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
northcyde
May 14th, 2010
12:57 pm
Jim
May 14th, 2010
12:50 pm
Now let’s start a campaign of Let Joe Go!!! Atlanta has too many of the same type players, Joe and Jamal are both starters and have the same type of game/range, The big difference is Jamal can break you down and get this own shot, Joe can’t. What do you need with two Joe’s or two Jamal’s?
Let him go and go find more big bodies inside.
************************
LMAO @ Jim . . . this is not DION GLOVER you’re talking about. Joe Johnson made 3rd team ALL-NBA this year, due to his ability to get his own shot. If he couldn’t get his own shot, there would never be the term called ISO-JOE.
Jamal can get his shot as well, no matter how bad of a shot it is.
Just keep in mind . . . while everybody is extremely down on JJ for his no-show in the playoffs and his ill-advised comments to the fans . . never forget that while JJ shot 39% FG for the entire playoffs . . Jamal Crawford shot 36% FG for the playoffs. If JJ was horrendous in the Orlando series, Jamal was inefficiently awful.
Now . . as people run JJ out of town, tell Jamal to not only make 40% of his shots in the playoffs, but play some damn defense as well. Basketball is played on 2 sides of the ball.
FIREMIKEWOODSONEXPRESS
May 14th, 2010
1:00 pm
Thanks god!!!! I am now a Hawks fan again.
northcyde
May 14th, 2010
1:01 pm
Woody will be in Philly by the end of next week.
tw3a
May 14th, 2010
1:02 pm
Now that Woodson is gone who would be someone the players would love to play for?
victor
May 14th, 2010
1:04 pm
I hate to say it but his lame duck status as a coach with no extension aided in his failure in the playoffs because he clearly did not have the attention of the players during time outs in the orlando series. It is quite evident they had already tuned him out. He also had no offensive scheme with ball movement or players cutting to get open shots, niether did he use his bench in the regular season or the play offs as he should have. Jason Collins, Joe Smith, and Randolph Morris made an easy million this year, but it is not their fault Coach woodson didn’t let them earn it helping the Hawks win games, and not get swept in the play offs for the 2nd year in a row. So I say letting Coach woodson go is a good move. Now let’s make a better move and hire someone that can take us to the next level.
The Bullhorn
May 14th, 2010
1:05 pm
Thank goodness.
Now, the Hawks need to hire a coach with more than one game plan, the capacity to make adjustments, design plays, and instill discipline.
Realist
May 14th, 2010
1:05 pm
Woody must be the first coach in NBA history to improve his winning percentage each season, while still finishing up 80 games below .500.
northcyde
May 14th, 2010
1:05 pm
******13******
*************26*************
***************30***************
******************37*******************
**********************45********************
**************************53**************************
The legacy of Woody . . like it or not.
C. Moore
May 14th, 2010
1:06 pm
Thanks Woody for the last 6 years! I wish you the best!! I cant wait for the off-season!!! Juky is going to be a great month!!! We will learn alot about the Hawks then….
dman
May 14th, 2010
1:06 pm
now if we can move jsmoove while he is worth something….we may have a helluva team
feudfinder
May 14th, 2010
1:07 pm
It is easier to fire than to hire. Regardless, Mike Woodson did a good job bringing this team back to life.The life just was not satisfactory enough. The saga continues for both ASG and Woodson. I am sure Woody will get an offer pretty soon, but will ASG find a decent coach and not a cheap $ss one? This question remains to be answered. Otherwise, these same fans will be asking for that coach’s head on a platter after two years.
Oh Yeah???
May 14th, 2010
1:08 pm
1) Trade Marvin, Bibby, Zaza and future draft picks to the Grizz in a S&T for Hasheem Thabeet and Rudy Gay
2) Trade Mo Evans and our conditional 2nd rd draft pick that we got from Houston to the Pacers for A.J price.
3) Use the full MLE on Travis Outlaw
3) Resign Joe Johnson
4) Hire Sam Mitchell as HC
1st Unit: 2nd Unit: 3rd Unit:
Teague A.J Price
Joe Johnson Jamal Crawford
Rudy Gay Travis Outlaw Mario West
Josh Smith Gani Lawal(draft) Randolph Morris
Al Horford Hasheem Thabeet Kyrolo Fesenko Jason Collins
dap01
May 14th, 2010
1:08 pm
The legacy of Woody was the blank look on his face, the absense of any offensive plan other than, “Joe, try to score”, the lack of utilizing his fine athletes, the strange switching defense, the total lack of preparation for the playoffs and last but not least, the shaved eyebrows!
Ryan
May 14th, 2010
1:09 pm
Avery Johnson for Head Coach!!!
Kevin
May 14th, 2010
1:09 pm
5 Playoff Series over 3 Seasons
= 2 Road Playoff Wins
The legacy of Woody… like it or not.
J. J.
May 14th, 2010
1:10 pm
Thank you management for FINALLY seeing one BIG problem with the HAWKS>>>
Woodson should have been gone…THAT OLD SCHOOL COACHING DOES NOT WORK WITH PLAYERS TODAY…TAKE LESSONS FROM RILEY AND RIVERS…
FIREMIKEWOODSONEXPRESS
May 14th, 2010
1:10 pm
People who are saying Woodson got this team back to life, need to get a life. The Hawks were good because of Rick Sund not Mike Woodson.
Oh Yeah???
May 14th, 2010
1:11 pm
1) Trade Marvin, Bibby, Zaza and future draft picks to the Grizz in a S&T for Hasheem Thabeet and Rudy Gay
2) Trade Mo Evans and our conditional 2nd rd draft pick that we got from Houston to the Pacers for A.J price.
3) Use the full MLE on Travis Outlaw
3) Resign Joe Johnson
4) Hire Sam Mitchell as HC
1st Unit:
Teague
Joe Johnson
Rudy Gay
Josh Smith
Al Horford
2nd Unit:
A.J Price
Jamal Crawford
Travis Outlaw
Gani Lawal (Draft)
Hasheem Thabeet
3rd Unit:
Mario West
Randolph Morris
Kyrolo Fesenko
Jason Collins
BILLY KNIGHT
May 14th, 2010
1:13 pm
Woody it’s over now we can go fishing at this lake i no about out in dunwoody call me woody.
roadoggxc
May 14th, 2010
1:13 pm
I’d like to start off by thanking my parents. Without them I wouldn’t be here to enjoy this moment. I also wanna thank all of the fans who believed this could happen. Thank you for not losing faith (sheds tear). Ummm Rick Sund and the Hawks ownership for working with the make a wish foundation and helping Gary’s wish come true. Also ESPN, FSN, & TNT for sticking with us. Thank You Everyone.
Eric
May 14th, 2010
1:14 pm
Enter your comments here
Reid Adair
May 14th, 2010
1:14 pm
Despite what some people in the Atlanta media claimed, I think most fans knew this was coming – and it had to come.
Mike Woodson wasn’t hired by Rick Sund. Sund was going to get his own coach as soon as he could.
northcyde
May 14th, 2010
1:14 pm
Memphis isn’t taking our trash.
Rudy Gay would be loved in Atlanta though, with his Dominique-like ability to dunk on people in traffic. He’s not the most reliable shooter and he doesn’t make teammates better with his passing. And his defense is a little suspect. But hey, Atlanta likes FLASH . . and Rudy would definitely deliver in the flash department.
Trade Jamal in a sign and trade for Rudy, and you have something in ATL . . if you can pair him with JJ. Rudy would instantly send Marvin to the bench, while also being able to spell JJ at the 2. Teague could get all of the playing time he wants, with Crawford gone.
Oh Yeah???
May 14th, 2010
1:14 pm
We might want to give Javaris Crittenton or Shaun Livingston a look as well.
DHunt
May 14th, 2010
1:14 pm
Hawks ownership and management has done what many thought might be impossible after the bad taste this playoff collapse left in the mouths of Hawks fans. They have effectively re-energized the fan base in one fell swoop. There is almost universal optimism about the Hawks future right now and that will last through next season no matter what. Great move, great timing, Great Scott we’re talking about the Hawks again already!!!
feudfinder
May 14th, 2010
1:15 pm
Avery Johnson! Avery Johnson!! Avery Johnson!!! The last time I checked This guy was sent packing because of under-performance. And that is who you want? You will only get people to Phillips Arena for 1or 2 years. Bet ya.
Luv 2 Hate Me
May 14th, 2010
1:17 pm
Goodbye Woody and welcome Bill Laimbeer. Just kidding guys (lol)
Keith
May 14th, 2010
1:18 pm
@FIREMIKEWOODSONEXPRESS…You dont know jack…this is not Sund team.
This is Billy Knight team. He put this team together not Sund…Sund added Crawford. GREAT JOB WOODY THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS TEAM BACK.
LONG LIVE THE WOOD. The number don’t lie.
feudfinder
May 14th, 2010
1:18 pm
Right on the money! Reid Adair.
Montrell
May 14th, 2010
1:19 pm
Another African-America coach is getting railroaded and run out of town, even after making the playoffs! Just like they are trying to do with Paul Hewitt. I’m getting tired of this—when the economy picks up, I may move back to New Jersey!
cdog
May 14th, 2010
1:20 pm
it will be awhile before you see the hawks even make the playoffs.is rick sund next?this reminds me of the move the falcons made with leeman bennett, the old plateau move well it took the falcons a while before they were even a .500 team.this will happen to the hawks.terrible move, but what do you expect? this atlanta where racism flows strong everyday.had woodson been white and accomplished what he did, he would be look upon as a successful dynamite coach. but not in racist atlanta.look at bobby cox, when the braves lose, its never his fault. same thing with the falcons, they can lose and noone says its the coach’s fault but with hawks,being that the nba is predominently african american, a black coach wins 53 games without a quality center ever on his roster and he gets toasted by the media,fans and an incompetent GM who is really to blame for playoff failures and he’s fired.don’t worry woody, it looks bad now but the LORD will make sure everything will be alright.remember atlanta, you reap what you sow.this move was totally wrong.you will pay for this in the end.
cp
May 14th, 2010
1:20 pm
Seems like a good guy but it was time to go. The playoffs exposed a lot. Everyone got to see what most of us complained about on here daily. The lack of an offensive system and the lack of adjustments mainly. He never had a plan B. Even when it was painfully obvious if something he was trying did not work he would not try something else. I also didn’t like how he didn’t hold everyone accountable. How he wouldnt bench guys for lack of effort but would pull young guys for a mistake. He will get another job but if he doesn’t become more flexible he will be looking for another job again.
northcyde
May 14th, 2010
1:20 pm
Reid Adair
May 14th, 2010
1:14 pm
Despite what some people in the Atlanta media claimed, I think most fans knew this was coming – and it had to come.
Mike Woodson wasn’t hired by Rick Sund. Sund was going to get his own coach as soon as he could.
*******************
And Sund’s track record as a GM is stellar . . . as we all know. With all of those great big men he took in the lottery. If we slip significantly next year, the chant will be FIRE SUND. All I say is that his track record is nowhere near a sure thing that he can bring in the right pieces to get us to that next level.
http://hoopshype.com/general_managers/rick_sund.htm
DecDawg
May 14th, 2010
1:20 pm
Stuck in Kentucky…excellent call. I have been saying for years that Bill Laimbeer would be good for this team. He would bring some direction and toughness to the organization. And I think he would bring some coaches in to help these guys get better.
Jed
May 14th, 2010
1:21 pm
Best wishes for Woody’s future.
marcus
May 14th, 2010
1:21 pm
i liked woodson, but he should have been developing teague more during the season. his failure to recognize the defensive liabilities of mike bibby may not have caused them the series against milwaukee, but it most certainly contributed to their attempt to beat orlando. it was like he lost control or the team gave up on him. the johnson situation did nt help neither, you are the coach, if the game plan is not working (although it worked in the past) then come up with something new (see doc rivers). he will get another job, possibly the chicago opening or as uninventive as the nba is he may wind up in cleveland.
mykhalc
May 14th, 2010
1:22 pm
about damn time!!! ok i’m interested again!!!LOL
CJ
May 14th, 2010
1:22 pm
Thanks Woody for all you did. Best of Luck in the future.
cp
May 14th, 2010
1:22 pm
cdog the fact that you are trying to use the race card kills any credibility of your post. Race has nothing to do with it and its sad to see people try to use race as an excuse in any type of situation even when it has nothing to do with whats going on.
JoJo the Godfather
May 14th, 2010
1:22 pm
Based on his existing relationship with Sund and relatively cheap price tag, Dwayne casey will be hired within the week. Still going to be excited?
Rufus1
May 14th, 2010
1:22 pm
Niremental
Co-sign on 12:36 post
Woodson was an idiot!!!!!!!
No offense
No player development
No discipline
No in game adjustments
1 Defensive philosophy
Worst PG situation in the NBA
HE DID NOTHING WELL!!!!
It was all talent!
D Hawks
May 14th, 2010
1:24 pm
Enter your comments here
tarheels3
May 14th, 2010
1:24 pm
Terrible decision, and what if Orlando sweep Boston and then the Lakers, I guess Doc Rivers and Phil jackson will be fired also. For all of you wishing for Coach Woodson to go, remember this – what comes around goes around.
Oh Yeah???
May 14th, 2010
1:24 pm
Exit: Woodson, Bibby, Mo Evans
Enter: Avery Johnson or Sam Mitchell, Travis Outlaw, Brendan Heywood, and A.J Price (gotta snatch him from Indy, next Mo Williams for sure)
Draft: Gordon Heyward or Gani Lawal
Re-Sign: Joe Johsnon
GET ER’ DONE SUND!
Lineup/depth chart (15 players)
Jeff Teague>>>>A.J Price
Joe Johnson>>>Jamal Crawford
Gordon Heyward>>>Travis Outlaw, Marvin Williams, Mario West
Josh Smith>>>>>Zaza/Travis Outlaw/Randolph Morris
Al Horford>>>>>Brendan Heywood/Jason Collins
We can win a title with this (Coupled with the right coach). Some of you are making too many changes to a 53 win squad. Half of it is nonsense/impossible moves. Be realistic please. PG was a huge problem. With Price and Teague you get twp big PG’s Teague at 6′2 and Price at 6′3 and both play solid D and can stay in front of their man. With a new coach we wont have to worry about that stupid switching anymore. Gordon Heyward gets the start because he’s a beast pure shooter and More athletic/coordinated than Marvin. He will space the floor for us. Teague needs to dominate he ball and keep it out of JJ’s hands. He just moves too slow (it’s so annoying, but this might be b/c of
Woodson) he just needs to catch and finish quickly. I see Teague turning into a combination of Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo (somewhere in between).
Price is an exellent shooter who can play off the ball with the second unit since Jamal is at his best with it in his hands. Price is a good Ball handler as well. All of the Wings will be needed in the future (i’m assuming LeBron will stay in the East). We also have size up front with Heywood and others.
Eric
May 14th, 2010
1:24 pm
Great move the Hawks have been winning games on “TALENT” alone, Woody stunts the growth of his young point guards (Acie Law now Jeff Teague). Teague would have been a rookie of the year candidate if he were on any other team. As for a trading for a big man, there are only two names that come to mind (Chris Kaman & Nene Halario). Put Marvin, Bibby, and ZaZa out there for bait.
feudfinder
May 14th, 2010
1:24 pm
But I still think Rick Sund was fair enough to have given Woodson another two years probation. There was animosity among the players to the extent that Charles Barkley and others could see it. Very few players listened to Woodson anymore.
Sherewshevsky
May 14th, 2010
1:24 pm
I’d like to see Mark Jackson as coach, with Kenny Smith as an assistant, a real big man assistant, and an X-O guy, and Hubie Brown as consultant.
SK
May 14th, 2010
1:25 pm
The immaturity in Josh Smith and the arrogance of Joe Johnson got Woodson fired. At some point players need to be held accountable for their actions.
jay dubu
May 14th, 2010
1:25 pm
Now comes the tough part…You have to replace him with someone better. You must add a center and a PG who can play, and keep a large portion of current roster.
There are still a lot of decisions / changes to be made on this Hawks team.
Will the blog be happy about next season’s performance?
bigstack19
May 14th, 2010
1:26 pm
Montrell
May 14th, 2010
1:19 pm
Another African-America coach is getting railroaded and run out of town, even after making the playoffs! Just like they are trying to do with Paul Hewitt. I’m getting tired of this—when the economy picks up, I may move back to New Jersey!
See ya! Don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you!