Atlanta Hawks: Larry Drew is the choice for coach
Hawks pick Drew to be next coach.
The Hawks have decided to hire Larry Drew as their next head coach, people with knowledge of the decision said today.
Drew was Atlanta’s lead assistant for six years under Mike Woodson, who was let go last month. Drew and the team are working out the details of a contract this evening and the official announcement of his hiring is expected on Saturday.
Drew, 52, emerged from a group of finalists that also included Avery Johnson, Dwane Casey and Mark Jackson. Once Johnson agreed to coach the Nets early in the week, that left Atlanta’s ownership group and GM Rick Sund to choose from among the other three candidates.
This will be Drew’s first head-coaching job after he’s been an NBA assistant for the the last 14 seasons. He worked for the Lakers, Wizards, Pistons and Nets before joining Woodson’s staff for the 2004-05 season. Drew played 714 games over 10 NBA seasons from 1980-91.
“He’s very experienced, just being around the game,” Hawks guard Jamal Crawford said. “He’s very knowledgeable. I think he is prepared for a lot of different situations.”
When Sund decided not to retain Woodson, he said the team needed “another voice” after the team lost in the second round of the playoffs the last two years. The Hawks apparently decided Drew will have a leadership style distinct from Woodson while also having the advantage of established relationships with players and familiarity with the team’s issues.
“He knows the faults of our teams,” Crawford said. “It’s not like we are a bad team. Now we can continue to build; we don’t have to start over.”
Drew inherits a team that won 53 games next season and, among its core players, has all but Joe Johnson under contract for next season. But he will face some challenges as the Hawks look to break through after getting swept in the second round of the playoffs in consecutive years.
Drew is popular among players but now his role changes from sometimes-confidant to the person in charge of their playing time and involvement in the offense. He also will have to reprimand players for their mistakes while trying to maintain relationships and team chemistry.
“Everything is going to be a first for him,” Crawford said. “But I think it will be a little bit easier transition because he knows our team. He doesn’t have to come in and learn the different personalities, what makes people tick and how to motivate them.”
When the Hawks let Woodson go, among the concerns expressed by players and management was what they considered Woodson’s differing levels of accountability. They said Woodson didn’t rebuke certain players as often as he did others, leading to some resentment in the locker room.
The Hawks also want to move away from an isolation-heavy offensive approach that was influenced by guard Joe Johnson’s playing style. Johnson is eligible to become a free agent next month, and the Hawks still want to re-sign him.
A person with knowledge of Johnson’s plans said he’s still open to returning. But the person said the new coach would have to sell Johnson on relying more on his teammates in the offense and ensure him that locker-room chemistry would improve.
MC
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552 comments Add your comment
drmaryb
June 11th, 2010
8:38 pm
Season Tickets?
4 bloggers (whom we never heard of before), in a row not gonna renew their season tickets?
Yeah Right! You NEVER had any season tickets to begin with !!!
Somebody hired Doc Rivers in Orlando, he was never an assistant for 14 years & he’s the same guy you covet now? This is less risky than that hire. Obviously, Drew was the players choice and the owners have had six years to evaluate Drew. They know who he is! The fans know very little in that regard, so where are all the opinions coming from? I mean really?
This is not mall, where you judge quality by fabric content or brand named labels!
This is a man – and how do you judge the HEART of a man?
The Lakers and Phil Jackson couldn’t do it last night when “Shrek & Donkey” came of the bench and balled on the starters!
Little Nate said it best, “You can’t SCOUT energy!”
jp
June 11th, 2010
8:38 pm
they obviously took the cheap route. They could’ve had Avery Johnson or Mark Jackson if they paid a little more. What kind of garbage are they gonna use to sell us this move.
Gearon Jr. you have proven to be a joke and a terrible owner
gcs
June 11th, 2010
8:38 pm
FIRST…round loss in 2011.
.
Feudfinder
June 11th, 2010
8:42 pm
Tell those su$$res DRMARYB
Mike is back
June 11th, 2010
8:43 pm
I guess the ASG new they would look like a Jack Assssss going with Casey at point in the game, so they decided to go with Drew.
Well, anyway CONGRATULATION TO LDrew…he is a class guy. We said the same about Woody…I hope we are not here again, in two years…something smells fishy.
I always liked Drew…this will be interesting.
Tyrone Shoelaces
June 11th, 2010
8:43 pm
Give the guy a chance. Mr. Sund needs to bring back Chill, draft the best possible need fitting potential contributor and sign a free agent big. I would’nt mind seeing Joe Smith back. Larry might actually get him some minutes. Larry’s #1 goal is coach up the rook….um, oops, the soph.
Feudfinder
June 11th, 2010
8:43 pm
Tell those su$$ers DRMARYB.
Tyrone Shoelaces
June 11th, 2010
8:45 pm
great post drmaryb!
ryan
June 11th, 2010
8:46 pm
How much longer can the Spirit own the Hawks and Thrashers ! FLAT BROKE!
tnfalcon
June 11th, 2010
8:46 pm
THEY STRUNG US ALONG SO THEY COULD END UP WITH THE GUY THEY WANTED ALL ALONG. BEING A HAWKS FAN IS AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY. I DIDN’T KNOW DONALD STERLING OWNED THE HAWKS TOO. LOVE THIS TEAM, HATE THIS FRANCHISE…
N.D.T.K.A.
June 11th, 2010
8:47 pm
First, Mr. Drew I hope you do a nice job. “Rumors” have it that J.J. and Josh Smith really like and respect you. “Rumors” have it that you are going to run a more up-tempo style and we can all “see” that the Hawks are more effective when they run (RE:Hawsk vs. Boston Series this past season). Why are people still talking about Avery Johnson? He coaches the Nets. Those of us who wanted Avery realize the Hawks were too slow and cheap for such a gift. Is HoopsHype the New York Times? People quote “rumor” on here like it is fact. I watched Avery coach. The product and the record was undeniable. Why would owners leave a young playoff team in the hand of an assistant (chance) instead of a known entity (playoff caliber coach – I won’t mention his name again since I am over it.) I will answer that question as someone on this board said earlier least common denominator and of course cheap. No offense to Larry Drew. Most fans wish Larry Drew the very best and I am one of them. I don’t understand why all the hate for Rick Sund. A GM needs time to build a winner, Rome wasn’t built in a day. I don’t think Rick Sund has been in Atlanta long enough to judge him as a bad GM. Hawks, I hope you improve your record and make a push for the finals in the East!!!
bigdaddyj
June 11th, 2010
8:48 pm
Will the Spirit please sell the Hawks and Thrashers to someone who cares and can actually afford to be in the business. This hire is plain awful. What a joke.
chefbtl
June 11th, 2010
8:51 pm
All thisn talk about a coach.If u don’t have at least 2 max players you will not make it to the finals.Pay Attention ! Championship Teams spend money on Coaches and Allstar Players.So if the Hawks really want to win,you have to spend so money .Even if that means pay Luxury Tax.Woody did a great job with the cards he was dealt.You have to sign big free agents,when u dont draft well.Lets make up for all of this lost time.If you spend the money ,all home games will be sold out !
Josh 3pt Smith
June 11th, 2010
8:55 pm
Larry has been helping me work on my 3’s , I can’t wait to make it rain / LMAO !!
Hawks have just lost the season ticket holders and alot of fans on this cheap a$$ move !
dub366
June 11th, 2010
8:55 pm
Best coach for the job .GO SUND CONGRADULATIONS LARRY DREW I SAID ALL YEAR LONG THAT YOU WOULD BE THE BEST FIT.
POOH-POOH
June 11th, 2010
8:55 pm
JUST LIKE THE HAWKS DONT WANT TO SPEND ANY MONEY ON A REAL COACH. MOREOF THE SAME!
Ken Strickland
June 11th, 2010
8:56 pm
MIKE IS BACK-what makes you think we wouldn’t be back here in 2yrs if we had hired Casey or Jackson?
GCS-Why not use you delusional psychic ability and predict we won’t even make the playoffs?
WOODY LOVERS at their worst. It was Woodson who insisted we resign JSmith, MWilliams, MBibby and ZPachulia, yet you blame GM RSund for doing exactly what your beloved Woody wanted. FOREST FOR THE TREES, FOREST FOR THE TREES.
Native Son
June 11th, 2010
8:56 pm
All things considered, Larry Drew was the best choice. J.J. & Smoove made that call. I just thank Yah. that it ain’t Mark Jackson.
drmaryb
June 11th, 2010
8:58 pm
42 wins next season?
Apparently, it doesn’t matter how many games you win in the regular season.
If that were so, Mr. Woodson would still be our HC.
Seethethreebethethree
June 11th, 2010
8:59 pm
Seems like we got the runt of the litter.It is NEVER a good idea for a organization to promote within to a top position. The players will undermine his authority, again and again.New blood is the best aproach. The Hawks needed a coach that will put a foot up Josh Smith’ ass. Drew will not be able to handle this selfish player and will spread like cancer to the rest of the team.
Jesse
June 11th, 2010
9:00 pm
The plan is to let him fail for two years and then hire Doc Rivers after he takes a couple of years off…..
UNC B-Ball
June 11th, 2010
9:01 pm
I hope he signs his son, Larry Drew II, so we can get him out of Chapel Hill & start winning again.
Joe
June 11th, 2010
9:01 pm
Drew does a great job in summer league games and the Hawks are always on top of the standings. Lets just see what becomes of this decision in the regular season and playoffs. I hope he is not Mike Woodson all over again.
lgwest
June 11th, 2010
9:02 pm
Finally!
Good luck coach Drew. Find a true center or two and we will be OK. Its your turn now, lets do it.
Good thing is you don’t have to start completely anew.
I would love to see you get plenty fines getting after the officials and trying to even out the manor the games are called.
LSUTiger
June 11th, 2010
9:02 pm
One of the worst hires Atlanta could make. If they want to make it to the playoffs and win, they need to hire a “big name” experienced coach. Atlanta does not have time to train another head coach.
Feudfinder
June 11th, 2010
9:03 pm
Some people are mind readers. Can anyone tell me what the power ball numbers will be for Saturday?
AtlFlavor
June 11th, 2010
9:04 pm
Congrats Coach Drew!!!!… MR Sund got pimped slapped by the ASG..LOL. Damn. He had but all given the job to Casey, then the ASG pull the chair on his azz. The whole search was BS anyway. Sund never liked Woody and Woody never liked Sund. This way things stay close to the same, even though they said ” A New Voice is needed”.
ChiefKNOCKaHOMER
June 11th, 2010
9:06 pm
@N.D.T.K.A
But Rome was built!
Show me state
June 11th, 2010
9:07 pm
I believe he can get it done…..casey and jackson….could’ve made this a “rebuilding project” so why not hire the guy that is already familiar with the situation…..alot of people are bashing him for being under woody…..he won’t be the same coach as woody was….publish dat…..u never know until you have given a guy a chance….and when he proves da nay sayers wrong then his bandwagon will become at max capacity….congrats coach drew
JeJe
June 11th, 2010
9:10 pm
“and ensure him that locker-room chemistry would improve.”
Can we please get a story about this? This is kind of a big deal. Also I want to see if Drew will rebuke players, since Woody obviously didn’t. I’m sure it’ll cost nothing to make Drew HC
ChiefKNOCKaHOMER
June 11th, 2010
9:11 pm
We got a coach, now we just need a few GOOD men on the floor that will not quit like JJ and Josh did against Orlando.
JeJe
June 11th, 2010
9:12 pm
i’M READY TO SEE SOME FRONT OFFICE/PLAYER COMMENTS ABOUT WOODY.
JAMAL WAS VERY CAREFUL IN WHAT HE SAID. I WANT TO SEE SOME INSINUATIONS ON HOW MUCH WOODY SUCKED
puff
June 11th, 2010
9:13 pm
This is a predictable move from an organization with no imagination. The results are equally predictable.
ballhawker
June 11th, 2010
9:13 pm
We need to trade Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
Rod
June 11th, 2010
9:15 pm
Cheap Bass terds…Can the NBA make broke owners of the hawks sell the team. They can’t afford to own a team.
Stuart Scott
June 11th, 2010
9:15 pm
This move equates to no more than 32 wins in 2010-11. I’m just saying.
Should have hired my boy (Byron Scott) a true winner.
UncleDunkyah
June 11th, 2010
9:16 pm
CHEAP AZZ HAWKS!! ALWAYS LOOKING FOR BARGAINS….. WE HAD A SHOT AT AVERY BUT WANTED THE K-MART BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL
“Good Grief” Charlie Brown
JeJe
June 11th, 2010
9:20 pm
A FRIEND FROM WORK TOLD ME THAT HIS BROTHER MET MARK PRICE AND PRICE SAID THAT RONDO WORKS OUT WITH HIM IN THE SUMMER. RONDO PAYS FOR PLANE TICKETS, HOTELS, EVERYTHING.
PRICE THEN SAID THAT WHEN HE CALLS UP SMOOVE EVERY OTHER DAY TO WORK ON FREE THROWS, SMOOVE DOESN’T WANT TO DRIVE FROM MARIETTA TO SUWANEE
Bill Walton
June 11th, 2010
9:21 pm
Jamaal Crawford is kissing Drew’s azz to get a starting position. The Magic also made Crawford ’s game disappear in the playoffs.Luke would turn this team into an instant winner. The Hawks have no team leader at the coach’s or player’s position. You cannot win in the NBA without filling that void.
JeJe
June 11th, 2010
9:23 pm
IN AN ARTICLE WE HEARD ABOUT THE MODEL DREW PRESENTED AND HOW ASTONISHING IT WAS. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT HE SAID?
JeJe
June 11th, 2010
9:23 pm
FIRE SUND
JeJe
June 11th, 2010
9:25 pm
tHE BIGGEST QUESTION IS WHO WILL HIS ASSISTANTS BE? CAN WE HAVE SOME SPECIALISTS RATHER THAN THESE CRAPPY SCRUBS LIKE JIM TODD?
Dick Vitale
June 11th, 2010
9:25 pm
This is unbelievable, BABY! What a debarcle.
truthspitter
June 11th, 2010
9:26 pm
Glad I don’t think about suicide much anymore
drmaryb
June 11th, 2010
9:28 pm
NDTKA
The hoopshype news feeds on the crap Avery pulled in Dallas are true, I actually recalled ESPN reporting the crazy stuff he pulled. One incident was at a press conference, so its on tape.
He is more arrogant than my evil step-father was growing up.
An oppressor is the worst thing you can be when you are supposed to be a leader of men and children.
He ran a slave ship in Dallas and was ran out of there in a NY minute. I done with him and have gladly moved on. But, most of the Drew haters do so because they think we missed out on something better!
Don’t worry fans, we will be just fine! We need some players more so than anything else right now!
A proven PG to help JT0 – we got Bibby to help him see the floor and with the intangibles of being a great PG.
We need a big – wide – load down on the blocks. We don’t need “Jenny – on – the Block”.
And, oh yeah! Some gunners on the bench. Zsa Zsa should be fine, if used right! He’s only 24 years old and I like his NASTY side! He fouls real hard and flagrant! We need our own Udonis Haslem too!
A Charles Oakley or Rick Mahorn or enforcer off the bench! We need players 1 to 15 and play everybody, esp. In the play offs!
LMAO!!!
June 11th, 2010
9:28 pm
POETIC JUSTICE!!
WHATZ UP BUBBA CREW?
LMAO. SUND HASNT GOT A CLUE.
THAT IS FUNNY AS SHYYT.
IM STILL LAUGHING……
Grandad
June 11th, 2010
9:28 pm
Congratulations to Mr. Larry Drew.
For you I wish nothing but the best.
Now however, I turn to my neagative side.
I do not feel it was Mr. Sund’s choice.
We will never know.
I feel very strongly about the coaching profession.
A coach must be a teacher, & a mentor.
In this situation – my opinion only – this was a bad hire.
It was most assuredly the wrong hire, even if it turns out okay.
(1st) The owners seemingly over-ruled RS.
(2nd) The players, I think, lobbied, for Mr. Drew.
(3rd) he is the *Cheapest* option.
* I always taught my children – don’t settle. (aim for the best)
Up until now I have tried to support the ASG. ‘No More’.
I will remain a Hawks fan however, for the time being, I’m going
to curtail my daily hobby of visiting the blog.
I’ll check in from time to time & eventually return full force.
But this hire has been so egregious to me that I need to re-focus
my free [hobby] time somewhere else for a while.
Once again this is not an indictment of Larry Drew.
It’s like someone said earlier, they will probably screw up the
draft also.
Following a team for me is a full time activity.
It’s more than watching the games.
So the draft is an event just as important as any other.
This has [for me] been a kick in the butt.
like I said I’ll be in & out.
Evenin’ everyone – Go Celtics.
Pitiful Franchise
June 11th, 2010
9:28 pm
PATHETIC!!! This group of “owners” have to be THE worst in all of professional sports! Fire a coach (though I thought he should have been fired last year) with a winning record the last two seasons, and replace him with one of his assistants AFTER interviewing other candidates first. So how in the world does this guy improve this team??? He won’t…and they will be lucky to make the playoff next year with this crappy coaching move and embarrassing ownership at the helm. Please seel this team to someone that gives a damn!
LMAO!!!
June 11th, 2010
9:30 pm
IM STILL LAUGHING. WHAT UP BIG RAY? HAHAHAHAHAHA!
LMAO!!!
June 11th, 2010
9:31 pm
I CANT STOP LAUGHING! WHAT UP SAUTEE? GRANDAD? HAHAHAHAHJAHJ