macd-gm wrote:You folks are just wrong.
Ressler lied publicly to protect his employees. The truth emerged over time, though:
David Aldridge wrote:Atlanta Hawks trying to rise above recent bout of franchise discord
After a banner 2014-15 season, franchise has suffered from muddled direction on and off court
The Hawks’ first-round loss to the Washington Wizards continued a disturbing trend line south for the franchise. And the team’s dysfunction was made plain this week when Budenholzer gave up his title of President of Basketball Operations, while GM Wes Wilcox was reassigned within the organization.
Translation from ownerspeak: Budenholzer had too much on his plate, and Wilcox wasn’t getting things done to my satisfaction.
It was a poorly kept secret in league circles that Budenholzer and Wilcox weren’t seeing eye to eye on the direction of the team. It seems it was more philosophical than personal. But because of their differences, the Hawks couldn’t seem to commit to a direction over the last year and a half.
Barely .500 at Christmas, Atlanta then looked like it would start rebuilding in full...But after hemming and hawing, the Hawks took Millsap off the trading block, a move that reflected the divisions between Budenholzer and Wilcox.
NBA.comSources said Wilcox wanted to move Millsap and go all-in on the rebuild, focusing on the team’s young talent like Schroeder, Hardaway and rookies Taurean Prince and DeAndre’ Bembry. But Budenholzer, who had the final say on personnel moves, and who had approved the trade of Teague to Indiana last summer, nixed any more potential deals.
“It was kind of a Game of Thrones kind of thing,” said one observer who is familiar with the parties.