Eastern Conference Semi Finals - #2 Orlando Magic vs #3 Atlanta Hawks

[Cratylus]

Hawks....the worst 3 seed in NBA history.....damn they suck

The Hawks are the prototypical "built for the REGULAR season" kind of team.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

The Hawks are such turds. Our f'ing reward for the best record in the NBA is a dogfight with the Celtics, and the Magic get 4 games against a bag full of feces that doesn't even make them break a sweat. Sheesh.

 

[winner0274]

Orlando outscored Atlanta by 101 points in 4 games...

 

[MoGottiFor3]

Last year Cavs started 8-0 in the playoffs and Magic scratched and clawed with the Celtics.

Nothing to worry about guys, Cavs would do the same vs the Bobkittens and Hawks.

 

[Richfield Kid]

After we dismantle the Celtics, Atlanta has a couple options other than blowing up the team (assuming JJ stays). If Perkins becomes available, he would dynamically change their matchup w/ Orlando, just like Shaq with us. What's Yao's status? Other than those two, I don't see any options but blowing it up.

 

[BA_CavsFan]

After we dismantle the Celtics, Atlanta has a couple options other than blowing up the team (assuming JJ stays). If Perkins becomes available, he would dynamically change their matchup w/ Orlando, just like Shaq with us. What's Yao's status? Other than those two, I don't see any options but blowing it up.

Joe Johnson is a superstar, but he's not a ball-dominant player like LeBron is for the Cavs. In other words, he's replaceable. I think it can be argued that Crawford was more valuable to Atlanta than Joe Johnson was this year.

As for rebuilding, I don't think that's necessary. If I was Danny Ferry, I would offer Mo to them in a salary dump, just to have a chance at getting a big time free agent this summer (like Joe Johnson?). We have Boobie and Telfair that would probably produce just as much as Mo did/does in the playoffs, and for less money. Or they could sign and trade Johnson to a team and get a couple solid players back.

Edit: Here's 1 scenario:

CLE in: Erick Dampier, DAL 1st round pick 2012, ATL 1st round pick 2010
CLE out: Anthony Parker, Mo Williams

ATL in: Mo Williams, Shawn Marion
ATL out: Joe Johnson (S&T max contract), 1st round pick 2010

DAL in: Joe Johnson, Anthony Parker
DAL out: Erick Dampier, 1st round pick 2012

Cavs get ripped off on talent, but get a couple draft picks and free up space to pursue a 2nd star for LeBron.
Mavs get a young, elite SG that could make the Mavs true contenders and not pretenders.
Hawks get 2 solid players in exchange for Johnson, who will probably leave anyway.

 

[Zog]

You want to trade our starting backcourt for two draft picks and ERICKA DAMPIER?

 

[Richfield Kid]

Joe Johnson is a superstar, but he's not a ball-dominant player like LeBron is for the Cavs. In other words, he's replaceable. I think it can be argued that Crawford was more valuable to Atlanta than Joe Johnson was this year.

As for rebuilding, I don't think that's necessary. If I was Danny Ferry, I would offer Mo to them in a salary dump, just to have a chance at getting a big time free agent this summer (like Joe Johnson?). We have Boobie and Telfair that would probably produce just as much as Mo did/does in the playoffs, and for less money. Or they could sign and trade Johnson to a team and get a couple solid players back.

I think you are underestimating JJ a little and Mo. Mo is much bigger offensive threat than Boobs or Telfair. Boobie's D isn't that much better. Mo is still valuable vs Orlando with Nelson on him. You can't afford to just run wild at Mo like you can Boobie. Mo is going to look good vs Orlando. Big matchup there. I think/hope Mo can win it.

 

[BA_CavsFan]

You want to trade our starting backcourt for two draft picks and ERICKA DAMPIER?

If we could sign Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh with the cap room, I would definitely do it. If we do that deal I posted, don't pick up Dampier or Delonte's options, and don't offer Jawad a qualifying offer, then the Cavs salary will be about $50,000,000. If the cap is at $65,000,000, then that's almost enough to get a 2nd star for LeBron and start a dynasty. Mo Williams is clearly not helping with that, at least not in the post season.

EDIT: I meant $56,000,000 not $65,000,000.

 

[Zog]

If we could sign Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh with the cap room, I would definitely do it. If we do that deal I posted, don't pick up Dampier or Delonte's options, and don't offer Jawad a qualifying offer, then the Cavs salary will be about $50,000,000. If the cap is at $65,000,000, then that's almost enough to get a 2nd star for LeBron and start a dynasty. Mo Williams is clearly not helping with that, at least not in the post season.

The cap is projected at $53M. Where are you coming up with $65M?

 

[BA_CavsFan]

I think you are underestimating JJ a little and Mo. Mo is much bigger offensive threat than Boobs or Telfair. Boobie's D isn't that much better. Mo is still valuable vs Orlando with Nelson on him. You can't afford to just run wild at Mo like you can Boobie. Mo is going to look good vs Orlando. Big matchup there. I think/hope Mo can win it.

(Sorry for double post)

I know Joe Johnson is an All-NBA player, and he's the most talented guy on the Hawks. But he was shut down against the Magic, and it's not like Matt Barnes can limit such a great scorer. It's just that he seems more like an amazing 2nd option instead of a pretty good 1st option, kind of like Chris Bosh. Neither team has had much postseason success, but both JJ and CB4 are 2 of the best in their respective positions.

As for Mo, I've just lost my faith in him. He has 1 good game every now and then, and I sometimes regain my trust, but then the next few games he has another slump. He's been aggressive guarding Ray Allen, but that's more effort than talent. Boobie isn't as skilled as Mo, but Boobie was starting for us in 07 when we got to the Finals. Mo was starting when we got embarrassed by the Magic.

 

[BA_CavsFan]

The cap is projected at $53M. Where are you coming up with $65M?

Sorry, I meant $56 million. $6 million isn't a great amount of space, but it's a start I think. It doesn't help to be way over the cap space, but at least if we can get somewhat under it Ferry can build on that. I've been saying this a lot, the team as it's currently constructed will never win more than 1 championship, it's just getting 2 old and it has too many holes. We need a 2nd superstar to improve on our success, and this summer is the perfect time to do that.

 

[Richfield Kid]

Mo Williams is clearly not helping with that, at least not in the post season.

I'll have no more of that seditious talk during the playoffs. jk haha Sure you give up Mo if you know you can get a Bosh or Wade. I like Mo alot, though. His D has really picked up, he just can't do everything at the same time while still getting locked down by a great defender.

 

[BA_CavsFan]

I'll have no more of that seditious talk during the playoffs. jk haha Sure you give up Mo if you know you can get a Bosh or Wade. I like Mo alot, though. His D has really picked up, he just can't do everything at the same time while still getting locked down by a great defender.

Lol yea, I'm sure he'll be relieved to not have an All-NBA Defensive team player guarding him. But then again, Jameer Nelson has been on fire, especially against Charlotte which is surprising considering the Bobcats were so good defensively. I guess Mo won't get a true break until LA, since Fisher is horrible at defending quick guards.

 

[Richfield Kid]

Our team will always be in personnel flux, as it should. Jamison hasn't shown age yet. I'll reserve judgment on this teams potential.