Cold As Ice: The Tony Winter Story
Monday, October 7th, 2012
"Mr. Levenson, Sir, Anthony Winter is here for his interview."
"Good, send him in"
She left the room and went out to the waiting area to meet me "Hello Anthony, He is ready to see you now"
"Ok," He takes a deep breath, he always found it hard to talk to her, she was, distracting, and very attractive. "He's right through that door right?"
"Yes"
"OK, and you can call me Tony if you would like Ms. Hopkins"
"Fine Tony, but now is not the time to exchange pleasantries, you have an interview"
"I know"
I walked through the double doors into a huge office with a viewing area overlooking the city. At his desk sat Bruve Levenson, Co-Owner of the Hawks
"Hello Mr. Levenson. I'm Anthony--"
"I know who you are Mr. Winter"
"Ok"
There was a short pause.
"Mr. Winter, or would you prefer Anthony?"
"I go by Tony, sir."
"Alright then. Tony, You are here to interview for the GM position for My hawks franchise, and looking at your qualifications, I must say I am impresed for someone who is so young"
"Thank you Sir."
"You can call me Bruce"
"Ok, Bruce"
"Well now that we have exchanged pleasantries, shall we get to business"
"Yes si--Bruce"
"Well I believe in you Tony, I like your qualifications but I have questions for how you wish to run this team"
"I'm ready"
"It is no secret that Josh Smith is an immensely talented player who would be a great asset to any team. But, he has been unhappy here and wee have tried to get a deal done to move him before but all of them have fallen through. What is your opinion, how will you handle Josh Smith and his situation with the team?"
"The first thing I planned to pertaining to Smith is to meet with him personally about what can be done and how he is doing on the team. Then if I decide his attitude is a detriment to the team I will shop him for another big to pair with Horford and a wing player. If he can live with being here and I can deal with his attitude then I will look for other ways to compensate him."
"good answer. Next Question, what are your plans for Lou Williams, who is talented but not really a fit as a starter, at least not here with Teague running the point, how will you play him, will you bring in a starter and make him our 6th man, or will you let him play out the season and look for a free agent or a draft prospect?"
"I believe I will let this season play out, but look to replace him ASAP after this year."
The interview continued for another hour, then it concluded
"Well, that was a good interview Tony, I believe you are the next GM, at least on an interim basis, of the Atlanta Hawks."
"Great!" I beamed. I was so excited, "When do I start?"
"Now"
"oh, ok then"
"LeAnna will show you to your office, she is your secretary now."
"Excellent."
I left his office and turned to LeAnna, "I got the job"
"You did? Great! I will show you to your office."
"Ok"
We walked to the elevator and went down a floor, she brought me to my office. It was wonderful, It was big, had a good view, noice desk, plenty of room to comfortably handle my business.
"Here we are Tony. What do you think?
"What do I think? I think its perfect!"
"Great. If you need anything, I will be right outside, I'm gonna go get you some
office supplies, there should be a list of instruction on your desk as to what needs to be accomplished, how you do this is up to you though."
"Sounds good. When will you be back?"
"Shortly"
She left me to myself. I waled over to the desk and read the instructions
The list continued on but those were the three I would prioritize first.
LeAnna returned with supplies.
"thank you. Would you like to get coffee tomorrow to discuss what I want done while I still hold the office of GM?"
"Its fine with me as long you understand that our relationship is only professional ok?"
"Of course"
Well, for now, of course, I thought.
"ok, where and when?"
"Well there is a coffee shop down by my apartment on 12th street. And i was thinking 9:30"
"Sounds good"
We said our goodbyes, and she left again.
Which was fine. I had some work to do.