A great blog supporting BK (AJC)

[jerrywest]

You continue to talk about the JJ trade while Colangelo was quoted since taking the Toronto job that he was instructed to “match” the Hawks offer by Sarver. What you fail to realize is that Marion is overrated. Sure he puts up great stats, but much like our local stst stuffer, his team is not convinced those stats are translating into victories at crucial times. Here’s what I recall from the ‘04-05 playoffs, JJ was a FAR superior clutch performer and game changer in that last playoff series than Marion. I’d bet a small fortune that if Nash were asked whom he would perfer, Marion or JJ, that he would choose JJ each and every time.

I agree that the team could be better with better decisions. That is pretty obvious. But the fact still remains that other teams get to fix their mistakes (and each and every GM has their own list of mistakes) while we are stuck with the hand we dealt to ourselves. It’s simply not an even playing field. Could it be better sure. But are you telling me that the Hawks have been operating on a level playing field since August, 2005? Dumars dumped Darko, his mistake. He essentially traded the #2 pick (that could have been Carmelo, Bosh or Wade) for Rodney Stuckey. BRILLIANT. Mullin trades/buys-out all of his bloated salaries while taking back comparable money, we can’t do that. Orlando is the benefactor of a lucky ping-pong ball bounce. They have wasted 3 consecutive lottery picks and had a head coach reject them within 72 hours of signing a contract. But Dwight Howard (and a $100M+ contract for Lewis) have erased all of those errors. Bulls? This franchise traded Elton Brand essentially for PJ Brown. Needed a low post scorer and traded away Aldridge for Tyrus. Needed a big SG and turned away from B. Roy. Needed low post scoring and walked away from trades for Gasol (and possibly KG). Gave away Tyson Chandler for an ancient and undersized Ben Wallace. Lakers? Ask Kobe about his GM’s successes. Knicks? Let’s move on. Bobcats? Let’s move on. Portland? The new guy is the benefactor of an owner who bought out Steve Francis’ contract and has paid for several late 1st round picks in the past few years. Where’s our think-pocketed owner?

Absolutely, BK could have done better. But he’s operating without a safety net and you seem determined to ignore the fat that we’re the only ones using a keyboard without a backspace or delete key. 29 other teams have that, we don’t.

[coachx]

Good article that tells the truth.

Alot of well kown and respected GMs around the league fair worse then BK in the NBA draft.

[jerrywest]

By Astro Joe

December 6, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

newkid, sorry, I just saw your question about BK shopping his wares around the league. At best, he could land an assistant GM job, which is how he got here in the first place. Even the media darling, Kiki V. (who traded 3 1st round picks for the oft-injured and unskilled Kenyon Martin) has essentialy been unemployed despite his pleasing personality.

But I also think that BK is one of those guys who would never quit. Without getting too political, I think he was raised in an era when folk like him had far more to overcome than the lack of a “delete key”. Whatever obstacles he faces now are insignificant to the barriers faced by the people who likely shaped his life during the 60s/70s. When you have that kind of back-drop, quitting 1 of 30 highly prestigious jobs is not an option that will allow you to sleep comfortably at night.

I think you protest the handcuffs placed on you by your bosses by refusing to conduct interviews. I think you refuse to “lie through your teeth” by trying to sell that ths team is operating on an even playing field. Instead, you make your boss, Bernie Mullen, lose all personal credibility by being the mouth-piece for this failing operation. That’s how you protest without insulting those who paved a way for your lofty position as an NBA GM.

[Plainview1981]

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Absolutely, BK could have done better. But he’s operating without a safety net

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Without a safety net???? Unless Belkin gets ahold of the team, I can't see Billy being fired anytime soon no matter what he does. It's as if nobody upstairs truly gives a crap about this franchise. If they did, efforts would actually be made to try and improve the team.

Moreover, despite their mistakes, Joe Dumars, Chicago, Orlando all have or have had good teams recently. BK and the Hawks haven't. They keep on losing with no real end to it in sight.

[Hoosier]

Very well said. BK has already hinted publicly that he should have picked Deron. But, when you look at the track records of some of these other GMs, BK is a frontrunner just because a lot of these Bufoons have taken steps back.

The 06' Draft was one of the weakest I can remember, but at least he got a solid role player. In most drafts that #5 pick would have translated into a #15 pick or worse.

Where BK takes a step forward is in the last draft. He not only set himself up to get picks #11 & #3, but resisted tremendous temptation to go for the quick fix and trade them. If he were looking out for his job, he would have done just that. Then he went out and absolutly aced the picks, in what turned out to be the Hawk's most important draft in years, one that he had to get right. Not bad.

[Packfill]

Quote:

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You continue to talk about the JJ trade while Colangelo was quoted since taking the Toronto job that he was instructed to “match” the Hawks offer by Sarver. What you fail to realize is that Marion is overrated. Sure he puts up great stats, but much like our local stst stuffer, his team is not convinced those stats are translating into victories at crucial times. Here’s what I recall from the ‘04-05 playoffs, JJ was a FAR superior clutch performer and game changer in that last playoff series than Marion. I’d bet a small fortune that if Nash were asked whom he would perfer, Marion or JJ, that he would choose JJ each and every time.

I agree that the team could be better with better decisions. That is pretty obvious. But the fact still remains that other teams get to fix their mistakes (and each and every GM has their own list of mistakes) while we are stuck with the hand we dealt to ourselves. It’s simply not an even playing field. Could it be better sure. But are you telling me that the Hawks have been operating on a level playing field since August, 2005? Dumars dumped Darko, his mistake. He essentially traded the #2 pick (that could have been Carmelo, Bosh or Wade) for Rodney Stuckey. BRILLIANT. Mullin trades/buys-out all of his bloated salaries while taking back comparable money, we can’t do that. Orlando is the benefactor of a lucky ping-pong ball bounce. They have wasted 3 consecutive lottery picks and had a head coach reject them within 72 hours of signing a contract. But Dwight Howard (and a $100M+ contract for Lewis) have erased all of those errors. Bulls? This franchise traded Elton Brand essentially for PJ Brown. Needed a low post scorer and traded away Aldridge for Tyrus. Needed a big SG and turned away from B. Roy. Needed low post scoring and walked away from trades for Gasol (and possibly KG). Gave away Tyson Chandler for an ancient and undersized Ben Wallace. Lakers? Ask Kobe about his GM’s successes. Knicks? Let’s move on. Bobcats? Let’s move on. Portland? The new guy is the benefactor of an owner who bought out Steve Francis’ contract and has paid for several late 1st round picks in the past few years. Where’s our think-pocketed owner?

Absolutely, BK could have done better. But he’s operating without a safety net and you seem determined to ignore the fat that we’re the only ones using a keyboard without a backspace or delete key. 29 other teams have that, we don’t.

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Was that written by an 8 year old? Half the teams the guy mentions have been in the playoffs since the 2005 draft. And BK does have a safety net in that he works for the least intelligent group of owners ever.

Plus, does it matter who is better between JJ and Marion? Neither one has ever led a team to the playoffs.

[thesheedera]

Quote:

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Quote:

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You continue to talk about the JJ trade while Colangelo was quoted since taking the Toronto job that he was instructed to “match” the Hawks offer by Sarver. What you fail to realize is that Marion is overrated. Sure he puts up great stats, but much like our local stst stuffer, his team is not convinced those stats are translating into victories at crucial times. Here’s what I recall from the ‘04-05 playoffs, JJ was a FAR superior clutch performer and game changer in that last playoff series than Marion. I’d bet a small fortune that if Nash were asked whom he would perfer, Marion or JJ, that he would choose JJ each and every time.

I agree that the team could be better with better decisions. That is pretty obvious. But the fact still remains that other teams get to fix their mistakes (and each and every GM has their own list of mistakes) while we are stuck with the hand we dealt to ourselves. It’s simply not an even playing field. Could it be better sure. But are you telling me that the Hawks have been operating on a level playing field since August, 2005? Dumars dumped Darko, his mistake. He essentially traded the #2 pick (that could have been Carmelo, Bosh or Wade) for Rodney Stuckey. BRILLIANT. Mullin trades/buys-out all of his bloated salaries while taking back comparable money, we can’t do that. Orlando is the benefactor of a lucky ping-pong ball bounce. They have wasted 3 consecutive lottery picks and had a head coach reject them within 72 hours of signing a contract. But Dwight Howard (and a $100M+ contract for Lewis) have erased all of those errors. Bulls? This franchise traded Elton Brand essentially for PJ Brown. Needed a low post scorer and traded away Aldridge for Tyrus. Needed a big SG and turned away from B. Roy. Needed low post scoring and walked away from trades for Gasol (and possibly KG). Gave away Tyson Chandler for an ancient and undersized Ben Wallace. Lakers? Ask Kobe about his GM’s successes. Knicks? Let’s move on. Bobcats? Let’s move on. Portland? The new guy is the benefactor of an owner who bought out Steve Francis’ contract and has paid for several late 1st round picks in the past few years. Where’s our think-pocketed owner?

Absolutely, BK could have done better. But he’s operating without a safety net and you seem determined to ignore the fat that we’re the only ones using a keyboard without a backspace or delete key. 29 other teams have that, we don’t.

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Was that written by an 8 year old? Half the teams the guy mentions have been in the playoffs since the 2005 draft. And BK does have a safety net in that he works for the least intelligent group of owners ever.

Plus, does it matter who is better between JJ and Marion? Neither one has ever led a team to the playoffs.

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I think his point is that those other GMs aren't handcuffed by an ownership like ours so they can go and correct mistakes after they make them - thus allowing many to succeed and get into the playoffs/build franchises.

I think the JJ/Marion stuff is probably taken out of context as this was pulled from a conversation in the AJC blog.

[AnakinJoe]

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Was that written by an 8 year old? Half the teams the guy mentions have been in the playoffs since the 2005 draft. And BK does have a safety net in that he works for the least intelligent group of owners ever.

Plus, does it matter who is better between JJ and Marion? Neither one has ever led a team to the playoffs.

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I can assure you, I am not an 8 year old. Some know that I am Astro Joe over on ajc.com blog and Anakin Joe over here. Long story about name difference, I won't bore you.

My point is that virtually every GM has a list of mistakes. And the fan bases in those cities are not satisfied with mere playoff appearances. They operate under different circumstances than BK. BK has certainly made his fair share of errors, I was just pointing out the same is true of other GMs. The difference? They erase those mistakes with the help of their owners. We don;t have that here.

[Hoosier]

He is a pretty bright 8yr. old. huh? I think one of the points he's trying to make is that a lot of the League's more highly regarded GMs, have made mistakes that BK would not wish off on his worst enemy. But, they are part of more solid franchises, that can overcome some of their GMs worst mistakes.

I do hope BK can now start fine tuning this team though, with some trades for veteran B/U PG,C, and 3pt specialist. Admit his mistake with Woodson, etc....

[atlien]

lol. Astro Joe posts here under the name Anakin Joe. I'm sure he'll appreciate the recognition?

[AnakinJoe]

Thanks, Mr. Icon. And enjoy the barbeque in Memphis.

By the way, I choose not to mention how often Jerry West used that delete key in Memphis. Troy Bell? Dahntay Jones? Brian Cardinal's contract? YIKES!

[mrhonline]

Anakin, don't you go back to the Access Atlanta board, too?

[AnakinJoe]

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Anakin, don't you go back to the Access Atlanta board, too?

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If Access Atlanta is the same as ajc.com, then yes. I was Astro Joe originally over there, got mad last season and started to convert "the dark side" and changed by blog name to Anakin Joe. I was ready to go to "Darth Joe" but after a summer of hope, went back to Astro Joe.

Yeah, I know, I flip-flopped. But yes, I bounce between HS and ajc.com to blog about my HAWKS!!!

[Packfill]

Quote:

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Was that written by an 8 year old? Half the teams the guy mentions have been in the playoffs since the 2005 draft. And BK does have a safety net in that he works for the least intelligent group of owners ever.

Plus, does it matter who is better between JJ and Marion? Neither one has ever led a team to the playoffs.

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I can assure you, I am not an 8 year old. Some know that I am Astro Joe over on ajc.com blog and Anakin Joe over here. Long story about name difference, I won't bore you.

My point is that virtually every GM has a list of mistakes. And the fan bases in those cities are not satisfied with mere playoff appearances. They operate under different circumstances than BK. BK has certainly made his fair share of errors, I was just pointing out the same is true of other GMs. The difference? They erase those mistakes with the help of their owners. We don;t have that here.

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well, I guess the Marion/JJ reference is out of context, otherwise it doesn't make sense.

I fully acknowledge that the Hawks have terrible owners. No question. But there is also no question that BK has hurt this franchise with his poor drafting. Fortunately BK's 5th draft for the Hawks finally looks like a good one. Of course, even Babcock could get lucky with the amount of high draft picks BK has had.