Sports Columnists

By Chris

June 28, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

So, why would anyone “back Billy Knight to the bitter end?”

You back Billy Knight, and the end will be exactly that: bitter.

What an idiot. SPEEDY F-ING CLAXTON???

By et

June 28, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Jerk,who is Li?

By Steve

June 28, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

And another thing, I think Vick is …oh. Sorry wrong vent.

By Andy

June 28, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Amare Stoudemire is a huge potential injury risk. Maybe Billy Knight is planning on working for the Suns. He already gave up 3 number picks for Joe Johnston, a nice player but not someone to put a team over the top. Now “rumors” say Knight is contemplating sending 2 more number 1 draft picks for a center whose season and career was in serious jeopardy last year. The only thing to do is draft Conley and then draft the best available big man at 11. I’d much rather watch a young team coalesce and grow around a great point guard than risk a shaky trade!! Otherwise Atlanta will have traded away 5 number one picks and will be back in the lottery in a couple of years. But at least Knight and Woodson can say but we improved and won 40 games in 2007-2008. Big Woop!!

By Dan

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

please pull the trigger on the Amare deal if it’s possible, if they screw up this draft im never cheering for the hawks again

By ConyersDawg

June 28, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Speedy was injured and didn’t get a chance to build chemistry with the team.

Chris how about watching the Hawks and going to a game before you chime in like you support the team. You are obviously another guy who wants to chime in on what you don’t know.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

June 28, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

I just hope that Knight and co. don’t screw this up. The level of play from the Hawks have been sad the last few years despite having a couple of decent players. They’re the home team, so I’m still down, just please give me something to watch. Pciking anyone of those Gators would be nice (Gator fan, duh!) but whatever the decision is , GET A POINT GUARD! If I have to watch the wrong guy bringing the ball up, I’m going to cry.

GO HAWKS!! (and get it right for a change would ya?)

By Aggressively witty

June 28, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

So the hawks get Amare and have him on the court with Joe Johnson, josh smith, williams/childress and WHO WILL PASS THEM THE BALL? The hawks need a point guard. Plus, Defensively stoudemire is weak and no one really knows how good his knee will be in years to come AND how good he is without nash, bad trade, bad bad trade.

By ScoobySnacks

June 28, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Deals not happening. Drafts already Screwed.

Pack up all your hopes and put them away in the attic folks. 2007-2008 is a wash. It’s over. It’s done. Start the tears and frustration early and get it over with. Woe is the life of a Hawks fan. On the bright side. Only twenty more years of this crap to go.

By ScoobySnacks

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

Deals not happening. Drafts already Screwed.

Pack up all your hopes and put them away in the attic folks. 2007-2008 is a wash. It’s over. It’s done. Start the tears and frustration early and get it over with. Woe is the life of a Hawks fan. On the bright side. Only twenty more years of this crap to go.

By Kevin

June 28, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Bradley/AJC, for the love of god get a sports editor. First you misspelled Kevin Youkilis’ name last week, now you invent some potential draft pick named ‘Li’. It’s Yi Jianlian. You lose all sorts of credibility if you can’t even check your facts.

By Dawg Fan

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

Horford & AC Law…………..

By RIP

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

Make the trade!!!!!!!! A proven NBA superstar is much better than Conley, Horford, Yi, and way better than Noah. Has anybody noticed how the Hawks and Braves are getting progressively worse since being sold. The Hawks were already bad, but this ownership group and the Gm are both jokes. Where is Stan Kasten when you don’t need him to make such an easy decision.

By Erik Hill

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

I think this would be a great trade. But why not try and get Garnett straight up from Minnesota. Then it will show other big free agents like a certain point guard named BILLUPS that Atlanta is commited to turning this ship around. A big deal like this can only open more doors for the hawks in the future.

By Ray

June 28, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

TO get right down to the point!!!

The hawks need KOBE!!!!!!!!!!!

By Ray

June 28, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

TO get right down to the point!!!

The hawks need KOBE!!!!!!!!!!!

By Ray

June 28, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

TO get right down to the point!!!

The hawks need KOBE!!!!!!!!!!!

By hawksloyalty

June 28, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

Deal or no Deal, that is the question! (And a good game show!) I really want this deal to happen, but if it dosen’t, barring us drafting “Big Baby” Glen Davis with the third pick, our team is still going to get better and let’s face it: in the East is dosen’t take much to turn yourself into a playoff team so I’ll hold on to my Hawks one more year. If they don’t make the playoffs this year, I’m going to move to Idaho and boycott the NBA!

By WONK WONK

June 28, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

dude Speedy is ALWAYS injured that’s on Billy Knight.He was injury prone with Philly,San Antonio,Golden State,New Orleans as a BACKUP.U expect him to magically turn healthy when given starter minutes?LMAO

By Ron Roberts

June 28, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

If I’m the Hawks, I take Al Horford (TX) with the third pick, because doing so will pretty much insure that Acie Law (TX A&M) will be available when they’re up again at 11. Then they’ll still have the cap space to acquire a proven PG to help groom Acie for the position down the road.

What an exciting team that makes for the near futuer. Yeah, it might mean another season of non-playoff, sub-.500 basketball, but wow, what a talented young team that makes!

I don’t see the Amare Stoudamire thing happening. If Phoenix says they’ve not even heard from the Hawks, then they haven’t. If they had, they’d have just been cryptic with their words in another fashion, I think. Don’t get me wrong, getting Amare would immediately make us a playoff power in the East, and probably as talented as any other Eastern Conference team. But it’s just not looking like it’s happening.

Either way, the Hawks are probably primed to be the most-improved Eastern Conference team after this draft and off-season.

By Chris

June 28, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Hey ConyersDog, I’ve been supporting the Hawks for every one of my 26 years. I was there for MJ’s last game at the Omni. I was at playoff games for the 3 straight years that the Hawks reeled off 50+ wins. Don’t question my support.

It’s the same with the Falcons. I’ve seen this nonsense my entire life. Billy Knight is an absolute moron. Plain and simple.

Dude, SPEEDY CLAXTON?

I was at more games last year than Speedy. How many did you attend?

By Hilble

June 28, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Thanks Mark for the facts, but I wouldn’t trust Billy Knight with my pit bull dog and he (the dog)is named Vick 07. Get A POINT GUARD! #11 the best big man.

By Chris

June 28, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

By the way, ConyersDog, Speedy has career averages of 9.3 points per game and 4.3 assists. He has ALWAYS been a backup. For that you pay $6.5 million a year?

I don’t think I’m the one that needs to start watching basketball.

By smartguy

June 28, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Luol Deng, Derron Williams, Brandon Roy, Joakim Noah.

Noah will be a great player, and would be a great COMPROMISE between the different warring factions of the Hawks decision makers.

NOAH

NOAH

NOAH

By Stupid People

June 28, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

What the hell is wrong with you money hungry front office officials, you want to f#$$#$ win but don’t want to pay anybody to win, what kind of BS is this. Same BS happened when we wanted JO JO, THE HAWKS DON’T WANT TO WIN, THEY F&&%% MAKE ME SICK. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO WAS THE ONE EL STUPIDO THAT DECLINED THE AMARE TRADE RIGHT NOW, HE NEEDS TO BE FIRED, THINK AL HORFORD AND ACIE LAW FOR AMARE? WHY THE F()^$$%$%% NOT, STUPID HAWK OFFICIALS, FIRE ALL OF THEM, NIQUE MAN UP AND STAND UP, YOU KNOW WHAT BASKETBALL IS ABOUT DAMMIT!

By Chris

June 28, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Hey Ray, I think we get the point.

By mo

June 28, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

dude Al Horford went to Florida

By bk hawk

June 28, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Good call Ron Roberts I agree with your thinking. Horford #1 and Law #11. Ron you also have some good blogs about the Braves , keep up the good work.

By Jorge de Georgia

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

Wholeheartedly agree w/ Robert, Andy, et.al. who say we need to maintain these draft picks and pick the best PG and power forward available. Amare Stoudamire can add a lot to the Hawks but I smell knee injury when I think about this talented center coming to the snake bitten Hawks. Billy Knight will prove his worthlessness if he pulls this trade off!

By Rocco Baldelli

June 28, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Chris don’t waste your time on the dog.Its not worth it.

By Steve Belkin

June 28, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

yes jorge de Georgia and all my beloved stupid fans lol a bunch of young dumb and full of you know ha ha dudes trying to adjust, what giving us a 9th, 10TH AND MAYBE AN 11TH YEAR straight in the LOTTERY COME 08 09 AND 10, GEORGIANS LOVE THAT WORD LOTTERY WORD LOL. ITS trend we can break like the energizer, we just keep getting younger and younger and younger! Yeah we in the right league JV ALL DAY LOL F*^% THE HAWKS ORGANIZATION!

By Kelvin

June 28, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Speedy Claxton is stealing money! Shelden Williams may be a bust. Marvin Williams may turn out to be a good player in a few years, but we should have taken Chris Paul/Deron Williams. Therefore, we are forced to come away from this draft with a point guard. My pick are Al Horford & Acie Law.

By P

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

Please BK do not pick the china man . Keep the picks draft Hoford and Law at 11. If conley falls 2 11 get him. Don’t trade eleven to seattle for Luke Ridenour or whatever his name is!!!

By tony

June 28, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

LET BK GO AND ALL THE FANS WHO AGREE WITH HIM CAN GO WITH HIM!! We need smart thinking fans who understand sports. That said, draft the best all round player in this draft - MIKE CONLEY JR!!

By Roswell Ed

June 28, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

We could trade Bradley for a sports writer in Phoenix, but we’d also have to throw in something actually worth something to make it even.

By tony

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

LET BK GO AND ALL THE FANS WHO AGREE WITH HIM CAN GO WITH HIM!! We need smart thinking fans who understand sports. That said, draft the best all round player in this draft - MIKE CONLEY JR!!

By nojuansfool

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

Hey, to the guy known here as “Stupid People”: Stoudamire has had microfracture surgery on both knees. Even though he had a good comeback year in 2006-07, the history of players having that type of radical surgery, e.g., Penny Hardaway, suggests Amare’s long term future is a huge question mark. So chill out. We can get two healthy, excellent players in the draft, so don’t tell us that would be stupid. Why do you think Phoenix would consider replacing a 24 year old All-Pro with one one who is 7 years older if they also don’t have concerns about Amare’s long term health.

By Tee

June 28, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Why would you want to own a team and watch them lose that is the Question??? The League should step in and take control over this mess. We as fans deserve better than this BS!!! If you don’t want to improve the team sell it or pack up and leave town. The team has drafted BUMB’S over the last 8 losing season’s. What gives. The GM yes that’s you Mr. Knight you need to go!! I feel sorry for Woodson because he has to take all of the heat for the crap. Then the players that we do have when they are let go move over to other teams and become nice starter’s. I say let Author buy the Hawks, Braves, and Thrashers. At least with him i know what am getting into!!!

By Tony

June 28, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter who the Hawks draft, even though it should be Conley. Mike Woodson is the worst coach in the league (with the exception of Mike Brown and Flip Saunders). They have a good nucleus already and all he can do is win 30 games in the East!! Gimme a break. The problems will not end with a good draft pick. They will end when the Hawks finally settle the ownership battle, fire Billy Knight, and fire Mike Woodson. I vote for Paul Silas!

By Fearful "because BK will screw it up again" Hawks Fan

June 28, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Anyone else think Bradley wrote this article about all the “rumors” ESPN is falsely reporting on to divert interest from the fact that the AJC, the media source that should be talking to these sources and reporting on these rumors, just like the Arizona Republic does as quoted above in Bradley’s article, hasn’t broken a big story about our own Atlanta Hawks all season or off-season? By the way, take Horford and Law and call it day Billy.

By no_id

June 28, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

fire bk and make nique the gm…at least he’ll have the respect of the fans and his peers in the nba..thats something bk doesnt have…there is so much internal issues going on with the hawks that nobody would wanna come here and play…we have a chance to improve things with are team and fans and bk and the ownership cant even get on the same page on what we need to do..we are screwed

By Ripdog

June 28, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

What’s all of this talk about we need a point guard. Didn’t we just get Speedy Claxton last year. Oh my fault, that’s the team suit model.

By tonyd

June 28, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

All of this take Horford, take Noah, take COnley is a moot point. Somebody better be able to guard SHAQ in the paint or it won’t matter who plays PG, SG, PF, SF. If the Hawks are like they have been since they moved to Atlanta in the 60’s they will still be doormats for everyone to step on. So take somebody who can play defense in the paint and then take a guard with #11.

By Carter

June 28, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight will find a way to mess this up… I promise. The man has a career 28% winning percentage as a GM. There is a reason for that. He makes a career out of being in the lottery. He has created a losing culture for the Hawks who are content with “almost” making the playoffs. He signs injury-prone players. He gets abused in his trades by other GM’s that have some sense (i.e. Colangelo).

By KMel

June 28, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Hey smartguy,

Isn’t Noah and Tyrus Thomas similar players? Looks that way to me….neither can shoot outside the lane. I truly don’t think that is what you should get with the #3 pick. What a talent drop if you can’t get a player that can shoot? Forget Noah, unless maybe at 11, a role player at best, a la Rodman at best. Let’s look for superstars if there are any. I ignore that we need get the best post guy out there. They all appear to not have superstar status.
I look for the best player to lead us, not be a 3rd wheel for any length of time. Give me someone that can take minutes away from anyone on this team. That is what we need. Roy would have done that last year. Would we have won more than 30? I think so, but we are under Woody’s system now…. For glitz and glamour, give me Conley (who struggles shooting from a distance) or Yi, who could play the Bargnani role this year and turn out to be our go-to guy.
At 11, give me a stable player who can fill a void on this team. Maybe Nick Young as a perimeter player, or maybe even Acie Law. I only ask one thing from the Hawks: Don’t let BK have the final decision. He has already done that enough times. Saying that, we probably could run this team without him, couldn’t we?

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Unless ownership(loose term) forces BK’s hand, Horford is the pick here. And he better be a stud. Mark is right, this is BK’s last shot at the playoffs. 35 wins won’t do! 33 wins won’t do! Playoffs is the only thing that saves his job…b/c next year, Atlanta Spirit (THANK HEAVENS) will not own the Hawks next season.

By FeudFinder

June 28, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Fire Pete Babcock; fire Mike Fratello; fire Lenny Wilkens; fire Terry Stotts; fire Lon Kruger; fire Billy Knight; fire Mike Woodson; fire Bobby cox;fire June Jones; fire Jerry Glanville; fire Jim Mora. Atlanta, a sorry A!!!! city, where you are hired to be fired.

By David Lee

June 28, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight will find a way to make the wrong decision. He always does. Oh, and I love the answers to any question asked to him “I can’t comment on that” - friggin’ idiot.

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Is anyone actually going to show up at the Hawks draft party tonight????

By Pompano

June 28, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

I hope Gearon does make the call on who the Hawks draft. If the decision is left to BK, then he’ll surely figure out a way to screw it up - which is what I fully expect.

It pains me greatly to have watched how this current group of owners & front-office execs have ruined my favorite team. Thank God for College Basketball!

By martin

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

and the atlanta spirt wonder why i have not renewed my season tickets. C’mon Billy do something right for once. Make the trade. That would make us legit and attract good free agents like a Billups. Can you imagine this lineup - Billups, Joe, Josh, Marvin, and Amare….. Wow, instantly the best team in the east.

By Chris

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

JohnGTfan, I’m thinking about it.

But the new “Die Hard” just came out. Decisions, decisions…

By Old Hawk

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

Charlie Criss at #3 and Walt “The Bells” Bellamy at # 11.

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Here’s a nice draft day, in my humble opinion. Pick no.3 — Horford (or Yi for some reason) and trade with Toronto for Calderon. The Raps have him out there and ATL NEEDS a PG like him! What’s the hesitation! JUST DO IT!!!!

By Chris

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

Billups AND Amare? Sorry, there’s this little thing called the Salary Cap in the NBA.

Hey, why don’t we get Chauncey and Amare, and trade for Jermaine O’Neal while we’re at it!

By Nate

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

Al Horford Sucks and Billy Knight is a double agent.

By Nate

June 28, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

Amare wasn’t the same player after is knee injury. I think he may be damaged goods.

By JohnGTfan

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

5 more hours!!!!

By Nique

June 28, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Steve Belkin is a Biyatch, somebody please assisinate this guy.

By Lowcountry Bulldawgs

June 28, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Ok since it ain’t gonna happen.

That is what I am wishing for. Then sign Mo Williams.

By Paper Bag Hawk's Fan

June 28, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

PLEASE TAKE CONLEY AT 3, I’M BEGGING YOU BILLY. DON’T MESS THIS UP AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

no, not mo williams. trade chills to raps for calderon. that would be ideal! But if ATL was lucky enough to get Horford and Noah, I would probably pass out

By blakdonnie

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

2 words, POINT GUARD, nothing else matters right now for the hawks. Me? I’m all Carolina Bobcats. Didn’t know we existed did you? its all good, i live in atlanta, and would love to see some wins all the same. Point guard or bust.

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

LOL LOL LOL I see people are still begging for Conley at no.3. WILL NOT HAPPEN!!! He is DEAD SET on Horford! We all know that means it’s true. The ONLY OTHER PLAYER ATL could possibly take is Yi, because that is who the owners want! There is no Mike Conley at no.3!!!!!

By mypost

June 28, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

Why hasn’t Phoenix heard from anyone from Atlanta? That’s the problem: not the fact that this is a rumor, but that Phoenix makes a “come get me plea” to the Hawks to inquire about Stoudamire and the Hawks are sitting on their hands. Maybe they were too busy talking to Priest Laurderdale???

By D-Man

June 28, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

Mike #3

and a big man #11

You need a point guard Hawks!! Win, and stop looking to the draft for your winners, you can’t do this every year you have to go into FA to get good players but while you have it get Mike Conley Jr. it makes sense!!

By South Ga FAn

June 28, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

What if we draft Horford at 3 and Yi somehow slides to 11. Do we come away with two PF’s?

By JRo

June 28, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

Do you know how many trades start off as “rumors” most of them. And those of you worried about Amares knee, maybe you didn’t see him drop 38 on the Spurs in there game 6 loss. If you have chance at a 1st team all NBA Center at 24 years old. You go get him. We don’t have a 1st round pick next year anyway.

By JohnGTfan

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

D-Man

It may make sense, but it’s not going to happen.

By Bob

June 28, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

$20.00 says the Hawks trade the 3 for a Point that breaks down next year and uses the 11 for some slow-footed giant that can’t speak english.

By killspirit

June 28, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

I for one hate the owner group and Billy Knight!! I think it would do everyone best to sell the team and start over completely new! Fire everyone!! Trade jj and smoove and these picks to the celtics bobcats and if the lakers trade Kobe then to them too for future non protected 1st round picks. God I think a 11 year old with cp can run a team better. For them to be mature adults they are all selfish immature rich bas#ards!! And for all I care Bin Laden can crash their private plans into the Eiffel towers or something but I am looking for a new favorite NBA team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Bob

I’ll take that bet, in a heartbeat!!! All of us might as well prepare to hear Horford’s name called third by David Stern, because that IS the pick, barring a last minute trade!!

By Orlando Rivera

June 28, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

All of you cryin about how you’re going to stop watching the Hawks and blah blah blah will be back here 12 months from now crying about why they didn’t draft Conley or Yi. While those two become linchpins for winning teams Horford will be averaging 5ppg & 4rpg for the Hawks because he’ll be overmatched! Law won’t see much playing time this year and once again draft experts will overrate another player in next year’s draft that Atlanta should’ve taken!

Knight will use the following excuse as to why he drafted yet another 6’9 forward and another hybrid guard: We needed someone who can come in and play right away.

These guys are not worth the hype and it’s a shame BK is falling for it. Woodson will have no place to put Horford and Law will be so far down the rotation he’ll be ineffective when he comes into the game.

By geekboy

June 28, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Al Horford and Crittendon are safe bets.

Of course, Hawks ownership has always been foolish, so I predict the will draft Yi (and he will be a bust) and the low-ceiling A.C. Law.

By Yo

June 28, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Horford #3, Law #11, gives us a VERY good team next year, and better every year after.

Look at this 9 man rotation:

3/4/5- M. Williams, Horford, JSmoove, Zaza, S. Williams

1/2- J. Johnson, Law, Claxton, Childress

That team will win a TON of games in the east, and you have credible back ups in Stoudamire, Jones, and Wright. You can go big/small and offense/defense.

Acie Law is the next Chauncey Billups.

By Hooks

June 28, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Pick Al Horford at #3 & Mike Conley Jr, Javaris Crittendon, or Acie Law IV at #11. Use any remaining picks on a new Head Coach and General Manager.

Don’t waste the third pick on a PG because at least 1 of these 3 will be available at 11 and all 3 of them are capable of the point position.

Please don’t pick the tall skinny Chinaman! That would be the worst first round top 10 pick since Jon Koncak in 1985, or Adam Keefe in 92, or Demarr Johnson in 00, or Josh Childress in 04, or Marvin Williams in 05, or Shelden Williams in 06.

This is the fourth year in a row the Hawks have had a top 6 pick! And yet no playoff appearances since 1999, the longest drought in the NBA…

These are the Hawks and Billy Knight, one of the worst franchises in sports history. I guess we can expect to be let down as usual…

By D-Boy

June 28, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Why is everybody screaming get Al Horford? He average 13 point per game. Sheldon stats in College are way superior than his. He was a product of the system at florida. He is not athletic or fluid. He is not quick off his feet to block shots. He is another Sheldon Williams like player. Get YI he will cause match up problems and his 18 footer is water!! His vertical inc is 38 and he is very athletic!!!

By JohnGTfan

June 28, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

I’m a GT fan and I don’t see how CrittenTon is a safe bet!!!!!

By wildbillhiltner

June 28, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

Horford will be the black Koncak or, even better, KonBlack. The only goodt thing about this argument is that Vick ain’t got not dog in this fight.

By Charles

June 28, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Please draft players, don’t trade picks, and don’t trade draftees for an existing NBA player. No matter what caliber player, NBA veterans traded to the Hawks never work.

By doug

June 28, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

if they draft horford he will play forward , he can’t play center, so zaza will play center, in a mediocre way. they will have to trade either josh smith or marvin williams, they are both too valuable to sit on the bench. you would still have these problems with stoudamire, he can’t play center either. conley or ridenour or calderon solve the pg problem, but if they take law ,he can’t play pg, so we will have to trade joe johnston because he is too valuable to sit on the bench.

By JR

June 28, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Maybe Mike W does need a Chinese player since he obviously can’t communicate with his players in English.

By Shellie

June 28, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Go for Amare Stoudemire and to fill the point guard position get unrestricted free agent Chauncy Billips. Please, Please do we not have enough kids on the roster to develop for the future?

By Mel in Midtown

June 28, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

This will be the Hawks annual chance to once again re-define the following terms:

1) Stupidity

2) Insanity

3) Incompetent

By Alex

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

These are the exact reasons why the hawks haven’t won since the mid-90’s, are the worst of the Atlanta teams in this era, and are a High School team in the NBA (East mind you). The F(ing owners and GM. Atlanta’s fans aren’t horrible they just are tired of losing. If this bull keeps up they can team and hit the door because as attendance shows we are not supporting a noncompetitive team especially in those clown A$$ uniforms. We’ll be with the Braves and Falcons.

By Ryder

June 28, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

LOL funny comment JR. I just don’t think Woodson could utilize someone like Yi even if they did draft him.

I have to agree with doug as to the convoluted situation the Hawks would be in if they drafted Horford. He’s not really an NBA Center and if you draft someone at 3 they’d better be ready to be an impact starter. I’m not saying that he can’t be in this league, it’s just that if you bring him in that means either Marvin or Josh Smith will have to be on the move. Horford will be a solid player at the 4, but then again we thought the same about Shelden Williams.

I understand that many think Yi is the more sexier pick, but the way it looks he may be better suited to play the 5. Perhaps tonight will only be the beginning of the roster shakeup in Atlanta if they draft Horford.

As for Law I think he is the most ready made PG, and that’s who the Hawks need, so I have to disagree with doug on that point. I wouldn’t necessarily spend money on another veteran after last year’s disaster with Claxton. Conley’s greatest weakness is his lack of a consistent jump shot, and he won’t be able to penetrate in the NBA as he did in college. People compare him to Tony Parker, but Parker was a benefactor of playing alongside Tim Duncan. Same for Calderon who played alongside Chris Bosh. Give me a pg who can take over a game without the assistance of a big man.

As for Law he can create his own shot as well as develop the floor leadership the Hawks need. Also, he has proven he is not afraid to take the big shot when counted upon.

By LilburnFan

June 28, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

The problem with the Hawks is the management! Ownership and Coaches are incompetent!! They aren’t going to ever get over the hump until they stop bumbling players and amongst themselves.

Fire Billy Knight, get the ownership to focus on Basketball and not outside business. Focus my friends on the game.

This organization is a joke and I won’t watch or go the a game until they get their act together.

It’s comical and typical of Atlanta. People in over their heads and bosses looking out for their own selfish interests and not the organization they run.

It’ll be interesting to see the vents tomorrow.

Bye for now

By Someone who can put sugar into Billy's gas tank b4 he tries to go to work tonight (Trill Phil;-)

June 28, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

**#3- MIKE CONLEY, JR. PG OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 6’1 180 LBS

By BC

June 28, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

I miss Pete Babcock!!!

By BC

June 28, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

I miss Pete Babcock!!! He passed on Darren Williams, he passed on Chris Paul, now lets pass on the best point guard in the draft.

By Someone who can put sugar into Billy's gas tank b4 he tries to go to work tonight (Trill Phil;-)

June 28, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

NO YI’S ALLOWED!! NO HORFORD’S ALLOWED!! NO TRADES FOR AMARE WITHOUT GETTING A BACKUP PG OR A 2ND ROUND PICK OR KEEPING OUR 11TH PICK ALLOWED!! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: NO FRO’S ALLOWED!!

LORD PLEASE, let us get what we need!!!

But if not, just be sure to keep the Hawk girls pretty enough & the Jack & Coke slushes plentiful enough to distract all the mad-@$$ fans in the Philips experience 2nite

With ‘Nique we pray, AMEN….

ps- don’t boo HIM folks, he ain’t making the trash, they just force him to take it out there to y’all, trust me

By Mark Bradley

June 28, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

I’m here at Philips Arena. There’s nothing happening yet. I’m still thinking the Hawks will take Horford at No. 3, same as I’ve thought since the lottery.

By td

June 28, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

WHAT THIS TEAM NEEDS IS A 6’9” SWINGMAN

By Trill Phil here.

June 28, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

Say MB, how’s about doin the whole city a HUGE favor and disconnect the arena phone lines from “Willie’s” office? Just for say, the first hour of the draft? Then perhaps you could “accidentally” slide a draft card to the assistant on the phone to the table in NY that says “MIKE CONLEY, Jr pick #3”. Then when pick 10 comes up, u can repeat said “process” for pick 11, except this time write down “JOAKIM NOAH pick #11” this time.

C’mon bra do it for the fans, for God’s ake we’re all counting on you man!!

PLEASE????

By Mark Bradley

June 28, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

I was sitting with Michael Gearon Sr. in the arena when the Horford pick was announced. There were no boos at first, all cheers. There were some boos later. but it wasn’t the deafening sort of outcry that I’d heard in years past in the atrium of CNN Center.

By will c

June 28, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

I didn’t like the pick initially because we needed a point guard. Now that we selected Acie Law at 11th, I think we can move forward and continue the progress from last year. Hopefully we can package Sheldon or Marvin and two of the available point guards to get a big.

By vick

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

Dang, man, what the Hawks need to do is draft Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson and Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. They win big then!

By Drew

June 29, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this

Hey Hawks Fans, we are all missing the point. The bottom line is with the ownership issues + Mike Woodsen, overpaid Claxton, underperforming Williams inconsistent Smith et al we could have the first 5 picks in the draft and it wouldn’t matter. Another low attendence sub 30 win season is in the works…

By Toby Cash

June 29, 2007 6:44 AM | Link to this

Are the Hawks still in Atlanta? If so, then WHY?