Packfill

The Suns will get in before Portland, Denver or Seattle.

From the looks of the box score Boozer dominated down low - which he should given the competition. Dickau continues to shoot well. Since they lost to a team that has 4 lottery picks in the starting lineup (th only other starter being Boozer!) I don't think the loss should be hard to take. That Cavs lineup is one that they will actually use during the regular season.

As far as players making the Hawks regular season roster, I think Dickau, Boris and Hansen are givens, the surprise might be Holman. Seems like a good shotblocker, but probably needs to but on 20 pounds.

I don't think that helps the Hawks. Jamisons game is too much like Reef's, Fortson has a terrible contract and Richardson, while exciting and athletic, is limited in terms of his skill level. He could definitely develop though, but it is risky. If we traded JT and Dog I would rather have Dunleavy (they wouldn't need him) and Foyle, then pick up a point guard like Speedy Claxton. Of course, I have no idea if those contracts work. But, that is a nice team:

Speedy/Dickau

Diaw/Hanson

Dunleavy/Crawford

Reef/Hendu

Theo/Foyle/Mohamad

No way Golden State would do that deal!

Its no Dickau/Hanson/Crawford/Henderson/Mohammed but it will have to do!

They are deep. If they resign Harris then they are stocked. Starting line-up of Kidd/Kittles/Jefferson/Martin Deke, with a bench of Planinic/Harris/Williams/Collins/Zo. That second unit would give the Hawks starters a run for their money.

I don't think they would put both Deke and Alonzo in the starting line-up. They probably will rotate them to keep their minutes down - Alonzo due to illness and Deke b/c of age.

Does Dallas have two summer league teams? Where was Josh Howard?

I agree, this is a stinker. McInnis, Bonzi and Wallace all have bad attitudes.

Looks like Rasho is signing with the Spurs, which means they might get desperate and trade Brandon's expiring contract. Are they desperate enough to trade Brandon for Glenn Robinson?

If it came down to a money issue for the Hawks with respect to resigning Terry, I sure as heck would rather have Terry then Big Dog! I am definitely not a Big Dog supporter, so maybe I am biased, but I would do that trade.

Amen! (no religious conotations intended).

Apparently Carl English is going to play with Orlando and Lenny Cooke with Boston. My source is another message board - nbadraft.net - so this information is obviously not set in stone. I guess we will see.

I posted the message originally to see what other had heard. Not ot living in Atlanta, I don't get any of the local hawks media.

Jerry Holman from U. of Minn. is said to be joining the Hawks summer camp roster.

Anyone hear who, if anyone, the Hawks may pick up for their summer league team. I read that players like Lenny Cooke, Carl English, Ron Slay, Jason Gardner, etc. have signed with teams.

Hopefully Diaw, Hansen, DJ (if resigned) and DD will play for the Hawks. But they will need a big man or two.

I would trade Ira for Alvin Williams in a nanosecond. Won't happen though.

If the Hawks could come away from the draft with Diaw and English I would be stoked. Either would be a good fit with Terry in the backcourt. I rather have Gaines or Pavlovic in round 1 but both are almost certaintly gone. Since I think we need to go combo-guard/shooting guard w/handle in the draft my order of preference is as follows:

1. Gaines

2. Pavlovic

3. Diaw

4. Hayes

5. Hanson

6. Delfino

7. English

If you look at the stats for most of the top euro prospects this year, inlcuding Lampe, Pietrus, Diaw, etc. their stats are not that impressive either. As such, I don't think stats alone tell the story on these guys - which means you have to see them play. He has one skill that none of the current hawks have - he is a seven footer.

Point, who knows if he will help or not.

What about Outlaw other than his athleticism makes you think he will be a star? From what I have read - and I fully admit to having never seen him play - he is very athletic but lacks skills - he can't shoot, dibble or pass and he is way, way too skinny to play in the post. Sure he could develop ala Corey Maggette, but that is four years down the road.

Being a great athlete alone does not make a great player. Moreover, having a lot of great athletes does not make a great team, witness the success of realatively unathletic teams like the Spurs, Pistons. Mavs and Jazz versus the lack of success of very athletic teams like the Clippers, Cavs, and Warriors.

I think having some good run/jump athletes is important for having a balanced team but too many people want all athletes/no skill.

I guess you can add Planinic to the list of players the would fit the Hawks back court needs - i.e., tall athletic guy with a handle, defense and passing skills. Depending on how the draft falls, Gaines, Pavlovic, Diaw, and Planinic are all options at 21.

That is a very reasonable look at the Hawks '03-'04 roster. Unfortunately, Pavlovic and Perkins may not be available at those spots - but they are exactly the type of players the Hawks need. Needs are:

(1) They need a wing that has a good handle, is athletic, can defend and hit an open shot to keep the defense honest - they don't need a big time scorer. Pavlovic, Gaines, Diaw, Delfino (inj?) and Moore if he shows anything in workouts all fit the bill.

(2) Big bruiser down low. They have Theo as an athletic shot blocker but they need a banger/rebounder down low to take advantage of certain matchups. Ideally, someone who can play center. First round options are Badiane and Sofoklis. In the second round, Perkins is an option, as are Marcus (inj?) and maybe Lang.

I think Miller is a FA also.

I still think Walton can help a team win. He won't be a superstar, but 90%+ of second round draft picks never make it in the NBA, regardless of potential. Knowing how to play the game has become a very underated skill in recent years, which is one explanation for the success and popularity of foreign players - they know how to play the game.

I read a report that a deal with the Lakers was likely to go down - sending Theo in exchange for Horry, Fischer, Rush and the Lakers first round pick (I think #23).

Sounds awful to me. Really the only good thing is the #23 pick. The draft seems deep with talent but alot of that talent is in the form of potential which makes many of the picks risky.

Luke Walton would be a great second round pick-up. He will never be a great player but he is the type of player who helps a team win. He is a good shooter and great passer, with decent size for the small forward position. Only downside really is whether he is athletic enough to guard people - but he can't be worse then Glenn!

Artest would be great - he could light a fire under the rest of the Hawks. Indiana may be forced to make a trade if they want to retain some or all of their free agents. If they resign O'Neil it probably means Reggis is gone, so maybe they need scoring (i.e., Dog). If that is the case, I would take Bender or Harrington (though I would prefer Artest) off their hands and whatever contract filler they want. Harrington is a hard nosed player and Bender has "talent."