Ambassador Young says Ferry should return to Hawks
By:Chris Vivlamore The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
7:16 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015 | Filed in: Hawks
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketbal...wks/nkC7T/

Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young does not believe Danny Ferry is a racist and that he should return to his job as Hawks general manager.

Young, the civil rights leader, pastor, former Georgia congressman and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, said if he were running the Hawks, Ferry, the team’s embattled general manager, would have never left the organization.

“Hell, no,” Young said when asked whether Ferry should lose his job. “We’ve got a good team, we’ve got a good general manager. We just need to get a unified ownership and I hope that ownership is grounded in Atlanta.”


Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry has been on indefinite leave of absence since September. HYOSUB SHIN / [email protected]

Young made his remarks in an interview with Channel 2 Action News on Tuesday.

Ferry is on an indefinite leave of absence after making racially insensitive comments about free agent Luol Deng during a conference call with ownership and management in June.

Those remarks sparked an internal investigation that discovered an email sent by team controlling owner Bruce Levenson that contained racist comments about, in part, the makeup of the Hawks fan base and game operations. Levenson subsequently announced his intention to sell his interest in the team in September, the offseason controversy rocking the franchise.

Days later, Ferry took the leave. Last month, all Hawks ownership groups agreed to sell their shares in the team and Philips Arena. The sales process is ongoing.

Young was asked what he would say to those unwilling to forgive Ferry and who do not wish to see him return to his old job.

“The Bible says if you can’t forgive, there is something about you that you can’t forgive,” Young said. “And because there is something about you that you can’t forgive, that’s going to make it difficult for you to receive the grace and mercy of God. So in order to get God’s grace and mercy, you’ve got to be willing to give it.”

Young said he is speaking out at the urging of friends who believe Ferry is “getting a bad deal.” Young said Wayne Embry, the first African-American general manager in the NBA, was one of the people who has spoken with him.

The Hawks return from the NBA All-Star break Friday with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 43-11. They had a franchise record 19-game win streak. Four Hawks players and the entire coaching staff were a part of the All-Star weekend in New York City. The city and state have embraced the Hawks for their on-court success as one of the best stories in the NBA this season.

While Ferry has declined public comment since taking his leave of absence, Young said he has spoken to Ferry several times since the controversy.

“We talk about his family and the fact his family loves Atlanta and how they’ve moved around all the time and his kids are now teenagers and they want to stay in Atlanta and I can’t blame them,” Young said. “This is the best place in the world to raise a child and I think whatever he did or did not do, a good ownership team would keep him, listen to him and work with him.

“Danny Ferry is too talented a guy and his life is basketball. He’s going to be general manager somewhere. I hope it’s Atlanta.”

Hawks beat Hornets 104-80 for first 60-win season in Franchise history.

It will be interesting to see if they can get past the second round in the playoffs, something they have never done in all their years in Atlanta. Their off-court issues do not help, as two players were recently involved in a nightclub stabbing. I want to root harder for pro players, but this is the kind of thing that gives me pause in all sports. Hey, I'm not perfect, but I've never been involved in a stabbing at a nightclub (or anywhere else.) Oh, well, hope the hawks can recover and go far in the playoffs this time.

saw this gem on a story on NBA on Yahoo and had to laugh:

"The Wolves maintained their status as the West’s worst team, left to wonder how things would have gone had former Minnesota general manager David Kahn not passed on selecting Curry two different times in the 2009 draft:

After every game against the Wolves, I hope Steph Curry calls David Kahn's cell phone and laughs maniacally then hangs up
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) April 12, 2015"

NBA Playoff Picture Update: The Western Conference ties one on

(04-10-2015 10:55 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Hawks beat Hornets 104-80 for first 60-win season in Franchise history.

It will be interesting to see if they can get past the second round in the playoffs, something they have never done in all their years in Atlanta. Their off-court issues do not help, as two players were recently involved in a nightclub stabbing. I want to root harder for pro players, but this is the kind of thing that gives me pause in all sports. Hey, I'm not perfect, but I've never been involved in a stabbing at a nightclub (or anywhere else.) Oh, well, hope the hawks can recover and go far in the playoffs this time.

Right now the Hawks are slated to play the Nets in the first round. I'd be had to lose that series. They should end up playing the Bulls in the next round and I'm just not sure Rose will be available to make much of a difference in that series. Atlanta should make it to the ECF where they'll lose to the Cavs 4-2. The additions of JR Smith, Shumpert and Mosgov will prove to be too much for the Hawks, especially now that Shefolosa is out. But I'd consider that a successful season.

(04-13-2015 01:41 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(04-10-2015 10:55 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Hawks beat Hornets 104-80 for first 60-win season in Franchise history.

It will be interesting to see if they can get past the second round in the playoffs, something they have never done in all their years in Atlanta. Their off-court issues do not help, as two players were recently involved in a nightclub stabbing. I want to root harder for pro players, but this is the kind of thing that gives me pause in all sports. Hey, I'm not perfect, but I've never been involved in a stabbing at a nightclub (or anywhere else.) Oh, well, hope the hawks can recover and go far in the playoffs this time.

Right now the Hawks are slated to play the Nets in the first round. I'd be had to lose that series. They should end up playing the Bulls in the next round and I'm just not sure Rose will be available to make much of a difference in that series. Atlanta should make it to the ECF where they'll lose to the Cavs 4-2. The additions of JR Smith, Shumpert and Mosgov will prove to be too much for the Hawks, especially now that Shefolosa is out. But I'd consider that a successful season.

Atlanta easily could see Indiana in the 1st round. Brooklyn has Chicago and Orlando left. Indiana has Washington and Memphis left. The only plus for Brooklyn with Chicago is they may tank not to see Cleveland in rd 2. I don't think Washington has anything to play for right now- so they may rest some guys last 2 games. The question may come down to Memphis.

I think oh about 7 of 7 teams in the east are rooting like heck for Brooklyn right now over Indiana.

(04-13-2015 01:41 PM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(04-10-2015 10:55 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Hawks beat Hornets 104-80 for first 60-win season in Franchise history.

It will be interesting to see if they can get past the second round in the playoffs, something they have never done in all their years in Atlanta. Their off-court issues do not help, as two players were recently involved in a nightclub stabbing. I want to root harder for pro players, but this is the kind of thing that gives me pause in all sports. Hey, I'm not perfect, but I've never been involved in a stabbing at a nightclub (or anywhere else.) Oh, well, hope the hawks can recover and go far in the playoffs this time.

Right now the Hawks are slated to play the Nets in the first round. I'd be had to lose that series. They should end up playing the Bulls in the next round and I'm just not sure Rose will be available to make much of a difference in that series. Atlanta should make it to the ECF where they'll lose to the Cavs 4-2. The additions of JR Smith, Shumpert and Mosgov will prove to be too much for the Hawks, especially now that Shefolosa is out. But I'd consider that a successful season.

A lot of people thought the Bulls would cruise to an easy victory against the Wizards last season in the 4/5 match up....hmmm.

I hope the bulls stay at 4 and avoid the cavs til the ecf. While the wizards won last year this years bulls team is a lot different. gasol, mirotic, and rose are all playing this year.

(04-13-2015 03:53 PM)nbcards Wrote:  I hope the bulls stay at 4 and avoid the cavs til the ecf. While the wizards won last year this years bulls team is a lot different. gasol, mirotic, and rose are all playing this year.

Rose...can he handle playing 40 minutes in playoff games? Maybe once or twice, but likely not for two or three series.

I actually do think the Bulls will beat the Wizards this year though.

(04-13-2015 03:57 PM)All Dukes_All Day Wrote:  

(04-13-2015 03:53 PM)nbcards Wrote:  I hope the bulls stay at 4 and avoid the cavs til the ecf. While the wizards won last year this years bulls team is a lot different. gasol, mirotic, and rose are all playing this year.

Rose...can he handle playing 40 minutes in playoff games? Maybe once or twice, but likely not for two or three series.

I actually do think the Bulls will beat the Wizards this year though.

I don't think the Bulls will ask him to play 40 minutes a game. Jimmy might play 42-45 minutes a game but I think rose they will keep around 30-32 and rely on Brooks and Hinrich to fill in.

(04-13-2015 06:24 PM)nbcards Wrote:  

(04-13-2015 03:57 PM)All Dukes_All Day Wrote:  

(04-13-2015 03:53 PM)nbcards Wrote:  I hope the bulls stay at 4 and avoid the cavs til the ecf. While the wizards won last year this years bulls team is a lot different. gasol, mirotic, and rose are all playing this year.

Rose...can he handle playing 40 minutes in playoff games? Maybe once or twice, but likely not for two or three series.

I actually do think the Bulls will beat the Wizards this year though.

I don't think the Bulls will ask him to play 40 minutes a game. Jimmy might play 42-45 minutes a game but I think rose they will keep around 30-32 and rely on Brooks and Hinrich to fill in.

I could see Rose putting in those type of minutes in round 1. But if that series goes 6 will he be able to maintain that clip? In theory he could with the rest schedule the playoff have, but Derrick only has one speed and no clutch.

So Indiana controls their own destiny now- beat Washington and Memphis- or win 1 and Brooklyn loses to the Magic- and the Pacers in the playoffs as the 8 seed playing the Hawks.

saw something pretty funny- they were like should the Celtics tank this last game to avoid playing Cleveland 1st round of the playoffs and getting the Hawks instead.

Just amazing the job Stevens has done 2nd half of this year. don't think he's going back to college any time in the near future.

Does anyone want to be in Atlanta/

Flames and Thrashers have bolted.

Hawks up for grabs.

Braves moving to a different locale in the area...

What's the deal?

(04-14-2015 04:43 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  Does anyone want to be in Atlanta/

Flames and Thrashers have bolted.

Hawks up for grabs.

Braves moving to a different locale in the area...

What's the deal?

It's a traffic nightmare with a lot of transplants who prefer college sports in a region with no real city center. I mean, there is a downtown but it's mostly just offices, stadiums and tourist attractions.

(04-14-2015 04:43 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  Does anyone want to be in Atlanta/

Flames and Thrashers have bolted.

Hawks up for grabs.

Braves moving to a different locale in the area...

What's the deal?

It's my contention that hockey would have worked if they had moved the Thrashers to where the Braves are going. The Atlanta metro is about 50/50 black to white with the more affluent part of town being up north. Not that many black people go see hockey and not the many whites wanted to go downtown to see a game.

Both the Hawks and the Thrashers are/were owned by a terrible collection of people who simply see the franchise as an investment. If the Hawks get sold, they won't move from Phillips Arena.

The Braves have spent 50 years in an area where gentrification hasn't taken hold. They actually would have liked to stay but weren't getting any help from the city in creating an entertainment district around Turner Field. Liberty Media owns the team and have a $100 million dollar spend limit per season. Which is why the Braves want to augment that with money from a live/work/play development. Cobb County, which has always thought of itself as in competition with Atlanta, gave the Braves the farm when talks broken down regarding staying at Turner Field.

(04-15-2015 10:49 AM)vandiver49 Wrote:  

(04-14-2015 04:43 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  Does anyone want to be in Atlanta/

Flames and Thrashers have bolted.

Hawks up for grabs.

Braves moving to a different locale in the area...

What's the deal?

It's my contention that hockey would have worked if they had moved the Thrashers to where the Braves are going. The Atlanta metro is about 50/50 black to white with the more affluent part of town being up north. Not that many black people go see hockey and not the many whites wanted to go downtown to see a game.

Both the Hawks and the Thrashers are/were owned by a terrible collection of people who simply see the franchise as an investment. If the Hawks get sold, they won't move from Phillips Arena.

The Braves have spent 50 years in an area where gentrification hasn't taken hold. They actually would have liked to stay but weren't getting any help from the city in creating an entertainment district around Turner Field. Liberty Media owns the team and have a $100 million dollar spend limit per season. Which is why the Braves want to augment that with money from a live/work/play development. Cobb County, which has always thought of itself as in competition with Atlanta, gave the Braves the farm when talks broken down regarding staying at Turner Field.

If by "anybody" you mean the 6.5 million people in the metro, then yeah, some do.

City of Atlanta admin basically told the Braves mgt: "You have to sign a new deal with us on our terms--you basically don't have any options to move anywhere else. Braves brass took that as a dare and went out and made something happen; proved the city of Atlanta leaders wrong. Irony is, if the GA State deal to buy the stadium and surrounding area goes through, it will be just the thing needed to inject new life and young people (students, new residents, retail, parks etc...) into the area that has been a virtual wasteland for 50 years. In a way everybody wins with the Braves move.

playoffs are set.....
Saturday-
12:30 5 Washington @ 4 Toronto ESPN
3:30 8 New Orleans @ 1 Golden St ABC
7:00 6 Milwaukee @ 3 Chicago ESPN
9:30 7 Dallas @ 2 Houston ESPN

Sunday-
3:00 7 Boston @ 2 Cleveland ABC
5:30 8 Brooklyn @ 1 Atlanta TNT
8:00 4 Portland @ 5 Memphis TNT(Memphis with better record gets home court)
10:30 6 San Antonio @ 3 LA Clippers TNT

Great to see Boston in the playoffs. Think it's going to be a real fast one though...

my thoughts-
east-
Atlanta, Toronto, Cleveland, Chicago 1st rd, Atlanta/Cleveland in conference final- Cleveland in 6
west-
Golden St, Memphis, Houston, San Antonio 1st rd, Golden St/San Antonio in Conference final- Golden St in 7
Cleveland over Golden St in 6

Predictions:

Atlanta over Brooklyn in 5
Cleveland over Boston in 4
Chicago over Milwaukee in 5
Toronto over Washington in 6

Golden State over New Orleans in 5
Houston over Dallas in 6
San Antonio over LA Clippers in 7
Memphis over Portland in 5

Atlanta over Toronto in 6
Chicago over Cleveland in 7 (As a Bulls fan I have to pick Chicago)

Golden State over Memphis in 6
San Antonio over Houston in 7

Chicago over Atlanta in 7
Golden State over San Antonio in 6

Golden State over Chicago in 6

I got ATL over BKN in 5
CHI over MIL in 6
CLE over BOS in 6
TOR over WAS in 7 in a pyrric victory for Toronto as this likely means Dwayne Casey stays another season.
GS over NO in 5
MEM over POR in 7
SAS over LAC in 6
DAL over HOU in 7

ATL over TOR in 6
CLE over CHI in 6 -Rose gets hurt in this series
GS over MEM in 5
SAS over DAL in 6

CLE over ATL in 6
GS over SAS in 7

GS over CLE in 6

(04-16-2015 08:37 AM)nbcards Wrote:  Predictions:

Atlanta over Brooklyn in 5
Cleveland over Boston in 4
Chicago over Milwaukee in 5
Toronto over Washington in 6

Golden State over New Orleans in 5
Houston over Dallas in 6
San Antonio over LA Clippers in 7
Memphis over Portland in 5

Atlanta over Toronto in 6
Chicago over Cleveland in 7 (As a Bulls fan I have to pick Chicago)

Golden State over Memphis in 6
San Antonio over Houston in 7

Chicago over Atlanta in 7
Golden State over San Antonio in 6

Golden State over Chicago in 6

I like how you had to pick chicago over cleveland, but couldn't suspend reality enough to pick em against GS.