Hawks

By Willie Coyote

January 10, 2007 01:57 PM | Link to this

I know that you (Sekou) have given Lorenzen a lot of credit for “what he brings” to the Hawks and how it can’t be seen in the box score; but for the life of me, I can’t see it on the court either. All he does is foul and gives very little in the way of positive plays to help this team win. Last I checked, teams are still not scared of him patroling the paint (if you can call it that).

Zaza is pathetic on defense. He doesn’t offer resistance or initiate or take contact in the paint on defense. I don’t know what he’s doing when he “shows” on the pick & roll because he just gets in the guards way. Just like last year, the 5 spot in the lineup is absolutely killing us on defense and provides very little offensively. Zaza does have some offensive skill but he cannot hit that mid range jumper consistently enough for the opposing center to honor it. If he could hit that shot, it would open up driving opportunities for him and others.

I’d rather lose with Solomon on the floor. At least he’ll get experience and give effort on both ends.

By Dan

January 10, 2007 02:10 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

Nice post. I agree with you. I was one of the people that thought Foster would have been a great addition. I said that right after I saw the Pacers play at Philips last year. I agree on Aaron Williams, too. He was a physical presence on Saturday night. The Hawks do not have that.

I like Billy Knight. However, his inability to land a Foster type (why was he not included in the Harrington trade?!?!) for this team is a huge strike against him. As a GM that constantly tells us (season ticket holders) that he spends every minute trying to make this team better, how can that part of the team continually be overlooked? Knight deserves to be blasted for that.

Why add anyone now, though? This season is wasted already. Why add someone that may help them win 22 games instead of 19? They need a good pick in this year’s draft and a solid free agent. I am sick of hearing about “cap space” it is time to actually do something with all that room under the cap.

Lorenzen Wright sucks. There is just not a nice way to say it. He should not be in the NBA. I’m sorry. He is a bad basketball player and I just don’t see how he helps this team at all. He just can’t compete at the NBA level.

By AK-47

January 10, 2007 02:15 PM | Link to this

Without Joe Johnson in the lineup, as it was last night, this team has nobody that can play on either side of the ball. With 3 mins left, they were flirting with the all-time record low score since the team moved to Atlanta. Injuries have definitely taken a toll, but even at full strength Johnson still wouldn’t have the help he needs since Billy Knight let our only other playmaker - Harrington - walk for nothing in return. His replacement - Marvin - is absolutely horrible. He stumbles all over the court trying to make something happen. He’s just clumsy. Where is Billy Knight these days? He’s got to make a deal and get some players that haven’t had their confidence squashed. We haven’t heard boo from the front office, and this team gets worse by the game.

By Astro Joe

January 10, 2007 02:19 PM | Link to this

Let’s see. Coach Woodson has his high school jersey retired and has 80 members of his family and friends at the game last night in Indiana. And the Hawks score 72 points and shoot less than 33%. That’s the closest thing to signing a “Woody Needs to be Fired” petition and mailing it to David Stern.

By ATLANTA

January 10, 2007 02:57 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight needs to be fired. He walks around acting like he is smarter than everyone else while the Atlanta Spirit lets him run this franchise into the ground. Maybe Belkin should own the team, at least he would get rid of Knight. just look at his history. With the the #6 pick he takes Childress over Luol Deng. Yes, Childress a #6 pick is coming off the bench. Then he takes Marvin with the #2 over chris paul when we already had 2 small forwards (The Joshes)and were in desperate need of a pg. Then, we are still in need of a PG, and the genius takes Shelden Williams over Deron Williams. Not only does he takes him, but weeks before the draft everyone is saying that Shelden williams won’t work out for another team because Billy Knight has given him a vote of confidence. Then as a even bigger insult, he signs speedy claxton to run the point. If Phoenix ends up with our first round draft pick and we still stink, I just don’t know what I will do. At this point we will be the Detroit Lions of the NBA. Oh yeah, I almost forgot about Boris Diaw. When will it end.

By mykhalc

January 10, 2007 02:58 PM | Link to this

did not see the game but what is left to say??? i’ve said before that WOODSON’s time is up!! outta here!! needs to go!! really an embarrasin’ effort!! the only good thing is that SJONES was on the court for 20+ mins. and how about DTHOMPSON’s boxscore?? a productive 5 mins.

but i’m about to jump on CLYDE and ANDO’s side of the bandwagon!! how can they sign a guy, SLAVA, who has a back injury??? has YET to see the court!!somebody help me understand that one?? i’ve sat on the fence in regards to BK but that move is freakin’ ridiculous!!!????!!!!

By Derrick

January 10, 2007 02:59 PM | Link to this

Dan,

You can’t both like Billy Knight and then criticize the fact that in 4 years he hasn’t been able to find anything resembling a real front-court player despite high picks in the draft and cap space. This after an off-season of hearing the “just wait“‘s by the few Hawks faithful about the Lorenzo and Speedy acquisitions. Face it, Billy does not have an eye for talent. He can live off of his praise for shedding a few terrible contracts, but he doesn’t know how to construct an actual winning basketball team or how to choose players who will contribute.

It should still burn every Hawks fan that with an easy and obvious choice, Billy took Childress over Deng (two players with similar skills and the same position). Billy was just about the only GM in the league who would have made that decision and there is a reason for that.

Those of you who still continue to defend him are nothing but enablers who refuse to demand accountability from the people we pay to go see their Atlanta Hawks. Until the few fans that this team has left refuse to accept a few wins as signs of progress or a completely wretched baseball team as just “growing pains” you will get what you’ve asked for.

By rob

January 10, 2007 03:17 PM | Link to this

On the positive side, Thompson looked absolutely terrific last night. I know it was in garbage time, and I’m sure he won’t continue to shoot 100%, but I say throw him in there for 25 minutes and see what happens. You can’t do any worse than losing 9 out of ten so it can’t hurt. Not being able to even give away my tickets is becoming depressing on nights I can’t make it…it’s like taking $150 and burning it with a lighter, ughhh

By marty

January 10, 2007 03:18 PM | Link to this

When are the hawks headed ti Arizona

By AK-47

January 10, 2007 03:26 PM | Link to this

Jason Terry, Nazr Muhammad, Al Harrington, Tony Delk, Antoine Walker, Rasheed Wallace, Shareef Abdur Rahim, Theo Ratliff, Dan Dickau (played well in NO), Stephen Jackson, Gary Payton.

All players that BK has let go while receiving NOTHING in return. He traded Jackson for Harrington, and then let the Pacers take Al back, essentially getting Jackson for free. He has yet to re-sign a single free agent since he got here. He’s the worst GM in the history of modern sports, worse even than the legendary Donald Sterling of the Clippers. It has to be intentional, no professional GM could truly be that inept.

By Willie Coyote

January 10, 2007 03:32 PM | Link to this

ATLANTA, Shelden Williams and Deron Williams were in two different drafts. Childress plays 35 minutes a game and I don’t think it matters if he’s a 6th man. You put players where they can help you and Chills helps this team. Deng and the other AI would have been good choices at that #6 pick but I don’t think anyone of them is someone who can consistently break down a defense and take on the brunt of his team’s scoring load. That’s just my opinion. I will agree that the Marvin pick was somewhat surprising but I wasn’t all that excited about Paul at the time. He got handled against some of the tougher ACC competition at times so I was surprised that he set the NBA on fire the way he did and as soon as he did. Good for him, I hope he keeps it up.

I’m trying to have some patience for Woody and Billy. I want to see this team at full strength some before I completely give up on them. As far as those calling for Belkin to take over, be careful on that one. Noone knows how good he’ll be and the Atlanta Spirit may turn out to be ok if this legal mess ever gets resolved.

By Dan

January 10, 2007 03:39 PM | Link to this

Derrick,

It is possible to like someone, yet still criticize bad moves made by that person. As my dad used to say, no one is above an a## kicking.

I will give you this, though, this past offseason was Billy Knight’s worst. Why bring Speedy (injured every other day) and Wright (who just sucks) into the mix? Those were two poor moves. Also, the Harrington trade was a complete debacle. The team basically got nothing for Al. A draft pick and Jeff Foster were the least he could have done. Trying to rationalize (not talking about you, Derrick) that “at least we got something for him” is stupid.

I am worried about the direction of this team. This season is a disaster. Last year, I was worried that Belkin might aquire the team. Now, I’m not so sure that would be a bad idea. Just can’t take anymore seasons like this one. I really thought this team would be heard from this season. It isn’t going to happen.

Also, Derrick, I am far from an “enabler” or what ever the h### you said. Belive me, not that it matters, but I actually care a lot about this team.

By JohnGTFan

January 10, 2007 04:04 PM | Link to this

I would put a nice long post on here about how ignorant Woodson and Knight are, but we all have the same opinions. I’m very interested in something though, with the trade deadline approaching, there are rumors ATL is trying to make a deal. I want to see if they FINALLY get it right, or if they do what we’re used to seeing here in ATL…mess it up even worse. With our luck, we’ll end up with the worst, or next-to-worst record in the NBA, but during the lottery, end up with the 4th pick, which would go to Phoenix. So, I’m thinking Knight is probably working on a deal that would trade one or both of the Josh’s, get a player that will leave at the end of next year…so in return, we will lose 2 bright and future stars in this league, and get nothing. Then, we get no 1st round pick, and start next year with a team that is actually worse than the one we have now. Then, JJ will demand a trade or be released…then the centerpiece of our franchise will be Speedy and Shelden. Hey, not bad if it was Division III basketball. But, I truly hope I’m wrong about this and Billy pulls off something to help this team. I’d certainly send my apologies to Billy!!!!

By hawks suck but still my fav team

January 10, 2007 04:11 PM | Link to this

Sekou, will you ever interview billy knight and see what he thinks about this mess. I love you as a beat writer but stop being a vag and find him and get his idiotic opinion about this disgrace of a “team” that he has so aptly built. THANKS!

By joshua neder

January 10, 2007 04:13 PM | Link to this

do something trade wise if you have any touch with reality hawks. this is unbeleivable. we are the laughing stock of all pro sports. i don’t even know why i am fan anymore

By JohnGTFan

January 10, 2007 04:21 PM | Link to this

I agree…I would love an interview with Billy Knight to see what he says. Then again, maybe interviews have been attempted and he’s denied them.

By Orlando Rivera

January 10, 2007 04:24 PM | Link to this

I know JJ’s not that kind of player, but I wouldn’t blame him for intentionally tanking it so he doesn’t have to deal with this crap. I’m done with the Hawks, the only b-ball worth watching around these parts is the ACC.

By JohnGTFan

January 10, 2007 04:35 PM | Link to this

How can you not feel bad for JJ. I mean yeah, he got a $70M contract. But I’m certain that part of that agreement was being told that ATL would put talent around him. ummmmmm…Billy!!!

By AK-47

January 10, 2007 04:39 PM | Link to this

Does anyone see any glimmer of talent in Marvin? I try really hard to look for it, but anytime I see him try to take it to the hole, he flails around and falls down. He can’t drain it from midrange, he doesn’t make 3s, he’s not real strong on the boards. He was the heir-apparent who supposedly made Harrington expendable. I know his finger still hurts, but what exactly is supposed to be Marvin’s strength? Other than the summer league, I have seen no evidence of anything but mediocrity.

By dap

January 10, 2007 04:47 PM | Link to this

Sekou,

In your estimation, will BK attempt a large make over before the deadline, a small one (like 32 year old Anthony Johnson) or will he sit still and hope we drop down to get a 1-3 pick? What would be your plan?

By Clyde

January 10, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

WHAT KIND OF GM DRAFTS TWO INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS THAT MAY NEVER PLAY FOR HIS TEAM?

FIRE BILY AND WOODY

By Shut up already

January 10, 2007 04:56 PM | Link to this

Interview Knight? Yeah, like those interviews they did with McKay while the Falcons were drowning this season. No one cares what the suits have to say unless they have some solutions to the problems. If they don’t, it’s best they just shut up and stay out of sight.

By newkid

January 10, 2007 05:16 PM | Link to this

What do you guys think about a Knicks-type solution to our coach/gm matter? Send off Woody immediately, and have BK coach the team he has assembled. Give BK a win/loss goal for the remainder of the season, and send him off if he fails to meet the goal. If you believe you’re doing an adequate job of assembling the talent pool required to win, show it by coaching them to success. Sort of ‘put up or get out’ kind of approach.

By MBATL

January 10, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this

Last night, you had a #2 Pick, a #5 Pick, and a #6 Pick combine for 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists. I think you could get that out of 3 NBDL players. I know these guys are “young” and that the numbers aren’t always that bad, but Shelden and JC played full college careers. They’re not babies.

I’m not a fan of Woody, but the problem starts with talent evaluation - making it hard to judge him.

By Wedgie Evans

January 10, 2007 05:34 PM | Link to this

This is what I’ve been saying about the Hawks all year — until they get a post presence on both ends of the floor, this team is basically going to live and die with the jumpshot, and generally teams like that die more often than they live. Time to make a trade to get a legitimate post player, and make Zaza a 6th man.

By kaiser

January 10, 2007 05:37 PM | Link to this

Trade for Kobe.

By ATLANTA

January 10, 2007 06:12 PM | Link to this

WILLIE COYOTE

I meant Marcus Williams from Uconn. I think we could have traded out of that spot.Heck, I would have even taken Rajon Rondo. Shelden wasn’t worth taking in my opinion. And as far as Childress, with the #6 pick he should be a starter and we don’t need anyone to take on most of the scoring load, we have JJ. He just needs a little help. Deng is averaging almost 19 ppg and almost 7 rebounds. He is better than Childress and so is AI. I loved CP3, I really didn’t see what all the hoopla was about Marvin. But I guess you can’t do anything but give it time and see if it works out. And about the whole Belkin thing, I was being sarcastic, I’m just sick of being the laughing stock of the NBA.

By JohnGTFan

January 10, 2007 06:20 PM | Link to this

I think Marvin will be a very good player in the NBA. The problem is, he’s not a player that can “carry a load”. As the majority of fans know, but front office is too ignorant or stubborn to do anything about it, ATL needs a big man. He and Johnson would flourish with a big man. His skills would be better utilized. Right now, teams don’t have to worry about ATL doing ANYTHING inside, so they can pressure the wings with ease. With a proven big man, he would have to be respected, which opens up the wings. Then, I truly believe, the forwards in ATL would really improve. But until that happens, they will all struggle. Same with Speedy, I think he would really do well with an inside presence. There is talent on ATL, no doubt about it…but without that one piece, noone will ever know until they go to another team and play wonderfully.

By JohnGTFan

January 10, 2007 06:26 PM | Link to this

For example, imagine Dwight Howard in ATL. OMG

By Kappy

January 10, 2007 06:54 PM | Link to this

I also was clamoring for the services of one Jeff Foster this past summer. Go back and look it up. OK, dont because thats a tremedous waste of time. But he’s exactly what we need. A defensive minded, sound low post player who can rebound. And he has to be taller than 6’7”.

Did anyone notice that seattle dropped the big greek a couple of days ago? im sure its been discussed and i missed it, but should we give him a look?

By JohnGTFan

January 10, 2007 06:57 PM | Link to this

Kappy, we should give anyone over 6’8” a look.

By Kappy

January 10, 2007 07:05 PM | Link to this

AndAK-47, I think you’re being a bit harsh towards Marvin. You’re right, he does have a hard time getting to the hole. But he never did that in college. Dude is like 20. He’ll hopefully pick that up in the offseason the next year or two. When I see him play, he hits the midrange shot fairly well.

Give the guy some time. He’s played less than 100 total NBA Games!!! And he only played one year in college, sparingly.

I think it was premature to ask much out of the kid. We(including myself) were probably a bit quick to think of him as a 2nd scoring option when he’s on the floor. He can’t do that right now. He would flourish just being the 4th or 5th option. But on this team, his weaknesses get exposed.

He’s learning. I still love his talent and potential. I was in the minority when I wanted to draft him over Paul that year.

I’m sticking with ya Marvin.

By Floze

January 10, 2007 07:18 PM | Link to this

Tonight’s game is going to be so telling against the Hornets - they don’t have CP3, Peja, or Jackson - WOW. If Atlanta can’t win this then we might as well call it a season.

By Kappy

January 10, 2007 07:27 PM | Link to this

David West is hurt too.

By Tyger

January 10, 2007 07:43 PM | Link to this

Season officially over if Hawks dont go .500 in January. Never thought we would be in danger of handing over a top pick to Phoenix when the JJ trade was made. But we’re in the Oden derby nevertheless, thank God, BK protected it 1-3.

The team just doesnt look or play the same, they have regressed to such a degree that I doubt they even match their win total of last season, which would be unacceptable despite all the injury excuses.

I really hate to see a good guy like Woody dragged down by this mess. He is the consumate pro, has associated himself with only the best in college and pro and was a damn good player himself. It must really hurt inside to be associated with this kind of second class organizational fiasco.

This sad situation has to be rectified sooner rather than later. I honestly dont see how ATL Spirit can charge people to come watch with a straight face.

By Wedgie Evans

January 10, 2007 07:48 PM | Link to this

The Mustard Man ain’t looking too bad so far… definitely would rather see him getting paid a 10-day contract by the Hawks than Cedric Bozeman.

By reese

January 10, 2007 08:03 PM | Link to this

Well Sekou, I’ve asked you a thousand times (ok maybe 3 or 4) to ask Mike Woodson if he would even play 2 tall players at the same time. Woodson experiments with playing Shelden at center and no one complains but me.

Why won’t woodson experiment the other way. You know, Play Shelden at the 3, Play zaza at the 4 and play solomon at the 5. I don’t care who the guards are, but tell them to run and if they don’t get a layup pull it back for a half court set.

If woodson won’t play his taller players together, then whats the use of getting taller players. I’m sick of watching Marvin or Josh Childress play the forward position. I’m sick of watching zaza not have a complimentary player next to him.

Shelden and zaza are basically the same. Neither jumps well, neither blocks shot well, neither effectively rotates to help their teammates on the defensive end, neither can run the pick and roll. I won’t say that neither can set picks on offensive, because the guards are not waiting for them to setup.

Zaza gets the nod in the 4 spot because he is better offensively. If I see Shelden get another offensive rebound in the lane and not take it back up strong, I’ll scream. He doesn’t even look at the rim.

By reese

January 10, 2007 08:15 PM | Link to this

In the last post, there was a link to an article about Penny Hardaway. The hawks brought him in for a workout and knight says he looked good, but we have too many players who play his 3 positions of point, 2 guard and small forward. THen knight goes out and signs Dijon thompson who only plays 2 of the positions (2 and 3).

Hardaway is a player who was an all star, played in championship games, played at a high intensity level on offense/defense, excelled at all 3 positions and is the mold in which we wish Josh Childress and Marvin Williams can play.

We all know its about the money. Hardaway would get the veteran’s minimum of 1 mil a year and Dijon Thompson will get a nba minimum.

The funny thing is what happens if Dijon proves to be better than childress or marvin. But, I doubt that woodson would give him the minutes to demonstrate.

By Steve T

January 10, 2007 08:46 PM | Link to this

I am watching the Hawks now. I have been preaching all season long we need a good big man. Billy tried to sign Eddie Curry. This would have been a tremendous move. This would have helped the Hawks because he can score at will on the inside. But since we can not have a great big man then we need to play some big bangers at center.

We have Wright, Esteban, Solomon, and may be able to sign the big Greek. This will give us fours and plenty of fouls. I would want this guys to go after every shot. If we can not score in the paint, I am going to make sure no one else will score.

By Steve T

January 10, 2007 09:02 PM | Link to this

The mustard man needs to play. He looks like he can create his own shot. Salmin looks like he can push the ball and create somethings.

By Kappy

January 10, 2007 09:13 PM | Link to this

UGH.

What a game

By 1 + 2 = 4

January 10, 2007 09:27 PM | Link to this

There’s got to be a change at both the GM and Coaching levels. And I wouldn’t allow Knight to make a trade. Why trade pieces another coach or GM may want? Also, this darn court battle needs to be resolved yesterday. This drawn out process is hurting a franchise, and the NBA knows it! Belkin is a sorry piece of sh!at. But if the Spirit refuse to cancel Knight and Woodson, give the team to the piece of sh!at, at least we can lose on the cheap!

By doc

January 10, 2007 09:40 PM | Link to this

reese, i would be interesting to see those three on the court, thinking that earleir in the day myself. i saw him use zaza and lo for a brief period against the cavs as they were hurting us with size but it didnt last long and i am not sure how often that has been done this season.

By Hock

January 10, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this

After the “effort” in the game tonight vs. an awful New Orleans team, even the corpses masquerading as Hawks owners should see it’s time for a new GM and coach.

By get a life

January 10, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH…THE HAWKS JUST LOST TO THE HORNETS. NOW YOU GIRLS WILL BLOG ALL NIGHT ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED TO DO OR WHO THEY NEED TO GET. FACE IT!! THE HAWKS SUCK!! WHAT DO Y’ALL GET OUT OF BLOGGIN ABOUT THIS? I LOVE READIN’ YOUR WHININ’ AND MOANIN’. SOME OF YOU LOSERS BLOG UP TO 8 PARAGRAPHS. I MEAN REALLY!! 8 PARAGRAPHS ABOUT THESE SORRY MO FO’S?

By Dan

January 10, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

I wish the Hawks would just pack it in for the rest of the season. That was awful tonight! I don’t know if I can take much more of this. They are the worst team in the NBA.

Right now, listen to trade talks for anyone on the team. I’m sorry, even Joe. I have been saying since the Miami home loss that this team will not reach last year’s win total. Now, I do not believe they will win 18 games. This is an absolute mess.

They can talk injuries all they want. This is poor coaching. This is poor effort. This is what bad basketball players do. Blow up that roster. Let’s start over, again, for what seems like the 1,000,000th time.

By mike

January 10, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Somebody wake me or my grand-children when the Billy Knight “Rome was not built in a day rebuilding job” is complete” Thank god my company provides tickets. I could not imagine paying to watch or support that kind of effort. One question please; do our players get paid for playing or are they volunteers. Pretty much sums up my opinion dont you think.

By Ben

January 10, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

And it doesn’t help NO ONE communicates on the court, Marvin doesn’t even lead like he pledged we would.

Tomorrow:

Fire Woodson + Billy Knight, make 1 or 2 of the anticipated trades.

Regroup for Pistons Friday

By reese

January 10, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Doc, its called imagination. Its called matching up. Its called overmatching. Its called scouting. Its called common sense.

The collection of it all is called coaching.

New Orleans does not have a true point guard and the hawks never press, never trap, never place two point guards on the floor and push the tempo.

Slava has played in the west for 5 years and plays Duncan 4 to 5 times a year. He doesn’t see the court.

Harrington plays for the hawks for 2 years and we can’t scheme to stop him. We don’t send is sorry turn around shot into the 3rd row seats.

The refs blew two blocks tonight and I hope the hawks send the tape to the league office. Both Wright and Jones were robbed.

The hawks do not get any respect from the refs. Bring in Penny hardaway and Steve Francis to play alongside Joe Johnson before he plays his way off the all star and olympic teams.

Not only do we need points in the paint. We need points in the mid range. We need points from the free throw line. We need points from the 3.

We need to make it a point to tell sekou to tell woodson to stop playing Wright so much so that he will be tradeable.

We need to make it a point not to blame losses on injuries anymore. New Orleans played without 4 key players and were up by 21 points.

By mykhalc

January 10, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

ALL PAY CHECKS AND REVENUE SHOULD BE PUT IN AN ESCROW ACCOUNT SO THAT FUNDS CAN BE RETURNED TO PAYING FANS!!! NOBODY COLLECTS OR GETS PAID!!

i’ll always be a HAWKS fan but this is a DISGRACE!!!

By Ben

January 10, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

LOL @ people thinking you can’t blame Woodson because of injuries.

What in the world did he do the two previous seasons WITH healthy rosters?

NOTHING

By mykhalc

January 10, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

IT’S TIME TO DO AN ARTHUR BLANK… CLEAN THE FREAKIN’ HOUSE!!!

By Richie Rich

January 10, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

It’s only a matter of time, as to when Joe Johnson will ask for a trade away from this bunch of B****** that BURGER KING has built!!!!

By true story

January 10, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Funny thing happened the other day, when I was using the bathroom. I screamed through the door, “Honey, I am outta toilet tissue!” I feel a great since of relief, as I hear her comin’ towards the door. She then slides four HAWKS tickets under the door. Oh thank God for those HAWKS tickets!!!!

By AG in JVILLE

January 10, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

This team is horrible. The only good thing to come out of it is if we get the number 1 pick!!! I say bring Steve Francis to run point guard. He will take a lot of pressure off of JJ. Fire Billy!!! The idiot drafted another SF/PF - and not Paul. Williams could not EVEN start on the Tar heels!!! Hey, let’s draft the guy who he played behind in college

By ray

January 10, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Reese, right on. I’ve mentioned early before the season started that this team would be successful through the use of matchups/mis-matches. Don Nelson did it for YEARS in Golden State. He had small teams all the time. And would beat you silly (didn’t win any championships like that, but was dangerous to play every game).

How long have we known that the Hawks need a true presence in the paint? What’s funny is guys like Magloire and Foster were criticized for being “too slow” for the fast break offense we were going to run. What fast break offense? And besides, you can’t run that without a…what? Uh…big rebounder to get that outlet pass started. Doesn’t matter how fast or slow the guy is, his responsibility is to hit those defensive boards hard! Works even better if you have two guys like that. It would appear that we have NO guys like that. No consistent ones anyway.

What trips me out is this sudden lack of offense. Even with injuries, we werent’ having this problem in the first bunch of games. We can’t even score 80 points now.

As far as Zaza goes, he needs help to get started on offense. Ever notice how most of his scoring attempts are drives to the basket, no matter how far or close he is? He really doesn’t try for post moves. Even if he’s five feet away from the basket and might even think about throwing up a hook shot, he still is churning those legs, trying to drive. That would indicate a lack of footwork skills. However, if you get him the ball in transition or at least in a good spot, he can score decently.

So, while not trying to bash Zaza, another reason for needing the true post player is a need for a back-to-the basket guy who can do the simple drop-step and other plays here and there. All you need is the threat, it changes the whole game.

So, Mr. “Get a Life”, which is more idiotic, those of us who blog here, or you who comes here to read what we blog? Perhaps it is your inherent inability to respond intelligently that holds you back. Either that or you’re just another one of those critters that lives under a bridge and chases billy goats…Either way, you’re little more than a minor amusement.

By mykhalc

January 10, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

RAY, LMAO!! the bridge/billy goat thing is killin’ me AGAIN!!!it’s toooo visual bro!! ya killin’ me!!LOL

By Scott

January 10, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

Hey Tyger and Ken Strickland, how do you feel about your boy Billy Knight now? You defended him all summer and told us realists that we were too negative when it came to Knight. Well, Have you seen enough yet? The man is a fool, and so are the idiotic spirit owners. This is a colossal mess, and for long time Hawk fans who used to watch Rounds, Drew, Tree, Doc, and Nique and the rest of the gang at the Omni it’s very sad.

By Jay

January 11, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

First, about the topic of the editorial…its beyond obvious that we need help in the paint…last year. But Knightmare didnt get us a real center that is somewhat consistent. He got us L Wright, who is awful. And Zaza…I really dont think he is starter-quality. Not when you score over 10 points once every five games and get 10 boards once every 8 games.

Knightmare also drafted two pf’s, but it wont work. Why? Because there is nowhere to play them! Josh Smith is going to start no matter what, Marvin Williams is going to start no matter what. Knightmare knew this before the draft, could have moved one of them to make a spot open…but no. This also could have been avoided by drafting cp3 and then playing Josh at sf…but no. So Knightmare’s self-created problem isnt going to get fixed. Those pf’s will rot on the bench once Josh Smith comes back. And we’ll continue to lose game after game in the paint. ONLY way this will change is if he moves Smith or Marvin, OR he gets a legit center. But I doubt the latter…he had opportunities to go after Chandler and Curry and passed on both. Curry is now tearing it up for the Knicks.

Imagine a starting lineup of Cp3, JJ, Josh Smith, Shelden, Curry. It wasnt outside the realm of possibility…unlike Knightmare’s chance of making a winner.

As for tonight’s disgrace against the hornets, Woodson just needs to sit JJ for a couple games and not play him at all. He’s worn down, all because of Woodson. Marvin, our supposed #2 scorer, was abysmal. We have to be one of the worst shooting teams in the nba. Great roster we have assembled here, Knightmare.

By Clyde

January 11, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Scott Tyger and Ken Strickland hide when the Hawks are losing.

Did anyone notice the a** whippin’ we got tonight? The Hornets are missing Chris Paul and they still managed to blow us out.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By mykhalc

January 11, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

SEKOU, no need for anymore post-game interviews. COPY-N-PASTE what’s already been said!! it’s a repeat just like the games!!

i’m embarrassed to be a HAWKS fan these days!!!! this team has NO HEART, NO PRIDE, NO DIRECTION, NO LEADERSHIP, NO REAL EFFORT!! and all that leads to NO CHANCE!!!

CLEAN HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By reese

January 11, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this

Ray, the funny thing is that we bloggers are posting suggestions learned from playing the game, coaching the game, being a student of the game or any combination of the 3.

We are telling management what we want to see. We are telling Woodson and knight what we are tired of seeing.

Now, it seems as thought woodson is playing wright out of spite to us bloggers.

It looks like knight is bringing in no name scrubs (frieje, bozeman, slava and thompson) instead of battle tested veterans (bonzi wells, penny hardaway, Magloire) out of spite.

Doc, before you say its because of money and the owners, bonzi was a free agent, magloire could have been had with AL Harrington or some other forward and Hardaway is offering his services for the veteran’s minimum.

Woodson looks like a fool now saying that the team has plenty of offense and focused so much on defense in the pre-season.

However, I will say that he was smart by playing his starters all through out the preseason. They were in top shape at the beginning of the regular season while other teams were bringing their starters along slowly. Imagine how fans would be screaming if we didn’t see such a good start.

By reese

January 11, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

mykhalc, also, the hawks will have NO All star Player, NO Rookie Player, NO Sophmore player, NO Skills Player and NO 3pt shooter in the All Star game.

By Clyde

January 11, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY T-SHIRTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE. ORDER NOW AND GET 5 DOLLARS OFF!!!!

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By CJ

January 11, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

There never was a Clyde and Ando’s side. There was unrealistic projection side and the realistic side. It just took 3+ losing seasons and backsliding to finally convince some to see what Ando and a few others was pointing out back even before last season.

By JohnGTfan

January 11, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this

wow…just when i thought that the previous night was the most embarassing thing I’ve seen…they pull this, tonight…AT HOME! I’m sorry, but if Woody isn’t fired and a trade is completed, then there are no doubts left. The Hawks front office are simply tanking this season, hoping for the #1 pick for Oden. Because NOONE can be this stupid to think this team can win.

By CJ

January 11, 2007 01:07 AM | Link to this

and may I add..no real team would allow their coach or GM to remain after this.

By mykhalc

January 11, 2007 01:46 AM | Link to this

REESE, no doubt bro. i hate the losses but it’s the lack of effort and coachin’ adjustments that’s killin’ me!!! and i know people will point to what WOODSON has been given to work with. but we only need to look at the HORNETS as our example. they brought it despite being depleted by injuries too!!! embarrassed the team at home!! GEEESSHH!!!

CJ, i’m gonna assume that your post was directed at me. so let’s agree to disagree. ‘cause no matter how unbalanced or balanced, realistic or unrealistic, we see things, the fact is that there is some talent on this team!! there WAS effort at the start of the season!!! it’s AWOL now tho!!! and i think the FLOOR effort start with WOODSON!!! he’s lost the team and it’s time for a change!! but that should only be the beginning!!!

By CJ

January 11, 2007 02:28 AM | Link to this

Well I was using your post as a starting point I guess. I understand what you mean and at the start of the season I had hope that this team actually could pull it off. But at the beginning of the slide and before Marvin came back I began to see what I saw previous seasons.

ZaZa is still a weak starter at C..i think the Hawks went overboard in branding him as a capable 30+ min starter. Josh Smith’s game hasn’t expanded beyond last year, he’s terrible in crunch time b/c of his lack of skill and experience. The team had an over reliance on Lue’s exaggerated play early on.

Salim is a marginal streak shooter..being Damon’s cousin doesn’t make him a possible 20+ scorer and he is obviously an undersized SG not a point. It’s funny some here even think he’s capable of being an All Star.

Add injury prone Claxton and the undersized/underplayed Williams to the mix and the warning signs went off for me. I didn’t expect the dismal play from Wright and Claxton to be out as much as he has. Those two were supposed to provide relief and I think it was the nail in the coffin.

Joe is a brilliant scorer but he’s burning out. And as he goes so goes Marvin who is atleast 2-3 yrs from being a dependable offensive player in the NBA. He can’t carry an offensive load for a team like this.

And there are just alot of players on the Hawks bench who wouldn’t even make the cut for other teams…yet some are impressed with their mediocre abilities. Like I said, I thought this rag tag group may actually pull off 35 wins (which is still pretty bad), but that came crashing down. Anyone still want to think about playoff’s. If I wasn’t so lazy I’d like to list the blog names of those who frequently said so in the past few weeks.

By mykhalc

January 11, 2007 02:52 AM | Link to this

CJ, yep…what you said!!LOL and like i said earlier, it’s the lack of effort and mindless coachin’ that’s killin’ me!! TRULY EMBARRASSIN’!!!

By Jay

January 11, 2007 03:32 AM | Link to this

“the fact is that there is some talent on this team!! “

Really…where? Outside of JJ pre-43 minutes a night for the first 1/3 of the season, Im just not seeing it. There are a couple players that we think have talent but havent realized it (marvin, smith, shelden) but thats really about it. We have too many players that only do one or two things well or are too streaky…Zaza, Salim, Solomon, Speedy. The rest are bums. None of our starters would start on 2/3’s of the league outside of JJ. So, what, four players max? Thats awful.

Woodson could definately do a better job with adjustments and keep them in it mentally…but look at what he has to work with…a bunch of immature, talented but not ready, streaky to sucky players…with 90 small forwards, nowhere to play a power forward, no true starting center or point guard, only one player that can consistently score. Its a joke.

By mykhalc

January 11, 2007 03:46 AM | Link to this

JAY, do me a favor and take my post in its’ entirety!!!

By sam jones

January 11, 2007 06:20 AM | Link to this

Here is another case where the coaches have to go. Also get rid of Knight, the biggest loser. For 3 years all I have heard is injuries, I;m sick of it, let’s clean house at the top.

By Covington,Ga

January 11, 2007 07:45 AM | Link to this

You can point the blame at Billy Knight or Mike Woodson…Billy Knight has to be one of the worst GM’s in the NBA the Hawks should be one of the best teams in the NBA after all the draft picks we had over the last 5years….Starting with Josh Childress….Taking him over Luol Deng & Andre Iguodala stupid..Picking Marvin Williams over Chris Paul and Deron Williams stupid…Taking Sheldon Williams over Brandon Roy and Randy Foye stupid…I dont know how much I can take of this….Its like they want to lose….Fire Billy Knight or I refuse to come to another Hawks game

By truthteller

January 11, 2007 08:08 AM | Link to this

The Hawks are a mess. They have screwwed up ownership, an incompetent General Manager, and a pathetic coach. Joe Johnson may be the only player who could make another NBA roster. As long as this situation persists, why should anyone in Atlanta give a damn about what the Hawks may or may not do.

By Tim

January 11, 2007 08:28 AM | Link to this

The Hawks are beyond repair. They should fold or move to another city. They are irrelevant to Atlanta.

By newkid

January 11, 2007 08:59 AM | Link to this

So, we’re dissatisfied with the Spirit; we’re disappointed with BK; we’re aghast at Woody; and we feel cheated when viewing the nightly effort of many of the players. Anyone ever thought about encouraging an all out boycott of the organization until major changes are made? Owners, GM, coaches, and players make no real and consistent effort to provide a quality product, why shouldn’t supporters encourage all paying customers to stay away until such time as there is a demonstrated commitment to produce a product worthy of our support. Let them play before a COMPLETELY empty home arena for the next 20 games and see if this adequately registers our displeasure. Just thinking out loud here.

By mike

January 11, 2007 09:26 AM | Link to this

We should have seen this coming. I moved from Memphis to here. BK is no different now than when he was in Memphis. A tweek here a tweek there no real movement. Just enough to keep himself employed. Under his direction we were stuck in the mud. When management wised up he bolted further south and now we have him. He dumped salary. Wow oh Wow. Any greeter at Walmart could have accomplished that. What have we received in return? We will see an improvement maybe 5-10 more wins than last season and the spirit ownership will just drool and praise him and tell us see, see what we are going to be. His ability to maintain employment at that level should be captured and placed on the history channel. By the way anyone else notices BK avoids the media and only speaks when forced by ownership.

By Willie Coyote

January 11, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

It’s funny that the same people who keep saying that the Hawks have too many wing players are also saying that they should have drafted a wing player (Foye, Roy, etc) instead of Shelden. You can’t have it both ways people. But that’s just me playing Devil’s advocate there.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like the Shelden pick at #5 but you have to admit that the draft was pretty weak. If the Hawks could have traded that pick for a quality veteran, I would have rather seen that but that didn’t happen and we don’t know if that was even discussed behind the scenes.

As far as Billy goes, I don’t like the way he seems to feel he is unaccountable to the fans. He talks about his plan to rebuild and that it will take patience but we are all in the dark as to what is going on with his plan. I think people would be more patient with some of these losses (not this past one) if they could be let in on the vision and actually see it taking shape. Since he doesn’t think we need to know anything about the future of the product that we pay for, I don’t blame all those who can’t stand him.

I don’t kno wwhat to say about Woody. The one thing he had going for him the last two years was that the guys were competing in their losses. Now it doesn’t look like they are even doing that. Plus, their shooting and offensive sets are just ridiculous.

By bill

January 11, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

I thank my wife for talking me out of my 2007 Hawks season tickets…if I had been at last nights fiasco, my head might have exploded!

Thanks Honey!

By William

January 11, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

New Orleans won because even though they had a depleted roster, they knew exactly what they had left. they ran crips plays, that great screen and roll at the top of the key, alot of drive and kick.

On Atlanta’s end, they enterd the ball to the post to Sheldon and ZaZa and got out they way despite neither of them being able to score from the post. Or they iso’d Joe johnson on the wing….that was their plays.

I am starting to repeat myself here, but this team really really really needs a new coach. Or just use some common sense. if you are going to Iso joe, do it at the top of the key so that he has options on both sides if anyone trys to double. Or how about posting Joe up and letting him make plays down there instead of guys that can’t score and won’t demand a double and are bad passers when they are doubled. Hows about running a screen and roll with Salim and Josh Childress when they are in the game. If you go underneath you get Salim a OPEN shot (whch he doesn’t get alot of) or you get Josh rolling to the basket and he is a great finisher and great at drawing contact. Its simple high school level stuff that Woodson isn’t doing. I can’t tell you what type of offense he is attempting to run. But it looks horrible.

And to the people still saying Josh Childress was a bad pick…I guess there is no convincing you but I childress is a better all around player than both those guys.

By St. Bernard

January 11, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Wow! Go back and read last year’s posts and this time and you’ll see basically all the same things from different authors. Seems like Joe, Ray, and a few others are still around. Until the Hawks resolve the ownership issue, and get a new gm and coach. Things won’t change. I think we have to trade one of the Joshes or Marvin at this point. I don’t want to, but besides JJ they are all we have of real worth. We have to get a point guard and a Center. Trade one of those guys for a pg and draft Oden.

By AK-47

January 11, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Kappy You said that I am being too hard on Marvin, and when you see him play, he hits the midrange shot fairly well. Marvin is 7-32 in the last three games. I didn’t watch last night but I did watch the entire Pacers debacle (and many other games he’s played in). He had some open looks, and bricked nearly all of them in his 3-12 performance. Then he went 2-13 last night. I know he’s still young, but my point is I have seen nothing that points to him having even moderate talent. I haven’t seen a glimmer of skill or flow to his game that would justify the wasted #2 pick we used on him, or that justifies cutting Al Harrington lose so this loser could get more floor time. There’s not one aspect of his game that is developing as far as I can see.

By ATLANTA

January 11, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Maybe Woody is to blame too. I think any other coach in this league that half way knows what they are doing could bring the best out of some of these players. It’s obvious The Joshes have talent, but maybe the coach isn’t that good. It seems as though he has something against Salim, he didn’t like Diaw. I wonder if Woody is any good? I’m not saying we should be one of the best teams in the league, but man look at our record, it can’t be this bad.

And yeah, I do not like Billy Knight. One thing about the Falcons organization is that there is accountability to the fans who Mr. Blank refers to a stakeholders. With the Hawks, nobody has to give any explaination for whatever way decide to embarass the city of Atlanta. The Hawks owe the entire city an apology. Maybe the Atlanta Spirit and Belkin should just sell to Arthur. The Hawks need him more than the Braves. At least he cares about what the fans think!

By jamal

January 11, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

i think everybody is forgetting that bk drafted josh childress when josh howard was available to0. now look what he is doing. i like chill but iguodala,deng,and howard are all better. bk is the biggest @sshole in the NBA because he doesn’t care about the fans. the only way he’ll realize that he sucks is if people stop going to games. i dont wanna see nobody in the stands.

By Phil

January 11, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

Enough is enough.

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By AK-47

January 11, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

None of this is Woody’s fault. The blame rests 100% on Knight’s shoulders (and the Spirit ownership for allowing Knight to run their team into the ground). Phil Jackson or Red Auerbach couldn’t coach this sorry roster to a .500 season. To expect a first-time head coach to have any success in this miserable situation is beyond unreasonable. Throw in the injuries and it’s the worst coaching job in professional sports.

JJ is the only player on the team who would start for any other team in the league, and he’s exhausted. Zaza, Claxton, Lue and Wright were all at the end of the bench before they came here and now they all play 30+ mins a night when healthy. They’re all wearing down and getting injured because they aren’t used to playing very much. There are at least 5 players on the team that shouldn’t even be in the NBA.

By Dan

January 11, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Here is what I want to happen before next season:

1. Make a significant trade. Knight keeps saying he won’t trade the young players. Well, he needs to change his mind on that. The Hawks need a PG. Claxton sucks and is hurt all the fricking time. The Hawks need at least two Jeff Foster/Aaron Williams types to have a presence in the post.

2. Get rid of Wright and Claxton. Those two just p#ss me off. I don’t even want to talk about them. I will say this….Billy Knight told us (season ticket holders) prior to last year’s draft that he would not draft a player with injury history. Yet, he is willing to pay millions for Speedy Claxton to come into Atlanta a ruin the season. Claxton has hurt this team more than anyone. His injuries will never end and always occur just when he is starting to play well. Get rid of him. He is of no use to this organization.

Wright just sucks. Nothing else needs to be said.

1. Ownership: Last year, at this time, I did not want the Atlanta Spirit group to lose out to Belkin. Now, I don’t care. I am going to go out on a limb and predict that even a Belkin owned team could go 10-23 in its first 33 games. Just get this crap over with.

2. Draft a worthy player. I think Childress was a good pick. I do not see what Deng has done that makes people think he is so much better than Childress. Childress is one player that gives his all each night and actually can score with out the ball. I sorry, but people who can’t see Childress’ worth just do not understand the game.

Anyway, draft a PG, a scoring 2 to help Joe, or Oden. I am not in the camp that believes that Noah will be a good pro. Not enough size. He has height, but not size.

1. New coach. Sorry, Woodson, you are not getting it done. You are a good man, but you are actually making this team worse than it was last year. That is hard to believe.

By Richie Rich

January 11, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Jamal, Josh Howard was picked #29 the previous year after the Hawks drafted Boris diaw #21.

By Lacsho

January 11, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

It does not matter if they have an inside threat because everyone on the team consistently continues to rely on shooting jump shots. Woodson allows this behavior, and it has attributed to several losing seasons. I hate to say this but the Hawks need a new Coach. I’m tired of watching the same re-run year after year. We need a coach who is comitted to the inside out theory, not a coach who will allow his players to continue to shoot jump shot after jump shot.

By doc

January 11, 2007 01:49 PM | Link to this

yes reese, it is really ugly right now and there is no end in sight, when we cant beat am equally beaten up team and dont see any effort for owners to get something done. ultimately, the lack of action shows issues with the owners which we cant do amything about. the next guys will be equally handcuffed whoever you fire.

right now i am sorry that there does not seem to be any true changes being made to win games. though it may have cost the hawks an earlier draft pick i really admired what stotts tried to do when he didnt have the horses the other guys had and actually won a few games with a very rag tag group of players. as a fan i can admire even the little things that none of us seem to be able to appreciate right now i guess out of our own ignorance is probably how the owners depict us now. they are beginning to look like the emperor’s with no clothes on.

as an aside it was really fun to hear an interview that cowherd did with mike d’antonino of thr suns (prob missed the spell on that name). first of all he was very glib and comunicated well. when asked about nash and how he seems to enjoy watching others score he made a point to say that it is more than that, that stats mean nothing to the guy and he just wants to make the right play. ok ill go further to say he threw diaw into that heading as well saying he was the same way always wanting to see the right play made. yes, i know i have ridden the guy hard. it was refreshing to hear mike d’ and his philosophy of playing ball not always the idea of playing defense which we have heard until we are blue in the face. it is fine to play defense if you have sheed, hamilton and wallace, but we dont so you come up with another plan. yes reese and ray and so many others say nightly, imagination. if you are going to lose at least try another way. it is like the definition of crazy if you continue to do the same thing getting the same result expecting something different.

it would be a breath of fresh air to hear a guy like mike d of phoenix as the coach of the hawks. now who would ever come here that thought he could become anything with this ownership. that is why we are stuck guys and i continue to say hold the owners responsible. though there are probs with ownership in memphis supposedly the assistant for the suns is the guy west wants to coach for him next year. i dont want a retread as my next coach give me a guy like mike d’ when that time comes.

ok, the gloves are slowly coming off which i said they would if we continued to mire in the muck. going skiing friday maybe things will be more defined by then if we can see josh back and a trade made. still need the offensive presence inside that isnt there when zaza is cut off from the basket by a defensive minded center or many bigs clogging up the lanes.

By mykhalc

January 11, 2007 02:05 PM | Link to this

NEWKID, your thinkin’ out loud is dead on-point!!! they should be EMBARRASSED to even charge for the effort they are puttin’ on the floor!! DISGUSTIN”!!!!!

By Ben E.

January 12, 2007 07:52 AM | Link to this

Sekou, Can you tell me why the Hawks did not go after Jamaal Magloire this past summer? He just 1 yr left on his contract at 8.3 Mill. Even if he was not in our long range plans, he would have been a nice trading piece at the deadline or maybe in a S & T later this summer. Are the Hawks that cheap?!?
Shelden is OK, not a Top 5 pick, but why would the Hawks not draft Roy then trade him to someone behind them that REALLY wanted Roy, like Portland? The Hawks would not have to pay him #5 money & they might pick up something in return from Portland. Did we take Childress over Deng solely due to the fact that Deng never worked out for us? What is the latest in the Belkin/Ownership saga? I appreciate your work & articles Sekou! I would love to have some answers to these questions.

By **NATIVE SON**

January 15, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

I Have to agree on Foster,would have made a great addition.For that matter, any body that would relegate Z.P.to the 2cd unit where he belongs.When his reckless abandon fails him,he’s got nothing.(flopping is his forte’)I say right now,we should give Solomon Jones the minutes.His rep is building as a bonafide shot blocker.It also would free up Smoove for some other things.True,we all are just armchair coaches,but some of this is just too obvious.I read the post about Marvin,who btw,is still working to get into game shape.It’s his second year,after playing 1 yr at U.N.C.,off the freaking bench!!Every player is not going to be an impact right away,and I for one ,have not heard C.Pauls’ name a lot this year.(or Deng,or Duhon,maybe Iguodala?)Point is,we’ve got to give this time to maturate.Now all Billy Knight has to do is see the expendables on the bench,I.E:Wright,Batista,Ivey,and maybe even Salim,whom I happen to like,but don’t feel he’s a good fit for this team.But,no matter the outcome,”This Dawg Stomps For The Hawks.