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DEL.ICIO.USNothing bold about this pick
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
New York — Billy Knight didn’t take a point guard, nor did he take the best available athlete. Knight, for reasons known only to him, instead drafted an undersized center who will be a capable NBA player but never an All-Star. With the No. 5 pick, Knight chose Shelden Williams.
A month ago, Knight insisted the Hawks weren’t yet in a position to draft according to positional need, but what was this pick if not an attempt to address the certain loss of Al Harrington? What was this if not a half-measure for a team that is, under its blunt and self-assured GM, supposed to be painting only in bold strokes? What’s bold about Shelden Williams?
He isn’t a point guard, like Marcus Williams (who inexplicably lasted until the 22rd pick). He isn’t a combo guard, like Brandon Roy and Randy Foye (who went just after Shelden Williams). He isn’t even another of Knight’s beloved swingmen, like Rudy Gay (who went just after Foye). All those worthies were available to Knight, same as Chris Paul and Deron Williams and Raymond Felton were a year ago. Yet again, the Hawks have taken a lofty pick and selected someone who isn’t about to change the face of a franchise that could sorely use changing.
The nice thing about Shelden Williams is that he’s low-risk. He’ll do much as he did at Duke — clog the lane, chase rebounds, block some shots. The not-so-nice thing is that he has less of an upside than you want from a first-rounder, let alone a lottery pick. “I’m assuming they needed a rebounder, a banger,” Williams said Wednesday night. But are the long-suffering Hawks so far advanced that they can take a role player? And if they are, then why didn’t they take a point guard, a combo guard, any kind of guard?
“We think Shelden is a good basketball player,” Knight said, “but he fills a need for us also. We finished next-to-last in points scored against us in the paint; next-to-last in defensive rebounding, and last in 3-point plays against.”
Playing either power forward — and Williams, who’s listed as 6-foot-9 but appears 6-8 at most, has always considered himself a forward — or center, Williams will help upgrade those areas. But weren’t greater upgrades at hand? Wouldn’t Marcus Williams have put the Hawks’ many pieces in their rightful spots? Wouldn’t Roy or Foye have taken some of the ballhandling load off Joe Johnson? Wasn’t this the most curious of Knight’s picks to date?
Shelden Williams didn’t work out for the Hawks. (He did note, not incorrectly, that a lot of Duke games were televised.) But if you watched Williams at all as a collegian, you know he posted superb numbers against a conference that wasn’t laden with gifted bigger men. And Williams, who holds the reputation as an ace defender, yielded a surprising number of big performances to opponents like N.C. State’s Cedric Simmons (who outscored Williams 28-21) and Indiana’s Marco Killingsworth (34-13) and North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough (27-18). Even Luke Schenscher had some nice nights against the Landlord.
Williams won’t hurt the Hawks, but he won’t help in the way a No. 5 pick should. (Then again, Marvin Williams didn’t exactly dazzle as the No. 2 selection overall.) There were better investments to be found, maybe even a half-dozen. Knight didn’t find them. Knight keeps constructing a roster without really building a team.
This marks the fourth draft under this GM, and not once has Knight shot out the lights. Unless he can find a point guard in free agency, Knight will have again let an offseason pass without giving his many acquisitions a chance to better themselves. The Hawks were 26-56 last season. Add Shelden Williams. Subtract Al Harrington. Do you see a net gain? Do you see any reason to feel better about the Hawks today than yesterday? Do you see any heightened promise of a brighter tomorrow?
Me neither.
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Comments
By Eric
June 28, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
Let’s face it…the Hawks suck and Billy Knight is in la la land
By DavidU
June 28, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this
This pick sucked, specially since it was ANOTHER 6-8/6-9 Player
By EW
June 28, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this
Very disappointing. Even if you are stubborn and feel that Shelden is your guy, why the HECK do you not trade down 5 spots and take him then. NOBODY else wanted him that high. Thanks for nothing, Billy!
By EricD
June 28, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this
WTF!!! 2 more 6-9 players
By JOE
June 28, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this
YOU JUST LOST ANOTHER FAN BILLY… CONGRATS. WE JUST PICKED UP A DECENT PLAYER WITH A #5 PICK INSTEAD OF MINI-DWANYE WADE IN FOYE. I LOVE THE HOME TEAMS, BUT I CAN’T WATCH OR ATTEND THE HAWKS ANYMORE UNTIL BILLY KNIGHTMARE IS GONE
By NBAstillblows
June 28, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this
This column could have been written in six words: Billy Knight is still a joke.
By billyknightsux
June 28, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this
And guess what the Hawks picked in the 2nd round?
ANOTHER FREAKIN’ POWER FORWARD!!!!*
The Steve Belkin Era cannot start too soon.
By Greggo
June 28, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this
Bradley, you nailed this one, for once. Sheldon Williams is a nice player and certainly ready to play after 4 years in the ACC. But this team still has no one to distribute the ball to the roster full of 6-9 forwards. BK is an idiot. Like someone else said here a while back, BK just keeps the “rebuilding” inching ahead and keeps those paychecks rolling in. Steve Belkin will clean up this mess….
Fire BK and Woody !!
By Alan
June 28, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this
Bet on it ….
Shelden Williams is the NBA rookie of the year and a GREAT pick for the Hawks and this is coming from somebody who hates Duke.
Make sure all you Shelden bashers eat your crow just like you did about Andruw. Yes Mark Bradley, I’m referring to you also.
By alan
June 28, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
Comparing Foye to Dwayne Wade is like comparing a Pinto to a BMW. For somebody to even make that comparison is humorous at best.
By Scott
June 28, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this
Billy Knight is too arrogant for someone who has never won. How can someone possibly be so self-assured when the team is losing so badly? After listening to interviews with him on talk radio, I truly think that Billy thinks he is smarter than the rest of the league. He comes across as patronizing to anyone who would dare question his selections. Meanwhile, the Hawks continue to suck. The Hawks have done so poorly that one almost yearns for the mediocre teams of Lenny Wilkens. Almost. Billy Knight is a joke. This pick is utterly retarded and we need someone new pulling the trigger. The best pick the Hawks can make at this point is the choice of new leadership. Rhetorical question of the day: How long do you think Billy Knight would last working for George Steinbrenner?
By I Give Up Hawk
June 28, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this
If Knight does not have a trade or free agent signing up his sleeve, then he will be toast. Has anyone heard any rumors about Harrington and a sign and trade?
By billyknightsux
June 28, 2006 11:32 PM | Link to this
Is there any chance at all at this point that Dee Brown falls out of the 2nd round and is available as a free agent? And, if there is, is he stupid enough to sign with the Hawks and the certified morons that run the team?
By The Freak
June 28, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this
Alan- the bigger question is where you will be when Sheldon Williams lays his egg.
Billy Knight and deadweight Woodson need to hit the road. To compound the idiocy, Knight basically announced the Hawks pick 3 weeks before the draft even occurred. This is OK with the #1 pick, but the #5? Who knows, maybe another team would have come to Atlanta with a deal for the #5 spot. You can rest assured that Williams would NOT have been selected in the top 10 by any other team.
Atlanta Spirit have proven to be total softies and will put up with poor leadership just like those putzes Babcock and Kasten did for years. I am ready to take my chances with Belkin. The Hawks are forever cursed!
By billyknightsux
June 28, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this
Never mind… Dee Brown off the board to Utah with the 46th pick. And Daniel Gibson off the board to Cleveland with the 42nd pick.
Dang.
By The Grinch
June 28, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this
If a serious deal for a point guard is in the works, this might be a pretty good pick. There IS, after all, a lot of young, athletic talent on this team. If nobody shows up, however…
By AndyM
June 28, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this
I thought Pete Babcock was the worst GM in Hawks History, but Billy Night has taken the Crown! Night, with the backing of the Atlanta Spirit ownership group, has made terrible draft picks and even worse trades. I supported Steve Belkin in his decision to veto the deal for Joe Johnshon last year and I’m looking forward to Belkin getting his chance to own the team outright and bring in his own GM and Coach. I think Belkin will keep Dominique around in a front office/player development role as I think he respects Dominique’s contributions to the franchise over the years.
By hawk for life
June 28, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this
starting from mark bradley, to the rest of you dont know anything wantabees, shelden williams. will be a fine additions to the atlanta hawks, when ron artest, came out of college 6-7,245lb was he consider a aiistar? what about buck williams 6-8,230lb one of the best power forwards ever. dennis rodman 6-8,215lb. did he play powerfoward?and sometimes guarded centers? shelden williams, is as strong, physical,and athletic,as any of those players. he was a safe pick, just like chris paul, was a safe pick for the hornets, lastyear.
By vdunkndunk
June 29, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
Drafting a PG won’t bring Chris Paul back y’all. So many people here wanted Marcus Williams at 5, but he fell into the 20’s. Now THAT would have been reaching.
OK, so a PG might help the offense. But we already averaged 97 points a game last year…we were actually in the top half of the league in that category.
The problem was that we were in the bottom 3 in nearly ever defensive category (opponent’s field goal percentage, defensive rebounding, points in the paint, points allowed, etc.). How would a gaurd help solve those problems?
By Billy Knightmare
June 29, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
I don’t care what you loser fans think. If you don’t like the team, then just shut up and don’t watch us OK? I know a lot about basketball, and I know that it is posible for a roster of 12 6-8 players to win in this league.
By I Give Up Hawk
June 29, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this
hawk for life - i don’t disagree with you. it’s just that williams was not the sexy pick… he was the safe pick. if you look at last year’s draft and the year before, the talent knight drafted wasn’t bad, he just refuses to address blaring needs (pg). however, i disagree with everyone, i think the hawks need a pg that has some experience in the league. so, i do believe he will grab a veteran point guard (mike james - who is use to playing for a loser) and sign/trade harrington to the nuggets for nene (c). if not this, then he will trade for iverson.
By "D" in Houston
June 29, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this
It wasn’t a sexy pick….but a solid pick. The guy is 15-10 every night. If we come away with a solid guard from free agency….ala Bobby Jackson, we are going to make the playoffs.
By I Give Up Hawk
June 29, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this
the draft is not an exact science. a lot of times a player needs to be in the right system. only guys that are other-worldly talented can play for any team and become super stars. a guy like williams will become a solid nba player. but if he is in the right system, his return could very well outweigh the initial investment. and guess what, he fits into woodson’s coaching style. this guy is going to do the dirty work (and all teams need this type - ask dallas).
By Wes
June 29, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
I love the Hawks and we have got a very exciting team. However, the only thing that will make S. Williams a good pick is if we are able to get a vet point guard in free agency and somehow figure out how to draft Greg Oden next year. That will give us a vet leader and more depth down low. That team would be AMAZING!
By jcwfalcon
June 29, 2006 12:33 AM | Link to this
Playoffs?
Playoffs??
Who said anything about PLAYOFFS???
By Jay
June 29, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this
”. Add Shelden Williams. Subtract Al Harrington. Do you see a net gain? Do you see any reason to feel better about the Hawks today than yesterday? Do you see any heightened promise of a brighter tomorrow? “
No, no, and no.
By Ken Strickland
June 29, 2006 01:27 AM | Link to this
Contrary to what a lot of fans might think, this was an intelligent pick. With 8 of our players having 1-3yrs of experience, the Hawks do not need another player with potential that needs developing. Neither do we need an inexperienced PG trying to run a team of players with limited experience. Harrington was our only low post threat and he won’t be returning. J. Smith was the closest thing to an inside defender we had last yr, and he was our SF. We needed a versatle, NBA ready inside player capable of providing inside scoring, rebounding and DEF far more than any rookie PG. We can still get an experienced PG either through FA or a trade.
By Chris
June 29, 2006 02:10 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, you suck. you know nothing about basketball and dont realize that sheldon will help the hawks in the low post. we still have free agency and you suck as a writer!!!!!!!!
By Jeff
June 29, 2006 03:53 AM | Link to this
i hope for knight’s sake that he trades for allen iverson. i think he will. maybe childress or s. williams, or m. williams….just so long as they keep zaza, j. smooth, j. johnson and one of the williams’, it will be worth it. a.i. wont bring us a championship, but our team will have enough role players to get us to the playoffs an a.i. will create interest and enthusiasm for fans in atlanta.
if he doesn’t get iverson though, he’s mentally retarded for his actions in the past two drafts. and what is sad is that no one will have the balls to fire him amongst this current ownership. the only light at the end of the tunnel is steve belkin.
but if knight get’s iverson, it’s cool.
By Chris
June 29, 2006 04:13 AM | Link to this
I wonder how many times you have to say, “The Hawks can’t possibly screw this up,” before it becomes reality.
By p
June 29, 2006 05:11 AM | Link to this
if the hawks left town today, would anyone care?
no
By Billy Knight
June 29, 2006 05:22 AM | Link to this
Dang, Mark Bradley! Why you gotta be hatin’ on a brutha like dat! Shelden Williams is the bomb, G! He’s da truth, yo! It’s all about the fundamentals, fam! Da fundamentals, yo!
Dats why I gots me a bunch of role playaz. I can trade dem fo’ All-$tarz too, yo. check dis’: I traded Diaw fo’sho and gotz J.J. Errbody thinks Diaw’s a star, but he couldn’t had dunn it widdout Nash, da two-time MVP, son. But yo, Diaw couldn’t do nuthin by hisself in da ATL, but look what J.J. dunn did. He’s da truth, too.
Da Hawks is da truth. Yo, check dis, I’m boutsta sign-n-trizzade al harrington and gestme a guard or a center, yo.
then we’z be seein’ what my boy Bradley writes. I’m sure brutha will find sumpin’ negative to write, cuz he alwayz be hatin’.
By q
June 29, 2006 05:32 AM | Link to this
p, you wrote:
“if the hawks left town today, would anyone care?”
that’s like saying:
“if a tree fell in the woods, would anyone hear it?”
i guess you pose an interesting question.
By Pete Babcock
June 29, 2006 05:34 AM | Link to this
I would have drafted Roy.
By Billy Knight
June 29, 2006 05:36 AM | Link to this
Shut up, Pete.
By Pete Babcock
June 29, 2006 05:40 AM | Link to this
SCREW YOU, BILLY!
You think that just because you stole my job that you can just destroy everything I put together and draft horrible players just to spite me? You are so unrightfully arrogant!
By Billy Knight
June 29, 2006 05:44 AM | Link to this
“Unrightfully arrogant”? Are you kidding me? You were the one who traded Dominique Wilkins the year we were heading into the playoffs as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. But not only did you trade the face of the franchise, the “Human Highlight,” the only reason the Hawks were worth anything, TO THE CLIPPERS FOR DANNY MANNING!
That’s just evil. You’ve got nothing on me, you fool.
By Pete Babcock
June 29, 2006 05:48 AM | Link to this
Well Billy, I guess you’re right about that. I really have no good reason for trading ‘Nique. I mean, Manning just signed with another team after the season, so I really did kick him to the curb. I would say I regret it, but then I’d be lying.
Anyway Billy, screw you. You should have drafted Roy. Later.
By bark
June 29, 2006 07:06 AM | Link to this
Great pick! WE NEED VETERAN TALENT NOW TO ADD TO OUR YOUNG TALENT AND LET IT BE A PG. We will get a veteran PG in free agency to drive this team.
By Mark
June 29, 2006 07:12 AM | Link to this
Give us Belkin, lose the Knightmare !!!!!!!
By Dude
June 29, 2006 07:32 AM | Link to this
Who knows what Billy Knight will do next? Maybe he will make an unbeleiveable trade for a proven point guard. My argument is not with his picks as much as it is his deal making skills.
I think it is obvious to most people he paid too much last year for Joe Johnson and now this year, the Hawks organization is dumb enough to let out their intentions to draft Williams (anyone help me understand why you would lock in or announce your intentions, their is no benefit). I guess we will never know if someone would have given us a player or pick to move up and allow us to pick Williams in a slot where he should have been selected. Maybe we don’t get someone to trade up with us, but with everyone in the known world knowing what Billy Knight was going to do, we will never know. A lot of trades last night, but who would trade with the Hawks for the number 5 pick? No one in their right mind.
By Charles
June 29, 2006 07:34 AM | Link to this
I give up hawk,
I hope you are correct because I cannot believe no point guard. What are we doing? I hope this works out. Shelden Williams does not make us better. We need a banger that alter and block shots. Eat up rebounds!!!!!
By Desmond
June 29, 2006 07:35 AM | Link to this
I think the pick was a serious mistake. Sheldon Williams is an ok player, but the question still remains: Why get an ok player when you could get an Roy or Foyle that would create an excellent 1,2 punch with Joe Johnson. The Hawks have the right coach, but the wrong GM. BK is by far the worst when it comes to drafting and if there was a pot of gold and a pot of silver in his face he would chose the pot of silver. How sad.
By dap
June 29, 2006 07:46 AM | Link to this
2 - 6’9” players, arrogance, no point guard, no center, no plan, no fans, no additional wins. Belkin will be a plesant addition. Isiah Thomas and Billy Knight are both terrible, but atleast Isiah has a personality. I bet while other GM’s were working on the phones last night, getting all of those deals done, Billy was sitting alone (with his friends)
By RA
June 29, 2006 07:56 AM | Link to this
Oh make no mistake Mr. Bradley. We needed someone big, ugly, and mean in the low post. Mr. Williams fits the profile. Yes, I believe that he will serve quite nicely as an intimidator in the low post. Aside from that, we didn’t need another scorer. What we need is a center and a veteran point guard, somebody proven. Jason Terry wouldn’t be a bad idea. In any case, we have the money to pursue premium free agents. Don’t give up quite so quickly.
By Mark
June 29, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
If you listen to Baby Gearon, he’s an expert on the NBA and his Daddy started the NBA with Ted Turner. Or was that Al Gore?
Anyway, if Steve Belkin will get rid of Knight and stop this annual pick of the 6’8” guys for Atlanta, then I will shift my support to the Boston guy. This is a joke - as others have said.
But the unfortunate thing is that while the ownership is totally focused on court cases, this franchise is run by a power-hungry, incompetent GM. Thank goodness the Thrashers have a legitimate GM or we would have a total meltdown. Bernie Mullen - you’ve got to get some control, old buddy.
By billy g
June 29, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this
The offseason is not over.
By billy g
June 29, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this
The offseason is not over.
By Mitch
June 29, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
Sheldon Williams is the best defensive big in the draft. Solomon Jones is a sleeper…just ask Jim Calhoun. Jones gave the hearlded UConn front line a night to forget.
The Hawks needed interior defense and they got it. And…Sheldon Williams is a solid offensive player and the best clutch free throw shooting big in the draft.
The best guards in this draft were combo guards, which the Hawks already have in Joe Johnson and Salim Stuoudamire.
The point guards in this draft have conspicuous flaws…which is why they fell into the 20s. Marcus Williams lacks speed and self-discipline. Rondo can’t shoot. Lowry doesn’t create off the dribble the way a good PG should. None of these PGs are ready to start in the NBA.
If the Hawks can sign Bobby Jackson, they would have a far better PG than any PG in this draft…and a young veteran heading into the prime of his career.
I am 100% in favor of what the Hawks are doing.
By Wildcat7
June 29, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this
Since Billy Knight is operating under the WORST ownership situation in professional sports, he does not have the luxury of making bold decisions, as some sportwriters have ignored in their analysis. Red Auerbach couldn’t build a winner with this franchise so long as the ownership is spending more time IN court than paying attention to what’s on the basketabll court.
By Danny
June 29, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this
Hey I like the pick. Who did you want them to pick at 5? We have Joe Johnson (shooting guard ), Josh Smith (small forward) and Marvin Williams (power forward). Did you want to pick a shooting guard (Roy ) and sit Joe Johnson. We just paid a bunch of money for him you know. What about Rudy Gay oh yea we would to have to sit Josh Smith? I thought everyone liked Josh Smith and Joe Johnson? Than it leaves Randy Foye and what they say about him is Weaknesses: Some consider him more of a combo than a true point guard .( oh yea we got that in Joe Johnson).. Isn’t a natural at setting the table and running the show as a point guard but has shown improvement in that area … With Lowry playing the point, some of his deficiencies are covered up … His passing ability is decent, but not great for a point guard … Can be too aggressive at times offensively forcing bad shots … Aggressiveness defensively can lead to foul problems, he can also get caught gambling for steals. What we have in Shelden is Strengths: Burly power forward with a no nonsense approach … Great experience, 4 years at Duke has given him a strong foundation with a great skill level and solid fundamentals … Hard worker who has developed a reputation as a great kid … Extremely strong body … Deceptively quick and athletic … Sticks to playing in the post, where he dominates on the NCAA level … Tremendous wingspan allows him to play like a 7 footer … A real defensive presence, a shot blocker who won national defensive player of the year as a junior … Averages close to 4 blocks per game as a senior … Should be able to guard centers in the NBA … Great rebounding ability, boxes out well … Understands how to defend, has become disciplined (blocks a ton of shots without fouling out very often) … Range on his jumpshot has shown improvement through hard work, along with his free throw shooting … Fairly consistent out to 12-15 feet … Posts up well and uses his strength well to score … His post moves have really developed well in his 4 years at Duke, including hooks and drop steps … Touch around the basket is good and converts well after contact.. The only move I would have like to see done is when Marcus Williams fell to 22 I would have like to seen the Hawks trade some cash and their second rounder maybe to move up and grab him.
By Billy Knut
June 29, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
Billy Knight says “Gee Boss, our job sure would be easier if we didn’t have fans.”
By StAugDawg
June 29, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this
I watched Sheldon play at Cameron Indoor Stadium on several occassions…He is over-rated. Yeah he can make some freethrows but he got so many calls (and stayed out of foul trouble) b/c of Coach K…He will NOT get the benefit of those calls in the NBA
Billy Knight is an idiot…BRING ON BELKIN!!!!!!
By The Tree
June 29, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this
Is there any chance St. Louis would want to take back the Hawks and BK & RW with them?
By Jon
June 29, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this
It is just hip right now to be critical of the Hawks. Williams is a good pick and a type of player that was needed for this team. I love how everyone is saying take a point guard in this draft, a rookie point guard with the youngest team in the NBA, how do you think that would have turned out? If any of the point guards had been drafted there would have been criticism half way into the season that a point guard should have been acquired not drafted.
By Jim O
June 29, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this
wes, you are right - we need gred oden next year.
maybe billy did the right thing (other than trade their #5 for somebody’s first round next year) in that he is trying to guarantee another high lottery pick. we all certainly know he did not do anything to help the team win next year!
By Tom
June 29, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this
Knight lets everyone know that he’s taking Shelden weeks ago which destroys your trade possibilities. Horrible.
Williams is a big reach at #5.
Williams got a lot of his stats because he played with one of the most talented college teams in NCAA. Defenses were devised to stop Reddick on the perimeter leaving Shelden down low without much resistance.
Dude is very mechanical down low. He’s also undersized a bit. Those blocked shots will not translate to the NBA.
Finally, we draft a guy whose ceiling is that of….Dale Davis….maybe. Wow.
Why couldn’t the Hawks trade up to get Marcus Williams like so many other teams were doing? Throw in a player and your 2nd round pick and move up! At least we would have had Marcus Williams which would have lessened the pain of netting Shelden at #5.
Billy…you BETTER get a point guard and a good one or this is your last NBA job. Your career is on the line.
By HawksW810
June 29, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
Ben Wallace is 6’9”, plays center and was not drafted, I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to make such a comparison. The guy can play the post and this team needs a banger.
By jimbo
June 29, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
Sheldon williams could possibly be the next Ben wallace. Wallace also wasn’t thought so highly of. the hawks need someone to play a Big Ben role there
By jimbo
June 29, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
DO anyone know anything about soloman jones? Because i have never heard of him.
By Rutuger
June 29, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this
**ATLANTA HATES YOU, BILLY KNIGHT! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE AND QUIT DESTROYING BASKETBALL IN THIS TOWN!!!
Come on Steve Belkin!!! We need you!!!**
By Sue
June 29, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this
Why is it our pick was the only pick everyone knew? Everybody in the league knew that we were taking S. Williams 2 weeks ago. Aren’t you supposed to be silent about who you are going to choose? Do most general manager’s let everyone know who they are going to pick? No one even knew who was going number 1. Maybe I am wrong on this.
By dmoore
June 29, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this
This wasn’t nearly as bad a pick as folks are saying. Sheldon was the best defensive big guy in the draft, and that was a serious need the Hawks needed to address. There were no point guards available that were even close to being a top 5 pick. The comment that we could have traded down to, say, 10 and still have gotten Sheldon is probably right, though. On the other hand, there were very few players in the draft ready to play right away, and Sheldon was one of them.
The best all around player available was easily Brandon Roy, and it might have been smarter to pick for talent over need. He may have been the only other player still available in this weak draft (I’m not certain about Foye) who was ready to play right away.
On the other hand, there were solid point guards to be selected in the 2nd round. Dee Brown would have been a very reasonable (albeit undersized) pick at that slot in the draft, and might have a far better NBA future than some point guards picked earlier (Rondo).
By Jim
June 29, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
I have a question. I don’t follow too closely so I’ll leave it up to the experts. Why are the Hawks letting Al Harrington go? The few games I watched he looked like one of the two best players on the team. He’s experienced. He performs. Is he too expensive? More expensive than Williams? What’s the deal?
By Carlton Powell
June 29, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this
My sentiments can be summarized in one word, WHY?? Everytime we all try to give the Hawks the benefit of the doubt, they goof it up again. Oh well, things NEVER change. I am sure there are a lot of fans like me around the metro area. In 1972, I went to 18 Hawks games, and then playoffs. I attended the FIRST NBA game played in the old Omni. Now, I would not walk across the street with a free ticket to see the Hawks. They are a pitiful organization from top to bottom. I feel sorry for all NBA fans in ATL.
By WRM
June 29, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
Yes, the defense was bad and I could see that they need help in the paint. I do wonder if Shelden can defend in the NBA. But wondering how a point guard will help the defense - one word: TURNOVERS. When you average as many turnovers as they did, a good ball handler still helps in points surrendered per game.
I fear that they won’t be able to convince any FA point guards to come here. AI has star power, but he’s more of a combo guard and I fear he’d stunt player development. We have enough problems developing talent as it is.
I’m very biased as a Tech fan, and it’s less likely now that Telfair went to Boston, but I’d like to see the Hawks trade for Jarrett Jack. He’s tough, he can handle the ball and isn’t all about scoring.
But that would require Billy Knight to acknowledge that his team needs a 1, which he has yet to do. He’d rather draft ANOTHER 4 with the 33rd pick.
By uga4ever
June 29, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
Hang in there remaining Hawks’ fans. The Spirit have been bombarded with emails this morning. After free agency, Billy Knightmare is gone. No one questions that S. Williams will be a “decent” pro. Definitely not someone you see taking you to the championship. We passed up on a “Dwayne Wade clone” in Foye who can play point. Those are the type of players you select with a #5 pick….. not “decent” pros. We have no first round picks next year, so this year we needed to select a player that could take us to the next level. I think it is a shame every GM in the league knew who we were taking. We now have 7 forwards on this team.
By Chizzo
June 29, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this
WTF!!! WTF!!! WTF!!! Two more fin forwards. A fin idiot for the GM. And a coach that doesn’t know how to utilize the talent that he does have. True fans continue to try to support this team, only to have our screwball for a GM constantly squander picks year after year. Please, please, please fire Billy Knight. This is becoming unbearable.
By Wolverinegrad
June 29, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
My Dear Hawks fans we will all come to like the pick. Sure we need a point guard, but Defense is our biggest need. Shelden fills that need. In this owners crisis Al-harrington will be lost probably without a trade due to salary constraints. I applaud BK for drafting for finally drafting for need. God knows Zaza couldnt block one shot a game. We were the worst team defensively in the league now we got stronger. Please dont sleep on Solomon Jones neither. The Hawks may look to trade Lue, for another young PG and they will give Salim a shot. The Future is bright Hawks fans one player away.
By Wolverinegrad
June 29, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this
PS- Just b/c chad ford and Jay Bilas say that Foye is a Dwayne Wade Clone doesnt make it true. If these guys were so good at scouting talent they would be working for an NBA team and not as a report. Foye is good but sorry no Wade clone. I cant count how many times those fools say he is like Jordan or He is a clone of Dirk, or he is a clone of Kobe, yadda yadda yadda.
For those who dont understand basketball—- Defense wins championships and we were the last place in Defense. Ben Wallace is 6-9 by the way people. PLEASE WAKE UP !!!!!!!!!!
By Wolverinegrad
June 29, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
PS- Just b/c chad ford and Jay Bilas say that Foye is a Dwayne Wade Clone doesnt make it true. If these guys were so good at scouting talent they would be working for an NBA team and not as a report. Foye is good but sorry no Wade clone. I cant count how many times those fools say he is like Jordan or He is a clone of Dirk, or he is a clone of Kobe, yadda yadda yadda.
For those who dont understand basketball—- Defense wins championships and we were the last place in Defense. Ben Wallace is 6-9 by the way people. PLEASE WAKE UP !!!!!!!!!!
By Dan
June 29, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this
And Shelden Williams is no Ben Wallace. Ben Wallace plays with an attitude and some nastiness, Shelden Williams gets pushed around by guys who weren’t intimidated by the “DUKE” on the front of his jersey.
By Bill Whittaker
June 29, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
I am not a basketball guy and you don’t have to be one to see Billy Knight is silly Billy. How pigheaded can you get, i swear there are two forward positions on a basketball team. His whole team are forwards. Go figure, another long season for those who do care!
By happy2bnappy
June 29, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this
Listen,the hawks lost a friend and teammate at the beginning of the season and consequently lost the 1st 9 or 10 games. This year, GOD willing, the won’t have to deal with a death, which equates to atleast 6 more wins than last year. Shelden will stop the “blood loss” in the middle, which we did not have last year, which will account for atleast 10 more wins. These 2 factors should equate to a 42 game win season, rather than a 26 game season. I see the HAWKS in the playoffs!! I am a season ticket holder, section 221. HOLLA!!
By matt
June 29, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
How much longer until Dominique Wilkins is the GM of the Hawks? If not the GM, at least the coach?
By Jason Anders
June 29, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
It is telling that a columnist suggests picking a thief (M. Williams) over someone who has showed great character and performance. This is what NBA is about now, win at all costs even if it is with an overweight thief who is an underperformer.
Not all drafts yield super stars and they are unpredictable.
By Johnny
June 29, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
WE NEED STEVE BELTRAN TO RIGHT THIS SINKING SHIP. KNIGHT, WOODSON, ETC TO BE GONE. THIS IS MAJOR FOOLISHNESS.
By Johnny
June 29, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
WE NEED STEVE BELTRAN TO RIGHT THIS SINKING SHIP. KNIGHT, WOODSON, ETC TO BE GONE. THIS IS MAJOR FOOLISHNESS.
By chaos
June 29, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
That must be a Michigan education. Wow, to think S. Williams at number 5 is at value. I saw him play in person 4 times and watched many of his games on ESPN. He is not a player that you select in the top 5. Malcolm Mackey had a very similar junior and senior year. Remember him for GT…. probably not. Adam Keefe had better numbers than S. Williams. Were these players selected in the top 5? The ACC did not have many big men, so the numbers are a little misleading. Have you ever seen S. Williams hit a jumper outside of 11 feet? All I have ever seen him make is a dunk or a left handed layup. Yes, Shelden will do OK. Do you think he replaces Harrington? Do we get better if Harrington leaves and Williams takes his place? The only sure thing about S. Williams is that he will probably avg. 8 ppg, 5 rpg, .8bpg. Yeah, he is worth a top 5 pick. Stay off the pipe Wolverine
By David
June 29, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this
Is Steve Belkin paying people to post nice things about him on this board or are some Atlanta sports fans really this stupid? He won’t spend a dime on the team and we’ll be trapped in basketball purgatory every day he’s involved with the bottom line. If you think that is an improvement for the Hawks, you must have basketball confused as a World Cup event.
By Derrick
June 29, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this
Anybody who watched North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough just wipe the floor with Shelden this past year knows that while Shelden is a good player who would be worth of a 1st round pick, he isn’t going to star for your team. And you don’t use the 5th pick in the draft to get a player who might be pretty good. With the 5th pick you draft a Dwayne Wade or a Shaun Livingston, players who look like they could be a franchise differnce maker. There are 50 players in the NBA who do what Shelden can do, but only but so many great players.
By Bad Year
June 29, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
What a terrible sports year in Atlanta for the Hawks to get this kind of attention from a draft. The Hawks have not made a decent draft pick in years/decades so why would this one be any different? If Hawk’s ownership was worth their salt, they would recognize that this attention on a terrible team shows that Atlanta is ready to support a good NBA team. This could be accomplished by hiring a proven GM & coach. Knight & Woodson will simply perpetuate the disaster the Hawks have become.
06’ delivered Atlanta a bad Thrashers team, a terrible Hawks team, and a disasterous Braves team. Our last hope lies with the Falcons who hopefully won’t disappoint.
By ConyersDawg
June 29, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
All the experts say Shelden is going to be a solid pro. What do you want? We did fine scoring last year. We had no “D”. Salim will get more chances to run the team next year as well as we will pick up a veteran guard. There was no certainty that Randy Foye would be a good point guard and there is no way he is going to be a better guard then Joe Johnson. Marvin will be a star in this league and Shelden will be good off the bench to help Josh Smith and Marvin.
Get a clue Mark Bradley!
By Flashback
June 29, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this
and with the first round pick, the Atlanta Hawks, select Adam Keefe from nope, nevermind…select Shelden Williams from Duke Yes, some things NEVER change
This team has the worst GM/Coach combination in the league. Enough said!
Not sure if Belkin can “fix things” but something has to be done here. We need an ownership group/person with passion for the game. An owner that will not tolerate losing or mediocrity, the way the “Spirit” group has. How long have the Hawks been “rebuilding” now? Give me a fraking break. Billy Knight has turned Atlanta into a joke, this used to be a basketball town before D. Wilkins got traded for D. Manning. USED to be. All we’ve had since then is the disappointement that was Lenny Wilkins and the Billy Knight “era”/”experiment”. Isn’t it time for that nightmare to end! Fire them all. Knight, Woodson, start over with a clear idea and a strong ownership. It’s the only thing that may save the Hawks
Someone said it best. The Hawks are the K.C Royals of the NBA! Nope, not exactly close, b/c the fraking Royals have won the World Series!
By Loserville
June 29, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
The fact that the Hawks are getting this kind of attention shows what a bad year Atlanta sports are having. Good ownership would recognize that Atlanta fans are eager to support a good team. Competant ownership would fire Knight & Woodson and hire an experienced GM and head coach.
All of our 06’ hopes rest with the Falcons. Time for Vick to show why he is the highest paid player in the NFL.
By Nick
June 29, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
Can Steve Belkin get here soon enough? NO!!! I said last year with the Joe Johnson debacle that Belkin was 100% right. The Suns were going to release him (all the Hawks had to do is gamble a little..they could have made the deal 2 months after the free agency deadline if needed), and yet Billy gives away a player and 2 number ones for him. Billy flinched, just like the Hawks always do..example Jon Konkac when Detroit played the Hawks into signing him and using up cap money. Now Sheldon Williams the shortest center in the league at 6’7”??????????? Can he pass the ball, Im done with the Hawks until they get a real owner and real people to run the team…I would sure like to be there when Belkin takes control and walks into the office the first day, and does not give Billy Boy a chance to shake hands, only says YOU ARE FIRED!!!!!! that will be a good day for the Hawks
By Clyde
June 29, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY t-shirts available. Holla at me at atlconnect@htmail.com if you want one.
Billy Knight is worse than Babcock. With these picks Belkin will have to rebuild the team in another year or two.
I wonder if Honest abe or HB Ando wants a t-shirt now that Billy has messed up again.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By ConyersDawg
June 29, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this
All the experts say Shelden is going to be a solid pro. What do you want? We did fine scoring last year. We had no “D”. Salim will get more chances to run the team next year as well as we will pick up a veteran guard. There was no certainty that Randy Foye would be a good point guard and there is no way he is going to be a better guard then Joe Johnson. Marvin will be a star in this league and Shelden will be good off the bench to help Josh Smith and Marvin.
Get a clue Mark Bradley!
By ConyersDawg
June 29, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the double post. It looked like my post got hung because the paige would not refresh.
By Nic
June 29, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
I am a big Dukeeeeee and always will be. I cannot for the life of me understand this. If you want Williams so bad, then draft Brandon Roy and trade him to Portland. Get him at seven. Try and get Jarret Jack in the deal and then turn around and trade Harrington on a sign and trade understanding with a future second for a mid rounder to get Marcus Williams.
By Jason
June 29, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
Please fire Mark from the AJC … if it wasn’t for the press (and his likes), people wouldn’t be reading about crap from somebody who doesn’t even understand the business side of basketball, nor the game itself. The other point guards in the draft went #21, 23 … WOW … Hawks could get a better PG in free agency, that is NBA ready plus they just added to their inside defense which they needed so badly! Besides, that Joe Johnson guy that everyone forgot about averaged 20pts, 6 assists, & 4 boards per game while playing point for most of the season. Hawks need defense more than a point right now … geez, attend some games, talk to the players, and take some notes Mark. Can Sekou report for the Hawks? At least he’s not biased!
By Ron
June 29, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this
We would like to see Mr.Berkin take over the ownership of the Hawks and Thrasher because the ownership now don’t know what their doing when you don’t fill your needs something is worng look at the draft teams meet their needs the Hawks they keep looking stupit Billy Knight don’t know what he’s doing Patrick O’Bryant Marcus William player that would have meet their needs we the fans like Mr.Berkin to take over so he can get Mr.Knight out of hear I can’t waite I hope he win ownership please
By Joseph
June 29, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this
Good column, Mark. You are expressing what 90% of Hawks fans are thinking. There are a few that still support BK,with his career 30% winning percentage. He has shown that he doesn’t care what the fans think at a time when attendance is at an all time low. Billy Knight you have yet to prove anyone wrong. You have never won more than 30 wins in your life as a GM. If people truly believe losing Harrington and gaining Williams will take us into the playoffs. Well, that is their own problem.
By Leif
June 29, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
Billy Knight is arrogant and has no clue as a GM. What happened once he left Memphis? They started winning. At least Pete Babcock constructed mediocre teams. Knight couldn’t even wear his jock strap. This franchise will never do anything as long as it never fills its needs. How about a PG numbnuts? No I’ll take another forward to go along with the 7 other ones on the roster.
By kevin
June 29, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
Folks, there is a reason why Shelden struggled a few times against some good inside players, and that’s because he was Duke’s defense..period. He had to guard his guy AND the guys who consistently beat their man on penetration, and when you have to do that, your guy is going to score, end of story. I mean, c’mon he was the defensive player of the year 2 years in a row. Are you going to tell us with a straight face that he can’t play defense?
And for the guy who says it would be cool if the Hawks trade for Iverson, I have to ask, ARE YOU NUTS???? That’s a rhetorical question, because it is obvious that you are, coming in here with that kind of nonsense.
By Eric
June 29, 2006 01:39 PM | Link to this
Bradley is an idiot. As are the other Hawks fans who dont like the Shelden Williams pick. We were next to last in the league in rebounding. We only had 1 legit big man. (Zaza) Marcus Williams is good, but not good enough at 5 which is why he went at pick 22. He isnt a lottery pick. Roy and Foye are both great COMBO guards. If you pay attention to the Hawks we already have a great COMBO guard in Joe Johnson. We need a true point guard. Not a point/shooting guard. And if you cant trade down, (which we tried to do) then you have to pick for need. Although we needed a point guard, what good would one have done if we dont have the defense to stop opponents from scoring at will on the inside? Dont forget about Free Angency either. We can address the point need there with Mike James or Sam Cassell. Stop hatin when you dont know anything about basketball, let alone building a team.
By Patman
June 29, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
Okay, I give up! I’ve been trying to give Billy Knight teh benefit of the doubt but I now have to conclude that he sucks! It isn’t just that he doesn’t have a clue when it comes to addressing the team’s needs but his arrogance, pettiness (refusing to shake Belkin’s hand) and condescending “I know better than you do.” attitude toward the fams makes me sick! And to think we gave up Pete Babcock (no I do NOT want him back) for this guy is astounding! I don’t like a bone in Steve Belkin’s body but he can’t be any worse than the motley crew running this franchise right now!
By Gene Hunt
June 29, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this
BK, I am not a fan of this GM, however, Shelden was the best player available at #5. With this player the Hawks got defense, rebounding and above average scoring. No one picked after this player could provide a better receipe for upgrading the Hawks.
By WRM
June 29, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this
Even if you don’t mind the Shelden Williams pick (it is a safe pick, he’ll probably be a decent player), what in the heck was up with the second pick? Another freikin forward?!?!?!?! The selection of Dee Brown (for example) would have made Shelden Williams a lot more palateable. Not to mention that there’s already a logjam with Shelden, Josh Smith and Marvin. This roster construction is a freikin joke.
By Alex
June 29, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
To all of the Billy Knight supporters/defenders…I want you all to be here trying to explain what happened next year…when the Hawks are in the lottery once again! Just how many chances are you willing to give this GM/Coach/Ownership?
BTW, just b/c someone doesn’t tolerate losing the way you do, doesn’t mean they are not a true fan of the team. We support the Hawks, but enough is enough. Atlanta Hawks are the laughing stock of the NBA! Go to any other legit NBA town, ask and see what others think about this whole situation.
Maybe you should “think” before blindly supporting this GM/Coach/Ownership group. They have to be held accountable, they are not beyond reproach.
The majority of the fans have spoken, sort of, by the abismal attendance at Hawks games. There are more people at UGA and GaTech basketball games! Right down sad and embarrasing.
By KCD
June 29, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
Knight’s choice this year of Williams was questionable, but it pales in comparison to skipping on Chris Paul last year! Neither of the available guards in this draft compare to Paul or Wade so please stop making those analogies. I’m not defending Knight but some of you are simply too dramatic.
By Ryder
June 29, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
Atlanta is the youngest team in the league, we can’t expect them to be the Phoenix Suns overnight. I beleive the time has come to bring in a veteran who can lead this young and very talented group. Unfortunately there are too many shortsighted “fans” who think that there is no growth here. I’ve seen Atlanta finally develop an evolutionary process with two future All Stars (JJ and Marvin, who will make people forget the Chris Paul fiasco, hopefully while he’s in a Hawks uniform).
I’m more concerned about Woodson’s ability to manage this team. Obviously they are best suited to run, as I believe was Knight’s philosophy when building this team. I think based on what Knight is allowed to do during this upcoming free agency period will be the determining factor in where this team goes in the future.
By james
June 29, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this
Alex- Billy Knightmare traded our first round pick(1-3 prot.) next year. This was the Hawks shot for the next 2 years to get a player to take us to the next level.
You are right…. 90% of the fans are tired of losing. 125 losses in 2 years is totally UNACCEPTABLE. That doesn’t mean fans are stupid. THEY ARE TIRED OF LOSING. TO PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO DO KNOW BASKETBALL………WE ARE A JOKE
By JB
June 29, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this
Just think what the fall out would be if he had drafted J.J. Redick
By NICK
June 29, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
I SUPPORT BILLY NIGHT BECAUSE HE IS BLACK. I DON’T THINK A WHITE BOY COULD DO NO BETTA. HE IS MY HOMIE
By hawksnumba1fan
June 29, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
Joe is not a Combo G he is 100% SG, We better get a PG in FA.Or the Hawks will be in big trouble.
By Will
June 29, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this
Of course I wanted the Hawks to draft PG Marcus Williams or combo G Randy Foye, but I’m pleased with the picks. The Hawks gave up 102 points a game last season and were toward the bottom of the league in DEF rebounding. With Sheldon Williams, the Hawks will improve in those categories. Sheldon will bring a physical presence to the Hawks’ front line. I know a lot of yall are upset b/c we have another “6’9” player, but Marvin and Josh aren’t exactly interior players. Their more known for their perimeter and transition skills. Now we have someone that will slow down or contain rising star Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Jermaine O’Neal, etc. I hope Hawks fans will calm down and be patient. We’re not going to become a playoff team overnight. Even with a PG in this draft, we would struggle defensively. We’ll get our PG, maybe in free agency, a trade (involving Al Harrington), or next year’s draft.
By uga4ever
June 29, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this
TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT KEEP REFERRING TO NEXT YEAR’S DRAFT- We don’t have a first round pick next year unless we are in the top 3. It was traded away. For the next 2 years, we will have to improve via free agency. Considering not many players want to come here…..we had to improve via the draft. I don’t know if losing Harrington and gaining S. Williams is a huge step forward. Forget about the sign and trade (Harrington) as well. There aren’t too many GM’s dumb enough to trade for an unrestricted free agent.
By tim
June 29, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
First of all..who cares if he is going to be an ALL-Star..why does everyone always have to be an ALL-Star quality for good things to be said about them. Everyone cant be an ALL-Star, not everyone will be an ALL-Star. In fact you don’t want or need a team full of ALL-Stars (i.e. Lakers 2 years ago) And you are rarely ever going to find someone in the draft who is going to be an immediate ALL-Star. Shelden plays defense in the paint..thats what the hawks are lacking. They are not lacking someone bringing up the balling and scoring. They scored 97 points a game last year..but aloud 102..obviously they dont have a problem scoring but however have a problem defending. Thats what Shelden brings to the table. he plays a lot bigger than 6’9 ad he is a fierce competitor and will bring stability to the low post there.
By dukeboy
June 29, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Been a diehard Dook fan since 84 and don’t miss a game. Landlord is better than Boozer and not as good as Brand, which ought to make for about 18 and 10 a night in the pros if he gets 30 minutes a game. He spent the last 4 years basically alone in the middle since Shav Randolph was awol his entire Duke career and Josh McRoberts spent most of the time on the bench in trouble after making slap fouls on point guards at the top of the key. Big, strong, aggressive player. Smart shot blocker…tips then rebounds, never goes for pump fakes. Doesn’t showboat. Always shows up; very consistent. Had plenty of games at Duke where he could have scored 30+ if the rest of the team wasn’t JJ watching and would have got him the ball. Maybe not a sexy pick but you guys won’t be whining by the end of next year.
By Sir Stealth
June 29, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this
I have no idea what Mark Bradley sees in Marcus Williams. Pick 22 on him seems about right to me. It is true, we should have traded down some for Williams and need to make some kind of deal for a point guard. BK is arrogant and off in his own world, but that doesn’t mean we have to hate on Shelden for it. His defense is outstanding, the games Bradley lists were just about all Duke victories, but Bradley is an ace at CHERRY-PICKING meaningless stats to suit his (often anti-Duke biased or in conflict with what he previously said) columns. Shelden anchored his team’s defense and was responsible for everything that was allowed to come into the interior due to Duke’s overyplay style, not just one man who might be allowed to get some points for the sake of the greater team strategy.
I think Elton Brand is a good comparison to Shelden, because they’re both undersized height-wise but with good wingspans and both have to put up with the repeat it enough that people will think it’s true Duke/NBA myth. Neither was called on to step out an shoot much in college, but if you watched them enough, you knew that they were perfectly capable of doing so. Nobody should be surprised that stepping out for the mid-range shot is now a huge part of Brand’s game, and Shelden has shown that he will be able to do that as well. Brand showed more initial offensive promise, but Shelden’s true strength is at the defensive end, and he could be even better there than Brand, who is actually a fairly good shotblocker and defender nowadays. Shelden may in fact just turn out to be a role player, but there’s absolutely no reason for people to give this prognosis like its a guarantee just because of the ridiculous feeling today players for some reason have shown all the improvement that their capable of by the time they turn 22.
By chuck raville
June 29, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
Since it’s a slow period for Falcons’ news, it’s a good time to identify the positions that must be up-graded before the season starts. 1. Placekicker - I really hope we are not too late to find ‘quality and reliability’ when filling this critical hole. 2. Safety - If we had just selected Ko Simpson in 3rd and worried about RB next yr. 3. Guard/Center - our lack of depth and size is obvious. 4. Defensive End - We need a backup that has the size and strength we need in some situations (i.e. 6’5” or 6’6” and 300 lbs)
By NJ HAWK
June 29, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this
Both these guys are known for defense and rebounding. We got the best defender and rebounder in the ACC and the best one in the big east. Anyone who cant see why we picked these guys is a dope. There is a reason Marcus Williams lasted till 22. There is a reason Phoenix who loves to run didnt take this so called great offensive distributor to learn under Nash. He is fat, slow and lazy and couldnt defend Royal Ivey.
By Tim Raymond
June 29, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this
Knight has an interest in the physical measurements of players (long arms, wingspan, height), and those attributes only. The would work if he was a tailor trying to fit attain the most unique suit measurement award. Sadly, he needs players that can:
Shoot the ball (I know many of you are cursing me for that one)
Pass the ball (almost done, the pain is almost over)
Score (yes, I’m talking about ON the court)
Know what the term “High Screen” means
Last years pick can’t do any of these on his own. At this level your basketball education should be done.
The steal of the draft was Hassan Adams from Arizona that the Nets got in the 2nd round: he can run, jump, all that and he can
And he went to college under a great coach Lute Olsen so you know he KNOWS what the term high screen means. Much like Gilbert Arenas a few years ago that was drafted in the 2nd round from that school and is now a top guard, Adams will be too. Knight may remember he has Salim on his roster but since he can only shoot, pass, defend, and is quick, but is not over 6’6” that makes him off the roster
ASAP!!!!!!!!
The Hawks will never fly, grounded for life, just like Delta’s pension plan.
By Ed W.
June 29, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this
I agree that Shelden isn’t going to be a star, but I think you sell him a little short. He posted big numbers for several years against top competition, including outside of the ACC. Redick sucked ahgainst LSU, but Shelden went for something like 23 and 14, plus he played well against Aldridge and Texas. I definitely preferred Roy or Foye, but not Marcus Williams - also not real athletic, not likely to be an all-star, lousy D, and character problems. My biggest criticism of the draft is if you reaaly want Shelden, trade down for him instead of reaching. I’m sure they could have worked a deal with Portland or someone else who wanted Roy, although leaking to the world that you want Shelden didn’t help.
Regarding next year, the Hawks will improve just because they have so many young guys who sholuld improve, possibly significantly. Don’t write off Marvin, he just turned 20! I’ll be surprsed if he doesn’t wind up better than Bogut (Paul is another story).
By confused
June 29, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this
Hopefully since NJ Nets drafted Marcus Williams and they still have Jason Kidd and need some bulk the will deal. Just maybe BK is going to do a sign and trade for Al Harrington and get the Marcus Williams. If not I hate to say it but maybe this guy (BK)really is an idiot.
By Deuce
June 29, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this
What position does Marvin play? What position does J. Smith play? What position does S. Williams play? They are all power forwards. If are goal is to get the 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs, then we may have a chance. I just don’t see how losing Harrington and gaining S. Williams is the step that takes us to the “promise land” We don’t have a first round pick in next year’s draft, which will be one of the best in history (Oden, Durant, T.Young, Noah, McRoberts, Hansborough, Big Baby Davis, etc.) I just don’t see how Shelden Williams is going to take us over the hump like some of the other players could have at #5. We now have 3 power forwards and a weak center with no true point guard. Free agents don’t want to come here. Wow Billy, you never cease to amaze me
oh yeah, Why did everyone in the league know who we were selecting 2 weeks ago? Is that common for GM’s to reveal who they pick 2 weeks before the draft?
By adw
June 29, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this
go get brian oliver kenny anderson
By adw
June 29, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this
text me back where is brian oliver can he still play
By DKM
June 29, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this
If Billy wanted a mobile big man that can run the floor with his collection of 6’8 small forwards and big guards, then this is a good selection. The problem is the future is the Phoenix Suns style of play and we have a team built in the same mold(missing a good intelligent passing guard) but we have a coach that doesn’t like to run. we have to run as we cannot play half court offense with our young inconsistent outside shooters! We have to get more shots than the other teams and force their immobile big men to play both ends of the court. If he gets that guard, he may still have problems convincing his coach to turn them loose.
By Scott
June 29, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this
48 YEARS WITHOUT A NBA TITLE!!!! Come on, how the hell do you even manage something like that? 1958 is when the Hawks last won a championship and it will be 2058 before they even get close again with Billy Knight ruining the franchise.
I hope to God that Steve Belkin is better!
By adw
June 29, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this
dkm where is brian oliver and dennis scout and alonso mourning shaq oneal , dwade in atlanta gooood team for the hawks
By Ken Strickland
June 29, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this
Ok, let’s try to put the Hawk’s situation into perspective for those emotionally driven nonthinkers. For those nonthinkers complaining about us needing a PG, you are correct. But, by focusing on that one issue you fail to realize that we also need an inside presence on OFF and DEF. In other words, we don’t need one or the other, we need both. Harrington has been our only inside scoring threat and he will likely be gone. We have no inside presence on DEF, unless you count J. Smith’s shot blocking. With Harrington likely gone, we are left with Batista as the only player with any PF experience, and he’s a banger/rebounder with limited OFF and DEF ability. The question you nonthinkers should be asking yourselves is which of the 2 problems do we address 1st according to priority. Let’s start with PG. Atl was in the middle of the pack in assists and scoring. The Spurs and Pistons won NBA titles scoring fewer ppg than the Hawks. Dallas and Miami played for the Title this yr averaging 18 and 20.6 assists per game respectively to Atl’s 19.8. As for you J. Terry fans, J. Johnson averaged 6.5 assists to Terry’s 3.8, enough said. This should tell you nonthinkers that Atl can play for or win a title based on last yrs overall OFF production. So why draft a C/PF with an inside presence. The Hawks were tied with Seattle for being next to last in def rebounding. We were also last in giving up points in the paint. With Al gone we will have no inside presence on either end of the court. Still, you nonthinkers continue to cry and complain about not drafting a rookie PG to run the youngest team in the history of the NBA. The statistics quoted above should make even an anal retentive nonthinker stop and consider that drafting S. Williams may have strengthened a bigger Hawks weakness than drafting a PG. It should also show we need more DEF, especially inside, than OFF. More interior DEF, especially shotblocking, and DEF rebounding will lead to more fast break scoring opportunities which will lead to better OFF production. I am now ready for the obvious emotionally driven criticism that’s to come. However, I will ask those respondents to THINK before you criticize.
By Jamal
June 29, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this
Ken Strickland- By losing Al Harrington (19 ppg, 7 or 8 rpg), are we really going to improve significantly with Shelden Williams? We have no 1st rounders next year (which is going to be very deep and talented), so is S. Williams the player that is going to take us to the promise land? Is S. Williams extra 2 blocks a game going to get us into the playoffs? Are free agents wanting to come to Atlanta? Do you trust Billy Knight’s trades? Is Mike Woodson the coach that is going to take us to the championship? Don’t sit there and call fans nonthinkers! Think about the questions I just asked you.
By Jamal
June 29, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this
Ken Strickland- By losing Al Harrington (19 ppg, 7 or 8 rpg), are we really going to improve significantly with Shelden Williams? We have no 1st rounders next year (which is going to be very deep and talented), so is S. Williams the player that is going to take us to the promise land? Is S. Williams extra 2 blocks a game going to get us into the playoffs? Are free agents wanting to come to Atlanta? Do you trust Billy Knight’s trades? Is Mike Woodson the coach that is going to take us to the championship? Don’t sit there and call fans nonthinkers! Think about the questions I just asked you.
By Sir Stealth
June 29, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this
Great comments, Ken Strickland. Jamal, I kind of agree with you too, but do you have the answers to any of your own questions? There was no obvious magic move to address the terrible hole that the Hawks had fallen in. What rabbit would you pull out of a hat to take the team to “the promised land?” BK probably should have traded down and taken him, but Shelden Williams has as good a chance as anybody in the draft of solving the Hawks’ problems. Obviously, defense is a lot more than just blocks per game. Shelden is almost guaranteed to improve our defensive weaknesses somewhat. The rest of the team’s trouble is not his fault. Taking Marvin Williams over Chris Paul was not his fault, and certainly doesn’t get corrected by taking Marcus Williams or any of the other points in this year’s draft. Besides firing BK and MW, which I wouldn’t mind (especially Billy), do you have any magic solution?
By Ken Strickland
June 29, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this
Jamal, no one player is going to take the Hawks, or any other NBA team, to the promise land. M. Jordan won scoring titles before Pippen arrived, but he never won a NBA title before or after Pippen. Without Jordan, Pippen never came close to a title and was an average player with Chicago, Houston and all other teams he played for the rest of his career. Individual players win rebounding, scoring, assist titles, etc., but TEAMS win championships. Remember that, because it is the foundation of all team sports. Look at the last few teams that have won the NBA title. Miami is a team comprised mostly role players, except for Wade and Haslem. The other players are on the down side of their careers. They didn’t win because they had the better talent, they won because they were the better overall team. Detroit went to 2 consecutive finals, winning one, with mostly NBA castoffs and without a single promise land player. R. Wallace was just the missing piece to an already constructed puzzle. Part of what we lose with Harrington will be recovered with the improvement and increased scoring of players like J. Smith, M. Williams, Pachulia and the contributions from S. Williams. His contributions of better DEF and DEF rebounding will increase our fast breaks opportunities which will correspondingly increase our scoring opportunities.
By Jamal
June 29, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this
I hope so! Besides Detroit, every championship team has had one superstar all-nba player. Wade, Duncan, Jordan, Hakeem, Kobe, Shaq. I think we may have passed on one of those guys in Foye, Roy, or Gay. Also,I don’t think Woodson is the coach to take us to the next level, though? Time will tell. I think Philips will be even emptier next year, lol
By Ken Strickland
June 29, 2006 11:25 PM | Link to this
I wonder how many of those complaining about drafting S. Williams would complain about having B. Wallace as our center. He is even more undersized than Williams and is completely one dimensional. He doesn’t possess a single offensive move, unless you count what he does on the commode. Until Wallace got to Detroit, he was primarily a bench warmer and, at most, a situational player. If B. Wallace or D. Rodman can become allstars, with their obvious limitations, why can’t S. Williams. Williams was the most dominant big man in college, at least over the last 2yrs. I’ve read several responses which said he won’t be able to duplicate in the NBA what he did in college for various unexplained reasons. Well, for those nonthinkers who share that opinion, consider this. How can you expect Aldridge, or any of the other big men in the draft, to do any better than Williams in the PROS when none of them could even come close to matching what he did in college.
By Eric
June 30, 2006 02:21 AM | Link to this
It’s sheldEn. not sheldOn!Sound it out and spell it correctly before you post please. S-H-E-L-D-E-N W-I-L-L-I-A-M-S
By ESPN Writer Eric Barnett
June 30, 2006 02:35 AM | Link to this
Bradley is an idiot. As are the other Hawks fans who dont like the Shelden Williams pick. We were next to last in the league in rebounding. We only had 1 legit big man. (Zaza) Marcus Williams is good, but not good enough at 5 which is why he went at pick 22. He isnt a lottery pick. Roy and Foye are both great COMBO guards. If you pay attention to the Hawks we already have a great COMBO guard in Joe Johnson. We need a true point guard. Not a point/shooting guard. And if you cant trade down, (which we tried to do) then you have to pick for need. Although we needed a point guard, what good would one have done if we dont have the defense to stop opponents from scoring at will on the inside? Dont forget about Free Angency either. We can address the point need there with Mike James or Sam Cassell. Stop hatin when you dont know anything about basketball, let alone building a team. And another thing.
The Depth Chart PG- 1. Joe Johnson (combo guard) 2. Tyronn Lue (Defensive PG) 3. Salim Stoudamire (combo guard) 4. Royal Ivey (Defensive PG))
SG- 1. Joe Johnson (combo guard) 2. Josh Childress (guard/small forward) 3. Salim Stoudamire (combo guard)
SF- 1. Josh Smith (best at small-can play power) 2. Marvin Williams 3. Josh Childress ((guard/small forward))
PF 1. Shelden Williams (PF and situational C) 2. Josh Smith (best at small-can play power) 3. Solomon Jones (PF and backup C)
C 1. Zaza Pachulia (C and emergency PF) 2. Shelden Williams (PF and situational C) 3. Solomon Jones (PF and backup C)
*I left off the players that shouldnt be back Al Harrington, Esteban Batista, John Edwards, Donta Smith, and Anthony Grundy