Joe Smith and The Amazing Colorful Hawks Blogging Spectrum

THHB is uninspired. Oh, we hear you. How can we not be excited about the announcement of Joe Smith finally chiseling his name on the bottom line for a vet min pittance, wrapping up what has to be described as a fantastically successful Hawks offseason?

Well for one, this Smith (Joe, not Josh or Sekou) story has been ongoing since the end of July, making this signing seem more of a conciliatory gesture on Smith's part than an enthusiastic joining of the favorite franchise.Secondly, Hoopinion and Mark Bradley already killed our joy about a fourth big man a while ago--thanks, guys!

Third, and perhaps most important to a self-important bunch as ourselves, is that throughout the course of the past few weeks, we have seen more evidence that we pale in comparison to the creative genius going on over @peachtreehoops, the power and brevity in excellence that is @hoopinion, and the commenting activity that persists over @hawkSt8Talk.

Seriously, Str8Talk claims they have about a dozen readers, but they have been averaging a robust 215.32 comments per post over the offseason. Amazing. Not even Football Outsiders can break down those numbers with any reason.

Hoopinion has national exposure (the good kind), excellent research, and analysis, and that good looking ESPN branding at the top o' the blog (w/ video!)

And all Peachtree Hoops has done this summer is launch maybe the most interesting and engaging series of posts mentioned in this blog entry. Seriously, if you haven't checked into the 72 Reasons Series yet over there, you are missing out. The entry alone on "Heat Checks" made such an impact at THHB headquarters that it's posted on the group fridge with a gold star and a smiley face, with an inside track on the newly created "Most Truth Entry of the Year" for next year's HHBs.

P'Hoops brought on two new writers for the purpose of--well--we can't figure it out since the proprietor of the site has used this as a campaign to raise his own game. Well, touch 'em all, Mr. Drew--you're hitting a home run.Well done, sir.

Heck, people all over are talking about the Hawks, even some describing how the Hawks haven't done enough to make a push for a championship. Yowza--the Hawks are coming along, eh, when national hoop watchers are debating whether the Hawks standing pat means they won't contend for a championship. Hey, some fans are just happy that the Lottery Land luggage tag is looking older and older these days--while of course longing for more.

So Joe Smith finally surrendering to the Hawks offer of the vet minimum (almost two weeks after the story seeped) doesn't really bring us to inspiration. Because with all the other great things happening in Hawkdom, even in the dead of offseason, it hardly moves the needle. Veteran Power Forward signs with the home team for the min that wouldn't have happened even two seasons ago? Meh. What number will Spirit the Hawk be on P'Hoops 72 Reasons or what piece of intelligence will Hoopinion share or who will take issue with Str8Talk enough to provide another commentathon over there?

Hey, maybe we are a little inspired.