Packfill

A bad contract can really hinder a team's flexibility. That I agree with. But I am on the fence as to whether a max contract to Kenyon makes sense. My question is this, what are the Hawks saving all that 19 million for? Even if the Hawks signed Martin for the max they likely will have enough money left over to sign another max deal, especially next year when Henderson and Crawford come off the books and Terry becomes very tradeable. If we agree that only the truely elite players are worth the max, then newsflash, there are not any available this year and there likely will not be any available next year - at least without a team in place. We are not getting Shaq, Duncan, KG, Kobe, McGrady, Jermaine O'Neil, or Lebron. Now add to that the fact that the Hawks have no one to play power forward, no one. It is a desparate need. Martin fits exactly into the mold of what the hawks want and need - young, athletic, defensive minded and aggressive. Eton Thomas and Stromile Swift are the only two other players who are available that come even close to fitting those requirements. Neither has Martin's game. Swift has the athletic ability but so far has not demonstrated the heart or head. Thomas seems to have the heart but is not the athletic equal of the other two. Personally, I rather overspend for one really good player than two mediocre ones. I think, if other teams are willing to give K-Mart the max, I would too. He is a good fit on the court and is a good fit from a marketing standpoint as well.

He would have been nice to have but at this point, given what happened with the draft, he is not needed.

I am still not sure K-Mart is worth the max, but Final-quest makes some good arguments that he is. Most importantly is the impact it might have on next years free agent class - Martin plus a lot of young developing players would be an attractive situation for a Ray Allen or other big name player.

A good coach may be just the thing. But, these issues are ones that he still must overcome, despite being coached by Hubie and the the "Logo" looming over his shoulder. Some guys just get it, may take a few years but the light goes on. Others it never will go on. There are so many truely talented players who never lived up to their skill/athletic abilities. Martin you know will play hard. Stromile, you don't, that is why you need to pay a premium to get Martin. Whether he is worth the max, I do not know. I know he would be a huge addition to the Hawks - certaintly not a true franchise player - but a nice piece to the puzzle to go along with our collection of talented young swingmen.

Swift's problem is that he is not "eager" enough. If he had his head on straight, was focused, more intense, whatever, he would be talked about in the same light as Kenyon.

He is 6'9" 256lbs. Plays for the Wizards. Solid rebounder and shotblocker, but not much of a scoring presence. In the mold of a Brian Grant/Carlos Boozer type. Doesn't have the athletic upside of a Stromile Swift, but more solid and tough defensively.

It is a lot of money for a player who cannot really care a franchise. But, he does bring something that recent hawks team have been missing - intensity. He would be a good influence on the younger guys in that respect, particularly if he gets after a guy like Josh Smith. Maybe he can make Terry walk the walk also. A wily veteran would be nice to keep K-Mart in check though.

I think he is already - albeit a very nominal ownership interest.

I think Rafer or Damon Jones would make a good back-up point guard, maybe even started if Terry were traded. Right now though, it seems like the Hawks are going to need Terry's scoring ability. I am hoping that having Childress and Diaw on the court with Terry will alleviate the ballhandling issues, as both Childress and Diaw can handle some of the ball handling/distriibution responsibilities. The free agent focus of the hawks should be on front court players - PF's Martin, Swift or Thomas; Center's Blount, Foyle, Dampier, etc.

I agree. I think Etan Thomas would be a very wise pick-up for th hawks. He would provide good interior defense, rebounding and shotblocking - three things the Hawks definitely need. He would be good paired with an offensive minded center like Collier or, better yet, another athletic big man like Mark Blount. Blount and Thomas would be a nice, affordable frontcourt. Add Pryz or Collier as a back-up, then maybe a veteran point guard back-up - I am thinking Damon Jones - and that will make for a good build year, with plenty of money left for '05 if needed.

That team can run and defend but it won't score a lick. You are basically relying on two rookies and Swift to score points. I am just a little worried about the idea of an all rookie backcourt. I rather have Terry then Nelson and Gooden.

Darius Rice. You mean Darius Rice. The Hawks definitely do not need another developmental small forward.

Any truth to the rumors that Denver will fire Bedzilk (sp?)?

I agree, he could be a nice back-up providing low post scoring.

Childress is going to play at the two guard.

I think Harrington is more of a 3, and we have enough of those now.

Nice write-up and appreciate the positive attitude toward the Hawks draft. I agree 100%.

At 17 there really wasn't any big men worth the pick. I would have loved Humphries or Jefferson but they were long gone. The guys on ESPN were right though, Josh Smith is a boom or bust type. Either be improves his game or he remains a one dimensional athlete.

Well said. Probably means it will be a rough start to the year with so many young players. Definitely need a few bigs to balance out the roster. I will say this, this draft represents alot of potential. Childress and the two Smiths are great athletes. If they develop, the sky is the limit.

Well said. People forget that prep to pro stars such as Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O'Neil took several years to develop. When they finally did develop into stars, it was not with the team that originally drafted them.

I am also a Yankee and Hawks fan. But I am fron and live in NY so I need to justify why I am a Hawks fan. Sometimes, it is hard to say why.

I think that is a pretty good deal for Chicago. Harrington can play.

Livingston plus either Smith, Humphries or Jefferson would be a great draft.

I don't think it makes alot of sense to get three first rounders. It is nice to have young players to develop but you still need to have a few veterans around to educate.

Relax. Chances are regardless of who the Hawks draft they are looking at the lottery next year. Whether it be Howard, Livingston, Smith, Gordon or whomever, they will be rookies.