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
Clyde
May 14th, 2010
4:09 pm
I’m still here northclyde………I meant northcyde. I help started this blog and I’m gonna help finish it.
Kapoonka
May 14th, 2010
4:15 pm
Woodson inherited a “project” with potential, and actually got some good return on the investment. Management isn’t satisfied with the return, so they seek a new “fund” manager to get more bang for their buck.. How many other 50+ win coaches will be looking for jobs? Isn’t that what every team strives for..to win 50 games? They did make it to the 2nd round which is not a small feat.. There’s no guarantee a replacement will fare any better or if next year Woody would have been able to go one step further. Time will surely tell, and Woody may get a chance to gloat the next few seasons depending on what happens. I like Avery Johnson for Chicago, but he is not the right guy for the Hawks. He would clash with Josh big time. Very curious to see who it will be…..time will tell.
X Playground Great
May 14th, 2010
4:19 pm
TCEE..Thanks for the update. I’m not surprise, Heck they probably cant get in touch with Usher to get finally approval…LOL
J-Hawk
May 14th, 2010
4:21 pm
Reading the very name of Terry Stotts give me chills. For whatever Woodson’s shortcomings, I thought he did a good job. This team was nowhere when he took over. I thought we’d keep him. I’m all for improvement but wary of a return to Stotts-era basketball (cringing)…
AG
May 14th, 2010
4:24 pm
Wow, interesting some of you are blogging about an African American coach losing his job dispite blah blah blah. Man, have you watch a Hawks game? A great coach makes the right adjustments during a game and a good coach has the courage to make adjustments. Bibby is the worst PG in the league , but he refused to play Teague. Marvin is one of the worst SF in the league (Boris Diaw is the worst!!!), but Mo could not get any run. Season vet leaves Cleveland for Atlanta and gets no run! The offense was throw the ball to JJ or Jamal and let’s see what happens. The Hawks are at their best when they run and move the ball. Even Moses did not go to the promise land despite get his people to the promise land so Woodson had gone as far as he could go with this team.
The Hooping Drummer
May 14th, 2010
4:26 pm
SK I feel you!! And to all of those who are talking about “bout damn time and see you will in philly”, don’t get mad when Mike’s ass goes to New York and coach LeBron and they win the championship. So all you naysayers who forgot about him turning the team around, y’all will be kissing his butt this time next year!! Eat that Mykhalc!!
AG
May 14th, 2010
4:26 pm
Shotts had nothing to work with and management did not give him the time or the tools. I think I like Bill Laimbeer. He has three rings in the WNBA and has won in the NBA. Or a point guard type coach, Byron Scott or Avery Johnson. Don’t remember how Shott’s teams played.
X Playground Great
May 14th, 2010
4:28 pm
J-Hawk AMEN Brother…I’m afraid Sund will bring in 1 of his “wish I could’ve made the varsity team buddies” to coach and we will return to a med-low level team in the standings. Watch all the players jet once their contracts are up.
jroc
May 14th, 2010
4:28 pm
If the Hawks hire Avery Johnson or Byron Scott or any coach lesser than Woody it wouldn’t make sense why they fired the man.If they bring a Jeff Van Gundy a lot of Hawks fans will be satisfied.
AG
May 14th, 2010
4:29 pm
Also, everybody saying we need a Super star and a center. They do not grow on trees! Also, except for Kobe, all of them are home… Wade, Durant, James, Bosh, etc…. well Superman, Amare and Nash are still playing. The four centers remaining are Lopez, Perkins, Howard and Bynum. You can say insert Hortford in those four and he is the second best.
AG
May 14th, 2010
4:30 pm
Please do not bring in Van Gundy!!! He sucked with the Rockets. That was a boring team with McGrady and Yao. They struggled to score 90 points on any night.
WP
May 14th, 2010
4:32 pm
Josh Smith needs to go. And I hate to say it Joe Johnson needs to go. They didn’t do much during the playoffs.
X Playground Great
May 14th, 2010
4:35 pm
AG – Tell me this, if they Hawks lost last year in the second round with the current talent, why wouldnt they go out and make a trade or move to acquire a big front court player or point guard. Is that the coach’s fault The spirit group didnt make a move in the off season? Orlando and Cleveland made moves to improve their teams.
jroc
May 14th, 2010
4:36 pm
Than hire the Little General Avery Johnson just to slap Josh Smith, Joe Johnson,Marvin and Mike Bibby every time they play lazy.Lil G arms will be tired because one out of the 4 play lazy every game.
slim4jr
May 14th, 2010
4:38 pm
Not a surprise!! 80 games below .500 over 6 seasons suck!!! Plus 11-18 in playoff games. Losing on the road by over 20 points a game not going to cut it!! We need to trade Marvin “TIN MAN” Williams and Mike Bibby for Rudy Gay or Chris Paul asap!!! We need help at the 1 and 3..
Bout Time
May 14th, 2010
4:39 pm
I can’t say I ever been so happy for this franchise as I am now!!!!!! This firing is long overdue. The inconsistencies that most are seeing now in his coaching has been going on for years.
Ex.
-Switching on screens has been going on all year. It didn’t just start in the playoffs. But I guess many of you were blinded by the win.
-Not being able to make game time decisions/adjustments. It didn’t just start in the playoffs either.
Woody has a very minimal part to do with the continued success of the franchise within the last six years. You must remember that when he first became coach we had the youngest team in the league. These guys were babies in a grown mans league. Their success did not come from Woody, it came from their physical/mental maturity and experience.
BOUT TIME!!!!!BOUT TIME!!!!!BOUT TIME!!!!!BOUT TIME!!!!!BOUT TIME!!!!!
Oh yeah. Tell em to take his boy JJ with him.
jroc
May 14th, 2010
4:41 pm
I wouldn’t mind them getting rid of Josh Smith too sometimes your boy play like he got a potatoe chip stuck in his butt and scared to break it.
Will
May 14th, 2010
4:41 pm
Great coach, sad to see him leave. Definitely deserved to have his contract extended. Poor decision by the hawks management.
JsN
May 14th, 2010
4:43 pm
C’mon, Woodson should have gotten cut loose four years ago. Everyone knows it. He gets all the credit for the teams success, but really it was as much a by product of getting more complete talent and the talent he had maturing to a point that they could play consistently. The guy has never been able to coach offense, evne this year, with all the talent we have, we do nothing but run ISO”s and the occasional pick and roll for Horford. Get a coach who can coach, get a PG (or leg Tegue try) and this team would instantly be better for it.
JsN
May 14th, 2010
4:46 pm
Oh and please, STOP calling Bosh and damned superstar. He’s never been anything but a good player on bad teams. He’s a very good player, but he’s NO SUPERSTAR. There are only handful of legit superstars in the league and you don’t have to have one of them in order to win.
jroc
May 14th, 2010
4:48 pm
I got a sad feeling when Mike Brown leaves the Cavs he’s coming straight to Atlanta
jroc
May 14th, 2010
4:59 pm
I heard the Hawks are seriously considering Isiah Thomas for the job
Shawn
May 14th, 2010
5:00 pm
I knew this was coming and I partially agree with the move for a few reasons in my opinion: First, I don’t think Woodson has the killer instinct that the Hawks need to push them to dominate the game when there’re ahead, and often he does not seem to control the game when the players should be driving the ball he quietly allow them to shoot there way out of a win, nor does he appear to find positive ways to strengthen performance from his bench players.
Secondly, I would not fire him if the GM and owners are going to continue the Atlanta sports franchises legacy of trading good player for lower cost mediocre players that are not going to help Atlanta win CHAMPIONSHIPS. We are sick and tired of playoffs and tittles because of all of the professional teams Atlanta only has ONE national championship with the Atlanta Braves. We have a history of loosing and It’s almost as if Atlanta professional teams are satisfied with just getting to the playoffs. They don’t market there teams well, they make lousy trades and the good ones they do make they let them slip away to teams that go on to win Championships. This is the Atlanta pro sports franchise way. My city is obsessed with being second, third, fourth, fifth best etc… Every elite team in the east made trades to give them a chance to win a championship except the Atlanta Hawks so the true question is are the owners and GM serious about winning a National Championship? We shall see…to be continued.
RT
May 14th, 2010
5:00 pm
Maybe he will take Joe Johnson with him.Team needs a leader!
Alabama Communist
May 14th, 2010
5:01 pm
Will the blog be happy about next season’s performance?*jay
Not really! Most of these idiots will be out of a job like the former Coach of the Hawks trying to fiqure out what went wrong with the United States and why Obama can’t issue a bailout fund to save a bankrupt leaque and the Sports bars……..
Reality Bites
May 14th, 2010
5:06 pm
80 games under .500 in 6 seasons and MEAT in 2nd rd 2 years inna row…..uuhhhh BYE BYE.
Oh no....
May 14th, 2010
5:12 pm
apparently Sam Mitchell is a horrble in-game decision-making coach just like woodson (Via Rapto Fans) NEXT!!!!
Tom Thibideau???? I like it.
Avery Johnson??? Nice
those are my front runners.
Scott got fired for not playing the Younger players baisically “playing favorites” NEXT!!
jroc
May 14th, 2010
5:13 pm
Looks like the only choice we got is Isiah or Mike Brown i doubt we can bring in Doc Rivers after Orlando get finish with them Celtics.Woody was a good coach but he wasn’t effective and he folded his arms too much on the sidelines only coaches who could do that in nba history is Pat Riley or Phil Jackson.Hawks fans don’t get fooled and think we are going to bring in a big name coach the best bet is letting a young up and coming coach take contol or give Kareem a shot at coach
jroc
May 14th, 2010
5:15 pm
Reggie Theus anyone
cp
May 14th, 2010
5:16 pm
BYC
May 14th, 2010
2:49 pm
Your post pretty much summed it all up. The funny thing about these Woodson supporters is they only thing they can do is bring up the regular season wins. YOU DONT WIN SHID IN THE REGULAR SEASON PEOPLE. What good does it do to win 53 games if you look like trash in the playoffs. They don’t hand out banners and trophies because you win 53 games. At the end of the day its about what you do in the playoffs and Woodson showed he was outmatched. His inability to adjust hurt the team. The sad thing is that its been a big problem of his during his whole tenure. This cat does not know what adjustments mean. In the playoffs you have to have several counter moves and Woodrow sadly didn’t. Dude is so stubborn that even when he sees that his plan does not work he wont try something different……… When you win 13 games and add all star talent to the roster plus draft all star type players hell you should improve your win total.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 14th, 2010
5:19 pm
I want a former point guard to coach the Hawks, preferably one who had considerable playoff experience. To be honest, if the Hawks are looking to save some money, I wouldn’t mind someone like Sam Cassell, despite his inexperience.
jroc
May 14th, 2010
5:21 pm
How about Domoniqe Mookie Blaylock Tyrone Corbin John Koncack Tree Rollins Steve Smith Craig Ehlo or Kevin Willis for coach at least they played harder than these current Hawks
MotherGoose
May 14th, 2010
5:24 pm
Joe Johnson should be promoted to Head Coach of the Hawks. It is evident that he wants a more glamorous role than the one he currently has. Also, making Joe the new head coach/player-coach, it might entice Joe to stay on and continue playing for the Hawks; plus he will get a raise since he will have dual roles with the Hawks.
Oh no....
May 14th, 2010
5:28 pm
http://www.fireavery.com
Umm….maybe not Avery either. I mean, they mad has a website dedicated to his demise. It’s convincing too.
jroc
May 14th, 2010
5:33 pm
Joe Johnson i hope you realize you will be disappointed if you go to a team with a another big time star don’t follow behind Wade or Lebron you will regret it stay in Atl where you are a soft king go behind those guys you turn into Marvin Williams
Shawn
May 14th, 2010
5:33 pm
My Line up: Jeff Teaude at the point, Crawford right gaurd, JJ left gaurd, Crist Bosh Center, Al Hartfard power forward rotating him with Josh Smith. Zaza, Marvis and Evans will be my hit men who punishes teams on defence and can play decent offence. I would go after more home grown talent like georgia Tech’s Derrick Favours 6′10″ and Daniel Miller6′11″, or Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania 7′0″ for young talent and height, and maybe take a shot at getting John Wall from Kentucky.
I MUS WRITE
May 14th, 2010
5:34 pm
Good Luck to Woody- Ive been waiting for this day for over 3 years. I guess its time to say bye bye to the ISO offense and the switch everything defense. The two coaches I want here are already employed Scott Brooks and Rick Adelman, but im sure sund will find a nice replacement.
@ O Yeah??? its obvious you have no idea how a salary cap works…
One problem taken care of now all we need is:
Get Rudy Gay/Marc Gasol for Marvin ZaZa,1st round pick
Resign Joe to a reasonable contract or go after Salmons -regardless of how down we are on Joe adifferent system and a new coach could make a world of difference.
Trade Bibby to Houston for Kyle lowery
Line up
Teague/Lowery
JJ/Crawford
Gay/Chillz
Josh/Horford
Horford/Gasol
Bangladesh
May 14th, 2010
5:39 pm
WHAT!!!! the hawks actually did something right for the first time in a while….WoW!!! Now bring in a real coach and the skys the the limit. GO HAWKS!!!!
NCHawksFan
May 14th, 2010
5:40 pm
I wonder how much Marvin Might improve and play more to what his ceiling and potential are with the right coach. How much of Marvin’s lack of productivity can be partly to blame by Woodson? Not to put all the blame on Woodson b/c Marvin is responsible for himself, but it makes you wonder if a great coach comes in, can he motivate Marvin to play like he is capable of playing.
Yeah???
May 14th, 2010
5:43 pm
Wahtever, I wasn’t even looking at cap implications jeez. The ASG is just cheap. It they wanted to make it happen then it would happen. You got teams like cleveland with 90+ million dollar payrolls smh…. Realistcally you’d have to choose between giving heywood or Outlaw $$$ I’d go with outlaw personally. I we get a real coach in here we can have more success w/o the need for a long center for another year. Marvin stinks tho which is why you go after Outlaw.
What’s the last team to win a title that wasn’t in lux tax land? Exactly….
harold
May 14th, 2010
5:50 pm
LEAVE BRUCE PEARL ALONE. WE NEED HIM AT TENNESSEE!
slim4jr
May 14th, 2010
6:03 pm
NC HawkFans: NEWS FLASH!! MARVIN WILLIAMS IS A BUST!!! THATS RIGHT!! “TIN MAN” IS A BUST!!! Hawks need to ship his a@@ off as soon as possible if they want to take the next step against the elite!! Marvin has too many weakness that starts upstairs.. This guy rode the pines at Carolina. Should never had been a lottery PICK! Especially a #2 over CP3 and Darren Williams and Danny Granger in that 05 draft……. WHAT A JOKE……
ReddJonn68
May 14th, 2010
6:06 pm
I see a few bloggers have the right idea. As painful as it was to watch a talented team get blown out of playoffs & squander leads in season games they should have won. I respect Woodson , but he had his opportunity & it passed him by. Yes Sund it part of the failure as well, we made absolutely no significant moves besides Crawford to remain on that elite tier of teams, there should have been a few more pink slips floating around the Hawks front office this morning. Don’t be surprised if a 60+ win coach joins Woody in the unemployment line. Plain & simple if you look at Rivers and the way Gentry in his first full season, make the needed adjustments during games it is a thing of beauty. Did anyone also see the Super Vet Kevin Garnett coaching & teaching Glenn Davis last night on the bench, awesome baskectball. With the right coach, solid vet leadership, & wiling pupils this team has a nice future. Let’s be straight up ownership & management knows exaclty what this teams Assets & Liabilities are. We can debate every possible roster scenario under the sun, but until they take a good look in the mirror & really commit to Excellence then “we are who they think we are”
slim4jr
May 14th, 2010
6:08 pm
Let’s hope GM Sund doesn’t turn out to be another version of Billy “THE BONE HEAD I AM SMARTER THAN EVERYBODY BUT I AM REALLY AN IDIOT” KNIGHT…. Good start today RICK SUND!!
ryan
May 14th, 2010
6:16 pm
I don’t think Larry drew is going to be the coach because he was under Mike Woodson. I think Rick Sund whants his guy maybe Casey or Bryan Scott. Hawks need a fresh face not the same people somebody hew knows how to coach and get players under control
Keisha Waites
May 14th, 2010
6:18 pm
Best wishes Coach Woodson we will miss your leadership! Great Job.
kwooden1
May 14th, 2010
6:27 pm
Good Luck Coach Woodson. The team and you improved over the last 6 years, but I think that it will take a different approach for this team to become elite. Best of luck at your next location and I hope your better for your experiences here in Atlanta.
GO HAWKS!!!
Senator Blutarski
May 14th, 2010
6:28 pm
Has Dennis Rodman been interviewed by Sund yet? — just kidding
Central Fl Hawks fan
May 14th, 2010
6:30 pm
It’s sad to know that Coach Woodson was let go. After all, I do not believe there was one coach willing to step into the mess Woodson did when the Hawks won 13 games 6 years ago. The team did grow considerably while he was the coach. Just the team didn’t mature fast enough. Let’s hope the next coach will have the team soaring to new heights next year and the years following. Let’s beat Orlando next year, and take the division.
AG
May 14th, 2010
6:37 pm
“Tell me this, if they Hawks lost last year in the second round with the current talent, why wouldnt they go out and make a trade or move to acquire a big front court player or point guard. Is that the coach’s fault The spirit group didnt make a move in the off season? Orlando and Cleveland made moves to improve their teams.” X Playground Great
Please, we drafted Teague, acquired Joe Smith and Collins. Oh, by the way, we traded for Crawford, all upgrades from last season’s team. The man would not play his bench, period. That is why he did not get a new contract. Management says, here you go Woody, new pieces to play with, and he doesn’t. He is worst than my children a day after Christmas and all the new toys are old and unused. EVERY coach makes decisions we disagree with, but watching the Hawks lack of offense, no in-game strategy and general stubbornness has cost him his job. When we were down 0-3 to Orlando, what change did he make?