BUd losing his grip on GMing?

[tbhawksfan1]

Are Bud's hands tied? Sounds like it. I think ownership is playing the revenue game. Bud"s statements are hollow and make no sense.

Revenue game equals feilding a roster that will get to the playoffs, but have NOOOOOOOOOOOO chance once there. This strategy can be renewed year after year, but it eliminates any chance of actually trying to compete. Isn't that exactly what we've been living as Hawks fans for many, many years? The one exception was the BK rebuild and he pi$$ed it away with unbalanced and generally bad drafting and worse development.

Hawks really need to rethink their whole organization similar to how Falcons and Braves have done recently

[Jamaaliver]

Even ultra-competitive Larry Bird is considering moving his top player rather than lose him in Free Agency in 2018 without receiving anything in return.

The Indiana Pacers are testing the trade market on Paul George.

While the Pacers are looking to surround George with talent and sign him to a long-term extension, they are also soliciting offers to begin rebuilding around Myles Turner.

Here


It hurts, so bad that we are bereft of tangible trade assets to dangle for top wing players like P George or J Butler.

Why are we never in trade talks for top flight talent?

Because we consistently waste our most desirable pieces.

Oy vey, Bud.

[Jamaaliver]

A scathing rebuke of Bud's tenure as GM:

Hawks need a big-picture guy, and that’s not Bud

Most every NBA watcher agrees: The Hawks need to be sellers at this trade deadline. Trouble is, the Hawks have declared that they’re not selling the player who’d attract the greatest return, Paul Millsap.

So here’s what they are: A team with the fifth-best record in the East; a team that has been outscored over its first 56 games; a team that’s 23-22 since Nov. 16; a team that, one summer after losing Al Horford to free agency and getting nothing in return, could likewise lose Millsap, and a team with the NBA’s sixth-oldest roster.

If you’re a franchise stuck on Pretty Good and your biggest offseason choice is whether to dig deep to overpay a 32-year-old, you’re in need of a grand design. Coaches don’t deal in grand designs. They see what’s coming next — next week, next game, next possession.

...A franchise needs a big-picture guy, and a coach can’t be that. Because a coach is conditioned to believe that, if the L’s pile up, he’s getting fired.

myAJC

[Yungsta404]

A scathing rebuke of Bud's tenure as GM:

Hawks need a big-picture guy, and that’s not Bud

Most every NBA watcher agrees: The Hawks need to be sellers at this trade deadline. Trouble is, the Hawks have declared that they’re not selling the player who’d attract the greatest return, Paul Millsap.

So here’s what they are: A team with the fifth-best record in the East; a team that has been outscored over its first 56 games; a team that’s 23-22 since Nov. 16; a team that, one summer after losing Al Horford to free agency and getting nothing in return, could likewise lose Millsap, and a team with the NBA’s sixth-oldest roster.

If you’re a franchise stuck on Pretty Good and your biggest offseason choice is whether to dig deep to overpay a 32-year-old, you’re in need of a grand design. Coaches don’t deal in grand designs. They see what’s coming next — next week, next game, next possession.

...A franchise needs a big-picture guy, and a coach can’t be that. Because a coach is conditioned to believe that, if the L’s pile up, he’s getting fired.

myAJC

like I said I think its pretty clear Bud is the main driver that prevents this team from going through a rebuild. Hes worried about job security and keep a good coaching record.

[DirtybirdGA]

Oh well, I see they were aggressive, but they come up short as usual.

[tbhawksfan1]

Being aggressive with no results is either futulity or faking it.

Hawks have been feeding us the ol' we're going to do everything to improve, but all we've seen are lateral moves that have kept us in mediocrity.

[Jamaaliver]

Another AJC op-ed regarding Bud's run as head of Basketball Operations:

There are 26 games left before the playoffs. Barring a strong finish and an extended playoff run, Budenholzer will need stronger talking points in the offseason when he meets with majority owner Tony Ressler, partner Jesse Itzler and others and attempts to convince him why he should retain power over personnel decisions.

There is a need for this franchise to push reset, both on the roster and in the front office. As I wrote last week, point guard Dennis Schroder is the only proven building block for the future and this roster is expected to radically change with so many expiring contracts. Budenholzer remains unproven as a franchise architect...

The Hawks need to significantly improve offensively to be a threat in the East. They rank 26th in the metric “offensive rating” (points per 100 possessions), 20th in scoring, 16th in field goal percentage, 25th in three-point shooting and 22nd in three-pointers made. They’re only 15th in point differential, which is remarkable for a team that’s eight games over .500).

Here

[Jamaaliver]

After the Orlando loss, you have to start and question Bud's assessment of this team.

Since that 9-2 start, the team is 23-24.

Since that 7 game win streak, the Hawks are 10-10.

Yet we have now publicly stated that we are prepared to keep building around 32 year Millsap.

If Millsap can't lead us to contention making $20 million a year, do we believe he can lead us to contention making $30+ million a year?

I'm doubling down, Wilcox is likely out of here this summer. And we can only imagine what the next GM's approach will be.
We need a change in direction. But I am very reticent to embrace a full on rebuild.

Man...we've missed so many opportunities over the last few years.


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[Yungsta404]

After the Orlando loss, you have to start and question Bud's assessment of this team.

Since that 9-2 start, the team is 23-24.

Since that 7 game win streak, the Hawks are 10-10.

Yet we have now publicly stated that we are prepared to keep building around 32 year Millsap.

If Millsap can't lead us to contention making $20 million a year, do we believe he can lead us to contention making $30+ million a year?

I'm doubling down, Wilcox is likely out of here this summer. And we can only imagine what the next GM's approach will be.
We need a change in direction. But I am very reticent to embrace a full on rebuild.

Man...we've missed so many opportunities over the last few years.


Sent from my iPad using RealGM Forums

I honestly think those Millsap statements are just lip service. NBA Front offices BS all the time. Just look at how they handled Josh and Horford when they hit free agency after publicly making statements about resigning them. We just have to wait and see how our season ends.

Looking at our free agent history the past couple years I think its likely we will try to find a Millsap replacement or a Millsap like project at a good price (an undervalued veteran with low tier all star potential) to keep to treadmill train rolling. Anyone hitting free agency that fit that criteria?

I will be alittle bit surprised if they are dumb enough to actually go all in to try to keep Millsap. he has probably about 2 seasons at most before he is no longer a starting caliber player.

[Jamaaliver]

I think its likely we will try to find a Millsap replacement or a Millsap like project at a good price (an undervalued veteran with low tier all star potential) to keep to treadmill train rolling. Anyone hitting free agency that fit that criteria?

Derrick Favors?
Danilo Gallinari?

I will be alittle bit surprised if they are dumb enough to actually go all in to try to keep Millsap. he has probably about 2 seasons at most before he is no longer a starting caliber player.

Sounds about right. I predicted his decline years ago, and he's proven me wrong by churning out All Star seasons time and time again.

But, eventually Father Time catches up to us all. I really don't want to be paying Millsap $35 million per year when he is avg 14 & 6.

[Jamaaliver]

AJC Columnists take another shot at BUD's front office moves...Ressler has to hear all the chatter and see the declining performance, right?

Budenholzer being hurt by his own front office moves

There is enormous pressure on Budenholzer. Two years ago, he was the most popular coach or executive in Atlanta pro sports. He presided over a team that won 60 games during the regular season and reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.

He was so impressive that he was able to leverage a raise, a contract extension and the new position of team president in negotiations with Tony Ressler, the new majority owner.

Budenholzer’s biggest moves as a basketball executive haven’t worked. We know that for the simple reason the team’s season records have declined from 60-22 to 48-34 to a current projection of 45-37.

Ressler has a decision: How many hats does he take away: zero, one or two?

Budenholzer has obvious skills as a coach. The problem is he seemingly has changed his position on this team at various points of the season...Nobody is certain why that happened, but it became obvious there’s a split in the front office on which direction the team should go.

Ressler, who has not granted an interview to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution since the summer, will have difficult decisions to make after the season.

myAJC

[MaceCase]

The assumption is that Ressler has been somehow both oblivious and absent to the running of the Hawks. It would be a fairly easy logical summation that if there was a split amongst the PBO and GM over which direction the team should go....where exactly would the vote to tip scales go?

I'm sure the guy that's invested close to a billion overall in a purchase would support a simultaneous tear down of the foundation while building up the infrastructure. Perhaps raising of ticket prices also falls underneath Budenholzer's purview?

[Jamaaliver]

The assumption is that Ressler has been somehow both oblivious and absent to the running of the Hawks.

This is an interesting analysis of the articles above. And an assertion I hadn't really considered.

I've been operating under the presumption that Ressler was waiting until the end of the season, with 3 full seasons (and post-seasons) to determine if a massive change in direction is necessary.

I respect your read of Jeff's writings. But I'm banking on Ressler being a thoughtful, patient business owner who'll judge each facet of the organization based on performance and expectations.

I do think the constant stream of negative press from vocal AJC columnists, prominent fan-sites and local local on-air radio hosts is difficult for an owner to ignore. Not to mention the declining ticket sales since that magical season two years ago.

I believe T Ressler (and Grant Hill) have realized this team plateaued years ago and a new (experienced) Front Office leader is necessary for long term growth.

[MaceCase]

Yes, patient and thoughtful business owners tend to often have a primary focus, profit. It was true of the previous owners and many other owners throughout the league and playoff revenue coupled with competitive (even while not contending) teams tend to help achieve that focus. It's why despite the lametations of fans and their "championships or bust" mentality the majority of 28 other franchises SHOCKINGLY keep on spending and trading despite the slim chance at winning it all on a year to year basis.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/some-hawks-season-ticket-holders-facing-price-increases/IFZNmkW6jCcTZtHRLn5YLN/

This was what I was pointing out as something most likely outside of Bud's control and levied down from a position above him. If the claim is ticket sales are lagging with a mediocre product how then do you justify increasing price with a rebuilding product?

Ressler has certainly not been hands off and evaluating the franchise, looking for some arbitrary deadline to step in and assert his desires. He's been very publicly building up the viability and marketability of the team since the moment he bought it and a tear down of the main product would seem to contradict those moves. Him and Bud would appear to be simpatico in this cause even if there may be some disagreements on how to achieve it (quite a few have pondered if pursuing Dwight was a Ressler move)

One should think that if Ressler hasn't granted ANYONE at the AJC an interview since last summer it would seem to indicate how much he regards them and their ethereal gleamings into his mindset. Perhaps Ressler is privy to a slew of other metrics and projections that govern his decisions more than someone saying "a 4th seed isn't really special".

[Jamaaliver]

Yes, patient and thoughtful business owners tend to often have a primary focus, profit...

One should think that if Ressler hasn't granted ANYONE at the AJC an interview since last summer it would seem to indicate how much he regards them

These are good points, all.

I am reminded what Ressler stated on the record to the AJC last summer:

...we have an objective to be a great franchise,” Ressler told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is an exclusive interview. “A great franchise has to win a championship. When I use the term, I think it’s healthier to say we want to be a great franchise than say I want a championship. You can’t be a great franchise without being a champ. So, we have to be a champ at some point."

Here

It could all just be a lie. False statements to curry favor with the fanbase.

I certainly hope Ressler, as owner, is more akin to Arthur Blank than Liberty Media.

I guess time will tell...

NOTE: I suspect Ressler's media silence is linked to massive Front Office changes coming sooner than later.

NOTE2: By all accounts, Ressler is owner of only about 50% of the team.

NOTE3: Ressler is also responsible for this gem a few weeks back:

Read on Twitter

[simon24]

Yes, patient and thoughtful business owners tend to often have a primary focus, profit...

One should think that if Ressler hasn't granted ANYONE at the AJC an interview since last summer it would seem to indicate how much he regards them

These are good points, all.

I am reminded what Ressler stated on the record to the AJC last summer:

...we have an objective to be a great franchise,” Ressler told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is an exclusive interview. “A great franchise has to win a championship. When I use the term, I think it’s healthier to say we want to be a great franchise than say I want a championship. You can’t be a great franchise without being a champ. So, we have to be a champ at some point."

Here

It could all just be a lie. False statements to curry favor with the fanbase.

I certainly hope Ressler, as owner, is more akin to Arthur Blank than Liberty Media.

I guess time will tell...

NOTE: I suspect Ressler's media silence is linked to massive Front Office changes coming sooner than later.

NOTE2: By all accounts, Ressler is owner of only about 50% of the team.

NOTE3: Ressler is also responsible for this gem a few weeks back:

Read on Twitter

I don't think he cares about winning a championship. I think he sees this as another building project. when he did his interview with Bob, he talked about how they doubled payroll, added Dwight, got the D League, practice facility and arena renovations in.

I think he's just trying to build the team up just to sell it for over a billion unlike how Atlanta Spirit didn't.

[tbhawksfan1]

Yes, patient and thoughtful business owners tend to often have a primary focus, profit...

One should think that if Ressler hasn't granted ANYONE at the AJC an interview since last summer it would seem to indicate how much he regards them

These are good points, all.

I am reminded what Ressler stated on the record to the AJC last summer:

...we have an objective to be a great franchise,” Ressler told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is an exclusive interview. “A great franchise has to win a championship. When I use the term, I think it’s healthier to say we want to be a great franchise than say I want a championship. You can’t be a great franchise without being a champ. So, we have to be a champ at some point."

Here

It could all just be a lie. False statements to curry favor with the fanbase.

I certainly hope Ressler, as owner, is more akin to Arthur Blank than Liberty Media.

I guess time will tell...

NOTE: I suspect Ressler's media silence is linked to massive Front Office changes coming sooner than later.

NOTE2: By all accounts, Ressler is owner of only about 50% of the team.

NOTE3: Ressler is also responsible for this gem a few weeks back:

Read on Twitter

I don't think he cares about winning a championship. I think he sees this as another building project. when he did his interview with Bob, he talked about how they doubled payroll, added Dwight, got the D League, practice facility and arena renovations in.

I think he's just trying to build the team up just to sell it for over a billion unlike how Atlanta Spirit didn't.

The fact that the Hawks have been agressive neither in the short-term nor long-term also indicates this. If you're going to sell in a couple, what do you care?

[tbhawksfan1]

Yes, patient and thoughtful business owners tend to often have a primary focus, profit...

One should think that if Ressler hasn't granted ANYONE at the AJC an interview since last summer it would seem to indicate how much he regards them

These are good points, all.

I am reminded what Ressler stated on the record to the AJC last summer:

...we have an objective to be a great franchise,” Ressler told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is an exclusive interview. “A great franchise has to win a championship. When I use the term, I think it’s healthier to say we want to be a great franchise than say I want a championship. You can’t be a great franchise without being a champ. So, we have to be a champ at some point."

Here

It could all just be a lie. False statements to curry favor with the fanbase.

I certainly hope Ressler, as owner, is more akin to Arthur Blank than Liberty Media.

I guess time will tell...

NOTE: I suspect Ressler's media silence is linked to massive Front Office changes coming sooner than later.

NOTE2: By all accounts, Ressler is owner of only about 50% of the team.

NOTE3: Ressler is also responsible for this gem a few weeks back:

Read on Twitter

Tweet is dated Jan 26 2017. Clearly they made move before the deadline then.....!!!!!?????

[Jamaaliver]

REALGM Dunc'd on Podcast starts with talk about the Atlanta Bball team.

Features detailed scouting and analytics, starting with the Atlanta Hawks through the Detroit Pistons.


They indicate there was strong disagreement between GM Wes Wilcox and Pres of BBall Ops Budenholzer on what approach to take heading into the trade deadline. Mike Bud managed to get final say and keep the squad together based on the streak they hit earlier this year.

Word is Wilcox and other execs were focused more on long term assets instead of the short term.

This is...noteworthy. 7:30 minute mark

[tbhawksfan1]

Bud putting his personal, professional interests before the interests of the Hawks? Exactly why he should be coach; and only coach. A good GM wouldn't have let the team hit this end of season wall