Woody: Short bench strategy “backfired on me” vs. Suns
Phoenix– Woody, subdued and contemplative at this morning’s light practice, acknowledged that his strategy of playing his starters heavy minutes was a big factor in the Hawks’ loss to the Suns last night.
“I did something last night I haven’t done all year in terms of playing six guys,” he said. “I really thought we could beat those guys like that but it backfired on me because their second unit beat us.”
The Suns’ reserves took it to the Hawks in the fourth quarter. The Hawks’ reserves other than sixth man Jamal Crawford watched the entire second half from the bench.
Despite going with the starters plus Jamal for those 24 minutes, the Hawks managed just 30 points, missed 20 of 33 shots and were beaten 27-17 on the boards. Jason Richardson was the only Suns starter to play more than four minutes in the fourth quarter.
“Their second unit is probably their best defensive unit and they climbed up in us,” Woody said.
Woody stuck with his six-man rotation even though Hawks vet Joe Smith sparked the team in the first half. He had seven points and four rebounds in six minutes and was active rotating out to Phoenix’s shooters.
“Joe Smith surely should have played more in the second half based on how he played early on,” Woody said.
Making matter worse for the Hawks was a poor shooting night. Joe Smith, Smoove and J.J. combined to shoot 19 for 37; the rest of the Hawks were 11 for 39.
Add those numbers to the Hawks’ 50-36 deficit on the boards, 15 turnovers and Phoenix’s 52 points in the paint and it explains how the Hawks lost despite holding the Suns more than 20 points below their league-leading scoring average.
“We couldn’t make shots,” Woody said. “We got good shots, shots we normally make. That put some pressure on our defense to get stops, and we did get some. But our offense worked against us. We have not seen too many nights like that.”
I asked Woody if the offensive problems were related to the specific matchup with the Suns or if there are adjustments he can make going forward. He kept coming back to his six-man rotation.
“I had to see something for myself,” Woody said. “I condensed things last night almost like it was a playoff game, when your backs are against the wall and you have to have one. I blew out six guys trying to do it. I can tell you it won’t happen again.”
MC
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151 comments Add your comment
Melvin
February 21st, 2010
11:33 am
“• Of the top free agents for 2010, Atlanta’s Joe Johnson is the one considered the most likely to find a new team. The Hawks have heard the rumblings and already made it known that Johnson will get a first-year salary of around $17 million in a new multi-year “maximum” salary deal. He’s making $15 million now.” – NY Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2010/02/20/2010-02-20_cross_nets_clips__heat_off_lebrons_list.html
niremetal
February 21st, 2010
11:57 am
Melvin,
Whoever that “source” is (hint: this is the NYDN, which is basically a glorified tabloid, so there probably isn’t a source) needs to brush up on the NBA’s salary cap rules. Barring a significant increase in the salary cap next year (which is about as likely as the Nets winning 10 straight between now and May), the max salary JJ could get next year is 105% of his current salary, or $15.7M. It might average $17M over the life of the deal, but it sure won’t start there.
richbrave
February 21st, 2010
12:01 pm
niremetal
February 20th, 2010
9:38 pm
Watching Toronto-Washington. Great game. Two things stick out to me:
1) The Wizards are playing MUCH better now than they did before the team was blown up. Flip has always been good at molding second units, so I guess a team full of second-unit players suits him.
2) The Raptors home crowd is larger and louder against Washington than ours was when I went to the Jazz game.
Nice to know that you’re seein’ what I’m seein’. Someone asked why the big difference in regard to the play of the WIZ. My answer was…………. guaranteed contracts and the level of pay.
vava74
February 21st, 2010
12:08 pm
I’ve just watched the game. Some complementary notes:
1. I have no words to qualify Woody’s role in this loss. Maybe “bewildering” comes close. Joe Smith was very active and productive and the fact that he did not get any more minutes is pathetic.
2. Bibby had a pretty decent first half (6pts 4ass) and a pretty awful second half with many lazy passes. In his defense, I think he got whacked in the 4th when did the right thing and drove to the basket in search of the free throws or a dish.
At this juncture of his career, or at least in his current physical status, he can only play 20-25 minutes. To play him more than this is a bad option.
3. Crawford is clearly struggling. To make him shake off his injury by playing him heavy minutes is – again – bewildering.
4. Mo is clearly playing out of position: he got slaughtered by Hill in a couple of possessions where his lack of height exposed him as a bad option on the SF slot. His defense is more effective at the top of the key where he can get steals, keep up with SG, help trap the opposing PG and get easy fast break buckets.
5. JJ has 2 major flaws in his game which should be easy to correct – one of them with Woody’s intervention:
a) When he is double teamed on the sideline (typically on left side of the court) and he tries to pass over the double team, he is often too lazy and slow doing it. In his defense, I must say that, typically, there is no one close enough for him to squeeze a pass between the defensive trap.
When JJ is trapped, Woody has to put people helping him out and coming closer to get the ball instead of having JJ trying to make a long pass.
Also, AVOID AT ALL COST, getting the ball to JJ in that position so many times in a row (I know that it’s his favorite spot. but it shouldn’t when he gets consistently double teamed there). Let them double team him at the top of the key where he will have two passing options.
b) JJ often turns his head on defense and let’s his man perform a back cut to the basket unopposed. The funny thing is that this happens more often against scrubs or secondary players than with first-teamers.
It happened during a critical moment of the game with Dudley as it happened as well against NY with Nate in ATL.
6. It is also unexplainable why no one crashes the boards when JJ is isolated. One thing is to clear the court for him to penetrate, another is to, when he starts the jump shot motion, remain nailed to the ground.
7. Let’s be honest: Al is in some games over matched by bigger opponents which are as mobile as he is. Nothing against him!! He is, by his own right, an all star center, however, when he faces this type of opponents he can be taken off the game.
The fact is that in those games Woody has to put some more beef on court taking Al out of the game earlier and then getting him in when the match up is more favorable.
Another alternative would be to – in set occasions – have Smoove drop to the SF slot, Al to PF and use another big (even Joe Smith would do) to get us some more boards and create favorable match ups for Al and Josh inside.
Provided that Joe Smith is placed on the top of the key in the high post within his shot range we could have interesting results.
I MUS WRITE
February 21st, 2010
12:14 pm
VAVA Thats alot of salt Homie….. Good post’s tho
darrell starks
February 21st, 2010
12:19 pm
WOODY IS GOOFY WHO DOES THAT AS A COACH 6MAN ROTATION WHAT A JOKE.
GO HAWKS!!!!!
vava74
February 21st, 2010
12:27 pm
IMUS,
Thanks. To watch a game which outcome is already known and end up in a defeat hurts even more than to watch it live… you can see in anticipation all the lost opportunities and where the game is being lost with a more analytic eye. It’s an interesting exercise.
Melvin
February 21st, 2010
12:32 pm
Nire,
Good catch about the NY Daily. I won’t put nothing pass the media trying to make news. However, I know the Hawks can offer JJ an extra year but can an opposing team offer the same starting amount?
JohhnyWalking
February 21st, 2010
12:41 pm
The Hawks are still a VERY GOOD team this year. You can AND WILL hound Woody for his short comings as coach, BUT the Hawks are still in the best position that have been in a lonnnng time. And for that Woody gets his credit. To read some of these post you would think people are talking about the NETS. Worse job ever, No clue at ALL, we get beat by 20 every night, the bench sucks, we wont make it to the FINALS game JUST the eastern conf Finals, I mean come on man, REALLY??? But thats the function of any BLOG seems like. True enough we had a 13 win season not long ago,BUT to come where we are TODAY speaks volumes. Is this team perfect, NO not even close. They are still one of the TOP teams in the NBA on a Walmart budget. Woody aint so bad. They are the HOME team, how about a little support??? Come out to a game, spend 20 or 30 bucks. Dont just sit on a blog during EVERY game whining and complaining.
darrell starks
February 21st, 2010
12:48 pm
JOHHNY WALKING dont come on here talking about us blogger, i dont just be on here complaining i be at the hawks game complaining 2, i am a season tickets holder so no what your talking about.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
Ken Strickland
February 21st, 2010
12:51 pm
VALVA74-WOW, you’re starting to sound like a less frustrated version of me. EXCELLENT COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS.
ASTRO JOE-you are always give Woodson credit for whatever the team does well, but you are unwilling to hold him accountable for his involvememt in whatever the team does wrong, even if he admits it. YOU KNOW, YOUR DOGMATIC, INFLEXIBLE AND STUBBORN APPROACH AND THOUGHT PROCESS MIRRORS WOODSONS. YOU BOTH STICK WITH WHAT YOU FEEL NO MATTER HOW BADLY IT’S FAILING.
niremetal
February 21st, 2010
12:53 pm
Melvin,
Yeah, I’m pretty sure other teams can offer the same starting salary. The big differences are 1) as you said, the Hawks can offer a 6th year instead of just 5; and 2) the Hawks can offer higher annual raises (10% instead of 8%). As a result, if the max starting salary is $15.8M, the max other teams could offer is ~5yr/$90M (averaging $18M/yr) and the max the Hawks can offer is ~6yr/$119M (averaging $19.8M/yr) or if the Hawks don’t want to offer a sixth year, 5yr/$96M (averaging $19.2M/yr).
niremetal
February 21st, 2010
12:54 pm
*10.5%, not 10%. Those percentage points add up when you’re doing a long-term contract.
JohhnyWalking
February 21st, 2010
1:01 pm
“i dont just be on here complaining i be at the hawks game complaining 2″ “YOU BOTH STICK WITH WHAT YOU FEEL NO MATTER HOW BADLY IT’S FAILING.” Thats exactly what im talking about. Complaining about what??? Trying to get the NUMBER TWO seed in the EAST???? Failing at what???? Home court advantage in the 1st round??? Maybe I’m blind. Maybe if we had a luxury tax roster or won a Championship in the last 3 years and TRYING to get back on top I could see it.
Ken Strickland
February 21st, 2010
1:32 pm
ASTRO JOE-With the talent former GM BKnight and current GM RSund have added to our roster each yr, this team would be hard pressed not to win. And before you get too carried away with your embellishment of Woodson as the sole reason for this team winning, remember, he’s had a grand total of just ONE(1) winning season prior to this yr. How hard was it to increase our win total each yr when we started out with a near NBA record low 13wins. And, with the GM adding quality talent each yr, where else was there to go but up?
You can’t seem to get beyond the teams past, both before the Woodson era or during it. What he did for the team when it was developing was great, and he got paid for that, as well as a new contract. But we are dealing with the here and now ASTRO, and it’s no longer a matter of what he’s doing FOR the team, it’s a matter of what he’s doing TOO the team. This isn’t the young, inexperienced and limited Hawks of the past that need’s an overseering taskmaster.
The current Hawk team is far more talented, experienced, versatile, athletic and mature than any of Woodson’s former teams. Therefore, they need more input, strategy, direction, inclusion and structure, and our boy Woody is proving he’s not up to the task. His 1st 3-4yrs, he kept the team going, but his last 2yrs, he’s held the team back. He’s proven he can get more out of less, but when given more, he gets less.
cp
February 21st, 2010
2:27 pm
I read that teams are working out Von Wafer. Would be a nice guy to have come off the bench. Good defender and can score. I would rather have him than Mario but I doubt we even show intrest.
Jason
February 21st, 2010
2:40 pm
I honestly don’t have a question about this game b/c none of it surprises me. I’ve watch year after year as the fact that we’ve steadily increased our win total year after year overshadows the fact that “Coach” Woodson refuses to play his bench, ride Joe Johnson into the ground, and leave the team exhausted by playoff time. What I want to know is, with the combination of length and athleticism we have, why the Hawks didn’t make a run at Mike D’Antoni when he left Phoenix??? The style of play fits the playes we have ( Horford and Smith run the floor very well and Bibby is very good at distributing the ball on the fast break) Everyone in and/or around the league seems to only talk about how “athletic” a team we are, why not bring in a coach that will maximize their strengths rather than play the starters 40 minutes a game in the regular season and give them a 5-hour energy and a pat on the butt when the playoffs roll around???
vava74
February 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
Mike D’Antoni is an overrated coach who rode Steve Nash’s back during his best years.
Not a terrible coach, but not nearly good enough.
Jason
February 21st, 2010
2:59 pm
well at this point I’ve run out of frustration with Woodson. So hopefully we make a deep run in the playoffs and he can prove me wrong b/c I deeply hope this isn’t the best he can come up with
All I'm Saying Is...
February 21st, 2010
3:00 pm
VaVa74 – Excellent post!
I didn’t see the game so my post is based purely on Woddy’s comments. I’m sorry to be so harsh but Woody is an idiot if it took this game for him to realize the implications of soley relying on his starters. Phoenix may not even make the playoffs and if they do, they will be a 7 or 8 seed most likely yet for him to think like this and to articulate what his thinking was shows how little he has learned and how dense he is despite the talent he now has at his disposal. The bench he has now is nothing like the bench he was stuck with when the Hawks played the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs a couple of years ago. It is inexcusable and a terminating offense, in my book, for him to make a stupid decision like he did against the Suns. (If this were hockey and he were the coach of the NJ Devils, their GM, Lou something or other would fire him because he did just that towards the end of the season before the playoffs started despite the fact that his team had a playoff spot.)
I just hope Rick Sund is paying attention because without even trying I can think of two coaches (Avery Johnson and Byron Scott) who have taken teams to the NBA Finals who are likely available to take over this team and no doubt will instantly have much respect as soon as they walk into the locker room.
You had better tighten up your act, Woody, and not screw this team up with your stupid decisons (and I say stupid because he ought to know better by now).
LET’S GO HAWKS!
niremetal
February 21st, 2010
3:01 pm
Vava,
Gotta disagree with you on that one. Nash never reached his peak until he started playing for D’Antoni, and didn’t play at the same level when D’Antoni left – until, that is, D’Antoni’s former assistant Gentry re-implemented D’Antoni’s offensive system this past summer. Coach and player drove each other, same way as Sloan rode Stockton/Malone and vice versa.
Jason
February 21st, 2010
3:13 pm
niremetal
I used D’Antoni as an example but thats what i feel is lacking in Atlanta. Woodson does not strike me as the kind of coach who can cultivate team and bring out their true potential. He seems like a very good assistant coach who, in a limited role, can be useful in a complementary capacity to the head coach (i.e. his time with the Detroit Pistons) Its not that I enjoy ragging on Woodson, becuase that would mean that my team is not performing to its capabilities otherwise I would have no just cause to do so. I just see so much potential talent on this team, even as they have improved.
And with the VERY REAL possibility that the team won’t have Joe Johnson to lean on after this season, the Atlanta Hawks will need someone leading them that will cultivate them and maximize their strengths
I am and have been a RABID Alabama Crimson Tide fan my whole life. SO I have seen teams settle for being above average until they are coached by someone who shows them they have the ability to be extraordinary
darrell starks
February 21st, 2010
3:51 pm
CAVS MISSING BIG Z ALREADY YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN SHAQ COME OUT.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
darrell starks
February 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
This is why we must get big Z 2 block the cavs from getting him plus our front court will be stronger.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
Clyde
February 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Jason u in the right place. Woody = Mike Shula
ROLL TIDE
ILL-logical
February 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Some excellent analysis today thanks to vava74’s cogent posts. If there is a truely culpable party in the scenario, it is ownership. Their management and finacial shortcomings compound whatever coaching and general management weakness the Hawks have.
Case in point, last season before the playoffs Sund tried to work a deal with the Clippers for Chris Kamen but the owners blocked it. Would the Hawks won a championship with Kamen? Probably not but they would have at least one more big to battle against the Celts,Cavs and Magic and after watching the Cav -Magic contest it is clear that you need to have a strong inside force(s) to play with these guys. and the Hawks do not have that force, partly because of the failure of the ownership and partly because the current head coach will not deveolp the players he has or change his “system” to better accomadate the talent he has.
Until or unless the ownership’s issues are resolved, the discussions will only address the symptoms and not the problem.
jay dubu
February 21st, 2010
4:05 pm
Did Woody have to wait until the game was overto realize that he should have played Joe Smith more?
Astro Joe
February 21st, 2010
4:13 pm
Strickland, how many of the top 8 teams in the league are over the luxury tax threshold? Does spending big bucks on bench players likely mean that you have more depth than a team whose bench likely averages a salary of around $2M (excluding Jamal)?
You will never find a post of mine where I give Woody “sole” credit for the team’s performance. I understand the definition of “team”. I speak about the WHOLE being greater than the individual parts. We do NOT have an elite coach. We do NOT have an elite player. We do NOT have an elite payroll. But somehow, we’re sitting with an elite record after 50 games. It seems to me the answer is simple, the whole (Woody, Marvin, Joe, Mo, Mario, RandMo, the ASG and everyone else) have formed a team that is among the league’s elite. Sorry if I refuse to highlight the shortcomings of the coach… it’s not as if there is not another dozen or so around here to provide that perspective. And if you choose to believe that this steady increase in wins happens completely in spite of Woody, have at it. I think it is an absurd notion, but hey, shout at the rain if you choose. Just don’t hinder me while I bask in the sunlight.
vava74
February 21st, 2010
4:26 pm
Nire,
i agree that D’Antoni – Nash relationship was symbiotic but the point I wanted to make was that D’Antoni’s system does not work without a top notch offensive PG which something we obviously lack.
Consequently, D’Antoni with this roster would not work and that was the main point of my rushed post.
ant banks
February 21st, 2010
4:33 pm
ASTRO,
you know i am a hawk lover but they will be in trouble come playoffs. i am not sure that we will make it out of the first round, especially if we play toronto, chicago, or miami. then the 2nd round really is a wash.
while watchin’ this season playout, i am also thinkin’ about next yr. with or without joe johnson we in trouble. with him, we can’t get out of the 2nd round without him, who is out there for us?
vava74
February 21st, 2010
4:33 pm
Nire,
Strictly speculating and without jumping immediately into the fire Woody bandwagon (in my book he still has the rest of the season to correct his shortcomings):
have seen Bill Laimbeer’s work in the WNBA? Is he any good? My guess is that he probably learned with one if the best (Daly) and has a good bball knowledge and that his success with the Detroit ladies could be linked to his ability.
Obviously I could be wrong.
ant banks
February 21st, 2010
4:41 pm
VAVA74,
no mo’ detroiters coachin’ here. that is where woody came from. if we lose woody get some new blodd in here. what worked with the girls won’t work here anyway. there ain’t no lebrons, kobes, or dwade with the girls.
Grandad
February 21st, 2010
4:58 pm
vava74:
Two items – from ’salt’ Mahorn was lost in expansion draft [minnesota]and they tried fervently to get him back.
The reason I mention this is I’m wondering if he could overcome WNBA
incident and become a men’s asst. eventually leading to an HC pos.
As for D’Antoni I think he would be wonderful here, ‘coaching up’ our gifted athletes.
CP – Why even look @ Von Wafer or anyone else. Wdsn’s not gonna play ‘em.
darrell starks – You’re my hero.
nire – What would we do w/o you? You’re our resident ‘capologist’.
O'Brien
February 21st, 2010
5:03 pm
Mike Woodson: “I had to see something for myself,” Woody said. “I condensed things last night almost like it was a playoff game, when your backs are against the wall and you have to have one.”
So does this mean that the next time our backs are against the wall, and we “have to have one” Woody will give his bench more PT, since his starters didn’t deliver this time?
I also think Woody deserves some of the credit for our wins. Unfortunately, there are games where I think he is a major contributor as to why we lose.
@ Vava, good observations. If regular fans can make these observations, why can’t Woody? How come he has no strategy? How come he never tries anything different? And that has nothing to do with the quality of our bench players.
Melvin, nire,
I could be wrong, but at his age, I dont think money will be the reason that determines where JJ signs. I think it will be based on how competitive the team will be, and how comfortable he thinks he will fit with the team’s players.
Now if you’re the Hawks, do you offer JJ 6 years, $119 mil? Thats basically $20 mil per year on average? My opinin, I would gladly offer him the 5 years, $96 mil. But a 6th year? i dont know, because he will be 34, and who knows how his body will hold up since he has played so many minutes over his career?
bfmb
February 21st, 2010
5:05 pm
woody is the best coach!!!! what are yall talking about.he gave the pistons a championship!!!like he will make the hawks 1 day.
sirluciouscp
February 21st, 2010
5:22 pm
Woody is a moron, can we get a real coach please.
BirdDawg
February 21st, 2010
5:41 pm
To vava, I’m giving you more props. Great post. You should keep it up.
To AstroJoe, don’t just consider the overall, look at specifics. True enough, the Hawks are winning and as fans, we are happy about that, but as a true fan, you should see that this team has the talent to be so much better than they are right now. BK was called a bonehead, sometimes by myself, but looking at this team and the tremendous talent it has, it appears maybe he wasn’t so boneheaded after all. Not to say he was a great GM, but at least now we can see his vision come to fruition. And yes, this team is winning in spite of Woodson due to that great talent. If you really look, you will see that this team is making the same mistakes and losing in the same ways they were when Woodson first got here, just not as often…experience will do that for you in spite of horrible coaching. Another point, Michael Jordan’s Bulls and Kobe’s Lakers were winning before Phil Jackson arrived, but they didn’t win a championship until he got there. So talented teams can win without a great coach, they just won’t win a championship without a great coach and that’s where the Hawks are right now. This team has NBA championship level talent with AAU level coaching and that just isn’t going to get them to the promised land.
Thinking ahead
February 21st, 2010
5:44 pm
Deron Williams is unhappy with the Jazz. Let’s do a sign and trade with JJ. Then do a Bibby trade for a guard. We also need a sign and trade with Chills to get something out of him.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 21st, 2010
5:45 pm
“Because if this team is competing for a top 3 playoff spot entirely in spite of Woody, then BK clearly needs to be receiving weekly thank you notew from this fan base (and Sund too).”
As a matter of fact, you are right. I’ve felt for a while that Rick Sund gets an undue amount of credit for the Hawks’ current success that BK really deserves. Jamal Crawford is the only key Hawk that is a Sund acquisition. BK is often judged by the players he didn’t get (Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Al Jefferson, Rudy Gay, Brandon Roy, Rajon Rondo) but the fact is that he did put together the core of a team that is now in the top 8 of the NBA.
Of course, before any of us go overboard giving BK props, the truth is if the Hawks didn’t luck into the #3 pick in 2007, they would still be sucking now in all likelihood. Luck plays a major role in every successful team.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 21st, 2010
5:48 pm
“Now if you’re the Hawks, do you offer JJ 6 years, $119 mil? Thats basically $20 mil per year on average? My opinin, I would gladly offer him the 5 years, $96 mil. But a 6th year? i dont know, because he will be 34, and who knows how his body will hold up since he has played so many minutes over his career?”
Worst case, if he does break down by age 34, he would represent a massive expiring contract that the Hawks will be able to turn into future assets. I don’t think the possibility of him losing a step at age 34 should be a barrier to the Hawks doing all they can to keep him.
The only reason I would be willing to see the Hawks part with Joe Johnson is if they are confident they can replace him with Dwyane Wade. And considering any team that acquires Wade would probably have to execute a sign and trade, I don’t see that happening.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 21st, 2010
5:56 pm
As far as the Joe Johnson to New York rumors, I am pretty sick of the sense of entitlement New York sports fans and media have. The Knicks may be located in the biggest city in America, but they have been irrelevant as a basketball franchise for a while now. This constant ESPN-fed story of free agents joining that joke of a team has become one of the most annoying stories of this NBA season. I really hope LeBron, D-Wade, Joe Johnson, etc. use the Knicks as nothing more than a bargaining chip and that team ends up having to overpay mediocre players to use its cap space like Detroit did last offseason.
Expectations to high
February 21st, 2010
6:05 pm
While Vara made many good points so have Ken and Astro. I would be on the side of moderate frustration concerning our team. I have not forgot the rise of the past 4 years. Last year were a top 12 team at best and this year I expect a top 6-8 team at best. Of course we have the smallest payroll of any of these teams. All this talk about championships is not being realistic.
What we have not discussed much is the upcoming CBA. A harder cap only rewards teams like the Hawks who put a competitive team on the floor while spending 10-24 million less.
Nelson is what – like 2nd in wins in the NBA? He is a corporate jerk. I would pick Woody any day. xxx and ooo’s does not rate so high in the grand scheme of things. Talent on the floor rules.
Expectations to high
February 21st, 2010
6:20 pm
I do not blame Sund for Joe Smith. Most of us cheered his decision. We did not expect the demise of Bibby and Evans. While many hope for Teague he his a second to third project at best. A team that cannot throw money at problems has few options.
Reality
February 21st, 2010
6:29 pm
Love to see Boston go down. Sometimes you don’t have to win. We have blown opportunities against teams that we should beat. But who hasn’t. This year the NBA is about parity.
Geemack
February 21st, 2010
6:52 pm
Ken Strickland
My question is how is Woody holding them back? You act like this team should be winning titles.
vava74
February 21st, 2010
7:01 pm
Grandad,
thanks for the correction. I was not enterily sure of what happened with Mahorn.
ILL-logical
February 21st, 2010
7:04 pm
The challenge ownership faces with w/not to re-sign Joe is that if you give him the max deal, where do you find the funds to add the other missing pieces to put together a championship team?
And they can’t continue to say that the current roster will win a championship with just some more experirnce.
As far as a new coach, the same issue there: to get a championship caliber coach, you have to pay big bucks. Can they afford to pay a star,superstar money; add another piece-a real center AND pay a big time coach? You tell me.
Reality
February 21st, 2010
7:27 pm
ILL-logical
I agree 100%
be real, we have to ride out the CBA abd see what happens.Give Joe a one to two year contract and see what happens.
niremetal
February 21st, 2010
7:36 pm
If we only offer JJ a 1-2 year contract, he’ll be out of here faster than you can count to 3. And we wouldn’t get jack back for him because multiple other teams would have no trouble convincing him to sign there instead of here.
Blast
February 21st, 2010
8:17 pm
Bibby! Missed shot and a turnover!
What is wrong with Mike? Never seen him play so bad for so long a stretch!