Danny Ferry: He’ll do well for the Hawks – if he’s allowed
Danny Ferry: He's a good man for a big job. (AP photo)
The Hawks have hired a good basketball man. They might even have hired the absolute right man. But the issue here won’t be whether Danny Ferry knows his business — obviously he does — but whether his new bosses will allow him to conduct that business as he sees fit.
As we know, this ownership hasn’t always acceded to the recommendations of its general manager. Billy Knight wanted to fire Mike Woodson as coach at the 2008 All-Star break, and the owners said no. (Given the unerring view of hindsight, they were probably right.) Knight quit as GM three months later. It is widely believed that Rick Sund, Knight’s successor, recommended that the Hawks hire Dwane Casey to replace the fired-for-real Woodson in June 2010, only to see the owners promote assistant coach Larry Drew instead.
With Ferry, control isn’t just a talking point. It’s a deal-breaker. He left the Cavaliers in 2010 because owner Dan Gilbert fired coach Mike Brown, a move Ferry didn’t endorse. (The big noise in Cleveland that summer was whether LeBron James would stay. Can’t remember if he did or not.) Ferry spoke with the 76ers about their GM opening this month, but his interest apparently cooled when it became clear coach Doug Collins — who’s a bit of a controller himself — would retain some say over basketball matters.
So now Ferry is coming to work for the Hawks instead, and good for them. He’s a basketball lifer — his dad Bob was a player (originally drafted by the St. Louis Hawks, you should know) and later a GM — who played under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke and Gregg Popovich with San Antonio. Ferry has done two tours in the Spurs’ organization, which is the best there is, and according to Hawks insiders both Popovich and general manager R.C. Buford rave about him.
There’s nothing not to like about Ferry. Heck, let’s call this what it is: The best hire these owners have ever made. But it will only succeed if these owners restrain themselves, and restraint hasn’t been their long suit. They’ve talked too much, said the wrong things and — speaking particularly of the Michael Gearons Sr. and Jr. — have shown over time the penchant for overrating their players badly.
In Ferry they might just have found the antidote for all that. He’s going to command respect in a way the caretaker Rick Sund never quite did, and it’s much easier to step into the background if you’re sure the man in titular charge is in actual charge.
There’ll be more a bit later — sorry to threaten you — after Ferry’s introductory briefing (1 p.m. at Philips Arena), but I have to say I’m more encouraged I’ve been about the Hawks than at any time since they hired Lenny Wilkens. And that, if you’ve forgotten, was on Memorial Day 1993.
By Mark Bradley
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85 comments Add your comment
J.J.M.
June 25th, 2012
11:35 am
This will be interesting
J.J.M.
June 25th, 2012
11:36 am
first?
Mark Bradley
June 25th, 2012
11:36 am
Kudos, JJM
CONservative Johnson
June 25th, 2012
11:37 am
So, we’re giving him an excuse to fail already? If he doesn’t do well because of the owners, then that is also his fault since he accepted the job . . .
ClemsonBrad
June 25th, 2012
11:40 am
Mark, who do you want to see the Hawks take on thursday? I’d love to see them take Jeffrey Taylor
The Grinch
June 25th, 2012
11:41 am
I don’t think those fools are capable of staying out of the way, but here’s hoping.
yeahsure
June 25th, 2012
11:43 am
1. Blow this team up
2. Fire LD
3. Build for future
Benjamin
June 25th, 2012
11:43 am
Excellent hire. Now, let’s see how they mess it all up…
Bill
June 25th, 2012
11:46 am
Good man, bad situation.
durrtydogg
June 25th, 2012
11:48 am
Anyone is better than Sund. Thank goodness! Now, its time to get rid of these lackadaisical, gutless players.
Rickster (channeling his inner Horshack)
June 25th, 2012
11:49 am
One has to question Danny’s judgement if he’d consider coming to work for the ASG folks!
Marcus
June 25th, 2012
11:52 am
ditto, ClemsonBrad.
I have been on J. Taylors bandwagon since the start of the playoffs. We shall see ….
Lon Stotts
June 25th, 2012
11:52 am
The Hawks are not in any position to win a championship as constituted, so wholesale changes are necessary (and will be difficult what with Joe’s staggering salary). Wonder what made Ferry think this was a good idea… good dupe by the Spirit!
I think the best option is to plan for the short-term and long-term simultaneously; not the middle-term status quo, which the ASG is in love with. Do whatever you can to trade for Dwight at some point this year: package Al and Joe (keep Josh here as his buddy to lure him in) for Dwight and Hedo (bad contract), and we would probably have to throw in Zaza– they wouldn’t want Marvin– or they might even ask for Teague.
Dwight, Smoov and Teague is a pretty solid base, maybe even pursue Nash in free agency and move Teague to the 2 (am I getting carried away?), and that lineup would put butts in seats, which is the only thing the Spirit cares about. The Hawks would have a much more realistic chance of contending (superstar on the squad), and fans would support the team knowing that ownership tried to make a splash.
Best/Worst case scenario: Dwight and Josh both walk at the end of the season (or re-up after we win the championship, of course), meaning we’d be rid of basically all our contracts (amnesty Marvin), and we could start the process over and be back in the lottery every year. It might be extreme, but it takes blockbuster deals to make any headway in this league, and you don’t get a superstar picking at #22.
HawksKingBibby
June 25th, 2012
11:53 am
Youn might want to review all of his moves as a gm before you get happy about this hire. His portfolio is filled with a comedy of errors. I guess the only good thing is it appears Gearon has fired himself as gm.
Painful truth
June 25th, 2012
11:54 am
Making the Hawks a legit team in 5 easy steps…..
1. Trade Josh Smith to Memphis for Rudy Gay
2. Draft Fab Melo to shore up your D and give us a “real” inside presence…..
3. Amnesty or Trade Joe Johnson and move to draft Draymond Green.
4. Resign Ivan Johnson
5. Hire Brian Shaw….
This year we will be a 7 or 8 seed… 2013 / 2014 we will be top two in teh east……
Don!
June 25th, 2012
11:57 am
As long as we have this ownership group, we will never be in play for the free agents or coaches needed to make this franchise a true championship contender.
The Atlanta Spirit has done more to harm this city’s professional sports image than any other entity I can remember. I think Danny Ferry is a good hire, but as long as the ASG owns the Hawks, it’s a moot point.
drmaryb .(*_*).
June 25th, 2012
11:59 am
His name should Danny BEEFY. This warm-blooded MAN will make the Hawks swag and the ladies swoon.
OMG, I LOVE HIM!!!!!
Glenn
June 25th, 2012
11:59 am
Thats pretty condescending stuff . I think everyone in this city knows that Lenny Wilkens was hired on Memorial Day 1993 .
HawksKingBibby
June 25th, 2012
12:00 pm
Lenny Wilkens? All time winning coach and nba champion. Danny Ferry would have been fired in Clev but winning the Lebron sweepstakes saved him.
Rickster
June 25th, 2012
12:02 pm
I have to respectfully disagree with Don!. The Atlanta Spirit Group pale in comparison to Rankin Smith & Family.
ASG has only been at it a few years. The Smiths persisted for decades.
STRETCH
June 25th, 2012
12:03 pm
“Atlanta finished 40-26, drawing praise from Sund for an “outstanding job,” despite being without All-Star center Al Horford for all but 11 games of the regular season. Horford returned in Game 4 of the Celtics series.
The Hawks will return an experienced nucleus of Horford, six-time All-Star Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, who is entering the final year of his contract. Marvin Williams, point guard Jeff Teague and backup center Pachulia also are under contract.
The other nine players are free agents, leaving much work to be done by the general manager.
From The Associated Press.”
I think this would be the perfect time for a new GM to come in since they have so many Free Agents. Time to put a new GM’s stamp on this team. Lets GO Hawks!
P. Bull Terrier
June 25th, 2012
12:04 pm
Seeing a quality GM agree to work for the ASG is like seeing a once popular movie star agree to appear on a reality show. You don’t realize how far they have fallen until you see how low they are willing to go just to collect a few dollars.
I’m sorry to see that Ferry has fallen on hard times. Hopefully he will be able to get a little PR boost as the GM of the Hawks, get his career back on track, and return to the real NBA in a few years.
Don!
June 25th, 2012
12:08 pm
Sorry Rickster, Rankin Smith and family BROUGHT the NFL to Atlanta. The ASG has already lost us our NHL franchise. And believe me, if you ask NBA players about their favorite places to play, Atlanta would rank relatively high — but if you ask them about which owners they would actually sign with, the ASG likely ranks down with Donald Sterling, and maybe even below.
The ASG ownership is a negative balance on their own ledger. And an albatross around the collective necks of Hawks fans. Danny Ferry can’t fix that — or if he can, he’s my NBA Executive of the Year for life.
perk
June 25th, 2012
12:10 pm
great move – next one is to sell the team. This group of owners have screwed this city over and over. Combination of the Clampetts and Al Davis.
B
June 25th, 2012
12:15 pm
I’m withca Mr. Bradly. Let’s hope for the best.
doc
June 25th, 2012
12:17 pm
good analogy there to wilkins also the epitome of competence and feeling it is right for a change. doesnt happen often with the hawks, 2 good hires in 20 years.
MannyT
June 25th, 2012
12:27 pm
Did the ASG sell the rights to Thursday’s 1st round pick to offset the cost of signing a new GM
Micheal Turner
June 25th, 2012
12:31 pm
Why is this a good move? He hasnt done anything
In Cleveland he had James and could never get the right pieces to help him
Hawks hire ex-Cavaliers GM Ferry to lead front office – SI.com | Danta Report
June 25th, 2012
12:38 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
mountain_jim
June 25th, 2012
12:43 pm
At the point any move is a good move. Bye Sund.
PMC
June 25th, 2012
12:47 pm
So what city in Canada are the Hawks moving to now?
three jack
June 25th, 2012
12:48 pm
Lenny Wilkens? All time losing coach, 1 (lucky) championship…this is who you think was the all-time hire before Ferry? Really?
Wilkens did more to harm the Hawks franchise than just about any other coach in their history. Here’s hoping Ferry does not compare with Lenny the Loser!
Dr. Warren
June 25th, 2012
12:48 pm
It is all a moot point. Now that LeBron has “found himself,” no one else in the East will reach the Finals for at least 6 more years.
Birdman of Falcatraz
June 25th, 2012
12:50 pm
Does the job come with an option to unsign Larry Drew? Why would he come here if he can’t hire the coach he wants?
Dr. Warren
June 25th, 2012
12:50 pm
But come to think of it, JJ’s contract will be over by then, so it gives everyone hope for the late Two-thousand-teens.
Bill Walton
June 25th, 2012
12:51 pm
Clean house –get rid of qall the bad atitudes–start over with those that want to learn and listen
Troy Everett
June 25th, 2012
12:51 pm
Ferry should move every player of value off of this roster (Smith, Horford, Teague) for expiring contracts and mid-to-low level salaried players. Cannot move Joe’s contract … that is a harsh reality. We’re stuck with him thanks to ASG.
ASG will not allow Ferry to terminate Drew with one year left on his contract. We’re stuck with him at least one more season.
Tank the next few seasons, rebuild through the draft and SMART free agency (no overpaying), and within three-to-four years when the new young nucleus is ready to soar, Joe’s contract is finally off the books. The Hawks can then use that money to sign the missing pieces through free agency (a couple of seasoned veterans/star players primed for a championship run, i.e. Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers, who will be free agents within the next four years).
A person SMART enough to know.....
June 25th, 2012
1:06 pm
First?
DePort
June 25th, 2012
1:10 pm
So we blow the team up and have another 10 years of losing ? … how about we come up with a different solution this time guys!
tc
June 25th, 2012
1:11 pm
Mark: One thing about the Lenny Wilkens hiring: He basically ran off Dominique with the horrible trade, which was the worst decision the Hawks franchise has ever made. Lenny’s teams went down hill from there.
French Fries from KFC
June 25th, 2012
1:16 pm
So the Hawks have a Ferry as a GM? Welcome to Atlanta.
oochie wally wally
June 25th, 2012
1:20 pm
Danny loves Black women, that’s why he chose Atlanta, Duh!
Harpie
June 25th, 2012
1:21 pm
No matter what else they do, or who they hire, the Hawks will never be more than mediocre as long as they have that joke of a coach. Larry Drew hasn’t a clue!
BravesFan79
June 25th, 2012
1:30 pm
TC: i always put the blame on Pete Babsuckit for trading Nique for Danny Manning. I dont think Lenny Wilkens had anything to do with that! I know one thing, it made me hate the team i grew up watching for at least the next 10 years (althought i liked them with Smith and Mutombo/ blaylock). But my main team after that was the Utah Jazz. At least they were loyal to their superstars!
Honky Talkin
June 25th, 2012
1:39 pm
@Braves Fan 79: I thought Stan Kastin was the dumbazz behind the Nique trade??
juice sourcer
June 25th, 2012
1:42 pm
James, is a once in a generation player that Cleveland lucked out and got with the #1 pick, and what did they do over the 7 years he was there…filled the roster with chump or washed up roll players. What does that tell you?
Skeezix
June 25th, 2012
1:43 pm
A really great move. Many more need to be made to rebuild/refocus the Hawks for the long term.
Whopper Dawg
June 25th, 2012
2:00 pm
Revel in it. It is a rare day indeed when the Hawks get something right. Like seeing the yeti.
MoneyTR
June 25th, 2012
2:09 pm
with the cheap morons for owners, it will be more of the same—that’s why THE ATL is called loserville.
Sam
June 25th, 2012
2:10 pm
Josh and Marvin for Pau Gasol is looking better and better every day…
Sam
June 25th, 2012
2:11 pm
…especially if we can get the Lakers to throw in a draft pick as well
falCANS
June 25th, 2012
2:14 pm
THANK U LAWD!!! First resign Josh Smith & Aggressively chase Dwight Howard!! Trade anybody except Smoove. Now we got two homers playing for the Hawks & The best frontcourt n basketball
Gordon
June 25th, 2012
2:28 pm
I wouldn’t think Ferry would have taken the job unless there was a conversation about control and resources.
Bill
June 25th, 2012
2:29 pm
Great job Mark..Great hire..now let the man do his job!
tjhook
June 25th, 2012
2:31 pm
Larry Drew needs to request a veteran playmaker at point guard. I recommend Andre Miller. The team cannot afford Jeff Teague’s upward curve. By the time he is good enough, Josh Smith will want to leave and will leave us without a superior athletic playmaker. With the Heat’s ascension, we will need all the top athletes we can get.
Doc
June 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Nothing can stop us
We’re Atlanta’s Air Force
Heisenberg
June 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Making the Hawks a legit team in 5 easy steps…..
1. Trade Josh Smith to Memphis for Rudy Gay
2. Draft Fab Melo to shore up your D and give us a “real” inside presence…..
3. Amnesty or Trade Joe Johnson and move to draft Draymond Green.
4. Resign Ivan Johnson
5. Hire Brian Shaw….
***************************************************************
1. Why would Memphis does this? They have Gasol/Randolph and 4/5 and that trade would put Josh at the 3. Makes no sense unless Memphis has another deal to move Randolph already in place.
2. No question there is a need for a true 5, but Melo looks like to high risk.
3. You could only trade the bad contract of Joe for an equally bad contract the likes of Turkoglu or Lewis. Given that choice, Hawks are better off with Joe. Nobody in their right mind would pay Joe 80-90 million or whatever is left to go away and play for another team.
4. Absolutely.
5. Interesting thought. New GM should be able to pick his coach even if old coach has already had his option picked up.
Moorman
June 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
You know what? Its a START, hopefully, to show dwight howard that the hawks care enuf to get a general manager who can retool this roster. Move joe, horford and williams for howard……….
Atlanta Hawks 2012 Draft Preview – Fox News | Danta Report
June 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Sage of Bluesland
June 25th, 2012
2:55 pm
With this ownership group in place, it’s nothing but rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Deep down, you and I both know it.
Stop deluding yourselves with any tiny glimmers of false hope….
(and stop subsidizing the utter incompetence)
Perspective
June 25th, 2012
2:57 pm
Welcome Danny. Not many people got on the Titanic after it hit the iceberg. I like other bloggers question why anyone would voluntarily work for ASG as long as an option with any other club was available. If the team sells Danny is a nice piece looking forward. If the team does not sell it will be a two year tour and he will move on.
Don Waddell
June 25th, 2012
3:01 pm
The key to a successful sports franchise is a competent General Manager.
tc
June 25th, 2012
3:07 pm
@BravesFan79 and @Honky Talkin
Lenny Wilkens came from Cleveland, Lenny was all defense. his Cleveland teams had no superstar and he liked it that way. Lenny did not know what to do with Dominique. Dominique was playing his best most unselfish basketball of his career during the first half of the season that he was traded. I believe we were even leading the division. I think if Lenny were against it he could have done something about it. You can’t tell me that Lenny did not agree with it. I am convenienced Lenny had a lot to do with it. Horrible!!
teedub
June 25th, 2012
3:16 pm
I love it
GwinnettDad
June 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
As a Clevelander, Danny Ferry was one of the good guys that drafted Lebron and built the Cavaliers into a winning club. Looking forward to his contributions to making the Hawks into the type of club they’ve never been in the 20 years I’ve lived in Atlanta.
City of Losers
June 25th, 2012
3:26 pm
I have to admit I am stunned Ferry would come here. With the Joe Johnson contract and this ownership group it is very surprising Ferry thinks he has a chance to do anything here. Ferry might be committing career suicide.
phil
June 25th, 2012
3:49 pm
Danny Ferry?
Seriously? What a joke…
Easy Breezey
June 25th, 2012
4:00 pm
BEST Move in franchise history since the signing of one D. Wilkins!
Easy Breezey
June 25th, 2012
4:01 pm
@phil…..u aint from here, are ya son?
Nativebird
June 25th, 2012
4:13 pm
A great GM cannot overcome a horrible owner…..we have a horrible owner. Sorry to rain on your parade.
Danny Ferry
June 25th, 2012
4:18 pm
The Atlanta Hawks have so much UPSIDE!!
isiah rider
June 25th, 2012
4:20 pm
i can coach…………….really…….
The Bravenator
June 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
Better check with the sports book people in Vegas for the over/under on the number of months Ferry lasts as GM and the number of times he denies being at odds with the dorks at the ASG.
bill parcells
June 25th, 2012
4:23 pm
why wasnt i up for the job?????
bill parcells
June 25th, 2012
4:24 pm
i can get the groceries that i cook…………….
The Corps
June 25th, 2012
4:38 pm
it just keeps gettin better every day here in the ATL!!
go Hawks.
ECF 2013!!!
WTF
June 25th, 2012
4:43 pm
@isiah rider but would you show up?
KakNiqueTree
June 25th, 2012
4:47 pm
Obviously ownership is gonna hold onto this franchise for a long while. Wonder how much longer Larry Drew will stay on as HC. Guessing next season will be his last regardless of what happens.
isiah rider
June 25th, 2012
5:05 pm
sure i would show up…………as player coach…………..
isiah rider
June 25th, 2012
5:05 pm
even i can do better than joe johnson……….player coach…..give me a holla………
JTH
June 25th, 2012
6:04 pm
A ray of hope?
Ward
June 25th, 2012
6:45 pm
This is a great birthday present getting Ferry to run the team… I’m excited! If I could play GM then I would trade Smith & Marvin to the Rockets & Lakers in a 3 way trade where we get Gasol and the 14th & 16th picks… I would amnesty Joe Johnson even though the ASG still would have to pay the money…at least it would be off the books. With 14 I would select Zeller or Jones the 3rd & with 16 I would select Melo… It would just be great to come away with two seven footers to pair with Hortford back at the 4 and Pau at the 5. Our front court would be awesome… with 23 I guess I do what Chad Ford predicts and take Wroten for a PG to have with Teague… We would still be light at the 2/3, but at least we would have cap flexibility and some young players to start building around… I just have faith that Ferry can get it done and the Hawks to the ECF.
LeonAtl
June 25th, 2012
10:20 pm
Dr Warren, if the Hawks ever made it to the East finals that would be a hell of a step forward
thepro
June 25th, 2012
10:22 pm
IMO Rick Sund was not a bad GM at all…he just relented waaay to quick when it came to trying to appease an incompetent ownership group. Thats not something Ferry will have to worry about or he would not have taken the job
Atlanta Hawks hire Danny Ferry as GM – Yahoo! Sports (blog) | Basketball Video Zone
June 25th, 2012
10:30 pm
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