Sports Columnists

By Help

July 11, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Billy Knight is and always will be a FOOL. This is just another boneheaded decision in a long line of his bad moves. It also says alot about how incompetent the Spirit Group are in that they continue to support this idiot. As long as the Spirit are in charge we will have to deal with Billy Knight. As long as Billy Knight is around, Mike Woodson will be in charge to mismanage talent. As long as talent is mismanaged, the Hawks will continue to be the laughing stock of ALL professional sports franchises. Money doesn’t make you smart, folks. Look no further than the Spirit Group.

By justanotherguy

July 11, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Just another example of this guy being a jerk.

But, in his defense, what asst coach in his right mind would come work for the Hawks?

By RickNole

July 11, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

Gotta say this is the first article written by Mr. Moore that I agree with. Billy Knight is an embarassment to the NBA, the Team and the City of Atlanta.

By Richard Gall

July 11, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Somehow I think the owners have had a say in this “bad”deciion. Also think there is an untold story. Typically if people are not moving up they are moving from something. What is the problem owners, coach, front office, quality/balance of the players.

Ownership needs to get to the root of the problem and not treat a symptom

All things being equal if they are just malcontent I would let them go.

By jim

July 11, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Atlanta has a basketball team?

By K-Dogg

July 11, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Wow…this quote says it all:

“I know in most cases around the NBA this is not the normal practice, but this is how we’re going to handle it,”

Well, you’re not the normal GM are you, Billy?

Who honors contracts in today’s professional sports marketplace?? You’re setting a bad precedent by not letting these guys go, Billy. Other assistants around the league will take notice and not want to come to Atlanta if you hold this firm stance.

What exactly is the reasoning here? If they don’t want to be here, then let them go!

By mcdawg

July 11, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Should not the head coach have a say in this???

By Randy

July 11, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

In one sense, Terence, it’s nice that somebody in sports has actually respected a contract. Now, you may think that’s not a smart approach here, and from a savvy executive’s perspective, it’s not. But Billy may simply be reflecting—inversely, of course—the very same blind adherence to contracts that the owners have shown him despite his own slipshod performance. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, of course!

By Randy

July 11, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

In one sense, Terence, it’s nice that somebody in sports has actually respected a contract. Now, you may think that’s not a smart approach here, and from a savvy executive’s perspective, it’s not. But Billy may simply be reflecting—inversely, of course—the very same blind adherence to contracts that the owners have shown him despite his own slipshod performance. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, of course!

By Honestly

July 11, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

I know the ownership is in disagreement but they should be able to agree that this guy is nuts. This team isn’t just some fun toy for the rich, this is an investment and right now they are leading their investment into the toilet with BK at the head of the train. It’s a shame because we have so much young talent and he has wasted it on bad draft picks and management choices.

By Wharegul

July 11, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Terence

I seldom agree with you on anything but you hit the nail on the head with this one. What has he done to warrant keeping his job. I know if i performed like this in my job i’d be looking for a new one real quick. Of course if your employer doesn’t care about their product…???

By Jump Shot Joe

July 11, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Billy Knight…Don Waddell…Rich McKay…What a bunch of losers. Thank God for John Schuerholz!

By Mark

July 11, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

This is yet another sign that the ownership dispute is effecting the team’s decisionmaking. Billy’s problem is that he can’t replace them with quality assistants.

Who’s going to uproot themselves to come to a situation with a lameduck coach, GM and (potentially) ownership group.

Given these constraints — how should Billy proceed?

By Pepe

July 11, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Good point Mark…I’d like to reserve my ill thoughts before knowing both sides, but can’t imagine that BK will fill in the gaps. Hopefully, BK is smarter than this decision appears to be. I behind this year’s draft decisions and I’m hoping for the best.

By Bill

July 11, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Hey Terrence, what happened to that mantra you were singing a short time back? What was it “In Knight we Trust.” What do you say, you man up and tell us you guessed wrong, because we don’t forget.

By Vol4ever

July 11, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Anybody know what happened to HawkSquawk?????? BK continues to be BK.

By JJ

July 11, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

I don’t see anything wrong with making employees who freely contracted with you live up to their contracts. People do that all the time. But I don’t understand letting them interview only to tell them they then can’t leave. To me, either you tell them no to the interview and point to the contract or you say yeah you can interview and if you get the job then we’ll talk about compensation for letting you out of your contract early.

This just says to me the Hawks think they can’t get even decent assistant coaches to come here, much less players.

By smartguy

July 11, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

This is just too much.

Bring on Belkin

By EJ

July 11, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

I agree that it is probably foolish to hold these coaches against there will. However, what if they didn’t want to leave and the owners went to them and said “We have decided to ignore the contract that we have signed with you in good faith. Therefore, you’re fired and we’re not going to pay you.” How many thousands of times have sports teams wished they could simply void a player’s or coach’s contract because they stunk? If the owners have to honor contracts why don’t the players and coaches have to honor them?

By Mr.Wrestling#2

July 11, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Wonder if Billy would feel the same way if HE was offered another job. Oh wait a minute-no one else wants him.

By Kevin from Memphis

July 11, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

I feel bad for my home town. Billy Knight messed the Grizzles up so bad, that not even the “Logo” Jerry West could repair them. The Hawks will be down for years to come, its sad!

By mountain jim

July 11, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Vol4ever - HawkSquawk is just fine - clear your cookies and you can get it fine. (problem from right before draft)

This current issue just shows how badly we need Stern to step in and resolve the ownership issue - if they can’t resolve it quickly themselves then take the team away from them and let the NBA run it until they do.

I see the AJC is still refusing to allow comments in the football blog (for 2 days now) after being appropropriately roasted for the way they reported heresay from ESPN (shadow figure claiming college indescretions) when it was damning Vick but have yet to mention the ESPN report from Friday indicating the Feds will not be charging Vick (according to sources in Falcons and the NFL close to the case.)

So when will the AJC report this development? When will the AJC admit to an unfair bias in the way they have handled the Vick summer issues?

And Terence was right there on ESPN piling on if I recall.

The AJC is today getting bashed on Atlanta radio, on Sirius radio, media folks have figured out what some of us saw for awhile - that AJC has trashed Vick this summer, often without facts but with bias and prejudgment. (sorta like the Jewell Olympic bombing case where they lynched a hero in the media based on rumour and innuendo.)

So the AJC blogs allow awful race-baiting and obscene comments to stand but shut down the blogs as soon as their journalism standards are being questioned - what are you scared of AJC?

By Over2under

July 11, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Just another example of the managment staff currently in place for the Hawks.

Hey Hawks,

Just incase you where wondering, personally I am not under contract for any professional sports organization. Even though I have not played since 11th grade highshool, I’ll take a max contract along with a max signing bonus. I did however average about 16 ppg. Since I’m such a team player I’d be willing to ride the bench. Seems you have a histry for these types of deals so I figured I’d be willing to come back from retirement.

By Phillip

July 11, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Great job Terence!! Very true.

By Over2under

July 11, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Just another example of the management staff currently in place for the Hawks.

Hey Hawks,

Just incase you where wondering, personally I am not under contract for any professional sports organization. Even though I have not played since 11th grade high school, I’ll take a max contract along with a max signing bonus. I did however average about 16 ppg. Since I’m such a team player I’d be willing to ride the bench. Seems you have a history for these types of deals so I figured I’d be willing to come back from retirement.

By Jt

July 11, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry but I guess that I am in the minority. Whereas, I think it would have been a very reasonable gesture to allow the coaches to leave (particularly Drew, for family reasons) they are indeed under contract. And if they had been fired during their contract term, they would have still received their compensation. I am a school teacher. I operate on a year to year contract. I cannot be terminated without just cause, but I also cannot opt out of my contract without penalty. If these coaches are good coaches, they will land somewhere next year. Their talent will make room for them. I also have the feeling that if only one of them had been offered another position (Drew), then maybe he would have been released.

By Don

July 11, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

I’m in the rare position of agreeing with Terence Moore. But he left out a key point, which is that the Hawks allowed Drew and Fizdale to interview for the jobs. It was only after they were offered the jobs that the Hawks blocked them.

Billy Knight isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer but I don’t think even he is stupid enough to pi$$ guys off by letting them interview for jobs he knew they wouldn’t be allowed to accept.

This is clearly the disfunctional ownership intervening again. Knight must have allowed the assistants to interview elsewhere without talking to ownership since it’s ordinary protocol in the NBA (you know what happens when you assume, right Billy?). Then when he goes to the owners and says we need to hire a couple of assistants because two of ours have accepted other jobs, one or more in the ownership group gets to assert his authority by saying they weren’t consulted and won’t allow it. I can just hear them, “How bad do we look when our assistants are so desperate to get out that they take lateral moves just to leave?”

So now the Hawks have 2 assistants in the last year of their contracts who don’t want to be here, and they’re going to be working with a bunch of young players. And the rest of the NBA is laughing at the Hawks yet again, and players and coaches are reminding themselves again that they will never willingly come here.

Which is why the Hawks are now the L.A. Clippers of the Eastern Conference, if not worse. The Hawks ownership just threw Knight under the bus, but since he couldn’t get a job anywhere else he’s willing to give an absurd explanation for why the assistants were allowed to interview for other jobs but not accept the jobs.

What a friggin’ joke this franchise is. David Stern needs to step in and insist that this ownership mess gets fixed.

By Lifelong Hawks Fan

July 11, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

You can’t get much more head on than with this article! You hit the nail squarely on the head!

By Nique

July 11, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

BK is a horrible GM he has been making stupid decisions since he’s been in the front off, this is just the latest one! After numerous foul up’s in the draft i.e passing up on C.P & D. Williams for Marvin when we already had a then blossoming Al Harrington who was developing chemistry with JOE & Josh! A mistake that might haunt this franchise 4 years! But to stop crying over spilled milk & to get off the obvious because BK is awful we all know that, Why don’t the hawks look into acquiring Jackie Butler from the Spurs? He’s a big man that’s got size, shoot blocking ability, is young, probably wouldn’t take as much to acquire as some of the other big men whose names have been rumored, word is that the spurs are shopping him, & he’s been playing well thus far in the summer league & would give us a legit presence at C. Even if he didn’t start but he could be in the rotation & could match up against other C’s when we needed him to.

By Jesse

July 11, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Why can coaches walk away from contracts but players can’t? A coach can leave his team and go coach another team, but I player can’t? Why not? Doesn’t Larry Brown leave teams and still get paid? So Garnett could just leave the Wolves get paid and go play for PHX

By JOHN DAVIDSON

July 11, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

BILLY KNIGHT AND ISSAH THOMAS SHOULD RIDE INTO THE SUNSET TOGETHER, IF THEY COULD FIGURE OUT WHICH END OF THE HORSE IS WHICH

By Dan Roundfield

July 11, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

I hear OKC is looking for a team? I’d rather watch the WNBA than follow this team led by a bunch of bozos. Congrats Billy, somehow someway you always find a way to make yourself look like a bigger clown.

By Fred C

July 11, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

The Hawks are a sad franchise and this is exactly why. It starts at the top. I still can’t get over the fact that they didn’t draft Chris Paul two years ago. Let’s see what other moves King makes now that the team has like eight forwards. Good insight Terrance.

By jonnied

July 11, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Instead of interviewing or even considering possible veteren free agent signings that would help this team Mr. Knight sits on his hands in his office creating ways to make the Hawks an even less desirable franchise. Way to go Billy!

By tyger

July 11, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Generally speaking, I always disagree with AJC reporters when it comes to the Hawks or Vick, they emanate from the same abyss.

But here, I do question BK, but is it BK alone or the ATL Spirit?

Its common knowledge the ownership is in shambles. That’s reason enough to want to leave, but couple that with an onerous court decision coming down the pipe anyday now and who wouldnt want to secure the future of their families???

But apparently the Spirit feels that everyone sinks or swims with the ship.

Granted, it puts the Hawks in a bind, Drew and especially Fizdale have a unique bond with these young guys that cant be easily replaced.

But its a petty and selfish move borne from stubborn belief that the Spirit will prevail.

That is not a burden young assistants should bear, thats for upper mgt. and ownership, they created the mess.

Yes, there are other jobs, but they arent guaranteed, and if you look around there are tons of qualified guys outta work in the NBA.

However, I do believe the Hawks have turned the corner and are only a move or two away from the playoffs.

Losing Drew and Fizdale would hurt that effort, but losing that court case would hurt their families and their careers.

By Mr C.

July 11, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

I think Dan hit it right on the nail. Why allow your coach to interview somewhere else and then come around and tell them they can’t leave. I’m willing to bet that it’s a struggle among the Hawks owners and GM.

If a GM doesn’t want a coach or assistant coaches to leave, you don’t give them permission to interview for other jobs. Period. Well unless you are the Hawks!!! Let me know when we have new owners.

By RJS

July 11, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

This guy is a joke and so are the Hawks. He has no clue on how to build a team or manage a large company.

I am Bulldog relocated in Portland, OR and I can tell you from firsthand experience what a huge difference a smart GM makes- Kevin Pritchard. The Hawks will continue to lose until they sort out the ownership and fire Knight- when you suck in the Eastern Conference you truly suck beyond belief.

By Clyde

July 11, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

FIRE BILLY AND WOODY

By Mark Lemke

July 11, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Let em go so we can bring back David Justice…

By cb

July 11, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

billy knight should have been fired 3 yrs ago his handling of this continues to prove how unqualfied he is as GM why are these owners just sitting by doing nothing to get rid of this guy?arn’t they tired of the bad trades,draft picks,and sigings. he makes me root that the lone partner wins the suit for control of the team because then he’s out of here before the ink dries on the order

By Bigmuddy

July 11, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Been following the Hawks since they were in ST Louis. Billy Knight is the absolute worst - and their have been many bad-general manager the Hawks have ever had. Please fire him immediatly

By T.C

July 11, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

dang!billy what are you proving by strong arming these assistant coaches,if they dont want to be here then let them go.talking about being a professional.i think these coaches wanted to move because of stability and being closer to there family.were’s your heart when we all know family come first.i guess you want to shine and make history by being the first g.m to not allow a coach to move on.when we talk about sports of any kind we know its all buisness, so be buisness minded and a professional and let them walk.

By mike

July 11, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

my guess is that he knows he won’t be able to hire anybody to replace them…and he’s not helping the cause by keeping them against their will. This guy has no clue about how to run a ballclub, how to draft, how to choose a coaching staff of anything! Why is he still here!!!???? Let Dominique coach! I know he will get more respect outta the team than woodson. Basketball GODS if you can hear me..HELP!

By david

July 11, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

If this teams is awful this year (I like the players) is anybody smart enough to make a change? I bet these guys (GM and coach) are the most awful in the history of professional sports. The players don’t listen. If the players do listen the coach is the worst EVER. If they don’t listen this is just as much reason to make a change. This is the weakest the east has ever been and will ever be AND we still can’t get in the post season. With pretty good players. AND now the asst coaches can’t leave. If John Wooden implemented something like that we would listen, but these clowns…

By Lloyd

July 11, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

Either Billy Knight is in a secret “Idiot of the Century” competition or he has a death wish. Between alienating the fans with his boneheaded drafts/signings/decisions (for lack of a better word) and this latest “Knightism” he is slowly but surely making folks forget Stan Kasten’s watershed moment of trading Dominique, for which he still has not been forgiven!

By terrell

July 11, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone killing Billy on this one. It would be difficult to replace coaches right now. These guys came here with Woody and signed for 3 years, knowing the situation that was going on with the owners. Who is he going to replace these guys with if he lets them go? Woody and his assistants have 1 yr remaining on their contracts. If they struggle early in the season, TRUST ME, Billy will grant them their wish, along with their buddy Woodrow.

By me

July 11, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Funny, people always b*** about players wanting out of their contracts, but it’s ok for the coaches to break their contracts or owners breaking their leases with city arena/stadiums.

By me

July 11, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Funny, people always b*** about players wanting out of their contracts, but it’s ok for the coaches to break their contracts or owners breaking their leases with city arena/stadiums.

By MsDee

July 11, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

I want to believe that BK is not completely over all the decision making…I think its the owners controlling all this mess and BK is getting hit for it! Just think about it, whenever BK is asked a question about whatever “he” decides, how come he never gives a concrete explanation about it? Its like he really dont have an answer for it b/c he didnt make that decision, the Spirit did. BK is just the puppet in all this b/c if BK was REALLY making these STUPID decisions, any owner would have fired him 2 years and 364 days ago(a day after he was hired) BK is getting paid to be the fall guy in all of this!! IMO

By Ryder

July 11, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

MsDee, I’ve been thinking the same thing, that BK’s not making all these decision but instead it’s the incompetent ownership who’s doing so and making him the fall guy in this process. I do believe that he doesn’t have as much free reign to do what he probably would like to because of this situation. Besides, I do think that in the back of his mind he knows that if they let these two guys go then no one else will come to Atlanta because of the ownership mess.

Speaking of which, don’t hold your breath anyone on Stern ever stepping in on the ownership issue as he is doing with the Bucks-Yi situation. Stern is always about marketing and he feels that Yi will bring in the dollars from China which is why he might step into that but not in Atlanta.

It’s just another reason why such a potential hotbed market will go down in flames. Sad, Sad, Sad.

By Timothy

July 11, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Even Terrence Moore knows this is a dumb position; but, as with this case, it doesn’t stop him from spewing it.

Many different clubs (including the vast majority of NFL teams) prevent their staffs from leaving for the same position with another club.

This is just more hatred by this piece of crap newspaper for the Atlanta sports franchises.

By LilburnFan

July 11, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

don’t ya just love it when a person is so arrogant that they think they know everything. Billy Knight has a chip on his shoulder and is selfishly driving the Hawks further into a bad organization. Who will want to work for the Hawks as they… cough, cough, rebuild for the future…

Billy, your ego and arrogant pride will be your downfall.

But, the best part is that I don’t have to watch or support the team. That’s how this fan will deal with it.

By whatever

July 11, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

I see T Moore aka ESPNS cockrider is back. He even made it so people could comment. When it was about the Falcons he wouldnt allow comments because he knew people would roast his stuttering lisp having a*. T Moore why dont get u a job at ESPN with the rest of the clowns. The feds say he wont be charged but you were all over Sportscenter talking about he still could be although the people in charge of the investigation said he wouldnt. T moore either you hate this guy or you are as dumb as you look on tv. The ajc is full of s** and i hope another paper comes to town and does a better job of sports coverage. ESPN and people like this stuttering f*** is why I watch the NFL network.

By Mike in France

July 11, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

I agree with Mr Moore on this one. gotta let em go…

Reload. You gotta have the right people on the bus.

By Torrie

July 11, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Billy Knight. Hold these cats to the same fire that you and Mike Woodson are held to. All of a sudden they want to abandon ship. Billy knows that this is his staffs’ last season if they don’t make the playoffs so why bring in 2 more assistants who might end up under the same ax that’ll more than likely fall at the end of the season? In all fairness, let the ax fall on both Drew and Fizdale if they can’t get the job done. If we make the playoffs and win the NBA championship you still fire them. All-in-all if you sign a contract then you honor your contract or make them pay that penalty. Even the wireless carriers will make you pay that penalty regardless of what Terrance Moore thinks.

By John Holmes

July 11, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

There would be a lot of coaches that would love to come to Atlanta as an assistant coach. Because there is a very good chance that before the next season is over they will be the next head coach.

By Torrie

July 11, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Billy Knight. Hold these cats to the same fire that you and Mike Woodson are held to. All of a sudden they want to abandon ship. Billy knows that this is his staffs’ last season if they don’t make the playoffs so why bring in 2 more assistants who might end up under the same axe that’ll more than likely fall at the end of the season? In all fairness, let the ax fall on both Drew and Fizdale if they can’t get the job done. If we make the playoffs and win the NBA championship you still fire them. All-in-all if you sign a contract then you honor your contract or make them pay that penalty. Even the wireless carriers will make you pay that penalty regardless of what Terrance Moore thinks.

By Torrie

July 11, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

I agree with you Billy Knight. Hold these cats to the same fire that you and Mike Woodson are held to. All of a sudden they want to abandon ship. Billy knows that this is his staffs’ last season if they don’t make the playoffs so why bring in 2 more assistants who might end up under the same axe that’ll more than likely fall at the end of the season? In all fairness, let the ax fall on both Drew and Fizdale if they can’t get the job done. If we make the playoffs and win the NBA championship you still fire them. All-in-all if you sign a contract then you honor your contract or make them pay that penalty. Even the wireless carriers will make you pay that penalty regardless of what Terrance Moore thinks.

By NoD

July 11, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Dumb move, let them go. 1st think I thought when I read the news was great, now we have two coaches who don’t want to be here in ATL. let them go and bring in Tree Rollins to coach.

By FeudFinder

July 11, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

BK is very similar to B.Bonds. All these guys need is an A-Hole in the sports media to start the rumble. Agreed, BK can be a bad bad decision maker, there are always two sides to a story. It is only fair to listen to the two sides. Moreover, we do not know what was in the contract these people signed. But like I said, nothing good can come out of nazareth between BK, B.Bonds and the media.

By Eli

July 11, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Knight is the George W. Bush of the Atlanta Hawks. He does whatever the heck he wants, no matter how stupid it is, and then refuses to answer to anyone when his actions are questioned. No accountability, no competence.

By hop

July 11, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

who cares!!

the hawks and the nba are a absolute joke and the ownership of the hawks are the worse in all of sports.

i hope the owners in the nba continue to awash in red ink. the nba product as a whole went south just after jordan/byrd retired. they are ALL losers!!!!

By What?

July 11, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Timothy:If Billy didn’t want his coaches looking around at other jobs, why did he grant them permission to interview with the respective teams that made them offers? If BK’s stance was firm, he never would have granted them permission to interview. Check your facts before posting.

By JB

July 11, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

I’ve defended his picks more than anyone I know. I still do. But giving a reasonable explanation for this decision is going to be almost as hard as passing Shelden Williams off as an NBA power forward.

By Fred B.

July 11, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

As much as I disagree with the majority of the article TM writes I must say I have to agree with him here. What i don’t understand about the whole situation is the fact they were allowed to interview for other positions in the first place if BK was not not going let them out of their contracts if it was a lateral move…it doesn’t matter who’s decision it was ultimately (BK’s or upper management) just seems like a waist of time to let them interview in the first place. Did they not think that the assistants would be offered the positions…DUMB DUMB DUMB!!!!

By Rahsaan

July 11, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight once again shows that he has no idea on how to do his job. If the assistants want to leave let them go. Someone please explain to me how B. Knight continues to have a job in the NBA.

By Ken Stallings

July 11, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

One of the most self-centered and short sighted decisions I’ve ever seen. It’s humiliating for the two coaches and I feel badly for both of them. They ask and receive permission to interview for the jobs, then after offered them, the Hawks organization denies them permission to leave.

Decisions like these reveal how much that personal ego enters into business decisions.

By slim

July 11, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

It’s always something going in hawks management, but as much as I Billy Knight shouldn’t be there, I do support this decision. I am a life-long fan of the hawks, and anyone would agree it’s hard enough hard enough to sign BIG NAME free agents. If the asst coaches were allowed leave or were to leave, it will show a pattern that remains to hover over the hawks (losing). No one seems to stick together and try to make the best of situations, the hawks have a really good roster this year now we need to replace royal ivey, saleem, and speedy with some nice young talent. Those guys are garbage and will never be able to contribute to any nba team.

By R. Stroz

July 12, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this

Billy Knight makes Pete Babcock look smart. I never thought there could be a GM dumber than Babcock.

Save the world! Fire the Hawks GM!

By R. Stroz

July 12, 2007 1:38 AM | Link to this

Someone wake me up when the Knightmare ends!

Atlanta Spirit owners give the coaches a get out of jail free card and find a GM with at least a lukewarm temperature IQ.

By steve

July 12, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

who has this guy got pictures of to be allowed to keep his job? i’m not a big basketball fan, but knight is just a complete idiot!

By Mike

July 12, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

BK is an idiot. As someone mentioned above, he messed up the Bobcats and now he is messing up the Hawks. His track record of choices have been abysmal. BK is the epitome of failure. With that said, so is the ownership. What a joke!!! Why can’t ATL teams keep the one owner ideal in place(barring the Falcons). Why does the NBA, MLB, and NHL allow ownership GROUPS, rather than enforcing a one person owner? I have not heard of one ownership group that has been successful. If there has been someone please let me know. But what is the success/failure ratio? When you have too many generals trying to fight a war on the same front failure is inevitable. If you look at the Braves and their decline. Even though they won several division titles when Time-Warner took over, it was evident that the end of their reign was quickly coming to a close when they wouldn’t ante up to keep Glavine/Maddox/Sheffield/Lopez just to name a few. It also allowed Mazzone to leave because the ownership didn’t believe in long term contracts with the coaches. I know this isn’t a MLB blog but the similarities are becoming increasingly evident, albeit that the Braves aren’t as bad as the Hawks.

I wouldn’t be surprised iff the two assistant and head coaches quit before the season is over and BK has to step down and coach the team. LOL Who? would want to coach this discombobulated franchise?

By GE

July 12, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Why get so wrapped over a game that is really a big business. Knight is no different than any other GM in the NBA. Look at Ainge and Kupchac. They come and they go and they all are paid well. The media and the teams are always glad to see us trying to rip them. Its called PR. GET A GRIP FOLKS!!!!!!

By J

July 12, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Nique,

You said the Hawks had a “blossoming Al Harrington” … haha, oh my god, i almost choked on my water i was drinking. Al has been in the league for 7 years, and has topped off at his game. He’s not getting any better, and you saw how he pretty much played role-positions w/ Golden State & Indiana this past season. That was one lame comment!

By bk hawk

July 12, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

More BS from the Hawks. When are the owners going to wake up and fire BILLY The Joker