Packfill

Was that BK's perspective when he drafted Josh Childress with the 6th pick?

These are the same excuses you used for Paul last year.

Don't be myopic.

At the end end of the year Felton's minutes increased dramatically - which is one of the reasons for his improved statistics.

Please do not tell me you are as big an idiot as that statement makes you seem. Felton played on a team which was ravaged by injuries, so he got more playing time and yes his numbers improved. Paul played all year at a very high level and helped his team win a lot more games then anyone could have predicted.

Chad Ford said he saw Billy Knight and Billy King have a long conversation in the hallway. Gulp.

That is why, in my view, getting someone with that type of production with the 5th pick is a good thing.

Really, I just love playing devil's advocate when someone (usually KB, Diesel, Hotlanta or Walter) take some extreme all or nothing view.

This is crazy. How many guys in the league can average 15/10? If someone offered me a player that could average that for his career right now in exchange for the 5th pick it would be a no-brainer deal, especially if that guy is a good low post defender.

How many guys picked 5th or higher have never even sniffed those numbers for their career?

Dude seriously are you high right now?

First you say Shelden didn't improve at all when he obviously did. An improvement of 3.3 ppg and 8% from the line is statistically significant. A decrease of .004 in his fg percentage isn't.

Then you try to change the argument and say that Shelden should be averaging 23/13, which nobody has done in recent memory in any major conference.

FYI there is no Dwight Howard in this year's draft.

Lots of people have greats games every now and then. Few dominate consistently. Tony Delk scored 50 points in a game once, doesn't mean he is as good as Kobe. If Simmons is that big and athletic why did he not consistently dominate in college? In the pros his athletic advantage will be much smaller, or non-existent.

Again, he is an interesting talent, with alot of upside, but he is far from a sure thing.

Simmons is intriguing but scary in a Stromile Swift type of way as well.

BK took Childress with the 6th pick in an argueably better draft, and he has athletic limitations and was not as good a college player as Williams. Alot will depend on what Sheldon measures out at - if he is 6'7" that is a problem but if he is a legit 6'9" then he definitely belongs in the discussion of who the Hawks should pick at 5.

Plus, an Antonio Davis in his prime is pretty much exactly what this team needs.

Well said.

I do think Sheldon might be a reach at 5, but to completely dismiss him as an NBA player is comical.

It is almost as if production at the college level is unimportant these days as long as you are athletic and have some mythical "upside."

Again, it is amazing how down people are on the top college players. Both Redick and Morrison dominated in college. You cannot over look that.

To me Redick is a Jeff Hornacek type player. In other words, a really good player that can help any team.

Morrison defies labels, the dude just wants it more then anyone. If someone like Aldridge or O'Bryant had Morrison's determination they would be all-world prospects.

No kidding.

The only way that type of system works is with a point guard who can run the break. Hawks do not have that now.

Look at what he does though. The Hawks need a good rebounder, a good low post defender and a good shot blocker. Check, check and check for Sheldon Williams. Dude is thick too, which is the opposite of the typical welterweight forwards the Hawks have.

Remember height is not everything. Ben Wallace is 6'9" but is exactly the type of player the Hawks need. Alonzo Mourning was maybe 6'10", same with Hakeem. Similarlly Moses Malone, Bill Russell were maybe 6'10", Wes Unseld was even shorter.

Everyone is pretty quick to judge sheldon around here. The really interesting thing is that based on his college production he is EXACTLY the type of player the Hawks need.

Whether he can translate that to the pros game is up to the professionals to decide. My biggest concern is his size vis-a-vis the larger NBA players he will be playing against. That said, people dismiss him because of his limited "upside" when all of the guys that have so much "potential" are really just guys that we all hope can produce the way Sheldon already has.

At 5, if the Hawks are going big, then I agree gamble on potential since all of the bigs in the draft have some flaw and all are projects. O'Bryant definitely fits the mold of what the Hawks need better then any player in the draft, but he is a huge risk, with big time bust potential.

The real question is whether the Hawks go with more of a sure thing by taking a guard - I am thinking either Roy or Foye. Both seem talented enough to warrant such a high pick and while neither is a likely superstar, they certaintly have a high probability of being good players.

Again, I am totally torn over which way to go. BK needs to figure out whether these big men projects are stiffs or studs.

I should add that O'Bryant reminds me a little of Brendan Haywood - tons of talent but just not enough energy.

I would do that trade in a heartbeat but doubt Mo Williams would average ten assists a game. I also doubt that the Bucks would even consider it - they can do better.

My biggest concern with O'Bryant is whether reports that he does not have a good "motor" are true. Athleticism only gets you so far, after that you need to have desire and aggression.

What the Hawks really need is a young Alonzo Mourning - a hard nosed intimidator. Of course, every team could use one of those guys.

Tons of talent in that class, great depth. It is yet to be see, however, whether any will emerge as true superstars. Obviously they are all very young so we won't know for a few more years.

That is an excellent point!

My first thought also.

Not a good sign.

Orlando is a terrible fit. They need a shooting guard, not another forward.

Houston already has two dissappointing power forwards.

New Orleans has David West.

LAL has Odom, at least for now.

Again, if the plan all along was to resign Al long-term why draft Marvin?

It is bad because the Bulls are the most logical suitor for Al. What other team is going to give anything of value for him?