Sports Columnists

By Shannon

June 22, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

If you carefully watch both players you will see that LeBron does literally everything better than Wade. Wade is amazing and maybe the #2 or #3 player in the league but LeBron is already the best at 21. He 3 years younger, taller, and stronger than Wade. Wade already has a lot of nagging injuries at 24. LeBron has no such problems. Don’t get me wrong, the last two weeks I wouldn’t have traded Wade for anyone, but for a career I will take LeBron in a heartbeat. There is no Shaq in Cleveland. Imagine LeBron with a center like Shaq and other ex all-stars like GP, Walker, Zo, etc and then make your decision. Instead he has Eric Snow, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones.

By Tyger

June 22, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this

Finally, a lucid column from this guy. You make the case for the best player available eloquently, bottom line is you dont waste a high lottery pick b/c of needs. There are other methods to fill immediate needs. Top picks are used for stars not yeoman, you can get those off the street. Moreover, needs change, by the end of the summer, there will be a different need, right now we need to get the best basketball player available.

By Wink from Lithonia

June 22, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Shannon, Cleveland is one of a few teams that actually have a legimate center in Ilgaskas. The players you name are serviceable veterans and younger than the Miami trio of veterans. Pound for Pound D Wade is the truth. LeBron & Carmelo got the hype, but Wade was making strides in Miami before Shaq arrived. Granted the championship follows Shaq around like no other except maybe Robert Horry. They both need to learn to play 48 minutes, then it will really be exciting. D Wade just finished with the 3rd highest scoring average in NBA history. Don’t get me wrong LeBron will have a Hall Fame career, but I take D Wade. Yes LeBron is stronger and may have a longer career, if Wade should get injured. But he has played this way all his life. Championships follow a principle..you need a point guard and center to get one, LeBron is no point guard, he is really a small forward with awesome skills. They have a center in Cleveland, he just not Shaq, but my guess is Atlanta would take him right away. You can get the ball out of LeBron’s hands, then what?? D Wade has the ball, he has the ability to beat 3 defenders or make assist. Like the commercial…I take D Wade…all day baby all day!!

By andy

June 22, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this

Does any body really think that there is anybody in this draft that compares with any body in the top 5 or 6 of that draft class? With the hawks at number 5, they have really two choices: draft for need a point guard or a big physical player or trade down and still draft for need.the consensus is that the primary need is a point guard. I dont see that quality guard in the top picks.I do see a big man with the potential to be great Patrick OBryant.with him and maybe a point guard in the second round, the Hawks could finally have all the pieces to build a championship team.Fill in for the next couple of seasons with free agents and whatever we can ger for Harrington and Watch this team grow.

By Tim Raymond

June 22, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

Brandon Roy. Has the same skills as Wade, went to school a year longer than Wade, maybe is not the best athlete or the biggest player at his position, but that doesn’t really matter, as Wade is smaller than both Carmelo and James and they all could play fill the 1-3 spots.

We shouldn’t have to be drafting another key backcourt player as remember:

JASON TERRY?????????????

He played as well as Wade during the Finals and had to handle the ball more often and is better from the outside.

So even if we get somebody good, I’m sure they’ll trade them away for CAP SPACE.

Cap Space has never made an All-Star game or led a team to the finals, but he’s always going to help the Hawks win or so Billy tells us….

Right.

By zinte

June 22, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

Good Point Tim. Cap space means nothing when your team stinks. The Chicago Bulls found that out the hard way. Now they’re a true up & coming playoff team. Hopefully, the Hawks can follow suit. Good scouting means everything and the Hawks well,……….Priest Lauderdale & Adam Keefe? Hey, it can’t get any worse.

By Puke

June 22, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

Oh yes it can get worse Zinte.. we could draft Sheldon Williams

By Kyle

June 22, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

b.knight, plese take randy foye. he is bigger, stronger, and faster than marcus williams. he will be a great scoring point gaurd. put him along side jj, and that’s a pretty tough backcourt to matchup against. then you can use the pick in the second round to get a big banger on the inside

if not foye, then definitely go with o’bryant, and pick up a decent point (like farmar from ucla or washington from memphis)with the 33 pick

By Bob in SF

June 22, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Did someone say J Terry played as well as Wade in the Finals? Terry had three good games one of which they still lost. When his jumper stopped falling in game 6 he looked a lot like the guy who played no “D” and turned the ball over too much when he was in Atlanta. I hope they take Rondo and finally open up the offense with all of their good young swing men but Woody is a 1/2 court D first coach. They’ll take Sheldon (a very good, not great college player) who is too undersized to be an impact PF or C in the NBA and watch one of this years PG’s go on to star somewhere else.

By Ben

June 22, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

I agree that Roy would be a nice addition. The “rumor” is that Harrington in a sign and trade with NY for Channing Frye. That would be GREAT. Lets hope our GM won’t embarrass our team again this year. We still have plenty of money to spend via FA depending if we go big or small in the draft.

By Bob in SF

June 22, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

Channing Frye for Al? That’s such a bad trade in the Hawks favor I would laugh… except it’s Isiah and who knows what stoopid trade he will make next.

By chris

June 22, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this

the dwayne wade of this draft is brandon roy. The one thing that im hearing about roy that really excits me is that he can run some of the point. That would be something that he has that d wade doesnt. If we can get any of the following i would be happy: Marcus Willams pg uconn; rajon rondo pg kentucky; sergio rodriguez pg spain; brandon roy sg/pg washington; randy foye combo guard villanova; patrick o’bryant c Bradley. The people we need to stay away from are: the dirk wanna be; tyrus thomas; rudy gay; or any other swingmen. Billy knight needs to get it through his head that a team can not win with a bunch of 6-8 swingmen. we need a point guard or a combo guard that can run some of the point like roy or foye. with a good draft and free agency we will be in the playoffs. Two years ago we had 13 wins this past year 26, that means that this year we are due for 52 wins. I know that is a huge stretch and will not happen but that would keep the patern going.

By Bertie

June 22, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

Definitely the Knicks will not trade Frye for Al but probably we can get Mbenga and a pick from Dallas for Al. Mbenga could turn out to be a steal a la Zaza given playing time.

In the draft we need to pick the best pg to go along with our current core and forget about Paul. To me the best pg is Marcus Williams we don’t need a converter sg and hopefully with the 2nd round pick a good big will slip and be available. The exception will be if Aldrige slips to 5, which could happen especially if trades take place ahead of us, I will grab him in a hearthbeat and find a pg through free agency.

By TLS

June 23, 2006 07:28 AM | Link to this

Anyone see where Toronto traded two forwards for Nesterovic? Does that mean they’re not taking Aldridge? If Aldridge fell to us (which I still think is unlikely) that would be ideal. Yes, we need a PG but Hawks’ biggest problems last year were giving up too many offensive rebounds and too many layups. Defensive minded big is highest priority- don’t care if he can score. Trade down is good idea if we can get a quality player/pick for doing so. And why would Chicago do sign and trade for Al when they already have a ton of cap room? Wouldn’t they just sign him outright? And Villanueva for Al makes no sense from NY perspective- they want to unload salary not add it, and Villanueva is cheapest decent player they have.

By TLS

June 23, 2006 07:33 AM | Link to this

I meant Frye for Al- not Villanueva.

By Tom

June 23, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Anyone been thinking of the possibility of Belkin taking over, cleaning house and hiring Larry Brown?

Just a thought…

By Big Bree

June 23, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

I can’t wait for Belkin to take over the Hawks so Billy can go packing! After he goes, the coach needs to go next so we can get a real coach who knows his X’s & O’s. Woodson is a joke! Then when we have an experienced coach and ONE owner (not half the East Coast owning the team) veteran free agents might take Atlanta seriously and come play for us. Until then we need to look in the draft for a POINT GUARD & big man with the first pick. Andy mentioned that this draft doesn’t compare to the 2003 draft but not many people thought DWade would have been the impact player he’s been or won a title before James or Anthony. You can’t compare where a player from that draft is now to where a player in this draft is currently. There are some guards in this draft that the Hawks should take a deep look at, who have potential for solid production in the NBA. Teams can’t be led without leadership and right now the Hawks are like the Bad News Bears of the NBA before Buttermaker takes over!!

Oh yeah, DWADE over LEBRON……Mark you should know better not to ask a Hawks fan that question……..we’re tired of forwards and can appreciate a guard more right about now…….LOL!!!

By Big Bree

June 23, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

I can’t wait for Belkin to take over the Hawks so Billy can go packing! After he goes, the coach needs to go next so we can get a real coach who knows his X’s & O’s. Woodson is a joke! Then when we have an experienced coach and ONE owner (not half the East Coast owning the team) veteran free agents might take Atlanta seriously and come play for us. Until then we need to look in the draft for a POINT GUARD & big man with the first pick. Andy mentioned that this draft doesn’t compare to the 2003 draft but not many people thought DWade would have been the impact player he’s been or won a title before James or Anthony. You can’t compare where a player from that draft is now to where a player in this draft is currently. There are some guards in this draft that the Hawks should take a deep look at, who have potential for solid production in the NBA. Teams can’t be led without leadership and right now the Hawks are like the Bad News Bears of the NBA before Buttermaker takes over!!

Oh yeah, DWADE over LEBRON……Mark you should know better not to ask a Hawks fan that question……..we’re tired of forwards and can appreciate a guard more right about now…….LOL!!!

By gator

June 23, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait to see who the hawks draft if i was them i would draft Brandon Roy or Shelden Williams two guys i feel can make and impact right away Brandon Roy to me (best guard in the draft) can help Joe Johnson at both of the guard spot both can create for each other,and both can guard the one or the two which presents match up problems, and for Shelden Williams to me (the best post player in the draft for as rebound and defensive specalists he is already proven 4 quality years at Duke you do the math) he is an difference maker down low can rebound and block shot along with Josh Smith and then I would do and sign and trade with AL Harrington for and veteran player and a draft pick which provides leadership and depth on the bench the two major factor the hawks need to address besides the best player.

By gator

June 23, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait to see who the hawks draft if i was them i would draft Brandon Roy or Shelden Williams two guys i feel can make and impact right away Brandon Roy to me (best guard in the draft) can help Joe Johnson at both of the guard spot both can create for each other,and both can guard the one or the two which presents match up problems, and for Shelden Williams to me (the best post player in the draft for as rebound and defensive specalists he is already proven 4 quality years at Duke you do the math) he is an difference maker down low can rebound and block shot along with Josh Smith and then I would do and sign and trade with AL Harrington for and veteran player and a draft pick which provides leadership and depth on the bench the two major factor the hawks need to address besides the best player.

By Denise

June 23, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

First of all, you cannot compare apples to oranges. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are 2 totally different players with totally different styles of play. Now, as far as the Hawks are concerned, first things first. The Hawks owners are a joke. It’s too many of them. How can they even focus on a basketball team when they can’t even come together as men. The body cannot go anywhere without the head, and at this time, there is too much in fighting going on at the HEAD! Second, how can you justify keeping a coach year after year after year and you are losing and on the bottom of the food chain? The Hawks have had too many good players come and go, but it will not see anything in the win column until the current coaching staff is removed. End of story!

By ayersling

June 23, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Why does everyone keep talking about Patrick O’Bryant? Did anyone even know this guy was alive a year and a half ago? Forget about Williams, too. Why would the Bobcats trade two picks for one in a draft with no guaranteed franchise players? Harrington for who, the Dallas center who played two minutes and goal tended? They should re-sign Al(our main low post threat with tons of moves), go after Bargnani if available, forget about anyone named Williams as a pick, get Foye, Roy or Rondo if no serviceable big is available(Thomas, Aldridge, or Bargnani), go after Speedy Claxton, Mike James, and Ben Wallace, and/or talk to Minnesota about Kevin Garnett. Sheldon nor Marcus will be great players in this league(see athletic/speed as a reason).

By ayersling

June 23, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

James all day! He is younger and can shoot a three.

By hawksnumba1fan

June 24, 2006 12:42 AM | Link to this

I’ll take Wade any day everyday, I am and never was a Lebron fan, he is overated to me. Wade is a special player he makes those around him better.

By gary

June 24, 2006 02:19 AM | Link to this

roy can’t run the point, and should not be expected to. just like diaw, his talents could be best suited in other areas (if the hawks choose to draft him) the hawks need to sign roy and hope that farmar slips to them in the second. the hawks front office should look at themselves, they signed harrington, johnson, drafted williams, skipped on paul, and gave up on diaw. they need to bring someone in who the fans can get excited about. i’ve seen sheldon williams upclose for the last four years; he’s not the answer. he lacks an consistent midrange jumper and his “power” game will be neutralized in the pros. brandon roy is ready for the atl right now and he’ll put them in the stands.

By gary

June 24, 2006 02:19 AM | Link to this

roy can’t run the point, and should not be expected to. just like diaw, his talents could be best suited in other areas (if the hawks choose to draft him) the hawks need to sign roy and hope that farmar slips to them in the second. the hawks front office should look at themselves, they signed harrington, johnson, drafted williams, skipped on paul, and gave up on diaw. they need to bring someone in who the fans can get excited about. i’ve seen sheldon williams upclose for the last four years; he’s not the answer. he lacks an consistent midrange jumper and his “power” game will be neutralized in the pros. brandon roy is ready for the atl right now and he’ll put them in the stands.