Posted by: Classic on May 31, 2007 10:59AM EST If we cannot trade the pick...Take Mike Conley Jr. with the third pick...Then get Noah the Florida kid with the 11th...Let Conley develop and let Noah start at Center...with Noah at center our team would be one of the most athletic squads in the game=Suns...Conley will eventually start and then it would be difficult to defend all the athletes we willl have on the floor...let Woody remain developing the talent and I see playoffs in the future...Get it right Billy..you can't screw this one up...

Posted by: TP on May 31, 2007 11:20AM EST It is harder to procure a good point guard because they are the qb of the NBA. The point guard usually carry the leadership role to make things click. They are more incline to make the difficult passes because the ball is in theirs procession majority of the time. If you can get one who has great court vision and who can create separation and space off the dribble, then you got yourself a weapon that will give teams fits. Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, John Stockton, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and Tony Parker are players who have execellent court vision and can create separation off the dribble. So I will have to say a (good) point guard is harder to procure.

Posted by: All World on May 31, 2007 11:21AM EST Trade 3 and 11 pick plus a point guard for Kevin Garnett and a point guard.

Posted by: GT on May 31, 2007 11:27AM EST Definitely a quality PG is harder to obtain. There is so much more expected of them and they have the ball a lot more than a big man. Not to mention they can make everyone on the team better. Take Conley at #3 and let him learn under Speedy. Then worry about the center at #11 and take Noah or Hawes, whoever is available. If neither are then trade the pick for a veteran big who can play defense.

Posted by: Archie on May 31, 2007 11:39AM EST I dont know how much college bball/Ohio State games you guys watch...I've watched alot...I would say about 10 Ohio State games...Conley was the MVP of the team this year, Oden was hurt for the first half of the season and in foul trouble throughout the tournament...in Oden's absence, Conley carried Ohio State...he was one of the best freshman point guards that I have seen in the last 15 years, seriously, we have great young wing players in Johnson, Jsmith, mwilliams, and jchildress...now we need a player who can feed these wing players...conley is a TREMENDOUS penetrator and playmaker who can dictate the tempo of the game (whether it was half court with oden or running and gunning when he was in foul trouble). He has great poise and saavy, but most importantly a VERY HIGH basketball IQ (something that the Hawks desparately need). Meanwhile Brendan Wright is ANOTHER marvin williams...a player with upside who in college was the third most important player on his team (felton and sean may for marvin and lawson and hansborough for wright).

Posted by: c$c on May 31, 2007 12:01PM EST please please billy don't make us the laughing stock of the sports world by adding our 140th foward. go with conly @3 and noah @ 11 . i want to cheer at the draft and not boo because we get another foward. please remember the past jems we passed on chris paul(hornets) williams(utah) deng(chicago) duhaun(chicago) please do right.

Posted by: Jonathan on May 31, 2007 12:13PM EST take conley at 3. trade jj, marvin, ty lue and the 11th pick for kobe bryant. that leaves us with the joshes, a fast pass-first pg, zaza and the best player in the nba...

Posted by: #21=Top50,1stBallot on May 31, 2007 12:56PM EST To a degree I'm actually excited by the drafting of Shelden Williams last year, hopefully its a sign of the evolution of BK. Shelden wasn't near the 5th best player in the draft, but BK took him because we needed his position more than his 'value' (i'm not speaking to production mind you). With that said I'm hoping they use that same logic to draft Conley with #3 because he fits need more than value. Also lets admit it, if this were next year and there were no Oden, Durant- Conley would easily be a Top 3. Take him now on what he can add (health, defense, pass-first mindset) and what he can develop (shot, nba body). At 11 we have to address the big situation. I pray that either Noah or Hawes is available. If both I say we can use Noah's defensive prescence and heart (to provide relief for J Smoov). If neither are there, I say explore trade for a decent big, but if not there take the G from USC. Salim is on his way out soon and we need a shooter- badly. Time will tell however. Let's go Hawks- RISE UP!

Posted by: BillC on May 31, 2007 12:58PM EST If agree with Classic if the Hawks can get Conley at #3 and Noah at # 11 it would be great, if not maybe the Hawks could consider Horford at #3 and the Point Guard from Tech at #11 (high but I saw this kid and he will be a nice point guard in the NBA and he is 6' 5"). The only players that I would consider untouchable for a trade are Joe J and Josh

Posted by: Peter on May 31, 2007 1:21PM EST Like they would actually trade up Kevin Garnett or Kobe, We need Yi Jianlian a scorer Hawks last in scoring then get the best PG available at #11

Posted by: Tony on May 31, 2007 1:44PM EST I would like to throw a wrench into the discussion. Although I like Conley, I would rather see the Hawks take Corey Brewer at the 3 spot. He and Joe Johnson both have ball handling skills. However, their size will cause match up nightmares for other teams. Corey is an excellent defender that can guard smalls or bigs. His energy and size would bring a new dimension to the Hawk's ball. Oh by the way, adding Noah at the 11 spot would not hurt.

Posted by: kevin on May 31, 2007 1:59PM EST I think this is the biggest decision the hawks will have. If they draft correctly they may have a chance of competing in a bad east. While I have disagreed with most of the moves the hawks have made in the past, you have to look towards the future and understand that we do have a good young nucleus. Joe Johnson is a legit star in this league. Josh Smith is a potential star in the making and you have good young athletes in Marvin, Childress and Sheldon. The problem is that we don’t have an identity. If we take Conley we will become a run and gun team which fits what is being built here. He will make a huge difference on this team, and give us a chance to be very good soon. If this situation occurs than it doesn't matter who we take with pick 11. Take the best player and add depth so that we can sub in and out and make teams keep up with us. Noah would be great but I have a bad feeling he will be gone. The main thing is we need to start with Conley and work from there. Conley, Johnson, M. Williams, Smith, Zaza. Also we have Childress, S. Williams, Jones, Noah(or whoever). That is young talent.

Posted by: jay pat on May 31, 2007 2:14PM EST is it possible that Noah is there at 11? don't you think charlotte would take him knowign that Sean May is injury prone. But ya i would love to have him if he's there at 11. He's just not worth a #3 however. Conley might not be either but we're almost locked into conley. As much as portland is locked into oden and seattle into Durant. We're locked into conley. We have to take him. We have talent, we just need someone to put it together and make the talent look good. Conley can do that for us.

Posted by: GHunt on May 31, 2007 2:19PM EST We have serviceable PGs in Lue and Speedy. We should take Noah at #3. Noah has defense, rebounding, tremendous energy and low post presence that has been missing in the previous line up. Al Horford would fit nicely as well. At #11 we should take Conley, Brewer or Yi, whichever is available.

Posted by: Widly on May 31, 2007 2:39PM EST BECAUSE WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE OUR ROSTER IS FULL, WE WILL HAVE TO CLEAR SOME WASTE IN OUR ROSTER, ESPECIALLY AT THE PG POSITION. I SUGGEST THAT WE TRADE THE #11 PICK, SPEEDY CLAXTON AND ROYAL IVEY TO A TEAM LIKE FOR A GOOD PF. THEN WHEN THE FREE AGENCY COMES AROUND, WE GET EITHER CHAUNCEY BILLUPS OR JASON KIDD. WHEN THE DRAFT COMES WE GET A STRONG TALL PLAYER LIKE AL HORTFORD WHO CAN COMMAND THE BOARD. ATLANTA HAWKS 2007-2008 ROSTER: C: AL HORTFORD PF: (some good dude from the trade) SF: JOSH SMITH SG: JOE JOHNSON PG: CHAUNCEY BILLUPS/JASON KIDD NOW THAT'S A SQUAD.

Posted by: Dmichael on May 31, 2007 2:41PM EST Yi Jianlian Position: Forward Height/Weight: 6-11 (2.11 m)/ 238 (108 kg) Birthdate: October 27, 1987 (He Shan, Guang Dong, China) Team: Guandong Southern Tigers (China) Guandong Southern Tigers Season G GS FGM FGA PCT FTM FTA PCT REB AST STL BL PTS AVG 2003-04 28 106 205 0.517 0.741 165 14 20 15 271 9.7 2004-05 53 346 609 0.568 0.717 541 74 87 75 889 16.8 2005-06 52 52 403 701 0.574 246 326 0.754 503 63 104 69 1067 20.5 2006-07 39 39 359 613 0.585 222 272 0.816 450 42 74 70 973 24.9 Totals 172 91 1214 2128 0.570 468 598 0.783 1659 193 285 229 3200 18.6 Three-point field goals: 2004-05, (.308); 2005-06, 5-for-13 (.384); 2006-07, 11-for-56 (.196). Totals: 16-for-69 (.232). An early entry candidate for the 2007 NBA Draft. Career Highlights: Has competed in the last five Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Finals, and won titles in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Earned Finals MVP in 2006. Competed for the Chinese National Team at the 2004 Olympics and 2006 FIBA World Championship. Earned CBA Rookie of the Year in 2003. (2006-07): Averaged 24.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 30.7 minutes per game in the CBA for Guandong. Posted 20 points and 23 rebounds vs. Zhe Jiang, a season-high 42 points (18-for-23 FGs) and 13 rebounds vs. Shanghai, 31 points and 18 rebounds vs. Shandong, 40 points (17-for-26 FGs) and 13 rebounds vs. Beijing, 35 points and 12 rebounds vs. Liao Ning, 38 points (14-for-19 FGs) and 10 rebounds vs. Shanghai, and 32 points (14-for-18 FGs) and 17 rebounds vs. Shanghai. Led Guandong to the CBA Finals, losing in five games to Bayi. v(2005-06): Averaged 20.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game for Guandong. Led his team to a CBA title and earned Finals MVP. Competed for China National Team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. Averaged 13.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game against the USA in two games, one of which was an exhibition contest. (2004-05): Averaged 16.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for Guandong in his third season in the CBA. (2003-04): Averaged 9.7 points and 5.9 rebounds for Guandong. Competed at the 2004 Olympic Games for the Chinese National Team. (2002-03): Averaged 3.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in seven minutes per game as a CBA Rookie. Posted 7.3 points and 7.3 rebounds over four Finals games. Earned CBA Rookie of the Year honors. At the 2003 Junior World Championships, posted 18.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Participated at the 2002 adidas All-American ABCD Camp in Teaneck, N.J., playing against U.S. All-American high school players. Strengths: An athletic power forward with excellent quickness and jumping ability. Has a good mid-range jumper and a nice drop step in the low post. Has very good hands. Showed improved assertiveness this past season.

Posted by: Michael Smith on May 31, 2007 3:29PM EST Im not really a huge fan of the oversea game but this year i really feel like we should take Yi @ 3 simply because he could shoot it like dirk but he shows signs of being more physical nad more athletic and the kids only 19 so he has tremendous upside...with Yi on the team this will allow Joe to be more free simply because with Yi's Shooting he can spread the floor and therefore Joe will se less double teams. Then at 11 i say we take Javaris Crittenton not only because he is from Atlanta but he can do everything Conley can do and I see them both with the same upside but I am pro Crittenton b/c he is 6-5 and he is nba body ready lets face it what is conley going to do when he face big guards like Billups, Kidd, B. Davis, Deron Williams, and Chris Paul these guards have the quickness to keep up with him and they will bruise him on the other end I just see Crittenton more of a banger and besides they have the same stats and Javaris did it in a harder conference the ACC so to me you take the bigger point guard out of the two I see it as the perfect situation for the Hawks....Oh and both positions are equally hard to come by these days simply because everybody want to be a wing player and just dribble, dunk and shoot

Posted by: wes on May 31, 2007 3:48PM EST with the third pick i would either choose brandon wright or al horford and with the 11 pick i would choose crittenton

Posted by: mike sullivan on May 31, 2007 4:21PM EST I think Conley is the pick at #3, even though it is a bit high for him. If we trade down to #6, his value fits best there, but there's no guarantee that he will still be on the board. You go ahead and take him at #3 and take the best remaining big man. Roy Hibbert withdrawing from the draft hurts the Hawks as he would have gone anywhere form 6-11. Hibbert more than likely goes before #11, but now his withdrawl means someone like Noah, Hawes or Jianlian will go in Hibbert's spot, which cuts the Hawks options at #11. I like Noah's energy and think he would fit in nicely with a run first offense. Hawes is more of a post player that requires the ball on the block, so I would rather have Noah at #11. If all of those bigs are gone, josh McRoberts from Duke is a possibility, but again his value is more in the 20's, not at #11. If we get Conley and Noah in this draft, the lineup could look like PG-Conley, Speedy, Lue SG-JJ, Childress, Ivey SF-J Smith, Marvin PF-Noah, Solomon Jones C-Zaza, Shelden, Lorenzen that's 14 players with a lot of versatility, youth, and athleticism. I would listen to LA if Kobe is dangled, but I would be very cautious about how much you have to give up for him. Obviously Joe Johnson anf one of the Joshes, plsu Marvin would be involved in the deal. LA hates Vlad Radmonovich's contract, so he would be a throw in as well.

Posted by: jwk on May 31, 2007 4:29PM EST YI JIANLIAN Yi is the best Chinese NBA prospect since Yao Ming. Yi is already a seasoned veteran of international competition and has dominated at China's highest levels of play. He is averaging 24.8 PPG, 11.4 RPG while shooting 57% from the field for the Guangdong Tigers. Strengths: Yi presents similar matchup problems as Kevin Durant. He is a legit seven footer who is more comfortable facing the basket and using his superior shooting and ball handling skills to attack defenders. Yi is a great athlete who has a knack for attacking the basket off the dribble and finishing with flair (i.e. loves to dunk). Yi has shown consistent improvement in the Chinese basketball system which is a testament to his understanding of the game and strong work ethic. Weaknesses: Yi must add muscle to his 230 pound frame to reach his full potential as an NBA player. He already possesses elite NBA skills but needs to build a more NBA-ready body. Yi will also benefit from post move instruction in the NBA because right now he isn't as comfortable on the block as he is one the wing. Skinny: Yi has as much upside as any prospect in the draft. There aren't many seven footers that come around with his athleticism and ball skills ( Kevin Garnett anyone?). Yi will need to work hard to adjust his game and body to the NBA but, according to many experts, he has a chance to be even better than Yao Ming if he reaches his full potential. Yi is definatley the guy that we need to take at #3. he would have the biggest impact on our team. lets face it there are only two dominate center in the east: shaq and howard. JAVARIS CRITTENTON NBA Comparison: Steve Francis Strengths: Tremendous combination of size, athleticism and playmaking ability ... Quick first step ... Excellent vision and passing skills ... His size allows him to see over defenders and make passes that the average 6-2 PG could not ... Shows great heart, very competitive. Wont back down from a challenge ... Very quick, an elite level athlete ... Loves to dunk on players ... Excellent body strength ... Rhythm shooter, with good slashing and scoring ability ... His huge hands give him excellent control of the ball ... Very unselfish player ... Excellent foot speed, overall quickness and effort makes him a tough defensive player ... Works hard to improve his game, very coachable ... Has a great attitude, confident but not cocky ... Weaknesses: Needs to improve upon his outside shot, which is solid but can improve ... Can be too unselfish at times trying to get everyone involved when he is the top scoring option ... Can be too aggressive defensively and get caught reaching, picking up unnecessary fouls ... Needs to prove himself on the college level. Become a great decision maker and learn to lead a team on the next level ...His ability to play the point guard position is very good, but he can continue to improve upon dictating tempo and learning the nuances of the position ...he is definatley the guy that we need to take at #11. he is more of a passer than law and everybody keeps eluding that we could be compared to the suns, so with these two guys they would definatley put us in their league. It would stupid not to take them. BK these two players would take our team to the next level.

Posted by: Dmichael on May 31, 2007 4:59PM EST Pick #3: Yi Julian(NBA Comparison: Pau Gasol) Yi Jianlian and Kevin Durant are very similar in their numbers but Yi has played in bigger games and has more potential + instant impact than any other player in the draft(other than Greg Oden). Pick #11: Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton Acie Law(NBA Comparison: Chauncey Billups) is the best clutch player in the draft and had less talent to work with than conely jr. Big time competitor who wants the ball in crunchtime … Has become a great team leader who has learned how to lead by example … Rare point guard who can operate equally well in a half court set or up tempo offense … Possesses a great basketball IQ. Law plays the game very efficient and intelligently Javaris Crittenton(NBA Comparison: Steve Francis) shows great heart, very competitive, wont back down from a challenge ... very quick, an elite level athlete ... Loves to dunk on players, Works hard to improve his game, very coachable ... Has a great attitude, and he is very confident but not cocky.

Posted by: The One Who Should Be the Hawks GM on May 31, 2007 5:34PM EST The Hawks need a PG badly...go with conley at #3...im a hardcore gator fan and joakim noah was the most overrated player in college basketball. all he does is pound his chest and look ugly...spencer hawes is a talented 7 footer we should undoubtedly take him if hes there with the 11th pick...or we could trade both the picks and speedy to portland for the #1 pick and jarrett jack- that would be incredible...speedy sucks lets get rid of him...but conley and hawes are who we need BADLY!!!

Posted by: brown on May 31, 2007 5:52PM EST #3 brewer #11 crittenton/law trade for a big guy with marvin/chills

Posted by: Hose on May 31, 2007 6:05PM EST Marvin / Chillz/ Lue and #3 for Kobe Trade the 11, Speedy / Zaza to Memphis for Gasol Pg- A Johnson Sg-J Johnson Sf- Kobe Pf- Josh S c- Gasol Bench- Salim,Sheldon,Solomon,Ivey ... Division Champions no more rookies to develop.

Posted by: J-mill on May 31, 2007 7:28PM EST Both of these positions are a big role to a championship. But the Hawks need a Point Guard BAD!

Posted by: Clay on May 31, 2007 8:32PM EST To answer the question with the roster we now have you select Conley Jr. now pg is our biggest need..Yet Brandon is wayy better, look for a big man wiht the 11th selction...............Now heres a Great idea............ We gotta act quick... This is what you do.....IF u down to ball it up......LEts do this... I would Package **JR Smith ** with the 3rd pick (B.Wright..Baller..) for the Lakers First round pick, Kobe, and Kwame Brown ...IF NEEDED.. [Also offering all 2007 Draft picks] except ( 11th pick, and a 4th round selection)... this is step one.. ** Now i see JR and Joe Johnson interchangeable in a way due to the fact that honestly Joe would be a perfect fit in the triangle in LA, and truely would fit that system great. now saying that Joe is more ready for us to switch to point with kobe moving in as our new 2. well guys i got to watch and see if Lebron balls tonight...like right now ** CLAY>

Posted by: Randy on May 31, 2007 9:07PM EST Definately harder to procure a good point guard. Forwards are a dime a dozen in the NBA and I can name many good forwards just off the top of my head, but I can only name a few good point guards and they all happen to be on winning teams...Coincedence?? GET CONLEY AT #3.

Posted by: JJ on May 31, 2007 9:25PM EST You guys, Kobe isn't leaving the Lakers, he is just pouting for attention. He said he loves the Lakers and him and Phil would work it out. Even if he did leave the Lakers (which I guarantee he won't), he sure as hell wouldn't leave them for Atlanta, he is considering leaving to get to a better team not a worse one!

Posted by: Tee on May 31, 2007 9:26PM EST The player the hawks need most is an explosive big point guard, who know how to lead a team with the passing and the points. So with that ; 1st I would go with big at number 3- then trade its number 11 to New Jersey for Marcus William (true pg who learned from the best). Put the best defensive team on the court "simular to Detriot. pg M.Williams Sg. J.Johnson SF.Josh Smith Pf. Salamon Jones C. Get that in a trade

Posted by: Josh Yawn on May 31, 2007 11:10PM EST I probably the biggest Atlanta fan out there. I say we make a trade for a superstar. Joe Johnson is good, But all championship teams have 2 superstars. Trade Marvin Williams, Ty Lue, and the 11th pick for Jermaine O'neal. Then with the 3rd pick the 7 foot chinese guy. He will at least give us some publisity. And really push getting someone good in free agency. Like Mike Bibby or Rashard Lewis. Dont mess this up Billy. PLEASE !!1

Posted by: matt on May 31, 2007 11:24PM EST i think yi go's 3# and trade up for conley zaza should be pf and yi should be c . conley should be pg and back up should be lue trade speedy,s.jones,ivey11# for 5-8

Posted by: BOB on June 1, 2007 12:41AM EST #3 Conley #11 Noah (if possible)

Posted by: drew hawk fan for life on June 1, 2007 12:46AM EST I think its harder to procure a point guard than it is a forward. Look how many good fowards there are and then think about how many points guards there are. This is what we should do trust me bk this is the right thing to do. First we draft Yi with #3 pick this guy can ball seriously and he will fit really well with are type of offence. He is tall atletic and can run the floor well. He has tremendous upside and i dont even think he tapped his pottential yet. Then with #11 pick we pick Javaris Crittenton from Ga. Tech. He tall for a point guard standing at 6-5 and has a more nba ready body. He has excellent court vision and is very explosive. He did everything conley did and he plaayed for a less talented team. I think he has the most potential of any poing guard in the draft. "WARNING" Bk do not draft Acie Law in hopes of fufilling are point guard needs he is a shoot first pass later points guard and we will already have enough scorers when we add Yi to the mix So the is what are staring lineup will look like pg J.Crittenton Sg. J.Johnson SF.Josh Smith Pf. Yi.Jialian C. S.Williams Plz bk dont mess this one up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Charles on June 1, 2007 1:01AM EST I don't think every team needs a prototypical point guard. In the backcourt, you want your most talented player handling the ball and driving to the lane. The Hawks have JJ to do those duties. EVERY team needs a big that can score down low. I can't remember the last truly successful playoff team that hasn't had a talented big man. Just ask the Bulls or the Lakers how important that factor is. I don't know which one is harder to procure, but a scoring big man is more important to a team's success than a prototypical point guard. Case in point: Last year's champs the Heat. No point guard was needed because Dwayne Wade dictated the offense. The results speak for themselves.

Posted by: Charles on June 1, 2007 1:06AM EST I don't know where you guys got your info on Yi, but he's not primarily a three point shooter. All these comparisons to Dirk and Durant are very poor ones. He's got a great midrange jumper and plays in the low post to get a majority of his points. He has an almost unstopable turn around J (looks a lot like Yao in this instance) and has a nice hook. Most of his offense from the perimeter comes from driving to the hoop and finishing strong. He's much more like Gasol, Bosh, and Kevin Garnett.

Posted by: tonio on June 1, 2007 1:41AM EST Yi and law is the answer have you ever seen law play he is a very good point and he will take us to the playoffs but childress needs to go somewhere else for a vet leader that can help us out a little more

Posted by: LISTENup on June 1, 2007 2:47AM EST There aren't a lot of talented centers but a lot of good Power Forwards in the league. Having a good low post option makes every thing easier for teams (look at Chicago compared to San Antonio). Take a big man with the 3rd pick or trade the 3rd pick to acquire a big man. LAW the best PG and future all-star may be there at 11th, if not Crittenton has the upside and build to make a difference immendiately. For those of you who saw ACIE LAW in college compared to Conley Jr this is a no brainer. Acie Law is clutch, senior-ready, impact player, can't believe he is so underrated

Posted by: wan on June 1, 2007 5:07AM EST if we want to get conley we have to get pick him with the #3. memphis wont pass on him.

Posted by: kjhawker on June 1, 2007 7:03AM EST conley at 3 or trade down to around 5 and pick up some more picks or a decent shooter.still get conley at around 5 and grab hawes or noah at 11.If neither is there at 11 take best center/foward we can find.

Posted by: Mike-Bama on June 1, 2007 12:19PM EST If...Big IF....Yi's ability matches his hype then I would take him at three and try to trade up to get Conley at six...If I could not get him then I go with the GT guy at 11 or trade the 11 pick for Mo Williams

Posted by: bw on June 1, 2007 12:29PM EST 1st. Marvin Williams should be an untouchable in any trade considerations...his upside is just too huge. 2nd. Noah will NOT be there at 11. Neither will Horford. Hawes is a possibility. Would you rather have Yi and Law or Conley and Hawes? We need a strong low post presence on D to guard Shaq, Howard and the like. 3rd. I think Crittendon is a reach at 11--his skills are there but his decision making was very poor at times. He could be an NBA bust.

Posted by: Jay (ATL) on June 1, 2007 1:03PM EST Trade Sheldon Williams, Josh Childress and Speddy Claxton to the pistons for Chauncey Billups & Nazr Muhummad Draft. Yi Julian #3 China Draft. Javaris Crittenton #11 Georgia Tech then the team would look like: PG: Chauncey Billups, Javaris Crittenton SG: Joe Johnson SF: Josh Smith PF: Yi Julian C: Zaza Pachulia, Nazr Muhummad that would be a pretty good competing team and they came get better players as the years go on.

Posted by: Marcus on June 1, 2007 2:17PM EST DO NOT TRADE, Williams (both) improved greatly last year. Childress contributes to the team and the community, Smith is amazing, Johnson is an All Star. Draft Hofford with #3 and Law at #11. Hofford and Noah are interchangeable. Big guys who play hard. Law is better for us a point for two reasons, effort and decision making. He is well rounded and was the best PG in the nation last year.

Posted by: MArvin BRown on June 1, 2007 2:58PM EST MIke conley at #3 What??????? why would we take at #3 and hope that noah is there a #11 thats stupid why go on hope when you can control the draft and go on facts IM not saying conley is sorry because he will fit in perfectly with out team but praying for NOAH to be their at #11 is crazy were talking about a guy that was projected to go #1 last year and you will think he will fall all the way to #11 nope not happening and if hes not there WE should get HAWES?????? who the hell is HAWES im not even going to speak on that thought. This is what we have to do control the draft at #3, draft YI at 3 and a point guard a #11 there will be a great point at that spot trust me and to me Mike conley is not better than the other two top point guards there are about equal to me because their all compared to the same type on point guards in the nba like Billups, Chris P. and Steve franchise all who has the same type of playing style Even though they have the same styles only one who sticks out theh most to me is Jarvis Crittenton he is a PASS FIRST type of a player and should be our #11 pick with out talent on the wing we will be graet a scoring and adding another person who can score just as good as SG in YI we will be unstoppable we it come to OFFENSE people say we need a DEFENSIVE force but we were last in the league in Scoring. those picks will be there I guarantee it . Everyone saying we need a P.GUARD AND CENTER SO traditional the warriors proved that you can beat great teams in other ways than one{ #1 seed MAVERICKS anyone} should i say more. im just trying to make our team a HYbrid team mixing a offensive force(MAvericks) with and un tradtional style of play(WARRIORS) with alot difficult match ups to contain us all we have to do now is focus on Defense in the off-season and in practice since everyone knows how to play offense so well. WE DO NOT NEED TO TRADE OUR PICKS this is a great and deep DRAFT WE have to work it with in our favor. Check out this Line up PG: JARVIS Crittenton (first-team all- rookie) SG: J.Johnson (ALL-STAR) SF: J.Smith (ALL-STAR) PF: Rotate Marvin and Sheldon (sleeper and MOST improved) PF/C : YI and ZA (remember on traditoinal) (first team all - Rookie ) (playoff team) thats a start for a team that have been to the playoffs in a loooong TIME. AND the Hawks have a OK bench!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: the Birdman of Saville on June 1, 2007 3:26PM EST Go BIG(7ft) with the 3rd pick! I really think Conley will fall to 8-12! Everyone in that range has needs that really are addressed by swing and/or big men! My preference is to take Yi Julian with number 3. A 7 footer that won't cloug the lane, and sells tickets in China too! At 11 take whoever grads best at PG a four yr player (Law), the 1yr ACC Pg, Crittenton (not great but as good as what the Hawks have now! He could get much better??), and maybe, Conely may still bet there when the Haws 11 comes up. Peace.

Posted by: Walkesie on June 1, 2007 4:02PM EST What i think is nothing like all the rest of your board comments, Tell Seattle that anybody on the roster is up for grabs and the #3 pick except J.J. and Josh Smith to move up 1 spot to the #2 pick and draft Kevin Durrant cuz we need somebody that will get BUTTS in the seats and TNT, ESPN games then you will be surprised how many free agents want to come to Atlanta....ESPN does nothing but laugh at the Hawks and it time for a change.....if not my name is Walkesie and i would like to interview for the GM spot.....

Posted by: hawklifer on June 1, 2007 5:50PM EST Go big and small. after oden and durant there is no superior player worth drooling over. with the third overall pick we should either go for Conley or Yi. altough both might be too high for the value of our pick. If we do pick YI then get acie law with #11 personally i like better than conley. he did a lot more without an oden on his team. before the tournament acie was easily the best point guard in the country and still is. PLEASE don't go after Noah he's not as good as everyone thinks. He plays with energy not ability. from what i see we don't need a varejao on this team mistaking screaming and flops for talent. take Hawes if availible if we go for conley early. the second best big man in this draft.

Posted by: D. Smith on June 1, 2007 9:32PM EST Okay......it's simple as A B C and 1 2 3. We should not trade any of our picks. We need to go BIG with the #3 pick. Not many athletic 7 footers have come thru the nba.....ala Kg or Dirk....So, when one does like Yi......you need to grab him. We need him and he would provide another scorer on the floor to go with Joe,not to mention a low post presence that does not exist in Atl. He will get you blocks and alter a few shots. Shaq is gonna retire soon that would leave one dominant big man in the East....Howard. Yi would be right up there. It's a no brainer. With the 11th pick I would take a point gaurd, there will still be really good point gaurds left at that spot. I would take Law or Crittenton. Check this roster out............ Joe Josh Yi #3 pick Marvin Law/Crittenton # 11 pick Bench......... Afro man Za Za salim Sheldon lue Solom... Lorenzen Slava Ivey Tra... A. Johnson, Ronald Ivey, speedy claxton for a veteran point gaurd like a billups or bibbyand you can pick power forward like a hortford or Corey Brewer from Fla. at 11. I do like the idea of speedy,childress,sheldon for billups and Nazr. Could make the post season with that roster. Kobe and KG aren't going anywhere and besides they would be too costly. It takes 5 players to win. Micheal finally figured that out and when he did the RINGS came!

Posted by: Ricardo on June 1, 2007 11:28PM EST Ok here goes. Draft Conley with the 3 and then with the 11th try to get in this order Acie Law Joakim Noah Jeff Green We can either have 2 talented point guards fighting for the top spot or we can trade conley to the trailblazers with some high paid players like slaxton or johnson and maybe a 2nd round pick for randolph or magliore. Imagine the lineup of Law/Johnson/Smith/Williams/Magliore Playoffs any1?

Posted by: matt on June 2, 2007 12:47AM EST yi at number 3 pf/c pg at number 11,law/crittenton/conley/

Posted by: fershizzal on June 2, 2007 10:31AM EST YI Jianlian CAN NOT PLAY CENTER he is just a PUSSY. all there is to it

Posted by: D on June 2, 2007 11:08AM EST well with the non ability to score and the pressure placed on joe to control both point and sg at times the best and most logical would be conley at 3 and trade up or trade out with the 11 th pick get rid of tyron and speedy and bring in yi if tradeing up or another bigman with the ability to play both sides if trading out of the 11th spot let conley and salim rotate and you have a grest young nucleus with the ability and promise to be battling for eastern supremecy

Posted by: jason on June 2, 2007 11:12AM EST the hawks should trade the #3 pick,tyrone lue,and salim stoudamire to the trailblazers for zach randolph,jarret jack and 1 or 2 of their 4 2nd round draft picks

Posted by: D on June 2, 2007 11:23AM EST Fershizzal.... no one said anything about Yi playing center. We can be like the suns,San antonio, or Dallas. The first 2 don't really have "true" centers. Duncan a big man who is very athletic and can shoot, and so is Yi, and Stoudemire who has major hops, like Smith, Dallas's big man is just Garbage! Glad you are not making the decisions on draft day. Yi would be the right decision for us at #3 and a point gaurd at #11. PG-#11 pick or if we made a trade for Bibby or Billups SG- Joe PF-Smith/Marvin SF-Yi #3 pick C-Sheldon/Za Za Now that's a lineup we can make the post season with and our bench would be pretty good! Now when Yi comes out put in who ever is not on the floor at the time playing power forward. The line up would look like this..... PG- #11 pick or if we made a trade for Billups or Bibby SG-Joe PF-Smith SF-Ma... Za O.K. Hawks and BK Plz.....do not mess this up!

Posted by: D on June 2, 2007 11:29AM EST PG- #11 pick or if we landed Billups or Bibby SG-Joe PF-Smith SF-Ma... Za That's the line up That would be in when Yi comes out!

Posted by: D on June 2, 2007 11:32AM EST PG-#11 pick or Bibby or Billups SG-Joe PF-Smith SF-Marvin C-Sheldon/Za Za That's the lineup when Yi comes out!

Posted by: Smith on June 2, 2007 11:34AM EST TRADE THE ATLANTA HAWKS FOR KOBE BRYANT.... LAKERS WILL KEEP Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, & Conley and send everyone else to the D-league - the Los Angeles D-Fenders. It would work. IT WOULD DEFINETLY SELL OUT THE PHILLIPS ARENA, in the 40 so games, Kobe can take any team 1 on 5, I dont wanna hear team sport mumbo jumbo, the NBA is rigged so bad already, 1 guy playing 5 isnt going to hurt.

Posted by: Larry on June 2, 2007 11:34AM EST All 7 footers are not Dirk, Jon Koncack was a scrorer good defender in college ( TEXAS) we took him 5 over KARL MALONE PF by the way,Remember Darko number @ 2 bust he was also so supposed to be the next Dirk; hell Dirk is soft he let Stephen Jackson shut him down I guess we should recycle Stephen since he's the next Dennis Rodman, get real people no Yi or Conley we need a proven Veteran on this team to HELP; who knows maybe Phoenix will trade us Amare for two future first top 3 protected; Billy your trades and picks have improved this team. Some can't see it because all they do is look for Espn highlights we have the same 3 year progression as Cleveland check it out one solid veteran along with what we have and its all good do not draft YI or Conley at the three Billy trade with Memphis and get GASOL GOOD DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE THREAT IN PAINT ALSO PROVEN but include Speedy in the trade;he's also young enough to give us 10 more years if needed then with the 11 pick Law/Ctittenton. And if we have to keep the three please take HORFORD big and strong NO Wright either thin as a sheet of paper get pushed around in the paint then he'll think he's a jumpshooter still no help on glass then everyone will be pissed because you took him. Conley= Pearl Washington, King Rice, Bobby Hurley mistake to take him at three Billy so of you real ballers would have taken these point gaurds in todays NBA since we gotta have one so bad LMAO. YI= Darko, Kieth Van Horn, Croshere, Scott Padgett good College and International NBA REJECTS Horford= PJ Brown , Larry Grandmama Johnson , Oakley, Terry Cummings, Larry Nance, Kevin Willis solid guys even Allstars at some point in there careers Pg-Law/Lue/Ivey ... Salim/Chillz Sf-Marvin/Chillz... Josh S/ Sheldon/Solomon C- Gasol/ZaZa/Solomon Core Stays together one more year while being able to use LO and Anthony expiring for another good vet or future pick make it happen Billy

Posted by: Larry on June 2, 2007 11:40AM EST PG - LAW/ LUE/ IVEY SG - JOE/ SALIM/ CHILLZ SF- MARVIN/ CHILLZ PF-JOSH S/ SHELDON/ SOLOMON C- GASOL -HORFORD/ZAZA/SOLOMON TYPE ERROR UPTOP IN LINE UP

Posted by: Perk on June 2, 2007 11:47AM EST Ok...I have been watching this blog for a few days, and I have a few points to make. First, I understand the point that Conley is a stretch at the #3 pick, and its a stretch to assume that Noah will be available at #11. BUT, we do need both a PG and a Center(true big man). With that said, Yi is not a center. He is a great talent, but he is not going to fill the hole that we need filled. There is no way that we can predict or assume to have any idea what the front office people would/could/should do with a trade. I am definitely interested to see what we could get by trading, but thats impossible to know. So, with the information that we have(picks and players in draft) this is what I would do. Try and fill our major PG hole first...take Conley with the #3 pick. He is the best TRUE PG in the draft this year. I see him stepping up quickly and being an effective player for us. With the #11 pick...we have to go for a inside presence. Yi is not that presence, we already have several Horford's on the roster(we drafted his clone last year with my boy Shelden) I would love to see Noah here. His energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to defense bring a mindset that the Hawks have not had. I know that there are other inside players that might be here at this spot, UW's Spencer Hawes is a possibility. But I think Noah would be our best pick. The next big thing we need to do is get a COACH. Conley, Noah(or any true BIG), Coach...the three step process for Hawks Division title.

Posted by: Insider on June 2, 2007 11:50AM EST There has been some TRADE TALK that the hawks would be in a 4 team trade with Portland Trailblazers, Chicago Bulls, & Washington Wizards.... sending major names like Zach Randolph to the Bulls, sending Antwan Jamison to the Atlanta Hawks, and Washington and Portland would get some future picks and a good role players in return. - In my view I think we should pursue Zach Randolph, he isnt going to be in Portland next year, so he getting shipped out. We should offer Portland our #3 pick & Shelden Williams for Randolph. Who will bring immediate impact to the Hawks. and then try to work out a trade for Mike Bibby or Billups, most likely getting Bibby. - Our roster would look pretty solid - PG: Bibby - SG: Joe Johnson - SF: Josh Smith - PF: - Zach Randolph Center: Noah that a solid contender if Joe, Randolph, Smith & Bibby are on the same page. They could like the Pistons, with a little flare and shabazz..... It would be exciting to watch.

Posted by: OFFtopic on June 2, 2007 2:27PM EST Larry I agree with most of what you said. We should use the number 3 pick and trade bait to bring in a proven big man. Zach Randolph is a proven scorer, but doesn't seem to be a selfless teammate, he's all about himself and definitely not the Hawks missing piece. I still would rather see the Hawks pick him up over Aldridge and Jack who would be useless. If we can pick up a starting PG that would be great and with the 11th pick the BEST PG, ACIE LAW should be available if that doesn't work out.

Posted by: King Nevar on June 2, 2007 3:33PM EST THE HAWKS ARE NOT TRADING PICKS...GET THAT OUT UR MINDS.. How often does a team get two lottery picks... This draft isnt the 83, 96, or 03 draft but it is solid enough to keep the picks.. Mike Conley Jr makes the most sence at 3.. The Hawks should still have a bad taste in their mouths for passing on all these PG's in the last few years... It shouldnt happen again.. Yi is a good talent but he isnt a center.. Shaq, Dwight, Emeka, etc. will abuse him game in and game out.. The PG's in our division are all all star talents.. Jameer Nelson, Jason Williams, Ray Felton, GILBERT.. And we have T-Lue and Speedy... Does this ring a bell yet??? We Need a PG to compete... I'm not a Yi Jianlian hater.. He is extremely talented and athletic.. The knock on him is that the level of talent in China isn't good at all.. He also doesnt play Defense... By drafting Conley, we will actually have an identity.. A run and gun team with the talent to score in the half court game... Many say Conley is unproven... He Carried Ohio St. through the 1st half of the year when Oden was out with injury and he dominated the NCAA tournament when Oden stayed in foul trouble... Conley doesnt turn it over often.. He is a pass first guard who can take over any game he's in.. We need to go with Conley at 3... PERIOD

Posted by: Jacob on June 2, 2007 3:56PM EST I am a huge Hawks fan and it pains me to see them screw up the draft every freakin year! To do this right let's take Brandan Wright at #3 and Javaris Crittenton at #11. Wright is a defensive force with lots of energy and heart. He is a futre superstar. He could even possibly be moved to Center. Crittenton is very good offensively and defensively. He is a 6'5 PG for God's sake what more do they need from him?!! I think trading away the picks isn't the way to go. Let's face it, Kobe isn't going anywhere, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, those types of guys won't be traded in this decade and to get someone with any less than superstar quality is stupid! This is the possible 2007 roster- PG: Javaris Crittenton PF: Brandan Wright SF: Joe Johnson SG: Josh Smith C:Zaza Pachulia Now look at this roster and tell me you don't see a champioship within 3 years.

Posted by: wes on June 2, 2007 4:11PM EST i agree with jacob

Posted by: matt on June 2, 2007 5:57PM EST my update yi as number 3 and crittenton number 11 the skills and size are great and m.williams should go as sf and s.williams gos as c up date line up c:zaza pf:yi sf:josh smith sg:joe johnson pg:lue backup c:free agent sf:childress sg:free agent/salim pg:crittenton/speedy release/trade ivey batista slava a.johnson

Posted by: medayoallday on June 2, 2007 10:10PM EST listen truth is conley is good but will be a defensive liability. heres the break down. conley will be good in an uptempo system. but the big point guards in the leauge will chew his ass up. then theres Law hes big and is an exellent shooter but slower. now crittenton is a superb athlete and will come right in and be a lock down defender be honest with you he has the biggest upside. now heres the thing 2 of these three point guards will be available at #11. Now in case no one knows YI is the 3rd best prospect in this draft hands down. hes a big who is an amazing athlete not only that hes a great shooter with range. The hawks need a guy like this the new wave of big man to cause nightmare matchup. So we can take this at three and get the best of both worlds. I say YI at 3 and law or crittenton at 11. one more thing you cant count out the fact that conley wont be there at #11. anyone who thinks YI will be there at 11 or any decent big is stupid

Posted by: me on June 2, 2007 11:04PM EST regardless of what ppl think we should do with the draft, A GOOD COACH IS MOST IMPORTANT...i think we need to make a move like the magic did for a talented coach, who can then come in a give his opinions towards our draft picks...BK has done ok with trades, so i think trading the picks makes more sense, than wasting them on a player or 2 that ( assuming they dont produce ) will make all hawk fans cry again. get established talent with trades, dont put the ball in the hands of a rookie and expect to win the division......get a veteran pg and a offensice big man--we have defense, we r last in the league in scoring, which as far as im concerned means we need a veteran point ( not a rookie AGAIN ) to distribute the ball to the right man at the right time ala jason kidd, not just pass to 1 or 2 scorers..........we need to get the entire team involved and let jj or jsmith take over a game if needed, with assists from a dribble penetrating pg with a pass 1st attitude.....GO HAWKS....build off good trades bk and stick with it, we have the youngest team in the league with decent defense, last think we need to do is pray that in 3-5 years we can get a rookie pg ready, WE HAVE ENOUGH TALENT TO DEVELOPE ALRDY, WE NEED VETS!!!!! AND A COACH WHO CAN BUILD OUR CURRENT YOUNG TALENT!!!!!!!

Posted by: smh on June 3, 2007 1:53AM EST Im sorry but we added vets last year and see what it did for our team. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I can't believe that people are actually talking about taking another fwd and passing over another pg. Law is a combo guard. Crit has upside but this kid turns the ball over wayyyyyyyyy too much. If we pass over Conley and he ends up putting up great numbers then this will be like groundhog day all over again. Im really baffled by some of these suggestions. With some of these ideas Ive read, we might as well let BK screw it up

Posted by: Donald Hamilton on June 3, 2007 4:11AM EST I say trade the 3rd pick and Josh Smith to the Indiana Pacers for Jermaine O'neal. Then with with the 11th pick, draft USC junior point guard, Gabe Pruitt.

Posted by: Donald Hamilton on June 3, 2007 4:20AM EST The Hawks could draft the 3rd best prospect in the draft Brandan Wright and then trade the 11th pick and Josh Smith to the Kings for Mike Bibby.

Posted by: Donald Hamilton on June 3, 2007 4:58AM EST The Hawks could draft Brandan Wright with the 3rd pick. Then trade the 11th pick and Josh Smith to Golden State for Monta Ellis and Patrick O' Bryant.

Posted by: Donald Hamilton on June 3, 2007 5:11AM EST The Hawks could trade the 3rd pick and Josh Smith to the Pacers for Jermaine O'neal. Then trade the 11th pick to New Jersey for Marcus Williams.

Posted by: me on June 3, 2007 5:14AM EST when i said we need to trade our picks for a few vets. I MEANT GOOD VETS LOL... the vets we have now, except jj, suck to high hell...a coach is still the most important thing here.....u can have all the talent in the world but if u dont have a good coach, u wont make it very far.....trade picks for GOOD established pg, and maybe pick a big man who can play in the offensive paint with 11..... we need to keep jsmith, he has the most untapped potential in the league, hes young give him more time......and rookie pg might put up good numbers, BUT wont win a title for us...ALL GOOD TEAMS ( except current cavs ) have a vet or atleast "tried and true" pg, not rookies......the nba's rookie pg's have been good i admit, but none have taken their teams to the promise land.

Posted by: me on June 3, 2007 5:15AM EST WE NEED A COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Donald Hamilton on June 3, 2007 9:07AM EST How about trading the 3rd pick and Salim Stoudamire to the Nets for Jason Kidd and then trading the 11th pick and Marvin Williams to the Grizzles for Pau Gasol. Eventhough the Hawks would take a hit in cap space, those deals would definitely address the Hawks need at point guard and center. Jason Kidd only has 2 years remaining away and Gasol is entering his prime. A lineup with Pau Gasol, Sheldon Williams or Za Za, Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Jason Kidd, with scorers like Josh Childress, and Speedy Claxton off the bench would not only bring the Hawks to the playoffs, but would also contend for a championship immediately.

Posted by: Jonathan on June 3, 2007 9:18AM EST BK should hire Donald Hamilton as our next coach. that guy has great ideas.

Posted by: paulwhall aka pdiddy on June 3, 2007 12:51PM EST Yall better take another look at Crittenton from Ga Tech. He is much bigger than Conley and he has a nice jumper. He does all the things inside that Conley does. Then at number 11, take the best big man.

Posted by: Mjoyner on June 3, 2007 1:37PM EST The Hawks Should Try to trade the 3rd round pick/josh childress/speedy claxton to the Blazers for Jamaal Magloire/jarret jack/lamarcus aldridge and a future pick and then draft Javaris Crittenton with the 11th and then GET SOME NEW JERESYS PLEASE

Posted by: brandon on June 3, 2007 2:20PM EST you have to take Yi Jianlian with the #3 pick, he has tons of talent and can shoot really well and can also rebound, then with the #11 pick you take Acie Law, he is a great scorer also but also averaged 5 assist a game, you take those two guys because the hawks need to score more than 85 PTS a freakin game! C: Yi Jianlian PF: Josh Smith SF: Marvin Williams SG: Joe Johnson PG: Acie Law

Posted by: medayoallday on June 3, 2007 2:24PM EST please everyone stop talking about theses stupid trades. Look this is one of the deepest drafts in recent history why trade the picks. with the picks you can address both needs a guard and a big. keep the picks besides management dosent want to shell out a whole bunch of money to vets and most vets dont want to go there at least not any good ones so get kobe and Kg out of your heads it aint gonna happen.the only reason crittenton turned over the ball so much was because him and another freshman were the only players who were really handling the ball.

Posted by: medayoallday on June 3, 2007 2:34PM EST brandon that would be a very potent offensive team. with a team like that why cant we do what the Raptors did this past season. they would score in the 100's easy. And you can still bring sheldon of the bench for defense. He's the next Dale Davis.

Posted by: medayoallday on June 3, 2007 3:20PM EST please dont draft brandon wright he's soft and has no heart

Posted by: bobjones on June 3, 2007 3:34PM EST Trade both picks and pick up kobe

Posted by: big zim on June 3, 2007 4:24PM EST I read that at the pre draft camp that BK is leaning towards Brandon Wright. BK doesn't have the nutz to draft the unknown prospect in Yi. Not saying the Wright will not be good but 6-10 2 friggin 10 that is skinny. But alot of the stuff that I hear about Brandon I heard about Marvin, they seem very much the same only Brandon is longer. The only thing is that if the Hawks go Brandon at #3 and they should go Law at #11 because Crittenton is very young and that will probably be another 2 years of waiting. I like Law because both he and Joe can handle the ball and score.

Posted by: Phil on June 3, 2007 4:30PM EST i'd trade the #3 pick plus a pick for next yrs. draft, shelden williams, and childress for kobe bryant and andrew bynum...draft acie law with the other pick. lineup could be stacked like this... C: A. Bynum PF: J. Smith SF: K. Bryant SG: J. Johnson PG: A. Law championship caliber team in a weak eastern conference!...somebody give me some feedback

Posted by: Gary on June 3, 2007 5:01PM EST we should pick YI at #3,he has most talent in this year's draft!!!!!!!!

Posted by: medayoallday on June 3, 2007 5:17PM EST yo big zim i hope you're wrong. listen if the hawks plan on talking anyone else besides YI at 3 just then at that point take Conley. But not Wright he's a project. YO everyone says YI will get pushed around look at Wright hes freken 210 pounds and he dosent have anywhere close to the outside game YI does. NO brainer YI LAW

Posted by: medayoallday on June 3, 2007 5:23PM EST thats what the hawks need outside shooting to complement there slashers. And they could run more Iso's for Johnson and make teams pay. They could also run Isos through YI with all the matchup problems hes gonna cause. The dude is 7ft 250 now with the strength programs they have in the NBA man they could get him at 260, 270 in no time.

Posted by: Obsa on June 3, 2007 5:26PM EST JOSH SMITH is not a PF he is a SF, KOBE IS A SG, we need a PG, and a center, but i do not think we should trade Johnson, chillz, Smith, or marvin, after that every1 else can be traded. those are our top 3 players. shelden and marvin are good at PF. since we cant get Oden and Hibert is not in the draft, then i say get a Vet, or suck this year, and give the 11th pick to phx, so we can have a top pick hopefully next year.

Posted by: john on June 3, 2007 5:31PM EST SOME1 TALK TO HIBBERT AND GET HIM IN THE DRAFT, we should take him at 3rd, then get crittenton, hibbert would give us great inside presense, and has size to be a great center, also great blocker. Crittenton would be a great PG for us, this team would make us a definate playoff team.

Posted by: medayoallday on June 3, 2007 6:32PM EST yo Hibbert is a slow soft BUM. Yo for that matter take Gray he's a traditional center and is 7'1.

Posted by: medayoallday on June 3, 2007 6:42PM EST by the way I'm not being serious I'm just saying whats the point of geting a 7footer just cause he's a "Traditional Center" if he isnt any good.

Posted by: medayoallday on June 3, 2007 9:55PM EST Yo everyone projecting YI to be a stiff or to be Darko is stupid. He's an athlete with insane jumping ability and he has range on his jump shot. I cant see how this guy wont eventually average 20 or better in this leauge

Posted by: JustHereToHelp on June 3, 2007 11:22PM EST 3rd pick YI JIANLIAN seems to have a nice skill set, but its hard to judge his passion for the game and will to improve from foreign footage. COREY BREWER is a lock down defender and long at 6'9 his offensive game is growing and he has a winning history (but we already have a good starting and backup SF) AL HORFORD may be a beast in the NBA or just a big man backup good for 5 rebounds and 6 fouls. Point Guards CRITTENTON has the most upside of any PG because he is 6'5 and atheletic but his decision-making is questionable. CONLEY has an overall good game and leadership ability, but would be a definsive liability against bigger guards like Billups ACIE LAW has the heart, leadership ability, and impact on both sides of the ball needed to be an impact player for years, so take him with the 11TH PICK!!! (if you saw him play last year this is a no brainer) GOOD CHOICES WOULD BE YI-3RD PICK LAW-11TH PICK PG- ACIE LAW SG- J JOHNSON SF- J SMITH PF - YI JIANLIAN C - ZAZA (unless you can find someone better)

Posted by: Glenzo on June 3, 2007 11:29PM EST Ok.... we have the 3rd and 11th pick in the draft.... We will get some good players! Our two position we need to draft for are point guard and center. In the past couple years we have past on two amazing point guard, Williams from Utah, and Chris Paul! We need to take the best point guard in this years draft at number 3.... Mike Conley Jr. He has amazing upside and get the ball to our key players! At the 11 pick we should try to get a good big man, like Spencer Hawes! He is an amazing rebounder and can be a treat in the paint!

Posted by: alex77596 on June 4, 2007 12:09AM EST 1-If you can Trade 3 and 11 pick for Kevin Garnet then do that. 2-If no trade Take Mike Conley Jr. with the third pick Then get with the 11th Aviable Spencer Hawes Center or Yi Jianlian 3- Don't draft 6-9 6-11 players for the hell of it caused we got that filled. 4-11th pick in the draft if they can't get Spencer Hawes Center or Yi Jianlian trade it Last- Joakim Noah,Al Thornton, Brandan Wright, Al Horford All look like NBA bust and have too many player that size.

Posted by: JonJ on June 4, 2007 12:21AM EST addressing the issue it is really a difficult question to answer because you have bigs like Francisco Oberto, Elson, Varejeo, who by simple hustle can play and be effective at somethings then you have your more talented bigs who can like Duncan, Yao Ming and others for point guards no matter what there size, they have to be smart and make right decisions. bigs can just play off hustle so i am going say this creating a talented big like Yao Ming and tim Duncan, Garnett, Oneal, Webber, Rasheed Wallace is harder because of the techniques that they have to perfect foot work, athleticism, defense, passing out of the double team etc. A point guard is going to come about based more on their personal ability and intelligence; you can't teach it. you can guide it and develop it, but you cant teach it. and now looking at the word procure again i am going to change my answer to point guard for those exact reasons. YOu can find a big and make him practice to the point where he gets something. Andrew Bynum for example. But point guards have to have the skill and knowledge set for them. for instance sebastian telfair was looked at highly because he had that ability, but even when you do it have it it doesnt always translate smoothly.

Posted by: BWA on June 4, 2007 1:23AM EST BRANDAN WRIGHT #3 ACIE LAW IV #11 Yes, Brandan Wright is thin. But so was Chris Bosh! Yi at 3 is a risky pick. Brandan at 3 will be much safer, because we know what we are going to get with him (athleticism, rebounding, inside scoring, and blocked shots). For the #11 pick I like Acie Law or Critteton over Conley. C- Zaza, Sheldon PF- Brandan Wright, Solomon SF- Josh Smith, Marvin Williams SG- Joe Johnson, J Childress, Salim PG- Acie Law/ Critteton, Speedy, Lue GO HAWKS!

Posted by: falcs on June 4, 2007 10:25AM EST ESPN says Joe Johnson G 6-7 $12,744,190 Speedy Claxton PG 5-11 $6,854,546 Marvin Williams GF 6-9 $4,174,800 Zaza Pachulia FC 6-11 $4,000,000 Lorenzen Wright C 6-11 $3,250,000 Tyronn Lue PG 6-0 $3,500,000 Anthony Johnson PG 6-3 $2,640,000 Shelden Williams F 6-9 $2,952,840 Anthony Johnson PG 6-3 $2,640,000 Josh Smith GF 6-9 $1,460,640 Royal Ivey PG 6-4 215 $744,551 Salim Stoudamire G 6-1 $729,000 Solomon Jones FC 6-10 230 $675,000 Esteban Batista FC 6-10 $644,209 Slava Medvedenko FC 6-10 $490,528 Can anyone get a better line-up than that?? LOL Oh well, build the franchise with joe and josh in the core 1st..Let go of injury prone point guards (speedy+Lue=9.3M), use this to get either a proven-veteran PG or a proven-veteran BigMen 2nd..Buy a good coach 3rd..use pick #3 for YI and #11 for a decent PG

Posted by: Brandon Cortez on June 4, 2007 1:16PM EST I think the hawks need better big men i mean they already got josh smith and joe johnson with SOME help but they could use a point guard but i would think big men now an possibly try for a trade later in the season so i would take either brandan wright at #3 and im going to go back on what i said because since they have a chance to build their team with a good point so i would say take either acie law or mike conley jr at #11

Posted by: Charles on June 4, 2007 2:04PM EST Brandon Wright showed at the Orlando camp that he absolutely CANT shoot outside 8 ft. In the nba today, PF need to be at least capable of shooting from the outside, at least to keep the defense off guard if nothing else. And also at 210 lbs, he's not going to be able to back down most PF in this league. His biggest strength (inside scoring) will be mitigated by his biggest weakness (strength). I think Wright is 3-4 years away and is even more of a project than Marvin Williams was. I'm not saying that he'll never be good in this league, I'm just saying that right now he has huge holes in his game and will take a while to develop. As scoring PF's go, Nobody is as ready to play NOW as Yi Jianlian. He averaged 24 pts a game in China, and more importantly, he improved in every major statistical category every year he has played. This guy is more ready to make an impact than Wright and I think his ceiling in this league is higher. I read that the Hawks are in love with Wright at three and that they are too afraid to draft Yi at three. Somehow I'm not surprised. Yi is the third best talent in this draft, and we hawks' fans should not tolerate the team drafting anyone else at three. YI @ 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: DMichael on June 4, 2007 6:50PM EST We need to draft players that can bring an instant help to the offence because we need to score more than 85 points per game to win games. The #3 pick should be Yi Jianlian and the #11 pick should be either Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton. Starters C: Sheldon Williams (Low Post Player) PF: Yi Jianlian (All Rookie Team) SF: Josh Smith (future All D Team Player) SG: Joe Johnson (All Star) PG: Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton (All Rookie Team) Bench C: Zaza Pachulia, Sun MingMing(crowd favorite) PF: Marvin Williams(6th M.O.Y.), Solomon Jones SF: Josh Childress(won the Jason Colier Award), SG: Salim Stoudamire(reliable shooter), Royal Ivey PG: Tyrone Lue(clutch), Speedy Claxton(outside stoper) Trade(Releace) Esteban Batista: $644,209 Anthony Johnson: $2,640,000 Slava Medvedenko: $490,528 Lorenzen Wright: $3,250,000 Batista will not play as good as he does in Uruguay. Medvedenko is just a bust. Wright .281 Free Throw Percentage

Posted by: DMichael on June 4, 2007 7:29PM EST http://nbadraft.net/admincp/pr... Jianlian= NBA Comparison: Pau Gasol Strengths: The next big prospect from China after Yao Ming ... A 7 footer with the agility and coordination of a much smaller player, plus explosiveness rarely found in Asian players ... Has an American style of game, very quick and athletic ... Loves the transition game and gets a lot of highlight dunks ... In the CBA, Yi has made a solid transition from prospect to star player becoming the MVP of his CBA champion Guangdong Tigers team ... Smart player, makes good decisions showing improvement on the offensive end of the floor ... Can face the basket from 12-15 feet and get by bigger players off the dribble as well as knock down shots out to 18 feet with consistency ... Has good shooting mechanics and overall fundamentals ... Seems to have modeled his fadeaway jumpshot after Dirk Nowitzki, and though it's not as accurate, it is extremely tough to defend ... Has good touch around the basket and shows good creativity on the drive ... Plays with solid aggressiveness, competitive player with a high level of energy and intensity ... Grabs rebounds well using his leaping ability ... Solid defensively as a shot blocker, with good timing and possesses good lateral quickness ... Has a fiery side(unlike Yao), if he gets elbowed he will get payback. But by no means is he a hothead or looking for trouble, he's just a competitior ... Weaknesses: He's a tweener, but a "good tweener" ... Doesn't fit a position perfectly as he's more of a finesse player and too big to play the 3 position, but his combination of size and versatility makes him a very intriguing ... At times can be too laid back on the floor, so raising his intensity level is important ... Has good shooting mechanics but has a slow release... Could become a good shooter but probably never a great shooter ... His hands are a little weak, making it easier for opponents to poke the ball away (Yao Ming has the same problem) ... Needs to continue to gain upper body and arm strength, without losing any quickness ... If he adds additional strength, he will be able to fight for rebounds better ...He has no problems now, but it will be an adjustment to the speed and strength of the NBA ... Also like Yao the adjustment to a much longer season will take time ... The general consensus in China is that he is actually born in 1984 or 1985, meaning he wouldn't enter the NBA until he's actually 25 years of age if he stays in China until his 1987 draft year ... His game has matured to where he needs better competition to push him. He is a superior athlete in China, and lacks a great competition level, so his game is deteriorating to an extent staying in China in such crucial development years ... Notes: Averaged: 20.5 PPG, 57.41 FG %, 75.08 FT%, 9.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 1.2 APG, 2.0 SPG in the 2005-06 season. Flirted with the idea of declaring for the NBA draft, but chose to stay with his Guangdong Tigers team and Chinese Olympic team. Has proven himself against American players in junior competitions (playing well at the ABCD camp in New Jersey) ... Did not perform well at the 2005 Hoops Summit game ...

Posted by: wes on June 4, 2007 8:32PM EST take brandon wright at three and crittenton at 11

Posted by: jay pat on June 4, 2007 8:49PM EST may be you guys are right. May be Yi is the superior talent at 3. I'm starting to come around on him over Conley. But where do we play him? at center? no way, he would get eaten up defensively and even offensively. At pf? well where do we play sheldon williams? He might not be better than a backup but he better start considering he was the #5 overall pick in the draft last year. I could go with Crittenton at 11 and may be even Law but that will be way way to early to draft either of them according to nbadraft.net. They're not slotted to be draft until the mid to late first round. If some of you think conley doesn't deserve to be 3rd than law and critt definitely do not deserve 11. Finally what is up with all the Marvin Williams trade rumors. Let's give the guy at least one more year. In fact he probably deserves two more considering how he came out of college after only 1 year. Not every one that comes into the league is as good as Lebron. Just look at Kobe, he didn't start playing like an all star till he was 21. No one thought that kobe would be this great until he was 24. So all i'm saying is lets give him two more years. He'll end up being our second or may be even our first option. Marvin has one of the best looking shots in the NBA period. Not many people has the fluid motion that he is. He definitely looks better shooting it than jason richardson, vince carter or shawn marion.

Posted by: Big $urge on June 4, 2007 9:09PM EST the hawks should pick Yi at #3 and take Acie Law at #11. get rid of some of the bums on the team and try and get Chauncy Billups as a free agent. think about it. Billups, Johnson, Smith, Yi, and Zaza with both Williams, Childress and the kid Law as reserves... dats a playoff team right there!!!!

Posted by: medayoallday on June 5, 2007 12:43AM EST If the hawks draft wright I will never watch a hawks game ever again. If they draft wright i can only hope they trade Smith so i can follow wherever he goes. Yo if you think they should draft wright just read Charles coments. PLEASE DRAFT YI.

Posted by: Sam Cha on June 5, 2007 2:41AM EST #3 Pick: Mike Conley Jr. #11 Pick: Joakim Noah 07-08 Starters: C:Lorenzen Wright PF:Joakim Noah PF:Josh Smith SF:Joe Johnson PG:Mike Conley Jr. ----------------------------------------- This is the playoff contender team.. Trust me..

Posted by: matt on June 5, 2007 9:01AM EST why in the hell the hawks pick conley at 3 when he has only one year of experience dont get me wrong he's ball skills and speed aslo can shoot .i see him not even close to 1-5 of the picks more like 6-9 that how i see him law make of gambles with his shots but cant score now there crittenton he can score an very go 6'5 athlete

Posted by: Matt on June 5, 2007 12:37PM EST Why is everyone so hung up on YI....i dont see how he is going to be a succesful NBA player, he's too skinny and hes just gonna be an NBA bust....the hawks need to address the PG position, now their now way that they are going to be able to get a veteran like billups or bibby or kidd, because they dont want to come to ATL...face the music...we need to get conley at three and then the best available center at 11 to have Zaza groom him...Reports on Conley are that he has been getting into the gym and getting stronger because he's heard about not being strong enough to be able to defend pgs in the NBA. We Desperatley need a PG and Conley is the Answer!!! PG: Conely SG: Johnson SF: Smith PF: Marvin C: Zaza Bench: Hawes, Williams, Lue, Salim, Solomon Trade: Johnson, Slava and Claxton to Portland for Magloire and a future pick

Posted by: BWA on June 5, 2007 12:38PM EST You know, even though I am a Brandan Wright advocate, I do believe that Charles made some good points. However, you have to admit that Yi is as much of a project as Brandan is -- if not more of a project. How many of you have actually seen Yi play in a game. If you have, it has been against international players only or in individual workouts. While Brandan Wright has played in the ACC against the best NBA prospects, and have excelled against them. Why do you think most NBA scouts regard him as one of the best forwards in this draft. Yi is a question mark, because no one knows how he is going to fare in the physically demanding NBA. Yes, he is very intriguing, possibly the next Dirk. But he could be another Darko, or even worse NIKOLOZ TSKITISHVILI (2002 bust, picked @ #5). I like Yi, but if we pick him at 3, we may as well be playing Russian Roulette. While there are safer picks in Brandan Wright and even Al Horford that can be made at 3 if you want a big man. I believe Brandan Wright is the next Chris Bosh! We must not pass on him!

Posted by: BWA on June 5, 2007 1:04PM EST I agree with you Matt on Yi, and I even see your point about getting a point guard. But Conley at 3 is a reach. There is much better talent in this draft than Conley at 3. Now, let's talk about point guards. There's Conley 6'1", Law 6'3", and Crittenton 6'5". There is a slight possiblity that Conley will fall to the #11. If not, we have Law and Crittenton to choose from, which are not bad consolations. The misconception is that if we do not pick Conley at 3, then we will be yet-again passing on a point guard. That simply is not the truth. We have 3 very good point guards to choose from, and I am sure BK will be smart enough to choose one, if he wants to keep his job. If we choose Brandan Wright, the Hawks will be set for years to come! The upside will be tremendous! You've got JOE JOHNSON, JOSH SMITH, MARVIN WILLIAMS, SHELDON WILLIAMS, JOSH CHILDRESS, and BRANDAN WRIGHT! Just think of this team in 2-3 years! One of the point guards we choose this year would have matured by then. We will have a team with a strong foundation that will stand the test of time. This is how the CHICAGO BULLS rebuilt their team. You have to have PATIENCE if you want a solid team for the future, something many people in this blog do not have!

Posted by: Classic on June 5, 2007 1:10PM EST Look... IF WE DO NOT TRADE PICKS FOR A SUPERSTAR...TAKE CONLEY JR. HE IS 6'0, YES, BUT HE HAS 6'7 ARM WINGSPAN, HE HAS A 39' VERTICAL, HE HAS AI QUICKNESS, AND HIS IQ FOR THE GAME IS THROUGH THE ROOF...CONLEY'S ONLY KNOCK IS THAT HE CAN'T SHOOT, THATS BULL, HE CAN SHOOT WELL ENOUGH TO GET IT DONE ON THE NEXT LEVEL...WE NEED A PLAYMAKER WHO MAKES EXCELLENT DECISIONS...THIS IS WHAT HE DOES...HE ALSO PLAYS SUPERB DEFENSE...IT IS HARD TO FIND AN ATHLETE LIKE THIS KID...FORGET ABOUT HIS HEIGHT...HE REMINDS ME A LOT OF ISAIH THOMAS...YES THOMAS HAD A BETTER SHOT AT HIS AGE... BUT CONLEY CAN PRATICE HIS SHOT...WE DON'T NEED A SHOOTING PG...WE NEED A LEADER WHO CAN RUN THE SHOW...JOE ON ONE WING...J. SMOOVE ON THE OTHER...MARVIN WILLIAMS KNOCKIN DOWN THE OPEN SHOT...CONLEY JR. WOULD BE THE LAST PEICE TO RECONSTRUCTION PUZZLE...THIS TEAM WOULD BE A CONTENDER FOR YEARS TO COME!!!! PS..To anyone who EVEN thinks we should trade, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith Or Joe Johnson, stay off the CRACK...Joe is already a star and Josh Smith is right there, and Marvin might be the best on the team when it all said and done. Josh is 21, Marvin is 20 and yet to play a full season...UNDERSTAND THAT!!!! CLASSIC, the 1 and ONLY!!! Love

Posted by: Basketball Smart 15 Yr. Old on June 5, 2007 1:24PM EST i have to agree with this guy bwa because everyone is so hung up on Yi not saying that he isn't talented or anything because he is very talented but he made an excellent point he is very talented PLAYING OVER SEAS!!!!!Everyone is saying that he will be the next Yoa or the next Dirk but how do u no how he will fair in the nba if he hasnt had any nba caliber players to show off his talent against so i say atlanta should play it safe and pass on Yi.Also everyone is so hung up on Yi that they are over looking players like Al Horford,Brandan Wright,and Jaokim Noah everyone knows what they're capable of i mean really Noah was a powerhouse in florida an Wright did the same for Carolina and Horford did his thing to along side Noah .So i stay with what i said and take Wright or Noah at 3 and Conely or Law at 11.

Posted by: Tyler on June 5, 2007 1:27PM EST The Hawks need to try to get Kobe and Radmanovic for Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Sheldon Williams, and the 11th pick. They could get Yi 3rd. That would make their starting five Yi, Zaza, Josh Smith, JOsh Childress, and Kobe. If that doesn't work, go for Yi 3rd and Acie Law 11th. Yi is more agressive that Yao, and he has great range, causing mismatches. Acie Law would make a great point guard, and he is the best clutch player in this draft

Posted by: ScoobySnacks on June 5, 2007 2:01PM EST There are a lot of good possibilities for the Hawks. But one I see reported on other sources, I know for sure will not work. So I'm going everywhere I can trying to get the message out hoping someone will hear it. *For the love of God do not draft Brandan Wright* the only guaranteed bust in this years draft.

Posted by: J- on June 5, 2007 2:20PM EST Just imagine Bynum, Kobe, J-smoove, Acie Law and Joe Johnson on the HAWKS!

Posted by: Peter on June 5, 2007 2:41PM EST Scenario #1 Draft Conley at 3 and best player available at 11. Scenario #2 Draft Conley at #3 and trade the pick, Lorenzen Wright, Claxton and/or Lue to Portland for Jarrett Jack and Zach Randolph and one of their 2nd round picks at #11 get the best player available like Acie Law or Javaris . In the off-season, make sure is working really hard to make a push in the Eastern Conference. Re-sign Ivey........Hire Anthony Robbins to work on Salim's attitude.

Posted by: Ahunt on June 5, 2007 2:44PM EST We need to pickup Mike conley, then Nick young at 11. We got to many big man. Also there is no need for a big man in the NBA anymore. Most of the big men think there shooting guards anyway. Matter of fact I dont think there is a top 5 list for "True Centers" in the NBA right now. So if we going to draft a center make sure he can shoot the three ball and have no post moves.

Posted by: BWA on June 5, 2007 4:22PM EST Brandan Wright highlights check them out: http://www.youtube.com...

Posted by: jay on June 5, 2007 4:39PM EST For people who say that Yi only excels in international games, you should search "Yi Jianlian" on Youtube.com and see for yourselves. See how Yi dunked on Brad Miller, Dirk Nowiski, Paul Gasol.... Are those people not a bunch of NBA stars?

Posted by: MARVIN on June 5, 2007 4:52PM EST BWA Bredan wright is only 210 get off of YI for his size

Posted by: krnxxiverson on June 5, 2007 6:26PM EST Billy Knight theres rumors about u drafting brandon wright....PLEASE DONT DO THAT THAT'll MAKE US A LAUGHINGSTOCK!!!!! Draft Conley because that is the right choice

Posted by: bryan on June 5, 2007 6:37PM EST Brandan Wright was able to brenchpress 185 pounds only TWO times. In comparison, Conley did it 13 times, Crittenton did it 11 times, Law did it 8 times, Noah 12 times, and Horford a whopping 20.

Posted by: jay on June 5, 2007 6:55PM EST Hey, I am 165 Lbs and can bench 225 twice or three times. WTH.

Posted by: chris on June 5, 2007 8:30PM EST if brandon wright becomes the next chris bosh i dont think people will be laughing. so pick wright at 3 then pick crittenton 11

Posted by: medayoallday on June 6, 2007 12:20AM EST brandon wright is gonna take at least 3 years or more just look at how long its taking marvin williams and he was way more prepared physicaly then wright. truth is Yi has played NBA level in the world championships. Listen he is equally as athletic as wright is stalkier and is a WAY WAY better shooter.

Posted by: Charles on June 6, 2007 2:18AM EST Yi Jianlian is more nba ready than Brandon Wright. Anyone who has seen him play knows that he has a very good mix of post moves (unstopable turn-around J and a very good hook), as well as an uncanny ability to penetrate and finish with authority. He has improved EVERY year in China and played very well against nba all stars last year at the FIBA tournament. As far as his competition goes, Yi has played better players in his young career than ANYONE in this draft. Dwight Howard raved about him after matching up against him last year. Also, the CBA is made up of grown professionals. While their not NBA professionals, they are certainly comparable to the college game here in the states. The international game is catching up folks. Assuming that USA's college game is that much better than pros over seas is not always correct. The comparison to NIKOLOZ TSKITISHVILI is completely wrong. He had only played 1 season in the Euro league and averaged like 5 pts. Not exactly the 24 Yi was averaging in China. If you're still not convinced, go look him up on youtube. Yi is not the next Dirk!!! I don't know where that comparison came from. He's more like Bosh and Gasol. His three point shooting is pretty weak, but his midrange game is on point. True he needs to add upper body strength, but give the guy a break. He weighs 242 lbs. How much bigger do you want him? Al Horford only weighs 5 lbs more!!! And Brandon Wright? 210 lbs. Add much more weight and you take away his biggest strength in speed. I would say that his biggest weakness is toughness on defense. He will get blocks because he is long and athletic, but he gets pushed around a little on the block. I think it has to do with the energy he spent on offense. In China, he was the first offensive option for his team, and maybe that took away from his perceived emphasis on defense. Some good coaching and better players around him will correct this problem IMO.

Posted by: BWA on June 6, 2007 9:18AM EST Charles, it is very unlikely that Yi will ever end up in a Hawks jersey. Why? Yi's agent is very selective on who gets to see Yi face to face. This is because his agent wants Yi to land on a team that will nurture and develop him just like Houston did Yao. Yi is being shopped to the Celtics, the Bulls, the Suns, the Warriors, and the Lakers -- all teams who have the personel to develop international talent. Have the Hawks ever developed an international player to be anything other than a pine rider? NEVER! This is why I like Yi as a player, but I do not like him on this team. Woody does not play a run-and-gun, high octane offense like the Suns. On the contrary, Woody wants the Hawks to be a defense-first team, and you said so yourself, Yi is not known for his defensive prowess. Wright, and even Horford, are better fits for this team. Wright is a PERFECT fit for this team of young, versitile 6'8"-6'9" players that BK has been dreaming of putting together since he became GM. A team that has swarming defense, hustles every single play on both sides of the court, and can score inside and out. This is realistically what our lineup is going to look like: C- Sheldon (defensive anchor), Zaza PF- Brandan (off/def presence in paint), Solo SF- Josh Smith (highlight film, blocks), Marvin SG-Joe (all-star), Childress PG- Conley/Crittenton/Law (distributor), Speedy, Lue If Conley doesn't fall, I think we should trade the #11 and Salim for a proven point (maybe Devin Harris). People, do not hold your breath on Yi becoming a Hawk. I have a feeling it's not going to happen.

Posted by: ice on June 6, 2007 9:49AM EST I have read all of your comments and seriously many of you ATL fans don't know what your rappin about. Let's first start with your PG-Draft Mike Conley! Joe is set at the SG. Try and get Rashard Lewis trough some sort of trade scenario because Josh Smith handles aren't really like that-plus he can't shoot! PF-Marvin needs time to develop but he's like Josh Smith-a tweener! I like Shelden in this spot. At number 11 draft a center-Haews if he is available. Smith, M. Williams and Childress are all expendable to bring in some talent that fits. I love the enery J. Smith brings but he's more of a sixth man. There! Said from a true Carolinian from Philly!

Posted by: falcs on June 6, 2007 10:08AM EST 2001, the year MJ used his first pick for Kwame Brown was a big mistake..lol Much BIGGER was….FC Barcelona forward Pau Gasol went THIRD to Atlanta, and immediately sent him to the Grizzlies for Shareef Abdur-Rahim 2007, make the right decision 3rd pick for Yi, 11th for Crittenton

Posted by: Ice on June 6, 2007 12:00PM EST Aren't guys listening!!! The Hawks are in a good situation right now if they do the right thing! You guys have alot of possibilities. Yi and Crittenton was nice....now that guys has some sense! My choice however would be Conley, Brewer or Hawes. Brewer because the Hawks need a swingman (SF) that could shot if Rashard Lewis is not availbale. Hawks!!!! make the trade to seattle for this stud-trade Marvin or Josh Smith straight up! Marvion's from Seattle so I know they'll take that..........but that might also pose as a problem if they draft DURANT!

Posted by: Charles on June 6, 2007 6:52PM EST Hey BWA, you may not be so correct on your assessment. I read from the AJC that Hawks personnel are flying to LA to see Yi in person BEFORE the team workouts start. Obviously there is some interest there. The Hawks developed Zaza pretty good. To say that the Hawks don't have the ability to develop international talent is baseless IMO. Yi is not a terrible defensive player. I think he's just as good as Wright in that facet. We got Sheldon and Solomon last year to sure up the low post defense. That being said, right now Zaza is our only offensive presence in the post. Does that really satisfy you? I think we could definitely use some help there.

Posted by: jak on June 6, 2007 8:18PM EST i hope we go with conley. i think he's one of the best point guards in the last few drafts. definately the best of this draft. many people forget, because of the attention on greg oden, how good conley was this season. when oden was out, conley lead the team to a great record. he would be the point guard of the future for this team. i like the portland trade if we get both aldridge and jarett jack but if that deal doesnt go through, then i love the idea of pairing joe johnson and conley in the back-court. conley's orlando pre draft camp numbers speak volumes about what kind of athlete this guy is. ultimately i think with all the options the hawks have, this draft will definately improve the hawks i think.

Posted by: Kai on June 6, 2007 11:14PM EST I dont think that Conley is that much better than Law or Crit, not to mention that the guy will be one of the smaller guards in the NBA. If he gives us more than Tyronne Lue I would be surprised. I Think of the 3 guards, Law would be the smartest pick. There is no guarantee that he will be there with the 11th pick. I think when teams start workouts they will see how talented he really is. They are already saying that Conley is having shooting woes. He reminds me of Brevin Knight. Conley will never be Chris Paul or Deron Williams. Now at #3 you have to draft Yi, no question about it. After Oden and Durant, every other player in this draft has question marks, including Conley. Yi has much more potential than anyone in this draft after the first two picks are made. You have to make that choice. The worst mistake BK can make is to let everyone get in his ear and feel like he has to draft a PG. Now before I go, I think the sleeper of the draft is Corey Brewer. I think that a backcourt of Brewer and Joe Johnson can work, maybe its just me. I think both of them are quick enough to guard the one or the two, and I think that Brewer's offensive skill set is very under rated. But I still think you cant pass up on Yi. The offense runs through JJ. All you need is a PG that can get the ball down the court and be a good leader. That's it. Conley will allow teams to double team JJ and they will make Conley beat them with his jumper, which he doesnt have.

Posted by: mike hawk on June 6, 2007 11:50PM EST i dont know why you guys think that they going to start . zaza,williams,smith,childress,... did , but they need help it'd not like yi are conley who every they pick will start most of the game there rookie season is like scouting just seeing what they can do there best choice is a pf then it's a pg . yi,brandon,al,conley,law,and crittenton all are very good . international players are just a good as national player . they both have talent players

Posted by: medayoallday on June 7, 2007 12:20AM EST yo Kai makes the most sense of all ya.

Posted by: BWA on June 7, 2007 1:40PM EST Charles, good points, but I'd bet money that this is a smoke-screen. The Hawks have the #3 pick, so they are supposed to look interested in Yi. Unfortunately, I think BK's true hand was exposed with his love affair with Wright, and the Hawks are attempting to correct this mistake by looking interested in Yi. I project that the Hawk will do one of two things: choose Yi @ 3 or make the NBA BELIEVE we are going to pick Yi @ 3, and trade the pick to the Celtics who are still recovering from the Lottery debacle. After being shafted by the Lottery, they want the next best thing behind Oden and Durant. The Hawks will get their #5 and their #32 pick or a player of the Hawks choosing (maybe Jefferson, Rondo, or West) Even after the combine results, I have not given up on Wright. Yes, he did not have the best turnout, but he tested better than Kevin Durant in every aspect. According to the combine, Brandan jumps higher and is faster. In fact, compared to all of the premier bigs in this year's draft (Durant, Noah, Horford, and Hawes), Wright is quicker than them all! If you don't believe me check out the results yourself. The major knock on Wright is his strength, but just like Durant, he is very young (a freshman in college for God's sake!) In no time, he will put on more weight and get stronger, just like Durant will. Many of you absolutely HATE the Brandan Wright pick because of his lack of strength and because he supposedly duplicates a position we already have on this team. But you same people will JUMP FOR JOY if Durant happens to fall to the #3 pick, when he has the same supposed deficiencies. Durant is WEAK, and he is not a CENTER! Am I saying Wright is better than Durant? Of course not! Durant is much better offensively. But both players have a similar build, and play the same position. However, Wright's game is different from Durant's in that he got all his points in and around the paint. He also will be a very good defender, and rebounder. This is, believe it or not, exactly what the Hawks need! Lack of strength does not bother you with Durant, or Yi for that matter, so why does it automatically place Wright on the the Black list of players we should not draft? The Hawks, more so that anything, need an inside scoring presence! Brandan Wright will be just that! PS. Wright will NOT duplicate a position we already have! When people say that, it tells me how uninformed you people really are. Marvin is NOT A PF -- HE IS A NATURAL 3! Smoove is a 3/4, who I believe is better suited at the 3. Brandan Wright is not a 3, he is a 4! So where is the conflict! People who say there is a conflict, obviously do not watch the Hawks -- namely Chris Ford and every other national analyst, who probably have never watch a Hawks game!

Posted by: ICE on June 7, 2007 2:17PM EST I've made several comments about your worthless Hawks and no one has recommded to my comments. You guys keep takin' about picks and knowone has mentioned Rashard Lewis. The Hawks need experience! They have young talent to ship elsewhere to upgrade their team. I hear all of the "rap" but no one is saying anything I want to hear. Draft Conley, trade for Lewis and it's a RAP!!!!!!! Enough said!

Posted by: j-man on June 7, 2007 3:31PM EST The draft is unpredictable. Remember Joe Smith? Number One Pick - never would bulk up and after a few years didn't want to rebound. He ends up being a role player. Remember Olowakandi? Bibby was taken second that year. Everyone said Chris Paul is too small and Deron Williams' shot is suspect. Conley is 6' 1 but is very strong and with his wingspan plays bigger. Decision making is great, shot selection is good. Does not look fragile at all. If we don't take Conley at #3 we need to package the pick and trade. This team is not that far away from the play-offs. We could have won 12-15 more games if not for the health issues. Wright's not a bad pick - as long as he isn't the next Joe Smith. If Conley becomes more Jason Kidd instead of Brevin Knight WE will look moronic passing on him. Noah was going to be a top 3 pick the year before. He'd be a decent pick-up.

Posted by: medayoallday on June 8, 2007 1:18AM EST this coment is BWA The reason why people care about Wright being light is cause he playes PF and the Hawks really need someone who can slide to the Center spot as well. Also he dosent have a game away from the basket as devolped as Durant or YI. FOr the record YI outweights Wright by like 40 pounds. There is no comparasion when comparing Wright to YI and espically not Durant yo he's a shoein for the Hall of fame this dude is no joke. Like i said if the hawks are going to pick anyone besides YI go with the safe pick of conley.

Posted by: medayoallday on June 8, 2007 2:39AM EST yo and another thing BWA you admit in your coment that YI is the next best thing after oden and Durant you state the celtics would trade the hawks in order to get the third best player YI. Yo not for nothing get the 5 pick plus Al jefferson would be mighty sweet I dont see the Celtics doing it but if they would I dont know that would be pretty interesting.

Posted by: draft man on June 8, 2007 8:49AM EST you got it kai

Posted by: draft man on June 8, 2007 9:02AM EST the hawks need the next best thing after oden and durant then pick yi at three and trade up. are you could stay at 11 and pick a pg. the hawks need more scorers.

Posted by: BWA on June 8, 2007 10:16AM EST medayoallday- When I compare Brandan, Yi and Durant, I'm not saying they are equally good players. I am saying they are all BEAN POLES. Yi had better weight 40 lbs more at 7" or he would be Munute Bol. All I am saying is if Durant is getting a pass with his weight and recent combine results (which were GOD AWFUL!), so should Brandan Wright. Who, as I said before, tested as the quickest big in this draft (behind Oden). Yes, Brandan is thin. But he WILL bulk up. Again he was a COLLEGE FRESHMAN, he is still very young. His natural talent and athleticism, along with developing a consistant 15' to 18' foot jumper, will make him a perennial All-Star for years to come. He reminds me very much of Chris Bosh, who put on some weight, developed a jumpshot and is now regarded as one of the young superstars in this league. Not to mention he is the best fit for this young Hawks team. The Hawks style of play is not run-and-gun like the Suns or the Warriors, but more like the Pistons who think defense first. And BK has stated for years that he is trying to put together a team of long, athletic swingmen who play multiple positions. Brandan Wright is all of these things, plus he plays great defense. Please, don't get me wrong, I think Conley will fit nicely too. Just not at the #3 pick. I am hoping and praying that he slips to the #11. If not we have other options at point guard. Yi looks great offensively, but WHAT ABOUT HIS DEFENSE. Notice, no one has seen any highlights of how well he defends. Will he be strong enough to bang down low against the Shaqs and Howards of the league? Will he be quick enough to keep up with players like Bosh and Stoudamire? Will he patrol the paint and be a shot blocker? No one knows for sure, but my guess is NO. Yi is not quick enough to play the 3, nor is he strong enough to play center unless he is playing on the west coast with the Suns or the Warriors. Yi does not fit in the Hawks traditional, defensive-minded east coast style of play, he belongs on the west coast.

Posted by: atlsfirst on June 8, 2007 1:20PM EST Actually the quickest big man at camp was Jason Smith. At 7 foot tall and with the quicks of some of the point guards he is an interesting prospect. His vertical leap numbers are also very impressive. Now I'm not saying the Hawks should choose him but it is interesting how most of the bigs in this draft besides Oden, Gray and possibly Hawes have the same body type. Long and lean. Perhaps it is time for the Hawks to change their style of play? We have the youth, depth (when healthy) and long athletic players to run other teams out of the gym. We have such a hard time getting good looks from the half court sets. I think it is time to turn up the D, spread out the floor and bring some excitement back to Atlanta basketball. With that being said the number 3 pick is way to high to use on Conley when he is only marginally better than some of the other points in the draft. It think we go with an athletic big at 3 and a point at 11. I like Yi, Noah and Wright. You can't teach size and all of these guys have the height and the hops to sure up the interior defense and are all capable of running the floor. I'd like to close by asking just how important an inch of height really is if another player has longer arms, is faster and a has a better vertical leap?

Posted by: jack mcginness on June 8, 2007 1:28PM EST Look, the Hawks need a point guard to keep a very talented team in order. Speedy can do that but he needs help and is not used playing the minutes of a starter, which is why he got hurt. I think you take crittenton. the only knock on critteton is that he is still developing and that is waht we would be doing with a point guard any way. So take crittenton at 11. At three everyone is talking about taking Yi, but we already have offense. what we need is defense down low which is why we should go with Al Horford. He is as athletic as any big in the game and has a tremendous post game and an intimidating bruiser in the post.

Posted by: ICE SIZZLE on June 8, 2007 2:38PM EST Damn BWA you got alot of rap. Wright is the man. all Carolianians are! Draft Conley because your sorry asses need a PG badly. JJ can play the spot but you guys need his scoring. Rashard Lewis for the 4th time trade my boy Marvin out of this mess! Draft a the next best player at #11. Peace out for good you non basketball minds!

Posted by: medayoallday on June 8, 2007 4:13PM EST BWA at first I wasnt so sure about how informed you were but after reading you're coment i hear where you're coming from. Truth is I dont see YI being a defensive stopper thats not his role. Sheldon Williams is there to be the brusier. Look when he faces guys who are bigger he'll use his quickness and shooting ability. Wright is years away, YI could come in and contribute right away on offense. He can jump high and is quick every player coming into the league has a huge adjustment period espeacialy on defense

Posted by: Big K on June 8, 2007 8:07PM EST Please take a point guard at #3. We have a very good quality team but our point guards dont have that extra we need to get our other players the ball or to set them up effectively to compete with the big dogs. Please don't mess this one up!

Posted by: DMichael on June 9, 2007 6:30PM EST 1. Yi Jianlian, F, China Yi has been generating tremendous buzz from international scouts this year as the next "It" player from overseas. He's been dominant for the Guangdong Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association this season, averaging 24.8 points per game and 11.4 rebounds while shooting 57 percent from the field. Like Yao Ming, Yi has great size for his position. He's a 7-footer, but unlike Yao, Yi is an excellent athlete who runs up and down the floor, spots up for 3-pointers and loves to deliver huge dunks on the fast break. In that way, Yi is more like last year's No. 1 pick, Bargnani, than he is Yao. Yi has been cleared by his team to enter the NBA draft this year. A number of teams have him ranked as the third-best prospect in the draft, right behind Greg Oden and Kevin Duran

Posted by: zack on June 10, 2007 12:44AM EST in this draft we kno there is alot talent in big man and pg's but big man r projected 2 go early so grab yi... and grab Conley/Crittenton/Law in that order and DON'T trade b/c our TRADE HISTORY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: medayoallday on June 10, 2007 1:21AM EST LISTEN TAKE YI IF NOT CONLEY

Posted by: bk the town idiot on June 10, 2007 4:17PM EST Straight plain and simple BK will f this draft up. I see it coming. At first I had hope when we received the 3rd and 11th pick but the more time this guy gets to think the scarier it gets. He will probably trade away a pick for some over the hill veteran who has only a few years left while the guy we could have had is tearing up the league. GET THIS CLOWN OUT BEFORE HE SETS THIS FRANCHISE BACK EVEN FURTHER.

Posted by: Hawks/ Tar hill fan on June 11, 2007 8:24AM EST BWA makes the most sense

Posted by: phillip on June 11, 2007 9:57AM EST ....btw, at combine, Mike Conley only measured 5'11" - not 6'1". Brandan Wright measured 6'8.75" - not 6'10" (without shoes). Yi is the pick - its pretty simple really. Hawks need size - Yi has it! Hawks need scoring - Yi can do it! Hawks need skills - Yi has them! Hawks need some pizazz - Yi can deliver. Brandan Wright is another project and we don't need another project - Marvin Williams will probably payoff finally for Hawks but we had to wait until his 3rd year(upcoming). The Hawks cannot wait 3 more years for Brandan Wright. Conley is a good PG but he is not special like Chris Paul and Deron Williams were - plus he's too short to defend his position in the NBA. Crittenden at #11 has more overall skill and he can develop behind Speedy and will be ready to start by 2008-2009 season. At #3, Yi is the answer - anybody else and it will be a mistake of not drafting for the #3 picks overall value (kind of like when Hawks took Shelden Williams at #5 when Brandon Roy was available).

Posted by: Hawks/ Tar hill fan on June 11, 2007 11:12AM EST As long as we get a Point guard and a center (Wright/Durant are acceptions) I'm satistfed.

Posted by: wtf on June 11, 2007 12:07PM EST Umm I dont know how to tell you this but Conley is basically the same height as Chris Paul. He might even be more athletic than CP. I can see it now we pass over another good pg just because he is deemed too short. Sounds like the argument that cost us Chris Paul in the first place. What a joke of an orginization.

Posted by: DMichael on June 11, 2007 12:43PM EST Yi Jianlian can strech the defence to allow J Smoove, J Chill, and Marvin to attack the basket and give Sheldon and Zaza room to work in the post. Joe Johnson runs the offence so we should get Javaris Crittenton for the 11th pick who doesn't back down from a challenge, is constantly getting better, and is dedicated to do what he has to do in order to win.

Posted by: ICE SIZZLE on June 11, 2007 3:18PM EST I had to come out of retirement because you guys are saying the same thing over and over again. The Hawks will not and should notdraft Brendan Wright unless they plan to trade him to someone for an all star player. If they draft him then somethings up. I'm hearing alot about Yi. The more I hear the more I like but you guys still need Conley. There's a lot of buzz in Portland. I'm hearin Zack Randolph and home grown Jarret Jack for the #3 pick. I like that! Just imagine Jack, Johnson, Smith or M. Williams, Randolph and Zaza (now that guy should be coming off the bench) Trade Josh or Marvin and the number 11 pick for a quality center of draft Hawes. Now top that!

Posted by: Tony Mac on June 11, 2007 3:30PM EST I agree with Dmichael, Yi at 3 and Law or Critteden at 11. No brainer.

Posted by: Tony Mac on June 11, 2007 3:46PM EST Its harder to get a talented big, than a point. Yi is good for many reasons beside his talent. First his draw for the team would be enormous. Everybody is talking about his lack of D, yea, he is young but will gain weight in time because of the work ethic he will bring. All are thinking about that he couldnt guard anyone down low, but have you thought about what he would do on the offensive end to spread the floor and bring the people out to have to guard him as well. He is a mixture of alot of current players, and is surely a unique talent that would make us very different, and tough to prepare for. But I know I am dreamin' we just will not go this route, it just makes too much sense. BK will take Conley or Wright, just know its coming, and its a shame. PLEASE do the right thing!

Posted by: Brandon on June 11, 2007 5:43PM EST I personally think of course that a point guard is harder to procure only bc of the simpl fact that they run the team and operate every facet of the games tempo. I think the Hawks should draft Mike Conley Jr at #3 and possibly trade the 11th pick and a current player to the team that picks the chinese player Yi Jianlain and make an offer with them. Or if that doesnt work, predicting what may happen with the first 10 picks then Al Thornton would be the next best option...but please get rid of one or two of the forwards that are currently on the team bc they're all dead weight and inconsistent!!! The Hawks need to committ themselves to winning and not "highlights". Its becoming the training grounds of the league and I really dont understand the GM perspective here or the scouts that are employed bc they need to be fired. When was the last promising year????? 1996 maybe?? The Hawks need new scout coaches and the Sixers do too!! Take it from a guy who knows basketball and not one of those Ivy league boys there that are bandwagoning names and constantly falling short. Revive Atlanta please!!! By the way I'm not even from here, I'm from Florida and I want to see my new town succeed so dont mess up BK!!!

Posted by: J- mill on June 11, 2007 6:41PM EST PLEASE TAKE CONLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: J- mill on June 11, 2007 6:51PM EST CONLEY, CONLEY, CONLEY, CONLEY, CONLEY OR ACIE, ACIE, ACIE, ACIE OR HAWES, HAWES, HAWES, HAWES. (Other potiential picks) YI JARVIS BRANDON WRIGHT

Posted by: Hawks/ Tar hills fan on June 11, 2007 6:59PM EST Go to youtube and look at Mike conley's Sick move.

Posted by: BeeWard on June 11, 2007 7:26PM EST I think that we should take Yi with the third pick and then either Crittenton or Law with the eleventh. All of these guys have great potential to become popular with the fans, which would increase fan turnout which I'm sure the Hawks would definately enjoy. Especially with Yi, as people will want to see how he compares to Yao. With the PGs, both Acie and Javaris would drive up ticket sales. Acie always seemed to be on ESPN highlights so he has created a name for himself. Javaris went to Georgia Tech so he could have that hometown support like Francoeur and the Braves. I'm not a huge college basketball fan but I do watch my share of Sportscenter. I'm going to admit that there are a lot of names of highly rated draft members that I haven't heard of. Especially the Brandon Wright guy. Drafting him won't drive ticket sales at all!! There won't be any fan support for him. Yi can be just as good as Wright and will be much more popular than him. Please keep that in consideration...

Posted by: Tony Mac on June 12, 2007 11:53AM EST Thats right, I agree BeeWard and Zack, plus others, great follow up points.

Posted by: chris on June 12, 2007 1:07PM EST i think one fact that we know for sure is that BK will be fired this year if the hawks do not show substantial improvement. Given that, i think he will be looking to either trade the pick for veteran help or draft a good point guard to lead the team. It is quite normal for someone under the gun to do what it takes to save themselves. I think the more likely of the two is that he will use both picks to draft players since our unsettled ownership will be unlikely to want to add more salary right now. If he does, we all know the hawks' needs-point guard or a big man in the middle. People have suggested multiple options for both point guard and a big man. I agree that we should target both positions in the draft. The only exception to this rule would be the "incredible talent" rule which we used on marvin williams (although that did not work out). Only Yi would fit that bill and i guess we can't comment on him until we hear how his workouts have gone. Before i comment on whom i think we should pick-i think one should analyze which players are the ones that succeed in professional sport and win championships. I think the most important thing when one is drafting is to focus on on those players that have the great intangibles: an incredible drive to improve themselves, passion for performing and commitment to the team combined with great talent. The wrong kind of players to choose are those that are great physical specimens but are quite happy with a nice pay cheque and do not strive to push themselves to the limit. There are many players that had michael jordans physical attributes, but how many had his burning desire to win and beat others. That being said I think the ideal combination would be mike conley and noah. I think a horrible pick would be brandan wright. Conley has leadership skills, an intense desire to succeed, a history of performance combined with incredible athleticism and great vision. There is a fine line between a great small point guard and a ty lue, but I believe strongly that conley is closer to tony parker or chris paul than a ty lue. For example, when conley realizes he might be a bit weak, he goes to the gym immediately and works on his strength religiously. The great players all have that drive to succeed and conley has it. Noah is not going to be a great player by himself, but he will be the perfect big man for the hawks-we would have enough scoring options so we don't need him to score-what we need is defense, rebounding and strong leadership and a history of performance. If i only had one pick, i would not pick noah early in the draft, but if he is avaiable at 11 that would great. He is a bit like shelden williams, but he is taller and also has won two national championships and brings the right attitude to the team. Brandon wright is exactly the opposite of noah and conley. Great athlete but will he push himself to be great. We have seen no history of that with wright thus far-are we going to risk the third pick in the draft. Everyone is comparing him to chris bosh, but just because he has the same athletic frame does not mean anything if he does not push himself like bosh to become the best player. The last point i want to make is that decisions made by crowds tend to be more correct than those made by individuals-from all the postings and analysis i have read, most people are pushing for mike conley and yi as the first pick. Almost no one for brandon wright-i hope that BK listens to the crowd on this one.

Posted by: Jeff Gibson on June 12, 2007 5:42PM EST Take Yi Juanlin at #3 Next Take Jared Jordan of Marist College 2007 NCAA Assists leader at #1 instead of Mike Conley, who was #5 in Assists in NCAA. If you could pick up picks Rodnet Stuckey and oithers are interesting.

Posted by: mad man on June 12, 2007 7:29PM EST why do most people want conley at number 3 he,s weak and no good to us its not like he going to start his first year.just because we haven't got a pg in some years dont meen that we haver bad pg . i think they should get a pf yi/brandon/horford they can fill the pf . for years the hawks try to get the right pf but some fit sf are center and trade most. they must get yi/brandon/horford

Posted by: zack on June 12, 2007 10:16PM EST "dont get it on" u must not git it... we still have an 11th pick even if Conley (who is the fastest) has been drafted we still have 2 pg 2 select from the best shootin one in Law the most athele in Crittenton (who is my pick) b/c wit conley u will have problem wit him and stoudamire in the backcout(who will gaurd the sg?). Can u answer that 4 me please??????

Posted by: zack on June 12, 2007 10:18PM EST Oh and Yi will play 4 the Hawks... rememeber they stared S. Williams str8 out of Duke

Posted by: dont get it on June 12, 2007 10:49PM EST I can tell its a lack of b ball knowledge on this board so i know what i say probably makes no sense what so ever. why would u take jared jordan when he played against absolutely no competition. the guy is expected to be a second round pick. why in the world would the hawks use a first round pick on a second round talent at best. leading the ncaa in assist is a bit misleading considering the confrence he played in. conley is not weak. where do you people get your information. actually conley tested better in strength at the combine than most of the fowards that are expected to be lottery picks. who said anything about playing conley and stoudamire together? conley is easily the best pg the hawks would have so he would start. even if they let conley come off the bench at first they would not play him and stoudamire together. they cuold use anthony johnson who is a bigger guard. law is a combo guard not a true pg. he is a scorer first not a passer. crit is a good athlete but is way too turnover prone. conley has a higher assit to turnover ratio than both law and crit. conley even has a great shooting percentage. and zack, josh smith is the starting pf for the hawks so why would the hawks sit down either josh smith or marvin williams just to play yi over them? why in the world would the hawks use another lottery pick on a guy just to bring him off the bench. its too early to trade marvin williams. josh smith is still coming into his own but could easily be a all star next year so its stupid to even think about moving him to another team. so it makes no sense to take another fwd at 3 only to have him sit on the bench. we would have a 3rd a 5th and a 6th pick in previous drafts all coming off the bench . im sorry but thats to much. so to basically destroy these weak arguments you guys put up. ill recap.. conley is not weak. tested as the best pg in orlando. has a higher assit to turnover ratio than the other pg. is more athletic than the others. is stronger than the others. quicker than the other pgs. i think he even avg more steals per game due to his great length. nice try guys but please get your basketball knowledge up. its sad when people on the blog make Billy Knight look like the greatest gm in the world due to the lack of knowledge.

Posted by: Jammie on June 13, 2007 1:08PM EST I spoke with the hawks announcer last week at the gym and he said both picks will definetly be traded. He says we are trying to package both pics with Josh Smith for Kevin Garnett. He says Josh will be shipped out because of "Character" issues. With KG and Joe we will make the playoffs. I say make the trade. Here is our starting 5. Sheldon KG marvin / J chill Joe Speedy / T lue

Posted by: ICE SIZZLE on June 13, 2007 2:48PM EST Jammie, have you lost your mind!!! KG is up in age. With that trade, 1 maybe 2 years then your the Hawks are back to rebuilding. I would never do that trade unless Minnesota threw in their 1 st round pick and/or someone like Randy Foye. Don't say Speedy or Lue, your killin' me-they're not starters!!!

Posted by: zack on June 13, 2007 3:51PM EST A LACK of basketball knowledge? i seems like wut u sayin is that is say Conley suck but wut u fail to realize i kno Conley is the most safe pick on the pg's... but in reality if he is better then Law or Javaris it is that much... like i say Ass holes only go off stats... cuz u c they got differnt people around them and different schedules... so u don't think if u put any one of them pg's w/ Oden and Ohio State their assist and fg % would have went up... but if u put conley on the Aggies could be as effect as Law hell no! to b honest w/ ya i think all 3 are dam there close... cuz i kno wut ever advance u can name 4 Conley, i can name 2 advance of wut the other 2 have... cuz Conley only shoots 69% from the line and average 11pt... and most were lay-up,

Posted by: ICE SIZZLE on June 13, 2007 4:04PM EST Zach, your trippin', calm down dude. Just pay attention to my comments throughout this entire blog as I seem to make the most sense. Conley's cool but if you can get KG and a young PG like Foye-go with that. If they simply use their draft Conley is cool at 3 or Crittenton at 11 however I know that;s a stretch but that kid got game. Like at Gibson in the finals-2nd round pick but playing like a 1st rounders. Selections don't determine your real worth-getting on the court and playin' ball does! I'm out and hopefully for the last time. You guys keep bringing me out of retirement with your lack of knowledge about the game. Peace!

Posted by: matt on June 13, 2007 4:12PM EST conley is good but you can put him at the #3 pick thats just CRAZY the best pf i can see at the time is yi. yi might be the number 3 pick and their is going to be a lot of free agents pg after the draft so wy not get them . also we could get javaris at #11 he can play pg/sg back up the staring pg are jj.

Posted by: josh miller on June 13, 2007 6:19PM EST Please take Yi Julian at number 3 you have an Allen Iverson talent at 6"11 then at pick 11 take Spencer Hawes then you have a 7 footer we've never had a 7 footer besides Mutombo

Posted by: zack on June 13, 2007 7:56PM EST ICE SIZZLE, no u can't leave now we both in the Hawks' family we'll agrue now....but when the season starts we'll b happy together... cuz even if i'm wrong(very highly doubt it) i'm git my point across! BUT I DON'T KNO WUT THE HELL U SAID IN THAT DAM LAST MESSAGE!!

Posted by: dont get it on June 13, 2007 8:03PM EST Zack can you please form a complete sentence. I gave up reading your blog 2 seconds into it. What you fail to realize is that Conley kept the team going the whole season. Oden didnt even suit up for the first few games yet Ohio State was still a top 10 team. Add in the fact that Oden stayed in a lot of foul trouble then you can really see that Conley was the engine for that team. Conley almost put up 12 pts a game as a freshmen and he is a pass first point guard dude. Im pretty sure he could have scored more. Yea he scored a lot of points on lay ups but you want to know why? HE STAYED IN THE PAINT BECAUSE HE HAD THE ABILITY TO GET IN THE LANE ANYTIME HE WANTED. Yea he needs to improve his free throw and 3 point shooting but that can be done. The report on Conley is that he is a gym rat. So trying to say he only did what he did because of Oden is very misleading. It shows you didnt really watch a lot of Ohio State games. Law wouldnt have been the ideal pg for the Buckeyes just because he is a shoot first pg not a pure pass first pg. Its not all about the stats as you say then you use stats to make a point. Make up your mind dude. Hawks fan must like punishment. Why do you people keep wanting to pass over the best rated pg in the draft just to draft yet another fwd. That is like groundhog day all over again. The close minding thinking that a lot of you are showing on here is exactly why we passed over guys like Chris Paul, Derron Williams, Marcus Williams. Its almost laughable that people want to draft a skinny sf with no type of defense ability to add to the million fowards they already have. If they draft YI who is going to be traded? He will cut into the minutes of the many fowards we already have people. So please tell me who we are going to trade. This is the reason why the Atlanta Hawks are the laughing stock of the NBA. They are officialy the old Clippers of the East. So once again lets pass over the best reated pg just to take another foward with potential that could or could not pan out and right now isnt better than the fowards we have starting. Yea that makes a lot of sense. And if you think all 3 pgs are close in worth then your lying to yourself. Law is a combo guard aka a shoot first guard. Crit while he does look promising is a turnover machine. Conley is a pure pg who passing ability easily makes it easier on guys like Joe Johnson and Marvin because he gets them in places where its easier for them to score but hey it doesnt matter lets take another fwd and hope that the terrible pgs we have can get it done.

Posted by: diehardhawkfan on June 13, 2007 11:02PM EST I saw about 15 Ohio State games...Conley is the second best freshman point guard I've ever seen behind Chris Paul. It was simply amazing watching him play...you would swear he was a fifth game senior...when Oden was in game, he was content with playing halfcourt and let his best friend get the glory...when Oden was in foul trouble (which he was for most of the tournament), you would like magic see Conley raise his game to a different level...I remember the comeback game against Xavier...Oden fouls out, so I'm thinking ok game over...nope, Conley scores 11 points in overtime to will his team to victory... it's really a no brainer...Conley is special...highest basketball IQ i've ever seen for a freshman...JSmith, MWilliams, and JJohnson will all vastly improve if Conley was running the point.

Posted by: matt on June 14, 2007 1:05AM EST do you believe that conley can get in the paint with nba players . are play with out an good rebound pf are center. if bk pick conley he would only trade him.

Posted by: Robert on June 14, 2007 7:40AM EST They should take Yi Jianlian at the 3 spot and if Conley is not there at the 11 then take A.C. Law from Texas A&M. Jianlian will cause all kind of match up problems with his outside shooting and ball handling skill for a big man. Mr. Law is an overlooked point guard that could be a nice surprise. He is 6'3'' also, so he has nice size. Just don't pass on the next Dirk.

Posted by: J- mill on June 14, 2007 8:47AM EST WE WANT YI AND CON-LEY!

Posted by: BeeWard on June 14, 2007 3:51PM EST You know... some of the mock drafts have Conley slipping down the the 11th spot anyway (I saw one that has us picking Al Horford at #3 and Conley at #11). Now... I'm with the crowd that thinks we ought to take Yi at the #3 spot... but do you people think it is absolutely impossible that Conley could slip down to #11? I mean... do the teams from spots 4-10 need a point guard? The teams are Memphis, Boston, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Charlotte, Chicago, and Sacramento. I'm only asking because I don't really know. If we got Yi AND Conley... dude that would be the s***!!

Posted by: James on June 14, 2007 3:51PM EST Lets trade the 3 and someone for Gasol, take Hawes with the 11 and sign steve blake to play the point.

Posted by: sshhh on June 14, 2007 4:01PM EST dont get it... dude your posts are so hard to read. you say the same thing like 3 or 4 times (read it back if u need proof my man). not just that... but you say like 600 words without any sort of break. just sentence after sentence after sentence after sentence after... well you know the drill. dude its cool that you're speaking your mind and all but first off no one cares how smart you think you are. you aren't going to change anyone's mind by trying to spit some knowledge at them. i STILL say take yi at #3 and crit at #11. final. no if and or buts. i digress.

Posted by: dumb fans on here on June 14, 2007 6:09PM EST Man some fans on here make BK look like Jerry West in his prime...Why would the Hawks take YI seeing how he is another foward and project?... That makes absolutely no sense what so ever.. I can see why so many people think that Atlanta has some of the worst fans when it comes to knowing what the hell they are talking about..... Crit is a nice pg or whatever but this kid averaged almost 4 turnovers per game..... You really want somebody leading the point who makes this many mistakes?... He struggles against pressure, takes a lot of bad shots, and is too down on himself after mistakes... You really think he will survive with a person like Woody as coach.... Yea i can see it now, the Hawks struggle with more prjoects while Joe Johson's talents are being wasted on this sorry ass team so he asks to be moved and Josh Smith will be right behind him...I dont like BK but i would rather have him making the choices than most people on here.

Posted by: hawks fan on June 14, 2007 6:21PM EST I meant are only in love with YI youtube clips...

Posted by: a GT student on June 14, 2007 8:03PM EST Why do you people keep bringing up Crit's turnover problem?? First, he was a freshman. A very good freshman at that. He got a little carried away with some of his flashiness sometimes and that got him in a little trouble. One season in the NBA with an NBA coach and that will change. He hadn't matured yet. He's a freshman and he's rated so high. Give the kid some props. After all, he's a hometown guy.

Posted by: a GT student on June 14, 2007 8:09PM EST Also, I don't think Yi is a project. I'm pretty sure he would start straight away. Most third picks would. I mean think about it... how often do you have people like Oden and Durant in a draft? If they weren't there, he would be much more highly regarded. I think Yi would have a lot of quality time on the court. Yao may not have been down with the NBA flow from the get-go but he definitely had an impact at the beginning. Also, he created interest in the Rockets. Yi would do the same for us. Let's make the Hawks a little more popular.

Posted by: duh on June 14, 2007 11:54PM EST They bring up his turnovers because he is a pg. duhhhhhhhhh. wow are some of you people serious on here.... most teams dont want their primary ball handler being a turnover machine... i dont care if he was a freshmen or not it was very clear he had trouble handling the ball..... so you would start YI over Josh Smith who is the current power foward just from seeing YI's youtube clips? wow hawks fans really love punishment.... you would start a player who barely plays decent competition over your second best player and best defender from last season?.... yea i can honestly see why the hawks suck.

Posted by: eihteen on June 15, 2007 8:47AM EST I would say if possible that you trade one of the picks for a player like a Tyson Chandler. The Hornets would probably welcome this deal. To complete this deal, you would add some throw-ins such as a Pargo, Bass, Linton Johnson, etc. The Hawks could throw in a player like Batista, Ivey, Wright...just to match the potential salary and the salaries of the players involved. Now Tyson won't wow you in points but he is developing into a nice piece in the low post in ragards to block shots and boards and he could atleast put a body on players like Dwight Howard cause of his length.

Posted by: zack on June 15, 2007 10:37AM EST dont get it(ICE SIZZLE)... I got my masters degree in electric engineering instead of English, and by the way this is blog so i write it like i'm text hoes, but if you want me to write it perfect english and grammar. Thanks sshhh! By the way, you think you slick by using a different name to make it seem like someone is agree with you, and then you think your way is the only right way this is draft, someone who you think is good can be a bust. Yeah, you have good points, but your agrument is irrevalant. And what I had said "like i say Ass holes ONLY go off stats..." I know Mike Conley is a good pick at 3rd but Crittenton is a better pick up at 11th, like GT student said he was a Freshman but i know what you are going to say so was Conley, but if you think about it turnovers are easier to limit then it is to teach someone to shoot. The only reason Law would not fit in because he is shoot first point guard, and i think we got enough scorer with the right point guard and chemistry. Come to think about someone on the Hawks remind you of one of this top three point guards in the draft except Crittenton. Mike Conley Jr.- Speedy Claxton ( with a higher basketball IQ) and Acie Law IV- Joe Johnson (5in. shorter)

Posted by: hawksfan on June 15, 2007 10:40AM EST we need a PG, C, and a true PF 1) take Yi with #3 2)trade Marvin or Josh for one of picks 4-7 to take Conley 3)take Noah or Hawes with #11 that turns us into the spurs of the east!

Posted by: J- mill on June 15, 2007 3:15PM EST Thank you hawksfan it seems like your reading my mind, can someone else make sense other thanhawks , Zach, etc.

Posted by: dont get it on June 15, 2007 3:16PM EST Actually this is my name. It appears as if you used more than one name but hey whatever works for you...Your player comparisons suck and I highly doubt you have a masters in anything other than texting females as you say... Conley is quicker. more athletic, a better distributor than Speedy...Conley needs to improve his shooting i agree with that but I think he actually can.. Acie Law is nothing like Joe Johnson in any way shape or form.... Joe is a better playmaker, shooter and defender but hey Zack at the end of the day we both want the same thing, for the Hawks to get it together and start winning so you cool with me...

Posted by: J- mill on June 15, 2007 3:22PM EST Man, I would pay to see Zack and don't get it at the draft party watch who the Hawks choose.

Posted by: dont get it on June 15, 2007 4:30PM EST Lmao actually since its BK making the choices im already prepared for the worse.. I just think he will blow it..I think it will be a lot of pissed Hawks fan after the draft..I hope im wrong but once again BK is our GM.

Posted by: idecris on June 15, 2007 11:39PM EST conley is somewhat a rare type of player. he's got great GAME MANAGEMENT SKILLS, poise which most players really do not learn or develop over time. the kind of skills that could make up for our lack of a better coach.

Posted by: draft8 on June 15, 2007 11:53PM EST this is the last chance for the hawks to get it right with the draft so listen close. at no. 3 you take joakim noah-hes proven,energetic and two titles doesnt hurt the resume. at no.11 you take acie law- he's a four year starter, a leader, and has everything the hawks are looking for- 3ball,leadership, and quickness. this will put the hawks in best shape for success, do not blow it by taking an undersized center(al horford) or an oversized wingman(brandan wright) trust me they will get you no where.

Posted by: king hawks on June 17, 2007 8:22AM EST if you are in hawk's family we should respect the hawk pick of the draft. we have 3 and 11 the top two of the 11 pick. we will get good pick any way it go's and respect there offseason move and hope for the best.

Posted by: idecris on June 18, 2007 8:51AM EST #3 Conley # 11 Joakim Noah or Tiago Splitter, both 7 footers who can play defense. you need your big guys to be able to play defense. Noah has the potential to be a Marcus Camby like shotblocker with the playmakingabilities and versatility of a Boris Diaw. Splitter could become a more athletic and more explosive version of a PJ Brown. and either big guy would benefit from playing with a big man's point guard like Mike Conley.

Posted by: BeeWard on June 18, 2007 9:10AM EST I like what someone said in one of the other blogs. Since JJ runs our offense, it would make more sense to pick up Crittenton at #11 (I'm saying that we should decide between Crit and Acie for pick #11.) I watched some GT baskeball this season and Crit really can pass the ball very well. That's why he has so many turnovers.. he tried to make some more crazy-good passes but they went awry. Crit would be able to get JJ the ball better. We wouldn't need Acie as much since he loves jacking up 3's. Pick #3 - Yi. All I'm going to say.

Posted by: Larry on June 18, 2007 10:57AM EST I should have been a GM loving the reviews my man Horford is getting told you guys back in early JUNE 2 jun 07, Horford was the third solid player in this draft know he's living up to it in pre-draft workouts. If not Pau for 3rd pick then Horford; Billy to and Law at 11 if Conley is gone, if Milwaukee takes Conley we can offer Moe a contract our luck has changed Hawks Fans. MO?fa/Law?11/Conley?/ Speedy-pg JJ/Chillz-sg Marvi... Solomon Pau/Horford3/ Zaza or Zaza/Sheldon/ Solomon Trade #3 , Sheldon, Zaza,Lue

Posted by: Jacob on June 18, 2007 1:05PM EST I still think we need to take Brandan Wright at pick number three. As for pick 11, Javaris Crittenton still looks good in my eyes. Acie Law would work but I like Crittenton over Law because Crittneton is taller, better defensively, and has a MUCH better jumpshot. Another possibility that I haven't seen mentioned is take Nick Young out of USC at 11 and convert him to a PG. He was a scoring machine for the Trojans. I would know I'm a huge USC fan!! Don't screw up the draft again Billy!!!!!

Posted by: jwk on June 18, 2007 2:07PM EST THIS JUST IN. I WAS WATHCING ESPN AND I HEARD THAT THE HAWKS WERE EXTREMELY INTERESTED IN AL HORFORD. THAT WOULD BE THE WORST PICK UP EVER IF THE HAWKS TOOK HIM. THERE IS WAY MORE TALENT THAN HORFORD IN THE DRAFT AND BESIDES LAST YEAR WE JUST TOOK AN UNDERSIZED BIG MAN IN SHELDON WILLIAMS WHY WOULD WE TAKE ANOTHER ONE. I LIKE HORFORD BUT HE AND BRANDON WRIGHT ARE THE TWO GUYS THAT WE DONT NEED TO TAKE AT #3. WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER SHELDON. THE HAWKS NEED TO TAKE YI BCAUSE HE IS A GREAT OFFENSIVE THREAT AND COULD REALLY HELP STRETCH THE FLOOR. HE WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO THE TEAM. HE WOULD ALSO HELP PUT THE HAWKS ON THE MAP NATION WIDE. WE WOULD PROBABLY GET A FEW GAMES TELEVISED ON ESPN, TNT, AND ABC. HE WOULD ALSO PROBABLY BE AN ALL STAR THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE HAWKS. I THINK THAT WE SHOULD EITHER DRAFT ANOTHER BIG MAN LIKE HAWES OR SPLITTER OR GO AFTER SOMEONE LIKE YOUNG OR CRITTENTON. THEN WHE THIS SEASON IS OVER AND ATLANTA IS ON THE MAP WE COULD SIGN GILBER TARENAS WHEN HE OPTS OUT OF HIS CONTRACT WITH THE WIZARDS. THEN WE WOULD DEFINATELY HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP WITHIN THREE YEARS. BUT BK WHAT EVER YOU DO DO NOT PICK BRANDON WRIGHT WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER MARVIN WILLIAMS AND DO NOT PICK AL HORFORD WE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER SHELDON WILLIAMS. EITHER GUY WOULD BE THE WORST PICK UP FOR THE HAWKS AND NIETHER OF THEM WOULD HAVE A GOOD IMPACT ON THE TEAM

Posted by: THE REAL GM THAT THE HAWKS NEED on June 18, 2007 4:09PM EST THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WAS THE HAWKS GM AND THIS IS THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION TO THE HAWKS PROBLEM.FIRST YOU TRY TO DO THIS PUT A PACKAGE TOGETHER FOR AMARE STOUDAMIRE.WHICH WOULD INCLUDE J CHILL SHELDEN SPEEDY MARVIN AND THE NUMBER THREE PICK. AND THEN TAKE JAVARIS CRITTENTON WITH THE NUMBER ELEVEN PICK.THAT WAY YOU CAN LET J CRIT GET VALUABLE MINUTES WHILE LEARNING AND HE WILL BE READY TO RUN THE TEAM AFTER THE ALL STAR BREAK FOR THE PLAYOFF PUSH CAUSE WE ALL KNOW LUE AND JOHNSON CAN GET THE JOB DONE BUT FACE THE FACT THERE JUST CAREER BACK UP POINT GUARD.NOW WITH AMARE AND JOSH ON THE INSIDE AT THE THREE AND FOUR POSTION YOU HAVE FREE RANGE TO LET JOE DO HIS THING OFFENSELY AND DEFENSELY.AND IF YOU WANT TO GO SMALL YOU CAN PUS J CRIT AT THE ONE SALIM AT THE TWO JOE AT THE THREE JOSH AT THE FOUR A AMARE AT THE FIVE AND STILL WANT LOSE NOTHING OFFENSELY AND DEFENSELY.AND HAVE THE ADVANTAGE TO RUN ON ANYONE YOU WANT WITHOUT A PROBLEM.IF YOU CANT DO THAT THEN YOU THEN YOU JUST GO AHEAD AND DRAFT BRANDAN WRIGHT WITH THE NUMBER THREE PICK AND THEN TAKE JAVARIS CRITTENTON WITH THE NUMBER ELEVEN PICK AND THEN TRY TO TRADE SOME WHERE TO GET A REAL VETERN POINT GUARD THAT STARTS OR A YOUNG BACK UP FOR JOE SO HE DONT HAVE TO PLAY ALL THOSE MINUTES AND GET HURT LIKE HE DID LAST YEAR.BUT ALL OF YOU'LL SUGGESTIONS ARE RIGHT BUT I HAVENT HEARD NO ONE SAY WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS.NO MATTER THE HAWKS DO NO MATTER WHO THEY GET ITS NOT GONNA WORK CAUSE WE HAVE THE WRONG COACH. FIRE MIKE WOODSON AND YOU WILL HAVE A WINNING TEAM IN ATLANTA CAUSE WE HAVE THE TALENT ON THE HAWKS BARRING A FEW SCRUBS HERE AND THERE BUT HE DONT PLAY THEMCAUSE CAN ANYONE TELL HOW SALIM IS INSTANT OFFENSE AND HE DONT START OR GET ANY PLAYING TIME AND WHY DONT HE EVER PUT MARVIN ON THE FLOOR WHEN J CHILL IS AT THE ONE SALIM AT THE TWO JOE AT THE THREE AND JOSH AT THE FOUR AND ZAZA AT THE FIVE IF YOU TAKE ZAZA OUT PUT IN MARVIN MOVE JOSH OVE TO THE FIVE YOU WANT HAVE A PROBELM.SO THINK OF THAT AND LOOK AT OUR TALENT AND YOU WILL START TO SEE WHO THE REAL PROBLEM AND THATS MIKE WOODSON!

Posted by: Larry on June 18, 2007 4:54PM EST Let's give Mike to the All-Star game this team was totally dismantled and rebuilt with youth 22 yrs average basically juniors and seniors at this point of their careers and Mike is a first time head coach no one could have won more than 30 last year with the injuries we endured. What coach is available Frattellio, Van Gundy, hell they slow the game down more than Mike. Woodson has learned from one the best in Brown our major concern is the doughnut in the middle thats why I will always push Gasol first and Camby second, and in about two years Solomon will be better than Camby; Solomon and Smooth are beast ;Chillz is like Jamaal Wilks silient assassin 15 points 8 boards JJ our leader drop 30 anytime he wants, Salim the mini microwave but needs more court time which he earned after his late season surge,Marvin is sweet stroke and tough lets see u hop up after Shaq slams you and come back the next game with a stiff back and Shelden in the mold of latest Dukies he will be a beast like Brand who Chi-town gave away to soon, Boozer who Cleve gave away to soon, Battier who we should never have traded away draft night along with Pau., for Shareef. Billy has drafted well 13, 26 , 30 wins next year 40-45 easy with the same core and good veteran or two successful picks there is no wrong. Conley 3 but who goes at 11 were does ur big come from option 1, Yi/ Horoford at 3 who's your point at 11 option 2, hello no to Wright. But from what I'm reading you could take the Williams kid from Boston College at 11 it's a gamble but he's a shot blocker and strong rebounder in the paint I know I'm reaching but I want a tough team not the size but heart in a player os what if they are all 6'9'-6'10" who can match .Bigs create match-up problems along with atheletism Phoenix would be an after thought against a healthy ATL squad we took them to the wire injury prone last year in the second game when Josh went blow for blow with Amare time people time chemistry has to be built. Remember JJ was out and so was Speedy to harass Nash man you through 3 points at anybody they gonna slow down legs ask LeBron.

Posted by: Q on June 19, 2007 2:48PM EST I think the Hawks are trying to sell the idea of taking Horford at 3, so the Grizzlies will try to trade up. AND if it were me I would select Al Horford at #3 then send him to Memphis for a package of Stromile Swift and the #4 pick Mike Conley. Swift has 2 years left on his contract at $5 mil a year, but would be a nice addition to the front court and athleticism. Then at #11, I would draft best player available. Either a C like Hawes or a SG like Nick Young. With that... we will have added a starter at PG in Conley, added depth at PF with Swift, and added more depth at either the C or SG.

Posted by: mee on June 19, 2007 9:24PM EST yi at 3 julian wright/jeff green at 11 can play sg/sf pg free agent billups

Posted by: zack on June 20, 2007 12:06AM EST kevin hill... what do i need to personal you approach me and asked for my Greatness out of everyone on the blog... but i don't think it is offense where we suck at.. it is on the floor leadership and consistency b/c there were many games we started out good... the trade isn't a bad idea b/c Lewis can average 8-9 rebounds in the east... but looking at that trade also we will just be the sonics of the east with a bigger, slower Ray Allen... Now, your draft listing sucks... i say get a big man 1st Yi or Horford b/c a big man you can ride his back to the playoffs than a pg is what wins in the playoffs (not saying we'll make it this year)... and yeah we can mess it up... and we also have to be carefull b/c we don't have a 1st pick the next two years

Posted by: Marvin on June 20, 2007 2:39PM EST Im sorry to say but were not going to get yi a while back i was even saying get yi at 3 im the one that even started the yi draft senario but i was just browsing around the hawks site and saw a new realease for the hawks workouts and YI is not on it, Yeah thats right the hawks are not even going to work him out unless tey plan to do it a few days before the draft (DAMNNNNNNN!) i alraedy had my money ready for his jersey But with that said I say draft AL HORFOD at 3 and play him at Center and get JC at #11 Remember AMARE is only 6'9 AL is 6'10 it can be done all we can do is just wait and see how they perform in regular season on game night OH YEAH please dont DRaft Braden Wrong dont even start a damn rumor to draft him

Posted by: BeeWard on June 21, 2007 11:01AM EST I'm going to admit I've had a little change of thought. A few days ago I was set on the fact that we needed Yi at #3. Now I'm thinking we should take Horford. Horford needs to take the place of Shelden... Shelden is too slow and I don't think he would make the cut. Last year's draft was rough for us but we need to cut our losses and take Horford. Trade Shelden off.. see what you can get for him. In my mind he creates an unnecessary roster issue.. that being that he is a decent player but not really good enough so as a coach you think he needs playing time when really we don't need him on the court. Take Horford at #3 and then Crittenton at #11. Crit can develop into the player that Conley is, and having a player like Horford will make things easier.

Posted by: abbadabba on June 21, 2007 1:07PM EST I like the sound of Horford and Crit. Let them grow together. Put some muscle on Horford, which anyone would know is what happens to a center when he gets with NBA coaches. Let Crit further develop his offensive game and he could end up being a huge threat. These two could create one heck of a bond. Think Shaq and Wade or Shaq and Kobe or Iverson and Carmelo. Big and small players growing up together (maybe not so much for the Iverson and Carmelo couple... but give them time and see what happens). #3 Horford #11 Crittenton

Posted by: Larry on June 21, 2007 8:10PM EST Glad everyone is beginning to see the light i've been preaching Horford from day one at the three spot. Law or Crittiton at 11 no brainer

Posted by: william on June 22, 2007 1:46AM EST First of all it is equally hard to get a great point and a great center. But in a versitle line up neither is needed. Bobby Knight has the most versitle system in basketball. Just draft forwards and let them create mismatches. at first i thought it was crazy but now it makes a little sense. Horford, Noah, Josh, Josh, and Joe with Shelden and Marvin off the bench. Detroit Pistons type line up for ten years itleast.

Posted by: Liang H on June 22, 2007 2:32AM EST I realize that you can't get everything you need from the draft, but I think the draft should really only attempt to net one of three people and the other pick be traded: Brewer, Noah, and Yi. Why? Noah and Brewer are energy offense and defensive monsters. Although we have competent forwards, I think it would be wise to trade anyone besides JJ, Josh, J Chill, and Zaza. Everyone else is tradable, and the primary target should be: Camby. Camby is a monster on the glass, and he certainly looks to be undervalued at this point. Imagine: Camby and Josh Smith, top 2 shot blockers. Brewer and Noah, 2 great shot blockers. Brewer, Noah, and Josh Childress, 3 great defensive bodies. Zaza and J Chill, instant offense off the bench. JJ, in his own zone. Free agency can patch up anything else. We don't need Speedy, Lorenzen, Slava, Sheldon, Royal, or anyone else because frankly, they suck. I would assume that picking anyone decent at the one will be enough as having Camby and Zaza at center, Noah and Marvin at the four, Joshes and Brewer at SF, and JJ + some other option at the two guard will be enough to run things. The assigned point guard would be purely academic. With such athleticism and defense, it would be a nightmare for any team. Josh Smith, Brewer, and Noah have some of the most intense glass presences I've seen in the game. Of course, getting Yi would relieve the need to keep Marvin and Zaza. Unfortunately, that would leave us at the point of not having Noah, in which case a rather good slew of free agents can be signed. tl;dr Get Brewer and Camby, and then get Yi/Noah. I REALLY hope that Brewer is around for the 11th pick. If we could pull a Cleveland Browns, I'd be in heaven.

Posted by: nothing on June 22, 2007 3:53AM EST Our last 2 or 3 or even 4 drafts were all made to power-up our back-courts. And our best back-court player (Joe) is not even from the draft but was acquired through trade! I'll be sick if I see the Hawks drafting another backcourt player, seriously! I think MY DEAR HAWKS should acquire an athletic big guy that can shoot mid range jumpers and drive through the basket. And the best choice after 3 picks is no other than that YI guy from China. I just hope that our COACH would utilize him unlike what other COACHES did to Darko. I think we can be a powerhouse team (who is fast paced offensively) in the east 2-3 years from now provided that Yi is utilized every game to ensure his development. If the HAWKS don't want Yi, I think the hawks must use its #3 and #11 picks to acquire Zach Randolph. Portland is denying it right now but I AM VERY SURE THAT THEY WILL TRADE ZACH SOONER and I think the hawks must acquire him. It is the unwritten rule only 1 dominant guy in a team, the other must only do support. remember the GREAT CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS OF THE SPURS, LAKERS, CELTICS, KNICKS, HOUSTON, they all have 1 dominant guy. having said that, it will only be a matter of time before Zach takes the boot in PORTLAND. YI AT #3. IF NOT THEN TRADE #3 AND #11 PICK TO ACQUIRE ZACH RANDOLPH.

Posted by: matt hawk on June 22, 2007 5:25AM EST i think we still should take yi and now conley. conley will drop at 11 and yi get at 3. are get al horford and jeff green are julian wright and get billups. you only going for the mock draft and not your to point of view. dont do that . i like what yi can do be for you loser .

Posted by: Darrell Simmons on June 22, 2007 4:13PM EST This is so easy !!!!! YI at 3 YI at 3 YI at 3 !!!! YI runs the floor better than any big man in the draft. He is fluid and has a great jump shot. I mean he actually can score points. Something we don't do very well outside of JJ. He is smart and can help jj score points. JS can score as well but he goes in spurts so we need YI. If we pass YI then we just blow another draft and then watch him eat our shorts for years !!!! Take YI at 3 go for Law or Crit at PG.

Posted by: ready for a team on June 22, 2007 4:41PM EST There is a pretty good posibility hell its for sure that Oden and Durant will be gone so a good guard to replace josh chilldresses rebounding and til notice joe johnson scoring have to go with mike conley jr for his athleticsm or Green, Horbort, or Noah but definitley don't choose Noah as your #3 pick and we should be pretty good for the season because the rest of the east is pretty banged up too.

Posted by: Mjoyner on June 23, 2007 1:38PM EST See if i were GM of the Hawks i would go big with Al Horford at #3 then trade or sign a big man someone like jamaal Magloire, then draft Javaris Crittenton at #11 law is Good but he looks like the same as Salim Stoudamire Do this and then we will be back into the playoffs

Posted by: chez on June 23, 2007 3:27PM EST YI at #3 and Crittenton at #11 then when the free agency hits get a true big man pg:crittenton sg:Joe JOhnson sf:Josh smith Pf:Yi C: ????

Posted by: dan on June 23, 2007 9:48PM EST GET YI okie fellaz he has 4 years experience just need to bulk him up a bit so get yi and joakim noah and trade joakim for a better rookie with is already drafted.

Posted by: mario on June 25, 2007 6:08PM EST This is my take on who I want to see in a Hawks Uniform next Year. These changes will address that problem that we have been having on closing out games. And will solidify the Hawks as a contender in the East. Trade the 3rd overall pick with Speedy claxton, and Lorenzen wright to Portland for zach Randolph and Dan Dickau. Portland is looking to move the Big Man, and Dan Dickau is a crafty guard who can heat up at any time, he who be great for the new bench mob). Then sign Rashard Lewis as a Free Agent. He would want to go to a team in the East that has playoff potential(Southeast is an easy division) and in a bigger market than Seattle) Then trade the 11th pick and Josh Childress(who is from the Bay Area, he played at Stanford) to Golden State for Monta Ellis(the NBA's most improved player and only 21) , Patrick O'Bryant (O'Bryant was in the Developmental League for Golden State, but can be worked into a reliable 7 footer, with the proper training he is only 21 years old) and the 36th pick, and 46th pick in the second round. With the 36th pick take (Big Baby Glen Davis , from LSU) , and with the 46th pick take Dashaun Wood ( a 5-11 guard who can score and pass from anywhere on the court) . PG: Monta Ellis/ Dan Dickau/ Tyronn Lue / Anthony Johnson/ Dashaun Wood SG: Joe Johnson / Salim Stoudamire SF: Rashard Lewis/ Josh Smith PF: Zach Randolph/ Marvin Williams/ Glen Davis C: Shelden Williams/Zaza Pachulia / Patrick O'Bryant

Posted by: BeeWard on June 25, 2007 9:22PM EST PG - Crittenton (with 11th pick) SG - JJ SF - J. Smith Pf - Horford or Yi (3rd pick) C - Camby For my center choice... I'm going by some rumors listed on ESPN. They say that we might be putting Zaza and/or M. Williams up for trade to get in Camby. I'm with this... we need a good veteran center. But I DON'T think we should give up a draft pick to get him. I would say we should give M. Williams so we don't overload on the PF position.

Posted by: Sam on June 27, 2007 6:05AM EST I GO WITH BEEWARD ACCEPT FOR DONT GET A CHINESE GUY GET HORFORD AT THREE

Posted by: Anonymous on June 27, 2007 6:14AM EST NO WAIT ACTUALLY GET MIKE CONLEY JR AT #3 AND THEN TRADE #11 PICK ZAZA AND M.WILLIAMS FOR CAMBY SO THE LINEUP WOULD LOOK LIKE THIS PG:CONLEY SG:JJ SF:SMITH PF:S.WILLIAMS C:CAMBY TOP CONTENDER FOR PLAYOFFS

Posted by: G.M on June 27, 2007 11:46AM EST I agree with ya'll take Mike Conley Jr at # 3, after all Horford is only 6'9 1/2 So he's not a true center, and plus wat would we do with Sheldon then, at #11 take Noah If Noah's not there trade the pick down for a Second Round Pic and something else

Posted by: the one on June 27, 2007 11:58AM EST mark pollard 6'9 and has been a effective center for years also marcus camby about 6'9 so height isnt a issue just having the athletic ablilty to stop the ball.yao 7'6 and has gotten his shot blocked a hundred times by guys nearly 3 feet shorter than him(NATE ROBISION 5'9)HORFORD AT #3 and the best player availabe at #11 or acie law

Posted by: Anonymous on June 27, 2007 12:11PM EST mike conley can't shoot the ball right now which means when he enter the leauge he will be zone covered and then he just becomes another blown draft pick. hawk fans be patient were not wining a championship anytime soon so let marvin and sheldon develop. pick up harford at #3 because there more of a 50percent chance that conley falls to all the way down to 11 if he gets past timberwolves.

Posted by: horford plz on June 27, 2007 12:15PM EST if conley,wright, or wright gets past atlanta at #3 there still a chance that one of them is still there at #11 but if horford gets past us at # 3 we he won't make it past #4. that why i say horford at #3 and conley at #11

Posted by: marvin on June 27, 2007 3:45PM EST Anyway, this is an easy choice: There's a top two in this draft; then there's a No. 3; then there's the next eight guys. My knock on Al Horford was his size -- I always assumed he was in the 6-foot-8 range, and Florida was lying about his height, only because he looked short for a power forward (not sure why, maybe it was because he was playing with Noah and Richard?). Then he measured out to be a solid 6-foot-9 1/2 at the pseudo-combines and that became a non-issue. I'd liken him to a right-handed, infinitely less crazy Zach Randolph, someone who will command a double-team by the middle of his second season. He gives Atlanta an appealing foundation of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Horford -- you don't even need a real center there because both Horford and Smith can protect the rim -- and they have enough pieces around them (including the No. 11) to become a contender by 2009. This pick is a no-brainer.

Posted by: G.M on June 27, 2007 3:47PM EST I've heard that the hawks are talking to the suns about trading the #3 and #11 pics for a star player. Now How Stupid Would this be when your essentialy helping the Suns out. BK Whatever you Please Don't Trade Both Pics

Posted by: LARRY on June 27, 2007 4:46PM EST Billy this is a no brainer AMARE for three and eleven ZAZA DO IT TODAY PLEASE. PG- FA-MAYBE BILLUPS?/SPEEDY/LUE SG-JOHNSO... SALIM SF-WILLIAMS/CHILLZ PF-... AMARE AMARE/SOLOMON/WRIGHT EASTER... CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS IF NOT THIS YEAR NEXT YEAR SIGN OF MR. BILLY KNIGHT

Posted by: chris on June 27, 2007 5:51PM EST trade the 3 and either sheldon or marvin and a guard for either KG or jermaine o'neal throw mad money billups way so we get him off free agency n we got a squad with billups johnson smith oneal/garnett and zaza

Posted by: Kim on June 27, 2007 6:50PM EST Please, please don't screw this up Billy. Don't take the bait. Unless you have a guarantee of signing one of the quality free agent point guards, do not trade away the lottery picks in this year's draft for a single player (Amare). Phoenix is trying to take advantage of this team yet again. Pick Conley at 3 and Noah at 11. You have a young team and with good coaching they may even contend for the playoffs this year. Noah;s energy might be contagious and Conley could be groomed to run this team for years to come. Lets have a good draft for a change and erase the perception that the Atlanta management is a bunch of incompetents.

Posted by: philip meehan on June 27, 2007 8:23PM EST HAS EVERYONE FORGOTTEN HOW GOOD T-LUE WAS BEFORE HE GOT INJURED LAST SEASON? he played amazing. if our pgs are healthy then we are FINE. right we have a playoff team if we can stay healthy. i say take amare from the suns in that rumored deal and use some extra cashto get better strength and conditioning coaches so we can stay healthier. sure lue is a small point guard, but its not like a small point guard cannot be successful in this league, earl boykins.......plues if atl really wants to getting amare might open up the eyes of chauncy billups.......you never know what will happen with BK at the reigns, so pretty much all of this is quite possible

Posted by: Larry on June 27, 2007 8:43PM EST Draft picks we are talking NBA ALLSTAR in AMARE in the middle think man LUE and SPEEDY could handle pg duties then Joe if nessasary with Salim we are talking fire power. Also instantly better on defense with AMARE,JOSH,SHELDON and SOLOMON down low JOE, CHILLZ and SPEEDY on peremeter wake up we are talking solid team for years to come AMARE is only 24. Do this Billy it is a no brainer. But please no YI or Wright at three only Horford or Conley if you keep picks.

Posted by: Wood on June 27, 2007 8:58PM EST Please, Please, Please take Conley, show us you reallyunderstand how to build a basketball team and by the way why not Thaddeus Young with the 11th

Posted by: oldman on June 28, 2007 3:31PM EST Stop! Less than 4 hours to go...scenario recap. Trade for Amare (hmm what's wrong with him). Why would Phoenix part company with the future best Big Man in the Western Conference...unless his recent injuries are more than what's been publicized. If you want a marketable team, Yi Jianlian is worth the experiment. All of you who doubt this kid...ignored Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Dirk Nowitzki. Remember 12 teams passed on Kobe. We drafted Pao Gasol and then traded him(mistake) but don't overlook the obvious. The league has changed slightly, but if you want to win the close games...you need an inside prescence. Ask Cleveland, Golden State, Dallas...the jumpers get cold and check the stats we didn't rebound well at all last year. Take Yi at #3, you wait it out until Sacramento picks at 10. Conley may be there, Acie Law and Javarris will be there. A trade at the 11 spot can give some team a healthy shot in the arm if you want a PG. Let's get really creative...trade #3 to New Jersey for Jason Kidd...take #14 and their 1st round pick next year(that's a dream), so what. I say Big Man 1st, I like Yi and the revenue possibilities, I think with the added size on the floor Shelden can give you a lift offensively with some strong weak side rebounding. Therefore, take the bigger guy and let Horford go to Memphis.

Posted by: oldman on June 28, 2007 3:41PM EST 1 more thing...this has to count. We don't have a 2nd round pick and may not have a 1st round pick next season. Let's be very, very, smart about this...........

Posted by: Anonymous on June 28, 2007 4:01PM EST http://insider.espn.go.com/nba...

Posted by: Larry on June 28, 2007 5:15PM EST HELL NO SEATTLE RIDNOUR SUCKS

Posted by: jd on June 28, 2007 5:55PM EST Billy, Take Yi tonight for sure. He is a stud. He can play PF and Center the only player at 3 that can. He goes to the hole like no player in this draft. I think he may have more upside than any other player period !!!!!! PS - 25 year BB Coach here !!!!

Posted by: Larry on June 29, 2007 11:10AM EST On June 2 I nailed it, read the comments great draft I even mentioned Amare I guess Espn thought I was an insider lol. Great Draft Hawks please stay healthy and you will make the playoffs this year 45-35 the drought is over. PLAYOFFS