RealGM

From Hoopsworld

The Hawks and Marcus Thornton?: Don't overlook LSU's Marcus Thornton. Marcus has had some stellar workout recently going 20-for-25 from NBA three in Dallas and knocked the socks off the Atlanta Hawks before heading to Chicago for the NBA Pre-Draft Combine. Marcus continues to climb as teams get an up-close look at him and are raving his ability to score the ball. Marcus is a "play right away" player and seems to be making things interesting especially in the 13 to 20 range. Hawks sources agreed that Marcus was exceptional in their workout and consider him a Joe Johnson type scorer. With Johnson expected to explore his free agent options next summer the Hawks may have found their man at #19.

link

We've not done so well with drafting "play right away" players in the recent past (1 of 3 by my count as Al Horford did play right away while Shelden Williams and Acie Law didn't really play much at all (ever)). Personally I hope this is just an attempt to talk up a player who was projected as 2nd round prior to the Combine. Not saying anything about Thornton, but If enough lower held prospects climb then maybe a true steal (maybe a starting talent PG) will drop into our laps. I'm not opposed to drafting a SG, but if Joe Johnson leaves in free agency then a PG that can create shots for our young front line is more important to acquire (doesn't have to be draft) than a "Joe Johnson type scorer". Trying to drop a rookie (well 2nd year player at the time) into that Joe Johnson role without changing the way the offense is run is a recipe to return to the lottery for a couple years.

I expect Marcus to be picked during the first round and possibly rise like Rodney Stuckey did during the 2007 draft. I doubt he goes 15th, but the early 20's is a strong possibility. Seems as if some just think he's nothing but a 2nd round pick and they can't be more wrong.

I don't know anything about this guy but drafting a 2 could mean that JJ moves to the 3 and they don't resign Marvin. Or it could mean that this guy backs up both the 2 and 3 spots. If we don't resign Flip we will need someone to replace his bench scoring.

Or it could mean that this guy backs up both the 2 and 3 spots.

This. Mo Evans is guaranteed only one more year and isn't getting any younger. I think taking a guard isn't a bad idea, although it should be pointed out that Thornton isn't much bigger than Jeff Teague.

mrhonline wrote:

Or it could mean that this guy backs up both the 2 and 3 spots.

This. Mo Evans is guaranteed only one more year and isn't getting any younger. I think taking a guard isn't a bad idea, although it should be pointed out that Thornton isn't much bigger than Jeff Teague.

After looking him up he is definitely undersized for the two. I wouldn't be surprised if they just play him at the point. the Hawks have court offense goes through JJ anyway.

I don't think anyone sees Marcus Thornton as a potential PG even in Atlanta's system. He's a good 2 inches taller than Teague, but an inch to inch and a half shorter than Harden, Henderson, and Williams (the other top 2 guards) with much shorter wingspan and standing reach which will affect his ability to defend the 2. Like I said I'm far more hopeful that an Eric Maynor, Ty Lawson, Gerald Henderson, Earl Clark, or Dejuan Blair slides to us than we spend the pick on a designated shooter like Thornton. I don't dispute that Thornton should go first round, I'm just not that enamored with him overall.

Any chance the Hawks are looking to move David Andersen for a late first? Thornton makes more sense later in the first round...

I just don't like the idea of drafting a wing when we have much more glarring needs. If we could get more picks via trade then I have no problem selecting a wing with one and going pg with the other, but to use our only first rounder on a guy who will be a backup and only gives us insurance when we need a pg and a center is stupid.

I can't imagine why someone would give up a late first for David Andersen. To be honest it wouldn't shock me at all to see his rights sold for cash.

uga_dawgs24 wrote:I just don't like the idea of drafting a wing when we have much more glarring needs. If we could get more picks via trade then I have no problem selecting a wing with one and going pg with the other, but to use our only first rounder on a guy who will be a backup and only gives us insurance when we need a pg and a center is stupid.

We dont just need "a" pg and a center we need a starting pg and a center. It is a reach to think we can draft a quality starting pg at 19 in a weak draft.

There is a quickly growing history of success for undersized 2s thanks in part to the no hand check rule i believe. Flip is an undersized 2 and had a big year for us. No way Orlando makes the Finals without Courtney Lee. Monta and Lou Williams are both undersized 2s.

I don't have a problem with drafting an undersized 2 at 19. I have a problem with drafting a pg at 19 and hoping he can be a starting calibur pg as a rookie.

^^^ You can get a starting talent PG at 19 in this draft. You can probably get one even lower. I don't think anyone realistically expects the #19 pick to start as a rookie. The goal is a guy who is ready to run the team in his 3rd season. You get that and you should be happy with the pick. That's what I meant by a PG with starting talent. I don't want to spend a 1st round pick on a PG that I think will never be more than a 15 minute a night sub. Look at Acie, he's entering his 3rd year and I can't imagine him being on the court 15 minutes a night let alone starting.

Having said that my preference for a PG is not because of need but because of talent available. I don't see a point in drafting for need because we need bodies at every position.

draftexpress has his best case scenerio at jason terry. basically a 2 in a 1's body

it could work as a backup to bibby with joe initiating the offense. it would make flip murray expendable. it could work...