#DwightHoward trade signals beginning of #Hawks2020

Atlanta has traded C Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets just 2 days before the 2017 NBA Draft. Click HERE for the ESPN story.  This means the Hawks are going to launch #Hawks2020 The goal – build a team that can realistically compete for an NBA title by 2020. The Hawks are looking to create a sustainable winner that creates real fan allegiance. They want to develop this a way like ATLUTD soccer and the Falcons.

Have a style of play that is both easy to watch and players easy to root for. The Hawks plan to control their brand from top to bottom.

They are using cutting edge fan engagement to keep fans connected and excited about the team. Great social media, in-game promotions and personalized VIP experience via the Hardwood Club draws upscale millennials and a diverse group of fans to buy in as they move into the future.    Atlanta also looks maximize control of all aspects of player training, development, and health. There is a  90,000 sq ft combined practice and sports science facility in partnership with Emory Healthcare. Soon there will be a brand new D league facility built in College Park less than 20 miles south of Atlanta.

Eventually there will be development of The Gulch area near Philips Arena into a work, live, play development similar to the area around the Battery adjacent to the Braves SunTrust Park.

The Hawks even offer special ticket packages to new Moms with Grady hospital. Pretty soon it might be engineering Hawks fans from birth, and players from High School to the NBA in the Hawks mold.

A kind of Sports genetic engineering. Hmm Atlanta Hawks the first GMO NBA franchise..

Keeping Your Eyes On The Ball (@Lavarbigballer) – Egomaniac or good parenting?

Is Lavar Ball following in the footsteps of Earl Woods and Richard Williams? Or is he an over the top version of a parent’s ego gone wild trying to grab glory through their child?

The Williams and Woods kids were good, really good. Child prodigies.  Each man had no problem letting you know it.  What we really didn’t understand is how these men were grooming their children to dominate their sports of tennis and golf. Places were African Americans had few champions

Richard Williams was ridiculed when he told the world that his two daughters who he raised in Compton playing on rough public courts nearby, would become the best female tennis players in the world. He was one of the few not surprised when BOTH of his daughters took the tough lessons they learned on those rough city courts and used them to help them become queens of the tennis world. Each taking turns being the dominate player I the sport before Serena’s physical and mental strength would launch her assault on the record books and conversation of being the GOAT.

Earl Woods introduced to his son Tiger to the world at just 3 years old on the Merv Griffin show. Even at that age we saw his ability to take command of the moment with the help of his dad.

Later while he was still an amateur there were bold prediction of PGA Tour greatness was there before he had won a PGA tournament. The marketing hype was there too. Remember the ‘Hello World” press conference?  He already had multiple endorsement deals in his pocket at time of arrival on the Tour much to the irritation of those who had labored for years already. We forget the bold statements of pride by Earl Woods because of his well-spoken demeanor and military background. Plus Tiger’s giant smile, and a confidence that grabbed you and made you a believer.

So is Lavar Ball really that much different than Williams and Woods? Maybe this whole way of acting is part of the plan. Ball knows like Richard Williams and Earl Woods that being great requires more mental toughness than physical talent. The ability to excel while under enormous pressure on the field/court, extreme scrutiny off it.  The huge amount of money and power giving to those that excel in sports is mind boggling. Maybe Lavar Ball is showing his son how to deal with some of these things.  In some ways he lso is acting as a shield for him. Much of the attention has been shifted to his father. No matter what happens now he wins in the public discourse. He doesn’t live up to hype? It’s because of his overbearing father. If he meets or exceeds expectations? Then he is applauded for being able to achieve this in spite of his crazy dad.

Lavar Ball may turn out to be crazy…like a fox

There must be something about Cali that produces these strong African American fathers who are brimming with confidence, and the ability teach their progeny to have it as well.  All this while helping them to understand the additional challenges of doing this while being Black in America.

By Minister Jonathan Simmons

 

#Hawks must choose style to define team, and win consistently

The 2016-17 season started out with great promise  for the #Hawks as they jumped out to a 9-2 start. This opening stretch included back to wins vs the Rockets at home, and the Cavs on the road. Coach Bud seemed to have the perfect  setup. The first team liked to get the ball inside with alley oops to Dwight Howard or sometimes pick and rolls with Paul Millsap. The 2nd unit led by the explosive scoring of Tim Hardaway Jr. and efficiency of Mike Muscala, or Ersan Ilasova  would give Atlanta to change the tempo of the game when needed, and keep the starters fresh.

Since then Atlanta lineups have at time seemed to be tossed together at random. Players seem at times to be ill at ease with one another on the court. The good ball movement which had been a Hawks trademark under Coach Bud, now constantly deteriorates in dribble fests ending in bad passes and missed shots.

They must choose whether they are a primarily a half court team using more pick an drolls  with Millsap and inside out game with Howard. Or play more small ball with Millsap, Ilyasova, and Hardaway running more of an up tempo game.  You can include Dwight Howard in this style too by having him operate as a ‘trigger man’ with outlet passes to ignite fast breaks like Bill Russell did with Celtics, Kareem with the Lakers, and even Tim Duncan late in his career at San Antonio

This team needs an identity if they want to be consistent winners. The question is do they have the will and patience to do it.

#AtlHawks blow last minute lead, lose to #Pacers at home

The #AtlHawks looked like they were on their way to a hard fought victory over the Indiana Pacers. They had a 96-90 lead with less the 2 minutes to go, a 96-94 lead AND the ball with about 30 seconds. But it was all for nought as the Pacers Glenn Robinson III hit a 3 pointer with 0.6 seconds left to give them a stunning 97-96 victory over the Hawks.

This game marked the return of former Hawks PG Jeff Teaugue  for the first time since he had been traded to the Pacers for a second round pick after the 2016 season.

Atlanta took an early 30-19 lead, then Indiana’s All Star G Paul George took over. George scored 24 of his game high 34 in the 1st half to help the Pacers take the lead before Atlanta came back to tie the game at 50 to end the 1st half.

The Hawks continued to have problems with George until they placed Paul Millsap on him in 3rd quarter. He did not score after that. By that time however they had forged a 7 point lead going to the 4th quarter.

The Hawks defense, and the offensive punch by Tim Hardaway, Jr (THJ) finally allowed Atlanta to overtake the Pacers and take a 6 point lead in the clising minutes. That’s when things went horribly wrong.

Paul Millsap has been the Hawks best offensive player all year and over the last 2 months Tim Hardaway Jr has been right behind him. Last night was no different. Millsap had 24 to lead all Hawks, and THJ scored 10 of his 23 in the final period. But when the Hawks looked to seal the win late, both men came up short. AMillsap missed shot, then turnover on consecutive possesion allowed the Pacers to cut the lead to 96-94. Then an ill advised 3 pt attempt by Hardaway set the stage for Robinson’s game winner. (Click here to see video)

This has been a recurring theme for this team. An inability to get consistent clutch baskets/plays from their best players. Until this changes the Atlanta Hawks and their fans will continue to deal with more frustrating losses.

 

GT Mens Basketball starts Pastner era in ACC with upset of No.5 #UNC

@GTMBB stuns 9th ranked #UNC 75-63 to start the @GTJoshPastner era with huge #ACC win.

Josh Pastner arrived on the Ga Tech campus in Atlanta to mixed reviews. Some who followed his career at Memphis felt his teams under performed while he was there. Many here in Atlanta however felt the young former Arizona star would bring the energy and youth needed to help revitalize the once storied basketball program.

If the first half of the season is an indicator, the Yellow Jackets may have found their man.  The GT men are 9-4, 1-0 in the ACC after their New Year’s Eve victory over the Tar Heels.  Josh Okogie lead the way with 26 points, and bruising big man Ben Lammers posted a double double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.  Josh Heath and Quentin Jackson also were in double figures with 15 and 11 points respectively.

Click here for Josh Pastner press conference highlight on the Ga Tech page on our website

 

#Hawks win 3rd straight. Home tonight for #TrailBlazers and #Sliento concert

 

Korver Killing It Hawks.com

Schroeder-Bench Buzz Hawks.com

Paul Milsap-Playing Big Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks have been a bit of enigma this year so far. They won 7 of their 1st 8 games to soar to the top of Eastern Division. Since then they have been inconsistent and played under .500. They won back to back games, lost 3 straight and now have won 3 in a row.

In this latest win streak Atlanta showed some of the things that got them 60 wins and into the Conference Finals. Good inside play and scoring  by Paul Milsap, bench contribution led by Dennis Schoeder, and 3pt prowess from Kyle Korver.  They are home tonight vs Portland. Atlanta will also have  another Hip Hop concert featuring  Silento’ (Nene song)  Hawks fans hope the fun is part of Hawks victory celebration.

#76ers Joel Embiid #NBA future in doubt. Needs more surgery

Reports from Yardbarker.com indicate that former Philadelphia 76er 1st round pick Joel Embiid needs more surgery on his foot. Click picture or HERE to find out more. Picture from Yardbarker.com by Getty photos

NBA Draft Day – Kevin Love to the #Hawks ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The NBA Draft is here. For the Atlanta Hawks it’s a new day. They had a 60 win season, won the Southeast division, and reached the Eastern Conference finals. But that was last year. For 2016 the Hawks will play in a division that will be better than 2015. Kyrie Irving will back along with a determined Lebron James. Boston has 2 first round picks, and a team that snuck into the playoffs under brilliant young coach Brad Stevens. The Heat and Toronto have some good pieces. Wizards have the Wall and Beal show. So Atlanta’s ability to even go as far as this year will be tested.

A real answer could be found in free agent Kevin Love. He would address all 3 Hawk needs. Consistent rebounding. He’s a big man who plays at the 4 spot. He adds another excellent outside shooter to the arsenal. Kevin Love to the Hawks.

Just saying .

Love and Basketball: Valentines Day Weekend 2015

Valentines Day weekend 2015 it’s about Love and Basketball. The All Star Game weekend, College Basketball hurtling again towards March Madness, tributes to 2 of it’s greatest coaches in their passing share the spotlight with a holiday known for love and romance.

Love-College Basketball. Where athletes at smaller schools play more for ties to teammates, compete for championships, and the quest for glory on the hardwood.

Romance-The NBA All Star Game “The ASG in NYC”: Seduction from the Mecca of Basketball-Madison Square Garden. Dunk contests filled with gravity defying leaps, spectacular mid air acrobatics. 3pt shot Sharp shooters make it rain beautiful buckets from beyond the arc. And of course the chance to see NBA stars past, present, and future

Love-The outpouring of kudos and kind words for 2 of College Basketballs greatest coaches Dean Smith and Jerry Tarkanian who passed away during the week. Both men showed their love of the game and the student athletes that played for them. Smith did by the lifelong followup of all his players, Tarkanian through his relentless battles vs the NCAA to insure players rights in ever growing money machine of College Basketball.

Romance- We are thrilled by the greatness of NBA stars and the pursuit of championship glory by College and High School. As we do again our hearts flutter with the anticipation of what is to unfold on courts everywhere.

Valentines Day weekend in 2015. A story of Love and Basketball

Check out REAL TALK SPORTS website Please connect with @TALKSPORTSATL on Facebook,  Instagram, and Twitter

Thanks and God Bless