AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USYou say you want a revolution? Not here!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
LAS VEGAS - Having been around long enough to know that my non-drinking, non-smoking, non-gambling stance doesn’t play big here in Sin City, I was fully expecting to be miserable on my first couple of nights here for All-Star Weekend.
But I’m glad to report that once again, I was wrong (yeah, it’s happened a time or two the past 30 years).
The truth is, there’s plenty to do here if you don’t want to indulge in those aforementioned activities. Mainly, you can people watch and laugh your tail off about all the hilarious people that make their way to events like these.
Take my flight from LA for example. As a frequent flyer, I can tell you that it’s rare to be on a plane where the people of color outnumber the non-people of color. But America West Flight 109 on Thursday from LAX to Vegas looked like Soul Plane. I’m joking, of course, but I’m serious. I fully expected Snoop Dogg to come walking out of the cockpit as we deplaned in Vegas. And I’m told that nearly every flight that made it to town the past 48 hours contained large portions of folks who look like me.
I decided that there are only two places a plane like this could have been headed, the city that’s hosting the NBA All-Star Weekend or a city on the African continent. Serious business. And since we all know that the flight wasn’t headed for Lagos … I would argue that for this weekend at least, Las Vegas has the largest black population of any major city in the country. Half of black Los Angeles is here (the rumor is that the freeway from LA had traffic backups 11 miles long on Friday as the driving traffic headed this way).
Barack Obama are you listening? If you want to rally the base, you should show up here and stage a voter registration rally.
Seriously, though, I can’t imagine that this is what Martin Luther King Jr. had in mind. The Million Man March this is not. It’s just hard to feel empowered or even energized when you realize that the majority of the people here are in town to show their backsides (some much more literally than others) in the name of nonsense. I guess if I were here on a similar mission, my outlook would be much better (what fool doesn’t like a good party?). But this is a working trip for me and the other media morons like myself who couldn’t find a way to out of this mess.
And now, let us move on to the (somewhat) sanctimonious-free portion of this address. The crowds here really are bananas. I mean, the taxi lines at the hotels remind me of rush hour traffic in Atlanta.
If the NBA is shooting for the pandemonium and circus-like vibe of the Super Bowl, mission accomplished. I walked down to the lobby of the MGM at 6:46 a.m. and it might as well have been 6:46 p.m. People were swarming the place, on the casino floor, drinks in hand and making as much noise as a gazillion human beings can in a confined space.
The highlights on TNT and ESPN that will make Vegas look like some pristine paradise will be figments of your imagination. Because like Mike Tyson used to say, this whole scene is just “ludicriss.”
Speaking of, how about Scottie Pippen crashing the media session Friday? Shameless. And then he had the stones to make what I believe is the most preposterous statement of all time.
Someone asked him if he still felt underappreciated and Pippen said, “If you ask people who understand the game, the GMs and the coaches, they’d rather have a Scottie than a Michael.”
Huh?
I thought the weekend was lost when the young lady sitting behind me on my flight was making babysitting arrangements after we touched ground in Vegas (I actually got that sinking feeling twice more 1) riding an elevator at the Palms Thursday with Suge Knight and his two lady friends, Mr. Knight turned out to be a most pleasant gentlemen despite stories that would indicate otherwise. And 2) when walking to the elevator from my room on the 15th floor of the MGM Friday night and seeing large drops of blood leading all the way down the hallway to one of the elevators. Talk about spoiling your night.
But Pippen topped everything by arguing for himself over Jordan, claiming that he is “an all-around player. I make the people around me better.” I couldn’t answer the mandatory eight-count after that one.
And last time I checked, Jordan made those Bulls teammates of his more than better. He made them champions.
At least we know the partygoers aren’t the only folks sipping the All-Star Weekend Kool-Aid.
Comments
By diane
February 17, 2007 02:32 PM | Link to this
First time reading this blog. Not sure if I would return. Not impressed at all by the writing, its style, purpose, etc. Basically boring!!
Just my opinion.
By go away diane
February 17, 2007 02:54 PM | Link to this
By diane, ya moron!
By RotoRob
February 17, 2007 03:15 PM | Link to this
Joe Johnson’s at the All-Star Game, but Josh Smith is my pick as the Hawks’ fantasy stud:
http://www.rotorob.com/basketball/nba-daily-dose-mid-season-studs-n-duds/
Cheers
R ‘n B www.RotoRob.com Daily fantasy sports analysis with an edge
By Scottie is jealous
February 17, 2007 04:42 PM | Link to this
And to think all this time I thought Scottie had class. When he left the Bulls did he win a title with his new team(s) because he made them so much better? I don’t seem to remember that. Jordan, Magic, Bird, Moses, Dr. J. Scottie is a level below them all.
By tmoney in ben hill
February 17, 2007 09:23 PM | Link to this
yea diane, go get lost in a mine field…..
By mykhalc
February 17, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
GUTZ, where you at???LOL i hope you heard BARKLEY today. he said PHO probably has the deepest team in the NBA. he said it in reference to D’ANTONIO not playin’ his bench enough. so i know we agreed to disagee but when a HALL of FAMER and one of the 50 greatest gets my back then dude, i had to bring it back!!!LOL enjoy the weekend man. and like i said, like CHARLES said….!!!LOL
oh yeah ANDO, you had a piece of that one too!!?? ASTERISK WINS!!??!!! RIGHT!!??LOL enjoy CHARLESTON bro!!
By Mark
February 18, 2007 01:07 AM | Link to this
I know you were kidding, but Obama is going to be in Vegas Sunday. No joke.
Obama 2008
By In Fairness to Dianne
February 18, 2007 01:14 AM | Link to this
To be fair, this is not one of Sekou’s better posts. I think he’s usually one one of the best AJC Sportswriters, but this one was kind of boring. What can you expect when he’s writing about something as meaningless as the All-Star game. Being neamed to the team means something, but the game and all the hoopla is meaningless.
By ray
February 18, 2007 01:47 AM | Link to this
I read that article about the trade possibilities involving Luke Ridnour. How in the hell is Billy Knight going to call something “counterproductive?” You want a definition of counterproductive, let’s look at the overall performance of this organization. Spirit Group-get’s into an ownership issue and doesn’t have enough money to run two franchises:counterproductive. GM’s draft selections overall: counterproductive. Coach’s play-calling and coaching style: counterproductive. And then hearing your team’s GM say that talking about trades/free agents and what not is often “counterproductive” : friggin’ priceless.
There is just NO telling what kind of insane “offers” are being made by Knight right now. If any. So Billy says the strategy has changed? Oh really, explain that to me please. Just what is the strategy now? Oh, no quick fix? When has there been a quick fix? All I’ve seen is a quick f*-up. Been lots of those.
By doc
February 18, 2007 09:57 AM | Link to this
ray i liked your rant until i went and read the article. you seemed to take things out of context to support your bias. i read more that it is counterproductive to TALK about the rumors not to actually do somehting. bk also seemed to be making the point that the hawks were beyond the era of trying to dump contracts during this part of the season that this is now the era to build on what is there. that point is in referrence to last year when they had a player that they would have sent packing for the right contract or the right contract of a player and a combination of picks is my guess. they didnt get it so they stood pat to do the best they could.
you are sooo right in the problem is the ownership has to hold very close to the budget that has been given to them by their accountants and tax/defense lawyers. they are the ones in control not bk, not the spirit and not belkins, though you can throw his lawyers in the mix a feel sure. so if something fits in those guidelines then they make a deal just like the thrashers did. both teams are under financial constraints and the hockey team plays with a full hand since their budget is the same as the hawks only at the max for the nhl “cap” with the hawks and the bottom of what they refer to the “cap”. difference is the hockey team is paid by the gate as there are no other funds coming in so they have to be competitive. the nba suppports all teams with other sources of revenue. dude, it is all about the money as it should be it is just we as fans got stuck with bottom feeders as owners.
By Kappy
February 18, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Wow Pippen. I could kind of see where he was going, I mean a player of his abilities was impressive, and lets say he played with just an above average SG, say Michael Redd, I would agree with Pippen that he was more valuable. But Michael Jeffrey Jordan? Are you serious?
And Diane, who goes in and takes one 3 second sample before she decides to post? I mean, you can have your opinions, but why post? Make you feel good?
By Kappy
February 18, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
Oh, and another thing Diane, your writing is horrible and filled with fragmented sentences. I wouldn’t spend 5 seconds reading your garbage either. That is all.
By ray
February 18, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Doc, I read precisely what you did. What bias are you talking about? If an opinion is a bias, then yeah I have one and so do you. Obviously I took something from this article that you did not. Is that a crime of some sort? My point is that Billy always says its counterproductive to talk about trade rumors. He practically won’t talk at all. My reaction to that article was to simply point out what I thought was truly counterproductive. That being the majority of the actions that have been taken player-wise by ownership/management (whomever you choose to blame more). I’m simply choking on what I see as the irony of that statement. It’s sort of like that’s Billy’s way of saying “I’m not telling you squat, nor will I ever.” Well thanks.
As for what he was trying to say about the change in strategy, I simply want to know what this REALLY means. You can say that getting the expiring contract stuff is overwith and what not. You can say that the time has come for building on what is there. Okay. With what? What direction is this taking? It would seem like the owners don’t have the money, so just how are we going to build…with the draft? Oh I have no hopes laid up in that AT ALL. So far, there is no evidence suggesting that the “plan” has changed. I’m waiting to see what this new direction is…
By ray
February 18, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
Always liked Pippen, and Jordan was probably a pain in the keyster to deal with on a daily basis. I don’t think Jordan would have made it quite as well without a player of Pippen’s caliber, but Jordan was Jordan regardless. Funny how this stuff comes up later. But what is Pippen complaining about? He was named to one of the fifty best NBA players ever. And I’m not 100% certain he deserved that. Underappreciated? He’s got his rings, doesn’t he? No, Jordan was one of a kind. Pippen was not one of those kind, no matter how good of a player he was.
By ray
February 18, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Let me re-phrase or add on to an earlier post. It seemed to me that Billy’s comments were saying “I’m not telling you squat, nor will I ever. Because, it’s counterproductive to the work we’re trying to do here.” Whatever…Like I said, that ain’t the problem.
By ray
February 18, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
Hey, let’s steal David Lee from NY. Thomas is too dumb to start him. This guy’s pretty gutsy. I remember when he was just a tall kid showing off his stuff in the McDonald’s All-American high school dunk contest.
By doc
February 18, 2007 01:18 PM | Link to this
ray, it is night and day between the gm of the thrashers who is up front and bk who is very distant from the media. i wish bk would be more fluid and outgoing to folks like the media and the fans but that isnt his make-up. that is probably how he preferred it as a player or was trained as the pacers seem to be very much lipped themselves as i watch their dealings with artest last year and the acquisition of al and subsequent trade of al this year.
would like to say that with the thrashers it is not equating to better play as rumors swirl about their needs for a player of note, agreed to by the gm on the radio as he said he is looking hard into all possibilities and he acknowledges their struggles in the penalty situation on both ends of the ice. he even said he was looking at forsburg who ultimately went to nashville.
unfortunately his speaking up doesnt translate into wins as players sometimes dont respond well to that stuff. the thrashers might be tanking the season after a great start. as a competitor i see how it can be detrimental to the team and the individual if bk were to speak liberally, more interesting for us but mybe not conducive to the team overall.
though the way we agree is different, ultimately we agree there is little chance that there is a change made of consequence unless there is someone really stupid for bk to deal with, now where is pete babcock when you need him as he gave away gasol to bk? the end game is there has been way too much counterproductive energy put into the hawks rather than constructive. the irony of the statement in the context of the whole is not lost on me bro.
as far as pippin he will always feel underappreciated in the pocket book as he never had the big pay day. if i remember whereas jordan got some huge “exclusionary” contracts to stay in chicago, what was it 30 mil a year for the last two years, as the guy riding shotgun pippin didnt get the glory nor the money and never delivered when he was supposed to be the main driver. pip has been always a bit the surly guy with a chip on his shoulder as he saw jordan get his and feel he didnt get the same comparitive amount during their heyday. in the end it isnt about making the top fifty in the history of the game nor rings on the finger, that doesnt buy you any chips to play the game of living large. to get the coin he had to deal with mr. krauss and that would spoil it for almost anyone. pip just cant come out and say what is real.
By James Adams
February 18, 2007 01:32 PM | Link to this
Was this a sports article or a political one? I love Sekou’s blogs, but this one was a little too preachy for me. Suge Knight may have been nice on a short elevator ride, but Im sure there were people who had brief, pleasant expeiriences with Hitler. Obama, right…..his resume is about as hollow as Grant Hill’s 50 greatest players resume. Lets hope Joe pours in 40 and steals the show. 19-11 the rest of the way gets us the 8 seed, lets start the ball rolling tonight. GO HAWKS!!!
By tb
February 18, 2007 02:04 PM | Link to this
Was looking at the draft and thought; this draft isn’t that deep.
The first two could be franchise, after that it thins quickly.
Mcroberts at #6, Horford at # 7, I’d much rather have shelden.
By T
February 18, 2007 02:37 PM | Link to this
…the non-people of color.?
C’mon Sekou, i’m sure you meant the people of non-color… white people are people! With Hardaway’s comments being in the spotlight, either be sensitive or avoid the subject all together.
What other groups are considered “non-color”?
By MBATL
February 18, 2007 02:52 PM | Link to this
How ‘bout “where black people outnumber white people.” Good God!
By infamouskrs
February 18, 2007 03:34 PM | Link to this
it’s great to see the all-star weekend from a different perspective! Sekou should be commended for giving us a “back-stage pass” ! i’m still ex-static about Joe making the show!
Joe Johnson-MVP of the game (myprediction).
By michael m.
February 18, 2007 03:40 PM | Link to this
if seattle wants a #1 for ridnour, we should change our mind about trading lue to miami for their #1. granted, i would rather pawn off claxton and i truly appreciate what lue brings to us both on and off the court, but if that gets us ridnour (who signed an extension for three years beyond this one at $19.5 mil - with the possibility to make an additional 5 mil in incentives), we need to do it. even if we throw in salim on top of the miami #1, it offers the possibility of a young nash lite. what’s important is that he is a pg who can set the tempo in a game, allowing us to play faster and use our athletic advantage against east teams. notice how we do well against the west when our guys are smiling as they get to run up and down the floor. they even play decent defense in an uptempo setting, which isnt always the case. go ask george karl about that one. make it happen, bk. get ridnour for the spare parts that fit seattle’s desire for a pick. i’m not interested in giving up marvin, chill, shelden, etc. but lue (or claxton) and salim, DO IT!
By pablo bosque
February 18, 2007 04:39 PM | Link to this
Well said. Anything that can be done to get Ridnour, Knight should do it.
Keep: JJ, JS, MW, JC, Zaza Everyone else seems tradeable for the right deal. It would be nice to keep T. Lue (if only bc of the NJ buzzer beater), and Speedy is a huge liability because of his knee condition and three year contract. Speedy’s been putting up some assists lately, now is the time to shop him. Ultimately both are unneccesary with Ridnour around. Also, when Speedy and T. Lue were both hurt back in January the Hawks went 3-0 (beating Detroit, Boston, and Minn before dropping the home & away to the Bobcats (what the hell happened there anyway?)) All with JChill/Ivey/Salim at the point. They won a few more games after that with Lue playing 20 min or less bc of the injury, and before Speedy came back and ruined the chemistry. I still say keep Salim if possible. He was on the floor for the whole comeback against Detroit, and got some minutes in the next two wins. If it’s still too early to judge Marvin Williams, why isn’t it too early to give up on Salim? Don’t get it. Also, what would it take to scoop up Etan Thomas from Washington? Getting in fights with Brendan Haywood during practice, seems like he’d be the one to go. If he wants to be a starter that badly bring him here and give Zaza 20 min off the bench, Z can score against second-unit types. We could offer them Esteban Batista and some used towels.
By pablo bosque
February 18, 2007 04:50 PM | Link to this
also re: etan thomas, yes the wiz are in our division and teams don’t like to make trades w/in conferences even, but 1) maybe the hawks reputation as a punching-bag will help them here, and wash probably doesn’t see them as a playoff contender this year (this will all change after 10-0 post all-star break run) and 2) it’s a wierd situation with the fighting, if they can’t get another deal done before the deadline maybe they’ll bite for the right 11th hour offer. Seems like Indiana gave up more than GS in that Harrington-Jackson trade partially bc they were similarly motivated to ship Jackson, cut ties with the Pistons incident etc. Jamaal Tinsley will probably be the next guy out of there, even though he’s been playing great lately.
By T
February 18, 2007 05:07 PM | Link to this
Hey MBATL: Does it hurt when the shoe is on the other foot? Everyone screams __ (fill in the blank) against “non-people of color” (racism, sexism, elitism…). But when a person “of color” does something that a white person would be prosecuted for. It’s doesn’t make it ok.
I’m not offended, but when I see the hypocrisy and then an angry responses. It should be pointed out to make one think!
By Ken Strickland
February 18, 2007 05:58 PM | Link to this
If Seattle wants a 1st rd pick for Ridnour, they may have to accept a future pick from us. The only 1st rd pick we can use is the one we got in the Indy trade, and it’s top 10 protected. If Indy misses the playoffs, and falls within the top ten slots, the pick could end up being a future pick.
By roan st
February 18, 2007 06:04 PM | Link to this
No way I would give up a number one pick in next years draft for ridnour. I wonder if some of you people even watch basketball. Ridnour was benched earlier this season for poor play. He’s a decent player but billy would be crazy to give up very much for this guy. If we can get him for minimal cost then o.k. but if seattle wants to much then I say no deal.
By mykhalc
February 18, 2007 06:08 PM | Link to this
man, as much as i’m a MJ fan, i thought those cats were WAAAAAAYYY to serious on judgin’ the DUNK contest. DWIGHT HOWARD shoulda gotten a 10 for creativity ALONE on the ‘sticker’ dunk. i know he is penalized straight up for bein’ 6’11”, but geeesshh the cat was almost at the top of the board!! as BARKLEY said, “MICHAEL has lost his mind”!!!!!LOL
i’m not hip to RIDNOUR other than his numbers. but i’m all for improvin’ the team, no doubt!!
MM, lemme make sure i followed your post…
LUE to MIA for #1 then that #1 and SALIM or SPEEDY or whomever for RIDNOUR??? right???
By mykhalc
February 18, 2007 06:28 PM | Link to this
ok i think i remember ANDO’s post where he said…LUE and our 2nd pick to MIA for their 1st which would effectively moves the team up a few slots for overall with the swap of those two picks….(i think??) which would give us 2 first round picks…
anyway, set me straight on it…
By St. Bernard
February 18, 2007 07:54 PM | Link to this
mykhalc, I like the Lue for the Miami pick, but Miami’s 1st isn’t going to be worth Lue and our 2nd. Let’s give Miami or Cleveland Lue for a pick and then turn it into Ridnour if we can. The only problem is that I’m not sure either one of those teams might not rather have Ridnour with their own pick than have Lue.
By Anakin Joe
February 18, 2007 08:30 PM | Link to this
Geez, Wayne Newton looks younger than Greg Oden.
I woulda bet a bunch on Bavetta, lucky I didn’t.
Here’s hoping JJ plays a modest 15 minutes and enjoys some rest on the bench.
By mykhalc
February 18, 2007 08:59 PM | Link to this
JOE, i was thinkin’ along the same lines…that NEWTON and MJ (singer) definitely have the same number in their PDAs!!LOL
By Ken Strickland
February 18, 2007 09:07 PM | Link to this
If we are going to consider trading 1st rd picks and players, we should focus on getting a quality big man like CFrye. His play would likely improve considerably, especially his OFF, after being freed from the Knicks ball hogging guards. Scoring pts, ball movement and ball distribution are not our biggest problems. Interior OFF and DEF are our #1 problems, period. There isn’t a PG in the NBA that can help us resolve those issues. You solve our interior OFF and DEF problems, and the other issues will fade considerably.
By mykhalc
February 18, 2007 09:24 PM | Link to this
KEN, i agree. but unfortunately, the RIDNOUR trade is the only one to have a little life to it…real or not!!???
By Clyde
February 18, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Bigs tend to play better when they have a point guard on their team that can set them up to score.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By ray
February 18, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
I really don’t know what Ridnour is worth to this team. He lost his job to Earl Watson, but there are a variety of factors involved, I’m sure. We wouldn’t do badly getting him as long as we don’t give up something stupid. Then again, we still need a good plan for the future at this position. While Ridnour isn’t old, is he who we’d want running the team for the next several years? I mean, given Billy hasn’t drafted a point guard (that plays for us) in the last few years, we would assume that Ridnour plus whatever we have is what we’d have at the point.
Either way, the pf/c and pg positions need to be addressed. Since we can’t go top-tier on both, the focus I’m guessing would have to be on one while the other is addressed at a lower level. But we still have to get something done at BOTH levels. If Speedy could be counted on to remain healthy for the most part, half of the problem is more or less solved except for the need to draft another pg that can take over in a couple/few years. A healthy Speedy can be quite effective. But a healthy Speedy we have yet to see for more than a handful of games at a time.
Even if Shelden were to get the minutes and begin producing more, we STILL need an effective big man. It’s not that Shelden can’t play, it’s that he’s not going to be our savior in the paint. Too much to ask.
Doc, you made some good points. Your comments on the Thrashers I have to take your word on as I don’t follow hockey. But I don’t have a problem taking your word on something.
By DianeRocks
February 18, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
Diane was dead on. What a worthless blog this is. I should have known by his name, and the fact that it’s about the NBA, that the only thing he could manage to bring up was the amount of black folks on the plane? I mean, who gives a crap about that? Really? I find it more surprising that blacks can afford to fly these days! Who knew? Must have been those free tickets that Jet Blue gave out huh? LOL! I’m sick of blacks making race an issue. This blog was completely pointless except for the fact that monkey boy decided to ramble about how many blacks where on his plane. Then I saw MLK’s name and knew what we had here. Typical racist ramblings from a bitter black guy. God it’s good to be white and king in the south. LOL
By EdoRiver
February 18, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Mr. Smith, Remind me to put you on my prayer list. Not that you need it any more than any more of some of these 2I(R’&#%$”” need it. It’s just that its refreshing to hear that someone is trying to live a life above the average moral-mental level that I read from time to time here. True, it could be pointed out that this sports blog is not the place to proclaim their ethical and moral behavior, and I would say,”I wouldn’t believe you if you tried; so don’t bother. But Mr. Smith is believable, and for that reason it is uplifting; much as it would be for Mr. Smith to mention that there are some ‘(any?)sincere Christians among the present Baby Hawks.
Mr. Smith, I appreciate your writing style and the fact that you don’t take up quite as much comment space in your articles as Mr. O’Brien does with his.
By ray
February 19, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
Well, you had to know some turd would show up and make comments like that….probably the same kind that cowers in fear at the mere sight of someone like Sekou in real life.LOL!
By doc
February 19, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this
funny how folks assume that someone who doesnt drink, smoke or gamble is a seriously religious man possibly of the christian faith as that is the only thing that could develop such a person. seems i remember that sekou worships at st. mattress on sundays, great line, heh heh. that is not to knock sekou or demean him but to state that it is a tremendous leap or assumption. some of the most reverant people i know who take care of their bodies as temples arent christian at all. that is not a prerequiste, really some of the most “christian” and devoted people i know are buddhist, hindu and muslim and wonder why they arent accepted, read thich knat hahn LIVING BUDDHA, LIVING CHRIST for more insight if you desire to make the next bold step.
it is also amazing for those who stop by and read once know all the answers and know who sekou is by one passage. folks he isnt the one with the problem of stereotyping it is your own false sense of self and inner projections.
By Ken Strickland
February 19, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Well said DOC, well said. Truely the voice of reason. CLYDE, both Lue and Speedy have experience feeding big men. In fact, they both got their championship rings by feeding 2 of the best. So, like I’ve said before, our primary need is a quality big man to plug the OFF/DEF hole in our middle. We already have the PG’s and PointF’s(Childress) that can get him the ball.
MYKHALC, I know BK is hampered in making a major deal. It’s funny how some individuals are so quick to call him stupid and/or incompetent. Just because he makes decisions that conflict with their chosen preferences, he’s labeled stupid. OR, because he doesn’t conduct himself, or his business, in a manner that suits them, he’s labeled stupid. He is on the back side of his 3rd yr of building a quality team, and he has put together a very talented nucleus.
It doesn’t take a lot of intelligence to recognize if you focus on a persons negatives, or perceived mistakes, you can make them out to appear stupid. This franchise hasn’t developed this much young talent since the days of Nique, Doc, Tree, Willis, Whitman, Spud, Battle, etc. And Woody and BK have accomplished their feat in less than 3yrs. That’s not bad folks. They aren’t perfect, and they have definitely made some mistakes along the way. But no other coach, or GM, has had to work under the circumstances they have. Two sets of fueding owners, court imposed sanctions, and limited resources. And they have to function with every other GM and coach in the league knowing their disadvantages. Anyway, GO HAWKS, WOODY AND BK. GIVE US FANS A STRONG FINISH.
By Nola
February 19, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
MJ won games, games, games, games … Pippen helped win games.
I think the Hawks will play better the second half, but I’m afraid it will be counterproductive in that we will win just enough games NOT to make the play-offs leaving them way down the list in the draft.
I wouldn’t give up the last man on the team for Ridnour.