Sports Columnists

By honest_abe

December 7, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

so you still manage to take a swipe at bk……. i have never seen a journalist have such an agenda against a sports exec in the city. you guys must really hate each other.

if the hawks had figured how to turn diaw into a player? have you checked how boris has been playing this year.. seems to me he still hasn’t figured out to be a player himself.

as for chris paul/derron williams debate. IT’S SO OLD. and besides.. how about talking about some of the positive things such as the play of sheldon williams? bk got a lot of flack for drafting a guy supposedly with limited potential. and here he is probably one of the front runners for rookie of the year. i know he has been the most productive rookie so far.

mr. bradley i like how you conveniently left out the fact that the hawks have been playing short handed. they’ve been without the person who was supposed to be their #2 scoring option (marvin williams) and their best all around player off the bench (josh childress)… let’s also not forget this hawks team was playing without their starting point guard and starting center. seems to me bk has built a pretty, deep, young team with salary cap flexibility putting this franchise in a very promising situation. also, let’s not forget about that other reach he took in the 2nd round. solomon jones. guy has looked good so far.

Mr. Bradley if you can get past your ego, we still have some room on this bandwagon for YOUR pompous arse!!

By Astro Joe

December 7, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

Ina city where most sports teams (college and pros) tend to be disappointing, the Hawks are actually exceeding the limited expectations of the NBA world. No need to apologize for wanting to give them some accolades. They have missed 4 of their top 9 players most of the season and are still competing every night. Don’t be ashamed to show them love. Embrace the local NBA frnchise and applaud their early season start. Its okay not to hate ALL the time.

By Ken Strickland

December 7, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Bravo HONEST_ABE, this bud’s for you my friend, bravo.

By Eric

December 7, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

Wow. MB sampling a crow appetizer. I like it…

My opinion is that you should reserve judgement on the non-drafting of Paul and D. Williams (even though both are having great years) until we see what we get out of Marvin. It’s hard to compare now because he’s not playing. I

I think a healthy Claxton and Lue can equal the production those guys give their teams anyway. Plus, JJ still plays unselfishly.

As for Diaw, I think it’s beginning to become clear that the Hawks got the better end of that trade. Boris played well in a contract year, of course, and the Suns have done zero with the Draft Picks the Hawks gave them. Meanwhile, JJ is in the top 5 in the league in scoring, and has proven to be the one thing the Hawks haven’t really had since ‘Nique left…a bona fide star, and go to guy.

Still, you slight contrition is heartening…because most columnists would just hope that we forgot what they said earlier in the year. I am glad you aren’t ATL’s version of Jay “The Joke” Marriotti…

By Ike

December 7, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

honest abe—- give me a break, billy knight is a freaking joke. an “agenda” against him. i’m sorry, but the hawks have blown the past 6 years and BK has made some horrendous decisions, it’s the job of journalists in this city to criticize management when it has gone awry.

i support the hawks and i’m thrilled at the way they’re playing, but lay off MB, the guy is doing his job.

or would you rather have the ‘sonny purdue’ approach to sports journalism and just look at the happy fun times. maybe we can all hold hands.

By Volman

December 7, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

Honest Abe, thanks for saying everything that came to my mind while reading this so I didn’t have to type much out.

Bradley, do you even watch the games? Or, are you one of those “go to nba.com and look at the boxscore and make unintelligent and lazy assumptions on games” people?

Now I see why we have so many “3 position” players. We’re pretty deep! Good job Billy.

Go Hawks!!!

By jacson

December 7, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Whoever & Whoall had anything to do with building this team gets an A- at worst. Good size all around, except for Speedy, youth, talent, shooters, guys that can Sky, decent at foul line, not bad team speed…No matter who you are, it is hard not to admit the team builders and the team players are now not some chumps that are taken lightly by ANY other NBA teams this year…and as I see it, for many happy years to come.

By shock

December 7, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

These Atlanta writers are so horrible! Sekou and O’brien are the only guys the AJC have that are worth reading. They are truly talented unlike these other lame writers such as Bradley.

By honest_abe

December 7, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

obviously ike.. you know nothing about basketball or the hawks. obviously you don’t know about the MESS bk inherited and how he had to completely blow up the previous team which consisted mainly of overpaid, underperforming players with ridiculous contracts. if you only knew the extent to which this hawks organization had fallen under babcock…

then you would realize that bk has done an admirable job.

and whoa there nelly.. i don’t mind a journalist calling someone out. but mr. bradley has written several articles tearing bk a new one and yet now that this team is exceeding everyone’s expectations, he has yet to write an article giving bk any credit..

so IKE, i sugges next time don’t argue about a subject in which you are completey clueless.

By Gutz

December 7, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

Yeah Bradley you obviously know nothing about the Hawks so don’t even bother posting anymore. Good grief! You only follow them when they start winning a few games? What a joke of a journalist you are! hahahah. BK has done a great job building this team and I think the only blunder he has made so far was not taking Deron or Paul. But we still got Marvin out of it and he is going to be a star no doubt. So its not as bad as you make it sound. Please quit writing about something you know nothing about. I can’t beleive you didn’t even mention that we were playing without 4 KEY players(3 were starters) in last nights victory. When we get Marvin, Chill and Speedy back healthy we can beat any team in the NBA.

By Dan

December 7, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

You are unreal. Marvin Williams was the best pick and he will show it once he returns to health. Hey, how are the Hornets and Chris Paul doing these days? Like most sports writers in this town, you don’t know hoops. I wrote you an e-mail at the end of last season telling you this team would be good.

Just don’t jump on the bandwagon when this team takes the floor for a postseason game. You are so against Billy Knight, because he sees you as nothing more than a fly circling his a$$. You don’t know basketball. Just write an article admitting that and move on.

By bill gillispee

December 7, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

8=9 record still sucks. don’t order you playoff tickets. Although a 30 and 42 team can get there. Thats why I don’t ever watch or go to the games. When I lived in Boston back in the 60”s 70’s and, 80’s they had basketball playes not , gangsters , drug addicts, clowns, # step to the basket clowns.
Wow going to see high school plays, the still love the game not the pay check. have a nice day

By bill gillispee

December 7, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

Hey gutz, what do you know??? The Hawks are clowns, Don’t order your play off tickets. Norcross high is better than them .. A fan of basketball in the 60. 70, and 80”s , when they had players, not thugs, gangsters and clowns.

By Cautiously optimistic

December 7, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

It’s funny to me how short-sighted sports fans are. While BK inherited a franchise that was notorious for poor personnel decisions, he certainly has done little to improve that reputation. The Hawks did get a very good player in Joe Johnson, however, he was a free agent who made public his desire to play for the Hawks(thus giving the Hawks leverage), and they still gave up a good player and a first round pick. This was a sign and trade, not a straight up trade. Sign and trade deals involve 2nd round picks and NBA journeymen, not lottery picks and legitimate NBA starters.

I agree that the jury is still out on recent drafts. Marvin Williams was generally regarded as the player w/ the most potential in the 2005 draft, and all reports from the Summer Leagues were that he was starting to realize that potential, albeit against Summer League talent. However, you can’t argue with the results that have been put up by a number of PGs in that draft. Also, Shelden Williams is far from the front runner for Rookie of the Year. He’s an undersized PF w/ limited shooting range and athleticism. The reason his numbers are better than most rookies is b/c he is getting more minutes due to the rash of injuries that have plagued the Hawks.

Past personnel decisions aside(don’t doubt that Pete Babcock did more to ruin this franchise than BK ever could), the silver lining on this Hawks team is the desire and professionalism with which they display every night. With a depleted roster, on a West Coast swing where the NBA schedulers pretty much screwed them, against a good team, and down 17 in the 4th quarter, the Hawks never gave up and ended w/ the W. That is a testament to the job that Mike Woodson and his staff are doing. If BK can assemble a roster of average NBA talent(which, by the way, the Hawks don’t have), I am confident that Woodson can get them to play hard every night.

By cautiously optimistic

December 7, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Bill Gillespie- when you lived in Boston during the Celtics hey day, did they play 72 games and just forfeit the other 10? And there were no thugs in the NBA in the 60s and 70s? Is that why every team had a superstar and a guy that was on the floor to protect said superstar?(Al Attles and Kermit Washington come to mind immediately). Just because most of the players are black doesn’t mean they are thugs/clowns/gangsters, but thank you for trying to be politically correct. And if you had the opportunity to ask the Bob Cousy’s and Dave Cowen’s of the world how they would compare to today’s NBA player, they would tell you that from an athletic standpoint they were nowhere close to as big and strong and fast as the players today.

By RA

December 7, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

Hey Bradley,

The Hawks have made progress because they’ve ignored you up until this point. I sincerely hope they continue to do so.

R.A.

By bill gillispee

December 7, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

your a big jerk optimistic, I never once mention colour? I hope you have a little more class, But I guess you don’t , nor guts.

A big fan of Russell, Jones boys, the playes with class, not the clowns now.

By HAWK

December 7, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

HAVE TO SEEN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE? ITS NOT GOOD. THE HAWKS HAVE THE 7TH BEST RECORD RIGHT NOW.

By rob

December 7, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

Although it doesn’t surprise me, this is one of the most ignorant ajc columnist articles yet, which is hard to do. He completely omits the fact, or more accurately probably isn’t aware, that 8-9 record has been accomplished with by far the most depleted roster in the NBA. Last night we won without 3 starters and our 6th man, and out of the players who actually were on the court, one had goggles for a scratched eye and another’s shoulder was wrapped up so tight in athletic tape he couldn’t hoist up his free throws! Yet we are deep enough, with our rookies and walk ons to take out one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

” I don’t know if I’ll still be taking them seriously a month from now or three months from now, but at this moment I am”- this comment gets me the most since a month from now we will actually have our starters playing instead of the backups, yet he assumes we will become worse. I guess we’ll just have to keep letting the W’s do the talking. Keep up the great work hawks, and to the ajc, why don’t you just start published strictly sekou smith articles for the hawks, since he is the only one with half a clue what is going on.

By Sir Stealth

December 7, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Nice to see that the completely unwarranted talk about players being “gangstas and thugs” has made it into Hawks discussion now too. Hey Bill Gillispee, exactly which of the Hawks current players could be described as a gangster or a thug? Sorry that you couldn’t bring Dave Cowens, Larry Bird, and Kevin McHale with you down to Atlanta. Fortunately for you, the Hawks do still have Freije, not that I’m really looking to sit beside you or any other Masshole during a playoff game in Philips anyway. And 8-9, while obviously on the mediocre side, is outstanding considering where this team has been and where it was projected to go. In the Eastern Conference, that clip will be good enough for the playoffs, which would be huge for this team.

By Swatguy

December 7, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Bradley, save your analysis we will get Sekou’s. BK is doing a wonderful job and we the Hawks fans enjoy it. If you decide to give the Hawks props, I will not think you seriously. You have spoiled the cheer of sport and I feel ashamed at reading your dribble.

By Volman

December 7, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

Bill, you say the players don’t have class? Have you been to any games this season? Have to been down to Philips?

I doubt it.

Joe Johnson has to be one of the classiest athletes in the league right now. He goes to work, works VERY HARD, and shuts up about it. He never complains, but just works hard.

You don’t see any Hawks going to jail do you? Didn’t think so…

Know your information before you come on here pointing fingers at the “clowns”, “thugs”, and “gangsters”.

And for the love of God, could you please string together a GRAMATICALLY correct sentence? I get a headache reading your posts.

By Barry

December 7, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

Hey Y’all:

This is what I am talking about y’all. This Mark Bradley, local sports journalist for the AJC, states that he only writes good stuff about the Hawks, and probably the Thrashers, Braves, and Falcons, when they win. If the lose one or two games, he will start writing negative things about the team(s). We have to do something about these fly by night local sports columnist. They have no love for this city nor its sports team. They are stuck in the past and are resistant to positive change in our sports community. Even win our teams lose, local sports writers should at least encourage a more positive outlook on the teams. Hey, we as a community lose with them. And as a consumer of the AJC, I hate opening up the newspaper and some local writer starts rubbing our loses in our face as if he was from the opposing team city. The philosophy at the AJC sports editorial section need to change. We need writers who love our city and the direction our sports team are trying to head. Hey these are our teams and we need to support them through the media, radio, etc. Build up and strengthen the local fan base through this medium not tear it down with every little chance you get in reporting team loses. We are local sports fans and consumers of the AJC. We DEMAND BETTER from our local newspaper.

SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! This is a SECRET from our local sports fans. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!

Ringold

By Wedgie Evans

December 7, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this

Can’t even say something good about the Hawks without it being a backhanded compliment. 8-9 isn’t just good by recent Hawks standards — apparently you forget that the Hawks play in the Leastern Conference, where 8-9 has us comfortably in position to make the playoffs. If the Hawks can show up defensively and crash the boards every night a playoff berth is all but guaranteed, and Chris Paul will be sitting at home and watching the Hawks play in April.

By jhan

December 7, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

Let’s blame Sheldon for producing while on the floor? I believe he only averages around 20 minutes per game. He leads all rookies in rebounding & shoots 85% from the line. What a buster!? Get a clue Cautiosly Opt. Joe was a restricted FA & PHX had the right to match any offer. Do you think he just picked the Hawks name and decided he wanted to play here? More likely BK talked to his agent & sold him on becoming the face of our franchise. Do you think PHX would like to have the trade back?

By stop it

December 7, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

First off GO HAWKS!!!! why is he even talking about Diaw he was garbage when he was here and now he’s garbage wit the Suns he had 3 count’em 3 yrs too prove his worth and what did he do not a damn thing, anyways enough on that clown i’m just waiting too collect the money that i bet before the season that the Hawks would make the playoffs. Get WELL and GO HAWKS

By Malted Falcon

December 7, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this

I watched every minute of that game last night. The Hawks beat a playoff caliber Western Conference team on the road, minus three starters, down 17 with ten minutes left and at altitude. After playing in Seattle the night before. This was a quality win. Anyone who calls themself an Atlanta fan should get behind this team because they are fun to watch and they will be fun to grow with. I don’t want to hear about the Marvin Williams draft pick for another three years, then we can decide what a travesty that was, or not. The Hawks have yet to play at full strength this year. Let’s have a little faith for once and try and have some fun. And Sports Illustrated can go to hell.

By Jrock

December 7, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

Mr.Gillispee, just because you liked black players who helped your team win doesn’t mean you aren’t a racist.Just because you don’t like the modern NBA doesn’t mean you have to degrade grown men.You speak of class but you saying what you said shows you have known.Movin on to more important matters,great win for the hawks.They showed grit,fight, and character.JSmoove with another double-double and Salim finally just bein himself.Although he isn’t the rookie of the year,Sheldon Williams has been solid.T-Lue provides great heart and confidence.With the return of Marvin and Chills this team is at least the 6th or 7th best team in the east.The great part is I think they will be even better the second half of the season.Go Hawks!!!!!

By UGAdam

December 7, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

I am so freaking dissapointed in the AJC’s lame columnists managing to always belittle our teams accomplishments and dramatize our pitfalls. This is especially true for the Hawks this year.

Think about how this team played last year- we went 0-9 before winning our first game. TEN GAMES UNTIL OUR FIRST WIN. By game 17 last year our record was 2-15, this year, we’re 8-9 with victories over the likes of Seattle, Denver, Orlando, Cleveland and Portland.

-5 of our losses have been only by 5 points or less (3 by 1-2 points!). We are THAT close to having a winning record.

I’m sorry but after so many years of being an absolute bottom feeder in the NBA being 8-9 IS A NEWS STORY. THAT’S WORTHY OF ATTENTION FROM YOU SCHMUCKS AT THE AJC!!

This city WANTS to be interested in this team again, i sincerely believe that. Why don’t you stop trying to kill what little fire for out teams that Atlanta has and be actual journalists and cover what’s going on!

By mountain_jim

December 7, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark, how about sending the Hawks’ articles portion of your paycheck over to Sekou - he deserves it, you don’t.

By jeffery jones

December 7, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Go Hawks, you guys have really put together something good. I think that your offense is very good we just need to limit our three point shots, look to pass the ball down low, and do more driving to the basket. I am a very “BIG FAN” of yours and get picked on all the time by my co-workers but I Believe in my Hawks. As for Defense we are hurting really bad! They kill us on points in the paint, on second chance shots, and on fast break points. Hawks, despite what people think, you are a good young Team and we are in the position to win 50+ games. Yes, I said it because I really do BELIEVE in my HAWKS!!!!! GO HAWKS……………………..

By Shaun T.

December 7, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley, If the Hawks had found a way to turn Boris Diaw into a player, Joe Johnson wouldn’t be in Atlanta. Billy Knight has gotten criticized time after time for that deal. Sorry Mr. Bradley and all the other experts, I’ll take Billy’s judgement over yours any day. By the look of you Mr. Bradley, I’m sure you’ve never played sports a day in your life.

Well said Honest_abe. Go Hawks!

By Shaun T.

December 7, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this

FIRE MARK BRADLEY & TERRANCE MOORE!

By Feather

December 7, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

I forget everything you say under any circumstance.

Feather

By doc

December 7, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this

mark, maybe you should have stuck to the point issue but to throw diaw into it as he gets paid huge bucks now to be a triple single player gets you a big zero on cred. the argument was they wouldnt pay the bucks for jj and keep everyone. wring, sadly for the suns they pay essentially the same thing for diaw plus others to make up the difference, maybe more, that they would have for jj. tell me you wouldnt have done that now based on performance instead of the speculation of last year?

point guards are necesary but not manditory, look to l.a. or miami to realize that when you have a multi-dimensional player like jj. chris paul will be good enough to keep them in draft purgatory and they have spent their money and the hawks still have cap room. go figure with both teams about .500.

jj with a cast of characters around him may be capable of stopping the long losing streaks all by himself. he reminds me of the great pitcher like a smoltz who can keep that long steak from occurring.

By K-Factor

December 7, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this

Kudos to all of the supporters here for the Atlanta Hawks. They need our support and backing whenever an article like this one shows itself. The best is yet to come. Let’s Go Hawks!

By Tyger

December 7, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Hawks are fine in the hands of Billy Knight, the best talent man in the business. Now, if he could only get his coach to use the players he has and I mean all of them, we would well be on our way to the playoffs.

Coach Woody manages as if he has a team of veterans, using only an 8 man rotation. He does not, he has a team of sophomores and juniors and one senior.

He would be better off aving two complete teams (1st and 2nd) and make wholesale changes at each break and keep a fresh unit on the floor.

Instead, he plays JJ, Ty Lue and JSmith 40 min. per game until their tongues and jump shots drag the floor.

C’mon coach we got you the “BIGS” you wanted, now play them!!!!

By exodus

December 7, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

If we had drafted Chris Paul AND stuck with Diaw we would’ve been winning LONG ago?

1) Long ago means 1 year ago? As someone mentioned, that’s how long ago those decisions were made.

2) The following line-up is better than the current one?

Diaw Smoove Pachulia Childress Paul

I dunno. It’s missing an All-Star scorer. Why don’t we trade one of the wings for that kind of player? OK, how bout Diaw? Wait, but that’s what we did…

3) “Found a way to turn Diaw into a player”? I guess maybe we should’ve just hired the whole Phoenix staff and installed their offense. I guess by the same token, Phoenix should’ve found a way to “turn Joe Johnson” into an MVP candidate. Whoops.

4) Diaw is currently putting up Ira Newble numbers. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not sorry we didn’t “turn him into a player” so that he could have 1 good year and be our new Alan Henderson. If we had done that, you can bet your a* Mark Bradley would be talking about “same old Hawks” rewarding a marginal player with a big contract for half a season of good play.

By Derrk

December 7, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

Why are so many people downing the Hawks still? I mean come on their one (if not) the youngest team in the NBA. With wins on the road at Cleveland and now Denver they have proven to some critics but not all. With the leadership of Joe Johnson the Hawks future is present and still in the future. He’s only 25 and is doing amazing things.As of 12/7/06 the Hawks are 8-9 and this is w/out Marvin Williams and Josh Childress. And considering last year this team would’ve been like 2-15 or something like that. They lost 4 or 5 close games which could’ve jump their record to 12-5 or something like that and then everyone would’ve been jumping on their bandwagon. The effort is there though. The Hawks are considered a future team when Miami, Detroit and San Antonio star players retire soon. This team WILL make a very good effort to make the playoffs this year. Everyone’s still talking bad about them now but come April ‘07 they WILL be the talk of the NBA. So don’t down them because Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Zaza Pachulia, Tyronne Lue, Salim Stoudamire, and Shelden Williams and to the rest of the Hawks are doing some marvelous things.

By NumbaOneFan

December 7, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark maybe one day soon you will turn into a decent jornalist. You my friend look like the kinda guy that other guys in high school had no respect for. Tell me Mark…. were you the basketball team manages that picked up all of the sweaty soiled game gear and jockstraps and put them in the little basket on wheel and took them to the washine machine/ I got a feeling that is about as far as you ever got to a basketball court or anyother type of sports facility. We had a guy must like you… come to think of it his name was Mark too…things that make you wanna go HMMMMMMMMM….

By Ron Roberts

December 7, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this

Wait… so lemme get this straight…

some of y’all HONOESTLY believe the Hawks whouldn’t be better if they’d drafted Chris Paul?

Seriously. You TRULY believe Billy Knight was right not to draft him, in hindsight? This change in momentum is a year behind schedule, frankly, because the Hawks didn’t get the electrifying PG last year, frankly. Am I saying getting Marvin was bad? No. But not getting Chris Paul certainly was.

That being said… without Marvin Williams the Hawks are the 8th seed right now. Kudos to what is playing and coach Mike Woodson for getting folks excited about NBA basketball in the ATL again.

I’ll also give credit where it’s due, too… we can gripe about Boris Diaw all we want, but he was never going to carry this franchise the way Joe Johnson has taken it upon himself to do. Now that was a trade worth making. That guy’s a STAR.

By sean

December 7, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks can come this far in a year, maybe Bradley might be able to turn his writing around by this time next year. I’d say he’s been below .500 since about 99 or 2000 also.

Like someone else mentioned, save it dude: if we want to read about b-ball, we got Sekou!

By JohnD

December 7, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

First, there are no gangsters, drug addicts, thugs or clowns on this Hawks roster. Quality individuals from the coaching staff to the 15th player.

Gillispee writes but does not think. The Boston teams of which he dreams included one with the GREAT Henry Finkel as the starting center and were stinkers as bad as any Hawks team when there was not a Russell, Cowens or Bird on the team. Does Gillispee remember the Celtics as so dreadful they had the 3rd pick and used it on a player who died of an overdose a few days after the draft?

Al Attles was tough but hardly a thug. Kermit Washington was a very well liked player who made one mistake in a split-second decision. He has suffered immensely for something that could have happened to many of the players of his era. Fighting was openly condoned until Kermit hit Rudy Tomjanovich.

As far as Gillispee’s opinion that Norcross High could beat the Hawks, I think that statement alone exposes the drug addict. Gillispee is clearly mixing his recreational drugs. Give me the three least talented Tech, GA, Georgia State, and Georgia Southern players and they will blow Norcross High out of any gym.

Can Gillispee be fined for blogging without a brain?

By JohnD

December 7, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this

One more thing.

Has Mark Bradley ever written anything indicating he even has a passing knowledge of basketball? Being FROM Kentucky is not enough. Maybe he put too much of that Kentucky jelly on his toast as a kid.

By Volman

December 7, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

Gillispee, Norcross looked terrible tonight against Oak Hill(except for their two bigs down low).

How many times can you turn it over in a game? Seriously..

Having played against the 6”8 Aminu kid who transferred from Wesleyen in high school, I’d have to say he’s gotten better. Me being 6”2 and white, he didn’t do much on me when I played him. Glad to see he’s improved.

By SilentHawk

December 7, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this

Hey Hawks, I’ve been watching for many years. Getting close to coming back down to watch. You guys moved from the Omni right? I’m getting excited! Keep it up…

By Rob G. (out of San Diego/ATL Homeboy)

December 8, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

To all the real basketball fans and perhaps the one’s who wishes to be a fan. I have logged on many times out here in San Diego, and read some of the most unreal comments about the Hawks, Billy Knight, Coach Woodson, et. al. I find it amazing, that a City as great as the ATL is and can be. Still in this day and age, are still blind-sided by the wrong things (That may be the one reason, I am still out in Cali (Diversification). Some of the comments are totally uncessary or unreal. Believe me, San Diego isn’t any better other than the sunshine, as far as the wealth of people that we can bring together as one. As we approach 2007, my love and blessing goes out to all. As my boy ‘Andre 3000’ would say: “join the wagon, not the band”. However, getting back to basketball from my perspective out here in Cali, at least you have a basketball team to be happy or unhappy about. My views on the Hawks are that: They have a much better team in…I don’t know…a long time and I wish them well, regardless. I actually think if the Hawks can keep their cog players healthy. They will make the playoffs, and probably advance pretty far (Boy, I wish it was the NBA Championship!). The thing is, watch this exciting young team put together a long winning streak and you will see everybody on the wagon. I am not one to criticize the current roster as far as certain players (and I really don’t see a need) I like this team very much. If anything, a semi-productive or very productive center to team up with ZAZA would be prefer and then the Hawks would be the talk of the NBA. Anyway, my fellow homies, no matter who you are, appreciate what you have and don’t let it rile you up too much, where name calling comes in to play. Just appreciate. Out!!

ATL homeboy in want-to-be San Diego.

By fred b.

December 8, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

Rob G well said…with some of the negative comments on this site you would’ve thought the Hawks were 2-16 instead of their current record everyone needs to understand we have an up and coming team that has performed admirably in a watered down easteren conference…don’t be suprised if you find yourselves rooting for them come playoff time IMO it’s only going to get better!!! GO HAWKS!!!

By David Duncan

December 8, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

I live in Denver and watched that game on TV. THe local Basketball analyst, Scott Hastings,(Ex -Hawk)said thatthe Nuggets should “blow teams as bad as the Hawks are away”. He does not believe the Hawks are a very good team. So, the Hawks have a long way to go to gain the respect of other teams in the NBA. Iwas so glad the Hawks came back in the 4th Quarter and won the game. The local announcers were predicting that the Nuggets would win the game by 30 points

By Hawks Fan 4 Lyfe

December 8, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

Many of you guys are saying great things and that is OUR journalist need to be the ones that are painting a more positive aspect of our “ATLANTA’s” sports teams. If you talk to most people around Atlanta most “fans” are only on the bandwagon when our teams are doing good, but it is even more important to back the players when everything seems lost. Why would great players want to come play for fair weather fans!!! Now the business side of the game is what needs to be scrutinized when it comes down to it, but as far as those players on the court or on the field they should get the fans support as long as they come out and play a hard game and have a positive lifestyle in the media. If they see that whether winning or losing they have our backs we are definite that they will give each game a 100% then when we go through a slump we can blame the people in the front office. Why would I want to play my heart out for a city whose paper trashes me over a few losses. How can one put their heart into a game when it feels like their own fans and the city doesn’t back them? Maybe atlanta is so saturated with non-natives that that’s why there aren’t any true fans left!!!!

By DocHawk

December 8, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

1- every person on the planet other than maybe 2 people would have drafted Marvin Williams over those points. let’s not be 20/20 hindsight geniuses. especially before Marvin plays.

2- Joe Johnson is now a superstar. Trade Diaw and some picks for superstar? Yes and every time. Why TAKE A CHANCE by not throwing in one extra 1st pick (with which if i might add, might not be worth that much at all if we make the playoffs).

3- youngest team in the league and we’re playing ourselves into the playoffs WITHOUT SOME MAIN COMPONENTS OF OUR TEAM.

4- this team plays hard every night. ANYONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY WATCHED THE GAMES THIS YEAR (i’ve missed only one) would actually see that this team has MAJOR heart and determination and a winning attitude.

5- calling basketball players these days gangsters or clowns or thugs means you stereotyping them by their appearance, whether that means them being black or not it doesnt matter. if you actually watched our team, you’d understand they are hardworking, good people out there. stop being hardheaded and talking about “when i was a kid” or “the golden years.” if you actually talked to most of these people face to face you’d know that. don’t get caught up in the flash of it all.

open your mind people. stop being so critical and get behind this team and organization. NOW.

By Rob G.

December 8, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

I would like to give a shout-out to:

Fred B., David Duncan, Hawks Fan 4 Lyfe and DocHawk for recognizing….it is what it is. Let’s see how the Hawks perform tonight. I will have the opportunity to see them against the Lakers, since I am out here in Cali, for the first time and I am looking forward to seeing how really good the Hawks are. I know they are still young and all, but I would really like to see them defeat the Lakers something seriously. So that I can really feel good about them. This year is not a fluke, JJ will continue to tear it up and Marvin Williams is going to really shut up a lot of naysayers. Josh Smith is the next coming of Dominique, JChill the ultimate sixth man, TLue, the best sharp shooter in the NBA Salim S. and the rest of the gang will bring it, count on it, starting tonight. Out!!

Rob G. out of Cali (ATL Homeboy)

By bradleysucks

December 8, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this

BRADLEY PLEASE STOP WRITING ABOUT ANYTHING YOU ARE A JOKE, AND A DISGRACE TO JOURNALISM!