AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > June > 06
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
California Luv!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After speaking to several well-placed sources over the past 48 hours Blog-Z has learned a few things that the Hawks have going on now and in the coming weeks:
A large contingent representing the Hawks (including front office folks, coaches, scouts and several players) have either already made it to Los Angeles or are en route to watch Chinese 7-footer Yi Jianlian work out. From what I’ve gathered it’s a closed session (for media hounds and fans, of course) that will give those in attendance a personal showcase of the draft’s remaining mystery player. Some of those same sources I’ve talked to have seen Yi in person already and claim that he’s a sight to behold. So I’m expecting rave reviews after his controlled work out (those things are usually designed to make the prospect look like a million bucks). This dude is the wild card for the Hawks. If he blows everybody away, he could easily become the frontrunner for the No. 3 pick (whether he makes sense or not). That said, several of the people I talked to are still convinced the Hawks are going to trade one (and in some cases both) of those picks for veteran help, which could complicate this entire mess even more. - And my trade scenarios deal I teased Monday has been pushed back to the weekend, sorry for the premature hype but it’s not my call as to when that stuff hits the papers or ajc.com.
The Hawks’ workout schedule for players at Philips Arena won’t begin for a few weeks, with the first blip coming on June 20. That’s right around when the Hawks have begun workouts the past two years, choosing to schedule their big workouts for the days leading up to the draft (in an effort, I assume, to have fresh opinions on the players they’re considering).
These rumors about the Hawks already deciding on Brandan Wright and Javaris Crittenton as their selections for the No. 3 and 11 picks in the June 28 draft are worthless assumptions based on the posturing that goes on relentlessly during this time of year. No decisions have been made yet, and certainly nothing close to the early decision last year to select Shelden Williams with the fifth pick in the draft, regardless of who was still on the board (um, Brandon Roy).
Since were all family here, it’s best I share yet another tidbit learned while working the phones. One of the hot rumors floating around is that the Charlotte Bobcats might be interested in snagging another point guard from this year’s draft class (sources say the Bobcats love Ray Felton but fear he isn’t the distributor they need if they’re going to take the next step). That would seriously change the landscape for the Hawks at No. 11 if they choose to go big with their first pick and gamble on the point guard they want being available at No. 11.
Finally, I notice how the opinions of certain players have changed dramatically after dissecting the measurements and testing results from the predraft camp. Anything those numbers told you that your eyes hadn’t already isn’t worth going into here (legit 7-footers are as hard to come by as quality point guards with the type of size and skill that translate into a quick transition to NBA stardom). They are but a (small yet significant) factor in this whole puzzle of what guy(s) best fit in the Hawks’ future plans.
