YouTube clip of the day June 27 2007

In today’s AJC, Hawks beat writer Sekou Smith predicts the team will draft 19-year-old center Yi Jianlian, a 7-footer from China. Under Smith’s scenario, Memphis will then draft Al Horford rather than Ohio State point guard Mike Conley, allowing Conley to still be available at the No. 11 spot, where the Hawks will nab him.

One presumes Smith’s picks are “informed,” since he covers the Hawks. I actually like the way this could shake out. Jianlian has very nice physical skills and Conley has the potential to be an impact player. Plus, the Hawks’ two glaring needs are at center and point guard.

If the Hawks do go in this direction — and most mock drafts have them selecting Horford with the No. 3 pick and Memphis selecting Conley at No. 4 — it could well be the draft that finally turns the team around.

Or am I just being overly optimistic?

Here’s Jianlian at his NBA workout: