Atlanta Hawks: Prospect focus: Michigan State’s Draymond Green
The book on Draymond Green says he’s a high-energy, high-character banger with a long wingspan and soft hands. He’s a good passer, solid shooter and strong rebounder.
“I like him a lot,” Larry Drew said. “All of his intangibles he brings to the table, he is going to make someone a fine player. I don’t think there are enough players like him, that bring a little bit of everything to the table. He is certainly that type player, that caliber [of] player.”
Still, Green is 6-7, not very athletic and 22-years old. That means he’s probably too small to be a banger in the NBA, may not suited to play on the wing and probably isn’t going to get a whole lot better.
Green makes the case that being a four-year college player gives him an edge in maturity, both mentally and physically. He said that’s how he managed to be one of the best post players in D1 basketball in spite of his limitations.
“Every year I’ve learned to use my body more against guys with more length,” he said. “Just figuring out the little niches and the things you have to do. That just comes with more experience. I feel I will be a lot more mature [than younger rookies].”
Green said some teams have told him they like him as a wing, others say he can play power forward.
“Whenever I fit it in,” he said. “I just want to play, no matter what position. When I get out there on the court, I will find a way.”
Drew believes Green will find a way to make it in the league.
“If you look around the league you start to see more and more undersized guys playing at different positions,” Drew said. “A guy that has a great work ethic will always have a spot on a team. He certainly fits that profile.
“He’s a guy that can make shots. You can post him down low. He’s a good defensive player. He’s great at making plays. He averaged over three assists a game.
“He brings a lot to the table. He’s a tremendous kid. Great attitude. He’s the type of player that I think a coach would enjoy coaching. I think he’s going to have a terrific career.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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169 comments Add your comment
Cwebb
June 21st, 2012
12:06 pm
FirstEnter your comments here
cp
June 21st, 2012
12:09 pm
Yea im not a big fan of Green. Dude is a un athletic tweener. Good player but I would rather the Hawks take someone else.
Marcus
June 21st, 2012
12:10 pm
uhhh… I got Joe Johnson’s jersey No. 1… maybe.
Astro Joe
June 21st, 2012
12:10 pm
Great attitude. He’s the type of player that I think a coach would enjoy coaching. I think he’s going to have a terrific career.”
Hawks have plenty of these kind of players.
Adam
June 21st, 2012
12:22 pm
Isn’t this the guy with bad knees that has a projected short playing career?
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
12:25 pm
Hawks Draft
#23 Fab Melo
#43 Eric Griffin
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adam
June 21st, 2012
12:25 pm
My mistake, the risky draft choice is Jared Sullinger from Ohio State. The big 10 players all look alike to me.
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
12:27 pm
http://youtu.be/D1gpQTUJgsQ
Perfict Fit for the Hawks
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
12:33 pm
http://youtu.be/XnbYDmZHi00
Pick #43 would not be a reach for this guy could become a steal.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheFalcon
June 21st, 2012
12:40 pm
Ummm.. why are we focusing on a non-athletic non-banger? What?? The Hawks need to focus on getting someone better than this!!! Geez.. KEEP JOSH SMITH!!!
Ra'mon
June 21st, 2012
12:41 pm
MsDee, I’m not saying I’m against drafting a point guard. I’m saying I think that was O’B was saying. Personally, I just want the best player who can get the most playing time for the Hawks in the next 3-4 seasons while making an impact.
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
12:43 pm
Eric Griffin his Jr, year
AVG 22POINTS
AVG 7 REBOUNDS
AVG 3 BPG
WOW!!!!!!!!!!
http://youtu.be/y5rszOSzxk4
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
12:45 pm
Green is a favorite of mine, but 23 is too early. Move up in the second round if he’s the guy you want. Just make sure you get in front of Detroit in the second round. I can’t see them passing him over, even if they have bigger needs.
Didn’t this man step up with some triple-doubles in the NCAA tournament? Great bench guy & locker room leader.
Lon Stotts
June 21st, 2012
12:45 pm
Sounds a lot like Ivan. Every team needs a player like Draymond, an undersized 4/5 that gets by on hustle and tenacity (B Bass, D Blair, Hansbrough, etc) and the Hawks already have theirs.
Just stick with Ivan.
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
12:47 pm
Eric Griffin dunk of the year
http://youtu.be/WLNrnRT4nps
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
12:49 pm
Green is more of a 3/4 than a 4/5. He’s got point-forward skills. Brought the ball up the court for Mich St at times. He’d fit nicely next to Ivan on the bench. It would be awesome to have those two bringing it off the bench each night.
KevinM
June 21st, 2012
12:54 pm
Draymond Green is not a need here.
Quincy Miller is not a need.
Jared Sullinger is not a need.
Get us a combo guard or a goal defender.
Lon Stotts
June 21st, 2012
12:59 pm
I hear you, Just Joe. The things I look for in bench/role players are guys that bring energy and can create their own shot. Green has plenty of energy, and a solid offensive game, and if he replaces anybody on the team it should be…. QUACK!!!
Maybe not as good of a spot-up shooter as Marv– that’s about it– but he knows his role and tends to stick to it (something Hawks players traditionally struggle with). And I don’t think he would fumble the ball off his foot/fall down every time he drives to the basket.
KevinM
June 21st, 2012
1:02 pm
If there is a team that can do a deal, its New Orleans. They have a lot of cap room and they are very young…perhaps too young.
Davis and Gordon, and then they need a vet.
How good would a Josh or Al look beside Anthony Davis? They actually have a need for PF, something we have an overage of.
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
1:06 pm
http://youtu.be/nOYuhLNwh
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ebs
June 21st, 2012
1:09 pm
Draymond Green is an underrated player. He helped lead a young Spartans team deep into the NCAA tourni. Who the Hawks should draft is Fab Melo in the first round and someone like Jae Crowder or even Scott Machado in the second round. Melo was Big East DPOY this past season and Crowder was dominant for Marquette. And even Machado is an underrated point guard as well.
Hawks 2012-2013 Lineup:
Teague, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Fab Melo
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
1:17 pm
My Top 5 Favorite Movie of all time The Book of Eli
http://youtu.be/ODOy2dGMBhM
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
1:24 pm
My concern with Melo is that he played zone exclusively at Syracuse. He just camped out in the lane. What’s he like as a man to man defender? How is his footwork?
darrell starks
June 21st, 2012
1:28 pm
http://youtu.be/nOYuhLNwh3A
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DS
June 21st, 2012
1:35 pm
Josh for Tyreke Evans and the 5th, will probably have to take on Salmons but its ok. Draft Drummond with the 5th and Wrotten with the 23rd and you have:
1st unit: Teague, Evans, JJ, Horford, Drummond
2nd unit: Wrotten, Salmons, Marvin, Ivan, Zaza
Buddy Grizzard
June 21st, 2012
1:37 pm
Please draft somebody who has an NBA position.
tyger
June 21st, 2012
1:38 pm
1st Domino has fallen…
The Wiz just made the playoffs…
They locked down the low post w Nene, Okafor…
And still hold the #3 pick…Barnes, Lamb, Rivers???
They could still trade down…or out for a vet swingman…
With Walls, Veseley, Seraphin, Crawford, Singleton…
They have assets…
Really like Hawks workout invitees…
Draymond Green wont last until #23…
Neither will Quincy Miller…
John Jenkins in the 2nd round but
A couple of nice BIGs in second round…
What does talk of Jamal Crawford mean for Teague?
Jamal Crawford/Ray Allen – sounds good but doubtful…
JJ slides to SF enough to make it work but…doubt it…
But one thing for sure, the talk of Crawford, Allen, Green…
Tells us that Hawks looking for ballhandling scorers…
Raw size, speed and athleticism isnt good enough…
They need 5 toolers: Shoot, pass, dribble, rebound, defend…
Hard to run if star players cant go left or right…
Or take more than 3 dribbles without falling down…
Actually makes the case for re-signing Tracy McGrady…
Astro Joe
June 21st, 2012
1:41 pm
Kevin, Davis projects as a PF and I’m not sure that Josh would sign a long-term contract in new Orleans even if they offered him a max deal. He has endured one “build from the bottom” campaign, would he want to do it again?
You have to love it when folk decide that because a player has a similar body type, they are similar players. Green and Ivan are very, very different players and could complement each other.
KevinM
June 21st, 2012
1:51 pm
AJ, I do know Davis is a PF, but he’s not your average PF. He’s going to always be around the basket, and IMO, he would fit in well as a vet there because they are going to be so young. But I do think they would have a chance to resign him too….win-win for New Orleans because there is no long term commitment. I don’t see that as a negative.
Not sure what they have to offer though beside the #10.
Buddy Grizzard
June 21st, 2012
1:52 pm
“I think Hawks have greater needs than a backup PG. If you could play Marquis and Jeff in the backcourt together than I would be ok with drafting the younger brother but I dont think either are big enough to play SG and their skill sets are similar (speed/quickness of the dribble) therefore I would rather look to draft a player that fills a position of need.”
Assuming the Hawks retain Ivan Johnson (and with the very safe assumption that T-Mac will take his talents elsewhere), and without consideration for washed up vets like Willie Green, Jannero Pargo, Jerry Stackhouse, Jason Collins and Erick Dampier, the Hawks’ depth chart among players under contract plus Ivan looks like this:
Center:
Al Horford
Zaza Pachulia
Ivan Johnson
Power forward:
Josh Smith
Al Horford
Zaza Pachulia
Ivan Johnson
Small forward:
Marvin Williams
Joe Johnson
Josh Smith
Ivan Johnson
Shooting guard:
Joe Johnson
Jeff Teague
Point guard:
Jeff Teague
Would somebody tell me what greater need we have than backup point guard?
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
2:01 pm
Drafting for need in the NBA is a recipe for disaster. Pick the best player available. I have no idea if Green is that guy or not, but the Hawks shouldn’t be looking at specific positions, especially when this core is at most a year away from being blown up.
KevinM
June 21st, 2012
2:04 pm
Buddy, makes sense to me, and I think Doron Lamb gives you more SG than PG, but he can play both if needed. Plus, he’s 6′5″ 199 and he has looked good in his workouts. He simply shoots the ball very well and has a good handle. I just hope Boston overlooks him with their 2 picks.
They need to replace Allen, and Lamb IMO is ready to contribute after 2 very successful years at UK.
I like Teague Jr. too, but he is all PG. LD looks for a guy to play multiple positions.
My money is on Wil Barton (Memphis) or Lamb to fit on our roster the best at 23.
Melvin
June 21st, 2012
2:05 pm
Green is too similiar to Ivan. He’s not a need for the Hawks. Ivan has proven he can play at this level. I prefer to see the Hawks draft a wing guy like Quincy Miller.
KevinM
June 21st, 2012
2:06 pm
Easiest position to fill in the NBA and the heaviest talent in this draft is PF.
That’s the last thing we need, but I bet we take one anyway.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
2:07 pm
The goal with the #23 pick should be to get a player who will develop to the point where his trade value is greater than that of a #23 pick.
KevinM
June 21st, 2012
2:10 pm
Trade of the week: Give me Luke Walton for Marvin…….what else do we have to give to convince them? Get us out of that player option. Then have Sund or Pendergraft lie to us about how important it is to acquire a Walton.
Buddy Grizzard
June 21st, 2012
2:16 pm
If we had drafted for need in 2005, would that have been a disaster? Drafting for “potential” is a recipe for disaster (think Marvin Williams, Tony Wroten). If Teague lasts until 23, I have little doubt he will be the best player available. The fact that he fills a position of need is a happy coincidence if he falls that far.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
2:35 pm
“If we had drafted for need in 2005, would that have been a disaster? ”
Different situation, because drafting for need in that case would have been the same as drafting the best player available. Obviously if you do a poor job evaluating talent, your “best player available” selection isn’t actually going to be the best player available. I am just saying that they shouldn’t pass up on Player X just because he plays the same position as Teague or Al or Josh or Joe.
And drafting the best player available isn’t necessarily the same thing as drafting on potential. Every draft pick is at least partly drafted based on potential anyway.
kwooden
June 21st, 2012
2:35 pm
My drafts order is still Jeffery Taylor, Fab Melo, Moe Harkless, Terrence Jones, Perry Jones. If one of those guys aren’t available at 23, then someone better must have dropped and they can pick them up.
GO HAWKS!!
KevinM
June 21st, 2012
2:36 pm
Buddy, if there were ever 2 guys who played a similar style, it would be the Teague brothers.
I would be okay with that decision if they don’t go for a shooter.
GMEL
June 21st, 2012
2:42 pm
The Draft will not save the Hawks. They need serious rework starting with trading Joe Johnson. After OKC losoes they should offer up Johnson for Harden. We need to rid ourselves of his overbloated salary
Najeh Davenpoop
June 21st, 2012
2:45 pm
If 2005 shows the dangers of drafting for potential, 2006 shows the dangers of drafting for need. Shelden Williams was an even more indefensible pick than Marvin because nobody had him rated as a top 10 player. The Hawks picked him only because Billy Knight needed his Ben Wallace to complete his Pistons South experiment.
msc
June 21st, 2012
2:47 pm
LD just loves everyone lol hopefully we dont just pick someone up that he gets along with the best.
Melvin
June 21st, 2012
3:05 pm
Najeh,
There is one connection between the 2005 and 2006 drafts, its Billy Knight. Heck, he missed on all his lottery picks (2004-07) except Horford. 2004- Chills over Deng and Iggy, 2005 Marvin over CP3 and Deron, 2006 Shelden over Gay and Roy, 2007 Law over Stuckey. I’m glad he’s not picking for the Hawks anymore.
doc
June 21st, 2012
3:08 pm
buddy it was a disaster when we drafted for need and immediate help and it was shelhead. kind of did the same with chills.
cp
June 21st, 2012
3:25 pm
I dont see how adding two average at best vets is going to get the Wizards in the playoffs. Okafur and Ariza havent done anything in the past few years thats going to push the Wizards in the playoffs. The Wizards were terrible last year and will probably be in the lotto again this up coming season. They have a GM that makes me appreciate Sund.
cp
June 21st, 2012
3:27 pm
And why would Jamal start? If he came back he would go back to his same role. smh
northcyde
June 21st, 2012
3:32 pm
It’s not about drafting for need or potential. You simply have to pick the right dude that will fit your team.
MsDee
June 21st, 2012
3:46 pm
northcyde,
That is what “need” means in your statement.
Astro Joe
June 21st, 2012
4:40 pm
In his rookie season, Marquis at best will play around 12-16 minutes/game. In his second year with the Hawks, he will play at best around 12-16 minutes/game. in his third season with the hawks (assuming that no one believes that he is by now the best under-used PG in the league), he will play around 12-16 minutes/game.
Meanwhile, Josh and Zaza have expiring contracts in about 375 days. We don’t have a long-term scorer off the bench. We don’t have a shot-blocker off the bench. We don’t have a solid wing defender nor someone who could push Marvin in the next year or so.
So with all of that said, yeah, drafting a back-up PG remains fairly low on my list of priorities/needs for this team. That need can easily be addressed in free agency.
Astro Joe
June 21st, 2012
4:47 pm
Steve Kyler: Hearing Houston Rockets have a deal in the works to move Sam Dalembert and possibly the 16th pick. Twitter
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
5:00 pm
Astro Joe….What do we do next Summer if we actually get to re-sign Josh, and then a team like New Orleans throws a lot of money at Teague? Do we match? It works both ways when we only have 6 players under contract & 3 of them hit some form of free agency next summer. Hawks are going to have to choose between addressing the front court or the back court in the draft (at 23).
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
5:02 pm
“…Get us a combo guard or a goal defender.” – KevinM @12:54pm dated 6/21/2012
That’s where Jamal Crawford and Marcus Camby/Samuel Dalembert fit [in]. I’ve said this once before. I don’t know if Camby or Dalembert are a possibility for the Hawks due to financial reasons.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
5:13 pm
“…We don’t have a long-term scorer off the bench. We don’t have a shot-blocker off the bench…” – Astro Joe @4:40pm dated 6/21/2012
See my [High-sider's] post @5:02pm dated 6/21/2012
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
5:20 pm
A ["healthy"] Hawks “crunch time” lineup that could [possibly] make the 2013 ECF and/or NBA Finals is as follows:
pg/sg – Jamal Crawford
pg/sg – Joe Johnson
sf/pf – Josh Smith
pf/c – Al Horford
c – Marcus Camby/Samuel Dalembert
Section 303
June 21st, 2012
5:36 pm
As a Michigan State alum and diehard fan of Spartan football and hoops, I love Draymond Green. And, I would be pumped if the Hawks took him at #23. However….I’m not sure he is the best pick for the Hawks.
I like Jenkins from Vandy, good shooter and plays better D than he gets credit for. Also, Royce White has the potential to be one of the better players in the draft, IF he can get his off the court issues straight. Also, Barton, the 2 guard from Memphis would be a good pick. All three probably better choices from the Hawks.
That being said, I’ve watched Green for 4 years at Michigan State. He came in as the least heralded member of his recruiting class and ended up playing a huge role on a Final Four team as a freshman. He was a team captain for two years and got better every year. Would not be wise to bet against this guy sticking around the NBA for a decent career.
hawksfancents95
June 21st, 2012
5:58 pm
i really like draymond green and think he will be a good rotational player for someone in the NBA. Dejuan Blair already set the precedent for undersized PF’s going forward, but we have a lot of minutes at PF already seemingly logged and we cant play ivan and draymond green together we would have no shot blocking and be way to small.
i know draymond will be drafted and will make the roster for whoever takes him and wish him the best of luck being a 4 year college player, i just hope the hawks do not take him as it would be unfair to draymond as well as the team.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
6:01 pm
“…I don’t think KD’s problem is mental. He has made plenty of big shots and has actively taken a leadership role all season to try to deflect criticism from Westbrook. KD’s problem is purely physical. He is nowhere near strong enough to get open against physical defenders like LeBron. That is the reason the Thunder are losing.” – Najeh Davenpoop @11:24am dated 6/21/2012
Dude [Durant] is not [exactly] what I would call “coming up small [or short]” or “wilting under pressure.” He, Durant, is still [currently] averaging 30.3ppg and shooting 55% from the field in his [Durant's] first NBA Finals while being guarded by arguably the best all-around basketball player and best [all-around] defensive [basketball] player in the world. Durant is still “bringin’ it” in this year’s [2012] NBA Finals.
hawksfancents95
June 21st, 2012
6:07 pm
another prospect to look at is Tony Wroten. he is 6′6-6′7 PG/SG. he is a lefty and has very good vision and could be a very good prospect for us coming off the bench to play some PG for teague. he has the size of Tyreke Evans and i think he would be a high risk/high reward pick late in the 1st round. we desperatley need a backup PG and Wroten could be a good young guy to give some energy and handles off the bench.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
6:44 pm
Hey, [Cavs owner] Dan Gilbert, is LeBron James still carrying [around] that “curse” with him [LBJ] in South Beach?
Hey, Gov. [John] Kasich [R-OH], are you still recognizing the Dallas Mavericks as “honorary Ohioans”? Who are you, Gov. Kasich, going to recognize [this year] as “honorary Ohioans” if, and/or when, the Heat defeat the Thunder in this year’s [2012] NBA Finals?
An entire state [the U.S. state of Ohio] and its [congressional] assembly [is] [player-]hating on one [black] man. What a [sad and pathetic] joke! A black man [in America] is/was, once again, unjustly vilified, demonized and/or scapegoated – this time [it's] a superstar athlete for making a “free” agent decision. And, if you [bloggers] don’t think some the criticism, hatred and backlash directed towards LeBron James isn’t racially motivated, then you [bloggers] are oblivious and/or in complete denial. [SMH]
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/14/oh-snap-in-jab-at-lebron-governor-makes-mavericks-honorary-ohioans/
Kareem Arnold
June 21st, 2012
6:47 pm
What should Atlanta do this offseason?
http://teslatimes.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/atlanta-boston2013seasontradesfreeagentsnba-draft/
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
7:04 pm
The Hawks have been drafting needs for 44 years and look at the results…Brutal at best…
Case in point. In 1985 with the #5 pick the Hawks selected Jon “Contract” Koncak[ a need?][career av. 4.5pts, 4.9 rbs, and a lousy 60% from the stripe] instead of drafting Hall of Fame and top 50 basketball players of all times in Sir Charles Barkley!!! A Disaster to say the least!!
Tradition it is in this town? Yes?
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
7:16 pm
^Correction/Edit: “…A black man [in America] is/was, once again, unjustly vilified, demonized and/or scapegoated – this time [he's*] a superstar athlete for making a “free” agent decision…”
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
7:20 pm
H-s, you read how that Braves Fanatic came on this blog and attacked Westbrook yesterday?
Would he ever attack his “CHOKE IDOL” in Larry Jones? Of course not…
I usually ignore those types with they spew their ch t, but once in a while I’ll let off some steam like I did on that “jumper” yesterday…
Theres a reason why God did not put me on this Earth a century ago cause he knows what I would have done and it would not have been nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111
Astro Joe
June 21st, 2012
7:26 pm
Just Joe, IMO, Teague will never be as good as Josh. So I would let Teague go and find another PG. As a GM, I can’t prepare for each and every scenario, I have to go with a few of the most likely. Josh and Zaza taking more money/love/playing time (in Zaza’s case) from another team in a year is far more likely (IMO) than another team deciding to throw big bucks at Teague as an RFA. More urgently, filling the variety of roles I listed earlier is a more pressing concern than Teague’s contract status next summer. In fact, I would say that filling some of those holes may make guys who are currently on a contract more expendable.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Hawks gamble on Wroten because he is big enough that he could actually play WITH Jeff. And if Jeff decides to take the money and run, maybe Wroten could hold down the position for a season. But drafting Teague, Jr. makes very little sense to me.
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
7:33 pm
Cavs idiot owner Dan Gilbert should not be upset with Lebron for fulfilling his contract and getting the heck out of dodge..
He should be highly upset at the horrific job his GM Danny Ferry did over the last few years as ND so described in the previous blog! It was apparent to a few that Danny was in over his head……
SteveW
June 21st, 2012
7:36 pm
I’m up with taking Teague at #23, but I doubt that’s happening. If LD really did try to spike Jeff, and there is any friction there, the last thing Larry wants is a family member of Teague running around the team.
You always draft the best player available in the NBA draft. You can draft for need if you have 2 or 3 guys you think are equal, and 1 of them fits a need. That may be the case with this draft – deeper in the average players, a paucity of great too near great players.
I’m game for a 3, a 5, a 1 and then a backup 2. But of course, I draft the best available player.
But about that 3 – I think Trey Gilder may be the DLeaguer who becomes an ok NBA’er this season – and he’s a 3. He may be better than Jeff Taylor, Darius Miller, or the other 3’s available at #23
Hmmm – Josh for Dalembert and 14 and 16 in the draft?
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
7:42 pm
OK Hawk management your future Allstar Big is testing his skills in front of you guys tomorrow!
Get ready to be impressed!
Select this guy.. [Andrew Nicholson]
Trade down if you have to..He is NBA READY…..
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
7:46 pm
Should have said [showcasing his skills] ^^^^^^
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
7:52 pm
Slimjr,
Yeah, I saw how BravesFan was trying to annoy you.
steven a smith
June 21st, 2012
8:04 pm
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
5:20 pm
A ["healthy"] Hawks “crunch time” lineup that could [possibly] make the 2013 ECF and/or NBA Finals is as follows:
pg/sg – Jamal Crawford
pg/sg – Joe Johnson
sf/pf – Josh Smith
pf/c – Al Horford
c – Marcus Camby/Samuel Dalembert
LMAO-This is the funniest remark of the day by far, please. I’d better get up of the floor. You must write material for Ced. the entertainer.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
8:10 pm
^Correction: “…And, if you [bloggers] don’t think some [of*] the criticism, hatred and backlash directed towards…”
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
8:11 pm
I need an editor. [LOL]
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
8:14 pm
H-s if you need an editor, I need a miracle! LOL!
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
8:16 pm
@steven a smith aka Skip Bayless’ [official] lackey/flunky
Do you have a better “crunch time” Hawks lineup?
steven a smith
June 21st, 2012
8:38 pm
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
8:16 pm
@steven a smith aka Skip Bayless’ [official] lackey/flunky
“Average” Joe Johnson and Josh Smith will never be on a team that will reach the ECF. Neither of
them have the basketball IQ or skillset to move past round 2.
Do you have a better “crunch time” Hawks lineup?
steven a smith
June 21st, 2012
8:48 pm
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
8:16 pm
@steven a smith aka Skip Bayless’ [official] lackey/flunky
Do you have a better “crunch time” Hawks lineup?
PG-Steve Nash(ufa)
SG-JR Smith(ufa)
SF-Josh Smith
PF-Al Horford
C–Amare Stoudemeire
Joe Johnson +Teague for Amare
Grandad
June 21st, 2012
8:53 pm
High-Sider
LeBron is not villified for being Black;
he`s being villified for being an Ass-hole.
Would you get off the racist sh::te.
As a matter of fact;
why don`t you [H-S] take your blogging talents to south Beach.
Now;
do I really wish for you to leave for S.B. ? … no !
H-S;
have I ever seen the color of your skin ? … no !
H-S;
Have you ever acted in a manner simulating
the characteristics of an ass-hole ? you tell me ?
* [I know I have] G-dad, the Jackass
Do I hate LBJ ? … No – resoundingly
Do I like LBJ ? … No – not one bit.
Is it required, that I like him just because he is an ass-hole ?
Now get off your High-Horse and just be part of this community:
the community of Atl Hawks fans, who do not give a darn
whether a man`s skin color is peach or pecan … both grown in Ga.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
9:00 pm
Miami Heat with a dope game/player introduction. Very hip, very urban.
steven a smith
June 21st, 2012
9:04 pm
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
8:16 pm
@steven a smith aka Skip Bayless’ [official] lackey/flunky
Do you have a better “crunch time” Hawks lineup?
PG-Steve Nash(ufa)/Jason Terry
SG-JR Smith(ufa)/Ray Allen
SF-Josh Smith/Ivan Johnson
PF-Al Horford
C–Amare Stoudemeire/Chris Kaman
Joe Johnson +Teague for Amare
Just Joe
June 21st, 2012
9:05 pm
Anyone see Horford’s comments saying he’d like a shooter like Doron Lamb, or maybe a big to help him out like Ezeli? Then went on to say that he doubts we select Jeff Teague’s brother.
steven a smith
June 21st, 2012
9:07 pm
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
9:00 pm
Miami Heat with a dope game/player introduction. Very hip, very urban.
My guess is that you are really “Carlton” from “Fresh Prince Of Bel Air” with that comment.
steven a smith
June 21st, 2012
9:08 pm
LBJ is for real girls….
Melvin
June 21st, 2012
9:31 pm
“Al Horford: “We have the 23rd pick and I know the team will draft the best player available. I would like to pick a shooter like Kentucky’s Doron Lamb. But it wouldn’t bother me if they picked a big who could help me like Festus Ezeli (Vanderbilt). Anyway, I doubt they will pick Jeff Teague’s brother, Marquis Teague.”
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
9:39 pm
@Grandad
“…H-S;
Have you ever acted in a manner simulating
the characteristics of an ass-hole ? you tell me ?…” – Grandad @8:53pm dated 6/21/2012
Probably.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
9:47 pm
@steven a smith
steven a smith
June 21st, 2012
9:07 pm
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
9:00 pm
Miami Heat with a dope game/player introduction. Very hip, very urban.
My guess is that you are really “Carlton” from “Fresh Prince Of Bel Air” with that comment.
—————————————————————
I’ll accept that. BTW, his ["Carlton's"] real name is Alfonso Ribeiro.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonso_Ribeiro
Melvin
June 21st, 2012
10:16 pm
Perkins and Fisher are suppose to be championship vets that the Thunder are suppose to lean on but those guys are not playing well at all… OKC roles players are not playing well and thats the difference in this series
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
10:33 pm
H-s, feast your eyes on Denise! Hmmmmmm
http://globalgrind.com/entertainment/denise-vasi-sexy-pics-single-ladies-photos?gpage=1&#gtop
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
10:42 pm
Westbrick [is] once again taking bad shots.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
10:49 pm
Slimjr, who are you going to choose, Denise Vasi or Stephanie Ready?
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
10:54 pm
@steven a smith
“…PG-Steve Nash(ufa)/Jason Terry
SG-JR Smith(ufa)/Ray Allen
SF-Josh Smith/Ivan Johnson
PF-Al Horford
C–Amare Stoudemeire/Chris Kaman
Joe Johnson +Teague for Amare” – steven a smith @9:04pm dated 6/21/2012
Is that [above] lineup even affordable [for the Hawks]?
pointguardslim
June 21st, 2012
10:55 pm
“vasi vasi cant you see
sometimes the way you hypnotize me
and i just love your jazzy ways
now duck my sick and misbehave”
pointguardslim
June 21st, 2012
10:57 pm
if James wins a title ESPN will stop jocking him so hard and saying what he has and doesnt have.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
11:01 pm
[Derek] Fisher needs to take his talents to the NFL. Dude [Fisher] could be a serious strong safety. He’s still a [semi-]dirty player IMO.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
11:05 pm
The Heat [team] is on fire [pun is definitely intended].
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 21st, 2012
11:15 pm
When will the Hawks win a championship?
steven a smith
June 21st, 2012
11:15 pm
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
10:54 pm
@steven a smith
“…PG-Steve Nash(ufa)/Jason Terry
SG-JR Smith(ufa)/Ray Allen
SF-Josh Smith/Ivan Johnson
PF-Al Horford
C–Amare Stoudemeire/Chris Kaman
Joe Johnson +Teague for Amare” – steven a smith @9:04pm dated 6/21/2012
Josh Smith will be traded on the night of the NBA Draft. You heard it here 1st!!!
Is that [above] lineup even affordable [for the Hawks]?
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
11:20 pm
“vasi vasi cant you see
sometimes the way you hypnotize me
and i just love your jazzy ways
now duck my sick and misbehave” Hahahahah
H-s its no contest, Denise is from my Hometown! Its a wrap! What a package? Those blue eyes are hypnotizing alright! Hehehe
Slimjr
June 21st, 2012
11:27 pm
Hey doc its a wrap Sir?
Miller is in a zone of some kind…..Ya think?
Al Bundy
June 21st, 2012
11:29 pm
Miller and (to a lesser extent) Battier have been great. But the officiating has totally effed up the flow of this series.
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
11:31 pm
Congrats to Lebron and the Heat. Last year in the finals, he took alot of jumpers. This year, he made a conscious effort to drive to the basket.
And then role players have stepped up big time. Nobody has stepped up for OKC.
SO much for Dan Gilbert winning a title before LeBron
Buddy Grizzard
June 21st, 2012
11:37 pm
Don’t forget, for all of Jeff Teague’s physical talents, his defensive technique and effort are extremely poor:
http://nbaplaybook.com/2012/05/11/how-atlantas-d-fared-against-rondo/
Defensive effort and technique without the physical talents are what Hinrich brought to the Hawks. This MUST be replaced or you will note its absence next season.
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
11:39 pm
BTW, The GM Orlando hired is 30 years old. We are stuck with Rick Sund who has one foot out the door.
Melvin,
Perkins is the one bad move OKC made IMO. I like the trade for him, but I didnt think they should have given him 4 years, $34 mil coming off the surgery, and not waiting until the end of the year.
I think they will amnesty him so they can afford to keep Ibalka and Harden.
High-sider
June 21st, 2012
11:46 pm
LeBron James checking off his “list”:
ESPN personality and professional troll Skip Bayless (check)
Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert, Dan Gilbert’s “memo” and the Cavs franchise (check)
That fake ass “curse” (check)
Gov. John Kasich of Ohio (check)
Ohio State (Congressional) Assembly (check)
Delonte West (check)
Maurice “Mo” Williams (check)
Ungrateful Cavs fans (check)
The entire U.S. state of Ohio (check)
The Boston Celtics fan who dumped beer on me (check)
All my other (LBJ) haters, critics, naysayers and detractors (check)
LBJ to all his haters: Hey, d-d-did wha’s ‘em name get at you tonight?
LBJ’s haters: Who?
LBJ to all his haters: Deeez Nuuuts!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzMx8fGc0w0
Buddy Grizzard
June 21st, 2012
11:49 pm
“BTW, The GM Orlando hired is 30 years old. We are stuck with Rick Sund who has one foot out the door.”
The Hawks could still hire Troy Weaver, another extremely young member of OKC’s front office. As I’ve said before, I don’t mind Sund having a continuing role. If he wants to cement a legacy that will make Hawks fans remember him fondly, he needs to bring in someone like Weaver or Dennis Lindsey to take his place. It won’t be easy to make that happen because with the Hawks cap and ownership situation, it’s simply not an attractive job.
O'Brien
June 21st, 2012
11:52 pm
It is being reported that Royce White has cancelled all remaining workouts because he has received a promise, allegedly from the Celtics.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 22nd, 2012
12:00 am
Well that sucked. Go Braves.
O'Brien
June 22nd, 2012
12:03 am
Just Joe and other blogging GM’s,
What deal can we make for Dalembert (1 year team option at $6.7 mil) and Lowry (2 years, $12 mil) – both of whom it is alleged are not happy with the Rockets HC).
Buddy Grizzard
June 22nd, 2012
12:07 am
Josh and Marv for Dalembert and Lowry. That would give us depth at center, power forward and point guard, but we’d be thin at small forward and shooting guard. HOU takes a stab at building their team around Josh and the Hawks get a massive upgrade at point guard.
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
12:07 am
Josh Smith or Al Horford for Lowry and Dalembert…the numbers work and it might give us a chance to compete for a change if we also bring in a draft pick to help us on our bench.
Either PF is okay with me.
Section 303
June 22nd, 2012
12:09 am
God….I f’ing hate the Miami Heat. What a crap way for the season to end.
Rufus1
June 22nd, 2012
12:10 am
Houston trade…
I wonder if that is the Hawks trading Josh? Houston is willing to rent D12, I wonder if they are willing to take a chance with Josh.
Who would the Hawks take with 16th pick?…and would they buyout Dalembert and try to sign a center like Jordan Hill/Lavoy Allen/Spencer Hawes/Ian Mahinmi for that money or keep him at 7mil.
I would take Terrance Ross at 16 and Royce White at 23…and sign Hill or Allen.
Buddy Grizzard
June 22nd, 2012
12:11 am
Although with Teague backing up both guard positions, that’s a solid 3-guard rotation. Hit a home run drafting a small forward and that’s a pretty good team.
High-sider
June 22nd, 2012
12:20 am
2012 NBA Finals Game 5:
Kevin Durant – 13-24 from the field, 3-6 from the 3pt. arc, 3-3 from the FT line, 32pts, 11rebs, 3asts
Russell Westbrook – 4-20 from the field, 0-5 from the 3pt. arc, 11-13 from the FT line, 19pts, 4rebs, 6asts
James Harden – 5-11 from the field, 3-8 from the 3pt. arc, 6-6 from the FT line, 19pts, 4rebs, 5asts
Westbrick is a streak shooter and has a tendency to play out of control.
MOOKIE
June 22nd, 2012
12:28 am
It sucks being an Atlanta sports fan. Miami has two championships in 24 years. The Hawks can’t make it past the 2nd round. This franchise sucks. I don’t even care about the draft. I’m done with this team.
Rufus1
June 22nd, 2012
12:31 am
White will be gone to the Celtics… Wow
They know a Stud when they see one.
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
12:32 am
Mookie you are so right. It sucks to be a fan of the Hawks or any Atlanta professional sports franchise!
Up next watch the Braves implode again….Yawn…
EmirS.
June 22nd, 2012
2:28 am
Congratulations to the Miami Heat! I’m very happy that Lebron got his ring! Now that this season is done…lets get this off season started.
Btw, I know I defended Westbrook in game 4 in which the defense was well deserved.. But I’m throwing rocks at him for game 5. I mean 4-20!? Oh well..better luck next year.
northcyde
June 22nd, 2012
3:55 am
I find it hilarious how High-Sider has heavily criticized Westbrook throughout this series, even though Jamal Crawford plays the exact same way as Westbrook.
Just Joe
June 22nd, 2012
6:09 am
If White goes to Boston, then Andrew Nicholson may actually make it to 23.
Just Joe
June 22nd, 2012
6:29 am
Lowry, Dalembert, and the 16th pick will cost $14.2M next year. However, Dalembert can be bought out before July 8th for $1.5M (saving $5.2M of that total).
From Houston’s perspective, that package easily gets you Gasol. That’s actually a dream trade for the Lakers who would save money, get a first rd pick, and upgrade their PG position. I think Houston could actually pawn off Scola in a Lakers deal and use Dalembert for a separate deal.
Hawks would not accept that package for Josh (IMO), without having intentions of waiving Dalembert. I would be disappointed with a net Josh Smith trade of Lowry, the 16th pick, and $4.2M in additional cap space.
High-sider
June 22nd, 2012
6:52 am
@northcyde
northcyde
June 22nd, 2012
3:55 am
I find it hilarious how High-Sider has heavily criticized Westbrook throughout this series, even though Jamal Crawford plays the exact same way as Westbrook.
————————————————————————–
2012 NBA Finals [Partial] Cumulative Stats:
Kevin Durant: 57-104 (54.8%) from the field, 153pts (30.6ppg)
Russell Westbrook: 52-120 (43.3%), 135pts (27.0ppg)
Kendrick Perkins: 9-21 (42.9%), 24pts (4.8ppg)
Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think Jamal Crawford as a Hawks player has ever taken more total [cumulative] field goals than Joe Johnson has taken in a playoff series. Westbrick took more [cumulative] shots in the 2012 NBA Finals than 3-time leading NBA scorer, Kevin Durant. northcyde, your boy, Marvin Williams, has come up short and small in a playoff series much like the scoring average of Kendrick Perkins in the 2012 NBA Finals. In all fairness, Perkins is not expected to score but your boy, Marvin Williams is expected to give the Hawks 10-12ppg in a playoff series. What’s up with that?
Just Joe
June 22nd, 2012
7:00 am
It’s becoming a real possibility that one of Andrew Nicholson, Terence Jones, Perry Jones, or Jared Sullinger could drop to the Hawks. If Royce White, Marquis Teague, and Fab Melo (all rumored to be moving up boards) go in the top 22, things might get interesting. Nbadraft.net has the 4 picks before the Hawks being Nicholson, Sullinger, Jones, and Jones, but they don’t have White or Melo in the top 22.
kwooden
June 22nd, 2012
7:20 am
First, I will say congrats to Miami and Lebron. Those guys shot the ball great and Lebron played like the best player in the world.
With that said I had to stop watching the game after the Fisher flagrant call. I really don’t understand what the refs are doing or what the league wants out of these games. The “charge-block” calls have become impossible to understand on a game to game basis. The off the ball grabbing and holding was completely out of control during these playoffs and the refs wonder why guys are ready to fight. I’ve never officated a game, so I just try and understand but I’m just confused. When I watch college, the game seems much more clearly officated in comparison. NBA players have been forced to flop and act to get any consistency out of the refs. I watched the videos that the NBA put out about calls and I agreed with some and not others but at least they made sense. What I see being called doesn’t
Spartacus
June 22nd, 2012
7:40 am
Green will be a player. The Big Ten is by far the best college basketball conference in the country and his four year commitment will pay off for him. Too bad the SEC only plays football and that their basketball conference is hideous, save Kentucky.
DogTheMan
June 22nd, 2012
8:44 am
I Guess that teh Hawks did not watch the NBA Finals. The teams competing had PLAYERS!!!! The organizations that were participating were well run and tight. So we have a semi lame duck GM and an organization with no firm foundation. yeah let’s draft a guy who will be a role player at best. We REALLY need more of those.. How about a backup 6-8 center.. No finals for us anytime soon!!!!!
doc
June 22nd, 2012
10:07 am
congrats to lbj for taking the ball and rolling with it. it has been a long time in the making, so, i am sure it is sweet for him. hope he can continue to set the bar higher for himself as everyone will prosper and be better sas the pgawas with tiger until he fell on his sword. i hope lbj doesnt fade into the prima donna routine. he deserved it as he became a man before our eyes on this one. long live the king! uh, maybe more a …. NOT! but it is what it is.
as far as the charge call. i would bow up a bit if 260 pounds was bearing down on me and ready to lower his shoulder as he does every time, like to josh many times over feet firmly planted for months it seemed and evidenced by his shoulder being the first thing to hit d fisher. i am becoming less and less a fan of this nba that continues to protect the superstars and clearly influence how the game is played and won.
as far as miami getting a ring again? it shows patience is necessary along with a good fan base. however, a fan base will be there and patient if the upper management is committed and competent which miami is. as i have said from the first blog ever here, you can complain all you want about how bad the players are, the coaching is, drafts are, the trades not done, it all starts at the top. the closest we have come to having an owner ready and willing to win it all was ted. blank comes in a close second though in some cases for him, it is as much about how it looks, as to how it works. if only coca-cola could have an interest in these silly games as a public interest and service, instead of making money and enlarging college endowments. who knows, they might sell a little more coke on the side.
overall, better season than stern deserved. still fans got the short end of the stick. harder and harder to come back to this product.
a toast here is to the draft.
to you guys and gals,
be well!
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
10:18 am
Let me tell you what this link does for the ASG? It tells them they have a legit chance to get to the 2nd round again……it tells me where we rank in the league, but this is nice for our history.
Odds to win the 2013 NBA championship…..60-1. We should be just above Charlotte. Have they met our GM?
http://ballhyped.net/2012/06/2013-nba-championship-odds-heat-win-whos-next/
How are we not as bad as Charlotte
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
10:23 am
Looking at our slot and the chance to jump up, my interest is finding an excellent shooter. We need more jumpers to fall, plain and simple.
Give me Terrance Ross if he’s available to us; if not, Doron Lamb is my 2nd choice. To go along with that, Royce White is a need in Boston, not so much here.
Use the draft to help the bench, trades to help the starting lineup. One move isn’t going to be enough.
JSS
June 22nd, 2012
10:34 am
I won’t sit here and bang on Green… He has the same problem that Cleeves had coming out of that program, he was a leader but does he have another level to his game? He has one attribute, he’s not Marvin Williams!
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 22nd, 2012
10:43 am
F The Heat
Hawks For Life
Fire Gearon
Scott
June 22nd, 2012
10:44 am
If the Hawks dont draft a center we will never win a playoff series ever again.
cp
June 22nd, 2012
10:46 am
Its looking like Harkless could fall to the Hawks. They need to find a way to get another late first rounder or a early second rounder. Get a guy like Lamb or Cunningham. OKC and GS might be willing to move their late first rounders. If you could get a Harkless and a Lamb in the first then maybe a Hollis Thompson or Drew Gordon in the second then thats a good draft.
Just Joe
June 22nd, 2012
10:58 am
If Boston drafts Royce White, maybe they can also draft Draymond Green. Green & White, see what I did there? Boston?
STRETCH
June 22nd, 2012
11:02 am
LOL!!! Good one Joe!
O'Brien
June 22nd, 2012
11:24 am
Frank Isola: Four of the top five players taken in the 2003 NBA Draft have a ring: LeBron, Darko, Bosh and Wade. The only guy without one…Carmelo..Twitter
O'Brien
June 22nd, 2012
11:26 am
Just Joe,
The Lakers need a PF, not another center. So the only way they trade for Dalembert is if they know they can flip him for a PF. Maybe the Lakers take Scola and Lowry for Gasol (I don’t know if Houston would have to throw in a pick).
tyger
June 22nd, 2012
11:27 am
1st Domino has fallen…
The Wiz just made the playoffs…
They locked down the low post w Nene, Okafor…
And still hold the #3 pick…Barnes, Lamb, Rivers???
They could still trade down…or out for a vet swingman…
With Walls, Veseley, Seraphin, Crawford, Singleton…
They have assets…
Really like Hawks workout invitees…
Draymond Green wont last until #23…
Neither will Quincy Miller…
John Jenkins in the 2nd round but
A couple of nice BIGs in second round…
What does talk of Jamal Crawford mean for Teague?
Jamal Crawford/Ray Allen – sounds good but doubtful…
JJ slides to SF enough to make it work but…doubt it…
Hawks have $10M in cap room for 7 players…$1.43M avg…
But one thing for sure, the talk of Crawford, Allen, Green…
Tells us Hawks looking for ballhandling scorers…
Raw size, speed and athleticism isnt good enough…
They need 5 toolers: Shoot, pass, dribble, rebound, defend…
Hard to run if star players cant go left or right…
Or take more than 3 dribbles without falling down…
Actually makes the case for re-signing Tracy McGrady…
Add, cap limitations and expect another dosage of 10yr+ vets…
They only count 85% against cap…so Collins, Damp, McGrady, etc…
Mike
June 22nd, 2012
11:28 am
I got a feeling that the Hawks is going to pull off a trade to get back into the first round or just get a lottery pick, if Drummond gets pass 4 or 5, then Atlanta would trade to that spot and hopefully keep the 23 as well.
darrell starks
June 22nd, 2012
11:37 am
Memo to Rick Sund bring Eric Griffin in for workout for pick #43
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
11:39 am
“cp
June 22nd, 2012
10:46 am
Its looking like Harkless could fall to the Hawks. They need to find a way to get another late first rounder or a early second rounder. Get a guy like Lamb or Cunningham. OKC and GS might be willing to move their late first rounders. If you could get a Harkless and a Lamb in the first then maybe a Hollis Thompson or Drew Gordon in the second then thats a good draft.”
cp, I rewatched the Chicago draft combine again and that Hollis Thompson might just be a terrific 2nd rounder. He has a great stroke and played in an LD offense at G’Town.
G’Town plays a 5 guy, fair-share offense with emphasis on seniors getting the ball in crunch time.
The issue is we can probably grab another 1st rounder, but you have LD on a 1 year and all those #1s are 4-5 years guaranteed. It doesn’t seem a fit here.
Thompson to me is a sleeper who moved from PF his 1st 2 years in college to SF this year.
darrell starks
June 22nd, 2012
11:41 am
Man the more i see this guy play, would be a steal at pick #43.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p
June 22nd, 2012
11:43 am
Yeah, the last two big 10 drafts worked out. Mateen Cleeves and that stiff from indiana
Sautee
June 22nd, 2012
11:45 am
“Too bad the SEC only plays football and that their basketball conference is hideous, save Kentucky.”
I guess those National Championships won by Florida, and Arkansas are meaningless, lol.
If the Big Ten is “by far” the best conference, why haven’t they won a NC since 2000?
Since then: ACC – 5 NC SEC – 2 BigTen – 0
I’d say the ACC folks have a good argument.
cp
June 22nd, 2012
11:47 am
Kevin I forgot who but it was at least two posters who brought up Hollis Thompson a few weeks ago. I just recently looked at some videos of him and I like his game. Dude could be a second round gem. A lot of the recent Geoegetown players seem to be better pro’s because of the system they played in college. I dont think LD will play whoever we draft much anyway but I still like the young guys for the future. I dont see LD being here any longer than this upcoming season so I say grab as much young talent as you can seeing how we dont have much on the roster.
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
11:51 am
Just listened to Pendergraft’s interview about workouts, and he said these are more for LD’s chance to see these guys do standard things.
Seeing them shoot and use their dribbling skills.
If I was a betting man, Draymon Green is high on their list, and maybe the leader.
So far, interviews with Lamb, Joseph, Green, Barton and Taylor. Not sure if these are specific to the Hawks likeability, but it sure seems that way.
O'Brien
June 22nd, 2012
11:54 am
From the wall street journal;
Meanwhile, Nash’s NBA future is unsettled. He is a free agent, and at 38, the presumption is he’d like a chance at a championship ring. But Nash said he will consider every option, including returning to Phoenix, where he has played 10 seasons.
“I’m open to every team that has interest in me,” he said. “I have to weigh it up with family, salary, environment, opportunity to win—all these different factors that are in a big pot, and figure out what’s best.”
“Maybe it will be Phoenix or another team that’s kind of a project. Or maybe it’s a team that’s on the cusp.”.
I think it’s all talk though, because I dont see him signing with the Hawks.
TMACfan
June 22nd, 2012
11:56 am
please take Wroten. He has Star Potential.
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
12:01 pm
cp, its just wrong for LD to be on a 1 year deal if we are sitting here drafting guys for our future. IMO, LD is going to lean toward guys who have lots of game experience and he isn’t going to take time to develop anyone.
We saw what he did with Teague, he was less stingent with JC2, and the money spent to bring in Pape Sy was simply a bad move. You can bring him back in the summer, but Sy can’t seriously be considered as a contributor.
Our SL teams that LD used to run won’t bring a lot of contributions to our roster come this fall.
If MC could get an interview with him and a few others, that would be great to hear….Hollis is 6′8″/205, so good nimbers and came in with Barton and William Buford.
Buddy Grizzard
June 22nd, 2012
12:03 pm
“I find it hilarious how High-Sider has heavily criticized Westbrook throughout this series, even though Jamal Crawford plays the exact same way as Westbrook.”
No comparison between Westbrook and JC1. Westbrook leads his team on deep playoff runs. JC1 nuts up in the 2nd round.
“please take Wroten. He has Star Potential.”
Just like Marvin!
O'Brien
June 22nd, 2012
12:04 pm
What about Al Horford and Jeff Teague for Dalembert, Lowry and the #16 pick?
Why would ATL do it? We get an extra draft pick, and a solid experienced NBA PG. Dalembert and Zaza can hold down the center position, but the big risk of course is Josh, Zaza, and Dalembert would all be FA after one more season. That’s big risk to take.
Why would Houston do it? Dalembert and Lowry allegedly have issues with the coach, and Horford is signed to a decent deal for the next 4 years. And Teague would be in the mix with Goran Dragic (assuming he is resigned) at PG.
Plus maybe they could flip Al or Scola in a deal to the Lakers for Gasol.
Is that too risky a deal for the Hawks? Trade machine says +8 wins for the Hawks, and -7 wins for the Rockets.
Buddy Grizzard
June 22nd, 2012
12:05 pm
“So with all of that said, yeah, drafting a back-up PG remains fairly low on my list of priorities/needs for this team. That need can easily be addressed in free agency.”
Astro Joe on record, he wants Pargo back as the third guard.
Buddy Grizzard
June 22nd, 2012
12:07 pm
“What about Al Horford and Jeff Teague for Dalembert, Lowry and the #16 pick?”
Terrible trade. Horford’s long term value contract for a one season Dalembert rental and two seasons with Lowry? And we give up Teague? Are you interning for Sund?
KevinM
June 22nd, 2012
12:28 pm
Question 1 for this offseason: Now that we heard how LeBron went back to the basics, does that have an impact on Josh? Out of our 3 captains, Josh is the one who has the biggest opportunity to continue to improve.
IMO, Josh should go back and play to his advantages instead of trying to become a jump shooter. He needs to go back to Olajuwon and strengthen his post game.
2) Now that the Heat have won, does the ASG/Sund/Pendergraft have a counter punch to even consider competing for the division crown? Because we all know that if you can’t win your own division, what the realistic chances you will be one of 2 teams left standing for the championship next year?
Buddy Grizzard
June 22nd, 2012
12:54 pm
This team was competitive with both the Heat and the Celtics, who had the Heat down 3-2 before losing the final two games in the ECF. If not for poor defensive effort by Teague and retarded rotations by LD against BOS, we would have faced MIA in the ECF.
So there’s no question the ASG thinks we can compete with a healthy roster. Joe appears to be aging more gracefully than Dwade. Did Joe play with Nash at PHX? He needs to call Nash up and at least make noise about trying to bring him to ATL. This franchise needs to APPEAR TO BE TRYING even though we know Nash ain’t coming here.
cp
June 22nd, 2012
1:04 pm
Kevin Im hoping its not Green. Dude is the definition of a tweener. If he was there in the second then thats fine but I dont want him in the first. Im glad LD has no say in this draft because his player evaluations suck. And we both have been saying that LD wont be developing anybody thats why I dont care about selecting a guy who can play now because LD will still rather play the vets. Thats why I have no problem drafting a guy who has huge upside at 23. The Hawks will fill out the roster with vets and our draft picks will play in a blowout or if someone is injured.
ryan
June 22nd, 2012
1:06 pm
Heat basically bought a championship Thunder i have more respect for because they built that team through the draft with Durant but congrats to the Heat they can finally have a real celebration i wish the Hawks and Atlanta can have a better ownership some day and win a title .
coryB
June 22nd, 2012
1:20 pm
Why is everyone in love with fab melo? he’s a bust waiting to happen. He is a great shot blocker but what else? He’s too slim for his position and unathletic…looks flat out clumsy. he has long arms to block but no ups to speak of. Hawks have to try to move johnson or smith for draft picks.
coryB
June 22nd, 2012
1:32 pm
I’d love to get rid of johnson for draft picks and cap room. Sign a vet center and maybe draft a SG or another C. Hopefully talk josh smitth into extending his contract and make it HIS team. The guy is a beast get some good shooters around him that know how to also PASS the ball. Joe cramps everyones style on our team because his offense consists of dribble dribble, dribble dribble, dribble hop step shoot. If the hawks moved the ball more it would open lanes for smith to drive. it would open up the offense for guys like teague, rad, horford for shots. It wouldn’t surprise me to see smith get moved though… the hawks love trading good players away.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 22nd, 2012
1:44 pm
“If not for poor defensive effort by Teague and retarded rotations by LD against BOS, we would have faced MIA in the ECF.”
This is nonsense. The Hawks lost to the Celtics because they can’t score and the Celtics can. Defense keeps you in playoff games; offense wins them for you. When your crunch time plays result in Joe and Josh shooting contested jumpers, you are going to lose regardless of the defensive rotations.
Corps
June 22nd, 2012
1:52 pm
all we kneed is the core. with a healty core we can go all the way!
besides why would you want a character to add to this group of head hangers. we kneed a hard worker not some character.
Buddy Grizzard
June 22nd, 2012
2:16 pm
Najeh, I love reading your stuff, but this is the most absurd thing you have ever posted:
“The Hawks lost to the Celtics because they can’t score and the Celtics can.”
The ease with which the Celtics scored was purely a function of Larry Drew deciding to have poor defenders like Teague and Pargo try to check Rondo. Watch the video I linked. Teague ISN’T EVEN TRYING to stay in front of Rondo.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 22nd, 2012
2:17 pm
I predict we will draft another undersized power forward.
Slimjr
June 22nd, 2012
2:42 pm
MC is there anyway you can give us an update on how the workouts went down today for the Hawks?
How did Andrew Nicholson perform?
WeNeedTree
June 22nd, 2012
2:43 pm
I like Festus Ezeli….let Al slide over and trade Josh…
TMACfan
June 22nd, 2012
2:52 pm
Can someone explain the difference between Fab Melo and Hasheem Thabeet?
Besides Fab being shorter.
Sautee
June 22nd, 2012
2:57 pm
Clyde, I’m sure you meant YET ANOTHER undersized power forward.
SteveW
June 22nd, 2012
3:01 pm
I hate the Heat. That being said, congrats to Coach Spoe, he worked his rotations to perfection.
And how Battier held up for all of those 40+ mpg he had, I don’t know.
LBJ – Best player in the world by far. And I want him to fail constantly at BB, not life – but I gotta be honest. Great job by LBJ.
Michael Cunningham
June 22nd, 2012
3:02 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.