Hawks to talk to Casey
The AJC’s Mark Bradley reports that the Hawks have been granted permission to speak with Dallas Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey.
Casey, the former head coach for Minnesota Timberwolves, is one of several candidates for the New Orleans Hornets’ head coaching position. Minnesota hired Casey before the 2005-06 season but fired him in Jan. 2007 despite Minnesota’s 20-20 record, which had the Timberwolves in contention for the No. 8 playoff seed in the Western Conference.
The Hawks say they won’t comment on their coaching search but so so far the team appears to be focused on assistant coaches as candidates. GM Rick Sund said Mike Woodson’s former assistants are under contract until June 30 but that he wouldn’t prevent them from seeking other jobs in the interim. That statement and Sund’s desire for a different voice to lead the Hawks both suggest Larry Drew, Woodson’s lead assistant, isn’t high on the initial candidate list.
MC
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167 comments Add your comment
fayncdawg
May 17th, 2010
1:48 pm
Not so mighty these bloggers don’t get! on mMark Bradley’s blog about Casey’s interview, I tried to enlighten them on that same fact! CASEY IS A CHEATER!!! THE HAWKS DON”T NEED HIM!! HECK, IF THE BULLS WERE GIVING AWAY DERRICK ROSE, I WOULD NOT TAKE THAT CHEATER EITHER!!!
cp
May 17th, 2010
1:54 pm
Listening to Sund on 790 doesnt really give me much hope. Im guessing he is just holding his cards close to his chest.
Grandad
May 17th, 2010
1:55 pm
Not So Mighty Casey:
Because Bradley’s a Ky. guy & he does not want to
discuss it. I posed the question on two seperate blogs
about clearing up his role [Casey's] in the UK / scandal
and he would never answer my question.
My hope is…if it come down to him as a finalist;
that issue will be addressed.
northcyde
May 17th, 2010
1:56 pm
So basically Rick said a bunch of nothing. He didn’t answer anything specifically except the Joe Johnson question.
northcyde
May 17th, 2010
1:58 pm
What Casey did as an assistant coach in college has no bearing whatsoever on his prospects as a NBA coach. It’s a lot of cheaters in the college ranks, they just haven’t been caught yet.
Hell . . . Calipari is a cheater, from that standpoint.
Ramon
May 17th, 2010
2:05 pm
Calipari is a cheater from any standpoint lol.
Rob G. (ATL Homeboy) _ (over in San Diego)
May 17th, 2010
2:13 pm
To all my colleagues, do any of you see the Hawks winning the NBA title next season?
The reasoning behind that very blunt question is this:
Very vital pieces need to be added, I don’t see it happening. I will not be surprise if Joe Johnson, leaves the team via free agency. I also for some reason do not expect a major upgrade in coaching. A resounding voice, that will make the current team any better than Mike Woodson coaching. I actually have this agnostic fear that the team will regress oppose to becoming better than the last six years (thank you, Sund). A Larry Brown type or Larry Brown himself would perhaps get the most out of this bunch.
Let me put, the ways things are this way. There will be no NBA championship for my great City of Atlanta next year (too many changes need to be made). To all those who did not see the subtle changes and progress the Hawks made the last six years will be even more disappointed come next year. However, I am an optimist and not a pessimist. So therefore, I wish the Hawks the very best; I will just not follow them as faithfully as before. Unless, there will be some major changes making them better than what they are currently now. I just don’t see it happening, I am certainly willing to take on opinions. OUT!
John Brown
May 17th, 2010
2:30 pm
Hey TruthSeeker. They did consider Garret Siler. And they cut him. Over Mario West and Randolph Morris. China stats? Are you serious? He couldn’t even get a contract in Europe. That should tell you something. The guy has potential, but by the time he figures it out, his feet will be crumbling like Yao’s. Guys that size don’t hold up. And, HEY! Why is Larry Drew — an assistant under Woody even a consideration?!? I thought Sund said we need a new voice! They’ve been hearing Larry’s the last 6 years. And Thibodeau…he’s basically Woody on Detroit. Remember? Top assistant, defensive specialist on a Championship team in Detroit….Think he’s gonna help our anemic offense?
terrell
May 17th, 2010
2:45 pm
Rod, who knows, maybe Marvin will actually look like an NBA player with a real COACH, who knows how to run an offense.
The Truth
May 17th, 2010
2:58 pm
Sund said this: Players Need ‘Another Voice’ After Six Years of Woodson’s
Now where have I heard that line before:
“We believe that Randy Wittman will provide our team with a different voice to get us jump-started and going in the right direction,” said McHale.
What a coincidence: Let’s hope the Hawks will have a better coach transition than the Minnesota Timberwolves
terrell
May 17th, 2010
3:00 pm
We have to include Bibby is some kind of trade. We just have to. Zaza too if possible. And we’ve got to figure out who’s our pf of the future? Josh or Al? If we coulda big or a pg for Smith, I wouldn’t mind it at all. Hell, all we need is a banger in the middle to frustrate Howard like Perkins and co did yesterday. One things for sure, somebody’s got to go. Too many damn forwards in the starting lineup. We’re stuck with Duck, so no need to post anything about trading him. But hey, maybe some GM sees the “upside”.
terrell
May 17th, 2010
3:03 pm
Signing Marvin, Zaza, and Bibby last offseason crippled us. What was Sund thinking? Woody must’ve put something in his drink??
Mystikal
May 17th, 2010
3:30 pm
Rob G, what exactly is your definition of optomist?
The Truth
May 17th, 2010
3:42 pm
As much as I like the idea of Avery Johnson as the head Coach, I’m not sure he could match the father like figure that is required for Josh Smith. Since Josh is a “High Maintenance” type of player that has had only one NBA coach, he will required an older more seasoned coach that has a bit of fearfulness side to him that is respected; someone that will not hesitate to bench Josh (or any player) if necessary. I am struggling with picturing Avery Johnson as that guy. I could be wrong though if little Avery Johnson has a “Napoleon Complex” side to him then perhaps he could jell. Nevertheless, we need a tough-minded (take-no-prisoner) type of coach with an edge to him. Someone that represents what we are trying to instill in the players.
terrell
May 17th, 2010
3:53 pm
If they wouldn’t listen to Woody, I doubt they’ll listen to Casey. This group needs an experienced Head Coach, imo. Someone they’ll respect from the get-go. We need a leader, because it for damn sure aint Joe Johnson. I dont know if I’m more worried about the roster, or the new coach.
terrell
May 17th, 2010
4:46 pm
Steve Kerr went from Goat to hero in just a year. Sund has a chance to do the same with a few changes to the roster and the right Coach. Just a thought.
Dan's Dickau
May 18th, 2010
1:00 am
This is an exciting yet scary prospect. Sund is in a tenuous position! Without a drastic change to the roster, Atlanta’s only real shot at a championship would be a true blue defensive coach. If they use their athleticism and length to lock teams down the Hawks can score enough.
And Marvin can do more. Run some damn plays for him- and Horford. It wouldn’t take much for our offense to get better in a hurry. But without the depth and talent, the Hawks really have to become a top-5 type defensive team if we’re going to get a title on the cheap like this.