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
mykhalc
May 14th, 2010
2:22 pm
@jimh…on-point!!! exactly what you said!!
richbrave
May 14th, 2010
2:23 pm
GetwhatUpayfor
May 14th, 2010
2:16 pm
richbraveman, U do BB King well. read alot of your stuff on DOB. Welcome to Hawks blog.
I’ve been among the missing here GetUPay4, but I’m a long timer. Started with SEKOU several years back. An initial defender of HORFORD, SMITH, and the young WOOD. Gradually soured on the WOODEN-one. Seemed he couldn’t blend the talent to produce up to expectations. The HOTLANTA has aged him some, but I’m sure he’ll be around.
Thanx for the ups, glad you like my line of bs on the BRAVES blog..
Jay
May 14th, 2010
2:24 pm
@BYC,
I just think our core guys needed a change in direction. Im not saying Woody was great, but given what he was dealt, the guy did all he could do. There are plenty of things in game I felt that was not solid. But in the end I thought he did a helluva job for 6 years. Woody wouldn’t play Teague because he said he’s not ready. He watches him practice everyday, if Teague was ready, I know he woulda played him. They say Woody is against playing rookies, Horford must’ve came in a 2 yr veteran. No, he played bc he was ready. Can we find a better coach than Woody, of course. Can that coach win w/ the same players Woody had, of course. But can he get past the second round w/ the same players, there’s no way. Not to mention these past three years have been exciting Hawks bball since Mookie & Smitty!!! All im saying is let’s not throw Woody under the bus & give him some credit bc unlike Stotts, he will be a head coach again in the NBA.
GrymmDaReaper
May 14th, 2010
2:24 pm
I’m not a Woody Hater like alot of people on here. Saying that, it was time to part ways. Woody should have a head coaching gig in the next season or two. I think Avery Johnson or Byron Scott would be a good fit here, but I will wait and see the direction Sund decides to go.
richbrave
May 14th, 2010
2:27 pm
Now it’s time for “ISO” JOE to……..make like a tree. Not saying so, just read a post saying he should “leaf.”
thugalicious
May 14th, 2010
2:29 pm
It’s the NBA, who cares? When does training camp open for the Falcons?
lewis
May 14th, 2010
2:29 pm
Woody has good personality traits as a HC.
That said, he never was able to make any legitimate adjustment, ever.
My feelings, Phe —- nomenal.
richbrave
May 14th, 2010
2:30 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
May 14th, 2010
3:26 pm
“………………..firing Woody is the easy part. The hard part is hiring a replacement who is better, whether that’s a big name or an obscure assistant. This is probably going to be one of the defining decisions of Sund’s career as the Hawks GM………….:”
Good take there NAJEH. Spot on.
TREMAINE
May 14th, 2010
2:31 pm
1 down 1 to go. Joe Johnson next.
Woodys No Goody
May 14th, 2010
2:32 pm
Finally a pro team in Atlanta shows they are serious about winning!
eazt
May 14th, 2010
2:33 pm
now our backwards slide will start, woodson will probably have a better job, whatever his next one might be, but the hawks hired a gm from a sorry team who was a assistant, now he fires basically the best caoh we have had since prattello, the hawks is a job nobody wants
Tmac
May 14th, 2010
2:33 pm
Thanks Woody for getting us out of the basement, but it’s time to move on in order to get better.
Simple as that.
Downtowner
May 14th, 2010
2:35 pm
Thank you Niremetal, Jonh Mickens and Marcus! It requires intelligence and true coaching skills to utilize your bench beyond your top 6, develop young players (especially high draft pick point guards), and make mid-game adjustments. Woodson possesses none of these attributes. It was blatently obvious that Milwaukee was severely depleted going into the playoffs and vulnerable to a 9-10 man attack. Yet, Woodson played his bench even less minutes than during the regular season, and the the two guards who could have kept up with Jennings (Teague and West) barely played. No wonder the starting 5 + Jamal had no legs left for the Orlando series. Good riddance, Mike.
Woodys No Goody
May 14th, 2010
2:37 pm
Half Fan Half Amazing – Name one game where you ever heard Woody as passionate as Doc Rivers was last night during the timeout end of game. I will give you a minute to think of one….. NEVER!! Woody never had the attention from this group of players. Is that his fault? Maybe not but we need someone that when he speaks not only do the players listen but they react out of respect for the coaches passion. Woody never had that passion to pass down to players.
Woodys No Goody
May 14th, 2010
2:39 pm
What satisfaction do people get posting FIRST! as a comment? I don’t get it.
Grandad
May 14th, 2010
2:39 pm
We – the Hawks – do not need a – Big Name.
We * the Hawks * need the * Right Name!
Grandad
May 14th, 2010
2:43 pm
Tom Thibodeau
David Smith
May 14th, 2010
2:44 pm
I had a love/hate relationship with Woody as head coach of the Hawks over the years and appreciate the success he had here. Woody hampered a talented team by never trusting his bench or giving much playing time for rookies in order for them to become key role players for a team sorely lacking them. I wish Woody nothing but the best in his future endeavors and, look forward to seeing his impersonation of a statue on the sidelines with another team.
D Hawks
May 14th, 2010
2:48 pm
Mike Brown still has a job…for now. Cavs are doing an evaluation over the next several days despite what ESPN and SI.com have said. Let’s get our coach in here before they make a decision.
Chad
May 14th, 2010
2:48 pm
We better get Avery Johnson before cleveland fires Brown.
BYC
May 14th, 2010
2:49 pm
I’m sorry, I do admit I have alot of hate for Woodson (as a coach) but…
“- Woody taught and preached the correct things to win basketball games . . . REBOUND AND DEFEND . . . and most of the time, played the people who bought into that philosophy”
..Anyone can tell his team to rebound and defend, was Woodson effective? Did his defensive scheme work at all? No it got straight up abused by coaches who know he won’t adjust. Where was Josh Smith’s defensive effort in game 5? Have you ever seen a team where no-name players get to the hoop more regularly? Nate Robinson dropped freaking 41 points on us, most of them in overtime! For a so called “defensive coach” Woodson is very lacking in this area. Who do you know that refers to the hawk as a “defensive team” ala the Spurs?
Hawks total rebounding numbers per season per http://www.basketball-reference.com:
Year before Woodson 3503
Woodson’s 1st year 3435
Woodson’s 2nd year 3301
Woodson’s 3rd year 3288
Woodson’s 4th year 3462
Woodson’s 5th year 3282
Woodson’s 6th year 3420
Do you see a constant improvement in rebounding?
“- Woody moving Josh Smith to PF, and encouraging him to take people off the dribble, was the single best move he did for Smoove, and the Atlanta Hawks.”
..Josh Smith neither takes people off the dribble or knows how to dribble. He continues shooting jumpers when everyone in the arena says no and shows no mental discipline in the game (which is largely determined by COACHING). He is a 75% chance of a turnover when he tries to dribble on fast breaks. To be honest, I don’t put this totally on Woodson, Josh Smith seems like he is a headcase , but a coach that could get Josh to play right would make this team alot better.
“- Woody put “superstar responsibilities” on Joe Johnson, forcing him to elevate his game from 4th option status, to lead dog status ( despite his troubles in the playoffs ). This not only helped him as a player, but helped stabilize a young team.”
..The Hawks put superstar responsibilities on JJ by paying him a crapload of money to come to a team full of rookies and over-the-hill players. Woodson failed to realize that Iso-Joe is no longer necessary on this team and keeps doing it, over, and over, and over again.
“- Woody acted as a calming influence and never let them panic.”
..Don’t confuse calming with sitting there not knowing what to do. This team is the definition of panic. No one has choked as much during the 4th quarter as the Hawks this year. When the other team is making a run and the players are getting nervous they need a timeout, a play drawn up, and detailed instruction from the coach. Woodson does none of this. Did you hear his timeout directions when he was mic’ed up during one of the Hawks 4th quarter meltdowns?
“Guys, we need to just tighten the screws, we need to make plays OFFENSIVELY and make plays DEFENSIVELY!” (genius level insight)
“- Woody didn’t waste time playing people who couldn’t produce ( outside of Mike Bibby ). And even with Bibby, he cut his minutes drastically as the season went on.”
..Woody wasted his time playing people who can produce on their own, instead of giving his other players a chance to develop to the point where they might actually be useful (IE. Jeff Teague). Also, 2/5 of his starting lineup DOESN’T PRODUCE – Bibby and Marvin.
Traci
May 14th, 2010
2:50 pm
I got tired of hearing – year after year — that “We are in a Building Phase”
Most of the team was under 25 – and if not for the acquisition of Bibby – I am not sure where they would be.
Joe Johnson – has angered the fans with his “we don’t care about nothin’ but what goes on in this locker room”…..Okay — I hope He starts to learn — WHO is paying for his ability to BE IN A LOCKER ROOM. —- what a idiot.
Bye Woodson — and take Joe Johnson with you!
richbrave
May 14th, 2010
2:50 pm
Grandad
May 14th, 2010
2:43 pm
Tom Thibodeau
My personal choice first, second, and third. The WIZ have offered him HC job at least twice. He’s smart enought to not touch it with a 10-foot pole. Shows just how intelligent he truly is. Perfect for the HAWKS.
Ramon
May 14th, 2010
2:51 pm
As I said, Rick Adelman is really the best person for the job!
kirkinga
May 14th, 2010
2:51 pm
Ok. No more “it’s the coaching” excuses. Woodson is gone, Knight is gone, Rick Sund and the players remain. We will now test the theory the theory that this roster of athletes has underachieved under the clueless Mike Woodson.
Barring serious injuries,I expect the next coach to improve upon the win total in both the regular season and in the playoffs. I expect more road wins and to for the Hawks to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
If the next coach cannot produce improve results with this young and talented team then all of the applause today is sadly a giant waste of time. If the team does not improve upon the results under Mike Woodson, then it will be fair to ask whether or not Mike Woodson should have been the one to go.
This is now Rick Sund’s team and I expect better results not just cosmetic changes.
Go Hawks!!
Courtney
May 14th, 2010
2:52 pm
About time.
doc
May 14th, 2010
2:54 pm
so my boy rick said woody wasnt coy or even coh.
we will see what he brings in and see how smart he is.
Dennis Felton, former UGA Basketball Coach
May 14th, 2010
2:54 pm
Scooped by Sekou!! Nice one, AJC.
D Hawks
May 14th, 2010
2:55 pm
“meritocracy”??? It would be a good thing if the Hawks return to that.
Truth
May 14th, 2010
2:55 pm
What coach is gonna come to ATL…after we fired our one coach who got better each year. AND YES I KNOW we had alot of young talent that you figure would eventually get better….but im sure thats what the CLIPPERS THOUGHT right….all that YOUNG TALENT there were bound to get good right??? WRONG give woodson credit…He took a bunch of bad draft picks and did what he could.Acie law came to us and yeah woodson shoulda played him but all of a sudden when u get bibby did u think acie law was gonna play…No acie had talent and was senior pg coming out of A&M for a reason…you all say he should have developed teague more…was teague gonna help us win right now….no he was the 18th pick or whatever for a reson…..at some point you need coachable players….josh smith is not one…. I didnt like iso joe but what esle was this team gonna do???? we had no pg!
Asian Reporter Tricia Takanawa
May 14th, 2010
2:55 pm
Doesn’t matter- Hawks won’t go any further without a change of ownership.
Niquelover
May 14th, 2010
2:56 pm
Nique would not allow his team to play soft like these guys did, he took it to them every night and carried the team, he wasnt spoiled he played for food on the streets at one point and time. Josh Smith has no reason to even talk his performance was worse than anyones, joe too.
Asian Reporter Tricia Takanawa
May 14th, 2010
2:57 pm
In other news, Joe Johnson just dribbled out the 24 second clock and took a 20ft jumper.
guesswhosthis
May 14th, 2010
2:59 pm
It’s about time. Woodson’s switching defense was the worst thing ever. How can you have Al Horford and Josh Smith trying to swicth to guards and Mike Bibby trying to guard centers. The next coach needs to instill some pride into the players to lock down on defense. Each player needs to be matched up to another player each game and given the task of not being outplayed by their matchup. If everyone wins their matchup, then the team wins too. It’s all about pride, not letting your man beat you. I don’t like help defense because that’s how people get open shots. There will be players like Kobe or Lebron who you won’t be able to stop one on one but don’t let their team beat you. Put the pressure on them to beat you and not bail them out by leaving their teammates wide open. Keep josh near the paint and he will have close to 3 blocks per game and even his rebounding will improve. They also need to get Childress back to start at small forward at bench or trade marvin williams. He’s only good when his mid range jumper is falling. Everytime he drives, he either gets blocked or falls down. They alsp need to run more alley oop plays for josh smith and some pick and pop plays with al horford. find a coach that can do that then we will have an elite team that can compete for a championship.
terrell
May 14th, 2010
3:02 pm
Tell it like it is Tree Rollins.
Truth
May 14th, 2010
3:03 pm
@Tree Rollins
Wow I had now idea woody was our coach/gm for the past 6 years…all this time i thought it was billy knight who took TWO forwards in CHILL and SMOOVE. Then signed JJ who is a 3 but can play the 2, then Draft a 3( marvin williams..Then Draft a 4 in sheldon when they took some many 3’s that one of them moved to the 4 so sheldon was stuck on the bench….and when they signed johnson that ment chill who could play the two was put on the bench….Damn woody was a horrible GM/Coach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ramon
May 14th, 2010
3:05 pm
Lol, Clyde’s moving to Philly lol.
terrell
May 14th, 2010
3:06 pm
Guesswhothisis, you sound like Ken Strickland. lol! Am I right?
Mike
May 14th, 2010
3:07 pm
I know the Hawks had to make a move but I honestly dont think its going to change anything people always like to blame the coach of course at some point the players have to take responsibility and some of the blame as well lets not just blame Woody for this teams lack of effort in the playoffs and at some points of the regular season as well.The Hawks offense looked a little stagnant at times on the flore do to the lack of ball movement and players failure to move without the ball but something had to be done and I wish Woody the best of luck.
terrell
May 14th, 2010
3:09 pm
Craig posted at 3:26. It’s only 3:08. Wtf?
Izzle Knizzle
May 14th, 2010
3:10 pm
We can’t win without Mike!
Who’s gonna call the clear out play after a full time out (and a commercial break) now? We can’t win without our nightly overdose of iso plays!
Who’s gonna call our bread and butter play, the “just shoot a jumper before everybody’s down the court” shot?
We’re doomed! lol
Grandad
May 14th, 2010
3:11 pm
Thanks richbrave.
After his def. game-planning v Cavs, I’m sold.
Doc gave Thib. all the credit.
Imagine that – a HC – deflecting credit away fom himself.
Celtics = team
Starts @ the top.
Kudos to doc!
B Knock
May 14th, 2010
3:11 pm
From 13 to 53 wins in six years…what did everybody expect?
terrell
May 14th, 2010
3:12 pm
Sund, if you bring in a clown like Terry Stotts, I’ll drive you to Hartsfield my dam self.
Hamp
May 14th, 2010
3:12 pm
I saw where someone called for David lee I like that. But if Labron goes to NY lee isn’t going anywhere. I think woodson got them as far as he possiblly could. But his lack of the ability to adjust mid-game got him fired. If you have a good company that is just getting it done you bring in a CEO to give it a shot in the arm. People may not agree but this was needed in the worst way. Don’t worry woodson fans he will coach again he can rebuild another bottom feeding team. Thats what he is but in the long run the team will turn on him because he does not adjust. If you have a promising rookie that tradition of not playing rookies will get you fired. It is clear that teague was no ordinary rookie and should have be given more minutes. The person that said he may have stunted laws growth may be hitting the nail on the head.
Truth
May 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
ITS SOOOO FUNNY y’all in here talkin bout Basketball IQ’s and offensive philosophy and leadership and playing hard. WHAT DO ANY OF YA’LL DO FOR A LIVING…HUH? YOU TALK LIKE IF U WERE OUT ON THE COURT YOU WOULD BE A GREAT LEADER OR SOMETHING…..SO SINCE YOUR NOT…ALL OF YOU GUYS PUST BE EXCELLENT LEADERS IN YOUR WHATEVER FIELDS YOU ARE IN……EVERY LASS ONE OF YOU ALL MUST EXCELL IN LIFE RIGHT? IF IT WAS SO EASY….Y ARE YOU GUYS NOT IN COACHING IN THE NBA????
S Hawk Fan
May 14th, 2010
3:17 pm
About time! About three years late! Now we will see what it is like to have a “real” coach and advance to being champions hopefully soon! Woody can take his smug looking clueless self to another city! Buyer be aware!
It will be nice to not be outcoached for once!!!!
Barbara
May 14th, 2010
3:19 pm
I’m a African American female I was tired of looking at him with his arms folded he needed to be gone a long time ago.
S Hawk Fan
May 14th, 2010
3:19 pm
Tree Rollins…. GREAT POST!
VMR
May 14th, 2010
3:21 pm
Byron Scott, Avery Johnson or Sam Mitchell.