In Atlanta, Jeff Schultz reported the situation surrounding Hawks GM Danny Ferry "is likely nearly a resolution." There has been a "belief within the Hawks’ organization for several months" that Ferry "is not going to be brought back." The thinking is that coach Mike Budenholzer and Assistant GM Wes Wilcox "likely will be at the top of the basketball operations department, at least for the next year." This "isn’t about whether you believe Ferry has served his penance." It is "about the belief within the Hawks’ organization that they now have a successful and stable structure in place and they can operate fine without him" (AJC.com, 6/5).
PAY THAT MAN: In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde wrote under the header, "Micky Arison Needs To Pay Dwyane Wade For Past Sacrifices." Hyde: "How much is he willing to sacrifice so [Heat President Pat Riley] can keep thinking bigger than anyone in basketball and so Wade gets repaid for sacrificing more than anyone in his franchise?" Wade has "sacrificed money and ego for years." Hyde: "Does the owner do so now, too?" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 6/7).
VOCAL MINORITY? In Orlando, Mike Bianchi wrote the manner in which fans have "embraced soccer in Orlando City's inaugural MLS season is one of the most amazing and exhilarating stories in Central Florida sports history, so let's not allow a few drunken idiots and insensitive louts to ruin this incredible narrative for everybody." The "rowdy fan-supporter groups known as the Iron Lion Firm and The Ruckus are continuing to use the word 'retarded' in chants and songs to cheer on their team." Bianchi: "Just get rid of the offending cheer altogether" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/6).
