[futuristxen]

I'm in the minority, but I'd love to have Crawford. He's an excellent passer, and does like to push the ball. Plus he has a lot of untapped potential defensively with his long arms. Hughes and Crawford would be an intriguing backcourt. He could probably be had for Eric Snow if we could balance the salaries.

Amazingly Francis and Marbury are probably more gettable. Marbury doesn't know how to push the ball, but he can make the open jumper. Francis can push the ball, but he's basically super-mcinnis.

[Pioneer10]

Originally Posted by futuristxen

I'm in the minority, but I'd love to have Crawford. He's an excellent passer, and does like to push the ball. Plus he has a lot of untapped potential defensively with his long arms. Hughes and Crawford would be an intriguing backcourt. He could probably be had for Eric Snow if we could balance the salaries.

Amazingly Francis and Marbury are probably more gettable. Marbury doesn't know how to push the ball, but he can make the open jumper. Francis can push the ball, but he's basically super-mcinnis.

Well we need a PG and New York has like 4 of em: Crawford would be the best fit because of his skill set although his shot selection leaves a lot to be desired

Considering that Hughes adn Lebron handle the ball so much, Crawford's lack of "pure PG" mentality might be a good as when you're playing with Bron you need to stay aggresive adn not just watch James

[Pioneer10]

I forgot Cassell is also a FA. WE might be title contenders if we had him: that jumper and his PG skills would have made teams pay for even thinking about doubling Lebron.

A young Cassell is what we need to look for (Possibly draft a Kyle Lowry or Rajon Rondo and sign Cassell to mentor them?

[futuristxen]

you deal with cassell you deal wth the devil. I don't know if Mike Brown could handle him.

[Benedict_Boozer]

Originally Posted by Pioneer10

I forgot Cassell is also a FA. WE might be title contenders if we had him: that jumper and his PG skills would have made teams pay for even thinking about doubling Lebron.

A young Cassell is what we need to look for (Possibly draft a Kyle Lowry or Rajon Rondo and sign Cassell to mentor them?

This is where I think we need to focus. We need to start looking to boost our talent level long term. You look at a team like Dallas or SA, alot of their best talent is home grown through the draft - Josh Howard, Daniels, Harris, Parker, Ginobli - we need young, talented guys like that on this team.

We need a core group of younger guys we can come back to the playoffs with every year, build experience alongside Lebron, and eventually get over the hump of Detroit. The quick fix was fine to get Lebron locked up, but we need to start thinking more long term.

[futuristxen]

I'm not sold on any of the point guards in this year's draft. I think Jamal Crawford, Barbosa, Beno Udrih are all better long term solutions than any of the point guards in this draft. Rondo is intriguing, but he can't shoot.

I'd rather draft a big man to give front court depth for when Z and Marshall go to pasture. And I wouldn't be adverse to a shooting guard or small forward if Ferry saw someone that was a steal, because I think Luke is pretty much a bust. And Sasha...I dunno.

[Pioneer10]

I don't see the fascination with Udrih: he's got skills but he in the limited time I've seen him play he doesn't have great athletic ability and has trouble holding his dribble against pressure D.

I think there are 3 PG's prospects in this draft who will be within our range AND are talented (Lowry, Rondo, and possibly the Spaniard Rodriquez)

[Bron_Melo_ROY]

Originally Posted by hendrix2430

Honestly guys, do you think we should try and move Hughes? Or give him next year?

I feel we should give him next year, but god is he looking terrible on the offensive end. He's doing fine on D, but we need him to score more, and not take so many jumpers.

What about Z?...

Honestly, I found myself asking this same question throughout the season. I think he's owed a 2nd season and if its more of the same then we should shop him...Maybe we should move Z too if he can't get his act together during these playoffs.

[Benedict_Boozer]

Man Devin Harris is REALLY good. I think there is a legit chance to acquire Terry if he can play like this...

[pmac34]

does Mike James interest you?

[Pioneer10]

Originally Posted by pmac34

does Mike James interest you?

His age is a big concern for me. I want a PG who we can groom to be with our future core of James, Hughes, and AV.

If we can get a quality PG with our draft pick then I would considering signing James to bridge teh gap till the rook can develop

[Pioneer10]

20 or more NBA GM’s have been down to Southern Califonia to watch workouts held by Tim Grgurich and Joe Abunassar this past week. One workout conducted Wednesday that has been heavily discussed consisted of Marcus Williams, Louis Amundson, Leon Powe and an anonymous guard from a local Southern California school.

All the buzz coming out of this workout said that Marcus Williams was "phenomenal." One NBA GM went as far as to say that he "looked like a top 10 pick”. The GM went on to say that he “ran the workout with poise, got to wherever he wanted on the floor, knocked down his perimeter shot at a good clip and generally showed the savvy of an NBA veteran.” Williams is currently ranked as the #1 PG on nearly every NBA team's draft board, with a massive gap between him and the next point guard (which is certainly up for debate). Williams is becoming one of the hottest names in the draft from what we’ve gathered from numerous conversations we’ve had from all different types of sources in the NBA draft business (everyone except for, ironically enough, his agent--who we have not yet spoken with). Another scout in attendance who preferred not to go on the record was equally impressed: “I’m sorry, but there is just not a better point guard in the draft. Everything comes natural to him.”

Stopping for the day at IMG Academy in Clearwater, we got to catch up with his trainer Joe Abunassar to try and confirm what we were hearing. Abunassar likes his work with the players to do the talking for him, but did not deny what we were hearing. He went on to say that Williams has way more NBA upside than people give him credit for considering that his body is nowhere near full potential. He feels that once he has the chance to work with him more on his diet and conditioning level, essentially helping him make the full transition from being a college student to an NBA pro, he’ll test out very well as an athlete. He says that while “he’s not the best shooter we’ve got in the gym right now, I still haven’t seen him lose a shooting competition.”

Many league sources we spoke with this past week feel that the Atlanta Hawks will have to give Marcus Williams a very serious look should they not move up in the lottery on May 23rd, and especially if they move down. What’s interesting for Williams is that all four teams currently slated from 4-8 in this draft (Atlanta, Toronto, Minnesota, Boston) all need a playmaking point guard, meaning his stock would likely rise by default even if he wasn't working out as well as he has lately.

http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=1300