<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>THE BUZZ More turmoil at Hawks' helm What in the wide world of sports is going on in Atlanta? The Hawks' management, never especially stable the last few years, seems even more dysfunctional than ever. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last week that general manager Billy Knight has gone to ownership three times seeking coach Mike Woodson's ouster and has been rebuffed every time. That followed the departure earlier this season of the team's president and chief executive officer, Bernie Mullin, who resigned under pressure from other members of the Hawks' brain trust. That left co-owners Michael Gearon and Bruce Levenson in charge. And still lurking out in the future is a final court date with Steve Belkin, the managing partner of the original group, who was forced out (with the league's backing) after objecting to the sign-and-trade contract for Joe Johnson in 2005. Belkin has sued for the right to buy out his former partners; the case is still in state circuit court in Maryland. (Belkin is still listed as one of the team's owners on the team's Web site.) The team wasn't able to reach agreement on a contract extension with Josh Smith, the versatile, 6-foot-9 forward who has so many 76ers fans salivating but who will only be a restricted free agent this summer, giving Atlanta the right to match any offer. The question is, will they? On the court, sources indicate that players are chafing at Woodson's demeanor, which has basically been "I'm the coach, shut up and play" since he became the head man down there in '05. Which is all well and good, except Woodson's record was 102-209 with the Hawks entering play Friday. There's confusion as to who actually is running the show. For example, sources say that Knight was close to a deal last year that would have brought point guard Jose Calderon from Toronto for forward Josh Childress, but that he couldn't get approval from the power holders. The sad thing is that there is more than a little talent on the roster. Johnson made his second all-star team this season, and Smith is one of the most intriguing talents in the league - a lanky but efficient shot-blocker like Andrei Kirilenko who also is second to Johnson in scoring. First-round pick Al Horford looks like a keeper, and forward Marvin Williams, taken by Knight ahead of Chris Paul and Deron Williams in 2005, is showing signs of improvement. And Knight was able to erase one of his biggest mistakes before the trade deadline, acquiring Mike Bibby from Sacramento for Sheldon Williams - the fifth pick in the draft in 2006 who had done little so far - and veteran guards Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue. But the Hawks are still, for now, on the outside looking in in the Eastern Conference playoff chase, with the future direction of the team anything but clear.</div> Ouch, since it was during draft time, maybe they were more focus on the Amare deal or something.
If the trade was Childress and Atlanta's pick, that sucks, we could've had Horford, who is a stud. If not, thank goodness, Calderon's value is much higher than Chill's now.
Holy shit! That really sucks! Calderon would've been great for the Hawks. And for ONLY Josh Childress!? Sheesh, you Hawks fans really got screwed over.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate @ Mar 2 2008, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>link?</div> http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/2008...Hawks_helm.html -Petey
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (speeds @ Mar 2 2008, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>If the trade was Childress and Atlanta's pick, that sucks, we could've had Horford, who is a stud.</div> With Ukic coming, that would have been an awesome move for Colangelo.
Well if we got the pick AND Childress we could of drafted Horford or Conley. But, you look back and you think "Thank you Hawks ownership!!!!"
