AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > April > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThrashers should hold, Hawks fold
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
The curtain closed for both of Atlanta Spirit’s teams in the span of 24 hours. The Hawks finished yet another lousy regular season Tuesday, and the Thrashers were swept from the playoffs Wednesday. Now decisions must be made about both franchises.
The Thrashers’ course seems so clear that even this addled ownership group can see it. This team wasn’t quite as good as it should have been — even in claiming the Southeast Division title, the Thrashers won only two more games than they had in 2005-2006, when they couldn’t keep a goaltender healthy and missed the playoffs by two points — and a goodly chunk of the future was mortgaged in the purchase of playoff insurance at the trading deadline.
And the playoffs themselves were a crashing dud. The Thrashers played like a team just happy to be there, and such teams never stick around long. Don Waddell said two weeks ago that his team had essentially “been playing playoff games for two years,” meaning that the Thrashers had gone all-out in the pursuit of postseasons both last spring and this, but there’s a fundamental difference between meaningful regular-season games and the chase for the Stanley Cup.
The Thrashers weren’t yet ready to win in the postseason. Their homegrown stars — Kovalchuk and Lehtonen — hadn’t been there before, and their famous imports — Hossa and Tkachuk — haven’t known real playoff success.The Thrashers came unstuck at the time a team needs to hang together, and that’s how you get swept by a lower-seeded opponent. But the failure to win a playoff game doesn’t mean the season was a failure.
Waddell made the right trades at the right time: Put simply, the Thrashers had to make the playoffs this season or people, Waddell chief among them, were going to get fired. It makes no sense now to dump the GM who, after nine years and seven seasons, has finally put together a division-winning team. Nor does it make sense to fire Bob Hartley, who has his quirks but who also has a Stanley Cup ring. Who else out there is any better?
The Thrashers are on the right track. The Hawks jumped the track long ago. The Thrashers at least have a banner to raise in Philips Arena next season. The Hawks were left to celebrate, if that’s the right word (and it isn’t), the first 30-win season of the Mike Woodson era. It’s an era that needs to end.
Maybe nobody could have done much better with the mismatched talent he has been handed, but the greater point is that Woodson has worked three seasons and has a career record of 69-177. Think of it like this: The Hawks could go 82-0 next season and Woodson would still be 26 games under .500.
The Hawks have to change coaches simply because these players have no reason to believe — and every reason to doubt — that Woodson is capable of winning. The world at large has every reason to wonder if Billy Knight knows what he’s doing, but the belief here is that Knight should be given one last year. That shouldn’t, however, be read as an endorsement.
To change GMs now would be to start over yet again. It’s better at this late date to bank on the extreme long shot of Knight being right in his method and his convictions — I put the odds at 25-1 — than to accept the absolute certainty of more losing that comes with upheaval and transition. Besides, what established basketball man would agree to work for an ownership that’s suing itself?
Maybe this is the year Knight gets lucky in the lottery and bags Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Maybe the additions of one big-time player and a better coach can turn Knight’s mismatched roster into something approximating a team. Maybe the Hawks will be in the playoffs this time next year. If they’re not, fire Knight. Fire everybody.
Permalink | Comments (75) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, Quick Hit
Comments
By Brown Eyed Girl
April 19, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Let me be the first to say that I am still really proud of the Thrashers. Sure, they got swept, but now they have tasted it. To use a food analogy, you have to taste it to eat and enjoy it. I believe this is beginning of great hockey times in the ATL. I have never been a hockey fan, but this team caused me to pay attention more, and I am sure that was the goal of Waddell and all involved with the organization. I look forward to next season. The Hawks…forget about it! Now, LET’S GO BRAVES!
By JEFF
April 19, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Losing is painful, but let’s not get carried away. Did we really think this team could go all the way? Remember in the movie Rocky, Rocky never thought he could win, he only wanted to “go the distance” The Thrashers goal was “to make the playoffs” and they did. They won a Division title. Listen to the cheers in October when the banner is hoisted.
The Rangers were swept last year & they didn’t throw it all out. Learn from this experence, attempt to fix the weak links (slow defense, speaial teams) and give it a run next season.
The Thashers have a solid nucleus to build around. This is not a total rebuild job.
By honest_abe
April 19, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
the thrashers mortgaged their future and traded for a bunch veterans on the final leg of their career for what? a sweep out of the playoffs. last time i checked they were the 3 seed and new york was the 6 seed. in the proccess you managed to destroy the confidence of your goaltender and your best player, hossa did jack squat in the playoffs. yes this team is headed for great things.
the hawks meanwhile have a myriad of problems which all start with ownership. i just dont’ understand how you seem to leave that out all the time mr. bradley. the ownership group is a a compilation of people that just don’t have enough money to compete and spend in the nba marketplace. but if that mess gets settled the hawks have hope. you can talk about their coach (who is better suited to be an assistant) and their gm (who actually put this franchise in a decent position for the future) but it all comes down to having the right combination of players. the hawks still need a viable low post threat that can play defense and someone that can lead the team at the pg position. an unfortunate injury to the major offseason acquisition resulted in atl never getting a chance to see what a 100% speedy could’ve done. the hawks most likely will get a draft pick in the early teens and just might if they get lucky get a top 3 pick. they have plenty of room under the cap to sign another major FA.
so.. the hawks future looks somewhat bright if they can just get rid of that ugly cloud they call the spirit.
By Patrick
April 19, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
This team needs a lot of work. Many pros don’t understand the grind that is the playoffs. This team needs grinders, not Hossas. Look at last year’s Edmonton team. Solid D. They should be ashamed of their performance, they’re better than that.
By NBA v NHL
April 19, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
Even with a crummy season, my guess is the Hawks added more to the Spirit’s bottom line than the Thrashers did making the playoffs. The NBA is simply lightyears more popular than the NHL and the TV revenues reflect this. The Hawks carry more upside and when they finally make the playoffs again, this town will be jacked. The Thrashers making the playoffs was like a tree falling in the forest. This explains the rumor that Belkin plans to sell the Thrashers immediately if the court rules in his favor. I would do the same as I don’t think the NHL will make it under the current system. Until they find a way to generate significant TV revenues-which I don’t think they will- they cannot afford to pay players the current amounts even if they are selling out the arenas. The NHL is flawed and the players and Betteman need only look in the mirror to see where the problems started.
By JEFF
April 19, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
NBA v NHL,
Hockey has always been here and it always will. The new CBA after the lockout assured financial viability.
The Hawks with more upside? Why? Because it is the game of the hip hop generation?
Look at the crowds. The Hawks only sell out when good teams come in to play them. WHO IS “JACKED” ABOUT NBA PLAYOFFS?
By Billy
April 19, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers are going in the right direction. The Hawks are an absolute joke! End of story!
By JB
April 19, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Billy Knight and Mike Woodson should be fired. Mr. Knight’s lack of success in the draft picks he has made, and Mr. Woodson’s inability to handle the players appropriately are the main reasons why they should be fired. If Coach Woodson can convince Josh Smith that he is not a point guard, maybe he remained for one more season?
By me
April 19, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
The only reason the Thrashers are doing better then the Hawks is because the old ownership hired the GM. The Atlanta Spirt/stupid group hired the current Hawks GM, enough said. If the Thrashers clean house, they will be as bad as the Hawks. Also, would someone tell Bernie the Britsh bastard, that banners are for conference and World Champions.
By Nancy
April 19, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
Okay, The Thrashers didn’t win - but at least they got there !!! Looking forward to a season - can’t wait until October!
The Hawks have never been very good and probably never will be. They’re a revenue generator and that’s all.
By NBA v NHL
April 19, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Jeff-
Last I checked, Atlanta had the Flames then lost the Flames. 15 years later, they got the Thrashers. Hockey has not always been here and could be gone again if Belkin or The Spirit find a location with better economic upside. As far as the CBA, it will only work if hockey makes a full recovery from the strike and the league gets a lucrative TV contract. The Spirit have already said they will lose money on the Thrashers this year and that’s in a playoff year.
Hip hop or no hip hop, the NBA is in another league of popularity than its NHL bretheren. The NHL finals last year drew ratings similar to a WNBA game. One year of TV revenue from the NBA would bail out the NHL for years to come.
Selling tickets is the appetizer while selling the broadcast rights is the main course and desert. With as bad as the Hawks are, they still average a “paid” attendance of over 12,000. Meanwhile, the owners are getting a nice check each year for the league’s braodcast rights fees. Who is jacked up about the NBA playoffs? Just check the TV ratings when the playoffs start. There will not be one NBA game with a rating less than triple the best NHL game on that night. Locally, I have heard more discussion just this morning on the radio about the NBA playoffs than I heard all last week about the Thrashers. We don’t even have a local horse in the NBA race. Case closed.
By JEFF
April 19, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
NBA v NHL “Locally, I have heard more discussion just this morning on the radio about the NBA playoffs than I heard all last week about the Thrashers”
You must listen to the ‘Stews’, they don’t know a puck from a net…..One local sports station has plenty of hockey coverage. The Stews think only Football & the NBA are sports.
Also, the NBA is star driven, the NHL is team driven. It is easier to market stars than teams. This is why NBA fans wear the jerseys of the latest champ and don’t have loyality to teams like Hockey, Baseball or Football. Where are all the Bulls fans? Millions of them in the 90’s. How about Pistons fans? Bunches of those a few years ago.
The NHL is also a cold weather sport. In America, the winter Olympics don’t draw like the Summer. Doesn’t mean they are lesser Olympics.
Soccer can’t draw here, but it is the BIGGEST sport in the world.
Finally, the Flames weren’t losing money, they had an owner who wanted to unload them and in 1980 Atlanta no owner could be found. The league won’t let any owner move out of Atlanta.
The Thrashers outdraw the Hawks. The Flames outdrew the Hawks in the 70’s when the NBA finals were on delayed broadcast. Hockey had more loyal fans, period.
By AKW
April 19, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
As much as I feel that the hawks losing is not solely the fault of Mike Woodson, he is likely going to be the fall guy. Why should these players who have lost with him for 3 years believe that he can turn them into winners? Woodson needs to coach a veteran team somewhere else. I am sure the Hawks organization are keenly aware that they must hold onto a very flimsy season ticket holder base. To do this something has to change. Hence Woodson will go. Could Pau Gasol solve our “big man” problem?
By Andrewski
April 19, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
The Hawks should dump Woodson and throw the bank at Larry Brown. Brown would be the best coach for the Hawks; he is known for taking young teams and teaching them how to win. His only failure as a coach was in New York where he was handed a bunch of high-priced veteren egos who were more worried about their paychecks as opposed to winning.
By nhl vs. nba
April 19, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Does the NHL need a TV contract with better national exposure? Definitely. They are, however, televised in every local market -and w/ the exception of ATL where it is most nights - every night. Before you spout #’s about ratings - look to the last several head to head matchups of NHL on NBC and NBA on ABC. Also - look to the continuous declining ratings of the NBA for 3 straight years. 2-Man Game fever - Catch it. Yawn. Hip Hop Game? Well if you consider all of those MC’s from former soviet satellites than right on. The NBA game quality is a joke. Endless heaves from 25 feet and dunks. Clear out for “X” and watch 4 guys stand around. Compelling stuff. Can’t wait for the Hawks to lock up JSMOOVE - there’s a name we can all relate to - for a max contract removing any semblance of flexibility this sorry group even has. Headline in yesterday’s AJC - “Hawks Gain 1st 30 Win Season under Woodson” Stellar.
By NHL v NBA
April 19, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Andrewski - Your statement proves you know nothing of last years Knicks and Larry Brown. Amongst his myriad issues was his unwillingness to play the young guys - David Lee, Channing Frye - Forcing the trade of Ariza. Larry Brown as a much needed stablizing building block for a troubled franchise … What a joke.
By MJ
April 19, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Hopefully the Hawks will draft a 6’8” swingman. That will surely help their cause.
By Bob
April 19, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I agree with you about Hockey, but regardless, the NBA does get much better ratings. I can’t figure it out except that hockey doesn’t work real well on TV. I love basketball, especially College Basketball, but the NBA bores me to tears. The last five minutes of an NBA game takes forever to play, unless you consider endless time outs and countless trips to the free throw line as action. There is no comparison in the level of action in the two sports. I mean, it is hysterical to hear these so called sports experts complain about the shootout yet never say a word about all the fouls and free throws being shot at the end of an NBA game.
By AKW
April 19, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
If you enjoy hockey, great!, but don’t whine about others who don’t give a damn about it. I am a football (soccer) fan. No sports radio spends any time on this topic. I accept that and I enjoy my love of the game with others of like mind. Thrasher fans stop whining!
By NBA v NHL
April 19, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
JEFF:
The discussion is not over who’s fans are more loyal but rather which league is more popular and financially viable. The NFL, MLB, & NBA have all proven to be economically viable under their current systems. The NHL is still trying to recover from the strike. Until they get the TV revenues rolling again- which by the way is based on popularity/ratings which drives what advertisers are willing to pay for a slot- the league will not get out of 3rd gear.
The NHL has few superstars and does a poor job of promting the ones it has. Superstars can lead new fans to the sport such as Tiger did for golf or Vick did for the NFL in Atlanta. Is Vick a great player? No. Did he have to be great to fill the GA Dome? No. Are there more Falcon fans today because of Vick? Yes.
Soccer is a great comparison because many think that is exactly where hockey is heading. Another sport that doesn’t translate to the TV in America and thus will never reach a high level financially. Soccer is a great sport but will never find the mainstream in America because big dollars can’t be made.
You should be less concerned with how proper your sport is and more concerned with how your sport is going to compete financially. If the owners keep losing money, you can bet they will attempt to alter the CBA or strike back. BTW- I was listening to 790 this AM. Stews don’t come on until 3:00- same time your bought and paid for Kincade comes on.
By CDS
April 19, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
Get rid of them both. Woodson can’t coach, and BK has no idea what he’s doing. So far 69-177 record with them in their respective positions. Get them out, put Nique as the GM, hire Rick Adelman, and find us a point guard.
By JEFF
April 19, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
There is nothing we as fans can do about TV ratings, but our loyality is told in ticket sales.
Hockey will only grow beyond the core fan base in Atlanta when the local media (the AJC, local TV) cover this team as fairly as they do “the Dawgs, the Falcons or the Braves”. You don’t build interest by running a one page insert “Hockey 101” when the playoffs start. Educate & cover it all season. Does anyone know the Gwinnett Gladiators (Thrashers AA affiliate) is in the playoffs? Is stupid “Arena Football” a better sport? It is covered better than hockey is in January in our local media.
Mark, where are the human interest stories? Why is the division title clinching game on page 3 of your paper?
Only one sportstalk station talked up hockey. It was mentioned after the Hawks, Braves early season and College spring practice. Does ESPN drive everything? If it isn’t on ESPN, we don’t talk about it?
Pitiful…..
The media needs to become a big league in Atlanta.
By nhl v nba
April 19, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
A quick note on the Belkin et al struggle: The winner of this fight also gets (If I am wrong please advise) Phillips arena in the deal. Why would you willingly remove 50+% of your ticket revenue to have a dark building? These guys understand that rental properties require tenants. The arena is sunk cost.
By samiam
April 19, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Why does every conversation have to turn racial (hip hop reference)? We are such a screwed up country. I really feel sorry for our kids. Truth be told, white kids buy more rap music than blacks. Look it up the numbers if you don’t believe me. It’s just music. Some folsk like rock, some like hip hop. I laugh everytime I read about blaks folks being lazy and uneducated. Last I checked, I can name many black folks making six figure salaries (me included). And no I didn’t go to a big mainstream school. I’m a PROUD graduate of a historically black university. And yes, I get paid a lot withthat education. I manage several folks from mainstream colleges that make far less than me. I guess all of us aren’t to lazy. Please stop the recism.
People say that racism is dead. As we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks, it’s alive and kicking. Can we all just get along and?
By JEFF
April 19, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Bob, I loved the NBA in the 70’s & 80’s. Heck, I liked the ABA. Maravitch, Hudson, Bells, Drew, Fast Eddie, ‘Nique…..today’s NBA can’t compare. They are marketing an inferior product better. Blending the NBA & hip hop is a marketing gem, but do you attract johnny come lately’s at the expense of true fans. Ask a “fan” wearing a throwback Lou Hudson jersey if they even know who he was? Most hockey fans can tell you who Patrick Roy, Bobby Orr or even the Flames Dan Bouchard.
Once the Final Four is over, so is basketball season for me.
By JEFF
April 19, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
samiam, No one but you mentioned race. Hip hop is a culture that both blacks & whites embrace. The NBA has cross pollinated the two. Hip hop stars (white & black) with NBA jerseys in videos. NBA players bucking the league dress code because they want to wear hip hop clothes.
No color mentioned until BY YOU.
By Tony H
April 19, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Jeff, Unfortunately you are absolutely right about the local coverage for the Thrashers. Unfortunately, with the exception of Craig, our “sports writers” know less than my ten year old about hockey and they care less.
Regardless of whether you agree with what Don Wadell or Bob Hartley did with the team, they deserved much better than they got from the local media.
We can’t do much about the income from television but we can do something about gate receipts. And, since hockey is a game you have to see in person at least once to fully appreciate the game, the media should cover the Thrashers just as much as any local sports team. Unfortunately, it is much easier to say let’s appeal to the masses than to attempt to help build a sport locally. So don’t expect much from our great, one and only, AJC. Besides it is much easier to write about sports you at least understand.
By nhl v nba
April 19, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
samiam - Grandmaster Zaza. Most sports fans could give a flip about music as it relates to sports - after all nobody complains when convicted child porn prisoner Gary Glitter music blares across the arena.
By Dan
April 19, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley
Explain to me how you know that the Hawks players have no reason to believe in Mike Woodson? You write about the team maybe twice a season and that makes you qualified to talk about their inner feelings?
Also, didn’t you write, after they lost to Miami in November, that this Hawks team was better than you thought and implied they were on the right track? Now they suck?
You may be the worst sports writer of all time.
By Gutz
April 19, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley you are by far the worst sports writer I have ever encountered. You obviously know nothing about the Hawks! If you did you would know that most of the players actually love Woodson. Joe Johnson and Lue have given him ringing endorsments throughout the year and they are the leaders of this team. If anyone has to go it has to be the worst GM of all time in Billy Knight. No other coach in the NBA could have won this year with this team plus all the injuries we have had. Point is Billy Knight needs to be fired before Woodson. Any real Hawks fan knows that idiot!
By Bob
April 19, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Hartley should be fired. There are plenty of good coaches in the AHL that can take care of teaching and handling our younger players properly. All Hartley is interested in is playing over the hill vets like Mellanby and Larsen and DeVries. At the expense of our young guys. If Waddell can’t see that and make a change, then Waddell also needs to go.
By Female Blueland Fan!
April 19, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
DO YOU BELIEVE IN BLUELAND?!? I do. Congratulations to the Atlanta Thrashers for an excellent 2007-2008 season. Get ready Atlanta…these guys will be back bigger and better next year! BELIEVE IN BLUELAND!!!
By WW-3
April 19, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
SOMEONE OUT THERE - PLEASE TELL ME THE LAST TIME ANY PRO TEAM OWNER HIRED A SPORTS WRITER TO COACH OR MANAGE ANYTHING.
By Female Blueland Fan!
April 19, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Oops! I meant to say 2006-2007 season. The 2007-2008 season will be better & bigger! GOOOO THRASHERS! And Braves.
By samiam
April 19, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Jeff, That’s the problem (people try to hide the truth). It’s not always said, it’s implied. The hip hop reference was the the black reference, since you didn’t know. I would like for those type of references to stop from both sides.
By Brendan
April 19, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
The way Hartley catered to DeVries, Sutton, and Vigier all year, along with those goaltender decisions, does lead one to question if his success in Colorado was more the result of a plethora of Hall of Famers on the roster, rather than his “coaching?”
I don’t know if I want Hartley fired just yet. I would understand if he were fired. The reasons are there. I’m just afraid the Spirit Group will hire some inept hack, and we’ll wish he held on to a Coach who does possess a Stanley Cup ring, however blessed the circumstances of its acquisition.
By MB
April 19, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
I always enjoyed hockey coming from Buffalo but I never watched Atlanta hockey until this year. Well aside from what happened in the playoffs to the Thrashers I enjoyed it and them.
Yes the playoffs exposed weaknesses and in some parts heart when you think of Game 3 (awful!!). But I think they have the makings of a good team if we add some youth and speed and change some of the playing philosophy. I hated the constant long passes across ice (intercepted) and dumps into the zone and no ones home. If they totally tear this team appart and listening to John Kincaid who feels that at least 8 are gone then I think we are back to square one.
Go Thrashers..people keep the faith!
By Scott
April 19, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers need to take it a year at a time and build good young talent. Now that the first round sweep is over, the next step is to win one and only one game in next year’s, two in the following year, and work their way up to the Stanley Cup. The talent never stepped up to the puck, so to speak. It’s not Hartley’s or Waddell’s fault. Or, is it? Two words for the ever-sorrowful Hawks—Leave Atlanta!! But I guess for that to take place, the Atlanta Spirit should become the Birmingham Spirit.—So be it.
By Thrasher Ryan
April 19, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
BYE BYE BILLY KNIGHT! BYE BYE WOODY! Thanks for wasting our draft picks. Good luck in your future endeavors.
By Matthew At The SLC
April 19, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Wow, at least you can say that Mark Bradley is consistant in his idiotic love of division “titles,” which aren’t titles at all, and are completely meaningless unless they get you a REAL title. I love the Thrashers, and I’m proud they made the playoffs, but if this team I love beings to emulate the idiotic Braves and puts up banners / flags for winning the division, I might have to rethink my position. There is a reason that the Yankees (hate them though I do) do not hang MEANINGLESS banners / flags for division titles. Because they are MEANINGLESS.
The Braves could do much to actually get rid of their stigma as October Choke Artists and Losers, Inc. by taking down those ridiculous flags that aren’t for NL Championships or the lone stinking World Series win they have. It’s ridiculous to celebrate winning something which isn’t winning it all, or at least getting to the final game / series. Bernie Marcus is full of crap. Ever listen to him on 680theFan when he tries to spin reasons why the Thrashers can’t start at 7:30pm? Yeah, the dude is delusional and not the best face for the franchise anyway.
By Trashers
April 19, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Thrashers have a long way to go.
Samien is just looking for a disagreement, stop searching something that isn’t there. You somehow turned a statement about hip hop into your personal rant about your education and salary that have nothing to with you case. You probably drop that same statement to the bank teller, car wash guy, at the gas station, dinner, when you get a haircut, walking your dog, at the gym, supermarket, people next to you at a stoplight, random people on the street. Idiot
By Richard Priopism
April 19, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
The Hawks are a disaster from ownership, to Woodson, to the awful roster assembled by Billy Knight. Only a sale of the team to less retarded owners will make any difference.
By smartguy
April 19, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Blueland? The Thrashers were in the playoffs? Really? So what exactly is Blueland? Jeff, I think you are trying to support hockey, but it really sounds to me like you’re dissing it. Had fans in the seventies? Great. “Was Popular.” You said it yourself.
The reason the NBA makes more money is because of simple capitalism. Basketball is a better, and more popular, game. I, for one, am really excited about the NBA playoffs. And I think every game (or close) will be on national TV (HiDef at that).
The reason for Belkin to sell the Thrashers? To get what he can while it might have some value. Someone said that the new deal will ensure financial viability, but that deal hasn’t even been through a full season’s cycle, so how do you really know long term? In any case, I definitely hope Belkin wins.
The college game may be appealing to some, but if you want a showcase of world class athletes, the NBA is the place. I feel sorry for the hackey people who can’t appreciate it.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY! BRING ON BELKIN!
By Paul
April 19, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
2 Live Stus talking about Hockey??? LOL what a joke, they have no idea what hockey is. Just like they have no idea what golf is. Did you hear them today talking about how they played golf and “if i get in the first, second or third fringe, i blast the green” HUH? I admit the NBA is popular in this city, just look at the population, but the Thrashers are a much better team and organization. The only people who like the Hawks cant afford to go to the games.
By Ryder
April 19, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
It will take years of consistent winning on the part of the Thrashers in order to obtain relevance in this city. People have to understand it won’t happen overnight. Although I’m disappointed in their performance (they really seemed just happy to finally make it) I look forward to them taking the next level, provided they keep Hartley and the nucleus.
As for the Hawks, they have no idea on how to build a winner. Knight did a great job in eliminating the salary cap but he has not utilized it correctly. Woodson would do wonders with a roster that is built for defense (like Chicago) but not for a young team of gunners. This team needs a pg that knows how to run and not just in the half court set.
By sw
April 19, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this
The Hawks are only a backup point guard or two away.
By GHook
April 19, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
Billy and Woody both need to go. It’s true that Billy has drafted some good raw talent, but it’s my understanding that drafting talent is only part of being a GM. You have to assemble a winning team by satisfying need areas. Knight has failed to do this over and over.
It’s no secret that the Hawks need a legitimate center and point guard. If any fan on this website can point that out, why can’t Billy see it? Speedy is a good point guard, he had 4 double-doubles this season in the limited games he played, but he was an obvious bad signing because of his injury history. The same goes for Lorenzen Wright, who’s getting $3,250,000 to average 2.6 points and 3.2 rebounds a game. Billy’s philosophy of taking the best athlete over the team’s needs has also hurt us, like the old argument of taking Marvin Williams over Chris Paul or Deron Williams. It’s true Marvin has turned out to be a great talent and has vastly improved, but we have too many good forwards and not enough good PG’s. Even that could have been forgiven if Knight had taken Marcus Williams in the ‘06 draft, but instead he drafted a good talent but still ANOTHER 6’ 9” forward in Shelden Williams. It also turns out that Shelden, while he finished the season strong, was not as NBA ready as Knight thought.
As for Woodson, he has one more year left on his contract which he should stick around for only because the Spirit shouldn’t just eat the money they would owe him. They need all the money they can get to resign Josh Smith, Marvin and/or Chill. I’ve seen too many terrible late game decisions by Woodson to give him any support. The Feb. 25th game against Phoenix where he inexplicably chooses to go with a small lineup with Josh Smith playing center in the final 2:00, at which point we give the Suns several crucial offensive rebounds in consecutive possessions and lose a winnable game. More recently in the Apr. 8th game against Philadelphia where Woodson’s final regulation play is for TLue to dribble the ball in traffic for 10 seconds, then throw up a prayer over 2 defenders for the game winner. The list goes on. Not to mention his half-court style which obviously does not work with the naturally raw, athletic style of the Hawks’ players.
I am really glad to see the AJC start calling for some changes in the Hawks’ front office. The Hawks have dropped off the radar in Atlanta and maybe their 30 win season is getting them some attention, but Knight and Woodson have gotten away with too much in Atlanta. I don’t know how every sports columnist at the AJC isn’t calling for the firing of a coach and GM with a 28% win percentage. Better late than never though.
I think we should give them one more year to get the ownership situation settled and get the Hawks a 35 win season to make this job attractive to some real personnel. After that, clean house.
By ejh
April 19, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
You want to fire Billy? You want to fire Mike Woodson? I would like for someone to answer me why do the Braves get such a pass on management. The last time the Braves were in the playoffs before 1991, was in 1982 when Joe Torre lead them to the National League West pennant. So that make nine years before getting back to the playoffs. But when Bobby Cox was hired to be General Manager and later field manager he was given time to develop young talent in the farm system; Tom Glavine, Zane Smith, Steve Avery, Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, and many more. But Bobby was not run out of town, he was allowed to develop the young talent. Why is it that Billy Knight who came to Atlanta in 2003 with a team with a 65 million dollar payroll, with likes of Theo Ratliff, Alan Henderson, Abdur Rahim, and a host of other old aging veterans with high price tags. Now he has put together a young and talented team of athletic stars that have bright NBA futures. So if Bobby Cox gets 9 years to develop the Braves, why is it that Billy Knight and Mike Woodson only get three (3) years to develop talent that has really come out of high School and 1 or 2 years of college. Look around the NBA and no other team has had to build from scratch as the Hawks have. So I appreciate what Billy has done for this team, because there are actually players on the team that I like to go see, and finally the hawks have players on there team that fans in other NBA cities are going to want to come out and see. When was the last time the hawks have had that? Hmmm, I think his name was Dominique Wilkins.
By Fans with $hit for brains +sports writer
April 19, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
None of them are real winner! The Thrasher weak, Hawks real weak, Falcon weak brave can’t win in post season and fans in this town and sports writer have total $hit for brains! Hopeless !!!! Can we go to wal-mart and get a champ!
By Me
April 19, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this
I used to love the game of basketball but when they did away with traveling, 3 second violations and the other rules I quit watching. Heaven knows whats a foul anymore.
By LAC
April 19, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
I have had FREE hawks tickets with parking passes many times, I try to give them away to customers/friends/employees… NOBODY wants them…. So I THROW THEM AWAY and will ALWAYS throw them out as the NOTHING basketball Assoc. is a league of thugs, bums and dopers… period.
Oh, or was that The National BORING Assoc… either way nba basketball is a JOKE sport, like racin is with that stupid tony stewart the guy who fights the winners …Talk about a JOKE couple sports.
NHL Flames would still be here is Coke had stepped in, same colors red/white… and in 1989 THE STANLEY CUP built by a GM who knows what he is doing not this JOKE GM waddell, I am afraid Our Atlanta Thrashers will never reach the promised land with STUPID waddell running the show, He is a FAILURE of the highest order and maybe one day these BABY owners will have a meeting and figure it all out !
By RA
April 19, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
You, Mark Bradley sir, are an idiot. You have the entire thing bass akward as usual. If you’re going to give anyone the axe, give it to BK. I mean, good grief. If you’re going to hire someone to do a job, give him the tools to do it! If you’re going to hire someone to install a pool in your backyard, don’t give him a water hose to dig the hole with instead of a shovel! WITH THE TOOLS THAT HE’S HAD TO WORK WITH Woodson has done as good a job or better than any other coach in the league could have. I say, if you have to take a head, let it be Billy’s, then get Kevin Garnett and a servicable starting point guard and then let Woodson do the job he was hired to do with the tools to do it!
By samiam
April 19, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Trasher, I’m LMAO. I know that you’re trying to figure out what I said. Try proof reading your post before you hit POST. I’m sure that it bugs you about my accomplishments, and I’m loving it that it does. :) Anyway, I’m a fan of all of the Atlanta teams. And yes, BK is the worst GM in sports. The Thrashers kind of smelled themselves a little, but they will be ok.
I personally don’t watch a lot of the NBA. half of the guys should be in college. I miss the days of Bird and Magic (when guys had skills).
PEACE and LOVE!!!
By JohnGTfan
April 19, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
I’ll make this short and sweet…this is an ignorant column. There is no way BK should be given another year. No coach…NO COACH could have won with the “team” that BK has put together. He is horrible at assembling talent that works as a cohesive unit…heck, he hasn’t even come close to doing it. I don’t care for either BK or Woody…but I would definitely give Woody another year before BK. What’s going to happen on draft day…let’s say for example Phoenix gets our pick, but we get Indy’s for 11 or 12…2 weeks before the draft he’ll make it known to the entire world who he plans on taking, essentially making life even easier for the other franchises to plan their strategy. Not only that, he probably wouldn’t take a real PG anyway. Woodson needs to go, and your columns should be screened before allowing to post.
By JohnGTfan
April 19, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
Sorry, I meant Billy Knight needs to go, and Woodson should be allowed one more year.
By Jamie
April 20, 2007 2:26 AM | Link to this
To Those of you who think Steve Belkin is the answer to the Atlanta Hawks problem. At least the rest of the spirit ownership group are on one accord. Belkin is Donald Sterling in the 90’s and early 2000. Remember he wanted to run the team on the cheap. Belkin is not very well like in the NBA as well, The Spirit have the support of David Stern and the rest of its owners. Belkin had tried several other times to become owner of a franchise. The Hawks are a team building toward the future and you can’t change a culture of losing and a virtually inept roster Billy Knight acquired upon being hired. As I have contended on this board several times before Billy Knight has really done well in his personel moves, save for Speedy Claxton, and with regards to Speedy, injuries were the cause of his lackluster year overall. Josh Childress has been a steady performer and he gets better every year, Josh Smith has also developed beyond leaps and bounds (Remember Jay Bilas said he was a bust waiting to happen on draft night). Marvin Williams showed the reason he was considered the best talent available in his draft year and I can assure you that he will be even better next year. Shelden Williams was a pick that concerned me I’ll admit, but over the last 20-25 games he showed his rebounding prowess and showed some flashes of a post game since he began asserting himself and I see him improving as well, Billy Knights picks have been more productive than Cal Bowdler, Hanno Mottola, Priest Lauderdale, Roshown Mcleod, Ed Gray, Dion Glover, etc.. Some of B.K’s 2nd Round Picks are better than that previously listed. If we start over with another coach and G.M. we add more years of development.
By Jamie
April 20, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this
We do stand a chance of acquiring a PG in the top 15 of this years draft. Mike Conley, Acie Law, Gabe Yound One of them will fall to us at pick 11 or 12.
By RA
April 20, 2007 4:22 AM | Link to this
From Charley Rosen @ Foxsports.com
Even with no functional point guard, with a power forward (Zaza Pachulia) playing center, with JJ missing multiple games, and with Josh Smith acting like a knuckle-head (methinks, however, that he wasn’t acting), the Hawks are actually (albeit slowly) moving in the right direction. The credit goes to Mike Woodson for rousing his mostly inept players to the point where they are at least threats to beat anybody at Phillips Arena.
By JEFF
April 20, 2007 6:36 AM | Link to this
By smartguy “Blueland? The Thrashers were in the playoffs? Really? So what exactly is Blueland? Jeff, I think you are trying to support hockey, but it really sounds to me like you’re dissing it.”
I’m not “dissing” hockey, just stating that in the deep south in the 70’s, there was a fan base in pre migration Atlanta that supported hockey. The Flames drew what the Hawks do now.
When the Knights came in 1992, there was a fan base in place. 14,000+ was at the Omni when they won the Turner cup. This was all done without support from the local paper or TV sports.
You are right about the silence from Atlanta about the playoffs. Was it the lead story like when the Braves win a division title? Was there a seperate section in the AJC about the team & the playoffs? Was “Action News” at the airport when the team came home from NY like they are for the Falcons or Braves? Because people are ignorant of the game, they do not consider it a “real” sport (like NASCAR, Areana Football, Wrestling or MISL)……
By JEFF
April 20, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this
“By Me I used to love the game of basketball but when they did away with traveling, 3 second violations and the other rules I quit watching. Heaven knows whats a foul anymore.”
Great point! Fundemental skills (shooting, dribling, defense) are non existant. Stand in the lane all day, knock people down & slam a bucket home. Watch the players and see who has the best tattoo.
By Bill
April 20, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
Mark, RA is exactly correct: you are an idiot and you have the Hawks thing completely backwards. Phil Jackson couldn’t have squeezed more games out of “Knight’s mismatched roster” (your words). Even if the Hawks somehow came up with the first pick, Knight would draft another useless swing man instead of Odom or Durant or a point guard. How you can possibly endorse that other idiot for another year is beyond me.
By John
April 20, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Enough is enough for the Hawks. Dump both of them. Good God, how many more reasons are there to explain “losing”. And if these owners ran their businesses like they run there sports franchises, they wouldn’t be in business, nor would they be able to afford to ownsports franchises, which would be good for us. We would all be better off. And if memory serves me correctly, now we need a point guard?Didn’t we pass on some already? Can’t wait for the draft. And how did all those trades work out? They have no plan…never will.
By bulldog
April 20, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
get ride of the hawks and start from square one
By ATL transplant
April 20, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
There is way too much positive feeling in this town for the Thrashers. “They try so hard, and have come so far as an expansion team. Great job, guys!” Geez, they’ve played for seven seasons now and just now make the playoffs and get swept. This is admirable! C’mon. They’re pros making millions, not 10-year old little leaguers. Hold them to a higher standard! For years we heard how great is the tandem of Kovulchuk and Hossa (before Heatley) but what do they produce? Nothing! I couldn’t name one player on the Devils and maybe one player on the Lightning, but these teams get things done.
So happy that the Thrashers will be able to put up a division banner next year. The crowd will probably give them a 5-minute standing ovation or something.
By Trader Jack
April 20, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
The Hawks are only two players away from being a contender for the NBA championship.
Those two players are Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitski.
Maybe Billy K. can trade Speedy for Nash, and Jones for Nowitski.
By JEFF
April 20, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
Hey ATL transplant, When is the last time Chicago, St Louis, Montreal, Toronto, LA Kings, NY Islanders, Rangers, Flyers or Boston won their Division? All well establised teams.
Don’t slight a Division title. The Braves win them & go out in the first round all the time and the city & fans love them. Let the falcons win a division title & lose their first playoff game and let’s see if They think it isn’t worth hanging.
By Harvey the Hawk
April 20, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Both teams are set up for the future. As for Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitski, Dallas had both and they could not get to the NBA Finals. It took an old Hawk point gaurd to get Dallas to the NBA Finals. The Thrashers will learn from this experience and compete for the cup within 2 years. The Hawks will be in and NBA final in 5 to 7 years. The east in transition and Atlanta is in a good position to let young players grow together. Remeber the Pistons had the core group 6 years before they went to the finals.
By Dan
April 20, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley
Just wanted to remind you, in case you were feeling different, that you are still the worst sports writer I have ever read. Have a good day.
By Barry
April 20, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Hey Yall;
There go Mark Bradley bashing the local teams again. Get this guy out of Atlanta and other like him at the AJC oout of Atlanta. They are the real losers. They think like losers and they are losers.
First, he bashes the Atlanta Thrashers. Het this team made iot to the playoff!! My God!! Ohter cities and teams in the leauge did not make it. Maybe he needs to go write his articles there. The Thrashers put up a good fight, but there youthfulness showed. They definitely will be better next year. And teams around the leauge now. Why not this knucklehead Bradley do the same. As always, it appears, whether an Atlanta local teams win or lose he has something negative to say. He we made the playoffs. Congratulations Thrashers for a very exciting seasons and thanks for bringing the division championship to Atlanta. I tell you Atlanta sports fans we need to get this writer out of Atlanta and top another city.
Now speaking of the Hawks. The Hawks injuries really hurt them this season. I mean what can you say. Injuries in any professional sports team can hurt you, especially if you team is not loaded with quality veterans like the Miami Heat. Neverthelss, we are the young and coming Hawks. We showed what we were made of when we are healthy. we do have to stregthen our bench and change our game plna to make us a “run and gun team” like the Phoenix Suns. We have the young legs and talent to run and shot with any team in the league. we just need to change the game plan and philosphy for the talent that we have. Either way, nextg year, the HAwks willbe in the playoff. Bar None.
Finallly, AJC help your consumers out by getting rid of these negative sports writers who are tryin to make us think like them by reading these nastsy, negative articles about our up and coming championship teams. Let’s send the to another city. Also when they go to interview in another city, give that sports community samples of their writings and contents and see if they want them in their city. I bet you willget an overwhelming “NO. You Keep Them. We do not Allow That In Our Town”. Again I say to you local negative sports writers at the AJC, “GET THE HELL OUT OF ATLANTA!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! This is a SECRET from us local sports fans. TELL EVERBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ringold
By Scott F. Shaw
April 20, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
When did Mark Bradley become an expert on hockey? It looks like he read a couple of issues of The Hockey News and then wrote a column. Gee, Mark… you must be proud of the fact that you pointed out how many more games the Thrashers won this year than last but fail to mention how many more POINTS the Thrashers had this year as aopposed to last. TOTAL POINTS IS WHAT HOCKEY IS BASED ON! I wonder what the columnists in Pittsburgh are writung about their team this morning? Mark Bradley… You’re an idiot.
By g
April 20, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley you suck
By Wild Weasel
April 20, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
The Atlanta Hawks need a coaching change and a drastic change in offensive philosophy to a “run & gun” ala Golden State or dare say Phoenix. Atlanta has a team of greyhounds-young & fast, and shot blockers playing a half court game. A lineup consisting of Zaza, Shelden, Joe, Marvin, the two Josh, Tyrone, Speedy and Salim should be able to rebound, run and shoot with anybody in the league. All that is missing is a run & gun coach.
By Michael
April 20, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Let’s face it. Nothing of great substance is going to change for either team this offseason because of the ownership situation. That mess has to be straightened out before anything happens with either team.
By truthteller
April 20, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Anybody who thinks the Hawks will EVER be competitive with Billy Knight and Woodson involved needs help. Since the current ownership is clueless, the only hope is that they lose the lawsuit; how much worse can the other clown be? It is really encouraging to hear such excuses as “bad chemistry” and “injuries” as the reason the Hawks were so pathetic…the bad chemistry stems from Knight’s player selections and Woodson’s coaching. Every team has injuries.
By Mike
April 20, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
We are stuck with night until another qualified African-American candidate comes along. I am sure a better one is out there, but there is no obvious choice as Knight appeared to be coming in. I respect the Spirit’s decision to hire minority coach and GM but they must also be willing to hire another and another until they get it right.K