Struggling GM's of the NBA.

[AmishBoy]

http://www.realgm.com/src_feature/836/2007...gms_of_the_nba/

Sorry if this was already linked.

3. Billy Knight – Atlanta Hawks (2002-present)

Knight has the daunting task of turning around a futile organization. The problem is, the organization has actually gotten worse since his hiring. In the 3 seasons prior to the Knight-era, the Hawks were 86-160, good for a .350 win percentage. In the 4+ years since, they have been 124-264, for a .320 win percentage. Usually rebuilding involves some improvement, however the 2004-2005 Hawks had the most losses in a single season in franchise history (69).

To Knight’s credit, he has drafted some nice players. The problem is they all play the same position. True, you are not supposed to draft according to position, but draft the best player available. However he doesn’t even do that. He received a tremendous amount of criticism after the 2005 Draft for passing on Rookie of the Year Chris Paul. Most “experts” agreed that he was a prospect ready to jump in and contribute right away, and he played a position that the Hawks really needed to fill: point guard. After selecting 2 very solid swingmen in the 2004 Draft (Josh Smith and Josh Childress) and one in the 2003 Draft that didn’t fit in (Boris Diaw), Knight instead elected to bank on the potential of tweener forward Marvin Williams out of North Carolina. Not to dispute Marvin’s talents, he could be a very fine pro one day, but Paul came in and asserted himself as one of the best pure point guards in the league in his rookie season. He would have looked even better passing to the likes of Smith, Childress and newly-acquired-via-sign-and-trade Joe Johnson (another swingman). He could have even selected Deron Williams or Raymond Felton and probably have been better off.

So Knight heeded the criticism and maybe took it too seriously. With the 5th pick in the 2006 Draft, it was rumoured he made a promise to select power forward Shelden Williams out of Duke. Well at least he wasn’t drafting another swingman, right? But come on, a promise for a guy who wasn’t even being worked out by the teams drafting ahead of them? And Shelden could turn out to be a decent pro, rebounders always have long careers. But he again passed on a few players who could have manned the point for him in Randy Foye and Brandon Roy, two players that are better players than Shelden regardless of position.

------------------------------------------------------------

I don't care how much man love anybody has for Billy Knight(KB21) it's clear that we COULD be much better. We've had so much team building capital in the past 3 years it's insane. Even more insane is that if things go well we could have even more team buidling capital in the form of two lottery picks. What more could any team ask for short of starting with Kobe and Shaq like the Lakers. So many chances to get it right I'm almost can't take it anymore.

The type of players we get do not match the type of game we play. Either the GM or Coach men MUST go. I wouldn't care if both went.

I do believe we are on the verge of being really good. We have some nice young talent but we are not on the verge because of Billy Knight's ability to get players but because he's had so much capital to work with. Lotto picks every year. Top 3 team in capspace every year. Signicant talent in NBA terms to trade every year(see Walker, Harring, Terry). If the ownership squabble has held him back the team would be much better in admitting to it (see Wired's new issue). Wouldn't it be great if they took a page from Microsoft or Google. An ownership blog ala Mark Cuban.

Anyways, this post has no purpose other than for my venting and I don't even know where I'm going with this anymore.

[Guest Walter]

Quote:

---

But come on, a promise for a guy who wasn’t even being worked out by the teams drafting ahead of them?

---

I'm just glad somebody outside this forum sees this. I've never seen a less competent GMing decision in any sport.

Quote:

---

And Shelden could turn out to be a decent pro, rebounders always have long careers.

---

Then pay $4 mil to get Reggie Evans, 6 to get Gooden, get Wilcox, trade Al for Nene,...just don't waste a 5th pick.

Quote:

---

But he again passed on a few players who could have manned the point for him in Randy Foye and Brandon Roy, two players that are better players than Shelden regardless of position.

---

I think we can rule out Diesel or KB (post BK's promise rumor made the news) as authors and consider Portland's (or any other team's) management as possibly a contributor.

...

Quote:

---

Anyways, this post has no purpose other than for my venting

---

Amishboy, are you really Amish? If so, knowing I'm not certain of the Amish disposition when it comes to professional sports or the internet itself, but I believe BK needs to be fired if only because he's so maddeningly, frustratingly incompetent that his retaining his job might threaten the very good nature of one of our nation's finest religious traditions as evidenced by your spirrited vent. Phew, long sentence. Hope everybody's faith can survive the false prophet of GMing, BK.

W

[AmishBoy]

Quote:

---

Amishboy, are you really Amish? If so, knowing I'm not certain of the Amish disposition when it comes to professional sports or the internet itself, but I believe BK needs to be fired if only because he's so maddeningly, frustratingly incompetent that his retaining his job might threaten the very good nature of one of our nation's finest religious traditions as evidenced by your spirrited vent. Phew, long sentence. Hope everybody's faith can survive the false prophet of GMing, BK.

---

No. I'm not Amish. I just like the screen name.

[TheDude]

newsflash: some people don't like Billy Knight's choices.

[Packfill]

Quote:

---

newsflash: some people don't like Billy Knight's choices.

---

That is because in most instances Billy has made the wrong choices.

[AmishBoy]

Quote:

---

newsflash: some people don't like Billy Knight's choices.

---

Sorry I didn't get your permission to post a subject that has been talked about before. I should come up with an entirely new subject like all 3000 of your post must be. Excuse me sir.