A few thoughts on Gay,Aldrige and Hawks Draft

[thescout5]

I was thinking about the Hawks and there unproductive lineup and thought I would throw this possiblity out there.The Hawks have a ton of small forwards and they have childress whose stock is fallen terribly.I admit that the interior defense is going to need to be much better to win consistently.Championships are built on defense.Whoever said we could outscore the other team doesn't know how to build a winning team.Here are some thoughts in the upcoming draft and possible scenarios.

1.1st, If Lamarcus Aldrige went first in the draft and the hawks draft 2nd,3rd or 4th it puts the hawks in difficult corner of what to do.Rudy Gay is supposed to be the no1 talent on the board,rondo at this point doesn't deserve the no2 pick.Here is a thought if drafting 2nd draft gay and then trade a package to get back in the top 10 to grab rondo or maybe boone.Boone does pretty well at getting boards,scoring and I believe block shots.I know another small forward however Gay seems to have all the makings of a star.He is the go to player on the huskies and is used to being the man unlike marvin who had a great team behind him and wasn't the man on the floor.Just a thought since many want a point guard but there doesn't seem to be on out there that can dominate.I think marvin has alot of potential but can we wait,will he ever realize it.Gay has an around game and is much better at this point.Boone while he isn't aldridge is a very good player.

I am just throwing this out there to see whatyou guys think since the hawks could get apined in a corner again and not get the player they want.

2. Hawks get the 2nd,3rd,4th pick they could trade up to get aldridge.Either no one will want childress so it may be marvin or smooth and the no1 pick of hawks to get aldridge.Maybe a point guard could come back to the hawks also or another player/draft pick.It is over paying but you see now big men are hard to come by and you are going to have to over pay to get some where in Atlanta.

3.Hawks get the no1 pick..easy right now it would be alrdidge.at this point there is no dominate player maybe if rondo picks up his game you could trade down get your point guard,trade a package to get back in the top 10 and get boone? The hawks really need 2 players to do anything soon point guard and center-powerforward type.

[xman]

Aldridge or Gay would be nice. Aldridge would fill the bigger need, but by draft time I think Gay will be the clear pick.

Gay (or Aldridge) and Marvin could be tough at the forward positions - it would leave us a little small but the talent would be hard to match. JJ at SG would be strong also. So, we need (still) a PG and a C. (Rondo is the only player that appears to help in the draft - no centers worth mentioning)

Why not deal Al and/or Chill and/or Smith to fill needs if we can make a GOOD deal (not a ripoff deal).

1. Deal for Channing Frye: they want AlH, let's add what it takes to make it work. A few people have said Al and Chill are not enough. I think it would be since we will also have to take back a bad contract (probably Malik Rose's 2 yr deal, or ADavis' larger one year deal). If not, maybe we offer Smith instead and get back Lee and NRobinson.

THIS IS OUR BEST CHANCE AT SOLVING THE C PROBLEM FOR YEARS

Between Frye and ZsaZsa C would be acceptable with potential for more.

2. Look for a decent veteran PG.

Several PGs could be had:

RAlston - Rockets are looking to shake things up.

MJames - We could also try to get Villanueva for Chill.

A Denver PG - they should be willing to deal.

GETTING A DECENT VETERAN PG FILLS A GAPING HOLE. IF WE END UP WITH RONDO, WE COULD DEAL WHOEVER WE GET - BUT AT LEAST WE ARE NOT STUCK HOPING WE GET RONDO.

3. Draft Aldridge or Gay - pair either with Marvin to fill the forward positions. If we have Frye/Zsa at C we could get by going smaller with Marvin/Gay - if we get Aldridge then size would be an advantage for a change.

[KB21]

IMO, Rudy Gay has the highest upside of the players that will be available. I believe the first through third best players are Rudy Gay, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Rajon Rondo. I'm watching a young guy right now that is impressing the hell out of me in CJ Giles, another 6'10" to 6'11" post player that can play the four and the five. I'd probably rate Giles 4th on the list at this point.

I'm also impressed with Julian Wright, another 6'9" versatile performer that can play four positions. Brandon Rush looks like he's going to be a better player than either of his brothers, Jaron and Kareem.

Rudy Gay has game changing athleticism, much like Marvin Williams and Josh Smith. His upside is tremendous, and I think Rudy will be a shooting guard at the NBA level.

After CJ Giles, I'd have to rank Ronnie Brewer from Arkansas very high. Ronnie is a 6'7" player who is very similar to Joe Johnson. I believe Ronnie can play point guard in the NBA, but he has the versatility to play the two and the three as well.

I'd be happy with any of those five, because I still feel that the Hawks are in the talent procurement stage of their development and should be looking at talent over position at this point.

[Packfill]

Unless a simultaneous trade was involved, the Hawks would be the absolute laughing stock of the league if they drafted Rudy Gay. The Hawks are done with their talent procurement at the shooting guard and small forward position.

[Lascar78]

I agree. I think we now need to adress needs. I am absolutely against drafting Gay unless a trade (either of the pick or 1 or more of our swingmen) takes place before the draft.

Unless a trade happens BEFORE the draft, I want a PG or a big.

Period

[Dakin]

I hope the Hawks go Gay.

[thescout5]

I am watching the duke'texas game so far Aldridge looks decent but not a game changing player that would deserve the no1 pick.If there is any way possible the hawks have got to get 2 picks in the top 10 since this draft may only have gay has a superstar.Players to focus on with 2 picks:

1.Aldridge

2.boone

3.Shelden Williams

4.Rondo

5.Gay

I am sure as the season progress's other players could enter this list but the idea is to get 2 of these players by draft and trading players.I like that idea of Frye who I liked coming out of college.normally young players don't get traded that are doing well but maybe there can be something to it near the trade deadline.

[exodus]

The only realistic deals that I see for both are Miller/Watson and maybe Gadzuric, although Gadz might be a reach.

Then again there may be a "Zaza" type player out there that we don't know abut.

[exodus]

This from NBADraft.net:

Aldridge has been the most dominant bigman prospect in the nation thus far. After missing half of last year with a hip injury which required surgery, Aldridge worked hard in the offseason adding weight without losing his agility and quickness. He's up to 245 pounds and appears much stronger and tougher on the low block.

A model of consistency, Aldridge has averaged 17.4 points and 10.4 rebounds through 8 games, with double digits in scoring in every game and rebounding in all but one.

While Aldridge has looked very good and has been tabbed by some as a possible number one pick, the likelihood of that happening is diminished by the fact that he wont check out in an NBA physical.

He still has lingering health issues related to both his hip surgery and his back. His history of back problems, which kept him from declaring for the draft out of high school remains an issue for him.

[KB21]

I disagree. I believe that the draft is the place to acquire talent, and if you draft based on need, you will likely pass on the better talent.

Maybe one day we will be able to deal from a position of strength to get a need, but I don't want to see this team adopt a draft for need philosophy in the draft. That's what we always used when Pete Babcock was the GM, and you see how our drafts panned out. Teams that draft for need do not draft well.

[Lascar78]

babcock's long history of horrible drafting is not due to picking need over talent. It is due to the fact that the man was unable to judge talent. Many teams adress their needs in the draft every year and do fine.

There isn't a single team in the entire league with so many young talented players at 1 or 2 positions (swingman), or with as glaring a hole at the 2 most important positions (PG / C).

Even if one generally believes in always going BPA, you can't just ignore the particular situation that we're in. It could be argued that there has never been a team with such glaring needs at 2 positions, and so much young talent stockpiled at the other positions. Ever. That requires action. If you don't want to pass on the BPA, we need to trade to make things work, to make the pieces fit. The young guns need to learn how to win. They need a team with the potential to win, and that requires at least a PG or a C.

[Duff_Man]

Quote:

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I disagree. I believe that the draft is the place to acquire talent, and if you draft based on need, you will likely pass on the better talent.

Maybe one day we will be able to deal from a position of strength to get a need, but I don't want to see this team adopt a draft for need philosophy in the draft. That's what we always used when Pete Babcock was the GM, and you see how our drafts panned out. Teams that draft for need do not draft well.

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Problem is that this franchise has such an awful draft history that we might as well try to sign FAs. I know Marvin will work out, but I hope it isn't for a West team ala Diaw.

[exodus]

Quote:

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glaring a hole at the 2 most important positions (PG / C).

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The problem, at least in terms of the draft, is that there aren't any centers and the point guards aren't that highly rated. If they keep their pick they will most likely take a 4.

The guys I am watching most closely are in this game. Aldridge looks like he may be a Bosh type player. Strength and health are issues.

I have seen more of Sheldon Williams and McRoberts. If McRoberts declares you have to give him a long look. Since the Hawks obviously need a playmaker McRoberts could be a major plus. I see him as a Lamar Odom type player with excellent ball handling/passing/shooting skills.They don't use him much on offense since Redick and Sheldon are their go to guys. My big question about him is strength and I don't think he is as tall as Aldridge.

I don't see either of those guys as the defensive presence in the middle that the Hawks need. However they will bring low post scoring which will open things up for the Hawks shooter. They have decent frames so hopefully they will get stronger and put on weight.

JJ Redick has sure put on a show.

In order to address their problems at C and Pg they will have to use trades or free agency.

[KB21]

I believe that Rajon Rondo will be very highly rated by draft time. Right now, Chad Ford has him 4th on his big board. I think Rajon will probably be rated around 2nd by the time the draft rolls around. He just brings a lot to the position, IMO. First of all, he plays bigger than he is. He's 6'1", but I bet he's got a wingspan of close to 7'. The guy is a great rebounder for a point guard, as he has been averaging 10 rebounds per game. He has great instincts as a distributor. He's got that sixth sense that the great point guards have.

The biggest thing I see with him though is that he isn't going to be a liability defensively. He's extremely athletic and long armed, so he fits what Billy Knight wants in a player.

[ggp]

This is precisely the problem that many NBA draftniks cited last year. Everyone knew that Rudy Gay was the talent at the top of the 2006 draft. I am sure that BK knew about Gay as well.

Then, why oh why would you draft Marvin Williams over Chris Paul?

I still don't get it. Can someone give me a rational answer?

[phoostal]

Rondo looked great against Indiana today. This guy has no outside shot. He is quick and his defense is average. After watching this game he seems overhyped, however knowing the Hawks they would waste a pick on him.

P

[Iman]

Geez, I cant hardly find anything in this post that I agree with. First of all I just dont see us finishing with less than 20-25 wins. If that gets a top3 or better pick then I'll be happy but I doubt it will unless we get lucky. We havent traded up since BK has been here although I think we tried to get Howard that way but I just dont think anyone will rise high enough to warrant chasing. The Hawks do have a history of drafting poorly but BK does not and that's what counts. And I especially dont see us giving up one of the Joshes or Marvin or even Salim to move up or packaged with Al to get Channing Frye, maybe to get Nene and Andre Miller but not Frye and a bad contract.

I'm sure I'm in the minority but I think Rondo or Brewer have as much NBA upside as Paul or Deron did. I also like Gay and Aldridge so any top pick would be fine to me. That includes that I agree with KB that if we get the chance to take Gay we have to do it. On top of that I'd still resign Al if we havent traded him by then. Of course a few of those players would eventually have to be moved. It also would be nice to finally get a player that fit but at this point I wouldnt pass up on Gay just as I wouldnt have passed up on Marvin. I might have if Paul had been better defensively or Deron had been a little better shooter or creator.

[KB21]

Well, the reason they took Marvin is simple. He's got a much higher upside than Chris Paul and Deron Williams. You simply don't pass on players that have the potential that Marvin has.

Rajon Rondo is hardly average defensively. He's easily a better point guard prospect than either of the two point guards taken high in this past draft.

If the Hawks are lucky enough to be able to draft Rondo, you will see how smart it was to take Marvin Williams over two point guards that simply don't fit what Billy Knight wants to achieve in building a team. Rondo will give the team a long armed, defensive specialist at the point guard positon that is terrific in the up tempo style and is a tremendous distributor of the basketball.

[thescout5]

Rondo has a ways to go before he convinces me he is a top pasing point guard.I know he is a sophomore but today vs indiana he had 2 assists. The announcers were sort of bashing rondo in the fact that rondo needs to be able to take control of the game.Look to score more and pick up the pace on defense to create turnovers. I thought rondo was better last yr in fact I will try to look at his games last yr to see how many assists he had.

I would hope by season's end rondo is the kind of guard who drives more to the basket and scores or passes to get easy hoops which bumps his assists total way up.Now I see him passing the ball way to much,not driving to the hoop and not taking the shot.He is young and maybe develops,at least I hope so.No doubt he can get rebounds,steals,but he needs to develop a jump shot,hit free throws and drive to the hoops.He has a lot of potential and if the hawks get a top pick rondo is going to have to play muh better before I would select him.

There is another player that could go number 1 or 2 in the draft from italy.I forgot his name but he is 7'0 and they compare him to Nitwoski.He likes to block shots and is very athletic.Would not surprise me if Aldridge,rondo and gay don't pick up thre games to another level he becomes the no1 pick.I agree Gay is better than any of the other possible players coming out so far but there is alot of the season to go.

One final note what about a sign and trade of Harrington.Of course that would be the last option since it would come after the draft and teams usually don't great young players but who knows.I would prefer to trade al near the deal line.I know he wants to win and it lloks like the hawks are a couple of yrs away from beomg a 500 team.

[KB21]

I don't see that Rondo has much help around him at Kentucky at the moment. Their talent level is as low as it has been in a long time there. The next best player on that team is probably Ramel Bradley.