Sports Columnists

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:

1. Fire Billy Knight immediately.
2. Bring in Coleangelo (I probably mispelled his name) from the Raptors to take his place.
3. Fire Mike Woodson.
4. Replace him with Terry Porter
5. Sign a true point guard!

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

As a longtime hockey fan (remember the FLAMES?) I naturally prefer the Thrashers, although I am VERY FRUSTRATED with their inconsistent performance this season.

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!!

By Keeping It Real

January 29, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Even though both the Hawks and the Thrashers lose more than they should, at least they are exciting to watch. The worst team in Atlanta is the Braves even when they win. They all look alike , they are boring, they are arrogant, the games are too long, and it costs too much to watch them play. The Braves are proof that winning is not everything.

By the come up

January 29, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

atlanta have no real sports i mean the ownership on every team sucks the decision makers for every team sucks its bad when your football hockey basketball and baseball teams suck i wish i was born and raised n boston

By Get a life

January 29, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

I just wanted to share my displeasure with the AJC and also to make you aware that you have lost another customer. The day you start respecting the local sports scene and its fans is the day that I will return. Your coverage of the NHL Allstar game was insulting and laughable. Then the day after you retract that view and shine a glimmer of praise on the event you previously questioned whether anyone cared. Today you were back to your old tricks .. see the Mark Bradley article ” Whitch team is worse ? ” …I cannot continue to pay for negativity towards sporting teams that I support as should the AJC. Get real and focus on your customer base …not everything is going to be positive, I realize this. However, I struggle to ever find anything worth reading when it comes to your coverage of the Thrashers and other teams in general. Cancel my subscription effective today.

By KZ_Guy

January 29, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

The Hawks are clearly the worse. The first step for improvement would be to fire Woodson only if Billy Knight was sitting in his lap at the same time.

By Iceman

January 29, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Typical AJC. Atlanta comes off a great weekend, hosting the all star game which turned out to be a great success, and they write this buncha junk. Are you kidding me?

By Pucksdeep

January 29, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

I used to think that Terrance Moore was awful and I still do, but THIS Mark Bradley is absolutely ridiculous. On the heals of such an incredible event, such awesome exposure and priceless moments this is the garbage that our city’s paper, A SPONSOR OF THE EVENT NO LESS, is publishing. Wow..

Oh and No Hope you’re way off. Pitchers and catchers report in 17 days. Perhaps if you read something besides this trash, or were even a fan at all, you would know that.

GO THRASHERS!!

By David Duke

January 29, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Who cares about either the Hawks or Thrashers? Hockey is a stupid game played by morons and watched by imbeciles. No true sports fan watches that mess. It’s just a bunch of Canadians and other riff-raff skating around, herding a little, plastic, rat-turd looking pellet. The Thrashers will be closing up shop pretty soon and we won’t have to be bothered by news of how lousy they are. As for the Hawks, same story, only no ice involved. Professional basketball is as boring as Hockey and is played by guys who can’t speak English any better than the Hockey guys. Get both franchises out of here!

By Edward

January 29, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Flip a coin.

By woody

January 29, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

I am a hockey fan. I wanted to be THRASHER fan real bad. I have a Thashers jersey. Early on I went to Thrasher games and rooted for them, but they haven’t progressed. When I lived in Florida in 1995 I became and decent FLA PANTHERS Fan when they went to the CUP. However, until the THASHERS really show me something it will be hard to change my true allegiance.

My true NHL team is the PENGUINS and they have MALKIN and CROSBY.

I’ll see you Thrashers fans on Wednesday.

Let’s GO PENS.

By timmythebrave

January 29, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Did you know that the Thrashers won the division last year? Did you know they are only 2 points off from taking the division lead. Neither do your readers. I have seen both of these teams play. I would say that they are both are not bad teams. They aren’t great teams either but I would not be surprised if both teams make the playoffs. To me that means you are at least decent if you make the playoffs.

By BigRedDogg

January 29, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

My vote for worst Atlanta team would be the Hawks. The Trashers at least have exciting games and are fun to watch. The Hawks just break your heart.

By brownthrasher

January 29, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

I really wish we had competition in this one-horse of a paper town so that we could debate about which newspaper is worse. Considering we have only one piece of trash in this city, the vote is unanimous that the AJC is far worse than the Hawks, Thrashers, Falcons and Braves combined. Find some real sports to write about.

By Billsen

January 29, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

“No hope” - you’re an idiot. There are plenty of hockey fans in this town. Go to a game or two, and you’ll see them.

Part of the the Thrashers problem is that the Atlanta Spirit Group is spending well under the cap. That, coupled with a court order that prohibits contracts longer than 4 years is what is hurting the team.

By Iceman

January 29, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Hahahahaha David Duke…hahahah.

You’re a moron.

By woody

January 29, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

THE THRASHERS HAVE GREAT FANS. ITS ALWAYS A RAUCUS TIME WHEN I GO. THE THRASHERS HAVE A GOOD TEAM THIS YEAR! BRADLEY DOESNT KNOW WHAT HE’S TALKING ABOUT.

By MB

January 29, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Pay no attention to Mark.

He’s just upset because his beloved Kentucky Mildcats are the third worst team in the SEC, barely hanging on to .500, and are only mentioned nationally to say how embarassing it is for such a storied program to be so very bad.

That, and he realizes that he’s working for a paper in decline that jettisons long-time staffers annually to cut costs and that has become nothing more than an aggregator of wire stories and press releases, with the exception of those exciting weekly features on the Francouer’s new home.

By Northwest Dawg

January 29, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Have you ever heard the phrase, “don’t shoot the messenger?”

What would you rather have Bradley write, that everything is peachy in lollipop land? The Hawks suck. It needs to be stated every single day as many times as possible until someone wakes up and fires Woody and Knight. The Hawks suck. The Hawks suck. How is stating the obvious such bad journalism? The Hawks suck. Oh yea, Dennis Felton does too and so do hockey fans.

By Crazy Diamond

January 29, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

I’m sure Bernie Mullin does not miss “journalisim” like this.

By George Holman

January 29, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Woodson is clearly the worst coach in Atlanta professional sports history, making Marion Campbell look like Lombardi by comparison.
Anyone doubting me should look at the last 32 seconds of the Portland game on Sunday night. Terrible, Terrible, Terrible!

By T.C

January 29, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

AJC has always been negative and it starts from the top.there the only news paper buisness in this town and they know that they can get away with negative crap because of that.str8 craaaaaaaaapy AJC will always suck.

By Jack

January 29, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Atlanta has NBA and NHL teams? Wow!

By David Duke

January 29, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

That moronic laugh sums it up Iceman. No brain! Typical Thrashers’ fan with an IQ of less than seventy and with nothing smacking of intelligence to say. Do you go to the Thrashers’ games at Boo Land or do you just watch them on satellite in the trailer? The Thrashers, praise God, will be just an unpleasant memory within two years. Then you’ll have to find something else to be enthusiastic about. do you like Curling?

By Fast Freddy

January 29, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I am not sure which franchise is worrst, the Trashers or the Hawks. However, Terrance Moore is the worst sports columnist at the AJC.

By Fast Freddy

January 29, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I am not sure which franchise is worrst, the Trashers or the Hawks. However, Terrance Moore is the worst sports columnist at the AJC.

By ATLplayer

January 29, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

“the playoffs if the postseason started today, while the Hawks, not exactly on merit, would.” be in…Now that statement is asinine. The Hawks have won enough games to this point to merit a playoff spot…the NBA haven’t given them anything! Heck the NBA even took back a win!! They fight hard with missing pieces and win when they shouldn’t. Their issue now is winning when they should. MARK BRADLEY you lost me with that statement about the PLAYOFFS.

By JJ

January 29, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Mike Woodson is the worst coach in the NBA. With all the talent the Hawks have, they should be a contender in the East. Bring in Phil Jackson and see what he could do with talent.

By CDS

January 29, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Any half-competent GM in the NBA would’ve fired Woodson 3 years ago. Yet Billy Knight keeps spoon feeding us this “They are young. Be patient.” crap on us for years now so that we wouldn’t notice how shoddily this team is put together. Meanwhile, Portland (the youngest team in the league) has improved dramatically and Chris Paul has led the Hornets to the best record in the West.

Fire the GM and the coach. This is why the Hawks are such a poorly run franchise. Woodson is worse than Lon Kruger.

By Nascar_Dave

January 29, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Mark Bradley I find this article absolutely hilarious! IT’S SO TRUE! I don’t understand what all these babies are crying about? Mark Bradley is just tellin it like it is! The Hawks and the Trashers just SUCK! It’s not the teams’ fault, it’s the management and ownership. Keep up the pressure, Mark Bradley!!!

By Gray Mule

January 29, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Comparing apples and oranges? Sure. They both have the same owners, that’s why. Why all the negetive stuff? Because the Atlanta fans want winning teams in both sports and many feel that things could be better. Sure, both the Thrashers and the Hawks are better than they used to be. They can both be even better.

Spring training opens soon and the Braves will once again give us hope - Which we have every spring.

Arena football - Atlanta has a winner in that league. WNBE has a new Dream in the big A so now we have all the bases covered.

Mark Bradley is right. Atlanta wants and deserves some winners around here!!

By Basketball Mind

January 29, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Mike Woodson departure is long overdue.He is not a head coach, a career assistant. Billy Knight should pack his bags and follow Mike out of town. The two of them have killed the franchise.If ownership can’t see this, maybe they should sell the team to someone that understands the NBA game. The roster has talent,but no coaching. This team has enough talent to be the 4th or 5th best team in the Eastern Conference this year.They seriously need better coaching, especially in games that come down to the wire. With better coaching I see at least 8 maybe 9 of those 22 loses they should have won.

By X Should Take Your Head Off

January 29, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

A better article would be “Bradley, Moore, or Shultz: Who is the Worst Sports Columnist Writing for the AJC?”

I wouldn’t use your column as toilet paper; it would be redundant.

By Ronald

January 29, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

it time for the owenership of the Hawks and the Thrasher to take a stand to get real of the so call dumb Mangerment people that are running the orginization Billy Knight Don Wadell you know those two making fool of you making so stop looking stubit the owenship don’t know anything and the Billy Don Wadell is taking advanage or them drafting of player they don’t need it would be nice to see owenship make a change for the good of the team and the origanization

By Cawks and Trashers

January 29, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

It amazes me that you “Thrashers fans” are p** about Bradley’s column. He wasn’t talking about the All-Star game. Since when does the All-Star game have an impact on what the local teams do? And what Atlantan is truly happy about the direction of either franchise?

Trash — We have made the playoffs ONCE. Read that again. ONCE. And we were swept by a mediocre Rangers team. Waddell has had a long leash. It’s time to cut it and let him go. This team is not set up to do anything in the playoffs this season or next, for that matter. Come on. Wake up people! Don’t we expect better?

Hawks — I grew up in the 80s in Atlanta and we actually had a team to root for back then. Finally, after ten years, I think we have one now too. The problem is, we have a coach who is completely clueless. He slows the game down when these guys are unstoppable when they run. It’s mindboggling to watch them lose to teams they should beat. Fire Knight. Fire Woodson. And resign Josh Smith now!!!

Wake up Atlanta. We should expect more. Quit whining about the All-Star game and come back to reality.

By Yurtle_the_turtle

January 29, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

I read somewhere that Billy Knight has an erection because he thinks the Hawks winning 18 games so far is exciting. He is the biggest joke ever to hit this city. The Thrashers have been mediocre but the Hawks an embarrassment. I will not attend a Hawks game until the Knight-mare is fired.

By MrBaseball

January 29, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Both teams just suck, period. There is no hope for either franchise—-the owners are idiots and the morons they have running both teams know less about sports than Hannah Montana. I used to have season tickets to the hawks, but game them up 2 years ago because they suck and never get better. I hope both sorry franchises leave town and don’t come back.

By Yurtle_the_turtle

January 29, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

I read somewhere that Billy Knight has an erection because he thinks the Hawks winning 18 games so far is exciting. He is the biggest joke ever to hit this city. The Thrashers have been mediocre but the Hawks an embarrassment. I will not attend a Hawks game until the Knight-mare is fired.

By CAG

January 29, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

David Duke = BIGGEST IDIOT in Atlanta. You and half the people in this vent have no clue what your talking about.

Thrasher’s gone in 2 years? Please! You know nothing about sports.

The Hawks have been around for decades and they still suck. The Thrashers are a newer franchise and still fill more seats than the Hawks. I went to a Thursday game a couple weeks ago and it was almost sold out. The Thrasher’s games are way more exciting, but you probably wouldn’t know because you’ve never been. IGNORANT.

Who was the last Atlanta team to even make the playoffs??? Ya the THRASHERS.

Mark Bradley, you should wait until we get our new WNBA team and then compare them to the Hawks. But hopefully you’ll be fired by then.

By Nolepuck

January 29, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

My family and I have subscribed to the various forms of the AJC since 1967. That is until today. I have been an avid Atlanta sports fan for many years and cannot believe that you idiots would embarass our town and yourselves with the Hawks/Thrashers negativity during a weekend when the world was focused on our city. Do you morons understand that if you successfully run these team out of town (as you so desire) you may become washed-out and unemployed sports journalists? Here’s an idea. SUPPORT our teams! If you do so, you might help to save the teams and have something besides the Dawgs and Jackets to write about. You guys are truly an embarassment.

By Brian Smith

January 29, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

This type of article certainly won’t help either franchise improve. Let’s just hope a guy like Marian Hossa, who is trying to decide where he wants to continue his hockey career, doesn’t read the AJC. Seeing a reputable Atlanta reporter like Mark Bradley crush his team in the hometown nerwspaper surely wouldn’t help sway him towards staying.

This article is really no surprise, though. Not after reading the negative articles published in the AJC over the All-Star weekend. Rather than celebrate the All-Star game and the surrounding events, the AJC decided to point out all of the reasons why hockey shouldn’t survive in Atlanta. You would think the local newspaper would be proud of its hockey team and might just publish something positive for a change. Nope. Thankfully, other reporters from around the world did the AJC’s job.

By Brian Smith

January 29, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

This type of article certainly won’t help either franchise improve. Let’s just hope a guy like Marian Hossa, who is trying to decide where he wants to continue his hockey career, doesn’t read the AJC. Seeing a reputable Atlanta reporter like Mark Bradley crush his team in the hometown nerwspaper surely wouldn’t help sway him towards staying.

This article is really no surprise, though. Not after reading the negative articles published in the AJC over the All-Star weekend. Rather than celebrate the All-Star game and the surrounding events, the AJC decided to point out all of the reasons why hockey shouldn’t survive in Atlanta. You would think the local newspaper would be proud of its hockey team and might just publish something positive for a change. Nope. Thankfully, other reporters from around the world did the AJC’s job.

By Tyger

January 29, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Atta boy, Kick’em when their Down

What a sorry state of affairs.

How does this guy keep a job?

The worst coach in ATL history? Ever heard of Bobby Petrino blow-hole?

Why do we even read this? Where does he get his info? www.monkeysht.com

Why would you ruin a perfectly good inquisition with fool statements like that? No accountability is why.

Woody has no business carrying less than 2 wins right now on this current road trip. Thats a fact!

But in his defense, he put the game into his star’s hands. JJ lost that game in Portland.

Brandon Roy showed why he’s a legitimate All-star and JJ only brought more suspicion upon himself.

With 33 precious seconds left, JJ literally dribbled out the shot clock and turned the ball over to Brandon Roy to win the game. It was unbelievable and un-becoming of a MAX contract player.

Just a bad game, NO! Superstars dont lose games like that, they just dont let it happen, their too focused on getting the job done.

Down the stretch, Brandon Roy didnt take a shot any further from the rim than a couple of inches.

Choices, decisions, leadership - this is what we missed when we passed over Roy for Shelden.

While the simpletons continually harp on Chris Paul, the real prize was Roy and the alternative was Rudy Gay. But to appease, BK passed on talent for size and now this?

Shelden doesnt play and Roy punches you in the gut twice in one week, while leading his team of sophomores to the playoffs.

But, dont stop there. What can anyone REALLY do? Who do you talk to? Is the court order in effect? Can they make deals beyond 3 years? Does Belkin have veto power? Do you cut the deal with BK or the 7 headed monster which is Atlanta Spirit?

By KUAF

January 29, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

IT IS NICE TO KNOW THAT CURLY, LARRY, AND MOE ARE STILL WORKING AT THE AJC SPORTS DEPARTMENT

By KURIUG

January 29, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

I AM HAPPY TO SEE THAT CURLY, LARRY, AND MOE ARE EMPLOYED BY THE AJC IN THE SPORTS DEPT.

By BLACKARTBLANK

January 29, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

bla, blah, blah blah! You people are silly. We’ll most of you. Bradley is a clown in mascots clothing. We must support our players they are the ones in the game if we wont better management then we must demand it. Atlanta isnt a bad sports town its just that the people here who can affor or even have time to go these games arent from Atlanta to begin with. I was born and raised in this city. I refuse to let you clowns on this blog or the clowns at the AJC continue to disrespect it. If you dont like what we have her quit your job and go back where you came from!!!!!!!!!! Its not hard trust me we wont miss you or think any less of you. :)

GO FALCONS GO BRAVES GO HAWKS GO THRASHERS GO DREAM

By Hawksfan

January 29, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Knight’s first 4 first round picks were wrong? I think those were Chills, Marvin, Shelden and Horford. (Diaw in ‘03 I think was pre-Knight—and I do not think he was a bad pick; just badly misused by Woodson.)

Okay Marvin and Shelden were bad picks. I am not on the nationwide Deng bandwagon, although perhaps he is a bit better than Chills. But dissing Horford? Is Bradley drinking the Terrence Moore-Mike Conley koolaid? Does any AJC sportswriter other than Sekou ever attend or watch a Hawks game? Horford is a stud who would be leading rookie of the year candidate if it were not pre-ordaned that poorly-shooting Durant was the man.

Free the Hawks—fire Woodson!

By BillyBob

January 29, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

I just don’t understand. Draft after Draft. Top 5 pic after top 5 pick for years and we are still not expected to make the playoffs.

Forget the top brass. It’s all coaching.

By Tom Brady

January 29, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

I thought sports reporters actually talked about sports? It is amazing that the AJC continues to be negative to ALL Atlanta sports….and they continue to keep their jobs!!! I wonder what the teams would do with SUPPORT???

By Headlines

January 29, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Might as well add the Braves and the Falcons to that list. These two teams are pitiful as well. None of them are going anywhere but the bottom of the barrel. Wouldn’t it be nice if they all just left town tonight. What a DREAM come true.

By GT80

January 29, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

I like the post that said “Which AJC writer is worse, Bradley or T Moore.”

Mark, I used to think you were a pretty good writer but you’re dropping into the Terence realm. This was a lazy article, you didn’t offer any real insight, just regurgitated tired old issues. Don’t become another TM. We can read the high school newspapers to get that level of writing ability.

On the subject at hand, how Billy Knight can still have a job after what he’s done is beyond me.

By Chris

January 29, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Wow. Unbelievable. You write stuff like this and wonder why the fan base isn’t expanding. Writers like you, and the AJC in general, are doing everything they can it seems to keep fans AWAY from the Thrashers and Hawks. And you can’t even get your facts straight, you moron. You say it’s DW’s fault that all he has fleshed out is Kovy and Hossa? Remember Heatley?I’m sure you do, that was a negative thing that happened, I’m sure you were all over it. But DW was building a team around two dynamic, future superstar players, and Heatley screwed that up. But it was also DW that pulled off an amazing last minute trade to get Hossa. DW’s five year plan was on track before the Heatley incident. He revived the career of Marc Savard, who left for more money and family matters, something DW had no control over. And what about Exelby? Enstrom? Lehtonen? How much control did DW have over all the exploding goalie groins a few years ago? You obviously don’t follow the Thrashers… quit talking trash about something you know nothing about. Nothing but Kovy and Hossa? The Thrashers DID make the playoffs last year with ONLY Kovy and Hossa, by the way…
And even on the flip side of this, I don’t follow pro basketball that much, partly because the Hawks have been so bad. But because I don’t follow it closely, I get my info by osmosis… and I read articles like this (only because I was listening to the radio and they were talking about what a piece of crap this article was) and see why the Hawks and Thrashers both have images far worse than they deserve. The AJC’s image for being a piece of trash with horrible writers and lazy journalism is well deserved, though. Keep up the crappy work… it’s good to know I’m not missing ANYTHING by not reading the AJC.

By FrustratedAtlantaFan08

January 29, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

I’m with HawksFan1010. Atlanta Spirit Group, please sell the team, for the sake of the city! At least the Falcons owner, Arthur Blank, is trying to win and has money to improve the team. This at least gives Falcons fans hope. There is no hope when you fire someone as good as Bernie Mullen and keep people as inept as Billy Knight and Mike Woodson!

By Fan

January 29, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Mark, do you plan to respond to the comments on this piece of trash article you call journalism? Maybe you are fighting for your job since you just cost your paper several subscribtions. In case you missed it, in addition to this blog, you have been trasherd all over Atlanta sports radio today. You should be ashamed.

By Keeping It Real

January 29, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Mark,

Rest at ease. Do not question your opinions based on the responses to this blog and/or Atlanta’s impotent talk radio shows. Both medias do an excellent job of getting public reaction which is your job. Keep writing for the entertainment.

By Bob

January 29, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

I’d like to thank Bradley for writing this. In real hockey towns, the local rag would have been on the back of this inept ownership long ago and relentlessly. Re-read what Bradley wrote, but this time take the blinders off and see the situation objectively. Both clubs have spun their wheels for years, both clubs have inept GMs, both clubs have the same ownership group.

I’ve been wanting the AJC to start to hold these guys accountable for a long time now. It’s fans who accept mediocrity and losing season after losing season that are part of the problem. If you’re going to keep going to buy overpriced tickets and certainly overpriced brews and dogs for the mediocre product they put out, why would the owners have any impetus to improve?

It’s not the AJC’s job to sell tickets to either team.

This article does more good for us fans, than some fluff piece. It holds the owners accountable to putting a quality product on the ice, and on the hardwood.

So, kudos to Bradley and keep it up, mabye the Spirit boys will feel the heat and deliver the goods (new competent GMs for both clubs is the first necessary step). That would be the best for all involved, the owners, we fans, heck, even the AJC as there’d be more interest in the local clubs.

By Matt

January 29, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

The AJC in general is a joke. The day after the Thrashers went into Detroit and beat the #1 team in the NHL, they are relegated to a spot near the bottom of the front page, not even the cover story in sports. Forget the Thrashers or Hawks being a joke. You guys are. No support for the local teams, and you wonder why Atlanta catches so much flack as being a horrible market.

By David Duke

January 29, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Hey Gag, I know plenty about sports. For instance, I know Hockey isn’t a sport. It’s an activity for bothersome transplants who have nothing of substance to do. I’d rather watch paint dry. It’s much more entertaining. this miserable team, it is a team isn’t it, will be goint somewhere else within two years and I can’t wait to wave bye bye to the bus as it heads back north to Canada. The folks in the frozen, boring north appreciate ice puckey but we don’t give a hoot about ice here, unless it’s in some good whiskey. Now shut your yapper and watch your precious thrash trash. you don’t have much longer to do that. Rooookooooooo. Rookookookookooo.

By David Duke

January 29, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

Who cares about the Hawks? Basketball, at the professional level, is a joke. No one really cares about the Hawks and it’s a good thing too. If people cared they’d be awfully disappointed. But they don’t, so move ‘em on out of here. Hopefully, the Atlanta Spirit will soon be broke, destitute, bankrupt and out of business. I can’t wait. We don’t need no professional basketball or ice puckey team.

By David Duke

January 29, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

I salute Mark for bringing up the inadequacies of these two lousy teams. It’s high time we all let the ownership know we don’t give a hoot in darneydoodle about any professional basketball ore ice puckey. I hate ice puckey!

By The Other Bob

January 29, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

David Duke - Your a tool! Your a complete moron and a fool.

But hey, anyone who reads your mindless idiocy on the Falcons blog already knows that.

Let me guess…you have 3 broken down Cameros in your front yard and you THRIVE to get that washer on your porch working one day? Right?

Your simply a typical red neck who isn’t smart or quick enough to follow a sport that does not leave you 45 seconds between plays to keep up with what’s going on. One has to be intelligent enough to follow action non-stop.

Still living with mommy?

Not a lot of thinking has to go on watching your sports….and even you take such stupidity to new lows.

Your too stupid to follow hockey or basketball!

You dolt!

By GT

January 29, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

Mark check your own win loss record. I think the Northside Neighbor is shooting out more copy.

By by needs

January 29, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

need a coach who knows how to manage time I love the hawks not the way they are being manage

By RBattle

January 29, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

I AM THRU!!! After watching the pheonix game, I’m done! There has to be a better coach on the hawks staff. Give someone else a chance. Mike can’t get it done. I’ll tune in next year.Bye!!!!

By Luis Malave

January 29, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

This is totally embarrasing! I wonder what the team owners think about during this pathetic display from the Hawks. This is an example of poor coaching. As strange as it may seem, the Hawks lost this game in the first couple of minutes of the game. They look like a team that does not practice with each other. Nothing good comes out of an offense that has everybody standing around and nobody moving to get open. The only two Hawks that consistently move without the ball and cut through the middle are Marvin and Chills. For you Marvin haters, cut it out. This guy is not a bust, he will get better and better. Sheldon, on the other hand, was a terrible mistake. He has no game and he looks like he is guarding himself. I want to know what kind of commitment to improve the ownership has when Mike Woodson clearly can not get the job done. He has improved the last three years? Wins in the teens, 20’s and last year 30’s. By that plan we might get to 50 wins by 2012. When you lose so many close games, it’s the coaches fault. When you get totally embarrased by the Suns, like tonight, guess what, it’s the coaches fault too. Woodson needs to go and we need to make changes. Acie Law needs to go to the NBDL and try to get his game back, but in the meantime we need a Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby or even Damon would be an improvement. It makes me mad to read about all the teams that are looking to make a few moves before the trading deadline and not see anything, not even in the rumor mill, about the Hawks trying to trade for a specific player. we clearly need to make some changes, but without sacrificing our current talent. The Blazers lost was very hard to swallow and then to see them come out completely flat against the Suns, is truly heartbreaking. I have been a Hawks fan since ‘85 and so the past nine years have been tough, but now we have the talent to compete and it kills me to see it go to waste by lack of direction and what seems to me is lack of commitment from the ownership.

By David Duke

January 30, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

The other blob, it’s you’re you maggot and not your. I like sports but pro basketball and ice puckey don’t qualify as sport. They do, however, qualify as a stupid waste of time, much as you do. Hey blob, do you like watching those guys skating by with their ice puckey sticks? Looks pretty cool to a moron such as yourself, doesn’t it? Do you have a Thrashers’ ice puckey sticker slapped on your trailer? I bet that looks great. do you ever get tickets for center ice at Boo Land? I bet that’s some exciting ice puckey you watch in between gigantic beers. Yeehaw, let’s hear it for ice puckey and Free Bird. How ‘bout ‘em Hawks? what a bunch of losers! Most of the fellows playing on the team can’t spell basketball without some help. No wonder they couldn’t follow a game plan if we had a coach smart enough to come up with one. Of these two I would pick ice puckey to watch for about ten seconds. Yeehaw Blob! Happy ice puckey watching you pea brained, vienna sausage eatin’, red necked f* got.