“You’ve got to factor in there is a lot of politics involved in the All-Star selection,” Smith said Friday. “Once you get that it’s really about politics, then nothing really surprises you. I call it ‘Nothing But Associates,’ NBA. It’s all who you know.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Josh Smith should look in the mirror rather than blame others for not making the Eastern Conference All-Star squad.

The Atlanta Hawk has a reputation as a talented but troubled forward because he previously clashed with coaches, teammates, and management.

All-Star reserves are voted on by coaches, and, right or wrong, the NBA's thirty sideline bosses have held Smith accountable for past behaviour.

This isn’t to suggest a conspiracy against Smith, but coaches will vote for other players -all things being relatively equal, of course

So Luol Deng, Andre Iguodala, and Paul Pierce got the nod to play in the mid-season classic over Smith.

The best thing Smith could have done was shut up, accept the decision, and vacation somewhere over All-Star weekend.

Instead Smith went public with his complaints and proved why coaches didn’t vote for him.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Hawks forward Tracy McGrady’s private frustrations over his playing time finally boiled over after he played just 4:39 during the 97-77 loss to the Blazers late Saturday. “I’m tired of this [bleep],” McGrady said. “You can put that in the paper, I don’t give a [bleep].”McGrady didn’t play after halftime against the Blazers. He didn’t dress for Atlanta’s 101-99 victory at Phoenix Thursday but said it was his decision to rest for the second game of a back-to-back. Against the Blazers, McGrady never returned after Marvin Williams replaced him with 7:21 left in the first half.

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HoopVibe’s Very Quick Call: Nothing has changed. Tracy McGrady is still about one person: himself.

The former All-Star, who is on the back-end of a mixed career, is complaining to reporters about his playing time with the Atlanta Hawks. 

McGrady was signed in mid-December by Atlanta to come off the bench, spell the starters, and provide depth.

His play has been mixed, so coach Larry Drew recently cut McGrady’s minutes, which prompted his outburst.

It seems the lanky swing still struggles with professionalism. After all, he complained in Houston, Orlando, and Toronto, and led an all-out revolt last year in Detroit.

Atlanta was his chance to show he could play a role and contribute to a playoff contender.

Well, so much for that idea. Nothing has changed with McGrady. He’s about himself, and always will be.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Josh Smith gave Serge Ibaka, who is known for poster-jobbing opponents, a taste of his own medicine during Saturday's Hawks-Thunder clash.

Smith crammed an epic facial on the Thunder big, energizing the Atlanta crowd and teammate Zaza Pachulia. Check it out …

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Atlanta ownership still resists trading Josh Smith, sources tell Y! Smith's preference to leave Hawks has been unchanged for past year.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This is about a franchise’s search for credibility -not the Atlanta Hawks and Josh Smith potentially parting ways.

For years, Atlanta was an oddball franchise. It was the NBA’s version of Siberia -as players of any stature would look to ply their craft elsewhere.

Smith, a high-flying forward and Atlanta native, has been part of the Hawks becoming a perennial playoff team.

This success has come in spite of ownership -not because of it. After all, the Atlanta Spirit group is a fractured partnership of businessmen, who have been known to argue  about free agent signings and even sue each other.

Now Smith wants out, in part, because he feels the Hawks’ unique ownership group isn’t committed to winning.

Perhaps this is fair; however, Smith should continue to look at himself. Too often, he has been a distraction.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
 

And he let everyone know it by celebrating his last 3-pointer of the game — an overtime game-winner he rattled in from 25 feet out to beat the NBA”s winningest team — by spinning around and screaming, “This is my house!” “Yeah, I did say that,” (Carmelo) Anthony admitted with a laugh. “It was just that they were talking some trash out there, in the moment.” If this is a preview of what a first-round playoff showdown between the Knicks and Bulls and Anthony versus Rose, is going to be like, then bring it on.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: New York is finally starting to accept and love Carmelo Anthony.

For a year or so, Knick fans were questioning the acquisition of Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. After all, the trade was the doing of owner James Dolan, while former lead executive Donnie Walsh was opposed to breaking up a promising squad for the All-Star forward.

Initially, the results were mixed. Very mixed.

Anthony couldn’t click with fellow star Amar’e Stoudemire and coach Mike D‘Antoni. His shot selection was questionable. And the Knicks were losing more than they were winning.

Enter Mike Woodson.

The former Atlanta Hawks sideline boss started the year as an assistant but replaced D’Antoni after the former Phoenix Suns coach resigned in March.

Woodson immediately empowered Anthony, telling him he’d get more touches on offense and, in turn, would be held accountable. The results have been overwhelmingly positive -as the Knicks are winning more and Anthony has greater balance to his game.

Not surprisingly, the fans have responded to him.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.


 

Josh Smith releases new aizero Ghost 2s.

HoopsVibe was fortunate enough to speak with former NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Mutombo is the latest pitch-man for Old Spice's "Champion Scent" line of products.

During his 18 year playing career, "Mt. Mutombo" was one of the most intimidating shot blockers and rebounders of all time, leading the league in blocked shots five times and rebounds four times. Mutombo was an eight time All-Star and appeared in the NBA FInals with the Philadelphia 76ers. 

HoopsVibe: Tell us about the game (which can be found at oldspicesavestheworld.com). According to the site you have 4 ½ weeks to save the world before the end of the Mayan calendar, correct?

Dikembe Mutombo: Yes, Iteam up with Old Spice to promote the computer game and we have to save the world in 4 ½ weeks. Also to promote Champion Scent from Old Spice. It’s a wonderful game for everybody to play.

HV: Let’s talk about Georgetown. You played there with Alonzo Mourning and a lot of other great players; Why couldn’t you and Zo win a national title?

DM: Man, that is a major question that will haunt us for the rest of our lives. We had a chance and ultimately went to NBA to become dominant centers and we had opportunities to win in college. The opportunity was there, and we just didn’t do it.

HV: How did the finger wave come to become your signature move?

DM: It happened after my third year just before we beat the Seattle Supersonics in 1994 NBA playoffs. I was having such a great year and blocking shots and moving up in the league. I used to block the shot and then I would shake my hand and no one said nothing. One day I decided shaking the hand doesn't really mean nothing- maybe the best way to not come into the House of Mutombo it's best to wave my finger, so it worked out very cool. But it ended up getting me a lot of technicals.

HV: How did the NBA come to ban that? Does David Stern call you personally?

DM: It came from the players. You would hear from someone like Phil Jackson or something, that maybe you better stop what you're doing it's costing you a lot of money. It was good for me to do in the players face, but if I could face the fans and wave my finger away from the players face, it would be great. That's why you see in the last five years I started doing it away from the players face. So I don't have to lose a couple of thousand dollars (laughing).

HV: Who was your favorite NBA player to block? 

DM: That's a good question. To me, not just one in particular. But I think playing against Shawn Kemp. He was such a high jumping, athletic player.

HV: How gratifying was it to be the first eight seed to beat a one seed when your Nuggets beat Kemp's Sonics?

DM: One of my proudest successes of my career. But I’m happy to promote the Old Spice game now. I want everyone to go to the website on your computer and play the game to save the world we only have four and a half weeks so we better do it!

To play "Dikembe Mutombo's 4 1/2 Weeks to Save the World", click here.

Fresh off dropping his new album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, Outkast's Big Boi made an appearance on NBA TV's The Jump to talk shop on two of his (and my) favorite subjects, basketball and music.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Big Boi is an accomplished hip hop artist and a true hoops fan.

Earlier today, Big Boi, who together with Andre 3000 makes up the rap duo, Outkast, stopped by The Jump studios in Atlanta and chatted with Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and company.  The gang asked Big Boi about everything from his hometown Falcons and Hawks, to recording his new album, the situation the Los Angeles Lakers, and just who would be in his personal Big Three.

"So who would be your big three?" Brent Barry asked the rapper.

"First I'd have to grab me Andre 3000 of course," Big Boi said.  "Really that's all I need.  I don't need anybody else.  Me, Dre and the referree that's it."

Big Boi, who spent the first half of his life in Savannah, Georgia before moving to Atlanta, is known for being a huge Atlanta sports fan.  When asked about being a Hawks season ticket holder and going to the games, Big Boi was ever prideful saying, "I support as much as I can.  Home team first.  I mean it's Bird Gang the whole way."

And this year especially, there's plenty of good reason for Big Boi to be proud of Atlanta sports.  At 12-2, the Falcons are currently tied with the Texans with the best record in the NFL and have already clinched their division.  The Hawks, led by Josh Smith, have a 15-7 overall record so far this season and are only one game behind the reigning Champion Miami Heat for first place in the southeast division.

When questioned about what's gotten into Josh Smith lately, Big Boi dropped the following wisdom:

"I guess you know when you get to mature, you come into your own style.  It's the same thing with doing music.  I guess it just takes experience.  To get growth you get real like that.  You just gotta stay on your craft."

I don't think many would argue about whether or not Big Boi knows a thing or two about experience and honing in on one's craft.  Together with Andre 3000, Outkast has gone platinum numerous times and has taken home six Grammy Awards.

One of the best parts of the interview came when Dennis Scott asked Big Boi, "What do you think is going on with the the Lakers, and Kobe and Dwight Howard, what's your take on all that?" to which the famed rapper responded, "I don't know.  Everybody wanna blame the coach.  I don't know man, 'cuz the coach ain't shootin' free throws, you know?"

Got to give it up to Big Boi for always keepin' it real.

Check out more of the rapper's appearance on NBATV.com's The Jump.

15 years ago today, Dikembe Mutombo made history.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Mutombo is the greatest defensive player of his era and we spoke with him.

Atlanta's Dikembe Mutombo is named the winner of the 1997-98 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, becoming the first player in NBA history to win the award three times. But "Mount Mutombo" wasn't done there. Three years later, he would win the award again for the fourth time in his career.

The eight time All-Star led the league in blocks three times and rebounding twice, becoming arguably the most important non-offensive threat in NBA history.

We were lucky enough to interview Dikembe not long ago; here are a few excerpts. Read the full interview here.

HV: How did the finger wave come to become your signature move?

DM: It happened after my third year just before we beat the Seattle Supersonics in 1994 NBA playoffs. I was having such a great year and blocking shots and moving up in the league. I used to block the shot and then I would shake my hand and no one said nothing. One day I decided shaking the hand doesn't really mean nothing- maybe the best way to not come into the House of Mutombo it's best to wave my finger, so it worked out very cool. But it ended up getting me a lot of technicals.

 HV: How did the NBA come to ban that? Does David Stern call you personally?

DM: It came from the players. You would hear from someone like Phil Jackson or something, that maybe you better stop what you're doing it's costing you a lot of money. It was good for me to do in the players face, but if I could face the fans and wave my finger away from the players face, it would be great. That's why you see in the last five years I started doing it away from the players face. So I don't have to lose a couple of thousand dollars (laughing).

 HV: Who was your favorite NBA player to block? 

DM: That's a good question. To me, not just one in particular. But I think playing against Shawn Kemp. He was such a high jumping, athletic player.

HV: How gratifying was it to be the first eight seed to beat a one seed when your Nuggets beat Kemp's Sonics?

DM: One of my proudest successes of my career.

HoopsVibe's Breaking Down The NBA Blog regularly provides a snapshot of the best NBA stories you should be reading from the three dubyas. We call it Best of the Web ...

Atlanta engaged Orlando in Dwight Howard trade talks this month, as well as the notion that the Magic would surely want Horford as part of any swap if the talks ever go anywhere. "Wow," Horford said. "I guess I'm heading back to Florida. ... I don't know, that's interesting, I know that Dwight is from here, but as far as I know, this is the first I've heard of it. But it'll be interesting."

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Dwight Howard isn't getting traded to the Atlanta Hawks because Dwight Howard won't re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks.

Howard, who can opt-out of his contract in July of 2012 with the Orlando Magic and become a free agent, wants to play in a major market.

Think New York, specifically Brooklyn. Think Los Angeles. Maybe Dallas.

For a couple of reasons, Atlanta, despite being Howard's hometown, doesn't stand a chance at getting the world`s top center to sign an extension.

1) The Hawks`owners, the LLC Spirit group, are highly dysfunctional. They once sued each other. They gave away a professional hockey team. And, most importantly, they won`t spend on a winner. Sure, they`ll float a few big-tickets, but they lack the resources and market size to underwrite a championship contender. And Howard knows this.

2) Atlanta won`t provide Howard with opportunities to leverage his brand. For instance, he wants a career in entertainment, and New York and Los Angeles are the best places for this to occur.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Sources told ESPN.com that the aforementioned Hawks, meanwhile, engaged Orlando in trade talks for Howard earlier this month with an offer believed to be headlined by $124 million guard Joe Johnson and swingman Josh Smith. You have to figure that the Magic, though, would insist on Al Horford if such discussions ever got serious.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Rebuilding isn’t an option for the Orlando Magic, so they’re reluctant to trade franchise face Dwight Howard for prospects, draft picks, and expiring contracts.

The powers that be in Orlando want established professionals -like, say, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks.

This is interesting, as both are big-ticket pieces, especially Johnson who is due to earn $107 million over the next five years. Smith is due $25.5 million through 2013.

Here’s the question: is Johnson and Smith superior to the Lakers reported offer of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol?

--Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

America is awesome. We get to blow up illegal fireworks to celebrate the freedom of life and independence of this great country and get paid handsomely for playing a game. NFL football is where it’s at! F#$K yeah! What’s this World Cup stuff? Excuse me. I meant NBA basketball is the awesomeness. You do not have to be on Kobe – Wade – LeBron tier to get a max deal. Sweet.

“Both teams played hard.” That’s the meme that Raw Sheed created that stuck through the minds of basketball junkies who needed laughs. It’s not quite the classic “Practice?” from Allen Iverson, but Rasheed was the master of basketball memes. He also brought the “Ball Don’t Lie” meme, too. When he has two memorable phrases dedicated to him, Rasheed Wallace transcended into immortality. Then again, Wallace has brought more entertainment than many NBA players through the years. He was almost like Terrell Owens and John McEnroe combined with a bald spot on the top of his head.

HoopsVibe is proud to welcome Marija Kero, better known to many of you as The Knicks Chick, to the team. Marija will be checking in with videoblogs covering everything from her beloved Knicks to Ron Artest's latest hair-related mishap. In her first piece, Marija shares her thoughts on Boston's bad temper, the surging Mavs and the ghosts of NYK past appearing in the postseason. 

We know they’re chasing the big cash, but are they worth the dollars they are looking for? Forget the regular season. The playoffs are the true indicators of their worth.

“I'm optimistic that we will have a season this year,” James said. “Very optimistic.” A little anxious, too. He's working out twice a day, trying to erase some of the sting that's still there after the Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA finals.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Does LeBron James know something the rest of us do not? Secret talks? A covert deal? Has he chatted with Union Boss Billy Hunter?

I appreciate LeBron James’ optimism that owners and players will somehow strike a hail-Mary deal, however, the facts are tough to overlook.

Right now, there’s no negotiating and/or bargaining between owners and players. Both are holding firm and refusing to compromise on a new financial system.

The owners want salary rollbacks, a hard cap, and a greater share of the Basketball Related Income, while players want to stick with the current system -even if it’s out of whack with the post 2008 economy.

Yet James remains optimistic. Fair enough. Always look at the bright side, I guess.

Still, the negative is tough to overlook. Alex Meruelo recently dropped $300 million on a mediocre franchise, the Hawks, in a mediocre sports town, Atlanta, because Commissioner David Stern surely promised a hard cap and a better split of the BRI.

And to get those concessions the owners will likely have to blow-up the entire season. That’s right: no basketball for 2011-12.

So James can stay optimistic. I’ll stay optimistic he knows something the rest of us do not.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Businessman Alex Meruelo has reached an agreement to buy a majority ownership stake in the Atlanta Hawks, he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an exclusive weekend interview.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Three things worth noting about the Atlanta Hawks' new owner.

First, a good organization has a good owner. It starts with the man at the top having clear expectations with respect to professionalism, attitude, and desire.

After years of poor play, the Hawks have recently become a good team. However, the LLC Spirit wasn’t committed to winning - they were too busy suing each other and cutting costs - so they weren’t a good organization.

Hopefully, Meruelo, also known as The California Pizza King, models what he expects from players, so the Hawks become a good organization.

Second, the NBA is a diverse league. Meruelo would be the league's first Hispanic owner, which is a positive.

Third, the NBA is in a nasty lockout because owners claim the business model is broken. Yet, there’s a willing buyer, Meruelo, for a weaker franchise, the Hawks, in a city, Atlanta, that doesn’t provide overwhelming support for its teams.

I’m curious to see what, if any, impact this has on future labour negotiations.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"My feeling is that I'm an Atlanta Hawk," Smith said. "I'll be an Atlanta Hawk until otherwise, until they trade me or something else. I don't know. We've been with each other for a long time. We've had some success together. You never want to leave somewhere where you know that each year you're getting better and it could be something that much more special next year.

"But you never know what's going to happen. I'm just here. I'm an Atlanta Hawk right now. All I can do is stay ready, stay in my lane and stay focused and worry about bettering myself."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Gee, get the impression Josh Smith is a member of the Atlanta Hawks?

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the versatile forward repeated again-and-again he’s with the Hawks. Here’s the question: for how long?

For any number of reasons, the thrifty Hawks could cut ties with Smith and trade him when the lockout finally ends.

Money matters. And the Hawks’ ownership groups doesn’t have any and would be willing to move the final two years and $25 million remaining on his contract.

The Hawks are also in tough with respect to the salary cap. Currently, they have 9 players signed for a total of $65 million.

Suppose the luxury tax system is replaced by a stricter hard cap. Moving Smith would help the Hawks get under the hard cap and create the financial flexibility to fill out the roster with valuable blending pieces.

Finally, it may be time for a change. Smith and the Hawks have a tumultuous past, so perhaps, in the words of the lovely Sheryl Crow, a change would do you both good.

--Oly Sandor.

  Will Smith and the Hawks stay together or part ways? Get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below with thoughts?

 

“I really think we get no love at all, to be honest. But that’s ok. We want to be respected by the teams we play and that’s the only thing that matters. The media can pick whoever they want to win the title, but the team that wins the title is the team that plays. The media doesn’t play a game. I’m pretty sure nobody thought that the Dallas Mavericks were ever going to win the title this year. 

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It's the latest sign, he's not ready.

Dwight Howard's complaints that the media don't show his Orlando Magic 'love' reveals much about his head space. He's still immature. He's still unfocused. He's still incapable of leading the Magic to a championship.

Howard shouldn't concern himself with the opinions of print guys, Net writers, radio shock-jocks, or TV crews. Such opinions are irrelevant and don't matter.

The opinions of teammates, coaches, and club executives are relevant and do matter. But Howard hasn't been overly concerned with the guys he goes to war with, speaking out about a lack of consultation on last year's in-season makeover.

However, Howard should know one thing about the media: we show 'love' to winners. Superstar who can't get out the first-round against a good but hardly Atlanta side receive little 'love' –and with good reason.

So Howard should win something. Then, if it still matters, the love, praise, and accolades will follow.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: NBA players have a little extra time on their hands due to the lockout.

Some are getting in extra training. Some are scheming on crossing the Atlantic and playing in Europe. Others, like Joe Johnson, are masquerading as members of Jodeci on karaoke night.

Watch the Atlanta Hawks’ superstar bust out ‘Come and Talk to Me’ and tell us if Johnson has a future on the R&B circuit.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe in the comment box below.

The Hawks have begun exploring a trade involving Josh Smith, according to sources. Smith, meanwhile, has privately told friends that the Celtics, Nets, Rockets and Magic are his preferred teams should Atlanta ultimately decide to trade him. Smith has not requested a trade.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Do the Atlanta Hawks and Josh Smith move forward together. Or, do they part ways?

The Hawks would keep Smith if it was solely about talent. The 6-9 Atlanta native is the rare player who can score, rebound, pass, and provide some national spotlight with rim-rattling jams and deft-defying rejections.

However, the Hawks’ personnel decisions are influenced by money. For years, ownership has been bleeding cash because they owned the city’s NHL property, the Thrashers.

Ownership may have sold the Thrashers to a group in Winnipeg, but they’re still cutting costs on the basketball side. So Smith, and the remaining $37 million on his contract, is available.

Takers must have deep enough pockets to assume the remaining years on his big-ticket. And takers must also be willing to put up with Smith, who has repeatedly clashed with teammates and coaches.

Finding a taker for Smith might not be so easy for the Hawks, after all.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Tim Hardaway would’ve been proud of Derrick Rose’s crossover.

The 2011 MVP embarrassed the Atlanta Hawks’ Jeff Teague on the perimeter, drove the lane aggressively, and threw down a powerful two-handed jam.

Oh yeah, he also dropped 44 points in the Chicago Bulls game three victory over the Hawks.

Watch the clip below and get at us with thoughts on D-Rose’s killa’ crossover. 

--Oly Sandor.

Not many are giving the Hawks much of a chance against Chicago in the second round, but they’re definitely the funnier of the two teams in the matchup. Their PR man, Arthur Triche, explains the Jameer Nelson diss via Twitter: “Things that make me happy about this job. Taking a page out of Jerry Glanville’s book, I think I’ll follow through on Jameer’s request to catch Derrick Rose in the 2nd round.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Congratulations to the Atlanta Hawks for handling Jameer Nelson.

They didn’t overreact or spout off when the diminutive point guard pulled a Babe Ruth and called his team’s shot by telling the Chicago Bulls to prepare for a second round match-up.

They simply outplayed the heavily favoured Orlando Magic, eliminating the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference in six games.

The Hawks would’ve been forgiven for boasting. After all, Nelson wasn’t the only doubter, as many expected Nelson, Dwight Howard, and the Magic to advance to the second round.

Clearly, they were wrong.

The Hawks exposed the Magic’s lack of a supporting cast, essentially turning the 2009 Eastern Conference champions into a one-player pony.

Even now they have little to say, though. The Hawks’ actions are speaking louder than their words. And leaving Nelson tickets for their second round duel with the Bulls is perfect.

What else is there to say?

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

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The Celtics have agreed to a contract with Carlos Arroyo, according to a league source. Arroyo's deal is for the pro-rated veteran's minimum for the remainder of the season.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It was nasty, even by youtube, poster-job standards.

Yesterday, Washington Wizards three-man Al Thornton, you may remember him from his days with the L.A. Clippers, threw down a vicious tomahawk jam over the Atlanta Hawks Zaza Pachulia.

Thornton’s jam drew an incredible reaction from the Verizon Centre fans and the Wizards bench. So watch the clip, form your own reaction, and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.

(Even the stoic Yi is laughing!)

--Oly Sandor.

Frustrated the Hawks have not offered him a contract extension, Jamal Crawford will ask the club to trade him, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Crawford, who is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10M this season, approached the Hawks the first week of July about an extension. Hawks GM Rick Sund has not made Crawford an offer, a source with the organization told ESPN. The sides are scheduled to meet next week and if the Hawks do not make Crawford an offer he considers reasonable, he will ask to be traded.

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“It’s something I shouldn’t have been involved in. I don’t smoke marijuana. I don’t think kids should do it. I’m against those things. I just feel really bad that that’s something that’s associated with my name and my family. And that’s not what we’re about.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Credit Brandon Roy for admitting poor judgement.

The Portland Trail Blazers star is apologizing for an inadvertant cameo in a music video that depicts marijuana use. 

Apparently, Roy is old friends with Seattle rappers Cali and Cavalli and allowed the duo to film him at a basketball tournament, which was then edited into the group's video for What They Want.

Jamal Crawford, an Emerald City native and Atlanta Hawk, also appears in the video. Moments after Crawford and Roy's apperance, a member of the group's entourage is smoking marijuana into the camera.

Watch the video for What They Want and then watch Roy's apology to Blazers' Edge. Is too much being made of a 'little smoke'? 

(Cali and Cavelli's What They Want.) 

(Roy's apology to Blazers' Edge.)

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Hawks coach Larry Drew has told Al Horford that he wants him to spend more time at power forward this coming season. "[Coach] Larry Drew told me he wants me to play as a 'power forward' next season rather than at center," Horford said.

"I can agree on a lot as a player because that's what I've been all my life," he continued.

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The Hawks have no plans to sign free-agent center Shaquille O'Neal.

A source says Atlanta's ownership doesn't want to exceed the luxury-tax threshold of $70.307 million. They are currently about $4 million shy.

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The Hawks have offered Shaquille O'Neal a two-year contract that starts at $5.8 million per season, according to NBA sources close to both the team and the player.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Is The Big Aristotle about to become The Big ATL?

Reports indicate Shaquille O'Neal is considering the Hawks' multi-year deal; however, it remains to be seen if this would be a fit for both player and team.

Shaq is desperate for another NBA Title. Unfortunately, good but not great Atlanta is hardly the spot for him to taste championship glory for the fifth time in his illustrious career.

Even if the Hawks signed the massive post, they wouldn't be better than the past two Eastern Conference champions: the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic. And they'd struggle with the Cleveland Cavaliers -provided Lebron James does the expected and re-signs later this week.

Meanwhile, Atlanta needs bench help, and not an aging five-man who spends a minimum of twenty games per season on the bench rocking designer suits.

When O'Neal is fit, he would demand minutes and touches, which would likely alienate a young, talented, and temperamental frontline of Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams.

However, the biggest potential issue would be with rookie coach Larry Drew because O'Neal has clashed with almost every sideline boss he ever had.

For instance, after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, he publicly slammed Phil Jackson and Pat Riley -both of whom are in the Hall of Fame.

This brings us back to Drew. The former back-up point guard is a career assistant, who got the head gig in Atlanta for one reason: he was cheap.  

So Drew has less credibility than former Phoenix Suns head coach Terry Porter, who O'Neal sabotaged, undercut, and compromised before he was replaced at mid-season by Alvin Gentry.

What would happen when Drew tells O'Neal to lose weight or defend the pick-and-roll?

Simply put, he can't. Frankly, Drew lacks the pedigree to truly hold O'Neal accountable. And this would surely become a problem for an impressionable team.

On the surface, this partnership sounds nice. Both O'Neal and Atlanta should take a pass, though. It's for the best.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at us in the comment box below.    

The Knicks are expected to try and pry Tony Parker away from the Spurs in order to pair him with Amar'e Stoudemire.A person close to both players told the New York Daily News that Parker and Stoudemire have talked about playing together in either New York or Miami.

"It's perfect for Tony because he wants to be in New York and he wants to play with Amar'e," said the source.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Amar'e Stoudemire hasn't even signed with the New York Knicks, but he's already playing recruiter.

Or he is trying to.

Reports indicate the power forward is trying to get Joe Johnson and Tony Parker to join him in the NYC. There's a hitch, though. In fact, there`s a couple.

Johnson - despite being friends with Stoudemire and Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni - is considering a $119 million offer from the Atlanta Hawks, and is still listening to the Chicago Bulls.

Parker has a valid contract with the San Antonio Spurs; however, the team could be open to a trade because they have a young point guard in George Hill.

Of course, Stoudemire is also texting the big-ticket free agents: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Expect James and Wade to sign elsewhere, though.

Nevertheless, things are getting interesting with The Great Free Agent Chase of 2010.

-- Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at us in the comment box below.

Sources close to Je Johnson have told Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski the believe the All-Star guard will soon accept a six-year, $119 million deal the Hawks offered Thursday morning. Hawks GM GM Rick Sund delivered the offer to Johnson in Los Angeles shortly after midnight Thursday.

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Tom Izzo is staying at Michigan State, turning down a chance to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers and and perhaps LeBron James.

"I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State," Izzo said in a statement released by the school on Tuesday night.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Tom Izzo made the right decision -not just for himself, but also for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The NBA is an adjustment. The game is different; the players are millionaire businessmen not teenagers. And many great college coaches have failed in the pros: John Calipari, Mike Montgomery, Rick Pitino and Jerry Tarkanian.

Then there was the tiny issue of LeBron James' pending free agency. Izzo would be in quite the quagmire if he accepted the Cavaliers job and James signed elsewhere. 

In the end, the risk was too great. So Izzo decided to stay with Michigan State and become an all-time great in the college ranks.

Meanwhile, Cleveland will continue searching for a sideline boss. Byron Scott is the frontrunner; however, the former Hornets coach wants to replace Phil Jackson in LA -if the Zen-Master leaves.

Mike Woodson, who was recently fired by the Atlanta Hawks, is also under consideration. And this is where the musical chairs could occur. Suppose Cleveland hires Woodson and James leaves. The Cavaliers could replace James with Joe Johnson, another superstar free agent who Woodson coached in Atlanta.

The next few months will be interesting in Ohio and throughout the NBA.

Got thoughts on this?

The Atlanta Hawks will hire Larry Drew as their next head coach, a league source told ESPN's Ric Bucher.

Drew and the Hawks have agreed to a three-year, $5 million deal, according to the source. Those figures are slightly less than the three-year, $6.5 million deal Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau received from the Chicago Bulls. In both cases, only two years are guaranteed.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It's not official, but it might as well be.

Joe Johnson, the superstar who resurrected the sorry Atlanta Hawks, will surely leave the team as an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, in part, because of Larry Drew's hiring.

While the on-court product has improved by leaps and bounds in Atlanta, the off-court operation hasn't improved. Ownership remains a dysfunctional and divided group of partners; the only thing they share is the desire to cut costs and save cash.

For instance, instead of rewarding talented sideline boss Mike Woodson with an extension for his efforts, they let him languish as a lame-duck coach in the final year of his contract and promptly let him go in May.

The Hawks' owners apparently fired Woodson because they wanted a fresh start. Yet, they promote Drew, Woodson's long-time right-hand man, because he's cheap. 

Drew, a respected assistant coach, could prove to be competent, but being frugal isn't a good look for Atlanta.

The end result will be simple: Johnson, a terrific player, will again see the Hawks as dysfunctional and cheap. And he'll leave as an unrestricted free agent.

Will Johnson leave The ATL because of Drew? What do you think?                   

"I'll decide by July 15," he said, referring to his deadline for terminating his contract. "But right now, I have a lot to accomplish still -- this tournament, and then the rest of the season in the Greek league." 

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Smith says he's never really done anything in Milwaukee and will "just be happy to find a restaurant." When a reporter jokingly asked if he'd ever take a vacation there, Smith replied, "Would you go? Everybody knows there ain't nothing to do in Milwaukee." 

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"It's going to come down to getting information quickly and weighing my options and making a quick decision," Childress said. 

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