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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
199 comments Add your comment
Melvin
June 7th, 2010
2:30 pm
Just name a coach and let’s move on to the draft process..
Westurd
June 7th, 2010
2:38 pm
What happened to Ken…..and the Hawks in the playoffs?
Westurd
June 7th, 2010
2:40 pm
MC,
Who do you think will resonate with the players? This team needs a change in attitude and we need a coach who can relate to the young guys. You could see it on the court in Woodys last days that the team just didn’t want to play for him anymore or buy into his some ‘ole some ‘ole schemes.
cdog
June 7th, 2010
2:40 pm
ken strickland, hang on in there my man.there’s nothing that JESUS can’t heal.with man things are impossible but with GOD,nothing is impossible.seek after JESUS AND YOU WILL MAKE IT.MY PRAYERS AND LOVE IS WITH YOU.
avery johnson
June 7th, 2010
2:42 pm
(in an extremely obnoxious high-pitched squeel)
When it comes to me being the Atlanta Hawks coach, i’d like to bring up the 4 F’s.
Facts – The Facts.
It doesn’t really matter what my winning percentage is. It is merely a reflection of the regular season talent I was blessed with. I am not really that great of a coach. I was never that great of an NBA player, but for some reason I feel the need to micro-manage players to the point where to remaine sane, they must ignore me completely. If you’re interested in me simply because of my ability to win games that don’t matter,
consider the recent fortunes of Mike Brown and Mike Woodson.
Fans – The fans.
The only ones who want me. They only want me bcause of my winning
percentage and my 1 ring. The front office knows I want more money and power than i’m worth. My nick name, The Little General, merely points to my unfortunate case of napoleon complex. But, by all means, please over pay me. I bring nothing more to the table than Woodson.
Finishing – Finishing.
I’m a terrible finisher. I get good regular season records and then blow an entire season’s hard effort by making horrible decisions in the playoffs. I don’t know what happened. No one was listening to me. But, Mark Cuban was breathing down my throat, and Dirk is soft.
You can expect similar results, because your superstar, Joe Johnson, is not a champion either.
Fraud – In sum, I am a fraud that should not be taken seriously by anyone.
Westurd
June 7th, 2010
2:42 pm
oh, and all three writers (MC, Schultzie, MB) blogging about the Hawks coaching on the same day….snoozer. How about some news on what our Hawks are up to these days and what kind of coach they think will energize the line up.
jack
June 7th, 2010
2:43 pm
We now know why ASG thought Sund was a perfect fit, because he too is clueless, and a slacker
Michael Cunningham
June 7th, 2010
2:52 pm
@Westurd: not trying to be coy, but it’s hard for me to say since i haven’t had any firsthand experience watching any of the candidates closely. plus, you just never know how a guy is going to fit, with the notable exception of Drew.
Johnson’s intensity would certainly be a jolt for the Hawks. Casey has been coaching in the league for a while now, so he knows the ropes and he apparently has made a good case for what the Hawks need and how he can provide it. Drew is respected by the players and has some differing philsophies from Woody. Jackson comes across as an honest, direct communicator and a leader.
i agree that the players seemed out of it at the end of Woody’s tenure but i still think it’s going to take more than just a coaching change to rectify that. the Hawks probably need more serious guys in the locker room, too.
Rufus1
June 7th, 2010
2:52 pm
Coach
We need a coach with a National Persona…A coach who can change the perception of the Hawks franchise. There are only 2 coaches on that list with a National Persona…HIRE ONE OF THEM!!!!
We needed to hire a coach that tells free agents, we are serious about winning in ATLANTA…Neither CASEY OR DREW covey that message.
Johnson and Jackson are the best winners of the candidates and have had to overcome the most as players(NO Athleticism)
PS. Our 1# need in next year is the development of a PG…and they are both former PG
Michael Cunningham
June 7th, 2010
2:54 pm
@Westurd: “oh, and all three writers (MC, Schultzie, MB) blogging about the Hawks coaching on the same day….snoozer. How about some news on what our Hawks are up to these days and what kind of coach they think will energize the line up.”
well, my excuse is that it’s my beat and the team doesn’t have a coach, so it’s kind of like topic A right now. but i can tell you what the Hawks are up to: they are looking for a coach who will energize the lineup.
O'Brien
June 7th, 2010
2:57 pm
Just another reason why I don’t like having multiple owners. Too many opinions.
Larry Drew has a strategic advantage. He had courtside seats to all the Hawks issues, so he can outline various ways in which he can help overcome these issues, and how he can help maximize the players’ talents.
I wonder if Drew commented on his relationship with JJ, because if they have a good relationship, that can be used as a positive.
i_am_soulstar
June 7th, 2010
3:05 pm
It seems as though the players respected Woody, but are ready for a new voice as well. I wonder if they perceive Drew as a breath of fresh air or Woody: Part Deux
Rufus1
June 7th, 2010
3:15 pm
Josh Howard
Maybe Avery can Rehab Howard…He will be a UFA this year?
Big Ray
June 7th, 2010
3:16 pm
MC ,
Clearly it will take more than a new coach to change this culture. A new coach will help if he’s the right guy, but some of our guys have to either get their minds right or go elsewhere. One has the option of going elsewhere come July 1st. Those who are still under contract are going to have to get on board with a winning and hard-working, team-first attitude, or we need to ship them out.
Much easier said than done, of course….but that’s why I’m a fan, and this is a blog…
Big Ray
June 7th, 2010
3:17 pm
I am soulstar
Excellent point there, amigo…
BigTimeTECHFan
June 7th, 2010
3:19 pm
Is Bobby Knight on the list, he would be good coach for the Hawks
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
3:27 pm
1st and foremost – Ken S. -
Please, I implore you;
READ:
“The Shack”
by ‘William P. Young’
I read it this weekend & it affected me deeply.
I would not steer you wrong my friend.
Buy, borrow, or check it out, but please read.
Thanks.
Ramon
June 7th, 2010
3:38 pm
I wish the Hawks could have signed Hubie Brown to a one or two year contract, while waiting for Rivers to take a year or two off and then pursuing Rivers to take over. Hubie Brown is a better coach than ANY of the candidates. So to have him for a season or two, while you build up a case for Rivers would’ve been a great idea!
BBgenie
June 7th, 2010
3:42 pm
Let’s be Honest. ASG is cash strapped! They have two pending Law suits that will not allow them to be players in this Summer’s Free agent shopping spree. Coaching change, sources tell me that Coach Woodson was underminded by Managemnets/GM Sund. Here’s the Facts. Why would you as a GM not give your Head Coach a Advance Scout for the season??? If you really didn’t want Woodson 2yrs ago when you got here, I guess thats explains why you didn’t jump on the Suns trade offer of A’mare for Smooth?? Why would you as GM allow your Asst GM. Mr.David Pendagraph to visit players at home and try to dig up Dirt or try to create Chemsity issues between Smooth and Woodson?? Why would you as GM try to undermind the Head Coach by talking or Huddleing up with players after practice and give the last word??? That’s the Head Coaches job. Then we hear you want to bring in Casey who should still be the T-Wolves Head Coach (But he was underminded too) By McHale. If you have a Better choice for the position, Then sign him! Stop the grab Assing, side stepping and make a Damm decision. STOP Letting Mr.Pete Smith Sr, call any shots. Now were hearing Larry Drew might be your choice, how is this possible? Did you just think of this????? Or is this something you planted in Drew’s ear/head Months ago??? Either way it stinks!!! Show us some GM skills!! Pull another Jamal Crawford out you Hat. Get a Better Coach than Woodson in here and Let’s Win A Damm Championship. instead of passing the Blame. P.S. If you are banking the Franchise on Josh Smith (Smooth’s) Great on the Court Mindset. Man your _UCKED!!
buckhead benny
June 7th, 2010
3:44 pm
Dude- Mike Woodson mark my words will go down as one of the worst coaches in hawks history-
Any one of us can play our top 6 guys 40 minutes every game- That isn’t coaching and thats why you saw them get blown out by 45 pts in the opener at Orlando- More importantly, you guys give Mike a pass on so many things- How about the signing of Joe Smith, and Jason Collins- You guys should pull out your quotes from Woodson before the season I remember him saying” I finally have a bench that i feel comfortable that we can go 10 deep with- He also commented on how much of a positive role Collins, and Joe smith would be come playoff time- And they guys barely made it onto the court- ALL SEASON- More importantly, he kept the young pt guard to like 6 minutes a game all season long which i think most reasonable people would conclude is not going to do anything for you come playoff time or for this kids confidence.
Everyone blasted Woodson before this season hoping he wouldn’t play the starters so much during the season so come playoff time they will be rested but more importantly you have other guys that will be ready to step in and compete because they have all year. Also, you need to have your bench playing more during the season because it keeps Joe, Josh and others honest. They don’t think they are more important than the sum of the parts. Also, you don’t leave yourself hanging if Joe has a terrible game or Jamal- And thats all the other teams did was take out those two come playoff time and stupid Woody never made any adjustments.
BBgenie
June 7th, 2010
3:46 pm
Make Pete Smith, Josh Smith Dad the Head Coach?? He’s calling the shots anyway????
JC
June 7th, 2010
3:46 pm
Ditto, Marvin. Speculating on the potential of draft picks is way more fun than on the success of a new coach. I mean, coaches can’t even dunk!
BBgenie
June 7th, 2010
3:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Westurd
June 7th, 2010
3:56 pm
MC,
Thanks for the response. I’m going to focus on the World Cup for a few weeks and take a break on all this coaching stuff. Hopefully our Hawks can reach a decision by then. Whenever you get a moment in your busy schedule in would be interesting to hear if Woody’s been talking with anyone?
James
June 7th, 2010
3:58 pm
Byron Scott would be a good fit.
atlienforlife
June 7th, 2010
4:06 pm
I can’t believe Tyrone Corbin isn’t getting an interview.
mykhalc
June 7th, 2010
4:07 pm
i posted some blogs back that i thought LDrew woulda been a great/better choice than Woodson 3 yrs ago!!! NOW…i think the Hawks need all things NOT Woodson…and unfortunately that includes Drew for me…timin’ is just not right IMHO. this team needs a TOTALLY fresh look…again IMHO.
Mark Jackson commentates a great game!! you can tell this cat is smart and a leader…which this team desperately needs!!! could he transform that into great coachin’??? i don’t know…but none of the other coaches move me that much. in a perfect world it SHOULD be Jackson or Drew. BUT…
tim
June 7th, 2010
4:09 pm
why isnt byron scott a candidate?
lewis
June 7th, 2010
4:10 pm
Casey is at least as qualified as anyone else interviewed, and he’s the best fit.
Even if Avery Johnson is a phenomenal coach, I don’t think the Hawks and him would mesh.
Rick Sund has worked on good terms with Casey before.
They must sit down and discuss/develop a new, BK free vision for the Atlanta Hawks team.
Hire the coach who proposes the best system.
Hire the coach who seems most able to get players to buy into said system.
Figure out the direction of the team in regards to:
**Joe Johnson’s new contract, or lack thereof / how to replace through draft / FA
**Josh Smith / Al Horford both wanting to play the 4.
**Developing Jeff Teague / lack of depth at the starting PG spot
**Jamal Crawford’s contract / trade value
**Josh Childress contract / trade value
**Bolstering the bench through draft or FA
**What do do about Marvin “this is just a job” Williams
Melvin Flowers Macon Ga
June 7th, 2010
4:14 pm
Fire Rick Sund From Gm Let Him Coach The Hawks, They Will Have A New Woodson Back Next Season, Reason Why Their Management Is Soft Like The Hawks.
The Hawks Owners Love Sorry Coaches.
lewis
June 7th, 2010
4:16 pm
last time i’ll say this, i promise, but mark jackson is an atrocious commentator
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
4:28 pm
BBgenie – You sir are a nay-sayer.
James & Tim + others:
The reason Byron Scott is not a candidate is…..
he is ‘NOT’ a very good coach.
lewis
June 7th, 2010
4:41 pm
doesn’t matter who the best coach is.
what matters is that the coach, the players, and management are all on the same page.
Worst comes to worst, we end up sucking.
At least then they’ll fire Sund too, along with whomever he decides to hire.
Doc Rivers is not the prophet he’s made out to be. The fact that everyone in that entire organization is on the same page, working “together” to do what it takes to win a championship, reflects positively on him. Hawks need something similar.
F-105 Thunderchief
June 7th, 2010
4:47 pm
The apparently tiny pool (and weird, with non-coach Mark Jackson) Sund is fishing is may say a lot about the GM. And, it ain’t good. Tyrone Corbin doesn’t get a sniff? Really? Geez. Well, then hire Casey and get it over already, genius.
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
5:01 pm
G-Dads Trade o’ the Day:
Outgoing:
* Marv to Minnesota
Incoming:
* Ramon Sessions
* Minnesota’s # 16 pick in draft.
(they have 3 1st round picks) [16, the middle pick]
Minnesota’s motivation = they don’t need 3 rooks.
They need a [3] small forward.
Marv is young & exp.
He is better than anything they will get @ 16.
AND
they unload ‘Sessions’.
Hawks motivation = besides the obvious [*]
*[Marvin misanthropists]
@ 16 possible/available:
* Paul George ??? – doubtful but maybe
* Xavier Henry – same, but keep fingers crossed.
* Larry Sanders – *BINGO*!!!
*has been compared to ‘Theo Ratliff’
PLUS
Sessions would make a perfect back-up to Teaguer:
[good scorer, can't shoot 3, good contract]
sam'l
June 7th, 2010
5:13 pm
lot of confusion here….strange….. there are 8 billion people you could choose from as coach……we just need one…..
And sadly no one mentioned here comes close to what we need
Jerry West
June 7th, 2010
5:19 pm
Sessions would be a good get, and would probably start over Teague. But Marvin makes twice what he does, so it’s not much of an “unloading”. And Minny would give up a mid 1st pick. Seems like they could do better.
northcyde
June 7th, 2010
5:24 pm
I’m just laughing at where all of this “patience” came from, when it comes to talking about Doc Rivers. So you guys that wanr Rivers here, is willing to hire what is essentially a “lame duck” coach, then possibly have Rivers take over the team in a year or two.
Wow. Expectations have dropped THAT MUCH?
Hoops
June 7th, 2010
5:29 pm
The Hawks are waiting for the end to the Lakers/Celtics series to see what Doc is going to do. I believe Doc will take a year off from coaching to help his NBA bound son during his senior year. Why not???
If that is true, check with Doc to make sure that he will not take the Hawks HC position now. Then if Doc is taking the year off, offer the HC position to Mark Jackson and reveal this plan to him. Offer him a 3 year contract with the 2nd and 3rd year being a team option. If he is doing a great job after the first year, then reup him for the next two years. If not, then go get Doc Rivers. He will be ready after taking the year off to be with his son!
i_am_soulstar
June 7th, 2010
5:36 pm
Even though I’m ready to trade Marvin, something tells me he’d have a breakout season next year if Joe leaves.
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
5:38 pm
Oh Yeah:
I know the topic is coaches before someone informs me.
It’s just that every time MC changes the blog;
G-Dad does his “Trade o’ the Day”.
NOW
Coaching – near & dear to my heart !
I’m pullin’ for Avery.
However, I figure Casey is gonna get it.
BUT
Wouldn’t it be cool if they threw us a curve?
“oughta’ the blue”
AND
Hired none-other than Ben Howland / UCLA.
You talk about playin’ defense.
ALSO
Look @ how his players are ready when they come into the league.
*Love
*Collison
*Afflalo
*Mbah a Moute
*Jrue Holiday
*Westbrook, et al
Now, the only reason I brought this up is;
awhile back I mentioned Izzo as a potential candidate for us,
even before Woody was dismissed.
Quite a few of you fellas lit into me pretty good, (fun though)
about the trasitioning of a college coach.
So, now it appears, Cleveland wants or wanted Izzo.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Ain’t gonna happen – I know.
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
5:43 pm
Jerry West – They are gonna bring the kid over from
Spain or wherever he is overseas sometime. I read
[over the week-end] that Rubio? really liked Rambis
whom he just recently met.
i_am_soulstar
June 7th, 2010
5:45 pm
You guys wanna hire Mark Jackson? Hiring Mark Jackson is like marrying some random chick in Vegas. I mean it’s ok and only human to be intrigued by the unknown, but when you’ve got a girlfriend of 6 years who’s already wife material, why take a gamble on some stripper who had her last blood test 25 sex partners ago? Let’s stick with the experienced and proven hires please.
O'Brien
June 7th, 2010
5:47 pm
Grandad,
I like the idea of trading Marvin, because he makes $6.7 mil this season. Next season, he makes $7.5 mil, and then his last year, he makes $8.3 mil. Unfortunately for us, his value is low.
Minnesota plans to go after Rudy Gay this offseason. They have salary cap space to get him, and should be able to work out a sign and trade if the Grizzlies choose to go that route. Plus if they trade Sessions, they dont have a veteran backup PG.
Now depending on their draft picks, and if they strike out on Gay, we may be able to re-evaluate later in the offseason.
allan in texas
June 7th, 2010
5:51 pm
I believe that Minnesota has a small forward and his name is Corey Brewer.
jroc
June 7th, 2010
5:53 pm
Hey MC, pick a guy who you think will get the coaching job.
A. Dwayne Casey
B. Avery Johnson
C. Mark Jackson
D. Larry Drew
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
5:55 pm
O’Brien:
Memphis is on record as saying:
“They are not letting Rudy leave”.
I know Memphis is not the garden spot of the universe,
BUT
It gets cold in Minny !
I mentioned above…..^…..Rubio !
Flynn/Rubio – Rubio/Flynn = How many pg’s do they want?
Anyway, food for thought.
Supa
June 7th, 2010
5:56 pm
Let hire Brian Shaw!!!!!!!
Grandad
June 7th, 2010
5:57 pm
allan in texas – then perhaps I should have
included him in the trade.
TROTTINGHOME
June 7th, 2010
6:04 pm
Granddad, You are right on the money about “The Shack”
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.
Grandad
June 8th, 2010
12:27 am
Rondo:
Be careful of what?
I like puppies.
Grandad
June 8th, 2010
12:39 am
Ken S. – We’re in harmony my friend.
“I like him more as an option
as a backup SG in certain situations.”
He’s a spot up shooter [3 pt.specialist]
no longer a [1] penetrator & can’t really
get his own shot anymore.
*Plus Mbenga, I’m still on that bandwagon.
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
12:43 am
O’Brien, I know Hubie doesn’t want to coach, that’s why I said I wish, lol. Its easy to tell Hubie is the best coach who isn’t employed with an NBA gig at the moment.
But I’m getting excited about the possibility of adding Mark Jackson. With the talent of this team, how could Jackson do any worse than Woody? I mean really when you look back, how many great decisions did Woody make as a head coach? Majority of these players grew up watching Jackson play at a high level. Although Jackson wasn’t an all star player, he was a leader and always a threat when on the court. And you can tell that he was a smart and crafty player. I want Jackson to be the coach for the Hawks because Jackson seems like he desires the job the MOST out of the candidates. To me that means he’d be the most dedicated and loyal to the position.
Atlanta office space » Blog Archive » Atlanta Hawks: Coach countdown – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
June 8th, 2010
12:44 am
[...] Atlanta Hawks: Coach countdownAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)They have salary cap space to get him, and should be able to work out a sign and trade if the Grizzlies choose to go that route. Plus if they trade Sessions … Leave a Comment [...]
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
12:49 am
If Redd would be willing to take a significant pay cut, I think Redd would be a great addition to the Hawks, even with JJ. Redd could be viewed as one of the biggest reasons the US were victorious in the Olympics. It was his (and Miller’s) shooting that kept opponents out of zones against the US. I could see a line up of Teague, Redd, JJ, Smoove, Horford with a bench of Crawford, Marvin, Bibby, and whoever is added for the frontcourt being very successful. Imagine Teague driving the lanes with two spot up shooters in Redd and JJ keeping the defense honest.
fayncdawg
June 8th, 2010
12:58 am
WHY HASN’T ANYBODY MENTIONED BRIAN SHAW???
Grandad
June 8th, 2010
12:59 am
drmaryb:
If you’re still up / I mentioned earlier /
(for KS to read):
“The Shack”
by ‘William P. Young’
If you have |||not||| read this book?
It would be a blessing to me if you ‘would indeed’ read this book.
Sincerely, G-dad.
fayncdawg
June 8th, 2010
12:59 am
BTW RAMON: IF REDD IS HEALTHY!!
ReddJonn68
June 8th, 2010
2:19 am
Give Mark Jackson a shot I love Avery as a man & all he stands for but he has a history of coaching his teams down to the other teams talents. I just feel Mark will be another Doc Rivers, I see him improving our guard play just thru his experience. If we can get anything from our guards we are in the mix, just look at what OKC did 2 the Lakers & how Jameer Nelson bad plays killed the Majic against Boston
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
7:11 am
Fayncdawg, I mentioned Brian Shaw about 2 weeks ago, and mentioned about him implementing the triangle offense.
drmaryb
June 8th, 2010
7:21 am
Grand-Daddy
I have not read The Shack, but, I will be at Barnes & Nobles today – when they unlock the doors!
(Like a Summer Mom, camping out over-night in curlers & PJ’s).
I heard about the BOOK in 2008 – I guess that makes me 2000 & late! LOL!
Grand-Daddy spank that puppy – NO treats for him – NOT today. ; 0
Billy Ray Boogerman
June 8th, 2010
8:42 am
DISCOMBOBULATED is the only way to describe the ownership of the Hawks franchise. Other than Avery Johnson, you have a list of mediocre people. I know, you guys want to get it right, You’re going to mess it up AGAIN!. Woodson was doing a good job with the team, but the “Self-Centered Egotistical Attitude of the decision makers just could not and would not leave the guy alone. Whoever comes in will need to stop one of the local Pharmacies to pick up a years supply of Ritalin for some of his players. Get off your Gluteus maximus and hire a coach, even if its the WRONG one. Just HIRE one.
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
9:03 am
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.
Yep. But these are the people of the organization that all of us fans are supposed to be unequivocally supporting, dragging our families out, every time there is a home game.
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
9:21 am
While Woodson can’t be blamed for anything that happens next season, it’s stupid to even suggest that there won’t be problems and obstacles. Expectations have to be realistic. Changing coaches is not all that needed to happen, but it was a start. The coach is not the end-all, be-all when it comes to winning and losing, but there is no denying the amount of influence a coach has on a team, and the game. Otherwise, why have them, and why do some get paid so much? Again, reasonable expectations (no smarmy BS, suggesting that all should be good now that Woodson is out of the way, as a way to take a stab at fans that wanted him gone):
1) The new coach’s philosophy and system won’t be learned overnight. There will be an adjustment period of sorts. How long is anybody’s guess. Let’s hope the coach’s ability to communicate, coupled with the maturity and effort of the players is both consistent and in earnest.
2) We need better leadership on the floor. Whether that comes through trade or through guys stepping up, it’s needed. One of the things a coach can’t be held accountable for is his best player’s personality and leadership characteristics. The coach can influence this, as Doc Rivers did with Rajon Rondo, back when Rondo’s attitude wasn’t helping the team. But he can’t MAKE it happen. So it was with Woody and Joe Johnson, who is anything but the floor leader we need.
lewis
June 8th, 2010
9:26 am
dwane casey will be hired
they trust sund
we should too
no choice
Grandad
June 8th, 2010
9:42 am
drmaryb – Bless your heart.
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
9:44 am
I understand people talking about the inexperience of Mark Jackson. But truthfully, if the Hawks are now getting to a place where its all about Championships, and not simply making the playoffs. Wouldn’t that mean that Mark Jackson has won just as many championships as a coach, as all the other coaches in the league? Since the year of 2000, only FIVE coaches have won titles (Phil, Pop, Larry Brown, Riley, and Rivers). So there’s just as much of a chance that Mark Jackson can become a championship coach, as it is for Avery, Casey, and whomever else. Its not about if you’ve been a coach before, its about do you simply know the GAME. And Jackson’s assist numbers would clearly prove that he knows and sees the ins/outs that are happening on the court way before they happen. I actually think that Jackson would be a great hire, and I think the team would last longer with him, than they would with Avery. I just feel the team would all boycott Avery before the season is over.
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
9:47 am
Big Ray, you know, I wish (its not going to happen) the Hawks could do a sign and trade with Joe to Denver for Billups. I mean if Joe was to leave, and Denver was on his list, I don’t know anyone else we could get back better than Billups in a sign and trade.
Feudfinder
June 8th, 2010
9:51 am
Ramon, you are right but to some extent. You gotta have a very convincing coaching experience to add to your resume. That goes a long way brother.
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
10:01 am
Feudfinder, you do realize analyst for networks, watch more game footage and analyze films more than some assistant coaches? Also if you have a person who’s been playing basketball (especially point guard) from the age of 9, and spent over 12 seasons in the NBA playing at a high level, wouldn’t that be like saying he has AT least 14 years experience in basketball (12 NBA + College) ? I just think if you watch the way he played, that he will be a good, wise addition to the team.
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
10:06 am
Also, the money the Hawks save by hiring Jackson, could they then take that and build a quality coaching staff to support Jackson? Maybe even bring in Brian Shaw, Eddie Jordan or someone to be the top assistant.
Feudfinder
June 8th, 2010
10:19 am
Ramon, I agree totally with you. I think Mark Jackson was an excellent player, especially in the professional level. He PROBABLY could be what the Hawks had been looking for, but the flaw any employer will for is his inexperience. Now does that mean he will never be a good coach? That question remains to be answered.
Hamp
June 8th, 2010
10:21 am
I remember Doc Rivers coming becoming a coach. Someone had to take a chance on him I don’t think Mark jackson is such a bad idea if you surround him with solid assisantants. When he played for the knicks they were a hard nosed defensive team. For the hawks to be so big and so athletic they are really soft. They need a little bite to them.
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
10:26 am
Lol @ Mark Jackson backing down Teague during practice, lol. “Come on, Kid!” lol…
Jackson gives the Hawks a personality and an identity to take on. Jackson would give the Hawks a nasty edge, that I would LOVE to see the Hawks have.
ant banks
June 8th, 2010
10:38 am
i feel sorry for whoever the next coach is, if we ever go on a 4 game losin’ streak. y’all have ripped every last candidate before they are even hired. damn, y’all ruthless. lol.
playin’ the DA-devil’s advocate or dum azz. how many former great players went on to become a GOOD coach? how did isiah, bill russell, wes unseld work out? i know larry, scott, avery worked out. i think its a 50-50 shot wit’ mark jackson.
i mean the man obviously knows basketball. i don’t see why he can’t break down film and motivate these players to do what was practiced.
Feudfinder
June 8th, 2010
10:42 am
Hamp, it could well true, but looking at things from ASG perspective, I don’t THINK the organization wants to go that route. But what do I know? I hated psychology when I was in college. That’s all I know. I will never be good at reading minds.
gcs
June 8th, 2010
10:42 am
They should call this coach search “The Biggest Loser”.
.
O'Brien
June 8th, 2010
10:59 am
@ Blast,
I understand the chain of command, but at the same time, it’s not like Woody wasn’t producing. Plus Sund has gone on record to say that he leaves the assistant coaches up to the HC. So my impression is, he would tell Drew to work it out with Woody. I don’t see Sund getting involved.
Remember, Woody’s assistants made a suggestion to him to play the bench more 2 seasons ago. Woody said he refused. His assistants recommended doubling Wade during the playoffs, and again, Woody refused.
Woody is the HC, so ultimately, its up to him to make that decision. And if the GM starts telling the HC what he should do and shouldn’t do, or who he should play and shouldn’t play, there will be turmoil. We dont want that.
@ Ken,
1) I like John Salmons too (if JJ leaves and we get nothing in return)
2) Michael Redd has an ETO, so I don’t think he will be available.
3) Shannon Brown – I like him, but I think he is more of a combo guard
4) Kyle Korver – I like him, but I think he will be out of our price range
5) Damien Wilkins – I like him as a backup SF.
6) DJ Mbenga – Would be a good pickup, especially since we can probably get him for cheap
Tow other guys I like are Matt Barnes (backup SF), and Anthony Morrow (shooter). And I also think the Hawks need a 3rd PG, one who plays defense and can keep the offense going like you mentioned. Plus if Bibby gets hurt, or if Teague struggles, its nice having options.
Ted M
June 8th, 2010
11:07 am
Bill Laimbeer for Hawks coach.
The Truth
June 8th, 2010
11:08 am
To all of the fantasyland Coach-Searching-Hawks-Fans, there is no slam dunk choice for a coach candidate. Each one will bring some pluses and minuses to the table. However, I will agree that the ideal candidate will have fewer minuses as compared to the other selections but those fewer minuses could be the dagger.
Remember not so long ago we had Woody as our coach. On paper, Woody was the ideal choice for the then young rebuilding Hawks. He came to the Hawks after a stint as an assistant coach on the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons NBA Championship team and was a long-time assistant under Larry Brown. Prior to working with Brown, Woodson was an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks for three years beginning in 1996. He later took a coaching job in Cleveland before being invited to join Brown’s staff. In addition to his coaching experience, he spent 11 successful years as an NBA player.
Back then, Woody was a brillant selection because apparently the only criteria was the experience factor (which he had plenty of). What we know now about Woody is that he came up short in areas that the maturing Hawks needed the most. Just to name a few; his offense was less then stellar and in general not a very good X’s and O’s coach. Also, he was not a very good evaluator or developer of talent. Since we were in a rebuilding mode, these things mattered the least. But as our winning percentages increased with playoff appearances, his shortcomings became more glaring. However, on the plus side, Woody was a likeable coach by most of his players. When they decided to play for him, they played hard which explain our recent successful regular seasons.
So as we evaluate our slate of candidates, let’s (at least) be real about the expectations. We are certainly hoping the new coach can at least accomplish all of what Woody did in addition to filling his shortcomings. While the experience factor is very important, it is not the silver bullet; let’s not overlook the other intangibles things (that I previously mentioned) that make a coach successful. As we look at a successful coach like Doc River to search for answer to our own clues, one thing becomes very apparent, the formula for winning a NBA championship does not rest with just the Head Coach but the Entire Organization.
It is true that Doc Rivers came to Boston with some impressive coaching experience where he head-coached for more than four NBA seasons. Rivers won the Coach of the Year award in 2000 after his first year with the Magic. But he was fired in 2003 after a disastrous start to the season. At that point, was his glass half emty or half full? Some Hawks Fans might have passed on him with that kind of baggage. Only a strong organization like the Boston Celtics saw his full potential after he spent a year working as a commentator for The NBA on ABC (calling the 2004 Finals with Al Michaels).
northcyde
June 8th, 2010
11:28 am
I still think it’s unbelievable that a top 10 team in the NBA that has aspirations to improve their position in the league, would even consider hiring a coach with absolutely no coaching experience whatsoever. Even more unbelievable is that the fans would be totally OK with this.
LOL @ all of that talk of being “elite” and whatnot last year. Now this year, people are more than willing to see a guy with no experience being hired? That pretty much proves that people truly believe that ANYBODY off the street could coach the Hawks better than Mike Woodson.
I know O’Brien was joking last night with the name Sam Cassell. But I’d much rather for him to be a candidate for the Hawks coaching job, than Mark Jackson. At least Sam can say that he’s won a few titles, been a floor leader on some real good teams ( Houston, Milwaukee, Minnesota ), and most important, has a few years under his belt as an assistant coach.
And let me put this out there. If the development of Teague is the main reason why people want Mark Jackson as the coach of the Hawks, that should NOT the reason to hire the dude. We need a coach that can make the ENTIRE TEAM function better, not just one player. Especially a player that could easily be the next Marcus Banks.
As for Doc Rivers, Doc never won more than 45 games in his first 8 seasons as an NBA coach. But give him 2 Hall of Fame players, and Voila . . . here comes championships to Boston, with Doc getting a ton of credit.
Big Ray . . . if a team is a top 10 squad ( like we were last year ), then you dang right the fans should come out and “unequivocally support, by dragging our families out, every time there is a home game.”
And if it’s unrealistic to do it for every home game, do it for as many games as you can. Other fans in other cities do just that, when their team is a top 10 squad. The fans and families make supporting that team their #1 entertainment priority. Why can’t the fans and families in Atlanta do the same?
northcyde
June 8th, 2010
11:34 am
Truth . . Doc Rivers was well on his way to being fired again in Boston, if not for Ainge making those blockbuster trades to bring in Garnett and Ray Allen. People act like everything was all peaches and cream with Doc. LOL. Check out this article by Bill Simmons back in November of 2006. Read it carefully. See if it doesn’t sound like the same things that plagued the Hawks, with Doc being talked about in a Mike Woodson fashion.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/061115
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
11:39 am
Northcyde, Doc didn’t win over 40 games, but his teams OVERACHIEVED. His team always bought into whatever it was that he was selling to them, and committed to it. Doc’s Orlando team didn’t have much talent on their, yet they still made the playoffs. In that case, why would you hire a head coach with so much experience, but never won a title either (and none of the candidates have won titles)? If they’ve had this experience, and don’t have any jewelry, wouldn’t there success rate (0%) be lower than an unknown? Also, to expect a coach to come in and magically lead a team to the finals when they haven’t before, wouldn’t that be the definition of insanity? Neither one of these coaches have had a job that they weren’t FIRED from. So why not give some one else a chance? And by the way, Cassell wasn’t the PG for Houston. Cassell was just a rookie playing behind Kenny Smith who was leading the team. And Mark Jackson’s teams with the Knicks and Pacers were way better than anything Cassell ever had with the Big 3 in Milwaukee. Jackson is 2nd in the NBA in Assists. That means out of all the great PGs who have played the game, Mark Jackson has more assists than all but one! There’s your experience.
JoJo the Godfather
June 8th, 2010
11:51 am
Hawks need to hire the biggest name they can find. If that’s an ex-player with no experience, then so be it. This team needs to be more marketable. Grab some story lines (good or bad).
drmaryb
June 8th, 2010
12:30 pm
Mark Jackson
Played 17 years in the NBA. He’s no quitter!
DevN
June 8th, 2010
12:35 pm
Hawks not Avery’s first Choice..
Guys I dont think Avery J is coming to ATL unless he is sure of not getting the Nets job. He mentioned it very clearly during the TV session talking about Labron. While Jamal Mashburn was suggesting places like Knicks, Bulls and Heat for LaBron – Avery jumped in and mentioned he should go to Nets – and Jamal Mashburn responded with : oh I know why the nets – they have a coaching position open that Avery is very interested in. He must be pretty sure about landing the Job to shamelessly plug that on national TV.
So unless something has changed since the first round playoffs and now – I think Avery is expecting the Nets job and he’s going to other interviews as a backup only. Sund probable realize that too and that might be the reason there is no offer yet from Hawks.
northcyde
June 8th, 2010
12:43 pm
Ramon . . the only arguments you’re making for Jackson is that
- he garnered the 3rd most assists in NBA history
- he doesn’t have a ring, like all of the other coaching candidates, so he can’t be any worse
- surely he can do a better job than Woody, even though he’s never been a coach
- he just deserves a chance because he really, really wants the job
The problem with that, is that there isn’t a single thing X’s and O’s ( the very thing Woody was criticized for ), that we can see Mark bringing to the table.
I think somebody said this on Page 1. The only thing Mark Jackson represents. . is NAME RECOGNITION. ( even JoJo just did it ). And unfortunately for our fan base, that may be more important than actually bringing in a guy who can actually coach.
If we were 29 – 53, I probably wouldn’t care as much who is the coach. When you’re that bad, it’s mainly about the amount of talent you have on a team.
But we were 53 – 29 last year. We were a top 10 squad last year. But we played poorly in the playoffs. If Joe Johnson is brought back here, I’m not going to be happy at all if this teams doesn’t win around the 50 win mark, and improves its showing in the playoffs.
The whole point of not re-signing Woody, was to UPGRADE the coaching position, not to simply “give a guy a chance”. This is like saying that if JJ leaves, we should give Marvin a chance to be a #1 or #2 option in the offense. All he needs is a chance. Do people really believe that Marvin can become a 20 ppg scorer, if his usage went up?
Ramon . . . here are some questions for you:
- what is Jackson’s offensive philosophy?
- what’s his defensive philosophy?
- how is he going to address the growing issue of Horford wanting to play the 4?
- how is he going to handle Josh Smith?
- what does he think Teague needs to work on the most?
We can’t answer any of those questions, because we know NOTHING about the dude. He doesn’t go into detail like an ex-coach ( Hubie Brown or even Doug Collins ) does on the air, so we have no idea how he thinks the Hawks should play.
Look at our division and the coaches in the division.
Orlando – Stan Van Gundy
Washington – Flip Saunders
Charlotte – Larry Brown
Miami – Eric Spolestra ( but could be replaced at any moment by Pat Riley )
If Pat Riley coaches the Heat next year, we’re talking about 4 coaches who have at least been to at least an Eastern or Western Conference Finals, with 3 of those coach reaching the NBA Finals, and 2 of them winning a title.
And your solution to the Hawks is to bring in Mark Jackson?
I’m just surprised at this fan base now. All of that whining and crying about how horrible Woody was, and how he was keeping us from being elite. Now, people are more than willing to possibly take a step back by hiring a coach with absolutely no experience?
This would be like the Cowboys hiring Emmitt Smith to coach the team.
Ken Strickland
June 8th, 2010
12:49 pm
What’s up everyone, and thanks again for the continued support. I’d like to present my idea about putting together a serious title contender to go along with a quality HC. First, we spend the extra 3-5M per yr to resign JJ, and move him to SF. We then sign someone like MRedd, but at a reduced price of course, or JSalmons, to replace him @ SG. Next, we sign C DJ MObenga, which would make our roster look like this:
STARTERS:
C-AHorford
SF-JJohnson
PF-JSmith
SG-JSalmons/MRedd/MBrown
PG-JTeague
BENCH:
C/PF–ZPachulia
C–DJ MObenga
PF/C–RMorris or Draft pick
SF–MWilliams
SG/PG-MBibby
SG/PG-JCrawford
DRAFT PICK or FA
This would be a starting lineup that would be solid on both ends of the court, with no appreciable weaknesses. This would also be a solid, versatile, talented and deep bench. And to top it off, we won’t have to break the bank, disrupt team chemistry, or trade any players away to make it happen. In the hands of the right HC, this roster could accomplish what the Celtics have accomplished so far.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
O'Brien
June 8th, 2010
12:57 pm
From the LA Times;
“But Rivers says his job is to make his players believe. “I’m not in the business of trying to prove to the masses,” he said. “I’ve just got to prove to 15, and that’s the guys in the locker room.”
Woody didn’t care about the masses either, but he lost some of the 15 along the way.
I hope the new coach has the same mind-set. Don’t worry about what us fans think about Teague, and Marvin, and Bibby etc. Just get the team to believe in each other and the coach, and give maximum effort every night. Combine that with some actual coaching, and the Hawks will be alright.
And I’m with northcyde. Mark Jackson might turn out to be the next Doc Rivers, but given where the Hawks are, we should not take that chance.
Both Casey and Avery Johnson got fired from their first head coaching jobs, but at least they have some head coaching experience (and assistant coaching experience).
Plus, hopefully they learned from their mistakes along the way, some of which may have contributed to them being fired. The Hawks will have to give Mark Jackson a chance to learn from his mistakes on the job. And when you have the players like we do (especially if JJ comes back), I dont think thats the way to go.
I think we should go with Casey or Avery (based on the 4 choices we’ve been reading about).
jmoney12
June 8th, 2010
12:58 pm
mark jackson.
Jerry West
June 8th, 2010
1:08 pm
Damn, Northcyde just served Ramon. And then threw the Emmitt line in for the finishing move.
Best of Atlanta
June 8th, 2010
1:10 pm
————————————-
….. Nesbitt for Heisman …..
————————————-
Jerry West
June 8th, 2010
1:14 pm
Ken S.,
Your roster isn’t really plausible. If Joe resigns, all the Hawks have to work with is the MLE. That’s not enough to snag Salmons, and I can’t see why he’d want to come here and fight for shots.
Not to mention Mbenga’s garbage.
northcyde
June 8th, 2010
1:15 pm
Ken . . I don’t know if Redd has declined his player option for this year yet. He’s scheduled to make 18 mill next year. That’s a lot of money to be turning down, seeing that his last two years have been injury-plagued. He may not make 18 million total on his next contract, if it’s a 3 year deal.
It would be great to add those 2 guys, but the likelihood in that happening is very slim. Plus, I would bet that Milwaukee would be hoping that Redd returns for one more year, to give them the option to either keep him for a deep playoff run, or trade him at the trade deadline to bring in help.
And it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Bucks sign Salmons to a multi-year deal that averages close to 8 – 10 million per year. They’re far enough under the cap to be able to do that, and still not be a luxury tax team.
If Bogut returns to form ( although it may be difficult for him to do so ), that Bucks team becomes a major player in the East again next year.
The options to replace JJ, if it comes down to that, may not be pretty at all.
northcyde
June 8th, 2010
1:22 pm
Jerry is right.
Whatever potential high quality replacement we get back for JJ, has to come via a sign and trade. Other than that, we only have the MLE to work with. And I doubt players are going to take pay cuts in order to play here.
We already have our JJ replacement. His name is Jamal Crawford. I guess the issue is now, who replaces Crawford in the 6th man role that he played? LOL . . I guess we have to bring Flip back?
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
1:29 pm
Northcyde ,
I meant that as a joke and a poke in the ribs. I have no idea why the Hawks are looking at Mark Jackson for a team that was top 10 last year and expects to “raise the bar.” I can offer a conspiracy theory, if nothing else: Perhaps they already KNOW Joe Johnson is leaving, and this team will have to not only be re-tooled, but will have a different identity.
Not that you don’t know this already but so much was invested in, and built around Joe Johnson. He leaves, and that ALONE changes the culture and identity of this team. Maybe Sund knows he’s going, and that this will change so much. And maybe he wants what all GMs seem to want at some point when they take over a team: his own guy in place at head coach.
Sund inherited a lot when he came here. A coach, a “franchise player” and a bunch of guys who were the former GM’s draft picks. His only installments of note include Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague, and who? Mo Evans? Everybody else was Billy Knight’s doing. The thing is, Sund has no lottery picks to work with in Atlanta, and if the team continues to be successful, this won’t likely change (unless he gets one through some sort of trade). And he was smart enough to stick with the talent he does have (Horford, Smith, etc) and the status quo (Bibby, Zaza, Marvin…all guys who could be upgraded, but maybe there wasn’t sufficient opportunity at the time) on tap.
Was that why Woody was let go? Perhaps not, but it could have played into it. Sund may have also thought that Woody was not the guy he wanted during an impending re-tooling. I don’t know….
Like I said….it’s a conspiracy theory of sorts, though a mild one in comparison to some you’ve probably already heard.
Oh, and you know there will always be those who think that ANYBODY would do a better job than Woody. Fortunately, that isn’t everybody, and not even most people.
For the record, I don’t want the Hawks to take a shot at Mark Jackson. But if they do, I hope he proves me to be deaf, dumb, blind, and flat out stupid. I really do not want to be right on this one, because I think it has the potential to be a complete disaster.
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
1:41 pm
I never saw replacing Joe Johnson as a possibility. How do you do that? You can’t. Name 10 guys that average 21, 5, and 5. Then tell me if any of them are available, and for how much?
If you ask me, none of the S&T deals for Joe Johnson are going to be for equal value or appetizing to the discerning basketball fan. But it’s what happens when a player wants to leave, and it’s the most you can hope for. We have to get something back. If he walks, we’ve lost several million (since we have little more than the MLE to work with, rather than the amount Joe makes per year on his now expired contract), two first round draft picks, a player with talent and ability, and our leading scorer. If this happens, its trouble, plain an simple.
A new coach can’t fix that (as in make us just as good a team or better).
Jamal replaces Joe in the lineup. He does not “become” Joe or take on Joe’s role and responsibility. He just doesn’t have the full capability on either end of the court. He won’t get you 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. He might get you the 21 points (or he might not, depending on how we run things).
I’d rather add somebody both bigger and younger than Flip for the sixth man role, but more importantly, I’d want a more solid bench. Better yet, forget an electric-but-streaky scorer. Bring me two solid guys, one at the SF, one at the SG positions. Both need to be able to play defense, both need to be able to score some. I’ll take two guys who can add a minimum of 15 ppg and 6 rpg between them that can “D” it up, than one guy who can’t play “D”, but can score 18ppg if he’s on. Really, I want more than that, but the defense will be key.
I’d recommend the young (and hungry) Ronnie Brewer for one of those spots. He played well for the Jazz before they cut his time a bit and had to let him go altogether for the sake of budget cuts.
northcyde
June 8th, 2010
1:41 pm
For once . . we agree Big Ray.
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
1:48 pm
Ramon ,
Hate to disagree with you, but I’d say Northcyde’s argument on Mark Jackson has a great deal of merit. I’m not a fan of hiring Jackson as head coach either, only because I’d much rather take the chance on the potential of a draft pick I’ve never heard of (as long as it’s not a lottery pick) than hiring a guy who has never coached in the NBA, not even as an assistant.
An argument can be made for surrounding a guy like this with a very solid, veteran staff. However, this is not a proven thing. It worked for Doc Rivers. Didn’t work for Vinny Del Negro (I thought adding Bernie Bickerstaff and Del Harris was genius, but apparently that did not make Vinny a good coach or the right guy in Chicago).
Of course, my opinion is not worth two cents with the organization, so if they pick Mark, then all we can do is sit back and watch. And grip. And pi$$ & moan. And complain. And do all the stuff we normally do if/when things aren’t going right. LOL….
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
1:50 pm
Northcyde, I only know that Mark Jackson loves pick and rolls, back side screens that frees up shooters, and he loves initiating the offense through the post. Defensively, he believes in hard nose man to man defense, and double teaming super stars but only after they put the ball down on the floor. He believes in the second unit being even more defensively aggressive than the first. At least these are the statements and comments he’s made through the last few years of watching him on ABC. As far as Xs and Os, I didn’t believe in Jackson being a valid candidate until AFTER he passed the Sund initial interview. If Woody was lacking so much in Xs and Os, I figured there was no way, Sund would recommend the owners interview Jackson, after having already interviewed Avery and Casey. I would think Sund must have seen something in Jackson that he liked to still be interested. Remember, Corbin, Portland’s assistant, Monty Williams, and a few more candidates didn’t make it past Sund’s interview.
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
1:54 pm
Northcyde ,
LOL. We agree more than you think we do, or than I let on. We’re just both pretty opinionated on some subjects, and the differences are usually not fundamental, just a matter in difference in terminology.
I think some of the less-than-reasonable or idiosyncratic (is that a word, or did I just make it up?) comments that bubble up on blogs bother you more than they do me. I’m used to it, been blogging here since Sekou Smith started it back in 2005. Or put another way, you are more passionate about it than I am.
Don’t take me personal, I have always challenged those who display a knowledge for the game. Beats the hell out of trying to talk to anybody who only makes idiotic, sophomoric comments every time they post. Unfortunately, there is never a shortage of that….
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
1:59 pm
Ramon ,
All that you said about Mark Jackson could also be said about you, could it not? Are you then a good candidate for a coaching job? I’m not trying to be sarcastic, but you have to wonder….can Jackson put that into play, and convince a pile of millionaires with differing personalities and temperaments to do it… consistently ?
Like you, I’m inclined to think that there must be a reason Sund wants to put him in front of the owners. But then the question becomes this: was it really Sund’s idea, or is somebody else in the organization (perhaps one of the owners themselves) pushing it? Do we know for sure that Sund made the recommendation, or is that specualation? We don’t know. I still think this is not the time to be trying such a thing out, but what do I know?
Like I said, the fan’s role remains…sit, watch, wait…
Najeh Davenpoop
June 8th, 2010
2:02 pm
I hate to throw cold water on all of your arguments, but the honest truth is that none of us have any idea how good any of these coaches will be except Avery, who is the only one with an extensive body of work as an NBA head coach with a talented roster. Northcyde’s arguments against Mark Jackson and Ramon’s arguments for him both have merit, but the truth is neither of you have anything more than a wild guess as to how successful he will be. I’m not picking on y’all — this applies to all of us. This is not like signing or drafting a player where we can all look at his game film and form an educated opinion of his abilities.
We have nothing at all to go on for these assistant coaches other than the success of their former teams on which they were assistants and their individual success as players, and the connection between those two things and theit eventual head coaching success is tenuous at best. Mike Woodson won a title as an assistant and was an All-Star player, but he ended up being an extremely average coach.
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
2:07 pm
Why does every picture of Sund make it look like his eyes are half-closed?
JoJo the Godfather
June 8th, 2010
2:09 pm
The guy I would want to replace Joe (IF HE LEAVES) is Rip Hamilton. In fact, I’d love to see parts like Bibby, Marvin & Crawford moved to Detroit for Rip Hamilton & Tayshaun Prince. Use the majority of the MLE on Ronnie Brewer. Bring Chill back. Maneuver the draft to select Sherron Collins & Trevor Booker.
Teague / Collins / (Vet Min or Bi-Ann)
Hamilton / Brewer
Prince / Childress
Smith / Booker
Horford / Pachulia / (Vet Min or Bi-Ann)
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
2:09 pm
Najeh
If you hate to throw the cold water, then why’d ya do it?!
Damn you… I’m coming back with a super-soaker water gun next time…
ray allen 3 pt
June 8th, 2010
2:10 pm
I think the hawks should think about going after Rudy Gay in Free Agency. I have heard rumblings that we are looking for another wingman to replace Marvin Williams. Gay is 23 and emerging, snag him now!
Go Hawks!!!!
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
2:10 pm
Why do all these Joe Johnson replacement recommendations always come with a guy who is OLDER??
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
2:12 pm
Big Ray, anytime you hire a new coach its always a 50-50 chance no matter the coach. Remember Phil Jackson took over the Bulls and won 6 titles. But Larry Brown had a title, and coaches of the year awards and took over the Knicks and it ended up being a bad hire. Right now at this moment, there’s no guarantee that D’antoni will end up being a good hire in NY because to date, he’s underperformed. Rick Carlisle underperformed in Detroit, although everyone thought it would be a perfect hire when he took over. Jim O’Brien was a big mistake in Indiana, as was Eddie Jordan in Philly, and so far (even before the Bonanza showdown) Flip Saunders wasn’t having a positive impact in Washington. All of the prospective good head coaches who had succeeded previously, took over positions and truly made the situation worse. Isaiah Thomas won more as the Knicks coach than D’antoni has, and then Larry Brown did. Its really a crap shoot no matter who you hire. And at the end of the day, its just something about Jackson’s attitude and his hunger for THIS job that gives me the feeling he’s the right man for this job right now. Remember when Isaiah coached the Pacers, he hadn’t coached before. And he actually did a great job, before Donnie decide to bring in Larry Bird to be hometown hero.
JoJo the Godfather
June 8th, 2010
2:17 pm
Why do all these Joe Johnson replacement recommendations always come with a guy who is OLDER??….because this team’s starting 5 doesn’t need to get younger. we’re already talking about a 20 yr old starting PG. Surround Teague, Josh & Al with a couple of veterans (with rings).
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
2:18 pm
Ramon ,
True. I’m just worried about it not being the right time HERE for THIS team. Just because I’m worried about it doesn’t mean it won’t work, or the person I want hired WILL work. Fact is, I’m not entirely sure who I want hired out of the guys mentioned in connection with the job. I think all I can really settle for is a comfort level. My comfort level is lowest with Jackson as of right now. But that’s just me, and it could change. I don’t know enough about the guy from a coaching standpoint, but I’m also not qualified to judge candidates, which I’m well aware of.
It will be whatever it will be, but I hope it will be sometime this week or something. Tired of waiting around for interviews.
Big Ray
June 8th, 2010
2:20 pm
JoJo the Godfather,
I can roll with that theory, I just don’t want anybody who is what Bibby became – no longer able to contribute at a high level. That won’t help us at all. Not saying Rip Hamilton is that guy, but I’m tired of getting vets when they’re all but done. Look at the situation with Joe Smith..
Big A
June 8th, 2010
2:23 pm
RUDY GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
23 yrs old
JoJo the Godfather
June 8th, 2010
2:26 pm
I agree with that Big Ray. Rip looks to be in good shape though. He had a rough year this year with injuries and such. Still gave 18-3-4 a game on 33 minutes. Prince is in a contract year and will probably play his arse off this year. 13-5-3, good defense, 37% from 3 in 2009. Having similar players in Brewer & Childress woudl be huge too. Brewer, Prince & Chill all have a good enough handle to bring the ball up the floor. Very versatile roster.
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
2:27 pm
Big Ray, I understand. Lol, As I said before to me the three best candidates can’t be hired for the job (Adelman, Hubie Brown, and Doc Rivers). I like Avery, because of his winning percentage, but something about him just seems annoying lol. And Casey, I wonder how Casey would interact with this roster. To me, out of the names mentioned, its 1st Avery, 2nd Jackson, 3rd Casey, and 4th Drew. And its sad to me that those are the names that we’re choosing from lol. Whoever the coach is though, I hope they look into bring Steve Smith onto the coaching staff.
JoJo the Godfather
June 8th, 2010
2:28 pm
RUDY GAY!!!!!!!!!!
23 yrs old
Restricted free agent and we have no cap space!!!!!!!
Big A
June 8th, 2010
2:30 pm
we will have cap space if joe leaves, gay isnt anywhere close to a max contract
JoJo the Godfather
June 8th, 2010
2:32 pm
we will have cap space if joe leaves, gay isnt anywhere close to a max contract……if joe leaves and we renounce all of our free agents and sell our draft picks, we might have $8M to offer. that won’t be enough. memphis would match in a minute.
Big A
June 8th, 2010
2:34 pm
ok you are prob right, its just an interesting thought. he seems like an explosive player that we could use on the perimeter. we could try a sign and trade but i highly doubt joe would want to go to memphis. too bad, Rudy wouldve looked nice in a hawks uniform
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
2:35 pm
I’d take Brewer and Wilkins combined over Gay. Gay is lazy and will be overpaid. In the league now, if you have a wing who is lazy on defense, he’s no good to your team really. It does no good to score 19 points if you’re going to give up 18-23 points a game. I’d rather have Brewer who is going to make the opposition work for every shot they get off, let alone points they get.
Big A
June 8th, 2010
2:36 pm
if we sign a tough coach like avery johnson, rudy gay could be coaxed to play better defense
Najeh Davenpoop
June 8th, 2010
2:37 pm
Gay and Hamilton would both help the Hawks. Hamilton would be cheaper and easier to acquire because of his recent struggles, although much of that is attributable to the change in the offensive scheme, injuries, and having to coexist with shoot-first guards like Allen Iverson and Rodney Stuckey after spending years paired with Chauncey Billups. Gay would probably require a contract too big for the Hawks’ budget (not to mention the Hawks wouldn’t recoup any of that money through jersey sales…)
Sautee
June 8th, 2010
2:38 pm
northcyde,
about this: “Other fans in other cities do just that, when their team is a top 10 squad. The fans and families make supporting that team their #1 entertainment priority. Why can’t the fans and families in Atlanta do the same?”
You do not know, nor do you have any way to know, whether fans who support a team are making that support their ” #1 entertainment priority”.
Not only do you not know this, but I challenge you, Mr. King of Blog Research. to quantifiably show that whatever “entertainment choice” made was the #1 choice in that family’s priorities.
Either show us or back down the hype.
Big A
June 8th, 2010
2:41 pm
does anybody think that we could acquire chris bosh in a sign and trade?? joe johnson and josh smith perhaps, we receive chris bosh and a 2nd round draft pick…
Big A
June 8th, 2010
2:43 pm
or perhaps a sign and trade with phoenix for amare
O'Brien
June 8th, 2010
2:46 pm
Given that all the Hawks may have to work with is the mid-level and the bi-annual exception (along with the veteran’s minimum), doesn’t this lead back to Rick Sund’s off-season last year? Although he did a good job of trading for Jamal, he also signed Marvin, Bibby and ZaZa for ~$18 mil per year.
Obviously nobody predicted that all 3 would have regressed the way they did, but if he had given Bibby a 2 year deal instead of a 3 year deal, Bibby would have been an expiring contract, and tradeable this off-season.
Also, Sund could have let the market set Marvin’s price, and quite possibly, maybe get Marvin for cheaper than $7.5 mil per year.
@ Ray,
Along with Ronnie Brewer, I think Matt Barnes and Damien Wilkins could be another option at the backup SF spot (depending on what we do with Chills).
The Truth
June 8th, 2010
2:49 pm
northcyde
Let me reiterate one of my central points:
“the formula for winning a NBA championship does not rest with just the Head Coach but the Entire Organization.”
Whether it is Avery Johnson, Casey or Mark Jackson (or any other dark-horses); the entire organization must also be accountable for the successes or failures of this team. What would it mean if the favored new coach request for additional roster acquisitions comes up short? He would likely take heat from a sub par season when the GM or ASG budget could have also played an important role. Also, if you are suggesting Doc Rivers coaching had nothing to do with their recent championship run and somehow it was just all about their hall of fame players, then I disagree. If he can get criticized for being rumored to be fired (as you suggested) then he should also get praised for winning a title. Not to mentioned also him being in the hunt for another.
Ramon
June 8th, 2010
2:50 pm
If Atlanta home games started at 7:30 or 8:00, instead of 7:00, the Hawks would have higher attendance. You take the average person who works downtown, but lives on the outskirts (Smyrna, Roswell, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, Ellenwood, Marietta). If they get off of work at 5:00. With the way traffic is, by the time they get home to go pick up their kids/spouse or whoever (because no one likes to go to a game alone) its a good chance its already 6:00-6:30. So before they could even make it to Phillips Arena, it may be 7:30 or even later (if they take the time to change clothes and take a shower). That can discourage people/fans from wanting to buy a ticket if they know they’re going to miss an entire quarter before they even get to the game.
Melvin
June 8th, 2010
2:51 pm
If Joe leaves (heck even if he stays), I wouldn’t seeing the Hawks sign T-Mac to a low risk contract that has a team opt for year 2 or 3.
Sautee
June 8th, 2010
2:52 pm
I’m not saying that Mark Jackson would be the best choice. I’d have to be in Sund’s shoes and have heard all the interviews.
But for those who keep harping on a lack of experience…..
Did Larry Bird’s lack of experience have any negative effect on his .687% winning %? How about on his .615% playoff record? His EC championship?
This is a yes or no question. Any takers?
Jerry West
June 8th, 2010
3:10 pm
Sautee,
Point taken on Bird’s experience, but check the Pacers roster when Bird took over. Veteran-laden, with no shortage of leadership, from Reggie to Chris Mullin to Mark Jackson himself.
lewis
June 8th, 2010
3:15 pm
8:30 games would allow me to leave after traffic unfuuus itself.
O'Brien
June 8th, 2010
3:17 pm
Melvin,
Welcome to the club. I suggested signing TMac (a couple weeks ago) for 2 reasons.
1) Low risk, high reward
2) marketing – dude was almost voted as a starter into the ASG last year. Some fans will buy the TMac Hawk jersey, some will come out to see what he has left etc.
lewis
June 8th, 2010
3:21 pm
I tried doing some research on T.Mac.
All I found was 2 years worth of articles devoted to his knees.
I’d be 100% for this idea if you could guarantee his health, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.
The Truth
June 8th, 2010
3:23 pm
Sautee
Why do you asked a question to which you already know the answer? In Bird case, NO. Furthermore, just to further boaster your point about Larry Bird inexperience:
Despite having no previous coaching experience, Bird led the Pacers to a 58–24 record—the franchise’s best as an NBA team at the time—in the 1997–98 season, and pushed the Bulls to seven games in the Eastern Conference finals. He was named the NBA Coach of the Year for his efforts, becoming the only person in NBA history to have won both the MVP and Coach of the Year awards. He then led the Pacers to two consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000, and a berth in the NBA finals in 2000.
Jerry West
June 8th, 2010
3:28 pm
TMac thinks a bit too highly of himself last I checked. He didn’t want to come off the bench, despite seeming like he can’t really play a lot of minutes or consecutive games. I’d only sign him if he brought the PHX training staff with him.
Sautee
June 8th, 2010
3:34 pm
Jerry West,
Good point about the experience and leadership that those Pacers had. We only wish, eh?
But Bird STILL had to push the right buttons for them to make a 19 game improvement from the previous year. His lack of experience was NO factor in the results. He was COY that year.
The Truth
June 8th, 2010
3:34 pm
Follow-up
It is also ironic but there is an inexperience coach Larry Bird and PG Mark Jackson connection:
Jackson would eventually appear in his only NBA Finals as the Pacers’ starting point guard in 2000, The same year Larry Bird was the Pacer coach.
Is this an Omen?
Sautee
June 8th, 2010
3:37 pm
Truth,
Thanks for illuminating the point.
Hawks Fan
June 8th, 2010
3:40 pm
I understand that the hawks have a short list of candidates for their head coaching job but before they make a mistake how about considering some coaches such as Michael Cooper and Bill Laimbeer both coaches in wnba but won championships there and also won championships as players in the nba. I don’t understand why these two guys haven’t been recruited into the nba headcoaching fraternity. Did they do something to David Stern the commissioner?
Rufus1
June 8th, 2010
3:56 pm
Why I like Mark(because we know the most about him)
Mark is my #2 Choice, behind Avery
Mark Jackson is a 6ft PG, with a 7″in vertical and as slow as an over weight newborn, but he played 17 years in the NBA and is in the top 3 in ast….THAT IS ALL I NEED TO KNOW!!!
In order to play that long with his physical make-up, his Basket ball IQ must be EXTREMELY HIGH.
1) He would have to understand his own strengths and weaknesses
2) He would have to understand changing defenses
3)He would have to know the strengths and weaknesses of his own teammates (Josh from 18ft and Marvin trying to dribble)
4)We already know he was a tremendous leader
5)We know he thinks Teague has the seeds of greatness as PG (Because he said it)
6)We Know he commands great respect from the players around the league
7)We know that Phil Jackson and Doc Rivers success is greatly attributed to there assistant coaches…They are great leaders.
HIRE THE BEST LEADER OF MEN!!!
i_am_soulstar
June 8th, 2010
4:40 pm
Rufus,
Performance simply isn’t promised, and hiring so hiring anyone for any given position is considered taking a chance, but I think the worst thing the Hawks could do is hire the coach with gratest unknown. Sure Mark could turn out to be a better fit for the Hawks than all of the other coaches, but the fact is that in terms of probability, he’s the least likely to be successful and he’s also the greatest risk for disaster due to absolutely no experience whatsoever.
The candidate with the better resume and proven tools should get the position if you ask me. And that’s likely between Avery Johnson, Larry Drew, and Dwane Casey.
Mark should so some assistant coaching first. Sorry if I sound like a hater Mark.
i_am_soulstar
June 8th, 2010
4:41 pm
I obviously should’ve proofread that last post
i_am_soulstar
June 8th, 2010
4:45 pm
When we talk about Larry Bird and Doc Rivers coaching teams after having little previous experience, we’re talking about chance situations. Also, both of these coaches took over rebuilding teams. To hand the reins of a top 10 team to a guy with no experience??
Not so casual observer
June 8th, 2010
7:18 pm
Any unproven coach would be a step back for the Hawks, and I include Avery Johnson in the unproven category. A proven coach, as I see it, is one who has been successful with more than one team and various types of rosters.
This organization needs a NAME, a proven coach, otherwise Woodson should have been retained. A quality coach brings a proven system and the respect required in a “players league”. If the ASG is not consulting the players they should.
If the ASG truly desires a championship then step to the plate and spend big money on a big-time coach (no luxury tax). Otherwise, releasing Mike Woodson, attempting to re-sign JJ and taking any other steps to improve the roster becomes simply wasted effort if the coach hire is wrong.
On the roster, I will go back to the same thing from prior years – Marvin has a post player’s lower body and a wing’s upper body. A big butt, not exactly the physical requirement to play the better 3’s in the league and thin through the chest and arms so that he is unable to match the strength of the bigger 3’s and 4’s.
Teague, who has been compared to Rajon Rondo earlier in this blog, also has a big butt for his frame. Built more like Mark Jackson without the height and weight to back another player down the lane. How is Teague ever going to develop into anything like Rondo with such physical differences? How also does a player reach this point in life with such poor shooting mechanics? The only similarity between the two is the position they play.
In Teague’s defense, not many “experts” thought much of Rondo earlier in his career.
Simply put, the draft picks spent on the Williams, Marvin and Shelden, have set the franchise back several years from where we would be if those picks were better used.
Ken Strickland
June 8th, 2010
7:57 pm
I’m more interested in the roster we present to our new HC, than who we hire as our new HC. As far as JJ is concerned, no other team can offer more money than the Hawks. Even if we overpay him at $20M per yr, it would only be a $5M increase in our payroll, since we were already paying him $15M.
Since Woodson was not resigned because of his inability to produce in the playoffs, I find it hard to believe the ASG wouldn’t make every effort to give the new HC what he needs to excel in the playoffs. And that starts with going all out to resign JJ, which is why I believe the ASG will make it very hard for JJ not to resign.
With JJ and a new HC on board, all we have to do is solidify our bench. To ease the Hawks financial issues, we can sign C DJ MBenga, SF DWilkins, a vet PG, and resign PF/C RMorris to go with ZPachulia, JCrawford, Bibby and our draft pick.
The Hawks will automatically become a much better DEF team with our new HC not starting and playing Bibby major mins. Not being forced to switch everything, and having our front line players staying with their assignments near the basket, rather than being on the perimeter trying to play PG’s and SG’s, will certainly be an improvement. Having our front line players stay with their assignments will also help us become a better OFF/DEF rebounding team, as well as allow our shot blockers to remain in position to block more shots.
Better DEF rebounding means more fast breaks and easy scoring opportunities, and OFF rebounding means more scoring opportunities. We could very easily end up being a younger, more athletic version of the playoff Celtics.
yeaaaboyeee
June 9th, 2010
2:49 pm
is marvin williams like still growing or something….. or maybe someone keeps tying his shoestrings together. that guy is the nbas’ most clumsy player.and what is wrong with his back. just keep stealing your money marv. i would it’s gauranteed….
truthspitter
June 10th, 2010
11:41 am
Casey is the worse case little stupid looking fool. He could not even win with a 1st ballot HOF’er (Kevin Garnett) on his team. What a dumb move
Geo13Dude
June 10th, 2010
1:47 pm
Since the Hawks have waited this long, they may as well bring Byron Scott in for an interview–at the least!!! Chris Paul THRIVED under this guy, and that would bode well for the development of Jeff Teague.
Josh and Al might also progress, given B. Scott’s work in molding David West into a perennial 20 point scorer.
Otherwise, they should just go with Mark Jackson!
No coaching experience–true–but, just like B. Scott, he’s proven to be a WINNER in this league, nonetheless.
And that is a HUGE Something the other two CANNOT claim!