Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Atlanta Hawks
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
They have become synonymous with unclaimed seats and an empty building. They have foisted the gaudiest throwback uniforms in creation upon a helpless public. They have been mentioned more than once as a prime contraction candidate if the NBA ever considers lopping off a team or two. They have also been mentioned as a candidate to be shipped overseas if the league wants to move an existing franchise to be its European guinea pig.
One more thing about the Atlanta Hawks.
They suddenly have a future that looks just the opposite of lime green.
It looks pretty good.
The Portland Trail Blazers have lived up to their vow to pursue a cleansing of their roster by systematically trading away Bonzi Wells, Jeff McInnis and Rasheed Wallace. The Hawks, meanwhile, have been just as radical, ditching three significant salaries (Glenn Robinson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Theo Ratliff) for three expiring contracts (Terrell Brandon, Wesley Person and 'Sheed). The Hawks, as a result, will now have the opportunity to start completely over and pursue signings or trades to get what this franchise badly needs if it wants to survive in that city.
A basketball version of Mike Vick, in other words.
People who know Atlanta's demographics much better than me insist that the area is prosperous financially and growing, filled with potential NBA ticket-buyers. They tell me that it would be a grave mistake to take NBA basketball out of Atlanta, in spite of that dead building. That Atlantans simply need a Vick-like star persona to draw them to Philips Arena.
The Hawks now have a chance to atone for their many, many mistakes since the exile of Dominique Wilkins and finally find a sellable star. Brandon is already gone, Wallace and Person will be let go at season's end and, just like that, Atlanta and its new ownership will have the flexibility to make a dramatic personnel score.
They'll have tons of cap room to throw at Kobe Bryant, for starters. According to team sources, Bryant is No. 1 on the wish list of the Hawks' new owners, who could be sworn in later this month.
Another possibility: The Hawks will peddle a native Philadelphian ('Sheed) and that trade-friendly cap space in an attempt to concoct a deal that brings them Allen Iverson. The Answer could fill Philips regularly if given the chance.
I still say Kobe, if he is intent on leaving the Lakers, would prefer to sign with the Clippers, because that would be the least disruptive relocation in his personal life.
With 'Sheed, right, the Hawks have the talent to acquire a star like AI.
I also know the 76ers would prefer not to even entertain the idea of trading Iverson, because AI generates so many sellouts and because public reaction to a trade in Philly would be so negative. And if you're not competing for a championship, the next objective for a team is to be a viable business. Yet the Sixers need to start over as much as the Hawks did and have to consider every option, including an AI trade. If a three-way deal can be assembled, perhaps routing Steve Francis to Philly and 'Sheed to Houston, it has to be looked at by all sides.
Fact is, in today's NBA, Philadelphia knows what teams try to do when it's time to rebuild. Denver started the blow-it-up trend by sending Nick Van Exel and Raef LaFrentz to Dallas. Phoenix followed by dispatching Stephon Marbury to New York. The Hawks and Blazers just continued the movement by helping each other. As a result of Monday's late swapping, Portland can proceed with its do-over next season while staying competitive in the short term and Atlanta gets to launch its do-over this summer.
So don't nominate the Hawks for a transfer to London or Paris or Frankfurt just yet.
Atlanta Hawks
By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
They have become synonymous with unclaimed seats and an empty building. They have foisted the gaudiest throwback uniforms in creation upon a helpless public. They have been mentioned more than once as a prime contraction candidate if the NBA ever considers lopping off a team or two. They have also been mentioned as a candidate to be shipped overseas if the league wants to move an existing franchise to be its European guinea pig.
One more thing about the Atlanta Hawks.
They suddenly have a future that looks just the opposite of lime green.
It looks pretty good.
The Portland Trail Blazers have lived up to their vow to pursue a cleansing of their roster by systematically trading away Bonzi Wells, Jeff McInnis and Rasheed Wallace. The Hawks, meanwhile, have been just as radical, ditching three significant salaries (Glenn Robinson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Theo Ratliff) for three expiring contracts (Terrell Brandon, Wesley Person and 'Sheed). The Hawks, as a result, will now have the opportunity to start completely over and pursue signings or trades to get what this franchise badly needs if it wants to survive in that city.
A basketball version of Mike Vick, in other words.
People who know Atlanta's demographics much better than me insist that the area is prosperous financially and growing, filled with potential NBA ticket-buyers. They tell me that it would be a grave mistake to take NBA basketball out of Atlanta, in spite of that dead building. That Atlantans simply need a Vick-like star persona to draw them to Philips Arena.
The Hawks now have a chance to atone for their many, many mistakes since the exile of Dominique Wilkins and finally find a sellable star. Brandon is already gone, Wallace and Person will be let go at season's end and, just like that, Atlanta and its new ownership will have the flexibility to make a dramatic personnel score.
They'll have tons of cap room to throw at Kobe Bryant, for starters. According to team sources, Bryant is No. 1 on the wish list of the Hawks' new owners, who could be sworn in later this month.
Another possibility: The Hawks will peddle a native Philadelphian ('Sheed) and that trade-friendly cap space in an attempt to concoct a deal that brings them Allen Iverson. The Answer could fill Philips regularly if given the chance.
I still say Kobe, if he is intent on leaving the Lakers, would prefer to sign with the Clippers, because that would be the least disruptive relocation in his personal life.
With 'Sheed, right, the Hawks have the talent to acquire a star like AI.
I also know the 76ers would prefer not to even entertain the idea of trading Iverson, because AI generates so many sellouts and because public reaction to a trade in Philly would be so negative. And if you're not competing for a championship, the next objective for a team is to be a viable business. Yet the Sixers need to start over as much as the Hawks did and have to consider every option, including an AI trade. If a three-way deal can be assembled, perhaps routing Steve Francis to Philly and 'Sheed to Houston, it has to be looked at by all sides.
Fact is, in today's NBA, Philadelphia knows what teams try to do when it's time to rebuild. Denver started the blow-it-up trend by sending Nick Van Exel and Raef LaFrentz to Dallas. Phoenix followed by dispatching Stephon Marbury to New York. The Hawks and Blazers just continued the movement by helping each other. As a result of Monday's late swapping, Portland can proceed with its do-over next season while staying competitive in the short term and Atlanta gets to launch its do-over this summer.
So don't nominate the Hawks for a transfer to London or Paris or Frankfurt just yet.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Judge Wapner:
Atl probably fav,because they have a shitload of salary cap room.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yep, lots of cap room. Also, strong black community in Atlanta. Chance to escape Shaq's shadow, chance to prove that he can win with his "own" team. Less media attention in Atlanta. Gets to remain in a warm-weather city.
That being said, I doubt Kobe will sign with Atlanta. Why would Kobe play for a bad team? Then again, Atlanta has enough money to sign Kobe *and* 2-3 good players. Kinda what Orlando did when they got T-Mac and Grant Hill.
Oh, I forgot the most important reason Kobe would sign with Atlanta. Only has to play @ Denver once a year!
Atl probably fav,because they have a shitload of salary cap room.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yep, lots of cap room. Also, strong black community in Atlanta. Chance to escape Shaq's shadow, chance to prove that he can win with his "own" team. Less media attention in Atlanta. Gets to remain in a warm-weather city.
That being said, I doubt Kobe will sign with Atlanta. Why would Kobe play for a bad team? Then again, Atlanta has enough money to sign Kobe *and* 2-3 good players. Kinda what Orlando did when they got T-Mac and Grant Hill.
Oh, I forgot the most important reason Kobe would sign with Atlanta. Only has to play @ Denver once a year!
Rail, better than USC?
Rice, LSU, Texas, and Miami are the field of four that Omaha's Champ comes from.
I would think Kobe's ego needs NYC or Chitown, and God knows those two hoops cities need him and have the funds to make a run on him!
He may go home to Philly, but AI & he have too similar a game/spots on floor/skills &situations called for/need for shots-per-game/etc..to co-exist?
Rice, LSU, Texas, and Miami are the field of four that Omaha's Champ comes from.
I would think Kobe's ego needs NYC or Chitown, and God knows those two hoops cities need him and have the funds to make a run on him!
He may go home to Philly, but AI & he have too similar a game/spots on floor/skills &situations called for/need for shots-per-game/etc..to co-exist?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Railbird:
Long Beach State and Fullerton State 2 best teams in the country.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
sorry - no agree here
we (fullerton) got our heads handed to us a few weeks ago at the stanford trees - then came back last week to sweep UNLV - who isn't very good.
fullerton and long beach are good - but not 2 of the best - at least now. we need to get our pitching staff healthy or else we ain't going anywhere.
rail - going to the irvine home game tonite - if you show up - i'll be right behind home plate - about 6-7 rows back.
Long Beach State and Fullerton State 2 best teams in the country.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
sorry - no agree here
we (fullerton) got our heads handed to us a few weeks ago at the stanford trees - then came back last week to sweep UNLV - who isn't very good.
fullerton and long beach are good - but not 2 of the best - at least now. we need to get our pitching staff healthy or else we ain't going anywhere.
rail - going to the irvine home game tonite - if you show up - i'll be right behind home plate - about 6-7 rows back.
