863: 286: Offseason “Title Defense” (Seeking Monthly Ticket!)_3 863: 286: Offseason “Title Defense” (Seeking Monthly Ticket!)_3 Even though Arenas said some immature things during the interview, even though Arenas had knee injuries in college, the Hawks still valued him, which shows he does have potential.
Just like that, the Hawks could only select Mehmet Okur, who can’t immediately join the NBA, at the end of the first round.
The second-round draft pick was simply sold directly for cash.
The 2001 draft was almost fruitless for the Hawks, but that’s okay because for championship teams, the NBA draft has never been the focus.
What’s more, the Hawks have been successfully drafting continuously for several years, from Pierce to Marion to Michael Reed, all excellent picks.
Can’t have the best players picked by the Hawks every year.
Compared to the draft, Roger was more concerned about the outcome of another matter.
The day after the NBA draft ended, the League officially announced that Steve Belkin would lose his management rights, and his shares would be acquired by the remaining shareholders.
From now on, he has no relation to the Atlanta Hawks.
This is the second shareholder change for the Hawks in a year.
Last summer, Ted Turner had just sold the team, and this summer Steve Belkin sold his shares again.
On the night the result was announced, Bruce Levenson and Michael Gillen had dinner.
After Steve Belkin’s exit, Michael Gillen became the second-largest shareholder of the team, and he and Bruce Levenson grew closer.
Levenson already knew Michael Gillen was a fence-sitter.
Regarding the renewal of Big Ben, it was his sudden change of mind that caused the vote to fail.
Why did he suddenly switch sides?
Maybe it was for more team shares.
Now the Hawks are the most profitable team in the League, the more shares you have, the more you earn, who wouldn’t want to make money?
This is the business arena, as brutal as the competitive arena.
Michael Gillen is Ted Turner’s close friend, but just because of this, thinking he would fully support Roger is truly foolish.
Bruce Levenson was very pleased.
“Now we’ll let Roger know who really controls the team!
However, we do need to renew Ben Wallace, after all, Roger signed a 2+1 contract last year.
Damn it, these damn bastards know how to play the team.
If we don’t meet some of his demands, he’ll opt-out when his contract ends this year.
But we shouldn’t give Ben Wallace too long of a contract duration, just stabilize Roger’s mood.
As for the upcoming Paul Pierce and Shawn Marion, I think Roger doesn’t have the qualification to make demands.
After all, we’ve satisfied him once already, haven’t we?”
Michael Gillen smiled and nodded in response, but Levenson didn’t notice the greed in Michael Gillen’s smile.
Yes, Michael Gillen is a profit-driven person.
He has successfully moved from the third-largest shareholder to the second-largest, so next, naturally, it’s from second to first!
In fact, this cunning fellow had been preparing for this long ago.
Roger looked at the news and felt very tired.
So, will Big Ben’s contract renewal still go smoothly?
He was really fed up with this chaotic shareholder team, truly fed up.
The Atlanta Hawks are willing to offer Ben Wallace a three-year max contract, but the Detroit Pistons have extended it to six years.
We still don’t know what choice Ben Wallace will make.
— “Atlanta Journal-Constitution”.
Michael Gillen officially became the second-largest shareholder of the Hawks, stating that serving Roger is his first principle in managing the team.
— “Sports Illustrated”.
Bruce Bowen decided to stay with the Atlanta Hawks, but people still don’t know Ben Wallace’s decision.
The championship puzzle might still have the first gap appear.