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