Packfill

Well they would be right on both accounts. The team would be flawed as it would have its last 4 first round picks, three of those lottery picks, invested in forwards. It just doesn't make a lot of sense unless they trade someone.

the description of Sene reminds me of the write-ups about a prospect from a few years ago - Malik Badiane (sp?). I think he was drafted by Houston but I do not think he has played in the NBA to date.

Sene is an intriguing prospect but has a huge bust potential so is not a legitimate candidate for a top 5 pick, let alone a top 10 pick.

He could blossum, but the odds are against it.

That is cold man, very cold.

If that report is accurate, then Williams and Rondo are back on my wish list.

If you could combine the athleticism of Rondo with the skills and mental accumen (as it relates to basketball) of Williams you would have one heck of a player.

Agreed, Dougherty was a very good player and definitely worthy of the number one overall selection. The only thing that derailed him was injuries. Think of it this way, he would easily go number one in this draft, last years draft and just about any draft in recent memory sans LBJ.

Also, Price and Harper were excellent players in their prime as well.

Let's not get carried away. If the Hawks can win the support of the city of Atlanta that would be a huge start.

Baby steps. Of course, comptetent ownership would help.

If that were to happen the entire team would be Williams, Smiths and Johnsons. Probably the three most common last names in America.

Agreed. Getting a top ten pick for a couple second rounders is a pipe dream.

Plus, any team looking to save cash will be more inclined to trade away players then picks - the #10 pick is a relative bargain basement contract in the nba these days. Only way the Supersonics trade the picks away is if someone also takes one of the bad contracts of their hands.

I am curious as to why some people do not think Sheldon has enough "potential" to be a #5 pick when this franchise recently used a #6 pick on Josh Childress, who has less "potential" then Sheldon. Sheldon is faster then Childress, despite weighting 60+ pounds more then Childress.

Don't get me wrong, I like Childress and his game but the reality is he is a complementary player - the type of guy every team needs. Sheldon may never be a 20 point scorer, but he may be a double figure rebounding guy who plays good interior defense, which any franchise could use, especially this one.

I am definitely not sold on Sheldon as the pick, but for people to say he does not belong in the conversation as far as consideration for the #5 pick is illogical.

That's what I've been saying all along. I'm just very nervous about it. IT's so hard to tell with guys like that. Sometimes it carries right through and you wonder why you ever doubted them, and sometimes they fizzle

He is definitely undersized for center but has plenty of size for the power forward position.

Some of Sheldon's wingspan is attributable to his broad frame. I imagine if they did a standing reach test he would not measure out as well as some of the string bean types whose wingspan is based largely on the length of their arms.

Interesting. Sene has ridiculously long arms but it will probably take 4+ years for him to make something of himself. O'Bryant has a lot of size going for him. Aldridge is some serious weight room time away from being a center. Sheldon Williams and Cedric Simmons definitely measure out as legit power forwards. Tyrus Thomas is Josh Smith II.

The reason why Belkin's objection to the first proposal was an issue for the other owners is the fact that Belkin choose the first appraiser. The contract should have been drafted to provide only the party that does not pick the appraiser the right to object.

Belkin essentially gamed the situation. He picked the first appraiser and then immediately objected so that he could also pick the second appraiser. He tried to control the whole process.

This is obviously (at least one would hope) contrary to the spirit of the deal that was struck (presumably that each side would have a chance to pick an appraiser). The real issue is whether this is contrary to the letter of the actual contract. Courts always look to resolve a contractual dispute by first looking within the "four corners" of the agreement. If the answer is not there, then they can look at course of dealing, customary practices in the industry, etc.

Maybe. But if BK says he likes him I am sure you will change your tune, just like with Sheldon.

Yikes, Tyrus Thomas is small. I don't want the Hawks to touch him now.

Aldridge passes the height test, as does O'Bryant.

JJ Redick, dumb ass for getting arrested, but size is no longer an issue. Think Hersey Hawkins.

Um, AOL wanted to sell and quite frankly the team would be better off if AOL did move on to another bidder. Bernie and Billy are trying to cover the owners asses by attributing the confusion to the compressed time frame involved in the purchase of the franchise.

Seriously, it appears these guys have screwed up several times already.

It sounds like they have screwed up at least two agreements so far.

The thing is there is no way AOL had any leverage to require a contract in 10 days - there was no other buyer. I know I would never advise a client to make such a move. How can you spend that type of money without being given an adequate opportunity to to diligence the business?

Besides, the 10 day window could not possibly have included the negotiation of a definitive sale agreement with AOL.

I am not sure why they proferred that info other then as an excuse for how incompetent they look.

That whole concept that the ownership group only had ten days to get a deal done is BS. If they did not get a deal done there are no other buyers, so it is not like the team is going anywhere, and the league was not interested in another mess after the McDavid fiasco.

Basically it is cover for not paying attention to detail.

Again, the Hawks need a "white knight" buyer. All of the current owners appear to be damaged goods at this point.

Not encouraging.

Essentially, even if the "good guys" win, then should probably sell the team to save face and restore some respect to the franchise. These guys are just too tainted and do not appear to be detail oriented.

The Hawks need a white knight.

Can Foye bring the ball up court? I hear all this talk about being a running team but the Hawks lack a guy who can really push the ball up the court to make them a running team. JJ is a good ballhandler and can distribute in a halfcourt situation, but he is not a guy that pushes the pace up the court.

If Foye can be that guy who can push the ball and creat on the fast break then I agree he is a good fit, particularly in light of his strong defensive reputation. Also if he can take the ball to the rim and can distribute in the process that would be good too.

A Tony Parker type is what the Hawks need - push the pace, penetrate and score or distribute, hit the open shot, etc.

Because the Hawks are still too young. Marvin, Smoove and this years draft pick are another year or two away from really being able to take the team to the next level, at which point Cassell is 40 and useless.

The worst part of this whole thing is not the fact that Belkin may or may not get control of the team, it is the furthering of the public perception that the Hawks as a franchise are a bunch of bumbling morons.

This perception will have a negative impact not only in terms of fan support (which obviously was not great to begin with), but also greatly hinder the team in attracting top free agents over the next few years. It will take a year or two of turmoil free clear ownership before that perception changes.

I still do not think Belkin comes out on top, but the damage is done, almost to the point where the other owners may need to sell (even if they win versus Belkin) to fully clear the air surrounding the franchise. It is unfortunate, because they seemed to have good intentions, but they are now tainted goods.

I don't think Smoove and Marvin will be happy campers when it comes time to renew their contracts.

Do you honestly think Josh Childress will ever average 20 points per game? If not then, according to your logic, he was a waste of a draft pick.