Well I never really thought of this until I just made my own mock but I think it's very possible that he could fall to the 9th pick. If Atlanta does end up taking Mike Conley with the third pick which is very possible then it could happen. From what I've heard Memphis is very high on Yi and if they do take him, Boston would almost certainly take Wright at 5. Then the next three teams that are picking are all in need of something more than a big man. Man if he falls to Chicago that sure will be awesome for them.
I don't see it. Horford is certainly a safer pick than Yi, but I guess Memphis is high on him. Who really knows though, for all we know, Boston/Memphis are both using Yi as a smokescreen. But I just don't see Horford falling to 9. Even if Atlanta took Conley at 3, Memphis took Yi at 4, and Boston took Wright at 5... Horford could go to Milwaukee, he could go to Minnesota, and I think worst case scenario Charlotte takes him at 8.
He's going to Memphis, in my opinion. Those guys want to run, and Horford can run the floor very well for a big man. He'd be a nice addition alongside of Gasol and Warrick. Memphis could be right up where they were a couple years ago, a borderline 50 win team with this lineupG AtkinsSG MillerSF GayPF HorfordC Gasol Bench: Hakim Warrick, Stromile Swift, Tarence Kinsey, Dahntay Jones, and Kyle Lowry.They've got some nice pieces.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zards @ May 28 2007, 08:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's going to Memphis, in my opinion. Those guys want to run, and Horford can run the floor very well for a big man. He'd be a nice addition alongside of Gasol and Warrick. Memphis could be right up where they were a couple years ago, a borderline 50 win team with this lineup: PG Atkins SG Miller SF Gay PF Horford C Gasol Bench: Hakim Warrick, Stromile Swift, Tarence Kinsey, Dahntay Jones, and Kyle Lowry. They've got some nice pieces.</div> First of all, I think saying that Horford can take them from 22 wins to close to 50 is going overboard. Also, Chucky Atkins is more than likely leaving for free agency, and even then I see Kyle Lowry eventually winning that starting PG job next year (if they don't get another one).
If they want to run why not take Jianlian? He's the most athletic 7 footer in the draft. Runs the floor very well, can shoot the ball, nice handles. I think Horford would be better in a half court system than a up-tempo type. It's always a stretch to take a foreign guy so high, but I think the guy is legit. If they really want to run with it than Jianlian > Horford.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kingjamez @ May 28 2007, 08:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If they want to run why not take Jianlian? He's the most athletic 7 footer in the draft. Runs the floor very well, can shoot the ball, nice handles. I think Horford would be better in a half court system than a up-tempo type.</div> Agreed about Horford being more useful in a balanced attack, and I also think that Memphis would be better off taking Wright at 4 instead of Yi. Wright is very athletic/agile as well, and he has a higher ceiling than Yi, IMO. Whether Wright goes 3, 4, or 5 I still think he's definitely the best prospect in this draft not named Oden or Durant.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ May 28 2007, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>First of all, I think saying that Horford can take them from 22 wins to close to 50 is going overboard. Also, Chucky Atkins is more than likely leaving for free agency, and even then I see Kyle Lowry eventually winning that starting PG job next year (if they don't get another one).</div>I never said that. Memphis' season was a fluke, they got off to a terrible start without Gasol, and once Gasol came back, they were pretty much already out of playoff contention. Memphis is a good team, they've been a 45-50 win team for a couple of years now, it's just that they rely a lot on their best player, Gasol, and they simply cannot perform without him. They'll bounce back next year.Atkins won't leave in FA. All he cares about is getting a starting PG spot, even if it is for a 22-win team. That's why he left the Wizards, because he was pretty the 3rd string PG behind Arenas and Daniels. All he wants is playing time.
Memphis is not experienced enough or deep enough to win 50 games in the Western Conference next season. Bottom line, GM's draft for size, there's no way 3 small forward's get selected before Al Horford at this point.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zards @ May 28 2007, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Atkins won't leave in FA. All he cares about is getting a starting PG spot, even if it is for a 22-win team. That's why he left the Wizards, because he was pretty the 3rd string PG behind Arenas and Daniels. All he wants is playing time.</div>I think it's in Memphis' best interest to give the starting job to Lowry if it comes down to him or Chucky. I like how he plays out there, and even as a 2nd year player I think he'll have a bigger impact than sucky chucky would have.I do agree with you that Gasol being out for the first part of the season just recked their whole year. If they can fill some key positions in FA and the draft, I'd look at this team to make a run for the playoffs..(best case scenario and no 50 wins)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zards @ May 28 2007, 08:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I never said that. Memphis' season was a fluke, they got off to a terrible start without Gasol, and once Gasol came back, they were pretty much already out of playoff contention. Memphis is a good team, they've been a 45-50 win team for a couple of years now, it's just that they rely a lot on their best player, Gasol, and they simply cannot perform without him. They'll bounce back next year.</div> Gasol missed 23 games this year, then they ended up going 17-42 WITH Gasol. I agree that they are certainly better than 22-60, but they aren't going to get up to 45-50 wins next year just by adding a guy like Al Horford. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Atkins won't leave in FA. All he cares about is getting a starting PG spot, even if it is for a 22-win team. That's why he left the Wizards, because he was pretty the 3rd string PG behind Arenas and Daniels. All he wants is playing time.</div> Most Grizzlies fans are expecting Chucky to leave, and it this stage in his career, I'm sure he wants to win too.
I agree with everyone else, that Horford does not fall down to 9 at all. If he is around for Minnesota, I think they would take him in a heart beat. That team is weak inside, and gets pushed around easily. They need someone that can grab rebounds inside, play physical with people, play good defense, and score in the post. Right now Garnett can do this stuff, but he needs help with it, as because of his style of play he is not always down low.I also think with Milwaukee having weak bodies on the inside, they would be well suited taking him at the 6th spot if Horford is there. Sure they have Bogut, and Villanueva, but neither are great on the boards, and both are terrible defensively. Horford is not as easily pushed around, can establish position better than both can, and is a good scorer in the post to go with his defense and rebounding. So I see no way he falls below the 6th or 7th pick.
No way Horford drops to the 9th spot, to many teams above the Bulls want and can use him. A perfect place would be Charlotte but since they are at the 8th spot, I think Boston looks like the ideal splace, assuming Wright and Yi are of the board.
