The Hawk Hack

By Michael from HawksSuck.com

August 23, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this

Once again the Hawks have demonstrated their ability to make horrible decisions. I agree that Harrington needed to go, to make some room for Marvin Williams to show us something…but to give up what they did for a gamble on another draft pick is ridiculous.

My prediction this upcoming season…

27 - 55.

One game better than last season.

Michael from HawksSuck.com

By Matt from HotlantaHawks.com

August 23, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

The Hawks didn’t need any of the players available for a trade- saying the Hawks screwed up implies that there were better possible offers. Maybe the other teams figured out that Al Harrington is not going to be the answers to their problems- $9 million a season is a lot to pay for a 3rd offensive option who doesn’t play defense.

Edwards was dead weight with Lorenzen Wright coming in. If nothing else, we’ll get to see all the Marvin Williams we can handle this year.

-Matt from HotlantaHawks.com

By BhamHawk

August 23, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

I think the Hawks may have been able to get more for Al, and I would have liked for them to have gotten more. But the fact is, they seem to have gotten what they needed to stay on course with their current plan. Stay the course, Hawks!

By Pacer Fan in Atlanta

August 23, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

If I read the report correctly from NBA.com, the Hawks didn’t receive just a draft pick. They also received the $7.5 million trade exception from the Pacers. That exception can be used to sign a player for a year from the day the trade was made (unsure if its from the day of the Pacers-Hawks trade or the Hornets-Pacers trade at this point). That could be an important piece. It was for the Pacers, since they wouldn’t have been able to trade for Harrington without it (they have cap issues themselves).

By bobbo

August 23, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Who care i’ll watch the hawks again when they re-join the nba, billy knight is an idiot the end.

By Phil

August 23, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

I thought the deal was a pretty decent one for the Hawks. You could say they could have gotten some players instead of a draft pick but at this point the hawks are pretty much set at every position (after the Lo Wright signing). This keeps our cap space available for next summer when hopefully we can land Billups or Bibby and then draft or trade for a young shot blocking Center with this draft pick just acquired. If that happens then the Hawks could actually have a dynasty in the making.

By Ewendel

August 23, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I read the Harrington parting comments or parting shots more accurately. Here’s a question for Al! Why are you settling for $21 million less than market value?! Overated maybe? I am trusting that BK has a vision for this team that goes beyond 2006-2007. Remeber, the optimal free agent season begins after next season. And one thing is for sure, the top free agents are going to consider Atlanta much more seriously with Joe Johnson than without. I’d take BK 10 out of 10 times before taking Pete Babcock. Let’s all be 1/2 as patient with BK as we were with Bad Deal Babcock!

By Rock from abl-hoop.com

August 23, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight and the word “vision” are oxymorons. His decision not to resign big Al is maybe the most intelligent move he’s not made in years. What honestly, has Al done in a legitimate meaningful game besides come off the bench and drop 10-12 a couple times in the playoffs in Indiana. His stats as a Hawk mean zero. I don’t blame the guy for getting his cheese, but he sits on top of my ‘you have to be joking right now’ list of players who people think are nice, right next to Uwe Blab. Actually, strike that. Uwe was nice in San Antonio for a few years. It’s a one man list. Go get em, Al. The Atlanta Basketball League

By ATLER

August 23, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

I think we could have done better on this one Billy. I usaully have your back on the issues, but this one is hard. Harrington and a big man???!!! Come on dude, I hope it works out for you. That seems like a Babcock move, Lord knows he help destroy the Hawks

By A-Town Vet

August 23, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

This is a good move. Al is a third scoring option any way you look at it. He was in the same position as Antoine Walker and what did he do as far as offense of production…17ppg and 6rpg. For all the flack people gave Wlaker he at least put up 20 and 9. If AL would have been the answer BK would have drafted accordingly. Since AL was not BK went for potential Superstars the prevouis to drafts and need in the most recent because we after Al first year he knew we were not retaining him. With the draft pick and a trade exception we have sevreal options for next year’s period of free agency. With Al gone, JJ gets more touches, Salim gets more touches, JS gets more touches, and MW gets more touches. We have plently of fire power with AL we just have to hope the pick from the pacers yeilds us ome thing good.

By rian

August 23, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Hey PacerFan - THe $7.5 million mid level exception was used for the Pacers to sign Harrington…not given to the Hawks…It is gone…what would we do with it anyway…we won’t be near the cp for years…maybe decades

By Bertie

August 23, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

Hawks management and/or ownership get an F in negotiation class. They tip there hand every chance they get first with the 5th pick not being able to trade down get their man, that nobody in the top 10 wanted, and acquire an extra asset. Then going through this long winding charade of the Harrington trade negotiations. He should have been traded at the deadline for the best possible deal and give that playing time to the other players. Like in any other asset based business valuation is the key, and the current Hawks leadership overvalued their asset and at the end were left holding the short end of the stick. Another season with a team with potential but with 2 or 3 pieces missing to be a playoff team and those pieces could have been acquired on the cheap.

By Bigmuddy

August 23, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

This is how you spell “Idiot”==BK

By tyger

August 23, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

Deals have to be evaluated from the perspective of the dealmakers. The Pacers objectives did not necessarily match those of the Hawks and vice versa. The Pacers needed a player, the Hawks did not. That was the basis of the deal.

Moving Al to a team he liked at a salary he could live with; while we were able to continue to build upon our solid foundation. And it wasnt being cheap either, we’re basically set at all positions, so adding unwanted players was not a wise option.

But thanks for the cap room though, BK is wise enough, with or without firm ownership, to know bigger fish, like Dwight Howard are down the road.

Now, thats someone you break the bank for. Imagine JJ, Marv, the Joshes and Howard - that should be the goal folks. Start selling Howard on the “King of ATL” concept now!

By DaKast

August 23, 2006 05:56 PM | Link to this

There seem to be quite a few people on here who can’t see the big picture. I’m willing to bet BK will package the new pick and one of our young players(Marvin, J. Smith, Childress, or Stoudamire)in a trade next year that will land us a big name player…..with the additional cap space we have we’ll also be able to sign the nucleus of players that are still here. Don’t worry B.K……….I know there’s a method to your madness.

By Jamar

August 23, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

Look people, the bottom line is that the Hawks cheapskates who didn’t want to take any players back. The fact that they demanded the Pacers take John Edwards contract in the deal makes it all the more obvious. We were already well under the cap for this season so I don’t understand why he had to be included other than the obvious fact that he plain sucks. As far as future free agent signings for next season I wouldn’t get your hopes up. The top free agents won’t make any sense to sign.Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter are probably top two. Bibby is not going anywhere, so I wouldn’t pin my hopes on that either. The best case scenario for next season is that this trade has made Atlanta so bad that we get a top 3 pick. It is afterall, protected in the top 3.That means potentially Oden or Noah.Dwight Howard will not be realistic because of the money that will be tied into JSmoove,Chill, and Marvin.The only hope is to get a top 3 pick.

By RPH

August 23, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

One only needs to read Al’s statements to understand the state of the Hawks team. Here is Chad Ford’s intro on the trade.

It’s not shocking to hear the words “great trade” when the team attached to the other end of the deal is the Atlanta Hawks. The Pistons heard it when they stole Rasheed Wallace from the Hawks at the trade deadline in 2004 — a move that gave them the NBA title. The Suns heard it (albeit belatedly) when they got two first-round draft picks and Boris Diaw for Joe Johnson last summer.

It’s going to be another LONG, ugh season.

By Sphinx10

August 23, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

For all of you pseudo “GMs” out there that think the Hawks front office made a bad decision on the recent transactions, PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR DAY JOBS AND NOT APPLY TO ANY OPENINGS WITH THE HAWKS’ FRONT OFFICE. It is obviously that you guys don’t understand the rationale that was taken place here. First and foremost Al Harrington was an UNRESTRICTED FREE-AGENT, which means that he did not have to have any further ties with the Hawks and ultimately they would not have gotten anything in return. Just ask the Pistons with the Ben Wallace issue. Secondly, the Hawks now have the opportunity to draft a decent player next year, with the draft expected to be really deep. Next several bloggers mentioned that we could have gotten Troy Murphy from the Warriors, but why with such an inflated and undeserved contract that he has. The Hawks were able to acquire Lorenzen Wright and bring him back in the fold where he will be an asset to Zaza and provide a veteran presence. Bottom line is that you guys criticize BK for all of his blunders, but Babcock started all of this mess when he decided to draft players like Jon Koncak, Dallas Comegys, Priest Lauderdale, Chris Crawford, etc. I rest my case. Give BK some slack, for after all, he had to come in and clean up the mess that “Babs” left behind. The Hawks will not be a push over and will be once again competitive. Prediction: 35-42, with thoughts of playoffs for 2007-08.

By jbrownjib

August 23, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this

I am in agreement with Sphinx. The Hawks are a developing team that has positive chemistry. Sheldon should be able to play much than Marvin as a rookie because he has more college experience. Marvin had a great pre-season and was voted MVP. Josh Smith has developed well and should be an All-Star. They now have a draft pick in 2007 and will be able to sign one of the top free agents in 2007. Too me the Hawks have made great progress from the many years of a dead weight roster with the likes of Rider and what’s his name from Indiana that never made it out on the court.

By Hawk fan

August 24, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

BK deserves credit for trading our top players for less than market value and overpaying free agents. He deserves credit for drafting another wing player(who didn’t start for UNC). Also, credit for choosing to bypass Chris Paul, when it was obvious to everyone that our greatest need was a point guard, then drafting a player that plays the same position our the current team captain. Continuing to draft players who can play multiple positions, in lieu of the best player for that position. How about his ability to move a player before the trading deadline so his younger talent can receive more playing time? With his wonderful ability to market the team to the community, I can see why the Hawks value his leadership. Have you ever seen a better spokesperson for a franchise?

By BhamHawk

August 24, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

I admit, I may not know what BK is doing all of the time. But I also admit that I’m not a GM either (none of the time). I’m sure he knows what he’s doing. Whether it pans out or not, we’ll just have to see. But do I admire his guts for remaking the mess we already had. Keep doing what’cha do, BK.

BhamHawk

By NJ HAWK

August 24, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

Well if the only choice we had was to get a 1st round pick or take on a contract like Murphy, Foyle or Jeff Foster then BK did very well. Lets hear one of you negative sons of Mark Bradley explain to me why we would want one of those 3 stiffs over Smoove, Marv and Chills because taking on one of those contracts wpould have meant losing at least one of our young cats. Also for those crying about how we could have gotten NeNe, who in their right mind would want to give him the max and lose Marv and Smoove?

By BK is Brilliant

August 24, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

Regardless of what your position is or your future plans (so to speak), to give up Harrington and a stiff like Edwards for only a first rounder (and non-lottery) is just laughable. Can you imagine any other team giving up their second best scorer and best rebounder, plus another body for just a first rounder. Only the Hawks.

I would’ve traded for Joe Smith. We would’ve saved $3 million this year, we get a guy who can contribute in rebounds and points straight away, whilst Marvin and Sheldon can learn and contribute later in the season. Marvin is still a better 3 than 4 and Sheldon, we will have to wait and see.

What’s the point of making cap room this season if the Hawks will just have another bad year, thus making any future possibility of signing a big free agent less likely. Why would they want to come to a losing team?

I understand the Hawks management have their eye on the future but what is the point if now isn’t going to help us get there!

By Gutz

August 24, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

You clowns don’t understand NBA basketball at all do you? you people sound like the idiot Bradley when you say “oh my god we gave them Al and Edwards for only a draft pick”. Do you not understand that Al was a UN-RESTRICTED FREE AGENT and Edwards absolutely sucks. We were able to get a 1st round pick in next years deep draft and open up another roster spot by ridding of the bum Edwards. You act like this bum has some value or something. If i’m correct didn’t Ben Wallace just leave Detroit and they got nothing for the best defensive Center in the NBA. At least we got a 1st rounder for Al who could have done the same thing and walked. Hawks are on the rise folks and for those of you who say otherwise obviously don’t watch the Hawks and know nothing about NBA basketball.

By Rick

August 24, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

People are complaining about a lineup of

PG-Claxton/Lue SG-JJ/Stoudamire SF-MWilliams/Childress PF-Smith/Swilliams C-Pachulia/Wright

Most teams would LOVE to have JJ, Mwilliams, Smith, Childress, Salim, on their team to start…and 2 of those guys don’t start for us. Then Sheldon could be a Ben Wallace type player in a few years (no, I did not say better than, etc). Claxton and Pachulia are serviceable at their position, but nothing special. Our 2nd team will be as good as a few teams out there. We are young, athletic. I would have let Al walk, but glad we got a pick in return. Boris Diaw can only flourish in Phoenix…I wanted him out after his first season. He SUX! Knight has done a fine job so far.

Bradley is probably the WORST sports columnist in the WORLD. He does 0 research about what he writes about, and clearly does not understand basketball or sports in general. All of you floks who are bashing the hwaks and their moves recently clearly no nothing about sports and BBall. I’m excited as heck about the moves we have done. We are going to be absolutely awesome either this year or next…mark my words. Just wait a few months then come back and post how wrong and dumb you were.

Pathetic!

Rick

By Gutz

August 24, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

I agree totally Rick!! These morons that come on here and moan about the Hawks don’t even watch them obviously or know anything about sports. I mean how can some people say trading AL for Murphy and his bloated contract would have been a great thing to do. I mean that is just flat out stupid and pointless to add Murphy. We have no room for him to play anyways. Its time to let Marvin and Josh Smith start!!! All you haters better not come on here in December when our Hawks are in the midst of a playoff hunt. Really you haters are just flat out dumb and it makes me sick to even read your ridiculous posts. Learn something about our team before hating on them. If you don’t think we won’t at least compete for a playoff spot your crazy!! GO HAWKS!!

By smartguy

August 24, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

billy must go. billy must go. billy must go.

By Rick

August 24, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Gutz, Isn’t it funny as heck how these fair weather fans bash a team they know hardly anything about? They were probably casually scanning the AJC.com site, and saw the column about the Hawks doing this or that (by a horrible sports writer Bradley), and decided to post idiotic statements that they heard from their friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s dad who heard it from his neighbor’s 10 year old son while at the little league game months ago.

I mean, the start of this BBall season can’t come soon enough…can’t wait for the Falcons either. I kind of wish we had not traded Duckett though :( Rick

By Gutz

August 24, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

I agree again Rick! It really makes me sick when people come on here and post dumb comments that really don’t make sense. They act like there was tons of options out there for us to get in return for Al. Again haters what players did you want us to attempt to trade for? Can any of you morons answer that? No you can’t because you don’t know anything about sports. Don’t say Murphy either! I’m ready for this Hawks season to start as well because I think our team is solid. JJ is about to be a world champion, Jsmith is going to explode this year, Marvin is going to shine as well and Speedy is just going to open up so much more for this team especially JJ. I’m also ready for the Falcons and Vick to get it going this year. I don’t hate the Duckett trade since we did get a solid receiver in Lelie in return but we will see. Lets hope Dunn stays healthy.

By Wolverinegrad

August 24, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

Good move for the Hawks. We really need to see what Marvin can do with more playing time. I think the two most significant pick up was Speedy and Lorenzen Wright. BK under all the finiancial constraints has put together the best Hawks TEAM..since The steve smith era. I know we are young and I know many Hawks fans want to win now, but just remember how much people were saying the Baby Bulls moves were dumb and infact they have an atheletic an extremely competitive team now. The Hawks if they stay healthy should win somewhere between 33-37 games. If the Josh’s improve alot then more. I’m glad AL is gone!!!

By Ken Strickland

August 24, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this

Just got back from 4 days of fishing in the Gulf and I tore them up. Well, the trade finally happened. PACER FAN, I told you Indy needed AL in the worst way and would make the deal. Usually when I take some time off, I read all of the posts upon my return. After an event, like the trade, most of the early posts usually consist of negative bashing and responses that aren’t well thought out. But, near the end of the blogs, cooler heads usually prevail and sanity is reintroduced. We must realize there are a lot of fantasy GM’s, owners and coaches expressing their wishful thinking on these blogs. They are going into the upcoming season with their shoulda, coulda had team instead of the real ATL Hawks. They have chosen BK as their scapegoat for not acquiring their shoulda, coulda players for their fantasy Hawks team. That’s why they have prejected win totals of no more than 35, or fewer, and no possible chance to make the playoffs. After all, they can’t permit BK’s assembledge of players to perform at or near the level of their fantasy shoulda, coulda Hawks team. What would that do to their fantasy image. They would be forced to grudgingly admit there just might be another approach, other than their own, to success. I like the team we have and I can’t wait for the season to start. GO HAWKS!!!!!

By Chris

August 24, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

Let’s be honest here the Hawks got a draft pick in a trade. I have followed sports for many years and I am yet to see a fan base invigorated by acquiring a draft pick. The Denver Broncos got a third round draft pick in the Duckett-Lelie trade that just isn’t that exciting and no one is talking about that aspect of the trade. The Hawks haven’t been to the playoffs in a long time and they will have 3 lottery draft choice players they picked on their team next year along with 2 other recent first rounders in Josh Smith and Joe Johnson. At this point there is no reason that the Atlanta Fan base should not expect a team that can win half their games. You can say the Hawks and their management sucks our you can say that they are making great decisions but either claim is unwarranted until you see how they perform this season and you can’t make a real analysis on Billy Knight until you see how he handles business next offseason. At that point the JJ deal would have run its course and a return on the investment in the Joshes should be able to be analyzed. As far as I am concerned the verdict is still out on Billy Knight but another couple of years of planning for the future, drafting forwards and keeping our options open will solidify the arguments coming from the negative crowd. If the Hawks make the playoffs this year or can win half their games putting them in a position to try to acquire the final pieces, the Hawks know what they are doing crowd would be correct.

By Dan Roundfield

August 24, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

Wow - what are these “options” I keep hearing from the mouth of BK? All they got out of this fiasco is a mid first round pick. I’m sure there will be a wide assortment of wing players to be picked. This team is beyond help. Is there any chance the NBA will have league contraction and disband the Hawks?

By Cisco Kid from the ATL

August 24, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

MonkeySqueezins, you have to be joking to say that Terry Stotts’ Hawk teams showed more effort than Mike Woodson’s Hawk teams. Stotts’ overall win-loss record with the Hawks was 52-85. How do you call that consistent effort?

Did you watch any of the Hawks games last year? They were rarely blown out and were in almost every game they played, even though they lost most of them because of their youth. They even beat the Pistons and the Spurs with an raw, undermanned and inexperienced team.

If you say last year’s Hawks lost because of lack of effort, then you obviously didn’t see any of the games. The reason why the Hawks had a losing record the last two years was because they are rebuilding, not because they lack effort.

I’m from Atlanta and it’s a shame to say that I guess all those people that say that we have a sorry sports town are probably right. All I hear from Hawks fans is misdirected negativity and a lack of understanding on what it takes to rebuild an NBA franchise.

Billy Knight can’t be too stupid because he traded a fading Shareef Abdul-Raheem for Pau Gasol and Shane Battier. You guys need to get a grip and remember that Knight also traded Stephen Jackson (who I think really sucks) for Al Harrington and even though he was an unrestricted free agent, he still was able to trade him for a first round pick. As mentioned previously, Detroit got nothing for the perennial NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Ben Wallace who was also an unrestricted free agent.

It’s acceptable to be a little negative when your sports team has a bad win-loss record, but it really is pretty stupid when you just look at the standings and don’t watch any of the games, and then say that management isn’t doing a good job of rebuilding the Hawks.

If you ‘wanna-be’ NBA executives think you can do better than Billy Knight, then you may want to ask the New York Knicks ownership for a shot at becoming their general manager after they fire Isaiah Thomas.

By Cisco Kid from the ATL

August 24, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this

MonkeySqueezins, you have to be joking to say that Terry Stotts’ Hawk teams showed more effort than Mike Woodson’s Hawk teams. Stotts’ overall win-loss record with the Hawks was 52-85. How do you call that consistent effort?

Did you watch any of the Hawks games last year? They were rarely blown out and were in almost every game they played, even though they lost most of them because of their youth. They even beat the Pistons and the Spurs with an raw, undermanned and inexperienced team.

If you say last year’s Hawks lost because of lack of effort, then you obviously didn’t see any of the games. The reason why the Hawks had a losing record the last two years was because they are rebuilding, not because they lack effort.

I’m from Atlanta and it’s a shame to say that I guess all those people that say that we have a sorry sports town are probably right. All I hear from Hawks fans is misdirected negativity and a lack of understanding on what it takes to rebuild an NBA franchise.

Billy Knight can’t be too stupid because he traded a fading Shareef Abdul-Raheem for Pau Gasol and Shane Battier. You guys need to get a grip and remember that Knight also traded Stephen Jackson (who I think really sucks) for Al Harrington and even though he was an unrestricted free agent, he still was able to trade him for a first round pick. As mentioned previously, Detroit got nothing for the perennial NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Ben Wallace who was also an unrestricted free agent.

It’s acceptable to be a little negative when your sports team has a bad win-loss record, but it really is pretty stupid when you just look at the standings and don’t watch any of the games, and then say that management isn’t doing a good job of rebuilding the Hawks.

If you ‘wanna-be’ NBA executives think you can do better than Billy Knight, then you may want to ask the New York Knicks ownership for a shot at becoming their general manager after they fire Isaiah Thomas.

By Paul Hamilton

August 24, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this

You know I hear all you BK fanboy’s loving BK all the time. How about resigning Al as a better option to trading him. I think we recieved the short end of the stick once again and there are plenty of nba people saying the same thing. How about the fact that Al was an angel compared to most while he was here and his reaction to getting traded was “THANK YOOU!!” Nobody wants to play for the Hawks, I mean honestly what in the world was JJ thinking? I guarantee you he regrets it. Yes we did get a decent point guard, although not one of the best, but a definite upgrade. Chalk one up for billy knight, seriously do you think it took a lot of knowledge and gm skills to pull that one off??? No big name free agent wants to play for the hawks not in 2007 or anytime in the near future. One question when the hawks still are out of the playoffs 2 years from now are you going to still see the “vision” in BK’s plan? BK would be a great poker player because I have no clue what his plan is. I have no problem with you cheering on the Hawks, but kissing BK’s butt makes me sick. Long live “King of the Wings”

By Paul Hamilton

August 24, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

Oh and yes I think I could do a better job than BK, but no I don’t want to be the ring leader of that circus act.

By Gutz

August 24, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

Paul Hamilton, are you stupid? JJ wanted to come here to be a star and get paid!! Hey guess what he is a star now and is the leader of this team!! You wouln’t want that? Give me a break. JJ is big name free agent and we got him so shut up with that stupid talk about no big name free agents want to come here. I guess you don’t watch the games either of course. JJ is a about to be a world champion! Josh Smith is going to blow up this year! Marvin is going to surprise a lot of people this year after dominating the SL and winning MVP. He has matured a lot in one year. ATL is finally getting noticed now since we got JJ and were a team clearly on the rise. So the free agents will come! Atl is a great city to live in plus every player in the NBA wants to get paid and were way under the cap to offer it for the right player. GO HAWKS

By Rick

August 25, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this

Paul Hamilton…are you really that dumb? No one wants to resign Al. Don’t beleive everything you hear, especially if it’s from the dumbass Mark Bradley. Did you even watch a game alst year? I will go ahead and tell you “no” I’m positive you didn’t. Anyone who knows anything about bball, knows this was the best move…we needed to get rid of Al (for something or for nothing)

It’s soo plain to see who the REAL Atlanta Hawks fans are and the knowledgeable posters about BBall and sports in general…compared to the idiots like Mark Bradley who hear something, no nothing, do 0 research, and then try to talk about it.

Some of you guys are a serious joke.

By Ken Strickland

August 25, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

DAN ROUNDFIELD and PAUL HAMILTON, let me give you an example of being a real Hawks fan and having the ability to think and look ahead. In the 07 draft the Hawks could use the newly acquired pick you and others are complaining about, plus Pachulia and a 2nd rd pick, to trade up and get the 1st or 2nd pick. We can then draft Ogden or Noah which would give us the young athletic franchise center the team is missing. I will assume you know who they are. If not, do a little research for a change and find out. We use the CAP space BK has created and resign JChildress and JSmith. We use the CAP saved by trading Pachulia to sign our top draft pick. Now that would be the team of the future. HAMILTON, do you think your idea of using up our CAP to resign Harrington, and having no 1st rd pick in next yrs draft, is a better option than the one I presented above?

By Dee

August 25, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

The Hawks are well on their way to having a great season despite what these non-HAwks fans say…BK has every position on lock-down..really, what would we need with any body else at this time??? Also, I’m surprise with AL’s comments how his last 2 years were “no fun”..maybe because he didnt PLAY ANY DEFENSE!!!! He was only concern with getting as many points as he could to look good & leave. But what he lacks to realize is that no team really wants or needs a player who can just shot but gives all the points back to the other team by playing no defense. What good is having 5 players on the floor who shoots like Allen Iverson but have 5 defensive players on the same team who plays like…lets say,,AL H? U answer the question..Al didnt do ANYTHING for the Hawks so for him to act like it was a waste of time to play for us, I say it was a waste of time to have him!! BK continue to do whats best for this team by bringing in DEFENSIVE PLAYERS and not just BALL HOGS LIKE AL H!!!!!!!

Dee

By Paul Hamilton

August 25, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

Haha World Champions please Gutz, lay off whatever medication your taking. Well I guess you put me in my place on JJ. I guarantee you he would rather have taken less money to be on a team that has a sound organization behind him and a chance to win. You guys are so right Top notch free agents are just beating down the door to play for the Hawks.

You think someone at the top is going to pass on Ogden for a chance at the Hawks mid round pick, Pach., and our second round pick lol!! Al didnt do anything for the Hawks?? Are you guys reading this crap your posting omg, and you all claim i’m stupid and don’t know anything about bball. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

We are talking about real bball here not Fantasy league stuff right?

By hazer

August 25, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

Right on the money, Ken. The Hawks should definately package the newly acquired 1st round pick, their 2nd round pick, Zaza, AND another player (Sheldon?) to trade up and snag Ogden. I’m pretty neutral on Billy, but assembling Speedy, JJ, Smoove, Marv, and Ogden with the bench of Lue, Salim, Chill, and Wright, all the while staying under the cap would be pretty stout (c;

By Ken Strickland

August 25, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

HAMILTON, you truly are a G(enius)M in your own mind. You have become such a visionary that you can read the thoughts and desires of JJ, WOW. You made a statement that shows you have a serious problem in the area of cognizant reasoning. “I GUARANTEE YOU HE WOULD RATHER HAVE TAKEN LESS MONEY TO BE ON A TEAM THAT HAS A SOUND ORGANIZATION BEHIND HIM AND A CHANCE TO WIN”. If you really believe that, I have some questions for you. If JJ didn’t want to play here, as you claim, then why did he wait an entire summer without a contract, refusing to sign with any other team during the Hawks protracted legal issues? Why hasn’t he demanded a trade or voiced dissatisfaction if he doesn’t want to play here? JJ and his agent had an entire summer of involvement with the Hawks to judge its organization problems, and he chose to sign regardless. Lastly, you don’t know what another organization would trade for their pick, nor do you know what org. will be in that position come next yr. Not every team would have signed Nene or Big Ben for 60M, or traded for Chandler and his 10M contract. So next time try to think before you make statements that aren’t based on any form of intelligence, ok.

By Chris

August 25, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

So let me get this straight Mr Strickland. You are criticizing folks for making assumptions and you are making trade assumptions for next year. I for one could tell that JJ was clearly frustrated last year at the beginning of the season when the Hawks were losing games. It wouldn’t be all that far fetched to assume a top player in the league wants to be on a winning team. After Al Harrington went to Indiana he stated that he was not very happy while playing in Atlanta. He didn’t say that while he was in Atlanta. If someone would have said AL was unhappy a year ago would you have questioned their intelligence?

By Chris

August 25, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

Who is the real winner in this trade? If you said Al Harrington’s new agent I think you would be correct. Al fired his old agent because he couldn’t get him the money he wanted. The new agent comes in gets the same deal and gets a nice fat check.

By Ken Strickland

August 25, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

CHRIS, read the responses of both parties before reaching any conclusion. Hamilton stated he was a better GM than BK and tried to prove it by suggesting the Hawks would have been better off resigning AL than trading him for a midlevel 1st rd pick. I simply offered an alternative possibility using the pick we received. If you had taken the time and read the comments of the person I addressed, you’d know he didn’t offer his statement as an assumption, but as a guarantee. JJ and his agent knew the Hawks were young, inexperienced and had won only 13 games the yr before. Under the circumstances, what do you think JJ, or anyone else for that matter, could have reasonably expected besides losing fewer games, which they accomplished. Since it’s rather obvious you are operating on an uninformed assumption, allow me to ask you this question. If you started for a team just eliminated from the Western Conference Finals, you wanted a big FA contract and you wanted to go to a winning team, would you sign with a team that won only 13 games the yr before? If your answer is yes, then my last post is for you as well. Again, I suggest you read everything and get a better understanding before you respond, otherwise you make yourself look as foolish as the other respondent.

By Ken Strickland

August 25, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this

CHRIS, I forgot to answer your question. Indy wanted to trade AL, rather than resign him, so they did a S&T with the Hawks, period. The Hawks never made a FA offer to Harrington. JJ wanted to come here and signed a FA offer from the Hawks that ended up being a S&T. You see, you are talking about players attitudes and feelings after the team started losing. My post was challanging a gross misconception about JJ’s attitude and feelings before he officially became a Hawk. There is a tremendous difference.

By John D.

August 25, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Al Harrington was an outstanding teammate, is an outstanding individual and th etype of person any team likes. That said, he is limited as a player and proved he is not capable of carrying a team.

Instead of focusing on what occurred, let us look at what did not. No other team stepped up with a deal for “the last premier free agent”. So that must mean the rest of the GM’s in the league are as clueless as some would like to make Billy Knight. I think not. The rest of the league recognized Al’s limitations. Even the Pacers would not agree to a “max” deal.

Joe Johnson has been roundly praised by Coach K during the USA basketball games and practices. Is there a better judge of talent? Has any school matched Duke over the past 20 years for consistent quality? Joe is a cornerstone for the Hawks and without him the future would be bleak.

Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Josh Childress and Salim Stoudamire are quality individuals and quality players. Zaza Pachulia was an absolute steal and was only 21 years old last year and each of those listed above are younger except for Salim.

Now add Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright and Speedy Claxton and significant strides have been made. Tyron Lue is a serviceable point and gives the team a solid 10 man rotation.

A current star, young upcoming stars and solid contributors and role players make an interesting team. This was an exciting team to watch last year and if you could see through the losses to the consistent effort and potential talent on the floor - then you are a Hawks fan.

Anyone can be negative, that is the easy path to follow. Some of the bloggers here need to reassess their choices and find the glass half-full instead of half-empty.

I will agree with most of you on one topic - Mark Bradley. What a waste. I attended virtually every game last year and sat very close to the writers but I only saw Mark Bradley a few times. He refers to his Kentucky birth as though some God-given gift for bball analysis came due to the proximity to Rupp arena. He apparently does not even absorb the information available around him when he attends the games. His analysis is poor, his understanding of a team game is abysmal, his lack of knowledge on what makes great teams is painfully apparent and his only positive writing trait is that he does not refer to all college and professional basketball programs as “plantations”.

By Ken Strickland

August 25, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

BRAVO, JOHN D, BRAVO. Best post Ive read in quite a while and there have been some good ones from intelligent Hawks fans and bball fans in general. Again, bravo.

By Chris

August 25, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

“Anyone can be negative, that is the easy path to follow.” Ken and John guys look I don’t think insulting people and saying that they aren’t Hawks fans is a very logical think to do when others conclude that the Hawks Suck. Do keep in mind we are talking about a team that has sucked this whole century. I am well aware that putting a positive spin on the Hawks one could conclude they are going in the right direction. I have followed them for many years and the reality is last year a two year old franchise (Charlotte) had the same record as the Hawks and they had most of their key players out for a good bit of the year. A future draft choice and money under the salary cap do not invigorate a fan base.
I think the Hawks made some decent moves this offseason. Do I expect people in Atlanta to get excited and rush out and by season tickets…no.

By JohnD

August 26, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

Show me anyone successful, at anything, who is negative. There was nothing insulting about the observation unless the negative view is contrived, i.e. Mark Bradley. I did not indicate anyone was NOT a Hawks fan, I simply praised those who clearly ARE Hawks fans. A positive attitude is an excellent life choice.

Your constant references to Charlotte are an apples and oranges comparison. Would you rather start a race on the starting line or 20 yards behind the starting line? The Hawks were easily 20 yards back when Charlotte came into the league.

The Mookie & Steve Smith team, while a regular season success, was exposed as old and slow in the playoffs. The team needed to be rebuilt but the wrong road was taken and disaster ensued. There are no quick fixes, unless you are lucky enough to draft a King James and there has only been one of those in the past ten years.

“A future draft choice and money under the salary cap do not invigorate a fan base”. The idea is to build a winner and taking on the contracts of marginal players just to satisfy a group of bloggers is by far the worst move BK could make. Emerging talent and the flexibility to make the RIGHT move when available will bring success. For an example of what some of these bloggers would seem to want please see the NY Knicks, a team in turmoil without hope.

As more and more fans take note of the progress the ticket sales will follow.

This blog appears to me to be a microcosm of society in general - win regardless of the process. Money is the measure in society, a fancy car, lots of bling and no regard at all for the often distasteful means used to acquire the goodies.

In the NBA money will not buy a winner. There are precious few individual players who, if acquired, will assure wins. Very, very seldom are these players available. The owner in LA listened to Kobe and dealt Shaq. Now he has a mediocre team with one dominant player, but not dominant enough to make the Lakers a top tier team.

Allen Iverson? Give me a break. Rasheed Wallace? He may be in the only situation in which he will place the team above his own interests and losing may change that. I can name player after player who is an individual talent but would never fit with our young Hawk players. Many of these players are available but the Hawks are not the only team that is not interested.

Unlike football amd baseball, there are only five players on the floor, not 11 or 9, and one rotten apple definitely spoils the whole bunch. The rottens are easier to hide in other sports but not so in basketball.

Portland was a talented team a few years back but Rasheed and the rest of those reprobates would not play together, would not abide by society’s rules, would not abide by the NBA rules, and generally made life miserable for the city and franchise. Is that what some of you want for the Hawks?

Let Billy Knight, a former player on a successful team, in management with a successful team and GM, a man who has seen success up close, do his job. The job is to build a successful franchise which requires a successful team. BK knows this, the owners know this and everyone here knows this. The Hawks are closer than at any time in the past ten years, one more year is not much to ask.

By Ken Strickland

August 26, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this

CHRIS, I didn’t intend my response to be negative or any form of attack against you. And the post by John D was very positive and in no way was it directed at any specific individual. Read the posts made by Paul Hamilton and you will get a better understanding of my comments(Aug 24 8:23pm and 8:27pm, Aug 25 1:56pm). In 04/05 the Hawks had new owners, who hired a new coaching staff, and a new GM who completely dismantled the entire roster, except for TLue. Under the circumstances, we are more of an expansion team than Charlotte. You seem to share Hamilton’s opinion that the team sucks, therefore you feel offended by any perceived negative comments directed towards him. In 04/05 we weren’t a team in the true sense of the word. Most of the players were on expiring contracts and weren’t going to be resigned. Last season was our 1st attempt at putting a Hawks team, in the true sense of the word, on the court. Last yr we started from scratch, with the youngest team in NBA history, both age and experience wise, and won 26 games, a 13 game improvement. I won’t go into how the tragedy of Colliers death effected the players at the start of the season. The addition of SClaxton, SWilliams, LWright and the improvement of individual players like JSmith, MWilliams, JChildress, ZPachulia, JJ, will add to team depth and experience. Unlike last yr when our bench had a lot of dead weight(Edwards,etc), this yrs bench will be one of the NBA’s deepest with quality backups at every position. The degree of success the Hawks will experience this yr will depend on how quickly we develop team chemistry. The talent and athletic ability are already in place. So tell me CHRIS, what is it about this team and it future that sucks?

By Dom

August 26, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

This is typical Hawks player personnel mgmt. Have talented player-lose talented player for little or nothing. That latter usually is the case.

The coach and gm have proven inept. GM-Knight is got to be the dumbest gm in all of basketball. Hell we might as well have Stan Kasten back running the show. Coach Wooden-no to be mistake with the Wizard of Westwood-can not evaluate talent or else how do you let Rasheed Wallace after on 2 games ! Sharif Adur Rahim go after just one season when hes a proven 20/10 guy his whole career. and hes only 27 !

How do you hang on to vagabons like Royal Ivey or select the same type of player in back to back draft sans Marvin Williams 05 and Shelton Willams 06. What a joke.

Atlanta is the new basketball waste land of the NBA much like Sacramento and NJ used to be in the 80s. No one wants to come here and play and/or they USE the Hawks for a prorated season to show case their skills (see: Stephen Jackson and move on to a more competitve team.

The hawks have had dismal season since 99 and havent won more than 29 games since the Lon Kruger era when thet went 33-49 his first season. The new ownership group has totally screwed this team (and the fans) since theyve taken hold of the reigns and there is no end in sight to the madness.

The curse of Lenny Wilkens lives on-last playoff team 98-99 season.

By Chris

August 26, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

Until they realize potential talent and utilize assets such as a roster full of lottery players they will suck. The last few years they have been one of the worst teams in the league and they have sucked as their record would show. Results start to matter at some point.
As I said they made some decent moves this offseason and I have said that I do think they are an intriguing team with potential. Sure I go into next season with hope for an improved team but I do not go into next year feeling that this organization is beyond criticism.
I prefer to try and look at situations with out trying to bias my analysis with a positive or a negative spin. The Hawks situation can be looked at in either light and a evaluation could easily be made from either perspective.

By Chris

August 26, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

positive guy: The Hawks have a superstar in JJ he is a great talent and a team player he will help them attract selfless superstars in the future. This team is young and has amazing potential. Josh Smith is a star in the making with unlimited potential, Chills can play many roles and he is an ideal role player off the bench. Marvin Williams is going to be a star he will be the best player out of the draft from last year. Now we have a guard that can take the burden off of JJ so he can focus on scoring. Man our bench is team we have some great shot blockers coming off the bench that can play some D. Sheldon Williams was the college defensive player of the year two years in a row, coach K loved him, he will bring us an interior defensive presence and Soloman Jones will developement in a great shot blocker in the NBA. With ZaZa we have a great front line rotation. If you bring in Salim and T Lue off the bench we has some depth at the one and two. You can bring in Batista for some muscle on the boards. We have some cap money to make a move and we are back in next years team lottery. This team has got some amazing potential and some crazy depth at every position. After the team came together last year we played well. We even got rid of Edwards and added some more depth at 5 with Wright. Watch out NBA the Hawks are going to rise up this year and into the future.

By Chris

August 26, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

negative guy: This team has one guy that would start on most other teams in the NBA, JJ. 1 on 5 have fun next year Joe Johnson. JJ won’t even be on the Olympic team when Kobe comes back. I’m not sure why he came to Atlanta, no other superstars will ever come to this team. Unless maybe they are trying to get out of Utah. Look at Jason Terry he turned down more money just so he could leave. We got rid of our second best player last year for a draft pick that will probably be late in the first round. I can’t way to see Rasheed Wallace and Al Harrington (two former Hawks) battling in the low post for the best record in the East. Maybe they can play Jason Terry’s MAVS in the NBA finals. That is if Antoine Walker and the Miami Heat don’t beat them in the Eastern Conferance Finals. Yeah great offseason in free agency we got a crap draft pick, an old third string center a lifetime backup point guard and we got to get rid of a horrible center that we wasted a roster spot on last year. In the first round of the draft we picked up another forward with slow lateral movement and no upside. Coach K worked his magic and got two punks drafted in the lottery. In the second round we got some tall guy that can jump, ways 120 pounds, no one has ever heard of and he has no offensive skills.
Last year the Hawks had a horrible record for the third year in a row and they haven’t been close to making the playoffs in 6 years. The expansion team up I-85 has a balanced roster, cap room, draft picks and potential superstars on their team. And they will probably get Allen Iverson because he loves NASCAR and he wants to hang out with Dale Earnhardt Junior on the his off days(I had to throw that in to see if you were paying attention). Yeah can’t wait for the Hawks season and another bottom five finish and this year we get to see who Phoenix takes with our last draft pick we gave them. I am thinking the Hawks will get lottery ball number 4. When is the press conferance with our first round draft pick for next year that we picked up in the big trade. That should be exciting Billy Knight and our flexibility for the future fighting over the microphone.

By Ken Strickland

August 26, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

CHRIS, your point was well made. However, one can take the same positive/negative approach toward any of the other teams in the league. So, what’s the point in it all. Being a true Hawks fan requires being knowledgable and open minded about the teams strengths and weaknesses. All teams have weaknesses, and you hope the teams strengths will help overcome them. Some uninformed fans are constantly claiming this team sucks because of past losing seasons. These people haven’t bothered to figure out why those teams lost. The fact that those teams might have had poor coaching, poor chemistry, weak talent, etc or all of the above, doesn’t register to their negative minds. This Hawk team has none of the above and will enter only its 2nd season as a complete team, having players on extended contracts. This is a young, athletic, talented, deep team that will have a successful season. The only thing that sucks about this Hawks team is the negative, narrow minded attitudes of some of its so called fans. GO HAWKS!!!!

By Don Gill

August 27, 2006 01:04 AM | Link to this

Has anyone noticed that everytime someone on the Hawks has a good year they get trded? I thought Jason Terry was great for the Hawks. But no one else seemed to think so. So was Harrington. As well as a few others.

By Ken Strickland

August 27, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

DON GILL, the Hawks gave up on Terry much like they gave up on Diaw. Lenny Wilkins became frustrated and almost ruined Terry’s confidence trying to teach him to be a quality PG. Then, the Hawks tried to do what Philly did with Iverson, bring in a big PG and move him to SG. First, the Hawks signed a 6’5’PG, I don’t remember his name, from Seattle, but he broke his leg and never fully recovered. Then, they drafted Diaw to be the big PG, but he didn’t live up to expectations. The team finally gave up and traded Terry. Harrington was traded because he was injury prone, didn’t play enough DEF, and the team had already drafted his replacement and didn’t want to pay his FA asking price. By trading Harrington the team saved enough money to sign Claxton and Wright, got a 1st rd pick in the 07 draft and got rid of Edward’s unwanted contract. Cutting Edwards would have still obligated the team for his contract. Resigning AL would have cost us our CAP, with his and Edwards contract, plus we lose the 1st rd pick. Don’t you think trading him made more sense?

By Chris

August 27, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this

Jason Terry wanted to leave Atlanta. He refused to sign a long term deal with the Hawks when he was a restricted free agent. Utah offered him a contract and Atlanta matched. Atlanta traded Jason Terry because they knew when his contract was up he was going to leave and they would get no compensation.

By Chris

August 27, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/lang_whitaker/06/12/terry/index.html

By Chris

August 27, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this

Jason Terry got tired of losing and if you watched games during his time in Atlanta he was the best player on the team. He pushed the ball up the court and the rest of the team couldn’t keep up with him. In his final season with the Hawks JT averaged 16.8 points and 5.4 assists a game. He brought some serious energy to the floor every night. The last home game everyone knew he was going to get dealt in the offseason. If Speedy can play 80 games as a starter this year he could potentially put up numbers like that. Last year as a starter he averaged 20 and 9.

By J wallace

August 28, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

DO ANYONE IF THE HAWKS SIGN LORENZEN WRIGHT . HE IS STILL TRING OUT FOR OTHER TEAMS.WE COULD USE HIS TALENT IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE HE CAN REALLY RUN TO BE A CENTER

By Michael from HawksSuck.com

August 28, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

Ken Strickland…your blindness is sad, Billy Knight has sucked you in with his sales pitches and you have no idea what has happened to you. As far as positives and negatives go….give me one positive other than the cheerleaders. J wallace…calm down pedro, take a deep breath and try typing that one more again.

Michael from HawksSuck.com

By Ken Strickland

August 28, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

MICHAEL, any blowhard can come on any blog and point fingers, call people names or even make a complete fool of themselves. At least I take the time to explain my position or thoughts about a given matter. I’m not sure you would either recognize or accept a positive if it were to be offered on BK’s behalf. You are the one that seems to be having unexplained issues with BK. The Hawks are the youngest team in the NBA, it’s also one of the deepest and most athletic. They have enough cap space to resign their young players, who are developing at a rapid pace. They are, so far, lacking in experience, cohesiveness and chemistry, but that will change during the course of the season. None of my previous post on the blog, has made an issue of BK. So, why are you making him an issue and using it to take issue with me? You see Michael, the only real issues that exists between us, as it relates to the Hawks, is that I am a FAN, and you sir are nothing more than an embittered, negative minded CRITIC.

By hawks reality

August 28, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

The bottom line is the Hawks have traded Al H for a 1st round pick, drafted Sheldon Williams, signed Speedy Claxton, and L Wright. L Wright is a solid backup. Sheldon Williams is unproven. Speedy Claxton was a backup point. His career 3 pt percentage is under 20% and fg % is just above 40%. Decent assists numbers. Biggest red flag, he will be playing for his 5th team in 6 years. Unless the young players step up their game, not sure the Hawks will win 30 games.

By Ken Strickland

August 28, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this

HAWKS REALITY, no player or team is beyong reproach, so anyone can be critical of any player or team. Your post is proof of what I have been saying about the difference between an FAN and a negative minded CRITIC. Only a negative minded CRITIC would single out the 3 new team additions, point out their perceived shortcomings, avoid mentioning their strengths, then project only 4 more wins(30)than the previous yr. Only a negative minded CRITIC would totally ignore the talents and contributions of the other 9 players, along with their individual improvement, when making their negative prediction. Only a negative minded person would use their negative mindedness to attack a FAN, who is someone that can see the complete picture when judging a player or team. A FAN would see how Claxton’s can use his speed, quickness, and tenacity to pressure the ball, which would help the DEF tremendously. A FAN would know that all rookies are unproven, but that doesn’t mean they won’t contribute during the season. A FAN would remember how Boris Diaw was a Hawks backup, with poor stats, then improved drastically after being traded to Phoenix and becoming a starter. A FAN would know the Hawks already have 6 3pt shooters, 3 of them starters, so Claxtons 3pt stats aren’t that important for our team. Are you negative minded individuals finally getting the message. CRITICS will never see things the way FANS do because we look at both pro and con when evaluating a player or team. Critics, on the other hand, take a very narrow one dimensional approach(con)when evaluating a player or team. I hope this better clarifies things for CRITICS that can’t comprehend things from a FANS point of view.

By r gillispee

August 29, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this

This trade will not help the Hawks. it’s time they get new managment. They have the worst gen. manager in the league. No Class Knight. he sure talks a good game. No play-offs again.

Bill

By JohnD

August 29, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

Ken Strickland understands. This is a team game. The team must consist of workable parts, with varying responsibilities. Speedy Claxton was signed to be a POINT, not a 3 pt shooter or a rebounder. If he runs the team and makes the proper decisions with the ball, then the signing will be a success.

All of this crticism of Billy Knight is mis-directed. The franchise was in the pits when he came on board and the only hope was to start over with a new group of players. He has a new group that may require some more tinkering, ok will definitely require more, but there is now HOPE where there was none, young athletic players where we had none. Size, speed, quickness and defensive ability where none existed.

Would you rather have Josh Smith or Theo Ratliff? Josh is a better shot blocker and rebounder now, with the upside of youth and the ability to shoot.

Rather have Marvin Williams or Shareef Abdur-Rahim? Remember Shareef, good guy and all, never started for a winner and Marvin was still a teenager last year.

Joe Johnson or Jason Terry? Not even close. Joe can actually shoot going right AND left, is a better passer, better defensive player and is playing in position (not being forced into a role for which he is unsuited).

All of this pie-in-the-sky speculation on bundling draft picks and players to move up in the draft is a waste of time. BK, the guy some of you consider ignorant, would never take a pick and second line players for a top 1 to 3 pick. Why do you think another GM would?

As for Speedy Claxton’s fifth team in 6 years. Look up the history of Chancey Billups. Same story. Would you like to have Billups as your point? Yes, you would. I do not expect Claxton to be Billups but some of the arguments make no sense, and the 5 in 6 is one of them.

Josh Smith improved greatly from year 1 to year 2, if he does so again we will be witnessing the emergence of a very special player. Even the great Bill Russell did not run down shooters in the open floor with the skill Josh showed in the past two years. They are the same size and body type by the way, except Josh can shoot.

Watch Marvin Williams this year. If he shows the type of progress Josh showed last year - then he will also be special and we can stop hearing all the crying about Chris Paul.

In short, the foundation is here, whether this group becomes a team or not is still unknown. Whether the final pieces will be added in the next year is also an unknown.

One thing we do know, this will be team that is fun to watch.

By Ken Strickland

August 29, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

Greetings JOHN D, and welcome to the FAN club, because you are the perfect example of a FAN. Unfortunately, negative minded CRITICS see this team as a continuation of past Hawks teams and failures. This organization is entirely new, including ownership, GM, coaching staff, players, attitudes, expectations, outlook and future. This team has youth, athleticism, versatility, depth and the players have a tremendous hunger and motivation for self improvement. These attributes can motivate any team towards unlimited success. After this season, we’ll have a better idea of what this team will need to reach the next level. If we improve our rebounding and overall team DEF, we will make the playoffs. GO HAWKS!!!!!

By Dominic

August 31, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

To all you misguided Hawks fans. WAKE UP. This team will not even be competitive on a consistent basis. Joe Johnson at best is a #2 guy on another team. Albeit he is a helluva player he cannot carry this team night in and night out and it shows. He does not make his team mates better ie Dewayne Wade or LJ23. Hes just a gut that can get his shot and is on a bad team. A verty bad team. All the anaylsis in the world wont make this team anymore than a 25-win team at best. If that ! I think I read a post above that says we have depth at every position. HA !!! We have one proven starter and career backup who start..see Royal Ive, ZaZa Pachula. Billy Knight is a joke, hes no better then Kasten was. Mike Woodson cant keep a consistent lineup and the ownership group cant seem to get along. OH yeah we’re headed in the right direction. Well another playoff-less year ahead.

By Ken Strickland

August 31, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this

Spoken like a true negative minded CRITIC.

By Dominic

August 31, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

No my friend spoken like a true fan who honest enough to speak the truth about once proud franchise that has been the laughing stock of the league for the last 6 seasons. What Hawks team have you been watchin ?

2000-2006, avg wins 25, to include a dismal 13 win season 2004-2005.

Any disputes ??? Anyone ????

By Doug

August 31, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this

Dominic, much of your analysis has some legitimacy…i.e. bad decisions, mismanagement, lack of frontline proven talent…but…Zaza will be more than a career back-up level player, he is only 22. JSmith will explode this year and Marvin is not far behind. Team will win 36-42 games and be in playoff contention this year.

By Ken Strickland

August 31, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

DOMINIC, if you really are a fan, I feel sorry for you because your negative approach leaves you with very little to look forward to this season. Your focus is limited to doom and gloom. After the Allstar break, JSmith averaged over 15ppg, 7rpg and 4bpg. Those will likely be his overall numbers for this upcoming season, except for the 4bpg. We will be deeper and/or quicker at PG, C and PF, with more experience overall. How do these positive attributes translate into fewer wins than last season? You are thinking in reverse. Also, this yrs team had nothing to do with our dismal records prior to last yr, including the 13 win season. Stop thinking in the past and projecting past results onto this teams future. It doesn’t make sense, logically. The team I watched that is causing me to view the upcoming season optimistically is the one that finished the 2nd half of last season very competitively. There is no reason to believe this team won’t start the season the way it finished the 2nd half of last yr except with better results, for the reasons mentioned above. The past 6 seasons shouldn’t figure into your projections for this season. Different team, time and talent level. GO HAWKS!!!!

By Michael from HawksSuck.com

September 5, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Dominic these poor suckers have no idea do they?

HAWKS SUCK!!!