Pete Babcock stood before the throng of Atlanta media after being fired Wednesday and did what he had so often during his 13 year tenure with the Hawks.

He apologized.

Clearly shaken by his dismissal, one which he said he expected, Babcock began his final oration to the media like a lawyer making his final case to a jury.

Babcock recapped in 25 minutes a career that had its successes and failures, starting with his taking over the team as Mike Fratello was packing his bags and ending with this years disappointing bunch, as he helped Lon Kruger pack his bags.