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
The Truth
June 12th, 2010
3:51 pm
drmaryb
That was on point!!
That proves that this is a Players League & that I NEVER HEARD anyone say, “I’m gonna buy a ticket to see AVERY JOHNSON coach!
drmaryb
June 12th, 2010
3:59 pm
BigDave
Thank for that link up there! That was an awesome read. I appreciate all the RESEARCHERS on this here blog – big time !!!!!!!!!!
A special Mmmmmwah! For bigdave!
Big Ray
June 12th, 2010
3:59 pm
Truth Serum ,
You know where I stand and what I have to say. What you say I’m saying is NOT what I’m saying, so I’m not going for the bait. I don’t have to defend Sund. He has a job still, that speaks for itself.
If it’s all about the players (a center and a pg), then it should not matter who is coaching, right? Uh-huh….
There’s no point in me “defending” Horford. 32 NBA coaches did it for me when they named him an all-star.
JeJe
June 12th, 2010
4:04 pm
I HOPE DREW WILL CHANGE UP THE STARTING LINEUP, RATHER THAN WOODY WHO KEPT THE SAME DAMN STARTING LINEUP REGARDLESS OF WHETHER BIBBY AND MARVIN WERE PRODUCING (THEY WEREN’T)
Big Ray
June 12th, 2010
4:05 pm
For those who are still yapping about the coaching change not being the only, or even most necessary move this franchise needs to make:
This is the only dang change that could possibly be made this time of year.
Free agency doesn’t start until July 1st.
The Draft isn’t here until late June.
The roster isn’t set for next season.
Just stop, okay? Just STOP. The cart has NEVER gone in front of the horse…
Big Ray
June 12th, 2010
4:07 pm
Northcyde ,
Almost every team in the history of the NBA has had to go through what we’re going through right now, before we got to a championship level.
You mean like making a coaching change, as well as roster changes? Agreed.
Big Ray
June 12th, 2010
4:11 pm
JeJe ,
I don’t see how he can’t . But before Drew can decide who is best used in the starting lineup, and who is best used by coming off the bench, Rick Sund has to get this roster set. Nobody will know anything for sure until Joe makes his decision, and other issues are dealt with thereafter.
drmaryb
June 12th, 2010
4:14 pm
Rondo
BTW I love your name on here! That’s the only way we fans will ever have our very own Rondo.
We also have our very own “Doc”. He’s been a blog favorite for years!
Rondo, I love you and your wonderful posts! You bring: logic, fire, passion and insight to this blog!
And you are appreciated! No apologies ever needed … Keep it coming!
My Grand-Daddy loves you too. We may not be the starters on this blog – but we make one hell of a bench! LOL!
terrell
June 12th, 2010
4:15 pm
Fratello out, Weiss in. All over again.
Cheap
June 12th, 2010
4:17 pm
The hawks will make the playoffs and go out in round 1 or 2, as usual. More of the same mediocrity with their great new exciting coach!!!!!!!!!!
JeJe
June 12th, 2010
4:19 pm
GREAT COACHING ARTICLE ON THE HAWKS PAGE. FUNNY HOW WOODY COACHED FROM 2003-2010, EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS STOTTS COACHED IN 2003 TOO
FIRE LARRY KNAPP
A true Hawks fan
June 12th, 2010
4:21 pm
Drew is a snake, he got in bed with Sund, and all this talk about teh players did not get along with his player go back and read what the players said about Woody it was good. I think Drew sold his sole to the devil to get this job. Be careful Drew
cp
June 12th, 2010
4:40 pm
A true Hawks fan wtf are you talking about. Did you not read the blog a few weeks ago where the players pretty said they were glad Woodson was gone?. They didn’t like how he didnt hold everyone accountable, they didn’t like that he played favorites, they didn’t like the offense. Seriously where have you been hiding? I don’t know what it is about the summer time on this blog but it brings some of the silliest posters here to post pure nonsense.
smart shopper
June 12th, 2010
4:44 pm
we need name brand players because we all like to get name brand everything. Only thing you see in the a is big time players including paul rat face pierce. You see the braves sell heyward. so cheap team. when you go buy cereal you want fruit loops not fruity o’s.
light bulb came on
June 12th, 2010
4:48 pm
Thats a very fair statement true hawks fan. Im sure there are others around the NBA and In the Hawks locker room who feel the same way. Thats a fair statement
Bob Wiess
June 12th, 2010
4:50 pm
pretty much.
drmaryb
June 12th, 2010
4:50 pm
NorthCyde
Thanks for the holla-back!
Spankin’ the kids is – well, Rich.
Looks like JJ will re-sign, I thought he would – historically, most UFAs do. He may never see that old offer again tho. “A HAWK in the hand is – better than 2 in the Bush!” I guess he skipped math class that day?
The Truth
And nothing but The Truth! Thanks for handing me the relay baton.
The Truth? Most people can’t handle the TRUTH. Why? Because, then action is required on the part of the hearer. It’s a lot easier to complain than to change. Change, requires effort, courage, heart, discipline and most importantly – CHARACTER.
When someone says, “Don’t lie to me!”. They really want you to lie your azz off.
Keep on spittin’ that good ole TRUTH – man.
Blue-Ray
(3D – HDMI)
Get – ‘EM! Like Hawaii 5-0? You ALWAYS get your man! Keep blog-street safe & lock that azz up with a No Bond warrant. Half of ‘Em on probation anyways and shouldn’t even be dippin’ in grown folks conversations.
You always got my back-up, so – feel free to run for cover at any time!
The Ayatollah
June 12th, 2010
4:54 pm
The phrase is that if you build it, they will come. No one says if you come, they will build it.
If fan attendance is what drives an organization to attempt to be a championship contender, then someone should kindly explain why the Bulls, Knicks, Pistons, Warriors, Thunder, Raptors, and Heat were all worse off than the Hawks. All of those teams had better attendance numbers than the Hawks did, so why were they worse teams? It sounds as though the fans were being their responsible little selves and attending like good little fans should do. However they did not get their due. So if fans attend more games, then owners will spend more money and make smarter decisions? How preposterous of an idea. Tell it to the Knicks fans who are routinely top five in attendance but have been continually subjected to a bottom five product for years.
The day a fan’s dollar determines the lucidity of decision making by an owner is the day public opinion controls how the government works. Monkeys will fly and pigs will sing.
a fake hawks fan
June 12th, 2010
4:56 pm
I like to use many different names to antagonize people without them knowing it is me. Who am I? Two guess and you wont need but one.
Bob Wiess
June 12th, 2010
4:57 pm
Al “I cant block a shot” horford? Is that the guy that was added after shaq said he would not play? the guy that could not make this year all NBA team On any string? The same Hoeford that could not make the NBA All defensive team? The same al that gets blown off the block and frequently dunk on by itty bitty players? that al? Isnt he the guy most opposing coaches try and Isolate under the basket?
The Hawks will never win a championship with tradebaitAl as your center
a fake hawks fan
June 12th, 2010
4:58 pm
hawks players used to talk to drew because woody would not talk to them. hey where is woody working now? Nowhere? LMAO! If he lucky he can get a job as an assistant again but he cant hold the marker board and the magic marker anymore. he no good at X and O stuff.
Truth-Serum
June 12th, 2010
5:00 pm
drmaryb abosolutely!! Go Doc!
Hawks Fan
June 12th, 2010
5:00 pm
The city of Atlanta and the fans in this city always are reminded that they don’t support the pro teams in Atlanta, hell why should we?
Truth-Serum
June 12th, 2010
5:00 pm
*absolutely the Dr’s on fire!
a fake hawks fan
June 12th, 2010
5:05 pm
al? is that the guy who made the all star team? the guy doc rivers said the celtics hated to play against because he was so tough? that guy? He still on the team, woody aint LMAO!!!!!
Tardcyde
June 12th, 2010
5:10 pm
Atlanta fans are evil! They do not deserve a winning team because they do not attend all home games, putting aside all other things in life! Evil I say, evil!
drmaryb
June 12th, 2010
5:27 pm
Truth Serum
Thank you baby! I’m just glad the drama of: Who will the coach be? Is over. Man, we need to fix this azz – backwards roster. So many players out of position and outside of that? No seems to know their roles on this team! That was probably my biggest pet-peeve with Mr. Woodson. I could not tell for myself, who was supposed to do what and who was the specialist at any role on this team?
There was no systematic offense IMO! Everybody was just free-lancing, like a Don Nelson team or a Hot – sauce team at an And-1 tournament. The first 13 games of the year, we looked sharp! The ball was swinging like a tire on an old oak tree! I was excited – but, after that, I never saw it again this past season!
I mean, everybody was touching that rock and opponents were in disarray on defense!
We need a highly structured system on offense. An IDENTITY of who we are!
I hope Larry Drew can bring that! We need a ball slapping defense, to where – when that ball hits the floor? Itks mine, take it, deflect it, jump-ball it – I don’t care!
The last time I saw defense like that? Was when Lenny Wilkens was here.
MJ & Scottie Pippen saw it too! Pippen was qouted one night, “The Hawks led by Mookie, was swarming the ball for 48 minutes, we could not dribble the ball at all tonight!”. After a loss in the Omni.
That’s what we need. Players who are committed to doing those things & a HC who will bench the player that does not get on board. You don’t have to yell, scream nor currse (ala Lenny) – just stick that azz on the
END of the bench! That would the #15th folding seat.
That’s old school and that’s real!
Aaron
June 12th, 2010
5:29 pm
Same old stupid hawks. Why fire Woodson to give the job to his #1 assistant? We needed CHANGE to get over the 2nd round hump, without a dominant star player, isolation offenses don’t work! Why do I know this, yet a NBA GM can’t figure it out?
Man, I need a new favorite team…
Hawks73
June 12th, 2010
5:30 pm
I don’t have a problem with Larry Drew, the problem is with the perceived notion that the owners played us (fans) like fools. They did the whole song and dance and gave us the thought that they were serious about taking this team to the next level (with a PROVEN head coach), and instead they sold us a bunch of b.s. They went out and interviewed a PROVEN commodity, only to deliberate for show, and then sign the easiest/cheapest option.
It’s the whole bait & switch at it’s finest. How do you expect to fire a coach who had won 53 games, taken this team to a 3rd seed, with an UNPROVEN coach who has never been a held that position. Would any of us believe that this ownership group would actually be astute enough to push this ball club to the next level…PLEASE!!!!
In the end Drew maybe a fine candidate as head coach, but perception with this ownership group doesn’t bode well for his success…Oh well, guess we can start looking forward to football season.
jfreak13713
June 12th, 2010
5:56 pm
I know nothing about Drew so I won’t attempt to kill the man just yet. However, I would like to have seen the Hawks attempt to make a big splash with another coach but Drew has been around a long time and we should allow him a chance to prove himself.
Sautee
June 12th, 2010
5:57 pm
Truth-serum is attempting to lie about Horford again. Here’s what he said (as Bob Weiss):
“Al “I cant block a shot” horford? Is that the guy that was added after shaq said he would not play?”
And here is the story (and the link) from the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/01/cleveland_cavaliers_mo_william_5.html
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Mo Williams, Shaquille O’Neal left off All-Star team
“Neither Mo Williams or Shaquille O’Neal were among the seven reserves selected by opposing head coaches to represent the Eastern Conference at the event in Dallas, the NBA announced Thursday.”
“The decision does not come as much of a shock, neither were considered favorites. Point guards Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics were voted in ahead of Williams. Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors and Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks were voted in as big men ahead of O’Neal. Wings Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Pierce of the Celtics and Joe Johnson of the Hawks were also named as reserves.”
Notice, if you will, the phrase “Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors and Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks were VOTED IN as big men ahead of O’Neal.”
Voted in ahead of O’Neal. Not some B.S. about Shaq stating he didn’t WANT to play.
Here’s what Shaq said in the same article:
“It’s always been a bureaucratic process,” O’Neal said. “I’ve been fortunate to go 15 times, so from this point on in my career, I won’t complain if I don’t make it. It’s all about the vote and who the fans want to see get in. Sometimes it disappoints me to see guys campaigning for it. I don’t like that. I don’t like to see guys campaign. Whoever gets in I wish them well.”
OK, so where is the mention of him saying he would not play?
Truth-serum is LYING AGAIN to try to belittle our All-Star Center.
But some of us know better.
A true Hawks fan
June 12th, 2010
5:57 pm
CP and all you other people who said that the players did not like Woody. I have cut and pasted comments from an article this season straight out the mouth of the players READ:
Article:
But ask the Hawk players and they, at least the five players I spoke to, agree that Woodson should get another extension. They are in unified agreement that Woodson is a big part of why they where they are. Some say it should have happened already.
Marvin Willians: Absolutely. He’s been a great coach for us young guys. I mean …if he’s not here….who knows what position we’d be in.
Will everyone say that?
Absolutely. I think you’re gonna get that answer from anybody around the room. We have a lot of faith in coach Woodson. You know, he really brought us along the way. We were 19 year old kids. We’re 24-25 now. We’re definitely playing some pretty good basketball. So, he’s a big credit to that.
Bibby:Yes. He should have got one a while ago.
Even Josh Smith, who has had his differences with Woodson over the years…
Yeah….I mean, he’s proven himself. And…he’s a good coach. He’s a good coach. He’s a players’ coach. You know, he works hard just like we work hard. And anybody who’s bettered their record every year that he’s been a coach deserves a contract.
Joe Johnson, who is opting for free agency, and is unsure about where he will want to play next season, was asked if signing Woodson might affect his decision…
Uhhhhhm….maybe. You know, I don’t really know….honestly, at this point, what’s in store.
Even newly acquired veteran Joe Smith had some surprisingly good things to say about Mike Woodson and endorsed a new contract…
I’ve enjoyed playing under Coach Woodson since I’ve been here and he puts us in good situations to go out there and be successful as individuals and as a group. So, if they can get something done, I’m all for it.
Joe went on to reveal a hitherto unrevealed dimension of the Hawks head coach and agreed that that the feeling for re-upping Woodson was pretty much universal in the locker room…
Oh yeah. Yeah. I think so. Everybody likes and enjoys playing for him….He makes the game a lot of fun, even in practice. Pre game, before we take the floor, he kind of relaxes us a little bit.
Can you give an example of that?
Umm. He just jokes around with us a lot. I mean, you know, he kind of notices when we’re tense…and when things are tight in the locker room. So he kind of jokes or says a few jokes or will do something to certain individuals, or say something to certain individuals, where… it could lighten the mood a little bit.
But you can’t share any of those?
Naw….(laughing)
Go figure. Exuding an innate dignity, always respectful, Woody is going all Chris Rock on you, when he wants to. Who knew?
But Joe Smith’s been around long enough to see the harsh business side of this league to know nothing is certain and business decisions are different that basketball decisions sometimes….
When I look at it, this thing is….more of a business than anything. And it kind of takes the sport out of it a little bit….because you’re thinking so much with a business mind. Hopefully they’ll get something done. Because, like you said, there’s not too many coaches that have taken a team from when they first got here, 13-14 wins, to now, last year 47 wins. Now try to take it up another level.
Mike Bibby returned to this team with a big pay cut. A favorite player to boo in Boston, it is clear Bibby is a key player on the Hawks roster, bringing mental toughness, and is a team leader. It is also clear Mike Woodson is a big reason Bibby returned and explains why…
love him and I’ve had a lot of coaches in my time. For some coaches I say I like, and got along with, and some coaches I didn’t. You know, I mean I love Coach Woodson. He’s relaxed. He has fun. I think that’s what you got to do.
I love coming to work here and…I can talk to him. I can give him my input on the team and stuff like that and not a lot of coaches let you do that.
I don’t think, right now, I could be in a better situation and actually that’s another reason why I came here, came back here.
Just how… being comfortable with the coaching staff and my teammates.
How do you rate him with all the other coaches you played for?
Definitely one of the top. I’ve had a couple…I’ve had Lionel Hollins, umm….Rick Adelman and Coach Woodson’s right up there with those two, too.
Adelman? That’s rich company.
I mean… you get a lot of different type of attitudes and personalities with coaches. You know, some coaches are “this is my way” and ‘this is how we’re going to do it’ and you have coaches like Woodson, I mean just…I tell the guys….we got it good (here).
A lot of coaches that you (the Hawks players) probably wouldn’t like playing for. I mean, we have got a good situation with coach Woodson. He definitely deserves an extension.
Perhaps such a statement was wafted in Josh Smith’s direction, the player with the unlimited potential but previously ongoing differences with Woodson.
Regarding those differences, I asked Josh point blank – Are they as bad as some have written or over blown?
Josh…
Overblown.
J-Smoove’s recommendation for a Woodson extension would back that up that statement.
(Back To Mike Bibby)… So then you’re kind of good for Woodson in the locker room. Kind of an extension….
Yeah, like I mean…when I’m out there and I see something on the court, I’ll give my input, and he lets me go with it. He lets me go out in there in the game…for him to have that much confidence in me…for him to let me do that, that gives people confidence to play.
High praise, indeed. In truth, after friction with Ron Artest with a going-nowhere Sacramento team, Bibby’s career has been resurrected in Atlanta.
Welcome to the ultra competitive NBA, an Atlanta team known for it’s frugality, an ownership group that has its own issues, a weak residual economy, an yet-to-determined new Collective Bargaining Agreement in the early stages of negotiations and it helps explain the situation. Are those the reasons why Woodson is coaching this crucial season without a net?
Is there any truth to Woodson not being a good tactician?
Joe Smith…
So far this year, (it’s) been so good. Every night different teams are going to present us something different. I think he does a good job of watching enough film, him and his staff do a good job of watching that film and trying to put us in the best situation to be successful out there
This what I’m talking about I did not say it the players did
drmaryb
June 12th, 2010
6:06 pm
ALL EYES ON ME!
Aaron
Go get you one! And, leave us alone.
Your little ramble rant is contradicting, if the team can’t get over the hump?
That’s a personnel issue, that we didn’t have your super-star, et.al. Without that? It doesn’t matter who the coach is. Woodson did the best he could with what he had. I doubt is Drew or anyone else could have done better!
The change was about a different voice per Mr. Sund. He failed to mention his culpability in that equation as well. But, he knows it now, because ALL eyes ore off Woodson and placed squarely on him now.
Now, he will fell the heat, Woodson felt. And, he really can’t blame Drew either, because he hired the rookie himself – ultimately his azz is sticking out that window! The owners as usual will roll and hide behind their desks – should it all blow up!
Gamer
June 12th, 2010
6:15 pm
In a season of uncertainty, go with familiarity. It’s the choice of 50/50, not playing with all the chips, not playing to lose, while not playing to win.
We will see..
Actually, I think the hiring of a coach should have waited after Boston/Lakers championship series..
Just me…but who am I? what do I know?
TheAntiMe
June 12th, 2010
6:21 pm
I would like to say it surprises me but, really, this is just par for the ASG’s course to go out and hire Woody Effin Jr..
northcyde
June 12th, 2010
6:21 pm
Like the good Dr. says . . . the truth hurts.
Ayatollah . . . you know that the characteristic that all of those cities you named possesses? They are ALL loyal to their respective sports teams . . especially when they’re winning.
EXTREMELY LOYAL.
You may not see it in all of those cities when they have sorry teams. But when those teams show signs of life, their fan bases come out in droves to support the hometown team.
Have you ever heard this from a fan, whenever a player starts complaining about or hinting that he wants more money . . .
“WE pay your salary. If it wasn’t for US, you couldn’t make the money you do right now.”
Most fans believe that. They believe that the money they spend on tickets, concessions, jerseys, hats, etc, help contribute to the salaries of players.
So if fans believe that, what happens when the fans don’t come out? Does management opt not to pay people?
It’s the lack of loyalty by a sizeable group of Atlanta fans ( not all, but a sizeable amount ), that causes people from the outside to ridicule the fan base as a whole. This is what is seen from the outside:
- Michael Vick isn’t playing anymore, so I’m not supporting the Falcons
- Traffic is just too bad, so I’m not going to the game
- The Falcons are playing the Lions? That’s a horrible team, so I’m not going.
- The Braves ALWAYS LOSE in the playoffs anyway, so why should I even bother showing up?
- The Hawks hired Larry Drew? Oh . . I’m DONE with this team.
There’s just a lack of loyalty and commitment ( on both sides .. fans and management ), that lingers over that city as a sports town like smoke from a forest fire. And everybody on the outside can see it, except the people under the smoke.
wuffe
June 12th, 2010
6:39 pm
Its probably to good to be true Hornets are willing to give up Darren Collison in a trade if we take Omeka Okefor and Posey and a Steponivich off their hands cause they are cap eaters- but for the Hawks they are Just what we need a VERY good point guard and a DECENT center excellent shooter.. How about Moe Evans and Teague and Zsa Zsa in return in the trade. Emeka Okafor center, Horford Pf, Josh Smith sf, Josh Childress SG, Darren Collison PointGuard Seeya jj , See ya Marvin, Crawford bench Posey bench Steponivich bench
northcyde
June 12th, 2010
6:40 pm
All I know, is that if we lose JJ and get moderate talent back in return, the Hawks are going to need fan support MORE THAN EVER. No way should people prematurely bail on this team, without seeing what they can do first.
How we play on our home court may be the only thing that keeps us at playoff level. So the fans will be needed to step up more than ever.
At that point, there will only be one question to ask:
How loyal are you to your favorite team.
O'Brien
June 12th, 2010
6:55 pm
A true hawk fan,
What do you expect the players to say when they are asked if woody deserves an extension? Do u want them to say “no” on the record?
Plus how you can tell somebody’s true feelings, is what do they do when their backs are against the wall? These guys quit on woody in the playoffs.
Its disappointing that professionals would quit like the hawks did, an its not woody’s fault. But the players stopped listening to him, so a change was needed.
Northcyde,
Larry drew will also need the fans support, especially if JJ leaves.
darrell starks
June 12th, 2010
6:59 pm
Northcyde poor comment, fans always first if only you new that just like BURGER KING, WENDYS, or any bussiness on the market if no one buys then bussiness fold, but if you have good product and your consistent then the consumer will support you and your franchise will grow but looking at all the sport team in the ATL HAWKS, BRAVES, FALCONS, 1 CHAMPIONSHIP in 40years of sports thats loserville all the way, and remember this no one remember second place thats still a failure because the next season is not promising.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Thomas
June 12th, 2010
6:59 pm
Let Joe go and get us a real center with part of the money you’re going to pay him. I know you can find another shooter that won’t stymie the offense the way he did this past year. Heck I watched that Salmon guy just have our lunch in Milwaukee and those guys in Charlotte and they did not disappear in important games either.
Anyway, congratulations to you, Mr. Drew and make us proud.
OK
June 12th, 2010
7:08 pm
With Drew being the HC this just confirms that we need to draft a PG like Sherron Collins. A PG who won’t be JJ’s lil Bytch and just pass the ball to him and get out of the way.
drmaryb
June 12th, 2010
7:08 pm
Truth Serum
@1250 PM your fantsatic editorial to Blue – Ray? It got me fired up today.
Your points were eloquent, passionate and full of life! That ish was tugging on my heart strings (I.e. Perkinje fibers of the bicuspid and tricuspid valves). -wink-
What I loved most was that you addressed Blue-Ray by the name that I gave him.
His Mamma named him Big-Ray – but I call him Blue-Ray.
I told him like Eddie Murphy told Eddie Murphy in the barber shop in “Coming to America”
Re: Cascous Clay -vs- Muhammad Ali … (Back – Drop) to say.
I Love Blue – Ray and like every baller, he needed a catchy handle.
You are the only blogger besides me, that has ever called him by his handle!
That really made my day! Thanks! I Love you too! But, you already have a potent name:
Truth Serum! I like it and I will support it! -wink, wink- ;0
-mary ellen-
Birdman
June 12th, 2010
7:48 pm
Real reason for hire… Hawks are cheap I’m sure they got a bargain in Drew.. They aren’t willing to put out the money to get a Doc Rivers, Phil Jackson, or Stan Van Gundy… Predictable and I am afraid the results will be predictable also, much the same as this year…. Looks like the Hawks will continue to wallow in mediocrity….
jhan
June 12th, 2010
7:51 pm
Truth – how many titles did Jordan, Kobe & Shaq win BEFORE Phil Jackson was their coach? I understand you need the players but coaching is a huge part of winning. If not why doesn’t every owner in the league put their little brother as coach & pay them $100K per year?
Birdman
June 12th, 2010
7:54 pm
Real reason for hire Hawks are cheap!! I am sure they got a bargain basement deal for Drew… The hawks owners aren’t willing to put out the cash to snag a coach like Doc Rivers, Sam Van Gundy or Phil Jackson…. Very predictable and i’m afraid the results will be predictable also much the same as this year was!! Looks like the Hawks are willing to continue wallowing in mediocrity…. Never the less good luck Drew and Hawks….
Simpdawg
June 12th, 2010
7:54 pm
I read this on RealGM.com
The Hornets are back in luxury tax territory heading into the 2010-11 season and Marc Stein of ESPN.com writes that they will likely be active on the trade market.
Rival teams will try to convince New Orleans to trade Chris Paul, but it’s much more likely that they’ll part with promising backup point guard Darren Collison.
Stein writes that the Hornets will likely ask any team interested in Collison to also take one of their cap-clogging contracts — Emeka Okafor, James Posey or Peja Stojakovic.
Birdman
June 12th, 2010
7:55 pm
sorry about the duplicate post I didn’t think the 1st one took…
Rondo
June 12th, 2010
8:02 pm
Birdmess-Who is Sam Van Gundy
ILL-logical
June 12th, 2010
8:03 pm
Interesting POV:http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/larry-drews-path-to-547783.html