It took a while, but the Hawks’ culture has changed
Give Billy Knight credit. (Yes, Billy Knight.) Back in the winter of 2004, as he was dumping salary and trading Rasheed Wallace after one game as a Hawk, the general manager spoke of the need to rearrange more than personnel. “Changing the culture,” was how Knight put it, and here’s what he meant:
Playing and working for the Hawks had become drudgery. Nobody came here expecting to win because the Hawks had stopped winning. There was no pride within the organization, no sense of anticipation in the community. This was just another boarded-up storefront along the NBA’s Desolation Row.
For the Hawks ever to get good again, that feeling had to be replaced by one of competence and expectancy. Well, it took five years — so long that Knight is no longer in place to bank the benefits — but it has finally happened.
What we’ve seen this past fortnight is proof the Hawks are now viewed, both internally and externally, as a thriving concern with a shiny future. We saw it the day the new man Jamal Crawford held his introductory briefing, when his opening statement was this:
“[This warm reception] shows how far Atlanta has come in the last few years, how we’re an up-and-coming team. I’m excited to be here. I couldn’t believe it — it happened so fast; I’d heard the rumors about me going to Atlanta — but for it actually to come true, I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait to get started. Coach Woodson and Mr. Sund are really doing great things around here, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Yes, they were only words, but they were heartfelt. (See video below.) A man who has spent nine NBA seasons without gracing a playoff game sees Atlanta as a place to be if you’re talking playoffs. And we see what the past 15 months have meant to this franchise and its standing: Taking the Celtics to a Game 7 caught people’s eye, and winning 47 games and beating Miami in Round 1 confirmed that first impression.
Loading ...Put simply, the Hawks are again a factor. They have a nice roster. (Much of which, yes, was Knight’s doing.) Mike Woodson has proved, after years of losing, that he can coach a winner. Rick Sund has taken what Knight started and has applied a gloss of professionalism. The Crawford trade was a beauty, and re-signing Mike Bibby and now Zaza Pachulia were missions the old Hawks invariably botched. Sund aced both.
Not that Sund was dealing from weakness. A Hawk for 17 months, Bibby likes what he sees. He could surely have gotten more money elsewhere, but he took what amounts to a $9 million pay cut to stay with an organization he has come to respect. Time was, everybody laughed at the Hawks, we Atlantans hardest of all. Nobody’s laughing today. And there’s your evidence of a culture change.
The matter of Marvin Williams remains this summer, but we’ve reason to believe Sund is up to the task. We’ve reason to believe players like what he’s selling — a nice place to live and work, and also a clear and present opportunity to win. The city that began its life as Terminus is no longer the end of the NBA line. It’s a city where the culture of basketball is imbued with the expectation of success.
So: Take a bow, Billy Knight, wherever you are.
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119 comments Add your comment
MikeInValdosta
July 8th, 2009
11:02 am
What is the status of the Atlanta Spirit’s ownership lawsuits? Thanks.
gcsu12
July 8th, 2009
11:03 am
I completely agree Mark. Now if Sund can lock in Zaza and Marvin, which I’m confident he will.
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
11:03 am
Both parties — Steve Belkin and the other owners — are waiting for a Maryland judge to rule. They’ve been waiting a few months now.
A Tribe Called Quest
July 8th, 2009
11:05 am
FIRE MIKE WOODSON
honest_abe
July 8th, 2009
11:07 am
finally some long overdue credit to the man who started the turn around.
HawkKingBibby
July 8th, 2009
11:09 am
Im glad somebody gave BK some love Mark. Hawks fans hate to admit to themselves that he built this team brick by brick. That 47 win team last year was Knights. Sund has added Crawford but so far the other pieces are Knights unless you want to count Mo Evans in usa and Chills in Greece. Rememeber also that Knight had Calderon for Chills all done but it was nixed by asg. Anyway great blog, is today blog a minute day or something for you? lol
sidslid
July 8th, 2009
11:14 am
The flight of the mascot is the same as the curse of the cat at Shea. 40 wins and a start if all over after next year.
Karl
July 8th, 2009
11:23 am
Good points. Culture has definitely changed. Our announcers won’t take trash from anyone. Remember when that announcer went after DWade? http://hawks.fandome.com/video/111800/Hawks-Announcer-Steve-Holman-Rips-DWade-Heat/?q=k
tbhawksfan
July 8th, 2009
11:27 am
Sekou says zaza is close to signing. Bring in another valuable big, extend MW and a couple minor FA’s and the Hawks are looking to improve again.
50 wins and a better chance at winning in the second round?
Herschel Talker
July 8th, 2009
11:46 am
When’s kickoff?
Sautee
July 8th, 2009
11:47 am
Mark,
I can only give BK so much credit. After all the man was dealt 6 lottery picks over 4 years. I’d have to think that you or me or half this blog could have assembled a roster this talented with that many lottery picks. And given that, he STILL whiffed on Sheldon.
The best thing BK did was to jettison some awful contracts. And yes, the culture has changed somewhat, but that’s as much an offshoot of talent growing up as it is something tangible that a GM did.
I WILL give him credit for taking a chance on Josh Smith at #17. His best pick.
And he DID get Bibby.
(BTW, Horford was a slam dunk, and BK TOTALLY lucked out that we got the right ping pong ball or that would have gone to Phoenix.)
Brian Jurley
July 8th, 2009
11:48 am
Talk about low expectations. Yeah, this is the same guy that drafted mediocre Marvin over a top 2 PG in the game. A role of which the hawks try to fill by starting a past his prime Mike Bibby. This is the same guy that drafted Shelden Williams. Whom has yet to do ANYTHING in the 3 years since he has been drafted. He drafted Acie Law…. Whom turned into a bust. Same with Stoudamire.
The Hawks will have the same mediocrity they had in the late 90’s with Steve Smith and Mookie Blaylock. The Hawks have NO CHANCE a championship in the next 10 years. They don’t have the talent on the roster to do it.
MrHughes
July 8th, 2009
11:49 am
Billy Knight was never great with glad handing the writers and sports talk hosts, but that wasn’t his job. His job was to build a basketball team rather than befriending the Atlanta sports media. Pete Babcock was a real nice guy, but his on the job performance left a lot to be desired. In my opinion BK is the architect of these Hawks and it can’t be too long before someone else gives him the task of rebuilding another franchise. For as much as people laud Jerry West, Mitch Kupchak, Donnie Walsh, Pat Riley, Kevin Pritchard, RC Buford, Joe Dumars, and Bryan Colangelo, you can’t argue with the results in Atlanta and Memphis…
Plus, the Belkin no-shake photo is priceless.
Hawks Dude
July 8th, 2009
11:49 am
I’m a huge Hawks fan, but to say Billy Knight did anything is crazy. It’s easy to build a talented team when you have a top draft pick every year.
Brian Hurley
July 8th, 2009
11:51 am
Oh, and if it’s true that the culture has changed, why do still no quality FA’s want to sign with the Hawks?
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
11:55 am
I’m still waiting for someone to say, “Way to go, Mark. You mentioned Billy Knight and didn’t bring up Chris Paul.”
And I never had any problem with Billy Knight as a basketball man. (Actually, I had one problem — Shelden Williams.) But I don’t know he’s what you want as a general manager: I remember one TV anchor saying to me, “You know, Billy talks to you [meaning me] a lot more openly than he does to us.” And I thought Billy hated talking to me.
Josh
July 8th, 2009
11:55 am
This is a great time to stock up on talent at a good price. Too many teams are playing for next season. Locking up marvin long term is a must, before teams start throwing around money next summer. In a dream scenario, where resign marvin and zaza, bring in andersen and trade chills for camby. Are we elite? Or would be still need to bring in a superstar?
Brian Hurley
July 8th, 2009
11:55 am
“For as much as people laud Jerry West, Mitch Kupchak, Donnie Walsh, Pat Riley, Kevin Pritchard, RC Buford, Joe Dumars, and Bryan Colangelo, you can’t argue with the results in Atlanta and Memphis”
Mediocrity is not a finish in which you should seek. That is how this team’s run will end. Just as that is how Mempis run ended.
Bravedawg
July 8th, 2009
12:02 pm
Mark,
I’m sorry – I just don’t get it. We now have 3 point guards: Bibby, Crawford, and Teague. Teague is going to rot on the bench, just like Acie Law, because Mike Woodson has shown that he is completely incapable of developing talent. How is this a good thing? Bibby took a “pay cut” to sign with us because no one else was beating down his door. According to all published reports I’ve seen, Philly was the only team going after him. There’s not much of a market for a shoot-first point guard who can’t pass or defend.
Ron E.
July 8th, 2009
12:04 pm
Yes the Hawks are now winners, but they’re still far from being contenders to a championship. Barring Lebron, Paul Pierce, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Dwight Howard all missing the playoffs with injuries, the Hawks won’t be the ‘09-10 NBA champs. Making the playoffs is certainly nice, but it’s a low bar to cross when half the league qualifies.
BigAtotheRun
July 8th, 2009
12:05 pm
Mark,
Thanks for your continual optimism regarding our Atlanta franchises. I know we all need to be brought down to reality sometimes but I truly appreciate your providing both insight and the facts.
I do have a question for you. What do you think our chances are for retaining ZaZa and do you think Flip is gone?
GeeMack
July 8th, 2009
12:05 pm
Wow Mark sound like we are back on the path of mediocrity. We’ll have a good regular seasons, but never get past the 2nd round of the playoffs. I can hear the marketing slogan now ” Hey Hawks fans come watch your mediocore Hawks take on the great Lakers, Celtics, Cavs, Spurs & Magic”. I just want to see one year where we put a team on the floor that can actually win a title. Just one year!
MrHughes
July 8th, 2009
12:07 pm
” It’s easy to build a talented team when you have a top draft pick every year.”
It’s not easy…
The Kings, Warriors, Bobcats, Grizzles, Sonics/Thunder, Knicks, and Bucks all prove that.
But, the epitome of that is the Clippers. It’s a shame Blake Griffen didn’t go to the Thunder because you know the Clippers are going to screw him up.
hawkfan
July 8th, 2009
12:08 pm
I agree the team has shown steady improvement over the past 3-4 years. But I disagree with the long-term philosophy of GM Rick Sund because I think he believes the Hawks will eventually contend for a title by keeping a starting nucleus built around 5 “good” players. While this may have worked for the 04-05 pistons, they were very much the exception to an NBA league where championships are built around superstars.
The Hawks are a young and exciting team when playing well, and I like the team’s direction, but I worry that mgt. may one day pass on the opportunity to acquire a true superstar for fear of disrupting its nucleus, or simply because they believe tweaking a playoff roster is a safer bet.
Ry
July 8th, 2009
12:09 pm
Mark, Bibby did not take a $9 million pay cut to stay in ATL. He took a $9 million cut because no one would pay him that, and there were no teams really even interested.
MrHughes
July 8th, 2009
12:11 pm
I’m really getting sick of the Chris Paul stuff. If we draft Chris Paul, then we don’t get Al Horford. Getting a legit big man cheaply is more important than getting a PG. There were like 15 pgs drafted early this year. Some want us to bring in Tyson Chandler. Tyson make Joe Johnson money and I’d rather have Horford who hasn’t even whispered his prime and might have played in the All Star game last year had it not been for injury.
SWAT Native
July 8th, 2009
12:13 pm
Way to go, Mark. You mentioned Billy Knight and didn’t bring up Chris Paul. Well, I guess I was a little late..
I hadn’t thought about all of Knight’s tenure, but in retrospect he did do a nice job in changing the culture. He had some misses as they all do, but overall he did well. You didn’t mentioning bringing in Joe Johnson, but that was really the turning point.
Brian Hurley
July 8th, 2009
12:16 pm
“I’m really getting sick of the Chris Paul stuff. If we draft Chris Paul, then we don’t get Al Horford. Getting a legit big man cheaply is more important than getting a PG. There were like 15 pgs drafted early this year. Some want us to bring in Tyson Chandler. Tyson make Joe Johnson money and I’d rather have Horford who hasn’t even whispered his prime and might have played in the All Star game last year had it not been for injury.”
You talk as if Horford is some kind “can’t miss” player when he in fact is not. Al Horford is only productive on the offensive end if the other team has a bad front line. Al Horford will NEVER be an all star becasuse he has no offensive game. It shows in his laughable 10PPG scoring average.
BPJ
July 8th, 2009
12:17 pm
This past season’s Hawks team had a superb starting five (true that no one was among the top 3 at his position, but the starting 5 overall matched up well with anyone). The biggest problem was the thin bench. Over the course of an NBA season, the teams with a thin bench tend to have more injuries among their starters, not to mention a dropoff in performance (especially defensive performance) caused by fatigue. Whether it’s Mookie Blaylock or Joe Johnson, it’s not good to have players who are among the league leaders in minutes played. Next year’s team appears likely to have less of this problem. Still need another backup big man besides Pachulia. Having Childress back would be nice. If the players listen to Woodson, the Hawks could go far.
GeeMack
July 8th, 2009
12:25 pm
hawkfan
I agree with you. Superstars with complimentary players around them win championship, and we have a team full of complimentary players.
MrHughes
July 8th, 2009
12:27 pm
More often than not you get superstars through the draft. They don’t often come via free agency. That’s why Bird rights are so important. We don’t have the benefit of a huge market like LA or NYC.
This isn’t like NBA Live where you can delete Lebron from the Cavs and just add him to the Hawks as a free agent. Also, changing the culture, which has happened, goes a long way to luring quality free agents. It says a lot that a 20 ppg scorer has no problems coming off the bench.
Lastly, I don’t see the point in throwing a bunch of money out the window for the sake of getting to the finals and maybe winning a championship. Does that make sense when you are in the lottery two years later? Where are the Heat now? Where were the Mavs last year? How about the Suns? Where will the Cavs be in two years when Lebron is in NYC? Where were the Nuggets two years ago? I don’t consider Melo a Superstar… They were a couple bad calls from knocking out the champs. Where have the Knicks been since Jordan played for the Bulls despite spending boatloads of money. The game has changed! I’m not going to lecture the ASG on how to spend their money. It’s not mine or my call. I’m happy with the direction of the team. We are building like the Detroit Pistons, who did it the right way went to six straight Conference Finals and won a few rings.
This “lets get to the Finals” talk sounds like spending a grand on lottery tickets for the chance to win Powerball and sleeping in a box a month later because you can’t make rent.
Brian Hurley
July 8th, 2009
12:34 pm
In other words Mr. Hughes… You’re pro mediocrity. Hope you enjoy it, because that’s what you’re going to get. That’s all the Atlanta Hawks have ever done.
You darn right I want to see the team actually win a title instead of winning 45 games and winning nothing in the playoffs. The only reason the Hawks got out of the first round in the first place was because Miami was downright awful.
Lebron is going to NY. Anybody that believes that is not looking realistically.
Brian Hurley
July 8th, 2009
12:36 pm
Despite what people think…. NY is NOT LA. They haven’t won jack in 30 years either. All the hype that always surrounds them is just that. HYPE.
Harpie
July 8th, 2009
12:41 pm
Woodson has proven that he can coach a winner? He’s only proven that he can coach mediocrity! The Hawks have such a good roster of talented guys – but, they are going NOWHERE until they get a decent coach. He seems like a nice guy, but he does not know how to coach effectively!!!!
MrHughes
July 8th, 2009
12:41 pm
@Brian Hurley
Memphis…
Knight traded for the draft rights to Pau Gasol. Gasol won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. The Grizzlies also drafted Shane Battier. Knight was let go after a very very strong draft class.
Arguably, the Griz didn’t live up to expectations under Jerry West. Two years after winning executive of the year and finishing with the leagues worst record (22 wins), Jerry West resigned.
JD
July 8th, 2009
12:41 pm
The good: Horford, JJ, Bibby
The bad: Boris Diaw as a Hawk
The ugly: Shelden, no CP3, Speedy
Mark Bradley
July 8th, 2009
12:44 pm
I think there’s a good chance Zaza will stay. I don’t believe Flip will now because I simply don’t see a way to play five guards. (Bibby, Johnson, Crawford and Teague would the other four.) I think the Hawks will use the money they might have offered Flip to try and lure another big man, which is what Mike Woodson says he wants.
wxwax
July 8th, 2009
12:52 pm
Well done, giving credit where credit is due.
Armed with a katyusha loaded with high draft choices, Knight hit more than he missed. He assembled the core of a talented team. He believed in the long-term and building a foundation. And he had the balls to make the Joe Johnson deal.
His mistakes have been explored at length on these pages. But if he’d drafted Chris Paul, then Al Horford would be wearing a different uniform today. Me, I’ll take Bibby and Horford over Paul and a nobody.
I believe Knight quit when he felt his foundational work was done. Perhaps it was to spite the rest of us who so disliked his style. And perhaps it was because he knew that, barring any major mistakes by his successor, the team he built would become his legacy.
Rick Sund is one lucky mofo.
MannyT
July 8th, 2009
12:52 pm
From a GM level, I don’t think you count Diaw as a bad. He didn’t work out here, but proved to be a decent NBA player.
I’d guess that part of the culture change is the expectation and excitement that drives fans/bloggers to expect playoffs and better. We lost a decade of that during the JR Rider, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Al Harrington era.
BWAF
Shutterbug
July 8th, 2009
1:03 pm
I have some photos that might make it possible to trade Solo to Cleveland for LeBron. Anyone interested?
Sage of Blueland
July 8th, 2009
1:04 pm
Way to go, Mark: you’re fired!
Notty
July 8th, 2009
1:05 pm
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I’ve been saying for years now Billy Knight did a good job. So he didn’t draft Chris Paul when Marvin Williams was the pick to take a 2 that year. He drafted Sheldon Williams, but that brought us Bibby who is not my favorite, but we don’t make the playoffs the last 2 years without him. He signed Speedy Claxton which would have worked out had his knees not fell off. Every other move has worked out as planned and its continuing to pay off. Good job Billy Knight wherever u r.
GET YOUR STEWEY AWARDS TICKETS NOW!!!!!!!! 4 MORE INFO http://WWW.2LIVESTEWS.COM OR CALL 404-237-0079 790 AM THE ZONE!
Steve
July 8th, 2009
1:06 pm
Maybe another big like Andersen or David Lee? Trade Mo’ and sign Childress? I think this Hawks team is real close to a championship – I just hope Woodson can go to a 9 or 10 person rotation to save these guys for the playoffs.
We do need another big, with O’Neal, Howard, and now ‘Sheed all standing in our way of winning the East.
By the way, how serious is Marvin’s back issues? I remember a fellow UNC alum – Brad Daugherty, having to retire at 28 because of back problems. Hope Marvin’s is not this bad.
MrHughes
July 8th, 2009
1:07 pm
Finshing among the top 8 teams in the NBA (based on regular season and playoff records) is not mediocrity. What’s your definition of mediocrity? Not making the NBA finals? The last time I checked only one team actually got the trophy.
“Mediocrity” is how every champion I can think of actually got to hold the trophy. The Bulls (MJ’s) struggled with the championship Pistons.
Were the ‘93 Suns medicore because the couldn’t beat the Bulls? So, ‘91 Lakers and ‘92 Blazers were medicore too. I guess the The ‘94 Knicks were medicore because they couldn’t beat the Rockets in a game 7, right?
Lebron may not end up in NYC. But, he’s not staying in Cleveland. His aura there has hyped that entire city up.
Mediocrity… Please! I’m not in favor of sleeping in cardboard boxes for a chance at the big time.
wxwax
July 8th, 2009
1:08 pm
Gosh, judging by the negative comments one reads here, some fans still haven’t bought into the culture change at Philips Arena. Two straight years in the playoffs, a better record every year under Woodson, one of the top eight teams in the NBA last year: darn, you’d think that would be enough tangible progress to satisfy.
I think the negative guys aren’t really making a statement about the Hawks. They’re making a statement about the status of their own psyche and their own outlook on life. Fellas, try smiling at yourself in the mirror. It will cheer you up!
And as for this business of Woody not developing young players, good grief. The Hawks have been one of the youngest teams in the NBA during his tenure. And they’ve improved every year. Whaddya mean he can’t coach kids? Huh?
Other than the much-beloved Acie, whom has he failed? I think Acie may well go the way of Salim Stoudamire. Remember him? Didn’t think so.
Listen, embrace the good times while they’re here. Sports goes in cycles. The bad times will return soon enough. Enjoy this heady success while you can!
GeeMack
July 8th, 2009
1:09 pm
Harpie
Do honestly thinks the roster can win a 7 game series against the Lakers Cavs Celtics Spurs and Magic. If not then Woody is not the problem. You need players in this league to win. Woody has done great with what he has been given. A bunch of young players with no idea of how to win and he has taught them give the man credit.
Hawks Fan
July 8th, 2009
1:15 pm
@ Mr Brian Hurley: would you take your venom to some other anti-hawks blog? You keep on bashing what The Atl Hawks franchise are trying to accomplish from the comfort of your sofa. My guess is that you have no basketball IQ whatsoever much less enough talent to beat a 3rd grade basketball team because if you do you will realize that no one or no team is perfect.
All the Celtics, Cavs, Magic, Spurs, and any other good team in the NBA ALWAYS have a rough patch that they go through and the true measure of any championhip team is HOW they emerge from it. Give credit to where/whom its due.
WCJ
July 8th, 2009
1:17 pm
Who is going to backup Josh Smith this season? Who would you like to see the hawks sign to back him up?
Jeff B. Gibson
July 8th, 2009
1:24 pm
Antonio Mcdeyess, and or Drew Gooden, but sign Zaza Who Backups Both C-F and Some times
backups SF or M. Williams.
Brian Hurley
July 8th, 2009
1:27 pm
Finshing among the top 8 teams in the NBA (based on regular season and playoff records) is not mediocrity. What’s your definition of mediocrity? Not making the NBA finals? The last time I checked only one team actually got the trophy.”
This team isn’t even CLOSE to making the finals. They got flat out embarrassed by a team that didn’t even make the finals. What you seen last season was the ceiling of this team.
Your in favor of mediocrity. Tell me something… Who outside of the 10 Hawk fans remembers those late 90’s team? They won 45-50 games for several seasons and nobody cared or cares. That seems to be the model in which you think is good.
Sorry, give me that one championship.