Hawks

By Anakin Joe

June 20, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this

Terrell, many teams like to bring in a second round type to play against the more highly regarded players as a barometer. In this case, they were probably trying to see if Law/Crit are closer to being the real deal or closer to being a 2nd round type. If Sekou’s analysis is true, they may decide that they could get a comparably talented player 20-25 slots lower than #11. That is good to know because it could help shape their decisions draft night. Anyway, I’ve seen BK and other GMs do this before. Personally, I think it is a good strategy. Kind of like test driving a BMW, Mercedes and Maxima to determine if you REALLY need to spend and extra $20k on a German luxury sedan. It just helps you make a more informed decision.

By chris

June 20, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

horford #3 law #7 PLEASE GOD!

By chris

June 20, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

horford #3 law #11 PLEASE GOD!

By chris

June 20, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

horford #3 law #11 PLEASE JEBUS!

By Ben

June 20, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

Good stuff, Sekou. I’m interested to see what BK does in this situation. Choosing between Law, Conley, and Crittenton is one tough choice. Also, I hope Jamon Gordon and Rodney Stuckey go to places that want them too.

8 Days!

By dominique schwartz

June 20, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

Chris - you’ll like this funny & interesting article by the Sports Guy on ESPN - http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/070620

Basically he echoes your thoughts to take Horford & Law. I was stuck on Conley & best available big at #11 but now I’m not so sure. Horford is the consensus #3 according to http://www.nba.com/draft2007/board/mock.html.

I don’t like Yi or Wright, too many questions.

By mountain_jim

June 20, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

Hey Sekou, do your spies have any info about trade proposals being considered for these picks?

By Clyde

June 20, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

After hearing Woodson on 680 and reading Billy’s analysis of the workouts today the more worried I get. I got a bad feeling about this draft yall.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By LL Cool Scott

June 20, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

DRAFT THE CHINA MAN!!!

By ray

June 20, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

Interesting how well the bigger pgs scored. Makes you wonder how the Conley workout will go in comparison. I’d say based on the few comments Woodson made, they like the sizeable types. Can’t blame them there. I doubt that a pg will be picked at #3. I wish the low post guys would go at it, although at 200 pounds (I still can’t believe it, it’s unreal) I don’t blame Mr. Wright for not wanting to get his a$$ handed to him. I can tell from the pics that he’s longer than an enraged Ando post. But it’s no comfort that he’s also a long way from being what our team needs in the paint.

Nope, not seeing us getting a pg at #3. I would love to see how this goes with Horford and whoever else is working out here. I can see Crit or Law coming here, and not so oddly enough, Crit may be the choice. That is, IF a pg is selected in the draft at all. Then again, unless one like Jarrett Jack is acquired by means of a trade…I have a funny feeling a larger one will be the one that gets picked. And it might even be Gordon.

Two things stuck out to me the most: One, the seeming acceptance of the fact that there needs to be some beginning of a change in the backcourt (not JJ), and Two-that a guy who’s a defender and ball distributor is what’s needed. If that ain’t true, I don’t know what is.

Don’t want to hate on Brandan Wright, but he’s looking like he’s the guy you pick if you have solid play down low right now and don’t need the help anytime real soon (as in this year or even the next 2-3 years). That wouldn’t be us. Drafting him only makes sense if we acquire a veteran big to help plug the hole NOW. And another Lorenzen Wright type of move isn’t going to cut it. It would have to be someone of significantly better capability. Come to think of it, that may be a good move regardless of whether we draft one of the bigger low post guys or not…

By vdunkndunk

June 20, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

I like Horford at 3, Critt at 11. Horford gives us the guy who is most ready to help us next season in the paint but who still has plenty of upside, while Critt gives us a PG at 11 this season who could easily be a top 7 pick if he stayed in school another year or 2. I think Critt will be pretty good in transition from day 1, too, and although he’ll take a year or two to get fully adjusted as a floor general in the NBA, I think he could give us some stuff we lack at PG off the bench until then.

By Mike-Bama

June 20, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

I think it is becoming clear that the hawks will take Horford at 3 as the pg’s will all be too close to justify a top 3 pick…I would also trade that 11 pick for a jarret jack/vet pg……

By Nick

June 20, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Another spy said there was basically no difference between the three guys (he actually ranked Gordon and Crittenton ahead of Law

Let’s hope this guy isn’t in Billy’s ear. Gordon isn’t on anyone’s mock draft. If we even think about picking this guy over the other three point guards … oh, my. Why even work the kid out? Considering we don’t have a second round pick, we just wasted the poor guy’s time. Unless, of course, management is even dumber than I thought.

Finally, here’s an honest assessment of Crittenton from someone in the Clippers camp.

“There’s an instinct to assume that if a PG can’t orchestrate an offense, it’s because he’s a 2-Guard playing point [Ben Gordon]. To be a shooting guard, you have to be able to shoot – but that’s another story. Make no mistake, Crittenton is a point guard, but is utterly incapable of feeding his scorers. Anyone who followed Tech this season chewed their limbs while watching Crittenton, time and time again, miss Thad Young on a cut, or blow off an easy entry pass into the post in favor of an ill-advised drive, or pound a hole in Cremins Court the size of Stone Mountain dribbling away a possession looking for…what exactly? Something better than Young on the wing against a guy inordinately slower and smaller than him? Crittenton’s decision-making instincts are appalling, demonstrated painfully by the Vegas game, and his 5.9/APG vs. 3.1/TPG number. Crittenton partisans will tell you that, at 6’ 5”, his size is ideal for an NBA point guard. The problem is that his shot isn’t good enough to make a shorter defender pay, and he’d rather dribble into the trees than post up a defender. He racks up a lot of steals, but is a shameless gambler who doesn’t always choose his spots judiciously, and doesn’t know when to give up on a smaller, quicker guard and let the back of the zone take care of it.”

http://clipperblog.com/index.php?itemid=367

A true Tech fan should say the same. He showed little to no leadership over the course of the season, and didn’t show any improvement. Give me a guy like Conley, who carried his team when Oden was out during the first half of the season and willed his team to victory over Xavier in the tournament. Give me a guy like Law IV, who went toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant and forced two overtimes in a game against Texas. Crittenton did what, again? Remember, Chris Paul and Deron Williams both showed leadership and had some memorable games in their college career. Now they’re stars.

By diehardhawkfan

June 20, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

A year from now we’ll continue to be the laughing stock of the NBA for picking the most “NBA ready” forward over the best point guard in the draft.

By Orlando Rivera

June 20, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

I heard that they might actually go with Horford and Crittendon based on the workouts.

By Clyde

June 20, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe people are actually talking about getting Crit. What did Crit do last year at Tech to make yall think he’s ready to play in the NBA? Bump a workout yall need to examine a man’s worth by what he does on the court.

Acie carried his team last year to the Sweet 16. He showed heart and leadership skills that the Hawks desperatly need at the point guard position. What did Crit do? Sh**!! He couldn’t even carry his team to the NIT. Get real. Why should bypass an All-American for a point guard that wasn’t even the best in his conference? Oh he had a good workout. Get real.

Another thing that bothered me was Woody saying we did not need a scorer from the point guard position. Did he not see what happened when JJ went out of the game? The Hawks struggled to score points.

Another thing they were hinting they wanted a more bigger physical point guard. So why the hell did they sign Speedy and pass over Deron Williams?

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Jay

June 20, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

Clyde, Tech made the ncaa tournament, lost in the 1st round.

FIRE YOUR MEMORY

By Tyger

June 20, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

For what its worth, these workouts are good close-ups to see attitude and coachability but you really have to rely on the kid’s body of work.

For my money, considering where the Hawks are in their rebuild, I like Law b/c of his leadership, maturity and ability to rise up to challenge of big games.

Thats a rare superstar quality; as MJ said earlier in re. Durant, “he shows the qualities…” Unlike, Jeff Green who shied away in the biggest game of his career, Acie is more than willing to not only accept the challenge but overcome it. The Hawks need that as much as anything else.

Moreover, these rookies arent going to contribute right away, maybe some the second half but your’e mostly looking for a 2nd year player here. Acie will be ready next year if not sooner.

Conley and Crittenton could be 3-4 years away.

By mountain_jim

June 20, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

Clyde never lets the facts get in the way of a good rant.

By smartguy

June 20, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

I think I might vomit. Woody says we aren’t worried whether our point can contribute on offense. Like we have so much offense to spare. Clyde, we’re on the same page again.

This is getting very worrisome. Of course we all want a point who can defend and run the offense, but are there any of those in this draft? Maybe later on, if thats all you care about. I had never even heard of that other guy they had in there, but from SS’s writing, it sounds like the Hawks are setting the fans up for the possibility of not drafting a point guard.

Smells like Wright and Green, or Wright and Wright, either of which will make most of us fans quite unhappy(Matt, get your t-shirt order in).

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY! BRING ON BELKIN! (its not too late Maryland)

By smartguy

June 20, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

YES, Tyger!!

By St. Bernard

June 20, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Don’t put Conley and Critt in the same category.

Maybe we’re better off with two bigs (or talls), but Conley is without a doubt the best pg in the draft.

By diehardhawkfan

June 20, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Hey Tyger, Sheldon Williams was a 4 year starter, 1st team All American, National Defensive Player of the Year, and only the third player in NCAA history to record 1500 points, 1000 rebounds, 350 blocks, and 150 steals in his career…yet he wasn’t ready for the speed of the NBA. What makes Acie Law different…

Let me see how you spin it this time.

By Orlando Rivera

June 20, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Exactly diehardhawkfan! I don’t see where they can play Horford on this team. Basically BK already knows he’s picking Horford at 3 (which is a mistake) and all the folks on this blog are going to go ahead and try to talk themselves into justifying the pick. They all know in reality it’s a horrible move to get a guy who can’t guard bigger guys and low post offense which is questionable at best. However since this is the Hawks we have to find something positive about the move.

The only reason BK doesn’t want Conley at 3 is because no one will trade with Atlanta and he’s afraid of what the public thinks. Conley is the way to the go at 3 and Sean Williams at 11.

By ray

June 20, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Hard to know which way to go in this draft, huh?

I read the Bill Simmons article and my eyes are still teared up. Whether from laughing so hard or crying about the not-so-funny tendencies of this Hawks organization (as outlined by Simmons) is anyone’s guess. I really hope it gets better.

Funny how now so many people see “NBA ready” as a curse. I mean, it’s not like every team here has all of it’s pieces in place and is just picking eventual replacements for its current roster of winners. This isn’t one of those teams. Most teams not named San Antonio Spurs have big time needs. Again, how is a player being “NBA ready” a bad thing? It’s not like that person’s upside or potential is suddenly cut short by that short, two word description. Is it only a good thing if you’re not NBA ready, but have all kinds of potential to be….something but we’re not sure what?

This is ridiculous. We’ve been needing help and we know where. A guy like Horford is sufficiently young, big, and strong. I don’t care if his measurements are similar to Sheldon’s. If he’s the best fit, get him! If he’s not, go with someone else! Our two greatest assets right now are the two lottery picks we have. We can either use them to draft players that help or we can use them help obtain that help. Not that we don’t have trade-worthy players, but that’s a dangerous game too. And most of them are young and talented.

At the moment, not all the workouts for the Hawks have been completed. However, going off the top of my head, this is what I think (for what it’s worth-which ain’t much).

If we keep the two picks:

Horford and Law looks good to me.

Yi and Law looks good too, but now we are forced to find low post help elsewhere. Face it, right now Yi’s intrigue is based on his offensive talent and potential. No one is talking about how he’s gonna lock opposing players. This could be exceedingly difficult, and considering how it went last year, a trade would likely turn out better than trying to sign a free agent. But you never know.

Conley and whoever at #11. Now this is a tougher call in my opinion. Conley could turn out to be smokin’ good, but most likely we then only get a good big in the draft by trading up. What would we have to give up to trade up? And then there’s no guarantee that we still get the big we most desire/need. Hmmmm. Is Conley worth the gamble when we don’t know how successful we’ll be in getting a suitable stablemate for Zaza and Smoove through trade/free agency? The gamble is worth it if a trade is in place to add the much needed help in the paint. But it has to be in place, and the player has to be someone we KNOW will be a big help.

As far as bigs go, I have to admit I’m really kinda stuck on Horford. He just feels like he’s the beefiest guy outside of Oden. Would have liked to see him go against guys like Hawes, Splitter, Gray, etc in workouts. But it won’t happen.

If we don’t keep both picks:

Any trading down had better mean we’re acquiring a useful player in return along with the lower pick. And that player better be someone who either fills a serious need or is an immediately usable trade piece. Can’t be someone who just languishes on the bench while we wish a better move had been made. Trading up means we just gave up somebody along with the pick. Which means be careful…there’s only so many guys in the draft that are worth giving up certain players to get at. And there are only certain guys we should be giving up for those players.

Like it or not, categorized by position or not: both needs should be filled beginning with this draft. There’s no excuse for it. None. It may not end with the draft or it may, but it certainly begins with this draft.

But that’s just me.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 20, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

I would prefer 2 bigs in this draft with our picks, after hearing Woody’s comments after the workouts. Sign Mo Williams and be done with it.

By zillaman

June 20, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

What are your thoughts on the Hawks possibly bluffing this whole “Draft Horford” deal. Do you think they would be saying this only because they know other teams (aka Memphis) want him? I’m thinking that the Hawks possibly still want Conley, but are trying to put a smokescreen up. Why draft Conley at 3 when we can trade down to 5 or 6 and get him AND possibly another draft pick/player with this! Anyone’s thoughts?

By Greg

June 20, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

These draft picks need to be traded. The Hawks can not make significant improvement drafting rookies next year.

We need proven veteran around 27 to 29 year old JOneal, KG, or ZRandolph. Use one of these picks to get you a PF that can score with his back to the basket. We got drilled on point in the paint last year.

Defensive rebounding and interior defense were huge weak areas last seasons we need to improve those areas and we can make some noise in the playoffs in the East.

By Volman

June 20, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Clyde, you’re a DOLT.

Guys, I really don’t think the Hawks should get Crittenton. I posted a novel on him a couple weeks ago (I go to Tech now) about Crittenton and his lack of PG ability right now.

There is something about Law that I really like. He spews out “leadership”. He looks and acts like a winner..That stuff is contageous.

Get Horford at #3, and Law at #11….or else trade and bring in some vets.

I’d be happy with that.

By Clyde

June 20, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Thanks for reminding me Jay. They lost so quick I didn’t even remember them being in any tournment this year.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Clyde

June 20, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Thanks for reminding me Jay. They lost so quick I didn’t even remember them being in any tournament this year.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By diehardhawkfan

June 20, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Orlando, it’s funny, the greatest attribute about Horford is that he’s the most “NBA ready” of everyone outside of Oden and Durant. To me that just means that,physically, he’s the most imposing player probably in the draft outside of Oden. But what does that equate to in the NBA…to me that equates to a PJ Brown or a Charles Oakley type of player (who I compare Horford’s game to). So you really want to draft this type of player at 3? I’ve seen this guy for two years and nothing about his game warrants a top 3 pick. I know his team was loaded…but still…I went to duke and my freshman year, we had elton brand, corey maggette, shane battier, will avery and trajan langdon on the same team. It was clear to everybody that elton brand was the most dominant player on that team…I don’t see that out of horford…heck I was more impressed with brewer than I was with horford.

By Ben

June 20, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

I don’t get how people can say Conley is the best PG in this draft?

How is he the best?

Get Acie Law or the big Javaris Crittenton. If we could somehow lure Dwight Howard for the #3 + Marvin + trash and then draft Crittenton, we are really working with something

By Stinger

June 20, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

I like the observation that 2nd rounders are brought in to see if the 1st rounders can differentiate themselves. It doesn’t sound like Law or Crit displayed any seperation from Gordon - too bad as I have been trying to find a way to get excited about Law (I have no interest in Crit who is clearly not ready to improve the hawks backcourt).

Back to the beginning - #3 Conley or Horford #11 Best Available which will likely be choosing Julian Wright over a not ready ffor prime time pg.

If #3 is Horford and #11 is Wright the board screams - what no pg again! But thats where Billy has to go to work. Time to move a big for a small (the easiest trade to make in the NBA). I’m I’m not talking J. Jack but a real pg like Andre Miller or Mo Williams (sign and trade 7/12).

By travis

June 20, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

if you all would like at my post on the last blog “Don’t know what to do” you will see that i said that J-Critt was emotionally fragile and the AC Law would be a better candidate…well if you read today’s article it said the same thing. I also suggested that the Hawks need to get rid of the 11 pick to get vets in here. J-Critt did not have confidence in his game. apparently, AC laid down the LAW.

By Stinger

June 20, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

With all the KG trade talk I decided to go to the espn trade machine and see if anything makes sense. 1st JJ must be included in any trade to make the salaries work so be forewarned - the result -

JJ + Marvin + Sheldon + pick(s) = KG

It would leave us with PG - our group (Speedy / Lue) SG - JC SF - JS PF - KG C - ZP

Not bad, in the east it could make some noise.

By ray

June 20, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Orlando, Conley is a sexy pick for sure. But we need help down low just as much. JUST AS MUCH.

I think you’re off base on Horford. He IS a bigger player. He may not be able to guard the Shaqs, Odens, or Duncans. Who can? It’s called help defense. Nobody runs man-to-man-only defense in the pros. It’s stupid because everyone in the NBA is dangerous and even the average player is hard to contain one-on-one. Nobody’s saying Horford is the center of the future. But he’s likely a big help. I see him doing more than Sheldon. Sheldon’s mostly a big disappointment because of the fact he was picked too high and never jelled with Woody by ANY stretch of the imagination.

He could be solid, but I think the more athletic Horford can be more than solid. He can be a star. But hey, that’s me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Conley. And he got as deep as it gets into the tournament. And did damn well. All I can say is it shouldn’t be a horrible disappointment if he’s not our top pick and we end up with a guy like Law. Conley did his thing one year. Law did it for four. Crit IS a project, and unless we get a solid vet point out in front of him, he’s a risky pick. But if he’s as coachable as they say he is, it’s less of a risk.

You wanna talk risk? Sean Williams. The guy can block shots, no doubt. Let’s see, Solomon Jones had the same rep without all the bad press. So what else about Sean makes him the man to hang all our hopes on in the post? I’ve heard he improved his offense. A lot of people have. What bothers me is that a guy slated to be a likely lottery pick if he just stays out of trouble enough to remain on the team, just couldn’t do it to save his life, even with all those millions of dollars within reach. So what happens to him once he has those millions? Does he turn over a new leaf and become straight-laced or does his new found wealth help him land in more expensive and extravagant trouble?

Look, Isaiah Thomas is probably going to go after the guy anyway. Sure, he could make someone look really smart by drafting him. But is it worth the gamble of a lottery pick? I very much doubt anyone on the Hawks organization thinks so. And for once, I agree with that sentiment. Besides, if he’s little more than a great shot-blocker with very minor inside scoring ability, that can be had elsewhere without the baggage. We’ve already got Jones, and there’s guys like Ratliff available too.

By Matt

June 20, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

smartguy/clyde,

Believe it or not, I’m with you on picking Law over Crittendon. But smartguy - don’t twist Woodson’s words. This is what Woodson said:

I’m looking for guys who can compete that are adequate scorers. We don’t need a big-time scorer. We just need someone who can distribute the basketball and defend.

That’s far, far, FAR from saying that he doesn’t need to contribute on offense. All that means is that his ideal point guard is more like John Stockton than Gary Payton. It’s not like he was saying that he didn’t care whether the guy can shoot. He just said he wants a pass-first PG who can score when needed rather than the other way around. On that point, I agree 1000%.

That being said, I think Acie Law is Hawks’ best option at the point at #11. Also, I’m nervous about Conley, although I can’t put my finger on why. My guy just tells me he won’t be a good enough PG to warrant the #3 pick, although I’d nab him in a heartbeat if he were there at 11.

By A-ville Ranger

June 20, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

I really don’t know for sure how I’d play this.We can’t know the hand BK has because we don’t know what trade offers he has.One thing I just hate with passion is this MOST READY BS.Grow some stones BK and do what’s right for building a title contender.If the best moves are made nobody will remember who they wanted.Just win baby.

By ray

June 20, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Volman,

Clyde has his ways, but get a load of orlando rivera and diehardhawksfan. Check it out:

Tell me how being called NBA ready is a bad thing. Furthermore if Horford resembles a Charles Oakley or PJ Brown type of player especially in their primes, then we should be ALL OVER THEM. Want proof positive? Ask Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing. Charles Oakley was one of the most effective defender/enforcers there ever was at the pf position. BY FAR. PJ was big enough to be a center but played next to a natural one. Dude was definitely one of the better froncourt sidekicks, as he always seemed to be playing with a dominating center. Never scored much, but didn’t have to. Was more than willing and able to do the dirty work. Named to all-NBA defensive second team three times.

Man, please. If Horford was a combination of the two players, that’s an argument in his favor, not against him. I don’t know how someone can get that one so backwards.

I think it’s just as stupid, if not more so…to say “just draft this pg and to hell with whatever kind of big man is left” than it is to say “just draft this big guy and then to hell with whatever else we can get”. You have to have goals. And they have to make sense. If you can’t get a steadier prospect, then see what you need to do to get a vet.

And if Horford is the most physically able, then why isn’t he the best option? Of the guys who are left, only Yi is worth the gamble. Conley might be, but then how much trouble are we in if we can’t somehow fill that hole in the paint? That will even affect Conley, who will struggle with everyone else if there’s no help in the paint on offense or defense.

By honest_abe

June 20, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

the fact is critt was tech’s primary scorer as well as their main ball handler. that combination usually translates into something called turnovers. add to the fact he has an average “in game” coach in hewitt (see mass, random substitutions) and it’s no wonder he looked lost as did his teammates.

let’s not forget thad young would have been a lottery pick if the nba had not instituted that new rule about waiting a year after high school before entering the draft. why did he look so lost? why is it that just about every single highly rated recruit that goes under hewitt’s wing underachieves? a bad string of luck? or maybe it’s because tech has a sorry offensive philosophy and those players aren’t coached up.

i’m not saying critt was without mistake last year, but the guy still produced and led his sorry, soft underachieving team to the ncaa’s.

trust me, best case scenario he turns out to be a wizard like penny, worst case he ends up moving into more of a sg role like jalen rose. either way he’s going to be damn good.

get critt!

By diehardhawkfan

June 20, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Matt, I’ve seen about 15 Ohio State games…that quote describes Conley COMPLETELY…he and brewer are the best on the ball defender in the draft and we all know he can distribute…it’s funny…you say he’s too high for a 3 but memphs is willing to draft him at 4…don’t you see a problem with that?

By Grant AKA Midnight

June 20, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

I’ve been thinking abolut the draft for a while guys and I think i’ve come up with the perfect solution.

Send the #3 and Craig (stop calling him speedy) Claxton or Salim Stoudamire to the New York Knicks for David Lee and Channing Frye.

Send the #11 to Portland for the Jarrett Jack.

Trade Anthony to whoever for a future second round pick and resign Royal Ivey.

This leaves us with PG - JJ, Lue, Ivey SG - JJ, Chills SF - Smoove, Marvin PF - Shelden, Lee, Solomon C - Frye, Zaza, Wright. This young nucleas would be awesome.

By diehardhawkfan

June 20, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

ray, i like horford…i really do…the comparison to pj brown and charles oakley wasn’t in disrespect, my thing is do you really want that type of player at number 3…and how effective are brwon and oakley if they didnt have Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Morning (which we don’t have on our team)? And why can’t we get the same if not similar production out of sheldon who was WAY more impressive than Horford was in college (I saw Sheldon play for 4 years…don’t give up on him yet)? And what’s a more pressing need…another PF/C or a replacement to the worst set of pgs in the NBA in lue, speedy, and AJ? That was my point.

By honest_abe

June 20, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

eh, sounds like a pretty mediocre team to me grant.

if you want to think up unrealistic trade scenarios (because the hawks would never trade the 3 for those two role players) then think trade the #11 and childress or marvin to the lakers for bynum. take conley with the 3rd pick.

then you have conley, jj, chills/marvin, jsmith, bynum. i like. i like.

By ray

June 20, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

A-ville, the reason “the most ready” is making people sick to their stomach around here is the crappy Sheldon situation from last year. Because that phrase was used by both Billy and members of the press, it has come with a negative connotation. So what sounds better: “least ready, biggest likely project, but most upside if they actually pan out?” Of course there needs to be upside, but there needs to be evidence to work with too. Or as so many seem to want to refer to it as “body of work.”

Stinger, that was just one workout. Anybody can have a bad or so-so day. The other thing is, a guy like Jamon Gordon needs to play harder than a guy like Law. He’s trying to just get drafted or invited to somebody’s camp. Law is a lock to be drafted in the first round, likely within the top 12-15, if not sooner. While Gordon could surprise, I’d still take Law.

Matt, nice catch on what Woody actually said. I’d be fine with Law too. I still think Conley will be good and would like to have him. But how good under our system (which I hope is about to change drastically) and our coach is a question. I won’t get into that too heavily, we simply disagree. Although, I feel somewhat like Woody has a bit to prove this year. At least style-wise.

The main problem with Crit is that he doesn’t seem to know WHAT to do, which is fatal in the pros. In college you can be that way and still get some decent stats.

By honest_abe

June 20, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

diehard: WAY more impressive? the hell? shelden put up more impressive stats but he never looked more impressive. there is a difference.

shelden was the only big on his team worth a lick. so he got a chance to eat up most of the rebounds.

horford played right next to another projected lottery pick who’s strength is also rebounding and blocking shots. so of course his numbers aren’t going to be as impressive. but everything on the offensive end ran through horford in the post. every team they played, keyed on stopping horford first while teams that played duke focused on containing reddick.

horford has a much better offensive game and is 10 times as athletic as shelden.

By Volman

June 20, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

Ray, great ideas.

“I think it’s just as stupid, if not more so…to say “just draft this pg and to hell with whatever kind of big man is left” than it is to say “just draft this big guy and then to hell with whatever else we can get”. You have to have goals. And they have to make sense. If you can’t get a steadier prospect, then see what you need to do to get a vet.”

I see what you’re saying. I would personally like to see Horford and Law…But I would really like to see one or two of these picks being traded for QUALITY help for this Hawks team. I don’t know if Camby is quality..He’s a great defender, but doesn’t he get hurt?

Why do you think Yi is the best gamble? (not trying to stir up anything, just asking your opinion)

I really wanted to get Yi about a week ago, but my opinion has somewhat changed..I still don’t know ANYTHING about him except for a couple of random stats about him and Youtube videos.

I sure know that if I were great I would want to play the best competition in workouts and show teams that I am that good.

Wouldn’t anybody?

By doc

June 20, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

does anyone see the visage of alan henderson in horford, big time school, went to the ncaa’s over and over, great coach leading him, great attitude and pretty good all around cant miss game. oops.

By Wedgie Evans

June 20, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

I still think the Hawks should take Conley (the best and purest PG in this draft) with the #3 pick, and trade the #11 pick for the best big guy available since all the big men available at #11 are going to suck, assuming Noah is off the board.

But the more I hear, it seems like they will take Horford at #3 and Crittenton at #11. I don’t think either player is bad, and there’s a chance that Horford could start at the 5 for the Hawks as bad as the East is. Crittenton is a lot more NBA-ready than a lot of y’all give him credit for — just because he’s not a pure PG like Conley doesn’t mean he can’t be successful. At the very least, neither one is going to be a total bust like Shelden. But the Hawks would definitely be better off with Conley at the point and some experienced defensive-minded veteran big guy at the 5.

By Volman

June 20, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Abe, don’t you think Bynum is lethargic out on the court?

I didn’t really see too much from him that impresses me. Maybe I’m incorrect.

By honest_abe

June 20, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

sorry doc.. don’t see hendu in horford. hendu was a slow, awkward, clumsy power forward with butterfingers. ahem ahem sound like someone we already have? yes shelden is similar to hendu. horford is a much more dynamic athlete with a much better all around game.

By honest_abe

June 20, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

volman: lethargic is an interesting description. all i see is a 19 yr old 7 footer who if he had gone to college would be the no brainer 3rd pick in this years draft.

kid still managed to avg (approx #’s) 8 points 7 rebound 1.5 block in about 21 minutes a game… not too shabby for a 19 year old…

his game is going to take some time to develop as all big men do. but he’s got one special attribut you can’t teach and that’s size.

By Wedgie Evans

June 20, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

Somehow I doubt that BK is bluffing on taking Horford at #3. I don’t think a guy who gives a promise to Shelden Williams at #5 is smart enough to bluff.

By ray

June 20, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Diehardhawksfan, I see what you’re saying but you can argue that back the other way too. How effective would Ewing and Mourning have been without Oakley and Brown? The simple fact is we don’t have (nor will we conceivably get anytime soon) players like those two multiple all-star centers. So we gotta go with what we can get. If not Horford, then who? Hawes, Noah? Who?

I see your point. My point is that picking one need to fill while seeming to ignore the other is not going to work. If the draft is all we are guaranteed to have to bolster and balance this roster, we need to decide which need has to be addressed first (with the 3rd pick) and then what will work best for the 11th pick.

Is the difference between Conley and Law as great as the difference between Horford (or whoever) and what’s left at #11? And how does it affect the team? Which spot do we need more help in? I couldn’t answer that one. But right now it looks like our chances of getting out with as sure-fire a prospect as we can get lies with drafting the big first and the pg second. Oden is the only true center worth getting in the lottery. The rest are really power forward types. Conley is obviously good. Law has proven all he can with 4 years of growth and excellence. Is he really that much worse than Conley?

It’s just that there’s too much of a gap between 3 and 11. Whichever spot you decide to draft for, the other will be greatly diminished as far as prospects go…unless we trade up from 11.

ABE, have to concede your point about Crittenton. That’s a different view that what I had, but nevertheless one I have to consider. Crit’s got the “more upside” thing going. Law’s got the “been there for the whole tour and proven what I’ve got” thing going.

Funny, people seem to just love the one-and-done types. While it works for some, can you argue with a 4-year guy like Duncan?

As for Sheldon, I’m not giving up on him. I’m just not expecting him to be as good as he was reported to be. Yeah, he had great college stats playing at Duke. So did Trajan Langdon. And Christian Laettner. And Bobby Hurley. And Will Avery. Going to Duke and playing in the starting lineup almost guarantees that. It doesn’t guarantee anything else.

Sheldon had a rough year. But I swear, he didn’t look as strong and bruising as I’d hoped he would. Kept giving up position so easily in the paint. His body is there, but his head’s gotta be in the game. I feel like Woody is part to blame there. But once again, how do you explain a guy drafted to anchor the paint not being able to displace an incumbent starter, a rotten reserve, and a 85% healthy second year sf for serious minutes?

By Volman

June 20, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

Abe, I really want to compare him to another 19 year old…Well, when he was 19.. (Dwight Howard).

Howard just seems to be on a different level.. Averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds his first year..Compared to the 8 points and 7 rebounds of Bynum in his second. Maybe I’m wrong for even comparing the two (they’re both out of high school seven footers)… I just see Howard and can’t help but think think how less athletic Bynum seems to me….

They both came out of high school…didn’t have any college to help them…and if I remember correctly, one of them has Kareem to help him with his game.

Why is he not dominating?

I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he’s extremely young…I just don’t see him as a center that changes a franchise. Again, I hope I could be proven wrong. (like I usually am!)

By Samuel

June 20, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

Guys,

Since my boy Ando came back, I guess I will too. Been checkin out you new cats. Yall got some pretty good stuff. I haven’t had much to say that I haven’t already said when this draft stuff started.

You can’t go wrong drafting either of the big three from Florida. Back to Back should count for something. Eventhough we’re loaded with 6’9” guys, I still wouldn’t hesitate to take a player like Brewer. As long as we upgrade our talent base we’re ok. Brewer looks like a little Scotie Pippen. Also, I have always liked Noah. He just has that winner mentality and it wouldn’t hurt to get some players with some personality. This team is BOOORRRRIIINNNNGGGGG.

As I said, Conely doesn’t really do too much for me. I could be wrong but I think Crittenton will be a better pro. I have to admitt I didn’t see Critt play much at Tec but I did see him in High School and that was enough for me. His game will get better when he is surrounded by better players.

I’d go with either of the Fla big 3 at 3 and Critt at 11. You can’t go wrong bringing in a Homeboy.

By Pollymanna

June 20, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Ray how does this sound to you ? best player available for the team.Not best player to save my a* by appeasing the fans.

By Jay

June 20, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

Im hoping and praying that all the Horford talk is a smoke-screen. It has to be. If we did draft him, where the heck would we play him? Smoove is gonna get, lets say, 36 minutes a night. Zaza is good for at least 25. That leaves 12 minutes at pf and 23 at center. Shelden and Solomon should eat up all that remaining time, and thats with playing both of them out of position. Do we really want ANOTHER pf playing center when we already will be doing that with two other players? And you know that they wont leave Shelden (mr #5 pick) on the bench, so Solomon becomes the 11-12 man and will rarely sniff the court. Add Horford to the mix and I dont know if we’ll ever see ANY of those guys develop because they’ll all be fighting over scrap time! Its hard to realize talent if you’re getting maybe 12-15 minutes a night every year. And we all know that Horford is very similar to Shelden. It would just be a mistake.

Unless…there is a trade involved. It would have to include Shelden or Smoove. Maybe Knightmare is moving one or both of them for Amare or JO?

See, with Wright or Yi I would feel like those players give us a different angle of attack on the court and a different skill set at pf and center. Shelden and Horford are too similar to really gain an advantage.

I hope Knightmare sees all this. I hope that he is sending out vibes to try to get the pick traded. I mean, look…Sekou has said that the hawks would draft Yi, Conley, Horford and I believe Wright, along with trading the #3 pick. Im going to trust Sekou as being more connected then any of the ESPN guys. Either Knightmare is asking/telling Sekou to leak this stuff, or Knightmare is telling Sekou this stuff fully knowing that Sekou will publish it. Either way, Knightmare has done one thing…he’s basically tried to convince teams that the Hawks might draft any of the consensus top 4 players in the draft, so that if one of these teams REALLY wants that player, they have to trade for the #3 pick.

The REALLY interesting part comes next tuesday if Knightmare doesnt have the pick traded. Does he draft a player with the assumption that he could trade him, or does he draft a player the hawks will keep?

If we draft Horford, I will be expecting a trade somewhere. If not, Im going to be so upset.

Now if I was the gm, I would take Conley at #3. He has the least amount of question marks of the top players, I think. I dont trust Wright’s strength and desire, Im too afraid of Horford already peaking, you have no idea how Yi will react to playing in the nba and heck living in America. As for the #11 pick, I think there is an excellent chance a big drops that far. Noah, Hawes, maybe even Yi make it. One of them will since those guys seem to be dropping and Jeff Green and Williams are moving up.

But I just dont think Knightmare will draft Conley at #3. Its against his religion.

Look for a trade for JO or Gasol. We’ve been dealing with the Pacers for the last couple years, we have the assests (3, 11, Chills) to offer without depleting our roster.

The other trade I think might happen is moving Smoove or Marvin. Then we can play a Horford/Shelden rotation, resign Chills or draft a good sf, Solomon can learn center and beef up. Its down to does Knightmare want to pay Josh Smith max money (which is what he will ask for, and you know his agent will point to ak-47 as a comparison), are the Hawks tired of his immaturity…or do they admit defeat (and impatience) with Marvin and say that Josh Smith has more upside?

Tuesday is must-see tv. Even if the Hawks werent such huge players in this draft, I would be really excited to watch. Now, though, I just cant wait.

By doc

June 20, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

just making sure abe. his highlight films show him to be competing against inferior talent that ando would strike fear in.

i was going to say something about crit but volman has already disputed it. gonna say it anyway, somewhere down deep i think crit will be the best point of the group coming out. my thoughts and they have been said before when comparing him to comnley and discussing his inferior college t.o. numbers (not sure that 2 to 1 ratio is that bad) was that he might have the type of game that gets better as the competition gets better and the players around him get better. he has the desire to achieve and he sounds rock solid as a kid that is grounded and will stay that way. he also has a lot of expereience playing with guys of his ilk and j. smith. again deep down i think he has what it takes and his game will come faster to him because it is a faster game and the speed at which he plays. since i have said it before i am not echoing samuel but simply reinforcing his comments as well. welcome back dude,pleasureis ours to have both you and ando around, at times been talking to myslf. heh heh

still prefer two of the tall boys if they land in my lap cool real cool.

btw got the 28th on my calender to be at the phillips getting a brew and watching the fun and seeing roll tide at his t-shirt stand.

By ray

June 20, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

One thing about Bynum: he’s having to work with Kobe and the head-case known as Kwame Brown. That is enough to throw a guy off track. However, he’s quite young, had no college experience and is working with one of the great centers of the past in Abdul-Jabar, is he not? I’d say things are looking up for him in the near, maybe very near future. Besides, he showed enough heart against Shaq a year or so ago. You also can’t teach heart.

Volman, I’m kinda buying into the Yi hype with that comment. However, if Yi is this good, he changes our outlook on things and allows us to move valuable pieces for valuable pieces that we can make better use of. That’s my reason for him being a good gamble. Of course, I could be so many kinds of wrong. But he’s my “mystery man” gamble pick. However, I agree, I’d be working out like crazy against other guys to prove a little something. But remember, it’s his agent and “handlers” that are making these decisions. Yi himself seems to be making every effort otherwise to make his transition to the NBA smooth. And it didn’t hurt to hear Joakim Noah speak of him the way he did.

Abe, that’s what I see in Horford. Watching him run the floor is nothing like watching Sheldon plod along and get back on defense late or on offense too late to even set a stationary pick. Geez.

Doc, heh heh! I swear you only say that ‘cause you want Yi so bad. Now you’re puttin’ out propaganda against his competitors for our top draft slot, you scurvy knave you! LOL

By Pollymanna

June 21, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

Ray I’ve gone back over your post to me.I really don’t know your point.Do you mean that the players should actually PLAY ?? If so I agree if not..what are you saying ?? Let ME be clear.I think BK should only consider people who play basketball.If you’re going to patronize at least be coherent.

By ray

June 21, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

Pollymanna, sounds fine to me. And since I have been making exactly that point, who’s your pick?

Sam, you still here? Was wondering. Just tell me you didn’t say “he’ll play better with better players around him.” Isn’t that what Billy/Woody said about Sheldon, almost word for word? Sorry man, just had to tease you on that one, ‘cause it sounded too much like the Sheldon comments!

By doc

June 21, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

jay, simply put solo and sheldon suck and lead the not ready for prime time playas. nbadl is where thye belonged last year and where they should go this year. it is a joke to think they can or any of the “back-ups” at center should be allowed to play there this year. collectively their plus/minus scores were about minus ten, zaza was plus three. that is a 13 point differential when zaza leaves the game, he played 50 % of the time. the other imposters come in and the flood gates opened up plain and simple. doesnt have to do with point guards folks, it is we are totally outclassed, outplayed, outrebounded, outdefended and outscored by a significant margin when zaza is out of the game. sorry with that kind of production from the 5 spot next year and we gift wrap a mighty fine lottery pick to the suns next year. i will really be flat out p……off er, put out if the hawks continue to masquerade the ilk of shel, solo and rens as back up 5’s. been there, done that, tired of it. get me horford or yi or both or noah just dont expect me to sit still and watch the other three stooges. horford has to be an upgrade. if he isnt then trade for a real big, on yeah that means spend money, oh well. i read the whole post so i thingk we are not far off but dont anyone make the mistake of calling those guys/imposters nba centers or forwards for that matter for the time being.

By j-rock

June 21, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

Draft conley and trade the no.11, Aj and Lo wright for Marcus camby.Some may say thats not enough for camby but they are in salary cap hell with A.I,Camby,Nene,Kenyon martin,Reggie evans and Carmelo Anthony.The only way I agree with getting Yi or Horford is if they trade Sheldon for B.Haywood or bring in Camby.Defense is still the name of the game.Go Hawks!!!!

By Jay

June 21, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this

Horford wont be able to play center either, though. Noah is similar to Wright…a toothpick. And everyone says Yi cant play center.

Fact of the matter is…if we want a “true” center, we either reach on Hawes or trade down. Otherwise, we’re playing someone out of position at center, period. Shelden and Horford are very similar in size and height. Solomon, Wright, and Noah are similar in weight and reach.

6 in one hand, half-dozen in the other.

By doc

June 21, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

ray, the only thing i want is to not have to watch inferior guys with very little upside try to play in the nba. not sure what propaganda you speak of unless it was the query that was food for thought, been saying the bigger the better all along and giving my reasons why without making anything up or detracting too much form the guys coming in. start with yi, not crying with horford or noah, can abide hawes. can detract on the guys with the failed history in the nba though. thay are the reason we are losing to the point we are selling t-shirts on our blog. maybe it will be paper bags to use at the games.

still as far as a young point guard how defeating will it be to keep hearing how i havent developed yet, when the guy saying it is responsible for my development. dont care if it is conley, law, crit, stuckey, the kid from va tech ..whoever.

By Volman

June 21, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

Ray, great points on Bynum. I admit he is intriguing. When I watch the Lakers I wait to see when he’s in because I want to see what the guy can do.

I heard when the Lakers were playing ESPN that Bynum’s work ethic had been questioned… Then, a couple of weeks later there are praises all around for Bynum working with Kareem. Is he a hard worker? Is he not?

I don’t think Bynum is BAD..I just think he’s clumsy or something in that lanky body of his.. like he doesn’t have complete control yet. I guess his mind has to catch up with the rest of him before it can all come together. What moves has he picked up from Kareem? (just asking)

Ray, would you send out Marvin, Childress, or Josh Smith if the Hawks got Yi? There’s no way he’s playing center. Can Woodson even change the offense to fit a big man like Yi at a 3 or 4?

I personally would LOVE to see the Hawks get a BIG MAN that can do some dirty work with Zaza down low… Even have Zaza play the 4 at times.

I will be wearing my Zaza Pachulia jersey at the Draft Party! He’s the man! haha

By ray

June 21, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

Pollymanna, I don’t know where you’re getting patronization from. Everything I’ve said has pointed to my opinion that we should either draft to fill our most glaring needs as best we can if we are going to keep both draft pick slots, or use one or both to acquire players that help us fill those needs while also building for the future. No quick fixes. I don’t know if you’ve read anything I’ve been posting here for the last 2+ years or not. You directed a comment to me out of the blue. I’m not familiar with your name at all. My only question to you was who do you feel best addresses our needs in the draft? Or do you feel like we can address them better by trading draft picks for quality existing NBA players.

Coherent enough for ya? As it was, I was arguing the merits of catch-phrases and cliches with somebody else. Your comments to me were a grand total of three sentences, and since I hadn’t directed any prior comments to you…I didn’t have much to work with other than I agreed that Billy needs to draft the best players available that fit the needs of this team. And that was a point I had been making for some time. Once again, what is your opinion as to which players available in the draft best fit this team?

By Volman

June 21, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

Hawks Draft Blog

What do you guys think about the interviews? I really think Law is not only a great player but a great leader. He seems like a winner to me.. Crittenton could only say that “teams might want younger players”… That’s all he has on Law? Law said he played VERY WELL, so we’ll have to see.. I hope Knight and Woodson don’t pick Crittenton because he’s a hometown guy… pick the BETTER LEADER!

By ray

June 21, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

Doc, why is it you react that way every time I tease you about Yi? Evidently I better stop it. I was just saying you only made that comment about Horford compared to Alan Henderson ‘cause you want Yi instead. And that was no real accusation, just pickin’.

Jay, it’s not so much asking Horford to play center as it is getting someone in there that’s athletic, strong, and has good size to play alongside Zaza. That will really help Zaza, who was counted on to be the lone anchor point in the paint. Sheldon was supposed to play that role and failed to do so…point blank. Zaza has to step up his game, but if all he has is Smoove and a bunch of scrubs to work with (Smoove doesn’t have the size and strength) then he’s going to look bad again. He’s not the dominant type to get it done by himself. Horford can help that. Noah could too, he’s just not as strong (although taller). There’s a reason Horford was called upon a lot to play against Oden in the championship game. He’s simply got more beef. So did Chris Richard.

Volman, probably Childress. UNLESS Marvin got us something significantly better in return. But for that to happen, Yi has to be something special. More special than Marvin, for sure. With his height and ability, he can be more dangerous than Marvin. It’s just a gamble.

By ray

June 21, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

Yeah, I saw that too Volman. Let’s face it, Crit is a gamble too. But a better gamble than some. It IS just one workout. Law probably showed his maturity, poise, and readiness. In the end Crit could be the better player. Question is what do we do until he develops? How fast will that be? We’re hurting NOW at that position. Is the wait gonna be long and will it be worth it? Will Law be the better solution now and only slightly less so later? If so, is that a good trade-off for “readiness” vs. “upside”?

By terrell

June 21, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

I agree DIEHARD. Our swingmen will never flourish without a floor general who can push the ball, penetrate . and find open passing lanes. We will be right back here next year crying about not taking Conley as we did with Paul and Williams. This guy is a winner. Everyone always says he had Oden which is true but even Oden said that if it were not for Mike he would not be were he is. This guy literraly carried Ohio State to the championship. Oden was injured most of the year. If we pass on Conley and draft Horford, we might as well take another swingman at 11 because I dont know if Critt or Law’s game fit what we need to make our team go. I think Al Thornton, Corey Brewer, or maybe even Nick Young could contribute more than Law or Critt could next year. And maybe that would make Marvin and the Joshes take their game to another level, knowing that one of these guys are waiting in the wings. A veteran free agent point guard would make more sense than drafting Critt or Law, in my opinion.

By doc

June 21, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this

just clarifying ray, just clarifying.you call my name and ask a question i’ll try my best to answer. my theme is more to get size for this team. doubt woody is going to give the keys to the car to a rook point.

where is chris richards in the expanse of things?

By james jones

June 21, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this

gys we hope for the best i’m good with either yi or horford. but let me add that wherever yi goes i would want to watch him. he’s not just another player. alll thse guys have things we assume they’re good at or know that they’re good at in some cases. while yi isn’t built like shaq, he’s as aggressive and athletic as u’d find 7 footers, he’s ridiculously fast on the dribble, fast off his feet for rebounds, can shoot very well. i’m always gonn go with the hawks but we need another star product if we wanna be a championship team soon. we dont just wanna add more wins and still not make the playoffs (God forbid). yi can bring both. lets face it we jus smashing that kid for reasons we dont know jack about. he’s performed well in the CBA and in the FIBA championships. how isn’t that good enough? his stats are by far better than any of these kid’s stats but we dog him out cause he has hype. lebron had hype for dunking in high school. cuse we all knew he didn’t have a jump shot but he was a freak so we hailed him in at #1. lets rate yi on what we’ve seen jus like we rate the others. not what we assume he’s going to do. if horford comes in now which i don’t mind ya’ll have to understand that at practice he’s gonna go against sheldon and believe it or not sheldon will eat himin there. he’s bulky but since when was that criteria? go with the best player after the top 2 and that’s yi. (it’s a fact). forget marketing and all that all thats additional nonsense. the kid is good and he is aggressive ya’ll stop lying about that. when he’s available he does jump for a block shot everytime. ya’ll please stop the blind critic. people keep saying its just the highlights… well the other kids don’t have as many cause they didn’t do as much as he did. i can only hope. but i tell you he will be a great plaer very, verysoon in the nba hopefully with he hawks.

By Grant AKA Midnight

June 21, 2007 2:04 AM | Link to this

I truly believe that we need to turn these 2 picks into 3 players. Abe why not get a David Lee who averaged a double double off the bench and had the meadia salavating over his performance and a young big man like Channing Frye. Add those two to the Hawks forward rotation and we would really have one to envy. Even better we have 5 cheap guys who are all under the age of 24. How much younger do we really need to get?

By Edgar

June 21, 2007 3:20 AM | Link to this

Volman, you are 100% right about the necessity of drafting a proven leader. Law and Conley both fit that mold. If we walk away from Thursday night without one of those two and I will be sorely disappointed.

Woody has proven over and over that he cannot properly lead this team. He cannot nurture young talent. He has not been able to develop a positive relationship with either his proven star (JJ) or his developing one (Smoove…as highlighted by some embarrassing moments last season). No player on the Hawks has stepped into the leadership void. What we have is a pool of young talented players who will either see their careers derailed by Woddy’s miserable coaching, or get lucky and escape relatively unscathed to have productive careers elsewhere.

The reason I have continued to support Knight rests solely on Woody’s ineptitude. Part of this logic might come from the die-hard fan in me who wants to like his players on the court, but I think that the team Knight has assembled (including the two pieces we’ll be adding in this draft) is but a true on-court and off-the-court leader away from making it deep into the Eastern Conference (aka NBADL) playoffs.

(I know he screwed up with Wright and Craig and not picking Paul or Williams, but I stand by the above paragraph)

Draft a leader.

Or go get a leader (Billups would fit, and he could be a steal after his relatively poor performance for the imploding Pistons during the Conference Finals)

Fire Woody.

I know, Woody ain’t getting the can just yet, but this being the case, he better be focusing all his energy and resources towards building a Pop-Duncan type relationship with Smoove and/or JJ this summer.

It is not a coincidence that the best coached team with the most respected all-star leader won it all this year. I know there is nothing remotely close to Duncan available in this draft, but I believe Duncan’s success owes something to his environment. Duncan entered the league with Pop as his coach and David Robinson as his teammate and mentor. The influence of two of the greatest leaders in NBA history has helped mold Duncan into the player he is (Just as Duncan and Pop’s influence has rubbed off on Tony Parker, etc.). What will Oden do with Nate McMillan coaching him and Zach Randolph as the reigning team captain? His chances of becoming a Duncan-like force are handicapped from the onset.

My point here is that whoever we bring into this struggling, directionless franchise via draft or trade or free agency needs to be a special player with remarkable leadership abilities. I like Conley and Law because I think they embody the type of player who can effectively lead a team. I like the idea of going after a superstar veteran leader, but the veterans seemingly available don’t particularly stand out as proven leaders (O’Neal, Gasol, Marion, Kobe, etc.). Whoever the Hawks select with the 3 and 11 will immediately find themselves thrust into a less than desirable situation: bickering owners, an estranged fanbase, a poorly designed arena (whose luxury boxes have contributed to the lackadaisical fanbase….God, I miss the Omni), a team without a veteran leader (with the possible exception of Lue, who should make a decent coach some day), and worst of all, Woody’s toxic environment. Horford and Law, Conley and Noah, Critt and Yi…whichever combo dons the new Hawks unis will thus be in danger of becoming yet two more potentially special talents (like Smoove, Marvin, JJ, Zaza…even Sheldon and Chill) who will fade further into obscurity the longer they remain Hawks.

Wow, I just depressed myself a little bit. Is it really that bad? Perhaps. Pray for a leader. And for God’s sake, somebody please just fire Woody.

By G-thang

June 21, 2007 7:00 AM | Link to this

Hey man. I have have read how you all are bashing BK over his picks and trades. Making picks is not a science. It is more like a crapshoot. Jerry West was considered a rocket scientist during his stint with the Lakers and no one is rippin’ him now due to his picks with Memphis. It is not the picks that BK has made, but it is the coaching! Shoot, the way you all are talking y’all picked the perfect wife, the 1st time, picked the best job, best life etc. I wish that we could examine some picks y’all have made.

By doc

June 21, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this

g-thang it truly is the picks … consistantly. not bad, unfortuantely missed big in every draft to the guy behind each pick. bad luck or bad choice, it is what it is. read the simmons article highlighted above and you willl choke from laughter and remorse of what the hawks could really look llike. fortunately by a stroke of luck bk gets one more chance to get it right.

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

June 21, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this

Read the ESPN Page 2 Article and as painful as it is to see the national media mock a franchise that I grew up loving. well they couldn’t be more right. No more projects, don’t talk about ceilings this ain’t Home Depot! I want the best two players that can help the Hawks win now and it is Horford at 3 and Law at 11. Just do it!

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

June 21, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

Had to do this. Googled Atlanta Hawks draft history. What is the starting 5 lineup of worst draft picks in Hawks history?

PG— Rumeal Robinson

SG— Ed Gray

SF— Doug Edwards

PF— Chris Washburn

C— Preist Lauderdale

Bench— R.McLeod, A. Keefe, J.Koncack, S.Williams, D. Johnson, C.Bowdler, D.Glover, R.Marble and D.Comegy’s.

Sad history isn’t it.

By Lowcountry Bulldawg

June 21, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

Had to do this. Googled Atlanta Hawks draft history. What is the starting 5 lineup of worst draft picks in Hawks history?

PG— Rumeal Robinson

SG— Ed Gray

SF— Doug Edwards

PF— Chris Washburn

C— Preist Lauderdale

Bench— R.McLeod, A. Keefe, J.Koncack, S.Williams, D. Johnson, C.Bowdler, D.Glover, R.Marble and D.Comegy’s.

Sad history isn’t it.

By Anakin Joe

June 21, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

Sekou, you need to make sure the officials at the Hawks are checking this blog. PASSION! LOYALTY! A HUNGRY FAN BASE! My Man Doc went to bed blogging and woke up blogging. You’ve got to love it.

No way the Hawks should spend a top 5 pick on a 2-dimensional PG. Zabian Dowdell can push the ball and play tenacious defense and he’ll be around in the mid second round.

By Ray

June 21, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

GET KOBE!!!!!

DO WHATEVER IT TAKES BUY

GET KOBE!!!!!

By doc

June 21, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

too many have cried out to get the best guard in this draft. what does that mean when it is the weakest guard draft much less for points in the last 5 years? why should we repeat the same mistake of drafting a guard who is not head and shoulders above his peers this year much less in a group made from the last 5 drafts? last year was deep in quality guards with about 6 through the top 25, already making statements on the court in some way to make people say hmmmm. this is a year where the third or fourth ranked guard could be the 45th pick. it makes as much sense to do it as to have picked sheldon last year.

funny, the same folks that made such a noise about sheldon are the ones ranting the loudest to repeat the error this year. read simmons article and see what it sounds like and which team you want to put your money on in a 3 on 3 game.

roy was the pick last year. it should be yi, horford or noah this year. if not we might end up with a smurf additon to our home and a tweener. realisitically, can you afford to allow that to happen? draft conley and there may be no one to do the inside work or challenge someone’s tall to come out from the basket to clear space inside. as far as the breaks that conley might lead, we dont have a wipe the board clean type of guy on the defensive boards, NO ONE. if anything sheldon and zaza have shown a better ability on the offfensive boards than the defensive.

By james jones

June 21, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

joakim noah like somebody already commented above was intrigued by yi. shouldn’t that say something. yi is coming in with something no other big in this draft has and thats an outside shot. and that stays 4ever. he has low post moves where he shoots over defences. he would be a nightmare for 6 10 6 11 power fwds on other teams cause he can go by and shoot over them. lets hope for yi. why pass on someone who is the only one the top two teams seem to be considering other than the top 2 prospects? that would be dumn…. as in woodson/knight dumn!!! if woody would just let his quik players run and have the other guys move the ball around until salim or marvin shoots it. even middle school coaches can work something out with those kids.

By doc

June 21, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

aj, how about blog z’s liar’s table? got to bring your own chair nowadays and squeeze in when you can.

By Anakin Joe

June 21, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Doc, I just hope that most of these folk will stick around after the draft. Obviously, with so many differing opinions before the draft, there will be plenty of disgruntled folk afterward.

I’m still hoping we trade at least #3 for a real impact player.

Doc I don’t think that list of extremely young teams should include Raptors. They have many imports from other teams and leagues. If we keep both picks this year, our roster may include 2 picks from each of the past 4 years. That’s ridiculous!

By idecris

June 21, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

draft history: 1st Round

2006 Shelden Williams 6-9 PF 2005 Marvin Williams 6-9 SF 2004 Josh Childress 6-8 SF 2004 Josh Smith 6-8 SF 2003 Boris Diaw 6-8 SF 2002 no 1st rd pick 2001 Shareef AbdurRahim 6-9 PF (draft day deal) 2000 Dermarr Johnson 6-9 SF

for SEVEN YEARS! the Atlanta Hawks 1st round picks have resulted in all 6-8 to 6-9 forwards on draft day.

1999 Jason Terry 6-2 PG/SG

i guess we can count on 2 more forwards at the 6-8 to 6-9 range.

2007

Wright and Horford (listed 6-10 but real ht. is 6-9 w/o shoes) are Billy Knight’s most likely draft picks this year.

LMFAO!

By mountain_jim

June 21, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

If you want (what appears to be) the inside ‘skinny’ on things, more info than Sekou’s spies or contacts are going to let him report, I suggest you go here: http://www.hawksquawk.net/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=230779

for the inside dynamics of who wants what among BK, Woody, and ownership.

It’s just an internet blog post I know but from a poster that has had an accurate info track record. I would not be surprised if the ultimate source for this is in ownership, since BK anyone else providing this kind of info would be subject to firing I would think.

By terrell

June 21, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

You are right JAY. Conley is the safest pick for our inept GM to make. Everyone draft board has mixed reviews about all of the top players at every position except for pg. Conley is head and shoulders above the rest. There are no bigs that I see that are more worthy of the pick than he his, so everyone needs to just stop with that “hes not worth the 3” bullsh.. Trade the 11 for a true big that you know can play. Hell, throw in a couple players if you have to. Lets see Paul,D.Williams,M.Williams,Roy,Conley.

By bob61

June 21, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Here is an article about Yi working out with Noah. Chad Ford was very impressed with Yi. Interesting!

http://www.dreamleague.org/season/article.php?seasonid=2070&articleid=11107

By Matt

June 21, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

diehardhawksfan,

I think Memphis would be picking him too high by taking him at 4. I think in a normal draft year, Conley would be a mid-to-low lottery pick (8-11) at best. As I said, I’d have no problem taking Conley at 11 or even trading up from 11 or down from 3 to get him. I just don’t think he’ll be so much better than the other PGs in the draft that I’d take him at 3. Heck, I’ve been saying for awhile that I think that Jared Jordan might be the best ‘pure’ PG available this year - and he probably won’t even get drafted. I’m also very curious to see how Stuckey does.

As I said, I just have a bad gut feeling about Conley. I think he’ll be an above average PG, but not worthy of a #3 pick.

By diehardhawkfan

June 21, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Matt, there are people saying that this is the deepest draft in years, so I’m not sure why you would say in a normal draft he would drop to 8 or 11. And the “bad gut” feeling you have…I’m not sure where that comes from…if you have watched him play significantly throughout the season and not just a couple of NCAA games in tournament you would know that he is worlds ahead of any pg in the draft…that’s why the pg draft is so weak this year…you have Conley, then you have everybody else. He’s the second or third best freshman point guard I’ve seen in the last 10 years…the crazy thing you really can’t appreciate how good he is until you actually WATCH him play, which i’m pretty sure that no one here has done…he’s a better decision maker and finisher in the paint than tj ford was as a freshman (ford was quicker and more explosive but he was somewhat erratic his freshman year). Conley is a better defender with more “pure point guard skills” than paul (paul makes up for it by being such an explosive and dynamic scorer, something conley may never be). If you watch Ohio State’s team minus Greg Oden, you would see that they closely resemble what the Hawks can do on offense (the Buckeyes were still a very solid team even without Oden).

I’m content with the Horford pick…but I’m just going to laugh next week when everybody criticizes BK for drafting another pf over the best pg in the draft. This might be the nail in the coffin for the BK administration if Conley does what I think he will do with the Griz next season.

By smartguy

June 21, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Mountain Jim, that was a great post, but it scares the living crap out of me. Once again, BK wants to use a top five pick on a forward who is years away from being able to contribute.

Hey Spirit: you don’t have to let BK make this decision. Drafting Wright will lead to a revolt at the draft party.

By CDS

June 21, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Yi at #3 and Law at #11. We’ve seen what Law can do, he should be a no-brainer. I wouldn’t be mad at BK for taking Horford, but why would we ever take another forward from UNC after one year playing?

By terrell

June 21, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Chris Brousard just gave his picks on ESPN First take and had us taking Horford at 3 and Crittenton at 11. He had Conley ging at 4 to Memphis. Dana Jacobsen asked who he thought would make the most impact in the NBA and guess what he said. Mike Conley Jr. “without a doubt” He sees the floor extremely well,and can instantly make his teammates better. He said he saw another Tony Parker in him. Isn’t this what this team needs. By the way he did say that Horford was the most NBA ready player in the draft. How many times have we heard that one? Doesn’t SHELDON come to mind?

By mavid

June 21, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Shelden vs. Horford

WAY more impressive? the hell? shelden put up more impressive stats but he never looked more impressive. there is a difference.

Well put Abe.

People at the squawk keep going back and forth on how Horford is just like Shelly, but when you actually WATCH Horford you see that just isnt the case. He’s not a stiff the way Shelly is. He can run the floor and is athletic, etc etc.

Volman, a Pachulia jersey? Are you for real? (Imma get me a Joe one once I see the new unis).

By Nick

June 21, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

I still don’t buy into taking Horford. He did a lot of good things in college, but nothing great. He wasn’t an absolute force. He didn’t take over games. He was just a solid contributor on a well-rounded team. WITH THE #3 PICK YOU SHOULD, THOUGH, GET A GAME CHANGER. There are a lot of guys in the draft - Noah, Hawes, Green, etc. - who will be great additions and quality players. But besides Oden and Durant, I still firmly believe Conley and Brewer are the only other guys who have the potential to be true stars. Given we have no room for Brewer, Conley should be the pick.

Law IV is a nice consolation prize and I won’t be shattered if that is who we end up with. I think he’ll be an everyday starter on some team. But why should we settle for second best when we can have the best?

Granted, Zaza is best suited coming off the bench and needs to be replaced. But you can’t replace him with Horford! That’s what we’ll be asking him to do - play center, not his natural position at power forward - because there is no way Josh Smith or Marvin Williams starts the season on the bench. And if that is the situation we put him in, he will flounder.

By Samuel

June 21, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Ray,

Usually “guards/skilled players” get better when they get with better players. Many times they move at a faster speed than players. Their passes are many times too quick and they are just thinking on another level. Consequently, they have a lot of turnovers. This could be the case with Critt.

As far as Sheldon goes. I think he will be a good PF. Not flashy but solid. I just don’t think he was worthy of his high pick.

On the Kobe talk. You guys have been raggin me to no end about my Knicks. I believe he will eventually end up there. We’ll see who will be laughing then.

By diehardhawkfan

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

Nick, I completely agree…outside of Oden and Durant, the next two impact players are Conley and Brewer. Horford is a solid player, but definitely not a game changer.

By jhan

June 21, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Doc, This draft isn’t loaded with top quality centers either. Would you draft the best one available if you had the chance?

My vote is still for Conley #3 & whatever big #11. If no bigs worth drafting are there, I probably still take Law. I know 2 guards are the opposite of what we really need, but I think a 4 guard rotation of Conley, Law, JJ & Salim is pretty impressive.

From there I would trade Marvin or JC along with some filler for an interior presence. This would allow JJ to spend some time as SF. At the trade deadline, I trade Lue & AJ for another interior presence if possible. If not, I get draft picks for next year.

By gwills

June 21, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

The Hawks have a really good chance of doing something special in this draft. I think they should put together a package and make a trade with the sixers. The sixers have three picks in this draft and the hawks could land two of them.. They could trade the #3 pick, Sheldon, and Lue for the sixers 12th and 21st. They could then draft Critt with the 11th pick. Sean Williams(His stock is rising) with the 12th pick, Big Baby(his stock is rising and he measured a legit 6’9) from LSU with the 21st.. This is what the roster would look like.
PG- Critt/Speedy/AJ SG- JJ/JChill/ Salim SF- Marvin/JChill/JSmoove PF- JSmoove/Big Baby/Soloman C- Zaza,Sean Williams/Big Baby

I’m telling you the sixers would make this move. They have igudola,kover,andre miller, and Dalembert as starters. They are only missing a power forward. With the Third pick they could land Harford and have Sheldon as a back up. This will definitely make the hawks a force. This line up is very versatile and inner changeable. Sean Williams is the best shot blocker in the nation (even better than Oden- with him and JSmoove manning the paint no one would get easy lay-ups, and with his wide frame, big baby could play some center. This line up would make the Hawks a beast in the east for years to come.

By gwills

June 21, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Here is a bit about Sean Williams and big Baby’s rising stocks from espn insider.• Teams that have visited Houston during the past few weeks to take a look at Boston College center Sean Williams are coming back with a positive impression.

Williams has decided not to travel to teams and instead to hold his workouts in Houston — kind of like Yi Jianlian in Los Angeles.

Several NBA executives came away from the workouts saying that Williams reminded them a little of Amare Stoudemire.

“He’s pretty raw offensively,” one executive said. “But he’s got a great body, is super-athletic, and he’s the best shot-blocker in the draft. At what point does the reward outweigh the risk? That’s what we’re all trying to figure out. But on talent, he’s a top-10 pick. Maybe higher.”

According to one executive who personally interviewed Williams, the player was candid about his dismissal from the Boston College team for smoking marijuana.

“He said he was immature and he understood why teams had doubts about him,” the executive said. “But the thing that struck me was that he said the experience of watching his team struggle without him made him realize that it was a mistake that can’t happen again.”

We’ve been talking about Williams’ range starting at No. 17 with the Nets (who desperately need a player like him) and ending in the late first round. But maybe we’re being naive. A significant number of players in the NBA smoke marijuana. Most NBA executives don’t believe it’s a serious issue. Given Williams’ talent, they may be willing to take the PR hit now to have a significant contributor down the road.

• Glen “Big Baby” Davis continues to be a hot name in the draft.

Davis has measured a legit 6-foot-9 in shoes, and though he weighs in at around 290, he has only about 11 percent body fat.

“I know this sounds really weird to say about a kid this big, but he’s light on his feet,” one GM told me. “And he can really shoot the basketball. From a skills standpoint, I think he’s one of the three or four best big guys in the draft.”

The question is obvious: Will Davis stay in shape after he gets a big deal? His agent, John Hamilton, says that everyone Davis has interviewed with has asked him the same question at every workout. His response, according to Hamilton: “I just was uneducated. I didn’t understand how to eat properly.”

Hamilton sent me a DVD of Davis’ workouts in Houston with John Lucas. He looks to be in good shape, is moving well and is very skilled. He could be a real draft sleeper.

Davis has worked out for the 76ers, Nets, Bulls, Wolves, Rockets, Sonics and Wizards. He’ll be in Golden State on Wednesday.

By tp

June 21, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

I believe this whole offseason hinges on Josh Smith. Assuming he is untouchable (as Sekou has written), we need to answer this question: is he our starting SF or PF? To me, making that decision and sticking with it drives all other decisions.

If he is our starting SF: - Marvin is trade bait - We need to draft at #3 or trade for a starting PF (Horford, Yi, Wright)and Shelden is back-up - PG at #11 (or trade for a big)

If he is our starting PF: - Marvin starts at SF, Shelden is back-up PF - Drafting a PF at #3 makes NO sense, PG at #3 makes sense - Big at #11 (or trade for one)

Personally, I think Smith should be the SF. Therefore, Marvin is trade bait. In any scenario, I keep Chills and hope his injury concerns are behind him. He give us great flexibility (and effort) at SG and SF.

By MailMan

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

The talent gurus in the Hawks organization passed on Chris Paul. If it were me I wouldn’t pass on Conely Jr regardless of the so called size issue. Did I sleep through some new rule that you don’t draft a point guard at the 3 position?

By Matt

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

If the marijuana charge was the only knock, I wouldn’t hesitate to go after Sean Williams. But the boy was suspended three times during his two-plus years of playing college ball. That usually means that the player lacks focus and the ability to block out distractions. And if he couldn’t keep his eye on the ball in college, what’s to say that he’ll be able to in the pros?

Fool me one, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, and you’re just a fool.

By Anakin Joe

June 21, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

gwills the only thing worse than a bad team is a bad team that includes bad characters. Yes, we need a defensive big but I wouldn’t touch Sean Williams. If dude couldn’t stay away from the wacky weed as a college student, what happens when he has a bank account with 7 figures in it and isn’t being babysat during the course of the average day? I read the ESPN article and I would simply say that everyone sounds reasonably mature during a job interview.

By honest_abe

June 21, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

kobe on the knicks.. i’m still laughing.

By Change of mind

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

Taken a break and come back with a new outlook.

We all know we need inside help. Everyone is talking about Hortford, seriously what about Noah. I am not a “fan” of his. So what that he can’t shoot from the outside, we need someone to just get rebounds and that is what he does best. We need a Rodman type player. He gets the crowd into it, gets in the other teams face. He will work hard on the glass and that is what we need. This pick seems the most obvious. I also would like to see us take another big at 11(Yi, if he falls or Hawes). We already have 3 point guards, even if they are horrible. I can live with JChill bringing the ball up if need be.

By Ryan from the A

June 21, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

By all accounts Horford is a legitimate NBA ready beast and the most talented player after Oden and Durant but at the same time the Hawks NEED a point guard who can run a team offensively and play solid defense. Conley is that point guard he has poise beyond his years and is able to distribute the ball the RIGHT way because he is a PURE point guard.

Both Acie Law and Crittenton are talented but better suited to play two guard in the NBA. Crittenton in particular because as talented as he is, he has serious decison making issues at the point guard position, hence the Yellow Jackets first round loss in the tourney this year which was largely his fault down the stretch, and he is a project on a team that doesn’t need any more projects.

The Bottom line is that the Hawks need to put a TEAM together and be solid at all positions with transcendent talent which the Hawks are not. The solution? You go ahead and draft Horford at #3 and then trade the 11th pick, Shelden Williams (awful pick at 5 last year), Josh Childress (clearly a role player), and maybe Speedy Claxton to MOVE UP in the lottery to take Conley. The preferable trade partner would be Memphis at #4.

You then play this season out and wait to see how the lottery shapes out next year and try to trade whatever possible (barring Conley, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Horford) including FUTURE draft picks to get a pick high enough to draft Hibbert. If you can avoid trading Zaza and Tyronn Lue to make this deal than avoid it, unless it can’t be avoided.

I know the rule of thumb is not to trade future first round picks…but with a nucleus of Conley, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams (who still has a chance to be VERY good), Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Hibbert (including maybe Lue and Zaza coming off the bench, maybe even Salim Stoudamire) then we have a very talented and very deep team who would be a serious contender in the east and would still be very young. No need for future picks anytime soon after next year. The Hawks would be playing for the chip.

By glenn

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

I would love to get Horford at 3 . I think he will be an elite forward in the NBA over time . I would not be surprised at all if Conley dropped in our lap at 11 . There are so many good big men in this draft . I think trading for a top ten pick will be quite difficult & no one will want to go small . Everyone compares Conley to Tony Parker . He went at the end of the first round the year he was drafted . I remember Babcock passing on him & Jamaal Tinsley . Actually I think he just traded the pick for a future 1st rounder . We have needed point guard help for a while haven’t we !

By terrell

June 21, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

Good points TP. Like I said before, he will be a great sf if he just works on his handles and outside shot. That would justify picking Horford. But since we dont know his positon and apparently Woody doesn’t either, we have to take Conley.

By Stinger

June 21, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Who to draft comes down to how you view our roster, if you like - PG - Committee, SG - JJ, SF - Marvin, PF - Smith and C - Pachulia with a bench of Childress at 2,3 and Sheldon/Solomon at 4,5 then you must select Mike Conley

if you like PG - Committee, SG - JJ, SF - Smith, PF - Sheldon and C - Pachulia with a bench of Childress 2,3 and Marvin 3,4 then you must draft Horford.

The key is where do you want to play Josh Smith. If it’s the 3 then Marvin should be moved for a pg if it’s the 4 then Marvin is a perfect 3 and you draft a pg.

However I believe a significant trade is in the works and feel that is probably the best short and long term solution. Likely Gasol.

By j-rock

June 21, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

http://www.hawksquawk.net/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=230779&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#230827230779

Let’s hope ownership or at least coach woodson wins this battle.Go Hawks!!!!

By Orlando Rivera

June 21, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Great points Edgar! I think this team is desperate for someone who is a vocal leader. Atlanta can’t afford to bring in any projects if they don’t have someone who is willing to keep this team in check. That’s the reason Marvin Williams may not reach his full potential, neither will anyone else that BK drafts. These young players don’t respect Woodson because most times he has no idea what he’s doing.

Say Atlanta drafts Horford. He may be a talented stud but does anyone out there really think that he can flourish with Woodson as coach? Same for Crittenton, who was turnover prone at GT and may not be able to work on his game while under Woodson. That’s why I’m adamant about Atlanta drafting Conley at 3. He will become that floor leader that can keep the offense flowing while guarding the ball handler on defense.

By Anakin Joe

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

I like the way the Hawks are conducting their business. Chad Ford is saying that the owners have asked Yi to fly to Atlanta. Bloggers are claiming that BK is pursuing Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. Most mock drafts currently have us selecting Horford. And I would expect the Hawks to drive up the value of Noah and Conley after their visits to the arena. It is all good. Keep several teams guessing. Increase the value of the pick. Force teams to come to the Hawks with their best offers and then sit back and make the right choice.

After last year’s debacle, I think virtually all would have to agree that we are doing a far better job of manipulating the draft noise. Nice job!

By mountain_jim

June 21, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Yes - the Chad article on Yi (insider required) is here: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=Yi-Conundrum

By D

June 21, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

What is it with these guys?

Is it because Billy King and Mike Woodson were big guards themselves that they just have to chase that big guard lineup? Remember, these were the same guys that thought that JJ could serve as the point guard. “He’ll be a matchup nightmare!” they said. Well, we saw how that worked out. JJ was worked into a lather, and the Hawks were the nightmare.

Look, sometimes the shorter/smaller guy is still the best guy— what about Allen Iverson? How about Chris Paul? Avery Johnson? Mookie Blaylock? John Stockton? Steve Nash? (etc., etc.). I’m not saying that Conley is as good a scorer as some of those guys (though I think he has a shot at being a lot like Paul), but, c’mon, let’s get over this flawed love affair with big guards, unless— and here’s a concept— they really have the talent. I don’t think either Law or Critt have the talent to be anything more than a spot shooter, in Law’s case, or a backup in Critt’s case (although in a few years, Critt maybe can improve— we don’t have that kind of time, though, and it’s a big question mark).

Unfortunately, I think BK and MW are back to their old tricks, and there is no way that they will draft Conley because they can’t get off the big guard train. They won’t draft him at 3, he’ll be gone well before 11, and two years from now— mark my words— TWO YEARS FROM NOW, we are going to be bemoaning the fact that the Hawks skipped out on him and missed signing a future All-Star AGAIN.

I agree with the prior poster— at least when Belkin wins the ownership dispute (and he’s certainly sitting prety right now), he’ll fire the guys who are currently running the team, regardless of what else happens.

By change of mind

June 21, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

I keep hearing about all these “future” all stars in 2 years…how many spots are there on an all star team???

DWilliams wasn’t an all star but made a splash in the playoffs. CPaul isn’t an all star and still hasn’t been to the playoffs(they even have a big man in Chandler). Deng..not an all star. Iguodala…not an all star. These are the players we talk about missing and they are not all stars, yet Hortford and Conley are???

I love the passion, it just makes me laugh sometimes.

By terrell

June 21, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Ryan from the A, if we pass on Conley, and take Horford, I hope we do everything possible to move up and get him. You are right,we will probably have to make a deal with Memphis. I like your trade scenario, but there is no way in hell Memphis wants Craig. Throw in T.Lue instead and they might bite, but its a long shot.

By Chris

June 21, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

Horford is not going to be a star in this league. He only scored 13 points a game this season. 13! Do the Hawks management really think that number will go up when he has to play against better talent everyday in the pros! Horford is not worth #3 pick even if we didn’t have gaping holes at the PG and C positions. My advice draft Conley at #3 then pick up Spencer Hawes at #11. Even if only one of those two players became good, then this would be the best draft the Hawks have had in a long time!

By cp

June 21, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

I like Horford but I just dont see how he is going to be a beast all of a sudden. I saw a lot of Fla games and he looked good some games and some games I forgot he was on the court. Its dang near frustrating to be a Hawks fan because in the back of your mind you think that they will find a way to blow this draft. If that article on the squawk is true then I will officially be done with this team. We cant take sf and power fwds year after year and ignore the pg and center situation. Man what happened to that guy in Dallas that wanted to buy this team. He couldnt have been this bad. I dont even know if im looking foward to this draft now after reading and listening to BK and Woody talk. Basketball gods please bless us.

By St. Bernard

June 21, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

13 ppg. WOW. good stat

By terrell

June 21, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

What up everyone? I’ve heard every trade scenario and I’ve seen who everyone wants at 3 and 11. So what do you guys really think Billy will do on draft night? Not what yall hope he does, but what you think he will do. Come on fellows be serious.

By Clyde

June 21, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

cp I feel ya. We need David McDavid. Time Warner really screwed the city of Atlanta when it comes to professional sports. I can only wonder how better off the Hawks would be if Time Warner would not have double crossed McDavid.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Big Steve

June 21, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Let’s have fun with this:

First off. Other than Oden we do not need any more stars — we need a PG to develop and C now for depth. JJ, Smith, MW are our stars. I say MW will be 6th Man of Year candidate this year.

We have no 7’0 on our team — we dont need a star — we need two 7’0 that plus ZaZa can get 15p/15r/4b at C.

We have NBA depth at 2,3,4.

Sheldon was Rookie of April with a Double-double avg. Horford is a marginal improvement (Sheldon is a better shooter and will be a solid pro). SoJo is a fine bench #4 and will play for 10 years in the NBA.

There is no one who can start for us immediately at the #3. Conley might even be available at #11 since he doesnt have a jumpshot. But Crit is the next Billups and a friend of Smitty. Speedy, (AJ) and Salim (and JChill at PG) will all be in-front of the rookie PG this year anyway. (I saw the light-bulb for Salim go-on in April at PG. I personally think he should get a shot — or trade for a late #1). There is no C available & worthy until at least the 15th+ pick (Williams/Gray/Splitter).

Crit at #11. he will be a star in 3 years. (Speedy’s contract goes for 2 more — he is a serviceable vet while Crit grows).

I say: Trade the #3 to the Wizards for Brandon Haywood, #16, and ‘08 #1.

We get 4-year vet 7’0 player at C who can play low-post with Za Za. (Haywood wants to leave). We get the best rookie C with #16 — and a #1 for next year.

  **Speedy        JJ
    Salim         Childress
    Crit

Sheldon ZaZa J Smith SoJo Haywood MW(6thMan) Gray/Williams**

We won 30 games with a bunch of injuries and youth — we are a year older and stronger… 40 wins is probable as a minimum…

By Big Steve

June 21, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

Let’s have fun with this:

First off. Other than Oden we do not need any more stars — we need a PG to develop and C now for depth. JJ, Smith, MW are our stars. I say MW will be 6th Man of Year candidate this year.

We have no 7’0 on our team — we dont need a star — we need two 7’0 that plus ZaZa can get 15p/15r/4b at C.

We have NBA depth at 2,3,4.

Sheldon was Rookie of April with a Double-double avg. Horford is a marginal improvement (Sheldon is a better shooter and will be a solid pro). SoJo is a fine bench #4 and will play for 10 years in the NBA.

There is no one who can start for us immediately at the #3. Conley might even be available at #11 since he doesnt have a jumpshot. But Crit is the next Billups and a friend of Smitty. Speedy, (AJ) and Salim (and JChill at PG) will all be in-front of the rookie PG this year anyway. (I saw the light-bulb for Salim go-on in April at PG. I personally think he should get a shot — or trade for a late #1). There is no C available & worthy until at least the 15th+ pick (Williams/Gray/Splitter).

Crit at #11. he will be a star in 3 years. (Speedy’s contract goes for 2 more — he is a serviceable vet while Crit grows).

I say: Trade the #3 to the Wizards for Brandon Haywood, #16, and ‘08 #1.

We get 4-year vet 7’0 player at C who can play low-post with Za Za. (Haywood wants to leave). We get the best rookie C with #16 — and a #1 for next year.

  **Speedy        JJ
    Salim         Childress
    Crit

Sheldon ZaZa J Smith SoJo Haywood MW(6thMan) Gray/Williams**

We won 30 games with a bunch of injuries and youth — we are a year older and stronger… 40 wins is probable as a minimum…

By D

June 21, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Big Steve— how is that lineup a winner? It’s basically the same guys, except with Haywood— an itinerant underachiever— and Crit. I don’t see it. That picks up 10 wins?

Okay, so maybe the Pistons will give up some more Ws to someone next year b/c they seem to be fading. But Miami, Chicago, and Cleveland? They’re all moving up. I see the Hawks taking a step back with that group.

Also… Speedy serviceable? Unless he gets his together, next season will be like the last one, where he was out of shape or injured. No way can the Hawks sit around and wait for that position to develop. Which is why Crit is a bad pick for the Hawks.

By Clyde

June 21, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

I got a bad feeling about this draft.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By hazer

June 21, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

only half kidding: trade the 3rd and 11th picks along with a few of our log-jammers for oden at #1? would also need to save a couple of decent bodies to trade for a capable pg like jack. jj at point, jj at 2, marv at 3, smoove at 4, and oden at 5. bingo! never gonna happen…

By Stinger

June 21, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Big Steve says trade #3 for Haywood, #16 and a 2008 #1 - I’m suddenly grateful we have BK running this team. (Big Steve does makes some good points right up to the point were he details the players recommended)

By cp

June 21, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Clyde Ive been having a bad feeling for the last 3 weeks or so. For some reason I just feel like most of us will be dissapointed on draft night. It sounds like nobody on this team is on the same page. The gm coach and owners all seem to be on different pages with the draft like a week away. We cannot turn this around with these type of fools having a say on what to do. Im praying we get this right for a change. This draft is very important for this team.

By Call Me Earl

June 21, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

3pick Yi Jianlian

2003-04 28 106 205 0.517 0.741 165 14 20 15 271 9.7 2004-05 53 346 609 0.568 0.717 541 74 87 75 889 16.8 2005-06 52 52 403 701 0.574 246 326 0.754 503 63 104 69 1067 20.5 2006-07 39 39 359 613 0.585 222 272 0.816 450 42 74 70 973 24.9 <

11 pick Javarius Crittendon 6’5” 190lbs point gaurd, enough said

By Ken Strickland

June 21, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

J-ROCK, that was an interesting article. It makes no sense to trade the #3 pick for Aldridge when he offers no more, potentially, than Horford. Besides, Aldridge has serious health issues that sidelined him last yr, and could be career threatening. Why take the unnecessary risk.

I posted on a different blog that Bk and Woody were not on the same page. Woody is trying to run a traditional half court OFF, while BK keeps feeding him, versatile, athletic, uptempo type combo players. Maybe BK should do like Isiah Thomas and implement his system and try to coach his own players.

By Pollymanna

June 21, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Big Steve you make some good points.Horford only makes sence if he’s a Carlos Boozer.There’s nothing in his college stats that would rate him so high.That point made,none of the Fla players had top stats.This could be explained by the team concept, even distribution style they play.I really don’t have the answer.Watching video,he looks impressive in some ways,compared to say B Wright he doesn’t look very quick though.In the NBA quickness,or lack of can made all the difference.

By Ryan from the A

June 21, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

I’m bumpbing this to get some feedback:

By all accounts Horford is a legitimate NBA ready beast and the most talented player after Oden and Durant but at the same time the Hawks NEED a point guard who can run a team offensively and play solid defense.

Conley is that point guard he has poise beyond his years and is able to distribute the ball the RIGHT way because he is a PURE point guard. Both Acie Law and Crittenton are talented but better suited to play two guard in the NBA. Crittenton in particular because as talented as he is, he has serious decison making issues at the point guard position, hence the Yellow Jackets first round loss in the tourney this year, which was largely his fault down the stretch, and he is a project on a team that doesn’t need any more projects.

The Bottom line is that the Hawks need to put a TEAM together and be solid at all positions with transcendent talent, something the Hawks are not. The solution? You go ahead and draft Horford at #3 and then trade the 11th pick, Shelden Williams (awful pick at 5 last year), Josh Childress (clearly a role player), and maybe Speedy Claxton to MOVE UP in the lottery to take Conley. The preferable trade partner would be Memphis at #4.

You then play this season out and wait to see how the lottery shapes out next year and try to trade whatever possible (barring Conley, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and Horford) including FUTURE draft picks to get a pick high enough to draft Hibbert. If you can avoid trading Zaza and Tyronn Lue to make this deal than avoid it, unless it can’t be avoided.

I know the rule of thumb is not to trade future first round picks…but with a nucleus of Conley, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams (who still has a chance to be VERY good), Josh Smith, Al Horford, and Hibbert (including maybe Lue and Zaza coming off the bench, maybe even Salim Stoudamire) then we have a very talented and very deep team who would be a serious contender in the east and would still be very young. No need for future picks anytime soon after next year. The Hawks would be playing for the chip.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 21, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

I think that Philips Arena better bring in extra security on thursday, because if BK selects Brandon Wright, or just totally blows this draft, things might get UGLY at Philips.

By Macaroni Tony

June 21, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

I see that the Boston Celtics will not be getting Kevin Garnett, he told them that he did not want to play for them. Also I don’t see the trade for Villanueva want be happening with that contract extension that he just earned. So we are going to have to make some wise decisions with these picks. I do like the sound of Dwight Howard playing with us, but are we going pay him what he is worth. So I don’t think that we will not be getting Garnett because he said that the only team that he would like to play for is the Suns. I know that BK heart is still with Gasol so if Memphis can’t convince him to stay then maybe we can send our #11 along with Wright, Salim, and Ivey (some dead weight) for Gasol. Then with the #3 we chose Yi. Then the line up could be

Charlie Bell (get him through FA)If Milwaukee don’t match JJ (floor general) JS (franchise future) Yi Gasol

bench

Speedy/Lue Chills MW SW/SJones Zaza

that is a micro wish I think that would be at least a playoff team for starters

By JMF

June 21, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

I am perplexed that so many people knock Billy Knight. He has disassembled a mess and recreated a good team in the making. He has made good draft choices and I have complete confidence that he will make great decisions this year.

By Roger

June 21, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

The choice the hawks have for a point isnt between Law, Conley, and Crittenton… the hawks would be crazy to select Conley at #3. The choice is would you rather have horford at #3 PLUS one of the three PGs at 11, or Conley at 3 and a sg or sf type player at 11 that wont really address a need since all the good bigs will be gone by then. So in my opinion Conley at #3 isnt worth Horford PLUS Crittenton/Law(or the possibility of himself at 11#)

By doc

June 21, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

yeah roger you get it, so does mark at ajc. let us see whether bk gets it.

samuel your comments hopefully have been noted by the anti crit folks that dwell on that one stat. i compared it to a baseball player coming into the majors and begins to hit much better than he did in the minors even though competiton is greater in the defense and the capabilities of the pitcher.

By james jones

June 21, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

did someone just say put joe up for a trade to get oden here? u guys oden is good but come on oe? we only won 30 cause of him anyway. i think BK will take yi at 3. cause he can’t lose both ways with him. but i personally think yi’s game is worth it. at 11 i want him to take law but i know conley’s gonna be there at 11 ya’ll wait and see.

By ray

June 21, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Watch the videos of Horford, if you want to keep comparing him to Sheldon. Watch how he scores, rebounds, etc. Watch how he runs the floor and at what speed he does it. Watch how he handles the ball, whether in the half court or full court. I really don’t understand how you can’t see the difference.

Another thing. Speed is great, but it’s positioning instincts/proper positioning that make the real difference. ESPECIALLY in the post. A guy who has good footwork, less wasted motion, and good/great position always beats a guy who’s just an athlete. In the low post, you can have all the speed of an olympic sprinter, but if you can’t beat your man to the right spot…you can’t get the rebounds, can’t throw the outlet pass that starts the fast break, and you can’t be a consistently good defender. Even the freakish athletes need at least some timing and positioning ability.

That is what Sheldon’s main problem has been. He doesn’t lack the strength or size. He seems to lack the ability to get into proper position quickly enough. Which ultimately means he never gets to that spot. If you get there too late, you never got there at all. And it doesn’t take speed to get there. You simply have to find the shortest distance between where you are and where you need to be. But first, you must understand where you need to be. You have to know it without having to puzzle through it for a few seconds (too late!). That’s called instinct. This is what I think separates Horford from Shelden. If you watched the games last season you saw how often Shelden got beat because he was out of position. Not because he lacked strength or speed. Because he lacked the ability to know and be where he needed to be.

Even though he’s no major stud per se, I think Noah has the instinct as well. He’s highly adaptive. He can get stronger and probably will. But if he doesn’t position himself right the first time, he’ll figure it out quickly. And you don’t have to worry about energy and/or quickness with him. He’s got both in abundance.

Mountain Jim that was highly interesting stuff. Don’t know how much is how close to true. I am not surprised Billy is in love with Wright. But we can’t stand any more projects like that right now. Like I said before, that only works if we already have a person in place in the low post who’s getting the job done. We don’t, so picking Wright makes no sense for now or even the next two years.

For those looking to get a Boozer out of Horford. Let’s face it, even when Boozer was drafted, who knew for certain he would and could do what he does now? He’s another successful beefy 6’8-6’9 power forward. Horford can be the next. I believe he will be.

I hope that we can make a good trade. Failing that, I’d rather see something more along the lines of what Woody (suprisingly enough) wants or what the Spirit wants. If Billy gets what he wants, that’s fine as long as it’s Yi and NOT Wright.

Funny thing is, we keep talking ourselves in circles. If we keep the draft picks and make both selections, it’s still deciding which need of the two we have is the greater, and then settling for the less flashy answer to the perceived lesser need. There’s no way around it picking at 3 and 11. If the pg need is considered to be greater, then the third pick is likely to be Conley. We may as well quit saying we need a center, because there won’t be one available to us in the draft that can come right in and contribute. That particular distinction belongs to Oden, who will be a Blazer. Hawes, despite his height and skill, is not strong enough and probably too much of a project right now. Gray is projected as a backup already. Splitter is considered a power forward. That leaves guys like Horford and Noah, both of which are also considered power forwards. So, if our “low post” need is considered greater, then it’s most likely Horford, while settling for Law or Critt. And even then, are we really just “settling?” Either player could be really good for us. The question would be when. So in the end, that’s what it comes down to. Which need is the greater.

Oh, but there’s the need for money too, isn’t there? And pure talent. Which is where Yi comes in. Or even Corey Brewer. You never really know. Barring trades, we’ll see which is the greater need in the eyes of those who decide whom to pick.

By Don!

June 21, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Horford at #3.

After that, I think there are options. If both Law and Crittenton are on the board, and another team wants to move into the #11 slot, you would have to listen.

If the Hawks could move down an pick up another player/pick and still have a shot at Law/Critt with a backu plan of dealing for a second rounder to take Jamon Gordon … that would work for me.

I’d also even listen to offers to move up from the 11 spot to a position to take Noah, sending one of our excess smaller forwards (like J Chill or Marvin) to a team in the 7-9 range, especially if we could get a high second rounder back to take Taurean Green if he’s available.

That would put three ‘Gators from the back-to-back champs on our team.

We could have a starting lineup of Noah, Horford and Josh in the front court, with Joe and Anthony Johnson (splitting time with Green) with J Chil/Marvin (whichever is left), Sheldon, Big Z and Salim — letting the Hawks go a solid nine-deep, before the last three of S. Jones, Speedy and whoever Billy wants to keep as the 12th player on the bench.

That would make us awful young though, and I don’t see us going that far in that direction — but it would be a sweet lineup to play with if it gelled.

Also remember, we’re not going to be able to keep all three of Chill, Marvin and Josh too much lomger because of cap issues. So I expect BK to move one of the three around the draft to either get a more veteran player or future flexibility.

Anyway, that’s m two cents — it may not be worth that much though …

Later,

Don!

By Don!

June 21, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Horford at #3.

After that, I think there are options. If both Law and Crittenton are on the board, and another team wants to move into the #11 slot, you would have to listen.

If the Hawks could move down an pick up another player/pick and still have a shot at Law/Critt with a backu plan of dealing for a second rounder to take Jamon Gordon … that would work for me.

I’d also even listen to offers to move up from the 11 spot to a position to take Noah, sending one of our excess smaller forwards (like J Chill or Marvin) to a team in the 7-9 range, especially if we could get a high second rounder back to take Taurean Green if he’s available.

That would put three ‘Gators from the back-to-back champs on our team.

We could have a starting lineup of Noah, Horford and Josh in the front court, with Joe and Anthony Johnson (splitting time with Green) with J Chil/Marvin (whichever is left), Sheldon, Big Z and Salim — letting the Hawks go a solid nine-deep, before the last three of S. Jones, Speedy and whoever Billy wants to keep as the 12th player on the bench.

That would make us awful young though, and I don’t see us going that far in that direction — but it would be a sweet lineup to play with if it gelled.

Also remember, we’re not going to be able to keep all three of Chill, Marvin and Josh too much lomger because of cap issues. So I expect BK to move one of the three around the draft to either get a more veteran player or future flexibility.

Anyway, that’s my two cents — it may not be worth that much though …

Later,

Don!

By Don!

June 21, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Horford at #3.

After that, I think there are options. If both Law and Crittenton are on the board, and another team wants to move into the #11 slot, you would have to listen.

If the Hawks could move down an pick up another player/pick and still have a shot at Law/Critt with a backu plan of dealing for a second rounder to take Jamon Gordon … that would work for me.

I’d also even listen to offers to move up from the 11 spot to a position to take Noah, sending one of our excess smaller forwards (like J Chill or Marvin) to a team in the 7-9 range, especially if we could get a high second rounder back to take Taurean Green if he’s available.

That would put three ‘Gators from the back-to-back champs on our team.

We could have a starting lineup of Noah, Horford and Josh in the front court, with Joe and Anthony Johnson (splitting time with Green) with J Chil/Marvin (whichever is left), Sheldon, Big Z and Salim — letting the Hawks go a solid nine-deep, before the last three of S. Jones, Speedy and whoever Billy wants to keep as the 12th player on the bench.

That would make us awful young though, and I don’t see us going that far in that direction — but it would be a sweet lineup to play with if it gelled.

Also remember, we’re not going to be able to keep all three of Chill, Marvin and Josh too much lomger because of cap issues. So I expect BK to move one of the three around the draft to either get a more veteran player or future flexibility.

Anyway, that’s my two cents — it may not be worth that much though …

Later,

Don!

By Don!

June 21, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Oh, Sekou — any word on Theodoros Papaloukas?

Later,

Don!

By ray

June 21, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Samuel,

You made a good point about Crittenton. If we end up with him, I sure hope you are right on the money with that guy. More than that, I hope nobody, Woody or anyone else, retards this guy’s growth. That would be the true tragedy.

James Jones, it would be nice if you were right about Conley being there at #11. I just don’t see it happening. But as I’ve been alluding to for some time now…if Law or Crittenton turn out to be good in their own right, and it helps the team in the short and long term, what’s there to argue about getting or not getting Conley? Nothing.

By terrell

June 21, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

ROGER, the good bigs will be gone after the first pick. All the rest are risks. What are the bigs that you are talking about. It’s the other way around if you ask me. Conley will not be there at 11, and I bet you that one of those so called bigs will. Get the best point guard in this draft Billy, and someone will fall to 11. YOU CAN PUT THE HOUSE ON THAT!

By Mike The Mechanic

June 21, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

This team really doesn’t need to pass up COnley at 3 for Horford with no reach(wingspan). He is just like Shelden Williams but with shorter arms. Wait till 11 to find a big, hopefully Noah, Hawes or even Yi falls to 11, if not trade down a few spots and draft Sean Williams…MIGHT BE WORTH THE RISK.

By terrell

June 21, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

Don, Horford, Jamon Gordon, and a player to be named later. Are you freakin kidding me? If that is all we come away with, I am finished with this team.

By Odd Job

June 21, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

I just finished Bradley’s article on Horford.Does he know anything about sports at all ? I’ll concentrate on this little gem of absurdity for now.He wrote that Horford is similar to Duncan,no he’s not.Oden is much more like Duncan both in body and style of play.He states that B Wright may be a Horford in two years.Well if he has a mind and body transplant he may well be.Again,Wright is a very different player with a different mind set than Horford.The thing is I don’t see how he can understand Horford or Wright if he thinks they play at all similar.

By ray

June 21, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

I gotta quit typing such long posts.

By terrell

June 21, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Mike the Mechanic, my thoughts exactly. If we take Horforfd, Memphis will take Conley. Ivaroni needs an up-tempo pg to run the show. Conley fits the bill. We either take him at 3 or we lose him.

By Odd Job

June 21, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

One thing to consider with Jamon Gordon is his Fr numbers were virtually the same as his sr stats at VT. In fact all four years were remarkably similar,consistently mediocre with no improvement in four seasons.Let’s pass on this one.

By im about to give up

June 21, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

Can someone please explain to me and point out what Horford did in college that makes him this so called beast. The dude is a nice player but come on man he is not a center. The guy is 6’9 not 6’10 check the measurements. He is not as athletic as some people are making him to be. If we take him we will soon find out why we are the laughing stock of the nba.

By JT

June 21, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

I guess the hawks are gong to draft another sheldon william I dont even give a damn anymore

By terrell

June 21, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Don: Horford, Jamon Gordon, and a player to be named later. Are you freakin kidding me? If that is all we come away with, I am finished with this team.

By please dont take Horford

June 21, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

I Hope the hawks take Conley at #3 and then we can take Hawes or Noah at #11 or we could do the smart thing by trading the picks for Pau Gasol

By Odd Job

June 21, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Ray Sometimes you’re too sure of yourself.Sheldon’s college production was superior to Horford’s in most every way.They played the same high level of competition.So what you’re stating about Horford’s ability over Shelden’s is your guess.It may turn out that Horford is a star.It may be that Shelden turns out to be the better of the two,we’ll probably know in five years.

By Clyde

June 21, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Horford will struggle because longer players will just shoot right over the top over him. Just like they did Sheldon Williams this year. His only defense will be the “Hawks Hack” made famous by the infamous Al Harrington. The Hawks are making me think about moving back to Birmingham, Alabama.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By ray

June 21, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Oddjob, yes that is my guess. It’s only a guess, it’s the way I feel about it, it’s not a fact. Nobody really cares what I think, in large part due to the fact that I have nothing to do with any decisions made on any level of the Hawks organization. So why even say I’m too sure of myself? If it seems like I’m bringing a strong argument, it’s just that this is what I feel is the deal with these two oft-compared players.

Furthermore, I don’t care about Sheldon’s stats. They did not translate to the NBA game by any stretch of the imagination. Particularly the defensive “prowess”. I don’t even see where he’s got a solid defender’s skills. I feel that Horford is more athletic and aggressive. That’s all. You can feel about it however you want, too. And be sure of yourself.

By KB

June 21, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

Look everybody all of the opinions that are being expressed here about who we should pick at #3 really don’t matter because Afro man billy is going to pick who he wants to. None of these point guards are gonna come in here and make an impact this year except maybe ACIE LAW.How many times have players in college who appeared to have game get to the NBA and turn out to be journeymen,playing overseas, or out of the NBA? Thats why I say trade the #3 pick and get an experirenced or proven point guard cause If we dont we will probably end up in the lottery again next year.

By Odd Job

June 21, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

Please——-I’ve never pushed for a player.I do like the control Conley shows.It’s not just my view of how he looks.When you take his shooting % along with his assist to turnover ratio,it paints a picture of a pg who knows what he wants to do on a play and has the coordination and cool to do it.As for Hawes,I have a bit of a fan crush on the way he plays.Like Conley he plays under control.He is the most skilled big in the draft in my opinion.The only question is his quickness.I don’t know that either player would be my picks. I’d bet they both make a positive contribution somewhere this season though.

By james jones

June 21, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

look ya’ll i ddn’t like sheldon an i almost still don’t. but i’m hoping someone’s seeing what i’m not seeing cause there’d be no reason i wouldn’t dump a guy i play better than…

that was just a joke. lets just wait and see ya’ll. we all probably should get personalised hawks’ jerseys so we can hola at each other and sy our i told u so’s in philips’ arena. and yeah….

YI AT #3.

By terrell

June 21, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

ODDJOB, Hawes is the most skilled big man in the draft. I’ll remember that comment. That’s hilarious. Stay away from those highlight reels man.

By diehardhawkfan

June 22, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

I’ve pretty much come to the realization that we’re drafting Horford and the Grizzlies are drafting Conley. I’ll still be a Hawks fan but I’ll just be more of Conley fan. Marc Iavaroni, former Suns assistant coach and current Memphis coach, will transform Conley into a Steve Nash-like pg…at least there he’ll have better wing players in Mike Miller, Paul Gasol, Rudy Gay, and Hakim Warrick. Then we’ll replace the incompentant Billy Knight with a better talent evaluator who isn’t infatuated with the forward position.

By Odd Job

June 22, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

terrell yes Hawes in my opinion is the most skilled big in this draft.That isn’t the same as most talented.You do understand the distinction don’t you.

By yea lets take Horford

June 22, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

First off we dont have a lottery pick next year so if we blow this again our pick will be high but going to the Suns if they dont trade it. I like Horford but after doing more research on him I just dont see how you take him at 3. The guy never really had a big game . He had solid games but this guy is not what a lot of people think he is. Check this snippet of a article on him at realgm.

Marquee Performances:

He was a pretty constant player throughout his three seasons in the SEC, and he did record a career-high 22 points and 13 rebounds against Tennessee in early February. In that game he bullied his way to the foul line sixteen times, also a career-high. In the first round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament against Jackson State Horford was at his best, scoring 15 points and grabbing 16 boards in just twenty-nine minutes of play.

Im sorry I just dont see this Okafur , Amare or Duncan comparison. The guy is a 12 and 8 type player a night. We can get that out of Sheldon. MAN DO THE HAWKS EVER LEARN.

By The Don

June 22, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

By yea lets take Horford

re: “MAN DO THE HAWKS EVER LEARN”

NO

By terrell

re: Hawes

Billy Knight doesn’t scout outside of the South East. If said Washington to him, he think you were talking about DC.

Hawes Nick Young

THE DON

By Odd Job

June 22, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

Ray fair enough,this is what I was trying to say.It’s an unknown as to how Horford will play in the NBA.Shelden is entering his second season and finished his first strong.It’s too early to know what his game will develop to.We’re back to this,we’ll know who’s better in five years or so.

By Odd Job

June 22, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

terrell Is that Washington the actor or the guy on the dollar bill ?

By cowa

June 22, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this

All right, here’s a new scenario to chew on. Three separate trades:

1) Seattle: Ridnour and Wilcox for Marvin and Lue. This just makes a ton of sense for the Hawks, not sure about Seattle, but since Sekou suggested it, I’m drinking the koolaid with him.

2) Golden State: Richardson and either #18 or Patrick O’Bryant (who Nellie hates) for #3, Speedy and Lo Wright. GS wants Yi, and is offering this package up to the highest bidder. Richardson would be a great 2nd scoring threat to pair with JJ, and O’Bryant is the young big to groom long term.

3) Phoenix: The Hawks pick in 08 and pick #29 in 07 for #11 in 07. Phoenix is in salary cap hell, and getting a lottery pick this year means they could unload a salary this year and still get a good young player. We get a late 1st, and we don’t miss out on the 08 draft next year. We could also take on Banks and give up AJ in this deal.

Leaves us with a starting 5 of Ridnour, JRich, JJ, Josh and Wilcox, with Zaza, Sheldon, JChill and either AJ or Banks in a rotation. It then has young guys in Solomon, O’Bryant, Salim and whoever we take at #29 to groom for the future.

Only big issue is what to do with Josh and his contract extension if ownership doesn’t want to go above $60M. If the ownership thing isn’t figured out soon, contract extension may not be coming for anyone!

By The Don

June 22, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this

odd job. wrong dude.

THE DON

By Odd Job

June 22, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this

I just saw where the Suns turned down a deal to get Kevin Garnett because they wouldn’t give up Stoudamire.If it’s true they’re crazy.KG can do what Amare does plus much more.KG,Nash and a great group of roll players.That would be a championship contender,maybe a champion.Ray I wouldn’t read your post if I didn’t get something out of them,keep it up. night all!

By Jay

June 22, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this

This sucks. Im pretty much resigned to takign Horford and then watching him and Shelden duel for the 25 minutes of playing time left available, and then watching neither of them develop because they never play. And I cant wait to watch both of them get overpowered at center because they are out of position but we have no choice. Love how we are using our new picks to fix old mistakes. And Critt at 11? Great, another project that will never realize his talent.

Look at the draft history for 1st round picks, this will be the 6th 6’8, 6’9 forward drafted in a row. Im so tired of the Hawks being a joke, but thats what they are.

By j-rock

June 22, 2007 4:35 AM | Link to this

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22416.shtml

Agree or disagree?

Go Hawks!!!!!!

By corey lee

June 22, 2007 5:30 AM | Link to this

i am not a hawks fan. but i’m a basketball guy.if the hawks want to be go somewhere in the near future they will 1)draft horford,2}draft crittenton,3}make sure they resign smith,4)look to trade some of the the dead weight that they seem to gather over the years,they have plenty of trade bait on that team. belive me by 2010the will be a true playoff team

By doc

June 22, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this

j-rock tanks for the perspective …. lets see, tony parker or rumeal robinson?

By Rev. M.M

June 22, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this

The Hawks need to take Noah at #3 and Crittenton at #11. These two will make the best impact for my Hawks. Last year everyone wanted Noah in Atl. Now that we have a chance to get him, we are pushing him aside. The guy is a winner. And we need winners!!!

By Josh C

June 22, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

Sekou, just wondering…

Posted this on Bradley’s blog and someone said Minnesota wouldn’t do it. Interested in your opinion:

KG for Marvin, Josh Smith, and the no. 3 pick. I’d guess we’d have to sign Josh long term first, but what three young players could Minnesota expect to get than JSmoove, Marvin, and Horford?

On our end I think KG’s presence makes Shelden viable at the 5, then Knight could grab the swingman he so loves to draft at 11. Jeff Green maybe?

Speedy, JJ, Green/JChill, KG, Shelden

Could win the East?

By Bigboi

June 22, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Sekou is there a chance we could trade the whole team including BK for KG and Kobe?

By billy

June 22, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

You guys think we made a promise to Acie Law? I hope not. We already have Salim. Tell me how this guy is that much different.

“One day after working out for the Atlanta Hawks, Texas A&M’s All-American point guard Acie Law on Thursday pulled out of his scheduled workout with the Hornets, which was to be held today at an Edmond fitness center.

Law had been scheduled to work out today with a group of guards that included Florida junior point guard Taurean Green and Vanderbilt’s Derrick Byars. But his sudden cancellation has lead to speculation that he has received a guarantee from the Hawks, who are in need of a point guard and hold the No. 3 and 11 picks in the June 28 NBA Draft.”

By doc

June 22, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

josh it just wont happen because of financial issues. most/some dont realize that to take on salary you have to give up equal salary to within 15% of the total. kg makes 20 mil and change a year. for the hawks to do a trade like like we would have no players left since our total cap outlay is about 48 mil. jj and who knows else that the other team would want would have to go with about 18 mil salary “compensation”. they would also have to want the players as well as the salaries. it just isnt as easy to be a real gm as it is to be an armchair gm when you talk trade.

there are few teams in a position or need to trade for kg. if he had wanted to be tradable he shouldnt have asked for so much money. it cripples what teams can do booth for him in surrounding him with players and for when he gets tired of losing because of his big contract tying down his own franchise. the big money is a huge catch-22.

duncan didnt hamstring hisorganization in asking for the brinks truck and he smiles at the end of the season. kg, kobe and others seem to have an entitlement problem as they can see how they have altered their club by their own egos to want the bigggest money and cry and b**ch at the end of the season. just dont have much sympathy for gazillionaires that dont understand how their actions affect others nor care to understand it.

btw bernie says speedy is coming along in his rehab. i hope he has as much success as the goalie for the thrashers that they sent to the same trainer in vancouver. his season was injury free and he lived up to expectations. maybe we as hawks fans can plead for the same.

By A Thinking Fan

June 22, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

SPIRIT GO for Horford or GO for the MONEY MAKER! YI, either way you come out on top. Horford gets you the down low toughness you need or YI brings in that lucrative Pacific Rim market. Either way you win: more wins or mo money!!!

By ajw

June 22, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Every single player in the NBA was a “winner” before they got to the NBA.

By DE

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

Hey ajw, I stil AM a winner! OK, maybe not…

Doug “Doughboy” Edwards

By steve brown

June 22, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Hey, film on Hawes is impressive and last time I checked we don’t have a true center. Why isn’t he being considered at 3 or 11. He is accomplished on the offensive end and a true center. Is it the race card in reverse? Is it the Koncack factor?

By Draftologist

June 22, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Let me say that I believe Brewer will become a household name with his ability to defend and play 4 positions on the floor. This guy is can create his own shot, especially when the offense breaks down. Let’s face it, Childress is not the answer!

In 5 years, Brewer will be talked about in the same breath as Dwayne Wade and Tracy McGrady. He has that kind of potential.

By james jones

June 22, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

guys horford is a good player who might be good forever butnot great. yi is a new kinda good player that is destined for greatness. if we want gasol so bad then why don’t we justpick “him” in the draft? only this gasol is more athletic, younger, brings finances, might be the next peculiarly talented guy in the league etc. have u guys seen how fast he runs the court? and how high he jumps to shoot and dunk over defenders? ya’ll sheldon played better than horford did in college and i know he’d get better but we don’t need horford right now. and ya’ll don’t know the advantage of having at least1 7 footer on a team. it plays a lot of significance…. those that played or play ball know that. guys we are about to draft horford because he’s NBA ready? isn’t that what the draft means? that all these kids are ready… COME ON!!!!

By doc

June 22, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

steve i would love it at 11 not 3. many share the thought; he is a bit of a project with less expereince than say and noah, yi or horford. ideally, i would want one of the first three, get another if still available or get hawes at the 11 if not. only then would i go for a guard none of the four were available at 11.

the point i would get would be crit. the only thing going against him is a t.o ratio of 2 assists for each t.o.; not terrible. funn,y how he has more assists per game as most points out there in the draft per game so he must have been doing something right. he also is a terrific shooter at 35% from the three in college and he will take and make the big shot at the end. physically he is strong, his defense is solid, good at the free throw line instead of the sub-70% in conley. he is my guy. i will stress defense in his first year and go from there. crit also makes salim less of a liability in the second rotation of guards because of his size. if conley comes in salim is on the bench for good, period. just cut him and go on , no future here for salim if that is done. two under 6 ft less than 180 pound guards on the court at the same time is lethal in the nba. denver tried it for 10 games with ai as one of the pair and quickly made a trade with the bucks.

By lost in space

June 22, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

even though i still prefer conley at pick number 3 , its interesting reading the chad ford article about yi and his measurements of 7’1” in shoes and with a 38” vertical jump. Has anyone else heard about him flying here to meet the owners?

By mavid

June 22, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

RAY

Great summary about the difference between Shelly and Horford.

People can point to college stats all day, but I prefer to watch how a player actually plays.

And, for all the reasons you mentioned, Horford will be a much better pro.

By Anakin Joe

June 22, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

Steve, most view Hawes as an offensive center while we need someone to provide more defensive support. Plus, no one is evaluating him as a top 3 talent. If he does fall to #11, I’d grab him in a heart beat (and said so a few days ago).

Doc, did Bernie say anything else insightful? Was he talking about Speedy in the context of not needing an immediate fix at PG? Any mention of the rumor that Yi was invited to visit Atlanta? I tried to listen to the interview but had to leave. I couldn’t believe they spent so much time on KG, Kobe and AI. Who cares?

By doc

June 22, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

draftologist, yes brewer is that kind of guy and would be someone to pick up if you can get him after getting some value for chills. chills is very much a reason that this team can win and is overlooked and underrated. his medical stuff is a worry. if i coukd trade out for brewer i would be very satisfied; just would want to get serious value in return before adding brewer.

yi is the most intriguing pick and will be the one requiring the most guts but will have the biggest reward. the kid is the real thing. he is already a star and knows how to handle it. there are some really good comments about him form an ex-nbaer that has played with him, good comments from fellow competitor on noah and now the lenghty article by ford that is a must read before cavalierly saying horford or conley.

though some say he is the least known he is probably the best known by folks that are willing to do the work because of his vast expereince in international ball which is more competitive than anything the ncaaers get in a season which is the body of work for what, 6 of the top eleven projected draft picks?

yes, yi is flying here by reports which suggests he is very open to the idea of being the third pick in the draft. he will like the city, now whether it is for trade power for the hawks good, play it close to the vest this time guys. no way roy should have been passed up without getting compensation in return.

By Mike-Tuscaloosa

June 22, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Say what you want but selecting Yi would put this franchise back on the NBA map….We suddenly would be on National TV again and that would set up an enviroment of excitement as to lure other free agents that do not even consider us now…Yi has the talent and we can make him fit with minimal roster moves/trades.. If you can’t see the windfall we get with Yi being on our team then you are blind..Yi has the talen/size to justify a #3 pick and with everything else he brings the Hawks have an opportunity to get back into the NBA…

By mountain_jim

June 22, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

From a ‘squawk member with (apparently) connections: “No one has or will have a guarantee in the draft. BK wants all options on table on draft night.”

By troop

June 22, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

what heppened to the chalmers kid from xavier who played well in training camp but got hurt before pre season started. he played over seas and averaged 20 plus points and about 6 assists a game . he was getting good reveiws last year until ivey ran into him in a scrimmage. he took a mediocure team in italy to one of the better teams in the league.

By Stinger

June 22, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Revisit the trade down scenario We take Horford @ 3 and then wait to see 2 things - Does Memphis take Conley @4 and does Boston (or another team trading into that spot) take Yi @5 if either is available swap Horford to Milwaukee for the #6 and either Villanueva or later in the summer Mo Williams in a sign and trade for one of our excess pg’s.

This should make the Conley and Yi fans happier.

I would take Villanueva and package him with the #11 pick to move up several spots to take Noah / Hawes / Brewer.

Thus Conley or Yi at #6 and Noah / Hawes / Brewer at #7 - #9.

By doc

June 22, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

bernie has to play it very close to the vest now as league rules prohibit what he can say about the draft with the hawks and the thrashers. i did not hear the whole. it was in response to a general quesion that some “prognosticators” have said the hawks might be afraid to draft a forward again in this draft. he did not give the answer of course but didnt support the idea. it led into the speedy info as a natural bridge. it was volunteered info and not asked for by the guys on 680.

marty blake who is in the atl area and one of the most revered scouts, actually was the first and developed the model and a former gm for the hawks that only old timers like myself remember, did talk as well by a phone call which was interesting and it might behoove folks to find as much info from him as possible before going to far off the chain on bk or what gm’s have to try to do. we see it daily about proposed trades like the one i addressed which are great dreams but the reality of it most of the time you have to not comment on.

unfortunately, a lot of fans are in that fantasy league role. marty commented on how difficult it is to make trades due to the constraints of contracts and the cba. specifically he brought up the zelmo beatty affair which allowed the hawks to draft pistol pete at three his draft year.

ultimately it is all good. obviously there is interest by the respnoses here and hopefully remain civil when all is done. it has been fun to have a few newbies on board.

By Volman

June 22, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

First off,

*Look in the AJC around Sunday for the new uniforms! Sweet! *(this is from Bernie Mullin when he was on 680)

Second,

Acie Law cancels his final workout with the Hornets. Source

What does this mean? Will he be going to the Hawks at #11? I hope so!! He’s what this team needs I think!

alright, that’s all I have for now.

By Volman

June 22, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

wow..my bad guys. I totally was reading the OTHER blog…didn’t know this was already brought up! My apologies!

By mountain_jim

June 22, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

So rumours from various sources implied Yi was invited to visit Atlanta this week - time for Sekou to get in here and provide some updated info/speculation on the goings on this week in Hawksland I say!

By doc

June 22, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

as an afterthought i was sorry that bernie made reference to the bad press that they get at 790 and the ajc. it was unnecessary and should be dropped from their issues in the world of the nba. the press if anything are too easy in comparison to other markets. bottom line put up or shut up.

i am sure their own self assessment and critiques are made and surely they dont give themselves “a” grades. for the press to be otherwise is foolish and pollyanna and would be called out by the more sophisticated; no, in their case with the blunders they have made, even the casual fan. unless managetment really wants to address their issues in a frank manner instead of hiding behind what ever cloak they are wearing they cant ontinue to run from the press. in baseball the guys we knew you could get to and did were called rabbitt ears, couldnt handle the pressure. these guys are really soft if they cant stand the heat. it is arogant to expect all to accept the “mistakes” or to at least not expect them to admit them and move on. to think otherwise and unfairly “blame” the press is very much the attitude of the enron folks and a culture in management born of entiitlement. are they as sensitive as paris hilton? please guys drop the camoflage and grow up, admit mistakes and be real.

as we want truth from sekou we have to undersand how infantile this ownership seems to be to criticism. he has to tread water in a very deep hole.

By lost in space

June 22, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

the more you think about the draft the more confusing it gets. I went in thinking point guard first and center second. Now I think perhaps the latter works better because Yi seems( i again stress seems) the one player available after durrant and oden who can add something unique to the hawks. There are questions on every player and no guarantee that anyone will be a star, but if Yi turns into Dirk light would you be willing to settle for that?

Shelden had a very disappointing first year but you can’t give up on him this quick. There is no rule that says that if you don’t light up the league your first year then you are doomed to be a failure.Lets see what happens his second year before we give up on him.

By mountain_jim

June 22, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Law’s promise is from Clippers, according to Chad Ford:

“One player that does seem to have one is Texas A&M’s Acie Law. I’m told he’s been told he won’t slip past No. 14 to the Clippers. Expect us to change that on the next mock.”

By Anakin Joe

June 22, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Doc, just went out to grab lunch and heard 790 claim that BK likes Acie Law for the 3RD pick and they are lambasting him. We all know that they have very poor coverage of the Hawks and seem more intent on finding ways to laugh at the team than promote them. I wanted to call in a blast them for repeating such a ridiculously insane rumor but decided not to waste my cell minutes. But it does bother me and I’m not doubting that it bothers Bernie and the owners.

By diehardhawksfan

June 22, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Atlanta is such a soft market…any other city would be killing Billy Knight for using their top draft choice on a forward for 4 stright years…only here do we blame 790 the zone for being passionate fans who care more about the Hawks than half the city of Atlanta. They want the Hawks to do well…but like me and alot of other fans, we’re frustrated, especially if BK chooses to take Horford, a carbon copy of Sheldon as the top pick. Then Acie Law, the SECOND best pg in the draft, despite being a 4 year player at Texas A&M.

By j-rock

June 22, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Bernie must not listen to Buck and Kinkade because kinkade basically said the Hawks would screw up the draft yesterday.The draft isn’t until the thursday last I checked.If the Hawks organization doesn’t want bad press they should make better decisions starting this off-season.This is all coming from a passionate Hawks fans.The Hawks need to here my own personal quote,“Respect is not givin by what you say,but it is earned by what you do.”Earn the basketball worlds respect.They can start by stop making promises in the draft public.Go Hawks!!!!

By doc

June 22, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

aj i have never been able to listen to 790 for more than seconds it seems, so i guess i commend you for listening. a lot of the stuff is shock journalism to create reaction, any reaction. i just dont think the ajc should be thrown into that category.

if he does take a law at three it will leave a lot of folks very weak in the knees.

btw, marty blake has a lot of respect for bk and as you know i dont consistantly trash him; i do think it is reasonable to look at his body of work here and wonder, what the heck, at times? i assure you we would have been better off with roy last year instead of sheldon. probably not in this position to draft as high because he might have gotten us a few more wins. if we were we would be salivating to get the talls. roy also has to be a character guy if the portland organization elects him to stand there with dominique lottery night or maybe they were parading the r of the y for the world to see as a pat on their own back.

By Dale

June 22, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

The Hawks need to TRADE THE PICKS. Billy’s screw-ups from the past have put us in a really bad situation.
There are no good scenarios here…
None of the point guards can be considered franchise points, and with no chance of landing a franchise center, the Hawks are in a major quandary.

Here is my recommendation…TRADE DOWN!!!

I would offer Indiana the #3 pick, Craig Claxton’s ridiculous salary, Marvin and Sheldon Williams for Jermaine O’Neal.

I’m tired of playing games and waiting for this “youth to develop” get me a proven All-Star post-player now!!

Then send the #11 pick and Lorenzen’s salary to Dallas for Devin Harris.

O’Neal, Johsnon, Smith, Harris + staying healthy= playoffs!

By Volman

June 22, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

Anyone See this?

New Hawks Uniforms

By Chris D'

June 22, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Volman,

I love the new “question mark” logo. It is very fitting.

By Volman

June 22, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

haha, Chris.

Someone on the other Hawks website talked about the Spirit trying to have the “Blueland” theme for the Hawks as well as Thrashers. Will we be seeing that blue a lot in Philips? Who knows….

Pacman? There is a “logo change”..

I’m pumped!

By smartguy

June 22, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

Better yet, go to Hawksquawk, and check out the blog on the new unis. Some creative and funny people have come up with some great ideas. I laughed for about five minutes, some of the funnier stuff I have seen lately.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 22, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

I’ve heard from a friend at the arena that the new uniform looks like the olympic uniforms, same colors and pattern scheme. I will see for my self on sunday along with everybody else.

By St Bernard

June 22, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Okay, according to the other site, Noah worked out here this morning. Sekou…where are you buddy. It wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see BK fall for this guy. He is a 7 footer.

It will be somewhat ironic if we bring in Yi to get international coverage and are wearing the red,white, and blue unis.

By Mash

June 22, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Sekou, Please, Please tell us this news of Acie Law IV being guaranteed the 3rd pick isn’t true. Hey, I like Acie, but It’d be insane to take him 3rd. I’ve really been reduced to tears at this news. If the guarantee was for 11th, I can live with that, assuming we take Horford 3rd.

By Chris D'

June 22, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

Awesome the Hawks are getting new uniforms.

I am going to make so much money when I sell my Speedy Claxton retro jersey from 06/07 after the new one comes out.

By j-rock

June 22, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/06/22/hawks.garnett/index.html

Good read and logic about Horford

Go Hawks!!!

By Odd Job

June 22, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Dale When you consider J O’neal,remember the guy hasn’t been healthy for years.Will he regain his health and be the all-star he was four years ago ? or are his best seasons behind him ? I wouldn’t give up what you’re advacating even if he looks ready.The injury risk will always be there with his history.

By The Flash

June 22, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

Wow. Imagine after this thing turns around! You guys are …, I am truly at a loss for words.

Here we go on a wild ride. Trade the 3 for someone high enough to get Noah and for a second hig enough to get Davis. Davis is the must get. If moves have to be made with the 11 to insure a solid guard and Davis, do it.

Davis is the catch of this draft for the Hawks. A must get. He is a walking PR machine, I mean terrific with people, photogenic, and a unique player. Somebody above reported he’s raising eyebrows in workouts.

With Davis as a pick, getting a genuine 7 footer like Noah is more than worth a chance. Defense, boards, running the floor. Offense; the Hawks really don’t feed the post anyway. They just don’t.

If you don’t get what you like as a 1, you trade Josh for an established one. Definitely pick up a guard who has some size, can shoot, and has the body and will to defend.

I see the forward position with MW, Chill, Davis, and Shelton covered. Offense/defense, ZaZa and Noah, at the 5. JJ can float small forward depending on which one you pick up and who you get in the draft. If say, you’d spend the dough and get Billips (yeah I know I’m dreaming; what are the rest of you doing—there’s a line by the Wolf in Pulp Fiction that might be apt, just funnin here boyz, relax), and Law, putting JJ at the 3 at times, with Shelden and say Noah, works for me. An up tempo team that can run, score the long ball, and attack the rim. Law, Chill, Davis or Shelden coming off the bench, along with either Noah or Z; you could do worse.

You guys are surreal (that’s a complement, by the way, a huge one). Later.

By The Flash

June 22, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t anybody like my boy Coppenwrath?

By Beckf

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

If the Blazers take Durant at 1 do you think the Sonics would trade down to 3 and we could pick up Oden? Maybe we have to add Earl Watson for Salim to take some cap woes away for them too but with the corp of Centers they have they are the only team that can reasonably pass on Oden for Horford.

Or; we can trade for one of their centers. Thoughts?

Can’t wait for the new uni/logo.

By Daniel

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

Beckf: no way does Seattle trade the #2 for anything. Maybe they would trade on of the other C’s (Petro / Swift) but are either of those guys worth the effort?

By Daniel

June 22, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Beck: Seattle will never trade the #2. Maybe they would trade on of their other C’s (Petro/Swift) but are either of those guys really worth it?

By smartguy

June 22, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

NOAH

NOAH

NOAH

Forget Conley, forget Horford, NOAH is our man. The best of all worlds would have us trade down a few picks, get a little extra ammo, and then pick up Noah at 5 or 6.

But, if that doesn’t work, we should still take him at #3. Most people seem to like him, its just a matter of where you like him. Most seem to love him at 11, but he probably won’t get past nine. So, he may not be the third best player, but he is certainly in the top five or six, and he is certainly the best player for us!

No more flip-flopping for me. Noah and Law.

I’ll still be satisfied as long as we don’t take Wright, but those are the two guys to help us the most, both immediately, and further down the road…

By Derek

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

KOBE!!!

This is what needs to happen…

Kobe needs to be persuaded to come to Atlanta. A starting backcourt of Joe Johnson & Kobe is pretty sick. The hawks need to change their uniforms to read…ATL, similar to the Sun’s PHX. Kobe would savior the chance to bring a championship to Atlanta. He would rule the city. Vick is on his way out, so Kobe can swoop in and steal the juice.

If he agrees…

Atlanta gets Kobe Bryant

LA gets KG

Minn gets #pick in draft, and the Lakers 1st round pick

Those are only the large pieces

By billy

June 22, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this

Great article on Yi:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/the_bonus/06/20/Yi/index.html

By ray

June 22, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Forget it. Any team trying to get Kobe or KG gets gutted.

Let’s not get Horford because we already have Josh. So, several people want to leave the job of being the tough post anchor to Smoove with only Zaza and Sheldon to help him. Funny, that didn’t work last year…

Mavid, thanks. I hate that people still insist on Horford being nothing more than another Sheldon. The only thing worse than that would be if he proved them right. I don’t expect that he will unless he gets on a team that misuses him. I’m tired of Sheldon and his college stats. His team and Horford’s didn’t even play the same way. That would be the beginning of all differences. Here’s a comparison for you: Horford got handled by Oden. Sheldon got handled by Tyler Hansbrough. Who came out worse in this deal? Yes, it’s one instance. All I’m doing is feeding the same type of crap right back to the parrots who keep spoouting what they do.

I haven’t “given up” on Sheldon. But believe this: the only thing that makes or breaks Sheldon is himself. I don’t see where playing him more at center helps him, unless he wants to really work at it. Then again, he certainly showed that he gets more rebounds if he just never leaves the basket area. That seems like the best way for him to get position since he doesn’t seem to know how to get it if he leaves that area.

Wanna talk about funny? The same people who yap about Sheldon needing to play more center are often the same ones who criticize the idea of picking Horford because he’s only 6’8-6’9. A little consistency, please. And by the way, he’s 6’9-6’10 since we’re splitting imaginary hairs here.

Here’s an idea in the sea of ideas:

If Yi is the man for the 3rd pick (and he may well be) then why not go big on the 11th pick too. Why? Yi may be 7 feet, but does he take the pressure off Smoove just by being 7 feet? Why not trade up or simply try to take a guy like Noah at 11? Now you have two 7-footers, one who’s more than willing to do the rebounding and defense, the other who’s going to be an offensive nightmare, and Smoove to compliment/help and be helped on defense by a 7-footer. Forget all about the guards in the draft, since so many want to do just that anyway. If you want another guard, trade Chill or Marvin, along with one of our “smurfs” and acquire a younger, bigger guard to play something along the lines of lead guard. After all, we don’t want to call him a pg or we’ve over-valued the position. And we wouldn’t want to do that. There, now we have a bigger (ahem…excuse me..TALLER) lineup, particularly in the frontcourt and no real pgs to clog things up. Besides, we don’t want a rookie (cough, cough) pg to develop, we must have a veteran, whether it’s a 1 year or more vet. Everybody will be at least 6’3” which ensures championship in X number of years. Happy?

Believe it or not I’m actually half/part serious. I just won’t tell which half/part.

T-MINUS SIX DAYS, FOLKS.

By ray

June 22, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

OddJob, I read your stuff too. There’s a few I tend to skim or not pay attention to at all. That’s mostly ‘cause they’ve proven their supreme idiocy, which is not as easy as it looks, even on a blog. Needless to say, I don’t feel like you’re that kind of person. Of course, if I really felt it was needless to say, then I wouldn’t have said it, would I? Something wrong with me…probably a touch too much caffeine. LOL. At any rate, I get you. Hard to be certain (if even possible) who’s going to do what once they get in the league. And there’s a first time for just about everything.

FLASH,

Just where IS Coppenwrath right now? I mean besides your vocabulary. You sound like Clyde, that question appears with nearly as much frequency in your posts (when we get to see ‘em…you bum) as his FIRE BILLY AND WOODY stuff does.

By mountain_jim

June 22, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

THanks Billy for the Yi article link.

I am interested in Yi.

Here is another great SI article from today, about the Hawks:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/06/22/hawks.garnett/index.html

By Mike The Mechanic

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

Here we go folks just for fun. We trade #3, Speedy and Chill to Golden state for Monta Ellis, J-Rich and Patrick O’Bryant(he will never play for Nellie). Golden state would love to get their hands on Yi. Gotta Give Up Something To Get Something

Then we trade J-Rich to Orlando(they need a sidekick for Howard) in a sign and trade deal for Darko.

Then at 11 we pick Nick Young to back up JJ.

By Clyde

June 22, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

I’m back on the Noah train. We need attitude on this team. Just like I said before we need some that will get mad when someone just walks down the lane. We can’t have that foolishness in the lane this year. I can’t wait to see this line-up:

Solomon Jones-c Noah-pf Jsmooth-sf JJ-sg Law-pg

Or:

Noah-c Jsmooth-pf JJ-sf Law-sg Salim-pg

Oh yea chill wit the name callin’ for real.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By doc

June 22, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

roll tide there is NO WAY that salim is a point guard. way to much confidence in solo and expecation there dude.

ray, glad to say you are half right, just not going to say which half is right, heh heh, no seriously.

yi and a tall or best case scenario for a guard unless brewer by stroke of luck is available at 11. allows smoove ro play more at 3 and allows us to trade marvin if yi is as goood as expected for the point of the future or a drat pick next year.

By billy

June 22, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

From Chad Ford:

we’re hearing that the Grizz are also taking to the Hawks about a deal that would send Gasol to Atlanta for the No. 3 pick. That deal would something like this: Josh Childress, Lorenzen Wright, Anthony Johnson and the No. 3 pick for Gasol.

By Nixie

June 22, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

First off, for those above who said to “lay off BK, he has done a good job, made good picks” - please give me some of what you are smoking.

On the draft - Take Horford at #3 (best player after Oden and Durant) Trade one or combo of Marvin, Shelden, Speedy, Lorenzen, and/or Chills for a vet PG and C. Take Crittenton at # 11 - he will be a star in 3 years.

If BK can do this, I will be the first to take back every rotten thing I have said about him missing with a 2, a 3, and a 5 pick over the last few years.

By doc

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

btw, clyde if acie is three and i think that is an absurd rumor, i will buy one of your t-shirts with pride thursday.

is billy trying to find out who his leak was last year with this misinformation?

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

Doc Where would

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

Doc Where would

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

Doc Where would

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

Doc Where would

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

Doc Where would

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this

I don’t know what happened.I’m guessing a partial post went out.Doc so how do you use Brewer on this team ? We have too many other needs to stack another swing guy into the mix.I really like Brewer and for his sake I hope he goes to a good vet team where he can be a top roll player.I don’t see him as a Scottie Pippen like some do.He looks more like Bruce Bowen with some offensive ability on top of his great pressure defense.If you really think he can be a Pippen or you see Horford as a Carlos Boozer then you’d have to consider them regardless of need.

By MJ3

June 23, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this

So let me get this straight, Clyde. You take a ridiculous shot at Horford by saying that bigger players will shoot right over the top of him, and then advocate taking Noah, whose standing reach is shorter than Horford’s and whose frame is WAY smaller than Horford’s? Grow a brain and get some eyes, fool. And get used to the name-calling.

Horford is like Chris Webber or Antonio McDyess coming out of school. If he stays out of injury trouble (and there’s no indication he’s injury prone), he’ll be a star. Noah will be a higher-paid Verajao.

Horford at 3, Law at 11.

By Clyde

June 23, 2007 2:56 AM | Link to this

MJ3 I like Noah over Horford only because he’s 3 inches taller. He also plays with more passion; the exact thing the Hawks were lacking this year.

Doc its not like I have all the confidence in the world in Solomon. I just don’t have any in Lorenzen or Zaza.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Taurus

June 23, 2007 3:32 AM | Link to this

If the Hawks want to go big with the #3 pick overall, you might as well as put a package together and get Pau Gasol or take the Portland trade to get Zach Randolph, because there is not a big man in the draft that can contribute right away and put up better stats those two I just mention. Zach is 23PPG/10REB, while Pau is 20PPG/10REB/3AST/2BLCKS. Both guys still have 6-8 good years ahead of them. The smart thing would be to take Conley at #3, and the best big man avilable at #11, but hey, that’s me.

By Roger

June 23, 2007 5:22 AM | Link to this

the thing is this, we need a point and center badly, but Conley isnt a dominant point. He is not a #3 in any draft in recent memory. If you think he is, compare his stats to any top 10 player in recent memory that turned out to be a star.. just because we need a point doesnt mean we should draft one at 3..its like we needed a point so bad, so we paid 25 mil to speedy, it still didint pay up! Lets find a 100% sure fire player at 3!!

By lost in space

June 23, 2007 5:23 AM | Link to this

stats are a beautiful thing, when the comparison doesn’t benefit you then state the teams played a different style so how can you compare the two players? Horford could be a great player in the pros but there is no certainty based on what he did in college. Other bloggers say he was the best player on the Florida team but whats that based on? In the first title run Noah had more impact on the outcome and this season Horford was not a dominant player by any means. You can say he will be a physical player but hell on his college team Chris Richard played more physical.There was nothing in this year or any of the previous two years which indicate he is worthy of being picked 3rd.

By G-Money

June 23, 2007 5:27 AM | Link to this

Hash was a dish my mom used to serve us as we were growing up. Leftovers served over rice. I used to hate it, but would eat as much as I could because I didn’t want to endure her wrath, hear about the starving children in Africa, or go to bed hungry. Reading the blog at this point about the draft is kind of like eating hash. Everything is warmed over and mostly leftovers. We’ve gone from Conley at 3 and Noah/Hawes at 11 to Yi/Horford at 3 and best pg at 11.

I like the intriguing idea of getting two bigs. You never know who’s going to pan out. You always need more fouls up front. And given the tough inside play of the East, everyone gets a chance to see some action. However, if you’re going to do it, do it strategically. If you believe that there is a chance in hell that the Chinese government will let Yi come to Atlanta, draft Yi at 3 and find Noah at 11 or move up for him around picks 8-10. Figure out another move to bring in a point guard, and away we go. ZzZa is unidimensional. He’s not going to give you a 15 foot jumper. He’s not going to play defense. He’s a back up, honestly. Yi gives you a ton of intangibles and a man-size frame at 245 pounds and 7-1 height. He’s got an outside stroke and can finish on the break. He’s not slow of foot like Yao, and his “handlers” are better preparing him for the NBA than Yao was.

Noah, gives you energy, defense, and a person to do the dirty work that Shelden was picked up for but really isn’t capable of doing on an NBA level. Let Shelly go get married, have tall babies and hopefully we can all work out the offspring in 20 years.

That leaves the pg madness. Craig Claxton will NEVER be a full time point. His body won’t hold up - FACT. AJ did an all right job and TLue is a good back up. Trade Chills or Marvin, Zen, and Lue for a healthy mid-grade pg like Ridnour or Jack, guys you know who want to play but don’t have a shot in the organizations/systems that they are in.

Once this is all done, you find some common sense for Woody and create a new playbook that utilizes the speed, athleticism and length that the new team brings to the table.

By LA Hawk

June 23, 2007 7:01 AM | Link to this

Obviously this city and this situation isn’t in the position to make a move for a championship next year like i have previously suggested, i. e. KG, Kobe etc…so i am warming up to the idea of trading that three down a coupla tree spaces if for no other reason than to dump speedy’s contract (i’d trade speedy and three straight up for the number 5)…you see, we dump basically 7 mill a year off our books and still take (gasp) yannick noah’s kid…I now believe he IS rodman minus the shotgun and tattoos, and can play the 5 though 2 months ago I wudda called u an idiot for suggesting the same…So now we have a defensive minded center who can run the floor ALA Marcus Camby but with a far greater upside cause Noah will work hard to be a better scorer/player… and then either take Acie Law (which apparently we’ve guaranteed him the pick, which is fine by me) or we package this pick for Bibby and dump the Speedy contract on Sac town but either way we have $$ to go sign a free agent to fill the final vacant hole….i really think dumping Speedy’s contract to an organization desparate for one of our picks or players is as important as any of our picks cause then we have some free agent cash or cap room to maneuver something unexpected.

By LA Hawk

June 23, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this

One more thing, Noah’s Q factor is the highest in the draft…that means a lot for the franchise that can’t put any butts in the seats. The only player who comes close to Noah is Yi and in the ATL c’mon get real…with Noah, who is a legit top 5 pick, the Hawks become relavent on SportsCenter again for the first time in 8 years…face it folks, it is a business and it just makes too much sense from top to bottom…with all that said BK takes Hawes at #3 and tells everyone to eff off!

I never wudda considered this a coupla months ago but it seems completely clear at this point.

By doc

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

a-ville, got a bit of the stuttter thing going?

to get to your question which is valid, in an earlier post i said if brewer falls to me a i get him. chills has a lot of trade value but in my mind has some health issues. i would use brewer as the replacement for the many virtues that chills brings to the team. i think you could pick up another tall guy or package it right and trade him with one of our points to get a point back or a point and a big.sometimes the actual need doesnt fall into your lap but your stockpile might have a jewel for someone else and vice versa.

clyde, zaza is under rated by a lot of posters here, solo is over rated and rens is worthless in the overall context of how the team fares with different line-ups on the floor. there is some interesting data out there that just does not substatiate any positive role that solo has made when it comes to point differentials in his admitted young career. he aint the stopper that we think him to be, only the occasional mini-highlight.

before you scoff the data, look; it has jj and j. smith as out best players, zaza and chills next but not great and marvin borderline for making a positive impact. it evaluates players for both ends of the court as well as for time at different positions and time spent there. it is a very unbiased look at the value of players on their own and in every combination imaginable for five guys on the court.

you are a josh fan and his numbers a very healthy. you and i think rens suck and his numbers are atroucious. i doubt there is any team willing to take him especially the gria as one proposal above suggests to get gasol. see ya thursday night if i can fine you, remember acie at three and i got my bills in my hand. otherwise, a healthy handshake and an offer to get you a beer while you mind the store.

By St. Bernard

June 23, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

I’ll take that Gasol deal. We won’t be able to keep all the SF’s anyway. Gasol is a true Center for 5 to 8 years. It also gives you some cap relief by shipping out Renz and AJ.

Do you take a pg or another big at 11 though?

By bob61

June 23, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Yi at #3!

Yi is very athletic. According to Chad Ford, Noah worked out with Yi to prepare for the draft. Noah had this to say about Yi: “Where did that guy come from? That’s something to behold.” Noah said that Yi should be drafted #1. Also, trainer Joe Abunassar said “Wait until you see Yi. There isn’t a drill I could come up with that Yi couldn’t excel at.”

Chad Ford watched Yi, Fazekas, and Noah go through a drill in which they took the ball at the top of the key, cut right or left, were given one dribble and then had to finish around the basket. While Fazekas labored to get to the rim from that distance, Noah had no problem, as expected. He finished every time with either a finger roll at the rim or a dunk.
Yi’s performance was more surprising. Yi finished at the rim, with his elbow often at or just below the rim. His elbow!

Yi is big. He weighed 246 lbs., measured 7’1” in shoes, had a 7’4 1/2” wingspan and a 38” vertical. You can’t teach that.

Yi can play. He played good defense against the USA team in the 2006 FIBA championships. Yi had 7 boards and 2 blocks. The USA team members (including D. Howard, L. James, C. Bosh, C. Anthony, D. Wade, J. Johnson) had good comments about Yi’s play. I read that Joe Johnson wants Yi to be a Hawk.

Yi at #3!

By Mike

June 23, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

HORFORD + LAW = WORST POSSIBLE DRAFT FOR HAWKS!!!!

What we would get is a PF who can’t score (we already have Shelden Williams to do that) AND a PG who can’t distribute the ball (we already have Salim Stoudamire)

By Chris

June 23, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

If possible, Trade the #3 pick, Childress, and Avery Johnson for Pau Gasol and then pick Crit at #11

By Chris

June 23, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Aside from Ben Wallace, can anyone tell me the last PF to make the All-Star team when they only averaged 13 ppg in college????????

By Sope Creek

June 23, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

OK, I’m back with another thought about a trade. How about trading Marvin or Smoove with the #11 pick to Memphis for the #4 pick and Stromile Swift. The rationale is Marvin/Smoove = #4 pick, Swift = #11 pick. (Both Swift and Marvin were #2 picks at one time, but Swift’s 2000 draft was as close to a total bust as there has been. So he’s older, more limited in talent and has a bigger contract. That compensates for the 4/11 slot value spread.)

With this trade Atlanta would draft Horford and Conley, and would have 3 quality players out of 2 picks + Marvin. Or looking at it differently, we get Horford at the 3 plus Conley and Swift for Marvin or Smoove and the #11 pick.

Memphis gets Marvin or Smoove, another good big or PG at 11 and some cap room from unloading Swift’s contract.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 23, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

If that Gasol rumor is true, we have to do that.

By james jones

June 23, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

sope creek please understand that swift only wears the center tag and is really a power fwd and highlight used to be. whle josh plays better defense (the youngest guy to 5oo blocks all time) how can we lose that to swift who’s been a ping pong ball over the last 3 years? i like swift but we can get him for ivey not smoove!!! but we dont even ned him if we grab either yi, noah or horford in that orederexactly. and i promised u guts conly wont go top 10 right? ok watch and see he’s the brady quinn of the nba.

and also horford was my best player in college last year but i found out yi declared and i dropped outta the SUV to hop on YI’s wheelbarrow.that shud let ya’ll know i just want what’s best for our team. i’ll take noah over him even.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 23, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

SEKOU Any word on Rodney Stuckey’s workout this morning???

By #1 Hawks Fan

June 23, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

The hawks need to draft NBA ready players and not more projects Crittenton and B.Wright would be considered projects and our coaching staff will nor coach these players to their full potential. I think the NBA ready play that we could could get are Horford and Law both played years in college and were leaders for their respective teams. The last leader pg that we passed we named C.Paul and D.williams. I think a line with pg-Law/Lue sg-Johnson sf-Smith pf-Horford c-Zaza/ S.Williams

would pretty good. The Hawks have a great chance to improve and we our lucky that we even got the third pick because it was suppose to go to the sun s and because it did not we have to give our first round pick(unprotected) to the sun s next year so this is a very important draft for us! Please do not mess this up!!!!!!!!

By jpc

June 23, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

The hawks need to draft NBA ready players and not more projects Crittenton and B.Wright would be considered projects and our coaching staff will nor coach these players to their full potential. I think the NBA ready play that we could could get are Horford and Law both played years in college and were leaders for their respective teams. The last leader pg that we passed we named C.Paul and D.williams. I think a line with pg-Law/Lue sg-Johnson sf-Smith pf-Horford c-Zaza/ S.Williams

would pretty good. The Hawks have a great chance to improve and we our lucky that we even got the third pick because it was suppose to go to the sun s and because it did not we have to give our first round pick(unprotected) to the sun s next year so this is a very important draft for us! Please do not mess this up!!!!!!!!

By Sope Creek

June 23, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Thanks James Jones. Would you do the deal with Memphis by including Marvin instead of Smoove?

By Steve T

June 23, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

I am glad some of you guys are not GMs because you do not know how to work a trade. The trade must benefit your team. Most of us are willing to trade too many players to get a PG.

The hawks have some PGs. They have Speedy, Lue, Johnson and Salmin. By themselves they may not be the complete package. However, they could form an awesome combo. Woody will just have to learn how to just them.

Speedy is your PG for running the fast break. Johnson is the PG for running the half court. The other two can score. I can wait on a PG.

However, the two players that I like and we must have is Yi/Noah. Yi is JJ favor player in this draft and I can see why. The guy can play. He feels a need on this team in the low post.
Noah also feel a need on this team. He can play defense in the low post.

By Sope Creek

June 23, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Steve T - I don’t think anybody believes Salim is a point guard. He’s a shoot first, get hot or cold in a hurry SG stuck in a PG body. Speedy might be a PG to rely on if he could shoot better and stay healthy. Otherwise, he’s half a loaf. Lue is the best PG option right now, and he has health issues, size liabilities and he’s not getting any younger. Johnson is, well, past his prime.

I don’t know if Yi would come to Atlanta. There’s nothing that says he can’t stay where he is. And Noah isn’t a 3 pick, IMO, but won’t likely last until the 11 pick. So unless the Hawks trade up from the 11 or down from the 3, I don’t see Noah as the guy the Hawks will pick.

That said, I might be persuaded to take 2 bigs with the picks the Hawks have. When is the next year that the Hawks have a reasonable shot at having another high draft pick? If the Hawks draft high enough next year, there are Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, and Eric Gordon to choose from. But there also are some good centers next year too: Hibbert, Koufos, DeAndre Jordan … .

By GHook

June 23, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

New Hawks Uniforms Revealed

http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/newuniformpr062707.html

I like them. A little plain but I like the black.

By bob61

June 23, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Yi at #3!

In a 2006 FIBA championship game (China vs. Germany), Yi defended against Dirk Nowitsky and shut him down for one half. Dirk got the better of Yi in the second half. Still, how many NBA prospects could shut down Dirk for half of a game?

Here is what SI.com says: “Yi is an outstanding shot-blocker, defender and scorer, but his inside game lacks polish. Still, Yi should be an immediate contributor in the NBA and could blossom into a player close to Yao’s caliber.”

Yi at #3!

By LA Hawk

June 23, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

C’mon, Sope, the Hawks don’t have a first next year — the Suns get it.

By LAJ

June 23, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

new uniforms are nice.

By Sope Creek

June 23, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

LA Hawk - There ya go. That’s why I’d like to move up from 11 in this draft to get both Horford and Conley. And I think putting Marvin in the trade mix to get the 4 from Memphis is worth doing … .

Thanks for the help.

By Steve T

June 23, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

I think I need to say something about trading players. Right now, Josh Smith and JJ should not be traded unless you get a lot for them.

There are not a whole lot of 6-9 players that can control the paint like Smith. If the Hawks can pair him up with a big men with the same skills, the hawks will have a very strong defense. It would be possible for the Hawks to shut the inside of the paint down and force other to rely on jump shot.

The Hawks first pick needs to be a big with defnsive skills like Josh Smith. Yi is a player that comes to mind first. The guy can play. He may not be Oden, but he is very close.

Look at this starting line up: PG - Law, SG - JJ, SF - JSmoove, C- Yi, PF - Marvin. Now the line up for defensive team PG - JJ/JC, SG - MW, SF - JS, C - Yi, PF - SW/SJones. When we need points or the running team: PG - Speedy/Salmin, PG - JJ, SF - JChill, C - Yi/Zaza PF - Jsmoove.

By G Money

June 23, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Nobody would boo the Hawks for getting Yi at 3. Outside of a trade, he offers, for those who will roll the dice, the biggest opportunity to land big in this draft. The ownership has to know it. So Acie is guaranteed at 11 - no problem. The guy with the most potential is Yi and he’s ready to start at 245 lbs and 7-1. He’s not only a tall like doc calls them, he’s verging on being a legitimate big. He’s slim like Mutombo was but Mutombo guarded the paint. Why can’t Yi? Yi also has a better shot blindfolded than Mutombo ever had. I’m still on the Yi Train. Horford is a safe pick but not what we will ultimately need to contend for the ring.

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

I posted over two months ago my concerns with Oden’s health.I gave some of you a good laugh with that one.I just did a google search and the things I know can be problems resulting from Skeletal imbalances are already showing and he’s just 19.At this point I’d say he’s at least as likly to have serious long term issues as Bill Walton was coming off foot problems at UCLA.Start with one leg being 3 inches shorter that the other.He already has hip misalignment,a bulging lumbar disk,knee problems etc.Sadly he could have life threatening internal problems as well.——Sope creek…..The 11 and Marvin for Conley ? that’s too high a price…way high.

By doc

June 23, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

a-ville, exactly what internal life treatening probs might oden have? care to divulge thr dx and where the source is for this info? inquiring minds desire to know.

By Professor K75

June 23, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

I say take Yi at 3 and Law at 11. Law has the most experience and can help us now. Yi has the most upside of anyone we can draft. Conley has upside too, but if you get him I don’t think you’ll find too much quality at 11. If we can get Gasol and keep one of our picks, that would be great.

By ray

June 23, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

I’ll take Gasol. Don’t give up too much, but if we can get him, by all means get him. Of course, if Yi turns out to be just as good…

G-Money, are you rippin’ me off? I just said all that about getting two bigs. Almost EXACTLY that. You scurvy knave, you!

By Macaroni Tony

June 23, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

I believe that the hex that was put on our Hawks will have to move to another team. I am excited about this year for the Hawks. We have two picks in the draft. I am just excited about our new futures players period. We have a strong young nucleus that we don’t need to trade. We can trade the dead weight players or lose them in (FA). We have new uniforms and a new logo… I am for Yi with the third pick, and I am also for trading the eleventh pick with the dead weight players for Gasol. We have cap space so I am crunk about this season. I will see you at the draft party….

By bob61

June 23, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Yi at #3!

Yi is significantly longer than Horford. Yi and Horford both weigh about 245 lbs. However, Yi is 7’1” tall with shoes compared to 6’9 3/4” for Horford. Yi has a wingspan of 7’4 1/2” compared to 7’0 3/4” for Horford. Yi has a vertical jump of 38” compared to 35.5” for Horford.
Yi’s length and jumping advantage can help him to better defend, block shots, rebound, and shoot.

Yi at #3!

By Volman

June 23, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

Guys, this might be really random but I was thinking about people wanting to trade Josh Smith for some pick and/or players…

I got really excited for the future of this Hawks team when I watched this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocaatPvI90k&mode=related&search=

Front office, SIGN THIS GUY A.S.A.P.

By G Money

June 23, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

No, No, Ray. I am in total agreement with you. That was what I was saying (or at least intended to reinforce). Obviously with the leak of Law cancelling workouts, it seems as though the die has been cast once again very early and at a minimum we’ll have Law at 11. Interestingly on Yahoo, they have Noah going at 17. If that is the case, I say let’s figure out a deal and grab him too!!

And by the way Ray, I may be a knave but I don’t have scurvy. Great name calling though.

By hbj

June 23, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

NOTE: The #2 pick could possibly be acquired by the Atlanta Hawks trading Marvin Williams (Marvin Gaye Williams, Jr. was born June 19, 1986 in Bremerton, Washington-nba.com) and the #11 pick for the #2 pick draft rights to Seattle from former Hawks coaching legend, Lenny Wilkens. Marvin would then be back near home.

Atlanta Hawks Starting Lineup 2007-2008

PG Mike Conley, Jr. SG Joe Johnson SF Josh Smith PF Shelden Williams C Greg Oden

What does everyone think.

By hbj

June 23, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

NOTE: The #2 pick could possibly be acquired by the Atlanta Hawks trading Marvin Williams (Marvin Gaye Williams, Jr. was born June 19, 1986 in Bremerton, Washington-nba.com) and the #11 pick for the #2 pick draft rights to Seattle from former Hawks coaching legend, Lenny Wilkens. Marvin would then be back near home.

Atlanta Hawks Starting Lineup 2007-2008

PG Mike Conley, Jr. SG Joe Johnson SF Josh Smith PF Shelden Williams C Greg Oden

What does everyone think.

By Nick

June 23, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

Everyone thinks that is never going to happen, hbj. You’re basically trading Marvin Williams for Greg Oden straight up. In a word, um, no.

By bob61

June 23, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

Yi at #3!

Yi’s size and jumping ability even compare favorably with Oden. Yi weighs 246 lbs., 11 less than Oden at 257. Yi is 7’1” tall in shoes compared to 7’0” for Oden. Yi has a wingspan of 7’4 1/2” compared to 7’4 1/4” for Oden. And Yi has a vertical jump of 38” compared to 34” for Oden. So apparently Yi can outjump Oden!

Yi at #3!

By Macaroni Tony

June 23, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

It is not going to happen because Marvin Gaye is not even 22 years old, but he has the potential to be great. I don’t think that he was the right pick at the time, but if we draft Yi then he could back Yi or JS up and be solid. This will be a good team. I don;t care what anyone say Oden, Durant and all of the NBA ready players will have to adjust to a new way of playing the game. MW have made the adjustment and I don’t think Woody want all these young players. I like Yi and the trade for Gasol….

By tom

June 23, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

People who want to pick Law ARE DUMB! That’s right, I said it: DUMB! The Hawks need a point guard who can get the rest of the team involved. You can say all you want about how Law is a leader and has experience… but the fact of the matter is that Acie Law will not be able to run a pro-style offense! Law is an undersized shooting guard, and I dont want to see the Hawks waste 2 or 3 years figuring that out!

By doc

June 23, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

i’ve been looking everywhere! maybe someone can help me now that volman has tracked down the highlight film of j smash from the 2006-2007 season.

where is the you tube stuff for marvin williams and sheldon williams for last year? i cant find it, does anyone know why? it is startling that i cant find it anywhere.

i will remain steadfast in my vote for two talls in this draft if at all possible. we now have two scurvy mongers on this blog stealing my thunder: scurvy man 1 in ray (sm1) and scurvy man 2 in g-money (sm2). go figure.

By Professor K75

June 23, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

New Hawks uniforms:

http://slamonline.com/online/2007/06/links-new-hawks-uniforms/

They don’t look too bad…..at least there alot better than the old ones.

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Bob61 Comparing Yi to Oden…..that is about as long a stretch as you’ll see.There is absolutely no similarity in the two…none.

By G Money

June 23, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

Hey, hey doc. That’s not true either. I’ve been with you on nearly all your posts. You and Ray can have all the credit you want as long as we get Yi and another tall (maybe Noah with some finagaling). We do need a point. Claxton WILL NOT be able to run this team because of his health - he’s never completed a season. We know that TLue is a back up. AJ…well?? I’d like to see us trade Zen, Shelly and Lue for a pick behind us if Noah really does start to fall.

By G Money

June 23, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

That’s like saying there is no comparing of Jabbar to Dawkins, Chamberlain to Russell, or Shaq to Duncan. There can always be a comparison made. It all depends on what you’re comparing. Body types are often compared. That’s a lot of what we’ve been talking about since the camp - ht, wt, wingspan, quickness, leaping ability, etc. There is no one type of center. Why couldn’t Yi fill the middle for a team?

By Professor K75

June 23, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

I think Yi is smart enough to learn how to be a good defender in the NBA. He has already shown a dedication to be the best he can be and I’ll bet his fundamentals are way better than ANY of these rookies. He has already bulked up to 248 so a couple of more pounds and he won’t get pushed out the paint like he used to. Yi will bring his defender out and allow JJ and JS to finish inside without any opposition. Or if they do converge, all they have to do is kick it out and Yi will bang the mid range jumper with ease. He can run and jump with just about anyone on the Hawks. How can anyone say he is not a good fit for this system? I think he could man the 5 with Za Za sharing duties with him. I like Law, but Crit’s size is very rare for a PG. But the Hawks must have seen something they liked…..we will see if Monday changes anyones mind when Conley comes in for his workout……Sekou, where is the next update!!!!

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

Doc the life threatening comment by me was poorly worded.I intended to say that internal problems sometimes develop with over sized people with these types of skeletal malformations.That and the fact he’s 19 and looks 35 gives me cause for concern.

By doc

June 23, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

g we are cool, just funnin with you both. be careful as the monniker might come out in the future if you arent careful.

a-ville, thanks for the “refraisal”.

yi isnt malformed, let’s get him. by all accounts he is a safe bet, right?

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

G Money the league is full of 7 footers,they’re dime a dozen.The point in saying there’s no comparison between Yi and Oden is that they play completely different.That’s really all that counts.Yi may be a sf he could be a pf.He damn sure isn’t a center,not in any important way.

By bob61

June 23, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

Hi A-ville Ranger. Thanks for reading my comments. I agree that Yi and Oden are different now. Oden has a more established inside game and Yi has a better outside game. But other tall athletic ‘outside’ players have beefed up and become better inside players (e.g., D. Nowitzky and P. Gasol). Yi has already beefed up by about 10 lbs. in the last few months.

Yi has the size and athleticism to continue beefing up and to potentially become a comparable inside force to Oden. However, Yi has said that he wants to model his game after Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

The point is that the Hawks need a ‘big’ and Yi qualifies! Yi measures to be as big as Oden!

By Mike The Mechanic

June 23, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

If we can’t work out a trade for Gasol, then we should take either Conley or Yi. JJ, Smoove and Yi would look real nice for the future, as would Conley, JJ and Smoove. If we took conley, then i would trade up from 11 and take a big(Noah or Hawes would be nice.

By bob61

June 23, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

Professor K75, I think you are on to something. On offense, Yi is a good ball handler and jump shooter and he can drive to the basket and finish. Yi should be able to run a high post offense as well as Diaw did last year for Phoenix. That would open up the basket for the Hawks’ shooters and slashers (J. Johnson, J. Childress, M. Williams, J. Smith, T. Lue, and even S. Stoudamire and R. Ivey).

Running an offense through Yi would reduce the playmaking duties of the point guards. The PGs (and all other other backcourt players) in this offense would need to be able to bring the ball upcourt, pass, shoot threes, drive to the basket, and play defense. The Hawks would not need Conley. With the #11 pick, the Hawks could go for another big or someone like Al Thornton or Acie Law.

Is that too radical for you?

By terrell

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

Conley,Conley,Conley,Conley,Conley,Conley

By Hawkeye

June 23, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

If they decide to go with best talent availabe, then go with Yi. A guy who could both lead and finish a fast break, who will be a tough matchup for other teams because of his combo size, quick first step, and outside shot. If he impressed Joe Johnson, that is good enough for me. Take Hawes or Law at 11 if available. If they go need, then take Conley and best availble big man at 11.

By Nick

June 23, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

bob61, no matter who we draft, we aren’t going to run the offense through any rookie. We run the offense through Joe Johnson. He is our best player. Period.

And when you say we could play Yi like Phoenix plays Diaw, you’re forgetting we traded Diaw away because we couldn’t figure out how to play him. So the chance of us figuring out how to play Yi “the right way” is … um, zero, I think.

By doc

June 23, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

i just hope that bk remembers how to feel smart and pick up the big international guy. i bet he feels really good thinking back on that pick of gasol, especially after how he duped another gm to take some old guys, thinking that would help his team win now in atlanta instead of taking a guy who had sooo much upside in less than two years.

i just hope he remembers how smart he looked to everyone else instead of being a stupid by trading away a stud similar to gasol and a guy who has already gone head to head with a guy he picked back in the dark ages in spite of the fan base that cries we dont have enough info on the guy because he hasnt been playing on u.s. tv against inferior talent that make a guy look faster and more athletic. all the smarts occurred back before he got hamstrung and undermined and undercut by an organization like the now broken atlanta spirit.

do you think bk can recapture that intelligent moment and go against the tide of those that say yi is an unknown and draft a guy who actuallly is better known than the guy he got back just 5 years ago. gee, i hope for the best that he realizes how he can pick the next nba rookie of the year now that he has missed on the last two by a draft pick or two having had his chance at them all because of his draft position and change his whole perception of how the really smart folk look at him. can he overcome the mediocrity which is what he has wrought in comparison to the dynamic players he passed by? stay tuned.

By james jones

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

diaw was in atlanta at a bad time… we’ve gotten better and then he had too many ball handling duties which nash has relieved him of. we run an offense through yi doesn’t mean we run it completely through him. some refree chik once told me she saw woody’s playbook and it was good. (i don’t believe it though). but if he uses it well i’m sure he could find plays and playtimes for our individual stars. and yes i just called yi a star.

yi at #3. and if we get law i told ya’ll it was gonna happen.

By hawksfan

June 23, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

This is off topic but what do guys think about hte new uniforms. i like them more than the old ones

By Clyde

June 23, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tXu1X9lc-8

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Chris

June 24, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

Since when has blue been a Hawks color? Where is the yellow?

As if this team didn’t suck enough…

By doc

June 24, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this

well, i just found my answer. marvin, 42 second highlight film on you tube, sheldon’s biggest AND ONLY highlight for last year was his jersey retirement at duke.

now, does anyone want to bring up that tired and forgive me but stupid comment of; “if we get yi where does that put our other forwards?”… gee, on the bench until they earn time and hustle to get into games and stay in them. such a fallacy to think that the hawks are set at forward with those two unhighlight film stars in the age of you tube. they better get a new agent to find a highlight of them… maybe there just isnt one among them. it is hard to get a highlight if you disappear in games which both of them were prone to do with frightening regularity. hard to catch that on tape and have it translate well. cant even get one minute of highlight film, that is awful, terrible, sad,…

By G-Money

June 24, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

Doc, I like your spunk and spirit on this one. Again we are in total agreement. Often people get to a level then start to overthink situations, second guess themselves, and cease to be instinctive or intuitive. This is obviously what has happened to BK. There is no “right way” other than going with both instinct and intellect to make the correct decision. The best ones never let their brain overrule their gut. That goes for nearly every decision that we as homo sapiens make.

I’m with you…bring back the BK who was making waves, duping stupid gm’s and creating a winning program. That was what I signed up for but have yet to see. I have struggled with every pick that BK has made and struggled even more with the team that Woody has tried to build with those picks. It’s time for real change. I believe the ownership has to know this and BK should be feeling it. Last year’s gaff has cost him mightily in the eyes of basketball cognoscenti. He has gone from King to Kook. He has a rare opportunity at a “do over.” Horford is safe, but Yi takes balls. Instinctively he’s the right choice if for no other reason.

By A-ville Ranger

June 24, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this

doc Quick think of a highlight of Tim Duncan…it’s about WINNING ! I’m not against highlights but thinking that way is Clippers thinking.You build a champion by evaluating whether a player can help win titles.Most so called experts think like fans.That’s why Popovich and the few others who really get it beat the field every time.Oh yea got a picture of a Duncan highlight yet ? here’s one, he’s holding a trophy after winning the championship….again.

By doc

June 24, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this

get off the pithy soapbox a-ville. duncan has a ton of highlights and HE NEVER DISAPPEARS instead gets bigger when the tough come at him on the big stage. wrong guy there to choose and one that shouldnt even be used in the same breath as marvin and sheldon. when sekou asked this year about all star time who would one start a franchise with, i was one of the few that mentioned his name. even kerr wondered how he could have forgotten him. some folks have so many highlights that it becomes routine, mundane and that is the ilk that duncan is made from. what ten blocks in one championship game? how is that for a highlight ..TEN. that is more than we get out of marvin and sheldon for a season..

i am ill you bring up duncan in response to the jokes that might become marvin and sheldon. i was amazed as marvin didnt show up in the game where his old coach was sitting in the second row of a game this year, just didnt show. too often that was true for him. shel had what ten games where he had good stats, remember how many of those games we won, TWO.

the spurs get it by a mile. they are winners, the hawks arent, so what is your point?

2 and 8 when shel has his big games. just doesnt compute dude.

By OddJob

June 24, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this

doc your 12:33 post reads like the thinking of a teenage fan.I’m guessing that’s what you are.

By Grant AKA Midnight

June 24, 2007 2:04 AM | Link to this

The new Hawks jerseys are off the CHAIN!!! I’ve already pre-ordered mine!!!

By A-ville Ranger

June 24, 2007 2:13 AM | Link to this

doc You can’t judge a player after his rookie season.In Marvin’s case he’s what 20,21 ? You miss my point on the whole highlight issue anyway.I mention the Clippers because they drafted the runnin,jumpin,fools for 20 years before getting smart and taking Brand.I don’t know how good Shelden or Marvin will be in three years and guess what you don’t either.

By doc

June 24, 2007 2:19 AM | Link to this

a-ville the highlights dont stop for duncan on you tube. pretty inspiring includng a shot i had forgotten about, over two lakers including a healthy shaq, fade away from the top of the key off the wrong foot. pure big fundamental.

odd job, you have already been dusted by the big guy and enforcer ray. calling out people individually by slurs lets people know who you are dude. when you got a point about basketball to agree or disagree say it and i guess we can hash it out. it is about agreement or disagreement, fun and spirited debate; not trying to figure out ages, intelligence, sex or heritage. just dont have much tolerance for the trite and trivial ideas or people life is too short. i’m just not guessing what you are dude, dont really care at this point nor want to go there.

gosh, gee, darn he blew my cover.

By doc

June 24, 2007 2:34 AM | Link to this

first of all get your history right about the clips. they drafted well and let the players go when they were to get the money. the clippers moved to la and thir spendthrift penny pinching owner sterling decide to spend money and keep some of his players for the forum and la lights.

aville the point is we have a few but very few big time players after four years of very high draft picks. i will call it like i see it based on what the goals were for the players and how they performed. woody and bk didnt stand there and say shel would come around in his second or third year did they? no, they said he was ready to play by their evaluation and worth the pick at 5. well someone messed up, right? it was either the eval, the coaching or the player didnt come to play.

now tim duncan came into the game and made an immeditate impact and hasnt stopped from his first year on after a three or four year career at wake. sheldon didnt come close after similar time in college and very high expectations. he didnt perform.

marvin is behind the development curve of say a bosh. a’ville it is time to drop the excuses. he either grows up this year or he probably falls off the curve to be what a second pick in a draft should be, plain and simple.

By travis

June 24, 2007 2:39 AM | Link to this

For those who are talking about Yi at 3, do we know for sure that the Chinese gov’t wants him to play for Atlanta? They control Yi. Could they not let him play for Atlanta and then we would have wasted a pick on him? I remember some of this talk when Yao came into the league. I would think that the Chinese would want him to go to LA/NY/Chi or Seattle, since they have a high Asian presence.

By G-thang

June 24, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this

Come on now, these new jerseys don’t mean nothin’ if they playin’ the same way. You can change Bankhead Hwy to Hollowell and you can change Stewart Ave. to Metropolitan Ave., but if they same exact things are goin’ on on these streets then it don’t matta that you changed the names. Same thing for the Hawks, if they have a 36-46 record who cares that they changed the jerseys.

By doc

June 24, 2007 2:54 AM | Link to this

a’ville,

tim duncan rookie year; 21ppg,12rpg, 2.5 bpg.

sheldon comparison; 5ppg,5rpg,.5bpg.

remember my point may have been lost it the fun of suggesting that in this media age that our great up and coming forwards arent that. they dont even have the over hype of you tube to try to negate their under achievment.

it is also a way of saying this team is not set at forward. reinforcements would help in the year of the tall guy. let us not miss the opportunity like we have done the last two years when there was a surplus of a rated guards. conley wouldnt have graded close to deron or paul or roy or foye for that matter. why accept less when we have already seen where it gets us. it is wishful thinking to expect otherwise and the more guys we have in the mix the better. go get a tall because i dont have the faith that the guys we have can carry the load. just because they have been high draft picks it hasnt translated onto the court.

By travis

June 24, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

For those who are talking about Yi at 3, do we know for sure that the Chinese gov’t wants him to play for Atlanta? They control Yi. Could they not let him play for Atlanta and then we would have wasted a pick on him? I remember some of this talk when Yao came into the league. I would think that the Chinese would want him to go to LA/NY/Chi or Seattle, since they have a high Asian presence.

By mountain_jim

June 24, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

travis - obviously don’t know ‘for sure’ but a poster at the ‘squawk’ with apparent connections said when BK and a group of Hawks folks went to his workout in CA they got the ‘ok’ for Yi in Atlanta.

Atlanta having had the Olympics and other connections with China probably helped alot in differentiating this city from ones like Memphis and Milwaukee, who Yi’s handlers did not even allow to view his workout.

By Professor K75

June 24, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Travis, Atlanta is one of four teams that China wants Yi to play and Atlanta was one of the first teams that was invited to watch Yi workout. They even invited Yi to come to Atlanta and meet the brass recently. They can have him if they want him.

By Banditt

June 24, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

The Hawks need to trade the 3rd pick and Marvin and Speedy to Philly for Miller, the 12th pick, and the 30th pick. Then trade the 30th pick and AJ to the Cavs for Gooden and a second round pick. Then use the 11 and 12 pick on PG and A BIG and the 2nd rounder on a player like Gordon if you like hime that much.

By Tom

June 24, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

DONT PICK LAW. DONT PICK LAW. DONT PICK LAW. DONT PICK LAW. DONT PICK LAW. DONT PICK LAW. DONT PICK LAW. DONT PICK LAW.

By Professor K75

June 24, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

I just thought about this. What if the Hawks drafted Brewer with the 3rd pick and played him at shooting guard, moving JJ back to the PG position. Risky move, but you would have the tallest starting lineup by far, and Brewer is good enough defensively to handle any guard, and his offense is getting better by the day. Then we could draft Noah at 11 to man the 5. That lineup would be kind of scary. You would have 2 shot blockers in Smith and Noah, just about everyone can score the basket, a shut down defender in Brewer who can guard the best player on the other team ala Bruce Bowen……hmmmmmm. I like Yi but this gamble could pay off too. What do you guys think?

By Matt

June 24, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Further proof that people accept rumors way too quickly around the basketball blog world:

http://draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2134

* After cancelling a workout with the New Orleans Hornets, the Oklahoman is speculating that Acie Law may have received a guarantee from the Atlanta Hawks. A quick call to Law’s agency, Wasserman Media Group, leads us to believe otherwise. “Acie Law does not have a promise from Atlanta,” told us Greg Lawrence of WMG. “The workout went well, and teams are impressed by him, but he does not have a commitment.”

So why did Law cancel his workout with New Orleans? From what we understand, Law would much rather be drafted one slot down from the Hornets, at #14 by the Los Angeles Clippers, rather than play behind 2005 Rookie of the Year point guard Chris Paul.*

So yeah…chill out.

By G-Money

June 24, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Professor, why would you think that the gamble would pay off? Obviously, your specialty isn’t history. That was tried initially and it failed emphatically! JJ is a two not a one. Given the way that they are using him in this system, it doesn’t seem as though it would ever work - another system - maybe. Kind of like Diaw (bad example).

As for Yi…the Chinese government knows that ATL is an international city. Being drafted at the 3 spot also speaks to how well China is producing basketball players. If the Hawks have the cahones to pull the trigger, it could be a hugely successful move both on and off the court.

As for Law…why wouldn’t he be able to run the point for us? He’s already demonstrated leadership, competitiveness, basketball skills and seems to be coachable. He’s tall and can handle the rock. What else would we want?

By jhan

June 24, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Doc, you already have Yi being better than Oden & Durant? Bold proclamation!

If we draft Yi & leave Marvin on the bench, how is he going to develop. If we draft Yi & Marvin is lights out from training camp, how will you justify drafting Yi & having him sit on the bench?

I still like Conley at #3, but could live with Yi or Horford. You are starting to change my mind some on Yi. If he turns into the great international player you assume he will, then it is a no-brainer. What if he turns into another Darko?

By G-Money

June 24, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Matt, good investigation. Makes sense. So Critt could still be on the table or it could be that we could package the 11 pick and get a vet. I’d go for that if we really hit the mark at 3. However, we shouldn’t pass on Noah or maybe even Hawes if either is there at 11. There is just too much upside potential, particularly when everyone was gonna draft Noah in the top 5 the year before. He’s still young and has the potential to develop into a better basketball player.

Neither Billups nor Nash were all the rage when they came into the league. Bilups bounced around for 4-5 years before he started really turning heads. Nash didn’t start putting up numbers until year 5. Bosh has made steady improvement each year. If a player is properly motivated and in the right environment, a lot of things can and do happen. For the Hawks, they’ve got to start creating an environment that accelerates young growth and development. If this doesn’t happen soon, it’s gonna be really bad.

By Ken Strickland

June 24, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

There have been soooo many different draft and trade options offered lately. Most trade options involved giving up one of more of our young talents. Deciding which young talent we should part with usually sparked a debate. I’ve decided to try my hand at a trade option that would fill the Hawks biggest need, and still give them tremendous options in the draft.

(1)Swap starting centers and draft positions with the Celtics. If necessary, throw in a player with an expiring contract like LWright, AJohnson, or both. We could even afford to give up SJones.

(2)We would then have our interior OFF/DEF problems, and our biggest weakness, solved with that move. We could then use the #5 pick to go in any direction we chose. Conley and/or Yi would likely be available. Personally, I would take Yi and use him to backup 4 and 5. He could be very effective swinging between the two positions. It would allow him to contribute immediately, while giving him time to further develop his body and overall skill set.

(3)We could either draft a PG at #11, or trade it for a vet PG, and possibly a 2nd rd pick, or future considerations.

My option gives us a definite upgrade at our biggest position of need(center). It keeps all of our primary young guns intact, and allows additional trade/draft options with the #5 & 11 picks). What do you think?

By ray

June 24, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

G-money,

I had to reach all the way back to the 17th century for that pseudo-insult. Glad you liked it. It would appear that I am also a non-scurvied knave, as Doc indeed was the original fella to mention getting only size in the draft. Gotta give him credit for that, all I really did was put faces and names to the concept. When I saw what you wrote, I was just pleased that yet another person thought well of the concept, even though it wasn’t really my concept to begin with. Just my view of the concept. Again, give that credit to the good Doctor. He’s just been so high, smokin’ that Yi, that he didn’t expound on that idea, so this knave just had to, LOL!!

Of course, I wouldn’t be upset if somewhere (outside of the 3rd pick) we picked up a young pg.

A-ville, I’ve openly disagreed with some of the things you’ve said but respected your opinion. However, it seems like some of the stuff coming from you is no longer coming from way out in left field. It’s now arriving from section W in the parking lot. Look, there’s no highlights on Sheldon because he never shows any flash. Unfortunately, he also shows little or no substance in a truly competitive situation for very long (not since college). Duncan was and is known for superior fundamental consistency and undisputable superstar stats. I realize Sheldon isn’t done yet, but he damn sure hasn’t proven to be what is needed. He acts like he doesn’t have the fundamentals. Where is this blue collar work ethic? Dude almost couldn’t buy a blocked shot. And when he did, it was usually on a much smaller player. Any guy with size will get rebounds if he hangs out underneath the basket long enough. Small guys do it all the time. We had guards doing a better job. From the outside no less. Sorry, no matter how you slice it, everyone playing anywhere near his position has done it better, including Marvin. Well, maybe not Lorenzen. Sheldon has got to improve his footwork and aggression. He’s got to improve his positioning. He doesn’t look like the hard worker he was supposed to be. There’s just nothing (yet) to support your argument sufficiently.

How many times and ways can I say that he simply wasn’t good enough to replace any of the other forwards in the lineup as long as they were healthy enough to play? Josh will always be better than him. If Marvin has a breakout year, you can bet on Shelly not taking his spot either. Yi has far more potential. Horford looks to be not only more athletic, but more aggressive and has more upside. Looks more solid. And come on man, comparing him to Duncan??? And Doc a teenager? Dude, just disagree, don’t grasp at straws.

Volman, that would be exactly why Sekou said “trade just Smith? are you nuts???” Nice video, ain’t it? Man I love that kid, even when he’s p** me off with his 3-pointer habit.

By Mike

June 24, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

To Volman, Doc and Abe Some of the old school kats I remember on these blogs. Some of these guys must have a very poor memory. As I remember on these blogs during last season BK was getting killed because he didn’t draft a PG everyone was lamenting how well this team would be if we had drafted DWilliams or CPaul. Everyone was screaming and shouting for a PG.

Fast forward to the end of last season. BK is getting killed because everyone thinks we want have any draft picks in this year Draft. Everyone is b*** and crying about how BK has set the franchise 10 years because his gambles has lead to us having no draft picks in this year draft.

Now back to reality. BK has afforded us the opportunity to have two of the top lotteries pick in the deepest draft in five years. Nobody is given him credit for that everybody is still b*** and complaining about what a bad position we are in at #3 and #11 while the rest of GM’s with no lottery pick are bugging the s** out of BK on the phone trying to get one of our picks or perhaps even both. The other GM are scrambling trying to find a way to get in the first round.

What p** me off more than anything is everybody is sucking YI’s dick. Nobody even knows if this guy can even play in the NBA. His stock has been fallen every since GM started watching his game tapes, instead of that Ringling Brother Circus side show he put on. I’m not sold. We were all saying how bad the Hawks need a PG to help these guys play up-tempo basketball to take advantage of their skills, youth, and athleticism. Now we have opportunity to pick the best PG in the draft and people are saying we shouldn’t take him at #3 why the H not.

The truth is like Sekou said we don’t know. Everybody’s trying be an expert but nobody no knows didley. It’s time for everyone to take a break and wait to Thursday. The reason the Hawks are being coy is because they know who they are going to draft. They are going to draft for need. Everyone in the league knows BK job is on the line, he has filled the holes in this roster, so don’t expect anything to happen until draft night. If some block buster trade does happen before Thursday it will be to fill a need.

So to my fellow bloggers; if you gotta family, go spend time with your family, if you gotta girl, go spend time with your girl, if you gotta dog , go spend time with your dog. If don’t have any one, go find a good book to read and go relax. Quit driving yourself crazy worry about what the Hawks are going to do on drafts night. Get some rest and relax before everything starts all over again Thursday. That’s when we will all start dogging BK for the draft moves he made, or didn’t make.

For the record Conley is my guy, but my opinion is no better than any one else’s. I saw the Hawks new Uni’s they’re Hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By smartguy

June 24, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

I’m sold on Noah and Law, but Yi would be my second choice at #3. Atlanta may not be on the west coast, nor is it a city with a major asian population, but nonetheless, we still have a lot going for us.

About two weeks ago, there was an article on ajc.com about Delta and Hartsfield getting the next major air route to China. Opening direct flights between the ATL and China is huge. It may not look like so much right now, but years down the road, this could be a huge turning point. The article also explained how China was looking to open doors with the American south, so while Atlanta may not be the best city for Yi, I certainly think we are more than acceptable and that we actually may have a lot to offer.

Very good points on Law, Matt. I do think that Law could play the point for us. Its not like you face 48 minutes of full-court press in the NBA, and plus, there are usually several other players on the court who are capable of helping with ballhandling.

As for Yi playing center, I understand he may not be a traditional 5, but I don’t see why he couldn’t play the five, at least sometimes against some teams. On offense, you can arrange the guys and run them them any way you want to, so my main concern would be on defense. But the guy is the size of a five, and would certainly seem to have the agility and athleticism to play solid defense, so maybe he is lacking a little strength, but he is far from a stringbean like Yao.

By ray

June 24, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Matt, dang if you didn’t nail that one. Good call.

Ken, there’s yet another thought on the trade front. I find it uplifting that there are actually so many options open to us. Who would have known that we’d be in this position after the dismal season was over?

I think some people are missing the point altogether on adding a player like Yi. “Where does that put all our other forwards?” As someone (probably Doc) mentioned before, hopefully in one heck of a competition. You actually want to be in the enviable position of having to choose between two or three very talented guys who play roughly the same position.

Indeed, what if Marvind does breakout this year? If we have a guy like Yi or any other player that plays mostly Marvin’s position, that’s one more valuable asset. You keep one and trade the other at worst. Marvin’s breakout could mean that we can reasonably let Chill go. It could mean that Marvin is now a more valuable trade asset that gets us more back in return. It could mean that he’s a keeper and the draftee is now the trade asset. The idea is to have talent either way. If you have talent, potential, and youth within each person, then you have a lot to work with. And a lot that other teams will want. That would be called leverage. As I said, an enviable position. Again, stockpiling talent that others need and want is good. Simply stockpiling a popular, mercurial position is something else entirely.

Look Yi and Duncan may measure out somewhat similarly size-wise. But they are NOT the same kind of player. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying by any stretch of the imagination that he can’t play down low. I’m saying he is NOT a center. He may never be. He definitely doesn’t play like a guy who wants to be. A sf/pf? Oh yeahhh, and a dangerous one too. But he lacks the upper body strength you want from a true anchor, a true pivot. Yao has that, not Yi. And even Yao, with greater size and strength, doesn’t have as much as he should. Needs more mean streak. At any rate, Yi is still quite capable of being a defender, I’m sure. Just not the down and dirty post defender. Best to leave that to someone else, I think. But hey, that’s just what I think.

A-ville, I owe you an apology. That was Oddjob who called Doc a teenager. I read your posts so close together and forgot who said what. Sorry.

Oddjob, I don’t get you on that one. I just don’t.

By ray

June 24, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Mike, give me a break. While you’re right about the pg situation, we’ve been screaming that for a while. You’re far and away not the only one. But nobody said that we absolutely have to get a good young pg in the draft. We just have more than enough opportunity to do so. Now the options have expanded. As far as giving credit to Billy for the two draft picks, you’re nuts. What exactly did he have to do with the ping pong balls falling our way, huh? I mean, by all rights, teams like Memphis and Boston should have gotten higher spots than us, right? Man please. If anything, this is Billy’s undisputable best chance to prove himself highly proficient at what he does. Yes, as fans we are watching this and will certainly be judging his performance on our own level. Meanwhile the only judges that have any power will also be doing so: the owners.

As for telling us fellow bloggers to cool it til draft day: so what are you doing here with so much to say? Follow your own advice. Even the smallest of replies proves that your hypocrisy knows few bounds. Either that or you have no dog, no family, etc, etc….Ha! How do you like them apples, eh?

By mountain_jim

June 24, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Rumoured trade of Hawks offering Denver Zaza for Camby and they want Marvin instead:

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_6214446

By mountain_jim

June 24, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Mike “What p** me off more than anything is” you obscenely trashing some of our opinions here and holding yours up as the one that matters.

My opinion is that in time Yi will be the 2nd best player from this draft, after Durant (Oden has back problems that will do him in), and Conley will not be that much better than a vet we can trade 11 for. Whose right? Only time will tell. But you don’t have to get all obscene about touting yours.

By diehardhawkfan

June 24, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

Hey guys, I’m going to run you a list of all of the pg’s and bigs taken in the top 10 over the last 5 drafts…

2002 Jay Williams (#2 overall) 2003 Kirk Hinrich (#7 overall) 2003 T.J. Ford (#8 overall) 2004 Shaun Livingston (#4 overall) 2004 Devin Harris (#5 overall) 2005 Deron Williams (#3 overall) 2005 Chris Paul (#4 overall) 2005 Raymond Felton (#5 overall) 2006 Randy Foye (#7 overall)

Now here’s a look at some of the big men…

2002 Drew Gooden (#4 overall) 2002 Nikoloz Tskitishvili (#5 overall) http://www.nba.com/draft2002/profiles/nikoloz_tskitishvili.html (he reminds me of Yi) 2002 Yao Ming (#1 overall) 2002 Amare Stoudemire (#9 overall) 2002 Nene Hilario (#7 overall) 2002 Chris Wilcox (#8 overall) 2003 Darko Milicic (#2 overall) 2003 Chris Bosh (#4 overall…very good pick) 2003 Chris Kaman(#7 overall) 2003 Michael Sweetney (#9 overall) 2004 Howard (#1 overall) 2004 Okufur (#2 overall) 2005 Andrew Bogut (#1 overall) 2005 Charlie Villenueva (#7 overall) 2005 Channing Frye (#7 overall…he’s not that bad though) 2005 Ike Diagu (#9 overall) 2005 Andrew Bynum (#10 pick) 2006 Sheldon Williams (#5 overall) 2006 Patrick Bryant (#7 overall) 2006 Saer Sene (#10 overall)

As you can see from the picks, if you have a top 10 pick, you’re much safer drafting a point guard. The only two busts from pgs in the top ten over the last two drafts were Livingston and Williams….and they were both going to be stars if not for their “career-ending” injuries…

But as far as big man go, unless you have a franchise changing big man like an Oden, Howard, Ming (they went number one overall), you’re pretty much playing russian roulette…

Conley is a sure fire top 10 pick…just from history you know he will at least be a good pick with the possibilities of being very good. In picking Horford, you would be essentially playing the lottery.

By Mike

June 24, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Yea nothing worst than a Mr. know all to stir up everybody. Guys your right.

The fact is I respect everybody’s opinion. So please by all means let me have it, because that’s what these blogs are all about, people expressing their opinion. Yi might be a good player, in fact he turn out to even be great player. But he will need just as much time to develop as the guys coming out of college. He will be better serve to go to a team where he’s only asked to play the PF position, and that’s not the Hawks, he’s just not a good fit for what we need. But I like in said my previous blog, my opinion is no better than anyone else’s.

As for the draft, it’s always the luck of the ping pong balls. But the deal for JJ and Al put us in this position to have these two drafts pick, so yes the man deserve some credit. I wouldn’t name him GM of year or anything.

Other than keep up the blogs flowing. But don’t forget to take a break. I haven’t been posting because I’ve been out sick. Didn’t mean to offend anyone. The old schools bloggers know that.
Peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By smartguy

June 24, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

diehard, that is an excellent point to be made. If anything, the amount of foreign bigs that have busted really stands out, and makes me reconsider Yi. I just went and found a report or two, and he just isn’t what we need. Yi is great at most things offensive, and his talent and athleticism for a seven footer are outstanding. But, his defense seems to be average and most importantly, his intensity and focus are in question (mostly on D). Other negatives are that he’ll get pushed around on the block, so I don’t see him as anything but a big three (despite my earlier rationale).

If we can get a chance a Yi at #11, then I say go for it. If not, let someone else take that risk. Gotta be Noah at #3.

On a side note, I think we should all take this chance to enjoy, and parttake in, the many exciting possibilities that are out there for one of our favorite teams. We probably won’t even have a pick next year, and even so, when do you ever have the #3 and #11 picks in a super-deep draft?? Very rarely. I’m going to soak it up, and try to have fun with the many positive possibilities. You, too, lighten up and enjoy this time.

By michael m.

June 24, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

hawks should trade zaza + salim for camby. helps denver lower their salary and they get zaza for 2 yrs./$8 mill and salim can hit the 3’s that jr smith hit this year. jr might not be the same this year physically considering his recent accident and mentally since the passenger died in that car wreck.

also we should look into trading chill for jack.

personally i would be happy with conley at 3, but it doesnt seem likely at this point. i would be happy with horford as well if he’s a center in the emeka okafor mold. even yi becomes an option if we do that camby trade. however, im still not entirely sold on the mystery that is yi.

if the hawks thought they could use either shelden or chill to move up from 11 to nab conley at, say, 6, then i would draft horford and use shell or chill (i think milwalkee would gladly go from 6 to 11 and pocket shelden in the mix, to select conley. horford + conley is the optimal draft for us in my opinion.

if the hawks don’t do what it takes to get conley and he doesn’t fall to 11 (very unlikely) then i think law is the way to go in that he can contribute more immediately. but if management prefers the longterm view on crittenton, then they should pursue moving chill for jack so that we have a nice functional young pg to lead the team until critt is ready to contribute.

i also wouldnt be surprised if memphis decided to play for the future and in their desire to nab horford, took atlanta up on the offer of #3 + chill + lorenzen + aj. that way memphis selects horford and wright as their bigs of the future. they could grab noah or conley in place of wright, but i think those may be smokescreens. who knows, maybe both horford and noah will go from the gators to the grizzles.

due to gasol’s supersized contract 4 yrs/$60 mill i’m not sure i would go that route. horford is much more affordable and is going to be a baller. however, gasol and jj are a great inside and out tandem on the offensive end of the floor. but while gasol would be a center for us, he doesn’t add the defensive interior presence that we need. i think horford does. it would be a tough call.

if we do not make any trades at all and simply make the picks at 3 and 11, i would be ok with horford and conley/law. i greatly prefer conley but doubt he lasts to 11. it addresses two positions of need. and since it is starting to sound like both noah and hawes will be gone before 11, i can see the reasoning for taking the big first and pg second. that would suck if we took conley 3 but found only swingmen offering value at the 11.

it’s going to be an interesting week in hawkland. hope the braintrust (if you can call it that) is up to it.

By bob61

June 24, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Yi at #3!

Jason Dixon is Yi’s teammate on the Guangdong Tigers. This is what Jason said recently about Yi: “I think he’s mentally tough enough. He goes really hard every day in practice. He gets to the gym before everyone else to work on his game and he’s the last one to leave. He’s shown a hunger to improve. He’s very coachable. He’s down to earth and still somewhat humble.”
Jason also said: “Athletically he’s ready right now. He can hang right now. He’s still got a lot to learn about the game, but physically he’s ready.”

Yi at #3!

By OddJob

June 24, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

michaelm I don’t see why you’d give Shelden or Childress plus the 11 for Conley.Either of those moves would be paying double Conley’s market value.Some of you guys get too infatuated with the unknown.It’s a business you don’t give away assets unless you’re dumping damaged goods or salary.Neither of these young,healthy,developing first round talents fall into those categories.

By j-rock

June 24, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

My new outlook on this off season:

Trade ZaZa,childress and aj for camby Draft conley at three Trade 11 and sheldon,(sorry just don’t like his game) for david lee and #23 Draft sean williams

Conley/lue/claxton JJ/salim MW/D.Lee J-smoove/solo Camby/SeanWilliams/lo wright

Camby,Smoove,solo and Sean Williams would provide more than enough defense.Plus they all can play the up tempo the hawks are switching to this upcoming season.David Lee is a monster rebounder.Go Hawks!!!!!

By Yi Man

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

Yi is only player in draft with the potential to transform a team, a city and the NBA. This team needs transforming worse than any in the NBA and no city needs to justify its constant claim of being an international city, so do what ever it takes to get Yi. Within a few months, there will be daily direct flights to Shanghai and Beijing, and the global attention reaped on our city will reach a climax next summer when we have 2 players playing in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Spirit Group, do the right thing and take this decision out of the hands of BK. He is a buffoon. This is your chance to show that you have a clue and cash in in ways that you can’t comprehend. Take the 7’ 1” guy who can run, jump, shoot and rebound. There are no players in the draft (including the 1 and 2 pick) that can do more.

Don’t blow it! Get YI!

By Nookah

June 24, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

I have heard the Chad Ford rumours about the Gasol trade. Whereas Gasol would give us a good 1-2 punch with JJ and himself, I am a little concerned with the size of his contract and we haven’t signed Josh yet. With Gasol on board how will that affect the salary cap with JJ/Gasol and a signed JS? Pretty heavy huh?

Can I have some feedback on this?

Nuff Respect!!!

GO HAWKS!!!!

By evg

June 24, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

I disagree with you Mike and smartguy; Yi is coachable, Yi works hard, Yi is versatile, Yi can block or alter shots, and Yi also has a mean streak although he does not weigh that much. Yi might not be heavy on the block, but he can still use his height and quickness and long arms to alter a lot of shots. It has already been reported that Yi has gained 10 pounds through weigh training since he entered the draft. Maybe Yi’s focus and intensity is in question because he had no competition where he played. We need to give this guy a chance, especially since Joe Johnson and Dwight Howard is impressed with his talent. All I know is that this guy, Yi, is a good shooter. And even though he can’t easily back down a player in the post, he is very good at shooting the turn around, fade-away jumper. Yi also can shoot the left and right hook shot while turning to the left and right side. We should not worry about Marvin Williams not getting enough playing time. If Woody is a good coach, Marvin can get plenty of minutes coming off the bench like Josh Childress did last year. I am ignoring all the criticisms of Yi. These sports writers have criticized good players who came out of college in the past like Karl Malone. They said he was to soft and couldn’t jump and, therefore, wouldn’t be good in the NBA. All I know is that this Yi guy is a competitor when he goes up against real competition. Please go to the following link: http://www.56.com/u15/v_MTQzNDY1NTY.html

By OddJob

June 24, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

j-rock Man don’t trade no horses I’d like to have Camby but that’s a bunch of young talent for a 32 year old who’s injury prone.Childress and AJ would be worth considering.The other trade is …again the price looks high for the return..

By terrell

June 24, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

Great stuff DIEHARD. Conley is the obvious choice. I still say that one of the higher rated “so called” bigs will fall to 11. Yi also has a chance of being there if we want to go that route. If their all gone, trade down and get Sean Williams along with a 2nd rdr. If not for his stupid off court issues, he would be top ten anyway. Oh yeah, I think Memphis is bluffing on taking Conley so that we will take him at 3. They really want Horford. Hey Billy, go ahead and trade down to 5 or 6 and I think he’ll be there, if not get a big. There’s just too many options to screw this one up. One more thing, if we dont want Conley, we should just draft big at 3 and 11. I dont know if Law or Critt is worth it. Maybe we can get a point through free agency; Moe Williams, Bibby, Billups. Come on BK it’s all up to you. Take advantage of what the basketball gods have done for this franchise.

By OddJob

June 24, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

j-rock The second trade for Lee. After further consideration I would give it more consideration.I don’t see why NY would move a guy as good as him who only makes #30 money though.Fact is I’m sure they wouldn’t even think about it unless we pay the difference in Shelden’s salary. I’m guessing not then either.

By doc

June 24, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this

wow did someone say “bk has affforded us the luxury of two draft picks of the first 11”? NO, it was blind luck on that one. puhlese that was not by plan but devine intervention that will allow bk the opportunity to correct some serious flaws in his thinking. i have not trashed bk consistantly nor do i think i can be an apologist for the errors in judgement regarding talent. too many have fallen just outsidfe our reach because of bk. the players are better than the previous administration, by far, but that could have been done by pulling names out of a hat with our draft choices so high. this is the fifth draft that we have had a very high pick, the one he truly hit on was a criticized pick outside of the top ten in josh. guys brought in through the draft just dont measure up yet to the really good ones except smash. he got us zaza and jj but that wasnt by the draft so i think he is marginal at best, not on par with the guys in phoenix, portland, toronto nor san antoine in player evals. he is much better than the white connundrum of ex-ballers inokupchek, mchale amd ainge, outdid west since the cornerstone of that organization is still the guy bk drafted and bk is certainly ahead of isiah. he hasnt put together a team like dumars but has aided and abetted him without much reward or thanks.

jhan, if marvin isnt good enough to hold down the position then he shouldnt be on the floor to progress. you progress by competition not by entitlement by being a 2 in the draft. if horford, noah or yi is better, then they play on my team and i see what kind of a player marvin can be off the bench or as role player and let him develop at his own rate without hurting the team i am coaching, gm for or own. his numbers arent bad just not good for the opportunity he has been given with a lot of minutes to beef up his stats. he disappears too often is what you and i have talked about, just flat gone. if that changes then fine but it wont simply by putting him on the floor and graciously asking him to do better and saying we believe. that only worked for ernest aingely and he did far greater healing than healing the hawks.

the comment on yi is to say i think he might be the most ready player in the draft to make an impact and play nba basketball. he is the only player to play against nba talent THE ONLY ONE, so more is known bout him by film and scouts for the inquiring mind not less. the team that gtes him should have done their homework and due diligence and if he has measured up then i go for him. i certainly think he is a better ball player much stronger and a better athlete than the number one last year in bargnani. now that kid is a rail. i see a lot of muscle not bulk on yi’s body but a really good base. in fact i would have loved to have been that lean with a 5% body fat just once in my life with muscle tone. figure it out guys 250 and 5% body fat. bargnani is a very simple comparison and that kid worked out just fine when the gm ordered his coach to put him in the line-up.

oden may be walton or maybe sam bowie. if oden or any fan among you thinks it is going to be easier to stay out of foul trouble in the nba then you and he are wrong. that was huge problem for him. i just dont know where durrant wil fall in seatlle or how immediate he will be in the first year. it will depend on if the stars there will share the ball or allow two balls on the court. rookie of the year doesnt sugget that the individual will be better long term but the failure rate on the r of the y in the nba is small; it doesnt exclude others greatness. if anything it is a suggestion of greatness. only miller form memphis and obewan kenobe (heh heh) in charlotte have yet to do better than their peers after winning it but the list of failures is very small since 1957. look it up it is an amazing list of potential all stars.

a very sad but REAL statistic on our gm’s ability to draft well and cant be denied is we havent even been able to be represented in numbers in something so simple as in the under second year all star game. that is pretty bad. the blind squirrel hasnt found the acorn yet, maybe this year. i will say i thought marvin should have been picked over paul and deron but i was flat wrong, i didnt make the same mistake last year as i suggested roy.

look, i want a better team and one that i dont have to wait another 50 years to see in the championship game. it wont happen quickly with conley, it just wont as good as i think he is. he is not ready to make an impact, too many flaws and the nba will catch up with him quickly even if he starts fast. only my opinion, but certainly not saying yi’s career is going to be better than either oden or durrant but next year he or someone else might be better is my expectation over a 20 year old kid playing center in the west or a rook playing with two scorers in seattle.

ray thank you for explainign why having quality depth is so important in any sport much less the nba. we had none or does anyone remember when the important pieces went down? we were much more deleteriously affected by losing marvin, chills twice and josh and then have sheldon nursing a shoulder. there was a huge dropoff when anyone of those players were out for extended minutes.

finally the criticism that ‘no one even knows if yi can play in the nba” is the same argument for each and every one of these guys. that just doesnt register on the logic scale at all as an argument against yi as it is the same for them ALL.

now mike, does your last post suggest you are feeling better because the first suggested an outrageous fever. glad you got the ill humours out of your body. here is to your health.

peace guys.

By j-rock

June 24, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

Odd man I had the Camby debate with a co worker of mine.His trade was Lo wright,Aj and lue since they need cap relief.I quickly told him that they have leverage with him being the Defensive Player of the Year.I would quickly sub Sheldon for Zaza in the trade but don’t think they would do it.It’s ok as hawks fans to value our talent but we can’t over value it.ZaZa nor Sheldon are looked at to be on the same plain as Camby even at the age of 33.The truth is I would rather have David Lee and Sean Williams than Sheldon and the 11.I say this because I would rather have conley at three over Law or crit at 11. It’s a shame that I want to trade a No.5 pick for a guy who doesn’t even make one mill a year and for a guy who has character issues.Go Hawks!!!!!

By j-rock

June 24, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

Odd man I had the Camby debate with a co worker of mine.His trade was Lo wright,Aj and lue since they need cap relief.I quickly told him that they have leverage with him being the Defensive Player of the Year.I would quickly sub Sheldon for Zaza in the trade but don’t think they would do it.It’s ok as hawks fans to value our talent but we can’t over value it.ZaZa nor Sheldon are looked at to be on the same plain as Camby even at the age of 33.The truth is I would rather have David Lee and Sean Williams than Sheldon and the 11.I say this because I would rather have conley at three over Law or crit at 11. It’s a shame that I want to trade a No.5 pick for a guy who doesn’t even make one mill a year and for a guy who has character issues.Go Hawks!!!!!

By Professor K75

June 24, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

G-Money, I know it didn’t work the first time around, and like I said it would be a gamble, but the last time around they didn’t really have enough of a team to back up JJ. So he had to run the PG duties and try to score and sell beer and condiments in the stands, etc….they wanted him to do everything. Now I think the Hawks are a more mature team, especially JSmooth. They can help him with the scoring pressures. Also, I think ZaZa is better than you guys give him credit for. Sure he could use some work, but I’ve seen alot worse on the Hawks. Marvin Williams might turn out to be one of the best forwards in the game, you just have to give him more than 2 years to prove it. I hate to quote BK, but if we just be patient I think we can have a contender THIS YEAR. Everyones opinion is right in there own way. We do need a PG. We also need someone to man the middle in the worst way. If we can somehow get Camby in a trade I would do it in a heartbeat. Plus that Denver article I read about the trade didn’t say anything about giving up a draft pick. Why not give them Marvin for Camby straight up. We do have more than enough forwards who could take his place and 2 draft picks at that. Camby is injury prone but if you pair him up with Smooth it would be hard to score….the new uni’s are hot and I can’t wait till Thursday. I can tell everyone wants the Hawks to win in the worst way.

By ToeKnee

June 24, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

Thats right, Sekou, all i see is nothing…4 days before the draft and you go 3 days without telling us anything!! where’s the love?

By G Money

June 24, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

So why do we believe that Camby can help us in the paint? He is only 6-11 and weighs 235 lbs. By a lot of you guys standards, that’s too small. Okafor only weighs 252. Biedrins weighs 245. Wilcox weighs 235. They say Garnett weighs 250 but I don’t believe it.

My point is that if all these guys seemingly can have a positive impact in the paint, why can’t Yi Jianling who is 7-0 and already 240+ lbs? Nobody would cry if we had A. Stoudemare in the middle at 240 lbs. The argument about Yi being too small/too thin just doesn’t hold water. It’s like the argument that he hasn’t played any competition. Not wanting to remind anyone that the league MVP for the last 3 years straight has not been born on American soil. Just cause it’s not “made in America” doesn’t mean that there isn’t any basketball being played elsewhere on this planet with any level of competency. Hell, LeBron, Carmelo and company couldn’t bring back the hardware versus international comp.

All picks are based on upside potential. Nobody scoffed at Portland for picking Sam Bowie. Who knew that MJ at #3 was going to be one of the greatest of all time? This team needs a lot of things. I contend that at the end of the day both Conley and Yi are going to have great careers if they stay healthy. I’m not mad if we pick Conley (see early posts); however, Yi represents something very special that doesn’t come around every draft like an exceptional point guard. That’s all.

By A-ville Ranger

June 24, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

Ray you’re the biggest blow-hard on this site.I’m finished conversing with your punk a$$.

By travis

June 24, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

Bloggmates, i appreciate everyone’s input on what the Hawks should do. My wife thinks that I am crazy. I probably will be crazy before Thursday though. Are we sure that passing on Noah at the #3 is the best thing? With him and JSmoove down low, I don’t see anyone getting easy baskets and getting a guard at 11. Noah’s energy and athleticism can’t go unnoticed. ZaZa could be the offensive big and Noah can be the defensive big. Have I gone crazy already or is this a decent proposal?

By doc

June 24, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

gee ray, you apologized and you still got punked on. where is the love man?

you are the last last guy on this blog i would go to war against; guns, size and intelligence would overwhelm me fast. id leave the sheriff, well, detective alone, go to jail that way.

does he have a clue as to who you are? guess not, no respect.

By travis

June 24, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/06/13/noah.draft/index.html

Read about Noah. We may need to consider him

By j-rock

June 24, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

G money, to compare Yi to the Defensive player of the year is crazy!I won’t even comment on A.Stoudamire cause he is one of the youngest stars in the game and virtually a superstar.Mybe okafor but not biedrens or wilcox can compare defensively.Go Hawks!!!!

By Professor K75

June 24, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

All I know is gamble aside the Hawks have to draft Yi. I can really see Yi in that new uniform. I’ll buy a jersey the same day! If ZaZa can play center all year, then I don’t see why Yi can play center at least sometimes. Even Dirk plays some center. Gasol was a PF before he came to the NBA. Give Yi a chance. There is no one in the draft that can do what Yi does. I dont think there is any way he can be a bust. He will hit his jumper, its too consistent not to. Not to mention his fundamentals are way superior to ANYONE in the draft. Combine that with his work ethic and while you cant say he will definately be a star, I think he will be solid. I think he will be the pick at 3. At 11 I’m not so sure who we will pick. Some articles I’m reading suggest they won’t even pick a PG which would probably send ATL into an uproar. But I still don’t think Conley is the PG that the Hawks HAVE to draft. He can’t shoot, period. Not even free throws. Yi shoots free throws better that Conley and thats sad. I know we made mistakes in the past but we have to be careful not to jump the gun just cause we need a PG. Conley will be in here tomorrow so maybe he will show them something. I dont care who we get, I just really want us to win. However we do it, as long as we do it.

By bob61

June 24, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

travis, Noah weighs only 223 lbs. He is quick enough to be a good help defender in the paint, but is too thin to be a 5. He would get pushed around in the paint. In the Florida / Ohio State game, Noah could not begin to defend against Oden. Oden weighs 257 lbs., less than most NBA centers. Zaza weighs about 280 lbs. and could no doubt have his way with Noah in the paint.

By travis

June 24, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

‘Fessor I don’t understand all of the hype on Yi. None of us have seen him play, sufficiently. For you to say his fundamentals is SUPERIOR to anyone in the draft is insane. We don’t have nothin’ to compare him to. I am not aganinst pickin’ him, but i want objectivity. I try to refrain from makin’ decision with alot of emotions. I try to look at all of the facts and make the best decision from there.

I am suspicious as to why Yi’s handlers are hiding him and won’t let him compete against others. If he is all of that, let him compete just like all of the other college players do.

By G Money

June 24, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

J Rock, do you remember when Camby initially came into the league. He was thought to be too small, injury prone and did not seem as though he was going to make it. That’s the point I was making about him. It’s taken 10 years of working on his game before getting the recognition. That said, he has always been a leaper and plays position defense. He isn’t overly strong yet he gets the job done. He looks nothing like Ben Wallace in terms of bulk and brute strength.

The reason for listing the others is that they each have a different approach to the game and seem to manage. Thus, to say that someone CANNOT or will not ever play D, ever shoot an outside jumper, etc. is ludacrous. You really don’t have a clue. It’s all speculation and informed guessing. Frankly, at this point, my guess is as good as any other bloggers on this site. The real test will be next year this time and the years to come.

Additionally, I like Camby coming to the Hawks because at 33 he’ll not only hold it down in the middle but will also be able to bring along some of the new bigs that we’ll be getting out of this draft.

By travis

June 24, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Bloggmates, i appreciate everyone’s input on what the Hawks should do. My wife thinks that I am crazy. I probably will be crazy before Thursday though. Are we sure that passing on Noah at the #3 is the best thing? With him and JSmoove down low, I don’t see anyone getting easy baskets and getting a guard at 11. Noah’s energy and athleticism can’t go unnoticed. ZaZa could be the offensive big and Noah can be the defensive big. Have I gone crazy already or is this a decent proposal?

By j-rock

June 24, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

I’m not sayin Yi couldn’t play some center but to put him as a starter day one is puttin to much pressure on the guy.Oh yeah,Professor K75 thats the same thing they said about tony parker.I do agree with you about this though,just win baby….Go Hawks!!!!!!

By Matt

June 24, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

smartguy - well spoke.

As for my own views on who to take, the guys I would like at #3 are now pretty much just Horford and Yi. I think Horford has Amare or Boozer-esque potential, and Yi would instantly generate excitement - not to mention enough money to get the Spirit to stop being such spendthrifts.

I would be willing to trade down to 5 or 6 and pick Conley, on the condition that we got a future pick or a legit big in the deal - preferably the former, IMHO. While I still think the trade for JJ was a great deal for us no matter how you slice it, I think that

As for trades - if we want to get a star, Speedy and Lorenzen basically have to be included in the deal for salary cap purposes, since all of our other players are paid too little to make the numbers work out.

I’d like any deal that landed us Gasol, so long as we didn’t have to part with JJ, Marvin, and almost certainly Smith as well (my distaste for him aside). I think a fair deal would be the #3 + Childress for Gasol (with Lorenzen and Speedy included for cap purposes).

I’d also REALLY like any deal that land us Amare, but the trade provisions in his contract make any deal to get him virtually impossible to work out. And I can’t imagine that the Magic are even remotely considering trading Dwight Howard - though I would give up Smith in less than a heartbeat to trade for him.

I’m not interested in Garnett, who I think only has 2-3 very good years left, and who won’t lead us to a title in that time. Also not interested in Kobe the Prima Donna.

So that’s my rundown on “things that interest me” in terms of what we can do with the #3.

By G Money

June 24, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Again, I’m not saying Yi or Noah is Kareem Abdul Jabbar but he was a guy who used finesse and skill over the length of his career. Jabbar was a 5 time All Defensive Team selection and won the scoring title twice. Gentlemen, my point is only that you do not have to be any one certain size to man the paint. And given the rising number of calls for what used to be incidental contact, a person doesn’t have to be as big as Shaq to be effective. ZaZa is ineffective not because of his wt but because of his lack of desire - that’s what defense is all about. Noah might be one of the best defenders of recent drafts because of his heart and willingness to learn to play defense(and of course, so mightYi).

By Mike

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

Guys I really like Sean Williams. I am all for trading down out #11 and picking up a second round draft pick and getting the best legit shot blocker at the five spot. I would be very leery about packaging to many of our young guys to pull off a trade. JSmoove, JChill , Marvin, Sheldon, Salim, and Solo are only going to get better. If YI get thrown in the fire like Sheldon did from day one when the season starts, He’ll struggle too. These young need time to develop.

Yi is no different than the rest of guys. With these young players it really depends on what team they go to. Hey I would be overjoyed if Yi is there at #11, then it’s a no brainier, but #3 has to be used to fill a need. That’s PG or Post. BK is still paying the price for not filling needs with the last two drafts. With his job on the line you can bet that #3 will be use to fill via draft or trade. I still say it’s Conley at #3 or Hartford

By james jones

June 24, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

yea so we can put in noah, horford or wright day one? j-rock we are hoping with good pre-season work we dont have to put in any rookis as starter on day one.

then G- money! u nailed it with those weights and height comparisons with yi and all tose “good enof to get centers or bigs”. it takes work to do what those people do and as far a we know yi does work extremely hard.

and trav!! i did watch yi at the FIBA championships for the exception of one game and so don’t give me somtn about not watching him enough.

i hope we get yi but if we can’t we don’t need any 6. 8 or 6. 9 player we need a 7 footer so i can boldly say if w dont take yi we can take noah.

By james jones

June 24, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

and instead of drafting so called post players can we just teach the beasts we have to play the post well? its not rocket science it’s teachable. gally!!!

just a thought.

By glutten for punishment

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

It is so interesting to me that alot of folks are big on horford and he is 3rd team all american… when was the last time the third pick was 3rd team all-american…????

By Professor K75

June 24, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Travis, Im going on what everyone who has seen him played has said. He may be working on his 3 pt range, but inside that he is pretty solid on his J. Michael Jordan is not coming out of this draft. We have to take the guy with the most skill sets and someone who’s willing to work on his weakness. At 7’1 and 248 he is just as big as most of the centers in the draft. He can probably put on about 10 more pounds easily. Wait till he starts eating american foods, which he already says he likes by the way. We havent seen alot of him, but Atlanta saw him and invited him back here so they must have liked something. Also I read somewhere he worked out with Noah and a couple of other guys and blew them away. Even Noah said he looked like a number one pick.

By Volman

June 24, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Mike, who the HELL is “Hartford”?

You’ve got to be kidding me. You’ve lost any credibility. That goes for the “Crittendon” and “Li” people.

By Ken Strickland

June 24, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Try this on for size. For the past 3-4yrs certain Hawk fans have been crying over all of the PG’s BK didn’t draft. The point is there have been very good, and very successful, PG’s in each draft. How many drafts, in the last 4-5yrs, have featured an athletic, fast, quick, versatile, sweet shooting 7’1” player, that can jump?

I am willing to bet anyone there will be at least one or two quality PG’s, similar to Conley, available in next yrs draft. How many of you believe there will be another player like Yi? Here’s another thought. We can actually trade for an experienced PG that can give us what we’d get from Conley. Who can we trade for that could give us what Yi offers? I’m not advocating we draft Yi, but we can find another talent like Conley a lot easier than we can find another talent like Yi, or Horford, or Noah for that matter.

By j-rock

June 24, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

Lol…Volman.My draft wishes order for no. 3 are Conley then Yi.I won’t go as far as some of you as being sold on Yi though.Some of you speak of him like there are three so called can’t miss prospects….there are only two.I disagree james jones on ” j-rock we are hoping with good pre-season work we dont have to put in any rookis as starter on day one.”Whether it be through a trade or draft pick 3 or 11 needs to provide the Hawks a starter.G money we both want Camby we just disagree how to get him.Go Hawks!!!

By james jones

June 25, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

j- rock. yes we need a starter but day one shouldn’t be our concern it should be the rest of the season after we have seen impact and quality of play. if durant goes to seattle and rashad lewis’ still there and during the pre- season games and practices rashad is the better player then it would be just stupid to start him over rashad. which might still happen cause he’d be playing for a coach who’s job isn’t holding water. if he does better in those practice we start him if not we do what’s right and let him tail off the bench. nobody go into fan mail or finances with me on this one i know that’ll have a play but if he went to sacramento popovich is so established that he would have him come off he bench.

By james jones

June 25, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

i don’t know why i said sacramento. i meant san antonio. a thousand apologies.

By travis

June 25, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this

On Bodog.com they think that Horford will be the 3rd pick with odds 1 to .29, Conley is 1 to 2.5, B.Wright is 1 to 5 and the field (Yi) is 1 to 4.5. If y’all are so sure that the Hawks should take Yi, put your money where your mouth is. You can make a killing. Vegas seems to think that the Hawks are going with Horford. These bookies know folks, who know folks, who know folks…I am gettin’ used to the Horford idea. I am very curious about Yi, though

By turn it around

June 25, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

Man are some of you bloggers serious? Ken I feel you but we dont have a draft pick next year so right now I could care less about next years potential great pgs. Im more worried about this years. What veteran pg on the block are we making this move for that everyone keeps talking about? Mo Williams wants 10 mill per year and its no way in hell these cheap owners throw that guy 10 million a year. I dont even think he is worth it. I really dont understand all this YI hype. Some are even saying they would take him over Oden and Durant. YEA FREAKING RIGHT. We are making this so much harder than it should be. YI might turn out good he might just be average. I doubt casual fans in Atlanta will show up to games just because we took the almighty YI. If this team is not winning people will still stay away straight plain and simple. I forgot who said it but someone said if we take YI he will push one of the other fwds to the bench Marvin was the name i think i saw mentioned. So we would have the 2nd 5th and 6th players taking in the draft only to have them come off the bench? Only in Atlanta would people be fine with having 3 high draft picks coming off the bench. Absolutely amazing. Horford is no where near Amare. Where do you people come with these comparisons. I saw many Fla games and not once did Horford do anything on the level of Amare. Never have i seen him show off even a glimpse of the athletic ability of Amare. Horford is a solid player. Might be a slight improvement of Sheldon but that is about it in my opinion. How can some people say we cant take Conley at 3 just to take a point guard but are ok with taking Horford at 3 who is essentially a make up for the Sheldon pick. At least Conley is a need Horford is not. Sheldon showed that if given time he can rebound and give you a solid 10 or 11 points. Horford wont be a much bigger scorer or rebounder in my opinion if you give them similar minutes. Im a fan like all of you and want this team to finally get it but passing on the top rated pg again to take a foward who isnt much of an improvement than the one you took last year is silly to me. Taking a mystery pf or sf whatever position you desire who all the scouts say is weak and doesnt have a great post game is silly. You might say taking a pg who cant shoot is silly but that pg gets in the paint at will and he sees the floor. He gets to ball to the scorers. He is something we dont have and need desperately. The Hawks had the least productive pgs in the NBA by far. We cant continue to ignore this issue and settle for the second or third best pg if we can get the best. At the end of the day i want this team to finally get it and i know you all do i just hope they do get it right

By travis

June 25, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

Those who are advocating for Yi, you still haven’t told me why his handlers are hiding him from competition during the workouts? Everyone else have to show their goods, why are we willing to give him a pass. I don’t want a car that I can’t test drive, but I have “heard” that it can drive and I have “seen” videos of the car being driven, but I can’t drive it? Don’t draft Yi, get Horford!!!

By travis

June 25, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

On Bodog.com they think that Horford will be the 3rd pick with odds 1 to .29, Conley is 1 to 2.5, B.Wright is 1 to 5 and the field (Yi) is 1 to 4.5. If y’all are so sure that the Hawks should take Yi, put your money where your mouth is. You can make a killing. Vegas seems to think that the Hawks are going with Horford. These bookies know folks, who know folks, who know folks…I am gettin’ used to the Horford idea. I am very curious about Yi, though

By j-rock

June 25, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

I understand the principle of what you speak james jones but the only way rashard resigns is if they draft greg oden.Kevin Durant and R.Lewis is a much better problem to have than Yi and Marvin.What does it say about Marvin,Sheldon and J-smoove if you draft another forward?Go Hawks!!!!!

By james jones

June 25, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this

okay get a hyundai excel 1992 because u can test drive it but leave the BMW 745 because u cudunt test drive it. i’m not poking at ya i’m jus saying thats definately not criteria. he’s just showing pride this kid already has endorsements and money from being the best player in the CBA. he’s basically selling himself at a high price and can’t care less bout our feelings. thats why he’s not kin on travelling many places.

By pv309

June 25, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this

Whatever happened to the Hawks dealing for Ridnoir?

By james jones

June 25, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this

j-rock so are you implying we dont draft a forward/center. because we have other ones? it’s like saying don’t draft durant if he falls to us cause we have smoove and marvin. we cant think like that now. and i know u werent implying that… i just thought it would be a nice way to start that post.

By james jones

June 25, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this

we all see portland aint worried about having randolph and aldridge and even outlaw and still shud be going on to draft oden. for the long haul or whatever… it’s just the right thing to do. if we don’t draft a PG at 3 then we gotta take yi and if we do draft a PG please let it be law. it’s worse drafting any other fwd or big thats under 7 feet tall. it does’t change anything. horford was blockin guards in college which is what smoove does on the help already. how long are we gonn be the only team without a legit 7 footer? okay we aint the only ones but u catch ma drift peeps?

By Steve B.

June 25, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this

Some of you guys get your feelings involved and alow that to mess up your judgement. I love Mike Conley Jr, watched him at Ohio and said he was the best player on that team. Oden has more talent and size but MIKE is why they won. Horford is A great rebounder and shot blocker. Yi has more talent than either. Yi has a bigger fan base than either. Yi is the pick. This is the guy that will get the HAWKS on national TV. Yi is the guy that will bring the casual fans to the games. At best Horford is a bigger Ben Wallace, At best Mike is A bigger Chris Paul, At Best Yi is A bigger more athletic Dirk/KG. As far as picking #3 witch would you really rather have. As far as PG we need one, how about Chill’s for Devin Harris or (this is A big one) Chill’s, Za Za and #11 for Jason Kidd and #17. Tell Jason to get a list of 8 teams he will accept trade to if we are not in the race by the dealine. Select J.Critt at #17, Let him learn under Jason what Jason can teach him is better than any coach or camp. Sign Darko to play center.

By james jones

June 25, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this

STEVE B… A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE JUST THROW IDEAS THAT ONLY FAVOR ATLANTA BUT TRUST ME U RIGHT BOUT THAT TRADE SCENARIO CAUSE JERSEY OR BROOKLYN WOULD JUMP ON ZAZA FAST AND CHILLS TOO? U’RE A SMART MAN. WE COULD ALSO PUT JUST ZAZA ON THAT BLOCK AND GET MARCUS WILLIAMS BUT I LIKE ZAZA A LIL TOO MUCH EVEN THOUGH THAT WOULD SOLVE BOTH TEAMS PROBLEMS. BUT JERSEY WONT GIVE WILLIAMS OFF. I DOUBT THEY WOULD. BUT YEAH B4 I RUIN THAT GREAT IDEA WITH MINE LET ME STOP. GOOD ONE THOUGH.

By evg

June 25, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

Hey Travis! Yi will do well in the NBA. Yi’s “handler” did not hide him from competition when Yi played against the US basketball team; Yi played against JJ and Dwight Howard. Yi played well enough for JJ and Howard to be impressed enough to say that Yi would do well in the NBA. Therefore, I am sold on Yi because he has already proven that he can compete with NBA players. I saw Yi on TV when he played against our US team, so many of us did not just see a video. Where were you, Travis, when Yi played against our chosen ones. Yi was not scared to compete with our US players (i.e., JJ, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Bosh, Wade, etc.). In addition, I do not care who comes off the bench. If we have a deep talented team, why can’t some of our 1st round players come off the bench. I wish we could trade one of our players so we can move up to get a 5th, 6th, or 7th pick and pick Yi.

By evg

June 25, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

Hey Hawks fans; I copied and pasted the information below from a USA today article written about Yi Jianlian. Please read:

LOS ANGELES — Yi Jianlian (pronounced yee chon-len), the likely top-10 NBA draft pick from China, is billed as the next Yao Ming, but don’t be fooled. He’s 7 feet tall, 247 pounds and quite an athlete, more akin to a power or small forward than a center such as the Houston Rockets’ Yao at 7-6, 310.

Yi is quicker, faster and much springier. He’s an excellent shooter up to 18-20 feet and can hit three-pointers, too.

Ahead of Thursday’s NBA draft he has worked out informally for and with a variety of veteran basketball people not affiliated with particular teams, and he has universally wowed them. Respected observers such as Pete Newell, Kiki Vandeweghe and Don MacLean have watched Yi up close, and they think he can be an immediate starter or major contributor.

Newell, the legendary Hall of Fame coach who has run the Big Man Camp for years, had Yi there four years ago. He renewed acquaintances last month, watching Yi work out at UCLA.

Kiki Vandeweghe | Broadcaster Maclean | Yi Jianlian “Yi will end up being the best player in the NBA from China, and I know that’s saying a lot,” Newell, 91, says. “He has much more body control than Yao, and he’s a much better jumper. I’m real high on him, and I think I’m right.”

Yi has the full attention of teams with high picks in Thursday’s draft. He worked out for the Atlanta Hawks (Nos. 3 and 11 picks), Boston Celtics (No. 5), Chicago Bulls (No. 9), Sacramento Kings (No. 10), Philadelphia 76ers (No. 12), Los Angeles Clippers (No. 14) and Golden State Warriors (No. 18).

ESPN analyst Vandeweghe, the former NBA player and Denver Nuggets general manager, says he was “blown away” by the Yi workouts he saw last month.

“What I didn’t realize was how athletic he is,” Vandeweghe says. “I’ve worked out big players for more than 20 years, and I compare Yi very favorably to when I first” worked out with Dirk Nowitzki.”

Broadcaster MacLean, the former UCLA star and NBA forward, worked with Yi for a week recently. “People say, ‘Oh, he’s good for a Chinese player.’ No, he’s good for good,” MacLean says.

Yi, working out the past two months in Los Angeles, where his agent is based, still must prove he can mix it up inside, be a solid rebounder or capably defend the post. Then again, he’s just 19.

His biggest promoters say he is not the next Yao, but The Next Generation — a Chinese player who can run and jump and dunk with a flourish.

Despite all the praise, he might be the biggest mystery in the draft. Some NBA teams have scouted him in the Chinese Basketball Association, where he led his Guangdong Tigers to three championships in four seasons.

He has an international track record, too, but it is spotty. He played only sparingly alongside Yao in the 2004 Olympics, averaging about three points and three rebounds.

Yi was more of a factor last year at the World Championships in Japan, averaging 6.2 points and 5.7 rebounds. He had a respectable showing against Dwight Howard, Elton Brand and the U.S. team, finishing with 13 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes in a game the USA won in a rout.

His athleticism and potential are intriguing, although it’s difficult to tell how that will translate to the NBA without seeing him regularly against high-caliber competition.

MacLean says it’s a legitimate concern.

“I watched him on tape and saw him play in a couple games in that Chinese league,” he says. “It would be like me playing against sixth-graders. One game he had like 42 points and 15 rebounds and 38 of them must have been dunks.

“You’re taking a chance picking him real high without seeing him against guys who are going to play in the NBA.”

Yi has strong, muscular legs, is lean in the belly and thin in the upper body and arms. He has worked off and on for nearly a year with strength and conditioning coach Joe Abunassar, who has trained such NBA players as Garnett, Chauncey Billups and Baron Davis.

Abunassar says Yi has less than 4% body fat, a vertical leap of 361/2 inches and can run the floor as fast as a lot of guards.

“He’s at the top end of every kind of test for speed, strength and agility,” Abunassar says. “I’ve rarely seen a guy with his athleticism and work ethic.”

Four years ago, Yi got permission from Chinese officials to attend Newell’s camp in Las Vegas. Yao had just finished his rookie season. Yi, then 15, was dreaming of following Yao to the NBA.

Last month, when Newell saw Yi work out at UCLA, Yi at one point executed a quick spin move that caught Newell’s eye.

“Who in China taught you that move?” Newell asked Yi. “You did,” Yi said, smiling. “In Las Vegas.” Bottom line, MacLean says, is that Yi “should be a good power forward who can really step out. Nobody’s going to ask him to get 25 (points) and 12 (rebounds) or be an immediate All-Star. “But he’s big enough and skilled enough to be a contributor and be a starter right away.”

Yi will be the fourth NBA player from China, but his agent, Dan Fegan, said he did not know how Yi’s contract would be negotiated with the Chinese government. Yao, Wang Zhizhi and Menke Bateer had to give part of their salaries to the government.

Fegan has been protective of Yi on and off the court. He has allowed only a few interviews.

Yi hasn’t played in any pickup games in L.A., although the area is full of good runs with talented college and pro players.

“That’s too dangerous,” Fegan says. “Someone is always going to want to prove himself. It’s a recipe for injury.”

So Yi works day after day on his shooting, post moves, agility, strength — mostly against no one. On a typical day recently at the UCLA gym he worked out for about an hour on a court separated by a curtain from pickup games.

His mother and an official from his Chinese team sat on the baseline, expressionless, while a coach fed Yi for shot after shot, occasionally giving him pointers on his release or trying to get more leg in his shot. His father crouched on the far sideline, expressionless.

A week later, Yi held a formal workout for the Kings at Home Depot Center in Carson, about 20 miles southeast of the UCLA campus. Yi put on quite a show, hitting shots from all over, polishing off post moves with strong dunks, stroking three-pointers, running the court and finishing high above the rim.

What did Geoff Petrie, Kings president of basketball operations, think of it all? “Good, for what you’re allowed to do in these workouts,” he said.

Fegan and Yi’s parents say Yi really is 19, although stories for several years suggest his age was doctored by the Chinese basketball federation, and he might be 22.

“I don’t think anyone is worried about his age,” Petrie says. “You’re looking at whether or not the guy’s a real good basketball player.”

Less than a week before a monumental day for him, Yi says he is not nervous or afraid about what NBA clubs are thinking.

“I have talked to Yao, and he tells me you have to be aggressive and mentally strong,” Yi says. “Some people have told me to be prepared for a little bit of a rocky start, so I am preparing as well as I can for that. I know I have to get stronger.

“But everything has gone well here in my training and my workouts. I am not really surprised. I think I have a good sense of what the competition will be like, and I know what I am capable of doing. I think I am ready.”

By mike

June 25, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

By turn it around, you hit the nail on the head. We should grab the clear cut best player at their position after Oden and durant. That’s Conley. We desperately need a PG. Mike Conley is the perfect fit for the Hawks. We need a pass first penertrating guard with great floor vision. Did I forget to mention he’s cat quick, a tenious defender with the heart of a lion. The thing that impress with Conley is he play big in big games.

Volman Don’t write me off yet. I know my last post seem to say I would take Hartford. Trust me Conley is the only pick for me at #3. BK had made it known that he likes Hartford and may take him with the #3 pick that’s why I threw him name in there. Me I’m hoping Hawes falls to #11 or around #9 or #10 so we can make a move him. I want some that plays the post.

Doc you make some very good points about BK. I was just saying everyone was predicting gloom and doom for us in this year draft. He finally made some of his gambles pay off. Now everyone in league is looking to us because we have two top lottery picks in the deepest draft in five years.

I think a lot of people forget that ZaZa is only 23 years old. He might not have all the hype as Yi but he’s a good player. He’s a bargain for what we paying him.

I don’t want to draft another SF or PF so I’m not in favor of Hartford or Yi. We needs to fill needs whether draft or trade. Taking Conley at #3 and trading down out of #11 and getting Sean Williams addresses our needs and gives us assets, instead of us giving up assets. That way we could put a package together to bring in some veteran help.

The Hawks will never have another opportunity like this. Lets face it; they’re going be more 6’11’’ or 7-foot guys coming from the European League. We need to be going after a legit PG or Legit Center.

To all the Yi fans My comment about sucking Yi’s D was inappropriate on these blogs, most of the guys very respectful, so my bad.