ATL's Best Franchise: Hawks, Falcons or Braves?

Post #1 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:50 pm

Opening this back up for votes, thoughts, comments.

It's hard to believe how quickly things have changed in the Sports Landscape of this city. December of 2011 saw the end of one of the most disappointing years in the pro sports history of this town.

The Braves had finished their season just out of the playoffs, after experiencing one of the worst late season collapses in MLB history.

The Falcons had completed an underwhelming regular season amid big expectations. They did at least qualify for the postseason, though they were summarily trounced in the first round (yet again) managing only 2 points in the loss. (Very difficult to do in football.)

The Hawks had kept their core together for one last run, only to lose one of those core players a few weeks into the strike shortened season. Though the team pulled together for a solid showing the rest of the regular season, Hawk fans would see yet another disappointing postseason run for a local team as they were ousted in the first round by the hated Celtics.

Yet these disappointments have led to follow up seasons that seem to have each franchise headed in the right direction.

The Falcons made few roster changes, but instead hired new coordinators. The new offensive & defensive strategies brought by these individuals changed the dynamics of the team from a predictable run-oriented offense with a rudimentary defensive scheme to a wide open, deep ball throwing, screen passing juggernaut with a defense that has routinely outschemed and out maneuvered the league's best QBs. The Falcs had the best record in the NFL, home field advantage through the playoffs and a legitimate MVP candidate in Matt Ryan.

The Hawks finally hired a real GM to run their operation. His first moves were to blow up their core and trade the albatross contract of Joe Johnson and our underwhelming SF for what seemed like spare parts. All in his first week on the job. The master plan has been to clear cap room for a run at top Free Agents in 2013, but the players acquired in trade as well as the master stroke of signing hometown hero Lou Williams to a modest contract has resulted in a more free flowing offense and a roster of players that actually seem to like each other. The team has gelled almost immediately and is on pace for one of the best regular seasons in franchise history.

The Braves chose to NOT overreact to their collapse and instead depend on the veteran leadership in the clubhouse to keep the team intact. They finished with the 4th best record in all of baseball and made the playoffs as a wildcard. They have three of the best young players in the entire league on their roster, and with the retirement of future HOF Chipper Jones, suddenly have plenty of capspace to go shopping in free agency with.

So, with all that in mind: Which team are you most excited by? Which team has the brightest future both short and long term? Which team makes a deep postseason run first? Which is closest to winning a championship? Which GM/Coach combo instills the most confidence in you?

Post #2 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:58 pm

I think the Braves are closest in talent to championship level, but their ownership is more concerned with profit margins than winning pennants.

Blank seems most committed to winning big and winning now.

The Hawks ownership group finally seems committed to doing things the right way. The hiring of Danny Ferry is probably the best move their group has ever made.

Post #3 » by **ATL Boy** » Mon Dec 31, 2012 11:41 pm

Our best franchise history wise is no question the "Team of the 90s" in Baseball: The Atlanta Braves, they only won 1 pennant but it's the only championship that's been brought to the city of Atlanta (Weird right? It doesn't seem like the only one) and they won 15 straight division titles and had the best pitching staff in history (Not even gonna debate it), they put the city of Atlanta on the map more than any of the other Atlanta sports teams (Nique helped put us on the map with the Hawks in the 80s and the "Dirtybird" Falcons also helped with a superbowl run in 98 but the Braves dominated Baseball for all those years and actually won a championship). That's History wise but right now our best franchise has to be the Falcons: They're the closest to winning the title in their respective sport (The Braves are there with them but the Hawks aren't in position to win a title yet and I'm not even gonna count the WNBA), I have mad respect for Arthur Blank as he's put us in position to win a title, Mike Smith is also someone I have respect for as his coaching has been key for the Falcons, and Matt Ryan has become an elite QB in the league along with elite WRs Roddy White and Julio Jones (Julio in my mind will become the best WR in the league in a few years barring injury). The Falcons have home field advantage in the playoffs this season and I think they'll win it all this season. But one thing is for sure: All 3 of our teams (again not counting WNBA) are in promising positions for the future and all of them have some of the best GMs in their respective sports. (Ferry, Wren, and Dimitroff have all positioned the Atlanta teams for success in the future) The Future of sports in Atlanta is as bright as it ever was and I can't wait to watch the future of these teams unfold in my favorite city in the world. Thank you for making this topic Jamaaliver: I have some things on my mind and writing about this was the perfect distraction. Much appreciated Bro.

Rip2137 · Post #4 » by **Rip2137** » Tue Jan 1, 2013 12:30 am

No way the Braves NOW are a better franchise than the Hawks who have been to the playoffs for 5 straight seasons and gotten out the first round 3 of them.

The falcons are closest to championship caliber though.

Post #5 » by **ATL Boy** » Tue Jan 1, 2013 7:32 am

Rip2137 wrote:No way the Braves NOW are a better franchise than the Hawks who have been to the playoffs for 5 straight seasons and gotten out the first round 3 of them.

The falcons are closest to championship caliber though.

The Braves NOW have a better chance than the Hawks to win a title in their respective sport, and the Hawks may have been to 5 straight playoffs but they were never really close to winning it all. The Braves NOW are close to winning it all (if the Pitching staff can stay healthy)

Post #6 » by **Jamaaliver** » Tue Jan 1, 2013 10:40 am

My pleasure, dude.

Question: Will you guys still consider the Falcons the top trending franchise if they lose one (or both!) of their new coordinators this offseason? A real possibility the way things look now.

Post #7 » by **ATL Boy** » Tue Jan 1, 2013 5:44 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:My pleasure, dude.

Question: Will you guys still consider the Falcons the top trending franchise if they lose one (or both!) of their new coordinators this offseason? A real possibility the way things look now.

Yea I heard that Nolan and Koetter have interviews but with Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones, Sean Weatherspoon, John Abraham, Asante Samuel, and possibly Brent Grimes I think the Falcons will still be Atlanta's best franchise

Post #8 » by **HMFFL** » Tue Jan 1, 2013 6:24 pm

Jamaaliver wrote:I think the Braves are closest in talent to championship level, but their ownership is more concerned with profit margins than winning pennants.

Blank seems most committed to winning big and winning now.

The Hawks ownership group finally seems committed to doing things the right way. The hiring of Danny Ferry is probably the best move their group has ever made.

I agree with all of this.

As of right now, I would say the Braves are the best franchise, but they could change if the Falcons win the Super Bowl.

Rip2137 · Post #9 » by **Rip2137** » Tue Jan 1, 2013 11:15 pm

ATL Boy wrote:
Rip2137 wrote:No way the Braves NOW are a better franchise than the Hawks who have been to the playoffs for 5 straight seasons and gotten out the first round 3 of them.

The falcons are closest to championship caliber though.

The Braves NOW have a better chance than the Hawks to win a title in their respective sport, and the Hawks may have been to 5 straight playoffs but they were never really close to winning it all. The Braves NOW are close to winning it all (if the Pitching staff can stay healthy)

The Braves can barely make the playoffs and still have no player that can consistently get on base. We lost Borne, who faded badly towards the end of the year anyway. Its nice when your pitching staff can hold other teams under 2 runs, but it doesn't make a difference when you can't score 3.

I don't see how the team that has had the least amount of success over the past decade is the best franchise. The Hawks have 3 post season wins in the last decade, the Falcons have 3 post season wins and have had the best regular season success of the 3. The Braves have done...um...help me out here guys?

Historically they have been the best but I don't see how the team that haven't won their division, and haven't won in the postseason is the best team of the three. The only way you could possibly put them above the Falcons is to use the Falcons lack of postseason success in recent years against them. Using that criteria, the Braves are certainly not above the Falcons.

To me:

Franchise History:

1: Braves
2: Hawks
3: Falcons

Current standings:

1: Falcons
2: Hawks(although I see why you guys would say differently)
3: Braves(until they show me SOMETHING)

Post #10 » by **ATL Boy** » Wed Jan 2, 2013 1:34 am

Rip2137 wrote:
ATL Boy wrote:
Rip2137 wrote:No way the Braves NOW are a better franchise than the Hawks who have been to the playoffs for 5 straight seasons and gotten out the first round 3 of them.

The falcons are closest to championship caliber though.

The Braves NOW have a better chance than the Hawks to win a title in their respective sport, and the Hawks may have been to 5 straight playoffs but they were never really close to winning it all. The Braves NOW are close to winning it all (if the Pitching staff can stay healthy)

The Braves can barely make the playoffs and still have no player that can consistently get on base. We lost Borne, who faded badly towards the end of the year anyway. Its nice when your pitching staff can hold other teams under 2 runs, but it doesn't make a difference when you can't score 3.

I don't see how the team that has had the least amount of success over the past decade is the best franchise. The Hawks have 3 post season wins in the last decade, the Falcons have 3 post season wins and have had the best regular season success of the 3. The Braves have done...um...help me out here guys?

Historically they have been the best but I don't see how the team that haven't won their division, and haven't won in the postseason is the best team of the three. The only way you could possibly put them above the Falcons is to use the Falcons lack of postseason success in recent years against them. Using that criteria, the Braves are certainly not above the Falcons.

To me:

Franchise History:

1: Braves
2: Hawks
3: Falcons

Current standings:

1: Falcons
2: Hawks(although I see why you guys would say differently)
3: Braves(until they show me SOMETHING)

I never said they were above the Falcons now, I repeatedly said that the Falcons are Atlanta's best Franchise right now. But what exactly have the Hawks shown the past decade? They got to the 2nd round 3 times sure but not only have they won only 2 games in those 2nd round appearances but nobody believed that they could get to the 3rd round. Every argument you made against the Braves I can make against the Hawks. The Braves right now are in a better position to win the title in the MLB then the Hawks are in the NBA period, that's why they're ahead of the Hawks on my list. BTW It's alot harder to make the playoffs in Baseball than it is in the NBA

Post #11 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Jan 2, 2013 1:58 am

The reason I viewed the Braves as closer to a championship than the Hawks was talent level.

Freeman & Heyward are REALLY good. I see them as higher caliber players than Josh and AL. The Braves also have the benefit of premium young talent in the minors. Whether we keep those guys or move them for major league pieces, Teheran and the boys have greater trade value than any Hawk on the roster.

Frank Wren has also been a very aggressive GM despite working under a strict budget. The Hawks GMs have been more passive. Wren's moves don't always work, but he's not afraid to take chances to get the Braves closer to a title.

Post #12 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 12:53 pm

As we approach the NBA postseason, and as we watch the Braves tear up the NL...how do you guys feel about the ranking of the city's franchises now?

Rip2137 · Post #13 » by **Rip2137** » Wed Apr 17, 2013 1:11 pm

This thread was before the trades. If we still were riding with Prado and platooning left field, I still would put the brave first. But with the trades giving us one of the best out fields in the game and some pop in the lineup to go with the string pitching I would say they clearly LOOK like the best right now, early in the season.

Post #14 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:11 am

Rip2137 wrote:This thread was before the trades. If we still were riding with Prado and platooning left field, I still would put the brave first. But with the trades giving us one of the best out fields in the game and some pop in the lineup to go with the string pitching I would say they clearly LOOK like the best right now, early in the season.

One of the reasons I rate the Braves so highly is because of how proactive Frank Wren is as a GM.

Hope Ferry takes note and acts aggressively while building a contender. Though, an aggressive GM would have done what OKC did last summer and trade Josh as soon as he declined an extension.

But I digress...

Post #15 » by **ATL Boy** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:45 am

With the Upton Brothers on board, the amazing pitching staff and bullpen and the amazing start to the season without Mccan or much of Freeman the Braves have jumped in front of the Falcons. It'll be a nice race between the Falcons and Braves for the right of being Atlanta's best team. Hopefully the Hawks can get in on the race in the near future.