Hawks

By Ken Strickland

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

I’m sorry, but the AStaudamire trade doesn’t make much sense, especially in the long run. Suppose we make the trade, which would likely include Zaza, and Amare’s knee goes out. Who would be the backup to man the 5 for us if this happens? Amare’s contract would make it all but impossible for us to acquire another 5. Just look at what we had to pay for LWright. And we won’t have another 1st rd pick until the 2009 draft.

COMMON SENSE SAYS WE SHOULDN’T MAKE THE TRADE. If we keep the pick and draft a big, we will have two quality 5’s on our roster. Don’t let your emotions dictate placing your wants ahead of your needs. REMEMBER, THIS IS NOT A FANTASY DRAFT, IT’S THE REAL DEAL.

By HB Ando

June 28, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

My last comment, pre-draft, on who to select: I’ve been a proponent of Noah since the get go. I still believe he’s the center we need if we CANNOT make a trade for a veteran big. I DO NOT believe he’s in the mix for this front office, at 3, so if I have to choose between Horford and Yi, from a realistic standpoint, I’m going Yi. I also DO NOT believe Noah will fall to us at 11. I do think Hawes might, and I think he’d be a good selection, providing solid potential and immediate low post scoring skills (though it’s clear that he’s got room to improve).

I think we should trade Childress for either Jack or Calderon. If we do, we don’t need a PG at 11. If we don’t, I think, from all I’ve heard and seen, that Law is going to be a very good player, and could contribute right away, to an aging, less than healthy PG situation in Atlanta.

If we picked up Yi at 3, and a PG with Childress, then we could take a shot at Hawes, or, even (gasp) reload the 2-3 position, with a guy like Nick Young. Or we could trade down from 11 and pick up a quality, big, prospect, like Shawn Williams (Yeah, he smokes weed. Like half the players in the NBA don’t…) or Jason Smith.

I think there’s a lot more we could do, to help this team, than simply pick players at 3 and 11. But I think that’s the most likely scenario, so it will be what it will be.

By HB Ando

June 28, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I’ve been talking with a buddy about swapping with Boston and picking up Rondo. I’d do that in a heart beat, and then pick Noah. There’s your center, you’re point guard, and you still have the 11th pick and an extra, quality forward or two to try and deal for a center.

Myc and Joe, the difference, in which story to believe, will be defined by whether Billy selects Horford at 3. The other story will still be an unsubstantiated rumor. And we’ll have picked a forward for the fourth year in a row. Guess time will tell. Either of you cats going to be down at Phillips? Meeting Doc and Jhan there, and would love to meet you guys if you’re up for it (admit it Joe, you’d love to put a face with the villianous Ando persona, LOL).

Doc has Big Ray’s number and we’re going to call him about 20 times from Phillips so he can drink it in from his living room, way down south (while drinking other things in, I’m sure).

Can’t figure out if I’m going to a funeral, or a Phoenix-like re-birth. Don’t know if I’ll be heading home, swearing off this organization for the last time (or until Billy and ownership is a distant memory), or be thinking seriously about getting season tickets (hint: only Amare gets that done).

Only a couple more hours. One thing is for certain, no matter what happens, people on this blog are going to disagree with each other, and the decisions that are made.

Doc says, “Bring good vibrations, Ando”. Okie Dokie……….

By American_Dreamer

June 28, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

This is my first blog post and I wanted to chime in as the final hours leading up to the draft ticks away. The Hawks have a great opportunity to assemble a real competitive team provided the right decisions are being made. My choice for the team draft picks are Noah at #3 and Law with the pick at #11. This would make the Hawk, IMO, a younger version of the Detroit Pistons team that won the NBA Championship under Larry Brown. The only exception to that is Noah isn’t an outside scorer in the mold of Rasheed Wallace, but he will bring the same defensive intensity and low post scoring that the Hawks need. Much like Billups, Law can grow into the PG role and become a good floor general.

Now with Yi thrown into the mix as a possible selection with the #3 pick. At first I was skeptical of Yi beause I was unsure as to what he would bring to this team on defense. As I did research on him through Draft Express and other sites. Yi has become very intriguing and I feel that he would be a good choice with the third pick also. With Yi, the Hawks can be a more uptempo team on offense and pull opposing centers from under the basket which will allow Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams more effective as scorers going to the basket.

This will be my first draft party, so I am hoping for some excitement and fun down at Phillips.

BTW Sekou, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and the subsequent comments left by the fans.

GO HAWKS!!!

By MikeM

June 28, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Congrats Sekou! I’ve been hearing so much banter around these message boards since the lottery, and it seems everyone has went back and forth on who to pick.

You (and almost everyone else) decided right after the lottery that Michael Conley Jr. was the best choice. Two weeks later everyone is picking Al Horford. Now there is a big push in the Yi supporters.

It disgusts me that everyone goes back and forth just like the ATL Spirit. The only exception is that those who picked Noah after the lottery have stuck with him. So I’ll give those Gator fans props even though I normally can’t stand them.

So congrats on sticking with your guns with Conley as the best choice Sekou! Too bad no one else in ATL does.

By glenn

June 28, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

BTW , the press is still running with the Amare Stoudemire trade being vetoed by someone within the Hawks ownership group . You know where there is smoke there usually is fire , right ?

By glenn

June 28, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

I just read where we were going to draft that Yi Jianlian with the third pick & trade him to the Celtics for the fifth pick & future considerations . We would still draft Horford . Shrewd stuff no ?

By g_from_dooluth

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

For all those who bash the ATL for not having passionate fans are obviously not reading these blogs. CLEARLY we have a ton of fans dying for a quality product to root for. With prices for a family of four costing $100+, why on earth would anyone spend that kind of money vs. bowling, movies, or other family activities when its about a 65% likelyhood that the Hawks are gonna LOSE!! And that stat is based off they’re HIGHEST win total of the past THREE seasons!

All I know is that whoever they draft (please be Conley), they better get it right! They still owe us one for trading away ‘Nique!!!!!

By GT80

June 28, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks take Horford @ #3 they will have used the #2, #3, #5 & #6 picks in the last 4 years for 1 starter. Or does Marvin start over JSmooth just so we can say we have used those picks for 2 starters?

I’m praying for the miracle that would be Amare for both #3 & #11. With Stoudemire here you might convince Billups to come (but doubt it).

Would anyone trade Marvin or Sheldon (please) and #11 to move up to 4,5 or 6 to get Conely?

By Samuel

June 28, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

What’s wrong with making money in Business.

By Davey

June 28, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Amare trade ain’t happening tonight quote Rich Bucher on espn. It’s not dead but doesn’t look good and impossible to happen tonight.

By bob61

June 28, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

Sekou, WHY do Woodson & Knight want Horford and not want Yi or Conley? Based on all of the information I can find, I can not understand why they would go with Horford.

I can see that both Yi & Conley fill a need and bring something special that cannot be taught: Yi brings ‘eye popping’ size, athleticism, & speed. Conley brings athleticism, quickness, and court awareness. Yi & Conley are two of the best athletes in the draft. Horford may be solid, but I don’t see that he brings any very special abilities. Where is the WOW?

Conley has at least one big flaw - he can’t shoot 3’s. Horford has shown an inability to guard big players down low (e.g., Oden) and apparently did not play much away from the basket in college. Yi has room to improve, but has already demonstrated the ability to play good offense & defense against NBA players. He is an excellent shooter, rebounder, & shot blocker that could help the Hawks immediately.

Why do all of the sports writers say that Horford is the ‘most NBA ready’? I don’t see it! What is the evidence of that? Are the sports writers just feeding us a bunch of unfounded BS opinions?

I think that last year the sports wirters said that Shelden Williams was the ‘most NBA ready’ big man. I could see evidence of that in his play against other college big men. He performed much better than Horford. I think Shelden was the best big defensive player in college. Still, he did not play well in his first NBA season. So what happened to ‘most NBA ready’???

Sekou, what am I missing? Why do Woodson & Knight want Horford? If you think it is because Yi is an ‘unknown risk’, then that would be Knight’s fault. He should have taken the effort to know!!! If you think it is because Horford is the ‘most NBA ready’, then please tell me what is the evidence of that?

By tyger

June 28, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Not sold on Stoudemire alone anyway, we would still need help in the paint and relying upon Speedy is disastrous.

Losing our expiring contracts hurts our future flexibility. Ty Lue, Lo Wright, and AJ combine for $9-$10M to extend the core.

Nothing less than Amare and Barbosa for both picks is acceptable. In order to give up the opportunity of a lifetime, they have to made whole.

We have attractive pieces w/o selling the farm, and those teams need the expiring contracts as much or moreso than the players.

Amare is a nice piece but without Barbosa we need to keep the 11th for Law.

By GT80

June 28, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

If the ownership is blocking trades or dictating to BK who to draft based on business interest, well…TOTAL DISASTER is what we have.

Please tell me that BK can’t screw this draft up like he’s done the last 4 years.

By mykhalc

June 28, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

Ando why do you believe the Belkin story is false but the Horford story is true?

JOE, took the words outta my mouth!! soooo on-point. i think ODDJOB said it best last nite. to para-phrase, we gotta lotta smoke blown our way this year leadin’ up to the draft!! and most of us have no better idea now on what the team will do then we did on lottery nite!!! it’s been a lot more fun this way but the stress is killin’ me!!!!LOL

By Harry Hawk

June 28, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

Well, I should say that I was floored by the level of in-house fighting and bickering implied by what was being said last night. I guess I figured that the Hawks ownership would magically agree to do such a deal. Deep down, I knew this trade wasn’t going to happen because it was a rumor, there was too much talk, and the Hawks were involved.

Anyway, get ready for Horford and Law! Chad Ford says they’ve decided on Horford! I guess we’ll see!

By S.DOT

June 28, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

What about JJ/SC,KOBE BRYANT/SS,MW/JC,JS/SW,ZP/SJ for the 3 and the 11 picks???

By james jones

June 28, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

horford is aight!!! he shouldn’t even be the top 3 power fwd cause he is just moderate in every aspect. he’s a safe pick butplease if we pick him we can safely say it’s a very stupid pick. really stop and think where’s he gonna play. if he’s schooled during practice by sheldon and solo then he won’t start over them. and he’s therefore another project or in my kind words “a waste”. we have to get something no one else in the league would have. like yi. and people just cause he’s not the best player on the team- (bangani in toronto) doesn’t mean he wasn’t a big part of their success cause i watched some of their games and he played a major role with his outside play!!! let’s have another unguardable player in yi. if u go close he beats u off the dribble, u step back he pops off on ya and in the open court (fast break) he’s as good amare or smoove. come on people let’s hope we get yi not horford. the only way we don’t take yi is if we get amare!!!

By Anakin Joe

June 28, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Doc & Ando, if you want to feel better about tonight’s selection, go to www.atlantahawks.com and check out the photo in the “Draft Central” section. CA-CHING!

By Harry Hawk

June 28, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Ando, it was insinuated that Belkin was vetoing the trade. I also drew the inference (not explicitly stated, as in Belkin’s case) that Mike Gearon, Jr. might be vetoing the trade in favor of Yi because of business interests Gearon has in China. When my humble self reads something like that on a major website like ESPN.com, it makes me wonder about the legitimacy of Yi as a basketball player vis-a-vis “cash cow” for the Hawks. If Yi stinks as a player, those “business interests” for Gearon (if true) would still be realized if they are contingent upon picking Yi. Maybe ESPN.com was dead wrong about Gearon. Maybe Chad Ford was just lazy and didn’t wade through the BS. Maybe I assumed he would be responsible in his reporting…nooooooo, that can’t be! Either way, I can understand if Atlanta Spirit as a group sees dollar signs because of Yi. I was just floored by the idea of in-house fighting and bickering blocking a potential trade.

Just to finish the trade business off, the idea of Gearon vetoing this deal and insisting on Yi would be worse to me than the idea of Belkin rearing his head. I say that because Atlanta Spirit has carefully cultivated the idea of “Belkin in a black hat” and a different owner vetoing a deal for personal reasons would make this ownership seem even more ludicrous than it is already. I mean, when I read the news last night, I had visions of Billy Knight quitting after being told who to pick. Of course, he’d never do that. We’re not that lucky. He wants to keep his job because no one else would hire him…for a few years, at least.

In closing, I will admit that the last 24-36 hours have proved that there is an awful lot of interest in the Hawks getting better and being relevant. This blog has been proof of that. People are just holding back because of the ridiculous state the franchise has been in. I just hope that this organization will someday tap into that reservoir of people who’d like to believe in cheering for this team.

By Dale

June 28, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Goodness people, when the hell did Al Horford become so great. Some folks around here are really overstating the talent level of some of these players.

By Anakin Joe

June 28, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

Ando why do you believe the Belkin story is false but the Horford story is true? Since you seem interested in the “value of the pick”, Horford is virtually a unanimous pick as the third best player in the draft. Why not prop him up to maybe get something in return for trading down? Isn’t that one way to create value for your pick, by letting the world know that they have to offer something special if they want it? In the end, of course, you do what’s right, but that time is till several hours away.

By GT80

June 28, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

7 hours to go and we could be looking at something great for the Hawks or a TOTAL DISASTER!

If the Amare trade can happen that will be a great move. If not, as Sekou said, they should take Conely. He is a special player that fills the need we have. Horford might be nice but he duplicates what we have. Take Yi before taking Horford for God’s sake.

And please, please, please do not take Critt @ 11. I’m the biggest GT supporter out there and I loved the kid last year, but he is miles away from being an accomplished PG. He wasn’t the best PG in an inferior ACC last year, what makes you think he’ll be a star in the NBA, especially not right away.

On Pins and Needles until tonight.

By Ken Strickland

June 28, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

If the 3way trade goes through, with us getting Amare, Zaza had better not be included in the trade. We’ve already seen Zaza wear down under the physical play in the East. What makes any of you think Amare(who’d simularily be without adequate backup), would fair any better, or as well.

I’m sure, for most of us, it would be exciting to see a front line of JSmith, AStaudamire and MWilliams. But how exciting would it be going into the 4th quarter with a tired, weak, foul plagued Amare with a weak rebounding Marvin next to him? Without an adequate replacement, that’s what we’ll have to look forward too. REMEMBER, ALL THAT GLITTERS AIN’T GOLD.

By Ricardo

June 28, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if it’s true about Belkin getting involved or not and I don’t really care. The think that bums me out is that just when it appears that the team is on the right path (multiple high picks, major players in the rumor mill - general - and genuine - interest in the team) this goes and raises it’s ugly head again. Just as we fans have a real reason to be positive (for the first time in EIGHT years) we get slapped back to the reality of who owns this team and how dysfunctional it is. I’m not a BK fan, but how can you give him crap when he’s got NO support above him? He is clearly trying to pull the trigger on some things and the people that should help him the most - his owners - are screwing it all up? Sickening.

By hazer

June 28, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

not my personal pix, just saying that’s probably what bk will do given his track record and preferences. hadn’t really thought about those 2 picks in that order before. have to say that wouldn’t be too damn bad…

By hazer

June 28, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

nba draft dot net has this to say about crittendon:

“NBA Comparison: Steve Francis

Strengths: Tremendous combination of size, athleticism and playmaking ability … Quick first step … Excellent vision and passing skills … His size allows him to see over defenders and make passes that the average 6-2 PG could not … Shows great heart, very competitive. Wont back down from a challenge … Very quick, an elite level athlete … Loves to dunk on players … Excellent body strength … Rhythm shooter, with good slashing and scoring ability … His huge hands give him excellent control of the ball … Very unselfish player … Excellent foot speed, overall quickness and effort makes him a tough defensive player … Works hard to improve his game, very coachable … Has a great attitude, confident but not cocky …

Weaknesses: Needs to improve upon his outside shot, which is solid but can improve … Can be too unselfish at times trying to get everyone involved when he is the top scoring option … Can be too aggressive defensively and get caught reaching, picking up unnecessary fouls … Needs to prove himself on the college level. Become a great decision maker and learn to lead a team on the next level …His ability to play the point guard position is very good, but he can continue to improve upon dictating tempo and learning the nuances of the position … Aran Smith - 4/1/2006”

hometown kid, tall pg, good defensively, probably available at 11. which tells me this will be bk’s pick if it’s not traded away. which also tells me that bk picks either horford, yi, or noah at 3.

By HB Ando

June 28, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

So none of you folks are cynical enough to consider that the possible source of this “Belkin veto” story would be someone in the Spirit hierarchy? You’ve already heard that the Stoudemire-to-Atlanta deal wasn’t discussed, between Phoenix and Atlanta, which means it was just a rumor. So now the fans get excited about such a deal, when Billy and the Spirit know it can’t be done. Now they know that whatever happens, people will blame them for “not getting Stoudemire”. Obvious move: blame Belkin for a “hypothetical veto”, and let him take the heat with the local fans.

Some of you folks need to look of the definition of the word “rube”…….

To me, of less concern about that story is that Billy wants to take Horford, yet another power forward. Here is a man who simply has not learned his lessen. If management is hamstrung by the ongoing legal wrangling, in terms of making a trade for a center, then Billy MUST seek a center through the draft. You only take Horford if you have a plan to acquire a center with one or two of your other, million forwards. I’ll say it again, scouting reports on Horford highlight that he struggled mightily against not only Oden (understandable) but against Randolph Morris as well. The report I read said he’s simply not big enough to defend against legitimate centers, and doesn’t project to be able to at the next level. Does that mean he’s not going to be really good? No, it just means that he’s a power forward. Last time I checked, Marvin and Josh were the starting forwards on this team. And then there’s Shelden.

So where does Horford fit on this roster? I listened to Woody say, at last year’s draft party, that he envisioned playing Marvin, Josh and Shelden together. I laughed then, and then shook my head all season as Shelden couldn’t get into the rotation (like it wasn’t obvious, BEFORE we drafted him, that would be the case-and, as I predicted the whole summer, between drafting him and the start of the season).

So, you say, Ando, where does Yi fit in, since he’s a forward too. Yi brings a combination of size, athleticism and face-up game that doesn’t exist on the Hawks’ roster right now. Horford is just a better power forward than Shelden. Yi could be Dirk, with a 38-inch vertical. Doc is right, if this kid was American, and coming out of the McDonald’s game, he’d be pushing Durant for #2, and be the consensus #3 pick, simply on his physical profile and a limited body of work against high school competition. Those of you who keep saying that he’s not a known entity, are simply ignoring comments from folks like Joe Johnson himself, who has played against him and stated that Yi is the real deal.

What’s best for the Hawks is to find a legit, hopefully veteran center. If the court thing limits that possibility, then drafting one makes sense. I still like Noah, but I’d bump down a few spots and pick up some value to take him. If you stay at 3, choose Yi. This draft is almost wholly about projecting future development. He brings unique potential, unlike any player not named Durant or Oden.

And, to be fair, if you’re the Spirit, you take Yi as well. You may not be the owners much longer, you’ve lost money, and you may lose the teams. We fans may not like it, but from a business perspective, taking Yi is a no-brainer. And why should they trust Billy’s instinct to take Horford? He’s passed on the last two ROY’s, and another PG who just took his team to the Western Conference finals, in his second season.

I just can’t figure out why that A$$ Clown, Billy Knight, still has a job! He’s the laughing stock of the national NBA media, a too-obvious target for every writers cheap shots. He has absolutely no credibility left. I warned Bruce Levenson, two years ago, that they had entrusted their future to the wrong guy. Should have listened then, Bruce.

Looking forward to seeing Doc and Jhan at the draft tonight. Hopefully, will meet a few others from the blog as well. We can drown our sorrows, as another Billy Knightmare unfolds before our very eyes…………

By Hawk in NYC

June 28, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

I agree that Amare is very good and that there is no guarantee that Horford can even come close to him. However, if we get Amare for our picks this year and Zaza and AJ, we will have a lineup of Speedy/Lue, JJ/Salim, MW/JChill, JSmith/Swillams, Amare/Solo. A good, but not great lineup plus we will be over/near the cap. We would not be able to sign any vets or resign JSmith next year. On top of that, no picks until 2009. We would get to the playoffs for sure, but never get very far.

By Spaniard

June 28, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Hi!

Interesting night. A lot of things can happen. I wish the best for the Hawks… but I don’t know what is the best, and the more I read, the more I get confused about which will be the best choices. I am very amazed with all the comments related with Jose Antonio Calderon. I didn’t know that he was so appreciated. It will be fantastic to see him in a Hawks uniform because in that way next year an spanish TV will schedule some Atlanta games, but I suppose that it won’t happen.

Good luck for this night!

Pep

By Mike T

June 28, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Just because Horford and Amare are the same size does not mean they are even comparable. Have you seen him play? Amare was 1st team all-NBA at 24!!! He’s also signed for the next four years. If you can get him for two picks and garbage without going over the cap, you absolutely must do it. Horford is a nice pick if they can’t get Amare, but come on….

By Anakin Joe

June 28, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Hawks should trade the legacies of Tree Rollins, Tom McMillan and Dan Roundfield to GS for Patrick O’Bryant.

Sorry, but I just had to throw in my version of a ridiculous trade idea.

By Matt

June 28, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

“Conley overrated, Law underrated”

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/luke_winn/06/27/underrated.overrated/1.html

Interesting read, if nothing else. And remember that despite some people’s insistences to the contrary, it is never a guarantee that someone can develop an NBA-quality jump shot, much less a reliable NBA 3-point shot.

I would certainly not be disappointed to land either of these guys - and I have a feeling one will be a Hawk before the end of the day.

By mac

June 28, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

YI #3 Trade for Calderon 5APG and 8.7PPG in 21 MPG in his second year! AMAZING

By mac

June 28, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Yi #3 Trade for Calderon 5 APG and 8.7 PPG in 21 MPG,in his 2nd year AMAZING.

By Hawk in NY

June 28, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Also, I agree with Ken. Why are we so excited about Amare at center when he is the same size as Horford who nobody wants at center? We can draft Horford and a PG at eleven.

With Amare, we would not have cap space to sign any vets and would likely have difficulty signing JSmith next year.

By Hawk in NY

June 28, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Atlanta should make a trade with Portland who is going to pick Oden. Send our #3 to them and ask for Jack and Aldridge. We get our PG and a F/C. They get to pick Conley so he and Oden continue to play together. Portland has too many bigs and probably cannot unload Randolph with his issues and contract. We fill two positions of need and take best available at 11.

By St. Bernard

June 28, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

It has to be a real rumor for JJ to have called Amare. Who knows what’s going on, and if I understand right, no one will know until the first round is over. Maybe we should be watching for strange picks in the lottery to judge what might be happening.

I also hope security is high at Phillips. I’m willing to wager there won’t be a draft party again if we mess another one up like last year.

By Dale

June 28, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

I proclaimed two years ago that BK dammed this franchise for not drafting Chris Paul……I was right.

We are so screwed. There isn’t a good option for us at 3 or 11. If we can’t trade the picks all hope will be lost.

Mike Conley ain’t the answer, I’m telling you this kid is the next Jacque Vaughn. Nobody in this draft (outside the top 2) is going to get the Hawks to the next level.

WE NEED TO BOYCOTT THE HAWKS, PLEASE, IF THE ARENA IS EMPTY THE OWNERSHIP WILL LEAVE!!!!

By 2K_D@VIS

June 28, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Why get Al Horford?Him and Sheldon Williams are basically the same size, Horford is like 2 inches taller whatz the difference, we need a point guard…and the thing is who knows how good any of them can be?thatz what the draft is all about taking a good guess and getting lucky..Chris Paul isnt really that tall or big but he got the job done and if we think about it no other guard was that good from last years draft but brandon roye, havent heard much from foye or anyone else..If it were me i would either get Stoudamire 4 the 3rd pick as long as i could keep eleven to get crittenton that would work great as insurance just in case those knees go out….and plus one of these old forwards we drafted has to go #5 #2 etc we cant have any of them coming off the bench cuz that is a waste…if im drafting that high and putting them on the bench they can play from the bench of someone elses team…if we dont get Yi who is 7’0 which you cant coach and can dribble all the other stuff can be taught..Yao wasn’t dominate when he came in the league and he’s about the same size as Yi has less range and less dribble ability…get conley at 3 that should work, hes not very tall but neither is steve nash or tony parker, being a great player is not about measurables it is about heart and intelligence mostly..we would be fools to pass on a pg, get another forward to complete are 5 fwrd lineup, and get Amare and give up 2 picks…hes good but he is not a point guard if he can play center and point guard then go for it , but if not don’t be suprised if we make this deal and are still in the same position 4-5 yrs from now sayin” I knew we shouldnt gave up those picks for that guy with the bad knees*reminds me of hartwell & abraham a little….when comes down to it atlanta sports has bad luck get what we need at pg don’t care if its to high to draft or not we have been goin to high with fwrds already why not give pg a shot…my lineup pg - conley/crittenton sg - joe johnson sf - josh smith pf - sheldon williams C - Yi JianLian

laugh but i think this would work

Thatz all i got

By Don!

June 28, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Sekou — not to make this a journalistic squabble between you and ESPN’s folks, but I’m reading in multiple places that Belkin did indeed kill a proposed deal for Amare because it put the Hawks just over the cap in a future year.

I think many of us believe he did that to be spiteful, and not in the best interests of the Hawks or its fan base.

What can you dig up to clarify this situation?

Thanks,

Don!

By doc

June 28, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

dont get the hopes up, we lose salary cap room for anything after the 1st. it is to the hawks advantage to make a deal before that date to the tune of 6 mil by an earlier report.

By Mike T

June 28, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

I agree with all the folks who say the Amare deal is an absolute no brainer, but it would leave them awfully thin in the front court. The deal would include Pachulia, plus Lorenzen Wright or (if MN has its way) Shelden Williams. Amare is undersized for center and gets into foul trouble a lot (as does Smith). The frontcourt bench would be Shelden Williams or Wright and Solomon Jones. And there would be no cap room to improve it.

I still think they have to do it (a no-brainer!), but they will struggle against Miami, Portland, or anyone else with a scoring center.

By doc

June 28, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

jhan i will be happy with horford, yi or noah at 3. lets not make this into my mandate to get yi. i chose to not sit on the fence and stated my arguments for the guy, never have i said i couldnt live with another solution or see it relevant. i was even able to rationalize sheldon instead of the guy i wanted last year in mr. roy. that one still hurts.

as for your question about mr. conley i will be extremely happy if conley gets the rook of the year award …. playing in a hawks new uni. heh heh. that i could be wrong for in a ny minute. though scoffed at it might happen if yi is our draft pick. if someone goes point after that then they have a possible trade as most are set at that position after the griz. we will also have a shot at a second big if conley is gone by 11.

By Mike T

June 28, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

ESPN is reporting (on TV) that Phoenix is just denying any involvement (and avoiding talking to the Hawks directly) so as to keep Amare happy if it doesn’t happen, but that talks are still in the works. Also, they said that if they wait until after June 30, Belkin can’t veto as long as the deal is under the salary cap, because at that point Amare’s deal would have no more than four years remaining.

By hawksloyalty

June 28, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Yi is going to be an All Star(because of all the Chinese votes) and ROY next year for resurecting the Hawks back to the playoffs!(Wishful thinking I know, but after the last 8 seasons what else can we do?)

By Anakin Joe

June 28, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

A-Town Vet, regretably, I doubt the deal will happen. I think Ainge ends his bluff around 3:00 this afternoon and they try to make the 3-way with Marion headed to Boston work. No doubt that Phoenix would prefer to move Marion more than Amare. So if Ainge cames back to the table, we get screwed and that’s what I think will ultimately happen.

Plus, despite Sekou’s report, I’m concerned that many franchises do believe that our dysfunctional ownership group (coupled with BK’s reputation for being slow to pull the trigger), will discourage teams from “wasting their time” trying to make an 11th hour deal with us. It does not appear that we have a governance process in place for an 11th hour deal. We’ve known for about 4-5 weeks about the #3 pick and supposedly we still haven’t gained agreement on a selection. Why would we expect the owners to make a decision in less than 10 hours?

DAMMIT, I got myself all upset again.

By salinsa

June 28, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Apparently this alleged trade only existed on the internet. PHX GM Steve Kerr claims to have never spoken to Billy Knight. Here’s the article from the Arizona newspaper:

Now that every possible trade scenario has been exhausted in quick-trigger rumor reporting, the truth comes out today.

Suns center Amaré Stoudemire still is not going anywhere. It still is a long shot for Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett to wind up in Phoenix.

And if the Suns’ hopes to trade into the top 10 of today’s NBA draft don’t improve, the most action fans might see today is the Suns picking at Nos. 24 and/or 29 and trying to move Kurt Thomas’ expiring contract.

Even getting some luxury-tax relief by moving Thomas’ deal, worth $8.1 million next season, is no sure thing.

But the hubbub sure got the NBA nation worked into a lather, particularly with ESPN’s reports that three-team Garnett deals were in the works with Minnesota, Atlanta and Boston.

There seemed to be a lot of wishful thinking regarding Stoudemire’s availability, which remained as unlikely Wednesday as when initial Garnett rumors surfaced last week.

Hawks star Joe Johnson even called Stoudemire, his former Suns teammate, to tell him he’d like to reunite after Hawks officials approached Johnson with a proposal that had Garnett coming to Phoenix, Stoudemire going to Atlanta and a pick, likely Atlanta’s No. 3 overall selection, going to Minnesota.

The problem is it was a conversation that only Minnesota and Atlanta shared, although a Hawks owner claimed to veto the idea.

“We’ve never spoken with Atlanta about Amaré,” Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said Wednesday night, when he also called Stoudemire to assure him all rumors were bogus. “We have no idea why anybody would speculate on that.”

It was just as implausible that Stoudemire would go to Minnesota in a two-team Garnett deal, because two league sources said the Timberwolves did not want Stoudemire. They were interested in picks or salary-cap space.

It is clear that the Suns remained in Garnett talks, but the possibility of a deal always remained unlikely. Garnett is owed as much as $28.5 million next season if traded.

Phoenix was more intent and hopeful that it could find its way into the draft’s top 10. It spent the week preparing for such a chance. Phoenix went to Chinese power forward Yi Jianlian’s workout in Los Angeles on Monday and worked out Florida small forward Corey Brewer, Florida power forward Joakim Noah, Georgetown small forward Jeff Green, Florida State small forward Al Thornton and North Carolina power forward Brandan Wright over the past two days at US Airways Center.

As of late Wednesday, the prospects of Phoenix finding a trade partner in the top 10 appeared thwarted for a second consecutive year. Last year, the Suns had serious talks with Boston and Seattle, only to be turned down despite offering three first-round picks. And that draft was not nearly as stocked with impact players as this year’s.

“To be honest, nothing much is going on,” Kerr said. “We’ve got a few things out there. I really doubt anything major is going to happen. There’s a chance something might happen.”

He called any trades involving core players as “far-fetched.” However, a deal that would send Thomas to a team below the salary cap was possible. Phoenix does not have to take back within 125 percent of his $8.1 million salary if it trades him to a team below the cap, such as Charlotte.

The Bobcats also could provide Phoenix its best chance to get a top-10 pick. The Bobcats are selecting eighth, but insiders doubt they would pass on the players available for a package of Suns picks, whether it be one or both of their first-round picks today (at Nos. 24 and 29) and the 2008 Atlanta pick that the Hawks owe the Suns.

At No. 24, the Suns could be interested in Italian shooting guard Marco Belinelli and Spanish point guard Rudy Fernandez or an unexpected drop from a player such as Southern California guard Gabe Pruitt.

Wisconsin small forward Alando Tucker and Oregon point guard Aaron Brooks also are possibilities.

By A-Town Vet

June 28, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Anakin, I am right there with you. Lets just hope this deal gets done.

By OddJob

June 28, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Well we know exactly dick about what will happen between now and the end of the draft.I’m clear on one thing though.If we have a choice to trade for Ridnour,Calderon or Monta Ellis Calderon is an easy pick.I don’t see where Ridnour has any advantage over Calderon and Ellis is more a 2 than 1.

By james jones

June 28, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

i figured as much sekou!!! that vetoed thing was ficticious. thanks for the update and keep on keeping on.

By Anakin Joe

June 28, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

Thanks Sekou. I need to place a call to Boston to call something off that I had in the works. Let’s just say Belkin was about to go on a boat ride and my associate had an empty bowling ball bag ready to use.

By A-Town Vet

June 28, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Thanks Sekou for the update. How can anyone involve with the hawks not see that trading for Amare is a no Brainer!

By Sekou K. Smith

June 28, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

Folks, no deal was vetoed by Belkin or anyone else. And just because the talking heads say it or it’s on insider doesn’t make it so.

This stuff you’ve been hearing about is all just conversation, sometimes between members of the same organization. Most of it is just chatter.

But like we’ve seen so many times before, any real deal, any deal with half a chance of getting done, get’s done behind closed doors. And not through the media.

As soon as there is anything REAL to report, it’ll be here. So keep an eye out throughout the day. And I’ll be blogging live during the draft tonight, so make sure you’re around.

By OddJob

June 28, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Don I like Hawes too,I have the whole way.The only reason he’s not mentioned on my last post is, I don’t see where we’d take him if we go big at 3 or with Amare.

By jhan

June 28, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

Doc, either that or he would have shown he wasn’t really that good. No way of telling for sure.

It sounds like you are going to get your wish. The Chinese express is going to stop in ATL.

Hope you are right. If Conley wins ROY next year, how do you plan on spinning that?

By roan st

June 28, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

Guys, I just read the article and it said one of the hawks owners had vetoed a HYPOTHETICAL trade that would land amare stoudemire. Do you guys know what that means? The phoneix suns org is adamant that they have NEVER included amare stoudemire in any trade talks. They maintain that this whole amare plot was hatched between billy knight and kevin mchale and they want no part of it. So please don’t come on this message board and claim that belkin has killed a trade that was signed off on by all parties. That is just pure fantasy and this trade won’t happen because phoneix is not going to trade amare period. It has absolutely nothing to do with steve belkin.

By J

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

Belkin has been the hold up on any decent Hawks trade/free agency idea. He was the hold up on the Joe Johnson trade and AGAIN he is the hold up on a no brainer in bringing Amare here to Atlanta.

By doc

June 28, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

a-town you havent been reading. those stats are for international competiton, you know the one where the usa cant win.

his stats in china are 24 and 12, with his being on the championship team 3 of 4 years. his numbers have improved every year. quality of play is not nba, dotn know how it compares to ncaa, however grown men are in it plus every team is allowed a foreign player to bethe man on the team to which the chinese defer to for their leadership without question.

By Almost Done?

June 28, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

Dear Hawks,

This is your last chance. If you blow this draft or let the ownership situation ruin a great trade then I am done. Right now the organization is a joke. I have been loyal for the last 20 years and I am tired of all the talk with no action. Fix the ownership mess and get the Hawks back in the playoffs.

By A-Town Vet

June 28, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Please explain to me why people are so high in yi’s talent wen he avg 6pt and 5 rebounds for the league oversees which many compare to divison II basketball here. Maybe for marketing purposes but for talent I say no.

By m berry

June 28, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

TAKE AMARE STOUDIMIRE IF GIVEN THE CHANCE. I understand that an owner will not sign off on this, which kills the deal -STUPID. Draft Conley or Horford with #3 pick, AC Law with #11. Ridnour is a defensive liability and Seattle knows it.IF YI IS DRAFTED AT #3, THE GENERAL MANAGER AND COUCH WILL BE FIRED, THOUGH ONE OWNER WOULD BE HAPPY FOR POSSIBLE CHINESE ENDORSMENTS. Draft for basketball talent, not for endorsments.

By A-Town Vet

June 28, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

Birdman, heres the link. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2919016

It looks like Belkin strikes again, these guys are stupid. How can you veto this trade. I guess Billy was right about his reluctance o want to spend money.

By jay

June 28, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

In the meantime, Belkin holds some authority over the team. He can veto any trade or free agent signing that takes the team above the NBA salary cap. Several sources suggested that it was Belkin who vetoed the trade.

This fiasco isn’t the only situation the Hawks are dealing with. Sources said that Knight is in a dispute with some of the Hawks owners over who to take at No. 3. Knight prefers Florida’s Al Horford. Some in the Hawks ownership, including influential owner Michael Gearon Jr., want to draft Yi Jianlian out of China.

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Scooby

Yes, he nixed the Stoudemire deal…but he is not the one how wants to draft Yi. Half of the owners want Yi because of the amount of business they do in China.

By ScoobySnacks

June 28, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Make sure all you Belkin lover’s remember that he is the one holding up the Stoudemire trade and demanding that we draft Yi. Check out the article on Espn.com

By Samuel

June 28, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Atlanta Hawks

One of the favorites to win the East. That just don’t sound right. So I just can’t get my hopes up on this Amare deal.

That being said. I think our best move would be to draft Yi at #3.

There are only a few teams who have been approved by his reps to even sign this dude according to reports. The list is: ATL, Bos, Chicago, LAC, LAL, Golden State, PHL, PHX and Sac.

I say we draft him and call the shots on who we want from these teams.

The Al Jefferson, Kobe, Monta Ellis, and Amare deals would be easier then, since this is basically who they all are jocking for. The big China Bucks.

I also love Jose Calderon, I said that early in the season. Calderon for Childress is a no brainer for me.

By doc

June 28, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this

my theory is that this is all flash’s fault. if you remember he was the one who said amare was done, saying it this year AFTER amare got off to a good start. i figure he also still has belkin’s ear though he adamantly denies it. he is the one who gave belkin the reminder how fragile amare was and stopped the whole deal. flash, you are powerful dude, some suspect belkin himself.

By JJ

June 28, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

LOL at the Suns fans on here talking trash to Hawks fans. Wow. Get a life.

By doc

June 28, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this

does anyone think that if yi had played at ucla last year he wouldnt have avg close to a double/double or at least come close with rebounds?

if he had, would there be anyone out there that would doubt drafting him 3 or wonder why he wasnt as good a talent as the top two in this draft? wouldnt his numbers be as good if not better than oden or horford?

is it the lack of exposure to your tv screen with no appearances in march madness that gets in the way of acknowledging how good he is?

they speak of yi’s disapointing numbers in the international tournament last year. has any sub 22 player from the u s or anyone else come out and really played well in those exhibitions and still gone on to greatness? look back, some pretty good ones including labron who didnt make a splash in his first one.

By BIRDMAN

June 28, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this

Sekou - I’m sure you are swamped today, but I’d love your input on this. I’ve read several times that the in-fighting with the Hawks is reaching epic levels and it’s possible Belkin vetoed the Amare deal. Any truth to this? Is this ownership issue going to be resolved soon? Does Stern step in?

By gene

June 28, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

The only way Amare Stoudemire comes here next season is on the Sun’s charter flight (along with the rest of the Phoenix team) when they play the Hawks.

Dream on.

By The Don

June 28, 2007 5:58 AM | Link to this

JohnGTfan: “He would be a positive buzz for the franchise…you would get more fans in the stands”

So would winning.

Having more people attend the first 10 games of next year does nothing. And watching the game on TNT or SportsSouth or ESPN makes no difference to me.

THE DON

By The Don

June 28, 2007 5:52 AM | Link to this

Amare’s knee is still messed up. That is why he is on the trading block.

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 5:35 AM | Link to this

Freakin BK and the “owners” proving their ignorance yet again!!!! Publicly torn between who to draft at no.3 should ATL keep the pick!!! Just dumb!!! If ATL does keep the pick…people can stop wishing for Conley with the no.3. Either Yi or Horford will be picked here should ATL stay put. NOONE ELSE WILL BE PICKED BY ATL HERE! I don’t mind the Yi pick, for “face value”. He would be a positive buzz for the franchise…you would get more fans in the stands…more games on TNT (imagine that, based out of ATL) and ESPN…etc. I still prefer the trade for Amare, I don’t see anyway ATL can thrown in Shelden Williams or Marvin Williams along with AJ and no.3 and no.11. I have no problem with AJ and ZAZA, but not Shelden or Marvin. Just my thoughts. Well folks, only 13 1/2 hours until we find out!!!!

By The Don

June 28, 2007 5:23 AM | Link to this

Nick Young and Hawes as I’ve said all along.

although I can see the Hawks picking the Yi as Rick Bucher said it wouldn’t be for basketball reasons with a straight face. Yi will be a bust.

THE DON

By OddJob

June 28, 2007 5:04 AM | Link to this

If the Amare trade doesn’t happen here’s my current view.We take Horford or Yi at 3.We trade Childress for Calderon.I’ve watched him and analized his game,history,body type,etc.The guy is the closest thing to Parker we’ll find who’s not named Conley.This may get a laugh but he could be better than Conley.He’s longer,quick,a very good shooter and passer.He can flat out penetrate and he doesn’t turn the ball over…..With the 11,since Childress would be gone I’d look at Young from USC.The kid is a gamer with a great motor who can get his own shot and plays big at big moments.Thats the kind of 6th man who could give a spark to the team.So here’s the lineup….Calderon—JJ—Marvin—Josh—Horford or Yi with Young,Shelden,Lue,Jones,etc off the bench.That looks like a really balanced team to me.

By Just Wondering????

June 28, 2007 4:27 AM | Link to this

Why would the Wolves send Garnett to the Suns, who then trade Stoudemire to the Hawls, who then trade scrubs and picks to the Wolves.

Why would you do that?

You trade those picks and players to the Wolves and you get Stoudemire?

Why wouldn’t you just trade the picks and payers straight up for Garnet and tell the Sun c to go F themselves.

By Contra

June 28, 2007 3:47 AM | Link to this

Listen to Ken Strickland.

By Stu

June 28, 2007 2:56 AM | Link to this

HEY GUYS. CHECK OUT ESPN.COM. APPARENTLY BELKIN VETOED THE AMARE TRADE AND GEARON JR. WANTS KNIGHT TO DRAFT YI OVER HORFORD. DO YOU GUYS NEED ANY MORE REASONS TO BOYCOTT THIS SORRY OUTFIT OF A PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL ORGANIZATION!!!!!!!

By Stu

June 28, 2007 2:55 AM | Link to this

HEY GUYS. CHECK OUT ESPN.COM. APPARENTLY BELKIN VETOED THE AMARE TRADE AND GEARON JR. WANTS KNIGHT TO DRAFT YI OVER HORFORD. DO YOU GUYS NEED ANY MORE REASONS TO BOYCOTT THIS SORRY OUTFIT OF A PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL ORGANIZATION!!!!!!!

By Ken Strickland

June 28, 2007 2:01 AM | Link to this

I’m not advocating we draft Yi, but consider this. A couple of decades ago, critics questioned the durability, and lack of weight of another player that was even less athletic than Yi. They questioned whether he could handle the physical play of the NBA. That concern was increased when, during a pickup game, he punched an apposing player for being too physical and fractured his jaw. The player ultimately filed a law suit against Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and it was settled out of court.

The only difference between then rookie Jabbar and Yi, size wise, is a couple of inches. Yi is probably a little quicker, more athletic, and has a better outside game. People, please stop placing your personal feelings, limitations, and preferences on the backs of these players. Some of you are soooo superficial. How can anyone is their right mind expect a 7’1” versatile, athletic Chinese guy to play at least 4yrs of international basketball and still be unknown? Those who want Amare are questioning Horfords ability to play the 5, although the 2 are virtually the same size. Those who favor Horford are now questioning whether Amare, an allpro 5, can actually play the 5. Then you have those questioning Amare’s knees, but had no problem with the idea of trading for injury prone JOneal or MCamby.

I’m glad this whole thing is coming to an end, because some of you are starting to sound rediculous. Anyway, it’s all good. We’re down to hours now instead of days. Let’s wait and see how this all plays out. GO HAWKS!!!!!!

By OddJob

June 28, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this

Well fellow draft-nics this sure ain’t like last year.Shelden was a lock and we really know less on the eve of the draft than we THOUGHT we knew the night of the lottery.It almost looks like somebody decided to blow the max smoke just before show time.Give management credit for at least creating some drama.Think about it,do any of you feel like you have a better idea of what’s happening tonight than you had last night ? not me,not by a long shot.

By GHook

June 28, 2007 1:43 AM | Link to this

What a surprise, a Chad Fraud article is complete BS.

Belkin has no say on the Hawks unless the trade puts us over the cap or it involves a player with a contract longer than 4 years. This deal does neither, therefore Belkin is not involved.

I’m not saying the trade will happen or it won’t happen, because nobody knows for sure. My guess is talks have cooled and now Chad Fraud and the other “analysts” over at ESPN are trying to cover themselves because 6 hours ago they were saying the deal was practically done.

Don’t buy into the hype. Wait until tomorrow night, we’ll know everything then.

By james jones

June 28, 2007 1:43 AM | Link to this

i wouldn’t go as far as saying God bless him yet unless we draft yi… if we draft al then we’re stuck on the same spot. but they have a vision (i need their glasses though). that amare deal was a big one though. zaza, 3, 11, aj… a lot to lose really. zaza and the 3 wuda been str8. zaza’s not amare but he’s good.

By OddJob

June 28, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

I really am not convinced that the Amare trade would be the best use of resorces.That said, if Belkin vetoed the thing it’s hard to believe it was for the betterment of the team.Oh by the way Duncan a true center made all nba as a forward-Stoudamire a true forward as a center.So you can say all you want about Amare being the best young center,it’s just a technicality in my book.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 28, 2007 1:39 AM | Link to this

Just got back from a single “A” baseball game here in SoCal and I was truly disappointed to see the trade that never was. I don’t care really about the trade itself. I’m just disgusted by the ownership fiasco still rearing it’s ugly head.

What young kid or potential free agents will want to play here now? I understand that players will take money. But I can guarantee that we will have to throw twice as much as any other team to get these guys into town. Just pitiful. That’s about all I can say.

By the way……..the High Desert Mavericks beat the Lake Elsinore Storm 10-7. Sat behind home plate, Gilly’s big brother Brian was there on rehab. Great ballpark for the league!

By james jones

June 28, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this

i’m fed up!!! and i’m supposed to be happy waiting somewhere i was too busy reading everyone blog the same thing over and over yesterday and i had no new ideas. for all i car they can draft britney spears and mandy moore and w’d all still be hawks’ fans. i wanted that amare deal so much despite i’m one of te “yi wheel barrowers” i know what amare and smoove inside would be but let’s face it if they draft horford that’ll be the only mistake they can make. he’s not special in anyway. infact he’s the one regular player among the top prospects who is just a fit anywhere. can we draft talent for a change and not the safe guy? i don’t care what they do even if it’s conley buthorford was my best player in college (believe it or not) but he doesn’t fit into what we have rght now. yi is the most special person in this draft after durant. ok maybe oden too. but let’s draft a star please!!! belkin can catch the next black train to hell for all i care with that v-towed crap!!! we gotta wait now ya’ll but lets be fans and hope that whatever we get works.

By Jr.

June 28, 2007 1:25 AM | Link to this

God bless Steve Belkin.

By reese

June 28, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this

I’m on the owners side on this one. Yi at 3 is the way its got to be. If Minnesota and Phoenix really want the deal to get done, then do it on my terms.

That would be Hawks send #11 pick, Lorenzen, AJ and Sheldon to minnesota. The hawks receive Amare from Phoenix and Minnesota’s 2nd round pick.

Phoenix sends their 24th pick and hawks unprotected pick for 2008 to Minnesota. Phoenix receives Garnett.

Minnesota sends garnett to phoenix. Minnesota receives the hawks #11, phoenix’s number 24 and unprotected hawks pick for 2008, Lorenzen, Anthony Johnson and Sheldon.

The hawks use the #3 pick to take Yi. They use the Minnesota 2nd round pick to pick whatever.

Face it folks, Phoenix once had Amare, JJ, Nash and Marion. They were still bounced from the playoffs. The hawks need more than just Amare who has repeatedly stated that he does not like playing center.

Now, the hawks owners are happy, the coach would be happy and Money would be flowing in from many sources.

If Phoenix and Minnesota don’t like the deal, then go ahead and pick Yi at 3 and work another deal to acquire other needed assets via trades, the 11th pick or free agency.

By mykhalc

June 28, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this

if true, which i suspect that it is, it just further validates my take on MR. ANTI-ATLANTA for the past year!!! i wish i had some of my past rants of this jerk saved!! i’d post ‘em just to make myself feel better!!!

and DOC, it not only is he on the cheap, he’s showin’ his hand on his belief on him not gettin’ the decision in his favor!!! ‘cause he’d have a better chance gettin’ investors with a playoff team, with 2 all-stars, maybe 3 with the rise of JS, with a full PHILLIPS ARENA then he will with a team that won’t make the playoffs for the ninth year in a row and in the red, no matter how low the payroll!!! he and BABCOCK are truly the worst thing that EVER happened in ATL sports!!!! but i saw it comin’ from a mile away…..

By Matt

June 28, 2007 1:06 AM | Link to this

doc,

I know. God I wish owners in sports thought differently than owners of other types of companies, but it’s just not that kind of world.

By Sudawg

June 28, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ attempts to get a great deal for Kevin Garnett hit a major roadblock on Wednesday afternoon, sources told ESPN.com.

According to multiple sources, the Timberwolves have been talking to multiple teams about finding a third team to help facilitate a Garnett trade.

As ESPN.com reported on Tuesday evening, Minnesota was looking to acquire Atlanta’s No. 3 and No. 11 picks in the draft along with several cap-friendly contracts from the Hawks and Phoenix Suns. To participate, Atlanta wanted Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix.

On Wednesday, sources say one of the Hawks owners vetoed a hypothetical deal for Stoudemire.

The Suns claim to have never had any direct contact with the Hawks about a deal. While they have shown strong interest in acquiring Garnett, the deal never reached a stage where they were asked by either team to give up Stoudemire and never offered him in a trade.

While teams like the Lakers and Suns will continue to pursue Garnett, and the Wolves seem intent on trading him, sources say that it’s unlikely a deal goes down by the time of the draft.

The latest drama in the KG saga shows some of the perils of dealing with the Hawks — arguably the most dysfunctional franchise in the league.

The Hawks ownership group, Atlanta Spirit LLC, is embroiled in a nasty lawsuit with former partner Steve Belkin. Belkin won a lawsuit against Atlanta Spirit LLC last summer and a judge ruled that he could buy out the owners of Atlanta Spirit and gain full ownership of the team. Atlanta Spirit is currently appealing the ruling.

In the meantime, Belkin holds some authority over the team. He can veto any trade or free agent signing that takes the team above the NBA salary cap. Several sources suggested that it was Belkin who vetoed the trade.

This fiasco isn’t the only situation the Hawks are dealing with. Sources said that Hawks general manager Billy Knight is in a dispute with some of the Hawks owners over who to take at No. 3. Knight prefers Florida’s Al Horford. Some in the Hawks ownership, including influential owner Michael Gearon Jr., want to draft Yi Jianlian out of China.

By doc

June 28, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this

matt these guys play at the ego level as much as the money level. sometimes even follow the money doesnt become the rule when egos get in the way. however, belkin doesnt want himself to be hamstrung moneywise if he is to take over. if he doesnt he doesnt want his celts to be behind the hawks so he gets in the way both ways. the lawyers and cpa’s are deciding a lot of the moves quietly in this organization. as a lawyer i am sure you know what is going on behind closed doors as each team tries to stimie the other until this is resolved.

By al

June 28, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this

the hawks have too many owners OMG im so p** right now I wouldn’t blame Josh Smith if he leaves next year the Hawks are a F##ckin joke

By Matt

June 28, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

If the rumors about Belkin vetoing this trade are true, then I think any pretense that he vetoed the Joe Johnson trade for anything but cheapskate reasons just went out the window. That trade would have netted us the best center in the league at the age of 24, at least according to the illustrious voters for the All-NBA team.

I hope the next hearing for the Hawks is in open court. I’ll be waiting in the gallery with a super soaker and a couple cream pies.

Belkin got his revenge for losing on the JJ trade today. And the price was losing the NBA’s best young `center.

By belkin sucks

June 28, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

godaaaaamit!!! the Hawks cant do nothing right I think we should take Yi at#3 and Acie Law at #11

By Keith

June 28, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Horford > Shelden Williams

By G Money

June 28, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Who couldn’t believe this one? We look so-o-o bad to the rest of the basketball world. Just an f..n mess. I thought this deal with the right trading pieces could be done with the cap room that we had. Could it also be the length of Amare’s contract?

Oh well, I guess it’s going to be Yi at 3. Maybe we’re lucky and pick up Conley and Sean Williams. It’s not so bad. The luxury boxes should be sold out. It ain’t going to be the kind of basketball we daydreamed about.

Doc, I’m a Yi fan, but I do find it a little curious that Yi would not even take a physical. What is that all about? I’m not so sure that I’d bet the farm on him, but I think it’s worth the crap shoot.

How do you think we’ll do next season with Yi?

By John

June 28, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

The Amare trade is a real no brainer. The worst case scenario is if management forces Billy to draft Yi. Do his numbers remind anyone of a guy named Darko. If an owner vetoed the Amare trade, as reported on ESPN, it is a real shame. In this deal, I would hope we would not have to give up any of our young players. I also am not big on the Calderon-Childress trade. Chill is a great sixth man, and though Calderon has proven to be pretty good, I dont think he is a point guard that places a team over the hump.

By mykhalc

June 28, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

yeah JOE, that US doctor might perform the same kinda due diligence that was done before the SPEEDY signin’!!!

DOC, bring on the acupuncture!!!LOL

By OddJob

June 28, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

If we could get Calderon,I like the Amare trade better.I think Amare needs a smart,pass first pg to be at his best.Calderon can shoot at a high%,he doesn’t turn the ball over and he is an athlete with good size.Calderon-JJ-Marvin-Josh and Amare plus a deep bench.If not for the micro fracture I’d like the looks of that team more but it’s worth a lot of consideration.

By hawkeye

June 27, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

I dont see why we are even considering Horford. Didnt we just draft a guy last year who has the same game and had similar statistics? Drafting Yi would be adding a 7 footer with skills that you rarely find. A fast break with he and josh would be something to behold. yeah, his detractors say he can be pushed around down low and doesnt have a low post game but his dedication and attitude suggest that he will give 100% to be the best he can be.
If the choice is not Yi, then how can we draft Horford over Conley. I Just dont understand all this Horford talk.

By GuyFromUruguay

June 27, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

I’d do the Amare trade. You guys want the Hawks to win sometime this decade or not? Everyone is whining that whomever we’d pick would take time to develop, but if you get a proven All Star then you complain about his knees and stuff. The guy is 24, it’s about as good a trade as you can get. Yes, we’d be missing a point guard, but if they can pull Calderon (whom I think is great), the greek guy or whomever we can live with that (and if some free agency deal goes through even better).

By doc

June 27, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

aj i imagine he has been playing ball year round with a lot of folks watching that are not always from the u.s. remember it isnt lock down there anymore and each team has a ferrener usa player who couild pick up on any discrepancy. it also isnt hard to see scars in significant places unless his injuries have been cured by acupuncture which means he is in perfect health. heh heh.

By Keith

June 27, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

I’m going to cry if BK is forced to take Yi. What’s the point of even having a GM?

By doc

June 27, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

a j did you expect the broken atlanta spirit to be able to pull off anything along these lines? belkin wanted to watch the bottom line when he had only 30% of the cash flow liability. he will have a difficult time getting investors to help him out if this team is already significantly over cap.

get ready to enjoy either horford or yi next year. it is your rule ‘follow the money”! how could you forget? i know it is the vertigo you feel.

By Keith

June 27, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

can we please do something to get rid of all of the owners, not just Belkin? How much do we fans have to put up with?

By mykhalc

June 27, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

ESPN is reportin’ that ODEN’s camp has been notified that he’ll go #1…

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

Doc, isn’t there a difference between scouting a player and understanding his health and the soundness of his body? Can a basketball scout find structural damage by attending games in person? Can they see evidence of past surgeries during camps in the US? You have never heard me question his basketball skills. I am only concerned that he did not submit himself to the examination that Oden, Durant and every other prospect took in Orlando. That scares me. If it doesn’t bother you, fine. But spending a #3 pick on a guy that may have never been examined by a US-certified health professional leaves me more than a little nervous, regardless of how long scouts have observed him in game situations. There is far too much for the China government to gain by showcasing Yi the year before they host the ‘08 Olympics. I just want to feel more confident that there isn’t sawdust in the gears.

By Grant AKA Midnight

June 27, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

That bastard Steve Belkin does it again. He vetoed the Amare deal so the deal is off! Somebody needs to get him in a dark alley and whoop his tail!

By mykhalc

June 27, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

and like i said months ago after the last court ruling, i REALLY HOPED that the court would render its’ decision before the draft. that way the owner(s), team and fans know what’s what!! instead, it’s the same old, same old sh$t!!! the only thing that could add to the sad comedy that surrounds this franchise is for the MD COURT of SPECIAl APPEALS to render its’ decision at 12midnight tonite!!!!!!

By Mike The Mechanic

June 27, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Any predictions or surprises for the draft? I think that Portland will draft Durant, I would not be surprised by this at all.

By hello

June 27, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2919016

can anything else go wrong with this organization?

By Nermin

June 27, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

I would do the Jose Calderon trade in a heartbeat he is a very unselfish player shoot’s the 3 very well, and is always a pass first pg. Please do the Amare deal we would be in the playoffs with that aquasiton imediaty.

PG-Jose Calderon SG-Joe Johnson SF-Josh Smith PF-Sheldin Willimas or Marvin Williams C-Amare Stoudemire

2-ALL STARS 1-DUNK CHAMP-UP COMING STAR YOUNGEST PLAYER TO 500 BLOCKS. 1-UP COMING NASH TYPE OF PG. 1-UPCOMING PF.

2007-2008 EASTERN CONF. CHAMPS.

By keith

June 27, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

who is honestly surprised of this new ownership news? I’m not

By mykhalc

June 27, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

like i said…..

By doc

June 27, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

yi isnt a reach if most have him gone by the 5 slot and many trying to move up to get him because he fits so well with their games.

aj i am not the only one that says that yi is the most known individual in the draft for the inquiring minds not the least. bilas just said 30 minutes ago on espn, he has been watching yi for four years whatever his true age. it has also been reitierated that he has been coached by present coaches in the nba, been to big boy camps in the u. s. and played along side of and against nba players. anyone other than the routine or casual fan that says that they dont know much about him especially as a gm is only exposing how bad his own scouting organization is. please stop the con game unless you are trying to entertain; no truth to it, you usually do better than that.

By Mike The Mechanic

June 27, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Yi at 3, Chill to Toronto for Calderon, and with our 11th pick, draft best available big or Sean Williams.

Also, 11 could be traded to Phoenix for their 2 1st rounders, 24 and 29.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

ESPN (Chad Ford) is reporting that our dysfunctional ownership has created paralysis for BK. One owner (possibly Belkin) blocked the Amare deal and the other owners are forcing Yi down BK’s throat (he wants to choose Horford). Vindication at last! The root of all evils for this franchise is undoubtedly the owners, each and every dam one of them.

By Hawk Flap

June 27, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

Brutal and disheartneing report from ESPN concerning the state of the Hawks, Belkin, YI, etc…

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2919016

By Ken

June 27, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

Another reason to HATE Steve Belkin: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2919016 This guys is the most shortsighted SOB to ever grace the ATL sports scene. “Hmmmm… #3, #11, Zaza, and AJ for All-NBA, All-Star center Amare Stoudemire? Do we have to pay a luxury tax for being over the cap? YES!?!? Then no way on this deal!”

Fu

By doc

June 27, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

it seems someone hasnt you looked in the mirror lately; or ever heard how revealing the projected self could be to observers?

By truhawksfan

June 27, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

Why would anyone suggest that we take Yi at 3. We don’t know anything about him and it’s not like he was awsome during the world games. When you look at highlights thats just what they are HIGHLIGHTS NOT LOWLIGHTS. For those that say conley is to small look at the average height and weight of starting NBA point guards.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Doc, come on. For all we know, Yi has had a surgery on every body part twice. At least we have access to Amare’s medical records. At least we know his health record over the past 4-5 years. I’m all for Yi, mostly for economic development reasons that will hopefully lead to a significant investment in on court talent. But Amare, Smith and JJ can compete for a home court playoff birth next season. Either Gasol or Amare and I am a very, very, very happy fan tomorrow night.

By doc

June 27, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

glutton, i expect to be there with ando or andro (depending on what happens and how many beers are had between 3 and 11) along with the man jhan will be there. clyde will be funding his trip to rio at his t-shirt stand, even offered to get him a beer while he minded the store but didnt hear back. some others have said they would be wandering around with the look of the glazed eyed hawks fans. it will be hard to connect with folks without the laptops to recognize them with.

By doc

June 27, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

clyde, dude we have been on the same page a bit here lately, especially on this one. again what do the suns know if they truly are shopping amare who could be the cornerstone for them in nash’s big years instead of kg who comes at a significant charge to a team that supposedly have always been interested in the botton line. is it health or atitude? remember, everyone was soooo sure the suns wouldnt match jj’s contract because of their financial restraint. absolutely NOTHING that they have done has suggested that they are that interested in restraint especially if they pick up the bill on kg. i am amazed at the inconsistancy of the thinkers on this blog, seems more like rationalization and denial.

chicago needs nick young or stuckey if they are smart. they might have pulled a billy themselves by getting thomas last year in a “non-tall” year and skipping over roy. if they do go after a bigger guard which they should and need then i can still hope for two bigs with noah at 11 or conley falling into our hands if noah not there. yi or horford at three will be fine with me, no complaints with the ball strictly out into the coaches court to deliver.

my guess if we get yi then conley might be there as memphis then might pull the trigger on horford. if horford isnt there then they go conley. if it falls that way then the celts are the team left out on who they want in yi and they dont need conley so he drops as they pick say a brewer. yi is the pivot point in the draft and ultimately, i’ll say within three years, will be the third best player and impact player in this draft, book it. ill go further and say that yi’s play will have eclipsed amare by then and approach either dirk or yes duncan as he puts weight on.

By A-ville Ranger

June 27, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Ray I take it back you’re not just a blowhard.You’re a prick AND a blowhard.

By Glutton for Punishment

June 27, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Doc Kinda been here the whole time.. just quietly reading. But had to put in my two cents in about the Amare trade. I rather be like the Bulls and build it slowly in the draft. We were informed from Billy once he broke down this club that it might take 5 years to build a contender. I think the 2 of us really understand about delayed gradification.. but anyway, thanks for noticing…:-) ps.. how many true hawks fans are going to the Draft party at Phillips Thurs??

By ray

June 27, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

I’d take Calderon too. He has size, which will satisfy some. He’s also a smart, quick player. Bring him in. May turn out better than Ridnour. Wonder what the deal is with Ridnour anyway. We always hear that name when veteran pgs come up.

I’d still take Jarrett Jack. And I know some people get sick at the very idea. But I’d still take him in the right deal.

By mykhalc

June 27, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

like i said in my 6:15pm post the MD judge has constraints on what can and cannot be done, monetarily and contract length wise as long as the court has not rendered its’ decision. so be prepared for the ATL SPIRIT group ugly head to show itself it the way that it ONLY can!!

and ABE i guess i’m in that coco puffs category if i can’t see how a team that ALREADY has trouble bein’ in the RED is gonna somehow handle tradin’ for one of the best centers in the league and them bein’ able to manage bein’ closer to luxury tax hell and STILL not have completed buildin’ the team nor havin’ locked down one of their other MOST valuable players??!!??!! so what would be your next move mr. kelloggs himself???LOL

By ray

June 27, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Joe, I’d take that trade. Very quickly, too. We’d get a guy worth having and still have two picks. And then no moaning about picking ANYBODY too high. Of course, we might also miss out on several good players. Thems the breaks, eh?

By Mark

June 27, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

The best trade scenario for the Hawks would be Colderon from Toronto for Childress. Then draft Horford @ 3 & this best player available @ 11.

By gb

June 27, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

bk may already have his point guard of the future. rember CENK!!!!!!!!!

By G Money

June 27, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

I think we saw earlier in the week that drafting a big man is a crap shoot at best. To not just get a big man but an all-star with 2 picks and get to dump Zen in the process, not ZaZa, is almost a no-brainer. If BK is really good, he’ll get next year’s pick back in the process. Nonetheless, I’m excited about the Hawks more than ever. The front court is stacked and packed. Defensively we are at least on par with the avg western conference and a little below the elite of the east. With the exception of the Spurs and maybe the Jazz, the west doesn’t play high quality defense. We’ve just added 25 pts a game and 12 rebounds vs. 3 pts and 3 rbs. That would have solved a lot of problems. Not to mention we keep ZaZa, Marvin, Shelden, and Josh Smith. That’s a real front line up. The backcourt is still woeful and will have to be addressed.

Let’s say Craig becomes Speedier than this year. TLue is steady and we pick up someone (better than Ridnour I hope). With JJ, a solid point and an FA, we could make it through the year and see what happens at the All-Star break. Hell, with Amare, there might be a few FA’s who want to be down with the A-Town. This is the most exciting it’s been in a long time for ATL basketball. If it doesn’t happen and we get Yi at 3, I’m still good just not as.

Hey Doc what do you know about microfracture and long term issues?

By Bornagainfalconsfan

June 27, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

After reading most of the blogs and listening to whatever places I could, the more I think this will not happen. First, there is a report that Phoenix have not even been contacted about this trade that Minnesota assumed that they would agree or be interested since KG stated he would want to play in Phoenix. Another reports state that Belkin nixed the deal when it was given to him. With conflicting stories, I believe people are reaching to make a story and the Hawks will be left to their own vices which is scary.

By turhawksfan

June 27, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

cashmere and anyone else who thinks that conley can’t get the job done without oden didn’t watch Ohio State. At the beggining of the year Oden was hurt and Ohio State still looked awsome. Oden played with virtuly one hand for most of the season and they still looked good. Oden didn’t really dominate in college like most of us thought that he would(because of the wrist), but a big man like him only comes along every once in a while. Meanwhile conley played above everyones expectations and it seems as if the tougher the competition the better he played. Everyone just imagine for a moment this guy running the break with Josh,Joe,and Marvin. Big bodies are easier to find than a tru point who gets everyone of his teamates the ball at the right time in the right place. The days of a big stoic center are long gone. We could have someone like Mikki Moore from the Nets for the low and play him Solomon and Shelden at the Center posistion. We could even trade the 11th pick in the draft for a big body and multiple draft picks later in the draft. Fazekas, Sean Williams(boston college),and Splitter are some of the players that should be available in the late first and second round. Finally why is third considered to high to draft Conely but 4th,5th or 6th, are not. Maybe you could answer that Sekou. And with the 3rd pick in the 2007 nba draft the Atlanta Hawks pick??????????????????????

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

To answer the general question posed earlier:

I am not a Hawks fan, and that is why I don’t frequent the Hawks blog regularly.

I am life-long Lakers fan (almost 30 years now), but I currently live in Atlanta, and since I am also a life-long Braves fan (due to coverage on WTBS), I am very familiar with this site, including the blogs that are on it.

The Hawks are a very interesting team right now. I attend some games (Yes, that was my wife chanting “MVP” for Kobe last season :) ) as they have young talent, 2 lottery picks, and because Phoenix is a huge Lakers rival, and KG is a Lakers target, I find it worthwhile to spend time here discussing what the Hawks summer plans are.

As has been discussed a lot in the media over the last few days, summer in the NBA is often much more exciting than the season, and this is certainly the case with the Hawks this year.

By ray

June 27, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Heh! This is just too good.

First, there’s all the posts from mystery bloggers that haven’t been seen here…ever.

Then there’s the guys who want to nitpick about whether Amare is a center or pf, or in which conference. You have GOT to be kidding me. On top of that, some of you would rather he just get lost or stay in Phoenix??? Gotta be kidding me. On top of that, you want to trust things to the draft, where the coach, gm, and ownership simply cannot agree on who to select at which spot?! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

Now Clyde, I’ve teased you before about just wanting to sell your t-shirts, but now I’m not kidding. You MUST want this team to fail if you’re talkin’ we need to continue to build through the draft. Wasn’t it you who said you were tired of waiting for the building and rebuilding?(amongst others of us who feel the same way). Wasn’t it you who hates Billy? So why let him make two draft picks? How many times have you lambasted him for his history of drafting in Atlanta. I’m having a damn hard time not thinking that you are a fan of your shirts and not the team. You just went against all of the things you’ve been saying for the last two years. Am I to believe you turned over some kind of new leaf?

Abe, we need a pg, people holler “don’t get one, he’s too small, he can’t shoot, etc”. We have a chance at getting one of the absolute best bigs in the business and people yell “oh his creaky knees, can’t believe he made it back from surgery, he costs too much, we need to draft more unproven guys.” We need to run, not play half court sets and people scream “no fast pgs, we need big tall guys and no pgs at all”. We need vets and people say, “no, no no! We need rookies here!”

There’s just no winning. Some of us sound just like our ownership group: disjointed, confused, and p**.

I do have one question. If Ridnour is still on our radar, where did the idea of distributor/defender come from? I can see him as a distributor, yes. But is he a defender or ball-hawking type? Not that I’m aware of…

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Clyde, this is what I think Phoenix knows, that Nash has 2 maybe 3 more years of outstanding ball left in him. So they need to optimize the next few years. I heard that Nash and KG have become personal friends the past few years, so it apears that Nash is saying to do whatever it takes to bring his guy in. While the NBA universe loves the Suns, I’m guessing a competitor like Nash won’t be satisfied until they at least make it to the Finals. So I don’t think they are looking to trade away Amare, I think they are looking to bring in KG. Big difference.

By Random Task

June 27, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

The trade rumor I like best is Childress for Jose Calderon (if we don’t pick Conley.Calderon averaged 5.2 assist in limited miniutes.Look deeper and you’ll see that he shot over 50%,his assist to turnover ratio is outstanding and the few games he got starter minutes his numbers were star quality.So if we keep the picks,take a big at 3 then trade Childress for Calderon.That leaves Childress spot open where we could take one of the very good swing guys who should be there at 11.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Doc, I agree. I would love to get back our ‘08 pick. Listening to a DraftExpress podcast and they are claiming that GS is offering the #18 pick and Beidrins to move up for Yi.

What would truly be sad (and may be happening) is that the dysfunctional owners can’t agree on any trade and ultimately BK is forced to take Horford as a compromise across all parties. I just hope that we leave Ridnour alone, unless they are sending the #31 pick to us.

By Clyde

June 27, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Anakin Joe think. Why in the world would Phoenix give up a 24 year All-star center for a 31 year old Garnett? They must know somthing we don’t know. They also see potential at 3 and 11 to set their team up for the future. I just think we would be investing too much into a player that has health issues. Knee injuries are a real funny thing to deal with.

And why in the world would we want someone with bad knees when we already got Speedy.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By St. Bernard

June 27, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

Every year the players in the draft are treated like they are all going to be big time contributors. Some are and some aren’t. You guys saying that an All-NBA center isn’t worth two picks have lost it.

By doc

June 27, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

well the rumor mill certainly turns the blog on. over 270 hits in less than 24 hours. what is the best hit rate we have had in a 24 hr period? personally i like the enthusiasm, just dont know if i am in the crack group or the coccoa puffs or maybe somehow both, after all it is honest’s metaphor taking after his mentor a j.

did you find the magic to getting hits sekou? you used to be the guy telling us to chill on these types of affairs, maybe it is a way to up the pocketbook after all.

if things go down as expected then we will have a very good team whether it is by trade or draft. still puzzled how people slammed the idea of jj and indefinite draft picks down the road with a player destined to be cut is thought to be so bad and a vet with significant injury potential that another team wants to unload because they couldnt get over the hump with him for two definite draft picks and two primary players is thought to be so good. maybe it is because this time around we have a significant player in hand in jj that brings us closer to the playoffs than we had been without him. seems to me the jj trade made sense after all i spite of the outrage. maybe if we got amare plus a our own draft pick back from the suns then it would be agreeable to me.

By billy g

June 27, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Sekou, is it true that Belkin has nixed the Amare trade? If Belkin ruins this trade for us, Stern will need to take measures to remove Stern from the league.

By honest_abe

June 27, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

nevermind it’s lorenzen..omg.. what a steal that would be :)

By Mike The Mechanic

June 27, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Our pick at 3 will be Yi, I just have a funny feeling that our broke a* owners will have to make a financial decision over a need for this team. I like Yi, I think that he will surprise some people with how good he will become, but we need Conley or another pg that can be a distributor for this team.

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this

Gentlemen, Again the argument is not about Amare’s play, because we all know that Amare is one of the best players at his position. It’s about his worth. Do you think Amare is worth 2 potential players from the lottery? That’s all I’m asking. I could care less about Lorenzo Wright (not ZaZa) and Anthony Johnson. This draft is about getting a point guard and a center or a low post presence.

By Harry

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

This trade could be the most significant move for the Hawks since drafting Nique.

A) Please let it be true!

B) Don’t let Billy screw it up!

If so, put me down for season tickets.

By cp

June 27, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

I have a feeling we will blow this big time. I just see it coming..From what im reading the Hawks front office is a mess right now.. BK wants to take certain playres… Woody wants a different set of players.. And the ownership wants a different set… Wow we have a bunch of idiots with power. Man we are doomed… BK they say wants Wright… Woodson wants vets or Horford… Ownership wants YI… Still no damn pg. WTF IS GOING ON MAN… Luke is decent but its no way he is worth the 11th pick…. I want Amare but only if we are giving up the 3rd a player like Chill and a expiring contract. We need the 11th to draft a freaking pg. Damn when will this freaking franchize wake up. I hope the basketball gods shine on us tmw because we need it with BK WOODSON AND THE SPIRIT.. DUMB DUMBER DUMBERER.

By noneck83

June 27, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Trade #3 & 11 pick for Kevin Garnett,& give them Josh Smith. Or trade down to 5 or 6, and give that pick to the Lakers for Bynum.

By honest_abe

June 27, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

some of you regulars are killing me! has the many years of losing turned some of you cuckoo for cocoa puffs? how many more years of “rebuilding” must we endure before we finally see a winning product? some of you say the hawks are giving up to much. i say huh? the 3rd and 11 pick, ok i get it. those are nice but we have a gm that is more likely to continute drafting project swingmen rather than constructing a team. yet when he finally shows an interest in balancing out the roster some of you think he’s giving up to much? i say BAH!

i know 3 and 11 are nice. but they could very well end up being busts or take another 5 years to develop. i know zaza is a decent player who the hawks got on the cheap but a nice deal doesn’t necessarily translate into him being good anytime soon. zaza’s got a nice offensive game that has improved each year, but he has physical limitations which make it hard for him to guard anything much less anyone. you also have to give up aj, an old veteran pg. i’m sorry but the thought of losing him just doesn’t bring a tear to my eye.

it’s time folks to finally put a winner out on the court! giving up 2 question marks along with two complimentary players hardly seems like too much imo.

you still have other assets you can trade to improve your roster further.

a starting lineup of tlue, jj, marvin, jsmith, amare looks awfully nice.

go get em bk!

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

Abe, thanks for the chicken on crack comment. That was very timely as I was getting a headache reading essentially the same 3 posts. Personally, I love the enthusiasm.

If Ainge sticks to his guns and essentially refuses Marion then I suspect Phoenix will be forced to deal with us and will decide to dump Amare. Ainge is clearly hoping to make the deal without trading away Jefferson but I doubt that his buddy McHale will budge. I’m betting that Ainge caves in and so does Marion (who needs to sign the extension).

By Matt

June 27, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

It’s inconceivable that people would prefer a lineup without Amare to one with him. With Amare, JJ, Smith, and Marvin in the starting 5, you can honestly have my kid brother at point guard and still make the playoffs.

People, Amare was an MVP candidate this year, *and just made the All-NBA First team! There is NO one at 3 or 11 who would even come close to bringing us the kind of production he would - and Amare is only 24!

The Hawks would instantly become the most athletic team in the East, and an instant contender in the conference. I somehow doubt that the trade is actually possible, but if it is, it would be unthinkable to me to pass it up.

By Niccolo1527

June 27, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

BK has expressed the lack of interest in adding more young players. It is possible for the 3 team trade sending #3 and #11 to minnesota, KG to Phoenix and Amare to Atlanta. We then go make an easy persuasion to the General Chauncey Billups, he is free and looking for new life. Would love to play with Joe Johnson and Amare.

By Peter

June 27, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Jr.: Yes it has equaled the lottery but it doesn’t diminish my point. There are good young players there. I think Marvin may, repeat may, have a Jsmooth type transition this season.

Like it or not the lottery is the only way that you can really improve in the league. And luck plays a part in that. Bad luck on Dwight Howard, good luck this year. It’s not all good but it’s not all bad either.

I think that they’re maturing.

By Steve

June 27, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

Sekou, where you at??? The one day that everyone is looking for your input and updates, you have vanished from the blog that you started, with not one entry since last night??? C’mon Blog Z…you know we need more than that…:)

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

Peter, If my memory serve me correctly. It was under BK were the Hawks have won 13, 26 and 30 games in the past three years. Do you know what that equals? I do the lottery.

By mykhalc

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

if there is supposedly not that much difference between the players talent-wise that will be goin’ from 3 thru 10 or so, then that DOES NOT make selectin’ YI for ‘business reasons’ also a bad thing. just the opposite in fact, if he truly can ball like JJ and some others have said!!! and hear me, i DID not say they have the SAME talents. just players of a similar skilled level!!

and as much as i dig AMARE’s game, it’s too much to give up UNLESS other deals are on the table. ‘cause you’d also be givin’ up ZAZA and AJ with their salaries, which i think are about $6.5 mil/yr or so. so that means you’ve added ONE player who now takes you right to the cap limit!! and that’s without havin’ done anythin’ about resignin’ JS!! AND you still don’t have a PG signed or on the team that’ll make THE difference!!! so then what’s the next move??? give up MARVIN or CHILLS for RIDNOUR??!!!??? hell no!!

seems like to me, the HAWKS have chosen a path of buildin’ thru the draft (with the exception of JJ of course). and luckily the b’ball gods smiled on them this year with the lottery picks!! i think they shoot themselves in the foot if they take on AMARE’s contract without havin’ a BUNCH of other things/players/moves in place before they pull the trigger on such a cap limitin’ deal!!!

By Peter

June 27, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

My memory may fail me but wasn’t it BK who turned Abdur-Rahim into Pau Gasol?

And wasn’t it BK who turned Al Harrigton into a lottery pick? Pete Babcock left a really bad team full of a lot of overpaid veterans.

Don’t be a puss, hold your water. Lots of good young players on this team along with expiring contracts.

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

Why would you trade Acie Law for Luke Ridnour? I’m telling you guys we have a bunch of idiots running the Hawks organization. “Unbelievable”…

By MannyT

June 27, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

In order of preference

1. Do the deal with Phoenix. Don’t we get to keep our next year’s 1st rounder also if we do it? So in a way we get Amare and a 2008 first round pick for this deal. Stoudamire is better than anyone we can draft.

2. Let BK do his thing at #3. While I have preference for Horford, I can live with Yi or even Conley IF, we deal #11 during the draft to a team that want to move up 5 to 15 slots to get one of the few remaining high level draft picks. We swap picks with them and get an asset we really need (answer based on need filled with pick #3) With lower pick we should be able to get another piece that will complement #3 and the vet we pick up. (Maybe its a PG that slips, maybe it’s an odd fit that matches this team…like Tiago Splitter for defensive in the paint or Glen Davis—hoping that he can plug the lane with width and Josh can be his pro version of Tyrus Thomas.)

3. Draft 2 rookies and deal some existing talent (PGs and SFs) for veteran help. Hope rookies develop quickly.

4. With no veteran addition, you have to wait for rookies to develop. If it takes too long, back Clyde’s moving truck up to Billy’s & Woody’s houses at the end of the season.

By Tim

June 27, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

ATTENTION: The Hawks will be taking Yi with the #3 pick. Owner Michael Gearon has an interest in putting cellphone towers (How he made his money) in China. That is why they met with Yi’s family today. They will pick AC Law at #11 and trade him to Seattle for Luke R.

By J

June 27, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight should have been fired at the end of the year as well as the coach..Only a idiot trades the 11th pick for Ridnour who has been an up and down player since he came into the league…Don’t blow it Knight like you did with your pick of Marvin and Shelden…Both extremely mediocre players…You will mess up, you know you will…

By Nick Esasky

June 27, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Amen, doc.

By morris

June 27, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

I have been reading the arizona papers and their insider basketball guys say that no way are the suns parting with amare. They did hold discussions with the hawks but they wanted us to take marion in that deal. Two lotto picks and zaza/aj for shawn marion? Billy asked for amare and supposedly that is how this whole rumor got started. But according to well regarded sources in the org. no way are they trading a 24 year old all-nba player. Not even for kevin garnett who is closing in on 31 years old. In the end the hawks will end up having to make a pick tomorrow knight with the third pick. The 11th pick could possibly be traded for a veteran type player. Amare will not be a hawk!

By doc

June 27, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

vertigo kills.

By G

June 27, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Ridnour would be a huge steal for the Hawks at 11. They should pull the trigger right now.

By Harry Hawk

June 27, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

You’re right about the cap, Chris. I stand corrected. I was too pumped up to go look. Damn numbers. That’s ultimately why this deal won’t get done. The Hawks might be willing to do it because they won’t be close to luxury tax territory, but the odds are that the ownership would rather pay Yi a lot less, take advantage of those “business interests” and hope that he’ll be a star. Of course, the fans get screwed. Nothing new about that.

By doc

June 27, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

gee, one third of your team and three potential starters or three of top seven for one player. kinda reminds me of how the mn vikings took herschell from the cowboys. does anyone remember how mn gave away about the same in percentages and with what the cowboys took from the vikes they were super bowl champions within what two or three years. i guess mn felt real good they had a pro bowl running back.

slow and steady wins this race. this one will look even worse than the jj trade when we gave up 2 undefined and one lottery protected draft choices and a has been never good diaw. now we want to give up two draft choices of the top 11 in the best draft in three or four years. funny i remember a huge outcry on the one we made that surely is better long term than loading up the suns for years to come. that one that we made and everyone hooared about was for a guy never injured and ultimately on the usa team and an allstar. now we want to give up the whole train for one guy that was lucky to ever play the game again after a serious knee issue ans feel good about it. wow, i’ll pass on this one. you just sold manhatten for trinkets. ultimately it will be said that the suns robbed him blind twice but this time with dehydrated fans deleriious with thirst to go for such a thing.

glutton, good to see you back. guys, another doctor in the house. that one probably looks better, smells better and is a heck of a lot smarter and younger.

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

Gentlemen, It not like I don’t like Amare, but it seems to me every time we make a trade we over paid for it. We gave up too much in the Abdur-Rahim trade, the Joe Johnson trade and if this trade goes through well give up too much once again.

By Nick

June 27, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

Jr -

Why would the Suns favor KG over Amare? From slamonline.com:

“Why would the Suns move Amare? I spoke with someone connected in Phoenix yesterday and they explained it this way: Phoenix looks at their window to win a title as the length of Steve Nash’s career. So they want to win it all in the next three or four seasons. When Nash goes, they’re going to have to rebuild anyway, so keeping Amare long-term isn’t all that important to them.

Now, why would you rather have KG than Amare? I was told that Amare isn’t always plugged in on the floor — he might miss a pick here or a roll there. KG would not miss those things. So it’s a matter of becoming a more technically sound team.

Would Amare’s inconsistency matter in Atlanta? Not a bit. Stick him on the Hawks, find a healthy point guard somewhere and you’re looking at an Eastern Conference contender.”

More or less, KG is dying to win now. So is Nash. Amare might not have that same hunger, and that might be a knock on him, but I still take him in a heart beat.

By Scot

June 27, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

You east coasters don’t watch much western basketball, do you?

Ridnour has flashes of brilliance that look like Pistol Pete all over again. The only reason he flounders in Seattle is that he’s forced to be a scorer when he’s born and bred to be a passer. When he gets to concentrate on running the foor and giving teammates opportunities to score, there are few in the NBA who can touch him. If he’s ever on a team that can carry the load without him having to put in the big points (unlike Seattle), he’s going to wind up with tons of showtime assists and the team will win games.

By Nick

June 27, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Jr -

Assume the Hawks don’t trade for Amare. Are the Hawks going anywhere with the lineup they have now? Keeping AJ and Zaza … really, now, that gets us into the playoffs? Is Amare not an upgrade over Zaza? Is AJ not gone after this year anyway?

The ceiling for Horford is that he becomes the next Amare. That’s what everyone’s been saying. Now, you can draft a guy who could become Amare, or you could just have the real thing.

Amare solidifies the roster. Suddenly, you’ve got a guy that is starting - period - and people start to know their place in the lineup. For too long there’s been too many questions about who should play where and for how many minutes so so-and-so can develop. Add Horford + whoever and you’ve got even more of those questions. Not anymore.

The guy commands a double team in the low post. Any other Hawks players do that?

Fine, Yao was hurt. Guess that bumps Amare down to second team. At the age of 24. Darn.

Steve Nash factor? You’re right, Nash makes everyone a better player. But that doesn’t mean Amare isn’t a good player without Nash. In games in which Nash did not play this past season, here were Amare’s stats:

11/17 Philadelphia: 23 pts, 10 rebs.

11/18 @ Utah: 19 pts, 12 rebs.

2/5 @ Denver (Nash plays 17 minutes hurt): 36 pts, 13 rebs.

2/6 @ Portland: 36 pts, 9 rebs.

2/9 Atlanta: 29 pts, 13 rebs.

2/11 Chicago: 26 pts, 10 rebs.

2/14 @ Seattle: 18 pts, 13 rebs.

Not exactly slacker numbers. And don’t forget, it’s not like we don’t have Joe Johnson, who’s a pretty good passer himself.

By roan st

June 27, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

Seattle’s version of sekou ( beat writer) says that if the amare deal falls thru that the hawks are going to trade the #11 for ridnour. If we trade a lotto pick in one of the deepest drafts ever for ridnour then I’m officially done with the hawks. I won’t watch again until that baffon and spirit group are gone. I just pray that if knight does do something that stupid then belkin wins the court case. But if knight could somehow do a good job and not screw this draft up I would be willing to give him one more season. SAY IT AINT SO ON RIDNOUR SEKOU!

By Harry Hawk

June 27, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

Look at it this way, folks:

The Hawks got damn lucky to get two lottery picks this year. Even with decent luck, the Hawks probably should have had just the 11th pick in this draft. We were all bemoaning the Hawks’ own pick going to the Suns. Miracle of miracles, the Hawks kept it. Whether this Amare trade really has a chance of going through or not, the Hawks absolutely have to be in it.

Billy Knight tried to screw this team up for years to come by giving so much away in the Joe Johnson trade…and it backfired. However, getting Amare would be huge, which is exactly why it won’t happen. The trade will never materialize because the Suns will convince Marion to go to Boston in that particular three-team trade scenario and the Hawks will be left holding the bag. That, in turn, will lead to us to tearing our eyes out after watching Yi being picked third and having nothing but slim hope that Yi will somehow end up being good. I don’t even want to think about the 11th pick right now. The possibility of Yi being picked for “business reasons” has me seeing red, and I don’t mean Red China. Billy Knight might quit if the owners insist on that. Hmm…there’s a thought.

I love being a Hawks fan, don’t you?

By Chris

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

Actually, Hawks are only about $6.6 million under the cap next year. DAMN YOU SPEEDY CLAXTON!!!

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

Chris, If Amare is so great, then why are the Suns willing to part ways with him, for a player who is 7 years his senior in Kevin Garnett?

By Alex

June 27, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

Abe- I am a fan who post occasionally but I am a real fan and if this is what it takes to fill Philips and not make it the worst home court advantage in Basketball well i am all for it.

By Harry Hawk

June 27, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

The reason why you trade those picks for Amare Stoudemire is because he’s young, he’s a star big man and he can help this team win now. The Hawks are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay below the salary cap for this coming season, so that isn’t a problem. They can trade the young forwards they don’t want (whether that’s Marvin, Childress, Shelden…I’m not sure…can’t see Smoove being traded) to fix the PG position and to bolster the bench.

Only two reasons not to make this move: 1) You think Horford is a younger Amare or 2) the three teams involved in a possible deal can’t put it together. In my mind, that’s it. Since Amare’s surgery seems to have been very successful, he’s not even 25 years old and he’s under contract for the next 3-4 years, there’s no need for the Hawks to lose too much sleep over Amare’s knees giving him problems in the future. If that happens, he’ll probably be around 30 years old. By then, the Hawks will hopefully have taken advantage of having such a talented team.

Anyway,if this deal is truly doable, the Hawks have to go after it. Have to. End of story. A filled Philips Arena because of the excitement/winning basketball will pay for Amare’s contract and merchandise sales will go way up with the new unis. I prefer that to banking on Yi to make that stuff happen. The time is now.

By Chris

June 27, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

Jr, I’ve tried finding a definition of “overrated” that accurately describes the freak of nature known as Amare Stoudemire. That definition does not exist.

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

Nick, You’re absolutely correct Amare was an ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM selection at center last year. Yao missed too many games because of injuries which probably disqualified him for the selection, and let’s not forget about Steve Nash. Nash had a lot to do with Amare’s success last year, and Nash is not playing in Atlanta, and Amare is not worth 4 players period.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

Overrated?? Is that even serious?? Please tell me why Amare Stoudemire is overrated? I need a list of items to make me a true believer as to why he’s overrated. Just a small list. I’m going to a baseball game now. I can’t why to see why this is.

By honest_abe

June 27, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

damn this blog is like a bunch of chickens on crack.

where’d all these hawks fans come from?? oh ya, i forgot i live in atlanta home to the biggest fair weather fans in the country. there were like maybe 10 people that used to blog at this site, until the hawks get #3 and 11 and damn it exploded. i’m not hating but i really do wonder where some of you were when the real hawks fans were sitting in here dicussing why salim and solo weren’t getting minutes on a 30 win team. lol

amare? that would be amazing. still no fix at pg, but who cares!

lets get him!!!!!!

By Nick

June 27, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

Amare is definitely worth four players, Jr., when those two of those four players could turn into major busts. The other two? Zaza and AJ are, um, bench players on any team of quality.

But, you’re right. We certainly shouldn’t give up two bench players and two guys that may or may not pan out for a 24 year old first team All-NBA player.

Go ahead, draft Al Horford instead. He might turn into Amare in 3 years. Or he could be Sheldon Williams version 2.0.

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Why are all these teams with no lottery picks trying to trade up in this draft? The answer is there are a lot of potential and good players in this draft, so why would the Hawks trade our two picks for an overrated low post player with a high salary that would prevent us from signing free agents that this team needs in the future? BK can’t be that stupid or could he?

By Colorado Bulldog

June 27, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

It seems everyone is writing like “Billy should make this deal for Amre” it’s Billy who said to deal with them PHX will have give Amare. ESPN.com: To participate, Atlanta wants Stoudemire from Phoenix It’s PHX that doesn’t want to have to part with him to get Garnet. it’s Minn who suggested adding ATL to the mix so they could get the picks.

All I am saying is that Amare’s knees better be good and we still find a way to get a pick to pick Law.

By Chris

June 27, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

I believe Ben Wallace is only 6’9”, and to my knowledge, he plays a pretty damn good C. So why knock Amare for his size?

Look at the C’s in the East. Amare can’t contend with these idiots? Come on.

Jr., if Horford is all-NBA by his 5th year, I’ll agree with your assessment. But he won’t. Amare’s already there.

Come on, people.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

I keep hearing about how we should continue to let our players develop(stay the course). How long are we willing to wait? At the outset of this season everybody, almost everyone here wanted immediate results. Now they see a potential team altering trade and they want to do the one thing they were hating from the beginning. We will be annual losers if we continue to sit on our thumbs and let other teams make the moves.

I don’t even know why I’m typing this. That’s pretty much what we’ll do. Rumors with us involved are just that………..RUMORS!

By td

June 27, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

Look, what the Hawks clearly need is a lanky swingman, a versatile 6’9” guy who’s fair to good at several different things. To all of you negative Nancys out there: trust Billy Knight, when has he ever let us down in the past?

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

Let’s not forget about the Steve Nash factor. How many games did Phoenix win without Nash? Amare isn’t worth 4 player’s period, especially when you throw in the fact of his knee problems. Hell he’s basically the same player is Al Horford, but with more NBA seasoning. The Hawks can’t be that stupid.

By OddJob

June 27, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

I agree Jr The time to finish building this team with a top vet or two is after these kids develop and we see who to keep and who to move.Amare isn’t a championship center anyway,a pf yes,center no.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

Jr., I think Hawes is the second coming of Koncak

By Nick

June 27, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

Amare was an ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM SELECTION AT CENTER last year. The year before he sat out, he made second team All-NBA.

Pop quiz: how many Hawks made the All-NBA team last year? Uh … zero.

How many times are All-NBA team guys even up for trade? Are you kidding me? Of course you make that deal, especially if he “welcomes the trade” like one report claims he told Joe Johnson.

PS - also rookie of the year in 2002 - 2003.

By Dekaturking

June 27, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

Without Amare we are not in the playoffs. Enough said! Hawks please make this trade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Chris

June 27, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

Bob61, I can’t believe you actually just compared Amare to Zaza based on their size. Amare averaged 25.3, 12.1 and 1.9 blocks in the playoffs, all above his averages for the season. If you’re worried about him wearing down over the season, there’s your answer.

And this was against the West’s big men. He’ll dominate in the East.

Comparing Amare to Zaza? Try again.

By Malted Falcon

June 27, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

At least no one will recognize this team in those new uniforms. What a stink bomb. An arrow through the heart. Might as well hire the chinese translator. Wah.

By fool's gold

June 27, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

Chris if you score 100 and give up 101 you lose every time.Josh at 4 and Amare at 5 can’t win in the playoffs.

By Glutton for Punishment

June 27, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

Amen… Random Task

By Jr.

June 27, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

First of all Amare Stoudemire is not worth the 3rd and 11th picks, plus ZaZa and AJ, are you kidding me? There is no way in hell I would make this trade. The Hawks would be better serve selecting Conley with the 3rd pick and Hawes with the 11th pick or Horford/Yi with the 3rd pick and Law/Crittenton with the 11th pick. We have enough veterans with AJ, JJ, Lue and Wright to help with the development of these young players. We have to continue building this team through the draft not by acquiring large contracts.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

bob61, In all fairness to Amare, he is listed at 245. Zaza is listed at 265, not 280. That doesn’t carry much weight with me because KG weighs 220 at 6’11” and rebounds like a madman.

Amare is much more ready to contribute to the Hawks cause than a draft pick. That’s my opinion of course.

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

Classic Bill Simmons above:

“No one is saying …”

Yes, Bill, lots of us have been saying it.

All day long.

Just because the talking heads at ESPN have a lower basketball IQ than the majority of the “basketball public” that doesn’t mean that you (Bill Simmons) are the only one that thinks of these things.

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

Classic Bill Simmons above:

“No one is saying …”

Yes, Bill, lots of us have been saying it.

All day long.

Just because there are people out there with a higher basketball IQ than the talking heads at ESPN, that doesn’t mean that you (Bill Simmons) are the only one that thinks of these things.

By fool's gold

June 27, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

Josh at pf and Amare at center looks fun.What it’s not is a championship combination.This team needs a natural low post defender,shot blocker and back to the basket scorer.That’s not Amare’s game.When you add the max salary and bad knees this is a dumb deal.

By mykhalc

June 27, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

ok…i’ve calmed down from all the trade talk. GASOL, KG, AMARE, JO, etc…and i’m back to what JOE said last summer…FOLLOW THE MONEY!!! (it was you that said it right JOE??)

can this franchise AFFORD to even entertain the idea from a financial standpoint?? and from a legal standpoint?? remember the shackles that the MD judge put on the team last summer?? length of contracts and money that can be taken on while the decision is still bein’ waited on has some constraints, right??? or did that have some stipulations that we are not aware of or just not talkin’ about??? or does the possible trade of AMARE somehow trump all??? does AMARE put more bodies in the seat thus more cash flow to the franchise than say the financial pluses of signin’ YI and NOT havin’ to take on a $13mil/yr salary like AMARE’s??? just throwin’ it out there!!!???!!!

and i’ll say this again…as long as WOODSON is the coach, the team is goin’ nowhere fast…NO MATTER WHO COMES!!!!

By bob61

June 27, 2007 6:10 PM | Link to this

No trade with Phoenix please. Stoudemire is listed on the Phoenix web site as 6’10” and 245 lbs. That is the same size as Horford and smaller than Yi. In comparison, Zaza is 6’11” and 280 lbs. With Zaza gone, will Stoudemire be the Hawks’ starting center? How will his sore knees hold up in the NBA east?

By mike

June 27, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

Here is what HAS to happen: 3-way Trade — PHX gets KG; ATL gets Amare; and MINN. gets #3, #11, and Childress or Shelden.

Atlanta then will need to convince Detroit to complete a sign and trade deal for Billups OR just try and sign Billups straight up.

I know that will cost us, BUT look at what happens. Billups is reunited with Mike Woodson. Amare and JJ are reunited. We solve the Big Man and PG problems. Think about THIS lineup:

PG: Chauncey Billups SG: Joe Johnson SF: Marvin Williams PF: Josh Smith C: Amare Stoudemire

3 All-Stars and two potential all-stars (Marvin and Josh).

We would also be a pretty young team and I guarantee you that we would immediately be a top team in the league.

The problems would be $$$ (Billups) and getting PHX and MINN to agree to the trade. This is my dream scenario. I would buy season tickets asap if this were to happen.

By Chris

June 27, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Amare is a C in the East, not a 4. With JJ, J Smith and Amare, my grandmother could run point and the Hawks would score 100+. This is a no-brainer.

By **NATIVE SON**

June 27, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

THE HAWKS TAKE YI,AND LAW. Phoenix,is not letting Amare’ go any way. Plus he’s had two surgeries on his knees.He’ll need an operation again in a year.Lets pray the Hawks just ain’t that dumb.

By Nick

June 27, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Out of all the silly trade possibilities that have been thrown out over the past month, I really believe the Amare deal will go down as long as Phoenix okays it. It makes sense for Minnesota, it makes sense for the Hawks, and if Amare / Marion really don’t get along, it makes sense for Phoenix, espcially considering their window to win a championship with Nash is closing in two years. Please, please make this happen Hawks!!!

That being said, the Hawks still need a point guard. They simply have to have to have someone who can distribute the ball and run this team. Claxton and / or Lue just doesn’t cut it.

Could we talk Phoenix into giving us their 29th pick? I take Taurean Green with that pick, call it a day, and my lineup looks like this -

PG: Green, Claxton (ughhh … but can’t move him), Lue

SG: Johnson / Childress / Salim

SF: Marvin / Childress

PF: JSmoove / Shelden

C: Amare / Solomon

That makes 11, and then we can pick up a token white guy in FA to make 12. We can go 10 deep on most nights.

This is, of course, pending that Amare can stay healthy. With his health in doubt, I still make the move. The Hawks are a playoff team with Amare playing 65 + games.

By Random Task

June 27, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

Colorado Bulldog——-Where do you live Dawg ? I’m a UGA man and I lived above Cedaredge on the south face of the Grand Mesa from 97 TO 2001.Something to consider with Law.Wanting the last shot in college is not the same as the NBA.It could well be a liability at this level.If his name isn’t Nash,give me a pass first guy.

By Wayne

June 27, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

ATLANTA HAWKS AND CARTOON NETWORK GO TOGETHER LIKE HAM AND EGGS.

You will laugh your tail off after the hawks mess this one up again.

left hand right hand—don’t even know where the other is, much less what they are doing.

By matt

June 27, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

I think more people have attended this blog today than attended Phillips arena for all 41 games combined.(If you take out the humiliating game when the crowd chanted MVP for Kobe, just embarassing.)Draft wise, the Hawks MUST take either Conley at 3 or Law at 11. If you they take conley, they should grab either Spencer Hawes or Noah,if either or available, at 11(I know Noah wont be there). Or take Horford or YI at 3 and Law at 11, hell…I would even take Noah at 3 if we get Law at 11. And Sekou, you have got to get off of this Ridnour obsession before BK actually listens to you and makes the deal.

By diehardhawkfan

June 27, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

UPenn is an ivy league school right?

By Andrew

June 27, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Amare Stodumire? What an exciting team that would be. We’d only need a PG that would willingly pass the ball.

By Colorado Bulldog

June 27, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

Penn forward Steve Danley’s said this about Law: “When we were preparing to play Texas A&M in the tournament, the scouting report pointed out an amazing stat. In the last two minutes of close basketball games, Law outscored the entire opposing team. It wasn’t until we actually played him that I understood what that stat meant. For most of the game Law was content to set up his teammates, trying to involve everyone in the game. Coming down the stretch in the second half he went for the jugular and ran off a couple of quick buckets to put us away. Say what you want about his skills or his quickness, but if you have to win a game, you want this kid on the court.”

No way I would trade the 11th (How can the owners agree on a trade anyway - all just talk). Would follwo through on my promise to Law and take the other part you need a rebounder and presence underneath with #3 (i.e. Horford). Stop the madness! Stick with the youth no vet. they acquire will take them to promise land but with Law at point and athletic Horford down low mixed with JJ, Josh Smith etc, this is a a team with a future.

By Glutton for Punishment

June 27, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

AMEN…Random Task

By Chris

June 27, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

JJ, J Smith and Amare in the East? Wasily a top-4 seed immediately. If this happens, if Billy Knight can pull it off, I will purchase season tickets. Like, tomorrow.

By Lowcountry Bulldawgs

June 27, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

By Lowcountry Bulldawgs

June 27, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

Trade right now #3 and #11 if you can get Amare! Right Now, Billy if you have this deal on the table and do not make it…well I just can’t imagine it. Iwonder then if we did do this if we would have cap room to go get Bucks PG Mo Williams? Maybe 1st year mid-level exception then after sign him to a max deal?

PG-Mo Williams

SG—JJ

SF—M.Williams

PF—JSmooth

C—A.Stoudamire

Bam! Instanly a contender in the East.

By bob61

June 27, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

No trades with Phoenix please. Too much risk at this time. If the Hawks get Stoudemire and his knees are not good, then what? Also, if Stoudemire is a PF, who will play center? How will the Hawks get a center and a better PG?

Both draft picks plus Zaza Pachulia and Anthony Johnson is too much to give up! Pachulia and Johnson are two veteran Hawks that give the most value for the $$$$$. Draft Express’ chart of Hawks player performance shows Pachulia & Johnson to be two of the most effective Hawks last season.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

You have to love Clyde’s logic. Better to trust BK with chosing from a bunch of untested, young college players than to have him trade for a guy who was first team all NBA last year, signed for the next 3 or 4 years and is only 24.

BRILLIANT!

By Wayne

June 27, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

REMEMBER: BACON AND EGSS—ATLANTA HAWKS-CARTO0N NETWORK. You maybe laughing your tail off after the hawks mess up again. Not only does the left hand not know what the right hand is doing it doesn’t even know where it is.

By Sope Creek

June 27, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Before any deal for Amare, check his knees really thoroughly. Once a guy has knee problems he’ll always have knee problems to rehab. Plus on a team where there’s already not a lot of depth, getting Amare means giving up what should be 3 quality players for one, and one who has thrived only when he’s had the league’s best point guard to set him up. I dunno guys, maybe the proposed 3-way for Amare really would be done as a “no-brainer” … .

By roan st

June 27, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Here are the comments from an interactive live draft chat by bill simmons and chad ford. Neither seem to buy into the three team deal that has atlanta getting stoudmire. You can check this out on espn its live. Chad: Don’t you think that if the Wolves do the three-way trade that has Kevin Garnett going to the Suns, Amare Stoudemire to the Hawks and the No. 3 and No. 11 picks to the Wolves that it’s the final nail in McHale’s coffin?

I mean, here’s what no one is saying. If Stoudemire is available, why wouldn’t the Wolves just take him, instead of routing him to Atlanta for two first round picks. It’s Amare Stoudemire!!!!

Bill: Here’s what I don’t get about that trade: Why would the Suns want to stock the Hawks with Stoudemire when they own Atlanta’s 2008 No. 1 pick? Doesn’t that seem shortsighted? Steve Kerr is too smart to do that. Also, what are the odds of Atlanta’s owners agreeing on a takeout order, much less a three-team trade?

By doc

June 27, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

hmmm, last year the suns sagged significantly when nash was out of the line up but amare in. before nash got there with amare playing well the suns won no more than 30 games. two years ago the suns did well with nash in the linup and amare out of the lineup, granted not as well as this past year. now what part of this do i miss in the hoopla and why should i think of amare as a sure fire winner for this franchise? why should i expect amare to come here and turn things around? speaking of a poor fit, with the offense have we seen played thus far, point guards in tow and the perceived difficulty i think smith would have blending with amare and we think we would have fifty wins or do we assume woody turns into d’antoni, speedy into nash and smith into marion? i say keep it slow and steady before going this route.

i hope the rumor mill is what it is and just that, rare have we been in it for a big trade and it turn out.

what i might believe is the broken atlanta spirit is in disarray trying to come up with a single mindset.

By sns

June 27, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

i just saw an espn writer come up with a personal system for rating draft candidates based on their college careers. it rates conley only lower than chris paul in drafted pgs. it also shows conley the 3rd overall best player to have sucess in the nba. so, with the 3- conley. and with the 11- whatever.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

It’s nice to see Hanno join this blog. I thought we lost you permanently brother. Good to have you back!

By Matt

June 27, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

What have you heard about these trade talks? Are the Amare rumors for real??

By Scott

June 27, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

if we can’t trade for Amare, we gotta get Conley. period.

By mo

June 27, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

Glutton neither Nash nor Amare won a Championship without the other. Oh, and Nash is the primary ball carrier on the team. Of course he is going to play the same way without Amare. Amare would have to change his game based on who is at the point. Nash gives the Suns that much more talent on the floor. If the Hawks do get Amare they still need a point guard. I would give them anyone and anything they want but not both picks. Either the 3 or the 11. You get the best point at the 3 the next best or third best at 11. I would then try to sign Billups to a contract while the pick is developing. So now you have a veteran that you can trade later after your pick develops to further strengthen your team. Oh, but it’s the Hawks we’re talking about it will never happen.

By mavid

June 27, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Clyde, you cant be serious. When you can get Amare, a top 5 center in the league (who is 24!), for these two picks plus change, you do it. Especially cuz Amare fits in well here.

Amare is proven, noone at 3 or 11 is.

We need players who know how to play in the NBA! We are young and inexperienced enough!

And you wanna add Joakim Noah with the 3rd pick! Ha!

While I dislike BK and Woody just as much as the next fan, I’m not so sure I’d be happier with you running the show!

By mo

June 27, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

Uh,

The Hawks needs to OK this deal TODAY! Amare Stoudamire for the DRAFT is HUGE!!!

Shoot! If they go out and get Amare Stoudamire, just open up the ticket windows- I’m getting some season tickets!

(Oh, if they can somehow find a real point guard.)

By MALONE

June 27, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

If the 3 and 11 go to Minn. with Zaza and AJ, we could live with an average PG because all of our other positions would be monsters.

1-Claxton/Lue (or someone bought off scrap heap)

2-JJ/Salim

3-Marvin/Chills

4-Smoove/Shelden

5-Amare/SoJo

If Marvin and Smoove both have uptick years (which is highly likely), then I don’t see how we wouldn’t win 45 games. And if we got off to a bad start, I’ll bet they’d can Woody and with our roster as above, we’d get a great coach quickly to replace him. Jeff Van Gundy?

If BK can pull the trigger on this trade, then he’ll win Executive of The Year next year. Amare would dominate in the East.

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

about 45 mins late with post..this is the one we’ve been posting on this article for a while now

By tp

June 27, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

My wish list for a PG if we get Amare:

1. Mo Williams (perfect fit)
2. Chauncey
3. Dude from Greece

By shawhem

June 27, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

Worst ownership ever.

Deepest draft in 10 year, 2 picks in the top 11 and the Atlanta Hawks OPT OUT. In return, they get a recently injured All-star with a big contract.

Rumor mill:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;ylt=AlfJbpRoF5NvkMEPLEycNO8vLYF?slug=aw-nbadraft062707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

NEW YORK – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett is close to going to the Phoenix Suns in a monumental three-way trade that would send Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire to the Atlanta Hawks league sources said Wednesday.

Atlanta would move the Nos. 3 and 11 picks in Thursday’s draft, as well as Zaza Pachulia and Anthony Johnson to Minnesota.

Minnesota owner Glen Taylor has delivered a mandate to his basketball executives to get a deal done, one league executive said.

Yahoo! Sports has learned that the trade would also save the Hawks from an emerging showdown between the front office and coaching staff over whom to draft with the third pick. The front office and coaching staff had settled on Florida power forward Al Horford, but a faction of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group, with business interests in China, is pushing them to take Yi Jianlian.

The deal hinges on Atlanta general manager Billy Knight saying yes, as well as Hawks ownership, which is mired in lawsuits, being willing to increase payroll. It is believed that star Hawks guard Joe Johnson talked to his former Suns teammate on Wednesday and that the 24-year-old Stoudemire, a first-team All-NBA choice, told him that he’d welcome the trade.

By Random Task

June 27, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

After thinking it over,trading for Amare doesn’t seem like a great idea.The misconception is that he’s a low post defender.He was man-handled by Duncan in the playoffs.He isn’t a creator and he can’t get his own shot as well as many.His game is as a fast break and low block finisher.He’s not at all a top shot blocker (1.3 per game).Add the micro fracture,an injury that can end a career and I’d just say no.

By Adam

June 27, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

That’s really interesting - and disgusting - that Hawks management is poised for a war over the 3rd pick. I think I’m at the point that if we kept the picks, and took Yi over Horford for ‘business’ reasons (I’m not really sure how business interests in China would swing the pick in Yi’s interests, but the Spirit have proven time and again to be idiots), I’d be done with this team forever. I’m already p** about the uniform changes, 8 years of horrific management, and our GM being the laughing stock of a league full of laughing stocks. If we end up with another project instead of a legitimate 4 with a low-post game, and if it’s for business and not basketball reasons, I’m done. Forever.

Now, if we bring in Amare, is he a 5 or a 4? He plays kind of a hybrid in Phoenix, along with Diaw. Bringing in Amare would almost make replacing Woodson a necessity. His style would be almost completely antithetical to the skillset of the roster. That would probably mean BK signs him to a 4-year extension. I’m almost giddy with the thought. I mean sick. Whatever.

By DHD

June 27, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

The Amare deal is a real possibility. If we could somehow land Amare and sign Billups, we’d be in business.

J Johnson, Billups, J Smoove, Marvin and Amare = playoffs

By Glutton for Punishment

June 27, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

ok.. guys How did Amare play without Nash?? Just ok. The whole Phoenix team was ok without Nash. But Nash went the the playoffs last year without Amare. I feel that Amare is a Good player but not as good as he will be without Nash. Heck , Nash made Diaw look like an all-star.

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Anakin,

I like that idea too. I don’t see why we could not get the Timberwolves first round pick this year as well, I would rather not send Marvin though but we could use that pick to pick up a young player.

By Hanno

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

Heck, if you’ve got Amare, JJ, Smoove, Chills and Marvin, I’ll play the point!

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Anakin, We have waite dlong enough it is time for the spirit to open up the wallets. We still have that mysterious mid level exception tha t so many teams used to sign valuable veterans, sometimes multiple players.

By roan st

June 27, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

Boston would send the #5 pick, green, and jefferson and all they receive in return is marion? I don’t believe ainge is the best but he is not that stupid. Hell I wouldn’t trade jefferson straight up for marion. Marion is one of those hybrid forwards that grows on trees while jefferson is 6’11” and began to show that he will be a force in this league last season. I don’t think ainge will make a deal unless he gets garnett or stoudmire.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

Here’s what would REALLY be cool. We trade Marvin to Minnesota for their #7 pick and still get either Noah or Conley to go along with Amare. Surely, Marvin has more upside than anyone they will grab at #7. They would still have the #3 and #11 picks, along with Marvin and Foye to rebuild their team. If the Amare thing goes through, I would definitely want to make sure he doesn’t spend 38 minutes a game playing center. I don’t think those surgerically repaired knees can handle that in the slower more rugged Eastern Conference. We would need someone to come in to do the heavy lifting and swing Amare to PF. Dumping Marvin allows us to move Smith down to the SF spot.

Hey, since we’re fantasizing, let’s see if Beyonce will takeover the cheerleading squad too.

By Daniel

June 27, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

The Hawks could possibly get Amare

By Daniel

June 27, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

The Hawks could possibly get Amare

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

Well, new update….this deal is COMPLETELY contingent on the……”ATL OWNERSHIP”. YIKES. All parties involved are for the trade, including, excuse me….BILLY KNIGHT!!! WOW. Yes, it’s true. But the “ownership” has to back it. And the person hasn’t been named (it’s not Kurt Thomas), but another person would be coming to ATL with Amare. Let’s pray for this one!!!!!!

By Daniel

June 27, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

The Hawks could possibly get Amare

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Yi is not the answer. For Business maybe but for wins and championships, no. Yi is not Yao and I find it quite strange that within such a short time frame there are two 7 ft plus people from china with the dexterity to play in the nba when as a culture the chinese are short in stature. I am not saying they are creating people but they have always been on the con side of the genetics research and i do recall seeing the tallest man in the world was a chinese guy in my Book of Guines world recorad about fifteen years ago. Maybe they froze some of his dna and are producing 7 foot phenoms to boost there economy?

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

THANK HEAVENS!!! ATL has OFFICIALLY backed out of sending the no.11 pick to Seattle for Ridnour.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

St. Bernard if this happens, we will only have cap room for a FA PG along the lines of Mateen Cleaves or Will Bynum. Don’t expect anyone who costs over $2M.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Dale, It sounds as if you’ve seen this somewhere before??

By Glenn

June 27, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Ainge would be nuts to do that trade . That would be so cool if we could land Amare but that really seems so unrealistic . As far as a point guard , we can get one in a trade or FA . I understand the Conley hype machine but he is just 19 . One day he might come close to living up the hype . It won’t be in the next two years .Lifelong hawks fan, we have a better chance of getting Pierce for Hanno than Hatton has of beating Mayweather . Though Ricky Hatton does seem like a really good kid . Great for the sport .

By Ryder

June 27, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Thanks for clearing that up for me Anakin Joe.

JohnGTfan, you and I both know there will be no trades with the ownership issues. I think there will be some major issues if BK attempts to go against ownership’s wishes and draft Horford over Yi.

Of course, that’s what these blogs are for, to fantasize about specutlation.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

Great point by Bill Simmons, would Phoenix trade Amare to us and then watch the value of our unprotected ‘08 pick go down the drain? I guess they would if it means getting KG (but only after exploring ALL options to get KG by dumping Marion). I wonder if we can get one of those late first round picks from Phoenix along with Amare. Sessions or Pruitt would be decent late round gambles.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

glenn, I thought so initially. But after Hatton’s last fight, I’m actually looking forward to it.

By St. Bernard

June 27, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

one last thing: The Hawks aren’t going to trade the model of their new uniforms so just calm down about that.

By St. Bernard

June 27, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

If the trade goes down, we’ll sign a FA pg. Could this really happen? I am preparing myself for another disaster as we speak…but I can’t help hoping.

By Dale

June 27, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

A year ago today the big “rumor” was AI was coming to ATL for the lotto pick, Philly should’ve have made that move if the rumor was true.

Anyway here’s my prediction of what will “Most Likely” happen tomorrow:

BK will draft Horford to play center. (We will find out during pre-season he is too small to play Center and will be more like a poor-man’s Nene or a complete bust because like Stromile he can’t shoot)
With the 3rd pick BK will draft Julian Wright because of his “versatility”.

After the draft BK will announce, that we are building for the future and we will have great cap room next year to negotiate with. The Spirit Group will congratulate BK for a great draft. Mike Woodson will be signed to a 3yr. extension. Parking and beer prices will increase.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

A-Town Vet & Brent A., sounds like a bluff to me. I’d be shocked if he’d rather keep the #5 AND trade Pierce (which would almost be required) AND not use Theo’s expiring contract to get a long-term, big-time player so that he can keep that pick. Sounds like he is trying to expedite the process. if I were at the poker table, I’d call and watch him fold.

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

Tony, You’re right we were not a .500 tem last year but it did not take that being a .500 team to get to the playoffs last year in the east. How can you say Billy has ruined the team over the last 4 years and will admitt it by making this trade. Everything that has been done over the last four years has gotten us to this point and after the prosposed trade all of the peice Billy has brought in will still be here. You think Amare would come in to replace JS, no he would be our 5. Amare is an immediate upgrade to our team and also provides us leverage should Josh smith not like our contract offers after the upcoming season. Get a clue, we all hate losing, which the Hawks have doen plenty over the last couple of years but Billy is only responsible four half of that and this move would set us up to be winners four at least the next ten years.

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

The funny thing, with all this talk, watch there be absolutely no trades at all! LOL

By G Money

June 27, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Anakin Joe, thanks for the update. Sounds more like something sane minds in PHX would do. However, I’d sure like to see Amare here. If not, it will be interesting to see if its Horford or Yi. I say it should be Yi at 3 baby.

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

The “freshest” reports I am hearing are that Danny Ainge told reporters in Boston today that he does not expect to trade the #5 pick.

That was enough to make ESPN change its report that the Marion deal was unlikely.

By tony

June 27, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

All this trade talk is just an indication that BK is admitting that he has ruin our team for the pass 4 seasons. At the end of each season, there are statistics that are collected to analyze teams strength and weaknesses. Had BK done that from day 1, he would have known exactly what position to address on draft day. NO… Bk want to draft these kids based on perception and hope that they live up to his expectation. Now he’s thinking that Amare can come in here and rescue his behind. If that trade go down, I believe he will screw that up to. It would be meaningful to talk trade if we were a .500 team, but we’re not even close to being a .500 team. I do not trust this guy making any decisions for this team.

By CDS

June 27, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Point blank, we need a PG. I like Acie Law at #11, but will he be another Jason Terry? I’m starting to buy into Mike Conley at #3. So what if the guy can’t shoot, isn’t that why we have guys like JJ, Lue, and Salim?

We cannot afford to take another forward. If it were really that important to BK and Woodson to address the PG situation, then they would need to get not the best available player, but the best available PG which is Conley.

I hate to say it, but I’m starting to see the Chris Paul fiasco happening all over again.

By glenn

June 27, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

On a side note. Does anyone care about the possible Mayweather Jr./Hatton fight?

Fight ? Legalized murder !

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

glenn, maybe we could just sign Hanno to a 10 day contract and offer that for Pierce

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Anakin Joe, This is straight from the horse’ mouth. Celt’s are unlikely to trade pick 5 http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/news/story?id=2918509

Sekou, you started a hornest nest but no follow up. What gives. You are the man with the inside scoop. Please give us Hawk Fans something to confirm/deny the rumors?

By glenn

June 27, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

If that trade goes through , Danny Ainge will have the coveted title of worst GM in the NBA . We should offer Anthony Johnson for Paul Pierce . Like trading baseball cards with that one slow kid in elementary school .

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

I’m hearing on sports radio here locally in SoCal that Boston is no longer willing to part with the #5 pick. I wonder if Danny Ainge knows something the rest of us won’t find out until later.

On a side note. Does anyone care about the possible Mayweather Jr./Hatton fight?

By mykhalc

June 27, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

JOE, that’s all that BOSTON gets???

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

I was right the Hawks is also after KG

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Hawks-also-after-Garnett;_ylt=AkKd2wokMImUDMGxpYN5RG3TjdIF?urn=nba,37664

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

thanks tony for the article…looks like all BK has to do is say yes and it’s a done deal! WE’LL SEE

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Brent A & Mac Tony, current radio reports (fresher than newspapers) are saying that Phoenix is back to looking at moving Marion instead of Amare. Marion to Boston. Boston has already put a contract extension on the table, if Marion accepts, then he gets dealt. So we have to wait for that deal to fall apart before they re-visit sending us Amare. (If I wasn’t clear, Boston gets Marion, Minn. gets Jefferson, Green and #5 and Phoenix gets KG).

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Ryder, Woody said they need PG insurance. Others are taking that statement and acting like we’re about to trade for Steve Nash or Jason Kidd or draft Conley. Heck, insurance could be anyone from Crit to Pruitt to Jared Jordan to Mateen Cleaves to the older Euro player (Papa something). Not sure it is a “swerve” as much as fans wanting it to mean far more than what was said.

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

In this article Amare said that he will welcome the trade:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aru9rwp87WHn.G2Ccg0XdA05nYcB?slug=aw-nbadraft062707&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

By Dale

June 27, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Barry, I actually agree with you. I would send JChill to Seattle for Luke. First reason is because I don’t need Chill, I like him, but I’ve got 4 other guys on my team just like him. Luke would be a major upgrade over what we currently have at point.

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

did you see that deal is closer to be down then expected. We would send Aj and Zaza along with the third and 11th pick, the Suns would get KG, and then we will get Amare. I really like that deal, but do we get any picks out of the deal….

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

text to be linked = text to be linked

One thing has not changed. Sources closely tied to the situation on multiple fronts have all said that Phoenix is not willing to part with Amare Stoudemire, a 24-year-old, first team All-NBA player with quite a playoff pedigree thus far.

In fact, one source said Minnesota does not want Stoudemire. If teams try to make the deal work with Shawn Marion instead, Minnesota and Atlanta would each squash that because neither team wants Marion. Boston would like him but he does not want to go there unless they dangled an extension before him but his 2008-09 number is already at $17.8 million. How much would an extension take?

As far as the possibility of Atlanta, there is the Stoudemire-Johnson dynamic to consider as well. Those two denied any rift but Stoudemire’s blow-up at Johnson in Miami back in 2005 irked JJ, who would have to give up his status as the franchise player in Atlanta if Stoudemire arrived. How would Atlanta and Minnesota react if they heard Stoudemire did not want to go to either team? Stoudemire called the talk “nonsense” last time I saw him.

And let’s not forget the mountainous contract of Garnett, paying him $22 million this season and $23 million in 2008-09 if he does not take his option to terminate it early. Plus, a trade kicker could make his salary $28.5 million this season unless he waives a portion, which he can only do if it makes the trade work. There may be language in the contract that can keep the kicker spread over two years if a deal is done prior to July 1.

Bottom line: the Suns’ biggest deal tomorrow may be sending Kurt Thomas somewhere to cut down the payroll.

By Ryder

June 27, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Anyone ever think about this: That this whole “we’re going to draft a PG” could be a swerve? I mean, if Atlanta is truly infatuated with Yi at 3, what if Atlanta decided to trade the 11 pick to Philly their two late first round picks? This way they draft someone like Ronald Stuckey or Javaris Crittenton later in the first round without having to pay them as much, and then pick up the best player available with the other first round pick?

It just seems to me that BK and Woodson are so confident that Claxton and Lue will be completely healthy that drafting another PG so soon would be folly to them. I just have a feeling the Hawks will be trading out of one of their spots.

By Hawkeye

June 27, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Does this team still play here? Where did they go? Are they still playing over at the Omni? No! Where they playing? Phillips? Oh, the Thrashers let them have some time in that arena? How did Tree Rollins do last year? Do you think Spud Webb is going to be more than a novelty? Do you think Kevin Willis will improve upon his rookie season? Has Fratello left to become the Czar of the Telestrator yet? Doc Rivers is a helluva point guard. He might make a helluva head coach someday. Trade Dominique. He is a ballhog. This franchise will see much better years without him hogging the ball all game. Do you think we oughtta sign Koncak to that contract? If we get Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith, and Dikembe Mutumbo everything will change for the better for this franchise. And if they do, we will make it even better by trading for J.R. Rider. Oh, yeah. Shareef will change everything. He is going to be worth trading Gasol for. Trade for Rasheed and then trade him a day later. But there is a plan. Someday, we will free up all that money and start signing free agents. SOMEDAY! Does anyone own this Fing team?!?!?!?! Does anyone still root for this Fing team?!?!?! If so, why? If so, pound your chest and proudly proclaim I am a hardcore basketball junkie as you watch Billy Knight blunder his way through another important decision. FIRE FING BILLY KNIGHT ALREADY! PUH-LEEEEEEZE! I BEG OF YOU! I IMPLORE YOU! I AM ON MY HANDS AND KNEES EMASCULATING MYSELF! FIRE THAT FRIGGIN’ CLUELESS IDIOT BILLY KNIGHT! PUUUUUUUUUHHHHHH LEEEEEZE!!!!!!

By smartguy

June 27, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

The longer this goes with nothing happening, the better we are…

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

text to be linked = text to be linked

NEW YORK – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett is close to going to the Phoenix Suns in a monumental three-way trade that would send Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire to the Atlanta Hawks, league sources said Wednesday.

Atlanta would move the Nos. 3 and 11 picks in Thursday’s draft, as well as Zaza Pachulia and Anthony Johnson, to Minnesota.

Minnesota owner Glen Taylor has delivered a mandate to his basketball executives to get a deal done, one league executive said.

Yahoo! Sports has learned that the trade would also save the Hawks from an emerging showdown between the front office and coaching staff over whom to draft with the third pick. The front office and coaching staff had settled on Florida power forward Al Horford, but a faction of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group, with business interests in China, is pushing them to take Yi Jianlian.

The deal hinges on Atlanta general manager Billy Knight saying yes, as well as Hawks ownership, which is mired in lawsuits, being willing to increase payroll. It is believed that star Hawks guard Joe Johnson talked to his former Suns teammate on Wednesday and that the 24-year-old Stoudemire, a first-team All-NBA choice, told him that he’d welcome the trade.

By Jason

June 27, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

If I were GM for a day, and the Wolves were up for it, I’d trade the #3 and a player for Amare (probably Marvin)and keep the #11 and take Acie Law. Then, you have your PG of the future, along with J-Smoove, JJ and the best center in the league. Hello playoffs. I have no confidence in the Hawks getting a PG through free agency (see S. Claxton), so PG has to be addressed in the draft. I’d even throw in a lottery-protected pick in 2008 to get Amare here. But we have to keep a pick in tomorrow’s draft.

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Who are the Wolves going to sign with all their cap room?

Perhaps the same players that rushed to take the Hawks and Bobcats money the past 2 off-seasons?

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

McHale is insane if he thinks he can lure top free agents to the frozen lakes of Minnesota. Even when they had some cap space, they couldn’t get anyone to come there. They will have to greatly overspend to use that cap space.

By Barry

June 27, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

Are you guys crazy? Josh Childress is the worst pick ever! He shoots like a 10 year old kid. Billy picked him 6th? I would trade him for a good cheerleader! Maybe for even a ugly towel girl.

By mykhalc

June 27, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

fellas, ANY team might put ANYTHIN’ ON the table!! but thinkin’ RIDNOUR is TRULY bein’ considered for a lottery pick???!!!! come on now!!!!!

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Stinger, it looks like you’ve done your homework. Well done my friend. Thanks for that insight! I would be itching(as a Hawks fan) to make that deal myself.

By mykhalc

June 27, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

RIDNOUR for the 11th…NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!! SEATTLE might want it to…but ain’t gonna happen!!!

By Stinger

June 27, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

The hawks have to move #3 & #11 AND the expiring contracts of Claxton & Salim. It gets complicated as Amare is a Base Year compensation Player. If BYC is used the value is the greater of his prior year contract or 50% of his next years contract (in this case approx. $6.5MM) The trade could be expanded to include Barbosa (my strong wish) if we add Chills or a similiar player.

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

morris before you burst a blood vessel. that deal is off the table. Luck manage to Save BK from making the worst trade in NBa history.

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

You beat me to the punch JohnGTfan, no disrespect Chris but your crazy as hell to give up Chills for Luke, and Marvin will have a breakout season this year…. (I will not give up on eithere of these players) Now you can give up Ivey for Luke & Slava but not the team that you choose to help you rebuild. Please stay a fan like me.

By Adam

June 27, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

The Wolves recognize that they aren’t going anywhere with KG and the current complexion of their roster. Of course, this is the result of McHale’s abhorrent work the past five years, but it is a reality nonetheless. KG has indicated that he will opt out of his contract and the Wolves surely - as their actions belie - see that it is time to sell. The Atlanta package offers them more than does the current Boston package. That said, if they can land Jefferson and the #5, they very well might prefer that; but up to now, Ainge has been reluctant to deal Jefferson, and the other part of that deal - Marion - has indicated he won’t play in Boston. So the Hawks’ two picks, as well as some nice contracts - be they expiring or rookie deals - is a far better option for the Wolves. That would give them three picks in the top eleven and cap room. Rebuilding wouldn’t take as long as it has for some (um… I won’t name names, but they just changed their uniforms).

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

I’m imagining Juwan Howard just cringing right now thinking of the possibility of not playing with KG next season.

By morris

June 27, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

From everything I’m hearing the hawks will trade the 11th pick for luke freakin ridnour. If that happens I will first vommit and then I will be done with this franchise until that ignorant afro is run out of town. Please lord let belkin win the decision in court so we can get rid of this baffon.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

cp, ESPN reported that the Wolves would rather have the picks over Amare to free up big cap space.

By cp

June 27, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

Like some other have said, why would the Wolves rather have picks than a sure thing in Amare? But then again this is Kevin Mc Hale we are talking about so anything is possibe. This guy might be on the level of BK in terms of drafting and making moves the last few years. I would love to have Amare but like someone said earlier I dont want to give up both picks a young player and expiring contracts. We wont have any depth next year what so ever.. We also dont have a pick next year so although Amare would be nice we need more than that in my opinion if we are giving that much up.. I would give up the 3rd and a combination of Chills and Sheldon or Chills and Lue. Some might disagree but we still will need a good pg and we wont have anybody to give up in a possible sign and trade for a pg like Mo Williams because we gave up all our assets up for Amare. We would still be stuck with Speedy “BAD KNEES CANT SHOOT” Claxton. BK has got to find a way to out fox Mc Hale who isnt the brightest gm in the world. If we can move the 3rd and players like Chill Sheldon and maybe Lue while keeping our 11th so we can get a pg I wouldnt be too mad although that is still a lot. But like everyone else I would love to get Amare I just wont get my hopes up knowing BK is our gm and he is known for getting taken to the cleaners. .. Its like im kinda excited and scared at the same time.

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

The no.3 and no.11 is a lot, and remember, that wouldn’t be all we’d be sending. But honestly, we have an incredibly talented young core here. Add another young guy who is actually proven, and put him with all this talent in the “LEASTERN” conference…my goodness. Adding 2 young players from the draft at no.3 and no.11 will not put us in the playoffs. But Amare will. And as someone stated earlier…he will attract attention from free agents out there.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

smartguy, you’re crazy. Not really, but you wanted someone to say it. I don’t think it’s totally silly to hope that we could get Amare for just the #3 and something else besides the #11. That would be ideal. But today’s star players command so much.

By Dale

June 27, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

A-town, Diehard; don’t get me wrong I love KG, he is a freak and no doubt a top ten player, and yes in 2007 he is a better player than Amare. My point is Amare has the potential to be better than KG, and if he continues the direction he is going, he will be better than KG ever was. KG is in his prime, I don’t believe Amare is even close to his prime. Scary thought.

Oh yeah, of course Amare has benefited by playing with in my opininon the best player in the league (Nash) much like Mashburn and Jimmy Jackson did when they played with JKidd years ago.

By JJ

June 27, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

Just fyi it’s not that Amare is good becuz of Steve Nash. It is becuz the run and gun offense inflates numbers and is deceiving. The Hawks have a halfcourt offense so he would not be as good. Suns-Run n Gun Hawks-Half-court See the difference.

By morris

June 27, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Josh Smith for luke ridnour? Are you f*** kidding me! Dude you need to be run off this blog before we all go off on you!

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Chris

I’m going to assume you had a typo error on your post. TRADE JOSH SMITH FOR LUKE RIDNOUR. Please say that was a typo. I wouldn’t trade Chills or MWilliams for him either, but Josh Smith!!!!

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Dale I agree that Amare is a more dynamic player than KG know but I don’t know that you can say he is ahead of Garnetts pace. If you do not believe checkout nba.com comparison. Last year alone KG was 22ppg/12rb/4asst; AS was 20/9.6/1. Garnett also has more assist than Amare and was sole Franchise player with an inferior supporting cast. This is why PHX would give up Amare for KG.

By Dale

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

I didn’t realize til today, but Billy King drafted Stromile Swift with the 2nd pick in the draft. My God, this guy is a d*mn fool!

By diehardhawkfan

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

Dale, KG is one of top 10 power forwards in NBA history…he has averaged at least 20+ and 10+ rebounds for 9 straight seasons…he is a WARRIOR and one of the class acts in the NBA right now. He’s sat in relative obsecurity…Mchale has given him NO help for the entirety of his career. KG is a MUCH better compliment to Nash than Amare is. KG’s a better offensive rebounder, a MUCH better passer, and a MUCH better outside shooter than Amare. He has a MUCH better low post game than Amare. He’s one of the 3 low post scorers in the last ten years(Shaw, Duncan, KG)…impeccible footwork, great agility, etc. What are you talking about?

By Scott

June 27, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Everyone needs to read the draft chat with Bill Simmons and Chad Ford just laughing at Billy Knight for even thinking about trading our #11 for Luke Ridnour. We truly do have a circus going on in that building. HEre is the link:http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=nbamockdraft/070627

By Chris

June 27, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Trading for Amare would be the best thing Billy Knight has done in his tenureship in Atlanta. Horford, Jianlian, Noah are all question marks. They might be good but they can just as easily be busts. Take the sure thing All-Star. I understand that Nash makes everyone better, but think about this way. Stoudamire averaged 20 PPG in his second season in the league and that was before Nash moved to Phoenix. Also, Joe Johnson has played well since he left Phoenix.

If it was up to me, I would trade #3 and #11 for Amare, then trade Childress, Marvin, or Josh Smith for Luke Ridnour. Ridnour is not a star, but is a solid starter (which is something we can’t say about the Hawks PG’s)

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Guys, latest rumor says that Phoenix will deal Marion to Boston (if he accepts their 3-year extension offer), KG goes to Phoenix and Jefferson and #5 go to T’Wolves. Amare stays in Phoenix. It all depends on if Marion accepts the extension. Honestly, he better take the money now before he is exposed as nothing more than an “energy guy” without the services of an elite PG.

By Harry Hawk

June 27, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

If Amare ends up in Atlanta, Billy Knight had better get a good PG through trade. Amare’s not a great defender, so the bench would have to be upgraded with more defensive players. As good as an Amare/Smoove/Marvin/JJ/…uh…uh…uh lineup looks on paper, with all apologies to Smoove (who certainly plays D), I don’t see much defense being played by these guys. That’s why the bench would be very important. No more Esteban Batistas or Slava Medvedenkos allowed, BK.

By G Money

June 27, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

The more I think about it, the more I’m on the Amare bandwagon. JS, Amare, JJ, JChills or MW and PG to be named. That’s a great starting 5. That tops most of the East. Celtics, Wizards, Bobcats, Orlando, Nets, Knicks…who could hang?? However, you have to ask about Amare’s knees. If he is well like Curry is well, then I say we definitely go for it. Suppose Chauncy wants to join the party — we’re deep into the playoffs over night. You gotta love dreamin. Even if we don’t get the deal done, I’d be happy with Yi, another tall and a solid guard. See ya tomorrow at Philips.

By Adam Malka

June 27, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

ESPN is talking all about this potential trade; it really does make a lot of sense for all three teams involved. One thing that someone else said, and which I think is correct, is that the Hawks will probably be moving more than just the two picks… they’re probably gonna have to move one of their endless supply of 3’s, and management has already alluded to the fact that Chills is most likely to be shipped out during this offseason.

One thing on which I’m not clear: do the Hawks have a second-round pick? I thought they dealt it to Indiana last season? If they still have a pick there, and if they can land Amare, they would clearly pick a PG ‘project’ to team up with the vets.

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Well, we will find out tomorrow. Because it’s highly unlikely anything will happen until right around draft time tomorrow. But, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m excited about the possibility of ATL working a trade to bring in an All-Star to go with our young talent, whether it be Amare, KG, Jermaine O-neal…it’s exciting. I’m actually giving BK the benefit of the doubt, and I never thought that would happen. But if he pulls one of…WOW. But, if drafts with ignorance with the no.3 pick, then trades the no.11 pick for Ridnour….too horrible to even think about. Let me go back to nice thoughts and dreams until 7pm ET tomorrow!!!

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Listen, For all you jerks who think Steve Nash made Amare you are crazy. Nash got to the Suns in in 04-05. Amare was a 20-10 player in 03-04. When Nash joined the team Amare scroing avg went up 6 pts. But for someone to suggest amare is nothing with out Nash you are drinking the wrong Kool-Aid. Does anybody remember Amare avg 30-10 against the spurs Nash’s first year? With his proven producton how could anyone consider not given up two picks for him.

And for every body talking about his knee injury and if it acts up agian think about this, if if was a 5th than we would all be drunk.

It seems like the same people complaining about the hawks rebuilding years are not complaining now that we have a chance to significantly upgrade our roster with a Franchise player.

By smartguy

June 27, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

I just read SI’s latest mock. They say that Noah is one of two finalists for Memphis’ pick.

Deng, Derron Williams, Brandon Roy, Joakim Noah.

The guy is a stud and a great player, which is probably why Billy will pass. Think I’m gonna need one of those shirts.

By JJ

June 27, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t the ownership mess restrict the hawks from making any major trades. If I am not mistaken the Amare trade would be beyond major.

By Dale

June 27, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

A-Town-
Amare (24) is much more valuable than KG (30). Amare is 10x the player KG was at 24, and if he continues at this pace, he will be 10x the player KG is at 30. The kid is the 21st century Moses Malone.

I’ve blasted BK for over 2 yrs. on this blog, but if Billy was able to get Amare for the #3 & #11, I’d be willing to give him another yr.

By morris

June 27, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

We are not gettimg KG or amare because our owners are broke and can’t afford to fix a running toilet. Do you people actually think that this joke of an ownership can afford to pay KG 23 million a year. NO! They will make the draft choices because that is all they can afford to pay is rookie salaries. The only trade we might be involved in is moving down a few spots and picking up another cheap vet. All this KG and AMARE talk is just a pipe dream. This is probably just b.s. being intentionally leaked by the spirit group to give us poor fans a glimmer of hope but nothing will ever really transpire.

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Dale, Kerr would not be out of a job because he would essentially be replacing Amare with Garnett( a more acomplished player with better defense and more offense). Havein JJ,JS, AS, would attract any FA Pg.

Amare is still developing as he improved his jump shot last. He would have a chance to develop into a more complete player. The last time i saw Amare and Howard play each other Amare dominated him. That is who we need to worry about since he is in our divison, If Amare has to contain duncan thatt means we would be in the finals.

By smartguy

June 27, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

The reason KG won’t come here is not because of our lack of players. He won’t come here because of our coach and our ownership.

Clyde, I’m totally with you. This just isn’t looking good. Giving up both picks for only one player doesn’t sit well, and while I like Amare’s talent, he was the one getting called out for lack of effort by Steve Nash and D’Antoni during the playoffs. If you can’t give it all during the playoffs, when do you plan do bring it? Not to mention his spasm off the bench against the Spurs. I like Amare for the #3, but certainly not both.

Furthermore, if we have Amare and JJ, then will there be any money left over for Smooth?? I’m sure someone will call me crazy, but I would rather have Smooth than Amare.

I really hope we keep both picks. Noah and Law make the most sense, but Yi and Conley would be okay as well.

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

The problem with KG to Atlanta is that no agents appear to like Atlanta at this point. In reality, the athletes seem to love the city, but the team’s ownership situation has player’s steering clear, seemingly at the agent’s bequest. Garnett to ATL becomes a one-year rental and he opts-out and leaves. Of course, there is still the issue of where does he go? Who has cap room? The Hawks, the Bobcats, whom else? Always a tricky situation when an athlete says, “I won’t play in (x city) so don’t trade me there.” Ultimately, it seems that money does a lot of the talking, once a guy has found a home.

Regarding Amare: I appreciate the responses and understand the concept of Minnesota rebuilding. However, consider that Amare is 23, makes only about $13 million a year, and is under contract for at least 4 more seasons. Sounds like rebuilding to me. Yes, it’s not the same as drafting an unproven 20 year-old who you will have for 5 years, but still, not a bad move. That’s why I’d be shocked if Minnesota let Amare land in Atlanta and didn’t keep him for themselves. They’d still have the #7 pick, which could be used on a PG, and should still have some cap room next season.

But, that’s just my take.

Hopefully, the Hawks can pull this off. In 4 years, IMO, the ownership situation is settled, and Amare loves being the star of stars in Atlanta.

By Clyde

June 27, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Amare ain’t nothing without Nash. He needs a point guard to give him the ball and the Hawks don’t have that. Plus the man has bad knees. What if he plays a year and his knees give out on him again?

Don’t trade the picks. Continue to build through the draft. Noah at 3 and Law at 11.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Dale

June 27, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

A-Town, MJ3, do you not think that you are being just a little overly optimitic about Amare coming to Atlanta. If Steve Kerr was to trade Amare for this year’s 3# and 11# pick, he would be out of a job tomorrow.

We went through this same crap last year. You are just dreaming, none of that crap is going to happen.

Clyde, I totally agree with you, I believe some of these fans are suffering from memory loss. Last I checked Billy was still GM and Woody was still the Coach. I believe that after what we’ve gone through over the last several years, we have the right to just a little pessimistic of Billy’s final decision tomorrow night.

By tony

June 27, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

Just out of curiosity, but does anyone know how many teams have drafted 4 consecutive forwards in the 1st round?

By A-ville Ranger

June 27, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

I’d be all for getting Amare at the right price.I’m reading all this top center,true big,etc though.He is more a true pf than center. He isn’t a classic back to the basket,low post,shot blocking inforcer.That’s just not his game.Did anybody watch Duncan back him in at will in the playoffs ? I would rather use him at pf if our roster would allow it.He would likely play center with the guys we have however.Just don’t expect Olajuwan or Ewing though.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

KG will NOT come to Atlanta!

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

You have to love this time of year…the day before the draft!!! NOW, there is a report that ATL is after KG directly since PHX is working on about 8,000 trade scenarios (to include ATL’s 2008 no.1 pick). It has ATL offering no.3, no.11, and “other considerations”. I would have to think that is Chills, MW, or Smoove.

By funny

June 27, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Don’t deal anything with PHX. Lets keep our team young. I’ve had it with Joe Johnson deal.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

A-Town, understand now. Don’t know where my mind was. In that case, I think it would be a no brainer if Phoenix plays along.

Of course we would still need that 1 to run the team. But it wouldn’t be as great a need as before.

By A-Town Vet

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

bob61 if we trade for Amare, the Hawks will get their money back from the season ticket sales. Childress is not a max contract player and niether is Josh. It will be harder to bring in Josh than chills but i think we can get it done. The hawks are currently under the cap by 6 million and still have a mid-level exemption so, we have the money.

By A-ville Ranger

June 27, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

The Doors have an old song titled I’ve been down so G-D long that it looks like up to me.MALONE…I don’t have any interest in being a 6 seed except as a progression point to a title.I’m not saying Amare,Conley,Horford,etc woundn’t be a step towards that goal.It does seem like a lot of fans can’t even think of building a real winner though.Sadly many seem to have mediocrity as their goal.

By Clyde

June 27, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY t-shirts are still available. E-mail me at atlconnect@hotmail.com. I got the feeling we will need them tomorrow.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By A-Town Vet

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

Lifelong, Amare just signed a maxed deal in the right before the 05 season. If he wants to restructure it would be for less money so i do not think that is the case. He is due to make 13 mil next year.

By DekaturKing

June 27, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Wake me up when we get Amare!

By bob61

June 27, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

No trades please - keep the picks. I think one of the main problems the Hawks have with trading for any good NBA players is $$$$$$$$$. If the Hawks want to resign Smith and Childress, thay need to save cap room. Also, how can the owners all agree on taking on any more big long term contracts?

They could trade for an ‘average’ point guard, but why? They already have Lue, Claxton, & Johnson. The Hawks should draft two players who can be better than average.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 27, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

A-Town Vet, I thought he wanted to restructure his current deal? I may be wrong on that one.

By MALONE

June 27, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

If we get Amare from PHX, then we should be able to get a good (maybe not great) PG in free agency. We would be 3-6 seed in East with Amare and he would be worth the 3 and 11 picks.

By Volman

June 27, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

I actually went to a lot of Minnesota T-Wolves websites and forums last night…

The Wolves fans are PUMPED about the possibility of getting the draft picks. Minnesota’s front office doesn’t want Amare..They want to “rebuild”….

The fans on the boards are talking about having #3, #6?, #11, and a couple of other first round picks.

“We should take Horford, Noah, AND Brewer!” Some of them have said…

I don’t know guys, but this trade for Amare might just work out. It might.

By Stinger

June 27, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

I’m as excited about Amare coming to ATL as everyone else but I think there could be a second player coming from Phoenix as well. If Phoenix gets KG their payroll goes up $10MM, sure they could move an expiring contract (K. Thomas) to Minn but that still would not get them out of luxury tax land. We could be moving #3, #11, expiring contracts AND a player (Chills, Smooth, Marvin) to receive Amare and Balbosa.

By St. Bernard

June 27, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

It makes since if they are about to rebuild. Remember Rasheed playing that one game for us? Did it make sense to trade him to Detroit? Here’s hoping for Amare and a pg from the draft,trade or FA.

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

brent a. It does not make sense but when you look at production but when you look at dollars it makes sense. By the timberwolves switch KG fo AS all they are doing is changing two player with similar capabilites although i think KG is superior in his play now and Amare has more potential. This would leave the wolves with the same supporting cast an does not increase their ability to win. With the draft picks they could add Horford and another very good young prospect for an extremely low cost and also bring in another veteran with the excess $.

By cwbesq

June 27, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

The Hawks are taking Horford and then will see what develops. They love Conley, but they want their point guard to shoot a jump shot not post up the opposition when he is only 6’1”

By brent a.

June 27, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

For the life of me, if Amare were traded in a deal for KG, I can’t see how the Wolves would rather have picks from Atlanta than Stoudemire himself.

As has been mentioned, Amare is a stud and has 4 years left on his contract (if not 5 …), and so why in the world would Minnesota rather draft unproven 20 year-olds, than keep a 23 year-old all-star?

It doesn’t make sense from a Minnesota perspective.

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Life Long Hawks Fan, Resigning Amare isn’t a big deal becasue his current contract has 3-4 more years on it.

By Hawkeye

June 27, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Does this team still play here? Where did they go? Are they still playing over at the Omni? No! Where they playing? Phillips? Oh, the Thrashers let them have some time in that arena? How did Tree Rollins do last year? Do you think Spud Webb is going to be more than a novelty? Do you think Kevin Willis will improve upon his rookie season? Has Fratello left to become the Czar of the Telestrator yet? Doc Rivers is a helluva point guard. He might make a helluva head coach someday. Trade Dominique. He is a ballhog. This franchise will see much better years without him hogging the ball all game. Do you think we oughtta sign Koncak to that contract? If we get Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith, and Dikembe Mutumbo everything will change for the better for this franchise. And if they do, we will make it even better by trading for J.R. Rider. Oh, yeah. Shareef will change everything. He is going to be worth trading Gasol for. Trade for Rasheed and then trade him a day later. But there is a plan. Someday, we will free up all that money and start signing free agents. SOMEDAY! Does anyone own this Fing team?!?!?!?!

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

MJ3 good Point. No one seems to point out that BK has put us in this positon to change the fate of the Hawks for many years to come. All this in 4 years which if we get Amare, Garnett, or Gasol would be terrifc and he would get the GM of the year award for this feat alone.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

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

I would take Stoudemire for the #3 and #11 in a heart beat. ESPN also said that we would have to throw in some expiring contracts to Minnesota as well.

This is a deal that I hope gets worked out. The sticking point is talking Phoenix into giving him up. Plus, can we resign him?

By BillyKnight Evidence of an Idiot

June 27, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

MJ3: 103-233

By MJ3

June 27, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Hey moron calling yourself “BillyKnight evidence of an idiot.” - Anyone can play the game of “here’s who we should have drafted” in hindsight. Would you call Childress or Diaw a bust? Are you already willing to give up on Marvin? How about giving the brotha credit for getting the Hawks its best player since Nique?

Clown-a*******ed moron.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Ando, you’re right NOT to assume that we will acquire an “elite” PG. I think Woody said something about “insurance”. That sounds like a vet Papaloukas or some other secondary player. I wouldn’t be surpirsed to see them try to grab that Jamon Gordon kid in the seocnd round, since Sekou’s sources said they liked him after the workout.

Amare, Gasol, JON, Zach R., Aldridge and D. Howard are just some of the names rumored to have been discussed in the past few weeks by BK and their respective GMs. Nothing wrong with that list.

By G-thang

June 27, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

I told y’all in previous blogs that if you are so sure of who the hawks will choose to put your money where your mouth is. bodog.com is taking bets on who will go where. if they hawks take yi, who was a 1 to 4.5, i would make a nice come up. I put up 20 on Yi, i will take the proceeds to buy a Yi jsersey.

By HB Ando

June 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Could this be the point guard Hawks’ management is alluding to, when they say that they WILL be adding a PG soon:

“Rudy wouldn’t say which teams are courting Papaloukas, but it is believed Atlanta and Memphis are the front-runners for his services. Racine Journal-Times”

By bob61

June 27, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

Yi at #3! Yi has already demonstrated his ability to play against NBA players. None of the others have done that (including Horford and Conley). All of the others are more of a risk in their ability to play at the NBA level. As far as we know, Conley can’t shoot and will not be able to defend against big PGs. Horford can’t shoot and can’t defend against someone bigger than him (e.g., Oden).

Yi played for China against the USA team of NBA all stars at the 2006 FIBA championships and played very well. He held his own against Dwight Howard, Lebron James, Carmely Anthony, Dwayne Wade, Joe Johnson, & others. Yi had 13 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks. Lebron and other USA players had very good comments about Yi’s performance. Joe Johnson knows how well Yi can play!

Yi is much ‘bigger’ than Horford! Both now weigh about the same - Yi is up to 248# and Horford 246#; however, Yi is much longer and can jump higher! Yi is 7’1” tall in shoes and Horford is 6’9 3/4”. Yi has a wingspan of 7’4 1/2” and Horford has 7’0 3/4”. Yi has a vertical jump of 38” compared to Horford at 35.5”.

Strength and conditioning coach Joe Abunassar, who has trained such NBA players as Garnett, Chauncey Billups, and Baron Davis said that Yi 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.”

By mavid

June 27, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Amare and Joe dont have real beef. They were never tight (unlike Joe and Marion), but they dont dislike eachother either.

Still, I think Amare would be p** at the trade, unless we get a legit pg too.

I mean, if we somehow landed Amare and Conley (yeah right), then we’re arguably the best team in the east for 5 years.

By Anakin Joe

June 27, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Amare will have little say in the matter. The ONLY reason KG, Marion and Kobe have leverage is because KG and Marion can opt out of their contracts after 1 more season and because Kobe has a no trade clause in his contract. Amare, may not want to come to Atlanta, but unless he plans to void his contract and play in Eurpoe, he would have no choice. What I don’t understand is why McHale would rather have #3 and #11 than Amare. How do you sell that to T’Wolves fans?

I also don’t understand any rumor that has us getting a shoot first guard, like Ellis or Barbosa. Ando, is it better to admit your mistake or to be paralyzed by it? Again, I personally don’t want Ellis. Why would we acquire a shoot-first, one-dimensional 20 year-old when we need a pass-first, defensive-minded veteran? But I have no problems with anyone who attempts to correct their mistakes. We should all be so perfect as to never have to use the delete or backspace key.

That’s what’s going on across the league now, GMs saying “I built a mediocre product, let me hit the delete key and start again”.

By Dale

June 27, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Macoroni; don’t get me wrong I like Big Baby as a college player, and he was a good one. I agree with you, his game at the current level will not translate well at the NBA level, and he should not be considered at all by Hawks management.

I said it yesterday and will say again today. The Hawks need to be realistic about the cards they have here. There are only 2 “can’t miss” players in this draft. The 3rd best in my opinon is Corey Brewer, and he wouldn’t work well with our current roster. I belive Mike Conley is a great young talent, but he is not what this team needs now. He could be the next Tony Parker or the next Jaque Vaughn.

If Philly will trade Andre Miller for our #11 and some expiring contracts (Lue/Johnson) we need to do that. I would then draft Noah at #3. We don’t need him to score, but we do need his passion and energy!

The Hawks need to make the playoffs next year, and 2 rookies aren’t going to make that happen. Get some solid defensive minded players, to compliment the talent we do have.

If Billy doesn’t improve this team by at least 12 wins, he must be fired! In any other major City, he would have been ran out of town last year!

By Hawks insider

June 27, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Hawks information at [clubhawks.com]

Come one, come all.

By Volman

June 27, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Diehardhawksfan,

I think the Gasol trade might go down to just the #3 for Gasol..if this Amare to Atlanta trade looks like it might go down.

With that said, Jose Calderon wants to play with Gasol…and Toronto wants to trade into the draft (they just signed Delfino who could play SOME point guard)

So, the Hawks could trade #3 and possibly some fillers for Gasol, and then #11 for Jose Calderon.

That’s a one of a kind Spanish-connection!

I still would want Amare though…That’s ridiculous.

By HB Ando

June 27, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Dale, not only do I agree that any top player, with any type of contractual, or practical (ie: “I’d rather sit and not get paid until the Hawks trade me again”) leverage, will not willingly come to Atlanta, I’ve said so since Joe Johnson became the NBA’s poster child for “gonna get paid and be the #1 option for a bad franchise, and find out what losing feels like”.

KG ain’t coming here if he’s not willing to go to Boston. Amare doesn’t have the opt-out power that KG wields. But, from a spin perspective, and with the idea that Amare joining a lineup of Joe, Josh and Marvin makes this team one good point guard away from being a top-4 seed in the East, you have to believe that a quality PG WOULD be willing to come here and fill out our starting five. I mean, you throw in a cat from Alabama, like Mo Williams, and who can you say is clearly better in the East than that five?

Of course, if Billy had chosen Roy instead of Shelden, we’d have a backcourt of two 6’6 combo guards, both of whom have shown the skills to run the point effectively. All this talk about Billups is nice, but as one-dimensional is Hamilton is, in Detroit, I’m of the firm opinion that a Johnson/Roy backcourt would have been better than Billups/Hamilton. So, without even touching the Paul/Deron debacle, we just shouldn’t be having a discussion on how hard we have to reach, or have to pay, to finally, finally address a PG.

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Dale I said if he transform into a tiger.

By travis

June 27, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

(David Stern, walking to the podium)…”And with the 3rd pick of the 2007 N.B.A. draft, the Atlanta Hawks select…Yi Jianlin…with the 11th pick of the 2007 N.B.A. draft, the Atlanta Hawks have selected A.C. Law How would you all feel if this was the case? I would be okay with it provided they stil packaged a deal to get veteran help in here.

By Dale

June 27, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Macoroni; Charles could jump, Big Baby Can’t. Charles was ripped, Big Baby is just a fat—-. Big Baby is more of the Byron Houston type.

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

G Money I apologize about KG it was Jermaine O’Neal

(The Lakers, meanwhile, haven’t abandoned all hope of partnering Garnett with the increasingly frustrated Kobe Bryant just yet. Another concept in circulation Tuesday raised the possibility of a multi-team trade in which the Indiana Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal would go to Atlanta, with Lakers forward Lamar Odom and young center Andrew Bynum heading to the Pacers. That package, at worst, would send the No. 3 pick in the draft to Minnesota as the main payoff for Garnett.)

By Big Daddy

June 27, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Any of you guys complaining about BK got a job? You need to get a life and a job. It takes time to turn s—t into sugar.

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

Dale if Big Baby could have the heart of a tiger then he still could play the pf position. Charles Barkely was about Glen’s size a weight and he played the pf position fearless. Now he is a (HOF). He will have to develop a tigers heart but he is not for this Hawks team….

By G Money

June 27, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Mac Tony, what are you talking about? The reports I’ve read say that KG is either going to PHX or LA. I can ASSURE you that KG isn’t coming to ATL.

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

I am so crunk…… and our arena has reason to stay pack. It is call winning. I am on the winning train and I just want to say is go go go Hawwwksssss……. I am tired of defending our Hawks to these out towner’s who don’t love our Hawks and all the say is that we suck. We have a chance this season to contend against any team. It will be different this year. And we need to keep JC for JJ backup…

By Dale

June 27, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

The Flash Glen Davis is 6’5”

Evidence Funny as hell!

Ando I would love to see Amare here too, but no current NBA All-star is coming to the Hawks with the current ownership situation we have.

JohnGTfan Amare is the best young center in the league, PHX would be on crack to let him go for anybody outside of Kobe, Tim or Lebron.

By diehardhawkfan

June 27, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

I love Amare Stoudemire…but do you know how much better he looks with Steve Nash? Now picture Speedy and Ty Lue.

By mac

June 27, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

if Yi was form the states he would be #1. Have you seen Theo Papaloukas, the pg of Greece? One week ago he revealed that he wants to play in the NBA. I think Hawks must look at him. He is the MVP in Europe for three years in a raw.

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Not only are the Hawks in a three way trade rumor for Amare we are also in a three way for KG. I think that he will play for the Hawks. With either Amare/KG at the center position will be a contender in the East and we wouldn’t a door mat this season. So we have hope that the Celtic’s get back involve with this trade. I will see y’all at the draft party tomorrow…

By Evidence You're an Idiot

June 27, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

2000: Every GM in the NBA except Milwaukee’s: Michael Redd

2001: Every GM in the NBA except Golden State’s: Gilbert Arenas

2003: HALF of the GM’s in the NBA: Josh Howard

By Mak

June 27, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

If Yi was from the states would be the #1. Have you ever seen Theo Papaloukas, the pg of Greece? One week ago he revealed that he wants to play in the NBA. I think Hawks must looked at him.

By Mak

June 27, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

If Yi was from the states woul be the #1. Have you ever seen Theo Papaloukas, the pg of Greece? One week ago he revealed that he wants to play in the NBA. I think Hawks must looked at him.

By Mak

June 27, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

If Yi was from the states woul be the #1. Have you ever seen Theo Papaloukas, the pg of Greece? One week ago he revealed that he wants to play in the NBA. I think Hawks must looked at him.

By HB Ando

June 27, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Imagine how cool it would be if tomorrow night’s party at Phillips went from a “draft” party to a “We Just Traded for Amare Freakin’ Stoudemire” party!

I’m pretty sure this will not happen, as it is Billy Knight we’re talking about. And as happy as we’d be, you have to believe that Amare would be even more p** to be coming here. It does beg the question of what kind of off-court relationship Amare and Joe have (something deep in the recesses of my memory banks echoes that they were not real tight there, but that could be way off).

If there is any truth to the rumors, that we are even in such discussions, then it is a positive sign that the Hawks are active in the market, which hasn’t seemed to be the case during the last year and a half, unless you count acquiring two career back up PG’s.

And that Ellis rumor? Yeah, let’s give up the 11th pick for a player we passed on in the second round two years ago, to draft Salim. That’s smart GM work. Now that sounds a lot more like a Billy Knight move than pulling off acquiring Amare. So that will probably happen…….

Woke up this morning to see if my sense of foreboding dread, regarding how badly Knight will mishandle this draft, has lessened. It hasn’t. I feel like I’m going to attend an execution at Phillips tomorrow night, rather than the NBA draft. Or watching a show that is comprised of high-speed car wrecks, where you don’t want to watch, but you just can’t take your eyes of it. I’ve never wanted to be wrong about Billy Knight more than I do right at this moment.

By SSI Fan

June 27, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

If the Hawks draft Yi at #3, I will always believe that it was a decision made by ownership for business reasons rather than for basketball reasons. It will be reminscent of the ownership meddling when Rankin Smith owned the Falcons.

I don’t know what causes the infatuation with Luke Ridnour.

By G Money

June 27, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Yi makes good business sense. Amare makes good basketball sense. If we get Conley and Yi that would be a gold mine that erases all of BK’s past sins. All the dogs would have to muzzle it. It would then be on Woody, squarely on Woody. He’d have the tools both in the front court and in the backcourt to at least be in the first round of playoffs, injuries included.

I’m a little worried about the microfracture deal. How well can something like that heal? Isn’t it more susceptible to causing problems later if the same amount of stress is placed on it? Doc or anyone, do you have answers?

By BillyKnight Evidence of an Idiot

June 27, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Top 10 reasons to fire Billy Knight

1. Media Savvy

2. “We see Joe Johnson as a point guard”

3. He announces “We will draft Shelden Williams” (4 weeks before the draft)

4. Traded away Rasheed Wallace for?

5. The haircut

6. The Joe Johnson trade (Unrestricted free agent whom PHX couldn’t afford to re-sign)

7. Team chemistry Seven players on roster 6’ 8 ½” under 24, play same position

8. The Craig Claxton contract

9. Ticket sales

10. Mike Woodson

By BillyKnight Evidence of an Idiot

June 27, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Billy Knights record as Hawks GM

103-233

By A-Town Vet

June 27, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

If we can get Stoudamire get this done ASAP. Forget trying to get another PG. I was hoping we would swing a deal for Gasol or Garnett but this is much better. Those earlier deals for Luke and Ellis are senseless, neither one of them is worth lottery pick straight up.

By The Flash

June 27, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

somebody somewhere agrees with me The NY Times the other day had an article written by I think it was a player from U of P, evaluating a wide range of players in the draft. He said:

“GLEN DAVIS, forward, Louisiana State — For the life of me I can’t understand how “Big Baby” has dropped so far down most people’s draft boards. He’s got unbelievable feet, he’s a polished offensive player and he’s an engaging personality from both a marketing standpoint and a teammate’s perspective. He’ll be a fan favorite. I would be completely fine with my Wizards taking him at 16. He’d be an immediate improvement over Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas offensively. Of course, general managers are worried about his weight, so he may fall to the second round. I’d be even happier if the Wizards could grab him there.”

Now, if somebody, anybody jumps on my boy Coppenrath … .

By St. Bernard

June 27, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

Okay, I can’t believe this is actually a real rumor (which is a milestone for Bk to even have a positive rumor), but if we do get Amare then bringing in a pg will not be a problem. Mo Williams, Chauncey, and Bibby would have to consider it. There’s also the possibility of sending Childress or Marvin to someone with a pg like Calderon, Jack, or Ridnour. For the right package you might even get another lotto pick high enough to pick Conley.

If this deal were announced wouldn’t the teams pick for each other and then announce the trade after the last piece of the trade is picked or would they announce it before the draft????

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

That’s a lot of future Hall of Famers. LOL Easy, he has made dumb some dumb decisions, and I certainly won’t defend him..but most of your future HOF’s aren’t happening.

By Professor K75

June 27, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

If BK can pull off this Amare deal, I will forgive him for everything he’s done in ATL. Do you guys realize how much of a beast Amare is? Their is no one in the East that can mess with him. Maybe Howard, but that’s it. Atlanta is automatically one of the top teams in the east with Amare in the middle. If we can somehow send off Speedy in that deal(I don’t know how many years he signed for), we could sign a veteran PG like a Bibby and be a lock for the playoffs. Amare only makes 12 mil, so he shouldn’t do any damage to the wallets of the spirit. But I can’t see PHX trading both Amare and Marion and being contenders. I guess I’ve seen stranger things happen.

By BillyKnight Evidence of an Idiot

June 27, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

A Consistent Draft History of forwards who can’t score

2000: Billy drafted: Stormile Swift (PF)/
Passed on, Mike Miller (ROY), Jamal Crawford, Jamal Maglore, Quent Richardson, Michael Redd (future HOF).

2001: Billy drafted: Shane Battier (SF) Passed on , Joe Johnson, Tony Parker (future HOF), Richard Jefferson, Zac Randolph, Gerald Wallace, Gilbert Arenas (future HOF), Mehmet Okur, Bobby Simmons

2002: Billy drafted: Drew Gooden (PF) Passed on, Amare Stoudamire (ROY/ future HOF), Nene, Caron Butler, Tayshuan Prince, Carlos Boozer

2003: Billy drafted: Boris Diaw (SF) Passed on Josh Howard, Leandrinho Barbosa

2004: Billy drafted: Josh Childress (SF) Passed on Luol Deng, Andre Iguodala, Al Jefferson,

2004: Billy drafted: Royal Ivey (G) Passed on Chris Duhon

2005: Billy drafted: Marvin Williams (?F) Passed on: Chris Paul (ROY/future HOF), Derron Williams (future HOF), Channing Frye, Gerald Green (future superstar), Danny Granger

2005: Billy drafted: Salim Stoudamire (?G) (Maniac) Passed on: Monta Ellis, Ryan Gomes, Louis Williams (from the ATL)

2006: Billy drafted: Shelden Williams (PF) (The Slumlord) Passed on: Brandon Roy (ROY), Randy Foye, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, Marcus Williams, Paul Milsap, Daniel Gibson

We can rest assured this year Billy Knight will draft a forward and will not draft the Rookie of the Year.

By Lowcountry Bulldawgs

June 27, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Trade right now #3 and #11 if you can get Amare! Right Now, Billy if you have this deal on the table and do not make it…well I just can’t imagine it. Iwonder then if we did do this if we would have cap room to go get Bucks PG Mo Williams? Maybe 1st year mid-level exception then after sign him to a max deal?

PG-Mo Williams

SG—JJ

SF—M.Williams

PF—JSmooth

C—A.Stoudamire

Bam! Instanly a contender in the East.

By Lowcountry Bulldawgs

June 27, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

Trade right now #3 and #11 if you can get Amare! Right Now, Billy if you have this deal on the table and do not make it…well I just can’t imagine it. Iwonder then if we did do this if we would have cap room to go get Bucks PG Mo Williams? Maybe 1st year mid-level exception then after sign him to a max deal?

PG-Mo Williams

SG—JJ

SF—M.Williams

PF—JSmooth

C—A.Stoudamire

Bam! Instanly a contender in the East.

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

That would be nice, but we’ll either get Amare with no draft picks, or keep our picks and add more players. NO way are we getting someone the caliber of Amare without giving up both picks. The good thing is that after tomorrow, it will all be settled, then we’ll be back here blogging about how BK FINALLY got it right and there’s hope, or how he should stay locked in his house because of the fear he’ll have from the entire city of ATL. lol

By Macaroni Tony

June 27, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Why do everyone believe that MW and JC are bust? I believe that they could improve but if they are working out this off season then the results would be seen when they play this up coming season. I don’t think the best for SW but that was only his rookie season and his last month was good for him. I don’t believe that we should give up the third pick for Amare but the 11th pick and some dead weight would be great, and with the third pick still I would go after Yi.

Speedy, JJ, JS, Yi, Amare

Lue,FA JC, MW, SW/SJ, ZaZa

By GuyFromUruguay

June 27, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

Did anyone read the piece by John Hollinger on ESPN?

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2007/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollingerjohn&page=ProRater&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft2007%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dhollingerjohn%26page%3dProRater

It makes a strong case for drafting Conley (my favorite so far)… Horford isn’t that far behind but I’d prefer Conley.

Oh, to those asking for Spencer Hawes, he appears to be a bust at the NBA level, both the Hollinger stats and Draftexpress are way down on him. Sean Williams, OTOH, would be a no brainer at 11 if it wasn’t for his off-court problems (which is why I wouldn’t mind us passing on him).

And Hollinger’s has Stuckey as better than Critt and Law (and Critt as a better prospect than Law).

Then again, Hollinger’s stats had Shelden as the 3rd pick so take those with a grain of salt.

If ownership or BK don’t like what they see, I really hope they can pull a great trade because everyone up to the 16th pick project to be solid pros (and Durant is off the charts, the best college prospect in ages, with Oden very solid behind him)

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

Dale

We have to get our hopes up, we’re Hawks fans! LOL But seriously, we do have the PERFECT PIECES to put this particular trade together. Because Minnesota wants draft picks…high draft picks. So ATL entering the deal is ideal. The only thing that would hold this up is PHX dealing Amare. But again, are they finally tired of not having someone able to guard Duncan???

By Bertie

June 27, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

Yi also could be available at #11.

By BillyKnight Evidence of an Idiot

June 27, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

Point Guard Salary Comparision for 2007/08 season

Hawks Craig Claxton: 6.3mil Hawks Tyrone Lue: 3.5 mil. Hawks Anthony Johnson : 2.8 mil. Warriors Monta Ellis: 770K Mavs Devin Harris : 3.9 mil. Cavs Daniel Gibson : 687K Hornets Chris Paul : 3.6mil. Magic Jameer Nelson : 1.6mil. Blazers Jarret Jack : 1.2mil. Jazz Derron Williams : 4.0mil.

By Bertie

June 27, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Pick Conley and either Noah or Hawes at #11 if available. If not, trade down and pick a 2nd tier big (Sean Williams)

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

And you really can’t blame the guy. Who wouldn’t want to be a teammate of Steve Nash. And PHX, I believe, will cave in right before the draft and pull the trigger, parting with Amare to ATL. They are sick and tired of watching San Antonio win, mainly because they have no answer for Tim Duncan. This will give them a true shot at taking them down.

By Dale

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

People please don’t get your hopes up again. I promise for the 4th year in a row Billy Knight is going to break hearts on draft night!!!

Please stop with the Conley/Amare talk, it ain’t gonna happen. Outside of Josh Smith, the Hawks just don’t have the pieces to put together any trade of great significance. Joe Johnson is great but he has a max-contract which diminishes his value on the open market.

If the Hawks like Conley and draft him at 3#, they still will not be a playoff team. I don’t care how pretty he may be as a player, but at the end of the day you have to ask yourself, does Mike Conley make the Hawks team next year a playoff team?

If I’m Billy Knight, I’m on the phone with every GM in the league, and I’m offering everybody on my current roster (except Joe John and Josh Smith) and the two lottery picks for players to build around Joe and Josh!

Joe and Josh are the cornerstones of this team; everybody else are either old and too small at the position they play (Lue, Claxton, Wright) bust (Marvin/Sheldon/Childress) or need more time to develop (Solomon), and the fans are tired as Hell of waiting. We are the official laughing stock of the NBA. We have the youngest team in the NBA, but we have a coach that refuses to run. A drunk, nappy-headed, dumb*ss GM and clueless owners.

If you all want to continue to get your hopes up that’s fine. As for this Hawks fan, I’m going to remain a little bit more reserved.

FIRE BILLY, WOODY, AND THE SPIRIT GROUP

By Samuel

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

WOW,

We really need to get Monta Ellis. What about #11 and Marvin.

Then do that thang for Amare. Give them the #3 and whoever for Amare and WOW these Hawks are all of a sudden major players.

If not Draft YI at #3 and wait for the calls. The more I think about it, he would be the biggest barganing chip to have.

Great Work CUZ.

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

The only teams KG is willing to go to is L.A. and PHX, with PHX probably being the only one he will sign an extension. But he WILL NOT play anywhere else other than those 2 cities.

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this

No, KG will not come to ATL

By Reggie

June 27, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Sekou

I do not want Luke Ridnour. What makes him so good, and why would Seatle give up on him.

By Stinger

June 27, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

Sekou - Any chance we can deal directly with Minn. for KG if the Amare deal becomes unlikely?

I don’t believe Minn. can close Pandora’s Box and KG must be traded now.

Are quotes that KG now says he will opt out next year and play for the Mid Level Exception accurate?

By Boxer bird

June 27, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this

keep it comingSekou! You do a good job at keeping us informed on all things Hawks. let just hope your wish doesn’t come true and we send the 11th pich for Luuuuuuuke.

By Kapps

June 27, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this

Amare Amare Amare Amare Amare

Conley Conley Conley Conley

I’m giddy!

By stinger

June 27, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

The 3 way for Amare will require the hawks to send at least $7MM in salaries out to be legal under the salary cap rules.

Everyone who wants to keep the #3 and just add players to the deal for Amare are nuts. #3 is the key to the deal - all sources are reporting that Minn is targeting one player they love in this draft - Al Horford. No #3 - no deal. You might be able to keep #11 but would likely have to include Marvin.

Whom would the board prefer to receive - Amare or KG? I prefer KG because Amare’s microfracture repair scares me but **Amare costs $12MM vs KG at $22MM.

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

billy that would be very nice, but I don’t know if they would give him up. But I would like to see a PG added, and I think BK will. He has all but said there will be a new PG on the team next year, whether by draft, trade or FA. So even if this deal is done where we get Amare, I think ATL still adds a PG. And for Willie…it’s not too much for Amare. We have tons of young talent. We add an All-NBA Center, especially Amare…you can’t get anywhere near that in this draft. So no, I do not believe the 3 and 11 is too much.

By kirknga

June 27, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this

The #3 and #11 for Amare is a good deal, but it would still be step 1. The team still needs a PG. The Hawks would likely make it to the first round with just adding Amare, but to go deeper a team needs more than a “serviceable” PG.

By billy

June 27, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this

ARE YOU KIDDING?! If all we need to give up is expiring (or close to expiring - read: two years left on contract) contracts and two lottery picks for the best center in the league (who is only 24!!) then we do it. Nevermind he had microfracture (or something like that) knee surgery. I know it’s major, but Amare is MAJOR. We get a chance to get him in here especially without having to give up any young talent then we DO IT!!

BTW, if that actually does happen (and I say no way it does) then I say we have to trade either Shelden, Marvin or Childress to get a GOOD PG (not Ridnour). What are the chances that PHX would send us Barbosa for Marvin?

IF this could happen:

PG: Barbosa SG: JJ SF: Childress PF: JSmith C: Amare

By mountain_jim

June 27, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this

ALEKSANDER VOLKOV - Hawsquawk is not down - clear the ‘cookies’ in your browser and it will come back up for you

By Willie Coyote

June 27, 2007 7:19 AM | Link to this

I’d rather give up the 11 and a player or two for Amare in that 3-way deal. Giving up two lottery picks with no picks in return just doesn’t sit right with me. Maybe Phx will give back mext year’s pick

By JohnGTfan

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

My apologies everyone….it looks like in the 3-way deal that’s now called MOST LIKELY TO HAPPEN…ATL sends the no.3 and no.11 to Minnesota in the 3-way with PHX, and we get back Amare. And other than the 2 picks, we wouldn’t have to give up any of our young talent. I’d be all for that!!!
PG Claxton/Lue SG JJ SF Williams PF Smoove C Amare

Off the bench we have Marvin, Shelden, Chills, ZaZa….NICE
Now that roster would not only get ATL into the playoffs, but probably a top-4 seed, it would put butts in the seats, and reunite two friends and former teammates.

Here’s hoping for ATL FINALLY landing a true big

By JohnGTfan

June 27, 2007 6:04 AM | Link to this

I like Ridnour, but not for the no.11 pick in such a deep draft. He’s not bad, but he’s not good enough for that. I don’t believe we should take Conley at 3…but if we have to choose Conley at 3 or Ridnour at 11, then just draft Conley at 3. Amare won’t be coming here, because PHX wants Smoove, 3 AND 11 from us!

By Alex

June 27, 2007 5:00 AM | Link to this

Well… If we could land Amare for… let’s say Marvin (or Smoove), Shelden and 11, then draft Conley, that would be something! Just imagine this flying circus: PG Conley, SG JJ, SF Smith/Marvin/Chills, PF Amare/Smith, C Zaza/Amare…

By ALEKSANDER VOLKOV

June 27, 2007 3:00 AM | Link to this

Sekou, great to have another blog. With Hawksquawk down (terrible timing, btw), there is less Hawks information/rumors than I would like. Stay active these next few days. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say on Bill Shanks’ show.

Also Blog Z (and ideas like this are why Blog Z exists), please tell me what you see in Luke Ridnour. He has no defense, is a streaky shooter, and is a turnover machine. Out of the eight or so guys I have heard a scenario of us acquiring (both veterans and draftees), he is probably the worse thing that we could end up with. He couldn’t play over Earl Watson in Seattle. That’s pretty telling. Acquire any PG but him!

Keep up the good reporting. We’re depending on you for news these next few days.

By cashmere

June 27, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this

hord and law is a WAYYYY BETTER DRAFT conley cant shoot and how will he act without ODEN being able to make him look better than average

By DiehardHawksfan

June 27, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this

I was just wondering how many bloggers will be at the draft party. I have to go back to a post made by ejh, who seems enamored with Pau Gasol. I disagreed at first, but now ejh makes sense. Pau can play with his back to the basket, shoot the outside shot, block, rebound and…the best part, he’s still young, not like an injury prone, 33 yr old Marcus Camby. Hey, ejh, will you be at the draft party? Any more info on us doing this deal w/ Memphis, Sekou?

By A-ville Ranger

June 27, 2007 1:43 AM | Link to this

If we can land Amare for a reasonable price it’s a no brainer indeed.I don’t like the Ridnour trade at all.I’d rather have any of the top pgs in this draft than him.I’m really leaning hard toward Conley.If I knew we could land Hawes or Noah at 11 or trade up to get either,I’d be 100% (barring a trade) on the Conley wagon.

By Lacsho

June 27, 2007 1:39 AM | Link to this

Wow if BK picked Conley the pg spot could be locked down for 10 good years bar any serious injuries. Josh Smith would have to be looked at as a possible All-Star candidate. No doubt Conley would make everyone better, and he’s proven he lead a veteran Ohio State team to the National championship. Forget what you herd this guy has won on every level. He has excelled on every level. With his genetics he will not stop until he’s voted in the All-Star game. He’s still very young; therefore he still has time to grow. Eventually his body will catch up to his basketball IQ. Then it will be a wrap.

Dennis Scott said Solomon is working hard this off season, and then we have Josh working with the Dream. If this guy ever gets his handles together with low post moves it’s going to be fun watching a plan manifest into consistent playoff basketball.

I just have a feeling Marvin is going to breakout this year. We are sitting in a good spot if only this organization makes the right moves. Conley fits in perfect with this athletic team.

Please tell the rest of the league we are going to get it right this time, and lock down the pg position with a winner. You have to know this guy will work on his outside shot, but he is definitely a harasser on defense, and a playmaker on offense. He has the potential to allow us to play the way this team is built, and that’s an up-tempo pace with the ability to create havoc on dense.

I have said my peace. I will see everyone at the draft party.

Peace

By Just Say No To Yi

June 27, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this

And say no to Ridnour. I think the Hawks will take Conley, but they’re trying to pry something out of Memphis so they can swap picks with us and take Horford.Memphis is playing the same game with us.Either way, Conley is going 3 or 4. If he’s good enough to go at 4, we should go ahead and take him and a big guy at 11. Or if we take Horford at 3, then take Law at 11. Avoid Yi, Brandon Wright, and Crittondidn’t.