AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > February > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBilly Knight finally makes a play
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Given how he generally has operated, Billy Knight has left many with the impression that he wakes up in the morning, looks in the mirror, remembers who he is, maybe eats a Pop Tart and then goes back to sleep.
I’m not sure what happened Saturday. To borrow from Roger Clemens, maybe this time Knight looked in the mirror and just “misremembered.”
Who is that, and what did he just do?
The Hawks are suddenly a factor. Why? Because Knight, their general manager, acted like a general manager. He acquired a starting point guard (a little late, but let’s not quibble). He admitted a draft mistake (dumping Shelden Williams). He dealt two other players (Tyronn Lue and Anthony Johnson) who were not meant to start NBA games.
Five days before the trade deadline, Billy Knight was a player.
We pause now for a moment of reflection.
Mike Bibby is a legitimate starting point guard, and he, therefore, makes the Hawks a legitimate playoff team.
Maybe you would like to sit down.
“He embodies all the things we’ve wanted in a veteran point guard, and he’s also a guy that’s known for taking and making shots,” Joe Johnson said after learning of the trade with Sacramento.
I believe Johnson then fainted, and is questionable for Sunday night’s All-Star game.
Billy Knight woke up.
Billy Knight was proactive.
Billy … Knight.
It’s noteworthy that Johnson used the word “veteran” before point guard in his praise of Bibby. It was Johnson who vented before the season about the dormancy in the Hawks’ front office. He came to Atlanta for a lot of money. But he also expected Knight would do more to provide a supporting cast, draft picks notwithstanding.
“I knew it was a rebuilding situation where they had a lot of young guys,” he said on the eve of this season. “… But at the same time, there were supposed to be some more pieces, some more free agents. They talked about it again this past summer. But as you can see, nothing happened.”
It probably wasn’t the Knute Rockne speech that the Atlanta Spirit was looking for.
But finally … something … happened.
This is Knight’s mulligan.
He drafted Marvin Williams ahead of Chris Paul and Deron Williams in 2005. He drafted Shelden Williams ahead of several beating hearts in 2006, most notably Brandon Roy, who was Rookie of the Year.
He signed Speedy Claxton to a $25 million contract. For the kind of money, Claxton should at least be paying for his own doctors and therapists. He started 31 games last season. That’s 31 more than he’ll start this season.
Lue and Johnson are backups at best. Acie Law may be a fine point guard one day. But one day won’t be in 2008.
This season was going nowhere. Now, it may go somewhere.
Yes, the Hawks would have a healthier record if Knight had pushed the button on a deal like this before the season, or at least before things started to unravel six weeks ago. After a high-water mark of 14-12, the Hawks went 7-16 and dragged into the All-Star break at 21-28.
Fortunately, they play in the Eastern Conference, where a team can lose organs but remain alive in the playoff race. They currently rank ninth in the conference standings, but this trade potentially makes them better than at least three teams ahead of them: Philadelphia, New Jersey and Washington.
Billy Knight did this. Billy Knight — whose own job has been on the line as much as the maligned coach, Mike Woodson. And if the onus suddenly is on anybody now, it’s Woodson, because he just lost any excuse to no put a winning team on the court.
Bibby, at 29, is not the dominant player he was when he led Arizona to the national championship. But he’s well above average. He’s well above anything this franchise has had at point since at least Jason Terry and more likely Mookie Blaylock.
He has played only 15 games this season because of a thumb injury. Know what? He could land at Hartsfield with only nine good fingers and it wouldn’t matter. He has averaged as much as 21 points a game (two years ago) and has a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 6.2-to-2.5.
He is what the Hawks have needed. The void suddenly is filled. Somebody finally woke up.
Permalink | Comments (80) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Frank
February 16, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
So BK was sleeping when he hosed Phoenix getting JJ for Diaw? Was he sleeping when he drafted Josh Smith and Al Horford?
By Jesse
February 16, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
The most important part of this trade is that they dumped Shelden. The Hawks were paying him 3 mill. to sit the bench and they were paying Wright 2-3 million to wear a suit. This gives us a hope….. Finally, we have someone who wants to take the last shot of the game. When JJ said he “got anxious” against the Cavs that should have been the last shot he ever takes at the end of the game. NO superstar gets anxious at the last shot. Bibby won’t. Lets win some games now. And someone tell Woodson to let this team RUN RUN RUN. If they RUN, they WIN!
By ScottBravesfan
February 16, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Finally a good move by the Hawks, I think they will make the playoffs this season now. Good job Hawks!!!!
By DarkRyder
February 16, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Jeff said it best; the onus is all on Woodson to make this work. No excuses, he now has the East’s best backcourt outside of Detroit. Not one but TWO clutch shooters to lead the offense when the Hawks need a big bucket.
Could BK have done something sooner? Who knows, but at this point Atlanta just wants to make the playoffs. Should they somehow survive this west coast swing, then they should be fine.
Again, this is all on Woodson.
By Derrk
February 16, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
I’m glad the Hawks pulled off this trade. It helps Atlanta in many ways such as a TRUE point guard and a veteran. Bibby WILL help this team make the playoffs. Hate to had see Lue go but it’s a business trade. Can’t wait to see the new Hawks run n gun with Bibby.
By Derrk
February 16, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
I’m glad the Hawks pulled off this trade. It helps Atlanta in many ways such as a TRUE point guard and a veteran. Bibby WILL help this team make the playoffs. Hate to had see Lue go but it’s a business trade. Can’t wait to see the new Hawks run n gun with Bibby.
By RD
February 16, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
I wonder what we could get for Jeff Schultz?
By Believer
February 16, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Man, this is cool. Look at our starting five - all in their 20’s - all rounding into their own (Smith, Marvin and Horford growing to the level of JJ and Bibby).
Sign a legit big next summer with the (hopeful) medical retirement of Speedy and this becomes a serious, serious playoff team for the years to come. Excellent move by Billy.
We keep Chills, Acie, and maybe Salim will get to come in sometime and take some shots. I loved Tyronn’s game, I really did, but the other three players were worth the trade to get Bibby and keep the best of the Hawks in the fold.
We are going to the playoffs at last!
By gregory
February 16, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Should help and quickly, Bibby can play. Ok Woody, here is the point, now this is on you dude.
By ben
February 16, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Sounds unbelievably good. But bad franchises are usually bad for a reason. If Bibby gets healthy and they hire a decent coach, maybe they’ll make it to the first round next year.
By D
February 16, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Great trade — who did the Hawks give up that has been playing? A.J., and to a lesser extent, T Lue. Bibby is several steps up at PG than those guys. He is a SERIOUS big-time player. Who else did the Hawks give up? No one who plays at all. Maybe it will turn out that Shelden was an All-Star caliber forward, but it wasn’t happening in Atlanta with Woody. So, if this team was going to take a step forward, it had to be at the point.
Hawks make the playoffs as the 6 seed this year. Next year, they can aim higher if they re-sign Bibby.
Sweet move, Billy K. Not sure it makes up for not getting Chris Paul or Deron Williams or Brandon Roy, but I like this recent trend with Big Al and now this trade.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 16, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
RD: maybe Shelden Williams? I doubt it though…
By Eric
February 16, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
I MAY BE THE ONLY PERSON IN THE ATL THAT THINKS KNIGHT IS A PRETTY GOOD GM. HE’S MADE ONLY TWO MISTAKES, DRAFTING SHELDON AND LETTING WOODSON CONTINUE THIS LONG. PEOPLE FORGET HE PULLED THE TRIGGER ON JOE JOHNSON, WHEN NOBODY WOULD COME TO ATLANTA. HE STOLE JOSH SMITH LATE FIRST ROUND, AND IN THE SAME DRAFT GOT A SOLID PLAYER IN CHILDRESS. I STILL REMEBER EVERY WRITER AND ALL THE SPORTS RADIO SHOWS IN ATLANTA SAYING THE HAWKS BETTER GET MARVIN WILLIAMS, SO HE DID. IT’S ALL STARTING TO COME TOGETHER NOW, NEXT MOVE FIRE MIKE WOODSON!!!!
By Max McGonigle
February 16, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Horford, Johnson, Smith, Williams and BIBBY?! i think this is finally a team that can win something. Joe and Mike average over 20, then horford who will get about 13 points and ten rebounds, marvin getting 18, and josh getting 20 points 10 rebounds and 5 blocks, then look at our bench law up and coming pg who has shown flashes of greatness, mario who is possibly our best defensive player, pachula, stoudamire good 3 shooter. THIS IS A TEAM THAT CAN WIN!!!!!!!!
By kings fan
February 16, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
You guys have got to be kidding if you think Mike Bibby wants to run and gun. And wait til you see him play defense. The Kings got exactly what they wanted, expiring contracts and a young player. Bibby will help but he won’t lead you anywhere. His best years are behind him.
By Mike from South Dakota
February 16, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
I will say as the biggest Hawks fan in South Dakota (that is a state north of Georgia) that this is a pretty good move for the Hawks. Bibby is a big time player that never turns down a clutch situation. They didn’t give up any of their core players to obtain him which is key. Hopefully the young players they have (mainly Law and Salim) can learn what it is like to be a point guard now - they just didn’t have anyone to learn from. I wouldn’t say this moves the Hawks to the best team in the east, or anything along those lines - but it definitely should get them to the playoffs this for 2007-08. If not, Woodson needs to go.
By misawa
February 16, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
at least they did something (about time they took a chance) who knows - get a big and see what happens
By Jack Davis
February 16, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Bibby is the best pg the hawks have had since JT and this trade could go down like the Danny Manning deal where Manning helped the Hawks to the playoofs that season.
By Orlando
February 16, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
kings fan thanks for the scouting report, but I think we’ll be just fine without it. While your franchise and fans are still crying over that Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals of 2002 we Hawks fans will prepare for a future that will involve doing more than just making the playoffs.
Besides, Mario West will be enough to help break down any problems on defense that Bibby has.
By D-Cider
February 16, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Now I am waiting for the AJC to wake up and fire Jerk Schultz and Terrie Moore
By Don
February 16, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
For Woody, this should take some of the guesswork out of player combinations … maybe. I agree, this not make up for the Chris Paul blunder. But I’ll take. And I’m more than a little bit encouraged.
By G Roberts
February 16, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Now we are getting somewhere. It’s a shame Billy Knight could not have included himself in the trade. I’m sorry I thought that, I forgot to take my medicine today.
By DarkRyder
February 16, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Jack, the Hawks had the best record in the East that season when the Manning trade was made, so they were a lock for the playoffs anyway. That trade killed all of Atlanta’s chemistry and they got whipped in the second round that year….
…best part about this deal is that there is no pressure for Acie Law to grow learning behind Bibby.
By 813
February 16, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
When I first saw the hawks were aquiring Bibby for 4 players I was worried, but when I saw they got him for nothing I was amazed! After sleeping on the job the past few years Knight got it right. Hopefully we can pull it together and not just make the playoffs, but make some noise!
By Darrin "The Vent King"
February 16, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
No disrespect, but I disagree kingsfan. The Hawks need veteran experience with some clutch plays/decisions and not necessarily not wanting to run and gun with those guys he had there may not end up being the same thing here. Who wouldn’t to throw an alley-oop to Josh Smith? Childress, or have a 2 guard like JJ alongside him with Horford applying the Windex to the backboard? That’s better than what he had going on in Sac-town in my opinion. This Hawks team needs a heady player like Bibby. There’s a brighter future here. He can’t be any worse than Anthony Johnson who I must say did play well for a spell there but is like 97 in b-ball years. This will give Acie Law, hoefully, time to get his thing together and we can either re-sign Bibby or have the space to something else if deemed necessary. This gives this hapless franchise options we haven’t seen in sometime. Bibby may not be the player he was as you claim, but he does make this team better than what it was and that’s what GMs are supposed to do. Try as you will, but this is a good day for Hawks fans in my book.
GO HAWKS!!
By Dan
February 16, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
I ran errands all day and didn’t know about the trade until I caught a blurb on WSB Radio. I was glad to see we didn’t give up either Josh or any other core player. This is a John Schurholtz type of trade. Kudos to Billy. Classy comments from Tyrone Lue. Now let’s turn it up and take some names as we get into the playoffs for the 1st time this decade. Oh, and we should have kept Dominique instead of getting Danny Manning, but that was then and this is now.
By mred1943
February 16, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
jeff you have any idea who the hawks will get to fill the roster spots now that the hawks are under the league minimum i suggest that they get benson from the d league he’s a that bigthat can play sacramento will probably lue or johson hopefully its lue
By Steve
February 16, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Just a thought .. but what happens when the Hawks have to play the final 51.9 seconds of that makeup game versus the Heat???
Think Shaq will come back to suit up for that. What about all these Hawks guys missing?
By BosnianBaller
February 16, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Thank you Billy.Finally. not only a great trade but a steal.we still need a big defensive center.
By steve
February 16, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Remember, Woodson is still the coach. If they make the playoffs because the conference sucks that doesnt mean their a good team.
If Woodson gets an extension we are screwed as a franchise. Woodson must have compromising pictures of some of the Atlanta Spirit cause he should have been fired a long time ago.
By Madden King
February 16, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Great trade for the hawks. I’ve been a Bibby fan since he led Arizona to the National Title back in 97. He was a clutch player then and still has it now. Now I know everybody has their own definition of clutch, but mine is 3 to 10 sec. left on the clock and we are down by 1 or 2 points. When you break it down in those terms that I laid out for you MIKE BIBBY since Robert Horry retired is the best clutch player in the game today period. King James and Kobe can’t compete with Bibby when comes to pressure shots like those, he’s made them time and time again including the playoffs, Kobe makes them here and there and King James even though he is the best player in the league, has never made a buzzer beater shot. Hawks fans get ready to win alot of last sec. games and make it to the second round of the playoffs with Bibby at the helm. HOLLA! FREE MIKE VICK MAAAAAAANNN!
By Madden King
February 16, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Great Trade, Bibby’s the man.
By oldgold
February 16, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Are you people drinking UGA Koolaid ? We’re talking about the Hawks here. Lets have this conversation after the next 12 games. Now watch Williams average 30 points per game. We ARE talking about the Hawks.
By dave
February 16, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
They passed on Brandon Roy in 06 too
By dave
February 16, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
we passed on Brandon Roy IN 06 too
By welcomebibby
February 16, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
love the trade.
don’t like this article. schultz doesn’t know hoops. too much bs. misses the mark. offending to true hoops fans.
By Smilingking
February 16, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Bibby will definitely take the last shot of the game (and every quarter), but also 25+ others during the game. His ball-handling and passing skills are average. When he’s on his game he can definitely fill it up. He’s able to put alot into those last second shots because he saves a TON of energy by not playing defense the entire game. Enjoy!
By Remembering Roundfield
February 16, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
I agree with Oldgold, we may soon see what we gave up in Sheldon Williams. I am convinced that we didn’t give him time to blossom here in Atlanta. He should have received more PT here (with Sheldon and Horford rebounding the game could have been one continuous fast break for us!) I wish him well but don’t gripe when he turns in the first of many “I-told-you-so” seasons.
By Hawk Fan in New Orleans
February 16, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Jack Davis - are you kidding me - The Danny Manning for Wilkins trade was SO counterproductive it’s a shame we had the best record in the East before the trade. they should have left well enough alone…Let’s look to the future though - this is a great trade.
By Hawk Fan in New Orleans
February 16, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Jack Davis - are you kidding me - The Danny Manning for Wilkins trade was SO counterproductive it’s a shame we had the best record in the East before the trade. they should have left well enough alone…Let’s look to the future though - this is a great trade.
By Chris
February 16, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Ben, you said maybe we will make it to the first round next year? You do know that most of the year we were a playoff team and if the season ended we would be in the playoffs? We were only recently out of it because of a recent losing streak. Plus we are still easily in the run to make it this year. Why do people who barely follow a team make public comments? Even more, why do people who barely know anything about sports get paid to write columns? Billy Knight is not a great GM. but he did a few things good. The Shelden Williams drafting was a disaster, but half the GMs in the league would have drafted Marvin over Paul and Deron back then. Was anyone watching the draft? Everyone commentating said Knight made the right move, except Barkley. I think Jack Davis was being sarcastic… I hope so
By LIL HULK
February 16, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
Bout time Knight! If the Hawks can’t make the playoffs and play respectable, Knight & Woodson needs to tear azz out of town pronto!
By James
February 16, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Best of all,they gave up nothing!!!
By Hawk Fan in New Orleans
February 16, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Your right. maybe Jack Davis was attempting sarcasm. Maybe.
By Dave
February 16, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
This trade puts the Hawks back on par with the late-80’s and early-90’s playoff runs where they never made it passed the second round. But at least we don’t suck anymore, which is more than I could say in almost a decade. It’s been 8 horrible years since Hawks fans enjoyed the semi-sweet smell of the second round of the playoffs. Hooray!
By are you kidding me
February 17, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Lmaooooooooooo@people who actually think Sheldon Williams is going to be good now. This guy is a bum. He wont avg any more than 7 or 8 points and a few rebounds. He is undersized, slow, and not atheletic at all. The Kings got robbed.
By brian
February 17, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
The Braves made a trade like this last season with the texians and didn’t make the playoffs. If i were Woody i make damn sure i did everything now to win. there eyes are all on him now Woody better get it together.
By Billy Knight
February 17, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
Billy Knight still wakes up every morning and remembers passing up Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and Brandon Roy… This one trade does not legitimize his role as GM… He will always be remembered as the cheap GM who couldn’t draft. Get this guy out of here…
By Dawgs
February 17, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this
Exciting Day… I didn’t even know that Bibby was available!
By CommonSense
February 17, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
This was a greeeaat trade! People who understand basketball know that, individual player success has a lot to do with team chemistry. There is no doubt that Sheldon is a great player. It’s possible that he could become a perennial all-star. And maybe, with more PT, he could contribute more to the Hawks. What’s real is that the Hawks have had too many players at the same position, which means that they can’t all blossom. If you want to get something big, you usually have to give up something big. Who else could the hawks have given up that Sac wanted, without given up today’s key contributors? Who could the Hawks send to Sac for Bibby without giving up Josh, JJ, Al, or Marvin? Which of these four guys would you trade instead? Face it; the Hawks had a mess on their hands with a bad coach and no good floor general. A good veteran point guard will, at least, supplement Woodson’s lack of coaching skill. Go Hawks Go! It’s about time for a REAL move!
By The Realist
February 17, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
Great move! Now if we can just trade Marvin for a center so Horford can slide to PF & dominate. I’m still trying to figure out what Marvin brings to the table…besides inconsistent scoring. Again, great move…one more to make…
By Tom Glavine
February 17, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
Suckers.
By Casey
February 17, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this
Well Billy Knight finally made a last ditch move to try to save his job for maybe one more year. He should have done this a long time ago. He still needs to fire Woodson. Knight should be fired if he doesn’t fire Woodson NOW! They both should have been fired a long time ago, but they probably will be able to hang on another year if the Hawks make the playoffs.
By STEVE (HAWKSFANSINCE84)
February 17, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED, WE WILL BE TAKING THE STEP FORWARD THIS SEASON THAT WE LOOKED SO CLOSE TO TAKING BEFORE CRUMBLING FOR A MONTH BECAUSE WE LACKED A POINTGUARD!!!!!!!!
Mike Bibby is COLDBLOODED. He is great at pushing and controlling the tempo, he gives us a veteran leader that knows how to win and has competed at the highest level……. he is the one thing we desperately needed: A VERY GOOD POINTGUARD! Another thing we really needed that he gives us is VERY GOOD PERIMETER SHOOTING, and another option in the clutch besides JJ. He will make his teammates better, take alot of pressure off of Joe Johnson, give us another playmaker, a pointguard that Woody will trust, an efficient floor general that does a good job running the offense…. and he can mentor Acie (Same type of PG in college that Bibby’s been in pro’s) if Acie is capable (Which I think he will be, but admit remains to be seen)….
THIS IS PERFECT! EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED, THE ONE THING WE REALLY REALLY NEEDED! AND WE DIDNT GIVE UP ANY OF OUR 6 BEST PLAYERS!!!!
THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!
Bibby-Johnosn-Williams-Smith-Horford with Chillz as 6th man and Zaza at the 5 off the bench and Law as backup pg…….
WOW THESE HAWKS ARE GONNA BE EVEN MORE FUN TO WATCH!!!!!! THIS IS GONNA BE REAL GOOD!!!!!
WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!
By STEVE (HAWKSFANSINCE84)
February 17, 2008 2:21 AM | Link to this
No more to make, Realist you dumba$$
By capcr
February 17, 2008 3:04 AM | Link to this
look, bibby was okay, he has been hurt this year. we needed to dump his money. got nothing in return but he only has about two years left in him and the next time he drives the lane will be the first time. beno udrich made mike expendable, you should have gotten him when you had the chance…have fun
By joebrave
February 17, 2008 3:05 AM | Link to this
stoopid koons shut up about that godamn mike vick!!!!
By Armond Hill
February 17, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this
Finally, a PG that can see the floor, break em down, and distribute or stop and pop.
By Texas Dawg
February 17, 2008 4:08 AM | Link to this
I saw Bibby at a dog fight a few weeks ago.
By Reggie
February 17, 2008 6:12 AM | Link to this
Jeff I’am waiting on you to finally make a play.
By jbo
February 17, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this
I have been very critical of Billy Knight (and for good reasons). I have to give Kudos to BK for pulling off this deal. Good job Billy.
By D-Nice
February 17, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
BK is still sorry. He just traded 4 players to get one without a contract for next year and also one that is injured. Oh yeah he also gave up a pick so that means the Hawks have no picks this year since the JJ trade takes a #1 and now this takes the #2 pick this year. BK did not steal Josh Smith as my kid could have taken him since the league made negative comments about him even though the hometown people felt better about him. Remember that he drafted Josh Childress in the top 5 that year also so lets not go there. As far as JJ remember that the Suns had no way to resign him based on the contracts for Nash, Marion, and Amare was up for one the next year so who do you think makes the most sense to resign when Barbosa, and Bell were sitting on the bench. Phoenix got the best of that trade since JJ is serviceable but he would not be there best player and he still is not invoking memories of Nique or Steve Smith here. I am glad he did not draft the ACC player of the year who was a sophmore (not that old) cause that would have killed us to have a legitimate young PG when we had only 12 SF types on the team (LOL). I will admit I was not high on Deron thinking he was fat but CP3 was the man at Wake Forest to got with speed of AI and we take the 6th man on UNC who will never be more than a 12 point scores with 3 boards. If you play enough minutes you cant help but score 12 points in the league as Deion said a while back about his speed would get him 10 a game alone. ANyway I hope this trade works out but evry thing he does is trying to fix his mistakes. Brandon Roy would have not just got traded for Bibby and if you think so then you need to be on the missile headed to space to shoot down that satellite.
By Adam
February 17, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
This move made it a bit easier to watch Deron Williams tear up the skills competition last night. Bibby’s not a superstar, but he’s definitely one of the top ten pg’s in the league and he’ll let JJ get some shots without being double (or triple) teamed. The Hawks are definitely competitive now and I haven’t said that since 1996.
Plus, I’m thrilled to see the Landlord get evicted. But a reminder to you guys happy about losing Williams’ salary. We lost his $3.4m next year, but picked up Bibby’s $13.5! How’s that going to impact our ability to re-sign Josh?
Either way, I’m going to more games this year and that’s the bottom line. Good job BK!
By hawksfan
February 17, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
If we had drafted chris paul, we wouldve never drafted al horford.
By mikefino777
February 17, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
ok ,,i don’t understand much about expiring contracts but i do know a little bit about basketball and the hawks just got a major upgrade at point guard and gave up nada,,and an upgrade at point guard makes everybody else better,,
By dg
February 17, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
somebody posted earlier that maybe this deal will work out like the Danny Manning trade and he helped the hawks get to the playoffs. That trade was for Dominique Wilkens you idiot, and furthermore the hawks were already going to the playoffs they were leading the Eastern Conference. Danny Manning didn’t help us do Sh?t. Please know what you are talking about before you post dummass.
By Bertie
February 17, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN!!! And use the bench more.
By dg
February 17, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Even after this trade I still think “Burger King” Billy Knight is a bum. He still passed on Chris Paul, Derron Williams, and Brandon Roy. This deal does not suddenly make him a good gm, because he insists on keeping Woody who loves playing a half court offense with all the young studs on this team why can’t we be the Suns or Warriors of the JV Eastern Conference.
By Dr. Warren
February 17, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Let’s give Billy a hand. It’s so easy to point fingers while sitting back on our sofas watching SportsCenter and consuming Funyons and Mandarin Orange Shastas. What if we had a thousand bloggers hatin’ on our every move at work? So he messed up a couple drafts. Look what the Falcon execs have done in the past 5 years. We got us a team now, boys, and them Hawks are gonna Squawk all the way to the Semis. Mark my words!
By Dr. Warren
February 17, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Let’s give Billy a hand. It’s so easy to point fingers while sitting back on our sofas watching SportsCenter and consuming Funyons and Mandarin Orange Shastas. What if we had a thousand bloggers hatin’ on our every move at work? So he messed up a couple drafts. Look what the Falcon execs have done in the past 5 years. We got us a team now, boys, and them Hawks are gonna Squawk all the way to the Semis. Mark my words!
By Haterade
February 17, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Nope. BK is still an idiot (just less of one now).
By Chris B
February 17, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Now if we can just get Marvin to stop turning the ball over we have ourselves a real basketball team. See you at Phillips.
By ben
February 17, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Chris (the one who insulted me),
The Hawks are no mo more a lock to go to the playoffs this year than the 76ers. You don’t know if Bibby is healthy, and he’s headed toward the end of his career. I know you’ve been waiting a decade and several lottery picks to get into the playoffs, so I feel your pain. But, don’t take it out on me, I didn’t take the dump which is the Hawks franchise. By the way, I’ve forgotten more about sports than you’ll ever know.
By Hubie Fratello
February 17, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Frank, aka Billy Knight, wrote: “So BK was sleeping when he hosed Phoenix getting JJ for Diaw? Was he sleeping when he drafted Josh Smith and Al Horford?”
No, not everything he’s done has stunk. But that does not make up for going multiple seasons without adequately addressing the team’s biggest needs. And, you may have noticed, Woodson is still employed.
So kudos, Billy, for this. But you still need to be canned.
By Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
February 17, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Well we can discuss this trade all we want, but how about an article or at least a word from the AJC on how the Hawks blatantly (and stupidly) make up the attendance stats. No one comes to the games. On a good night (Lakers, perhaps) they have 5,000 and report a sellout. On a bad night (almost every other one) they have perhaps 1,500. Then they report 12-14,000. Really…whatever? The NBA has become such a joke, with gross overeporting of attendance, some of the lowest playoff TV ratings ever (not to mention that network TV barely even covers it anymore). The NBA is well on its way to NHL-dom, or is it already there. And hey, about those Hawks - they draw 2,000 in an area with 3.5 million. The people have voted, with their backs turned!
By Harry C
February 17, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
I have read many comments about not having drafted a point guard until this year, but in my opinion, a point guard is the easiest position to fill. There are many more little guys available than big men. If anything, the mistake has been not getting another big center to fill the middle. A possibility might be Eddie Curry of the Knicks who isn’t playing. Now with Bibby, Curry might look good in the middle with all of those forwards rotating around him.
By haiapr
February 17, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
PLEASE put Childress on Big Shot Chaucy Billips late in the game should we see Detroit in the playoffs. Woody betta get in right.
By CDS
February 17, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
Yes, finally a good move by BK. But did we give up too much or the wrong players? I for one think that Zaza should’ve been shipped instead of Shelden. The only thing holding him back is Woodson. As much as I like this trade, I still don’t know if this team can be successful with Woodson as their coach.
By James
February 17, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
A good article, and only minimal hatred and spewing from Schultz! Could he be turning the corner? probably not, but go hawks!
By Tyger
February 18, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
Jeff Schitz in his pants and eats it!