http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/73 Recent articles about the Atlanta Hawks en-us Wow. What looked like a two-horse race for the services of Elton Brand became a three-horse race when the Sixers freed up enough money to offer the talented forward a five-year, $82 million contract. Marc Stein's sources say Brand is headed to Philly. (Read the rest after the jump.) Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:12:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287792 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287792 ESPN reports (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3479117) The Golden State Warriors on Tuesday conceded defeat in the chase for Elton Brand's signature by quickly moving on to new targets and reaching a faster-than-expected verbal agreement to sign unrestricted free agent Corey Maggette, according to NBA front-office sources. Sources told ESPN.com that Maggette decided against waiting to see if the Los Angeles Clippers would lose Brand to the Philadelphia 76ers -- which could have created an opportunity to stay with the Clippers -- to take a multi-year offer from the Warriors at a starting salary above the mid-level exception, which is expected to approach $6 million. The Clippers, sources said, expected to respond to the departures of Brand and Maggette by making a hard run at Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith, who was Philadelphia's No. 2 target behind Brand. If the Clippers elect to sign Smith to an offer sheet, Atlanta would have seven days to match. Will the Celtics be able to wrap up Posey? Time will tell. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:49:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287765 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287765 Yes it is true. The Philadelphia 76ers did it. Elton Brand reportedly will be a Sixer tomorrow. The team as you all know traded Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth, and a future 1st round pick for 2.8 million dollars to the T'Wolves. I said before in every post that Josh Smith will not put them over the top, but Elton Brand is the type of player that will. Sixers also reportedly set to sign Josh Smith as well. I thought the Sixers have a possibility of getting Smith but never Brand. To sign both could put them in contentions to make a run in a weak, aging Eastern Conference. The only thing that scares me, or it should scare Sixers fans, is that he turns out like Chris Webber. I doubt it he looked good and he's only 28. It'll be fun for me to go to Sixers games this year although I am not a huge fan. I will still root for my home town team unless they play Miami of course! I never thought I'd say this but, Celtics watch out, we got a team on the rise in the East! Oh and um, PS Baron Davis, YOU GOT SNUBBED! Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:55:30 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287711 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287711 It is looking more and more like Elton Brand will be headed East to join the 76ers. That unexpected move could knock down a number of dominos and open doors that looked closed just a few days ago. Some off the top of my head: Sixers become contenders in the East. Will compete with the Celtics on the court and off (for win-now trades and free agents over the next few years). LA Clippers now stuck with a high priced point guard and no franchise big man to pair him with. Do they get in the Josh Smith running? Do they have a choice? Warriors still stuck with nothing after losing Baron Davis. That's two teams with a lot of extra cash to use. May decide to give more than the MLE to Maggette. The Hawks have said all along that they'll match any offer for Josh Smith but can they afford to? Here's a guess that they'll sign and trade him to one of these teams with cap space and take back some kind of minor compensation in exchange for playing nice and giving Smith an extra year on his deal. If all else fails, one of... Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:34:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287699 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287699 Fantasy site KFFL.com has released their lists of "busts" in the fantasy world for 2008, and on the list is Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck. Here is their breakdown on the Hawks QB: Hasselbeck's favorite wide receiver, Bobby Engram, 35, is not happy with his contract and is holding out. Wideout Deion Branch (knee) is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and may not be ready for Week 1. Seattle has several young receivers - Ben Obomanu, Logan Payne and Courtney Taylor - who may not be ready to step up. The tight end position could take an early hit with rookie tight end John Carlson as the expected starter. Finally, they have a new backfield after cutting former MVP Shaun Alexander, which could lead to instability. In some drafts this year, Hasselbeck, who was just getting Super Bowl tickets two seasons ago, is going ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Each of these players could be better selections than Hasselbeck's fifth-round average draft position and be had later in your draft. Hasselbeck is still a weak No. 1 quarterback, and tickets to watch him and the Hawks maybe have a tough 2008 will be easy to come by. Speaking of grabbing tickets, Seahawks Gab is officially endorsing RazorGator as our recommended resource to grab great seats for all Seattle Seahawks games this season.  Get great Seattle Seahawks Tickets through, Razorgator, which can be counted on for over 30 years of service providing Hard-To-Get NFL tickets, Super Bowl tickets and more. There's plenty of reasons why we here at Seahawks Gab have decided to endorse them as the Official Ticket Broker of Seahawks Gab, and now check them out to find out. If you need Seahawks tickets, you can trust RazorGator every time to provide exactly what your looking for. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287630 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287630 Hawks LB Lofa Tatupu today plead guilty to drunken driving and was sentenced to a day in jail and will pay fines totaling up to $1,255.  "Lofa fully accepted responsibility by pleading guilty as charged. He asked for no special consideration and he received none," said Tatupu's lawyer, Jon Scott Fox. "He will pay his dues and put this matter behind him."  He will serve the one day in jail before the Hawks report to camp on July 24th.  His license will also be suspended for 90 days and he'll have an ignition interlock breath alcohol device installed in his car for one year.  The co-captain was stopped in Kirkland, home of the Seahawks' headquarters and practice facility, at 2 a.m. May 10 for driving faster than 15 mph above the posted 35-mph limit. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287621 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287621 The Seahawks are looking to once again take home the NFC West, and this season don't miss the action on Seattle Seahawks tickets. One great source for Hawks football tickets is Coast to Coast tickets, a great source for not only Hawks tickets, but Seattle area concert tickets as well. They have great Qwest Field game info for fans, as well as a great Seattle sports guide as well to keep you up to date. It's going to be an amazing season in Seattle, and check out Coast to Coast tickets now and be a part! Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287622 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287622 The Hawks are looking to get back to the playoffs, and here at SeahawksGab, we are looking for fans and writers who would be interested in joining our staff in 2008.  The site is growing by leaps and bounds, and we're looking for dedicated Hawks fans that want to be a part.  How much you write and exactly what you'd like to write about is all up to you!  Compensation for your work will be discussed, and your work will be seen by some of the biggest sites in the country!  If interested, drop us an email at matt@nflgridirongab.com with your name and basic info.  Get on board today as the 2008 season closes in! Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287623 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287623 Today the Seahawks signed kicker Brandon Coutu to a multi-year deal according to Seahawks Insider. Coutu was drafted with the second of two seventh round picks (235th overall) out of Georgia in this year's NFL Draft. The Seahawks now have three of their seven draft picks under contract. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:27:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287628 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287628 The Sixers traded Rodney Carney, a future No. 1 pick, and Calvin Booth to the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday. The Sixers clear up some much needed cap space, giving them about $14 million to pursue a top flight free agent. It is not clear yet what the Sixers will get in return. In his two years in the NBA, Carney averaged 6.2 points and two rebounds per game. It is widely believed that the Sixers will offer all $14 million and a long term deal to big time forwards like Elton Brand or Josh Smith. Smith was in town last week to work out for the Sixers, but they did not give the restricted free agent an offer sheet. Smith's current team, the Atlanta Hawks, have publicly committed to matching any offer given to Smith. Brand, on the other hand, has opted out of the last year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. He has said that he plans to stay in Los Angeles despite his decision, even if he has to take a contract that is below the NBA maximum for free agents. That being said, both the Clippers and Golden State Warriors have reportedly been heavily pursuing Brand, and he has yet commit to either team. He has also previously expressed interest in playing in Philly, so it appears that the Sixers have a serious shot at landing the forward. The Sixers are poised to be very active over the next couple days so continue to check back here at Hot Stove Philly. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:35:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287498 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287498 In an effort to clear cap space in order to be more competitive in the free agent market, the Sixers are close to trading Rodney Carney. The move would clear another $2 million in cap space giving the Sixers nearly $14 million next year to sign either Elton Brand or Josh Smith. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:54:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287476 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287476 The Philadelphia 76ers are making huge moves to go after Clippers forward Elton Brand, and it sounds like Brand is listening to the offers. After luring away Baron Davis from the Warriors and opting out of his contract, Brand had made all assurances that he would re-sign for less money to make a championship contender. The Sixers have traded Calvin Booth and Rodney Carney to the Minnesota Timberwolves in order to clear cap room for either Elton Brand or new coveted free-agent Josh Smith of the Hawks. Which one will they go after, and will Elton renege on his promise to the Clippers? Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:14:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287451 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287451 There's no denying that one day Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen will no longer be Celtics. They will either retire or play for a different team. We can enjoy the success that these players have brought to Boston, but like the Cousy-Russell-Havlicek era of the 60's ~ 70's, and the Bird-McHale-Parish era of the 80's, this era of Celtics glory will pass too. But if Ainge desires to bypass the years of gloom that follows the glorious heydays, he needs to bring in good players who will carry the torch left by the Big 3. Celtics fans are all too familiar with the pain and heartache of following disastrous Celtics teams--and no one in their right mind wants to endure more of that. Thus, Ainge needs to hit homeruns with the drafts/trades/free agencies and get us the type of players who will keep the winning tradition here in Boston alive. Getting Garnett and Ray Allen cost us most of our future. But Ainge was able to hold onto some young talent who should be solid contributors for many years to come. Namely Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins. Both are starters for this championship team and both held their own against top competition--despite being 24 and 22 years old, respectively. Perkins is turning into a fine defensive player, while Rajon has the potential to be a top 7 PG in this league (once guys like Kidd, Nash, and Miller retire). Rondo will be more aggressive with his own offense in the future, and this will take his PG play to a higher level. Outside of these two, Ainge has brought in other young players who will have the opportunity to make their impact felt--possibly as starters, but most likely as role players off the bench. Leon Powe shows the potential to be a fine low post scorer and steady rebounder as a reserve, and Big Baby has the body and power to battle other team's Hulks. Tony has starter potential, and his two-way game is a valuable asset. But like many other youngsters in the league before him, he may never reach the level of consistency to be a proficient player. And his time may run out after this season (last year of his contract). Its all or nothing for Tony this year. Gabe Pruitt has a solid all around game as a backcourt player (either the 1 or 2). He has a combo guard;s game, and this will allow him to find a niche off the bench. His shooting is ahead of his PG skills, and Ainge and Rivers are hoping he develops this part of his game. In time, Pruitt has a good shot at being a regular in the rotation, albeit a solid, but unspectacular player. Ainge did well to bring in 2 other wing players with solid basketball talent and amazing physical attributes. Bill Walker and JR Giddens are 2 young guys who will be groomed to be the heir apparent at SG in 3-4 years. Walker has a better shot based on talent and abilities, while Giddens is a wildcard because of his defensive abilities and internal motor. Another young player Ainge is giving a shot to is Semih Erden. He's a 7 foot Turkish player who has length and mobility like Pau Gasol. Intriguing prospect who will come over to the NBA next year. Not much is known about him, but based on projectibility and natural physical gifts, he's a guy to keep an eye on. Ainge feels Erden is a first round talent in next year's draft. Our young talent pool was not totally depleted by the trades that brought Garnett and Allen here. On the contrary, we still have a good handful of players who can provide supporting roles. To put it on paper, we have at least 2 starters in place (Perk and Rajon), one guy who could start in the very near future (Tony Allen), 2 young big men who have good roles off the bench (Powe and Baby), a future backcourt player who can fill in at the 1 and 2 (Pruitt), and 3 players whose potential ranges from bench warmers all the way to the starting lineup (Walker, Giddens, Erden). What Ainge has to do now is get lucky with the draft and land a big time talent--like he did in '04 when Al Jefferson was our pick at 15. Big Al had many doubters, but has quieted them by cementing himself as one of the league's top young PF's. Many people did not think they'd see the day Jefferson would become a 20 and 10 guy--but Ainge proved his eye for talent when for the second year in a row, Jefferson did better than 20 and 10. It isn't likely that Ainge can find a big time talent with late round draft picks, so he'll need to either find a way to get into the middle of the round or higher, or else trade for a big time talent. To get a mid round draft pick, or higher, Ainge will most likely have to get it via a trade of one of our star players. This is a big possibility, as Ainge is not afraid to pull the trigger on an unpopular trade. Future franchise players are coming. BJ Mullens and Brandon Jennings could make a big splash in the NCAA's, and guys like Blake Griffin and Tyler Hansborough could solidify any team's starting rotation. Moving an aging star player for an incoming player with star potential sounds very much Ainge-like. Or Ainge can attempt to pry a big time player through free agency--and one of the biggest years of free agency in history is approaching in a couple of years. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh head the draft of '03 (among other big named players) who will be eligible for free agency, and its debatable if these 3 will stay with their current teams. Its speculated that LeBron might be landing with the soon-to-be Brooklyn Nets (headed by Jay-Z). Dwayne Wade may want to bolt Miami since the Heat are years away from competing. Toronto is a small market, and it may be time for Chris Bosh to spread his fame in a bigger market. I can't pinpoint which player Ainge may have his cross hairs pointed at, but I'm sure he's looking to take a shot at, at least, one big time player who will reach free agency in a couple of years. Ainge has made his mark as a genius general manager (technically he's the Head of Basketball Operations) in just his 5th year at the helm, but he's not going to end his legacy here. He's going to continue working his magic to bring more titles to Boston. Ainge has proven to be a guy who sticks to his "vision" and keeps one eye looking over the horizon. His moves may shock some and leave others disgusted and confused. Ainge may have had more haters in his early tenure as a GM than he ever had as a player for the Celtics, the Kings, and the Blazers. But don't second guess his moves until he's had a chance to mold the team according to his vision. The process may not be pretty, but the end product has been sweet, to say the least. One of the favorite catch phrases among bloggers the past few years, when referring to Ainge's moves, was "expect the unexpected". I'm thinking the new phrase should be, "expect changes". Its likely that Ainge won't sit still, even after winning the championship. Like last time, just buckle in and go along for the ride. Danny will make it worth your while. We are hearing talks of Maggette being lured here. This could mean the end of Ray Allen's short stay in Green, or it could mean Posey is not coming back. Either way, Ainge is not going to stay put and let things pass him by. He's being proactive with his options. Yes he'd like to keep Posey around for another run at the title, but not at the price and the duration Posey is asking for. Losing Posey is big, and I'd hate to see Posey on the enemy's side. But that's the type of unpopular move Ainge is willing to make to keep his vision intact. Not only is he trying to bring in young talent and star players to Boston, but he's also trying his best to keep us out of the red financially. As for future moves, I'm in favor of making an attempt at Josh Smith. He's the type of two-way player who causes havoc with his length, athleticism, and skills. He and Rudy Gay are at the top of my wish list of young SF's to go after. Rudy Gay may not be available, but word is that Josh Smith is being sought after by a number of teams. If he's available, now is the time to make a splash for the future. Yi Jianlian is a guy Ainge likes, and I'm not sure he'll be in New Jersey's (Brooklyn's) long term plans. He's another SF who could cause havoc with his miss matching abilities. Overall, there are a lot of young star level players who may become available at any given time, and Ainge is going to keep his eyes open for a big catch. He knows that time is limited with the group of players he has now, and is most likely already gearing for the future. One thing with Ainge is you know his teams will never be old and stagnant. They may be young and inexperienced, but always with a bright future in sight. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:13:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287401 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287401 Reports from yahoo report that the 76ers are about to trade Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth, and a draft pick for cash (in order to sign a big time free-agent in Brand or Josh Smith). Personally, I like Smith better. He's more athletic, younger, a better defender (IMO), and he also is not as injury prone as Elton Brand. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:58:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287369 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287369 According to Yahoo Sports, the Sixers have made an interesting trade that helps clear cap space to sign a big-time free agent. The trade can't be announced until tomorrow, but the Sixers have agreed to trade Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth and a future 1st round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a 2.8 million dollar trade exception. While this trade looks extremely lopsided on paper, and giving up a first round pick is never a good thing, the Sixers have now positioned themselves to make a serious run at one of the two big free agents out there, Elton Brand or Josh Smith. The trade clears up an extra two million dollars that can then be built into a salary offer for either player. It has been speculated that Brand was going to go back to Los Angeles to team up with the newest Clipper, Baron Davis, but as more time passes, the Sixers have gotten increasingly aggressive in going after Brand. ESPN's Marc Stein reports that the Sixers are a "serious threat" to lure Brand out of Los Angeles. The Sixers initially didn't think they could compete financially but with the trade they are right in the mix. Elton Brand is probably Plan A, making Josh Smith, who visited the Sixers last week, Plan B. Click the link for the rest of the article. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:01:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287288 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287288