AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > June > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHawks take right players, next step
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Sitting in the first row of Philips Arena, Michael Gearon Sr. cocked an ear. “No boos,” he said, sampling the initial reaction to the announcement that the Hawks, the team in which Gearon Sr. holds ownership, had taken Al Horford.
And then there came a round of booing. Not a full-blown roar — Adam Keefe’s name was greeted by a full-blown roar in 1992 — but boos all the same. It will be the first and last time Al Horford is booed in Philips Arena.
The Hawks did well Thursday night. The Hawks got the players they needed — a big man and a guard — in the best possible combination. With picks No. 3 and 11, Billy Knight had to weigh a package of Horford and Acie Law IV against one including Mike Conley Jr. and, say, Al Thornton. “We felt this is better,” Knight said, and there’s no disagreement here.
Horford was clearly the draft’s third-biggest talent. “A unique combination,” Knight kept saying. Also this: “You don’t usually see power players like him,” meaning power players who can pass and shoot and defend and, above all, play multiple positions. It’s entirely possible, Knight conceded, that Horford, who’s listed as a forward, could become the Hawks’ starting center.
It’s likewise possible that Law will start at point guard before the 2008-2009 season is through. (If he doesn’t, the Hawks will have miscalculated.) He’s not exactly what you’d want in a distributor — “Unorthodox,” was how Knight described Law’s game — but he’s the guy you want working in tandem Joe Johnson. Law is used to having the ball in his hands at the end of games, and he’s accustomed to making game-winning shots.
“We have to have a shooter alongside Joe,” Knight said, the reason being that Johnson, alone among incumbent Hawks, draws double-teams. Double-teams mean open shots for somebody else. Law is a master of the contested shot; imagine what he’ll do if nobody deigns to guard him.
(And why, you’re doubtless wondering, not pick Conley at No. 3? Said Mike Woodson, the Hawks’ coach: “He couldn’t shoot the ball.” End of discussion.)
The Hawks transformed themselves with this draft. Just like that, the team with too many wingmen and no real direction has a shape and a balance it has lacked since the late ’90s. This should be a playoff team next spring. Even Knight, who has consistently backed away from such proclamations, is backing away no longer. “We’re ready to move past [just having a gaggle of young players],” he said. “Their games have to translate to us winning.”
Said Woodson: “This is the season we’ve got to make a move. It’s very pivotal we get to the playoffs.”
After reading Internet reports that the All-Star Amare Stoudemire was bound for Atlanta in a tripartite trade, there might be some civic disappointment today over having to make do with two collegians. There shouldn’t be. That deal was never close to being consummated, and rumors that the Hawks’ front office was divided over the No. 3 pick — some owners were said to have preferred Yi Jianlian — were put to rest with the selection of Horford. For once, this organization functioned as an organization should: It did its homework and made sound decisions.
As Bob Williams, the arena’s president, told Gearon Sr. in the hallway: “This is a defining moment for the team.” Indeed, after this draft we all need to redefine our longstanding image of the Hawks. They no longer seem luckless or clueless. They got a break in the lottery and maximized it. They drafted the right guys at the right time.
And in the end, even the Philips audience seemed satisfied. When Law’s name was announced, there were only cheers. Not one boo. Miracle of miracles.
Permalink | Comments (183) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Mark Bradley
Comments
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