Why the Hawks still haven’t gotten past missing on Chris Paul
Chris Paul (in blue) is not now, nor has he ever been, a Hawk. (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin)
Every Hawks blog post elicits the same two reader comments. The first: “We should have drafted Chris Paul!” The second, following close at hand: “Can we please stop talking about Chris Paul?”
Reader No. 2 has a point. The draft in question came in 2005. But a misspent pick of 5 2/3 years ago is the gift (to other teams) that goes on taking (from the Hawks).
History lesson: The Hawks entered the 2005 lottery with the NBA’s worst record (13-69) and stood the best chance of landing the first pick. They had had some good young wings but no center and no point guard.
The 2005 draft, as luck had it, included both a center (Andrew Bogut of Utah) and three point guards (Paul of Wake Forest, Deron Williams from Illinois and Raymond Felton of North Carolina) cut from high cloth. There was disappointment among Hawks brass when they finished second to Milwaukee in the lottery — everyone knew the Bucks would take Bogut — but they still felt they’d make out OK. And they should have.
Marvin Williams, a freshman forward who’d been North Carolina’s sixth man, scarcely missed a shot in his Atlanta audition, and general manager Billy Knight was smitten. On Draft Night the Hawks left the three point guards on the board, each of whom was snagged by the next three selecting teams. Thus did the Hawks spend their highest pick in 30 years on yet another forward. The team exited the draft as it had entered. Not getting a center was bad luck. Not finding a point guard was bad business.
Five and a half seasons later, the Hawks approach the trading deadline still on the PG prowl. They’ve since spent two first-round picks on the position (Acie Law IV and Jeff Teague) and made two trades importing point guards of a sort (Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford), but they haven’t yet found the guy capable of running an NBA team in the way NBA team needs to be run.
Their reported/rumored targets this February? Point guards again — Ramon Sessions of Cleveland, Andre Miller of Portland and the recently dealt-t0-Denver Felton. Also included: Washington’s Kirk Hinrich, who has point-guard qualities. The Hawks have decided they can climb no higher with Mike Bibby, which is true now but wasn’t true when he arrived.
In his final act as GM, Knight acquired Bibby from Sacramento in Feburary 2008 at a time when the Hawks were in danger of missing the playoffs for the eighth year running. Bibby helped settle the younger Hawks, who slipped in as the No. 8 seed and carried the champs-to-be Celtics to a Game 7. That was when the Hawks stopped being losers, and it wouldn’t have happened without Bibby.
But Bibby is idiosyncratic: He doesn’t drive to the basket, and he guards nothing that moves. He’s skilled at distributing the ball on the break and he can make a three-point shot, but he couldn’t have been a starting point guard on a good team if that team didn’t have Joe Johnson. Those two like and trust one another, and Bibby doesn’t mind letting Johnson control the ball.
Thing is, Larry Drew’s new share-the-wealth offense features Johnson less, and the upshot has been that nobody is running this team. (Ergo, the offense often is rendered a fusillade of jump shots.) When Crawford enters, his mission is to score, and Teague, of whom much was expected, has delivered nothing.
The East keeps getting better. The Hawks, the No. 3 seed last season, are positioned to be the fifth seed this year. They need to make a personnel move, but it’s unclear if any of those players mentioned will mesh with Johnson. And if Crawford is included in any deal, the Hawks’ second unit becomes substandard. (Bibby as a sub wouldn’t have nearly the effect Crawford does.)
This could have been avoided had Knight made the right pick at the right time. Having Paul or Deron Williams — I preferred the latter, who was just traded to the Nets — would have made the Hawks a playoff team in 2007, perhaps in 2006. No, they wouldn’t have been drafting high enough in 2007 to land Al Horford, but they’d already have been a good team by then.
Without a real point guard, the Hawks wound up getting pretty good anyway. But their way was the harder way, and that way has reached the point of diminishing returns. Five years later, the Hawks still lack their Chris Paul.
By Mark Bradley
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214 comments Add your comment
Born2Buzz
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 pm
We Hawks fans are saddled with the worst owners/managers of any NBA team. It is truly heartbreaking to think what would have been and what has happened.
And now Utah has dealt D Williams to NJ? Yikes.
And Gwinnett Fred, you are right. The Marvin pick was bad but the Shelden pick was even worse. Shelden Williams is now the guy who gets thrown into trades to even out salaries and bodies. And Billy Knightmare took him with the #5 pick????
MB, why are you kicking sand in our faces?!?! ARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!
JJ
February 23rd, 2011
1:10 pm
Right about one thing…..it’s the gift that just keeps on giving.
The Hawks management (whether Knight or Sund) is just plain incompetent. And stubborn. How any “basketball mind” can look at this roster and think “we’re getting better” is beyond me.
The ceiling on this team is getting lower, not higher. We get blown out, humiliated in the 2nd round last year so what do these genius’ do? Promote an assistant to be coach and keep the roster exactly the same.
It’s no wonder no one shows up at the “Highlight Factory”. No one in this city actually believes any longer that the Hawks are doing whatever they can to win. It’s ridiculous.
Midweek Linkage, including a few updates | Control ATL Delete | Atlanta Sports Blog – News- Discussion – Scores – Recaps
February 23rd, 2011
1:11 pm
[...] Derrick Favors) in exchange for Deron Williams. The Hawks still need a point guard though, and as Michael Bradley writes, the decision to pass on Chris Paul (and Williams) in the 2005 draft still haunts the team. [...]
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
1:12 pm
“@najeh…what franchise are you talking about?”
The Hawks in my dreams.
KCG
February 23rd, 2011
1:12 pm
Testing
Ted M
February 23rd, 2011
1:14 pm
What would it take to get Ty Lawson?
Double Zero Eight
February 23rd, 2011
1:15 pm
Just shows the price paid for poor management and bad ownership.
The Falcons drafted Brent Favre and felt he was destined to be
a third string/ back up quarterback, before he was traded to the
Packers.
Luke M
February 23rd, 2011
1:16 pm
Can’t wait for your next column, on why Kennedy’s trip to Dallas was probably a bad idea.
It was not a bad pick
February 23rd, 2011
1:17 pm
The hawks need a big man..That has always been their problem not PG…We are too smalll
RealSquawk
February 23rd, 2011
1:17 pm
Mark seriously every year you come out with this blog, every year! And I am not sure if I would rather you stop pointing out the obvious or if you had nothing to point out. Actually I prefer the second. Keep posting Mr. Bradley. Keep Posting.
HWJ
February 23rd, 2011
1:17 pm
Deron WIlliams just got traded for favors and harris… it shows that deals can be done… we just won’t do them
01HAWK
February 23rd, 2011
1:18 pm
ACIE LAW
MARVIN WILLIAMS
JEFF TEAGUE
WASTE, WASTE, WASTE
bgdawg
February 23rd, 2011
1:18 pm
SMH…..we drafted shelden williams over brandon ROY!!!!!!!WTF BK?!?!?!
jfreak13713
February 23rd, 2011
1:19 pm
Well now the Devin Harris is off the table there is NO chance the Hawks will advance far in the playoffs. Not that they had a much better chance with him but they will not advance without him for sure. I hope they will make a move to improve this team but I question now if that move shouldn’t be a more long term move instead of a move to salavage this season?
I just can’t see a reason to keep this team together?? To me Josh Smith is the odd man out with Marvin Williams if a deal could be made? I believe Smith has reached his potential and what you are getting now is all you’ll ever get out of him and its simply not enough for this team! A really good PG with JJ and Hordford would be better than what they currently have.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2011
1:20 pm
How would you folks feel about Kirk Hinrich?
Better still, go ask DOB about Kirk Hinrich. He’s his favorite player ever.
BALI
February 23rd, 2011
1:21 pm
tired of hearing what the hawks shoulda done 5 years ago…what gets me is why dont the hawks pull the trigger and do something now..new offense is boring rather see the jj show than what is going on nwas the point guardow.i think its time to blow the hawks up and start over…still cannot believe they paid 120 million to keep joe johnson,,tired of josh smith and marvin williams and bibby looks so old i think i am having flashbacks and watching ucla when his dad
HWJ
February 23rd, 2011
1:22 pm
Mark,
Getting Kirk Hinrich would be an awful play… He’s getting older and it’s just a short term solution…. Is Kirk really going to help us win a series? NO
BALI
February 23rd, 2011
1:22 pm
played the point for the bruins
oldmike
February 23rd, 2011
1:23 pm
This team is totally irrelevant. Not worth the time it takes to watch on TV or the money to go to a game. Ownership is pathetic. The league should take over the franchise. Is it just me or have the players been saying the same things about effort andf focus after losses for 4 years now? Maybe they should blow this thing up again.
Sage of Bluesland
February 23rd, 2011
1:24 pm
Mark Bradley is Captain Obvious…but conveniently omits one key factor in the aversion to Chris Paul: Attitude concerns. I recall more than one “expert” opining on this due to brushes Paul had while at Wake.
Many “experts” also had Marvin as the most talented player coming out of UNC since Jordan…that the upside-potential IF it worked out was off-the-chart….
Yes, Mark, you have proven once again that hindsight is remarkable in its accuracy…Kudos to you…
(I just wish you would share for all of us what the connection you had with Pete Babcock…I don’t recall ever…EVER…reading a disparaging word to that equally-buffoonish GM of the Hawks….Funny, isn’t it?)
JROLL1
February 23rd, 2011
1:24 pm
I TOO HAD WANTED US TO DRAFT DERON WILLIAMS. I HAVE 3 WORDS FOR BILLY KNIGHT…”GLSD HE’S GONE!”
Ted M
February 23rd, 2011
1:29 pm
I’d go after Ty Lawson.
no mo
February 23rd, 2011
1:31 pm
I wish the worthless hawks would leave town with the thrashers. They suck as usual and get blown out by all the good teams.
nique
February 23rd, 2011
1:33 pm
Ramon Sessions is the best we can do? Hopefully we don’t have to give up too much for him.
kirkinga
February 23rd, 2011
1:35 pm
I agree with the premise, but in Knight’s defense, Williams’ selection was about more than a great workout.
Go back and read the predraft assessments of all the players mentioned. People questioned whether Bogut’s game would translate well to the NBA. Paul’s height and his ability to defend (which is still suspect, but better than Bibby’s) were in serious debate. Then we have the recently jettisoned from Utah, D. Williams who had a fantastic tournament, but wasn’t in NBA shape and there were questions about his commitment to dropping weight, his attitude, and yes, his ability to defend (which is not a strength at this point but is ok).
But there was one guy that almost all pundits thought had the most upside of any in that year’s draft and one that many pundits thought would turn out to be the best player drafted that year as time wore on. That is the guy the Hawks picked.
So yes, the Hawks should have rolled the dice and picked for need instead of the best player route. When we knock M. Williams, we should be honest and admit that many basketball people thought that was the better pick and they too were wrong.
Lastly, who is to say that if the Hawks had drafted Paul or D. Williams that they would have developed the same under Coach Woodson? Bibby thrived here in part because he was already a veteran. We don’t know if either of those guys would have played much their first season much less become the stars they’ve seem to become now. Would they have deferred Johnson and Smith? Would they have transformed the defense? I think there is more than a bit of revisionism and wishful thinking when folks say that Paul and D. Williams were obvious superstar picks that would have lifted this franchise to glory.
jarvis
February 23rd, 2011
1:36 pm
If they’d drafte Paul, this ownership group would have manged to find another way to f’ that situation up.
One thing I am certain of is their incompetance and an uncanny ability to make the wrong move.
jarvis
February 23rd, 2011
1:37 pm
Joe is completely unmovable. Who wants that contract?
Luv 2 hate me
February 23rd, 2011
1:39 pm
Ok Utah just traded away Darren Williams. What in the H*ll is going on with the Hawks. They need to make some moves and NOW. Marvin and Bibby can get lost.
kirkinga
February 23rd, 2011
1:40 pm
I agree with the Hawks still lack a PG, among other things.
Go back and read the predraft assessments of all the players mentioned. People questioned whether Bogut’s game would translate well to the NBA. Paul’s height and his ability to defend (which is still suspect, but better than Bibby’s) were in serious debate. Then we have the recently jettisoned from Utah, D. Williams who had a fantastic tournament, but wasn’t in NBA shape and there were questions about his commitment to dropping weight, his attitude, and yes, his ability to defend (which is not a strength at this point but is ok).
Almost all pundits thought M. Williams had the most upside of any in that year’s draft and would turn out to be the best player drafted that year as time wore on.
Lastly, who is to say that if the Hawks had drafted Paul or D. Williams that they would have developed the same under Coach Woodson? Bibby thrived here in part because he was already a veteran. We don’t know if either of those guys would have played much their first season much less become the stars they’ve seem to become now. Would they have deferred Johnson and Smith? Would they have transformed the defense? I think there is more than a bit of revisionism and wishful thinking when folks say that Paul and D. Williams were obvious superstar picks that would have lifted this franchise to glory.
Ted Striker
February 23rd, 2011
1:40 pm
Very good analysis in this column.
In Knight’s defense, the NBA draft is one of the most inexact non-sciences there is. That said, it would be hard to goof it up as frequently as he did.
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February 23rd, 2011
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bobby
February 23rd, 2011
1:43 pm
i think that what the hawks should’ve done was draft deron williams because i think he’s a better player than chris paul because he a better shooter and dose’nt need the ball all the time or traded the pick for a proven big man.
Playmakers!!
February 23rd, 2011
1:45 pm
Hawks, Falcons, neither know how to draft…(M.Ryan,wait and see)…
mountain_jim
February 23rd, 2011
1:54 pm
and in the same 2005 draft the Hawks and BK could have drafted Monta Ellis in the 2ND ROUND.
There were several folks at Hawksquawk back then touting Ellis, and he was available.
BK picked Salim Stoudamire at 31 and Ellis went at 40.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NBA_Draft
Hawks should have hired the fans here and at the Squawk to run that draft – would have done so much better. God I hate BK – where is that self-important know-it-all hiding out at these days?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 23rd, 2011
1:55 pm
Hawks asleep at the wheel as Nets aquire Deron Williams…
mountain_jim
February 23rd, 2011
1:58 pm
Well at least BK drafted bodies – did not sell the 2nd round picks for dollars which go unused to improve the team, just like the exceptions do. Fire Sund!
coolio
February 23rd, 2011
2:02 pm
Trade Joe Johnson for Deron Williams Then Trade Jamail Crawford,Jeff Teauge and Marvin Williams for Tayshawn Prince and Rip Hamilton
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:03 pm
Why can’t we go get Felton or Lawson? One of those two has to be available.
Braves 2011
February 23rd, 2011
2:05 pm
Harris, Favors, Jerseys 1st round pick and Warriors 2012 1st round pick for Deron Williams.
I like Utah’s side of the deal.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 23rd, 2011
2:05 pm
“How would you folks feel about Kirk Hinrich?”
Apathetic, as we should. Hinrich is an upgrade over the current situation, but so are about 30 other point guards in this league. What will Hinrich really account for, one extra playoff win before the Hawks lose in the first round anyway?
Mr. Mojo
February 23rd, 2011
2:05 pm
Rick Sund is a joke!
Mr. Mojo
February 23rd, 2011
2:09 pm
No PGS left. Ramon Sessions isn’t a difference maker. Maybe Andre Miller? But not sure of his contract situation. Hawks are screwed they will get no PG or C and then we will here same old crap form this GM and ownership. What a disgrace
Veteran Fan
February 23rd, 2011
2:09 pm
Tick, tick, tick time is slipping away on the Hawks! Please send the “CORE” somewhere else! It would be nice to get some players in here who want to play basketball! First, we are stuck with JJ as the only team with anything we wanted who would be stupid enough to pay him is NJ and they just gave away Harris and Favors and 2 #1s which we could have used along with Murphy. Oh well, now we need to send Josh, Zaza, and Marvin and swap #1s to the Timberwolves for Love and Darko. Upgrades our frontline and gets us a decent draft pick. Second, Bibby and Jamaal to the Suns for Nash. Makes the team more uptempo immediately and Teague can learn from a league MVP how to play the position!
Braves 2011
February 23rd, 2011
2:10 pm
Glad Favors is away from the Russian know it all billionaire.
He’s going to reget this deal so much.
SR
February 23rd, 2011
2:10 pm
Yes, you are absolutely correct, not drafting Paul is the gift that keeps on giving and keeps on haunting this franchise, along with miserable ownership. If you had to choose one word that best defines the Hawks, it is “irrelevant”.
Deacon Blues
February 23rd, 2011
2:12 pm
Tremaine, I absolutely ate up your pizza delivery metaphor. Nice work!
Thank God for the weather. Otherwise, things would be so depressing around here: Hawks (stuck in the middle with you!), Hewitt, hockey and homefield (in the NFL playoffs).
I need a beverage.
Dee
February 23rd, 2011
2:13 pm
Josh Smith and Marvin Williams is who needs to be move for a point guard and maybe center. Josh is good but he’s not consistent and I don’t even have to speak on Marvin. They should get a good guard for that, should have traded them to Utah, maybe Nets now for Williams and Lopez since Williams didn’t like the trade so obvisiously he does not want to be there!
Golddawg
February 23rd, 2011
2:13 pm
We need to send Smith, Bibby and a pick to Denver for Felton/Lawson and Nene.
Mark Bradley
February 23rd, 2011
2:15 pm
Let’s note: If you’re trading Josh Smith, you’re losing an All-Star caliber player. Not sure Felton or Lawson would make up for that.
Braves 2011
February 23rd, 2011
2:16 pm
Turner should have sold to the Texan.
Couldn’t have turned out any worse.
Texan lucked up with the court judgement.
He should have been glad the deal didn’t go through.