This blog has moved! Yes, already!
As of Thursday, Feb. 12, this little blog has relocated to a new home on AJC.com. It’s the same newspaper, the same Web site and the same writer (feel free to groan) — there’s just a new URL.
New features: Bigger type, more graphics, comments that load 10 times faster and a larger and more recent photo that makes me look pretty doggone old. I think you’ll like it (the blog, not the photo). But I am, as we know too well, often wrong.
Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > June > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBilly Knight’s gone, but the memory lingers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the same way the Swedes celebrate Midsummer’s Day by dancing around a maypole, we Atlantans had developed our own June ritual: Every year we’d watch the NBA draft and think unkind thoughts about Billy Knight. Even last summer, when Knight plucked a plum in Al Horford, boos could be heard at Philips Arena.
Thus did the 2008 draft arrive with a jolt, we locals discovering that our festive routine had been rendered inoperable. Knight no longer works here, and the Hawks had no part in these doings. That said, the 2008 draft did carry one clear reminder of Blunt Billy.
Only three years ago, conventional wisdom held that a team shouldn’t use a lofty pick on a little man. Conventional wisdom, as it invariably does, has changed. Owing to the imprints Chris Paul and Deron Williams have left on their franchises — and surely owing to the nationwide scorn heaped on Knight for not drafting either — this draft saw six guards taken in the first 11 picks.
For only the third time in three decades, a guard went No. 1 overall. (Allen Iverson was taken first in 1996, Earvin Johnson No. 1 in 1979.) For this observer, there was no issue about Derrick Rose: He was clearly the class of this draft, a point guard on the order of Williams if not quite Paul. Michael Beasley will be a very good pro; Rose will be a great one.
How big a deal have point guards become? Big enough that Seattle overreached with the No. 4 pick to try and secure one. Russell Westbrook is a terrific floor-runner and defender, but he played point only sparingly at UCLA. And Charlotte, which already has Raymond Felton, took the 5-foot-11 D.J. Augustin of Texas at No. 9. Blunt Billy took forever to find one point guard, but Michael Jordan and Larry Brown are loading up on them.
A word here about Knight’s successor: Rick Sund, the Hawks’ new general manager, and this observer are of similar minds about two players. We both consider Kevin Love of UCLA truly intriguing — not quick but tough and smart and skilled — and Sund, when interviewed two weeks ago, predicted Love, who was being projected as the ninth or 10th pick, would go much higher. He went to Memphis at No. 5.
And we both like Joe Alexander, who was taken by Milwaukee at No. 8. He went ahead of Brook Lopez of Stanford and Jerryd Bayless, each of whom was projected higher. (FYI, I saw West Virginia against Bayless and Arizona in the NCAA tournament, and Alexander was the best player on the floor.)
Being in agreement with yours truly might or might not be a great recommendation — for the record, I also thought Shawn Bradley was a tantalizing prospect, and 18 years ago I deemed Rumeal Robinson a splendid pick — but it plays well in this space. I look forward to next season, when Sund will have picks of his own. We all can look forward to the next few days, when the Hawks will troll the list of the undrafted.
Sund has already rehearsed his pitch. “If [an undrafted free agent] goes to another team,” he said, “they’ve got a first-round pick and a second-round pick [to compete against.]” Here the path is clear for the right rookie to come in and serve as the 10th man.
After four consecutive Junes bearing lottery selections, we Atlantans went cold turkey this time. Without Blunt Billy to kick around, we had to spend Thursday night nitpicking other people’s picks. I never thought I’d say this, but it was more fun the other way.
Permalink | Comments (49) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Comments
By vdunkndunk
June 26, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
As a Hawks fan, it’s nice that tonight wasn’t the biggest night of the year for the Hawks like it usually is. It’s also nice that the Hawks didn’t draft Shelden Williams tonight.
By Gilley
June 26, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
I am glad to sit back and watch. But then I saw the Lopez Twin #2 got picked 15 by the Suns via Atlanta and I thought the draft got us again. That’s a BIG that we need. But a veteran big will better suit the Hawks right now. But you can’t teach size and size is what he has. Propz to the Nets for this draft night and shame on teams passing on CDR all tbe way to 40. Nets did their thing.!!
By ray
June 27, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
I just posted this so you wouldn’t have only two posts…
By Pete
June 27, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
I Hawks Better Not Come Back With The Same Team They Had Last Year They Need to Make Some Moves That Can Possibly Get Them Out of The 1st Round Next Year And Have a Better Regular Season So That They Can Get a Better Seeding In The Playoffs.
If That Means Packaging a Deal Trading Josh Smith, Marvin Williams & Acie Law Together Then So Be It I Want to See Better Players Around Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson And Al Horford.
By Pete
June 27, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
I Hawks Better Not Come Back With The Same Team They Had Last Year They Need to Make Some Moves That Can Possibly Get Them Out of The 1st Round Next Year And Have a Better Regular Season So That They Can Get a Better Seeding In The Playoffs.
If That Means Packaging a Deal Trading Josh Smith, Marvin Williams & Acie Law Together Then So Be It I Want to See Better Players Around Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson And Al Horford.
By Jamie
June 27, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
Dear Mark Bradley
The Billy Knight Comments should have stopped a few days after his resignation.
Now We are on Rick Sund’s watch for this draft and with a few players like DeAndre Jordan, Mario Chalmers, some of the NBA Ready Euro Bigs like Ante Tomic, Nathan Jawl, we couldn’t get back into early 2nd round to get one of these players. I know your natural instinct is BBK (Blame Billy Knight), but we have to shed a critical eye to this. You can not say that Billy Knight didn’t leave this team with several valuable assets.
With Regards to the Joe Johnson Trade, we made out like bandits. I would much rather have Joe Johnson than Robin Lopez anyday. Of the picks we traded to Phoenix this is the only one they kept and I’d pretty much say that deal is one in our favor.
Like All Hawks Fans I Still Can’t Get Over Sheldon Williams, That One Still Hurts, I Would Have Settled For Patrick O’Bryant, Randy Foye , anybody except Sheldon Dog Gone Williams, ( Good Riddens ).
I think Sund is going after alot of Rookie Agents (Big Guys Primarily) and see who sticks. Resign Josh Smith and Childress also
Go Hawks
Get Acie Law in Summer League to let him run a team for a full summer with big minutes
By Pete
June 27, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
I Hawks Better Not Come Back With The Same Team They Had Last Year They Need to Make Some Moves That Can Possibly Get Them Out of The 1st Round Next Year And Have a Better Regular Season So That They Can Get a Better Seeding In The Playoffs.
If That Means Packaging a Deal Trading Josh Smith, Marvin Williams & Acie Law Together Then So Be It I Want to See Better Players Around Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson And Al Horford.
By ray
June 27, 2008 2:01 AM | Link to this
ding…..
By BA
June 27, 2008 3:30 AM | Link to this
Man, I remember the last time I saw this article, way back last week. Will there be a third segment? A “Mark Bradley kicks the Billy Knight dead horse” part three?! The anticipation is killing me!
By BA
June 27, 2008 3:30 AM | Link to this
Man, I remember the last time I saw this article, way back last week. Will there be a third segment? A “Mark Bradley kicks the Billy Knight dead horse” part three?! The anticipation is killing me!
By Submariner683
June 27, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
To Jamie,
To say that the Hawks got the better of the Joe Johnson deal because Phoenix traded away the other of the two first rounders still doesn’t help the fact that Atlanta will once again not have another first round pick. I don’t care if Phoenix traded both picks away, unless they gave them back to the Hawks for nothing, the point is moot. When is the next pick to be given up? Next year?
Also, don’t forget the Hawks gave up Diaw, also a first rounder in the deal. Overall, a pretty lopsided trade for a guy the Suns were not going to match the huge offer the Hawks gave.
The tone of the blog is right at least, the Hawks didn’t even have an opportunity to mess things up. This franchise has by far been the worst drafting team in the NBA over the last 20 years if not the worst in all major professional sports.
Billy Knight screwed up enough with player moves and picks that I believe he deserves all the “dead horse” kicking he can take.
Drafting an unproven 6’9 small forward, the year after you drafted two similar players, and you also had Al Harrington on the roster at the time, and the fact that PG was a huge need was unforgivable.
By Mark Bradley
June 27, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
I just saw that Minnesota and Memphis made a big deal in the middle of the night, the upshot being that O.J. Mayo goes to Memphis and Kevin Love to Minnesota. I’d say Minnesota got the better of the trade — the Timberwolves also dumped Antoine Walker and added Mike Miller.
By Mark Bradley
June 27, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Oh, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t identify one other player I really like — Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis. Projected as a first-round pick, he fell to 40th, and I know why: Because he doesn’t play like anybody else. He shoots these weird 15-foot flips and looks awkward doing it, but he’s been making them all his life. His strange style renders him problematic for pro talent evaluators, who prefer guys they can pigeonhole, but I would be very surprised if CD-R doesn’t become a productive NBA player for a good long while.
By Maniac is accurate
June 27, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Yeah, man, Kevin Love could be another Rick Robey.
By Biggdawg33
June 27, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Guys, if the playoffs did not show you that we need Josh Smith, you need to just move up the road and root for the kitty cats in Charlotte.
Subdude…I saw some of the Stanford games and was not impressed with the towering twins. Phoenix can keep him.
After tasting some success, we will see what this group of players can do. I am all for the post that Acie get alot of minutes in the summer leagues to see if he can do it.
I am just waiting for the next trade to be announced.
By Maniac is accurate
June 27, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Is vdunkndunk a name akin to H.R. Puffnstuff?
By Astro Joe
June 27, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Let’s be real, Sund is getting the honeymoon treatment. If Knight were running this draft, the column would have read more like “Knight wasn’t creative enough to grab CD-R in the 2nd round for a future 2nd rounder and cash considewrations. His blunders know no bounds”. Or something like that. Instead, we get a lot of fluff about a GM who clearly feels Woody is better than Flip Sanders, Avery Johnson, Mike Fratello, Jeff Van Gundy and even Bill Laimbeer. Some honeymoon.
By Hawker
June 27, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
The thought of trading Josh Smith is crazy. He has game changing talent. The Hawks are young. As is, they will improve year to year. The Hawks get the ball to the rim and can compete with anyone when they play up tempo. If AC and one more bench player can raise their level of play the starters will get more rest. I think the Hawks can be very good without major changes.
By Antonio Gramsci
June 27, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Shelden Williams = poo.
By Nick
June 27, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
The Hawks need to sign Devon Jefferson (from USC) and Demarcus Nelson immediately. Jefferson is the tough-nosed small forward we need i.e. the anti-Marvin. Demarcus Nelson is proven winner from a great program who can help help in our then back-court at either position.
By LL Cool Scott
June 27, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Watching this draft without Billy Knight’s terrifying specter hanging over me was strange. Strangely soothing I suppose. I enjoyed myself, enjoyed ridiculing the other teams, and mostly enjoyed not wanting to cry after another Billy Knight disaster.
By Mark Bradley
June 27, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I don’t see a place for small forwards on this roster, sorry. I could be wrong, though.
By Dr. Warren
June 27, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Mark, let’s be hypothetical for a moment: where in the draft do you think Josh Smith, the player he is today, would have been taken this year? #1? #2? How about Childress?
I say Smith at #2, Childress at #4 or #5. Let’s not kid ourselves—we need to sign these guys.
By Mark Bradley
June 27, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
Dr. Warren: I actually did a similar mental exercise during the Boston series. If you were drafting a first five from the Hawks and the Celtics — rating the players for what they are today and could still become, not for what they’ve been — how many Hawks would you have taken? I said three (Horford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith) against one or two Celtics (Garnett and maybe Rondo, though you can make a case for Childress over Rondo).
And the Celtics, if memory serves, wound up winning the NBA title.
By Dr. Warren
June 27, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Aside from the need for a big man about 100% more serviceable than ZaZa, and the less urgent need for Acie to prove he’s eventual starting material, the Hawks talent is there. Their future, it seems to me, is up to Woody—frankly, the most unproven commodity of them all. Despite painfully passing up Paul, Williams, Roy, et al, Knight did finally put together what we both seem to agree is a team with some enviable talent coming into its own.
By Terry
June 27, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
The draft is but one part of the GM’s job. Many champianship teams have been aided by an aging veteran off the bench. Tiny, Bob MacAdoo, Bill Walton, last year Gary Patton, and this year Sam Casell are all examples of veterans that “added” something from deep on the bench. Several teams are in the midst of a total makeover, so deals are available. The Hawks should keep both Childress and Smith to allow core of this team a few seasons to develope. The GM can earn his keep by surrounding them with the right additions for defense, the post, for scoring, and the all important intangables - leadership and chemistry .
By HHoops
June 27, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Mark,
Do you have a list of the restricted free agents and the free agents that will become available after July 1?
If so, please show that list here. It could make for some interesting trade discussions. Thanks.
By hawks fan (CONFUSED?!)
June 27, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE THE HAWKS GUNNA DO?!?!?! this text will be bolded answer these questions to the best of your ability (and assumption):
Do you think the Hawks will re-sign the Joshes? Do you think the Hawks will trade in the off-season? If so, who do you think they will trade?
agree with me on this: Zaza and Salim should GO! no joke.. What was Zaza’s FT percentage? like 18? get rid of him!!!!!
By Dwayne
June 27, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
The Hawks are in need of a true center.Getting Mike Bibby was ok but we would have made the playoffs with AC. Stoudemire sat on the bench not being used.But when JJ went out he gave a a constant 20 point game when he was out.Why aren’t they utilizing him.Give him a chance to produce of the bench.Not being played.Whose fault is that? Woodson
By Mark Bradley
June 27, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
A list of free agents can be found at http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=2008freeagents
Since you asked, Hawks Fan (Confused?), I believe the team will keep both Joshes. A club can spend whatever it takes, even if it puts the team over the salary cap, to keep its free agents. Time now for the Spirit to put its money where its mouth is.
I think Stoudamire is gone. (Clearly Woodson isn’t a fan.) I think Zaza stays. When Rick Sund spoke of the Hawks’ eight-man core two weeks ago, he included Zaza.
By jakehawkfanatic
June 27, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
At least Billy picked a winner in Al Hartford. He has what it takes to be a leader like Keith Brookings.
By Dwayne
June 27, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Well we’ll see if keeping Woodson was great or what.When players leave Atl they flourish other places. They are still needing that big man down the middle.That way Horford can play his true position. Way too many small forwards.This ain’t Detroit and even than the Wallaces ran the paint.
By hawks fan (CONFUSED?!)
June 27, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, also I have another question:
do you think that the hawks will sign any free agents from any other team.. if so, who (possibly)???
By Mark Bradley
June 27, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
If they do, I’m guessing — and this is just me guessing — it’ll be a big guy of some experience on whom they can use their mid-level exception. DeSagana Diop, maybe? Melvin Ely?
By bob
June 27, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
its horford not hartford, and the hawks are in a win win situation either way they go, even if we get a big man or not, b/c horford has played out of position but he has played it better than what sheldon williams or lorenzen wright gave us last season, plus all the talk about the joshes, it would be good to keep them, but honestly we won’t falter into nonexistence without them, we need to look at their productivity over their 4 seasons here not just the playoffs b/c people usually play better in the playoffs b/c there are on a national stage and looked at more, which enhances ppl to engage in them more, its almost like when we traded jason terry, it took me awhile to get over that one, everytime i saw him play for the mavs, i thought what were we thinking, b/c terry was also a crowd favorite but now as the mavs have been mediocre after the 06 finals, i dont feel that bad, so either way its not that bad anyway u look at it GO HAWKS!!!
By the mantosh
June 28, 2008 3:44 AM | Link to this
what do you think of trading bibby away? in all honesty he didnt really perform nearly as well as anyone hoped he would in the playoffs but the others around him exceeded expectations. also we had a losing record once we got him but I havent researched who we played…
By Dwayne
June 28, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
That would be a great idea.Trading Bibby and maybe Marvin Williams for a big man would be worth it.AC can run the point.So we’re straight if they decide to trade him.
By Mark Bradley
June 28, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
I wouldn’t trade Bibby yet. There’s no assurance Law is ready to be the starting point guard just yet. (Given time, I believe he will be.) And after so many years of having no point guards, it’s too soon to think about shipping one out.
A more probable scenario: If Law progresses over the first half of the season, Bibby could well be dealt at the trading deadline next February. (Bibby will be a free agent at season’s end, and I’m guessing the Hawks won’t be anxious to re-sign him with Law on the roster. But things could change. Things always do.)
By HBC Fan
June 28, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
who cares about the Hawks…everybody knows the NBA rigged it for them to win 3 games against Boston…they are terrible.
Thank God college football is just around the corner…
By hawks fan (CONFUSED?!)
June 28, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
HBC fan, if it was rigged… then tell me how the celtics were so mad about loosing.. and why the hawks just BARELY won every game
By THE TRUTH
June 28, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
HEY MARK,AS OF NOW HAVE THE HAWKS SIGNED ANY ROOKIE FREE AGENTS???/
I LOVE RICHARD ROBY,AND LONGAR LONGAR.. DO U HAVE ANY INFO AS TO IF THEY HAVE BEEN SIGNED BY ANYONE??
By Mark Bradley
June 28, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Free agency begins July 1, which is Tuesday. Nobody can sign anybody until then.
By Mark Bradley
June 28, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Whoops. The Truth was asking about rookie free agents, not veterans. The answer to that is that the Hawks haven’t yet announced any signings.
I apologize for being so stupid.
By shane #1
June 28, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Mark, trading away draft picks was a smart move by the Hawks. I wish They had thought of that years ago, given Their track record in the draft. Is there any chance the Falcons will adopt this plan?
By ray
June 28, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Hey Mark! Just think, 5 more posts and you’ll have hit a record of 50!
The so-called “core of eight” is a joke. Unless of course you like the idea of the exact same results of last year. Sounds like ASG thinking to me…
By Pete
June 29, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
These are the free agents I like for the Hawks.
Jannero Pargo well you saw what he did in the playoffs, he can play.
Desagna Diop fiesty rebounder and shot-blocker,
Earl Barron a young 7-footer,
Francisco Elson he is veteran big man ?
Jarvis Hayes is a smart player
Antoine Wright I think he is under-rated
Chris Duhon classy veteran whose is a good backup point,
James Jones great shooter but he is another SF
Salim Stoudamire Woodson just hates this guy. He could be the 3rd point guard.
By tyger
July 1, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Results Talk and BK Walks
BK built the best Hawks team since Nique, Doc Rivers and Tree Rollins. And the 1st playoff team since Lenny Wilkens.
By THE TRUTH
July 3, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this
PETE I HOPE U ARE WRONG ABOUT SALIM…
By kurtz
July 5, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Mark, if the Hawks keep the Joshes, doesn’t that compel them to adopt a pressing, trapping, strong defensive rebound style of play to generate open court baskets on a regular basis in playoff style games? And doesn’t that style of defense need guards who can pressure the perimeter and force smaller guards into defensive help?
As presently constructed, this team cannot beat the top 10 teams in a half court offensive style that has been the model for successful playoff teams. Not enough perimeter shooting, not enough passing out of the post, no offensive complement to JJ. Based on evidence to date, this team cannot pressure the perimeter enough, deep into the roster, to win road games in the playoffs consistently.
The model I see working would be along the lines of Nolan Richardson’s national championship team.