AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > January > 28 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWho’s worse: Hawks or Thrashers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
The Hawks. The Thrashers. We could argue for days over which of our winter sports franchises is better, but that would miss the depressing point. Since neither is any good, isn’t it more appropriate to ponder, category by category, which is worse?
TEAM The Hawks have a better squad than their record indicates. (They’re 18-22, having lost five of six.) Even after losing five in a row, the Thrashers have a better record than statistics would warrant. (The team that has yielded more goals than any other is 23-25-4, due mostly to its success in overtime and shootouts.)
You watch the Hawks and come away believing they should be better. You watch the Thrashers and wonder how they’re as competitive as they are.
WHO’S WORSE?: The Thrashers, because they wouldn’t be in the playoffs if the postseason started today, while the Hawks, not exactly on merit, would.
COACH
Almost a trick question, given that the Thrashers don’t actually have a coach. They fired theirs in October. Then again, the Hawks don’t really have one, either, given that Mike Woodson’s career record is an astonishing 87-199. (It was Woodson who once said, “You can’t control your record,” and the feeling persists that this coach has no control over anything — not his players, not the final seconds of a close game, nothing.)
Having done this fill-in business twice now, Don Waddell has gotten pretty good at it. His career record after he has fired somebody is 27-24-1-4, which doesn’t make him Toe Blake but beats the heck out of 87-199.
WHO’S WORSE?: The Hawks, because Woodson might be the worst coach in Atlanta history, Marion Campbell not excluded.
GENERAL MANAGER
Another stumper: Is it possible to be a worse GM than Billy Knight, who took the wrong guy with his first pick in each of his first four drafts here?
Yes, believe it or not. Because Knight, for all his documented whiffs, has still constructed the spine of a roster. (Having a point guard would have rendered it an entire skeleton, but that would have made things too easy, don’t you think?) Waddell has been in place twice as long and hasn’t fleshed out the Thrashers beyond Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. And Hossa could be gone soon. Yikes.
WHO’S WORSE?: The Thrashers, based mostly on Waddell’s time served.
OWNERSHIP
Another trick-type question, given that each club is owned by the same people. But there’s a subtle difference. Of the many Atlanta Spirit partners, only Bruce Levenson cares much about hockey, and he doesn’t live in Atlanta.
The most visible owner-enablers, Michael Gearon Jr. and Sr., are Atlantans who believe they know a lot about basketball and seem, for reasons unclear, utterly sold on Knight and Woodson. Say what you will about Steve Belkin, but at least he had the wisdom to wonder if the Hawks know what they’re doing.
WHO’S WORSE?: The Hawks, because ownership actually takes an interest in their success. Or, more precisely, the lack thereof.
OVERALL
The easiest choice on the board. The Thrashers have been a disappointment. The Hawks have been an embarrassment. Big difference.
It was a Hawks transaction — the Joe Johnson trade — that first dragged these owners into court. It was the Hawks who were ordered to replay the final 51.9 seconds of a game because the stat crew couldn’t count to six. It was the Hawks who designated Speedy Claxton and not Deron Williams or Chris Paul as their point guard of choice. And it’s the Hawks who have a GM who rarely deigns to speak with the media.
WHO’S WORSE?: The Hawks, because they still haven’t made the playoffs this century. The Thrashers haven’t ever won a playoff game, but at least they got there once. That modest accomplishment wouldn’t carry many debates, but it positively reverberates in this otherwise empty barrel.
Permalink | Comments (173) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley
Comments
By No Hope In tha ATL
January 28, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
FIRST COMMENT!!…Anyways, it is really sad because both teams much like the falcons, are going nowhere…Woodson stinks as a coach, and people in Atlanta could care less if Gretzky was on the Thrashers.At least pitchers and catchers report in or around 40 days!!
By Jeff Myrtlebanks
January 28, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
no hope, you are 100% correct.
By Jeff Myrtlebanks
January 28, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
no hope, you are 100% correct.
By HawksFan1010
January 28, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
The Atlanta Spirit Group is an embarassement to the city of Atlanta…..I don’t even think they have enough money to get to the salary cap! Please sell the team to someone that knows what they are doing……do it for the fans, please?
By hocker
January 28, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Look at the bright side. Clippers fans can no longer say they have the worst run franchise in NBA history. The Hawks are clearly #1 at Incompetence. All together now: We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!We’re #1!
By erock
January 28, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley you are the worst writer for the AJC…But you already knew that !! YOU SUCK !!!
By Najeh Davenpoop
January 28, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Neither team is bad anymore, they are just mediocre. Hopelessly mediocre. I don’t know much about the Thrashers, but until the Hawks get a new coach, new GM and new ownership, they are going to remain hopelessly mediocre.
By chris
January 28, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Now this is some responsible journalism!
By Scott
January 28, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t matter to me…you won’t catch me near “The Low Life Factory”
By Austin
January 28, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Billy Knight is by FAR the worst GM. You failed to mention Waddell’s gems like Tobias Enstrom. He’s easily the Thrashers’ best defenseman even as a rookie and was picked in the 8th round as 239th overall. While Exelby is no superstar, it’s fair to say he was a wise pick in the 8th round at 217 overall. Also, Waddell picked Lehtonen who is certainly a good goalie despite injury issues and the rough start this year. Don’s moves at the trade dealine last year are arguably what re-energized the Thrashers and helped them maintain their playoff spot. Both teams have been stifled by the ownership, but the Thrashers are better off.
By chuck e
January 28, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Bottom line…..ownership TOTALLY SUCKS!!! Bring on Steve Belkin, at least then you have ONE guy making the decisions. This group of spoiled incompetents is ridiculous!!!!
By woodie
January 28, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Man it sucks being an Atlanta fan.
Absolutely the worst sports city in America hands down…by far!
By NASCARfan
January 28, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
I vote for Booby Cox and the Braves. Choking away all of those Floptobers with some of the best teams baseball has ever seen, getting outmanaged by the like of Bruce Bochy and Jim Fregosi, wasting hot bats on the bench for veterans who’re hitting .187, totally mismanaging your pitching staff (both starters and releivers)…
Oh yeah, I vote for Booby Cox and the Braves.
By Thrashman
January 28, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Seriously Mark…Atlanta just got done having a great Hockey weekend and you write this piece of trash. In case you people missed it, we actually showed that Atlanta has great hockey fans and hosted a very exciting and memorable event. I was proud of my town this weekend, feeling some hope that the Thrashers can snap out of their slump…good ole’ AJC to try and bring it all down. Even with the up and down year they’ve had, starting 0-6, and with the Hossa possible trade cloud hanging above their heads, the Thrashers are still only 2 points out of first place in their division. I went to a Hawks game a few weeks ago and I was very happy with their play and energy, they definitely are improving.
I got a better idea for a column…which sportswriter is worse…Mark Bradley or Terrance Moore.
By Toxostoma Rufum
January 28, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
I’m really getting sick of the AJC. First the paper goes out of its way to deride the NHL All Star Game in Atlanta (the AJC had to retract its stance once it saw that the ASG was a huge success) and now this ridiculous unnecessary excerise in negativity. As for the Hawks, I am enjoying them this season (as I did last year too). It’s great to see them steadily improve. I enjoy sports, even when the results are subpar. Does the AJC enjoy anything?
It will take time and patience…just as learning to spell takes patience. Sadly, the AJC doesn’t even know what proofreading is. How about you fools learn how to spell before you get out your knives for every cultural institution in Atlanta.
Seriously, did Arthur Blank pay you to write this trash???
In the end, the AJC may as well not even cover hockey because I can assure you that the vast majority of hockey fans in Atlanta detest the AJC and would never even blow our noses with it.
By Matt
January 28, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
The solution is to move both losing franchises out of town and everyone cheer for the Celtics and Wings. This town doesn’t hold the crown of “Loserville” for nothing.
By Koby
January 28, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
If you really had to compare 2, I would say throw the Falcons in it as well. They are worse compared to the Hawks or Thrashers.
By Geraldo
January 28, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Atlanta is a slut that lays back, and lets anyone (f) her. Not a w*******, who would at least demand monetary compensation. NO she does it for free. Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, Braves.
To be an Atlanta fan is to be a LOSER.
By Tired, tired, tired
January 28, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Easy to see it is the Hawks. The record speaks for itself. Both Woody and BK need to go… far away. And if ownership is to dumb to see this, they need to get the he!! out of Atlanta as well.
By ThrashersGirl
January 28, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
What a ridiculous article to read after the most exciting hockey event Atlanta just hosted!!! I am proud Thrashers Fan and a disgusted reader. I am glad I don’t have a subscription to the AJC cause it would be a waste of money and am using that money to go watch exciting hockey games in Philips Arena. I read the piece on the first day of the All-Star weekend and the writer who wrote one of the pieces obviously did not watch the event because the hardest shot winner was NOT Lecavalier. IF that person was at the event, he would have known it was Chara with 103.1 mph who won that event. With that said, AJC do yourself a favor and hire some new journalists that actually know what they are talking about expecially sports and fans of the sports they are talking about. Yeah it’s ok to criticize the teams, coaches, ownership, etc., but for goodness sake, this weekend was a bad timing to totally bash the NHL All-Star game and the city of Atlanta hosting it. If you read other websites and newspapers, you would find that everyone loved the NHL All-Star game and enjoyed the festivities. I was disgusted to even find out on Sunday at the All-Star that the AJC was one of the sponsors for the event.
By Ticked Off
January 28, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
YOU SHOULD LOSE YOUR FREAKIN’ JOB FOR WRITING A COLUMN LIKE THIS. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT YOU WRITE FOR AN ATLANTA NEWSPAPER AND YOU WRITE CRAP LIKE THIS. WHO IS WORSE??? OH YOU WIN THAT BY FAR. WHY DON’T YOU QUIT YOUR JOB AND GO FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SPREAD YOUR CRAP?!??!? I’LL BE SURE AND EMAIL EVERYONE AT AJC THAT I CAN TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU TICKED ME AND MANY MANY OTHERS OFF!!!!!!! GET LOST!
By Joe
January 28, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, as long as the Hawks and Thrashers have a bunch of guys who are too poor to own a franchise on their own, both teams will continue to be awful. Too many cooks in the kitchen.
By KRHG
January 28, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
LET’S VOTE ON THE WORST NEWSPAPER IN ATLANTA - OH THAT’S RIGHT THERE IS ONLY THE AJC. WE HAVE A SPORTS EDITORIAL GROUP OF KEITH OBERMANS’ WHO ALWAYS HAVE A MOUTH FULL OF $HET TO SPEW ON EVERYONE.
By go thrashers
January 28, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
This is the biggest bunch of crap I have read in a long time. Like Thrashman said Atlanta just got hosting a very successful All Star weekend. I can see how you can thrash the hawks because the havent made a post season apperance this century, but lay off the thrashers. Go Thrashers.
By Jefferson
January 28, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
The Hawks are the worst. The Thrashers - recently over their honeymoon period, made the playoffs last year, so I give them the benefit of the doubt. As a franchise, the Hawks are worse than the Falcons and that is about as bad as it gets. To have such poor draft picks for so long, it sometimes seems like they are trying to lose. I am tired of losing teams. Atlanta has been a terrible sports town for a long time and it shows in the poor quality of teams we have.
By Scotus
January 28, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Your Blog is the worst.
By hop
January 28, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
hands down, the hawks are a total disgrace to the city.
when are the owners ever going to have the guts to fire billy( i don’t have clue) knight and he can also take the joke for coach with him as well.
By Geraldo
January 28, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
What? Are Atlantans supposed to be happy with p** sports teams? Should they just be happy they are graced with a pro team?
PUL-EASE. We can all tune in on the whatchamacallit doodad teevee thingy and see how the uppa crust live.
Atlanta is loserville, and the losers need to die. Go away.
As an aside, funny how the censor program allows slut, but blocks w h o r e.
By ATL Lifer
January 28, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
AJC has always been the most negative on the city’s sports! Totally ridiculous! I’ve been to forum where even Mayor Franklin asked why the AJC continually leans towards the negative! The coaches on the forum actually said they’d never worked in a city with such negative journalism and were surprised when they first started reading the AJC. Sadly, this forum was 4-5 years ago.
By Bob
January 28, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
The truth hurts I guess, but honestly, both teams blow. Good job ASG!
By Meat
January 28, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
THE WORST THING IN THIS SH**TY LOSER CITY IS THE FISHWRAP PAPER WRITTEN TO ATTRACT THE 3RD GRADE EDUCATED READERS. STICK TO THE RACE BAITING THAT YOU DO SO WELL AND LEAVE RESPONSIBLE REPORTING TO ANYONE ELSE!
SCREW YOU AJC!
By Meat
January 28, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
THE WORST THING IN THIS SH**TY LOSER CITY IS THE FISHWRAP PAPER WRITTEN TO ATTRACT THE 3RD GRADE EDUCATED READERS. STICK TO THE RACE BAITING THAT YOU DO SO WELL AND LEAVE RESPONSIBLE REPORTING TO ANYONE ELSE!
SCREW YOU AJC!
By Meat
January 28, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
THE WORST THING IN THIS SH**TY LOSER CITY IS THE FISHWRAP PAPER WRITTEN TO ATTRACT THE 3RD GRADE EDUCATED READERS. STICK TO THE RACE BAITING THAT YOU DO SO WELL AND LEAVE RESPONSIBLE REPORTING TO ANYONE ELSE!
SCREW YOU AJC!
By dj
January 28, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
How about f you for writing this article? No way hawks can be compared to the Thrashers. The Thrashers have improved on the record every year while the hawks have competed for the lottery every year. This is rough for the Thrashers but Hartley should have been gone at the end of last season. Those 6 loses are on him. Since then we are a 500 hockey club which will win our division something the hawks can’t even look to do. So, Mr. Bradley tell me this, who is worst writer for Atlanta? You or Schultz, I think it’s a trick question cause you both suck.
By scribe
January 28, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
speaking as Stephen A. Smith: Billy Knight is Horrible, Horrible! You passed on Chris Paul, Chris…Frekin’ Paul!
By James
January 28, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
Atlanta is a horrible sports city with horrible fans and horrible teams. Other than the Braves in 1995, when has Atlanta won a championship in a major sport ? I can only think of 1 in the last 40+ years.
By Ken
January 28, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Your a disgrace Mark Bradley…move if ya have to write trash like this…your a pathetic excuse for a journalist..
By smartguy
January 28, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
WOODSON IS A PLAYER KILLER.
FIRE THE UNDERTAKER!
FIRE THE UNDERTAKER!
By smartguy
January 28, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Woodson absolutely is THE WORST COACH IN ATLANTA HISTORY. Wait ‘til you see how good this team is without him.
By JMajor
January 28, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Ownership. The Thrashers have a great base of support and if they put together two or three playoff runs in a row they’d catch the city’s imagination. The Hawks…I don’t know enough about hoops…or care. It’s ownership. Teams that win are owned by owners who care. It’s not automatic (see Daniel Schneider in DC), but it’s a good indicator.
By gmlane
January 28, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
In a town where the Braves have finished in third the last two years, and well, we have the FALCONS, how do you even right this?
The Thrashers won their division last year, and are competitive again this year, while the Hawks would make the playoffs if the season ended today.
The only team in the last TWO years to make the playoffs from this city is the Thrashers.
I vote Falcons, and then Braves.
By John
January 28, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
I cannot believe I am even responding to this garbage. It is written as if a 12 year old wrote it. You hardly write any columns and when you do, they seem like you did it at the last minute. I could write better without any education in journalism.
By timmy jones
January 28, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Who is worse:
The FALCONS
-or-
The Bumbling, Incompetent, Egomaniacal Owner Artie Blank?
p.s. mike vick rapes puppies
By Mike
January 28, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
The Thrashers are clearly worse. Yes the Hawks haven’t made the playoffs since ‘99 but they have show steady improvement. They are at least on the right track unlike the Thrashers. Plus, its Atlanta, we get snow once every three years, our idea of cold is seeing frost on the grass when we leave home in the morning. Who cares about hockey?
By sunshine and thunder
January 28, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
There is a bright side. Neither team has been as bad, for so long, as the Falcons.
By Talon
January 28, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
I am outraged at this garbage… The best thing we could do is not respond or read his articles…maybe the ajc would realize the joke bunch of writers we have here….Atlanta true fans lets unite and show that this can be a great sports town!..GO THRASHERS! GO HAWKS! GO FALCONS! GO BRAVES! GO TECH! AND GO DAWGS!!
By timmy jones
January 28, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Who is worse:
The FALCONS
-or-
The Bumbling, Incompetent, Egomaniacal Owner Artie Blank?
p.s. mike vick rapes puppies
By Mike In Woodstock
January 28, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Worst team? The Falcons!
Seriously, I wish all Atlanta team owners would sell, dissolve, or move their franchises. They are all an embarrassment to the city.
By FLEE HOUND
January 28, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Who cares this is a football state. GO DOGS.
By robert
January 28, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Always great when the crappy AJC supports local sports.
Oh wait they don’t.
By DAN RYAN
January 28, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
I am a very “rare breed” An avid HAWK fan living in California. The game the other night…a loss..after a 15 point lead…REALLY HURTS. I was convinced we were going to win,. That being said…I am still convinced we will be in the playoffs. Why ??? Because we have the “youngest horses” in the league. I sincerely believe that if the point guard situation can be corrected we will go DEEP into the playoffs. I do not consider myself a “DREAMER” Dan, San Luis Obispo, California
By Andrew
January 29, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Thrashman, Terrance Moore is worse, Rodney Ho is a close second and Mark Bradley is an idiot for writing this trash talking piece.
By tiki
January 29, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
BRADDDLLEEYYYY… BRADDDDDDDLLEEEYYY… BBBBBBBRRRRRRAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDLEEEYYYYYY… YOU SUCK!
The AS has made mistakes, but why in the WORLD are you going to insult the home teams like that.
You are a worthless “reporter”.
By sunny aka atlsun
January 29, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
As much as I dislike bradley, I totally agree with him.
By Brendan
January 29, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Allright LOOK, people. The “timing” of this is admittedly bad. Buttttt, where is the media scrutiny in this town, if not found in the AJC? Could Waddell or Knight lasted this long in Philly, Boston, or Chicago? Allrightee then. The jury is dismissed, with the thanks of the court.
Honestly, some people do nothing but blow sunshine up the ASG’s posterior. Sad as it may be to say, Liberty, the Braves’ ownership, just might be the best of the bunch. And that’s an unfortunate reality.
But I’m not trying to be negative, here. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind—none WHATSOEVER—that the Atlanta Spirit Group, very much, wants to win. Probably moreso in basketball than hockey, but there it remains: They want to improve and win. I can’t fault them for that. What I can fault them for … is the ridiculous “decision-making” of both the Hawks and Thrashers, throughout the years. Not that both teams mess everything up royally, and invariably. It’s virtually impossible to screw up everything. Even a “blind squirrel” finds a nut. The Thrashers got Marc Savard for a “song.” They fleeced Anaheim for Nic Havelid, when Havelid was still good. Do you really miss Kurtis Foster? If you judged hockey GM’s exclusively on their ability to pick defensemen with 8th round picks, you could argue that Don Waddell is one of the best of them. Just don’t look at his 1st, 2nd, 3rd rounders with any sort of scrutiny, over 9 years’ worth of drafting.
But I digress. I think these guys, admittedly nice guys, got in over their heads. Too many chefs spoil the soup. David McDavid could have turned out to be an abject moron, for all we know. But he’d be shouldering the lion’s share of the heat or success right now. Instead, he’s an autodealer in Texas.
By the way, Mark Bradley, nice catch on the Woodson quote from 2005. The quote in its entirety reads as follows, “I’m not concerned about our record. Records are records. We can’t control our record.”
Mark Bradley, tell me … HONESTLY … you’ve been in the business a good long while now. Is that the WORST QUOTE you’ve ever heard from a Heach Coach, not only in the NBA, but in ANY major professional sport? Woodson should have been FIRED ON THE SPOT for that quote. Context or out of context. It’s an INDEFENSIBLE quote. And every time the Atlanta Hawks “suit up” in preparation for a game, and take practice shots … they’re DEFYING their coach. Woodson said he doesn’t think his team can control its record. Why bother playing, then???
By Lindsey
January 29, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
Nice way to trash our hockey team right after we hosted the All Star Game. That is complete rubbish. How can you write something that is so negative about the teams that represent city you live in? Oh wait, that’s right you work for the AJC. Instead of insulting our teams why don’t you write about how Atlanta has no real newspaper. You are a joke as a journalist.
By Najeh Davenpoop
January 29, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this
Oh come on. This may not be a great column, but Mark Bradley is clearly not the AJC’s worst writer. That honor clearly goes to Jeff Schultz.
Unless Hawks Hack qualifies as a writer.
By TRUTHSPEAKS150
January 29, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
No wonder no one wants tp play here,the negative,pesimistic,let’s look on the dark side of things are far to accepted here.From the fans all the way to the newspaper.Miami right now takes the cake:Heat,Dolphins,Marlins,Panthers,all the way to the Hurricanes,every one of those teams are in a state worse than the Atlanta teams.Atlanta is not the top by far,but to make it seem like we are the absolute worse is comical.Although it increasingly looks like we may have the worst set of fans in sports overall.
By Chas
January 29, 2008 4:51 AM | Link to this
I believe the Hawks need a coach, and my wife agrees.
By Marshall
January 29, 2008 5:37 AM | Link to this
Who really even cares?
By rob
January 29, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this
**Ya know what sucks, is the AJC…do you have a WE HATE HOCKEY COMPLEX!!!!
ALLS YOU DO IS BASH HOCKEY, and we as FANS are sick of it!!!!!!!!!!!**
**OK, LETS TAKE A POLL HERE, what is WORSE…THE NEW YORK TIMES OR THE AJC!!!!
VOTING ENDS NOW….LOSER IS THE AJC!!!**
By jerry
January 29, 2008 6:19 AM | Link to this
I could care less if they ever bounce another round ball. I relate more to the Thrashers. Guess why.
By Loserville
January 29, 2008 6:34 AM | Link to this
Following tradition in atlanta, both the hawks and thrashers really suck, but I think the hawks suck the most—how their incompetent Gm and coach keep their jobs is a question that scientists and philosophers will be debated for centuries.
By Karen
January 29, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this
I CANNOT believe you compared apples and oranges and reached a ‘conclusion.’ You have done a huge disservice to Atlanta’s sports fans and I hope they react accordingly by doing YOU the disservice of not buying the AJC. In a town that struggling with its sports franchises, you should be pumping the teams UP instead of stomping on them. I’m disgusted.
By sunny aka atlsun
January 29, 2008 6:43 AM | Link to this
jerry:I relate more to the Thrashers. Guess why.
because you are white?
By No Dawgs Here
January 29, 2008 6:47 AM | Link to this
The Hawks are a very young team. If they can keep a core group together, with the addition of one or two people, they may have a team that can reach the playoffs. The games they are currently losing aren’t by a whole lot. The Thrashers need some young blood to enter their organization. They have a slightly above average team. They play great offense, but are horrible on defense. Regardless of what sport it is, defense wins championships.
Atlanta’s fans and it’s own paper are quick to turn on their teams. This town is more “bandwagon” than any other town in America. Have some pride people. As for you Mark Bradley? You are indeed NOT a true Atlanta fan.
By ueif
January 29, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
THESE JERK SPORTS WRITERS WORKING FOR THE LOCAL FISH WRAPING NEWSPAPER ARE JUST FRUSTRATED WOULD-BE KING MAKERS. THEY HAVE NO POWER OF THE PEN TO FORCE OWNERS TO FIRE PEOPLE WITH THEIR OPINIONS LIKE THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE NORTHEAST AND IT IS EATING AT THEIR EGO!!!
By hockeyman 3944
January 29, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
In a sick way, the Thrashers are getting press coverage! Can’t be too bad of a thing when the sports brethren in the ATL is made up of footbawl, hoops and the occasional sighting of the Braves as they too trundle down the road to mediocrity. I dare say that the vast majority of the so called “fans” in this miserable sports town wouldn’t know a puck from a skate anyway so having the comparison made between the two franchises is free publicity. i also like the way its somehow “cool” to diss hockey even on the national airwaves. I guess the action must be a litle too fast for the southern inbreds that have to have the play stop every 5 seconds to either line up for the next play, get stopped for someone barely touching someone running around in their underwear or stop the whole game to watch the pitcher scratch his nutz, the batter step out of the box to re-adjust the velcro on his batting gloves that must have come incredibly loose after watching the last outside pitch. PLEEEZE…give me a break!! At least the players don’t end up on the police blotter and you know they’ll be in the lineup for the next game…
By lstone
January 29, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, you should be FIRED. The AJC has no hope with writers like you.
By sports fan
January 29, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
What is your deal!?! Neither one of the teams are terrible anymore. Think about it. You failed to mention how the falcons had a terrible season. The hockey program has only been around for about ten years. To even make it to the playoffs once in that time is good. Every team no matter what sport you are talking about, what region of the U.S. they are from, and whether it is college bound or is a professional sport has issues. STOP bashing Atlanta teams and pick some other teams as well. Who cares if you don’t care for basketball and hockey; there are some fans that do. I didn’t notice you bashing the Falcons for being horrible this season or the Braves for yet again failing to make it into the playoffs.
By ME
January 29, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
Mike Bradley, YOU SUCK!!!!! Keep your unintelligent, biased opinions to yourself!!! Get a life!!!
By sax
January 29, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
I wonder if the hawks could trade Marvin Williams and Sheldon Williams for Chris Paul.
By Ricardo
January 29, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
This ownership is a national embarrassment to the city of Atlanta. Why did they get rid of Bernie Mullin? Money. Why don’t the hire a hockey coach? Money. When don’t they fire the basketball coach? Money.
ASG should do all 3 of us remaining fans a favor and get out of town. They are a total joke! I used to blame Belkin for a lot of this, but not any longer. At this point, he looks like a genius for questioning his 47 partners on the Joe Johnson deal that ended up tearing their ownership group apart. Johnson is the best player we have on either team, but he’s not a winner. The next time he takes over in the fourth quarter of a tight game will be the first. What’s worse is the morons in charge actually expect us to believe that they know what they’re doing and the decisions they make aren’t about money, but rather based on how to make the teams better. Atlanta - be smarter than that! Don’t spend your money on cut rate products that the ASG has to offer! Get these idiots out of town (even the locals) and get a real owner in here who is accountable and willing to do what it takes to build a winner. Watch what happens when Josh Smith leaves town at the end of the year in some idiotic sign and trade.
By J
January 29, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe all the negativity here …
I still am ashamed at the support this town gets for its professional teams. To the dedicated fans who support their teams during the ups and downs, here here!
By Virginia
January 29, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
I know I should be used to it, but even I am shocked by the constant negativity generated by the AJC towards the Thrashers.
By Virginia
January 29, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
I know I should be used to it, but even I am shocked by the constant negativity generated by the AJC towards the Thrashers.
By Atlanta fan
January 29, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
This is the problem. Atlanta sports are not doing well because of articles like this. People continue to bash the teams instead of supporting them. You think fans uqit going to see the Packers when they have a bad season. NO!! Say something good about the teams pnce in a while. You will be the first to write a column about the Dirty Bird dance taking over or something stupid like that when it happens again.
By MikeJones
January 29, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
Great read. Loved every line of the article Mark. Thanks.
By NHL FAN
January 29, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
How can you compare basketball with hockey? What a waste of print! Grow up!
By woody
January 29, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
The truth is ATLANTA SPORTS ALL SUCK.
THE ONLY PRO TITLE ANY OF YOUR TEAMS HAVE IS ONE WORLD SERIES WIN.
THE FANS OF THIS CITY ALL TURN TO THE GA DAWGS FOR ANY RAY OF HOPE.
SO JUST AS THE THRASHER FANS SCREAM OUT “THE YOU SUCK” CHANT BEHIND THE OPPOSING TEAMS GOALIE. IT’S TIME TO INSTEAD CHANT….
ATLANTA
ATLANTA
ATLANTA
YOU SUCK
By Editor
January 29, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
A pitiful excuse for an article— preposterous assertions written to provoke amateur pontifications. Only good thing about clicking on the link is I now know to avoid reading anything written by this clown.
By TheHawksare
January 29, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
The Thrashers have yet to recover from the Dany Heatley/Dan Snyder (r.i.p.) auto accident and the Hawks have yet to recover from choosing Marvin, who didnt even start in college, 2nd overall and Shelden ‘Concrete Feet’ 5th overall - Josh Smith is exciting and has alot of upside but his abhorrent decision-making at crucial times is killing the Hawks - he has a tendency to go into ‘i’m still playing AAU’ mode too often and he single-handedly gives games away
By TerryD
January 29, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
I got a better idea for a column…which sportswriter is worse…Mark Bradley or Terrance Moore. DRAW… This would have been a better article! Thrashers win just because it is a better game.
By smartguy
January 29, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe that GOON (Woody) is still our coach today. I still love the team, and our players, but I will not put one more cent in the pocket of people who obviously don’t care about me back in return.
Apparently, the Spirit think its okay to drag the fans through mud, to kick them, spit on them, and then tell them everything just fine. ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH.
By Crazy Diamond
January 29, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Flip a coin. Same ownership = same problems.
These teams cannot compete due to the disagreeable ownership arrangement. Solve that problem and maybe things can improve.
By GA Native
January 29, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
Thrashers suck
Hawks suck
Faalcons suck
Braves beginning to suck again
Atlanta’s Professional Sports Sucks
By kunta
January 29, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
u all r a bunch of losers
By YuppieScum
January 29, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
I’ve attended over 500 Hawks games, and they interest me less now than ever before. The NBA is unwatchable. At least the Thrashers games are relatively interesting to watch. However, both teams are weak. Bottom line - I DON’T CARE!
By Patman
January 29, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Atlanta teams have always been a picture of incompetence and mediocrity. Even during the rare years that they’re winning, they always find a way to screw it up in crunch time. The 1987-88 Hawks, who went up 3-2 against the Celtics in the 2nd round only to fool around and lose game 6 and eventually the series, are just one example. I just don’t know what it is. People from other cities always criticize Atlantans for not supporting their teams but after forty something years of the same old stuff, wht is there to support? Mr “Give up three players for Rex Chapman.” isn’t always right but he has a point here. I’m at the point where I almost wish we didn’t have pro sports at all.
By Atlanta fan
January 29, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Whoever Woody is that wrote that comment is a real turd and should move if Atlanta sucks so bad.
By SKINFAN
January 29, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
There’s a choice here?? The “Spirit” need to wake up an get some names in here. Proven coaches. And vets that put butts in the seats. Further, they should consider REDUCING the costs of tickets for these lousy, divisional basement occupants. The Hawks have NO business charging what they do for a fan to attend a game. Mike Woodson is and continues to be a sub par coach. He was an assistant to Larry Brown a hundred years ago. I know its the talent Mike, but you have to make Billy see the light. Billy Knight is the Village Idiot. Why on earth would you build a team with the SAME type of player? Zsa Zsa IS NOT a center, he’s just a big plodding body. The others are kids. They would be benchwarmers on other teams, what makes you think they are starters, Billy? There is no cohesion and no HEART. The Threashers I don’t get. They win then they lose for a while. Like the Hawks, they have no HEART. A love of the game. A desire to play the game all out. “Crash” Heatley left and thrived. Heck Favre was Jason Terry was traded and is thriving. Diaw was traded and is doing well. WHAT IS IT ABOUT ATLANTA??? HEART!!!!
By Realistic Fan
January 29, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
This is why the Hawks and Thrashers are not more popular in the city of Atlanta.
Both teams have made strides towards being better. Are there problems and issues that need to be worked through? Yes! But it can’t be said that the Hawks and Thrashers aren’t better than they were 5 years ago.
Marvin is not Chris Paul, ok, it’s time to accept that. However he’s a solid player in his own right and makes a good contribution to this team.
Why not focus on the success of BK’s most recent pick Al Horford? That wasn’t a lock by most of the “experts” but BK stuck by his evaluations and came out with a player garnering serious ROY consideration.
Don made a tough decision to fire Hartley, but the Thrashers responded and have been .500 since, and actually took the division lead at one point.
For these teams to be truly successful they need support from the home media and fans. Continuing to focus on both of these teams like it’s 2003 and not 2008 will just allow the negative atmosphere to continue.
Until the AJC and FOX 5 and all the other media outlets actually give credit where credit is due the people who aren’t paying attention like they should be will believe the Hawks and Thrashers are abominations, when it’s simply not true.
Both of these teams have made strides and deserve credit for the steps they’ve taken to supply Atlanta with successful teams.
Hawks and Thrashers are both playoff bound in 07-08 and instead we get this kind of negative propagana?
What a disgrace to the city of Atlanta to have to read a rag like this.
By slick
January 29, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
all the teams in atlanta are bad from the braves to the hawks, and the thrashers
By Loyal_Fan
January 29, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Pro sports in Atlanta fail because of three things:
1) Atlanta was a city of 580,000 swelled to 2+ million on TRANSPLANTS who WILL NOT CHANGE THEIR LOYALITY. The Flames & Hawks had a loyal base that weren’t transplants in the 70’s & 80’s.
Today, it seems like there are more of the other team’s fans at Phillips or the Dome than out team.
2) Our sports teams lack PATIENCE. We rebuild every 5 years. Stick to a program and let it build (example — BRAVES)
3) College football is KING! College football is to Atlanta what pro football is to Dallas, Cleveland or Green Bay. The Falcons will NEVER be #1
By wilburn
January 29, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
I had been a supporter of Woodson as coach of the Hawks. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. The deeper we get into what started out as a promising season;the more obvious it becomes that he is not the answer to the puzzle. The hawks should be playing at an uptempo pace,to do that you have to get the ball(rebound).Getting rebounds is a by-product of playing good sound defense..The team is not committed to playing defense the way they need to be..Another thing that Woody is guilty of is not playing players that need to be getting playing time.Example:Salim Stoudamire,Shelden Williams.It seems to me that certain players are singled out and placed in the Doghouse.These players are grown men and need to be treated as such.Just because you are the coach doesn’t mean you have all of the answers.I think the time has come for a change..
By Jim
January 29, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
Who cares about either one?
By Justin
January 29, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
How about: “Which one is better?”
Love the positive attitude.
By M&M
January 29, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Mark, Do you know ANYTHING about sports and/or writing? Wow! You’re attitude toward sports is just awful and negative. Also, we need to try to increase the interest in the sport of hockey in Atlanta and with articles like this, you’re not helping the situation. First and last time reading your “stuff”.
By JessicaThrash
January 29, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
I swear I am going to cancel my subscription to the AJC. I mean, you guys tear down our teams more than build them up. No talents hacks…. and I am NOT talking about our teams.
By JessicaThrash
January 29, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
I swear I am going to cancel my subscription to the AJC. I mean, you guys tear down our teams more than build them up. No talents hacks…. and I am NOT talking about our teams.
By Itoro in Nashville
January 29, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
If I were to be the owner of the Hawks:
I don’t really know where you go from here…but, I think that would be my top objectives.
And…PLENTY OF SEATS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!!!
By Woody
January 29, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
YEA YEA MOVE. ALWAYS THE SAME PATHETIC ANSWER.
WHY WOULD I MOVE CAUSE YOUR PRO TEAMS SUCK?
WHY DONT YOU MOVE TO A PLACE THAT HAS WINNING SPORTS TEAMS THAT YOU SO CRAVE!
By Jeff
January 29, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Who cares about any sports team? They are just a bunch of jocks who are way overpaid for PLAYING a freaking GAME! Gimme a break! May they all fail miserably. Maybe we could focus on something important now?
By the birdman
January 29, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
The Hawks have NO legitimate GM or Coach, and their draft record stinks! Look at the articale today in this newspaper about Point Guard Chris Paul leading New Orleans to it’s ninth straight win!! The Hawks passed him by, and don’t have a semblance of a point guard!
The owners neet to clean house!!
The Birdman
By BOI
January 29, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Subscription = canceled.
I hope you die.
By $ Bill
January 29, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
I have always loved sports but I totally lose interest when it comes to the Thrashers and the Hawks because of their lack of direction and winning ways. Get some people into the front office that can spot talent and provide leadership. I’ll continue to root for my hometown teams until things change in Atlanta.
By jm
January 29, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
The management is a farce, and Waddell’s ego won’t allow him to face facts and hire a coach. All of this will mean Hossa will be lost to us, unless some miracle happens. GET LEHTONEN OUT OF THE #1 GOALIE SLOT — he doesn’t deserve it! He’s woefully inconsistent, and is always getting injured. Give the job to Moose, who by all accounts is a hard-working, great player and good guy. Atlanta has always had mediocre sports teams because the fans, media and team management have been indifferent. I remember when the Braves were so bad they couldn’t even give away free tickets on the radio! Tell owners like Arthur Blank to BACK OFF, get coaches and players who want to win, and maybe we’ll have something worth paying money to see.
By Laura
January 29, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
How in the world do you compare two teams from two totally different sports to see which one is “worse?” And so soon after the All Star Game, too. Thank you for continuing to make Atlanta look like a bunch of hockey morons, AJC. At least everywhere else in the sport they enjoyed and appreciated the festivities this weekend. Sad our hometown press could care less.
By C
January 29, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Go Thrashers!!
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