15. Atlanta Hawks

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 

Craig Simpson - Usenet Draft Commissioner