MoonKnight

I know you used "at least" but there is likely up to 10 players bunched in together talent wise for their prospective positions. You are dead on about BK's questionable ability to discern subtle degrees of talent given our existing roster in these situations.

Evaluating players workouts and history is huge in this draft (a weakness of BK of course). It would not surprise me if the guys bunched up between 3 and 12 end up with about equal grades in talent for their prospective positions on the floor. If this happens, then teams will draft by need and not BPA. If Hawks management also grades players in this fashion it would not be unreasonable to select Hibbert at #3 and then a point guard at #11.

I shouldn't be so happy to see the Suns get nothing out of the the lottery but I am. Sorry Suns fans but as Nash is aging the window for winning is closing, closing, closing.........

While they will likely take Oden it would not shock me if they selected Durant. Remember who picked Bowie over Jordan. The Blazers might want the incredible scorer at the small forward spot. It is way too early to tell.

Not really, but in his latest blog he mentions that he wanted us to chose Deron over MW. I also wanted Deron and started posting about what a great fit he would be here midway through his last college season. I believed he would be good pro but he is now playing better than I even believed he would. IMO, we would have been in the playoffs this season if we had chosen Deron. I know this is old stuff but we really need to get the point guard position right. That is why the Conley/Crittendon/Law debate is so huge right now.

I am surprised at your response. Without having played a single NBA game, I think most of us would agree Conley will be a pass first point guard with great defensive skills and leadership skills. Craig Claxton is Mookie without Mookie's physical toughness, mental toughness and drive. Waiting on Craig to get "healthy" is not a realistic option.

Think of those fast running Karl coached Seattle teams. Ervin Johnson (not Magic), Jim McIlvaine, Frank Brickowski, Sam Perkins were the centers on those teams. Even on our beloved Fratello Coached fast paced Hawks, we had Tree and Koncak at the 5. That is why IMO Hibbert is the clear choice at #3. He should be a very good defensive player with good half court offensive skills. His D should better than any of the above centers. He will never be fleet footed but he is about as fast as any of the centers listed above. Outside of Oden, Hibbert is the only sure bet to solve our defensive wound at the 5 spot and we could still play a fast paced game if we had a coach who knew how to coach same.

Noah may never be a star and will likely wind up as a high energy valuable role player for the right team. Still he is far more likely to have a better NBA career than McRoberts. IMO, McRoberts is not a good Defensive player and has no real position on the O end. He is like a less talented version of Googs. In fact, he might be lucky to be drafted in the late 1st round before all is said and done.

I caught this game on NBA league pass and was disappointed with Marvin's play. Simply put, his alleged athleticism does not translate to the basketball court. He was burned by any player he attempted to guard last night. Last night MW had a chance to demonstrate his skills and attempt to lead the team. He didn't. I just don't see those flashes of great play in his second season that one would expect from the 2nd overall pick of the draft.

why is Lo getting minutes at the 5 ahead of Batista? I suppose someone could argue that Lo has much more experience but how has that experience translated into impact play on the court? I am always impressed with the strenght Batista brings to his post play and how he really bodies up his man in the paint. Batista is a young guy who would really benefit from increased minutes and whose play could not hurt our team play anymore than Lo getting those same minutes. Can anyone make a reasonable argument for why Lo should be playing ahead of Batista?

Do you think Portland needs the Indy pick to make them interested in this deal because, IMO the Indy pick is much more valuable than retaining Salim. Even with my longstanding interest in obtaining Jack, it seems we might be giving up too much if we give both Marvin and Indy's pick for Jack and a pick likely in the 5 to 12 range.

"Back to the Blazers for a minute. How about this little post-game nugget from the infamous rumor mill. The word is the Blazers love former Tech star Jarrett Jack, but think Brandon Roy is really a PG (and they have ample insurance in promising rookie Sergio Rodriguez), and might be willing to part with Jack for a much-needed small forward … can you think of a team loaded with small forwards that is in dire need of a young point guard? Jack is solid. His only real weakness right now is his outside stroke, which is streaky at best. But he can run a team, knows how to take charge late in games and is the ultimate facilitator for NBA teams because his ego is already in check (he’s not busy trying to show he’s the man all the time, which is the curse of some young PGs)." I have always wanted Jack here and think he would fit our point guard needs very well. What about a Marvin/Salim for Jack and their 1st pick this year? We could then use their 1st on the best big man available, especially if our pick is not in the top 3. Just thinking out loud here.

He reminds me of a less athletic Chris Crawford or a slightly more athletic Cal Bowdler. The above is not meant as an endorsement.

IMO, Woody should have left JSmoove in to try again for the triple double. I know that I cannot rationally justify this belief but JSmoove's recent hard work and improvement in his play justified giving him that chance. Even Smitty seemed disappointed that Woody took JSmoove out. That says alot coming from a high class act like Smitty. But there again, who am I to question the wisdom of Woody.

Former Hawk Rudy Macklin.

It seems Oden's teammates try to avoid passing him the ball when he establishes position in the post. The Xavier game would not have been close if Oden touched the ball in the paint on almost every possession in the 2nd half. Oden's teammates need to learn that Oden is the meal ticket to tourney success. Ohio State was lucky that guy missed the free throw at the end of the game or they are done.

He is not the long term solution at the 1 spot but he fitting in very well. I like how he recognizes his teammate's strengths and gets them into position to make plays, especially JSmoove. IMO, Out of the three headed backup point guard monster AJ is the best quarterback of the bunch.

statement: "Right now, he is on about the same track in his career as a Tim Thomas or a Darius Miles...." Right now, Smoove is better than Thomas or Miles have ever been. He will only get better. JSmoove could end up with many triple-doubles before his career is over and may get one before this season is over. If AK-47 can get a max like contract then Smoove will likely merit a max like contract. If we could resign him for 50 million over 5 years I would be elated. IMO, JSmoove is every bit the cornerstone for the future of this team as JJ.

I suppose we need to define "tanking" and then after we define it, we need to decide whether Woody has the ability to accomplish it. I agree with many here that believe the bench guys deserve more minutes. I was one of the main Lenny antagonists because I detested the way he ran the starters into the ground. That talented Mookie led team was always exhausted by playoff time. Likewise, Woody tends to run his starters into the ground. If we do allow the bench guys to play regular minutes, we will likely play better basketball and may "win" more games (and upset Walter). So what is "tanking"? Are we "tanking" by doing things the same way? Are we sure that by playing the young bench more that we are "tanking"? Once we define "tanking", can Woody pull it off? Is Woody so confident he will keep his job next season that he will agree to "tanking" the rest of this season? Or will he do whatever he thinks it will take to win now and save his job? Does he even have the ability to pull off the game plan of "tanking"? Discuss.

with tanking is the effect of constant losing on our young guys. I am especially concerned with JSmoove. He is a budding superstar and an essential part of our future. IMO, his future here is at least if not more valuable than a top 3 pick in this year's draft. I realize that we have some leverage on him because of his rookie contract but the constant losing makes me feel uneasy about him wanting to remain here. "Tanking" does not even guarantee us a spot in the top 3, especially given our team's history of lottery luck. I am also not convinced ASG will make the right decisions about Woody and BK after his season. We are in a very difficult spot but in a crucial spot for the immediate future of this team.

I have been posting about this guy for some time. I have watched him numerous times on the telly and he is getting better. I sincerely doubt he would be available with the Indy pick. If he has a strong NCAA tourney, then he could easily be the first point taken in the lottery. I have only watched Law play one game against Oklahoma and he was not that impressive though I have read about how well he has played in recent games. I intend to watch Law in tourney time on the telly but he would have to blow me away to pass Crittendon on a draft board. IMO, Crittendon would be perfect here.

I am deadly serious. We should be trying to resign Smith to an extension as soon as permittable. If he keeps playing in this matter he will be moving toward max type money. IMO, he is just as much a cornerstone to this team as JJ and we need to treat him as such. Last night's fourth quarter was just an example of what is to come. Without JSmoove we would not even be in a position to win at the end. While we are still in serious need of a legit big center and a true young point, we need Smith to stick around here even more.

were wanting to obtain a YOUNG point guard who could grow with this team. AJ is a fine backup point guard but he is 33 years old and is not going to mature with this team. Beno would be the perfect low risk/high reward type player. Beno is clearly in Pop's doghouse but he was very acclaimed his rookie year and is still a young player. We may never know if BK tried to obtain Beno and was rejected. But if the rationale for AJ is his vet experience, then we already have two vet point guards with Finals experience.

Tech's own Crittenton. Even though he is a freshman, he has played the point lately as well as any point guard in college. If Tech makes the NCAA tourney and Crittendon continues his stellar play in the tourney, then he would be a likely 1st rounder in this year's draft. He reminds me of a bigger, more offensively talented, less experienced Jarrett Jack.

desired. I don't need a guy on our coaching staff who feels it is appropriate to ask out of crunch time at the end of the game because the play does not call for him taking the shot. He is not a good role model for MW. Pippen is overrated, should never have been on the 50 greatest players list, and I hope never is associated with this team.