AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > April > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHawks improvement seen, plans not
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
They’re better. They’re exciting, too, with more athleticism than they’ve had since their days of ‘Nique, Doc and Spud. They also flashed another hint of what could happen often inside Philips Arena when a packed house lost its mind Tuesday night after Tyronn Lue shot from the vicinity of South Beach to nail the game-winner against the Miami Heat in the final seconds.
Even so, the Hawks still aren’t good, and nobody knows all of the plan to change that sooner than later. Not the owners. Not the coaching staff. Certainly not the players, the media or the few who bother to attend Hawks home games, mostly when folks named O’Neal, Wade and Payton (theoretically) are in town.
Presumably general manager Billy Knight knows where the Hawks go from here, but he prefers not to say much worth printing about the direction of a franchise that improved enough on the court this season to rise from the worst team in the league to only the third- or fourth-worst.
This means that despite the maturation of the two Joshes, rookie Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson’s ascent to stardom in his first venture as The Man, the Hawks still have a ways to go. They began the season needing a point guard and a big man, especially after the shocking death of Jason Collier on Oct. 15, and they still need a point guard and a big man.
Whether Knight agrees or not is another matter. He did acknowledge before what was the Hawks’ last home game before their finale Wednesday in Cleveland that they do have to get bigger. As for a point guard, well, Knight shrugged. “I’m just not the type of guy who talks about stuff, because I think that’s counterproductive,” said Knight, who later watched Lue’s bomb send the Hawks to a 103-100 victory that actually was a fraud.
Coach Pat Riley was attending to family business in upstate New York. Plus, they placed Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade and Gary Payton on the inactive list before the game.
That said, Jason Williams, Payton’s backup, is a little more accomplished at point guard than Royal Ivey, the Hawks’ starter who gives way to Lue. “Everybody says that we need a point guard,” said Knight, pausing and smiling before adding in a hurry, “But it’s still debatable whether I agree with them or not. We’ll see how that goes. Certainly I like some of the players that we have to play that position. Is John Stockton coming out of retirement? Is Magic Johnson coming back?”
No, but the Portland Trail Blazers spent much of the season with a bunch of point guards. So did the Denver Nuggets. You would think that the Hawks could have worked a deal to get somebody from somewhere to complement Johnson in the backcourt. Instead, Knight said that he prefers not to make such a huge transaction during the season (although he did do so with Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Antoine Walker and Theo Ratliff during his previous two full years as Hawks’ GM, but who’s counting?). Not only that, the New Orleans Hornets have the Rookie of the Year and perennial star at point guard (Chris Paul) that the Hawks ignored in last year’s draft to obtain forward Marvin Williams.
We’re back to the plan again. The invisible one. Still, Knight said the plan is clear. It’s just that he says the details will stay in the deepest part of his brain. “If you chart out our team the way we do internally, month by month or by breaking it up by segments, it’s on an upswing,” said Knight, who paused again before hinting of the truth: When his plan comes to light, it better have the Hawks out of the darkness.
“Guess what? I know that my job is on the line. I understand that. That’s the nature of this business,” Knight said. “Nobody needs to remind me. I’ve been around the world and back, and I’ve made it back. I’ve been fired a lot, but not that many times. If it doesn’t work, it’s on me.”
Yep.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Terence Moore
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By President
April 19, 2006 05:48 AM | Link to this
Passing on Chris Paul makes you wonder if Billy Knight has a clue. Nevertheless, finding a servicable point guard is not that hard a task. I mean Lue, Ivey and Stoudamire are not chop liver. As far as a big man is concerned, this years draft might provide the Hawks with an opportunity to draft Noah (Florida), Thomas (LSU) or Alderidge (Texas). Moreover, the Hawks would be wise to aquire the kid Diop (7’2 Center) from Dallas. Anything less that 42 wins and the playoffs next year and Mr. Knight is a goner!!!
By Eugene
April 19, 2006 07:07 AM | Link to this
For crying out loud I’m so tired of hearing about how the hawks need a point guard! Exactly what can Jason Kidd or Steve Nash do that Lue cannot?? The big difference is they play on winning teams and get a lot of hype. They are perceived to be better. What the hawks need are 2 low-post scorers who are at least 6-10 or taller and who can rebound and defend the paint!
By Greg
April 19, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this
Who cares if Billy is talking or not, he knows its on him and the man along with Woody is a competitor!!! We won 2 times as many as lasy year and next year we will be in the playoffs so enjoy watching this team flourish and BK making a couple of moves to help us get into the playoffs.
By doc
April 19, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this
is it arroagance or insecurity that he cant see what is needed so dearly on his team and state it for the public record. when it comes from gearon, jr and his present “point” guard i would hope bk is really not as out of touch as he pretends to be in this article. i imagine even his coach could be found somewhere on record as saying the same.
eugene as far as what does a true best in the business point guard mean to a team, only look at the numbers of the suns and the nets before the two you mentioned arrived? you can have all the big men you want but if you dont have the guy who can bring the ball up the court, penetrate and dish as well as guard the perimeter your season is over. i dont care whether you have ten shaq’s you wont be in the dance at the end of the season.
every team that is playing in the post season right now has some combination to do those things and the two you mentioned are the true thing because they do it by themselves every night. the teams that have that go farther have the single entity; that is the value of the elite point. to got to the later rounds you need it all including the prominant bigs, no question but the point has to be the driver or those big boys wilt like the prettiest dainty flower wtihout water.
By Stephen from Fayetteville
April 19, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this
Eugene, you are right on the money. Forget about a point guard for now. Sign a couple of big guys who can rebound and score down low and we win 35-40 games next year.
By Astro Joe
April 19, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
Doctor, let’s hope that it is neither insecurity nor arrogance. Let’s hope it is negotiating. There are very few free agent PGs and the hawks are one of the few teams with a lot of salary cap room. So maybe he is trying to send a message to the agents for Speedy Claxton, Mike James and Sam Cassell that he will not overpay for a position that he is “not sure that he needs”. Let’s hope that is what he is doing.
By doc
April 19, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
aj, i am aware it may be a case of playing your cards close to the vest, he is saying he is responsible, but does it have to be so surly? i have looked for clues to be supportive and dont think he hasnt done a bad job; all he has to say is that if there was the right guy out there we would look strongly at him to make the club more competitive. he could then say it would allow jj on the court at a position that he could be even more devastating that of a shooting guard that can distribute; he could even go so far as to say he has a list of guys that would be appealing at the right price along with a list of bigs.
john s. with the braves is able to be pleasant, even laugh at himself while being frugal and a good negotiator. just cant buy all of what you say on this one.
By Sims
April 19, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe that Eugene just tried to make a case by comparing Lue to Jason Kidd and Steve Nash. Yeah sure thing, Eugene. What have Nash and Kidd ever done for their teams, anyway?(sarcasm off)
By jbrownjib
April 19, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this
I think the Hawks are very young and inexperienced in the NBA. It takes a few years for a player to develop especially considering the youth we have on this team. I Knight has done a good job, much better than his predecessor. A good quality center is what this team needs they will have a good back up in Pach man. A quality center is a rarity in the league compared to point gaurds. It will be much easier and cheaper to trade for a point guard and they can draft a big man considering they have a lottery pick. Aldridge from Texas will be tough and athletic.
By Stephen from Fayetteville
April 19, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Guys, do you want Billy Knight to be nice or do you want him to be effective? He’s not running for Mr. Congeniality. He’s trying to turn this woebegone NBA franchise around. It took a long time to dig this hole, and it will take a while to get out of it.
By Ryder
April 19, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this
As much as I love to have a marquee PG, this team needs to be able to bang down in the paint with O’Neal, Okafor, and Howard in their own division. Many games were lost this year because of Atlanta’s inability to have that defender down low who could alter opposing shots on defense and obtain defensive boards late in the game. JJ grew to become an outstanding playmaker, and with the tandem of Ivey/Lue and Stoudamire (who I think will grow into that position eventually) it is highly important to get a defensive/rebounding presence who is not always looking for his own shot first (Al Harrington, I’m looking right at you). If Tyrus Thomas of LSU is available grab him in the draft. If not go for Aldridge and obtain a VETERAN big man with the $10 mil in cap space.
By Ryder
April 19, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this
Just so as long as this team comes out this offseason with either one, that will be a success.
By Wink from Lithonia
April 19, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
I do not have a need for BK to be Mr. Congeniality, but like most, I would welcome some kind of expression of a plan instead of this vague talk. I agree we need some inside play. Mostly rebounding, shot blocking presence and some scoring potential. We need a guard who can push the ball, penetrate the paint & dish some dimes. Most 6’6” point guard can’t do this, even JJ does’nt. Boris Diaw was not the answer either. Ty Lue is a back up, a very good back up. Royal is not the answer, but I think he could develope into solid player like Eric Snow was in Philly. He should have been given more floor time, but they don’t seem to trust him. Dependable enough to get them started…it appears they understand they need someone to stabalize the offense, but they are looking for 6’6”? The draft will be loaded with swingmen types. Help us out BK…help get excited about the product you are asking us to support.
By Steve B.
April 19, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this
I’ve watched a lot of Miami Heat games this year and Jason Williams is the starter not Gary Payton. Gary only started when Jason was hurt. An up grade at point gaurd would be nice on the HAWKS and non of us can truely say Lue is any where near the level of play that Jason or Steve is. But he dose have a simple point in that if we don’t stop the other team from driving the lane and getting lay-ups it dosn’t matter who we have at point gaurd. We have to defend and rebound this will make any point gaurd we get look better. Next year I think we will better at both.
By Al
April 19, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
You’re kidding me? Comparing Lue to any one of the other “decent” point guards in the league?! Insanity! The guy doesn’t know how to run a fast break, has no court presence and slows the game down way too much. I’ll give it to you that for his size the guy can get a shot off, but c’mon!!! WE NEED A POINT GUARD - a REAL ONE.
By Ken Strickland
April 19, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this
I’ve read a number of statements suggesting the Hawks fire the GM and coach. Why? Prior to Knight’s arrival this franchise was in a simular situation as the Knicks are today. We weren’t competitive or talented and had no cap room to do anything about it. This was because of the awful draft picks Knight’s predessor assembled & overpayed. Knight blew up that roster and started working his magic. When is the last time anyone heard the phrase cap room mentioned in conjunction with the Hawks before Knight. He has assembled more young, athletic talent in 2yrs than this franchise has seen since the days of Nique, Doc, Willis, Spud,etc. As for Woodson, name another Hawks coach that has developed any talent since those aformentioned days, including Lenny Wilkens. The duo you want to fire has assembled a very young and talented nucleus(Johnson, williams, Childress, Staudemire, smith, Pachulia). We also have a lottery pick and suffient cap room to add what is needed. Relax, we are in good hands.
By RAY P.
April 19, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
THE THING THAT IS GOING TO KILL BILL KNIGHT IS HIS LOVE FOR 6-8 TO 6-9 SWINGMEN W/LONG ARMS WHO CAN PLAY MULTIPLE POSITIONS. CASE IN POINT THIS OFFSEASON THAY HAD 2 MOST GLARING NEEDS WERE A CENTER & PG. SINCE THEY COULDN’T GET TO THE TOP SPOT TO GET A. BOGUT THERE WERE SEVERAL PG’S AVAILABLE(PAUL, WILLIAMS, & FELTON) INSTEAD HE CHOOSES THE 6-8 - 6-9 SWINGMAN M. WILLIAMS WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE AT LEAST 3 PLAYERS W/THE SAME SIZE & SIMILAR STYLE OF PLAY. THSI IS NOT A SHOT AT M. WILLIAMS I THINK THAT HE WILL BE A GOOD PLAYER A FEW YEARS JUST LOOK AT THE WAY J. SMITH IS DEVELOPING BUT THIS TEAM NEEDED A PG WHO CAN PENETRATE, & GET THE BALL TO GUYS IN POSITION TO MAKE PLAYS LIKE J.KIDD, S. NASH, OR SAM CASSELL. JUST ASK KENYON MARTIN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD PG & HOW THEY CAN MAKE PLAYERS BETTER. THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME IS BK MUST HAVE REALLY EXPECTED JOE JOHNSON TO BE THE PG WHICH WAS A BAD IDEA TO BEGIN WITH. DON’T GET ME WRONG JOE HAS BEEN EVERYTHING HE WAS BILLED & A LITTLE BIT MORE BUT HE FLOURISED WHEN HE WENT TO THE 2 SPOT. I ALSO DON’T UNDER STAND WHY NO MOVE WAS MADE AT THE TRADE DEADLINE TO MOVE HARRINGTON YOU KNOW THEY’RE NOT GOING TO GIVE HIM A MAX CONTRACT;HE’S NOT THE TYPE OF PLAYER WHO DESERVES THAT. HE’S OK BUT AS A COMPLIMENTARY PIECE ON A SUPERIOR TEAM BUT NOT A GUY U BUILD AROUND. I’VE BEEN TRYING TO GIVE BILLY KNIGHT THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT BUT I’M BEGINNING TO DOUBT WHETHER HIS MOVES OR LACK OF MOVES IS SETTING THE HAWKS REBUILDING PLAN BACK EVEN FURTHER.
By Stanley Frankfurter
April 19, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or is Billy just a sweetheart? Would he be a little more pleasant if his team was better?
I really can’t believe him saying he’s not sure if the team needs a point guard or not. Royal Ivey is on our lineup, and plays in games. They picked up a PG from the D-League. I seriously doubt either of those guys would make it on any other team’s roster. The fact that they have those guy’s and use them means that they need a PG.
They’ve got $20mil under the cap, a solid draft pick, and a solid trade piece (Al). Billy really has a chance to do something this off-season, and can really make this team into something for next year. If not, by this time next year that bunch of owner/idiots will be accepting resumes.
By F. Parker
April 19, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
I think BK is trying to model his team like the Suns, if he is then swingmen would make sense. J. Smith could be like our Marion and JJ at the two (should have been like this from the start)is great. If L. Alridge is still around he could be our center (yes he can get away with it)and Marvin is coming on at the three. Oh yeah, trade Al and Childress for one of the points in Portland (not both but either JChill or Al). People, we don’t need Hakim, I mean Tyrus Thomas on this roster.
By F. Parker
April 19, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
I think BK is trying to model his team like the Suns, if he is then swingmen would make sense. J. Smith could be like our Marion and JJ at the two (should have been like this from the start)is great. If L. Alridge is still around he could be our center (yes he can get away with it)and Marvin is coming on at the three. Oh yeah, trade Al and Childress for one of the points in Portland (not both but either JChill or Al). People, we don’t need Hakim, I mean Tyrus Thomas on this roster.
By doc
April 19, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
some people miss the point, ia m not an anti bk guy nor looking for mr. congeniality but something that speaks authentically. as one blogger pointed out if you have a royal ivey starting and an nbdl player doing some minutes and a lue as the main cog down the stretch you need to say nasa we have a problem and not pretend otherwise. i hope he is a better evaluator of the situation than that and owners a greater sense of the pulse. we will see within the next few months.
By Ladi
April 19, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
While Mr. BK is declining comments, I believe he is thinking with the deepest part of his brain. He knows he must take this team to the playoffs next season or else, “it’s on me” That’s his quote. I believe he is coming out with a shocker, and that is why he does not want to leak out his own secret.
By Andy
April 19, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
Ben Wallace anyone? Merry christmas bedfords falls!!!!
By JD
April 19, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
The insiders on ESPN last night said that Indiana was interested in shopping Jermaine O’Neal in the offseason and to watch Golden State to make a move by offering Troy Murphy. Troy Murphy???? Is that all it takes. The Hawks need to get serious to make a credible offer in the form of players / draft picks to get JO (a legit big man) to Atlanta. We can’t afford to take another project (aka Tyrus Thomas) in the draft. Make the deal!!!
By Ben
April 19, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this
Enough of people taking up for BK. He is the Matt Millen of the NBA. We are a laughing stock, and it is getting old. I have had season tickets for 10 years, and I still love my Hawks. We need a coach who will stand up for our players. The officials absolutely ran over us this year, because they knew that no one would argue or put up a fight. I love Joe Johnson to death, but he needs to be getting the calls that a superstar gets. Zaza is a quality player but lacks any sort of physical presence. We gave up way too many easy shots night in and night out. I love the way Batista played…. no easy shots on that boy. We are one big man and a head coach away from being playoff caliber. Even Terry Stotts was able to win more with the Hawks with far less talent. Enough of BK and enough of Woody.
By Ken Strickland
April 19, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this
Ray p,, I can see you are a Hawks fan and you want to win ASAP. We can’t get everything we need all at once. Wins are great, but at this point it is secondary to player and team development. As the players develop, the team will develop and the wins will come. We’ve already seen that formula work this yr. As for needing a center, we got the steal of FA. Zaza was a 3rd string center getting limited playing time. His production this yr is better than the 2 that were ahead of him. Once he gets some backup he can be more aggressive and his production will increase. He’s already one of the better rebounding Centers in the league, especially on the OFF end. As for Knight stocking up on 6=8 swingmen, there is more than one way to acquire what you need. You acquire and develop an overabondance of a certain type of player, keep what best fits your team, then trade the remainder for what you need. The Braves have been doing it for 14yrs and have 14 consecutive winning seasons to show for it with many more to come. I may be wrong, but I believe Knight is looking well beyond a playoff birth. When Byron Scott was traded to the Lakers and they won a playoff series, he went into the dressing room ready to celebrate. What he found were teammates reacting no differently than after a regular season game. When he inquired about the lack of jubilation, Magic and Worthy told him they don’t celebrate playoffs, they celebrate CHAMPIONSHIPS. I really believe that is Billy Knight’s vision and his goal for the ATLANTA HAWKS. I am one Hawks fan that is going to support him all the way.
By mountain_jim
April 19, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
Good column Terence.
That’s more from BK than I’ve heard anyone get in awhile…..
Coach and BK get another year to prove themselves - and I for one think they will.
mj
By Tyger
April 19, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this
BK has done a great job with the “mess” left by Pete Babcock and Stan Kasten. Surely, anyone, except those with their eyes wide shut, can see that. But somehow, we seem cursed with those type of fellows, exit Babcock and Snake Kasten, enter Brokeback Belkin. What gives?
Nique release us from your curse, youre a HOF now, give us a break!!!
By Joe Blow
April 20, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this
Tyger: Always funny to hear Kasten on 680 AM try to defend his tenure with the Hawks. He claims the Hawks were a success over the last 20 years contrary to popular opinion. Kasten is a fool who would have lost his job many years ago if not for the incompetance at AOL. Look out Nationals! Rumor has it that Kasten is part of the new ownership group.
By BBALL
April 20, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
I still can’t get away from the old Piston’s model. Point guards are great, but the Hawks have 5 guys to platoon that role. They have NOBODY to kick some low post butt. Hawks need inside strong men with calloused elbows so the long armed 6’ 8” slashers can operate effectivly outside in.
By This gets old
April 20, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this
Anybody remember Pau Gasol? Who stole him from the Hawks? Billy doesn’t have to ‘splain nothing to me because I can look at the talent on the team, how it’s emerging and know that in reality the Hawks aren’t that far away.
As for playing a fast break style that’s not the Eastern Conference style of play at least not until a fast break team beats the Pistons. If that happens the Hawks are in position to play that style.
Getting the GREAT big man or PG is a matter of luck. I’m sick of hearing about Chris Paul, he was a risky pick back then and it’s not like we passed on the next Jordan.
UNCLENCH