Hawks

By A Thinking Fan

May 21, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

This upcoming Draft Night will be my starting point for comment…

By Ricardo

May 21, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

SS -

What does BK say about OTHER team’s injury problems or are we the only team that had anyone of importance hurt last year?
I agree with the above post - tomorrow night will go a long way toward finding out if this is a 5 or 10 year rebuilding plan.

By Anakin Joe

May 21, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

I certainly don;t want my GM spending any time crying over spilled milk, figure out how to fix the team… look ahead… the past is gone.

But, I would be interested in knowing why he didn’t work out Shelden prior to last year’s draft.

Sekou, how does BK address the “health of the PG situation”? And since the PGs mostly broke down with muscle injuries (after Speedy’s finger healed), does that suggest that the strength and conditioning coach is incompetent? And lastly, any mention of Woody being a lame-duck coach with only 1 year left on his contract?

By Steve

May 21, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

SS,

I think you hit on the exact problem I’ve had with the Hawks over the past 4-5 years - there doesn’t seem to be ANY style of play. Billy said it himself, the players ARE versatile…that’s for sure. But we have too many versatile players. What do I mean? One night, we run-and-gun with the Suns, score over 100 points, and win the game. Another night the Hawks will lollygaggle and play a halfcourt game, scoring 78 points and losing. All (and I mean ALL) of the playoff teams have a “style”. You can expect to see the same game from them, day in and day out…and it works. While BK said our players are versatile, did he infer or say anything about giving them a style, direction, or maybe making the team less versatile?

For the past few years, the Hawks have played the same style as their opponents, whether it be the Suns, Pistons, or whoever. If they’re gonna make the playoffs any time soon, they need to make those teams play THEIR style…but they need a style, first.

By honest_abe

May 21, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

ss,

did bk say, infer anything about a possible coaching change?

maybe i read this wrong but it seems like bk is well aware of the hawks pg deficiencies, yet it seemed as if he wanted to take a wait and see approach with our current set of pg’s. does that mean no splash in the free agent market?

it seems like everything is pretty vague with the guy. i guess we won’t know until tomorrow night?

any updates on cenkyol or andersen?

By _sturt_

May 21, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree less with the prevailing theme of this blog entry, Sekou.

Perhaps that’s because mine is a long memory.

People forget that this franchise put together quite an incredible playoff run over the Babcock years… no low-low’s, but in the same vein, we all got very tired of the fact that there were never any of the high-high’s (ie, NBA finals berths)… and I’m not sure that “tired” is the word.

Frustrated? Yes. Cynical? Absolutely. Apathetic? Indeed.

All of those would have applied, especially after even the acquisition of Mutombo to put together with Mookie and Steve Smith didn’t allow the team to sniff, let alone cross over into, the promised land.

So, I’m not one who wants the playoffs for the playoffs’ sake. Especially not for the sake of appearing in any single year of playoffs… time will tell whether the Clips or Warriors recent successes will mean anything in the longer term, but history would suggest not.

You don’t get to long-term success by making decisions calculated mainly on short-term goals.

While one may argue whether any one acquisition or another was, by itself, a good call, BK’s guiding principle here is solid in an environment that, as he suggests in your story, is constantly tempting him to stray from that principle.

So, I’m bullish on BK and the team he’s put together. The above is just the first reason.

A second reason is that his is a team that is so young that he doesn’t have to emphasize new acquisitions each year for the team to improve—their natural development as basketball players from season 1 to season 2 to season 3 is going to predict improvement.

To wit, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams alone have another 3-4 years before they reach their mid-20s and the typical prime of an NBA player’s career. That’s an exciting thought.

Third and related to #2, while the injuries indisputably kept the team down for 06-07, that the team got to play without Joe Johnson for so much of the last half of the year raised the chemistry level and concurrently illuminated the players most able to step up beyond Joe… which is huge in the development of a team.

And the fourth and final reason I’m bullish is that the law of averages is going to catch up to the Hawks. The ping pong balls can only avoid rewarding the franchise for so long.

It could be Tuesday, or it could still be sometime in the future… but it’s going to happen eventually, because that’s just how things naturally work.

And of course, if it happens Tuesday, many will be writing and talking about what a genius BK is and has been… having placed his franchise in the perfect position to acquire the remaining major pieces needed to make this team a force for the long-term.

Certainly, I hope it does. BK’s waited quite awhile for some better luck to come his way, as have the rest of us.

But even if it doesn’t, I can’t and won’t argue with his guiding principles… building, not just a playoff contender but an NBA championship contender, is a process, not a light switch.

By Clyde

May 21, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By MIKE THE MECHANIC

May 21, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

If for some reason we end up without a pick, does that mean there won’t be A Draft Party at Phillips Arena?

By MIKE THE MECHANIC

May 21, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Clyde, if i were Billy, I would fire myself!

By JohnGTfan

May 21, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

I’m not going to think about anything regarding this team until after tomorrow night. Then we’ll look at the draft pick(s) we have, and figure out how this incompetent moron can destroy this team even worse.

By Anakin Joe

May 21, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Anyone else reading about the “chemistry problems” with the Suns? Sounds like Amare is packing his suitcases. And Marion had his usual mediocre playoff run.

I wish I could figure out how to make a trade of Josh Smith for Amare work. Suns need to dump a major salary to avoid luxury taxes and Smith is the kind of cheap, multi-faceted player who would fit their system (even if his fundamentals are far from sound). And if we ever dealt Smith, it would have to be for a player of Amare’s stature and style. Amare will have to work hard on his half-court game if he is removed from Nash. But he and JJ would be a fun inside/outside tandem.

By chris

May 21, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

after i read your grades on the hawks last month i wrote you off as another media sycophant. i have changed my mind

By Wolverinegrad

May 21, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Hopefully the NBA gods shine on Atlanta and give us the #1 pick so we can grab Oden. If were not lucky enough to get that pick then Please Draft a pg with the 11th Pick. I actually like Acie Law. He would be a good pick up and insurance for The Hawks once broke knees Claxton goes down again.

By Sekou K. Smith

May 21, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Keep dreaming on the coaching change question. And there are obvious reasons that the Hawks’ injury situation was addressed and not some other team’s. As for Billy’s thoughts on remedies for the Hawks’ injury situation, they’re attacking the problem from both sides. The players are being asked to do some different things training wise this summer and they’re also being sent out for “second, third and fourth opinions” on the injuries that hampered them this past season. And sturt, I appreciate the detail of your post. That’s another (historical) fan perspective that needs to be heard.

By Curt

May 21, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

“those teams have guys like Baron Davis [Golden State] and Steve Nash [Phoenix] and then Toronto has T.J. Ford, and Deron Williams in Utah”…um, correct me if I am wrong, but we could have drafted Deron Williams. Maybe someone should tell Billy Knight that he shouldn’t point out his own poor drafting decisions when making comments about the shortcomings of the Hawks. I can’t wait to see how he can potentially screw up two top-11 picks. But knowing this franchise, we won’t get either one of them. Atlanta Spirit, catch the fever.

By Gutz

May 21, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Sekou, did Billy give you any idea on who were at least looking at with the 11th pick since we have a 97% chance of retaining the pick? Everyone thinks BK is going to take Conley, Law or Crittendon with the 11th pick but I think most will be VERY disappointed. I can’t see BK taking a PG at all considering in his mind he thinks we have 3 veteran PG that will be healthy next season so we don’t need one. If he takes another SF or PF there will be a riot in Atlanta! Did Billy say anything about this rumor going around that the Hawks are seriously looking at this Greek PG Papaloukas?

By Matthew At The SLC

May 21, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Sekou, when it comes to The Village Idiot (aKa Billy Knight) there needs to only be said four words:

Chris Paul.

Derron Williams.

Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

The man is bar none, the WORST GM in all of professional sports. Bill Simmons, who is no lover of Isiah Thomas, continually comments that Knight is even worse.

And when people are saying that you are worse than Isiah Thomas, then you are the epitome, nay, the DEFINITION of inept.

If we get a number 1 through 3 pick in this draft, does anyone doubt that Knight will screw it up? Does ANYONE doubt that?

By J

May 21, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

As a basketball fan, this is a very exciting time! W/ such a deep draft this year, I hope the Hawks can claim a Top 3 and #11 Pick. W/ the young nucleous, it will help the development of the team!!!

By J

May 21, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Is it me, or did we not draft for need last year by picking up Sheldon?

BK had a plan of attack regarding the PG position, and unfortunately it didn’t work to his advantage.

We picked up one of the best players in the 05 draft, based off his future potential. Sure, i liked chris paul too, but i’ve taken the wait-and-see approach instead of bashing every move BK makes.

By MJ

May 21, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Atlanta has a professional basketball team?

By Sekou K. Smith

May 21, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

No clues on the players they’re considering at No. 11. But the players that could be available there have been pretty steady since the end of the NCAA Tournament. I think it’s clear that if Mike Conley Jr. were available there, he’d get heavy consideration for the pick. But like I said above, no clues were given.

By _sturt_

May 21, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Sekou, for considering an alternative perspective.

It’s occurred to me that someone may say, “How long do you suggest we wait to see substantial results (… and by that, I’m sure they would mean playoffs)?”

To that, I’d reply that heretofore, I’ve been less interested in playoff berths, and even W/L records, and more interested to see how the team performs in (a) games vs. the NBA’s championship contenders — ie, are they showing the capacity to compete with those teams for 47 minutes — and (b) games vs. the NBA’s worst teams — ie, are they showing the capacity to blow-out teams that ought to be blown-out.

On both counts, we tasted some success this season, but only “tasted.” There was certainly nothing close to gluttony where those measurements were concerned.

For 2007-08, regardless of how this draft turns out and for the developmental reasons I gave in my first monologue above, this team needs to establish itself as a viable threat to beat the NBA’s best teams (and, of course, that means you have to actually win some of those games when the other team is fielding their normal starting 5), and a viable threat to demolish the NBA’s worst teams on a given night.

Then, in 2008-09, expectations are raised to the next notch. The team needs to be, not just contender to get into the playoffs, but a playoff shoe-in by mid-season… which means, they not only were “successful” with the 07-08 season as described above, but that the long-term decision-making and talent evaluation has taken hold, and that the team is firmly positioned to be a championship contender over the next 1-3 seasons.

So, the end-of-the-day answer to the question posed above: There’s substantial progress expected for 07-08, and even more substantial progress expected for the season after that.

By Gutz

May 21, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Did Billy say anything about this rumor going around that the Hawks are seriously looking at this Greek PG Papalouka or if the rumor is even true?

By honest_abe

May 21, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

thanks for the detailed answer.

Keep dreaming on the coaching change question

By Clyde

May 21, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Its gonna be a hot summer when we find out were not going to get a draft pick this year. Order your fresh FIRE BILLY AND WOODY t-shirt today. E-mail me at atlconnect@hotmail.com.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By The Grinch

May 21, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

I have to echo Curt and Matthew; pointing out (pardon the pun) that we couldn’t play the way we needed to because we don’t have a guy like Deron Williams or Chris Paul when we were in a poition to take either of them and didn’t (and any fault in drafting falls SQARELY on his shoulders and his shoulders alone, and it wasn’t like every fan and media pundit in the country didn’t know they were much better choices at the time)…that may be the stupidest thing I’ve heard someone making that much money ever say. Wow. I hardly even know how to respond to that, and am continuously baffled that not only does this man continue to have a job, but isn’t run out on a rail, sued, and forced to return as much of the salary he’s ever made here as he still posesses to at least symbolically pay for the complete wreck he’s made of this franchise year in and year out. Good GOD what a fool, and worse yet and arrogant and unrepentant one.

By Sekou K. Smith

May 21, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

Gutz,

I saw the Greek PG thing Sunday. Great stuff. But do you really think the Hawks are going to target yet another aged point guard? Don’t answer that. Knight certainly was in Europe watching CSKA Moscow … that’s the team David Andersen plays on. The NBA types I’ve talked to about the Euro crop this year don’t see anyone capable of coming over and making a huge impact this year, so I don’t give any credence to the report (if you want to call it that) saying the Hawks are looking at the Greek PG.

I’d think that they’re going to target a PG at the 11 spot in the draft, finally adding a young floor general to the mix.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

May 21, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

This is courtesy of ESPN.com:

The Hawks draft history since 1990

1990 1st RD - Rumeal Robinson 2nd RD - Trevor Wilson

1991 1st RD - Stacey Augmon 2nd RD - Rodney Monroe

1992 1st RD - Adam Keefe 2nd RD - Elmer Bennett

1993 1st RD - Doug Edwards 2nd RD - Richard Manning

1994 1st RD - None 2nd RD - Gaylon Nickerson

1995 1st RD - Alan Henderson 2nd RD - Donnie Boyce - Troy Brown - Cuonzo Martin

1996 1st RD - Priest Lauderdale 2nd RD - None

1997 1st RD - Ed Gray 2nd RD - Alain Digbeau - Chris Crawford

1998 1st RD - Roshown McLeod 2nd RD - Cory Carr

1999 1st RD - Cal Bowdler - Dion Glover - Jumaine Jones 2nd RD - None

2000 1st RD - Dermarr Johnson 2nd RD - Hanno Mottola - Scoonie Penn

2001 1st RD - Jamaal Tinsley 2nd RD - Terence Morris

2002 1st RD - Dan Dickau 2nd RD - David Andersen

2003 1st RD - Boris Diaw 2nd RD - Travis Hansen

2004 1st RD - Josh Childress - Josh Smith 2nd RD - Donta Smith - Royal Ivey - Viktor Sanikidze

2005 1st RD - Marvin Williams 2nd RD - Salim Stoudamire - Cenk Akyol

2006 1st RD - Shelden Williams 2nd RD - Solomon Jones

The reason I posted this to begin with, was to remind us all of where this team has been and where it may be headed. I don’t particularly care for the front office leadership and especially BK’s standoff attitude towards the fans. But I think he’s not doing such a bad job with the draft overall.

I hope like crazy we get two picks. Imagine the possibilities of have one top two and the other around 10 or 11. Oden and Conley would be ideal. So would Durant and Conley. But I will honestly be happy with just one as well.

Let’s hope they spend it well either way!

By JJ

May 21, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

everybody pray tonight that we have 2 picks tommorrow. if we don’t all hell is gonna break loose.

By Matt

May 21, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Finally, I seem to have a like-minded soul in sturt.

Sadly, you only arrived after I got too busy to post here anymore.

I’ve always said that I like the moves Knight has made, and that I think this team is most definitely headed in the right direction.

Sekou - I do think that we would have made a playoff run had we not had the injuries. I think that when healthy, we are easily as good a team as Indiana, which was in the playoff hunt until the last 5 games of the season, when the Magic and Nets pulled away. You really, honestly think that the Hawks would not have won just 6-7 more games this year if they hadn’t lost 150 player games to injury?

Matthew at the SLC Yes, I think that Billy will make good draft choices this year. I’ve explained many times before why I think that the picks for Childress, Marvin, and Shelden were not bad picks at all under the circumstances. And no one here would dispute that with Smith, he made one of the best picks of the entire ‘04 draft. I will pay anyone here $20 if he ends up drafting another swingman (unless we get the #2 pick and Durant is there).

By Gutz

May 21, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Sekou, I hope your right about us targeting a PG with 11th pick but I just can’t see BK taking one since we already have 3 veteran ones and Speedy’s contract is impossible to move at this point. Hopefully we can trade AJ and Lue for some players/picks this offseason or sometime next year. Did Knight say anything about David Andersen possibly EVER coming over to play for us?

By jeff

May 21, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Sekou, this guy is a disgrace. He does not care about the team or this city. This is an NBA town. He could fix the Hawks any time he wanted. Ask him what happens when all of young talent improves, where is the money going to come from to pay them all? Go get some vetern talent and get rid of the all of the project players. Final question for old BK, ask him what the revenue would look like if their were actually fans in the arena? Beer sales, food, jerseys, etc. Empty seats do not buy food or beer. They also dont renew GM’s contract.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

May 21, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Gutz, Andersen himself said the Hawks have tried to lowball him in bringing him over in the past. He said last year’s offer was substantially higher than it had been in previous years and if they offer a little higher this year, he said he would like to try to come over.

By Hatertots

May 21, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Sekou, Billy’s keeping it real alright. Real bad. For all his talk about making a plan and sticking with it, it’s obvious this guy has no plan whatsoever. Collecting a trophy case of 6’8” athletes isn’t a plan, that’s playing Pokemon. The Hawks have needed a pg and a center since the dawn of time and he hasn’t done much to address either of those positions.

When things go wrong with the Braves, Schuerholz can and does talk about it, like when he admitted that last year’s bullpen was a liability. Then he addressed it by acquiring new relievers. Sounds like a plan.

When things go wrong with the Falcons, McKay can and does talk about it, like when he admitted that the defensive problems over the last two seasons were caused by inadequate pass rush and poor safety play. Then he addressed it by acquiring a new DE, a new CB, and shifting Jimmy Williams to his projected NFL position of FS. That, too, sounds like a plan.

Whether their plans work out or not, however, those two GM’s can discuss their successes or their failures because they have a clear understanding of their objectives. Knight’s reluctance to talk suggests that he doesn’t have any plan more significant than to get five outstanding athletes and pray they come together like the many parts of Voltron to form an unstoppable basketball-playing machine.

By Cedric

May 21, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

I truly think this franchise fortunes are about to change for the better because as sturt says sooner or later we have to get a break when it comes to the draft. Last time we had the #2 pick we went with supposedly best player available and that result is still in the works while the next player off the board was what we really needed Deron Williams (a big point guard in the mold of what our head coach was used to coaching in Detroit - Chauncey Billups) and that PG is in the Western Conference finals in his second season. I remember so called experts saying about him saying he was out of shape coming out of college and it would prevent him from keeping up with the tempo played in the NBA. Well that was some BS and we missed out on that so I really think that this draft is going to change the face of this franchise. I will holla back at you guys around the same time on Wednesday and as Ryan Cameron says at Hawks games “rise up Atlanta and support your Hawks”.

By Dan

May 21, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

I really think next year will tell us all we need to know about this organization. I don’t know if I agree with Sekou. I think this team should have been a playoff contender last season. It could have been, if Billy Knight had a better offseason last year.

I don’t like the “..it is a waste of time” quote, in reference to the idea of looking back at past drafts and free agents. That is not an OK excuse. Sheldon Williams was not a good pick (don’t argue about the last month of the year. That was against Summer League competition). He did not get crap for Al Harrington, who might have been the biggest free agent on the market. Speedy Claxton was the worst free agent signing in the organization’s history. He sucks. He has always sucked. He will continue to suck.

Speaking of Speedy, the Hawks owner, Gerron?, compared Billy Knight to Joe Dumars. He said that even Joe Dumars makes mistakes. True, but here is the difference. Joe Dumars gets out of his mistakes. Milic (sp?) is no longer a Piston. Speedy Claxton is still a Hawk and will probably be a Hawk for the remainder of his absurd contract. There is the difference between the two.

By honest_abe

May 21, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

i’m sorry i used to be one of bk’s biggest supporters, but after last years moves i’m not so sure he has a clue as to what he is doing.

last years moves include: drafting shelden at #5 (without ever working the guy out, also the hawks choice being leaked to the press), signing speedy “creeky knee’s” claxton (who by the way was chris paul’s backup) to a huge deal avging 6-7 mil per year!, signing lorenzen wright for 3 mil per year!…

i think an argument can be made for every draft pick and signing prior to this past year.

the sheldon pick befuddled everyone. yes, he can be a solid player, but why not try to make a move down if you were so infatuated with sheldon, he obviously wasn’t going to go that early. and it wasn’t like he was one of those can’t miss prospects anyway.

i’m sure everything can change with a lucky bounce of a ping pong ball. but getting oden won’t fix the problem that these hawks have no direction.

a great coach is able to relate to his players and get his points across in a short and concise manner. woody’s philosophy is confusing to his players and he lets personal feelings get in the way of the overall betterment fo the team. HE NEEDS TO GO!

and i won’t lie, i would’ve appreciated a reason as to why you (Sekou) thought that a coaching change is such a ludicrous notion.

is it tied to financial restraints? is it bk and woody’s personal relationship? because i’m just kind of confused as to what woody has accomplished in his career to get him a pass when rick carlisle and jeff van gundy to notable coaches get fired for not being able to meet expecations.

By Sekou K. Smith

May 21, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Andersen was a second round pick but doesn’t make second round pick money in Russia. So bringing him over here will be a tricky proposition. Plus, I’m still not sure if he’s going to be an upgrade over what the Hawks have. And that’s the only reason to bring him over here.

By Josh

May 21, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Sekou:

Can you lay out the scenarios that the Hawks have tomorrow night in terms of having one, two or NO first round picks in June? I think the masses need this made clear before BK and friends head to New Jersey.

By Gutz

May 21, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

So it sounds like this Andersen guy sucks then. If he isn’t any better than Zaza and Lazy Lo Wright then we need to never talk about this guy again. Because BLO Wright should never play in the NBA again after how horrible he was last year contributing nothing to this team. Zaza will never be the defensive prescence we need at the 5 either. I thought he was clearly better than what we have based on what i’ve read. Guess I was wrong.

By Greg

May 21, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks get anything outside of the # 1 pick overall and tack Greg Oden they need to trade it. If they get the 2nd overall pick they should trade the pick and Marvin Williams to New Orleans for Chris Paul. We don’t need Kevin Durant we have JSmith, JJohnson, and JChil. We need a center that rebounds & blocks shots, and a point guard.

By GTFan

May 21, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Hawks will draft Thaddeus Young at No. 11

By Phillip

May 21, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

Got bored – played the ESPN game on lottery game – played 100 times to get a representative sample (it says we have 11.9% chance of getting 1st overall pick) – here are the results:

64 times – we did not get in top 3 picks (conversely 36 times we did)

9 times we got 3rd overall pick (game predicted we took point guard Mike Conley – Ohio State)

13 times we got 2nd overall pick (game predicted we take Kevin Durant, SF – Texas)

14 times we got 1st overall pick (game predicted we took Greg Oden, C – Ohio State)

So, given my results extrapolated:

36% chance we get a lottery “top 3” selection and get to keep our pick (instead of giving to Phoenix)

27% chance we end up with either Oden/Durant

14% chance we end up with Oden (interesting that if Charlotte or Milwaukee got overall top pick – the model had them taking Durant over Oden)

Since I was within 2% of overall pick – I think these numbers will hold true on the top 2 and top 3 as well – give or take 2-3%…..so, basically Hawks have about a “one-in-three” chance of keeping their pick this year.

Only once out of 100 times did Pacers get in lottery top 3 (they have a 0.8% chance) – if they don’t get in top 3, Hawks get their pick at #11 – most of time the model had us taking Mike Conley at #11 – same as if we were at #3 (odd, don’t you think?) If Connely gone, model had us taking PG – Acie Law, Texas Tech – he is a “scoring” point guard.

Most of time the lottery mock had Joakhim Noah, C-Florida going around #7 overall – he was a #1 overall candidate if he came out last year – lost some $$$$!!!

By _sturt_

May 21, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

======================================

Some people’s memories are as short as Matt’s is long.

1. The chorus crying for the Hawks to draft Chris Paul on draft night amounted to that draft expert known as Dick Vitale.

The chorus crying for the Hawks to draft Deron Williams on draft night was… well, to my knowledge, just me.

Everyone else thought the Hawks should draft Marvin Williams, except for those who thought the Bucks would take him at #1.

So, please, save us from all of the woulda-shoulda-couldas as if Knight was an idiot for taking MWill.

And what’s more, have the sense to understand that the majority of early-draftees who eventually became NBA stars took two, three, and even four years to establish themselves.

Having said all of that…

1. The Sheldon Williams situation was an embarrassment. It was very un-BK like that his cards were so evident, as much of Sekou’s blog entry helps attest. I’m fairly confident that whatever/whoever allowed that leak to occur, BK has identified the problem and resolved it.

Having said that…

It was painful all season to think that Sheldon was practically universally regarded as the “most ready” top 10 pick last draft, yet the facts betrayed that notion.

That’s just honest criticism.

So, if we’re honest about what he didn’t do, we should also be honest about what he did do… and that he had the strong finish that he did indicates to me that he deserves the benefit of a doubt that he’s turned a corner.

Almost every successful team in NBA history has had a Sheldon clone, ie skills and a role that is similar… so another piece to the puzzle appears to be set.

By David Lee

May 21, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight needed to be fired: BOTTOM LINE

By Lee

May 21, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Life would be great if…….We get ODEN and Conley this coming draft and we then become a dynasty. And once we start winnning bring back the pacman jerseys. This will never happen.

By honest_abe

May 21, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

sturt that’s a sorry excuse.

as many bloggers have already said you don’t pick a role player at #5… period.. besides who in the world picks a player they don’t even work out?

i’m not sure that a lot of people will agree with you that everyone wanted marvin williams. i, for one wanted raymond felton. others on this blog say they were crying for paul for weeks in advance. bottom line is the hawks selected three swingmen in the prior 2 drafts. (diaw, childress, jsmith) why waste a top pick on another swingman? it made absolutely no sense, unless you were convinced that marvin was a transcendent talent, kind of like a carmelo anthony or kevin durant. marvin was neither in college. he was a solid backup for the national champs. a fairly big guy that was nimble and could shoot.

as for your every championship team has a sheldon williams clone.. i think not. sheldon is a 6’8 center! the reason why he played better toward the end of the season was because of a number of different reasons. he played center, a position in which he is more comfortable. (because of his lack of quickness and agility) and he didn’t have to play any good big men. bottom line, a lot of nba teams have good pf’s. boozer and haslem were found in the 2nd round. duncan and rasheed were lottery picks.

either way sheldon isn’t looking like he’ll sniff any of their shoes. it’s sad the hawks wasted a 5th overall pick on a guy that isnt’ athletic, doesnt’ have size and his potential is limited.

By _sturt_

May 21, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

(My bad on the numbering typo.)

By Ricardo

May 21, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Sturt -

I agree that most teams have a “Sheldon clone” - difference being that they didn’t find there’s with the 5th pick in the draft. A guy like SW is only good if you don’t overpay for him, which most folks would say that we did. We probably could have traded lower and gotten him.
I don’t like BK, but in fairness a lot of his picks have been OK (not great, but OK.) Shelden isn’t one of his better picks.

By honest_abe

May 21, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

final thing sturt: in defense of bk you said he’s making moves for the future, not looking for a quick fix.

then how can you defend him picking a guy that was universally regarded as the “most ready to contribut”… if bk was making moves for the future, it seems like it would’ve made more sense to start royal ivey at pg. not sign speedy. trade away the 5th pick for a pick this year. in that scenario the hawks would’ve most likely finished in last place and been in prime position to take greg oden.

you want a championship team? well it ain’t going to happen with the way this team is constructed. i’ve been one of the hawks biggest defenders and have used most of the arguments you use now. but let me tell you it’s futile. the ineptness of this current hawks franchise from the bottom to the top is evident and its not looking like tis going to get better anytime soon.

By Anakin Joe

May 21, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Sekou, Anthony Parker and Garbajosa were very solid contributors on a playoff team this past season. I don’t recall either getting much “Euro league love” during the off-season. Personally, I’m not looking for a 30 year-old Greek to be Jason Kidd/Steve Nash. Right now, we are getting nothing but strike outs from our PGs, if the Greek could hit a freakin’ single, that would be an upgrade. And I’d be SHOCKED if Conley is sitting there at #11. We’d better not be putting our eggs in that basket.

By Sekou K. Smith

May 21, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

I didn’t say Andersen sucks. I just said I DON’T KNOW IF HE IS ANY BETTER than the cats already on the roster (Esteban and Slava are no longer on the roster, by the way). And Josh, Philip gave you the best answer to the scenarios that could play out tomorrow night in Jersey. And from what I understand, Dominique Wilkins will represent the Hawks on the stage tomorrow night. He’s a Hall of Famer now (finally), maybe he’ll bring his crew some luck.

By Wedgie Evans

May 21, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

I am quite frankly amazed that Billy actually seemed to admit that they need to fix the point guard position. Could that mean we’ll actually see Mike Conley or Javaris Crittenton in a Hawks uni in the fall?

By mavid

May 21, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Tuesday is huge.

Honestly, I will give BK credit for the JJ-Marvin-Smoove core. I LIKE all those players a lot, and feel that is a going to be a great core in 2-3 seasons. Add Conley to the mix and we’re in business.

But, other than that, BK is just damn frustrating. Shelden at 5 was a joke and everyone knew it. The Speedy signing was not well thought-out. Lorenzen and AJ are taking up valuable cap space, yet do very little.

But, still, add Oden and Conley to the mix, and everything is OK.

Tuesday is going to be insane for us.

By Gutz

May 21, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Sekou, I never said YOU said he sucked. Based on your assumption that you didn’t think Andersen was any better than what we currently have at the 5 spot(BLO Wright and Zaza) alone tells ME that he sucks. Because Lo Wright is absolutely HORRIBLE and Zaza still has A LOT of work to do.

By Harry Hawk

May 21, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Almost every successful team in NBA history has had a “Shelden clone.” The Bulls had Jason Caffey AND Dickey Simpkins. By my calculations, Billy only needs ONE MORE and we’re winning titles, baby.

Jordan? Pippen? Rodman? On those Bulls teams? No way! It’s unpossible.

By smartguy

May 21, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

BELKIN AND DONOVAN 2008!

By GT80

May 21, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

BK is just too aloof and feels like the fans don’t know enough to bother with. John Shureholz (sp?)is kind of the same way but his track record allows him to get away with it. BK’s track record is nothing but a mess. You can’t expect a GM to hit on every pick (there’s plenty of history showing a team taking a player when a better one is passed over, see Sam Bowie @ #2 and Michael Jordan @ #3), but for every single 1st pick BK has made this is the case. I don’t have to mention them all, OK…Josh Howard, Loul Deng, Deron Williams, anybody other than Sheldon. My fear is we get the #3 pick and BK misses again. Our only hope is that we get #1 & #11 and we take the no braniners of Oden and Conley. Not even BK can mess that up.

And SS, this might be on the GT blog, but what is the word on whether Young and Critt are going to stay in the draft? Selfishly I want them both to stay in school, but I haven’t heard anything regarding where they are projected to go if they do go.

By Stevethehawk

May 21, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Sekou, anybody,

Please explain all the options the hawks will have after the lottery with all scenarios of picks

By you've got to be kiddin'

May 21, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Based on win-loss percentage the Hawks are the worst organization in all of sports for the past 5 years combined. That’s keeping it real. No reason to go over the facts BK cannot evaluate talent coming into the league or established veterans. Allowing the Hawks to play the past 3 years with no legitimate center or pg. Why on earth do we belief BK will change in the near future. Atlanta Spirit Group’s lawsuit has no end in sight. Bottom 3 in payroll. Hawks will trade Josh Smith when he is closer to gaining free agency eligilibilty.

By St. Bernard

May 21, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

I think the better questions come if we end up with the third pick and eleven pick. If we get the two I think we have to trade it unless it’s Durant. If you’re at number three you have a more difficult situation. You have to think which pair is the best. Conley and Hawes/Noah or Hibbert/Wright and gamble on Conley knowing Law or Crittendon are the fall back?

By Mash

May 21, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Yes, Billy would be right in suggesting we need to base our current decisions based on where we are. But to blame our problems on not having a point guard, while refusing to adknowledge he hasn’t gotten us a point guard is ludicrius. And to mention that Utah’s success is based on Deron Williams, where does he get the nerve? Only the two best point guards to enter the league in ten years are on the board and you decide to take another swingman to put on the bence is preposterous.

There’s no semblance of any plan. We draft players that would excel in a NellieBall/CoAngelo up tempo style and then hire a coach from the Pistons that wants to slow and down and win with defense. What is the plan?

Or how about answering a straight-forward question when asked something as simple as “what type of style do you envision the Hawks playing”? The man stammers around and gives incorhent responses such as “we like our team, we like the players, they do a lot of different for us”. WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!!!

Sekou, it’s not that the man is slyly tight-lipped in not “tipping his hat”; it’s that he’s of questionable intelligence and probably didn’t understand your questions.

For the Love of Hawks Basketball, Steve Belkin must win control of the franchise.

By St. Bernard

May 21, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Sorry meant to say we trade the two if it isn’t oden. Also, I’m looking at some mocks that have Gasol’s 7 foot brother and Taureen Green left on the board where the hawks would be picking if they hadn’t of traded for AJ. If Knight didn’t pick up AJ for a playoff push, then why did he pick him up?

By honest_abe

May 21, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

if the hawks land anything other than one imo they need to try everything they can to move up into that #1 pick. they need oden. if they get 3rd and 11. trade the 3rd pick along with marv williams to move into 1. or add salim to the deal. get that 1st pick at all costs!

By Bertie

May 21, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

BK’s secretive and seclusive attitude does not match his extremely poor track record. Lets only review his draft picks over the last 3 years and what players he should have picked instead. Hindsight is 20/20 and it might not be fair but it illustrates his failures in the draft. 2004: 1st Rd. Luong Deng instead of Josh Childress 2nd Rd. Chris Duhon and Trevor Ariza instead of Donta Smith and Ivey 2005: 1st Rd. Deron Williams instead of Marvin Williams 2nd Rd. Rony Turiaf instead of Salim Stoudamire 2004: 1st rd. Brandon Roy instead of Shelden Williams 2nd Rd. Paul Millsap instead of Salomon Jones Roster: Deron Williams, Brandon Roy, Joe Johnson, Chris Duhon, Ty Lue, Luong Deng, Josh Smith, Paul Millsap, Trevor Ariza, Zaza Pachulia, Rony Turiaf, Lo Wright. The signing of Speedy Claxton and the trade for Anthony Johnson would have not been needed. With this roster the team would truly be 1 or 2 players away from being a competitive playoff team and more attractive to FAs.

By _sturt_

May 21, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Abe said: as many bloggers have already said you don’t pick a role player at #5… period.. besides who in the world picks a player they don’t even work out?…

Abe said: as for your every championship team has a sheldon williams clone.. i think not….

Ricardo said: *I agree that most teams have a “Sheldon clone” - difference being that they didn’t find there’s with the 5th pick in the draft. *

Abe said: *in defense of bk you said he’s making moves for the future, not looking for a quick fix… then how can you defend him picking a guy that was universally regarded as the “most ready to contribute”… *

**I didn’t defend taking him at #5. I didn’t defend not working him out (…though that part was somewhat disputed as I recall).

But I also am “honest” enough to recognize that once it became such common knowledge that Knight was myopic on taking SWill, it became next to impossible to trade down and get value for the pick relative to the risk taken to trade down.

At that point, you take your medicine by not getting value for the pick, but you don’t throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater… you take the guy you’ve targeted, if that’s the player you’ve evaluated and settled upon.

I never took it that BK wanted SWill singularly because he was the “most ready;” but when he already had the youngest team in the NBA and by quite a margin, at some point, it seems reasonable that you’d like to draft someone who is more contemporary to the talent already on the roster.**

===============

Abe said: i’m not sure that a lot of people will agree with you that everyone wanted marvin williams…

Abe said: why waste a top pick on another swingman? it made absolutely no sense, unless you were convinced that marvin was a transcendent talent, kind of like a carmelo anthony or kevin durant. marvin was neither in college. he was a solid backup for the national champs. a fairly big guy that was nimble and could shoot.

**It’s apparently easy to forget now, but in fact, that was the prediction of many. In fact, MWill was routinely considered to be the shoe-in #1 until center-needy Milwaukee won the top pick.

As to the former assertion… What I meant was that every “expert” was on record that #2 was the correct slot for MWill, if not #1, and that he was the best value… though maybe not the most immediate “best value.” (Look it up… the newspaper accounts will support that fact.)**

===============

Abe said: if bk was making moves for the future, it seems like it would’ve made more sense to start royal ivey at pg. not sign speedy. trade away the 5th pick for a pick this year. in that scenario the hawks would’ve most likely finished in last place and been in prime position to take greg oden.

**A couple of points here:

1) Give BK a little credit???… It was no secret that there was no consequential PG on the horizon in the 07 draft. Everything considered, signing Speedy made sense at that point in time.

(What wouldn’t have made sense, in my estimation, would have been to have acquired Old-Man Cassell as BK evidently first sought to do.)

2) There were no guarantees that (a) Oden would live up to his press clippings (a great many HS players do not, of course), and (b) that he would come out after his freshman season.

But BK is supposed to stymie his club’s progress on the whim and a prayer that one player would come out and, then, that the ping pong balls would be kind?

That’s the measurement for judging whether BK is “making moves for the future?”

No… that’s the measurement for judging whether BK is going to be physically removed from his office and hauled off to the funny farm.**

===============

Abe said: you want a championship team? well it ain’t going to happen with the way this team is constructed.

We’ll just have to disagree… for the reasons of my first post responding to Sekou. Were the ping-pong gods kind and Oden to somehow fall to the Hawks, this team is an instant contender for 07-08… and that can’t be said for every NBA lottery team.

By g_from_dooluth

May 21, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I need to vent, so bare with me…

OF COURSE BK doesn’t want to look back at the past, why would he? After watching Chris Paul win Rookie of the Year two seasons ago and Deron Williams lead Utah into the playoffs I wouldn’t want to dwell on that either. Toss in the fact that Sheldon Williams was a complete BUST (yeah, I said it) last season and he really hasn’t done much right! Sure, he’s cleared “cap space”, but what’s the point of having money when you can’t spend it b/c NOBODY wants to come play for us.

Bandwagon or not, it is clear that the fans in this town will come out if there is an exciting product out on the court/field (ex: Falcons, Thrashers, etc.).

Its time to bring someone in who knows how to operate a draft and pick out TALENT!!

By ray

May 21, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Tomorrow night is huge as far as “luck” goes. Nobody is responsible for the ping pong balls. But don’t lose sight of the fact that a great deal of responsibility is laid on the shoulders of the one who actually makes the selection on draft day/night. If we have a pick(s).

I can’t believe some of the stuff I’m reading. So one guy I’ve never seen here before declares he was the only one hollering for us to draft Deron Williams. Give me a d@mn break, he wasn’t even the only one on this blog by a long stretch. I haven’t heard such arrogant statements since….hmmmm…naw, it can’t be….

I’m so happy that two souls have found each other in this sea of insane bloggers who can’t understand that Billy is really a mastermind at building a team. It’s positively Shakespearian (or however the hell you spell that-it wasn’t in the hooked-on-phonics class I took). I’m tempted to say so much…so I will.

I like some of the draft picks Billy made. But you also have to be able to separate the actualy picks from the actual players. How do you defend the refusal to draft a young pg who could come in right away and contribute as well as learn? You can’t. Know why? Because as much as you want to make noise about there being a plan to bring in a veteran pg, that plan failed very miserably. The whole approach on that position has been failure from start to finish: 1. don’t draft a pg who can come in and play 2. do draft a pg who may never even come stateside (cenk aykol). 3. instead of drafting a pg, draft another swingman who has oodles of potential, yet wasn’t good enough to start on his team but still came out that year. 4. draft a “big” that is officially quoted as being able to come right in and contribute exactly where needed…only he’s not good enough to play with or ahead of the aforementioned swingman that you drafted instead of a pg. 5. give up Al Harrington for…what again? 6. sign an injury prone backup pg…who gets injured…a lot…and allowed himself to get out of shape (or something) while nursing an injured hand. 7. sign a sizeable veteran pg too late in the season to make any difference. And I’ll stop there.

Sorry, but my faith in Billy is a tad shaky at the moment. But he’s gonna be at the plate (don’t be fooled Dominique isn’t “picking” anything) in June, so we’ll see what he does.

Balance. Consistency. How do you manage to have success without either? The roster is unbalanced as hell. There’s no consistency in a playing style. Sekou said it himself: Joe and a sea of confusion. How aptly put.

Really, Abe said much of what I wanted to say, and probably did it better. But I felt like sounding off anyway. So no focusing on the past, huh? Well, since we’re ignoring it, it won’t matter if the same mistakes are made once again, then will it.

By honest_abe

May 21, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

sturt:

We’ll just have to disagree… for the reasons of my first post responding to Sekou. Were the ping-pong gods kind and Oden to somehow fall to the Hawks, this team is an instant contender for 07-08… and that can’t be said for every NBA lottery team.

so basically you’re saying add oden to this current roster and this team is a contender next year? huh? did you watch any hawks games last year? if you did you would’ve noticed that hawks lack a pg. void of a big man (fill in oden here). no bangers down low. miserable coaching. etc etc.

adding greg oden will go a long way in turning around the perception that the hawks franchise is a joke. but adding a rookie big man who hasn’t developed completely offensively, to a team that couldn’t even win 31 games does not equal championship contender?

playoffs? maybe. get oden and a viable pg for the future and the hawks could be contenders within another 3 years. if you’re thinking this team will contend next year, i feel sorry for you as you have no sense of reality.

as for the pundits saying marv would go #2. you’re right. i’ve said as much in previous blogs. but that still doesnt’ mean you add another player after you picked 3 swingmen in the early parts of round 1 from the previous 2 years.

final thing on sheldon. i get your point that the value of the pick is gone once people know who you want. but at that time i’d think it to be prudent to bring the guy in and work him out.

also, you shouldn’t go into a draft with only one person as a must have.(unless its a greg oden, lebron james, allen iverson etc) SHELDON WILLIAMS? you’re so set on sheldon williams that you can’t possibly consider making another move to bring in a different player? cmon! you should consider different scenarios involve trades (moving up or down) to get the best available player. i used to defend the pick but i was stupid. why get the “most nba ready” player, when your team ain’t even nba ready? yak!

finally in response to this comment.

Give BK a little credit???… It was no secret that there was no consequential PG on the horizon in the 07 draft. Everything considered, signing Speedy made sense at that point in time

credit for what? signing speedy to a large contract after you failed to pick a pg in the previous draft? after the pg you failed to pick started over this career journeyman with injury issues? i didn’t know how awful speedy was until this year. but he aint’ worth a minimum contract.

By wh

May 21, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Any ideas who the Suns are going to take with the 4th pick?

By bryan

May 21, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Heard on outside the lines, the suns could draft that chinese kid

By vitaman

May 21, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

Matthew at the SLC said it best: Sekou, when it comes to The Village Idiot (aKa Billy Knight) there needs to only be said four words:

Chris Paul.

Derron Williams.

Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

I really have only one question to add, How can Billy Knight be polarizing, when most Basketball fans in Atlanta either don’t have a high opinion about him or due to his decisions, could care less about the team?

By cp

May 21, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks got the second or third pick that would be nice but we need the first pick. I have no confidence in BK what so ever. Having the second or third pick leaves too much room for error with BK at hand. If we get the second and Durant on the board then we will have to move someone and BK has showed he is not very good when it comes to making trades. The basketball gods have to bless us.

By David

May 21, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

Hawks are terrible as long as we have the same GM and coach we will be terrible. The GM IS terrible the coach, I’m not sure but we do need a change in coaching. The players need a change. Let’s say Woodson is the best coach in the world, we need a change. Let’s change his name to Wooden, we need a change. Woodson may be great somewhere else but we need a change. The GM is awful period. The coach has no respect in Atlanta with the fans or the players. As a man probably a great guy, as a coach maybe a great coach but we need a change. BADLY.

By Wink from Lithonia

May 21, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

The team can’t get better until the management mess is cleared up. BK is just being BK, so to get any insight on what the Hawks may do, using BK is pointless.

Looking at the recent track record of the organization, we will not get a top 3 pick, and possibly lose the Indiana pick. If, we retain these picks then the track records says BK will not get it right. Anything other that the number one pick and he has no chance of getting it right. With the number one pick he would be 50/50…probably Durant…based on track record.

We did not get CP3, Deron Williams, or Marcus William; we got the under performing Shelden and Claxton (a bonafide member of the All Aflac Team…Claxton, Hampton, & Hartwell)- “pays not to go to work”.

Keeping hope alive…the fantasy would be we get Oden & Conley or Hibbert & Conley. Then we should spend some of that cap money and add a banger for rebounding & defense. Then hope that our excuse for this season is not repeated (injuries) and all these young guys (improve) due to time in the league before they are due new contracts & leave ie Joe Johnson, which no one could blame them. BK you are on the clock.

I am in favor of building the team but it should not take 5 & 10 years, as we all are living life and would like to see a pulse from our Hawks before our’s give out.

By ray

May 21, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Uh, Oden makes almost any NBA team better immediately. Even if he doesn’t start right away. If nothing else, he gives you options. On the court, and in the trade/free agency market.

Of course, my other main gripe is the coaching. However, it would appear that this too is a very well-taken care of situation and there’s just no way we should be so unhappy about it. Riiiiiiight.

Injuries definitely hurt this team badly. It also exposed things for what they are.

It seems that we’ve already had all these arguments about Billy and everything else. Like last year and the year before. Some folks are just late for the party, I guess.

By _sturt_

May 21, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

I could respond to several points above, but I think it’s enough that several have felt their positions challenged such that they needed to respond. Evidently, sounds like that’s a rare occurrence here.

Beyond that, who am I kidding… I’m not changing any of the anti-BK mob’s group-think.

Other than this, anyways… ray, you ever visit Hawksquawk.net? With all due respect to ajc.com, that is the most prime gathering place of Hawks fans you’ll find anywhere…

If you ask around, someone there might know who sturt is… (wink)

By ray

May 21, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

I realized rather stupidly after typing up such a long post that this argument is never going to end. It just seems like a new person steps up with it each time. So how’s this:

Since there are those who believe that Billy has this frachise headed in the right direction, kindly explain the plan, where it’s headed, and what’s next. And since ignoring the past is just foolishness, you can also explain how the moves he’s made thus far are going to translate into success in the “reasonably near” future. Or is it going to take 10 years? To give our ol’ dear friend Ando credit, I’m asking his questions. So? An explanation please? I sincerely don’t see what’s so right about everything. I see some things are right but many are wrong. Since I, among others are so ignorant, enlighten me.

By JB

May 21, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe he had the nerve to throw Deron Williams’ name in there with the other point guards. Please tell me he didn’t do it with a straight face. Hear that noise? I’m grinding my teeth again.

By TP

May 21, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

BK in my opinion is a selfish humanbeing. I think it was selfish on his part to trade away the complete roster that was in place after he took over. He trade away the team veterans such as Jason Terry, Nazr Mohammed, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Chris Crawford and Alan Henderson. I would have kept Jason Terry, Chris Crawford and Nazr Mohammed because they had establish themselves around the league and they could teach the younger players leadership. You put Josh Smith in that lineup, it wonna been easier for Billy to take Chris Paul in the 1st round instead of Marvin William. I guess BK thought that if he got rid of all the old players that he would get all the credit if he has success with all the players brought to the team.

By THE ANALYST

May 21, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Billy you need to draft a point guard. The center from Georgetown wont hurt either if don’t draft in the top 3. Plz no more forwards.

By Matt

May 21, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Ray,

You know I never called you ignorant, man. I’ve explained many times why I think we’re on the right path. Here’s the bullet points again:

1) You need 2-3 stars to be a contender. 2) 6’8-6’10 guys who can play multiple positions have are the most likely kinds of guys who can be stars. 3) It’s never clear right away who’s gonna be a star, so you need to stock up on guys who you think have the potential, and see which ones pan out after 3 years or so. 4) After you get your 2-3 stars, get a top-flight defensive big man. Every team that’s won a title in the past 20 years has had one. That should be the Hawks’ top priority right now.

You do NOT need to do any of the following: - Do NOT spend a top 3 pick on need. I seem to recall the Blazers drafting a guy who fit their needs instead of taking a talented but raw Tar Heel, and it not really working out for them. - All-Star PGs are nice, but you do NOT need get an All-Star PG. Just ask the ‘90’s bulls, the ‘94/’95 Rockets, and the Shaq/Kobe Lakers. You can win titles as long as your PG can distribute the ball without turning it over, and knock down shots from the perimeter when necessary.

Defenses: - JJ is an All-Star, and the best player the Hawks have had since ‘Nique. I just don’t see how you can say we should have rolled the dice and risked letting him get away from us. - Trading away a guy we didn’t need (Harrington) for a lottery pick is not a bad trade at all. I’d rather have the #11 pick this year than anyone we could have possibly gotten for Al. - Marvin was a projected superstar (need me to provide the links to websites saying that AGAIN?). You don’t pass up a guy with potential projected like his for anything. And yes, I still think Marvin will turn out to be an All-Star. - I’ve said way too many times why I think we were just in a rock and a hard place with the #5 pick last year. Read my past posts if you’re curious.

So yeah. There you go. I hear Corey waking up, so I’d better go be a father.

By RT

May 21, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

The Hawks draft history has been appauling and will continue to be, does anybody realize the players we’ve had, imagine this team- Jason Terry, Stephen Jackson, Pau Gasol, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith imagine that team? I like Josh Childress but Loul Deng was on a playoff team, Sheldon Williams at #5 a joke we could have traded down and got him at 12 we had 4 first round picks in 99 AND NO TRADES now we have nothing to show for it. I know Knight had nothing to do with some of those things but he did with Shareef abdur rahim, How can you get a GM that made a trade to get rid of him when he was in Memphis then bring him here, sounds like a fox guarding the chicken coop. Really could Knight do a Worse Job, really think about it, How many of us would do worse, my calculatons, 36% would do worse than Billy Knight.Hiring a coach with no exp. and played on one of the worst team in NBA history, (the Clippers) you want that Karma around and he came from a defensive minded ball club ( The pistons), this guy is an idiot. After this year fire Woodson and Knight ad we will make the playoffs. If not we have many years of futility to look forward to. I’m a life long hawks fan and can’t stand it anymore, all we needed to do was sign a good free agent point guard and who did we sign, injury plagued journeyman whose really a back up, and what happened, he got hurt, I don’t believe in the death penalty but in Billy Knight’s case I’ll make an exception.

By RT

May 21, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

The Hawks draft history has been appauling and will continue to be, does anybody realize the players we’ve had, imagine this team- Jason Terry, Stephen Jackson, Pau Gasol, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith imagine that team? I like Josh Childress but Loul Deng was on a playoff team, Sheldon Williams at #5 a joke we could have traded down and got him at 12 we had 4 first round picks in 99 AND NO TRADES now we have nothing to show for it. I know Knight had nothing to do with some of those things but he did with Shareef abdur rahim, How can you get a GM that made a trade to get rid of him when he was in Memphis then bring him here, sounds like a fox guarding the chicken coop. Really could Knight do a Worse Job, really think about it, How many of us would do worse, my calculatons, 36% would do worse than Billy Knight.Hiring a coach with no exp. and played on one of the worst team in NBA history, (the Clippers) you want that Karma around and he came from a defensive minded ball club ( The pistons), this guy is an idiot. After this year fire Woodson and Knight ad we will make the playoffs. If not we have many years of futility to look forward to. I’m a life long hawks fan and can’t stand it anymore, all we needed to do was sign a good free agent point guard and who did we sign, injury plagued journeyman whose really a back up, and what happened, he got hurt, I don’t believe in the death penalty but in Billy Knight’s case I’ll make an exception.

By RT

May 21, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

The Hawks draft history has been appauling and will continue to be, does anybody realize the players we’ve had, imagine this team- Jason Terry, Stephen Jackson, Pau Gasol, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith imagine that team? I like Josh Childress but Loul Deng was on a playoff team, Sheldon Williams at #5 a joke we could have traded down and got him at 12 we had 4 first round picks in 99 AND NO TRADES now we have nothing to show for it. I know Knight had nothing to do with some of those things but he did with Shareef abdur rahim, How can you get a GM that made a trade to get rid of him when he was in Memphis then bring him here, sounds like a fox guarding the chicken coop. Really could Knight do a Worse Job, really think about it, How many of us would do worse, my calculatons, 36% would do worse than Billy Knight.Hiring a coach with no exp. and played on one of the worst team in NBA history, (the Clippers) you want that Karma around and he came from a defensive minded ball club ( The pistons), this guy is an idiot. After this year fire Woodson and Knight ad we will make the playoffs. If not we have many years of futility to look forward to. I’m a life long hawks fan and can’t stand it anymore, all we needed to do was sign a good free agent point guard and who did we sign, injury plagued journeyman whose really a back up, and what happened, he got hurt, I don’t believe in the death penalty but in Billy Knight’s case I’ll make an exception.

By RT

May 21, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

The Hawks draft history has been appauling and will continue to be, does anybody realize the players we’ve had, imagine this team- Jason Terry, Stephen Jackson, Pau Gasol, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith imagine that team? I like Josh Childress but Loul Deng was on a playoff team, Sheldon Williams at #5 a joke we could have traded down and got him at 12 we had 4 first round picks in 99 AND NO TRADES now we have nothing to show for it. I know Knight had nothing to do with some of those things but he did with Shareef abdur rahim, How can you get a GM that made a trade to get rid of him when he was in Memphis then bring him here, sounds like a fox guarding the chicken coop. Really could Knight do a Worse Job, really think about it, How many of us would do worse, my calculatons, 36% would do worse than Billy Knight.Hiring a coach with no exp. and played on one of the worst team in NBA history, (the Clippers) you want that Karma around and he came from a defensive minded ball club ( The pistons), this guy is an idiot. After this year fire Woodson and Knight ad we will make the playoffs. If not we have many years of futility to look forward to. I’m a life long hawks fan and can’t stand it anymore, all we needed to do was sign a good free agent point guard and who did we sign, injury plagued journeyman whose really a back up, and what happened, he got hurt, I don’t believe in the death penalty but in Billy Knight’s case I’ll make an exception.

By BillyKnightisBrainless

May 21, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight makes Elgin Baylor look like Red Auerbach…he is the biggest failure in sports history…the reason he doesn’t answer any questions is because he knows the spineless owners cannot fire him…what a pathetic franchise…

By Ra'mon

May 21, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

Matt, I agree with you totally. Its alot easier to find a defensive minded big man and a capable point guard than it is to find 2-4 all stars. And in my mind, I truly believe JJ, J Smith, and MWill are all stars in the making. I get sick and tired of people saying we didnt have to give up Diaw to make that deal happen, yet Diaw isnt an all star player. With the acception of Speedy (unlucky year), you can’t look at the roster and say that this player has a HORRIBLE contract. True enough L. Wright struggled, his contract is still alot better than that of Dampier (who many on this blog wanted the Hawks to sign) and alot better than the money that the Warriors paid for the center who doesnt even start (and Derek Fisher).

The main person who said the Hawks should’ve drafted Chris Paul was Dick Vitale. May I remind alot of you this same Mr. Vitale stated JJ Redick, Laettnar, and Joe Smith (among many others) would excel at the next level. If the Hawks would’ve drafted C Paul and he would’ve been injured most of this season like he was, many of you would’ve demanded to know why BK drafted this injury- proned PG over the player with the most potential in the draft.

Was drafting SWilliams questionable? Of course it was. But BK has hit more than missed. Many of the free agents that signed with other teams in the past 3 years have failed to produce. Remember how mostly everyone in this blog couldnt understand why BK didnt do whatever it took to sign KMart when he came to visit? And I dont know about many of you but I would much rather have JJ than to have Ray Allen.

The 2 late round picks of SS and S Jones, should prove that BK has made good moves.

By the way, who ever stated the Hawks should trade J Smith for Stoudemire, I would love to know the reasoning for this.

By JohnD

May 21, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

The Hawks drafted Jason Terry in the first round of the 1999 draft with the 10th overall pick. This was omitted from the information posted above - Cal Bowdler was listed as the first Hawk pick.

By Clyde

May 21, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By St. Bernard

May 21, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Interesting polls today. 90 percent plus have no confidence in BK. People would prefer a pg over Durant. Maybe we should have a fan poll for our draft picks and fire BK.

By _sturt_

May 21, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Matt, with all due respect… why waste the lifespan of your keyboard on people whose opinions are already cast in stone? Your time is worth more than that, I’m sure.

By Don

May 21, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight does not have a clue about how bad he really is nor does he really care. Arrogance supreme. But, don’t worry about the first round draft choice as Billy in his wisdom gave it away with Boris for a player Phoenix had not intention of resigning and we could have had for NOTHING!!! (They had not cap room) Yes I know there is a mathmatical possiblity we might get the pick in the 1 to 3 area to keep it, but with Billy at the helm it is not going to happen. Lets say good nigth to Billy Knight and his little coach too.

By ajw

May 21, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Hah! TNT is blaming LeBron for not taking the ball to the hole in the 4th and draw fouls. They didn’t give him a single foul call the whole game that sent him to the line, and replays show he was clearly hacked several times Why go to the hole when you know you aren’t going to get the calls. Joe Johnson same thing.

By ajw

May 21, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

I’m writing this because no one that matters will see this. Barkley and Magic gonna make some magic in the ATL tonight! Mmmm!

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

May 22, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this

JohnD, you’re right. That’s my mistake. I forgot to put JT in there.

By Matt

May 22, 2007 3:06 AM | Link to this

One more thing, Sekou:

If we had pulled the trade you’re saying with Harrington, we would have gotten Jeff Foster, and we wouldn’t have had to give up our 2nd round pick, but we would NOT have gotten the #11 pick (knock on wood).

So comparing your hypo with what actually went down, we basically ‘traded’ our 34 overall pick + Jeff Foster in exchange for the #11 pick. (We ended up trading away Al and getting AJ anyway, so those elements ‘cancel out’ in this).

Jeff Foster is 30 years old, and a mediocre backup center whose stats have been dropping for 3 years now…kinda like Lorenzen.

So here’s my question, Sekou- Do you really think that having Jeff Foster would be better than ‘moving up’ 23 spots in this year’s draft?

I don’t think Foster would have won us any more games, and I certainly don’t think he’d have made us into a contender. But whoever we get with that #11 pick (knock on wood) might.

By ray

May 22, 2007 5:41 AM | Link to this

Matt,

that wasn’t really directed at you, especially seeing as how your choice of terminology hasn’t been too harsh. Nor has your opinion been that of blatant arrogance. I agree with you on some things, and not on others. But that would be opinions as usual.

I’ve never said a superstar or even all-star pg was needed. Just a solid one. Read some of my past posts and you’ll see that. Some people do seem to get caught up in the idea, and I swear I’ve never said that. Just so happens that some of the pgs to come out in the last few years will likely be stars. Solid is the word I use. Young and solid. Been consistently posting on this blog for the last two years or so. I think my rantings have been fairly consistent on that point.

I understand the concept of the 6’8-6’9 swingmen and versatility. It wasn’t panning out as well for us and I still have issues with there not being the leadership at the 1 or the steady ruggedness at the 5. Period. Which leaves all the wonderful, talented swingmen out there in space. Is there a reason this wasn’t working? Think so…but what do I know.

By bill

May 22, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

BK is betting his Hawks legacy on tonight’s ping pong balls…wake me up after the draft!

By Billy Knight

May 22, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Atlanta has a professional basketball team? I though the Hawks were a high school team.

By Reggie Reese

May 22, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter if the Hawks get the number one pick because Billy Knight will draft Corey Brewer because he has long arms. One hard headed g.m + one hard headed coach= having this same conversation this time next year. If something isnt working you have yo go in a different direction which is why I pray Steve Belkin gains control over this team, its time to try a new approach.

By Dan

May 22, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

matt

You are missing the point on Jeff Foster. You can’t measure what a player like him contributes on a stat sheet. He would have been the physical presence this team has been missing. Guys like him, Aaron Williams, PJ Brown, Dale Davis, that kid for the Jazz (Millips?)are bangers that the Hawks just do not have. Having players like that on the floor to get the tough rebounds or just pound on people is valuable.

So, I agree with Sekou. Watch the games. When the Clippers were here (even though the Hawks won that game) Aaron Williams gave the Hawks fits. He knocked guys around, cleaned up the glass, and made other contributions that stats just do not measure. Guys like him and Foster are needed on this team.

Plus, if the ping pong balls don’t bounce right, then we don’t get jack for Al this year. Remember, Al was probably the top free agen last summer. Knight could only negotiate a top 10 protected pick. That is just plain weak. You, me, and anyone else on this blog could have done better than that.

By TC

May 22, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Why is everybody giving Billy such a hard time. Derron Williams didn’t fit our system 2 years ago in the draft. I guess Billy’s right a guy who has been averaging 23 pts and 10 assists in the playoffs is at much too high a level to play for the highlight factory.
Hurry up and get your season tickets for next year! My prediction for the draft is that we get the number 2 and number 11 pick and draft Brandon Wright another 6’10 wing/forward and with the 11th pick we draft the rights to Priest Lauderdale again.

By GT80

May 22, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Something that jumped out to me from the article on BK, his brother is a scout for the team, his asst. GM is a cronie from his playing days, his coach is a cronie from his playing days. This guy has hired all his buddies to play with. No wonder the Hawks are the most futile team in the league. They need some outside influence to become a professional organization. I thought Belkin was wrong back when that whole mess went down, now I think him winning his lawsuit might be the best thing that could happen to this team.

If the Hawks get the #1 & #11 picks tonight BK will have his butt saved, through no doing of his own, just by pure luck.

By dale

May 22, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

I’m a Hawks fan, but I do not like Billy Knight, and I must admit. I’m hoping Atlanta does not get a top 3 pick. I don’t want that man in my City anymore. It’s one thing to make bad decisions, but when you follow up bad decisions not only with denial but with countless attepmets to justify your bad decisions, you only make yourself look more pathetic than what you really are.
The way I see it, a top 3 pick means Billy stays, and that just can’t happen. I’ve never dis-liked a sports figure more than Billy Knight. He is horrible for Atlanta, the Hawks and the NBA.

By smartguy

May 22, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Hey hey! Ho ho! Billy Knight has got to go.

Take BK and all his all-star playing credentials, then pile on Woody and his great record as an assistant. What do you get? 69 wins over three seasons. EXCELLENT!

Spirit, Fitzsimmons, or whoever else is dumb enough to buy this crap should all be ashamed of themselves.

BELKIN AND DONOVAN 2008!

By honest_abe

May 22, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

the key to getting more value for al harrington would have been trading him before the trade deadline.

by value i do mean the tangible returns, i.e. another player. as most of you know trades are all about timing. well the hawks could’ve shipped him to a team making a playoff push who could have used al’s services. a team like detroit or indiana comes to mind. and i’m almost certain you could’ve gotten more than just a top 10 lottery protected pick. having said that the hawks would have benefitted in many other ways such as: al’s minutes would’ve went to the development of the younger players jsmith, chills, marv, the hawks would’ve had even a worse record - which would’ve meant a higher draft pick.

so that begs the question why’d the hawks hold onto al for the 2nd half of last season?

i used to like bk. i’m just finding it harder and harder to justify his decision making process.

By doc

May 22, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

for many asking why not get players for al or vets that can play; money, honey.

second bottom payroll in the league gets you the bottom three in the league. carolina as the bottom team salary wise had a push at the end of the season to manage to move higher in the standings but not by much. you can spend and have a terrible team spelled knicks but it is rare to not spend and make it into the playoffs. if there is a diligent soul to check it out i would feel safe in saying that there have been few if any in the last ten years below or at cap in the playoffs or sniffing them.

By Clyde

May 22, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Its summer time and the weather is getting hot. Get your FIRE BILLY AND WOODY t-shirt today to cool you off. E-mail me at atlconnect@hotmail.com.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Sir Stealth

May 22, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

When people genuinely want their team not to get Oden or Durant because it could damage the team’s longterm prospects by letting the GM keep his job, that just about sums it up. I can’t imagine that Billy Knight’s general management of the Hawks has been anything above the worst in NBA history. He makes Hawks fans think that even notorious blunderers like Isaiah Thomas or Pete Babcock could have put the Hawks in a (far) better position than they are today.

By honest_abe

May 22, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

ya i know doc… i’ve been on that side before…. but it still doesnt’ make sense to me… could’ve traded al to detroit for arroyo or milic and a 1st round pick.

imo, i believe that would be cheaper than the speedy signing. i know bk is strapped in terms of what kind of money he can splash around. but that still doesn’t excuse him from going out and maximizing his assets at the right time. instead he chose to trade al at the last opportune time. when the hawks knew that they were in danger of getting absolutely nothing for him and it’s amazing we even got a draft pick for him.

thats inexcusable. tell me where the plan was, in not trading al at the trade deadline?

By Dan

May 22, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

Clyde

If the Hawks end up with no picks after the lottery, I am ordering one of your shirts. I think tonight might be the biggest night in Billy Knight’s tenure as GM.

Those f’ing balls have to bounce our way at somepoint, don’t they?!?!?!?

By sourpatchkid

May 22, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

quick question, i can’t find it anywhere - under what condition do we get the Pacers pitch, and under what conditions do the Bulls end up with the Knicks pick? thanks

By Sowega Thug

May 22, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

You aliens kill me you must know nothing of basketball Deron Williams over Marvin Yeah ok what dummy would have done that even though Deron is a excellent guard no one even the Jazz would have done that, at the time Marvin and still is more of an threat he a 6’9 guard/forward that’s 21/22 yrs old with an all around game now Sheldon ok you’re right i wanted brandon Roy also but, where does he fit in, you do have Josh smith. You needed some kind of big man now comes the Draft it is clear the hawks must get ODEN or a POINT GUARD there’s nothing in ATL for DURANT you got the same type of player in Marvin in opinion Wright aquire Jumaine Jones a Veteran player who’s played on numerous championship teams as your vet, go get Ronald Blackshear who’s in the NBA D League the only pure shooter left in the NBA ( he just has been black balled by John Chaney but still owns a NCAA Record for most consecutive three pointers in a Game 15 and none were from the three point line all were from the time line) also give Antonio Haynes a call for the PG( he led ga Perimetier to their first National and later led WKY to the big dance and all three are from GA and play at the run n shoot often they were all college standouts also they played for Mitchell Baker remeber the run and gun Eagles they’ve grown up(they will beat your players now ask ALLEN Iverson about Blackshear and Deion Glover they know) Draft Oden keep Josh Smith Marvin Williams sheldon Joe Johnson and three more I know you say this was college but they are in the NBA Just the D league all except jumaine jones You can’t lose trust me The only team in ATL I watch is the Hawks and you have good talent but no chemistry its money that’s why I said those players they love Ga and the Hawks and a couple more you have a great TEAM that’s all the sun’s did they don’t have the best they have a great team that is what basketball is now not the best players but the best teams all you have to do is run the floor and play defense cause even Lebron misses most of his shots they’re not Magic and Michael butike i said You can’t draft Durant if you do it shows you really are dumb i just hope you Listen

By Don Keeballz

May 22, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

Let’s send Harry the Hawk to NJ tonight for the lottery. What about Sky Hawk or one of the A-TOWN dancers? Everytime we send ‘Nique or somebody we get screwed.

By dale

May 22, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Sowega Thug, in response to your last blog, didn’t a 6’1” white guy from Canada win the MVP 2 years in a row? What does Marvin Williams being 6’9” have to do with judging how his playing ability would translate at the next level? Marvin Williams had and still has great potential, but he isn’t and probably will never be the player Derron Williams already is.

Foolish GM’s get caught-up in this whole measurables crap. I remember in 1991 Billy Owens, coming out of college, he was 10 times the player Marvin Williams is, 6’8”, could handle the ball well, great B-Ball IQ, could shoot the rock, could do “everything”. That same year there was a little point guard out of the University of Oregon named Terrell Brandon 6’2”. Now Sacramento at that time needed a point guard desperately! The Nets drafted Kenny Anderson at #2, so they like Billy Knight did, said “we need a point guard but this guy has to much potential to pass up” the rest is history!

By cowa

May 22, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

sourpatchkid - Indy keeps the pick if it’s in the top 10 (of which it only has the cahance of being top 3, or number 11, 12 or 13). Chicago has the right to swap picks with the Knicks, with no restrictions.

Now, onto the Hawks. I propose potential trades on here all the time. The one I will continue to throw out is Przybilla and Jack for Childress and either Lo Wright or Ty Lue. Salaries work, Przybilla and Wright were busts, but Przybilla has 4 more years on his contract and Wright has just next year. Plus, Portland has Aldridge, Lafrenz and Randolph already in the rotation. They want to move Roy to the point, so Jack is expendable. They need a swingman (they are planning on Miles playing), and Chills fits perfectly.

The reason I push this trade is it would set us up so differently for the draft. We wouldn’t HAVE to pick a PG, as Jack fills the young floor general to a T. We wouldn’t HAVE to pick a center, as Przybilla fills that bill as well.

The draft should be about “best player available” and shouldn’t be about need. That’s what trades and free agency is for. You just have to make the right calls, which BK hasn’t done well at so far.

BTW, Dale, don’t root against the lottery. Root for ownership change to get rid of BK. Never root against a good thing for the Hawks!

Only a little over 4 hours and we’ll know our fate.

By vinney

May 22, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Let’s be honest, Knight is the lousies Gm in the league. Facts::: Just check thier record, needless should say more. No class Knght.

By _sturt_

May 22, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Ultimately, I just want the Hawks to win an NBA championship.

If BK is the GM when that happens, I’m thrilled; if not, I’m thrilled.

If Woody is HC, same.

Who is so consumed with their own personal insecurities that, rather than the Hawks getting the best picks they can tonight, they only care that this guy or that guy gets fired?

That’s not just wrong… it’s pathetic.

By Ryder

May 22, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

Sturt, I think it won’t matter what happens tonight, this franchise needs to take a serious look at where they’re going from here and who’s going to lead them there….

….say Atlanta craps out and doesn’t receive a draft pick at all? What then becomes BK’s next move? I tend to look at it from worst case scenario (especially when it comes to this franchise and their sordid history)…

….if Atlanta doesn’t get a single draft pick tonight, they still have to realize that there are three great building blocks in Marvin, Josh Smith, and Joe Johnson. The chemistry did improve even after JJ went down, and I think that Atlanta should stay away from throwing big bucks at yet another point guard.

I see where you’re coming from about kicking Woodson to the curb and how people are about that: I agree with them only in the sense that this team needs someone who can get the most out of this team and have a proper gameplan in place. Injuries notwithstanding I haven’t seen that from Woodson. He does not inspire confidence from the players and that’s why he has to go. he does not inspire leadership. He exhausts JJ to the point where he had to sit out the remainder of the season, not wise.

Whether it’s fair or not, ask yourself this question about Woodson: do you think he has what it takes to lead this team to a title, even if Atlanta does get Oden? No! If you look at a team like San Antonio, the reason they are always in the title hunt (much to the chagrin of the fanboys) is not just because of Duncan. It’s also because Popovich is a leader and a strategist, something Woodson is not. Utah may lose this series, but because of Sloan’s leadership they are going to play above expectations. Ask yourself this: Could you really see Woodson leading the Hawks to a game 7 win on the road no less?

Bottom line: the Atlanta Hawks do have talent and need someone who can mentor a winning mentality into these players, and Woodson is not that person. Golden State got to the second round due to their coach leading them to win the mind games, it wasn’t about being the better team. Once Atlanta gets that mentor in the leadership position they will be in the same boat.

I’ll wait until the draft but I’m not banking this team’s future on it. I’m waiting for someone to step up and lead this team into victories.

By mavid

May 22, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Guys

I havent been postin as much, as there really hasnt been much new to say.

I still want Conley at 11 if possible.

TONIGHT is gonna be HUGE. We get in the top 2, EVERYTHING CHANGES. I’m actually nervous for this.

By td

May 22, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

Is our gm working for the hawks or the rest of the leauge the way he trade picks and players away!

By td

May 22, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

Is our gm working for the hawks or the rest of the leauge the way he trade picks and players away!

By Ryder

May 22, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

mavid, I’m nervous too, and I want this team to finally have some (can’t believe i’m saying this) karma. Besides, Bill Simmons said it best

“Ideally, the NBA wants a quality young Eastern team to land Durant or Oden (for conference balance and TV purposes), and they’d definitely love to see basketball take off in Atlanta after centuries of apathy”

he also said this “Although it would also be fitting if they landed No. 2 and picked Mike Conley Jr. over Durant by explaining, “Look, we really needed a point guard, you guys have been killing us for this for years!”

I would not be surprised by this, but think about this: If Atlanta did get number 2, would Durant be necessary? Or would they trade it to a team desperate for his services?

I don’t know, one hour to go though and we’ll find out…..

By al

May 22, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this

I think woodson a nice guy and all but I think its time for a change

By Wedgie Evans

May 22, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

Lottery’s in one hour. Keep your fingers crossed. Prayer helps, my friends.

By We are SOOOOOOO F^$$***^d

May 22, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

U can’t be f’n serious????

Did I just go thru over 119 different blog posts and see 35% of them actually DEFENDING BK and Woody?? Has the ATL gone mad?? I mean i know the smoke from the wildfires has spread all the way up here now, but i always thought it was FORESTS burning, not illegal medicinal crops (hint, hint)?

How the hell can ne1 with an iQ north of Forrest Gump’s even begein to defend the pick of Shelden “The Slumlord” Williams at #5 when there was obvious value for the pick? Honestly folks, how can u believe a guy who already doesn’t like telling u S*^& about what or who he’s gonna do in the draft or the season when he tells u there wasn’t any value for that pick or that there weren’t ne viable trades availiable for that pick? I bet ANY NBA “expert” on this blog, or the ajc, that i could’ve found a team willing to trade an expendable liablity for the unproven commodity the 5 had to offer.

Sekou, keep it real with ya folk, do u honestly believe a team like say the Pistons, Heat, Wizards, or the friggin Bulls, all eastern-conference teams sure, but with the same style of play (wiz just speeds it up more with a fast PG (wow a pg!!!) and the same needs: a low-post “banger” who boards, blocks, and stands there like lurch from the addams family, so to speak. What GM worth his lbs in NBA salt wouldn’t try to pursue such a deal when it was obvious that the team’s needs (again PG AND C) were NOT going to be met with the retaining of said pick??

why not ask Joe D to give a #28 or say Jason Maxiell , Carlos delfino, or even Flip Murray for #5?

Why NOT ask JPax to gimme ye olde PJ Brown or a trade down pick for #5? I would name another player but i can’t remember who was on the team at the time.

Or why NOT ask Riles to give up Wayne “i’ll never see the floor” Simien and/or Dorell “ditto” Wright in a combo trade for #5? We “knowledgable” fans know that even tho the Heat DO need to get younger b4 they grow (ne more) older, do u mean to tell me that they’d pass up a chance to draft for 1. a need and 2. a young gifted 2-3 who can play/ interchange with ya boy D Weezy foir the next 6-8 years post-SHAQ?? Are u f’n serious Mr. BK and Sekou & ne 1 else on defense??

Btw i was refer-ing to Brandon The R.O.Y

Sekou i know u r not defending him by any means, but you REALLY must look at things from THAT perspective. Who says Abe Pollin wouldn’t have drafted a big at #5 in exchange for umm, let’s say a trade down or Brendan Haywood in return?? Hell even that 6-10 4/5 kid who can shoot 3’s and block the crap out ya s%&%* for the #5 would’ve been an upgrade…im just sayin folks…

If BK uses his “bball IQ” and “relaxes” for a minute, this is our ACTUAL team and not the traded lineup I made on my NBA LIVE 07 game:

PG- Deron Williams or Chris Paul Backup Pg- Chris Duhon (ugh dookies)

Sg- Joe Johnson (yes he IS worth it ) Backup SG- Salim Stoudamire, T Lue

SF- Luol Deng (JChill ain’t S^%& period Backup Sf- Flip Murray (traded for #5)

PF- Josh Smith (playing in the run & gun role at 4 ala Shawn Merion & GS’s Steven J / Mickel pietrus) Backup PF- Za-za Pachuuuuulia (ryan c sez it why not me??)

C- Paul Millsap ( he was to be had in the 2nd as Bertie pointed out earlier) Backup/ starter C- Solomon Jones Two athletic run & gun bigs who can complement each other for a 2-3 year run, then trade one or both for a FRANCHISE PICK AKA Mr Oden or even Mr Durant. At that point in time who knows what kind of team or needs/ upgades we’d need, but I know e would have made a PLAYOFF RUN BY THEN!!!!

This would be nice, and like every other objective/ supportive sports fan in the ATL I am hoping that the ping-pong balls will FINALLY fall our way. I can’t ell u how many tiomes I’ve seen Nique get the gas face every time he’s gone to Secaucus on;y to hear “the Hawks get the (5-13th) pick in the draft.

Btw: The 2003-04 team blew the chance to get Dwight Howard when they went on that “promising” 25-22 run after the ASB that season, i know it has nada to do with this but IT IS a thought 2 think on!!

But knowing BK and the fact that some dude named Mojo put a curse on the Hawks 13 years ago after the nique for Danny Manning robbery, the Suns will have the 4th pick by the end of the night and come June 22nd, BK will spin the globe to find a can’t miss Euro-trasher he can’t pass on or a gifted 6-9er who can do it all and bang down low when some1 like Javaris Crittendon , Acie Law, Mike Conley Jr (God willing), Taurean Green, or even Aaron Affallo will be there ripe for the picking. Then with the curse working and BK jerking (us around…again) we’ll all be right back at this same blogsphere dicussing the same stuuuupid s&& for the same stuuuuuuuupid team run by the same stuuuuuuuuuuupid GM and the same stuuuuuuuuuuupid coach……oh well:-(

Ps: sturt,TC,Ra’Mon,J, & Matt: PUFF, PUFF, GIVE man PUFF, PUFF, Give!!! Y’all f’n up the rotation!!!! Let ya boy hit dat AT LEAST 1 time, man dam :-)!!!

LIKE I SAID, WE ARE SOOOOOO f&^%’D!!!

By Brandon

May 22, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

i got a good feeling the Hawks will get the #1 overall pick

By james

May 22, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Jeff Van Gundy could solve the Hawks problems. 57% is a great career winning percentage, and he coached the 8-seeded Knicks to the NBA Finals in 1999.

By Brett

May 22, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

Greg Oden Josh Smith Joe Johnson that wouldnt even be fair then we would have salim OMG

By We are SOOOOOOO F^$$***^d

May 22, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

SOWEGA THUG- MITHCELL-BAKER HS Class AA champs from 1997-04 and all, ain’t gon win us an NBA Title brother..

Im 25 years old, I remember rootin 4d Hawks in the 80’s when I was too young to p** in the toilet or take a crap in something OTHER than my drawers. When Spud won the dc in 86 i never was soooo happy to be short in my life than i was then. When Nique tore his achilles I wanted to wrap MY ankle up. When Spud went to Sac-town i felt down. When Nique was traded I thought Babcock and Kasten were how Bobby Boucher’s mama felt about football: the DEVIL!! Heck when Lenny & Co was doin their thing I was cheerin and bettin my boys $ on the 1st rounds, b/c we all knew it was O-V-E-R when they played the BULLS in round 2….

That being said, I’d like to smack ther s%&% out of BK and ne1 who says we need to give this team 3-4 more years to grow. By that time i’ll be dead, in jail, or in some baby mama drama (being a young urban black male and all) OR even worse: ME AND THE CITY JUST WON’T GIVE A F%&#!!!!!

WE ARE SOOOOOO f^$#$’D

By Anakin Joe

May 22, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

Keep in mind guys, that if we get a top 3 pick this year, that we lose our pick to the Suns next year. So if we get the #3 pick this year and let’s say that Thabeet kid from UCONN has a monster year, we won’t have a shot at him next season. So whatever elation that may come tonight, keep in mind that we lose out on next year’s draft altogether. Just wanted to temper the building excitement.

Good Luck Hawks!

By Don Keeballz

May 22, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

looks like the HAWKS are getting the 4th pick and goes to Phoenix, look how they are sitting in order usually how it goes.

By Don Keeballz

May 22, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

WOOHOO!!!

By Anakin Joe

May 22, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

OH MY GOD!!!

By Wedgie Evans

May 22, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

2 PICKS FOR THE HAWKS! Yeah baby! Now please let it be #1…

By Jason

May 22, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

TOP 3!!! YAAAAAAA!!!

By dale

May 22, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

I STILL WANT HIS A*S GONE!!

By Mark

May 22, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

OH MY GOD WE ARE TOP THREE!!!!!!

By Anakin Joe

May 22, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

I’LL BE SELLING BK IS DA MAN T-SHIRTS AT CLYDEEATDUNG@07DRAFTMAGIC.COM!

By bryan

May 22, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

He11 yeah we geting at least the 3rd

By infamouskrs

May 22, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

A NEW DAY……..top3!!!!!!!!!!!!

By infamouskrs

May 22, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

A NEW DAY……..top3!!!!!!!!!!!!

By bryan

May 22, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

I was wondering, do you have to give the pick we got from IND to PHX?

By Wedgie Evans

May 22, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Yi Jianlian and Javaris Crittenton… not bad I guess…

By hjgjhgjhgjh

May 22, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

MIKE CONLEY #3 OVERALL!!!!……… HIBBERT #11 OVERALL

By Scott

May 22, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

CRAP!

By kreedham

May 22, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

I’m not the expert. Many of you guys are! Who should we take at 3 and 11?

By hjgjhgjhgjh

May 22, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

MIKE CONLEY #3 OVERALL!!!!……… HIBBERT #11 OVERALL

By Jason

May 22, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

But #3…who the hell do we take!!

By Matt

May 22, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

HELL YEAH, MY BROTHERS!!!

I will sleep happily tonight.

By cp

May 22, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

Im glad we got two picks this year but like I said earlier having the third pick leaves too much room for error for BK. He has to get it right this year.

By Don Keeballz

May 22, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

so are we going to take the 7ft Chinese guy?

By Hatertots

May 22, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

The worst of a good situation but I’ll take it all day!! Don’t screw the pooch, Billy, and go Hawks!!

By neil

May 22, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

THANK GOD FOR DOMINQUE’S TIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Jay

May 22, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

SOOOOOO CLOSEEEEEE to getting a superstar. MAN!!!!!!!!!

Its weird…I was SO pumped when I knew we were in the top three. Then when we got #3, my stomach dropped. Why?

You KNOW Knightmare is looking at Corey Brewer and licking his chops. If we had 1 or 2, it would have been a pick that not even Knightmare could have screwed up. Instead, here comes Brewer or Wright from Kansas. Damn you b-ball gods for teasing us!

My hope…that we take Noah or Hibbert at #3 and then Conley at 11.

By infamouskrs

May 22, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

sekou…..you might want to call Billy’s cell…make sure he didn’t have a heartattack!

i propose we all sign petitions allowing us fans to e-vote our draft selections on behalf of the team! how can BK fu-bar this 1………

By Braves Fan 79

May 22, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Man i really thought the hawks would get that #1 pick over portland and seattle. At least we keep our pick…but miss out on Durrant and Oden. that sucks! typical luck! but we did get a break with the 3rd and 11th.

By Mike The Mechanic

May 22, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight is so lucky!!!! With that being said, I would trade that pick for Jermaine O’Neal or Pau Gasol in a heartbeat!!

By ajw

May 22, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

Billy knight is a Genius!!!!!

By al

May 22, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

got damiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit my heart was beating out of my chest i need to lie down

By mykhalc

May 22, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

2 picks!!! who woulda thunk it???!!!! at least the gods smiled enough not to give PHO our 1st and smiled enough to give us INDY’s!!! well what/who next???

By Anakin Joe

May 22, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

We need to trade up from #11 to get in positin to draft Hibbert. I want Hibbert and Conley (at least before all of the misinformation from work outs begin). Anyone jot down the top 10 selections, I forgot to do so.

By jg

May 22, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

3 and 11. First, fire Billy Knight. Second, trade 3,11 and anyone outside of Josh Smith and Joe Johnson to Portland for the #1 pick. Draft Oden, sign a free agent PG and off to the playoffs we go

By Davey

May 22, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

I agree we should get Conley Jr. Then get Hibbert or Tiago Splitter at 11.

By Nick

May 22, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Conley is a bit of a reach at #3, but for the love of God the Hawks have to take him …

IF WE EVEN THINK ABOUT TAKING BRANDON WRIGHT, AL HORFORD, JULIAN WRIGHT, JOAKIM NOAH, OR SOME OTHER 6-9 / 6-10 FORWARD WITH “UPSIDE” AT #3 I WILL NEVER CHEER FOR THIS TEAM AGAIN.

By Dan

May 22, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

with the number 3 pick: Hibbert or Hortford

With the number 11 pick: Conley or Law

By Melvin

May 22, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

Yi Jianlian and Javaris Crittenton… or MIKE CONLEY and HIBBERT

Either one of those combos work for me.

By Mike The Mechanic

May 22, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

O’Neal or Gasol for the third pick, and Conley, Law or Crittenton with the 11th pick and we should be well on our way to the playoffs.

By Ryder

May 22, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

HECK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hibbert and Conley here we come!

By roan st

May 22, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

This is bittersweet in that we keep our pick from going to phoneix but we lose out on both of the franchise changing players. Something tells me that billy will screw this draft up anyways and next season there will be no pick at all.

By Jay

May 22, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Offer Seattle both our #1 picks this plus our 2nd round next year for their pick this year (Durant).

By ray

May 22, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Can you believe it? We actually got two draft picks in the lottery! I bet those guys in Boston are beyond bummed. Trashed the season for NOTHING. Wow. I have to admit, that is one serious backfiring blow to the idea of tanking a season. Not that it doesn’t always work, but not this time.

If you thought this was Billy’s make or break night, you were wrong. That comes next month. Billy had nothing to do with ping pong balls. They could have easily bounced another way. The far more defining moment will be when he actually makes the selections. And even then, we’ll not know immeadiately what dividends his decisions will pay. Or if it will be another misplay. But at least we have two very good chances to get players that will be serious assets to this team.

By A-ville Ranger

May 22, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

You can’t take Conley at 3.If he’s the pick trade down like we should have done last year with Sheldon.I would take Wright and either Law or Crittenton at 11.

By GHook

May 22, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

That’s a really good idea Mike The Mechanic. Trade the pick for Gasol and draft Conley. If Conley’s taken, draft Crittenton or Law and we’re in the playoffs.

By Bumbling BK

May 22, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

Don’t get me wrong- I’m happy that we have the #3 & 11 picks. That said, my fear is that bumbling BK will mess things up. There is a clear #1 & 2 but #3 gets sketchy. BK could take just about anyone and will probably announce who that is 3 weeks prior to the draft for all to know. I have zero faith that this idiot can pull off the upcoming draft.

By ajw

May 22, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Trade the #3 pick for a proven big man and get a superstar pg at #11. Our team is too young to gamble on an unknown #3 pick. Now #2 or #1 would have been a different story.

By Jason

May 22, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

The robot brain that is the ESPN Mock Draft Generator has us taking Conley # 3 and Acie Law # 11. It REALLY thinks we need PG help!

By Orlando Rivera

May 22, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Only if we could get a superstar like ONeal or KG would I make any type of trade

otherwise Atlanta is SET! Law, Conley, or Hibbert & Yi it’s all good at this point

Woodson can’t screw this up!

By Melvin

May 22, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Maybe we can trade Marvin to Portland for LaMarcus…. We get a C/PF that we need and Portland get the Swingman that they need….

By cp

May 22, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

I havent thought this all the way out but right now if im the Hawks im trying to trade the 3rd pick to Boston for the fifth pick and some players. We still get Conley but at a lower pick and we pick up some extra players. Id like to see Gerald Green or maybe a Delonte West in a Hawks uniform. We also might be able to trade Childress if we get Green. I like Childress but he’s injury prone and we cant keep all the swing men. I think Green has a higher upside but either way I think trading down and getting some more talent in here is the way to go.

By Steve T

May 22, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

It looks like the Hawks luck may be changing. They have two picks in the draft. If we did not get the number 1 pick, I wanted the number 3 pick.

I like the big guy from G-town. Where is he projected to go? If he is at 3 then he fell in our laps. He is a big with shot blocking skills. Can you see him, Solo, and Josh Smith on the court at the same time? Yep, defense could be a beautiful thing.

With the 11th pick, we could take a point.

By daniel davis

May 22, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

Alright, it may be early, but I’m gonna say it, if Oden is taken, and there’s little doubt he will be, the Hawks should target the guy from China, Yi. Kid is amazingly talented. A seven footer with handles?! are you kidding me? yeah, he’s only 19—allegedly, but still, I liked what I saw. As for the second pick….I say it’s a toss up b/w law and conely, although I’d prefer the purer of the two in conely.

By mavid

May 22, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

GUYS

I am high right now!

This is crazy. New Hope

Conley at 3.

Best big at 11.

BUT, we also must look at trade possibilities.

By ATL Hoya

May 22, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

Georgetown has a press conference scheduled for 1:00 p.m. tomorrow to announce whether Hibbert (and Jeff Green) intend to stay in the draft.

Andy Katz reported yesterday that NBA sources expect Green to stay in the draft and Hibbert to return to school.

It would really dilute the value of the Hawks’ 11th pick if either or both decided to go back for their senior season.

By mykhalc

May 22, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

the best thing that can happen between now and draft nite is that the judge hands down his ruling. that way this team KNOWS who’s drivin’ this damn bus before the next stop!!!!! time for the soap to end!!!!

By P

May 22, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

It is obvious sending dominique to NJ was the right move now can the hawks fire billy knight and replace him with dominique. Billy Knight will screw us again!!! Let Dominique make the picks this is our last chance.

By ray

May 22, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Why do people still think that any gm has anything to do with how the balls bounced? Sheesh…You can neither lay blame or give credit..until draft night.

Anakin Joe, no need to temper the excitement. The draft is still yet to come and the picks yet to be made. I’m still very, very nervous about that.

Some people say trade this or that. I don’t know about that. If it works and we aren’t giving up too much, then fine. But that makes me nervous too. I can see trading up to get a pick only to waste it on someone that just isn’t the best person available.

Speaking of the theory behind “best person available”. How can you not draft for need when free agency and trade are not working for you? Huh??? Have some of us forgotten about the ownership situation and how there seems to be NO MONEY? With what money there was, we apparently were not able to make any truly helpful trades (until it was too late) and our free agent signings have so far been horrific busts. Seems to me like all we have for certain is the draft. At least for now. Anything on the trade and free agency front is subject to the results of court proceedings involving ownership and what not. Don’t draft for either, I say. Need and “best talent available” need to be properly mixed. It’s a gamble, sure, but going purely one way or the other only seems to work when the person you draft fits the bill perfectly.

I guess my biggest question is which position do we gamble on being able to fill or add to adequately via the 11th pick or trade/free agency. We know we need a tough big, whether that person is a center or “true” power forward. We also need a pg. No matter which one we draft, they are going to take time to grow. But at least we’d have them to develop. You can’t develop or plan for the future with three aging vets and a young guy who never really was a pg. So which do we gamble on at #3?

I think it’s safe to say that neither Oden or Durant will be available beyond the 2nd pick in the draft. By the way, I don’t see why we should draft any swingman this time around not named Kevin Durant. Not even Brewer.

By doc

May 22, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

perfect storm passed us by tonight. well it is going to be an interesting few weeks here with a lot of banter assured back and forth among us. i am sure that because the hawks are now sitting at three that will mean for sure a lot of us experts are going to be very upset at who is ultimately taken. it would have been easier if it was number one or two. dodged a bullet and if all goes well maybe the make up for jj will be more a twelve or fifteen next year instead of a four this year and obviously more palatable. it also means we have had the use of a very good player for three years before the suns get the opportunity to use a draft pick that assure them nothing in the near term. with the slots we have horford, noah and hibbert have to be considerations as well as law, conley or crittendon depending on how his workouts turn out. the kid from fsu might even get some consideration. i could even go along with a player of worth and a lower draft pick if someone is in love with going three. we should get two very good players no matter what or three if there is a trade.

By Orlando Rivera

May 22, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

screw that, go BIG always when you have a chance. I’d go with Yi first with the 3 pick. I think he’ll be better than Hibbert. As for Conley, I don’t take the risk at 3, i’d go with Acie Law if he’s available at 11

By HB Ando

May 22, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

OK, hi guys. Can’t think this out. Saw what happened, but no commentary due to father-in-law in town.

First thought, Marvin for Aldridge. Portland won’t be able to move Randolph’s contract, and he’s one of the best low post scorers in the game. Now he fits with Oden behind him to defend and rebound. No place for the emerging Aldridge (my fav from long before last years’ draft, for the Hawks). With the emergence of Chilldress as a legitimate wing, and Smith as a legitimate 3-4, and with Joe at the 2, it’s a deal that makes sense for both teams. Marvin is from the Northwest and Portland is still iffy at the 3. Take a PG at 11 and, despite all of Billy’s major failings as a GM, we still have a roster with potential. Other option is offering Chills and 11 for Aldridge and Jack. Also a reasonable swap, based on the needs of both teams (emergence of Roy as PG, and Sergio, reducing the value of Jack to stay in Portland).

Just some thoughts.

Gotta get back to my father-in-law before my wife gets angry.

Only Billy Knight could be bad enough for this roster to actually get a shot at being good. But the third pick, with no clear consensus on who to take, is about as scary as having to give the pick to the Suns.

Waz up, fellas?!

By Meanie

May 22, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

Got a feeling Hibbert comes out. Guys, I’m telling you- he has to be the third pick. Yes, Yi is superb possibly similar to Nowitzki. Hibbert, however is a rare commodity…a true center. 7 ’ 2 ” 278 lbs. is almost Shaq territory. Oh, he shot 70 from the field and 75 from the line as well. Get your center then Conley or Law at 11.

By St. Bernard

May 22, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

Okay, I’m happy we’ve got two picks. But, think clearly here. You’re not going to get Gasol or Oneal for the three pick. We also don’t want a 7 foot small forward who hasn’t played anyone better than division III talent at the 3 spot. Portland getting Oden is interesting. They now have Oden, Randolph and Aldridge. Could Childress and the three get us Aldridge and Jack????

The thing that bothers me is that we are in the most difficult spot in the whole draft and we have the most incompetent GM in the league. We have to maximize the number three by adding Childress to it in a trade for a big guy. If that doesn’t work….you pick Hibbert and package Childress with the 11 and move up as far as possible to get Conley.

The good news is that we’ll have lots to talk about for the rest of the month.

I just want to repeat that we do not want a 7 ft swingman from China who has never played competitive basketball.

By We are SOOOOOOO F^$$***^d

May 22, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

WWWWWOOOOOOOOWWW!!!!!!

sike

Giving Bk a #3 overall pick is like giving a crackhead $20 and telling he/she not to spend it all in one place. Folks b4 y’all start shooting off your whole wad, just remember that:

1. The real prizes of this year’s draft were Kevin and Greg. Notice how all the draftniks say NOTHING about the level of talent AFTER these two are/will be gone off the boards post picks 1 and 2.

2. Do u ACTUALLY believe BK will amke the correct pick for this team even with the 3rd overall pick?? This the same guy who had the #2 pick in 05 and had a chance to draft either CPaul or Deron Williams, but instead took the “potential upside” of a dude who isn’t even older than my little sister, and she aint even 20 yet.

3. Let’s look at who’ll be there at #3: Mike Conley Jr., Roy Hibbert, Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Brandon Wright, Yi Jianlang, Corey Brewer, Julian Wright, The Green kid from G’town, Tiago Splitter, and Spencer Hawes. Out of all these canidates, I’ll tell u right now that ne 1 UNDER 6-6 WON’T get thier name callled, so ucan eliminate Conley right there. 2ndly, seeing his LOVE 4 “verstility” over necessity, ucan also eliminate ne 1 OVER 6-11, so ucan take out Hibbert, Hawes, and Yi. Now what does that process of BK elimination leave u?? (see #4)

4. Given what we have 2 deal with, and the fact we’re cursed, I’d say BK will see the need for a PG an C but will go to the NBA draft camp, observe his ops, and become overly enamored with yet ANOTHER 6-7 to 6-10 wing player who can spot up, run, block, dunk, and “fill passing lanes with his long wingspan (stop me if u heard this b4).* He’ll then gamble on the dangerous yet “ballsy” notion that the need player he desperately has to draft at this early jecture of the drat will be there waiting for him at the #11 pick *(aka He thinks Conley, Law, and Critt will NOT go b4 then & that his #3 pick will somehow satisfy the need for a C). Which leads us to…

5. Your new Hawks of 2007-08 are: Julian Wright @ #3 and Thaddeus Young at #11: 2 gifted ball handling 3s

or… he trades down for yet another 6-11 4th stringer, either way it goes ..

WE ARE STILL SOOOOOOOOOOO F%&#@’D

By Braves Fan 79

May 22, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Man what a tough spot…i for some reason feel we get the next john koncack….(that chinnese guy) ….at least at # 11 well get a good pt. guard.

By Mike The Mechanic

May 22, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

If we don’t trade the pick, I’m with several of you guy’s in wanting Yi and Conley, Law Or Crittenton.

I also like Hawes at 11 if we take Conley with our first pick, but not at three, maybe move back a few spots and take him and pick up another pick or player.

By Mitch

May 22, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

I am very excited about the #3 and #11.

At #3 we get the PG we’ve needed in Mike Conley, Jr.

At #11 If C Roy Hibbert of Georgetown is there, book him. However, I don’t think he will slide to #11 and if that is indeed the case, I’ve got a sleeper for all of you..the best college shot blocking center I have seen in a decade: Sean Williams of Boston College. Yes, Williams was dismissed twice at BC, once for marijuana and this year for undisclosed violations of team rules (probably was cutting classes…he knew he was going to declare for the draft after this season anyway and chose to skip some classes).

Trade down a few spots…pick up a player or added pick and select Sean Williams…this kid has an uncanny shot blocking sense and giraffe arms that reach as high as the top of the backboard at times. He was leading the NCAA this year in blocks (5 per game) when he was dismissed. Plus, his offensive game was coming on big-time. I really don’t think he’ll be a problem player in the NBA. He’s a pretty solid kid.

By Clyde

May 22, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

This draft lottery just gave Billy and Woody 2 more years. This year it was the “we had too many injuries” excuse and for the next two it will be the “we’re a young team” excuse.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Orlando Rivera

May 22, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Good thoughts Ando, at this rate I think that trading the 11 pick and Chill for jack would work. This way I’d still pick Yi at 3 and we begin the season with this lineup

Marvin Josh Smith Yi (young but full of talent) Jack JJ

The NBA is all about height in the postseason and getting someone of that height and skill is rare. Jack has proven he can start in this league and with him being a GT favorite he would be adored here in Atlanta.

I don’t care what happens just so as long as Atlanta gets a PG and a big they’ve needed for eons.

By jg

May 22, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight will screw this up AGAIN!! I can just see it now… with the 3rd pick the Atl Hawks select: Brandan Wright PF UNC and with the 11 pick the Atl Hawks select: Al Thorton PF Fl St.. Cant you just hear the all mighty king of basketball Billy Knight now gushing like a school girl over those 6’8 swing men.

Also, how long before we hear King Billy say that he knew this would happen all along and that he was not worried about the pick going to the Suns! We know Billy Boy, you control the ping pong balls too.

By infamouskrs

May 22, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

my stomach turns thinking about Billy submitting those picks on draft day……………………………

i’m stok’d for us fans and the players, but i’m just soooo expecting to hear someone making a promise to a player within the next couple of days (could he, again?) !

WITH THE 3RD PICK IN THE 2007 ATLANTA HAWKS SELECT JOAKIM NOAH.

By St. Bernard

May 22, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

Ando, scary that we think so much alike.

By ray

May 22, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

HB Ando!! What’s up, homeboy! Had to give you a shout out.

I am definitely feeling a trade with Portland, have been liking some of the stuff COWA has been coming up with. If it can be done reasonably, then by all means, do it. It would certainly keep some of the guesswork out of drafting itself. As I’ve said many times before, I’m still nervous about Knight and draft night.

Ok, Sekou…how’s your next blog topic going to go? I know you’re gonna have a stinger of a title for it.

By Mark

May 22, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

Guys…this may sound crazy, but Portland already has a dominate big man for the future in Aldridge. I wonder if that would be willing to trade the 1 for our 3 and 11 plus one player outside of Josh Smith or Joe Johnson. Through in Sheldon(admit he is a fraud like BK refuses to do) or Marvin (we were dumbies for taking him at 2) Williams. Actually give them both those guys and keep our 11 pick to get Law PG Texas A&M? I would love to see PG)Law SG)Salim SF)Joe Johnson PF)Josh Smith C)Mr. Oden.

By Ryder

May 22, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Mitch, I’ve heard somewhere in the past that BK is not fond of drafting PG’s (yeah like that’ll work) and if it’s true this team is trying to build a halfcourt type of offense then they will go with the 7 foot Yi or Hibbert.

As for 11 there’s no chance Conley will be there so I think Atlanta would be wise to trade that pick along with Chill to Portland for Jarret Jack and that covers your PG spot.

I see where you’re coming from with Williams, but I don’t think that in a draft this deep they will take a chance on a project unless he comes out the box. He is that good as a defender and if no trade is offered at 11 then Atlanta should get him. You can’t have enough depth in the paint.

All I can say is imagine the possibilities! FINALLY the draft has smiled on the Hawks!

By We are SOOOOOOO F^$$***^d

May 22, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

oK JUST SO i DON’T LOOK LIKE A SPOIL SPORT, HERE’S WHAT WE SHOULD DO:

1. Draft Hibbert at 3. Since Mike “idk what im doin” Woodson is still the HC, might as well draft the center that best fills his kind of team needs. This wil also help JS move to the 4 and Marv to the 3, thus enabling us to FINALLY evaluate their true values while not compromising their playing abilities/confidence.

2. Draft the best availiable PG at pick #11. whoever it is, Law Critt Affalo, Conley etc, will be an instant upgrade over the bs we have now, period.

3. Trade Jchill, TLue and Estaban Bastista to either: Portland-In exchange for Pryzbilla, Fred Jones, and a2nd rounder in 2008

New York-In exchange for Nate Robinson, David Lee and a late 1st rounder in 08

Miami- In exchange for Wayne Simien and Dorell Wright.

orNew Jersey- In exchange for Eddie House, Antoine Wright and a late 1st in 08

THIS WOULD BE NICE TO ACCOMPLISH IF ….we didnt have BK as a GM :-(!!

so until we get it rite WE ARE SOOOO Fe%&‘D* (BUT HERE’S HOPING)

By Clyde

May 22, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Here’s my picks.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By HB Ando

May 22, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

OK, another quick “bite”: I think folks discounting Noah as the third overall pick, especially for the Hawks, are a bit premature. Conley isn’t going 3rd. Period. Whether we pick, or anyone else in the NBA has the third pick. Period.

The Hawks need a true center. We have scorers (though we don’t have much of an offense). Noah rebounds, blocks shots, can put it on the floor and will enter the league as one of the top five passing big men in the NBA. The Gators were better than everyone in the NCAA last year, and they knew it, leading them to coast at times. But they showed heart when the tourney started, and Noah will bring his intelligence and versatility to the position. Remember, Camby isn’t much of a scorer either, but he just won Defensive Player of the Year. Hawks were one of the worst defensive teams in the league last year.

Chills, Shelden and the 11 for Aldridge and Jack. Shelden gives them the back up big man they’ll need without Aldridge. But Aldridge won’t stay any longer than he has too, as a back up.

Billy has he assets he needs to balance this roster. Though it’s been said before, no excuses (though they always seem to find some).

One last thing: Am I the only person that reads Billy’s quotes and thinks, “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt”……….Can you imagine a CEO telling his shareholders that he’s not sorry, or looking back, at a billion dollar mistake? “Oh, are you guys still talking about yesterday? That’s old news!”

If the owners aren’t going to hold him accountable for his failings, then the fans can only hold the owners accountable through poor ticket sales. If they don’t come out of this summer with a much better, more balanced roster, I’m done (again).

By jg

May 22, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

I see it now…the Hawks trade the 3rd, 11, second next year and Josh Smith (yes, I said Smith not Childress..this is Billy doin’ the tradin’) to Portland for the number 1 pick. Even though the fan base is upset that Smith was a part of the trade, everyone is excited about getting Oden. Then Draft day comes…with the first pick in the 2007 NBA draft, the Atl. Hawks select:Corey Brewer SF Fla…the fans revolt and a riot insues and we burn down the phillips arena.

All kidding aside, having the 3rd pick is the ultimate wake up call to the owners to FIRE BILLY F’N KNIGHT!! I am guessing that even HE could not screw up #1 or #2, but #3…I feel a disaster coming on. Billy will royally screw this up for us. Look at his track record and make the move. Concider your selves lucky that we have a top 3 pick, now dont crush it by letting this IDIOT pick it for us. Take him out…TONIGHT!!! Go ahead and fire him NOW!!! The fan base is begging you, do it!!!

By GuyFromUruguay

May 22, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

Wow! Congratulations Hawks!

I hope that, unlike last year, they pick the best player available and work out a deal for what we need (a PG for starters). Picking #3 in this draft is like picking 1st in others… you have lots of talent available.

By ray

May 22, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Yi Jianlin? Excuse me, but take one look at Yao Ming. He’s 7’5” and actually has upper and lower body strength. And he still doesn’t dominate like many wish he would. Yi Jianlin has NO upper body strength and is most certainly a SF. We DO NOT need a guy who will get beat up by Solomon Jones every day in practice.

I looked at the mock draft on hoopshype. I don’t know man…I think I’d take Hibbert or Horford before I took Brandan Wright. We already have a slender Tar Heel swingman that can score. What do we need with yet another? Naw, I KNOW I’d take Hibbert before that…

By cp

May 22, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

Im sorry but if we take YI at three then im done with the Hawks. I dont see how he helps this team at all. He is a small fwd at best. He is not a rebounder nor shot blocker. He is not a poing guard. If we take YI im done. I didnt like the Sheldon pick last year but this will be the last straw for me. We need a pg and big man and YI is neither.

By mykhalc

May 22, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

with the cats i’ve seen so far, i agree with ANDO that NOAH does fit the HAWKS the best. NOAH brings everything at the 5 this team needed this past season. i don’t know that we’ll take him at 3 but i posted i thought he’d have more immediate impact than ODEN or DURANT some months back just because NO TEAM would be lookin’ for him to score. thus, IMHO, makin’ his transition to the NBA a bit easier than ODEN or DURANT??!! i ain’t feelin’ either CONLEY at 3 either….gotta go big!!!

By Mike The Mechanic

May 22, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

I would not be surprised to see Portland select Durant instead of Oden. they have a nice front line with Aldridge, Pryzbilla, and Randoplh. Plus they have the 37th pick, the 42nd pick, the 52nd pick and the 53rd picks in this draft to add more front line depth. What they need is a good wing player and Durant definetly fits that need….or they could do the total opposite and use the later picks for wing player’s or trade some of them and move up.

By We are SOOOOOOO F^$$***^d

May 22, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Jay Bilas just said it on the halftime report: “ATL may take Conley with the #3 pick”

Its’ officially done:

“With the #3 pick in the draft the ATL Hawks select….Corey Brewer forward from the University of Florida.”

everytime every1 seays draft Mr. _, BK says “well we think this other guy’s got a lotta potential…”

And at #11, you guessed it: JULIAN WRIGHT

I would’ve said Noah, but he’d actually fill a need, believe it or not, Ripley….

WE ARE GOING TO BE SOOOOOO F@!$%’d

By Mike The Mechanic

May 22, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Noah is another Soloman Jones, TALL AND SKINNY he will be in foul trouble all game long like Soloman and Shelden.

By mykhalc

May 22, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

still need a new coach tho!!!!! WOODSON STILL AIN’T READY FOR PRIMETIME!!!!!!!!

By We are SOOOOOOO F^$$***^d

May 22, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

TRADE every1 named WILLIAMS and ONE JOSH to Portland for the NUMBER1, this and only this way will BK NOT F this up!!!

and unless we do this, WE ARE STILL SOOOOO F$^&#’D

By reese

May 22, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Congrats to all of us Hawks fans on getting 2 picks in the draft.

Its too early for me to speculate on what the hawks should do.

I just hope that we draft or trade players who will compliment the players we have. I hope that we can place a team on the floor that allows us to play tall when we need to. Play small when we need to. Fast break when we need to. Play have court when we need to. Block shots when we need to.

Most importantly, win games and be exciting.

By michael m.

May 22, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

assuming we make no trades, then:

take conley at #3, as ive said since before the season ended (that we should do if we ended up with the #3)

and then take whoever is left of hibbert, noah and hawes at #11.

don’t miss out on the top point guard in this draft. been there, done that.

after the top two picks, players 3-12 are very strong. this ended up almost as good as it could have.

By Mike

May 22, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Guys what’s up, well he did. We can debate until the draft, but at lease we have something to debate about. As much as you hate him, it’s time to acknowledge that the man got us two top draft picks in a draft steep with talent.

No way you take Conley or Wright with the third pick. We need to get a legit Big with that pick. Law and Crittenton will still be there at the 11th pick. Let the debate begin. But give the man some credit. GOHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Peter

May 22, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Well I thought weeks ago that we’d get two picks and I’m happy for them. We could have come out of this with no picks.

Quit complaining about how we’re going to mess it up. We just got the damned picks hours ago. A young foundation and two lottery picks. If they mess it up you have plenty of time to remind us that you were right and everybody else was wrong.

Enjoy it for what it is. Guys are acting as if their lives depend upon the Hawks.

By GLid

May 22, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Look yall, there’s no way we’ll be trading up. No one on our team has the star power.

We can’t take Conley with the 3. He might be a very good pg some day but he’s only 19 and it’ll take him at least a year to produce consistently, probably more like 2-3. Also, the facts are that he had tons of talent around him, the Big 10 was weak last year and they got very lucky in the tournament. I’m not saying he’s not gonna turn out to be really good some day, but I don’t feel like these things are talked about enough.

Conversely, Law was the headliner on a team without another big name that really should have made the elite 8. He also played four years in college and is the best NBA ready pg in the draft. Moreover, it’s more than likely we can grab him at 11.

As for 3, I think Noah will fit in well. He’s really our best option, and it seems like everyone forgets he would’ve been the no. 1 a year ago. His jump shot sucks but we won’t need him shooting anything that far outside. His foul shot is ugly, but it works more often than not - something that can’t be said for many of the centers playing on contenders in the east.

Yi is a project and won’t be a big time player until his rookie contract is up, if at all, Horford is a really good player, but we already have way too many 4s.

Hibbert is tempting, but there were a lot of questions about his conditioning, something to think about when going from 35 games at 40 min to 82+ at 48 min. I read an interview with Mutumbo about him and all he talked about was his size and the size of his hands. I just can’t see him as a starting center on a good team.

Everyone else - Green, both Wrights, Brewer, etc. are players we already have.

Bottom line - I think we should get Noah and Law, and the best thing about this scenario is that BK might actually go for it.

By HB Ando

May 22, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Guys, I’m not saying Conley won’t be a nice player, but I don’t think he has anything on Sebastian Telfair. And when is the last time a 5’11 PG, at 160, soaking wet, went in the top 3? That’s what I thought. Conley is proof that the PG class is that weak this year. Every year somebody has a big tourney and folks get worked up. But his lack of size will be a big detriment at the next level.

11, maybe, but 3 is just insane.

Ray, SB, Abe, Doc, myc, and the rest of you hardcores, it’s nice to see you’re all still at it. I’d be really excited about what could happen this summer……if there was a different GM and new ownership. Don’t get your hopes up too high. Sekou’s interview with Billy proves he’s delusional, and that his ego has no bounds. Whatever he has over the Spirit must be priceless. There is simply no explanation for him keeping his job here.

By Jay

May 22, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Alright, I had some more time to meditate. My Thoughts…

-If we assume Portland takes Oden, they are perfect for some kind of trade. Our #3 pick and Chills for Aldridge and Jack, then Knightmare takes a swingman at #11. BUT Portland just make take Durant. Then they dont have to trade anyone and their starting five is GODLY. Roy, Jack, Durant, Randolph, Aldridge…yikes. That would work perfect with Seattle, they draft Oden and re-sign Lewis, then Oden opens up Ray Allen for LOTS of 3’s

• The only way the Hawks are getting Conley is if they draft him at #3. Period. If we pass on Conley at #3, the Bucks or Kings will take him. So we have to decide if Conley is absolutely the best option we have at #3

• It just feels like a reach if we take Conley at #3. What if we take Hibbert or Brandan Wright at #3, then take the best pg available at #11? If Conley is gone, Law would be a great pick. He’s better offensively, a better shooter (which we desperately need). Or Crittenton? A big pg we could play with Salim, hometown guy, TONS of upside, and another good shooter.

-If we do take Conley at #3, Im really hoping we get a shot at Hibbert or Noah at #11. That slot seems about right for Noah, and it would be good value to get a 7’2 center at #11

No matter what, Im hoping (ney, praying) that Knightmare takes a pg and a center. I really think he will because its obvious that is what this team needs. But it really wouldnt surprise me if he takes a swingman…Chills is decent trade-bait along with an expiring contract from one of our pg’s, plus I dont think he will be resigned. I also think Knightmare will at least talk to Seattle and Portland about moving up, because we have the assests to do it. Just dont draft Hortford (another Shelden) or Julian Wright (another Marvin).

No matter what, our lineup could be fairly stacked next year!

By cowa

May 22, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

This was truly a great night for the Hawks. There are now so many options to fill out this club. According to Bernie Mullin, BK has the mandate to upgrade both the PG and C positions. You can bet that at least one of these will be addressed during the draft.

But here are some points that many of you aren’t considering when you’re throwing out names:

1) Hibbert - he is a project. He is not the current savior in the middle. If you draft Hibbert, you are looking at 2008 or 2009 for him to have an impact. The same would be true for Hawes. The only center in the draft who will have an immediate impact will be Oden.

2) Conley - he is a project. He is stronger than he looks, which will bode well for him from an injury standpoint. One thing to realize is that BK liked Deron Williams over Chris Paul two years ago, due to the fact Williams could handle the bumping and grinding more than Paul. That being the case, BK may not want Conley at all, and he would prefer a PG like Law, Crittendon (who is another project) or Gabe Pruitt.

3) Jianlian - I agree he is not what the Hawks need, unless a trade is in the works. And don’t discount this. I thoroughly believe that some type of deal will be made prior to the draft. No inside knowledge, just a gut feel.

4) B. Wright - how can you knock this guy? He and Marvin have totally skill sets. They play totally different games. Their body frames are the only things they have in common. Wright is a PF with a 7’4” wing span. the kid could be a monster down the road, but he too is a project.

5) Horford - I just don’t see any way BK takes him over the other guys. He plays way too much like Sheldon, and would instantly put Sheldon at #3 on the depth chart, and BK doesn’t want to live with that.

6) Brewer - Not at #3. I’m sure BK likes him (what’s not to like?), but unless he plans on having JJ move back to the point more often, he doesn’t fill a need.

Now that we know our picks, we can at least formulate some realistic trade scenarios. And I love Ando’s idea of Chills, Sheldon and #11 for Aldridge and Jack. It makes a heck of a lot of sense for both teams. Portland would LOVE to get rid of Randolph, and I still think that is a possibility with a team like Boston. Assuming they can’t move Randolph, and Lafrenz isn’t going anywhere with a much worse contract, Aldridge won’t have the PT to develop the way he needs to. But I don’t think Portland is willing to move Aldridge. I think they want Oden, Aldridge and Roy to be the nucleus of the team for the next 10 years. But that leaves them with Przybilla, who no longer fits on the team. Przybilla and Jack for Chills and Lue now makes the most sense. I’d rather have Aldridge, but Przybilla makes sense too.

That would leave the rotation at Jack, JJ, Marvin, Jsmoove & Przybilla as starters, and Speedy, Sheldon, Zaza, Solomon and Salim as the back-ups. You’ve instantly upgraded your defense tremendously, added experience to the youngest roster in the NBA, and picked up your PG of the future. Plus, you still have these two picks, where you can go any direction you want.

Two last points - Ray, thanks for the mention. I’ll keep coming up with ideas now that we know what assets we have. And welcome back Ando! I think AJ has been lonely without you to do battle with!

By mykhalc

May 23, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

ANDO, been away a minute too. just waitin’ for somethin’ new to debate. and you’re right it’s good to see all the cats still at it…DOC, RAY, AJ, ABE, MM, CLYDE, REESE, MAVID, etc.

VOLMAN, where you at!!!??LOL

and, uuuuhhhhh, GO HAWKS!!!

By Clyde

May 23, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

I just noticed something. Nobody on this blog wants Al Horford but some early mock drafts have us picking him. Could Horford fit into the mold of stupid draft picks made by Billy Knight? I hope he isn’t that stupid this year because another 6’8 power forward isn’t gonna cut it.

Also Acie Law and JJ would be fun to watch next year.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By A-ville Ranger

May 23, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

If we keep the 3 Brandon Wright is the best player on the board and you can’t reach for a big like Hibbert or a pg like Conley when a rare talent like Wright is available.Does anybody else see how slow Hibbert is in the open court? Nothing against the guy,he is skilled in the low post,but if you think the guy is a full court nba center,look again.

By Melvin

May 23, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this

Funny how Durant who is a hybrid SF/PF would be a no brainer selection for the Hawks if available but Yi Jianlian who is a SF/PF and possibly some C when he bulks up would not fit on the team. If we select either one of these guys than Marvin becomes expandable. Which is why I said earlier (before Ando, read above) that we should explore trading him to Portland for LaMarcus Aldridge. I prefer Marvin over JChill b/c JChill could play the 3 and 2 spots… As for our 11th pick I say we keep it and pick the best pg available. Prefer order (Conley/Crittenton/Law).

By mavid

May 23, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

NO NOAH

Please. C’mon guys. We already have one REAL UGLY, overrated, undersized, College-experienced f/c… and it didnt work out. NOAH WILL NOT BE WHAT WE NEED AT THE 5.

Noah with the 3-pick is HORRIBLE. Hibbert comes before him.

I don’t necessarily think we don’t take Conley at 3. If he is gonna be taken 4 or 5 (highly likely Memphis takes him at 4), we may have to take him at 3 if we want him.

By A-ville Ranger

May 23, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this

Most of you guys are making the same mistake the team made last year.they decided to take a power forward regardless of the best player on the board.This draft is so deep I won’t be surprised if five or six of these players are on the floor at the same time in an all star game some day.Whoever we take at three make sure he’s the highest rated on managements board or trade down.If Conley,or Hibbert (not likely)is highest rated fine,but don’t reach and over pay again.

By Volman

May 23, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this

Myk, yo man! Things are looking good! I kind of took a break once the season was over… Now it’s time to start blogging again!!

Let’s go Hawks!

By doc

May 23, 2007 6:17 AM | Link to this

the silver lining here is that by getting the number three we dont have to deal with the conundrum of whether to draft a guy that has one leg shorter than the other as the stone around which to build a franchise. the other thing to rejoice, there wont have to be the decision to draft another swing 6’9” player to make our other 6’9” draft choices of the last three years obsolete.

jeff shultz had his usual take with a bite on it and it sums up the concerns of many of us when it comes to our gm.

i have been a bit of a bk apologist. i recognize that he has made many good choices through the last three years. i for the whole time have not been that upset and have never said the deal to get jj was foolhardy. after all the pick that we are so quick to criticize, the one we dodged a bullet on this year, was supposedly the one that belkin had already given his acceptance of. the one we hollared about but forgot to distinguish the reality of was the one already given up; that was the throw in that went to boston ultimately. that was the one that brought us the infighting that gave us the broken atlanta spirit, that was the real stumbling block. we can all see that that pick didnt exactly mean the best of times for the celts either.

in shultz’ column he lists the really sorry group of no.1’s that preceeded bk and it was a horrile list. jeff made a beautiful point that the years we had zero picks looked as good if not bettter than some the years that we actually did make a pick.

give the man credit, bk did a pretty good job in memphis selecting players and building a team that got into the playoffs the next three years after he left. funny west got gm of the year for bk’s team the year after bk left. that team fell harder than the hawks did when west finally made some changes and had serious ownership issues regarding money and injuries to key players. so he has outperformed that hall of famer but not by much last in the league vs. third worst. he has also done a better job than three quickies, isiah, mchale and ainge based on what they had as resources.

now with all the apologist stuffout of the way and trying to give him his due, now is the time where the rubber meets the road. he has made some good choices but we all see how flawed his timing has been to the choices he made. the trouble i see is that there is very little interest in being held accountable by him to the fan base or anyone, for what comes down, as he shares very litttle about what he has wanted to achieve either in the past drafts or in the future. his comments about cp and deron being the missing links (sort of) is as close as he came but surpringly without remorse or thoughts of responsibilty in not having them as part of our team when he was the only one who could have made those choices. i for one still wonder how he passed over the guy who became the r of y last year for a guy who can be best thought of as the reluctant role playing goon on the bench by his own head coach at number five.

well, i will sit in apprehension to see how bk, a man who doesnt want anyone to know his insights, will make his final decisions that is going to somehow bring this mess all together. can it be that he can do it? it seems about as likely or less likely than the way the balls fell last night. i can only hope this blind squirrel gets lucky a second time this year and finds an acorn.

By ATL Hoya

May 23, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this

The Washington Post is reporting this morning that Hibbert is returning to school. Official announcement at 1:00 p.m. today.

By honest_abe

May 23, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

welcome back ando! myc and everyone else… it’s been a while.

i really like ando’s trade idea with portland but i’d add a tweak. do you think it’d be possible to trade marv, sheldon and anthony johnson for aldridge and jack.

so you could start jack, jj, chills, jsmith and aldridge.

draft yi jianlian with the 3rd pick. he’s a guy that’s a prospect with loads of potential but you get the added luxury of bringing him along fairly slowly. he’s a 7 footer with athleticsm and an outside stroke. he should be able to play a variety of different positions and he’ll be a headache for other teams to deal with off the bench.

with the 11th pick take javaris crittendon… with the idea you’ll bring him along slowly.

the reserves would be lue, salim, yi jianlian, solo, zaza…

while grooming javaris as the next pg/sg of the future…

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Ando, welcome back. You’re wrong as usual, but it’s good to have your slant back on the board, even if it is flawed.

I see Conley more as a Tony Parker type. Parker brought only quickness and some passing to the NBA when he first joined. It took him about 3-4 years to develop into the player he is today. Can we wait that long for Conley to develop? Possibly, with the veteran PGs on the roster (I think Lue will resign if offered a fair deal). But I’m not convinced. I went to bed thinking we should keep both picks. Now I’m hoping we trade the #3 for current players. I agree with Ando and others that Aldridge could likely be had. I’d do Marvin straight up for Aldridge tomorrow. Also, look for rumors of Portland trying to acquire Conley to pair with Oden. If he lasts to #9, would Chicago trade rights to Conley for Aldridge or Randolph? No doubt (even if they had to sign and trade Noccioni to get Randolph).

Word of caution, every trade that we come up with, opposing teams may offer more. Portland, for example, could conceivably get Oden’s personal PG AND their starting SF from Chicago for Randolph and next year’s pick. If you have Conley, Roy, Randolph (or Aldridge) and Oden, you won’t need to get younger in the ‘08 draft, so that pick is very discretionary. Should be a fun 5 weeks.

By A Thinking Fan

May 23, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

BK now has to stop worry about opinions and proving nothing and get us the best players from our picks! He listens to much to what others are saying. EGO be damn this time!

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

Ando, your BK as CEO analogy is flawed because BK is essentially a senior VP, NOT the CEO. No GM in any league has to answer to fans. You think Rich McKay is drafting for the fans? Think Schuerholtz will decide to bring back Andruw based on fan interest?

Somehow, I doubt that after listening to your scouting staff, personally observing players across the world, watching hours of game footage, participating in personal workouts and conducting interviews with college coaches and prospective draft picks, that you would spend draft morning reading internet sites to determine what pundits and fans think you should do if you were an NBA GM.

By MALONE

May 23, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Just to reiterate…

HIBBERT is STAYING in school.

All the bigs remaining (incl. Yi) seem suspicious to me. I say trade the three, and draft best PG available at 11.

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Trade #3 to Phoenix for Amare (may need to throw a little salary in there to make his contract fit). Use #11 on Crittenton and hope that vet PGs can stay healthy this season while Javaris learns the pro game.

By doc

May 23, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

aj, i think amare and jj didnt get along the first time around and was part of the reason that jj wanted out. why is it going to be different this time?

By Davey

May 23, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

YES!!! It took me like an hour to read this blog BUT finally someone compared Conley to Parker. They are almost identical! If we don’t take him at 3 then Memphis or the bucks will take him. SO TAKE CONLEY AT 3!

My next pick would be Noah who has slipped badly since last years draft. He very well might be around at 11. If he isn’t then I would get Spencer Hawes who is like a bigger taller Nick Collison.

I repeat the Chinese guy is a bust! If we draft him then we just drafted a hybred of Sheldon Williams and Marvin Williams. Just a little taller.

So thats my take on what we should do.

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Doc, I had never read/heard that before, that Amare and JJ had beef. I had only heard that JJ wanted to be “the man”, which was not happening as the 4th wheel on that team. Maybe after winning 56 games over the last 2 seasons, he recognizes that a low post scorer capable of 25/10 a game is the fastest way back to the post-season.

By honest_abe

May 23, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

aj: you think phoenix would give up amare for just the 3rd pick? i woudl think we’d have to add something to that to make the deal happen.. but damn that’d be nice!

By HB Ando

May 23, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Hey, Joe, nice to see you too.

CEO, COO, whatever….The bottom line is a lack of accountability. If it is a flawed analogy, it’s not due to the points you make. Professional sports franchises DO obligate themselves to the opinions of fans and the media, because we fund a large portion of their operations, via tickets sales, etc (or, in the case of the media, serve as de facto marketing). And the fans of Atlanta are voicing their ongoing dissatisfaction, via poor returns at the gate.

It’s pretty funny that before the pre-draft camps have been held, you’re already claiming your opinion right and others’ wrong. Once again, you failed to address a direct question when sneaking in a rabbit punch: when’s the last time a team took a 5’11 point guard in the top 3? Answer the question if you want to play along at home.

Your Parker analogy is flawed, as Conley is 3 inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter than the Frenchman. In the NBA, a 3 inch deficit, relative your position, can be everything. IMHO, your desire to see us take Crittenton at 11 makes much more sense. We now have veteran, if subpar, PG’s on our roster. 3 tired, old (not unlike yourself Joe) career back ups. But Crittenton’s size and athleticism make for some serious upside.

Either with the 3rd pick, or via trade, you have to get a legitimate post player in here. This is no new news (and part of the reason I have been on hiatus, along with the fact that as long as the current front office/ownership is in place, this team isn’t worth my daily time to discuss).

The problem with Wright at 3 goes back to a point Joe has made for more than a year: how long can a team keep getting younger? No he’s not a Marvin clone, but his time frame to develop will be Marvin-like, and we just can’t afford it. If he becomes the league’s consensus pick at the 3 slot, then Billy has to trade the pick and move down, or package the pick and get a veteran in here. There are a hand full of rumored big men that could be moved.

We have a log jam of small forwards and back up point guards. We have two lottery picks. Contrary to Joe’s conclusions, it’s a bit early to say what’s right and who’s wrong (with the exception of Billy, who’s been wrong with just about every move he’s made).

Billy needs to make something more happen than taking the best available player at 3. Especially if the best available player won’t be ready to contribute for 2 years. He just bumble f’d his way into keeping this years’ pick. There is no doubt in my mind that when he made it top-3 protected, he was certain we’d be handing Phoenix no better than a mid-first rounder in ‘07, as a result of his spectacular roster-building. The truth is that he was SO wrong, So bad, that we actually failed our way into keeping the pick. But only after a 23rd hour reprieve from God. He oversaw the building of a team that had the worst possible outcome last season: 4th worst record with a top-3 protected pick. If it weren’t for a flawed lottery system, we’d be watching Phoenix pick 4th. And that’s what Billy Knight deserved (though the fine fans of Atlanta got something they deserved more: hope, maybe).

Daily FedEx’ers come and go, Joe, but you’ve got the lifetime achievement crown on lock down (no, Joe, we don’t get French benefits)……..

By mykhalc

May 23, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

why in the world would PHO trade AMARE??? i’m not followin’ the logic!!?? JOE, where you comin’ from on this one????

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Ando, I’m not arguing for Conley at #3. it was my initial thought but now I’m concerned that he may take too long to develop. I never put a lot of stock in measurements at the PG position. I’ve seen effective floor generals in all sizes, so I don;t subscribe to any theory that says a pG has to be a certain size to be worthy of a top 3 selection.

And no, mid level employees are only accountable to their bosses, not the public at large. I can assure you that the exec who reports to your firm’s CFO feels far more accountability to that CFO than they do to Wall Street or the firm’s end user. With the NBA’s TV contract, the vast majority of income is delivered regardless of the team’s fan interest. Hoceky is different, every red cent matters. NBA (and NFL and abaseball) are ruled by TV contracts, everything else is gravy at best.

Lastly, BK’s boss point blank told him that his job is not to address the media (and indirectly the fans). So why blame the employee for following the direction of his boss. That would be akin to me blaming you for cooking those hamburgers against the standards of your M&P.

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Mykhalc, welcome back. I was nervous that you were near the big bridge collapse a few weeks ago.

There have been rumors for the past few months that Phoenix will off-load a major contract if they fell short (as they did). Some reports immediately after the loss suggested that Amare was not fitting in with others. Amare “over-slept” for the exit interview or team meeting after the series ended. That team is looking at paying the luxury tax for the next few seasons. While most adore their style, it has netted them NOTHING in terms of titles, Finals appearances or anything tangible. Since they will need to dump Marion or Amare for a cheaper contract, they have to know they will not get equal value back. It appears that Phoenix believes they can win because of their “system” much like the Denver Broncos could stick anyone in at running back and have an effective offense because of their zone-blocking scheme. Lose JJ and Q-Rich, plug in Raja Bell, they don’t skip a beat. So do they think that Yi or Noah could provide comparable performance to Amare? Don’t know. But don’t expect Amare, Marion, Diaw and Nash back together again.

By jasonb

May 23, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

everybody slow down a minute, I want mike conley too but he is not worth a 3rd pick in the draft. especially when if you research players like i do you most certainly have to take brandon wright. 6’9 1/2” w/o shoes, 38” vertical leap , measured out at SPARQ performance camp as the best overall athlete in a field that included uber-athletic derrick rose and jerryd bayless. before anyone says “thats josh smith” wright’s low post game was on full display at carolina where he surpassed hansbrough as the #1 down low threat. ambidexterous jumphooks nice post moves with nearly the athletic ability of dwight howard. a good point guard will be avail. at #11 law or crittenden who are not that far away from conley. if this were 08 when rose and bayless come out then we could draft a pg that high. think about it 1st before we just say conley it is….

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Ando, don’t be so serious. I have no idea what to do at #3 or #11. And I’m fairly comfortable that you don’t either.

By mykhalc

May 23, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

JOE, thanks. yeah i was actually in ATL when the overpass collapsed. had to put in major hours of work preparin’ my house in grant park for rental again!! might be time to sell!!LOL

yeah i had heard the rumours on MARION but did not think that AMARE was included in that discussion. if that’s the case i’d pull a BK and give ‘em BOTH picks for AMARE!!!! that’s how much I want him on the team!!! but PHO would be SOOOOOOOOOOOOO stupid to part with him ONLY to TRY and replace what he already brings the team. you would think they’d have enough experience with what life without AMARE is like??!!! but i guess their thinkin’ is we got to the same place in the playoffs in the last 2 yrs. so, like you said, i guess they feel the parts are exchangable!!!???!!! AMARE a HAWK…then we’d know the gods are smilin’ are the team!!!!

for the record, i ain’t feelin’ CONLEY at the 3rd pick….

and again, WOODSON keeps this team goin’ NOWHERE!!!!!

By mykhalc

May 23, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

when you look at it PHO really painted themselves into luxury tax hell when they gave DIAW that ridiculous contract. to loose MARION or AMARE and still have DIAW being paid BIG COINS puzzles the hell outta me!!!!

By HB Ando

May 23, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Joe, if i was too serious about this, would I have been gone for two months………

The only sense I can make out of your burger flipping point was that Billy seems far more qualified for that career path than his current occupation.

By mavid

May 23, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Amare is known to be kinda a dick.

I’d still like to have him though.

Other people would probably give more than we would package with the 3rd pick. There’s even talk there could be an Amare for KG trade. I’d think we’d have to do at least Smoove + the 3rd pick for Amare.

Good to see Ando and Joe are back at it. Should be entertaining.

By Clyde

May 23, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

mykhalc to be honest the only players I’m feeling in this draft is Oden and Durant. All the rest have question marks beside their names. Horford is 6’8 and is another Sheldon Williams. Wright is too skinny only weighing 210. Conley is too young but to me he has the most upside. Plus we have too many forwards and at 11 there will be maybe 3 quality forwards to choose from(Noah, Al Thorton and that center from Washington).

With all that said yes Conley may be a reach but he’s the only pick that makes sense. We need to nab our point guard first and our inside help later.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By tb

May 23, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

B Wright is the pick at #3. You either take him or trade.

Conley would be great at #11, we should not take him at #3 though.

It is cool that we lucked into the most diversely interesting senario; it looks like a pick that creates an obvious trade senario.

I also think if we trade we only take an advantage us trade. We don’t take less for need, we take more because our depth is an asset not a disadvantage.

I would have no problem drafting Wright and Law and waiting for a team to get desperate for one of our young and already productive SF’s or PF’s.

I would look to move two of the following asap; Lue/AJ/Speedy and Lo for any picks we can get or as add-ins in a bigger trade to get a starting young Center.

With Wright we can move one or even two of the following: Shelden/Wright/Marvin/Chil but as I said I’d only do a clear advantage trade. I like our team, we don’t need to under value our players.

I’ve seen a Chil for Haywood proposal. I say they need to add a second rounder.

Shelden and Marvin is enough to get Aldridge, JJack and #38.

If noone bites, then we wait until next season and take the best straight up offer we can get.

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

First time for everything, I agree with Clyde, big question marks surround all others. But that won’t stay true as the evaluation period picks up. Owning #3 essentially gives a team the first right to draft any player not named Oden & Durant. There will surely be GMs who fall in love with Horford, Noah, Brewer, Yi, B. Wright and others. They almost HAVE to call BK if they want to guarantee they grab that guy. Let’s face it, the highest possible draft pick that could be traded belongs to the Hawks. That is a tremendous asset to have. And that’s why I’ll try REAL HARD not to etch in stone what I think we should do, because those dozens of calls that the GM will receive may or may not make their way to the internet rumor mill. I have no other choice but to hope for the best.

By mykhalc

May 23, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

CLYDE, i here ya. the one thing i can say about things now is that we definitely are in a position of strength when it comes to bein’ able to make a/some move(s). there are valuable assets at the forward position and the two #1’s. we can ONLY pray BK makes the right move(s) to move the team forward???!!!?? the more i think about it the more i’m feelin’ trade(s)……

By Davey

May 23, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

I wish everyone would stop saying the we can get Conley at 11. It’s not going to happen. Maybe in fantasy land but not in reality. So no more comments saying we should get Wright and Conley.

Next Horford is not anything close to being like Sheldon Williams. First off he just as tall as the glamoured B. Wright. He weighs about 260 and has great post moves. His jumping his so much better then Sheldon Williams it puts him to shame. So don’t be suprised that if we don’t draft Conley then we draft Horford then get Law or CrittenTON. It’s spelled CrittenTON not DON. The thriller dome is only couple miles away from Phillips. No excuses on that.

By St. Bernard

May 23, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

This just in every pg or center underclassman who can pull out of the draft and is being considered by the hawks is leaving.

By cowa

May 23, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

The first rumor I’ve heard is that Chicago loves Yi. What would they be willing to move, along with their #9 pick? Would they swap Thomas and #9 for Sheldon and #3?

By honest_abe

May 23, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

sekou is on 790 the zone right now.

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Abe what is he saying? I think he was on 680 around 9:30 this morning, too.

cowa no way Conley lasts beyond Milwaukee at #6, who may lose Mo Williams. So who would we grab at #9 now that Hibbert is gone, Noah? And do we really want Tyrus, Smith, Marvin & Chill? Only player Chicago has that I would want is off limits I’m sure… Hinrich.

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

Ando, why do you think that Conley is significantly smaller than Chris Paul or Tony Parker were at 18/19 years old? Again, I’m not advocating for him because he may not be “ripe” until JJ is in the last year of his deal and I think we need some immediate results. But I’m curious why his size is bothering you when most sites have him listed at 6’1” and 180.

By Jay

May 23, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

” would look to move two of the following asap; Lue/AJ/Speedy and Lo for any picks we can get or as add-ins in a bigger trade to get a starting young Center.”

Thats hilarious. Who would trade a pick for a washed-up point guard or a never-has-been center? Well, besides Knightmare?

By honest_abe

May 23, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

aj: he really didn’t say anything that hasn’t already been said. he did mention that the chinese prospect was intriguing and that’d he’d like to go see him workout in person. he also nicely sidestepped a crack about bk from the stews, by saying “he’s a different kind of cat” that might go down as the understatement of the year?

here’s another crazy scenario.

i say we go out and sign mo williams. trade speedy along with the 11th pick for diop. then take the chinaman with the 3rd pick. then ship out marv and sheldon for aldridge.

mo, jj, jsmith, aldridge and diop

lue-aj, salim, chills, chinaman, solo, zaza…

pretty deep team imo…

By Harry Hawk

May 23, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

If I knew a Hawks signing of Mo Williams was a sure thing, I wouldn’t want Conley. However, the Hawks have a hard time signing anybody as a free agent, so BK is going to have to find the testicular fortitude to make a trade with that pick that will help propel this team to the playoffs. As far as I can tell, the only acorns this blind hog has found are Josh Smith, Zaza and the third pick of this year’s draft that he tried to give away. He has to make that third pick count for a lot (through a big trade, lucky drafting, whatever). The basketball gods smiled upon one of their own (‘Nique) and gave the Hawks a chance to do something positive for their franchise. I suggest that ‘Nique should wear that tie every day for the rest of the offseason. Couldn’t hurt, could it?

If all else fails, take Conley at three and try to get Noah at 11 or trade up a little for him. Both have good upside and both want to win. Conley’s main knock is his shot, but he will do what is necessary to improve in that. He’s already a very good passer…so is Noah, by the way. Throw these two in the mix and, well, we know Salim hates losing, which is a good thing. I assume Joe Johnson doesn’t like it very much. Josh Smith seems like a competitive fellow. Keep adding guys that desperately want to win and who are willing to work hard to win and, behold, you’ll start winning. It really does work that way, folks. The most competitive teams with the most talent win most of the time. The Hawks can certainly add more talent to what they have with these picks. I just hope it all comes together. Lord knows that Hawks fans could use some happiness.

By GuyFromUruguay

May 23, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

There’s a nice analysis of point guards at DraftExpress

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2066

and the results show that Conley and Acie Law are indeed the best prospects. Crittenton looks like a project still, but has nice upside.

I’d either go for broke and draft Conley at #3, or draft the best big man available at that spot. I don’t think Law will be available at #11. What I would do with the 11th pick is draft Tiago Splitter who will finally come out and is for real, not a prospect, and is the defensive presence and some low post scoring we need… but the Hawks won’t do that because he has a buyout clause and they’re cheap.

By ray

May 23, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Regarding Mike Conley: is it just me or does this sound like a hilariously ironic situation? Imagine, the one time Billy drafts a pg, it turns out to be Conley at #3, and half the blog and every other fan goes insane with anger. What could we really say? Heh, heh…

I agree with anyone who says it’s probably too early to say anything about anyone other than Oden and Durant prior to workouts and other revealing events. Let’s see what happens then and perhaps we will have more info to go with.

I really don’t know if Conley is a good pick at #3. We probably do need a big worse than that. But what if he turns out to be a guy who can match a guy like Parker or Paul? Then we could commiserate and lament the fact that BK didn’t get him when he could have. Or, Conley (or whatever pg Billy picks, if he picks one) turns into nothing worth mentioning and we commiserate about who he could’ve picked. Dang, what a situation.

I just don’t see Horford as being just like Shelden Williams. No sir. He’s more of a Paul Milsap than a Shelden. And that’s definitely not a bad thing. But that’s just my uneducated opinion. I didn’t watch him all year long. But what I did see was a tougher guy. Hell, Chris Richard didn’t look too bad himself.

I already gave a shoutout earlier to Ando.

Now I gotta give another shoutout to my boy Mykhalc!

And where’s my boy Ken? Missing the party, bro’!

You know, I think the mere presence of Ando just makes Joe say crazy $hit. All this time, and he not only goes out to left field with the Amare Stoudamire comments, he gets out into the parking lot, section C…

Sorry Joe, but you really got me with that one. Let the tennis match (or re-match) begin with you and your nemesis. Gotta love it!

By mykhalc

May 23, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

BIG RAY, good to see you bringin’ it as always my friend!! and you know you killin’ me with the ANDO and JOE sparrin’ comment!!!LOL gotta luv the yin and yang of those two!!

DOC, wassup!!!!!!

our b’ball lives woulda been sooooooo much easier with BK and the HAWKS gettin’ one of the first 2 picks!!! instead, we gotta live with “what the hell will BK do next???”

By reese

May 23, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

I have to go with the group who says don’t draft conley at number 3. I want a big man. Its too early to say who that big man will be. But he better be 6’11 or taller.

This team needs more that 2 players to help define the style of play of the future hawks. We control our own destiny with the number 3 pick, so I wouldn’t be so quick to give it up in a trade.

I like the Idea of trading Marvin Williams for a big man and then drafting a big man at number 3. Then, we use number 11 to draft a point guard or trade for a point guard. I would prefer a taller point guard.

By Anakin Joe

May 23, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

mykhalc, but it’s so much more funner this way (yeah, I know I butchered the language). Again, take evey player available in the draft, cross out Oden adn Durant and then make a decision. The fascinating thing is that with all of the uncertainty, folk will still expect perfection. That’s what I love (and tend to confront), the belief that this should somehow be easy to figure out for a GM.

Ray, you know my fingers started tingling when I saw that my rival was back. But it’s all good, it’s just a blog about a game that is played with a ball. Pure entertainment. Who can take this stuff seriously?

By doc

May 23, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

myk man, love ya, cant believe you been in the big a without looking me up for a brew, some baseball or some live music of your choice. i am sure to be the one to benefit from that. i could have painted a wall or something dude. yeah decision time. rubber meets the road time for our beloved hawks.

yi is the one projected three because he can slash and score from the outside to keep teams off balance. unfortunately, since we didnt get the big last year and only got a reluctant goon according to his coach instead of the rook of the year who could grow into a major bad point. we are a bit behind the eight ball to go and get a guy who resembles dirk and gasol, is my guess, and a guy who would in a flash make two or three of the projects we already got obsolete.

yeah, it is fun to have so much disharmony in the family, love dysfuntionality. ando you know i been missin you dude, havent heard from you since the last game that jhan invited us to, threw a few slights your way and couldnt even get you to throw back. hate to say it but you didnt have a good year when it came to subjects other than the hawks who are too easy to slay. let us remember; chicago vs. mavs, book it right. indiana was going to give us a draft pick around 17 to 20 right and we wouldnt have a shot in the big draft this year. couldnt even beat the samuel in the fantasy league thats what put you into hiding,down on your luck man. should have listened to your old men mentors flash and i and seen the light man. o k just kidding a bit, listen to flash.

conley will play better than his size just because of his heart, genes, leaping ablility and quickness. with that said he might not be the one to take at three if there is a legit big to make a difference. i think crittendon will be available at 11 and will make a bigger splash in time. we need a big now and a point in the near future not the other way around. acie kind of makes me think of jason a bit, can score, can pass, is competitive but does nothing singularly spectacular.

roll tide clyde, i thought you liked the bee boy and said so earlier in the year now you got conley up your a— instead of a bee.

atf, we was robbed man. it is a laugher to look at the jazz try to play with the spurs. nba championship determined by stern and officiating just like last year only they did it earlier trying to be less conspicuous to the non- discerning minds.

By Odd Job

May 23, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Sekou good article about the 3 pick.Management doesn’t know yet who they’ll take or even if they’ll keep the pick.Moore proclaimed as if with devine insight that we must take Conley or I assume we face god’s wrath. Ray - I couldn’t agree more, it’s just too soon to make grand proclamations on how this good hand should be played.This draft could produce six or more future stars and there’s way too many moving parts to digest in one day.I’m all for talking about Conley,Wright,etc but I’m not ready to say what I’d do.There’s lots of good options this year,it should be fun.

By michael m.

May 23, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

if we draft at 3 & 11, those of you who dont want conley are idiots. i cant believe it after all of you have accurately complained about our pg situation. he’s young, fast, great ballhandler, a competitor, a future all star pg. we can play uptempo with him. take him at #3, we don’t need another pf. there isn’t a center to take at #3. take conley and go. otherwise you guys are gonna come back and say the same thing you did with deron and paul. conley is underrated, not overrated. you will see.

By mykhalc

May 23, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

DOC, believe me, i thought about you while i was there hopin’ time would allow us to hook up. but it WAS NOT a pretty nor fun trip!!!LOL tenants!!!!! and i’ll leave it at that!!!! coulda used the help too bro!!!:o)

ok, i got one for you guys…

if MARVIN is part of a trade to help get us that elusive BIG, and somehow we keep the #3 pick , is WRIGHT or YI or someone else the best option to fill MARVIN’s spot????

By A-ville Ranger

May 23, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Doc good post but if you think the league would favor the Spurs I can’t agree.The game is money and the Suns would be a bigger draw.Stern made the only decision he could and have any credibility.The rule against coming off the bench is zero tolerance.If they were going to cheat I don’t think it would be to take stars off the stage.I’m a big Spurs fan but most would rather watch the Suns.

By doc

May 23, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

a-ville they could have looked at it differently if they had chosen even to call it a “scuffle” rather than an “altercation”, warned both teams and said to the refs to crank it up a bit on the silly stuff ot they could have nipped it in the bud by going after bowen the second time he went beyond the line instead of ignoring it so it didnt look like they were bending to what amare had said.

by the way what really constitutes” bench area”? any lines on the floor to designate it to yo me the players and the refs? stern really was over the top defending his ruling to the point that the coaches should have done a better job in controllng the game. another factor was the fact that it happened in the realative vision of the suns bench by tv with no cameras looking to the spurs bench to police it.

yeah a rule is a rule but the nba championship shouldnt be determined by the silliness of this situation. for stern to say the players succombed to the taunts of the spurs is stupid too since the league had time to do it themselves. the officials and the commish stayed out of the way too long and got the wrong guys for the wrong reason. reason should trump the rule occasionally.

by the way i like the suns but the player i like just as much as nash is duncan stated so in the poll by sekou during the season of who would be the guy you picked to start a team? … hands down duncan, so i am totally speaking as a fan who wanted to see the real thing. this wasnt a repeat of the knicks brawl nor kermit washington; to compare it to either of those was absurd. my daughters come home from school talking about girl fights that were far worse than what i observed during that minor fracas. stern wanted to be in the limelight, once again.

By Clyde

May 24, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

Doc who is the bee boy? I hope you mean Acie Law.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Volman

May 24, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this

Guys, I go to Georgia Tech right now. I have NO IDEA why, besides money, that Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young are going to the NBA. Both are TERMENDOUS talents, but they aren’t “polished” enough for the league. Crittenton might have had a good amount of points/assists this season, but boy could he not handle a press! He turned the ball over WAY TOO MUCH. Everyone looks at the size/athletic ability…but HE TURNS THE BALL OVER WAY TOO MUCH. It’s almost like he’s out of control 75% of the time when he has the ball in his hands. The Georgia Tech offense DID NOT LOOK TOGETHER the entire season when he ran the team. Somebody look at the UNLV game if they doubt what I say.

I am mainly pointing out Crittenton because his name has floated around here recently after the lottery. Let a team who has the PG spot filled for 4-5 years take him. He is too wild to come in here and do work that Conley could do. I don’t see him running an offense. Great talent, though..right?

By HB Ando

May 24, 2007 1:36 AM | Link to this

Mike Conley, Jr.= Sebastian Telfair

It’s fairly amazing how short people’s memories are. Joe, I don’t know what sites you are looking up, but I haven’t seen a one that says Conley is over 6 feet. And, having watched him play 6-8 times, I’m pretty damn SURE he’s not. Look, this is where the rubber meets the road, in differentiating between players like this. 2 years ago, pre-draft, I told Sekou Smith that Chris Paul reminded me of Isiah Thomas, and that the Hawks HAD to take him. SS has confirmed this conversation. Now, I’m telling you all that Conley is Telfair. And Telfair is on his second team (and he’s now second team!). Guys, Conley tore up Green in the final game. That kids’ not going to make the NBA. Conley looks great in comparison to an enormously underwhelming PG class. 3 guys that I can recall, off the top of my head, that were that small, have gone early. Isiah, Kenny Anderson and Iverson. Please, in a draft that is projected to be one of the top 3 in the last 20 years, don’t tell me that Conley is a peer, coming out as a FRESHMAN, to any of those guys. This is the ATL, fellas. Don’t any of you remember how sick Anderson was? You simply cannot take a guy who’s a few hairs short of 6 feet, and 170 after a Ryan’s buffet, that freakin’ early. Do none of you remember the hype that accompanied Telfair’s entry straight outta NYC??? And he went 13th? Come on…….

Last year we needed boards and blocks, and Billy F’d up and took a good college player who didn’t measure up at the next level, for that role. Taking Conley has far more risk of failing than just about any other player at that spot. No one has screamed louder, and longer, for a franchise PG. But that kid is tiny.

I’m not going to waste much more breath on the issue, because I’m pretty damn sure that after the pre-draft workouts, Conley won’t be much of a consideration by the Hawks. No, Conley won’t make it to us at 11. But that doesn’t mean we should reach for him at 3. Haven’t we learned our lesson about reaching with Shelden (who, as I loudly predicted going into next season would rapidly confirm career back-up status)?

BTW, Doc, I also was largely laughed at for predicting that Portland would end up with a better record than the Hawks last season. And I’m pretty sure I predicted the Hawks would end up somewhere between the 4th and 7th worst record in the NBA. And right before the playoffs started, the Bulls and Mavs were looking like a seriously good pre-season call. Can’t get ‘em all right, but I damn sure wasn’t FedEx wrong……….

And, BTW, Acie Law looks like Salim with only slightly better handle. I also think that by the time pre-draft workouts are done, Noah, Hawes and McRoberts will all move a few slots up from their projected draft ranges.

And, like I said yesterday, if Wright ends up as the consensus 3, on everybody’s board, after the workouts, then the Hawks need to trade the pick, or trade Marvin, for a legit center prospect (chant it with me: Aldridge, Aldridge, Aldridge). This franchise cannot wait another 3 years for the next “franchise player from North Carolina”.

By Clyde

May 24, 2007 2:57 AM | Link to this

SO WHO WOULD YOU PICK ANDO?

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By mavid

May 24, 2007 3:10 AM | Link to this

Ando, why Aldridge? Before I go after Aldridge, I would see if Jermaine O’neal can be had.

Give Indy the 3rd pick + Zaza/Shelly + ? for JO.

Now, that may not be possible, but I at least try it before I roll the dice on Aldridge.

Take best pg left at 11.

By R. Stroz

May 24, 2007 3:11 AM | Link to this

Let’s hope the living Knightmare doesn’t package a pick and a player for an over the hill big name ticket seller with health issues.

I have a different take on this situation. Let’s see if we can dump some wingmen on Boston and pick up the five pick in return. Boston’s p** with the five pick and might possibly be dumb enough to take some former top ten picks the past few years for their fifth pick. They could tell the Boston fans that they picked up two top six picks for just one current fifth pick.

If BK could pull this off, we could easily package some combination of our current top picks with Portland and an addditional player to procure the big prize, Oden.

By mykhalc

May 24, 2007 3:16 AM | Link to this

ANDO, gotta say that i agree with a lot of your last post, especially the last part referrin’ to WRIGHT. the more i start to look at the talent pool in this draft class the more i’m hopin’ that the HAWKS actually use the current picks as part of a trade package to land THE BIG the team so desperately needs. this team is already young enough and does not need anymore projects unless the current projects have been deemed expendable, ie MARVIN or CHILLS. personally, i hope MARVIN and JSMITH get this next year together with an upgraded legit 5 to see if they are the long term answer for this franchise.

my only other wish currently is IF the pick(s) is/are used to go after an ALDRIDGE/JACK package that SPEEDY be thrown in to get him and his contract outta here!!! in my books i’m treatin’ him like EDWARDS (?)guy we traded in the AL to INDY deal…just get him and his salary outta here!!! i know it’s easier said than done. but one year was enough for me regardin’ SPEEDY!!!

BK definitely stumbled into the mercy/luck of the gods regardin’ the ping pong balls this draft. however, he has set the franchise up nicely regardin’ cap space. here’s hopin’ that he can combine those 2 things and the assets at forward position and make the necessary moves to push this franchise forward.

By mavid

May 24, 2007 3:34 AM | Link to this

All I’m saying is, Jermaine O’Neal and Gasol should be STRONGLY considered in a trade scenario.

By mykhalc

May 24, 2007 3:41 AM | Link to this

MAVID, gimme either one!!! the HAWKS really are in a position of strength right now!! let’s hope BK does not f it up!!!

By edgar in oahu

May 24, 2007 4:02 AM | Link to this

First off, I was wearing my JJ jersey and bouncing around the bar like earl boykins when Memphis showed up in the number 4 envelope. That commercial break almost killed me.

Now, here’s what I propose: build a package drawing from anything we have besides JJ and the 11 pick for KG. We use the 11 to draft Law. Do you think Minnesota would bite on Josh Smith, the 3 pick and maybe one other current Hawk? NO one is more hungry for a championship than KG. KG, JJ, Law…
We should seriously go after KG. If not KG, then perhaps Jermaine O’Neal or Gasol.

By mavid

May 24, 2007 4:15 AM | Link to this

KG would cost too much.

I think we could get JO or Gasol without having to give up any of our core of JJ, Marvin, and Smoove. That wouldn’t happen for KG.

I am officially advocating going the JO or Gasol route with this one (of course, not if we get fleeced by it).

JO will be better than Oden for another couple of seasons at least.

By doc

May 24, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

good morn guys.

ando nice to have you back dude. i remember well our chats. said it wouldnt be chicago because they blew it last year and didnt get roy, that was their mistake a big guard to score; their mistake was bigger than ours. said roy shouldnt have been there for us to worry about. that may be the little man syndrome of skiles and the gm wanting guys that fit their own projected selves.

i alos knew better than to argue with you about anything that was associated with dirk, learned your lesson yet for him?

said from the draft night when we both agreed on the portland steals and that ainge was going down as a very stupid guy. everyone trashes bk but ainge is the real stupid. i wonder if belkin is his friend up there in bean town.

didnt agree with the atl thought but felt you were over rating the pacers and that they would give us a nice package from the al sign and trade, though i wanted more, say foster as part of it. wonder if salim’s name ever came up as a possibilty to get foster from them? still am shaking my head at how the pacers went down, feel they were combustible trade or not.

sadly as far as timing goes and bk’s lack of it, i would be afraid he is going to go after a point guard in a non-point guard year without trading down to press out more from the fruit. had several choices that could have been made last year, misstepped the previous year. seems like the deals bk cannot make are the trade downs when you need something but dont want to overpay. i dont want bk buying my next car, might get a mazda at mercedes prices just because i needed a car.

didnt want paul thought he wasnt tough enough, thought deron wouldnt have been in good enough shape as he played college 20 pounds more than he is now …. it may come back in time. stand up proud as i was a roy champion last year so batting about even. with those credentials i dont think conley is the right pick at 3 and is a reach there. i like him but just not there, it would have been like getting marcus williams with the five last year. clyde the bee boy is crittendon that we both commented on after he got off to such a great start in december. he would be my pick if forced to get a point but at 11.

if this china boy is a bargnani type in the mold of dirk then go after him at three, he can help jj. then get one of the residual bigs even if it is richards at 11 after a good look at him in the predraft, i guarantee he will be on display and playing hard. after that go after a point guard in free agency or by trade. we do have a stock pile of bandag retreads at point now that just might be able to hold the truck on the road by committee for another year.

ando, if portland is stupid and foolish enough to get rid of aldridge even though they have another huge coming in then go do your deal; just dont think that they will give it up. that is a true treasure when you have two bigs if they can get along to play 28-30 a night. if they are smart they would agre given the wera and tear on the body. that is all you can expect from the bigs in todays game as they have to play both ends of the court not like in the olden days.

personally, i think it is on the rim of the imaginable but unlikely at least if i was there as gm i wouldnt. as good as it sounds and i like it a lot, i am afraid that your head will get set on this even though ONLY maybe plausible and become one of your TRUTHS of fantasy that allows you to rail again at how stupid bk was even though it never existed in reality. remember bk cant ever tell us what and how he has proposed any trade scenarios until his book comes out like john s. did on glavine when he gets set to retire. if he did otherwise the owners wouldt trust him (can you imagine what he could say about them, whew), players wouldnt come close to him, so it is just a warning for your health to come back, fight fair, be real and allow a few things to drop, you might live longer and love better. heh heh

after all is said and done as acountable as bk was going to get is a comment that the work begins now after the bals are in hand. like his enthusiasm, want him coming out a superstar this time. still apologize for him a buit with the ownership situation the way it is.

now, if i can get FLASH’s attention, who is the best gm of the past 5 years, whoever it is in san antoinio or the gm in detroit mr. dumars who built a team without a sinlge good draft but crafted what he needed from what was available or could steal? top four for five straight years not bad and without a real proven superstar or the dynamic duo that is said to be necessary to get there in these times.

By Anakin Joe

May 24, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

Ando, so let me get this right, because you said Chris Paul would be the next Isaiah, we should believe that Conely is the next Telfair?

Check out ESPN.com, DraftExpress.com, NBADraft.net and CNNSI.com. Obviously, heights in basketball are often an urban myth. Also, check out that PG analysis offerd up by Batista’s home boy, I recall that you appreciate the efforts of the DraftExpress crew.

Orlando must have a coaching candidate lined up considering they dumped Brian Hill fairly late in the off-season. Don’t know much about Sam Vincent, but it looks like the SE division is improving while we again stay put with the weakest game time coach in the league.

By Anakin Joe

May 24, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Have I mentioned lately how much I want a new coach, like Rick Adelman? Check out this quote from Houston’s new coach, a man who knows something about how to run a top-notch offense (a quality Head Coach will do FAR more for this franchise than picks 3 & 11):

“I have to take this group I have here and give them an identity. I really feel confident that over the years we have developed things we can use with whoever we have.”

Adelman already had some definite ideas about how to be successful, from general style to specific strategies.

“We will be able to be up-tempo,” he said. “Up-tempo can be somewhat exaggerated. I call it more of a flow of the game. You get more of a chance to react to what the defense is doing. I had Vlade Divac at center in Sacramento, and he’s not a speedster. But we ran, and we got into up-tempo. I had Kevin Duckworth in Portland, who was the same way. There’s no reason you can’t (run)”.

WOODY, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE INSTALL AN OFFENSE THAT OPTIMIZES YOUR ROSTER!

Adelman on Day 1 is talking about creating an identity for the Rockets. Woody has been coaching the Hawks for 3 years and I have NO FREAKIN’ idea what we’re supposed to be. UGHHHHH!!!

By max

May 24, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Every pick after 1 and 2 is a crapshoot.

By MALONE

May 24, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

hoopshype.com says Portland wants to keep Oden and Conley together. That would seem to put us in the catbird seat as far as trade leverage.

I would love to see Jarrett Jack and LaMarcus A in Hawks uniforms.

By HB Ando

May 24, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Yeah, Joe, I looked at Houston’s hiring of Adelman longingly, as well. It’s the same old brew here, because we understaffed from ownership all the way down to the roster. That’s why I detoxed myself off the blog. It’s just seemed hopeless. The 3 and 11 give back some of that lost hope. But my expectations haven’t grown much.

Doc, you and Flash were forefront on Roy last year. I never expected him to be available at 5 anyway, so it was hard to place him in any context. How stupid was Ainge for giving up the pick Roy was taken with, for Telfair.

Joe, I stand by my comparison and my assessment, regarding Conley. If I turn out wrong, then so be it. But overvaluing players who have great tournaments is common place. Anybody remember Keith Smart?

Fellas, on the J. O’Neal thing, there are $20 million reasons he’s not the guy we’re going to seek. And I’ll give you an even better reason/number: 82

Coincidentally, that both the number of games in an NBA season, AS WELL as the number of games O’Neal has missed in the last 3 seasons, combined. Dude has missed 1/3rd of all games, on the nose.
That’s a lot of money to pay for a guy who only shows for 2 out of every 3 games. That’s why you don’t take an O”neal contract, or a Baron Davis (or a Speedy Claxton?). Tantalizing as the talent is, if they can’t consistently make it on to the floor, how can you build a playoff team around them.

Doc, you can’t hit me too hard on expecting more out of Indy. They’ve been widely panned for giving away the best players in that trade. It’s no coincidence that Golden State made that run after dumping the 2 slow white guys on Indy. Indy made a decision to place PR over wins this year. They don’t make that trade and they’re a playoff team in the weak East.

So Houston has Adelman, TMac and Yao, and we have Woody, Billy, Speedy and a bunch of wings. It doesn’t seem right that a fan could look at an upcoming draft, which is projected as one of the strongest and deepest in decades, and knowing his team holds the 3rd and 11th overall selections, and still have a sense of dread…………..

By The Flash

May 24, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

First Draft Decision It Seems Already Made:

Hibbert’s withdrawal from the draft, which I think is the best thing for the kid, indicates quite clearly that Atlanta told Coach Thompson that they were not ready to committ to take the kid with the 3. Was this a misstake?

Tough, tough question to answer. I think that Hibbert had everything to gain as a human being and a ball player by returning to Georgetown. Very difficult for me seeing Hibbert grow as he should on every level by going to the NBA. The lifestyle, while undoubtedly glamorous, stinks. You heard me right, it stinks. Too many games, too much traveling, too late at night, no community to really adhere to, too much money, too much idle time, etc.

Hibbert is an incredibly bright and attractive human being, who happens to be 7’2” and I believe the best center in the nation as we speak two or three years out. He stays in school and that human being has a great next year, an irreplaceable next year, and the best opportunity to stay on track and reach his potential.

Might be the brightest center with the best disposition in the history of the game, and there were some pretty damn bright ones: Russell, Jabbar, and Walton come to mind. This kid is them and more; he is incredibly personable, while being every bit the warrier, or so it seems to me.

All this said, the kid’s explanation for staying implies that he would have gone if the Hawks told him he was the three. Actually, I just think that it would have made his decision to stay that much more difficult, that it wouldn’t have changed it.

But, if Hibbert would have gone, I’d have pulled the trigger. In fact, I’d have committed to take Green with the second pick if he was still around, and would have made JTIII an offer he could not refuse. Then, I’d have traded Smooth and anybody else besides JJ that I needed to in order to get a true point.

On the other hand, I cannot say that there are any sure things in that scenario, and it ain’t my team. But, only time will tell whether Atlanta didn’t just pass on the best center in the league two years out.

Anyway, seeing the princeton run with JJ, Hibbert, Green, MW (if he was still here), Chill, ZaZa, hey, even I’d have paid to do that.

By HB Ando

May 24, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

IF what Malone says is true, and IF Portland would seriously take Conley with 3, to keep those two together (which I still can’t fathom), then it really would put the Hawks in the catbird’s seat. Can’t give them Marvin AND 3 for Jack and Aldridge. Marvin and Aldridge are a wash. But you could give them Chills and 3 for those two. And, IF they’re serious about Conley, they’d make that move. If you’re the Hawks, and you do that, then what you are saying is that you believe Aldridge is a better answer than any player you can draft at 3. At this stage, with the need for a franchise center, and Aldridges’ late season bust out, I’d say that’s a reasonable conclusion. I wanted Atlanta to end up with Aldridge all the way back to two summers ago, right after we took Marvin and started the blog, jockeying for early ‘06 draft opinions.

Works for me (but I still don’t see Conley as the #3 overall, unless it’s a Portland, who can afford to trade for the pick and make their big man happy).

By bigD

May 24, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Yo ANDO, No WAY Portland trades LMA for anyone right now. All the GM over there has talked about is pairing LMA and ODEN next to each other to try and form the “next twin towers” to go along with what should have really been our pick last year R.O.Y. B. Roy! You are a fool for thinking that trade even has a remote chance of happening. I bet BK will tell Portland he’s not even interested in Conley just to get them to stop calling his cell phone, the guy is a complete MORON!!!! FIRE BK AND WOODY!!!!!

By Anakin Joe

May 24, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Ando, I think Portland will find someone to take Randolph, possibly Chicago. So I think they will NOT trade Aldridge. I could see Portland asking for Chicago’s #9 pick for Randolph and then using Jack or Pryz or next year’s draft pick to trade up from there to grab Conley (if they need to move up). I personally think their first priority is to move Randolph, even before attempting to get Conley. And as long as there is a market for Randolph, I think Aldridge will stay off limits. I also wonder how they plan to handle Darius Miles, no way they want him to influence Oden (and no, that comment is not suggesting we should get Miles, just a general basketball curiosity statement).

By Jabez

May 24, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

How about:

At #3: Draft whoever the Hawks determine after evaluation is the best PF available: Wright, Horford, Noah, or Yi.

At #11: Draft whoever the Hawks determine after evaluation is the best PG available: Law or Crittenton (Conley will surely be gone).

After the draft: Trade Marvin for Milicic in a S&T with Orlando.

Our lineup becomes: Law/Crittenton, JJ, JSmoove, Horford/Wright/Noah/Yi, Milicic. Bench: Lue, Speedy, Zaza, Chills, Sheldon, Solo, Salim, AJ, Lo

The advantages: Our starting five now features a true SF and a true PF, both of whom have star potential, instead of two SFs (that’ll improve our defense). We don’t have to reach as much in the draft for a player of need. We get better shot-blocking in our lineup (Milicic over Zaza, drafted PF over Marvin). We get a young center with size and still some untapped potential, and he can run, fitting the character of the team (the way we’d like it to be).

The disadvanges: We have to trade within our division. Milicic isn’t the best center out there; he’s a bit of an underachiever. Trading Marvin for him is probably giving up too much, unless we insist on getting a pick also (which we could probably do, although talented bigs are worth more than talented swingmen). We would come out of the draft without one of our biggest holes filled, and hope we can do a trade to fill it.

Overall, though, I think it makes some sense, if nothing else because it maximizes the value of our #3 pick instead of having to reach for someone at a need position, and it finally lets us balance our roster by trading a swingman for a big. It would set us up to run. And it would give us (assuming we get B. Wright and Crittenton in the draft) five versatile, long-wingspan guys, which BK seems to like (meaning it might have some chance to be done).

What do you guys think?

By Anakin Joe

May 24, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Jabez not a bad idea. But I think Smith would lose a lot of his effectiveness if he plays SF. At this point, his best attributes include weak side shot-blocking, which he is able to do more of when playing closer to the basket at PF and driving the ball to the hoop, which he does best against slower PFs who guard him. So while I also originally thought his natural position was SF, he clearly excelled as a quicker PF (a la Shawn Marion) during the season. I’d like to get my hands on Darko, because he could play away from the basket in our offense and provide shot-blocking and boarding on the defensive end. But we need to plan to keep Smith at PF or watch him struggle at SF.

By Jabez

May 24, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

AJ: I hadn’t considered that, but it does make sense. In that case, what about Childress and one of our back-up PGs for Milicic? (I think they’d consider it because I think they might want a solid vet backup for Jameer Nelson, and we’d need to match the salaries anyway). Then we take Conley at 3 (perhaps a reach, but if we think he can be our starter for a decade, and a good one, that’s still pretty good value at #3), and we take the BPA at #11 (which right now looks like it will be a swingman (I think Hawes may be gone since he’s the #2 Center left in the draft, and the PFs will probably go in the top 10).

We’d have a lineup of: Conley, JJ, Smoove, Marvin, Darko, with a bench of Zaza, Drafted SF (J.Wright/J.Green/A.Thornton), Shelden, Solo, Salim, and two of our three backup PGs.

It’s not like I’m in love with Darko, but I think he’s the best bigman who could fit with our team that is realistically available. JON, Gasol, and KG can’t be had because we can’t cobble together enough salary to match and other teams can offer better players/picks in trade; Kwame and Stromile are busts; Randolph is an overpaid ballhog and lockerroom nightmare; Aldridge is not going to be traded because POR wants him at PF next to Oden; and everyone else is needed too much by their existing teams. I suppose we might have some remote chance to put together a package for Bogut, but I think it would have to be overwhelming since MIL has nothing but Gadzuric behind him, so that’s not good for us.

By HB Ando

May 24, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Joe, I hate to admit it, but my gut tells me you are spot on with Randolph. They have to match salaries, though, so would it be a re-signed Nocioni and 9 for Randolph? Nocioni then becomes the starting 3 in Portland, as Paxson has already commented publicly that they have to do something that acknowledges that Deng is their 3 of the future, and Nocioni is a starting caliber 3 in the league.

So Randolph prolly heads to Chicago or Dallas. But if the discontent continues in Indy, Chicago might go after O’Neal ($20 million for a PF/C who shot under 44% last year from the field; I’ll pass).

There are some really complex possibilities that will impact the player market. There aren’t many folks with big cap space. I think Lewis will opt out of Seattle, where he’ll essentially be replaced by Durant. But is it smarter for both he and Seattle for him to re-up on a sign and trade? You have to figure that Orlando is going to try and get either Lewis or Vinsanity (is is truly crazy if he thinks the Nets, or anyone else is going to give him $20M/year, long-term).

There could be a lot of player movement this summer. It’d be nice if Billy could use the assets at his disposal to make some significant changes to this monstrosity of a roster he’s created.

Oh, me of little faith…….

And Joe, failure to utilize/develop Darko was mentioned as one of the reasons Hill isn’t going to be coaching the Magic next year. I think whoever takes that team over will be looking to really develop the Darko/Howard tandem. If they add a Lewis or a Carter, to give ‘em 25 a night and open of the low post for Howard, the Magic should be legit next year. I also think they’ll be a little more up tempo next year, as Nelson struggled in the half-court sets of Hill.

And if you’re sold on Smith at PF, which I assume means you see us keeping Marvin at the 3, then drafting Noah makes the most sense. A true rebounding/shot blocking post presence, who doesn’t need many shots to be effective or happy, and who can really pass the ball, as well as initiating an awesome fast break. Noah, as our center, really gives this roster a chance to be a running team. Then, all we would need is a coach who has the skills to implement. What the Hawks should be doing is firing Woody, hiring Iavaroni and drafting Noah. Nobody initiates the fast break like Noah, whether it’s with outlets or a turn and go.

If you keep Smith at the four, you gotta get a legit defensive center, and you’re almost forced to build this as a running team.

By Anakin Joe

May 24, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Ando, I’m not sold on Smith as a PF, but I am convinced that if we keep him, that is where he needs to play. But am I convinced that he is an untouchable pillar of this franchise? Uh, NO.

Jabez, to Ando’s point and the reports since Brian Hill’s firing, it sounds like they want a coach to work with Darko so he may be hard to acquire. Of course, we could always try to overpay for him and dare the Magic to match. It just doesn’t sound like they would be interested in a S&T. On paper, he certainly appears to be the ideal complement to D. Howard, so I understand their willingness to give it another year or 2.

By cowa

May 24, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

I had heard earlier this year that Toronto was going to go all out to get Darko. Not sure how they go about it, but they really wanted a Milicic/Bosh/Bargnani front line. I’m not on the Darko bandwagon for the money he’s going to require (5 years, $50M).

I’ve been trying to come up with a 3 way with Portland and Boston. Here’s my first shot:

Atlanta trades Claxton, Childress and the #3 pick to Portland.

Portland trades Jack, Przybilla and their #1 in 2008 to Atlanta, and Randolph to Boston.

Boston trades Ratliff to Portland and Jefferson to Atlanta.

Rationale: Boston, losing out on the Oden/Durant sweeppstakes, decides to get the proven star to team with Pierce, but they have to give up Jefferson, as they play the same position. They could also substitute Gerald Green in for Jefferson.

Portland wants Conley, and the only way to assure this to happen is to get the #3 pick from Atlanta. Jack and Przybilla are tradeable, and they make room for Aldridge by moving Randolph and getting an expiring contract in Ratliff, which would let them do some maneuvering in 2008. Of course, they get Chills to play SF/SG, but they need to take on Speedy’s contract. I’m not sure about the #1 in 08, but I’m throwing it out there!

Atlanta takes a risk similar to what it did when we traded the #3 for Shareef, but hopefully this turns out better! We would get rid of Speedy’s contract, but gain a defensive center, a starting PG who would wants to come to Atlanta and plays great on-ball D, and a PF in Jefferson that is better (at least in the short run) than anything you could get at #3 if you weren’t taking Conley. If Jefferson was viewed as untradeable, than Gerald Green could be worked in instead.

Ainge makes a splash and makes Pierce happy, Portland makes Oden happy and sets themselves up for the future financially, and Atlanta gets 2/3 new starters without breaking up the core of JJ/JS/MW.

Am I reaching too much here? Somehow, I feel I am!

By Harry Hawk

May 24, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

If the Celtics trade Al Jefferson, Danny Ainge will be hanging from the Tobin Bridge in Boston. Zach Randolph is a headcase and would bring nothing of value to Boston.

Of course, if the Hawks got Al Jefferson, I’d be alright with that.

Speaking of headcases, Conley isn’t one. Bassy Telfair is. Ando, for you to say “Conley = Telfair” is rank idiocy. Telfair didn’t care to work at his craft in the NBA, didn’t care to clean up his act off the court, and thought he was God’s gift to the league. Conley is a better player than Telfair precisely because he HASN’T been idolized and hyped beyond belief. In fact, one reason nobody expects much from the guy is that he played with Oden and was completely overshadowed by him. I could understand it if you’ve surmised that Mike Conley, Sr. explicitly hitched his son to Oden’s star and that Conley, Jr. does not actually have the ability that scouts seem to think he has (the same ability I saw him exhibit in college, by the way). That’s a valid way for you to criticize a player, but to compare him to Telfair, a guy who never played a minute in college and had a lot of baggage before he ever stepped onto an NBA court…well, that’s just strange. I don’t care if Conley is only 6’1” in shoes. He’s a very good passer, a good leader on the court, can jump through the roof (at least a 38-39 inch vertical) and, by all accounts, wants to be a great point guard and is willing to work his butt off to become one. His main drawback is his shot, but his willingness to work will help him become a decent, if not good, shooter. Will he be able to defend the point well in the NBA? I don’t know. Get another defender inside (like Noah, for example) and Conley’s lack of size would be less of an issue.

I will say this, though: if Conley goes to the Blazers, he’s a lot less likely to be “Telfair-like” than if he goes to the Hawks. It would be a risk to take Conley at three, but if the Hawks like him as much as I do, they’ll take him. He’s not Shelden Williams. He’s young, smart, fast, athletic and he’s hungry to make his name.

By Clyde

May 24, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Cowa the problem with your trade is Claxton and Childress are virtually worthless. Why would they want to trade Oden for two bench players that may not even get off the bench on a good Blazers roster? JJ, Jsmoove, and Marvin are the only players anyone would want.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By cowa

May 24, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Clyde, who said anything about trading Oden?

Childress has a lot more value than we give him credit for. His stats are good across the board.

By St. Bernard

May 24, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Is it possible to sign free agents before the draft? I think they can’t be signed until after the draft, which means there’s no way of knowing that we can get a Mo Williams or Chauncey Billups.

By honest_abe

May 24, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

3 way trade with Boston/Seattle/Atlanta

Atlanta:

sends to Seattle the 3rd & 11th pick, childress and speedy.

Boston:

sends to Atlanta rajon rondo and al jefferson and #5

Seattle:

sends to Boston the #2 pick and collison.

imo this is one of the dumber trade scenario’s, but it’s probably the only one i haven’t seen. heh

boston gets the star power to get their franchise back on track. the addition of collison offsets losing jefferson.

(this is of course my opinion) seattle proves to rashard they are committed to him and sign him to a long term deal. instead of getting a 3rd scorer in durant who basically has the same game as rashard, they get childress a multi faceted player who doesnt’ need plays called for him to be effective. with the 3rd pick they take al horford a prototype power forward and with the 11th pick they take the best available pg. so seattle addresses several needs instead of just one.

atlanta gets rondo and jefferson which is better than any pg/big man combination we can get out of the draft. they also add #5 draft to the team and they can get the best available talent.

By A-ville Ranger

May 24, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

Bradley called Yi the second rated center in the draft by many.I don’t know what video these people watched but from what I’ve seen he’s less a center than Dirk.He plays more like a small forward on offense,he does rebound against smaller players but I’m not convinced he can board against low post nba players.Don’t get me wrong the kid can run, shoot and finish but he’s not a center.If we’re looking for a true low post center Hawes may be there at 11.

By Clyde

May 24, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

Cowa if you trade the #1 pick you give up Oden. That’s what I was talking bout. As for Childress he’s alright but his value is questionable.

Oh yea I haven’t seen anyone address the Vick issue in a while so I’ll do the honors and sum it up in one sentence. If two grown men are allowed to fight why aren’t dogs allowed fight? Just something to think about.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Volman

May 24, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

Good idea, St. Bernard.

What happened with all of the Chauncey Billups talk?

I thought it was said earlier that Chauncey said he’d like to come to Atlanta (probably for the money). This solves having to “Reach” for a PG at 3. If somehow this team can get Billups to atleast AGREE to sign with them, or a sign-trade is done between Atlanta and Detroit, then the Hawks could go for two other “bigs” (Noah, Yi?)

How about a team with Chauncey, JJ, Smith/Marvin, Yi, Noah/Zaza? That’d be a pretty good 7 there. If there was a sign-trade involved, either Childress or Marvin could be traded and still retain a GOOD core 7 players. If Salim and T-Lue are kept, that’s 9 deep.

I think a sign-trade could work with Detroit to get Chauncey because it doesn’t seem like they have many swing players coming off the bench (someone tell me if I’m wrong). Especially if Detroit doesn’t win the title, this could be the end of Billups in a Pistons uniform.

By A-ville Ranger

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

Clyde I don’t know who thought Portland would trade Oden,we have as much chance to get Duncan.In other words it ain’t go’na happen.

By roan st

May 24, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

A-ville, your exactly right about this Yi jilian kid he plays the game of a 6-7 wing player even though he is a 7 footer. Bradley pulled that second best center quote right out of his a*. This kid will never play down in the low post in the NBA.

By michael m.

May 24, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

conley is 6’1, between 170-180, thick shoulders, lightning quick. he didnt just blow up during the tournament, he was solid all year. thank god a lot of you aren’t in charge, you are wose than bk. the following q&a from chad ford’s chat today is pretty accurate:

Scott (East Lansing, MI): Conley at #3 is too high, right? Wouldn’t the Hawks be better served drafting Horford and playing him at center, then grabbing Acie Law or maybe even Conley at #11?

Chad Ford: Why is No. 3 too high for Conley. He’s the best point guard prospect in the draft and he fits a MAJOR need for the Hawks. They used the same reasoning to pass on Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo … they were picking too high to take a small point guard. It’s ridiculous. There is no guarantee that Conley is there at No. 11 and I think Acie Law isn’t on the same level as Conley. What’s not to like about Conley — he’s super fast, is strong, has great floor vision and leadership skills and can really get to the basket. His jump shot is streaky, but his form is OK. I think the Hawks would make a huge mistake by risking not taking him at No. 3. Then again, it is the Hawks we’re talking about.

i can only hope his mock that has us taking conley @ #3 and noah @ #11 comes to fruition. conley allows up to play the uptempo game that fits our tempo. he’s also great in half court pick & roll sets.

and josh smith is our 4, guys. putting him @ the 3 spot limits him the same way it did ak47 this year. quit complaining about him taking too many outside shots if you want him to be the 3. he’s our, marvin is our 3. get used to it. what we need is a point guard who can fly and also play great defense. conley will be, if not chris paul, right around that level. and its not going to take years and years. dude is a smart, quick study. and the learning he does this year will be alongside the 3 vets, unless we unload 1 or 2. but i’d start him by the middle of year 1 because he’s flat out at another level from what we currently have. if you want to see the hawks fly, back conley in ‘07. noah or hawes @ 11.

By Mike The Mechanic

May 24, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

The Hawks really need to draft Mike Conley at 3. If Billy plays his cards right, we could either keep Conley or get the most back for him in a trade with portland(Aldridge, Jack, 37th pick this year and 1st in 08, for Conley, JChill and Shelden). Greg Oden is a big baby, and can’t play without his Buddy, so Portland I beleive will do whatever it takes to get him. All Billy has to do is stir the pot with alot of talk about how much he loves Mike Conley, much like he did last year by giving away his desire to draft Shelden Williams.

By michael m.

May 24, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

later in the same espn chad ford chat, regarding acie law:

Terrell (Atl, Georgia): Acie Law strikes me as a very good college player who won’t be able to get it done in the pros, ala Mateen Cleaves. Is he really the consensus #2 pt guard in the draft, or are some scouts higher on other guys?

Chad Ford: Some scouts prefer Crittenton and even Gabe Pruitt. The thing is with Law, he’s a little more of a combo guard who needs the ball in his hands. Is he talented enough to warrant giving him the ball that much in the pros. Some guys really struggle if they can’t be “the man” Law seems to be the type that could fall into that trap.

By michael m.

May 24, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

if we do get noah at 11, i like the energy who brings to the game and to his teammates. he really tries to get them pumped up. in his chat today, noah even said:

Joakim Noah: Well, I’m definitely someone who loves the game. I feel like if I can get my teammates pumped up, that’s who I am as a person. I’m not faking anything. It comes naturally. That’s just me, someone with a lot of energy.

By Jay

May 24, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Is Sekou still allowed to blog? The biggest day in franchise history since the Dominique trade and Blog-Z says nothing but a couple generic staff articles?

By michael m.

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

ando, comparing conley to telfair?! lol, you’re losing it, bro. after checking again at a couple sources, he’s indeed 6’1 180. obviously orlando will dictate new sizes for some players, but this guy isn’t telfair physically or in the way he plays the game. the first thing that comes to telfair’s mind when he hears the word “nine” is a gun, not assists per game. and weren’t you wanting to trade childress for telfair last offseason?

By ray

May 24, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

I can’t really argue much with getting Noah. Question is, do we take him at #3 if we keep the pick and don’t do some kind of trade wih it? I doubt he’ll fall to #11.

I’m on the fence about Conley. I think he can and will be special. I think he’s going to prove better than Telfair. For one thing, he’s a different guy. For another (and this may or may not mean a whole lot), he played in college basketball’s biggest games this past season…as a freshman. Didn’t Telfair make the jump from high school? And he was too widely hyped. It was crazy.

As far as height goes, Brevin Knight is only 5’9” and does a good job. Same with T.J. Ford. I realize the deal there is all about quickness. Well, Conley ran past most guys in college. I’m not saying he’s the cat’s pajamas or that we should draft him at #3. I’m saying he’s probably better and going to be better than he’s getting credit for.

Having said that, Crittenton at #11, after having drafted a good big man is not such a bad idea. I’m not completely sure about Law.

I don’t think drafting Horford and then trying to get him at center is the best idea. He’s a power forward. And he’s not Emeka Okafor…yet. Still, the guy’s going to be more solid than Shelden will ever be, I think.

I don’t know what the deal with the Chinese kid is. Yeah, you could get a Dirk…or you could get a Dork. Have to see what he can do in workouts. Besides, isn’t he a perimeter oriented guy? We have that already, although not 7-foot.

What bothers me is that I can see Billy taking Brandan Wright at #3. Man, I hope not. We already have Marvin. We don’t need to do this again. I don’t care how long his wingspan is. If he’s not Chris Bosh-like forget it.

All in all, the trade possibilities with Portland probably look the best to me. Maybe it’s just because the draft pick thing scares me.

By Odd Job

May 24, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

Ray I live in NC and I’ve watched 20 or more Carolina games this year.The Wright - Marvin comparison isn’t really valid to me.Wright is a low post finisher.He can use either hand,he’s very quick and long.He’ll be a very good low post defender in time.He could take two or three seasons to reach a high level but he’ll make a real contribution his first year if he’s given the minutes.

By d

May 24, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

real quick on Yi, yeah he has a perimeter skill set, but unlike Dirk he actually takes advantage of his hieght inside. Good, not great post moves, active around the boards, and can run.

By Odd Job

May 24, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

regarding the comments by Chad Ford.First

By mykhalc

May 25, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this

MM, RAY, i’m with you on NOAH. as i’ve posted before, IMHO, i think he’ll have the most immediate impact because he DOES NOT need the ball to produce the things that most clubs need…boards, blocks, defensive help, energy, etc. and of course, there is no denyin’ the talents of ODEN and DURANT. i just like the intangibles that NOAH brings. but i don’t think he’ll last to the 11th pick tho??!!!!???

i have to admit i’m not feelin’ CONLEY at #3 but i don’t feel i saw enough of him to really make a call on what kinda player he really is. cat quick with drive not doubt tho.

i’m really on the fence about MARVIN right now too. as much as i would like to see him and JS have this next year to show or not show if they are really the able to anchor the forward positions for the franchise, there is a part of me that feels like MAYBE WRIGHT might be an upgrade. but then we’re back to the ‘hurry up and wait’ syndrome that plagues this franchise. i definitely could live with the front court of MW, JS, and NOAH if it happened tho!!! just not sure about CONLEY……yet….

By Odd Job

May 25, 2007 2:17 AM | Link to this

People,people, Branden Wright is not Marvin Williams.Yes they both went to school at UNC,they’re 6’9” or 10”,they’re forwards and they’re black.So it’s like history repeating itself if the birds take BW ? That is some lame assed thinking.Their games aren’t alike or even very similar at all.I knew Marvin wasn’t ready,I live in NC and was surprised he came out and didn’t think he would go as high as he did.I’m not saying the team was wrong because apparently most teams ranked him at one or two.Let me be clear, Wright is a cross between Amare Stoudemyer and Chris Bosh.Everybody compares him to Bosh but he’s not as strong and he is more explosive running the floor,he’s quicker than Bosh and he’ll be a better defender than either.I’m not saying take the guy,there’s bunches of ways to go, we really control the draft if you think about it.Portland has two choices they take Oden (likely)or Durrant.Seattle doesn’t have a choice they take the one Portland doesn’t.Atlanta will really start the draft with three and eleven the options are too many to list.Let’s be rational though and keep our minds open.

By dogs best friend

May 25, 2007 2:52 AM | Link to this

Clyde your thoughts on dog fighting are about as evolved as a cavemans.It’s not worth saying more about if you can’t understand that much.

By michael m.

May 25, 2007 4:03 AM | Link to this

3 is too high for noah. i took a look at espn’s mock and it has conley to us at 3 and noah to us at 11. you have to realize there are 11 elite players in this draft, 2 of which are franchise level. the remaining 9 are b. wright, horford, noah, hawes, brewer, conley, j. wright, green.

i want conley at 3 and either hawes or noah at 11, only 1 of which would be available.

but you gotta get conley, law and critt in to work out. also get the bigs noah, b. wright and horford (who doesn’t seem to be a good fit for us considering what we already have). i’m curious how big b. wright is supposed to get, if he has real possibilities as a center in an uptempo offense, and how close to a chris bosh he truly is. havent heard the amare comparison before, but definitely intriguing.

however, conley fits a real need and will immediately impact the way our team plays the game. he can be brought along somewhat slowly in year 1 considering our pg depth, but i think he will quickly make it hard to justify keeping him off the court. if we miss out on him, i can see you guys complaining the same way you do about chris paul and deron williams.

we are set at the 2,3 and 4 spots. if b. wright isn’t gonna be a center, take conley and get hawes or noah at 11. there is a pretty good chance that one of them will be there.

also, i’m curious what you guys are basing you’re “not feeling conley at #3” or “3 is too high for conley” on”? you do realize he could then easily go at #4 to memphis, right? i talked about drafting conley at 3 back before the tournament was even done because i knew it’s what we needed, and our team at this point needs to fill our needs at the 1 and 5. that’s it! the 1 and 5, nothing else if it can be at all helped.

By mykhalc

May 25, 2007 5:58 AM | Link to this

this is part of an article from hoopsworld.com…..

A more intriguing option for the Hawks may be packaging one of their picks with a member of their young core and salary filler with the hopes of bringing back a veteran presence. The Hawks could send Speedy Claxton, Marvin Williams, and the #11 pick to Sacramento for Mike Bibby. Sacramento has been looking to unload Bibby’s contract for some time, would pick up a young, developing player in Williams, and could fill in their holes in the paint and backcourt by going big and small in the draft, drafting Tiago Splitter or Josh McRoberts and Conley. The flexibility the Hawks have gained with these lottery picks will allow Knight to make significant moves towards improvement next season.

anything to get SPEEDY outta here!!! here’s the link…hoopsworld article

By doc

May 25, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this

sadly clyde, that comment about dogs is really off base. you know it is really neanderthal because it doesnt acknowledge the being in another mammal or animal of any form. in some ways it is where some in the caucasion race were up to fifty years ago, thought african-americans were non-beings or somehow a lesser being. it was their belief sad but held onto violently. it is a belief that also allows slavery in any fashion. a simple answer to your question is dog fighting is a brutal sport and the dogs dont have a choice than to accept the abuse and fight for their lives literally. the problem is a simple answer doesnt come close to exploring how it could exist.

what is hypocritical about it is to think that people that enjoy a violent sport like football paying to watch people that make money playing a brutal sport, having fans adulate them when they are most brutal wouldnt have some expectation that maybe these same people that perform the brutal sport wouldnt accept something so brutal as dog fighting as not being acceptable as well. after all many of these guys have severe head injuries by the time their careers are over that affects their ability to rationally think. my favorite growing up, john mackey has early alzheimer’s and is the focus and lead figure to changing some of these issues in the nfl. head injuries are the most important issue health wise in that game and probably explains a lot of the aberant behavior from many that play the sport that we unintelligently pay big money to go see ourselves. that is the problem i see with some that love football having when they are so quick to criticize the brutality of how these guys play out their lives off the field. it is the way they are taught to play and react and it comes out in their day to day lives.

roll tide, i’ll assume your response wasn’t condoning dog fighting. if so you might want to talk to your minister or someone who cares about life in all creatures and forms and then begin to discern what cruelty in any form represents.

By Steve T

May 25, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Sekou, you are being two hard on Billy. The man knows talent. His drafting of Childress and Smith is better than all the drafting in the 90s. It looks like he will have struck gold with Marvin and Salim. Let us not forget the JJ trade. This has to be one of the best moves in Hawks history.

With all of that said, I think he knows what the hawks need. Last season, it appeared that the hawks was trying to see which players had the most impact on the team. I am not buying the injury bug thing.

I know that Josh Smith had the greatest impact on the team. The team is much better when Josh Smith is at the top of his game. He controls the paints. With that said, the hawks will be looking for that type of player. The two guys at UF fits that need of the hawks very well.

By Samuel

May 25, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Clyde,

I see you’re trying to take over my role as the most hated on this blog. While I don’t care to watch two animals maul themselves to death, I see where you’re comming from.

It’s still about the money and the Vick witch hunt. We got IDIOT so-called leaders responsible for the killing and maiming hundreds of innocent HUMAN BEINGS every day. Where’s the outrage! Still giving these thugs Billions of dollars.

I hate a Pitbull period. I can’t see why any person would want to own such a beast, but they are legal to own and it’s hypocritical to suggest that they are bread for anything other than DOG FIGHTING if you asked me. Kinda like the guys who own assault rifles for sport. Give me a break. It’s all about the money.

On the draft. I am glad the Hawks finally have something to be enthused over, however with the last few draft choices. I don’t know.

Personally, I would try to move Marvin, Lue and Za Za and get a vet point guard. Preferably a Bibby, Ellis, Calderon, AI or Terry type. Somebody who can score or “shoot-first” as yall call it. I don’t think Conely is all that. He definately is not good enough to take us to the next level.

I would draft Horford or Wright first. I think these two would be starters on the Hawks. Keep Sheldon as a backup. I believe Noah will be a good fit for the right club, even the Hawks if we open up our offense. I would stay away from the Chinese guy unless we use him as a marketing tool. He should be good for a few thousand fans and about 10 million jerseys so you can’t go wrong with that from a money stand point.

By Anakin Joe

May 25, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

St. Bernard, free agency starts on 7/1 and the draft is a few days earlier.

myhhalc, I don’t want Mike Bibby. There’s a reason the Kings are looking to dump his salary. Heck, I’d rather pick up Telfair at a tenth of the cost.

OK. As of today (with options to change my mind later), if we keep both picks, I’m on board to draft Conley at #3 and the best available big man at #11. I’d even consider trading Childress to move up to get my hands on Noah. I think guys like mychalc are right, that Noah can contribute without the ball and will make his teammates better. Conley just feels like a winner to me. Kevin Johnson-like. And adding 2 exceptional passers to this line-up can’t be a bad thing. Between Speedy (who can’t be moved) and Lue/AJ (one will be moved), Conley will not have to play more than 24 minutes/game in his rookie year. And with no offense strategy coming from the coaching staff, having several players with above average passing skills is essential.

By honest_abe

May 25, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

first of all, clyde and sam take the cake as the most ignorant posters ever to grace the hawks blog. i can’t believe neither of you can see the difference between fighting dog’s and humans. humans choose to fight, dogs are forced to. then same compares hunting? um that’s a sport, some people abuse that right as well, but for the most part it’s going out and killin wild game. dogs are not wild game.

doc that was a great observation … i never looked at it that way, but it is kind of hypocritical for the avg joe like myself to be outraged at dog fighting but to enjoy football. i guess once again the only difference being humans have the freedom to choose, while dogs do not.

enough of that crap though.

i like conley. always have. but lately i’m starting to feel like there just isnt’ a big difference between the top of the pg list to the bottom. i just don’t think conley is that much better than crittenton or that much better than projects such as bobby brown. i think once you start trying to fill need instead of taking the best available player you begin to get yourself into a precarious situation. i.e. sheldon williams…

for the betterment of the team the hawks have a lot of assets that they can use and package in a trade to get the pg they need… here’s a list of FA pg’s this year.

1. billups
2. mo williams
3. mike bibby
4. jason hart

why risk the 3rd pick on an undersized pg (who i like very much by the way) who you’ve only seen for one freaking year! at least with paul and williams you had seen them play for 3+ years at the college level. neither pg was surrounded with that much talent except derron but he was surrounded by a bunch of other guards. conley had all the perfect pieces around him. he played great the perfec time, march. all i’m saying is we haven’t seen enough of the guy to take the risk of using the 3rd pick on a pg because we need one. kind of how we needed someon to reboudn and block shot last year.

By mountain_jim

May 25, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

I like the idea of trying to trade the + for Jack/Aldridge and then going best available at 11.

I think Jack will be better next year (toughness and NBA experience) than Conley, and Aldridge can play Center. Jack would also help with ticket sales as many GT folks remember him and than national championship game tourney run favorably.

I really believe Billy will get a center thru trade, whether it involves the 3 pick or not. There is no center in this draft for us.

I tried to like Noah, but he looked too soft to be a top 10 choice to me.

Even if we trade for a PG like Jack, I still like the upside of Critt at 11.

By mountain_jim

May 25, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

fixed typos:

like the idea of trying to trade the 3+ for Jack/Aldridge and then going best available at 11.

I think Jack will be better next year (toughness and NBA experience) than Conley, and Aldridge can play Center. Jack would also help with ticket sales as many Atlanta/GT folks remember him and that national championship game tourney run favorably.

I really believe Billy will get a center thru trade, whether it involves the 3 pick or not. There is no center in this draft for us.

I tried to like Noah, but he looked too soft to be a top 10 choice to me.

Even if we trade for a PG like Jack, I still like the upside of Critt at 11.

By Willie Coyote

May 25, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

This is a deep draft but there is no clear-cut pick after #s 1 & 2. If the Hawks do trade the #3, I would hope it’s for a young big man with Dwight Howard, Emeka Okafor, and Aldridge on the short list of possibilities. That may not be a realistic scenario but unless we get someone like that (or KG), the Hawks should just use the picks to get the best available player.

By Sekou K. Smith

May 25, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe how many people are against drafting Conley at No. 3. I saw enough of the kid this year to at least want to investigate his game some more and consider him at 3. Haven’t we all been fooled enough by the idea that you can’t gamble a high draft pick on a guy that’s 6-2 or shorter?

I think that’s nonsense. If he’s the best guy and also fits your biggest need, why wouldn’t you take him at 3? It would be different if you could get a player of similar caliber at the same position later in the lottery. But if you think Conley is head and shoulders above the PG crowd in this draft, you can’t afford to gamble that he’ll be there later. That is if you think he’s head and shoulders above the crowd.

But if you go big at 3 (and I don’t know that there’s any big man, power forward or wanna be center, that intrigues me enough to snatch him at 3 if I’s the Hawks), thene you risk having to take whatever’s available from the point guard crop at 11. You have to be willing to take the calculated risks and live with the results if you’re going to play that game.

And no Jay, I’ve not been banned from blogging. We’re moving some things this weekend, so I’ve had to do some heavy lifting around the crib the past 24 hours and the moneymakers haven’t had the energy to blog a whole lot. But gimme a day or two and I’ll be back with more thoughts on the lottery and the draft.

By michael m.

May 25, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

welcome aboard the conley train, anakin.

By Davey

May 25, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Chris Paul only played college for two year Abe. Paul after his freshman year was the big man on campus. Now think about it real hard and ask yourself this question. If conley stayed one more year and got more cred and experience would you take him at #3. My answer to that is yes. So since we don’t have a first rounder next year and Conley just so happened to leave early why not Draft him now and have an up tempo point guard hungry to play and win. Instead of Speedy Claxton who I beliewe has quit and is robbing the hawks of their money. Go SMALL and Draft Conley.

By Anakin Joe

May 25, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

michael m., thanks, so far, I’m enjoying the trip. And there’s plenty of leg room, too, although that might be changing as more passengers come on board. Oh, look, there’s Abe. Hop on board, my blogging buddy, and enjoy the ice cold Kool-Aid.

By michael m.

May 25, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

welcome aboard, sekou. i’m with you in that i cannot believe how many people are looking to trash conley and forgetting how both paul and deron also had knocks coming out of college that they each disproved (paul in year 1, deron in year 2). i’m starting to wonder if some of you guys don’t want a young pg to run our club because then you’d have less to complain about. you want highflying, uptempo offense and a perimeter defender who can steal the ball with his quick, long hands? someone who can throw jsmoove even more alley oop dunks? take conley. he’s going to be elite!

and like i said, at this point there is a better than even shot that noah or hawes will be there @ 11. the key is for the two ace small forwards julien wright and jeff green to get chosen by #10. j. wright definitely will, but i’m really hoping jeff green shines in workouts and that the maloofs let petrie run the sac kings his way so that he goes ahead and unloads artest and brings in green at the 3. hawes is an option @ 10 for them if they want a young brad miller or @ 9 to chicago who needs a young big with offensive moves, but they may trade for a vet instead. also, charlotte would take brewer @ 8 if he is there, but it’s possible they could take noah there if brewer is gone. it’s hard to know right now if the bobcats are planning on resigning wallace, pursuing lewis, or doing both, or neither. that will factor in to whether they go for a swingman or look for a 4 to replace the oft-injured may.

like sekou said, there is no great center to take @ #3. the other options there are predominantly 4’s. conley is the best palyer available at one of our two positions of need. stop forgetting that we need to address these issues THIS offseason.

By Willie Coyote

May 25, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

This is a deep draft but there is no clear-cut pick after #s 1 & 2. If the Hawks do trade the #3, I would hope it’s for a young big man with Dwight Howard, Emeka Okafor, and Aldridge on the short list of possibilities. That may not be a realistic scenario but unless we get someone like that (or KG), the Hawks should just use the picks to get the best available player.

By Jabez

May 25, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

I’m hopping on the Conley Express myself. I agree with michael m. that I’d rather have the #1 PG than the #2 center or a forward. I also agree that if there’s a PG out there with a chance to be special (which I think in Conley that there is) this year, we have to take him, since next year we won’t have a first round pick. Also, I think getting a good PG will help us improve the most in the short term, and I definitely don’t want Phoenix getting the #1 pick next year. Imagine what people will say if that happens and PHX gets Beasley or Rose or Mayo.

I think Conley’s ceiling is Chris Paul/Isiah Thomas level, because he’s been so good at such a young age. But, importantly, I think (barring injury) that his most likely output will be somewhere comparable to Andre Miller: A good floor general, lots of assists, not much outside shot. 12-15 ppg, 8-10 apg. He’d also be our starting PG for 10 years. I’d take that for a #3 pick.

But here’s my concern. What if we take Conley, as I think we should, and the next seven players chosen are (not in order): Noah, Hawes, Brewer, Horford, B.Wright, Yi, and either J. Wright or Green. Do we take the BPA, who’s a small forward, or do we try to reach for the best available big? I think we have to take the best player we can get (unless we can trade up).

Oh, and one more response to Clyde’s dog-fighting apologia: It is a crime for two grown men to fight. It’s called battery. If both men consent it’s not a crime (as I’m sure you envisioned), but dogs can hardly consent to a fight.

By St. Bernard

May 25, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Portland was really active in last year’s draft. I can see them moving something for the 3 pick to take Conley. In that situation, I think we have to demand Aldridge. That’s who we want. Then draft a pg at 11 and go after a free agent.

By Flappin Hawk

May 25, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

I’d like to welcome Noah and Crittenton to the Hawks. If they dont trade the picks this is a guarantee from the Flappin Hawk Insider. The Hawks need defensive intensity inside (Noah is the only one who can bring it defensively) and the best remaining PG will be Crit at #11.

By St. Bernard

May 25, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

Here’s another question, does Portland automatically take Oden? Do they remember passing up Jordan for Bowie? Will that haunt them into taking Durant? I think it’s definately in our best interest that Portland takes Oden.

By Samuel

May 25, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

I don’t know who started this comparing CPaul to Isiah, already. I love Paul but he’s no Isiah. Not yet and i’m not sure he will ever be. He needs to work on his jumper. He is however way better than Marvin Williams.

Maybe I need to reevaluate Conely but I just don’t see that much in him. He looks like a backup to me. I could be wrong.

I just don’t see how Ohio State could have had a #1 and #3 pick(talent wise) and not win the Championship.

I think Crittenton will have a better career in the pros than Connely. His game will be better suited for the transition to the NBA.

I think Wright is a true PF with athletism and size. Something we don’t have. He would step right in and start. I don’t know about Connely.

By mountain_jim

May 25, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

Critt’s definitely coming out - did BK give him a promise at 11? lol.

I think his size and upside may be more of what BK is looking for in a PG, leaving the 3 to use in trade for a center.

By A-ville Ranger

May 25, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

When I read the post on dog fighting it is obvious most sports fans aren’t the most moral or evolved citizens.These post are so crude in their reasoning I really don’t see where to start in explaining the differences in boxing,football,etc and breeding,enslaving,abusively training and then putting these animals in pens to fight to the death.I find it sad and ironic that many blacks consider dogs property and that the owner should be able to do as they please with their PROPERTY ! Afer all it wasn’t so long ago that their ancestors were thought of and treated as just that PROPERTY with no rights or expectation of fair and decent treatment.I fear I’m losing respect for a segment of society.

By Anakin Joe

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

Okay, I’m moving toward the front of the Conley train, after reading Chad Ford’s review of Conley’s workout. 39-inch vertical (in his FIRST day of training), 13 reps of the 185-pound bench press, a legit 6’1” with a 6’7” wingspan. Who’s selling the Conley t-shirts?

By doc

May 25, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

it is all a gamble. conley got farther in the past season so he got more air time than crit. does that mean the he is better than crit or in the right place at the right time.what would crit have done with oden as a running partner?

i said i like them both, not sure at 3 if i see a big i really like instead that can fill a truer need; i mean dont we have a bunch of short guards, several playing point now? it is all a gamble so that is a given but i tend to look at both and not see a guy that is pro ready like paul was, could be that either or both may be ready by the time the season starts but i doubt it.

so i would look to draft the point that has the most upside. we passed on a pretty good 6’6” guy last year that made an impact immediately but he was at least two years older than either one of the kids. cant knock conley’s genes with a father a gold medal winner in the long jump in the olympics nor his preparation to be on this path as he might be the more mature of the bunch. just a whole lot none of us know right now so for you guys already on board i guess you got what they call intuiton or draftus interuptus. what is the rush a j or sekou for that matter? cant we wait until we see them in action in the pre dradt and workouts with the hawks?

aville this isnt a good starting point if you are looking for enlightenment, i can refer you to some other places if that is what you are looking for, check out noetics institute for starters: it is a far sight better than many of the blog sites around. most of us know each other and though some claim to be more hated thn another it is more a figure of speech. there isnt much hate here and really a lot of comraderie in a sense. stick around and you might understand. i have a feeling that we could all get together and have a pretty good time of it all. there is a lot more acceptance here than you might perceive on first look and guys calling each other out in a relatively sane way.

By mykhalc

May 25, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

JOE, MM, here’s one for ya…

IF the team has a chance to bring ALDRIDGE/JACK by givin’ up the #3 pick and players (no JJ or JSMITH) what would you do??? are you that sold on CONLEY??? or is he just your pick if we keep the #3???

like i said, i have not seen him play enough to make a call. but my concern is that we don’t jump on the CONLEY bandwagon or stay off the bandwagon simply because of our choices or lack of choices in past drafts where we had a chance to get PAUL or DERON!!! i’m definitely lookin’ forward to the workouts and hope to have a more informed opinion as the draft nears.

but for whatever reason, and don’t know why, i just have this feelin’ that the HAWKS DO NOT keep both the 3 and 11!!??!!! just one man’s sneakin’ suspicion!!!!

By ToeKnee

May 25, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

COREY BREWER BABY!!!!! IT would be like having 2 josh smith’s!!!

By MALONE

May 25, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

We need a PG and many of you don’t think Portland will trade Aldridge. So…

What if we trade the #3 to Portland for Jarrett Jack? Obviously, that’s not a fair trade for us — what does Portland throw in to even it out?

One thing that keeps itching in the back of my tiny little brain is that the Hawks are the youngest team in the league. By drafting Conley (and most everyone else in the top 11 mentioned), WE’RE JUST GETTING YOUNGER. Is that really what we need? Jack at least has two seasons of NBA experience. He’s hardly a gamble and he played college ball at Tech. Doesn’t that sound better than a 19-year-old PG who is unproven at the NBA level — no matter what his “upside?”

By mykhalc

May 25, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

MALONE, my sneakin’ suspicion starts with the reason you listed…the youth of the roster!!! i think that’s one of the reasons why we do not keep both picks…

By jp

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

you guys are retarded if you think Jack is half as good as Conley. We saw Jack for four seasons and he can’t penetrate, shoot or create like Conley. Ya we only got to see one season from Conley but he did more for that team as a true freshman than Jack did when he took his team to the championships. THe two are in different worlds in terms of ability. Why settle for Jack when we can get Conley.

Conley’s game can be compared to a TJ ford or a Tony Parker without the shooting ability just yet. YEs he’s that good.

Jay Bilas is a retard in my personal opinion but he said he would take Conley over chris paul or deron williams. We can’t screw it up again can we?

By mountain_jim

May 25, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

Or trade the 3+ for Gasol and draft Critt.

By A-ville Ranger

May 25, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

Doc I’m not looking for enlightenment, I’m hoping to enlighten.I checked out the web site you mentioned,interesting stuff but I’m not really into the mysticism and all.I’m more of a tackle the problem guy than a pray it away sort.Besides why preach to the choir ? A message is no good unless you take it where it’s needed.

By Anakin Joe

May 25, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Only way I trade #3 to Portland is if they send back Aldridge AND Jack. I’m not a Jack fan. I think he is very average, nothing special. He has tremendous intangibles but not enough of the substance to get excited by his acquisition. In 1-2 seasons, we’d be looking for another PG. I, too, would be happy with Crit. But I’d be more happy with Conley.

By Steve T

May 25, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

I say the Hawks needs to pick up the best two big men in the draft. I hope they get the guy from China. I have watch some film of him and the guy is active. He can get up and down the floor. He can shoot, and dunk. He is project to go in the top 10.

I think the Hawks needs to trade down get net one of those guys from UF. I would like to get Noah. They we get the big guy and in the second round we can get the PG from Tech. The best move for the Hawks is to trade down and get an extra pick. Let us look down the road at the starting line up of JJ, JS, JN, YJ, and C. Let us look at it this way PG - 6-5 SG - 6-8 SF - 6-9 C - 6-11 PF - 7-0

Joakim Noah PF/C 22 years old; 6’11”; 227 lbs. Florida, Junior He is project to go at 5

Yi Jianlian PF/C 22 years old; 7’0”; 230 lbs. Guangdong Tigers, International He is project to go at 10

Javaris Crittenton PG 19 years old; 6’5”; 195 lbs. Georgia Tech, Freshman

I have the trade the hawks needs to make. The hornets have two picks in the first round.

Now this name is showing up: Josh McRoberts PF/C 20 years old; 6’11”; 245 lbs. Duke, Sophomore

By Cap'n Tripps

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

Steve T I’ve watched you tube video of Yi.The guy has the most developed offense other than Durrant I’ve seen in this group.I don’t really see him as a true big though.He is a full court player who can run,shoot and finish.Last year the only polished player I saw was Roy (who I would have taken)this year Durrant is a superstar waiting to prove it.The question I have about Yi is how he handles the banging from power forwards,he is a very interesting player however and we should give him a good long look.

By reese

May 25, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

Yi and Noah, I would be very happy with that combination.

MM, Sekou, Joe and anyone else who wants Conley; Mike Woodson has repeatedly stated in interviews that he does not want a rookie point guard to lead his team.

There are veteran point guard free agents available and it would be nice to give Woodson one of those.

It would be nice to have true big men playing alongside Josh Smith and JJ.

Even is Yi proves to be a better 3 or 4 than a 5. I don’t see any problem with having a 7’0” player who can play 3 positions.

By Wink from Lithonia

May 25, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

BK, BK, BK, so you do read the blogs!!! So you like that “we have the number one pick in the East” statement. Even you had to laugh at where that came from…but also remember the rest of the post. I just want you to add player that fit a style or strategy for winning in the East. Build a team that can sustain itself, even if it is young or injuries arive.

Bottomline, here my point, the LA Laker’s showtime did not stop because Kareem was not available, Magic (rookie) move to the post and Showtime continued. Thing got tight in Utah, Stockton & Malone stuck to the pick & roll. Game close in the 4th quarter, Detroit continues to play harassing defense. Chigago championship teams of old, relied on their star players to play their roles, with no true point guard or center of note. Present day, Phoenix lose one of their star players, they continue to take the 3, may not result in a win, but they stayed the course till the end; same with the Dallas Mavericks…

Since we had so many injuries to key players, should we not expect the inserted player to come into the game and exercute a known system, similar to teams above…of course I am not sure what system, style, strategy, sets we are running…help me understand…can anyone define the style we play as a basic philosophy???????? Help me understand, because we have the #1 pick in the East…let’s not waste it!!!!

By MALONE

May 26, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

WHAT IF…

Conley doesn’t pan out? Just because everybody’s crazy about him, does that mean he’s the savior?

What about Bogut, CandyMan, Telfair, Lingston, the kid from GA who went to the 76ers, etc.?

By walton rules

May 26, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this

What about Chris Paul, Deron William, Michael Jordan. Why are you throwing random bust from prior draft. You could make that exact argument with anyone in the draft, minus Oden and Durant. And since your just throwing random names around here’s something about Conley you obviously don’t know about. He was the starting point guard (as a freshman) in the naitonal championship game. He started the day he got their on a team that was made during that offseason. Their was no chemistry or experience when the season started. They played @ UNC and lost by 8 without Oden. This kid wants to win and has all his life. You don’t pass up on guys like that.

By Ra'mon

May 26, 2007 5:00 AM | Link to this

Personally, I agree with Sekou. It all depends on how much MORE the Hawks value Conley over Law and Critt, AFTER THE WORKOUTS. Honestly, I believe b/c of maturity and experience, Law would be less likely to hit the ‘Rookie Wall’ that many hit. Also, if JJ and JSmith is out of the game, Law can provide the points unlike Conley can.

If the Hawks feel Conley is that much better, I truly wish they would try to find a way to package the 11th pick and Sheldon or Childress to move up and take Conley with a 5-7 pick. By doing this, they would have the flexibility to take Wright or who ever has the most upside at 3 (NOT YI).

Everyone says Yi can do this with the basketball, and can shoot or dunk. But I havent heard one person say that Yi can DEFEND. And there is no way Yi is used to guarding the type of athletes here in the NBA. The Hawks do not need offense, they need defense and rebounding. And if Yi can’t provide that, why draft him THAT high.

I don’t care how good your pg is and I dont care how good your 3 and 4 can score. If you cant rebound AND defend the interior, you will not win for long in the NBA. Everyone says IThomas did this and that with the Pistons. And yes he was the leader of that team. BUT he also had the greatest rebounder in the history of the game (rodman), along with one of the most intimidating centers to ever play in the NBA (Ol’ Bill), to go along with a young Salley who defended well (and Rick ‘i will hit you in your mouth’ Mahorn).

So to me, Law would be able to do better with the Hawks if they trade the 3 pick (and players) for veteran post help (not named Randolph) than Conley would be able to do with the Hawks if drafted at 3 and the Hawks get no enforcer at 11.

By the way, Sekou, can you tell me why the Hawks never thought about trading for dikembe for a season. It would be a cheap trade, but think about the impact he could have in tutoring the young bigs on the Hawks. Dikembe is the biggest reason Yao has improved, so I can’t see why he wouldnt do a great job here. Not to mention, as a back up, he could get more blocks and rebounds on 2 crutches, than Zaza could get when 100% healthy in a pick up game at the run & shoot (let along a real game).

By Ra'mon

May 26, 2007 5:11 AM | Link to this

Also, to those who think dogfighting is so wrong, please tell me that you do not go hunting or deep sea fishing. B/c if you have a duck head or the head of 150 lb buc that you didnt eat, what would be the difference in shooting THAT animal for FUN and making 2 dogs fight for fun or money. People say the dogs dont have a choice in fighting, and I agree with that. But I’m quite sure the deers, fish, birds, coons, and any thing else people hunt down (ESPECIALLY politicians) didnt have a choice in getting shot when minding their own business. So to say one is acceptable and the other is not, would be something Webster Dictionary describes as hypocritical, or what people from the country in middle GA (like myself) call good ol’ bulls*.

If Vick had something to do with it, he was wrong for breaking the law, but not morally wrong when hunting and ‘gaming’ is still acceptable in society. By the way, the fact that NO evidence has come up against Vick and NO charges has been filed against him, would leave most people to believe he’s still innocent. So until proven otherwise, why not treat him as such. Because I dont see any of you cussing out Patrick Kerney, or sending Bobby Cox’s wife a Halmart card, and asking the Braves to fire him. To want a man gone for fighting dogs (alledgedly) but to root for a man who beats his wife is sickening.

By doc

May 26, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

reese for the immediate future i too could live with a yi and a noah or hawes combo. two big guys tht can begin to assert themselves right away as well as build for the future. it is really too early to project who goes where fun as it is. what this helps is put the future picks in front of us to talk about for the next 4-5 weeks.

vick has to grow up and quit carrying a dark cloud around him that only gets darker. at some point he has to leave the fringes and worry more about his game than his personal stuff. he is a very tremendous athlete that is taking the road of say a tyson than some others of more repute. i would like for him to make more of a statement on the field which he hasnt since he hurt his foot than a statement in the media that is either handed to him or projected onto him as he tries to avoid the negative spotlight. mike come into the light dude.

ramon, one hypocrisy doesnt make another miscreant act sane or moral. i have hunted actually field prepped, skinned it and butchered it myself but what ultimately turned me off to it was the time i shot it hit a small branch in flight that deflected it turning it into a gut shot and mortally wounded an animal that i tracked for 4 hours and finally couldnt find when it went in circles. probably found the remains four weeks later, last time i inflicted pain in that manner. i know that they really need to be hunted for thir own sake but couldnt do it after noting such inflicted pain. ramon the pain is real some people may recognize it and make ammends as bobby apparantly has others go own with their own sick rationalizations. you can figure out where you are we all have choices.

By doc

May 26, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

some nice argumants made by our guy sekou in the paper with his mock draft. sekou seems to know his points as he was all for paul, deron and marus the last two drafts. i hope he has got it together on this one as he suggests him as the point of our needs.

nice to think that we could eveen end up with noah as the 11. that might even get ando to come back to the fold as he was really concerned that phoenix would end up with the kid noah with our pick from that stupid move of getting jj. he went on for weeks with that rant.

now, all those that detested that trade for jj … what would you rather have …. jj, conley, and noah or diaw, rondo and whatever the pick turns out to be next year? yeah even ando might have to swallow hard to eat that crow. noah, might even improve young sheldons play. not sure sheldon is as good as horford but similar in size, attitude and team first concept.

By Steve T

May 26, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

I would trade the #3 pick for the best low post center in the game. I want Eddie Curry. The guy is a beast in the low post. Then with the #11 I would take the best big man on the board. If AC Law is there then we can not lose by taking him.

The Hawks need help in the low post. They can pick up a PG in FA if they desire to get one. But I think that will be OK with a healthy Speedy, Lue, Salim, and Johnson at the PG.

What we don’t have is a person like Josh Smith. Eddie can help the whole team by making the defense focus on his power in the low post. In most cases, team will have to double team him. If that happens, we can have a good inside/out game with Curry/JJ. Then if Salim and Marvin get hot, it could really stretch a defense. This is the line up we will need to put teams away when we have a 20 point lead going in the 4th.

By Jay

May 26, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

I would be p** off if we traded for Curry. For a guy his size, he cant rebound. And then there is his heart condition.

Plus I think we’ll be exciting to watch if we get Noah and Conley running with JJ, the Joshes, Marvin, Salim hitting open 3’s, Solomon and Shelden continuing to develop, Zaza…I mean thats a fun and talented team. I dont want that big loaf curry on my team just to watch him get schooled on the boards.

By michael m.

May 26, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

welcome aboard the conley train, jabez.

sekou your mock is exactly how i see the draft playing out for us. i have tried to explain why there is a good chance noah will be there @ 11, but some of these guys only buy into it after you write an article on it.

myk, to answer your question about trades with the #3 pick. the three that i would consider are: #3 for aldridge and jack, #3 for gasol, and #3 for jermaine o’neal. i doubt any of these come to fruition but i would consider them. while i like jack, he is a bit overrated by some of you guys. if we made that trade with portland, i would most likely take law @ 11 to back up jack and jj as the combo guard he is.

in terms of other draft options with the #3 pick, forget horford as a center. he’s actually a bit under 6’9 and doesn’t add anything substantial to our team. yi is a project who is more of a 3 than a 5. brandon wright is the only big i would even consider because of his talent and potential. i would love to see his workout. but taking into account our roster going forward and the amount of time he would need before he could potentially contribute at center, i think it is imperative we draft conley at 3. he will make a difference very quickly on our team and you will see the effect on our swingman when they can finally run. do you guys remember how great we looked against those west teams when we played more uptempo? conley will allow us to do that on a regular basis. last year, we could only do it when the other team dictated the pace. with conley, the atlanta hawks can finally have a style of play and and attitude on the court. they won’t look as lost and helpless once they get the point guard leader that is mike conley. he will allow smoove, marvin and chill to really explode. can’t wait until it happens - please bk, do not screw this one up!

and to the guy (think his name was Malone) who proposed trading the #3 for jack alone, where did you come from? where do you get this stuff? do you have even one iota of an idea of what you are talking about…? weak, man. just weak.

gotta say, i am surprised how many guys don’t see the obvious needs we have, and the obvious ways to fix it. just looking at the draft, there is about a 2/3 chance that one of the bigs like noah or hawes falls to us. out of the top 11, green is the other guy who might fall. but i think noah is there for us at 11 unless his shot suddenly finds the net consistently in one of his workouts for the teams picking in the back half of the top 10.

that said, glad to see my conley train picking up steam. we’ve still got plenty of room. anakin, got a nice spot for you up front here with me and sekou.

By michael m.

May 26, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

re: the guy who said we should give woodsen a vet pg.

dude, he has three of them! claxton, lue, aj.

what we need is a young uptempo pg. woodsen is most likely not going to be our coach beyond this year unless he establishes a true style. if woodsen cannot see what our talent is telling him about the way to maximize their talents, then we need a new coach, not a new vet pg.

By Clyde

May 26, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

Doc, Honest Abe, and Man’s best friend listen.

First of all I am not standing up for any kind of organized fighting. I think it is brutal and unjust. But to come on here and say organized dog fighting is any different than organized boxing or the ultimate fighting league is ignorant. On television I seen one man get beat to a pulp with blood rolling all down his face and the audience cheered it on. It was perfectly leagal and people enjoyed it.

So with that said if human beings are allowed to beat each other’s brain out in an organized platform then why aren’t dogs? Are dogs any better than humans?

Fighting is a part of life. People are entertained by it. But to come on here and say one form of fighting is wrong and one form is right doesn’t make sense.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By michael m.

May 26, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

people can decide for themselves, dogs cannot. is it really that difficult to note the difference?

By Harry Hawk

May 26, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

Clyde, look at it this way: What does a dog get out of fighting another dog?

Nothing.

If you can’t understand that dogs can’t choose to fight in a pit and that humans can, maybe you can understand the fact that the people fighting in that “pit” (or octagon) are getting paid a lot of money to do so. There’s is a big financial incentive for fights between people.

(Of course, you might say that the winning dog gets a steak or something. That will shoot down my argument, right?)

By mavid

May 26, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

I just went back and watched some video on Conley (you can find videos in various places, youtube being the most obvious).

I wouldn’t be so quick to discount him either. DUDE has ridiculous handles. Comparing him to Telfair is just unfair. He’s flat-out better. I think this will emerge in the workouts. If he can develop his shot (which he definately can eventually), he’s going to be deadly.

Ando, point taken on Jermaine O’Neal. His injury problems are concerns. BUT, if he were healthy, he IS worth his contract (he’s a legitimate all-star 5 who is great on both ends).

I’d be happy with Gasol too.

Also, I think Conley will be WAY better than Jarret Jack in the long run. Jack is nice, but he’ll never be elite.

By MALONE

May 26, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

to michael m:

I proposed trading the #3 for JJack, and PLAINLY STATED that it wasn’t a fair trade for us — what would Portland give us to even it out. They’re not going to “throw in” Aldridge.

Read the post again, boob…

By JJ

May 26, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Ra’mon u need to shutup u do not know what u r talking about. Bill Lambier was in no way shape or form intimidating. He was one of the most hated basketball players of all time becuz he was dirty. Intimidating hahahahahahahahah.

By michael m.

May 26, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

t** for tat, malone. when you write about trading the #3 for jack + something else to even it up, it implies that jack is the main part of the trade. jack is not worthy of such discussion even for the the #11 pick. it would be aldridge as the centerpiece. they have nothing else to make the trade work on our end.

and in your other post about the possibility of conley being a bust, that’s a remote possibility with any of the top 10 picks. not gonna happen, but it’s always possible that an injury destroys a career like jay williams or shaun livingston. but what’s your point? you don’t really have a good one. so who’s the boob…?

that said, i don’t want you to think i am personally attacking you. that is not my intent. so if you took it as such, i apologize for that.

By michael m.

May 26, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

hopefully the spirit group GETS IT regarding our need for the elite pg mike conley. if they do but BK insists on going in a different direction, they should fire him before the draft and move forward without him. he has a chance to fix a few of his prior mistakes. now whether he is willing to admit to himself that he’s made errors is another matter altogether. but it’s imperative we get it right this summer. BK is on the clock… and it’s half past eleven.

By Ra'mon

May 26, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

JJ for your information, you wont find hardly ANY guards or forwards who played in the 80s who wont admit looking for laimbeer when they penetrated the lane. In seven seasons he averaged a double/double and the 3 seasons after that he STILL averaged 9+ rebounds a game while scoring 12 ppg. Anytime you have it in your oponents head that they WILL see you one way or the other, when driving, you have an ADVANTAGE. And theres no way you’re going to tell me Laimbeer, Rodman, Mahorn, and Salley together werent great. If so you must not know what you’re talking about. http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=LaimbBi01 So as I said before, though I believe Conley will be a great PG, I still would rather see the Hawks concentrate on getting veteran help in the paint on the DEFENSIVE end.

By Ra'mon

May 26, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

By the way, maybe the Pacers would consider a trade of O’Neal and Tinsley for the #3, Chill, and Speedy or Lue. It would help them clear up the bad waves. And although Tinsley gets in alot of trouble, he’d be good to have starting in front of Critt for one or 2 seasons… Just a thought

By Ra'mon

May 26, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

JJ one more thing, Bruce Bowen IS the most hated player in the league now b/c he’s ‘dirty’ but he still is the best defensive player in the league. Reputation has nothing to do with how good you are. Hell remember, until last season, Kobe was a ‘hated’ player.

By A-ville Ranger

May 26, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

Clyde you don’t have a clue,you really don’t.

By MALONE

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

Everybody seems to think Conley is the next Chris Paul. What if he ain’t? Seriously, WHAT IF HE AIN’T?

michael m, I didn’t take it personally but it sounded like you didn’t read my post. Plus I like calling folks “boobs.”

Obviously, Jack for #3 is unfair. I was trying to avoid drafting Conley (and getting younger) by picking up a PG that already had established himself in the NBA. I wanted to know what people thought Portland would throw our way to make the trade more even. I don’t believe they’d give us Aldridge and Jack for the #3. I feel like they’re holding on to Aldridge.

I just wonder why the Hawks want to keep getting younger.

By Volman

May 26, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

Amen. The Hawks don’t need to get any younger, despite the possibility of Conley POTENTIALLY being a star. Potentially.

I say seriously go after a VETERAN POINT GUARD in free agency (this team has the space) and then get some depth in the frontcourt through the draft/trades. (This #3 pick could be traded for some good frontcourt depth).

I really don’t know why any F/A signing talk hasn’t gone on.. Guys, it’s just too easy to say “draft Conley, he’s elite”. It’s too easy. Conley is not the answer to this team’s problems. He might be one of the answers, but he doesn’t turn this team to a playoff team immediately, in my opinion.

What about adding Mo Williams/Chauncey and Hawes/Noah/Yi + players if the Hawks traded down?

I seriously think that is a WHOLE LOT BETTER compared to Conley + Noah at 3 and 11.

Any thoughts?

By Ra'mon

May 26, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

Volman, I’ve been trying to say that for the longest.. sign or trade for a veteran pg. b/c even a very talented young player can lose you alot of games. Look at Lebron. He’s very talented and one of the top 3 players in the league, but even his inexperience has hurt his team. There is NO substitute for experience. And I truly believe, its alot easier for a young, big to impact a team quicker than a young PG. C Paul and Williams were exceptions. But even Billups and Tony Parker (along with Bibby) took a few seasons to get to elite status, compared to Stoudamire, Dwight Howard, and more. If the Hawks sign someone like Mo Williams who is still young (younger than JJ), and use the 2 picks to either draft or trade for some front court help, i believe they would do a lot better than just drafting Conley. Remember when he was healthy, Lue didnt do a bad job as the PG, and he didnt lose games, the interior defense and rebounding is what lost most of their games.

By St. Bernard

May 26, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

Okay, definately time for a new blog, because no one is reading anything that has already been said. FA pg’s and bigs have been discussed. Chauncey and Mo have come up already. The Chinese kid is a 7 ft wing…not a post player.

After reading the ENTIRE blog, the question that hasn’t been answered is if we don’t take Conley at the three spot, or trade him somewhere else (Portland?) who do we pick? It seems to me that we’ve all agreed that the pick either has to be Conley or he has to be traded. He may be a bust or he may be Isaiah. Let’s just not base our information on YouTube.

Here’s what I like about Conley. The guy can penetrate through the whole team. There aren’t alot of guys that do that. One of them is Nash. OKAY. Before I get stoned, I’m just saying that the guy can break down a defense.

By Volman

May 26, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

I feel you there, Ra’mon. I honestly want what’s best for this team. I hope we all don’t get drowned in the “Conley effect” where he has some type of aura around him because he was team mates with Oden.

I would love to see two BIGS getting picked for this team and a free agent signing of Mo Williams or even Chauncey Billups (an attempt). Remember, there are THREE point guards on this team right now (possibly 4 or 5 if you count JJ and Salim).

I seriously loved watching AJ run the show last season when he started, and I know a LOT of you all did, too. It’s also been brought up that Woodson doesn’t want a young PG to run the team, so what’s all the talk about drafting the PG so high?

Billy Knight CANNOT look back at past drafts and think “what if?”. He needs to get some players that this team needs (while being smart about it, Shelden was a terrible pick) and also get some guys through free agency. Free agency is going to be the big part about the offseason, guys…Not the draft all by itself.

Boy, I’d love to see this team with Yi, Noah, and Mo Williams added at the LEAST. What if the hawks traded down and got even more value while being able to get some frontcourt depth? Heck, they’d possibly even have a chance at getting Conley mid top-10, for all you Conley lovers.

Like I said before, I’m not sold on Crittenton (my fellow classmate). He has INCREDIBLE handles, but can’t run an offense, yet. YET.

By Ken Strickland

May 26, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

I think BK would prefer to trade, if the right one becomes available. The last few drafts should’ve indicated, to anyone paying attention, that a rookie is not what they want running the team. The question is, will he trade the #3 pick for what he wants, or the #11 pick, and a player. Can he get a quality PG by trading the #11 pick, along with one of our existing PG? If so, we would have some serious options available to us with our #3 pick.

On the other hand, I don’t see him trading the #3 pick for anything less than a big that can start immediately. Consider this, how many yrs have some of you been complaining about BK not drafting a quality PG that was available when we picked? Now ask yourself, how many quality centers have been available when we picked? This draft will have about as many quality centers as the last 2-3drafts have produced combined. We had better pay attention.

By michael m.

May 26, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

not only can he penetrate at will and dish or score, he can also play defense very well plus get steals. he operates efficiently in a halfcourt set but is even better in the open floor. he has another gear. to the guy who didnt think conley could keep up with the chris pauls and tony parkers of the nba, think again. he makes speedy look like he’s running in quicksand. i don’t think a lot of you have really watched him play that much. as much as oden was pivotal to the ohio state team this year, it was conley that made them go. he was their leader, the engine, all of it.

and remember, free agency occurs after the draft. you cannot just rely on getting billups or mo williams. most likely neither are going to be available to us. conley @ 3 and noah @ 11 are what we need. if you want a vet pg, go have coffee with speedy, lue and aj.

the only other draft option i see as even viable for us @ 3 is brandon wright if he’s truly capable of being a center for us. but just know that he would be more of a longterm project than conley, who will show results on our squad much quicker. we need a real jet to propel our offense. that’s conley. it’s so funny how you guys talk about getting some mysterious vet out there. who do you want to trade for? andre miller for the #11? i prefer conley. like i said, the only trade options i see are the 3 pick for gasol, j o’neal, aldridge + jack, or bynum + the lakers 1st round pick.

By Clyde

May 26, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Fighting is fighting even if you have a choice. Yall think its alright for humans to fight but the results are all the same. Injury, bloodshed, and even death. Is that alright?

And hold up if you put two poodles in a ring together they ain’t gonna fight. Just face it. Pit bulls were meant to fight just like tigers are made to kill.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By A-ville Ranger

May 26, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Michael M. B. Wright is a pf not a center.I don’t see him as a project like Marvin though.Marvin didn’t have any form to his game at UNC.Wright can get the ball in the low post and finish with either hand.He can also guard the low or high position and he can finish off the break.I’m not saying he’s a polished player just that he has gifts that will pay off right away.It will take years to reach his peak but he won’t be a waste at all.

By reese

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

Doc, unfortunately, I see a lot of flaws in Sekou’s mock draft. First, the Hawks need a big man more than they need another undersized point guard. They are guaranteed to get that big man with the number 3 pick.

2nd, Memphis needs a point guard just as bad as they need a rebounder to compliment Gasol. Hopefully, they would take conley.

Boston has Centers, Boston has point guards and boston has power forwards. Boston has a superstar in Paul Pierce who can play the 2 & 3. I’d say that they go for Corey Brewer who will share time with the injury prone Wally, but Brandon Wright is not out of the question.

Hopefully, Milwaukee would then take Brandon Wright.

Minnessota, Charlotte and Chicago all need centers. But, who knows they may take an undersized power forward.

Yi would look very tempting to Sacramento.

Therefore, I don’t see any way that Noah, Hawes or Yi would make it to the 11th pick. The hawks would probably be stuck with another undersized forward with the 11th pick or they would go for the big point guard.

Another Option to acquire that 2nd big would be to trade the 11th pick and either Marvin or Chills to a teams like Boston or Milwaukee for their pick and a player they want to off load. If salaries need to match, throw in Speedy. I don’t think that Charolette, Memphis or Minnesota would want those players and I’m not even sure that Boston or Milwaukee would want them.

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

anyone watch the game tonight and hear the announcers talking about deron williams. one of things they said sloan loved about him was how he played with the ball so low to the floor. conley does that too, he keeps his body low to the ground on defense as well, plus he’s got a wicked wingspan. it’s a shame so many of you know so little about winning basketball. you act like aj was all that when he came over to us at midseason, conley plays at a whole other level. i’d say the vet pg’s we have acquired have been mediocre at best. it’s not their fault they cannot play at an elite level because they are mediocre talents. if woodsen and bk cannot see that we need a solid young pg, they should go. even phoenix fans were starting to talk about wanting to draft conley when they thought they were going to get our pick because they saw him as a continuation of nash after he retired. why is it so hard for many of you to wrap your head around the idea that the players we have established as our core are geared to play an uptempo pace. even bk said the reason we haven’t been able to do it is because we haven’t had a pg who can play at that pace. well, draft conley and that excuse is no longer valid. and ken, there are no centers worthy of the #3 pick in this draft. oden isn’t available, noah and hawes are most likely going to be picked in the 8-11 range. power forward is the position that has an abundance of talent set to go in the 3-7 range.

a-ville, thanks for the heads up on b. wright. that’s what i suspected but i’d started to hear talk that he could play some minutes at center in the new small ball era of the nba. i was curious to know if he plays down low or is more of a face the basket player. his weight alone made me skeptical he could offer anything at the 5 spot for at least his first few years in the league.

By baffling

May 27, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Honestly im truly baffled by some of the bloggers trade and draft scenarious. Some people dont want Conly but want YI. They think a 7ft sf who has no type of strength and plays no defense is going to be good but think the best pg in the draft will be a bust. WOW. Im sorry but the Hawks dont have the cap space this year to make a big splash in free agency. We messed all that up by having 3 avg pgs and one sorry supposedly pf slash center in Wright. We can do a sign and trade but who really thinks BK will actually take advantage of his assets in a sign and trade? I like the pg from the Bucks but he is more of a shoot first guard. I know Conley is young and we dont need any more youth on this team but damn people look at the pgs we have here. Speddy i cant stay healthy Claxton ,Tyrone ill pound the ball into the ground Lue and Anthony i cant stay in shape Johnson. If the Hawks pass on Conley and he blows up im truly done with this sorry a* team. After Oden there is not 1 big worth the 3rd pick. Hibbert pulled out and i wanst sold on him either. I really dont get Hawks fans.

By reese

May 27, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

Michael M., did you also hear the announcers say that Deron Williams needs to score in order for the Utah team to win.

I not saying that Conley isn’t quick, I not saying that Conley can’t dribble I not saying that Conley can’t play defense. I’m saying that I don’t want my number 3 pick to be Conley unless we are going to trade him for Aldridge. I don’t really care about acquiring Jared Jack, but if we get him as a throw in, I won’t complain.

I have not seen conley play a lot, but I was not impressed with his offensive games the times I saw him play. I like a point guard who can score as well dribble, pass and play defense. Conley may be that point guard in a few years, but he is not that now.

My preference is to watch a more balanced team. I think that placing ourselves in a situation to draft any 2 out of Noah, Yi or Hawes accomplishes that task.

I think that the big difference between a lot of hawks fans is that some see the core as Josh Smith, JJ and Marvin and Some like myself see the core as JJ and Josh Smith.

In my view, we need 2 bigs and a taller point guard. I the 3 deep core, the need is a point guard and big.

By Clyde

May 27, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

The way Billy is talking he might trade the #3 for another broke down veteran.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Taurus

May 27, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

Michael M., you must be my brother from another mother, because everything you said, I’ve been saying myself. Most people don’t really know basketball. A really good PG sets the tone, is a coach on the floor. Helps your stud players to get easy shots in their sweet spots, but know when to take over a game when need be, whether it’s with the pass or scoring. You know the real deal when you see it and Conley is the real deal. Conley and J.J. in the backcourt would be a top backcourt in a few years. You’re going to call me crazy, but I trade the #11 pick and M. Williams to NY for David Lee and their first round pick next year. My starting 5 would be Conley, J.J., J. Smith, David Lee and S. Williams, and we are off and running. If you don’t know about David Lee, then you don’t know basketball.

By reese

May 27, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this

Baffling, your description of Yi sounds like Marvin Williams except that yi is 3 inches taller.

Baffling, its simple, we want to balance out the roster by acquiring the 2 taller players we are missing. The key is that they shouldn’t have the same skill set and should compliment each other. If one can shoot fromt he outside and one can shoot in the post. That would be optimal.

Baffling, Woodson does not want a rookie point guard to lead his team.

If your still baffled, its because you don’t want what this and many other bloggers want. You want to continue to be undersized and thats whats really baffling.

By reese

May 27, 2007 1:51 AM | Link to this

forgive the spelling and grammer errors, its late.

By baffling

May 27, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this

What does being tall have to do with it though? I understand Woodson doesnt want a rookie pg but guess what i dont want Woodson coaching. Thats the theory that has cost us players like CP Deron Rondo Marcus Williams and etc. I guess ill stay baffled. Im with Clyde, I see us giving up youth for some over the hill veteran with health issues or who has never put up big numbers anyway. At the end of the day we need a pg and a big man who can defend. Oden will be gone and YI is a small foward who cant defend. Hawes is a nice offensive center but he isnt a good defender. If we get Conley at 3 and take Noah at 11 i would be fine with that only because Noah plays defense. I just dont see how we pass over Conley, a good pg for a unproven sf who is a youtube wonder. YI can not defend. Yes he is 7ft tall but the kid does not defend he has no strength. Conley will have a better impact on this team than YI. If we pass over yet another pg only to trade for some veteran who wont do anything for us i will give up on this team. Even when its a easy choice, somehow we make it into brain surgery.

By baffling

May 27, 2007 2:10 AM | Link to this

To clear up the what does bein tall have to do with it. Im saying being tall does not equal a good defender. Yes its nice if a player has size but if he does not use it then whats it good for. There are a lot of guys in the NBA with size that dont do anything with it. Eddie Curry is big and tall but doesnt rebound. Dirk has good size but is not a shot blocker. Its a long list of tall guys who cant defend in the post which is what we need. I know we need a big man but other than Oden its no big man who can come in right now and help us so why not clear up our other need. The position we have been trying to use duct tape for the last few seasons. We need a pg. If we pass over Conley for another sf im finished with the Hawks. I do however respect your opinon on what we need to do as I respect everyones opinion on here. At the end of the day we all want the Hawks to turn it around and become winners so I know everyone wont agree on who we need and what we need to do. Damn the first pick would have made this so so so much easier.

By Ra'mon

May 27, 2007 2:35 AM | Link to this

Baffling I agree with you on Yi. I would HATE to see the Hawks draft him. But as I always say, I just wish the Hawks would use the pick to trade for a veteran all-star big.. if they cant find one then thats cool, take Conley, but by trading that pick for a veteran, that may be the hawks best way to get rid of speedy’s contract.

By reese

May 27, 2007 3:25 AM | Link to this

Baffling, if you wouldn’t want players like Dirk or Curry, then you and I just like different types of ball players. I like offensive minded players. Its up to the teams place complimentary players around them. Thats why Dallas has Diop and Dampier. and New York is hoping that Frye, Lee and Randolph Morris can be the compliments to curry.

Baffling, if the hawks just drafted Yi and a tall point guard, then they would be setting him up for failure. However, if the hawks draft Yi and another big man (noah or hawes) who compliments him then I’m all for it.

By A-ville Ranger

May 27, 2007 5:37 AM | Link to this

I’m thinking more and more that B. Wright would be a smart choice.He will have a go-to shot that will be close to unstopable (baby hook with either hand).We don’t have a high percentage shooter,he is a very high % guy,The team will be better defensively when he’s on the floor.He should mesh well with J Smith and JJ.I know the comparisons are to Bosh but Amare Stoudemyer is similar in the way he runs, catches in traffic and finishes.He is quick to pass out of double teams and he understands how to space.If we could move up from 11 by moving Childress and end up with Wright and Conley I’d be tickled silly.With those two we’d be as athletic as anybody(even the Suns)and we’d be better than most defensively. Conley,JJ,Smith,Wright and S Williams with Marvin, Salim,Zaza,etc coming off the bench.I could live with that.Let me add that Sheldon will be better with Wright’s length and quickness, together they could guard just about anybody in the paint.The down side is we’d get even younger.

By St. Bernard

May 27, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

REALITY CHECK: If we don’t want the number 3 pick who would be willing to give up a veteran pg with it. The only way that happens and works is if Portland is willing to part with Aldridge. The only way they’re dumb enough to do that is to get the #3 and Marvin (hometown kid) and package Jack, so they can follow Oden’s orders and bring in “his pg”. Also they’re aren’t any other centers in this draft besides Hawes and MAYBE Noah. We have the forward spots and sg spot full already. So, it has to be a center or pg. SO, barring a trade for a young center who can start immediately (Aldridge), then we either pick Conley, Hawes, or Noah at #3. With that scenario, I take Conley and I live with it. The chances of getting Mo, Chauncey, or Bibby are VERY VERY low. Why would they want to come here? If Hibbert would have stayed in the draft, I would have seriously considered taking him over Conley, but without him, there’s no need for conversation. Conley is the pick barring an Aldridge trade. The #11 is the best available big man (Hawes, Noah, McRoberts, Gasol, etc.)

By Nick

May 27, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Don’t take Noah at #3. I’m even hesitant to take him at #11. The only reason Noah did anything worth a damn was because he beat his defender down the court (which isn’t hard to do when people like Dave Bliss are chasing after you), and he was rarely double teamed (couldn’t leave Lee or Brewer open). At best, Noah is a very poor man’s Ben Wallace. He can’t shoot past about 7 ft. and has very few, if any, low post moves. If he could dominate the boards like Wallace once did, then okay, but there’s no way he is going to be able to do that in the NBA.

The rest of the draft depends on the style we want to play. It’s that simple. If Coach Mike wants to play at a fast pace, then don’t trade your picks. Draft Conley at #3 and the most athletic big available at #11. With the pieces already there, I personally think this team should be a running team. Still, you will no doubt have another two years of growing pains, and you could be sacrificing the best years of Johnson’s playing career.

If we’re going to continue to play more of a half-court game, take the trade Portland offers you. Portland, I think, will* offer Randolph and Jack for the #3. Now, throwing Randolph onto a team with two potential head cases (Salim and J. Smith) might cause a big headache for Coach Mike, but with those two players and the best available at #11, that should be a playoff team. Randolph is a true low-post presence with good back to the basket skills and decent shooting range. That’ll finally allow Josh Smith to really do Josh Smith things; that is, fly around all over the court. I think Jack will make the Billups-like leap in a couple of years. Maybe not as good as Billups, but he will get better (and will certainly be better than any point guard we currently have).

Portland will not offer Aldridge. He has a good future ahead of him, and his style of play would compliment Oden nicely. Of course, if Aldridge and Jack are offered you have to take that, too.

No matter which direction the team goes, they will be better next year. If they aren’t, Coach Mike has got to go. I’m tempted to go the Randolph / Jack route, simply because it pairs two players (Randolph and Johnson) in their prime. Randolph has maybe four solid years left in him before his weight becomes a problem. Still, I’m not sure adding Randolph makes this team a running team, which ultimately compromises the best features of the games of Marvin, the Joshes, Salim, and to some extent Johnson. But if you draft to run, do you really want to wait another three years for your lottery guys to fully develop? It’s a tough call to make.

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

in terms of a pg and his size, bk and woodsen added the vet pg they wanted last offseason. his name is speedy claxton. then they added another one. his name is anthony johnson. conley is not some midget. he’s 6’1 and strong, with a 6’7 wingspan and a 39+ wingspan.

how are you going to add another vet pg and pay him when we are starting to have young players like smoove and chill up for contract extensions. there is this thing called a salary cap, perhaps you have heard of it.

and for those of you who have given up on marvin williams, hold up a second. he’s only 20 and came into the league with the rep that it wasn’t going to take him a couple years before leaving his mark. he was regarded in that draft as the player who would be the best in 5 years. i remember last offseason when many wanted to trade smoove, but he made another quantum leap in year 3 and is now regarded by even the skeptics as part of the core. let marvin be a stud for the hawks, not some other team after you give up on him before he is legally able to purchase a beer.

the hawks need two things: first, a point guard who can really push the ball and set the tempo, play really good d, and score as well. he can score. some of you act like he’s just a passer. that isn’t accurate. second, the hawks need a center who can establish a defensive presence in the lane. noah does that. he’s also good with outlet passes after grabbing the rebound in order to get the break running. another plus is the energy he brings to the game. it’s infectious. that’s something the hawks could really use, a player to light a fire under the hawks’ collective butts. i love jj, but he’s not a vocal leader. he leads by example.

josh smith is more effective as a 4 than a 3. look at ak47 as an example. he isn’t as effective with a healthy boozer pushing him to the 3 spot. at the 4, smoove plays closer to the basket and his speed is more of an advantage at that position. being closer to the basket allows him to come over and make weakside blocks. if he’s guarding small forwards, it’s easier to pull him out on the perimeter where he cannot effect the game as much defensively with his blocked shots. also, as a 3 he will jack up too many 3 point shots. he’s better working on his low post moves and taking his man to the hole, using the speed advantage he has over other 4’s. shelden backs him up at the 4 and also can play 5 against teams who don’t have a dwight howard-sized center. i think he’s actually more effective at that spot. solomon and zaza are also effective at center. solomon should put on weight so that he can make a bigger impact defensively. i really like solo. we just need one more quality big like noah who can play center, block shots, rebound and give opposing teams more reason to question whether taking it to the hole is the way they want to go with the ball. do some of you guys even watch that many games? im out in cali and i still watched 80 of the hawks 82 games this season. it shocks me how little many of you think of marvin. it shocks me how little you question the idea of woodsen and bk adding another vet pg, as if we don’t have more of them than every other team in the nba already. wake up.

By St. Bernard

May 27, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

I would trade the three and Childress for Randolph and Jack, but I would not trade Marvin and the three. That’s the price they pay for not trading Aldridge. I would also make them take a contract off our hands because Randolph’s is so big. So, here’s the deal if they won’t give up Aldridge. Jack and Randolph for #3, Childress, and Speedy/LoWright. Then, we keep the #11 and take the best available Big man who can run (Noah?).

With a lineup of Jack, JJ, Marvin, JSmith, and Randolph starting and Noah, AJ, Salim, Zaza, Sheldon and Solo off the bench we’re in the playoffs and don’t give Phoenix a lottery pick next year.

By Nick

May 27, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

One other thing that no one really seems to mention. Portland has four picks in the second round, as high as the #37 pick.

A potential deal with them will really test Billy’s skills as a GM. Can he broker a deal to get Randolph, Jack, and a couple of second round picks for our #3 and a mid-level salary cap guy (Claxton, Lue)? Can he do it without giving up Childress or one of the Williams, all of which may develop and get even better (especially Marvin)? I think Portland is really going to push for our pick. If you aren’t sold on Conley at #3, how much can Billy get for it?

(here’s hoping he doesn’t blow it)

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

forget randolph. he plays no defense and is making max money.

we are an uptempo team. it’s like a car with all the parts, just missing that engine to make things go.

ask yourself if you liked the way we looked in beating golden state twice and playing against other western teams. or did you like the games against slowdown east teams where we couldn’t score 80 points and making a basket looked like some herculean task that was beyond us. IT IS SO OBVIOUS that it’s getting harder to respect those who cannot see what is staring them in the face.

and forget mike bibby. that’s like buying an expensive stock that is about to significantly drop in value. that’s how a team stays in the lottery or struggling in the 25-35 win category forever.

jj is only 25, he hasn’t even entered his prime. he should at his peak in the next couple years. 27-29 are the prime of his career, not the twilight.

you guys talk about not wanting to get any younger, but you realize even a chris paul is still just college age. conley and noah come from strong genes and have a level of maturity and professionalism that you cannot discount. both have fathers who were athletes. noah’s dad was a tennis champion, conley’s won the gold medal at the olympics. these are both players who understand the level of commitment it takes to achieve your best. i would argue that they are more mature and ready for the rigors of the nba than many of the other players entering the draft.

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

nick, if he does what you wish, bk will have blown it. randolph is not a center, where are you pulling this crap from? we do not want or need randolph. he already makes max money which he does not deserve. his value as a player/stock is not high at all.

if portland is not willing to trade aldridge and jack for the #3, then they do not get the #3. it is that simple. your negotiating skills leave you in a position where you are far too willing to bend over and take it.

with conley and noah, we will fight for and most likely attain a low playoff spot next year. the year after that, we will make it to the second round. the year after that, we will be competiting for the east crown against chicago, cleveland and orlando.

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

just found this. the following is from jay bilas @ espn insider, regarding a few players in making their decisions about entering this year’s draft.

Mike Conley, Ohio State Conley is the real deal, and I believe he is in the same class as Deron Williams and Chris Paul in 2005. In fact, if you put Conley in that same draft, picking the best of the three would be a very difficult choice. If Conley improves his perimeter shot and makes it more reliable, he is as good a prospect as Paul, maybe better. Conley has great presence, maturity and decision-making skills. And, most important, he wins games. With Oden leaving and his own value being so high, Conley is in a good position in this year’s draft, and should be the first guard taken. The toughest positions for NBA teams to fill are point guard and true center, and Ohio State offers up the best in both categories in this year’s draft. Conley is making a good decision in coming out now.

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

taurus, david lee is a really good player, but i would not even trade marvin williams for him straight up. let alone exchange the 11 pick for #23. also, remember that josh smith is more effective as a 4 than a 3. you guys will seem marvin williams elevate his game. no one said he was going to dominate right away. it was said that he would grow into the best player in his draft class. the only way i would have traded marvin was if we ended up with the 2 pick and selected durant. the same people who were willing to trade smoove last offseason will most likely be glad we held onto marvin next year. how do you think boston feels now about giving up joe johnson and chauncey billups in years 1 and 2. big mistake. you don’t do that kind of thing if you are going to be a championship organization.

By Nick

May 27, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Michael,

I like Conley. Really, I do. I think last year’s OSU team was his, not Oden’s. Tournament time proved that.

I didn’t realize Randolph was making max money. Agreed, that’s a definite downside. If that means you can’t re-sign Josh Smith next year, then I definitely don’t make the trade.

Still, he is only 25, too. And he averaged 23 - 10 last year. When was the last time we had a player who did that? If you think Noah will ever average 23 - 10 a game, you’re dreaming. He could be a good energy guy off the bench, but no way in hell he ever puts up those numbers over the course of his career. Frankly, Davis out of LSU impressed me more after seeing both him and Noah in a couple of games live last year, and he is a projected second round pick.

For what it’s worth, I think Jack can push the ball up the court effectively, too. I’m not saying you make the trade, but you definitely have to listen, right? I don’t think Conley and Noah (especially!) makes you a playoff team. I think Randolph and Jack does.

By Nick

May 27, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

You’re also assuming Noah will be there with the #11 pick. I’m not so sure some other team won’t take him in the top 10.

By mykhalc

May 27, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

MM, i’m almost buyin’ it!!!LOL all good points my friend…especially not givin’ up the #3 UNLESS ALDRIDGE is a part of the deal.

and like you i am and have been a big MARVIN fan. i believe he’s got all the skills needed, just gotta know how to put it all together. BUT there is that side of my thinkin’ that thinks maybe movin’ MARVIN and gettin’ BWRIGHT at the #3 is worth lookin’ at. but then i come back to debate of movin’ JS to the 3 since BWRIGHT is a 4 with a back to the basket/post game. and like you i think JS is best at the 4 even now without a post game. hopefully he is busy workin’ on that now!!!! but regardless his defensive presence at the 4 is a game changer!!! so it’s hard to fathom him bein’ moved!!

and i have to admit that after watchin’ DERON and PARKER lately CONLEY is beginin’ to look better at the #3 pick if we keep it. the outcome of the workouts will definitely determine some things for me!!!

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

randolph plays no defense, has had off the court issues, last year was a good year for him, but trust me, he’s not all that. what he is is a great low post scorer on a half court team. he doesnt fit our needs and is overpaid. btw, he’s 26 and came out after his freshman year at michigan state. what the hawks need are a point guard and a center. people need to stop throwing noise on that essential truth. we have josh smith and shelden at power forward already. noah adds a lot of what we need at the center position. he and zaza as a a combo are better than most of the center combos in the league. and jack is not an ideal uptempo pg. he’s functional, i like him, but he’s not a special talent. he doesn’t have chauncey billups’ level of talent. there is a reason chauncey went #3 in his draft although it took him awhile to max out his skills. jack went in the 20s in a weak draft for a reason. don’t compare him to the talent that a conley can bring.

the hawks have a lot of good pieces. we are now at a point where we need to acquire talent that melds well with what we have. we no longer need to duplicate our existing issues. it’s not as difficult as you guys want to make it, and frankly i’m just shocked at how porous many of the blogger’s gm skills are. how can many of you ever criticize bk if the moves you want to make are so inane?

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

welcome aboard, myk. the conley train has a ticket reserved for you.

By Mike The Mechanic

May 27, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

The Hawks need to take Mike Conley at 3! If Portland wants him bad enough, then they will make an offer for him that we just cannot pass on. If not, then we keep him as our point gaurd of the future! This is a no-brainer for me , we need a young floor general in the worst way, if it is Conley we keep, or Jack and Aldridge in a trade, it doesn’t matter to me. The ball is in our court, I think we should hold onto Conley for a kings ransom, Make Portland pay a pretty penny to make Oden happy.

By Steve B.

May 27, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Been A while guys, but here goes.I LOVE Conlet Jr. I’m a huge fan, I think he’s the best point gaurd in this draft by far.Four years from now he could be the bargin chip to lure Oden( and as much as Billy looks to the futur you know he knows this). He can be just as good if not better than Paul,Williams, Parker, ect. I would have no problem taking him at #3….. That said if Portland really wants to keep these kids together that bad and are willing to give up Jack, Aldridge(not Randolph, Aldridge) and a 1 next year I’d make the deal. Aldridge can play four or five, Randolph’s only a four and A troublesom four at that. Billy is tied to Smith and M.Williams at the forward spots unless A big name comes along. With the #11 take the most talanted point gaurd in the draft(I did not say best,I said most talanted) Jaravis Crittenton. If no trade is possible with the #3 And Conley Jr. dose not play up to par against the other PG’s in workouts, Take A long look at Yi. If and this is A big IF, he’s some combo of Dirk and Yao like scouts are saying it will be hard to pass that up. Minn has to win now so would they want Sheldon and #11 for #7, In that case Conley Jr at #3 and Yi at #7. PEACE>>>>>>>>>

By Ra'mon

May 27, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

I wonder would the Celtics trade their pick and a decent player (with trade exception) for the #3 to pick up Yi. If they were willing to do this, the Hawks could still pick up Conley at 5 if they truly want him. And have enough trade exceptions to move the 11 pick for someone straight up if they desired. I truly do believe the Hawks should keep Marvin though. Say what you want, but I think Marvin will be an All Star one day. To be honest, he can play 3 positions if needed. And he has great fundamentals.

By Steve B.

May 27, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Yo Ra’mon, it’s a good tought but I don’t think the Celts can do that and keep Paul happy. I think the Celt’s may be looking to move down to pick up a Vet, With all the scouts saying how deep of A draft this is the only two teams with young talent willing to give up to move up is probaly Atl and Port.I agree with you if the Hawks pass and the Grizz don’t trade I think Conley’s their at five.But if the Hawks don’t take Yi he’s their at 5 also.

By cp

May 27, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

I can’t lie it is kinda strage that people think taking Conley at 3 is too high yet they want a project like YI at the three. Im sorry but I cant agree with that one. Like one blogger said perfectly, if Portland really wants to keep Conley with Oden then we have to hold them ransom. Im thinking Aldridge, Jack, a second rounder this year. I would give them the 3 and Speedy if it made the salaries work. I dont know if they would throw in a 1 for next year too but we are in the drivers seat for once. BK has to show a better poker hand than in past trades. I really think that with a good draft we can make the playoffs next year but its up to BK to get the players and Woodson to come up with some type of identity for this team.

By Edgar

May 27, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

Michael M., am I to understand that you propose that spirit group should force BK out in order to draft Conely?
Because of ‘Nique’s lucky tie, I’ve reluctantly found myself defending BK. The JJ and Harrington deals fell in our favor and now BK must capitalize on his miraculous fortune.

The more I think about it, and the more I compare his ineptitude to that of his peers around the league, BK looks halfway decent. His two biggest mistakes have been Sheldon, Lorenzen Wright and Speedy. Remove those three and he’s effectively built a core of young players with massive upside potential in Smoove, Marvin, Zaza, Salim, Solomon, JJ and even Chills. The missing pieces are obviously a game-changing point guard and a solid big-man.

To place the Hawks failures on BK’s decisions as GM effectively takes the heat off of Woody. Either the talent assembled was poor (partially BK’s fault, but the spirit group and their beloved cap room can’t escape all blame here) or the players have not been properly developed, have yet to create a legitimate style of play, and are poorly coached. The idea of drafting Conley and Noah excites me. The idea of these two young players being turned over to Woody scares the crap out of me. Woody has proven to be an ineffective coach and our young players desperately need a fresh start with a new Coach calling the shots. The thought of the Atlanta Spirit Group again going over BK’s head and further handicapping his ability to build a team is the worst possible scenario.

Now, like you, I adore Conely. I also believe that it would be a huge blunder to trade Marvin. However, unless Woody goes before the 07-08 season (which seems highly unlikely), I think the only way the Hawks can legitimately hope to be a championship caliber team in the JJ, Jsmoove era is to go after a proven superstar now. I’m not talking Bibby or Randolph. I’m talking about a player of immediate Kidd, Billups, KG caliber.

You said you live in Cali and watch the games (on presumably league-pass) out there. I do the same in Hawaii. Whenever I come back to Atlanta for the holidays I go to all the games I can, scoring tickets on Craigslist for a fraction of their retail value (I got floorsides on the night of the Young Jeezy concert for $80 a pop…even the Snowman couldn’t bring out the crowds…and I was forced to watch how effective Jeff Foster can play off the bench…another BK blunder, we could have had him). I bring this up because the Hawks have lost their fan base. We all know this. We’re the few survivors. The only way to revitalize this team, its fan base, and our collective hopes for the future is to go after a proven superstar now. Atlanta has all the potential to become a great basketball city. Many of league’s players would love to live in Atlanta if they could play for a legitimate basketball team (and many live there anyways and simply play for other teams).

We must obtain a point guard and a big man. One should come from the draft (hopefully Conely) and the other has to be bought through any means possible outside of moving JJ. The only legitimate alternative is to fire Woody and do it through the draft. It doesn’t look like we’re going to fire Woody, so…

Conely and Noah in the draft appeals to me, but first off, it’s not practical (I do not believe Noah will be available at 11), and secondly, Woody will not be able to effectively utilize their talents and nurture them into the superstars they may well become.

We need proven veteran talent. We need a new coach. We need a point guard like Conely (but Conely should not be taken over the chance to score Billups or even Kidd). And we most definitely do not need Spirit to force BK’s hand at anything else (nor do we need a Chinese guy named Yi).

By Ra'mon

May 27, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

After the ESPN discovery, damn all this, trade Yi, Conley, and anyone not named JJ or J SMITH for Kobe… call it a day…, lol.. J Smith, Kobe, and JJ against the east…doesnt matter who the point and center ..lol..only on NBA 2K

By wtf

May 27, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this

People were drilling BK for taking so many fwds but for some reason want to draft either YI or Wright. Then some dont want Conley who is the best pg in the draft this year. So let me get this right, take another fwd to add to the million we got and pass on another pg. WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF. Then I just read a story where Portland called the Hawks about the 3rd pick. I will copy and past it…………

From Blazers Beat Writer:

Quote: The talk of Oden’s camp pushing the Blazerrs to draft Ohio State point guard Mike Conley, Jr. is real, but it probably won’t happen. The Blazers have made some initial offers to Atlanta regarding the third pick, but the Hawks want either Brandon Roy or LaMarcus Aldridge in return for the third pick, and that simply isn’t going to happen. ….

I got this from realgm.com. If this is true then why didnt BK just draft Roy last year. MAN WTF .I have a funny feeling BK will mess this up this year. If he does im done

By edgar

May 27, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

Also, doesn’t Clyde at least have a point about dog fighting? Pit bulls are bred and trained to fight.
Yes, the animals are victims of cruelty and brutality of an extreme nature. Yes, they cannot control their situations and they are used by humans to entertain and make a profit. But again, they are not human. We get our kicks and bet on UFC without examining our culture. Those men may be getting something out of the battle, but they are being used by their handlers as well.
Comparing fighting humans to fighting dogs is admittedly a stretch, but what about comparing domesticated food-animals to fighting dogs? A bacon-producing pig surely does not endure as painful a death as a fighting-bred pit bull, but its pre-pork-chop-living conditions are not much better than that of a pit bull. (see Showtime’s great “This American Life” episode number #5 to learn about the life of the modern pig). And what about animal racing with horses and grey hounds. Are they not bred specifically to toil for our guilt-free betting pleasure?
I am not fan of dog-fighting (or its cousin c**-fighting which is disgustingly popular and illegal out here in Hawaii), but I am defending Clyde for having the open-mind to consider a different prospective than the one the media is trying to stuff down his throat. Good on you Clyde. That being said, Vick should know better.

By edgar

May 27, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

fresh from realgm.com: http://hawks.realgm.com/articles/566/20070527/30teams30daysatlantadraftpreview/

By ray

May 27, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Clyde,

You clarified your point better as you went on. However, I do have one point of contention. Pit Bulls do not exist simply to fight. They are very athletic, intelligent animals, and can be taught to do amazing things. Believe it or not, there are many organizations, groups, and societies that exist to uphold and maintain such thinking. One of my brother-in-laws and his wife are of such a group. They do a completely self-funded “pit-bull terrier” rescue in which they take unwanted, abused, and/or injured pitbulls and nurse them back to health. They also teach them to get along with other dogs. Don’t believe this sort of thing? Look it up on the net. There are people out there who are trying to treat these animals right and not do to them what has been done for decades. Do your homework and read up on it. Why do I say this? I have a pitbull and a Mastiff. They get along great and play together (boy is that noisy sometimes). Both are friendly with people. The pit will go sit in a corner if he is suspicious of someone or doesn’t like them. Why? Because he knows we won’t tolerate any foolishness. But all it takes is one pat on his head, and you’ve made a friend for all time. Look, these dogs don’t come out of the womb fighting. This is people forcing, teaching, and breeding them to do so. They could just as easily do that with any other kind of dog. It just so happens that this breed has a naturally high level of strength and athleticism.

Also, the difference between dog fighting and any other violent sport is choice. The animals never have a choice. Humans do. Understand that I am not saying one thing is right and another is wrong. Hell, I love football, and played. I’ve bloodied some people. I’ll not be a hypocrite about it. I watch boxing and UFC from time to time. But who steps on a field or in a ring that doesn’t choose to? Only a dog….not a person. A dog is abused against choice. A person is abused by choice. Again, I’m not saying any violent sport is right. I’m saying it isn’t sensible to compare what people choose to do to what an animal is forced to do. That argument has no validity. The only thing that can be argued is violence in particular. But then, if we are to be against violence, what sport could stand?

By ray

May 27, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

Samuel, you enter a whole new realm just by mentioning the ownership of firearms for sport with dog fighting. I would spout an entire argument about it with you, but I realize you relish your role as devil’s advocate and may not have nearly enough of a knowledge of firearms to even engage me in such conversation. But, I guess we just call that ignorance. Notice I didn’t say stupidity. Ignorance is merely a lack of knowledge and we are all ignorant of something. However, your comments about hypocrisy were so off base, even for you. So, I have a pitbull (and a Mastiff), and own weapons that qualify for the “assault” category. I suppose I’m a hypocrite because I like my dog and wouldn’t mind having another, plus I like to engage in shooting competitions and routinely “assault” various paper targets and steel plates at the range. Man, come on. That’s as ridiculous as saying that a guy coaching a girl’s team is only doing so because he likes to look at little girls. Talk about outrage…

By ray

May 27, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Samuel, you are not the most hated on this blog, mainly because not enough people are paying attention to you. I realize your relish your senseless devil’s idiot (not advocate) role, but sometimes you truly outdo yourself. Or should I say, undo yourself. I have to admit, sometimes what you have to say is nothing short of annoying, but then…in this latest case, you probably don’t know enough about either subject (pitbulls or firearms) to engage a knowledgeable person in an effective debate. Hence the “devil’s idiot” comment.

By ray

May 27, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Samuel, you are not the most hated on this blog, mainly because not enough people are paying attention to you. I realize your relish your senseless devil’s idiot (not advocate) role, but sometimes you truly outdo yourself. Or should I say, undo yourself. I have to admit, sometimes what you have to say is nothing short of annoying, but then…in this latest case, you probably don’t know enough about either subject (pitbulls or firearms) to engage a knowledgeable person in an effective debate.

By Steve B.

May 27, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

If Portland is not willing to give up Aldrirge, NO DEAL. Like I said before I love Conley Jr, but if Aldridge is in the deal(he would be one of the top three picks if he where in this years drat)I would do it. No Aldridge, No DEAL, Keep Conley at #3 go after Darko in Free Agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And by the way, Yea I know 3 is to high for Conley. But don’t let them walk out the door with him with Memphis or Boston, their GM’s might give him away for Randolph.

By edgar

May 27, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

Ray,

Where does one draw the line between acceptable violence for sport and plain brutality?

(IMHO, UFC is firmly planted on the wrong side of this line, boxing is in the gray-area, and football rests on the acceptable side.)

Where does one draw the line for the proper treatment of animals?

I do not condone either, but I can’t see the difference between training an animal for a dog-fight and training an animal for a bullfighting—a highly respected and legal sport in several countries.

What about legally breeding race-horses and greyhounds? They obviously do not willingly race each other.

And what about the animals which are bred and trained solely for future human consumption? They do not choose to die or be eaten, nor do they choose to live their entire lifespans in indoor cages.

I do not condone dogfighting, but I can’t see how it is any more brutal or inhumane than many other animal practices most people consider morally acceptable. There is a double standard. Once you admit that there is a double standard and you begin to question as to why the media is pursuing this Vick thing the way they are, things can go to some pretty dark places rather quickly.

By ray

May 27, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

Geezz…what is up with my computer? I just posted three different drafts of the same post. Hmmm..more likely operator error than anything else.

I can live with Sekou’s mock draft. I just don’t know if Noah would drop that far. However, if we could get a good trade with Portland, that would eliminate all the bother of trying to figure out who would pan out for us in the draft.

I still think Conley is going to be good. Maybe quite a bit better than good. I could care less what Woodson wants. Not drafting a good point guard just because an ineffective head coah doesn’t want one is foolishness. I could see if it was a well proven head coach with a good track record. Woody doesn’t fit in that category, so I could care less what he wants as far as the pg position is concerned. Besides, he has three or four veteran pgs.

I still don’t see where Brandan Wright is the right pick. We need toughness and energy. Not just a long, lean scorer. Can Wright provide that post anchor we need? If not, it’s him struggling right along with Josh and Zaza. Even Chris Bosh needs the enforcer down low, whether it was Garbajosa or someone else. Perhaps it would work with Wright and Smith, but then, they are sorta playing the same spot (sound familiar around here?) and then what is to be done with Marvin? And that still leaves us with Zaza being the anchor. Not good….

I like Noah’s passion. Get him to about 240 pounds and he’s trouble at 6’11, all night long. Not to mention, he’s not a liability with the ball in his hands. And you can probably pretty much count on him getting after it all the time, not looking awkward as hell. I don’t want to mention any names, but our last attempt at acquiring such skills fell rather short…

By Drew Gooden's Neck Hair

May 27, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Look! The East teams area actually doing a little scoring! Both teams are on pace to top 80 points!

The East is on the rise! Just wait till the Hawks get rolling and Oden and Durant enter the league…oh wait…

By ray

May 27, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Edgar,

There is definitely a double standard. I will not argue that. As to where the line is to be drawn…I am not qualified to answer that. I can only answer for myself. I’m not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination, so there is some violence that my lifestyle condones without question. I won’t bring my beliefs into this, because it raises too many opinions, and causes more arguments. I will continue to eat meat. I see dogs as a source of comanionship or even a source of specialized work (seeing-eye dogs, rescue dogs, etc). I see them as early warning systems as well. I’ve never agreed with any dog being trained to fight another or another animal for sport. I’m not going to cause a riot at any bull fights either. I just won’t go. Truth is, this conversation is a philosophical and semantic marathon…before you even bring human brutality into it.

By ray

May 27, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Still, Samuel has a very valid point. This is about following a popular sports figure and digging/throwing as much dirt as possible upon him. While it’s unjust if it’s unfounded, what exactly is the difference between him doing it and the guy one county line over doing it, besides his celebrity status? I can tell you one difference: I helped the local counter narcotic team get the guy one county line over who was breeding pitbulls for fighting (and fighting them). As for Vick, it’s about the press and what not. Someone makes money off of this, as Samuel said. And because of this, the focus isn’t on what it should be. This shouldn’t even be in the paper. But because it’s Vick, it is.

On the flip side, if he’s involved in any way, and this can be proven…he should pay the price. It’s foolish, however, to come to some conclusion either way without substantial evidence. It’s just as silly to want to prosecute him without proof as it is to whine that everybody’s just picking on a guy because they don’t like him, when he could actually be guilty of something. But, some people will only hear and think what they want. That very same type of person will inevitably say it’s race-related as well, and use this as the basis for argument. What losers…

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

edgar,

re: bk, i said that if he decided to draft another forward or something of that ilk rather than making the correct call of selecting conley @ #3, THEN the spirit should fire him and draft conley themselves. woodsen is on his last legs with our team unless he gets it together and properly uses the talent we have. i like him personally, but he might be afraid of a young uptempo pg because it goes against his coaching instincts. if bk doesn’t correct his prior mistakes by selecting conley @ 3, then yes, they should fire him before he make another mistake.

there is no guarantee noah will be there @ 11, but look at the other players that are set to go in the top. noah is the one who doesn’t strike gm’s as a franchise player. he is more complementary in his skillset. if you go through the list of prospects set to come out, you will understand how noah will probably fall to 11 unless he has phenomenal workouts where his shooting improves. there is a definite top 11 in this draft now that hibbert has dropped out (with him, there was a top 12. he said he dropped out because he’d rather go top 3 next year rather than 8-14 this year). hawes is another possibility to fall, though i see chicago taking him @ 9 or sacramento taking him @ 10. the only concern i have is that jeff green could possibly be the one that lasts to 11 if sacramento decides to hold onto artest. i am hoping he has phenomenal workouts. sekou is not the only guy who sees noah falling to 11. the same thing happens in espn’s mock, as well as many others.

one funny thing about those of you stuck on the idea that taking conley @ 3 is too high, there is a fair chance memphis would take him at 4 if we passed. personally i think they will pick horford to play the 4 next to gasol. horford complements him well. but milwalkuee might choose him over julien wright @ 6 if they aren’t sure mo williams is gonna resign. conley will most likely move up after workouts. ive already read about how fast he is dribbling not just 1 ball, but two balls at a time. ive seen him with 1 ball in many games, and he’s fast, quick, and smart. i have no problems at all taking him @ 3, and i know it is the correct call for us. if bk doesn’t see this, then i think he should go. he failed us last year in many, many ways.

By michael m.

May 27, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

q. how many times have you guys seen our current pg’s penetrate the lane and lay it off for our wings to score easy layups?

a. not many

that will change once we have conley. our swingmen will finally receive the ball in position to score. it is sad that our greatest chance at fastbreak points this year was when smoove would grab the rebound and take it the length of the floor. wait until you see conley get the outlet pass and fly up the floor to either lay it up, alley oop it to smoove, or dish to one of the williams trailing for the slam.

i have come to the realization that many of the bloggers and hawks fans do not truly realize the degree of athleticism our wing players possess and, after many years of pg deficiency, cannot picture the extent to which a truly talented pg will make a huge difference. i hope we all get the chance to see it this year with mike conley. if not, i say we put bk, woody, and the spirit group on the bench. i think if the unthinkable happens and they do not take conley, i will truly hope belkin wins.

By edgar

May 27, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Ray, I agree with everything you just wrote.
And I doubt anyone in the legitimate sports or news media will admit to a double standard in how society treats animals as a counterpoint to this latest chapter of the Mike Vick witch-hunt.

I also think you’re right about Wright being a bad fit. I don’t think we can get Conely and Noah without moving that 11 pick down into the top 7 or 8.
Some analyst on realgm.com suggested that the hawks might go with Law at 4. I don’t like that idea either, but Law should be available at 11. If BK could swing the trade for Aldridge, and then draft the proven leader in Law… I do like that scenario, but I still believe we need to bring in a legitimate star and/or a new coach in order to do anything before JJ’s contract expires in futility.

By A-ville Ranger

May 27, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

Ray I wish I had your patience in explaining why Dog fighting is wrong.I don’t have and doubt I ever will but your way is the constructive path.Let me try to make a point to those who still contend that football,boxing,etc is the moral equivalent of this barbaric practice.I think most people have seen Spartacus,the gladiators were SLAVES used in fights till death for the amusement of their MASTERS.If there has been an IMMORAL equivalent in sport this was it.Not a voluntary participation like football.I have a mixed chow-golden retriever who wandered up 15 years ago needing a home and a five year old fox hound I pulled off an animal control truck and a sure death by injection.A simple rule for a better world is when given a choice, try to take the humane path.Standing up for right is not a weakness,it’s a strength.

By edgar

May 27, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

Ray, Good points about the dogfighting vick scandal. The main thing that bothers me about the entire mess is the sports media’s willingness to pursue the witch-hunt without offering up alternative perspectives and asking difficult questions about double standards on animal treatment and the like.

Michael, I do like Conely. I think he will make an excellent NBA point guard, but it may take him a few years to develop a la Chauncey Billups or Tony Parker. I think Law may make greater initial impact and he should be available at 11. I like Law at 11 if BK can swing a trade for Aldridge with the 3. If we can’t get Aldridge, BK should still go with Conely at 3 over a big man in this draft.
I think the Aldridge/Law scenario is better than Conely/Noah.

However, I still maintain that the hawks need to aquire a proven all-star leader with a strong desire to win (Kidd, Billups, KG) at either the 1 or 5 spot by any means (other than trading JJ) immediately. And we need a new coach, especially if we plan to use both picks in the draft and stay young.

The Atlanta Spirit Group and Woody have managed to outsuck BK. Until I see what happens in the next month or two, I will not call for BK’s head on a platter, although I’m probably just trying to talk myself into hopefully beleiving that BK will not screw this up…

By A-ville Ranger

May 27, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

Edgar you’re hopeless,witch hunt my a*.

By GuyFromUruguay

May 27, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Michael m… what you say about the athleticism of the wings reminds me of Phoenix pre-Nash… they had some amazing talent in Marion and Stoudemire but couldn’t get that many wins in 02-03 and 03-04 (although it was a much better team than the current Hawks) until Nash arrived (BTW I read the Suns’ history on Wikipedia, and saw the recent Toronto success.. can we get any Colangelo to replace BK?).

I’m not saying Conley could be compared to Nash, and he will probably take some time to develop, but your point is well taken.

By edgar

May 27, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

it is a witch hunt! So what if he’s a weed-smoking, dog-fighting thuggish punk? He’s our (atlanta sports fans) thuggish punk.

two words: Joey Harrington.

You better believe I’m defending vick!

and perhaps I am hopeless…for thinking that BK might actually make this draft work. Go BK!

By Volman

May 28, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this

Mykhalc, don’t jump on the Conley bandwagon!!! NO!!!!

By R. Stroz

May 28, 2007 3:31 AM | Link to this

I don’t know why anyone is trying to predict what BK is going to do. He will do what he has always done, he’ll pick another forward. Is there a more inarticulate GM in the league? Is there another GM in the league who disdains the fan base more than BK? BK has the worst combination of GM traits in the league arrogant, full of himself, and dumber than a box of rocks. Everyone knows we need a point guard, center, and less wingmen except BK. I’ll bet the dummy picks two forwards with the two picks.

Here’s my idea for what its worth.

1. Get rid of Snail Claxton

2. Get rid of Snow Wright

3. Sign Billups

4. Draft Conley 3 and let him learn under Billups

5. Pick Hawes at 11

6. Trade Sheldon Williams, JChill, and/or Marvin for another top ten pick and pick up Noah.

By mykhalc

May 28, 2007 3:34 AM | Link to this

VOLMAN, MM is makin’ it tough!!LOL he’s makin’ a good case for CONLEY!!! and like i said, watchin’ DERON and PARKER is makin’ me realize that much more that ‘new jets’ are needed…BAD!! but like i said, i’m on the fence until the workouts show where cats really are!! but i do like the things that MM is postin’ in support of CONLEY!!!! got some good points…no doubt!!!

but i tell you this, i hated SPEEDY’s game and the way he ran things. i really thought he was gonna be a lot better!!!…a lot!!! and VOLMAN i know you know, CHILLS was my favorite cat at pg last year. and not ‘cause he is this great pg. but ‘cause the unit of JC, JJ, JS, MW, and ZAZA PRODUCED good results and the offense had a flow to it. LUE nor SPEEDY ran the offense with any effectiveness…NONE!! AJ was a good addition. but too little, too late.

and speakin’ of offense, until WOODSON is replaced with someone a lot more seasoned, this team will still fall short!!! i’m really ready for a change at HC…way past ready!!

this team is positioned to truly complete it’s roster this off-season with good results if smart choices are made. let’s hope BK DOES NOT get a brain freeze nor the MD judge do the RIDICULOUS and turn over the franchise to that bostonian!!! either one of those could convert me to a WARRIORS fan!!! YIKES!!!

By A-ville Ranger

May 28, 2007 4:33 AM | Link to this

mykhalc No doubt with good choices and a little luck the next few months could complete this roster for the most part for the next six to ten years.I really can’t think of a situation where there was this many options vailable.It’s not just the two early picks but the young players with market value on the roster. As of now the teams with the best young talent are probably Portland,Chicago then Charlotte and the Hawks.I didn’t mean the most balanced just the most good players.Today the roster has at least five players who would draw a lot of interest if made available for a trade.Add to the mix a super strong group in this draft and it boggles the mind to think of all the different ways this hand could be played.I really like Conley but unlike most posters I think Wright could make a lot of sense if the right mix could be put together.The thing I keep coming back to is Wright’s potential.I know roll your eyes and grimace at the word after the growing pains this team has endured.It looks like you could throw a dart at the top six guys and come out ok but making a fit for the team has to be factored in.One thing’s for damn sure,it should be interesting.

By TJ

May 28, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

See the link. Send # 3 pick to Portland for Aldridge and Jack. http://www.realgm.com/srcfromtherafters/119/20070524/canagiftforodenbecomeonefor_atlanta

By Volman

May 28, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Mykhalc, I know you loved Chills. He reminded me a lot of Livingston from L.A. (I hope not because of the hair).

I really enjoyed when A.J. ran the team last year.. No, he won’t be able to run the “up-tempo” offense, but he could definitely set up the Hawks offense last year when he started. He didn’t do a bad job at it either.

Don’t get me wrong, I really like Conley. Does he push this team over the top? I don’t know. I would LOVE to be wrong in this. I hope Conley is picked by the Hawks and has a Paul-esque year.

Yes, point guard is a need but I really think the Hawks could try some trades and get a couple decent big guys and try to use A.J., Lue, Salim, JJ, and heck, even Speedy.

If worse comes to worse, they could use Chills!