Next up is Atlanta with the #3 pick in the draft.

Feel free to discuss potential players to be selected, team needs or any other topics related to this pick in this thread.

Once you know who you think they should pick, post your selection in this thread in bold red type. Only vote once per thread.

At 4:30 pm, whichever player has the most votes will be Atlanta's pick in our mock draft.

Atlanta needs a center or PG here, and the other need at #11. Which one will they address here? Do they take the big man from China, or the PG from OSU? Both can be considered slight reaches (valued more in the 6-7 range), but the last thing they need is more forwards here.

I could see them taking Yi, thinking Law will be there at #11...I could also see them taking Conley, thinking Noah or Hawes will be there at #11.

Since I think the difference between Yi and Noah is greater than the difference between Conley and Law...

The Hawks select Yi Jianlian

Current players under contract for 2007-08
Joe Johnson
Speedy Claxton
Marvin Williams
Zaza Pachulia
Josh Childress
Tyronn Lue
Lorenzen Wright
Shelden Williams
Anthony Johnson
Josh Smith
Salim Stoudamire
Solomon Jones

Free agents
Esteban Batista (RFA)
Royal Ivey (RFA)
Stanislav Medvedenko (UFA)

Picks in this draft
#3
#11

Another reason I think they go big man first is that if they miss out on Law, they still have JJ or Claxton to cover the point. If you miss out on Hawes, you have to majorly reach for Tomic.

I'm going to have to give this one some thought up until 4:30, but I really like the young club that they are building in Atlanta.

These two picks will really determine if they make that big jump or not. With how weak the East is, it might be possible to make the jump from lottery team to contender all at once (skipping the "playoff team phase" altogether).

Josh Smith is one of the best values in the NBA, IMO, and I like Mike Woodson, too.

Is anyone else getting the impression that Conley is falling out of favor a bit?

I keep reading that his jumpshot has been crap in the workouts, which is making me think that Atlanta might go big, as you suggested, Chris.

If somebody really wanted to move up and get this pick from them, I'd bet that they would listen.

I'm not sure about Yi at #3, though.

The Hawks select Brandan Wright


I think the Hawks don't gamble with the foreign prospect (Yi), and go with the UNC bigman.

SqiIRMk2Zbo

I'm also going with Brandan Wright.

He's long, athletic and only 19 years old.

I think they would have preferred a "true center" but they may have to stick with Pachulia at C for now.

I really think that with the Hawks bringing in Law, Crittenton, and Conley Jr. that they will use their later pick for a PG. With that considered, they will use their #3 pick on a big man. Between Horford, Wright, and Noah, I think that they go with a guy who can play both C and PF.

The Hawks select - Al Horford

I'm also going with Brandan Wright.

He's long, athletic and only 19 years old.

I think they would have preferred a "true center" but they may have to stick with Pachulia at C for now.

Agree

Yi would not sell jerseys....that's pretty much all they can hope for

Yi would sell jerseys in China, I would imagine.

But when I read "comparison: Toni Kukoc" red flags go off if I'm looking for a player that will plant his ass in the paint and either score or draw some defenders.

They really messed up taking Marvin IMO. I bet they wish they'd take Deron Williams or Chris Paul instead of another swingman.

I think they have to take Mike Conley, I think hes gonna be like Tony Parker.

Hawks take Mike Conley

The Hawks select Brandan Wright

Well, that's it for today.

We'll do picks 4 through 6 tomorrow (hopefully with some more participation).

First three picks are all freshman, 6'10" or taller.

Another reason I think they go big man first is that if they miss out on Law, they still have JJ or Claxton to cover the point. If you miss out on Hawes, you have to majorly reach for Tomic.

Chris, it appears that Tomic withdrew from the draft recently.

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1181184906247680.xml&coll=7


Ante Tomic, a 7-1 center from Croatia, was scheduled to work out, but he has pulled out of the draft.

Damn. The centers are pulling out like crazy. There will probably be a lot of big men next year. This year seems to be filled with forwards.