DawsonsCreek

Thanks for the info Soth. I think my blood pressure just shot through the roof from this thread. I hope Knight does what most other smart gms would do and just take Horford at #3. I dont get this talk that this guy or that guy has more upside then Horford. Why are people thinking that Horford is not gonna get better? I can handle Critt at #11 (even though I prefer Jack or Law). But Wright at #3 would be a tragedy.

I'm sorry but Billy Knight needs to submit to the coach on this one. His track record in the draft(with the Hawks) is not good. Meanwhile the owners are thinking with their pockets (who can blame them) but the coach is the one with the idea thats gonna put the best team on the floor. You have to be in the playoffs this year and you have no first round pick next year. No playoffs = no job for knight Use your head Billy.

Quote: Quote: According to my spies, Crittenton looked the most physically impressive (as expected) but that Law was no slouch in that department and clearly appeared to be the most advanced offensive player (again, no surprise there). Yet Gordon was the most tenacious defender and the most pleasantly surprising of the three (as should have been expected since he isn’t as highly regarded as his workout partners). Another spy said there was basically no difference between the three guys (he actually ranked Gordon and Crittenton ahead of Law, and reiterated that Gordon stood as much or more than anyone), though the upside for Crittenton is hard to ignore. And some people on the squawk swear that Law is the best point guard in the draft, yet he didn't look any better than Crittenton or Gordon! Didnt realize you could tell how good of a pg someone is by getting 2nd hand information about player performance drills. Good luck with all that.

Quote: The big problem with taking Conley at 3 is that unless someone unexpected falls, you are probably force to take a small wing at 3. You could be stuck with a Conley Stuckey draft or you trade 11 and get a stiff....good thing Juwan Howard already got traded. Yeah I dont know how realistic it is to get him cause Im on board with Horford at #3. If it came down to conley, law or crittenton for some reason at #11 (or earlier trade up), I'd have to go with conley.

Quote: Heck, any PG coming into the draft after just one year of college needs time to develop. It's kinda unreasonable to expect any PG to just show up in the League and dominate without some growing pains. The real issue is what kind of player will you have afterwards. There's a bit of an "all or nothing" mentality around here when it comes players. I'll admit I like Critt but I'd be happy with Conley or Law as well. But it's looking like Critt will be the guy and I have no problem with that. The guy is really talented and has a great attitude plus he actually WANTS to be here. You can't beat that. For the most part young pgs are not gonna step right in and take over. But at the same time, some are further along then others. When I saw Conley play last year, I thought he was almost too good to be on the college level(and that includes when oden was out). Does he need to work on his jumper? Yes. Does he need to get stronger? Yes. But you see how he ran his team and how Javaris ran his and you tell me who the better pg was. I'm a tech fan but im not drinkin that juice.

Quote: Quote: He's got a bright future in our league because of his size, but he needs to develop more." Quote: Woodson said the Hawks are much less concerned that their point guard score than that he run the team and be a consistent defensive presence. Hmmmm If anyone watched Georgia Tech games this year you know what Woodson is talking about. I personally felt that he needed 2 more seasons a la Jarett Jack. The arguement that they had the close to the same numbers is irrelevant. Jack had better players around him and still got his (didnt have to stuff his stats). I know that everyone has bad games but Crittenton vs UNLV really put the stamp on the kid that hes not ready. Does he have better measureables then Conley? yes. Was he a better pg last year? no. I think Javaris can come off the bench with Salim but I think people have seen thats hes got quite a ways to go. Does Billy Knight and Woodson have time to wait?

Quote: The closer we get to the draft the more I am higher on Horford at #3 than anyone we can get there (assuming no trade). He is hands down the consensus #3 player in the draft by GMs and scouts and he brings the low post game on both sides of the court we simply do not have. I do not care if he takes Shellhead's minutes; one bad draft decision should not dictate every other draft after it. Amen brother.

If it is true that Howard wants to come home, I wonder if he has or will tell Orlando that hes not signing an extension this summer. If he did, that would give Orlando some motivation to trade him. #3/Marvin/Childress for Howard/Bogans

Quote: Quote: It would take Howard saying "trade me to Atlanta!" BING BING BING We GOT a Winner !!! Exactly right. If Dwight says I will be a Hawk, The Magic will be forced to trade him or lose him for nothing. Otherwise.... You keep Josh Smith here and suppose you have Crittenton here too (his hs teammate)....and you offer the max? And this is his hometown? I agree Orlando would be in a tough position.

Quote: "Smith or JJ would have to be involved." Then we are out. The most I would give would be Marvin, Childress, and the #3. How about The #3, Marvin, and Zaza???? I could see that being enticing. We would still need to acquire a scorer. Enter Acie Law? #3, Marvin and Chillz and I dont even blink when pulling the trigger. Johnson/Howard/Smith? Eastern Conference Championship might eventually run through Atlanta if that happend along with the addition of some quality vet players.

Quote: It is very rare to see a player of Howard's status traded within the same division. I see the only ways Howard coming here is via free agency or if he demanded to be dealt and we made the best offer. I dont know if we could even afford Howard by the time his contract comes up (I gotta think hes a max player). Gonna be real interesting to see how much Josh Smith gets. And its gonna even be more interesting if Javaris Crittenton (howards ex hs teammate) and Josh Smith (aau buddy)are here together when Howard is considering his next move.

Quote: The owners want very badly to make the playoffs this year and to justify Knight/Woodson's tenure to the fans. If we fail to make the playoffs next year I do not think either Knight or Woodson would survive. And I dont think they would deserve the right to stay here without making the playoffs. People losing there jobs this year had better records then woodson. Thats why I think they take horford at #3 or a trade. Just not enough time imo for wright and Yi. If Crittenton does show up here, you know Dwight will be licking his chops to come play with his former teamates (high school and aau).

thats what the hawks think. Marvin to be a star. Thats why they dont do this deal imo.

Money wise it doesnt appear to work. Speedy needs to be added. Dunno if the hawks are willing to deal someone they think highly of (Marvin) for early middle round selections and players. In my eyes trading Marvin would send out the message that you F'ed up by taking him #2. Doesnt make much sense on swapping #12 for #11 either.

Soth have u heard any updates yet? In my opinion, its gotta be down to Yi, Horford or trade out. Wish there was a way to pluck Conley out of this draft too.

All jokes aside, if Billy Knight does the "right" thing we will be sitting pretty. If we take Hoford I will be happy cause he will most likely be playing center with zaza and shelden. He will give us defense, a big that can run out of the 5 hole and a nice offense repotoire out of the post that we dont have. If we are just posturing to get something from another team, Im for that too. If we play our cards right we should be able to deal out of the pick without gutting our team for a nice player or players (in a perfect world). Atlanta needs to make the playoffs this year, no excuses.

I agree 100 percent. Pretty exciting to think about a Horford, Smith and Marvin Williams frontcourt. In a perfect world, I would love conley too but I wouldnt mind Law or Jack (through a trade) to run this thing. Do yall think their would be any possibility of portland doing a childress for jack straight up?

I agree 100 percent. This team doesnt have another 3 years to develop these players. Enough as enough.

I just listened to the latest podcast at draftexpress and they say they have heard form "nba guys" and player agents who are candidates for #3, its between horford and wright. They also added that they felt wright was the slight favorite at this point. Take that for what its worth right now...things could change I imagine. As the draft gets closer, Im with you j and going with horford at #3 (if we stay there). I think hes tall enough, strong enough to play center. I mean cmon Zaza was playing there. Atlanta wants to become a more uptempo team (According to bernie on the radio this morning 790 the zone) and their arent alot of bigs that can run like Horford. I want to know who they are gonna bring in at #11. Is that acie law, crittenton, stuckey....a trade for jack? or is it someone who might slip like noah? lol

Welcome. I think it would be great to have them around too.

Yeah im not excited about a 6'8 guy playing center(Shelden). Shelden couldnt guard an athletic, strong, big if he wanted to. Ie Cedric Simmons of NC State. No wonder they are giving him time at center. He cant keep up with the pfs of the nba. At least in Horford you have a guy who is already strong and can put more weight on to his long frame. He can run the floor, play defense, be a post threat as well as having a decent mid range game. Out of the box Horford is gonna be a 15 and 10 guy.

Bucks fans wanting our pick + marvin or chill to move up is a joke. You have to give up something to get something. By the way how is Charlie's shoulder after arthroscopic surgery? Soth how do you feel about Haywood for Shellface?

LoL the reach around. I agree I think Bk feels the need to bring in some quality vet talent. And Yi might tear it up this year who knows....but with Gasol you pretty much know what your getting right from the giddy up.

From what Ive read I think hes clearly on the block pete. The deal that yall mentioned during the season and the talks they are having now leads me to beleive that. I think him softening his stance could be a strategic thing by memphis by them saying "We will do everything we can to trade you but you cant spout off letting other teams know you want to be traded cause it hurts your value and its less likely to get you moved." Thats just my opinion though. As for Chillz in that new high octane offense that they will install he is not just a SF. He might play as many as 3 positions on that team at any given time. Of course hes not gonna play the 4 or the 5 but weve seen him play 1,2,3 here. Gasol/Gay/Horford (current) or Gay/Horford/B Wright/Chillz/Speedy (more money off their books)(After Trade) I inserted Wright to support Sothorns sources. I just think that 2nd option puts the Grizzlies in a better place.

Im with you walter on that deal. Like Tone Loc says "Lets do it."