ggp

Assuming Sheldon is drafted, the Hawks will likely want to look at PG in the second round. Barrea and Blaylock are reasonable choices. Both can handle and distribute the ball with the best of the PG's in this draft. Both will likely slip into the second round due to height concerns. I think that I would give the edge to Blaylock because he is rumored to be the superior defender. That is strictly conjecture from me, so I am willing to hear what you have to say. If a SnT deal is in the works for an experienced PG, then the Hawks may want to draft another big man. Pittsnogle has been mentioned, but my choice would Solomon Jones. Jones was in for a workout. I haven't heard how he looked,but he performed very well in the Big East. He would be a guy that will need a year or two to develop, but he has great potential.

The point is not that Aldridge has an injury. The point is that Sheldon produced for four years against top competition. Aldridge put up good numbers against weak opponents and was mediocre against better competition (like Sheldon). No one on this board can predict which of the two will be better. However, the smart money is on Sheldon.

A recent post cited an article that noted that highly drafted Bigs are less likely to pan out, in the NBA, than highly rated guards. In my opinion, that is true only because most GM's value size and length in the Bigs more than their production as players. The old saying the you can't teach size is adhered to like a mantra. Guards are usually rated according to their production. I think that you should always evaluate a player by his production on the court....very little else matters. This is why I rate Sheldon Williams higher than Aldridge. Bargangni may be the top guy, but I have never seen him play. Aldridge has size and athleticism over Sheldon, but Williams is just flat out productive as a defender. The day may come that Aldridge will become a player in the NBA, but my money is on Sheldon.

1- Simmons 2- O'Bryant 3- Landlord I would prefer to swing a deal that would land us a second first round pick. However, I doubt it would happen. We NEED a big man in the paint and the above guys would work out well. Simmons and O'Bryant are bigger and just as athletic as Sheldon. Sheldon has shown more, but the others look to have higher potentials.

This offseason plan depends on what we are allowed to do with Harrington. If we are able to use our signing rights in a trade, then we could address needs with quality players at the PG and C positions. Draft the best compliment to JJ with our #5 pick (Williams, Foye or Roy). Trade Harrington (SnT or any other deal) to a team that drafts either O'Bryant or Sene. We end up with a solid back court and a decent prospect to develop at the Center position.

Absolutely on the mark.....especially about Billy Knight being far superior to Pete Babcock.

I wanted to draft Chris Paul instead of Marvin Williams. In the early stages of their development, I think that I was right. However, BK had to draft with the future in mind. Drafting Paul might have made this team perform better this season. Our record could have improved enough to move out of the lottery. The problem is that we still would not be a contending team. We would be stuck in NBA mediocrity for years to come. I am willing to admit that BK is teaching me about how to build a basketball team. I support BK fully and I want him to stay at the helm for at least another three years. Woodson has done a fantastic job with this group of youngsters. He has shown the growth as a coach and is getting the most from his players. Hiring a name coach might create a spike in wins but I doubt that anyone else can be more successful in the long haul. Changing coaches would be a big mistake. Conclusion: Extend Knight's and Woodson's contracts.

We are in desperate need of a significant big man in the paint to solidify the defense. That is priority one. Is the big man that we need in this draft? Noah, Aldridge and Barganani (spelling) are big guys with athletic talent, but can any of them alter and block shots consistently? Can any of them grow into a dominating role? I am not sure. Does the solution to our problem rest in this draft or is it among the veterans of the league? Can we land a better big man via a sign and trade with Al?

Remember this: Regardless of how you feel about BK, the worst GM in Hawks history is PETE BABCOCK. The Hawks are going through a horrible era, but at least there is a plan. I may disagree with BK's draft last year, but at least I see that he has a philosophy and is adhering to it. We should see this thing to its end. If BK's pieces are put into place and the Hawks still lose, then we can say it is time to replace him.

Why Wilcox? Don't we have a shot at Nene? And what about Ben Wallace? Sign a free agent big man that can anchor the lane. Draft a backcourt companion to JJ.....Williams, Roy, Foye and Collins come to mind.

Good luck. I hope you enjoy your residency. I've been there.....twice.

I wouldn't mind a lower lottery pick. There is talent value there. And, if luck can be saved (like a bank account), I'd rather save it for 2007 to go after Oden or Wright.

I have put the Chris Paul thing behind me. We have Marvin and I hope that he will grow into the star that he is expected to be. The real question with this team is where is the beef? We are weak under the boards. Pachulia does his best and would make a very good complimentary PF, but he gets outplayed by too many Centers in this league. So, what does BK have to do to add a real presence to the Center postion? Is Aldridge the answer? I don't know. I watch Aldridge as much as I can , but I have yet to see the dominant player that everyone is so high about. I don't think that he is a defensive stalwart. Sheldon Williams seems like a better Center for us, but that may be because he is surrounded by a better team. Should BK trade our high draft pick on an established Center? If so, who?

make it so

I don't see anything wrong with the quote. Al considers himself the leader of the team. He was going to work his way through a slump. I don't see it as a selfish ball hog.

I see a lot of posts mentioning Aldridge as the top Center in the draft. His offensive game looks decent, but I have not seen him take charge of games defensively. If he doesn't dominate in college, how can we expect him to keep up in the NBA? Correct me if I am wrong , but don't we need a major defensive presence in the paint? Stats are fine, but can anyone say that Aldridge alters any college team's offensive strategy? If so, please educate me because I don't see it.

Very good point. From the Bulls point of view, there probably isn't much available at the top of this draft that they are interested in. Aldreidge, the Italian and Gay are not going to upgrade the team as much as Al.

Exodus, I just finished a post about drafting a Center. I like Williams (even if he is from Duke). The guy plays D with strength and smarts. Having him and Smoove block the paint would force offenses to have to shoot over our 6-8 players.

I am on board with BK. While a PG would squeeze more offense from our roster, a real defensive force in the paint would get the Hawks more wins. If we can add a tough guy in the middle, we would stand a better chance of signing a FA PG in the future. Aldridge has gotten the early press, but his dominance in the middle has not lived up to expectations. The kid out of Italy has moves and decent offense, but is not known for his defensive toughness in Europe....that means that he will get abused in the NBA. That leaves one guy that can help us in this draft.....Sheldon Williams. He is listed as only 6-9 but his wingspan is huge. He is a top shot blocker and has the wide body to handle most Centers in the league right now. His character on and off the court is impecable. If anyone has any concerns about S Williams' game, let me know. I have not seen him enough to feel certain about him. I am just going on what I have read about him. My early guess is that Sheldon Williams is the guy BK will most likely draft.

Ronnie Brewer is looking pretty good as well.

I don't post here very often. I realize that I don't know the NBA as well as most on this board, so there is little that I can add to the mix. Rumors are not my thing either, but I wanted to share this with the board and see what you guys think. I work with a person that is very close to upper management in Toronto. We talk about Basketball scouting and I hear tidbits about the scuttlebut at the Raptors' front office. The connection is not a decision maker in the organization, but is present at the top level meetings. The Raptors are really not hopeful of keeping Chris Bosh for long. The feeling is that he will bolt as soon as he is able. The problem is that they are very sensitive about the public perception of the organization. Trading Bosh would be a black eye that will be tough to get over and could get a few people fired. The feeling is that losing him in FA would somehow look better. (Go figure) We all know about the Lakers' interest in Bosh but I don't think that they have the cap space to make a big deal for CB. Does anyone think that Chris Bosh could be a Hawk next season? It would take a big offer, but they will have the cap space. If Bosh is added to the roster, how would he fit in? And if he is a Hawk, how would you approach the upcoming draft? Keep in mind that this is strictly conjecture on my part. I am convinced that Bosh will not be a Raptor next year. I am also hopeful that the Hawks will be able to finally pull themselves out of this quagmire.

That is very good to hear. Marvin is obviously the SF of the future. Marvin is the reason we can afford to trade Al. We will suffer Al's loss this season , but we will see, in a couple of years that BK drafted a futute star. At this point, the Denver trade rumor makes the most sense for us (provided Nene's next contract is not an obstruction). As far as Smith goes, he has to be a PF. He already has the size for it. I would not bulk him up any further. He just needs to develop his post up and ball handling/passing skills. This will take time, but will eventually come. He and Marvin will peak at roughly the same time. This draft will feature two good PG's and a tremendous combo guard in the lottery. Darius Miles and Rondo will both be quality PG's in the NBA. Rondo is probably the better player but Miles has a tremendous competitor's heart. Neither will be as good as Paul, but that is water under the bridge. Brewer is probably a better basketball talent than Rondo and Miles. He is very similar to JJ and would also make our backcourt a tough match up for any team.

Big Ben is unhappy in Detroit. He does not like his role under his new coach. He is a major talent and the Pistons would be fools to let him go. But, just for Sh#ts and giggles, what would we have to offer in a trade for him?

Any info on Villanova PG Randy Foye? He is a senior and is supposed to be a very good defender. How is he as a floor general?

There is no way I would trade for Watson. One of two things happened this offseason with Watson and the Hawks. 1. BK was not interested. If this is so, then why would he interested now? Watson has not lit up the league at Denver. 2. BK wanted Watson, but he did not like the look of the Hawks. If that is the case, why would he feel differently now? As a PG, you have to be the floor leader and to do that, you have to believe in your team mates. Either way you cut it, Watson does not belong on the Hawks. Trading a successful starter for a mediocre PG and a mediocre big guy is nonsense. BTW, Nene has proved nothing in this league...winning a rookie award is fluff. His injury history coupled with his mediocre play while healthy do not make for a good trade.