Marvin...

The Hawks have to do something in the off-season to address their small-forward position. I am about fed up with Marvin Williams and his lack of play-making. Small-forward is a spot where you need a guy that can create, shoot, rebound, and make plays in general. While Marvin has shown the ability to do most of these things well at times, he has yet to come close to any form of consistency in his 5 years in the league.

Some Hawk fans may be intrigued with what Marvin may be able to do as a 2nd or 3rd option. Not me. That scenario scares me to death. The starting small-forwards in the league are mostly guys that are big-time scorers or at least 3 point or defensive specialists. Marvin seems to be right at below-average to average in all attributes desired by an elite small-forward.

Marvin this season played an average of 30 minutes per game. He scored 10 ppg, 5 rpg, and 1 apg in his 30 minutes. There has to be more production from that spot in those 30 minutes. The average starting small forward in the league plays 30 mpg as well. However, the averages are higher in ppg, rpg, and apg.

Marvin - Mpg - 30 / Ppg - 10.1 / Rpg - 5.1 / Apg - 1.1
Average - MpG - 30 / Ppg - 14.2 / Rpg - 5.1 / Apg - 2.3

Looking at these numbers further, it appears there are 3 guys who would fit the mold of "average NBA starting small forward."

Trevor Ariza
Tayshaun Prince
Danilo Gallinari

Marvin is no-where near any of these 3 guys as far as being a starting NBA small-forward. You have a couple of defensive specialists, 1 lights-out shooter, and 2 good shooters.

It's getting to the point where Marvin isn't just a bust because the team passed on Paul/Deron/Felton, but because he just isn't good enough to warrant a #2 pick. He is still 23, but 5 years in the league should be enough to show what kind of player you can be.

Maybe he still has upside? Maybe there is a team out there who likes him? Maybe the Hawks can package Josh/Marvin for a center or point guard?

I had a little fun with the ESPN trade machine with this. Here is the accepted deal I came up with.

ATL outgoing - Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, 2010 1st Round Pick
ATL incoming - Kirk Hinrich, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, James Johnson

Would Chicago do this? Maybe, if they miss out on LeBron/Wade and sign Chris Bosh. They could build around Rose/Smoove/Bosh and still have Marvin/Thomas/Miller/Pargo and 2 1st rounders + Cap space.

Atlanta could resign Joe, bring back J-Chillz and start

Hinrich/Joe/Childress/Horford/Noah with Crawford/Evans/ZaZa/Gibson/Johnson/Teague off the bench.

If you can't tell, I've lost all hope for this series. I'll still root like hell in Game 3, though...

For those interested, here are the forwards used to compile the averages used.

Player	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG
M. Williams (ATL)	30.5	10.1	5.1	1.1
Pierce (BOS)	34	18.3	4.4	3.4
Wallace (CHA)	41	18.2	10	2.2
Deng (CHI)	38	17.7	7.3	2
James (CLE)	39	29.7	7.3	8.6
Marion (DAL)	31.8	12	6.4	1.4
Anthony (DEN)	38.2	28.2	6.6	3.2
Prince (DET)	34	13.5	5.1	3.3
Maggette (GSW)	29.7	19.8	5.3	2.8
Ariza (HOU)	36.5	14.9	5.6	3.8
Granger (IND)	36.7	24.1	5.5	2.8
Butler (LAC)	33	11.9	2.9	1.4
Artest (LAL)	33.8	11.1	4.3	3
Gay (MEM)	39.7	19.6	5.9	1.9
Richardson (MIA)	27.4	8.9	4.9	1.2
Delfino (MIL)	30.4	11	5.3	2.7
Gomes (MIN)	29.1	10.9	4.6	1.6
Williams (NJN)	22.6	8.4	4.5	2.9
Peterson (TOR)	21.2	7.1	2.7	0.9
Gallinari (NYK)	33.9	15.1	4.9	1.7
Durant (OKC)	39.5	30.1	7.6	2.8
Barnes (ORL)	25.9	8.8	5.9	1.7
Kapono (PHI)	17.1	5.7	1.2	0.7
Hill (PHO)	30	11.3	5.5	2.4
Batum (POR)	24.8	10.1	3.8	1.2
Nocioni (SAC)	19.7	8.5	3	1
Jefferson (SAS)	31.1	12.3	4.4	2
Wright (TOR)	20.8	6.5	2.8	1.1
Miles (UTA)	23.8	9.9	2.7	1.7
Miller (WAS)	33.4	10.9	6.2	3.9
	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG
Averages	30.9	14.2	5.1	2.3

Another Hawks Meltdown...

That makes it 6 straight losses in the conference semi-finals the last 2 years. That is 6 games being outscored 611-482. That works out to 101.8 to 80.3.

Clearly, this team does not have the ingredients required to make a serious run to an NBA Championship. In the inferior conference, they can't even compete in the conference semi-finals, let alone win an NBA Finals series.

The sad part is that you could see this final result tonight coming the whole game, no matter how close the game was. Those that have watched this team during the 2009-2010 season day in and day out have seen it. This team lacks the ability to put together a strong 4th quarter performance and win a game. In fact, they often blow leads and turn tight games into blow outs in the 4th quarter.

That panic-filled, composure-less squad that shows up in the 4th quarter so much was very evident in Game 2. Forcing shots and resorting to one-on-one offensive sets instead of doing what had worked in quarters 1-3. They look tired and uninspired on defense in the 4th quarter and never seem to have any intensity.

Just to depress everyone a bit more, lets take a look at some examples from this season where the Hawks had some of their 4th quarter meltdowns.

Game - 4th quarter score/ Final result

At home November 26 vs Orlando - 26-11 / 16 point loss
At home December 4 vs New York - 31-23 / 7 point loss
At Denver December 23rd - 32-22 / 20 point loss
At home December 29th vs Cleveland - 20-10 / 11 point loss
At Cleveland on December 30th - 29-16 / 5 point loss
At home vs Miami on February 10th - 27-12 / 18 point loss
At Golden State on February 21st - 35-14 / 4 point loss
At home vs Dallas on February 26th - 46-27 (w/ OT) / 8 point loss
At Miami on March 6th - 24-17 / 6 point loss
At Toronto on March 17th - 31-19 / 1 point loss
At Milwaukee on March 22nd - 31-21 / 3 point loss
At Detroit on April 7th - 25-16 / 2 point loss
Game 5 in Round 1 vs Milwaukee - 30-18 / 4 point loss
Game 2 in Round 2 vs Orlando - 28-15 / 14 point loss

Barring a complete change in this team the next week, it appears the franchise is about to go into blow-it-all-up-and-try-something-else mode.

At least the Braves didn't get no-hit...

Random Fact of the day...

I get these all the time and am starting a new blog topic. I ran across this today while sporcling/searching the net...

Who are the players in NBA history with at least 3 seasons of 18+ ppg, 7+ rpg, and 7+ apg?

The answer is...


Oscar Robertson (6 times)
Magic Johnson (5 times)
Larry Bird (3 times)
LeBron James (4 times)

and of course, Lafayette "Fat" Lever

Take a look at his basketball-reference page if you get a chance. Lever had quite a run from 1985-1989. It is a shame he only played 9+ years before retiring with bad knees. Lever is also one of three players (Wilt and Kidd being the others) to have a playoff game with 15-15-15.

Certainly a guy that has been lost in the shuffle over the years with all the great players from the 80's and early 90's.

Mid week musings...

The Hawks on the road in the playoffs is tough to watch. They never match the home team's intensity, lose their cool, and look lost on both ends of the floor. I think Woody loses his composure and fails to adjust to in-game situations.

Josh is melting down mentally, get him out of the game.
Joe is hot, run some plays for him besides an iso (do we have any?)
Put West in to guard Jennings/Salmons for a while
Anything to look like we are attempting to keep the other team from having our way

These things aren't so evident at home because we do have the most intensity and that helps the team/coach remain calm. Which leads to the next problem..even if they advance, this team is out in 4-6 games against Orlando. They have a better version of Jennings, Salmons, Delfino, and K. Thomas. Read today the team is shopping their 1st round pick for cash to sign Joe...maybe he'll stay after all.

The Braves have got to do something in a hurry before a 5th consecutive year out of the post-season occurs. Is it worth it to try and acquire Adrian Gonzalez? Well, he is under contract for $4.75 million this year and $5.5 in 2011. After that, he will likely command a contract similar to what Ryan Howard just signed.

Chipper will be near retirement then, so the payroll may be there for that kind of move. Is there an issue with having Heyward, McCann, and Gonzo all being lefties? I don't see why it would be...What will it take to get him? A lot, because several teams have been after Gonzo since last year.

Freddie Freeman would be at the center of the deal. He would be the sell to the San Diegans as the replacement for Gonzo. They would also want our top arm in Julio Teheran. Outside of that, I am not sure what it would take to make the deal happen. If San Diego wants a major league position player, an interesting thought would be Nate McLouth.

Freeman/Teheran/McLouth for Adrian Gonzalez

That's a pretty steep price, but there is a chance SD would swap Teheran for someone like Randall Delgado or Craig Kimbrell. If the deal could be Freeman/Delgado/McLouth, I would do it in a second.

Escobar
Prado
Jones
Gonzalez
McCann
Cabrera
Heyward
Diaz

What about Glaus? I agree...who cares?

NFL Draft stuff...

Interesting night last night as usual for the NFL Draft. I still hate the Thursday/Friday start with rounds 4-7 on Saturday. That noon to 10 pm run of the first 3 rounds on a Saturday was great. It is like moving all the NCAA Tournament hoops games to prime-time on Thursday and Friday and not having any afternoon games. Why ruin a great thing? (Money...)

Some good things that came out of last night...

1) The Falcons took a player that I am pleased with, as I anticipated. I was fine last night at #19 with trading down, taking a linebacker (Kindle/Spoon), or a receiver (Bryant/Thomas). I really like how we got the pick in after just a minute or two. It was apparent that TD knew who he wanted and couldn't wait to make the pick (The anti-Minnesota strategy).

2) The Redskins did what they had to do and took what they thought was the best offensive tackle. If you are going to give up picks for a veteran quarterback, you have to protect him.

3) My favorite part of the night - Jimmy Clausen not getting picked. My dislike for the Clausen family has been around for a while, and it started with big brother Casey. After losing to UGA as Tennessee's starting QB in 2001, Clausen could not play in the 2002 game, which UGA also won 18-13. After the game, Casey said the following:

"I could have played on one arm and we could have definitely beaten Georgia, but (the doctors) didn't want to risk it," Clausen said afterward. "If I had played that game we definitely would have won by at least two touchdowns."

So, good ole Casey gets his shot to prove it on the field the next season in Knoxville. Oops. Casey is 11-23 with 2 picks and UGA wins 41-14.

I hope Jimmy ends up with Buffalo and nobody ever hears from him again...

4) The Broncos - The Tebow-Knowshow-Thomas triple threat will be interesting to watch. How much of a head-case is Brandon Marshall? They trade him away for nothing, then trade up to get a receiver that they say reminds them of Marshall.

The bad?

1) The Falcons are without a second round pick. I had heard draft gurus say that this could be the deepest 2nd round ever. Now I believe it...look at the guys that are still available.

Colt McCoy, Carlos Dunlap, Terrance Cody, Jonathan Dwyer, Toby Gerhardt, Brian Price, Arrelious Benn, Everson Griffen, Sergio Kindle, Taylor Mays, Golden Tate, Damien Williams, Aaron Hernandez, Bruce Campbell, and others. That pick at #50 would have been nice...

2) I had to witness the Pouncey twins kissing. That was the most shocking part of the night by far.



3) Boomer. When is this guy going to go away? I just want to be able to watch the NFL Draft and the Home Run Derby in peace. Please, sell your ESPN stock, retire, and move to Mexico with Harold Reynolds.

Most likely to be Offensive ROY - CJ Spiller - He will get plenty of touches on a team that needs play-makers. I think Buffalo uses him like Minnesota used AP his rookie year.

Most likely to be Defensive ROY - Eric Berry - Instant starter and ball skills that should make him an instant impact player

Looking ahead to Round 3 and the Falcons 3rd picks. It will be interesting to see who is still available when they pick. TD can go several ways with these picks. I could see the Birds taking a DE, CB, OL, RB, or WR.

I think a guy everyone can root for to fall is Jermaine Cunningham. He is 6'4 and 270 and a true pass rusher. He is from Atlanta (Stephenson) and was a beast at Florida. He would need to add 10-15 pounds, but this would be a sneaky pick.

Super-sneaky 3rd rounder? Reshad Jones, S - UGA...

Thoughts on a Sunday...

A lot has been made of Tyreke Evans rookie season, where he averaged 20+ ppg, 5+ rpg, an 5+ apg. He joined Oscar Robertson, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan as the only players to accomplish this in their rookie season. Congrats to Tyreke, but this hardly means he had a top 4 rookie season. Wilt Chamberlain had a decent rookie season himself - 37.6 ppg – 27.0 rpg – 2.3 apg – God knows how many blocks...

NBA Playoff Picks

Suns over Blazers

Lakers over Thunder

Spurs over Mavs

Jazz over Nuggets



Jazz over Lakers

Suns over Spurs



Hawks over Bucks

Cavs over Bulls

Heat over Celtics

Magic over Bobcats



Magic over Hawks

Cavs over Heat



Cavs over Suns


How good has J-Hey’s start been? Entering the weekend, he is currently 28th in all of baseball in OPS. He is joined on the list by fellow Braves farm-hands Jeff Francoeur (2nd), Kelly Johnson (4th), Brian McCann (11th), and Martin Prado (12th).

Looks like most Mock Drafts have the Falcons taking Brandon Graham (DE) from Michigan. This pick is growing on me after seeing his numbers from 2009 where he led the nation in tackles for loss (26) and recorded 10 sacks. He was also the MVP of the Senior Bowl and looks the part (6'1 263)...

The Donovan McNabb to the Skins trade has certainly made things interesting in the NFC East. The Skins are certainly a player if they grab Russell Okung to finish off the OL in the draft. My money is on Jason Campbell to Pittsburgh after the Big Ben suspension is handed down. Washington also needs a RB in Round 2…

Baseball Picks

2010 Baseball Picks

NL East

Philadelphia
Atlanta
Florida
NY Mets
Washington

NL Central

Cardinals
Cubs
Milwaukee
Houston
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh

NL West

Rockies
Dodgers
Giants
Padres

AL East

NY Yankees
Rays
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Orioles

AL Central

Tigers
White Sox
Twins
Indians
Royals

AL West

Mariners
Angels
Rangers
Athletics

Wild Card

Braves
Rays

NLDS

Braves over Rockies
Cardinals over Phillies

NLCS

Cardinals over Braves

ALDS

Rays over Tigers
Yankees over Mariners

ALCS

Yankees over RAYS

World Series

Yankees over Cardinals