Bradley’s Buzz: “With the 19th pick, the Hawks take …”
To go big or go small?
The first real wave of NBA mock drafts hit this week, and there’s no consensus regarding the Hawks’ Round 1 selection. Chad Ford of ESPN.com has them taking point guard Jeff Teague of Wake Forest at No. 19. Sean Deveney of Sporting News Today opts for Jonny Flynn, a point guard from Syracuse. Ian Thomsen of SI.com goes with yet another point guard — Eric Maynor of VCU. And NBAdraft.net, which last week had the Hawks taking Teague, has changed its mind and now has them choosing center B.J. Mullens of Ohio State.
For those keeping score, that’s three point guards against one center. In yesterday’s lengthy Q&A with GM Rick Sund, he said: “I pretty much lean, when you’re picking 19th, to take the best player with the most potential.” Of the four, Mullens might well have the most potential. He’s a skinny big man — he’s 7-foot, 275 pounds — with good hands, and he was considered one of the top five prospects for 2009 five months ago. But he had a tepid freshman season at Ohio State, averaging 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Of the point guards, I don’t much like Teague, but I like Maynor and Flynn very much. If I were drafting at No. 19 and I had the choice of those four, I’d take Maynor. But there’s no guarantee that any of these, particularly Flynn and Maynor, will be around when the Hawks pick.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.On Ford’s overall ranking of prospects, he has Maynor No. 14, Flynn No. 15, Teague No. 18 and Mullens No. 21. And who, just for the heck of it, does Ford rate as the 19th-best prospect? Terrence Williams of Louisville, whom I like a lot. But I don’t know where he’d play. Is he a point forward? A shooting guard? Or just a basketball player? (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)
What about Gani?
Gani Lawal of Georgia Tech can still remove his name from the 2009 draft, but the guess here is that he won’t. All four mocks have him going in Round 1, if barely: Ford has him at No. 25, Deveney at No. 30, Thomsen at No. 22 and NBAdraft.net at No. 21.
Ford ranks Lawal the 28th-best prospect on the board, and ESPN.com says this in its player file (link requires registration): “Lawal has had the biggest stock swing of anyone in the draft. He started the season as a second rounder, got off to a red hot start and moved all the way into the late lottery and then fell off in ACC play to the point that he slipped back into the second round … He’s probably better off returning to Georgia Tech for his junior season.”
This just in! The Braves got schooled!
Writing about the ascendant Rangers, Tom Verducci of SI.com mentions not one, not two, not three, but all four players the Braves sent to Texas for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay in July 2007. (Their names: Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, Jarrod Saltalamacchia.) The Rangers are leading their division. The Braves are not. Folks, this one just gets worse and worse.
A little more about Michael Vick
Pretty much everybody has said pretty much everything about the former No. 7 by now — here was my take — and you can read eighty dozen stories about him if you’re so inclined. But I’ll mostly leave that to you and Google. What I will pass along are Peter King’s list on SI.com of five possible NFL homes for Vick and Chris Chase’s similar list on Yahoo! Sports.
Meanwhile, Clark Judge of CBSsports.com believes Vick won’t play in the NFL in 2009 but will suit up in the start-up UFL instead. Me, I’m more inclined to go along with what an unnamed league official told Thomas George of NFL.com: That Vick won’t be on an NFL roster at the start of the season but will before the end.
One thing more: Writing for Yahoo! Sports, Kevin Sullivan — once the White House communications director under George W. Bush — outlines a four-point PR plan for Vick. His bullet points: Be genuine, be humble, be accountable and be generous. And I’m thinking: This is genius public relations? I could write that stuff!
Ladies and gentlemen, I am hereby contemplating a new career in an exciting field where you say nothing new and get paid big bucks for it. (Oh, wait. I do that already. Never mind.)
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130 comments Add your comment
James Banks
May 21st, 2009
10:46 am
Taking Mullens makes the most sense because good big men are always harder to find.
However, given Coach Woodson’s reluctance to play rookies combined with Sund’s desire to emulate the 2004 Pistons, wouldn’t it make more sense to package this pick with a player for a veteran who can contribute right now?
Left to Right
May 21st, 2009
10:54 am
You get paid big bucks? Then go out and get a flat screen TV!
Join us in the 21st century.
Left to Right
May 21st, 2009
10:57 am
Honestly, sporting events are the best-looking thing on HD. It’s a lot like high speed internet. Once you have it you can never go back and will never want to.
Rabnnod
May 21st, 2009
11:03 am
Get a PG that can drive the lane. Or well… anyone who can drive the lane and create offense! This team’s offense can go south at any time and has no real creators to revive it. You have to pursue that either by trade or by draft. Best player sounds fun until you get 5 Josh Smith’s all pouting because they are down 101-31 and are 10/72 from behind the 3 point line.
P.S. The Smiths got fouled and made 1/3 FT to get to 31 pts.
GuyanaDawg
May 21st, 2009
11:05 am
Mark, I really enjoyed your coverage on the Hawks recently. You and Sekou have done some nice work. Thank you for feeding our home-town sports hunger so well!
Marcus
May 21st, 2009
11:11 am
Hey, I am down w/Maynor or Villanova’s Scotty Reynolds. Just reading up on BJ Mullens gives me the Sam Bowie/Kwame Brown heebee-jeebees.
man, looking at our past drafts, we have been hit/miss so much. I had forgotten at one time we had Pau Gasol and traded him for Shareef-Adbur-Rahim. With our luck at the time, we might have shipwrecked his potential
Mr. Sund, do us proud. Full steam ahead!!
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
11:28 am
Actually, the Hawks never quite had Gasol. They made the trade with the Grizzlies before the draft: They’d get Shareef, but they had to pick Gasol for Memphis.
Get To The Choppa!!
May 21st, 2009
11:42 am
Trading Salty was NEVER a good idea!!
Marcus
May 21st, 2009
11:44 am
MB,
I read somewhere on the net that ovr the last few drafts, NBA teams trend is to draft international players (esp. young players) in 2nd round to get his rights but allow him to develop on the Euro/international clubs dime (kinda like what we did with David Andersen and the SG from Turkey).
Does Mr. Sund’s history as a GM suggest similar strategy or is he looking for a solid collegiate developmental player for down the road?
Marcus
May 21st, 2009
11:45 am
I hated that trade w/ the TEX Rangers. Too much given up, esp. for a guy who was basically a short-term rental for a year or 2. ugh.
braveshater
May 21st, 2009
11:46 am
The Braves organization sucks. As evident by this trade, and where tex is playing now. What a bunch of dumbasses.
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 21st, 2009
11:47 am
Gani is gone.
The good news is Paul Phewitt will be too, come Feb. 2010. The only question is if he resigns or gets fired. Ground Hog Day will finally be over.
Let’s just make sure that Greyhound gets a tune up before then. We don’t want any problems.
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
11:50 am
That’s a good question, Marcus. And if you check Sund’s draft history with Seattle, where he was GM from 2001 to 2007, you do note a heavy dose of international picks.
hop
May 21st, 2009
11:54 am
the sad part of the decline the braves have experience and the stupid decisions of the front office,is the total deniel of the braves organization.
the tex trade has set back this organization for many years!
DHD
May 21st, 2009
11:55 am
All teams make good trades and bad trades. How about an article about Renteria for Jurrjens?
TommyP
May 21st, 2009
11:59 am
I wouldn’t mind seeing Teague. The guy is NBA-quick which you can’t say about too many.
I didn’t see enough of the other guys to really warrant an honest evaluation.
Tex trade? The question is has one team been HAD this badly in 2 different trades concerning 1 player? The prospect package for Tex was brutal and getting Kotchman for Tex wasn’t very good, either. I’m not sure one player has done more damage to the Braves organization than Tex (and that’s not blaming him but the deals that netted him and dealt him away).
brewdawg
May 21st, 2009
12:01 pm
It’s unfortunate the Tex trade worked out like it did. However, we kind of had one coming after the steal of Fred McGriff back in 93 didn’t we? I remember Tony Gwynn saying something along the lines of “We didn’t even get any of the guys we had been talking about.” (for McGriff). If i recall correctly, none of the guys we gave up were ever in the majors very long. You make good trades, you make terrible ones. The Braves have been more on the “good” side than most.
Mark
May 21st, 2009
12:03 pm
Mark:
Just personally, I don’t think that Flynn makes it to #19. I like Ty Lawson more than Teague or Maynor and if he’s there at #19 I hope we select him. His shot improved a lot at UNC, he’s lightning-quick (much like Ray Felton) and he’s a good leader. Teague’s attitude and personality are quite red-flag to me.
Mychelfromatl
May 21st, 2009
12:07 pm
Wow Mark, you’re slowly grinding your way to becoming one of AJC’s better writers. Keep up the good work kid!
As for the Hawks, I’d love to see them draft VCU’s Eric Minor, and trade the rights of Josh Childress for a decent Big.
As for the Braves, depressing.
As for Mike Vick, three of the five teams (New Orleans, Buffalo, New England) are very intriguing destinations. Can you imagine the hype of Vick and T.O., Vick and Brady, or Vick and Drew Brees playing the Falcons twice a year! This is going to be very interesting. Ratings galore!!
Khao$
May 21st, 2009
12:08 pm
Looking at the Sonics drafts during Sund’s tenure doesn’t give me much confidence…
RAMMA JAMMA
May 21st, 2009
12:10 pm
Mark who was “THE DADDY” of that brave’s trade?!! Wasn’t it scherholtz?!! That GIVE AWAY er i mean trade was j.s.’s last HOORAH before retirement if i’m not mistaken.IT WAS DUMB,DUMB,DUMB @ THE TIME & STILL IS TODAY!! I also HATED the wainright trade as well!!!
Gary
May 21st, 2009
12:16 pm
Ok, outside of Matt Harrison and Netfali Perez can anyone of you tell me exactly where Elvis Andrus and Jarrod Saltalamacchia would be playing for the Braves? And dont give me 2B and 1B because that has been tried with both and it didnt work out. Would you really put Andrus in front of Escobar and sit McCann in favor of Salty? I didn’t think so.
Also you guys obviously haven’t been paying attention because Kotchman is hitting very well with the Braves this season with gold glove defensive skills and the Marek kid they got as well is pitching nicely in the minors.
Yeah these guys are doing great for Texas, but remember they were blocked in Atlanta and their value was used to make the club better.
Kyle
May 21st, 2009
12:17 pm
DHD, don’t forget that we got Gorkys Hernandez in that deal as well-A top 100 prospect in the league…So I say either one of those for renteria would’ve been a steal
Gary
May 21st, 2009
12:22 pm
Also….to add to my point. Many of you fellow Braves fans are clamoring for Tommy Hanson to get the call up as well as excited as I am for Kris Medlen’s first career start tonight for the Bravos. Would any of you trade either of the potential rotation spots for these two young stud pitchers for Perez and Harrison right now?
Otherwise quit blaming the Braves for making this trade. Tex was supposed to help us and he didn’t. We got something back that is playing well right now. The guys in Texas would not be starting for the Braves and you got more out of them by trading them for a slugger who was supposed to help you.
JBogle
May 21st, 2009
12:22 pm
The Braves did not get schooled. They traded a catcher and a shortstop, two positions where they had a lot of depth. Seriously, would you rather have McCann (BA 0.280 / HR 3 / RBI 13 / OBP 0.382) or Salty (0.261/3/16/0.306), Escobar (0.308/4/21/0.383) or Andrus (0.268/2/8/0.305), or even Kotchman (0.299/2/18/0.361) or Salty (0.261/3/16/0.306) at 1B. Harrison has a 4.71 ERA in 8 starts and the league is hitting .291 against him. The Rangers are in first place because the AL west is mediocre, remember they had room for Andruw on their roster. Tex and Mahay were very good for the Braves in the time that we were here. The Braves’ mistake was in not paying to keep Mahay.
Ted Striker
May 21st, 2009
12:23 pm
Mark — Big or small? 1) Draft a guard. 2) Find and sign Jon Koncak. (2b) If Koncak wants too much money, there’s always Chris Washburn.
I’ve done my thinking for the day, now it’s time for lunch.
The Real Fan
May 21st, 2009
12:27 pm
What we need is a scorer someone who has the ability night in night out to provide consistent points for the Hawks. Sign Bibby and we don’t need a starting point guard for two years. Find a true scoring small forward and move Willimas to another team.
TT44
May 21st, 2009
12:33 pm
Ya know, the way I see, heck, the Falcons all the wiser after the Vick era. The Falcons should get something for Vick if he plays in the nfl. Personally, since Vick doenst call the shots anymore, the Falcons perhaps should consider using him as a slot back or wild cat runner. And, vick should abstain from the dog fighting (hopefully he learned a lesson, ). And, MV should make a plea to us the Atlanta fans to forgive him and let hm redeem himself to the Falcon organization…….Just a thought…..the thing I would hate to see is him comming into to ATl and whipping the Faclons! What you ballers think out there?
Barney Strickland
May 21st, 2009
12:34 pm
I think Atlanta has been doing OK in the trade department lately. Ross as a back up catcher appears to have been a good move. Also this O’flahrety guy is bringing it on… and he was got for nothing … OK?
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
12:35 pm
And let’s not forget the absolute steal that was Corky Miller.
The Real Fan
May 21st, 2009
12:36 pm
Exactly how are the Braves better after the Tex trade? Re-sign him and we’re better but the Braves are penny wise and pound foolish. Year after year we trade our best young players for rental players (see JD Drew) which we either let go to free agency or make a trade by being over a barrel because others teams know we have to make a move. New GM and supposedly new ability to spend but the same .500 Braves.
TUpac Urnhart Junior
May 21st, 2009
12:37 pm
Hey sho think ole TT44 has a good point!
TommyP
May 21st, 2009
12:37 pm
Gary: Teixeira didn’t help us? His OPS was 1.020 during his few months in Atlanta after the trade.
I think he helped a little.
You’re arguing that these players were depth. Quit talking about them like they were Infante or Jerry Royster. They were bargaining chips. Schuerholz went all in for one big hand ’cause he knew he was done after that.
C’mon, man. You have to admit that was a bad trade. And I’m a HUGE Schuerholz supporter.
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
12:38 pm
I don’t think Jonny Flynn or Tywon Lawson will be available at No. 19, and I have my doubts about Eric Maynor. And I think Darren Collison, who will be there, is too small.
On the other hand, this club is historically in the market for a good 6-7 wingman.
Tyger
May 21st, 2009
12:39 pm
BJ Mullens and Terrance Williams make the most sense.
1. Despite what anyone says the Hawks need a true center! Three 6′9 guys will eventually get beaten down over the course of a season and never get those crucial possessions down the stretch to close out a game. see Cleveland.
I wouldnt put much weight on BJ Mullens’ freshman year, HE WAS A FRESHMAN! And as the addage goes, big men develop more slowly. But BJ is a true 7′0 Center that can run the floor and would fit seamlessly in with the young stallions we already have, especially since everyone likes the core.
If they pass on BJ then they have plans for Randolph Morris which is good. You dont lead the SEC in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots at a premier program if you cant play at all. This is BS!
If not BJ, then move up and grab Terrence Williams, I doubt when the chips fall, he’ll be available at 19. Everything is bluster right now. Another versatile wing without a true position?
Absolutely! Williams is top 5 talent. He can do it all, he just makes plays, inside-out, excellent scorer and defender, uses his defense to get easy baskets, very Smoove-like in that regard, AND possesses the leadership intangibles that we lack.
Moreover, JJ expires, Marvin is uncertain, Flip is uncertain, Bibby is gone, Mario is garbage. We need some more uber-talent in the backcourt. Certainly, Williams needs more work especially on his 3 pt. shot, but the key is his intangibles, versatility and winning pedigree. He’s NBA ready and strengthens our bench and fits easily under the cap, which is essential with all the free agents we have.
ND
May 21st, 2009
12:39 pm
Any damage Tex did while in Atl was with no one on base. Escobar is far better than EA and will only continue to get better.
Dan
May 21st, 2009
12:41 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/179562-should-michael-vick-be-allowed-back-in-the-nfl-the-answer-is-yes
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
12:42 pm
We’ve got some great screen names on the ol’ blog — Ted Striker, of course, and Gene Garbage — but Tupac Urnhart Junior is way up there.
TUpac Urnhart Junior
May 21st, 2009
12:42 pm
Yep, saw ole tex hit 3 three homers in one game one sunday…..let me see, there may have been someone on base ……..hmmmmmm, if I had to bet, I would say no , but maybe onnce. It was against the Mariners…on a sunday afternoon in the ATL
HawkDawg
May 21st, 2009
12:45 pm
Teixeira was a joke. Very overrated.
Bubba
May 21st, 2009
12:47 pm
I’m sure this question’s been addressed many times, but I’ve not seen a comprehensive/complete answer, so I’m just gonna ask:
Why isn’t Acie Law playing?
HawkDawg
May 21st, 2009
12:49 pm
Acie Law doesn’t play because “Mr. Coach of the Decade Woodson” doesn’t allow him to play.
The Real Fan
May 21st, 2009
12:50 pm
Holla
Matt
May 21st, 2009
12:51 pm
The PG we should take above all others is Ty Lawson, as a veteran college ranks PG he is probably the most NBA ready. Lawson can penetrate and dish, and shoot from long range. More importantly though Lawson is a deamon defensively and will frustrate and hassel opposing teams ball handlers from end to end.
If Lawson is gone I think you have to go with Terrance Williams out of Louisville. He is a SG with a sweet shot, and is not afraid to go low and get dirty. He has a big time NBA body and can grab rebounds as well as some bigs.
Astro Joe
May 21st, 2009
1:03 pm
Other than Acie Law (who played plenty prior to Bibby’s arrival), which 1st round draft pick did Woody refuse to play? Frankly, if Sund does a good job in free agency, we won’t need to worry about playing the #19 pick in his rookie season. As Sekou Smith pointed out, last 3 years that pick (#19) delivered JJ Hickson, Jarvaris Crittenton and Quincy Douby. Sorry but I won’t get bent out of shape if a player of that ilk doesn’t get a ton of time in their rookie season. Because if they do get a lot of time, we’re likely headed back to the lottery.
Gary
May 21st, 2009
1:04 pm
Tommy P, Tex played great in his first couple of weeks and then started to taper off a bit like the rest of the team did. Then last year was just a disaster and he became known as the king of the meaningless HR.
Again someone, anyone tell me where any of these 4 players would be playing at in Atlanta? For it to be a horrible trade, these players have to contribute somehow and right now unless they can play LF or RF I don’t see that happening. So no this trade is nowhere near the disappointment the JD Drew for Adam Wainwright trade was because Wainwright could be alongside Jurrjens, Lowe, and Vasquez in the rotation. Salty and Elvis are nothing more than bench players on this team right now and Harrison would be lucky to even be in the bullpen.
Sorry I just don’t see the argument.
Life Long Braves Fan
May 21st, 2009
1:08 pm
Gary hit the nail on the head. Where are those amazing prospects going to play in Atlanta? Are you going to sit an All-Star Catcher? Are you going to sit the best arm at short-stop in baseball? The answer is no. Tex didn’t work out, but Schuerholz didn’t mortgage our future. Sounds like a good risk/reward to me. The risk was low, and sadly so was the reward. But to say it was a huge mistake might be taking it too far.
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
1:12 pm
I imagine there’d be a place for Elvis. Elvis is, after all, The King.
Life Long Braves Fan
May 21st, 2009
1:13 pm
Gary hit the nail on the head. You can’t sit Esco, and you can’t sit MAC. Neither of the pitchers would be in our rotation, maybe in our pen. The risk was low, but the reward could have been great. Sadly, the reward was just as low as the risk. But that doesn’t make it a bad trade.
Gary
May 21st, 2009
1:16 pm
Even in the midst of a deep discussion, Mr. Bradley can lighten the mood with the occasional quip.
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
1:20 pm
Very occasionally, I’m afraid. Usually I’m as funny as Alan Greenspan.
Gary
May 21st, 2009
1:37 pm
Mark, so basically you have the personality of a tree.
Actually, I think a tree has more personality that Alan Greenspan. Guess working for the fed and supposedly being some kind of genius does that to you.
Green Tea
May 21st, 2009
1:41 pm
Ohhhh Cmon Mark, don’t delete my post on Mike Vick. We are entitled to know his every movement. Get it?? Every movement???!!! Bwaaahahaha. I mean since the AJC is going to shove him down our throat everyday all day.
Manny
May 21st, 2009
1:41 pm
The Tex trade the worse? Really?
Elvis over Yunel? No
Salty plays where? Behind a 2 time all-star at catcher, try and move him to 1st and Freddie Freeman overtakes him.
Harrison – come on! Where would he fit into the plans?
Now Perez – That hurts because that kid could be great in the braves rotation.
The only bad part of all this is not using these guys for someone the Braves could be using like in a Peavey trade, but the guys would not be helping the Braves right now. The Padres would have taken Perez and Morton if we had Perez available for Peavey.
SimpleDawg
May 21st, 2009
1:57 pm
The “trade” (hosing we took) for that Tech skunk will go down as the biggest steal (for the Rangers) since the Louisiana Purchase…not since then has one party given so much to another party while receiving so little in return. Rent-a-Player trades have never worked out for the Braves….I hope Frank is paying attention…bring in no more of these mercenaries.
Dr. Warren
May 21st, 2009
2:10 pm
The Chinese are picking Vick to go to Jacksonville. They eat dog here and bear no grudges for his offense–nor for his sputtering offense in ‘06.
Mark
May 21st, 2009
2:25 pm
Tech skunk? He’s by far better than any UGA player in the league? Do y’all even any in the entire MLB or NBA besides Jarvis Hayes and Jeff Keppinger? LMAO
Marie
May 21st, 2009
2:28 pm
Mark,
I think the Hawks, some team, any team should trick the LA Clippers into giving up their 1st pick. I mean is there any more waste of a team in the NBA or in all of sports (well maybe the Cleveland Browns) then this sorry team. The Clippers having the 1st round pick is like giving a drug addict a million dollars — you just know its going to be blown.
Yeah, yeah, yeah I know they are going to go with coventional wisdom and pick the kid from OK, but, it won’t work for the Clippers. NOTHING works for the Clippers.
BTW — I am making my prediction regarding the NBA Finals now. You Cleveland fans I hate to rain on your parade, but, your city is sports cursed. I mean I know we’re cursed in the ATL too, but, your curse is worse than ours. The CAVS are going DOWN!!! And when I saw Lebron wincing in pain last night I thought that city curse was pressing against the King’s leg. He says he’s okay but we’ll see. Either way I just don’t see you guys winning the prize even though I want nothing more than for LeBron to mop the floor with Kobe. But he may to leave that cursed city first.
mountain_jim
May 21st, 2009
2:34 pm
Best ‘Where does Vick go’ article I’ve seen so far is here:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30856273/
Would be ironic if he played for Carolina after all the games he snatched wins from defeats against them. My inlaws, Panther fans, used to always assume MV would find a way to beat them. Here’s hoping he’s wised up and can manage a good life, and that the NFL allows him that chance.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
May 21st, 2009
2:36 pm
Mark, great piece. I agree the Braves were schooled. Trading two of those guys would be ok but four. Shame on JS. He had the same MO with the Royals. They were depleted by the time he left. When they threw Elvis in, I thought that was a deal killer. And for those that think they Elvis and Salt were blocked. That doesn’t mean you give them away. Anyway, keep up the good work.
carlton johnson
May 21st, 2009
2:47 pm
Speed. We have no one that can “quick” right by a defender on their way down the lane to score or inside out the ball to Joe J.
David
May 21st, 2009
2:47 pm
How can you say we got schooled when you don’t know the outcome yet?
Andrus is batting .268 and we have Yunel for a long time
Salty is batting .260 with 3 HRs and McCann could end up a Hall of Famer
Harrison is 4-3 with a 4.71 ERA
Neftali isn’t even in the majors yet………
gtadamni
May 21st, 2009
2:47 pm
Just because those players in Texas wouldn’t be playing for the Braves doesn’t necessarily mean you can rationalize it away like that. The point is we didn’t get good value for them. We only had Tex for a year, and his contributions ended up being pretty much meaningless. If we hadn’t made that move, we would still have those guys and could use them as trade bait for a power hitting outfielder, a 3B prospect that could develop and step in when Chipper retires in a few years, etc. There are a lot of areas where this team could stand to be improved, and we could have used those guys to get a player (or some players) that would actually contribute.
Mick CHuck
May 21st, 2009
2:48 pm
UGA players in MLB? Look for Beckham this year and Fields next year.
Folks are far too critical of the Tex trade. Andrus was heralded for his glove but has meanwhile been shaky on defense this year. Harrison is an unknown entity. Salty will be missed as a bargaining chip but the only real loss was Perez. Not wure where he would have been slotted amongst Morton, Hanson, Medlen, but it’s clear we were dealing from a position of strength.
Don’t forget that we netted 4 years of a young, defensively stout Casey Kotchman and an unknown in Marek.
Wanda Sykes
May 21st, 2009
2:54 pm
Yo yo I’s funny. Ax somebody.
BallCoach
May 21st, 2009
2:57 pm
We need a PG and a C. This is an obvious no-brainer. Is Chris Paul or Deron Williams available? If, I would trade Josh Smith for a PG or C and use my 19th pick for the other. I really like Maynor, though…..
David
May 21st, 2009
2:59 pm
Mark one other part of the trade you forgot….Kotchman is included because we got him for Tex. He is doing well this year much more than anyone Texas has playing of those four right now.
Marcus
May 21st, 2009
3:02 pm
MB,
Reviewing the draft picks during Mr. Sunds’ tenure in SEA (2001 – 2007) just killed my high for this years draft.
Mac
May 21st, 2009
3:03 pm
The jury is waaay out on whether Mullens is a good big man. Skip him and go with Maynor.
I’m still pretty hopeful for the Braves this year. Call me crazy, but they’ve got strong starting pitching and two strong back of the ‘pen guys. Now if they can just score consistently.
ant banks
May 21st, 2009
3:14 pm
Mark,
What do you think of Tony Douglas, the local kid from Jonesboro High School and guard to FSU. I think that he was 2nd place for ACC player of the year. Do you think that he will help the hawks. His brother is Harry Douglas, receiver for the Falcons.
Green Tea
May 21st, 2009
3:16 pm
Hey Mark, what’s Michael Vick doing RIGHT NOW?? We are all dying to know. Also, what was his first meal home from the big house? Did he put hot sauce on it? C’mon Mark give us something, we can’t live without knowing his every move.
Charles
May 21st, 2009
3:21 pm
Why is nobody mentioning Ty Lawson from UNC? Probably the fastest man with the ball that I can remember. The kid can drive the lane and he’s got a decent outside shot.
brewdawg
May 21st, 2009
3:23 pm
Charles,
All I’ll ask is, where have you been exactly?
wxwax
May 21st, 2009
3:24 pm
I agree, the advice for Vick seems obvious.
But he seems to need it, as he’s done none of those things since the story broke. Be it his background or his nature, the man views life through a prism that is often to his disadvantage, both with the Falcons and now with his legal woes.
otisfirefly
May 21st, 2009
3:29 pm
Go hard after *Baby Davis*. Then pick the best 1 guard left out there @ #19. Then be done with it!
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
3:30 pm
Toney Douglas intrigues me, and I know Rick Sund watched him light up the ACC tournament in the Dome. He’s not really a point guard, and he’s not really big enough to be a classic shooting guard, but he can score and he can defend. I wouldn’t mind seeing him as a Hawk, especially if Bibby leaves and Flip has to step up and start at the point.
And yes, before you ask, I think Flip will re-sign here. I think that’s the one given among Hawks free agents. No other team in the league likes Flip more than the Hawks do, and many teams have employed him already.
Ted Striker
May 21st, 2009
3:35 pm
Mark — Sorry in advance for the lengthy post, but I have to say this about Peter King’s analysis of New Orleans and Mike Vick. It’s spot on. Nobody else (including Chris Chase) typically includes New Orleans in the short list. King’s view is that Drew Brees is selfless enough yield 5-10 wildcat snaps to Vick without worrying about his job. And Tom Benson wants to win. But there’s much more he doesn’t say.
New Orleans (the city) is different. Saints fans are different. Let me explain. When you play in a stadium full of pride because it signifies redemption from a tragedy that nearly destroyed your city, including suffering and death in the very same place you tee it up — perspectives change. New Orleans fans were dying, they didn’t have the ability to enjoy football. Now they’re living, but remembering the horror, and they celebrate the Saints as a symbol of their joy of living. If Vick were one of them, they’d close ranks. I’m not saying PETA wouldn’t protest. They would. But if PETA protested the Saints in New Orleans, New Orleans would vigorously “protest” them back.
But there’s still more King didn’t say. The Saints don’t “need” Vick because they have Drew Brees. Most of the teams on the short lists are teams unsettled or suspect at QB.That makes Vick perfect, because Brees is the anti-cutler. What team isn’t looking to upgrade their backup, especially if your backup gives you 5-10 snaps a game, with the ability to break a score every touch? And if that backup isn’t creaky and is a multiple time pro-bowler? New Orleans is perfect if Vick does what he needs to do.
YouCanRunButYouCannotHide
May 21st, 2009
3:38 pm
Hawks need a true center. Picking another PG at 19 is just throwing away a draft. There’s a big difference in passing over Paul and Williams early in the draft and passing over one of these guys projected to be available all the way down at 19. The Hawks don’t need a PG now as bad as they did when Jason Terry was traded. We’ve needed a center forever.
MannyT
May 21st, 2009
3:43 pm
What irony. I remember the GM that made that Gasol deal happen for Memphis.
As for the draft pick, Astro Joe is right. If the 19th pick is a major part of Woody’s rotation, I’d be shocked and we should be very nervous about the team. However, there is always someone late in the 1st round that makes the “Why didn’t WE pick that guy” list. I hope we go for the best center or PG available. That guy probably bumps Solo or Gardner from a real chance to return (unless they move Claxton’s contract–which is likely.)
Sund has a lot of puzzle pieces to manage this summer. If Flip is likely to sign here, it makes it easier to select the best available center. Seems like there is more potential for a big to get minutes…given that Zaza and Solo are free agents. Zaza likely gets a raise from someone. If you want a (small) hometown discount, you may have to put an extra year or two on that contract. Solo can go. I don’t dislike him, but I have not seen Woody use him enough to justify making an effort beyond the minimum salary to keep him. Give someone else a try.
Billy Knight’s first major impact on the Hawks was as the Memphis GM. That draft was really good for the Hawks. Babcock followed orders and picked up 2 guys that have had decent NBA careers. Late in the 1st round Indy told him to pick Jamaal Tinsley. Maybe we should ask Memphis & Indy who to draft this year
BWAF
country boy
May 21st, 2009
3:45 pm
I agree with ant banks… Toney Douglas is a quick offensive scorer. I was surprised to see him listed as only a second round choice in the one mock draft I saw. I think he will be a productive pro player as he was a superior producer in the powerful ACC. FSU had an unusually good year ( even if they had a 1st round NCAA exit ) for them and he was clearly their go-to scorer.
PMC
May 21st, 2009
3:47 pm
Given Hewitts past track record at Tech… I’d imagine Gani Lawal will go to the NBA and suddenly be much better than he wa in college.
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
3:48 pm
Write as much as you like, Ted. Indeed, anyone who knows his Van Gogh and his Kipling and his Tom Jones (the Welsh one) gets a special word-count dispensation.
O'brien
May 21st, 2009
3:50 pm
Mr. Bradley, Sund was responsible for drafitng Swift, Petro, and Sene.
I am very concerned about his eye for talent when it comes to drafting bigs…
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
3:53 pm
Well, O’Brien, you know what? You make a good point.
All the more reason to take a guard, wouldn’t you say?
PMC
May 21st, 2009
3:53 pm
You don’t have to say anything new Mark. Most people get themselves into trouble publically because they are incapable of behaving in those simple manners.
As far as Teixeria. It was a last ditch desperation move and they totally blew it. Considering all the other moves they made (John Smoltz, Greg Maddux…etc) not to bad overall. The only other really terrible move John S. Made in his tenure was David Justice’s premature departure. Unfortunately we are still hurting in the outfield.
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
3:56 pm
You’re right, PMC. I understand exactly why the Braves traded for Teixeira. It just hasn’t worked out. But life, and baseball, goes on.
Obama loves Cheney's bald head, but nothing else
May 21st, 2009
4:05 pm
Teixeria’s trade was just awfull, but maybe they learned their lesson in how too not overpay for temporary help.
Is there any scenario for us to move up in a trade with Marvin Williams/Acie Law combination? Although I wouldn’t know who we would take early.
Baba O'Riley
May 21st, 2009
4:16 pm
Last UGA player to make MLB or NBA All-Star game?????????????
Hoops
May 21st, 2009
4:19 pm
Manny T,
You are right. The Hawks need to use their pick and get the best Big Man or PG. I just get the feeling that a lot of guards are going to be drafted early because of the teams that pick ahead of the Hawks. I see us getting a Big Man. Assuming that we are going to resign Flip, taking Mullens (if available) would probably be a good pick for the Hawks!
Hoops
May 21st, 2009
4:21 pm
Mark,
Do you think the Hawks will pursue Sessions for the point?
gold and white
May 21st, 2009
4:22 pm
i realy like teague. a solid all around ballplayer. brings much needed energy to the floor. don’t worry about his size. there are plenty of small guards who light it up in the NBA
gold and white
May 21st, 2009
4:24 pm
and we were all fond of the texiera trade at the time. we gave him a standing o when he hit his first homer. just remember that
willie
May 21st, 2009
4:24 pm
A 7-footer is not available at #19 unless he is no good. He would be a huge risk. Take one of the solid PG prospects.
Baba O'Riley
May 21st, 2009
4:27 pm
Last MLB all-star from UGA…Glenn Davis 1986.
gold and white
May 21st, 2009
4:29 pm
douglas or teague please. we cant afford to miss out on anymore pointguards like we did on paul and rondo
Don Pardo
May 21st, 2009
4:41 pm
Mark: there were actually 5 players on the Mark Teixeira
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Atlanta
SS Elvis Andrus, Myrtle Beach (Hi A)
LHP Matt Harrison, Mississippi (AA)
RHP Neftali Feliz, Danville (R)
LHP Beau Jones, Rome (Lo A)
I am sorry but there is no defending that trade, The only way to justify would have been to be able to sign Tex long term – as condition of the trade. Hoping to sign any high profile player in his first free agent opportunity is risking, but a Boros client, that’s just plan dumb. There was truly zero chance he would resign her.
And to make matters worse JS hand already made the exact same mistake with the J.D. Trade, giving up two good arms for one year rental of a Boros client.
I think Feliz, turns out to be a number #1 starter, as projected this could go down as one of the 10 worst trades in baseball history.
I don’t think you can grade this trade by just saying it did not work out, that’s life,’
this was a huge blunder, that could haunt the Braves for years to come.
Reid Adair
May 21st, 2009
4:42 pm
I wonder how long it took Kevin Sullivan to come up with those four points. Seriously.
swatguy
May 21st, 2009
4:51 pm
Al Horford, Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Marvin, and Shelden. Wow Woody …Oh SNAP He did play them, as Rookies.
I believe Vick will QB and will win many many games.
At the end of his career the debate may be,” can a felon get in Canton”?
You gotta like Maynor.
I’ll bet Woody would rather have Javaris than Acie now.
I’m still not prepared to see Vick in another uniform. He and Deion are the best every as a Falcon.
country boy
May 21st, 2009
5:01 pm
Yes the Texiera trade turned out to be a blunder. I seem to remember though at the time of the trade that the Braves were serious about signing him to a long term contract thus making him a Braves fixture at first and clean up. As noted earlier he played his college ball in Atl. Shurholtz and the Braves misjudged Tex and his agent as they were hopeful the stay with the Braves would be on a winning successful team and that he would take less money and sign a contract instead of trying to create a bidding war with large market teams. Tex. was all about the money.
YouCanRunButYouCannotHide
May 21st, 2009
5:05 pm
Willie,
Why would a solid PG be available at 19? To be honest, I’d package the pick with a player or two to either move up or get a decent big man. Here’s the thing people are missing. The Hawks don’t need the next Shaq or Howard. While we still need a big man, we don’t need the same big man we were after 5 years ago. The Hawks just need a legit NBA starting center. He doesn’t even have to sniff the all-star game or ROY honors. Just someone who can play above average defense enough to slow down opponents in the paint on defense while helping with offensive rebounds and able to post up on offense. The value is moving Horford to PF and Josh Smith to SF. I’d like to see how those 2 perform against their peers at those positions respectively. I think you would see an offensive explosion out of those 2 being able to create their own shots in the half court game. All of a sudden teams wouldn’t be able to afford to double Joe as much as they do now.
Sund's Assistant
May 21st, 2009
5:06 pm
I’m torn between whether we go for a PG or a C. Bibby is getting older, and his age will catch up with him soon. If we were able to get an explosive PG who could run the floor well, it would be a great fit for the Hawks. He doesn’t necessarily have to be a lights out shooter, because Joe can do that and Flip can come off the bench and put up 10 points or so in a matter of minutes, which he did a number of times this season. Going out and finding a quality PG now could be the smart choice, especially since Bibby’s gas is almost out.
On the flip side (no pun intended), we could really do with a big man. Horford is trying his hardest, but its clear that he would rather be at the PF position. If we can find a decent big man at our pick, then that would be another smart route. Find a good C, and have Bibby, Joe, Josh, and Horford at the other positions.
I think the only players we should consider putting on the trading block are Marvin and Childress (I think we get him back this year… that is if he wants to return to the NBA). I love the trade someone suggested earlier: 19th pick, Marvin, Childress to Toronto for 9th pick and Bosh. That would take care of our lack of a C, and we could get a great PG at the 9th pick. That would be our dream situation.
mountain_jim
May 21st, 2009
5:11 pm
good point about picking Acie over Critt. At least we did not pick Mike Conley Jr so many wanted over Horford at 3. Still don’t know if Acie was a bad pick or if Woody ruined him. Have to trade him to find out I guess.
O'brien
May 21st, 2009
5:12 pm
We still have Acie Law and Speedy Claxton under contract. If we resign Flip, and resign Bibby, and draft a PG, we will have 5 PG’s on our roster. If Sund resigns Flip, and decides to draft a PG, I hope he makes some moves to get rid of Speedy and Acie.
I am in favor of signing Ramon Sessions from the Bucks (he made less than $800k last year), or signing Jarret Jack (he made a little over $2 mil last year). At least those guys have some experience, and I dont know how much PT a rookie PG would get under Woody.
I think we can use the 19th pick as part of a trade (especially if Chills doesnt want to play for Woody), that gives us 2 potential chips, combined with Speedy’s expiring salary ($5.5 million I think). The Hawks have options this offseason.
gene garbage
May 21st, 2009
5:39 pm
DANG!!! just saw where Peavy is going to the white sox!! i would’ve given up our entire outfield,flyball frenchy, strike-out schafer, and always aching anderson for him. heck, i would’ve even thrown in kj and half of our bullpen…check that, MOST of our bullpen..awe what the hell, ALL of our bullpen for him..
they’re all proven commodities aren’t they? at least the bravos think so.
gene garbage
May 21st, 2009
5:45 pm
and as far as the hawks are concernd, just as long as we DONT take another 6-6 – 6-8 forward who can jump out of the gym,but do nothing else. we have PLENTY of those guys!!
Evan Foudoulis
May 21st, 2009
6:15 pm
I like Patty Mills at pick 19 for the hawks. He was great at the Olympics coming off the bench and did a pretty good job for St marys. What does everyone else think?
Mike
May 21st, 2009
6:28 pm
I agree that you’ve done a nice job covering the Hawks recently, Mark, as has Sekou.
Let’s assume they are bringing Bibby back, or perhaps some other free agent point guard like Miller or Kidd. By the way, there is zero chance they turn the PG duties over to Flip full time. They like him because he provides a scorer off the bench, and he likes Atlanta because they don’t try to make him a PG. So let’s also assume you are right that they are bringing Flip back. In that case it makes no sense to draft a PG unless they move Acie Law, because there already aren’t enough minutes for the three of them. I like Acie and think he’s ready at least to be a back-up IF he can stay healthy, but I doubt you would get much for him in a trade in a year where a third of the first-round picks will be point guards.
Unfortunately, I also think that Blair and Mullens will be long gone. Big guys always move up as the draft gets closer, and there are very few big guys this year.
IlliniBrave
May 21st, 2009
6:34 pm
Re. the supposedly “lopsidedness” of the Texiera trade, are we supposed to then feel bad for the following teams:
ChiSox – for giving us Vasquez on the cheap
ChiCubs – for allowing us to steal Infante and Ohlman for Ascanio
Angels – for trading us Kotchman so they could rent Tex for 3 months
Tigers – for literally giving away Jurrjens
Mariners – for taking Ramirez off our hands in exchange for Soriano
Pirates – for saving us from LaRoche (thank God!) while giving us Gonzo
All of these trades have worked out strongly in favor of the Braves. In every case the players we gave up are marginal at best. In some cases (Horacio Ramirex, Adam LaRoche) these guys were problems we got rid of. To point to one trade (okay two if you include the Drew-for-Wainright, but remember this also solved the Jason Marquis problem) as evidence of bad management or as a single event that will “haunt the Braves for years” seems terribly shortsighted.
Mark Bradley
May 21st, 2009
6:39 pm
Patty Mills could well fall to the Hawks at No. 19. Played for Australia in the Olympics, played for St. Mary’s but got hurt in the middle of last season. He’s pretty good. Not as good as Lawson or Maynor, but pretty good. I like him more than I do Teague.
As for Ramon Sessions: I don’t see the Hawks pursuing him unless Bibby leaves.
bfred
May 21st, 2009
7:05 pm
Look, the Braves prospects that were included in the trade weren’t pulled out of a hat. They were all at positions where they would be blocked for several years to come. We are on the verge of an embarassment of riches at starting pitcher (Lowe, Jurrjens, Vasquez, Kawakami [TBD], Glavine or Hudson, Hanson and Medlen) with superior players ahead of all of those prospects as summarized in all of the posts above. We had a legitimate shot at the playoffs and Texiera brought the offense we lacked. No organization should pack it in when there’s a chance of post-season play, and the Braves rightfully did not. IlliniBrave lists the GREAT trades we have made recently, and doesn’t include Kochman on the list. I know Tex is a Boras client, but do believe if things had gone as planned we could have signed him for less than a market deal. His 2008 performance with the Braves was surprising even for a slow starter, so it’s hard to fault the front office for not having a crystal ball. This was a gutsy trade by a team that needed a big bat (sound familiar?) and was the right thing to do at the time. We still have one of the deepest farm systems in the majors with a ton of young talent knocking on the door.
The Braves are competitive right now due to their pitching, which is EVERYTHING for a team that wants to succeed in the postseason. We have young guys coming up, and we have bargaining chips for trades. Calm down about Texiera.
Gary
May 21st, 2009
7:30 pm
Still see all of these comments about the Tex trade and still no one can tell me where any of these guys we gave up for Tex would be playing and helping the team as it is right now? Also please tell me if it wasn’t Tex who these players were traded for then who else could we have gotten that we don’t already have? Jake Peavy? Nope the Braves had the deal made, ol Jake didn’t want to come to Atlanta. Maybe a LF or RF….hmmm seems the Braves tried that in the offseason and couldn’t find one available.
In the end we have a very good 1B who will bridge the gap until Freeman is ready.
truth-serum
May 21st, 2009
8:35 pm
TRADE SUND AND MARK BRADLEY FOR TWO 12TH ROUND PICKS. PUT SOME CASH WITH THAT IF YOU HAVE NO TAKERS.
razerGT
May 21st, 2009
9:24 pm
Mark, I always like hearing good things about the Rangers…. but maybe that’s because I’ve lived a large part of my life in Texas.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 21st, 2009
11:53 pm
Mullens, in my opinion, is a bust. He is athletic but doesn’t have the skills or the toughness to be a real contributor in the NBA.
Maynor is a stud, and Flynn has the skills if not the size to be a solid player too. Teague is OK.
I’d still rather see the Hawks take DeJuan Blair if he’s available.
Rob
May 22nd, 2009
2:00 am
It’s a very far out game of what if, but if we had not made the trade for Tex, then we would probably have Jake Peavy playing for the Braves right now. Wasn’t Yunel Escobar the centerpiece of what the Padres wanted?
David Smith
May 22nd, 2009
6:58 am
After seeing Mario Chalmers, Mo Williams, and Delonte West rip us a new one in the playoffs and Tony Parker driving to the lane at will to score 43 points in the regular season,it’s critical for us to draft a point guard now more than ever. I love how Maynor drives the lane with a purpose and, his leadership in leading his team to an improbable victory over Duke in the 2006 NCAA tournament. BJ Mullens size reminds me of Priest Lauderdale (though BJ probably wouldn’t be the public relations nightmare that Preist was). I would rather we either package some players to get a decent veteran center or for woody to work with what he has and give young big men like Soloman Jones and Randolph Morris more playing time (I’m also wondering about David Andersen’s progress in the D league and his chances of being called up).
dap01
May 22nd, 2009
7:33 am
Even hearing the word “extention” mentioned with Woody make me sick! Even thinking about EVERY opposing teams guard having a field day against Bibby next year makes me sick! Even watching the ISO Joe offense show next year makes me sick. Come on Sund! We need a center and an offense. We have a PG tandem, simply use AC.
Mark Bradley
May 22nd, 2009
9:34 am
Bibby can’t guard anybody. That’s a given. But he gives the Hawks a lot on the other end, and he and Joe play well off one another. It’s a plus/minus thing, and I believe the Hawks think the the pluses are winning.
Barry
May 22nd, 2009
10:29 am
Enter your comments here
Barry
May 22nd, 2009
11:01 am
Get a center. We can work with the point guards we have now. All we need is a legitmate center who can be a threat a rebounding, defense, dribbling, passing and shooting. He does not have to be great but better than average. I say that because we have Josh and Hord. They will more than help on the defensive and offensive side of the ball. They are young and energetic and they all can make an impact with a more than average center. From what I hear, the center from Ohio State sounds solid. If there are any other center out there better than him, go for that. If we get lucky and get a point guard better than the ones we already have, go for it. However, if Woody is here, i am very afraid of what he does to talented point guards who were great in college. He has a tendancy to destroy their game and confidence. I can imagine if Chris Paul and Deron Williams came to Atlanta under Woody and his staff. I guarantee you that they would have destroyed their careers and you would not have heard about them. They would be in Wooody’s dog house. Their careers destroyed. They get in his dog house because Woody does not allow his point guards to be creative. he does not know the spirit of a creative point guard who is use to creative within the play, on the court. Bibby has been allowed to flourish because he was a proven NBA point guard. Woody would not dare put him in the dog house. But he can do this with rookie point guards. He does not let them play. He knows nothing about point guards and how they think on the court because he was a forward, a receiver of a point guards pass. If Woody is here get veteran point guards who are proven in the leauge. They are the only one’s who will be allowed to be successful under this coach and his staff.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Billy Bob Bama
May 22nd, 2009
11:04 am
The hawks don’t need someone who can put points on the scoreboard. They have plenty of them. They need someone who can take the ball out of bounds and, before you know it, have it under their opponets basket, dish it off, and BOOM!
Jeff Gibson
May 23rd, 2009
5:20 am
Basically The Right Pick May Be
avid Holston,Eric Maynor, Blake Griffen, or Taylor Hansbrough.
Thabeet and Griffen will be gone but These fine Players may be available, John Blake or Ahmad Nivens.I like these better than freshman 7 Footer.
Also the Atlanta Hawks Might Consider: Stephen Curry, Jermaine Taylor, Lester Hudson, David Holston, Jodie Meeks, Stephen Jackson.
If Atlanta goes with a 7 footer it may need to be by trade with as great of selection after Bogut’s year you may can find one For a reasonable Price in trade with another NBA Trade. I don’t know If roy Hibbert is untouchable, or Hilton,
Keepin it 100
May 23rd, 2009
5:51 pm
TAKE MULLINS GET THE BIG MAN!!! THE HAWKS NEED A CENTER!!!
Hoops
May 23rd, 2009
8:34 pm
If the Hawks want a player from this draft that can help right away they should try to trade up for a higher pick. I don’t think there is that many impact players in this draft to be able to wait on the 19th pick. If Coach Woodson is not going to play Acie Law then we should package him with Speedy and see if we can get a better draft position. I wonder if we could get the 2nd or 3rd pick for Acie and our 19th pick.
The Phenomenal One
May 23rd, 2009
10:27 pm
With the 19th pick the Hawks take Eric Maynor or Ty Lawson. Fingers crossed,
! Please no more forwards!
Truth-serum
May 23rd, 2009
10:31 pm
J-MAN
May 23rd, 2009
1:35 pm
I find it hard to believe that after the playoff and the season clearly demonstrated our inability to defend the post, yet Dumb and Mo dumb are looking for a point guard as top priority. In case Sund or Mo dumb Bradley are reading, defending the post in Basketball is a-kin to defending the goal in soccer or the goal in hockey or football or for that matter most sports… let’s start with fundamentals: to defend the post means to alter shots, block shots, pull down offensive rebounds and force the opposing center to the high post or the perimeter. As in chess center, control is dominating….My bad I’m trying to get Mo dumb attention, I’m sure he doesn’t understand chess.
Horford is a good power forward and can give you minutes at the center post but is not a longstanding match for a true NBA center. For all you Z “the expressway to the bucket is now open” supporters, the man had the starting job as center with the Hawks. He lost it because he can’t man the position. Ill grant him that he is physically a NBA center and he pushes and shoves with the best of them but he can’t Man the position and it seems that he is a continuous turnover. He’s not athletic enough, he can’t shoot or jump or block shots or finish in the paint. Dude. Let it go. He can’t protect the post and he lost his starting Job to a power forward. Just keeping it real. Other teams have their guards run down his throat and he alters 0 shots.
Back to fundamentals, on the offensive end you want to move the opposing center off the low block and open lanes for your slashers like Marvin and Josh and Joe…that way you won’t find Josh deep on the wing because the other teams seven footer is clogging the middle. This normally requires some weight on your center, something Horford does not have. Your center must also finish consistently in the low block something Za”why are you passing me the ball?” Za cannot do and something Horford can’t do against the big men and he must resort to his lane shot, which he makes consistently but he gives ground to do so and slowly the low post for us becomes a high post.. The reason this is imperative, Dumb and Mo Dumb, is that it forces the other team to drop down into the low post to defend and thereby making the range of outside shots shorter distance and higher percentage.
When we are force to a high post it allow defensive rotations to stifle us because it’s easier to get to the high post and rotate back to your man on the wing.
There is a role for Marvin who can go 2 or 3 and can draw the fouls Joe cant. 3 years from now Joe won’t be in Marvin’s league. Joe is good and stills the lead man. He can do it all. Flip has become the heart and soul of this team. Make no mistake about that. There’s room enough for Josh and Horford because they play different roles. Josh plays 3 and 4 Horford plays 4 and 5. They blend very well together and are great options to change the speed dimension. If they had a center like the U-Conn center or even the back up from Chicago Grey, Woody would be competing for the finals. Shaq has 3 strong years left and proved this year he can still take over a game when the shots don’t fall he can and will dominate any center in the post. Shaq is a winner. With Shaq on this squad this is a final four team no doubt. Yeah, he can run and open lanes for the J and A assault team. Camby is still a great pick!! There or lots of true centers available that can finish and defend the post. So stop whining saying there aren’t any. Do your home work.
The bottom line is you won’t get past the second round with Horford as your power forward playing center, and for sure you may not get out of the first round with Z top this turnover Pachulia as the center. He could not defend his job from a power forward how can he against real centers?
Here is the nucleus of the team, J.J. Josh, Marvin, flip and Horford and Woody (just keeping it real). Build around this crew. Get them a center and were in the final four…. with what you have in salary cap room and trade material with Bibby (sign and trade), Za “have you seen this turnover before” Za, Acie law, Solomon, and the GA tech guard you can get a good center another point and money left over.
Woody did his job even though you insulted him with your lack of a contract offer.
Now do your and get him a CENTER!
Skeezix
May 24th, 2009
11:11 am
The trade for Tex was pure folly. I agree, only would have made sense if he was a keeper. JS owns that one. Ranks up there (or down there?) with trading away Dye.
Hms
May 24th, 2009
1:41 pm
Better to take a guard. Get a center who already knows how to play in the NBA, not one who doesn’t even know how to play in college.
Rod
May 26th, 2009
11:31 am
Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of hearing about Vick? The guy made a mistake, he’s no longer gonna be a Falcon, let’s move on to things that regard our team.
About this “horrible” trade the Braves made. I’m not buying it. Yes, Texas got the better end of the deal, but where were these guys gonna play in Atlanta? Escobar has posted better numbers than Andrus, and B Mac is better than Salty. B Mac and Salty have the same # of HR, only 1 RBI difference, and B Mac BA is 75 points higher! Not to mention that both B Mac and Escobar have played in fewer games.
M. Mitchell
May 27th, 2009
8:33 pm
For god’s sake, don’t take Mullens! Why? Two words: Jon Koncak.