Whoa Nelly! Atlanta could form a Big 3 BETTER than Miami: Howard-Paul-Smith

[doinitbig06]

The Atlanta Hawks have 21M on the roster for next season, the NBA Salary cap is 70M, the Hawks are the ONLY TEAM in the NBA that can AFFORD to sign Josh Smith, Dwight Howard AND Chris Paul this off-season, while keeping Horford and Lou Williams.

Think about that...

Chris Paul
Lou Williams
Josh Smith
Al Horford
Dwight Howard

[Haymaker]

That would be insane but they need to take a MAJOR paycut.

[NBAller]

Denied for basketball reasons - Stern

[doinitbig06]

That would be insane but they need to take a MAJOR paycut.

not really
Dwight Howard 4 yrs/84 mil/20 mil
Chris Paul 4 yrs/80 mil/20 mil
Josh Smith 4 yrs/60 mil/15 mil

thats only 5 mil over cap, if they work it out Miami-style, it can work

[Rockets(T-mac)]

Since when was the salary cap 70mil?

[pegasus]

Why are they signing Josh Smith in this scenario? Howard-Horford tandem would be deadly w/ CP3. Smith would mess things up.

[NumberSix]

Since when was the salary cap 70mil?
Youre strong on math huh?

[hawkfan]

The Hawks can clear out some more cap space by trading away Louis Williams and John Jenkins.

I would rather the Hawks tried to sign Al Jefferson at power forward to go along with Josh Smith and Al Horford - much more realistic.

[Unbiased_one]

The Atlanta Hawks have 21M on the roster for next season, the NBA Salary cap is 70M, the Hawks are the ONLY TEAM in the NBA that can AFFORD to sign Josh Smith, Dwight Howard AND Chris Paul this off-season, while keeping Horford and Lou Williams.

Think about that...

Chris Paul
Lou Williams
Josh Smith
Al Horford
Dwight Howard

I fail to see how that big three would be better than miami's...you also need to have a good bench to contend...look at the lakers this year

[hawkfan]

The Big 3 in Miami worked because the three superstars were willing to take paycuts.

No indication that Smith, Paul, or Howard are willing to do this.

[doinitbig06]

Why are they signing Josh Smith in this scenario? Howard-Horford tandem would be deadly w/ CP3. Smith would mess things up.

mess things up? are u not watching this Hawks/Pacers series? Josh Smith at the 3 is a MAJOR FORCE very few 3's can guard him, while he can defend most 3's at a top level. Howard-Horford-Smith would be unequivocally the best frontline in the NBA, combined with the best point guard the Hawks would be an undeniable championship contender

[christian1923]

Can't win a chip with 2 guys like smith and Howard who can't make free throws. Id let smith go.

[pegasus]

mess things up? are u not watching this Hawks/Pacers series? Josh Smith at the 3 is a MAJOR FORCE very few 3's can guard him, while he can defend most 3's at a top level. Howard-Horford-Smith would be unequivocally the best frontline in the NBA, combined with the best point guard the Hawks would be an undeniable championship contender
I admit, I haven't watched any of the Hawks/Pacers series, but I have watched JS many times in his career to know that his shot is nowhere near reliable to play him at 3. Defense isn't the whole thing, and the bad thing about his shooting is that he likes to do it despite sucking at it.

[doinitbig06]

The Big 3 in Miami worked because the three superstars were willing to take paycuts.

No indication that Smith, Paul, or Howard are willing to do this.

of course there is "no indication" Josh and Chris are still in the playoffs for their respective teams, but if the Clips lose in the first round like the lakers and the HAWKS advance, they will look like a more favorable situation

[NBAller]

I admit, I haven't watched any of the Hawks/Pacers series, but I have watched JS many times in his career to know that his shot is nowhere near reliable to play him at 3. Defense isn't the whole thing, and the bad thing about his shooting is that he likes to do it despite sucking at it.


It's not like they'll have Josh camp at the three every time down the floor on offense. Sure he can hit a jumper here or there, so can Horford. This is why they have plays. Howard can come out set a screen(which would obv get his paint camping ass out of there for a few, clearing the paint) for a alley oop to josh smith from cp3 or hit howard on the roll, hit horford on the j, give the ball to lou to do a iso, etc. limitless possibilities with this squad. but they would be playing really big.

[DirkNowitzki41]

dirk cp3 dwight and who cares >>>

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

Al/CP3 and Howard would be a deadly combination....

Lou Williams as 6th man and Korver as a deadly shooter....

get a defensive 3 and let Smith walk....

Howard
Al
Defensive 3
korver
CP3

Harris, L williams would be a really good team

[doinitbig06]

The Hawks can clear out some more cap space by trading away Louis Williams and John Jenkins.

I would rather the Hawks tried to sign Al Jefferson at power forward to go along with Josh Smith and Al Horford - much more realistic.

niether of those scenarios make sense
Lou Williams has yet to play a full season with the Hawks and has a very favorable contract, we can get rid of Jenkins to make room for Paul

Al Jefferson's game is very similar to Al Horford, he does not have the superstar appeal or impact of Dwight Howard yet will demand a superstar contract

[doinitbig06]

It's not like they'll have Josh camp at the three every time down the floor on offense. Sure he can hit a jumper here or there, so can Horford. This is why they have plays. Howard can come out set a screen(which would obv get his paint camping ass out of there for a few, clearing the paint) for a alley oop to josh smith from cp3 or hit howard on the roll, hit horford on the j, give the ball to lou to do a iso, etc. limitless possibilities with this squad. but they would be playing really big.

This vision is basketball heaven for Hawks

[Amar'e_Juwanna]

Al/CP3 and Howard would be a deadly combination....

Lou Williams as 6th man and Korver as a deadly shooter....

get a defensive 3 and let Smith walk....

Howard
Al
Defensive 3
korver
CP3

Harris, L williams would be a really good team

agreed. scary good on paper. factor in the possibility that Howard finally competes at an elite level again.
the defensive 3 should optimally be a team-first vet with playoff experience.

[doinitbig06]

agreed. scary good on paper. factor in the possibility that Howard finally competes at an elite level again.
the defensive 3 should optimally be a team-first vet with playoff experience.

Hawks dont want Al Jefferson what are you ppl thinking? He plays the SAME STYLE of Al Horford we need a SUPERSTAR Al Jefferson is barely a borderline all-star

defensive 3? wtf is Josh Smith? lol cmon ppl ill take Josh over Al jefferson any day

[NBAller]

it would be up to chris to do it all again though

[KyleKong]

not really
Dwight Howard 4 yrs/84 mil/20 mil
Chris Paul 4 yrs/80 mil/20 mil
Josh Smith 4 yrs/60 mil/15 mil

thats only 5 mil over cap, if they work it out Miami-style, it can work

What about Al contract?

and being -5 mill in cap space with only three of your 15 man roster, that is a problem.

[chosen_wun]

Field anytime you want, no 3 player combination is clearly better than Miami's.

[HeatFanSince88]

No big 3 will be better than Miamis unless it has a clone of LeBron in it. No player can impact the game like he does.

[Ballin095]

Yeah not happening...

[coin24]

:roll: :roll: :roll:
Better than the cHeat? :lol good one.
The current clippers are better for CP3 than carrying 2 mental midgets in dwight and smith..

[NBAller]

lmao i totally missed the full title. yeah, this wouldn't match up with LeBrons 3. Sorry.

[outbreak]

While it's not better talent wise are people forgetting that when Dwight was playing well in Orlando we could actually beat Miami fairly consistently due to them struggling to stop size in the paint?

[NBAller]

While it's not better talent wise are people forgetting that when Dwight was playing well in Orlando we could actually beat Miami fairly consistently due to them struggling to stop size in the paint?

that's what they thought about la

[chazzy]

Salary cap is 58M..

[Derka]

Bosh certainly has his bad nights, but Josh Smith just takes stretches of time off completely.

Paul and Dwight alone would carry that team, but making the money work would be a miracle. (In b4 amateur ISH accountant fail to make it work).

[Haymaker]

The Hawks can clear out some more cap space by trading away Louis Williams and John Jenkins.

I would rather the Hawks tried to sign Al Jefferson at power forward to go along with Josh Smith and Al Horford - much more realistic.

Is Horford a better C or PF?

[Blue&Orange]

The Atlanta Hawks have 21M on the roster for next season, the NBA Salary cap is 70M
:lol

[WeGetRing2012]

CP3 and Howard are not leaving LA for Atlanta :lol

[Nash]

That would be awesome, but I think CP3 and Dwight are in love with LA.

Also Lakers is Dwight's team too lose. Kobe will soon retire. And CP3 has Blake and I don't think he wants to dump him.

[#number6ix#]

Nice squad

[black&scholes]

Lebron James is better than Paul+Smith+Howard combined

[TheMarkMadsen]

That would be a horrible starting 5

Small back court, no shooters, and Josh smith

[chosen_one6]

Josh Smith is an idiot in terms of basketball IQ. A monkey's brain in a giants body.

[SyRyanYang]

Even if they pulled it, it's not better than Miami's

[KyrieTheFuture]

This would be great but they would not be better than Miami. I would argue that both LeBron and Wade are better than both Paul and Howard (this year at least 09/10 Howard is behind only LeBron) and Bosh is better than Josh Smith

[Leftimage]

Lebron-Wade-Bosh > Howard-Paul-Smith

Not that close either...

[Bless Mathews]

I'd rather have bosh as,the third piece of a,"big 3" over Howard all day in the playoffs. When it counts.

[Spaulding]

Denied for basketball reasons - Stern

if a joke then lol

however, if not...you must understand nba doesnt own either team so it cant be stopped.

remember nba owned the hornets

[NBA4EVER]

Is Horford a better C or PF?

true pf

[ThatsGame]

You can't put together a better Big 3 then Miami's with current active players.

[Mr. Incredible]

Still wouldn't beat the Heat

[TheReal Kendall]

You can't put together a better Big 3 then Miami's with current active players.

Why you can't?

[BlackVVaves]

Sans Game 4 this year, the Atlanta crowd is quite literally the worst crowd to play for in the NBA.

Don't really see Dwight or CP3 wanting to go there to play.

[TheWalkman]

lol @ Josh Smith. Dude is garbage

[Scholar]

The Big 3 in Miami worked because the three superstars were willing to take paycuts.

No indication that Smith, Paul, or Howard are willing to do this.

And where was the indication that the Miami Big 3 were willing to do it before it actually happened?

It's not like reports were coming out:

"LeBron may take a pay cut to ring chase"

[Is He Ill]

As long as Lebron is on the Heat..NO

[Y2Gezee]

Paul. Howard. Horford or Smith > Miami Big 3. Lebron's MIGHT be the best player in the world, but CP3 and Howard are certainly better than the other Heat...and at this stage Smith and certainly Horford may be at Bosh or Wade's (with these re-occurring knee issues) levels.

[Kingwillball]

That big 3 Still wouldnt be better just a little younger overall.

[BlackVVaves]

Paul. Howard. Horford or Smith > Miami Big 3. Lebron's MIGHT be the best player in the world, but CP3 and Howard are certainly better than the other Heat...and at this stage Smith and certainly Horford may be at Bosh or Wade's (with these re-occurring knee issues) levels.

You think this year's Dwight was better than this year's Wade?

You think Hortford and Josh Smith were as good or better than this year's Wade?

Not sure if serious..

[Reverend Hoops]

I fail to see how that big three would be better than miami's...you also need to have a good bench to contend...look at the lakers this year

Miami's bench is all min's.

[Y2Gezee]

You think this year's Dwight was better than this year's Wade?

You think Hortford and Josh Smith were as good or better than this year's Wade?

Not sure if serious..


Dwight even off the major back surgery wasn't much worse than Wade...I'd argue he finished the season stronger. I'd expect he'll be better next year. He's probably been better the previous couple of seasons. Horford? I thought Horford was great this season...all star worthy. He'll be 27 next year. Wade 32 and continuing to stay injured. Production wise, this year I'd say they were damn near equal.

[Reverend Hoops]

Bosh certainly has his bad nights, but Josh Smith just takes stretches of time off completely.

Paul and Dwight alone would carry that team, but making the money work would be a miracle. (In b4 amateur ISH accountant fail to make it work).

I think you are underestimating Al Horford here.

[Reverend Hoops]

As long as Lebron is on the Heat..NO
Very true. But all of the Heat weaknesses are the Hawks strengths. Would be a great series to watch.

[wakencdukest]

That would be a hell of a team, but you guys are gonna ruin the Clipper fans dreams of ruling LA for the next few years.

[longtime lurker]

Lakers would gladly take Horford and Teague for Howard. Even throw in sweet Lou. Bam instant capspace for Chris Paul!

[TheBigVeto]

Denied for basketball reasons - Stern

Stern will be gone soon.

[miles berg]

Field anytime you want, no 3 player combination is clearly better than Miami's.

Dirk, CP3, & Dwight would be way better.

[Reverend Hoops]

Lakers would gladly take Horford and Teague for Howard. Even throw in sweet Lou. Bam instant capspace for Chris Paul!

Heck why not throw Josh Smith and Kyle Korver.:biggums:

[Y2Gezee]

Dirk, CP3, & Dwight would be way better.

Indeed

[doinitbig06]

ijs u heard it first

[COnDEMnED]

not really
Dwight Howard 4 yrs/84 mil/20 mil
Chris Paul 4 yrs/80 mil/20 mil
Josh Smith 4 yrs/60 mil/15 mil

thats only 5 mil over cap, if they work it out Miami-style, it can work
Holy missed free throws batman!:eek:

[SilkkTheShocker]

No team with Josh Smith will ever win a title.

[Le Shaqtus]

It's a big 2 with Josh Smith on the side, Smith is not that great... Harden, Paul and Howard would be a much better big 3.

[DirkNowitzki41]

It's a big 2 with Josh Smith on the side, Smith is not that great... Harden, Paul and Howard would be a much better big 3.
and Dirk, CP3, Howard would be an even better big 3.

[dannysc305]

still not enough to contain Bron and a healthy 28 game win streak Wade

[dannysc305]

It's a big 2 with Josh Smith on the side, Smith is not that great... Harden, Paul and Howard would be a much better big 3.

Now THATS a big 3 that would concern me as a Heat fan

[ralph_i_el]

same problem as with the lakers...not enough shooters around dwight.

[Le Shaqtus]

and Dirk, CP3, Howard would be an even better big 3.

That would be a fun team to watch, and you'll still have Marion and Carter in the mix too.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

I don't like Smith, but dmn, that team would become the best defensive team in the league overnight.

If we thought the Pacers had size......damn.

But I doubt it happens. Paul is staying with the Clippers.