CHORO44

Quote: Whether it's 8 million for Hendu, 7 million for Mo Taylor, 3 million for Chris Crawford, or 16 million to Alan Houston. It's a waste of a precious cap space. Big spending teams that are looking to go over the top can afford to take on contracts like that. These are teams that are pretty much set and know exactly what they need. For a team trying to rebuild, the last thing that you want to do is hand someone a max contract without knowing that they are indeed a max player. Regardless of what teams were paying under the old CBA, the new agreement has set a limit on player salaries. This maximum salary currently eats up 1/4 of a team's yearly payroll - that's a huge chunk. You don't pay that to good players, you pay that for great players. Unless the league agrees during negotions to eliminate that cap on player salaries, this isn't going to change. KG might be making upwards of 28 million per year, but that doesn't change his value to a team under the new CBA. If KG were the same player, hell even if he averaged 50 ppg and 20 rpg, if he were drafted into the new CBA he will get no more than the league max. Bottom line: Kenyon Martin isn't worth half of 30 million and KG, regardless of his ridiculous deal (that sparked changes in the CBA), would get no more than the league maximum now. All that being said, regardless of how much cap space they have, the Hawks are not in a position to overpay for free agents. We need to build this team, draft wisely, develop our talent, and approach free agency cautiously - unless there is a sure thing available for the max. There are very few players that are worth a maxium salary and right now, Kenyon Martin is not one of them. I agree with Wretch on this one. I'm sick of hearing that the Hawks should do this because that's how the league works. Pay guys Max contracts because the real Max guys are already signed. This is how you end up in cap hell with a mediocre player and the inability to resign your one or two rookies that become something special. I wish franchises would stop competing with one another and giving the wrong guys big deals: Eddie Jones, Brian Grant, etc. Also for people saying it's better to sign one guy at the Max instead of two guys at less than Max I disagree in most scenarios. If you have two guys like Swift and Foyle at 6 million each you can trade them individually where as the Max guy will need two to three contracts to get him. If he isn't worth three players you never move him ala Eddie Jones. We need to keep drafting wisely and pay guys that could develop into Max(franchise) players not guys that think they are. I still don't think Ray Allen, Reef, Eddie Jones, and some others are Max players because they still have holes in their game.

I was going over the official measurements and if Josh does grow 2 more inches he can become a KG/Odom type power forward. If he can get reasonable handles to go with his jumping ability and strength there is no reason to believe he can't play in the low post area. It would be interesting if we line up like this in two years: Diaw/Ivey Childress/Hansen Donta Smith/Diaw Josh Smith/? ?/?

Jay, I listened to the whole show. You did an excellent job on explaining the Hawk's situation and needs. I thought that 680 did a much better job of covering the Hawks than ESPN.

1 C 2 PG 3 PF 4 SG 5 SF Center is the hardest position to fill but a great center creates space for others. A good point guard keeps you in your offense and provides the spark to keep guys playing...see Jason Kidd While power forwards often ending up being big oafs, a solid power forward puts tons of pressure on the opposing teams interior defense. Size is hard to find with talent. I think shooting guards and small forwards are becoming the same position as guys continue to get bigger and faster. These "swing players" are a dime a dozen in my estimation therefore I place them as the least important when constructing a team.

I agree with you Sturt. I don't like the number 6 spot it just seems that you are always at the other team's mercy and you have to reach for someone because the guys below have slight question marks.

Horrible in my opinion!

Los Angeles Lakers select Robert Swift, 7 foot Senior from Bakersfield High School. The Lakers are entering a new era with Kobe Jackson running the show minus the Diesel. The Lakers now require more size after letting project Jamal Sampson leave via the expansion draft to Charlotte. Robert Swift is a tall, young center that really showed some great ability in the McDonald's high school game. He is very athletic for his size and has a nose for the ball. He has the quickness and length to block shots and is an excellent weakside defender. He will need to work on his fundamentals but more importantly he needs to gain strenght particularly in the lower body. If he can gain enough muscle to hold his position in the paint Swift will give the Lakers a young mobile center to pair with Bryant for years. A project but one with excellent potential which is all you can ask for at this stage in the draft.

Quote: 6'9 with the fro. He's about 6'7 without shoes. it's documented. I agree with hots here...that Emeka can play center, esp. in the East. However, if Howard's out...and even if he's in...I'd do whatever I could to get Livingston and Josh Smith. trade the rest of the picks, whatever, but if we came out iwth those two...and Diaw at the two....we'd be fine. fine. that's my current wishes. Weez. If we lined up Livingston, Diaw, Smith who would give us the long range shooting? I really like Diaw but wouldn't he need a Luke Jackson or Gordon to shoot the 3 ball? I like Livingston's height and passing ability but can he shoot?

Dolfan... ATLien made his pick and it looks like we passed over Capstone and Lascar. Should I go ahead and pick or are you going to fill in the two Celtics picks?

This interview is just awesome. I have respect for Shaq as a player and really feel he was underutilized. That being said him working harder on his free throws would make giving him an extension easier. Also I can't believe it's all about the team when you take up 75% of a team's cap. Why can't the great ones take a max contract or 25% of the cap and make the rest in endorsements. It would be great if the Hawks could get in on the Lakers Magic trade, add Jason Terry and the 6th and get back the number one pick and some change.

Silas ain't going anywhere. Jackson could go to New York. Quote: Before taking the Lakers Job, Phil turned down NJ who was willing to give him more money and more control. Plus they had a lot of talent.... (Marbury, Kittles, Van Horn Phil wants the most dominant player in the game. His next stop is Cleveland.

Quote: i agree on the board. Howard Livingston Okafur I too agree.

Quote: Quote: Ford makes it sound like Howard is the only player in the draft that has question marks about his game, and he makes it sound like LeBron didn't have any question marks. That is not the case at all. Lebron had NO question marks... If you think he did, you need to relive the past 2 years... Lebron did have question marks coming into the draft. His shooting and range were defintely questioned. There were also questions as to how he would do against stronger competition which all high schoolers face. The fact that he proved to be the man this year doesn't mean there weren't any question marks.

To me the only thing Glover could do was drive to the basket. I do not consider him to be a well-rounded player which you need at the SF position. Diaw may not be a great shooter but if initiating offense is his biggest weakness then he has a ton of upside as defense and court vision are difficult to teach. I'm not hating on Glover I just don't feel that he did much in his time here to make me want another like him.

And why would we want another Dion Glover but a Dion Glover without a jump shot? I'd rather have another Diaw.

Please don't compare Kobe and MJ. Kobe is super talented but he just doesn't stack up to MJ at all in my eyes. MJ had the will and the desire to go along with the talent. Kobe is a blessed athlete but his mental make up leaves something to be desired.

I'm not too worried trading away the 17th as I think the three second rounders will provide enough developmental talent.

This just shows you how competitive Magic really is. Calling out two future hall of famers that usually get a free pass. I don't know what to make of Payton, two years ago he stilled seemed to play at a high level. When he leaves the Lakers next year it will be interesting to see what kind of player he truly is.

Does he consider Europeans white then? Cause there will be a ton of them in the league soon.

I'm half white and half asian. I don't give a [censored] what Bird thinks. I don't think the NBA should reach out and promote players based on race. If a guy has the talent and the drive then I want to see him in the NBA, if not then let him play at the playground. I don't care if the team is all black or all white or all asian. I don't care that there is a Chinese player in the NBA, [censored] Yao isn't even Chinese-American. All I care about is good basketball and I'd be much happier if Bird would have come out and said we need better basketball players in the NBA, guys with an understanding of the game to go along with the athleticism. I also completely agree with Weez that the KG "war" comments were way overblown and the media needs to check itself and start firing people who don't report the facts. We need less commentary and more facts, let the people use their brains to draw conclusions.

I think we should put up a pick by pick poll after the lottery finishes and let the members decide if they like the picks we each made. It would put more value on the reasons we chose the players we did. Dolfan, perhaps we can put up Yes and No percentages on the draft site?

I thought the Warriors would go center with this pick.

I'm beginning to think JT and the 17 plus the future Philly would get us the 1st or second pick. I also think we can get Chicago's or the Suns pick if we take on their bad contracts: Eddie Robinson and Howard Eisley. We could then go: 1,2 Howard 3 Livingston 6 Josh Smith or 1,2 Howard 6 Livingston 7 Josh Smith Be interesting to run this lineup: PG Livingston 6'7" SG Smith 6'8" SF Diaw 6'8" PF Howard 7' C 7' Stiff I know, I know too many high schoolers but what do we have to lose at this point?

I disagree with your assertion that Blount is better than Foyle and that Blount is better suited for our team. If Blount and Foyle both had the same opportunities Foyle will always be the better shotblocker because of his instincts. Foyle was hurt last year and has had to platoon with Dampier as well as play with a team that doesn't use him offensively. He runs the floor extremely well for his size and has hands. The other thing about Foyle is he constantly is working on his game. He may be ugly but Foyle is the better option for the Hawks in my opinion. This team needs a big bodied shot blocker and Blount isn't that guy.

With the 9th pick in the NBA Draft Philadelphia selects Josh Childress from Stanford. With defensive-minded coach Jim O'Brien on board the 76ers are looking for immediate help due to a veteran-filled roster. With Glen Robinson, DC, McKie, and Snow aging by the season Philly needs an injection of size, defense, atleticism, and experience. Philly is covered at the PG and SG spots with Snow, Iverson, and Salmons able to cover those spots effectively. The 76ers also have plenty of size with the emerging Dalembert along with Marc Jackson, DC, and reliable Kenny Thomas. The clear need is a long, above average shooting small forward where Glenn is a shadow of his former self and McKie is often injured. Childress is long and can guard the talented small forwards in the East from Prince to Carter. He brings tremendous experience from Stanford which gives him an advantage over younger players and gives O'Brien the ability to teach more than the fundamentals of basketball. Childress is also adept at creating his own shot thereby injecting some much needed offense in Philly's one man show. His length will also protect AI defensively on switches. The 76ers were tempted to go big with Ramos or Harrison but having a 6'8" SF with tremendous length is a no brainer and should put Philly back in the playoffs.