Atlanta Hawks: Coach countdown
In the latest tangential, incremental update on the Hawks’ coaching search, Byron Scott tells Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News that Avery Johnson is the favorite for the Nets’ job. (Love how they managed to get Phil Jackson in that headline, too.)
ASG honcho Michael Gearon Jr is back in town. Mark Jackson is in town to meet with the owners today. Larry Drew interviewed yesterday. Dwane Casey is waiting. That might be about it for the final candidates.
So who do you want? AJC wise guy Jeff Schultz likes Johnson but was nice enough to ask for your input, too.
I went on 790 The Zone yesterday and was asked which guy I considered to be the frontrunner for the position. I answered the way no one seems to want to hear nowadays: “I don’t know.” I could have speculated that it’s Casey because of his ties to Sund, which seems to be the thing to do. Of course, a couple weeks ago Johnson was all the rage, with some media declaring him the favorite before the Hawks had even talked to the other three. Now you add Jackson to the equation. Drew has his supporters in the organization, too.
The point I’m trying to make is, the Hawks are having internal deliberations about the candidates. This is what happens in organizations, especially when there are multiple owners with perhaps differing opinions. Rick Sund is in charge of the search but obviously ASG will have its say. So who is the favorite? I suppose it depends on whom you ask in the organization and when you ask them. Some time soon the Hawks will decide on a coach, make him an offer, sign him and announce to everyone that he’s been their guy all along. I look forward to that day.
– On a more important note, I’m pulling for summer commenter Ken Strickland to make a full recovery. Stay strong, Ken.
MC
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199 comments Add your comment
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
6:11 pm
TROTTINGHOME:
Thanks, It hasn’t changed my life so much as it multiplied my life.
Jerry West
June 7th, 2010
6:14 pm
Grandad,
I know they have Rubio’s rights, but he said he’s not coming until 2011-12 (even after meeting Rambis), so there’s no need to make room for him just yet. And I didn’t say don’t make a trade to try to improve their team, just that it seems they could do better than Marvin. There’s talk that they may try to trade up for Evan Turner or go after Anthony Randolph.
jroc
June 7th, 2010
6:18 pm
I feel the hawks need to run an up – tempo style offense like the Phoenix Suns with all the young atheletes they have.Shock everyone ASG and Sund and bring Thunder Dan Marlje in as coach.
Tyrone
June 7th, 2010
6:30 pm
I would just like to say that I am not a fan of the Marvin Williams trade for Ramon sessions and a draft pick. First off, I don’t see Ramon Sessions solving many problems. He had a good run with Milwaukee a couple of years ago which is what got him the contract with Minnesota. However, he was less than stellar during his first year with the T’Wolves. I definitely think that Teague has a lot more potential than sessions and I would want his minutes to decline due to the arrival of sessions.
On another note, I don’t feel that the trade is very even in that Marvin is much more valuable than Sessions. You may think this sounds crazy, but when you think about it, Marvin’s type is a rare commodity in the NBA today. He’s a 6′9″ near 240 lb. SF, with good quickness, athleticism, and versatility. He’s able to essentially play positions SG, SF, and PF, although he is most useful at small forward due to his mix of skills. Clearly, he is still developing a shooting touch from mid and long range, but he has a pretty well-rounded game is heavily underrated defensively.
The Marvin Williams from 2008-09 was really starting to show promise, and I have a feeling he is capable of a lot more than he showed during this past season. Much of that has to do with a very diminished role. After picking up Jamal Crawford, the Hawks had a heavy abundance of offensive weapons in Joe Johnson and Crawford in the back court, coupled with Smith and Horford up front. With each of these guys playing a potent role in the offensive (along with Bibby receiving ill-advised inflated minutes), there was not a large niche for Marvin on the team aside from attempting to be a defensive presence on the perimeter and occasionally in the paint. So, it’s not a big surprise that Marvin’s numbers went down during this past season.
However, I’m not quite ready to let Marvin go before we can see what he can do under a new coach with a more important role. I think that in particular, guys like Marvin will flourish if Joe ends up leaving, or if the offensive scheme decreases the use of isolation plays (these plays have a time and place, but should be used in moderation, not all of the time). I hope to see the core of Al, Josh, Teague, and Marvin really flourish in years to come. Al is already and All-Star and I expect Josh to reach that level next season as well, but for the other two guys, we may just start to learn what they have to offer next season, so I wouldn’t want to get rid of them just yet.
Tyrone
June 7th, 2010
6:31 pm
Correction above: *wouldn’t* want his (Teague’s) minutes to decline
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
6:32 pm
Jerry West:
Excellent analysis & research.
You are obviously well read on the
“greatest game ever invented”
NOT to MENTION
Your logic & reasoning [were (?) is] exceptional.
Rondo
June 7th, 2010
6:34 pm
Grandad for a old man you sure have some kind of imagination howland for coach, thats so juvenile.
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
6:40 pm
Thank you Tyrone, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Bones
June 7th, 2010
6:40 pm
lol @ i_am_soulstar. That was a great stripper analogy above. Probably the most entertaining thing I’ve read on this blog in quite some time.
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
6:46 pm
Rondo:
That sounded a bit mean-spirited.
You really don’t want to do that.
If the Coaching search were open [it's not]
you could not find a better man on the collegiate level.
‘Ben Howland’
Fried liver attack – game on – your move !
[be careful it's a trap]
Juvenile…Ha…young-uns…when yawl gonna learn?
ryan
June 7th, 2010
6:54 pm
I think Casey would be step back because you look at his record as a head with Minn and Seattle both of those teams had a loosing record and were lottery teams. So i just do not see how Casey makes us better and lures free agents.
northcyde
June 7th, 2010
7:02 pm
@ hoops . . . if the ASG came at Mark Jackson like that, he’d walk right out the door. Either that, or he’d say . . “OK . . I’ll agree to those terms, but I want a 1 yr – 6.5 million deal.”
No way he accepts a 3 yr deal, with the option for team to fire him after year 2 or 3. He better get all of his money upfront, if they’re going to do that.
The thing about Doc Rivers, is that you always have to remember what that Boston team was like, before Ainge traded for 2 Hall of Famers. Before that trade, fans wanted Doc fired and Pierce out of town. Pierce may as well bee JJ 4 years ago. Doc didn’t become a “great coach” until he got “great players”.
**********
But back to Mark Jackson. When I see that he got an interview, I just have to shake my head. A top 10 basketball team giving Mark Jackson an interview? I’d love to see who pushed to have him brought in.
Not saying that Mark can’t coach. We don’t know if he can or not, because he has no coaching experience. Might as well bring these people in for interviews then:
- Dominique
- Steve Smith
- Jon Barry
- Tim Legler
- Jamal Mashburn ( cause he liked us )
- Tyronn Lue ( is he still a Asst. Coach somewhere? )
- Beth Mowins ( she’s done color commentary for a few of our games )
- Swin Cash ( she does the NBA Fastbreak show sometimes, and discusses the Hawks )
Anybody who discusses the Hawks on the regular, is a candidate.
Shoot . . . might as well give Swin an interview. She has the most championships out of anybody we can bring in.
JD
June 7th, 2010
7:03 pm
The Atlanta hawks organization needs to take charge and stop dragging there feet, avery johnson was a good candidate for the job, but seems like NJ will get him, and you still have Byron Scott out there, but they will not go after him, instead they will go get some no name coach and the hawks will have to start all over again, the atlanta teams have been known to not pay players or coaches, because they think they have all the answers, now the fans have supported hawks for the last four yrs and it’s time for the organization to step up to the plate and hire a coach with some experience, we don’t need to back slide, lets go forward, you just watch the hawks will not hire a good coach, some fare weather coach, just mark my words
Bones
June 7th, 2010
7:08 pm
@northcyde
Tyronn Lue is currently an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics.
northcyde
June 7th, 2010
7:08 pm
Oh . . . i forgot 3-D ( Dennis Scott ).
Bring him in too.
northcyde
June 7th, 2010
7:29 pm
Thanks Bones. I was going to say Orlando, but I had a feeling that wasn’t right.
So yeah . . bring in Lue for an interview. I’m sure Lue had to have some effect on Rondo’s improved offensive game. Maybe he’kl do the same for Teague.
Hoops
June 7th, 2010
7:30 pm
Ramon,
You are right! The Hawks should hire Hubie Brown for 1 or 2 seasons until Doc Rivers comes available or maybe an even better coach than Doc! Right now there is not a great coach that is available!
Hawks go get HUBIE!!!
Dan's Dickau
June 7th, 2010
7:42 pm
Is “fare weather” like when it rains money?
i_am_soulstar
June 7th, 2010
7:46 pm
Tyrone,
You’re right, Marvin might flourish without JJ and with a better offensive coach. I feel bad for Duckman sometimes. We ask so much of him in a system where the players stand around all day and he’s a starter getting the 6th most touches on the team. The Hawks are probably too stagnant for the style of play that likely benefits him the most. We want him to be Shawn Marion, but apparently, that’s not his style. We should either change the circumstances that make him ineffective, or ship him out for a player that fits more of the Shawn Marion mold that we desire at that position.
Blast
June 7th, 2010
7:55 pm
Ken Strickland,
Much prayers, man. Remember, miracles do happen. I got mine. God Bless.
Why do people think Ray Allen is leaving Boston? He’s been to the championship dance twice in three years with that team. Why would he leave?
Hard for me to imagine Larry Drew coaching differently from Woody. Cos if Drew had offensive schemes of his own, why did he not share some of that wisdom with Woody? Why would Drew endure 6 years of the iso game, if he had alternatives? He was the main assistant coach, inni’t? And folks saying the team respect Drew. So that means they didn’t respect Woody?
For sure Mark Jackson is a most awful commentator. He is to ESPN what Dominick Wilkins is to Fox Sport South! What might that have on his ability to coach? They say he desperately wants the job.
Keep trucking, Hawks fans.
Bones
June 7th, 2010
8:08 pm
Blast,
I think people are mentioning Ray Allen simply because they feel this may be his last stint with Boston if they don’t bring home the championship this year. Even Garnett mentioned publicly that Boston’s “window is closing”, and implied that this may be their last chance to win it all. With that being said, if the Lakers end up winning the championship this season, there may not be much of an incentive for guys like Ray Allen to stay in Boston. Their core will be the oldest in the league and likely to make a return to the finals in the future.
That’s my take on the matter. However, even if the Celtics do lose to the Lakers in the NBA finals, Ray Allen is passed his best years and for him to make a dramatic move to another team at this late stage in his career also seems unlikely. That is something else to keep in mind.
Bones
June 7th, 2010
8:09 pm
Sorry, that should have said “unlikely to make a return to the finals” above
Dan's Dickau
June 7th, 2010
8:12 pm
Who is “Dominick Wilkins”? Is he related to Dominique Wilkins by chance?
O'Brien
June 7th, 2010
8:18 pm
northcyde,
What about Sam Cassell lol. He is currently an assistant to Flip in DC.
As for Mark Jackson, if I’m not mistaken, he has only been interviewed for 1 other HC job. And that was for the Knicks (who he played many years for). And we know the Knicks track record. but they decided to go with D’Antoni.
People keep talking about Marvin stepping up if he gets more touches, or if we had a better offensive system etc. But what is stopping Marvin from knocking down open shots? What is stopping Marvin from not fumbling and stumbling when he goes to the hoop? What is stopping Marvin from finding a way to NOT get his shot blocked by smaller players?
As a Hawks fan, I hope a new coach is able to help Marvin improve, but the bottomline is Marvin has to be held accountable and be responsible for his improvements, first and foremost. because he has some gifts that led to his #2 selection.
Blast,
How do we know that Drew was not making suggestions to Woody, only to be ignored? And keep in mind that 2 or 3 years ago, Drew asked to be relieved of his contract, and BK and Woody turned him down, and forced him to stay.
I dont think Drew is the answer, but to say he might not be any better than Woody, I strongly disagree. he is an unknown commodity.
vava74
June 7th, 2010
8:34 pm
I say let’s go with the stripper.
After a long relationship with a disappointing “house wife” who cooked reasonably well but always burned the turkey to a crisp on Thanksgiving, we need to go out and get wild.
Maybe we will be surprised and the stripper has a heart and is in fact a nice chick who never got a break!
We need a high profile HC to attract JJ to stay with us and Avery would be my choice to accomplish this, but he will be clearly over priced for us.
Mark Jackson has been very solid commenting the game and has shown that he can address people clearly with bball concepts and is quick analyzing the game as it unfolds, which is the main thing about an head coach: read the game.
Then from a strategy/solutions point of view, you can rely on quality assistants, something which Mark already said he would: he said that he would like to work with people with equal or higher bball knowledge as assistants.
The fact that he was a PG will certainly not hurt us in developing Teague.
His main drawback is that he was not very inclined to rely on good D to win games, although he has been very acknowledging of Thibodeau’s importance in the Celts’ success.
The HC position is all about LEADERSHIP: get people to trust you and your staff and be united in one goal.
Phil Jackson has always relied in top grade assistants throughout his career: msn.foxsports’ Charley Rosen (my favourite commentator by far) was one of them during his CBA days and Tex Winter (the triangle offense master) was seminal to his success.
Rufus1
June 7th, 2010
8:52 pm
Sund’s Choice for Coach
It is clear Avery in #1 and Mark is #2…Sund wants to develop Teague as a PG in the mold of RONDO. The Hawks also want to improve there NATIONAL PROFILE, so they need a HIGH PROFILE COACH.
One coach is a a reach for the Hawks(Avery)…The other wants this job with every fiber of his being(Mark Jackson).
If The Hawks felt coaching experience was sooooo important, they would have only interviewed experienced candidates. This hire is about player development, accountability and NATIONAL PROFILE. The Hawks know that great PG play, leads to long term success..
GET READY FOR AVERY OR MARK AS THE NEXT COACH…..YEAH!!!!
Rufus1
June 7th, 2010
9:06 pm
Mark Jackson
What if Mark Jackson hires Mike Brown as his Asst Coach.
newkid
June 7th, 2010
9:23 pm
If Sund felt he had a real chance at getting Doc to lead the Hawks in 2011/2012, how hot would he be for Hubie to take the HC responsibilities for 2010/2011?
Rondo
June 7th, 2010
9:33 pm
I hope Mark Jackson doesn’t teach Teague the fat old man back you down and throw the jump hook move that he was so famous for in his last years in the nba.A fat old guy tried that in the gym on me one time and I slapped that junk to the bleachers.Please Mark if you are hired come with a new approach.
what no one is sayin
June 7th, 2010
9:39 pm
Casey, Avery, or Jax is gonna be the different influence this group needs to move forward. Conjecture is pointless until one is annointed…
JeJe
June 7th, 2010
9:40 pm
FIRE WOODY
FIRE SUND
FIRE ASG
LEARN HOW TO SPEND MONEY
O'Brien
June 7th, 2010
9:42 pm
Guys,
Hubie Brown does not want to coach. He has said repeatedly that he is too old for the daily grind of coaching.
And even if he wanted to coach, I would not want him on a 1 year deal based on the possibility of Doc being available, and the possibility that Doc wants to coach the Hawks, and the possibility that the ASG would pay Doc the price he wants.
Get a coach in here, and give him a 3 year deal, and let’s roll.
drmaryb
June 7th, 2010
9:46 pm
Grand- Daddy
646 PM Post: Get ‘Em!
These disrespectful kids really don’t know who they’re messing with!
You mess with my Grand-Daddy? You’re messing with me! & everybody already know that – “I fight dirty!”
Looks like RONDO crawled back into his rat – hole. Grand-Daddy got ‘em good, (he must have seen those razor sharp teeth.). ROF. LOL.
I’m actually excited to find out who the new HC will be? I would be mad if Mark Jackson got the job! We need some fire, passion and enthusiasm on this team! A real motivator, throw all the X’s & O’s -
Let the assistants do all the drills. Delegate authority and create an atmosphere instead!
I like the tactics we often hear from: Pat Riley / Phil Jackson and, now Doc Rivers
(I.e. Hiding $1200 in the ceiling in LA.). A modern day treasure hunt!
O often why we never hear of our coaches giving players books to read, movies to watch, et.al.
Pat Riley had a big bowl filled with – Lords knows what? And the players all donated some written
Epitaph into this big bowl! I still don’t understand what that was all about – but, hey they won a Championship in Miami that year!
We need some creativity as well at the HC position – Why not us?
drmaryb
June 7th, 2010
9:50 pm
Correction: I would NOT be mad, if Mark Jackson got the job! NOT mad at all.
Rondo
June 7th, 2010
9:51 pm
I am soulstar
You are talking about Marvin being Shawn Marion WOW what a comparison.Nash made Marion, when he left the suns the clowns game diminished big time!Come with a better comparison, u could of said we wanted Marvin to be a poor mans Scottie Pippen not Marion.
Rondo
June 7th, 2010
9:59 pm
Well well well what do we have here!! A lame drmaryb.Rondo spits mad fire when he is pushed so you guys better b careful.
Sautee
June 7th, 2010
10:15 pm
northcyde,
About your list of analysts….. how many of them were SECOND IN LEAGUE HISTORY in any statistical category?
That’s what I thought. Though the smarm was noted.
Maybe Jackson would be a disaster like Magic, but you cannot achieve what he did and not have a really good feel for the game. And think of Larry Bird. Never an assistant, but had a nice coaching run. I can’t say Jackson would be any worse than any of the other “finalists”.
Bones
June 7th, 2010
10:18 pm
Rondo, you mention that Shawn Marion was not a good comparison for Marvin Williams, but I don’t think that Pippen is necessarily a great comparison either. Many people would say that Jordan made Pippen, in the same sense as you suggest “Nash made Marion”. Pippen’s numbers dropped drastically after he and Jordan parted ways (take a look at his numbers when he played for the Blazers).
Marvin seems to actually have more potential than a “poor man’s Scottie Pippen”. Pippen averaged 16.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 5.2 apg for his career. Those numbers are pretty respectable, but when you think about it, a very young and still developing Marvin Williams was able to average 13.9 ppg and 6.3 rpg in the 2008-09 season, so it’s not crazy to think that he could end up one day surpassing a lot of these low expectations that people seem to have for him these days.
Blast
June 7th, 2010
10:21 pm
O’Brien,
Respect your take, but if Drew was making good suggestions to Woody and Woody was ignoring them, then if I was Drew, I would go to upper management; ie Sund. Now, if Sund also ignores my advice and Hawks gets super blown out AGAIN in round 2, then I would have a case for competing for the job. I would be able to tell Sund that, “I told you so. Told you Woody was a bad coach, but you didn’t listen. Now can I get this damn job?”
Feudfinder
June 7th, 2010
10:22 pm
MC, I think what ASG should do is put Larry Drew as the head coach but on 1 yr probation. If ASG likes his accomplishment, then his contract should be extended. Otherwise, go after Doc Rivers. He would have finished his 1 year vacation by then. This is based on the rumor that he wants to take a year off. What do you say to that?
Blast
June 7th, 2010
10:30 pm
Never one for snitching, but if my boss was screwing up on the job, not taking my good advice, and putting my job at risk, I would say something to somebody.
Rick
June 7th, 2010
10:40 pm
I’d be shocked if it was Avery… he’s a winner as player and a coach, a former coach of the year recipient and will cost big bucks, more than the Hawks really want to fork out which is why I think they are still mulling it over. They most likely think they can get someone cheaper that’s still a good fit. The Spririt group has yet to show us they can make championship caliber decisions so don’t be surprised if it’s a second tier level coach or even a non-coach like Jackson. The rest of the gang I think would be a waste of time and the Hawks would most likely fall back rather than push forward. Hey… whatever happened to resideration of “Sam Mitchell”? Another former coach of the year with solid experience, a good fit for this team and a Georgia native. If you don’t know him then next time your in Macon check out the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
darrell starks
June 7th, 2010
11:00 pm
1.AVERY JOHNSON
2.BYRON SCOTT
3.BILL LAIMBEER
4.SAM MITCHELL
5.MICHAEL COOPER
The top coaches available and can take the hawks 2 the next level
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Greensboro, Georgia
June 7th, 2010
11:12 pm
————————————–
…..nesbitt for heisman…..
————————————-
northcyde
June 7th, 2010
11:16 pm
LOL @ Rondo.
Marvin wishes he could be Shawn Marion. Hell, Smoove too. Shawn was balling even before Nash got to the Suns. If either Marvin or Smoove played with the energy and effort that a young Shawn Marion did, they’d both be All-Stars by now.
But it’s really time to stop the excuses for Marvin. Nobody is holding Marvin back, but Marvin.
I’m not a Marvin lover or basher. But I be dang if I sit here and blindly defend him, when that dude consistently missed wide open shots . . . tripped and fell while going to the hole . . or missed out on rebounds, simply because he didn’t even try to go get the board.
Go on youtubE and watch Smoove’s game winning slap vs Orlando. But when you watch it, only focus on Marvin. Then rewatch it again, and watch Mario West.
One thing about next season . . all of the excuses will be GONE. No more blaming the coach or Woody’s system for a player’s shortcomings.
If they can ball . . they’ll be able to do it under the new coach. If not . . . oh well. Excuse time will officially be over.
cp
June 7th, 2010
11:40 pm
Seriously are people talking about the same Marvin Williams thats on the Hawks? I wish Marvin was half the player some of you guys are comparing him to. I don’t even think Marvin likes basketball that much. Each year Josh comes back improved. Marvin on the other hand is a different story. The only time he added something new to his game is when he added the 3 point shot in a contract year. He got his money and the shot seemed to disappear. I was never a Woodson fan but even I cant blame him for Marvin being Marvin. What more could Woodson have done for Marvin? He kept his starting spot even when other guys were outplaying him. Any other coach would have benched Marvin but Woodson left the invisible man out there and he continued to miss open shots,, get his shot blocked by smaller players, plow through players while attempting to get to the rim, not rebounding, getting beat on defense, being a terrible passer, tripping all over the place and etc. Its time to admit that dude will never be what the so called experts thought. Dude is just an average azz hell player.
Melvin
June 7th, 2010
11:42 pm
Enter your comments hereFrom NBADraft. I think they did a good job scouting the Hawks…
http://www.nbadraft.net/team-needs-southeast-division-0
drmaryb
June 7th, 2010
11:51 pm
Blast!
You are quite the Snitch. And, when you do that? The person you’re telling it to – will NEVER trust you, even though he uses and processes you information for his own betterment.
Unless, you have information to solve a murder or a criminal act? Zip – it! LOL!
Ken Strickland
June 8th, 2010
12:15 am
I checked out the current FA class and found some interesting players for the Hawks.
(1) John Salmons-had a good season and played both ends of the court well. Could be a solid replacement for JJ.
(2) Michael Redd-a proven scorer that plays good DEF. Could be a steal for anyone willing to take a chance on him successfully coming off season ending surgery. Could also be a solid replacement for JJ.
(3) Shannon Brown-I love his aggressiveness and ability to take it to the hoop, and he also plays good DEF. Could have a breakout yr as a starter with the Hawks.
(4) Kile Korver-he’d be an excellent addition to bring off the bench if JJ leaves and we decide to start JCrawford.
(5) Damian Wilkens-an excellent athlete who plays good DEF. He’d be an excellent addition to our bench.
(6) DJ MBenga-an athletic, aggressive, DEF minded 7 footer that would be an excellent compliment to AHorford as his backup.
Bottom line, we have some promising FA options to replace JJ if he leaves. One other thing. I don’t like Bibby as our #2 backup PG. I like him more as an option as a backup SG in certain situations. We need a backup PG that can maintain the OFF flow when he enters the gm, not completely change it.
drmaryb
June 8th, 2010
12:17 am
Rondo
“I’m gonna get you sucka!” ROF. LOL.