Hawks

By honest abe

May 15, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this

one last time i bring up this name…i want credit for this!!!!!! KYLE LOWRY….out of all the pg’s i watched this year in college bball…he impressed me the most…little bit of work on his jumper…but he kids’ energy, ability to get in the lane and finish, his defense…i think the hawks should trade down and pick up this kid…he’s going to be a good one

By doc

May 15, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this

gee chief you said it yourself, didnt think you had a heart. :-)

glad to know your vibrational level rose this past weekend sekou. we are family, dude.

saw my girl in honors night at her high school friday. she was salutatorian and gave a nice talk that got a standing o from her classmates. had given her a strand of pearls earlier in the evening to wear for the big event, priceless. talk about pleased for and proud of someone who puts it on the line every day. quite an accomplishmant for her.

btw, a nice grad present that holds value the rest of her life and can be worn anytime, anywhere. keep it in the back of your mind for the special little girl in your heart, dads. got the double thumbs up.

By Mel

May 15, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

Abe i like Lowry too. He plays that tough-nose D that the Hawks need. If the Hawks aren’t top 3 and/or Aldridge, Thomas, and Bargnani are gone then I would try and work something out with the Hornets for their two picks

By Jamaaliver

May 15, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Anybody else reading up on the stellar workouts by PG Marcus Williams of UCONN? I hear he has been phenomenal and that he might be just what the Hawks need as their floor general?

Any ideas?

By HB Ando

May 15, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Jam, I’ve been reading those too. Read someone say that the Hawks would have to consider taking him as early as 4th now. I just don’t know about that. But from what I’ve heard he’s showing up. Also read that his trainer said he’s never optimized his physical conditioning at that he’s going to come into the NBA in shape to play with the big boys. Not sure how you go to UConn, where specimens like Okafor, Gordon and Allen all got cut up, and never get in shape, unless you refused to go into the weight room. So is he lazy for not having ever gotten in top shape, or a moth about to bloom into a butterfly (let’s just say that pointing out how his former Huskies came into the league, condition wise, underscores what I’m inclined to believe)?

But there’s no way I pass on a viable big man, Aldridge, Bargani or Thomas, to take Williams. And if those 3 are gone and we’re picking fourth, I just don’t know what to say about Williams versus Roy (and none of you do either, because we’re not going to be privy to their individual workouts leading up to the draft, and all of us would be generating a choice based on what we were reading, not our own impressions of their actual games). If comparisons of Roy to Wade have even a remote validity to them, then I’m not afraid to change course and try a non-traditional backcourt of two versatile and athletic combo guards, who can trade roles depending on matchups. But again, only in leiu of a big man selection. And if all three big men are gone and we’ve got the fourth pick, and New Orleans would give us their two first rounders, I can’t say I wouldn’t consider it if the projected draft boards suggested we could get two viable bigs or a big and a point (Big if).

Like I said earlier today, until we see how the ping pong balls drop, we really can’t speculate how the Hawks should approach the draft. It’s just futile.

By Shute

May 15, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

As a Villanova grad, I’m intrigued that some of you guys have brought up Lowry. I’m biased, but I like him too. He’ll probably also need a lot of work learning to run an offense - Nova tended to just pass the ball around a few times then chuck something up. His energy and toughness would help a lot, plus he would probably become a fan favorite. I like Foye better, but Lowry would be interesting.

Marcus Williams’ passing would be a great help, but the stolen laptops thing scares me. I think character risks are more likely to go up in flames on young teams with a history of losing like the Hawks. Then again, as a Villanove grad, I’m biased here too.

By A Thinking Fan

May 15, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this

I think now you all will understand what a “MVP” IS!”

By A Thinking Fan

May 15, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

Champs and chumps Kelly Dwyer, SI.com

Champ: Mike D’Antoni Elton Brand would seem the logical fit here, but I can’t get away from the fact that D’Antoni has his team in a best-of-three for a trip to the Western Conference finals, with two games at home. Yes, the Suns should be playing against the Mavericks, and yes, the Clippers have already proven they can win in Phoenix, but D’Antoni deserves kudos for two seasons of masterful coaching. While Larry Brown throws his hands up in the air and says, “This is what I have,” while moaning his way to 23 wins, D’Antoni shrugs his shoulders and smiles when telling us, “This is who we are.”

He turns Tim Thomas, the most pathetic rebounder of the 2004-05 season, into his designated glass man. He makes Boris Diaw his mini-Magic. He tells Eddie House, who averages something like nine shots per minute for his career, that he’s not shooting enough. He makes the game fun, he engenders faith and fun in his players, and he won Steve Nash two — two! — MVP awards.

By doc

May 15, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

the most impressive thing d’antoni has said is he blew it trying to make barbosa into a point guard. he said “my bad” and recognized the scorer that he had in him and apparantly coached him back to the confident way he plays now. that is the guy who just flat out single handedly broke down the lakers.

By A Thinking Fan

May 15, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this

Mike D’Antoni is also a “Thinker.” I would wager he reads a lot. Innovation is a product of acute awareness of all the possibilities…

By Cartman

May 15, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

I thought Lowry was going back to school?

By Ty

May 15, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this

Assuming we do get one of the top three picks in the draft and get a big man, the rest of the off season should definitely be spent in pursuit of a point guard.

Ben Gordon’s on the block. Al Harrington’s interest in Chicago and Chicago’s need for inside scoring could be an avenue to land one of the NBA’s brighest young guards. This would be a very, very exciting deal for the Hawks and the Bulls.

Carlos Arroyo is also supposedly on the block. He has a very impressive assist-to-turnover ratio, had some fairly high scoring seasons with the Jazz, and went to high school in Georgia. While he’s not exactly a savior, he’s certainly a step up from Royal Ivey and probably wouldn’t cost too much to obtain.

There’s also Portland’s logjam at PG to consider. Sebastian Telfair, Steve Blake, and Jarrett Jack are all young, talented point guards. Does Portland really need them all? And do we have anyone on our roster that the Blazers might find attractive?

By tb

May 16, 2006 01:08 AM | Link to this

How about you sub Memphis with N.Y.

Damon Stoudamire Moe Williams Jake Tsakalidis

to Atlanta

Tsak has an expiring deal.

PG Damon Stoudamire/Moe Williams/Ivey

SG - Joe Johnson/Salim Stoudamire

SF - Josh Smith/Josh Childress

PF - Bargnani/Marvin Williams/Esteban Batista

C - Zaza Pachulia/Jake Tsakalidis

The Hawks get to keep the pick and draft Bargnani.

Jamaal Magloire

to Memphis

PG - Chucky Atkins/Bobby Jackson/Burks

SG - Eddie Jones/Dahntay Jones

SF - Shane Battier/Mike Miller

PF - Pau Gasol/Hakim Warrick/Brian Cardinal/Roberts

C - Jamaal Magloire/Lorenzen Wright

Al Harrington Grizzlies pick (#24)

to Milwaukee

PG - T.J. Ford/Draft

SG - Michael Redd/Charlie Bell

SF - Bobby Simmons/Jiri Welsch

PF - Al Harrington/Joe Smith

C - Andrew Bogut/Dan Gadzuric

I like the idea of this three way

By Nate Dolla

May 16, 2006 06:27 AM | Link to this

SEKOU,

YOU ARE THE MAN! I’m so happy that somebody from the US is recognizing the true BIATCH that Vince Carter really is. The guy is an actor and he’s being exposed.

I’m clearly from Toronto….so let me set the record straight on Vince Carter. The man is all about marketing. He will have s** games against low market teams like the Bucks and Sonics. Then he breaks loose all of a sudden in big city markets like New York & Los Angeles.

That is Vince for you. He wouldn’t elevate above the rim in Toronto for like 20 games, then All Star Game comes around and what do you know……Vince got his hops back!!

Keep up the good word……I’m glad you recognize that and I truly respect that.

By honest abe

May 16, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this

tb that trade sounds pretty good…i just can’t seem to get excited about damon…my personal opinion…but i think his best days are behind him…and even in his prime he didn’t play much d….last thing we need is an undersized, shoot first pg…if we could move something around still get moe, just no damon..that would be pretty good

By Traceman

May 16, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

Ando, as of today, I see it exactly as you see it. I think we have to go with Aldridge, Thomas or Bargnani if one of them is available when we pick. If not, like you, I’m not afraid to try the unconventional backcourt thing if indeed Roy does compare favorably to Wade in his workouts. Finally, I would not be opposed to a trade down with NO’OK if all 3 of the top big man prospects are gone but I would only do it if another guy I coveted (Roy, Marcus Williams or perhaps Foye) were still available with the 12th selection (In other words, it would have to be a trade AFTER we already made our pick). I’d be okay with whoever was left at 15 between O’Bryant, Shelden Williams, Cedric Simmons and Hilton Armstrong.

By Astro Joe

May 16, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

Sekou, my oldest son is about to complete kindergarten. Earlier this year, he was named a “Star Student”. It felt better than my own college graduation. Yesterday, my 3 year-old rattled off the months of the year. Dude weighed less than 4 pounds when he was born and stayed in the hospital almost 6 weeks. Anytime he validates that his little brain did not suffer any damage through that ordeal, I get more than a little excited. I have been VERY blessed throughout my professional life working with great companies in great jobs with great people. But my all-time best job, by far, is being a Daddy. And even though I have been called Mr. (Last Name) in previous jobs, I really like it when I hear one of my son’s friends say “that’s Joe’s daddy”. That’s my favorite identity, the Daddy of 2 outstanding young boys.

Oh, by the way, has Sheed picked up his face yet?

By Astro Joe

May 16, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Traceman, I agree with you (except I don’t want Bargnani). I still say that any 7-footer who only averages 4-5 boards, should not be considered a top 5 pick. At least Aldridge and Thomas could help with our low post defense. So if those 2 are not available, making that trade with the Hornets and drafting the players that you mentioned would be ideal. The other option, that I have repeated often, is to trade down to the 8-10 spot and draft Shelden Williams. Hopefully, we could pry another asset from the team that we make the trade with (e.g. Eddie Griffin from Minnesota or Watson from Seattle or Fisher/Biedrins from Golden State). Bottom line, if we trade down, we need to have 2 players that can immediately contribute at least 20 minutes a game.

By tb

May 16, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Hey Honest,

Stoudamire is the only con to the deal. I like the idea of Moe and a big though.

There is no way that we won’t get something for Al.

By The Flash

May 16, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this

Hello boyz, I think all this blogging we’ve been doing has gotten some folks a little confused. Don’t get me wrong, the daddy stuff is touching, and I’m happy for all of you, I could even add to the mix (take me kids, please! (badaboom)), but, hello, daddy’s day comes NEXT MONTH. Case anybody missed it, this past weekend was for MOMMYS!!!!

That said, good friends have premi two year olds who are also doing great and Astro it’s great when great things happen to great people, even if they don’t know jack about a certain GM on a basketball team. Doc, congrads, some things are priceless, and I ain’t talkin about no stinkin pearls. Sekou, I am more impressed with you, my man; I mean, I consider myself a great father, but I always drew the line at indoor plumbing.

Okay, no more soppy stuff. If I hear anything soppy from guys like Thinking Man I think I might barf. Back to the game. Who’s outs?

By Kappy

May 16, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

Sekou Not only is antoine playing better, but did you see jason terry play last night. he was a man possessed. he scored 30+ and that last jumper in overtime, over TIM DUNCAN!!, was incredible.

Now, Ive been praising Marcus Williams for several blogs now. It doesnt surprise me that reports say he’s a top 5 pick now. I think he is. I know we need post depth, but id love to get williams and would easily pick him over aldridge. not ty thomas or noah, but definetly aldridge.

You guys mention his workouts. But the kid is 19. he played one half of a college season. Hes probably more of a project than marvin. But his potential is unlimited. And he can run an NBA team RIGHT NOW. he has those abilities.

And guys, I like Lowry, but he isnt a lottery pick. Forgive me naivity, but lowry reminds me of royal ivey, with better offensive skills. i might be wrong, but thats my opinion.

MARCUS WILLIAMS

By HB Ando

May 16, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

On Mo Williams, I was hoping we might make a run at him last summer. Word is he may still be facing surgery on his foot his summer, so he may be damaged goods. But I’m really intrigued by their 3rd string PG, who I mentioned before, Charlie Bell. Now I know these numbers are from only 6 games as a starter, but they’re outlandishly good, and I don’t think it would take a huge contract (more like a Zaza deal) to get him here. Dude went off for:

16.8 points, 7.2 assists, 6 boards, 2 steals and 2.8 3’s per game. He’s 27, and played at Michigan State. I’d take a hard look at him and see if we could bring him to Atlanta. Magliore is likely on the block (Bogut wants to play center, not power forward, and they will likely accomodate him), so how about a sign and trade of Al for Magloire and Bell? Bucks could roll out Ford, Redd, Simmons, Al and Bogut next year. Not a bad lineup at all. We could go Bell, Johnson, Josh, Zaza and Magliore, with our drafted big man and Marvin coming off the bench, or Zaza coming off the bench and Marvin starting. Shame we can’t do a sign and trade before the draft, because we could draft for need better after seeing what, if anything, we get for Al (course Billy says he like to keep Al, and Al says he wants to return; yeah right).

By honest abe

May 16, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

not a bad idea ando…but not sold on bell….but al and salim for moe and magloire would be nice:)

Kappy…never said lowry was a lottery pick in fact he’s projected to go much lower…that’s why i suggested the hawks trade down to get him…and to compare him to ivey is waaaaaaay off my friend…..first of all lowry is guy with tons of energy, super quick, can create havoc on the defensive end, one of the best finishers around the hoop, explosive, jumper is sub par…………NOW …does any of that sound like royal ivey???????? ok…didn’t think so

By Basketball Princess

May 16, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Ty, I don’t know where you getting your info from, but Ben aint going no where, and especially not in a trade for Al Harrington. Why would they trade him when they could sign him (AL)directly. I think you got to Blog happy there Ty, or you are mimicking Chad Ford! Sorry Sekou!

Oh an by the way Ando, don’t ask for any info if your not going to say thank you when I give it to you. And that goes for everyone else too!

By HB Ando

May 16, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

My bad, BP. Much love and props for your insight into Al. Let us know where we can find the whole article you’re doing, when its out. I guess that I’m kind of struggling with how much I buy that Al wants to/plans on coming back, when it’s clear that there’s not enough room for him, Josh and Marvin. I’ve said all along that there’s just no reason we should have drafted Marvin over Paul if Al was the long term plan here. So I guess I’m of the opinion that Al and Billy are saying one thing in public and planning on something totally different. Especially since Al was quoted in about ten different publications talking about teams he would be a good fit for next season, all the while saying he wanted to stay here when talking to the Atlanta papers. I’m kind of less interested in him saying that he’d like to be back and more interested in him saying he’ll work with us to do a sign-and-trade. But I recognize that saying that is of no benefit to him and only serves the interests of the fans who are trying to get a feel for what changes might happen in the off-season.

But again, very much appreciate you and your unique insights into these players, BP. You are indeed the Princess!

By Kappy

May 16, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

ABE

The only part that lowry sounds the same as ivey is the “jumper is sub-par” part. Hehe. Honestly, the comparison was questionable, but im glad you dont think lowery is a top 15 player. Probably late first, early second.

By Ty

May 16, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

Anybody know much about Carlos Arroyo’s style of play? He’s definitely on the block.

By tb

May 16, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

Magloire is a very good C, but expensive. Bell is 27 and has never averaged more than 2.2 assists a game.

I would rather see the Al/Salim for Magloire/Mo Will

By Steve B.

May 16, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

Back for my 2 cents. I have not seen the Lowry kid play, but or my money Aldridge is # 1 on the Hawks board with the Euro kid and Williams 2 and 3. I don’t think the Hawks will pass on one of these guys. Magloier would be an inside presence that the Hawks don’t have. He’s tough, has A nice post game and won’t let teams walk down the lane. But I think their are 2 free agents that would do just as good of A job defense end and won’t cost nearly as much. The fact that Magloier will probably be playing for his 3rd team in the last 3 seasons worrys me to. Ben Gordon is on the block but I don’t know that he fits this team. Besides if we are high enough to get Aldridge, I’d rather use Al to try and get another pick high enough to land Williams. I see alot of J.Kidd(court wise) in him. We have free agent options out their, non are great but they can fill needs while our young talant gets better. I see no need to trade Al for A guy that will only be in Atl a year or two. Stay the course don’t blow it up for 1 or 2 play-off seasons and then suck for 7 or 8 seasons.

By cp

May 16, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

I was talking about Marcus Willimas a long time ago. I think he would fit in perfectly here with all the athletese the Hawks have. I think we need a big man more than we need a pg but if we cant Aldridge, Patrick O Bryant, Hilton Armstrong or Sheldon Williams then they have to try and get Marcus. I like Thomas but honestly he is another version of Josh Smith in my opinon. I didnt really see any offensive game from him and he is kinda on the lean side. The Hawks need some big bodies down low. If they get the first pick and take Aldridge maybe they should look at Sean Dockery in the second round. He might turn out to be another Chris Duhon. I agree with Astro Joe, its no way u take a big man who cant avg over 4 boards a game. From what i read on the euro kid he doesnt play d and the Hawks need a big man who can play d.

By St. Bernard

May 16, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

My understanding was the Bargani was a really tall swing man. So, I’m not high on him. I also think that Williams has much more potential than any big man except Aldridge. Maybe Roy would work, but I prefer JJ at the two with a conventional pg, and I’m willing to live with the argument he might have a higher general value in the league than Williams.

The choices of a second round pg are long shots, but one of them will probably turn out to be a starter for someone. My money is on Washington from Memphis. I like Rondo, but he won’t fall that far. I don’t have a problem with Lowery either. Here’s someone I do not want…Dee Brown. He reminds me so much of Salim. Salim just doesn’t fit into the pg role. I wish he did, but wishes don’t get us very far.

By Ben

May 16, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

Been trying to find any information about David Andersen and the likelihood he will be in a Hawk’s uniform. Lots of positive press about how he’s improved and he could definately meet a need for us. Anyone here anything new? Peace.

By clyde

May 16, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

You know who Aldridge reminds me of? Loren Woods. Solid inside presence in college but lacking the physical and mental toughness to make it in the NBA. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By HB Ando

May 16, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

TB, Bell is a late bloomer. Look at what he averaged in those six starts and tell me there’s anyway to read numbers like that and not be impressed. I like Mo Williams too, as I wanted to go after him last summer, but he’s facing foot surgery and may not be healthy coming into next year. He would also cost more than Bell. Again, you have to look for the diamond in the rough. A guy with a lengthy track record comes with an $8-10 million/year contract, like Terry.

On Magloire, there has never been any indication that he’s a problem guy. NO traded him because they knew they couldn’t re-sign him, and Milwaukee will let him move on after having him provide a transition year for Bogut, rather than sign him to a big contract. He’s certainly not my first choice, just another name to bring up as an option as we look for ways to fill the hole in the middle.

I would not be shocked if either Rondo or Farmar slips to the second round, as the word on this draft is that from 20-42 or so, anybody can end up going anywhere if their rated in that range. Beauty will definitely be in the eye of the beholder this draft.

Finally, I’ll say again that Al can’t be worked into a trade for a pick in this years’ draft, as free agent signings don’t begin until July 1st. Now he could be signed and traded for the rights to a drafted player, or a pick in another draft, but suggestions that we trade Al for an extra pick, or as some type of pre-draft transaction, I think, are not possible.

By coach

May 16, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

I guess you are one of those Vince haters huh. Steve Kerr doen’t understand people like you he said.VC in 2nd highest pointer in the playoff , carried the Nets to the 2nd round , brought pips to once empty seats of Continental Arena. Are you really mad at VC ‘coz of what you wrote or because he did not move to Atlanta ? Just askin !

By adw

May 16, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

why dont the hawks sign brian oliver, kenny anderson, dennis scott, and alonso mourning that would help them

By Nate Dolla

May 16, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

Coach get off Vince’s balls. The only reason VC is stepping up in NJ is because he has Kidd on his side. Take Kidd away from the picture and Vince becomes a above average MEDIOCRE player.

That’s the difference between Vince & the TRUE STARS. Lebron & Kobe can do it on their own. Obviously you need a good supporting cast, but they don’t RELY on certain players to elevate their game.

Hate it or love it…….that’s the truth

I would love to see NJ make a run at KG in the offseason. THe only way that is possible is if Vince gets shipped outta the swamp.

KG, RJ, KIDD = CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM VC, RJ, KIDD = 2nd round playoff team.

Then karma and justice will be served on Vince’s b*** a* when he gets shipped to Minnesota.

Thank god my Raptors are building around Chris Bosh and got rid of that actor Vince Carter. May have been a horrible trade in regards to what we recieved, but atleast we got people on our team GIVING IT THEIR ALL. The guy is getting paid 90million dollars and doesn’t give it his all? How the hell can anybody respect that?

Respect determination Respect Hard Work Respect Hustle

I don’t know how anybody can respect VC. Surely respect his game, but I will never respect his character or him as a person. The man is unloyal, a liar, and not a person you can trust.

The man has no heart and will be exposed to the NBA sooner or later……it’s already starting to happen.

Don’t let the dunks blind ya….look at the whole picture.

By adw

May 16, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

will some body respond about brian oliver

By honest abe

May 16, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this

wow i know everything said in here is just friendly banter……..but i’ve seen some jabs thrown around this place and then I see the person (GM jr) whose been throwing the most haymakers…talk about the validity or prospect of a player based on 6 starts???…hmmmmm…..whatever…what do i know…

Clyde i see you as the glass half empty type of guy….yes aldridge could end up being loren woods number 2 or he could be more like channing frye…

Kyle Lowry..ok i think I’ve said his name enough now… :)

By The Flash

May 16, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this

For me, there just isn’t enough speed and agility there to pick Williams as the point. Look at the guys who are playing now and ask yourself how Williams stacks up athletically. Terry and that Blur in Dallas, Parker and Manno for the Spurs, Sam and L in LA, Nash, Billips, Kidd, Hughes. Than you have I, Arenas, Smootchy, Paul, etc. I just don’t see that kind of athlete in Williams.

I think you have to look elsewhere. Said it before, I really like Roy. Yeah, I know, but I do.

By Steve B.

May 16, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this

Aldridge has something Woods and Frye don’t have, A POST GAME. I’ve heard alot a lot of people question his toughness but his skills far surpass that of Woods or Frye. One very big thing to think about is they questioned Frye’s toughness leading up to the draft last year. The Hawks can’t afford to pass on a BIG with this much talant, We can find toughness on the free agent market( Pryzbilla/Wright). ANDO has a good point you can’t sign and trade before July 1RST, but Ando also knows these deals are talked about between GM’s and often in place a lot of times before July 1rst. As far as V.C. you don’t have to respect the guy as A person. I don’t respect any one who dosn’t do their job and that’s with out the Millions. But to call the guy a mediocore player- come on dude. The guy was All-Star before he played with J.Kidd. I agree with you I don’t respect the way he handled things in Tor. But I do respect his basketball tallent and he’s one of the NBA’s best perimter players when he decides to play.

By HB Ando

May 16, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

Abe, I’m looking for a diamond in the rough, because I don’t see ownership spending $8-10 miilion, annually on a James or a Terry. So it’s via the draft, where I don’t like Williams at 4, and nothing in the second round sounds like the PG answer, or you get a little creative. Don’t let a little brain storming confuse your little head. I think if we’d had this blog this time last year, and someone said, “hey, I think we should look at Zaza Pachulia as the solution to our needs at center”, you’d have gotten (or in this case, given) a similar response to the idea of a late blooming player. Tell me how many people would have predicted that Mike James would put up the numbers he did this season, 3 years ago, when he was a 27-year old journey man. Gotta be willing to think outside the box, or you’re just regurgitating other peoples’ ideas. I trust my instincts enough to make suggestions on my own.

And as I continue to reinforce my theme of the “interchangeable parts” that comprise most of the players in the NBA, I’m just looking at as wide a range of possibilities as I can. This team can’t afford to leave any stones unturned. Not with a budget that’s $15-20 million under the salary cap. A guy that put up numbers those strong, even if it was for six games, who plays behind talent like Ford and Mo Williams, is a guy that you should take a second look at (not open up the checkbook or put him on the top of your list, just be aware that maybe he’s ready to play on the primetime stage). Players don’t typically hit their prime until they’re 27-28 anyway, so at 27 I view Bell’s emerging talent as worth taking a look at.

On the issue of Williams, we have noted how badly our point guards got torched trying to defend dribble penetration of opposing guards. Anyone else concerned that Marcus Williams averaged less than a steal per game last year? How does that translate to stopping dribble penetration on the NBA level? Just curious.

By Mel

May 16, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

BK said he would draft the best player available. I kno he isnt everyones favorite guy but I have to believe that if we are high enough he HAS to take Aldridge. He has the best skills of all the big men we mention and if he picks traditionally, my guess is he picks the best player available, Aldridge. I didnt really see Roy play that much, i do know he can play D but how is his jumper, cuz if we end up with him he needs a reliable one because JJ will command more attention and if Josh’s late season play indicates the things to come from him then he needs a really reliable jmper. Does anybody remember Ivey missing ALLLLLLL those open layups? does anybody see him starting next year if the Hawks want to make a playoff push

By Tim Raymond

May 16, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this

The Hawks need to draft, Leon Powe out of CAL He will be a star!

By Tim Raymond

May 16, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

Also that dud, Marvin Williams needs to be cut from the team. He sucks.

By Sekou K. Smith

May 16, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

I’ll admit, I was a little rough on VC. But when have we expected so little from someone so talented? He should be maxing out his talent every night. There was an interesting debate about him in the Hawks locker room this season. Someone asked if he was one of the top 15 talents in the league. I argued vehmently in his favor. And I would still. Because there is no denying his ability. It’s his drive that remains a major question mark in my mind. And as for his scoring in the playoffs, check out how many shots dude has taken and tell me why he shouldn’t be the second leading scorer in the playoffs.

And about this notion that No. 4 is too high for Marcus Williams in this draft … nonsense. Have we not learned our lesson after last season, when point guards were devalued by the “best player available” sham. Marcus Williams is an elite PG talent, a true PG, not some cat trying to make the transition from a combo guard to a NBA point guard. I don’t think there’s a spot too high when the spots have yet to be determined (that’s next week you know).

The risk at No. 4 is equal on just about every name I can think of in this draft. Seriously, ask yourself what player in this draft is truly a sure thing to be an NBA stud? I don’t know that anyone has that status.

By doc

May 16, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this

flash in regards to your comments on roy, do you have to keep agreeing with everything i say?

heh, heh, heh

By Clyde

May 16, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this

Where was Aldridge’s post up game against 6’8 Big Baby and LSU? FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Astro Joe

May 16, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

Sweet Princess, thanks for the 411 on Al. While I doubt his love for the birds wil not lead to another contract, hopefully it will lead to a S&T deal.

By Mel

May 16, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this

Lets say we get Aldridge. I saw Darius Washington slotted 56 on a mock, thats pretty low. if he really fell that far i wouldnt mind taking a chance on him

By Tim Raymond

May 16, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this

Did any of you actually watch (and I mean sober) LaMarcus Aldridge play last year in college? Or do you just read other people’s “mock drafts”. He’ll be like Mike Olawacandi (sp.) a solid pro, that should only start on a below .500 team

And to honest abe, your on the right team with your pick of Kyle Lowry, but that’s the wrong player: Randy Foye. Get him to play point and two.

And to Mel, Brandon Roy would be a good pick too. He has a jumper. And he would really be good for the hawks. But Billy Knight is too dumb. He’ll pick someone with a great “Upside” phsyically, but can’t play the game, and to that type of thinking, I say: yeah, every one year old baby DOES have a Future. So what.

By cowa

May 17, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this

First of all, BP, thanks for the insight. I’d love to know what Al’s view on playing time would be, given that he must know Marvin has to get more minutes going forward. Hard to believe he would want to stay and get less minutes going forward. I can still see us signing him, but entertaining trades through the season (which I don’t advocate).

I was bummed to see the potential buy-out of LB’s contract in NY. With LB at the helm, I think there is a shot we could land Frye in a S&T. I’m still hoping for Frye and Rose for Al, and then picking up a big in the draft. Sign a FA PG for $4-5M, pull off a trade with NO for their #15 pick and JR Smith for Chills, and take either a PG or big with that pick. (I wouldn’t take Armstrong here though. I am a UConn fan, but Armstrong showed me nothing for too long to view him as highly as everyone else. He mya have had a great season, but where the heck was he all the other years when Boone was controlling the paint?) 2nd round pick take a flyer on Saer Sene if available or Hollins and send them to the D league, or go for a Paul Davis or Aaron Gray type that eats up space in the middle.

Now, I know there is no way all this will happen, but one can always dream…

By HB Ando

May 17, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this

Sekou, this isn’t last years’ draft, and Marcus Williams is not Chris Paul. So let’s hear your take on some of the issues that have been brought up about Williams: .9 steals per game last season (when one our biggest problems with defending the point and stopping dribble penetration). Conditioning: his personal trainer says he’s never gotten himself in top shape or addressed a proper diet. But he went to UConn for 3 years, where physical specimens like Allen, Gordon and Okafor came out all ripped up. So it’s not like he didn’t have the facilities or resources to get himself in top condition. Sounds more like you couldn’t drag his soft a* into a weight room. I won’t get into the character issues, as a stand alone. But when you’ve got no D stats, poor conditioning and character issues, I’ll pass on the dude at 4 and take Roy if the big fellas are off the board (or trade down and pick up a big ‘un and another piece).

To me, picking Williams at four would be compounding missing Paul at 2 last year. So instead of Paul and a big man, we overreact to last season’s screw up and end up with Marvin and Williams. I don’t buy it. And I hope Billy doesn’t either. If the draft was the only way to address the point guard position, I’d be on board. But with Al, and maybe Childress, as viable trade pieces, and with cap room to spare, I’ll take an experienced point guard from within the league and take my chances on potential and size in the draft. A proven point guard can be had if Billy puts in the calls and the effort. If a point guard can’t average a steal per game (one lousy steal!) in college, how’s he going to guard the lightning quick NBA points? Riddle me that, Batman.

By Tim Raymond

May 17, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this

Get Jon Koncack to be the head coach, if you think such silly thoughts.

By doc

May 17, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this

flash.

it seems like your buddy with all the integrity is in the news again and is about to swing lb another sweetheart golden parachute. lb looks to be making out better than the enron guys on stealing money or printing it.

now is your buddy going to get the usual 10% or 5% take of the total that is being talked up at 43 mil for the last year? 7 mil buyout in detroit, 10 mil salary for one year of service and 25 mil as a buyout in ny. your friend is going to do pretty good at either take 2 vs 4 mil. quite a payday but as an acccomplice, er, i mean advisor to brown he has had to suffer tremendously and had to have earned it all.

inquring minds want to know, what is the spin, flash, and what is real?

By honest abe

May 17, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

“Gotta be willing to think outside the box, or you’re just regurgitating other peoples’ ideas”

ando i’m the one who came up with idea to trade down and take lowry….but what do i know your the gm and i’m just a fan… bell will probably be next year’s most improved player….

i really like randy foye, but he’s just a scorer and not a great defensive player…not a pg…if you guys want a combo guard to pair with jj in the backcourt take a serious look at ronnie brewer….he’s a steals machine…long, going to be one helluva defensive player..

also, i don’t want to spend 8-10 mil on terry…maybe james though…but the hawks can definitely fix the whole pg hole through FA or the draft… how about steve blake? marcus banks? milt palacio?

as for aldridge, kid seems to have lots of skills, seems to lack heart..just an observation…that’s probably way off :)

By doc

May 17, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

flash missed the headline yesterdya, stated, joe glass says the knicks are not going to buy lb out for 25 mil but have to fire him as lb intends to coach the next four years of his contract at say 10 mil per year. apparantly that would up it another 15 mil to say 58 mil for one year’s aggravation. not bad for lb or mr. glass, pretty good pay day for either one of them. as i said earlier, wish i had lb’s agent.

By Kappy

May 17, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this

Ando Ok ,so williams averaged only .9 steals this year. that was in like 20 games. and all those games were against big east teams. not making excuses, but williams has a big body, 6’3” and 205, and i think he can defend at the nba level. Are Sam cassell, Steve Nash, or Tony Parker excellent defensive PG’s????

I think it was TIM who said aldridge reminds him of olowakandi. i couldnt agree more. i probably watched 8-10 of his college games, and outside of a momentary flash of excellence, he is a below average talent, with even less desire.

The Hawks cant just draft the tallest guy because we need post help.

i do like roy and he reminds me a lot of chris paul. paul wasnt really a true point in college either. roy can score, gets teammates involved, has good size for a guard. I dont think he is a top 5 pick, but definetly lottery bound.

Cant wait til next week’s ping pong balls. Is Dominique our representative there again? A lot will be decided with where we are in the draft.

By Astro Joe

May 17, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

Interesting suggestion from ESPN.com saying the Hawks could trade Al to the Nets for Richard Jefferson. I like Jefferson a lot and he is what I am hoping one of our SF ultimately becomes. Assuming that Al’s S&T list is somewhat limited (and would very likely include his hometown NJ team), Jefferson may be bait for deals to other teams not on Al’s list. As an example, Al may not have Portland on his list, but we could deal Jefferson to Portland for Jack, an ‘08 draft pick and a resigned Pryzbilla. Or straight up for Jamal Magloire. Bottom line, without getting into specific deals, if Al only allows us to make a deal with 3-5 teams, Jefferson’s final destination could be unlimited and allow for greater options. Or we keep Jefferson and pursue deals for Marvin.

By gb

May 17, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

everyone seems to be forgetting that bk says we dont need a point guard. aldridge is too tall at 6’11”. the best player will be 6’7” to 6’9” and play 3 positions, but play no position really well.

By Basketball Princess

May 17, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Ando, i totally respect your opinion about thinking that Al is fluffing, but when a guy says he’ll take less money to stay I don’t think he’s interested in just a sign and trade.

Al can go to LA, Chi-town, Minni, Indi, etc. Not saying that he’s not keeping all his options open. Why couldn’t they keep Al at the 3 move Josh to the 4 bring in someone to fill the middle with ZaZa comming off the bench, bring in Marcus William, Mike James, or Speedy to Run the point, and move Joe to the 2. Marvin can still get the time he needs. That Keeps joe with the ball in his hands with a inside and outside threat with Al and Joe as the 1-2 guys. You start bulding depth while you have a back up in Lue, a scorer in Salim, and chills. give Bastista some min…

Sure he said he would be a good fit with other teams. He’s right what’s wrong with saying that. You want him to say no I wouldn’t fit in there…..

Al said he aint looking to hog min, he just wants to play and win. They may have plans on trading Marvin. we don’t know. They could be planning on keepin Al and shipping him off. We don’t know. He said he’s comfy here and he know what to expect. Trust me, if I though he was trying to fluff I would call him on it. He was real sincere. everybody aint full of dog poo!

By Astro Joe

May 17, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

Now here is an interesting question, if BK does not get a S&T deal that meets his satisfaction, do we resign Al with the intent of trying to negotiate a better deal for him (or Smith or Marvin) near the trading deadline? I think we all prefer that the forward log-jam be resolved prior to November. Would we take less value back in November when we could possibly get greater value 3 months later in February? I am guessing that someone will need to monitor Smith and Williams’ off-season development to know how to answer that question.

By tb

May 17, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

What log-jam? Al averaged 37 mts, Josh 32 and Marvin 25. They all got their mts.

The only reason I would want Al to go is to get either a bigger starter or a good PG. He is a very good player. 18/8/3 are good numbers. If we had a dominating C, Al, Smmove, JJ and a good PG we would be rocking and have good back ups.

It is going to get very exciting in the next few weeks. There are so many possibilities.

By Steve B.

May 17, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

I don’t know what Texas games you guys watched but the guy was #1 or 2 on most draft boards all year. To compair Aldridge to M.O. is just insane , Aldridge can play M.O. was picked on size and up-side alone. We all know he got out played against LSU, but if you watched the game as you say you did it was an LSU team effort to shut him down and not just Big Baby. All NCAA post players Shaq, Tim Duncan, and D.Coleman were shut down in the NCAA’s when an entire team makes an effort and their supporting cast can’t do enough. If you want to question his heart and toughness that’s fair he’s had those questions all season long, but to question his talent and compair him to M.O. is a little low.

By Sekou K. Smith

May 17, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

I don’t care what case you make against Marcus Williams, Ando, there’s nothing in his makeup to make me dismiss the idea of taking him high in the lottery. Simple as that.

And I’d always rather take my chance on a PG in the draft than a big man. The transition is always much tougher for bigs than it is for elite backcourt players.

By Kappy

May 17, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Steve B i disagree with your assessment of aldridge. like i said, ive seen about 8-10 games of his this year. Including a game versus my team tennessee where aldridge faced 6’4” power forward dane bradshaw, who’s also our backup point guard. aldridge was a non-factor all game. not exactly the acumen of a top 5 pick. i think the hawks would be much better off getting a post player later in the draft(Hilton/Boone/etc….)

Sekou I couldnt agree more with your assessment of marcus williams. He’s going to be a stud at the nba level, and we’d be lucky to get him top 5.

Ando i like the charlie bell call.

And whoever called out Leon Powe, you are exactly right. He’s probably a 4 at the next level, but that kid can play. Hawks could use him for frontcourt depth.

By stunna

May 17, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

Look i like Jarret Jack and all but if the Hawks somehow aquired Richard Jefferson its no way they should trade him away for Jarret Jack and Pryzbila. I think Jack might be a decent guard in the NBA one day but i think Richard Jefferson could net you a lot more than that deal there but that is just my opinon.

By Astro Joe

May 17, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

The “ESPN Insider” whose name we cannot mention has an article about the Hawks today. Since I don’t want to be banned, I will not give any information other to say he is speculating that AI could be coming to the ATL. (I think he is full of crap, AI AND Bargnani on a defensively challenged Hawks team? Yeah, right!)

Here is the thing about Marvin Williams and Marcus Williams (from my perspective). Marvin would have been the top pick in this draft hands down, without a doubt. So when BK drafted Marvin instead of a PG, I think that it has EVERYTHING to do with Marvin and less about the PG. I’m not so sure that any of the top picks being discussed this year are so intriguing that they can not be passed up for someone else. We keep hearing words like raw, slow, thin, soft, unproven and unassertive when describing Thomas, Aldridge, Bargnani, Morrison and Gay. (That’s why Roy intrigues me as a top 5 pick. He is probably the closest thing to a sure thing among a bunch of question marks). So if Marcus Williams grades out worthy of a #4 selection relative to his peers in this draft, I would not be shocked nor would I hesitate to pick him. But I do not think that drafting Marcus Williams has anything to do with not drafting a PG last year. Marvin Williams has everything to do with not drafting a PG last year.

By Ryder

May 17, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe, I really could see that happening, chances are the Sixers will be trading him this year, and the Hawks do possess the pieces they are looking for (high draft pick, young scorers in their backcourt).

Question remains, should it happen?NO! This team needs a low post presence moreso than another addition to their flooded backcourt. Look what that did for the Clippers. Unless the Hawks want to be on their level (who ever though the day would come when we’re trying to be like THE CLIPPERS?) make some moves that make sense!

By Kappy

May 17, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this

i love the banter.

interesting read from espn’s sportsguy today. he purports an overwhelming change in the way the nba is being played, compared to how its been played since the riley/chuck daly days. he suggests starting your best 5 players, regardless of position, much like phoenix does. he goes on and on into his ideas, especailly the rules changes that have affected play THIS year.

i dont want to post a link, as to not anger the ajc gods, but its a must read. Also talks about college players amongst his theory. guys like aldridge are less valuable, and guys like marcus and roy are much better commodities. Exactly what ive been saying the past couple of days.

By bob

May 17, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

i saw on ESPN Insider that Billy Knight sat down and talked about the possibility of Alan Iverson coming to the ATL. Where the hell is our info? It’s just like you to keep it a secret.

By Harry Hawk

May 17, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight didn’t sit down and talk about it.

I wouldn’t mind having Iverson on the team, if for no other reason than it might give the Hawks some positive national attention (which is basically the gist of the ESPN Insider article), put some butts in the seats and enable them to make a run at some free agents in the future. Everyone knows AI can score, but he’s a ball hog (despite his 7.4 APG last year, he still averaged 25 shots a game) and he has been accused of being a player that retards the development of young players. It would be up to Billy Knight and Mike Woodson (who served as a Sixers assistant and apparently gets along well with Iverson) to figure out how much of that reputation is deserved.

In any event, the Hawks would know what they are getting if they brought Iverson in: a great scorer who is an absolute warrior and nearly impossible to defend. He probably has three strong years left. By then, one would think that the Hawks have been in the playoffs a couple of years and would’ve developed a point guard to take over. The goal is to build a championship team, of course. I’m not sure AI can help the Hawks win one, but he can help get them back on the map.

By clyde

May 17, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Iverson and Joe Johnson would make an exciting backcourt and sell tickets but that’s it. I think Philly would want too much to get rid of Iverson. But then again our GM might do something stupid like give away JSmooth, sign and trade Harrington and our first rounder Iverson. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY.

By Ryder

May 17, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Just read this article from ESPN’s Bill Simmons about the up-tempo play in this year’s postseason. An interesting thought, which actually may explain Knight’s fondness for anyone 6’8:

“Are teams better off building for SmallBall over a conventional style? If you can play only five players, and you don’t have an above-average center on your roster — which most teams lack, by the way — why not just play your best five guys regardless of position?”

Face it, the days of finding a 20-10 center might be passe, which is why Atlanta might be best served playing a more up-tempo style. The core of their team (Smith, JJ, Williams, Childress) are athletic, why not build a team to their strengths? I have to change my stance about not getting a PG with the first pick. Keep it and (hopefully) they’ll pick up Marcus Williams, because I don’t see any of this year’s big men in the draft providing what this team needs.

By Sabastian

May 17, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

Bringing in AI will help. Although we have to give up a player or money.With AI ATl will probally improve way way better. we also will have J.Johnson, J.Smith,Z.Puchulia,and ETC.Dont give up J Smoove , Puchulia, Johnson, or whatever. I dont mine giving up a draft pick and money. here is my fantasy l;ine up fo next season: C. Z Puchulia- PF. AL Harrington [it depends though] SF. J Smith- SG J Johnson

Pg. A IVERSON

By St. Bernard

May 17, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

Bringing in AI would probably accomplish BK’s goal. Eliminate all fans with common sense and build a circus team that only those who know nothing about basketball would appreciate. Then, for all eternity, those fans could talk about draft picks and free agents.

What a waste! Can’t wait til we know draft positions.

By A Thinking Fan

May 17, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

James leading vote-getter on All-NBA first team

May 17, 2006

NEW YORK (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was the leading vote-getter on the All-NBA first team, which included Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash.

Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki and Miami center Shaquille O’Neal rounded out the first team, announced Wednesday by the league.

James, who averaged 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists in leading the Cavaliers to their first playoff appearance in eight years. Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West are the only other players in NBA history to average at least 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a season.

James received 116 first-place votes and 610 total points from the panel of 126 media members.

Bryant, who led the league with 35.4 points a game, was selected to the team for the fourth time. He scored 50 or more points six times this season Nash, who won the MVP award for the second straight season, led the league with 10.5 assists. Nowitzki averaged a career-high 26.6 points and lead the Mavericks with 9.0 rebounds.

O’Neal made the team for the seventh straight season and the eighth overall. He averaged 20 points, 9.2 rebounds and led the league in field goal percentage (60 percent) for the ninth time, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most all-time.

By Sekou K. Smith

May 17, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

That Iverson deal on Insider was nothing more than the blog debate we had weeks ago about adding an Iverson or Garnett a few weeks back.

It’s been cyber fodder for weeks. In fact, the article had no original reporting in it. It reused quotes from Knight that were in our paper last week. Just so you know, that’s my gripe with Insider (granted, I read much of what they do).

The AI rumor is sexy, one that we’ve tossed around here already. But you have to ask yourself if you want to take all that on. There is a package that comes along with AI - and it’s more than just one of the league’s most dynamic talents.

Anyway, back to this Pistons-Cavs game. The champs and almost champs from a year ago both seem to be on the ropes. I can’t figure out what’s more shocking, Cleveland’s fearlessness or the Pistons’ ridiculously careless approach.

WTH!

By CJ

May 17, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

After these playoffs the importance of a good point gaurd should be apparent. That is the missing piece I bet could get them into the playoffs again. Realistically the Hawks can’t compete seriously with their current roster..it’d take at minimum 3-4 yrs. The level of competition has ramped up, the East isn’t full of push overs anymore. But if they make the right moves they could shorten that.

By T-Payne

May 17, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

Center…center…the Suns seem to be rolling right along without a big or anyone taller than 6’10 (Amare when healthy). Draft Roy, put him in the backcourt with Johnson, sign and trade Harrington for that Varejo kid up in Cleveland. Then make the play-offs in a weak Eastern Conference. Fire Woody, and make me Atlanta’s GM!

By T-Payne

May 17, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, let Billy take notes from me. Then fire him so he can get another job somewhere in future.

By Kappy

May 18, 2006 12:36 AM | Link to this

Sekou i cant believe whats happening in the spurs series and/or the pistons series. truly crazy stuff. maybe the sportsguys’ theory has some validaty. The new rules favor the quicker team. the aggressive hand-checking has gone away and turned guys like bruce bowen away from being effective.

AI sounds great and all, but we dont really need him. We need him more to sell tickets than to win, but who’s to say atlanta doesnt need to sell tix. it certainly would help put us back on the NBA map.

you cant get any worse than what weve done the past 4 seasons. Lets do SOMETHING. We made great strides at the end of last season and this draft and offseason will be as important as ever.

Back to the draft, Im standing firm on my picks of Marcus Williams and Brandon Roy. Roy really reminds me of chris paul’s game in college. A 1/2 guard in college, who can get to the rim, shoot, and get guys involved.

Lets remember, Roy played SG two years ago when nate robinson was in washington. then took over the ball this past year and really shined. As much as i love Marcus Williams, Roy might be the play.

By HB Ando

May 18, 2006 12:59 AM | Link to this

As Sekou said, the idea of an AI coming here is not new. Nor is the idea of bringing in a star, with expectations to provide the fans an entertaining product, versus a realistic opportunity to win titles over the next few years. To that end, here’s part of an e-mail I sent to Levenson and Seydel about a months ago:

“There are a lot of big name players who are rumored to be available this summer. You’re a long, long way from competing for an NBA title. There’s no shame or harm in bringing in a star, who’s not likely to get you to the promised land while you develop your own young stars, but can give you a competitive product and sell tickets over the next 2-3 years. In the NBA, making money is the next best thing to winning championships.”

Problem with AI is that it’s well documented that he stunts the development of young teammates because they are forced into a passivity due to his domination of the ball. Exciting, yes. Winner, no.

I’ll stand by my opinion that Marcus Williams doesn’t bring sufficient on-the-ball defensive skills to fit our needs. Our defense on opposing point guards was simply atrocious. College numbers invariably are reduced when players move to the NBA and fact quicker, more skilled opponents. I don’t see how a guy who can’t surpass a steal a game against college competion is projected to provide better production at the next level. That’s just not statistically valid.

I’ll completely agree with Joe’s assessment that receiving Jefferson in a sign and trade for Al would give us for more subsequent trade options than those we could project for Al (since obviously Al would only participate in a sign and trade to a team he wants to play for). Receiving the more polished Jefferson, might actually signify moving a Josh or Marvin (though I can’t see trading Josh for anybody but a star, as part of a package deal; his upside is just too high at this point).

Obviously, I completely disagree with those who think Aldridge is a dud. None of the league talent assessors agree with you, and every time I saw him play the biggest problem he had were teammates that didn’t have a clue how to feed the post (which, not coincidentally, is why Gibson went from a top-ten PG prospect in the pre-season to a second rounder in most projections by seasons’ end). He scored with ease against Shelden Williams, who Joe thinks is the best post defender in the draft. He needs more strength, but most bigs coming out of college do. He’s skilled, agile, and runs the floor with speed and agility. Against LSU, he was sandwiched by the likely first pick in the draft, and a future first rounder, who outweighs him by 70 pounds. They collapsed on him and dared his teammates to beat them, which they couldn’t.

Once again, until the draft lotto transpires, folks are spinning their wheels talking about what to do with the pick. Gotta see who’s picking in front of us, and project their needs, before you can evaluate what our move, or moves, should be. It will be very interesting to see who gets it right when we do our draft prediction contest.

SS, you going to officiate and set up a scoring system (and compete of course)? If not, somebody organized needs to step up with a plan.

By HB Ando

May 18, 2006 01:12 AM | Link to this

Abe, Lowry might be worth a look in the second round, but we’d have to come away with a legitimate starting PF, from my perspective, to trade out of the top five to get a Lowry. I’ll take Farmar or Rondo, or, for that matter, Diaz, out of Miami, before Lowry. Trade down and take Shelden Williams, like Joe has been suggesting, I could see. Trade down and take Lowry’s teammate. It just seems like Lowry is kind of an obscure name to latch onto as a target for our draft. But what do I know, Abe, he’ll probably be the rookie of the year next year (not).

I said a few days ago, and I’m still inclined, that I like a backcourt of combo guards, Roy and Johnson, over Williams and Johnson. I think they’d create more matchup problems with their length and athleticism, and I think they’d be a far superior defensive tandem than the soft Williams would bring. BUT I’d rather draft a big man, and get an experienced PG via free agency or trade (SS says he’d rather role the dice on a PG than a big man, but with the trade and free agency avenues both viable, why bother rolling the dice on a PG when a veteran is likely acquirable). It’s clear that it’s very hard and expensive (and risky) to try and obtain a young big man via trade or free agency. So draft one and develop him. If he doesn’t pan out immediately, teams are so desperate that they overpay you for him if he’s still tantalizing with his “upside” (look at Wilcox/Radmonovic).

By Tim Raymond

May 18, 2006 04:05 AM | Link to this

Kappy

I said Leon Powe, I went to USC, and watched the PAC-10 most of the year, and that guy would get 3 guys on him and still pull down 20 pts 15+ rebounds. For a point gaurd, Jordan Farmer, if available for the second round, would be a steal.

By honest abe

May 18, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

hey ando….how many college basketball games did you watch last year????? i thought you said said some up with something original…jordon farmar and rajon rondo…hmmm seems like names you just pick up listening to people talk about basketball…i’m starting to realize you have absolutely no idea as to what you are talking about…stop reading little draft boards and sports talk radio and come up with your own opinions about the upcoming draft…aldridge? that’s a surprise most everyone has him slotted to go first…chris paul last year? hmm another big surprise…i was actually on the raymond felton bandwagon..i thought paul was a bust…but of course i base my opinions on the fact that i actually WATCH most of the college bball games….

anywho…this is a crazy longshot but if somehow lebron takes his team to the finals and wins…he will truly be the KING! there is no way he’s only 21…my god..i’m lost for words…AMAZING!!!!!!

By honest abe

May 18, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this

one more thing ando…upon quick glance at that boring e-mail to the owners..you mention

“I’ll stand by my opinion that Marcus Williams doesn’t bring sufficient on-the-ball defensive skills to fit our needs. Our defense on opposing point guards was simply atrocious.”

and then you write to me you’d take farmar or rondo over lowry…NEWSFLASH! mr. basketball god…lowry is probably the best defender amongst pg’s in this years’ draft…you’re not making sense my friend!

By mike smith

May 18, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

dear ss. when is the lottery co,ing up can you e mail me or anyone reads this please e mail me smitty

By The Flash

May 18, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

Doc,

where the rubber meets the road, we see how much my boy LB is worth. Detroit ain’t looking so good with flipper at the helm now that the real season has started. And, Sheed is imploding, big time, like I thought he would. LB could sooth that man’s demons because of the Deano thing and he appealed to Sheed’s perfectionism. Sheed don’t respect Flipper; nor do the other guys. They like him. I like my 16 year old; I won’t even let him drive my car. Dumars got rid of LB because he wanted the credit and LB was deservedly getting it. Dumars will now get the credit he deserves!!!!

Everybody in the press is doing a number on LB. Everybody, and I mean even you, KNOWS this is Zeke’s disaster. I’ve been saying from day one to Joe’s son (a teammate of mine back in the day) that it was going to be Zeke or LB; I didn’t think it would last a season. Joe will be effective in unwinding this thing because he operates with absolute integrity; Zeke wouldn’t know integrity if it kissed him on both cheeks. If you read a quote from Joe about the stuff, and the quote is accurate, bet the ranch on it Doc.

By Kappy

May 18, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

Ando I know we’ve talked about this before, but a players steals per game is NOT an indication of his on-the-ball defense. It means absolutely nothing. It shows some quickness. Steals gets your team another possession. im not undervaluing them, they’re important. but they arent a good indicator of a good defender. Marcus is an oversized PG, at 6’3” 205, and i think he can handle the PG’s in the nba.

Also, ando, since your such a big fan of stats, did you see that marcus williams led the NATION in assists per game last year. Does that do anything for you?

There were 39 Div. I players who out blocked LaMarcus Aldridge. He didnt have one game this season where he had more than 2 assists. Not exactly flashy numbers from a top 5 pick.

By doc

May 18, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

flash, thanks for answering back, enjoy and respect your insight. stirring the pot a bit but, why didnt lb do the research to know what he was getting into? i feel for him to some degree but here is a guy at the top of his game, who allowed himself to walk into a situation that a long time ago i among many and probably you too said was rediculous. was it his ego that finally brought him to this where he thought he was a mracle man?

where does his own accoutablity come in where you say i made a mistake and you walk away without the money. that is where the rubber meets the road, why does he feel he always has to make it into his payday? though i cant say i blame him it is a bit of a reach for me to be too touchy, feely about a guy who is going to take maybe max 43 mil for what you and i know was a mistake going in? not arguing but putting out a fair and reasonable assessment or perspective.

i know you are much closer to the situation and that may be a better perspective but i am just the ordinary joe looking in and am not inclined to feel to sorry for him. i assure you i am not doing a number on him if he doesnt try to share in some of the responsibility for the fiasco and for once to take the MONEY.

personally, i think he made a huge mistake and should have retired to the broadcasting booth, enjoyed his family and taken care of his health which is on the edge; too many complications for what was desribed as a routine type of proceedure. from my background i know there is no such thing as a routine anything in medicine but just the same flash he is pushing the window a bit. it is his perogative but he wasnt ready for the demands of this job this season and probably isnt for any job at his state of health. he is fragile, my opinion, conjecture and intuition shouting that.

By doc

May 18, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

for above post insert NOT between to and take. my bad.

By Steve B.

May 18, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Kappy we can agree to disagree on the talent level of Aldridge. It’s possible I saw all his good games and you saw all his bad ones. But the number of Asst. he didn’t rack up is largely do to the way Texas runs it’s offense and not his passing skills. In a draft that had Lebron, Darko,Camelo,Wade and Bosh he wouldn’t be listed in the top five no doubt. But this isn’t that draft. Every one in the top 5 of this draft will have questions about them. To me he’s the least of the risky with the most reward if he lives up to his talent. 15 pts 9 reb and 2 blks aginst qulity NCAA teams I’ll take that.

By honest abe

May 18, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this

i remember everyone giving Flip Saunders so much credit earlier this year when the Pistons got off to a great start. even back then i felt the pistons were at a point where they had so much stability, because they had played together for a while now, they were all veterans, everyone knew their roles on the team. they had learned to play great defense by coach brown so now they could go out on their own and play at a very high level….so i didn’t agree with everyone when they said that flip was a better coach based on the fact that detroit was playing so much better offensively. As mentioned in the broadcast of last nights game…now detroit is lacking that killer instinct defensively..of course some of that can be attributed to Rasheed not being a 100% but i saw the same thing…now detroit’s mindset is that it can come down and beat you offensively…which is not pistons basketball…i always felt that flip was too lenient on his teams…and if they lose this series my thoughts will be confirmed…

By HB Ando

May 18, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

Abe, SS has confirmed here before that Paul was my choice in e-mails to him, BEFORE last years’ draft. And I first brought up Aldridge last August when every mock draft board had Rudy Gay as the #1 pick. As far as Rondo and Farmar go, as possible 2nd round pick ups, just how many PG’s are there to discuss (though I notice you conveniently don’t throw Diaz in there; are you not familar with the athletic Miami point guard, who may be a steal in the late first/early second rounds)? If mentioning a players’ name now makes you a copy cat, I guess we can all just stop talking. There are no new names, as we peruse plausible point guards and big men that we might draft. So what the heck are you babbling about?

If you’ve come to the conclusion that I have no idea what I’m talking about, that’s cool. I’d be bothered if you were someone I respect. But last time I checked, you were calling Sekou a racist and throwing misogynistic rants at the only female who participates on the board. So if Abe, the resident A-hole and crackpot, thinks I’m clueless about basketball, I must be saying all the right things.

Kappy, we’ll have to agree to disagree on steals not being a good indicator of on-the-ball defense, when it comes to point guards. I’d give that some validity if you’re talking about a wing player, who gets his steals playing the passing lanes, like a Larry Hughes, but in point guards, their opponent is bringing the ball up and is the primary ball handler, so a lack of steals, in the NBA, typically IS indicative of a suspect defender. I just don’t know of a single point guard in the NBA who averages less than a steal a game and is considered strong on the defensive end. So we disagree. No biggie. No denying his assist numbers, and, by all accounts, Williams is the premier passer in the draft. I just want a guy that can play both ends of the court. And it’s not that I don’t like Williams, I just don’t like him ahead of a Roy or any of the big man prospects. I don’t like him at 4. Everybody is going to end up with their own version of a draft board once the draft slots are defined. This isn’t science, so folks will disagree before, during and after, on both what should be done, and, ultimately, what is done by Billy and the Hawks.

By honest abe

May 18, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

fiesty today aren’t we ando…seems like you’re disagreeing with everyone these days:)

hey i’m just babbling because you told me to come up with something original and all you can names you come up with is the same stuff everyone has regurgitated around this blog for months…

quick note from the crackpot: your whole theory about steals and pgs is stupid……almost everyone that is proficient at stealing the ball, gets his steals by playing the passing lanes…period…bruce bowen who is arguably the best on the ball defender in the NBA avged less than one steal a game! having said that i don’t think williams can gaurd most pgs in the league…

By HB Ando

May 18, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

Abe, I’m just trying to figure out your genius plan. So NBADraft.net has Lowry going 28th overall. So it’s your idea that we should trade down out of the 4th slot or so, and target a 6’0 point guard as our solution to turning this team around. Brilliant (I don’t know what else to say; seeing it in writing speaks for itself).

By HB Ando

May 18, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

Abe, I’m just trying to figure out your genius plan. So NBADraft.net has Lowry going 28th overall. So it’s your idea that we should trade down out of the 4th slot or so, and target a 6’0 point guard as our solution to turning this team around. Brilliant (I don’t know what else to say; seeing it in writing speaks for itself).

Please change your name to FedEx or Forrest Gump. Because you’re honestly a moron.

By honest abe

May 18, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

thoughts from the resident a**hole aka crackpot:

ando, hey i was just saying it doesnt’ seem like you watched that much college ball yet you have such great insights about every player coming out of the draft…mabye it’s because you just going to draft boards and regurgitate what the experts say…or maybe you are just basing your opinions on nothing…which i think is pretty accurate….

one more thing, seriously who still says something and then follows it up with “(not)” ?i only remember the really geeky people saying that after something…and that was when i was back in middle school…

steals don’t tranlate into a good defender…case in point arguably the best on the ball defender in the league bruce bowen avged less than one steal per game…however i will say i agree with you that williams will be a defensive liablity..

By honest abe

May 18, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

also ando thanks for putting words in my mouth…i dont’ remember saying lowry was going to turn this organization around…i just said i’d like to see him in a hawks uni! now i havne’t put any thought into what we might be able to package to make this happen…but i just threw out a prospect that i actually WATCHED over the course of the season..that nobody was mentioning…you just keep goign back to that little nba.draft.net to get your opinions on every player…ha! at least this moron actually forms his own opinions based on the play of an individual…not on the words of basketball “experts” …but hey i bow down to you oh great one!

By HB Ando

May 18, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

As you should…..

By JayD

May 18, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

Draftexpress.com - Check out the Patrick O’Bryant profile. Sounds extremely interesting! Only legitimate 7fter in the draft - 7’5 wingspan, and athletic. The upside is outstanding.

By honest abe

May 18, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

oops i forgot …NOT…PUHAHAHAH..one more time..ando do you really say that??

By jonathan_22

May 18, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

Hey guys, I am new here and this is my first post. My opinions of what I have read:

Nobody knows anything!!!!!

I’m not saying that I do. I just hate it when people spew out basketball rhetoric (especially pertaining to the draft) as it is the absolute truth. There are no truths regarding the draft. Insights, notions, and opinions are all valid regarding the draft—but truths? They are as impossible to find as guessing when JC is coming back. I really dislike when users try to blast the opinions of others by simply stating there own opinions as evidence. These are OPINIONS people!!!! Chill out. No need in getting upset. I love to disagree and have peaceful debates without lowering ourselves to the level of name calling. So here I go, let the civil disobedience begin.

First point. Marcus Williams is my hope for us as we stand right now at #4. I know his on the ball defense is somewhat lacking, but his playmaking skills are just too good to be ignored. I read someone say that college stats inevitably go down once people make the league. That is just not true. Hmmm…we play a 40 minute game or a 48 minute game…I wonder which would produce better stats so long as the player raises his level of play to that of the league. Just look at scoring averages in college compared to the NBA…how many college stars average over 25 points per game…and then how many NBA players did that feat this year. Marcus Williams led the NCAA is assists with 8.1 per game. Where would that put him in the NBA rankings? 8.1 a*/game would have been good for 7th in the NBA. Obviously, the NBA can raise statistics. The NBA raises statistics as long as the player raises his level of play. Plain and simple. Offensively, I think he is just what the Hawks need: a pass first point guard who can also can penetrate and kick, or finish around the rim on occasion with his tough little floaters. His open court skills are in incredible, and if the Hawks are to ever become the run and gun team they have the potential to be, they need a PG leading the show. (By the way, this comparison seems very similar to Chris Paul except that Paul is also a great defender. I REALLY wanted the Hawks to take him as I saw him as the best PG prospect to come out since Jason Kidd) The problem is that Williams is NOT a sure thing that I saw Chris Paul as being. He turns the ball over too much. A pretty good, but not great defender. Doesn’t shoot for great percentages. Had some off the court trouble. But in any respect, he (as of right now with us at #4) would be the right pick for the Hawks. Williams knows how to setup his teammates and make them better offensively, and that is exactly what the Hawks need at this point. I really like Randy Foye’s game, but I’m just not sure if a tweener type is exactly what the Hawks need. I think Williams is a more sure thing at the point than Foye is. Ever since the NCAA tournament, I have been sold on Williams as he showed lots of guts and determination, and was, in my opinion, the UConn’s best player. I just dont see how we could pass on Williams.

By Mel

May 18, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

Anybody ever check out the Hawks website. The intro has 5 players huddled up, pretty cool pic. Josh JJ Zaza Chill and Marvin. No AL. I wonder what we’re gonna get back for him if anything

By St. Bernard

May 18, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Ando, I agree Williams is not the greatest on ball defender, but Nash isn’t either. Last time I checked he just won two MVP’s.

The reason Nash is great is because he’s surrounded by athletic long talented athletes. I wonder what Williams could do with our guys. I would love to see Marvin and Josh running the lanes on the fast break with Williams bringing it up the middle. If the Hawks can get an athletic guy in free agency and a developing big guy in the second round, I wouldn’t feel bad about taking Williams number two.

By Harry Hawk

May 18, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

Ando, I’m still trying to figure out why you’re so proud of yourself for believing the Hawks should pick Chris Paul. While I wasn’t a blogger here at the time, I remember talking to my brother (also a long-suffering Hawks fan) before the draft and we both agreed that Chris Paul was the guy, if for no other reason than he hit a guy in the nuts.

See? We were also right, but for a differing reason. Does it make me feel smart to know that I felt the Hawks should pick Paul (yes, because of his merits as a player and not his merits as a puncher of the forbidden speed bag) when he turned out to be NBA ROY? Not really. Odds are that he would’ve been a disappointment as a Hawk. Unfortunately, that’s the Hawks’ draft record, which includes a cast of thousands, including such luminaries as Al Wood, Keith Edmonson, Jon Koncak, Billy Thompson, Dallas Comegys, Roy Marble, Rumeal Robinson, Anthony Avent, Adam Keefe, Doug Edwards, Priest Freaking Lauderdale, Ed Gray, Roshown McLeod, Cal Bowdler, Dion Glover and DerMarr Johnson…and that’s going back to 1981. Our hope was that he would avoid the Hawks’ draft pick jinx and perform well.

Anyway, my point is that it’s a blog, man. Plenty of people are right and plenty are wrong on any given issue. I’m quite sure you know that, but there’s no reason to harp on your Paul pick as some sort of proof that your understanding of the game is greater than others. You do a pretty insightful job when talking about the game, so just let that stand for itself.

(Note: I scrupulously avoided mentioning any Hawks first-rounders that ended up being good or serviceable, like Kevin Willis, Jason Terry, Alan Henderson, etc. There aren’t many of them and none of them has turned out to be a true star. To be fair, I’m withholding judgment on the current crop of first-rounders on the team.)

By Basketball Princess

May 18, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

Hey Abe not that it’s my bizness or anything….Well on the other hand anything that goes on, on this blog is my bizness….Ha-Ha LOL! But I say the word NOT. I also use other words such as “like”, or “whatever”. But that comes from where I grew up….in the Valley, went to valley schools, grew up around white girls, and well off black girls. I was in the popular class of kids. You know Jocks, Cheerleaders, female athletes, etc….

If you’ve ever seen Laguna Beach the most popular girls used that type of vernacular always. Loser! J/K (just kidding) we used that word a lot too. So where ever you grew up it must have not been in a place as pleasant as those who did grow up with a sliver of a silver spoon in their mouth.

By the way weren’t you just giving Kudos to Ando in your Blog awards? So like, lay off of him. He’s probably white. DUH!

By Basketball Princess

May 18, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

And Jonathan_22, let me tell you rule number 1: Do not start of insulting the core group of blog execs. See your self as the intern who is trying to be down. It may seem like we are not getting along but wait until we all meet up for the draft, and have lotsa beer (not me) and lotsa red wine (me!) on the other hand make that Patron!

So be a grasshopper 1st Johnny!

Hey by the way are we still doing that?

By Harry Hawk

May 18, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

And abe, you sound like this guy I know in his late-50s that obsesses over fantasy sports. You don’t want to be him, so lay off the p** contest. You wouldn’t want to piddle yourself.

By The Flash

May 18, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

Doc,

I met LB once, after the last game in the olympic trials in 1963. Went to the game and to the hotel after with Brent and his dad (by the way, Brent Barry, Rick knew Joe real well). I communicate with Brent occasionally and would not dream of asking him anything personal about LB’s business. Brent, like his old man, has way too much integrity to share anything like that.

Just heard an interview with Lenny Wilkins. Wilkins said, after he made the playoffs the first year with the Knicks, that Zeke began intruding in completely inappropriate ways. Fired Wilkins’ assistant and replaced him with AGuire, without even consulting with Wilkins. Kept doing that enough that Wilkins’ quit. He said that, if he were LB, no way he would walk away. None!

BTW, I am certain that LB did not want to leave Detroit; that Dumars forced him out. The stuff in the press, and about his having talked to cleveland and his trying to force a firing, was nonsense.

If you knew the guy’s medical condition, you would think Dumars was a complete, and i mean complete, dirtball for not labeling LB what he was, a real live hero for hanging in there and coaching his boyz within a few points of a second championship. Believe me, you or I would not have done it. Hell, Thinking Man would not have done it. Brown bled for that team and didn’t want to leave.

So, he took the NY job because it was there and I assume certain promises were made to him and because it was the garden and etc. I thought the fact that Herb Williams was kept on was a bad, bad sign, and that Zeke could not be trusted. Wilkins confirmed that on the John Thompson show this afternoon.

BTW, LB is a genuis regarding the game and probably one of the few bench coaches that can make a difference. He sees, feels things and has coached his boyz up so well and so much that they can understand and visualize and completely trust his insights and instructions about how to make changes, or attack the other team, during a time out. Down the stretch yesterday, Flipper obviously just said go to Prince, which they did and he was not up to that pressure. LB would always, my impression is, come up with an attack that involved everyone and in which he would have suggestions for someone like Prince like, you’re gonna catch it here, the way they have been playing, look to take it to the baseline, etc. The guy would have confidence because a master’s feel and perspective informed the choices he might make. I think the Detroit guys think that Brown taught them enough or everything he knew. Not possible.

If you ask me, the owner in NY has got to be a complete idiot if he fires LB. His only chance in saving that franchise is to get rid of Zeke. Probably won’t do that.

If Joe Glass actually thought that LB morally should walk away, I’d have to believe that that is what he’d counsel LB to do. I cannot see him doing that in this situation. My take is that Zeke completely undermined LB’s authority and meddled with the team in ridiculous and inappropriate ways. It ain’t the first time. Just ask Wilkins.

By honest abe

May 18, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

haha, thanks for the advice harry…i’m just a 26 year old korean kid that really likes basketball…apologies if i come across like a 50 year old pri*k…lol

By jonathan_22

May 18, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

I first wanna say that I am EXTREMELY happy to have found this blog. I am a 22 year old who grew up in Georgia, but right now I am going to college in Tennessee. I have found many problems with my life in TN, with one of the biggest being a complete lack of sports enthusiasm other than NASCAR, a couple band-wagon Falcons fans, and a few dedicated Braves’ fans. The point is that I get very little chances to discuss my Hawks other than when I return hom to Georgia to visit my dad. I was so happy to find this blog as I have been a long time reader of Sekou. Anyways, as I was reading through I found it hard to ignore the disrespectful tone that some of you approached eachother with. To me, this takes all the fun out of sports. Sports are not a calculated science, and thusly, there is no need to approach it as so. I believe trying to insult others proves your own self doubt and inadaquacies. We need to learn, as a blogger wrote earlier, to let your commentary speak for itself. As I said earlier, when it comes to basketball, NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING. Why try to act like like we do? Even the most proven basketball execs make mistakes, and have wrong opinions. We all do. Social psychology also tells us that we all want to be right. Lets not confuse the two. While it is OK to want to be right, we must accept that we aren’t always going to be so. We should all approach this with the feeling like we are in a public debate, were only our argument (and facts to back it up) of the topic sways public opinion. Anyways, I’m rambling. My point is lets just peacefully disagree without the personal jabs.

By Jonathan

May 18, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

Has anyone seen alot of games/film of Patrick O’Bryant(7-0 250 C Bradely)or Randy Foye(6-3 205 PG Villanova)? The two seem like intriguing prospects in case we were to fall in the draft order. I agree that Marcus Williams could be an excellent addition, though the turnovers and character issues are a concern.

We will just have to wait until after the lottery and indvidual workouts before further debates.

By The Flash

May 18, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

Doc,

Caatch the rerun of pardon the interruption. The black reporter, whose name escapes me, I believe is from Baltimore. I wrote him last year, and my man T, when he got it right on this LB thing. He’s got it right again!!! The guy is a terrific writer and, seeing him on the tube, is equally terrific.

By St. Bernard

May 18, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

Jonathan, If we didn’t all already know everything, there would be no reason to be talking about the Hawks on May 18th! :) I will say this, the general concensus of this blog has made better cyber decisions than BK has made in real life. SO, although we don’t all agree, there’s always some gems if one reads everything. And as far as what Basketball Princess said, you have just as much right to act as childish as you want, brag on your own intelligence and put others down as you want. Most all the regulars do. Just don’t take yourself to seriously.

By St. Bernard

May 18, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this

Here’s a question, can someone think of a better FA pg or someone we could realistically receive in a trade for Al that would be better than Marcus Williams at the point? I stress realistic.

I like him better than Speedy Claxton and Jarrett Jack. I’m kind of fond of Telfair, but I’m still not sure that Williams isn’t better.

By The Flash

May 18, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this

St. B

I disagree about Jack. I think that those who are just looking at Williams’ lack of speed as a defensive liability are not looking at the speed of the game on the other side. Jack is a much better athlete. Jack also showed me a mental, emotional clarity, and an ability to lead that I think that this guy lacks.

From what I saw in the tourn., I like Farmar better; reminds me more of a Parker type player, with better size. Can get to the basket, defend, and shoot better than Williams, in my view. Williams should have stayed in school for a variety of reasons. That he did not should give everyone a bit of poise before taking him with a say 4.

By Astro Joe

May 18, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

Flash, his name is Michael Wilbon and he writes for a Washington DC paper.

Jonathan, welcome to the world of some pretty smart and passionate hoops fans, who happen to suffer from the same affliction associated with cheering on the Atlanta Hawks!

Cavs will experience how difficult it is to close out a championship team. Dallas will too (but I think they will get the job done). Stern will have a liquid dream if LeBron and Shaq meet in Eastern Conference Finals and Dallas and Phoenix meet in the Int’l version of the Western Conf. Finals.

O’Bryant is very intriging. Never saw him play but looks good on paper.

Lastly, I am convinced that the 7-foot 260 pound center is officially a dinosaur in this league. You still need an enforcer, someone focused on boarding and blocking. But if Mark Eaton were in the league today, he’d be nothing more than Eric Chenowith. Speed kills and you must have a big man with quickness to compete at a high level in this league. I hope Zaza is ready to return to the bench in the next season or two. He’s looking like a mammoth wooly to me. I wonder how Stromile would do playing C and not PF?

By ILL-logical

May 18, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

Good thread. MW is 6’ 8” and 235: not a 4. So ,BK is not seeing clearly and his future here is in doubt.The draft will tell the tale on him. (If AI is the answer,then the question is wrong.)

By doc

May 18, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

thanks flash for taking the time to give your insights. to be honest i do suspect some serious stuff on the health issue for lb (intuitive self speaking, even last year) as something really didnt go right during his surgery and he may have taken on more than his present state of health will allow. you know … in his younger days… and all that … he could have …you know what, but i dont see a man who has a lot of vitality right now. he is painful to watch.

he is reminding me of the other brown guy, hubie, who went back into the game with the griz and couldnt quite deliver the goods for lack of stamina so he elected to go back to the mic for his health. lb may be doing himself a tremendous disservice not to just politely call it the way he sees it and leave. with his track record i just dont understand how he wants to go on in such a way. even lenny had to back down. as we age, the will just isnt there to elevate our games.

may miss the pi rerun but give a synopsis if possible.

bp, ill be looking for you at the bar on draft day and we will select a nice red from the menu on me. honest abe, if you say you are sorry for your lack of respect to her, ill make it three or of your choice. i have a feeling you will be at a loss for words and drooling. go ahead, make my day.

j22 thanks for your take and kindness. it is a pleasure to have you on board. remember that in most disagreements it has to do with the other guys story so dont take it personal. you are right there is somehting to the notion it is better to be happy than right. for your info we do get to know each other daily so we take the wheat with the chaff but if you compare this blog with others while it isnt high brow it is fairly tame than most. i think we all want to keep it that way.

again, welcome grasshopper, with utmost respect, as what is better than the beginner mind. use it daily and stay refreshed the rest of your life.

By Tim Raymond

May 18, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this

Astro Joe

thanks for bringing the memory Mark Eaton back to life. You ever see Jack Sikma play too?

By Steve B.

May 18, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

I like Jack he’s a great defensive player and a good athlete, That said Marcus should be better. Marcus is a true point gaurd, the way he see’s the court and gets every one on his team involved are head and shoulders above Jack. You don’t have to have great individual defense to play good team defense. Defense is a team effort, with Woody coaching he will stress defense and Marcus will learn to be a better defender. I’m not saying he’s going to be Jason Kidd on defense, but Andre Miller isn’t bad. Guys don’t focus to much on Marvin’s size in determining if he can play the 4. Most NBA players are given an inch or two on the scouting report. If Marvin can put on the muscle(and I know thats a BIG IF)he’ll be fine. He has a nice inside out side game and dosn’t look to back down from the challenges. A lot of 4’s that come into the NBA have to play the 3 the first one or 2 seasons untill they are strong enough to make the move. R.Wallace,J.Howard,K.Garnet and A.Jamison to name a few.

By HB Ando

May 18, 2006 07:42 PM | Link to this

Hawk, have the sense to understand the context of Paul coming up. I was responding to Abe, who said my opinions were a mixed bag of hindsight and other peoples’ material. So I’m talking trash with Abe, and you jump in without remotely any idea what the conversation is. Feel free, but at least understand where it was coming from.

Jonathan, as we’ve said to other newcomers over the last eight months (my they come and go, don’t they guys?), read the last eight months of posts before you pop off that no one here knows anything. Your comment is the rough equivalent of opening a 400 page book, reading a page, and concluding that the book is worthless. The truth of the matter is that there are some very well founded opinions here. The other truth is that we’re in a dead period, as far as player movement and activity, and we’ve run out of anything new to say. So most of us are either repeating things, or splintering off into opinionated scraps to pass the time of day, instead of doing the reasonable thing and just giving the blog a rest.

There’s no argument that we offer nothing but our subjective opinions. But it would be kind of boring if we didn’t take each other to task and drop kick one another on a regular basis. What’s the damn fun in everyone agreeing with one another and patting each other on the back? Some of us like to stir things up and get under each others’ skin.

St. B, you pose the Williams question in an interesting context. I think the problem with anwering it has to do with different facets of his game. Is there anyone who is a more natural passer/distributor, that we can realistically hope for? Depends on whether Andre Miller could be obtained. But short of Miller, probably not. Better shooter, defender, penetrator? I’d say so. Terry would be better in all those facets. We’ll toss the afore discussed Mike James out of the mix, as he’s publicly campaigning for a signing by Houston, or he will end up back in Toronto. But James would do all those things better than Williams. If Arroyo is once again on the block, after a brief stay in Orlando, I’d say he’s every bit the natural PG that Williams is. Where Jon is right, and I’ve said it multiple times, is that we’re not going to agree, and we don’t have to. I say I don’t like Williams at 4, if that’s where we pick. I’m not trying to convince any of you to change your mind. I’m just offering my opinion and backing up my reasoning for it.

The NBA is a league of world-class athletes. Anyone who thinks that Nash is slow because he is white isn’t watching him play. He get by every defender in the league when isolated one-on-one. As great a passer as Williams is, the athleticism of players like Roy and Foye (look, I rhymed) will make a difference in the impact they have in the league. Wade has proven that an athletic combo guard can come in and have immense impact when paired with a gifted passer in the backcourt. As much as I pined all season for a true point guard, Johnson’s versatility and assist numbers in the second half of last season have forced me to adjust my philosophy on what would work in the back court. We need an athletic defender paired with him. Defense is what cost us most of our games last season. The inability to stop dribble penetration of the opposing point guards. With Johnson and Smith’s passing abilities, we can succeed with a guard who’s ball handling and passing are strong enough to get Johnson more looks off the ball. I’ll take either of the more athletic combo guards, Foye or Roy, over Williams. But my first choice remains a big man. This whole discussion is a guard comparison and should not be confused with advocating taking a guard with the first pick unless the top big men are off the board.

And finally, Jonathan, my point about college stats dropping was in relation to defensive stats. Most guys who enter the league with big steals and blocks numbers in college see a drop off in production as they now defend far greater athletes. Sure scoring numbers increase. But when you’re talking about .9 steals per game, I think that’s a real question mark coming from the point guard position. I don’t know of a full-time starting PG in the NBA who averaged so few steals per game. And it’s not like it was an off year for Williams, as his career average is under 1 per game as well.

And when looking at his assist numbers, has it occurred to anyone that maybe they were inflated by passing the ball to 3 (count ‘em, 3!) projected first round draft picks? I mean if I’m passing the ball to Rudy Gay and two seven-footers, that’s probably 6 dunks a game……….

By HB Ando

May 18, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

And as the Thomas/Brown/Dolan/Knicks fiasco dissolves into utter ridiculousness, I can’t help but wonder where Samuel is, given his lofty predictions for his beloved Knicks last fall. What say you, Sam?

By Malone

May 18, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this

What if the ping-pong balls bounce right and we get the number one pick? It’s gotta happen sometime, right?

LSU’s T.Thomas? Does he fit in with this team? Trade the pick and get a good PG?

Discuss amongst yourselves. I’m just a lonely Hawks fan in Burbank.

By doc

May 18, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this

ando, not ganging up on the sam but he has gotten mighty quiet as the lakers go down, the knicks cant even get it right in the off season and the pistons are being taken to the brink. sam come on out man i’m going down with you if the pistons dont do something and rally.

maybe he ate too many bream the other night and is still sleeping it off. nothing better than a red belly or blue gill cooked just right to to where they float, drain and just melt in your mouth. throw down some fine hush puppies, drink a few brew or scotch and waters on ice and if you dont have a good anti reflux med you pay, but it is worth it. if there is room get some corn, top it off with pecan pie or peach cobbler. fine oh so fine.

By The Flash

May 18, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

Astro, Wilbon and T are out this week. This guy is really huge, looks a little like George Foreman with a little more meat on his bones, and is really terrific. As I said, I believe he writes for the Baltimore Sun. He seems relatively young (hey at my age, I could say that about just about everybody) and I think extremely knowledgible and articulate.

I’m been following Wilbon for years and appreciate his talents. Think he’s terrific. Guess what, this guy, as a straight up reporter, might well be better and that is saying something.

By St. Bernard

May 18, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this

Malone, I think (which is a big statement) that the consensus on the blog is that if we pick #1 we take Aldridge. After that, there’s a world of debate.

Maybe a better question is what we do if we get the number 2 or 3 pick. Does anyone have any ideas? Are there any big guys worth more than Williams or Roy to us? Thomas is a less skilled Smith in my opinion. Maybe we do trade down if we’re in the 2 to 5 range.

How about trading down with Memphis and trying to pick up the 7 footer from Bradley and maybbe Rondo? That answers alot of problems and would probably be possible since they wouldn’t mind having a swingman or shooting guard with the 2-5 pick. Walking away with the seven footer and Rondo sounds pretty good.

By honest_abe

May 18, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this

is that a dare doc?? i think i already admitted and apologized for my childish behavior..but then i realized it has continued and so i it would be just a waste of time to say sorry :( i’m sorry…

ha! what the hawks need is a bigger fan base….it’s just sad that they are in a bad sports town….i’m telling all the games where phillip had more than their usual 200 people…they played inspired bball….even if half the crowd is usually cheering for the other team…..so this is really something geeky to say but bring friends to the game…make them hawks fans…and it should help the growth of this young team!

By St. Bernard

May 18, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, and Ando, We’re agreed on taking Andre Miller. I love the guy. I like Terry too, but I don’t see him leaving Dallas for Hotlanta. Especially, after we traded him while he wanted to stay and rebuild.

By gb

May 18, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this

bk isn’t reading any of these opinions,he is looking for a perfect 6’8” player who can play the point and center equally well.

By The Flash

May 18, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this

Doc,

Brown has lived with discomfort, not some serious health issue. No way any of what he has going on detracts from his ability to do his job. He had Detroit on the door step last year; let’s see how far flipper can take them.

Dumars wanted Brown out, and once Flipper became available, which was mid season, he had his man. No other explanation for why Flipper was still around when Detroit finally bought Brown out. He had to have known that he had the job all along.

Now I heard last night during one of the games somebody say something like the Detroit players wanted Brown out because he was stealing all the glory. Nonsense, and if they ended up feeling that way it was only because Dumars was singing that tune and pulled the trigger. He with the gold makes the rules.

Dumars, who has this choir boy image and always let Zeke and the big white guy take the heat, is a rough, tough customer with a huge ego. He has operated in the shadow of Zeke, and wanted to step out into the sunshine. Threw Brown under the bus after the guy won him the championship because he wanted the glory for himself. Bush league. Making Brown the bad guy so Dumars could maintain his own sweat image was cowardly and unforgiveably manipulative. The press, except for a few guys, this guy from Baltimore in particular, are a bunch of idiots, and bought the whole schtick. An easy story to write, and write, and write again. The character flaws of a great coach who had done a great job. Schlock journalism at its worst.

My guess, he treated BK like a chump on this Delk thing even after BK had handed Dumars the key ingredient to his championship. That’s the American way, I guess, but he ticks me off. With Steinbrenner, you know you are dealing with a shark. Dumars makes believe he is something that he’s not, and will cut the legs out from anyone. Personally, I got no use for guys like that.

By doc

May 18, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

honest abe, you have a wonderful edge to you. stick around here and you may find the edge gets polished. it was an invitation, dude, it is your choice, no one elses.

flash, whatever but to go back for more surgery after hip surgery for urinary issues strikes me as more than just discomfort especially since it continued through this season. rarely have i heard of such a thing a routine after hip surgery unless his benigh prostate hypertrophy began to act up secondary to the aneshtetics given during sugery.

i dont know how some of the rumors of fleeing to the cavs etc. couldnt have been considered non distractions for the pistons last year, nor considered beneficial as they were the favs to get their second in a row. i dont think dumars made him do that flash or was the press making that up as well?

By doc

May 18, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this

flash, i strongly agree that dumars hasnt done much for his brother bk. no one except your friend the big b has made bk look more the chump than dumars.

By Kappy

May 18, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

Malone interesting point about the first pick. none of us here have even mentioned the possibility. not that david stern would ever allow atlanta to get the top pick.

but who would we take?? the same guys we have mentioned????

By Clyde

May 18, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

I issued this challenge before and now I will issue it again. If you think Billy should keep his job, give me ten accomplishments he has made since becoming GM. If you can’t stop sticking up for him. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By doc

May 18, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this

clyde, when you share your ten best accomplishments in your job over the last two and a half years then maybe we might play along. better yet maybe expand it to your lifetime then we might become serious about your gauntlet. btw, there are few here that feel that undeniably bk is the best gm around so you may be speaking to the choir so to speak, so chill. i just dont feel a steady stream of your bilious approach is a healthy way to take on life or anyone period. compassion a part of your life? no one is all bad or good, give it up man until you want to stand up and let us scrutinize your life or decisions without perspective. lets get some love going before the balls drop.

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this

Doc,

Look, Dumars was contacted by the Cavs and gave permission for them to contact LB which they did. If Dumars says no, no discussion. Dumars says yes and Brown agrees to hear what they have to say because it’s obvious Dumars wants him out and why not hear what they have to say. If Dumars thought that such discussion would have in anyway hurt chances for championship, why’d he say yes? Putting this on LB is not just wrong it, with all due respect, is stupid, and the press bought it like a cheap suit.

As for you boy BK, he sold his sole for job security, you yourself have admitted it is so, you know, 70% more than 30%. I have always believed that this entire trade thing, and not going along with Belkin’s compromise, was contrived. In any case, BK behaved like a complete boar or worse in public. Belkin did nothing to deserve any of that. He always acted with dignity and treated BK with respect. Not agreeing with the ridiculous deal he wanted to make was not disrespecting him. If so, than where has been BK’s outcry at management’s obvious unwillingness to make any moves this season. You can’t honestly believe that crap that Leveson told Ando about giving BK a free hand. Or did you?

Belkin is as honorable and decent guy as you will meet, and has always had the best and longterm interests of this team at heart. If Leveson and Gearon had not been set on a palace coop, and did not do some incredibly stupid things in order to try to pull it off, this team and BK, under Belkin’s wise stewardship, would be in the catbird seat in the next two years. BK lied down with wolves, my friend, and that never ever works. Sold his integrity and soul, stupidly, if you ask me.

By A Thinking Fan

May 19, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

Phx misses a “STUD” name “JJ!” They (Phx) are way to soft of a team for the payoffs!

By Steve B.

May 19, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this

One question FLASH if we didn’t pull the J.J. trade would we be better or worse? I understand you like Diaw but could you have honestly predicted this break out season or would he ever brake out in Atl? Ok it was 3 questions.

By A Thinking Fan

May 19, 2006 06:31 AM | Link to this

Tell the NBA Commish & their marketing machine they blew-it!!! The BUZZ in the payoffs is not coming from their anointed MVP, but from the People’s Choice, Lebron James!!! It is BUZZ that sells, not white, black, brown, yellow, red, etc.

Nash: “Most Valuable Promoter” to the nba (Not Black Anymore) Lebron James: The People’s Choice, and legitimate MVP (“Most Valuable Player”) of the NBA (No Babies Allowed), especially in the payoffs.

By doc

May 19, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this

flash. what compromise do you speak? bk wasnt my guy if he didnt do anything to upgrade the team this year but what he does now cant be truly evaluated for two years. just willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as some things have been for the better as far as drafts, no one has done it worse than the hawks over the past 20 years so admittedly the bar is low.

it has been great to see elton brand play ball the last few days. can you believe the nba keeps such guys a secret and doesnt at least run them out for everyone to see a few times during the regular season. someone is missing out on what the fan wants to see thinking that they only buy into their star system.

somehow i see curry being the brand type but hasnt quite caught on to what he can become. curry is a tremendous talent and only hope he is spending some time watching how a big guy can make the game come to him which brand seems to do at both ends. it would be fun to see him become that imposing figure and leave the bulls fans wondering how they let not one but two of these guys get away in the last decade.

bk on the 680 today, will be interesting.

By Clyde

May 19, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

Doc, My point is this. I can name 10 mistakes Billy has made but I can’t give you ten accomplishments. FIRE BILLY ND WOODY

By Astro Joe

May 19, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this

Okay, so someone, anyone, explain to me why anyone would hire Larry Borwn as a coach? He was fired from Detroit for being disloyal during their quest for a second title. His huge ego became a distraction at the worse possible time. Owner canned him. He moves to NYC, gets a talented albeit dysfunctional roster, and proceeds to diminish the value of virtually every player by running his mouth non-stop to the media. Even if the owner/GM wants to make a bunch of moves, the return will likely be below market value because Brown AGAIN put his own objectives ahead of the team. So again, I ask why would anyone pay a premium to hire this guy? I know that I certainly don’t want such a “me-first” head coach teaching my younger players how to sacrifice individual goals for team success. I think he got lucky in Detroit. Dumars put together a real-life Bad New Bears basketball team, a bunch of misfits. And when the team got bigger than Brown, Brown flirted with another team, during the freakin’ playoffs. Who would hire this guy?

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this

Steve B: question 1, I think this team would definitely be better off if the trade hadn’t been made on the terms that it was, and that, if the trade hadn’t gone through, this team by end of next year could well have been better off. I would not have gone as far as Belkin was willing to get this deal done. I can see the 70mil, sort of, but given what everyone is now saying about finances (nobody believes Leveson on this point do they?), I think that the more prvident move might have been to wait to spend big money on free agents until the buiding through the draft went deeper. Obviously, Belkin did not agree. He trusted his GM and was willing to pay big for the guy.

As for Diaw, I think that it was a coaching thing, a style of play thing, and that keeping woody and him would not have made sense. Whether they got rid of the right guy, well I’ve made my reservations about Woody known.

The last, if BK didn’t know Diaw’s potential to Phoenix, he is in the wrong business.

By doc

May 19, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this

clyde, tell me about your top ten mistakes then. it can go either way; it can be the job, market, life choices, relationships, whatever. please dont say you cant remember or dont have any. you dont live under a microscope that we all enjoy using daily on the blog.

also, i might add and stress what were your mistakes today or thought of today as mistakes may not be tomorrow or next year. thta is my point. sadly, it can also prove that way for what you think were your greatest accomplishments. dont be so sure that you know now what is going to happen in the future for yourself, much less for someone else.

who knows clyde, you might have to say one day KEEP BILLY AND WOODY or be laughed out of town.

nothing controversial or insulting on 680 from bk today. feel it was a very protected p r situation and one they should posssibly pursue on a regular basis to coach him a bit in media management, as important as clock management.

By honest abe

May 19, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

i don’t agree with some of the things coach brown has done in the past…but his track record speaks for itself…one of the best coaches in basketball (not only NBA) history….although his ego has gotten out of hand… i can’t think of too many great coaches in sports in general who aren’t conceited… in fact i think just about every nba team would take a chance to hire the guy…

when people rag on bk which is pretty much the popular thing to do around here…..one of the bigger gafs people point to is the JT trade… the only problem is, JT had a different role on this team…he was our number 1 option and he just isn’t good enough for that…on dallas he has been successful, because he is just one of many good scorers… all his weaknesses are masked because he plays on a good team…he is not a true point guard, he can’t lead a team..he doesn’t play very good defense…solid, but the hawks weren’t goign anywhere with him…traded him and hendu’s outrageous expiring contract for walker who was in the final year of his contract and delk……way i look at it is we freed up money to get a much more valuable piece in jj… i actually like bk, maybe it’s because i grew up watching babcock wheeling and dealing…and bk looks like a basketball god compared to our ol friend petie

By Steve B.

May 19, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Come on FLASH you have admitt theirs a lot of if’s in that. I feel you on your love for Diaw but I just can’t agree that we would be in a better spot than we are now. Adding the right 2 or 3 mid-level players gets us in the play offs next year if we didn’t do the JJ trade I think we would still be needing a major player to make that a reality. With Belkin I really think his good PR showing and the hand shake thing was a result that at the time he was winning his battle. I’ll even say if BK and the Owners had won that court battle you would have seen BK with a smirk on his face tring to shake Belkins hand. Lets be honest guys we all saw the photo do any of think Belkin was sincear or do you think he was gloating.

By Astro Joe

May 19, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

Dcotor, I heard the first segment when they asked a bunch of questions about the NBA playoffs and then allowed a caller to ask a specific questions about the Hawks before the hosts could seque into the local team. I am very frustrated by the lack of basketball knowlegde/discussion on our 2 sports radio stations. I recognize that this is a football market, but there is really no place for b-ball banter (other than this blog and a few others). Personaly, I don’t care what BK thinks about LeBron vs. MJ. And I know that he can’t discuss free agents and he won’t discuss specific draft picks. But there are so many better questions to ask other than “what did you think of the JT suspension?” As the Hawks radio station, 790 has really dropped the ball. Its almost like they don’t want anything to do with the team. I would have thought they would do at least a one-hour weekly Hawks Show with 3D of Steve Smith or Sekou with Hometeam hosting the show. Nothing, just Dominique talking about how he was one of the 25 greatest players. Sekou, you need to start lobbying for a “radio blog”.

By doc

May 19, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

joe dont know if you agree, it was what i call soft toss. even rude was jumping in to model what bk could or should be saying. it appeared to be meant to defuse some of the bradley repercussion and that article was alluded to during the interview. to bk’s credit he wasnt defensive about it (or some of the questions asked) but did say that there was a lot more said than was allowed by bradley.

bk isnt too articulate and he needs more of these opportunites like today to get his points across and the hawks need more p r exposure. with todays communications networking world wide one cant hide behind, i spend a lot of time on the road so i cant be available. hopefully, they will do this more often than once a year.

By Steve B

May 19, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

Steve B. I can understand your cynicism about Belkin. We live in a cynical world. But, I know the man for a long long time and he has a long long track record which you can track. You are as wrong as rain in your cynicism.

You also misread me about Diaw. I do think he is a terrific player whose style bespeaks a feel for the momentum of play and creativity in relation to it is what really turns me on. That said, I got no brief with having traded him.

You really continue with this blind spoke about Phoenix’s need for a big. Diaw helped fill that. Johnson did not. If they spent 70mil on JJ, they throw away any chance of getting the big they desperately need to really solidify their chance to win it all. That was and is obvious. No way that they would have signed JJ. NONE!!!!

Belkin is no cynic, is not duplicitous, and has core values that would blow anyone away. And, oh yes, he absolutely walks the talk. Absolutely. And, Belkin knows this sport, is a true visionary, was committed to BK as his GM (as far as I know and I had “recommended” others), and wanted nothing more for this team but to build a franchise that would have in all respects been the flagship of the NBA. I happen to think that he was on the way to doing it. The people writing otherwise and saying all this nonsense only pass as journalists; they are tabloid writers who are dupes for a good story. Sorry Steve, you have been badly misled about this ownership thing from day one.

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

Astro, you need to put your thinking cap on. Dumars told Cleveland they could talk to Brown. If not, no conversation. Why didn’t Dumars tell Cleveland to wait until the end of the season? You blame Brown for reading that as saying, “Hey Larry, the door is over there?”

Why was Flipper still around when this thing with Cleveland occurred? Why hadn’t he taken one of the miriad other jobs that were available? What impact did the “flirting”, as you call it, have on that team? None. And, those guys on that team knew that Brown was laying it on the line in circumstances that were heroic for them to have their chance. They knew that. It was inspiring beyond any story you probably could hear of in sports. ANY.

I’d bet no other coach would have done for his team what Brown did. None.

Now, when he was out, they couldn’t beat a rug. I mean they were terrible. He comes back, under extremus, and they are the best team in the game (come on, they should have beat San Antonio and really did).

BTW, to set the record straight, while Brown has moved around alot, when was the last time before Detroit that he left after just two years. Try never. And, when was the last time when he left with a team that still had championships left in them? Same. Dumars wanted him out to prove your point; they he, not Brown, is responsible for the championships. A risky move taken SOLELY because of Dumars’ ego.

Brown has been recognized as a great coach because he is. And, Brown had players like Sheed and big Ben functioning in ways no one would have dreamed possible. He gave Billips an understanding of how to lead a team, etc.

So, peple will hire Brown because he is a terrific coach who is courageous and single minded in helping individuals and a team reach their potential.

Come on, Zeke hires the man to coach, Starberry acts out, what does Larry have in his arsenal to bring the guy under control. Call him out; put his reputation up against Starberry’s. Zeke had to back his coach 100 percent on that. He had to do a T.O. if that is what it took. Zeke can’t let someone else be the star. Just ask Dantley. Or better yet, ask your boy Dumars. They’ll tell you.

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

there is a posting above that is attributed to Steve B and that begins by addressing him. That was me, not Steve B.

A few last comments about LB. Astro, you question why anyone would want to hire him but every team that he’s left has been better off then when he arrived. The paradym of building a dynasty, staying in one place and having a building named after you, is not necessarily the only paradym that is honorable. It certainly is not necessarily the paradym that would permit an individual like LB, who by all admission is a terrific facilator of individual’s and teams improving their basketball IQs, to make the best use of his talents. People burn when they get close to the flame; LB has had the ability to function close to the flame and explore and understand things about the game that few achieve. He can take that heat. He brings players along much closer to the flame than they could ever imagine. Sometimes people can’t hang with the heat of it. It is the same in any field of endeavor.

It is possible, as doc suggests, that Brown should call it a career, and coach high school or start a basketball academy or something. Who knows. All I can say is that I trust the man, with advice and counsel of his family (and that includes Joe), to make that decision for himself.

finally, Asto, many people are in the bag for Dumars and insist on making him a complete Saint. I see him as a tough, talented, ego driven executive, who is ruthless in pursuit of his own goals. You know, a regular American hero. But, he ain’t no saint. You and my boy T’s friend, Wilbon, ought to take him off that pedestal before he falls like his buddy Zeke!

By honest abe

May 19, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

a belkin supporter..???? i think i’m getting nauseous… damn them all flash…hopefully belkin wins the battle with the other owners takes control of the hawks and then signs a team full of likes of etan thomas ……heh

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

Now that was good Abraham; funny even. Didn’t know you had that kind of timing.

I do hope that some of my perspectives might be of value to you and others in assessing some of these issues. I know I’ve changed some of my views based upon some of what I’ve heard here.

By Astro Joe

May 19, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

The question is not why would someone hire LB 10 years ago, or even 2 years ago. I’m talking about NOW! Yeah, historical performance is interesting. Its nice that he has had tremendous success. But do you really think that potential free agents would want to play for this guy? Who wants to have their boss take complaints public? Who wants to have a boss preach “play the right way” when you are not doing so as an administrator? Dumars gave Cleveland permission, but did he mandate LB to start discussions during the playoffs? Did he tell him to be appear to have one foot out of the door during the playoffs? If Dumars did set up LB to appear to have a wandering eye, then LB fell into the trap. One has to wonder why he thought that trick would even work on Larry? I recognize his past achievement. That’s not my point. I’m talking about his ability to do everything that a successful coach in 2006 needs to do to build a winning team. How can anyone look at his most recent issues and believe this guy can be worth $8M-10M? Heck, give me Avery Johnson all day long!

By Basketball Princess

May 19, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

I used to work at 680 on the “Guys Night Out Show” and we had Herb Brown on Every Week, and one thing that I noticed is that he beleived in what was going on behind the scenes and had alot of faith in the mission. All he kept saying during that 13 win season was, it will get better. He did say that Woody had a lot a Head Coach learning curves to go through. Dare I say maybe they know what their doing? NOT! I won’t say anythig. I look forward to how this mystery will play out. got my popcorn and my slurpy ready.

By honest abe

May 19, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

question……i know we have way too many players that 6’8, 6’9….but lets say adam morrison is still available when the hawks pick……anyone interested in picking him up? i think he’s the real deal! i know we have so many other needs but i think he has potential to be great…

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

by the way abe, no chance that Belkin was “gloating,” none. Period. Exclamation point. First, that is not him. Second, that is completely incompatible with anything he has written to me about any of this. Third, and from your point of view I would presume is most important, HE HAD NOTHING TO GLOAT ABOUT, AS IN COMPLETELY NOTHING!!! Hello, honest man, the guy was being ousted by his “partners” who were insisting that an agreement that they had just signed making him the general somethingorother meant absolutely nothing. Was a titular position, with no ability to lead at all. However the then current legal battle worked out it certainly did not look like his long dream of being able to lead an NBA franchise had any vitality to it in Atlanta.

Belkin was an athlete and competitor all his life. The abc in every competition is that you honor your competitor, respect him, or the competition is diminished. Belkin was not about to diminish himself or the team he had worked so hard to build by behaving like a bore. Not in a million years. BK, on the other hand, had already sold and sullied himself—as doc put it, 70 percent was larger than 30 percent; I believe that his refusal to shake belkin’s hand came from BK’s own understandable sense of shame.

I have been in many legal battles with many formidable lawyers. There have been a few occasions when some high priced lawyer who just had gotten a beat down would leave in a huff without shaking hands. Always viewed them like Detroit led by Zeke walking off the court before the clock ran down on their first series defeat at the hands of Chicago.

By honest abe

May 19, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

hahah whoa buddy i never said anything about gloating what in the world are you talking about right now? i just don’t like the guy…based on what i’ve read..of course i don’t know him personally like you do…but hey i just go on the information i have available…

By Steve B

May 19, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

Flash the point you made about knowing Belkin makes you an unreliable source. It sounds a lot like your taking up for a freind. Don’t get me wrong I’m not one of those guys that believes every thing he reads. But with so many diffrent sources saying the same thing about the guy (not in the Hawks organization) I’m inclined to believe them over one of the guys freinds. The thing is I realy don’t care how Phx dose or how well Diaw plays in Phx he’s not a legit big man and he’s not a star. I care about how Joe plays in Atl and how far he can carry us. Diaw wasn’t going to carry us anywhere. We can both agree that the true cost of this trade lies in where those draft picks fall. The Lakers pick isn’t a big deal, if we make the playoffs next year our pick won’t be a big deal. If we don’t and wind up between 4 and 10 you made your point and where correct that we over paid.

By Astro Joe

May 19, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

Basketball Princess, that’s what I’m talking about. Unfortunately, I didn’t listen back then, I wish I had. 680 did a great job with the Thrashers this past season. I know that they were in the playoff hunt, but you really got the snese that the whole station was interested in promoting their investment in the Thrashers. The Zone, seems disinterested in the Hawks. Its almost as if the deal was so bad that they decided to work against it. Dennis Scott has a ton of personality and would be very good on a weekly radio show.

By steve belkien is misunderstood

May 19, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Stve belkien will NOT be a bad owner if he gets the team. Everyone is scared that hell sell all the team and not care about winning. Im not for him getting the team but people are automatically sayin we are done as a franchise if we get him. HE didnt have a problem with the contract that we gave JJ. He thought we were giving up too much. I dont agree with him cuz JJ is a stud and worth everythig we gave up. So the money wont be a problem with him hopefully.

GET BRANDON ROY

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

Astro man, I’m beginning to understand ando’s frustrations. I did not say that Dumars set Brown up. I said that, by giving Cleveland permission to talk to LB before the playoffs ended, he was telling LB to leave. Why not talk? You really think that professional athletes would be adversely affected by such an act? Please. More importantly, do you think anyone on Detroit was? Really? They played terrific basketball. Without LB, they couldn’t get arrested.

I’m gonna say it once again, and I’m not going to give any details, but LB laid it on the line for that team and those guys leading up to and during the playoffs under extreme circumstances. The kind of things that they give big time medals for in the Army. Those guys knew that. If they weren’t inspired by their coach’s heroism, they are made of stone. You don’t want to believe me on this, that is your business. I think that I have established some credibility here for forthrightness. I’m telling you, they make movies about stuff like this.

Now, why would anybody want to hire Brown after this? That’s an easy one. When and if the offers start coming, we’ll just have to ask them. Or not. Some people will know, and the rest will never believe it. On the other hand, you might be right; there will be no interest or those who are interested will be disappointed. Want to bet a nickel on that one?

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

Steve, you plays the game and you takes your chances. To me, some of your views are grounded on some pretty inciteful stuff and some on really faulty reasoning and surmise. This thing about Belkin to me falls into the latter. I can assure you I do not take personally your questioning the views of a personal friend of Belkin’s. However, the logic of the situation that I’ve spelled out seems to me to speak for itself. On the other hand, I never took a course in logic.

So, as I have said before, the best that we can do is see how things shake out. I have no better idea about where things currently stand than any of you. My hope is that you and others who share your perspective might might at least find some reason for continued optimism for this young club should things work out in a way that you obviously would prefer not to see.

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

Sorry about that honest man, it was Steve B. who made the “gloating comment.” Are you really two different guys? You sound so much alike, blah, blah, blah. Actually, you do have remarkably similar styles and thoughts and preferences.

By the way, I think Steve B. has already answered your Morrison question, sharing his first hand knowledge of Type 1 diabeties and its implications for playing in the NBA. Steve said no; I’d give a lot of weight to his view.

JJ ain’t carrying anybody anywhere. Talk like that embraces a concept of this team that does it a disservice. Great teams don’t get carried. They are like a gaggle of geese. Geese take turns flying lead so that each carries the load in breaking the air resistence. When one gets tired, another takes over. Maybe a name change is in order, the “Geesemen.” Time for the solitary hunter model to fly away.

By luke

May 19, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this

yall i just read read on espn.com that the allen iverson could be on his way to your atlanta hawks. has anyone else read this or heard anything else. could you emagine

By luke

May 19, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

yall i just read read on espn.com that the allen iverson could be on his way to your atlanta hawks. has anyone else read this or heard anything else. could you emagine

By Steve B.

May 19, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

Flash I am the most extreamly optimistic HAWKS fan. I don’t think there far away at all, In the second half of the season they where in almost every game. I have said countless times this can be a play-off team next season. As far as Belkin go’s he’s your freind not mines but as your freind you feel he’s a great guy but their are tons of others that disagree. You gotta let people have their own oppinion of the guy regardless of how much you like him. And you took my term carry out of contex, every good team plays well but at times their best player carrys the offense. This is what I ment by carry and I have a feeling you already knew that. For example LBJ,Tim Duncan,Wade, and Carter(when he feels like playing)all carry their teams on the offensive end from time to time.

By Steve B.

May 19, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this

As far as the GLOATING thing goes. We all saw the photo call it gloating, smirking,rubbing it in, flexing, stunting, or what ever else you want to call it but you saw the look on Belkins face and it said something without saying anything. I know most of you wanted Billy to shake his hand. It would have been good P R, I don’t know if I agree with him or not on that one but I can respect a man for standing behind his beleifs.

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

Astro, I think Avery has done a masterful job with the Mavs. The way he’s gotten Dirk to change his approach to the game, the energy and cohessiveness they bring to the defensive end, and they are terrifically interesting and exciting to watch on offense. Much of that due to Avery.

Would I take Avery above LB? Maybe. Certainly would if I owned the Mavs. Might well for a lot of other teams. But, what’s the point? If you were going to dump Brown for someone else, or prefer someone else for an opening, I know enough about you to know that you would come out and say it, even if it was going to cost you. Your boy Dumars didn’t, and went through this ridiculous charade and ended up paying in the end anyway.

By the way, that $8-10 million per number that everybody mentions, you think it’s true? That is a lot of money to throw at a coach, any coach. I have trouble believing that anybody would pay anybody that kind of money. I also have trouble understanding why, if that kind of money is truly being paid, the owner hasn’t taken a gun to either LB or Zeke’s head long ago, not to mention starberry’s.

As a general matter, I have no faith in the journalistic ethics of sports writers. In fact, I think that such ethics are no longer in existence. They think it they write it, then they quote eachother like one big ponzi scheme. What drives the engine of sports talk radio and tv are highlights and gossip, that’s the list. The more scandalistic the gossip, the better. Most all these guys are a complete joke.

In the end, all i can say is that, if Brown is making that kind of money, and Zeke and Stephon got away with undermining him the way they have, I’ve GOT to meet the guy who owns that club. What about you Astro man, you hire a guy for those kind of bucks to clean up Dodge City, how long would you have let Starberry and Zeke to keep playing patty cake? That’s what I thought. So this one truly has me mystified.

Hey, I know, maybe this owner has a johnie cakes type thing (ask a friend who watches the Sopranos and saw last sunday’s show) for Zeke and Stephany. Otherwise, I’ve got to meet their lawyers. Truly a world with which I am unfamiliar. Later, my man.

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this

Steve, you need to lighten up some. I was joining your enthusiasm for this club, but jabbing about JJ being a one man show. I do think, however, that he holds it way too long. That I would change. I wish Woody would.

As for reporters, see my recent comments to Astro. Sorry man, where I come from, you do not disrespect someone like that, much less in front of cameras. You just don’t. If that is okay with you, that part of you is not okay with me. It has nothing to do with friends.

Besides these so-called reporters, who exactly says these things about Belkin? We went around the block about Larry Bird. You don’t think he knows Belkin? You don’t think he trusts him and with good reason. You argued about that in the most ridiculous terms imaginable several months ago. I mean, you were audacious in trying to make the case that Bird did not partner with Belkin for several years on that Charlotte project. Bird did not bail out on Belkin, the league pulled the rug out from under them. And ML Carr. He was in on that deal for as long as Bird. Hello, both have known Belkin well for years!!!

Now, please tell me who are these people who claim to know Belkin and who claim to know how he operates who have a different view of the guy. Please identify them. And, don’t mention some schlock journalist who is in the bag for gearon because gearon gives them access. Please, name me some people that count.

Check out Belkin and the organizations that he supports. Cornell University Trustee, major supporter of the Hoffman Process (doc, that one should interest you), supporter of reading programs in a big time way, etc. Oh, all those organizations have been brought by Belkin? Like Cornell doesn’t have a gizzillion millionaires giving to it. Please, Steven, make some sense. At least, stop the crap about Belkin. You are entitled to your opinion that he is bad for the team and a terrible guy. But, do not claim to have anything like credible sources for your ridiculous views other than schlock journalists.

I have to tell you, it does not matter one whit whether you or I or Ando or Sekou like or respect the guy or not. That will not change the outcome of this case. And, that outcome will determine whether Belkin owns this club or not. And, if he does, he does. You can turn in your tickets. My suggestion, knowing your passion for this team and your knowledge of the sport, my true suggestion, is don’t do anything precipitously. The seats might be worth a lot more than you think if lightning should strike. Believe it or not, I really could care less.

By HB Ando

May 19, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this

My man Flash is on a roll. To be perfectly honest, until things boiled to a head, with regards to the ownership split, I, and most other basketball fans in Atlanta (if you want to be truthful) had any concept of the issues that were percolating. I have to acknowledge that I can’t pick a villian in the disagreement. All I know is that I am of the opinion that the Hawks overpaid for Johnson, and that the transaction seems to have been a pivotal point in the divorce of what seems to be too many chiefs and not enough indians.

So as to not have the same conversation for the nth time, I submit the following question: Can any of us say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this franchise would be better off under the guidance and ownership of the residual Atlanta Spirit group, versus Belkin? My answer would be no. Not to say better, not to say worse. But, what I can say is that if the issue lingers for too much longer, the loser will be the fans of the organization, as at some point the issue will bear itself out in a lack of funding or action on the part of the front office (as I’ve said before, under the guise of rebuilding).

I think Mark Cuban as sufficient funds to own two teams in the NBA. And though I know it’s not plausible, does anyone else feel me when I say, “Hey Mark, want another team?”

The balls drop (ping pong balls, not Abe’s) on May 24th. This blog gets interesting again when we find out where we stand (pick).

By The Flash

May 19, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this

Ando man, I will deny it if you tell anyone, but if the boys will pay my boy what they owe him and be quick about it, nope I can’t quite say it. But I sure as heck understand the sentiment.

I am on a roll today, ain’t I. I was supposed to have a trip to SF to argue a case but at the last minute they said in effect that I won and that they don’t need to hear from me. So, I’m reved and ticked. I got two of my main, main boyz from college in that town and was looking forward to hitting the little white ball around and hanging and eatin. Going to court is as close as I get to THE COURT kind of feeling these days, and it does not happen nearly enough. Maybe I’ll get my kid to play some real soft one on one. He’ll say something nice I expect, like, er dad, maybe we should have the emergency unit number on hand. Later, Ando man, liken your perspectives, as always.

By Steve B.

May 20, 2006 02:36 AM | Link to this

Flash get real your trying to undermine me and it won’t work. I stated over and over again the deal Bird backed out on was the Celtics deal not th Bobcats deal and you know that. I even gave you proof where to find it. 2nd I said point blank I don’t know if I agree on BK not shaking Belkins hand but I do respect a man that stands up for what he belives in. No matter how close you and Belkin are you nor I know what exactly happened behind closed doors. As far aw where you come from that’s up to you but where I come from when you make a stand you make a stand and that part of BK I will respect. Dude I will and have taken it easy but don’t put words in my mouth to try and prove your point.

By A Thinking Fan

May 20, 2006 06:40 AM | Link to this

Flash next time you want to post a motion, please go file it in court. Your briefs are killing us dude…

By The Flash

May 20, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

My man, Thinking Man, now that was funny! Been missing you, dude, and then you ride in like Zorro!

By tb

May 20, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

Hey Flash,

Thanks for the towel under the neck thing. It’s priceless. Combined with some other physical therapy I’m feeling the years sliding off. Too zen to argue, even with Ando.

Still lookking for Bargnani and another athletic big in the draft and maybe a PG for Al.

Still think that these additions and the continued development of our current group will lead us to a consistent playoff level; at least.

By A Thinking Fan

May 20, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Flash I get-up on my soapbox every now and then to give ‘em hell! So I’m still here. Just waiting like everyone else to see the pingpong balls fly.

By Samuel

May 20, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this

Cuz,

Like your WNBA preview except you left out my Indiana Fever. They picked up Tamika (The Enforcer) Whitmore and Charlotte Smith. Look for my girl Tan White to have a big time year in her second season. I actually had the pleasure of coaching Tan briefly during her early AAU years at Carver gym. The only female I’ve ever seen completely dominate boys at 12 years old. Two girls from my home town of Tupelo. Who wooda thunk it.

I’ve been away for a while. 5 more school days and counting. Yall pray for me. Barry hit 714 a few minutes ago and these playoffs are “off the chi’zain”.

I missed weighing in on the AI talk. I say if you can get a top 10 caliber player you get him. Give up anybody but JJ and we are in the playoffs. Remember people were saying that about Artest but look where he put the Kings. That was “WEAK” as hell how they did Adleman.

On my boy LB. I’m not sure what to think about that situation. As much as I like Brown as a coach. You gotta think that something has to give.

Right now it’s a toss up on who’s gonna win the Trophy right now. To be honest with you the Heat and Riley are sitting pretty right now.

By St. Bernard

May 20, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

Wanted to drop in and drop another name in case we drop down in the lottery or trade down. How do you guys like Ronnie Brewer from Arkansas? Since Ando is pushing for a combo guard to team with JJ, why not draft a combo that likes to pass more than score and also is from the same university. We would have an all Arkansas backcourt. Brewer, JJ, Marvin, Smith, and a Big. MAN, we would be a tall, athletic team! Sign someone like Nene, Gooden or Magloire and we’d be tough to stick with, especially if we finally started playing some tougher D.

Mardy Collins is also a big PG if we’re just going for the tall idea. 6’6”, fundamental and a defensive warrior.

By Mel

May 20, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

I saw Brewer play against Uconn, he reminds me alot of JJ. Same college and he is 6’7 who can really run the offense create for himself and others. I like his game but I think that if we go combo in the draft it should be Foye

By Adam

May 21, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

That espn story about AI also mentions that Billy Knight is considering taking another 6’8” guy in the draft. Is that even possible? I think that would make him the Matt Millen of basketball, not to mention my least favorite person who doesn’t call himself a politician. How can that man possibly not understand the importance of a point guard? How? Where are all the grown ups?

If the Hawks can deal Harrington and Childress for Iverson I would be behind it - if only to create more star power and get Marvin more minutes. But dealing the first round pick might be problematic because the Hawks will probably lose next year’s first rounder to the Suns. (I think) Whatever. The tears on my Philly friends’ faces would be enough solace.

By St. Bernard

May 21, 2006 01:22 AM | Link to this

Adam, I’m not going to tell you to go back and read the last 7 months of blogs, but at least read all of this one. You must have missed that someone else brought that up and everyone jumped on them because they were talking about something that was a month old. Or you might try reading all of the articles in the Hawks section.

On a brighter note, THANK YOU SEKOU, great article on Williams. Question is where did you meet up with him. Does he have a workout date with the Hawks? Am I missing something?

By klaimax

May 21, 2006 06:02 AM | Link to this

When i read this on sportsline it really p** me off

The plan was for 2002 second-round draft pick David Andersen to finally join the Hawks this fall in training camp. But a broken leg cost him the second half of his season in Russia and could delay his arrival to training camp by another year.

When will we get a break

By doc

May 21, 2006 07:10 AM | Link to this

thanks for the update on the man a few say is our guy, sekou.

since he only said houston, boston and minnesota it doesnt look like the hawks are going to spend time with him. are they doing any evaluations before the predraft workpouts in orlando? from the 680 interview bk didnt indicate they would as he said the next thing coming up of value was the orlando workout. didnt now if bk was unable to say more or maybe that is all there was coming up. any ideas on action before the predraft? cant remember what they did last year.

a lot of folks have said we need to take a chnce on jay williams. were you able to get any ideas about his condition from marcus williams?

By Native Son

May 21, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this

No one,is listening to B.Knight.He’s looking for versatile(and I quote”BASKETBALL PLAYERS”.

By Big Atlanta Dude

May 21, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

Yo native good call,probably to deep 4 deez wanna be analyst

By St. Bernard

May 21, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

Here’s just a thought: Everybody in the world knows Williams is the best pg in the draft, do we really need to work him out? Maybe that’s BK’s “brilliant” plan of trying to make people think we want another 6’8” sf. The more I think about this draft thing the more I realize, that we can definately get a big guy or a pg with the first pick.

By St. Bernard

May 21, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

Hey, here’s a website on our long lost savior at pg. I bet most of you guys forgot about the steal of last seasons draft. I can’t figure out if the site is really under construction or if BK just set it up to make us think Cenk is a real person! http://www.cenkakyol.net/

By St. Bernard

May 21, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this

One more morning thought, checked in on David Anderson. His team did win the Euroleague Final Four, but apparently he didn’t participate. I say, four years is long enough to develop someone overseas. If he’s worth having, he’s worth bringing in and training ourselves.

By clyde

May 21, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

Is it safe to say drafting David Anderson was a mistake made by Billy Knight? If the man ain’t played in the US in 4 years he ain’t coming. Another wasted draft pick by Billy.

What about that dude from Turkey we drafted last year. Will he even make it to training camp? Will he at least play this year in the summer league? With the all the people we got at guard he ain’t never gonna make it to Atlanta. Another wasted draft pick by Billy. We can’t build a championship franchise like that. FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Ben

May 21, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

Curious about David Andersen in Russia. Question came up in a blog about whether we can offer him more than what he is making over there, given that he was in the second round. The Hawks never signed him? Any speculation about what will happen with him?

By Mel

May 22, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

I hope it doesnt take that long but wasnt Elgin Baylor the laughing stock of all GMs for a while, now he’s the Exec of the Year. Maybe one day BK will make us proud. I actually dont want the Hawks in the top 3. All the players projected by most mocks dont really catch my attention, I dont see them being much help. If not Williams, the combo guard possibility that everyone brings up is really intriguing. Roy can play D, between him JJ and Josh we dont really need Roy to be the “point”. Thats my pick unless we are top 3 and or sign a FA point.

By Mel

May 22, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this

I also like Lowry from ‘nova. I know he’s projected pretty late but I love his game. Look what Draftexpress said about some workouts http://draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1302

By doc

May 22, 2006 07:23 AM | Link to this

mel, i have discussed the elgin thing as well but it was from the perspective of what a change in ownership attitude or objective can do for a man’s “capabilities”. gm’s like anyone else in the workforce ultimately do the job that management wants them to do or assigns them to do as to keep the job we sometimes have to sell our souls, as flash points out, either that or dont feed the family. (an aside, flash it is one of the spiritual crises that leads to the dark night of the soul spiritually , you have probably even had to argue untruths to win the case a similar bind.) the clips were cash strapped for many years so elgin drafted well and couldnt keep anyone. he also did his job well enough to keep his job in spite of everyone caliing him incompetent. that was the first notion of what management true intention was. when the team moved to the same arena as the lakers it’s income went up, they could get a coach with experience to come there and that let elgin do the rest of his job. i for one think bk could easily be boxed into such a situation. it is also a reason why i dont think anyone in the hawks organization will stand up and say they want to do less and allow just that…just bad pr.fate is sometime cruel.

flash, please note, stayed out of the fray this week over one of the topics, wont even mention the one. got a chuckle this morning as i scrolled down and saw the comment from you …. steve you got to lighten up…. man if that isnt a little projection or the pot calling the kettle black..love ya, mean it. couldnt resist the light jab and hope you take it with the affection by which it was sent. :-)

also read up on the hoffman thing, thanks.

sam, we dodged the bullet with the pistons or ando would have heaped it on and sent us the fed ex mantel. now it is us against him as he went way out there and said heat over the pistons as he picked the heat for the whole thing, i think or at least to take the east. hopefully, both bring their a games and everyone is healthy.

By Kappy

May 22, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

I was just looking at this draft express website. It has us picking Marcus Williams at 4. ESPN has us picking Brandon Roy at 4. I love either so im happy.

Something that caught my eye, was the depth in the post throughout the second round. The Hawks should consider obtaining another 2nd round pick. i know theyre usually useless, but our frontcourt depth could really use the help. Consider these names: Marco Killingsworth, Brad Buckman, Ryan Hollins, Matt Haryasz, and Nick Fazekas. All of these players had outstanding college careers, and would really help the Hawks frontcourt. I think Buckman will help a team with loose balls, effort, etc. Every team needs one of these guys. We could plug him at either the 4 or 5 and watch him play some defense in the post.

Anyway, im fired up for the hawks offseason. Can you guys say PING PONG BALLS!!!!!!!!! Tuesday night at 7:30! Ive got my fingers crossed. I want either pick 1 or picks 4-5. i dont want 2 or 3 because we’ll pick aldridge and im against that.

By honest abe

May 22, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

killingsworth is a poor mans alan henderson….misses way too many layups! buckman is sorry version of michael doleac…can shoot the ball..but he tends to dissappear for long periods of time throughout the game..i’d love to get hollins a little thin but unbelievable athletiscm …fazekas reminds me a little of troy murphy…if he’s in the second round we should definitely snag him!

anybody see the reaction to jeff schultz’s article?? i’m not overly excited about AI coming to atl either…but whoaaa i didnt’ expect people to hate him so much!!

clips vs mavs… would be so much more entertaining than either clips/suns and san anton!!!!!!!

By Kappy

May 22, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

ABE i agree, killingsworth is similar to alan henderson. but i want the hawks to take killingsworth late in the 2nd round, not in the top 15, like they picked alan henderson in.

By honest abe

May 22, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

kappy no problem…just sharing my insights on those players…wouldn’t mind any of those guys in the 2nd round