Links: Life’s Lottery
Why it takes balls to lose balls.
Tonight is the NBA Draft Lottery. Got this email moments ago from my friend Todd…
This could be the biggest night in Atlanta Hawks history. It’s a real make-or-break point, IMO. I imagine that our poor luck will continue and we’ll be stuck with only the #11 pick, or even worse, Indiana will hit top 3.
Todd’s right: The Hawks could end tonight as the owners of two lottery picks or no lottery picks. We could have Greg Oden starting at center next season or Zaza Pachulia.
I’ll be completely honest with you: I’m really nervous about this. I’m not sure that I can eat lunch today. I was just told that the Harris softball team was in need of my services tonight, but there’s no way I’m missing tonight’s NBA Draft Lottery. It’s not often that your favorite team’s luck can change in an instant, but that’s where the Hawks stand tonight.
We haven’t been to the Playoffs in eight consecutive years, which is the longest current streak of sucking in the NBA, now that the Warriors have turned the corner. The best player the Hawks have had in the last five years was Rasheed Wallace, and he played one game before we traded him to Detroit.
Some of that eight years of hell is thanks to the terrific work of Pete Babcock, who decided to accidentally blow up the team by trading for JR Rider and then waiving him and getting nothing in return.
After Babcock, Billy Knight entered as GM and has spent the last four years making curious Draft selections, passing on players such as Luol Deng, Andre Iguodala, Al Jefferson, Anderson Varejao, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Andrew Bynum, David Lee, Monta Ellis, Brandon Roy, Randy Foye, Marcus Williams and Paul Millsap. Pretty much any one of those guys would be a starter on the Hawks right now. But hey, at least we got Marvin Williams!
Billy Knight has adopted an interesting approach to being the GM of the Hawks. As he told Sekou/Seiko Smith in today’s AJC…
“It’s always insightful when you look back and say what could have been or what you should have done or what you would have done in that situation. Everybody does that and every team can look back and say they’re looking at things differently now. I just choose not to do that. This is what it is, this is who we have, right, wrong or indifferent. Whoever wants to judge it and evaluate it, go right ahead and judge it and evaluate it.
“But these are the players we have and this is the team we have. This is what we’re going to go with going forward. We’ll keep trying the best we can every draft and every free-agent period. Every trade, we’ll keep working on getting the most out of it, whatever the situation may be. But you can’t think about what if. This is the way it is. You can’t go back and redo it. This isn’t the “Deja Vu” movie with Denzel Washington. You can’t go back and do it over. And you can’t worry about that.”
Now, generally, I agree with Billy about this philosophy. This is the way I live my life, at least. Things happen, good or bad, but you can’t dwell on them, either way. You have to move forward, you have to continue looking ahead. Have I made mistakes in my life? Sure, and those errors can be instructive. I wish I hadn’t made them, but I have made mistakes. And I’ll continue to make mistakes, regardless of how hard I try to be a perfect person. But you can’t sit around and wallow in the past. (Unless you’re a Hawks fan, of course.)
Where previous NBA Drafts are concerned, however, you absolutely can go back and worry about it, particularly if you’re Billy Knight’s boss and your task is to evaluate the job Billy’s done putting the Hawks together. Because honestly, he hasn’t done a very good job. Getting Joe Johnson was great, but giving up 800 first round picks to get him when Phoenix didn’t want him anyway was a terrible idea. So was drafting Shelden Williams last season, and so was passing on Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Two years ago the Hawks starting center (Jason Collier) died during training camp and the Hawks never signed anyone to replace him. He gives Hawks coach Mike Woodson D-League call-ups as reserves instead of quality vets. And so on and so on.
Yet the Hawks ownership seems completely invested in Knight. I don’t know if Knight has pictures of someone’s wife doing something awful or what, but there’s never any talk of dissatisfaction with Knight.
I’m pretty sure Billy Knight knows he’s screwed up previously. Surely he sits there in his office and watches highlight tapes of Deron Williams and Chris Paul, then looks over at Hawks point guard Royal Ivey and thinks, “Oh, crap.” He can’t really think that the Speedy Claxton era has been succesful, can he?
But Billy refuses to publicly admit that he has screwed up in the past, even once, and that’s really hurt not only Billy but the entire Hawks franchise, particularly in terms of fan support. See, fans don’t expect perfection, but they do expect honesty, and Billy comes off as disingenuous time and again when he refuses to cop to having made mistakes in the past.
So Billy, it’s OK to tell us you want to focus on the future and tell us that you’re going forward with your job. That’s actually what we all want to hear from you. But it wouldn’t hurt anyone involved for you to step up and admit that you’ve made a few mistakes. We all make mistakes. It takes balls to admit you’ve made mistakes. And in a weird twist, if you make enough mistakes you get more balls, at least where the Draft Lottery is concerned.
I don’t think we’re dealing with a man filled with hubris, but I do think that in Billy Knight, we’ve found ourselves a guy who is more concerned with reality than perception.
The problem is, perception is reality. And one of these days Billy Knight is going to figure that out.
Hopefully it’s not after the entire city of Atlanta has given up on him and the Hawks.
55 Responses to “Links: Life’s Lottery”
May.22 at 12:32 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Balls.
May.22 at 12:33 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Lang, have you seen “Idiocracy”?
May.22 at 12:45 pm
Mookie says:
All of my rabbits’ feet out trying to get Portland one of the top 2 picks… Imagine Jack/Roy/Aldridge/Oden/(whoever we get when we trade Randolph) for the future!
May.22 at 12:53 pm
Myung says:
I’m predicting the Grizz get Durant at 1, the Hawks become Ohio State South (with Oden and Conley), the C’s will drop to #4, and Bill Simmons will write some pretty entertaining articles about the whole ordeal. And Lang, we all know the entire city of Atlanta gave up on the Hawks years ago. I mean, besides you, me, and the 8 others. I’ll be glued to the TV tonight. I’ve been anxiously counting down the days to tonight. Two teams (and their respective fan bases) will be made EXTRA happy. One team (whoever gets #3), not so much. Unless that one team is the Hawks. At #3, even without nabbing DurOden, Hawks fans should be happy with #3, considering, you know…we get to keep it. Yi and Wright Squared and Horford will be paying attention tonight. Suns and Bulls fans will be tuned in as well. Good TV all around.
May.22 at 12:56 pm
2G40 says:
Lord I pray through some mirical of yours that Boston gets the first pick, and Greg Oden finds a happy home there. Amen!
May.22 at 12:57 pm
Vitor says:
“Hopefully it’s not after the entire city of Atlanta has given up on him and the Hawks.” I thought you said perception is reality, Lang…
May.22 at 12:59 pm
Justin Adler says:
“Idiocracy” is a brilliant movie. I wonder if Billy Knight ever evaluates his prospects and says, “Wait, you like money and sex too? No way.”
May.22 at 1:07 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Haven’t seen Idiocracy yet, but I will. Also, I don’t know if this is a bad sign or what, but I just went to lunch, ordered a salad, got back to the office and sat down and opened the bag and found out they gave me the wrong salad. So I’ve already lost one lottery today.
May.22 at 1:12 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
that’s what you get for ordering a salad
May.22 at 1:17 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I would just love to see Sam giving daily updates on Ow My Balls! in the same way he does Lost and Heroes. That, and I’d love to see how many gangstas Omar would give the Academy Award-winning Ass.
May.22 at 1:19 pm
Cheryl says:
Lang, here’s an interesting question: would it not be better to not have any picks with Billy the one doing the picking? Maybe, once the ownership thing is figured out, the new guy(s) can fire Billy and hire someone with a pulse and a little insight on talent. Also, another question, you being from the ATL: is Atlanta a basketball town? Did the Hawks sell out games during ‘Nique’s era? Just curious.
May.22 at 1:23 pm
Omar says:
LOL. Ryan be tripping. Ayo, besides Oden, who else is any good in tonight’s draft? And honestly, i think Oden might be a flop. Same as Glen Robsinson, Joe Smith and LEBRON - Nah, just playing about Lebron. Don’t hit me, Ryan! He shoulda took that last shot!
May.22 at 1:31 pm
Jin says:
If David Stern knows what’s good for the NBA, the Clippers will get the first pick and pwn the Lakers for the rest of the decade.
May.22 at 1:31 pm
galo says:
philly will get #1 (i duno, is that even possible?) we’re lucky bastards
May.22 at 1:32 pm
Myung says:
Atlanta is primarily a football town, but when the Hawks were competitive (Nique era, Mookie and Mutombo era), this city supported them as well. This is the ultimate fair weather town.
May.22 at 1:38 pm
Myung says:
Cheryl, you’d think even Billy Knight couldn’t mess up a top 3 pick. Then again, look what he did in ‘05. I’m still in Marvin’s corner, but it’s impossible to justify passing on Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Ray Felton for Marv when our biggest need was a PG. So I think your point is valid. And not to be the voice of doom, but perhaps that’s exactly why we traded our pick to the Suns: you can’t screw up what you don’t have. =( That said, go Hawks! = )
May.22 at 1:43 pm
Co Co says:
Atlanta is a town full of transplants and its hard to convince people to spend their hard earned money when Superstars aren’t in town. Don’t know if you all have noticed, but superstars the Atlanta Hawks do not have.
May.22 at 1:59 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
I don’t care anymore. if the sixers get the number 1 pick good for them. if not good for them. my momentum as a fan has been reduced to damn near nil. i still love basketball but this season has been tough to watch. i’m not out but i’m lookin at the front door….
May.22 at 2:09 pm
Jas says:
Personally, I’m rooting for the Suns to get the 4th pick in the draft. Adding another quality big man like Joakim Noah would boost their chances bigtime next year. Go Suns.
May.22 at 2:15 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I just like the idea that Speedy Claxton has his own era.
May.22 at 2:21 pm
seppo says:
Greg Oden is a good guy, because he grew up in rural Indiana and likes Fresh Prince and Two and a Half Men. At least that´s what this Granderson guy from ESPN tried to imply. Oden has phenomenal size and good mobility, admitted. But Durant is the most complete player in the draft since Kobe Bryant. Plus he´s mad consistent and nearly unstoppable on offense.
May.22 at 2:23 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
wow seppo. since kobe??
May.22 at 2:31 pm
Tariq says:
Lang,
That’s all well and good, but weren’t you championing Marvin Williams at the time? Anyway, here’s what I think will happen: Atlanta will get the second pick, and you’ll spend the next couple of months basking in the sweet anticipation of Kevin Durant. Come July, however (or is it June?) the Hawks will pull a Darko and pass up Durant, instead picking Joakim Noah, who will be a bust. Eventually, Noah and fellow draft bust Adam Morrison will elope and move to Wisconsin.
May.22 at 2:40 pm
Steve O says:
I’m pulling for the C’s to get the #1 pick but how about if Atlanta drops to #4 the Suns get the pick, unreal. If that happens PHX NBA Champs 08′
May.22 at 2:43 pm
Co Co says:
So Phx needs a lottery pick to get to the ship?
May.22 at 2:48 pm
Myung says:
Tim Duncan. Carmelo Anthony. Elton Brand. LeBron James. Vince Carter. Paul Pierce. Chris Bosh. Chris Paul. Just to name 8 of the at least 30 or 40 players drafted between Kobe in 1996 and Durant in 2007 who were pretty…complete. I think Durant will be a great pro, but let’s not get carried away now.
May.22 at 2:51 pm
Steve O says:
No, but the lottery would make it a hell of alot easier.
May.22 at 2:52 pm
Myung says:
If Atlanta gets to keep their top pick, PHX fans will complain next year when the Suns get knocked out by the Mavs or Spurs that it’s because they didn’t get the Hawks pick in 2007. Just kidding. PHX fans never whine or make excuses about losing in the Playoffs.
May.22 at 2:55 pm
2G40 says:
Has anyone read espn’s 30 best international players? Since when does your place of birth have anything to do with being an international player. I thought the term meant that you began your career playing in europe or south america as a pro, not born there.
-
Let’s see, Ben Gordan and Raja Bell are international players…Steve Nash is now international. Tim Ducan is a internalional star because he was born in the bahammas? This is just one more example of how the game is transforming right before are very eyes. Meanwhile every Kid within a thirty mile radius of my home is dreaming of making the next mix tape tour.
May.22 at 3:01 pm
Gilbert0 says:
2g, has any kid in your area considered a career outside of bball? cos there are other thing you know
May.22 at 3:02 pm
Co Co says:
If someone kidnaps Tim Duncan that would make it a hell of a lot easier too.
May.22 at 3:18 pm
2G40 says:
That is every kid that plays b-ball.
May.22 at 3:30 pm
Ben says:
When I was watching everything the Warriors were doing in the playoffs, I couldn’t stop thinking about something you wrote about Billy Knight a couple years ago, Lang. You said his philosophy was to try and get a team of 6′9″ guys who could do everything, and how that would present so many matchup problems and such. Well Golden State basically did just that, played much better than anyone thought and became the darlings of the NBA world. Knight had the right vision but horrible execution. For one, he needed the right coach for the system (the Don Nelson). Secondly, he ignored the fact that you still need a PG who can run that team (the Baron Davis). And lastly he got the 6′9″ athletes but not the “do everything” part of the equation - Childress and Smith and Marvin are all athletic but none of them can shoot. In fact, Atlanta was the worst shooting team from behind the arc this year. Still, I think you have to give him credit for a vision that, properly executed, seems to be the wave of the future.
May.22 at 3:45 pm
Nacho says:
Here’s hoping the suns get the 4th pick and use it as leverage to maybe get KG. Amare is more than a beast, but KG is still in his prime and in my eyes would bring a more complete game and intensity to my suns. and here’s hoping the bulls dont get another to 3 pick due to the big mama curry trade. that would be a travesty…
May.22 at 3:47 pm
Joe says:
Myung,
At least the Suns know what the Playoffs are like. Ouch, just kidding….Oh wait…..No I’m not!
Joe
May.22 at 3:59 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Well Ben, the thing is that Billy Knight almost had the right vision. He wanted a whole team of 6-9 guys but then wanted to run a regular NBA offense. They’ve got the horses to run and gun now but a coach that’s tugging on the reins. And yeah, Josh Smith can’t shoot at all. Childress is actually a pretty good shooter despite his horrible form, and Marv is a great midrange shooter but bad three-point shooter. So, there’s that, I guess.
May.22 at 3:59 pm
Myung says:
Touche, Joe. I’m hating on the Suns, but believe me, I have much respect for their organization. They’re top notch. But ultimately, there are 29 losers and just one champ, yeah? Making the Playoffs is nice, but it’s all about the ring. Would I rather be the Suns than the Hawks? Yes, sir. =) I’m just hating, namely because of my least favorite player in NBA history. Name rhymes with “Doris Biaw.” And because we haven’t sniffed the playoffs since ‘99.
May.22 at 3:59 pm
Mike C. says:
Lang: At least you don’t have Isiah Thomas running/ruining your team. Isiah will pull some good talent out of the draft, making Knick fans feel good about the summer until the good Rev. Dr. does something completely retarded with the mid-level. Maybe Isiah will give up all our young talent in a sign and trade for Jamal Magloire. There’s always the trade for Antoine Walker that I’ve been fearing for about 5 years. It lingers in the back of my mind and gnaws away at my very existence.
May.22 at 4:03 pm
Ron says:
GMs named Billy K suck, both King and Knight that is.
May.22 at 4:06 pm
Myung says:
Billy Knight made a pretty good move a few years ago. He traded a guy with no heart and robotic post moves for a talented young Spanish star who would go on to win Rookie of the Year. Then he decided to become GM of the team he traded said heartless robot to. He can make good moves. It’s just they all come at the expense of the Hawks.
May.22 at 4:53 pm
Dave says:
“And in a weird twist, if you make enough mistakes you get more balls”~That was GENUIS
May.22 at 5:31 pm
ALX8725 says:
It seems like the whole world is putting so much hype on how Oden or Durant will be the respective saviors to whatever team drafts them. What if they become just solid, reliable bench players in the NBA???
May.22 at 5:40 pm
Silent Storm says:
GO CELTICS
May.22 at 7:26 pm
NZ Baller says:
Two and a half men is horrendous. Good luck Lang, you loyal Hawks fans deserve it!
May.22 at 8:02 pm
Hawk Van Gundy says:
Hey, Billy Knight, sign Jeff Van Gundy! He has got a 57% career winning pct, and he led the 8th seed Knicks to the NBA Finals 8 years ago.
May.22 at 8:21 pm
Kevin Wilson says:
Ryan, Idiocracy sucked.
May.22 at 8:22 pm
The Truth says:
How completely changed would the hawks be if they could add Oden and with the pacers pick, Mike Conley Jr (he will prob be gone) or Acie Law IV - adding those two would potentially turn them into a semi decent playoff team. A bit like Andre Miller at the Sixers, you have a real point distributing to JJ, ODen, JSmove, and even a futher improved Marvin
May.22 at 8:54 pm
ALX8725 says:
Lang must be so happy
May.22 at 8:54 pm
Myung says:
Woohoo!!!
May.22 at 8:57 pm
Max Airington says:
That Celtics fan was hilarious. Congrats Lang and Myung.
May.22 at 9:01 pm
ALX8725 says:
The West just got a whole lot stronger. What does this mean for the East? More specifically… Boston.
May.22 at 9:04 pm
BETCATS says:
Jailblazers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May.22 at 9:48 pm
2G40 says:
The curse of the irish…:-)
May.22 at 10:00 pm
Myung says:
Best day as a hawks fan since the day we dumped alan henderson’s contract. Losing durant and oden never felt so good.
May.23 at 10:05 am
James says:
seppo - Kobe was far far far from complete when he was drafted!