Sports Columnists

By MS

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

* ATL * You did GOOD! Now we just wait and see! **

By caveman22

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

after spending many years watching games at the Omni, I am hoping to start witnessing a winning team at Philips Arena. If the team starts winning after all of these bad years , how long do you think it will take before they start getting bigtime fan support??

That will be their final hurdle to conquer.

By BuZilla

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

Hockey is still better!!!!

By Robert Sams

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

Hawks are lookin good! With a little aging, we might have a champs in our mist!

By Ole Man Bourbon

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

This draft is a definite improvement over previous ones.

By Peter

June 28, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

I thought that this was an excellent, if unspectacular draft. Horford will be a better NBA player than collegian and while expectations of Law will be high there won’t be the pressure to perform that Conley would have had.

Good young talent on the Hawks. And still cap room.

By Edub

June 28, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

Hawks did great concerning the draft talent. They addressed the needs and that was good. However there is still a log jam at the 3 position with The two Josh’s and Marvin. One of those guys has to go!!

By Bigcalidawg

June 28, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

I’m a lifetime DAWGS, Hawks, and Falcons fan, but currently reside in Central California.

Today, I listened to the Golden State Warriors home radio station and they debated as whether to stick around for the announcement of our selection of Horford during the draft, because we are a “terrible” franchise. They went on to say that our front office is a joke and in shambles and that we are the worst sports city in the country.

It is hard for me to not use expletives (especially since I was recently booted from the Falcons “Pure Football” forum for questioning Kerneys manhood) , but I’m sick of constantly getting punked for the Hawks and Falcons.

It’s time to step up. We have ballers and are ready to win. NOW!

By Aaron

June 28, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

Mark,

Thank you for a positive article on the Hawks from someone not named Sekou. You can’t understand what a relief that is.

By Josh

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

It will be good if and only if we make a splurge in free agency for some veterans, we have plenty of cap room, there’s no reason why we can’t get even better before the season begins.

By Dawgs2007

June 28, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

I loved the days of Mookie and Smitty. You could could on those guys most nights.

It looks like we will at least be competitve again.

That is a start.

By Randy

June 28, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

I am an Atlantan living in Shanghai, China. The word here among the Chinese fans—who tend to be serious about their basketball—is that Yi Jianlian is nowhere near the player Yao is. According to one prominent sports medicine doctor in the know about about him—he’s “soft.” We made the right choice finally—and with Law, too. “Acie” will be at least another Mookie, though taller and maybe better…

By John

June 28, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this

Great points. Law might be better than Conley and there is no way any player taken at 11 or later will be able to have the impact that Horford will have.

By Best Baller in ATL N IN THE WORLD

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

I THINK THE HAWKS DRAFT WAS CRAPPY AS HELL They shoulda gotten Noah who by the way is a 6’11 SHOTBLOCKER what we need @the 3rdnot al 6’10 big body aka Sheldon Williams and get Javaris Crittenton who is a homegrown SACA/Georgia Tech born in atl @11! Acie Law is not a terrific ATHLETE and is a scorer what u dont need at pg i play point so i think i would know…yea Javaris is big…but there used to be a big point gard by the name of Magic Johnson…c’mon now gotta be kidding me tell Acie/Al to meet me a the run and shoot/metro fitness

By Hawk Heritage

June 29, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Plain and simple. The Hawks brass made the right decision! You need two players not one, even if that player is Amare Stoudemire. The only question is which two. You summed it up perfectly Mark! Conley & Thornton vs. Horford & Law! We just clogged the lane with the 3rd pick. Sheldon, Zaza, & Wright were not enough in the weak Eastern Conference. As far as a floor leader, we didn’t get the best “prospect” but we did get the best point guard! I’ll take it! (Hawks fan since 1971!)

By John

June 29, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

I think Horford will start at center. Lorenzen did many games last year and Zaza was good coming off the bench. Horford, Marvin, Smoove, JJ, and Speedy or Law is a good starting five. Also, I don’t want Childress to be traded. If you actually watched games last year, instead of reading box scores, you saw Childress is important to this team. I think he is one of the better 6th men in the league. He fills the role perfectly. Add Shelden coming off the bench, along with Zaza, Lue and Solomon, and we have a pretty strong team. Salim is also a great spark off the bench. We just need to stay healthy.

By ILL-logical

June 29, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

People,my people this is nonsense. 6 straight years of drafting in the lottery and choosing the same type of player! And then saying that a 6’8 3/4” rookie is /could be your starting center!!Incredible.

I guess it is true that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

By p-sha

June 29, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

Yes, Mark Bradley - the Hawks got it right - the combinantion of players - Horford/Law is better than any combo of players we could have put together otherwise - I understand the Conley argument - but looking at getting two players out of this deal - for you Conley supporters - who would you have taken at #11 for a big man?……Jianlian(gone), Noah(gone), Hawes(gone)…….hmmmmmm…….still waiting……….oh well, when you think of who the 11th pick would have been had we taken Conley - let me know..

By bravinseattle

June 29, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

How this team went through ANOTHER draft without getting a C and PG while passing AGAIN on the number one PG in the draft is beyond me.

If you believe Acie Law is the answer at the point then you believe the short version of him — Salim Stoudamire — is as well.

He’s not the floor general that this team needs and just like we regret taking Marvin over Paul we’ll regret taking Horford over Conley.

If Horford can’t play C — which he can’t and won’t just like Shelden — then we have just drafted a top 5 pick from LAST YEAR’s replacement who is backing up Josh smioth at PF.

Just brilliant.

By Josh

June 29, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

I agree bravinseattle, they will need to be BIG in free agency at the C and PG positions. You can’t expect these kids are going to start and lead our team to more wins.

By The Truth

June 29, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

I like the draft, but there are still questions to be answered. The pick of Horford only reaffirmed the fact that the pick of Sheldon last year was a wasted pick. The bottom line is that this franchise will have a hard time going forward until this ownership situation is figured out. Until then, we will continue to be a disgrace to the NBA and will be the laughingstock. With the salary cap flexibility we have, the Hawks should be in the running for a guy like Billups and other veteran leadership. However, the Spirit is holding us back. Given the dynamics of this city now, I can only imagine how crazy games would get if the Hawks were a playoff team. Get it together guys so this team can move forward!

By G Money

June 29, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

I am excited about the possibilities. We did the safe and unspectacular, but we came out with two solid picks. I think that given JJ and what he deals with, Law makes sense (as long as he can also distribute the rock). I just hope Horford is really the player that he is touted to be. I am a bit tired of hearing the “oh wait and see how good they are” preambles of picks such as the Williams only to sit watching grass grow while everyone else develops like weeds.

Now, it’s all about the coaching. Truly Woodson can’t say a thing, but he’s going to have to change up his style in order to make this amalgam really work. JJ and Law in the backcourt; Horford, Marvin and Smoove in the frontcourt. Not a bad starting 5. Pachulia, Shelden, Chills, Speedy/AJ and perhaps Salim or Solo off the bench is not where we need to be but we’re gaining ground.

Now, if we could all stay healthy…

Mark, nice article by the way, much appreciated.

By vdunkndunk

June 29, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

Horford is 6’10, athletic, strong, quick, smart, and skilled. He’s a monster rebounder. He plays hard all the time.

In other words, this guy can play center for us, no problem. Look at the list of centers in the Eastern Conference and tell me who scares you at that position.

I really think that if you’re complaining about this pick you haven’t seen Horford play enough or you are foolish enough to believe that a guy has to be 7-feet or taller to be a center.

A front court of Josh Smith and Al Horford is probably the most athletic and exciting combination in the Eastern Conference. And their games will complement each other well, because both guys, although slightly undersized, are freakishly athletic and quick, and both are extremely strong for their sizes - plus they both block shots and rebound.

So to me, we now have the size and athleticism at PF and C to compete on a nightly basis. And two guys this quick and athletic and stong will cause plenty of matchup problems for traditional lumbering centers.

By Wedgie Evans

June 29, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

They still should have taken Conley. Jason Kidd can’t shoot either, that doesn’t stop him from being a future Hall of Famer. You don’t need a PG to shoot as much as you need him to pass and set teammates up with easy shots, and Conley does that much better than Law. I’m glad they ended up with 2 starting-quality players (unlike last year, when they ended up with 0). But this draft still can’t get higher than a C+, when they once again passed up on a pure point guard.

By HACK

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

Good solid draft. Hope that it helps. Haven’t been interested in the Hawks since Nique and Smitty and the gang had me for a moment. Been to one game in Phillips. Sorry, the Omni, sitting in the wings was home for me.

The new uniforms are aweful. Go back to the Reds with the big stripe and logo on the pants like Spud & Nique wore.

Living in Baton Rouge, supporting the Hawks when the come to New Orleans, Dallas and Houston. That is the best that I can do. Hope that the team is better than I am

By mo

June 29, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

Bravinseattle, Sheldon was hurt last year. The Hawks inability to win games lies solely with their coach. Having big leads letting them get away. Coming from behind. Just to lose the game in overtime. Playing JJ to the point where he is lost for the last 20 or so games at the end of the season. Oh, not to mention letting a rookie shoot the deciding shot of a game and missing it. Do I need to go on? Or should I also point out that Salim didn’t get enough playing time because Woodson doesn’t like him. Or should I say that after Solomon held a block party in Orlando and Salim scored 30 points in games this past season, they were sat and did not play in the next couple of games. Meaning that one or more of our starters logged way too many minutes on the floor. Do I really need to go on? The kids that we have drafted the last 8 years come from great programs and winning programs. But they get here and start losing. That’s not your picks…well ok some of it is… most of it is coaching. And if Woodson doesn’t get it right this year he and Knight are gone.

By vdunkndunk

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

So what if they passed up on PG? Why does everyone think they need a PG more than they need a big man who can score with his back to the basket, rebound, and block shots? The Hawks didn’t have anyone on their roster who could do all three of those things and now they do.

Basically, everyone that was trying to get the Hawks pick wanted Horford, not Conley, so that should tell you something right there. And we had a chance to get a decent young PG with the 11 pick - but what big man would have been available there? That’s right…they were all gone by then.

It is true that we passed on Chris Paul and Deron Williams for a small forward we didn’t need that bad. But these time we are talking about a 6’10 forward/center who was the consensus best player available. You don’t get a chance to draft someone like Horford every day, whereas we can find a veteran PG to lead this team.

By Braves Fan 79

June 29, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

I like hartford at 3….but i wish we woulda traded down and grabbed crinnenton at around 18 or so.

By Hock

June 29, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

This was a good start but with the ownership veto situation on trades it’s hard to believe anything else major will happen on the free agency front until the ownership mess is finally settled — in about 2020.

By Brian Sheffield

June 29, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

Finally a team that has potential. I have been suffering since I heard the name Jon Koncack. Thank you Hawks.

By geekboy

June 29, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

The best Hawks draft in 20 years probably.

But, I think Crittendon will be the best point guard taken in this draft within in three years.

And a true point guard, something the Hawks needed badly, and still don’t have. Acie Law has limited upside.

By voice of reason

June 29, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this

For the dude at the top who said that the hawks draft was crappy as hell and we shouldve drafted noah and javaris,at first i started cursing and I got real offended, but when i saw that you that the text was from “the best point guard in atl n the nation” I feel better knowing that you are just another “idiot”. Good luck being the pg for dum dumbs

By sansho1

June 29, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

vdunkndunk, you’re exactly right. It cracks me up to see people look at nothing but height and weight, and completely ignore what type of player the guy is. Horford plays with his back to the basket, and he can guard almost any 5 in the conference, if not the league. The Hawks don’t have anyone else like that.

By nick

June 29, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this

Crittenon is a big turnover machine so while he is a true pg and has a lil better upside he wouldnt play much this year and when he did would cost the hawks many possesions. All the Hawks need at point is someone who is tough on defense, can get the ball to joe johnson and then hit an open shot. Law fits that desciption much better than crittenon. Finally for those who didnt want horford because he cant play center, he can and he will. The man is 6’9 and a half” and strong, and it helps that he’s in the east. What are you scared he’ll get posted by darko

By Randy

June 29, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this

I think BK finally got one right.

By Matt

June 29, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this

Right on, Mark!

Here comes A-town fellas! I’m gonna get my firm to reserve a box here in Philly the next time the Hawks come to town. This is gonna be a FUN team to watch, and they’re gonna run a lot of teams in the East ragged.

By Diamond

June 29, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this

If recent form holds, Mike Conley just won Rookie of the Year for next season. :(

By Diamond

June 29, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this

If recent form holds, Mike Conley just won Rookie of the Year for next season. :(

By Dreambig

June 29, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this

with two 1st round picks not named Oden and dURANT, the laughstock forever Hawks suddendly become a playoff contender? Yeah, in the weak east conference, anything can happen. Let’s dream, dream big!;-)

By Randy

June 29, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this

Check out this interview with Acie Law on YouTube. He is a solid pick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y42X_KCGAk

By ATLien

June 29, 2007 2:32 AM | Link to this

I agree with vdunkndunk, if they wouldve drafted conley at #3 then there wouldnt be any more decent big men to draft, and if the hawks wouldve drafted another small foward at #11 because there wasnt anymore centers or anymore strong power foward, all of yall would be complaining about that and saying that they wasted another pick

By nate

June 29, 2007 2:51 AM | Link to this

I’m not totally disapointed in the Hawks picks. But this is what doesn’t make sense to me. OK, first off you couldn’t come up with a package for #3 and #11 for some veterans so you stuck with youth again. Now everyone is saying that Conley is too young and small to lead this team and is not proven, yet guess what, neither is Horford. I’m not saying he won’t be good but since you drafted young, then get what you need, a pure point guard. You’re saying that Law is not a pure point guard but you draft him anyway. Conley is a winner. He’s won at every level except the pros. We should have gave the guy a chance to win big immediately at the Pros because that’s all Horford and Law is, a chance. Of course I’m happy for both guys but Law is another Salim, He won’t defend.

Doesn’t this sound familar, We draft another shooting guard who can maybe play point guard but yet he’s still not a point guard and that’s what we needed. this is not a business deal were you go in a board room and strategize how players fit a system. These are Basketball players and the Game still haven’t changed. You don’t win without a proven floor leader. Law is not a proven floor leader. Conley can simply get the ball to big people which we have and can make them better right away because our big guys have some experience now.

It would not have been any pressure on Conley. Now we have to wait and see if Law can distribute the ball and make people better like Conley made Oden better, but hey, let’s see what happens. Go Hawks!!!

By Da Truth

June 29, 2007 2:52 AM | Link to this

For all of you guys that say that the hawks draft day was terrible, you are all idiots. As many people have said before, If we did draft conley, what big man was avaiable at 11……. NO ONE! We made the right decision at taking Horford at the 3 and Law at the 11. Both are scorers and will help the hawks greatly. And law is not just another guard that tries to win the three popint contest everytime he touches the ball(SALIM STOUDIAMIRE). Its all uphill from here. GO HAWKS!!!!

By volstar

June 29, 2007 3:09 AM | Link to this

I watched a lot of college ball last year and Law was the best player I saw other than Oden and Durant. This guy is simply amazing. He is very matute and unselfish and when he decides to take over a game he is close to unstoppable. He has a deadly jumper, can hit the 3, and can slash to the basket. He can dish the ball as well and I see him being more than a capable point guard. Conley and Critt are not as ready as Law and both have questions. Law will be OK folks, we will love this guy.

By fred b.

June 29, 2007 3:44 AM | Link to this

while i do agree we have a considerable logjam at forward, this was the best alternative given the fact that we don’t know what transpired behind closed doors. You can’t believe every trade rumor you hear on the internet. I would much rather have taken horford and law with our picks than to have taken the chance of drafting conley and then having to pick from what was left at 11.

By Nunna Yo Biznezz

June 29, 2007 4:09 AM | Link to this

Now,do we still go after Billups in the free agency market???

What about Lue,Ivey,and the 2 Williams???

So many Questions..

Good job Knight and Company…

By concerned fan

June 29, 2007 5:01 AM | Link to this

get rid of j chill and marvin williams..now that al horford is here they are not needed and could help get a veteran.

on a side note, acie better be starting over lue and speedy. he is seasoned already at 22 and needs to start playing and getting into the system now.

also, it is possible to play with 3 good forwards with horford beig 6’9 3/4” if we cant get a veteran center.

By tony

June 29, 2007 6:12 AM | Link to this

You people just can’t see what is coming! I said it before and I will say it until it happens - Mike Conley will lead his team to a NBA final before the hawks CAN COUNT TO 3! Put that in your notebooks! To pass on Yi for another forward who put up less numbers than Shelden Williams is insane!!!!! SATAN THE DEVIL IS HOLDING THE HAWKS HOSTAGE!!!!!

By chris

June 29, 2007 6:23 AM | Link to this

Here’s the problem, this team doesn’t need more rookies (even if they might contribute this year). Watch for the team to fall short as the season wears the kids down. Stoudamire would have been the only sure move. Sorry Billy, you are another 1-2 years away (still).

By HawksFan39302

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

The Hawks made some great picks. They addressed their biggest needs with proven collegiate stars. I hope they transition well into the pro game. I would like to see Al Horford play center and hope that Shelden Williams steps up at PF. That would be one menacing front court. As a Tech fan, I did want Javaris to play for the hawks, but Acie is a better choice based on experience and his ability to lead a team. I don’t think the Hawks at this stage can afford to allow a 19 year old run their offense. If the Hawks don’t have a winning season this year, then it’s time for some serious changes in coaching and management. The Hawks have no excuses for another pathetic season. They have too much talent for for losing results.

By volstar

June 29, 2007 6:33 AM | Link to this

If you think Memphis is going anywhere soon you need to call Charter or if not them please call somebody. Conley is way too young to help and his workouts sucked. He has no jumper.

From a draft expert…. “The one drawback to Conley’s game? The J. He apparently couldn’t throw it in the ocean in some of his workouts, but that’s not enough to deter Memphis.

Also Conley is listed as 6-1 but reports say he is under 6 feet. I am not saying he sucks but he is not someone I would draft over Horford or Law.

By danny fortien

June 29, 2007 6:40 AM | Link to this

WHY ANOYHER 6’9 FORWARD TO BE HONEST WITH U FANS THE HAWKS NEED TO CHANGE THE PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE WHOS WASTING THE OWNERS MONEY. THIS DRAFT WAS A BIG “F” PERIOD.

By jp

June 29, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this

The hawks had a good draft, but I would have taken a chance on Jarvis Crid rather than pick ALaw. By picking Hortford, the Hawks are admitting that they made a big mistake when they took robot moving mechanical Shelden brick Williams which has to be one of the worst #5 pick in a long time.

By jp

June 29, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this

The hawks had a good draft, but I would have taken a chance on Jarvis Crid rather than pick ALaw. By picking Hortford, the Hawks are admitting that they made a big mistake when they took robot moving mechanical Shelden brick Williams which has to be one of the worst #5 pick in a long time.

By jp

June 29, 2007 6:47 AM | Link to this

The hawks had a good draft, but I would have taken a chance on Jarvis Crid rather than pick ALaw. By picking Hortford, the Hawks are admitting that they made a big mistake when they took robot moving mechanical Shelden brick Williams which has to be one of the worst #5 pick in a long time.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

June 29, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this

Being a Gator fan living in Atlanta, I’m in heaven right now. I can’t wait ‘til these Georgians fall in love with Horford. He is going to make it hard not to. He was the real star among the three there in Florida, trust me. Don’t get me wrong, heck I wanted Noah just because he’s so goofy (I like that about him)and if the Hawks were to still lose, at least it would have been entertaining with Noah, but now all I’m thinking is winning. When you put Law and JJ in the backcourt, Josh Swmith, Marvin Williams, and Horford together, if the coach can’t make a winner out of that, he should be let go. That’s more than enough talent to win “in the jv league better known as the Eastern Conference” as Steve Smith would say. Now I have some hope, just HOPE bickering ownership doesn’t ruin it all.

GO HAWKS!!

By Ryan

June 29, 2007 6:51 AM | Link to this

Oh come on. You get the feeling some of you typed out posts to complain about the Hawk’s draft ahead of time only waiting to fill in the names.

A monster POWER forward/Center and a good Point guard who can take double teams off of JJ is a good draft.

Too many people get way too obsessed with one particular player and consider anything other than ‘Their’ pet player as a disappointment.

Grow up.

By volstar

June 29, 2007 6:53 AM | Link to this

To anyone saying we should have taken Li………you do realize he has NO inside game. Did the Hawks need that kind of player. Plus he is a huge gamble, so he was not a good fit for the Hawks. To me it is stupid to even suggest Li, thank God common sense won over the desire to sell a few tickets.

By volstar

June 29, 2007 7:07 AM | Link to this

Listen to the what the draft experts say about Horford………

“While the Hawks most pressing need might be at the point, this is way too high to take Mike Conley Jr. What they do get though is a front-line anchor for the next 10 years. Horford is a guy who has improved every year at Florida; he’s a load down low, can run the floor and despite the fact that he’s raw offensively, has crazy potential. Solid pick for the Hawks.

By tony

June 29, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this

MIKE CONLEY JR WILL LEAD MEMPHIS TO A NBA FINALS! AGAIN, WRITE IT DOWN!

By Charles

June 29, 2007 7:24 AM | Link to this

Tech was holding a Tickle Pile at the same time the Hawks were drafting Horford. It was AWSUME

By J

June 29, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this

Tony,

You’re an idiot, period.

This is the most positive buzz i have seen in this city in awhile. I can’t be more happy to see that even the AJC beat writers are actually saying positive things. There were some boos for Horford last night, which i didn’t understand??? I’m not saying Conley will be a bust, but Horford was the far better selection, and Acie Law will work out great!!!

By The Murf

June 29, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this

We finally drafted a forward we’ve needed for years!!! Oh, wait…….

By h_charles

June 29, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this

No, the right move was to trade the pics for SToudamire. He is a young proven superstar that can play low post. Those are very rare. What we got were two unknowns (we all know how draft picks have fared in Atlanta with that idiot Knight running the show — BTW every media outlet in the country uses Knight as the posterchild for poor management. How does he still have a job?).

That being said, if we were not going to make the best move to get Stoudamire, getting Horford and Law is the best we could have hoped for in the draft. Horford could turn out to be a very solid low post guy (no Stoudamire, but solid). Law is a winner but the question there is will he get any better than he is now. OF course, drafting Horford is an admission we blew it with the Sheldon pick last year.

By Jay in Atlanta

June 29, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

Nice picks. These can be the development core of a great team. I see the Finals on the horizon.

The trade for Amare, although I would have done anything to make it happen, would never in a million years have happened to the Hawks. In 28 years of watching them, I know that they can’t possibly put together something of that magnitude.

BuZilla, just go watch hockey, the worst game ever invented. We don’t need you in the arena.

By No Dawgs Here

June 29, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

I think the Hawks did good. I was so worried that they were going to pick Yi. I’m glad they went with true talent, instead of hype. Way to go Billy!! If they stick witht his team a few years, we may have the makings of a good team!

By M

June 29, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

It seems only yesterday that Speedy Claxton was “the answer.”

By tony

June 29, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

J, don’t get on this MB and start calling me an idiot like a childish coward. Be a man and tell me what’s on your mind in person. I know a winner when I see one. MIKE CONLEY JR WILL LEAD HIS TEAM TO A NBA FINALS!!!!!!!

By ex-Hawks fan

June 29, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

it’s time to fire Billy Knight & Mike Woodson. they’re both sorry as _!!!!!

By Don!

June 29, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

We got two good players.

Unfortunately, NBA titles are not won with good players — they’re won with great players.

We had a chance to get a great player in Amare — but Belkin and the Atlanta Spirit just have no clue. There’s a reason the Hawks ownership is the laughing stock of the NBA — and the inability to land a great player is why the Hawks will continue to stumble.

Later,

Don!

By Lowcountry Bulldawgs

June 29, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Great draft for the Hawks. Although I was a little curious when Noah Got to 9. Jay Bias sucks for giving the Hawks a negative grade. He is a talentless hack who got shown up by Stephen A. and Mark Jackson last night.

By Nique

June 29, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

I would have prefered to get a natural point in Conley, but i defenately can’t be mad with Horford & Law considering the past drafts in recent history, although it wasn’t the best case senerio, BK didn’t totally f*** up the roster & the 1st round like he’s done recently. I would have like to see the hawks trade childerss to get back into the second round though to grab either a true center to back up zaza (Arron Grey) or a legit SG who can score, shoot, & with some size (Byers) to back up & spell J.J. so he can stop playing so many minutes, wearing down in the forth quarter & at the end of the year & be less likely to get hurt. Afterall when & where is childress gonna get minutes? At SF you’ve got J.S & Marvin & @ P.F U’ve got Horford & Sheldon. I put it in this order because realistically unlike alot of ppl on here, i realize that J.S is a SF & NOT A PF. & THAT HORFORD IS A PF NOT A C!

By Corey in Japan

June 29, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

I’m glad they didn’t make the big trade. They would have had to give up too much, and if Marvin Williams was in the deal the Hawks would have really regretted it. I think he is just getting started. He isn’t even old enough yet to have graduated from college. And I agree with Knight’s reasoning for passing on Conley: as great as he is, you need someone who can shoot the ball. I’ve been a Hawks fan since the early 80s and have been pretty sick of them over the past few years but feel like there might finally be some hope.

By JM

June 29, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

Acie should start opening day cause hes better than speedy and t-lue is better off the bench…the article mentioned horford starting at center…not a bad idea zaza is inconsistent. heres the lineup that will win for us:

C-Horford PF-Josh Smith SF- Marvin SG: Joe of Course PG-Acie

can anyone say playoffs?

By Paul

June 29, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

Even an idiot like Billy Knight couldn’t f* up this draft. Horford, though not a true center, could come up big w/Josh and Marvin (if Marvin develops). I really like Acie Law. Weird looking shot, but I have a feeling he’s just one of those clutch guys. Plus, he’s smart. Good instincts. Hawks could be a threat to be the #8—maybe even #7—in next years playoffs. Theys still could use a true center, though.

By Nique

June 29, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

Horford is only a center in the eastern cionfrence & if we are trying to build an eventual championship team here, we can’t seriously think he’s a lagit center.Real centers like Yao, Shaq, D. Howard, & G. ODEM WOULD EAT HIM ALIVE! He is a PF & that’s the end of it!!! We need to look for two things in free agency, a scoring Sg to come off the bench & releave J.J. & then a true C with height, size, & who can block shots!

By destin

June 29, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

I think if we could aquire one more piece — a defensive center that is big and can run the floor (Camby would be OK for a couple of years)— we would be very deep at ‘all’ positions. With our speed and the ability to rotate ‘waves’ of fresh players, we could run other teams into the ground. This assumes Woody is not fixated with the half court offense.

By RIP

June 29, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

The pick of Horford doesn’t make any sense. Why pick forwards every year. Does anyone in management ever look at the roster. You have a bunch of guys that play the same position(none play it effectively). This is the only team whose games I went to last year that had 7 more forwards on the bench. So I guess next year when the Hawks are in the lottery again they will pick another forward.

Get rid of the Williams’ and decide if Josh Smith can play with Joe or just bring him off the bench because playing him at the three isn’t going to work(he can’t shoot either). Better yet just sell the franchise back to AOL.

By Tony H

June 29, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Bottom line Law is a shooter not a point he will not make Marvin,Josh Smith and Childress better he will be looking for his shot and that will not make this Team as a whole better should have taken Conley.

By MoeMan

June 29, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

I think the Hawks did well in the draft this year. Still a year or two from making the playoffs. I see them winning 6 to 8 more games than last year. Horford will be good and will help. Not sure about Law, didn’t see many A&M games. Conley will be the rookie of the year next season, even if the Hawks had drafted him, they still will only have won 6 to more games. Then again, in the Eastern Conference, that could make the playoffs.

By Sautee

June 29, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

I’m a lifelong Bulldog Fan but I’ll have to say that Al Horford was the smartest player on the court every time he played over the last 2 years. When you get a rare chance to take someone of his size and skill level, who ALSO has that high of a basketball I.Q. you do NOT pass it up. And Acie is the closest to “ready to play” of any of the guards in the draft. These were the best picks in several years, although it may be ‘09 before we see it. And, by the way Nique, how did the Pistons do 2002-2005 with 6’9” Ben Wallace at Center?

By dowgie

June 29, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

51-7

By billybobboyknight

June 29, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

folks, and best baller in the world-you moron. horford has a higher standing reach and vertical jump than your boy noah. plus, he is 20lbs to 30 lbs heavier and ten times the skill. noah will get pushed around like a rag doll. we already have solomon.

but if we want, we can go big(relatively) with zaza, horford, jsmith(who is mostly power forward) or

we can go smaller with horford, jsmith and marvin….probable starters for the year.

mix in a little solomon and shelden in whatever combo.

how about horford-c, solomon-pf, jsmith-sf,

again,as far as Law-he can pass. who was he going to pass to in college? i did not watch, but people who did, said he passed and set up teamates in the first half and took over in the second half. HE IS NOT LIKE SALIM! QUITE SAYING IT.

With law, maybe, at the beginning of the season he can back up the point and when jjohnson goes off, law will help to take up for the scoring that is lost. who knows he may be thrown into the fire and starts off the bat. Then you have lue coming in for points.

and anybody who says they liked smitty-mookie days are dorks. yes they won-they were top defensively but the worst offensivley. they were the most boring team ever. mookie was the worst point guard. besides his great d, he never penetrated, never passed well. all he could do was dribble around the perimeter and hoist last second threes, which he could not hit once they moved the three point line back.

By Dan

June 29, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley

You’ve done nothing but cut this team down through this whole rebuilding process. Don’t start acting like a cheerleader because things are starting to turn around.

There is a reason why Billy Knight won’t talk to you. You are a jackass!

By theman

June 29, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

We couldn’t get Oden so I’m VERY happy with the picks. Conley isn’t a LEADER but LAW is and what we need are players who work hard and want the ball. Harford AT LEAST will be another SF. He might be a good center as well but it doesn’t matter. If you can’t get a STAR center then I think you shouldn’t spend a first round pick on a Center anyways. Getting serviceable Centers isn’t going to get you to the finals so hooray for the HAWKS!!

By by h

June 29, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

I think draft was well done. Maturity over emotion. Great job Billy. Go Hawks!!!

By Darrell

June 29, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

Folks are funny, “Law’s not a true PG”, neither is Roy but in May everyone was fussing that Atl passed on him, and now they are callin Law Jason Terry2!

By by h

June 29, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

I think draft was well done. Maturity over emotion. Great job Billy. Go Hawks!!!

By Chris

June 29, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

J Smith, Childress, Marvin, Shelden, Horford…

Watch out NBA! The attack of the 6’9” forwards is loose in the East!

How the hel do you divide the minutes between these guys, unless Horford is out starting C?

Booooo….

By Blumensteiner

June 29, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Good picks … I don’t think the Hawks are finished wheelin’ and dealin; though - with the surplus of talent they currently have @ the point and forward positions.

By JPC

June 29, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

I really like what what the Hawks did last night and we drafted the best combo of players the we could have. I watch a lot of hawks game and Horford was the right pick im sick of watching the other teams destroy us in the paint. The hawks had the most losses in the nba by ten or more points why because this is a soft team that got there a* kicked in the paint every night Horford will add toughness to our soft team. acie law was the right pick because we needed a pg and I watched some of his games and this kid is a baller. if you look at his stats the assits have stayed pretty much the same over the course of his college career while his scoring has increased every single year which means that he could still his team involved while being a leader and picking up the scoring load. he shot almost 50% and 45 from 3 point range. Also may i remind you that he was voted the best pg in college basketball, not conley which i didnt know until the draft last night. another point conley has had oden on his team since middle school how will he do which out him. Im saying that conley will be bad but he is a project. The two players the we got have seven years total in college which is a lot these days im sick of waiting for these projects if we have drafted conley it would have been a while before he would a good player for us. law and horford can come in and play right away. also after looking at the polls it was over 70 that said they liked the picks so the fans agree and think that the hawks did the right thing. GO HAWKS!!!

By HGN

June 29, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Though I am no Billy Knight fan, for good reason I think , this is the best job of managing The Hawks draft that Billy Knight has ever done. He got the consensus NBA ready player in Al Horford, and he got a good serviceable guard in Acie Law, IV. We all wish Horford was 7’1” , he’s not, but he was the best front court player available.

We needed a true combo/point backcourt mate for Joe Johnson. Not only a guard who could distribute the ball (Conley, Jr.), but one who could handle the ball , distribute , and score to take some heat off Joe having to score ( Law, IV ) . Conley could distribute , but he couldn’t put the ball in the ocean from a cruise ship. Law IV can do both adequately. The Hawks need that option and capability from its backcourt. The picks also provide good depth off the bench in case of injury. I like the thought of having possibly Childress, Salim, Lue , Williams, and Jones available off the Hawks bench. They are all solid players that any team would love to have.

And finally, let’s give some love to Knight for not trading away the Hawks picks and future for one player. That would have been too easy and would have looked liked he didn’t know what players to pick.

Billy you did alright…for a change.

By Mark Bradley

June 29, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

I asked Billy Knight if it was fair to say that the reason the Hawks took Law instead of Crittenton was that Law is ready to play now, and Knight said it was. And if you’re publicly stating your goal is to make the playoffs next season, you don’t want another down-the-road type.

By que'nique

June 29, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

bye-bye chills… so long salim… hello camby… hello rd.2 e-conf p-offs!

By roan st

June 29, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

I think it’s funny when people say a draft was good or bad. The truth is we won’t know until probably the end of these two guys rookie seasons whether we screwed up or not. If horford looks like a young elton brand and law looks like a young sam cassell then we can begin the celebration. Otherwise it is just about pointless to speculate on whether the draft was good or bad.

The next order of business is that we must trade marvin or childress because we now have a serious logjam at forward. Plus all these guys including smoove will be in line for an extension soon and no way can we pay all three. I would like to see us try and get a decent big man or maybe another point guard like jose calderon from toronto. It’s time to make a deal and further balance out the roster.

By MikeM

June 29, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

Horford cannot play center, even in the East. If they try to do this, the East B-League centers like Dalembert and Krstic will dominate him. It’s not a knock on Horford, he’ll give his best effort against the East centers. Horford is a fine prospect, I just hate that the Hawks coaching staff will not develop and get the best out of him.

Coaching/Management needs to change. This is NOT breaking news. The Hawks can draft all the talent in the world, but without any experienced guidance they will fall flat on their face. This is precisely when the Hawks dump these guys (ala Boris Diaw), and the next team they go to will develop their game.

I can see Josh Childress and Marvin Williams in another uniform in 2 years: J-Chill will suddenly be playing like Shawn Marion (without the awkward-looking floater in the lane) and Marvin will be a fringe All-Star choice in the mold of Luol Deng.

Horford and Law are good enough choices for me, I just pray that the Hawks can change the coaching staff soon so that these young players can develop properly before they jump ship.

By JohnGTFan

June 29, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

It amazes me how many stupid people there truly are in Atlanta. All people want to complain about is that we didn’t draft for need! WE NEED A PG! WE NEED A PG! WE NEED A PG! Morons. More than ANYTHING, what did Atlanta NEEEEEED THE MOST! Toughness underneath and rebounding! That’s what ATL needed the MOST! That’s what we got in Horford. You people are so ignorant. Conley will not be ROY. He probably won’t even start! I love the Law pick because the guy can flat out play. The “true Hawks fans” are so sick of you whining cry-babies! Why don’t you move to Carolina and pull for the Bobcats, who just made a truly monumental GOOF with that trade last night. Jordan was a great player, but horrible in the office!!!

GO HAWKS!!!!

By TAMC01

June 29, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

You people who think Law isn’t a true PG or a floor leader and has limited upside are utter idiots. You obviously didn’t watch a single Texas A&M basketball game over the past two years. Law is quick, he plays defense, his assist to turnover ratio is better than 2:1 and he shoots 46% from the floor. He has improved every single year of his career and, most importantly, he’s not afraid to take the big shot. Oh, and he makes those big shots.

By P

June 29, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

Good Draft Hawks!! I would have loved conely but as we all know he cant shoot. Hoford was the 3rd best player in the draft and the best available big man at 3. Acie Law is clutch and mature having played 4 years at Texas A&M. If we picked conley at 3 there was no fit big man at 11, Spencer Hawes went 10 to Sactown and Noah went 9 to Chicago. All things considered this was a good day for the home team.

By Honestly

June 29, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

This was not a good draft. Atlanta has picked the same player for 4 straight years now. They had an obvious need at PG and they ignored it again. Horford is undersized to play center and Law is a combo guard who they said last night needed to improve his ball handling. Why did we get a combo guard who needs to improve ball handling as our PG when a PG’s best strength should be their ball handling??? Conley was ready to play now, there is a reason we pick in the top 5 every year and it is because of Knight.

By JR

June 29, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

You haters of Acie Law had better go back and scout him better than just talking out of your A* He scored almost all of his points in the 2nd half of games and played a marginal team at best. He won the award for the best point gaurd in the nation, he can pass and he can SCORE and we need that. Do your home work before making A*’s out of yourselves. And we do not have anyone on the floor like Horford, I think this was a strong draft for the Hawks, and with a FA here or there they can be in the playoff mix next year in the East.

By Bertie

June 29, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

The new team name should be the Atlanta “Forwards”. I does not feel good passing on Conley, I thought all the talk about Horford was to get Memphis to give up something (say next year’s 2nd round pick) for swapping picks. That 2nd rd pick could have been used to move down from 11th to 8th and pick Noah or Hawes. Just a little creativity could have netted the “FORWARDS” (remember new team name) the PG and Center the team needed. Law is a Senior combo guard that can play the point, if you wanted that you could have picked Roy last year. Passing on Conley feels like 2005 all over again.

By MsDee

June 29, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Name: Karl Malone height: 6’9” weight: 256lbs position: Power Forward draft: 13th overall in 1985 Pro-career: 1985-2004 Credits:NBA MVP (1997, ‘99); 11-time All-NBA First Team (1988-1999); All-NBA Second Team (1988, 2000); All-Defensive First Team (1997-99); All-Defensive Second Team (1988); 14-time All-Star (1988-98, 2000-02); NBA All-Rookie Team (1985); One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996); Two-time Olympic gold medalist (1992, ‘96) Now i’m not saying Al Horford is the next Karl Malone, but considering his position and size, what is the difference??

By Derrk

June 29, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Al Horford CAN play center especially in the east. Look at Amare Stoudemire their the same height and weight at 6’10 245. Conley is overrated. Acie Law a proving winner along side Horford. Billy Knight and Woodson did great with the decisions. They took what they were given to lottery picks and no trades to go through. By the way this team isn’t as young even more except for Horford and Law but they are nba ready most definitely. That’s why the have practice to get better.This should be the starting lineup for Atlanta this year 07-08.

C-Al Horford PF-Josh Smith SF-Marvin Williams SG-Joe Johnson PG-Acie Law IV

Bench C-Zaza Pachulia PF-Shelden Williams SF-Josh Childress SG-Royal Ivey? PG-Tyronne Lue

Great talent! Playoffs!

By nick

June 29, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

I’m not all that excited about the Hawks picks because we just got young yet again but I’m not disappointed either. I like both players and I think they will be good pros but I still say Mike Conley would have been a better fit. I’ll give a comparison between Law and Conley.

Yes, it is true, Conley is too small, too young, can’t shoot and can’t defend. These are all the negatives that everyone was so focused on. Everybody was coming up with reason why we shouldn’t have drafted the guy. Now let’s look at the positives because everybody in this draft have weaknesses in their game. One of them is none of them have played a minutes in the NBA. But back to Conley, first, He has a point guard mindset, which means he doesn’t have to adjust to playing the position. When you have a point guard mentality, you focus on distributing the ball to key people in your system, which is crucial on this roster. Second, he can beat any one who’s guarding him with either hand. Do you all realize how difficult that is to guard someone who can beat you off the dribble with both hands. I played piont guard and it’s very difficult. OK, so he can’t shoot, but he doesn’t need to because once he beat you to the hole he scores with either hand. Every good point guard has a good weak hand but Conley has a strong left and right hand.

The reason I’m saying all this is that Conley just makes everyone around you better because his focused is to get the ball to people who can score. He doesn’t have to adjust to the position, Law has to adjust and we hope he can distribute. Don’t get me wrong though, I like Law and I think he will do well but would a perferred Conley because he’s more pure and He would have been the missing peace to the Hawks. They’re were still some other big guys out there. I’m not complaining but wanted the Hawks to get someone that made sense, that all. But hey, let’s see what happens, since everybody is happy with the picks. Let’s enjoy it and hope they can make a difference. But still, I WANTED MIKE CONELY!!!

By Vargas

June 29, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

I was very happy with this draft. I think they got a solid player at two positions of need. I am a little confused how everyone here is saying we took a a combo guard at ll when the guy has played Point his entire life and thus all four years at A&M. Law is a point guard with a good midrange shot. This will make teams respect our PG and free up Joe some. Not that bad. Law had also had a two to one assist to TO ratio and was frequently in double figures in dimes. I’ll take that “combo” guard to play my one with no heart burn.

For all the people looking for the “other” all-star next to JJ I think we drafted him three years ago. Josh Smith made the jump from player with upside to solid pro last year. If he makes a similar improvement this year, not out of the question at all, we have an All-star PF and SG. If Marvin makes a similar improvement from potential to solid we have a good SF.

In the east a combo of a Gamer PG (Acie) and solid defensive PG (Speedy), an all star SG (JJ), a solid SF (Marvin), and All Star PF (Smoove), and an atheletic Center (Horford)is looking good. We have a strong bench in Law, Chill, ZaZa, and Sheldon. This team should be a playoff team in the Least with just a bit of luck in the injury department.

My only concern is with our playing style. We have young athletic players and we need to run more. If we are pushing the ball with Acie, JJ, and Speedy (if healthy) Our bigs run the bigger centers and PF’s in the east of the floor. I think Woody knows this and just needs better play from the Point I think Acie and a healthy Speedy with reduced mintues can bring that.

All in all I’m actually looking forward to using my season tickets for the first time in years.

By John

June 29, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Thank You GOD

By Biggdawg33

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

As a lifelong Hawk fan, I am excited about these picks. Conley may be something later on, but we needed some energy and toughness. I am a Bulldog fan too, so I was excited to see Big Al get out of Gainsville and get the moving truck to bring him to the ATL. Law was a guy many fans pulling against A&M did not want to see with the ball. Both have some age and I think with the rest of the guys this is going to be fun to watch (aka Golden State).

By billybobboyknight

June 29, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

MORONS-horford will play center-maybe not every minute, but he can play center. Who would you rather have at center, ZaZa or horford? and like others have said. who are the other centers in the east he will be facing? ………im waiting.

and you other morons. THE AMARE TRADE WAS A RUMOR!!!!

By Greg

June 29, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

GREAT JOB ATL!!!!! LUV the picks ACIE will be HUGE 4 US.

By neon

June 29, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Nicks got a point, someone on this blog needs to talk basketball sense instead of logic. When you have a point guard who can beat you to the hole with either hand, number one, that’s difficult to guard. Defenses will try and adjust and make Conley shoot outside because the scouting report says that’s his weakness, he can’t shoot. But that’s OK because we have people that can shoot from distance including our big guys which means it makes the Hawks very difficult to guard because you have a POINT GUARD who’s forcing the tempo and trying to figure out how to guard everyone else because defenses know that Conley will kill you off the dribble and can do two things, he will score, not if he scores, but he will score once he gets to the hole or he will distribute to a big guy all day.

Remember everyone, Oden played with the guy in high school and college and he’s the best player in the draft and you all don’t think he could have made every our big guys better now not 5 years down th road that everybody fears.

This is how you make your teammates around you better players because they know once they get themselves in a position to score they know they have someone that will get them ball from the perimeter. This means they will work their tails off to get open to score. Big guys love that. That’s basketball sense not draft logic.

By smileswiper

June 29, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

best ballerin atl I din’t hear you mentioned in the draft so keep being a guard at rec center the hawks did great

By Kelvin

June 29, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

I would have preferred Conley over Law as well, but when you look at the Hawks frontline they have no one that requires a double team on the low post. Horford I think will be a offensive threat in the low post by the middle of his second year. And with teams having to double team Horford, Law and JJ will be able to knock down the open jumper. I have been very critical of Billy Knight in the past, but this time around I think he made the right picks.

By Dave

June 29, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

I’m a huge Hawks critic (HATE the BLUE, keep it red and yellow), but they drafted well last night. They filled huge needs with players the most ready to step in and contribute. No wait-and-see gambles this time around. I’ll criticize when it’s due, and I’ll give credit when it’s due - good job.

By JawjaHillbilly

June 29, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Some genius said, “hockey is better.” Better than what!!?? Death??

The NHL can’t get a TV deal, even for chump change. Why?? Because nobody, (besides yankees languishing in ice-covered homes), cares to watch a buncha brain-dead Canadians chasing a frozen paper weight.

Yes, hockey is better than death, but not by much….

By Honestly

June 29, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Make all the reference to Al Horford you want it won’t make a difference. Horford played center in college because you can get away with playing a 6’9 center in college because most programs don’t have a center that bit. But Horford will be going against guys who are heavier and taller than he is and just as quick. So please tell me how is he suppose to get his shot. Just remember this about Conley, he is a lot like Daren Williams from a few years ago. Came off a team with a great record and great talent made it to the Title game lost came out and looks what he has done. You can take this to the bank, grocery store, gas station, or anywhere you would like Conley will be an All-Star before Horford or Law start for the Hawks. Hopefully Atlanta can pick #1 next year (which they are lined up to do with this years picks) and draft Eric Gordon

By mbrown

June 29, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

I’m a life long hawks fan and it’s still amazing to me how every year during the draft they do a excellent job of improving their draft position for the next coming year…Simply Amazing!!!

By THE FIRST ON THE FIRE BILLY KNIGHT BANDWAGON

June 29, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

I HAVE ONE QUESTION DOES ANYONE SEE THE REAL BIG PICTURE?THE HAWKS MESSED UP AGAIN.CAUSE THEY TOOK HORTFORD WITH THE NUMBER THREE PICK WHICH AFTER NEXT YEAR.OUR SECOND BEST PLAYER AND AND SOON TO BE ALL-START/ONE DAY SUPERSTAR.JOSH SMITH WILL BE GONE CAUSE HES GONNA WANT A BIG CONTRACT AND THE HAWKS ARE NOT GONNA GIVE IT TO HIM.SO NOW YOU TELLING ME THAT AL HORTFORD IS BETTER THE JOSH SMITH RIGHT NOW.I DONT THINK SO AND ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT HE IS CRAZY.HES GREAT AT 21 THE SAME AGE HORTFORD THAT HORTFORD WILL EVER BE IN HIS CARRER.SEE BUT NO ONE LOOKS AT IT LIKE THAT.AND FOR YOU PEOPLE KEEP TRYING TO SAY SHELDEN WAS HURT.GO LOOK AT THE START OF THE SEASON HE STARTED THE FIRST 20 GAMES AND HE WASNT HURT THEN AND STILL DIDNT SHOWED NO SIGNS OF BEING A GREAT DEFENDER A GREAT REBOUNDER OR A GREAT SHOT BLOCKER.SO DONT TRY TO TELL THAT HE WAS HURT LAST YEAR TO SAVE HIM.HES JUST NOT A GREAT PLAYER AND ANOTHER STUPID DRAFT PICK FOR THE HAWKS AND A WASTE.THEN WE WASTED MONEY LAST YEAR IN FREE AGENCY IS SIGNING SPEDDY CLAXTON AND KNOWN BACK UP POINT GUARD THAT STAYS HURT ALL THE TIME:AND ON A BIG MAN THAT DIDNT WORK THE FIRST TIME WHEN HE WAS IN ATLANTA WHEN WE GAVE UP THE FIRST ROUND PICK WHICH HAPPENED TO BE THE # 9 PICK THAT FOR THE CLIPPERS LANDED CHIS WILCOX.BUT AT THE NUMBER 10 IN THE SAME DRAFT LANDED AMARA STOUDEMIRE.I’M A BIG MAN CHILD FAN MYSELF BUT WE WOULDN’T HAVE TO BE ABOUT THE GIVE UP OUR WHOLE DRAFT TO GET HIM IF WE WOULD HAVE JUST KEPT THAT PICK AT FIRST AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE ALREADY HAD HIM.BUT PEOPLE DONT THINK OF THAT.NOW I KNOW WHAT YOUR GONNA SAY WELL THAT WAS FOR BILLY KNIGHT GOT HE WHICH IS TRUE.BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I DONT SEE NO DIFFENCE.

By Bennett

June 29, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

I love what the Hawks done in this draft. I’m glad that they didn’t make the trade for Amare Stoudemare. Let this young talented Hawks team grow up together.

   GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!

By Kelvin

June 29, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

It will take two or three years for Conley to develop into the type of Point Guard he is expected to be. Mike Woodson and Billy Knight would have been fired by that time. They needed a player that was more ready to step in and play right now and contribute. Since the Hawks don’t have a first round pick next year (belongs to Phoenix) they needed to draft on readiness rather than potential.

By Kelvin

June 29, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe that I am actually defending Billy Knight, but in the 2007 draft he made the right picks. Where Billy Knight deserves criticism is the 2006 draft in taking Shelden Williams instead of Brandon Roy, and of course the infamous 2005 draft in taking Marvin Williams instead of Chris Paul/Deron Williams. (I still haven’t gotten over that one.) But this time around I think Billy got it right.

By J

June 29, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Tony,

Once again, you’re crazy to think Conley will lead Memphis to an NBA Finals. You know why? B/c Memphis TANKED last year, and they need a lot more than Conley to get over the hump.

Also, get over yourself and this “be a man and tell me what you think in person”. i’ll be on the 9th green at 9pm, idiot. yeah, you know a winner when you see one … well, haha, Horford is a winner, TWICE actually, and Conley has what? Oh yeah, he was the runner-up last season in the NCAA Finals. Good job Tony, round of applause for you!

By bryan

June 29, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

solid although not flashy picks right now im more curious about whose on the trading block

By watt

June 29, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Mike Conley would have been a better selection for the Hawks. I noticed Billy Knight had two scenario’s. Horford/Law or Conley/Thornton. You don’t need to do that when Conley makes any big man better.

When big guys are playing with someone like Conley, they know he’s going to distribute the ball when gets to the hole. Nothing against Law, but now big guys are guessing, is he going shoot or pass. That’s what a pure point guard eliminates, the guessing of whether he will shoot or pass. Yes I know that Law played point throughout his entire career at A&M but he had to carry to team. When you are the point guard and you have to carry your team, it wares you down through the course of the season. That’s why Steve Nash haven’t made it to the finals, because Phoenix depends on him too much and he’s worn out by the time the playoffs start because he had to carry the team.

The other thing about Conley is that he’s a lot more season as a point guard than Chris Paul and Williams when they came out and those guys are stars in the league now in less than 3 years, so I don’t understand this he’s too young thing and needs to mature. Are you all forgetting who is Father is, Mike Conley, Sr. don’t you think he’s raised is child to handle tough situations being a athlete himself and second the game has changed over the years. These kids are not fearful of making the jump to the NBA anymore. AAU basketball has had a major impact on the maturity on these kids which means they play top competitive basketball year round not on the street playing pick up games. So a lot of these kids are more prepared to play at the NBA level because most of the competition is pretty much the same. So there is no fear in these kids. So kill this there too young to lead a ball club. That’s a cop out.

It made no sense for us not to take Conley a 3 because he’s NBA point guard ready. He doesn’t have to be a star yet. But his game is very seasoned has a point guard. He would have made much more sense. I’m not going to put down Acie Law, He’ll do fine but Conley makes the Hawks a conteder now not 5 years down the road.

By Theedge

June 29, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Where is the kool aid you have all been drinking? They needed a center and a point. They got another forward a position that they have many of. And a guy that is not a true point but a tweener who can do a little of both. Unless they unload one of the stockpiled forwards for some real help it is more of the same maybe a little prettier 30 wins instead of 15 but still no playoffs.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

I didn’t really know what to make of the picks initially. But after careful thought, I’m onboard.

I know we need veteran help. That goes without saying. But we did manage to draft a Junior and Senior out of college. The best available at their respective positions. You can’t ask for more than that from a draft.

I hope Horford turns out to be the player everybody thinks he will be. If so, then all of this trade talk will have been silly. Yahoo sports tabs him as a future star. Let’s hope they’re right.

Law was the best NBA ready point guard available. We all knew we needed that. I just hope he decides he can’t always have the last shot. It’ll be there sometimes. But not always.

Now I wonder where the rest of the team is headed. I don’t like to put fantasy lineups in here. None of us are that good. But I am curious to see which players stay and which go.

I hope Lue stays. I think the Hawks need his energy off the bench. Especially if they don’t keep Chills. But I hope they keep him as well. I know we can’t have our cake and eat it too. But I can wish.

I hope everyone is satisfied with this draft. I think it’s a reflection more of the pressure that BK feels rather than what he thought would be good picks. But that’s just my guess.

By OldDawg55

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

Only time will tell on how Holford and Law work out..seems like a good draft to me…however, if the Hawks can generate the same interest that Bradley’s article did the Hawks will do great at the box office and that will do wonders for pro basketball in Atlanta…they are our only pro team in the sport so let’s all pull for the NEW Hawks!!

By The Murf

June 29, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Still an extremely young team, doubt playoffs this year but I’m seeing 40 wins.

By sam

June 29, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

is there a bigger dork in the world than Joakim Noah? I’m looking forward to watching him get his a@@ knocked around in the NBA, no chest beating in his future..he’ll be on the end of somebodies bench for a long time…all talk, no game

By Jay Stiltner

June 29, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

It’s not that Al Horford won’t be a good player;he can put up a double-double every night and the Hawks will still find themselves at the bottom of the eastern conference. I wish Billy Knight would stop drafting the “best available talent,” and start drafting players that will help fill gaping holes on the roster. Acie Law was a great college player, but he is not the prototypical point guard that the Hawks needed. He’s a shooter, not a distributor. Javaris Crittenton wouldn’t have been a better choice; he should of never came out after one year. It’s easy to criticize the mistakes that Knight has made in the past. But the Hawks should have drafted Mike Conley Jr., because he was the best prospect at the point guard position. Who cares if he doesn’t have the greatest jumper? Since when is a point guard suppose to be the primary scorer on a team? I understand that the depth at center/big man would have been minimal, had the Hawks tryed to obtain one with the 11th pick. It still would of been worth the risk to draft Conley. That kid has too much upside. And if Horford is NBA ready now, wasn’t Shelden Williams, after playing center for four years at Duke? Also, Zaza Pachulia needs to step up his game.
It was no coincidence that Conley was drafted #4 by Memphis. If you look at the Hawks’ recent draft history, the pick that goes right after their pick, always seems to perform at a high level and exceed expectations. After all is said and done in the blogosphere, the Hawks are not going to make the playoffs this upcoming season - they still don’t have anyone who can “properly” distribute the rock.

By The Murf

June 29, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Noah is hilarious, loved the bow tie

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

I’ve definitely got no problems myself with Noah. We’d be so lucky to have someone with so much energy and passion play in Atlanta!

By tony

June 29, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

J, you’re doing the right thing with your name calling on this MB because that’s what cowards do. I disagree with alot of comments on this MB but I’m brave enough to express my displeasure where I can see you if I need to bash someone. Since you can’t handle a simple comment, I’m going to continue to remain you that “MIKE CONLEY JR WILL LEAD HIS TEAM TO NBA FINAL” And you know what, I really do believe that. I being saying this weeks before draft day. MIKE CONLEY JR WILL LEAD HIS TEAM TO A NBA FINAL! They said he can’t shoot, he is too young and he’s too short. GUESS WHAT UNBELIEVERS - MIKE CONLEY WILL LEAD HIS TEAM TO A NBA FINALS! PLEASE, WRITE IT DOWN.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Acie Law=Damon Stoudamire(mighty mouse)- the marijuana.

Law has 4 years of college Conley has 1.

Conley had Greg Oden to make him look good ala Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. Parker wouldn’t be s** without Duncan.

Besides how many TRUE PG’s are there in the league? -Nash -Hindrich -Williams (Utah) -Paul -Parker

The days of the true pg are over. You have to face it. All the guys above can score whenever they want which is exactly what Law can do. Conley? Not so sure.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Noah is garbage. It’s nothing personal against him, he’s just garbage.

ALL of his points come from garbage. He can’t shoot worth a damn which means whoever is guarding him will just sit in the paint and keep it jammed.

He’s a 6th or 7th man at best to come off the bench and give you some hustle. He is NOT a shot blocker. Just because you blocked a shot or 2 in college does not make you a “shot blocker.”

If you watched the tourney this year, you will remember Noah did nothing. It was Horford who carried that team along with whitey hittin all the 3’s and Brewer. The only reason you know his name is from the 2006 tourney where he played well. If he would have came out last year he woulda been the # 1 pick by far because he was so popular. What a mistake that would have been for some poor teamfor a guy who might average 5 and 5 and 1 (block).

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Dawgma, do you know Noah? Seems like you have something against this kid. You said it was nothing personal. But you called him garbage twice before you even started your point.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

LOL..Conley leading Memphis to the Finals.

Law is a winner and has that mental edge over everyone. He is one of the few guys in all of basketball who wants the ball when it matters most ala Jordan and Kobe. That’s what makes those 2 better than everyone else.

Conley looks like a little boy anyway. What big man is Conley gonna dish to if we were to pick em up? Uhhhh, no one.

Whoever is comparing Sheldon williams to Horford is an idiot. Horford can do it all. Williams can rebound and foul people. Give me a break.

Of course, if we would have drafted Chris Paul, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Lifelong Haks Fan,

You read what I wrote. If you wish, take out “garbage” and replace with ” a bad player.”

You guys keep complaing about Sheldon Williams and then wonder why we didn’t pick Noah. Pot? This is kettle over. Do you read? At least Willaims can bang somebody in the low post.

Noah will be tossed around like a rag doll.

Of course I don’t know him. What does that have to do with anything? Do you know him? His game is garbage, not him personally. Read between the lines man.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

I do not know Noah. From what I read and see of the kid, he seems real grounded and a lot of fun. I pay to watch SEC games out here in California because I don’t live in the Southeast any longer. I don’t have a problem with you calling anybody anything. I clearly wanted to know what made him garbage. That’s all.

I talk like that about some players myself. That’s only after I’ve watched them for quite some time. Some players don’t show their real play for a while. Especially once in the NBA.

I hope this kid does well. Not only to quiet everyone bashing him for having fun. But also because he seems to truly love being on the court. Which is something I don’t see from many current NBA players. Let alone college players.

I couldn’t agree with The Murf any more

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Dawgma, I forgot one other thing. You said that Law is like Jordan and Kobe in that he wants the ball when it matters most. I preface this by saying I like the Law pick. But don’t we currently have a player that fit a mold similar to that of Law’s? His name is Salim.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

We already have a Noah on our team. His name is Josh Childress.

He’s the same type of player. He’s skinny and provides energy off the bench. He even has the same stupid haircut, only Childress has a jumper.

By shane

June 29, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

i think the hawks did okay,i didn’t see any pure centers that turned me on at least none left at three or later.who needs a point that can’t shoot or defend the big pgs?good big men are so hard to find that a lot of teams have pfs playing center.had we a good team in place i would have loved to have gotten noah,he is so much fun to watch,but we needed guys to start NOW,so i am okay with this draft.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

I don’t care for the haircut myself much. However, I will give Chills respect in that he energizes off the bench. But I don’t think he brings the same level of intensity as Noah. He just looks to be having so much fun when he plays.

Name me one player on the Hawks team that appears to be having fun and plays with endless energy on every play. Keep in mind that I love this team. So I’m not badmouthing them. I just don’t think we would have been bad off if Noad had fallen to #11 and we’d taken him there.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

I can’t answer with any knowledge of Salim. I did not watch the Hawks much this year cause they stink. I do remember Salim in college and I don’t remember getting that impression of him. I could be wrong though.

Also, Law went head to head with Durant in some unbelievable games in the Big 12 and more than held his own.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Yes Noah is fun to watch and has an upside. He also loves the game. Great! So what? I am a good guy. I can hustle and run the court and I don’t have a jumper. If I was 6’ 10”, does that mean I should be a lottery pick? I guess so.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

Definitely not going to disagree on Law in that he can create shots and shot opportunity’s for himself and his team. I just hope he remembers that he’s playing beside JJ. Plus he’s going to have to defend harder. I don’t think his size will limit is defense like most are thinking.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Maybe not a lottery pick. But I would consider drafting you!

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

If it was soley based on heart and no talent then the NBA would be full of whiteys like me. But since it’s a game of talent and no heart, Noah will not be anything spectacular.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

I never thought he would be spectacular myself. I know he’ll be a good role player though.

By Ryder

June 29, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

I feel really good about where the Hawks stand. AC Law is a more polished player at his position than is Conley, and I believe Law will be exactly what this team needs. He has not only the leadership intangibles that was displayed in carrying a less than stellar Aggies team to the Sweet 16, but also can contribute on offense on the team with the lowest ppg in the league last year. He will step in right away and start at the 1, allowing Speedy to resume his usual backup position.

Horford will be a rock at the 4 for years to come. That said, Atlanta will have to make a trade with either Marvin or Josh. Since Josh can be a free agent after next year the smart money is on moving him if they can for some more low post help. Either way expect some fireworks.

Woodson has no more excuses. He has his Billups like pg and low post threat. We’ll see what happens now.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

By the way Dawgma, when I found out you were white, I drafted you in the 23rd round. See you in the Summer League!

By Ryder

June 29, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

I feel really good about where the Hawks stand. AC Law is a more polished player at his position than is Conley, and I believe Law will be exactly what this team needs. He has not only the leadership intangibles that was displayed in carrying a less than stellar Aggies team to the Sweet 16, but also can contribute on offense on the team with the lowest ppg in the league last year. He will step in right away and start at the 1, allowing Speedy to resume his usual backup position.

Horford will be a rock at the 4 for years to come. That said, Atlanta will have to make a trade with either Marvin or Josh. Since Josh can be a free agent after next year the smart money is on moving him if they can for some more low post help. Either way expect some fireworks.

Woodson has no more excuses. He has his Billups like pg and low post threat. We’ll see what happens now.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Any team can play well as long as they play together. That’s what makes the Spurs so awesome. They arguably have no talent unless you consider Duncan. Most of their players are old. Hell, Horry could barely make it up and down the court but yet he’s still effective. If the current players put their egos aside and play together, there is no telling what they can do. Maybe they’ll gel, maybe they won’t. One thing is for sure, you can’t just insert talent and expect to win i.e The Yankees and Kobe. The Yankees get the best talent every year and still can’t win it all the time and no matter how good Kobe is, most teams don’t want him because he’s a team killer.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Lifelong Hawks Fan,

LOL! 23rd round! Is this baseball? Hell, at least I got drafted. Thanks..I think. Iust might be a Fantasy sleeper. I gotta stop smoking and drinking so much.

Ryder,

I agree. That’s what I’ve saying on all these posts. If you just joined, see my above posts.

By Wes

June 29, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

I haven’t read any of the above comments, but Chad Ford is STILL reporting that Amare Stoudamire is not a Hawk because the Hawks walked away from the table. Go to ESPN.com and look at his draft grades. That is pathetic, inexcusable, and if it is the case, the team should be sold out from under these pathetically cheap owners.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

I agree with the team that plays together, wins together concept. But San Antonio has something we don’t have…………….a great coach and organizational structure.

This team is definitely capable of winning. The onus is now on Woodson and crew to right this ship before it heads off into the deep blue.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Wes, I don’t buy much into the talking heads at ESPN. Check out Yahoo Sports draft grades though.

Dawgma, this is not baseball of course. But you are white and you have to be penalized!

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

CNNSI.com grades the Hawks at B+ and Cbssportsline.com grades it at A-

By Texas Hawk

June 29, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Originally from GA, But in Texas now; I watched Acie Law a good bit the last few years. Also, I watch most of the GT games via ESPN Full court, and I am here to tell you that Acie Law is the real deal. Crit does not even compare. Acie was very dependent on the Team concept at A&M, especially when it comes to defense. Crit can’t play defense nor shoot a jump shot, nor do nothing for that matter(note: I am a GT graduate and I’m glad he left). Everyone forgets that defense is needed to win. After watching the Spurs the last 6 years, a little offense and a whole lot of defense will win you championships.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Plus Sportingnews.com says that Billy Knight is a winner after the draft.

By oldman

June 29, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

I read a lot of the posts. The BIG man 1st sentiment was the correct call. We took the best players we could have taken at #3 and #11 to maximize the picks. I actually wanted Yi, but I can live with Al Horford. I never thought taking Mike Conley was the right call at #3, I didn’t like it. With those points made, I am disappointed with our unwillingness to shed some of the roster. If you are not going to play guys, don’t wait til camp to waive ‘em, make a trade and get a solid veteran. If you want KG or Jermaine O’Neal, package a deal with a few of the 6’9’ guys and make it happen. You say it can’t be done, Portland improve immensely after the #1 pick, but was more impressive was how they orchestrated the trades. Seattle did a very nice job as well……

By oldman

June 29, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

I read a lot of the posts. The BIG man 1st sentiment was the correct call. We took the best players we could have taken at #3 and #11 to maximize the picks. I actually wanted Yi, but I can live with Al Horford. I never thought taking Mike Conley was the right call at #3, I didn’t like it. With those points made, I am disappointed with our unwillingness to shed some of the roster. If you are not going to play guys, don’t wait til camp to waive ‘em, make a trade and get a solid veteran. If you want KG or Jermaine O’Neal, package a deal with a few of the 6’9’ guys and make it happen. You say it can’t be done, Portland improved immensely after the #1 pick, but what was more impressive was how they orchestrated the trades. Seattle did a very nice job as well……

By J

June 29, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Tony will lead this blog to the NBA Finals! You heard it first from me! TONY WILL LEAD THIS BLOG TO THE NBA FINALS!

Do you have some secret love affair w/ Conley?

By oldman

June 29, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Somebody call Tex Winter….we should run the triangle the entire game. Hey….that’s the team that’s been built/drafted……

By oldman

June 29, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Somebody call Tex Winter….we should run the triangle the entire game. Hey….that’s how the team’s been built/drafted……

By DKM

June 29, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

This draft was messed up months ago when the ownership wouldn’t replace Coach Woodson and the GM, who have presided over the worst period in Hawks history! When Mike Ivaroni went to Memphis we lost the opportunity to remake our team into an exciting, running, offensive machine which could dominate the pedestrian Eastern Conference! I actually like Coach Woodson and it was refreshing to hear him say that he wants to run the ball, but he is a defensive coach at heart with a bunch of racehorses who do not play defense! There is a reason that the NBA championship was decided in the San Antonio-Phoenix series and it is called foreign players! Duncan, Nash, Ovierto, Parker, Ginobli, Barbosa, Diaw, etc.., the handwriting is on the wall. Fundamentally sound basketballers who can shoot, defend, dribble, and rebound not dunking fools win championships! If you cannot defend, you better score(Phoenix). They drafted good for the lower expectations of this franchise(making the playoffs). We no longer draft or trade to win a championship!(See Portland) If we did, we would have parlayed those picks into a good shot at an Eastern title and we would be on the phone right now with Milwaukee offering two first rounders(either Shelden and Josh C. and a point guard or Shelden and Josh S. and a point guard for Yi who has made it clear he is not playing there! Why do you think the Lakers drafted the Chinese guard, guess who is talking with the Bucks! The difference is anything less than a title is unacceptable in LA, but we just want to make the playoffs in the ATL (can you say Minnesota). Depressing isn’t it!

By TCM

June 29, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Come on Dawgma…….this vent is about the Hawks, not the Yankees, Spurs, and Kobe!!!

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

TCM,

Thanks for the tip.

By Dawgma

June 29, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

On a similar note..Law will have better talent around him than will Conley.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Dawgma, I don’t think anyone here will argue that. The Hawks unfortunately are kind of like the Clippers of 3-4 years ago. They had all kinds of young talent. But nobody to put it all together. Now they have it and hopefully we can find it.

By Ryan

June 29, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

You know its really too bad that Horford lacks the extra half inch or so that Stoudamire has that makes it possible to be a decent center in the NBA.

If you can’t tell, that is dripping with sarcasm.

I mean, that half inch is absolutely CRITICAL.

Perhaps Horford can just add a little rubber to the soles of his shoes to get half an inch taller so its possible to be a decent center?

By Clay

June 29, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

SIZE DOES MATTER. Remember - there is really no difference between a guy who is 6’10” and one that is 7’0”. I’d rather have the 6’10” 245 lbs. guy than the 7’0” 230 lbs. guy everytime if the shorter guy has more skills. People get way to caught up with 7’ foot basketball draftees that cannot play. Horford was the right choice also because he has played 3 seasons of highly successful NCAA basketball. Same with Acie - the kid simply has more experience in big-time settings than Conley. This is the draft the Hawks needed to progress.

I think this is a better deal than having Oden alone. There is not too much separating Oden and Horford except a lot of hype.

Winning games is what will bring folks to Phillips Area. Period.

By Henry

June 29, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

I would have preferred Noah to Horford because of the intimidation he had on numerous players in college entering the paint, look at his match up against UCLA and Ohio State, despite fowl problems. His scoring will come around. Having said that I like the picks. Those who favor Conley at #3 are the same ones who were excited about Marvin because of one year in college, I am still waiting on Marvin.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

June 29, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

Anyone know why Sekou’s blog won’t update?

By Big G

June 29, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

I think the Hawks had a pretty good draft. I really like the Law pick. It’s funny to see people say Law is a shooting guard, but Conley is a point. Conley played on a team with the #1 & #21 picks in the draft while Law played on a team where NO ONE ELSE will be drafted and the result was a whopping 1 more assist per game People keep comparing Conley to Chris Paul and Deron Williams, but these guys are bigger more physical players. He compares more to TJ Ford a small quick passer that can’t shoot. So I saw good job by the Hawks for a change.

By Ryan

June 29, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Oh come on CLay - don’t you know that height trumps all other considerations - its why Bradley was the greatest center of all time and Stoudamire was a bust.

(Tongue in cheek)

By DanCFrom NJ

June 29, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Great draft for the Atlanta Hawks, The PG from G-Tech might be great but Law will def be a stud !!

Mike Vick is getting arrested after this weekend.

Right before 4th of July, they are calling it Doggie Freedom from the pits of hell day!!

By BlueEagle

June 29, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

I won’t complain much though I think the Hawks could have done better but when I think of Acie Law I can’t help but think of another shoot first PG that was a brilliant guard in college that came to the pros named Randolph Childress who flamed spectacularly once drafted. Here’s to hoping that bad Hawks’ luck will rescind at least for a few years.

By Doubletake

June 29, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

so Bradley, when did you start kissing Knights butt?

By DNice

June 29, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

We already had Conley on the Hawks, his name was Jaque Vaughn. Any PG can look good when you play with a 7 footer for 5 straight years and your father is known as a world class track athlete. Conley is no Chris Paul and too short to be Deron Williams. While Horford may not be the greatestplayer remember they said that about Boozer before he blew up and he was a 2nd round pick. Mark my words Memphis will not be going to any Finals except Lottery Finals with Conley. While BK has made some dumb moves and I am still not high on him you cant knock the picks this year. Look at it this way, did he upgrade at the positions he drafted? We did not make it to the playoffs and had no 1-3 team NBA players. Horford is he better than the PF or Center we have (yes if you understand JSmooth is a natural SF), Acie Law is better than Speedy, AJ, and T Lue. Using that analyzing fact then the draft went okay. BK steal needs to be fired because we should nto have to upgrade the same positions every year such as a #5 pick on a 2nd rounder last year and thinking Marvin Williams is a great even though he could nto start in College.

By Go Birds

June 29, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

i hate to say it, but this is the exact same team we had last year. nothing has changed. we have another sheldon williams + 2 inches. and another salim stoudemire without as good a stroke. i am a huge hawks fan but i just dont know.

By dan

June 30, 2007 1:59 AM | Link to this

7 Hawks players missed at least 20 games each last year. Keep em healthy and these new draft additions will get us deep in the 2008 playoffs

By dan

June 30, 2007 1:59 AM | Link to this

7 Hawks players missed at least 20 games each last year. Keep em healthy and these new draft additions will get us deep in the 2008 playoffs