Spirit Group LLC blows another one!

The Spirit Group LLC who owns the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena has just gotten another slap in the face! They have let another big time player get away but this time they got nothing in return. Earilier this year they were forced to trade Marian Hossa (and Pascal Dupuis) from the Thrashers to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but at least in that deal they were able to get two decent players and a top prospect. They were forced to make the trade because Hossa refused to sign a deal to stay in Atlanta. Even though it was more than a fair deal. Well the same thing just happened on the Hawks side. Josh Childress, who was a restricted free agent, signed today with a team in Greece. The deal is a reported 3 years and 20 million plus. He signed this deal after the Hawks offered him a 5 year deal for almost 6 million a year plus incentives that would total over 33 million. Since he was a restricted free agent, the Hawks would have the opportunity to match or beat any other NBA teams offer. But since he signed with a European team, the Hawks get nothing in return and it is a total loss. The deal that Childress signed with the Olympiakos of Greece is the most lucrative current contract in European basketball and the biggest in Euroleague history. That is not bad for a guy that didn’t even start! Granted, he was one of the best 6th man in the league and will be missed. But this move shows how screwed up the ownership for the Hawks really is. It is a total slap in the face! When a guy would rather go over seas and play instead of stay in the best basketball league on the planet, says something about how he sees the organization. Josh Childress was going to be an important part of the resurgence of the Hawks as will Josh Smith. I just hope the Hawks don’t let the other Josh get away too! The Spirit Group needs to get their crap together and turn the organization around in a hurry!
I am going to miss his play, but I think I am going to miss his old school afro the most!

Nice job Spirit Group LLC!