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http://insidepulse.com/2011/06/28/nba-draft-and-off-season-outlook-south-east-division-miami-heat-hawks-wizards-magic-bobcats/

There’s the link.  Let me know what you think here or there.  Here’s the Hawks section as a sample to see if you want to bother.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks only had pick #48 and with that, well, they got a guy they probably won’t be able to use in Keith Benson. Benson is 6’11 and 217 lbs, meaning he’ll have to bulk up considerably before he can even be an NBA backup. That’s a shame, as the Hawks real need is at center, but since they could not feasibly use Benson as a 5 yet, they should have taken the man who was pick #49, Josh Selby. Selby is a major scorer and penetrater with huge talent and a chip on his shoulder. With Jamal Crawford a free agent, he could have been an intriguing chip. As is, it seems like Crawford will be brought back, especially since Jordan Crawford, who could have replaced Jamal, was moved by the team last year.

The other major news around the Hawks camp has been the idea of trading Josh Smith. The idea next year looks like Jeff Teague at the 1, Hinrich at the 2, and Joe Johnson at the 3. That lineup in the backcourt adds a lot to the Hawks. Teague showed against the Bulls that he could be a very good defensive and offensive 1, but he lacks a bit in creating for others. Hinrich, however, is a combo guard who can help with the creating for others, and Johnson is essentially a point-forward who can do the same. That makes the Hawks tough to match up with, and they can offer a lot of different looks. This is where trading Josh comes in.

Josh is capable of playing either the 3 or the 4, but if he’s a 4, then Al Horford, the Hawks most efficient player, has to be a 5. Horford can play the 5, but it wears him down and he would be far more effective at the 4, meaning Josh should be a 3. Of course, Joe Johnson has a huge, onerous contract no one will take, and for the optimal backcourt use, he should be a 3 usually.

The Hawks are, therefore, trying to move Smith. This makes a great deal of sense in the sense that he will bring most back and is the most inconsistent player on the team. Unfortunately, the Hawks are limited in what they can trade Smith for – a true Center. Every other position, unless the upgrade is just so big that it’s undeniable, is already set. The list of true centers on the market is just barely existent, so the Hawks are going to seemingly have that roster confusion hanging over them with Josh for quite some time, though with Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut rumored to be available, things could get interesting fast.

If you liked, read the rest at http://insidepulse.com/2011/06/28/nba-draft-and-off-season-outlook-south-east-division-miami-heat-hawks-wizards-magic-bobcats/

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