| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Atlanta Draft Preview (11th) Authored by Christopher Reina - June 6, 2007 - 4:09 am
2006-2007 Finish: 30-52
Draft Picks: 3rd, 11th,
What they do well
Like so many teams in the NBA, particularly ones who have had trouble making the playoffs, the Hawks have very young and exciting wings, but below average talent at the point guard and center positions.
Joe Johnson is absolutely the most underrated great player in the NBA, residing in the franchise player strata just below his good Team USA friends in Cleveland, Denver and Miami. Johnson averaged 25 points, 4.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game last season.
Meanwhile, Josh Smith elevated his game another notch with averages of 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and nearly 3 blocks per game.
Where do they need improvement?
If the Hawks do indeed select Mike Conley with their third pick, then they should draft a center or take a gamble on their favorite player available.
Who they should target?
- Spencer Hawes, Washington:
Hawes has a terrific low post game and he wouldn’t be rushed at all since he could back up Zaza Pachulia for his first few seasons.
- Joakim Noah, Florida:
The presence of the Kings at 10 and the Hawks at 11 proves that there will be no Brady Quinn moments for Noah in his hometown. Noah would be snatched by Atlanta in a heartbeat if he remained on the board here.
- Yi Jianlian, China:
It is doubtful that he will drop all the way to number eleven, but the gap where he can be drafted is clearly the widest. The 7-footer has many skills Knight doesn’t currently see on his roster and if he feels the upside is present and that he could play some center, the trigger could be pulled.
- Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech:
All three of the players on this list would probably be preferred by the Atlanta front office, but with them all gone, Young could emerge as the preferred choice. With the versatile Young joining a collection of versatile players, Atlanta could begin the Southeast Division’s own fun and gun.
- Acie Law, Texas A&M:
I fully expect the Hawks to walk away from the draft with Mike Conley, but should they go in a different direction at number three, Law is clearly the logical choice at eleven.
Picks since 2000
2006
Shelden Williams, 5th
Solomon Jones, 33rd
2005
Marvin Williams, 2nd
Salim Stoudamire, 31st
Cenk Akyol, 59th
2004
Josh Childress, 6th
Josh Smith, 17th
Donta Smith, 34th
Royal Ivey, 37th
Viktor Sanikidze, 42nd
2003
Boris Diaw, 21st
Travis Hansen, 37th
2002
Dan Dickau, 28th
David Andersoen, 37th
2001
None (Pau Gasol traded for Shareef Abdur-Rahim)
2000
DerMarr Johnson, 6th |
