Talk of the Town

By Ben

August 4, 2005 04:36 PM | Link to this

This is why the Atlanta Hawks cannot get better. You have one idiot owner, who by the way doesn’t live in this city and wants to show everyone how big and tough he is. Follow the model that Arthur Blank set out, be involved but let the people you hired run the show. If you don’t want to do that sell your share of the team and move on. I am a Hawks fan and an NBA fan and I am begging for a product that I can be proud of. Mr. Belkin is embarassing my city and my favorite basketball team. It’s just that simple.

By Chae from Marietta

August 4, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this

Well, let me give you my take so far on what’s going on since Steve Belkin has taken over the Atlanta Hawks:

1) Who would have ever thought that 9 heads are better than one?

2) The Joe Johnson power-play that the aforementioned clown (Belkin) is doing is alienating all future Atlanta fan base.

3) The said power-play now demonstrates that GM Billy Knight/CEO Bernie Mullin/VP Dominique Wilkins are all pawns where they have no power, which shows that they’ve lost all credibility…

4) If the Johnson deal doesn’t go through by this week, they’ve lost one more fan (me).

5) Atlanta Spirit obviously bought the teams just for the sake of owning a professional franchise (trying to make profit only), not to win championships (which consequentially will lose more on their crappy fan base).

6) Atlanta Spirit is the anti-Arthur Blank…

7) Didn’t the Hawks raise the ticket prices by 19% even though there was only 13 wins (very hard to justify)….

From the looks of it, if this deal never happens, I might have to root for the next closest team to Atlanta and root against all Hawks because at this point the Atlanta Hawks are looking like the LA Clippers of the Eastern Conference, where believe it or not I’ve heard that the Clippers are like one of the 5 most profitable teams in the NBA.

By Waid

August 4, 2005 04:41 PM | Link to this

Steve Belkin needs to take a good hard look around the NBA. If he is going to be a part-owner of an NBA team then his goal should be getting to the playoffs year end and year out! We need a strong Guard who can lead this team. We have already put together a good nucleus of players and with the right leadership we could reach the play-offs. I’m tired of Atlanta not having a good basketball team!! Lets get it done!!

By JOHN MOON

August 4, 2005 04:43 PM | Link to this

I have only one thing to say

if Steve Belkin screws this trade up

the people of Atlanta should tell

him to sell his part or just take the

Hawks and leave Atlanta, with the
team they have had for years who’s going to miss them, if Belkin does not let them improve then leave!!!!

By sandeep

August 4, 2005 04:53 PM | Link to this

You sure this is Steve Belkin? Maybe it’s Pete Babcock with a Belkin mask!

By nate lindsey

August 4, 2005 04:55 PM | Link to this

The Hawks need a new owner, and General Manager. They also need to hire a big name coach. This has not happened. Once this is accomplished they will be a better team. I don’t believe they have the right mix on the court or upper level structure to have contender. Spend the money in all of your areas, and they will be awsome!

By Brian

August 4, 2005 04:59 PM | Link to this

What is there to think about….First off, Boris Diaw is awful so we should be glad to get him off this team! Joe Johnson is worth more than two LOTTERY PROTECTED Picks! If this doesn’t go through, you will make the Smith family (previous falcons owner) look like good owners! Do us all a favor and sell this team to the real Atlanta Spirit, Arthur Blank!!

By Kevin

August 4, 2005 05:02 PM | Link to this

It’s obvious Mr. Belkin has no idea about Hawks history, because if he did his signature would be in blood. The big name guys never want to play in Atlanta because of bs like this. We finally get a good guy and great player wanting to try to help change our misfortunes and some carpet-bagger stands in the way. I pray everyday that Author Blank will buy the Hawks!!!!

By Glenn

August 4, 2005 05:03 PM | Link to this

If I were a free agent and saw a player get jerked around like this, I wouldn’t consider coming to Atlanta…Be a man…Wake up and do the deal and then tell Joe what was really going on so that he really feels welcomed and wanted here.

By Terry Browning

August 4, 2005 05:03 PM | Link to this

This is why the Hawks stink! It makes no difference why, or who is right or wrong. What this says is the Hawks organization is a disorganized group of rabble with no hope of ever getting it right. Please David Stern, get involved! Maybe the NBA can buy the franchise like the Expos in baseball. This type of Dirty Laundry is bad for business, bad for the fans, and is a deathblow to the reputation of the Atlanta Hawks franchise which already relies solely on life support. David Stern Obi-Wan Kenobi! You’re our only hope!

By Tom in Atlanta

August 4, 2005 05:07 PM | Link to this

This is exactly why the Hawks are the laughing stock of the NBA. We have had so much trouble luring that first marquee free agent here. Once we get him, others may follow. Now we have a chance to get a guy who actually wants to be here, and Belkin is holding it up, apparently in some sort of power play with the other owners. It’s not even that I think Joe Johnson can be the savior of the franchise or anything. I just want to know that the franchise is making an effort to win. Please Mr. Belkin—either sell your stake in the team or at least pretend that you care, that you want to win, win back the fanbase, etc. Two days ago, a Bay-area writer wrote a disparaging article about the Hawks for ESPN, begging Joe Johnson not to make the mistake of a lifetime by choosing the Hawks. When I read the article, I was livid. Now, I think the article was prophetic. If Belkin sandbags this deal, I want a refund on my season tickets!!

By Anderson

August 4, 2005 05:07 PM | Link to this

This whole situation is terrible for this organization and to think I was just on the verge of purchasing season tickets for me and my family!! If Belkin screws this up, there is no way that I will buy tickets until he is no longer apart of the franchise.

By Mike

August 4, 2005 05:10 PM | Link to this

The Atlanta Spirit ownership group of the Hawks & Thrashers seems more like the Little Rascals’ (Our Gang)! The seem to cooperate with each other like kids! Sell the team back to car dealer from Dallas, Tx. He seemed like he was more committed to winning & not being so CHEAP!

By crs

August 4, 2005 05:13 PM | Link to this

This is why multiple owners is a huge no-no in sports!! Ted, are you available? Arthur, you out there?

CRS Dunwoody, GA

By MC

August 4, 2005 05:23 PM | Link to this

The comments by Ben couldn’t have been said any better!! I lived in ATL for many years and still hope the Hawks turn things around. But it seems like Belkin is desperately trying to carry on the Pete Babcock legacy, who I think is the biggest reason Hawks B’ball is at all-time low!!! Knight has the talent to spot the talent and skills, I think, to make the pieces fit. Belkin should save us all the pain and sell his share in the team. We’d all be happier and closer to turning things around!!! He’s got Boston area teams that could use his interference!!

By Donnie Whitelock

August 4, 2005 05:27 PM | Link to this

This is a perfect example of why the Hawks are at the bottom of the league. When presented with a fantastic opportunity to sign one of the top 4 or 5 free agents for a more than reasonable cost, the management balks. How is this team going to ever attract free agents if we can’t even sign the one who WANTS to play for the team? Isn’t it hard enough already? For a team that is the butt of most NBA jokes, you would think there would be more desire to add a young talent in the mold of Joe Johnson. Botching this deal has the potential to alienate the last handful of fans who are sticking out the tough times. Management needs to show the desire to improve the team.

By Chris in Woodstock

August 4, 2005 05:34 PM | Link to this

Poor performing teams in any sport, simply cannot continue to draft early every year and remain a bad team. The Hawks have 3 or 4 seriously talented young guys who desparately need a quality guard to tie them into a nucleus.

The same scenario exists for the Thrashers, however, due to the new CBA being so lopsided in favor of the owners, Atlanta Spirit had no problem ponying up the 13 mil for Bobby Holik. The Thrashers are probably only one season away from contending for a championship. They certainly appear headed for a playoff berth this year.

Belkin has weighed all this and feels that 70 mil for a guard who until last year had not done much to distinguish himself is a much greater risk than a guy like Holik who has the championship hardware and comes cheaper.

The sad part is that, as an organization that has struggled to appear credible, this fiasco sets them back immeasurably.

By todd

August 4, 2005 05:36 PM | Link to this

I agree with Belkin. $20 million up front for him is way too much!

By AG

August 4, 2005 05:40 PM | Link to this

Hawks always stink. Find another team like the Bulls. Joe Johnson is overrated and I would give him $20 let alone $20 million for the 1st year.

By Keith S

August 4, 2005 05:46 PM | Link to this

That sounds like a lot of money. I think they are overpaying. They need to get a discount or do something to save money. Maybe thats just me because I’m cheap.

By AG2

August 4, 2005 05:48 PM | Link to this

Are you people joking? Belkin is the only one in his right mind. What kind of “free” agent requires two first-round draft picks and a third player (also a former first-round pick)? If Johnson wants to be here so badly, let him sign his massive (overpriced) deal and come. The Suns can’t afford to match it at this point, but we are still giving away first-round picks like they are candy at Christmas. I’m glad someone is actually thinking this through.

By Kevin

August 4, 2005 05:50 PM | Link to this

In response to Todd. What does it matter if he gets $20 million in year 1 or $20 million in year 4? It’s not like we’re paying boat loads of top tier players, may as well pay someone who has some character. And AG says he’s overrated, you must be a soccer fan.

By some guy

August 4, 2005 05:59 PM | Link to this

This isn’t the sopranos, you just can’t go around stabbing everyone in the back.

You have to be truthful, and honest.

Belkin is a disgrace, and should never show his face at a Hawks game again.

By Manny

August 4, 2005 06:01 PM | Link to this

If the “powers that be” would like to gain any insight whatsoever into the big “WHY” they don’t draw fans, all they have to do is look at the “fiasco du jour” that thery’re currently embroiled in. Apparently the GM conducted a long tem project to sign a star player only to have it overturned at the 11th hour by a single disgruntled member of the ownership group. This makes the Atlanta Hawks look like fools to their fans, their city and the rest of the NBA.

When the day is done, it’s become apparent that they just don’t care enough or know enough to run a major league franchise. It’s a shame that they’re losing their chance at perhaps ever developing a viable fan base here, but the proof is self evident.

Mr. Belkin, et al; you only get one chance to make a first impression, and you blew it royally!

If we wanted to see a circus, we’d wait till Ringling Brothers is in town.

By Duke

August 4, 2005 06:01 PM | Link to this

I really want to be a Hawks fan, really. But they make it very difficult. If this whole thing with Belkin isn’t resolved very quickly, they can write me off as a fan. Makes me wonder if Belkin is a Celtics or Hawks fan? Signed Disgusted.

By Matt Marino

August 4, 2005 06:06 PM | Link to this

The Hawks fans will love Joe Johnson. He has great range, can create his own shot and he plays solid defense. I can’t believe anyone in Atlanta could complain about the Joe Johnson deal.

If he would have not had a broken face the Suns might have won a championship. Suns fans are crushed that guy isn’t coming back. You should read the Arizona Republic articles with the Suns front office trying to spin how they aren’t going to win 10 less games next year without him!

By Mike Mepham

August 4, 2005 06:20 PM | Link to this

The Hawks ownership needs to quit fighting, get their stuff together, and get J.J. on the Hawks ASAP. This is ridiculous!

By Nookah

August 4, 2005 06:20 PM | Link to this

It’s just unbelievable. Belkin seems to be the only one that did not know this deal was imminent. Why wait until 11:59 (1 minute before midnight) to hold up the deal? That’s why we will continue to be the lauging stock of the league. Hey Arthur can you send Belkin the manual on how to take a losing franchise and turn it into gold? Belkin wake up!!! We have some good young prospects right now. With JJ coming on board we will attract more talent because we can start winning some games. Don’t screw this up!!! I hope this will be resolved by the end of the week. I am also urging the Hawks to ensure JJ get’s a very warm welcome when this is finally over. After all he is the only big name free agent that wants to play here.

By Dr. William H. Swann

August 4, 2005 06:28 PM | Link to this

Too Many Cooks Spoil the Team!

Why should Atlanta be any different, no where in modern history has such a diverse group managed to opperate as a cohesive unit. It doesn’t mean anyone is wrong, with the amount of money invested they are all entitled to their own opinions. Still if anyone can’t agree with a majority opinion he/she/they should sell out to the others and buy another team.

By Mojo

August 4, 2005 06:32 PM | Link to this

I understand that he doesn’t want to pay the $20 million up front, and still give away two first round picks. I agree. While I am a J.J., he is not a player who can lead a team. He’s good, but better suited as a support player. He had his ups and downs in PHX, and only came about when Nash got there. **I see him going down in a $69.9 million blaze of mediocrity.

By GM

August 4, 2005 06:32 PM | Link to this

Belkin is just plain selfish. He is a “businessman”, but he is clearly using this opportunity to further his ownership goals. This deal has been developing for a long time so his delay is plainly deliberate. His actions are detrimental to the progress of a struggling franchise—damaging our ability to sign future FAs and cutting the legs out from under Billy Knight, who was promised control of basketball operations. Let’s hope Belkin comes to his senses, is stopped by the other owners or is corraled by the league. Multiple ownership is almost always a disaster.

By Barry Wynn

August 4, 2005 06:33 PM | Link to this

Belkin is holding up the trade that will help give this team direction. The other team owners should demand Belkin sell his shares immediately to them and stay in Boston. The guy Time Warner snubbed for the spirit is starting to look pretty good to me. maybe McDavid should be allowed to buy the Hawks. Let Billy Knight do his job. That is why you are paying him Mr. Belkin.

By Michael

August 4, 2005 06:38 PM | Link to this

I just went to the team Web site and e-mailed the ownership group. You all should do the same. They are crazy for allowing this to go on this long. At this rate they will only have 10 people at the games this season. Just stupid!

By Joey

August 4, 2005 06:38 PM | Link to this

You know I’ve been a fan for many years of this team, and I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff, but Steve not wanting to sign off on this deal to bring a prized free agent, who wants to come to Atlanta, is about as crazy as it gets. I can’t see how his business has been successful, because to me this is a truly a bonehead move for a so-called business man. If this falls through it will be very hard for me to ever watch another Hawks game or spend my money to go to one. Once again thanks another dismal season Steve.

By Roger Andrews

August 4, 2005 06:46 PM | Link to this

This whole sorry mess tells you everything you need to know about the Hawks - a bad GM. The reason Billy Knight won’t talk about his plan is that there is no plan. In 2 years he has failed to find a legit starting C or PG while filling up his roster with SFs and SGs. No wonder the top free agents won’t join the Hawks if Knight cannot give them a feasible and exciting vision for success. To cap it all there is no way he should give up $70M and 2 first round lottery picks, protected or otherwise, for JJ. For this reason Belkin is right to kill the deal. However, having killed it he needs to sack Knight in order for the organization to maintain credibility.

By Keith Walker

August 4, 2005 07:04 PM | Link to this

By Steve T

August 4, 2005 07:08 PM | Link to this

I can not believe this. I feel as if the Hawks had a chance to win it all in three years. They have some very good young players in both Joshs, and Marvin. I believe Childress is ready for a break out season. His season could be improved if the hawks would sign Joe Johnson. Joe is a very good 3 pt shooter and he can stretch the floor for the hawks. This will put Al in some one on one situations. This will help improve his game also. In fact Joe will make this team better. The sad part about this is it will hinder the hawks for signing any big name FAs. This joker needs to realize that if we sign Joe this year, we could be in line to sign great center next year.

By Dave

August 4, 2005 07:13 PM | Link to this

Belkin needs to fit in or get out!!! After this whole fiasco is sorted out I hope he provides a good explanation and possibly an apology.

Concerned Hawks Fan

By Fro-Joe

August 4, 2005 07:22 PM | Link to this

Belkin is the only one here not acting like a moron. Who in their right mind would want to come to the WORST team in the NBA IF they weren’t given the key to the city? This is my take on what happens if the JJ trade goes through. JJ FREAKS at the amount of games they’re losing, goes back into the shell he was in the last THREE YEARS, and proceeds to set the Hawks back another decade, all the while, wonder how he can get out of his contract. The BENCHWARMER the Suns get in the trade puts up All-Star numbers thanks the MVP Nash, and becomes the steal of the decade. Phoenix goes on to win the Finals over Miami 4-2, with JJ watching via Satellite in his stately mansion paid for by me and you.

By Walt

August 4, 2005 07:30 PM | Link to this

This is crazy. I thought the Hawks were finally getting it together. A good draft last year. A good draft this year. Had to give Atlanta Spirit and Billy Knight credit. Although admittedly begrudingly.

But this sets them back to worse than before. This is an embarrassment. Wright the Hawks off. Because this ownership group is a disorganized mess. It was hard enough getting free agents to think about coming here.

Before the Hawks were a laughing stock on the court. Now they are as bad off the court.

Nice move Belkin!

By Mike the Mouth

August 4, 2005 07:44 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? What are you all so upset about?

Joe Johnson is a good player, but not a franchise player who’s deserving of 10m+ per year.

Do you think he’ll even make the Eastern Conference All-Star team, while making All-Star money? While Phoenix rips the Hawks off - not a rarity - Belkin is the only one who stands up and says, ‘this isn’t a good deal for our team.’

Tying up so much money in one player is not good business. There is no doubt that the Hawks need better players and have had difficulty attracting free agents.

However, Joe Johnson is not the guy to build your franchise around, while paying him top money.

Kudos to one person in the Hawks organization - not the GM, not the Coach, not the other owners - for realizing this and putting a stop to the deal.

By Bryan (Former Hawks Fan)

August 4, 2005 07:44 PM | Link to this

This is utterly ridiculous. We have a Celtic guy running the Atlanta Hawks therein lies the problem. This organization has no direction and when they try someone internally screws it up. Same old same old. Good luck finding enough homeless people downtown to fill up Philips, they probably wouldn’t even take free tix to watch this sorry team play.

By Brandon

August 4, 2005 07:47 PM | Link to this

Steve actually might have the right idea - trading two No. 1’s for the 4th best player on his team? By the way, did anyone see Phoenix play when Nash was hurt and Johnson ran the point? They were an average team at best. He’s a number 2 - which the Hawks have several of. They should call Phoenix’ bluff because I’m not so sure they’ll match the offer - or they should take some money and 1 of the Number one picks off the board. They should have made this deal for Chandler or Dalembert to fill a much tougher position. As far as the picks go - did you read the fine print? They are only lottery protected for so long. Detroit, Phoenix, San Antonio all built through the draft and their records show that was wise. San Antonio for that matter has only 2 pro sports teams, but have 3 times the number of championships as Atlanta (4 pro sports teams).

By John

August 4, 2005 08:07 PM | Link to this

Of course, we’re overpaying Johnson, but at least he’s willing to come. Most free agents wouldn’t come here if they were overpaid or not. This may be the last straw for any chance that pro basketball will ever succeed in Atlanta. A sad day for Hawks fans!

By Smaha

August 4, 2005 08:07 PM | Link to this

Atta Boy Mr. Belkin, trading our former # 1 pick Diaw, two future #1 draft picks plus a $5-10 million exemption for any basketball player but Shaq is crazy. I think they should have insisted on Phoenix signing Steve Hunter and then including him in this trade as the way it stands now, Atlanta is getting robbed even though Johnson is a quality ballplayer, he also plays the shooting guard position and the last time I checked, Atlanta had 4 of them. I know they want to make Johnson a point guard, but they should let Salim play the point or bring in a veteran point guard or better still, bring Lue back.

By Anderson

August 4, 2005 08:09 PM | Link to this

One thing is for sure, you cant blame this one on Billy Knight.Someone stated earlier that BK wasn’t a good GM b/c he didn’t land a big man or quality pg. The last time I checked, they weren’t growing big men and quality pg’s on trees!!

By Rick

August 4, 2005 08:09 PM | Link to this

This is absolutely ridiculous!! However, for the first time in years, it is not the organization’s fault. Billy Knight, Bernie Mullin, and 8 other owners all done their jobs, but this Boston guy is holding up the deal as a powerplay…….the sad part about it is, that Joe Johnson isn’t even the issue…it’s the fact that Belkin (more like Balki if you ask me) is showing his power IN SPITE of the team’s well-being….it seems like it’s time for Stern to step in here….

By Mitch

August 4, 2005 08:25 PM | Link to this

Relax everyone. Johnson will be a Hawk…and will lead the Hawks to a playoff berth THIS year…I kid you not. Keeping Al Harrington will prove to be key. We need consistent scoring from the 4 spot and Harrington will provide it. Marvin Williams will play 6th man like he did at UNC…and his energy off the bench will be huge. C Zaza Pachulia is a solid player on both ends and will be a nice addition. He and Collier will split time and hold their own. 2G Childress and 3F Josh Smith will flourish under Johnson’s floor leadership. Stoudamire will be the third guard…and will find himself on the floor late in games…and will, even as a rookie, deliver clutch 3 balls at crunch time.

By Reese

August 4, 2005 08:28 PM | Link to this

Good job Steve Belkin, why invest $70 mil, 2 first round draft picks and possibly a mid level exception for a player with a career 43.3% FG %, 12.9 ppg and whose natural position is not point guard. I don’t blame Joe Johnson for saying he will play point for $70mil so would I. But who will be the blame when he becomes frustrated playing point and wants to move back to his natural 2 guard position where you now have Childress and Stoudemire. Atlanta has not proven that it has the coaching staff to develop players and why should we believe that Joe Johnson will develop into a good point guard. Did anyone watch Joe shoot bricks when he played for Boston? Anyone can blow up a team and I don’t see why Billy Knight is getting so much credit for doing so. Billy Knight has traded away better players (Rasheed Wallace, Jason Terry) who would have taken less money than he is offering to Joe Johnson. Billy, stop showing signs of panicking (4 years for Pachulia, come on). Just offer Joe the money and don’t give Phoenix anything. Remember, free agency isn’t the only way to bring players (trades, future first round picks, scouting talent in other leagues) to Atlanta. Finally, please quit acquiring players who play the same position and who are undersized for the power forward and center positions. You have a shooting Center, now get a shot blocker and a rebounder, preferably each 6’11 or taller.

By Hal

August 4, 2005 08:28 PM | Link to this

I followed the advice of another angry Hawks fan and emailed the owners from the team’s website. I agree with most everybody in here in that I’m sadly disgusted at our stunting ourselves of progress.

Anybody else that’s as disgusted. Please log onto the Hawks website and email as well. Two voices are better than one, and many are better than none.

By Brad

August 4, 2005 08:37 PM | Link to this

This angers me as a fan and as someone from Atlanta. This truly makes us the laughing stock of the NBA. The hawks made a commitment to Joe Johnson and they need to stand behind it. If the moran in Boston does not want the team to be better then he needs to sell his share of the Hawks. The city is ready to support the Hawks and was just beginning to get excited about the future with the current young players and the addition of Joe Johnson.

By Matt Mashburn

August 4, 2005 08:53 PM | Link to this

Belkin’s right. Billy Knight has got to go. We’ve given him much leeway because he followed the worst GM ever in Babcock, and he hasn’t been that bad until now. Think about all the trades in the past two years. We’ve given away Shareef, Theo, Dickau, Glen Robinson, Hendu (thank God), JT, and Rasheed Wallace. All we have to show for it is cap space and one draft pick! Which Knight is apparantly content to be snookered out of by Phoenix. Billy Knight has become Isiah.

Don’t get me wrong, Joe Johnson would be an excellent addition. But we’re getting fleeced with giving up TWO 1st round picks.

I say we call their bluff and sign him to an offer sheet, with the $20 million balloon payment upfront, there’s no way they can match it. And if they do, we can easily take Amare from them next year because they would be betweeen a rock and a hard place.

Roll the dice Mr. Belkin, you have Atlanta’s support!

By jason

August 4, 2005 08:56 PM | Link to this

I`m not sold on giving up that much in one player. If they had a chance this year yes. Reality is a no and they will be over paying and sending 2 first round picks next year and the Hawks have yet to have a good center. No playoffs this year or next. This is the corner of their desperation act.

By Tod

August 4, 2005 09:02 PM | Link to this

The Hawks should back away from the Joe Johnson deal. I smell an absolute disaster about to happen (to the tune of $70 million!). This guy is no point guard and flourished as a #2 in Phoenix as a result of Steve Nash’s fantastic play making skills. Joe Johnson is not going to be a rainmaker. The Hawks have a number of potential rising stars who are 6’8”. This deal makes no sense. Use the money to go after a talented big man (ie. Eddy Curry). Do not do the Joe Johnson deal, please.

By Hawkfan24

August 4, 2005 09:04 PM | Link to this

If you don;t want to play with the big dogs, get off the porch. All the buzz kicked up about Joe Johnson and now one guy wants to hold it up. He probably cannot walk and chew gum at the same time, much less have any knowledge on the game. I am NOT happy about this, we need Joe.

By Charles

August 4, 2005 09:08 PM | Link to this

Ownership issues aside. This is a poor deal for the Hawks. While Joe Johnson is a good player, he is not a great player. He is not a franshise player. He is not worth $70M, (2)#1’s, & Cap exception. We had a shooting guard in Jason Terry who we tried to move to the point with poor results (turnover, after turnover, after turnover) have we forgotten so soon. Do you expect any different results turning the point over to JJ a true #2.
This is also what you get when you buy into the “draft the best player available mentality.” Marvin Williams will be a very good NBA player down the road, but he can’t play point, push the offense, distribute the ball, or play defense against Shaq in the middle. Draft for need, develop the players, and the wins will come.
BK butchered this one. Let the Hawks sign JJ to the offer sheet & if Pheonix matches, so be it. We can move on from there…but don’t mortgage the farm on this deal.

By ray

August 4, 2005 09:23 PM | Link to this

It’s real easy to armchair quarterback as a fan. Joe Johnson is a risk just like Shaq was for Miami. Did Shaq bring the championship last year? NO…and he’s getting older. Atlanta’s fans and players are in support of this deal. JJ could be great, but there’s also the chance that he could be not so great. The problem here is not so much the risk. It’s the lack of cohesion in ownership. Too many owners, and one of them doesn’t seem to have anywhere near the concept of TEAM. Get him out of here. As for those of you who think Bill Knight doesn’t know his job, you’re wrong. He’s doing quite well, and you really won’t know just how well until a few years down the road. Everything is a gamble, but Belkin needs to go. He’s gambling dangerously with the fans, Atlanta’s players and other team’s players who are watching this debacle.

By Billy

August 4, 2005 09:33 PM | Link to this

The Hawks made at least one BIG mistake: They didn’t get on the same page before they agreed to this deal.

If I’m the GM I’m not giving up Boris Diaw, 2 1st round picks and the trade exception for anybody that I could possibly sign away from their old team without giving up any compensation.

At the same time, how can we say Billy Knight has done a bad job. He’s had amazing patience when he’s needed to be patient. He’s taken bad contracts off the books. He’s had two GREAT drafts (he took Josh Smith and Salim Staudamire when everyone else said to take other players). And with the Joe Johnson deal he’s just trying to bring somebody/anybody to the ATL for us.

The root problem is ownership and those guys better figure this thing out and not air their dirty laundry for all to see just because they can’t conduct their business like grown adults.

Joe, I hope you come to the ATL. And I hope we don’t give up so much to get you. Ultimately, I hope Atlanta fans aren’t so fickle. Let’s support our home team - even if they are the laughingstock. Let’s have some ATL pride!

And I hope ownership gets on the same page.

By Mr Wan Fan

August 4, 2005 09:33 PM | Link to this

This disharmony in ownership hurts an already delicate process for this franchise in regaining credibility for attractring tier 1 future free agents. However this franchise is still suffering the funk and misery of the post Pete Babcock era. I think were giving up way to much in draft pics and paying way too much to acquire Joe Johnson. He is talented but is he really worth $70 million and two 1st rounders?…. Boris Diaw is a bust…. get what you can for this wasted pick and cut your loses. Finally I hope the other owner consortium can vote this Belkin guy of the governors seat, guys like him can really screw up everything.

By jeff

August 4, 2005 09:37 PM | Link to this

How do I get my refund on my season tickets, Mr Belkin? It’s obvious that you and the other owners need to work things out. It’s embarassing.

By Andrew

August 4, 2005 09:45 PM | Link to this

I don’t know what Belkin is thinking here. Why would you not want to add a big PG that can defend and help you in different areas. In Atlanta Joe can score 20-25 ppg and give the hawks an all-star credential player. he is selfish and no reason can be justified of why he hasn’t signed this deal yet. yes the hawks are probably not going to make the playoffs this yr, but both picks aren’t this yr and the hawks already have 2 first-round picks next yr. he is worth trading Boris Diaw and those 2 picks. billy Knight has made some good decisions, bringing Tyronn Lue here for Jon Barry and gettingf Al Harrington in Atlanta, hopefully for the long term

By Steve Cope

August 4, 2005 09:52 PM | Link to this

On the surface, it seems like Phoenix is getting more than its fair share out of this deal. But, the Hawks are in a position where they have to make a bold move to prove they are serious players. We’ve heard a lot about CAP room, but no action. We’ve heard rumors about players not wanting to come here. Maybe the majority wanting to make this deal know that they must be bold, even overpay if necessary, for the right player to move this franchise in the right direction. I just hope the right player is Joe Johnson. This is not a ‘center’ league anymore, so I have to think that a creator/shooter like Johnson is probably the way to go, even if it means not getting a legit center.

By Michael Chasteen

August 4, 2005 09:53 PM | Link to this

In what world is Boris Diaw a “quality player?” He has done nothing in his time with the Hawks that he should even be in the NBA. He is scared to shoot and could not play on many of the top high school teams in Atlanta.

Here are the questions Steve Belkin should be thinking about: - Is a playoff berth worth 2 first round picks? The only way the Suns get our first round picks is if the Hawks make the playoffs. The picks are lottery protected. The answer should be most definitely yes. - Is making an ownership power play worth killing all of the positive momentum that the Hawks gained with the play of the Josh’s and the drafting of Marvin and Salim? Nobody is talking about these guys right now, because the press is focused on Steve Belkin.

Billy Knight has done a great job of freeing up salary cap to go after free agents like Joe Johnson and drafting young players that we can build around. Thank you Billy.

And to those of you who are sad that Shareef, Big Dog, and Theo are gone, Go buy a nice suit and join Chris Crawford on the end of someone’s bench next year.

By Greg

August 4, 2005 10:01 PM | Link to this

This is just plain ridiculous. If we weren’t the laughing stock of the NBA before (and we were), we are now! We might as well be call the Atlanta Three Stooges.

By Hal

August 4, 2005 10:03 PM | Link to this

For everybody that’s so worried about giving up two 1st round picks. Please remind me of our 1st round history. I need some clarity. And Boris Diaw? I’ve wanted to like this guy for so long. But I don’t see the problem in getting rid of him.

ALL of the Hawk’s management and ALL of the owner’s except ONE is onboard with this deal. Something I’m not seeing?

I can understand everybody’s concern. I really can. But since 1999, what kind of future outlook has this organization had? Did you see it getting brighter by another year of getting spurned by all of the top tier free agents and no-one in the stands? Both of which would ensure of us of another lottery pick.

We are the ATLANTA HAWKS. We have to make some progressive type moves before this team can get turned around.

One last thing: Matt, I can agree on keeping Rasheed. But please sell me on why we should have kept JT, Big Dog, Shareef, Dan Dickau and Theo Ratliff. Remind me of how the team was doing then.

By Stephen Smith

August 4, 2005 10:06 PM | Link to this

How many more free agents are going to sign now that the “Boston Strangler” has cut the legs out from under Billy Knight. Everyone agreed with the trade before it happened. Belkin failed with Boston, Charlotte and now Atlanta. Time to move on.

By Mike

August 4, 2005 10:07 PM | Link to this

Belkin is worried about the future? What future? This sorry franchise needs to do something right now or they won’t have a future! With Joe Johnson we’re better immediately and it could help lure more free agents. You can only go so far with a team full of mid-round draft picks. Joe Johnson is a proven player and is already better than a “potential” draft pick. I’ve been a Hawks fan since they came to Atlanta, but I’ve just about had enough of this. This franchise is in no position to micro manage. They need to get better in a hurry!

By Cody

August 4, 2005 10:14 PM | Link to this

This in no way shape or form is a bad deal. The draft picks Belkin is whining about are lottery protected picks, which means that if the Hawks have a lottery pick they get to keep it. Belkin thinks he knows basketball when in reality he doesn’t. Belkin should let Knight, the coaches, and the scouts worry about finding the right players, and just worry about paying out the checks.

By Kenny

August 4, 2005 10:16 PM | Link to this

This eerily reminds me of 1994, when the Hawks traded Nique to the Clippers. Although we were #1 in the East that season, a certain amount of hope went out of most Hawks fans when Nique was dealt. There were a few side issues that pointed to why Nique was dealt, but ultimately, it was about MONEY.

You see, Hawks management didn’t want to sign Nique to a multi-year extension. And he was too good to just let go without anything in return. So they traded him to the Clippers, for Danny Manning. They thought that was the best move they could’ve made, and it wouldn’t come back to haunt them.

But sure enough, it came back to smack them right in the face, when Danny Manning didn’t re-up with the Hawks after the season was over. So we had NO MANNING . . and NO NIQUE.

People are asking if Joe is worth the money. Probably not. But paying Joe does give this franchise and this fan base something that it hasn’t felt since the late 90’s. And that is HOPE.

The teams that have already made deals, have given their fans HOPE. The Hawks haven’t had a major free agent acquisition since DIKEMBE MUTUMBO. All of the big name players brought into ATL since Deke’s signing, have all come via trade.

When you’re 23 million dollars under the cap, and every good restricted and unrestricted free agent has turned you down for the past 2 seasons . . ask yourself again if Joe Johnson, one of the best young guards in the league, is worth 20 million.

You darn right he is !!

By Al

August 4, 2005 10:19 PM | Link to this

Belkin is absolutely right. It is insane and inconceivable to commit so much money and 2 1st round pick for a guard…I am convinced the other partners are rushing into something that will not work. I support Belkin decision to reconsider. They could have done better with a center.

By edward

August 4, 2005 10:22 PM | Link to this

I knew from the begining there was to many kings in the castle. Why didn’t they go by a majority rule scenerio? Ted where are you?! Help please!

By Billy

August 4, 2005 10:25 PM | Link to this

Tell me this: Why didn’t we just sign Joe Johnson and see if the Suns matched? I know we NEED someone/anyone to take our money, but would the Suns really pay Joe 20 million in the first year with all those other big contracts they have? They were bluffing. If they had matched they’d have to pay millions in luxury tax dollars. Something they were just not going to do. We had the leverage and then we gave them everything they wanted.

By Phil (Atlanta Native)

August 4, 2005 10:26 PM | Link to this

I feel like my team, correction former team, has been shanghaied. I can’t tell you the rage this situation puts me in. Consider this, the draft picks that the Hawks were going to trade were lottery protected. So unless Joe Johnson were the second coming, the playoffs would have been unlikely. And if he was the second coming and the Hawks did make the playoffs then at least that would be proof that the Hawks were moving in the right direction. But regardless of what happens after this, I have no respect for the organization, its ownership, or anything they are about. This team is becoming the worst joke in the history of any sport professional or otherwise. We as Atlantans should be outraged that this team and ownership group bear OUR name. We should boycott every Hawks game until this organization is either bankrupt or run out of town. We should be suing them for destroying OUR name and reputation. This is not what the City of Atlanta represents. This is not who we are. Why should they be allowed to refer to themselves as Atlanta Spirit, LLC when obviously the spirit of Atlanta is not anywhere in them? I want the whole lot of them gone. I hate this ownership group and I hate this team. This from a thirty year old man who still has a Dominique Wilkins poster in his closet. Maybe I should burn it.

By Brandon

August 4, 2005 10:28 PM | Link to this

Belkin is “Belkin Nuts”. Boris Diaw is not the quality player to build your team around. Joe Johnson is a step in the right direction. Giving up two draft picks for the Hawks is a no brainer. In the last 10 years we’ve drafted two quality players Jason Terry and Josh Smith. What does Belkin want another Doug Edwards and Ed Gray?

By Luke

August 4, 2005 10:29 PM | Link to this

I bet dollars to donuts this thing blows up. No Johnson, no ZaZa, no anybody. Anyone who would want to play for a crazy group of owners like this, needs a drug screen. The League needs to intervene or they MAY NOT WIN 13 GAMES THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Brian Hurley

August 4, 2005 10:32 PM | Link to this

Some of you taking the side of Steve CLEARLY don’t understand this. I can understand some that the Hawks are overpaying. However, at this point the trade HAS to happen. If it doesn’t the Hawks will be dug in a even bigger hole than they are now.

The Hawks have to prove they can get deals done. So I think AT THIS POINT giving up alittle extra is worth getting JJ here. If things don’t work out, you can always make trades later on down the road. Right now, you want to get as much talent as you can.

1 of those picks is from the Celtics/ Lakers and so it’s not likely to be that great of a pick. The other is protected next year and the Hawks have all the young players they need now. That reduces the value of the picks IMO. Boris Diaw? He isn’t ever going to workout in Atlanta anyway.

Steve is clearly a penny pincher with questionable motives. He’s a big time businessman and a CELTIC fan.. NOT A Hawks fan. He needs to be removed from the group and he shouldn’t have been in the group in the first place.

Get Steve out and sell his share to Jermaine Dupri or someone.

By Brett DeHart

August 4, 2005 10:34 PM | Link to this

An all-time low for this franchise and having been a Hawks fan for nearly 30 years that is saying something. We have no leverage and Belkin is making it worse! Belkin must GO! How did we make this deal if Belkin hadn’t already signed off on it? Belkin should have spoken up earlier.

By Hal

August 4, 2005 10:43 PM | Link to this

Has anyone seen the line from ESPN.com? If not, this is it:

Chicken Hawks? Discord nagging Johnson deal

Any other Hawks fans embarrassed now?

By Jay

August 4, 2005 10:44 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a Hawks fan for 17 years. I remember Spud and Moses, Doc and Nique, Willis and Augmon, Smitty and Blaylock, and of course Mt. Mutombo.

I also remember Jon Koncak, Danny Manning, J.R. Rider, Dough Edwards, Adam Keefe, Priest Lauderdale, Ed Gray, Cal Bowdler.

I also remember trading away Dominique, Steve Smith, Mutombo, and the rights to Paul Gasol and Jamal Tinsley.

And yet I am still a fan.

But the junk Belkin is doing really ticks me off and makes me sick.

Belkin: no one wants the Hawks money. No one. No one would take it. No one wants to play here. We’re the butt of every nba joke. Out of this decay, us hawks fans (all 9 of us)see a beautiful light. A very talented player -wants- to play in Atlanta. And you and you only are blocking this. Yes, the two draft picks are a high price. But Diaw is a bust, and the last piece of the past regime. His position has been drafted for a couple times over. He is redundant for us. And we already have FOUR young rookies. We need a solid perimeter scorer. And he -wants- to play point, source of extreme pain for us. But the most valuable thing is this: it shows people want to come to play in atlanta. Thats worth more than gold and is EXACTLY what this franchise needs to become…well, a franchise. You are costing us that for at least one season (if not more), and that is more valuable than those two draft picks could ever be. I want you to know, you are crushing my heart by blocking this.

By Wendy

August 4, 2005 10:46 PM | Link to this

For all of those that are complaining we are overpaying, that seems inevitable. If they want a free agent, the Hawks will have to overpay to compensate the player for being on a terrible team like Atlanta. The Hawks really don’t have much leverage - no playoff hopes, etc. Besides, they have a ton of young talent - do they really need MORE draft picks when there’s no veteran to lead them? I don’t think so…

You gotta spend money to make money. Undermining the management like this could set this franchise back years. I agree, they should have been on the same page. It makes you wonder if Belkin disagreed all along, or waited to make his opinion known at the most inopportune time.

By Leo

August 4, 2005 10:46 PM | Link to this

No disrespect to the fans, but does Joe Johnson seriously want to come to this mess? If they screw this up so bad, how will they be able to build a winning team around him? If I was JJ, I would seriously reconsider my options with the Phoenix Suns. Man, I am shocked that an organization can be more inept than the Clippers.

By Jay

August 4, 2005 11:10 PM | Link to this

Hmm…some in the media are calling us “Chicken Hawks”.

Thank you, Belkin, for more humiliation on my favorite team.

By J

August 4, 2005 11:12 PM | Link to this

What’s the point in having a GM if an owner is going to step in AFTER the trade is announced? The next trade discussion to Billy Knight: ‘Are you sure you’ve cleared this with your Daddy? I don’t want to get little Billy in any trouble. Would you like milk with your cookies, little Billy?’ A huge embarrassment for anyone associated with this organization, and the fans who have suffered with bad managment for years on end. Whoever set up this partnership where it allowed a 30% partner to veto the wishes of the other 70% was stupid.

By Jose pagoaga

August 4, 2005 11:18 PM | Link to this

Billy Knight got his pocket picked and Belkin knows it. He should have called Phoenix’s bluff that they were not going to match the offer. It’s doubtful they give Johnson $70 million when he doesn’t want to be there. Even if they had matched that would have then been the time to entertain a sign and trade deal. Knight is desperate and cut a foolish deal.

By J

August 4, 2005 11:24 PM | Link to this

One more thing… With absentee ownership, this was inevitable. Only 30% of this partnership is Atlanta-based. Steve Belkin only gives a flip about Boston sports and cares only about dollars and cents with this partnership. He’s got no juice down here so the only thing he can gain is to massage his ego by vetoing what everyone thought was a done deal. He would have a point regarding giving up 2 first round picks IF they were not lottery-protected, but they are protected. Outside of the lottery, 1st round picks are a crapshoot. Joe Johnson is a quality YOUNG player with proven skills and great upside. He’s worth the deal. Oh, remember David McDavid wanting to buy and run the team from Texas? No juice here either and I suspect we’d be in the same boat with him as the owner. My hope was that having part of the new ownership team based in Atlanta would help us avoid this kind of situation. But a partnership is only as good as the managment agreement and whoever drew this up needs to give his fee back.

By Alvin

August 4, 2005 11:29 PM | Link to this

Ted, please come back!

By B

August 4, 2005 11:30 PM | Link to this

This is unbelieveable! I am a longtime season ticket holder (am wondering why) and this episode shows that this management/ownership group has serious problems. To fix the Hawks, this group has to fix itself first. Somehow get Joe Johnson. Get out of the courtroom and try to put the pieces back together….A very disgruntled season ticket holder (maybe not for long)

By DecaturD

August 4, 2005 11:38 PM | Link to this

All you “true” fans who think Joe Johnson is not worth a couple of draft picks and a max contract, with a sub-par “professional” athlete think about this. The two first round draft picks are lottery protected, which means the players drafted with those two picks have only a 5% chance of amounting to any kind of impact NBA player, name 5 in the last three years, I bet you cant even name 5 players drafted in the last 3 years who weren’t lottery picks, this is NOT the NFL people, where quality players can be drafted beyond the 1st round. The NBA draft gets really boring and mysterious after the first 15 picks. Give J.Johnson the max contract, why? Look at what the Pacers did with O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal wasnt a proven star out in Portland, he barely got playing time, but look at him now the Pacers took a CHANCE on a young kid with a huge upside. Wake up Atlanta free agents are running to sign the max with Atlanta this year NOT next year. Get JJ now and let’s call it a victory.

By Jam

August 4, 2005 11:42 PM | Link to this

Belkin is absolutely correct. I love Joe Johnson and want him in a Hawks uniform, but remember the Cowboys Vikings trade where they gave up everything including the kitchen sink to get Herschel Walker. Belkin stick to your guns and don’t give the Suns the Hawks future!

By Wes

August 4, 2005 11:47 PM | Link to this

Hahahaha! As an angry Suns fan I am loving this.

By Anthony

August 4, 2005 11:50 PM | Link to this

I only wish Steve Belkin was the majority owner. Joe Johnson is a good player but we have no proof that he can handle the point guard position. You are still rebuilding so why give away some of your building blocks. Two first round picks is too much. Yes, this is an embrassment to the franchise but Billy Knight should have checked with everyone before he made the deal. Stand strong Belkin. It’s guys like you that will pull this team out of the bottom.

By Tgod

August 4, 2005 11:54 PM | Link to this

After looking over this entire situation, I can understand where Belkin is coming from. Giving up Diaw, and 2 future first round picks is a little excessive for Johnson. He’s not Shaq. However, desperate times call for desperate measures, the city wants a winning team and they want it now. Be patient Hawks fans, you’ve been losers this long, what’s another year.

By todd

August 5, 2005 12:00 AM | Link to this

Mr Belkin: You are correct! This is a typical hawks move. Give up all your cap money with one move. Why would any team give up $70 Mil. and 2 draft picks for 1 player. What happens when Joe goes down? Look what Miami has done. You need to look to pay that kind of money to someone that can guard the paint. Joe is way tooo expensive. One guy has a breakout year and were ready to sign him for life. save the $$$$ and find 2 or 3 players to fill the void. save your picks !

By Big Papa

August 5, 2005 12:16 AM | Link to this

I am a fan of Atlanta. If there is a team in Atlanta - I support it. I own five Falcons season tickets and three Hawks season tickets and when my son graduates will purchase Braves season tickets. That said, do you think the NFL would make an exception and let Arthur Blank team up with the Atlanta owners and help run the Hawks?

By Rico Niles

August 5, 2005 12:16 AM | Link to this

Just Sell the Darn Team to Mr. Arthur Blank and watch the Hawks Soar just like the Falcons.

IT’S GUARANTEED!

By Rick Sterling

August 5, 2005 12:21 AM | Link to this

Thank you Steve Belkin. This is clearly a move made by Billy Knight to save his job. He’s going to mortage our future to buy himself another 2-3 years. 2 #1 picks, for a guy that was the 4th best player on his team last year? Please….that is all we need, he would make us 7-10 wins better, what does that do? It gets us into the back end of the lottery instead of the lower end. We need those pics to draft a true point. Joe is good but his numbers got inflated last year on that run and gun team where he never had a hand in his face from behind the arc.

Thank you Belkin, don’t make the same mistake Arthur Blank made, clean house, so the Hawks don’t get stuck with their “peerless price” (way overpaying for someone AND AND giving up #1 pics!)

By Dale

August 5, 2005 12:21 AM | Link to this

This is a complete nightmare. Joe Johnson would be a complete idiot to want to play here. Why leave a team with the MVP at point, the best young center in the league, the coach and GM of the year. To a team with a horrible reputation, poor ownership, a GM whe drafted Boris Diaw, Marvin Williams of Chris Paul, and Josh Childress over Andre Igudoula. This team is a joke!

By John

August 5, 2005 12:27 AM | Link to this

Read the Phoenix news paper, you Atlanta fans are getting another version of Peerless Price, just like Buffalo’s Eric Moulds make him look good, Stoudamire, Nash and everyone else made Johnson look way better than he is.

Go ahead give us those pics….give a max deal to a “good” player, when the great players are available the next few years you’ll wish you had the money back. :-S

By Paul

August 5, 2005 12:28 AM | Link to this

It’s not whether he disagrees with the deal or not, it’s the fact that the deal shouldn’t have gotten this far if they weren’t on the same page. We look like fools now and Belkin won’t be here soon. Due to our current losing history, the Hawks WILL have to overpay a bit in the beginning to get good players here. It’s the nature of the business.

By Anthony

August 5, 2005 12:28 AM | Link to this

Some of you dudes got no clue at all do you? Not that it’s a surprise since most of Hotlanta doesn’t really follow NBA basketball.

The bottomline is that when you are team that has been bad for awhile you are going to have to overpay. Joe Johnson? Excuse me… I don’t see no superstar around BECAUSE OTHER TEAMS DON’T LET THEM GO.

You can’t have 24 million in cap space for 2 straight years and come away with no FA’s. When you are building a team you need more than future draft picks and 20 year olds to build a real winning team.

The objective in getting Joe Johnson is not only to get a good player, but to show other FA’s that you are willing to build a winner.

Some of you need to follow NBA instead of the boys league (college) then you might come to understand Billy Knight and the rest of the ownership.

This trade needs to happen simply put.

By Erik

August 5, 2005 12:47 AM | Link to this

Does anyone still have McDavid’s number?

By lisa

August 5, 2005 12:51 AM | Link to this

If Billy Knight is stupid enough to throw in 2 first round pics when everyone on the west coast knows that Phenoix wasn’t going to math that offer to begin with then the Hawks deserve to be the clippers.

Prediction. When we fire Billy Knight at the end of this season, Johnson becomes the Hawks version of Peerless Price. :-(

By Hal

August 5, 2005 12:52 AM | Link to this

Hey, Tgod. What’s going to happen next year????

By Trent

August 5, 2005 12:59 AM | Link to this

As a Suns fan and season ticket holder I kinda hope the deal goes through. Joe Johnson is not worth $70 million bucks. He was never a great/consistent player until Nash signed with the Suns. Stuck out on an island all alone where he has to be the man, and there is no one else on the team to take the pressure off of him, I am predicting he will fail miserably. And to all of you Hawk fans who are not upset about losing the 1st round picks because they are lottery protected… keep this in mind. It is not a 100% guarentee. Starting in 07 they are only protected if it is a top 3 pick. And in 08 there is no restriction on them at all. One of the picks is coming via the lakers and they will probably make the playoffs this year, but the other one is all yours and i don’t see you being out of the lottery by 08. Wouldn’t that just be a kicker if we ended up with your overall #1 pick in 08.

By BRYAN J.

August 5, 2005 01:01 AM | Link to this

Belkin is the man!!! Not only is he showing good business sense, he’s more importantly showing common sense. It makes no sense to pay a guy Kevin Garnett money upfront to play out of position and mortgage the future of the franchise to PHX when JJ could turn out to be a bust, who is impossible to move because of his hefty contract. keep fighting the good fight Belkin.

By Vince

August 5, 2005 01:14 AM | Link to this

I see some of you don’t recognize talent when you see it. Joe Johnson has proven how far he has come in just one season…and he’s only 24. The combination of his skills approaches those of Magic Johnson. So I say…heck yeah…pay him and don’t look back!!

By Josh

August 5, 2005 01:23 AM | Link to this

I stand right by Belkin’s side. He is 100% correct. We are giving to much in return. Why two first round picks? Look at the Chicago Bulls. They rebulit aroung their youth and look where they are now. I would love to have Joe Johnson as a Hawk but giving up two first round picks is nuts. Why spend all of our cap room on one player. Or why not. We are the Atlanta Hawks and we make the most ludicrous signings and deals of all professional teams.

By Skydawg

August 5, 2005 01:33 AM | Link to this

Arthur Blank, please for the love of God buy the Hawks from these floundering clowns and why not just throw the Thrashers in there with them. Until we get owners with true vested interest in these teams (like Blank is with the Falcons) then these teams are doomed. And its very sad because I see two very young teams with alot of upside if a couple of RIGHT moves are made. And just be glad that Belkin doesnt have the same leverage for the Thrashers as he does the Hawks (NBA Governor). And that is why the Thrashers and Don Waddell are making the right moves. But once again I must add…Arthur Blank, please buy the Hawks and Thrashers!!!!

By Tom

August 5, 2005 01:34 AM | Link to this

If the worst executive in all of sports worked out this deal (Billy Knight), that tells me right there this deal sucks. Everyone can complain about the ownership all they want, but the guy who should be leaving is the GM. And getting Arthur Blank to buy the team? Oh good grief.

By SHolzapfel

August 5, 2005 01:50 AM | Link to this

All the Hawks’ owners are now certifiably insane! 1) Not selecting a top true point guard in the draft that could learn. 2) Not using most of their cap money to lure a top, experienced big man. 3) Offering J.Johnson $70 mil. 4) Offering Phoenix two 1st round picks + player in addition to above salary (lottery protected or not). 5) Stalling the proposal after it was made to Phoenix. If I were Johnson, after telling the Suns not to match the original offer, I would run away from the Hawks as fast as I could!

By B.P.

August 5, 2005 01:58 AM | Link to this

I really cannot see why some Hawks fans are complaining about this. When JJ got hurt last year in the playoffs, what did the Suns do? They started losing, thats what they did. I can see why fans are wanting a center, but shaq reupped with Heat and we can still sign Big Ed b/c he is getting underpaid right now and we can steal him from the Bulls. Mr. Belkin needs to go through with this deal b/c JJ KNOWS how to win. He kept the Suns going b/c without him the Suns lost in the Western Finals. IF we get JJ here he’ll most likely rub off on the rooks and they’ll learn how to win, and, Pheonix forbid, we make the playoffs. And, actually I can’t see how were getting ripped in this deal. Boris is most likely going bust with whatever team he ends up with(no offence Boris) and the picks are lottery protected, so if we suck again next year with JJ we can still draft in the lottery. Tell me five players who have made a significant difference with their teams that were drafted in the first round but not in the lottery. Then tell me five guys who hhave made a significant difference who were drafted in the lottery. If Mr. Belkin is a celtics fan he needs to be the owner the of the Celtics, not the hawks. We need a owner that is dedicated to making this team better. If Belkin is dedicated, he needs to show it in a hurry by signing on this deal. And if we do get JJ, that’ll give future free agents a reason to come and play for Atlanta, to play for a PROVEN player, not just some rookies who did good in college or have huge upside and getting all these predictions put upon them that they’ll most likely not live up to. I like the rookies, i really do. But Belkin needs to suck it up and face reality and that reality is that he not going to win with players that get microscope x amount of dollars going to their bank account. We need players that can help us WIN. And sometimes you gotta open your wallet for those kind of players and not just dig in your pocket for the money.

No wonder Antoine got traded to the Celtics.

By Craig

August 5, 2005 02:16 AM | Link to this

No one’s mentioned yet that the other owners are actually trying to remove Balkin from his position as NBA Governor for the Hawks and Belkin has actually sued the rest of the owners to stop it from happening. Yes, just when you think it can’t get any messier, it does.

I’m not that enthusiastic about the deal that was announced, but the problem is deeper than this one incident. Although this “ownership by committee” approach is probably the surest road to failure, whether it’s nine owners or one, the owners can’t be making decisions like this. They’re supposed to be hiring a GM who knows more about running an NBA than they do, give him enough authority to do his job, let him know how much in the way of resources he has to work with, and get out of his way. After that, it’s the GM’s job to decide how to build the team. If Knight can’t trusted to do the job right, they need to hire someone who can be and let him do it. Just because the owners have a lot of money doesn’t mean they know how to run a basketball franchise any more than it means that they would know how to run a hospital if they happened to buy one.

Anyway, for the life of me I don’t understand how Knight was out making an offer he apparently didn’t have the authority to make. If the trade required Belkin’s approval, how in the damn world is it that the offer to Johnson wasn’t cleared with him before it was made?

No one is going to do a deal of any significance with the Hawks after this disaster. Again, what a damn mess.

By SHolzapfel

August 5, 2005 03:01 AM | Link to this

All Hawks owners, I mean ALL, do not have a handle on this! They need a PG, PF, and C, yet they get another SF in the draft? They try to sign another SG to play PG for $70 mil and then offer Phoenix 2 picks + player (lottery protected or not). Then they stall proposal to Phoenix, making me, if I were J. Johnson, run for anywhere else than Atlanta, and wish that I had not told Suns’ not to match the offer.

By Brian

August 5, 2005 03:14 AM | Link to this

Joe Johnson shined when he was surrounded by Stoudimire,Marion and Nash, three All-Stars. He wont be nothing but an average player when he loses all that talent around him. I believe Mr Belkin is right. To much $$$ for just one person. He isnt a Shaq or Kobe. Lets not tie all that money up on one person.

By joe

August 5, 2005 03:16 AM | Link to this

Let me ask you this - if the deal blows up and JJ doesn’t make it to Atlanta, how will any other FA or RFA ever going to want to come to Atlanta?

Signing JJ even if it’s a bad deal is the only option right now. Not signing JJ is even worse.

By Gary

August 5, 2005 06:03 AM | Link to this

Let me get this straight… the Hawks freed up all kinds of cap space… obtained a handful of draftpicks in recent trades… and for what joe johnson? I don’t think so… what they are offering in salary and in the trade is a joke.

By Benjamin

August 5, 2005 06:39 AM | Link to this

Why would a rebuilding team mortgage its future by giving 2 first round picks, a former first round pick and cash for one player? Plus $70 million in salary? Are you crazy?!? I think the trade is ridiculous. Mr. Belkin did the right thing and I thank him for standing up and recognizing when the cost for this player was too high.
Who know if he is completely healed from the eye injury he suffered during the playoffs? It seems like the Hawks are burning to give away this money and draft picks during free agency that they will take any player and overspend for them. With the nucleus the Hawks have now, they can continue to build from the draft and players will soon recognize that the ATL is the place to be. How soon we in Atlanta forget about the Jon Konkack mess. It took years to get from under that dumb contract. If the other partners can’t agree that Mr. Belkin is a savy business man, maybe they need to sell their shares to him. I’m sure the Suns organization thought they’d died and went to heaven when they saw that ridiculous amount they were prepared to receive for J. Johnson. If they’re going to stick to their guns, maybe he should play in Phoenix next year and let’s get this thing crackin’in the A Town with the players we have.

By James

August 5, 2005 06:46 AM | Link to this

The Hawks ownership needs to get their act together. Belkin needs to get off of his high horse and see that this is good for the franchise. Diaw has been a bust thusfar, Joe Johnson is still young and would be a welcome fit to this team. And what message does this send to other free agents who maybe considering the Hawks, and to a lesser degree, the Thrashers? Unless Belkin wants to see these teams go down the tubes, he needs to do what is really correct for the team and allow this trade to go through, then he needs to step down from his postition on the Board Of Governors and let someone who really cares about this team take his spot.

By Samuel

August 5, 2005 06:54 AM | Link to this

I agree that this doesn’t “look” good but I have never liked this deal anyways.

First of all the Hawks have Salim Stodamire who appears to be the point guard of the future. Why bring in another “experiement” in Joe Johnson. So far he’s only had one or two decient years in a “RUN AND GUN” offense.

We have enough 6’8”/6’9” players on the roster now.

Why not bring in a proven veteran at center and Point Guard to groom some of these young guys? Say a Mutombo or Dale Davis and a Sam Cassell or Nick Van Exell, or Gary Payton for that kind of money.

Assuming they will come now.

By CJ z3

August 5, 2005 07:06 AM | Link to this

Not to hate on anyone, but I think Mr. Belkin is right. JJ is a good player, but he had plenty of help on the Sun team. So in short, we will be getting a maybe situation in JJ as the star of our show. But to give up two draft picks Boris Diaw and money for cap room.(I really thought we were tring to get better and not help other team stay in the playoffs running) With this deal I would rather see Salem throw up a bunch of shots. The Sun stated that they already have JJ replacement, so why are they asking for so much. The Suns are using JJ as a way to stay as a franchise team.

By Stephen from Fayetteville

August 5, 2005 07:15 AM | Link to this

Get a grip people. The Joe Johnson deal is not the make-or-break trade for the Hawks franchise for all time. Players come and go. But this ownership rift will much more far-reaching negative ramifications. The franchise could be paralyzed for months/years while this mess is sorted out in court. Steve Belkin owns only 30 percent of the team. He has been outvoted 8-1 by the rest of the owners. If he’s such a smart businessman, shouldn’t he know that this public discord among the Hawks’ owners will jeopardize his investment to a far greater extent than this one trade deal?

By Russ

August 5, 2005 07:29 AM | Link to this

JOE WHO !!!!! Come on man …. This guy will only avg about 20 points a game. I think the Hawks did the right thing. Keep the two draft slots for next year……

By Jim

August 5, 2005 07:39 AM | Link to this

All comments aside re: whether the Hawks should sign JJ or not, this will further detract quality players from wanting to play for ATL. Why not pour all of the money into getting a real big man and let Stoudamire take the reigns? Otherwise, the Hawks will continue to the the laughing stock of the NBA.

By Krkelly

August 5, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

Come on ATL! First off, when is the last time we have had a FREE AGENT like JJ, SINCE PLAYERS COME AND GO! Oh, I forgot RASHEED WALLACE! We need to go ahead and get JJ, who average 17 on a team with 6 all-stars and played DEFENSE! Next step, develop Williams in the post and win this thing. PERIOD!

By Fan

August 5, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this

Billie Knight is a bad poker player. Suns won’t match, do not do a sign and trade, sign him to a sheet and wait. He isn’t worth two high first round picks (protected or not).

By David

August 5, 2005 08:18 AM | Link to this

I agree with Belkin. Joe Johnson is a very good player but this is too much. We worked and suffered for the cap space and to build from the draft. This is way too much money plus two first rounders for a player who is not a franchise star.

By Chris Johnson

August 5, 2005 08:20 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand why everyone should be mad at Mr. Belkin in this situation. Billy Knight is the man to blame. Come on, $70 million for Joe Johnson. Give me a break. If Mr. Belkin really wants to take a stand he’ll fire his GM. Billy Knight has done nothing but make one bad decision after another since he got here. Didn’t he drive the Grizzlies out of Vancouver? As far as our point guard situation goes, Stoudamire is plenty good enough to start in this league. He’s far more prepared than Marvin Williams (Another poor decision by Billy Knight).

By jeff toson

August 5, 2005 08:22 AM | Link to this

Anybody who is going against this trade is missing the issue. The Hawks GM committed to making this trade. We are the only team in NBA history how has an owner who has undermined the authority of the GM. Publicly, this trade was announced. What Steve Belkin did to the image of this organization will cost them more than the $70 million being offered to Joe Johnson. It’s embarrasing and it’s another black eye for this sorry organization. Are we giving up too much for Joe? Maybe. But if you are Steve Belkin, you don’t hold up the deal at the risk of damaging an already fragile public perception of your team. If the trade falls through, the Hawks can count me out. I’m tired of this mess.

By KB

August 5, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this

Mr. Belkin, FIGHT ON!!!!!!! I think this is a foooooooooooolish trade. Joe Johnson is a good player, but to give up $70M AND 2 first round picks AND Bois Diaw is way too much. You need a point guard and a center. I believe you can package some players for those two positions instead. The good teams still use the draft to build a championship with valuable pieces (AKA San Antonio - Duncan, LA - Kobe, Detroit - Prince.) Billy Knight did a great job in moving old deadwood from the ship. But for the price to get JJ would just undue the great work Mr. Knight just did.

By Adam

August 5, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this

This deal appears to be too one-sided to me. I saw what the Hawks were given up and could not believe that they would even agree to the terms. While the Hawks need a point guard, Johnson will not put them over the top.

The Hawks are giving up their future in the form of 2 1st round picks. I agree that they need to get rid of Boris Diaw, as he is no longer working out here but why not include someoone else. You still have to understand that the Hawks need a true center and a shooting guard. We have 4 guys this franchise is going to be built around, and they all play the same position.

I have to agree with Belkin on this trade and think that the Hawks are better off looking elsewhere for a point guard. I also believe the Hawks are better off keeping their ownership problems behind closed doors, because no free agent wants to join this mess.

By Rip

August 5, 2005 08:46 AM | Link to this

Wow, this is some real dysfunctional ownership. I can’t really comment on what goes on behind closed doors but if I was an big time NBA player, I would not want to come here. Its too many hands in the cookie jar and somebody needs to go. The NBA commissioner needs to step in and rectify this situation for the sake of the NBA. I will not be going to any Hawks game now that I see the type of incomptence that is our management.

By Ricardo

August 5, 2005 08:46 AM | Link to this

I think the hawks would be giving up too much, so I agree with Steve.

By JoeyB

August 5, 2005 08:47 AM | Link to this

Joe Johnson proved on the grandest stage of the playoffs when so many players disappear (i.e.Antoine Walker, that’s why he was run out of Boston) that he is legit. He is versatile. He can run the point, play 2 guard and small forward. He doesn’t take away from anyone else’s game. HE’S 24. We are already young and don’t need any more green players so the draft picks now are expendable. Salim Stoudamire was a steal of the draft. Aren’t you glad Dampier isn’t here. WE HAVE NEARLY $30M TO SPEND ON FREE AGENTS. In other words, Billy Knight is doing a better job than people are giving him credit. People around the league are recognizing that now and here is management not supporting him. If I was a player I would be leary about signing here now. Bad move by Belkin. It is embarassing and it gives the appearance that Atlanta doesn’t know what it is doing. Belkin isn’t the team he is a partner. He is outnumbered 3 to 1 more if you include Basketball insiders who think the move is coo. This is cry-baby stuff.

By G

August 5, 2005 08:58 AM | Link to this

….sell the team to BELKIN or 51% to him…fire the COACH…fire KNIGHT….

By Mike

August 5, 2005 08:59 AM | Link to this

I agree with Belkin’s thought that the Hawks are giving up too much, but we knew this going into the off season. To get any respectable player we knew we would have to over pay, and in this case give too much in return. If the Hawks couldn’t talk the Suns into accepting Diaw, 1 first round pick and a second round pick by now it’s not going to happen. We just need to accept the deal on the table and not screw it up for future free agents.

By Brian

August 5, 2005 09:00 AM | Link to this

I think some of you against the trade are forgetting that the two draft picks we are giving up are LOTTERY PROTECTED. By the time the Hawks give up these picks THEY WILL ALREADY BE IN THE PLAY-OFFS. That won’t EVER happen if we keep letting big free agents like Joe slip through our fingers.

By Brad

August 5, 2005 09:02 AM | Link to this

I dont know what is best for the Hawks. Biggest problem I see is too many owners. Ownership of a business, or even a sports team is not decision to be made by a number of owners. There will always be a difference of opinions. Get used to it Atlanta, this is just the 1st of many similar arguments to come.

By Sumeet

August 5, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this

Way to go Mr. Belkin! You are right to stand up to everyone else. We would be giving up too much in the trade. Billy Knight, take out one first round pick and then it’s a good trade.

By Billy

August 5, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this

The most the Hawks should give up is Boris Diaw. If the Suns don’t want him (and I hear they do, in fact, want him) then they can match our offer. But we don’t need to give up two 1st round picks.

Billy Knight has not been a bad GM for us. He’s had two good drafts under his watch (the two in which he was totally in control) and I like the Zaza signing. But he should have called the Suns’ bluff on JJ, signed him and dared Phoenix to match.

Ownership is the big problem. This isn’t the end of the story. Someone will have to buy someone out or there will never be hope for our Hawks.

I think Steve is right in that we are giving up too much. Somebody did wrong here, though. Either Steve didn’t tell Billy what he felt about the trade soon enough or at all OR Billy didn’t listen to Steve if Steve did tell Billy how he felt.

AJC, please find out for us! Who is at fault here? Did Steve tell Billy he would not agree to this trade before Billy agreed to it? Or did Steve not tell Billy how he felt before Billy agreed to it?

By Peter Bok

August 5, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this

Mr. Belkin is correct in his actions. Although Joe Johnson is a very good player, he probably is not worth the $70 million contract combined with TWO draft picks. Boris Diaw is a player who appears lost on the court and thus had seen his playing time reduced last year. The Hawks should trade/release him, but not at the expense of an over-paid, somewhat unproven player (yes, Johnson did have an outstanding year as a role player on an outstanding team - but it was just that one year). The Hawks would be better served to stay with their rebuilding plan for the next year, look at other lower-cost short-term options and continue to develop the young talent they have on the team.

By Daron

August 5, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this

I think that if the hawks cannot get a big man, he is the best thing for them. they are paying a little to much, but he is young and it should be a good return on investment

By Febbie

August 5, 2005 09:17 AM | Link to this

Pete Babcock made trumped up decisions for 10 years and everybody was ok with it…Billy Knight needs to have a chance to build the team before judgement is passed!

By Matt

August 5, 2005 09:19 AM | Link to this

Who cares really? The Hawks are a horrible team with an abismal fan base. They haven’t truly been worth seeing since the 80s heyday of Nique & co. Most of the blame can be put on the management and owners who run this sorry franchise. The NBA in itself is the worse run professional sports leauge (well there’s always the NHL). Why should I spend my hard earned money to go see a sport full of selfish show-boaters with the “its all about me” persona. Give me Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, etc. They played basketball the way it should be played. Until the Hawks and the NBA get it right, I’m sticking with football.

By Akhil

August 5, 2005 09:19 AM | Link to this

I think this point has been made by someone else, but the Hawks need to go through with this trade. This franchise cannot sit around and wait any longer. Yeah, we might be giving up too much for JJ, but it’s come down to a matter of principal. We said we were going to sign him, hell it sounded like we had already signed him when it was announced on ESPN, so let’s do it and build a team. One more point, how in the world is it that players are rejecting Atlanta for towns like Denver, Milwakee, and Seattle for god’s sake. That is very sad considering this town has one of the biggest professional African American populations and has been knowned to be a home to numerous professional athletes. It just shows that this franchise is not worth a damn.

By Edgar Loyd

August 5, 2005 09:22 AM | Link to this

Belkin is right!!! We can take a chance on signing Johnson without the trade. The Suns know that he doesn’t want to play for them, so why not just sign him and keep Diaw for another trade and keep those first round draft picks? Thank you, Mr Belkin for bringing some common sense into the Hawks ownership.

By Monty

August 5, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

Giving up too much? Oh please! We’ve already got 3 young first round players on our roster. We don’t need the draft picks (which are lottery protected anyway). While I understand Johnson doesn’t solve all of our problems, he’s just about the best solution to one of our problems (point guard, outside shooting, on the ball defense). We can plug that hole this year, and look for a center next year.

Belkin better not sit near me next season if he kills this deal (i.e. stay away from the Hawks bench, sir), because I’ll have a few words for him.

By Eddie

August 5, 2005 09:25 AM | Link to this

Let’s see: Hawks franchise has major issues - what’s changed? Is anyone surprised? These guys haven’t cared about their fans for years; why start now?

And as far as the trade goes, I’m sure (this is where the sarcasm comes in) that all the comments on the quality of the trade come from people (like Steve Belkin) who know more about basketball than professional coaches & GM’s — get a clue.

By Gary

August 5, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this

I like what Billy Knight is doing, but he’s been giving up too much for too little. Wallace and Walker gone for one pick each and yet he’s willing to spend two number one picks and Boris for JJ. I say keep up what you are doing, Billy, but have a lunch meeting with John S. of the Braves to learn the art of not giving away the farm.

By joe

August 5, 2005 09:30 AM | Link to this

this is avery bad situation and it has to be resolved very quickly. We should go ahead with the deal its only two first round picks and we have two next year anyway. What are we saving to picks for anyway the team is too young we really don’t need any more rookies on this team anyway. TAKE A CHANCE PEOPLE

By Shannon

August 5, 2005 09:38 AM | Link to this

I can see both sides. Joe Johnson could be the one of centerpieces of the franchise for the next decade. Joe Johnson could also result in not coming close to what we gave up for him. The problem that I have is that not only are we the worst team in the NBA, we now have owners who are acting like they are characters on the O.C.

By Lamar

August 5, 2005 09:39 AM | Link to this

I don’t believe that Belkin is fighting for Boris Diaw and two draft picks. Look the draft picks are lottery protected, meaning that if we stink we keep the picks..simple. In any event we got those picks in order to deal them…like what we are attempting to do now. We can’t have a team full of recent draft picks, we need veteran leadership.

By SCW

August 5, 2005 09:39 AM | Link to this

Boy if this isn’t typical. The Hawks management can’t agree on a terrible trade. That sounds about right for an organization that gets more laughs than cheers. Leave town. We don’t need you.

By Dave

August 5, 2005 09:40 AM | Link to this

When is Steve Belkin going to get off his high horse and approve the Hawks’ Joe Johnson trade?

He is starting to appear as clueless and unconcerned about improving the team as the owner of the fictional Charlestown Chiefs in the movie “Slap Shot”.

If you recall, the Chiefs won the championship in spite of her. I fear that the Hawks may have to do the same!

By M

August 5, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this

This deal is one that the Hawks need to make. Joe Johnson is one of the top 4 or 5 free agents available. He is young and has improved every year in the league. He isn’t the star that will catapult this team into the playoffs, but he will be a critical piece for many years.

But the most important issue in this trade is the symbolism. The Hawks, despite ridiculous amounts of cap room, can’t sign big name free agents. Ray Allen wouldn’t look our way, Gary Payton wouldn’t report, and no other big-name player will consider it. This trade is about proving to the NBA that the Hawks are serious about building a contender. This rift in management sends the message to the fans and NBA players that the team is unwilling to improve the team, poorly run, and plagued by infighting.

Joe Johnson is a smart player who will be a fantastic player for years to come. Boris Diaw and money are things the Hawks can afford to part with. First round picks, although important, are worth parting for when we are getting a guy like Joe in return. The Hawks need to make this move for symbolic reasons as much as for competitive reasons.

By Jim Robinson

August 5, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this

The Hawks owners in-fighting spectacle just proves that clowns with money are still just clowns.

By William

August 5, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

This blubbering, back-stabbing so-called “best interest” coup by Belkin is tragic. This move could give the Hawks a chance to have one of the most unique backcourts since Showtime, and give them an actual competitive advantage. Any doubters about JJ’s point play should take a look at his days at Arkansas. And he WANTS to come here! This is about winning isn’t it? Spending the cap money on Dale Davis and waiting for draft picks is a rather sad alternative.

By Jere Griffin

August 5, 2005 09:51 AM | Link to this

Mr. Belkin has a right to carefully consider the Johnson trade. Don’t forget, his investment and reputation is on the line here also. He was voted into this position by his partner’s, so let him do his job. The asking price for Johnson does seem a little steep. I aggree that only as a last resort, do you give up a number one draft pick, much less two. My suggestion would be to replace the number ones offer with Harrington, since there’s a log-jam at the forward positions anyway. That would give the younger guys more PT, plus the savings towards the bottom line.

By Giving up on the Hawks for good

August 5, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

It really doesn’t matter at this point who’s right (Steve or everyone else). What does matter is the long term damage this will do to Billy Knight’s ability to improve this team. If the rest of the league (other GMs and Free Agents) feel that Billy is operating without the higher ups behind him (or only some of them), they simply won’t do business with him. There will have to be a dramatic shake up in the front office (mainly the ownership group) to demonstrate to the rest of the league that the Hawks are serious about playing, and hopefully winning, in this league.

By curtis

August 5, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this

I agree with Ricardo, The Hawks would be giving uo to much Here is a list of what this trade would cost:

1)The Hawks would no longer be the laughing stock of the NBA

2)The worst record in the NBA would belong to some other team (we’re so fond of the award, when is the last time the Lakers can say that)

3)Parking at Phillips would become difficult if this trade went through (because people would actually come to the game to see the… HAWKS Hey Steve thats the object)

4)And finally it would cost the Hawks marketing dept. because Bryant, O’Neal and other super satrs around the NBA would not be the drawing card>

Thinks about it Steve, in a partnership if everyone is on the same page but you then maybe your on the wrong page.

Just a comment, I welcome yours,

Curtis (I ashamed to say a Hawk fan for 20 years)

By Jaison96

August 5, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this

Hello, We trying to get better here!!!! Acquireing JJ will help our team and will send a message to free agents for next year to come to Atlanta.

By rick

August 5, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this

I think this would be a good trade. Atlanta has not historically been an ideal destination for premier free agents in their prime. Once you have a premier free agent, who also happens to play point guard, other good free agents will look at Atlanta as a viable option. Right now, as far as the NBA is concerned, Atlanta is considered the elephants graveyard where players’ careers go to die. These rifts should have been resolved before an offer was made. Now it is yet another blackeye for a franchise that makes it extremely difficult to cheer for.

By Phil

August 5, 2005 10:08 AM | Link to this

Joe Johnson put up numbers on a run and gun team that played porous defense. He got wide open looks and a ton of transition points. That being said, I’d still like to see him here. But not for that kind of money AND draft picks. Can this guy really run the point, anyway? What gets me is that there are a lot of free agents out there and I haven’t seen anything about us making them offers. We couldn’t land a Raja Bell? Damon Stoudemeier? Come on. What are these guys doing? I agree with everyone’s take that there are too many cooks in the kitchen and what not. I personally think this deal is going to die. If I’m JJ I’m watching this and seeing at a sign of bad things to come. And if it does go through, we are still gonna have big time problems. Getting JJ doesn’t vault us into the playoffs by any stretch. We are still dead in the post. This is looking worse every day.

By Spaz

August 5, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this

Are you kidding me, $70 million, our former number draft pick, and 2 future first round draft picks for a non franchise player. How much longer are we going to have to wait to get a decent team? If this deal goes through, we will be sucking for another 10 years. I don’t think I will see another winning season in my lifetime. Can we just draft new ownership instead of players?

By Melle

August 5, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

You know what? 70 million is a lot of money. But for the Hawks to get a quality player - not a superstar, just a quality player, they’re going to have to pay extra. That’s the cost they have to pay for being soo bad for so long. As someone else said, the Hawks are considered the Clippers of the East. Why do you think they have so much cap space now? No one wants to come here. I read that article on ESPN and the columnist said that JJ must be crazy to want to come here. I guess he was right.

By Joe

August 5, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

I must admit, I’m conflicted on this whole issue.

First off, I do believe JJ is a really good player but probably not worthy of a max deal. I am also not convinced he is what the Hawks need - he’s not a real PG and only clutters up a postion where we have other young players at SG.

However, getting any big name player to want to come to Atlanta is a huge step foward. Why we pursued JJ instead of other free agents may be cause for question, but when one of the top available players of the summer wants to come to one of the worst franchises, you have to take him. The Hawks have tried unsuccessfully for years to get big name players to take their money (some of whome were much more questionable as max salery players than Joe is).

If Belkin is holding up this deal simply because he feels that Atlanta is giving up too much in the trade, that’s fine. Come on out and say that this is the problem and work towards a different deal with Phoenix (the Hawks are in the rare position of actually having some room to bargain since JJ wants to come here). But if Belkin is simply disatisfied with JJ as our big catch of the off-season, he needs a reality check. Not many teams in the league have the leverage to treat a player this way, and the Hawks are certainly not one of them.

Remember, next year’s free agents are watching.

By Craig Vaughn

August 5, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

I really cant’t understand this franchise!first you dump salary to rebuild.Then you turn around and start getting a bunch of young players who by the time they develope into quality nba players thier contracts will be up and they will not stay because the team is terrible.I like the last draft that we had, lets add some veteran talent to this young nucleus.The only way we are going to be able to do that is by trading for J.J. or someone better in a sign and trade.Because lets face it no free agents are beating down our door to play here.

By M

August 5, 2005 10:17 AM | Link to this

Giving up first round picks is certainly difficult. But these picks are lottery protected. Further, it can be difficult to build a winner through the draft alone (most teams aren’t able to do this). The Hawks need to sign solid free agents as well. Reading over Jeff D’Alessio’s article on the Hawks’ draft woes proves that the draft alone is no guarantee of future success. Starting in 1999 (the last playoff year) and looking through 2003, the Hawks had 8 first round draft picks. What do they have to show for those picks? The worst season in franchise history last year.

The Hawks have also drafted such immortal names as Ed Gray, Doug Edwards, Roy Marble, and Jon Koncak with first round picks. My point is that first round picks are not proven. Joe Johnson is.

By Pascal

August 5, 2005 10:30 AM | Link to this

Steve is right on the money. And it’s his money! He should vetoe this ridiculous trade. We are looking at an Alan Henderson scenario all over again. Loaded contract for a decent player.

Joe Johnson is only very good player with a lot of great players around him, as in Phoenix, not Atlanta. He, like Damon Jones of Miami, benefited from having All-Stars around him. Not happening here. Besides, can we give someone Max money who has consistently performes well. Too many 1 year, contract year, players in the league.

By Kiran

August 5, 2005 10:37 AM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? This is a typical Billy Knight trade. Give up the house and take on a marginal player with a massive salary. I’m glad the one owner has some guts to speak out. Just think of the team that we could have had: - Jason Terry - Antwan Walker - Rasheed Wallace - Gary Payton - Josh Smith

Instead we have a questionable #2 pick and a bunch of players playing the same position. Billy Knight is taking the Hawks to new lows….we were already the worst team in the NBA.

By Chris

August 5, 2005 10:39 AM | Link to this

Words can’t explain the ignorance of Steve Belkin or the history of Hawks ownership. For starters, acquiring Joe Johnson would be huge for the Hawks, why is everyone making a huge deal about the two draft picks, one of them is from the Lakers(via Walker trade), and the other one is lottery protected. The Hawks already have a bevy of young talent to groom with childress, Smith and Marvin Williams. Let them cultivate and grow, while learning from a potential star in Joe. Boy is it hard to be a hawks fan.

By Reid Whitaker

August 5, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this

Surely Johnson is much much better than Diaw. As far as the draft choices go, you can always try to pick up draft choices in your next trade. Without Johnson, I fear we will be the same old team this year and down the road.

By Josh

August 5, 2005 10:43 AM | Link to this

I personally think that what Steve Belkin is doing is terrible. Right now the hawks ownership group is the laughing stock of the league. We have been trying for two years to get a quality player like Johnson to take our money. Now that we’ve finally accomplished that, Mr. Belkin is screwing things up royally. Furthermore, I feel that it is extremely poor management on his part to show such favoritism to the Thrashers, who have recently aquired a high profile free agent without any problems. I personally think that Steve Belkin should voluntarily step down has NBA governor for the Atlanta Hawks. He’s done too much damage already.

By Jeremy

August 5, 2005 10:46 AM | Link to this

The hawks are giving up way to much for a player who only averages 17 points a game. GO BELKIN GO. Thats why he oversees the NBA aspect of the Sprint Group, because the other guys don’t have a clue whats going on.

By Aaron B.

August 5, 2005 10:50 AM | Link to this

You see, this may not be a pretty deal but getting JJ is a positive move for the Hawks. With JJ at the point it will create serious matchup problems for other guards in the NBA. Plus he has proven himself to be a much improved player.

Even if Belkin doesn’t agree with the final terms of the trade, he needs to at least consider the damage he has done by blocking its finalization. We shouldn’t mind paying a little extra to entice other FA’s to look our way. JJ is not a Koncak, and anyone foolish enough to compare those two players needs to stop watching basket-ball. As for the future picks, come-on guys… if its lottery pick we keep it anyways, so whats the problem?! And everyone agree’s that Boris doesn’t register as a quality player anywhere.

Give Atlanta a chance to become a good basketball city!

By Niblack

August 5, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this

The Hawks owners are a bunch of clowns. If they were going to be this bad, they might as well have left Kasten and Babcock in charge, at least they made their bonehead moves together. I mean who would want to come to a losing team who’s ownership is in dissaray? Just when I thought things couldn’t get worst, the Keystone cops buys the Hawks.

By Philip

August 5, 2005 11:02 AM | Link to this

I agree with Belkin that the Hawks are giving up too much for Joe Johnson. Let’s get real…the Hawks aren’t contending this year or in the next couple of years. This team is rebuilding, but it won’t be able to accomplish that feat if they trade away two first round picks. Even though the Hawks ownership group and management has changed since the mid 90’s the organization is still in a tailspin since it traded away Dominique Wilkins. That trade will go down as one of the worst ever in sports history. The Hawks gave up a Hall-of-Fame player AND a first-round draft pick to obtain the oft-injured and mediocre Danny Manning. Of course to make matters worse the trade was made when the Hawks had the BEST record in the NBA. The team went straight into the tank following the trade. We had no go-to guy…no one that could take the ball to the basket. Manning was content just to stand around and pass the ball. The Atlanta Hawks organization is still suffering from the ‘Nique curse. Heck, look at the Hawks’ draft picks over the last decade…all garbage. Marvin Williams hasn’t had a chance to prove my theory wrong. When was the last time Atlanta brought in a good or even great player via free agency? Bottom line is that this franchise is pathetic from top to bottom. And in a melting pot town filled with carbetbaggers you’re not going to get fans to the games unless you’re winning…and winning big. And the only way they will grab the attention of the true Georgians that live outside Atlanta is by running the organization the way Schuerholz runs the Braves.

Who cares about basketball any way…it’s time for some football.

By jay

August 5, 2005 11:05 AM | Link to this

If you guys need a point guard. Bring in Smush Parker. He used to play for cleveland and is a great talent. Oh yea, what about the Blake kid from Maryland who is a free agent with Washington. These are two young talents who can play if given the chance. Also, Smush is long and athletic and Blake is 6’3. Doesn’t our GM like long athletic guards. If you bring in those two guys, you could still get Johnson but without having to give up the two draft picks. Also, if the Hawks ownership don’t get it together, they stand a BIG chance of losing there fan base. Atlantians have been waiting too long for a competative basketball team. Get it together and either get some better scouts or do a better job scouting talent. Sorry, I don’t think Johnson is worth giving up two first round draft picks unless you plan on having the worst record for the next five years. By then He will be frustrated and ready to be traded again. Oh yea, why not look at the back up point guard for New Jersey(Zoran Planinic). 6’7 point/forward, who is a legitimate point guard. Please look at one or two of these players. You will not go wrong.

By David

August 5, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this

I also think that this trade is a little crazy. Would Pheonix even be able to match the 5 yr, 70 mil offer? They just signed Raja Bell and they have some key players to sign next year… and will need the money. I think they are pulling a fast one over on the Hawks and making something (2 draft picks, cap exception) out of nothing (losing Joe J. to the Hawks in free agency). Don’t get me wrong, I want Joe as a Hawk, but it is giving up a lot.

Also, if I have to…I will buy the Hawks… for 2 draft picks and Jon Koncak.

By Chris

August 5, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

This is ridiculous. We are the joke of the league. How else are we supposed to get anyone to play here besides overpaying? Belkin is giving this team too much credit. JJ will be a good player here. And along with Salim, Marvin, and the Joshes, we are a center away from having a decent Eastern Conference team. I’m sure JJ is asking himself what he just got himself into. Belkin is an idiot.

By Doug

August 5, 2005 11:21 AM | Link to this

Personally, I hope the trade does not go through. As a life long Phoenix Suns fan, I think they are getting too little in return. The draft picks are lottery protected, that is not good enough. The Suns are built to win now, and J.J is a much need component of this team. Glad to see someone on the Hawks is going to insure this deal does not go through.

By Allen

August 5, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this

Atlanta Hawks - remind me, who are they again?

By Rashee

August 5, 2005 11:26 AM | Link to this

I think the Hawks are dealing with the prime example of “Too many Chiefs and not enough Indians,”. The sooner we as Hawks fans can get one or maybe just two owners the better off the franchise will be.

By hawksdown

August 5, 2005 11:28 AM | Link to this

Point is even if you pay too much, you must act professionally. Damage to reliability and reputation is far greater than what the overpayment may be. The Hawks’ management really needs to be changed —what is Billy Knight thinking strategically about Hawks future? I see nothing shining

By block

August 5, 2005 11:28 AM | Link to this

We need this deal! We need some starpower, and treat him good and ask him what he wants and what he’ll give. and then put all our resources into a high profile coach “no matter how long it takes!”. Pay him the max, give full control on all decisions. Let ownership observe only! and stay the:H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS out of the way. Also, talking to your star players on the team BEFORE A TRADE!! will help spread the word, of good management in atlanta. And more quality players will want to come here to play or contribute to a championship!!

By Cedric

August 5, 2005 11:37 AM | Link to this

You guys agreeing with Belkin are IDOTS, he has no basketball IQ and you guys aparently don’t either, Joe Johnson is better than any 2 players we’ll be able to get in the next two years out of the draft with a pick outside of the lottery, if we get a lottery pick then we keep it…. This gives our city and this already horible team more and more black eye’s, we need to get the deal done, if it turns out great (like I think it will) say hello to the Play-offs, if it’s sour, then we still get out lottery draft pick next year. Either way somethings gott give, at this point, move the team all together and let really start over from scratch… And I’m gone

By Darryl

August 5, 2005 11:37 AM | Link to this

I’m not a Hawks fan, but I am a basketball fan and I cannot believe anyone thinks this would be a good trade. JJ is a complimentary player on a Suns team with better players than the Hawks. Further, they play an entirely different style. I know a lot of people are saying landing a big free agent will make other players think about coming here, but JJ is not a “big” free agent and i doubt signing a second-tier player will attarct top-tier players. He’s not a true point-guard and he certainly is NOT worth 20M next year. Think about it…Shaq just signed an extension earning him 20M. Save your $$$ save your draft picks and pursue someone else. You’re lucky you have Mr. Belkin exercising some fiscal and common sense.

By hugo thomas

August 5, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this

I think before the media gets the info it shoud be hashed out , approved or denied before so the fans wont get their hopes up. It’s a shame for the organization to have to go through something like this. I have been a life long fan and was looking forward to the immediate future. Hopefully we can get this thing going in the other direction very very soon.

By tony randolph

August 5, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this

whats going on with the hawks organization right now make our basketball management look real disorganized.that is not going to entice free agents or future draft picks to want to come here.steve belkin is in this ownership position to make a profit in the next year or so by selling his shares.he could care less if the team is winning or not he’s a boiston guy for cryin’ out loud.

By jeff

August 5, 2005 12:30 PM | Link to this

The NBA should demand the team be sold at auction to the highest bidder!