Sund: Players Need ‘Another Voice’ After Six Years of Woodson’s
The Hawks decided not to offer coach Mike Woodson a new contract.
Woodson coached the Hawks for six seasons. The team improved its record in each of the last five years, including a 53-29 record this season that was fifth-best in franchise history, but GM Rick Sund decided the team needs a new leader.
“It was a hard decision,” Sund said. “When I analyzed and looked at it, I went round and round. Finally I think it got to the situation where the compelling thought is, ‘Maybe change is good for everybody.’ That happens quite a bit in the NBA. Maybe the players need to hear another voice, and maybe Mike needs to talk to another group.”
Sund declined to comment on the details of his evaluation of Woodson. Sund also didn’t want to discuss any potential candidates to replace Woodson or offer a broad outline of what qualities he wants in a successor.
Early media speculation has centered on Dallas assistant Dwane Casey, whom the Hawks interviewed before hiring Woodson. Sund was the Seattle GM when Casey was an assistant coach there for five seasons.
Woodson, who is free to seek other jobs, did not return a message. He has defended his tenure with the Hawks while highlighting accomplishments that include three consecutive playoffs appearances, and said he received unfairly harsh criticism for the team’s loss to Orlando in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
But Hawks management had doubts that Woodson’s approach would lead to further improvement, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Among their concerns was that Woodson would have an increasingly difficult time getting through to his players if he returned.
Some players felt Woodson didn’t rebuke certain players as strongly as he did others for their mistakes, according to four people familiar with the locker-room dynamics. The differing levels of accountability led to resentment for some players , the people said.
Players credited Woodson with helping to maintain a loose atmosphere and reducing the length, frequency, and intensity of practices in an effort to keep them fresh for the playoffs. But one player said he hopes a new coach who doesn’t “play favorites” can improve the team’s chemistry.
Beyond those issues, the Hawks weren’t satisfied with Woodson’s 8-14 postseason record over the past two seasons. Last season the Hawks beat Miami in the first round before losing 4-0 to Cleveland in the semifinals. This season the Hawks beat Milwaukee in the opening round before losing in four games to the Magic by an NBA-record total margin of 101 points.
Hawks forward Josh Smith said the team’s decision to part ways with Woodson despite his success is a sign of the higher expectations for the franchise.
“It feels good to know we are not just satisfied with just being the eighth seed or improving every season,” he said. “We’ve got expectations of going to the playoffs every year and being a difference-maker in the playoffs. The organization has everything going in the right direction.”
Woodson, 52, had a 206-286 record with the Hawks. He took over for Terry Stotts in 2004-05 after previously serving as an assistant coach in Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Milwaukee.
Former Hawks GM Billy Knight tried to fire Woodson more than once during his third season but ownership rebuffed him. Knight resigned after the 2008 season and was replaced by Sund, who signed Woodson to a two-year contract after he guided the Hawks to their first postseason appearance in eight years.
Smith is the only player on the roster to play all six seasons under Woodson. The two had a contentious relationship at times but Smith said they had come to an understanding.
“It was rough starting out, but everything was smooth sailing a couple of years ago once we finally figured out what we wanted out of each other,” Smith said. “You just hate to see somebody you came in the game with leave like this.”
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590 comments Add your comment
k dent
May 15th, 2010
8:06 am
Just Plan stupid, LIKE BILL PARCELL SAID IF YOU WANT THE CHEF TO COOK A GOOD MEAL LET HIM PICK THE INGREDIENTS, WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN CHRIS PAUL. JUST PLAN STUPID THANK WOODY U DID GR
Ken Strickland
May 15th, 2010
8:46 am
For those who feel jilted by Woodson’s dismissal, remember, Woodson got himself fired. You certainly can’t seriously believe he was totally unaware of the problems he created among his players with his:
(1) preferential treatment,
(2) refusal to develop and utilize his bench and rookie PG’s,
(3) refusal to make timely and much needed adjustments and/or changes,
(4) refusal to make any effort to help struggling players that were hurting the team, or make any lineup changes,
(5) refusal to make any effort to address our habit of collapsing in the 4th quarter, choosing instead to say he didn’t give a damn about OFF,
(6) refusal to seek out or accept any suggestions from others,
(7) refusing to hold veteran players accountable for their actions.
A cash strapped ownership group that’s bogged down with internal legal issues couldn’t afford to continue fooling with Woodson and his stupid hangups about rookies. He refused to commit any time and effort into developing rookies, which caused the ASG to waste money on 6yrs worth of draft picks. To accommodate him, they went out and signed veteran players, which is what he wanted, then the fool refused to use most of them with any degree of consistency.
Any potential HC we consider will be very aware of the Hawks problems and how much was Woody’s fault. They’ll know the importance of player development and utilization, OFF and DEF proficiency, effective communication, equitable player treatment, and designing an OFF that fits the talents of the players rather than forcing the players into a preferred system.
There’s no telling how much better this team could have been, and how much more it could have accomplished, if ownership had allowed former GM BKnight’s to do what current GM RSund ended up doing anyway. I wonder if Sund will give any serious consideration to anyone already on the staff, or will he go outside the organization. Casey seems to be the front runner, since he and Sund have history together.
At any rate, Woodson is gone, and although I don’t credit him with the teams overall progress and accomplishments as much as some, I wish him the best and hope he successfully gets past his own self created issues.
Pel
May 15th, 2010
8:48 am
We have to many fair weather GM’s and fans. Per Atlanta GM’s and fans, Jerry Sloan should have been fired many years ago. The great coach at Boston would never have been, if fired before Bill Russell arrived. The great Brooklyn Dodger Managers would have been fire because the Yankees were winning the WS during the 50’s. People do you understand Coach Woodson had KIDS, a limited budget from which to draft and trade and NO FIRST ROUNDERS. The man did a heck of a job with what he had and all the drama with management over the years. Some say discipline was the problem. Tell me one manager who does not have that problem. Some say he had favorites show me one team where the STARS are not treated a little different. Come on Atlanta fans and GM’s, grow up and appreciate what you have sometimes.
Andy
May 15th, 2010
8:55 am
This was pretty stupid! Woodson’s record of achievement is remarkable. Why anyone would want to get rid of a coach who has done what he has with the talent pool he has access to is mind boggling. Sund is taking a huge gamble.
Bring Back Woody!
May 15th, 2010
8:59 am
The Hawks owners made a big mistake—Woody took a young Hawks team to the 2nd round—he deserves a fat bonus and big raise, not a pink slip. The hawks better offer him the job back soon with some big money, or he’ll take another job and get revenge!
Samuel
May 15th, 2010
9:20 am
Andy and Pel,
These guys here are well read and therefore know what it takes to coach on an NBA level.
Fact is, this team is not that good when you really look at it from a objective perspective.
C- Al Horford- Very over rated IMO. He was an Allstar by default. It showed in the playoffs
PF- Josh- Very athletic but his head still aint right. He has on handles, can’t shoot and has a low IQ. I wonder how much a new coach will be able to deal with the crap Woody put up with from him. We’ll see.
SF-Marvin Williams- Don’t even need to go there.
SG-JJ- Probably a goner so for now I’ll plug in Jamal. He was exposed in the playoffs. Too weak(physically and mentally) and don’t have many years left to get it right in the playoffs.
PG- Jeff Teague- I can already hear the excuses next year. It’s all Woody’s fault like with AC3, The Sniper and Boris “Mr. Magic” Diaw.
Our bench was a serious waste of money.
I can see us bringing in a Salmons type and a Washed Up Center but nothing that will make us contenders. Time will tell.
Woody=COY
Jerry Sloan
May 15th, 2010
9:42 am
Jerry Sloan is what ATL needs—no nonsense—he wouldn’t put up with all these lazy players! Hire Jerry, get D-wade and bosh and let the winning start!!!!
darrell starks
May 15th, 2010
9:46 am
Can anyone examplain how was woody a good coach, yes he improve every year we no that but like i have always said woody is the luckiest coach in sports, thru out the seasons woody have never had any significant amount of injuries like other team, plus he played in a water down eastern conf. with most of the team have always had heavy injuries among the roster, then the hawks go 2 the playoffs against a depleted bucks team and almost lost the series with 2 of there star players out, so in what way is woody a good coach when it came down 2 playing a healthy magic team you loose by and avg margine of 26 point a game wow!!!!!!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 15th, 2010
9:48 am
Woody is not a good coach he is and avg coach.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
lets get it!
May 15th, 2010
10:02 am
We must get an extra 1st rd draft pick so we can draft Devin Ebanks and Paul George. That will solidify the wings weather Joe Leaves or not.
We can then still Use the MLE on Travis outlaw and have him play backup PF as a strech four like Rashard Lewis specefically for teams like Orlando and Pheonix. Outlaw did play as a stretch PF in POR from time to time and it was very succesful.
lets get it!
May 15th, 2010
10:05 am
We can always trade the wings later for a big.
Now You Know
May 15th, 2010
10:11 am
Why Delonte West was caught with 2 sawed off shotguns a 9mm a .45 and a .25 on a motor cycle. Boneing LBJ’s mom he had to be ready at all times.
lets get it!
May 15th, 2010
10:15 am
You look at guys like LeBron, Carmelo, Kobe, and Wade. We need long, versitile, Tayshaun-like athletes to chase them around and bother them. It thinks it’s a good fit.
Hey isn’t Delonte West Married? Or did he get a Divorce?
Samuel
May 15th, 2010
10:15 am
Starks,
The Magic series was not surprise to me. They beat us by an average margin of 20 pts during the regular season. they are just 20pts better than us period. We had some debate about weather or not to double Howard I think didn’t we. The man shot 70% from the field so like I said back in November, when the Magic are hitting their shots, We can’t beat them period. We just don’t match up well against them.
Grandad
May 15th, 2010
10:17 am
Ramon – as I posed earlier:
Why would Adelman want to leave Houston/come here?
You say buy him out…knowing already the
financial dilemma ASG is facing with Joe.
Come on Ramom.
Nothing against Adelman, I like him too.
Heck, why not go all out & bring in Phil Jackson?
Hoops
May 15th, 2010
10:35 am
KevinM,
I’m with you on Adelman as the Head Coach. CP3 would also make this team go. I just don’t see it happening. Adelman is probably happy in Houston. They had a great season despite the injuries. CP3 is ready to leave NO, but what would they demand for him? Josh Smith? Can we send Mike Bibby with Josh?
Samuel
May 15th, 2010
10:36 am
yea, people keep throwing up Doc Rivers. Why would he leave a Pro Hoops Dynasty to come work for the ASG? And for the umpteenth time, please no more Mark Jackson talk. The man is mentioned every time a freekin job comes up but still no hire, that should tell you something. And Avery Johnson’s only team tuned him out after 2 freekin seasons. How can you respect a voice like that. LOL!!
doc
May 15th, 2010
10:55 am
well they said the cavs had great chemistry and stayed loose at all times. boy did they ever, loose with everything.
samuel, how did we lose so bad to the bucks then. did you expect that as you so smartly predicted we would lose to them by 20 or more to the magic as they did in the regular season? werent most of those losses to the magic on the back end of back to backs against the celts? i thought that was relevant but you say with rest aond the playoffs driving up their intensity, as most would expect, you expected the hawks to lose by the worst amount ever in a four game sweep in the history of the game? hope you took the time t go tot vegas even though you arent a betting man? ROFL!
woody fell on his own sword. he kept telling the team he didnt know what to do against the magic, too funny now i got to take his game plan out and whip their azzes? remember that is the same coach with the answers that led them into battle two years ago telling them they could win against all odds and the celts. he even got the ring out to wear he for them to show them what it looked like.
woody did fine with what he had, maybe better than most but his time was done. we will see how he does in his next job as that will be the best indicator of his capability not what the next coach does here. again, he had a perfect season with NO injuries and NO adversity and still couldnt find ways to play certain folks that during the off season and preseason said would be integral to them in the playoffs. so who was lying to whom? maybe an injury or two would have brought out a little more in him and steel in other players. he got as complacent as his players did samuel and forgot to coach them up.
O'Brien
May 15th, 2010
10:56 am
Samuel,
If you were the GM of the Hawks, would you have brought Woody back?
To me, the players quit on Woody during the Magic Series, and thats on them. Grown men, professional basketball players, and they quit. That is inexcusable, I dont care who the coach is.
However, over the years Woody has been stubborn, not very flexible, and was slow to adjust his game plan. Now its coming out that there was resentment in the locker room because he played favorites (and watching the games, it was easy to tell).
Change is good, because for whatever reason, the players had tuned him out. And we can’t replace all the players, but its easy to replace a coach.
However, our roster is flawed, so Sund needs to make some changes there too.
It will be interesting to see if and when Woody gets another head coaching job.
Samuel
May 15th, 2010
11:18 am
Yes, I would have because they won 53 games and whoever you bring in will be a gamble of possibly going backwards. I personally don’t think another coach will put us past Orlando, Cleveland w/Lebron or Boston. So if we are willing to go backwards then so be it. Again, I really am not that disappointed, i’m actually relieved.
I would have continue to tweek the roster and make small steps forward. We’re getting ahead of ourselves thanks to Woody.
jc_dawgs
May 15th, 2010
11:23 am
J Johnson and Smith need to improve there mental toughness. Apparently….Woodson was not able to do that for them. We need a coach that will motivate those 2 to play as a team at all times…even in the face of adversity.
If we keep Joe and Josh….the new coach must motivate them….or else a year from now we will be right back here where we are now. Same bat time….same bat channel.
vava74
May 15th, 2010
11:58 am
Good riddance Woody. It’s a shame that he was not sacked earlier this year when it was obvious that he was not able to manage a better and improved roster (don’t even start with the payroll crap which is total nonsense since most teams have higher payrolls since they have grossly overpay players – talent wise we had the tools to perform MUCH BETTER).
All players in out team were at least serviceable and the raw, crude fact is that Woody’s ability as a coach is mediocre.
I disagree with anyone who believes he will have a long career as a head coach.
I think he will coach ONCE more and crash and burn since there is no way that any other franchise will be as patient as the Hawks.
The simple fact is that he only lasted this far on account of a bizarre series against BOS where all the issues which make him a poor coach were already evident.
However, back then – with Chills working the baseline and hustling off bench – the roster was more balanced (although weaker) and “auto regulated” itself better on court.
Personally, I gave him a chance for him to evolve along with the team: I hope that he also had some “organic growth” in him.
As the year passed, he proved beyond any doubt that he didn’t and our playoff performance was the culmination of a bad job (with a lending hand from a fractured and unmotivated roster – for which, in the end, he was also responsible).
MIkewoodsonisbad
May 15th, 2010
12:05 pm
*****************GUYS PLEASE LISTEN*****************8
1) MIKE WOODSON IS GONE!! that was our main problem.
2) We have a a solid starting 5 with the exception of Marvin Williams at SF and Horford at C
3) Trade marvin for a true center.. Maybe Kris Kamen? and move AL to PF and JSmoove at SF
4) re sign JJ cuz if he goes were really not gonna get a player better then him
Ken Strickland
May 15th, 2010
1:08 pm
SAMUEL-do you really believe Sund took a big risk not resigning a HC that has a hatred for rookie PG’s, and is afraid or to sorry to put in the time and effort to develop them? Do you really think he took a risk not resigning a HC that publicly stated he didn’t give a damn about the OFF? How is it a risk not rehiring a HC with a limited knowledge and concern for OFF, which his limited OFF philosophy and scheme reflected, and who kept saying all season long that he needed to figure it out, but never could?
How is it a risk not rehiring a HC that’s afraid to utilize the very players he selected to be a part of his bench? How is it a risk not rehiring a HC who allowed the team to suffer because of a fatal attraction for 2 starters, and an unwillingness to take any corrective action whatsoever? How is it a risk not rehiring a HC that never proved capable of doing what other HC’s have so successfully done, especially against us, like make adjustments, lineup chances, coach through injuries, give support to, and get production from rookies?
All of you WOODY LOVERS and supporters are right when you say he did a good job of coaching a team with little talent when he started out. However, this is now, not back then, and he wasn’t rehired because he proved to be unable to effectively coach a Hawks team with an abundance of talent, especially under playoff conditions, when adjustments, changes, strategy and overall coaching ability is at a premium.
TK
May 15th, 2010
1:22 pm
AVERY JOHNSON WOULD BE AN AWESOME COACH FOR THE HAWKS… i think if he comes to atlanta its only a matter of time before we are playing for titles
David Robinson
May 15th, 2010
1:23 pm
It may be too late for Avery Johnson but for those of you wondering why the call for him. This is probably why. He’s the only coach available that has NBA finals experience as a coach as well as a title as a player. Granted he lost in the finals as a coach but that’s further than any other candidate and players respect that. He wasn’t the greatest point guard in the NBA but he was a solid floor leader for the Spurs and ran it well. Keep in mind that he took the Mavs to the finals during his first coaching stint. Seems to me that he was let go by the Mavs for the same reason Woodson was released by the Hawks but at a higher level by an erratic owner. Finally, Johnson is currently an NBA analyst. I don’t think your basketball IQ decreases with this job. You only get smarter studying the game and players to present to your peers and all other basketball viewers.
ncat96
May 15th, 2010
1:35 pm
I wish Coach Woodson blessings in his next endeavor. I am sorry that he had to lose his job. A change of scenary may be the medicine that he needs to be appreciated for what he has accomplished here in Atlanta.
The big question now is what happens to the Hawks. Will the Hawks find a “Phil Jackson” to replace a fired “Doug Collins”. We shall see. I am a bit cautious regarding this move. While now it may seem like the best thing to let Coach Woodson go. I just can’t seem to see how we can get a “Phil Jackson” caliber coach to come to Atlanta. Busted retreads, unknowns, and assistant coaches are all that we seem to have as possibles for this franchise. Which essentially means that we are rolling the dice whether we are going to be better than a 50-win franchise team that makes the 2nd round. I have been following the Hawks since the Mike Fratello days. I just hope that we can sit here on the blogs and discuss how we were at least competitive on the 2nd round of the playoffs. Anything short of that would be a failure for next season. Making it to the conference championship and further are, of course, what I desire. We shall see for the 2010-11 season.
TK
May 15th, 2010
1:35 pm
i can agree wih david. some of these reason are definately factors in why i can see him do well in atlanta. Especially being an analyst. he is able to view coaching from a critics stand point and he has the time to STUDY each coaches strategy and what works against who… i think at this point in the game he KNOWS the dynamics of each team and vs having a team to study for a season, he has been able to study a league of players for an entire year. season to season. so i think he already KNOWs the hawks and every other team for that matter… his JOB was to study the league… now with all the knowlege i can see him using the info!
Jon Koncak
May 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
Playing the Race card here is a TOTAL joke! Go back and review the posts. Most people are calling for Avery Johnson. DUH!!!!!!! I believe I even heard Doc Rivers! DUH again. This team is trying to move forward This is the most talent we have had in a long time and it IS our time to go for it all. I think with the right move at Head Coach (Black, White , Red or Yellow) and a couple moves with players we are ready to contend. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ramon
May 15th, 2010
2:50 pm
Grandad, you ask why would Adelman want to come here? Outside of Kevin Martin and an injured Yao who does he have that can get him to the conference finals? Coaches realize how much talent the Hawks have on their roster (especially if JJ comes back). If Woody’s coaching could lead this team to back to back 2nd round appearances. A coach like Adelman might feel why wouldn’t he be able to lead them past the 2nd round with some tweaking. Adelman has been in Houston for a few years, and may welcome a change to the East. Adelman doesn’t have a championship yet. And he’s yet to make it to the Finals. Why wouldn’t he like the idea of coming to a team that is playoff experienced, and majority of its player are still under the age of 25. That is rare to find such a roster.
ASG said they want to CONTEND. Now if they’re saying that just to fill out space in the article and to sign professional, than ok. But if they’re saying it because they really want to contend, why not make a coach with Adelman’s record. You say why not Phil Jackson, but Adelman is making half of his salary. And as I continue to say Adelman is used to winning without a superstar. Webber and Bibby were never a superstar. And outside of a lucky shot from Horry, they could’ve beat the Lakers. And Houston almost beat the LA last season when Artest was there. I say make the call, and judge the interest. At this point in MAY, what do you have to lose?
Ramon
May 15th, 2010
2:51 pm
David, I wouldn’t hire Scott, but Byron Scott has Finals experience also. And so does Jeff Van Gundy. JVG was beaten by Houston remember.
Chris
May 15th, 2010
2:52 pm
We need Coach K, he would add credability and attract big name players.
smh
May 15th, 2010
3:08 pm
I’m convinced that Samuel is in love with Woodson. I don’t even think his wife goes this far to defend him.. The day Samuel said the Hawks win because of Woodson and lose because of the players I knew then he was delusional or had some sick man crush on the Woodpecker. The funny thing about Samuel is that his only defense of Woodson is that the Hawks won 53 games. He never brings up the terrible playoff record, the terrible road record, the record for point loss margin, or the fact that Woodrow is 80 games below .500 but he somehow criticizes other coaches. Samuel how much did winning 53 games help this team seeing how they looked unprepared in the playoffs. If your boy is such a good coach where were the adjustments? The counter moves? The plan B? . Where was the offensive scheme? I’m willing to bet you wont have any answers to any of these questions. You being the guy you are you will dance around those questions and keep bringing up 53 wins as if that got this team a championship or something. Funny how when the Hawks were getting destroyed in the playoffs and being out coached you were invisible much like Marvin Williams. So Woodrow gets 6 years as a coach to install an iso offense, unable to make adjustments, unable to come up with a counter plan as a coach on many of nights yet you are only giving the new coach one year? Dude you’re a clown. Why don’t you go over to ya boys house and wipe his tears and help him pack.
ryan
May 15th, 2010
3:09 pm
How about Larry Brown who is going to be availble and i like Adelman to. Those two guys would bring in a top free agent like a Chris Bosh or D. Wade. I think Rick Sund does want to make a big splash it is not going to be Drew or Casey.
Clyde
May 15th, 2010
3:51 pm
Mark Jackson, Steve Smith, Terry Stotts
Clyde
May 15th, 2010
3:53 pm
Samuel give it up. Woody is gone. He had his chance to shine but he couldn’t get the job done. On to the next one.
Clyde
May 15th, 2010
4:25 pm
How bout Mark Price as our head coach
LikelyScenario
May 15th, 2010
4:56 pm
Hawks lose JJ and things keep going down down down. The PG situation is the most critical. The loss of JJ means JC to the starting lineup. Josh is not going to listen to NOBODY at all. Trade him now or later. What FA WORTH the Mid level or Bi annual is going to be willing to come here???? Hell they didnt want come here last year… Finley Wallace Mcdyess. Teague starting at PG means the Hawks will be in the lottery the next year. You hear some these comments and its like the Hawks have been a title contender for the last 12 years. “We are well respected we are not satisfied going to the 2nd on bare bones budget”. Some serious smoking going on there. Yeah Woody got ran out of town and for what?? To improve the team?? Sund said NBA coaches AND managers dont last long, well homeboy
that means next year YOUR time is up. Can you say Manning for Nique all over again??
Reaction to the Dismissal of Mike Woodson | Soaring Down South | An Atlanta Hawks blog
May 15th, 2010
5:48 pm
[...] Hawks beat writer Michael Cunningham: But Hawks management had doubts that Woodson’s approach would lead to further improvement, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. Among their concerns was that Woodson would have an increasingly difficult time getting through to his players if he returned. [...]
slim4jr
May 15th, 2010
5:57 pm
NewsFlash!!! MARVIN WILLIAMS IS A BONIFIDE BUST!!! He’s my MVP for the WNBA…
slim4jr
May 15th, 2010
5:59 pm
mike woodson=bobby cox, playoff meltdown’s time and again…..
slim4jr
May 15th, 2010
6:11 pm
Check that, Marvin Williams is 6′9″ and has great form on his jump shot once or twice a night! He can cross you over and get to the rim, NOT!! He has no crossover and at 6′9″ point guards can block his ish nine out of ten times.. Led the team in scoring from the critical #3 spot, NOT!!! Marvin looks like he’s scared of his own shadow.. Billy Knight must must be related to this sweet heart to draft this bust over Danny Granger, CP3 and Darren Williams…….WNBA MVP….
Sautee
May 15th, 2010
6:29 pm
ncat96,
You said this: “While now it may seem like the best thing to let Coach Woodson go. I just can’t seem to see how we can get a “Phil Jackson” caliber coach to come to Atlanta. Busted retreads, unknowns, and assistant coaches are all that we seem to have as possibles for this franchise.”
So what do you think Phil was before he became Head Coach?
Yes, he was an assistant. As were virtually ALL head Coaches.
Retreads, unknowns and assistants. That’s the whole gamut, unless Pat Riley is pulled in as an owner.
drmaryb
May 15th, 2010
6:41 pm
CLYDE
Why do you care if Woodson get’s another job in the NBA this year? He’s not your problem anymore.
You’ ve been “Crotch – Sniffing” & “Butt – Scrumping” him for so long, until you don’t know how to get-off without him anymore! (LOL!)
drmaryb
May 15th, 2010
6:55 pm
Ant Banks,
Man, I don’t know? That’s the word on the street! but, you must admit, something was- OFF, with LeBron. The sequel to that rumor is maybe it was his “Baby – Mamma”? All, I got to say to all the single ladies, “If he want it? He gotta put a RING on it!” (sorry Beyonce)
After all, isn’t that what every guy on this blog want? A RING? (LOL!)
So, it’s true, You do want – what girls want.
doc
Hello there doc baby! Yes, Siiir….I was bringing you all the juicy drama last night! Gossip & Innuendos! That’s what I do – doc! I just keepin’ it real and trying to keep it all within the “Entertainment – Perspective”
Love you doc, have fun! and find us a Coach, while you’re at it!
Keep Woody!
May 15th, 2010
6:57 pm
The hawks made a mistake—they need to get on their hands and knees and beg Woody to come back with a huge financial package. He’s better than anyone else these sorry owners can hire.
Big Ray
May 15th, 2010
7:26 pm
Samuel ,
Stop attaching Mike Woodson to Joe Johnson. It wouldn’t matter if Woody stayed and Joe left. We’d still be in trouble. Why? Well YOU tell me what Woody is going to do with no Joe, a streaky-shooting Crawford who underwhelmed in the playoffs, a young pg whose development he all but ignored, and an aging Mike Bibby, whom Woody finally admits is beyond reliability as a starter. You want to see Woody win COY? Then let him lead a team in that position to anything better than a .500 record, and he wins it hands down.
Hubie Brown is considered one of the great minds of basketball. Named COY twice in his coaching career. Took the Grizzlies from a record of 28-46 one year to 50-32 the next year , including the franchise’s first ever playoff appearance. Think Woody could take a team on a 22 win jump in one year? Nope, try 3 or 4 years. Let me know when Woody gets enough votes for third place at least.
As for Mike Fratello, I think he’s better of in the studio. I know of one thing he does have that Woody doesn’t, though. A winning record. Call it what you want, it is what it is. I don’t want Fratello, though. Something about him seems highly arrogant and there is an air of friction about him.
northcyde
May 15th, 2010
7:35 pm
LOL @ people penciling in Josh Childress on this team. Look at what the GM said. He said that he would offer Chill the qualifying offer. Qualifying offer = 4.8 million ( according to Sund )
That’s MUCH LESS than what Marvin Williams makes, yet, people are penciling him in as the starter?
If you’re Josh Childress, are you going to want to start, but make LESS than Marvin? And if he’s just going to present him with the qualifying offer, ( and not a new contract ), do you think for one minute that Chill will accept that?
Remember, one of the big reasons why he left, is that the money wasn’t good enough from ATL. That, and he probably thought even 3 years ago, that he was better than Marvin.
I think Sund is going to force Chill to try to take a sign and trade with somebody, if he can’t get him here on the cheap. Some of ya’ll better start reading between the lines with how this organization operates. A lot of you think that they’re going to go all out to build a championship caliber team here. We’ll see.
Big Ray
May 15th, 2010
7:36 pm
Anyone who thinks the Hawks only need an upgrade at the head coach position to be more successful is smoking something. The problems go deeper than that.
However, there are leftover issues. People are calling for an upgrade at PG, and I don’t blame them. Too late, the former coach finally admits that the incumbent starter was past the point of steady contribution. We still don’t know what Teague is capable of, because his learning curve has yet to even start. He may as well be a rookie again next year. And that’s all we have to work with.
I find it all too ironic that Woody NOW thinks Bibby is all but done as a starter, after the idea of bringing Teague along slowly. So where do we find ourselves YET AGAIN? With a pg issue. An old ghost still haunts us…
northcyde
May 15th, 2010
7:41 pm
Big Ray
May 15th, 2010
7:26 pm
Samuel ,
Stop attaching Mike Woodson to Joe Johnson. It wouldn’t matter if Woody stayed and Joe left. We’d still be in trouble. Why? Well YOU tell me what Woody is going to do with no Joe, a streaky-shooting Crawford who underwhelmed in the playoffs, a young pg whose development he all but ignored, and an aging Mike Bibby, whom Woody finally admits is beyond reliability as a starter. You want to see Woody win COY? Then let him lead a team in that position to anything better than a .500 record, and he wins it hands down.
Hubie Brown is considered one of the great minds of basketball. Named COY twice in his coaching career. Took the Grizzlies from a record of 28-46 one year to 50-32 the next year , including the franchise’s first ever playoff appearance. Think Woody could take a team on a 22 win jump in one year? Nope, try 3 or 4 years. Let me know when Woody gets enough votes for third place at least.
As for Mike Fratello, I think he’s better of in the studio. I know of one thing he does have that Woody doesn’t, though. A winning record. Call it what you want, it is what it is. I don’t want Fratello, though. Something about him seems highly arrogant and there is an air of friction about him.
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Mike Fratello’s playoff record: 20 – 42 . . . a .323 winning percentage Woody’s winning percentage is a dismal .379 . . . but it’s still better than Fratello’s
Mike Fratello’s playoff record in his past 6 appearances: 2 – 20
Just saying . . since regular season victories don’t matter to people anymore ( not you, but others who have stated that our 53-win season meant virtually nothing )