Both Teams Played Hard: Eating Your Words...right about...NOW
Lol did he really predict the hawks to finish 26-66??? All they did was trade away draft bust Marvin Williams and the inflated contract of joe Johnson. They still have one of the best and most athletic front courts in the league, and talented Jeff Teague
Lol, I remember in your Team Review prior to the season for the Atlanta Hawks he had a similar post and criticized and blasted them, having them in the early lottery, ranking teams like Detroit ahead of them...
You got something you need to get off your chest man?
Ahh, it is okay to rub it in our face when we are wrong. Even when someone is rubbing it in your face, you know that they have been just as before. And they know it as well. We all blow it from time to time. I'm reconsidering the importance of Rubio to the Wolves (something that I debated on here) after watching them for a while. Ridnour is an OK point guard, but he is so tentative to make a pass that he misses the moment again and again. And Barea can't see anything and has such short arms that his passing angles are terrible. When Rubio comes back, I think the Wolves are going to explode. Ridnour isn't unleashing the cutting and scoring skills of AK47, Pek, Love and Josh Howard. Rubio might just do that and that team is going to do really well.
If the Hawks were in the West,i doubt if they would make the playoffs...But since they're in the East....I had them as a 7th or 8th seed...Mostly its becuz of the things you mentioned like post play,shooting,team defense and ability to get easy baskets in transition becuz of their athleticism...They are 1st in the nba in fast-break points with 17 a game....
1 reason why the Hawks are winning is as great as Joe Johnson was,he was a ball stopper..Now they seem to be moving the ball around...In a way they are very similar to the Nuggets,both have better chemistry,becuz the the ball more and that allows the team to have several guys scoring in double figures..But come playoff time when defenses become serious,teams like the Hawks and Nuggets will have an early exit,becuz they dont have that standout guy that can break down a defense and get easy buckets.....
I don't think the Hawks will be as bad as he thinks, BUT it's too early to look back on and call out somebody's season prediction.
The Hawks have played six out of their last seven games at home (vs Orlando, vs Washington, @ Charlotte, vs Los Angeles Clippers, vs Charlotte, vs Cleveland and vs Denver) and won six out of the seven games.
This post is pre-mature.
First off, there is no such thing as a heated forum conversation.
Second, it is December 6th. If you want to make conclusions over a month of basketball and a nice homestand, feel free. Schedules balance out. Those three wins over teams with winning records are more than I thought they would at this point, but I also didn't think the Wall-less Wizards would beat the Heat. Games get played, and there is a reason seasons get played out. I don't think this team is good, and still would not be surprised if the deal Josh Smith (because if they don't then they are left to ponder signing him which leaves them in the same boat they argued against when dealing Joe Johnson) which will lead to a second half of the season trudge to the finish. Also, please understand that ESPN having its people mindlessly hyping up a team that it is broadcasting means very little to anyone who has watched what that network has devolved into.
On a few separate occasions, BTPH and myself got into a few heated arguments about the Atlanta Hawks. He made claims that they would finish 26-66 on the season and he projected both Toronto and Washington to have better seasons... here is proof of those insane claims that he somehow was able to earn +7 points for http://nbadraft.net/forum/2012-13-regular-season-thoughts
I did a preview of the Atlanta Hawks back in early October and I claimed the Hawks would finish 42-40 and make the playoffs as the 8 seed...I was berated and publically humiliated by BTPH and he claimed "this team was heading straight to tanksville" I claimed their 3-point shooting, post play and team speed would lead them to have a moderately solid season...He said I was overvaluing 3 point shooting and this team would be atrocious with nobody who can create for themselves on the perimeter
Not only are the Hawks heading in the opposite direction of tanksville, but Bill Simmons said prior to tonights game that he thinks they have a chance to BE THE 3 SEED (granted they dont trade josh smith) in the eastern conference. Maybe a little ridiculous, but this Hawks squad will play in the postseason easily.
I knew the Hawks would be fine, but I didnt expect them to be THIS competitive...they play with incredible energy, passion, and speed. They also have excellent team chemistry and rebound the ball well.
I expect a small but not over-the-top apology from BTPH. thank you.
Taylor