Atlanta Hawks: Why They Need ‘Zo
(Note to my blog people: I wrote this back when I got on the beat in January but decided I didn’t have the cred to put it out then. I thought about freshening it up and posting it after Woody blew up at that shootaround in Milwaukee but decided to wait. Now after what happened to the Hawks in Game 5—beforehand the game I was taken aback at how nonchalant the players seemed in the locker room before such an important night—I decided now might be a good time to post this and see if it still holds up. It’s what I wrote back then except for editing a couple spots where I couldn’t think of the right word or hadn’t yet looked up some factual details at the time.)
I’ve been covering the Hawks for only two weeks. That’s not nearly enough time to form definitive opinions about the team, but readers have been asking me what I think the team needs to put it over the top. So with the caveat that I haven’t been around that long, I will draw on my experience covering the 2005-06 Heat and tell you what the Hawks need to be a real contender.
They need Alonzo Mourning.
Well, not the actual ‘Zo, who is comfortably retired after blowing out his knee at Philips Arena on Dec. 19, 2007. But the Hawks need someone like ‘Zo, who in ‘05-06 was a hardened veteran who had been through playoff battles and knew the kind of dedication and focus it took to win at a high level. He was a guy whose forceful personality commanded respect, and whose work ethic shamed players who weren’t 36 years old and fatigued by medication to rise to his level. And, just as importantly, ‘Zo still had something to offer on the floor that the Heat needed—even in the twilight of his career he was the most amazing shotblocker I ever saw in person, and that’s even after seeing Smoove do his thing.
The Hawks don’t have a ‘Zo. The Celtics do (Kevin Garnett). The Cavaliers don’t—LeBron is special but he’s not hardened yet—and couldn’t they have used a guy like that against the Magic in the 2009 East finals? The Magic doesn’t have a ‘Zo, either, and that’s what it means when you hear the complaints about Dwight Howard being too goofy (Stan Van Gundy had ‘Zo, so he knows). The Lakers, of course, have a ‘Zo type in Kobe, who is notorious for having little tolerance for BS from his teammates. The Spurs get that same effect from Gregg Popovich but that’s a unique situation because Tim Duncan is a superstar who accepts a coach riding him like that.
The Hawks don’t have that kind of locker room presence, and there are times when it shows. I’ve been to a few practices now where Woody walks the team through defensive situations. I’ve seen him tell guys what they need to do on pick-and-rolls, backdoor cuts, in transition, etc. And then the Hawks run through the play 10 seconds later and the guy who Woody just personally instructed messes up his assignment. “Where are you going?” is a common refrain from Woody in these situations. The atmosphere during these sessions tends to be loose, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a long season and the Hawks seem to be a group of guys who need to have fun. But there comes a time to be serious and there doesn’t seem to be anyone in the Hawks’ locker room to put it down like that. It’s what you get from a team that relies on so many young players or older guys without big personalities and/or roles.
These would be the times where ‘Zo would tell guys who keep messing up to pay attention. If guys goofed off when they should be focused, ‘Zo would tell them to knock it off. Now the other Heat players gave ‘Zo a lot of grief about being so intense and serious—he could be over-the-top with it at times—and he usually took the clowning good-naturedly. But when he spoke up his teammates paid attention because no one worked harder than ‘Zo. He was hungry for a title and he wasn’t going to let some nonsense get in the way of that. His intensity and toughness rubbed off on his teammates who could use it.
Now Woody critics might say that a coach with a better pedigree would be able to get them to focus better. There could be something to that because the NBA is a players’ league, but it’s not that simple. For one, it’s a long season and players get tired of hearing it from the coach. For another, Pat Riley got a lot of respect from his players because he’d won titles, sure, but also because he was the team president and backed by the owner. Unhappy players knew if they crossed him they could be shipped off to an even more miserable situation. But even that didn’t prevent Shaq from once nearly coming to blows with Riley in practice. ‘Zo, by the way, stepped between them and broke it up, good thing because who else was going to do it?
And Riley had his faults. He would arbitrarily enforce inconsistent fitness standards on players whom he was mad at for whatever reason. He once inexplicably suspended James Posey, a true pro, because Posey’s body fat percentage was a fraction above some standard that Posey suggested Riley had made up. He got personal with Antoine Walker, calling him out in the media, and while Walker’s game could be frustrating he wasn’t a bad guy. Riley could make the atmosphere too heavy for players. And if you think Woody doesn’t give enough love to young players, get a load of Riley. You basically had to be Dwyane Wade-good to be a young guy and get run with Riley.
The Hawks would be a different team with someone like ‘Zo. Mike Bibby certainly has the pedigree to be that guy but his role has diminished and he may not have the personality for it. Joe Johnson is the team’s star but he seems to be a quiet type. Smoove, Al, and Marvin are too young still.
From a talent standpoint, the Hawks actually match up fairly well with that ’06 Heat team. Wade obviously is an elite players, and Shaq at that time still changed defensive gameplans by commanding automatic double teams in the post. Those kinds of talents aren’t common. But then again the Heat didn’t have a J.J. type, a long wing who can get his own shot and defend multiple positions. ‘Zo was the closest thing the Heat had to Smoove, but ‘Zo couldn’t play big minutes because of his health—it was common to see him standing at halfcourt sucking wind while his teammates ran the break.
On that Heat team Jason Williams still pushed the pace at times and got to the rim, but usually his job was to bring the ball up and hand it off to Wade to initiate the offense and make the open shots that Wade created—sounds like Bibby, right? J-Will didn’t offer much defensively, either. Physically Marvin is a Posey type, long, athletic and able to guard multiple positions (though Posey was a veteran who had a knack for making just the right play at exactly the time the Heat needed it). Jamal Crawford is even better in his shotmaking role off the bench than Gary Payton was for the Heat.
So, on paper at least, this Hawks team could match up decently in physical talent with that ’06 Heat team. Keep in mind, too, the Heat stumbled into April and didn’t really start clicking until the final couple weeks of the regular season (unless you were there, you wouldn’t believe that this also coincided with ‘Toine replacing Posey in the starting lineup). The Bulls pushed the Heat in the first round, with a big game from Shaq and some big shots from GP turning the tide. Then the Heat got a sweet second-round matchup with the Wizards, whose soft defense allowed Wade to do whatever he wanted in the lane. The Heat swept the Wizards with Shaq sidelined by injury. Wade carried the Heat in the East finals against Detroit. Wade did the same in the Finals vs. the Mavericks (and the Heat doesn’t’ win without ‘Zo, who was possessed by then), but it’s also true the Dirk Nowitzki choked in Game 3.
The point is it’s not easy to win a title. It takes the right matchups. It takes some luck. It takes some time. And, from my experience, it takes someone like ‘Zo. The Hawks just don’t have that guy right now.
MC
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196 comments Add your comment
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 30th, 2010
8:20 am
ESPN
“We’re going to win. No question about it,” Hawks center Al Horford said. “That’s the bottom line. We have to bring it back to Atlanta.”
Horford guaranteeing the W
stoopor
April 30th, 2010
8:29 am
Whoever wrote this article is a complete moron.
Hunter
April 30th, 2010
8:35 am
By the Hawks need ‘Zo, he means why would anyone need ‘Zo right? This guy is like 80 years old. WE NEED TO MAKE A RUN AT WADE!!! Doubtful we will get him, but Dwade would replace JJ and keep the Hawks relavent
Westurd
April 30th, 2010
8:39 am
Sorry to say it, but its over. No way we get it done tonight. Not on the road and not after the last three games. Sorry to sound negative, but I’m just being real. I kill for our Hawks, but know them too well to think we have it in us to get the W tonight. Go Hawks!! (Please)
PMC
April 30th, 2010
8:52 am
A beating heart and some guts would work too.
Nate ArchiBALL
April 30th, 2010
8:53 am
The two smartest people in recent Atlanta basketball history:
Josh Childress for leaving Woody’s mess for Greece. Believe me – it wasn’t all about money.
Billy Knight for realizing that Woody had taken the team as far as his coaching talents could. Unfortunately, his removing Woody was overruled by the ASG. .
Please note that NBA players like grocery items have a shelf life. so before you start naming veterans to join the Hawks please consider how much they time they have left.
JeJe
April 30th, 2010
8:54 am
“He said he hasn’t been around the team as much this season, but plans to travel to Milwaukee as a further show of support. ”
-Michael Gearon JR
WOW IT’S GOOD TO KNOW THAT OUR OWNER IS GOING TO SUPPORT THE TEAM!
FIRE WOODY
TigerWoods
April 30th, 2010
8:55 am
I am very down this morning. First my favorite team Hawks are almost out of playoffs. Then my head is not into playing golf right now and have a bad round. And as you all know i have side issues personally. But what is really causing me concerns, I am questioning everything.
Is my brother Wooden really a rotten coach? Why did he let Jamal throw brick after brick out there? Why did he not take him out. Is JJ really worth a dime over 15M? I say no way. Get a true center, and a point guard for this team. Why can Hawks not rebound? And what is with the refs and ATL?
MC, Hawks need Kuth Thomas or Haslem or another tough guy like that.
But i have to now question myself and wonder about brother Wooden. Yes Grand Daddy and Wabe and JJ will be happy and have a field day.
newkid
April 30th, 2010
8:58 am
@MC, was wondering if you had forgotten your earlier commitment to post this piece. Thanks for sharing your perspective. One follow-up seires of questions: any sense of why Sund elected to pass on Stackhouse earlier this year, because I thought he was one of the most cost-effective players available who might meet this need? How might the current nest of Hawks ‘react’ to this type of ‘foreign’ presence?
JYD
April 30th, 2010
9:06 am
Get Wade/Hasleem/Prince in free agency for JJ/ Bibby/Marvin pick a SFor SG in the draft.By bring in Wade/Hasleem/Prince it’s experience that’s still hungry for a title by mixing with the core of Al, JJ, Teague, Crawford, Zaza and of cause sign a new coach The Little General and watch the Hawks battle it out in the confrence finals
J Cool
April 30th, 2010
9:15 am
You are absolutely correct in your asumption. Too much style and no substance. If your superstar refuses to be a leader or does not have leadership qualities this is the type of team you end up with!
Fundamentals
April 30th, 2010
9:24 am
Seems folks are missing the point he’s trying to make. Our team needs heart, it needs leadership, it needs to play like every second on the court matters. Maybe Zo was a too recent reference. How about we need Michael Jordan. Hold on, don’t start, listen.
We need an emotional leader who controls the locker room. Someone who intimidates our players, someone who gets the most out of them. It’s obvious we have the talent, we have the ability, we have the health, all of that. We’re just missing the piece that makes kids listen to the system, to play together, to play as a unit for the TEAM.
Michael took a long time to win championships. As is Lebron. It takes time to learn how to win and how to be that leader. Right now we’ve got alot of young talent that just hasn’t learned that lesson.
This series hurts. It’ll probably cost us our coach and shake up our team. Hopefully in the aftermath someone will emerge as a real leader. Talent can win in the regular season. It take committment, heart and playing together under one leader to win in the post season.
Something we haven’t been able to do since Bibby led us to victory against the Celtics. Yes, he had it then…till game 7, and it’s been gone ever since.
We’re satisfied with 53 wins and the 3rd seed. We thought we could easily make it to the 2nd round.
It’s not about expectations, it’s about a hunger! Seems our kids are on a diet.
RISE UP HAWKS! I’ll be here, regardless of the outcome, praying for the day it really happens.
Clyde
April 30th, 2010
9:31 am
“The two smartest people in recent Atlanta basketball history:
Josh Childress for leaving Woody’s mess for Greece. Believe me – it wasn’t all about money.
Billy Knight for realizing that Woody had taken the team as far as his coaching talents could. Unfortunately, his removing Woody was overruled by the ASG. .”
Peter
April 30th, 2010
9:31 am
If you thought the other night was bad…..wait until tonight…….Remember the horrible last loss in Boston a few years ago……By the mid second quarter, these guys will be getting blown out.
Gamer
April 30th, 2010
9:32 am
I watched the flagrant foul that Zaza put on Jennings and I thought what a wasteful foul because Zaza had the angle to actually block the shot. Instead he went for Jennings on a hard foul. Totally unneccessary and unfocus. Being the bigger player Zaza should have gone for a clean block..
These kind of defensive plays the Hawks players must eliminate and play stand up defense, at the same time not get pushed around.
If the Hawks show up on both end of the floor for forty plus minutes, they will be victors.
LEAVE IT ALL ON THE COURT, SWEAT, HUSTLE, DOMINANCE…
HAWKS MAKE BEDLAM!!! STRIKE FRIGHT INTO YOUR OPPONENT!!!!
bigeasy830
April 30th, 2010
9:35 am
That was a great article. I never heard that Shaq and Riley got into it. That is what I want from a sports reporter, some insight that we the regular fan don’t get. You should have posted this back in Jan. it takes and outsider’s eyes to see the true picture sometimes. You are right we need a “Zo”. Someone who will not accept losing to an inferior team and will not let his teammates accept it either.
Fundamentals
April 30th, 2010
9:37 am
Peter, there’s a 50/50 chance of that. Tonight will show what our team really has inside. They have to win this one to show they even care. Competing in Game 7 would be the same basic idea. If they get blown out it’s a clear sign we need to give them a blowout as well and rework this team.
Right now I feel the Bucks have shown they are the better TEAM. They deserve it more. It wouldn’t be fair for our guys to win the series, only to lay down in the 2nd round.
It’s time for honesty Hawks. We need to know who’s really committed to this team and who’s just here for a paycheck. We fans have too much invested for this kind of lackluster effort.
Play together, play hard or just let us off easy with a sign of your true character. I’d rather quit watching now if we’re just going to roll over in round 2.
JeJe
April 30th, 2010
9:47 am
LOL.
Woody blaming Horford for not passing into the post. Horford had a GREAT game 5 — wow
If Marvin was on fire on Wednesday, why did he not get the ball more after he scored all the points? This is so dumb – REWARD THOSE WHO PLAY WELL.
Woodson is an offensive moron. He even said so himself – “I don’t give a !@#$ about the offense”
jayman
April 30th, 2010
9:48 am
FIRE WOODY
gtm
April 30th, 2010
9:48 am
MC, I agree completely that a person with Zo’s qualities would be a huge benefit for our team, but as you said, only if he can contribute something to the game as well.
You probably haven’t heard of this guy, but I’m reminded of the Georgia Tech team that went to the NCAA Tournament final and had Clarence Moore as their “heart” guy. He was a contributor on the court while keeping the others in line and pumped up. Of course, that team had more leadership and heart even without Moore than the Hawks have, but he took them to another level.
Wabe
April 30th, 2010
10:23 am
Good posts all around.
And this goes back to the last blog. Northc-y-d-e, I wasn’t intentionally spelling your name that way, it was an honest mistake.
Clyde
April 30th, 2010
10:28 am
Just finished listening to Sekou’s interview on 790 the zone. It seemed like he got a lot off his chest now that he’s not with the AJC anymore.
FIRE WOODY
NEW CARS
April 30th, 2010
10:30 am
What you’re saying makes sense Michael. One warrior with leadership skills can take this team to another level. The problem with this team is that the 2 starters who have actually won at anything, Marvin and Al, are also the youngest and seem to be a little laid back. Does anyone else think that when JJ is gone that Marvin might take the next step in his evolution. I just think that this team is a little like the Bulls without MJ..Scottie acted and talked like a star, but he didn’t get it done on the court.
Outside of D Wade, which we won’t get, I’m not sure who that guy to lead is. But I do believe that JJ has shown that it is not him!
Clyde
April 30th, 2010
10:31 am
WELL FELLAS THIS MIGHT BE THE GAME WOODY COACHES FOR THE HAWKS. LET’S ENJOY IT WHILE WE CAN.
FIRE WOODY
Clyde
April 30th, 2010
10:32 am
THIS MIGHT BE THE LAST ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
FIRE WOODY
Melvin
April 30th, 2010
10:42 am
Interesting point of view on Joe (not) going to the Bulls from yahoo sports…
“the two most-discussed targets are Atlanta’s do-it-all wing Joe Johnson and Toronto big Chris Bosh.
Chicago radio guys ceaselessly talk up Joe Johnson, I don’t know how Nick Friedell suffers these loons, and you get a lot of Johnson talk on the chat boards and ICQ logs. And as nice as Joe’s stats are this season, you also have to understand the sheer amount of minutes he plays and how much he has the ball in his hands. I’m not calling him selfish, but I should point out he has more chances to put together nice box-score stats than just about any other player in this league outside of Cleveland.
And when you factor in all those possessions that are used up, pace, minutes and play relative to the rest of the league, he finishes out at a 19.3 PER. Which is good, but hardly the work of a franchise player. And some Bulls fans have pointed out — including one Real GM message board poster that I cannot locate right now but will surely be credited when I find his posts — Johnson’s stats at age 28 scarily resemble Jalen Rose’s stats at the same age, the year before Chicago traded for him.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-Chicago-Bulls-Gone-Til-November;_ylt=AkzlgvDoTznzXPLFYbqSqse8vLYF?urn=nba,237694
GumbyWilliams
April 30th, 2010
10:51 am
Everyone is calling for woodys head and his job, while woody is on the brink of his first championship title as a head coach. As soon of the hawks dispose of the bucks by winning the next two games, its onto the next round and i think the hawks will have learned their lessons in first round. The hawks will win the remainding rounds, then play in the finals and defeat whomever the opponent is. The Hawks will be champions of the NBA in a few weeks and I think the anxiety and venum directed toward marvin, bibby and woody will finally be over. Hopefully, Sund will give woody a 10-year contract extension so that woody can continue his legacy here in atlanta. Great job woody for getting the hawks this far. Woody should have been named COACH OF THE YEAR for the Hawks spectacular season.
GaDawg
April 30th, 2010
10:52 am
1. Hawks close in 4th but lose in last 2 min.
2. Woodson gone.
3. Joe Johnson gone.
4. Maybe Ted Turner can loan the ASG some cash to get DWade.
5. Bye Bye Mike Bibby, See # 4.
Andy
April 30th, 2010
10:52 am
MC: I think you make a valid point. However, I wouldn’t define the problem as not having the right player, but rather not having a player on the team who wants to win bad enough to call out the other guys who aren’t doing what they need to do to be successful. Maybe no one on our current roster feels that he has the street cred to be “that guy,” but I think a few of the guys definitely do. Maybe everyone is afraid of calling out Smoove because he does not seem to respond well to that. But all that doesn’t really matter if one or more of them wants it bad enough to help their coach out in getting guys to do what they’re supposed to do. In short, this team has some players that could lead, but none of them does lead, for whatever reason. I find it disturbing that no one wants it bad enough to put himself out there and try to lead this team the way it needs to be lead. You don’t actually have to be Kobe or LeBron or even ‘Zo to be a leader–you just have to know what you want, how to get it, and then do it!
Mz. Hawkdafied
April 30th, 2010
10:55 am
Nice blog write up MC. Don’t be holding back on us now, your blog is one of the many places we visit for insight and information. The team is definitely missing a Zo type presence.
bigeasy830
April 30th, 2010
10:56 am
GumbyWilliams
By Gumby I hope you are right
Grandad
April 30th, 2010
10:59 am
After listening to Sekou; it’s more clear to me now than ever.
If Wdsn is to leave, then so must Bibby!
After Bibby arrived:
Joe stopped being a team player and mentor for the young guys.
Somehow he & Bibby formed a clique. [Bibby's influence]
(remember Bibby has never won anything)
‘Cliche alert’: [Bibby]
“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”
*Marv has regressed, since Bibby arrived.
*Childress – left, in part, due to Bibby. *[Sekou]
*Acie Law – could not get on the ct. [Bibby/Wdsn - joined @ the hip]
*Jeff Teague – same as Acie [Bibby/Wdsn]
*Bibby/Wdsn reminds me somewhat of Tebow/Urban?
*M.Cunningham says:”Bibby never has much to say”
[Bibby's Leadership / makes you wonder]
His [Bibby's] playing time increased during the play-offs [this yr.]
even though his skills have eroded to the point where he is a liability.
It doesn’t make sense.
If wdsn goes to the Sixers, lets make sure we ship Mr. Bibby right along with him & make ‘em both happy.
South ga boy in the atl
April 30th, 2010
11:09 am
This was a fantastic collumn MC. It’s goes right with a post that I made yesterday. The Hawks don’t have a true leader to pull them together in times of crisis. JJ should be that guy because he is the star of the team but when he tries it’s feels so “forced” and contrived. It’s just not in JJ and his teammates know it. Smoove is the most likely person for this role. He has been here from day 1 of his career, this is his hometown, and his passion and energy are real and not “forced.” However he is too immature at 24 to be that guy. He looks like he’s whinning to the refs, coaches, and teammates when he gets vocal, and they tune him out. I think the only solution is to get an older coach with experience who can be the fatherly type (George Karl comes to mind) and sees the young core potential of the team and wants to reshape it into a championship caliber team. Someone that the youth on this team will respect and play hard for, and a coach who, with Sund of course, is not afraid to say we need to trade a piece or two to re-cast the team while still keeping the core intact. Maybe, in a yr or two, Smoove will mature a little more (c’mon guys he has come a long way from where he was) and he can take the helm as the leader of the team. Other than him, I don’t really see any other candidates unless you want to blow up the team and start again.
Clyde
April 30th, 2010
11:11 am
Gumby been smoking that Reggie Bush this morning.
FIRE WOODY
PUBLIX
April 30th, 2010
11:13 am
HAWKS NEED TO FIRE WOODY. AVERY JOHNSON SHOULD BE OUR COACH. HE IS YOUNG AND DOES NOT PUT UP WITH BS.
LET JJ GO AND SIGN SOMEONE WITH HEART, SOMEONE LIKE AMARE IF AVAILABLE…
TRADE FOR A DECENT SG, HOW ABOUT BIBBY AND WILLIAMS FOR O.J. MAYO AND A DRAFT PICK.
SIGN HASLEM SINCE HE IS A FREE AGENT.
PG- CRAWFORD; TEAGUE
SG- MAYO; DRAFT PICK
SF- SMITH; EVANS
PF- HORFORD; HASLEM
C – STOUDAMIRE; ZAZA
AVERY JOHNSON – COACH
N-Trigue
April 30th, 2010
11:14 am
Forget a Z0!!! Let’s start off first by getting a real headcoach!!! Hire Steve Smith Fire Woody!
N-Trigue
April 30th, 2010
11:21 am
Sign Rudy Gaye next year trade Marvin and Bibby!
JeJe
April 30th, 2010
11:27 am
Brilliant, northcyde! The ASG WANTS to lose this series so they don’t have to resign Woody!
We all know there’s a rule you MUST resign your coach!
GENIUS!
JeJe
April 30th, 2010
11:28 am
MC says Bibby isn’t quiet but doesn’t have much to say
WHERE IS THE FLOOR LEADER ON THIS TEAM? SMOOVE OR HORFORD, STEP UP!
WE KNOW IT’S NEVER JOE JOHNSON’S FAULT. IT’S ALWAYS “WE” WHEN THE HAWKS MESS UP — NEVER “I” FOR JOE
BYC
April 30th, 2010
11:30 am
After seeing the glaringly obvious problems with Mike Woodson’s coaching the last few years the Hawks need to let him go no matter what. Even if he managed to win a championship I would still want him gone. I just hope the Hawk’s ownership sees this so the fans don’t have to root for the Hawks to lose to guarantee Woodson’s departure.
JeJe
April 30th, 2010
11:30 am
Clyde,
What did Sekou say about Woody? I know yesterday he said BJennings would not be the player he is under woody
FIRE WOODY
Ken Strickland
April 30th, 2010
11:31 am
BIG RAY-I watched all of the televised practices last yr, and Bibby and JJ were the main 2 players who’s clowning around, laughing and lack of attentiveness couldn’t be ignored. The player who’s hard work and seriousness stood out the most was RMorris. During all of the practices it appeared as though Bibby and JJ we the like Batman and Robin, since they were virtually inseperatable.
I coudn’t help but think how relaxed and rather high school the practices were, compared to the serious very instructive practices I regularly attended when Hubie Brown was our HC and we practiced in Marietta.
I’ll tell you something, losing JJ will be a monumental blow to this franchise only if Woodson is retained as HC. When JJ leaves, and he’s gone for sure, there’s no way we can come anywhere close to finding a player anywhere close to his talent level. How many good SG’s would want to come here and be forced to play next to the NBA’s slowest, least athletic, least productive, and most DEF challenged, one dimensional nonpentrating starting PG?
What quality SG would want to be burdened with having to cover for Bibby by routinely having to guard PG’s, C’s and PF’s? How many vet SG’s will be available as FA’s that can shoot with range and have excellent one on one skills too boot? We certainly can’t trade for one, unless we give up one of our core players, since RMorris, MWest, JCollins, JoSmith and MEvans are either UFA’s or can opt out of their contracts.
We certainly aren’t going to trade JCrawford, and if we trade Zaza for a SG, who will be our backup C? We can totally forget about drafting a SG to replace him. Now, if we replace Woodson, we can make it work. We need to replace his with a HC that is:
(1) committed to running and playing uptempo,
(2) who doesn’t have a bias against rookies,
(3) who understands having and using OFF options, when the primary play or option is eliminated,
(4) who understands the value of having and utilizing the overall talent on the bench,
(5) who’s capable and not afraid to make immediate adjustments or changes, especially during gms,
(6) who gives a damn about OFF,
(7) who’s committed to developing and using young players, especially rookie PG’s.
(8) who will hold all players accountable, not just rookie and younger players,
(9) who isn’t too immature, insecure, stubborn and stupid to think he know’s everything and can’t be questioned, and is willing to listen to and accept suggestions from his staff.
(10) and who understands how detrimental it is to the overall team to maintain a hardcore double standard when it comes to treating all players.
In other words, we need the complete opposite of MWoodson. The NBA is full of talented SG’s sitting on benches and getting the Woody treatment, for various reasons, or that are playing 2nd or 3rd fiddle as starters, much like JJ was before coming here. Find one of those players, bench Bibby and start Teague, include Marvin in the OFF and add more structure to the OFF, and the overall team.
A new HC might end up with less talent with the loss of JJ, but he would most likely end up with a better, more consistent and productive team overall. In order for us to win the next 2gms, the players will have to rise up and totally overcome Woodson’s STUBBORN STUPIDITY AND INCOMPETENCE, and the Bucks. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
JeJe
April 30th, 2010
11:35 am
THE MAVS USED THE YOUNG ROOKIE LAST NIGHT (HE HADN’T PLAYED MEANINGFUL MINUTES AT ALL THE SERIES)
WHEN WAS THE LAST !@#$ING TIME WOODSON USED A NON-ROTATION PLAYER AND STUCK TO HIM IN AN IMPORTANT GAME?
NEVER
HE’S A RIGID POS COACH WITH NO ADJUSTMENTS. HE TELLS PLAYERS TO GO REBOUND WHILE THEY’RE FACING THE OTHER WAY
LouSimpson
April 30th, 2010
11:39 am
The Hawks have made a DRAMATIC improvement over last year:
Josh Smith: most improved player on hawks and great humanitarian
Jamal Crawford: sixth man of the year and instant offense when called on
Joe Johnson: hall of fame credentials keep mounting
Al Horford: dramatically improved low post game and perimeter shooting
Mike Bibby: tons of playoff experience AND deadly 3pt shooter when hot
Marvin Williams: snake oil salesman to convince coach to continue starting him when he should have been kicked off the team for lack of production
Oh well everything cant be pefect!
Clyde
April 30th, 2010
11:41 am
I say hire Larry Drew and let JJ walk.
PG – Teague – Bibby
SG – JCrawford – Flip Murray – Mario West
SF – Marvin – Mike Miller – Mo Evans
PF – Jsmooth – Horford
C – Haywood – Zaza – Joe Smith
FIRE WOODY
DHD
April 30th, 2010
11:49 am
Stupid article. Gad to read half of it to find out who “Zo” was then learned he didn’t really mean Zo.
How do these guys become journalists?
NUNNA!!
April 30th, 2010
11:51 am
i bet we all know who may have been that player that mc was talking about in practice,and i would say its a great chance that it was josh smith.
in the pre-season,there was a segment on nba tv that spotlighted several nba teams during a live practice.and the hawks were one of them..
i noted on this same hawks blog,(of a particular episode during the practice)of how a RFA got by josh with his lackluster play,and did a nice finger roll and scored..
woody seeing this and the lackluster play yelled out at josh who was miked up by the nba tv crew,and said,”smooth” while throwing his hands up like “what happened”.
and josh looked back at woody and shouted,”what do you want me to do? that was a good shot”..
and woody then gave the same look he gives now on the sidelines,(you know the what the heck is going on) look..
i brought that up on here after seeing that,and looked for at least a response from someone else who saw it,but i guess everyone either forgot or just didn’t think it was nothng..
woody is even losing the respect of zsa zsa too..remember the way he carried on after woody pulled him out of a game before the season ended when he got into foul trouble??
we have jason collins, who went to the finals as a starting NBA CENTER!!
NOTE ON COLLINS:Collins owns career averages of 4.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 510 games (404 starts). A strong post defender, Collins had spent his entire NBA career with the Nets after they acquired his draft rights (18th selection in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft).
Collins, who attended Stanford with twin brother and current Utah Jazz member Jarron, was the “starting center for 2 NBA Finals teams” (2002, 2003) and averaged 3.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 23.7 minutes in 75 career playoff games (58 starts) with the Nets.
JOE SMITH:in ‘07-’08 playoffs,he played in 13 games,263 minutes,36-74FG,14-22FG,60REB,5 STEALS,6 ASSISTS,7BLOCKS,SCORED 86 POINTS..
in 08′-09 playoffs,he played in 13 games,217mins,23-50FG,23-29FT,48REBS,6 STEALS,7 BLOCKS,AND SCORED 72 POINTS..AND THAT WAS WITH LEBRON,MOE WILLIAMS AND THE CAVS..
AND WE CAN’T FIND DECENT PLAYOFF MINUTES FOR THESE GUYS??
IS THAT NOT WHAT WOODY ASKED FOR AND INSISTED JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT THEY WOULD GET MINUTES COME PLAYOFF TIME?
I HOPE I EAT MY WORDS FOLKS,BUT I DOUBT IT..
NOTHING IS GONNA CHANGE TONIGHT..THE HAWKS WILL LOOK LIKE THE HAWKS AND WE’LL BE HOME FOR THE SUMMER AFTER TONITE..
NO ADJUSTMENTS FROM WOODY NOR HIS COACHING STAFF..
LOOK FOR BLOWOUT BY THE 10 MINUTE MARK OF THE 4TH QUARTER..
I LIKE THE TEAM BUT WHEN YOU KEEP PUTTING YOUR PLAYERS IN A POSITION NOT TO WIN THEN YOU NEED TO GO.. HAWKS LOSE TONIGHT..
jeff
April 30th, 2010
11:54 am
JJ is a good player, and a 4 time All-Star, but the facts are there. If he wouldn’t ISO in the 4th QTR so much (especially in this series) and pass the ball after drawing double, triple teams we would have swept the bucks. Well maybe not swept, but at least wouldn’t have lost the 9 point lead with 4 minutes to go.
Agreed- He has been clutch at times, so has Crawford. He needs to stop hogging the ball a be a team player. Share the ball JJ and we win tonight.
BrickThrower
April 30th, 2010
11:58 am
Woody punked the hawks the other night on national tv. Woody sounded just as nonchalant as his players; joe johnson, josh smith, etc. When woody was asked how the hawks will play going into game 5 when the hawks series was even at 2-2, woody said were comfortable in atlanta where we won the first two games of the series and hes expecting the same thing. If he was a “real coach” he would have said, “our team will get the same results of the first two games if we play hard for 48 minutes”. I got the imprssion that Woody felt as though as soon as the referees throw the ball up in the air for the tipoff, the “HAWKS WOULD AUTOMATICALL WIN JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE PLAYING AT PHILLIPS ARENA”. That is a bunch of crap because woody let on as though the hawks would have automatically got the “W” just because they were in the friendly confines of Phillips. So the hawks players took on the nonchalantness of their coach and the results were evident.
Nacho
April 30th, 2010
12:02 pm
I see where the AJC has an article stating that Woodson wants more ball movement. The thought occurred to me, “What Woodson has to say seems very irrelevant right now.” I believe that Woodson is history.
If the Hawks are ever going to be anything more, Woodson is coaching his last few games with the Hawks.
He is mentally bankrupt on what to do next.