<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Approaching the halfway point of the 2005-2006 NBA season, we have seen very few surprises. The Spurs and the Pistons are still heads and shoulders above everyone. Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson are still leading the league in scoring. Lebron James continues to progress at an astronomical pace, reminding all of the second coming of Oscar Robertson. And the Hawks still have the worst record in the league. Well actually, that is a surprise. In ESPN and Sports Illustrated publications before the season, they were picked to finish above the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Bobcats . We can either say that the Raptors and Bobcats overachieved, or the Hawks have underachieved. To say that they underachieved might be quite harsh, considering that these Hawks have improved from last season. And that people, is sad. To list all the things wrong with the Hawks would take a very long time. But to me, there are a few things that stick out the most. 1.) They turn the ball over about 16 times a game, worst in the league. 2.) They have NO true power forward on the roster, hence the frequent abuse dished out from other teams in the paint. 3.) They have talent, but all at the same positions. The biggest concerns at the close of last season were a necessity for a solid point guard and another big body to hold down the paint. Neither was addressed this off-season. Billy Knight used the second overall pick to draft another small forward in Marvin Williams, the 6?9 Seattle native with a propensity for decorum as well as one of the prettiest jump shots you will ever see. In the first pick of the second round, Salim Stoudamire, the sweet shooting guard from Arizona was acquired. Solid picks, yes. Needful picks, no. Joe Johnson was brought here on a very controversial sign-and-trade deal. The Hawks gave him a 70 million dollar contract over 5 years to lead this team. It takes a very brave man to give someone that much money to play a position (point guard) that he has never played his entire NBA career (or a brainless man). I am not knocking Marvin, Salim, or Joe. They are good players with tremendous upside, but this organization seems to struggle with the basic concept of finding solid talent at every position. Stocking 3 or 4 small forwards is not usually the formula for successful teams. Successful teams (see Detroit and San Antonio) REBOUND and DEFEND. Nobody on the Hawks averages 10 rebounds a game. In fact, nobody on this roster averages 9 rebounds per game! The Hawks give up 100.5 points per game. They are losing by an average of 6.4 points (Portland is the only team losing by more, losing by 7.8 points). Changes have to be made. Someone needs to post this simple statement in downtown Atlanta with bright, blinking letters. Al Harrington is a free agent at the cessation of the season. He is also the best chance of acquiring more pieces for this embattled franchise. If history shows us anything, the Hawks will probably keep Al and let him walk at the end of the season for nothing. This is simply not smart management and for this reason and this reason alone, you have to trade him. Josh Smith is not a power forward. Marvin Williams is not a power forward. Al Harrington is not a power forward. And these facts wouldn?t be so hard to fathom if there was a true power forward on this roster to spell ZaZa (who is putting up 11.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game) of having to battle in the interior paint by himself. This Hawks team has shown flashes of brilliance, with athleticism and youthfulness to boot. Marvin Williams and Josh Smith have shown that with playing time and correct development, they could develop into future all stars. Salim Stoudamire has provided us glimpses of this years? Ben Gordon. JJ has proven to become a reliable scorer and passer. But none of that matters if we don?t have the right talent at each position to win in this league. It?s hard to blame the head coach Mike Woodson for the deficiencies of this team if he doesn?t have the right personnel to work with. Perhaps a trade involving Al Harrington for a solid bruiser and a pick. Package a deal involving Al Harrington and anybody else, other than ?the untouchables?. The untouchables include Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Salim Stoudamire, ZaZa Pachulia, and maybe Josh Childress. If you have not noticed, none of these players are centers, power forwards, or even a point guard. Josh Childress needs to be moved if and only if his removal brings us a good big man. I don?t know exactly what deal to make, for that?s not my job. But I do know that Al Harrington gets paid around 6 million this year. That?s not an expensive price tag for any team needing scoring and rebounding from a small forward. I?m not going to go too much into this because proposing trades isn?t my forte. Analyzing teams and their problems (as well as their triumphs) are. And if these birds don?t realize an urgency to make these necessary player changes, then the putridity of this franchise will perpetuate into eternity. Okay, that might be a little extreme. But, unless we read anything in the upcoming papers and magazines regarding a trade or signing of a solid big man and bruiser, the Hawks will continue to be at the bottom of the NBA totem pole. Let?s hope that somebody in the Hawks hierarchy is reading this. </div> http://hawks.realgm.com/articles/543/20060...akeup_the_nest/ Do you think a trade would help the Atlanta Hawks? If so what type of trades do you think? Since the talk of Steve Francis possibly leaving Orlando has been going around and the never ending Al Harrington rumours, what trades do you think can or may be done before the Trade deadline?
I think if Atlanta could get a trade for Artest it would help their team out alot. I mean, if they give up 100+ night in and night out, Artest would bring that down by him playing alone. Childress, Harrington & Lue for Artest & Croshere. The Hawks get a legitimate PF, and the Pacers fill the void of Artest with Al Harrington. Atlanta unloads some of their tweeners, I've never really liked Lue in the Atlanta rotation especially now with JJ running point. PG: Joe Johnson SG: Josh Smith SF: Ron Artest PF: Austin Croshere C: Zaza Pachulia Not sure if they would do it, or if the money works but do you guys think it's a good trade? I'm not saying it'll happen. I'm just saying.
Kandi/Dwyane Jones for Harrington? Thats the only real logical think I can see right now, consider the Hawks need a big and here they get two and one less wing isnt a bad thing.
PG: Joe Johnson SG: Josh Smith SF: Ron Artest PF: Austin Croshere C: Zaza Pachulia Josh smith cant shoot, he only can dunk
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ApeXi:</div><div class="quote_post">PG: Joe Johnson SG: Josh Smith SF: Ron Artest PF: Austin Croshere C: Zaza Pachulia Josh smith cant shoot, he only can dunk</div> Give him time to develop his game. He's a second year player, who's game is definitley not done developing. With his athetlic ability, he could be a superstar. People knocked LeBron for his shot, he's taken leaps and bounds since the knocking.
Kg How about this First year draft pick plus AL Harigtion Josh Chlidress and and another first rd draft pick> PG Jo Johnson SG Saliem Stadimare SF Marvin Williams PF Kevin Garnet C ZA ZA Pachuila
