OK folks. I guess will call it a day. We'll do it again next week. Let me know if you hear of a good sponsor for the discussion - Ledbetter has been eating a McDonalds for free all season. That was a joke, of course.
I started early and I can stay a little longer if you have more questions. No Hawks practice today as they are visiting the Atlanta VA Medical Center today in honor of Veterans Day. I have a couple of features and a Sunday notebook to work on but can spend some more time here.
We are approaching the end of the session. I really enjoyed it. Great questions. I hope good answers. Judging by the interest, I say we do it again. Stay tuned.
Adrian: He is done. He said this is a more difficult rehab because it's a torn right pectoral - his shooting arm. That will make it tough to come back less than 100 percent.
Lon: I will tell Wally to referred to him as The Most Interesting Man in the NBA (you are not is mother, right?) I know the Hawks have consultants that are trying to build their brand - and there remains the image problem with ownership (see the Thrashers) that is still an issue.
SJ: Can't speak for other news organization or the columnists at the AJC. I'm here every day. I think the columnists write about the Hawks when appropriate. There is so much going on in Atlanta with college football, the Braves, the Falcons, other college sports, NASCAR. That's why we love it, right?
O'Brien: No assistant primarily working with defense. Each assistant works with individual players (see my Daily Vitamins blog) both on their offense and defense. Bud quite often works with players showing them video of good/bad, etc.
Adrian: Lou is not in the doghouse for disciplinary reasons. I have done a lot of reporting on that and it will be a part of the upcoming story I referenced. If the injury to Schroder costs him games then I think Lou will get back in the rotation.
IceCold: Again, there are many moving parts to your question. How will Horford return? Will Mike Scott continue to make the strides he has to become a power forward option? What free agents can they sign? A lot of moving parts.
Lon: Interesting story idea. Let me think about what I can do. I did something on Steve Holman last year and did something on Ryan Cameron and the team video's this year. I'm looking to do another big offseason project (like Jason Collier last year) so I will put some thought into it. Let me know if you have an idea.
O'Brien: Ferry has some workings with attendance but he is a basketball operations guy. If he puts a winning team with championship caliber on the floor that will help attendance. The rest falls on the owners, management and the myriad of consultants they are working with.
Devoun: Your question is very interesting and one that is worth watching. In my opinion, I think the Hawks would like to see Millsap more at the SF. But they do like Horford at the center because of his game away from the basket. First they need to get the right center. That is the challenge.
IceCold: No worries. Antic is an interesting player too because he has a non-guaranteed contract for next season. I think they like him because he spreads the floor so well with the 3-pointer. I'd like to see him venture under the basket a bit more - as he has done of late.
Fact of the day as I wait: Hawks have 16 regular-season games remaining, 10 at home where they play about .650. Magic number to clinch playoff spot is 12 (if my math is correct).
IceColdATLien: See answer below.
Lon: The Kawhi Leonard insight was a great part of my interview with Coach Popovich this summer wasn't it. That was great stuff. I think it will be the same here as in San Antonio. Everyone will have a voice, including Bud.
BG: I think the Hawks definitely need more shooting and more defense. There were too many scoring droughts this season. There were too many 30-plus point quarters from the opposition. That is where the Hawks should look.
