Hawks

By honest_abe

April 24, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

take the pg! conley has much more upside than noah. i think we’ve seen the best of joakim and it wasn’t that spectacular. he dominated an ncaa run in one of the weakest college bball season i have ever remembered. (just check out last years draft)

if you go to draft express they have the hawks selecting spencer hawes. can anyone give me a rundown on his game? i have never seen him play.

as for thaddeus young. i think he’ll go back to school.. i know he put his name in but i’m thinkin he’ll withdraw when he finds out he might not even be a first round pick.. he ain’t ready and another year of school would do him a lot of good.

By Anakin Joe

April 24, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

I’ve been debating the greater of the Hawks needs the past few days, legit center or PG. And I think I’ve decided that we should choose “the best center or PG available” (unless Durant is available). I see them ranking like the following for the Hawks:

Oden—-Durant—-Conley—-Hibbert—-Noah—-Law

I’m not drafting Hibbert over Conley, but I am definitely drafting Hibbert over Law. I would hesitate to trade down for fear that I miss out on my guy (Law may be worth the risk as I’m not sold that he will be a better fit than the 37 PGs BK has passed on). But if someone were willing to take on Speedy’s contract, i might have to give that SERIOUS consideration. I definitely could see passing on Brandan Wright, who may be the clear-cut #3 prospect, for Conley. The only other player that temps me is Horford (assuming his lateral quickness is above average by NBA standards).

By the way, the Hawks will have about $10M in expiring deals (Wright, Lue & AJ) plus several million under the cap. So we have the assets to get a lot done in terms of trades (assuming that BK removes his thumb it’s nasty home and the owners have a new sugar daddy to bank-roll the operation).

By mountain_jim

April 24, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Noah is soft as Jello - I would stay way away from him.

By Melvin

April 24, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

Thanks Sekou for incorporating my question into today’s blog. I would love for Hibbert to be available b/c he make the decision a no brainer. However, I agree with you. I think we have to go big with Noah. Our need for help in the paint outweights our glaring need for a pg. I think it would be easier for us to find a comptent pg versus a good big man.

By Gutz

April 24, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

We CANNOT take Noah! He is not going to be a good NBA player because he has no offensive game at all. He might thrive in a PHX Suns system but not with the Hawks. I would take Hibbert easily before Noah. I would even take Hawes before Noah. Noah is just way overhyped. But I agree with Sekou I think we have to take Conley if he is there but we all know BK won’t take a PG. Especially since he thinks we have 3 veteran PG’s for next year and that we probably have more pressing needs in the post. We should take Conley no questions asked but I just don’t see our idiotic GM taking him or a PG period. We shall see!

By Anakin Joe

April 24, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Abe, I’ve never seen Hawes play but some pundits say his upside is second only to Oden (in terms of centers). He supposedly already has better low-post offensive skills then anyone in college, including Oden. But supposedly, his defense is average at best and he is not much of a rebounder. If he projects out to be an Eddie Curry-type, then I would reluntantly choose him ahead of Noah as I agree that Noah may not be much more than he is now. And while I truly believe we need someone more like Mutombo than Curry, I’d take my chances that Hawes come become a serviceable defensive presence. And by the way, if the UCONN project comes out (Thabeet), then I’d choose him over Hawes, because he does appear to be the next Mutombo (but more athletic).

By Melvin

April 24, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

I saw Hawes play a few times and he didn’t look that impressive to me. He’s BIG with some nice post moves. However, he’s not very athletic and seem to dominate his oppoents b/c they were smaller than he was (ala Shelden)…

By mike

April 24, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

No doubt about it take Conely Jr at that pick, However if there’s a chance to move up and get Hiebbert, we gotta get’em. I think lady luck falls our way this draft and we get two picks. Sekou , from what I’m hearing no way Conely last till 11th. Pass on Noah and take Acie Law. Young should go back to Tech. To many guys to compete with in this draft.

By honest_abe

April 24, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

thanks for the insight aj/melvin…

hmmmmmm a big with post moves…sounds oh so enticing. however, if the hawks take him he’ll no doubt be a bust as woody tries to turn him into a bruiser… heh he’ll leave after 3 years and help some othe team in the playoffs.

By JJ

April 24, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

man the hawks betta not get noah. he is 230 pounds. same as solo, but solo is not annoying like him and i enjoy when he is on the court and looks like he is going to be much better in the NBA. and all he does is scream. he was odens b*tch in the championship game. Forget about noah he has peaked already and will not get any better.

By JJ

April 24, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

And shelden needs to look at tape of chuck hayes. He is tearing it up for the rockets. This is what the hawks get for drafting an overhyped duke player. You did not hear anything about hayes in college but the kid has heart and plays hard.

By doc

April 24, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

lets hope the guys making the jump have mature heads that they will listen to instead of a posse that brings out the stuff that gets them run out of the league ala telfair another of the infamous portland group. just think how many were screaming at bk to go get the kid to be out point for the future. sometimes bk will tell you the deals not done were you best.

noah reminds me too much of the guy with the cavs. just dont think he fits the eastern style ball we are trying to play. do like the idea of bringing conley along with the tutelage of three guys at point to run the position by committee, none of those guys can last a season without injury.

ultimately the big has to come from who is established and a free agent if you want to have an impact now. all the ‘bigs” names mentioned have a huge learning curve before they can be impact players. even oden is a few years off.

conley as a point picks up the game quicker because it deals less with the physical part of the game and if he comes along as quickly as most suspect we can get rid of aj and lue after their contracts run out next year. conley is not a showboat, wants to make the other guys better and plays under control right now. he will come along quicker than either guy we have bemoaned not getting two drafts ago and make marvin suddenly appear like the missing link. conley will be better than either, paul or williams simply because he is the better athlete and has just begun to show what he has. the guy jumps through the roof with the pedigree of a father that was an olympian in the hriple jump who could dunk from the foul line two handed in high school and has yet to throw down a dunk. i love to see understatement and reserve at such an important position. he has my vote period and a steal if left at 11. doubt he will be.

By The Flash

April 24, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

I would not take Conely. Too young. The game he plays is a dangerous one. Nope, I would not take him. You want a point, the kid from Virginia Tech is the guy.

Hiebbert really should spend another year in college. If he stays in it, though, and is around, you take him. I don’t think he ever makes up what he could have gotten in another year though, and for that reason, in the end, I think he stays.

I still like the big from Vermont, Collenwhateverhisname is. I’d sign him, draft Horfford, and sign Billips. Oh, I’d still want another shooter. Humphrey in the second.

Washington from VT is a freak; I’d love to have that guy. There are a couple of guys from that Southern Ill. team that have NBA written all over them. Nope, don’t have a clue what their names are.

By vdunkndunk

April 24, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Here’s my take on Connelly vs. Noah: I think we need a great defensive center more than we need a great PG, but between those two players in particular I’d go with Connelly.

Basically, to me Connelly has a chance to be a near top-tier type of PG, whereas I personally believe Noah will be closer to a role player than a star in the pros, and won’t provide the defensive rebounding and post scoring that we need so desparately out of the 5 spot.

By roan st

April 24, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

Honest abe, I will gladly take one of those xanex if you have any left. I just can’t stand to see someone justify billy’s stewardship or leadership of this team. Maybe we do have some pieces that would allow us to play like golden state, but to say we need to give billy some cred because of the way golden state has played of late is ludicrous. Thats what the other guy had explicitly said in his post on the last blog. If you want to defend that statement then go ahead, but if not then don’t call me out anymore.

By jc

April 24, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Do you think that 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 players will help the Hawks they got to get rid of the management first

By mike

April 24, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

I love the kid Conely, but if there’s a way to get Oden or Hiebert you gotta get’em. Mo Williams is out there primed and ready to go, so you can still get a qaulity PG in FA. I’ll hate to pass on Conely, but quality Bigs are to hard to come by. The Laker are going after KG, the Knicks are going after Jermaine Oniel. If you’re the Hawks you gotta do everything possible to try to get Oden of Hiebert. After that I go with Conely or Law. Right now guys while I can dream I want Oden and Conely. We take Oden with 1 and move up from 11th to get Conely.

By honest_abe

April 24, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

xanex for you and point taken.

By doc

April 24, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

telfair seems to be available guys. the celts cut ties to him. anyone want to run and get him though there was a line waiting to criticize bk for not going after him last season?

tough to see a kid go the wrong way with so much to lose. seems from the article a lot of folks were living off the kid. hope he gets it together as he does have some ability and is only 21. geez 21 and has 17 mouths to feed.

By Jay

April 24, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

I say…Point Guard. Golden State is just the latest team to win with a 6-9 center. We could have a three-headed monster there with Shelden, Solo, and Zaza. Hell, we could play Josh Smith there when Knightmare drafts this year’s 6-9 forward (dont pretend it isnt going to happen). Rotate those three at center, and solo and shelden at 4 to give JSmoove a breath and I think we’d be able to get by. If it didnt work, draft a center next year. Plus my other thinking is that even if we did draft a center he wont see the floor too much.

Point guard, though…wow. Lue shoots too much and he’s breaking down. AJ is decent but definately not starting material…his jumper isnt that great and he isnt that fast. Speedy is…well, you know. We draft a point guard, then trade away Lue or AJ (both expiring contracts iirc) to make roster space. Or move one or both of them to grab a center.

We just need help at pg. EVERYONE is grabbing a young pg, and Knightmare has already proven that you cant win if you keep trying to pass bench pg’s as starters. Its just not going to work.

All of this is probably moot.

1.We all know how our picks could easily disappear. 2. No way Noah or Hibbert draft to 11 3…..assuming we even get 11. 4. Conley could easily be taken earlier. Remember he’s the best pg on pg-light draft. 5. Do you REALLY think Knightmare isnt going to draft a 6-9 forward??!? Because if you dont think so, I have some nice beachfront property in Afghanistan to sell you.

By Lacsho

April 24, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

I forgot the writers name for ESPN, but he stated the Hawks could luck up and get Oden and Conley. A lot of kids who declared themselves eligible for the draft are waiting for the draft order. I think that’s why the smart one didn’t take an agent. Once they see the draft order, we’ll see which kids stay in the draft. The lottery order will be the determining factor.

By mavid

April 24, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

conley is the guy to take (good points doc)

Flash, we are actually in a great position to take a young, emerging pg, because we have 3 vets to groom him, share court time, etc. The burden will be lessened, and he’ll be ready for full-time roles a season or two down the line.

In fact, a Conley/Speedy tandem at pg (like CP3 and speedy) would be deadly. Speedy’s game would be maximized too as he’s more suited to play 20-25 minutes a game (as can be seen by his 6th man of the year award backing up CP3). We’d go from having one of the worst pg rotations in the league, to one of the bests.

I say you then keep AJ and regrettably trade T LUE. AJ is big enough to play both guard positons so he can be a spot player at both pg and sg (and his expiring contract can be used in a trade).

I think you trade Lue cause he’ll bring more. Hopefully get him to a contender cause he’s a good guy. Not sure exactly what trade to do here. Definately depends on if we get in the top 3.

Again, the eternal optimist hopes for Oden and Conley. We’d automatically have one of the deepest teams in the league. Conley/Speedy, JJ/Salim, Marvin/Chill, Smoove/Shelly, Oden/Zaza… by far the deepest team

By Lacsho

April 24, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

I have a question. Which guards do we keep if we aquire a legit pt guard. I say we keep Salim and Ivey. We’re going to have to take a L with Speedy, so perhaps we can package him with one of those 6’9” guys to get a decent big man. I think once Solomon gains some wieght he’ll be ok. We can package Shelden, Speedy, and ZaZa to get a legit Center, not power forward, but a real Center.

By Dan

April 24, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

I would take Conley, too. If Hibbert were there, though, I take him. I just do not see Noah being a force in the NBA. Good college player, nothing wrong with that. Just think the NBA is over his head.

Conley would make this team better right away. I would start him. You have Lue and AJ there to back him up and help guide him through the rough spots. I would say Speedy could help too, but that would mean he would have to play and actually do some work. He is not about that do that.

All this talk of getting Conley is getting my hopes up about the draft. Everytime my hopes get up about the Hawks chances in the draft, they get crushed.

Maybe, to keep me in check, we should talk about what the Hawks should do if they do not have any draft picks.

By Wedgie Evans

April 24, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

The decision with the #11 (or #12, or #13) pick is easy. Conley’s a future NBA star. Noah’s one of the most overrated players in the draft. Sounds like a no-brainer to me. Take Conley. It’s different if there’s a true center with upside at the position, but passing up Conley for Noah is nearly as bad as passing up Brandon Roy for Shelden Williams.

If the Hawks get the #2 or #3 pick and Oden’s off the board, the decision’s much tougher. Do you take Durant, even though there are already three players on the roster who play the same position, or do you trade the pick for an established PG or C (say, Jermaine O’Neal)? If you have the #3, how much are you willing to give up to move to #1?

Another thing: I’ve always wondered how these NBA prospects get “bad advice” when they are considering declaring for the draft. If losers like me and you can go to nbadraft.net or read Chad Ford’s blog on espn.com, why can’t these college and high school athletes? If you don’t have the Internet at home, go to the local public library. Is it really that hard for them to find good information?

By roan st

April 24, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

I take conley over hibbert or noah because I think his upside is so much higher. Imagine how we would all feel in a couple years if conley was ballin like chris paul and noah and hibbert were struggling to adjust. If that happens I might just have to tune out the hawks for the rest of the decade. Yes we absolutely need a big man but to pass on another potential star point guard for a mediocre big would be a bad move.

By doc

April 24, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

honored mavid.

yes, speedy has done well at gs only to be displaced with one of the best in davis then did well as a side kick to cp3. feel we will still get our moneys worth from him if he is in the right therapists hands to correct the postural issues he has. unfortunately it sounds like he is in old school hands as the thought is “stregthening the quads” will work, didnt for me 30 years ago and didnt do it for many others with the same problem in their fifties. that will work only if he is in structural allignment which he isnt ….. right flash?

we wil need all three old men pg’s (speedy’s knees qualify him) to get through next season at point sharing duties and covering for each other as they fall to injuries. hold on to lue unless we get something valuable in return.

thinking positive helps, keep it up dude.

By The Flash

April 24, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

How many star point guards who play the game like Conley survive seasons without significant season-ending injuries? The ability to take it to the hole if you are slight and 6 feetish is an injury, a significant one, waiting to happen. AI has been unique in his ability to take the beatings, most importantly the flops, and keep on keeping on.

Nash often will make his initial charge at full tilt, but his finishes are almost always at less than half speed unless he knows that his feet will be under him when he comes down. Ditto for the guy from San Antonio whose name I can never remember and can’t now.

If you guys lovin Conley see that ability to protect his body in his game, then go for it. Otherwise, you want a point who has the critical mass and strength to hold off defenders, and the good sense to really pick his spots for utilizing his speed. They must be shooters, whose penetrations begin with quickness and or speed but who gather and control above all else.

Otherwise you are buying a show that will not last.

I liked Farmar so much because he has the body to play with the big boys (he will fill out more in the next couple of years), an outside game that is more than credible for a point, and controls his attacks to the basket. You rarely see the guy picking himself off the floor after scoring the ball.

The kid from VT has similar qualities. I also am not sure but that So Ill did not produce themselves another Clyde. You want a point who will grow over time, not one who is gonna get himself ground up.

By doc

April 24, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

you were right on about farmar flash but conley’s gene pool is too hard to go against beside si heard he really likes to do pick ups on the soccer pitch which teaches him to stay away from those big boys like nash does. jsut kiddin on the soccer thing but i think you are underselling him. tell me the name of the vt guy so we can listen out for him as he makes his way through the draft and into the next year.

btw, there are some things on the market you might like for the cognitive stuff. check out enada and nutrivene or glucotize; us old codgers have to stick together. campy was the best.

By Beck

April 24, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

Don’t count on Conley to save the day. I still say we take him with #11 if we can but PG is a role you have to develope into. If there is a 5 man available at 11 and we haven’t already filled the hole with a top 3, we have to get the size.

I saw on ESPN’s mock lottery a combination that resulted in the Hawks getting Oden AND Conley. How sweet would that be?

By doc

April 24, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

btw, though i am a suns fan i have put on the rockets hat to be the underdog to carry off the trophy. final of mavs and cavs has a nice ring to it though.

By mavid

April 24, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Also, i trade the pick before i take Noah. Seriously, no need for another overrated college guy who cant play the 5.

Either Conley or a solid 5. Hawes, Hibbert, etc.

What we’ll really have to see is who in front of us needs a pg.

By Lacsho

April 24, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

Well Doc here’s another hat to put on your head. The Denver Nuggets,don’t sleep on them

By Tyger

April 24, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Busy working on the Falcons draft, but will take a minute hear to offer an opinion:

1. Oden
2. Durant
3. Hibbert
4. Conley
5. Law
6. Thabeet
7. Jason Smith
8. Marc Gasol
9. Morris Almond
10. Kyle Visser

Hawks have to solve BIG problem, period end of story. You can find a PG on Peachtree St. any given day.

By doc

April 24, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

just heard that dwayne wade does acupuncture regularly … smart guy.

By Lacsho

April 24, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

Damn picture in picture is great in HD; I have the playoffs on one side and the Miss Hawaiian Tropic on the other, but hold up Miss Hawaiian Tropic just went off, and now Ujena Bikini Jam is on. It’s a swimwear-modeling competition held in Puerto Rico. What can be better? Oh I know I’m sipping on a nice mixed drink. After dealing with the World’s Troubles for the last few years, it can kind of take a toll on a person. One has to thank God for nights like these :-)

By honest_abe

April 24, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

you can find a pg on peachtree st any given day. lol oh really? is that why we’re overstocked at that position and yet we still dont’ have a viable starting nba pg?

who was the dummy that said farmar would be a collosal failure last year? oh ya it was me. still don’t think he’s that great and don’t think he ever will be. it’s all about lowry folks. just keep remembering that name kyle lowry. he’s going to be the next big thing as far as pg’s go.

as the good doc started the playoff talk. i still think the jazz are going to pull back in that series. i’d be surprised if that series didnt’ go 7.

as for the nuggets. i heard today that nene’s ankle felt gimpy today… hope not because he was a major reason why the nuggets won game 1. he was pushing duncan around like his little _ (i’ll let you fill in the blank)! for all those that thought ai and melo wouldn’t work, including myself don’t be too hard on yourselves as it has only been game 1. if they lose game 2 then it might be time to start retracting that statement.

how bout those lakers! lol

i’m thinkin detroit vs dallas… but looks like lebrons cavs got the easiest road in the east… and i don’t want to leave out those suns either who should breeze by those hapless lakers.

By doc

April 24, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

lascho that is the quickest way to adult onset srabismus. one eye going one way the other in an opposite way. best known antidote ALCOHOL. seems you got the program down.

heard it on the street that is what happened to ando as he tried to watch to many pole dances at one time at the pink pony and it has affected his ability to type. what a way to go. young blood …. right a j?

what a surprise to hear rumors that isiah is ready to spend more money. where does that put his faith in curry? does samuel care? now what is an nba cap and just where is the ceiling? … infinity for isiah.

By Mike

April 24, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Guys I’m watching the Bulls and the Heat. All I can say is Ben Gordon, Man when gets into a realm it’s a thing of beauty. Man they’re crushing the Heat. I’d be remised if I didn’t mention that my boy Salim could put it down like Gordon if Woody would give’em the minutes. D Wade just ain’t got it. They need to go with Jay William. Rest Wade for the rest of the season before he damage the shoulder further. They start Jay Williams the whole series turns for Miami. It ain’t looking good for Miami, but no one ever won a series in two games.

By Mike

April 24, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

Guys I’m watching the Bulls and the Heat. All I can say is Ben Gordon, Man when gets into a realm it’s a thing of beauty. Man they’re crushing the Heat. I’d be remised if I didn’t mention that my boy Salim could put it down like Gordon if Woody would give’em the minutes. D Wade just ain’t got it. They need to go with Jay William. Rest Wade for the rest of the season before he damage the shoulder further. They start Jay Williams the whole series turns for Miami. It ain’t looking good for Miami, but no one ever won a series in two games.

By Lacsho

April 24, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Doc, you’re absolutely right. No politics, No drama! What I have here is a sports fans dream: playoff basketball, beautiful models in swim wear, and nice mixed drink alone in the basement.

P.S. Had to take the picture in picture off to much confliction.

Speaking of Ando (I might be wrong, it may have been Abe hehe) didn’t he say that Tyrus Thomas was a bust. Hmmm I think he’s doing rather well for a rookie in the playoffs.

By Lacsho

April 24, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

I think we are witnessing a superstar in the making Deng is a beast.

By Jay

April 24, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Good thing we passed on Deng for Childress.

By Sekou K. Smith

April 24, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

Good gracious, Deng is a freak. He was on fire in the second half tonight. He’s crossing over into that next realm. It’s fun to watch.

By mavid

April 24, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

and the scary thing about Deng is he turned 22 last week. Dude is gonna be an all-star for multiple years.

But, J Chill as a miss is not a bad miss. But still..

By Mike

April 24, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Man this Phoenix and Laker series is looking like Chicago and Miami. Guys I might be eating a little crow on the Phoenix series. Kwamie Brown that Kat is a hard one to figure. If Phil can’t help ya, who can? The guy just has a low basketball IQ. They’ll need 50 a game from Koby to win this series. I’m gone for the night this one is over.

By Mike

April 24, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

Man that Kat Barbosa is graceful like gazelle. The guy looks likes he’s 180 pounds soak and wet. But he can flat out play. Woody I hope you’re some where watching the playoff. You need to see how these coaches lets guys do what they do best, instead dictating everything that happens in the game. The next point you gotta get your starters some rest. Last be not lease Get a plan. It ain’t coach in the playoff that wouldn’t get Salim 10 to 15 minutes a game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Mike

April 24, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

Oh, on an off note can somebody remind Charles Barely His Phoenix team choke against Houston up 3 to 1 with a trip to championship on the line and lost at home twice. He has no rings, yet he routinely calls guys out for choking in game. When he was in Houston had Pippen and the Dream, and still could win a ring. You couldn’t tell it from the way he runs his mouth.

By Clyde Jr.

April 25, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

JCHILL OVER DENG.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By reese

April 25, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

Honest Abe, I think that you are stretching it when you say that Mike Bibby is a glorified Ridenour. I don’t know what you and other bloggers have against players who have proven themselves in this league.

Ridenour and conley have not proven anything in the NBA. Bibby was the only Sacramento player who wasn’t afraid to shoot and make shots in the lakers series a few years ago. Also, he is not injury prone. In the 9 years he has been in the league, he has played in at least 80 games for 7 of those years.

The hawks have to acquire a big man. If that man is noah, then they have to realize that he is a power forward and needs to play him alongside a center.

People keep using Golden State as an example of what they want to see. Anyone who does that should stop criticizing BK.

However, I prefer to watch Denver’s lineup of Camby and Nene. They both are agressive on both the offensive and defensive ends. Both rotate on defense and challenge the shots of the other teams guards and forwards. Then, you have Iverson and Carmello in the 2 and 3 spots. Both can handle the ball, pass the ball, create their own shots and can push the pace. Plus, Iverson can rotate over to the point guard spot. Then they have a mediocre point guard in steve blake who can hit the spot up jumper and bring the ball up the court.

I’m not sold on Conly. Out of all of the teams in the playoffs, only the lakers is starting a rookie point guard and farmar did not start in the regular season.

How about this, use the 1 thru 3rd pick to acquire a big man. Use the 11th pick to acquire a big man. Go after Bibby or Billups.

Now we have a lineup of Billup or Bibby, JJ, Smoove, Big man from draft, Zaza or other big man from draft.

2nd team, Speedy or Lue or Johnson( 1 or two of these guys need to go), Childress, Marvin, Solomon and the other drafted big or zaza.

Sheldon and someone else round out the last two spots. You get rid of Lorenzen somehow to prevent him from teaching bad habits to the young big men. If he is on the team next year, then the hawks are not trying to make the playoffs.

By mavid

April 25, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

yeah, barbosa has been nice.

Honestly tho, after watching Deng play more, I can see why BK feared he was injury prone. He really does look like he’ll struggle with injuries, based on how his body’s built (but who knows).

Plus, J-Chill may have recurring problems with his feet. They seem weak.

By smartguy

April 25, 2007 5:44 AM | Link to this

All of this talk is a big waste of time.

It won’t matter who we get if we still have the same coach.

By doc

April 25, 2007 7:22 AM | Link to this

lascho, ando liked thomas very much but his guy was aldridge, he also has been a deng freak all along and by the sounds of it may nave come out as the alter ego of clyde, jr.

By St. Bernard

April 25, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

This will probably draw some heat, but bring Telfair in for cheap. Chase Mo, Bibby, and Chauncey. Draft a big guy not named Noah. There are point guards out there in the world available. Name three starting 7 footers that will be available and willing to move to Atlanta next season.

By mike

April 25, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Reese I thought about going with 2 Bigs, but not Noah. Noah can’t bring no more than Solo does. In that regards I’d rather go with a PG. I was thinking either Oden and Hartford or Wright. Hiebbert and Hartfort, or Wright. For an FA PG I’ll take Mo William or Billups. Yes Bibby been pretty healthy, but it’s the latter part of his career where he been injury prone. Too big a risk.

By St. Bernard

April 25, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Oh yeah, and make sure Telfair’s home is in whatever county that is that allows people to walk around with a holster.

By Dale

April 25, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Sekou, I think it’s a crying shame that a lot of these guys come out so early. It shows society how little these guys value a free college education, and what some colleges will accept on their campuses just to win.

In 92’ I received a scholarship to play basketball at a small private black college in Augusta. I turned it down. I applied at Georgia Tech, had a 3.9 GPA my last 2 years in H.S., finished with over 1300 on my SAT scores. I wanted to try-out as a walk-on for the basketball team. I was pretty tight with Travis Best back then, so I knew I had a shot. Long-story short, I didn’t get accepted into Tech. Later that same year I met Stephon Marbury, who is without a doubt, the dumbest person I have ever met in my life.
I have no respect for Georgia Tech, for giving a free education to worthless piece of crap like Stephon Marbury. Maybe I’m jealous, but not only was I academically qualified, I was willing to pay, to get an education at Tech.

Thad Young, I have never met, however I have seen him play alot. Whoever is telling this kid to come out now, is doing him a major injustice.
If this kid plays another year, gets his team to the great eight or the final four, he would be a lotto pick next year, and earn himself a lot more money than a late first round draft pick this year. As a lotto pick he would earn over a million dollars more during each of his first three years.
Is one more year of school, not worth 3 million dollars?

By mike

April 25, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Yea Man The Kid TelFair what a waste of talent. I wouldn’t touch’em with a ten-foot pole. This is definitely a case where a kid could have use some time in college to gain some life skills.

By roan st

April 25, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Telfair is a perfect example of an overhyped high schooler who got exposed. A few years of college would have helped him to develop his game and mature as a man, but he was never going to be the superstar he was touted to be. Didn’t we have this argument a while back about the college experience helping guys to mature? Here’s a guy who might have had a long and solid career with a few years of college. I think another team will sign him but he will be out of the league in a few more years.

By Anakin Joe

April 25, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Deng is the longest player in NBA history! Dude just keeps extending his body like Reed Richards (any comic book fans out there?) And what is interesting is that his success this season has been partially attributed to his decision to stop shooting the 3 ball. Are you listening, Josh Smith?

Closing out a veteran team is always the challenge for a youthful club. While I predicted Chicago would take out Miami, I’m not ready to call this series done. If/when Riley figures out how to stop Deng from driving in the lane, Chicago will be reduced to a jump-shooting club. And those teams usually struggle on the road. Lakers are toast. I still believe that Bynum & Farmar can be had as the Lakers are much too far from a title and Kobe & Odom are watching their prime window close. I think we could offer Zaza, Lue and Childress (and maybe a pick) to secure the 2 youngsters. Kobe nor the Zen Master will be interested in seeing the same roster next season.

Oh yeah, one more prediction, once Dallas figures out how to beat the Warriors, they will win 4 consecutive games and brush aside Baron, J-Rich and Al “Play No Defense Tonight”.

By MannyT

April 25, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Funny to read this topic. I think there was ridicule a few weeks ago about going to/staying in college for a little while just to help the guy grow up. I get that some guys need $$$ for their family situation, but all are not desperately poor when they leave HS. I’m not saying that college would have made Telfair a great person, but maybe he would have met a buddy or two with better judgment. The better the quality of the people you trust, the better the chance that they will pull you away from trouble a time or two.

On the draft, face it the Hawks #1 priority is a strong defensive presence in the paint—offense is secondary. Would you rather have the 2007 version of a young Mutumbo or another Zaza added to the roster?

I still say the BEST route to improving the team is bundling one of the young forwards with one (or two) of the PGs to get the best center or PG you can that has 2-3 years on his contract. That will attract a decent free agent to come here with the mindset that he is the next piece of the puzzle to make this team a contender. The trade is the only thing that would alter draft priority from center to PG. If you trade for a solid center, maybe you don’t need to draft one (unless it’s Oden!)

By doc

April 25, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

deng looks like that green character they used to have on snl, gumby.

st. b kennesaw is where telfair needs to go where you have to own guns to live there, by law. only problem is he cant leave there.

he needs to take things a bit more serious if he has that many mouths to feed. i imagine there are about 17 freeloaders that are really giving their gravy train the business about now. hope he and his agent can do enough damage control to get him back into the league for his sake as i dont like to see people not where they want to be. with the way there has been so little action for behavior in the nba and after the nfl came down so hard on its own recently with the players association backing, times may be changing and he may be the example or test case.

just dont thing noah is ready for the nba at 5 but he may be a guy who could come in a four and supplement well with the hawks. still think the upside for conley is greater and usually points get more play time than bigs.

seriously, speaking of play time, i hope woody is looking at the time spent on court by thesebetter playoff teams especially the suns. check out the balance of time on the court for their starters, less than 30 minutes each. i thought the suns were overplaying their guys for a while during the regular season but it seems there has been a bit of a trend to pull back as they appproached the playoffs. still think they need another wide body to go all the way as that will prove to be their achilles heel in the playoffs.

By Wedgie Evans

April 25, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Either that, or Telfair would have gone to college, matured as a man, and been exposed as a mediocre point guard, and after four years he would have been drafted in the 2nd round. With the number of terrible coaches in college, that scenario is just as likely as him going to college and developing into a better player.

In Telfair’s case, however, I do think college could have done him some good — if nothing else, it would have given him some time to work on his jumpshot. But I don’t know if y’all know the situation he came from. In his senior year in high school, three people were gunned down on the same floor of his housing project on which he lived. If you ask me, the decision to enter the draft is pretty cut-and-dried in that situation.

By Lacsho

April 25, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

AJ I agree Josh could take some notes from Deng; he needs to leave the three’s alone and focus on his inside game, and ball handling skills.

Doc I cant see Noah at the 5 unless he goes to a team with a uptempo pace.If he goes to the West he’ll be ok. He could actually thrive, and do well in Washingtons system.

I’m looking forward to Denver vs San Antonio and Dallas vs Golden State.

By smartguy

April 25, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

What do these GREAT players have in common?

Luol Deng

Derron Williams

Brandon Roy

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY!

By honest_abe

April 25, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

hmmm… let me guess you have a man crush on all 3?

By Anakin Joe

April 25, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

smartguy, 2 of the 3 would have fit perfectly with the Hawks. While Roy and JJ may sound good on paper, I think each would have been sub-optimized if they played together in the same backcourt.

More than playing the “look who we should have drafted game”, I’m interested in playing the “look which coach we should have hired” game. What if the Pacers hire Mark Jackson or Bill Laimbeer? How about if Seattle brings in a Rudy T. or Rick Adelman? Memphis could grab a stud to get them back in the playoffs. Sacramento could go after Dell Harris or Terry Porter (who wasn’t that bad in Milwaukee).

I still say that the best investment of $4M-5M for this franchise is an upgrade in the Head Coach. It is less risky than counting on ping-pong balls, draft picks, recovery for failing knees or the eventual maturation of a 21 year-old who needs his Daddy to join him in meetings with the coach.

By honest_abe

April 25, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

harsh aj harsh

By Anakin Joe

April 25, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

Abe, isn’t this the “keeping it real” blog?

By MsDee

April 25, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Anakin Joe I agree with ya totally..we definely need a new coach. Woodson just dont like rookies. He leaves them rotten on the bench, missing their chance to make it on the rookie team/rookie award. Even though Sheldon didnt look the part this past season, I do believe he is much better than his season numbers show. Woodson just never played him right, didnt give him the confidence every rookie should get. The same was with Marvin..I’m still confuse as to how is the #2 overall draft pick (marvin w) not make it to his rookie game??

My point is no matter how the balls fall..we could get the best draft slots we could get but would do no good if Woodson leaves them on the bench..I say get rid of Woodson!!

So if I had to choose between Bk or Woodson, I would say Woodson cause even though BK mis-drafted over and over again, the players on the team were not bad at all, Woodson just didnt know how to coach them..we have JJ, JSM, JChi,Marvin,Tlue,Shelden,AJ,Salim..

FIRE WOODSON

By Melvin

April 25, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

I think Jamal Maglorie(misp) could be a good FA signing option for the Hawks this summer…

By JEC IV

April 25, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

After having my intelligence questioned on another blog, I boldly press on. Mike Woodson wasn’t the best pick for the job. The Hawks are a young team. They need an experienced head coach.

By honest_abe

April 25, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

quick question.

lets say conley is gone by 11. you have to decide between spencer hawes, joakim noah, acie law or ATL’s own javaris crittendon. who do you take? i know javaris needs some more seasoning. but a big pg with this already athletic squad is very intrigiung. i would go with javaris who has more upside than acie.

By Anakin Joe

April 25, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

Abe, I agree. Crittenton would get my vote. Better upside and would bring a unique dynamic that other teams would have problems matching. SIZE. And unlike those combo guards who actually played SG in college, he played PG in a big boy college basketball conference. If he’s looking for a “guarantee”, I’d have to let him know that he would be the second PG and probably the 3rd overall player on my list (whose name is not Oden or Durant). I’d choose Hibbert (and Conley) over Jarvaris, but I don’t think anyone else.

By Marc Ivaroni

April 25, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

The Hawks need to hire both Rick Carlisle and Larry Bird, sooner rather than later.

By JEC IV

April 25, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

The Hawks should try for a point guard. If they can’t get that, maybe a center. I’m not too sure about Roy Hibbert though. They’d have to get extremely lucky to get Greg Oden.

By Anakin Joe

April 25, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

Abe, got one for you. If we do get the #3 and #11 picks, which 2 players do you choose? Chances are, neither Conley nor Hibbert will last until #11. So do you go with Conley at #3 and then Hawes/Noah/Splitter/Thabeet? Or do you do Hibbert at #3 and Crittenton/Law at #11?

By honest_abe

April 25, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

aj: good question. it’s like asking me would i like a player with a ton of upside and a scrub or two good players. so, i like the combo of hibbert and crittendon much better than conley + one of those scrubs. but it could be argued that taking hibbert at 3 and crittenton at 11 is too high for both i just like that combo better than the other. personal preference.

once again you have the atl connection in javaris(i.e. jsmith) which is always a good marketing ploy. add to the fact that javaris is dwight howard’s old high school running mate and maybe, oh just maybe there’s a shot of him coming to play with his ol buddies jsmith and javaris. that is an all time dream for me. bring all of our home grown talent back to the A including that fat, lazy goof randolph morris. it’ll be their aau team all over again.

By mavid

April 25, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

11 for Crittenton might be a bit too high. I love his upside too, and think he’ll be a stud someday, but also think he can be had just a bit later. Mid-late Teens sounds right.

That said. I would have no problem taking him with the pick if Conley is gone. He could definately be the TRUTH for us at pg, and getting big pg’s who can guard sg’s on D, allows us to more effectively utilize Salim.

Just PLEASE, NO NOAH.

By MJ3

April 25, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

Gee smartguy, how long did it take you to come up with that one? And then copy/paste? Loser.

By mavid

April 25, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this

it’s official

Woody is back next year.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=ApusKQWbc5henO6iT.ZsXRe8vLYF?slug=ap-hawks-woodson&prov=ap&type=lgns

There are some interesting things about Speedy in there too.

By kevin

April 25, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

Are the Hawks even going to have a 1st rd pick. If I understand correctly don’t they lose thier 1st rd pick to PHX if they don’t get in the top 3 or 5 or something in the Draft Lottery?

By doc

April 25, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

thanks mavid. more interesting is the comment .. we didnt really give him any strength at center or point. maybe there will be a our bad to come out of this just realy slow in developing. well yeaauuh!

FIRE THE BROKEN ATLANTA SPIRIT!

oh yeah, they did it to themselves. when do we get to find out about the next appeal?

follow the money baby, it hasnt been all about bk. i think if the had had a bit more moolah to work with he could have covered his bets a bit better and been in the playoffs. shortsided management decisions whether it is the belkin group or the other group. dont matter what, if you dont have a good hand dealt to you it is hard to win whether it be poker or gm in the nba.

By reese

April 25, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

OK Mike, Honest abe and anyone else who do not want bibby. Just say that you don’t like him. Too say that he is injury prone, getting to be too old and is a glorified luke ridenour just doesn’t hold up when you say in the same paragraph that you want chauncey billups.

Chauncey is older that bibby and has been more injury prone throughout his career.

Mavid, the most interesting piece in that article is that Bernie Mullin acknowledged that they knew Speedy was injury prone and hoped that he could play 55 games. Wow, sign me to a multi year multi million contract and I’ll give you 55 games. What a waste of cap space.

BK’s signing last year has wasted cap space for next year. Wright, Speedy and AJ are all in guaranteed contracts. Losing Ivey and Batista probably doesn’t even come up to 1 mil in cap relief.

Mike, I stand by my belief that the hawks need to acquire 2 big men. They both don’t have to come via the draft. The other can come via free agency or trade.

Again I say,keeping lorenzen wright on this team will be a sign to me that the hawks are not trying to win next year. Especially, when you president of basketball operations says that they didn’t get woodson the depth he needed to win. Well keeping lorenzen around next year still won’t give woodson the depth he needs. Getting rid of wright is addition by subtraction.

By ray

April 25, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

I thought this was about picking either Conley or Noah at #11 if both were still available? Where did all the other names come from? Perhaps I misunderstood…

In any event, my initial pick is proabably Conley. I think summer league and some NBA practices would cure him of his heedless driving to the hole habits. Then again, it works for TJ Ford, who is even smaller. Conley has the speed, smarts, etc. Even if he’s not a star, what we need is a guy who can become a very solid starter. And you never know, he may be a star indeed.

Fact is, we’ve been without a front-runner at the point for way too long. And I don’t like our chances of obtaining one anytime soon outside of the draft. Right now we have two solid backups and an injured guy who was supposed to be our front runner. And, if somehow Claxton returned to the form that caused Knight to even be interested in him, we either have still-young veteran point to help push Conley, or we have more valuable trade bait.

Noah. Well, he’s obviously going to be a good addition to an NBA team. But is he going to be another Anderson Varejo, as Doc suggested or is he going to be something more special? Good question. He doesn’t have the build a player needs to add some serious weight to his frame. So he’s never going to be the dominating center type we need. But then again, he doesn’t have to be per se. However, if he’s not going to be anything more than what Solomon Jones can be, why pick him? Noah’s got a hell of a motor and doesn’t seem to have work ethic problems. He needs to be an effective defender, not just a hustler. I’m not bashing his game, just not sure it’s what we need. Is he going to be the tough presence we need? Not so sure. There again, it’s hard to ignore a guy like that.

Welllll….like many others here, I’d rather have more size if grabbing a “big.” So in the end, I’d still pick Conley over Noah. The only thing changing this is if a deal was struck prior to making a selection in the draft (a deal that would plug one of the two glaring needs we have). Then we could draft for the other need. But that’s all a gamble anyway.

By reese

April 25, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Ray, the reason you sign a player like Noah when you already have Solomon is to have depth. Don’t forget that the roster can be up to 15 players.

I would rather have solomon practicing against a taller Noah than just an undersized Shelden.

The hawks need a point guard who can hit the open jumper, bring the ball down without the fear of getting it stolen, one who can drive and kick.

The reason I say this is because both jj and jsmith are not afraid to handle the ball. JJ spends a lot of time with the ball in his hands and kicks to other players when he cannot get his shot.

To me, Bibby fits that description. To make up for both bibby and jj lack of defensive intensity. I would have Josh Smith and 2 other big men behind them to protect the paint. I would let Josh Smith leak out on fast breaks.

Then when you bring Solomon, Childress and Marvin off the bench, you slide Jsmith to the power forward position and push the pace of the game even more.

You trap more, full court press more, zone more, run on made shots, rebound by committee and whoever gets the rebound pushes the ball down court.

By ray

April 25, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Hmmmmm. Still not sold on Noah. We need a guy who plays at least as tough as Josh Smith on defense and the boards, but with more size and skills in the paint. Still don’t know if Noah can be that guy. Would definitely take Hibbert or Splitter as a 5. Noah is more of a four and Josh is sorta already playing that spot. Especially if Marvin is kept.

I know we need defense in the post like nobody’s business. But isn’t developing a running mate in the backcourt for JJ a major concern as well? *HEY FLASH, aren’t you always saying that a good offense gets things started? I believe a guy like Conley can do that at some point, maybe better than we think. I’d hate to have the opportunity to get him and miss…And I think we have a better chance of him improving the offense than we have of Noah improving the defense. But what do I know.

Incidentally, this is just one scenario involving only two players. May 22 can’t get here soon enough. Nor can June 31st.

By ray

April 25, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

Reese,

I don’t disagree with your points. I just wonder if adding Noah is as effective in the long run as adding Conley. We need a pg who is capable of doing exactly as you say. Question is could we even get Bibby? That’s why I say if you can get the veteran pg you need, then draft the big. And if you get the veteran big, then draft the pg. But you have to be able to add that free agent or make the trade BEFORE the draft for it to work.

I don’t feel good about trying to get Bibby because I don’t even know 1. if the guy even wants to come here 2. if we’ll have owners that will pay the money 3. if we could make a viable trade for him if it came to that. Remember this past season? We had shots at other guys and ended up with Speedy. I have no faith in the Spirit Group and little in Knight. But like I said, it’s a gamble.

The defense continues to be a problem. But JJ having the ball in his hands all the time with the three-headed pg monster is a problem too. What happens if we don’t get Bibby? And Noah gets beat up out there? Just a thought, not a conclusion.

By Mike

April 25, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

Reese I love any player that plays with a lot of heart, and Bibby got plenty of heart. We don’t need scoring, most of the games we lost was because of a non existent defense late in the games. I still go with Mo William or Billups in FA.

Now you’re really going to disagree with me. I take Crittention over Conely. If we can’t get Oden ,Hiebert, Hartfort, or Wright. Yes he’ll need some time to develop, but a Big PG with a handle like his and he can shoot. He’s got tremendous up-sides.

But if I get a shot at two quality Bigs then I’m with you I pull trigger in the draft and get a PG in FA via a trade. If we only get one quality Big, gotta go with Crittenton with other pick.

By reese

April 26, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

Mike, I don’t know much about the college basketball players. I went to an Auburn game and I saw some of the NCAA tournament. To tell the truth, I have never heard of Crittenton and had never heard of conley until I saw him play in the NCAA tournament.

I saw Ohio state play a few minutes during the season, but I was not impressed with their players. It seemed that they didn’t know how to use Oden and just jacked up a lot of shots.

If we draft a point guard in the draft, I would rather have him come off the bench and be groomed. The window of opportunity to make it to the playoffs in the east is there.

I just believe that it will take a proven point guard (i.e. Bibby) to be JJ’s running mate.

I want taller players manning the paint and rotating in and out. I don’t think that there is any College Center who is ready to man the paint at the 5 spot for the hawks and compensate for having the undersized marvin and jsmith at the 3 and 4.

I’m not saying that Marvin and Josh smith can’t play at the same time. It just shouldn’t be our cornerstone. Start with a more traditional lineup and mix in marvin and josh to change the tempo of the game.

Ray, no Noah cannot man the paint. However, he would look nice playing alongside Zaza or Solomon Jones.

If he is brought in to play the five spot playing alongside Jsmith and Marvin Williams, then we are not using him at this strength and setting him up for failure.

By smartguy

April 26, 2007 1:43 AM | Link to this

Woody is staying? You’ve got to be kidding me.

When is Belkin going to take over?

By MJ3

April 26, 2007 1:51 AM | Link to this

I’m guessing whenever your mama stops being ugly.

By St. Bernard

April 26, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

SO who is responsible for not having a PG or help at Center, Mr. Mullin? Does this mean we’ll actually try to draft at least one of those spots this year? Sekou, how about an interview with someone who will take responsibility?

By wildbillhiltner

April 26, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Hibbert is the new way to spell Koncak

By Anakin Joe

April 26, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Seems like Blog Z must have stepped on someone’s toes with his handing out of grades. Why is Yahoo Sports reporting on the status of our coach and why is Bernie giving them quotes and there is nothing from the local paper?

Embarrassing that Bernie would say they hoped Speedy would play 55 games. Why are they paying him so much if they expect less than 70% “attendance” from this employee? Does that mean they think he is actually worth over $9M in salary ($6.5M/70%)? Geez, this whole franchise is an absolute joke.

Abe, I’m taking Conley and a big “scrub” (as you say). I think that in the NBA, one great player is usually more valuable than 2 good ones. I’d rather have Kobe and Kwame than Maggette and Kaman. If Conley’s scouting report suggests he could become a top 5 PG in 3-5 years, then I think I’d take him because he should make every teammate better.

By honest_abe

April 26, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

aj: my player evaluation skills border on sorry if not pathetic. so any player i usually love ends up being ok but not so great. i love conley and i think he’ll be really good. but i’m infatuated with stupid things such as having a tall pg and an atl connection.

you’d rather have kobe and kwame vs maggette and kaman but would u rather have them over a healthy livingston and brand?

By Anakin Joe

April 26, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Another interesting thing about that Woody story (and I see that it was reported by AP), was that it was Bernie and NOT BK making the announcement. Has anyone else heard anything from BK since the season ended? Why isn’t the GM announcing that the coach will be retained? And why hasn’t BK made the media tour that he did last season immediately after the season ended?

Abe, I can’t answer that question because I don’t know what a healthy Livingston looks like over 70-80 games. But it’s a good counterpoint. Conley and Thabeet (if he declares) is probably my preferred combination.

By Ricardo

April 26, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Boy do I feel better that Woodson gets to stay on as coach - he certainly deserves it! If mgmt had any brains or money, they’d eat his contract and move on.
What a joke this entire organization is. No real hope for the future at all. No chance at the lottery (cmon - anyone think it’ll “work out” for the Hawks?), no money, weak ownership, a horrifying GM (worst in ANY sport)and “talent” that is duplicitous at best and not actually talent at worst.
Give this to Belkin, move ‘em to Vegas (or London, for that matter) and let’s wait a couple of years to see if anyone notices. Without question, the biggest blight on the Atlanta sports scene since the Braves of the early 80s (and actually a lot worse, since Ted was at least entertaining). This team sucks!!!

By mike

April 26, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Guys I feel the same frustration, but it doesn’t make much since to bring in another coach until the ownership issue is resolved. Belkin will almost certainly have to have a say so in who gets selected. If I’m Belkin I want to pick my own staff. It’s actually poetic justice. By the end of next season everything will have gone full circle with BK and Woodson. The cloud will have been removed from over the franchise. Whether it’s Belkin or the Spirit it’ll be crystal clear what direction the organization needs to go in.

I know that sounds like I’m giving these guys a free pass, but the reality is that I think the team will be much improved if we get development from some key guys. Now I’m an optimist, so I could be wrong. I may not have many good things to say about Belkin, but I think he deserves the opportunity to take over and start fresh with his own staff selections.

By uglybratty

April 26, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

I hate Woody!

I hate Billy!

and now I hate Bernie!

Bring on Belkin!

By No Spirit

April 26, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

The Spirit group have proven once again that they are in way over their heads. Bernie gave Woodson the vote of confidence only because the group is legally handcuffed and financially can’t afford to make any changes. They have a decent NHL team that has no following outside Phillips arena. The stat I read recently was only 14,000 households tuned into each of their playoff games. That’s worse than WNBA ratings. Then they have the albatross we call the Hawks. If the Hawks had just made it to the playoffs, the Spirit would be well on their way to digging out of this hole. Trouble is…..the Hawks are nowhere close to sniffing the playoffs. Throw the blame on Billy “I haven’t a clue” Knight or Mike “Assistant for life” Woodson, but the real blame falls on the Spirit. They are the ones who made the decisions to put these incompetent ninnies in there in the first place. Now, they don’t have the where-with-all to replace them even if they wanted to. When this ownership battle finally concludes, you can bet that the NBA will adopt a “Spirit Rule” in their covenants for ownership to prevent such a debaucle from ever happening. Leave it to the city of Atlanta to leave another black mark on sports history.

In the end, I hope that Belkin wins the battle. His plans call for selling the Thrashers and focusing his energy and resources on the Hawks. The Thrashers will and always be a losing proposition as the NHL will eventually reduce itself to a small niche sport. The NBA is strong and the Hawks could be a major revenue opportunity if someone with accountability would come in and rebuild with purpose. The Spirit are incapable of doing this so let’s try Belkin.

By crs

April 26, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Hawks have to go small and get a PG at 11, Conley might not be available but Javaris from GT would be a nice addition he needs some work but I like how he attacks the rim.

By mavid

April 26, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

The debate now is:

Conley, Crittenton, Law

Which one do you want?

Mine is in just that order. Conley, Crit, Law.

By Anakin Joe

April 26, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

mavid, that is true for PGs, but I’m not sure that a few bigs shouldn’t be added to that list of candidates for #11. Spencer Hawes is worth a hard look potentially over both Law and Crittenton.

By Melvin

April 26, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Mavid, I agree with your order. However, I haven’t seen Crittenton play that much. I think Conley has better play making skills and control of the game from a pg spot than Law. Law maybe a better scorer/shooter than Conley.

By Melvin

April 26, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

AJ, have you seen Hawes play? if so, can you share some insight on his game. Also, has anyone seen Splitter(misp) play. Is he a big man that we should consider with #11 pick as well????

By St. Bernard

April 26, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

I just saw where Hawes was compared to Vlade Divac on ESPN. Mark him off my wishlist.

By The Flash

April 26, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

Doc, the VT guard I’m thinking about is Dowdell, 6’3”, 2000. Plays under control, shoots, drives, defends, rebounds, and I think runs the show.

I think Conley is much lighter and 2 inches shorter and uses his speed much more in ways that make durability a real issue. But, I haven’t seen that much of him.

Dowdell is a senior and played at least 2 years under Seth Greenberg, who I think is one great, great facilitator of learning the game, i.e., coach.

If Conely plays more like Parker than say like Paul, then maybe his youth, size, reliance on speed is not as much an issue. But, Parker does have that soccer background, that gives him a feel for one-two combinations yadayadayada. LOL.

By Anakin Joe

April 26, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

mavid, I haven’t seen Hawes play, just read stuff that is readily available on line. He is characterized as an offensive center. While that is not ideal for our situation, I think, again, he is worthy of consideration. Comparisons to Vlade or Brad Miller may or may not be true.

I’ve seen Splitter play for all of 10 minutes on NBATV one night. He looked to be the size and weight of PJ Brown, tall and slender with a muscular build. He appeared fairly athletic, but nothing like Nene (his fellow countryman). He was active but appeared to be more of a hustle player than a scorer. Again, this was based on watching less than a quarter’s worth of action.

Any center drafted at #11 is likely to be a project. Ultimately, it may come down to our current roster. Do you have more confidence in Speedy or Zaza? The loser of that answer may be the position that you need to draft.

By St. Bernard

April 26, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

Possible FA pg’s: Chauncey, Bibby, Mo Williams, Steve Blake, Jason Hart, Smush Parker, Tarence Kinsey, Earl Boykins, Jannero Pargo, Louis Williams.

Is anyone interested in these guys? Obviously, the first three are interesting, but what about a guy like Blake, Hart, Kinsey or Pargo?

By roan st

April 26, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Splitter is an excellent defender with great quickness for a seven footer. The big criticism on him is his lack of an offensive game. However, many in europe defend him because the team he plays for runs an offense that isn’t really suited for him. In other words they have never really tryed to make him a part of the offense. He is only 22 years old and sometimes in those european leagues they tend to favor the older more established players regardless of talent. He would have been a high pick taken in the last three drafts but because of contract buyout issues he pulled out the last three years. Now that he is free from any contract obligations he will finally be drafted. Another issue that scares some folks is his durability. He’s never had any major injuries but plenty of small nagging ones that has affected his playing time.

By doc

April 26, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

flash he sounds a lot like a jarrett jack. thanks.

By cowa

April 26, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Some quick thoughts:

On Crittendon, I think he will be a very good PG in 3-5 years. Now, take your self out of the vacuum that is this blog and put yourself in BK’s and MW’s shoes. If Conley or Law has a chance at making a significant impact in 2007/8, wouldn’t you take one of them over Crittendon? Remember, your job is probably on the line. I just don’t see us going for Crittendon.

On Conley vs. Noah, I don’t htink there is really a choice from Atlanta’s standpoint. Conley would need to be the pick. Having a chance at a legit future top PG over a good big, you have to go for the best available.

On Bibby, he would not be a good fit. It has nothing to do with age, whether he wants to come, his salary. It has to do with his playing style. Does anybody actually watch any of the Sacremento games? Bibby is a good fit for the Kings (prior to this year with Mussleman changing the offense), but wouldn’t be for the Hawks. The Hawks are a running team, not a half court set team. Bibby is great in the half court set, but isn’t one to run with our young guns. And to pay $12M to find out that he may not fit? I don’t like the idea of Bibby at all.

In fact, the only FA PG’s I like are Billups, who isn’t coming here, and Steve Blake, who also isn’t coming here. Why? Because BK signed Speedy, because he has Lue, and because he traded for AJ. Who would come here to try and get starter minutes when there isn’t enough minutes for the 3 that are here now? I know that health plays into this, but no PG is going to sign up with the Hawks. And if BK were to sign another FA PG, what does that say about his signing of Speedy? He won’t even go after a PG in free agency. The draft or a trade are the only ways of getting a new PG in here.

Here are some ideas I’ve come up with since my latest creative ideas on previous blogs:

Let’s say we get the #3 pick. I can’t see taking Conley here, and though I like Brandon Wright, he is too far away to make an impact. My idea is to trade with Portland (assuming the order stays the same, except we switch with Milwaukee) for the #6 pick and Jack. It seems, according to our own Sekou, that Portland wants to move Jack to make room for Roy at the point, and is looking for a wing. It might take a 3 way deal after the draft, but I think working something out with Portland to move down a couple of slots and get Jack would be tremendous.

AJ, I doubt BK would go for Thabeet. Too raw for his liking. He needs immediate impact players.

Melvin, I have only sen Splitter on the YouTube highights, but what I have read is he is a defensive beast, but limited offensively. Not that that’s bad for the Hawks, but he is a PF, not a true center.

Also, it sounds like Speedy will be around next year much to all of our dismay. If that’s the case, and we do take a PG in the draft, which other PG stays? Lue? AJ? Both are easily tradeable assets, on the last years of their contracts. Someone’s gotta go!

By You're Losing Me Hawks

April 26, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

Sekou are you on the Hawks payroll or are you just Mike Woodson’s best friend? Woodson is awful!!!!!! Yet you continue to help this guy with the injury excuse and talking about him doing a good job. GET REAL!!!!!!! Woodson is 69-177 in three seasons. If this was Corporate America, Woody, BK and all of their apologist (incl. yourself) would be gone!!!!!!! Bring in Adelman (use to coach a young Kings team) or Sam Mitchell (if Toronto is stupid enough not to sign him to a new contract - he’s from Georgia and had to work with a young team - and not once did you hear him make excuses about having a young team or injuries).

By Melvin

April 26, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

Cowa, looking at your scenario, are you saying that you prefer Jack over Conley (or any of the pg in this draft). However, I do like the idea of trading down and maybe drafting Hibbert at six and picking up another player or pick. If we pickup Jack, who would you draft at #6 and #11?

By reese

April 26, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Cowa, nice try about explaining why you don’t want Bibby and then you throw in you would rather have Steve Blake. He should be compared to tyronne lue. Slow, un-athletic and can hit the spot up jumper.

I don’t see why you would be upset with BK. You are seeking players just like the ones we have.

By the way, the reason that Bibby did not run a lot this year is due to the fact that his teammates were older and slower as well as they had a new coach.

The Sacramento team is not built for running when you have Shareef, Brad davis, corliss williamson and fransisco elson. Although, Kevin Martin is slight of build, his handles are suspect. Artest can fill the lane, but he is just as comfortable getting the rebound and taking the ball down court himself.

In the past, Bibby has demonstrated that he is capable of pushing the ball. Did you watch the games when he played with Chris Weber, Doug Christie and Bobby Jackson. They were a fast paced team of players who loved to pass the ball. Therefore, he would run a fast break, pass to Christie or Weber who were filling the lane and they would pass to someone else and get the assist.

Also, he ran fast breaks (finished a lot of those himself) and kicked out to Peja or Hedo Turkulu for spot up jumpers.

By reese

April 26, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

I just hope that a lot of these underclassmen who are declaring themselves for the draft do not sign with an agent.

I just don’t see a lot of them making that big of an impact and therefore might not get drafted in the first round which guarantees a salary for the next 3 years.

Conley will probably get drafted in the first round because of all of the hype around him. The kid can’t shoot well from what I have seen and will spend the next few years learning his craft on some NBA team. But at least he will be getting paid.

By Tony Majestic

April 26, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

Yeah, right…like the Hawks are going to pick a point guard. Billy Knight just refuses to go with the obvious choice, like actual team needs. I’ll bet you money that he’s already in love with Joakim Noah. And that’s no good, because Noah is simply the next Marcus Camby. Mark my words.

And I want to go ahead and back up Mike Woodson, who I think has done the best job that one can do with this team. Please believe that no one was going to get much more out of this team than what Woodson got. If anything, maybe another coach would have complained more to(and gotten ignored by) Billy Knight, who I think is the person who should be shown the door.

He’s done all he can do here and he’s not the guy to make that deal or draft that player who’s going to get the fans excited and that’s what’s needed now. The Hawks are finally at that point where the right player’s arrival can get people talking about the Hawks again. And Billy Knight’s not going to pick “the right player.” If he was, he would have picked Chris Paul or any of the really good guards in last year’s draft.

By Matt

April 26, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Hey guys,

Few quick things:

Since I highly doubt Conley will still be there at #11, I say go after a big. Hawes, Hibbert, or Thabeet, in that order. I’m honestly a fan of all three, and particularly think Hawes could be a great NBA center.

I actually think Divac was one of the most underrated centers in recent NBA history, and anyone who is being compared to him would be a good fit. Having a big with good passing skills and a solid rep of low post moves would fit VERY well with the types of players the Hawks have right now, since poor ball movement and the lack of a true low post threat were two gaping problems with the Hawks offense this year. I think those are the two main offensive assets we should look for in a center right now. In that sense, I think Hawes would be perfect.

Also just want to point out that championship teams don’t necessarily need a great point guard. In fact, no team that’s won multiple NBA Finals in the past 20 years (i.e. since the Bad Boys Pistons) had an elite PG, with the possible exception of the Spurs and Tony Parker (though I’ll point out that they haven’t won a title since he’s become an All-Star). What you need most from your PG is the ability to get the ball in the hands of your better players, play pesky D, not turn the ball over, and be able to knock down shots when he needs to. Everything else is honestly gravy. Having a dazzling “playmaker” who creates his own shots as a PG is often nice, but never necessary. Just ask Kenny Smith, John Paxson, Tony Parker, Derek Fisher, and (one of my favorites) Avery Johnson - guys who never put up amazing numbers, but did all the little things you want PGs to do.

That’s just a long way of getting around to saying that it’s not the end of the world if we don’t land a star PG.

So yeah - Hawes, if we can get him.

By reese

April 26, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this

Tony Majestic, what is wrong with having the next Marcus Camby. You know, the guy who just beat out josh smith for the most blocked shots this past season.

Just be smart and place him next to another big man like Denver and maybe the hawks will be in the playoffs as well.

I went to Florida game and was not that impressed with anyone on the team as individual players. However, they played their roles well and the team looked good.

Take noah out of his role and he will look like most of the hawks players of the past 3 years. In the wrong position and floundering.

By Clyde

April 26, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

YES SIRRR. I’M BACK. RIO IS JUST A BLACK MAN’S HEAVEN.

OK LET ME ADDRESS THIS WOODSON THING. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE MAN COME BACK FROM A BUSINESS STAND POINT. ONE MORE YEAR OF HIS ANTICS WOULD HELP MY T-SHIRT SALES GREATLY. FROM A FAN STAND POINT I CAN’T TAKE ANOTHER YEAR OF LOSING. WOODSON HAS PROVEN HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO COACH HIS PLAYERS. HE KNOWS HOW TO PUT PLAYERS OUT ON THE COURT BUT HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF HIS PLAYERS. WOODSON ALSO HAS YET TO CHANGE IS OFFENSIVE SCHEME IN 3 YEARS WHICH TO ME IS JUST GIVE THE BALL TO JJ AND LET HIM GO ONE ON ONE.

LETS FACE IT. JJ IS NOT MJ. HE IS NOT THAT GOOD ONE ON ONE. WE NEED AN OFFENSIVE MINDED COACH THAT WILL INCORPORATE MOVEMENT AND CUTS TO THE BASKET TO GET THE BEST POSSIBLE SHOT. PLAYING MORE TEAM BASKETBALL IS WHAT THE HAWKS NEED.

IT HURTS ME TO SEE JSMOOTH JUST STANDING BEHIND THE THREE POINT LINE WHEN HE SHOULD BE CUTTING TO THE BASKET FOR A DUNK. I BLAME THE COACH FOR THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO KNOW WHERE THEIR PLAYERS SHOULD BE ON THE COURT AT EVERY MOMENT. JSMOOTH WOULD NOT BE STANDING THERE IS WOODSON DID NOT WANT HIM THERE. SHAWN MARION GETS A LOT OF HIS POINTS ON DUNKS BASED ON MOVEMENT WITHIN THE OFFENSE. JSMOOTH NEEDS THE SAME THING BUT IT WON’T HAPPEN IN MIKE WOODSON’S OFFENSIVE SYSTEM.

I’M SURE WOODY IS A GOOD PERSON BUT HIS COACHING SKILLS ARE LACKING. HIS INABILITY TO MAKE CHANGES IN 3 YEARS WITH THE HAWKS MAKES HE WONDER IF HE WILL MAKE CHANGES IN HIS 4TH. I JUST CAN’T STAND FOR ANOTHER YEAR OF THE SAME OLE THING SO……………..

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By hooligan

April 26, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

HEY CLYDE,

LEARN HOW TO TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK KEY.

By curious

April 26, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

I hear everyone kill BK. Woody wanted to draft SW. Go check the articles. He was”going to do the dirty work”. Woody also doesn’t want a pg. That is why BK has not drafted one. Because he know Woody won’t play him. That is BK’s mistake. Does everyone forget Woody said he needed someone like Slava then never played him. Woody wanted to cut Ivey & Este. The Spirit wouldn’t cut the guaranteed contracts. So being the petty man he is he didn’t play them. When SW spoke about Woody in that article he went from 25 mpg to 7mpg. This guy is clueless.

By billy

April 26, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

CUT OR TRADE MIKE VICK.

I can’t believe I’m writing this, but this guy has too many question marks. He’s due in court soon. He’s got a fake water bottle something or other. He’s making obscene jestures. He’s got drugs in his cars, drugs on his properties, drugs everywhere. He’s running a dog fighting ring (what the heck??!!) Doesn’t this guy make enough money where it would just be easier to give his cousin (or whomever) $10,000 instead of letting him run a dog fighting business. And don’t tell me he didn’t know. 1. If he didn’t, ignorance is no excuse and 2. I’m quite sure he knew.

I dont care about his potential. I dont care about his contract. I care that this guy is the face of the Falcons and this face isn’t looking so good.

Trade him or cut him loose. Maybe the Raiders will take Vick straight up for the first pick.

By billy

April 26, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

CUT MIKE VICK OR TRADE HIM.

This guy is out of control. Don’t care about his potential. Don’t care about his contract. Get him out of town now. He’s embarrassing.

By Clyde

April 26, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

Billy name 1 crime Vick has been convicted of since he became a Falcon.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By doc

April 26, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

roll tide clyde, i may not be able to predict who will win games, who we will draft or even get much support for inane ideas; with all that said i’ve got to give myself some props for something real big. dude a few days ago i said we hadnt heard much from you so i figured you must have taken your cash from the t-shirt sales and run off to rio. yeah, no sh1t, go back and check it out. heh heh

hope you didnt miss the comment from jeff about bama fans and there new beloved coach …. saban turned mountain dew into wine last weekend but they asked him to turn it back. cute huh.

welcome back!

By F A Skippy

April 26, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

     If it's true Jack is on the market and we're not going after him somethings bad wrong.The combination of Jack and Johnson would be a killer guard set,add Hawes and the future starts coming into focus.

By ray

April 26, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Why is Mike Vick even being mentioned here?

WHASSSSUUUUUP, CLYDE!!!!

If Noah is the next Camby, then he’s got a good future in the league.

Cowa, I like your ideas involving Portland. Perhaps they will have even more merit once we find out the team’s destiny as far as the draft goes on May 22nd.

I don’t see Billups or Bibby coming here either. I would take a chance on Hart, though. It would be so nice if Speedy made all of his detractors eat crow (including myself) next season. But I’m not getting my salt shaker ready just yet…

Speaking of not wanting to come here, let’s say Woody actually gets fried. Who would the Hawks actually get to agree to come here? That’s the real question, not “who would each blogger pick to replace Woodson.” In fact, I don’t see the point in the Spirit even discussing it whilst they do not yet know if they will retain ownership of the team. But whatever…

I seem to remember saying not many posts ago that we didn’t need to focus on finding the next great pg. We just need a solid guy who makes his team better and takes ball-handling pressures off of JJ. And it needs to be a young fella that we can have for years to come.But you know, I think more than half the bloggers here were saying that for the entirety of this past season…so how did it become a “new” idea all of the sudden? Oh wait, I keep forgetting how things go here…in a biiiiiig circle. Seems like only yesterday we were arguing and commiserating about the 2006 draft and the decision to go with Shelden Williams. Ummmm…maybe that WAS yesterday….

By ray

April 26, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Skippy, your post didn’t seem to quite make it. Either that, or my computer is doing funny things again. By the way, had a response for you a few blogs ago.

Doc, I can’t believe you called that one so accurately. Dang!

So Woodson saw progress that apparently so many others don’t/didn’t see. Well, he IS up close and personal with all that’s happening with the team. We all saw the injuries, the confusion, the dumb-founded looks coming from the sideline, the individual growth of some players, the arguments, the birdie fingers, and the whopping four game improvement. Soooo…what exactly did we miss again?

By ray

April 26, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

You know, I’m beginning to wonder if the Lakers are even going to win a game in this postseason. Saw the last game and watched Stoudamire reject Kobe, then Odom. UGLY. Just UGLY. While it’s foolish to assume so much already, I’ll go ahead and say it anyway: hate to be the team that faces Phoenix next. ‘Cause it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon. And I expext some serious changes in LakerLand this summer/next season.

Detroit is looking fairly strong. My Bulls are looking good, too. But Miami is a force to be reckoned with. And they are still the champions until beaten.

By cowa

April 26, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Reese, I like Blake for his D and the fact that he is a pure PG. I’m not saying I want him as a 30 MPG PG, but he would fit nicely with one of the older guys.

Bibby thrived in Adelman’s offense, which was designed around finding the open man in a half court set, utilizing bigs who can pass. that’s why Miller thrived, and that’s why Webber thrived even better. The Princeton offense is a great offense, and will produce great stats. It’s just not made for running and gunning, which is what Billy has been drafting around.

I think Bibby is great. I just don’t like him for the personnel the Hawks have.

By cowa

April 26, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

Melvin, not sure who I would take at 6 & 11. I’m not even saying I wouldn’t still take Conley. What I am saying is that I think Jack plays the point the best way a guy could for the Hawks. Great D, pass first, improving offense as the year went on. He wants to play here, he’s proven he can run a team, and would stabilize the backcourt for the future. For trying to make the playoffs next year, Jack is a better fit than Conley, strictly due to experience.

By F A Skippy

April 26, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

Ray It’s my computer I guess.My point is if Jack is on the market we should go after him.A backcourt of Johnson and Jack would be elite.Add Hawes and we would have the makings of a real team.

By F A Skippy

April 26, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

Ray I went back and checked out your response to my mini rant.No harm done bro I’ve been laid up with IVs in the hospital most of the week so a little perspective it’s just for fun,I take it too serious at times.I’ll check back latter there’s work to catch up on.

By MJ3

April 27, 2007 2:31 AM | Link to this

By “Jack,” please PLEASE tell me you don’t mean Jarret. cuz that’s just sad.

By MJ3

April 27, 2007 2:48 AM | Link to this

To be clear Jack ain’t bad, but he sure ain’t elite by any standard. He’s an average point man, and that’s it. He doesn’t have what it takes to be elite. If any of you would take him if there was a way we could get COnley…hell even if htere was a way we could get Acie…then you need to lay off the drugs. Jack put up below-average numbers fora starting pg on a below-average team. Just cuz he’s a tech boy don’t mean he’s worth passing up on Conley or Acie.

By F A Skippy

April 27, 2007 6:19 AM | Link to this

Mj3 It’s clear by your language you’re not worth my time.

By The Flash

April 27, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

If the last two years of playoff series between LA and the Suns prove anything, it is that when Kobe is willing to play the triangle, LA can beat the Suns. The triangle works against the Suns with the personnel that LA has. Not saying that LA will win when they play the triangle, but that they can, have at least a 50-50 chance, which is pretty good in this life.

When Kobe decides that he needs to be Kobe, and Phil has made an unholy alliance permitting him to, then LA is lost.

Doc, Dowdell is much superior offensively than Jack, and much quicker. I think that he was ACC player of the year, and killed all the quick guards in the ACC, Lawson, Singletary, Reynolds, Crit., etc. The only guys to really shut him down were So. Ill. See my previous post about their star guard.

By F A Skippy

April 27, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

                         Flash    you don't take into account Jack's being a known NBA player.Dowdell may or may not be able to transfer his game to the league,but you have to look at history and the odds he'll be better than Jack are slim. Every year there's a bunch of college guards who look great but can't play with the big boys.Here's what I know Jack can make this team better,can Dowdell ? I don't know and neither does anybody else.