Atlanta Hawks: Danny Ferry hired as GM
Update: The Hawks today hired Danny Ferry to be the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager.
The Hawks signed Ferry to a six-year contract.
“My family and I are thrilled to join the Hawks organization and Atlanta community,” Ferry said in a statement. “There were many components that made this the right fit for me but clearly my confidence in the ownership group and their dedication to building a championship-caliber franchise was most important. They are committed to building with the right people and investing in critical areas for development; both essential elements if we want to create sustained success. “
Ferry succeeds Rick Sund, Atlanta’s GM since 2008. Ferry said he would work alongside Sund over the next month, after which Sund could remain with the organization in a some role. Sund has expressed an interest in remaining with the Hawks as a consultant.
Ferry said he would collaborate with Sund and the rest of the basketball staff in preparation for Thursday’s draft. Ferry said he hoped to reach a consensus on which players the Hawks would select but that the decision ultimately would be his.
Ferry, who played in 917 NBA games from 1990-91 to 2003-03, was most recently vice president of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs. He was general manager for the Cavaliers from 2005 to 2010, where he was charged with building a roster around LeBron James.
Ferry had been in discussions with the 76ers about becoming their general manager with Rod Thorn stepping down soon.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
523 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
June 24th, 2012
9:46 pm
It was not a bad pick
June 24th, 2012
9:07 pm
Ferry worst move was not moving hickson for amare, Lebron only needed one solid option…..this would be the worst hire ever…
Grandma, I was pretty sure you were going to say his worst move was not trading Shaq for Marvin.
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
There is a difference between autonomy and power.
D.Ferry – might have autonomy;
meaning he can act independently from the owners.
exp – He don`t have to ask before he does somethin`;
or at least every time he does somethin.
An Athletic Director at a Univ has autonomy from the
President of the Univ.
Still the Univ Pres has the Power.
*(even still the Univ Pres must answer to someone)
The Owners have the Power:
*(ultimately they answer to someone)
However by definition, power gives one authority over others.
*(the owners maintain their authority)
Let us hope;
the ASG give DF ‘ autonomy ” – which is what DF is most likely
negotiating for at this point.
-let`s all pull for Danny boy to win the negotiations-
Najeh Davenpoop
June 24th, 2012
9:51 pm
Ultimately, like some others have said, how good Ferry will be will depend on how much autonomy he is really given. The fact that LD’s option has already been picked up is not a good sign in that regard. Ideally Ferry should be able to hand pick his own coach.
If he can blow up this team, find a superstar, and reconstruct it into a true contender, I will be thrilled. I think it’s probably safer to expect that he will draft solid contributors with most of his picks, not make some of the unnecessarily lopsided trades that Sund and Knight made, and maintain the status quo with the roster’s ceiling, as per the DASG’s directive.
GT4Life (the Original)
June 24th, 2012
10:02 pm
Danny Ferry did not build the Spurs…he did little with the Cavs. Did so little that the second best player on the team behind LeBron was Anderson Varajou. He is the right “type” to please Atlanta fans though…team will be beyond garbage in no time flat.
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
10:06 pm
High-Sider
‘`Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another`’
-Galatians 5:26-
Are you provocative ?
-depends-
One can provoke his friends, enemies, colleagues, et al;
to:
think
anger
laugh
cry
serve
and perhaps love one`s fellow man.
If I were to select Yes as my answer to your query;
‘`Am I provocative ?`’
then I would also be remiss were I not to select ‘`anger`’
as to the reaction to your provocation.
If that is your intent, then what purpose do you serve ?
BIG DOG
June 24th, 2012
10:07 pm
2013 Brooklyn Nets
D William, D12, Josh
True Rumor.
This why Hawks must traded Josh ASAP.
Tyreke and #5 for Josh and #23
Teague, Tyreke, Joe, Horford, Andre Drummond.
Andre would really really really really look nice in a Hawks uniform.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
GT4Life (the Original)
June 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
Any trade that keeps Joe Johnson and gets rid of Josh is stupid…get Danny Ferry as a GM and it will come true though.
High-sider
June 24th, 2012
10:12 pm
@Big Ray
“…Didn’t the Cavs make the Finals? Was that once or twice? Winning them is the ultimate success. But getting there is anything but a bust or a failure. And last I looked, the Hawks couldn’t come close to getting through the 2nd round of the playoffs…” – Big Ray @9:04pm dated 6/24/2012
The Cavs made the NBA Finals in ‘07 (lost) and the Heat made the NBA Finals in ‘11 (lost) and ‘12 (won). Those NBA Finals appearances (’07, ‘11 and ‘12) were primarily and mostly because of LeBron James and not Danny Ferry. Let’s keep it real (on this blog).
Astro Joe
June 24th, 2012
10:25 pm
Grandad, fair enough.
Ferry doesn’t have to make the ECF in his first year on the job. While I would have preferred this hire hapening around 6 weeks ago (before LD was extended), that obviously did not happen. I believe that Ferry hired Mike Brown (I’m not sure about Byron Scott). Brown worked for Pop while Ferry was likely in San Antonio’s front office. The Pop coaching tree hasn’t produced fruit lately, so the fun speculation now should be around our head coach next summer. There is this guy who coached some of the Spurs’ games when Pop was off the bench this past season (appears to be in his early-to-mid 40s… a good age to assume the reigns of his own team).
http://www.nba.com/coachfile/mike_budenholzer/index.html?nav=page
Mario Elie has paid his dues as an assistant coach and obviously has ties to the Spurs organization (although they were not Spurs teammates).
Laughing out Loud
June 24th, 2012
10:27 pm
Reading this AJC blog of mostly cheap shots by cheap critics which equals cheap entertainment is sort of sick! Which is why I roll in the asile while laughing out loud! Let’s Go Hawks! Hire Danny Ferry so we sickos can continue to be entertained by the cheap shots.
Astro Joe
June 24th, 2012
10:30 pm
You may recal that the ASG tried to hire Ferry’’s right hand man in Cleveland, Chris Grant, when the GM job was open 3-4 years ago. Reportedly, Grant turned them down and I think became the GM of the Cavs a year later. One could assume the infatuation with how the Cavs ran their front office has been going on since at least shortly after the BK era (and possibly during that era).
High-sider
June 24th, 2012
10:31 pm
@Grandad
“…If I were to select Yes as my answer to your query;
‘`Am I provocative ?`’
then I would also be remiss were I not to select ‘`anger`’
as to the reaction to your provocation.
If that is your intent, then what purpose do you serve ?” – Grandad @10:06pm dated 6/24/2012
I post comments to opine and cause others to think, contemplate, laugh, respond, reflect, genuflect (just kidding) and opine as well. This posting of comments aka blogging is (for me) a form of entertainment and education – education in the sense of imparting knowledge. I like to think [that] I am, at times, providing a unique perspective like everyone else.
steven a smith
June 24th, 2012
10:31 pm
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
10:06 pm
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”
Mathew 7
Why poke at that SPECK in my brothers EYE when i have a whole PLANK in my own eye?
Sugar Ray
June 24th, 2012
10:35 pm
I knew Grandad would like this hire. Great minds think alike!
To those of you who hate it: Stick to video games, this is grown folks business.
steven a smith
June 24th, 2012
10:36 pm
There has been someone using my name on this blog recently. I sincerely hope that they are reconciled with their childish behavior…May The Lord Be With You.
steven a smith
June 24th, 2012
10:38 pm
GT4Life (the Original)
June 24th, 2012
10:10 pm
Any trade that keeps Joe Johnson and gets rid of Josh is stupid…get Danny Ferry as a GM and it will come true though.
Joe Johnson most likely will be amnestied, if not, he can still get you 20pts per game…HELLO!!!
Sugar Ray
June 24th, 2012
10:43 pm
“Those NBA Finals appearances (’07, ‘11 and ‘12) were primarily and mostly because of LeBron James and not Danny Ferry. Let’s keep it real (on this blog).”
Wrong, plenty of teams have special players and don’t get to the Finals. Ask the Clippers with CP3, or Dirk all those years they couldn’t get there, or Nash right now, how about the Heat before Wade and Bosh showed up? That’s like saying the Thunder only got this great because Durant is the 2nd best player in the league. Uhh, all players need a great supporting cast. You need a GM who can put the right players around the star to build depth. Ferry did that, and Lebron wasn’t the same player that he is today.
Those Cavs were dominant, especially on defense. They destroyed the Pistons reign in the East, and won 60+ games back to back seasons. They just got beat by Hall of Fame-laden rosters in San Antonio and Boston, otherwise they’d have 2-3 titles. Some of yall just complain because that’s all you know.
northcyde
June 24th, 2012
10:47 pm
tjhook
June 24th, 2012
6:32 pm
A lot of people want to slam Sund but he was not the problem. The only questionable deal he had was resigning Marvin Williams over Josh Childress (Joe Johnson and Bibby were owner and coach-driven deals). Otherwise, he helped improved a team that had a shaky coach in Larry Drew. Ferry – I judge him by the Cavs history more than the Spurs. The Spurs is all Popovich.
*******************
OK
Then in Ferry’s 5 year tenure with the Cavs:
- they made the playoffs all 5 years
- got to at least the EC Semis 3 years
- got to the EC Finals one year
- got to the NBA Finals one year
( and in one of those years in which they only made it to the EC Semis ( Lebron’s last year ), they won 61 games ( could’ve won more if they played the starters more minutes in the final games ) and had the best record in the league. Only an alleged internal scandal brewing in Cleveland brought that team down.
If Sund gets credit for the Jamal Crawford trade, then Ferry must get credit for the Mo Williams trade, because it did elevate that team to elite status, even if they didn’t win a championship. Even the Shaq trade was a good move, seeing that they got him for Sasha Pavlovic, an aging Ben Wallace, and a 2nd round pick.
There was never any talk of “liking his core” or “our bench was the best in the league” or any of that junk. Dan Gilbert simply gave Ferry the leeway to construct the best possible team he saw fit. Even after reaching the NBA Finals, that team didn’t stand pat. They were always looking to improve.
Had Ferry been willing to give up who seemed like a real nice player in JJ Hickson for Amare, that may have been a game changer in Cleveland in that 2010 season. That means that there is no trade for Antwan Jamison, and Big Z and Hickson goes to Phoenix ( as fools gold ). Cleveland should’ve given up just about anything outside of Lebron and Shaq to get Amare.
Hopefully if he comes here, he can look at this roster and see what we need. And if he needs to make a move involving ANYBODY on this team to improve us, let’s hope that Gearon stays out of his way and just sign the damn check.
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
10:49 pm
High-Sider
By using your logic all black basketball players
on losing teams should be released from their teams
and banned from the league.
Once again – your logic – replacing said players with either
white, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific islanders, or native Americans.
Actually if `n they [blacks] do not win a championship;
the same action shoud occur,
since anything but a championship is not success.
`Tis a player`s league remember.
One cannot have all those losers [blacks] filling up the teams.
Now, that you have ” hoisted your own pitard ” ?
* I suppose you should smell your own fart.
* -There is a corollary-
___________________________________________
-editors note-
The preceding post was an annotation of High-Sider`s logic.
The views expressed by H-S are not my own.
They were merely an extension of his logic to the extreme.
Seriously;
I love all people – even yankees and republicans.
I especially love young ladies from Brazil
who are employed in the swim suit industry.
XHawkfan
June 24th, 2012
10:51 pm
Hire Ferry and let him do what the hell it takes to win..give him complete control….and I’ll remove the x-in front of hawkfan.
XHawkfan
June 24th, 2012
10:53 pm
I love all people also…even Democrates!
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
10:56 pm
*[shoud]
Okay – logically – why is there an ” L ” in [should] anyway
So I either misspelled *[shoud] or [shoud] was a typo.
Either way, whomever invented the word:
shoud have spelled it correctly.
steven a smith
June 24th, 2012
11:00 pm
Trade Al Horford ASAP…Teague is pronably the only untouchable on this team….
northcyde
June 24th, 2012
11:02 pm
If Ferry wants to trade Josh Smith + Marvin Williams for Pau Gasol and their next available 1st round pick to be traded . . . you let him do it
If Ferry wants to trade Joe Johnson + a future pick for Carmelo Anthony . . . you let him do it
If Ferry wants to trade Al Horford a top 5 pick and a starter quality player . . . you let him do it.
If he wants to fire ( or promote ) Larry Drew, and bring in a new coach . . . you let him do it.
Cause as of right now, this team as constructed cannot take out the Miami Heat, or maybe not even Boston or Indiana or even Philly, who handled us easily this year.
When Ferry was with the Cavs, he understood who he had to beat, and reconstructed that team almost on a yearly basis to achieve that goal. The shooters were brought in to beat Detroit. Shaq was brought in to beat Orlando. And had Antwan Jamison played anywhere near how he played in Washington, he was brought in to beat Boston and/or Orlando, by providing them with a scoring/stretch PF.
That dude didn’t stand pat, and act like everything was OK, even when their win total exceeded 60 games.
northcyde
June 24th, 2012
11:03 pm
steven a smith
June 24th, 2012
11:00 pm
Trade Al Horford ASAP…Teague is pronably the only untouchable on this team….
************************
There is no such thing as an “untouchable” on this team. Teague isn’t a top 5 or even a top 10 PG in this league, so he’s definitely not “untouchable”.
Anybody on this team can, and should be traded, if it will improve us overall. Simply trade them for the right people.
northcyde
June 24th, 2012
11:05 pm
( edit )
If Ferry wants to trade Al Horford for a top 5 pick and a starter quality player . . . you let him do it.
BIG DOG
June 24th, 2012
11:19 pm
I probably smoke more weed than most of yall. That includes you grandad Sandusky or grandusky or whatever you are calling yourself.
Its true I am a fan of mediocrity and I dont want to win a championship, which is why I would want to trade Josh, who is the only person on this team who is trying to win a championship.
I like Al and his very average number. he is not as good as Josh although they make about the same amount of money. But since Josh is better than Al I would like to see Josh traded so Al can play power forward.
I actually smoke my weed in a pipe with a big bowl. when Im not using a bong.
Buddy Grizzard
June 24th, 2012
11:21 pm
“And what color are most of these NBA players especially the superstars? That’s right; they’re black. But what I see from you, Buddy Grizzard, and your “minions” is a constant fascination, fixation, preoccupation and obsession with white executives and their supposed, often inflated and embellished, decision-making prowess.”
A significant portion of NBA fandom, myself included, is more interested in the NBA Draft than the NBA Championship. That’s because the process of building teams is fascinating. This isn’t pickup backetball where LeBron and Kobe make one from the top of the key and then take turns picking players. This is an industry where billionaire owners vie against each other to assemble the best front office talent in hopes of ensuring themselves of the best on-court talent.
So whether the GM is black, white or yellow, the goal is the same, to assemble a championship roster. I give Billy Knight credit for his successes (drafting Josh, trading for Joe) and condemn him for his failures (drafting Marvin) without respect to the pigmentation of his skin. I likewise base my opinions of Sund and any other GM on RESULTS not race. But you seem to be suggesting that I gloss over the accomplishments of the players and emphasize the actions of front office personnel because of the predominant skin colors. Are you suggesting that I’m a racist? Because, as an anti-racist activist in Atlanta for a number of years, let me tell you High-Sider, it’s very obvious that you hate white people.
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/05/open-letter-to-josh-smith.html
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
11:22 pm
steven a smith
I have a whole log in mine eye.
-Yes-
I know it !
I am a professed Jackass.
I am brutally honest, loyal to a fault, if `n you know me;
you would know that I willingly own up to my shortcomings.
‘`For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,`’
-Ephesians 2:8-
When I discuss racial bias with someone;
I know exactly where I stand !
Right or wrong – I do not hate anyone.
I will however, say my peace.
I deplore political correctness.
H-S differs from my philosophy,
yet it`s his decision and his conscience.
If you will be so kind as to enlighten me as to the 2 X 4 in my eye;
then you and I can discuss it.
Respectfully,
G-dad
grandad/Sandusky
June 24th, 2012
11:25 pm
Enter your comments here
grandad/Sandusky
June 24th, 2012
11:29 pm
we will be a better team when we trade our lame center for a more aggressive center. That means Trading Al for Gasol, Bynum or any other center who might help us better than Al Horford. Use Al to get the best center on the market, Id take JaVale McGee over Al horford any day.
Northlied there is no way anyone in his right mind is going to give us a top 5 player for Al horford. How much weed are you smoking. Wed be lucky to add Marvin With Al to get a center
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
11:32 pm
BIG DOG / steven a. smith / all yawl:
Hopefully everyone knows that alot of us had our ID jacked
earlier this eve.
So, if someone has their drawers in a pinch
over sumthin` I said;
make sure it was really me – just ask – if `n you can`t figure it out.
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
11:33 pm
I am not a racist. I just think blackfrican americans are better athletes are aren’t suited to thinking. That more of a skill set for white people thats all.
That is not me posting as Sandusky. That is Ditch~witch, exploiting my relationship with Sandusky. Like I said on record I was never with Jerry when those things happened. He always did his thing and I mine.
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
11:35 pm
*just think blackfrican americans are better athletes aren’t suited to thinking.
El Mongo
June 24th, 2012
11:37 pm
You can Pimp anybody statistics if you take a capsule of their best minutes and project it across 40 minutes.
But let’s get real
What you do night in and night out is what matters. Not how you misuse stats to give a false impression. Here is what is real about Al. He is very very limited in creating shots and must be set up with the pick and roll, bump with a screen or have a play run to get him to a certain spot to get a shot off. He is mechanical predictable and limited in what he can do offensively without slowing down the offense. He is not in Josh is league talent wise, smart wise, assist wise or the ability to score multiple ways as Josh does.
Nobody has to set Josh up and Josh doesn’t need the pick and roll nor a screen. Josh can take you off the dribble, left hand, right hand at the basket, cutting, on the fly, cross over. face up, step back short hook, whatever. Josh has lots of offensive tools. Al doesn’t. Get real Al has a face up shot from 12-17 ft back that’s it. That’s why Al can’t score or command a double team like Josh.
Don’t mask the truth with phony potential and trumped up stats. The only stats that matter is what you do night in night out.
Al has peaked. When he came out of college he was the most nba ready player in the draft, but that was 6 years ago and Al has now peaked. Whereas players Like Josh Smith who came straight out of high School is maturing as a person, has learn the NBA game and is now taking his game upwards.
This is who Al is
College? 12pts game
Pros? 12pts game
Allstar 05 pts game
Playoffs? 11pts game (42 games)
That’s Al and that’s what you get from Al. You put that with his unwillingness to play defense, his lack of off season work regiment. His non team infighting about wanting to play Josh’s position, his uncanny for disappearing in the playoffs and his ability to injure himself makes Al a player to be traded.
This was a much better team without Al and every player accepted his role for the better of the team. No one (or his father) stir up trouble and disharmony about playing another players position. The focus was on winning.
The hawk’s chemistry is not as good with Al on the team as without him. His 12pts 8rbs was easily absorbed by Ivan and or zaza.
Bottom line? Josh showed great leadership and was this season’s Hawks MVP over JJ.This is Josh’s team and the player to build around. If the hawks are going to get better Al has got to go.
High-sider
June 24th, 2012
11:43 pm
If Danny Ferry becomes the Hawks new GM, look for Josh Smith to be moved/dealt.
Joe 12-Pack
June 24th, 2012
11:43 pm
This team win never win anything with Larry Drew as coach.
gcs
June 24th, 2012
11:44 pm
Trade Josh before he walks and the Hawks get nothing.
El Mongo
June 24th, 2012
11:46 pm
My wish list?
Grandad Jerry Sandusky convicted and sentenced – check
Sund fired and replaced – near check
Michael Cunningham replaced – unchecked
Al horford traded for a real center- unchecked
I will keep you posted.
gcs (undercover troll)
June 24th, 2012
11:48 pm
please trade our mvp Josh smith so we can give his position to mediocre Al horford… we like losing.
grandadusky.
June 24th, 2012
11:51 pm
ESPN IS REPORTING THAT DANNY FERRY WILL TRADE AL HOFORD
espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/atl/atlanta-hawks
grandadusky.
June 24th, 2012
11:52 pm
http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/atl/atlanta-hawks
Thorpe: Should Hawks deal Horford for No. 2 pick? Insider
As he continues to look at the top draft needs for NBA teams, David Thorpe writes that the Atlanta Hawks should think about trading Al Horford for the No. 2 pick, and that the Indiana Pacers should take a long look at Baylor’s Quincy Miller.
Ken Strickland
June 24th, 2012
11:56 pm
Does anyone think there’s a top 10 team in this yrs draft that would trade their pick for Josh Smith? If we did that we would end up with 2 1st rd picks, which would allow us to draft a starting caliber SF or SG, depending on where LD plays JJ, and a productive Big. A productive SG or SF, plus a DEF minded backup Big like Fab Melo would make the Hawks a much better team in the long run.
Two 1st rd picks would cost us a few million less than we’re paying JSmith, which could possibly allow us to sign a quality FA scorer like Gee, JCrawford, or Ray Allen.
Grandad
June 24th, 2012
11:56 pm
This team has already proven it is a better team without Al horford. That was proven last season. So trading Al will only make us better than we were last year with out him. We should get a lot for his 12mil dollars.
UGA
June 24th, 2012
11:58 pm
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8092424/atlanta-hawks-offer-danny-ferry-6-year-deal-gm-sources-say
Ken Strickland
June 24th, 2012
11:58 pm
I got to be the stupidest mother fcker that ever blog. I put my foot in my mouth so much they call me leather lips.WTF
EL Mongo
June 25th, 2012
12:01 am
Soaring Down South
NBA Rumors: Atlanta Hawks Trade Al Horford for No. 2 Pick?
ESPN.com Insider David Thorpe sees a scenerio in which the Atlanta Hawks trade their all-star center Al Horford to the the Charlotte Bobcats’ for the No.
EL Mongo
June 25th, 2012
12:06 am
1
NBA Rumors: Atlanta Hawks Trade Al Horford for No. 2 Pick?
Jun 23rd, 2012 at 6:04 pm by David MenzeHawks
Tweet
Pin It
ESPN.com Insider David Thorpe sees a scenario in which the Atlanta Hawks trade their all-star center Al Horford to the Charlotte Bobcats for the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft on June 28.
In the article, Thorpe discusses the notion that Horford isn’t a true center and would actually be best utilized as a power forward — reminiscent to his Gator days when he helped the University of Florida win back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2006-07 alongside current Chicago Bull Joakim Noah — and how Horford’s contract is the most cap-friendly in the trade market out of all the other tenured Hawks.
If Atlanta did trade away Horford, Thorpe notes the Hawks would then most likely select Thomas Robinson with the No. 2 pick, essentially replacing the all-star
Buddy Grizzard
June 25th, 2012
12:09 am
Better and better, UGA. A 6-year contract is not a half measure. It would lend some stability to the organization, and it’s doubtful Ferry would sign up for 6 years to rubber stamp the decisions of the ASG. Ferry has found rotation players at the end of the first round and in the second round, which makes him exactly the sort of talent evaluator the Hawks need.
EL Mongo
June 25th, 2012
12:11 am
Hawks co-owner says team will not trade Josh Smith …
probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/…/hawks-co-owner-says-team-will-n…