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Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > June > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNew GM: Hawks pointed in right direction
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Three weeks on the job, Rick Sund still speaks of the Hawks in the third person (“they”) as often as in the first (“we”). During a 75-minute conversation, he even refers to this as “the city of Seattle.”
Wincing, he catches himself. “City of Atlanta,” he says. “Sorry.”
No apology is required. On the contrary, the new general manager brings precisely what the Hawks have lacked — the ability to cast an outsider’s cold eye on what has been an insulated rebuilding process.
Given the events of spring, we in Seattle — sorry, Atlanta — aren’t sure what to make of the Hawks. They barely made the playoffs, but once there they played the champs-to-be better than either the Pistons or the Lakers. Does that mean the Hawks are (deep breath) further along than those proud organizations?
“No,” Sund says. “We’re not further along.”
This isn’t a criticism of Billy Knight. Indeed, Sund has only praise for his predecessor, saying, “Billy and [Mike Woodson, the coach] have done a good job the last four years. They improved their record every year … and they protected their players.”
Sund likens the Hawks to the expansion Dallas Mavericks, whom he served as director of personnel. The Mavs won 17 games in their inaugural season, then 28, then 38, then 43. The Hawks under Knight and Woodson won 13 games, then 26, then 30, then 37. There are those — this writer, for example — who believed the Hawks should have been better sooner. Sund does not.
“I’m still an outsider,” he says. “When you’re inside, you always want a quicker pace — your frustration level’s a little different. Outside looking in, the Hawks really were where they should have been. People say, ‘They should have won 45 games.’ They weren’t capable of 45 wins, in my opinion. They were in Year 4 of a rebuilding process in which the focus was youth, and with it comes inexperience.”
Then this: “A reasonable goal would have been to sneak into the playoffs in the eighth spot or the seventh, and they did. And then, probably a reasonable goal would have been to see if they could win a game. The fact they competed real well at home [against Boston] was a plus. And the fact they didn’t win on the road — there’s not a basketball person who would say that was surprising.”
Sund delineates the five stages of an NBA player’s development: 1. Peer acceptance; 2. Playing time; 3. Being paid commensurate to one’s peers, 4. Personal achievement, and 5. Wanting to win a championship. “It’s not surprising the Celtics won because they have five or six guys in Phase 5 who’d already achieved Phase 4.”
As for the Hawks, Sund believes, “We’ve got a lot of players in those various early stages, and we’ve got to massage those and manage those. … It looked to me that when the playoffs started, they dropped those phases. It looked to me that for the first time … there was a focus, and that focus is what helped them to get to a second and third win. Because the talent was the same.
“Now the trick is, as you go forward, to maintain that focus to get to your next goal, which is: We want to get back to the playoffs and improve on our record.”
With the Hawks holding no picks in next week’s draft, Sund’s immediate emphasis is on keeping free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress. “Our intent is to sign both,” he says. “We want to try to keep this eight-man core [he includes Acie Law and Zaza Pachulia] together.”
Three weeks on the job and still living in a hotel, Sund knows his mission isn’t to uproot but to tweak and tuck. “The real ‘tell’ sign on this organization is this upcoming season,” Sund says. “The blood, sweat and tears that Billy Knight and the owners and Woodson [invested] is going to [show] this year.”
That doesn’t mean the new GM expects the Hawks to win the championship next June. “We’re not there yet,” Sund says. “But we’re pointed in the right direction.”
Permalink | Comments (55) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Comments
By Sautee
June 19, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
Mark
Can they re-sign the Joshes and still have money to spend on a big and a shooter?
I’d LOVE to think that the BASG would step to the plate financially, but nothing we’ve seen over there tenure would give confidence that it will actually happen.
I HOPE that Rick Sund sees the need for more pieces than just the 8 man core.
By william cranman
June 19, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Very refreshing. Rick Sund talked more in this interview than Billy Knight did in the 4 years (?) he was here. I never heard the man speak. Oh, yea I did, the time he tried to explain not drafting Chris Paul.
By nookah
June 19, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the perspective Mark. You can definitely hear the experience coming through. The explanation of the 5 phases of a player’s life sure does put this into perspective. I might not necessarily agree with all he said but he sure does put a different spin on our situation.
Let’s hope he can indeed keep the core together and add some pieces and take us to the next level.
GO HAWKS !!
Nuff Respect!!
By D-Cider
June 19, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
hmmmm…change in the mgmt of the hawks was needed, I wonder if the same could be said for the Braves..also, from your Franceour blog, r u still wondering why fans are down on him after today’s game? don’t know about keeping Zaza, other than not being able to play defense, pass, or shoot he is good NBA player. he can turn the ball over at a pretty good rate, though.
By darrell starks
June 19, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
MARK BRADLEY WE REALY HAVE TOO ASK OUR SEILF IS IT WORTH KEEPING BOTH JOSH CHILL AND JOSH SMITH? MY OPION IS KEEP JOSH CHILL AND TRADE JOSH SMITH BUT ITS RICK SUND DECISION TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. WATCHING THE NBA FINALLS REALY HURT ME BECAUSE THE LUV THAT I HAVE FOR THIS CITY WE ARE STARVIN FOR A CHAMPION SHIP HERE AND IN ORDER FOR YOU TO GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL YOU SOMETIME HAVE TO MAKE BOLD DECISION THE BIG RUMOR ON THE STREET IS THAT THE SIXERS ARE TRYING TO DO A SIGN AND TRADE OF ANDRE IGLUDOLLA IF IM THE HAWKS I WILL MAKE THAT TRADE IN A HEART BEAT HE IS A STAR IN THE MAKING IM NOT SAYING THAT JOSH SMITH WANT BE A STAR BUT THIS GUY BRING JUST AS MORE EXCITEMENT AS JOSH SMITH MAKE THE TRADE AND THIS TEAM WILL GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL TRUST ME. AND SIGN KAWME BROWN STARTING FIVE BIBBY AT POINT JOE AT BIG GUARD ANDRE IGLUDOLLA AT SMALL FORD ALHARTFORD AT POWER FORD KAWME AT CENTER.BENCH PLAYER ACIE LAW, JOSH CHILL, MARVIN WILLIAM, ZAZA PACHILLUA, SOLLOM JONES WHO IS GETING BETTER AS PLAYER. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
By ATLplayer
June 19, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
I disagree with this year’s expectation as for as win total. The Hawks should have won 45 games…period! That team had the talent to win that many games in the east. Don’t get me wrong, the team is flawed in it’s construction; but it still had 45 wins within it’s reach. What I don’t want is Sund to come in here and start talking about low expectations just to secure his job if they don’t win in the next 2 seasons. The Hawks must make the playoffs or next year will be a burst and Woodson will get canned.
By HHoops
June 19, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
I like what I am hearing from Rick Sund. I hope that we can sign a 5 man after we resign the Joshes. I feel if we can get a 5 man and bring Zaza off the bench, that will allow Horford to play 4. The Hawks will jump in the Eastern Conference and challenge Boston. I’m not saying that we will over take the Champs with one free agent signing @ 5, but we are close and this could put us in position to really compete next year! How long has it been since Hawks fans could say this?
By Herschel Talker
June 19, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Mark - do you still think the Braves will be in first place come July 4? Bozo
By Mike
June 19, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
please no more kwame brown talk
By Mike
June 19, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
please no more kwame brown talk how about marcus camby
By Mike
June 19, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
please no more kwame brown talk how about marcus camby
By femhawkfan
June 19, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
“michael”, my thoughts exactly. these people must don’t know ALL there is to know about Kwame.
By HHoops
June 19, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Mark,
Most Hawks fans will agree that the Hawks are close to being a contender. I feel that the Hawks really need a Big to be able to really compete with the Celtics for the Eastern Conference next year. Can you give us a list of 5 men that will be available in Free Agency this year or may be available through a trade?
By Joe
June 19, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
No draft choices in 2008, and if you scan the available free agent bigs, there is not much talent there. Those players that are available are older veterans who play the 8-10 roles off the bench and some are paid too much money for what they contributed to their teams last season. ZaZa is better than anyone on that list. Caoching him to up his game by an experienced “big” coach would be helpful, the same with Jones. I am not saying the hawks should not go after another big number 5 player, but they are going to have to trade one of our talented forwards to get a good number 5 big.
By Joe
June 19, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
No draft choices in 2008, and if you scan the available free agent bigs, there is not much talent there. Those players that are available are older veterans who play the 8-10 roles off the bench and some are paid too much money for what they contributed to their teams last season. ZaZa is better than anyone on that list. Caoching him to up his game by an experienced “big” coach would be helpful, the same with Jones. I am not saying the hawks should not go after another big number 5 player, but they are going to have to trade one of our talented forwards to get a good number 5 big.
By HHoops
June 19, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Joe,
You’re probably right! I have not seen a list of the Bigs that might be available. Who could we get by keeping Bibby, Acie, Joe, Chill, Josh S., Horford, & Zaza? Do you agree that we need to keep that core group? That leaves Marvin, Salim, Solomon, and the rest to get a starter @ 5. I don’t see that happening! Maybe another year with some good coaching and developing, Solomon starts to shine! What do you think?
By Astro Joe
June 19, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
So it took an outsider to come in and acknowledge that the team has progressed at a natural pace, that the team is in good shape cap wise, that the coach is progressing nicely with the young nucleus and that the team doesn’t need a pick in next week’s draft.
Geez, in corporate America, we pay expensive consultants a one-time fee to tell us that we’re already doing everything right. How many years did the ASG pay this guy to blow smoke up their collective behinds?
By RAD
June 19, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
There is a 7’ foreign player with the last name of Anderson that the Hawks are hoping to get. I can’t remember his first name or what country he is from. The source of info is reliable.
By Mark Bradley
June 19, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
David Andersen is an Australian center who plays for the Moscow team CSKA, which just won the European title. The Hawks drafted him in 2002, which means they still hold his rights. They’re probably looking at him — and they are looking at him — for the 2009-2010 season.
There probably won’t be room for a big free-agent signing this summer, assuming the Joshes stay. The Hawks will try to use their mid-level exception on a big man, but I don’t see them pursuing Kwame Brown. I think they’re looking outside for veteran stability now, not untapped potential.
By MannyT
June 19, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Success combines pointing in the right direction with moving at an appropriate rate of speed.
Hopefully we will move in the correct direction at a good speed. It took the ASG to the edge of Woody’s contract to renew it. If you are pro Woody, why did it take so long? If you are anti Woody, why not use that extra week to determine the likelihood of bringing in someone like Tom Thibodeau who is the defensive architect of the Celtics success and has no one to even discuss a head coaching job with this summer.
By terrell barron
June 19, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
3 implies to Josh Smith. Way underpaid! He’ll be a lot better once he gets paid like his peers. How would we feel if we were him, and Marvin and Chills made twice as much?By terrell barron
June 19, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
3 implies to Josh Smith. Way underpaid! He’ll be a lot better once he gets paid like his peers. How would we feel if we were him, and Marvin and Chills made twice as much for less work?By terrell barron
June 19, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
Darrell, who the heck is Al Hartford?
By igotxx3
June 20, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
they have to keeep both joshes the fans love them. kids love josh childress fro. thats what the city is all about love and support…I think the hawks will have extra money if they release speedy claxton, which I think they’re going to do. if so I would sign louis williams if hes available. then if acie law steps his game up all the way I would trade bibby for a nice bench player. also I would trade marvin williams to the pistons for rasheed wallace. the pistons are going to get rid of him so that would be a nice trade.
By ray
June 20, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
Yeah. Sund is right. With Woodson at the helm, we are exactly where we should be. Better coach and we would have had more wins. You can’t tell me we SHOULD NOT have won those games that would have clinched the #8 spot, instead of waiting for Indiana to choke and give it to us. You can’t tell me that we SHOULD not have won those last few games after we learned about getting the last playoff spot. There’s no way Miami’s scrubs should have mopped the floor with us. Bull$hit!! We should have come out at .500 or damn closer to it than 37 wins!
But I don’t expect Sund to say anything unpleasant about Woodson, or the ASG, or the departed Billy Knight. Wouldn’t be in proper form, and this dude has class. Besides, the ASG is still his boss, and thanks to Michael Gearon Jr, Woody is still his employee.
But more than anything, Sund is the new marketing director and spin control guy. The ASG doesn’t give a rat’s a$$ about winning right now. They care about positive spin (read: marketing) to make money and taking as little loss as possible. The franchise is bleeding money out of it’s pores. How do we expect to keep both Joshes, Bibby, and others? We won’t have enough money to sign any decent veterans. Maybe since JJ is hollering about veteran players, he can donate some of his salary to help sign some.
Didn’t think so…
By cp
June 20, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this
ray pretty much summed it up lmao
By KevinM
June 20, 2008 2:02 AM | Link to this
It sounds like Ray knows the ins and outs of this team. Its still the Woody show and we will see more of the same this year. Not a lot of changes in the roster. Expect maybe one new face who can help, but we will go with:
Bibby/Acie JJ/Chills Marvin/Chills Smoove Horford/Zaza
Our salary cap numbers don’t allow for any big inroads with vets. You won’t see many vets who will be willing to come in here off the bench unless they are in the twilight or last year of their contract. Mutombo/Ratliff are 2 guys that come to mind. Don’t expect big splashes from Sund, who will take his time to see what happens in ‘08. And David Anderson is very close to being on the wrong side of 30 if Im not mistaken. He is not a savior for this team. We would be better off with a Gooden or Haywood coming here to help the young guys and strenghten our interior. We aren’t going anywhere until Al gets help on the boards.
By mykhalc
June 20, 2008 2:13 AM | Link to this
i’d like this article even better if SUND wasn’t the one that decided he was ‘comfortable’ with WOODSON!!!
dead on-point RAY!!!
By RA
June 20, 2008 3:02 AM | Link to this
As much as I HATE to admit to supporting anything that Bradley says, I have to admit that he’s right about the fact that the Hawks made a better showing this post season against the Celts than either Detroit or LA. Now, the fact that Sund doesn’t take that to mean that this team is already on par with those teams fills me with hope. Yea, this team has come a long way, but the truth is that they’ve still got a ways to go before they’re able to stand toe to toe with a team like Boston, or Detroit for that matter, with any hope of success in a seven game series…
Now ATLplayer if indeed that is your real name, I agree with you. Atlanta should have won at least 45 games last year, but the truth is that there are reasons that they didn’t. Depth, was a plague all year long. The Hawks didn’t pull the trigger on the Bibby trade until February, and Acie Law IV spent most of the season injured, so there wasn’t a lot of support at the point. Za Za forgot how to play until the first round of the playoffs, and Joe Johnson, as great as he was, ran hot and cold all season long. Throw in the fact that the best all around player on the team has just been legally able to drink for a little over a year, and you get the recipie for a 37 win season.
By kanahda ballz
June 20, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Darrell, who the heck is Al Hartford? LOL.
Hawks team progressing nicely. Horford one of the best young bigs in the NBA. The two Joshs are great - in particular Childress. Good defender on the wing who can drive, shoot and rebound. Would love to see him with the Raptors. Raps were interested in drafting him in 2004 with the 8th pick but Atlanta snapped him up at no. 6.
Atlanta interested in TJ Ford and Joey Graham for Childress and Speedy Claxton? LOL. Seriously, Hawks would be wise to re-sign Childress.
Good to see some light at the end of the tunnel for Hawks fans.
By travis
June 20, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
i don’t understand some of you all’s logic. you are saying that we don’t have enuff money for a veteran big, but we need to keep chills and smoove? trade chills, he’s going to want about 8-9mil/yr. he was a 6th pick, but for what he does he could have been a 15th. no plays are run thru him. all of his points etc. are gotten off of hustle plays, which we need, but do you want to pay 9mil for that when you need a big? trade chills and marvin, you got cap room for a vet big, bring in some scrappy guys to do what chills did at a cheaper rate. hell richardson can do what chills does
By Ryder
June 20, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
No one in their right mind (that’s not named Billy Knight) will take Claxton in any kind of trade, so we have to abandon that ship.
Atlanta will only have their mid-level exception to sign a vet for a one year deal and hope he stays healthy. Someone who can clog up space in the paint and occasionally move Al Horford to the 4.
What’s Olowokandi doing these days? Maybe we can sign him for a cheeseburger and a dime bag.
Eventually Sund’s biggest decision will be to 1)Re-sign the Joshes and 2)Where to trade Bibby come Feb.
Outside of Orlando, the Hawks are realistically one of the few teams in the East who can dethrone the Celtics. All it takes is some tweaking on Sund’s part without destroying the ASG’s wallet.
By Tron
June 20, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
How in the wide, wide world of sports are the Hawks going to re-sign both Joshes? There simply is not enough money (or cap room) to spread around. Getting Bibby last year definitely energized the Hawks and helped get us into the playoffs, but I believe taking on his monster contract ($15 mil this year) came at the expense of signing one of the, if not both, Joshes.
By DORIS ENDSLEY
June 20, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
I dont’t know why the people that are not playing and not coaching can alway say what can happen when you dont have the players that vets and have played in the for years , like Boston who traded and got star player and Atlanta gave them a run for their money. Why are you complaining about the coach when he had youth and inexperience, Woody have been under the best, what happened to Miami, with the coach of many years. Why do the Africian American coaches alway get the boos if the dont do it in one or two years. The media is alway trying to tear people down. Woody did a great job with what he had. He has been with a champion team and I am sure that he brought that to the table and the guys played well for him when the media was trying to dog him. I hope and pray that he can shut the medias mouths up and put their opions to shame. What other team had a great series against Boston, because they were to be swept. Good luck HAWKS UNDER THE COACH AND LET THE MEDIA GO TO HELL.
By Neal
June 20, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
I think what the Boston-LA finals shows is that to be successful in the East and in the league the Hawks MUST continue to be physical. Only the Hawks and the Cavs took the Celts to 7 games. Why? Physicallity and Tempo.
Although Emeka is not worth $12-13 MM per year he could be the perfect physical and coachable complement to Horford. Sund should try a sign and trade with Marvin Williams(Larry Brown and MJ’s fellow Alum) to see if they can achieve this. It will leave a void for the midrange and perimeter but it will solidify the defense and DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.
By Mario Leathers
June 20, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
I’m proud of my guys for the production and growth we’ve shown this year.We were able to hold off a tight run for the final playoff spot,took the champions to seven games,and had a very impressive record to close out the season.I think with a healthy Mike Bibby and Acie Law for a full season along with the rest of our guys, I see us moving up in the playoffs to the six or seven seed.We’re on the rise and Atlanta Hawks basketball will be respected this year and years beyond.I know that we’re going to be able to sign at least two key guys to our team,and once we get the added extension we need anybody in our way is in trouble.
By T.C
June 20, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
ATLplayer,even phil jackson would’nt have been successful in a rebuilding stage.see this is what happens all the time but people don’t really pay attention to it.you always have a coach to set the foundation and another coach comes in after the younger players have developed and it seems he knows what he’s doing.i don’t care what the coaches name is,he wont make a off the rip impact when it comes to starting over from scratch.pat riley had wade and shack before he was traded and had the worst record,but i dont hear rileys name mentioned.is it because he have rings?80% of you would say yes but aint he the same coach with better than average players.this is not football but look at the NYG coach,they were calling for his head but now think he’s the best thing since sliced bread because he won it all and nobody was expecting that.woody deserves a chance with this young group.
By nique
June 20, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
any chance sund is considering trading either marvin or bibby?
By Jeff
June 20, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
so what about Kurt Thomas he has experience he can come off the bench and help out a little bit but he cant start because the hawks can run and gun with him on the floor
By bigeasy830
June 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
ATL player I agree with you 100 percent. Sund is coming in here talking nonsense. The Hawks should have won 45 games. They have the talent to do so in the East. Sund will mess up our progress I can see that now. I am not optimistic that he will resighn both the Joshes. i say lets trade Marvin and AC for a top 5 or top ten pic. i would love to have Mayo, Gordon or Love. Marvin is what he is and thats a great kid but does not have the heart to be a super star and since we are loaded at the forward position he is the odd man out. J-Smoove is a stud and J-Chill brings so much versatility with his grat ball handling and his play around the basket. Also, if anyone knows about our plans for Cenk Akyol let me know it may be time to bring him over.
By KevinM
June 20, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Our biggest weakness is still on the interior. Al needs help and fast! We aren’t going much further until we get someone who can get some rebounds. We have JJ and Bibby firing up the long range shots, and Al can only take on so many Celtics. ASG/Sund……Give up Marvin and Zaza or even Chills and get us in the 1st round of the draft and get us some muscle inside before they get snatched up by our East rivals.
You think Indy, NJ and Chicago aren’t going to be better? We won’t be able to back into the playoffs next year. And while you’re at it ASG, get us a 3 point shooter like a Posey.
By HHoops
June 20, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
The Hawks will have to make a trade if they are going to move up in the Eastern Conference. Who do we give up? The Big Three have to stay (Joe, Josh S., & Horford). Boston had their Big Three and a great group of role players to go with them. It’s time for the Hawks to MAKE A DEAL!!!
By darrell starks
June 20, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
HHOOPS I AGREE WITH YOU THE HAWKS HAVE TO MAKE A DEAL BUT WE HAVE TO USE SENSE WHERE JOSH SMITH GOING TO PLAY HE IS NOT A SMALL FORWARD IN THE NBA TO PLAY SMALL FORWARD YOU MUST BE ABLE TO CREAT YOUR SHOT OFF THE DRIBBLE HE WILL BE A LIABLTY AT SMALL FORD THATS WHY JOE HAVE TO CARRY THIS TEAM EVERY NIGHT HE HAVE NO ONE ELSE WHO CAN CREAT THEIR OWN SHOT UNTIL THE HAWKS MAKE A TRADE FOR SOME ONE LIKE AND ANDREA IGLUDOLLA MIKE WOODSON WILL LOOK BAD AS A COACH AND THIS TEAM WILL STILL BE THE SAME.
By Al Hartford
June 20, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Suckers.
By no_id
June 20, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Josh Smith is not going anywhere..they’ll re-sign him..so no more trade talk plz..its not gonna happen
By igotxx3
June 21, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
MARVIN FOR RASHEED, RASHHED IS A PROVIN PLAYER RIGHT?
By Latarian
June 21, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
When summer come, not even my grandma can keep me from my chicken wings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mJpI8b23nI&feature=related
Go Hawks!
By Gypsyjoe
June 21, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
I think you get a big like Diop. Then a shooter like Kareem Rush. those 2 guys plus the 2 Joshs and we are good to go. I think that this can get done.
By russm
June 22, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
It’s very funny how all of a sudden everybody thinks the hawks are pointed in the the right direction when they have a new white general manager who describes this teams progression the exact same way that Billy Knight has for years.When Knight drafted Josh Smith he was called a fool,he was. paying too much for Joe Johnson,some people even questioned the Al Horford pick.Knight was tired of all the b.s. he had to put up with even though any one who understands sports could see this team coming together. It’s sad that blacks,(players,coaches,an GM.s alike)have to produce ten times as much to be seen as equals to their white counterparts. The black coach who just won the NBA title was nearly run out of town before he was given something to work with.This city’s own one-of-a kind superstar athlete Quarterback was pressured to produce even though the system was changed on him three times in four years. I could go on and on,Its just funny as hell!!!
By Vick B. Innocent
June 22, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
I agree with russm. Blacks and Whites are collectively equal in every single way. LOL! LOL!
Whenever a black athlete struggles at a given sport, it is only because his white “masters” don’t know how to properly use his talents.
This racist town ran off its greatest sports hero ever, MIKE VICK, because he was black and because they didn’t know how to properly use a legend like him. LOL!
Blacks are collectively just as smart, articulate, disciplined, respectful of other citizens, law-abiding, humble in victory, graceful in defeat, cerebral and emotionally-balanced as Whites.
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!
By Joe
June 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
russm So any time a black player/coach/gm doesn’t produce, they shouldn’t be criticized. Smells fishy.
By durtydogg
June 22, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
I DONT GIVE A DAMN IF THEIR WHITE, BLACK, GREEN OR PURPLE. JUST WIN!
By Dman
June 23, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Russm is exactly correct and everyone knows it. People hide their head in the sand just so they don’t have to face the many injustices of society. I have always felt B. Knight was treated unfairly. There are many of you who didn’t say a word on draft night when he selected Marvin over Chris because most of the “Anaylsy” said Marvin was a can’t miss prospect. These are the same people that were complaining we have enough forwards pick conely not Hartford. Where are those people now. Truth be told there is no exact science about the draft, most GM’s hit on about 40 percent of their picks. B. Knight Brought in Joe, Josh&Josh, Marvin (good but still developing), Al, Bibby, Acie, Salim (great pickup but haven’t figured out how to use him yet) and traded away Diow which everyone hated until he was playing for phoneix. All of those are very good picks, better than the trash that Babcock assembled, that was so bad that BK had to blow it up just to get to a point where we could start assembling anything close to a competitive team. Were we hard on Babcock? Not like we were on BK. There are bias’ and most of us know why but we try to stay politically correct. Good luck where ever yo are BK! Thanks for putting together a great nucleus! Go Hawks!!!
By Trashman
June 23, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Dman - Go take your racism, stupidity and blind rage somewhere else.
ATL don’t need “YOUR KIND,” Sucka!
By jack bender
June 23, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
hopefully, rick sund was spreading some disinformation and he really is plotting behind the scenes to make some deals. check out my thoughts - runningwithzaza.blogspot