AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > May > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHawks have overwhelming possibilities
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
There is probably something wrong with a league’s draft system when the fortunes of a franchise can turn on a bunch of pingpong balls.
Then again, if you’re the Hawks, maybe you prefer luck to the science of player selection because, as we have seen, this franchise’s science has blown up way too many laboratories.
In theory, through sheer luck, the NBA’s punch-line franchise took a step toward respectability Tuesday night. The Hawks fell into the third pick in the draft lottery. It means they get to keep a selection that had been gift-wrapped for the Phoenix Suns in the Joe Johnson trade (which suddenly looks pretty good). They also will get, as anticipated, the 11th overall pick from Indiana.
Two of the top 11 picks.
Celebrate the potential.
Or cover your eyes.
The first pick would have been a slam dunk: Greg Oden.
The second pick would have been even easier: Kevin Durant.
The third pick is a decision.
Do you want a decision?
These are the Hawks. This is Billy Knight. Visionaries, they haven’t been.
Two of the top 11 picks.
Great. I think.
This is like giving a mechanic $50,000 to build a car. Either you end up with a really nice car, or the engine stalls when you turn on the wiper blades. Kind of depends on the mechanic, and the blueprint, and the vision.
The Hawks can take Brandan Wright. Love the talent but disappeared in the tournament for North Carolina. They can take Al Horford. Really good player, but so good that he’s the third overall pick? They can take Mike Conley: Unbelievably quick, and a point guard, but was that overachievement in the tournament or actual career foreshadowing?
Two of the top 11 picks.
Two more decisions.
Pepto, anyone?
Why couldn’t it have been easy? Orlando fell into Shaquille O’Neal. San Antonio fell into David Robinson and Tim Duncan. Cleveland fell into LeBron James.
The Hawks just fall.
Portland won the lottery. The Trail Blazers were represented Tuesday by Brandon Roy. Hawks fans couldn’t miss the irony. Last year, Knight selected Shelden Williams with the fifth overall selection. Roy went to the Blazers with the next pick. He just won Rookie of the Year.
Williams was below average. He just got engaged to Candace Parker. Soon, he may not even be the best player in his house.
We all believed Knight was wrong when he drafted Boris Diaw in 2003. Turns out he was right about the player but wrong about the uniform. Diaw has been a jewel for Phoenix. Knight also drafted Josh Childress over Luol Deng in 2004, and Marvin Williams over two impact point guards, Deron Williams and Chris Paul, in 2005.
There was only a 38 percent chance of the Hawks landing in the top three, a 13 percent chance of picking third. So something broke right. Just not right enough.
As he was about to board a flight for New Jersey on Tuesday, Dominique Wilkins said he was wearing his lucky tie and commented: “The lottery can change the course of a franchise. We’re overdue for some luck.”
No. What they’re overdue for is some intelligence.
This hasn’t been a run of brilliance. The Hawks have gone eight seasons without making the playoffs. They are 97-231 over the past four years, which means Knight needs a 134-game winning streak to pull even for his tenure. (Yes, that would be record.)
In fairness to Knight (why not?), he merely is upholding a franchise standard. Drafts usually blow up with this team. In 1975, the Hawks had the first and third overall selections. They took David Thompson and Marvin Webster. Both opted for the ABA.
In 14 drafts from 1985 to 1998 — between Kevin Willis and Jason Terry — the Hawks’ first round went like this: Jon Koncak, Billy Thompson (traded for Ken Barlow), Dallas Comegys, no pick, Roy Marble, Rumeal Robinson, Stacey Augmon, Adam Keefe, Doug Edwards, no pick, Alan Henderson, Priest Lauderdale, Ed Gray and Roshown McLeod.
I realize it’s a lot easier to draft in hindsight. But should two “no picks” look so good over that span?
And now this: two of the top 11 picks.
Think of the possibilities.
Maybe not.
Permalink | Comments (117) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Whopper Dawg
May 23, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this
Yep, gonna gag it up on these two. Maybe, just maybe, the Ohio State guard will last until 11, because number three is going to be another 6’9” swing man or another 6’9” undersized center, neither of which we will remember three years hence. The decisions that Billy Knight has made in the draft are completely inane and he should be run out on town on a rail. An appropriately placed rail.
By Bigcalidawg
May 23, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this
I hope we take Conley at #3 and the best C available with th next pick.
We’re good at both forwards and off guard. Time to send some dead wood packin’.
It still bugs me to hear folks complain about takin’ Marvin. I expect that he will make as much growth this year as last. One thing we have a history of is drafting young guys, developing them, then shipping them off to other teams who benefit from their developmental time with us.
Give Marvin time. Can he even drink yet?
By _sturt_
May 23, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
Ahhh, yes.
The Diaw Principle.
It states that the success that a player enjoys in one uni may not be the same success that same player might enjoy in a different one.
How odd that it appears so close in proximity to the second-guessing about Roy, Deng, DWilliams and Paul… unless one is trying to make an under-the-breath point about hypocrisy.
Doubtful, of course, given the tone of the rest of the column… but if so, a masterful job of writing.
By cary
May 23, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
If Billy Knight make another mistake again, Im done with the Hawks. U cannot pass on Mike Conley. Its ok to trade down and let them take speedy and somthing in return. But if he continue 2 draft swings, trade everybody and send the hawks somewhere else.
By Chuck
May 23, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
At #3 I think you have to take Conley; at #11, we will be able to draft a Center, either Hawes or Noah. The smarter option is to package #3, #11 and Marvin for the #2 pick. Seattle would really have to look at that. We’d have a nucleus of Josh Smith, Durant, which is scary.
By ToeKnee
May 23, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this
you are an idiot. two lottery picks to move up 1 spot?? only for oden would it be worth it(maybe). we need 2 players!! we have 2 picks!! it might be worth trading down to get rid of speedy though. I like Noah and then Conley/Crittenton. maybe trade down though to unload speedy and pick up either the pg or c we need later in the first round.
By Lifelong Hawks Fan
May 23, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this
Candace Parker getting married to the Big Ugly? That’s a joke right?????
By simpdawg
May 23, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand why everybody is so fascinated by Roy Hibbert the guy is extremely slow and he’s not athletic at all. Sure he’s a big body but so was Bryant (Big Country) Reeves. Remember him I didn’t think you did. I’m telling all of you if we don’t draft Yi JianLian with the 3rd pick well be sorry. Yi is by far the best international prospect in the draft the year, and if you’re not convince check out NBADRAFT.NET. Trust me guys I’ve been following this kid for a while.
By Lifelong Hawks Fan
May 23, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
Just a guess here, but it seems the route to go would be to draft Conley at #3(he won’t be availabe later). Then you try and draft Hibbert or Hawes at #11 if either one is available. They will both be projects. But we seem to have loads of time and patience!
By simpdawg
May 23, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand why everybody is so fascinated by Roy Hibbert the guy is extremely slow and he’s not athletic at all. Sure he’s a big body but so was Bryant (Big Country) Reeves. Remember him I didn’t think you did. I’m telling all of you if we don’t draft Yi JianLian with the 3rd pick well be sorry. Yi is by far the best international prospect in the draft the year, and if you’re not convince check out NBADRAFT.NET. Trust me guys I’ve been following this kid for a while.
By simpdawg
May 23, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand why everybody is so fascinated by Roy Hibbert the guy is extremely slow and he’s not athletic at all. Sure he’s a big body but so was Bryant (Big Country) Reeves. Remember him I didn’t think you did. I’m telling all of you if we don’t draft Yi JianLian with the 3rd pick well be sorry. Yi is by far the best international prospect in the draft the year, and if you’re not convince check out NBADRAFT.NET. Trust me guys I’ve been following this kid for a while.
By Matthew At The SLC
May 23, 2007 1:57 AM | Link to this
People, stop thinking Conley is going to last until No. 11. It isn’t going to happen! The Hawks HAVE to take him at No. 3. They HAVE to. ESPN just confirmed the need in a very subtle jab at Knight’s unbelievable idiocy.
But here’s what Knight is going to do. He’s going to take the Chinese Toothpick at No. 3, and then, he’s going to take another swingman at No. 11, because you gotta love wingspan!
Come on people… Knight WILL screw this up. As sure as the sun will rise and the whatever else is something that we all know always happens with regularity.
KNIGHT WILL SCREW THIS UP!
By Mark
May 23, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this
Take Yi With Three!!!!!!!!!
By Don
May 23, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this
Moron Knight has no scouting outside of the SEC/ACC they will get that scrub Noah or Horford.
If you look back on the Draft there are only one or two picks in the first round that will do anything. Oden/ Durant are it. Mike C from Ohio State had an all star squad at Ohio State and will be a Jacque Vaughn of the NBA.
The Hawks are better trading down with a trade with Josh Smith and #3 for a Rashard Lewis or a Darren Williams.
Knight is too dumb for that. The Hawks will Draft some SEC or ACC hyped dude that does nothing so they can tout: the future! (sound familiar)
Save the 11 pick and get Marcus Williams from Arizona.
This obvious board I’m sure loved Adam Keefe!
By JohnGTfan
May 23, 2007 2:19 AM | Link to this
If Billy takes Yi with ANY PICK, the only good news that will come from that….he will be fired at year’s end. Because we will end probably the same record. Yi is not our answer. We need a PG and a C. That is C for CENTER!!! Yi is not a center! People constantly mistake him for one because his height…not SIZE…but height!!! I do not believe Conley is worth #3, but unless we could trade to #5 with Boston, I believe we have to take him. Then entertain trade options for the 11 pick. And we’re not completely “forced” to draft a center at 11. Remember, this is a lottery pick. We could always pursue trade or free agency for a big body and draft the best player available at #11. It’s doubtful, but if Horford, Brewer or Thornton were available at #11…BK better pee himself with excitement. Granted we have too many 6-8 and 6-9 guys, but with the 11th overall pick in such a good draft, we would have the deepest bench in the NBA…which also equates into incredible trade leverage!
By Sam Dwyer
May 23, 2007 2:52 AM | Link to this
Given their wealth of big men, is there any chance the Blazers will trade down to three with Marvin and change thrown in?
I’ll stop dreaming.
I’ll give BK the following leniency: 2 more wing men are better than Indiana snagging a top three and Phoenix getting our pick (i.e. no pick).
By Peter
May 23, 2007 3:33 AM | Link to this
Nobody above us is trading their pick and trading down makes no sense. I’ve seen Yi play and while he does need some work and some time he gives the Hawks an opportunity to bring opposing big men out of the paint.
Hibbard can’t run for ####! Everybody had questions about Yao before the draft and Yi does some things that Yao doesn’t do and he’s younger.
He’s not a dominating shot blocker but he allows you to play an uptempo style. I’d have to gamble that one of the PG would still be there at 11.
You might not have seen him but Yi can play and he’s marketable. All of a sudden China knows the Hawks (even if we don’t)
You can’t take a PG at 3 who can’t shoot the rock. Who’s he gonna give it up to?
By fred b.
May 23, 2007 3:36 AM | Link to this
Alright Billy, you got a shot at redemption….DON’T SCREW THIS UP!!!!
By Jon
May 23, 2007 5:07 AM | Link to this
Yi is definatley not the answer, Mike Conley Jr is a fantastic PG (See PG. Point Guard) with a brilliant career ahead of him. How about this, why not ship the #11, Josh Childress and Marvin Williams for say, i dont know, Kevin Garnett? The T’Wolves get great talent back and Atlanta gets the starpower it needs and a bigger man. This will allow Shelden to devlop more and allows KG to get out of Minnesota. Maybe we can ship out SOME pick for the starpower the town needs. However yes a PG is what they need, but why not trade for an established PG ala a Sign and Trade for Chauncy Billups. Imagine a backcourt of Billups and Johnson. Theres just so many options and possibilities to do with TWO picks.
By TP
May 23, 2007 5:38 AM | Link to this
Billy Knight, listen to the fans. Their the reason you got a job.Corey Brewer is a playmaker. He make things happen something the Hawks hadn’t had since DW. He score at will and he is a excellent defender however, the fans will shoot you down if you take another forward. Be smart smart and listen to the fan base. The want a guard and center. Majority want Joakim Noah and Mike Conley. Noah is a high energy guy and he hate to lose. He will put more fans in the seats. Conley was a huge reason why Ohio St made it to the NCAA Championship game. Both of those guys know how to win. Do yourself some good and give the fans what they want.
By Billy is awful
May 23, 2007 6:28 AM | Link to this
The best move would be to trade down from #3 to like 5 or 6 and get a 1st rounder next year since we don’t have one.
By TLS
May 23, 2007 6:34 AM | Link to this
I would have loved to have gotten Oden but that was probably too good to be true. Don’t want Durant- doesn’t fit here. I’m excited about the third pick, although the BK detractors will say it affords greatest opportuniity for a mistake. Having the pick of the best of the rest,I think the team’s single biggest need is a true low post center which would be Hibbert. He may be a little slow but he can play low post D and score a little inside. His game may even be a little more advanced, especially offensively, than Oden. Next choice would be Conley but he won’t last to 11. Need to trade up to 6 or 7 to get him (maybe Shelden or Chills if anyone will gamble on his feet); that failing take Acie LAw, who, like, Hibbert, may be a little more NBA-ready than Conley though certainly not as good long-term. If we take Conley at 3 we miight get Hawes or Noah at 11. There are your two missing pieces without having to count aon free agent coming here.
By TP
May 23, 2007 6:49 AM | Link to this
Jon, you’re onto something. If I could trade our #3 pick plus Mervin Willaim and Josh Childress for Kelvin Garnett, I would do that in a heartbeat. We will definately make the playoff next year and could rule the division. If Mike Conley, Corey Brewer or Joakim Noah is still there, I would take one of them with the 11th pick.
By Ron
May 23, 2007 7:06 AM | Link to this
The Hawks need a true defensive center and a point guard. Oh and they should be players ready to play this year not projects. I have no doubt the Hawks will instead pick 2 projects. The good news is they will be still be in the lottery when Billy Knight is finally fired, so maybe his replacement will be able to turn things around pretty quickly.
By Jeff
May 23, 2007 7:23 AM | Link to this
If you are a fan of NBA basketball, move out west. Professional basketball east of the Mississippi has just become irrelevant. BK, do the right thing…..call John Scheurholz and ask him what to do.
By no id
May 23, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this
take conley at 3 and best available big man at 11…that’s the only logical thing to do.. no we don’t need brandon wright, no we don’t need al horford, and no we don’t need that chinese kid Yi either..if knight passes on conley, he’ll turn out to be the best point guard from the draft this year and everyone will be talking about how knight screwed this up again by passing up on another point guard.
By no id
May 23, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this
take conley at 3 and best available big man at 11…that’s the only logical thing to do.. no we don’t need brandon wright, no we don’t need al horford, and no we don’t need that chinese kid Yi either..if knight passes on conley, he’ll turn out to be the best point guard from the draft this year and everyone will be talking about how knight screwed this up again by passing up on another point guard.
By gatorhater
May 23, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this
It doesn’t matter what we think. As long as BK is drafting…. he will screw it up. We will also be back in the lottery again next year with Tweedle dee and dum (Knight and Woodson) running the show.
By snellvilleboy
May 23, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this
If Billy Knight has his way the Hawks will draft two forwards.
Ownership needs to step in and make it clear tohim certain areas are drastically in need of help.
The only thing posiitive about speedy is his speedy trips to the DL.
Where would this team have been with Chris Bosh or Jarrett Jack?
There just seems to be a desire to not draft in State Players for this team.
The draft is a crapshoot but at least give us some hope to draft more than a shooting forward.
By T MAC
May 23, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
Just wanted to take this time to thank BK for making it possible to get 2 picks in the top 11. Injury was the major reason we found ourselves back in lottery. The kid from China might be a solid pick, he’s mobile can shoot and run the floor. The guy will be a hard cover in the yrs to come. People are crying BK will mess it up, but not saying BK worked it so we have the great opportunity and cap room for two quality additions. Which might bring in a enforcer in the free agent market.
By Jon
May 23, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
Conley and Brewer will NOT last until the 11th pick. Guarenteed. The Blazers, I personally don’t think, will NOT trade their pick. Oden is too much a superstar in the making and has great talent and just everything a GM and a team could want. Roy Hibbert is a great talent, people think he’s not cut enough for the NBA but I disagree, he’s huge for size (7’2 280ish) and can have just as good as a career as Oden can have. If he’s availble at 11 i think the Hawks should draft him.
Also is Billy Knight the problem or is Mike Woodson the problem? I think alot of this rests on the shoulders of Mike Woodson too, i believe that after 3 years and a record of 69-177(.280%!!!) it should be time for a change. Look how deep the Coaching “Free Agency” Pool is. Adelman (despite being signed by Houston), BOTH Van Gundy’s, Carlisle (IND), Fratello (MEM), The Hawks can clearly get rid of Woodson, sign a CAPABLE COACH (I’d be happy with a Rick Carlisle, or a Jeff Van Gundy [Can’t mess with the ‘stash]) and then maybe the franchise can see it’s first playoff birth in years in an easily winnable Southeast Division
By HA
May 23, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Conley Jr has to be the pick, it ONLY MAKE SENSE…….if we take another forward, Knight should be arrested for wearing that Afro in public.
By BGeezy
May 23, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
Did someone just suggest trading the #11 and Marvin Williams…and something else for Kevin Garnett. Talk about idiocy..Garnett is what, 32..33 years old. Brilliant lets trade another up and coming star away and a draft pick for a guy on the back side of his career with only a couple more meaningful seasons left…Take the kid from China, at least he can score.
By Big Daddy
May 23, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
I like Sheldon as a basketball player . Give him a break please He and Marvin are going to be great.
By Umm
May 23, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this
If I see another comment about taking Hibbert I am going to SCREAM….you fools must be Hoya alums or you know he has that ugly Afro like Knight and they must have chemistry. Hibbert cannot run the floor and is clumsy as a 3 year old. Get Conley at 3 then the next best avaliable player at 11 or trade the 11th pick with one of them sorry forwards for another decent player in the league. We can turn this sorry franchise around with this draft folks.
By Jon
May 23, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
Garnett could be the key to making the playoffs and putting behinds into seats. Name 3 other DOMINATING PRESENCES in the East? Dwight Howard (Orlando made playoffs and increased it’s fans per game if im not mistaken) is about the only big force in the east. Garnett could be the key for the Hawks to make the playoffs and not being the laughingstock of the league. I mean i think i saw more fans at the WNBA game on Espn last night than combined at Philips during the year. Cmon, I sound i like im beating a dead horse here but Garnett just brings fans and is a force. Id be willing to give up even a Josh Smith for him (Not really but you know what im saying, hes that good)
By neil
May 23, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
First, there is no way that KG comes to ATL. If he goes anywhere it will be to an established playoff team. Secondly, I like the idea of trading down to the fifth pick to get Conley. However, in my opinion this is not the draft for the Hawks to get cute. We need a PG, so take a PG. With the 11th pick take Hibbert, Noah, or best available big there. Thridly, I personally love Brewer and Law IV. I think they both have the killer instinct their eyes, but I don’t think that’s what we need. Finally, I would hold off on the trade talk, because we don’t know what JChill, Marvin, or even Shelden can do with a great PG.
By brent a.
May 23, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
Figure out a way to get the Chinese guy, and Mike Conley, even if you end up trading down from #3.
If you draft Horford (perhaps a better decision right now than another UNC Freshman), I think it’s time to start considering the possibility of shipping off some of the other young “talent” (the Williams’, Childress) in an attempt to get older. Those guys really aren’t doing us any good.
Josh Smith is the Franchise right now, but if the right deal came along, you might even trade him, but I doubt it.
Two picks are great, but the youth is killing the team.
By GE
May 23, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
The issue is point guard vs. big dominating center. We need a pentrating point guard who can shoot, pass and control the game. How many more games would we have had won if we had got Chris Paul.We have good swing men and guys who can play center.
Both Pheonix and Dallas have won by opening up the game and moving the ball. I say take the best availalable point guard as the number three pick(Conley or Law) and the best available Center at number 11. If there is no Center available(the big chinese guy cannot play in the NBA if he cannot run the court), get another strong guard who can play either point or shooting guard. We need depth at guard when someone goes down.
By Dr.Box
May 23, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Considering that Billy has yet to screw up a draft for the Hawks, I think all of this talk about Billy screwing up this draft is coming from sheer ignorance of the fans that get on this blog and post. Some of you act like Billy is nothing more than Pete Babcock, who drafted complete duds.
Last time I checked, everyone that Billy has drafted during his time in Atlanta with the exception of Boris Diaw is a contributor. Josh Smith is a budding star. Marvin Williams has star potential and improved trendously during his second year and even more so over the second half of his second season. Josh Childress was a solid pick and is an underrated player in the NBA. Shelden Williams lead all rookies in rebounding and double doubles and won Rookie of the Month for April, yet he was somehow below average.
I’ve looked at Billy’s drafting in Atlanta and Memphis, and I don’t see any Rumeal Robinsons, Doug Edwards, or Adam Keefes.
So, get over this ridiculous hate you have for Billy Knight. When his team comes together on the floor, the light bulb will go on for some of you that have criticized him for not going after the quick fix.
By david
May 23, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
The Hawks should take the best available player regardless of position. They’ve made mistakes in the past, but let’s not compound the situation by passing up a great player for a lesser player simply because the lesser player is at the right position. If we have an overabundance at a position where the great player is, let’s trade the less players for the postions in need.
This year is make or break for the Hawks in many ways. I’d like to think that ownership won’t allow any more screw ups.
Question: Can the Hawks current ownership fire BK? I thought they were under a court order NOT to make any major changes until the legal issues were resolved.
By Wehaveateam
May 23, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
For some reason Atlanta still has a basketball team. I thought it died when we got rid of Dominique…wait, it did.
By Braves Fan 79
May 23, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
How is this Yi guy any different than the big white guy who started at center for the hawks last year?? both have outside jumpsot games. We need a POST player…and post defender…someone that can block shots! Man if only we coulda got Oden…so close…what a tease! Owell at least we kept our pick.
By Connie Lingous
May 23, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
This outcome - picks at 3 and 11 - is really not a good one - BK will screw it up, bank on it.
By flyawayhawks
May 23, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
Billy will pick his nose with the 3rd choice and then pick his butt in the 11th spot…he will find a way to mess this up….its science
By AMK
May 23, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
You just sit there and blast everything Billy Knight does.
You can not fault him for any of his moves since he got here. All the Hawks failures have been due to the Babcock era. Billy dumped salaries of Glen Robinson, Alan Henderson, Rahim, Theo Ratlif
Drafted Diaw, The consenses number two in Marvin Williams. Josh Smith, Yes I would have perfered Deng to Childress.
HE got blasted for picking too many swing men so he drafts the best power forward in Sheldon and gets blasted for that.
Trades for Joe Johnson.
We knew from the get go this would take some time but if this draft goes right i.e a big man in Hibbert and a PG in Connley this team is set for years.
By Bill
May 23, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
http://www.probasketballnews.com/draft_home.html
saying the hawks will take wright another forward,, these hawks can be good, or really bad for a long long time. they need to make a impact this year in the draft, i wouldnt mind the hawks getting law or conley, i think both will be very good PG’s in the nba, problem is who they take 3rd? maybe give up there 3rd pick to boston for bostons number 5 pick and there 2nd round pick, that way they can get more bodies in here, they can still get conley at 5, then center at 11, and then a over seas player in 2nd round.
By Bentos
May 23, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
I don’t know a lot of things, but this I know: whoever is the 3rd and the 11th pick, it’ll be the kiss of death for them. The Hawks are cursed, like the Lions in football. The Lions collect WR in the draft, we collect swingmen.
By Matthew at the SLC
May 23, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
I am a pathetic loser and I just want to say that the Hawks will mess up the pick the same way that I messed up my life. I have nothing better to do than blog about how much I hate Billy and Woody and I wish I could be a GM or Coach but I’ve had my head up my @$$ my entire life. I hate the way people like them get to be GM’s, and Mayors of big cities, and supervisors at my job and I just want to say that this city would be better off if the team would just keep losing and the football team too. The Hawks need a new coach and a new GM and I need a raise at my job. I played quarterback in high school and shooting guard. Now I am a nobody. Fire Billy and Woody.
By Kato
May 23, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Hawks talk @ www.clubhawks.com
By Bill
May 23, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
Leave it to Knight and he will screw this draft up. He and Mike Woodson needs to be fired. They don’t need Noah, Hibbard or Horford. Take the big guy from China and best PG at #11.
By scribe
May 23, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
* only two possible scenarios- 1. take Yi at 3 and Acie Law at 11 OR, 2. Take conley at 3 and Hibbert at 11*
By EB
May 23, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Conley at 3, maybe, but Spencer Hawes is a poor man’s John Koncak. Or maybe a middle class man’s Adam Keefe.
By Kevin
May 23, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
I would love to be able to get interested in the Hawks again. Here is their chance to win back the fans. They absolutely should not pick Conley at #3. Way too high for him. I’d rather have Florida’s point guard Green, anyway. They need to draft the Chinese kid, Li, at #3. Then they can still get Taurean Green from Florida at 11.
By Bob
May 23, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
I think the hawks need a big man someone who can defend and rebound with Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith they have the talent to score but to defend in the post is a challenge. I like Joakim Noah with the 3rd and Conley with the 11th or Acie Law
By Bob
May 23, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
I think the hawks need a big man someone who can defend and rebound with Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith they have the talent to score but to defend in the post is a challenge. I like Joakim Noah with the 3rd and Conley with the 11th or Acie Law
By Bryan
May 23, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Pleae don’t draft Conley Jr. He’s only played ONE year and never played without Oden. The Hawks need to draft the Law kid. He’s played the full 4 years and is bigger. Lot of possibilities here - just hope Knight doesn’t mess it up.
By Mash
May 23, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
We have good options. But at this point we have Billy Knight making the decisions. WE REALLY NEED THE COURT DECISION TO COME DOWN WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS!!! Our best hope is for Belkin to win the team and to hire a competent GM before the draft.
Marvin and the #3 to either to move up to #2 is a discussion worth having. Imagine a starting 5 of: Acie Law, Joe Johnson, Durant, J. Smith, and Zaza with Childress, Salim, and Anthony Johnson coming off the bench.
If we keep the 3 and 11, the 2,3, and 4 positions should be OFF LIMITS! Which leaves PG and C. The draft is loaded with big men, but there are only two PG’s. There’s no guarantee that if we wait till 11, that Acie Law will be there. Therefore, we must take Conley at 3 and snag Hibbert or Noah at the 11 spot. With Noah and Conley we could definitely run a Suns type of up tempo offense. Of course, Woodson would need to be replaced. Which brings us full circle that nothing that makes sense will happen with Knight and Woodson making decisions.
We’ll end up with two 6’10” players that will crowd Sheldon Williams on the bench.
By Bob
May 23, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
I think the hawks need a big man someone who can defend and rebound with Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith they have the talent to score but to defend in the post is a challenge. I like Joakim Noah with the 3rd and Conley with the 11th or Acie Law
By James
May 23, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
There is no one at number three.Put together a package with the pick and Josh Childress for Jermaine O’Neal.Trade up the number eleven and take Cory Brewer who I think will make more impact on his team next year than Oden.The time is now for the Hawks.
By Concerned Hawks Fan
May 23, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
read my lips… acie law iv=antonio daniels… he’ll never be a true point guard… Conley is the future. Hibbert is going back to school for his senior year… Hawes is the best C option, but he can’t defend the post, only score from there… so at #3, the hawks pick Mike Conley, and at #11, they pick Spencer Hawes…
By Hawkbuster
May 23, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
You have to take Hibbert at #3. Georgetown has a long history of great centers Mourning, Ewing, Mutombo. Hibbert went toe-to-toe with Oden and he has faced better competition. At #11 we have to go with AC Law. Outside of Nash and Bibby there is not another veteran point guard that is worthy of a trade. When you look at it, the young-rookie point guards are the future. They are coming into the league and giving the veteran guards all they can handle. We have to get these 2 young studs, there upside is great.
By kreedham
May 23, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Go to www.nba.com and check out the mock draft. It lists 7 different mock drafts and then awards points for a consensus. The consensus has Brandon Wright at #3 and Jeff Green @ 11.
By Don
May 23, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Seems to me that Rashard Lewis and Kevin Durant are somewhat similar players, and the Sonics also have Ray Allen as an outside shooter. Assuming the Sonics are going to resign Lewis, I’d offer them their choice of Marvin Williams or Josh Smith and the #3 pick for the #2 pick to get Durant. I doubt Seattle would do it, but I’d give it a shot. If Seattle thinks Lewis and Durant are too similar (not everybody shares Billy Knight’s philosophy of putting 5 clones on the floor at the same time) they could fill two starting positions with players that fill needs. Or maybe they’d do a sign and trade for Rashard Lewis.
If not, the Hawks have got to take Conley. They’ve passed on Tony Parker (when they had a pick in the 20’s and no point guard), Deron Williams and Chris Paul since they’ve had a decent point guard. Maybe they can trade down from 3 to 5 or 6 if they’re sure they can still get him. But they can’t pass up a guy with that athleticism and a point guard mentality, even if they have to wait a year or two for him to develop.
By JSS
May 23, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
The deal to make is not with the 3rd pick, it is with the 11th and that log jam of 6’ 8“‘s to 6’9“‘s on this team!!!
I have no problem with Conley, but if you pick him, realize that you change as team, the coach must embrace that.. This is not going to be grind it out team with him… Woody can’t mess with that, even his mentor: The General realized that when he had Isiah…
Some people on this blog haven’t watched a Georgetown the last two years. Roy Hibbert is not a slow big. Now he needs some stamina no doubt, but you can teach his touch and his bang…
And before you think I forgot, Jeff Schultz is still a NO TALENT HACK!!! Tick tock Jeffy, you keep writing these checks that you have no money in the bank to cover…
That knock on the door is the Sheriff coming for you… And the warrant is in his hand…
By EJ
May 23, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Am I missing something here? People keep talking about trading down with the 3rd pick. How can we do that? It doesn’t matter that we got the 3rd pick in the lottery, if we trade down the pick will automatically go to Phoenix. A pick outside of the top 3 isn’t protected just because we traded down to get it. If we don’t pick at no. 3 we lose the pick.
By ck
May 23, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Yi at 3 Acie at 11
no second rounders to tie up the cap
Well Done Hawks… A+++ Draft
By Barry
May 23, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Y’all:
I say go for the Georgtown Hoyas center, Hibbert. And a great point guard that available. Possibly the guard from Ohio State, if he is available. Hibbert can shoot, block shots, rebound, and can run. As stated before, he has played better competition in the Big East. The Ohio State guard is O.K., but he will need some work, with the 11th pick. But with the number three pick go for Hibbert, center for Georgetown.
SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! This is a SECRET. Tell Everybody.
Ringold
By JimmyF24
May 23, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
First of all Bob are you crazy, Noah is going to be there for 11 and Conley will be taken in the top 8 if we dont make the correct decision just one time (Knight). Conley is the future point guard of this team and will be incontention for ROTY. Check out video of MCJ and you can see that he is lightning quick to his left and right. Jumper will improve and get some length but the guy can ball. THIS IS THE SMART MOVE Avoid overthinking that Conley is not worth 3 because for his VALUE for the pick, which is always a topic of discussion.
11 will take some pondering and analysis because Hibbert and Green are pulling back to finish another year at Georgetown and think of all the others that might follow suit. The guys like Noah, Horford, Hawes possibly are going to be gone at that point. Acie Law is a taller version of Salim with a worse three point shot. Forget that at 11. (We will have taken Conley)
Knight do the right thing and draft Conley and a guy like Hawes or Tiago Splitter. That could be a sleeper pick at 7 feet and 20 years old. Conley/JJ/Smith/Williams/Splitter.
By Dan
May 23, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Don’t give this idiot a chance to screw up again! Get rid of Billy Knight now! This draft could be huge for the Hawks. You can’t leave something this important in his hands.
By J
May 23, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Seriously, get off Bk’s case …. he’s done a great job, and now is in position to attain the other pieces this young team needs, plus has some great trade potential on top of that and is STILL way under the salary cap.
Zaza has been a steal, Smoove has been a steal, Childress is underrated, Sheldon will step it up next year, and marvin has huge upside. Oh yeah, and don’t forget about JJ. Bk has done a great job of getting rid of the crap babcock left.
oh, and that whole “atlanta has a team?” bit got old 2 years ago
By jg
May 23, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
Hibbert is going back to Georgetown!!!
Hibbert is going back to Georgetown!!!
Hibbert is going back to Georgetown!!!
No more talk about Hibbert!! No more talk about Hibbert!! No more talk about Hibbert!!
By Stuart
May 23, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Trade the picks in order to get a solid, proven point guard to avoid even more years of the youthful learning curve. Billups and Bibby are said to be on the move…
By kreedham
May 23, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Hey Don,
ESPN radio last night suggested the same thing about Lewis. They suggested though that they’d let Lewis go than try to resign him unless it’s a sign and trade. Let’s see Lewis, Conley and the best available at 11. Give them our 2nd and any two of our players except J Smoove, Johnson, Zasa and Lue.
By TP
May 23, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
With Hibbert dropping out of this years draft, Conley and Noah will not drop down to 11….so if I had to chose between the 2 I would have to take Conley. Here’s a link about him. http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1176 I believe Hibbert back out because he don’t want the hawks to draft him. It would be a blessing if Noah would be there at 11. The guy will sell tickets.
By ATLien
May 23, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Give BK a break! It simply took time to clean up the mess that Pete Babcock left behind from the moment he traded Nique and a 1st round pick for washed up Danny Manning; still can’t believe it! The guy has actually made some crafty moves with the exception of signing Speedy Claxton a career back up to take over the point. The Hawks now have an abundance of young talent and was actually starting to turn the corner last year before the injuries.
DO NOT TRADE anyone; except Speedy Claxton, bust.
Draft Noah; can’t believe I’m pulling for a Gator, please excuse me Bull Dawg Nation, but this guy @ 6 “11” along with Josh Smith would make a helluva high energy combination at the forward spot and could actually negate the need for a true center, (ala Rasheed Wallace & Tayshaun Prince) and then take the best point guard available with the 11th pick; Atlanta native and former GA Tech player Javaris Crittenton (correct spelling of last name) get it right people. The guy already has chemistry with Josh Smith; played AAU ball together for years with the Atlanta Celtics that also included Dwight Howard and Randolph Morris. Would really benefit learning from true professionals in T. Lue and AJ.
It’s time for our HAWKS to sour again!
By Harry Hawk
May 23, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
ATLien…
“It’s time for our HAWKS to sour again!”
They’ve already soured. They can’t get any more sour.
By Q.
May 23, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
BRANDON WRIGHT + jAVARIS CRITTENTON PLEASE……………..
By ATLien
May 23, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
Harry Hawk; I agree, can’t sour any more, meant soar LOL……do you agree with the logic?
By Ryder
May 23, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
Thank you jg for that update….
…moving on, I find it funny how before the lottery everyone and their mothers were saying this was one of the best drafts in history. Now that the lottery has passed everyone is talking about this only being a 2 person draft. What hypocrites!
For all of those who say that Conley was overrated think about this: wihtout him do you really think Ohio State even gets to the Championship game? It wasn’t all Oden, and I like conley’s sense for the game. Don’t get misled by his height or his stats, this cat can play the PG and if you watched BK’s comments earlier this week with Sekou he said that one of the key ingredients for a successful team was strong PG play. Just because he doesn’t average 20 points a game doesn’t mean he can’t be a great player in this league. I would like for Atlanta to draft him and if available Noah at 11.
This team needs to know what it would be like to have a competent PG running the floor with JJ, Marvin and Josh. Also, Noah possesses the intangibles necessary to do the little things no one else on Atlanta can seem to do. Plus he will put people in the stands with his antics.
Atlanta does not need to draft stars in this draft, just those with great intangibles, something Conley and Noah possess in spades.
By Ryder
May 23, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Good pick up Harry Hawk. I don’t mind if they pick Noah first for the safe pick and then go with Crittenton later. It will put fans in the seats for once to watch Noah and the local boy from GT
By to the idiot
May 23, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
To the person who said the Hawks lose their 3rd pick if they trade down, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BASKETBALL? With those type of comments im guessing not. They own the 3rd pick so they can trade down if they want.
By diehardhawksfan
May 23, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Whenever a team has to rebuild, the first two things a team has to do is increase cap space and draft a best player available. BK has done both of that. We have many talented players here. The only regret i feel the team is feeling is not taking either chris paul or deron williams. BK clearly would have picked deron over chris. He likes bigger more athletic players. (Maybe that’s why he keeps picking swing men. lol) That year BK could of gotten a GREAT PG and also Best Player available either in paul or d. williams. But don’t rule out Marvin. It is his third year, and he will be much better this year than the other two. He has a great jump shot and plays great above the rim. I know many people doesn’t feel that BK has done a great job here, but i beg the differ. He has put together a team that just needs a couple of pieces to be a contender. The whole thing about missing out on deng or roy can hurt, but really think about this. BK draft a 2 and a 3 that year with the “Joshes”. deng is a 3 and josh smith is a 3, and even though deng is playing exceptionally well, i would pick smith over him any day. Smith is alot more versitile and can feel up the stat sheet. (His blocks are just icing on the cake). Now lets talk about roy. Why do we need him, when we have Joe Johnson. He has already proven in his first year that he was our “Go-to-Guy” and our number 2. Not to mention that in his second year he made the all-star team, and was in the top 5 of playing the most minutes per game. Also, we had chillz who is a great off the bench player and could feel in when johnson needed his rest.
In conclusion, BK is doing a good job. It is up to Mike Woodson to make it happen. The only negative is that Woodson builds on defense, and our team is built for offense. Have Mike D’antoni run our team and i can tell you it will do well.
BK, you have done a good job so far! Esp. with the addition of Joe Johnson. He is a star! With this draft you need a PG and a C! You have two picks. Go get Conley or Law with one of the pick. They will both be good players in the NBA. And with the second pick, go after the best C available. Make sure to not draft another sg, sf, or pf. We have plenty of them.
Other suggestion is to ship Claxton and #11 pick for a good veteran PG or a C.
By dawg
May 23, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
Take Brandon Rush and Julian Wright.
By James
May 23, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
i think that crittenton will be a better nba pg than conley. odin has made conley look better than he really is.
By vp of common sense
May 23, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
I’d love to hear at the NBA draft in June…. “With the third pick in the 2007 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks select Jeff Van Gundy as coach”.
That is the biggest position of need.
By Harry Hawk
May 23, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
And ATLien, I think Noah would be good in a Hawks uni. The guy’s a leader and he is a fierce competitor, especially on the defensive end. He’s just not worth the third pick in the draft. However, with Hibbert out of the equation and no other big men in this draft that I’d want to see in the ATL next year, I think Noah would be worth drafting at #11…or possibly trading up a spot or two from there to get him. I want Conley in this draft, so the Hawks might have to trade down from #3 by holding an auction for the Yi and Brandan Wright lovers out there. Pick up a pick a few spots lower, get Conley…and pick up another good player in the process. To me, that’s the best-case scenario for the Hawks. I doubt Billy Knight can pull it off, but here’s hoping.
By Eddie
May 23, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
After reading all of the speculation and knowing Billy Knight’s draft history. here is what I think is going to happen.
Billy will bow to public pressure and his own doubts about which big man available from 3 on down will be the break-out star, and he will pick Mike Conley, Jr. with the third pick in the draft.
Then, he will take what he thinks is the best big man still available at 11.
Then, when Mike Conley, Jr. proves to be a bust, he won’t take the blame. After all, it’s what the fans wanted.
And if the big man that falls into the Hawks lap at 11 turns out to be the break-out big man of the draft, Billy Knight will be lauded as a genius. After all, draft picks are a crapshoot anyway.
I mean if a GM knew that Michael Jordan (who was the 3rd pick the 1984 draft) or Larry Bird (who was the 6th pick in the 1978 draft) or Wilt Chamberlain (who was the 3rd pick in the 1959 draft) were going to be Hall of Famers, don’t you think he would pick him if he had the first pick in the draft.
Any draft is a crapshoot, because no one knows what is going to happen to guys once they reach the professional level.
Every year the prognosticators say this guy or that guy is a “can’t miss” prospect, and every year more prospects miss than hit.
It’s a nice thing to discuss, but really none of us know for a fact that Mike Conley. Jr. will even be an All Star point guard, much less a Hall of Famer.
With the third pick in the draft, you need to draft somebody who will be a productive member of winning franchise for at least 10 years.
Alas, Billy Knight will not take a chance (which may be a good thing), and he will select Mike Conley, Jr. with the third pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.
By Alihme
May 23, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
The teamvisits will reveal who steps up and shows he is the “real” nr 3 pick. Theres gonna be alot of smokescreens going on the next couple of weeks haha i love it! I love this game!
By Alan
May 23, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Hawks take Yi at 3 and trade down a few spots from 11 to take Javaris. Javaris will be better than Conley playing in his hometown. Also, trading down to get Javaris could mean a decent second round pick. Yi will be the offense the Hawks lack many times during the season.
By We are SOOOOOOO F^$$***^d
May 23, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
The SENSIBLE Hawks draft strategy:
Pick #3: Joakim Noah. (since Hibbert has wisely backed out, probly didn’t want to be Hawk ne way, go with the 6’11 can of crunk juice and see what happens.)
Pick #11: Best availiable PG. PERIOD. (Take 1 and call us in the morning: Crittendon, Law, Conley Jr, Taurean Green,or even Affalo. Ne 1 of them is 4x the “speedy” of light).
This gives us the final two components of a TRUE RUN & GUN style team that BK has (inadvertanely) assembled, while also shedding light on the fact that Woody’s absolutely a retarded a$$ bball coach, and he WILL be gone 13 games b4 the ASB. Enter in FRATELLO or RON JEREMY (er i mean Stan Van Gundy) and we finally have the makings of a good if not great team….
But, this is what WILL be the strategy
Pick #3: Yi Lianlang. *(BK tries to cash in on the Yao/cute Panda at the zoo effect that China has on the US right now while not realizing (along with half of y’all) that Yi is a egg-foo yung eating DIRK NOWITVSKI!! And on this team, that is basically the equivalent of a Chinese MW or JS, which is what we REALLY do not need)
Pick #11: Another wing with your plate, sir?? (We know the drill: Wingspan attracts fans, right?? So who’s it gon be: The Wrights, Brewer, Thad Young, Horford, Thornton, et al?? It all depends on which one makes him shoot wad off the hardest, if you didn’t know this by now God help u :-(
33-49 here we come…..hi lites indeed!
Like I said last night, giving BK 3 & 11 is like giving a junkie $20 and telling them not to spend it all in one place, u know they just won’t learn
And if REALLY think The Slumlord is going to be good, GO JUMP IN A LAKE AND KILL YOURSELF,OK?? He’s not even the best player in his own marriage ;-)
TrillPhil sez: WE ARE SOOOOOO F%&%@’D
By ray
May 23, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this
How about trading the #11 pick back to Indiana for Jermaine and pick conley with #3 I’d hate to see Atlanta lose some of it great young talent things are going to turn around wait and see. Also make some offer to Portland to see where they stand.