Sports Columnists

By BirdDawg

May 25, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this

Billy Knight is an idiot.

He’s worse than an idiot. He’s a Pete Babcock.

If it were up to him, he’d have a team that couldn’t pass (a point guard, not some 2 or 3 posing as a 1) or rebound (a true power forward and true center, not some 2 or 3 posing as a 4 or a 5).

That’s Billy Knight’s perfect team. A team of four 3’s and 1 4. A team which loses 66% of its games every year, and yet, the idiot still has a job.

What a joke this once proud franchise continues to be. And it’s all Stan Kasten’s fault for not having the cajones to fire the original Pete Babcock Pete Babcock.

All roads lead to Stan.

By Tyger

May 25, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

Relying upon the advice of articles like these got Pete Babcock fired. Between the decade of lousy draft picks and quick fixes promoted by these yellow journalists the Hawks wound up with a aged roster and no young talent pool.

BK has reversed most of that in two seasons. Surely, he stockpiles the most talented players available b/c in the long run thats what you need. In the short term, you can fill needs with free agency and trades.

Moreover, not many draft picks are ready to contribute immediately thats why you dont draft for need, they need 2-3 yrs. to develop and by then your needs have changed.

Get the best player available, trade Al Harrington and acquire a big or two. The 5th pick assures a good player, maybe even a great one, perhaps we could trade down with New Orleans and grab two young bigs like Patrick Obryant and Hilton Armstrong. In a couple years we would be set down low.

We have Tyronne Lue, Salim Stoudamire, Royal Ivey, Gundy and JJ to hold down the point duties.

By Randall

May 25, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

You’re right, they’ll take yet another small forward in an effort to create a whole team of small forwards. Billy Knight’s recent quote regarding his draft strategy was quite telling - draft who he thinks is the best player available (it’s assumed here that what the team actually needs is totally irrelevant)and let the coach worry about it. Obviously when things don’t work out with a team of small forwards it will be the coach’s, not Billy’s, fault so I think it’s safe to say that the Hawks will be in the market for a coach in the not too distant future. If Billy stays around it’s going to become very difficult to find a decent coach who will allow himself to become Billy’s fall guy.

I guess it could be worse. At least Pete Babcock’s not here to draft whatever slow white guy is available.

By Dissatisfied

May 25, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark,

I agree with you about Marcus Williams. I think he’s exactly what the Hawks need in terms of a true point guard. I mean, rarely are there quality passers that come into the league playing point, and when you get a chance to acquire one, they need to get him. They don’t need another Salim, which they probably would get in Foye. Well, let’s hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. Maybe the Hawks trade down and still get Marcus Williams and get a mid first round pick, which they can use to get the center from Bradley, Patrick O’Bryant. That’s best case scenario for a Hawks fan, but an unlikely one with this franchise’s track record.

By Dissatisfied

May 25, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark,

I agree with you about Marcus Williams. I think he’s exactly what the Hawks need in terms of a true point guard. I mean, rarely are there quality passers that come into the league playing point, and when you get a chance to acquire one, they need to get him. They don’t need another Salim, which they probably would get in Foye. Well, let’s hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. Maybe the Hawks trade down and still get Marcus Williams and get a mid first round pick, which they can use to get the center from Bradley, Patrick O’Bryant. That’s best case scenario for a Hawks fan, but an unlikely one with this franchise’s track record.

By Dissatisfied

May 25, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark,

I agree with you about Marcus Williams. I think he’s exactly what the Hawks need in terms of a true point guard. I mean, rarely are there quality passers that come into the league playing point, and when you get a chance to acquire one, they need to get him. They don’t need another Salim, which they probably would get in Foye. Well, let’s hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. Maybe the Hawks trade down and still get Marcus Williams and get a mid first round pick, which they can use to get the center from Bradley, Patrick O’Bryant. That’s best case scenario for a Hawks fan, but an unlikely one with this franchise’s track record.

By Wolverinegrad

May 25, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

Well Stated Tyger !!!

That might be one of the best responses to these naive columnist and fans who never played a lick of basketball. I trust BK—all of the players he has drafted were second team ALL Rookie Team members—which is promising. Al-Harrington will be traded for a big man. Does the Lakers have a point guard, Does Cleveland have one? And Snow is way passed his prime….No they have superstar talent, and Although this last few drafts dont have a Lebron type player it does offer talent. No one knew who Kobe was when he was drafted, but everyone knew he had potential and look how that turned out. You had to take Marvin at the #2 spot, Childress is solid, and Josh Smith is also Solid. With that said—-I hope the Hawks take Brandon Roy or trade up for Tyrus. Nonetheless BK knows more about Basketball than me—-and ten times more than the columnist

By Eric

May 25, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

Pot calling the kettle black, Bird Dawg?

If you can’t see the improvement this team has made over the last year, then I can’t help you. And if you can’t see that its due entirely to players BK brought in, then you need to start taking remedial classes.

Everyone wants to get mad at Knight for not drafting Chris Paul, even though NO ONE was sold on him being a good NBA point. They want to get mad at him for trading Diaw, when even I could tell you he’s only now performing because he’s surrounded by superstars…much like Scottie Pippen.

Most NBA GM’s wouldn’t have had the vision to pick up Zaza, who was an absolute steal for what they are paying for him. Let’s not forget, he also drafted a budding superstar in the middle of the 1st round, Josh Smith…who Jay Bilas falsely proclaimed would be the biggest bust of this draft.

I love how people think turning around Babcock’s mess should take 2, maybe 3, years to fix…it’s not. It will take time. Knight has this team headed in the right direction, and he’s hired a coach who knows how to work with young talent. Mark my words, they will be a playoff team in ‘07 or ‘08.

By Eric

May 25, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Pot calling the kettle black, Bird Dawg?

If you can’t see the improvement this team has made over the last year, then I can’t help you. And if you can’t see that its due entirely to players BK brought in, then you need to start taking remedial classes.

Everyone wants to get mad at Knight for not drafting Chris Paul, even though NO ONE was sold on him being a good NBA point. They want to get mad at him for trading Diaw, when even I could tell you he’s only now performing because he’s surrounded by superstars…much like Scottie Pippen.

Most NBA GM’s wouldn’t have had the vision to pick up Zaza, who was an absolute steal for what they are paying for him. Let’s not forget, he also drafted a budding superstar in the middle of the 1st round, Josh Smith…who Jay Bilas falsely proclaimed would be the biggest bust of this draft.

I love how people think turning around Babcock’s mess should take 2, maybe 3, years to fix…it’s not. It will take time. Knight has this team headed in the right direction, and he’s hired a coach who knows how to work with young talent. Mark my words, they will be a playoff team in ‘07 or ‘08.

By antoine carr

May 25, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

they will take the guy from arkansas ronnie brewer who is the best player in the draft. adam morrsionNOWAY cant play D..not a lick of D. brewer and joe johnson will create msimatches against EVERY backcourt in the league EVERY time down the court. at first i thought it was a mistake not to take c paul…….MARVIN is the MAN. ..who cares about Foye???????? not me

By antoine carr

May 25, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

they will take the guy from arkansas ronnie brewer who is the best player in the draft. adam morrsionNOWAY cant play D..not a lick of D. brewer and joe johnson will create msimatches against EVERY backcourt in the league EVERY time down the court. at first i thought it was a mistake not to take c paul…….MARVIN is the MAN. ..who cares about Foye???????? not me

By antoine carr

May 25, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

they will take the guy from arkansas ronnie brewer who is the best player in the draft. adam morrsionNOWAY cant play D..not a lick of D. brewer and joe johnson will create msimatches against EVERY backcourt in the league EVERY time down the court. at first i thought it was a mistake not to take c paul…….MARVIN is the MAN. ..who cares about Foye???????? not me

By Wolverinegrad

May 25, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

Well Stated Tyger !!!

That might be one of the best responses to these naive columnist and fans who never played a lick of basketball. I trust BK—all of the players he has drafted were second team ALL Rookie Team members—which is promising. Al-Harrington will be traded for a big man. Does the Lakers have a point guard, Does Cleveland have one? And Snow is way passed his prime….No they have superstar talent, and Although this last few drafts dont have a Lebron type player it does offer talent. No one knew who Kobe was when he was drafted, but everyone knew he had potential and look how that turned out. You had to take Marvin at the #2 spot, Childress is solid, and Josh Smith is also Solid. With that said—-I hope the Hawks take Brandon Roy or trade up for Tyrus. Nonetheless BK knows more about Basketball than me—-and ten times more than the columnist

By BP

May 25, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this

I can’t really fault BK for stockpiling like guys. In his situation, you just have to get the best players and hope some emerge. If and when they do, then you can deal one to meet a need.

I like Williams with the pick - hopefully his “character” problems are behind him. However, can someone more NBA knowledgable than me explain what Tyronn Lue’s shortcoming is? Seems to me he’s got good vision, is a decent defender, and can shoot some too. Why has he never been considered a solution?

By bob

May 25, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this

Maybe they don’t take Williams because they think that they can get Iverson later in a trade maybe involving Harrington and the 5 pick or something. Maybe they make the pick and ship it off the Philly. Maybe they choose Williams and then trade him to Philly.

By bob

May 25, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

If we are going to choose a swingman, I’d rather trade down and pick up JJ Redick. Why is he projected so low? He’s only one of the best pure shooters to come out of college.

By Jameyan

May 25, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

TAKE MARCUS WILLIAMS PG UCONN

And by the way do the Hawks have new uniforms this season?

By RJS

May 25, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

Trade down and take Jordan Farmar. In 2 years, he’ll be the best point guard from this draft.

By Ezekiel

May 25, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Billy has done some good things with this franchise so far but he killed me with the comment that he could very well take another forward with our lottery pick. It is my hope that this is all smoke and mirrors and he has a master plan. I will be pretty upset (to say the least) if we draft and forward. I want us to pick up Williams and pick up a decent FA “big” via trade of Al. I desperately want this team to be improved.

By BirdDawg

May 25, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Marvin is the man.

He’s such the man, that he didn’t get any minutes, he didn’t score, he didn’t pass, he didn’t rebound.

He’s the man! And so is Billy “Pete Babcock” Knight!

No, Tyger, getting the best player available is not the way to build a successful team. Getting the best player to fill your needs is the way to build a successful team.

That way of thinking, the Billy Knight, Dan Reeves way of thinking maybe worked 20 years ago, before the cap when you could afford to stockpile tight ends and swingmen. But in today’s sports business model, guys like Dan Reeves and Billy Knight are thought of as pea-brained dinosaurs for a reason.

They make huge and horrible mistakes in the draft (Umm, Tommy Maddux, TJ Duckett, Reggie What’s his name, Josh Childress, Marvin Williams) and might get lucky every once in awhile (Michael Vick, Josh Smith). They are stubborn (usually to their team’s detrement) and refuse to change when change is necissary.

If Billy Knight doesn’t draft this Williams, than he needs to be fired before the draft, and have someone, anyone, a warm freaking body, take his place.

Just like we needed a point guard last year, we need one even worse this year.

Billy Knight said the most ignorant things in Bradley’s column a week and half ago. If he doesn’t believe that this team needs someone with some talent to distribute the rock to all of his precious swingmen, than he doesn’t deserve to be an NBA GM.

Hell, he’s already proven that he doesn’t deserve to be an NBA GM.

And for all of you ignorant people who think Tyrone Lue has enough talent, or that you don’t need a point guard to be successful, all I have to say is lay off of the crack and take your lips off of Knight’s backside. His ego’s inflated enough.

By uga4ever

May 25, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks are going to be near the top every year, then they have to make some serious personnel changes. Coach Woodson is a good Asst. Coach. We need a proven head coach to groom these young players. We get run over by the officials, while Woody sits back and lets it happen. Billy Knight’s days are numbered. He will be gone by the end of this year or after the draft. He has been fired from every job he has had in the NBA. If only we were so lucky. 39 wins in 2 years!! Billy Knight is a joke around the league (Matt Millen of the NBA) We can thank him for having 0 first round picks the next 2 years. 2007 will be the deepest draft in years headed by Greg Oden (who is a beast) and he is a FRANCHISE player. To bad we won’t have a shot at him.

By Marcus

May 25, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

I love the growth of Jsmooooooth. I think Marvin Williams will be a solid player. J.J. will be an All Star this season. Please draft a point guard! I do’nt care if Rudy Gay walks on water during his workout. We need another point or big man (6’11 plus).

By JO

May 25, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

One click- POST COMMENT………that is all it takes. No wonder you BK supporters are so dumb, you can’t even figure out how to post a blog. oh yeah, Billy average- 25 wins, 57 LOSSES a year with 2 teams. You idiots keep supporting him. If you think that is a good winning %, you may need to seek mental help

By Mark

May 25, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

The Hawks should draft Marcus Williams, but he isn’t going to help them win more games next year. Chris Paul is the exception, not the rule. What they need to do is draft Marcus Williams and then hope the Clips are dumb enough to let Cassell walk. He’s a winner, a leader and he’s only looking for a 2 year deal. No franchise player is signing with the Hawks in the next 2 years anyway. Hopefully Cassell teaches them to win and Williams is ready to step in by year 3. Or they could sign some stiff center who can’t play.

By Rubin

May 25, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this

Eric

What superstars are on the Suns besides Nash? The problem with Diaw was the Hawks didn’t know how to use him when he was here.

By antoine carr

May 25, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

they will take the guy from arkansas ronnie brewer who is the best player in the draft. adam morrsionNOWAY cant play D..not a lick of D. brewer and joe johnson will create msimatches against EVERY backcourt in the league EVERY time down the court. at first i thought it was a mistake not to take c paul…….MARVIN is the MAN. ..who cares about Foye???????? not me

By chrom,ayic

May 25, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

i would luv 2 see tha hawks draft marcus williams with the #5 picks this june.At the 1 marcus,2 johnson,3 j smith/marvin willams,4 nene,5 zaza;that would be a crazy line -up.

reserves 1 lue, 2josh childress, 3donta smith ,4 batista,5 cato .

By Don

May 25, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

I think Brandon Roy of UW is the best player in the draft and would be a good fit for the Hawks if he’s available when they pick. He’s a combo guard like Dwayne Wade who can hit the outside shot and slash to the basket and finish. I think between JJ and Roy they can handle the point. How many backcourts can match up defensively against guys that size who are athletic and can score inside or out? This year’s playoffs have shown that teams who create mismatches can dictate the style of play.

Roy versus Foye is no contest. Roy shot a little over 50% from the floor for his career, Foye barely shot 40%. Teams will sag off Foye because his outside shot isn’t that good. And Foye is no more of a point than Roy.

Williams would be an OK pick given the Hawks lack of a point guard, but Roy is too good to pass up if he’s there. Williams has a suspect outside shot and he’s not that athletic, but he does a good job of running a team.

If Knight picks the underachieving dog Rudy Gay or the no defense Adam Morrison as the next step to fielding a team made up entirely of 6’8”-6’9” players, he should be run out of town.

I’d also like to see them pick up a choice in the 10-12 range as part of a Harrington deal and draft Shelden Williams to get some defensive presence in the paint.

By chrom,ayic

May 25, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

i would luv 2 see tha hawks draft marcus williams with the #5 picks this june.At the 1 marcus,2 johnson,3 j smith/marvin willams,4 nene,5 zaza;that would be a crazy line -up.

reserves 1 lue, 2josh childress, 3donta smith ,4 batista,5 cato .

By t-payne

May 25, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

I’m not sold on Williams. I remember Mateen Cleaves was suppose to be a legit point guard (yeah right), Khalid El-Amin (still laughing). Anybody notice that Williams played with 4 or 5 potential #1 draft picks. It’s not hard getting assists when you passing to Rudy Gay, Josh Boone, Hilton Armstrong, et al. Draft Roy, trade Harrington for a big or a legit point and let the team play. I remember 4 other teams passed on Dwayne Wade. Until Lebron due more than get time on SportsCenter, he is still the best player from that draft.

By De'Langelo

May 25, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

ATTENTION HAWKS FANS and AJC READERS

It appears none of you can keep up with the info. I shall update you all on the latest. Herb Brown was on the radio earlier. He mention the Hawks are looking at a Big Man in the draft with 3-4 years of experience. Mike Woodson was on the radio recently talking about drafting a Big Man. Basically what does this say if some of you will think for a minute.

HAWKS WILL BE DRAFTING A BIG MAN.

They will not be drafting a PG or a Swingman. So just stop the nonsense of them drafting another swingman, or a PG for that matter.

The Big Man the Hawks are thinking about is Shelden Williams. He fits the description of what Herb Brown mention.

Just another update. According to Chad Ford of Espn. There is chance we will not get AI. Huge contract and bad attitude is a no go. HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is a good chance of AL HARRINGTON will be sign and trade for C-SAMUEL DALEMBERT. A guy the Hawks wanted last year. Big Sam has a rather huge contract. He would be a great fit for the Hawks. Combine he next to Josh Smith. Hawks have two good shotblocking and rebounding front court.

I have updated you all on the latest info regarding our Hawks. For further info please visit the Realgm.com and hawksquawk.net. That is where Bruce Levenson(Owner) has visited. That is also where TRUE HAWKS FANS are at. None of these whining little fairweather/bandwagon hoping fans here. Who know nothing about the Hawks. Thank you all for reading.

By John B.

May 25, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Seriously, these UGA fans must know as much about basketball as their own team does. Not much. Bird, how are you gonna say taking MW was a horrible/wasted pick? Same with J.Chill. One has been in the league for 1 season, the other, 2, and BOTH made it on the 2nd team All-Rookie. I may not be a genius, but I don’t think you get on that list by being a bad player, or a horrible pick.

All of you who wanted Paul, you may not like that he wasn’t picked, but get over it. We can’t turn back the clock. Deal with it and go b**ch about something else.

By David

May 25, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

We need a POINT GUARD! Not a combo guard. We have a lot of athletic players and if we could get some one to lead the break, we might actually be fun to watch. Williams at the point, Joe at the 2, Smith at the 3, Marvin Williams at the 4, and I guess Zaza at the 5. CAN WE PLEASE NOT TAKE another shooting guard or small forward. We need a guard to distribute the ball and lead the break. Please Hawks, don’t do this to us again.

By Ken Stricklandk

May 25, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

To ERIC. You appear to have the overall vision that allows you to process the total picture. You see the Hawks’ future beyond the upcoming season. There are those with miopic viewpoints that think the draft is the only way to address our needs. Drafting and developing a surplus of simularly talented players allows Knight to trade that surplus, without hurting the team, and address its needs. Trading, as opposed to drafting, allows you to acquire players with proven NBA talent and experience, thus minimizing the risk associated with draft picks. As an example: Knight has acquired the following forwards through trades or drafting; J. Smith, M. Williams, M. Harrington, J. Childress and D. Smith. Let’s assume he drafts another forward with the 5th pick, bringing the total to 6. He can sign and trade Harrington for any one of the many young proven PG in the league, leaving us with 5. He can then trade any one of the remaining 5, along with another player or draft pick, for a proven C/F type. This method allows Knight to fill the teams needs without incurring large FA contracts. People like BirdDawg have a very limited perspective when it come to addressing these issues, and consequently lash out at anyone(Knight)that doesn’t function within their limited realm of understanding.

By antoine carr

May 25, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

ronnie brewer..anybody heard of him? NASTY shelden would help zaza so id be happy with that too… and Marvin is the Man. The boy can play just be pateint. GO DAWGS. LIFE IS GOOD …DJ is a Falcon and Staffoed is a DAWG. 2 ost important rules in lfe…….no b*** no whining

By Mart

May 25, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

First, what school did this Williams guy go to? And didn’t the Hawks draft him in the 1st round last year?

By Ryder

May 25, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

Mark makes a great point. If this team is serious about winning, they need to mix in veteran leadership (yes I keep stressing it in every blog but it’s a necessity) with their young talent. I understand not overpaying for a quick fix solution, but someone like Sam Cassell would be perfect for this team. However, he has stated he doesn’t want another rebuilding project. To be honest, I believe his presence would vault this team to playoff contention next year (it wouldn’t also hurt to bring in a big man who can defend and rebound down low, a la a Michael Ruffin type).

Another point about the draft, say for example they draft Rudy Gay (I can hear the screams already. I remember Knight saying a couple of years ago before drafting Marvin Williams that he wanted a team of long athletic players who can create many matchups problems for teams.

Perhaps then the onus does not fall so much on Knight as it does on Woodson. As much as this team really needs leadership even more than talent, and despite Woodson growing more as a coach, it may be best to find a leader on the sidelines instead. Atlanta possesses talent now to win games, they really need someone who can utilize that talent to its fullest extent. I’m not sure if Woodson can do that.

My point is, Atlanta has players in Smith, Marvin, Childress, JJ, & Salim who can run up and down the floor, let them do so! This team is not capable of winning defensive slugfests, they can really run. Will it create winning basketball? Who knows, it worked for the Suns (yes I know they also have Nash so that may be a moot point) but if Knight is set on creating a West Coast style basketball team, then do so. Bottom line is that Atlanta will never be a winning team until they understand what type of team they are trying to become.

Establishing an identity is Knight’s responsibility, I believe he is well on the way towards doing so. If Woodson is the man for the job, well, we shall see.

By honest abe

May 25, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

thank god there are actually people out there that have a grasp of what’s actually going on….tyger…i’ve been screaming the same things for a very long time….well said!

mister bradley…the hawks are not championship contenders and they won’t be next year….marcus williams should not be the 5th pick in the draft….the bottom line for the hawks is to stockpile the best available talent which will allow us to make neccessary moves in the future to turn this organization around….patience people…babcock messed the the hawks up badly, now bk has wiped out those nasty contracts and is currently assembling a very talented, exciting group of players…it takes time people..

By Fan

May 25, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

Whenever someone says Stan Kasten and intimates genius, I ask where. He ran the Hawks into the ground, Thrashers still haven’t gotten off it and we all know who runs the Braves. Glad to see he’ll be running an NL East team to keep them out of our way.

By joel

May 25, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

It is all well and good to say “Draft the best player, and then acquire the other pieces in free agency.” Except for one thing, we can’t convince anyone to come here! Hindsight is 20/20, but I wanted Iguodala(‘04) and Paul(‘05), and if we’d had them, it would’ve been a much different season. Anyone see the difference a quality point guard made to the Hornets, or to the Suns? Get Williams and lets win some more games than 26 this year…

By Mash

May 25, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

I like Foye and wouldn’t mind having him, although Marcus Williams would be the best option because we definitely need a point.

By cliff levingston

May 25, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

These are things we know: The Hawks are a much improved team. The Hawks need a point guard and a big man. Joe Johnson is not a true point guard. Al Harrington is out the door.

This is what we do not know: Do we draft one of our needs? (PG/C) Do we draft the best available player? Do we trade down? Do we trade draft pick plus harrington? Is Billy Knight a complete fool? (only time will tell)

86 Hawks Rule! Atlanta’s Air Force

By Rutuger

May 25, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Everyone wants to get mad at Knight for not drafting Chris Paul, even though NO ONE was sold on him being a good NBA point

I keep hearing people say this, and it’s just not true. No one knew he was going to be AS good as he turned out to be, but it was the consensus (and obvious at that) among anyone who follows sports at all that he was the best PG available.

We needed a PG, and we passed on him for teenager who might be decent in a few years. A bad move at the time, and a distastrous one in retrospect.

I was upset immediately when we drafted Marvin. Lots of people were. So, the BK defenders who relentlessly chirp “why didn’t you complain when we drafted him instead of CP, then—” I did. A whole lot of frickin people did. Give it up.

But what’s done is done, and we still need a PG or a big man. I bet Knight drafts a 6’8” player just to spite us all.

By Dominik

May 25, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

This we know. Billy Knight will be named worst GM in basketball for the 3rd year straight for the Boris Diaw/Joe Johnson, 2 first round draft picks, too much money fiasco.

We won’t get anything for Harrington as Knight dropped the ball there as well.

Knight doesn’t have anymore time to get the team playing better so were not even going to have a draft pick this year. He will trade it for a VET, probably one that is on the backside of his career.

The Hawks will improve again but stil miss the playoffs. :-S

for the record Joe Johnson is a good player, he’s not an allstar type player but he’s good…..as any GM in the could have told you then and now, with the money we offered him, the Suns were bluffing and would not have matched.

We could have had him for only the HUGE contract, kept the two number ones as well as Diaw, but Knight got played like a fiddle.

By Dean

May 25, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

I think the most illiterate people in Atlanta have posted on this blog. I apologize to those who sound somewhat intelligent. Most of you do not have a clue!! You have to know the business before you start recommending ideas. Oh, BTW, Babcock came in 89-90 season. He went to the playoffs 7 straight years. BK does good to shoot for a .500 record. Wake UP!! Congrats to Memphis and Indiana for firing Billy Knight when you saw where he had your club headed…… which would be nowhere.

By honest abe

May 25, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this

Rutuger.. ok so maybe Chris Paul was the considered the best pg in the draft… Marvin Williams was widely considered as the player with the most upside. So it came down to need or potential. It’s unfair to sit here after one year and analze the picks. Chris would have helped this team immensely, but that does not necessarily mean his addition would have accelerated the rebuilding of the Hawks. It would be wiser to look back after five years and judge whether or not Marvin deserved to go number 2.

All of you BK haters never watched a single Hawks game this year. You haven’t followed the Hawks and you just want to jump on the bash BK bandwagon because lately it seems like the vogue thing to do. Needless to say you could have brought Jerry West in as GM and it would have taken him at least five years to clear Babcock’s mess. Give BK two more years and if this team is still only winning 20/30 games…then even i will say FIRE HIS A**!

By honest abe

May 25, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

dean thanks for the laugh…you are the first babcock supporter i have ever met in my life… you have further deepened my conviction that atlanta has the worst fans in america….

By Dominik

May 25, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

This we know. Billy Knight will be named worst GM in basketball for the 3rd year straight for the Boris Diaw/Joe Johnson, 2 first round draft picks, too much money fiasco.

We won’t get anything for Harrington as Knight dropped the ball there as well.

Knight doesn’t have anymore time to get the team playing better so were not even going to have a draft pick this year. He will trade it for a VET, probably one that is on the backside of his career.

The Hawks will improve again but stil miss the playoffs. :-S

for the record Joe Johnson is a good player, he’s not an allstar type player but he’s good…..as any GM in the could have told you then and now, with the money we offered him, the Suns were bluffing and would not have matched.

We could have had him for only the HUGE contract, kept the two number ones as well as Diaw, but Knight got played like a fiddle.

By Dean

May 25, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

Honest Abe- you say that if we got Jerry West, it would have taken him 5 years. That is a joke. He cleaned up BK’s mess in Memphis and they go to the playoffs 2 straight years. And I never said I liked Babcock. I said if you want to compare Pete Babcock and Billy Knight- Then here you go Babcock- PLAYOFFS 7 of 11 years Knight- 0 playoffs in 7 years as GM

It kills me how you people think he is doing a good job. Is it because he is black? If not, it has to be something. The guy has never made the playoffs….PERIOD.

By Rutuger

May 25, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

you are the first babcock supporter i have ever met in my life… you have further deepened my conviction that atlanta has the worst fans in america…

Babcock was certainly no John Schuerholz, but at least we contended and posted winning numbers while he was here.

And as for the “worst fans,” it’s precisely the complacency and willingness to accept mediocrity you are displaying that attatches that label to ATL fans. Do you realize that in any other city Billy Knight would be long, long gone, with Woodson not far behind? If not for his abbhorent production, then for his brash alienation of the fanbase. I’m not saying I think either one should be sent to the chopping block quite yet (if they fail again this season then it’s curtains), but it’s the truth.

Knight’s screwed up a few times… It happens. But what annoys me most is the fact that he repeatedly makes statements alluding to his managerial prowess (which has not yet surfaced in his entire GM career) and his lack of concern with the terrible state of the franchise. If he knew he was continually effing up and voiced his desire to win and that he knew changes had to be made and sympathized with the fans instead of being condescending, I would be more tolerant of his blunders.

By Jamal

May 25, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Honest Abe- I did watch every game, and it was ugly most of the time. Watching Woody just sit there pondering why he doesn’t care about their record. He said quote “Records really don’t matter” I hope BK is fired and next Woody.

By Tyrone

May 25, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

What amazes me is how some of you continue to like BK after what he has said. He has said on many occasions, that he doesn’t care what the fans think. So screw him!! He will be unemployed very soo anyways.

By honest abe

May 25, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

I will try to explain in words in which you might, and let me emphasize might be able to understand. Lets look at the mess BK stepped into. The roster that he inherited was Shareef Adul Rahim, Glenn Robinson, Theo Ratliff, Jason Terry, Dion Glover, Nazr Mohammed, Ira Newble, Alan Henderson, darvin ham, antonio harvey, dan dickau, e davis….every single person on that team was overpaid… BK could have kept this team that went 35-45 and continued to watch them underperform, finish 10,11 or 12 in the East and eventually make it to the playoffs. Instead he chose to rebuild, which meant unloading all those overpriced contracts which wasn’t an easy thing to do. Once that was accomplished he had nobody on this team, this my friends is what happens when you rebuild, you don’t have superstars, you get really high lottery picks and then you build your talent level. A rebuilding situation does not take 3 years. It takes at least 5 to become respectable. The Hawks last year were the youngest team in the league. They came out and played hard for 82 games. They played hard even when they knew they didn’t have a shot at the playoffs. We have accumulated some exciting new talent and we have a boatload of money to spend on free agency. You guys that are complaining never took any time to watch these kids play. They are improving. Making coaching changes every other year is not going to help the growth of this young team. They need stability.

Rutuger: As for your complancy comment…I don’t think anyone enjoys a team that is at the bottom of the league. Are you crazy? I don’t like the fact that the Hawks are the worst team in the league right now. But, I’m also smart enough to know that rebuilding takes time, so I’m not goign to jump on this BK bashing bandwagon.

As for you Babcock supporters. I will argue their credentials any day of the week. Don’t give me that crap about playoffs. Lets look at the signings (koncak), draft picks (i was going to list one but it would take me a whole week to name all the bad draft picks), trades (wilkins). If you want to compare I’m waiting patiently for your reply.

By Jrazz

May 25, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Hawks will trade 2 number one draft picks for Raja Bell or Boris Diaw.

By honest abe

May 25, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

dean i advise you stop talking before you shove your foot too deep in your mouth….

NEWSFLASH!! BK made the deal that shipped Shareef, for Lorenzen Wright, Brevin Knight and draft rights to Memphis’s best play Pau Gasol. He then drafted Shane Battier. They have made it to the playoff the past two years led by the anchor, of Wright, Gasol and Battier…..please don’t argue with me if you don’t know what the hell your talking about.

By honest abe

May 25, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

Dean: your ignorance is astounding.

“It kills me how you people think he is doing a good job. Is it because he is black? If not, it has to be something. The guy has never made the playoffs….PERIOD”

Are you serious bro? You think I like someone because he’s black? I’m korean and I could care less if BK was green. Race does not have to enter into the discussion of everything. Oops I forgot I’m in the South and we shall rise again. har har har

By Jameyan

May 25, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

I agree with Honest Abe. Anyway Billy Knight take UCONN PG- MARCUS WILLIAMS and I guarantee we will be the most exciting team in the NBA. Also go out and sign free agents such as Melvin Ely, Chris Wilcox, and others will be for sale. Also, Are the Hawks getting new uniforms this season? Because every Hawks merchandise I have seen have been on sale.

By Ced

May 25, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

OK, folks, here’s what it is… At pick number 5 we HAVE TO take Marcus Williams, he’s at a position of need (we have PG but no starters, Lue is not the answer) and has talent… If we draft a 2 or 3, or a 4 that thinks he’s a 3, or a 2 trying to be a 1, I will NEVER watch the Hawks again. I figure we can trade Harington to Denver for K Mart or M Camby (both provide the defensive presence we lack in the middle) Marvin is just a year away and Lue can start until Marcus is ready to take over, a la Devin Harris for the Mavs. Honestly there is no big in the draft that fits our need exactly, Sheldon Williams would be ok it he had a couple more inches on him (shaq will eat him alive) I like O’Bryant from what I’ve seen, but who had heard of the kid before the tournament and you CAN NOT take him at #5. DRAFT MARCUS WILLIAMS, that would set us up like so. PG- Marcus Williams SG- Joe Johnson SF- Josh Smith PF- ZaZa or K Mart C- ZaZa or Camby with J Chill backing up the 2 and 3, Marvin backing up the 3 and 4 and Batista also backing up the 4, we’re set to do well, draft another big in the second, maybe Paul Davis out of Michigan St. and that’s it. Lue and Royal (liked him in the game more than Lue) and continue to back up the one. with this line up we def. make the playoffs in the coming years… TRUST ME!!!

By Dean

May 25, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

looks like I hit a nerve with ole honest abe. Keep supporting BK. I don’t really care, and I know HE doesn’t care what you think. Oh yeah, if you are Korean, please tell me how to say “Hello, how are you doing tonight.” If you can do that, then I will believe that you are Korean. you have just shown your ignorance. “I am Korean” thats funny.

By honest abe

May 25, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

simple enough. Ahn young ha sae yo. ut tuk kae jeen ane suh yo?

there you go my mentally disabled friend.

bk’s been on the job 3 years after he inherited an dysfunctional team. nodody with a brain larger than a pea would think that he should have them in the playoffs by now.

By uga4ever

May 25, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Look at every successful franchise in sports…they all have excellent General Managers. Look at our 2 local successful teams- Braves and Falcons. They both have great General Managers. We need to solidify our front office before we can solidify our players on the court.

By vdunkndunk

May 25, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

Hey, Mark Bradley: Since when is Tyrus Thomas a swingman?

By Barry

May 25, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

Bradley’s agenda and mission are clearly evident: He can’t stand Billy Knight and will keep his incessant, child-like whining until he is out of town.

Funny, but I don’t recall this behavior from our esteemed—yet incompetent—writer when the buffoonish Babcock was here? Oh yeah, I do remember the silly-haired Bradley (oh wait, that was the 80s look, I forgot and apologize for digressing) lauding the “nice-guy” qualities of Babcock—despite him literally running the franchise into the ground—with a little help from the equally unqualified Stanley Kasten.

Bradley, I pay your salary and I’m letting you know I am NOT satisfied with your ongoing “hatchet” job…Keep it up and I will cancel my subscription. Since you didn’t criticize the one who completely deserved it, I will not accept you doing it for an individual who has had a fraction of the TIME at the same position (and had to deconstruct the absolute mess left behind by the previous incompetent).

Be forewarned.

By Trajon

May 25, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

I hope Belkin buys out everyone’s stake in ownership. You can’t get a lot done when you have 7-10 minds having different ideas all the time. We need ONE owner. Belkin was the one who said that we were giving up to much for J.J. Turns out he was right. J.J. was going to come as long as we offered the max. contract. But no, that wasn’t enough for BK. He wanted to give them 2 first round picks, Boris Diaw, and a max contract. those are the type of terms you give for a player like Kevin Garnett. Joe Johnson is good, but that was WAY to much to give up. Belkin knew that!!!! He would also come in and fire Billy Knight and hopefully hire a proven head coach and make Woody an Assistant Coach (which is what he is) This team needs one or two pieces on the floor in order to make the playoffs…. but you have to have a HEAD COACH to get them there not an ASSISTANT COACH! Billy Knight said about Woodson “he is better than I thought he would be” what a joke…who did he want to hire? Did he not want to hire a good coach? That’s our General Manager…you gotta love him

By vdunkndunk

May 25, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

Dean, you think Jerry West “cleaned up” Billy Knight’s mess in Memphis? I’m sorry, but that’s ridiculous.

BK is the one who layed the foundation for that team, not Jerry West. BK is the one who brought Pau Gasol to Memphis, not Jerry West.

In fact, the first time the Grizzlies made the playoffs, they did it with a roster of players that consisted almost entirely of players BK had brought in.

By uga4ever

May 25, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

Michael Wilbon on PTI just finished bashing Billy Knight and the Hawks. What a surprise. Giving up 2 first rounders and Boris Diaw for J.J. Proves my point. Billy Knight is a JOKE and a LAUGHINGSTOCK around the NBA. Oh and Vdunk- Jerry West fired Knight’s coaching staff and brought in veteran head coaches to groom Memphis’s young players. That is why they started to succeed. Go Billy Knight!!! Billy Knight = best GM in the league. He is a genius. The best basketball mind in the game. LOL Anybody outside of your little “bubble” can see that he is a JOKE.

By H.O.

May 25, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this

Listen up fellas, the main ingredient the hawks have not had is toughness! Williams won’t provide that. The only skilled player that can bring that is Brandon Roy. I would take him and team him with JJ and the back court is set. Trade AH to Dallas for Diop and there #1 and draft that Patrick kid. You’ll have JJ(PG), Roy(SG), MW (SF), J-SMooth (PF) and Diop Center. Bench, ZAZA, Lue, Salim, J-Chill, Patrick (R)and Mourning (FA). Roy over Ivey(cut)=upgrade. With Roy, Diop, Mourning, J-SMooth and JJ you will finally have some guys that get after it on the Defensive end. Roy is the most ready all-around player in this draft, at 6-6 he plays tough D

By Hawk Hack

May 25, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

Where do the Hawks go from here? Don’t ask Billy Knight that question, he’ll tell you he’s the basketball expert, but won’t address any needs. Don’t ask the owners (all 15 of them) that question, they will simply blow smoke and spin the less than mediocre product thats been on display at Phillips Arena for the past 6 or 7 years. The answer, I wish I knew, this rebuilding process has been going on since Lon Kruger was the coach, yep, that Lon Kruger. Its very difficult not to be negative, but what has gone right. The Hawks have been a revolving door of talented players who have gone elsewhere to contribute mightily to other teams success, i.e. BORIS FREAKIN’ DIAW, JASON TERRY, RASHEED WALLACE (albeit he was in uniform for one game) to name a few. Please Billy Knight and the 47 owners, please use the draft pick on a point guard or go out and get A.I. Do something this offseason that will improve this team and create some type of identity other than a laughing stock of the league. The fans in this town have been patient, they’re hungry for an exciting, successful NBA franchise. It about damn time, get it done Atlanta Spirit LLC. and Billy Knight, get it done foo crying out loud, enough is enough.

By Hawk Hack

May 25, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

Where do the Hawks go from here? Don’t ask Billy Knight that question, he’ll tell you he’s the basketball expert, but won’t address any needs. Don’t ask the owners (all 15 of them) that question, they will simply blow smoke and spin the less than mediocre product thats been on display at Phillips Arena for the past 6 or 7 years. The answer, I wish I knew, this rebuilding process has been going on since Lon Kruger was the coach, yep, that Lon Kruger. Its very difficult not to be negative, but what has gone right. The Hawks have been a revolving door of talented players who have gone elsewhere to contribute mightily to other teams success, i.e. BORIS FREAKIN’ DIAW, JASON TERRY, RASHEED WALLACE (albeit he was in uniform for one game) to name a few. Please Billy Knight and the 47 owners, please use the draft pick on a point guard or go out and get A.I. Do something this offseason that will improve this team and create some type of identity other than a laughing stock of the league. The fans in this town have been patient, they’re hungry for an exciting, successful NBA franchise. It about damn time, get it done Atlanta Spirit LLC. and Billy Knight, get it done foo crying out loud, enough is enough.

By Hawk Hack

May 25, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

Where do the Hawks go from here? Don’t ask Billy Knight that question, he’ll tell you he’s the basketball expert, but won’t address any needs. Don’t ask the owners (all 15 of them) that question, they will simply blow smoke and spin the less than mediocre product thats been on display at Phillips Arena for the past 6 or 7 years. The answer, I wish I knew, this rebuilding process has been going on since Lon Kruger was the coach, yep, that Lon Kruger. Its very difficult not to be negative, but what has gone right. The Hawks have been a revolving door of talented players who have gone elsewhere to contribute mightily to other teams success, i.e. BORIS FREAKIN’ DIAW, JASON TERRY, RASHEED WALLACE (albeit he was in uniform for one game) to name a few. Please Billy Knight and the 47 owners, please use the draft pick on a point guard or go out and get A.I. Do something this offseason that will improve this team and create some type of identity other than a laughing stock of the league. The fans in this town have been patient, they’re hungry for an exciting, successful NBA franchise. It about damn time, get it done Atlanta Spirit LLC. and Billy Knight, get it done foo crying out loud, enough is enough.

By Byfords

May 25, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this

In 1984, the Portland Trail Blazers had an very good young shooting guard in Clyde Drexler. So , they drafted for need and selected Sam Bowie. The Bulls took the best player available with the next pick and drafted Michael Jordan.

By bodee

May 25, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

i wish i could send bk a letter to tell him how much he needs a point guard. DRAFT MARCUS WILLIAMS!!!!!!!!!!! THIS TEAM COULD MAKE THE PLAYOFFS AS SOON AS NEXT YEAR. PAUL ALMOST GOT THE HORNETS IN THE PLAYOFFS W/O A CENTER AND WE CAN DO IT TOO!!!

By Ryder

May 25, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

Umm Byfords, what’s your point?

By Byfords

May 25, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this

My point is that drafting for need isn’t always the best policy. Why not draft the best available and then trade for needs?

By Tyrone Biggums

May 25, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

It’s kinda funny how on every AJC blog, there is at most 1 or 2 smart people, and everyone else is an idiot. On this blog that smart person is honest abe. Keep the good posts comin abe.

By MonkeySqueezins

May 25, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this

1. “Billy Knight knows more about basketball than me” — well, me too I’m sure. But there are about two dozen other GMs in the league that clearly know more than him. Thank God for Isaiah Thomas, for setting the bar so low.

2. “Everyone wants to get mad at Knight for not drafting Chris Paul, even though NO ONE was sold on him being a good NBA point. I keep hearing people say this, and it’s just not true.” — well, he was thought to be in the top 3. All I know is I missed on this one. I saw him get bullied and controlled twice a year by Jarrett Jack and said, “The NBA is too physical for Paul.” The good news is that Marvin Williams will be a dynamic player in the league. The bad news is that this won’t happen until he’s traded to the Mavs, SUns, or Grizzlies (yes, remember we traded Gasol).

3. BK has done well so far on the easy part. Let’s see him handle the hard part now.

By MonkeySqueezins

May 25, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah, and

1. “The Hawks were a much improved team last year” — true, but it’s hard (even for moribund franchises) to lose 69 games a year.

2. And thanks for setting all of us second-rate Hawks fans straight with that news flash, De’Langelo! GM’s NEVER put out misleading informatoin weeks before the draft, so I’m sure you are right. They probably won’t even bring anyone in for a look unless he’s a BIG MAN.

By James

May 26, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

Guys CMON. Billy Knight is doing a great job. He sells out Phillips for every Hawks game. He puts a winning product on the floor. He sets ticket prices very low. He actually cares about his fans. What, nevermind… just a dream

By cp

May 26, 2006 12:55 AM | Link to this

Honest abe i feel everything your are saying but you wont be able to get thru to a lot of the people blogging. For reason people think Jerry West is the reason the Grizzlies turned it around although most of the players on the team were brought in by Billy Knight. When Babcock was here making bad draft pick after bad draft pick and even then making horrible trades where was the anger? People keep bringing up the talent that BK traded away. I got a question. How many playoff games did those players win? I dont recall all of that talent winning too many games either but maybe i was sleep when all of that happened. If you are so sick of Bk and the Hawks how about turning off the tv, not going to the games,and not blogging. It is kind of easy. I love the Hawks and think they are on the right path but i know everytime someone says that on this blog they get bashed and called a BK lover so i guess its coming.

By Ron Roberts

May 26, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this

Man… the Billy Knight apologists need to stop covering for him with this “see beyond the next season for the long term goal” crap. How many horrible seasons to Hawks fans (there actually are some) have to go through before a tangible winning product hits the court?

No. Now it’s time to put pieces on the floor that the team currently lacks. I don’t care if it’s through free agency or in the draft, but taking another player who comes with the skills this team currently has more than enough of is just beyond frustrating.

And before Billy Knight (or his cronies who blog here - I’m starting to think at his behest) logs on and berates me and others for our “short-sightedness,” let me first say I’m not completely unhappy with the job he’s done; quite the opposite, but his arrogant demeanor in a recent column in this paper (or on this site) just rubbed me the wrong way. If Billy Knight wants to think he knows so much more about basketball, then I say, “Mr. Knight where are banners hanging from rafters that you can take credit for?”

Meanwhile, Boris Diaw looks monstruous, showing skills the Hawks currently lack. I mean,the Phoenix coach essentially b!tch-slapped the Hawks’organization when he said Atlanta told him they were getting a weak inside presence in Diaw.

He chuckled when he said it, Billy. Freakin’ CHUCKLED. I’m guessing he might know a thing or two about basketball, eh?

Oh, and PLEASE, for the love of GOD… the franchise needs an updated uniform!!!

By honest abe

May 26, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

Ron: “Man… the Billy Knight apologists need to stop covering for him with this “see beyond the next season for the long term goal” crap. How many horrible seasons to Hawks fans (there actually are some) have to go through before a tangible winning product hits the court?”

I really wonder how many times I have to repeat myself before some sensiblity starts to creep into your thick skulls. To answer your question the hawks haven’t had a winning record for seven straight seasons of which BK has been at the helm for the past three. To the individual who never really watches basketball but likes to get on blogs to spew pure bile, it’s easy to blame all 7 past season failures on BK. However, he spent the first two years just trying to undo the mess Babcock left him with. You can’t accurately judge a GM within three years especially when it’s a rebuilding project. Give the man two more years and then lets evaluate. If we’re still only winning 20/30 games within two more years I say we have to get rid of BK as well.

By Khao$

May 26, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

Okay> Let’s deal with the facts (as I see them!). I have to totally disagree with Mr.Bradley’s article about the Hawks evaluation of Mr. Boris Diaw. Let me preface my statements by saying he is playing wonderful basketball and has truly blossomed. You cannot discredit what he’s doing for the Suns unless you know absolutely nothing about basketball. He is the Suns MVP in the playoffs in my opinion.

Be that as it may…

I watched every Hawks game that Diaw played in. I cannot jump on this “kill the Hawks bandwagon for trading the jewel known as Diaw”

When Boris played for us, he had opportunities. I remember in Josh Smith’s rookie year I would scream at the T.V. when Mike Woodson would take Smoove out for Diaw. Diaw passed up open shots, made bad passes, and did not show any aggression. It was frustrating watching him play. Yes he played less minutes than he did his rookie year. Reason? He never showed any signs that he would blossom in his second year, while Childress and Smith did in their rookie years. It’s easy to blame Billy Knight (who I think should have been fired a long time a go) for trading away this ugly duckling who became a swann. However, nothing he did on the court would have suggested he would have become who he has become. And before someone uses the argument that the Hawks played him out of position, ESPN Draft guru and others projected Diaw to be a point forward/”poor man’s Scottie Pippen. Therefore, it wasn’t out of the realm of reason that he could play some guard, given pre-draft assesments of him. Also, the only reason why he’s playing meaning minutes at center is because Amere was injured. Otherwise D’Antoni had him penciled in as a back up point guard to Nash. NOBODY would have figured he could play this many positions. Bad luck with Amere opened the door for him to play more positions.

My thing is, let’s not have revisionist history here on the career of Diaw. I think, after the way he played for us, any GM in the league would have looked at him as expendable. Let’s be real, shall we? After seeing what he did on the court, nobody thought twice about trading him. It was the two draft picks we all moaned about.

My point? Diaw is playing well, but you cannot bash Knight for trading him. It’s regretable after the fact because he’s blossomed in the Suns system. But so has Tim Thomas.

I can agree with those who feel that Jason Terry’s trade was a blunder. No matter what position he played here in Atlanta (and they didn’t know what to do with him) he left it all on the court. It’s not surprising what he has done in Dallas. He maximixed his time here. Billy Knight should have been fired for moves like that, not selecting Chris Paul or Luol Deng. But Boris? His trade can be justified. And if you actually watched him play here, he never gave his all. A change of scenery was good for him. The Suns system fits him and has increased his confidence. However, missing open jumpers, passing up open layups, and looking lost cannot be blamed on Woodson and co. That’s basketball 101.

By JayD

May 26, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this

POINT GUARD? The Hawks need to go with O’Bryant is the pick! Add him in the mix with J. Smith blocking shots, and the international players (7’C & 6’5 PG) and all of a sudden you have a very BIG team. Zaza can now play more PF, and the defense is SO MUCH BETTER. Word out of pre-draft camps is Williams is overweight and out of shape. Get a center now while T. Lue is still under contract! Bradley could not be more wrong (Like he is ever right!).

By JayD

May 26, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

POINT GUARD? The Hawks need to go with O’Bryant is the pick! Add him in the mix with J. Smith blocking shots, and the international players (7’C & 6’5 PG) and all of a sudden you have a very BIG team. Zaza can now play more PF, and the defense is SO MUCH BETTER. Word out of pre-draft camps is Williams is overweight and out of shape. Get a center now while T. Lue is still under contract! Bradley could not be more wrong (Like he is ever right!).

By Ryder

May 26, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

This summer Atlanta has a chance to trade for need, as Al Harrington becomes a major barganing chip for this team. Knight has been able to establish depth for both JJ & Marvin Williams (when healthy Childress, Salim & Lue provide a solid bench) Additional rebounding won’t hurt.

Overall I believe that fans are starving to see some type of direction, even if it takes another couple of years. Preferably that direction is up. They want to see exactly who the cornerstones of the franchise will be. It may take another losing season or two, but at the very least they don’t want to see Marvin languishing on the bench while other young players are getting PT. They don’t want to see Ivey playing point guard if he is not the long term answer. Even if we have to deal with Woodson as coach, give us a consistent lineup that will grow to become a force in the years to come.

It may take another year of experimenting, but at the very least I hope Atlanta management has learned from their past mistakes and allow the players to develop in a HAWKS uniform instead of watching them become stars somewhere else.

By bodee

May 26, 2006 07:36 PM | Link to this

marcus williams is the draft pick we will make and if any of you think not then I don’t know why in the hell you are on this blog. O’Bryant will not get us to the playoffs. Hell who heard of this guy before the NCAA TOURNAMENT!!we need some one who can get us easy baskets and hit cluch shots down the stretch. DRAFT MARCUS WILLIAMS AND IF BK DOESN’t HE AND HIS PEOPLE SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!!!! if anybody got somethin to say about that then say it to my face!!!!!!

By MonkeySqueezins

May 27, 2006 01:15 AM | Link to this

Listen, somebody is really going to want Roy or Gay or Bargnani—whoever is still available at #5 (none of whom should interest the Hawks). Show us how much you know BK and tempt one of those teams to offer a pick or a player for a trade down, where a PG like Williams or Foye or Brewer or Brown will still be available. Call the Falcons for instructions on how this draft-thing works.

By MonkeySqueezins

May 27, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this

…or better yet, trade Harrington to Portland for Jarret Jack. The Blazers have been collecting PGs; we’ve been collecting swingmen. Even you and your fellow-genius Nash should be able to see the logic in this.

(And by the way, none of this would be an issue had you drafted Duhon instead of Ivey.)