Sports Columnists

By Me

July 27, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Nice. Why do people even waste their time writing about the Hawks? People won’t get that part of their life back.

When’s kickoff?

By Nick

July 27, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

Mark

No one even cares. You are 100% right, is this team that much better? Claxton was a backup why? because he counld not get the job done the year before when he was starter. M. Williams i think you are wrong, but to get all excited because of his rookie league performance is crazy.

Any way until we say good night and good bye to Billy we have no chance…Mr. Belkin please hurry

By Brendan

July 27, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

Mark, Jeff Schultz paid it best with his article, “The Spirit Boys are in over their heads.” While I have no doubt that the ownership group is a pleasant bunch who mean well, they obviously have no clue what it is or means to be pro sports team owners.

It’s cliche to say, but cliches are often true. It starts from the top. THIIIIIS, is our top.

By Nick

July 27, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

Mark

No one even cares. You are 100% right, is this team that much better? Claxton was a backup why? because he counld not get the job done the year before when he was starter. M. Williams i think you are wrong, but to get all excited because of his rookie league performance is crazy.

Any way until we say good night and good bye to Billy we have no chance…Mr. Belkin please hurry

By Don

July 27, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

Mark, how do you expect to be taken seriously when you keep writing that stuff about Georgia being the “standard bearer of the SEC”?

By die hard braves fan

July 27, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

as my gurl whitney would said

H-LL TO THE NO! THE FOREST IS OVER!

I GUESS I AINT GONNA BE SEEING NO CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER HANGING FROM PHILLIPS ARENAS ANYTIME SOON UNLESS WE TRADE THE WHOLE TEAM FOR SHAQ AND DWAYNE WADE AND IVERSON ROFLROFLROFL

OH SORRY THAT MY FANTASY TEAM ROSTER…

WHATCHA FANTASY!!!

IT SURE AINT GOING DOWN IN THE ATL THIS YEAR!

By die hard hawks fan

July 27, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

Yo mark…

tell them publicist that you want courtside tickets near the other’s team bench and then maybe you would look into saying william got as much as potential as former hawks player who happend to be the poster boy for the NBA’s Thug of the Year .. Isisah Rider.. Shoot he made Iverson look like a saint in comparison!

So if you get them courtside tickets be sure to thank Isiah Rider ROFLROFL

WHAT IN DA BLAZE HAPPEN TO HIM ROFLROFL LOL

By Glenn

July 27, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

Mark, Hindsight is always 20/20 idiot. Marvin Williams was considered by most gurus as the surefire best talent in the draft. He is still just a baby as well. His upside is still crazy high. I hear this arguement about a JJ/Paul backcourt & all I can think is what a horrible defensive backcourt. Aren’t you the genius that said we should use the 5th pick on Marcus Williams . Didn’t he end up going in the 20’s. How are we expected to take you seriously ?

By hawks

July 27, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

mark,

you are a moron and you write the most pointless articles, i honestly think you have no real knowledge of sports and just like to listen to yourself complain. if you cant see marvins potential and the hawks potential as a team than you have no business being in sports. bottom line you are IGNORANT just as you said in the article and are just flat out annoying

By Steve

July 27, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

Hold on guys let us stop hacking the Hawks. I for one thing Billy is doing a great job. Will you guys step back and look at the big picture. I know we live in a microwave world and want things to happen quickly, but to build a champion it takes time.

Do you guys seem to recall the Hawks losing game because of injuries? I do. Now look at what Billy has done. We have Marvin Williams that can play 3 positions. Joe Johnson can play 3 positions. Josh Smith can play 3 position. Josh Childress can play 2 positions. ZaZa can play two positions. Now we bring in two draft picks that can play two positions. Billy has solve the problem of losing when a player got hurt. Also, this guys can cause match up problems. The hawks will be able to go big, small, and anywhere in between. The hawks can go big with Zaza, Solomon Jones, Marvin, Joe and Josh C on the floor. The Hawks can having a shot blocking line up (defnse) with Solomon Jones, Shelden, Marvin, Josh Smith and Joe on the floor. The Hawks can have a shooting line up with Shelden at center, Marvin and Josh Smith at fowards, Salmin and Joe at guards.

You guys are making fun about Marvin’s play in the summer league. Let me remind you of a few things. First of all, Marvin was improve with every game last season. The guy is a great shooter and I expect for him to one day take over. I will say that he will be better than Joe Joe Johnson.

My finally point is remember how Josh Smith improved in the summer league. Josh could run the floor and block shots from day one. However, he did not have that outside shot. In the summer league he got a chance to work on it. Likewise Marvin got a chance to work on jis game. For anyone whoever play sports know that sometimes it takes a year to adjust at the next level. Let us give each of Billy’s draft pick a year before we call them a wasted pick.

Now let us compare Speedy and Chris from last season. Speedy played 28 minutes and averaged 12.3 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 rebs. Chris played 36 minutes and averaged 16.1 points, 7.8 assists and 5.1 rebs.

Folks both of these guys can play. Did you know that Speedy is in the top ten in steals per game. I alos look for him to live up to his name and push the ball up court. In the half court game, I expect him to break the defense down with his speed and kick the ball back out to Joe or Marvin.

I can wait under preseason for the Hawks. You guys finally see what Billy is trying to build. One last note, sometimes it takes longer for a big man to develop than a small man. I am saying Chris may look good now, but Marvin may become better and play longer.

By cusehawk

July 27, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

mark,

first off, i am really sick of this comparison, it has too stop. we picked marvin over paul just like EVERY mock draft those 2(bogut and marvin) going 1-2 no matter who was picking. they were heads and shoulders over everyone else BEFORE the draft. secondly marvin and paul were in 2 COMPLETELY different situations last year. paul was needed to start. marvin was in a crowded frontcourt - we didnt pick him to blossum last year (he was only 19) EVERYONE knew that al was going to be gone by the end of last year or this year. so it gave marvin a year to adjust to the life and grow as a player. he may not blossum this year, but when is all said and done this kid is the future of the hawks with jj and smoove. and i like what i see.

By cusehawk

July 27, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

hawks: i agree with you about mark’s intellect level.

there are better sports writers in little syracuse, ny then there are in atlanta. its pathetic.

By TonyG

July 27, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

Ok, first off, speedy wasn’t just “some random backup point guard”, he almost won the sixth man of the year award, which shows that he played an important role for new orleans last year. also, even with paul, they both played together a lot last year, so that shows that even though they had a great point guard out there he was still on the court, making a big impact. Paul was the right pick, of course, all picking Marvin did was set our rebuilding process back another year, which was the last thing we needed. we didnt need him in any way, BUT, now that the wasted 05 season is out of the way, we can finally move on with our NEW team. Our Chris Paul-less team, which would have been incredible to watch by the way. Knight seems so focused on proving that he knew what he was doing by selecting Marvin, but the truth is, he fell to the pressure of everyone telling him marvin would be a superstar.i think he will be, but knight, of all people, a man who claims to know basketball better than anyone, succumbed to the press and the scouts and general public that all came to the unanimous decision that marvin would be the best player out of this draft. i dont care. paul would have made us good, REALLY GOOD, NOW! but i do think this year will be better. i think we will make a late run at the playoffs, but it will be tough to actually make it. Also, why has noone been talking about this solomon jones guy, i looked him up and one website had him as a diamond in the rough, possibly one of the best players down the road. i think he’ll be better than shelden. knight does know talent in drafts: marvin, salim, chills, j smoove….but this shelden pick has me very, very worried. i think he could be an enormous bust. but he could go either way, and i hope its for the best. GO HAWKS! JJ will be an all-star this year by the way. and hopefully josh smith too

By cusehawk

July 27, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this

and 1 more thing mark,

if we were going to pick a pg last year, it was going to be deron not paul. so please stop harping on this subject.

the pistons dont catch as much heat for picking darko when they could have picked wade or melo. jeeze, the blazers never caught as much heat for picking bowie over jordan as you give the hawks for a pick that was made 1 year ago. at least do the professional thing and wait to see how the 2 players turn out.

By vdunkndunk

July 27, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

Mark, you’re blog is utterly disingenious.

First of all, Joe Johnson did not concede that drafting Marvin was a mistake, he just said that Chris Paul would have been great in the same backcourt. JJ explicitly said he loved Marvin and that he didn’t want to be taken out of context…I guess it’s more convenient for you to ignore that part.

Second, why try to minimize what Marvin did in the summer league by referencing Jonathen Bender? What does Jonathen Bender’s summer league performance have to do with anything? Bender’s problem wasn’t lack of talent, it was bad knees that make it impossible for him to play.

In terms of pure talent, people who actually know about basketball know that Jonathen Bender was considered an amazing talent who just couldn’t stay healthy. Bringing Bender up does nothing to prove your “point” that a good summer league doesn’t necessarily translate into NBA success.

Finally, your idea that the Hawks would have challenged for the playoffs last season if they would have drafted Chris Paul is pure fiction, and exposes your ignorance about basketball. The Hawks averaged nearly 100 points a game last year…how much more do you think they would have averaged with Chris Paul?

And how would Chris Paul have helped fix the Hawks’ real problems, like being nearly last in defensive field goal percentage, points allowed, points in the paint, and defensive rebounding?

By T Robb

July 27, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

Hawks problem wasn’t lack of offense, it was dreadful defense, particularly on the interior. Chris Paul would have exacerbated the situation. They’re moving in the right direction.

It’s too early to criticize the Marvin pick. Vdunk is right about the Bender reference - that’s a weak argument. If Williams he goes 20 and 8 this year, assumedly with even more upside, will Bradley come back and say, “Y’know, maybe I was wrong?”

I’ll hold my breath.

By JR

July 27, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

Williams should have been helping the Tarheels to a second straight national championship last year instead of riding the pines on one of the worst teams in the NBA. It’s greed that killed the NBA. Think about Josh Smith with a couple of years in a good college program learning to play defense. Chris Paul? OK, he had a great first year, but in the long run, Williams will still be the very good player, albeit in NY or LA after a future Hawks house-keeping to get some “cap room” for the next rebuilding.

By JR

July 27, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

Williams should have been helping the Tarheels to a second straight national championship last year instead of riding the pines on one of the worst teams in the NBA. It’s greed that killed the NBA. Think about Josh Smith with a couple of years in a good college program learning to play defense. Chris Paul? OK, he had a great first year, but in the long run, Williams will still be the very good player, albeit in NY or LA after a future Hawks house-keeping to get some “cap room” for the next rebuilding.

By JR

July 27, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this

Williams should have been helping the Tarheels to a second straight national championship last year instead of riding the pines on one of the worst teams in the NBA. It’s greed that killed the NBA. Think about Josh Smith with a couple of years in a good college program learning to play defense. Chris Paul? OK, he had a great first year, but in the long run, Williams will still be the very good player, albeit in NY or LA after a future Hawks house-keeping to get some “cap room” for the next rebuilding.

By dap

July 27, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

The AJC’s coverage of the Hawks is on the same level as the Hawks’ play.

The fans have to suffer with both.

By cusehawk

July 27, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

we wont be suffering for long with the hawks play 41-41 8th seed.

you heard it here first.

By Former Hawk fax

July 27, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

Speaking of summer league word is Shelden Williams was a total bust.

By Frank

July 27, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

The Hawks didn’t pick a point guard people get over it. The Hawks picked the best avaible player, and that was Marvin Williams. I understand that Paul had a terrific rookie year, but Williams will be the better player in the long term. When he cameout evryone compaired him to KG now you tell me who you would rather have KG or a point guard. Besides point guard was not the Hawks problem last year defense was, and Paul is not a great defender. Also, if the Hawks took a point guard they would have taken Derron Williams. (Every report I saw said Atlanta liked him more) If u really want to fuss about something, fuss about Al Harrington be traded and all we are getting back is 7.5 million in cap room. When we could atleast get Jeff Foster to help out with with the lack of rebounding going on at Phillips Arena and help with the horrible defense that is being played in the post on a nightly basis

By hawks

July 27, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

its nice to see that most people here completely disagree with the IDIOT bradley who has no business being in sports, honestly enough with the chris paul crap already marvins gonna be a stud. i just cant wait until marvin breaks out and then bradley writes an article about how drafting him was the best move ever. he only writes what everyone else says, he doesnt have a mind of his own, all he produces is garbage and throws it into an article.

By Steve

July 27, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

Hey Hawk fax, i do not know where you get the word that Shelden was a total bust. I do not see that. How many people on this blog understand basketball? I was look at the stat sheet for the Hawks after every game. I did not expect Shelden to score a lot of points. I was more concern with him playing like a true power forward. It was a known fact that Shelden had a little of a problem adjusting to the speed of the game at the pro level. But once he did, he showed me that he is what the hawks need at the 4 spot. Let us look at what he did in the Leauge? Pts Rebs Blks Game 1 8 5 1 Game 2 6 3 1 Game 3 5 5 2 Game 4 11 6 0 Game 5 10 9 1 Game 6 8 10 3

Class what did we notice about Mr. Williams? He improves with each game. He averaged 8 points 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks pergame. That is not bad. Now if he can give us that or more next season, we have a power forward. I expect that he will give us at least 10 points 10 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game next season. The thing you want from a power forward is rebounding and block shots. The main thing you want from a power forward is defense and rebounding. If he score some points that is all well and good. Let us take a look at some of the power forwards on NBA Champions. The bulls had Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman. The pistons had Rick Mahorn and Dennis Rodman. The Lakers had Superman Kirk Rambis. The Spurs had Tim Ducan. The pistons had Ben and Rashad Wallace. My point is most power forwards are known for defense and rebounding.

By Tyger

July 27, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Dude, what the heck are u talkin about??? Pull your head out ur nass!

Marvin plays for ATL not Paul, whats your deal, why dont you support the home team?

Why do you wish for the present regime to fail?

Why werent you running every Babcock/Kasten decision in the ground when we really needed you?

This is the same ole’ racist cracker horseshitnik.

By RA

July 27, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

Yup, that’s the Bradley we all know and love. Will you, excuse me, can you get over it already?! You know what, Marvin Williams is a good young player, not great, not outstanding, not yet… But if you look at the progress that he made the second half of last season and couple it with what he’s shown in the summer league, I think that even someone of your limited intelligence can figure out that he’s working hard and he’s getting better. Your response, try harder to run him down!

Think about it Mark, what if someone had run you down like that when you first started writing. No matter what you did or how hard you worked, they just kept running you down because you weren’t somebody else. Well, I’m sorry but when the AJC hired you, I’m sure that there were literally hundreds, no thousands of writers who were better qualified than you are. What if you had to read in the papers everyday about how they should have hired them? And as for making a mistake on draft night last year, maybe Hawks management did. Maybe they should have drafted Chris Paul. I don’t know. Give me another year or two on that one. But let’s say it was a mistake, the mistake of all mistakes. What the deuce can they do about it now? And for goodness sake what can that poor boy do except play for the team that drafted him? Instead of letting him do that you berate him every chance you get because of a percieved mistake that he didn’t even make, and even if he had, think back to the worst thing that you ever did in your life, can you change it? Well, the Hawks can’t either…

Then they get something that they needed, a solid point guard. You spend a month thinking about why that was a bad move and at the end of all that the best you can come up with is the fact that he’s not Chris Paul. Well, so aren’t a lot of other people. But they still have value, if it’s in you to see that, you might want to start looking at Marvin Williams value as a person and a player and stop belley aching over things no one change.

By Ryder

July 27, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this

Shelden Williams will be a 10-10 player, just not this year. He won’t get enough playing time while the team determines how to rotate their frontcourt situation.

Speaking of which, I really hope that this trade for Al to Indiana for draft picks & cash is only a setup for bigger things. While I commend BK for building up a team with depth, Atlanta has some serious questions to answer in regards to who will be playing the paint (Zaza is not enough). I’m not sure if Marvin is big enough to play with his back to the basket unless he develops weight in a hurry. Unless they plan on getting Magloire and his expiring contract, then it doesn’t really make sense to trade Al for more cap room.

Sadly JR’s assessment about Atlanta rebuilding again in the future may be correct.

By Jake

July 27, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this

This is history folks this man mark bradley finally did his job and made a good point..you are right about them making the wrong choice wth williams over paul but dont never compare jonathan bender to marvin williams becouse thats just ignorant really..marvin williams will still be a star one day..

By NJ HAWK

July 27, 2006 08:54 PM | Link to this

Who cares about what you think. When have you been right about anything. Have you ever even watched a Hawks game? What does the ROY really prove. Lets see who becomes a superstar.

By Steve

July 27, 2006 09:01 PM | Link to this

The Hawks will be alright in the middle. They have some size on the team but someone needs to step up. Esteban is 6-10-270. John Edwards is 7-0-275. Solomon Jones is 6-10-230. Shelden Williams is 6-9-250. They had other two guys with size on the sumer league team: Jack Ingram 6-10-225 and Chad Bell.

I expect Shelden to play some major minutes during this season. He may be able to play forward and center. Esteban is a very good rebounder and I expect him to have a break out season. Now if someone can lite a fire under John Edwards, the Hawks will have plugged the whole in the middle. I expect Solomon to ride the bench this season, but I expect him and Shelden to form one of the best center/power forward combo in the history of the NBA.

By Steve

July 27, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this

The Hawks will be alright in the middle. They have some size on the team but someone needs to step up. Esteban is 6-10-270. John Edwards is 7-0-275. Solomon Jones is 6-10-230. Shelden Williams is 6-9-250. They had other two guys with size on the sumer league team: Jack Ingram 6-10-225 and Chad Bell.

I expect Shelden to play some major minutes during this season. He may be able to play forward and center. Esteban is a very good rebounder and I expect him to have a break out season. Now if someone can lite a fire under John Edwards, the Hawks will have plugged the whole in the middle. I expect Solomon to ride the bench this season, but I expect him and Shelden to form one of the best center/power forward combo in the history of the NBA.

By Steve

July 27, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this

The Hawks will be alright in the middle. They have some size on the team but someone needs to step up. Esteban is 6-10-270. John Edwards is 7-0-275. Solomon Jones is 6-10-230. Shelden Williams is 6-9-250. They had other two guys with size on the sumer league team: Jack Ingram 6-10-225 and Chad Bell.

I expect Shelden to play some major minutes during this season. He may be able to play forward and center. Esteban is a very good rebounder and I expect him to have a break out season. Now if someone can lite a fire under John Edwards, the Hawks will have plugged the whole in the middle. I expect Solomon to ride the bench this season, but I expect him and Shelden to form one of the best center/power forward combo in the history of the NBA.

By cam

July 27, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this

What a stupid, pointless article Mark. C’mon, Jonathan Bender? You make it sound like he is out of the league now because of talent. He retired due to injury fool, and unfortunate too, because although he had struggled, he still had potential to be a decent player.

And with the Marvin/Paul debate…… stop beating a dead horse, the jury is still out on that, and this can’t be answered truly for another season or so.

Misquoting JJ………..

Somebody tell me again how this “journalist” expects to be taken seriously.

Somebody? Anybody?

By Hawk Fan

July 27, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this

Mark,

Enough…You do not understand the game of basketball. Marvin Williams got better and better as last season went along. By the end of the year I thought he should be playing more than Al.

I am looking forward to next season. I think this team will be heard from.

Also, to whoever that was that wants Belkin here, you are a moron and do not know what you are talking about. Belkin would be the worst thing to ever happen to this city.

By Quent

July 28, 2006 02:16 AM | Link to this

I’m so tired of hearing all of this what if Chris Paul and JJ were in the same backcourt stuff. Many of you may have forgotten that the reason Billy Knight passed on Paul and signed JJ was for him to play the point. Paul averaged 16pts & 8ast, Joe averaged 20pts & 7ast. If Billy had drafted Paul then Joe would not have necessarily been a Hawk. So what if we had Paul and no Joe? What are we looking at five or six more wins? Big deal still no playoffs, still a lottery team.

Speedy only played 16 games with the Hornets in ‘04-‘05, they must have liked something about him to trade Baron Davis for him. Last but not least, the Hornets were considering starting Paul and Speedy in the same backcourt if he re-signed. Now why would you start a 5’11” guard & a 6’0” guard in the same backcourt unless you thought you could win with them?

By Stephen

July 28, 2006 07:24 AM | Link to this

The NBA draft these days should be judged by how the player performs throughout his entire career and so far neither one of these players (Paul or Williams) has played his entire career. I think its upsurd that we’re so quick to call williams a failure when clearly he is improving rapidly. I certainly am still under the belief that Williams has the potential to become a franchise player.

By JJ

July 28, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

I won’t criticize Bradley because I already know he doesn’t have a clue. The things he is writing and suggesting about Marvin are the same things he wrote and suggested about J Smoove. Don’t take him seriously folks. He is required to write articles to keep his job. No one said he had to know what he is talking about.

By Bob - ATL

July 28, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

If Billy Knight only gets a draft pick for Al Harrington & John Edwards, he should be fired on the spot. What a freaking waste!

By Uncle Jr

July 28, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

I am so sick of the Chris Paul topic. Please explain to me how a point guard would have helped us defend the paint and rebound, because that’s what beat this team time and time again last season. I guess CP would have pulled down about 10-12 rebounds and block 3-4 shots a game. Because if he was doing that, we would have ended up about the same place, not closer to the playoffs like Mark Bradley states. Having Marvin Williams make losing Harrington not so big.

By Drew

July 28, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

What is this I hear about the Hawks trading Harrington for cash and a future draft pick?? This is insane, are they not going to get a veteran banger?? The Hawks never cease to amaze.

By Gatorboy55

July 28, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

Im more dissapointed with the present. Like why we arent completing the Harrington for Troy Murphy trade with Golden State!!!

By Jwinner

July 28, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

Mark Bradley, you are a moron!!!!!

By G-Money

July 28, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

The sad reality is that the organization is in such a state that they need cash over a big. With a bonafide All Star in AL to trade, we only get cash and salary relief is so unfortunate. It speaks to the storms brewing up top, to the wrestling matches between the Spirit and Belkin. It’s not about the fans or the team at this point. BK has to be sick.

Now, the young guys will get as much time to develop on the court as they can handle. Solomon and Shelden will be stepping in PDQ to support ZaZa. Let’s hope with Speedy, JJ and everyone else, it’s enough to at least be a competitive product.

It’s a sad time for a corporate team to be spinning out of control.

By cusehawk

July 28, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

2 quick things, 1. mark, it seems you are quite popular on your own website. this is making my day. 2. with this trade, the hawks are creating cap room for next year. there are no names available this year and there never were (ben wallace is deece, but he was the only big name player) . we dont want troy murphy to clog up cap space, we dont want al at all so why not create more cap space and go after a big name next year. its by far the best thing to do.

By Steve

July 28, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

Who said that it was a mistake to pass on Chris Paul? Would you say that the Bucks made a mistake with the number 1 pick. I think not. Anyone who knows basketball knows that it may take longer for a big men to develop. In the long run big men last longer in the NBA.

By Steve

July 28, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

Who said that it was a mistake to pass on Chris Paul? Would you say that the Bucks made a mistake with the number 1 pick. I think not. Anyone who knows basketball knows that it may take longer for a big men to develop. In the long run big men last longer in the NBA.

By xpert

July 28, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

“The sticking point of the deal is the cash the Hawks will receive according to those familiar with the negotiations.”

This quote says everything you need to know about the Hawks. If they had a clue about running a successful franchise there would be people sitting in those thousands of empy seats and they wouldn’t need to be sell players to pay the utility bills.

By xpert

July 28, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

“The sticking point of the deal is the cash the Hawks will receive according to those familiar with the negotiations.”

This quote says everything you need to know about the Hawks. If they had a clue about running a successful franchise there would be people sitting in those thousands of empy seats and they wouldn’t need to sell players to pay the utility bills.

By Glenn

July 28, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this

Heckling the Hawks? Mark you seem to be getting the worst of it !

By Jason

July 28, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

Mark,

I think Sekou Smith has the Hawks covered .. go write about something else you pansy. Everytime I pull up the AJC, i see an idiotic artcile written by yourself, and you have NO KNOWLEDGE at ALL on NBA basketball. How did you ever get into the sports business??? Sometimes, that whole phrase “its not what you know, its who you know” that seems to really stand out in people … especially when they suck so badly at their job! Why don’t you let Sekou, who actually DOES unbiased reporting, take care of the Hawks? IDIOT!

By cusehawk

July 28, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

steve, you make great points, but its not even worth posting. bradley is and always will be an idiot. look in his archives and read what he wrote about the beginning of the ownership rift last year. he has made a complete 180 about everything. he has no opinion at all, he just goes with the flow and tries to sound smart. instead of heckling the hawks, he should heckle himself.

By newkid

July 28, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

“…Johnson conceded choosing Williams over Paul was a mistake.”

Sure hope JJ and Marvin see this quote and - for as long as they’re in Atlanta - realize the sort of ‘liberties’ some at the AJC are willing to take with their statements. Incredible, but hardly unexpected.

By hawks

July 28, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

this is awesome bradley writes another dumb article and just gets ripped for it cause hes a moron. by the way has anyone considered that they use the money to sign someone else rather than automatically taking foster back (whose really not that good)….man just got to say it again bradley is terrible and now everyone knows it

By i know it all

July 28, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

billy is the worst ever.
i still think bradley and stupid moore are terrible.
the hawks will be good.
we drafted marvin, not chris paul, so get over it. dr phil says sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you make the decision right. billy is still the worst ever. the owners should all back the f up. belkin will be much better. the hawks will still have a great year. mark my word, we will have homecourt in the first round. i said it. what. what! peace ya’ll.

By i know it all

July 28, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

billy is the worst ever.
i still think bradley and stupid moore are terrible.
the hawks will be good.
we drafted marvin, not chris paul, so get over it. dr phil says sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you make the decision right. billy is still the worst ever. the owners should all back the f up. belkin will be much better. the hawks will still have a great year. mark my word, we will have homecourt in the first round. i said it. what. what! peace ya’ll.

By Gutz

July 28, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this

I guess you clowns didn’t hear Bernie on 680 the fan this morning. He said we are definitely getting another big after that Al trade. Here is what he said….

After the trade with Indiana, the Hawks have something in the wings for another big man who is available from another team. Bernie said “the big man isn’t Shaq but he is a player the fans will recognize and will say “that guy is a good player.” He intimated the player had some success in the league over the past “3, 4, 5 years.”

I’m thinking Magloire still somehow!

By cusehawk

July 28, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

“atlanta meet your center” yaaaaaaaaaoooooooooooooooo miinnnnnnnnnnnnng

just kidding, i dont even know how that could work. but it would be fun

By Ben

July 28, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley, like usual, submits more garbage. He just tries to find the negative aspects of everything. One year when the Braves got eliminated, he had a huge “WHAT? WHO? WHY?” article on the front page of the AJC sports section about how the Braves were done. What do you know-we’ve won our division 3 or 4 more times since then. This guy’s writing is an embarrassment to Atlanta.