Atanta Hawks: 2009 NBA Draft

2009 NBA DRAFT:  NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

 

- We’ll update our Team Capsules with more specific info once the lottery is complete.

 

Atlanta Hawks

2008-09 Record: 47-35; 2^nd Southeast

 

Draft Picks: 19, 49

 

Key Free Agents:

C  Zaza Pachulia

G  Mike Bibby

G  Ronald Murray

F  Marvin Williams (Restricted)

F  Solomon Jones (Restricted)     

 

How They Got Here:

Although this team is young, they have experience. They took the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics to seven games in the first round of last year’s playoffs. The experience and confidence they gained that series paid off during this year’s regular season. They earned the 4^th seed in the East and home court advantage in the first round, which seemed to be the deciding factor for the Heat series. The Hawks are versatile. Joe Johnson can play the 2 or the 3. Josh Smith can play the 3 or the 4 spot. This allows Mike Woodson to mix and match certain lineups to matchup against other teams.  I expect this team to continue to improve. They have now won a playoff series and will continue to mature and get better.

 

What They Need:

Will Mike Bibby be back? Even if Bibby returns, how long will they keep him? Bibby has been in the league for 10 years and gives this young Hawks team a much needed veteran leader. Even if Bibby returns, they need a solid backup. How much trust do they have in Acie Law? They could use another big man. Al Horford may be better suited playing the power forward spot rather then center. Zaza Pachulia is a great role player and will continue to be their “energy” guy. I don’t see him cracking the starting lineup. Then again I don’t necessarily believe they are looking for a starter. I like the makeup of Bibby, Johnson, Marvin Williams, Smith and Horford. They need more production from their bench. Look for them to add depth.

 

Who They’ll Take:

Hasheem Thabeet is the only 7-footer in this draft that could potentially come in right away and start. He’ll be off the board by the time the Hawks make their first selection. What other big men may be available? BJ Mullens. I’m not completely sold on Mullens. He showed some life at Ohio State this season, but was projected to have much bigger impact for the Buckeyes. In that case, look for the Hawks to draft another point guard. Two guys that come to mind in the mid-to-late first round are Patrick Mills and Jeff Teague. Both are extremely quick and explosive guards. However, Teague may be more comfortable playing off the ball at this level.

 

Atlanta Hawks Draft History (since 2000)

2009: ?

2008:  No Picks

2007:  Al Horford (3), Acie Law (11)

2006:  Shelden Williams (5), Solomon Jones (33)

2005:  Marvin Williams (2), Salim Stoudamire (31), Cenk Akyol (59)

2004:  Josh Childress (6), Josh Smith (17), Donta Smith (35), Royal Ivey (38), Viktor     Sanikidze (43)

2003:  Boris Diaw (21), Travis Hansen (37)

2002:  David Andersen (37)

2001:  Jamaal Tinsley (27), Terence Morris (34)

2000:  DerMarr Johnson (6), Hanno Mottola (40), Scoonie Penn (57)

 

2009 NBA DRAFT:  NBA Team Needs/Capsules - NBA Mock Draft - Top 100 Prospects

 

Top Prospects

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Stephen Curry - PG/SG - Davidson

Tyreke Evans - PG/SG - Memphis

Blake Griffin - PF - Oklahoma

James Harden - SG - Arizona State

Jordan Hill - PF - Arizona

Ty Lawson - PG - UNC

BJ Mullens - C - Ohio State

Ricky Rubio - PG - DKV Joventut

Brandon Jennings - PG - Arizona

Hasheem Thabeet - C - UCONN