getting Melo. This is the same team that signed and won a championship with Stephen Jackson, and then resigned him a decade later when he was washed up, despite him providing nothing other than iso scoring.

[azuresou1]

As far as offense - going back to the ABA merger, only the 03 Pistons, 93 Rockets, and 78 Sonics have won a championship without being a Top 11 team on offense.

So if in the last 37 years, only 3 teams have won a championship ranking outside the Top 10 in defense, and only 3 teams have won ranking outside the Top 11 in offense... it's pretty clear that offense is just as important as defense.

[Jamaaliver]

When was the last time you guys watched Melo? 2011? Melo has evolved considerably as a basketball player and as a teammate.

You're crazy BTW if you don't think San Antonio would jump at the chance of getting Melo. This is the same team that signed and won a championship with Stephen Jackson, and then resigned him a decade later when he was washed up, despite him providing nothing other than iso scoring.

Correction: Jackson played on SAS in his 2nd run for a full year before being waived. He was a 2nd unit player during this time behind rookie Kawhi Leonard.

But even in his 1st run with SAS, he was a 3rd or 4th option behind Duncan, Robinson, Parker. Not a dominant ball hog that all other player deferred to on offense. (Like Carmelo has become.)

As far as Melo on the Spurs, I don't think they'd break the bank for him. I think they'd pursue other more system fitting options.

I think they'd prefer a young wing in the mold of the guy they have now: Kawhi Leonard.

Unselfish, no ego, better defensively, more efficient, cheaper.

[Jamaaliver]

As far as offense - going back to the ABA merger, only the 03 Pistons, 93 Rockets, and 78 Sonics have won a championship without being a Top 11 team on offense.

So if in the last 37 years, only 3 teams have won a championship ranking outside the Top 10 in defense, and only 3 teams have won ranking outside the Top 11 in offense... it's pretty clear that offense is just as important as defense.

...only three teams have won a championship after ranking outside the top 10 in defensive efficiency in the regular season. Twice as many champs have ranked outside the top 10 in offensive efficiency.

Both are important. But twice as many champs have been out of the top 10 in offensive efficiency.

And a lineup of Teague, Korver, Melo and Millsap would stop no one...

[chabber]

Personally I think you guys are the best spot for either Lebron or Melo. I don't want either one heading your way. Take that for what you'd like, but mostly it's a compliment.

[azuresou1]

If you think the difference between the 10th best offense and the 1tth best offense is worthy of splitting hairs, I really don't know what to say. It literally works out to be about 1 point of difference over 350 offensive possessions, or about 7.5 games.

[ATLHawksfan21]

As far as offense - going back to the ABA merger, only the 03 Pistons, 93 Rockets, and 78 Sonics have won a championship without being a Top 11 team on offense.

So if in the last 37 years, only 3 teams have won a championship ranking outside the Top 10 in defense, and only 3 teams have won ranking outside the Top 11 in offense... it's pretty clear that offense is just as important as defense.

...only three teams have won a championship after ranking outside the top 10 in defensive efficiency in the regular season. Twice as many champs have ranked outside the top 10 in offensive efficiency.

Both are important. But twice as many champs have been out of the top 10 in offensive efficiency.

And a lineup of Teague, Korver, Melo and Millsap would stop no one...

and a lineup of Teague/Korver/Melo/Milsap/Horford would be stopped by no one. It would literally be unstoppable with our offensive schemes.

We would score 120 a game.

You say twice as many were ranked outside the top 10 in offensive efficiency but it seems obvious that those were #11 in offensive effiency based on what you are saying. Are you really trying to make a big deal about 1 spot?

Fact is, we would be the most dominant offense this league has seen in a minute.

[ATLHawksfan21]

Personally I think you guys are the best spot for either Lebron or Melo. I don't want either one heading your way. Take that for what you'd like, but mostly it's a compliment.

At least someone sees it. Too bad half of our fan base doesn't.

[Jamaaliver]

You say twice as many were ranked outside the top 10 in offensive efficiency but it seems obvious that those were #11 in offensive effiency based on what you are saying. Are you really trying to make a big deal about 1 spot?

If you think the difference between the 10th best offense and the 1tth best offense is worthy of splitting hairs, I really don't know what to say. It literally works out to be about 1 point of difference over 350 offensive possessions, or about 7.5 games.

I honestly don't know what you guys are talking about.

But in 37 years, only three teams won a championship not in the top ten defensively.

IN THE LAST 25 YEARS, only one team NOT in the top ten defenses won a championship: The 2001 Lakers. That team featured the two best players on the planet and the greatest Head Coach in the history of the NBA.

Again, going back through most of our lifetimes, only one team managed to win a championship with out being in the top 10 defenses.

One team in 25 years.

You can't completely ignore defense and expect to hang with the top teams in the league. The numbers bear this out.

Melo, Horford and Teague can make a solid trio. But they need defenders flanking them at the 5 and the 2 to set the tone defensively.