The Hawk Hack

By Fan01

February 22, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

What a joke. We could have had Paul, Or one of the Williams boys. There better be another trade in the works. Because if not I would just rather have the 2nd round pick back…..

Billy Knight sucks…………

By wolverinegrad

February 22, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Sometimes i hate being a Hawks fan. At this stage Joe Johnson needs some consistent help. Going after Bibby would of been the move. I know that Gasol is too expensive but Bibby is the PG that can take pressure off of Joe and Distribute. WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE THE HAWKS THINKING.

It Obvious that the Owners dont want to take on any more salary and poor BK looks like the fall guy. It wont be long before Joe Johnson demands a trade out of Atlanta. You cant bring a superstar to a city with no real help around him.

By DKM

February 22, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

This is absurd! As a fan who has been positive throughout this debacle, I have had it! The lack of effort in Chicago was incredible after four days of talking about the playoffs! I like the Coach, but these guys are not listening to him. He seems constantly confused about his team’s lack of hustle and energy. No baskets for an entire quarter! We were totally exposed in Utah when we had to play against a real coach and a real team. I believe our experiment in affirmative action with Mike and Billy has run its course! Do the owners realize that we had at one point four first round draft picks on the floor last night who couldn’t stop one smaller Argentinian guard who scored 24 straight points in less than five minutes. Billy then tops this low point in a proud franchise’s history by trading for another retread point guard! Enough, the only way for the owners to wake up and do something about this is to boycott the games. When we cut off their revenue and reduce the value of their leveraged holdings they will fix this and get a real GM and a real coach in here that can develop this young talent that we have(like tell Josh Smith that he has to work on his jump shot because he doesn’t have one{three for thirty four from the field in two games}). I am done!

By billy_donkey

February 22, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

wow billy…you really know how to create a buzz. you could’ve had chris paul, you could’ve made a realistic trade for allen iverson, you let jason terry go. ummm, if you still have a job next year than ownership is the only thing to blame. the blind leading the dumb.

the good ole hawks…too bad billy didn’t draft jon omfg koncak. (passing on joe dumars, karl freaking malone and dutlef shrimpf.) that remains the most pathetic draft ever.

i do say the hawks should trade every draft pick of theirs away since they have no clue how to evaluate talent. they might as well trade draft picks for obvious talent in the nba if they can’t evaluate young talent.

By cranks

February 22, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

When will people also start bashing the shelden williams pick. He looks more retarded each passing day.

By Erik

February 22, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

I am a recent Hawk fan, having moved here 6 years ago. As long as I am here, I will be a fan, but some of the moves are just plain dumb. You can’t win games when your team consists of has-been point guards, a B center and a million swingmen who think they are the best in the game. I like Joe, but he will bolt before long. We have no need for Royal Ivey, who has shown he can’t run an offense or shoot. We can trade away one of the Josh’s, Shelden or Marvin and why the hell would we want Anthony Johnson. Seriously, why the hell would we want Anthony Johnson. I only would have done that trade if we were giving up Billy Knight for Johnson and not the second rounder. Thanks for mortgaging the Hawks future, Bill. Enjoy the WNBA, because after this you will only be able to get a job there.

By egatsby

February 22, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

Yes Sheldon Williams is horrible. The one thing I like about this trade is maybe we can cut Royal Ivey he is by far the worst player in the league. Why does this guy start for us he has no talent whatsoever. Ive seen better players on my nephews 12 and under Atlanta Celtica AAU team. Williams or Ivey are not suppose to be in the league they should be selling insurance

By T-Bone

February 22, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

I am so excited now! We have 4 backup point guards, 6 power forwards, and one center. Congrats Billy Knight! I love what you have done with the team. You are a Public Relations dream. You make our team so attractive to watch. Spirit, if you continue to let Billy Knight manage this team…. you are to blame.

By MICHAEL

February 22, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

TO BE FAIR I CANT JUDGE THIS DEAL YET CUZ IT MAY TO ANOTHER DEAL SINCE THIS OPENS THE DOOR TO MOVE MORE PLAYERS AND JJ SAID THAT HE WANTED GASOL IF THAT HAPPENS THEN AJ,JJ,JSMOOTHE,WILLIAMS,AND GASOL IS VERY DEADLY.

By Dario

February 22, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

What is Billy Knight’s aversion to young talented point guards? I mean Anthony Johnson is a veteran point guard be he is nothing more than a band-aid on a gunshot wound. The Hawks passed on Chris Paul (All Star), the point guard in Utah (potential All Star). We need our picks to get some young legs on this team to be competetive. Billy Knight is AN IDIOT.

By jhud

February 22, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

What is going on? This is supposed to be the deepest draft ever and we keep trading all our picks away. I like AJ but good grief. We already have 3 backup point guards and now 4… give us fans a freaking break!!!!!!!!!!

By MICHAEL

February 22, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

PEOPLE THE TRADE DEADLINE HAS NOT COME AND I WOULD LIKE TO C BK GET NATE AND FRYE FROM NEW YORK. ISAIAH IS DYING TO DUMP CONTRACTS B4 THIS DRAFT

By Volman

February 22, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Dario, Chris Paul is NOT an All-Star. Did you not watch the game? Get your facts right, please.

I actually like this trade.. We won’t be getting anything in the 2nd round that will help us (Solomon Jones, Royal Ivey). They don’t do anyhting for us.

By MICHAEL

February 22, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

SOLOMON JONES IS A YOUNG J.SMITH IN TO YEARS.

By jeff

February 22, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Why don’t the have a NBA team in Alabama?………..Because then the folks in Atlanta would want one

By wolverinegrad

February 22, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

TO poster DKM

Did you just blame affirmative action for highering BK and Woodson. Now I’m p** at BK and more so the Owners for making a power move. I guess you were absent during the Babcock years when he completely destroy our team? Its sad you have to pull race into this….you probably didnt go to school and if you did you went to a garbage one at that….

BK did bring Joe, draft Josh Smith, and Josh CHildress…..Looking back he should of drafted a pg.. WE GET IT….but no GM at that time would of took Paul over Marvin at the 2nd Pick.

By jeff

February 22, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

High School BB in the area is highly more entertaining then the Hawks….It only took me about 5 years to figure that out

By chris

February 22, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

This team continues to tick me off. Someone mentions how badly the Hawks need a PG, and we go get the lowest possible player we could. Instead of going after Bibby (where we could’ve traded Salim, Speedy, and our 1st round pick from Indy) to acquire him, Ridnour, Dixon, even Jarrett Jack. BK has no idea what he’s doing with this team, and is only idea of success is mediocrity.

We will continue to be the laughing stock of the NBA until we someone in here who is serious about building a great team. If we don’t win next year, say bye-bye to JJ.

By To Michael

February 22, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Solomon Jones is older than J. Smith

By Mike

February 22, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Well you guys never pay attention my blogs anyway. So let me put my ten cents in. This a good move. We are only giving up a second round draft pick. The only reason Anthony Johnson is available is because he is on a team stacked with talent. If a he’s a back up coming from one the lower level eastern conference teams than you got a point Sekou. This guy is a back-up for the best team in the NBA. The guys he’s playing behind can start for any team in the NBA. Yes the speedy Claxton deal didn’t work out. Yes we have four point guards, but both of the veteran point guards are hurt. BK took a big risk going after Speedy, he has had a history of being injury prone. He’s trying make amends for it now. It is obvious that Speedy game has been greatly affected by his recent injuries.
Anthony Johnson can run the point, score and defend. I guess most of you forgot that this is the same Anthony Johnson that put gaudy number in the playoff for the Pacers last season. Everyone else was demanding too much in return. This is a safe move by BK. AJ can probably give us 10 to 15 points a game at the point position. It was a mistake to trade him the second time he was here, we’re lucky to get’em back so cheap. The Hawks are a good fit for AJ. He will be able to give Joe some more help. If it doesn’t work out, we still have our first round draft pick, and we still got our cap space for free agency. Look at the bright side, now you have more meat to put in the BK meat grinder. Shoot, you can blog about this move for the rest of season. “But what do I know, I’m just a fan”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By travis

February 22, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Why do you all care so much about the HAWKS? They don’t care about us, as witnessed by the ridiculous trades and picks. I have my season tickets to see the other stars in the league, like Kobe, Shack, Lebron, Dirk, Nash, and Amare, etc. Just keep the franchise here, so that we can see good talent come through here.

By jeff

February 22, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

what about trading away Rashad Wallace because he had an attitude…Choir boys don’t win you a title

By EAVDad

February 22, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Oh for Chrissake! This is ridiculous. Essentially the Hawks traded the opportunity to get diamond in the ruff for someone who is clearly just ruff.

No offense to Anthony Johnson. He’s had a fine career as a back-up PG. But what is the BENEFIT?

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Billy Knight: YOU ARE FIRED!

By Jared

February 22, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

All this trade is a make up for giving Speedy Claxton $25 Million over 4 years.

I will take Anthony Johnson over Bad Knees Speedy Claxton any day, but they both are still career back up point guards.

With all the cap room and young players the Hawks have how could they not pull Luke Ridnour or Sebastian Telfair.

I don’t think Billy Knight has too much time left with Atlanta. After 5 years and still no Point Guard or Post player is pathetic. And all he can say for himself is “I don’t come to your job and act like I know what I am doing.” Well 6 straight years in the draft lottery is enough to say that you don’t know basketball either.

Time for a change. Not having a legit point guard is like not having a QB in Football.

By MICHAEL

February 22, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

TRUTH IZ BK IZ DROPPIN THE BALL AGAIN!!! -THE EAST IZ THE WEAKEST ITS EVA BEEN. -KIDD IS HURT,AND LEAVIN THE EAST(LAKERS??) -DWADE JUST WENT DOWN(AND DIDNT GET UP THIS TIME) -ALL THESE BIG NAMES HAVE HAD THERE EGOS BRUISED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE TRADE BAIT NOW,VINCE,GARNETT,..ETC ITS TIME TO MAKE A HUGE MOVE AND RUN THE FASTBREAK!!!!

By MICHAEL

February 22, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

AND CENK AND DAVID ANDERSON ARE TEARING EUROPE UP RIGHT NOW SOOOO???HMMM

LETS BRING THERE BUTTS BACK!!!!!!

BTW. DEFENSE WINS GAMES!!!!!!!!!!

By DHD

February 22, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Where do I order my playoff tickets? Adding Johnson will surely propel us into the playoff. How exciting.

COME ON OWNERS!!!!!!!! Get off your rear ends and do something.

By Alex K.

February 22, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

any1 that thinks the hawks are crazy 4 picking Marvin over Chris Paul are just bandwaggon hoppers. U r 100% not a hawks fan. CP has had more time to develope 2 the speed of the game. He had more experience in college. Marvin only played 1 year in college. I remember the announcers 4 sportscenter saying that NO was crazy for picking CP that high in the draft. Marvin is gonna be a much better player than Paul is gonna be.

About the trade. Billy Knight is a flat out IDIOT. Y would u get a 3rd string point for a 2nd round pick. wouldn’t he have learned a lesson from signin Speedy. Anthony Johnson has never averaged more that 10 pts. his whole career. WHAT A JOKE! The real hawks problem is Billy. I know a 5 year old that can do a better job that him.

The Spirit squad doesn’t help the team (that name sounds like it would be a gay pride group)

By Alex K.

February 22, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

BTW here’s sum1 the hawks could think about getting. It’s hometown boy named Brendon Plavich. He play’s in the Euro leauge. U may know him he played for NC Charlotte, and Vanderbilt. He can shoot lights out. He’s been on sportcenter top 10 plays many time w/his common game winning 3 pointers

Let me repeat his name it’s BRENDON PLAVICH

By STEVE BELKIN

February 22, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

I tried to tell everyone but everyone said I was an idiot! When Billy had to give 2 #1 draft choiced for Joe Johnson ( we could have signed as a free agent as Phoenix did not have the room to sign him) but oh no BILLY KNOWS BEST. Who suggested a nice safe point gaurd in the next draft? (a Chris Paul maybe) but on know we need more forwards again BILLY KNOWS BEST….during this off season every analyst, and fan stated over and over that Speedy Claxton is a reserve point guard at best..but oh no BILLY KNOW BEST and overpays him dractically…why? Where is all this cap money that we have been saving? I for one am tired of BILLY KNOWS BEST

By Alex K.

February 22, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

Just so u know Shelden is gonna be a good player to. I was listing 2 somethin as sum1 said the hawks r stupid for not drafting marcus williams (o yeah just like the other 21 teams that passed him up. but did they mention them NOOO.) Just because thers somone that duz really good doesn’t mean the player they got sux. sum ppl r just crazy. go find another team to make excuses on y they suck. the only reason they can’t make the playoffs is cuz there GM has 2 ride the short bus to there games

By tony

February 22, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

I don’t like bashing people so I will try to be polite with Bill Knight. Billy, Joe Johnson is not the type player you need when you have to give up 2 first round picks and Boris Diaw. He is no Majic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. I want to help you if you will allow me. Be patient and don’t think you can fix this team by making trades at this point because this team is not a playoff team so why bother to make any trades at this point. This team need a leader who has the capacity to play smart basketball and can take over game at crunch time like a Larry Bird , a Majic Johnson, or a Michael Jordan. You have to determine what players have the tools to lead this team to success. Take a look at Ramel Bradley at Kentucky University. This guy is going to be a star at the next level. He has great ball handling skills and he can break down a defense. He reminds me of the Hawks former player Eddie Johnson because Eddie was a great ball handler and could break down a defense. Ramel is an outstanding shooter to. He brings to mind Gilbert Arenas and we all know what he brings to the table. He is only a junior so take a look at this guy. You won’t be disappointed if you do.

By Volman

February 22, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

Jeff, you obviously don’t ever watch Hawks games nor do you know what you’re talking about.

Please come back when you do.

By MICHAEL

February 22, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

HONESTLY THE BEST DEAL WE CAN MAKE IZ INTERNAL, AND THATS BRING CENK AND DAVID ANDERSON OVER NOW AND SIGNIN THEM TO 3-5YR DEALS

By JohnGTfan

February 22, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

I would love to post how ignorant BK is, but everyone in ATL, and the entire NBA for that matter, already knows that. Noone should really be shocked by this. What has he really done to make this team a playoff contender…NOTHING..NADA. Maybe one day, but I doubt it will be with J Johnson. I see him gone after next season. It’s been an absolute joy watching him play, but I know when he leaves he’s going to sit back and think what could have been if he went to a team that had ownership, a real GM, and at least an average coach.

By Traceman

February 22, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

I think BK did the best he could in this case with what he has to work with. No way in the world can he make a deal for someone like Gasol with the ownership situation as unsettled as it is. A deal like that would require Belkin’s approval and there is no way he is approving ANYTHING for the Spirit group right now.

As for AJ, I agree that he is no better than Speedy or Lue but he has one thing that neither of them have, health! It will be nice to be able to count on AJ at least suiting up every night and he will definitley compete hard. Is he the difference that will help us make the playoffs? Doubtful. But he DOES make us better today than we were yesterday and acquiring him for a 2nd round pick won’t hurt us down the road. I say good move.

By Orlando Rivera

February 22, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Um Mike, the reason most people don’t pay attention to your blogs is that you say things that make sense, like Anthony Johnson providing leadership like he did in the playoffs last year. I think it’s a solid pick who won’t mind being a vocal leader on the floor. This team is in obvious need of veteran leadership that Woodson can’t provide.

See if you want people to pay attention, say something like so: I’M GLAD I LIVE IN A REAL NBA CITY LIKE WASHINGTON DC WHERE WE HAVE A REAL GM, AND A COMPETENT BLACK COACH (see Atlanta folks usually get an uprising when you mention race) who knows how to utilize talent and implement a system that takes advantage of said talent.

See morons, it wouldn’t matter if Atlanta did draft Chris Paul, Deron Williams AND Brandon Roy. Woodson has no idea of what he wants to do with this team, and as a result he’s going to wear out the only star he has on this team in JJ.

Quit crying about the owners, who could care less if this team went winless. They only care about keeping the Hawks in the black. Knight goes for the safe picks and does not know how to draft an actual team to fit into a system. Oh that’s right, he wanted to draft a team that would run their opponents out of the gym. THEN WHY HIRE A DEFENSIVE MINDED ASSISTANT COACH? I understand the whole “keeping it real” thing or whatever is probably important to BK, but perhaps Knight should’ve done what the Wizards did in DC, which was hire a coach who was going to utilize a system. As a result the Wizards and the Princeton motion offense (which the Hawks could easily run with the talent they had if the coach had any idea what he was doing) will go to the playoffs for the third straight year.

Instead of sending your vemon at BK, you need to send it at Woodson, who by now has demonstrated he is in over his head at being the head coach.

I’ll send you all a postcard from the playoffs!

By JAW JACKBIRD

February 22, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

YEA BILLY!PROBABLY NO 1st ROUND DRAFT PICK AND NO 2nd ROUND PICK. BILLY YOU’RE THE BEST.

By Dario

February 22, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

Volman,

Sorry my mistake. You’re right Chris Paul is not an All Star. Since we made that correction let me check….THE HAWKS STILL SUCK AND BILLY KNIGHT IS STILL AN IDIOT. One minor oversight does not change the big picture of the blight that is the Hawks in the NBA. I in no way fault the players or the coach. They are what they are. We have an incompetent GM and owners who are who nowhere to be found. Since the Dominique trade this franchise has been snakebitten and will probably continue to be until ownership is resolved and the GM replaced.

By Jamal

February 22, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah! BK made another brilliant move. Good title to the blog. Brilliant long-term plan for the Hawks. Sign and trade a bunch of back up point guards. Sign and draft a bunch of power forwards. Sign a career assistant coach to lead this team of young players to the “promiseland” Trade 2 first round picks and Diaw plus a maximum contract to a player that you could have signed in free agency anyways. Congrats to you Spirit for continuing to let this scout manage our team.

By pie

February 22, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

billy knight is an idiot he’s a flat out a*****. he needs to go to the old peoples house and be bed written for being a a* hole i wonder if he wants his team to win because ever since the last one left they suck and if billy knight can read (which he probably can’t) i hope he see’s me insulting him on internet. why didn’t they get rindour averaging 12 points. why the hell would billy knight get a point gaurd averaging 3points. the other night when i was watching them play the spurs the a* hole billy knight was talking to sandy williams blah blah blahing talking bout how he’s finding ways to improve the hawks. how the hell did he think he was improving in by getting anthony johnson. i wish the best for mike woodson and the hawks but it time to send billy knight packing.

By joshgiggity

February 22, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

giggity giggity goo billy knight sucks

By Ted

February 22, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Has God, himself, cursed the Atlanta Hawks? Thank the Good Lord that the Hawks have not gotten the first overall choice in the NBA Lottery in the last few years — can you imagine how stupid the Hawks would have looked then? Billy Knight is the biggest IDIOT in the NBA. The entire league felt sorry for the Hawks in last years draft and passed Deron Williams to the Hawks in the 2nd round and Billy Knight has a spasm in his brain reflexes and spews S. Jones out of his moronic mind. Can we replay the tapes again and make sure just one more time that the Hawks did not pick D. Williams and the Commish’s office just messed up the card? I admit I have not been to a Hawks game in over five years — but you can see why with such moronic moves. IF ANYTHING, BILLY KNIGHT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRADING AWAY SOME OF PIECES OF JUNK THAT THE HAWKS HAVE SITTING ON THE PINE…PURE IDIOT IN CHARGE. ONLY DON WADDELL MAY BE WORSE THAN KNIGHT, WADDELL DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO TRADE…ATLANTA SPIRT: GET YOUR ACTS TOGETHER AND FIRE KNIGHT, WOODSON AND WADDELL!!!

By PETE BABCOCK

February 22, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

How do you like me Now? Pete Babcock

By egatsby

February 22, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

Am I the only one who notices Royal Ivey really, really sucks and he starts for us. Please tell me im not the only one who notices this. He should be in the NBDL.

By Brad

February 22, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

I make this post knowing it will likely not be read and will get shuffled in the middle of a million posts…

Why do the Hawks trade for another backup? It makes the least amount of sense for a team that is not going to make the playoffs to trade away a draft pick for anything. Ever. While Billy and his boys are terrible at drafting, you must assume that every now and then, they’ll hit a diamond in the rough with a draft pick. You have less chance of hitting that diamond when you have 0 draft picks, which we should be lining up for, since we will likely lose our next first rounder to Phoenix, and now we throw away a draft pick for a guy who backs up another guy who backs up a former Hawks PG. What? Sometimes I think the Hawks are stockpiling draft picks by trading stars for nothing in return and cutting salary. The one thing you never see the Hawks do is use its surplus in one location to support a dearth in another location. The only surplus we have is salary cap space, and we have a dearth with everything else. SIGN A STAR FREE AGENT AND DON’T DRAFT SUCKY! I guarantee everyone who has posted on this blog would be a better GM than Billy Knight. Why hasn’t he lost his job?

By bo knows

February 22, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

Great! now we have 2 backup point guards and 2 cba point guards.

By The Czar

February 22, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

horrible trade..we should have made no deal at all and hope to get a surprise draft pick in the second round…oh wait…THE HAWKS ARE THE WORST TEAM AT DRAFTING…i guess they were just trying to save the embarrassment..make a deal in the offseason or ship this sorry squad outta here…i’m sick of this entire organization…from the janitor on up to Billy “Idiot” Knight

By Dustin from Dville

February 22, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

The hawks have the worst history of gm’s ever! first Pete Babsuckacock trades our franchise player for danny freakin manning in the worst all time move ever! Now we have billy knight whos just as equally retarted. Heres how u run a team….just look at the grizzlies there doing it right. U keep one great player yet still have a bad enough team to assure you a top 2 or 3 pick in the draft …especially when the draft is loaded like it is this year. So when Durrant or Oden teams with gasol that will look pretty dangerous for years to come.
This sucks…i think our ownership cares nothing about the future and is under such stress to win meaningless games now there hurting the franchise in the long run. At best this team will be swept out of the first round of the playoffs….common hardcore fans u tell me who we can possbily beat in the first round of the playoffs??? washington? detriot? miami? after we get swept out of the first round everyones gonna feel real stupid for not going after Oden Or Durrant.
And the trade of our second round pick is even more example of knights trying to get meaningless wins to the detriment of the team.

By **NATIVE SON**

February 22, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

Checking in after 8 weeks. I know this looks bad,but the reality is that we have two injured p/gs’,and one that can’t shoot.The team needs a rudder,and A.J. has been picked. Every body get over with it already. A good enough move B.K. The players we have need to step up.

By Matt

February 22, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

Dear Morons With Short-term Memory Problems,

Anthony Johnson is a frickin’ STEAL if all we had to give up was a mid-second round pick.

1) He’s one of the grittiest and most persistent defensive PGs in the league. Since D has been the Hawks problem far more than O recently, getting someone who can create constant pressure on the opposing ball-handler is one of the biggest gaps the Hawks need now.

2) He’s a guy who doesn’t quit on offense either. I saw him during the playoffs last year against NJ, and Johnson was GREAT at pushing the ball up the floor after NJ scored a big bucket. That’s huge, because it kept NJ from building up momentum, and kept the Pacers within striking distance most games.

3) He can knock down shots from 3-point range better than anyone on the Hawks except Salim (career .338, and significantly higher than that if you cut out the first 3 seasons of his career).

4) He’s a BIG improvement over Ivey, whose time on the team is now pretty much up.

5) Second-round picks pretty much never amount to jack. About half of them actually don’t even make the team. Assuming the Hawks pick 5th or lower in the 2nd round, they’ll have slim pickings. The ONLY one from the last 3 drafts who puts up decent stats is Monta Ellis. No joke, but after him, the most productive players to come out of the NBA draft in the past 3 years who were picked 35th or lower are Chris Duhon, Ryan Gomes, or Trevor Ariza - none of whom are exactly tearing the roof off. So the odds of the Hawks getting someone better than Johnson with their pick is pretty minimal.

6) Johnson is without a doubt a capable starting PG, very similar to Avery Johnson back in the 90’s (Anthony’s a bit taller, while Avery was a bit quicker). The only reason he was a third-stringer on Dallas is that they have two PGs, either of whom would be starters on most teams in the league.

7) Johnson is CLUTCH. Did any of you see him play during the playoffs last year against NJ? Yeah, didn’t think so. He scored 40 points, and was the only thing that kept the Pacers from getting blown away during most of that series.

8) Honestly, the Pacers wouldn’t have even MADE the playoffs last year if Johnson hadn’t picked up the slack at PG down the stretch, when Tinsley got hurt. He led the Pacers to a 4-3 record, which got them the 8th seed in the East.

9) He only has 1 year left in his contract after this year, which will make him easy to trade next year if we decide to move him.

10) If you need any more proof that this was a bargain, consider that Dallas had to give up 3 players to get Johnson last year.

So yeah. Shut up.

By Volman

February 22, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

Dario,

you still did not tell me if you’ve watched games this season..? Weren’t you the one who said that the Hawks aren’t exciting? Ask ANYBODY on this blog if the Hawks are exciting. They definitely are.

Pete Babcock left this team in a HORRIBLE state, and things are starting to turn around and improve, DESPITE all of the turmoil in the front office. That’s pretty impressive. It’s really easy to have fun and sign guys and trade for all-stars when things are going right, right?

You said the Hawks need to draft some “young legs”? Haha. I really hope you made a typo with the Hawks being the YOUNGEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. Do you seriously watch this team, or are you someone who just comes on this blog randomly to rage to everyone?

I agree with you that this franchise will not do anything in the playoffs until they can get this ownership crisis taken care of. They won’t even MAKE the playoffs without the ownership getting fixed. You can’t fault Billy Knight for getting Joe Johnson, keeping a low payroll, and starting to form a good YOUNG team. We have all heard the whining about the Marvin Williams/Shelden Williams picks for a while now.. It’s been beaten to death. Seriously.

What else do you have? Let me ask, do you watch the Hawks…. live? …even on TV? I would hope so. Maybe their jump shots would go in a little more “entertaining” than other teams…

Ask anybody, this is the most entertaining Hawks team in years.

By Dustin from Dville

February 22, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

yea matt great point….now the hawks are clearly ready to win a nba championship!! haha every player on this roster could have there best season ever and the hawks would STILL not make it past the second round of the playoffs!! Well get to see a real team play on saturday when houston destroys the hawks. Now thats how u build a team….draft a dominant center….THEN add a proven superstar like Mcgrady!! O by tha way how about Mutombo….i knew he had soemthing left in the tank….he just had to be given a chance to prove it! anyone else see him destroy shaq last night on espn?

By Masood

February 22, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

FYI = In his last start, Anthony Johnson dropped 40 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds on Jason Kidd and the Nets in the playoffs. Do with that information what you please.

By Clyde

February 22, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY T-SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE AT ATLCONNECT@HOTMAIL.COM

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By falcon30901

February 22, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

Lets stick with the facts. 2007 is the deepest draft in years. there are lots of 1st round talent that will get bumped to the 2nd round. we now have 4 grade c point gaurds now. damn

By footy102

February 22, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

Does anybody know why Gerry McNamara ( of the developmental league, & former syracuse star) gets no atttention from the scouts? He won the MVP in the all star game of the developmental league. Does he have character problems? He is a great point guard, & we could have signed him instead of a washed up ball player. It would not of cost us a second round pick. This is really sad!!!

By greg

February 22, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

This was the most stupid move i have ever seen.Get BK. outta here before he destroys the whole franchise. Woody has also lost the respect of the team. Joe Johnson is going to bolt if we dont make an effort to get him some help, can you blame him.

By Patrick Gaul

February 22, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Okay, I really am a Hawks fan. Honest! I have season tickets on the floor that cost a bundle and I regularly go to games. I was content with the Marvin decision because I believe he will be a franchise player in the next two to three years and at the end of the day he is better suited to Mike’s style of coaching. I was even okay with the Sheldon pick although I would have made some trades to go with it. Speedy was a gamble…..healthy, he is a player that can add significant value to any team. Unfortunately, a broken hand and a bum leg made it one very expensive bet and now he is warming the bench. We would be better off putting him on injured reserve and letting him heal properly. Tyronn was having a solid year until he got hurt and now he needs time to heal as well. I agree that Ivey is a waste of space…..dump him for a draft choice if it can be done……same for Salim…..in fact, make them a package deal and get back a high 2nd round perhaps……..bring back Dijon Thompson or Cedric Bozeman (in that order) and let them play….both had potential. By the way, does anyone know why Batista is collecting a check? Write off this season and pray that Steve wins the ownership battle……….

By REALREPUBLUCANREDNECK(RACIST)???

February 22, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

THAT WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU GOT TWO BLACKS RUNNING YOUR PROGRAM??? THIS IS THE WORSE TEAM FROM OWNERS ALL THE WAY DOWN. WE NEED SOMEONE TO CRACK THE WHIP ON THOSE DARKEYS!!!! THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN WITH SOME ONES FEET TO THE FIRE!!! JUST KEEPING IT REAL MY HOME DIZZLE FO SHIZZLE MY NIZZLE!!!

By Greg

February 22, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

this was a good move by the hawks…we cant count on lue and claxton with the injuries…johnson gives us a blue collar guy who can give us some minutes and is a veteran. Who can you get in the 2nd round next year who would be better?

By Marie

February 22, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Not everyone should be allowed to post on the internet. REALREPUBLUCANIDIOT - you have some serious issues! At this point, we should be happy just to have anyone added to the mix. Let’s give him a chance to see what he can do for us.

Go Hawks!

By 2 live Who

February 22, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

there is a reason Anthony Johnson was third string point guard, and some of you bloggers think that his addition is some major improvement. That is hilarious but not surprising. A lot of these bloggers have as much sense as Billy Knight. Acting as if picking up a third string point guard is a big improvement. Give me a break!

By Jay

February 22, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

marie- that is just someone acting just to stir up trouble on blogs. He is probably black and just trying to get a rise out of someone.

By Dustin from Dville

February 22, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

were going to miss out on some really good players in the 2nd round now…for what? someone whos probably gonna retire soon?? someone said the last time johnson started he scored 40 points against the nets……to bad that was about 20 years ago. Im so glad i stopped being a hardcore hawks fan after they traded nique when i was a kid because this franchise is being run by idiots who cleary would rather always be mediciore at best than ever be true contenders. Man of all years to tank a season this was it….we shoulda sat joe johnson down with a fake injury along time ago. Imagine what the hawks could build around with a top pick this year.
Oden center, Joe johnson scorer, salim 3 point specialist off the bench, josh smith…dunker and rebounder…NOT jump shooter! add another top free agent and the hawks really could of been a good team in another 2 years!
now 2 year from now this is what i predict…joe johnson will get tired of loosing like any truly good player should get tired of and move on, and the hawks will be rebuilding again. I guess the hawks dont understand that u cant win with only 1 superstar.
Go Rockets!! and no im not a fake fan ive been a rockets fan for years….im glad there pulling it all together this year and mutombo is definitly steping it up! By the way mcgrady is TWICE the player labron is ….anyone wanna argue with me???

By Hock

February 22, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

This guy was a stiff as a young Hawks player. Now as a guy in the twilight of his career, he will be a difference maker as the Hawks try to make the playoffs. Yeah right, I believe that. Billy Knight is truly brain damaged.

By uga4ever

February 22, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Don’t even start comparing Babcock to Knight. There is no comparison. Babcock sent the Hawks to the playoffs 9 of the 12 years he was here. He never had the luxury of picking in the top 5 EVERY year like Billy Knight. Babcock had ONE pick in the top 7 in 12 yrs as GM. He knew how to manage a team at least. He filled our needs through FA and trades. Yes, he made some mistakes, but not every move is going to be a success. The bottom line is the Hawks were in the PLAYOFFS in 9 of 12 years. Billy Knight has never managed a team to win more than 30 games. Don’t even compare the 2. I am not saying that Babcock was great GM. But at least his teams made the playoffs. Having 4 backup point guards, 7 forwards, one center is not filling needs for a successful NBA team.

By Sam

February 22, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Dustin- if you truly followed the Hawks like you claim, you would know that BK traded our top pick this year (plus one other 1st round pick, Diaw, and max contract). So, if the Hawks would have finished 1-81 this year and got the top pick. It would go to Phoenix. Oden and Durant are 2 FRANCHISE PLAYERS TO BUILD YOUR TEAM AROUND. Imagine Phx getting our pick and getting one of those guys. That would be a very scary team. That shows the difference in GM’s. PHX has a damn good one to steal this from the Hawks.

By bryan

February 22, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

I thought our first round draft pick is protected if it falls in the top 3 picks

By PurpleHeaded Yogurt Slinger

February 22, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

Sam, your wrong, if the pick is in the top 3 we keep it…anywhere else and phoenix gets the pick.

By Volman

February 23, 2007 2:20 AM | Link to this

Sam, you have NO idea what you’re talking about.

Everyone else who wants to randomly come on here and rant how “bad” Billy Knight and the coaching staff/ownership are… Please tell some improvements.. say what the HAwks “should” have done instead of getting a good guard in A.J.

I can’t stand people coming on here and bashing ownership/BK and not giving a VALID alternative to what they actually did.

And to the guy who said Houston knows what they’re doing… Wow, lose TERRIBLY one season and get lucky enough to draft Yao Ming.. you made it sound like they knew what they were doing…”drafting a dominant center”… when they ended up with the first pick in that draft. Yeah, right. Anybody could pick Yao first.

[sarcasm]

Where is all of the “LeBron is a bust” talk? People here always turn to the Chris Paul/Marvin Williams talk.. These guys are on TWO different scales compared to D-Wade/LeBron…Dwyane Wade has won a championship and was drafted after LeBron. Wow, I’d be calling for the Cavs’ ownership’s heads right now!!! They don’t know what they’re doing!

[/sarcasm]

By Deano

February 23, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this

Volman- I don’t think you want people to go into all of the things he should have done. Bottom line is, he should have drafted or signed players to successfully fill the needs of a team. People are just tired of losing every year and staying in last place. The man has never been on a team with 30 or more wins…. that should tell you something.

By carey

February 23, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

Once again everbody is a BBall expert. Chris Paul is not going to make NO a championship team. KG is losing in Minn. Bottom line is, if trading a player was that easy. all the trade rumors would have come true. The Lakers need a point and could not make it happen to get Kidd. The Nets also could not move Vince. One thing a GM should never do is trade for a guy in his last yr of his contract b/c there is a risk of not resigning the player. Most often second round college are ok at best. I will form an opinion about the Hwaks this summer. Pure PG’s are gone b/c the fans think that all players should just shoot the ball. A PG still needs other players in order to look good. Learn How a Salary cap works and then you will see why no team really trades during the season!!!! Who cares about a 2nd round pick. Free Agency is the route(see Steve Nash)

By JR

February 23, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

At least Billy Knight will have to drop plans to sign Dennis Johnson.

By Rod of Stone Mnt

February 23, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

The Big Free Agent Acquisition 2006:

SpeedBump Claxton

2/22 vs Spurs 21mins 0pts 2 assist 2/20 vs Bulls: 22 mins 0pts 2 assist 2/12 vs Jazz 21 mins 2pts 0 assist 2/5 vs Lakers 20mins 0pts 4 assist 12/13 vs NYK 29mins 0pts 5 assist Now appearing behind Royal Ivey

By ladbaby

February 23, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

Woody and Billy don’t believe in Salim! Instead of mortgaging the future why not say to him “go out there and get this team on the move!” Rather than a strategy of working the ball to the triple teamed Joe Johnson let him have a plan like this: If Joe shoots once, you shoot twice. Then things will open up for the thin men breaking to the basket. Giving a shooter like Salim maybe 5 shots a night is not what his next team will do!

By RLW

February 23, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

The Hawks-Mavs trade saved Dallas 2.64M in tax for this year and 5.72M next year (2.86M salary + 2.86M tax) and they got the Hawks pick in the second round which is 37 right now and they gained a 2.64M trade exception.”

Once again Billy Knight is helping out one of the best teams in the league. He needs a lifetime achievement award.

By Dee

February 23, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

WOW!! So many people love dogging out BK/Owners when you guys just dont know the restictions they may be under to getting quality players at this time. I sure it has to be something in that nature to continue to draft & trde the way he does.

Getting AJ, yeah at 1st I was disappointed, but then again, Speedy & Lue are hurt. We need a PG & we got one at good price considering, again, the restictions the GM may be under. And to get some other top PG at this time may have required us to get rid of JSmoove or a J CHill or someone very needed on this team. Then you guys would have STILL complained about the trade. So be a happy & content fan or not a fan at all!! The Hawks lack positive fans right now!! Dogging BK hasnt help yet so maybe if you guys change your opinion about him (use reverse phic) then maybe he would work in our favor!! WHO KNOWS!!

By Peter

February 23, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

I LIKE THE PICK UP 2ND ROUND PICKS ARE EXPERIMENTS ANYHOW. ANTHONY JOHNSON IS A GOOD PLAYER WHO CAN RUN THE SHOW. GIVE HIM A CHANCE Y’ALL. LET THE CHRIS PAUL THING GO

LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!!

By Dee

February 23, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Billy K maybe working on a strategy that keeps all the players we have now,,getting a PG (AJ) that can make do for the remainder of the season,,,that will help us play good enough to lose,,,,keeping hope alive to getting a top 3 overall pick(oden/durant/or PG),,,,,with INDY’S pick still ours(Center or PG),,,,,,thus putting us in the position to trade away the leftover players remaining on the team that we dont need!!(Batista,Ivey,Lo Wright) GO BK (if that’s the case!)

By falcon30901

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

We only have 4 NBA treats on this team. the J smooth, J Chill, Joe Johnson, and Salim. we should give salim 35 minutes a game and let him win and loose games. if the hawks are ever a winner its going to be with J Chill coming off the bench as a 6th man, but he should be starting right now. with the williams guys we have debt that power forward. both top picks. we have a pretty good backup center in ZA ZA. we needed that pick and that time.(2nd round pick) if salim doesnt fit in woodsons game plan then we need to look for another planner. put your best 5 on the floor and let them get better. hopefully we can luck up and find a center and or pg in the draft. if that doesnt work then we have the money to fill holes. common bk are we trying to be players in the kobe or labron sweepstates in 8 years whats the plan. it maybe smart to hire a good pg scout. someone that actually has a clue. noone can honestly say that if we had chris paul we wouldnt be in the hunt for a playoff in the eastern conference.

By Paulie55

February 23, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Are you freakin’ kiddin’ me? A 2nd round draft pick for a 32 y.o. backup point man? Billy Knight needs to go NOW!

By footy102

February 23, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know about Gerry McNamara? Why is he not on someones team? Heis an excellent point guard. MVP in the D league. That’s a winner

By Alex K.

February 24, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Now that I think about it the trade was a good 1. I mean he’s better than Royal Ivey. Did anybody notice that whe T-Lue was healthy he was doin really good. I wish we could have him healthy. I always thought that he was horrible. But when he plays he’s actually a good point maybe AJ will be the same way but AJ is a healthy player.

-True Hawks Fan

By Tony

February 25, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Hey Volman, don’t take this the wrong way but the Hawks are 22-34 and tied for last in the division. Now after four full years of being GM you would think that your boy BK could assemble a better squad than what he has assembled, I mean 4 guards, 7 forwards, and 1 center. Now you might think that 22-34 and tied for last is exciting, but dosen’t it seem like we have been there and done that.

By Greg

February 25, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Volman, you say you want someone to tell you what the Hawks should have done. Ok, here it is, draft players and acquire players through trades, who will win.

By Brian

March 6, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

i think that picking up A.J. was a TERRIBLE move. We lost a 2nd round draft pick (that could have been used to pick up a young decent point guard) in a very deep draft. A.J. might actually help us win a couple of extra games, and that is the LAST THING WE WANT. The playoffs are out of reach, and unless we get the 1st or 2nd pick, the Suns get our first round pick. A.J.’s added help might actually kill our chances at having a first or second round draft pick. What the F is Billy Knight thinking?! Is this guy intentionally trying to sabotage the franchise? That’s the only thing i can figure. Nobody could possibly make this many stupid moves on accident. We would be better off just hiring some guy off the street who is good at fantasy sports to be our GM. Please fire Billy. Please fire coach Mike after the season. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DECIDE WHO THE F’ING OWNER IS!