Hawks

By some sense

September 19, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Why have we not heard:

What Belkin plans to do? When the lower court, to which the case has apparently been remanded, plans to act, convene, whatever? What little Mike and his guys feel about all of this?

Somebody has got to make this thing go away or the franchise is no better than the Five Little Smith’s Falcons. Who’s in charge???

Tommy, put out a press release.

By The Flash

September 18, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

clarification: that would be the college 3 point line.

By The Flash

September 17, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Ray A few other things. One, a step or two inside the current 3 point line, I could shoot it, and in several different ways, including varying the height I held the ball and whether using the backboard from even crazy almost non angles, which made getting my “shot” off absent athleticism much easier than it otherwise would have been.

I’d say I had a terrific first step, but that would be a misnomar. I had multiple first steps, some long, low and powerful, others more quick and glide-like, and played and shot off of either foot, so very often would use my right foot as a pivot foot, and not just near the basket.

I had lots of ways to finish with either hand, and used my head, eyes, eyebrowse, shoulders, the ball, as a master illusionist (most dancing is less filed with movement than illusion, btw, and momentum, once commited, must be recovered before a change in it can be effected given even the least athletic among us all the time necessary to get it done.

Just an old, over the hill gym rat bragging on the old times. What, after all, are friends for. Thanks, boyz!!

By The Flash

September 17, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Ray A few other things. One, a step or two inside the current 3 point line, I could shoot it, and in several different ways, including varying the height I held the ball and whether using the backboard from even crazy almost non angles, which made getting my “shot” off absent athleticism much easier than it otherwise would have been.

I’d say I had a terrific first step, but that would be a misnomar. I had multiple first steps, some long, low and powerful, others more quick and glide-like, and played and shot off of either foot, so very often would use my right foot as a pivot foot, and not just near the basket.

I had lots of ways to finish with either hand, and used my head, eyes, eyebrowse, shoulders, the ball, as a master illusionist (most dancing is less filed with movement than illusion, btw, and momentum, once commited, must be recovered before a change in it can be effected given even the least athletic among us all the time necessary to get it done.

Just an old, over the hill gym rat bragging on the old times. What, after all, are friends for. Thanks, boyz!!

By The Flash

September 17, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Doc What article, where? Or you could just provide specifics. Be interested to know.

Like I said, I moved on in terms of crusades. Spent most of my blogging time the past year on two issues:

(1) the Duke LAX case and surrounding issues (suffice it to say that from day 1, and I do mean day 1, I had this thing doped out and if you think my defense of my boy Belkin was vigorous, you should have seen me go against Nifong and the forces at work supporting him; I was right as rain about that;

(2) injury in sports and the need for athletes to educate themselves about how to idenify for themselves how their bodies work; when they are working less then optimally; how to retrain their bodies after minor injuries, especially to their feet and ankles (imo, the cause of most major later injuries and back and hip problems), and how to develop styles and stragies of play for themselves that take their own safety and well being into consideration.

From the beginning of my posting here I identified something that I still believe to be a key issue: the lack of a foundation of integrity in the system, which is key to TRUST on all kinds of levels, without which there is no hope of having a successful TEAM.

It sounds like this early start to the season is addressing that among the team members and coaches themselves. That is a good thing. In my opinion, What goes on at the top is much more important in the long run. We’ll just have to see how things move on that front. Nothing in this world is without change.

Ray I was 6’2” with 6”4” torso, if that makes any sense. Trained with the distance runners the Spring of my Sophomore year (hilareous stories about that; for example, when the track coach, a good guy for even giving me warm ups, timed the guys running quarters, walking quarters, and I’d come in, it would change from seconds to hours, then days, then months), I was dunking a volleyball and lead a summer league in scoring. That was before I blew out my right knee my Junior year, tore ligaments in my left ankle my senior year, and then blue out my left knew playing freshman ball.

This might be difficult to explain: every effective repeatable move/finish, be it drive to the basket or pull up for some kind of shot (usually jump shot) has certain key elements (angles, rhythm, footwork, transition of the ball to shooting in a particular path). I could identify those things and chose which to disrupt and when, which reduced repeatable into anything but. Guys just had off days.

Same with playing defense in a team context.

On the other side of the ball, I understood and focsed on more than a few important things: One, people would try to read my game as I did theirs. Accordingly, I developed a style where there were several options, particularly on how I would transition into the shot, different footwork, different ways of bringing the ball up, different releases, always knowing that showing the ball would make the defender commit and, since I never was moving particularly fast, well not never, change what I was doing on the fly to a different repeatable shot.

In a team concept, I understood the preferences of those on my team and looked for ways to maximize them. I also understood what might be outside their zones of awareness, what was not in their repetoires, but fit well within their styles, and lead them to that.

This stuff happened in my head and translated into action on the fly.

The guys who gave me real trouble were guys about 6 feet, who were athletic, and who were not interested in showing up the skinny legged and armed unathletic looking guy. The latter were toast. But, the guy who recognized my value on the court and wanted to devalue me without making himself the show, which seems to be your style, well, let’s say I’d be running you off a whole lot of screens. LOL

By doc

September 17, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

yeah ray, great point. in their fluff and puff they continue to hang themselves or shoot themselves in the foot. maybe this is the stuff that went on at meetings that had belkin on edge.

incidentally flash, check out the column a few days back from terence moore and the hawks. he said a pretty incriminating thing about your boy belkin.

looking back on their actions of the now broken atlanta spirit hopefully both sides will come to the conclusion that they handled things very poorly. what they have achieved thus far is to have only distracted from the game they supposedly love because of their egos and have created an abomination to hold this franchise, its players and fans, hostage. irresponsible.

By ray

September 17, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

Doc, that’s what I love to do. I may be too far away to lend a hand, but never to lend a laugh! Always think of you if I get one that I think is truly humorous, and you should always feel free to pass it on. Like you said, friendship is priceless.

Tell you what’s NOT funny, even though it’s kind of a bit off topic. Part owner Levenson says that getting back to more normal operations (contracts longer than 4 years, etc) is nice, but no biggie because it never really kept them from signing a single player. Now how does he suppose that really sounds?! I mean, you’re telling us what exactly? And the whole part about defying anyone to name one person or deal that they couldn’t complete because of the restrictions…is a bunch of smoke blown right up our butts. Why? Because there’s no way Billy (or anyone in ownership/management) is going to discuss or disclose any/all of the potential “deals” with any other teams. So Levenson’s statement has no substance whatsoever.

The only not-so-negative conclusion I could possibly come to from that is that we did not receive even remotely decent proposals from other teams. Fact is, I have a hard time believing it. However, in the spirit of positivity, I shall endeavor to not bring this conversation around to the usual conclusions, because I’m tired of the complaining anyway (I contribute enough of it myself, so no pot calling the kettle black).

Still, it bothers me that Levenson said that. Either it’s not true, or we’re really in trouble. That would mean that entire organizations don’t really want to do decent business with us within the league, at least until the ownership situation is concluded. And perhaps not even then.

By doc

September 16, 2007 5:57 AM | Link to this

ouch, my bees got burned last night.

no winners left in atlanta except tiger. yeah that’s the ticket. that is my team now, team tiger. only trouble is, his season ends today. long live the king.

By doc

September 15, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

just saw the notre dame score, after the way they treated willingham …. karma …. priceless.

yeah, ok sekou you can gloat or smile a bit now that your wolverenes have now gotten into the win column against the patsy fighting irish.

charlie weiss … FALLABLE!

By doc

September 15, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

myhk, you’re on the calender. hope it works to go to a braves game or hear your bud play the seven string.

interesting seminar this weekend on bio-available hormones and hormone balancing. really cool stuff to make people feel better.

By mike

September 15, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

So you know Doc, I’m truly impress with guys on this blog. When other bloggers from other sports want to come over here and air their dirty laundry. The old heads on this blog always step in and defend our space so it remains positive and civil. It’s says a lot about the quality and characters of the guys that blog in Sekou’s house. They might be great liars, but they still have respect for each other. Sounds like an oxymoron HUMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

GO HAWK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By mykhalc

September 15, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

DOC, i’m checkin’ flights for week of 9/24. will hit you up with an email in a bit….

By doc

September 15, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

mike keep laughing dude. still available and on call for whatever.

as far as laughter, ray sent one by private e-mail today that still has me grinning after i quit howling. friend ship at the liars table …. priceless!

By mike

September 15, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Doc thanks for the offer, But I’ll pass. Actually you already played a part in the recovery process. When I was tired and couldn’t do much, I would always grab the trusty computer and check-in on the blog. Man ya’ll guys have me cracking up. They say laughter is best receipt for any illness. So a special thanks to the liars den.

Very special thanks to Sekou H. Smith for keeping real and giving us Hawks fan a place to call home.

Go HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By doc

September 15, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

sekou, if you were to get a sit down with woody and get more than the usual trite coach speak he continues to use then you would be right up there with the greatest of journalists to come around these aparts and there have been many at the ajc starting with furman bisher. just dont waste my time or ray’s and yours if you cant deliver against those odds.

salim is my man, want him to succeed at shooting the ball.

myhc, let me know when you planning to make it back, maybe i could arrange a threesome with you me and flash. it may mean a quick roll to dc but it might be worth it. i iamgine that flash could find a really good place to listen to some vibes as i think it is in his blood. if i remember didnt he sat he could take belkin on the dance floor any day just couldnt hang when it came to countin the dollars in the bank. my suspicion is belkin may be along the lines of king arthur…. of atlanta not camelot.

By smartguy

September 15, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

HH, good stuff on the players. I totally agree. If not for the players, there would be nothing to like about the Hawks. I love our young group for their talent, and character, but unfortunately, the players cannot coach themselves, at least not on the court. The second we bring in (or promote) a good coach, my “bright spot” will grow to the size of the sun.

Another good point made by Mike regarding how awful we are out of timeouts. The set plays Woody calls must have a success rate less than 25%. I cringe, too, everytime Woody tries to draw up an out of bounds play; if its late in the game, we’re almost certainly doomed. Casual Hawks fans may or may not have realized this, but watching almost all of the games during Woody’s tenure, it is hard to ignore (unless you’re the Spirit) just how bad he is in these situations. Okay, no more Woody bashing for today…

By HHoops

September 15, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

Everyone has their thoughts and opinions. I like Fred Everett. He looks for the bright side even if there has not been any lately.

Here’e the thing that we need to remember - the players are coming in on their own, working out, building chemistry and doing what they can do to be the very best that they can be. You got to love that! They have every reason, with the ownership situation being what it has been over the past two years, to not be motivated. These guys are really getting ready for a change in the Hawks! We need to appreciate these players and really support them. They are the reason that we want the Hawks to do well. The owners and the lawyers can’t seem to understand that it is about playing with “ONE HEART”!

By Mike

September 15, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Pricate Ya Smartguy,

I use to hammer Woody for his inability to utilize Salim, Solomon and Estaban. I’m taking a wait a see on Woody for now. I’m encouraged by the promotion of Larry Drew and the addition of Alton Lister to his staff. Of course it want matter if he runs that same old god awful offensive scheme we’ve seen in the past. I use to get angina every time he would pick-up his clip board to call an out bound play with time running out or with the game on the line. We all no what the results were, disaster!!!

I’m an optimist, so I think he’s smart enough realized that his jobs is on the line and he needs to try sometime different, because the system that old system definitely ain’t been working. We’ll see.

Sekou, what do your spies tell you about Solomon? I know he struggled during the rookie camp, but I just think he was pressing to hard. I felt terrible for him; he worked so hard to put on some bulk and be ready for the upcoming season, and then struggled mightily. Has his play improved any? I think Hartford is a stud, and I’m encouraged by Sheldon, but Solomon is another one those good kids you want to see get a chance to compete for more PT.

By smartguy

September 15, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

This blog is totally on fire. Good stuff everyone. Kick some A, Mike.

Basketball wise, I heard “we’re going to play more up-tempo” this same time last year. Yet, all we got was more of Woody’s ineffective half court set.

As far as Salim, I think he has been by far one of the most under-utilized players on our team, and I, personally, would like to see him get more of an opportunity. Unfortunately, this again comes back to Woody. Woody has a huge problem with Salim, and as long as Woody is head coach Salim will never be allowed to become a major contributor.

If I remember right, Salim put up 35 in a game toward the end last year. The Hawks were excited not because of his contribution to the team, but because it raised his trade value. HELLO! One of the things we were missing was more scoring. We don’t need 35 every night from the guy, but half of that, or even a little less would be a great boost to this team. Instead, Salim will be lucky to get spot minutes.

By ray

September 15, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Good to know, Flash. Would’ve surely missed your contribution and perspective, othewise. Like I said, you’re a cool cat. Something a 30 yr old used to be young black baller can always appreciate. I used to get it done some too. Probably not as good as you (but I loved to pass and could even dunk on occasion despite my not quite 6-foot status). And then one day I changed. The chest, shoulders, and arms exploded and caught up with the legs. It was mostly gridiron from there, and a lot less of the 90 feet of hardwood. Oddly enough, basketball is still my favorite sport, barely edging out football. But I can tell you which one I’m better at….heh, heh.

By Mike

September 15, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Sekou great article on my boy Salim, Y DA MAN

That’s what I wanted to hear. I wanted him to explain to fans that his passion for the game can sometime get the best of him and its reflex in his facial expression. I think at times that could be misinterpreted as someone with a bad attitude or selfish player, he’s neither. I watch this cat make huge huge shoots for Arizona in the NCAA tournament; buzzer beater game winner. He’ll take the big shot with the game on the line. You can’t say about many players in the league. I think that was misunderstood by the coaches and the fans. Glad to hear he’s learned to control his emotion, because he would let his emotion get the best of him. I think Salim and JSmoove passion for the game can be misunderstood because they’re so young.

Man after hearing that Woody plans to play more uptempo basketball I’m ready for the season to start today. But I can wait these young needs this extra time to build chemistry and gel. Like rest of guys said, the bar has been raised East so it want be easy. I’m glad we play the top teams in the league at the start of the season, we’ll no right away what type of seasons it’s going to be. We all know talk is cheap, but I think these guys are ready to step their game up.

Great Stuff!!!! GO HAWK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By The Flash

September 15, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

Ray For right now, which is all we can ever really speak to, if there is an interest I have in the NBA it is with this team.

And, like I said, talkin ball here with you guyz smashes. I mean Sekou has created something really good here, and guys like you, Doc, my man Myk, thinkingman whereever you are, dare I say Astro and others make kickin back and talkin ball oh so fun. So, my posts here are pretty infrequent, but when I have the time and get on a roll, well, why change a good thing.

By The Flash

September 15, 2007 7:49 AM | Link to this

Myk Gotchya. We’re completely cool.

BTW, some things you should appreciate: back in the day, while I was no “athlete”, I could get it done on the court, I mean really, really get it done. Belkin was good, but, well, I had a gift. This ain’t tongue in cheek.

And, I always could dance; it was the same as playing ball, which always had rhythms.

As Belkin’s uninvited, unwanted, unpaid, unofficial secret advisor I of course had perspectives which I gladly shared about who should coach and what kind of offense should be employed. Belkin wrote back that Jane, our mutual friend, suggested that he hire me and that I construct an offense based upon my old dance moves, which he reported she said were the best.

As I posted here long ago, I wrote back the he should tell Jane that I was flattered but that I did not remember those dance moves and certainly could not do them if I did (neither of which happens to be true). I also said something to the effect of “how silly would it be for an old fat bald Jewish guy to try to teach a bunch of young black ballers an offense based upon the way he used to try to dance like black guys did before they were even born.”

Like I said, me and my boy had some fun with this thing is all. I try to do the same with you guys.

By ray

September 15, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this

Best thing I’ve heard Hawks-wise in a while was Salim saying that he heard they were going to “get up and down [the floor] more and shoot [more 3 pointers].” Could it actually be that the gameplan is changing? If so, how much?

Sekou,

the most critical and informative Q&A would be with Woodson. But I can certainly understand if that doesn’t materialize. However, many of us would love to know exactly where Woody’s mind is right now. What his plans are, what his preparation is…this possibly has more impact on the season than anything besides injuries. As much as we enjoy knowing what the players are doing to get better…’tis the coach who is still the gametime leader because it’s his system that is put into play. I can also understand if this is being kept under wraps to maybe help effect a surprise attack on the rest of the league (who respects us not at all). But it would be cool to get some sort of tidbit, all the same.

By ray

September 15, 2007 7:25 AM | Link to this

Flash,

That certainly answers things on more than one level. And I admire loyalty, especially when it appears to not be misplaced. So am I to believe if Belkin fades from the picture here, so do you? A shame, if so. You’re a cool cat to rap with.

As for Salim, I’m glad he’s more relaxed than before, as it can only help him. What’s jacked up his how his relationship with Woody was. Without pointing fingers in either direction, this is yet another example of just how critical effective communication is. All the theories involving “message sent”, “message intended”, and “message received” apply here. I wonder how many others are having the same problem (you listening Sheldon? How about YOU Smoove?).

By D

September 15, 2007 5:14 AM | Link to this

would like to get the whole team situation stabilized. but many times owners can screw things up more than they can actually lend real help to the workforce. sometimes it’s better to have owners squabbling over something off-site, just so everybody can put their heads down and get some work done.

By mykhalc

September 15, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this

FLASH, appreciate the post and my bad on the misread!! hard to know what people are sayin’ in a blog sometimes…or just in life period!! but as you can tell by now, i pretty much put it all out there in FULL VIEW!!! i’ll be first to listen, especially if i don’t know!! BUT i’ll also be the first to state where i’m at on ANYTHING if i have a view that is true!!! and note, i didn’t say right, just true!!! and i mean, true to me, my core and bein’ aware of what my intention is behind what i’m sayin’!!

all’s good my friend. maybe you are NOT BELKIN after all!!LOL ;-)

By The Flash

September 15, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

One last word about my boy, I am tremendously proud of him. I am sure that many of you are more familiar wtih some of the details surrounding this mess than I. I defy you to find a single instance where he has trashed anyone, including BK.

That is something, especially for a Tau Delt, who as a group, present company excluded, ain’t used to losing and are not particularly gracious to those who go against them. Belkin has lost many public battles in trying to own an NBA team; I have yet to read where he said a bad word about anyone.

If anybody knows differently, by all means bring it. I feel bad for my friend about this most recent turn of events, but I ain’t gonna worry about him. How utterly ridiculous would it be if I did otherwise.

By The Flash

September 14, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

Myk You completely misread me. Everything I say in praise of myself is tounge in cheek, and my jibs at you are just teasing. NBR, for your views and your style. You ain’t in the category of Doc in my book yet, but few people are.

Belkin was a fraternity brother who was a year behind me. We lived near eachother, played ball together, and his girlfriend, now wife, and he fixed me up with the most terrific girl I ever dreamed of even meeting when we were in school. Good friend of mine to this day. Some of the very best men I have met in this world were in that fraternity and Belkin is one of them.

We have seen eachother twice since I graduated; e-mailed a lot since he began making a run for the Bobcats and then when news surfaced that he was in the group purchasing the Hawks.

I made myself his uninvited, unpaid, for all I knew unwanted, special secret advisor on basketball operations. He did not object. We had fun with that through the time the break with the Spirit surfaced in the news. Never heard word one about it before. I am obviously not a Belkin confidant; just a supporter and friend; the river has always flowed both ways. On certain life matters he and I have some similar perspectives that are meaningful to both of us.

We have communicated only infrequently in the past year or so. We exchanged New Year’s wishes last week, before the most recent events transpired. No, nothing since.

A couple of things to reiterate. For the cynics out there, there is no question in my mind that Belkin has always been completely, and I mean completely, committed to leading the Hawks to the top. That has always been clear and explicit in everything he has ever said to me. Read about him; the types of things he is involved in and how he runs the organizations he heads. What is reported is not spin. He is a terrific leader and a principled one.

You might be interested to know that nothing I have ever said on this blog or elsewhere about the ownership mess has been based, in even the slightest, on anything I have ever heard from Belkin about this, which is powerfully, and I mean powerfully, little. I am not in the loop and have never tried to be.

Well, that’s the list. Relax, Myk, in my eyes you are a player. It’s all in fun from my perspective.

By doc

September 14, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

flash, no harm meant, essentially calling my actions sandpaper. just kidding a bit with tongue in cheek and you know i did my homework on belkin as we chided each other back and forth, so yeah the sandpaper worked both ways.

By mykhalc

September 14, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

and FLASH, just for the record, i AM NOT a mean-spirted cat. and even if you ARE BELKIN i wish you NO ill-will!! and i even enjoy your posts when it comes the b’ball and the team!!;-) but i do take exception when you make a statement like this Now, if only you knew what you were talking about even half the time …

i’ve not taken any personal shots at you UNLESS you are BELKIN. but you have taken my take on BELKIN and him bein’ part of the ownership group and/or possible sole owner personally!!! and i just wonder why that is???? beyond what you’ve stated…

GWBUSH might be a nice cat but i despise EVERYTHING he’s done while pres of the US!!!!

By mykhalc

September 14, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

FLASH, did you just call yourself a ‘great’ man???!!!?? LOL whew, talk about drinkin’ the KOOLAID!!! with a statement like that, i can understand your allegiance to BELKIN!! (even tho you know i think you’re really BELKIN!!):-O

ONE thing you are right about is, we’ll see what tune the fat lady is singin’ for the last song in the last set!!! you know how i’m bettin’!!!!!

By ray

September 14, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

Flash, just how close ARE you to Belkin?

I wouldn’t let the celebration of recent proceedings (however illusory or real) by bloggers here bother me. I would think that the average fan here is more concerned about the battle swinging in either direction and actually ending soon, than they are about who actually wins. Remember, the Spirit has not done much of anything to endear themselves to the fans, much less the bloodthirsty bloggers (well, not all of us are quite so mean) of this realm.

You forget: we don’t know Belkin. He really hasn’t even had a chance to prove what kind of guy he is owner-wise. He disagreed with a thing or two, made a business decision, and then things became a pure business war. At that point, it became all about business and not about basketball…or hockey. A lot of people lose sight of that one fact. Beyond what the media has given us, do we really know everything that started the feud? How easy it was to just paint the guy as a person that stood in the way of team progress. What ELSE was going on behind closed doors that obviously even the media would not be made privy too? I doubt we’ll ever know, and to suggest that we as fans actually got all the information on this whole feud is foolishness, pure and simple. Hey I know, I drank the kool-aid for a little bit too. Then I set it down and began to think.

In any case, as I said, the average fan is probably just waiting for a solid conclusion. Belkin may be an “out of towner”, but he hasn’t truly given factual and evidential reason to be shunned. Not that I recall. All he did (as we’ve been told that is..) is disagree with how much we were going to give up to get JJ.

By The Flash

September 14, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

Doc True, but I’d like to think that the same is true the other way round. When I first started participating here, you’d have thought that my guy was the devil himself. Now, only Myk seems to think that. No one in the media came close to depicting this fairly. That was the reason for my stridency.

Once there was a more balanced and realistic view of what was going on, my sense of a need to put out who my guy is and is not lessoned. For a long while now, it has for me been all but completely unnecessary. I certainly see no need to try to convince my man Myk that the moon is not made of blue cheese.

Actually, for me, his views are perfectly acceptible and seem entirely devoid of the type of mean-spirited misinformation that seemed to infuse the media’s depiction of this mess during the first year or so of the saga—this thing has dragged on kind of long, * you think.*

So, unless and until my guy buys another team, I’ll continue to follow this here team and talk ball with the boyz from time to time. Otherwise, for the most part, what happens in the NBA holds little interest. Later.

By doc

September 14, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

aj, i maintain my innocense. i am into alternative medicine now not grandma’s recipe’s for health.

flash this blog has rounded out some of your harder corner’s. you are quite the gentleman in regards to the ruling and mhyc’s celebration. i guess you consider us the sandpaper that has smoothed out the rough edges.

By The Flash

September 14, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

prune juice joke? Sounds disgusting. Glad I missed it.

Me, I put flack seeds in my coffee. Like clockwork, takes the acidity out and gives the coffee an incredible nutty flavor, which, if you can sit long enough, you can actually enjoy.

With me it’s not an issue, I’m an ice coffee man. I can’t believe I’m talkin about this.

My father told me that there’d come a day; never actually believed him. I’m gonna go lie down now, boyz.

By Astro Joe

September 14, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

Doc, that prune juice at the post office joke wasn’t funny. I hope they don’t track you down, man.

By Astro Joe

September 14, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

I, too, am fairly satisfied with the players on the squad. True centers (that are afforable) are very, very hard to find and that is clearly the missing piece. But Woody is such a horrific game time coach that I find it hard to imagine these players melding into a 40 win ball club. Doc is right, if he gets out of there way, allows Drew to be the “offensive coordinator” AND game time play caller, then I may begin to sip the kool-aid of Fred, Mike and Ken. But until I see logical substitutions and use of his athletic resources, I’ll just use this as another 82-game audition for when the real coach eventually lands here.

By mike

September 14, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Sekou thanks for the update on my boy Salim. Thanks Astro Joe couldn’t agree with you more.

Doc I agree with your assessment. But I’m hoping low forty. I know I’m reaching a little bit. I’m still looking for the Hawks to make the playoff this year. I’m looking for some type of trade before the All-Star break to catapult this team to the play-off. I gotta keep hope alive. I don’t expect the Spirit to let J-Smoove get away. He’s too talented and too hard to replace. It would be insane to trade a young guy that can fill up the stat sheet the way J-Smoove can. I hope they learned from the Nigue trade. Glad to hear the good news on Speedy. Speedy has been a class act throughout his career, it would be great to see him get a chance to redeem himself.

By Stud Webb

September 14, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Thank God the Hawks didn’t get Oden. He’s the next Sam Bowie, just watch.

Now, back to important business, sell the team and fire Billy and Woody!

By The Flash

September 14, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Mkr Taking all you say as so, and as Astro points out so eloquently, “It ain’t over until the Fat Lady sings, and she ain’t even warmed up yet,” remember that even the errors of “great* men like myself are venerable, because they are much more fruitful then pedestrian thinkers like those who only **think that they are right

I have to point out, though I ain’t read the decision, that the court might well have created a no-man’s land that will foster the status quo for a long time.

From what has been reported, the court seems to have issued two inconsistent rulings. It seems to have rejected the Spirit’s bedrock argument that Belkin had no right under the agreement to object to the first valuation. In other words, it ruled that Belkin did not breach the agreement, which is what the Spirit had been arguing.

At the same time, it agreed with the Spirit on their second and seemingly inseparable argument, that no one even contemplated what should happen in the event that both sides objected to the same valuation. That the court says the agreement leaves completely unresolved.

What the Spirit had been asking for was for the court to declare their buyout promise void because Belkin had breached the agreement which on its face provided no means of resolving the current situtation.

Having gotten more than half the loaf with the second ruling, it would appear that the Spirit will be in no rush to resolve anytime soon the issue of valuation. Sooo, if they are as cash strapped as everyone says, and they are not anxious to share their prerogatives with another new “largest” partner, then maintaining the status quo just might suit them.

In which case, the freedom to operate that you wished for might still be illusory.

But what do I know, I have been wrong before (YOU THINK)

By mykhalc

September 14, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

FLASH, well my half of knowin’ what i know got you beat by 100% in regards to the court rulings!!! so i’ll rest my case!!!! but you are entitled to be wrong, even CONTINUALLY be wrong!!! ;o)

By The Flash

September 14, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Myk NBR. You’re wrong as rain about Belkin but are entitled to your view.

Your takes on the game and the team are fun and insightful and are the sort that make this blog amazingly terrific.

Now, if only you knew what you were talking about even half the time … .

By doc

September 14, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

i think the components are there for a very exciting team. it is just who will direct the hosses and is he willing to get out of their way.

like what i see about speedy. even if he doesnt start which i hope he does if he is at speed then he will make things happen at both ends of the court while he is in there.to hear of him moving like he has in the past means lue stays in his best role and acie might get a chance to be brought along at a more reasonable rate unless he is the real deal at this level from the start.

good to great year for these young guys this year only gets us 36 whereas last year if healthy i expected 38. reality is the other guys improved more we did either in overcoming their own injury probs, summer signings or significant trades. miami and possibly philly are the only teams in the east that didnt improve significantly from where they ended the season.

By Sekou K. Smith

September 14, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Watch for a bit on Salim this weekend. I finally caught up with the elusive one for my Sunday Q&A series. I’ve got one more plotted for next weekend and then we’re ready to get into the real stank of the season.

And for the record, I think an ownership transition (at any point) could be the worst thing to happen to pro basketball in Atlanta. So don’t for a minute misconstrue anything I’ve written as venom for the owners (estranged or not).

I’ve said many times before that I think all involved are doing what they feel in their hearts is in the best interest of growing the product. Sometimes, though, the intent is buried by the reality of the results.

I think Mike Gearon Jr. (the team’s NBA Gov. and the head basketball honcho) is a wise man and knows that nothing is final until all the papers have been signed and the Atlanta Spirit is free and clear of this ownership feud to operate their business the way they see fit.

But we’ve waited this long to see this thing through. What’s another year, or two or three? (kidding, of course - the sooner this thing is resolved the better for all involved).

By Ken Strickland

September 14, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

In the past I’ve often come off as the voice of optimism. In hindsight I realize a lot of that was wishful thinking. Some of us Hawks fans had to resort to that in order to get ourselves going for what we knew will be a difficult season. However, this season is different. I don’t have the same feeling about this team as I’ve had in the past. And it’s not because I feel they will have a losing season, but quite the contrary.

This can be a very talented team, which is different from what we’ve had in the past. In the past we’ve been a team with talent, but this yr we have enough talent to really develop into a talented team. How quickly that happens and how well Woody handles it will determine the teams degree of success.

We actually have enough talent and depth to be a very competitive team. How that talent and depth is coached will determine the level of success. What’s the bottom line? If we play Woody’s preferred Larry Brown, Bobby Knight style, our success will be limited. However, if we play to our talent, with an uptempo style, we will have much greater success.

Unlike past seasons, this team won’t be defined by how many gms it wins over the previous season. It’ll be defined by its ability to compete for a playoff spot. Now how long has it been since that’s happened? So, I’m going to enter this season with guarded optimism rather than unbridled wishful thinking. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By doc

September 14, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

mike,glad to have you back at the liars table son. keep up the progress. though i dont practice western medicine let me know if i can provide anything along the alternative side.it can assist folks in getting back to their old self.

sekou appreciate the affirmation concning the management situation.if you didnt see it that way you were in a vacuum or on the kool aid or ando’s pipe. we are literraly looking for anything to give us hope going forward that the cellar dwelling mentality is coming to an end.

By newkid

September 14, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Sekou, with Denver having just gone shopping for yet another 7-foot post player (Hunter) to add to the Nene/Camby mix, have you heard anything that might indicate that this move is a precursor to moving Camby somewhere (like Atlanta)? With the Hunter deal coming as close as it did to the Spirit vs Belkin court decision, is there reason to suspect that this was more than just coincidental? Other than expiring contracts, do we have assets that would be of interest to Denver? If a deal is being discussed, could J.R. Smith and Chilz be involved? Who else?

By Astro Joe

September 14, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Mike, kick the crap out of that thing. Hawks need healthy fans to cheer them to victory.

Sekou, thanks for the update and glad to hear things are looking good for the home team right now. I whole-heartedly agree that these owners have a lot to prove and this court ruling likely means nothing in the short-term. But maybe, other team execs, upon hearing this news, will be less relunctant to pick up the phone the next time. We can only hope.

I did hear a little of Gearon, Jr. on Mayhem this morning. He refused to say that BK and Woody’s jobs are on the line this season if the team doesn’t make the playoffs. Then I heard Bernie Mullen mention on Rude’s show that the court hearing may not actually happen until 2008. This thing will not likely be resolved until ‘09. We need an out-of-court-settlement, a knight in shining armor with bulging pockets to end this nightmare for the fans.

By mike

September 14, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Sekou thanks for the love keep doing your thing bro

If you could, let me know if hear anything about my boy Salim. Even with the addition of Acie Law, which I like a lot…BTW. I still think he can help this team. He might be small in stature, but he’s got the heart of lion and a deadly quick trigger to back it up. I’ve said all alone he’s got that Ben Gordon stroke. When he gets in rhythm it’s a thing of beauty.

By mike

September 14, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the shout out mykhalc

I agree with you on the ownership situation. I think it would best if the team had one owner. But I will say this; the current Spirit owners have managed to stick together under some extreme circumstances. If they could get this buy-out situation with Belkin resolved, they might have a chance to salvage their reputation as genuine owners. Of course we know they’re too cheap for that. Here’s hoping that they develop some balls, get this D*m ownership fiasco over with and invest some real money into this team.

By Sekou K. Smith

September 14, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

First and foremost, let me welcome Mike back and wish him a speedy and complete recovery.

As for my spies at the arena, one reported that Speedy was feeling good enough to play full tilt during pickup games and looked rather impressive (something about a killer crossover he put on someone that had everyone ooohing and ahhhing).

Nothing against the report that claims the Hawks are restriction free, but until they do something – an extension, trade, whatever – that isn’t interrupted by some injunction, I’m reserving my right to drink the Kool-Aid (we’ve all seen it happen too many times the past two years to do anything but wait, haven’t we?).

As for the assertion that the ownership dispute had little impact on how the Hawks did business the past two years consider this, on at least three different occasions executives from other teams informed me that they were interested in doing business with the Hawks but ultimately decided not to for fear the ownership feud disrupting said business.

More than preventing the Hawks from operating as normal, the ownership feud kept other teams from entertaining the notion of doing business with the Hawks out of fear of what could go wrong if they entered into talks.

That said, there were still plenty of teams that were willing to deal. But perhaps just not the types of deals the Hawks felt could make them better.

And you’ll get no comment from me on the Loser Bowl (UM-ND) beyond this obligatory mention of a game anyone with anything better to do this weekend should not watch (me, I’ll be glued to the tube because I ride or die with my squad, no matter how atrocious we’ve looked so far).

Lastly, the news of Oden’s microfracture procedure is nothing short of frightening. You hope for the best for the young fella. But if you’re a Blazers fan and you aren’t shaking in your sandals, you’re a brave soul.

By ray

September 14, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Great job, Oddjob. Your doomsday prediction has come true. It would appear that a very deserving, classy young man’s dream could be dashed, and you were right all along. In what must be a dark moment for him and his teammates, family, etc, the only beacon of light is that at least you were right about it. Now go have Clyde make you a big “I told you so” t-shirt with all your prophesied details about Oden. And then go to all the Portland home games and wear it there. Only then can you be truly proud of yourself.

I hope that Oden comes back from this in much the same way Stoudamire managed to. I hope this only for his sake, and that of his family, friends, and fans. Godspeed, big fella. Prove the prophets wrong, if only for yourself.

As for the Spirit Group, who freakin’ knows.

Ken, funny you mention that. If Horford is the “truth” at pf and Josh’s talent soars…and the Hawks parlay that into an advantage for the team (i.e. getting a big, young, talented center or something) then I call not signing him right away a smart thing. If they straddle the fence and end up getting themselves into a “Harrington” type of situation, then I call it the usual stupid business. Like I’ve been screeching for a while now: either you sign the guy or you make damn certain you get something very good and useful for the team in return.

By mykhalc

September 14, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

MIKE, speedy recovery to you too my friend!!!

By mykhalc

September 14, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

FLASH, as much as i’m anti-BELKIN i am definitely not claimin’ that ANYBODY in the SPIRIT GROUP is the person(s) for the job. i ONLY give them the nod so far because i think they are ‘truly’ dedicated to the team and city. but i’m not sooooo delusional as to think these cats are the answer either. i do think the answer lies in a single ‘truly committed’ owner tho. and i think that sentiment has been expressed a number of times by different posters here in the blog.

WOODSON definitely needs to be outta here. in fact 2 seasons too late already IMHO!! but i have to admit i’m still on the fence about BK??!!! especially when i had no problem with the draft choices this year. but i’ve said it before, as long WOODSON is the coach, this team is goin’ nowhere fast!!!! HE JUST AIN’T THE ONE!!!

and i’m all for givin’ LARRY DREW a shot!!

By Mike

September 13, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

What’s up guys, still recovering from a bout with chemo? By the start of the season I should be good to go. I am as confident as ever about the young Hawks. The promotion of Larry Drew should bode well for the young guys on the team alone with addition of Lister. This is the year these young guys grow up. The buzz around this team will only increase as the season grows nearer.

I just think the guys will come out and compete every game this season. I disagree with all the prognosticators that keep putting this team. I can tell you this; I’m willing to bet that one wants this team to win more than the guys that put that uniform on every night. I think that’s reflected in the commitment by the guys to come in early and build some team chemistry. BTW…Don’t sleep on by boy Salim.

You would think that the so call experts that follow the game would at the very lease acknowledge the guys for making an extra effort to early and prepare for the upcoming season, oh no the same old gloom and doom. I read the article by the Kat in Canada ripping my boys. Thank god for Sekou.

OddJob I’ll give you credit you made the call on Oden, I was one of the guys who ragged you a little. I was hoping his leg wouldn’t affect his career, he’s a good kid. I wish him a speedy recovery. Thanks to old heads for keeping the blog a place of civility.

Go Guys, Go Sekou, and Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By The Flash

September 13, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

myk Time for your boys to step up to the plate. Get BK and Woody to fall on their swords, walk away, and Woody ask Larry to come in and coach the boyz up for 3 years. The Spirit would have to come up with serious bucks.

Does anybody think that the Hawks don’t make the playoffs, and before it’s done, go deep, if they do that.

No way Larry does it, but, maybe, if Woody were the one to ask … .

By mykhalc

September 13, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

JOE, good update on the SPIRIT. well what’s next i wonder???

sad news on ODEN. speedy recovery to the big fella.

FRED, you are to be commended or committed!!LOL seriously tho,that’s the way to support a team!!!probably not many like you out there these days regardin’ any ATL team!!!

lastly, the world REALLY has gone mad!!! pick any headline, anywhere, and it only confirms it!!!

ps…glad BELICHICK got slammed!!! he needs to seek out the judge that ruled for BELKIN and appeal thru him!!! he just might take care of another MASS guy!!LOL

pss…REAL GLAD to know JJ is fully recovered!!!

By OddJob returns

September 13, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

I can’t resist this oportunity, after hearing about Greg Oden’s micro fracture.When I posted before the draft that because of his skeletal problems (one leg shorter than the other)and his looking older than he is, I thought there was a real risk of these types of injuries.Well I hope he recovers and has a long career but since some of you seemed to think I was out of my mind, I feel it’s fair to say I told you so…..I told you so.

By MannyT

September 13, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

The Hawks are currently tied for first in the division and overall top seed for the 2007-2008 season.

Fewer legal restrictions on the owners than we had. Staff is motivated because they’re all working for that next contract.

We also got the top draft pick in the East. Because 1 & 2 went west, we will not see them much this season (even less for Oden unless he’s on the bench burning cash for a wardrobe to meet the dress code. As a fan, that is a shame. I hope he recovers quickly.)

All this to say:

Starting at top fan, standing and screaming in section ??? Fred…we’re getting ahead… Ev—er—rettttttt!!

**Let’s go Fred E!

I’m all for the optimism!**

I’ll be there in my Esteban shooting/night shirt for opening night.

By PJ

September 13, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Better question might be when will the league office settle this. They do have the right to approve ownership changes, modifications, etc.

By roan st

September 13, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

I was devastated on lottery day when the hawks were unable to get into the top two. But now in hindsight maybe the hawks will come out the big winners of the draft afterall. It looks like oden will have a short and injury marred career. I read the big dude had microfracture surgery and not everbody can come back from that injury. If we had gotten the #2 pick then we would have had four #1 picks used on swingmen in four years. I know durant will be great but he would have further imbalanced the hawks roster. If horford becomes a beast at power forward then we may one day look back at this draft and smile.

By kcr211

September 13, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

Fred Everett: That’s the kind of stuff I’ve been begging for over on the Falcons boards! I love the optimism. A true fan should maintain a sense of optimism so long as it’s clear that the players and coaches are doing everything they can to win. Show me nightly effort and I’ll stay loyal.

By doc

September 13, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

aj, thanks for the update. i guess there are NO excuses about having their hands tied due to a court ruling and goinfg forward any fiscal actions will be more transparant. as a fan that is improtant. the accountability question will be are we competitive financially or the cheapest?

sad to hear of oden’s probs. someone got trashed for suggesting even if available the hawks shouldnt get him because of his fragile body short leg bad back and knee and all. guess who gets to laugh last?

e. it still isnt a wash yet if the (my) bees hold home court advantage this weekend against b.c. there still might be a winner around as distasteful as it might be for all the dawg fans around these parts.

wonder when roll tide clyde will make his mark on the horizon as the bama folks try to come back to relevance.

By Swatguy

September 13, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

BK should be commended operating under the retrictions. Now is the time to make decisive actions before the other shoe drops. Sign Josh and Josh, Decide who and how to clear the expiring contracts and decide if we will have a #1 pick next summer (trade someone). Ted or someone needs to step up, pay the kidnapper and be like Cuban (kinda).

By Astro Joe

September 13, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Looks like Hawks are legally free to go forth and conquer. But like Doc said below, don;t expect anything to actually happen (except maybe they will go ahead and extend Smith).

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2007/09/10/daily24.html?jst=cncnlk

By E.Wendel

September 13, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

The Braves are virtually a wash! The Falcons hapless in additon to being Vickless. Georgia lost Spurrier. Atlanta sports fans have very little to be optimistic about. If we’ve ever needed the Hawks before we sure do need them now! Get the rookies ready coach!

By Astro Joe

September 13, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Sekou, any more word from your spy in the arena? Is Craig still healthy? And who wins the Losers Bowl this weekend, Jamal Crawford or Troy Murphy? I’m pulling for you and Jamal.

By mrH

September 13, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Glad to see a Hawks’ fan posting on this blog for a change, Fred.

By Good News...

September 13, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Don’t jump all over me, I must have fat fingered his name. I know it’s Horford.

By Good News...

September 13, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Even though Durant is a scoring beast, Hortford’s other competition for rookie of the year just went down. Oden out for the season…looks like those health rumors may be true. I wonder if he will be Sam Bowie II.

By Astro Joe

September 13, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

Fred E., I will reimburse you for overnight delivery. Please, brother needs a hook-up.

By Fred Everett

September 13, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

To my critics…while some might question my sanity as I have been a season ticket holder since 1976, please remember that 8 or the 12 opening night roster players were drafted over the past four drafts and that they will have 12 years of combined NBA experience on opening night 2007 versus 6 years of combined NBA experience on opening night 2006…a 100% increase. Secondly, our talent and depth at Point and Center is vastly improved over last season…think Acie, healthy Speedy, healthy Lue, availability of Anthony opening night…think Al, the shift of Sheldon to his natural position at Center. Additionally, we had a serious rash of injuries…among League leaders in games lost to injury. As the NBA’s youngest team…we were particularly hard hit. Bottom line…I refuse to be pessimistic. Assuming “normal” injuries…my Fearless Forecast is 46-36 and the # 6 Playoff seed !

Go Billy…Go Hawks

By Ken Strickland

September 13, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

I don’t want to appear to be the voice of doom, but don’t get too upset with the nonsigning of JSmith. I have a feeling the organization wants to see how well Horford performs before they commit to resigning Josh. Horford could have been drafted to be Josh’s replacement. If JSmith’s value does skyrocket through the roof, it means the Hawks get more in return for him. He could be our means of acquiring a 1st rd pick next yr, while Horford and Shelden man the PF position.

By smartguy

September 13, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Fred, you must be getting your first look at this team, and looking at it on paper. I agree, on paper, we’re a decent team capable of making the playoffs in the JV conference, but have you seen us play the last few years??

Terrible, just terrible. Hey, I like our players too, but the way we play as a team is as discombobulated and inept as our ownership situation. I have made my case that Mike Woodson is most responsible for the mess on the court, and I am still just as convinced heading into the season.

By Astro Joe

September 13, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Fred E., please send a sample of that prescription medicine that you use to P.O. Box 2468 Atlanta, GA 30375. I need to take some of that stuff so that I too can feel better about the Hawks, the economy and the quality candidates running in ‘08. Because right now, I ain’t feeling any of the above.

By Fred Everett

September 13, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Sekou…while I will admit that feuding owners makes decision making more difficult, that has not stopped Billy from assembling a “Playoff calibre team”. PLEASE…stop looking at the partially empty glass. We ARE a very talented team…young, yes…but very talented. Assuming “normal” injuries…we will make the Playoffs !

Go Billy…Go Hawks !

By Willie Coyote

September 13, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

Just take the thing to arbitration and figure-it-the-f*-out.

Also, stop showing the picture of Knight not shaking Belkins hand. If they don’t like each other, then don’t exchange pleasantries. Why is that still news?

By ray

September 13, 2007 7:25 AM | Link to this

Yep.

By Clyde

September 12, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

This is slowly shaping up as the worst years in Atlanta sports history. First we start with the Hawks(no where near the playoffs), the Braves (another disappointing season, the Falcons (without Vick 5-11), and rounding things up with another dose of the Hawks (we still don’t have a center).

DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By BosnianBaller

September 12, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

We could of easily made the playoffs if we had a real coach and gm.The past drafts have killed us.

Hey Sekou 50 or West.I got 50

By ark

September 12, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES?!??! Let’s just start the season already… I tired of all these pointless blogs Sekou. Maybe then will we get some real blogs

By Clyde

September 12, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By doc

September 12, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

MEDIATION, please.

if not meditation for all hwaks fans to salvage your sanity … stress kills.

we will stay at the cap period until all the unknowns are revealed court ruling or not. this group is operating at 30% less funding for captial than they had anticipated going in on the cheap to begin with and now with huge legal fees. it is also rumored that they have another investor ready when the old broken down atlanta spirit is transformed into the new and improved empowered version. until then, bottom 5 of the ladder. money rules and no team with so little invested has ever made it into the playoffs is my suspicion. them type numbers are hard to beat.

By ScoobySnacks

September 12, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Khao$ that is a fantastic question. If what you brought up is true, there may be time now to lock up J-Smoove before his value gets ridiculous. If anybody with the Spirit is reading this, get your butts in gear. Use this loophole to get our boy signed before something ridiculous happens…..again!

By ScoobySnacks

September 12, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Khao$ that is an fantastic question. If what you brought up is true, there may be time now to lock up J-Smoove before his value gets ridiculous. If anybody with the spirit is reading this, get your buts in gear. Use this loophole to get our boy signed before something ridiculous happens…..again!

By tyger

September 12, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

Remanding the case back to the Maryland Cir. Court is complicated.

The circuit judge stated that the ATL Spirit was asking him to do something he did not want to do - fix their contract!

He chose to let them live with the outcomes of their stupidity - theyre rich and educated and had lawyers, so why should he bail them out?

Doesnt say much for Peachtree St. lawyering either, by the way

The Appeals Court determined the methodology for determining the appraisals was flawed, but whose responsibility is it to fix it?

The parties or the court? Judges are stubborn and either way, they’ll be another appeal, this time to the Supreme Court.

I suspect Circuit Judge Johnson will toss it back to the attorneys to fix their own mess and start again.

And whomever loses, will appeal again. At that point, the legal fees will be greater than the appraisal.

By mykhalc

September 12, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

JOE, this is the same BELKIN that thought/felt/knew he was legally entitled to buy them out at COST!!!???!!! this was after 2 appraisals came back givin’ him a VERY NICE return on his investment even tho both sides had problems with the appraisals for their own reasons.

i get your point tho. but i see NO WAY IN HELL ANY current owner would take a BELKIN offer!!! but what do i know??? i believe there CAN BE integrity EVEN in the world of business!!!

i do think that the court will have to appt an arbitrator to come up with a current appraisal or decide that one of the past appraisals will be used or split the difference. i DO NOT believe that the court will allow the non-BELKIN owners to be punished ‘unjustly’ by handing down a new appraisal that increases BELKIN’s buyout, when the foundation of that new market value is a direct result of ‘time’ that has passed while filing lawsuits that were ‘tossed out’ due to a judge in a lower court not bein’ able to interpret the law correctly!!!

By mavid

September 12, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

I’m surprised this case doesn’t/didn’t have a more common settlement mechanism for disputed appraisals.

The most common one is this (at least I believe): Each side initially gets their own appraiser. Obviously, the two won’t entirely agree (appraisers aren’t paid to be accurate, their paid to make a favorable appraisal based somewhat on accuracy). Then, you get a 3rd, neutral appraiser to come up with his own number.

You then average his number with whichever of the two original appraisals he is closer too.

So, if ASG is at 70-mill, Belkin as at 100-mill, and the 3rd, neutral guy is at 80, you average it with the 70 and get 75… if he’s at 90, it gets averaged with 100 for 95.

Disputed appraisals are pretty straight-forward in law, and I’m not sure how such high-priced lawyers could mess it up so bad.

But this is the Hawks ownership…

By Khao$

September 12, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

The looming question I have is with the new ruling being handed down, does the whole “no contracts past 4 years over the cap” rule still apply? I don’t know much about the law. But it doesn’t make sense for that ruling to still be in place when it was passed down to protect Belkin. It was issued because the courts ruled in Belkin’s favor, the Spirit group appealed and asked for a “stay”, the court ruled they could continue to run the team, under the condition they didn’t go over the cap or give away any 5 year contract. Keep in mind, this was all under the assumption that Belkin could buy the teams back. Now that thats no longer the case and the other rulings were deemed null and void, why wouldn’t the agreement not to spend above the cap be lifted?

By smartguy

September 12, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12. The number is not as important as the competence they possess. None of the current owners have shown a minimal level of competence.

I don’t know about Belkin either, but anyone is better than the clowns currently running the show.

If they want to show the fans something good, they should sign Smooth ASAP.

By bill

September 12, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Wake me when this case is settled…BK will be GM of the Knicks by then!

By Astro Joe

September 12, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

mychalc, can’t you envision a scenario where Belkin makes an offer to the other owners and there is some smaller owner (or 2) who has been bleeding money since day 1 of this enterprise and who has thoughts of investing money on another project that is sure to provide a better return without the baggage of partnering with 6 other owners in a protracted law suit? Wouldn’t there be some appeal to taking Belkin’s offer and using that money to “do your own thing” and getting this nightmare behind you? See, I could envision such a scenario, which is why I think the resolve of 1 determined individual could out last the other side. Now of course, if they are all convinced that this is a one-time issue and that a 7-8 person ownership group can still work, then maybe they will stay the course. I just can’t imagine that each and every one of these guys believe that co-ownership will work, even after Belkin is eliminated. How could they?

By Stinger

September 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

The operations questions remain - can the hawks now make deals that would take them over the cap? I’m not necessarily in favor of such deals but along with the Bulls and Trailblazers the Hawks have the deepest collection of young talent in the league. An additional first tier veteran talent (JJ fits this criteria already) would go a long way toward making the hawks a playoff team this year. With our pick going to the Suns this is a top priority - no more waiting for players to develop while adding talent through the draft.

By Techster

September 12, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

…having a real hard time getting excited about the ownership feud anymore. If these were good teams, it might be more of an issue. But, this is Atlanta after all, so by definition, our sports teams suck. So if we are unable to get excited about the players, the schedules, and the games because our teams suck, then how are we to get excited about the spoiled millionaires playing monopoly with the teams ownership?