hawkster411

If Greg Oden is considered the number one pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, is there a possibility the Hawks could get this guy? If we keep the Philly 1st, how valuable is the pick in two years? Is the pick protected in 2006? Suppose the Hawks keep the #6 pick and draft Josh Smith. Then, trades all 3 second round picks for a future 1st round pick (2006) from the Orlando Magic; therefore, the Hawks will have their 1st round pick (2006), Philly's 1st round pick, and the Magic's 1st Round pick (provided the Magic had a horrible season). Can you imagine having Josh Smith (2 years of Vince-anity) and the next Shaq named Greg Oden. If Billy Knight pulls a trade where the Hawks can get a 2006 1st round pick (unprotected), the better off the Hawks will be in getting Greg Oden. http://nbadraft.net/justaminute29.htm

http://www.insidehoops.com/billy-knight-021904.shtml Q: Talk about the draft pick you received and your own along with the salary cap and what you’ll have to operate with during the summer Billy Knight: There’s still some more intangible things that could happen and it could fluctuate some, but we’ll be considerably down and have money to spend if we deem to do so. But that certainly doesn’t mean you have to spend it because you have it. We have some picks; we’re trying to get some more picks. I’m not adverse to getting more picks than we have now. I just think the draft is so young that you can’t expect instant gratification from your draft picks because they’re investments, those are five-year contracts with those players. And the NBA is becoming more and more a developmental league. I think it’s safe to say we’re going to get a young player with our picks. We’re going to have young players that we’re going to have to work with and develop and improve something about them, but probably more than one thing. But they’ll be people we think have a good change of being good NBA players and can contribute to what we want to do. Billy Knight is not ruling out high school prospects. I think Billy Knight's obstacle right now is to either trade up to get Dwight Howard or stay at 6 and draft Josh Smith.

If we do sign Kenyon Martin, my concern is if K-Mart can handle a losing season. After one year with the Hawks, will K-Mart desire a trade? If so, that would hurt the Hawks image of rebuilding a championship team. I do not want to question his heart, but a player like K-Mart seems like an impatient individual who hates losing. In time, he might want to get out of Atlanta and may hinder the rebuilding process.

esimonds03, Great video! The kid is a monster. From the looks of the video, he never gives up on a rebound, he has great timing in block shots, and he has shooting range. What impresses me about the video is that he slashes to the basket. If you pay attention to the video, he's not afraid to fall on the ground. He sacrifices his body to get a shot off. Most of all, Josh Smith is all over the court--Defensively and Offensively. He's almost the total package. Yet, he does need help on his dribbling skills (he looks a little slow).

Blunt, Demarr Johnson couldn't dribble. Vince Carter could jump. Josh Smith a combination of Slim (no dribbling skils) and Vince Carter (vertical). I hope I'm wrong, and I hope this kid has the drive and dedication to improve every aspect of his game. I would love to have this kid. For some odd reason, I have a feeling Josh Smith is the "future" all-star in this draft.

Has anyone watched Dwight Howard (Southwest Atlanta Christian) or Josh Smith (Oak Hill Academy) play an actual high school game? I'm sure there is someone in this room that has an inside source that know either Howard or Smith personally. ESPN analyst's say that Howard is soft? How? I'm really curious on Josh Smith. I remember seeing Smith in the McDonald's Slam dunk contest. The kid looks like a freak and his a ridiculous vertical. In the NBA Draft, I wouldn't mind seeing the Hawks draft Josh Smith. Then, draft Luke Jackson at pick 17. Lastly, the Hawks trade JT/2nd round picks for another 1st round pick. I'm just concerned that the Hawks would have to give up too much to get Dwight Howard. While the Hawks can keep all the picks and gather the best talent available. Comments?

The hawks are not going anywhere fast. The hawks can assemble the best talent available via draft. I would favor keeping our picks (6 and 17) and trade JT/second rounder(s) for a first round pick. Someone pointed out that his is a weak draft and the possible number one pick could be at 6 or 17. The Hawks can add another first round pick to help our chances. I would appreciate somebody who has a list of Billy Knight's drafting history. If Billy Knight does his homework, the Hawks could walk away with 3 all-stars in this year's draft...who knows! I want: 1st round: Josh Smith Luke Jackson Sebastian Telfair (still growing, could be 6' or 6'1) 2nd round: Chris Duhon (proven winner and dives for loose balls) Ha Seung-Jin (I love his size 7'3/300lbs)

Vafan, Kobe, Brand, Maggette, Qrich, and (#2 pick)...that is scary. To be honest, I'm tired hearing about the West. The NBA Finals havn't been exciting in a long time. The East needs to rise, and by far, that will not be happening in the next 5 years.

Jay, Great insight as always. It is disgusting and an embarrassment to the league for teams tanking the season for the sake of having more ping pong balls. As for the Hawks, Terry Stotts didn't give up on the team nor did the team give up on themselves. What bothers me is that teams who play with heart, passion, and the integrity of the game is punished. With the fate of a simple coin toss, the Clippers get the #2 pick and the Hawks get the #6 pick. More than anything, the Hawks deserve the #2 pick!!! Looking at the Hawks situation, the Hawks are starting from scratch--new management, coach, tons of extra money, and most of all, revitalizing the city of Atlanta. It's just an embarrassment to the NBA and to the fans that deserving teams like the Atlanta Hawks are punished for playing the game with passion and heart.

Should have sent Harry the Hawk!

That's a great point about the Hawks losing that tie breaker with the Clippers. I'm wondering what Billy Knight is thinking right now?

What bothers me is that the Clippers have a 10% chance of getting the number 1 pick. Instead, they get the number 2 pick. The Clippers...why?!?!??!?!??! The Hawks deserve a top 3 pick...I can't believe our luck.

In the 2004 NBA Draft, the Atanta Hawks select (name your player here) Josh Smith

I'm watching ESPN and all the NBA analyst are saying that this is a weak draft. Some say having the #6 pick and up are better than having the #1 pick. They were saying that there are so many unknown factors (ala high school players) that it's hard to dictate who will be the safest pick.

Wretch, I hope you're right...it's the Atlanta Hawks time to earn the #1 or #2 pick. I'm anxious to see where we land tonight.

Curious to see how many Hawks Fans will be watching the Lottery tonight? I'm a college student working the graveyard shift, and I'm getting off early to watch lottery. I'm trying to be optimistic here guys. I'm 21, and in my life time, I havn't seen the Hawks draft a bonified all star (I was born a few months after dominque wilkins was drafted). I'm praying the Hawks will get the next Kevin Garnett type player. Someone who is willing to stick around for a long time. New management and Billy Knight at the throne is one of the main reasons why I will be watching. This is a new era for the Hawks, and if the lottery balls fall in our favor, this will help jump start the organization. I'm curious and excited to see the Hawks draft position, rookie selections, coaching selection, free agents, and how Billy Knight and company will handle all these obstacles. It's going to be a fun summer, and this is the start of a new beginning...

The Hawks have been quiet this year! To be honest, I believe the Hawks new management has secretely been talking to David Stern. Also, I believe David Stern is going to help the Hawks out this year. I think David Stern told the Hawks to keep low and not bring any attention to the organization. That way, when the Hawks do get the number one pick, the league and NBA players will be talking about the Hawks. The city is a melting pot of athletes, the Hawks have tons of money, NBA players (ala Kobe) want a team they can call their own, new management, and the number one pick in the draft. A coach is secretely in the works. Again, everything depending on the draft. If the Hawks get the number one pick (provided that David Stern is helping the Hawks out or the luck of the draw), there will be a buzz about the Hawks (I remember the Falcons trading up to the number one pick for Michael Vick and city was revitalized). I know Billy Knight is a shrewd business man, and he's playing his cards right. He's keeping low and waiting for that number one pick... Thoughts?

way too much value to give up for Dwight Howard....maybe 1st pick = hawks 2004 lottery pick, 17th pick, and 2nd round pick (preferrably the last).... No way the hawks will give up a future first. Billy Knight is not a Pete Babcock. I'm confident Billy will not cripple the Hawks future on a high school player. Can someone please find me evidence where Billy Knight traded a future 1st for a player/draft pick????

Weez, LOL! "Tim Floyd hired"....mwhahahaha! almost got me too!

Is it possible that T-mac can opt out of his contract and play for the Hawks this year?

Suppose that Billy Knight lures Kenyon Martin. I read in the Orlando Magic website that their GM is willing to part with T-Mac. Is there a possibility we could package mid-first round pick, JT, 2 second round picks for T-Mac? Believe me, I'm sure the Magic would want more; however, supppose we could somehow keep our lottery pick. and draft...let's say 5th. And Josh Smith falls to us... I would love to see Diaw/T-Mac/Josh Smith/Kenyon/Rebraca Comments anyone?!??!?!??!

On ESPN, they had a documentary on Loul Deng. From his background, they talked about his home country in Sudan. The kid experienced genocide, being uprooted from Sudan to Egypt to England to a prep school in New Jersey. Not only that, he's a family man. He cares about his country. He cries during the National Anthem. That in itself tells a lot about the kid. I mean how many people cry in our own National Anthem. ESPN also said that Deng is a work horse. He practices early in the morning. His mindset is that of the Sudan people his age are in war while he wins ball games. He feels grateful in the position he's in, and he's taking advantage of his situation. The kid is already a winner in my heart. The kid is no slacker. The things he's experienced in his life will translate in him working harder in becoming a better basketball player. In my opinion, I think Loul Deng would be a great pick up for the Hawks.

Player averages (ESPN: players): Mills 4.8 pts Rebraca 3.1 pts Sura 3.8 pts Przybilla 0.8 pts Looking at the stats. You know that it's going to be a disgusting season. In essense, there's a good chance that we might get the number one pick. Let's look at the other teams. Orlando 14-42 Washington 16-36 Chicago 16-38 Phoenix 18-38 Atlanta 18-36 It's not that far fetch to be the worst team in the NBA; however, I have to commend Billy Knight for making these trades thus far. We have 2 1st rounders, caproom, and most of all, new management (it's not the Babcock Era any longer). What I've noticed from Billy Knight is that he's planning for the future. He made the right move in not acquiring multi-year contracts. He accomplished his goal in getting expiring contracts. He got a draft pick in return. We might be looking for a new HC (ahem...doc rivers) this offseason. I'm interested in how Billy Knight will go upon drafting the right players and most of all, free agents. I believe Billy Knight will NOT overpay an above average player. I believe he's playing his cards right. I'm looking forward to the offseason. The Hawks seem like they got short end of the stick dealing sheed, but I believe the Hawks are in a good position to get the right free agents and drafting impact players. I'm looking forward to the offseason. It's interesting how the Hawks will mold into a dominant force within the next 3 years if not, 2 years. Not only that, I know another trade will happen involving JT, and maybe the Bucks draft pick but who knows. This offseason will be interesting to watch. Good job Billy Knight.

In order to get Bonzi/Swift, what do we have to give up? Sheed/JT or Sheed/Henderson(wishful thinking)?

Choro, If Oliver Miller can some how transfer some of his body weight to Diaw and Prince. I might actually like that duo. As of now, we would be watching sticks on tv (diaw/prince).