I found this on the AJC

[Wurider05]

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/mark-bradley/2013/jul/06/josh-pistons-what-it-means-hawks/

[*]Posted by WilSmith at 10:01 p.m. Jul. 6, 2013 [*]Report Abuse

As a season ticket holder I'm sorry to see Josh go but it is probably best for his development that he move on. That's number one. Now on to my real reason for this post - to rant on why no self respecting big-name free agent is coming to Atlanta anytime soon.

To understand let's go back to when Billy Knight first went after Joe Johnson. Those of you who were around then know the Hawks were toxic, the ownership group had just barely made the cut to buy them in the first place and no free agents were coming within shouting distance of the Hawks front office.

Billy Knight said at the time that he had to overpay for an above average FA and he did for Joe. He got a sign and trade with Phoenix trading Boris Diaw (a late first round Billy Knight draft selection BTW for all you BK haters who say he is not a good judge of talent) and a lottery protected pick for Joe who he paid a pretty penny. The good news was that Joe wanted to come and more importantly the idea was that getting a good FA would show others that Atlanta could be a good stopping point for FA.

So what happens, ASG owners decide to fight over whether to go through with the trade it takes a few months but the David Stern eventually steps in and forces the trade through - Joe sat around for months waiting and still wanting to come to Atlanta - he was loyal to the city and the Hawks and eventually made it here. All he did the years he was here was put up All-Star numbers every year and make the All Star team every year and the payback he got from the Hawks fan nation was a lot of venom and personal attacks.

Other players around the league undoubtedly saw the treatment our only All-Star received from the fan base and don't think they did not take notice (Joe has friends in the league as witnessed by the fact that he's in New Jersey - we keep giving DF all the credit for the Joe trade when in reality all he did was sign off and maybe tweak the trade around the edges NJ asked for Joe because D. Williams who played with Joe on the national team wanted Joe in NJ). They also saw the treatment the Hawks and ASG gave to Josh over the years. They took note that a low key easy to get along with person like Joe actually shot the fans of Atlanta the bird leaving the court once and have concluded they don't want any part of that. They also took note of the fact that the first two head coaches the Hawks hired were the lowest paid coaches in the league even after leading their teams to the playoffs for six straight years. ASG never paid their coaches the respect (money) they deserved.

So my opinion is simple, before any FA of note comes to Atlanta the real culture change needs to occur in the ASG ownership group (maybe with the dump of the Thrashers that is happening) and in the fan base. If you go to a game maybe think about cheering for the Hawks as opposed to the Heat, Lakers, Celtics, or whoever they are playing. Maybe look at the team you have a defend them as opposed to looking outside and saying what could be (all you folks who keep bringing up the fact that Chris Paul could have been a Hawk - guess what last I checked Chris Paul has exactly the same number of NBA championship series appearances as the Hawks - zero, and if I'm not mistaken he's no longer with the team that drafted him so get over it and move on)

Man this guys gets it. There is alot of truth in there even if we don't want to admit it.

[Plainview1981]

It's going to take a real centerpiece to start changing things here. The fans didn't buy JJ as that player I don't believe. The Hawks are never going to mean to Atlanta what the Cubs mean to Chicago. It will never happen. But if the fans will not even support a legit contender then you might as well move the team. If we had a real championship threat and the fans don't come out you almost have to move a team. There are places out there that would embrace the Hawks. Seattle would. St. Louis probably would now.

[taz]

St Louis had about 2 million in their metro area Atlanta has about six I doubt they're big enough to finance a new basketball arena let alone support a team.Fix the god awful transpiration in ATL and you'll see more fans

[Afro]

St Louis had about 2 million in their metro area Atlanta has about six I doubt they're big enough to finance a new basketball arena let alone support a team.Fix the god awful transpiration in ATL and you'll see more fans

This. I went to games when I lived in Midtown but there is no way I am sitting in all kinds of traffic, paying 25 bucks for a ticket, 15 for parking, for a 2 hour game.

Sorry.

[AtlHomer]

Very interesting assessment. It has a LOT of truth in it. I do wonder if fans in other cities react the same way to the hometown players as they do in ATL, especially those that do not have a superstar.

[taz]

This. I went to games when I lived in Midtown but there is no way I am sitting in all kinds of traffic, paying 25 bucks for a ticket, 15 for parking, for a 2 hour game. Sorry.

Agreed give me atleast a decent train system. I'd gladly pay 15 dollars for a park and train ride from the airport(I'm don't live in ATL)

[nitte]

ATL is not the best sports town in America but Braves&Falcons are doing a good job. ASG only has themselves to blame.

[Afro]

ATL is not the best sports town in America but Braves&Falcons are doing a good job. ASG only has themselves to blame.

Theyre doing a poor job. Granted basketball isnt very big in this city, but neither is hockey and the Gladiators find a way to stick around.

Accessibility is a big issue. I know we have Marta but I know plenty of people that WILL NOT ride it.

The Hawks need a whole new marketing campaign.

[Diesel]

It's going to take a real centerpiece to start changing things here. The fans didn't buy JJ as that player I don't believe. The Hawks are never going to mean to Atlanta what the Cubs mean to Chicago. It will never happen. But if the fans will not even support a legit contender then you might as well move the team. If we had a real championship threat and the fans don't come out you almost have to move a team. There are places out there that would embrace the Hawks. Seattle would. St. Louis probably would now.

Yeah. It's going to take a Centerpiece and a winning tradition. Right now it's on Bud and Ferry. IF they are building a new culture, it has to begin with winning and stick to that formula. We have to do what we have not done before. Win. Not just a few measly playoff series. We have to dominate when we win and make this game belong to us. Getting another high pick could backfire. What if he pulls a Kobe and refuses to play for us. These young stars are pampered much. Really it takes making the team a team that wins big games and are close in losses. RESPECT will come after that.

[smoove31210]

The Hawks just need a "vision".

[drzachary]

I co-sign the 'transit is a barrier' comments.

[Afro]

It's going to take a real centerpiece to start changing things here. The fans didn't buy JJ as that player I don't believe. The Hawks are never going to mean to Atlanta what the Cubs mean to Chicago. It will never happen. But if the fans will not even support a legit contender then you might as well move the team. If we had a real championship threat and the fans don't come out you almost have to move a team. There are places out there that would embrace the Hawks. Seattle would. St. Louis probably would now.

Nobody cared about JJ because nobody knew JJ. Whatever star we do get here needs to be branded and marketed. This city needs to KNOW our star. Like Chipper Jones. Chipper brought a TON of fans to the ballpark every night.

Like in OKC. That is not a basketball town. But that whole city knows KD. We need to make sure our next guy is the "Face of the Franchise"

[hawkman]

I'm a fan of this team and I wouldn't want to play here if I was a star player. Any player that dares stand up as the 'leader' or focal point of this team will be given no mercy. Horf is up next. I hope he has thick skin and is up to the challenge.

Edited July 7, 2013 by hawkman

[Plainview1981]

Today's athletes are self absorbed assholes that WANT IT ALL. Just because they play a GAME.

They want the millions and millions of dollars, blind fan support, owners and fans patting them on the back every step of the way and all of that. Treatment of Josh? As talented as he is, what are people supposed to do? Cheer when he makes one boneheaded play after another just so that he can feel wanted? Pro athletes are coddled all to hell.

Edited July 7, 2013 by Hotlanta1981

[taz]

I'm a fan of this team and I wouldn't want to play here if I was a star player. Any player that dares stand up as the 'leader' or focal point of this team will be given no mercy. Horf is up next. I hope he has thick skin and is up to the challenge.

Yup that's why guys like Justin Upton Stephen Jackson and Tony g didn't want to come here

[Guest rivgambino]

Move the team?!?!? What!! Blasphemy! #trolls

[DJlaysitup]

Move the team?!?!? What!! Blasphemy! #trolls

One of the last things a new Commissioner would do would be to allow the NBA to not be represented in the Atlanta market.

The league already shot down the casino/pizza dude who wanted to take the team to Vegas.

[Kimsey]

Braves are up to the challenge. They working within a well publicized budget but has the goods to win the WS. B.J. Upton ughhh....

The Falcons are on the cusp, should be one if not odds on favorites to win the SB.

The Hawks, no comment.

[Afro]

You would think with TNT in our backyard, the Media would want Atlanta to be relevant. NOPE.

[Plainview1981]

You would think with TNT in our backyard, the Media would want Atlanta to be relevant. NOPE.

True.