Posted by: Melanie Watson on June 4, 2007 11:39AM EST I think we should get him =]

Posted by: Charles on June 4, 2007 2:24PM EST While he rebounds very well, his offensive game, from what I saw, is pretty weak. His post moves are very basic and look awkward. I think he benefited from a lot of single coverage in college, being on such a balanced Florida. I believe he is a little overrated but will be a solid nba player. Is that what you want from the 3rd overall pick? I think he will evolve into a 12 pt 9 rebound type of guy. He'll put up similiar numbers to drew gooden (another guy picked high from a really good college team).

Posted by: J-mill on June 4, 2007 6:51PM EST But we don't need another power forward!

Posted by: Bianca Betances on June 4, 2007 9:54PM EST I beilive Al would be a great asset to the Hawk's organization. He's familar the being under pressure, he seemed more mature than than the other players in his team. He put up very good numbers when it mattered. I think time will make him a better outside shooter.

Posted by: Adonis on June 4, 2007 10:07PM EST I really think that Al Hordford will be a great member of the Hawk's if picked. I don't believe the he is Weak at all!!!! His numbers were well deserve with the organization of the Gator's. He is ready... I don't believe that the media made these numbers up. Al (GodFather)hope to see you in the Hawk's....

Posted by: Kristen on June 4, 2007 10:19PM EST Dont know wut tv u watchin but the media focused mostly on Noah not Al. Although Noah is a great player look at the numbers. Noah isnt number 3 pick, Al is. Al will make a great addition to the team because he is an overall great player and selfless. He cares more about the team and their success rather then getting all the attention. He is a team player unlike most players today. The site couldnt even list a real weakness. I am excited about Al being a new addition to the team.

Posted by: A on June 4, 2007 10:34PM EST I feel like we should draft Conely who is the best PG in the draft and then try to get Hartford. If we do not succeed acquiring Hartford go after Yi.

Posted by: B_Mac on June 5, 2007 10:52AM EST There is no reason to draft Horford. I'm not saying he is going to bad in the NBA, but we have him a couple times over in the forms of J Smoove, Marvin, and Sheldon. In fact he is a perfect clone of Sheldon, an undersized center that won't ever be a superstar. That is why we need to draft Mike Conley, a very talented player with superstar potenial.

Posted by: Charles on June 5, 2007 12:24PM EST "But we don't need another power forward!" Um... I don't know what Hawks games you have been watching, but we do need another big. Please tell me, who is the Hawks' go to low post scorer? Oh that's right we don't really have one. Zaza and Sheldon are solid players, but neither would be considered elite post players by anyone. Marvin doesn't even go inside. Also we spent a lot of money on speedy claxton last season, and we never really got to see him at 100 %. We can still get a very good point guard at 11 (acie or crittenton). Conley is not nba ready and point guard is not our biggest need. Inside scoring is.

Posted by: Charles on June 5, 2007 2:20PM EST Weaknesses: Offensively, Horford lacks consistent shooting from mid-range and the perimeter … Defensively Horford tends to get into foul trouble at times due to his aggressiveness … Although his back to the basket skills are greatly improved, they are still in need of refinement … Post footwork can be choppy. By improving this, Horford will become a lot more effective post player … Has a tendency to defer to his teammates instead of establishing his presence in the game … Still hasn’t played with the consistency that you except with someone of his talent … Can drift at times during games. Will have one dominating game followed by several so-so performances …fails to get rebounds out of his position the way he should … Below average free throw shooting prevents him from taking full advantage of the foul shots he creates … -nbadraft.netC

Posted by: nut on June 5, 2007 4:15PM EST no way should we pick hartford, sheldon dissapointed last year but give him a chance to adjust and find his niche. draft yi 3 and critten11 or do a sign and trade with detroit with the 11 for billups. we need a point but dont we already have 4 on the roster 5 counting salim we have to find a way to wheel and deal atleast two of those but keep lou.

Posted by: Jason Mann on June 6, 2007 3:52AM EST Does anyone think Horford could be an undersized center for us? I think that's the only way he'd be a good fit for us. We definitely toughness, interior defense, inside scoring and rebounding, but one of our biggest problems is that we have an undersized front court that just can't compete with bigger, better athletes. I'm not sure how much Horford helps us in that regard.

Posted by: Andre Amos on June 6, 2007 2:42PM EST I'm a former High school teammate of Joe Johnson from Little Rock Central and now Assistant Coach @Missouri State- West Plains. I think the Hawks have to go with what you NEED and not what you WANT. You can not compare Al with Sheldon. Al has the main characteristic that you want to see in a Post Player and thats toughness!!! I think this will be a good pick for the HAWKS because there are 2 Post players that are seperated from the pack (Greg, AL) and 3 pretty good point guards (Acie, Mike, Crittenton). I pretty sure at least 2 of those PG s will still be there a 11

Posted by: Charles on June 7, 2007 12:06AM EST We NEED a low post scorer more than a PG!!!!!

Posted by: jp on June 7, 2007 1:34PM EST you can't be serious about drafting Al Horford. He has done nothing in college to warrant a 3 pick. Ya he played on a great team, but he wasn't even the most important player on that team. Noah was. We have to take Conley and if not then either Wright or Jianlin. Not Horford. He will never be better than any of those other guys.

Posted by: medayoallday on June 9, 2007 2:05AM EST Rather him then freken Wright. i say in this order for 3 pick either YI,conley,Horford

Posted by: Steve on June 11, 2007 12:07PM EST Only one from those championship teams that will likely be a solid NBA player. If he continues to work on his game and plays with passion he will be as good as Charles Barkley. If the Hawks were to package some of the dead weight on the roster to get another draft pick then take him. Yi still needs to be their main priority for his marketability if nothing else.

Posted by: Tim Dogins on June 13, 2007 10:32AM EST Here is the real issue, If you get a low post scorer who is going to get him the ball. Look at all of the top teams in the league right now. They have balance, but the main thing they have is a point guard who can distribute the ball in the right places at the right time. They can shoot when necessary, and when the 4th quarter comes they can take over the game and make the big shots, (Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups, DeWayne Wade, even Gilbert Arenas even thought his team isn't elite, they are a playoff team). All of of these guys also have one thing in common with the exception of Parker at 6-2", They are big point guards and pretty durable. Trade the #3 pick to Portland and get Jarret Jack and LaMarcus Aldridge. They want to make the deal so do it. Then you use the #11 pick and get Joakim Noah, Jeff Green, or a Player like Nick Fizekus from Nevada. They need some players and shooters. If they make the right moves the Hawks could make a run as early as next year.

Posted by: Konflict on June 15, 2007 10:58PM EST I think they should pick Yi,Becouse he has been a champion in the CBA and is still pretty young so he can put on weight to be a stronger PF,then take either Law or Crittenton with the 11th pick,plus i prefore a bigger PG over a small one better court vison plus joe johnson can run the offence pretty well.

Posted by: will on June 16, 2007 3:46PM EST First of all, Horford can play center. He will be similar to Dennis Rodman. I think we should get him quickly. I think he is better than Wright and Chialin.

Posted by: rohan on June 17, 2007 1:00AM EST man this is actually a good idea get horford, he could b the next amare, then package chill and shelden and pick 11 and trade for something like pick 6 or 7 and take conley. if there was any way we could get conley and horford out of this draft the hawks will be set

Posted by: Duane Smith on June 17, 2007 10:15AM EST Look all I keep hearing is how Horford is weak on Offense. The Hawks have three guys who can score in Johnson, Smith, and Zaza. They got Josh C. off the bench who can score. What the Hawks need is someone who can play some defense and Horford is the best defense of player in the draft. You put Johnson at the 2, Smith at the 3, Horford at the 4, Zaza at the 5, and Javaris Crittenton (our #11 pick) at the 1, and you could finally have a playoff team.

Posted by: how many fowards do we need? on June 17, 2007 3:08PM EST This guy is nothing like Amare or Charles Barkley. He isnt even close to being where Charles was athletically or where Amare is now. This guy cannot play center. He is a power foward. How many more fowards does this team want. TAKE A FREAKING POINT GUARD.

Posted by: Ricky Dunn on June 17, 2007 6:48PM EST Can anyone tell me the difference between Al Horford and Sheldon Williams? With that said, why do the Hawks need 2 Sheldon Williams' on the team? Look for Billy Knight to choose Mr. Horford.

Posted by: how many fowards do we need? on June 17, 2007 7:32PM EST Thank you Ricky. If you look at their measurements they are damn near the same player. Hell Sheldon put up better numbers ni college. WE DO NOT NEED THIS GUY.

Posted by: idecris on June 18, 2007 8:55AM EST this guy is a bad idea. He is a bad post defender. Oden burned him, randolph morris burned him. he'll be useless if he can't defend the post. i'd rather get Tiago Splitter or Joakim Noah. Splitter for his post defense Noah for his shot blocking and versatility. we don't need horford's muscle, we already have shelden, who even put up better number in college.

Posted by: SHOWBOAT on June 18, 2007 10:43AM EST this is not a bad idea if he can play the center and if billy cant trade no 3 to the blazers for jack and aldridge he . critteron would be good at no 11 i believe he is going to be best point guard to come out of this draft 6'5 with little weakness . he played point guard for dwight howard in high school kid got skills for real. so trade no 3 . but if you cant draft hortford

Posted by: corey on June 18, 2007 1:15PM EST No disrespect to who ever is doing the drafting but you would have to be strait crazy to pick horford after picking sheldon williams last year. which ain't a bad pick but we are a some what fast paced team with the pieces we already have, I think mike,jr would fit better cause he is a true point guard and that will free joe up so he can get back to his natural spot on the wing

Posted by: Danimal on June 19, 2007 11:17PM EST If you think we are a fast paced team, then Shelden is the wrong guy. Shelden is slow as molasses. Horford runs the floor like a SF and dribbles pretty well for a big man as well. SHelden Williams is a poor, poor, poor man's version of Horford. We need Horford to be our future C. As far as Morris owning him, Morris also owned Dwight Howard. Who would you rather have? And Horford played just as well as Oden in two head to head matchups

Posted by: idecris on June 20, 2007 1:01AM EST running the floor like a SF and dribbling pretty well are not good reasons to draft a big man. You want Horford to play at small forward? you need your big man to play like a real big man. post defense, boxing out, low post offense, lane help defense, etc. and Morris didn't own Dwight Howard, and Horford couldn't handle a much improved Oden. (the first time they met, Horford played beter, but in the Finals, their only other game, he couldn't stop or even slow down Oden in the game that MATTERED, and Oden wasn't even at an NBA all-star level yet) so i guess we can't even say that Horford improved himself. Shelden will be good enough, his rebounds per 48 are very high. He's a guy that really works hard to get the ball for his team, that's why he also gets a lot of steals, blocks and loose balls. And you don't need all 5 guys to make a running or up tempo team. you need a combination of guys who can get the ball for you (rebound, steal, etc. like Shelden) and guys who''l run the floor and score in transition (like everybosy else).

Posted by: Anonymous on June 20, 2007 3:13AM EST al horford will be succesful in the NBA as well as Conley and Crittenton. Brandon wright will be another bust and yi will under achieve. Although Conley is the higher ranked PG i believe that Crittenton will be very effective in the pro level at scoring and has the potential to be better than Conley on the next level. Crittenton's size also gives him an advantage over conley (6'1 v.s. 6'5). I believe we should take Horford at the 3rd pick since he is unquestionably the best big man available after Oden. It would be stupid of the hawks organization not to draft at this position just because we have had players who have UNDERACHIEVED at the same posistion. And how can you argue picking the next best player available at a position of need a mistake. I say we pick Horford 3 and Crittenton or Law at 11.

Posted by: E Brown on June 20, 2007 9:26AM EST i think horford would fit in very well on this team. you can move sheldon to back up center and horford would be the back up power, then you pick either law or crittenton at 11th and you are set.

Posted by: Tampadawg on June 21, 2007 6:50AM EST get the last 3years of forwards drafted and smith along with #11 and see what else it takes to go after Kobe

Posted by: FREE on June 21, 2007 8:33AM EST HORFORD & NOAH 2 ATLANTA PEOPLE KEEP TALKING ABOUT PAIRING GREG AND AND CONLEY HOW ABOUT HORFORD AND NOAH IN THE HAWKS FRONT COURT ?...NOAH IS BY NO MEANS A SCORING TREAT BUT HIS INTANGIBLES MAY OVER SHADOW THAT-AND I THINK HORFORD WILL BE SUCH A BEAST WITH HIS BACK TO BASKET GAME THE WOULD CONTINUE TO COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER ... THINK DUNCAN AND BEN WALLACE ON THE SAME TEAM I THINK THIS IS A VERY VALID SCENARIO FOR THE HAWKS TO EXPLORE #3 PICK HORFORD #11 PICK NOAH PICK UP A BIG TIME POINT IN FREE AGENCY OR TRADE GUARDS ROSTER KEEPERS - IN ORDER OFF PRIORITY JJ JSMOOTH AL HORFORD J CHILL NOAH EVERYONE ELSE IS TRADE BAIT ZAZA MARVIN SALIM LUE SPEEDY LORENZA FREE

Posted by: idecris on June 21, 2007 10:29AM EST i'd rather get Tiago Splitter who is a legit 7 footer. He could end up performing like Andris Biedrins, which is not at all bad. Horford is just too similar to both Williams.

Posted by: Dec ed out on June 21, 2007 12:16PM EST I think that Horford is mildly comparable to Amare Stoudamire. He is as athletic as any big in this draft or the past couple of drafts. He is strong, quick, and hardworking (from what his coaches say). At 6- 10 245 he has the tools to be a dominant 4 in the L. In the east he could be a good 5. He rebounds, plays D, is developing an outside shot and low post moves. Mike Conley or Spencer Hawes if he's not available would provide the Hawks with enough talent at every position, except point, to be a play off team.

Posted by: Charles on June 21, 2007 3:09PM EST i think his athleticism is overated. He looks slow for the nba game to me, and he has absolutely no touch on his hooks. He throws the ball off the backboard really hard and doesn't possess very much fluidity. I just don't see very much upside in his game. He wasn't even the best player on Florida and was not an all-american. What does everyone see in him? He has the makings of an average PF in my opinion...

Posted by: Charles on June 22, 2007 12:22PM EST drew gooden jr...

Posted by: Darrell Simmons on June 22, 2007 5:02PM EST Take YI at 3 not horford. He is slow has no touch on his hook and yes he throws the ball off the board hard. YI can run the floor has touch and can post up. Horford we don't need he is no better athelete than Sheldon W. Take YI and the best guard left Conely, Law or Crit will be at 11. I like Law or Crit better anyway cause of there size. YI is a cross between Dirk and former Star Kevin Mchale from the great Boston teams. Please take YI at 3 Billy !!!

Posted by: Mjoyner on June 23, 2007 1:15PM EST Yes Pick Al Horford he is better than Yi Jianlian(so dont pick him) Al Horford is one of the best players in college basketball so why not pick him. DO YOU REALLY think that Yi Jianlian can lead this team to a title i dont even think that if he played in college for some school that he would be able to lead them, but not to sound like a hater he is a good player Al Horford AT #3

Posted by: idecris on June 23, 2007 1:16PM EST i agree with charles' assesment of Horford. his athleticism and his "NBA body" are overrated. he doesn't bring anything that Shelden or Marvin don't already bring to the team (Shelden's bruteness and Marvin's athleticsm). all i've seen him do is dunk, and he has no post game, no moves. the move i've seen him do are so unnatural. compare him to Spencer Hawes. Spencer Hawes has a post game. He has moves and counter moves (jump hook, turn around, spin, up and under, fakes, etc.) Has a nice soft touch and release. His long jumper is good. Has good court vision and passes well. A 7 foot shotblocking presence with legit length. Doesn't back down attitude post defense. Above average Basketball IQ and FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND (inclusive of his low post, ball handling and padding abilities) At 19 (unlike the old Chinese guy, who faked his age), his body is still filling out, will still gain more strength and muscle over the years. He dowsn't have athleticsm that blows you away but he is not unathletic. Sufficient athleticsm. This is not an important consideration for a big man but I've seen him dribble coast to coast and finish. You can't expect these guys to be finished products coming out of college (especially an underclassman like Hawes) but he definitely has the tools and IS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION as a 7 footer. I mean he dowsn't think like a guard or a wingman, he plays down low at the block. 7 feet combined with a good badketball mentality. Kevin McHale reportedly wants this guy. He could develop nicely from working with both Kevins. I'm wondering why Atlanta is not even looking at him. Incompetent GM.

Posted by: jay on June 24, 2007 12:59AM EST This guy remind me of slow and boring Chris Webber. I can say with certinty he will never win a championship or MVP. There are too many players like this guy and the Hawks will continue to be lame by adding this guy. There will be no highlight factory ever it will be the same losing Hawks despreatly trying to the make it to the playoffs and finishing 20 game below the .5 mark. I say take a risk Atlanta Hawks, I say stop being so lame and boring and keep making me snore at your games, and I say draft Yi and let the city know that the Spirit group doesn't just represent Thrashers, but also the Spirit group cares about the NBA and the Hawks fans in Atlanta. I used to wath Steve Smith and Mookey, but now the Hawks have no hope every year they just suck. While the Jazz and the Bulls are back at it in the playoffs. What is wrong with the Spirit group why are you even considering Hawford or Conely Jr.. You guys need to excite your fanbase and take a risk draft Yi and if it's a mistake tell the fans you did it for them. That you had there best intrest in mind. We will understand.

Posted by: idecris on June 24, 2007 3:25AM EST having round delts doesn't make your body "NBA ready" horford isn't an upgrade, he just adds to the clutter

Posted by: Camilo on June 24, 2007 11:11AM EST How many forwards do we need?! Have you seen the clips of Yao Ming II? That guy is amazing! The guy is 7feet and runs the floor, dunks, passes, steals...I can't believe the guy's a center. Whoever picks Yi is definitely going to get a team player.

Posted by: kwinston on June 24, 2007 2:52PM EST No wonder the Hawks are a losing team some of you people don't know gold when its staring you in the face. You better hope the Hawks get Horford you all need someone with a winning mentality. What could Mike Conley do for the Hawks? I really think the guy needs another year in college!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on June 24, 2007 11:01PM EST Billy, Instead of running the organization into the ground, maybe you should consider stealing Yi at 3. Just a suggestion, but bringing in a disciplined and well balanced offensively threatning 7 footer could believe it or not, actually restore the state of the franchise and possibly your job. Horford is a strong choice, but Yi has a superior arsenal of versatilty.

Posted by: basketball coach on June 25, 2007 10:33AM EST Billy, Why you take YI at 3 not Horford ! 1- YI can shoot and run the floor better. Can play both center and PF. Horford is just another shelden williams. Look at the college numbers between horford and sw about the same. 2. YI is a future superstar as suggested by NBA peers that played against him. Horoford just another Shelden Williams. 3. Have you seen YI dunk and finish shots. Horford is just another Shelden Williams. 4. Yi puts fans in the stands and opens up the international market for the Hawks. Horford is just another Shelden Williams. 5. If you draft YI you get a Star on the rise and save your job. If you draft Horford. Well like i have said many times you get just another Shelden Williams !!!!

Posted by: Jon B. on June 25, 2007 12:20PM EST For the last time Yi is not proven. Horford has two rings and was the best Gator on last years team. Horford can score down low, has a good mid range game, grabs boards, oh yeah and he can run. That alone makes him 10x the player Sheldon Williams is, Horford would be a huge upgrade. I find it hilarious that the one time we should draft a forward Knight is probablly going to get a PG. We need to draft horford then try to make a trade with some one packaging the #11 with one of the William's (preferably Sheldon, because he is too slow and frankly he might be the worst pick ever.) Then maybe we could get a veteran point or move up in the draft to get Conley Jr. But given the fact that knight is our GM we will draft a swingman (probablly from the state of North Carolina (Wright) ).

Posted by: Pedro on June 25, 2007 2:39PM EST Horford should be #3 pick, he is the best prospect after Oden and durant

Posted by: Darrell Simmons on June 25, 2007 7:02PM EST I am so sick of this take horford stuff. He is another shelden williams. Is that what you want another player like williams ! We have that and where does that get us. Two college rings so what, big deal. He was on a team with 3 other very talented players thats why they won. Take YI, Take YI, Take YI. YI can score 20ppg and get 10 boards or more right now. Horford can get you 10ppg and 8 boards so who do you take. It is obvious to a basketball coach like myself that you take YI who is getting bigger and stronger and has great work ethics. He is the real steal of this draft. Take YI at 3 and win for years or you can let Memphis or Boston get him and cry in your milk !!!!! Take YI at 3 and law or Crit at 11 !!!!

Posted by: the one on June 26, 2007 7:51PM EST sheldon williams has no where near the same tallent as horford so pedro shut up. with the draft getting closer and closer am starting to think the hawks just need to trade there picks for a sure solid player.If not take horford and get rid of a player they should have never drafted if the first place marvin williams and the 11 pick also speedy claxton for a decent point guard and make sheldon the center and horford the forward. c sheldon williams pf al horford sf j smooth sg joe johnson pg speedy/acie law or just trade/sign a for a gaurd like mike bibby, allen ray or billups.

Posted by: kevin on June 26, 2007 8:10PM EST THREE REASON NOT TO TAKE YI AT 3 1) HE IS NO YAO MING!!! meaning i wonder if he wasnt from china and just another europe 7 foot something player would we be still talking about this guy. 2)HE DOESNT PLAY WITH INTENSITY! He comes from a sort of culture that doesn't have that violent get out the b****h pesonality. yao ming 7'6 and sometimes he forgets that and know ones really scared of him in the post even though they respect him. 3)HES DOESNT FIT THE HAWKS SYSTEM! putting him on the team with the hawks would make sense unless he was going to become the center in which he publicy annouce he wasnt so why draft a guy who wants to be the next dirk when he doesnt have the same will to as dirk did when he came into the nba.

Posted by: ATLien on June 26, 2007 10:38PM EST DRAFT HORFORD AT #3, TRADE SHELDON WILLIAMS, SPEEDY CLAXTON, THE 11TH PICK TO MEMPHIS FOR THE #4 PICK AND DRAFT CONLEY, IF THEY CANT DO THAT THEN THEY NEED TO DRAFT ACIE LAW AT THE #11... AND WHY IS MIKE WOODSON STILL THE COACH, HE SHOULDVE BEEN GOT FIRED, HE AINT DID NOTHIN SINCE HE CAME TO ATLANTA, I CAN DO A BETTER JOB THAN HIM, LARRY BROWN AINT COACHIN NOBODY, WHY NOT GET HIM

Posted by: alex on June 27, 2007 3:39AM EST I would like to see alot from the Hawks. Our needs are obvious. I see alot of doubters. Hawks don't exactly have a good draft track record, and I'm hoping they won't screw up again. I absolutly think they should get Harford 3rd. All scouts agree that he'll be the 3rd best player in the draft. Yeah we need a point gaurd, but we can definatly use a big. He's big, has an elbow jumper, rebounds very well and, RUNS THE FLOOR LIKE A SMALL! He would fit right in with the Hawks system. Than i think we should trade our 11th pick for some glue guys and sign or trade a point gaurd with our 6.5 million a year we have left til we max.

Posted by: Pedro on June 27, 2007 9:34AM EST Al Horford #3 The Best Power Foward In the DRAFT.

Posted by: Pedro on June 28, 2007 10:48AM EST Yi is 25 years old, he is a lier

Posted by: Anonymous on June 28, 2007 5:43PM EST Draft YI Horford is just another Shelden Williams that can't help the hawks. Draft a stud YI, YI, YI and be set for years. Also YI is 20 yrs old to the idiot that posted. Horford is just and average player Yi will be a superstar !!!!! Billy please darft YI for Atlanta!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on July 1, 2007 4:01PM EST You are so stupid yi is too weak you can not compare a strong guy with the weak yi.

Posted by: shirley peterson on July 5, 2007 6:33PM EST I will attending Hawks basketball games again this season because of the 2007 NBA Draft picks. I think Billy did a great job taking AL & Acie. I have both play on a collegiate level and they are proven to winners. I have not been to a hawks game since Michael Jordan played at the Georgia Dome in 1996. Welcome to ATL, AL & ACIE

Posted by: popo on August 26, 2007 8:58PM EST manins a popo........... como tu estas espero que me llames al 978 683 82 70

Posted by: denis zelevizhda on April 30, 2008 12:50PM EST I think Al Horford is the best player that Uf has ever have!!Noah is a very good player , too...