Atlanta Hawks: Could these draft prospects help the Hawks later?
Yesterday I highlighted some draft prospects the Hawks believe have “NBA skills” that could be useful to them next season. Today, I’m looking at some long-term prospects the Hawks might draft at No. 24.
Understand that these lists aren’t meant to be complete, nor should they be considered endorsements. These are players I know the Hawks have considered from each pool. If you don’t see the player you want on these lists, it doesn’t mean the Hawks won’t draft them and it doesn’t mean I don’t like them. I’m just trying to share what I know with my blog people, narrow the Hawks’ draft possibilities down a bit, and then let you explain why they have it ALL WRONG!!!
In the next post I will collect all of the final mock drafts in one spot. That way you can find those smart people who predict the Hawks will draft the guy you like.
Solomon Alabi has the size teams want.
Solomon Alabi, C, 7-1, Florida State
I think Alabi will be gone by the time the Hawks pick, and here’s why: He looks the part, and scouts and GMs tend to fall in love with those kind of guys even when they are as raw as Alabi. He weighed in at 237 pounds at the draft combine and he looked even bigger than that at the Hawks workout. The fact that he’s not expected to be taken in the lottery tells you how far he has to go.
“He’s a young kid [turned 22 in March],” said Hawks assistant GM Dave Pendergraft. “You like the fact that he shoots [well] from the free-throw line. But you can tell he’s raw. He”ll be drafted in the first round, and in a perfect world he lasts a long time [in the league].”
One person who saw Alabi’s Haws workout described him as “mechanical” in his movements. So he’s not a fluid athlete but he’s certainly physically impressive.
“He’s huge and he’s a great guy,” Pendergraft said. “If you are looking for someone two or three years down the road to help you, he’s a candidate.”
NBADraft.net describes Alabi, a native of Nigeria, as a player who could potentially be the defensive-minded 7-footer the Hawks (and all teams) covet:
“[Alabi's] physical tools make him an excellent shot blocker on and off the ball, and a likely candidate for offensive tips and putbacks off misses. . . . There’s no arguing that he has the potential to become a defensive centerpiece for a team that lacks a presence in the paint.”
Kevin Seraphin, F/C, 6-9, France
A knee injury nearly caused Seraphin to pull out of the draft because he couldn’t participate on the workout circuit. He decided to stay in, probably a good decision since it looks like he’s pretty certain to be drafted in the first round. Seraphin met with the Hawks for several hours on Monday.
David Aldridge has an excellent draft preview series at NBA.com. Aldridge projects Seraphin as a power forward and, surprisingly, places him ahead of Kentucky’s Patrick Patterson in rankings that reflect “how ready players are to play the position which they are assigned.”
Aldridge quotes an unnamed Atlantic Division scout on Seraphin: “It’s a 100 percent fair comparison to Nene. He’s strong, he’s got big hands, got that athletic ability. Slightly mechacical. You know how Nene is. You can almost tell what he’s going to do. Seraphin might turn out to be a better rebounder. He tracks the ball. It’s going to take a while for this kid to get there [offensively]. Nene’s pretty good and this kid is going to turn out like that.”
Whiteside already is a good shot-blocker.
Hassan Whiteside, C, 7-0, Marshall
Whiteside, who turned 21 earlier this month, played just one season at Marshall. Like Alabi, he’s a true 7-footer with potential so some team is going to take him and develop him. Whiteside led the NCAA with 5.3 blocks per game.
Whiteside worked out this week for the Bucks, who own the No. 15 pick. After the session, Milwaukee’s director of scouting, Billy McKinney, said it’d be a “stretch” for his team to draft Whiteside:
“A good shot-blocker, he’s still very raw. He’s pretty new to the game, but a guy that blocks a lot of shots, rebounds, there’s a lot of room for improvement and growth in his game.”
In an interview with NBADraft.net back in May, Whiteside said he worked with Hakeem to improve his defense, footwork and strength on the block.
Daniel Orton, C, 6-10, Kentucky
Just five days ago the Indy Star reported the Pacers might take Orton with the No. 10 overall pick. Then yesterday Yahoo! Sports suggested Orton might slide out of the first round because of a bad knee, poor conditioning and his reputation as a malcontent during one season at Kentucky.
I’m assuming the Hawks are still considering Orton. He canceled several workouts over the last couple weeks, leading to speculation he had a proverbial “promise” from a team, but the Hawks didn’t believe that’s the case. Nor did they seem too displeased that Orton didn’t make a stop in Atlanta (he finally ended up working out this week for the Pacers).
Orton turns 20 in August and played just 13 minutes a game at Kentucky. There’s also the aforementioned weight and attitude issues, which raises the twin red flags of work ethic and “coachability.” But he’s a big, strong dude with potential. He defends at the rim and actually has a nice jump shot. Some team will roll the dice on him.
Orton wrote a draft diary for the The Oklahoman and addressed his knee and his expectations but shed no light on the missed workouts.
MC
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272 comments Add your comment
Hawk n the Ham
June 24th, 2010
11:13 am
Fine, fine, fine. Draft Whiteside and introduce him to Barry Bond’s trainer.
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
11:13 am
Omar Samham is on no one’s mock drafts.
Reason:
not very good.
If Siler was / is a player, he’d be in the league……now.
However,
as you can see. he is not…..in the league …..now.
Cousins is plenty big enough !
But,
It’s his other problems that are his problems:
*Weight management *attitude *overall conditioning
*Artest like anger *coachability *dedication & desire
Mary Ellen:
great quote – ” Draft TALENT and Sign NEEDS! ”
My philosophy / attitude is collect:
” basketball players ”
I know that sounds simplistic, but sometimes
after all the testing & measuring is complete,
now, I want to know only two things.
Is he a ” B-ball player ” & will he *compete.
*[warrior mentality / e g, Rodman]
JoJo the Godfather
June 24th, 2010
11:16 am
Ken…I know Maggette was traded. I wrote the comment in past tense. I had proposed Bibby & Evans for Maggette before the Bucks deal….I also think your offseason plan is very likely, but I’m afraid it will generate very little excitement around a team that has a pretty bad taste in its mouth after a second round beat down. Going in to this offseason, my thinking was either a “big splash” coaching change (didn’t happen) or a significant trade was needed to inject some excitement in to the fan base.
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
11:18 am
Hawk n the Ham:
Or – D.Howard & or LbJ’s trainer = same thing.
The Truth
June 24th, 2010
11:19 am
According to (the good doctor) drmaryb, CP3 career is unofficially done!
“He now has the knee of an 80 year old man.”
The question now becomes: Do we need to revises the old argument as to who was the best pick between CP3 and Marvin Williams? If we had picked CP3 in that draft, we now would be face with the Hornets problem. In contract, Marvin career is still on the rise.
I just received a txt message from BK. He is demanding for all of his critics to apologize to him especially Rod.
Playground taunt
June 24th, 2010
11:20 am
How about Reggie Watson or Eric Hightower?
doc
June 24th, 2010
11:22 am
ramon that means managing your assets. now speaking of drafts and why we went poor man’s route down to 13 wins to get high draft picks, where is chills and the rest of them?
Falcondawg
June 24th, 2010
11:32 am
I know onw thing no matter what we could always use seven footers to foul and defend D. Howard. He will be around a long time. Howard is the sole reason we didn;t play for a ship this year!! I don’t care if the seven footer has never even shot a basketball!!!!
Ramon
June 24th, 2010
11:36 am
@ Falcon, D. Howard didn’t beat us this season. Those four wide open shooters around the perimeter are what beat us, not Howard. You have no need to double Howard at all. If Howard scores 55 points, and every one else only shoots 37%, guess what, chances are you’ll win that game, not Orlando.
P. Bull Terrier
June 24th, 2010
11:43 am
With work ethic and attitude problems, Daniel Orton is sure to be at the top of the Hawks “must have” list. If that’s the scouting report on him, he’s ready to step into the Hawks system and contribute right away.
terrell
June 24th, 2010
11:48 am
The Truth, said “Marvin’s career is on the rise”. I’ll remember that. lol!
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
11:59 am
The Truth ,
I still say CP3, unreservedly.
Besides, can we really assume CP3 would have incurred the same injury here as he did there . My crystal ball doesn’t work….
He wasn’t the only guy we could have taken instead of Marvin. But let’s not get into that yet again
Knowledge Quest
June 24th, 2010
12:04 pm
Ramon
June 24th, 2010
9:00 am
Doc, Horfod and Josh is a better combination than Jefferson and Horford. Jefferson doesn’t play on the defensive end. ….
NEITHER DOES HORFORD! LITTLE BITY POINT GUARD WOULD HAVE A FIELD DAY!
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
12:05 pm
Prognostication for tonight.
What the Hawks will do @ 24 [in order] of probability:::
(1) will sell our pick.
(2) will give away our pick – just kidding (sorta)
(3) will trade our pick:::
*for future considerations [or] *extra picks 2nd round
*(not a bad idea)*
(4) will pass when our turn comes – just kidding again
(5) DRUM ROLL PLEASE…*Derrick Caracter*
Not my 1st choice but not a bad choice.
I was trying to think like Pendercrap.
I think, if it were me picking I would choose;
Greivis Vasquez
or trade back with Washington if possible for 30 & 35.
Then I would cross my fingers & hope for Vasquez & Pleiss
to both still be there @ 30 & 35.
Now watch us draft Alexey Shved & stash him in Europe for 17 yrs.
mario
June 24th, 2010
12:05 pm
I like Seraphin from France. If he is like Nene..he would be a help andn gives us a replacement for JSmith if he doesnt take to the new coaching and it puts us in position, if he is really good to trade either JSmith or Horford if needed for some additional pieces…But if not I say take the guy from Marshall or the C from FSU…
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
12:15 pm
Grand-Daddy
Thanks for the shout -out! But, that was taken from Ramon’s Fantastic Post
T@ 1009 AM. Ramon, woke up like – “Man on Fire!” (starring Denzel Washington)
And, he said, “Draft Talent and Sign Needs!”
Amen, Brother! Nuff Said.
Hey G-Daddy, how art thou – sweetie?
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
12:20 pm
I don’t understand the people who keep thinking we are going to get a starting center in this draft. The only way we get somebody at the starting spot is if we trade up about 20 freakin’ picks, which ain’t gonna happen.
For those who repeatedly ignore two facts:
1) Defense starts at the perimeter. If our guards don’t defend the opposing guards, then it won’t matter who is playing center. He’ll be overwhelmed an in foul trouble every game. Why? Because good penetrating guards know how to draw the post defender and either score, draw the foul, score AND draw the foul, or dump the ball off to the guy the post defender just left to come and stop the penetrating guard (or pass to an open shooter). It’s what Orlando did to us and many others.
2) The switch defense that we employed frequently put Josh Smith and Al Horford on the wing, at the top of the key, and on smaller/quicker players frequently. Hard to defend the rim if you’re constantly leaving the paint area.
The best, most reasonable way to get a traditional center is through free agency or trade. Horford is still on his rookie contract, meaning there is practically no one anywhere near his worth that we could get, that would make us that much better if we traded him. The best thing to do in my opinion is to get a guy who can play against the bigger centers as needed, and come off the bench. If you trade Horford, you have to be getting a guy who is a bonafide starting center for the next 5-10 years, and he can’t be a guy that produces less than what Horford has. I’m talking somebody who can get you a double double every night and hang against any center in the league. Only one I can think of around the same age bracket, same price, etc is Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol.
Otherwise, you’re trading Josh. Because we can’t keep both (you don’t put either Al or Josh on the bench, they are starters) and neither is a 3.
The centers in the draft who we can get to at #24? If you’re lucky, they’re really hard workers and good learners, and they get good instruction…they might be rotational players or even starting material in a few years. At which point, you are competing with probably an entirely different team than we are now. What they won’t be is starters next season.
All the same, if going that route (center), I’d take fliers on the guys who drop if they showed good attitude and work ethic in workouts. Otherwise, give me a pivot man in free agency/trade, and don’t trade away a rising all-star for a second tier guy who has never won anything as a starting center….
Stankonia
June 24th, 2010
12:29 pm
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
12:20 pm
I don’t understand the people who keep thinking we are going to get a starting center in this draft. The only way we get somebody at the starting spot is if we trade up about 20 freakin’ picks, which ain’t gonna happen.
For those who repeatedly ignore two facts:
1) Defense starts at the perimeter. If our guards don’t defend the opposing guards, then it won’t matter who is playing center. He’ll be overwhelmed an in foul trouble every game. Why? Because good penetrating guards know how to draw the post defender and either score, draw the foul, score AND draw the foul, or dump the ball off to the guy the post defender just left to come and stop the penetrating guard (or pass to an open shooter). It’s what Orlando did to us and many others.
EXACTLY RAY THAT’S WHY ORLANDO LOST TO BOSTON IN THE PLAYOFFS. DWIGHT HOWARD IS A GREAT CENTER BUT HIS TEAMMATES COULD NOT HANDLE SKINNY RAJON RONDO. HE BURNED THE MAGIC AND HOWARD ALL SERIES LONG. THE BOSTON CENTER PERKINS ONLY GOT 4 POINTS AND 4 REBOUNDS A GAME AGAINST HOWARD BUT BOSTON WON THAT SERIES EVEN THOUGH HOWARD HAD 20 POINTS AND 10 REBOUNDS A GAME IN THAT SERIES. BOSTON WON BECAUSE EVEN THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR COULD NOT STOP A POINT GUARD.
The Truth
June 24th, 2010
12:31 pm
Big Ray
My crystal ball malfunctioned on this topic as well. My sarcasm does raise an interesting point about a player’s durability factor during his career. Perhaps in hind sight comparing players too early in their career could be prematurely unfair. At the end of today, it is really about return on investment that makes the difference. With respect Marvin, the verdict is still out on him; he could be the bust that some perceive or maybe not, we shall see.
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
12:33 pm
The WORM Turns!
Dennis Rodman is a perfect example of a wiry and sneaky strong rebounder.
He was never drafted by an NBA team, but, Dennis crashed the party anyway!
He is one guy who played with a huge chip on his shoulder and always left it all out there
and on the court!
As, Dennis often slung his jersey into the crowds in his post game tunnel walk.
Here’s my point: while size is important, you can also play small (see Warrick Dunn),
and make that work against the big, slow, mechanical center. Attack the glass and
move your feet, just like Astro Joe said, earlier!
In that case, I like Varanado a lot! He could be the next Dennis Rodman?
Quick and Elusive?
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
12:37 pm
Blue-Ray
(Sharper Image)
Yeah, I would still be intrigued, to take a stab at CP3 too! He’s just so special, that
You don’t want to believe he can’t be a super-hero and eat speeding bullets. Or,
create some miracle – like get a bionic-knee (see Lee Majors)
O'Brien
June 24th, 2010
12:38 pm
Ramon, Jo-Jo
Is AI2 a SF or a SG though? He has played both positions, but I really don’t know what is his best position.
Ramon,
If the Hawks take the best player available, and he is a SG, then that would also allow them to trade Crawford (if JJ resigns), or trade Evans expiring contract if we lose JJ.
However, the problem with filling your needs through FA, as AJ pointed out, is the Hawks have not done a good job of that. They haven’t spent the money (MLE and bi-annual) necessary. Think of how much better the Hawks would have been if they spent the mid-level last year? Think about the FAs they have signed over the last few years. Speedy, Mo Evans, Flip, Joe Smith, Jason Collins and the list goes on.
And for those who like Kevin Seraphin, the rumor is he has a $750K buyout with his club. I think that eliminates the Hawks, because I dont see them paying up most of it.
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
12:47 pm
OBRIEN
Hey, they did save some money one “The Drew – Project”.
Maybe, we fans can all chip in a few bucks and cover the 750K buy out – “little thingy”?
terrell
June 24th, 2010
12:51 pm
Dont REACH for a big. Draft the BPA at 24. Period! Just watched teams reach for Lafrenz, and Olawakandi on NBA TV Classic Draft, instead of taking Carter, Jamison, Pierce, Dirk, etc… And just last night I watched Vitaly Potapenko, Dampier, Todd Fuller, Samaki Walker, and Lorenzen freakin Wright get picked before Kobe. Yikes! Go get an established big in FA, or trade.
richbrave
June 24th, 2010
12:53 pm
drMaryb:
Is ‘SO JOE stayin’ on July 8? If not, who’s on the roster to fill the slot? A lot of great #3’s in this draft. How about JOE SMITH and RAND MO? Or is R-MO gone already? I really like BIG RAY’s and HoopsHype’s pick of LARRY SANDERS, but I’m not sure the #4 position is where the HAWKS most need a player. And why didn’t the WOODEN-one shake out TEAGUE this past season to see what he had? BIBBY’s a role player now – at best, IMHO of course. Shouldn’t they have been developing JEFF to take over this season?
Thanx for the props for my grandson. He’s SO’s too much and only hitting .333 in Legion ball. Sending him to a St. Louis Cardinals batting instructor to tidy up his swing a bit. He’s a great student too, 3.50 this year and does community activities as well. Just a great kid if I do say so myself.
terrell
June 24th, 2010
12:53 pm
Just watched teams TAKE Lafrenz and Olawakandi, not REACH. Those players werent exactly reaches but still.
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
12:56 pm
BP Needs our Help!
Hey, maybe we can BP and help them out a little.
Hell, the Hawks, we’ve been leaking oil for decades … and, no one has ever sued us?
Perhaps, we can serve in an Advisory Role. And, teach BP – How they can do IT too:
“How to make money, lose money, sue your partner, win, lose, piss every body off and still feel good about yourself – in the morning!”
-By The ASG- “Team Spirit”
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
1:01 pm
The Truth
Yeah, I hear you. I think the most realistic expectation or hope we can have for Marvin is that he becomes a solid role player for us. He isn’t, wasn’t, and never will be a superstar, of that I’m certain. Not even a star, in fact. It is what it is. I’ve always said that where a guy is drafted reflects first and foremost on the person who picked him. I’m fine with solid and steady role player. But right now, he’s not even that. Ugh…
In the meantime, this is going to be one interesting draft. I wonder which guys will drop to our pick, that we don’t anticipate being available by then? You KNOW it’s bound to happen…
Progeny
June 24th, 2010
1:02 pm
So i guess the question is, who is the best player available at 24?
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
1:03 pm
drmaryb
Too funny…
O’brien
I don’t see us doing a buyout either. Not this ownership group…
terrell
June 24th, 2010
1:04 pm
I just hope no one wants to buy the pick, cause we all know the ASG will sell the sleeves off of their shirts if they could.
Ramon
June 24th, 2010
1:05 pm
O’Brien, you’re right. But also think about how much the Hawks would be if they draft the best available player no matter the position he plays next season. Rather its pg, sg, sf, pf, or c, the player would have an opportunity to compete next season. The great part about a new coach is new coaches means new competition for starting roster spots, and back up roles. And although the Hawks haven’t been able to sign anyone out of failure to use MLE. There’s a better guarantee of getting someone who can contribute THIS season with the veteran’s minimum than it is with using the #24 pick to draft a front court player. If there’s a starting C in the draft, he will be gone in the top ten picks. Remember Bynum was selected with the #10 pick, and even he didn’t start the next season. There are only 4 centers in the league who are productive. So that mean 27 other teams are looking for Centers. I’m not saying don’t draft a c. I’m saying if the C isn’t a better basketball player than a combo guard, then don’t take him. Soloman, Morris, Marvin, and others were projects. We need players now not projects.
Ramon
June 24th, 2010
1:09 pm
One more thing— With RICK SUND’S resume, do you really want HIM to be the one to draft a big? lol. This man couldn’t draft a good big, if he went Back II The Future with Doc and Michael J. Fox.
Melvin
June 24th, 2010
1:13 pm
Not sure if anyone past this link. Salmons anyone???
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/06/23/hawks-thinking-john-salmons-if-joe-johnson-leaves/
Ramon
June 24th, 2010
1:15 pm
Big Ray, I’m going to say this and Rod is going to jump out of the bushes and rebuke me. But Marvin can still be a 19-23 ppg player. Marvin has all the skills in the world. I strongly believe in more of a motion offense, Marvin will find better rhythm to his game. We all know realistically, when Marvin shot gets going he doesn’t miss. But as the case with Josh and Al, Marvin suffers from having a back court that doesn’t know how to feed a hot hand. With Josh and Al, how many times did we see them score 3-4 baskets in a row, then Joe and Crawford would come down three straight trips and shoot terrible jumpers?
vava74
June 24th, 2010
1:17 pm
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
12:20 pm
Co-sign!
Melvin
June 24th, 2010
1:18 pm
Ok, if you are bored and want another site besides hoopshype to read all the NBA gossip checkout the link below.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/
vava74
June 24th, 2010
1:19 pm
Ramon,
I beg to disagree on one of Sund’s selections.
Robert Swift was becoming a very serviceable big until he blew is wheels off.
I am not talking all star stuff and he was improving and producing some good physical play in the post.
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
1:20 pm
Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune, in one of his chats:
If Bosh and Lebron are off the table it is clear the next feasible option is Joe Johnson. He would be a good fit for the Bulls in addition to filling our biggest hole on the team right now at SG. That being said, there are some things that concern me about paying Johnson max money. First of all, he has logged more regular season minutes than anyone in the NBA the past five seasons and is fast approaching his 29th birthday. It is clear that he has peaked individually as a player and his production will most likely start falling off in a year or two. If JJ is our best option I would reluctantly sign him to a max deal. But my concern is that the last two years of his deal you will be paying a 33-34 year old guy who has never been a superstar close to 20 mil. That might really put a strain on the books down the road, especially with Deng’s contract unlikely to be offloaded. With Johnson we are a top 5 team and a championship contender but do you think it would be enough to get over the hump?
Michael Green
Sam: I think this is the biggest bind the Bulls face. As I’ve written many times, it could be 2000 all over again when the Bulls lost out on Tracy McGrady and Eddie Jones whole chasing fantasies like Tim Duncan and Grant Hill. I think LeBron is going to play it out for a week or more and Toronto isn’t going to sign-and-trade Bosh to the East, at least not without getting a big man back. Everything I’ve heard all season is Johnson loves the Bulls and is close with Rose as they share agents. He’d play well with Rose as a player who could spread the court and fill an obvious need, shooting guard, and at 6-7 a good defender. Of course you, in a sense, overpay because there are more teams chasing free agents than free agents. Simple supply and demand. Remember when there was a housing shortage and what you paid? Yeah, the Bulls might have issues in three or four years. It happens. But you get to add an All Star and probably don’t give up anyone as I can see him coming without a sign and trade. Then you still can make a move with someone like Hinrich and your pick or your future picks and add another player and you’ve got a high level starting group and a deep bench. I don’t see anyone in the East any better given where Rose is headed. I agree you have to take a shot at LeBron now, but I want to find out right away if he’s serious. He can come and have anything he wants, but I have to know within 24 to 48 hours or I’m moving on. If he doesn’t know by then, you’re just being used.
Scariest scenario. Losing Joe without getting anything back. And that’s after blowing 2 first round picks and a talented player on him, and then drafting badly in ‘05 and ‘06.
It could happen.
Jamal
June 24th, 2010
1:24 pm
Solman from fsu 1st pick and 2nd Deshun from west va.
Look 24th pick for the hawks in a crap shoot and the second round is a project d league player anyway so why not get a big. Heck we can’t replace j.j. in with a 24th pick lets stop being the six foot nine guy who always get dominated in the paint and get some size please. If we get a player like deshun in the second round if he is 90% of the player he was in college we can finally move Williams to the bench (or out the league either or ).
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
1:29 pm
Over – Trained
Too much of a Good thing – isn’t always so Good!
Players like Chris Paul, have a lot of miles on that odometer after high school, college, March Madness Tournaments, personal training and practices.
By the time, the make it to the combines …there are a lot of “surface – street miles on those pivotal all essential knees. Young men have an incredibly long growth spurt. Improper weight lifting techniques and
aggressive muscle building can really stress the child’s – still open growth plates, located in the spinalt tvertebrae and long bones. Which, has a direct impact on child height and joint integrity.
This is very important, for children to train only under professional supervision from a trained and certified
Athletic Trainer. These young players are destroying their bodies and their joints, especially if they are abusing, steroids, creatine, muscle milk (very very bad stuff), or HGH!
The NBA is a grown man’s business! It is not nearly as easy to play this game as it may seem.
These players are really gifted. Dennis Rodman had the perfect NBA body. Core Strength for Real!
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
1:32 pm
richbrave:::
Larry Sanders is more a [5] than a [4].
Longer than any player on Hawks.
Pushin’ 6-11 with shoes.
Huge hands / *shotblocker*
***Hatter will love him***
Big Ray
June 24th, 2010
1:33 pm
Vava ,
Thankyou sir! And I agree….Robert Swift was showing out rather well (better than Chris Kaman) before he became injured again. Kid had size, skill, athleticisim. It’s a shame….
Ramon
But my issue with Marvin is more about how he uses his body, and his ball-handling. More on that in a minute.
Yes, he has skills, the guy can shoot and run, run, run like nobody’s business. I see him more as a 13-16 ppg guy, though. a 19-23 ppg guy? Look at the skills Joe has, and see that he fits right in the middle of that curve at 21 ppg. He was featured heavily in our offense, and that’s what we’d have to do with Marvin for him to score like that. He has to be option 1 or 2 to score like that. If Joe is around, that puts him as #2 option, ahead of Smith and Horford. Why hasn’t this happened before? Was it Woody’s fault? Does Joe have to leave for this to be possible?
Back to Marvin’s ball-handling and use of his body. The kid can run and jump, and has terrific length (7′3″ wingspan). But he is hesitant to try and take anybody off the dribble, preferring to pass. Rarely will he even try to take the ball up the court, and if he’s any further out than about 18-20 feet, he’s passing the ball more than he’s likely to shoot. He doesn’t get a great deal of separation on his jumpers unless he is in a catch-and-shoot situation. If he gets the ball and has to create his own shot, it can be a problem most days. He takes awful angles to the basket, especially along the baseline, making it hard for him to finish or draw the foul. When he gets to the basket, he gets blocked too often, or stripped. Or, he gets fouled with no chance of an and-one. Ever see him dunk on anybody?
I believe he can get in rhythm in a transition game. But he doesn’t get to the line enough to be more than a 13-14 ppg scorer. He doesn’t get to the line enough because he doesn’t get fouled enough. He doesn’t get fouled enough because he doesn’t get the ball enough. He doesn’t get the ball enough because he doesn’t finish well enough, and isn’t aggressive enough.
Aggression would change plenty, and force him to use his body better. But if he remains more finesse than anything else, SOMEBODY has GOT to teach him to get to the basket better than he does, and/or create better jumpshooting opportunities. Joe and Jamal know how to create space for themselves so they can get a jumper off. Marvin can’t, so he’ll never score that much until he either does that or learns how to be an effective threat driving to the rim.
Teague has the same issue on his jumper. Not creating enough space to get it off.
That’s just how I see it, though.
terrell
June 24th, 2010
1:33 pm
Vava,
Swift, Petro, Sene, Collison, Radmonovich. Enough said. lol!
lou hudson
June 24th, 2010
1:35 pm
Portland does not have a strong starting small forward, but they do have 3 centers. The Hawks should offer M. Williams, M. Evans, and their 2nd round pick for Pryzilla ( same money) and Portland’s 2nd round pick. Pryzilla is expected to make a full recovery and with Evans expiring contract. This should be an attractive trade option for both teams. This trade gives the Hawks a legit center. Another option is if Lebron goes to the Clippers. S & T JJ for Kaman and a draft pick. The Hawks will have to take a garbage player to make the money work, but they can jettions the player for cash or a draft pick. Just a thought! Or, let JJ go and sign both J Chill(14-15 mil) and Flip(2-3 mil) to 3 year deals. Give L. Drew a chance to win.
Go Hawks!
The Truth
June 24th, 2010
1:36 pm
Consider this a strong tip: JOE IS GONE!! Build this team around our Big 3, Crawford, Al and Josh. We now need a new 6th man. Give Salmon a call. Where is Stackhouse? Does Flip have any gas left? Help Wanted: Hawks need movers and shaker
Persistent whispers continue that Hawks All-Star guard Joe Johnson wants to commit to the Bulls early
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
1:41 pm
I read earlier ” Joe is gone ” to Chicago.
We can hope for S&T:
We can pray for Noah.
We will end up with Hinrich.
All in all / not worst case.
KH backs up Teaguer & Jamal.
We do not have to draft to replace Joe !
We MUST draft:::
1st a basketball player, who will compete,
&
if he’s a BIG then = icing !
Mary Ellen…..Top o’ the mornin’, Darlin’
Mike is back
June 24th, 2010
1:41 pm
MC, I read all the great quotes from some very respected guys on the blog…however I if had to make that pick I would take Solomon Alabi if he is there at 24…I think he would be a safe pick. I seen him in some big games, and I seen him play against Favors and Lawal, and he more than held his own in those games.
I agree the Kid is a project…but he has tremendous upside…I just believe at 24th…you can make that pick. The thing that impressed me was the kid played with heart…that something you can’t teach.
Will he be one of those dominate Bigs that makes a huge impact immediately probably not…however I think he can come in and provide some shot blocking, and rebounding…which is a great fit for the Hawks at 24th.
Grandad
June 24th, 2010
1:44 pm
*It was still AM in TN when I started typin’.
drmaryb
June 24th, 2010
1:44 pm
A Monicker!
Hey, how about a title for the new HC: we should take a Poll Vote on three nominated names:
A. “The Larry Drew Show” or. “The Larry Drew Project”
B.
C.
Hey, I know that’s fowl, but, even the Rookie John Wall has his own dance – already!