AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > June > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USForget rumors — Hawks need a point guard
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
There has been this rumor floating around the Internet (which is Latin for: vast cesspool of disinformation) that the Hawks already have decided to draft Duke forward Shelden Williams.
Personally, I find it best to avoid rumors before drafts, unless they are from a credible source. For example, the National Enquirer this week has nothing about the NBA draft but it does have a really good story about Brad Pitt possibly not being the father of Angelina Jolie’s new baby girl.
This will mean nothing to Hawks fans, unless Billy Knight is projecting Shiloh as the Hawks’ next point guard because of her athleticism and long-term potential.
But that’s almost certainly not going to happen.
Probably.
General managers lie before drafts. Everybody lies before drafts. The big problem with the Hawks is that there have been so many bad selections and missteps in terms of player analysis and development - I’ll cite Boris Diaw and Jason Terry in these NBA playoffs - that the potential disinformation campaign floating online might be less scary than the team’s actual plan.
Shelden Williams was a nice player at Duke. He may or may not be a decent player in the NBA. But unless drafting Williams is part of some plan to shift one or two other bodies in that 6-foot-7 to 6-9 range off the roster for somebody who can really help, he does nothing for the Hawks.
He’s not a point guard.
The Hawks worked out three guards Monday. I would take that as a good sign if I thought public displays of affection meant something this time of year.
To say the Hawks need a point guard has qualified as a big, “Duh,” for some time now. But the mistakes of the past and the importance of that position became magnified in these playoffs.
The NBA, after years of thugball, mercifully is slowly swinging back to a scoring league. Players can’t hand check while holding slabs of concrete, anymore. There is more room to roam on the perimeter. It’s becoming a guard’s game again. (It could still be a center’s game, but the lack of many great big men prevent that.)
Terry, the former Hawks player, has blossomed into one of the game’s best point guards in these playoffs. In Atlanta, he was viewed as limited and something other than a building block. Go figure.
Phoenix made it as far as it did because of Steve Nash, who won his second MVP award. Chauncey Billups led Detroit to the best record in the regular season. Chris Paul - well, you know about Chris Paul.
Technically, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant aren’t point guards. But they don’t have to be. When the game is on the line, the ball is in their hands.
Everybody knew Wade was good. Few knew he might be one of the game’s three best players. Dallas is a deeper and better all-around team than Miami. To deny that is to give too much weight to the marquee value of roster antiques like Gary Payton. But the Heat took a 3-2 series lead back to Dallas with a chance to win a championship because of Wade, and only Wade. He has enabled Miami to overcome a superior opponent and the sporadic play of his formally teammate, Shaquille O’Neal.
The Hawks need somebody to run the show. They need a compliment in the backcourt to Joe Johnson. There has been little to indicate they will pursue a trade for Allen Iverson, even though he would make them infinitely more watchable. The thought that Terry would want to come back here in free agency seems laughable. Sam Cassell, another free agent, is a possibility.
But the way this league is going, one move for one veteran point guard isn’t enough.
If Connecticut junior Marcus Williams really is the best point guard in the draft, the Hawks should make him their pick with the fifth selection. If Knight doesn’t draft the right Williams - Marcus, not Shelden - or any point guard, there could be only two logical explanations:
He wants to lock the Hawks’ future into such mediocrity that Steve Belkin will drop his pursuit of the franchise in court. Or he has his eye on Shiloh.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By DavidU
June 20, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this
AI <—-and—-> Hawks
Make it happen please.
By hawks fan
June 20, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this
The Chris Paul no pick will haunt this team for years to come, nothing will remedy the situation. He is a 1 in 10 year PG, suffer the consequences.
By hawksnumba1fan
June 20, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this
I agree I wont no part of Sheldon Williams on this team. If we want Smoove to be the starting PF then we need to see how he works out there for some time. Marcus Williams is the player that we need . Not Sheldon Williams an undersized PF who will never dominate in this league.
By RichieRich
June 20, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this
I SAY TRADE DOWN
RAJON RONDO OR JORDAN FARMAR/ HILTON ARMSTRONG OR SAER SENE. DRAFT EITHER OF THESE IF WE MAKE THE TRADE WITH N.O FOR 12 AND 15. THEN WITH THE 33RD PICK- ANOTHER BIG/SHOT BLOCKER OR A SHOOTER
By NJ HAWK
June 20, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
Chris Paul was the qb of the leagues 27th ranked offense, so he aint that good. Give Marv a chance to develope and get some bigs in here. We lost because we couldnt defend on the interior not because we couldnt score. We avr. 5 ppg more than the team with the great Chris Paul who also cant defend by the way.
By gseagle95
June 20, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this
Richie Rich is on to something here. Definitely need to trade down. M-Williams and S-Williams can probably be had further down the draft board. We need bigs and a point. Perhaps, as Richie Rich suggests with the 12&15th picks select P.O’Bryant and Rajon Rondo. Later in free agency, make a run at Cassell and a vet Big in the mold of Charles Oakley.
By gdg73
June 20, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
NJ Hawk, this is not football. If the offense was ranked 27th, it wasn’t Paul’s fault. Get a clue. By the way, defense can be taught.
By Peter
June 21, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this
Is it possible to at least wait until they make the damned pick before we start tearing apart?
I swear the town loves Misery. The Hawks now have a core of really good young players and it takes time to learn the game at that level.
At least there’s some direction now and the game is opening up. I know you guy’s will hate it but there is the slightest chance that things will work out.
By hawk for life
June 21, 2006 01:11 AM | Link to this
any onewho saw the hawks play last year, know that our biggest problem was that whenever we took za za out, we didnt have any backup post players, we lost a lot of games because we could not match up in the post. our point guards are not that bad.
but we dont have any back up post players,draft big, o byrant, 7,0 260,this team is 2 years away from the playoff o byrant, will be ready by then.starting 5 z z phac,j smith,m williams,j johnson,r ivery.
bench: o byrant, j childress, s stomuire, t lue,d smith
need:just one more big and we could make the playoff 2007
,
By Rob Salisbury
June 21, 2006 02:32 AM | Link to this
Hey Atlanta, I’m from Chicago. Now that the finals are over I’m diving into the draft. This may sound crazy to you but out of Tyrus Thomas, Andrea Bargnani, or LaMarcus Aldridge,one will be available at 5. Marcus Williams is not a franchise point like Chris Paul. He’s the top Point Guard in a weak draft with weak strength at point guard. If Billy Knight is going with Shelden Williams, then Bargnani/Thomas/Aldridge would be a big improvement at PF/C, more than Williams would be at Point. Don’t believe me that they’ll be there?
So no matter what with Morrison and Roy locked there is one big left for Hot-Lanta, and my best guess Brgnani. He would be a big body to come in after Za Za against big teams (MIA, NY, TOR, etc.) and against the new age teams (PHX, DAL, CHI, etc.) Be able to spread the court and make everyone on the court be a 3point threat. Voila!
By Danny
June 21, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
We need a point guard if you look at the players in next years draft there isnt a highly regarded point guard. And if we stink it up again then at least we have a chance for Greg Oden. I think we should draft Marcus Williams and then trade Josh Childress (from Stanford) for Kwame Brown from (GA). The Lakers have Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm already at center. Then we sign NENE (restricted free agent) to an offer sheet. Plus we can do a sign and trade for Al Harrington for somebody. I think a young team that would develop together would be
Nene Hilario Kwame Brown Josh Smith Joe Johnson Marvin Williams Zaza Pachulia Salim Stoudamire Marcus Williams
By honest abe
June 21, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this
Biggest bunch of knuckleheads discussing ludicrous points of a regurgitated article. I usually enjoy reading what Jeff Schultz has to write, but seriously this one was bits and pieces of what Mark Bradley wrote last month.
I seem to find it funny how everyone like to criticize the Hawks for letting JT (who is very overrated) and Diaw (who would never have blossomed in ATL) go. Those players including Antoine Walker, Rasheed Wallace all have produced in the past(except Diaw) but have shown that they are unable to lead teams to greatness. JT is one of many good players in Dallas, Antoine didn’t start until the playoffs, and was still just a cog not someone expected to win them the championship, Rasheed was also one of many great players. The bottom line is great teams have more than one good player. You ask any basketball gm or scout and they will agree on this, THE HAWKS HAVE A YOUNG GROUP OF ATHLETIC, PLAYERS WITH POTENTIAL TO GROW. The upside to this team is a beautiful thing, now instead of just harping on past mistakes and coming up with quick answers, be patient and watch this current team develop.
People seem to think the Hawks are just one piece away from winning the Larry O Brien Trophy and they think a pg is the answer to all their problems. However, the Hawks didn’t struggle to score last year, they had major issues defending! The proponents of drafting a pg argue that the reason for the Hawks porous defense was the inability of the guards to stop opposing players from walking into the lane for layups. But based on that argument, Marcus Williams would be a horrible pick, he can’t guard me 1 on 1. Marcus Williams has neither quick feet, quick hands, or the instincts to jump into passing lanes. As the famous HB ANDO from the Hawks blos has previously mentioned, Marcus Williams avged less than 1 steal in college. How in the world is going to be able to stay in front of NBA ultra quick pg’s? So please stop with all this draft pg because we need a pg!
And all of you other morons crying about Chris Paul, IT’S OVER! Get over it, you guys were the same people clamoring to draft Marvin Williams. Besides it’s not like Marvin is a bust, he’s only played a year and still isnt’ old enough to buy alcohol. So take a second and take a deep breath and realize rome wasn’t built in a day.
Shultz I’m disappointed in you, coming up with an article that took absolutely almost not thought while playing to the feelings of the majority of people in Atlanta is the easy way out. I expect more out of you!
By therook
June 21, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this
honest abe…
finally a voice of reason.
The Chris Paul pick is a dead horse. But very interesting, in that in 1995 another franchise was faced with a critical decision. The year before, their leading assist person was the power forward. Going into the draft, a pg was available, but they went in a different direction. That PG, started starred and went to be rookie-of-year, lead the team in points, assists, steals. The other player, went on the average a modest 8 points, 6 rebounds a game for the year, which lead to an uproar. The team, was the Minnesota Timberwolves, the players, Damon Stoudamire & Kevin Garrett. Where is Damon now? Decent player, but not a star like KG. Now I’m not saying Marvin is KG, but hindsight everyone looks at the short term instead of the long term picture.
By glenn
June 21, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this
Chris Paul (no defense)is overrated & from what I’m hearing Marcus Williams could easily drop out of the upper half of the draft. I’m starting to think that center from Bradley is the way to go. They say his workouts have been stellar . We need an inside presents badly & I’m starting to think we could get a point guard with Chicago’s 2nd first round pick (#16 I think) for Big Al in a sign & trade . A pg either M Williams , Farmar & Rondo will be there.
By Stephen
June 21, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this
Jeff, I totally disagree. I think Sheldon Williams would be a great addition. He would bring rebounding shot blocking and toughness on the defensive end the Hawks need. I like the way this team is progressing and we Will
By Stephen
June 21, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
Jeff, I totally disagree. I think Sheldon Williams would be a great addition. He would bring rebounding shot blocking and toughness on the defensive end the Hawks need. I like the way this team is progressing and we WILL get a point guard in time.
By JayD
June 21, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
Glenn - Finally someone who has the teams best interests, and needs in mind (not just railing on BK and Woody!). O’Bryant is the man. We could never afford an athletic frame like that via free agency. On the other hand PGs are so much more of a value on the free agent market or even in the 2nd round. Furthermore, it would be nice to see someone block a shot every now and then, besides J. Smith.
By Outside Observer
June 21, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
I think a lot of people are missing the boat here. You have a gm who drafts for speed and athleticsm but hires a coach who specializes in brute force. Woodson may be a decent coach but not with the roster bk wants to use. One or both need to go. Preferably bk. He’s just laughably bad.
By JayD
June 21, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this
honest abe - I have to disagree with the bit about Shultz and Bradley(I don’t enjoy them at all!), but everything else was on the money. THE HAWKS HAVE A YOUNG GROUP OF ATHLETIC, PLAYERS WITH POTENTIAL TO GROW. - Only if they’re kept together! All of the trade talk, and other nonsense bantered about by AJC writers and some bloggers is just the reason the Hawks have been unsuccessful lately. We all need patience, with everyone (including BK!). If everytime an equation doesn’t work, and you change all of the variables, you will never find out which ones were good, and which ones were not. Real fans are excited about the Hawks, and the draft. I think they are on the verge of something really BIG!
By Don
June 21, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
Shelden Williams is a power forward and not a center? Has Schultz looked around the NBA to see what passes for centers these days?
I don’t see any reason Shelden Williams can’t be a Ben Wallace type player. He’s a helluva rebounder and shot-blocker, not quite at Wallace’s level but better than most of the big stiffs that pass for centers in the NBA. And while Williams isn’t going to be a go to guy on offense you’re not playing 4 on 5 like Detroit is with Wallace. Williams actually has some post moves and can hit free throws.
With 2 needs to fill, I think Shelden Williams is better quality than a slow footed, questionable shooting, laptop stealing point guard like Marcus Williams. No way Marcus Williams is worthy of anything close to a #5 pick, he’s the best of a weak group of point guards. He wouldn’t have even been in the conversation with Paul, Deron Williams and Felton last year.
By NL
June 21, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks grab a big with the fifth pick and grab a PG Dee Brown in the early second round.
By newbie
June 21, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
Don disagree on Williams…I think he is worse than a big stiff, hes a undersized stiff…we want to score in transition and run so we are going to draft an undersized F who works best in an half court offense?? I dont think he fits here….I do think he will be a solid pro but given what we are trying to do offensively we would be better served with an undersized F or C who can run the floor….there is not premium big many as far as I can see….like to see us take Aldridge or Obryant which ever is available…we can get PG in second round who is not much worse than the ones we could get at 5….like to see us take Will Blaylock from Iowa St because he is a ball distributer who has a big wingspan for D….Dee Brown will just end up being an undersized 2 and we already have one of those (stuadamire)…I agree we should let our core develop and get vets when we are close…not this season….if we could get Nene he would be the one man i would say we should GO GET.
By ayersling
June 21, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this
If Bargnani, Aldridge, and Thomas are gone, why not consider Pittsnoggle? I didn’t get to see him play much, but I know he can shoot. Or O’Bryant? Not Sheldon, though. He is a great college player but to go far at the next level, his game has to have an upside and I don’t see it. Honestly, I think any decision we make with the fifth selection, barring Aldridge, Thomas, or Bargnani being available, is a risk. I am glad I don’t have to make this decision and I think you have to keep in mind next year’s draft class because this one is weak. I don’t see us making the playoffs next year but just barely being on the outside, leaving us with a lottery shot next year and a top 3 pick is protected from Phoenix. All Hawks’ fans should pray that God is so kind, that he sends us Greg Oden. Forget playoff talk if that happens, I talking more rings than Mr. T. Ah pity this pick at five.
By Mark Patterson
June 21, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
IT is easy to see that the only logical pick fo r the hawks is to take the best and most promising point guard in the nation. That is Marcus Williams from uconn. He is the best passer that I have seen in years. He has a magic like sense for the game and Jim Calhoun has already called him the best point guard he has ever coached. If the hawks do not take Marcus they will regret it for years. Not taking Chris Paul a mistake not taking Marcus bad coaching.
By Trackstud
June 21, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this
I would love to see the Hawks trade down and get at least two picks in the first round. Charlotte’s picks at 12 and 15 are a possibility. I read a rumor that they were going to swap them with another team in the top 5. If we do that, like others have said, we can get a good DEFENSIVE point guard in Rajon Rondo, or a Jordan Farmar, AND an athletic big like Sene. I doubt O’Bryant drops that far, but if he did that would be a steal. If we want to keep the pick O’Bryant has been slowly moving up the draft board. He has an enormous amount of potential, but he would need some time, but the way we are going now we have plenty of that…
Also, in the second round, if we want to look at PG there, look at an international player like Yotem Halerpin out if Israel. He’s a big 6’5” point guard out of arguably the second best league in the world (can’t remember what it is right now) He has been impressive at the Eurocamp in Italy and can be had with our second round pick.
The best thing I can say about Sheldon Williams is he isn’t another swing man, but he is VERY undersized (he measured at 6’7”). Please say the rumors are true!!
By Charles
June 22, 2006 12:16 AM | Link to this
Get Randy Foye. He’s so much more athletic then Marcus Williams and has FAR more potential. His speed and JJ’s scoring would make for an interesting guard tandom.
How about a trade for Boozer? I know he’s worn out his welcome in Utah and we could actually afford him.
By Charles
June 22, 2006 12:18 AM | Link to this
sheldon is actually 6-9 :)
By dreambig
June 22, 2006 12:25 AM | Link to this
Another veteran possibility at PG I saw was Speedy Claxton, and I think he might be the right guy, who will stablize the position and make everyone around him - Johnson, Smith, Marvin, - all better. I would rather see Hawks going with a Center, if O’Bryant is available.