Hawks

By GHook

June 6, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this

Hey Sekou.

Thanks for keeping us updated. I thought it was interesting that Joakim Noah measured out as a legit 7-footer - I just wonder if he has the frame to really bulk up. If he does I would be more than happy to see him in a Hawks uniform.

I really hope BK doesn’t draft Yi or Brandan Wright or any other forward. I understand that these workouts are part of the process, and it’s smart for the Hawks to work out everyone so they don’t tip their hand, but there is really no room for Yi or Wright on this team. People say “draft (insert forward project) and trade the forwards we have.” That would just lead to a constant shuffling of forwards and at the end of the day we would still have our problems at PG and C.

This franchise really needs Mike Conley, Jr. If Horford blows everyone away at workouts and proves he can play C, take him at #3 and trade up to the Bucks at #6 pick and draft Conley. If there is an indication that Horford can’t play C, take Conley at #3 and trade up to the Bobcats at #8 and draft Noah. The Hawks have plenty of young, talented forwards. We don’t need to draft any more, especially if they can only bench 185 twice.

By Jonj

June 6, 2007 4:17 AM | Link to this

Though tempted by Al Horford’s workout I have decided against changing my original opinion.

I think the Hawks should trade both of their picks for Pau Gasol. Memphis: sends Pau Gasol and 1st round pick for this year. Hawks: send Speedy Claxton, Lorenz Wright, and Childress or Stoudamire with both the 3rd and 11th pick.

If the hawks ask for Memphis’s pick this year we should probably trade down from the four spot and possibly try to get a pick in next years draft and a veteran player or trade down for a pick this year and a veteran player.

Thats just my opinion of course.

Sekou thanks so much for giving basketball fans some real and interesting information to read. YOu are probably one of the best basketball journalist in the world. Keep up the good work.

Oh and please include this trade in your weekend thing. lol

By Jonj

June 6, 2007 4:18 AM | Link to this

Though tempted by Al Horford’s workout I have decided against changing my original opinion.

I think the Hawks should trade both of their picks for Pau Gasol. Memphis: sends Pau Gasol and 1st round pick for this year. Hawks: send Speedy Claxton, Lorenz Wright, and Childress or Stoudamire with both the 3rd and 11th pick.

If the hawks ask for Memphis’s pick this year we should probably trade down from the four spot and possibly try to get a pick in next years draft and a veteran player or trade down for a pick this year and a veteran player.

Thats just my opinion of course.

Sekou thanks so much for giving basketball fans some real and interesting information to read. YOu are probably one of the best basketball journalist in the world. Keep up the good work.

Oh and please include this trade in your weekend thing. lol

By Jonj

June 6, 2007 4:20 AM | Link to this

Though tempted by Al Horford’s workout I have decided against changing my original opinion.

I think the Hawks should trade both of their picks for Pau Gasol. Memphis: sends Pau Gasol and 1st round pick for this year. Hawks: send Speedy Claxton, Lorenz Wright, and Childress or Stoudamire with both the 3rd and 11th pick.

Sekou thank-you for giving the Atlanta basketball fans some great basketball journalism. I really believe you are one of the best basketball journalist in America. Keep up the good work.

Oh yeah please let me know what you think of my trade scenario.

By tb

June 6, 2007 7:00 AM | Link to this

Hey SS, A legit 7’0”er with NBA ready skills. That would be Hawes.

Seems like BK is going to trade #11 to Portland for JJack just before the draft (hope he at least gets #37 in the deal) which will free his hand to draft his guy at #3. The latest report on Yi is looking very good. then there is Hawes. I’ve read a few quotes with his name attached to star.

Could we be looking at

JJack / JJ / Marvin / Smoove / Hawes or Yi

Bench:

Zaza / Chil / Salim / Jones / Shelden / Speedy / AJ

By tony

June 6, 2007 7:06 AM | Link to this

Billy Knight will push this franchise beyond repair if he start making trades at this time. This team is not a playoff contender and hadn’t been for some time now. History shows that you build your team around your star athlete whom you draft in the 1st rd. Unfortunately, Billy Knight fail to indentify that type of player. In my opinion, Billy is clueless in terms of selecting quality athletes and lack the ability to put together the right nucleus. He should follow Bobby Cox example. Bobby draft quality players and built the team by signing veteran players around. All the good teams in the NBA follow the same approach. Mike Conley in my opinion will be a star in the league one day. He will fill 1 of the team’s need plus he’s a fans favorite. So Billy can’t go wrong with that pick. With the 11th pick he need to draft a center how has great rebounding ability. Aaron Gray would fill that need if Noah and Hawes aren’t available. Let them develope and then let’s see which direction the team need to go in. Hawks weaknesses: FG% 28th in the league, Asst 26th in the league, and rebounds 22nd in the league.

By doc

June 6, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this

ghook, even though noah is seven foot he is labeled by some as a 4 who can slide over to the 5 in certain situations and is not the big 5 you want him to be. he is more like the guy you dont want in yi than a true 5 that is hawes and possibly horford. that is the reason with limited info that i think the team needs to get big with yi who has a very soild and diverse game from reports than does noah. long term yi is going to be gasol, dirk or bargnani like than the role player that noah will be. i dont think the hawks can say they have a player of such note nor would they turn one down for a three pick in the draft. my suspicion is yi may be the most pro ready player coming out this year. i say this before the workouts so it will be intersting to see what is more known after his showcase.

j jarrett isnt worth an 11 by himself. if that is done without a draft pick in addition, we wuz robbed. i dont see bk doing something like that. he doesnt have a track record to suggest he will be stolen from. see only the trade he made for the griz to get the gasol deal made befoe he came to the hawks.

By Edo River

June 6, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this

There are enough “legit” (in my opinion) PG’s to choose from at #11. For example, I favor Jared Jordan.

Trade the #3 if the Chinese guy doesn’t blow them away for a veteran to help JJ or to help ZaZa. Package one of the Williams with the pick.

By Matt from Hotlanta Hawks

June 6, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

This team isn’t close enough to winning a championship to trade away those draft picks for veteran help. We’ve got a chance to lock up 2 very good young players that will cost the Hawks virtually nothing over the next 3 years. Pau Gasol sounds nice, but is he worth the extra 10 million a year?

If Knight doesn’t get Conley at #3 he’s done. With Joe Johnson at guard, the Hawks need a true point guard something terrible. Knight has a chance to redeem himself after several years of taking the best player available. If he does that another year, this team is not going to get any better.

By doc

June 6, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

sekou, is crit anywhere close to the type of guard you have many times commented on and gushed about in the kid livingston? it seems that their games and size may be similar and is why i am holding out for crit possibly over conley who i like very much as well. though many have thrown their hats in the ring i’d prefer to see what develops before tieing the knot on what i will have to live with for the next few years.

still think in my dreams i’d take two of these guys and be proud noah, hawes, worford or yi with our top picks in any order. if you could guarantee me that, i wouldnt go trade and sit back and see what develops. throw in possibly either crit or conley instead of one of those guys and i wouldnt bark at all. the only guy i dont think we need whether he becomes a star is wright of the names being bandied about. if we cant get two of the six and can get a similar worthy guy in a trade of a pick then i say go get them. so in my mind we have about a 6 in 9 chance of filling some serious need however it falls between those six. conley nor green seem to have a role here unless there is a trade in the making.

yi playing alongside of either josh or marvin would give folks match up problems and probably make all three better. again i haven heard either marvin nor j smash saying they want the responsibilty of beigng the guy at four. sheldon might even be able to slide into the post with those guys playing along side of him. it would allow the marvin and josh tandem to play more in the place they seem to prefer and leave j chill and jj at 2 with some slide time into 3 on occasion depending on match ups.

volman you might have had or have match up probs with our dude andro but who knows when he will come off the bench and grace us with his company at the liar’s table. seems like the other guy doesnt want to have anything to do with you down at the gym. ando might be ready to try something to show himself before his next birthday.

By tp

June 6, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Conley is the pick at #3. With a bigger guard (Anthony Johnson) as well as the versatile JJ and Childress at the guard spots, Conley’s lack of size wouldn’t be a detriment. In fact, his long reach for his size and overall quickness would be a real asset (steals, etc).

Don’t believe the hype or read/listen to the rumors. Unless Conley wets the bed in pre-draft workouts, he’ll be the #3 choice.

By J. Shuttlesworth

June 6, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the update. I can’t get enough of the draft coverage, but I’m also sick of reading crap rumors and the like. It’s nice to see actual information.

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

if horford or yi can play center, take one of them at three. if not you have to take conley jr. trade 11 to philly for dalembert. throw j chill or shelly williams in with the 11th if you have to. if you take horford or yi, acie law or critt will be there at 11. i really think horford might could play center in the east.

By Ezekiel

June 6, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

BK does not need to trade these picks away and he doesn’t need to take Yi either. He needs to continue building this team through the draft so that once the team starts winning all of the core peices can remain in tact for the long haul. Going out and getting a high priced vet with a limited ceiling will not help us in the long run. We have three of the 5 starting positions set with a handful of serviceable backups. You add two young studs at 1 and 5 and this team will truely be ready to make a push in the next two years.

By tb

June 6, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

I agree, but I think that Yi may be the best of the bunch.

Build for the future. It begins at the beginning of the 2008-9 season.

We might be alright at the PG for a while if Speedy gets his playing legs going, atrade is less difficult than a dominant PF/C.

A front-court rotation of: Zaza/Hawes/Shelden/Yi/Smoove/Jones looks pretty good in about a year.

Marvin/Smoove/JJ/Chil/Salim will man the 2/3 very effectively.

At PG we will have Speedy/Lue/AJ and the possibility to make a move to get a JJack type starter if need be.

By Sekou K. Smith

June 6, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

doc,

I saw much more of Livingston at the same stage than I did of Crittenton, so I knew what kind of talent he was. He’s also considered one of hte best passing high school PGs in recent memory, won back-to-back large school state titles in Illinois and yada, yada, yada - none of which translates into NBA success, as we’ve all seen. Livingston’s progress before his devastating injury was a slow-moving affair at times. But his talent and natural gifts as a passer and floor leader were undeniable.

I don’t know if Crittenton is in that same mold or held in the same regard by NBA types (most folks I know thought Livingstong was the third best player in his draft behind Dwight Howard and Emeka Okafor, in whatever order they had them in back then).

But that’s a fair question and one I know I hadn’t even considered when trying to gauge Crittenton’s situation in this draft.

By SSI Fan

June 6, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

M. Williams, Speedy, and Zaza to Boston for Al Jefferson, #5 pick, and Theo Ratliff (for salary cap reasons)

Childress, S. Williams, and #3 pick to Portland for Jack, Aldridge, and Travis Outlaw

By Gutz

June 6, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

If BK takes Brandon Wright he should be IMMEDIATELY fired period!!! I can’t believe were even entertaining the idea of taking ANOTHER 6’9 skinny project forward. It just doesn’t make any sense. Sekou, go ahead and tell Hawks brass that we fans will not stand for this idiot BK screwing up ANOTHER draft. I will call my Hawks reps on draft day if we take Brandon Wright and CANCEL my season tickets. This is the Hawks chance to make a legit splash in the East next year and make the playoffs. But of course I’m extremely worried our moronic GM, who I still can’t figure out how he has a job as an NBA GM, blows this draft by taking a TOTAL project in Wright when we have ZERO room for him on this roster.

By diehardhawkfan

June 6, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Interesting, if Yi has a monster workout, I can picture Seattle picking him at 2…remember the Asian community in Seattle is big (I think they have the 5th largest Asian population in the country), and we already know how big Chinese basketball is. So imagine all of the marketing opportunities that Seattle would have. Also look at the impact that Ichiro has had with the Mariners…

The number 2 pick has always been the “cursed” spot anyway (Bowie with Hakeem and Jordan, Darko with Lebron and Melo, Shawn Bradley with Chris Webber and Penny Hardaway)…but we’ll see…christmas would come real early if durant falls in BK’s lap.

By ATLplayer

June 6, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

Just my opinion…Speedy Claxton was a bust and will never be THE guy. Lue is a good backup and AJ game is outdated. The Hawks have to draft or trade for a top PG this year. JJ needs to stay at the 2 so he is not an option. That leaves Conley Jr. as my choice at #3. But I would try and trade up to #1 and grab Oden. If nothing else trade for Portland’s big man at #3 and draft a PG at #11 pick.

By SSI Fan

June 6, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

SS

Why are players participating in the evaluation of Yi? Is that usual in the NBA? That makes it seem like they have some input in the personnel decisions and are possibly too close to Knight to be traded.

By G Money

June 6, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Sekou, I’m like doc on this one. Yi sounds intriguing and could be well worth the 3rd pick, particularly if Bargnani went as high as he did. I’d also take him over Wright. Yet the question remains, “What about the point?” How could we miss with Conley? Or perhaps a better question would be how do we get Yi and Conley?

By mountain_jim

June 6, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Read the rumour that Portland is working out PGs because (it is assumed) they have a possible draft-day trade in place to be in position to replace the one they are trading (J Jack for our 11 is the assumption).

While I (a GT grad and fan), like Jack and the idea of an experienced, good defensive PG, I would hate to give up the higher ceiling of a Conley, Law, or Critt pick at 11 (or from moving up slightly), so that trade does not sound like an equal trade to me unless we got a next year’s protected first out of it also for this year’s 11 in a strong draft, when Jack went 22 two years ago.

If 3 is not traded for a solid defensive C, then Horford or Li (if he blows everyone away) might be the right pick at 3, but I would wonder who would anchor our defense at C if we brought Li in here and we would also have to trade a forward if we did that.

Lots of possibilities and chances for BK to redeem himself or punch his ticket out of here this draft.

By mountain_jim

June 6, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

I was also intrigued by the tip that the Hawks were bringing players to Yi’s workout.

I am speculating it’s not so much for their input as it is for Yi to meet them and to try and influence his folks and China to add Atlanta to a destination they are willing to ‘allow’ Yi to go to. (As it was rumoured they are trying to control where he goes to maximize his success and visibility)

By BeFrank

June 6, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Here’s my take on the draft scenario. If Yi is as advertised the Hawks should take him at #3. Reason being is he will bring excitement and interest to the team—not only in Atlanta but across the globe. Atlanta needs to add some “sexy” to the team. Now—the Hawks absolutely NEED an elite point guard prospect to run this exciting team. That point guard is Mike Conley so they NEED to draft him. That may require them to trade up from the #11 spot to pull it off but they need to go for it IMHO. Thoughts?

By BeFrank

June 6, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Yi will put fans in the stands and Conley will put wins in the standings! Gotta have them both.

By mountain_jim

June 6, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Sorry - meant Yi, not Li, in above posts

By Greg

June 6, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

JOSH SMITH IS NOT A POWER FORWARD! NOT IN THE EAST OR WEST. If we continue to play him there we will continue to lose. We need to trade the # 3 pick and some other combination of players to Portland for ZRandolph and JJack. This gives us a true power forward that can score and rebound. Find us a big 7 footer that can rebound, block shots, and play defense. Young players will not help us start winning over the next 2 years. If we do not trade these picks for vetern help we will fin ourselves in the lottery next year only this time we won’t have a pick it goes to the Suns. WE NEED TO START WINNING THIS YEAR.

By Gutz

June 6, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Greg, you must have not watched the Hawks last year. Josh Smith was playing PF most of the year last year and thrived!!! He was putting up stellar numbers once he came back from his hernia operation at the PF spot. Marvin was playing SF for most of the year and showed improvement. Smith was even developing a post game there towards the end of the season. He is CLEARLY better at the 4 spot.

By Stinger

June 6, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Sekou After reading the national press for years I just discovered your blog - great and grounded discussion on our team! My question is - What would it take to move up from #11 to the #5 to #7 pick and satisfy everyone with Conley at #3 and the best big man available (Yi / Noah / Hawes)? I am assming that none of the bigs listed will fall to #11. If you think 1 of these bigs likely will fall to 11 I like your comments on that as well.

By tp

June 6, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Interesting thoughts BeFrank, but I don’t think the Hawks will trade up from 11. They don’t have the leverage of a number-one pick next year, which would probably be required. In my mind, the best scenario would be to pick Conley at #3 and trade the #11 for a big man or take a flyer on Hawes or someone like Aaron Gray.

I’d love to see a trade of Aldridge, Jack and perhaps a draft pick (a second rounder this year to spend on a project-type player) for the #3 pick, Marvin Williams (Seattle native) and either Anthony Johnson or T Lue.

Won’t happen, though. Provided they stay healthy, an Aldridge/Oden one-two punch combined with Roy and a defensive-minded Jack is going to be a devastating lineup for many years.

By tp

June 6, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

While I question a few of his decisions (most namely Speedy), I still believe BK is not as awful as many believe, and I still hold a slight glimmer of hope that he’ll make the right decisions this offseason.

Sekou, PLEASE tell us those decisions DON’T include trading for Jail Blazer Zack Randolph. Malcontent…huge contract…limited upside…what a huge mistake that would be!

By Matt

June 6, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

I’m starting to think that the Hawks really should take Yi with the third pick simply because I think he’s the guy behind Oden and Durant most likely to become a big-time star in this league. Consequently, drafting Yi will give the Hawks the player that other teams would be most likely to pay a king’s ransom to get. Considering that I’ve heard him compared to a faster (but much more raw) version of Gasol, he wouldn’t be a bad guy to keep in our back pocket if the price isn’t right on any trades.

Having an elite point guard is a superfluous luxury for championship teams. I would be content with us taking Acie Law at the 11 spot - or honestly, even sticking with the 3 we have now. If Speedy can stay healthy, we actually have at least a respectable PG rotation - Speedy can be out there when we want to push the tempo, Tyronn when we need someone who can knock down some shots, and A.J. when we need someone to play solid D on the opposing PG. We could even toss Salim into the mix if we really need outside scoring, and have JJ bring the ball up the floor (like Kobe did so often for the threepeat Lakers).

The Chicago Bulls won 6 titles with a PG rotation no stronger than that. What matters in winning titles is not having a ‘floor general.’ It’s having 2 or 3 star players, guys who can take the pressure off them when necessary, and a defensive stopper in the lane on D.

I honestly think we make a serious playoff run with a lineup of Yi, Josh Smith, JJ, Marvin, our current PG rotation, plus either Noah, Splitter, or a new PG with our #11 pick (probably Law, who would allow us to trade AJ).

If nothing else, we’d have tons of pieces to use as trade bait. We could get an extra defender by packaging Childress or AJ.

Anyway, the point of all this is that drafting Yi would give us lots of options, none of them bad.

By Stinger

June 6, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

Sekou - For your consideration As Golden State is an “Approved” team for Yi and they have interest in him the following trade could interest the hawks.

Thoughts?

By doc

June 6, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

thanks ss, keep bringing your A game.

By MJ3

June 6, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

No way in hell that the Warriors give up Monta Ellis like that. He’s the best bargain in the whole NBA - getting paid just $770k next year. He makes JSmoove look overpriced!

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone so in love with Jarrett Jack. I know there are a lot of Tech fans here, but give me a freakin break. Jarrett Jack is not on the same level as Conley jr. I did hear that Dallas may me willing to part with Devin Harris for a high draft pick. Now thats someone that would be worth one of our picks, but Jarrett Jack; Please

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

We should have never got rid of Jason Terry, sure he had his turnover flaws, but at least he could score and stayed healthy, unlike speedy,who you gave jt’s money for, at least thats the way I look at it. You pair JT with Joe along with our young nucleous and youve got a winner. you would not even be having a dicussion about taking a point at 3.

By Gutz

June 6, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Terrell, Devin Harris is no better than Jarret Jack man. Jack is actually a better distributor, passer and shooter. What in the world does Devin Harris do better? The only thing I can think of is maybe driving to the hoop for a layup but that’s about it. Neither one in my opinion are worth any of our picks.

By Mash

June 6, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Conley Jr. has to be the pick at #3.

I don’t care what happens in the draft camp or workouts, I’ve watched Conley, Jr. play basketball: He’s an excellent PG.

Sekou, please tell us this talk about trading both picks for veteran help is a joke. This organization has done some stupid things, but trading out of the lottery in the most talent laden draft in 20+ years would be insane. Unless we’re getting Kobe Bryant in return, I think this city would riot if something like that were to happen.

By Bubba

June 6, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

Hi Y’all! Very good article, answered a lot of questions. I think the Hawks will have to decide their direction in both the short and long term. If they are looking to get into the playoffs next year, by all means trade the picks for veterans. If they are trying to develop groundwork for the future, let’s draft, babeee. We should be able to get a point guard and something else out of the draft, but we’ll have to let these players get digested into the pros and our system before they will begin to develop.

By Sekou K. Smith

June 6, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Welcome to the party Stinger. I doubt the Hawks would be willing to part with what the Celtics would want to move up into that range (the C’s want a higher pick than the one they’ve got).

A Hawks-Warriors trade would be sweet. I just don’t see it happening unless someone in Oakland goes totally crazy in the next few weeks and decides to give up those young (inexpensive) guys you’re talking about.

As for the players attending Yi’s workout, it’s not at all uncommon for players currently on a roster to be in the house for a prospect’s workout. In some places (like Philips Arena) a three-ring circus (complete with owners, security guards and janitors) has been known to show up for a workout.

By mykhalc

June 6, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

SEKOU, is this a private workout for the HAWKS only??? and if so, would any current players attendin’ actually partipate in the workout to see how YI fares against them??

By A-ville Ranger

June 6, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

I’m all for building with good young talent.Let’s do a quick reality check though.Who can think of the last champion who didn’t add very good veterans to the roster ? It may be that we’re a couple of years away from having a foundation to where we know the veteran pieces needed.Help me here,tell me a team of twenty somethings (mostly early twenties) who has won it all without bringing in very good vets ?

By G Money

June 6, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

Guys, just visited the Oregonian, the Portland newspaper. They are feeling like Jarrett Jack is nearly already gone to the Hawks for the 11th pick. See story below: http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2007/06/numberoneisnt_enough.html

By Sekou K. Smith

June 6, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

If it was just a private workout for the Hawks I imagine they’d have demanded to do it on their own turf, so I doubt that very seriously.

Listen, the No. 11 pick straight up for J. Jack would be a no-brainer, only that I would assume the Blazers would want the Hawks to make the pick before they give up Jack so they are guaranteed to get whatever player it is they want there. The only glitch is that there’s no way to tell which player(s) will free-fall down the board on draft night, as someone always does. That’s a risky proposition for both sides. (And despite the theories about the Blazers wanting that second lottery pick for a PG, other people with an actual clue have indicated that they’re wanting to use it on a small forward type).

But if you had your choice between Jack (who already displaced one starting point guard in Sebastian Telfair) and either Acie Law or Crittenton, who would you take?

I say give me the dude with two years in the league already. Jack makes the Hawks better instantly.

By berry

June 6, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

PLEASE DRAFT MIKE CONLEY WITH THE NUMBER 3 PICK He will be a star point guard with his quickness and 6’7” wingspan, which will help him in steals and defense. He has always been a proven winner. He will be far better than Jarret Jack. This draft is so deep in big men, why not pick one up later in the draft. Note: Notice how point guards continue to move up in the draft; due to few good quality point guards.

By GuyFromUruguay

June 6, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

I just read the rumors at Draftexpress too (the ones about Jack for our #11).

I’m not certain I like that, but at least it would secure a PG, and it’s a somewhat fair deal since you’re trading the possibility of a better PG for the certainty of a decent one.

If Yi blows away everyone, pick him, even if we don’t intend to keep him. What I didn’t like about BK last year wasn’t his fixation on Shelden, it was his inability to work a deal that would send him our way and get something extra (since there was no way he was getting picked at #5 otherwise) like Portland did.

I’d love to get Conley, but if we got Portland’s best 2nd round pick, I’d get Jared Jordan (but I suspect that guy will sneak into the 1st round anyway).

By Gutz

June 6, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Sekou, don’t you think we should at least get one of Portland’s 2nd rounders. To me #11 has more value than Jack alone. Jack is a good PG no doubt but not great by ANY means. Average at best! Were getting robbed if we trade that pick straight up for Jack. One of Portland’s 2nd rounders has to be included especially since this draft is so deep. Put money on it a few gems will be found in this draft in the second round a la Arenas, Boozer etc.

By glenn

June 6, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

I just read that Durant doesn’t want to play in Seattle & Lenny Wilkens would be willing to part with the pick . Apparently he he a pretty poor workout. Is there truth to this ? I wonder what we would have to give up to move up one spot ? Diehardhawksfan might be on to something .They could take Yi @ three . Someone will trade up & draft Durant before Seattle takes someone else . Danny Ainge will probably be sitting beside Kevin Durants mom at the draft . I could see Jack for the 11th pick whether he is worth the pick or not . He does play decent defense . I just don’t know what Portland would do with the pick. Conley won’t be there at 11 will he ? If we got Durant & Jack out of this draft we would be looking sweet on paper no ?

By Volman

June 6, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Doc, so funny, AND TRUE!! Haha.

By mavid

June 6, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Sekou, as someone who watches NBA night in and night out, do you think Horford could man the 5 on the Hawks?

He would be quite the athletic 5 to go with our team.

By Volman

June 6, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Sekou, where’s the love on my Crittenton novel I wrote for you? hah.

I could remember about a week and a half ago I mentioned Yi as a possible pick (as did a few others) and people called for our heads. What’s up with that? Atleast people are considering Yi as a pick. It’s a start.

Guys, I just don’t see Jarett Jack as the solution to the Hawks’ problems. Does ANYBODY besides Sekou? (Just trying to stir up some more conversation)

Like I said, I’ve been suckered into wanting Conley at #3 (I liked Yi and the possibility of him at 3 and Josh Smith at 4, and trading Childress or Marvin away for a big). I am really excited for the individual workout results (especially Yi).

Please, Billy. No BRANDON WRIGHT.

Is anybody else in Atlanta sweating like crazy today? Wow, it’s hot!

By mountain_jim

June 6, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

The correct Jack rumour link is: http://blog.oregonlive.com/blazers/2007/06/numberoneisnt_enough.html

Reading the comments is interesting, both for and against Jack, and also echoing what SS said about getting a forward in this draft with the pick.

By JJ

June 6, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Volman you are right. Why would we need Brandon wright.

By Mike-Tuscaloosa

June 6, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

Can you imagine the defensive pressure that Jack and Johnson could throw on an opponent’s backcourt…Scary…I think Jack would fit right in here and we would instantly have the best defensive backcourt in the NBA…Offense would be right up there as well…I like it! No more matchup problems except for the opposing teams trying to match up to us…

By Nookah

June 6, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

SS thanks for the info. However, I think ‘diehardhawkfan” has mentioned something worth thinking about. Seattle could indeed take Yi for the reasons he has cited especially if the workouts are explosive. That would leave us with Durrant at 3. What if that happened? We would then have an abundance of forwards (which we already do) but would now have to trade away some of those pieces that were in place from last year, as we certainly could not pass on Durrant. Would we then ignore the need for a PG? What if BK is thinking… “all my PG’s will be healthy this year, so I don’t really need one in this draft?” Does he then go for Hawes (if available)/Sean Williams or best player available. I don’t think Noah will be available at 11.

If the draft goes as we expect (i.e. with Durrant going at 2), I think like most fans, we should take Conley at 3 and a “big” at 11 - certainly a shot blocker and rebounder.

Whatever happens I honestly think BK will be vindicated. My major concern is not with the picks but the whole situation as it relates to ownership. Can anyone cast any light on the latest developments? We need to settle this mess once and for all as it will affect how we sign FA’s. I think JJ was an abberation. We won’t be that lucky if this situation continues. Can anyone shed any light on this? I await your feedback.

Nuff respect!!! Go Hawks!!

By gtech

June 6, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

If Portland truly wants a SF at 11, why not trade Childress straight up for Jack? Then you could take Yi, Wright, Horford, etc. at 3 and another big body at 11 to solidify the post.

I think Jack would be an excellent fit for the Hawks. He is a big, long, scrappy point guard who could add to the physical mismatches they have created with the other long athletes BK has drafted recently. They would only be a few pieces away from becoming a mini-Detroit.

By Peter

June 6, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

**I love the options that the Hawks this off-season. I think we may have about 4-5 new players on this Roster next season. There are quite a few deals out there too.

We have the cap space.

Mo Williams Mike James Jamaal Magloire (in the East is pretty good) Rashard Lewis Ron Artest Lamar Odom Jermaine O’Neal Joe Smith Mike Bibby Stephen Hunter? Andre Miller? Steve Blake? Portland has 4 2nd Round Picks and want Conley

Philly has 3 first round picks

Lot’s of options here.

By Gutz

June 6, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

Mountain Jim, that link does not work!

By Wink from Lithonia

June 6, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Please don’t trade our 2 picks for Pau Gasol. We should try to get Gasol via trade and exercise out picks.

We have been burned before where Gasol is concern…we drafted Gasol as out number one and traded him for Shareef and look how that turned out. Shareef is almost out of the league and most certainly not in Atlanta, thanks to BK and here we are trying to get Gasol back; I really don’t mind that but not at the expense of our draft picks.

In addition we have tried this veteran help thing…Speedy was veteran help, Anthony Johnson, Lue, Wright, we had a team full of veterans at one point, we even had Rasheed Wallace, Al Harrington… I just don’t trust BK to select the right veteran or draft pick.

I management is running scared and afraid they will make the wrong choice at #3, so they will trade it save face…all in the name of veteran help - a known expectation??????????????

By mountain_jim

June 6, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

I see the url got chopped in both of our posts - add the ‘html’ after the dot to complete it.

By Hawks

June 6, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Draft Yi and Acie Law DUH

By Matt

June 6, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

Let me just say that there is absolutely no way we should trade the #3 before draft day, because if we trade out of that spot and lightning strikes it by having Durant or Oden fall to #3, we will regret forever leaving that spot. The only way we should give up the #3 is if we get the #2.

I honestly would be willing to package the #3, #11, and Childress (maybe even JSmoove) to move up 1 spot to #2. The chance to draft guys with the talent of Oden and Durant rarely comes along, and the Hawks haven’t been in a position to draft a virtually guaranteed superstar since…well, ever.

Good as JSmoove is, he’s no Durant. Durant is a franchise-maker; I think JSmoove’s ceiling is being a #2 option on a playoff team (or a #1 on a non-playoff team). I’d have to think about it long and hard when the offer actuall came, but I think I’d include JSmoove in a deal if it meant getting Durant.

And as for Oden…well, I’d trade JSmoove in a heartbeat if it meant the chance to get him.

By diehardhawkfan

June 6, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

I could deal with a Jack for #11 straight up deal IF and only IF we somehow land kevin durant. I think if we give Seattle our #3 plus Marvin, then Seattle might be willing to part ways with their two. Then Seattle could get their guy at 3 (that’s if Yi had a monster workout). A Jack, JJ, JSmith, Durant, and Sheldon Williams with Zaza and Childress coming off the bench lineup is a 5 or a 6 seed in the East.

By Jason

June 6, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Id trade the #11 for jack in a heartbeat. I dont think portland will though, since there are no sure things in this draft after the top two spots. Sure jack was picked 22nd 2 years ago but he has proven he should have been picked much higher. Who at #11 is a sure thing to be as good as Jack? BTW Jack has started only one year in the league and will continue to improve.

By Stinger

June 6, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

I would accept the #11 for Jack trade so long as we could back out of the trade if somebody unexpected fell to #11 such as Noah or Conley. My mock has Julian Wright or J Green falling to #11 and in that case I would prefer Jack.

By james jones

June 6, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

we can’t be a legit contending team with a good guards and horrible bigs. just look at new jersy. they’d make the playoffs but hu r they kiddin wen they do? we wud make better with better inside play and a good point guard in law. i’m happy that the hawks are going to see yi in action cause it’s not all talk he is even more skilled than oden not as strong and aggressive but by far more skilled and can actually shoot and is quicker than any center on this draft. we can’t pick a guard first that’s certain… this isn’t street ball we aklready have joe for the breakdown n finish we need a shooting point and lue as back up to him (law). we can trade speedy and shelden or ivey for any other good player in the league without having to mess with our trades. y is anyone talking bout trading picks r u guys mad or somtn? u can get yi but u wanna trade 3 guys and a first round pick for gasol (including marvin williams?) u’re definately nutts for even thinking it. if we get yi and law we don’t have to worry bout losing anything. but u know what i believe? BK n woodson r gonna try to go arround anthony johnson. they gonn say they din’t get him for nothing. so i see us pickin yi at 3 and greene at 11 which i don’t agree with (green at 11 i mean) but it’s way better than anything to do with conley at 3. brandon wright is not a top prospect for anyother team so y is atlanta even considering him. if we don’t pick yi he goes at 4 if we don’t pick right he can even slide to 8…that says somtn u know. i wudunt pick conley in the first round for anything in the world not even to bring elvis or aaliyah back. so please get yi at 3 is our prayer.

By Matt

June 6, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

Oh, also…

Mark my words: With the possible exception of Mike Conley, the best pure point guard in this draft will turn out to be Jared Jordan. I have a soft spot for those minor DivI players, but Jordan might be just the type of PG the Hawks need. He’s not the quickest PG in the world, but he has great floor vision and a nice touch from the perimeter. He might be the ideal PG to complement our other JJ, playing the type of role that John Paxson played for the late-90’s Bulls, except Jared has better pure PG skills than Paxson did.

By mykhalc

June 6, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

i’ve no clue into JACK’s game but for some reason, givin’ up the 11th pick to get him seems too much??!!?? gotta be somethin’ else in the deal for the HAWKS!! and yeah SEKOU, i agree he probably makes the HAWKS better instantly but how long does his instantly really benefit the team??? in other words, IF CONLEY, LAW, or CRITTENTON were to be picked and then REALLY given the chance to run the team (real minutes at the start of the season), then how long before they are producin’ on the level of JACK??? 2mo?? 6mo?? 1yr?? i don’t know. i’m just throwin’ the question out there. like i said, i do not know his game.

what i do know, is that to me this deal comes a year tooooo late and one vet PG aquisition (SPEEDY) too late for me. and tho CRITTENTON has 2 yrs experience, which again mattered a whole lot more to me last year, i’m just not sure how much that really buys the team with the PG draft choices that are out there this year!!??!!

i say NO MATTER what moves are made, with WOODSON still coachin’ the team, we are still lookin’ for things to fix because the coach just DOES NOT KNOW how to use the players he already has!!! i wish we could see him coach the SPURS or CAVS for a game, then we TRULY recognize how directionless he is as OUR coach!!!! GEEESSSHHHH!!!!

By Matt

June 6, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

I clearly meant early-90’s Bulls.

By MJ3

June 6, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

How the hell has Jack proven that he should have been picked “much higher” than 22?? By putting up 12 and 5 for a lousy team?? No way I do I give up the #11 for him. Jack will never be more than mediocre as a starting PG. He’s not even any better than Tyronn.

By mykhalc

June 6, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

of course, i meant to say…and tho JACK has 2 yrs experience…my bad

By doc

June 6, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

j jack and their second rounder or size/big for speedy and our 11 in first is the way id approach it if i were going to get rid of the 11, not straight up. we need to get big folks or we continue to flag in games with huges playin our guys tough or those late game nightmares as we see teams comeback from huge deficits because they dominate inside. we have the horses to run just not the hosses to grind when it is necessary.

matt, you bein my wing man on this yi thing? heh heh

stinger welcome to the club especially if the stinger is representative of your connection to the bees (yellox jackets). if not i’lll pretend otherwise, too many dogs on this blog to suit me. really all you need is one like honest abe, though he has become quite civil at the liars table; almost compassionate and loving. not bad for a ninja. heh heh to the third power.

By michael m.

June 6, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

man, you guys are crazy. you too, sekou? jack for the #11 straightup!? insanity.

i would only even consider it if it was jack + portland’s 2008 #1 pick with nothing more than top 10 protection on it.

jack is a good, functional pg but he’s not that special. and you want to add another guy whose contract will come up in the next two years?!

guess sekou is drinking the bk juice. i wish the hawks had some management that i could trust the way i do the braves and falcons. these hawks are just a mess with these terrible rumors.

some people need to get their heads checked.

By james jones

June 6, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

volman thank you tell them… (they did want to chop our heads off) now after a few yarns from “reporters” they see what we had alraedy seen. how come we are hearing seattle talk about pickin yi at 3 and then we dive right on durant? but vice versa we’re trying to pass on yi? for conly? that’s arrant nonsensity. yi’s the most skilled player after durant on the whole draft and he’s the only one worth the cash. we must pick him at 3. it shudunt be in question. all this trading for picks stuff is ridiculous. detroit may hav done bad in drafting milicich but they kept their draft and still got vets for regular trades (wallace from atlanta). we don’t trade piks jus players please.

By Greg

June 6, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Gutz yeah he played PF, and we won 26 games last year. Which proves my point he is a natural SF who can play PF in spots. He does not command a double team with his back to the basket. We will be better with JSmith on the wing with JJohnson. MWilliams should be coming off the bench or involved in a trade with the # 3 for ZRandolph and JJack. As longs as JSmith is our starting PF we will continue to get out rebounded, outscored, and bullied in the paint our # 1 weakness last year is we could not score, rebound, or defend the paint. We need a center that rebounds, defends and block shots. Reliable PG and we will see the Playoffs next year. Young draft picks will not help us. We need veterans now.

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

HEY GUTZ. QUICKNESS. WINNING MENTALITY. PLAYED UNDER ONE OF THE BEST COACHES IN THE LEAGUE FOR A FEW YEARS. WAS PART OF 3 50 + WIN SEASONS AS A MAVERICK. PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE. JACK HAS DONE NOTHING. I RESPECT YOUR OPINION THOUGH, GUTS.

By michael m.

June 6, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

man, you guys are crazy. you too, sekou? jack for the #11 straightup!? insanity.

i would only even consider it if it was jack + portland’s 2008 #1 pick with nothing more than top 10 protection on it.

jack is a good, functional pg but he’s not that special. and you want to add another guy whose contract will come up in the next two years?!

guess sekou is drinking the bk juice. i wish the hawks had some management that i could trust the way i do the braves and falcons. these hawks are just a mess with these terrible rumors.

some people need to get their heads checked.

By Greg

June 6, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

I would NOT give up the #11 pick for Jack. Would not. I like the idea of drafting conley at #3, and the best available big guy at #11 OR draft Yi at #3, and hope Law or Crittenton is there at #11.

By honest_abe

June 6, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

i agree with michael. no way i’d do jack for 11 straight up. i like jarrett, but he’s a serviceable pg, not much better than we currently have. in fact i liken him to a younger anthony johnson. he isn’t someone that’s going to create a lot of opportunities for his teammates based on his ability to penetrate and dish and thats what i think we need.

doc: i like your idea on how to approach getting jack if at all. also, i’ve been on the yi train for a minute now! yi for 333333333333333.

a quick aside: can the hawks get a new pa announcer?

By honest_abe

June 6, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

i agree with michael. no way i’d do jack for 11 straight up. i like jarrett, but he’s a serviceable pg, not much better than we currently have. in fact i liken him to a younger anthony johnson. he isn’t someone that’s going to create a lot of opportunities for his teammates based on his ability to penetrate and dish and thats what i think we need.

doc: i like your idea on how to approach getting jack if at all. also, i’ve been on the yi train for a minute now! yi for 333333333333333.

a quick aside: can the hawks get a new pa announcer?

By Greg

June 6, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

I would NOT give up the #11 pick for Jack. Would not. I like the idea of drafting conley at #3, and the best available big guy at #11 OR draft Yi at #3, and hope Law or Crittenton is there at #11.

By A-ville Ranger

June 6, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Saying Jack was a 12 / 5 player is misleading.He was an occasional starter.Most of the year he had more bench time than playing minutes.There were games when Roy was injured and he started that he had MONSTER games.I’m talking star games when his stats were as good as the best at his position.That doesn’t mean he’ll ever be able to produce those numbers on a nightly basis. Still most guards don’t have those types of games in them.You can’t just devine great games, the ability has to be there.Can he muster that ability regularly ? That’s the question,I don’t know the answer.

By macaroni Tony

June 6, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

I know that I don’t post that often, but I do read this blob at least five times a week. I had the rare chance of speaking to Coach Woodsen and I told him that we need a point guard, and he said “yes we need a point guard but we will not draft one with the third pick.” He aslo told me that he was going to talk the Yi today. I personally do believe that we need a point guard, but I would prefer Yi. So Conely, Jr. mostly likely would get his chance to play with Oden. Coach did say but I think that they’re looking for some veteran help. I know that you don’t have to believe me, so get you boos out on the 26th….

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

B A-VILLE RANGER, THERE IS A REASON HE CAME OFF THE BENCH. WE ALREADY HAVE BENCHWARMERS ON OUR TEAM, REMEMBER; SPEEDY, IVEY, ETC.

By A-ville Ranger

June 6, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Terrell Jack came off the bench because B.Roy (who should be a Hawk)was ahead of him.You do make a good point though.This team has 13 mil tied up in pgs.If they take a pg or trade for one,some bench cozies will need to be moved.

By Ryder

June 6, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

I’m beginning to believe that if what they’re saying is true about Yi that I wouldn’t be surprised to see Seattle draft him at 2, citing their need for a center. If that happens, Atlanta will be sitting on a gold mine with Durant.

However, I do think that in the end all this talk about trading any of the picks is just a smokescreen. I wouldn’t be surprised for Atlanta to draft Yi at 3 and then AC Law at 11. Keep in mind that BK likes to draft hybrid players who he feels can play multiple positions.

Drafting Law will enable him to utilize a Speedy/Law PG combo, because no matter what we think of Speedy Bk will be determined to make that contract work. I also think that by drafting Yi at 3 he will have a core of 5 players that he can build for the future. I just don’t think that Woodson will be able to manage them correctly so another coach will benefit.

Besides, trading Yi will be a lot easier than trading away anyone else on the Hawks roster should they get desperate for PG help.

By Stinger

June 6, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

doc - Stinger does not refer to the Jackets and I’m not a Dog either I’m a Tarheel. Despite my bias to the heels I believe drafting B. Wright at #3 would be a terrible mistake. 6’10” and he weighs 200 pounds - my god how long will it take him to mature physically. Longer than his rookie contract will last thats for sure. I’m interested in Yi and Horford, each of which is at least physically ready to play in a man’s league but at the end of the day I support Conley at 3. People forget that Oden was very limited for the first 2/3 of the season and yet the buckeyes went 30-3 during the regular season and my eyes told me Conley was the primary man responsible.

By cp

June 6, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

The closer it gets to the draft the more I think BK will mess it up. Please let someone with some sense make the decisions. We cant afford to mess it up this year.

By mississippi

June 6, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

I’d say the #11 for Jack is great. Who cares where he was drafted, he’s proven to be better than plenty of players drafted ahead of him. Two years in the league is invaluable. The problem is that if you draft Con at 3, then you don’t need Jack. But if you take Yi or Horford at 3 you don’t know if the portland trade holds out. There guy might be gone. risky

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

THATS WHY WE TAKE CONLEY. IF THEY WANT HIM WE CAN MAKE A DEAL. IF NOT, HES OUR POINT GUARD. WE ARE UNDER THE CAP. WE CAN FIND A BIG IN FREE AGENCY. HOW ABOUT CAMBY TO HELP OUT ON LOW POST DEFENSE.

By max

June 6, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

we need to take the nest player available - no matter who that is - with #3 (wright, yi, or horford) and STILL get conley. how? i hate fantasy trades, but i think it would be reasonable to trade #11 and childress to either #5 or #6 to get conley. childress is great, but he is a luxury we cannot afford at this point if giving him up will allow stability and potential all-pro play at the point while still getting a skilled and high-ceilinged big man.

By d

June 6, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

what’s the draw to Law again? Isn’t he pretty much a player the hawks already have in Salim?

By michael m.

June 6, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

i don’t believe for a minute that seattle would pass over durant, but just for argument’s sake, let’s say they did lock in on a player like yi because of his marketing appeal in the seattle area (not that the sonics are even going to be playing there after next year, plus the fact that durant is even more of a marketing marvel)… the trade would have to include seattle giving something back to balance their salary cap… marvin would appeal to them as he is from the seattle area. but in addition to marvin + #3 for the #2 you add our two expiring pg contracts in lue and aj for luke ridnour, plus seattle throws in one of their backup centers such as the project sene. so sene + ridnour + #2 in exchange for the #3 + marvin + lue + aj. … bob hill preferred watson to ridnour last year, but there’s no telling what their new coach and gm will prefer. anyway, can’t see this happening but if it was a possibility, that’s the way i would balance it out.

regarding jack for #11, that’s just stupid. the only way i would even consider doing the trade would be if a big didn’t fall to #11, leaving green or j. wright for portland to fill their 3 hole. in which case i would have portland add their #1 in 2008 as i mentioned earlier. the other option doc said about them taking back speedy and his contract + a 2nd makes a bit of sense although the numbers still wouldn’t add up as portland would be taking back a bit too much salary still in regards to the cap.

but again, what’s so wrong with taking conley @ 3 and finally being able to play the uptempo style that our thoroughbred wings have been waiting for…?

if we have to, maybe even considering using either childress or shelden (although i like both of these players very much and feel they are underappreciated here) to move up to #6 so we can land horford/conley or conley/noah. it doesn’t make sense to keep misusing our studs by forcing them into the halfcourt sets that befuddle them so. believe me, other teams only wish they had the talented wing athletes that we already have. they laugh that we refuse to draft the engine to drive an uptempo offense.

By Volman

June 6, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

It sounds like the train has suddenly veered to right…

CHOOO CHOO

“All aboard the Yi Train!!”

Has anyone realized the “Rise-Up” slogan being used in Cleveland now? Was that not ATLANTA’S slogan a year before “The Highlight Factory”?

I kind of want Yi to go #2 to Seattle. Durant would sell out the place, in my opinion.

Then again, I wouldn’t mind Yi.

Go Hawks.

By MsDee

June 6, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

I say Yi at #3 & Law at #11. Boo to Conley, B. Wright, Horford, Crit… Yi can shoot, dribble, hit 3’s, post, dunk, drive to the basket, and is every bit 7’0” tall..now that is what u call a NO BRAINER!! And Acie Law looks like he will be the PG of the season. Just look at him!! He has the face of a champ, leader, floor general!! Conley looks like a cute baby boy who is just happy to be in the spot light. YI FOR #3 AND and the rest of our team should definely obey the LAW at #11!!

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

B A-VILLE RANGER, YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT ROY. ANYONE WHO WOULD PICK SHELDON WILLIAMS AHEAD OF ROY SHOULD BE SHOT. NOT EVEN TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION OUR GUARD SITUATION, AND A TEAM LOADED WITH FORWARDS. CAN YOU EVEN BELEIVE THAT PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT THE HAWKS THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. I TOLD EVERYONE THAT THERE WERE HAWKS FANS STILL LIVING, WE JUST WANT TO SEE A WINNER.

By Orlando Rivera

June 6, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

If Yi shows ANY type of low post moves (how about it Sekou, does he?) draft him at 3 no question. Law will be available at 11 or Atlanta can trade up 11 to get some depth. However I don’t think you can pass up anyone in this draft if you’re the Hawks. A lot of talent to be had. Besides just because Yi wasn’t overhyped like most college players are doesn’t mean he’s only average. If he’s truly 7’0 and can move around then so be it. He’ll eventually gain in bulk, just look at Yao.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 6, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

I say draft Yi at 3, then trade Lue to Phoenix for Marcus Banks, salaries match up, and then draft the best available player at 11….Of course this would be real nice if Hawes or Noah would still be available at 11.

Maybe we could also package 11 and Jchill to Portland for their 37th pick this year, Martell Webster and their 1st rd pick next year.

GO AHEAD AND DRILL ME FOR MY SUGGESTIONS, JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 6, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

Of course if Hawes and Noah aren’t there at 11, then think about the trade with Portland. Also, I would not trade 11 straight up for Jack.

By doc

June 6, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this

well, well, well, after being abused last week for not getting in line with conley and saying go big, with yi to lead the way, there is now a train with the guy i said we needed to at least look at before we all fell in love with the little guy. sure do like conley, it is just that we have got to get bigger and it is very expensive to get bigs in free agency or had anyone noticed? you spend 8 to 10 mil to watch a big sit on the bench for 20 - 25 minutes a game.

this year with all the bigs if we are to compete without spending money we have to go big with both picks if possible. yi and hawes or horford give us the best look for the future and would get this, and dont choke, make this team competitve with portland and their own twin towers. yep, if it was to fall right i would put both of them yi and hawes in my back pocket and feel real smug knowing that things are about to change for my beloved hawks of 50 years, no typo there. give me three years and we are competing in the finals of the eastern conference. i can find a point guard between now and then, i just cant find big guys as easily, especially if they have to be home grown, which on our owners budget they have to be.

you know i just love that trade we made for jj. heh heh

By michael m.

June 6, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

don’t kid yourself doc, it hasn’t been so easy to find a quality pg either. we should definitely draft one big, but we need to take a young pg as well.

we have talent in zaza, smoove, shelden, and solo already. definitely need a top big to come in and eventually start, but im not sure i consider yi a big. but obviously he’s the biggest mystery in the draft at this point.

By michael m.

June 6, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

mechanic, marcus banks?! are you kidding with that? phx would throw in one of their late 1sts if we would take on his contract, which is more of an albatross than speedy’s. still wouldn’t touch that trade. terrible idea, bro.

By michael m.

June 6, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

conley train is still running strong. it’s just that there’s only so much you can say at this point. i’m still of the mind that we should work everyone out and keep an open mind. i’m with cp in that bk is scaring the hell out of me right about now. i know the atl spirit wants conley, just hope they don’t let bk talk them into something that is counterintuitive. grow a spine, spirit! fire bk if need be. the branden wright @ #3 and jack for #11 ideas are awful. just shocked how many sheep fall in line with such idiocy. if bk doesn’t appear as if he’s going to get this right, the spirit needs to replace him before he ruins our apocalyptical summer. this is the summer that will determine our future.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 6, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

Marcus Banks $3,600,000 5yrs remaining

Speedy Claxton $6,854,546 4yrs remaining

Michael how is that worse than Speedy’s contract? Banks is one of the best defensive pt gaurds in the league, and our perimeter D was terrible last year.

By Matt

June 6, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

A couple things on Jack (to skip to the end, I do NOT think it’s a good idea to trade the 11 for him):

1) A-Ville: I think your reasoning on Jack’s stats is flawed. There are tons of examples of players who have a couple great games per season, but otherwise are merely serviceable or mediocre. Heck, even Lorenzen had a

Also, you were just plain wrong on Jack’s minutes. He averaged more than 33 minutes a game last year. Looking at his game log, he only had 1 game that he appeared in and played less than 25 minutes - and he played 79 games. More telling, perhaps, is this comparison of Jack’s “per 40 minutes” stats to Tyronn’s (who played fewer minutes per game than Jack):

Lue: 17.1 ppg, 5.4 apg Jack: 14.3 ppg, 6.3 apg

Is making up that difference really so important that it’s worth giving up a chance to draft Splitter/Hawes/Noah (all of whom could plug our holes in the middle and might be there for us at 11) or Law/Crittendon/Conley (what if by some miracle, Conley DID slide down the board to #11…)?

2) I don’t think Jack’s ceiling is very high at all, and very much doubt that he’s capable of putting up numbers significantly better than what he did last year. He simply doesn’t have the tools, and his floor vision has never struck me as better than merely ‘good’. I don’t think you NEED a top-notch PG in the first place, and I certainly don’t think we should be giving up a chance to draft a Hawes, Noah, or Splitter in exchange for a PG that few think will ever be more than merely serviceable. We have 3 ‘serviceable’ PGs already, all of whom have put up numbers in recent seasons comparable to Jack’s. Since I don’t think Jack’s ceiling is very high, I don’t think Jack improves us enough to justify giving up the #11.

By bryan

June 6, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

If Spirit lets bk draft wright at 3 and jack for the 11, im going to scream and hope that belkin wins

By Nick

June 6, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

YI AT #3? NO NO NO

Seriously, screw the workouts. I don’t care how good he looks backing down and “running” around 6 ft. athletic trainers.

Why are you taking a chance on an unproven foreign guy when, in a draft with one of the deepest college classes in years, you can come away with a guy that has proven himself on a level that is somewhat comparable to the NBA?

And don’t kid yourself into thinking Yi can play center. Dirk, the player he is more often compared to, can’t even play center effectively in the more free-flowing West. And you think this kid will bang around with Shaq, Z, Howard, Wallace, Jefferson, etc., in the East? Please. You draft him, and the Hawks will lose the rebounding battle and have the weakest interior D ever.

Conley or a legit center (see: not Horford / Noah / Wright) through a trade at #3. Those should be the Hawks’ only options.

By diehardhawkfan

June 6, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

Not drafting Conley will be the beginning to end of the BK administration.

By A-ville Ranger

June 6, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

At this point I don’t care if the Hawks give the 3 AND 11 to the homeless.It just guiles me to read the group think here.The only time GT has played like a team was when Jarrett Jack ran the show.He had some great games when given the reins last season.Those are facts I’ll stay out of the rest of it.Matt his stats were good as they were and I would doubt he’s reached his ceiling.

By michael m.

June 6, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

speedy’s contract is 3 years and the numbers go down. the money marcus banks will make will increase as the years go on. banks has done nothing other than the two months before his contract ran up allowing to get an overpaid contract that is part of the reason d’antoni is out as gm in phx. plus you wanted to take his contract on in exchange for lue’s expiring. marcus banks is not any better than the pg’s we currently have. what, these 3 mediocre pg’s aren’t enough for you? you want another?

By edgar

June 6, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

Anyone else scared Sh**less about dropping a 7 foot raw chinese guy or a 19 year old point guard in woody’s lap?

I know the draft is deep, but I embrace the Woodson corollary. Allow me to explain: Excellent young talent is available at lottery positions 3 and 11. With the right coach and teammates, some of these players will become all-stars. Woodson is not the right coach. I don’t believe anyone at the 3 or 11 will provide a greater impact in the 07-08 season than the already assembled trio of JJ, Jsmoove and Marvin. Woodson has proven that he cannot effectively coach young players. He’s said over and over again that he doesn’t even want to think about starting a rookie point guard. We must either fire Woody now, or use at least one pick and possibly both to acquire veteran leadership at the 1 and 5 positions which will lessen the horrible effects of Woody’s ineptitude.

The other day someone (I’m sorry I forget who) suggested we start the Woodson to Detroit campaign. Consider it done. I will be selling “Fire Flip, Gimmie a Woody” t-shirts for $10 a pop. Tell your friends and family.

Also, if BK can swing a trade which will dump both Speedy and Lorenzen in order to make salaries balance out under the cap in some big name deal, I will build a BK shrine in my backyard. I still can’t believe he gave Speedy so many years and so much dough (I guarantee Woody begged for him) …

By Volman

June 6, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Guys, Marcus Banks is a Western Conference Royal Ivey to me. I was never impressed with Banks, but both are great defenders. Nothing more, nothing less.

By Volman

June 6, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Guys, Marcus Banks is a Western Conference Royal Ivey to me. I was never impressed with Banks, but both are great defenders. Nothing more, nothing less.

By mountain_jim

June 6, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

great post edgar!

By Anakin Joe

June 6, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

Edgar, you could put me at the top of that scared list.

Hawks HAVE to check out Yi and every other candidate worthy of the #3 pick, even if they have no intention of using that pick. How else can you assign a relative value for the #3 pick, unless you understand what that pick means to a team? Yi may be a much bigger marketing draw in China than Yao, as he is likely to be more dynamic. If you’re trading a guy who will bring millions to a franchise, in addition to whatever he does on the court, then you better get a boat load of value for that guy.

Reality, Yi would likely increase the value of this franchise more than any other player (possibly even more than Durant or Oden). He’s a virtual lock to be voted into the All-Star game as a starter. Of course, that assumes Woody allows him to develop on the floor. The more I “follow the money” the more it leads me to Yi.

Doc, I’m not joining the Yi train, but I do recognize that it is riding on platinum 24s and is the most valuable train to a set of broke-butt owners in this draft.

By Volman

June 6, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

Here is an excerpt from the latest of Chad Ford’s blog on ESPN Insider:

“Tuesday morning, I listened to Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio as he talked about the NBA pre-draft camp testing results.

He said, in a nutshell, that Greg Oden’s excellent performance combined with Kevin Durant’s poor one in the strength and athletic testing closed the debate on who should be the No. 1 pick in the June 28 NBA draft. It is now, without a doubt, Cowherd argued, Greg Oden.

Cowherd is not the only one who has gotten the testing results and used it as a big hammer in the Oden vs. Durant debate. I’ve even heard some suggestions that Durant may slip out of the top two now that that the testing results are known.”

Does this mean Yi might be taken at 2? Could the Hawks Franchise really have a fighting chances at getting Durant?

By Jay

June 6, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

Sekou, thanks for the blog. Its fantastic to get fresh info and I trust you more then any other source when it comes to the Hawks.

Am I the only one who read this blog and then started talking themself into wanting to draft Yi?

If Yi can play Center, then go for it.

The most intriguing part of the blog was mentioned some people think we will trade BOTH picks. Wow. We could trade for almost any player in the nba. Kobe? T-Mac? Amare? Definately Gasol or Jermaine O’Neal. At first I was ticked off and thinking “Well, Im glad Sekou warned us so I wont be completely stunned”. But the more I think about it…we already have a bunch of young players.

I dont know. Its crazy right now. We could really see a whole new team next year I feel like.

Yi and Law/Critt could be really awesome, also.

No matter what, if we arent a .500 team next year AT LEAST Im going to be bitterly disappointed.

Sekou, update us as much as possible, I cant get enough of this Hawks excitement!

By travis

June 6, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

A-ville Ranger, I am with you on this one. Regardless of who we pick, we won’t get the results because of the coach. Certain coaches can bring out the best in a player, like D’antoni did with Diaw. Some coaches bring out the worst, like Woody with Diaw. You can’t scream and holler a players, expectin’ them to get better. You have to coach them, let them be comfortable to make a mistake and grow from it. When our players make mistakes, they are snatched out of the game and will ride the pine for a few games. What away to learn from the mistake.

I wish that the spirit group would make a big splash with a coach. The draft picks won’t matter.

By doc

June 6, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

yeah, follow the money and he could sure be marketed for the chinese delegation to get hawks unis in every household in china. roll tide, better ramp up dude for your foreign sales group, do you have a web site yet?

i just think that he will give us a huge lift on offense and make everyone look better point guards included if he is one half ….. well, three fourths of what zealots suggest. can you imagine the press fopr the hawks as we go into the summer olympics in 2008? no brainer marketing wise, jump on board a j great point; figures you would get one more chance to say FOLLOW THE MONEY. this may come into play for the seatlle franchise as well, if they are smart with the larger chinese populations.

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

Woodson,s got to go. We need to find an established NBA coach that knows how to get the best out of the talent he has. It is evident that Woody doesnt know what style of game he wants to play. There are some good coaches out there. Come on Spirit, you have to make a change. It is not all Woody’s fault though. He has the worst GM in the NBA as his boss. I read an article in a Seattle newspaper that said that there were three GMs that they would love to make a deal with, because they were sure to get the better of the deal. Guess who was Numero Uno. BILLY “NEEDS A HAIRCUT” KNIGHT

By mykhalc

June 6, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

DOC, as much as i’d like to join ya, i’m not there…yet. i’ll hit back after the workouts tho!!LOL

the train i know i’m on is…WOODSON keeps us from goin’ anywhere fast!!!

By michael m.

June 6, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

jay, i only wish your kobe + bynum trade was realistic. i assure you it isn’t. and bk is turning my hawks excitement into my hawks anxiety. more and more each day.

By mavid

June 6, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

Well, the problem with talking about Yi is that NONE of us know anything about him.

Of course our front office should spend countless hours investigating him. Hopefully, they can gain a fair reading on the player he is and can become (hopefully??).

I’m not sold on Jarret Jack, and would definately want more value for the 11th pick.

By Volman

June 6, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

Read my post above. Discuss.

By tony

June 6, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

If we are going to compete against teams like the Suns, Spurs, Heats and Dallas, we need a fast point guard like Mike Conley who can run with their guards. Portland is praying for the opportunity to land this kid because he give them a better chance to compete against players like Steve Nash and Tony Parker. Portland is trying to dump J.Jack because he’s not fast enough to defend Nash and Parker. It’s important that we take Mike Conley at 3 and Aaron Gray with the 11th pick.

By G-thang

June 6, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Cavalier tix, for nosebleeds are going at 250 a pop on stubhub. Premium seats are going for 600. I want in on this for the HAWKS. I am a season tix holder, section 222, and 122!! Take all of the emotions out of this and look at it from a business perspective. Who could we bring in here to get us into the playoffs? Were any of you all there at the Detroit game? That ish was crazy!! I want that here in the “A.” If Yi gets us to the playoffs lets do it. I mean he did put up double digits on the Americans in the world games last year. Use JSmoove as a bargainin chip. If we can get the world for him, why keep him? Y’all can’t look at this stuff full of emotions. JSmoove is inconsistent and will have more than one or two emotional meltdowns. I like his play and think that he has potential, but I need playoffs NOW. LITMUS TEST I will take a Jermaine O’neal, Pau Gasol, Amare over the potential of JSmoove in 5 yrs. O’neal, Gasol, and Amare get us into the playoffs now. Alot of y’all are like women, ruled by your emotions

By doc

June 6, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

myhc you know it isnt about all agreeing to a point but a realtively rational discussion about the why’s and wherefore’s for me. no harm, no foul, right? never did like yes men anyway, cant be trusted.

i just saw so too many games last year thanks to jhan where it didnt make a difference who was point. we wuz just going to get beat because the other team was bigger and tougher. chris paul would not have brought this team too many more victories last year. check it out, his team with a huge, in chandler, big, couldnt do it last year with him at the helm. exciting, yes, but not a whole heck of a lot more wins than our hawks and they went out and spent more money bringing in a few folks to go over the cap. they also improved just enough to get into draft hell, mid teens picks and that is where they are going to stay as they will never be able to fill out that team is my impression, heresy to some, but fact.

By doc

June 6, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

volman go back and read my post …. yesterday, about noon. then discuss. we already been there, done that.

now we are going to argue the merits of drafting a similar body type as the past few years one more time? yi, who you all scoffed at last week has somehow bolted ahead of even durrant onto the top two? what is the world coming to?

By Steve B.

June 6, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

What’z up guys, As I’ve said before if Yi is as good as they say he is you can’t pass on him. I love Conley Jr, but we don’t have one 7 footer. I don’t think Sea will take Yi at #2, they will have to remeber Darko and Camelo. Also everyone yelling Marvin plus #3 for #2, Marvin and a trow in would get it done no need to give up #3. Some one posted Bobby cox to Woodson, Do you remember Cox said it was A 5 year plane and they fired him from GM in year 4, and demoted him to coach. Where in year 5 they started to win. So get off the Cox bandwaggon he lost for 4 years before he won. This is year 4 of the BK rebuilding give him the same respect. One other poaster complained about J.Smith couldn’t play 4, and didn’t rebound. Dude watch the kid he can play either 3 or 4, He also led the Hawks in rebounding. Blam some one else the kids a baller.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 6, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

MICHAEL M, where do you get your contract info from? Banks only signed a 4yr 20 million dollar deal, Speedy’s contract was like 4 yrs and 28 million. I don’t know about you but that sounds alot cheaper than Speedy’s contract. And while your hating on Banks, he would run circles around any point gaurd on our roster….as a matter a fact he did just that back in february against our hawks, he scored 20pts in 20 minutes.

ALSO, ROYAL IVEY BEING COMPARED TO MARCUS BANKS??? NOW THAT IS RIDICULOUS!!! ROYAL SHOULDN’T EVEN BE IN THE NBA.

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

Volman , think about this. Law at the point . Joe at the 2 . Durant at the 3. Josh Smith at the 4. Then we could package Marvin and lorenzen for a legit 5, Maybe J.Oneal, or maybe someone like S.Dalembert or whoever. Sheldon,JChill,Lue.Pachulia,Jones, off the bench. It works for me. That is unless you want to go with the point guards we have, then you can use the 11th pick on a big. What you think?

By dallas comegys

June 6, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Hav all you Yi fans ever even watched the guy play? Do you really know anything about his game? Even if he shows himself as amazing playing against air in his “workout”, then the hawks should do the only sensible thing and get yi or durant(if he somehow crazily falls) AND conley. The friggin hawks dont have the luxury of taking a decent role player(Hawes/ Jack)or a solid pro(A.C. Law) with the 11th pick. They’re the friggin hawks people!! If you want to take the next step in this league, then they have to step up and trade the 11th pick along with anyone not named jjohnson, josh smith, or marvin -yes,even marvin (dude could possibly be a real somethin’ as he gets more aggressive and matures, -he’s still a freakin kid people! but he’s gifted AND has a work ethic) for conley jr. The hawks will have to move up from 11 to get him. you dont dick around in this draft and get some half-a* talent and “potential”. If bk screws this up and woodson goes along with him, they both should be gone. They’ll be fired anyway when the hawks fall flat again as a team with seven freakin forwards and no friggin point guard, much less one who could actually impact a game. Bottom line: if you get a big or another freakin forward at 3, you better get conley or learn to enjoy watching him tear up the hawks next pg (law, jack, critt) for the next several years, ala chris paul, deron williams.

By Volman

June 6, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

Doc, my bad. I remember someone talking about Durant possibly dropping, but I don’t remember anyone talking about the Chad Ford blog. I was only trying to bring some discussion, so don’t hate!

Terrell, I like that five, even with Zaza or Solomon in there (if he gets a LOT stronger). I would be up for trading as many point guards away as needed (to free up cap space).

Mechanic, haha, I figured you’d like that response. Banks DOES kind of remind my of Ivey. Wasn’t Banks burried at the end of the Suns’ bench for about 2/3 of the season? He’s a pretty expensive 3rd string PG.

By ray

June 6, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

You can tell that June 28th can’t get here fast enough. This stuff is getting better and better with some posts becoming more and more desperate.

I was one of the people who first scoffed at the idea of acquiring Yi. I knew nothing about the guy other than he’s somewhat thin, 7 feet tall, and doesn’t play in the post. Oh, and nobody seems to know his true age. Now, we have a bit more info (not to mention, YouTube videos) and I can agree with at the very least, watching him work out. Besides, I seem to remember saying this: with Yi “you could get a Dirk or a Dork…” , and if he really blows people away in workouts, making you forget about guys like Marvin (assuming Yi plays swingman), then let Marvin go in package for a big. While those aren’t my exact words, the initial info I was able to find on Yi was that he was a seven foot swingman. Now, perhaps we get more info.

Pardon me if I put a little more stock in what reporters and other witnesses and experts who actually see what’s going on first hand, than in what a few posters on the blog say they “see” in this guy. As Ando would say, don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back. Not to mention, the guy hasn’t played a minute of NBA ball yet…he hasn’t even been drafted. And those workouts have yet to be conducted. Toot your train horns when the train actually arrives.

As with all players, I’m waiting for info on the individual team workouts. The rest of the hype is just hype right now.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 6, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

vOLMAN HE SIGNED THAT CHEAP DEAL BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE CLOSE TO HOME, I THINK HE’S FROM THE LAS VEGAS AREA, I KNOW HE WENT TO UNLV BUT HE MIGHT BE FROM CALI….HE’S ALOT BETTER THAN ANYBODY WE GOT.

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

What has Conley done to make you so sure that he going to that much better than Law. The Hawks need to win now. Im ready to go to the playoffs. I just think that Yi at 3 and Law at 11 is the easiest way for Billy Knight to come away with a good draft. You get value with both picks.O.K.,lets say Billy takes Conley JR at 3. Do you really trust him to make a good decision at 11? I dont! And Dallas Comegeys, do you really trust our GM to trade up to get Conley? Hell, he would probably give up Joe and Josh or something crazy like that. Lets just keep it as simple as possible yall. Yi at 3 Law at 11; Yi at 3 Law at 11

By doc

June 6, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

v’man just playing with you dude, you just got to try harde to keep up with us old folks. no hate.

By cp

June 6, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Well honestly the Hornets easily make the playoffs in my opinion if CP and West dont miss as many games as they did. When CP and West came back the Hornets went on a run and almost made the playoffs. Im sorry but I dont have faith in BK what so ever. I see a lot of people are on the YI bandwagon but honestly from what I have seen he is another fwd. We have a team full of those. He is not working out against anybody so im pretty sure he will look good shooting open jumpers and going to the paint strong against nobody. I dont know how good he will be but man come on people we cant afford to mess up this draft. I guarantee you if we dont get it right this summer pertaining to the draft and free agency that Joe Johnson and Josh Smith will say enough is enough and want to get out of here asap. Like someone said earlier, BK’s brother is a scout. ARE YOU SERIOUS? The more rumors I hear the more I think that yes BK will get taken to the showers again. WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT THIS SUMMER. I hope BK proves me wrong but I just got that feeling that I will be p** just like last summer.

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Yi at 3 Law at 11; Yi at 3 Law at 11 That is unless Durant somehow slips to 3. I dont think its going to happen

By doc

June 6, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

i heard cowherd mention it onhis show as they had gotten a portland paper.there had been some talk maybe of portland wanting to go after durant, his atke was the data made it impossible to think of durant over oden, duh. i read into it and a i guess i beat chad ford to the pinch by then suggesting maybe some other teams would be reluctant to go with such a 100 pound weakling to play with the big boys. guess tghat ought to lower fodr’s cred rating.

personally i am never impressed with that kind od stuff except the stat on wilt that he could military press his own weight yeah 300 pounds. talking about a freak. never could beat up on my guy russell and i never heard how “strong” he was. being unable to bench press your own weight is scary though at durants age given who he will be gong up against.

ray, dont get the point that yi hasnt yet played a minute in the nba yet as to say, what is the excitement? ray, none of these guys have played a minute in the league including oden and they can all be great or flops. we are arguing potential plain and simple. honestly, i hope i dont hear a single word from the hawks camp in hopes they learned last year not to show their cards too early.

By James B.

June 6, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

I think we can all agree that the Hawks need an upgrade in productivity at the Center and Point Guard positions. It’s also clear that there is no consensus among the responders to this blog as to what the Hawks should do with their draft picks this year. IMO, the Hawks should consider taking the following actions: 1) With the third pick in this year’s draft, select Mike Conley Jr. He more than passed the “eyeball test” during this year’s Final Four and is the type of PG that creates easy scoring opportunities for his teammates—exactly what Johnson, Smith and Williams need.

2)Package the eleventh pick in this year’s draft along with Tyronn Lue and Zaza Pachulia to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Chris Kaman and the Clippers first round pick in the 2008 draft. After barely missing the playoffs this year, the Clippers are in desperate need of PG help, given Livingston’s uncertain future as well as the advancing age and questionable health of Cassell. To get back to the playoffs, they might be willing to sacrifice Kaman, an underrated Center who rebounds, hustles and has good low posts moves with both hands, in exchange for a Center who may play better with a West Coast team, a veteran PG who is loved in LA and two lottery picks in a draft consider the deepest in years.

Your 2007-2008 Hawks would have a starting lineup of C-C. Kaman, PF-J.Smith, SF-M. Williams, SG-J. Johnson and PG-M. Conley with the second team consisting of C-S.Williams, PF-S. Jones,(if you really watched the hawks last year, it was clear that Williams was more comfortable at Center and Jones’ body type and agility make him better suited for forward than center) SF-J. Childress, SG-S. Stoudamire and PG-A. Johnson with S. Claxton and L. Wright rounding out the 12 man roster with the added benefit of a draft choice in next year’s draft (which should be a lottery pick because of how difficult is it to make the playoffs in the West) replacing the pick Phoenix receives in the Johnson trade.

One last thought: it may be time to give serious consideration to replacing the Head Coach if this team doesn’t make the playoffs.

By Nick

June 6, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Half of you have lost your mind. Someone provide an honest defense of taking Yi with the third pick. What would he add to this team? Really? He’d probably fit in great on a team like the Suns or Dallas or San Antonio. You know, teams that have leadership and can just fit pieces in seemlessly because everyone else already meshes well.

This just in - the Hawks don’t have that luxury.

Screw Chad Ford’s observations. Yi = this year’s Nikoloz Tskitishvili if he’s put on the wrong team (like the Hawks). I don’t think much more needs to be said.

By ray

June 6, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

Now how the hell do you explain yourself on this one: You don’t need an elite pg or “floor general” to have a successful team. All you need is a decent or solid ball handler/distributor. Ok, I can agree with that. But then a rumored opportunity to acquire a young, solid pg (with size, no less) with 2 yrs NBA experience and the first thing you can say is “his ceiling’s not high enough”??????! WTF?! Ok, I understand that Jarrett Jack for the 11th pick straight up is not the best bid to open with. It may not even be acceptable to end up with. But even if you get a second round pick this year or the next, that DOES NOT change who you got as your new starting pg! Nor does it change his so-called “ceiling.”

I swear on all that’s dear, some people are determined to see us not get a pg this year. And the argument is that we already have 3 or 4. Yeah, 3 or 4 who can’t get the dang job done all year long! So we need to what, keep them and just let it ride? NO!

By the way, Matt, the Bulls won with a pg-by-committee approach because they had Michael freakin’ Jordan and Scottie Pippen, a MUCH better coach, MUCH better offensive and defensive systems/style, and better role players. It didn’t matter who was at the point, as long as they could dribble a bit and hit wide open shots. Read: Ron Harper, Paxson, Kerr, and B.J. Where exactly was their “dominating big man?” Not a single one was anywhere near top-tier. The most dominating “big” they had was a 6’8” Dennis Rodman. He rebounded and defended as an undersized PF/C or whatever they needed. He was exceptional. So where’s your top tier big on THAT team? Seems to me most of their more notable bigs were: Cliff Levingston, Horace Grant, Will Perdue, Bill Cartwright, Scott Williams. So that was not a very good example, unless of course, you want to use it as the “2 or 3 stars” example. And of course, the best thing the Hawks have going for them is JJ. And as good as he is…you get the picture.

Yes, we need size. We can get that. But at the same time, riddle me this? WHERE is this dominating 4 or 5 in this year’s draft that is NOT named Oden and NOT going with the first pick (gee, that would be one and the same, now wouldn’t it?) Huh?? Answer me that, then we all should know who the Hawks should be selecting with the third pick, right?

I figure making a decent deal for Jack gives us a young pg who is still developing (despite what all of you magic crystal-ballers say about his ceiling) to start over with, and a chance to draft our magical dominant big at #3. And if we get another pick along with Jack (which I think is acceptable), then we can select yet another player.

Having said that, I’d like to get Conley, particularly if Jack isn’t coming here in a deal that makes sense for us. However, Law isn’t a bad thing, nor is Crittenton. It’s said that Crittenton has had more problems with being too unselfish than most things. It’s also said that he’s very coachable. Those are two things that make a difference, in my mind. I just think we are destined for failure if we only continue with the pgs we currently have. Likewise, we cannot continue with the low post situation we currently have. But I don’t think we can ignore either this time around, and we need to not just focus on one and mostly forget about the other. That’s foolishness.

Like Sekou said, Jack has 2 years under his belt. With mild success, it should at least be considered.

By Nick

June 6, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

And for everyone thinking Durant is dropping because of some weak workout numbers, that’s an even dumber idea. Here’s a recap of the 2003 NBA Draft workouts:

Who was the top athlete in the 2003 draft? Thinking logically about that draft, you’d probably assume it was a toss up between Dwyane Wade and Lebron James. But in fact, it was 6-2 shooting guard Troy Bell, who did not make it past his rookie contract before being cut by the man who reached badly to draft him in Jerry West. Bell was affectionately nicknamed “Troy Airbell” by ACB Spanish league fans he horrified with the air-balls he jacked up playing for Real Madrid, and struggled this past season to run a D-League team. Bell measured a 41 inch vertical leap (which would rank 1st in this year’s combine), ran a 3.06 in the ¾ court sprint (also 1st), and bench pressed the 185 pound bar 17 times (fourth amongst guards). If Bell were eligible this year, he most likely again would be deemed the top athlete in this year’s draft too.

For more, go here - http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-25-18/Jonathan-Givony—Draft-Combine-Numbers-are-Almost-Pointless.html

Durant just completed one of the best freshman years in college. He isn’t going below the second pick.

And the Lakers aren’t trading Kobe to us. Stop. Just stop.

By d

June 6, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

any forseen scenerios where ATL could get both Yi and conely?

By ray

June 6, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Doc, it’s just annoying to read where somebody says that they knew already that Yi is the man (more or less), and that it took additional media information for “the rest of us” to see what should have been obvious. Other than YouTube, I didn’t have much of a clue who this cat really was. And I didn’t know anything about him even being on there until someone else mentioned it.

It is painfully obvious that no player in the draft has played in the league yet. I’m NOT stupid. So, when I say that Yi has yet to play one NBA minute, I’m simply saying “what bandwagon” when the guy has yet to prove a single thing in the league. And unless you’ve been watching Chinese league b-ball all damn year, how much of him have you really seen?Of course we’re arguing potential. But this is the single most myserious player in the draft. Just how much potential are you really aware of? People who do this for a living are flying coast-to-coast to try and learn something about the guy. You’re arguing potential on a player most of us probably know the least about of anybody in the first round, let alone the lottery. His age hasn’t even been confirmed. I know it wasn’t you that said you knew or could see what Yi was all about, so none of this was initially directed at you. Really, it still isn’t. But I am attempting to explain my point. And maybe not doing a good job of it. So I’ll quit now.

Having said that…AGAIN, if he’s really that good, I’d be glad to have him in a Hawk’s uniform.

By Volman

June 6, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

Nick, who said Kobe to Atlanta?

By doc

June 6, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

you are doing just fine by me ray. i am all for waiting it out a bit more before getting the concensus. if conley hasnt fallen on his face and they are raving about him, cool. if yi is anywhere close to what they say then we go after him. noooo point guard makes it into the finals by himself again only look to the greatest in the big o that you young guys only know by name. he was the best ever.

whereas, many teams get there without a great point guard. billips is about as close to good pure point as it has come the past few years since kidd did it, he really almost did it by himself, billups had a lot more help. if there is anyone who would argue that it might be a tough fit to get a dirk/gasol/bargnani like player here i’d laugh them in the face as there wouldnt be a way to make him fit, point be durned. as far as those that say the coach couldnt fit him into his system it hapened in toronto where the gm gave his coach an ultimatum, so it could be done here.

By terrell barron

June 6, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Chris Kaman, are you freakin kiddin me. James B. You have 2 lottery pics and you want to trade one of them away for chris kaman. We better use these picks wisely and draft players to go with what we already have. It aint like the hawks are going to win it all next year. We might as well build through the draft. We have cap space to add veterans.

By ray

June 6, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

There’s just going to be NO satisfaction in this year’s draft. Half the blog will be elated, the other half mortified. And that’s with giving Billy the benefit of the doubt. Speaking of which, I’m actually hoping he swings some fairly shrewd deals/picks. He has a chance here to make some really good moves despite the ownership’s money problems and he can separate himself from their collective ineptness by doing so.

As for Woodson, he’s got plenty to prove to me (not that I’m anybody). I am NOT giving him the benefit of the doubt right now. He’d really have to show me something different to prove he can lead and guide this team.

By Nick

June 6, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

Volman, re: Jay @ 8:49 p.m.

By ray

June 6, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this

Agreed, Doc. And I wish I’d been around to watch the ultimate triple double master. And again, you are right about the coaching style situation. Any GM worth his paycheck can see beyond the coach’s scope of view and say “this is what I want done..get it done or we find someone who can.”

By terrell barron

June 7, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Everyone always brags on Billups. Look how many times he got tossed around from team to team. Im not knocking Billups as a player, but its the situation and the scheme that you are in. Thats why its hard for us to take a point at 3. We dont have the situation or a scheme! We really need another coach guys. I heard Bernie Mullin say that Woody has progressed each of the last 3 seasons. You call an extra win here and there progression. hilarious

By doc

June 7, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

ray i will be happy to have two of six guys, i am not on the law band wagon at all. id rather have crit i think as a project than him. green amd brewer are the other top guys i would rather not see with one of those picks, otherwise i can be happy.

i think all of us better get used to the idea that we wont get just the very perfect match that has been projected in our own individual minds and broaden the perspective. it would be more appropriate to ask, say, who dont we want than who do we want. it is silly to think we can get just the right guy at the right time and if we dont it is bk’s fault for not getting the right trade to do it in. it is more realistic to make a list on who not to get in the top 11 if we have a choice. so, with the 3 pick bk gets brewer and with the 11 pick green, right? oh happy day.

i am quite grateful to be talking any pick much less than the 3 and 11. that is about as good as it could have gotten. lets enjoy the luck and expect and feel more of it, manifest it.

By Matt

June 7, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

Ray,

I don’t want to belabor this point any more than I have, but it looks like I have to. First, when I said “big” in that context, what I meant was this: “Every championship winning team has had a dominant defensive stopper playing either power forward or center, who could ensure that there would almost never be an uncontested shot within 10 feet of the basket.”

I’ve phrased it a million different ways, and I apologize if you were confused by my use of the word “big” in a couple of those phrasings as somehow implying that they had to be a 7 footer (a misconception that seems epidemic among the people on this blog). I didn’t.

Dennis Rodman and Horace Grant were two of the top defensive power forwards of the past quarter-century. People STILL don’t realize how great Grant was as a post defender. The only reason the Bulls gave up Oakley (possibly the SINGLE best low post defender of the 1980’s and 90’s) back in ‘88 was that they already could tell that Grant would soon be capable of filling his shoes.

Dennis Rodman and Horace Grant were certainly sufficient defensive PFs. They played great low post D, great help D, and could crash the boards like few others.

As for whether there’s one in this draft, I’m not sure. I think Noah has the intensity necessary to fill that role, and he certainly is tall enough. Whether he can put enough on his frame to truly become what we need is anybody’s guess. I will say that everyone thought Grant didn’t have an “NBA body” back in ‘87, and he sure as hell proved them wrong. Tiago Splitter and Marc Gasol also look promising, although they’re at least a few years away from being ready to fill that role.

As for point guards, if you read my post(s) on Jack again, you’ll see that the point I was making was that I don’t think we should trade such a high pick in such a deep draft to get him.

(WARNING: The rest of this post is heavy on the ‘boring’ side of basketball)

I think we have a fundamental disagreement on the importance of point guards. I believe that point guard is the single most overrated position in terms of the importance people place on it in all of professional sports. Coaches are increasingly turning to systems that make ‘pure point guards’ superfluous, because they split up the PG’s traditional duties among several players. Many if not most teams have more than one guy on the floor at any given time who is able to run the plays.

Tex Winter’s Triangle offense, Pete Carill’s Princeton offense, and their many variants inherently do not rely on a single point guard, but rather require all players to be able to handle the ball and pass it without turning it over. The older-style flex and motion offenses that rely on on-ball screens and precision passing from the PG have been in a long phasing out process since the late 80’s, mostly because their relative predictability makes them hard to run effectively at the college or pro level. Unless you have an elite PG that can read defenses and make lightning-fast passes like Nash or Kidd, there’s no way you’re going deep into the playoffs with that type of offense.

Great PGs are unnecessary for the more ‘modern’ offenses, and Jarrett Jack Jarrett Jack doesn’t strike me as good enough run the Jerry Sloan or Mike D’Antoni types of offenses where is a great PG is necessary. Therefore, there’s no reason to give up a pick that could net us a better player (including a better PG) in the long run just so we can get Jack.

On Conley, I’m definitely not saying we shouldn’t try to get him. I’m just saying we might be better off taking Yi and then seeing if we can use him to get Conley PLUS something else - or just keeping Yi if it looks like he’ll be something special - and then taking a PG at 11 if no one bites on the bait. Conley’s speed and agility gives him the potential to run the kinds of offenses that I think Jack can’t run, so it’s certainly worth trying to get our hands on him…just not necessarily by literally picking him with the #3 pick.

By ATL_FAN

June 7, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

A couple of points to make before another random trade scenario: 1) The Hawks will not draft or trade for a PG without unloading AT LEAST one of the existing PG’s. No way they carry 4-5 PG’s on the roster. 2) The Hawks are way too young and keeping both picks are only going to make them younger. One could argue that BK has done a good job of turning over the roster (although, unlike the Braves, they didn’t win while doing it). It is clear that now is the time to bring in veteran front court help for this young core.

Random Trade Scenario ATL gets JJack, BHaywood, 16th pick POR gets 11th pick, SStoudamire or JChills (prefer SS) WSH gets ZRandolph, AJohnson

Random Trade 2 ATL gets NCollison SEA gets TLue

I didnt take the time to look at salaries, so others might have to be included to make the dollars work.

Now it’s certainly doubtful that these trades will happen, but just throwing some ideas out there around improving the roster.

Let’s assume then tha Yi is the pick at 3 and Critt is the pick at #16.

Primary Roster (pretty flexible and balanced) PG - JJack, SClaxton, Critt SG - JJohnson, JChills (or SS) SF - MWilliams PF - JSmith, Yi, SWillaims C - N Collison, BHaywood, Zaza, Solo

By michael m.

June 7, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this

mechanic, speedy signed 4 years for 25 mill with the numbers starting high and going down, banks was 5 years for 29 mill with raises each year. not sure where you are getting your info from, but you might want to check again.

the very idea that banks might be able to run circles around our pg’s only proves my point that we need to bring in a real pg to lead the team, not another retread. btw, that was the best game of the season for banks. go ask phx what they think of him and you will discover the truth. in fact, they might give up one of their late 1sts just for a team taking on his contract.

By Volman

June 7, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

Nick, thanks.

Doc, AMEN on your point about this team having ANY PICKS AT ALL!! Guys, this is a luxury to have these picks. It’s not a right. The Hawks were not supposed to have two picks…They were lucky to even have one. Having two picks in the top 11 will help improve this franchise, I think, whether through trade or the draft. Let’s be thankful for the situation this team is in! (I think we pretty much all are..But it’s good to remember how lucky Atlanta got.) Maybe the tide is turning for this franchise. Maybe.

Great read, Matt.

By curious

June 7, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this

For the guy who said JS is inconsistent. He was 14th in total rpg,15st in def rpg, 23rd in off rpg. He also was tied for 17th in the NBA for double-doubles with J Kidd and Marcus Camby. I think his numbers speak for themselves. Also, he played the first two months of the year with a hernia. I have no problem with anyone saying they want him to cut down to’s and better shot selection and emotional control. This kid is a warrior and has more heart than Zaza and Marvin combined. I think it amazing that none of you guys kill Zaza. He is the softest center in the NBA

By tony

June 7, 2007 2:24 AM | Link to this

This is the draft Atlanta has to take advantage of because it won’t be this way next year. Atlanta need to be creative and trade both picks to try to come out of this draft with 4 decent players. Trade our #3 to Boston for their #5 and their 2nd rd pick. Trade our 11th to Phoenix for their 24th and 29th. Take Mike Conley with the 5th pick, take Jason Smith 7’0 with the 24th pick, take Aaron Gray 7’1 with the 29th pick and take Glen Davis 6’8 300lbs in the second round. These guys will improve all our weaknesses.

By A Thinking Fan

June 7, 2007 2:36 AM | Link to this

DOC CAVS or SPURS?

By doc

June 7, 2007 6:41 AM | Link to this

atf, spurs, but i said duncant was the guy i would want if i was starting a franchise when sekou asked the question on one of our blogs not changing now. i think you will argue, as the last 2 yrs you have yelled mvp every time labron was mentioned. this maybe the year that the landscape changes for the next 10 years as we ask, “will the championship go throuh labron instead of the spurs?”

he reminds me of magic who came on the scene at the same age in 1979. he is so good and able to pull the whole team to his level as a superstar instead of pulling them down as some other superstars do to their teammates.

this one is tainted by the lack of calls to protect nash and the lack of respect he got. they were quick to call mcdyess but slow to call bowen on his trash to nash of even amare. that series was heading to be the greatest quarter finals ever as we all knew the winner was heading to the finals. they stole our thunder and hopefully the refs ansd stern will call it appropriately and fairly both ways and let the boys play. we will see. i just want a good series of 6 or 7 games.

folks look at the roster of the cavs if you want to see how a roster is made in this era. with a huge “point” forward or guy who the offense runs through in labron they have 6 guys at 6”9” or better and two of 6’2” or less. we have almost the opposite ratio or will if we get conley. that also doesnt include labron who is listed as only 6’8”. with jj having the ball so much and with his abilities, our hawks offense will never need a point guard that controls the ball just as the heat dont have a great point guard unlesss an old :glove” payton or “white chocolate” williams qualify.

By doc

June 7, 2007 6:54 AM | Link to this

seems sekou is asking the same question in an article that i just noted had come up on today’s ajc, landscape changing? if not the spurs win 4 of last eight and every other year since duncan came into the league, talk about being overlooked, duncan is the one superstar that has gone under the radar, by a lot.

By doc

June 7, 2007 7:02 AM | Link to this

sorry sekou, article was by steve hummer.

By big tone

June 7, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

if durant doesnt go at number two the entire draft from 3 to ten will be totally disfigured.but imagine/ durant/j smith/zaza/joe johnson/acie law

By mavid

June 7, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Matt,

“I believe that point guard is the single most overrated position in terms of the importance people place on it in all of professional sports.”

I think BK agrees with you on that one.

As far as Yi goes, I watched a number of his highlight videos, and he is DEFINATELY a better prospect than Bargnani in my opinion. Dude can hit the 3, has a great post-up game (something Bargnani doesn’t have), and dunks with ease. However, two things stand out:

1) His level of competition looks laughable. I almost feel like I could hang in one of those games (6 ‘2 white guy who can shoot lights out).

2)While he does seem to have good timing for shot-blocking, I’m not sure he can be a 5 like Gasol can be. I’m not sure he can hang tough, dominate the glass, etc. He seems “soft” to say the least.

BUT, the guy loves throwing down dunks (would fit with our exciting team in that sense), and can really hit the outside shot.

Can he play the 5 though?

If he really is a great prospect, than it doesnt matter, you have to take him anyways. BUT, you have to look at guys like Horford too.

I’d be fine with Conley, Horford or Yi at #3. Would really like to get Conley at 6-8 with a trade-up from 11.

By macaroni Tony

June 7, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

I think that the one and two picks in the draft are going to go like it was predicted Oden/Durant. The Hawks, like I said on yesterday will not pick a point guard with the third pick so get that out of your mind. Please don’t ignore me, this is from our coach’s mouth. This franchise needs money and we have a large Asian population in the Atlanta area. Yi would help this franchise gain an increase in wealth far more(faster)than Oden, Durant and Conley, Jr. I also seen the footage of Yi on YouTube and it looks like he could be an impact player very soon. I wouldn’t mind having a great pg but Coach Woodsen told me personally that it will not be a pg with the third pick. Everyone that is on the Mike Conely bandwagon needs to understand that this franchise needs money and just like Yao did for Houston with the Asian population, Atlanta is looking to gain the same wealth with Yi.

Also Atlanta don’t have a seven footer that could impact the Eastern Conference like Yi is going to do. So I’m on the Yi bandwagon on June 28th. Oden is good and Durant is good but we have a chance to get a player that has already played in the world league, a league that US has not earned gold in several years. This guy can hit outside shots, freethrows, dunks,and will go to hole and not flop on layups like ZaZa do all the time. Don’t get me wrong ZaZa was a steal for only four million a year, but we need some to help JJ, J-Smoove, Chills, MW and SS fill these seats. Our arena stays empty, no one has faith in us and I’m tired of that mess. I am for the Yi/Law with the #3/11.

Can some tell me why we should trade JS, MW or JC with a good pg with the 11th pick we would be in the playoffs in no time. These players are use to playing with each other and one more year would be great for this franchise. I am happy to be a Atlanta Hawks fan…

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lF3Vgs53o8

By doc

June 7, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

i dont want him as a five but as a four or sometimes a three. with josh there as a side kick at three and zaza as five we would be set, especially with j chill, marvin and sheldon to come in as the situation sees fit. throw in crit acie or hawes (preferred) id go a long way. he gives the hawks the presence of a big man scorer creating huge match up probs and be difficult to guard that helps us at the end of the games without slowing us down in transiton situations like some of the other bigs do that play four or five.

i think some of the 6’2” white guys that are on this blog could run the team with those guys around them. what do you say mavid and volman you got the nads to step in there. how about your buddy volman that didnt come back for more he might even be a fit at point with those guys. id jump at the chance but that was my prob, no hops, a grinder instead playing inside and holding onto anything i could get my hands on. frustrate them by grabbing, elbowing and stepping on their feet. heh heh

By diehardhawkfan

June 7, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Hilarious…we’re going to draft another project forward with tremendous upside (Yi) over the best point guard in the draft…wow…I can just see the laughter coming from Jay Bilas and Charles Barkley’s face when they show Yi’s youtube tapes of him dunking in the CBA all star game. So now we have to wait three more years for Yi to develop with the WORST collection of point guards in the NBA. If we pick Yi at 3 over Conley, everyone will laugh at us.

By A Thinking Fan

June 7, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

DOC It is the way the fouls are called in the paysoff. Mass viewing time by the non-NBA crowd that drives the way the NBA payoffs have to be managed.

By jhan

June 7, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

How many more wing players does this team need? We already have JS, MW & JC that all basically excel at the same position.

Our PG’s are the worst collection in the league. Not a single one of them is worth starting. Lue & AJ will both be gone next year. Now is the time to get who I feel will be a high quality starter for the next 10-12 years.

I like the intrigue of Yi, but where will he play? Are we going to throw away the last 3 years of development with our current wings to let him develop? He can’t play the 4 or 5 because he is way too slight. If you think ZaZa & Soloman get pushed around in the paint wait until you see what happens to Yi.

Our essential needs are still PG & C. Yi answers neither of those. If Yi is valuable enough in trade to address both of those needs, then I’m all for drafting him and trading him. I don’t really have confidence that BK can get this done.

Use #3 for Conley (gone by #11) Trade #3 for starting C & PG. Use #11 to select the best big left.

By terrell barron

June 7, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

diehardhawekfan, we can move up from 11 to 5,6,or 7 to get conley. then we could have both players. HOPEFULLY! you make a good point though. sheldon or jchill and the 11 might get it done

By Matt

June 7, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

With nothing but a bunch of ? marks after Oden and Durant, why isn’t anyone talking about trading the pick for either Bibby or Billups, who are both free agents this summer? An experienced PG would do wonders for this team, paired along with J.J. Package the #3 pick along with Childress (can’t believe we took him so early) and Salim (refuses to pass until he misses at least 3 shots) and see if the Kings or Pistons are willing. Yi will be a gamble, #3 is too high for Conley (hope BK isn’t suckered into that pick after the inexcusable oversights of Paul and D. Williams), and we DO NOT need another forward.

If we have to, throw Shelden Williams (destined to avg. 5 and 3 for his career) into the draft deal as well. Solomon has more energy and a bigger upside anyway.

By honest_abe

June 7, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

i find it funny how people think durant can play both forward spots. a super skinny kid who cant’ lift 185 once.

yet when it comes to yi. a guy a little undersized for being 7 ft but he’s not rail thin and these detractors say he can’t play but one position. strange. really. i’m not saying the guy can play 4 or 5… because i dont’ know. but neither do any of you.. so it might be wise to reserve judgement on what he can or can not do until more information comes out.

By REAL Matt

June 7, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

“Matt”,

Dude, choose another name for this. I’ve been posting on here awhile and have never seen you here. For the sake of clarity, leave ‘Matt’ to me ;).

By diehardhawkfan

June 7, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

BK just donated 25 million to Speedy, a 5’11’ point guard (I thought BK hated small point guards) last season, so I’m not sure if he’s willing to give max contract to Bibby or Billups after the Speedy contract. Plus they may be trying to save their money for Josh next offseason. Then he was also nice enough to give dallas a second round pick for anthony johnson. So that’s where we’re at right now…the worst collection of pg’s in the NBA and ready to add Yi or Horford so we can break the all time NBA record for the number of forwards on an NBA team.

By Anakin Joe

June 7, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

http://www.legacy.com/washingtonpost/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=88587588

Have I mentioned lately how much I want Bill Laimbeer to coach this team?

By terrell barron

June 7, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

That’s what Im talking about, Honest Abe . Give Yi a chance to prove himself. Hawks exexs are in Cal. right now taking a look at this guy. Hopefully we’ll here something soon. Besides, who in the hell wants Bibby? He had his worst year of his career last year, and Matt wants to give up a draft pick for him. His best years are way, way behind him. And Matt do you really think Joe Dumars is going to let Billups get away from Detroit, and even if he did they would also have to take speedy to compensate for what chauncey is going to ask for. there is no way dumars, who is one of the best gms in the leaugue, wants speedy and his outrageous salary.

By honest_abe

June 7, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

how is it that if durant were available everyone on this board would be in favor of picking him. last time i checked he’s a swingman, forward… but mention a 7ft hybrid, who has dazzled in workouts, had an impressive showing against top american talent and everyone wants to scream INSANITY!! (with their hands up in the air, and wild incredulous looks on their face) ……NO NOT ANOTHER SWINGMAN.

how tunes might change if seattle takes yi and durant is sitting @ 3.

By mavid

June 7, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Doc, I’ve played in some decently competitive games. I’m not athletic or quick enough to play with the best (I’m just shy of 6 ‘2 and would need about 3-4 more inches to dunk, I can get only a couple inches above the rim as of now). I can hit that 3 though.

Yi actually weighs more than Noah, and way more than Brandan Wright and Durant.

I’d be interested to know just how much weight the kid can put on. If we draft Yi, I say we make a deal to get Sean Williams later in the draft. That kid is the tough 5 we need (albeit with behavioral problems to boot).

By Anakin Joe

June 7, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

When Yi increases the revenue of the team, isn’t it possible that the owners may spend more money on free agents in the future? Yao has made the Houston franchise one of the most valuable in the league. Yi would virtually guarantee us national TV appearances as Stern attempts to make the league a global product. As long as he delivers modest results, the owners will make money hand over fist. Sorry, but the capitalist in me says there is really no other logical choice for a group of owners with money problems. Doc, a train ticket please. michael m., sorry but I’m following the money. Plus, I love a good Kung Pao Shrimp meal.

By MIKE THE MECHANIC

June 7, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Michael M you need to check your info, Banks signed a 5yr 21 million dollar deal, Speedy makes alot more than that.

Abe, I to find it hilarious that people would jump at taking Durant if he somehow slips to 3, regardless of him being another wing player. I think that most people are scared to think that a 7 foot asian can actually ball! Just because there are so few Asian players in the NBA, doesn’t mean that they can’t ball. If another wing player is picked, then somebody must go!

By terrell barron

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

YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THAT HONEST ABE. WE WOULD GET KILLED IF WE PASSED ON DURANT FOR CONLEY. I REALLY DONT THINK ITS GOING TO MATTER MUCH; AS LONG AS WOODROW IS OUR COACH, WE ARE SCREWED!

By mavid

June 7, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Mike,

Banks at 5-years, 21-mill, is similar to speedy at 4-years, 25-mill (Speedy really is A LOT better too, when healthy). Those contracts are in the same realm.

Also, you draft Durant if you have the chance. He is too good of a talent. You draft him, and then worry about trades to balance the team.

It will be Yi though, mainly b/c of the money reasons.

By Volman

June 7, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Doc, HAHA! I would so jump in and play point!! Where do I sign?

By MIKE THE MECHANIC

June 7, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Mavid, speedy makes over 6 million per season.

By travis

June 7, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

On the sport section of ajc.com, there is a survey that asks who would you rather have on your bball team, Jordan or Lebron. 7% of the respondents wanted Lebron WTF?? Ihope that none of the Spirit Group were in that 7%. Based on some of these bloggers comments, it seems like some of you all are in that 7%

By mavid

June 7, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

I’m for whoever is best. If Yi is truly better than Durant, then if I was a Seattle fan, I’d want the GM to figure that out and be ballsy enough to draft him (Seattle is actually my 2nd favorite team).

I just highly doubt that Yi will be better than Durant in the long run. Although it could be the difference between Tracy McGrady (Durant) and Nowitzki (Yi), which really isnt a difference in quality, just style.

As i said above, as far as Yi goes, I watched a number of his highlight videos, and he is DEFINATELY a better prospect than Bargnani in my opinion. Dude can hit the 3, has a great post-up game (something Bargnani doesn’t have), and dunks with ease. However, two things stand out:

1) His level of competition looks laughable.

2)While he does seem to have good timing for shot-blocking, I’m not sure he can be a 5 like Gasol can be. I’m not sure he can hang tough, dominate the glass, etc. He seems “soft” to say the least.

BUT, the guy loves throwing down dunks (would fit with our exciting team in that sense), and can really hit the outside shot.

By mountain_jim

June 7, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Ok, after getting a Horford train ticket I’ve tossed that and am in line to buy a Yi train ticket..

Check this vid out (h/t rexhawk at the ‘squawk)

http://www.56.com/u15/v_MTQzNDY1NTY.html

(if the html gets chopped after the period just add it back)

By mavid

June 7, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Our frontline of Marvin, Smoove, and YI could set a record for dunks.

All 3 are quite dunk-happy. I like that, and think it appeals to the ATL from a marketing standpoint (i.e. The Highlight Factory).

By Mike T

June 7, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

I’d rather the Hawks take Conley at 3, but assuming they don’t, does anybody think he will still be there at 11? Memphis seems to like Horford. The Celtics have Rondo, and supposedly like Brewer (if they keep the pick). The Bucks need a 3, and will probably re-sign Mo Williams. Minnesota is going big. Charlotte and Chicago are set at the point (despite the rumor Sekou mentions), and the Kings have Bibby and will be looking to replace Artest. It would be great if the Hawks can get bigger at 3 and still get Conley.

By BWA

June 7, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

The Hawks’ interest in Yi is a smoke-screen. The Hawks have the #3 pick, so they are supposed to look interested in Yi. Unfortunately, I think BK’s true hand was exposed with his love affair with Wright, and the Hawks are attempting to correct this mistake by looking interested in Yi.

I project that the Hawk will do one of two things: choose Yi @ 3 or make the NBA believe we are going to pick Yi @ 3, and trade the pick to the Celtics who are still recovering from the Lottery. After being shafted by the Lottery, they want the next best thing behind Oden and Durant. The Hawks will get their #5 and their #32 pick or a player of the Hawks choosing (maybe Jefferson, Rondo, or West)

Even after the combine results, I have not given up on Wright. Yes, he did not have the best turnout, but he tested better than Kevin Durant in every area. According to the combine, Brandan jumps higher and is faster. In fact, compared to all of the premier bigs in this year’s draft (Durant, Noah, Horford, and Hawes), Wright is quicker than them all! If you don’t believe me, check out the results yourself.

The major knock on Wright is his strength, but just like Durant, he is very young (a freshman in college for God’s sake!) In no time, he will put on more weight and get stronger, just like Durant will.

Many of you absolutely HATE the Brandan Wright pick because of his lack of strength and because he supposedly duplicates a position we already have on this team. But you same people will JUMP FOR JOY if Durant happens to fall to the #3 pick, when he has the same supposed deficiencies. Durant is WEAK, and he is not a CENTER! Am I saying Wright is better than Durant? Of course not! Durant is much better offensively. But both players have a similar build, and play the same position. However, Wright’s game is different from Durant’s in that he got all his points in and around the paint. He also will be a very good defender, and rebounder. This is, believe it or not, exactly what the Hawks need!

Lack of strength does not bother you with Durant, or Yi for that matter, so why does it automatically place Wright on the the Black list of players the Hawks should not draft? The Hawks, more so that anything, need an inside scoring presence! Brandan Wright will be just that!

PS. Wright will NOT duplicate a position we already have! When people say that, it tells me how uninformed you people really are. Marvin is NOT A PF — HE IS A NATURAL 3! Smoove is a 3/4, who I believe is better suited at the 3. Brandan Wright is not a 3, he is a 4! So where is the conflict! People who say there is a conflict, obviously do not watch the Hawks — namely Chris Ford and every other national analyst, who probably have never watch a Hawks game in their life!

By Anakin Joe

June 7, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

You can’t (or shouldn’t) compare the body of a rookie to that of a vet. let’s face it, these guys are still growing into their bodies and have not had the opportunity to focus exclusively on their game and bodies with state of the art facilities and trainers. So comparing the ‘07 Yi to the ‘07 Gasol isn’t fair. I recall that Gasol looked pretty frail when he first entered the league. I’m not saying Yi will become a 275 pound monster, but let’s not assume that he will not become stronger (even if he doesn’t add a lot of bulk) after a few years in the league.

By Mike T

June 7, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

BWA: Wright, Yi, and Durant are all physically weak, but Wright is the only one who can ONLY be effective around the basket. He can’t shoot outside of 8 feet. The problem is he isn’t strong enough to keep position there in the NBA, and won’t be for a long time. Yi and Durant at least have a perimeter game, and can still score when pushed out of the paint.

By A-ville Ranger

June 7, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Does anybody on here know there’s a finals game tonight ? If so I couldn’t tell by the post I read.I almost laugh when I read that the Spurs are a plain boring team.They are by far my favorite to watch.It may come from the snoozer finals they played against Detroit.Those guys were just as strong defensively and neither side could mount an offense.Did these same genius’ see them out run the Suns ?Duncan,Parker and Genobili are three of the most unique players in the game.All three can run,shoot,finish,etc.add that they play the most fundamentally sound,intelligent ball this side of the ocean and you have a team grownups can appreciate.That gets to a point,Are the people who don’t like the Spurs people who think chuckey cheese is the bestest place in the whole world ? It’s a fair question, I think.

By mountain_jim

June 7, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

BWA: Wright is the absolute worst pick BK can make at 3. Mike T is correct, he has no shooting range and no strength for position inside. He is years away from being NBA ready and BK and Woody have about 1 year left to show some results.

Horford has strength and a better post-game over him, and Yi is in a different league of offensive skills.

The Wright train ain’t even going to leave the station.

By Willie Coyote

June 7, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

Marcus Camby was pretty skinny comming into the league but he turned out alright. That being said, these guys need to figure out how to get 185 lbs up and down a few times.

By birdbrain

June 7, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

These post are so head numbingly repetitive I find myself hoping BK takes Wright just to pi$$ some of you guys off.

By travis

June 7, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

People please listen…regardless of who the HAWKS choose with the #3 and #11, it is the coach that you have to look at. Mike Woodson came from the LARRY BROWN coaching tree. Brown antagonized players, look what he did in Philly, D-town, and NY. However, if I am not mistaken, Avery, the coach of the Mavs came from the Don Nelson coaching tree. Nellie has coached some good teams. Avery learn this style and has parlayed it in Dallas. Woodson cannot get it done. Stop talkin’ about Wright, Conley, Yi, Noah, etc. You need to start talkin’ about the coach. He is not a leader of men

Oh yeah, speakin’ of coachin’ trees…remember Bill Walsh? Holmgren, Marriuchi, and Gruden all came from this tree. The Larry Brown tree won’t bare much fruit.

By bob61

June 7, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

The Hawks need a center! Sekou said so when he rated the players after the last season. Sekou gave an F to Pachulia, who was the best center. Wright is aging and can’t give many quality minutes. Batista and Medvedenko were so bad that the coach would not let them play in games.

I agree that some of us may be overrating the importance of the point guard position. If I recall correctly, the Hawks played some of their best games (and won) when they had no point guard. J. Johnson, Childress, J. Smith, and M. Williams all handled the ball and had assists.

If you go by Sekou’s ratings, the Hawks need to draft two players who can play the center position (unless they want to bet heavily on S. Williams becoming a good NBA center). The Hawks should work out all of the available bigs (e.g., Yi, Horford, Noah, Hawes, Splitter, & others) to see if they can potentially bulk up and play some quality minutes at center.

The Hawks should only consider someone who cannot play center if that person is way better at their position than the current players who are already providing good quality minutes. By far most potential for upgrade is at the center position.

By Clyde

June 7, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

I think Billy should pick Wright so he can get his a** fired next year.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By OddJob

June 7, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Travis Don’t forget Larry Brown won everywhere he went.Alan Iverson even played team ball when he was in Philly.

By Ryder

June 7, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

This draft is so divided that I don’t think everyone will be completely satisfied with BK’s picks. Some will say why not draft Conley. Well what happens if Yi goes to Boston and becomes the next Yao? Years down the line people will complain about not drafting him. What happens if Conley uses his draft snub to become a stud in Boston or anywhere else should Atlanta draft Yi? People will complain about that as well.

The impact of this draft won’t be felt for at least two years. Face it as long as Woodson is coach this team will go nowhere so we might as well live with that fact. Outside of Oden there is no one who can come in and be the defensive force in the middle this team desperately needs. Horford’s too small and Wright is not ready. Give it up people this team will win only 35 games at best and once Woodson is fired then we can get a real coach who can utilize whomever BK drafts. As long as he drafts someone who can eventually play the 5 and Law at 11 I’m happy. Should he get Conley at 3 and then a Hawes/Noah player at 11 I’ll be happy. Any combination will eventually get this team over the top.

Oh and by the way please stop with the Shelden trade scenarios. No GM in his right mind would consider going for him or for Childress. They are marginal at best.

By smartguy

June 7, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

Good job, Travis. I don’t think it can be said enough: no matter who we get in the draft, as long as Mike Woodson is our head coach we will continue to struggle.

Clyde, I almost always agree with you, but I don’t agree that we should waste a pick just to get our GM fired. I would much rather us take a stud player who will be around for 10 to 12 years. I really doubt whether Woody and Billy will make it much longer anyway. Then again, if Spirit is still in charge, who knows what will be acceptable?

That Laimbeer suggestion just might be a great one.

Go big early, get the point at 11.

By Stinger

June 7, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

B. Wright weighs 200lbs per the combine - 10 lbs less than listed and 20 lbs less that Marvin did when he was drafted by the Hawks. At least Marvin can play out on the floor where he doesn’t have to hold position. Wright will spend 4 seasons getting pushed out of the post but each year he will improve somewhat but surprise after year 4 we have to pay him big bucks and will still not know how good he could become - too long term a project. If you are frustrated with Marvins seemingly slow development Wright will kill you!

By BosnianBaller

June 7, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Hey sekou what’s up with David Anderson from CSKA is there any chance he suits up for us next season

By Stinger

June 7, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

BK might only draft long term prospects but his trade history is quite good. If we do have a tentative deal with Portland it could be Jack & Przybilla for Lue + #11. Przy is no star but at a salary of $5mm per year is reasonable for a shot blocking big. Thoughts?

By mavid

June 7, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

A-Ville Ranger,

Don’t be so quick to judge people who despise the Spurs. I know a lot about basketball, and I personally do not enjoy watching them.

In fact, I can’t help but judge people who can cheer for the likes of Manu “the flopper” Ginobili, Bruce “cheap-shot” Bowen and Tony “The Frog” Parker.

I mean, come on. Duncan is great, but he is kinda boring. He definately isn’t likeable or fun to watch.

Give me a team like the Warriors, Suns, or even our Hawks, ANY DAY above the Spurs.

But, thats just my opinion.

By ridiculous

June 7, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

Is it something wrong with drafting a pg? Can someone please explain to me why would draft yet another fwd not named Durant

By Draft This Year

June 7, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

Remember we probably will not have a 1st rd pick next year(can’t remember if it is also protected). So we need to use these picks for something like Yi/Crit this year and next year use our cap space. Also next year decisions will have to made with JSmith and JChill. That will be the time to unload some forwards. I don’t see a lot of changes being made until next offseason. The team will be the same with the only additions being the draft picks. We have too many pg’s and nobody is going to take them off our hands. Everyone used to say follow the Bulls plan. Well they went with “experience” this year and look where it got them. They were better with Curry/Chandler.

From what I can tell we can only bring in “small” time players in free agency since we still don’t have an “owner”. No big moves are going to be made until they settle in court. I just don’t think you hear anybody in the org complain cause they don’t want to be fired once the owner sitch is settled. Personally I think Billy does draft well(except last year but ownership issue may have played into that). Sorry but no other GM would have passed on Marvin either. I still think the system we run does not fit. The owners talk about wanting to have a Phoenix style of play yet our system is a Detroit style. Until that is solved we will never win.

By ray

June 7, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Matt,

Pardon me if I didn’t take it the way you meant it the first time. But don’t bother yourself with any further “belaboring” on my behalf. You haven’t phrased anything (other than your point guard views) a million different ways. You used an example that I thought didn’t exactly fit your preceeding theory about dominant big men. I see that it wasn’t intended the way I read it. Which is why I said that it seemed to better fit the “2 or 3 stars” idea better. The three stars being Rodman (for his defense and rebounding), Jordan, and Pippen. The point I argued was that I didn’t consider the Bulls as a team that had a dominant big in the form of what I thought you meant. I think that’s the last time I’ll take anything you say one way and respond to it, because all I get is an implication that I can’t understand simple ideas for a reply.

As for your views on point guards, it sounded pretty good. I just don’t agree completely. Mostly because of the way this team is…built, if you wanna call it that. And because of the failure of the system used this past season, which I assume is the current system, and the failure of the pg position on this team. I am not one of those who overrates the pg position, particularly on this team. I’ve constantly said that a solid ball distributor/handler is the only real necessity, but that penetration and threat to score helps. Obviously a combo guard can do this, but it has to be a combo guard that is solid on three things: ball-handling, decision-making, and offense-initiation/set-up.

We are not using the Princeton offense, nor do we employ the Triangle offense. Chills is the closest thing we have to a point forward, but he’s more like a sg to me. He’s not a big, strong ball-handling point forward in the mold of Magic Johnson or Lebron James. JJ is a sg, even though he could also be a point forward if we played him at the 3. Smoove’s handles aren’t good enough. Neither are Marvin’s. And again, our pg situation is shaky as hell. So, with all those nice things missing from a system that we don’t employ, with player types that we don’t have, how is the pg position on this team overrated? The problem isn’t that your theory won’t work. It’s that there is no setting for it on this team. I’m not concerned about any other team when I’m talking about this. It would look (from a distance) like Billy built a team that doesn’t require a great or even good pg for it to be successful. Yet, he hires Woody, who’s coaching style is so far away from the team build that there’s no way this idea even works. Hence the confusion. Woody’s coaching style (whatever it actually is) doesn’t support the “good pg not needed” concept. All I saw last year while JJ was up and playing was “the offense runs through JJ, and then we’ll see what happens after that.”

Honestly, Matt, I understand what you’re talking about. But in order for that to even remotely begin to occur here, either Woody goes or he changes things drastically. I can see where a guy like Yi Jianlin can help change the style. I can see where ANY decent defensive big helps the team. I know we need one. We have to have one. All I asked is where the person is in this draft? It wasn’t a rhetorical question, I wanted to know who you thought the man was. You gave your answer. ‘Nuff said. If Woody stays and continues to coach the not-so-modern style, then we better have a decent pg to run it, or JJ will get run into the ground yet again. It’s going to be one or the other.

By Borin To Watch

June 7, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

BORING…What do you want Duncan to do?

He is a basketball player. And one of the greatest. The media is always looking for the “next” and have ignored the guy.

Was Kareem boring…Russell boring…

He is a true back to the basket low post player. He rebounds and scores.

By jhan

June 7, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Yi looks to be a full head taller than everyone he’s playing against in that video.

Mavid, that frontline will also lead the league in being dunked upon!

BWA, when was the last time Wright put up 30pts & 15reb’s in a game. I don’t remember watching highlights of Wright draining jumpers from all over the court. Did he routinely beat his man off the dribble, stop & pop, or decide to take it to the rim and dunk? You are out of your mind if think those two are even closely comparable.

By Stone Mtn OG

June 7, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Uh Anakin Joe, what was the significance of that obituary link?

By edgar

June 7, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

I think Anakin Joe was presenting us with the obvious fact that Colonel Quintin Banks Sr. is one of the several million people who could do a better job coaching the Hawks than Mike Woodson—even now after his unfortunate passing from this earth.

The Hawks need a coach and they need veteran producers.

I am not on the Yi bandwagon, but I can see the Hawks picking him for the monetary reasons noted repeatedly above. He probably would sell a ton of jerseys, although I doubt he could fill the stands. As a point of comparison, the Lakers just raised their courtside seats to 2,300 bucks a night. You can sit courtside at Phillips for a shade under 200 retail, or you can buy tickets off craigslist for half that. Yi will make the owners some money, but I doubt he will be any sort of savior, especially with Mike Woodson hanging around. Now, if Nique would put on his lucky tie, make a few phone calls and we all pray really, really hard, meaybe we could get our hands on Garnett…

If Seattle passes on Durant at 2, we should probably take him and go ahead and trade Speedy straight up for Lebron James. Durant will go at number 2 unless he murders somebody between now and draft night.

BK will not draft Conley at 3. If he does, it will be to trade him to Portland.

By A-ville Ranger

June 7, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

Mavid go suck your thumb.

By A-ville Ranger

June 7, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

edgar that was really funny,I must be at the wrong site.

By ray

June 7, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

The combine is mostly physical facts. It will never tell you about a player’s b-ball IQ, or whether or not they can/will be in the right place at the right time on offense or defense. It will not tell you if they have the heart or the desire to play at this level, or if they can be coached, or how they need to be coached.

Take it for what it is, not for more than it is, or you will be misdirected and disappointed. Funny thing about all of this: a guy like Oden is considered a sure thing. And while I notice several websites are saying he blew Durant out of the water in combine testing, they don’t mention how he compared overall. Try 62nd overall. He finished with a total score well below 200, while the top score guy finished nearly 300. And I never even heard of the guy prior to the draft workouts. No one will be taking that top scorer as the 1st pick in the draft, I assure you.

By A-ville Ranger

June 7, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

Good point Ray,by the way I think the top scorer is Daryl Strawberry’s nephew.

By michael m.

June 7, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

yi will most likely blow them away in a private workout if it’s anything like the two days that chad ford spent watching him. and there was never any doubt that he would add a significant international marketing blitz to whatever team selects him. look, if yi is a true franchise player and they pick him @ 3, they will need to be able to play him alongside smoove and marvin. that means getting an uptempo pg like conley in a tradeup. it also means an inventive coach who can think outside the box like don nelson. the hawks better know what they are getting themselves into with yi on the court, not just off it. i do like his size at 7 feet and 246 with a solid lower base. he can put on some more weight in his upper body.

yet yi is still a mystery. i talked to a friend who watched him in the china usa international game last summer and he said yi was guarding howard and bosh. my friend is an orlando fan and he sid howard was really impressed with him. noah is working out alongside him in la and has always been impressed. how all this plays out in 5 on 5 basketball is the mystery. i doubt yi’s handlers will allow him to compete against the like of horford, wright and noah in team workouts.

hawks need to become a team that complements each other, not just an assemblage of mismatched talent. thus is why i believe conley is the correct pick @ 3 with the hope that noah or hawes is there @ 11. conley does things that the other pg’s in this draft do not do. jack doesn’t, either. uptempo is the style our squad screams out to be, but it appears we have deaf management.

By Ben

June 7, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

TAKE YI AT #3, ACIE LAW IV AT #11, TRADE CHILDRESS (I LOVE HIM BUT HE HAS TO GO), A FUTURE PICK, AND ONE OF OUR PG’S FOR A LEGIT VETERAN BIG MAN. THIS IS A PERFECT DRAFT FOR US

By BlueEagle

June 7, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Whether we keep the picks or not is of no consequence. You all know Billy Knight is going to screw this up right?

By BWA

June 7, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

jhan, I never said Wright is better than Durant. I said they both have the same build. You must agree with that! Durant plays inside and out, and Brandan plays mainly inside. Durant is projected to go #2 for a reason! My point was I will not dismiss Wright because of his combine results, just like YOU have not dismissing Durant because of his HORRIBLE combine results.

Brandan Wright is the truth. He knows how to score in the paint. He is long, quick and athletic (quicker and more athletic than any other big in this draft, besides Oden). He plays great defense. When he gets a consistant jumpshot, and some weight, he will be an perinneal All-Star! His has the abilities and potential to be an All-Star in this league, not a roll player.

By F Y I

June 7, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

Micheal M You’re articulate in your post,and you make some good points.Tell the truth though,do you ever think that if you type CONLEY one more time you’ll throw up ?

By Stinger

June 7, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

ray If your going to say Oden ranked 62 at the combine you at least also should disclose that he did not attempt the benchpress due to his still healing wrist injury. Per Chad Ford if had pressed 5 or 6 lifts he finishes in the top 10 athletes. Full disclosure.

By doc

June 7, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

fyi, YI ha! so to speak.

aj the way you put it if this organization doesnt grab yi they will only add to their legacy. now is their chance to break free of the bonds.

By MonkeySqueezins

June 7, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

So, you hear “The Hawks have a clear need at PG and Conley is the best available—a bit of a reach at 3, but he wouldn’t be available at 11.” Sound familiar? It should: It’s the same logic that led to the blatent reach for the Landlord at #5 last year. (Note: I like Williams, just not at 5.)

What the Hawks should do this year is exactly what they should have done last year: Trade down. Hope Yi, Wright, Horford, etc. look like gold in their workouts, making teams like the Celts, Sixers, Bulls, Griz, etc. covet someone at 3 enough to give us veteran help plus a mid-lottery pick. Then get the PG and big man we need at value.

By the way, I’d take Jack from Portland over Law or Critt or any PG who will be around at 11 (and I love the idea of Acie Law in a Hawks uni). JJ outplayed Chris Paul head-to-head in college and NBA, and he’d thrive in ATL. Give me the known NBA starter over what’s behind curtain #1 (i.e., kids who played well against other kids).

BK won’t do any of this. He’ll make known that he’s taking B. Wright, and will probably pick the uninspiring Noah at 11. Both will be wonderful contributors to someone else’s championship team in 5 years.

Billy Knight almost certainly knows more about basketball than me. The problem is that about 28 GMs have proven that they know more about basketball than him.

By MonkeySqueezins

June 7, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

…oh, and lest I forget: Woody is a fine coach—he proved it in Detroit—but overmatched as a head coach.

The Hawks are overmatched by most teams, and you can’t blame Woodson for that. But against the teams of (approximately) equal talent—the Celtics, Sixers, Bucks, Bobcats, Knicks, Blazers, Sonics—Atlanta was 10-16. They won only 38% of the games against teams that suck as bad as we do. This was true last year.

This, boys and girls, is bad coaching. It is not getting consistent effort from the players you have. It is the same problem that allows them in turnovers after a called time-out (they must have led the league in this last year!).

Jordans, Dumars, and Jerry Sloans aren’t a dime a dozen, I know. I’m not asking for HOF’ers and geniuses. But the Hawks need an accomplished head coach (not a good coordinator training for the general’s job). Another in a long line of BK screw-ups.

Tell me one thing Knight has done that was smart that was also not obvious.

Again, he knows more about basketball than I do. Too bad for ATL that so many other GMs apparently know more about basketball than Knight.

By OddJob

June 8, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

Stinger I think the point Ray was making by giving Oden’s evaluation ranking wasn’t that HE is over-rated.The point is that the RATINGS are over-rated.

By ToeKnee

June 8, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

The more of Brandan Wright I see, the more i like… i would actually love to see the hawks get brandan and julian wright!! i’ve heard thats who billy likes, and after watching some video, i see why!! they really are what the hawks need, and they fit into our team very well. very versatile. we got the williams’, now here come the wright’s!!

Brandan wright isnt as big a project as marvin, he can actually contribute this year because of his size, and he will grow with the hawks.

whoever put that post earlier was right. he’s a true 4!! and since there really isnt a great center after oden, dont push for one. take wright, and then see whos available at 11. hopefully either julian wright, conley?, or noah

By james jones

June 8, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

first i must say to all of you that called spurs and duncan boring… go out to ur backyards right now and shoot urselves in the foot. u r definately the mad ones. i was gonna come here and say the only duncan like player in the draft was yi and i come and see ya’ll crucifying the most skilled power forward other than K G in the last 15 years. u’re all definately mad. and again we are talkin bout not drafting yi at 3 bcos somebody said we will be the most dunked on team…. WOW conley definately solves that problem. and i can tell u didn’t watch the hawks last season even dwight n amare were scared of smoove. and if he’s a help blocker it makes it even easier. u all sound really dumn right now oh that’s right u r dumb….

By james jones

June 8, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this

toeknee, what do u think this is? a circus? ” we got the williams now we can get the wrights” other than marvin williams all these guys u mentioned shud be in the NBDL. wright is a true power forward? no, Tim Duncan is a true power forward, KG is a true power forward. wright my right foot!!!! and once again if u dissed the spurs on this blog i’m never regarding or even reading your comment again.

By wtf

June 8, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

YI is the most skilled power foward since KG? WTF. Are you really serious. Please explain to me how u know this . Then i want you to go back and look at the last 15 drafts and check the number of power fowards in it and if u still come to that conclusion then i really believe you might be a worse talent evaluator than BK himself.

By GHook

June 8, 2007 1:08 AM | Link to this

james jones, yeah Amare was really scared of Smoove while he was dropping 40 on us at Phillips Arena last season. Yi’s game is nothing like Duncan’s. His game is much more like Dirk’s, in that he is a soft 7 footer with a good shooting stroke. So basically everything you said was wrong. You might want to sit the next couple plays out.

People still wanting Yi, I really don’t get it. Where’s the man going to play? He’s not a center, so don’t say that. He may turn into an All-Star, but so might Conley or Horford. I really hope you people who want Yi have never said “we have too many forwards, we need a PG and C.” Because you’re advocating drafting another one. This draft is BK’s chance to fix the Hawks’ weaknesses. Those weaknesses are PG and C. We have enough young, talented forwards. This draft has to be Conley and Horford.

By st

June 8, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this

[Would it make sense to offer the Phoenix Suns our #11 this year in lieu of giving them next year’s pick - then waiting til next year to get our PG? Next year should be a stronger class for PG’s?]

By Matt

June 8, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this

Don’t see how we can get both Conley and Horford, unless one of them is horrible in workouts and drops like a brick on draft day…

Right now (i.e. I might very well change my mind), I’m tentatively thinking that Yi might be best pick for us at 3 simply because I think he’s the guy we can get the most for. If Boston, Milwaukee, or Charlotte is eyeing him hard, we might be able to trade him for Conley, Horford, Noah, or another player who can fill an immediate need for us AND a future pick. And if no one does bite, we end up with a 7’0, 22-year old (at the oldest) player who can hit lights out downtown and will bring some sorely needed attention to basketball in Atlanta. Not a bad pick either way.

Noah and/or Hawes might be there at 11, and either Law or Crit (or both) certainly will be. We can plug our holes with the 11th pick, in Free Agency, and via trades.

You guys really think way too little of Knight if you really don’t think he sees where our holes are at this point. He knows more about NBA ball than any of us, and keep in mind that he did get the best free agent PG on the market who wasn’t 56 years old last summer - and keep in mind that last summer featured incredibly slim pickings in both the draft and the FA market. The man didn’t draft, sign, or trade for any swingmen last year, but some people around here still talk like that’s exactly what he did.

I am honestly confident that Knight knows where our needs are and isn’t going to neglect them. I just wish that the Good Lord had the time to get some of you people to also have a little bit more faith.

By OddJob

June 8, 2007 2:02 AM | Link to this

Matt you can’t trade for a free agent. The only way to get Billups or Bibby is to wait till after the draft when free agent season opens.That makes it tough to pass on a player in the draft, not knowing if we can sign one of these guys next month.The Yi pick makes less sense than Wright.Who do you sit if Yi plays big minutes ?I think if he’s the guy and we keep him, a trade is necessary with Marvin being the most likely one to move.

By OddJob

June 8, 2007 2:44 AM | Link to this

If Yi keeps rising don’t be too surprised if Seattle gives him a long look.Some of you have said you think he would be a draw in Atlanta.Seattle has a huge Asian population and he would be worth a lot more there than in the south.If anybody wants to go back and look,I posted over a week ago that Yi looked more skilled than any other player in the draft.Most responses were negative.Well I did tell you so.

By Anakin Joe

June 8, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

OddJob, word has it that Sonics will be relocating to Oklahoma City next year, so not sure that their new GM will draft for the Seattle fans.

Sorry guys about the link, pasted the wrong one. Meant to share the following article about Laimbeer and Mahorn.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/05/sports/basketball/05wnba.html?ex=1181707200&en=6958ff0909fffb5b&ei=5070&emc=eta1

By Meanie

June 8, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Sekou what are your thoughts on this scenario:

Draft Conley no. 3, then flip him to Portland with a second rounder for Jack and Aldridge (these are the spots Conley and Oden will fill). If they won’t part with Aldridge then settle for Randolph.

Trade no. 11 and Marvin to move into the top six, guaranteed to get Yi, Horford, or Wright at that point.

Jack is the type of PG this team needs- tough and willing to defend. Conley is fast but will be a defensive liability, IMHO.

Jack, JJ, JSmith, Aldridge/Randolph, Pachulia (until the PF drafted is ready to start, pushing Aldridge/Randolph to the 5).

Think this would be solid…

By doc

June 8, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

michael m, if i had any doubts about yi you sold me in your comments above. with jj as our star and the go to guy who likes the ball given to him where he wants it but also wants to do some of the dishing and creating on his own i think that a great guard will waste some of his skill here. it is also a reason to thnking even if a great point couldnt do his complete thing that jj is enough of a distributor that we dont need that type of point.

i dont buy the fact that there will be problems finding enough play time for the previous assets as the two that are mentioned the most have not shown that they can or want to do the dirty work or have the skills to put the ball on the floor in traffic and drive to the basket at four. they have both seemed to do better at the three than the four. yi can do the job at four is my suspicion just as dirk and bargnani does and probably the preferred position for gasol. yi creates too many mismatches as will the other two sliding to three for most of their efforts.

your comments about yi’s size and what other players say about him in workouts is more meaningful than any you tube you can send me. they are the ones who know what is there. he will work out just fine in a hawks uni without upsetting the apple cart in finding room for the players, durant will cause serious issues and imbalance if he fallls our way and is too good to be overlooked.

FYI there is a concern that i have as to how many minutes j chill will be able to play on his troubled feet so there will be time for someone to fill that role too. he is not proven reliable for significant minutes without break down. how many players have ever had his injuries which are due to repeatitious movement not someone getting in his way? get me another big or two this draft never enough on my roster. i can deal with the point issue in time as there are three to four servicible guys to do the job already on this roster.

By mountain_jim

June 8, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Meanie - we don’t have a 2nd rounder this year to give Portland - plus they have 4 2nds already!

Plus they would not come anywhere close to that deal even if we had a 2nd - you are dreaming.

By doc

June 8, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

meanie, dream on, we dont have a second rounder. besides, you havent been reading, the portland franchise has no intention of letting go of the opportunity to have twin towers. aldridge has always felt more comfortable at four and oden at five. perfect solution to have both.

By mountain_jim

June 8, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Well I heard that Bernie (an owner) talked on the radio about Yi’s workout and how BK’s phone is ringing off the hook from potential trading partners…

Anyone hear the interview and can summarize?

By Meanie

June 8, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Hey I’d settle for Randolph in that deal if you could make the cap work. Don’t underestimate the Oden/Conley friendship. Those two are amazing together and paired with Roy and Aldridge will be potentially championship material. Jack was a 22 pick, Conley a lottery pick. Randolph would be reasonable compensation for the difference. The other trade I mentioned, Marvin and 11 for the 5 or 6 should be very doable. If Aldridge is untouchable, then I’d take Jack, JJ, JSmoove, Randolph, Pachulia till the rook is ready.

By james jones

June 8, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

okay i must admit most skilled since KG and timmy was an overstatement but it’s possible he becomes just that, Yi i mean. miachael m and doc have it figured out. we say how good durant is and how if he slides to 3 we must get him… i thot we said we need a power forward or center so smoove goes back to 3. but then we pounce on durant at 3? yes of course we do at number three we wont draft conley over durant and we shudunt. but how do we explain not drafting yi over conley? and tell me something if conley was dee brown last year wud we still make this arguement? if we miss conley we get law/jordan/crit or taurean green. we have potions people. vice versa we r doomed and jus make the draft interesting to others. i feel for minnesota if they draft conley… they wud have foy at 2,hayslip at 3, gally….

By G Money

June 8, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

The reality is that doc is right again. Yi makes the most sense to get this franchise back in the black. TV revenue, fans in the stands, paraphernalia sales, etc all speak to what Yi would bring in part from the country with the biggest population in the world!! You don’t think ownership isn’t looking at that right now (they’re bleeding pints of blood right now). Sometimes basketball is about the right business decision. The truth is that draftees rarely contribute to the level of vets their first year or two in the league. So, if the Hawks bring in revenue, right the ship, and get by for two more years, they have the funds to get star power vets. Presently, they can’t even think about it!!

I agree with most that the personnel don’t match up with the style of play. I’ve said this before. That one is squarely on Woody. However, I think we have marginal points at best, not serviceable points. We could use Jack or groom Conley or Law after picking up Yi. Have any of you ever run a business without proper funding? It sucks. These guys have got to get out of the hole in order to do anything risky or adventurous. I don’t care what they say. They are pretty well spent at this point.

Additionally, we forget that BK did the deal that brought Gasol to the Grizzilies. As for Yi…I’m all in.

By Matt

June 8, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Meanie,

That lineup you just gave would not get us to the playoffs. I honestly don’t think Jack is much of an upgrade over our current PGs and Randolph isn’t going to be much better than Marvin will be by the end of next year. Randolph’s stats - like Roy’s - are only as good as they are because Randolph is on the weakest offensive team in the league. Yes, even worse than the Hawks (despite what the fact that the Hawks finished a hair behind them) since the Blazers tried to play much more uptempo ball than the Hawks did, and they still couldn’t score points.

As for your willingness to trade Marvin just to move ourselves us up 6 spots in this draft…well, I just am thankful that Billy Knight isn’t nearly as impatient with Marvin’s development as you seem to be. Boy’s 21 years old, has a sweet stroke on his J, amazing athleticism, and is eminently coachable. Trading him at this stage in his career would be insane, because in my humble opinion he is still a better prospect than anyone in this draft other than Oden and Durant.

By Anakin Joe

June 8, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

mountain_jim, I heard the interview this morning with Bernie Mullen (he is the President of the Atlanta Spirit, not an owner. He oversees both the Thrashers and Hawks. He is BK’s boss).

Nothing much new about the Hawks, Yi looked impressive and BK is getting a bunch of calls. He talked about Marvin and Smith ready to break-out and the team needing to go uptempo. He did say the Hawks would bring in players around 6/20 for workouts and said that he thought a decision would not likely be made until the evening of 6/28.

By The Flash

June 8, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

I like Horford and Jack. Both present with strength and intelligence. They will not only be on court assets, but also will help put a personality on a team that badly needs one.

Can Connely shoot the ball well enough to be a number 3 selection as a point?

This team still really needs another reliable scorer/shooter, to replace Al. Have to have at least two. Essential! If they pick a point with the 3 or 11, he better be able to score the ball from the perimeter, in my opinion.

If you think that Conley can develop that part of his game as Parker has, then that would be a huge factor.

BTW, the first game exposed what in my opinion is a major weakness in LeBron’s game—the catch and shoot. MJ had it; Kobe has it; LeBron just does not look for it.

In the Triangle, both MJ and Kobe could kill you with catching it back to the basket in the lane part of the triangle, and turn either way and kill you. Also both love the catch and shoot on the outside.

You can’t double those plays. It also makes the on-ball defender more susceptible to being beat quickly after the catch, with a better possibility of defeating the help before it fully arrives.

By mavid

June 8, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Wow, James Jones. So everyone has to like the Spurs? Why?

I think they are a great team and all that, but I don’t particularly like watching them and I DEFINATELY don’t like the individual players.

But thats a personal opinion/preference. In no way does it effect you or the Spurs.

I like teams like Phx, GS, Seattle, Toronto, and of course, US (this generally has to do with how much I like players on a team, and its style of play too)

I don’t like teams like S.A., Utah, Indy, etc.

Personal preference my man.

Why does noone think Yi can eventually play half his minutes at the 5 (the other half at the 4… he’s not quick enough to be at the 3).

He is the same height and weighs more than Noah who some people think can play the 5.

He weighs more and is taller than Gasol and Bosh when they entered the league, and I bet you guys would take them as our 5.

How does a long 7 foot, 255 pound dude not get any consideration at the 5 (which is proabably what NBA coaches and execs would want him to play eventually).

Dude is soft right now. He will be a liability on D. But he is way more solid than Barganani, and looks better than Gasol when Gasol entered the league.

Plus, he can score in the post and hit the 3… 2 things we need.

Still, I’m happy with him, Conley, or Horford at 3.

Those are my 3 guys.

By The Flash

June 8, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Gasol seems a way cool dude; I’ve never heard him talk but if he has the zip his appearance implies to me, that would be nice. Hawks need some personality. Horford seems to have it; if Gasol can’t match him there, and it is a choice between the two, you know how I lean.

They do need a GM and coach with a little pr skills too. Nique contributes some, but has too small a portfolio. Need a couple of players people really enjoy listening to. No, I’m not kidding; maybe nuts, but not kidding.

By Macaroni Tony

June 8, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

I would love for the Hawks to get back on national television, and I think a guy that represents a country with three billion people will help that happen. If Seattle doesn’t get him with the second pick in the draft, then we have to. We don’t need a rookie that will seat on the bench until his coming out party and no television deal. TNT and ESPN would have no other choice but to put us back in the line up.

Also,Phillips Arena would stay pack with fans. The season tickets will rise, and the memorbilla will go the roof. This year we could have three players on the all star ballot. (that has not happened in along time) I’m going to say it again that I spoke to Coach Woodsen and he said the Hawks is not going to draft a pg with the third pick. I think that Yi will make a impact in this league much faster than Conley, Jr., and as a business man the Asain population will spend much more money. So if Seattle doesn’t him first then we have to……

By The Flash

June 8, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

I think that Kenny Smith would be a TERRIFIC choice to coach this team.

By Dap

June 8, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

Would Jack and a no 2 from Portland be enough to trade for our #11 pick? We could then select Sean Williams for his defense?

By MJ3

June 8, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Mac Tony,

You’ve spoken to Coach Woodson, and he told you that? Do you honestly expect us to buy that load of sh!t?

Hell, I hope you’re right. No way Conley is good enough to warrant a #3 pick. I think Law will ultimately be a better PG than him anyway. But we ain’t stupid, son.

By diehardhawkfan

June 8, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Macaroni, so you want a team with Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Josh Childress, Yi, Zaza, and Sheldon Williams. That’s 6 forwards. How will Yi get playing time?

Mullins said this morning that they won’t make their decision until 6/28. So where are you getting this inside information from Mike Woodson?

Mullins wants to run an up-tempo style…there’s only one pg in the draft who can run the type of offense he wants to run…that’s conley. Yi is not getting playing time over Marvin or JSmith. Conley is an instant starter and we become a playoff team.

By mavid

June 8, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

I too like Sean Williams.

But, he is shooting up the draft-boards to the mid-late first-round.

I think one team will take a risk on him in the 1st round. His talent is just too great and unique to pass on.

BUT, he does have HUGE behavioral problems. I’d like to roll the dice on him, though. He is EXACTLY what we need next to Yi, Smoove and Zaza.

By Matt

June 8, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Ok. First, I think you guys are way too hard on Woodson. I think he HAS done a great job developing these young players. Josh Smith has shown great progress each of the last three years, and JJ came into his own this year as well. I have little doubt that Marvin will join that list next year.

As for Shelden, Salim, and Solomon - I don’t believe any of them showed that they had earned their minutes until late in the season. Shelden and Salim got plenty of minutes in November and December, but did not perform. At the end of the year, they got another opportunity and did perform. That means that in between, they got better as players. Most people here don’t seem to get that most player development happens in practices and intrasquad scrimmages, NOT in live games, since your objective in live games is to win, not to give rookies some minutes. By that standard, I think Woodson did a good job.

That said, I’m not sure Woodson is a great choice for us going forward. He strikes me as an ideal assistant head coach. He’s a defensive mastermind, and the (admittedly indirect) evidence I’ve seen tells me that he’s great at running practices, with the attending player development. That said, he has struggled as an in-game coach, which is obviously fatal for a head coach in the long run. I think that he needs to get a better offensive Asst, like Tex Winter is for Phil Jackson, but in the end, the results of the games falls on the head of the head coach.

I don’t think we will replace Woodson, and I would honestly like to see him have one more year to show us what he can do with this still VERY young team anyway. But if we did replace him, I would not want it to be ‘Nique. I don’t think that ‘Nique would ever be effective as a coach. To be blunt, ‘Nique was never the type of player who made the guys around him better.

One ex-Hawk who I think might be a solid choice is Steve Smith. Smith had the highest basketball IQ of any player that’s been on the Hawks in recent years. Also, he has seen in a ‘big picture’ way what the team is capable of over the past couple years from the broadcast booth - not to mention his text msg wars with Sekou ;-). That doesn’t necessarily mean it would translate into coaching success, but Smitty strikes me as the kind of thoughtful and sharp player who would make a good head coach.

That said, I am still confident that this team will make a playoff run next year under Woodson. If nothing else, though, I think Smitty would be a GREAT hire as Woodson’s main asst, with a focus on getting the Hawks to be more consistent on offense.

By St. Bernard

June 8, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Conley and Hawes sounds good to me. I am intrigued by the 7 ft Chinese man, but we can’t pass up a franchise pg again.

By edgar

June 8, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Don’t worry Macaroni, Yi Jiantishvili will be available for the Spirit Group to grovel over at number three (they’re already stockpiling small and medium replica jerseys for the Chinese market…I also wear a small, so this is good for me). The only way Durant will fall to us is if he gets busted at the Miami airport with a toilette bottle housing a custom modification reeking of the sticky-icky and then, a few weeks later, the feds stumble upon a pitbull fight on his property. Even then, Durant will probably still have to commit some sort of felonious assault to fall to Atlanta at three. All of this is about as likely as the Hawks suddenly waking up and realizing, “hey, maybe we should fire Woodson. He sure loses a lot and he hasn’t really done anything at all with the young talent we’ve assembled, even here in the NBDL that is the Southeast division of the eastern conference.” Sigh.

Nique better wear his lucky tie on draft night. I’m convinced that charms and voodoo will serve the Hawks better than the Spirit Group and Woody.

(notice I’m not bashing BK. I want myself to like him, even if my motivation is primarily “not jinxing him on draft night.” I like many of the players he’s assembled here: Marvin, Jsmoove, JJ, Zaza…with the proper spells and chicken bones on draft night, he may go from goat to hero pretty quickly…if we get a flippin’ coach that is)

3, and 11 in a deep draft. What an opportunity! Why isn’t this nauseous feeling subsiding?

p.s. Conley is not going to save us with Woody trying to ruin him. The hawks will not draft conley with the three. I sort of want it myself, but I’m telling you, it’s not going to happen.

By doc

June 8, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

matt, i dont think you did your research on your comments regarding woody’s use of salim or sheldon. if you can go back and see any trends as to why they were or werent used by him, please let me know if you can seee a trend there. first salim didnt sniff significant minutes until the 8th game of the year and then somewhere in the middle was put in hibernation. his stats didnt show anything noticible before the sabatical or after.

then look to sheldon’s stats who got significant minutes when marvin was out then with a shoulder injury then benched in february after playing with the injury because there were no forwards to back him up ; another reminder to all, we dont have enough servicible forwards unless the foreign dudes fill that category with zero minutes played for the year. it is similar to salim, not able to get any significant minutes oir the month of february. he had a bit of a melt down about then as well that didnt serve him, i guess, along with the note that his coach felt he wasnt doing the job he had been brought here to do as a no.5 draft choice to be essentially the goon. not very flattering of a 5 and certainly not what i envisioned our pick to be, thought a rook of the year would have been a better goal that portland got with its pick behind us.

granted woody has kept the team together for the most part but he has never shown himself to be the floor coach that is going to out coaach another coach to win games. very few times is there the opportunity to say that he had an influence on the flow of the game by time outs, substitutions or strategy.

agree with most of the comments about woody but like many have had a hard time figuring out some of the way he manages games or people. he does lead in the category of cliches. dont have the strong feeling that he will lead this team anywhere especially not into the playoffs unless we get lucky and somehow we get two more bigs and see point guards stay healthy. if we do it might not matter what he does.

By edgar

June 8, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

Don’t worry Macaroni, Yi Jiantishvili will be available for the Spirit Group to grovel over at number three (they’re already stockpiling small and medium replica jerseys for the Chinese market…I also wear a small, so this is good for me). The only way Durant will fall to us is if he gets busted at the Miami airport with a toilette bottle housing a custom modification reeking of the sticky-icky and then, a few weeks later, the feds stumble upon a pitbull fight on his property. Even then, Durant will probably still have to commit some sort of felonious assault to fall to Atlanta at three. All of this is about as likely as the Hawks suddenly waking up and realizing, “hey, maybe we should fire Woodson. He sure loses a lot and he hasn’t really done anything at all with the young talent we’ve assembled, even here in the NBDL that is the Southeast division of the eastern conference.” Sigh.

Nique better wear his lucky tie on draft night. I’m convinced that charms and voodoo will serve the Hawks better than the Spirit Group and Woody.

(notice I’m not bashing BK. I want myself to like him, even if my motivation is primarily “not jinxing him on draft night.” I like many of the players he’s assembled here: Marvin, Jsmoove, JJ, Zaza…with the proper spells and chicken bones on draft night, he may go from goat to hero pretty quickly…if we get a flippin’ coach that is)

3, and 11 in a deep draft. What an opportunity! Why isn’t this nauseous feeling subsiding?

p.s. Conley is not going to save us with Woody trying to ruin him. The hawks will not draft conley with the three. I sort of want it myself, but I’m telling you, it’s not going to happen.

By Macaroni Tony

June 8, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

I don’t care what you believe. If I said that we spoke then that’s what happen. MJ3 You are not thinking that this franchise need’s money, and we have not been on our own local Television station like TNT, so with the Asian community watching then that will change around this franchise. So also think that mony that we gave Craig Claxton to play. BK still have faith in Craig at the pg position. They will not pick a pg with the third pick, they are going after the money. Mr. MJ3 believe that sh!t, because I will not lie to you just to get your bird cage filled with feathers.

Diehardhawksfan,

I never said that he told me who they were going to pick, I said that Coach was on his was to see Yi on Wednesday (when I first posted). I just said that Yi will change the franchise, I never said that we were going to pick him. But picking a pg with the third pick is out of the question. That his words and not mine…..

By mountain_jim

June 8, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Anakin Joe Thanks for the correction on Bernie’s role with the Hawks. I knew that at one time but apparently forgot while in my rush to post… and for the summary of the radio report.

By The Flash

June 8, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

If they go small with the three, I like Glen (Big Baby) Davis with the 11, if he is still around. He will score the ball inside, he will get you boards, and he will provide some pizzaz to a franchise.

By doc

June 8, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

big baby has been way off the radar screen flash. how in the world did he come nto yours? i think i would rather have the richards kid than him. does anyone have him pegged to go that high? i thought his stock had gone as far south as lucent to late 1 or early 2.

By Yi at 3

June 8, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

If you don’t think he will fill seats, looks at the arena when the Rockets are in town. Those aren’t T-Mac fans. I agree this would be a great move as we may finally get on tv! How about 2 all-stars? The owners want to make money and this kid is it. I am not going to pay money next year to watch Conley sit on the bench behind T. Lue, Claxton, Johnson.

As for where will he play with 6 forwards already. Then where is Conley going to play with 3 other point guards. There is only one spot on the floor for them. Our forwards play 2 to 3 spots on the floor at the same time. Do the math. Yi looks like he has the 15ft and in jumper down. This is something the Hawks could not hit all year.

Face it, the time is coming to get rid of some of these forwards. It will be next off season when contracts are up. Not this year. I love JChil. Great of the bench player. Really like when he played the 1 spot last year. But his foot injury may be serious. We may lose him for nothing.

By Anakin Joe

June 8, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Doc, leave Lucent alone, that company once employed several close people to me. They were an arms dealer when the telecom war was brewing and never thought about what would happen when the war ended. But I still have fond thoughts of the big red zero. But you’re right, Big Baby is widely (get it? widely) considered a second round pick.

Diehardhawksfan, there is more than one way to acquire a PG to run an uptempo offense. So don’t put all of your eggs in the Conley basket based on what Mullen said.

By newkid

June 8, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Ouch doc, that Lucent remark really stung.

By The Flash

June 8, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

BTW, read that NJ had worked him out with McRoberts; the GM seemed to like Davis, although not as tall as they need.

Here is another combination that strikes my fancy. Take Brewer with the 3 pick, get Laws with the 11, trade Smooth and whomever to Portand for Jack and a second and take Davis.

Oops, don’t take too much off the sides there, Tom (all barbers were named Tom in my neighborhood); that’s all there is, you know.

Great way to spend a hot summer afternoon; talkin ball with the guys.

By doc

June 8, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

look, you guys didnt see all the money made and then lost on lucent that i did. heh heh ….. lucent taught me a lot about the market and especially that era. i in no way am inferrring it is a bad co or with bad people. it was run by some real shady folks or folks with the same type of entitlement that we see in our sports figures. the co was crashing and they are building a golf course for its execs. how fiorino got the hp job with the numbers that lucent made up and she was the c.o.o. is beyond me.

enough of that, seems like flash got caught in a time warp. maybe he thinks it is still 2006 and we are treasuring the davis kid as the second coming of the original round mound barkley.

i dont know what roster someone is looking at when it is suggested that the hawks are overloaded with 6 forwards. that is a laugh. first of all i never considered it a complete last year with slava and esteban filling up the roster for practice only, neither was servicible for games and it really became apparant when one or two of our forwards were hurt for extended periods. remember sheldon had to shoulder the load with a hurt shoulder because marvin was recouperating from his hand fracture and josh smith was reouperating from his hernia surgery. as you reconsider that, throw in chils’ two foot fractures. that injury alone leaves me cold with concern long term for him and our franchise.

sorry, it just seems MANY have the same short term memory of flash. when you really look at our roster zaza isnt considered a forward though he could have played it if needed only there wasnt enough bigs to allow it as rens went on hiatus or couldnt put in the type of minutess that zaza had the year before. i see soloman as a 5 because his offense is limited or too easily defended to be counted upon, he is only slightly considered a possible slide to 4. we are really weak when it comes to that position and it is one that we can stock up on this draft. i only hope we end up with six real forwards or five and a true 5 to add to the list soon as we didnt come close to that number in reality last year.

now every one say together; please bk (broken atlanta spirit) NO MORE PRACTICE PLAYERS FOR OUR ACTIVE ROSTER. it seems some cant see the reality and consider a player with a uni on a big leaguer even if he cant play in real games.

By A-ville Ranger

June 8, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

I’m not really defending Woodson.In the interest of fair play and clarity however I feel the need to comment. As far as developing the kiddy corp,he is probably ahead of the curve.I mean, how many 21 year old players are at Josh’s level ? and Marvin at 19 has made good progress .Even Shelden for the court time he’s had, shows more than many seem willing to acknowledge.My problems with Woodson are with his game coaching,not in the progress of these kids.

By terrell barron

June 8, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

Trade 3 to Boston for 5 and Al Jefferson or 5 and a 2nd rounder. Trade 11 for 16 or 17 and a 2nd rounder or a big. Conley at 5. B ig in 2nd round if we dont get Jefferson. Big at 16 or 17. big in 2nd. We could end up with a point and 3 bigs in this draft.

By huh

June 8, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Ok let me get this right. We cant take Conly at 3 because we have so much money tied up in 3 other medicore at best pgs but we can take YI at three when we already have good players at the fwd position. Number 3 is too high for what is considered the best pg in the draft but its not too high for another fwd? Ok who is being moved so there will be pt for YI? Right now Conley is probably better than all the pgs we have I seriosly doubt YI is better than all our fwds. Have you people forgot who our coach is? He actually forgot to put JSmith back in a game before and didnt give guys like Solo and Salim decent minutes but kept Wright in . So do you really think he will know how to use YI?. Never in my life have i seen fans scream for a pg year in and year out and now that they have the chance to take the best one available they want another fwd. This here has nothing on groundhog day.

By huh

June 8, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Ok let me get this right. We cant take Conly at 3 because we have so much money tied up in 3 other medicore at best pgs but we can take YI at three when we already have good players at the fwd position. Number 3 is too high for what is considered the best pg in the draft but its not too high for another fwd? Ok who is being moved so there will be pt for YI? Right now Conley is probably better than all the pgs we have I seriosly doubt YI is better than all our fwds. Have you people forgot who our coach is? He actually forgot to put JSmith back in a game before and didnt give guys like Solo and Salim decent minutes but kept Wright in . So do you really think he will know how to use YI?. Never in my life have i seen fans scream for a pg year in and year out and now that they have the chance to take the best one available they want another fwd. Groundhog day has nothing on this.

By huh

June 8, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

I meant that groundhog day has nothing on this.

By michael m.

June 8, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

tony mac, woodsen doesnt make the final decisions and there is currently conflict and debate over who should be the pick. don’t discount ownership favoring the drafting of conley. it is still early in the process and much will change.

doc, i do like yi. but he’s still a bit of a mystery. his size leads me to believe he could make an impact down low with his short turnaround j. to those who talk about his hitting 3 pointers, that isn’t the point. it’s his height and ability to consistently get and hit his shot from down low and out that makes him a dangerous offensive weapon. but understand that for us to draft him, considering the forward weapons we already have, you need to let go of the defensive center thing. yi will have to be able to be on the floor next to smoove, marvin, shelden, etc.

i am happy to hear mullin talk about our need to go uptempo. it is so obvious to me when i look at the players we already have that this has been the way to go, just waiting on the engine to add horsepower. if we go for the potential franchise big in yi, i say we use childress to move up and grab conley. yi + conley.

this allows us to go uptempo which fits our wing players, as well as making it easier to see yi as the 5 when we are playing a fast, transition game. when it gets slowdown, jj and yi can play a high/low two-man game on one side with the ability to swing it to conley to break down the defense. shelden can be in there next to yi against those musclebound teams as well. without childress, smoove will sometimes move down to the 3 spot (even though he’s more effective as a 4) with marvin occasionally backing up jj at the 2 spot. marvin even had a few starts at the 2 late in the year when jj and chill were out. marvin is really a classic 3, but i could see us running marv @ 2 periodically.

we just have to decide which way we want to go as a team. yi makes sense if it’s determined he is a true franchise player. he’s already 7 feet and 245 lbs. smoove and marvin are our forwards of the future though, so yi needs to be able to man the 5 in an almost 3 forward offense. with conley at the point, this could work. not sure woodsen is the coach for it, but then, i’m not convinced woodsen is going to make it through next season as our coach. if he doesn’t bring something new, i think the players will begin to tune him out if and when they see he cannot adapt to what the personnel obviously is geared toward. woodsen is a nice guy, i’ve met him, but he’s old school in the way he sees the game.

By doc

June 8, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

michael it seems you are sliding into the yi camp ever sooo slighty.

please do not delude yourself into thinking this team is deep in forwards. one injury depletes it. two like we had for most of last year cripples us. see discussion above.

because of his injuries this past year i would package him before the other forwards as there is more risk for him long term. if someone wants him and that would allow us to get conley and yi i wouldnt blink in making that trade. of the guys to trade he is the one and i like his game very much. would even consider a trade of him if we could get brewer to fill that void, i am that concerned about his long term health. incidentally that is a subject that no one will ever talk about until he shows either he breaks down readily or he somehow avoids injury in the future.

as far as yi at 5 he will have to show he has the heart to go there just as we havent seen either j. smith or marvin volunteer to be the four. if we get yi it means that josh smith can leave his three pointer at the door …. yes! that in itself is another reason to get yi, keeps josh closer to the basket.

By Matt

June 8, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

What station was the Mullin interview on? Is there an link to it somewhere?

By C'mon people

June 8, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

This just in: the Celtics WOULD NEVER trade Al Jefferson just to move up two spots in the draft, Terrell.

Everyone is making this too hard with dream scenarios and crazy trades. The Hawks aren’t coming away with Jermaine O’Neil, Kobe, Billups, or Bibby (especialy since the last two are free agents … yeah). When was the last time a quality veteran wanted to come to this team? Those types of guys only want to go to a team that can go to the Finals now, not five years from now. Our only trading partner would be Portland, and even the chances of that happening are fairly slim. They seem convinced that they can’t get Conley, and Randolph looks to be going to the Wizards.

The simplest thing to do is to draft two players with the picks you have. Is #3 a risk for Conley? Yeah, maybe a couple of spots. But it is no where near the reach we made for Shelden last year. If we pass on him, the Bucks would certainly take him at #6, and the Celtics could do it at #5. Obviously you can’t trade down to get in one of these spots considering they want Conley, too. Make the smart choice - take Conley.

What the hell is this argument that Yi will sell tickets and bring in money? Whaaa? Yeah, that might happen if he is worth a damn and the team starts winning. PS - just because he is Chinese doesn’t mean he is going to tap into some locked up fan base. The Hawks are from the A-T-L … remember? Don’t you think a young black kid with sick handles would sell better in a hip-hop town than Yi? All politics is local, folks, and I’d rather see us win than sell our games overseas to China.

AND YI IS NOT A CENTER. YES, WE NEED ONE, BUT HE IS NOT IT. He will not be able to play on the block or rebound against any center in the East. Yao can because he’s five inches taller and probably 30 - 40 pounds heavier. Just because they are the same ethnicity does not mean they are the same player.

And how would Yi fit into our current style of play and collection of players? Uh, he wouldn’t. Yeah, Coach Mike should probably be fired … but if you have a legit point guard who can create his own plays and improvise, he can at least do his own thing regardless of how inept the coach is.

At #11, take the best big available. We need a real one, remember? If just one team reaches and takes Julian Wright or Al Thornton in the 7 - 10 spots, which I believe someone will, Noah or Hawes will fall to us.

It’s that simple. You pick up a true PG and true C in the draft. You address both needs. Get rid of the PG clutter in the offseason (trade them away for 30 cents on the dollar, I don’t care, just get rid of them and clear some cap space), and you’ve got a team that should compete for the playoffs and you haven’t sacrificed your team’s potential by trading away Marvin, Childress, etc.

In short, everyone stop trying to make things complicated.

By doc

June 8, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

michael like your out of the box thinking on how there are so many options with yi. conley just doesnt give you that type of flexibilty with personel.

also hope that somehow woody makes it somehow into a more balanced coach with the personel we have. there isnt a duncan type out there nor a pure defender like he had at 5 in detroit to work. like him, but question him long term, playersturned him off but that happens with many coaches, maybe it happened for the second year in a row in detroit. just hope bk doesnt try to do business with dumars as that guy makes bk look the fool. when playing with dumars bk plays the role of babcock in the steal that made the griz into a contender. maybe yi brings that with him if we are lucky enough to get him.

By STEVE B.

June 8, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

HONEST ABE, NICE TO SEE WE’RE STILL ON THE SAME PAGE. I LIKE CONLEY JR A LOT, AND I WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM AT 3 A MOUNTH AGO BUT THINGS CHANGE. NO ONE VALUES CONLEY JR THAT HIGH SO PORTLAND WON’T GIVE UP AS MUCH. IF EVERYONE ELSE WANTS YI THAT BAD AT 3, WE SHOULD TO. MINN HAS A VERY INTERESTING SLOT IN THE DRAFT, CONLEY WILL PROBABLY STILL BE THEIR. GIVE THEM CHILLS AND 11, FOR 7(I.E. CONLEY) AND RASHAD McCANTS. LOOK TO MOVE SPEEDY OR AJ IN THE OFFSEASON. MINN HAS TO WIN NOW SO THEY MAY BE WILLING TO MOVE THAT PICK. CHILLS WILL GET A CHANCE TO START AT 3 ALONGSIDE KG, AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESIGN HIM ANYWAY. WE HAVE TO KEEP ONE OF OUR POINTS WHLE CONLEY LEARNS. GO AFTER DARKO IN FREE AGENCY WHILE YI LEARNS.

By bosywan

June 8, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

i like sean williams, he just needs a good brainwash

By Ken Strickland

June 8, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

I think one of the main problems with the Hawks is the lack of coordination between the philosophy of our HC and our GM. BK obviously prefers quick, fast, versatile players that are very athletic. These types of players are perfect for the up tempo game, which the Hawks play well. Woody is from the BKnight/LBrown school of DEF and controlled OFF basketball. His approach doesn’t allow him, or his players, to take full advantage of their talents.

Look at the results Don Nelson got from his current players. He coached to their talents, and got outstanding results. The Hawks have been very successful competing against West Coast teams that play an uptempo style. This style doesn’t require a big, strong dominant center or PF. In this style, the chinese guy, Noah, or Horford would be very effective, especially playing next to a strong rebounding, shot blocking PF like JSmith.

I’ve said all of this to say, BK has given Woody the talent needed to be sucessful. The problem is Woody doesn’t seem comfortable implimenting the type of OFF necessary to take advantage of the talent he has. If anyone out there thinks I don’t know what I’m talking about, just imagine what this team could accomplish going into this season with Don Nelson as the HC.

By bosywan

June 8, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

draft mike conley, jr. and sean williams, and sign gerald wallace.

By C'mon people

June 8, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this

Yes, Steve B. That is the answer. Pair one foreign draft bust with another potential one. I assume you would play both out of position at the 4 / 5 spots, too.

Your 2007 Atlanta Hawks: the weakest frontline in the NBA!

By C'mon people

June 8, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

Reminder: the Warriors barely made the playoffs, and had Baron Davis not exploded against Dallas, probably wouldn’t have made it out of the first round. When he cooled off, the Jazz handily defeated him. That said, Baron Davis, who, when healthy, is a top 20 guy in the NBA. Our point guard is who, again?

Oh, and their lack of a guy in the middle? Yeah, Boozer pretty much proved you have to have someone in the middle. Remember how they were outrebounded by like 20 a game? See the parallels, Hawks? A tall, skinny foreign kid named Bierdrins is not enough. Neither is Yi. I don’t care how lucky the Warriors got, they weren’t winning that series because they sucked at rebounding. The Hawks would suffer the same fate.

We should model ourselves after them why, again?

By STEVE B.

June 8, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

C’MON PEOPLE, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. YOU DON’T KNOW THAT YI WILL BE A BUST, DARKO PLAYED VERY WELL IN ORLANDO OFF THE BENCH BETTER THAN ANY CENTER WE HAVE.YOU TAKING CONLEY AT 3,IS JUST LIKE TAKING SHELDON AT FIVE YOUR REACHING. I LOVE CONLEY AND THINK HE’S THE BEST PG IN THE DRAFT, BUT HOW MUCH BETTER IS HE THAN CRIT OR LAW?

By Dr. d

June 8, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

Everyone is talking about Yi in vain. Kevin D. will be our pick. Seattle will not pass on a multimillion dollar man (Yi). The NBA game is a business, hence we will have Durant and maybe Noah at 11. BK and woody wants size to play with the physical team in the east. He’ll find a up-tempo point to push the greyhounds else where. Bk is interested in contending for Championships. Someone has been praying for our Hawks.

By STEVE B.

June 8, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

YEA AND BOOZER IS ONLY 6’6 UNDERSIZED POWERFORWARD. HE PLAYS WITH A CENTER THAT PLAYS ON THE WING WHO’S ALSO UNDERSIZED AT 6’10.

By roan st

June 8, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this

Seattle will not pass on durant. Trust me I saw this kid play a lot last season and he is the real deal holyfield. If they passed and durant became a star it would be a set back to that franchise plus a public relations nightmare. Quit dreaming because it ain’t gonna happen.

By Edgar

June 8, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this

Dr. D and anyone else who thinks that Durant will be available at 3 is on drugs.

Ken, good post about Woody’s ineptitude. He refuses to think outside the box. He will not change his style for anyone.

Since Woody’s here to stay (at least through the first few weeks of the season), why not go after a player who fits with his coaching philosophy… So back to my dream scenario: does anyone think we have a chance to package the 3, 11, and some of our current players for Garnett?

By A Thinking Fan

June 8, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

This is fun reading all of these “WHAT IFS!” Can’t wait until the draft is over…

TIM DUNKIN’ does it again…

By terrell barron

June 8, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

C’MON PEOPLE, I SAID TRADE THE 3 FOR THE 5 AND JEFFERSON OR A 2ND ROUNDER. BOSTON LIKES YI AND WRIGHT. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A 2ND ROUNDER FOR THE 3, DONT YOU THINK? EVERYONE SHOULD BE EXCITED THAT WE DID NOT LOSE OUR PICKS, BUT I DONT KNOW ABOUT YALL BUT MR. KNIGHT MAKES ME VERY, VERY NERVOUS!

By doc

June 8, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

ken, glad to see you still have a little blood left in your veins after going to the dark side blog. dude you are a glutton for punishment. be careful over there on the falcon blog.

By ray

June 8, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

Doc,

You couldn’t have hit it any better. As I’ve been saying (and so have many others), Sheldon never proved that he was good enough to supplant anybody in the starting five. He wasn’t even as much of a regular rotation player as I thought he should have been, considering how he was supposed to be able to come right in and supply rebounding and good defense. Both he and Salim had rough times that Woody made some comments about…that certainly seemed like it was a lack of something that was the reason for it. Salim began to turn it on mid/late in the season, which was nice to see. But Shelden seemed to get his best production ONLY when there was no one else to play down low (due to injuries or whatever) and in games that meant little. And at THAT point in time, Solomon was seeing more PT as well. Funny thing is, Shelden had some decent performances early in the season. And then he just went to the end of the bench…

Most of the regulars here have talked all last season until we were blue in the face about Woodson’s coaching. It doesn’t fit the structure of the team Billy built. I know injuries hurt us badly, but even when we were at full strength, we couldn’t win more than 4 games in a row, and that only happened twice by my recollection. More importantly, we couldn’t seem to compete for more than a game or two in a row. That would attest to lack of chemistry, and you guessed it: coaching.

How many times have we said that Woody is not a HEAD COACH, but a great assistant? I don’t know…but no matter what, some people just don’t get it. I hope the guy does better, because if not, then the team suffers and he will have a tough time getting a head coaching gig with another team. Then again, I don’t like the obvious game-time decisions, after-timeout plays, and various other things he does. Hard to have faith in something that gives you no hope.

ON the subject of Billy, I want to see him do really well in the draft, free agency, and trade sectors. Really I do. What I find somewhat hypocritical is how some people just insist that he knows precisely what he’s doing, and it’s the right thing. Funny how one of the necessities of having a successful team is also having a tough defender/enforcer in the post, yet a GM who repeatedly has failed to draft, trade for, or sign such a player is a guy who we need to have faith in. Shame on us for ever doubting that he would do what he undoubtedly has not done. I have a very hard time seeing how the signing of Lorenzen Wright and Speedy Claxton was a successful venture this past season. I’d love to see the facts to support it. Signing AJ was not a bad move, but it came too late and cost us a second round pick that might have actually meant something to us in the myriad of schemes that surround this draft. We could have used it and a player to move up several slots and have more options in the first round, maybe. Or something else. You never know.

Honestly, given the opportunities that this franchise nearly missed this year, I think we have a great chance to improve greatly through the draft and more. I really am hoping that Knight makes the moves/selections that will do just that. I’m not looking for a championship squad anytime real soon. I’m looking for a more cohesive, better coached unit that can compete much better than last season’s.

If Yi is all that, by all means take the guy. If he’s going to be that good, then he will allow us to move other pieces. Yes, some of us want to keep everything we have, but that’s not how this business works. Yes, that means sometimes you have to give up the JChills, the Salims, maybe even the Marvins if it gets you in a position to be that much better. Besides, eventually we have to get that big who plays defense well enough to protect the basket from easy lay-ups and dunks. And we have to get that “backcourt mate” for JJ to help take off the pressure of initiating the offense. Notice I didn’t say “point guard”. God forbid I use those two evil words.

By Matt

June 8, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Dr. D,

I really don’t think Durant will be available at 3, but I pray that I’m wrong!

At the very least, it’s nice to see someone around here who’s thinking good thoughts ;-).

By travis

June 8, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Hey Ken Strick…I feel ya’, sir. If you look up in the blog from about 3 days ago, I said the same exact thing. Woody is not the coach for Atlanta nor can he recognize talent. He did not know how to use Diaw, but D’antoni found away. He made no effort to keep Rasheed or Jason Terry. Oh yeah, didn’t we have Gasol about 2 yrs ago?

By ray

June 8, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Ken, some good points. Wish to hear from you more often. Leave the Falco freaks alone. I love to watch my Falcons, but the knuckleheads (for lack of a more heinous word at the moment) on that blog are intolerable. Not all of them, just most.

Edgar, I had to laugh at some of the stuff you said in your 3:30 post. You had me rollin’. On the flip side, I hope Yi is nothing like Nikoloz Tskitishvilli (or Milli Vanilli, skittish villain, or however you spell that name of his). I rather suppose he won’t be. But I’ve seen nothing but Youtube on him. Hoping, hoping…especially if we end up taking him.

Oddjob, thankyou for understanding the point I was trying to make about Oden’s overall combine scoring status. None of it would change anybody’s mind about drafting him #1, none of it. I have no idea why he didn’t attempt the bench press. But I could care less.

By Steve B.

June 8, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Sekou, Why are you so sold on the Horford kid? Did you get a chance to see or hear about Yi’s workout?

By doc

June 8, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

ray, check out sekou’s tantilizing trade bit. i dont think amare or garnett fit financially but to get wilcox and ridenor and keep the picks would be HUGE. i checked back on ridenor’s body of work last year and it is like he ticked someone off. he was cruising and it seemed someone said limit his time and his numbers dropped like a buckshot filled quail on opening day. he looks to be able to rack up both points, assists and steals better than anyone we have and a bit of a proven commodity. wilcox aint shabby either. i would then, with wilcox in hand move on with a yi and another big or crit to fill out our needs.

gee, i hate it when i get the least bit optimistic about the hawks wondering when the other shoe will drop, feel that it wont this time. it is going to be like old times at alexander colleseum watching good pro b’ball again.

By doc

June 8, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

travis just not even close on that last post. woody didnt have a thing to do with jason or sheed. gasol was drafted by bk for memphis after stealing the pick from the hawks. he just never was a hawk only a potential draft pick for the hawks to miss on. there havent been the severe misses since bk got here though not necesarily the picks that would have been best with the retrospectoscope. we were used to seeing horrible flops when babcock ran the team and there were several years of fairly low choices that struck out as quickly as any second rounder he tried to draft.

your detractor said it ray, the reason he didnt is because of his wrist problem that he was coming back from.

By james jones

June 8, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

atlanta shud be an uptempo team and they say yi wont solve our problems in the middle. well other than oden (maybe) no center on this draft could. the next possibility is yi right? so now we say draft conley and bounce yi? conley wud definately solve our center problems. that boy is not readily as good as any of our points except maybe ivey. and even that’s not true. conley for center then any other buttwipe at 11 wud be really smart. he cant even guard dee brown. if we don’t draft yi i’m gonna have to give up on the hawks and wait for jj to get tired too.

By terrell barron

June 8, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

JEFF VAN GUNDY, RICK CARLISLE, SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP! BY THE WAY, C’MON PEOPLE I SAID 3 TO BOSTON FOR 5 AND JEFFERSON OR, I REPEAT, OR THE 5 AND A 2ND ROUNDER.

By chris heath

June 8, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

i’ve read a few comments, and no one has spoken of acie law. i’d take yi @3 and a more experienced law with the 11th pick. i like critt, but, he’s too raw. i don’t think bk will take conley at 3 because of his size, or lack of it. if bk is nothin else, he’s as stubborn as they come about measurements (rem cp was too small). i think a twenty somethin pg with big game experience.

By Ken Strickland

June 8, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

DOC, RAY, why in hell do you think I’m back over here. There were times I felt I was at one of those old Stone Mountain clan rally’s.

COME ON PEOPLE, you answered your own question. THEY MADE THE PLAYOFFS!!!!. In fact, not only did they BARELY make the playoffs, they BARELY kicked Dallas’ butt. Would you rather barely make the playoffs, or barely miss the playoff? Would you have been disappointed if the Hawks had barely made the playoffs? When, during the season, do you think is the best time for a player, or team, to get hot? Individually, we are more talented than Golden State. However, we are under utilizing that talent, both individually and collectively.

As far as who we should draft, we are in a no lose situation. BK might not draft the players some of us would like, but he will draft someone we can use. I wouldn’t be suprised to see him use both picks on bigs, especially if we draft Yi with at #3. If he goes that way, a combination of Yi, Hawes, or Noah would work for me. We have a lot of money tired up in veteran PG’s, and I don’t think BK or Woody is interested in having a rookie run the team. It’s certainly proven to be that way so far.