The Hawks got some trading to do. They need a point guard so bad. As long as they dont trade JSmoove its ok
Hawks looking good for next year, they should bite for Ridnour for 11..I don't see the problem - is Tyron Lue better?</p> Who's next..Mike Conley?</p>
<h2>Hawks take F Horford with third pick</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 07:50 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) - The Atlanta Hawks picked Al Horford with the No. 3 overall pick in Thursday's NBA draft. Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were the consensus first two picks in the draft, but after the much-hyped duo, Horford was considered the next-best talent available. </p> The 610, 245-pound forward from Florida has an NBA-ready body and is extremely athletic and active - both defensively and on the offensive glass. </p> Horford has the ability to score with his back to the basket and may command double-teams upon his arrival in the league. That made him attractive to the Hawks, who picked him despite a pressing need at point guard. </p> A key figure in Florida's back-to-back national championship teams, Horford moved out from behind the shadow of teammate Joakim Noah in his junior season, averaging 13.2 points and a team-best 9.5 rebounds. </p> But despite a stellar career, his most impressive feat came in his final game. Horford square off against No. 1 overall pick Oden and had 18 points and 12 rebounds against Ohio State in the national title game last season. </p>
<h2>Oden, Durant go 1-2 in deep NBA draft</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 07:42 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) - The hype surrounding the 2007 NBA draft has been about the two names at the top. But it could long be remembered for the players that followed. Two of the most anticipated entrants into the league in years, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, were selected with the top two picks in Thursday's draft at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. </p> The Portland Trail Blazers, as expected, tabbed Oden with the No. 1 selection. The 7-0 center from Ohio State has been favorably compared to former San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson, who led the franchise to two NBA championships. </p> The Seattle SuperSonics followed by grabbing Durant, the phenom from Texas who was the only freshman in history to win the coveted Naismith and Wooded Awards. </p> A franchise center, Oden has been tabbed as a defensive wizard, while Durant is a prolific scorer, who can score from all angles. Each no doubt will propel his team to new heights. </p> But while New York City's bright lights welcomed the two stars, in many ways the draft was just getting started at the No. 3 pick. </p> A bevy of other talented newcomers have made it one of the deeper drafts in recent memory. </p> The Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics - three franchises trying to emerge from long-time struggles - will follow. The Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings will round out the top-10. </p> Five teams have multiple picks - Atlanta (Nos. 3, 11), Charlotte (8, 22), Detroit (15, 27), Philadelphia, 12, 21, 30). </p> All the teams will have a lot to choose from. </p> Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer, who led the Florida Gators to back-to-back national championships, are three experienced players who can help a team right away. </p> Noah may have been the first pick in last year's draft if he had declared after the Gators' first title. Horford will command immediate double-teams upon his arrival in the league, and Brewer is a premier lock-down defender. </p> If that is not enough to choose from, this draft class also boasts two point guards, who, despite being very different players, are dynamic talents. </p> Mike Conley Jr., who was Oden's high school and college teammate, is a polished floor general. The young guard is more of a prototypical lead guard than counterpart Acie Law IV, who is a shoot-first scorer - known for his penchant for spectacular buzzer-beating shots. </p> What would the draft be without a foreign influence? Yi Jianlian of China, Marco Belinelli of Italy, Tiago Splitter of Brazil, Rudy Fernandez and Marc Gasol of Spain all figure to be taken somewhere in the two-round event. </p> The NBA certainly has seen its share of performers from overseas arrive with a bang - even if some were overlooked on draft night. </p> Germany's Dirk Nowitzki is the league's reigning MVP, Steve Nash of Canada has won the award twice and France's Tony Parker currently holds the honor of NBA Finals MVP. And Parker's teammate, Manu Ginobili, is a former All-Star who was taken 57th overall. </p> But, as always, the rumors about blockbuster trades will swirl around the event. Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Kevin Garnett and Los Angeles Lakers megastar Kobe Bryant may be on the move and could find their destination on draft night. </p> While it is obvious any team could benefit from those All-Star performers, it is even more evident which squads are itching to strike up a deal. The Hawks, who have an obvious hole at point guard, may move the pick for a veteran floor general, while the Celtics have been rumored to include their selection in a trade for an available superstar. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane)</div><div class='quotemain'> Theo's 3-for-3</p> </p> </div></p> </p> The Boston / Seattle trade screwed up my mock..Jeff Green will go at #5 now, so when does Yi go</p>
<h2>Grizzlies select PG Conley with fourth pick</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 07:55 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) - Mike Conley Jr. will get the chance to show what he can do sans Greg Oden. Conley went to the Memphis Grizzlies with the No. 4 pick in Thursday's NBA draft, giving Ohio State two of the first four picks and making him the third freshman tabbed in the first four selections. </p> A teammate of overall top pick Oden last season with the Buckeyes and in high school, Conley showed he has plenty of game in his one year with Ohio State. </p> Conley plays with the mentality of an attacking point guard, recording at least 10 assists on six occasions and making five steals three times. </p> Owning magnificent ball-handling skills, Conley can get to the hoop and knows how to finish once he does. </p> Conley's long-range shooting is a question, hitting at just a 30-percent clip on 3-pointers, although he shot 52 percent overall - a reason why he averaged 11.3 points to go with 6.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game. </p> He played at his best when the stakes were highest, averaging 16.0 points, 4.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament, including 20 points, six assists and four steals in the national title game against Florida. </p> At 6-1, 180 pounds, Conley needs to get stronger. An improvement in his outside shot to complement his natural instincts could give the Grizzlies a special point guard for years to come. </p>
So who goes here? Maybe a shocker and Brandan Wright?</p> </p> Or do you think Milwaukee will trade the pick - they've been actively shopping it. Hope the dallas trade doesnt go down</p>
<h2>Celtics take F Green with No. 5 pick; deal reported with Sonics</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 08:02 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) - Jeff Green helped put Georgetown's program back on the map, and now he will get a chance to do it at the NBA level. The Boston Celtics selected the versatile Green with the fifth pick in Thursday's NBA draft. However, ESPN reported that Boston had already worked out a deal with the Seattle SuperSonics, agreeing to send Green, Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak to the Seattle SuperSonics for star shooting guard Ray Allen. </p> A 6-9, 235-pounder, Green may not have the upside predicted of many of the early first-round picks, but he arrives in the professional ranks NBA-ready. </p> The Big East Conference Player of the Year, Green led the Hoyas to the NCAA Tournament's Final Four while averaging a team-high 14.3 points to go with 6.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists. </p> An outstanding passer and solid rebounder, Green has shown the ability to score inside and out, greatly expanding his offensive game. </p> Green shot 51 percent overall, including 37.5 percent from 3-point ranger and 77.5 from the stripe. </p> He can hit the medium-range jump shot, post up down low or drive to the basket. Green is one of those rare players with enough size and skill to play either position in the pick-and-roll offense. </p>
Pick doesn't make sense.</p> Frontcourt is loaded and I'm not sure where Yi is going to see time.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Theo)</div><div class='quotemain'>Do you think Milwaukee will keep Yi?</div></p> Isn't he a little redundant to CV?</p> -Petey</p>
<h2>Report: Celtics appease Pierce, deal for Sonics G Allen</h2> Thursday, June 28, 2007 08:08 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) - The Boston Celtics made Paul Pierce happy. On Tuesday, Pierce demanded a trade unless the Celtics drafted a veteran superstar. Boston obliged two days later, reportedly dealing third-year guard Delonte West, veteran Wally Szczerbiak and the No. 5 pick in the Thursday's draft to the Seattle SuperSonics for sharpshooter Ray Allen. </p> ESPN reported the deal was agreed to by both teams Thursday night. </p> In turn, Boston drafted Georgetown forward Jeff Green with the aforementioned fifth pick for Seattle, which also snagged Texas phenom Kevin Durant with the second overall selection. </p> It has been a whirlwind few weeks for the Celtics, who have been rumored in a number of deals, including separate ones for superstars Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant. </p> However, Boston opted not to trade emerging forward Al Jefferson or high-flying swingman Gerald Green in those deals. </p> Pierce now will have to mesh with Allen, who has a similar perimeter-oriented game. But the seven-time All-Star also will give the Celtics a different dimension, stretching defenses with his unlimited range. </p> Szczerbiak played parts of two injury-plagued seasons with Boston, struggling to find his rhythm, averaging 15.0 points in 32 games last season. </p> The No. 5 pick, Green has been tabbed as one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. He will join Durant in Seattle as part of a young but talented frontline. </p>
Yi and Bogut look like a good fit. CV as the 3rd guy. Works if Yi is allowed out of the gulag.</p> </p> </p>
