Atlanta, who owns the 15th pick in the 1993 Usenet Mock draft is represented by: Keven Metz. With the 15th pick, the Hawks select: Terry Dehere, SG, 6-4, Seton Hall. ===================================================================== Team : Atlanta Hawks - Pick Number 15 Mock GM : Kevin Metz TEAM NEEDS / HISTORY -------------------- The Hawks are team missing a few key players needed to be a serious championship team. They have perennially been a team teetering between low seed play-off team and mid-to-late picking draft team. Most of their few high potential picks have flopped, leaving number 11 picks like Kevin Willis to pick up the slack of number 5 picks like John Koncak. The Hawks will probably continue to fluctuate at their current level of acheivement unless they make some dramatic moves on the roster. One problem the Hawks have been plagued with is a lack of self identity. Occasionally they play as a fast-break, run-and-gun team and other times they seem to want to concentrate more on a half-court offence. The inconsistent defensive play from Atlanta has not helped things. The deep-sixing of Bob Wiess may help to cure these woes if the management can secure a coach with a better sense of how to run a team. Center: ------- The gaping hole of the Hawks roster. John Koncak could serve as a working back-up at center, but is woefully underskilled as a starter. He is an offensive liability in the face of a halfway decent defensive opponent, and himself only marginally effective on defense. With 7 years in the league, he isn't getting any younger. Atlanta had another potential platoon player in Blair Rasmussen, but his retiring has placed Atlanta in the situation of spelling power fowards at center unless they can get some other help. Guards: ------- The guard core of the Hawks is not as bad off as it had been in seasons past. The starting tandem of Blaylock and Augmon works sufficently to keep the Hawks in the game. Blaylock's three point shooting kept Atlanta's flickering offense from disappearing when Dominique leaves the game. Blaylock's defense and passing also bouyed the Hawks O. Augmon is a sufficently defensive 2-guard, but his inconsistent outside shooting allowed teams to cheat against his slashing/driving scoring, his real strength. The bench of Steve Henson and Travis Mays, though not stellar, served well enough to allow Blaylock and Augmon sufficent rest time. Mays's projected role as outside bomber never materialized in the face of inconsistency and low playing time. Henson's scrappiness partially made up for his lack of speed or defense, but he probably will not be around next year. Forwards: --------- The Hawks true team strength lies in their starting frontcourt of Dominique and Kevin Willis. Wilkens proved more than resillent in his return from a shredded Achilles tendon. His scoring, second only to that Jordan guy, and flashes of defensive brilliance returned him to the ranks of the top 3 small forwards in the NBA. He possesses one of the best spin moves on the drive, and his outside shooting proved deadly. Dominique's only liability is his age (33), which leads to questions about how long he will remain in the NBA. Willis has proven to be a monster rebounder, and can become an offensive threat at any time. His repetoire of low post moves continues to improve, but his passing and defense still lack something to be desired after 8 years in the league. Kevin's play at center due to his strength has sometimes dilluted his effectiveness. Off the bench, Duane Ferrell and Snoop Graham have provide some offensive punch to back up 'Nique. Grahm's defensive tenacity should keep him as a steady sixth man. Adam Keefe, practially Willis's only true replacement, had a solid rookie year. He has a nice touch, but his lack of speed and true low post experience at either end of the court make him a project for the Hawks. Conclusions: ------------ The Hawks have 2 large gaps to fill with the draft. Firstly, they need a center badly. They are not likely to go anywhere in the East with such a vaccum of talent at the five slot. Secondly, they need a true shooting guard who can create his own shots. This would take some heat off Dominique and Willis, and allow Blaylock to concentrate more on his role as point guard. In the face of not being able to fill either of these holes, the Hawks might try to draft an heir for Dominique. A small forward who could shoot would be able to fill some space if Atlanta has to resort to this. OUR SELECTION ------------- Terry Dehere, SG, Seton Hall Dehere will provide the Hawks with a consistent outside shooter and someone who can play the point in a pinch. His height might be a problem when defending the large 2 guards of the NBA, but his offensive skills are what the Hawks need. OTHER POSSIBLE SELECTIONS ------------------------- At the 15th pick in the draft, the talent pool is still rich without being overwhelming. Luther Wright was a strong candidate, but his ability to play at the NBA level is still a question. Eric Riley was another possibility, but more than a stretch at 15. As for shooters, Nick Van Exel and Sam Crawford were possibilities. Chris Mills would be a good shooting back-up for the aging Dominique. OTHER POSSIBLE TEAM MOVES ------------------------- Trade talks for the Hawks in the off-season run rampant every year, this being no exeption. The two players with any real trade value on the team are Kevin Willis and Dominique Wilkens. Most consider Dominique untouchable, but he could bring in some young talent with his numbered great years left. Willis, being a strong power forward with great rebounding skills and the ability to muscle with bigger men could also have some value for a team starved for a solid man in the 4 position. Since the Hawks pick so low this year, little hope remains for a quality center to be left. Thus, the Hawks might 1. Trade up with Orlando. Orlando currently needs a miracle to manauver the salary cap into a position to sign a number 1 pick. Atlanta could send them Willis, their 15th pick, and either Ferrel or Graham in exchange for Orlando's 1st pick and either Brian Williams or Terry Catledge. This would give Orlando a solid power forward, a mid-round pick and a small forward to help move Scott or Anderson. Also, it would free up Williams's and Catledge's contracts, and make it easier to fit Willis's ~2 to 3 million under the cap. Atlanta would then have either Bradley or Webber, and a warm body to help out at center and power forward. 2. Trade into the 7th to 10th pick range. Sacramento, Denver and Milwaukee could use Willis to shore up their frontline. Detroit probably could use Wilkens, even at his age, and has another pick at 11 to choose with. Sending a player and the 15th pick, Atlanta could manuaver to pick up Acie Earl and some help with a back-up player from any of the those teams. 3. Buy a center. With Chris Dudley a free agent, Atlanta might be wise to try to snatch him up from New Jersey. Dudley is a great rebounder and servicable defender, something the Hawks really do need at center. WHO THE TEAM WILL PROBABLY TAKE ------------------------------- The Hawks are in the position to start looking at the best talent available. They may fall back on the old axiom of size if there are no centers or good shooters left, taking a power forward and sticking them at center from time to time. Douglas Edwards, Corie Blunt, or Rodney Dobard all would be picks along this line. ====================================================================== Draft Summary: 1. Orlando GM: Tom@Orlando Pick: Chris Webber, PF, 6-10. University of Michigan 2. Philadelphia GM: Dave Meeks Pick: Shawn Bradley, C, 7-7. BYU 3. Golden State GM's: Mike Moore Terry Wong Pick: Jamal Mashburn, SF, 6-8. Kentucky 4. Dallas GM: Curtis Hill Pick: Anfernee Hardaway, SG, 6-7, Memphis State 5. Minnesota GM's: Kevin Hansen Toni Morgan Pick: Calbert Cheaney, SF, 6-7. Indiana 6. Washington GM's: The Crossjammer Jim Nagle Pick: J.R. Rider, SG, 6-5, UNLV 7. Sacramento GM: TODD FURESZ Pick: Rodney Rogers, PF, 6-7, Wake Forest 8. Milwaukee GM's: Brian Saunders Morgan Edwards Pick: Malcolm Mackey, PF, 6-11, Georgia Tech 9. Denver GM's: John Exby Rick Grubin Pick: Ervin Johnson, PF, 6-11, New Orleans 10. Detroit GM: Rob Skrobola Pick: Alan Houston, SG, 6-6, Tennessee 11. Detroit GM: Rob Skrobola Pick: Acie Earl, C, 6-10, Iowa 12. L.A. Lakers GM: Cliff Slaughterbeck Pick: Bobby Hurley, PG, 6-0, Duke 13. L.A. Clippers GM: Cliff Slaughterbeck Pick: Vin Baker, SF, 6-10, Hartford 14. Indiana GM: Doug Mraz Pick: Scott Burrell, SG, 6-7, UCONN 15. Atlanta GM: Kevin Metz Pick: Terry Dehere, SG, 6-4, Seton Hall Next up: 16. New Jersey GM: A. Borges Sugiyama