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As always, really well done North. Ive been saying for years that one of the most underrated parts of the botched Marvin/Paul pick is the effect on Smoove's career. Paul to Smoove wouldve been a lethal combination and wouldve propelled Smoove to that "elite" level (he wouldve made 2 All Star games, and David West none). I agree that one thing that would really help Smoove (and our team in general) would be an up-tempo pg that pushes the pace. I like the idea of a Monta Ellis type because a) he can create a lot of offense, b) he fits next to JJ and c) he would push the tempo. I dont actually think we can get Ellis, but that's the prototype for me.

relax guy

LOL. My whole point was that we wouldnt even do the deal without the confirmed extension. So uhh yeah.

Bosh could commit to an extension (in principle) as part of the deal. Doubt that happens tho, which is why I dont see this deal going down.

Exactly. That's actually one of the best 4/5 combos in the league, even if it is still slightly undersized (but it still has more size than Smoove/Horf). Not to mention, a JJ/Bosh pairing is one of the better inside/out combos in the league. I think a JJ/Bosh/Horf/Marvin core is a very good mix that could go far. Put a decent pg next to them, and thats a very competitive team. Obviously a part of the trade would have to be a Bosh extension. Otherwise, the Hawks wouldnt do it.

Umm yeah, that's a CRAZY low-ball offer for Rondo.

The truth comes out: Smoove is a better GM than BK!

If he's available, I'd go for UNC's Danny Green. Doubt he is still available tho.

We'll call this the Ellis/Arenas/Boozer/Millsap question: What players projected as late 1st-rounders and 2nd rounders do you see as possibly being incredible steals, with the potential to become elite NBA players? Which ones jump out at you?

Harrington's contract for next season: $10,026,875 No thanks

lol that's the first thing that came to my mind too

Wow I didnt know that was his brother! That would be mad cool actually.

My take on coaches is this: You have some coaches who are really good and aren't as dependent on talent: Phil Jackson, Popovich and McMillan come to mind. You have some coaches who are really bad and will Eff it up in general: Isaih Thomas, Del Negro (right now), etc. come to mind (there are more). But, the vast majority, are slightly above average or slightly below average and are pretty much completely dependent on the talent placed around them: Doc Rivers (the most-recent example), Mike Brown, Mike Woodson, etc. all fall into this category. The NBA is a player's league. A coach usually is as good as his players. That said, we can rightfully rip on Woody. After 4 years, he should have SOME sort of an offensive system. It's on the players and the GM too. But it's definitely a lot of him.

I too am intrigued. Here was my question to the dude from Draftexpress: He is blazingly quick (I think they said at Draftexpress that he recorded a top-10 sprint time EVER in the predraft camp). He has a money shot. Plays tough D. Good off the ball. So, he seems like a good fit. I'd still rather have a playmaker like Lawson, but if Woody insists on running the offense through Joe, then Douglas is a very good fit.

Let the Tommy Hanson era begin! (i have him stashed on my fantasy team in a very competitive league).

Yes and No. I think that Yes, sometimes we are too critical on him, as many many many of the team's problems stem from a dearth of talent or specific skillsets. Give Woody another big body (Anderson Varejao), a decent backup pg (say Jarret Jack), and a feisty wing off the bench (say a Pietrus or Ariza), and he instantly would look a lot better. But at the same time, Woody clearly has many deficiencies himself, most evident on the offensive end of things.

We don't get Kobe without giving up Joe. Realistically, it would be Joe + Marvin/Horf + picks

Matt, first of all, I really enjoy your work and probably spend too much time perusing Draftexpress! My question: The more I read about Toney Douglas, the more I am intrigued about him as an option for the Hawks' pick at 19. For example, in a recent article, you describe him as efficient, a gifted off-the-ball player, an excellent defender, and an ideal complement to a taller ball-handling guard. Well, doesn't that make him a great fit next to Joe Johnson?? So, do you think Douglas is a good option for the Hawks at 19, or do you think another PG makes more sense there? Thanks!

Wow that was very well done.

2 more things: 1. I would be ecstatic if Blair or Lawson somehow fell into our lap. 2. I have a feeling Steph Curry might go a bit lower than people imagine. Im thinking more like 12-14 range.

The best part of that mock draft is it shows that there WILL be some sort of a quality player available when we pick. This draft is a bit deeper than people think.

Yeah AHF, I knew someone was gonna come with that argument, and there's some truth it. My thing is, MTV invites Eminem to that event, and then punks him like that, against his will. Making fun of someone on a song is one thing, actually inducing that kind of (pretty disgusting) contact against someone's will is another. I know personally I wouldnt be cool with someone putting their a**hole in my face against my will. In fact, i'd be prone to f-ing them up. I think the Triumph the Talking Dog thing was fine -- only words, no physical contact. This ish crossed the line IMO, and the MTV producers are lucky that the encounter did not spiral out of control even worst.

Ehh, I'm not sure Eminem "deserved" that. In fact, the show producer who allowed that to happen, F-ed up bad... that ish was messed up and Em had a right to be pissed off; I know I would be if some dude put his *ss in my face like that.

Good points North. We lose JJ and we're back to rebuilding. The trick is to get talent AROUND JJ, not get rid of him. One other aspect that Ive been thinking of more and more: I honestly fear that JJ will jet to try to join Lebron or Wade in 2010. Think about it, JJ is the PERFECT complementary player next to a superstar like that (and I believe Lebron and Wade know as much, especially Lebron). Team up Lebron and JJ, and the rest of the NBA is in real trouble.

You lost me here. But, I do agree Caron Butler is the type of guy you want on your team.