Big shoes to fill
What’s up, Sekou readers?
Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for your patience in waiting for this blog to get churning again. My name is Ken Sugiura, and I have the unenviable task of following up the master. Sekou, if you weren’t aware, took a job down the street at nba.com after five years of excellent Hawks coverage for the AJC. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, but Sekou is a great guy, a great reporter and we will miss him plenty.
I’m going to be filling in on the Hawks until a full-time replacement is hired. I’ve got a good bit to learn, but I’m looking forward to it. As Sekou shared with me, it’s a good group to cover and the team, obviously, is on the way up. Hopefully it’ll be a fun ride, however long it lasts.
Anyway, I’m here for you guys, so fire any questions at me you’ve got, either on the blog or e-mail. I don’t have the wealth of NBA knowledge that Sekou does, but I’ll do my best to get you answers.
Enough blathering – on to the two-game trip to New York tonight and Boston Friday.
From Mike Woodson on down, the talk Monday and Tuesday was about defending better, which obviously will be a factor in both games, against the “Seven seconds or less” Knicks and then the three-headed monster in Boston.
Different guys were saying they need to get back to defending the way they did last year. The sample size for this season is small, obviously, but some numbers for comparison – 2008-09 – 96.5 points per game, 45.4 FG percentage from the field, 35.3 percent from three-point range. This year, 102.1, 46.0, 40.0.
One thing I heard a few different times was that the players aren’t doing a good job of communicating – calling out switches and the like.
Said Joe Johnson, “When we’re guarding our man and we’re supposed to switch, we’re not calling the switch. I think we’re assuming more than anything. It’s just guys not on the same page. Therefore, two guys are going on one man and another guy’s laying it up.”
Al Horford also mentioned the communication lapses, but added that “I think it comes down to effort.”
So, something to be watching for tonight (Wednesday) and Friday.
You may find this interesting …
Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague and Horford all mentioned looking forward to playing at Madison Square Garden. For Teague, it’ll be his first trip. Horford said it’s probably his favorite place to play, citing the arena’s history.
Said Crawford, who played a little over four years there, “It’s like you’re on stage. … The court’s lit up and the crowd’s kind of dark. It’s like you’re on a stage performing. So it’s really cool.”
Crawford also mentioned that over his time there, he became friends with Knicks fans such as Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Adam Sandler and Fat Joe.
Said the rookie Teague of going on the road, “Flying from city to city, you’re getting on planes, carrying bags and having so much luggage. It was kind of difficult at first, but now I think I know how to pack a lot better. I took too much stuff last time.”
One big difference between college and NBA road trips: “No homework at all. That’s a good thing.”
Your take
Anyway, let me hear from you, readers – Is 1-1 a successful road trip? Woodson has mentioned multiple times that he wants the team to go .500 on the road, so he said that the West Coast plus Charlotte trip was good, because it was 2-2, despite the trip-ending disaster in Charlotte.
What do you want to see from the Hawks?
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460 comments Add your comment
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
1:08 am
Big Ray, I agree. The point I’m making is the roster is greatly improved from anytime in the 2000s. Last year roster would’ve won 5-6 more games if it wasn’t for the injuries. I liked that Bibby has given Horford more touches on the post. I like that Josh is playing under more control. But which moves from this season compared to the last has Woody actually improved on? True enough you want to start the season off right and you don’t want to lose winnable games. But if this does keep up, and the team wins those 55 games. Then they get into the playoffs and breakdown because of fatigue, then what? I still don’t see Woody improvements. If Terry Porter can get fired from a team that was 18-13 in the West. If Avery can get fired from a team that was playing .600 ball in the West. If Mike Brown goes to the Conference Finals and still hears threats on his job, then what is Woody truly doing? I understand some fans remember Lenny Wilkins and doesn’t want to let go of a playoff coach when not knowing what would happen. But letting go of the NBA highest losing coach in history wasn’t even where the team messed up then. It was hiring a college coach who never coach an NBA team.
By the way, not saying I want him coaching the Hawks, but I think Mark Jackson is going to be the next Doc Rivers. When you hear him breakdown teams’ game plans, you can tell that he understands defense, ball movement, and momentum.
KevinA
November 12th, 2009
1:12 am
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
12:50 am
Kevin, if he increase his regular season wins, and still gets put out in 5-6 games in the second round, is that a successful season and deserving of his contract renewal for you?
First, we just want to get there. 2nd, barring injury I feel we can do better. I will have to watch the games and then decide. I have always looked at the Hawks as a one to two year project. The addition of Crawford and JT has pushed my expectations up to this year. That does not mean we will win. Pick your poison and the top three are very tough.
If we play any of them tough I assume Woody gets a contract. What I am most afraid of is JJ wanting his contract at the expense of his team. Early in the season Smooth and Jamal seem better. Is there room for the JJ ego jump shots?.
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
1:14 am
KevinA, I can concur with that!
Grandad
November 12th, 2009
1:22 am
Traceman:
1.Yes-except for kllr & idiot. Lets change it to obtuse rookie-slayer.
2.No-I would say yes except for troublemaker. Not intentionally.
3.No-Not a bum;can stick the “3″ also, clutch. Otherwise-yes perhaps.
4.No-Not an idiot, poorly coached and your right, can’t shoot a lick
but improving by leaps and bounds. 5.Overachiever, although out of pos. can play with or for anyone!
MannyT
November 12th, 2009
1:25 am
Ray, Woody’s situation here always seems to be the coach on the brink of getting fired/not rehired. As a result he has this me against the world bunker mentality.
His words always sounds good in October. Then November comes and he pulls out his autographed picture of (a younger) Al Davis that says JUST WIN BABY (or you will be gone!)
I am not sure, but I think his goal is to confirm that the Hawks at the legitimate 4th best team in the East. He would like to make the big 3 teams turn into the big 4. In reality, he probably keeps his job if he can demonstrate that there is some space between the Hawks and whichever team comes 5th. If he can show the ability to at least scare the big 3, then he keeps the gig.
As usual, it takes a few weeks for the Woody revisions to take hold. Looks like one of them will be Jason Collins playing the role of Speedy Claxton, Tony Delk, DNP-CD.
Just to show some sports analogy diversity, look at Hendrick Motorsports. Woody has to prove his team is Jeff Gordon. We are not popular enough to be Dale Jr, so we have to win enough to be in the conversation. (Anyone that performs at that Dale Jr level consistently gets fired unless they have some long term popularity behind them, like Joe Pa
or Bobby Bowden.) Everyone knows we aren’t Jimmie Johnson, but if we can beat JJ at some point during the season, we continue to have street/track cred.BWAF
Traceman
November 12th, 2009
1:26 am
Big Ray,
Don’t get me wrong, I’m concerned about Marv too. I don’t KNOW what is wrong with him, I just find it hard to believe that he can’t be AT LEAST as good as he was last year and that has not been the case. I think the guy has talent…not #2 overall pick, drafted ahead of Paul and Deron Williams talent…but talent nonetheless. At this point, I just want to see him stop pressing, relax and get back to enjoying the game.
As for D’Antoni starting Toney Douglas, the guy almost singlehandedly led them back from a 21 pt deficit against Utah in their previous game scoring 21 pts in 23 minutes. I’m sure the start was a reward for his great play.
In addition, his competition for minutes come from Duhon, Larry Hughes and Nate Robinson (who’s injured) while Teague’s competition comes from JJ, Bibby and Crawford. The Knicks only had 3 healthy guards tonight. If Bibby, JJ, Crawford and Mo were in NY, I’m not sure Douglas would have played for D’Antoni either.
KevinA
November 12th, 2009
1:30 am
I will agree there is pressure on three starters JJ, Marvin and Bibby. Why? Jamal is playing lights out,
Teague needs minutes, that kinda explains the pressure on JJ and Bibby. Marvin hasn’t played up to expectations and some of his minutes are going to Evans and the guards. Now tell me Woody doesn’t adjust. We wonder why Woody doesn’t adjust more. Well Bibby showed you why tonight. Proven vet. Why play JJ instead of Jamal?. A proven vet in his system.
Now that we locked down this win look for Woody to open up his bench against Boston. At least for the first 3 qt. After that – who knows. I do know one thing about Woody – he will play what he perceives are the best players for the most minutes at crunch time. If he thinks it is a must win or possible win – look for him to play his starters. Woody is not interested in burn time.
About horford, knicks, hawks, wednesday, al, york, atlanta - Find me About
November 12th, 2009
1:34 am
[...] Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for your patience in waiting for this blog to get churning again. My name is Ken Sugiura, and I have the unenviable task of following up the master. Sekou, if you weren’t aware, took a job down the street at nba.com …Read Original Story: Big shoes to fill – Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
KevinA
November 12th, 2009
1:37 am
MannyT,
lol, your right, Woody only has to get to 50+ wins agains the teams he should beat and all is well. Beating an elite team is only cream.
doc
November 12th, 2009
1:38 am
sautee nothing like a dark hole to get you ~50 points and 21 rebounds in a night, eh?
now if they can man up with those numbers in boston or close to it.
guys we are consistently winning pulling away, what is the beef here? jeez, you have forgotten or werent even here for the dry years when the complaints were legit. seems worse on the blog than it is because the numbers of bloggers are up but so little joy here.
good win by 13 on the road, i’ll take it in a new york minute. we are talking wins here not style points.
honest_abe
November 12th, 2009
1:41 am
amen doc…
preach it… these cats can’t seem to remember the real dark days eh? when the highlight of the blog wasn’t discussing a win but rather reading aj and ando throwing verbal jabs about the jj signing… heh
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
1:52 am
KevinA, you’re right. Winning tonight was more important than winning Friday night. But I’m more concerned with Woody playing the starter too many minutes tonight and Friday, just to come home and lose against New Orleans. But it was good to secure this win, I agree.
One funny thought is if NY media was killing JJ tonight, imagine what Mark Jackson and Van Gundy is going to have to say about his comments Friday. JJ better come to play lights out first quarter lol. But Friday, more than a Joe vs Ray, and Paul vs. Marvin, I want to see the Hawks committed to allowing Smoove and Horford to take it to KG and Perkins. If you can get two early fouls on either one of those two, you are doing yourself a huge favor. As we can all testify, when Smoove and Horford get going early, the Hawks are an entirely different team.
doc
November 12th, 2009
1:57 am
btw ken welcome to the liars table. enjoy the verbal repast.
doc
November 12th, 2009
1:59 am
honest, good to know you are still with us a bit. occasionally refer to you a bit. caught you on an occasional other blog so i knew you were still kicking. guess the red bull days are behind you? heh heh
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
2:03 am
Honest, I remember those days! When Clyde was so anti Woody and BK, you’d thought he was going to have an AntiAfro Convention at the Phillips lol. And when many of these same bloggers (who shall remain nameless) was saying BK would be a fool not to take Marvin Williams, because he would be the next Grant Hill. lol. Or better yet, the handful of us who wished the Hawks would’ve kept Sheed and Payton.
KevinA
November 12th, 2009
2:13 am
Ramon,
I cannot predict the flow of the game and you never know it may bkfire but I agree with you completly. Throw our young studs against them and see where the chips fall.
We fought for balance tonight and it worked. I believe we need to do the same thing with the Celtics. A bunch of jump shots will not get it done. We had 23 assists tonight and came together as a team on a tough shooting night. To beat the Celtics we need to avoid the slow start and use the same game plan. We can win but we will have to play better.
Got to admit his is fun stuff. Love our new look Hawks.
KevinA
November 12th, 2009
2:23 am
Did I miss something tonight? Josh had 12 rebounds – 4 assists – 2 steals and 22 points.
Somebody tell me Smooth is not the team MVP. Kid is kicking butt. Before tonight he led the entire NBA in blocked shots. A true hoop fan would be smart to remember these games and tell their kids about the good ol days.
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
2:37 am
KevinA, JJ will tell you Smoove’s not the team’s mvp thanks to his NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week award, lol. Something tell me JJ getting that honor is going to be more of a curse than a gift.
Ken Strickland
November 12th, 2009
3:06 am
If you’re having problems with you starting lineup, who’s playing badly and allowing one of the NBA’s worst teams to get a 14pt lead, how is leaving the problem in preventing the gm from getting away from you?
We all expect the Hawks to make the playoffs again this yr. Can anyone tell me what Woodson has done or is doing to make us a better team come playoff time? Is he getting Teague ready for the playoffs, or ready to take over for Bibby if he gets injured? Is he developing his bench by giving his Bigs, like JCollins, Joe Smith or RMorris enough mins to develop some kind of chemistry with their teammates? Is he giving his starters adequate rest and not overextending them so they won’t breakdown or be forced to play hurt like they did last yr near the end of the season?
Why are so many unwilling to accept MWilliams lack of progression after only 1yr of college and 4yrs in the league, 3 as a starter? Why are there so many unwilling to accept Josh Smith’s inconsistencies, temperment and 3pt shooting woes after 5yrs in the league and coming straight out of high school? But most of all, why are so many will to accept little more than token or minimal improvement from MWoodson, who’s been a HC for 5yrs, had a professional career as an NBA player, and served under HC LBrown, one of the NBA’s better HC’s, during the Pistons championship yrs?
For the Hawk fans who are content to win more gms than we lose, make the playoffs and squeak past the 1st rd, only to get embarrassed in the 2nd rd like last yr, PG MBibby and HC MWoodson are what the doctor ordered. If you want more, we’ll have to upgrade both positions.
Drewscrilla
November 12th, 2009
3:17 am
Somebody tell woody start evans and teague and see what happens
KevinA
November 12th, 2009
3:31 am
I was riding your last post agreeing all the way till you go to Josh. All the kids post problems aside he is turning into an NBA pro. Last year you could pick out 40 players that had a better upside. Today name 5 that have more upside. Kid has played outstanding basketball. I could be wrong but he peaks next year. In the mean time we are looking at young man only the most sophisticated defenses can slow. Smooth has turned the page, he is now a force in the NBA and there is little anyone can do about it.
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
3:40 am
KevinA, isn’t it funny at this point of the season, JJ is shooting a worse 3pt % than what Smoove shot last season? lol.
Samuel
November 12th, 2009
4:18 am
WOW,
This blog has turned into crap. A bunch of clueless scrubbs complaining about nothing. You guys realize how stupid you sound? All this talk about how bad Woody is and we’re 6-2.
And all these “stud” coaches who you wanted to replace Woody, how are they doing?
Flip, Eddie Jordan, D’Antoni, Mark Jackson, Avery ,”Mr. Bill”, Johnson, Curt Rambis, the equipment Manager?
Get a freekin clue. Rick Sund is an idiot if he doesn’t extend Woody if this team continues like their going. He’s making himself look more and more foolish.
You guys keep drooling for Jeff Teague. Get over it. He will get 10-15 minutes a game until he learns how to shoot. Period. The man is shooting 34% from the field. That won’t get you PT in the NBA. You can make all the excuses you want, but those are the facts. He’ll end up like all your favorites of the past: Salim, AC3, Speedy ect.
Yes, it was the Knicks, but who cares, it’s a win. Shaq still is the most powerful super hero.
Woody=COY
Clyde
November 12th, 2009
4:55 am
Brandon Jennings has my vote to start in the All-Star Game. No point guard in the east is doing what he is doing.
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
6:11 am
Samuel, out of the coaches you named, which one has a better roster than Woody? This season is more than just about wins and losses. Its about playoff basketball. And why you say Saunder’s name, remember he’s had 3 starters out with injuries majority of their games. Do you think Woody would have a .500 record if the 2nd/3rd scorers were out, with the newest addition who purpose is to stretch the defense, out also?
And you talk about Avery and D’Antoni. Remember Avery worst season as a coach, still totaled more wins than Woody’s best season! And that was in the Western Conference. Woody has a little league playbook for offense with only one on one play truly emphasized. And for a defensive minded coach, the team is averaging 102 ppg allowed. There are only 3 other teams in the East who allows more points and each of those team play at a faster pace than the Hawks. And anyone outside of Woody’s household knows D’Antoni has better job security than Woody. If you honestly think that Woody is winning more with this roster than D’Antoni, Avery, and Saunders would, then please don’t hesitate to tell me why Detroit had the opportunity to hire Woody instead of Saunders but didn’t? And please remember, if it wasn’t for the referees and David Stern handing Lebron the keys to the NBA Finals, Saunders would’ve lead the team to the Finals.
Also to expect more out of a coach than you’ve gotten the last two years in terms of game management and even creating mismatches for your own team is what any reasonable fan who knows about basketball should do. By the way, last season the Hawks were 6-2 also, that doesn’t mean everything went great. Right now the Hawks are winning because the players are playing better than the other teams. They’re not winning because Woody is putting them in better positions to make them the best they can be. Anyone with basketball knowledge knows motion on offense would create more opportunities and open looks for the entire starting five (remember the starting five is being outscored by the other teams five night after night). Also anyone with basketball knowledge knows that on a 4-1 pick you do not have your point guard (who’s the slowest and least athletic player on your roster) switch to guard the teams opposing 4. Very rarely does Woody change the strategy depending on who’s on the floor. If a fan would love to see more than that from a coach, then how is he ’stupid’? We see the players improving more and more. But the least improve person in that locker room (excluding Marvin this season) is Woody. He’s a great guy. He’s a good coach. But he’s not a playoff coach for a roster like this. Everything he’s asked Sund for he’s gotten. Yet he still haven’t made any of the changes he said himself that he would make.
Also, why you say Teague is shooting 35%, don’t forget to mention he’s shooting 40% from beyond the arc, and he has a 5:1 assist to turnover ratio. He’s also averaging almost a steal a game, while only averaging one foul a game. And only a foul per 10 min of game action is very impressive for any rookie. So he has earned more playing time.
Samuel
November 12th, 2009
6:32 am
Sorry Ramon,
NBA coaches don’t get a pass for injuries. Woody doesn’t. Avery is still coaching from the press box. Enough said. Them GOOD OLE BOYS in NYC are working hand in hand filling their roster with EURO style of BBall. You know, the wave of the future. yea right. Isiah never got a pass.
“Right now the Hawks are winning because the players are playing better than the other teams”. Well Duhhh!! and who is the coach may I ask?
“And only a foul per 10 min of game action is very impressive for any rookie”. WOW, what a stat. Put him on the Allstar ballot. 34% is 34%. That means he misses 7 out of 10. This is Hoops not hardball. That don’t cut it. Sorry.
Clyde, I’m with you on Jennings. I’m so glad he is successful after telling the NCAA syndicate to go fu_k themselves. Hopefully, it will start a trend.
Woody and Westphal=COY
About mike, knicks, hawks, douglas, d’antoni, york, half, atlanta - Find me About
November 12th, 2009
6:34 am
[...] Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for your patience in waiting for this blog to get churning again. My name is Ken Sugiura, and I have the unenviable task of following up the master. Sekou, if you weren’t aware, took a job down the street at nba.com …Read Original Story: Big shoes to fill – Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
honest_abe
November 12th, 2009
6:57 am
it’s good to be back doc and ramon…
i see the blog is pretty much the same. samuel still spouting his usual gibberish. seriously, anyone that defends woody’s coaching ability needs his head examined. the hawks are winning despite the coach not the other way around.
i’d also like to see teague get some more minutes. it’s always the same ol story. before the season woody talks about he’s going to get more people involved. how this year he has a deeper bench than ever before. but once the season starts its back to a 7 man rotation.
honest_abe
November 12th, 2009
6:59 am
oh ya one more thing..
sam: leave race out of it for once. you lose all credibility when you start race baiting the blog. give it up fella…
Ramon
November 12th, 2009
7:10 am
Samuel, nothing you said then pointed to Woody being a good coach for this team. Not a single thing. Avery doesn’t have a coaching gig because he hasn’t accepted interview the last two seasons, its being reported numerous times that he turned down interviews. The Hawks are winning more because of the moves BK and Sund have made, not because of any moves Woody is making. You tell me what defensive minded coach is giving up 102 points per game, especially when he’s only played three teams with winning records. Joe is averaging 1 minute less than he did last season. Wwwwwooowwww! I’m sure those 82 game minutes at the end of the season will pay off big time in the playoffs. Smoove has to get in foul trouble just to get a breather even with the new depth on the roster. You name three areas of improvements in his coaching you have seen in Woody since this time last year.
JeJe
November 12th, 2009
8:13 am
Can AJC plz remove Sekou’s name from AJC.com/hawks (has him listed as Beatwriter on left) and can we please get some articles?
Doug
November 12th, 2009
8:15 am
Pointing to Teague as shooting 34% as justification for not playing him is idiotic. He is getting jerked around for the first time in his career…like most really good players he is used to extended minutes and for three of 8 games he essentially is getting NO minutes. And he is supposed to be shooting well??? The kid is extremely gifted…and needs to be developed not destroyed
dap01
November 12th, 2009
8:16 am
Play your bench, especially if your starters are shooting 33%. Play Teague if you want to have a complete team come playoff time. Woody is playing for wins in the regular season, he is not trying to get the team ready for playoffs.
JJ needs to distribute like Crawford. It is so nice to finally have a guard penetrate and dish off to a big man. And it is also nice to have a guard who don’t struggle to simply be athletic enough to barely get it accross mid court and pass (Bibby) and that is not exactly breaking down a defense.
The team IS improving. Our fowards are improving. I wonder how JJ will react as we evolve away from needing him to dominate the ball every possession.
ILL-logical
November 12th, 2009
8:29 am
Last night’s win was important not only because the Hawks need every road win they can get to achieve this year’s goal of playing .500 on the road but it further demonstrated how the team has grown.
Last year this game would have gone into the loss column-the guys would have been looking past the Knicks to the Celtics.After a horific start, they came around to pull away at the end. 6-2 is not bad at this point and time.
However, the facts are that Al was playing against a power forward-and a former teamate who he knows couldn’t guard him and Josh has had his way with subs and scrubs for the last 2 games. The proof of the progress claims will be Friday night. Le’s see who shows up ready to get down.
bigdave
November 12th, 2009
8:35 am
“JJ needs to come off the bench”
“Crawford is playing lights out”
wow… okay riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight…
The Real Hawk
November 12th, 2009
8:44 am
J. Smith F 39:44
M. Williams F 21:54
A. Horford C 41:31
J. Johnson G 43:51
M. Bibby G 34:37
On a night when we blow out the Knicks why are we playing our starters for so many minutes?
Teague plays less than 2 minutes. Woodson strikes again. Hs lips are moving so you know what that means.
If we have injuries the kid will be no help due to no playing time.
Peter
November 12th, 2009
9:03 am
Marvin Williams a boy among men!
vava74
November 12th, 2009
9:16 am
Avery laid a major egg against the Warriors. Don’t you forget about that!
A contender changing its normal lineup which had given him the NBA’s best record for a first round match up against a no defense, no set plays team is a mistake which is unforgivable.
Avery was headed the right direction but with that huge mistake he killed his rep in my books. Now he needs to prove again that he will not fold under pressure.
6-2 is 6-2. Right now what is hindering us is that JJ has not yet come to terms with the fact that HIS team has improved and that he should revert back to a more collective type of BBall like he did in PHX.
JJ is still the best Hawk (although Josh seems to be getting his act together finally) and a terrific two way player.
Right now there are only a handful of players which combine defense and offense at such a high level AND NO he cannot be replaced by Crawford.
Crawford is getting his points also because he is surprising people (he has been getting the credit he deserves) and in occasions because he is also sharing the court with JJ and getting the space he needs to maneuver.
We have a good thing going and we should be patient without stopping being critical when criticism is warranted.
The fact is that last year we lost both games at the Garden and this year one win is in the bag already.
bigdave
November 12th, 2009
9:26 am
agreed Vava 74…
About mike, knicks, hawks, d’antoni, york, half, atlanta - Find me About
November 12th, 2009
9:38 am
[...] Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for your patience in waiting for this blog to get churning again. My name is Ken Sugiura, and I have the unenviable task of following up the master. Sekou, if you weren’t aware, took a job down the street at nba.com …Read Original Story: Big shoes to fill – Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
vava74
November 12th, 2009
10:25 am
And by the way, I should have started with this:
Welcome aboard Ken, nice to have you around!
Ken Strickland
November 12th, 2009
10:40 am
Despite all of the complaints and opinions from various fans about Woodson’s coaching ability, the only opinion that matters is GM RSund’s. What do you think he’s looking for, and what do you think he’s seeing from Woodson?
(1)Woodson definitely has a questionable track record for developing young players. In only 5yrs, all of his previous draft picks are gone, except JSmith, MWilliams and AHorford. It’s taken until the start of JSmith’s 6th season to start showing signs of consistency and maturity. The decisison to stop shooting 3’s and play more inside and under control was his decision, not Woodson’s, otherwise it might have happened sooner. Marvin Williams is the highest draft pick we’ve had in yrs and he’s getting worse in certain areas instead of better. What has Woodson done to incorporate him into the OFF or help him improve? He gets no plays, nada, called for him. The closest thing to a play is to give him the ball on the perimeter and expect him to back his man down or beat his man off the dribble, which definitely aren’t his strong suits. What HC is stupid enough to play to a players weakness rather than his strengths? Why make so many OFF/DEF adjustments, changes and concessions to accomodate Bibby’s shortcomings, yet refuse to incorporate a single play or adjustment to include Marvin in the OFF and improve his OFF output? We certainly can/t attribute Horford’s maturity, development and production to Woodson. That honor goes to Horford himself, and the man that went against the draft wishes of many Hawk fans and drafted him, former GM Billy Knight.
(2)Can anyone truthfully say that after 8 gms into his 6th season as Hawks HC, that Woodson has demonstrated a definite improvement in utilizing strategy, particularly in gm decisions, changes and/or adjustments? Can anyone truthfully say he’s shown a definite improvement in his ability and/or willingness to develop and utilize a bench that’s vastly improved over previous yrs in terms of talent, speed, size, quickness, experience and depth?
(3)Can anyone truthfully say Woodson has assume a definite ability or willingness to assume control of the players he depends on to a fault? What has he done about JJ’s stubborn habit of taking over the OFF, hogging the ball and forcing the team to clearout while he goes ISO and one on one? Until JSmith made the conscience decision to change his approach this yr, what did Woodson do about his habit of drifting to the 3pt line and jacking up so many 3’s? Even Bibby decided to modify his approach to the gm this yr, but it was his decision, not Woodsons. What has he done about MWilliams’ inconsistency and his habit of drifting in and out of gms, and often from gm to gm?
(4)When pressured, or facing a quality opponent, has Woodson demonstrate an improved ability or willingness to meet the challenge by making needed adjustments, changes, creating and/or exploiting matchups, or does he revert back to old habits, like overplaying his starters, underutilizing his bench and throwing young PG/SG’s under the bus?
So far this young season, we’ve seen him tighten his rotation, while continuing to overplay certain starters until the last couple of mins of the gm when he sends in 2or 3 players to make it appear as though he’s effectively utilized a 9 or 10 man rotation. I guess that in reality is a change on his part, because last yr he would have played his 7-8 man rotation until the final buzzer.
If this is what Sund is seeing, depending on how well we do in the playoffs, it might mean another short term extension, or it could signal the end for Woodson, especially if someone that Sund really likes is available. Who would’t jump at the chance to coach a Hawk team that’s quick, fast, versatile, deep, athletic and talented enough to become a title contender with the right coaching? And why would Sund want to continue putting up with Woodson’s stubborness and indioscincricies when he can make a change and improve the team, as well as eliminate the issues Woodson presents.
GeeMack
November 12th, 2009
10:41 am
ILL-logical & Vava74
Finally guys that are talking with some sense. I am reading all these post about Woody’s bad coaching.
Grandad, Ken Strickland, Ramon,
Who would you guys like to see come in here and coach the team. That would do a better job.
doc
November 12th, 2009
11:13 am
vava yes josh appears to be making strides. we forget he is the same age essentially that jj was when he came here. still has much more room to grow.
geez samuel still holding the torch for isiah. durn even his colleagues in the nba have distanced themselves from him. he built a plank to walk on and didnt deliver either as a coach or a person. i hope he gets his stuff back together and comes back strong. the way he self destructed reminds me of petey rose.
vava74
November 12th, 2009
11:41 am
To Ken Strickland,
Have I been dreaming or you are contradicting yourself just a few days apart?
If I am not wrong, you acknowledged after the Denver game that Woody and Hawks had made some strides… now it is all pitch black?
As for Josh’s maturation, you are fooling around aren’t you??? Josh launches(d) ill advised jumpers and treys out of his own initiative and Woody has been very patient and fatherly with him.
Any other coach would have created an unsurmountable canyon between them.
Again, I am not saying that Woody is off the hook, just that we need a bigger sample since most of the mistakes we are seeing are a direct consequence of some internal readjustments and some lack of maturity which still plagues us.
In relation to Teague: everyone loves him, however, in light of Bibby’s shooting performance and 9 assists against the Knicks how can you be so unreasonable? We HAD to guarantee the win in NY and our best chance was to go to work with the tools which have proven to be effective.
Bibby was hot and keeping us in the game, why replace him with an still unproven rookie which could be easily influenced (negatively) by the helter skelter offense D’Antoni uses?? What if the Knick’s advantage ballooned beyond the 20 point mark??
We would be sobbing and complaining that we had lost yet another game away against a sub-par team.
It was not as we wanted to be BUT IT WAS A WIN, after a very good second half.
In relation to Joe Smith not seeing too much burn: what if he is not feeling 100% right now?? Do we know everything before we try to impose our views??
jerrywest
November 12th, 2009
12:05 pm
JJ 18 FGA/gm.
LeBron17.9 FGA/gm.
Roy 14.8 FGA/gm.
(11/11/2009)
JJ’s driving through double team brick walls reminds me of the cringes I had every time Smoove attempted a 3 last year.
I love how JJ has focused more on defense, rebounds and vocal leadership. However, noticing how hard it will be for Teague to develop next to JJ, I wonder how harmful JJ’s presence has been for the offensive development of all our draft choices in the last 5 years.
Ken Strickland
November 12th, 2009
12:06 pm
GEEMACK-I don’t necessarily have a preference. I just want someone that’s more innovative, versatile, consistent, willing to commit the time and effort in developing our younger players, far less insecure and more willing to seek out help in areas of weakness, less stubborn and more willing to fit a system to the players rather than force the players into an ill fitting system.
ILL-LOGICAL-you’re right, Friday will be the true test as far as how far the team has progressed. We laid an egg against LA, so I hope we can mount a better showing against Boston. It’s going to take quality performances by our players and a much better job of coaching and utilization of our players(bench)than we’ve seen recently, especially in last nights gm. If Woodson stands by with he arms folded and allows JJ to play the same selfish style of ball he played last night, and uses a 7-8man rotation while overplaying his starters, like he did last night, we are going to get our butts kicked.
VALVA74-good recall and assessment. I had totally forgotten about that incident, and I have to totally agree.
Eternal Optimist
November 12th, 2009
12:08 pm
A few things are bothering me and need to be cleaned up quickly. Joe has alot of turnovers all of the sudden, what’s up wit that? Marvin falls down everytime he goes to the basket and nobody is even touching him, what’s up wit that? We’re playing boring basketball. This team is not big at all so why aren’t we running,-what’s up wit that?????
GeeMack
November 12th, 2009
12:11 pm
For all the coach bashers
Let me get this right….PJax gets credit for making (Jordan Pipen Kobe & Shaq)better. Larry Brown gets credit form making Sheed AI & Rip better. Doc Rivers gets credit for making KG Ray & PP better. PRiley made Magic Kareem Wothy McAdoo Wade & Shaq better. Avery made Dirk JT Devin Howard & Devin better. But when Josh & Al got better it was on their own!
Wow! Here’s the funny thing each one of the players I named had some form of success prior to any of those coaches being hired, but Woody guys had no clue how to play ball at the pro level. Woody taught these guys how to win.
Here are some facts that we know… Mr. Sund has never been the GM of a championship team. The Hawks front office has never owned a championship team. The one thing we know is that Woody has been apart of a championship organization, and the lead assistant on that staff. So if anyone has a clue to what it takes to when a championship Woody has been there.
doc
November 12th, 2009
12:17 pm
eternal, just ask rod the question about marvin … oops you may already have.