AJC > Sports > Hawks > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USKnight to step down; Where do the Hawks go from here?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ajc.com is reporting that Billy Knight will step down from his current GM position for the Hawks on July 1.
As an opponent of Billy Knight for the past three years, I say: “Good Riddance!”
Yes, Knight brought us Joe Johnson and more recently, Al Horford and Mike Bibby, but he also gave us Shelden Williams (whom Woodson hardly ever played), Esteban Batista and Speedy Claxton, just to name a few.
He loved to draft power forwards. In fact, I have reason to believe that Knight only drafted players that played like he did.
He had problems with Steve Belkin, which was gutsy, because no one knows who is running this franchise, and alienated Mike Woodson earlier this season.
The big problem is, I kinda feel for the next person who follows Knight. That person will have to give up this year’s draft picks to fulfill trade obligations that Knight made. That person will also have the headache of trying to re-sign the Joshes.
But, this is a chance for the Hawks to go out and get a good GM who can actually put a team together.
So long, GM Billy. I won’t miss ya.
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Comments
By JC
May 7, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
Step 1: Hire GM
Step 2: Fire Woodson
Step 3: Hire coach
Step 4: Sign Childress
Step 5: Sign and trade Smith
By EJ
May 7, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Please hire a qualified, EXPERIENCED GM. This team is on the verge of becoming a real contender in the east. We don’t need to experiment with the GM position. We don’t need someone who has to learn on the job. We need someone who has spent years in or around the GM position. I don’t know who that person is right now. But, I know who it isn’t. WE DON’T NEED TO MAKE NIQUE’ THE GM!!!!! ASG please don’t cave to emotional pressure. Please don’t screw this up.I loved Dominique Wilkens as a player. Maybe someday he will make a great executive. But he’s not ready to step into that role today.
By DJ
May 7, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
The person above is a foolish idiot.
hire GM
hire AVERY JOHNSON, keep Woodson as assistant coach
RESIGN JOSH SMITH (at all costs)
Resign Josh Childress (slightly less priority, but we MUST keep them both)
sign a verteran for the minumum
thats it! Atlanta Hawks will win 50 games next season.
By Blakeo
May 7, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Hire a GM
Hire Avery Johnson
Don’t break the bank on J. Smith…if he wants too much then try to work a sign and trade.
Childress is a must keep…he’s a great bench man that understands what he can and cannot do.
I’d go after J. O’Neal…that way Al can move to the Power Forward position.
Then the Hawks are a real threat if they sign some real bench players.
By Wink from Lithonia
May 7, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
Billy Knightmare is stepping down, I would expect nothing less. It will save the Sprit from having to release him, they get to save face, as his crown & glory for his tenure, is not shaking Belkin’s hand.
The job for the new GM comes with a lot of baggage left over from the Knightmare era.
The wasted money for Free Agents Speedy Claxton (a bonafide member of the All Aflac team; it pays to miss work) and Mike (missing in playoff action) Bibby. We may be able to get from under the Bibby deal.
Wasted draft picks Sheldon, Diaw, or lack there of ( Paul, Roy, Deron, Gay).
Coaching problem with Woody: Keep him or Fire him (I am leaning toward putting the “Undertaker” in the ground. Because he sucks the life out of a player (see Salim & Law & Richardson).
No Draft picks in 1st or 2nd round: How do you give up 5 players for Bibby & throw in a 2nd round pick to seal the deal.
Resigning the Joshes: These were his best picks and he does not want to deal with their contract negoiations. He could have signed them last summer but choose not to. Now we may lose one of them, but we got to have Chills. I agree with above proposal Sign & Trade Smoove… we would only lose his off the ball defense & blocks - scoring is to inconsistent to miss. Chills on the other hand contributes and know what you are going to get nightly.
Limited cash to go after free agents and options for improvement thru the draft. We need a talent evaluator, I think I can do this job…at least we would fill a team; only 3 untouchables on this team Chills,JJ, & Horford ( the man child…aka…ROY)
Spirit or Belkin call me…I am available.
By DJ
May 7, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
you people are FOOLISH if u think the Hawks should TRADE JOSH SMITH! HOW COULD U BE DISSATISFIED WITH WHAT HE DOES FOR THIS TEAM!?
Josh Smith is gonna lead the league in blocks for the next 9 YEARS, and he right on the brink of ALL-STAR STATUS!! He’s the undisputed second best player on our team and he’s only 22!! 22 pEOPLE! tHE SAME AGE AS AL HORFORD, A ROOKIE!!
jOSH IS GONNA BE A 20/9/5/3 BLKS GUY AND A FRANCHISE PLAYER, BELIEVE THAT!
By Blakeo
May 7, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Josh doesn’t bring it often enough to warrant getting too much more than the $9 million per year that they offered him last summer. He’s good and has potential to be an outstanding player…but he also plays out of control and turns the ball over multiple times each night…and he takes shots that he has no chance of making…and I’m sorry to say that if you think that Josh Smith is a future franchise player I don’t think you watch the Hawks play that often. If you watch them every now and then and catch him on a good night…he looks great…but too often than not he looks like he did games 1, 2, 5, and 7 in this years playoffs.
By no id
May 7, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
hopefully the next person to go is woodson
By Joe
May 7, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Glad that bum is gone, hope Woodson is next.
The Hawks have got to bring someone in here who is smart enough to sign-and-trade Josh Smith now.
By DJ
May 7, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Look, i watch the Hawks, im a season ticket holder, and i’m a young black man, AND i know Josh Smith personally. I understand the young man didn’t be a leader on his team like he should have, but thats a part of growing up as an NBA PLAYER! Smith is a consistent rebounder, a GREAT shot blocker, and a pretty good scorer, i talk to this kid often, do you think he doesn’t have the DESIRE to be a 20-pt scorer!? do you think he is not able?!
If we trade Smith, that will be the WORST MOVE the Hawks will have made in all our years.
How would you, as a fan, overlook all the good things he does and CAN DO, how can you overlook the steady progress he has made since coming into the league at 18 YEARS OLD, to now, a 22-years old 18 pts 8 rebs 3 asts 3 blks BEAST at the 3 position!
Josh Smith is a franchise player, undeniably.
By DJ
May 7, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
who the F*CK could POSSSIBLY MATCH the value of 22 YEAR OLD JOSH SMITH?!? WHO THE HELL IS AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN SMITH HIS AGE AT HIS POSITION!?
CALL ME WHEN LEBRON JAMES BECOMES AVAILABLE, THATS THE ONLY PLAYER NEAR HIS ABILITY HIS AGE
DEAD SERIOUS
By Rakim
May 7, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
1 - Josh Smith is as important as JJ…
2 - Bibby is the main reason we didn’t win the series… Stop saying he should be part of the future! I would get rid of him and give Law a chance, he played better than Bibby in limited minutes.
3 - We must keep Childress
4 - keep Woodson for now, the team seems to like him. Firing him now could affect this young team in a negative way…
5 - Sign a veteran Point guard and Center… keep it under 5 mil for each…
6 - 2009 Hawks = NBA Champs
By Joe
May 7, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
DJ, you are obviously letting your friendship cloud your judgement.
Josh Smith is NOT A MAX CONTRACT player. He disappears from games way too often. He takes too many jumpers. He tries to lead the fast break, but he cannot dribble or pass. He plays pretty good defense, not great.
For you to compare him to Lebron James is absolutely laughable. Josh Smith is a better shot-blocking Darius Miles.
By Joe
May 7, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Also, DJ, because of Billy Knight’s pathetic draft picks, Josh is the only person of any value on the team.
The Hawks could not get a bag of socks for Marvin Williams. Bibby may be moveable because he only has one year left, but honestly, he was a bum for the time he played with the Hawks, and he is making $14 million next year.
As you state, Josh’s value is very high right now, and another GM will be willing to mortgage their future if they truly believe that Josh is a franchise player.
That is why you have to trade him NOW. If not, we are going to be stuck signing him to a max deal, which is going to hamstring us financially over the next decade. He is just not worth that kind of deal.
By Manny
May 7, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Hire Avery Johnson???
Sometimes I wonder how people could come up with their decisions, sometimes.
Avery Johnson is a good coach, but this is Mike Woodson’s team. Woodson finally got these kids to believe in themselves and you want to usurp that and get Avery Johnson? A guy that just came from a bad situation, and lost in the first round with all of those stars in the arsenal?
You keep Mike Woodson. You find Mike Woodson better players. You make a trade for a younger point guard and let Mike Bibby go. You trade Josh Smith for strength off the boards.
And you get a good GM. GMs need no name recognition.
By Watt
May 7, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
It good Knight stepped down he was a pulling guard for a young team that could have been off the hook if they had one or two more good picks or veterans. Hawks should keep Josh Smith he’s definitely a beast to reckon with now and in the future. Get a veteran to work with him on dribbling and ball control. Bibby no doubt is a great point guard but not consistent on a night to night basis. I think I would get rid of him right now and play my man AC Law more and give him this team to run. Joe Johnson it’s time to say our good-byes with this fellow it’s been a decent ride but the next stop he needs to get off. Hortford is the big man of the future.He’s a keeper, build around this young beast. Marvin Williams should have never wore a NBA uniform for just making a last minute buzzer shot for NC. He’s a disgrace to the tarheel fans. He’s the weakest link in the hawks lineup. Please play Solomon more i think he’s the guy that would have made a lot of folks think twice before they drive to the hoop. Overall the hawks will be fine.I will be a season ticket holder next season for sure. Go hawks!!!
By Blakeo
May 7, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
DJ…I played with the Atlanta Celtics so I to know Josh and have communicated with him many times prior to him getting into the league…his agent’s father Wallace Prather father started the Atlanta Celtics AAU program and was instrumental in getting a lot of us less gifted players basketball sholarships through the years…so as I should have a biased opinion but I’m being real…Josh Smith is not worth max dollars. If he wants that type of money then you have to let him go! I to am a season ticket holder and have been a Hawks fan since the days at the Omni…giving Josh too much money would destroy this team. He’s talanted…but not skilled enough to warrant that type of money!
By oldmike
May 7, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Manny-I hate to disagree but Woodson did nothing at all to establish his role players. His rotations were terrible. He sucked the life out of JJ by playing him 42+ minutes a night. He came up with NO schemes to free JJ up for shots. He buried Acie and Salim all year and as a result had no other scoring options on the floor when JJ was doubled. A good coach makes his players better. A good coach coaxes a better effort out of his team in a Game 7 than a 35 point blow out. He has to go!
By MsDee
May 7, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Mike Woodson cant coach!!He did not get this team to the playoffs, the players got themselves in the playoffs!! Woodson cant sub players the way he should..even the anouncers knew he should have kept Acie in the game longer than Bibby. Law’s numbers were much better than Bibby was in limited minutes!! Even in game 6 I think, Law mades some great passes to Marvin & Zaza for assists and than BANG, he’s out the game, never to be seen again!! And everyone here keeps saying “oh, we could have had Chris Paul or D. Williams, but yall lack to realize that Woodson HATES rookies!! None of our rookies, (except Horford), made it to their rookie all-star games!! Chills was #5 pick and JSmoove #17..neither made it their rookie or 2nd yr..Marvin, the #2 pick, didnt make it. Now how do the #2 overall pick not make either year for his all-star game??? Its b/c of Woodson. So if u think Chris Paul or D.Williams would be who they are now if they were under Woodson, u are sadly mistaken!! Acie could easily be a Cp3 or D. Williams, but instead an R. Ivey. So please yall, understand that Woodson needs to be history before next season!!
By RealSquawk
May 7, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
I can’t help but think that this means Woodson job is secure
oh how we celebrate the firing Knight without seeing the whole picture
Atlanta fans we should be worried because depending on the actions of the owners we could go right back into rebuilding mode
I personally would have gotten Knight to stay and said bye bye to Woodson
thank-you MsDEE for realizing the obvious
Chris Paul and Deron Williams would still be seeing on and off time from the bench remember they were logging starting minutes their rookie seasons The only players Woodson has ever given major minutes are players over 6-7 and probably because there was no one else to go there
come on people wake up!!!!!
By fudd21
May 7, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
DJ so you think Smoove is worth max money. What is that 17 mil per. I think if that happens it would put us in a financial bind and prevent us from bringing in much needed help.
JJ needs help now and I’m afraid if he doesnt get it, he won’t resign when his contract is up. Smoove, Marvin, AL none of them are ready to be the offensive second option that we need to take the pressure of JJ. Why do you think he gets doubled and tripled so much. There is no one else on the Hawks, beside Bibby we he is on, that opponents fear.
As for Paul or Deron playing, either would have been giving the reigns of this team from day one. Remember people we had no PG then. T Lue was starting for us after the dreaded 5 game experiment with JJ at the point. Just like Al started as a rookie, Paul or Deron would have been given the keys. Some players just have “IT” and both of them have “IT”. They would have risen above the mediocrity of Woody.
By RealSquawk
May 7, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
People of Atlanta you should be worried!!
Let us say that Billy actually said I want to step down. Now why would he do that? Only if Mike Woodson was staying!!
Billy said its time to move on I interpret that mean they sat down Billy said I think we should move on with a new head coach. Spirit Group said no and Billy said deuces!!
It makes the most sense listen to the interview they are very high on Woodson right now
unless they are just trying to make the letting go of Woodson work in his favor
and i just can’t give the spirit group that
Woodson stays
it is to bad Knight is to much of a stand up guy to play press game and lie to the media
If Knight was to speak it would probably get him in trouble around the league because he would talk candidly about the ownership and why he left
and i dont think other owners would favorable open that
By JN
May 7, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
Woody didn’t get the Hawks to the playoffs. The Hawks got themselves there. Woody the retard must go!
By HawksFan
May 7, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
MsDee
You are wrong about none of the Hawks other than Horford making it to their Rookie All-Star Games. Smoove got invited to the game his rookie year!!!
By richbrave
May 7, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
The WOODEN-one lives to fight another day.
By O'brien
May 7, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Terence Moore has an article saying that it makes sense for Woodson to stay. What? I think people are distracted by the 3 wins in the playoffs, instead of looking at the big picture. 106-222 in 4 years, no half court offense, no in-game adjustment, not developing a bench, refusing to let the young athletic Hawks play to their strenghts (which is run), playing the starters too many minutes (especially JJ), and his play calling (iso for JJ, thats all he knows). The sad part is the owners are happy with the job Woody did after getting Bibby. But in the playoffs in Boston, when Bibby was struggling, Woody still did not give Acie enough minutes, and never gave Salim or JRich any minutes. Shouldnt the ASG let the new GM weigh in on the coaching situation?
By Necole Scott
May 8, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Harold Ellis would be the best candidate for the GM position, because of his experience, he’s a native of Atlanta, and he believe in the team and want to see them go all the way.
By Blakeo
May 8, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Harold Ellis would be the worst ever candidate…the man knows nothing about the game of basketball. I know him personally and have no respect for his knowledge of the game. Trust me on this one…he’s told me personally that he’s okay with Josh Smith throwing up multiple 3 pointers because he shoots a decent percentage! He shot around 23% from 3-point range! The only reason he is where he’s at is because he’s Billy Knight’s boy…enough said.
By hocker
May 8, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Why would a competent GM take this job? We are already reading in Moore’s fish wrap that Gearon Jr. intends to keep Woody. Swell, there is nothing that will attract a new GM quite like making coaching decisions for him, especially when that coach is one of the worst in NBA history.
The Spirit-less owners need to go next. Any other moves are just window dressing.
By Najeh Davenpoop
May 8, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Hawks Hack clearly still has not figured out the difference between a small forward and a power forward.
By K.K.
May 8, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
My suggestion would be to hire someone who is familiar with all aspects of the GM position. A likely candidate would be Harold Ellis. Let’s face it, he has the knowledge and experience. Harold has played in the league and knows how to spot new talent as a scout.
I feel that this choice would be a morale booster for the A-T-L.
By A+
May 8, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
I was listening to 790 the zone and I heard the name Harold Ellis as a potenetial candidate for the Hawk’s GM vacancy. If the average fan would research his credentials, it is quit apparent that he is a qualified candidate for the GM position. As a Hawk’s fan I would welcome the appointment of Harold Ellis as the next Hawk’s GM.
By Pop
May 8, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
WOW, Blakeo!!
It sounds as if there’s some major hating going on. And just why should anyone trust your personal OPINION?? If only you had his knowledge and expertise of the game, maybe you would be in his position!
FYI: Mr. Ellis is where he’s at because of his own credentials and by his own merit.
By Blakeo
May 9, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Mr. Ellis attempted to come back and coach a Morehouse…I was a 4 year starter on the basketball team. He came in and totally screwed up the chemistry that the team had and his antics did nothing to progress the team in a positive manner. Then he did a Bobby Petrino and quit in the middle of the season once he realized that what he was selling wasn’t being bought by anyone. I still talk to the man when I see him…trust me he is not qualified to be the GM of a professional basketball team! He is where he is because he’s good friends with Billy Knight! I guess you have to spend time with someone to truly understand them…and if he was so qualified, why aren’t there any other teams beating the door down to get at him? And to Pop…the only reason that I didn’t go the sports route is because I made a decision to enter the field of finance and it has been a great decision, but I do miss being around basketball everyday.
By dashizz357
May 9, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
1- Keep Coach 2- sign the Josh’s 3- trade Marvin for Mike Miller 4- sign Bibby 5- pick-up Ron ArtestNBA Champs, (maybe) I forgot about the LAKERS!!!!
By Tbones
May 9, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
The Hawks, finally have an identity as an up-tempo team. They only need to make small tweaks right now with players that fit their style. You must resign Josh Smith. He’s your best defender, shot blocker, finisher and second best scorer at only 22. Consistentcy will come with maturity. You don’t ever give up on that type of talent, especially when he’s producing. Adding David Lee and Mike Miller would be perfect. David Lee gives us another athletic big man that can rebound, run the floor and plays hard, and Mike Miller gives us another good shooter, and player that has all around talent with his rebounding and assists. I don’t think those 2 players should cost us that much in trades. Memphis is trying to rebuild and create cap space, while the Knicks just need an overhaul period. The sleeper is Ramon Sessions/Milwaukee. You can get him dirt cheap and I guarantee he will be the next Jose Calderon or better. If you don’t know about him..check his numbers when the starter went down.
By TallOne
May 9, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Blakeo - You must not know Ellis personally or know anything about his track record, otherwise you would not spout off such drivel. I have seen him come a tremendous way in the past 10 years and take several teams and leagues to the championship, so I know you must be talking about a different Ellis.
By J.C.
May 9, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
To: “Blakeo”
From my understanding, Mr. Ellis thought highly of you as a player and felt as if you did an outstanding job at Morehouse. What you should do is compare his credentials against the other candidates mentioned for the GM position, and you do the math! I’m sure that Ellis really appreciates your “support” and wishes you well and much success in your finance career. I will, however pass on your kind words to Mr. Ellis, Blake O’Farrow. (Alpha Phi Alpha). Oh yeah, did you forget that he IS a Morehouse Man???
By BoneCrusher
May 21, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
The “Kight Slasher” has finally relieved himself. Embattled GM Billy Knight, the “Knight Slasher” has ripped through a Hawks roster depricating it and leaving it completely devoid of the talent it needed to advance to the Eastern Conference finals and beyond. Can you imagine where the Hawks would have been had the Knight Slasher been studious enough to evaluate talent such as Chris Paul and drafted Paul ahead of Marvin Williams. The Hawks would probably still be playing right now against the Pistons for the Eastern Conference championship. Hopefully the Knight Slasher will have ripped and torn up his last team in the Hawks. I hope Knight Slasher continues to remain unemployed since he doesnt appear deserving of another job.