An appreciation of the greatness that is the Atlanta Hawks
You could read this post. Or you could just admire Curtis Compton's photo, which says it all.
Michael Gearon Jr., one of the Hawks’ many charming owners, believes that print media folks in this town have failed to appreciate the splendor that is his remarkable organization. And I must confess that the achievements of this special team sometimes have had a numbing effect on this jaded correspondent. So here’s where I pay homage and bestow overdue superlatives.
• The Hawks are the greatest team ever to have drafted so badly. In my glass-half-empty moments, I wonder, “Why aren’t the Hawks any better?” With age and perspective, however, I realize I should have seen said glass as more than half-full. Positively brimming, truth to tell.
From 2004 through 2007, the Hawks had five lottery picks. They whiffed on four. They took Josh Childress instead of Luol Deng/Andre Iguodala in 2004; Marvin Williams instead of Chris Paul/Deron Williams in 2005; Shelden Williams instead of Brandon Roy/Rudy Gay in 2006, and Acie Law IV instead of Thaddeus Young/Rodney Stuckey in 2007. The only one they got right was Al Horford, also in 2007.
They batted .200 on the picks that are supposed to make or break an organization — and they not only became a winning team but have remained one. Amazing!
• They’re also the greatest team ever to have negotiated so many onerous contracts. We’re not talking Jon Koncak ancient history. In the 21st Century, the Hawks bestowed $25 million over four years on Speedy Claxton, who worked 44 games, and re-upped Marvin Williams for $37 million over five seasons at a time when nobody else in the NBA seemed to think he was more than just another guy. (On cue, seize-the-day Marvin took the money and saw his stats descend to utter mediocrity.)
But the capper, as we know, was spending $120 million to keep Joe Johnson, which made some measure of sense in that he was their leading scorer. Being the Hawks, they managed to work this windfall contract at cross-purposes. They overspent to keep the guy whom new coach Larry Drew — who wasn’t really new, having been Mike Woodson’s assistant for six seasons — had declared he wanted to de-emphasize. Sure enough, Johnson saw his bank account swell at the same time his on-court numbers declined across the board.
The effect has left the Hawks with no wiggle room under the cap, which is just another example of their tough-love corporate strategy. Cap space is for wimps!
• They’re the greatest team ever to get blown out on such a consistent basis. Gearon Jr. makes the point that only three NBA clubs — the Lakers, the Celtics and guess who — have reached Round 2 of the NBA playoffs over the past three seasons. Obscured by the glare of this awesome achievement is this factoid: The Hawks’ record in Round 2 games those three seasons was 2-12, and not one of those 12 losses came by fewer than 10 points. (Isn’t the NBA supposed to come down to the last shot? Never mind.)
In those 14 Round 2 games, the Hawks’ average margin of defeat is 15.3 points. Kobe and K.G. can’t touch that!
Because they’re such good sports, the Hawks don’t save all their collapses until late spring. They offer them up during the winter, too! Last season they managed five home losses by at least 20 points. Over the 10-day span that ended with the 20-point flop against Miami on Sunday, they lost four home games and trailed by 20 in each (and by 30 in the first and last).
Drew expressed disappointment after the Miami game that his players grew so dispirited so early, but can you blame them? For the Hawks, this is standard operating procedure: Win a few games and get people interested, then face a test on national TV and spit the bit. Nobody in the crowd seemed one bit surprised. Nobody even bothered to boo.
But here’s the thing: By rights, these Hawks should never have been good enough to get anyone to care at all. They’ve been mismanaged almost every step of the way, and still they keep breaking .500 and showing up in Round 2. And that prompts this final superlative:
• The Hawks are the greatest team ever to have been subjected to such amateurish oversight.
The way I see it, anybody can draft good players and work the salary cap and win a slew of games. Only real men of genius could get it so wrong and still have it come out half-right. Full credit to this intrepid organization for showing us how it’s half-done.
By Mark Bradley
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273 comments Add your comment
flagboy?
February 13th, 2012
10:20 am
The Hawks are an organization where the average guy says “I could do a better job running that franchise”. . . and normally you think that guy is an idiot. . . but with the Hawks, you have to think it might be true.
Mark Bradley
February 13th, 2012
10:20 am
That’s a good line. I might have to borrow it.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 13th, 2012
10:21 am
Also, the greatest men’s sports team in Atlanta until the Braves or Falcons manage to not embarrass themselves in a playoff game.
flagboy?
February 13th, 2012
10:26 am
As long as I get credit. . . .
I’m just hoping the Hawks bring back JR Rider.
mike addington
February 13th, 2012
10:28 am
Mark, once again you prove that your forte is basketball. But delighted that you cover college football as well. The Hawks: Have’t cared since Dominque and the gang made it interesting
Mark Bradley
February 13th, 2012
10:29 am
I’m pretty good at giving credit.
And thanks, duronimo.
Mark Bradley
February 13th, 2012
10:30 am
I don’t know that I have a forte, mike. I like to think I’m equally terrible at everything.
steve brown
February 13th, 2012
10:31 am
Is Horford really a good choice-we have a forward playing center? I say they are batting .000 – you are too sweet and must want a dinner from Gearon.
GT Trumpet
February 13th, 2012
10:31 am
Keen observations. I don’t think that’s what the Spirit meant by “praise” though… But it’s exactly what they deserve.
GSmooth
February 13th, 2012
10:32 am
Mark – It’s kind of frustrating to see you write these BS stories after the Hawks had a bad game.. where were your columns when the Hawks went 4-1 on their 5 game road trip? Where was your article when they beat Miami back in January? You only focus on the negative.
It’s stories like this why Atlanta gets such a bad rap as a sports town.
Shug
February 13th, 2012
10:32 am
David Stern has pretty much said that franchises such as Atlanta’s exist solely to fill out the league so that the Lakers/Celtics/a few others of the world can prosper. Unless something drastic happens–something that is probably out of Atlanta’s control–the Hawks will be stuck in mediocrity.
Glenn
February 13th, 2012
10:33 am
Yeah but the brilliance of picking Josh Smith at 17 in 2004 was huge . Taking Josh Childress at number 4 that same draft……..not so much . I often wonder about how the Hawks could be if they had drafted Chris Paul .
Jody
February 13th, 2012
10:33 am
Great write up Mark.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 13th, 2012
10:34 am
While I am less than thrilled with the AJC’s Hawks coverage, aside from Michael Cunningham’s work when he is actually sent to cover the team, let’s not take the focus away from where it belongs. Years of mismanagement is the reason why ATL gets a bad rap as a sports town.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 13th, 2012
10:35 am
Chris Paul – Joe Johnson – (insert random free agent or non-lottery SF here who probably would have been at least as good as Marvin – Josh Smith – (insert random free agent or non-lottery role-playing C here)
That team would be better than the current team. Childress, Law, and Shelden Williams were bad picks, but Marvin over CP3 is the pick that keeps the Hawks from being great.
cpsman_atlanta
February 13th, 2012
10:37 am
I moved to Atlanta in 1989, and immediately became a fan of the Atlanta Hawks. Wilkins, Willis, Rivers, Moses… it was a fantastic line-up. I remember Steve Smith, Dikembe, and even the Chris Crawford playoff game where he went 3-point crazy. Even during the years of J.R. Rider, I was still a fan.
But ever since this ownership group took over, I have become less and less interested in the Hawks. I became a Thrashers fan. A lot of people I know also became Thrashers fans. And why? Because ice hockey is a team sport, versus basketball which focuses more on the individual.
And yet, this ownership group continues to focus on the one-minded Atlanta Hawks team. They sold the sport I have fallen in love with in ice hockey, and let it get moved to Winnipeg. They didn’t care. They act like they cared, but they honestly didn’t. Get those guys a polygraph test, and I’m sure the responses would be interesting.
Bottom line, if Michael Gearon Jr. feels as though the print media isn’t giving him respect for the splendor of this remarkable organization, as he puts it, then I offer him my congratulations. His dedication to this team has forced me to boycott the Hawks, boycott Philips Arena, and look for other sporting entertainment options. Like all the draft picks they’ve screwed up, like all the overpaid contracts they’ve screwed up, they continue to screw up by losing my dollar in their pockets.
On another note, Gwinnett Gladiators hockey games are great, they cater to the fans of the sport, and their team is in first place, I believe. I guess in the eyes of Atlanta Spirit, the Gladiators are failures.
lanier
February 13th, 2012
10:37 am
said like it is
Tootsi
February 13th, 2012
10:37 am
Davenpoop, they are the team with most recent playoff wins (a byproduct of the nba playoff format which gives them more opportunities to get wins), but they are well behind the Falcons and Braves in terms of future potential. Nobody in their right mind could be confident in this organization.
You keep telling other people to stop bringing up the argument on other blogs I’ve seen, yet you yourself keep reigniting it every chance you get. Give it up already.
Mark Bradley
February 13th, 2012
10:38 am
No question that Josh Smith was a great pick at No. 17. Just out of the lottery, though.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
10:38 am
GSmooth awesome point.. Bradley is a trash writer whose intent is to bring down the Atlanta team. he’s partially the reason why the fan base root for other teams
Chris Crawford
February 13th, 2012
10:39 am
Good article MB
They’ve come full circle back to where they were in the early/mid 90s. Good enough to make the playoffs every year but with a ceiling of the second round.
Old Blue
February 13th, 2012
10:39 am
Hey!! It’s almost time for a Valentine. Maybe if the Hawks changed their name to the Atlanta Hugs. . . or maybe the Atlanta Valentinos. Love those HUGS!!
Tumbledown
February 13th, 2012
10:40 am
That was a funny but sadly true article. On the plus side, Josh Smith was a decent draft pick. I also think Teague may prove to be a good one. However, it is so sad to think what the Hawks could have been with better use of those five lottery picks. It is just another depressing chapter that is the book of Atlanta sports teams.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
10:42 am
People act like the Falcons and Braves are performing will.. How many penant races have the Braves been to with the star caliber players they’ve had? How many rings do they have to show for it? 1. They undeperformed in a major way. People overlooked that b/c they liked Ted Turner and Bobby Cox. Same with the 2 point Falcons. They have yet to even win a playoff game with Arthur Blank as an owner. the Hawks advanced to the second round. They finally beat Orlando, but as the season change so do the teams. Before Hawks were beating the Heat, Knicks, and Celtics. They just have to go back to the drawing board. BUT WHAT DO PEOPLE EXPECT IN A 66 GAMES SEASON WHERE YOU HAVE LESS TIME TO PREPARE?? You guys act like rings are won in the regular season… whiny people
Tin Roof Sunday Night
February 13th, 2012
10:42 am
Can someone please never tell the hawks they are on national tv, they cant seem to get out of their own way whenever we get blown out on TNT or ESPN.
hogonofirok
February 13th, 2012
10:43 am
its is sooooo hard being a hawks fan. then throw in the braves and the falcons and i just wanna move. lets take up a collection and buy this dang team.
J.J.M.
February 13th, 2012
10:43 am
I wonder when will the media start calling out joe. He seems to get a pass because of his quiet personailty
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
10:44 am
cpsman_atlanta No one care about hockey… Get over it or move to Canada if you want hockey
STRETCH
February 13th, 2012
10:46 am
“Gearon Jr. makes the point that only three NBA clubs — the Lakers, the Celtics and guess who — have reached Round 2 of the NBA playoffs over the past three seasons.”
But didnt 2 of those 3 teams win a NBA championship within the past 4 years?
flagboy?
February 13th, 2012
10:46 am
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
10:38 am
GSmooth awesome point.. Bradley is a trash writer whose intent is to bring down the Atlanta team. he’s partially the reason why the fan base root for other teams
__________________________________
I just have a problem supporting ineptitude. This franchise hasn’t done anything in years to give anyone the idea things were going to get better. “They nearly beat Boston!” Hang your hat on that if you want to . .
No one in their right mind can honestly think the Hawks have any legit chance of winning a championship with this team. But the same could be said about the Hawks for how long now?? When was the last time the Hawks had a team where you said, “they could win it all”? Certainly not in the last 10 years. And yet, nothing has really changed. Who wants to support that?
Tumbledown
February 13th, 2012
10:49 am
I do not understand how a sportswriter can influence a fan’s decision to root for the home team. You are either a fan of the team or not. I do not always agree with what is written in the AJC, but it has not diminished my particular interest in the Atlanta teams. It is incredulous to think that any writer would operate from the standpoint of “Hmm, how can I bring down an Atlanta team? Ok, I will write this (demonic laugh included).” We can disagree wholeheartedly with what is written, but let’s not get carried away.
BravesFan79
February 13th, 2012
10:54 am
i still believe this team can make a solid run with Al Horford back for the playoffs, but still cant believe we signed Erik Dampier over the other options that were out there. He was awful his last year with Dallas, and a complete non-factor in Miami. Yet we signed him over the tall defensive player from the Jazz? Crazy…
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
10:56 am
flagboy? Tee players have nothing to do with who the owners sign, draft, or trade for, but looking at these comments, you hold the Hawks players to a much HIGHER standard that you do the Falcons and Braves.. I can cout all the excuses you give the braves and Falcons whose had 2 team beat them out of the playoffs only to win the Superbowl and WORLD SERIES ring. NONE of the Hawks opponents have went on to win rings. This is no likeability contest where you pick and choose which team to bash over the other yet they ALL produce the same results: No ring. You bash the Hawks who gives us more hope than the Falcons and Braves. That’s like blaming me for producing the numbers I get at work knowing I’m following the guidelines of my boss. ” I don’t like T-Mobile’s service so Jeffery that works there is trash”. All we keep talking about is the drafts, but considering those missed picks, we shoudn’t even be in the playoffs. Bringing it up makes you all sound like bitter exes. GET over it. We beat the Bucks, but hey ended up beating the Heat. It works like that sometimes. We beat Miami with Horford, we got blown out several times without him.
Bryan G.
February 13th, 2012
10:56 am
This column, sir, is genius. Kudos to you, Mark Bradley.
Mark Bradley
February 13th, 2012
10:56 am
I wouldn’t make too much of the Dampier signing. He’s a deep backup on a 10-day contract.
snaut
February 13th, 2012
10:57 am
The hawks have no consistent go-to guy…They pay Joe(shoot-and miss)Johnson the big contract when clearly he is not the best player on the team…Joe’s days are behind him. He will never be worth that contract money. No matter how u look at it, the hawks are filled with scrubs and role players..They have been rebuilding since the years of Dominic ,Doc, and “Tree”. I have been a Hawk fan for so many years..It’s demoralizing to know that whoever owns the Hawks have no clue which way they want to team to go. If they cant get it right then.. “Just love basketball” with no clue on what it takes to win championships. Staying mediocre is the staple here in Atlanta
BravesFan79
February 13th, 2012
11:00 am
Since when did Iso-joe become Iso-Ivan johnson?? Turning point of the game last night was when on 2 or 3 consecutive posessions, Ivan ends up with the ball (not Mcgrady, not Joe) and takes falling away jumpshots. WTF was that !! Joe Johnson needs to DEMAND the ball in those situations and prove hes a All Star!! We will never win anything with Smith and Ivan taking falling away jumpers, just awful.
Glenn
February 13th, 2012
11:01 am
We can’t afford ” the caveman ” baby . I do wish we could a got KMart . Clippers did pony up .
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
11:02 am
We could we worse than the Knicks who wasted 200 million on Carmelo and Amare whos team is being carried by an undrafted D-League player in Lin. Or the Lakers who tried to trade Gasol and Odom for Paul only to lose Paul to the Clippers, but traded Odom for nothing…Did you see them get beat by an inexperience rookie led team ( Shumpert).I mean Chandler out rebounded Gasol AND Bynum.. Look at Orlando who basically dumped a winning team when they traded Skip to My Lou, Pietrus, & Gortat for guys that did not “fit” their system
Mark Bradley
February 13th, 2012
11:04 am
Actually, what Orlando did was take a huge gamble that went bust: GM Otis Smith determined — correctly, I think — that the Magic would never be good enough as constituted to win an NBA title and he made two major trades in the attempt to change the mix. He changed it for the worse.
tmc
February 13th, 2012
11:06 am
The Hawks are an organization that make moves because they feel they “have to” instead of having a leader who knows what they are doing. It has been that way for years through many GM’s, Owners and coaches…
-I began to notice with the trade of Dominique for Manning (and not signing)
-Just look at all the draft pick mistakes year after year. (how many lame forwards did we draft in a 10 year stretch?)
-now, we are in the middle of this regime signing and resigning players for WAAAAAAY to much money that kills their ability to make other moves.
This franchise is doomed because of the lack of leadership and knowledge at the top. And it trickles down all the way to the play on the floor during games.
Sell the team ASG and do the fans of Atlanta a favor.
DawgDad
February 13th, 2012
11:07 am
I don’t go to Hawks games for reasons dating back to their exit from St. Louis. So, I really have no practical way to vent my spite at the current ownership for their “thrashing” of Atlanta hockey fans.
But, I’m a sports fan, so with no football and nothing much else on TV last night (except the homage to dysfunctional adults who happen to have musical talent) I tuned in to the Hawks – and quickly tuned out on the slaughter.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
11:08 am
Hawks were doing better before Hinrich came back… he came back in the Spurs game… We should keep Teague as a starter with the most munutes and put Pargp in after him. Hinrich was not worth the 2 1st round draft picks. We’ve aged so the 66 games will wear on Stack, McGrady, Hinrich, & Damp… I question Drew’s constant lineup this year, but I’m trying to rememeber that we came off a lockout with no offseason. No chance to work together in the offseason. We cleared or roster the week the season began so EVERYONE besides our core ( and Zaza and Teague) is gone.That would explain our turnover issues this year. I think we should’ve kept Sloan.
Mark Bradley
February 13th, 2012
11:12 am
Hinrich has complicated the rotation. And I’m pretty sure he isn’t fully recovered.
mark
February 13th, 2012
11:13 am
tchapman86 you must be from the Atlanta Spirit organization. The Braves were at least in the damn World series several times. The Hawks can’t get out of the second round. Your comparison has no relevance at all. Go back and tell your boss Gearon you were revealed!!!! You sir are the one who needs to do his research…
the reader
February 13th, 2012
11:13 am
And at the end of the day…
Steve
February 13th, 2012
11:16 am
Your best article yet MB, Worst franchise ever!!!!
misterwax
February 13th, 2012
11:19 am
several good reasons to ignore the NBA altogether in my opinion….
what else is new?
Worst sports city in America
February 13th, 2012
11:19 am
Apathetic fans. Mediocre teams. Nobody cares about pride, the city, winning, etc.
It’s a sham!
Rim Bender
February 13th, 2012
11:22 am
The Hawks have always been a maze of “do what”. I’ve been a Hawks fan since the 70’s and can trace this back to the team not signing David Thompson and Marvin Webster and letting them both go to the ABA.
The team then traded away their pick in the ABA allotment draft where they could have had a few GREAT players for an opportunity to get Randy Denton and Dave Twardzick (sp) or some other bums.
The team did sign JOHN DREW (2nd round) the same year that Thompson and Webster went ABA. And John was a scoring machine —
By the way, why hasn’t John Drew been recognized by the Hawks for his greatness and had his number retired, 22?
And, come to mention it — Pete Maravich was a Hawk for five years or so and was just as great as Lou Hudson. Maravich has long deserved to be honored by the Hawks with number 44 being hung from the rafters.
Just saying…this team has done exceptionally well at times considering how many times the Owners/GM’s/Coaches have stepped in cow-manure.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
11:24 am
mark
I don’t work for Gearon, but I can tell you this. I just don’t like to see favoritism in criticism because you don’t like the bosses. Your comment proves my point. He’s not playing on the court, yet you attacking him. 14 division titles w/ 1 World Series ring having these players: Justice Sheffield, Pendleton, Gant, Nixon, Maddux, Smoltz, Lopez, C.Jones, Glavine, Lemke, Avery,McGriff etc.. Top of the line from top to bottom. Way more talent than Joe, Josh, and Al.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
11:32 am
When the Braves had their Big 3 (pitchers) and the FAlcons had Primetime and the dirty Bird, noone griped about how all they ever was were a dancing team or a team that’s only good for making the playoffs. In fact, this team wasn’t even livid at the 1998 Falcons squad that went to the Superbowl and partied with strippers and prostitutes, but you guys remember the DRAFT picks, hunh? I despise likeability contest in criticism. Be fair in your critiques
Glenn
February 13th, 2012
11:34 am
You have to be able to call a spade a spade . The some of the contracts are very suspect …REALLY suspect if you don’t have any desire to go into the luxury tax . Thats the kicker . As far as the draft debacles , that seems to fall on Billy Knight .
Drunkinmoron1
February 13th, 2012
11:35 am
@tchapman86 Just give up your point is invalid, your comparing apples and oranges, but I’ll give you an A for effort and passion for your team
mark
February 13th, 2012
11:39 am
tchapman86
Wow for someone who doesn’t work for him you sure are getting butt hurt!! I didn’t attack Gearon at all just you!!!
Mark (another one)
February 13th, 2012
11:42 am
I moved here in 1984 and immediately adopted the local teams. The Hawks have faded from my view.
When Braves attendance dropped, they didn’t complain. They asked what they could do to get fans to return and they tried things. They also adjusted their business plan.
The Falcons have made great improvements with the new management and frankly, the owner isn’t willing to sit still.
I prefer UGA, but neither UGA or Tech are willing to settle for occasionally competing for a conference title. Both have changed defensive coordinators and schemes in an attempt to get better.
The Hawks aren’t progressing. The ownership is a joke, and the NBA as a whole as ceded basketball to the colleges. There is very little team play, especially on offense. The Hawks are tied to long term contracts that will weigh them down for a long time.
Watch an NFL team work its salary cap. Most salaries are no guaranteed. The NBA needs to get out of the guarantee business and start paying for performance, and cutting those that don’t. As long as they continue to pay guys that go through the motions, this fan will find somewhere else to use his entertainment dollar like UGA Gymnastics. Those girls compete and they do it hurt.
The Hawks
mark
February 13th, 2012
11:43 am
But they were entertaining tchapman86, and that’s what you are not getting!! These Atlanta Hawks teams have not been entertaining since Wlikins and Rivers left. We as fans are tired of the mediocrity is what this is all about!!
The Grinch
February 13th, 2012
11:44 am
Mark, why use just recent history? You must include the previous decade to fully appreciate the brilliance of the Hawks at draft time:
1991 – Stacey Augmon (9th)
1992 – Adam Keefe (10th)
1993 – Doug Edawrds (15th)
1994 – Galon Nickerson (31st)
1995 – Alan Henderson (16th)
1996 – Priest Lauderdale (28th)
1997 – Ed Gray (22nd)
1998 – Roshown McLeoad (20th)
1999 – Jason Terry (10th)
2000 – DerMarr Johnson (6th)
I’m sure their trading cards have appreciated nicely in value over time….
NOW YOU SEE EM NOW THE BURNT OFF
February 13th, 2012
11:45 am
I think the highpoint of the franchise was when Mike Woodson SHAVED OFF HIS EYEBROWS
DePort
February 13th, 2012
11:49 am
Funny… and to think .. the Hawks are the only major sports team in Atlanta to have made it out of the first round in the last 10 years ….
mark
February 13th, 2012
11:49 am
Grinch
I love the sarcasm man!!! You just proved our point with some humor mixed in… Love it..
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
11:50 am
Drunkinmoron1
*mute* you alone b/c of your name
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
11:52 am
Mark (another one)
You’re typing with blinders on. Take your “fan” glasses off and dig deep for the truth. What you’re tryping is really far from it when you say the other teams have taken a step towards progress.
Gwinnett Fred
February 13th, 2012
11:53 am
Yea, but you aren’t giving them credit for such fantastic free agent signings like…… Mutumbo!
Hey – one every 15 years ain’t so bad!
STRETCH
February 13th, 2012
11:54 am
I dont feel so bad after looking at this:
2010-11 Dallas Mavericks
2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers
2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers
2007-08 Boston Celtics
2006-07 San Antonio Spurs
2005-06 Miami Heat
2004-05 San Antonio Spurs
2003-04 Detroit Pistons
2002-03 San Antonio Spurs
2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers
1998-99 San Antonio Spurs
1997-98 Chicago Bulls
1996-97 Chicago Bulls
1995-96 Chicago Bulls
1994-95 Houston Rockets
1993-94 Houston Rockets
1992-93 Chicago Bulls
1991-92 Chicago Bulls
1990-91 Chicago Bulls
1989-90 Detroit
1988-89 Detroit
1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers
1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers
1985-86 Boston Celtics
1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers
1983-84 Boston Celtics
1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers
1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers
1980-81 Boston Celtics
1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers
What that tells me is, not many other teams have had a chance to win the title over the past 30 years.
Glenn
February 13th, 2012
11:55 am
tchapman86
Some of those contracts are silly . Especially JJ’s . What makes it so bad is ownership isn’t willing to go over the luxury tax . That combination of not spending responsibly and being on a budget is a killer. Look at how much Dallas and Miami paid in luxury tax last year ? If you are not will to overspend you had better me smart with your coin . As far as draft picks , that seems to fall on Billy Knight . Gees, Pete Babcock was horrible as well .
Jose
February 13th, 2012
11:56 am
One can tell the type of ownership/leadership by just observing the players. What about the fact that we gave Joe 70 million, never got anywhere, then made it 120 Million and expected to get somewhere. I remember the old saying, “As the leading(leader) cow goes, so goes the flock(followers). As other teams in the East improved, we looked around for left overs. Was our coach the best available?? May be the cheapest available.
Hawks suprise us when they win because even the owners do not expect much from them. We have defended our Hawks for many years. It’s not enough to go to the second round!!! We want to win it all. But the owners have to want it first. Everything rises and falls on leadership.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
11:56 am
Hawks never drafted” your ideal” picks but the Braves and Falcons had the ideal players and got what? 1 ring between the 2 and a “few” playoffs and dance moves out of it. Okay, you guys are very biased. I know you love you Matty Ice and Chipper Jones. Probably blame them less than Roddy White and Jason Heyward just because…..Chipper is locking up salary that could go to the futire. Matty Ice can’t locate the 1st down marker to throw or run to it. Can’t throw deep balls. Can’t win a playoff game and he’s been here how long???
mark
February 13th, 2012
11:57 am
Ok I gotta get back to the reality of Afghanistan. Gotta a patrol to do. It was nice debating and reading all your opinions. tchapman86, no hard feelings man, it’s just sports. Take care all.
rollo lawson
February 13th, 2012
11:57 am
Davenpoop is 100% correct. You only right Hawks articles when they have a bad loss. When they whipped the Heat in Miami. Nobody heard a peep out of you. You rag on Joe Johson and Josh, but you never criticize the Golden Boy Matt Ryan for his lack of play making ability. Why is that? Always ignoring the pink elephant in the room when it comes to what really ails the Falcons. You give him two stud receivers, a HOF TE, and a 1300 yard running back and we get 2 points from James Sanders in the playoff. Where they do that at? The drafting of Marvin Williams over Chris Paul has set this franchise back. Nothing more, nothing less.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
11:57 am
Thanks Stretch for pointing out the obvious truth…
Drunkinmoron1
February 13th, 2012
11:57 am
@tchapman86 Do you go to Hawks games??
rollo lawson
February 13th, 2012
11:58 am
I meant “write” not “right”.
Mick
February 13th, 2012
12:00 pm
Good article Mark. I’m a big NBA fan but I made a decision several years ago not to attend any more games until the ASG sells this team. I haven’t attended a game since the Hawks beat Boston here in game 6. The ASG are defintely among the dumbest owners in pro sports history. I refuse to spend my money watching this crap.
rob
February 13th, 2012
12:03 pm
Mark forgot about the albotross Alan Henderson contact too. Billy Knight set us back with his “Forward” thinking and drafting.
Gwinnett Fred
February 13th, 2012
12:04 pm
Grinch:
Nice list, but you went back one year too far. Stacey “The Plastic Man” Augmon was actually pretty good and was a serious ROY candidate (13p/5reb/3ast a game). Additionally rare, in a 15 year career, his 5 with the Hawks were easily the best of his career.
My favorite 1st round bust is Keith Edmonson. 10th overall pick in 1982, he held out, then sucked, then went on to an illustrius 87 game NBA career! Of course the next pick @ #11 was Fat Lever, who only went on to be a 2 time AllStar PG (the Hawks seems to always pass on point guards, don’t they?)
Reggie Ball
February 13th, 2012
12:06 pm
@tchapman86 just say what you realy feel that anytime a white guy criticizes a black guy its racist.I.E your Matty ice, Roddy White/ Chipper, Heyward comment
Mike
February 13th, 2012
12:07 pm
HAHAHA, great column, Mark! This sums it up perfectly. This team may be making the playoffs, but they in no way resemble the teams of the 80’s and 90’s. Those teams were more well-rounded and far better coached than the teams of the past several years. There is only one reason the Hawks are making it to the second round of the playoffs – they play in the Eastern conference where a couple of teams seem to make the playoffs every year without a winning record. Put them in the West, and I dont think they make the playoffs.
John
February 13th, 2012
12:09 pm
The Hawks were embarassing last night, but Bradley’s two articles, though possibly accurate, are extremely annoying. There are never any positive articles about a team that, though they can be maddening, is as good as the other two teams in town. Honestly barring a hot pitching streak by the Braves, I think the Hawks are as close to a championship as the Braves or Falcons. The truth is none are that close, but for some reason the Hawks get ripped while the others get a pass for the most part.
STRETCH
February 13th, 2012
12:11 pm
And the way things are going its looking more and more like the next 5 to 10 years will belong to the Heat, Thunder and Clippers.
Angus
February 13th, 2012
12:12 pm
Odds on Falcons winning 2013 Superbowl: 18-1 (12th best)
Odds on Braves winning 2012 World Series: 22-1 (11th)
Odds on Hawks winning 2012 NBA championship: 60-1 (tied 13th)
I included the rankings to illustrate a big time problem that the NBA has – very few teams actually have a shot a title.
Jim 70
February 13th, 2012
12:15 pm
A hawk fan (gatech alum) I live near the Washington dc area, and it’s organization, if you can call it that, definitely gives the hawks a run for their money with their draft picks, trades, and salary offerings.
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
12:16 pm
“What that tells me is, not many other teams have had a chance to win the title over the past 30 years.”-STRETCH
Co-sign….That makes too much sense for some ppl to understand. Maybe the Hawks weren’t broken, maybe it was the NBA…When 9 teams win a title over a 30yr period.
Braves- Go to the playoffs for 15 straight years and 1 Title(With the best team 8 of the 15 years) …The Hawks still have a couple of year of tryng before they become the Braves and the Falcons have to win a playoffs game before Blank can look eye-to-eye with GEARSON.
NekiEcko
February 13th, 2012
12:26 pm
@tchapman86
I got a 3 questions for you, and be honest because you might learn something today.
1. Do you think that the Hawks will get to ECF without one of the best players in the NBA right now?
2. Even if Al was back, do you think they will get better in a short season like this?
3. Do you think with the lack of funds and cap space, you think that the Hawks will have what it takes to get better out there?
The roster is very flawed, even know that they are above .500, most of those wins comes from teams that is playing for the lottery this year and teams that had back to back games. That doesnt excuse them of being beat so badly, every loss this year except for 2 of them was over 10 points and higher.
Changes need to happen if they want to go far, hoping that JJ or Josh gets on fire and scoring alot isnt always the sure thing.
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
12:27 pm
Mchale and West changed the landscape of the NBA…
By giving their former teams FRANCHISE changing players for GARBAGE
For 30yrs the NBA had legalized cheating and some how the Hawks are the bad guys… Tryng to win against a stacked deck…
This is the 1st year the NBA a may act like a real sports league and not a farm system for the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls and Knicks.
Heisenberg
February 13th, 2012
12:27 pm
If Hawks would have taken Chris Paul or Deron Williams in 2005 instead of Marvin Williams, then this year they could have resembled New Orleans or Utah depending on how management handled pending free agency of soon-to-be departed point guard. My guess with this management team is New Orleans.
LT
February 13th, 2012
12:31 pm
“Years of mismanagement is the reason why ATL gets a bad rap as a sports town”
I have been saying this for a while. They need a caring Coach and caring Management. LD rarely gets at the refs! Last night is one of those nights where he should have been all over the refs.
Brandon
February 13th, 2012
12:31 pm
Great article Mark. Still, the most amazing point about the article is that Michael Gearon, Jr. ACTUALLY believes that his organization is great and that the Hawks are underappreciated. This is the same organization that LOST a franchise in a sport for the 2nd time, with underappreciated ineptitude–not only did they not locate a stadium outside of downtown Atlanta for hockey, but they kept a guy (Don Waddell) in place despite his inability to grasp the importance of defensemen and goaltending to winning hockey games, never mind that the Thrashers never won a SINGLE playoff game in their existence. Then, the team is lost to Winnipeg, Manitoba of all places. IMHO, this incompetency is underappreciated. As for the Hawks, drafting Marvin Williams over Deron Williams and CP3 takes the cake, but I will say this–I was at the Hawks draft party that night and I swear the fans went nuts and LOVED the pick–check the tape. They cheered wildly. The fans loved the supposed “athleticism” of Marvin and Billy Knight and brass had convinced the sheep…er…I mean the majority of Hawks fans that “long” was the way to win, just like the Pistons. So, it’s a combo–yes, management is horrible, but many of the fans of ATL sports–all teams–check their sports IQ at the door. Dumb management + dumb fans = ATL’s status as a bottom 3 sports town along with Seattle and Cleveland based on # of teams, potential resources, and blown opportunities when nearing the trophy. These are the bottom 3.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
12:33 pm
Rufus1 is spot on: “This is the 1st year the NBA a may act like a real sports league and not a farm system for the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls and Knicks.”
hawker
February 13th, 2012
12:33 pm
puker up and stick that nose in a little deeper.
Hollywould
February 13th, 2012
12:38 pm
This play said it all. Josh took the ball out of bounds after a made shot and just dropped the ball toward Teague who was 15 feet away. You could see the disgust on Teague’s face and body language as he had to go back and get the ball..
This came after Teague said something to Smith after they blew the defense on a 3 on 2 in the first quarter and Teague said something again at the T.O. and Smith waved him off.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
12:38 pm
Reggie Ball You brought race into it.. I didn’t. I was point out how we’ve deflected the blame away from the ;eaders of the Braves and Falcons and blame other players for their lack of leadership, but are wuick to blamc Joe and Al. That’s a fact. All season is was about Roddy dropping passes, but he didn’t thros those passes to himself or Heyward’s thumb injury, but not Chipper’s injury that had him out of the lineup alot last year… Those are facts…If it points to race then blame yourself.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
12:40 pm
Improved response:
Reggie Ball You brought race into it.. I didn’t. I was pointing out how we’ve deflected the blame away from the leaders of the Braves and Falcons only to blame other players for their lack of leadership, We’re quick to blame Joe and Josh. That’s a fact. All season long, fans were talking about Roddy dropping passes, but he didn’t throw those passes to himself. We heard about Heyward’s thumb injury and wanted to trade him, but not Chipper’s injury that had him out of the lineup a lot last year… Those are facts…If it points to race then blame yourself.
WhoCares?
February 13th, 2012
12:41 pm
Wow, what a boatload of excuses for this sad-a** franchise. most of the players are serious about their game, no doubt, but management has proved inept and incapable time after time after time. This team is playing about as well as we might expect; it is not a championship team, nor is there evidence that management aims for that. The Hawks will remain a “farm team” until there are better funded, more knowledgeable people running the franchise.
Section 303
February 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
Mark, you will just bash the Hawks at every turn, regardless of what they do.
You rip them for re-signing Joe Johnson, but would have ripped them for letting him walk (I know there would have been plenty of “See the Hawks can’t keep their stars” articles by Mark Bradley). You praise Otis Smith for blowing up the Magic, but you would rip the Hawks nonstop had they tried the same move and had it totally fail. Meanwhile, you never give the Braves or Falcons any grief, despite their continued postseason debacles.
You clearly have something against the Hawks. You either are just out to get the ASG or you just don’t like basketball. But, the fact that you never have a positive word to write makes you very transparent.
Can’t wait to read your columns stroking the Braves and pumping them up as a World Series team (if that sounds familiar, you wrote that all of last season). Soon, you will be able to stroke the Falcons and their great GM that has never won a postseason game.
I have never seen a writer rooting against a hometown team as much as you do. You literally want them to lose. If they broke through and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, it would make you looks so bad that you would have to write an apology.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
12:43 pm
Scoring 2 points in a playoff ( Falcons) / messing up the 1998 Superbowl chance to party with strippers is worse than any move the Hawks have made, but it doesn’t get the criticism that the Hawks get. I just ask for fairness and honesty.
mountain_jim
February 13th, 2012
12:43 pm
great column – and what is the great Billy Knight doing these days? Still spending Hawks money for such a crappy draft record?
It’s not just the lottery picks that the fans here, at Hawkssquawk, and elsewhere would have drafted much better – some great 2nd rounders were identified as the right picks from these sources, such as Monta Ellis, who was available while Knight picked Salim Stoudamire. So 2005 was bad in both rounds – a killer really.
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
12:45 pm
How many TITLES for Paul and DWill?
PPl act like Paul and DWill have won a TITLE….Life doesn’t happen in a Vacuum or NBA2K….With a different team and minus Woody’s coaching, we maybe wishing for Marvin…Because Woody did such a WONDERFUL job developing PG’s when he was our coach.
Al
February 13th, 2012
12:50 pm
People act like the Falcons and Braves are performing will.. How many penant races have the Braves been to with the star caliber players they’ve had? How many rings do they have to show for it? 1. They undeperformed in a major way. People overlooked that b/c they liked Ted Turner and Bobby Cox. Same with the 2 point Falcons. They have yet to even win a playoff game with Arthur Blank as an owner. the Hawks advanced to the second round. They finally beat Orlando, but as the season change so do the teams. Before Hawks were beating the Heat, Knicks, and Celtics. They just have to go back to the drawing board. BUT WHAT DO PEOPLE EXPECT IN A 66 GAMES SEASON WHERE YOU HAVE LESS TIME TO PREPARE?? You guys act like rings are won in the regular season… whiny people
Hey tchapman86. Was Arthur Blank not the owner in 2002 when the Falcons beat the Packers in Lambeau and how about 2004 when the Falcons beat the Rams in the playoffs?
flagboy?
February 13th, 2012
12:51 pm
tchapman – The Braves have made it to a World Series. The Falcons have made it to the Super Bowl. The Braves made an EFFORT to get better. The Falcons have recently been the one of the top teams in the NFC. Two franchises that have at least looked at what they were doing and decided what they had been doing wasn’t working. . .and changed.
The Hawks have nothing to show for the past 20 years. Nothing. And from the looks of things, are happy to stay that way for some time. It isn’t Joe Johnson’s fault he’s getting paid more than he deserves. It isn’t the players fault for the terrible drafts. . .it’s the people up top. . . and those are the people called out in this article.
Al
February 13th, 2012
12:53 pm
tchapman86
People act like the Falcons and Braves are performing will.. How many penant races have the Braves been to with the star caliber players they’ve had? How many rings do they have to show for it? 1. They undeperformed in a major way. People overlooked that b/c they liked Ted Turner and Bobby Cox. Same with the 2 point Falcons. They have yet to even win a playoff game with Arthur Blank as an owner. the Hawks advanced to the second round. They finally beat Orlando, but as the season change so do the teams. Before Hawks were beating the Heat, Knicks, and Celtics. They just have to go back to the drawing board. BUT WHAT DO PEOPLE EXPECT IN A 66 GAMES SEASON WHERE YOU HAVE LESS TIME TO PREPARE?? You guys act like rings are won in the regular season… whiny people
———————————————————————————————————————-
Was Arthur Blank not the owner in 2002 when the Falcons beat the Packers in Lambeau and how about 2004 when the Falcons beat the Rams in the playoffs?
flagboy?
February 13th, 2012
12:54 pm
Section 303
February 13th, 2012
12:42 pm
You clearly have something against the Hawks. You either are just out to get the ASG or you just don’t like basketball. But, the fact that you never have a positive word to write makes you very transparent.
__________________________________________
What positive word would you have about the Hawks right now?
joey1
February 13th, 2012
12:55 pm
mark bradley,
why do you only write a column about the hawks after they lose???
yes they got their butts kicked by miami( being severly shorthanded)
the hawks have done very well this year so far.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
12:55 pm
Rufus 1 How many TITLES for Paul and DWill?
“PPl act like Paul and DWill have won a TITLE….Life doesn’t happen in a Vacuum or NBA2K….With a different team and minus Woody’s coaching, we maybe wishing for Marvin…Because Woody did such a WONDERFUL job developing PG’s when he was our coach.”
Excellent point… People want to paint the HAwks as a team that’s failing unlike other teams here and that’s not the case. I can’t point to many errrors of ALL of our teams. it’s unfortunate, the Hawks players don’t have a likeable owner where fans are willing to brush aside their mistakes.
TN Jeff
February 13th, 2012
12:57 pm
Can’t help wondering where’s this Bravado during the last decade plus of underachieving, poorly managed Braves baseball?
B
February 13th, 2012
12:59 pm
I think you should have mentioned the Hawks give you such fertile writing material. Another great article, you are one of the best sports writers around.
Josh Smith for 3
February 13th, 2012
1:00 pm
Just hearing the names Josh Childress and Marvin Williams makes me upset
GT
February 13th, 2012
1:00 pm
It is like Moneyball only they didn’t overspend for players like the Hawks did. Basketball is definitely a game played better when you are enjoying yourself. In the middle of the week heading downtown to watch pro basketball is not vogue anymore. Half empty area with half of that pulling for the opponent. The thrill of having a pro basketball team has left the building. I can’t watch a whole game even on television, boring stuff. I was there the night Nique went against Bird, had floor seats. You could feel the floor vibrating it was so loud. This stuff today is like wrestling, it even looks fake, boring athletes. Give me that Duke, North Carolina game for excitement and I didn’t even have a dog in the hunt.
ZACK
February 13th, 2012
1:00 pm
GREAT STORY MARK! WATCHED SOME OF THAT CRAP LAST NIGHT AND COULD NOT HELP BUT FEEL PISSED AT ANOTHER ATLANTA TEAM GETTING WHIPPED ON NATIONAL TV BY A QUALITY TEAM! SO SAD!!!
GT
February 13th, 2012
1:02 pm
If boring were a crime the NBA would get a life sentence. Looks fake like pro wrestling, a pain to watch even on television.
Angus
February 13th, 2012
1:02 pm
I don’t think the Hawks’ problem is being labeled “failing.” I’d go with “hopeless.”
O'Brien
February 13th, 2012
1:04 pm
Mark,
It’s much worse. After passing on CP3 in the draft, they gave big money to CP3’s backup.
We have changed coaches, we have changed GM’s, but the one constant is the ASG. They gots to go.
falCANS
February 13th, 2012
1:07 pm
Trade Horford a 2nd Rounder and Marvin too orlando for Dwight!!!
Lil Fawkers
February 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
I would love to see the Hawks leave Atlanta like the Thrashers. That way we only have Falcons and Braves to let us down each year.
Section 303
February 13th, 2012
1:09 pm
flagboy, it’s not hard….how about still in the race for a top 4 seed, despite losing Horford for the season.
I could already see Bradley go into full “apologist mode” if a similar injury struck the Falcons or Braves. The excuses would rain down from the sky.
Ernest T. Bass
February 13th, 2012
1:10 pm
I’m not sure if what tchapman is posting is English or not.
Very hard to read or understand.
No the Falcons or Braves haven’t won anymore titles than the Hawks have.
But they are better run organizations to anyone who is unbiased about the situation, and not trying to turn this into a racial thing and make it about black vs white.
Ernest T. Bass
February 13th, 2012
1:12 pm
Can’t help wondering where’s this Bravado during the last decade plus of underachieving, poorly managed Braves baseball?
Its been there. The Braves have been ripped too.
But the Braves aren’t nearly as poorly run as the Hawks.
bill
February 13th, 2012
1:17 pm
You said it, Mark!
Robert Barron
February 13th, 2012
1:21 pm
Atlanta is not a city of crummy sports fans. We are a city of smart consumers. The product has seldom deserved support. We do not believe that our owners will hire a good GM even if their lives depended upon it.
Robert Barron
February 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
Think of the Hawks competing for the championship if only we drafted Chris Paul.
And it wasn’t like he played for a west coast college.
He had a great game in AMC vs GT playing 4 Wake.
W.R. Terrell
February 13th, 2012
1:28 pm
Last week LD spoke of changes in the lineup, this week coming should be interesting. TMAC needs to start, so Marvin may as well sit. TMAC will be more productive in points and assists and just as effectively defensively as Marvin, also, he may be able to temper some of Josh Smiths craziness on the floor along with forcing Joe to move the ball because of TMACS ability to cut to the basket and continual movement. A change has to be made and may as well be now.
Moobs Johnson
February 13th, 2012
1:34 pm
It all boils down to the poor ownership for the ATL teams. Other cities can bash the fans all they want but there is too much to do in this city to continually support deadbeat owners and teams.
pointguardslim
February 13th, 2012
1:34 pm
Jeff Teague + Joe Johnson + Josh Smith +
(insert Ryan anderson, or Jon Leuer a rim finishing and spacing big with post up game)
+
(insert Tyson Chandler/Dam Dalembert a rim protecting and finishing free agent role-playing C here)
When you have an athletic Power-3, a PF/SF like Josh Smith you should exploit that. The answer is clearly a bigger guy who can stretch the floor. However Marvin Williams is not that guy, and neither is Vlad Radmanovic. You can stick a bad or small defender on him and then Josh Smith will get defended by guys he cant post up, like Chris Bosh.
Ryan Anderson is big enough to dictate matchups and was drafted 21st overall (we didnt have a pick that year) but was traded as a throw in for Rashard Lewis.
Jon Leuer is even bigger and the perfect counter to force smaller guys to defend Josh Smith and help on the boards and he is stuck on Milwaukee’s bench.
Make a trade ASG. Power Forward/Centers with 3 point range dont grow on trees. And Vlad Radmanovic has no power in his game. Soft/small forward whatever.
Marvin Williams is too soft/small to draw the tougher defenders. So just stick Mike Miller or Lebron on Marvin and let them rest and put Bosh’s length on Josh. We lose.
Look at Smith’s shooting and undersized weaknesses and then you cant have Marvin in there useless. Look at matchups against the Heat and the Lakers as well.
Get Jon Leuer ASG. YESTERDAY.
Silky
February 13th, 2012
1:36 pm
Am I the only one tired of hearing the Hawks being bashed by our own Local News. This is part of the reason why our home games seem like away games. For once lets root for the Home Team instead of picking them apart…I see why NBA stars don’t want to come here, most so-called fans(and writers) have more fun booing them than, cheering them on!
Stop the Negativity
February 13th, 2012
1:39 pm
“Mark – It’s kind of frustrating to see you write these BS stories after the Hawks had a bad game.. where were your columns when the Hawks went 4-1 on their 5 game road trip? Where was your article when they beat Miami back in January? You only focus on the negative.
It’s stories like this why Atlanta gets such a bad rap as a sports town.”
Totally agree with GSmooth here, I sometimes think its columns like these that give Atlanta a bad rep for having horrible fans. This is what Atlanta wakes up to everyday of course they are gonna have the same sentiment every time the team has a bad game. For what its worth – they are currently best sports team in Atlanta.
Chris Crawford
February 13th, 2012
1:41 pm
Silky
What wasn’t true in anything he wrote? If the truth comes off as “bashing” than so be it.
tjhook
February 13th, 2012
1:44 pm
The truth is the Atlanta Hawks roster (particularly the starting unit) needs a player who can and will provide a kick in the pants to everyone who is a starting player for the team. Crawford almost provided that because he could provide his own offense; unfortunately, that was too few times.
The Hawks need a player with championship pedigree (rings) who can dictate what are the on-the-court priorities to players (Smith, Johnson) during game action and in preparation for the next one. I have two people I want to recommend in separate trade suggestions.
1) Marvin Williams to Milwaukee for Stephen Jackson. Jackson provide us the secondary scoring option in late contests that by default seems to be an issue when Joe gets doubled. Smith does not provide the necessary scoring and he is currently seen as the 2nd option- witness the sketchy shot efforts. Jackson knows how to move without the ball and can get his own shot off. Milwaukee is prepared to let him go and he is motivated to be productive for a contender. We are the best option for him and I believe he would be the best option for the Hawks. Joe draws two defenders, Captain Jack gets an one-on-one opportunity, Zaza and JSmoove clean up.
In addition, Jackson will provide the mental toughness in games to help steady the team on the court when we are being outhustled or pushed around. He is a strong defender and vocal in a way that people respond.
2) If we play this thing out (a mistake, in my personal opinion), the Hawks should make a trade in the offseason. My target: Tony Parker of the Spurs.
San Antonio will be in rebuilding mode by then because Ginobelli and Duncan will probrably have two years at the most. The younger player will be Popovich’s focus and players like Jefferson and Parker will be seen as expendable. Only sentimentality keeps Parker in a Spurs uniform. I am suggesting we trade Horford, Marvin, and Teague for TP, Jefferson, Matt Bonner and a pick. We can debate the spare parts but we need a personality that can make Joe Johnson and Smith more effective on the court emotionally and through performance. These two players are the ones i am suggesting.
Big Crimson 75
February 13th, 2012
1:45 pm
All we had to do was draft CP3……Billy Knight was on TV after both he & Deron Williams worked out for the Hawks & he glowed about what both could bring to the NBA.
It never made any sense whatsoever. The Hawks just drafted Childress & Smooth the year before, but took Marvin Williams anyway!! on a team that had NO POINT GUARD!!!
Whopper Dawg
February 13th, 2012
1:45 pm
Really is tragic that the management can be that bad.
My current favorite is Teague, whom they thought good enough to draft but not good enough to play, and traded for an upgrade who then got hurt, and when they HAD to play Teague found out indeed he is good, maybe real good. Now that is ineptness at its finest.
Andy
February 13th, 2012
1:45 pm
You crushed them Mark but it’s the truth. They look to be on pace for another round 2 exit. Then they will possibly be the only team to make it to the second round of the playoffs in four straight years especially if the Lakes and Celtics continue to fade. Consistent mediocrity.
Big Crimson 75
February 13th, 2012
1:51 pm
All we had to do was pull the trigger on Chris Paul, or Deron Williams for that matter.
The previous year, the Hawks drafted Childress & Josh in the 1st round — but still took Marvin Williams, who played the same position, over both guards!
It never made any sense.
I know Billy loved the long, wing type players, but the Hawks @ the time needed a point guard more than any-thing.
He even said after working both players out before the draft that each would be all-star point guards in the NBA.
Drafting Paul would have changed EVERYTHING.
dawg tired
February 13th, 2012
1:52 pm
Calling the Atlanta Spirit group a bunch of brainless turds would be an insult to turds the world over.
WELP
February 13th, 2012
1:54 pm
Nothing but the truth.
Uganda Man-Woman
February 13th, 2012
1:54 pm
The Hawks managements drafts have been laughable. They needed a point guard then drafted Marvin Williams (forward) over CP3. Dumbest draft pick ever.
oldmike
February 13th, 2012
2:00 pm
I still have to believe that better coaching (or any for that matter) would have gotten this team farther along than they have gotten. Imaginative ownership migth have brought in better players. And if JJ was truly an elite player we might very well win while short roster wise. We hit the crap trifecta. Bad drafting, bad coaching, bad ownership.
beone
February 13th, 2012
2:12 pm
Bravo Mark. Wish your thoughts and the fans opinions would make a difference but sadly I suspect they will not move the ASG at all.
Gwinnett Fred
February 13th, 2012
2:18 pm
I have to agre with the folks that point out Bradley’s tendency to drill the Hawks with a negative article following a loss. And that is indeed pretty lame Mark. As they say “go to the tape” – facts are facts, your negative Hawks articles follow a loss, especially a blowout loss.
That said, our brave columnist might have plenty of opportunities the rest of the month as looking at the schedule, a 1-6 record to finish the month is a real possibility.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2012
2:21 pm
Big Crimson 75
February 13th, 2012
1:51 pm
Harumph, harumph!!
Bob Weiss
February 13th, 2012
2:23 pm
Is Danny Manning available?
Reality
February 13th, 2012
2:25 pm
I stopped floowing the team long ago. Worst ownership, worst management, worst coaching and worst players in the league. I really wish they would move! The franchise is an embarassment.
KevinM
February 13th, 2012
2:26 pm
Mark, tough to be a Hawks fan year after year. Why should we complain when this team is in the playoffs regularly? Because 16 out of 30 teams appear in the playoffs each year, so if you don’t get in, you know how bad your team is.
The problem here in this setup is the ASG refuses to see the oportunity we have to advance in the playoffs. We have lost to Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, and Chicago in consecutive years. We have beaten average Miami in 7, lower than average Milwaukee in 7, and Orlando in 6. With the roster that has been put together over the years, you would think that it was obvious that this roster isn’t good enough to win….the question to ask the ASG is why are you even in this business if your agenda is not about bringing a championship type team here.
They are satisfied with Al, Joe and Josh as their captains. I personally have always been a fan of Josh, but I don’t ike the way he goes about his business as a captain. He isn’t leading; he too busy ignoring his strengths as a player. LIke someone said about Tiger and his attempt to come back to eliteness, there’s a reason Josh isn’t an all-star. The league is aware of his personality and how it doesn’t help this team.
Mark, I would like to see you write on how to improve the Hawks instead of how to tell us their history. We all know their history and being at the bottom of the league in team value. I would like for you to tell us:
- what Josh is worth in the market.
- what centers are a realistic option for us
- what Drew and his staff brings to this team
Those are the things I am looking for as I know we need improvement, and we need someone out there to campaign publicly for improvements.
For current circumstances, we as fans all know what to expect from this franchise; more of the same…that can be sumrised in a paragraph.
I have no problem with you criticizing the Hawks as long as you let folks know the limitiations that ownership puts on this city. Sund is not the answer to building a winner, and neither is the ASG.
They want respect, but respect is earned. The ASG continues to prove they don’t deserver accolades.
And since you are a college guy as well, could you envision the Hawks no matter who is the GM next year (it will be Sund, because the ASG has no vision) the staff to taking a PG with the 1st pick of next years’ draft, namely UK’s Marquis Teague? That would be an interesting scenario IMO. Being a UK fan, this Hawks keep my perspective in check.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2012
2:30 pm
BRING BACK THE OMNI!!!
AtlantaDude
February 13th, 2012
2:35 pm
I am still waiting to see the exploits of the guy that Billy Knight kept trading for, Maury CapSpace. Is he playing in Europe somewhere?
flagboy?
February 13th, 2012
2:36 pm
Section 303
February 13th, 2012
1:09 pm
flagboy, it’s not hard….how about still in the race for a top 4 seed, despite losing Horford for the season.
___________________________________
In the race to be in the top 4. Ok. Do you think they have any legit shot at winning the East?
The answer has to be no. And that answer has been no for nearly 25 years.
Bob Weiss
February 13th, 2012
2:36 pm
Enter your comments here
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
2:36 pm
The Real problem…
This city cares more about having a STAR PLAYER, than they do about winning. PPL want to trade our entire roster to sign D12 for 1/2 year….and when D12 leaves because the team would be TERRIBLE, you would blame ASG and STILL NOT BUY A TICKET.
You listen to these BARELY high school educated NBA analyst try tell you how to build a team, when they can barely manage their checking accounts….IT IS HARD TO WIN IN THE NBA, and to get NO RESPECT for doing consistantly for 4 years is CRAZY!
Bob Weiss
February 13th, 2012
2:37 pm
have yoe seen my wife!!!
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
2:38 pm
Preach Rufus1 Preach
JSS
February 13th, 2012
2:41 pm
“The Hawks are the greatest team ever to have drafted so badly.”
The 2003-2004 Detroit Pistons would disagree with you… Look at that roster, and then look at who actually contributed, only Prince was a draft pick that panned out for them…
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
2:44 pm
Ernest T. Bass
Blank posting an apology letter in AJC for last years performance, then score 2 points this year in a playoff game is not a better run organization.. O-Line traded away for forse.. People are still livid about the Ray Edwards signing. By the way, I speak English since you decided to respond to me
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
2:45 pm
worse
NekiEcko
February 13th, 2012
2:46 pm
Oh boy, Rufus1
The real problem that we are tired of losing in the second round every year and we dont do anything to get better or improve. You can say anything you want to say but until we get past that hump(Do you actually believe that this team can get over that hump?) That is how the fans will see this.
Honestly, to tell you that this team has promise but you cant keep getting blow out at home against teams will see in the playoff and you have to do something, including breaking up this core.
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
2:48 pm
NekiEcko
Hawks: 4 years straight playoffs appearance and they get no support. Braves: more playoffs appearances and 1 ring to show for it and the city rally behind likeable cox and likeable Turner.. This is no personality contest, but fans here treat it as such
flagboy?
February 13th, 2012
2:50 pm
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
2:36 pm
The Real problem…
This city cares more about having a STAR PLAYER, than they do about winning. PPL want to trade our entire roster to sign D12 for 1/2 year….and when D12 leaves because the team would be TERRIBLE, you would blame ASG and STILL NOT BUY A TICKET.
You listen to these BARELY high school educated NBA analyst try tell you how to build a team, when they can barely manage their checking accounts….IT IS HARD TO WIN IN THE NBA, and to get NO RESPECT for doing consistantly for 4 years is CRAZY!
________________________________________________
Get the NBA to have it so a real team can win, not one centered around a star player then. The last team that won without a certified star was Detroit, and they won with smothering defense. The NBA has set up the system of the superstar, and it’s the main reason why most people don’t care anything about the league any longer.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2012
2:51 pm
tchapman86
February 13th, 2012
2:48 pm
“Hawks: 4 years straight playoffs appearance…”
But doesn’t the NBA allow about 37 teams to go to the playoffs?
Najeh Davenpoop
February 13th, 2012
2:51 pm
“What that tells me is, not many other teams have had a chance to win the title over the past 30 years.”
The Mavs were the laughingstock of the NBA throughout the 90s, but drafting one superstar and having one owner willing to spend on complementary players resulted in them winning a title. If only a handful of NBA teams have won, it’s because only a handful of NBA teams have done what it takes. There’s nothing stopping the Hawks from doing what the Mavs did… unless, of course, they get the #2 pick in the draft and draft a guy who walks like a duck instead of a future Hall of Fame PG.
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
2:53 pm
“The 2003-2004 Detroit Pistons would disagree with you… Look at that roster, and then look at who actually contributed, only Prince was a draft pick that panned out for the.”- JSS
Co-sign
OKC is the exception and not the RULE…
Like when:
Boston drafted KG and Allen…
Miami drafted Lebron and Bosh…
LA drafted Shaq and Gasol..
Dallas drafted Terry, Marion and Chandler…after they traded away a HOF. PG…
These teams are basketball GENIUSES!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 13th, 2012
2:54 pm
“But doesn’t the NBA allow about 37 teams to go to the playoffs?”
The NBA lets two extra seeds into the playoffs from each conference than the NFL and four extra than the MLB. So if the Hawks made it as a 7 or 8 seed — like they did in 2008 — the argument is valid. But for the last three years, the Hawks have made it as a top-4 seed, had the home court advantage in the first round, and advanced. These playoff appearances are just as legitimate as anything in the NFL or MLB. A top 4 team in either conference in the NFL or MLB would have also made the playoffs.
Section 303
February 13th, 2012
2:55 pm
flagpole, winning the East or not winning the East was not your question. And, really, since when were local teams held to that standard? Falcons and Braves get stroked and I don’t seem to recall them making their version of the Eastern Conference Finals lately..(last one ‘04 Falcons?).
No doubt the Hawks have had their issues. But they are a good team and a team worth watching. Mark Bradley just refuses to acknowledge that. Instead, all that comes from him is one dig after another.
Coming from Michigan, there are people who do not like certain sports as much as others, but they never actually hope one of their teams is bad. If someone is a Lions fan, does not mean they root against the Pistons. Same the other way around.
This town is totally different. Fans of one team do not support the other. And, on top of that, the local hacks (looking in the direction of Bradley and Schultz) openly root against one of the teams (Hawks). Makes no sense. Main part of the reason other cites laugh at Atlanta sports fans. It is not because of attendance problems (that happens in almost every city). It’s because the ATL fans make no sense.
Mark Bradley
February 13th, 2012
2:55 pm
Actually, the Hawks were No. 5 in the East last season.
IceColdATLien
February 13th, 2012
2:56 pm
Rufus, of course a city of transplants is really only going to care about star players… especially when the teams can’t seem to make any real post-season noise (other than “CRASH!!!”). So, that’s really irrelevant.
However, I agree that it’s fairly pathetic that ATLiens don’t appreciate consistent winning seasons that, on the whole, the Hawks, Falcons, and Braves have given us over the past four or five years. Yes the postseason results aren’t great, but give me another city that fields so many quality squads year after year (without collectively spending a billion dollars in salary… hello NYC and Boston!)?
Bradley’s job is to make judgments and write them, so going after him is pointless, too. He makes great points… at least in this article.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2012
2:56 pm
flagboy?
February 13th, 2012
2:50 pm
I don’t know how old you are, but you should have seen the 1976-77 Portland Trailblazers during their championship season. I’ve never seen a better “team oriented” team play since then. They had a couple of guys that may have been considered stars, but their teamwork was something to watch.
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
3:01 pm
Najeh,
Cuban spent 800mil over ten years trying to win a title and ppl thought the same thing about their team…ASG purchased the Hawks in 2005, give them 10 years
pedro
February 13th, 2012
3:01 pm
Mark is right – the return of Hinrich has complicated the rotation BUT the real problem is not KH rather LD’s combinations. I been on the floor for 30 years as a seasons ticket holder. JT is not Doc, he’s not Rondo he’s not any better than Armond Hill was and that was just OK. If you watched the game last night JT did not follow his shot and he did not double down on defense in the middle once he was off the ball. JJ became/went Iso Joe and stunk it up. One of the funniest things I’ve heard in a long time was vs Orlando when Duane Farrell (subbing for Nique) questioned why LD took KH out and we then promptly blew our lead. This is actually a better team than last years team but LD needs to step up and play the guys that will play the game in the right way.
pedro
February 13th, 2012
3:02 pm
Enter your comments here
brandon
February 13th, 2012
3:02 pm
Excellent sarcasm and wit here, Mr. Bradley.
IceColdATLien
February 13th, 2012
3:04 pm
Rufus, I don’t know if we can take a full ten yrs of ASG.
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
3:06 pm
IceColdATLien,
I am not going after Bradley, I am trying to balance the NEGATIVE with REASON an OPTIMISM.
KBP
February 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
Mark, I love the article and if the ASG was not already finished with you, I feel safe to say they are now. AWESOME!
Rufus1
February 13th, 2012
3:07 pm
IceColdATLien, we may have no choice.
LT
February 13th, 2012
3:10 pm
“Am I the only one tired of hearing the Hawks being bashed by our own Local News. This is part of the reason why our home games seem like away games. For once lets root for the Home Team instead of picking them apart…I see why NBA stars don’t want to come here, most so-called fans(and writers) have more fun booing them than, cheering them on!
“
Section 303
February 13th, 2012
3:12 pm
LT, I think everything you say is true. Add on to it that teams like the Heat bring out some of the biggest a##clowns you will ever see. The douche-o-meter had to be registering off the charts last night. Bunch of front running, wannabes wearing their LeBron shirts.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2012
3:13 pm
By the way, the picture above – the caption should read “we selected WHO in the 1st round of the draft”?
NekiEcko
February 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
OPTIMISM?!?!
Now that is a good one, we still getting blow out by teams that we should atleast be competitive with (even if they are more superior than the Hawks) and they are still wondering why that media and other talking heads, doesnt trust the Hawks. We beat up on bad teams but stuggle against good ones, even if they do get to the playoff every year, until the Hawks can get to the ECF, then nobody is going to trust this team.
I want to trust them but when you have games like Orlando and Miami, you dont know anymore.
The Grinch
February 13th, 2012
3:15 pm
NekiEcko
February 13th, 2012
3:14 pm
“We beat up on bad teams but stuggle against good ones,…”
And therein lies the rub.
pointguardslim
February 13th, 2012
3:16 pm
to Mark’s credit he had an article that said they needed a big body.
However, this is unattentive reporting. Hawks have needed more than that for a long time.
“We need a for real, for real knock-down shooter,” Smith said. “I’m not asking for [Bulls sharpshooter] Kyle Korver, but a guy who can just spread the floor and just knock the shot down.”
Hawks coach Larry Drew said the team needed a real 3-point threat who can take advantage when opponents double team guard Joe Johnson.
“A guy that has the reputation of a 3-point shooter, [the defense] always have to be aware of him,” Drew said. “I watched a lot of film on him and he has a very uncanny ability to get to an open spot very fast. … We are a team when we move the basketball and get the ball in right people’s hands it’s going to force the defense to collapse, and the more shooters you have out there with those type of guys the more it helps you.”
Problems
* Radmanovic isn’t a POWER forward. He can’t force teams to switch, like Marvin you can stick your smallest defender on him to know ill effect. He doesnt dictate matchups. and really does not play big.
* Radmanovic, doesn’t play with Joe Johnson, that is he comes off the bench with no star to create hard double teams.
Need a big body who can spread the floor and knock down a shot. That would be revolutionary for the team and get us something we can hang our hat on and out of this vicious 360 degree circle of smallball we keep trying to deny.
We’re munchkins. We cant shoot. We’re munchkins. We cant shoot. etc. etc.
Kevin Love is off the market. Ryan anderson is off. Kaman is off. One guy I’ve scouted for a while now is Jon Leuer. He is not a shotblocker but he is tall with a post game and range.
He has the length that most good NBA shooters/players/scorers have. Stick him with Our sf version of Dwight Howard in Josh Smith and watch him ball.
Here’s a few players with an exact 7 foot 0 inches wingspan that turned out to be either pretty good knockdown shooters and/or defenders:
Paul Pierce – 7′0 wingspan
Vince Carter – 7′0 wingspan
Jon Leuer – 7′0 wingspan
Nick Young – 7′0 wingspan
Carmelo Anthony – 7′0 wingspan
David Lee – 7′0 wingspan
Josh Smith – 7′0 wingspan
Lebron James – 7′0.25″ wingspan
Luol Deng – 7′0.5″ wingspan
Charlie Villanueva – 7′0.25″ wingspan
Michael Beasley – 7′0.25″ wingspan
Chris Kaman – 6′11.75″ wingspan
Kevin Love – 6′11.5″ wingspan
People in that range are usually good for something. He is not playing because of defense and rookie woes but he could be our Jeremy Lin.
PLEASE. For the love of all that is good in Atlanta sports. Get this Jon Leuer kid for picks. Perfect commodity for us, size and shooting in one package.
Section 303
February 13th, 2012
3:20 pm
NekiEcko, guess we are forgetting the win in Miami and blowing out Chicago at Philips?
I love how the Hawks have to get to the NBA’s Final Four before they can be trusted. No other team in this town deals with this crap. Braves are coming off a complete meltdown, made no changes, and that is a good thing according to what I read in the AJC. The Falcons GM is the greatest (if you don’t count the postseason and the fact that this year’s team lived up to none of their high expectations).
Reading these posts and Bradley articles almost make me turn against all the Atlanta teams that aren’t the Hawks.
keepinitreal
February 13th, 2012
3:23 pm
It’s not an apples-to-apples comparison when assessing the Hawks’ postseason performances against the Braves and Hawks. While I have ripped the latter two teams many times on these blogs for their pathetic efforts in the second season, it should be noted that it’s harder to win in the MLB and NFL playoffs than it is in the NBA’s postseason. The fields are smaller in MLB and the NFL, and thus, the quality of competition is better. The Hawks have beaten the Heat, the Bucks and the Magic in the playoffs. None of those teams were world-beaters. Each of the last three teams to beat the Falcons have gone on to the Super Bowl, and the last two have won it. Four of the last six teams to knock off the Braves went on the World Series. Again, not excusing their performances, but they didn’t get nearly the favorable matchups that the Hawks have gotten. When the Hawks have played great competition in the playoffs, they’ve been just as roundly embarrassed as the local football and baseball teams.
Vegas, which has no bias and is unmoved by emotion, thinks the Falcons and Braves are three times more likely to win their respective sport’s title than the Hawks are. That tells you a lot.
IceColdATLien
February 13th, 2012
3:25 pm
MB’s point is the same, tho: ASG is simply deluding themselves… or possibly they’re just trying to spin the obvious. So they’re either daft or disingenuous, but either way I want them GONE!
(btw, I have considered the idea that a guy like Donald Sterling could buy the Hawks, and then we’ll be wistful for that great group of guys that at least spent money… even if it was stupidly spent with nothing but ignominous 2nd round butt-whoopins.)
Krystal Burger Association
February 13th, 2012
3:43 pm
At least Hawk fans keep their pants on in our restaurants…. Can’t say that about certain fans in the great state of Alabama.
Jimmy Crack
February 13th, 2012
3:43 pm
It must be the unseasonably nice weather and shopping.
DHD
February 13th, 2012
3:48 pm
Is the lockout over yet?
joey1
February 13th, 2012
3:51 pm
what do yall think of a josh smith/kirk hinrick plus 2nd round pic for pao gasol and a trade exception?
would that work?
NekiEcko
February 13th, 2012
3:56 pm
Section 303,
We all know that they beat Chicago and Miami, so other teams as well. But here is the thing, we have been going to the playoff for the last 4 years (same as Nique Day’s and same as Mookie/Smitty/Deke days) and what have we show for it, nothing, nothing at all. You are sounding like somebody that just being a playoff team and nothing else. Even if they do beat those teams in regluar season, when it becomes playoff time, things are different and be honest, do you think that they will have a chance gets a Bulls, Heat or even 76ers in a 7 game series?
I think they should tinker with the core or bring somebody is going to lit a march under their butts.
BTW, Falcons and Braves has been to multiple Championship games and Super Bowl/WS and what did the Hawks do?
NekiEcko
February 13th, 2012
3:57 pm
match*
Ted M
February 13th, 2012
4:06 pm
“Michael Gearon Jr., one of the Hawks’ many charming owners, believes that print media folks in this town have failed to appreciate the splendor that is his remarkable organization.”
LOL – best sarcasm I’ve ever heard.
cpsman_atlanta
February 13th, 2012
4:06 pm
@tchapman86, more people are upset about the Thrashers leaving than you think. Just go to the rinks in the northern suburbs; you’ll understand. Pretty soon, the Gwinnett Arena will have more people in it than Philips does for an event.
Ownership stinks, bottom line. Gearon doesn’t care about anyone in the metro Atlanta area. He’s nothing more than a FAKE!!!
Ted M
February 13th, 2012
4:12 pm
Mark – This may be your greatest work.
Roger
February 13th, 2012
4:12 pm
tchapman86 is almost al qaeda fanatical!
Fact is the Hawks are #1 Boring to watch(hear what Charles Barkley said?).
#2 Have 100% no hope to get better than they are now.
#3 Cannot and will not win the division, conference or any title…they are nearly peaked now and aren’t going to do any better.
Are they a fairly good team? yes! Are they Atlanta’s team? yes….but with this ownership and the fact that all non-delusional people know they have no star that is really fun to watch, have no chance of winning anything big and have handcuffed themselves where there is no possibility of getting much better in the near future or landing a star that will get people behind the franchise….there is no chance this city is going to get behind the hawks like some fanatics hope/believe or want!
joey1
February 13th, 2012
4:17 pm
again, what do yall think of a josh smith/kirk hinrick plus 2nd round pic for pao gasol and a trade exception?
would that work?
WELP
February 13th, 2012
4:25 pm
Fate was sealed when your owners started suing each other, final nail was giving Joe Johnson that contract. DONE.
Jay Dubu
February 13th, 2012
4:31 pm
Mark, The thing that makes this such a great piece is….that it’s true.
If the Hawks had made the right pick with 2 of the other 4 lottery picks, how far could this team go?
What took them so long to shed Billy Knight? And he wanted to get rid of Woody, after he made picks that only a fan in the rantasy draft would have made.
Da Analyst
February 13th, 2012
4:44 pm
The Hawks need to play for the lottery…Power Ball…Mega Million or NBA draft…Just play for it.
Felix
February 13th, 2012
4:56 pm
I just can’t get get excited about the Hawks. Just horribly managed over the years. In terms of player selection and player contracts, they have been so consistently bad over the years, that they make Frank Wren looks like a genius.
atltodolavida
February 13th, 2012
4:58 pm
For what it’s worth, if they did not resign Joe, they would be winning a lot less often.
Paddy
February 13th, 2012
5:02 pm
Great article MB. ASG has ruined this town for basketball and hockey. It may never recover. Who in their right minds would buy a NBA team?
KBB
February 13th, 2012
5:05 pm
Hawks are far from great. Try mediocre. Great or good teams dont choke every time they are on national television or somehow reach the 2nd round of the playoffs.
honest_abe
February 13th, 2012
5:06 pm
does the city of atlanta ever get it right? the olympics were wack! it was like the world was subjected to the boondocks that is our fair city. how about the super bowl? oh yes the weather did play a part in that fiasco as well as ray lewis but i digress.
atlanta teams never have transcendant talents. they have role players or awesome #2 players but nobody that is the best at their profession. #7 comes the closest and he of course blew his opportunity. if only there was a player that could truly inspire the city it would be less about wins and losses but about effort and a storyline about how anything is possible. one can dream. jeremy lin anyone?
Dejay
February 13th, 2012
5:08 pm
Try as some might, there is simply no defending what this franchise is; a middle-tier team that can’t/don’t win games that MATTER. As for comparing them to the Braves and Falcons, I’ll say this; for all of the postseason failures the Braves and Falcons have experienced, the both of them have played in one more big game than the Hawks EVER have. That’s a fact, Jack. I’d rather have been to a Super Bowl and a couple of conference championship games than to have a team that’s already setting up vacation cruises after the first week in May every year. That’s been the Hawks M.O. since moving here back in ’68.
The majority of the responders have a very valid point. It isn’t JJ’s fault for being signed to such a ridiculous contract. It was the ASG’s for allowing such an egotistical dolt like Billy Knight to draft stiffs like the Williams boys, Josh Childress, and Acie Law. Harry the Hawk would’ve done a better job on draft day than he did, much less anyone else with an ounce of common sense.
This drafting/over-paying thing the Hawks have adopted have deep roots, from the time Stan Kasten was duped into matching Detroit’s offer sheet for Jon Koncak by giving him a six-year deal and therefore, sinking Nique’s teams into mediocrity because all they could do was watch while the Bulls, Cavaliers, and Knicks passed them by. If anyone ever wonders why Nique’s teams could never get over the hump, take a serious look at the drafts they had in the ‘80s. Here’s a short list of guys Kasten and the gang passed over…
Fat Lever. Rolando Blackmon. Larry Nance. Karl Malone. Detlef Schrempf. Joe Dumars. B.J. Armstrong.
So, all we’re merely seeing is history repeating itself, only this time, there’s no Nique around to wow the fans who do decide to show up. Talk about having some civic pride? I’m proud that I have enough sense to discern the real McCoy from a playoff phony BEFORE the postseason begins. At least in the NFL, anything can happen on any given Sunday; not so much in the NBA, where the big boys quickly dispatch those who should be watching the Finals with you and me.
Gwinnett Fred
February 13th, 2012
5:15 pm
Talk about a team having no national esteem – starts from the coach on down.
The last 4 head coaches: Drew, Woodson, Stotts & Krueger. Some real coaching legends in that group!
Oh yea, I guess it was the GM’s that hired those guys too! Go figure!
CHEAP FRANCHISES DO NOT WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
anphill2
February 13th, 2012
5:26 pm
Very insightful article, Mark.
I have officially lost 3 minutes of my life.
I will tell you, what I tell my employeees; “Move with purpose, or simply go home.”.
mountain man
February 13th, 2012
5:26 pm
Ted please come back. PLEASE
Sautee
February 13th, 2012
5:28 pm
“atlanta teams never have transcendant talents. they have role players or awesome #2 players but nobody that is the best at their profession. #7 comes the closest and he of course blew his opportunity.”
abe, I’d argue that Prime was the best at his position, though he got even better after he left. Can’t think of anyone else, though.
"Chef" Tim Dix
February 13th, 2012
5:29 pm
“Ted M” I could not agree more.
It should be the LAW that this column be read out loud by anyone and everyone that is willing to form an audio opinion on the Hawks.
It is more than amazing that this team ever wins when they have to compete not only against the other teams in the league, but their intrepid management as well.
Tumbledown
February 13th, 2012
5:31 pm
All Atlanta teams are deserving of strong criticism. With the Hawks, that criticism should most be levied against the inept ownership. I think MB’s article targets that. The players themselves seem to be playing close to their abilities. This is not a championship team. Winning a playoff series or maybe one day two series is about all we can hope for from the Hawks.
I think the players of the Braves and Falcons deserve criticism at least as much or moreso than their coaches or owners. Whatever we think of Fredi G, Frank Wren, or Bobby Cox, the players throughout the years have had many opportunities to reach and then do well in the playoffs. You make the playoffss in the MLB, you should have a decent chance to go far as it is a crapshoot. The players, however, have underperformed and choked and that deserves attention from the press. The Hawks, on the other hand, have not necessarily underperformed as they have simply been outplayed and/or out-talented in the playoffs.
Walt Frazier
February 13th, 2012
5:35 pm
I loved former Hawk, Alan Henderson’s game. He was to me, a better all around player than Al Horford. Alan needs to use this time to beef up his body and put on 25 rock solid pounds of muscle.
Walt Frazier
February 13th, 2012
5:35 pm
I loved former Hawk, Alan Henderson’s game. He was to me, a better all around player than Al Horford. Alan needs to use this time to beef up his body and put on 25 rock solid pounds of muscle.
mrnatural
February 13th, 2012
5:49 pm
I nominate the Hawks as the NBA team most likely to lay an egg.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 13th, 2012
5:57 pm
” I’d argue that Prime was the best at his position, though he got even better after he left. Can’t think of anyone else, though.”
Greg Maddux and Chipper Jones were each the best at their position for several years, and Glavine and Smoltz are also Hall of Famers. Unfortunately the Braves never made any attempt to replace them with equally great players once they started declining, which is why they are where they are right now.
J
February 13th, 2012
6:26 pm
thank you!! finally somebody put it on paper what we all were thinking!! tired of getting bashed by major news and sports shows cus the people in front office keep getting it wrong. when they drafted marvin williams instead of chris paul I flipped the lid. and that just one of many. i remember when gave joe johnson all that money. i almost couldnt believe it. when need a new owner or gm or somebody as a consultant with some common sense or something. now we cant resign josh smith, who by the way is a hometown guy and wants to actually STAY in atl. gotta be kidding. i wish blank would buy the hawks too while he at it. maybe he can instill some hope in this joke.
Lil Fawkers
February 13th, 2012
6:36 pm
No one cares anymore about the Hawks. Look at how many responses this thread has gotten. Just proof that Atlanta fans are over this group of “players” that ownership has stuck with too long. Trade these idiots while they have any kind of value left.
Bye Bye Josh, Marvin, Zaza, and Joe (I wish). Thanks for wasting our time the past four years.
Bill Sherman
February 13th, 2012
6:40 pm
Mark Bradley Has Got It RIGHT! A Management Supported Coaching Staff Would Provide Gain, Where A Coach Supported Manaement Staff Has Not. Not Since Lennie Wilkins Has An Atlanta Hawk Coach Posessed The Authority To Coach His Players in terms Of Maximizing The Individuals Greatest Assetts;..as Opposed To Allowing Players to Showcase Individual Flare,..which Often Times Is not In Best Interest Of Team Success.
This ‘Atlanta Hawks Team’ MUST Improve Shot Selection,..And Be Drilled On Team Hustle! This May Neccesitate The Hiring of A High-Profile Demanding Coach,..who Coaches Only To Win,..while Remaining Unbridled From Management,..and Managerial On-Court Game Decision Making! Bill Sherman
Vol4ever
February 13th, 2012
7:01 pm
I have followed like others this team from the 70s. I will turn 52 tomorrow and I think I’ve had enough. This has to be the worst and most ignorant professional franchise in the last 20 years. I remember what a joke the Clipps were in the 90s and heck the 2000s. The Hawks have some fine pieces but the ownership just will not make the small moves to get into a championship level. The Hawks are cheap, yeah they may have a top ten salary but it is spent on guys who dont deserve it. JJ is paid up there with Lebron and Wade and is not a 10th the player they are. The Hawks sign guys on the bench that should not even be in the league. While Im on a rant, the NBA is only worried about the Lakers, Bulls, Celtics, Knicks, and the Heat. And lastly but not least, please fire the NBDL coach Larry Drew………what a freaking disgrace.
KevinM
February 13th, 2012
7:46 pm
While I want the Hawks to blow this thing up, I know they won’t do it. Our ownership group is far from forward thinking….wanna bet they start selling Lin jerseys as soon as they can get them?
They don’t care about this fan base and after watching the Thrasher’s fans get dumped on, I made it a point to never line their pockets with my money.
They don’t deserve a good following; they continue to make bad decisions.
Even if did blow it up, you can’t confident they would know who to draft. 2012 is supposed to be a deep draft and for the money we pay our top line guys, I would have no issue spreading them out around the league and going a new direction.
And it starts with management and Sund and LD. Woody was so well thought of, it took him what 2 years to get an assistant’s job. He isn’t going to get another shot as a HC, nor should LD.
But a few good wins justify bringing him back next year…..and I’m not looking forward to starting another season with Joe, Josh and Al as our captains. Keep Teague and dump the rest off at any of most recent road trips.
Wink
February 13th, 2012
8:15 pm
Let try some word association as it relates to positive vibe – negative vibe and which rings true with you:
Michael Gearon Jr…”greatness of Hawks”…Fantasy?
Mark Bradley…”bad drafts,bad contract, consisten blowouts & bad management”…Truth?
Hawks opponents are Knicks, Magic, Celtics, Bulls, Lakers…Truth?
Hawks opponents are Braves & Falcons…Fantasy ?
Any given time period one team may profrom better than the other…why compare…this is about the Hawks NOW!
In last 30 years only 9 teams have won NBA Championship…the great Hawks was one of them…Fantasy?
Would we like the Hawks to someday win an NBA Championship…Truth?
The LA Clipper, Washington Wizard, OKC Thunder, Sacramento King…CORE group has been together 7 years…Fantasy?
Hawks CORE group has been together a minimum of 7 years…Truth?
Will the Hawks win a championship before,Clippers, Wizards, Kings, Thunder…Fantasy?
The odds are greater these teams will win a NBA Championship before the Hawks…Truth?
Think about it: Kobe, Dwight, Wade, Dirk, Blake, CP3, Melo…can you hear what their voice sounds like…Truth?
Can you hear Joe Johnson’s voice…Fantasy?
When you think of a STAR player that make a difference…they usually have one name, like those mentioned above…Truth?
When you have to use both names, ie Joe Johnson, have you really made it yet…Fantasy?
The Atlanta Air Force, Nique, Doc, Willis, Cliff Livington, Antonie Carr, Spudd…Truth?
Highlight Factory…JSmooveeeeee, Horfordddd Marvinnnnnnn????…Fantasy?
Management…Steinbrenner, Al Davis, Red Auebach, Ainge, Cuban…Truth?
Hawks management….ASG….crickets, crickets…just makes you tingle…Fantasy?
Who can affect the product on the floor & influence dollars spent…Hawks Owners & Coaches…Truth?
Fan affect the product on the floor & influence dollars spents…Fantasy?
The Hawks don’t want to go into the Luxury Tax and spend unneccessarily and its okay…Truth?
Fans should spend by any means necessary to support the greatness that is the Atlanta Hawks…FANTASY?
Which offers more ENTERTAINMENT value, Deion’ Primetime Falcons, The Grits Blitz, The Atlanta Air Force, Smoltz,Glavine,Maddux,keep in mind only one championship (Braves) …Truth?
Hawks beating below 500 teams, getting blowed out by above 500 teams, falling behind by 20 to 30 point in last 4 home games…surly there is Greatness there somewhere right Mr Gearon Jr…FANTASY?
Why should we care, because we are fans of Atlanta Sports Teams, and we would like to have some PRIDE in our Home Teams, but you guys don’t make it easy…WE JUST WANT YOU TO COMPETE…WIN OR LOSE…JUST COMPETE.
A Real Hawks Fan
February 13th, 2012
8:22 pm
I hate this city I really hate the media and the so called fans I hate the fact that a new ownership came in a did what they could to make a team better that had not been in the playoffs in god know when I hate you fake fans fake reporters all you do is trash the Hawks. The hawks will be in the ECF and I hope you guys don’t watch it,
godsmack
February 13th, 2012
8:29 pm
@tcpsman, I am with you about the Thrashers. If this sorry ass ownership would have put at least half of the money that they did in iso Joe’s contract we would have been in the playoffs more than once.If you get a chance to see a game in Winnepeg on the NHL package you will see why they are gone.They are appreciated like they should have been. My guess is they will be in the Stanley Cup Championship before the damn Hawks make the NBA Finals.
threetrone
February 13th, 2012
8:31 pm
I believe Atlanta came up with a winner when they began wearing the ATL jerseys. They have always had luxurious arenas such as The Omni and then Phillips. I met Michael Gearon, Jr. in the late 80’s through my little brother when we were living in ATL. I see Michael is running the show now. Good for him…and ATL. He was a good guy. He might even have come up with the ATL logo which is very cool.
A Real Hawks Fan
February 13th, 2012
8:31 pm
Most of you guys are idiots and have no clue what it take to win a title. You think its all about win in the regular season. Hawks will beat the bulls and the heat we are deeper and that is what will win
casual fan
February 13th, 2012
8:33 pm
@godsmack, I would be willing to be my life that Winnepeg will be 3-peat Stanley Cup Champions before the Hawks make it past Round 2.
casual fan
February 13th, 2012
8:37 pm
@threetrone, Yes, you are correct: the ATL logo is so cool!!! And I’m sure Michael Gearon is a swell guy!!! Gee, I sure am proud of the Atlanta Spirit.
threetrone
February 13th, 2012
8:39 pm
we were livin’ there in the mid-eighties, not late eighties, sorry, and we met MGJr in Brookwood Hills off of Peachtree
threetrone
February 13th, 2012
8:43 pm
casual fan: that ATL logo is rather heavy on the cool side, isnt it? you and I dig it
michael
February 13th, 2012
8:49 pm
sir charles, the round mound of rebound, says no real player wants to play for atlanta. sounds true but they sure love partying all over it. just ask patrick ewing about ye ole gold club.
Time
February 13th, 2012
8:55 pm
Thank you RealHawksFan for showing me that I’m not the only true, real Atlanta fan left in this town of yankee carpetbaggers who love to talk about how great things were back home, yet never ever go back. Why is that?
The other idiot (Schultz) just last week wrote a column about how bad the Hawks were, and then they go on and win 3 straight. Now this idiot (Bradley) decides to chime in after a bad loss to a very good team on the road with the usual officiating associated.
Hawks will be fine, and I’m sure both these disgraces to Atlanta that this rag see’s fit to print will be silent when they play well (like always), and then write some hack job crap like the next time the team has a bad game. In the meantime, they’ll be praying for some on UGA’s football team to get arrested for shooting fireworks so they can stand on their pathetic soapboxes and talk the Fulmer cup.
justahawkfan
February 13th, 2012
9:10 pm
The usual cast of negative characters. Perhap you guys should google the word FAN and study it’s meaning.
Man oh man
February 13th, 2012
9:18 pm
Ive hung out with the Gearons and Rutherford S albeit briefly. The Gearons have basketball experience but have probably been in over their heads as owners. I am concerned about a comment Jr made a few years ago about “spending money” as if it were something to be proud of. I think they have good intentions but made some very poor decisions. Rutherford strikes me as a boy in a candy shop that thought it would be fun to be a bigshot owner , but only later realized what a financial disaster it could be. I’ll never forgive the ASG for driving out the Thrashers. Never.
justahawkfan
February 13th, 2012
9:23 pm
The best thing about blogs is everyone get to voice thier opinions no matter how unreal they are.
justahawkfan
February 13th, 2012
9:25 pm
The worst thing about blogs is everyone get to voice thier opinions no matter how unreal they are.
Spoil in Dallas
February 13th, 2012
9:54 pm
I watched some awful basketball until we got a special player. One you can put pieces around. The Hawks have good players but not that special player you can build around. Joe Johnson is not a player you can build around. He complements. Tear it down and start over. Find that one guy who makes everybody else on the team look good.
Tremaine
February 13th, 2012
10:01 pm
Great job Mark.
Man oh man
February 13th, 2012
10:11 pm
Top 3 factors in a successful sports franchise : 1) owner(s) who hire the right managers 2) managers who draft and scout well. 3) owners and general managers who do not overpay for the talent they are receiving.
I’d say Hawks are 0 for 3. Falcons have potentially 3 for 3, but Thomas D ‘ s value has been dropping IMO. Braves are 3 for 3 but are hamstrung by their ownership / payroll.
Really
February 13th, 2012
10:13 pm
Mark- Of the top 8 seeds in the NBA, the Hawks are one of only two teams that have drafted at least four out of five players in their regular starting lineup. Oklahoma City is the other. I guess facts are stubborn things.
kingdaddy
February 13th, 2012
10:29 pm
Really M.B.? I needed a good laugh after watching the Hawks getting plucked last night by Miami. I had to keep turning away from the game, it was so pathetic. Kept getting the Oreck Vacuum commercial almost everytime so I thought it was God telling me the Birds suck really good or bad, depending on how you look at it. How can Miami sign the Big3 plus our center, we couldn’t afford? ? Doesn’t pay to be a Hawk fan and be to serious. LMAO.
kingdaddy
February 13th, 2012
10:42 pm
Where is my post? It wasn’t that bad, except for the part about the Oreck Vacuum Cleaner.
George P
February 13th, 2012
10:54 pm
Its ownership. Arthur Blank will keep doing something until he gets a winner. He’s not going to stick with TD and Mike Smith much longer. The Braves stuck with Bobby indefinitely, wasting a once in a generation collection of future hall of famers. Now owned by a corporation that doesn’t care. Hawks are probably the most mismanaged of all. Current ownership absolutely doesn’t care. As Mark points out, they succeed (such as it is) in spite of ownership, not because of it.
Arnold Ziffel
February 13th, 2012
11:10 pm
Best article of the year. Those dolts calling themselves owners are not respected by the players, fans, or Atlanta business community. The continual self-pimping from Gearon just shows the level of desperation they’ve reached. The experiment is over and these idiots need to be run out of ATL with their hair set on fire.
ITS VERY SIMPLE
February 13th, 2012
11:14 pm
Mark good column.
The hawks have always failed with draft picks: only one drafted all star: al horford which has coincided with this run on making playoffs
Always messed up free agency and the cap
But the hawks with all the lottery picks, never won the lottery to have not had a chance to get #1 overall and land a superstar. Orlando has got #1 overall 3 times: shaq, penny, d12 and have 2 finals apps to show for it.
San antonio got #1 overall- duncan – 4 rings. Drafting tim duncan means you can retire players like bruce bowen (6pt career avg) number.
Bulls- derrick rose # 1 overalll will face Heat with lebron former #1 overall in east finals
Yeah you can build a winner with other than #1 overall picks (rondo celtics, dirk’s mavs) and #1 picks miss like kwame brown. But for all the losing and missed picks the hawks never got a chance at # 1 overall to get the kind of player that couldmget you to ecf and beyond a drose, a d12, a lebron. And we have never been to ecf.
The hawks never got to draft #1 overall when special players were arund.
superiorblogman
February 13th, 2012
11:16 pm
Damn, I must admit that MB is better than MC. MC is such a coward he would have never wrote a article this real. I appreciate this article MB.
Blow this mess up ASAP, really nothing to discuss.
tjhook
February 13th, 2012
11:24 pm
The team is close but they need a new on court leader. Smith and Johnson are not enough. We need someone for Joe to defer to and who will dictate to Josh. I recommend Stephen Jackson (in exchange for Marvin Williams). One player away . . .
superiorblogman
February 13th, 2012
11:44 pm
I also so a comment about Kirk complicating things and I have to agree. If you look up the Hawks record with Kirk Hinrich you would be surprised to see how bad we have been with Kirk in the lineup. We are 15-19 in regular season games that Kirk has played in over the last 2 seasons.
That is a .441 percent winning clip. LMAO, at giving up essentially 2 1st rd picks for this crap. Just another indication that the front office is both short-sighted and lost when it comes to evaluating talent. Sund, Drew, the ASG, Nique all of them need to move out the way.
ATL Sports Fan
February 13th, 2012
11:52 pm
Hey, “Worst sports city in america”-
Anyone, such as yourself, who tries to bag on Atlanta fans clearly knows nothing of the misery that Atlanta sports fans have bore since the beginning of Atlanta sports. It’s easy for people like you to say that fans are apathetic. Being apathetic is a defense mechanism against heartbreak. Year after year of collapses, letdowns and embarassing playoff blowouts is what you deal with as someone who cares, as an Atlanta sports fan. So, seing as how you don’t ride on this heartbreak bandwagon, you don’t have the right to talk about Atlanta sports or their fans. Don’t shoot your mouth off about things you don’t understand, son.
heartofdarkness
February 14th, 2012
12:37 am
Excellence, thy name is Highlight Factory. It only hurts when I laugh.
stizz
February 14th, 2012
3:01 am
It’s hilarious that some of you can come here and say these things. “Its embarassing to be a Hawks fan year after year.” Well how on Earth do you think it feels to support the Braves and Falcons? The Falcons haven’t made the 2nd round since a felon was under center and the Braves haven’t done it in a decade. Wrap your heads around that. Ten years.
Way, way, way too many good guys in this city. The Braves hire clowns who they have allegiance to. The Falcons have players who let opposing QBs set records on them and hold a mini on field ceremony DURING THE GAME without repercussion. The Hawks are the only team with guys that have flair/personality worth paying for.
Let’s not act like the Hawks are the skidmark of the city when they are the only team who can consistently advance in the postseason. Oh yeah, for all you stuck up Braves fans who don’t want to accept reality, here’s a little fact: No team has ever recovered immediately from an epic collapse, especially when the manager is retained. As big a Braves fan as I am, I’m expecting very little with Fredi the Idiot at the helm. I would definitely place them last behind the Hawks and Falcons.
noboby
February 14th, 2012
4:14 am
all of this without even one dawg to help explain it…
Edo River
February 14th, 2012
4:39 am
Gulp! and I was the one last time who said he supports Hawks management….You pounded away here on ownership, as though they are the ones calling the shoto. Mark, its just a business-game. rYour comments make it all the more interesting! The minute to minute performance on the court doesn’t matter as much as the bigger picture of which players are collected and their overall stats, and what the results are at the end of the season. Let’s just go to sleep until then
those were the day's...
February 14th, 2012
7:30 am
the hawks will soar in 74′
Trojan
February 14th, 2012
7:45 am
Good column Mark. How are the Hawks good at all? The problem with the Hawks is not the “city”, it is the horrible management in the past, present and future.
The scoreboards don’t even work properly. Think about that. Would the LA Lakers say, “we will fix the scoreboard after the season”?
Would Dallas, Boston or Chicago play with only 1 center and wait one month to only pick up Dampier?
Would any team bid $20 more than the next highest bidder for a 17 ppg SG?
Would any team build a team with lottery picks, selecting forwards and ignoring PGs and Centers?
How many “successful” teams are build on a swingman?
None.
Good Column.
newsman
February 14th, 2012
7:53 am
All I can say as an experienced journalist is that Bradley and Schultz are probably the worst combination of sportswriters in any top 30 market. Never any analysis, never anything thought-provoking. Just the same old tired sarcasm and backward looking sniping. All it shows is an unwillingness to actually do any work. It’s easier to just sit there on your ass and type insults than it is to go talk to players and others around the league and try to develop something with some authority behind it. The AJC continues to slip (actually tumble) in its ratings compared with other top markets, and the lack of quality sports writers is a large factor, since sports enthusiasts are good subscribers. The AJC sucks and is more of an embarrassment to our city than even our sports teams could ever be.
honest_abe
February 14th, 2012
8:05 am
“abe, I’d argue that Prime was the best at his position, though he got even better after he left. Can’t think of anyone else, though”
can’t argue with that except as you mentioned deion didn’t reach his full potential until he left.
maddux was unbelieveable but wasn’t an overpowering pitcher and he was average in the playoffs. chipper only had one mvp year while the rest of his career is a testament to consistency.
maybe i didn’t use the right word. dominant. atlanta never has “dominant” players. from matt ryan and roddy white to chris chandler and terrence mathis. very good players who can make some pro bowls and break a few records but not on that upper tier of players who the rest of the nation watches with abated breath. hawks are the same story. dominique was our best player ever but even he didn’t know how to play defense or pass. he wasn’t even able to get past the 2nd round.
atlanta was burned down before and has been cursed ever since.
JROLL1
February 14th, 2012
8:20 am
EVERYTHING ALL ON POINT TODAY MARK!!!!! I GET A SICK FEELING IN MY STOMACH EVERY TIME I HAVE TO RELIVE THE HAWKS DRAFT!!!!! ESPECIALLY CHRIS PAUL/DERON WILLIAMS!!!!
loserville
February 14th, 2012
8:37 am
the hawks—another example of loserville ATL–rise up! 1 fluke title since 1966!!!! Rise up!!
J
February 14th, 2012
8:41 am
oh, don’t get mad at Bradley for bashing the Hawks … it’s the media’s job to bash anything and everything sports related in Atlanta.
besides, 99% of the people posting on his garbage don’t attend the games nor even really care about basketball. I’m the 1%.
J
February 14th, 2012
8:52 am
Might as well lay in to the Braves/Falcons. They have more talent than the Hawks and can’t even come up with playoff wins. Not that i’m happy with getting to the 2nd round but the other pro-teams SUCK here UNLESS you count the Atlanta Dream. Nuff said …
Arnold Ziffel
February 14th, 2012
9:01 am
We went from the backfire of the “playoff guarantee” issued in 2003 by Time Warner and the totally incompetent Pete Babcock (he must have had something really big on someone to keep his job that long) to the disfunctional Spirit and Billy Knight (still unemployed since leaving Hawks). If it wasn’t ATL, I’d say it would be impossible to get as much wrong as they have so far. They should consider doing the opposite of every hunch they have like what George from Seinfeld did when his life was falling apart. Then again, just sell the team and get this thing over with.
The Grinch
February 14th, 2012
9:10 am
J
February 14th, 2012
8:41 am
Be careful saying you’re part of the 1%. The “Occupy” movement will come after you.
Ronald Millsaps
February 14th, 2012
9:42 am
Well, David Stern himself goes out of his way to stifle the league from being officiated fairly and to give small-market teams a fair shake, so any anti-Hawks comments on his part have no credibility.
Indeed, the Hawks have been terrible for years, and the Jon Koncak reference was right-on, but in reality, it wasn’t even a top-five bad move for this team. (I once had a brief exchange with his daughter and found her basketball perception to be surprisingly bad, amidst her bragging about how good she allegedly was.)
This team could have Chris Paul and still could have Jamaal Crawford and Al Harrington. Speaking of bad trades/moves, trading Dominique was awful, as was signing Moses Malone (after 1987-88, Wes Unseld wanted nothing to do with the overrated, whiny prima donna that many mistake for a legend), as was signing the accurate-but-selfish Reggie Theus… to replace the accurate-and-unselfish Randy Wittman. (Go, Wizards.) Signing Lenny Wilkens was dumb, as was his decision to build the team around Mookie Blaylock. Lenny didn’t want the team built around a forward who shot 47% (that’s the benchmark), especially when he could build around a selfish POINT GUARD who shot 37%!
The Hawks in 2000-2001, etc. looked pretty good on paper, but I think Tom Izzo made the right move in not coming here.
Back to the vault: In 1989-90, Doc Rivers, Koncak, and John Battle missed inexorable stretches, which were largely to blame for the unforeseen 41-41 record. Instead of riding the ship, the Hawks made an immediate move, albeit not a bad one. Though it knew it had guards RETURNING, it traded one of its surplus of forwards, Antoine Carr, for Kenny Smith, one of the best REAL basketball guards, not a guy looking to distract his defender with tattoos and eccentric, selfish dribbling. I hated seeing Carr go and wouldn’t have made the move, personally, but Smith was quite the acquisition, in fairness. After the year, the Hawks made no move to keep him, foolishly saying his approximately-$1.7 million salary was excessive. Within a year, they acquired forward Blair Rasmussen for double Smith’s salary.
As ‘89-’90 ended, Smith, Carr, and Mike Fratello, one of the best coaches in league history, were gone. The “Air Force” era was officially over. Fratello’s fire was inexcusable. One of the few good things about that press conference was Stan Kasten’s crying, which at least paid respect to the fact that the outcome was indeed tragic.
Ronald Millsaps
February 14th, 2012
9:43 am
“loserville”— Drop the mean-spirited ignorance and the irreverent “Rise up!!”.
Ronald Millsaps
February 14th, 2012
9:47 am
“honest”– Dominique’s defense and passing were fine. His responsibility was indeed to shoot 30 times per game. Some of his shot selections were bad, though, and you can refer to his ankle in ‘87 and extremely-biased officiating in ‘88 per his not passing the second round.
Greg Maddux wasn’t just “average” in the postseason. Are you an in-the-closet ESPN employee?
Don’t make light of what Sherman did. A Minnesota sportswriter did so in 1991 and should’ve been dealt with for his prejudice.
Ronald Millsaps
February 14th, 2012
10:24 am
How unfortunate that my long post didn’t post; if it can be retrieved and posted, please do so.
“cps”– Said lineup looked fantastic on paper, but Moses was poisonous to any lineup he was in after the ‘83 Finals. All he did was whine, connive, and show just how selfish and apathetic about winning he actually was. He tried to run Mike Fratello out and was a cog in the process. Truthfully, bringing his sorry self to Atlanta and running Tree Rollins out was the worst move in franchise history, even worse than trading ‘Nique, even worse than firing Mike Fratello.
beejayrufino
February 14th, 2012
10:53 am
Did Joe Johnson won a ring? not yet and so as Lebron James. Even if you praise other teams such as the heat and bulls, they still has something to prove. So don’t tease the Hawks it’s not over yet.
For all of you commenting here:
If you fellas hate the Hawks, then why are you commenting here? Comment there in your Heat, Bulls or Knicks articles and not here.
GO HAWKS!! 2012 CHAMPS!
pete babcock
February 14th, 2012
10:59 am
MB- I couldn’t agree more. I would add the Hawks are the greatest team to ever be Bi-Polar. We should have seen it coming during the Celtics series. The first round series ended in 7 and the Hawks were never competitive during a game in Boston.
ag
February 14th, 2012
11:38 am
Great article Mark! Also, – this is Jeff Teague’s team. When he plays well, the team wins. Since KH return, JT is the second person to come out. Outside of one game KH has done nothing. JT needs to stay agressive and stay on the court!
ag
February 14th, 2012
11:47 am
Interesting stats.. the Hawks are 12-4 when JT takes at least 10 shots. The Hawks are 5-5 since KH joined the team from injury. JT has NOT played over 40 minutes in non of these games and has played at least 30 minutes in only two of those (1-1). The Hawks are 5-1 when Teague plays at least 40 minutes. The Hawks are 4-2 when Jeff scorers 20.
J
February 14th, 2012
11:48 am
yeah, i’m happily employed, think i’d like to bypass that 1% movement.
nique
February 14th, 2012
1:10 pm
Love the snark. You forgot how bad the fans are though. That’s got to be worthy of a superlative.
IlliniBrave
February 14th, 2012
1:43 pm
Nothing wrong with the Hawks that an unslefish, team-oriented, highly-spirited, mult-talented PG like Jeremy Lin couldn’t fix. Oh wait, we havne’t had a guy like that since… hmmm… Mookie Blaylock maybe?
Braves Fan Since 1966
February 15th, 2012
9:46 am
The Hawks management team regularly teaches us how a franchise should not be managed.
defender
February 15th, 2012
6:35 pm
You are a whiner, Mark.
Even if the Hawks were a bad team–and in fact they are not–your rambling rationalization for your pessimism doesn’t help anyone. All it does is discourage fans, players, owners and anyone connected with the Hawks.
I hate the media. Real fans ought to get angry when someone criticizes their home teams, not fall into this wallowing self-pity party.
You can’t change the past. Only the present exists, and what future we imagine.
welikebaseball2
February 16th, 2012
12:56 pm
LOL…great article Mark! Yes, good old tough-in-cheek. This is my fav of yours in a while. Classic!
Mecca
February 16th, 2012
4:13 pm
ATL is black mecca—it’s a black town—don’t be down on the hawks now—they get most of their fans from African-Americans in this city.
Jesse
February 16th, 2012
9:52 pm
What is Billy Knight doing right now? That’s the real question.
tree rollins
February 16th, 2012
10:02 pm
I’m on Gearon’s side. People don’t credit the good decisions ASG has made, and only want to dwell on what could have been. I’m also happy to not have to read Bradley’s drivel as a beat writer. I remember him as a hack back when I read the AJC at university and not much has changed in 20 years. Other teams have made worse trades, given worse deals, and have been mired in mediocrity much longer than the Hawks. How long have the Clippers been mismanaged till now? Marvin is not Chris Paul, but he’s a good defender, shooter, and a good player. The problem with the Atlanta Hawks is the Atlanta fanbase. There is none. You can attribute this to the transient nature of the city, the inherent problems with having the stadiums in a largely black downtown, while the potential fanbase dwells in white suburbia, or a lack of suitable transit system. I don’t know. But the fans stink. The best of them can only make bombastic criticism of the Hawks organization. At least they know what is going on. I live in South Korea, have followed the team via p2p connections since the Boston series and am excited at the prospect of the Hawks in postseason. Why? Because you just never know with them. Just when idiots like Bradley forecast their demise, they do something interesting. Go Hawks.