All the right moves
The Hawks will have Mike Woodson back to start another season in the fall.
HAWKSVILLE - Hawks coach Mike Woodson is not going anywhere.
Hawks general manager Rick Sund made that clear on at least three different occasions Tuesday, on two different sports talk radio shows in the morning and later to me in his office.
Not that it was an issue or anything (laugh track goes here).
Woodson has one year remaining on his contract and Sund, while not confirming or denying any details pertaining to said contract, insisted that the Hawks would indeed “honor Woodson’s contract.”
(Last summer there was a legitimate question about Woodson’s future since his contract had expired. But when a coach signs a two-year deal, wins 47 games, a top four seed, and guides his team to the Eastern Conference semifinals in the first, questions about his job security, no matter what any of us here think of his performance, don’t register with the folks in charge of hiring and firing).
Read into that what you will. But it should be noted that several times throughout the nearly 60 minutes we spent talking, Sund praised Woodson and his staff numerous times for the job they did this season.
Sund’s making all the right moves leading up to the July 1 free agent frenzy. He hasn’t closed the door on anything (more below) and hasn’t thrown anyone or anything under the bus heading into the draft and what looks like it might be yet another long summer for the Hawks.
Those of you interested in continuing the debate about Woodson’s future are welcome to do so, but anyone else interested in moving off that topic and onto a few others, the rest of this blog is for you:
AFTER ALL, IT IS DRAFT LOTTERY NIGHT around the rest of the NBA.
And after years of being a major player in the lottery, the Hawks are on the outside looking in for the second straight year (which is a good thing if you’ve also made the playoffs for the second straight year).
Blake Griffin knows that all the ping pong balls in the lottery are pointing toward him as the No. 1 pick!
The Blake Griffin sweepstakes (win at your own peril) are almost over for those lonely teams like Sacramento, Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers – the three teams with best statistical odds of snagging the top pick in what doesn’t have the makings of anything other than a mediocre (at best) draft.
There’s no doubt Griffin is the big prize. But outside of the Oklahoma superstar power forward (and Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet, Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio and Smyrna native and Arizona star big man Jordan Hill), there’s a consensus that teams will do a whole lot of reaching for impact players in this draft.
“This is basically a two-man draft and Rubio,” a wise Eastern Conference executive told me today. “It’s Griffin and Thabeet and you have to figure out where Rubio fits in there, too.”
So where does that leave a team like the Hawks with the 19th pick (in a draft that is already light on big men and point guards)?
Basically in limbo.
Because if they hold on to their pick and wait and see what shakes out of the lottery and down into their hands, the best they can hope for is the proposition of choosing between the best player available and and someone who strictly fills a need (as opposed to an elite talent at a position that fills a need).
That’s if they hold on to the pick and don’t package it with another asset and move them for something they need more than a rookie swingman (again, you have to figure the best point guards and big men will be gone by 19) or project at another position.
“What they’ve got to do is find a player at 19 that makes the coaching staff play him every night,” that wise Eastern Conference exec told me.
I couldn’t agree more.
The last three players chosen at 19 in the draft:
Cleveland (and Marietta’s own) J.J. Hickson in 2008, Washington and (Atlanta’s own) Javaris Crittenton in 2007 and Toronto’s Quincy Douby in 2006.
Not one of them started a single game during his rookie season.
So if we go on recent history alone, the chances of the Hawks finding anything more than a rotation player at 19 are pretty slim. And in a weak draft, even that might be a stretch.
THAT’S WHY I CAN’T IMAGINE THE HAWKS ARE BANKING ON THEIR DRAFT PICK MAKING – OR BREAKING – THEIR SUMMER, as has been the case in years past.
You can’t with that sort of empirical data as your guide.
Besides, the Hawks have far more pressing issues in free agency, where they’ll have to deal with what Sund referred to as “moving pieces.”
The Hawks have more of those free agent pieces – Mike Bibby, Zaza Pachulia, Flip Murray, Solomon Jones and Marvin Williams (the only one of the bunch that’s restricted, as is Josh Childress, whose rights the Hawks still retain while he is living and working in Greece) – than any team likes.
A big summer for the Hawks could get even bigger if Josh Childress finds his way home from Greece! The Hawks still hold his rights while he's living and working overseas.
Tough choices will have to be made. And anyone not invested for the long run (don’t expect this process to be resolved quickly) is probably in for a tough summer.
I don’t suspect that Sund will be rushed into any deals. What with the tightening of belts all around the league, teams won’t be so quick to spend as freely as they have been in the past.
The free agent marketplace is sure to be constipated, just like all the other markets have been since the global recession began (no, the NBA is not immune).
That might actually work out well for the Hawks, if their quest is to keep the core of this season’s roster together as best they can. And from all indications, that’s exactly what their aim is this summer.
IN TODAY’S FINALE ODE TO THE NBA SUMMER, it seemed only fitting that I pass along yet another pertinent link to a home run story from my main man Steve Aschburner of si.com.
For all the bellyaching folks do about coaches and players (and officials, and beat writers and just about everything else), you at least know when you’ve got a good or a bad one.
But as the elder statesman points out, a good GM is really hard to find.
Here’s a taste:
“Hiring an NBA coach is like hiring a tax accountant: By the middle of April each year, you know exactly where you stand. Hiring an NBA general manager is more like hiring a financial advisor: He takes control of your entire portfolio, makes decisions for some distant horizon and assures you during the bumpy times that the plan is sound, that time and patience are your friends and, by the way, that past performance is no guarantee of future results.
And every once in a while, a franchise ends up flipping its keys to the basketball equivalent of Bernie Madoff.”
Make sure you read the rest!
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484 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
May 21st, 2009
11:29 pm
O’Brien,
I still think the extension thing would be premature. Improving every year when you have nowhere to go but up isn’t the same as being able to maintain a winning product. And if Woody is going to run his starters into the ground because of it, then he misses the point. Is running his starters into the ground REALLY going to help him retain his job?
I don’t see how. They’ll break down all the quicker. And Woody will be found guilty of under-developing his bench…again. And if he does that, I think he makes the case against himself…all by himself.
Melvin
May 21st, 2009
11:30 pm
Ray,
Gave up too much info to who? Are you are assuming that those who could benefit from that info didn’t already know about their current fiancial situation? How many times have a member of the ASG announce that they were experiencing finiancial difficulty? But its an wide assumption by the media, insiders and fans of the Hawks that they are financial challenge.
niremetal
May 21st, 2009
11:35 pm
Also, baseball is very, very different in terms of free agents since there’s no salary cap and no luxury tax. So of course the Yanks always get their guy – they can sign whoever the hell they want and can outbid any other team in doing so.
As far as Gordon, two things. First, Forman could be BSing and using that line to keep other teams from bidding on Gordon. Second, even if Forman is telling the truth, of course you don’t use misdirection ALL the time. To use a poker analogy, if you bluff on every hand, the other players eventually will catch on and start calling your bluffs. So you tell the truth some of the time and bluff other times. There’s no right or wrong answer as far as how much bluffing you do versus playing it straight, but smart players do a bit of both. You haven’t yet acknowledged the fact that Sund gave away some stuff too – most obviously, he always maintained last summer that the Hawks would match any offer for Smoove (which was true AND helped keep team from bidding on him), and he’s saying now that he wants to keep the Hawks’ core together. But on the stuff where stakes are highest, the smart GMs – like smart poker players – play their cards close to their vest.
Melvin
May 21st, 2009
11:42 pm
And Flip Murray maybe Sund best move in the past 5 or more years. Sund track record is not impessive at all…
Melvin
May 21st, 2009
11:48 pm
Rod,
How you like Ariza now….lol…. just poking at you…
niremetal
May 21st, 2009
11:52 pm
Gotta love it…Ariza gets away with an obvious foul on one end, and then he and Kobe both whine to the refs for not calling a foul when Ariza falls on his a$$ without any push. God, I hate prima donna superstars. Give me Tim Duncan any day.
doc
May 21st, 2009
11:53 pm
cool nuggets take one in la.
Melvin
May 21st, 2009
11:55 pm
I agree with that niremetal. Too much whining, crying and flopping by these so call superstars of the league…..
O'brien
May 21st, 2009
11:56 pm
Melvin, I agree that Sund’s record (especially in the draft) is not impressive. He drafted Swift, Petro, and Sene.
If we keep Marvin, I hope we can bring Chills back. That way he can be our backup SF, and Mo Evans can be our backup SG. That way JJ won’t have to play so many minutes. Resign Flip and Zaza, sign another big (backup PF), and sign a starting PG (Bibby, Jack, Sessions etc.). Add our 2 draft picks, and an offensive co-ordinator, and I would be okay with that.
Samuel
May 21st, 2009
11:57 pm
Obrien,
I just read that article. One thing you can say about Woody is: he’s real and not scared of losing his job. He’s proven himself in this league and knows he’ll work somewhere.
It’s unfortunate that he’s still under fire. I believe that will only go to motivate he and his players (Whoever they are) this upcomming season.
I feel good about this upcomming season. Al and Josh will be a year older. Hopefully JJ will continue to carry us during the season and get better on the big stage. I believe Bibby, Flip and ZaZa will be here. Not sure about Marvin, Acie and the rest of the FAs.
There are plenty of good FA out there. Marvin is getting better but definately replacable.
We need to get at least 8 or 9 good players so that we can push the ball more.
The ball is in your court now Rick.
doc
May 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
GEORGE KARL = COY
O'brien
May 22nd, 2009
12:15 am
Samuel, I have never been a fan of Woody. But I agree that it is up to Sund this offseason to give Woody some good players. Get rid of RandMo and whoever else is not going to play. Sign some quality guys. McDyess, Rasheed, Jarret Jack, Brandon Bass, guys like that who we know can contribute immediately (and resign Flip and Zaza of course). Or make some trades (Speedy’s contract, rights to Chills, our 19th pick, Marvin, Acie).
I can’t wait for July 1.
darrell starks
May 22nd, 2009
12:35 am
starting five next year teams.
BUCKS SESSION, REDD, JEFFERSON, VILLANUEVA, BOGUT
SIXERS WILLIAMS, IGUODALA, YOUNG, ELTON, DALEMBERT
WIZARDS STEVENSON, ARENAS, BUTLER, JAMINSON, HAYWOOD
BOBCATS FELTON, BELL, WALLACE, DIAW, OKAFOR
HEAT CHALMERS, WADE, MOON, BEASLEY, ONEAL
NETS HARRIS, DOOLING, CARTER, YI, BROOKS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 22nd, 2009
1:34 am
Don’t know if anyone posted this yet, but here’s some interesting and really weird news regarding Josh Childress… apparently Olympiakos fans started a riot after they lost the last game and Childress was quoted as saying the violence is making him reconsider his decision to play overseas…
niremetal
May 22nd, 2009
1:40 am
Good catch, Najeh…wow, that’s bizarre.
BA
May 22nd, 2009
3:32 am
‘Poop with the scoop. Mid-level exception might be sounding pretty good.
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
7:13 am
GS lost out on Elton Brand last year, so lets put Josh Smith out there. Nellie might just bite. Here we go. My new Hawks offseason:
1.Re-sign Bibby and Flip(2 year deals)
2.Re-sign Zaza
3.Bring back Chills
4.Trade Josh Smith/Mo Evans and #19 to GS for Biedriens and #7.
5.Trade #7 for cash considerations and use the extra cash to sign Brandon Bass and Eddie House(Bibby’s brother in law).
6.Draft Jeff Pendegraph(PF depth) in the 2nd rd.
1st team: Bibby, JJ, Marvin, Horford, Biedriens
2nd team: Acie, Flip, Chills, Bass, Zaza (with House,Pendegraph,Mario)
2010 SE div Champs. Thoughts?
MannyT
May 22nd, 2009
8:20 am
Najeh,
Did Chills not realize the slogan for the Euroleague playoffs is WIN or take cover
IF he can gut it out one more season, he will be an unrestricted free agent. That will get him a better deal than he is likely to get this season. Furthermore,I think they expect the salary cap to shrink a bit this summer. That means less for all. If the economy rebounds next year as expected, the cost of coming back this summer could be huge.
Granted, we are talking about millionaires. I doubt he would be living under Philips Arena next to the railroad tracks.
BWAF
Hoops
May 22nd, 2009
8:40 am
terrell barron,
You’ve got some great possibilities there. I’m not sure all of that can happen. The Hawks will never trade Josh Smith. I think he is a tweener and we could get a great big man for him, but it will never happen. I really think we can get Sessions @ PG if we let Bibby go. I would like to see us get another shooter because I am thinking that Sund will use Marvin in a sign & trade after July 1 to get another player. I guess I have quit dreaming and started to look @ what Sund will really do. This is what I see:
PG-Sessions, Flip
SG-JJ, Chill
SF-Williams, Evans
SF-J.Smith, Draft best PF
C-Horford, Zaza
doc
May 22nd, 2009
8:52 am
uh has chills forgotten the riots that happen here in the us when teams win? havent i seen a few pictures of cars burning after big wins?
on to another subject:
still not sure of the unceremonious dumping of the hacks. doesnt the ajc realize in a way they have dumped on their readership without an explanation in a time when anyone can start a blog over the internet? seems a might shallow and short sighted and not at all interested in the relationship that develops between the user and the provider, i.e. ajc. it is also interesting after so many years of critical journalism that they would find any criticism by the readers of such a move to be injurious to them. they have long wanted the politicians to be thick skinned or coaches and athletes then as soon as we begin to even remotely question such action they remove the blog with no explanation to its interested readers.
i have long been a reader of the ajc, like the effort and job sekou does and have put a lot of effort as many others have to make this an enjoyable forum. it is because of the fans that use it not the ajc that owns the rights to it that makes something like this go with something that approaches courteous discourse, see their falcon blog or some of the college rants for an example of the opposite. you would think they would have afforded us the same integrity. there have been many efforts to syphon readers from here, most get ignored and most of us see it for what it is. it is only with similar moves that antagonizes the readership in this relationship will allow those fractures to occur more easily and the ajc to be abandoned. they will have themselves only to be blamed, not the economy. it is time for them to step up and correct their actions with a similar apology and wit the integrity they expect of others in the world through their editorials and award winning journalism. respectfully stated … doc
Mike is back
May 22nd, 2009
9:03 am
Great win by the Nugget that was a terrific game. Interesting comments about GMs…I remember the echoes about BK on this blog…you would have thought that he was the Worst GM on the planet. Yet he has received nothing but praise from his successor. Either Sund don’t know squat about being a GM or the people that was dogging him didn’t know squat about being a GM or both.
Excuse me if I’m some what leery about these same people heaping so much praise on Sund. I have yet to be convinced that ASG has given Sund the latitude to be an affective GM…that certainly wasn’t the case for BK. Hopefully I’m wrong and this is the turning point for this organization. WE WILL SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bigdave
May 22nd, 2009
9:47 am
jhan, it was the Denver game… peep my post…
By bigdave
February 26, 2009 12:49 AM | Link to this
Joe had no good look at the basket… a very long an athletic defender in front and a defenders to his right.. Joe made a good basketball play draw the defense and hope to hit an open spot up man or trailer. i thought the Hawks played as a unit tonight…
all you LBJ/KB jock riders, James in particular has been known to differ to his teammates in game winning situations; has done it the past few seasons vs. the Wizards in their playoff series…
O'brien
May 22nd, 2009
9:55 am
I think the Hawks have to either bring Chiils back this year, or trade his rights, because next offseason he will be unrestricted. (Although you wonder how he feels about seeing the Hawks making it to the second round.
Terrell, I think Josh/Mo/19th pick is a lot to pay for Biedrins/7th pick. I think Josh and the 19th pick should be enough. And then we can use the 7th pick to draft somebody (the bad thing is its mostly PG and SG that might be worth the 7th pick).
I like the idea of signing Brandon Bass though. But I would say no to Eddie House, especially if we resign Flip, because Flip does not pass the ball enough to give House open looks on the second team.
I MUS.WRITE
May 22nd, 2009
10:10 am
Terrell… that sounds like a solid off season to me, but I would make a couple changes.
!. Resign Flip & ZAZA
2. Bring chillz back
3. Trade Smoove/MO/Speedy for Beidrins/Jamal Crawford
4. Sign Brandon Bass-
5. #19 draft ….. Patty Mills,Flynn,Teague
Starters: J Crawford/JJ/Marvin/Horford/Beidrins
Bench: Flip/Chills/ZAZA/Bass/ Flynn/Mario/
Pull the plug on- Randolph Morris,Thomas Gardner,Ac
ILL-logical
May 22nd, 2009
10:15 am
The reason that Woodson is not being extended at this time is because he did not comply with the primary directive given to him by Sund: player development. And that is what hurt (pun intended) the team the most in the playoffs, the bench was not prepared to step in when some of the starters went down.
Astro Joe
May 22nd, 2009
10:50 am
ILL-logical, so in terms of primary directives, where did Sund put winning, playoffs, 30+ home court wins, 14+ road wins, etc in rank order with player development?
niremetal
May 22nd, 2009
11:20 am
Folks,
We can’t trade Chills’s rights, just like we can’t trade Marvin’s. He’s officially a free agent – just one with whom we have the right to match offers.
niremetal
May 22nd, 2009
11:23 am
Oh, and it’s good to see my “Smoove for Biedrins” idea has picked up some steam. If only Sund read this blog!
darrell starks
May 22nd, 2009
11:34 am
I dont like that trade smoove for biedrins if we are going to trade josh you better get and impact player not just for size.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 22nd, 2009
11:43 am
I have all ways supported mike woodson and the hawks and since he is coming back this year i would support him this year but there are some things i think he need to improve in.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
11:54 am
Hops, that’s basically the same team we put out there this year. I dont see it as that much of an upgrade, ifwe just go with Sessions instead of Bibby. But if we did go with your idea,I’d do it like this:
pg: Sessions/Acie/Flip
sg:JJ/Evans
sf:Marvin/Chills
pf:Smith/Pendegraph
c:Horford/Zaza
niremetal
May 22nd, 2009
11:56 am
The 23-year old #4 rebounder in the league who shoots 58% from the floor and plays high-energy D isn’t an impact player? Ok…
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
11:57 am
Hops, I meant to put Flip at 2 guard backing up JJ. Evans can plug the 2 or the 3 when needed.
Rod from College Park
May 22nd, 2009
12:27 pm
IMUS.WRITE
I forgot about Jamal Crawford. Don’t like Biedrins, but Jamal Crawford does interest me. I would love to have Jamal Crawford and JJ in the backcourt. Hmmm
darrell starks
May 22nd, 2009
12:30 pm
Woody improve in.
1.Develop your bench in order for you to succeed in the nba you have to have at least a 9 man rotation joe can not play more than 38min a night you have to keep your starter fresh during the season.
2.Find and offensive system dont play to much 1 on 1 basketball dont have joe dribbling the ball all day long swing the ball around and run more screams and post plays.
3.Teach your team on how to box out size doesnt matter if you teach your team on how to position your self on how to rebound moses malone who played center and was only 6′10 out rebounded every body and charles barkley 6′6 they new how to rebound.
4. Stop josh for shooting 3s and dribbling the ball up court if he does 1 time put his butt on the bench.
5. Defense rebound and run stop this half court game.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 22nd, 2009
12:47 pm
Can we get bosh and bring back chill woody job will be much easier.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 22nd, 2009
1:08 pm
Can woody develop acie law and let him starte i think so we have to cut bait with bibby 15million if bibby not shooting well he is a liabillty. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
1:16 pm
Darrell, I’m sure Toronto will just give us Bosh. Not! So how do you recommend we get him? Smoove? Horford? JJ? It will certainly take one of those guys. And probably then some.
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
1:20 pm
I agree with you on the Acie thing though. I dont know about starting, but I cant see a rookie pt guard coming in here and doing much more than Acie could do, if given the chance. He’s quick, he can penetrate, and he already knows Woody’s system. Pass to JJ, and get the hell out of the way.
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
1:38 pm
After reading the SI story about Chills, I think he’s ready to come home. Throwing flares at the bench? Wtf!
Ariose
May 22nd, 2009
1:38 pm
Patrick Mills could start right away if given the oppurtunity…..
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
“If given the oppurtunity”? That’s a big IF.
Ariose
May 22nd, 2009
1:47 pm
Chills has been worried about their fans for the longest. In an interview with Lang Whitaker earlier in the season he seemed very uneasyand somewat astonished when talking about the intesity of the fans and the fact that sometimes ou may not even be able to leave your own house after a loss.That’s why Will Bynum came back stateside(well, and because of that legal trouble he got into over there in macabbi lol).
TB, I agree he will probably come back, if he’s smart. You can’t go to stanford without some kind of common sesnse lol. He needs to get tha heck outta there lol. His team is not good enough. It’s just him and Jannero Pargo(who is unrestricted and will be looking for a job BTW….). Didn’t Pargo and JJ play on the smae Arkansas squad? I’m fairly certain they did.
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
1:52 pm
Didn’t he know it’s been like that forever. Thats just how it goes over there. It’s nothing new. I guess he thought the positives($$$$$$) outweighed the negatives. Think again.
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
1:53 pm
Cleveland down 1-0, and LA tied 1-1. Take that Stern. lol!!
Ariose
May 22nd, 2009
1:54 pm
Actually, Olympiakos only signed Pargo to fill in for chills while he was recovering from sports hernia surgery. So Once Chills came back, Pargo left. The only other american player on that squad is Lynn Greier….not gonna cut it. Theres gonna be a few more riots if they don’t win that series’. Chills had 23 points but he may need to drop 30+ NBA-style. That rule where you can only have two Americans on your roster is stupid…
Ariose
May 22nd, 2009
1:58 pm
Orlando Vs. Denver Baby!!!! NBA Finals 09′!!!!!
Fu%$!ck Lebron. If he wins a title, his head will swell up so big that his neck won’t be able to support it anymore lol…..and kobe has enbough rings. Besides Chauncey has always been my guy so i’m defently rooting for denver.
I MUS.WRITE
May 22nd, 2009
2:05 pm
Rod… A JJ -Crawford backcourt would be sick…… Crawford could be an intresting prospect, 6′5, really quick, good passer and we all know how that guy scores in bunches. Him and JJ would cause alot of problems-
Beidrins is an option but I still like Yung Gasol better tho.
Gawd I hate our leader…. hypothetically speaking say we drafted johnny flyn and he came to camp balling outta control playing heads and shoulders above Bibbz and AC -I have a feeling he would still be glued to the bench.
We are stuck with this guy and it turns my stomach, but what can u do. Its hard to get excited about next year when the same garbage is gonna be going on……………….. Sumone wake me July 1 2010 `JEEZUZ
I MUS.WRITE
May 22nd, 2009
2:11 pm
Ditto Ariose, Chauncey’s my dude …..and for all the Melo haters “Take That” ” Take That”
I am so sick of folks shyt’n on the guy when he is just as talented as Wade and Bron……. I mean he did sum immature things when he first came to the league but he has gotten his head right and is probably the best pound for pound scorer in the league………… GO DENVER
terrell barron
May 22nd, 2009
2:31 pm
Dumars has to sick right now. He’s watching 2 guys, that should be Pistons,(Billups/Melo) light it up in the Playoffs. Ouch!