June 5, 2007 at 1:13 pm · Filed under NBA, NCAA
Now that Billy Donovan has talked his way out of $30 million to coach the Orlando Magic, the NBA wants to prevent coach and teams from backing out of signed or publicly noted deals. Donovan likely won’t be allowed to apply for another NBA coaching job for five years. That shouldn’t be a problem with his cushy Florida Gators contract; however, he’s likely one of the first coaches to get punished for taking part in a common situation.
The Magic offered Stan Van Gundy the position after Donovan backed out. However, it looks like the Sacramento Kings have already anointed him their new head coach. Van Gundy could still consider the Magic as an option, but he may not want to jump into the controversy there.
Although they got crushed by Cleveland Cavaliers, starting point guard Chauncey Billups believes his team is better in every category. “There’s nobody on that team who is better than ours. And maybe I’m crazy, maybe I’ve got too much confidence in these guys, but I believe in us. I believe we’re the better team.”
While on paper that’s the case, the team lost one matchup: the Detroit Pistons vs. LeBron James. The LeBron Rules didn’t work, at least after the first two games. Still, the team plans to keep Flip Saunders as their head coach, while some Pistons’ fans thinks a major change needs to be made if they hope to contend for a title.
June 4, 2007 at 12:51 pm · Filed under NBA
This is the first preview of many for the 2007 NBA draft. Check back often as we continue to add more teams. If you would like to contribute a preview of your own (credit given), then send an e-mail to cchadmin (at) gmail.com. First up, the Atlanta Hawks, as previewed by Chase Kuech of Impending Firestorm.
Atlanta Hawks
Last Year’s Record: 30-52
This Year’s Picks: #3, #11 (From Indiana, for Harrington)
It is no secret what positions the Hawks need to draft this year, what positions they are stronger and deeper at, and what positions they are weak at. Atlanta has needed a point guard and a center since Jason Terry and Theo Ratliff left in 2003.
The past few drafts have seen the Hawks fill up with long, athletic swingmen like Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Josh Childress. The team has continued to pass on guards who turned out to be great players in the NBA. So the question becomes, will Atlanta pass up on more guards or will they finally draft what they need?
Ideally, I would love to see this team draft Al Horford with the third pick and take Acie Law IV with the eleventh pick.
Al Horford is a big, inside presence in the mold of a player like Elton Brand. If he could work with Zaza Pachulia and Shelden Williams it would really shore up the rebounding and inside presence of a team so desperately lacking size and strength inside. This team right now doesn’t necessarily need a scorer, but with Horford and Pachulia inside, the Hawks would become a dangerous offensive rebounding team.
As for Law, I have been following his entire season for the Aggies and have become a huge fan. I think a player like Law could be invaluable for a team like this. He has leadership qualities, the ability to score and even play defense and pass the ball. He would be much closer to the pure point guard this team needs than Speedy Claxton, Tyronn Lue or Anthony Johnson. He’s also a better fit to play the point than Salim Stoudamire. Plus he’s young, smart, talented, athletic and energetic, and could really spark this team. I think he could be the starting point guard for this team right away.
Mike Conley, Jr. is overrated and would be a major reach for the Hawks to take at 3. In the past, I’ve wanted this team to take a guard with their first pick so badly, but this is not the year to do it. I have a bad feeling they will reach with both picks, and end up with players like Conley and Spencer Hawes. That is what I fear will be the reality. Only time will tell…
To read more Atlanta Hawks analysis and commentary from Chase Kuech, visit Impending Firestorm.
