Big win over the Cavs last night. Sloppy game, but held off a late surge by Lebron

One thing I really like about Horford's game- when he gets the rebound he doesn't waste a second- he's either passing upcourt or dribbling it up himself. I really like that. More fast break opportunities. The Cavs announcers (terrible) compared him to Dwight Howard but I more see someone like Chris Webber. Maybe not as good of a passer, but very athletic and agile

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself by thinking playoffs, but this is a message board and I'm going to

I still think they can move up to a possible 6 seed. I'm not sure they're better than Toronto or Cleveland, but they did play the Cavs tough in 2 games last week, each team winning at home. I think the Wizards are going to fall down a bit, I think without Arenas they're overacheiving and I don't count on them to maintain a 4 seed.

Call me insane (I am) but I think even if they end up with a 7/8 seed, they can give the Celtics a run for their money. I just think they match up well with Boston. The Pistons on the other hand I think would destroy them.

I think Atlanta is playing good enough to be higher than a 6 seed. Anthony Johnson definitely has given them some stability but I still think if they can get Andre Miller for relatively cheap he could push them to the second round of the playoffs and not have as much pressure on Acie to come in and try to do to much.

I disagree on Washington. I think they are a better team without Arenas and with my guy Caron leading the offense in a much more balanced way. Their ball movement seems better, I think Daniels gives them more defensively, and Haywood is playing the best ball of his career(the last 2-3 games notwithstanding).

The Nets will be dangerous and a tough out come playoff time, Detroit and Boston are the only East teams I think will definitely beat them in the East, still not sold on the Magic.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

You know really, as we're breaking the East down, they seem better than in years past as a whole

Obviously the Celtics returning to 'glory' has boosted the East quite a bit, but top to bottom, seems a lot better

Hawks are the current 8 seed at a game under .500, and they're pretty good for their record, if that makes any sense.

Just seems this year there are a scant few REALLY bad teams (Sonics, Knicks, Wolves) but most everyone else is at least competitive on a nightly basis

I think the NBA overall is more competitive and in better shape than it has been in at least a decade. I think the West's advantage over the East is also as big as ever. I think Detroit and Boston can beat any team in the west in a 7 game series, but after than I think the next 7 best teams play in the West.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Anthony Johnson just got ejected

Well, that didn't turn out too good last night in Phoenix...

I like what the Hornets are doing...

I have determined that it's in my best interest psychologically to give up on this team. They're going to break my heart in the same way some of the recent Warriors teams have (before last year)

This team puts up 70 on the Nets in the first half last night and looked absolutely unstoppable. Al Horford was tearing them a new one, just dominating.

But they couldn't stop Vince Carter at all. He was just doing whatever he wanted, waltzing through the lane for layup after layup. Nets come back in the 2nd half and end up taking control of the game

It's just not a consistent team. They seem to have all the pieces so it's really frustrating. They have a good PG leading the team now. Bibby has had some questionable games since joining them for sure, but for the most part I think he's done a good job. Childress is 6th man of the year candidate (I know Manu but I can't really consider him a true 6th man). Horford should be ROY. Marvin Williams is having a solid year and has a nice inside-out game. Joe Johnson is a stud and we all know about Josh Smith

The only thing that's obvious to me about their inconsistency is their defense has to pick up. Like I said they couldn't stop Carter at all. I think some of the problem could be that while Smith and Horfod are good shotblockers, it's almost like they don't play the passing lanes enough and just look for the block. By the time someone beats you and gets into the paint, even if you're able to recover and block the shot like Smith does so much, you've got a high chance of getting called for a foul. They really need to tighten up their perimeter defense and force people to drive past them. Teams just get wide open shots and when they do drive no one takes a charge they just wait and try to get the block

They seem to have what Bill Simmons called "Bobcat syndrome." Where you think they have all the talent and pieces to be good, especially if you play fantasy bball, but their coaching and defense is awful and it costs them alot of games. Isnt their coach pretty awful? I thought I remember hearing something about their GM trying to fire the coach like 2 or 3 times this season and the owner wouldnt allow it.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

That could have something to do with it too, yes

Woodson is for sure a lame duck and he's an idiot, he should be gone

Great game last night. Unbelievable. Controversial ending to regulation, then a great OT

I'm ready for a first round matchup with the Celtics!

So now what in the offseason? my thoughts...

1) FIRE MIKE WOODSON. He's horrible...almost as bad as Doc Rivers. ALMOST. He needs to go. I don't care what Joe Johnson says

2) What to do with the Joshes. I'm terrified of Josh Smith. Terrified because he is nowhere near deserving of a max deal. Yet I feel he's going to want some serious money. I hate to see him go but you can't screw yourself and overpay this guy. He's not consistent and has little 'basketball' acumen. He's an athletic freak. And a serious shot blocker. But I hope he decides to stay for reasonable cash. Josh Childress- again, someone I probably wouldn't pay much more than the mid-level. A hustle guy- got some great offensive rebounds during the Celtics series, shoots OK/mediocre, and plays decent defense. I'd hate to see him go but again, if he wants too much, i wouldn't give it to him

3) Bibby. In the last year of a deal. I'm not 100% sure of the salary cap situation, but he's clearly not the PG of the future. That's Acie Law. So he's attractive as a bargaining chip. Do you trade him at the deadline to a team looking to dump salary and add some talent? I'm assuming that the Hawks will be at least a little better next year- i.e. slightly above .500. If, at the break, they're around the point I think you have to get rid of Bibby. Obviously he's run out of gas and I applaud the Hawks for making an effort to improve but it failed. I just am afraid and don't want to see bibby being the main PG next year, you've got to let Law develop

So Bagels - do you see this team improving into a mid seed (4-6) or still being at the bottom of the eastern conference seeding?

It depends on what they do with Childress and Smith. If they field the same team next year, as-is right now, then yes I do.

atlanta hawks fans beware:

billy king may be your next gm.

I dont know man, if you got to the playoffs with Billy Knight... could King make it much worse?

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

There are some crucial decisions coming up regarding Childress and Smith, not to mention Bibby and whatever coach they decide to bring in

So yes, I'd like someone with at least half a brain running the show

Really? You'd have a problem giving Childress a 5 year $60 million contract?

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

I'm absolutely terrified about them giving either a huge contract, as I've mentioned. Both Joshes are very, very nice players but no where near deserving of upward of 10 million....I guess Smith might be assuming that he continues to develop (i.e. actually develops some kind of shot) but no way Childress is more than a mid-level player.

I would hate to see either of them leave but I wouldn't want to see the Hawks cripple their future by blowing their wad on those 2

I agree with Childress. He seems almost like one of those Battier type players that would be a fantastic role player on a championship team.

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Exactly. He's a tailor-made 6th man. Hustle, energy, offensive rebound guy. In other words, they'll max him out

Sounds like he is setting up for a Bobby Simmons like contract.

Or even better, Jared Jeffries

Just signed Woodson to an extension

I admit I'm a bit excited for the Hawks going to New Orleans tonight. Should be a good game. After beating the Magic on the road and the Sixers at home, if they could start 3-0 by beating the Hornets at home it would be a huge feather in their cap. I just hope Bibby's ankles are OK after the game

It seems hard to believe, but the Atlanta Hawks raised quite a few eyebrows when they took the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics to 5 games in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs a year ago before they self destructed in the decisive fifth game. They've got Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby & a rising star in Josh Smith. I won't be shocked if the Hawks are the #7 seed in the East, leaving the likes of the Wizards, Heat, Bucks, Bobcats & even our Bulls all challenging for the #8 seed.

Actually SHARK, the first round is a best of 7, and the Hawks took them to a decisive game 7, not game 5

I'll let this one slide but don't come in this thread misrepresenting my Hawks

Bagels, I apologize... That's my fault. All NBA Playoff series are now best of 7, and they changed that a few years ago. Thanks, Bagels for correcting me.