Report: Hawks to interview Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reports the Hawks will interview Avery Johnson for their vacant head coach position.
Johnson, an ESPN analyst, last coached the Dallas Mavericks. He took over during the 2004-05 season and Dallas won 60 games in 2005-06, earning Johnson Coach of the Year honors. But the Mavericks lost a six-game series to Miami in the Finals after leading 2-0. The Mavericks fired Johnson after they lost in the first round of the playoffs in both 2007 and 2008.
If the Hawks want to hire Johnson it would probably take a significant financial commitment. Johnson reportedly earned more than $4 million per year in his final contract with the Mavericks. That’s more than twice the final salary the Hawks paid Mike Woodson, who was told on Friday that he wouldn’t be retained.
Johnson isn’t assured of earning his previous coaching salary when he returns to the sidelines, but he has leverage as probably the most high-profile candidate available. He’s already interviewed with Philadelphia and New Orleans and Johnson also reportedly has interest in coaching the Nets, who were recently sold to Russian billionaire Mikhali Prokhorov.
The Hawks also are set to interview Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey.
MC
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428 comments Add your comment
The Truth
May 17th, 2010
4:49 pm
I only hope the ASG is not playing us Hawk Fans like a horn. If they are not willing to put their money where their mouth is in terms of signing a coach and acquiring more player talent to make serious title run, then all of this press is nothing more then a PR stunt to appease the fan-base. As much as we have dogged out Woody; he came dirt-cheap. For the value we got from him based on his dirt cheap salary, we should be grateful he took us as far as he did. If we are expecting to repeat this same acquisition strategy, we may be in for a rude awakening.
doc
May 17th, 2010
4:50 pm
hmmm northcyde, payroll 22nd attendance 18th. whom is failing whom? seems the fans are giving more than the owners.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 17th, 2010
4:53 pm
“You CAN’T expect management to go ALL OUT to build a championship product, if the fans don’t make more of a commitment to go to the games. ”
If people stopped eating at your favorite restaurant tomorrow, would you be OK with them starting to f-ck up your orders and failing their health inspection?
Najeh Davenpoop
May 17th, 2010
4:57 pm
If you assume that the average ticket price is $70 (I have no idea whether or not that is accurate; it seems a little high to me but I’m rolling with it for this conservative estimate), the number of extra fans the Hawks would have needed this year to reach the top 10 in attendance would have netted them an extra $4.4 million in ticket sales.
The difference between the Hawks’ payroll and the 10th highest payroll in the league is $9 million.
Mike is Back
May 17th, 2010
4:58 pm
Doc, you are a wise man…I got burned getting that playoff package this season…well you live and learn. I think AJohnson is worth the investment…it will take a strong name like that to reenergize the fan base.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 17th, 2010
5:01 pm
And anyway, the Hawks’ payroll is the least of their problems. They are currently paying out over $20 million to Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams, and Zaza Pachulia, who together deserve no more than $10 million. What could the Hawks do with that extra $10 million? For starters, they could probably acquire that center they need so much.
Spending money wisely is a lot more important than just spending money.
Hawks Fan
May 17th, 2010
5:01 pm
Hel! no to Avery Johnson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
May 17th, 2010
5:07 pm
If the ASG spend money and make the hawks top 10 in payroll, there is no guarantee that they will become top 10 in attendance.
If the hawks become top 10 in attendance, there is no guarantee that owners will spend money to become top 10 in payroll
It is what it is.
The Truth
May 17th, 2010
5:08 pm
Let me repeat:
“Of the top 10 teams, 7 have at least one NBA Championship. So there seem to be some correlation between winning a championship and a high attendance. It could therefore be a cultural thing. If the Atlanta Hawks could ever win a championship, then Phillips attendance numbers will no doubt move drastically higher. The question really is what comes first, the chicken or the egg?”
Cleveland for example: They have never won a championship yet they top the attendance because ownership spends the money. In that case, the acquired chickens came before the expected golden eggs (golden eggs = championships)
MARIO
May 17th, 2010
5:09 pm
i think he would be agood fit ..he is respectable and has a winning pedigree as acoach and as a player…He has payed the game and guys i the hawks locker room are old enough to know who he is and has seen him play, so he could gain their respect with his past…..This is part 1 of the equation ..now this roster is not bad but needs to be assesed and its up to Sund to be creative and try his hardest to make some changes to upgrade this roster..HE COULD BE GM OF THE YEAR IF HE PULLS OFF THE RIGHT MOVES…….
Ramon
May 17th, 2010
5:11 pm
Ok, I’m sorry but I’m getting tired of people talking about wanting the Hawks to play hard 48 minutes a game for 82 games a season. There’s not a team still in the playoffs who played balls to the walls 82 games a season. I bet if these players followed any one of you to your job, they wouldn’t find you working balls to the walls 40-60 hours a week 52 weeks a year. True enough they’re in shape, but they’re not robots. Then the excuse many of you use to require 100% effort 100% of the time is because how much money they make. They only make that much money, because others make even MORE money off of them. Owners, media, network television board members, CEOs of companies such as Gatorade and other refreshment companies, as well as many apparel companies all make millions (billions in terms of Nike) off of the ability of these athletes, that’s why they make so much. So if you’re not giving 100% at your job (and I know no one is), then how can you demand the same from someone else. These people have lives and families just like we do. Players have deaths in family, family crisis, and more just like we do. Except for we don’t have Bob Ryan over our desk at work asking us why did we make the mistake of faxing something to 770-645-6689 instead of the correct number.
jay dubu
May 17th, 2010
5:11 pm
The Hawks just let go of a coach who couldn’t get his team to play to their talent level in the playoffs, so why would Johnson be such a good fit.
His Dallas team did the same that that Woody’s Atlanta team did the past 2 years…underperform!
Ramon
May 17th, 2010
5:17 pm
Dubu, the logic you use, would mean the Hawks shouldn’t hire any coach who has experience as head coach in the NBA, because every available head coach underperformed in some capacity at their last job. Each coach was let go or fired at their last job. Doc Rivers and Van Gundy was both fired from their last job. Alvin Gentry was fired twice in his career because of underperformaning. So you’re basically saying the Hawks should hire someone who has never coached before because they don’t have a history of underperforming as a head coach in the NBA…. Interesting….
Ramon
May 17th, 2010
5:18 pm
underperforming.
honest_abe
May 17th, 2010
5:20 pm
ramon: basketball players are entertainers. people pay their hard earned money to go see them. it’s not asking too much when fans call out players for loafing around…
the difference in effort i point out… is a team like boston who puts it all out on the floor compared to the hawks who practically jogged around like it was still the regular season. that is unacceptable.
Ramon
May 17th, 2010
5:22 pm
Honest, if you watch many of the Boston replays, you will see there are many games where Boston didn’t put it all out on the floor. You would see the same thing with the Lakers. And the question is how do you know when a player is loafing, or when a player is limited by an injury that they haven’t made public?
MARIO
May 17th, 2010
5:23 pm
HELL YES BRING ON AVERY
Rico
May 17th, 2010
5:24 pm
Proven winner and strategist the Hawks need to make it to the next level. Resign Joe Johnson and get Shaq to play the middle.
KevinM
May 17th, 2010
5:26 pm
The only way you can go here to justify the firing of Woody is to bring in a coach with previous success in the playoffs. What is it about this statement that people can’t understand?
- You have a team coming off 53 wins.
- You are looking to improve on your 3 seed from this past year.
- You are in need of making the next step now with the level of talent you have put together.
The run will be short if we don’t make the correct hire. The teams looking for a head coach: Philly, LAClip, NewOrleans,NewJersey,Chicago and Cleveland. I wouldn’t be surprised if Miami gets added to that list.
Those teams can’t be as attractive in their current state as the Hawks. A couple of opportunities to improve a couple of slots with JJ and his demands.
Sund was on this am and it sounded like he could count on JJ to be our first option on this team. I hope that was a smokescreen and JJ just wants to move on so we can get some type of compensation for him. He has proven his playoff worth already and we need to find another go-to guy.
Rico
May 17th, 2010
5:32 pm
Avery is the best man to coach our young talent. Resign Joe Johnson, do not implode the Team and sign Shaquille O’neal to a Two year contract. Get Horford to PF Josh at SF/PF and Marvin to the bench while Teague Start with this four. Instant success right out of pre-season.
Hawksvacation
May 17th, 2010
5:33 pm
What about Tyrone Corbin?????
Ramon
May 17th, 2010
5:34 pm
Kevin, if anyone else coaches Miami it will be Riley. I doubt he hires a known coach to come in. lol.
Grandad
May 17th, 2010
6:10 pm
Ramon:
I’m not giving you a pass on this one.
I worked *[30 years in my chosen profession]
& earned every paycheck.
*I loved every day I went to work & regret that
I’m unable to continue my passion.
Cal Ripken Jr. went to work every day & gave the
fans their money’s worth.
Mickey Mantle played hurt.
You can’t tell me Russell, Hondo, et al didn’t bring
it every time out.
You mentioned watching the Celtics play…..
so did I, the above mentioned Celtics.
You may not work @ your job, maybe your generation
does it that way???
If so, then that’s deplorable.
I’m hoping someone [younger generation] comes on here
and rips you or anyone who steals money from your employer
for not giving an honest days work for an honest wage.
I’m thinking avg. NBA salary is an honest wage.
I'm Sorry
May 17th, 2010
6:39 pm
Im really trying to do better in Life and at ALL things in LIFE. BUT everytime I hear Avery Johnson talk I laugh my azz offff.
Real Talk
May 17th, 2010
6:51 pm
I think Avery would be an excellent candidate for the job he commands respect from his players, is a proven winner, and motivator.
I am sick of hearing about the Hawks season winning % went up every year by six wins under Woody when it only took OKC a younger and more mature team a season to reach 53 games and a playoff berth. SMH
The Bottom Line is that if management is serious about Raising the Bar like they say they are then they need to open the check book a little more do whatever it takes to make this franchise into a championship contender
If they continue to hire low profile coaches along with low profile superstars ex Joe Johnson then they will forever be dragging with low fanfare with low attendance and be recognized as pretenders instead of contenders
ReddJonn68
May 17th, 2010
6:58 pm
Look it doesn’t matter who they bring in no coach is going to be given a fair shot here. This roster needs infusion of heart & dedication. If we are thinking that this team has went as far as possible then overhaul it. We need a little more accountability from upstairs as well as on the court. Don’t bring in another puppet. Woodson & Brown are prime examples they’ve taken their teams just as far George Karl or Jerry Sloan has in the last 4yrs . We will not make splash in free agency & won’t be able too unload useless players. Hell hire Calipari !!! The Wildcats came about as close as we did to Trophy !!!
terrell
May 17th, 2010
7:12 pm
Just a front to make us think they’re going to actually spend some $ on a Head Coach. I’m not falling for it. Casey’s getting this job, and we all know it.
terrell
May 17th, 2010
7:16 pm
Downtown, Avery did a good job in Dallas. Took them within 1 game of a Championship. He cant help it if Dirk shriveled up like leaf. And btw, have the Mavs been back since? Added Butler, Haywood and co and still didnt do a damn thing.
BILLY KNIGHT
May 17th, 2010
7:20 pm
I can’t believe this city is complaining about a coach who been 2 the nba finals and the hawks have never been past the second round what joke.
JeJe
May 17th, 2010
7:35 pm
Attendnace should not dictate how much money owners spend.
THE HAWKS HAVE 498 OWNERS. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MUSTER ENOUGH MONEY FOR A HEAD COACH AND GO INTO THE LUX TAX. WHY ARE WE THE ONE TEAM IN THIS LEAGUE THAT IS CLOSE TO ELITE BUT CANNOT SPEND MONEY?
JeJe
May 17th, 2010
7:41 pm
IF ASG IS BROKE, HIRE AVERY AND CUT PAYROLL. WTF IS PEOPLE’S OBSESSION WITH TYRONE CORBIN? SHOULD WE CONSIDER STEVE SMITH, MOOKIE, OR MUTUMBO FOR THE JOB ALSO?
Steve
May 17th, 2010
8:00 pm
ZaZa needs to hire Joe Johnson’s weight trainer, then we might get somewhere. Or Horford’s weight trainer for that matter.
doc
May 17th, 2010
8:03 pm
did someone actually compare the franchises of the hawks and celts with the famous parquet floors and fans? first of all their years when they were down boston fans did not cheer i assure you. it is like comparing mcdonalds franchise with the local beaners weiners for excellence long term.
fan attendence is greater than owner expenditure. not sure northcyde wanted to see it that way but the owners are paying for what they get or maybe getting value in fan response since they pay less for more fans than other franchises.
dont forget the years they didnt spend so recently in our history. celts? they bought garnett and allen didnt they. us? oh we got lucky in the draft and held our lottery number just barely and got al horford. good thing we didnt get the second or maybe billy would have embarrassed himself further and overlooked durant.
The Truth
May 17th, 2010
8:07 pm
If Sund coach acquistion is anything like the Hawks last-year FA player acquistions (less Crawford), then we may need to adjust our championship run expectations way down to ground zero. Just saying …
Grandad
May 17th, 2010
8:13 pm
The Truth – If we looked @ Sund’s FA acquisition’s
minus Crawford then that would be a ‘Half Truth’.
Just Sayin’…
The Truth
May 17th, 2010
8:24 pm
Grandad
That’s a good one
Big Ray
May 17th, 2010
8:30 pm
Sund seems to be doing his due dilligence.
I think Avery Johnson will go to New Orleans, though. Just my feeling.
If the fan base has anything to do with the championship level of a team, then the Utah Jazz, Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks, and several other teams are robbing their fans blind. Add the New York Knicks to that group.
BILLY KNIGHT
May 17th, 2010
8:37 pm
I’m glad i left this city because this is looser vill nation.
Luke Cage
May 17th, 2010
8:48 pm
It really doesn’t matter who they hire because after the first adversity this team goes thru people on this site will say FIRE CASEY, OR FIRE JOHNSON OR FIRE ETC!!!
The fan base in Atlanta is a joke, and most of you guys won’t stay behind them
robdawg08
May 17th, 2010
9:08 pm
I like the idea of signing Avery Johnson as head coch. But Hawks need players for him to coach. They badly need a center and point guard to go with PF Horford,SF J.Smith,and Crawford/Bibby SG. No more Joe Johnson please. Real players don’t disappear in the playoffs they shine.
Dr. Dave
May 17th, 2010
9:10 pm
I will keep saying this until someone listens. He hasn’t coached a game, but Kenny Smith needs to be interviewed for the job. He is smart, articulate and a former point guard who really knows the game. If anyone has watched him on TV, his analysis is usually spot on and poignant. I will bet that he would get his players attention and keep them focused.
jroc
May 17th, 2010
9:12 pm
Look at the success of Boston pops they did’t play hard all season but in the playoffs they are kicking tail.The Lakers coasted heading into the playoffs and have turned it up in the playoffs.And i bet you a dollar to a doughnut it will be a Boston – LA final.The hawks just don’t have good leadership.You can’t compare your carreer to a pro atheletes don’t forget fan stands for fanatic and your generation helped start the pampered lazy athelete.The NBA didn’t play as many games back in the day as they do now.Just face it pops the NBA has 2 seasons the regular season and the playoffs.The hawks 50+ wins this year was a fluke.And i know pops you ain’t bringing it everyday at your job you probaly know all the tricks and cut corners everyday like the vets on my job.
JeJe
May 17th, 2010
9:34 pm
What’s with all this hate on Avery? Every other coach available worth a squirt of piss has been fired at some point too and failed much of the time.
Jeff Van Gundy: Every year with him was a first round failure…I know I know — injuries blah blah blah. The Rockets were up 2-0 on Dallas after winning the first 2 games IN DALLAS in 2006 and still lost the series.
Sam Mitchell: My favourite for the coaching position if Avery doesn’t get it. Won COTY but flopped in playoffs a few times
Byron Scott: Same thing. Very arrogant and has been driven out of a few towns.
Dwane Casey: Hasn’t won !@#$ in the NBA
Tyrone Corbin: LOL. If he didn’t play on the Hawks, he wouldn’t even be mentioend
fayncdawg
May 17th, 2010
9:36 pm
CALL THE DOC! MAYBE HIS ASSTSTANT! CASEY IS A CHEATER!!!! CHEATERS NEVER WIN!!! CHEATERS NEVER WIN!!!!!!!
fayncdawg
May 17th, 2010
9:42 pm
Which Boston assistant takes over when Doc gets ejected? Whoever it is, the Hawks need to make sure they interview him if we can’t get Doc!
jroc
May 17th, 2010
9:49 pm
Honestly have you heard Avery Johnson talk who could take him seriously i already can see Josh Smith cussing Lil G out and the hawks bench laughing mocking him everytime he talk.
fayncdawg
May 17th, 2010
9:56 pm
Jroc: And if the Hawks hire LilG (who I like though obviously not my favorite to be the next coach), then give Josh a ticket to Detroit. Wonder how long it would take them to get merely 30 wins! BTW CALL THE DOC!!!
jroc
May 17th, 2010
9:57 pm
Be patient management and wait for Doc at the end of the season and offer him the job looks like all he want to do is make one more run with the celtics.Wait for doc or beg woody to come back any other hire will bring the same or lesser results
jroc
May 17th, 2010
10:03 pm
How about hiring Mark Price as coach and have him bring some tough assistants that could bring some fire to the young hawks
jroc
May 17th, 2010
10:09 pm
Hears Lil G “‘wwwhhatts wwr wrrr wrong wit ya Josssh getts a reebouunds mannn’”
Bench- He he he he he chuckle chuckle