Bulldog

he was class mates with Dikembe so we should be fine

I would do that trade. But I think the team could get even better by packing the pick with Chill for Andre Miller or maybe even Bibby. Those 2 are definitely out there in terms of availability for trades. Both would be a great upgrade and their teams basically want building blocks in return, so a pick and a player with potential might get it done.

I agree. I have a funny feeling that Kobe will end up on the Sixers at some point (creating a "coming home" story where the Philly fans forgive him..). It would be interesting to see how he would do there.

I would put him above Karl Malone and in the top 10 all time - or possibly just outside in the top 15. It is only because he is not flashy and doesnt have a catchy nick name that he is not recognised as much. He is a winner. Take Duncan away from the Spurs and put even someone like Garnett on the team - do they win the title? I am not so sure. Put anyone on a tier below such as Sheed and they aint winning nothing... The man's got skills. He is one of those guys that will only be fully recognised once he hangs them up and people realise what a hole he leaves behind. for his career 51% from the field 3.2 apg, 11.9 rpg 2.4 bpg 21.8 ppg and turns it over only 2.8 times a game when he is the focal point. He gets it done.

Brevin Knight played half a season for the Hawks did Scoonie Penn actually ever play after he was drafted?

the problem for me is that the team is so young. You need a mix of veteran savvy and young guys to win in the league. Chicago is a blue print. The best of the young guys stayed in the rotation and they brought in PJ Brown, Ben Wallace and Adreian Griffin to add some old heads to the mix. All leader types. That was a large part of the young guys improving and the team making the playoffs. I think the Hawks need to bring in an all-star (or close) vet whether it is the big man or pg this year. JJ is the only leader type vet on the team and even he is just 5 years into the league.

looks good. great arc on his shot, nice fadeaway. I guess the risk is in evaluating him playing in the NBA that has a different style with more emphasis on athleticism. His defense may have to improve rapidly too. But he looks to have all the basic tools to be a player.

Matt Bullard

I agree that in one sense it is surprising. But - go on the line then. If Durant is available at #3 - would you pick him - yes or no?

what do you think Reggie Miller benches, or Rip Hamilton, or Marcus Camby even..? Durant will put on some muscle and will be fine. McGrady for example was pretty rail thin when he entered the league and has gradually filled out. This is what I expect Durant to do... If the Hawks could get him they should jump and the chance and be ecstatic that he has fallen to them. Having said that he wont. Seattle will pick him, so all of this is fairly redundant...

i suppose that would depend on training camp, so no. there would still be big question marks over any of the PGs in the draft and how they could run the team, so I would bet that any one of them would come off the bench to start with.

I am surprised they are shopping him. He is the type of "character" player that all teams want and is a great rebounder and shot blocker, so what are we missing? Is it the injuries - if so teams should be wary that they dont make the mistake that Denver made with Kenyon Martin where they pay top dollar for a guy that spends his time on the physio table... But if the medical checks out he would be a great addition to the team. I would say that they would want the #3 pick plus a player, maybe Childress. If the Medical checks out that deal is worth making. Then with the #11 go for Conley or Law, unless another deal can be done for Andre Miller or Mike Bibby (#11 and players).

so - sort of could be Sean May and be pretty productive or could be James Lang and fall off the radar...?

I dont think a 7'4 wingspan is Kevin Willis syndrome. The man is a block machine...

I didnt realise that - thanks. Well that means that BK has to be clever with his draft picks and trades then to improve the team...gulp. That means not sitting still on trades and drafting Brandan Wright followed by Josh McRoberts...

Honestly... I havent seen enough of Durant. But if reports from scouts are true you would have to think that he is the better prospect than Marvin. Marv is coming along but doesnt look like he will be the superstar the team hoped. I know it is early on him and he could break out this year. But if I am gambling on potential I take Durant. When scouts say in any other year Durant goes #1 and few people come around with his all around game, you have to think he is a special player. As I said though I am basing my opinion on other people's say so.

dont the Hawks have about $12m of room under the cap? No doubt the team could offload at least one player to increase this too... I think Darko might be available for say $10m per year.

in a heartbeat. I like Ridnour's game. Durant and Ridnour for Marvin and #3 - thats a smackdown on Seattle. I dont see them ever doing that trade however.

maybe. but then Stanko Barac from Bosnia is ranked above him in the nbadraft.net mock. Do you know him..!! I just think it is odd that nothing seems to have changed for him and he has dropped like a stone. Is it because he didnt take over and average 25 points per game...? I think some team will be pleased with that pick up. Boozer went second round, could be another case like that.

If Im Seattle and Im passing on Durant for whatever reason there is no way I do it without a trade. The Hawks would trade the #3 plus a player for Durant. But how high a price would you pay. Chill? Marvin? Smoove? Because you know it would be one of those guys... Chill - yes. Marvin - probably. Smoove - hmmm. If Durant turns into a 25, 5 and 5 star you would have to say yes as he would be better than Smoove in the long run. But it is an if... I would say probably yes and develop Marvin with Durant. Some have said he should go before Oden, so I would say do it.

you have some points there. But I think for the most part it is the frustration at missing out on CP3 when he had the chance to draft him. and in a year with 3 star PGs which would have helped the team so much. With CP3 the team could conceivably have been in the playoffs this year. that stings. worse considering he had taken Childress over Deng or even Biedrins the year before. and then taking Shelden instead of Roy last year... CP3, Deng and Roy. Thats 3 strikes. I think it is mainly that causing the resentment myself.

I think that is a bit harsh. Considering the close relationship between Riley and Van Gundy - I am sure he gave his input. That is what I mean by helped build. I know he is not the GM. But he has seen what it takes to win. He did a good job with that team and Riley said himself that he did not want Van Gundy to go - it was Van Gundy's decision, and that he just finished what he started. All of the team liked him and they played well for him.

Why has his draft stock fallen so much since last year? If he doesnt get drafted (he is currently projected at #53) - shouldnt the Hawks pick him up for training camp and have a look at him? (maybe New Orleans will take him at #43 for the shirt sales) I mean last year his rebounding, assist and fouls per game numbers actually improved from the year before and his scoring was only slightly down. His strength around the basket is NBA ready - so what happened? Surely he can crack a team's rotation even for 5 to 10 minutes a game?

I would package the #11 with Zaza for Camby. Denver are looking to deal him and he would be a big improvement. He is a massive rebounder and shot blocker. Him and Smoove together would create a block party and create real matchup problems. If this cant be done I would either go with Tiago Splitter or I still like the #11 for Channing Frye trade. The guy can play and would cover the 4 and 5 spots.

thats a pretty conservative management decision. If he is not the man to get the job done, a change should be made. I would go with Stan Van Gundy and fight Orlando for him. He helped build the Miami championship team and would be a big improvement without being a big ego.