Tue Feb 09 2010
ATLANTA (AP) -- The last time Al Horford and Mike Conley Jr. were in competition against each other, it was for college basketball's national championship.
Horford helped the Florida Gators beat Conley's Ohio State Buckeyes in April's title game. On Monday, each tried to show during individual workouts that he was worthy of being chosen third by the Atlanta Hawks in the upcoming NBA draft.
"It definitely seems like we are competing again," Conley said. "We're going for the highest spot we can possibly achieve in the draft."
The first two picks seem to be a lock between Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, who could land in either Portland or Seattle on Thursday. Some mock drafts have the Hawks going with Horford or Conley with their No. 3 pick.
In the early session, Horford impressed the Hawks with his 6-foot-10, 244-pound sturdy frame, aggressive rebounding and ability to make the short perimeter shot. He averaged 13.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots a game as a junior for the Gators.
Conley didn't look too shabby either. The point guard's speed, quickness and defensive skills seen on tape are all intangibles the Hawks are looking for at the position, making up for his slim 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame.
As a freshman, Conley led the Big Ten with 6.1 assists and 2.2 steals. He also scored 13.2 points a game and shot 52 percent from the floor.
"He's the first point guard we've had in here who is probably a true point guard in terms of possessing speed and being able to get up and down the floor," coach Mike Woodson said.
Factoring into the decision are point guards Speedy Claxton and Tyronn Lue, who were injury-plagued last season.
Journeymen forwards Esteban Batista and Slava Medvedenko are not returning, and they need more depth there, which could ultimately lean toward picking Horford, Woodson said.
"We still lack size," he said. "We are still considered one of the smallest teams in the league, so we need someone big. We are going to fill the need of a big man, then address the point guard situation as well."
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