Bruce Levenson Talks Danny Ferry, Long Term Development

(From SB Nation Atlanta - Kris Willis) Atlanta Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson recently held a media question and answer session regarding the hiring of Danny Ferry as the team's new President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. According to Levenson the team had been pursuing Ferry for several months and the team is interested in putting a long range plan in place to ensure future success. Ferry no doubt had heard stories regarding the Atlanta Spirit Group and according to Levenson raised those concerns with the group.

Levenson also said that Ferry grilled ownership on their commitment and reportedly wants improvements in facilities, analytics and in player development.

"Above everything else, he was concerned would ownership make the commitment that needs to be made to create the enduring championship organization that he only wants to be a part of. He had a laundry list of things that he wanted to talk about, some of which I spoke of up there, others I'm not going to get into. There is literally a laundry list of things that he was not come here if we didn't agree to that."

"Analytitcs. There is a new wave of analytics sweeping over us. There is new investments in sports medicine and sports science that need to be made. There's a whole litany that can be done from a player-development standpoint, such as an affiliation with a D-League team. These are just some of the things that we have talked about and he has shown me why they are all important, why they are all part of building something enduring here."

Levenson went on to say that Ferry asked for "complete control of basketball operations and decisions" and ownership granted that request.

This is all music to many a Hawks fans ears but don't blame them if they hold off on rejoicing until they see some results.