Sports Columnists

By Bob in Sf

June 10, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this

I think Belkin deserved some credit for balking at the Johnson trade (I was one of the few who posted so on this and othe AJC blogs). At most a protected 1st rounder should have changed hands. Joe didn’t want to stay with the Suns, wanted to be a Hawk and the Hawks had the upper hand yet somehow they gave up two 1st’s and player… Knight is clueless and needs to be run out of town. He knows talent to an extent but he is drafting running type players for a coach who has a grinding, half-court style background. I don’t see how Belkin could be any worse than the ownership in place. And one owner might be more focused than the kitchen full of chef’s we currently have.

By Big Muddy

June 10, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

Been watching the Hawks (St. Louis + Atl) since 1958. Was in Phoenix when the Hawks made the Joe Johnson trade and the sports radio folks were laughing their butts off saying how Colangelo just cleaned Billy K’s clock. PHX was not about to match and then they end up with two 1st picks + Diaw (a former #1.) Talked about “Good ole Billy” - Belkin was right have no idea if he will be good or bad as an owner - can’t be worse thats for sure. Bye by Billy and Bye Bye Woodson thats the good news

By Big Muddy

June 10, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this

Been watching the Hawks (St. Louis + Atl) since 1958. Was in Phoenix when the Hawks made the Joe Johnson trade and the sports radio folks were laughing their butts off saying how Colangelo just cleaned Billy K’s clock. PHX was not about to match and then they end up with two 1st picks + Diaw (a former #1.) Talked about “Good ole Billy” - Belkin was right have no idea if he will be good or bad as an owner - can’t be worse thats for sure. Bye by Billy and Bye Bye Woodson thats the good news

By T

June 10, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this

I am glad there was a ruling! The situation that led to this is not good for all party’s involved, including the entire NBA. The Hawks suck, the people paid to evaluate talent suck and the ownership has sucked for a long time…

This team needs someone in charge that knows what they are doing and clearly Belkin knows what he is doing when it comes to the legal end of business. I agreed with Belkin then and now that the Hawks gave up way to much to get Johnson. I do think that JJ had a better season than I thought he would, but 2 # one’s and Boris Diaw to get him was way to high a price! Will any of the great Atlanta press begin to focus their cross heirs on Billy Knight’s decision to give up two number one picks and a guy who couldn’t play with us, but averaged double-doubles with a good team? Did I think Boris was that good? no, but I didn’t think he was as bad as the Hawks (and BK) made him out to be.

You know why good teams remain good? because they find horribly run teams to rob blind and stay on top. Good job Billy Knight and the Spirit!!

By T

June 10, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this

One other thing, The only way the Hawks will be a good team again is to have someone who knows how to build a T-E-A-M. Any moron can continue to draft in the top 5 every year and take the best talent available… Ask the Clippers how that worked for them through out the 80’s and 90’s. Great talent evaluators know see the “intangibles” that the college players may or may not even know they have. Piece them together and aquire a key piece or two without giving up too much= great T-E-A-M.

So long Billy Knight and good luck Belkin.

By NJ HAWK

June 10, 2006 08:42 PM | Link to this

I hope its appealed. At the very least I hope this backwoods judge gets demoted for letting Belkin buy the teams back at cost when the other owners would have had to pay out the wazzoo for his 30%. The remaining 70% should cost Belkin alot more than too.

By NJ HAWK

June 10, 2006 08:43 PM | Link to this

I hope its appealed. At the very least I hope this backwoods judge gets demoted for letting Belkin buy the teams back at cost when the other owners would have had to pay out the wazzoo for his 30%. The remaining 70% should cost Belkin alot more than too.

By Larry

June 10, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this

You heard it here first. Belkin will be bought out prior the appeal because these spirited clowns have to avoid even more embarrassment.

By Peter

June 10, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

I hope you guys who hate BK enough to want him and the current ownership with Belkin because “at least he knows how to win something” relish watching your Las Vegas Hawks and Kansas City Thrashers.

Funny how every “expert” leaves TW out for backing out of one deal only to sell to a partnership that couldn’t possibly work.

By Ward

June 10, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

At first I thought Belkin was horrible for the Hawks, but now I’m not so sure. I love Joe Johnson, but he is correct that we gave up entirely too much to get him. Look at what Diaw has done in Phoenix, if we had coaching here in Atlanta perhpas Diaw could have been that player too. Perhaps the entire roster could be more than it is, it couldn’t get worse. I love these guys, and can see the potential that is in each of them. However, Knight and Woodson are not taking the players or the franchise in the direction it should go in. It sucks that this embarassing situation is hitting so close to home, and would hope that all owners and Belkin do the right thing and sale the team to someone that actually cares about building a winner here at all cost. While I know there are not a ton of Mark Cubans’ out there waiting to buy the Hawks, I do know that there are men out there that would buy this team and build a winner in Atlanta. I just pray that we can find such a man.

By RPH

June 10, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

I would hate to see the thrashers go, but would anyone notice if the hawks moved to Las Vegas? It’s funny how atlanta had one of the highest tv market ratings for the playoffs but they have trouble finding 3,000 people to attend a game. The hawks are just a mess period! I bet if you asked 1,000 people if they had the choice of free admission to the Georgia Aquarium or a Hawks game most would prefer to go watch fish swim around in a tank.

By Bob in Sf

June 10, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this

Stern would never let the Hawks move to Vegas, nor the Maloofs. The Kings will end up in Vegas if anybody does. And how can you blame TW for who they sold the team to? That makes no sense. The first deal fell thorugh for financing reasons and these guys had the cash, TW was going to sell because they wanted to get out of the ownership biz. At this level of money and commitment they don’t care who buys as long as the buyer has the cash.

By Dawg 05

June 10, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this

No player is worth 2 1st round picks plus an unproven 1st. Belkin was right. Billy Knight is a moron and should be dealt with the same as Pete Babcock. I wish Belkin all the best b/c our current regime can’t get it done. Honestly, we have a whole team of small forwards!

By DiehardHawk

June 10, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

You are all crazy. This ownership loves this city and is building something we all can be proud of. Question? How long did it take the Clippers, Heat, Cleveland, and Dallas to build top caliber teams? Yeah a while, in the NBA you can’t just put a team out there that is going to win at a high level over a period of one off season. Give these guys a chance. Thrashers would have made the playoffs but you can’t control injuries. The Hawks where the youngest team to ever play a season in the NBA this past year and this will be one of the youngest teams to ever make the Playoffs next year. This team is exciting to watch, you never know when Josh Smith is going to come flying out of nowhere. If the previous owners would have gave 2 $$its about this team we wouldn’t be having to rebuild in the first place!! Belkin go away!

By uga4ever

June 10, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

Belkin knew that Phx wouldn’t match Atlanta’s max offer for JJ. But no, big bad Billy Knight wanted to throw in Diaw plus 2 first round picks. Welcome back Belkin and see ya later Billy Knight. Oh yeah, nice trade for Jason Terry for Antoine. That was another one of your great moves Billy. We now have a sole owner, thank goodness.

By Jamal

June 10, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this

The trade terms that Billy Knight gave up for Joe Johnson are Kevin Garnett terms. Also, trade Jason Terry for Antoine Walker in turn just to trade Walker again. What an idiot! I am so glad we have a sole owner who will hire a Jerry West or Colangelo type GM. Colangelo made Billy Knight look like his biatch. Don’t let the door hit u on the way out Billy! There may be 9 or 10 people total that will be sad to see you go.

By hawkeye

June 10, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

What goes around comes around. When David McDavid was not able to close the deal on purchasing the Hawks and Thrashers, the gang of 8 jumped in, made the deal and left McDavid in the cold. The same tactic was used to get rid of Belkin, but he reversed it and the gang of 8 now 7 is out. I guess David McDavid is enjoying this. Atlanta deserves better than this gang that can’t shoot straight.

By Private Snowball

June 10, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this

Yo Mark, (Mr Basketball) I finally agree totally with one of your articles. This is an absolute nightmare for roundball and flatball fans here in Atlanta. Anyone who has ever had contact with Belkin has had to do a reacharound to make sure their wallet was still in place. I’m embarrassed to be a Hawk and Thrash fan right now.

By Private Snowball

June 10, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

Yo Mark, (Mr Basketball) I finally agree totally with one of your articles. This is an absolute nightmare for roundball and flatball fans here in Atlanta. Anyone who has ever had contact with Belkin has had to do a reacharound to make sure their wallet was still in place. I’m embarrassed to be a Hawk and Thrash fan right now.

By JOJO

June 10, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

Lets see Diaw plus 2 first round picks and a max contract for Joe Johnson. I thought maybe we were getting Lebron when I heard those terms. Lets see Trade Jason Terry for Antoine Walker and then turn around and trade Walker. Man, the Hawks GM must be a genius, lol. Phoenix and Dallas both made Billy Knight look like the monkey that he is.

By Shane

June 11, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this

Hawk fans:

Come to realgm.com, join, and talk on the best forum the net has to offer!

By C Daddy

June 11, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this

Frankly, whether it is the dysfuntional group of 7 or Belkin by himself, The Hawks GM is a fool that must go, as is the Thrashers GM. Woodson? Maybe him too. At least the Trashers have a coach familiar with the concept of winning a championship. Atlanta, and its fans, deserve much more than they haven’t been given by either team, its managament and ownership.

By Brendan

June 11, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this

Look Mark, I cannot say if Belkin would be a good owner or a bad one. If he wants to own a team because it makes him feel good to tell people waiting for the bus that he’s an owner … so be it. It’s a free country, Mark. He’s not walking down Peachtree St. wearing nothing but a thong and a feathered boa, with giant “Sat*n’s minion” tatoo sprawled across his back. He’s not molesting children or collies. He’s a man with a dream: to own a pro sports franchise, or two. I’ll agree that there’s cause for concern, if it’s true that Belkin is “cheap, distant, and arrogant.”

But where’s the evidence of any of that?

If you asked Billy Knight if he thought Belkin was “distant,” he’d counter-accuse that “Belkin wanted to be the GM, not me.”

Belkin was probably right that the Joe Johnson deal that included shipping Diaw, plus two 1st rounders to “too hefty” of a price to pay. Belkin said that he wasn’t opposed to the $70 million contract. Just the player and the picks. Call me crazy, but I believe him. And I agree. It doesn’t make him “cheap,” it makes him “prudent.”

Now, I’m not sayin’ Steve Belkin is some GENIUS who will bring umpteen championships to Atlanta. Heck, he might turn around a sell the clubs and rights to Philips Arena immediately upon acquisition.

As for Belkin being a bit of an “odd duck,” or “arrogant,” well … George Steinbrenner is a bit quirky. The late Marge Schott wasn’t a ball of sunshine, either. And Ted Turner is … well … Ted. God love ‘im.

It’s been documented that Ted Turner compared himself to Jesus, as in “the Messiah.” If you asked him where he gets the chutzpah to think he merits that sort of comparison, he’s likely to snidely reply, “Who else gives the United Nations $100 million-a-year? That’s $1 billion over ten years. How much did YOU give?” But I digress.

The Yankees still “suffered on” while stockpiling WS titles. And appearances. The 1990 Cincinnati Reds stunned the world, with Marge Schott hoisting the trophy. And Ted Turner, despite himself, proudly displayed the Braves’ only World Series trophy in 1995.

At least if the Hawks and Thrashers continue to falter, we can all point at one guy, Steve Belkin, and scream, “It’s all your fault!” Then Steve might find that dreams can turn into nightmares, so be careful what you wish for. Except that, I don’t think that’s what’s going to happen. I think Belkin will either sell the teams, as is his right as owner, or … he’ll oversee them, trying his utmost to win titles.

With that in mind, there’s no doubt that firing Billy Knight, assuming he doesn’t resign first, will be Belkin’s first order of business.

And, uhh, Don Waddell should lie AWAKE at night, too. His draft record beyond the top two overall picks leaves a lot of room for improvement. His trades have been “average” at best. And he’s overpaid almost every single player on the Thrashers’ roster.

If you’ll notice, Mark Bradely, hockey’s final four teams were all rosters that didn’t exactly push the cap. The Mighty Ducks, Oilers, Sabres, and Hurricanes were all built “on the cheap.” A lot of their players are on one-year contracts, or 3-year deals that are fiscally-responsible, leaving them “flexibility” at the trade deadline and in the coming seasons. Don Waddell built the Thrashers by overpaying yesteryear’s all-stars, maxing out the cap, with one of the oldest rosters in the NHL.

Belkin’s first order of business with Don Waddell should be to have a rather frank discussion over “cap management issues.” Namely, to flat out ask him what his strategy is, since it’s not really apparent that he has one. The 2005-06 Thrashers “front loaded” two offensive lines, leaving very little money for the other two lines and defensive corps. The Thrashers had two solid blueliners, perhaps three, on their roster. They still have a very inconsistent and unreliable goaltender, healthwise. Mike Dunham, the backup goalie, knew he would be discarded at the end of the season anyway.

The Thrashers have two forwards pushin’ $7 million-a-year and have yet to re-sign their “pedigree” goaltender—who will surely seek the big bucks. Marc Savard, an NHL-leader in assists and points, will almost surely be the first casualty of the “cap management strategy” of Don Waddell.

Recent 1st round picks, D-man Braydon Coburn, D-man Boris Valabik, and forward Alex Bourret, have yet to prove themselves NHL-worthy.

At some point, Belkin will have to hold Waddell accountable for his draft record, not only in the first round, but in his subsequent rounds, as well. He’s NEVER landed a 2nd round pick into the “starting lineup,” except in “call up” situations from the minors. (Goaltender Michael Garnett proved himself capable of being a starter, when he was “pressed into service.” He is a 2nd round pick of Don Waddell’s.)

If a GM cannot draft talent into the starting lineup, he must reach out to free agency and trades. And whenever you do that, it’s gonna cost money. What Mark Bradley calls “being cheap,” I’ll call being “fiscally-responsible.” The Hurricanes, Oilers, Sabres, and Ducks got to where they did in the “new NHL” by being “fiscally-responsible.”

I welcome Steve Belkin. I’m not sayin’ it’ll be good times. But sometimes “change is good.” Eight (8) owners??? Naw, “too many chefs spoil the soup.”

The NHL Draft is June 24. It is not “far fetched” to suggest that Don Waddell might take Atlanta’s 12th overall pick and trade it for #20 and #34. Ummn. Maybe it’s best to remove him now, along with Billy Knight, before more damage is done.

By DYoung

June 11, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

I think this is the funniest thing to happen to atlanta sports in a while. The local group of owners just got so served by Belkin. And they deserved it. Sydell is a lawyer as is at least one other of the Atlanta owners yet they were even incompetent when is came to making a ownership contract. The only thing the local Atlanta owners have going for them is they have family money or married it (as is the case of Sydell marring a Turner). These idiots probably think they are smart because they are so wealthy but in actuallity they have proven how smart they are. If they had not been born with silver spoons in their mouths I doubt any of them except Balkin could run a McDonalds.

By Hawk Misery

June 11, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

If Belkin is for the immediate removal of Billy “the fool” Knight and Ron “i’m totally out of my league” Woodson, I am for him taking over the team. The other owners are too soft and are sending the Hawks down the same path they have followed for years under Babcock and Kasten.

By JOJO

June 11, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Brendan- I would say you made some good points, but I didn’t read that. Man, don’t write an essay for a blog. Way too long

By J. Shuttlesworth

June 11, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

One way or another, this situation will set the Hawks back for a number of years.

First, if the team wasn’t in a holding pattern before this ruling, the team certainly is in a holding pattern now. Don’t look for any sort of free-agent splash this summer.

Second, if the current owners have to buy out Belkin at a top-dollar amount, they will be flat broke. The couldn’t afford to run the team with out his money (that’s why they included him to begin with), so after paying him off with millions they can’t afford to, don’t expect them to put a competitive team on the floor.

Third, if Belkin wins, who knows what he’ll do. He’d certainly blow up the front office, which would start the re-building all over. He might spend money, he might not, he might look to sell, who knows.

Either way, David Stern really screwed up by allowing this bunch of under capitalized clowns to own the team. Does anyone actually care about the Thrashers?

By DiehardHawk

June 11, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

JoJo obviously you have never been to a Thrashers game if you have to ask if anyone acutally cares about them. I was at every game the last couple months of the season the place was packed! Anyway the NBA and NHL commisioners have the final say in any change of ownership. Belkin has no chance, he can win all the court cases he wants.

By GoHawks

June 11, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

Belkin is clearly smarter than the rest of them. But does he want to build and therefore spend for a championship? If not, status quo, who cares.

By Brendan

June 11, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

Mea culpa for the dissertation above. But I’ve been an Atlanta Sports fan a long time, and I think we all reach a “threshhold” where we find it “insufferable.”

There’s no doubt in mind my that some of the bloggers at the Hawks and Thrashers’ message boards could actually do a better job of running the Hawks and Thrashers than Billy Knight and Don Waddell.

I’ll be the first one to say … “some of this wasn’t their fault.” But, uhh, a LOT of it was. Sports is a “results-based business.”

Well, uhh, gee. You could find someone loitering at a bus stop, put them in charge, and still have poor results for a WHOLE HECKUVA LOT CHEAPER.

That’s all I’m sayin.’

By Thrashville

June 11, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

Shuttlesworth, just so you’ll know, there are plenty of people who “care” about the Thrashers. NHL hockey in Atlanta has outdrawn the NBA in gate attendance 13 out of the 14 years the 2 leagues have gone head-to-head, the lone exception being 1980. You can look it up! From 1972-80, the Flames outdrew the Hawks at the Omni by almost 4900 per game. Since 1999, the Thrashers have officially outdrawn the Hawks by over 1300 per game, but the real difference is probably much more given the Hawks’ suspicious attendance counting practices.

This Belkin/Atl. Spirit fiasco is detrimental to both teams, probably moreso to the Hawks. As far as I know, Don Waddell has never refused to shake Belkin’s hand. Whether the status quo with the Spirit is preferable to a new regime under Belkin is subject to debate, but the way the Spirit has handled the whole thing since they sought to commence the buy-out of Belkin last summer does not exactly raise confidence in their ability to competently build championship sports teams.

By ben

June 11, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

So, your point is: If one of the owners of the Minnesota Vikings had gotten crossways with his fellow owners over the Hershel Walker trade, then he should be painted as a bad guy. From the looks of the popularity of this blog Mark, the AJC should give you a raise for knowing how to take an idiotic stance and stir up the readers.

By Brad

June 11, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this

We need a new breathe of fresh air in Atlanta. I have been a fan all of my life but it is getting pretty hard trying to defend these guys in. I am hearing that we are drafting another undersized forward in the draft by the name of Shelden Williams.

By Brad

June 11, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this

We need a new breathe of fresh air in Atlanta. I have been a fan all of my life but it is getting pretty hard trying to defend these guys drafts and trades. I am hearing that we are drafting another undersized forward in the draft by the name of Shelden Williams.

By Brad

June 11, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

We need a new breathe of fresh air in Atlanta. I have been a fan all of my life but it is getting pretty hard trying to defend these guys drafts and trades. I am hearing that we are drafting another undersized forward in the draft by the name of Shelden Williams. We need a point guard and a center but yet we are going to draft another forward who is not even better than the guys we already have.

By Peter

June 11, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

Steve Belkin has always expressed an interest in owning an NBA team. We can all agree on that point correct?

If he could have afforded to buy and run one on his own he’d have done so, correct? How will he be able to run the Hawks? Where is the money going to come from? By selling the Thrashers and then eventually moving the Hawks.

The McDavid deal to buy both teams didn’t fail because he couldn’t come up with the money but TW short circuted him while he was lining up the financing.

Is there anyway that this many [Atlanta Spirit] guys could EVER get together? It’ll be easy to take both teams out of Atlanta. Do what we [Atlanta fans] do, trash each other and the city and it’s teams.

How is the “terrible” Elgin Baylor now the exec of the year in L.A.? How is golden boy Jerry West not winning big in Memphis? Hey he has a big man and a PG.

Finally why is everyone 100% certain that it’s all Atlanta’s fault that Boris Diaw is performing so much better now?

1)Who among us said, “Change the offense for Boris Diaw”? Yeah, he’s terrific now but it’s simply a better environment for him.

Everyone wants the teams to win but how does Belkin have the ability to do better?

By ron

June 11, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

i agree with mr.belkin besides paying joe johnson an exorbitant salary in addition to two first round picks and a promising player in diaw,it was too excessive.this will set the hawks back in rebuilding for the future.phoenix probably would’t have matched the offer monetarily but when they saw a sucker they wholeheartedly took advantage.as it’s stated the nba is a business.

By dj

June 11, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this

I just thought the Hawks curse phillips arena but it looks like they curse the entire Thrashers organization and the ownership. Billy Knight being an idiot is what caused this. Thanks Billy for being a screw up.

By Wolverine

June 11, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

Here we go with more of the short sighted Hawks fans. If you are a true Hawks fans you DONT WANT to be in the lottery every year. THATS WHY I TOTALLY SUPPORT BK. So what if you gave up TWO lottery protected picks and Boris Diaw. He didnt fit well in Woodson system. BK provided that he is still working by Draft time will select a PF to block shots. Please let him do his job you short sighted fans…Belkin is an idiot b/c hind sight is always 20/20 - If your the Hawks you needed to get a star in Atlanta. And BK did just that. I believe this will be the last year the Hawks are in the lottery.

By Ken Strickland

June 11, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this

There is a great deal of ignorance and anger exhibited in a number of these responses. B. Knight inherited a roster comprised mostly of overpaid, marginal, underperforming talent, a total mess. He discarded all of this baggage in less than 1yr, a feat acknowledged and admired by other NBA exec. Most of the trades you GM wannabe’s are complaining about(ex: J. Terry for A. Walker) weren’t made for the purpose of receiving equal value in return. They were made to exchange existing long term contracts for short term expiring contracts to clear CAP room and acquire draft picks, which he accomplished. Now, some are calling for his head because he may have overpaid(2 1st rd picks) for J. Johnson. How do you think the Hawks acquired those extra picks used in the trade? That’s right, through trades executed by none other than B. Knight. You nonthinkers are crying about picks the Hawks wouldn’t have without Knight. Finally, only a certified fool would expect any GM or Coach to make the playoffs or have a winning season, in only 2yrs, playing the youngest roster, by a large margin, in NBA history. After only 2yrs wiht Knight as GM we have CAP room, tradeable players and a young talented nucleus. All of these elements were foreign to previous mgt. Oh yes, the Hawks still have their normal allotment of draft picks. So you complainers should learn more about the overall process involved before you start whining like spanked babies.

By uga4ever

June 11, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

Wolverine- you are such an idiot. The two picks aren’t lottery protected picks anymore. This year was! For you to say that not having a first round pick is good. I don’t care if it is in the lottery or late teens. WE DON’T HAVE A DRAFT PICK UNTIL 2009. IF YOU THINK THAT IS GOOD, THEN YOU NEED TO GO BACK AND S#^K BILLY’S D*$K SOMEMORE. YOU CALL US DUMB FANS. Listen to yourself, we don’t need any picks. If you knew anything about basketball, of course you don’t want to be in the lottery. But, you would like to have at least one pick in the first round, wouldn’t you? Even if our pick is 20th next year… guess what Phoenix gets it. What if our pick is 18th in 2008.. guess what Phoenix gets it. GET A CLUE DUDE.

By Chris

June 11, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this

Draft picks count period. Lottery or not. You cherish those because that is how you build your team. If Woodson isn’t coaching the style that fits Diaw, and it seems Billy really likes players like him, then shouldn’t there be a coach who does. Billy inhales. I said this last summer as well. Belkin is right and has more class than Billy as well. Not to shake the hand of the person who helps put food on your table is just ridiculous. Billy should be happy he’s kept his job. I hope the higher courts tell the other owners to shove it. I hope then Belkins tells Billy good Knight on his way out the door.