Q & A w/ Hawks general manager Billy Knight

[HMFFL]

Q. Is there any vindication for both you and the franchise after all the heat you've taken regarding the past three years and the tumultuous nature of this rebuilding process since the ownership dispute began?

A. You don't find solace in something like that. Even if you want to say, 'I told you so,' you don't say, 'I told you so.' Even if that's what you'd like to say. You just don't get into that. You still have to go on about your business. We're certainly happy to make the playoffs. It's a great accomplishment for this team. And these players deserve it after all that's gone on.

Q. Would you rather the focus stay on the players rather than all the other off-court drama that always seems to shadow this franchise?

A. I just think these players are the story. And that's the way it should always be. They deserve a chance to see if they can raise their game to a different level, to see if they can raise it enough to beat the No. 1 seed.

Q. But how do you stomach consecutive seasons with 69, 56 and 52 losses and stay the course with your blueprint for getting here?

A. You have to have faith in what we're doing, faith in the players we've brought here and just faith period. And I have that. And I have it in all of that. Certainly it's an accomplishment to get to this point. But it's just to this point. We've gotten to the playoffs but this isn't the ultimate thing we're trying to do. We'd like to be competing at even higher levels than this. We think we're on the right path. We think we're doing things the right way and the necessary way to keep moving forward.

Q. What does the future hold in terms of the major decisions that will have to be made this summer? Can you keep this core group of players intact, particularly Josh Smith and Josh Childress, both of whom will be restricted free agents July 1?

A. I think we can keep them, absolutely. They're a big part of what we have going on here. And I love those guys, for their ability and for what they bring on and off the court. They've been with us longer than anyone else in terms of the rebuilding process. They do everything you ask of them. So we couldn't ask for anything more from those two guys. We want to keep them and add to what we have. Because we're not a finished product.

Q. With everyone in your basketball operations staff having contracts that end June 30, where does that put the organization in terms of deciding who is on board going forward?

A. Obviously, that's the owners' call. I give my recommendations and my input. And they've been very receptive to that. That's just the process you go through. Every organization does that. The day after the season ends is the day you start that process. Certainly you can make changes and make adjustments, keep pieces you want and change the things you want, all the way around the organization. Players and everything.

Q. Could you have envisioned a better rookie season for Al Horford, playing out of position and averaging a near double-double?

A. No. I never would have imagined a guy could do that in his rookie year playing center. Your hat has to go off to him. He's a warrior. He's a pro. He folded right into the fabric of the team. Everybody loves this guy. He's not asked for one thing all year. He comes to work every day smiling, does his job and goes hard every step of the way.

Q. On the flip side, has it been equally painful watching Acie Law IV's rookie season stall?

A. He started off well but he had two injuries that set him back and that put him out of the rotation. And it's hard to get back in when your team is trying to make a move like this. To his credit, he practices hard and stays ready and we think he'll be able to help us going forward. And he's certainly a member of our core group going forward. He's just not getting to play right now. But this is the NBA; you have to stay ready.

Q. Looking back, was the trade for Mike Bibby the turning point of this season in your eyes?

A. Getting a veteran guy, and being fortunate enough to be in a position to make that move happen, was great for us. But I know Mike. I've had him before and was very familiar with Mike. I knew he'd get along well with the guys. I knew his game would fit well with our team. And I knew Joe Johnson needed someone next to him that could shoot the ball ... that could score.

Q. With all the drama about the frayed relationships around here, including yours and coach Mike Woodson, were you surprised that this team was able to put all that stuff aside?

A. These guys are top-quality guys and I'm more convinced of it than ever before. Based on everything that's gone on around the franchise, they've been able to focus and play the way they needed to play to get us to the playoffs. And they deserve all the credit for not paying attention to the naysayers, the negative vibes and all the other things that go on around NBA teams these days.

Link

[LL Cool Scott]

Which owner do you have compromising photos of? How proud are you to have finally reached 37 wins in only 5 seasons? Is it true you dine on the blood of newborn babies?

[tontoz]

This is the part i liked.

Even if you want to say, 'I told you so,' you don't say, 'I told you so.' Even if that's what you'd like to say.

What could he possibly say "i told you so" about? Other than possibly the JJ trade i can't think of anything.