Stan Kasten on 680 The Fan today

[troup]

He said that he felt the NBA would act very quickly on this matter, possibly deciding by tomorrow. Kasten said that Stern has the authority to remove Belkin as Governor at his own descretion. This was the route that he felt was most likely. Kasten commented on the turmoil within the Hawks owners and how there had been conflicts that the public did not even know about, but would definitely be brought to light in the next few days. I think we got a glimpse of this in BK's recent disclosures. The conversation with Kasten led me to believe that we would have a new Governor very soon and that JJ would be in a Hawk's uniform.

Buying out Belkin is another matter, especially since he has waited so long to be involved with the NBA.

[Plainview1981]

Sounds like there is still hope!

[Jdawgflow]

It sure would be nice to come home from work tomorrow and get some good news. The Hawks fans really need this because we have a chance to come out of a dark and dreary tunnel that has went on since the turn of the century.

Here's to hoping for a long waited positive direction for our franchise in the 21st Century!

[DJ_Money]

I'd be interested to know exactly what powers Stern has over the Board of Governors.

If he really does have the authority to throw people off at will, that's great for us. (Of course, would Stern actually do us a favor, for once). If he has to come up with a reason (i.e. breach of contract), do we believe he would side with us?

Anybody know where we might could find that info? I'm sure it's buried deep in NBA documents somewhere.

As long as we can get Belkin out of the Governor spot, we're alright for now. He'd certainly need to be bought out ASAP, but he'd be powerless as he would be hopelessly outnumbered.

[KB21]

As I said in another post, some may hold him accountable for the Hawks never getting over that hump, but that doesn't diminish the fact that Stan is one of, if not the, smartest sports attorneys/executives in the business. He wouldn't make a statement that David Stern can remove Steve Belkin at his own discretion without it being true.

[Plainview1981]

Seems like he has been talking about the Hawks

alot. I don't think I would have expected him to

comment so much on the Hawks now.

[CWSD]

I would take Kasten's comments very seriously. For one, he is very smart and knows his stuff. Two, he won't throw around statements like that loosely. Third, I know for a fact he is not on the best of terms with the current ownership. He doesn't hate them, but he wouldn't speak highly of them, nor would he do them any favors. I am very encouraged by his comments.