a moral question

[AceyDeucy 0]

I live in Atlanta. I love hockey. Each year I would go to around 8-10 Thrashers games largely on the spur of the moment.The problem is that the Thrashers are own by Atlanta Spirit, LLC. This group also owns the Hawks and Philips Arena. For those of you who have not been following one of the all-time clusterscrews in professional sports, do a quick Google on the Hawks and Joe Johnson. The short version is that the Hawks traded for Joe Johnson from the Suns, sending them two lottery-protected first round picks (one of what was obtained from the Lakers) and Boris Diaw, possibly the worst player ever to get a check from a NBA franchise to do anything on the court besides wear the mascot costume. But then minority owner Steve Belkin, the team's NBA governor, refused to sign off on the trade, because either [according to him] he didn't want to lose the picks or [according to the other partners and the GM] he didn't want to spend the money on Joe Johnson. They have now goen to court, there are injuctions in place and everything else.So I have sworn that Steve Belkin will never carry a dime of my money.But now the Thrashers are going to play. And I want to see it once in a while. What is more important? Standing by my declaration, or feeding my hockey addiction?

[ajs510 122]

I live in Atlanta. I love hockey. Each year I would go to around 8-10 Thrashers games largely on the spur of the moment.The problem is that the Thrashers are own by Atlanta Spirit, LLC. This group also owns the Hawks and Philips Arena. For those of you who have not been following one of the all-time clusterscrews in professional sports, do a quick Google on the Hawks and Joe Johnson.  The short version is that the Hawks traded for Joe Johnson from the Suns, sending them two lottery-protected first round picks (one of what was obtained from the Lakers) and Boris Diaw, possibly the worst player ever to get a check from a NBA franchise to do anything on the court besides wear the mascot costume. But then minority owner Steve Belkin, the team's NBA governor, refused to sign off on the trade, because either [according to him] he didn't want to lose the picks or [according to the other partners and the GM] he didn't want to spend the money on Joe Johnson. They have now goen to court, there are injuctions in place and everything else.So I have sworn that Steve Belkin will never carry a dime of my money.But now the Thrashers are going to play. And I want to see it once in a while.  What is more important? Standing by my declaration, or feeding my hockey addiction?

Hockey teams aren't really all that profitable, so you can look at it as putting food on the players table rather than in the pocket of a billionaire. There aren't enough morals in the world to keep me away from an NHL game.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Go watch the Thrashers and boycott basketball.

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

I would normally say boycott, but I don't think hockey in Atlanta is in a position to survive a massive boycott. You need to go for the love of hockey.

[AceyDeucy 0]

I would normally say boycott, but I don't think hockey in Atlanta is in a position to survive a massive boycott. You need to go for the love of hockey.

The Thrashers were especially hurt by the lockout, since they had been slowly building a real fan base. Kovalchuk, Heatly, and Savard were turning into a something genuinely entertaining. The All-star game was going to hit us at the perfect time, too.Dammit, why does hockey have to be such a great game? This would be so much easier if it was a sport like football that works slightly better on TV. Hockey you just have to see live, though.I guess I'll be going then. I hope they force Belkin out soon. That will make it easier.

[digitalmonkey 929]

Question: Does this Belkin have anything to do with the Belkin computer accessories?

[AceyDeucy 0]

Question:  Does this Belkin have anything to do with the Belkin computer accessories?

He founded the Trans National Group, a direct mail marketing company. You can thank him for some the junk mail you get.

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

He founded the Trans National Group, a direct mail marketing company. You can thank him for some the junk mail you get.

Sounds like a swell guy.

[strategy 4]

I wouldn't miss watching the Heatley/Savard/Kovalchuk line for anything. I'm thinking within a few years they'll be 1-2 in the league in points. You're lucky to be able to see them in person a couple times a year, you know.

[aadams_22 3]

I would normally say boycott, but I don't think hockey in Atlanta is in a position to survive a massive boycott. You need to go for the love of hockey.

They have already lost the Flames to Calgary, they don't need to lose a second team to some other city.

[AceyDeucy 0]

David Stern is backing the other eight owners to remove Belkin as NBA governor, which is the first step to getting rid of him. That would make things much easier. Of course, David McDavid, who had tried to buy the team earlier, is now suing AOLTimeWarner for reneging on him. Man, that would have been simpler than this mess...Actually, speaking of Heater's line, I wonder if they will put Holik with them or break them up as a Healty/Holik and Kovalchuk/Savard pairings, adding Kozlov and Mellanby to each line, respectively. Plus, I am real excited to see Kari Lethonen between the pipes.

[strategy 4]

Actually, speaking of Heater's line, I wonder if they will put Holik with them or break them up as a Healty/Holik and Kovalchuk/Savard pairings,  adding Kozlov and Mellanby to each line, respectively.

Yuck. That would be some kind of crime. Mellanby is too old to be playing; last year proved that. Holik and his $4M contract is second line material.

[AceyDeucy 0]

I viewed Mellanby signing as the Thrashers annual Trade-a-Captain move, anyway, but I think someone who can't keep up with Kovalchuk would be a good thing for when the return rush starts after his breakaway.I think Shawn McEachern was the only team Captain to finish the year as such. Every other captain in Thrashers history was traded the year they made him captain.02-04 - McEachern (now departed)01-02 - Staios (traded)00-01 - Ferraro (traded)09-00 - Buchberger (traded)

[digitalmonkey 929]

Holik will most likely play with Kovalchuk. Holik's defensive prowess will more than compensate for Kovalchuk's defensive shortcomings!

[WestcoastCanuck 0]

I don't like Holik as a first liner, but he certainly wouldn't stick out that much. Mellanby can still contribute in a Linden/Andrechuck kind of way, I think.

[serge 904]

I live in Atlanta. I love hockey. Each year I would go to around 8-10 Thrashers games largely on the spur of the moment.The problem is that the Thrashers are own by Atlanta Spirit, LLC. This group also owns the Hawks and Philips Arena. For those of you who have not been following one of the all-time clusterscrews in professional sports, do a quick Google on the Hawks and Joe Johnson. The short version is that the Hawks traded for Joe Johnson from the Suns, sending them two lottery-protected first round picks (one of what was obtained from the Lakers) and Boris Diaw, possibly the worst player ever to get a check from a NBA franchise to do anything on the court besides wear the mascot costume. But then minority owner Steve Belkin, the team's NBA governor, refused to sign off on the trade, because either [according to him] he didn't want to lose the picks or [according to the other partners and the GM] he didn't want to spend the money on Joe Johnson. They have now goen to court, there are injuctions in place and everything else.So I have sworn that Steve Belkin will never carry a dime of my money.But now the Thrashers are going to play. And I want to see it once in a while. What is more important? Standing by my declaration, or feeding my hockey addiction?

 

Hope you are happy my friend..You single handedly caused the Thrashers to move to Winnipeg