Atlanta Hawks: Larry Drew is the choice for coach

1st

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Worst possible hire, I will be shocked if he has the job in 2 years.

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Enter your comments here

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Wow! I thought they were waiting on Doc. I hope Mr. Drew will use his bench.

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Atlanta Hawks at there Best.

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Speaking of a bench, can we put Bibby and Marvin there to strengthen it?

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Good luck. I hope he can become the next Phil Jax.

FYI Phil Jax was the asst to Doug Collins. And ya’ll know the rest.

Lets just cross our fingers that he isn’t anythhing like Woody’s sorry butt.

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I think it was a good choice, because they should have named him the head coach when Billy Knight wanted to fire WOODY. I hope he brings that uptempo style of play like the KINGS and LAKERS of the west coast. It was DREW who always coached the HAWKS summer league teams, and I hope Randolph Morris resigns with the hawks because I believe Drew will give him a chance to play.

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i know nothing about larry drew
really thought it was going to be casey

can anyone tell me something good about him?

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Considering the options, not bad, not bad at all. You can actually call this the safer option. Now we can finally move on.

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Of course it’s Larry Drew.
Way to go…again.

Same goal as the last 30 years: 2nd round of playoffs.

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I should say I wasn’t a fan of Mark Jackson anyway, though.
Judging by his playoff announcing, he would try to sign Nate Robinson to a long-term deal and make him his common-law wife (or husband…depending).

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Next, we all wonder how ASG manages to hire Larry Drew and give JJ max.

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not mad at the decision. form what I heard through the reports here is that he has a very different philosophy and we won’t have to worry about a coach coming in and not knowing player personalities. Now the first thing he needs to do is to establish an authority system, which would have been easier with a high profiled coach, but as long as they are backing him he should be fine.

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I don’t like this at all, and there is nothing they can do to change my mind. They should have just kept Woody instead

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wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is the best possible guy we could come up with? i hope i’m terribly wrong–but this is a joke! i will admit to saying “anyone but woody.” i sure hope i’m wrong! go hawks–this team better respond now!

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Way to make a splash, Atlanta Spirit. You signed the Mo Evans of potential coaches.

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Larry Drew also played and coached for the LAKERS and he was a 1st round draft pick as a point guard. I will take him over Rev. MARK JACKSON. I cant stand another hand down, man down comment, or mama there go that man.

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Marion Campbell, anyone?

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anyone notice this came out on a Friday night so everyone will forget about it by Monday.

This franchise is a damn joke, Micheal Gearon is a joke, I’d rather just have steve belkin take over.

No offense to Larry Drew though, he used to come into my restaurant and get blitzed, pretty ok guy.

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I like it. Glad this is over with.

Still do not understand the people on here who hate the hire already. You don’t know, yet, how this will work out. So, stop acting like you do. Because you don’t.

I am most interested to see how the offense looks. One thing Sekou said about Coach Drew is that his offense is way more sophisticated than Mike Woodson’s. Looking forward to seeing that.

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Hey Larry, old buddy……Need an assistant coach? I’ll teach the switching D!

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Congrats to coach Drew. I hope he has a plan for with JJ, and without JJ. And I hope he doesn’t bring back ty hill and Bob Bender.
Would he hire woody to be his defensive assistant? J/k.

I hope rick sund will make some moves, because the team needs some tweaking.

Ironically, if BK and woody had allowed drew to leave when he wanted to, he probably Would not have been selected as HC.

No wonder they say everything happens for a reason.

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JUST PROVES THAT THE HAWKS NEED NEW OWNERSHIP. MONEY HAD TO BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR.

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Wow

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congratulations Mr. Larry Drew! You really deserve a shot at coaching. I wish you best luck, and more importantly, I hope you prove these doubting Thomas’ wrong with your hard work. May the Lord almighty guide you through. Once again, congratulations! Keep it coming brother

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Congratulations Larry Drew !!!! You REALLY deserve this shot as HEAD COACH. We wish you the best of luck, and more importantly, WE hope you GET US TO THE NEXT LEVEL with your hard work AND your ability to WORK THEM HARD. Once again, congratulations! Keep it coming MY brother.

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As long as he can establish a half-court offense an the players respect an listen to him we should be good.

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“Great” coaches have great players.

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Despite working with and for Woody, Larry Drew is his own man and will make his own decisions. Unlike Woody, he has the respect of the Hawks players. He will have to prove that he is different.

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The move might make sense if Drew decides to push his offense philosphy on the team and make the decisions Woody couldn’t or wouldn’t. Sit down with Josh Smith and tell him that he’s not going to stand for that childish disrespect he often showed to Woody. Make Marvin realize that he has the skills and potential to be a hellava small forward if he stop being so damn scared and play hard night in and night out. Force ASG and Sund to go get a true center and move Al to power forward. Give the team to Teague and insist that JOE and BIBBY guide the youngster like Garnett, Pierece and Ray Ray did Rondo. And by all means, run, run, run. Be the only Eastern Confrence Team that has a West Coast mentality and by the seasons end, have teams dreading to face the Atlanta Hawks. Dammit Man…do it.
BTW….I told Woody that if he didn’t play Teague and get that kid into the flow before the playoffs that he would be sleeping with the fishes. Can anyone say Tony Soprano…..forgetaboutit!!!!!

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I have an open mind about it myself. If we were not going to be able to get Doc, know one here knows for certain whether we could have done better or not. Congrats and good luck to you Drew!

I for one am just glad they had the sense to finally get rid of Woody, whose offense and lack of flexibility I was sick of.

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I hope he can work the refs better, like you see Doc doing the whole game.

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@ Section 303

They hate it for the same reasons why people may hate our upcoming 1st round draft pick. If fans feel that there are better players than the one we picked, then they’re going to be mad.

Same with the coach.

Our coaching candidates were Avery, Casey, Drew, and Jackson. In other words . . . a coach who has been to the NBA Finals, 2 assistant coaches, and a TV commentator who used to be an ex-PG.

Meanwhile, you look up in Cleveland, and you see ex-championship or NBA Finals caliber coaches being mentioned for that job.

That’s why they’re mad. They feel we hired the least common denominator.

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Just like empty barrels make most noise, you television viewers do the most complaining. You guys need to go to South Africa and watch the world’s most popular sport, SOOOOOOOOOCER.

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HoopsHype

For all you Avery Johnson LOVERS, goto hoopshype.com, scroll half-way down the page and read all the dirt on Avery! They didn’t call him little general for nothing! I knew there was something about him that I didn’t like, but wow! I didn’t know he was a narcissistic – sociopath too!

Thank God we dodged that bullet! If that is who yall wanted here? You have no RIGHT to complain about
Larry Drew!

And, for all the jack-azzes on here that said anybody is better than Woodson? STHU! You got your wish.
For all of us who supports whoever the coach is & blame the GM for at least not building a complete team:
1 to 5 & a stacked bench (the real culprit), let’s wait and see what happens before the complaining starts!

CLYDE
I dare you to say – one damned word! You got what YOU lobbied for to ad – nauseam-sp!!!!!

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Let’s not jump the gun, I remember a team called the Falcons hired a coach 3 years ago named mike smith and everyone was saying this is bad and who is this, but now they look like genuises not saying Drew will be as successful but give the man time and then will see.

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Well, if you don’t want to pay the coach much, this is a good move. The fact of the matter is that this roster has likely reached its ceiling. That isn’t attractive to most guys on the market. Add the “Joe Johnson is a goner” factor and, well, Larry Drew is the coach we get.

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Doesn’t bode well for Sund – Casey was his boy!

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not the sexy pick, but a safe pick of new head coach.

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We’re screwed.. bye atlanta hawks basketball.

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Dhunt get a clue this is a bad hire.he will be no better than Terry Stots and some of the other bad choices over the years.

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Dwayne Casey looked like a perfect fit! What happened?

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UFA

Tyson Chandler to opt out of contract for 2010 @ $12.6 Milly? mmmmhh…….

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Cheap way out, cheap way out, cheap way out, cheap way out, cheap way out, cheap way out !

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My opinion of the Atlanta Spirit group is once again vindicated!!!

Any guess on how this will affect ticket sales? A spike upwards, no change, a spike downwards??

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I don’t think any of the “final three” were worth REAL consideration. Only a LBJ or Wade-like signing could save this franchise.

I’d like to thank the Hawks for making my decision. I won’t be renewing my season tickets.

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Les Miserables!

Some people are miserable – no matter what? They have no facts, stats or dirt on Drew, but, yet andstill complain?

They complain for the sake of complaining.
They whine for the sake of whining.
They cry for the sake of crying.

That’s what natural born haters do!
They hate for the sake of hating.
Some hate because he’s black
Some hate because they don’t know him
Some hate because they are haters

Ignore them, get your Scroll-On!
The glass is full now, let’s celebrate that and move on. We need to shift the focus back to the roster:

1. Re-sign our best player, Mr. Johnson
2. Draft the best big available @ #24
3. Give Teague the damned ball

Again, congratulations Mr. Drew, you have earned an opportunity of a lifetime, to be the HC of a NBA roster!

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First of all, congratulations are in order for Drew.

Best wishes. His eventual success will be OUR joy.

Let’s hope that it will materialize.

Second, it’s unfair to disqualify someone just because he was a member of a staff. He tried to go away a while ago to pursue his own career SEPARATELY FROM WOODY, but was not allowed to walk.

This tells us two things: he was seen as valuable and knowledgeable by Woody, but drew himself was already fed up with Woody’s lack of acceptance of his input and was not there “just for the pay check”.

Third, it was widely reported by Sekeu that Drew disagreed strongly of Woody’s work and did not get him to accept any of his input.

That alone proves – IMO – that he knew what most of us knew already: Woody’s Hawks were a house of cards.

Fourth, yes, it is a low profile choice and a choice which does not bring the fresh air which sometimes is necessary but:

Avery has not proven to be successful in the post season with two crash and burn situations and a bad rep as a guy who gets into everyone’s nerves.

Casey has been reported by Wolves’ bloggers cited by some one over here as a Woody mark 2.0.

Mark Jackson’s signing would certainly be a “sexy” move by the ASG but why is he deserving of more trust than a guy who has been in the league for 30 years as a player and assistant coach?

Finally, if this was not Sund’s choice, which seems pretty obvious, how does he fell now?

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I’d like to know how many of you cry babies were part of the interview process, especially when Larry Drew interviewed. Can anyone give us a clue how well Mark Jackson acquitted himself in displaying his knowledge of the Hawks, and what it actually takes to be a HC, especially an NBA HC?

I think LDrew will be a better HC with JJ than Casey or Jackson would be without him. Larry Drew definitely gives the Hawks a better chance of resigning JJ and correcting what ailed the team under Woodson. His NBA experience as a quality PG that played good DEF, and used speed, quickness and penetrating ability to be successful, will certain help Teague.

And before some of you cry babies say anything, there’s no way he could have helped Teague all that much as an assistant if Woodson refused to play him and take advantage of what he learned. It’s amazing how some of you can be so jaded and out of touch with reality. Those who wanted Avery Johnson, or someone other than LDrew, conveniently forget that he was an assistant under Don Nelson, who, like Woodson, had lost the ear of his players.

Nelson was fired during the season and replaced by his top assistant, Avery Johnson. The subsequent results speak for itself. We have far too many KNOW IT ALL fans, who actually know very little. Rather than make an A$$ of myself by prejudging the man without knowing a damned thing about his situation, his interview, knowledge or ability, I’ll give him my support and see what he does, just like I did with Woodson.

CONGRADULATIONS HC LARRY DREW, AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

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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

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Tell those su$$res DRMARYB

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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.

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great post drmaryb!

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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…

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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.

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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 !

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JUST LIKE THE HAWKS DONT WANT TO SPEND ANY MONEY ON A REAL COACH. MOREOF THE SAME!

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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.

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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.

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I hope he signs his son, Larry Drew II, so we can get him out of Chapel Hill & start winning again.

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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.

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Some people are mind readers. Can anyone tell me what the power ball numbers will be for Saturday?

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@N.D.T.K.A

But Rome was built!

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“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

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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

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We need to trade Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.

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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.

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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

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IN AN ARTICLE WE HEARD ABOUT THE MODEL DREW PRESENTED AND HOW ASTONISHING IT WAS. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT HE SAID?

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tHE BIGGEST QUESTION IS WHO WILL HIS ASSISTANTS BE? CAN WE HAVE SOME SPECIALISTS RATHER THAN THESE CRAPPY SCRUBS LIKE JIM TODD?

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Glad I don’t think about suicide much anymore

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POETIC JUSTICE!!

WHATZ UP BUBBA CREW?

LMAO. SUND HASNT GOT A CLUE.

THAT IS FUNNY AS SHYYT.

IM STILL LAUGHING……

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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!

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I CANT STOP LAUGHING! WHAT UP SAUTEE? GRANDAD? HAHAHAHAHJAHJ

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well talent wins. i know nba coach is a notch above mlb manager in importance, but i wanted a guy who could draw up a decent play when the team needed a basket. that wasn’t woody & this guy was standing next to woody the whole time. maybe they got tired of woody’s voice, but how different could his be….forget mark jackson, mark price would have seemed a better option!! i’m depressed…not even sure why. maybe i’m wrong, i don’t know how good larry drew could be, but i knew dwayne casey wasn’t bad…heck he was even ok…and that was enough for me. coaching matters more when u lack a supreme talent ie wade, kobe, lbj . hope your the guy when can make this team the 2004 pistons, larry. GOOD LUCK!! you’ll need it.

p.s. the pistons played hard.

p.p.s. larry drew was there all this time when they weren’t playing hard. i’m sad…

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Is Lary Drew willing to move his azz to Atlanta from Woodland Hills, California and start paying Ga taxes? If he doesn;t move to atlanta, it shows he not TOTALLY committed to the organization.

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You are kidding right?

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Typical Atlanta Hawk decision.

Didn’t Larry Drew want to leave a few years go and Billy wouldn’t let him?

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Correction, how much are they paying Drew to sit on the bench?

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HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Way to go ASG. This is just to laughable. The ASG is just PATHETIC, I mean really. Anyone buying tickets to hawk or Thrasher games are just plain out SUCKERS…sorry, I really am…sorry that Atlanta fans are stuck with one of the WORST if not the WORST ownerships in all sports. The fans here deserve so much better. This ownership if a effing disgrace…Gearon and the others are just morons on the cheap and that is the best that can be said about them. What a complete waste of time these two teams are.

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I don’t think Sund wanted Larry Drew. I think he wanted Casey. This was all the Spirit Group. They wanted to get the cheapest option available.

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Whoop dee damn Drew….

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Grand-Daddy

I feel your pain! When you feel better post me up! If you need a shoulder or a hug – I’m here.
I will not be able to blog as much either, but for different reasons! I got to go pay some bills at my offices,
but these owners have worn me out too, with all the unnecessary, childish drama that they perpetrate in this city.

Too many irons in the fire for my taste. Let’s all go get some sleep and remember:

“This too shall pass”

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Ken Strick, don’t cap out me like that dawg…u killing my moniker. lol

I said I hope we are not back in two years. As I stated previously…I always liked LDrew…I wish him the best. I’m eager to hear his take on the team. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds.

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great hire by rick sund.now lets see can we go out and add the neccessary pieces we need to get to the next level.first, they need to resign joe johnson then go after that neccesary big man(s)no nba team ever won the title without a good big man.lets get it done drew.you’re the man now.hopefully we will get an identity.hope its up tempo and pressure on defense.thats the kind of players we have.marvin and josh would definitely excel in an up tempo style.

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Any reaction yet from Childress?

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[...] Well, here we are. As reported by Hawks beat writer Michael Cunningham, Larry Drew has been named head coach. [...]

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In al seriousness though, I saw Drew coach at a Clinic and he was very good. He’s def more intellegent than Mike Woodson but……

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We are so screwed. Ascending program to descending. We are so screwed.

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I find it very hard to believe that Sund two coaching hiring’s been to resign the current coach and then hired the top assistant on the coaching staff that he chose not to resign the aforementioned coach.

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The Hawks are going in circles

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Ok.

So Larry Drew.

I’m not thrilled about it, a little surprised, but I really shouldn’t be. All things considered, this move really made the most sense (notice the words *all things considered*). Sund did his due dillegence interviewing a couple of other candidates, and he and the ASG ultimately came back to Drew.

I’m willing to wait and see what Drew can do with this bunch…

Woody’s gone, but will his ways remain? I’ve heard Drew isn’t anything like Woody, but now we’ll see first-hand whether or not this is true.

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Everybody knows that Hawks fans are fair-weather by nature! Y’all can’t wait until YellowJacket or Dawgz football season starts. Hell, you support the lackluster Falcons more than the Hawks!! So stop all the pomp and nonsense about your new coach…half of y’all won’t even show up at a game & support your team! Signed..Carolina Katz

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I was going parting tonight untill some one gave me the bad news wow.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Can Drew get rid of Mike Bibby? I see in his bio. that Drew played for the Sacramento Kings, does Drew have a soft spot for Bibby or will he bench or trade Bibby since Bibby can’t run or play defense?

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ha,ha… now we know who place the knife in Woody’s back….lol

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These boards sounded the same when the Falcons hired Mike Smith. No one is complaining now about him. Give this guy a shot. I’m betting JJ will be back now.

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People was starting 2 come back and support the hawks like back in the days when nique was on the team and ASG blew the the whistle like this, if the hawks don’t sign joe back and add a star player 2 the team there will be no more than 3,000 fan at the games i guarantee.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

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Wont get my season tickets until i see us make some moves on the roster.make me feel like I should spend my hard earned money,unlike some people in this organization.

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Folks in L.A. and Chicago said the same things when Pat Riley and Phil Jackson were hired….assistant coaches who had not been head guys before. I’m not saying Drew will be as succeesful as they are, I’m just saying that every great head coach was an assistant at one time or another. Can’t believe they were even considering Jackson. The man has NO coaching experience at any level.

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this is a dumb hiring we should have gotton avery johnson while we had the chance. Oh well if this guy is smart he will get joe johnson to sign and trade him for sombody to add depth to the bench and get a high draft pick and get cole aldrich and then sign josh childress back and start him and keep jamal has the six man. starting line up . 1. Mike Bibby
2. Josh Childress
3. Josh Smith 6th man. Jamal Crawford
4. Al Hoford
5. Cole Aldrich
oh and i almost forgot marvin on the bench so it adds depth to the bench.

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As always, seems like the Hawks are going the cheapest route again.

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Congrats!!!!!!

If Teague is the starting PG next season, he will have my vote. This is a great move if JJ comes back, but if he doesn’t….it sucks.

I bet he told SUND he could turn Marvin into a 15-18pts scorer….

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Look, this isn’t so terrible. This ownership group has always liked Drew, and why isn’t he as good or better than casey or jackson or whoever else hasn’t already had success as a head coach. He’ll be fine, if what they say about the players respecting him and different styles on both offense or defense. We were all just hoping for something surprising, but this hire isn’t necessarily a bad thing

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Sund didn’t make this choice, the ASG did. Wish him luck, but I’m not too thrilled right now.

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If Marvin is moved to the bench, Drew might be our man. If he starts, same ole, same ole. Just have to wait and see.

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I have no idea whether Drew is a future Hall of Famer or a bust, but like the rest of y’all, I hope this works out for the best… just like I did with Woody.

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Terrible hire. I’m officially done with this team. Until there is new ownership, down with the hawks and thrashers!

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People, in order to run run, run, like Phoenix you must have shooters. If JJ leaves, who do we have?

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I called it… Hawks fired their coach because he wanted a raise and they can get this guy for less. This is not really an improvement but he should fit right in with the culture in Atlanta.

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Rufus1, why do I have the feeling that Gladyr will become a mythical character, just like Anderson? Must have been 3 or 4 years hearing about how Anderson was developing, but he never came over here and played on the Hawks.

Can’t wait to hear my first update on Gladyr’s progress. This organization loves to creates legends out of myths.

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@Rufus1 That will never happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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@Rufus1 That’s to much like right!!!!!!!!!!!

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Howdy boys, there’s a new sheriff in town, welcome sheriff drew. but seriously, head coaches were usually assistant coaches before the lead position becomes theirs. drew may blow everyone away at his press conference and put the atlanta hawk fans at ease. i hope he does so that the vibe of the blog will change.

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Great Coach Drew!! Now ask Mark Jackson if he would like to be your top assistant for the Hawks..JJ and the rest of the team would continue to praise you for your decisions so far. They will continue to respect your choices for the new season..Fans, give him a chance to earn your respect, dont cut him down before he gets the chance to climb!!

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Not a bad decision at all, Woody jus straight up would ignore this guy on the sidelines, he is already familiar with our problems and knows what makes our players tick, his son plays for unc so he obviously coached him into being a good player, so imo great hire

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So, so, so disappointed. Same old crap from the same old crap owners. Is this progress? Really hard to cheer for this organization.

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MsDee, Amen

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GREAT HIRE!!! ALL YOU HATERS – TOO BAD YOU WILL CONVENIENTLY FORGET YOUR DISGUST WHEN WE ADVANCE IN THE PLAYOFFS AND WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP. BUT WE FORGIVE YOU – IN ADVANCE. WE WILL MAKE ROOM FOR YOU (AGAIN) ON THE DREW BANDWAGON. GO HAWKS!!!

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Again I think Coach Drew will be an upgrade from Woody. The league has switch again were point guards are a hot item. Being a former point himself, I think he will make sure that Teague gets the summer work he needs to run this ball team. Albet I think Bibby is out of his league, his experience and leadership will be valuable for Teague as he make that transistion. Now, getting Josh to stay in his lane, Marvin to play with some balls, Al to continue to be the beast, a true center, no more Iso Joe, and a strong deep bench will be another issue for the Coach to deal with. It starts with Teague. Can the kid really be as good as they predict him to be? He can make the new Coach look good or like Woody in a heartbeat. I really believe that Coach Drew will take this point guard to the side and give him the business. He has the skills, speed and ability to be great. Let’s hope he can deliver. I want to believe that Joe will resign but than again, I want to believe in the HAWKS.

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Wow. kinda of anti-climactic been that BK attempted to make this very move 2 years ago but was stopped by non other than the ASG. This is not the sexy pick but who cares as long as we develope a decent offensive scheme to go with all this talent. Plus Jamal Crawford’s rationale was as good as any: Drew knows the ends and outs of this team, the flaws and the tweaks that need to be made to make us a better squad. Good Luck to Drew.

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This is not good at all. We(the fans) can’t never get what we want from any of our atlanta teams. He needs to win the press conference and say fans I understand your concerns. I didn’t know what Mike Woodson was doing as a coach either. Lord Help Us!!!!!!!!!

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One reason $$, they could get Drew on the cheap. The ASG group is happy with crap BB.

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Hopefully we will trade him before his value completely evaporates into thin air….

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bfd who cares about the hawks

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Sure,we’d all like Drew to make it…..but we’d also like the Hawks to make it.

This team needed a talent…not a would be second banana to a fifth rate monkey brain.

.

Crawford’s cool, but totally off the mark here.

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Does a team with 53 wins hire a coach that “could” work out? And why should any fan settle for that?
This is about money. The owners picked the person they could get for cheap. 3 years? No one with head coaching experience would take a 3 year deal. It’s about the Benjamins!

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“This is about money. The owners picked the person they could get for cheap. 3 years? No one with head coaching experience would take a 3 year deal. It’s about the Benjamins!.”

I have news for you.

Three year deals are more normal than you think. Most coaches have signed them, it’s how things work in this League.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks won Coach of the Year last year. He just signed a 2 year extension, so there’s more evidence.

Three year deals are more normal than you think. Most coaches have signed them, it’s how things work in this League. Tom Thibodeau just signed a 3 year deal to be the new head coach of the Bulls.

Monty Williams, new head coach for the Hornets? 3 year contract.

I can keep this up all day…

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I think I just repeated myself in that last post.

I think I just repeated myself in that last post.

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This was a true “no brainer”. In a bad way. This is the NBA, not High School Basketball. The Hawks have made yet another horrible decision. The fan support will start to vanish and soon the Hawks and Thrashers will be leaving for another city. But, maybe that’s what the Spirit Group wants. Their decisions seem to only put money in their pockets and not fans in the seats. I hope I’m wrong but I’m usually not.

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is it irony or my cynicism, didnt billy knight essentially get a vote of no confidence just two and half years ago for wanting this move made? u;timately he left the hawks because the big dogs wouldnt listen to him. not saying it wont work but you gotta ask is this organization credible?

on the bright side i would assume if they were smart this is a locker room hire that makes sense. if the locker room essentially says the asame things as drew did and approve of him then there is an a ready made accountability system. it also might mean it is “easier” to keep jj on the roster if he approved the hire. i would assume there would have been some discussion with the players about the hires and the preferences at least in style if not in name.

good luck larry drew, got your back for now. just a true fan.

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Doc ,

That’s the point. We have to be able to separate the “why” from the “what.” It should bother us how the decision came, we do have credibility issues where ownership is concerned. On the other hand, where Drew is concerned, the thing that matters is what he does in this job. If it works out, people will very quickly forget the so-called debacle surrounding his hire.

And what will the other coaches we “coulda had” look like in 3 years? Will Thibodeau wear out his welcome in Chicago in 3 years, the way Scott Skiles did? Remember when Byron Scott was all the rage? He got fired from two teams. How does that make him a great coach? What happens when Avery Johnson meets up with the Nets and their cast of young, unproven players? Last I knew, he was dealing with veterans. What if Rod Thorn decides he has had enough?

In the end, the grass always seems greener on the other side. Until you get there, that is.

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I’m not mad,
I’m not glad,

An interesting time
by all to be had.

Just get me a staff
and some players too

Let’s play some games
before we judge Larry Drew.

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All right y’all!!! Had a little sleep, some oatmeal & coffee this morning, so I feel good(da-da-dada=da-da-da) I realize why some people are disappointed with the ASG & Larry Drew. It’s like your best friend is getting married, and he chose someone else to be the best man. Well, when you look at it from a different perspective, the ASG made the correct call, I don’t think money was the main issue, though it may have played a part in it. They wanted Avery Johnson, and I believe they were willing to pay whatever, but his stipulations were way over the fence. And when he went to New Jersey, Drew became the logical choice. I sir, have to concur with that decision. I opine that Avery Johnson didn’t so much want full control of the team, as it was that he didn’t want to be dealing with the structure of the organization itself. tried to cancel out the owners. On the surface it does seems arrogant, and that he is “The Little General”, but I say, “give the man credit for a shrewd move”. Since, everyone here believes the ASG shot down Rick Sund’s wanting to hire D. Casey,here’s this scenario. the hiring of Casey would have given Sund another voice, strenghtening his position. Shrewd move for the ASG. Mark Jackson……no confidence vote. That left L. D.- the L is for “logical” And if you look at his resume, you have to agree that he does indeed have some head coaching experience. He coached the rooks, the 2cd, and 3rd year players in the summer sessions. Come on y’all !! Get behind this guy, what’s there to lose. Support can work the same way for a coach, as it can for a player…………………………………….Peace from the most Native

Shout to Big Ray!!! where the heck is your blog man?

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He who laugh last laugh best!!!

LMAO!

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We could have had Bob Weiss for less….Helll we did get the black bob weiss. Poetic justice baby. woodson has got to love this!

Yeah the hawk will be world class contenders now…..LMAO again!

This definitely sends a statement to the NBA.

On a more serious note I guess that means lebron wont be coming here.

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To the rear… M-A-R-C-H!!

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It definitely sends a statement to the Atlanta fans. The ASG is making the statement that we are cheap, we are stupid and we are LOSERS. Nothing against Drew, but Gearon and the rest of the morons that own this team are not going to make a real committment to bring a top notch contender to Atlanta, and if this does not prove it then your head is buried in the sand…sorry, nothing personal…but the ownership flat out sucks and is just pathetic.

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DOUBLE TO THE REA..R M-A-R-C-H!

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the Spirit does it again—-let’s see how little money we can spend—-this is the Thrashers experience all over again—-hire the cheapest guy we can find——looks like we will get the winning traditions his years at New Jersey and Washington and under Woodson have resulted in

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“Hey, it was a tough decision any way you go. If it doesn’t turn out, it’s the wrong decision. If it turns out, maybe it was the right decision, I don’t know.”

STRONG WORDS, RICK!

I feel like Joe and LBJ are the same in that ATL and CLE fans are terrified to say anything that will disturb them one bit and that they’d ditch the town if anyone perturbed them.

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A CHANCE!!!!!

We have to give Drew atleast the draft and free agency, before we begin to pass judgement….

J.DAWG & Section 303

Woodson didn’t want anyone to challenge his favorite offensive players…Why else wood Mario have a roster spot and why our bench was never developed. If we had a legit 7ft player, Al or Josh would have to come off the bench…Who would Woodson have benched?

Drew would go along way to convincing me he is the right guy, with his player acquisition. Sergi maybe as good a shooter as Bibby or Crawford, but may cost 1mil or less. A 7ft shot blocker and rebounder would put Al, Josh and Marvin on notice.

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MC ,

One of these days, I’ll learn to log off before coming over to hang out at your blog. My bad…

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Ray I appreciate the shout out. It just goes to show that truth is stranger than fiction. It does challenge all logic that you would fire a 50+ wins coach who has shown steady improvement with the teams growth and hire his assistant who he was grooming… The only way I could justify this would be to say a) coach’s dont win games players do so I really dont want to exhaust my capital on a coach but rather the players.b) attract a big name player who says that the reason for there coming here was because Sund hired Woodson’s assistant coach and I believe there is now a clear path to competing for a championship. .

But then reality sets in and I realize that this is a ‘BRAIN FART” OF GASTRIC PORPORTIONS!’

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@Jody

June 11th, 2010
6:47 pm
Though I don’t quite understand this, congratulations to Mr. Drew.
****************************************************************************

My sentiments exactly.

Good Luck Larry, just remember, the higher we soar the smaller we appear to those that cannot fly!!

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I bet that will sell alot of tickets.Should have hired Bobby Cox!

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To the rea..r M-A-R-C-H!!

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Now that the hiring has been made, I have no reason not to fully support Drew. I think he will do great in the new role.

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I feel you ramon, its not about trying to win championships. It about marshmallows, tulips and a kinder gentler approach. Who cares if we done win championship what counts is that we had a chance to play. Thats what important. Some one has to be a door matt so why not our hawks.

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HOW DOES THIS MAKE THE HAWKS A BETTER TEAM AND GETS THEM CLOSER TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP RING.

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Hawks don’t want to win, just look at what Cleveland’s offered Coach Izzo. The Hawks want to play with the Cleveland’s and Boston’s but have yet to make a quality move.Hawks just don’t want to invest in quality coaches or players but they want us the fan to invest our hard earned money into a subpar team & unheard coaching staff with NO head coaching experience………Wow, nothing against coach Drew I wish him the best, but he’s not the answer. Let me guess the next more, lose Joe Johnson & bring back Childress, I wonder how much the owners will SAVE with that move…………I’m done!

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Rot in heck, Atlanta Spirit.

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Like some of the others, my main concern is can Drew be tough enough? Can he be firm with players when he needs to be? Will he put Josh Smith on the bench when he’s pouting and loafing?
Can he be a strong leader? Drew knows the game. We’ll see if he can step up and be a head coach.

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Melvin

June 11th, 2010
10:41 pm

ha,ha… now we know who place the knife in Woody’s back….lol
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……………………..

LMAO

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What’s so hard about giving this guy a chance? At least he knows the team.

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make sure we keep Mark Price as an asst coach

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Irrespective of which of the three were chosen, my reaction would be the same:

Wait until you actually SEE the team play.

Those who are wallowing in negativity are foolishly wasting their energy. It’s a lot like young children not getting their way.

But for those who seem to need hope, I’ll offer this thought:

Pat Riley and Phil Jackson were both assistant coaches who were promoted from within. Combined they have 14 rings.

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I thought the hawks shoulda interviewed Vinny

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I read that they gave him a 3 year contract on Yahoo Sports, although they’ve proved to be error-prone on occasion. I just wannna see the press conference. I’m pretty sure the journalists will have some of the same questions we have and I’d like to see what Drew’s ideas are and what was so impressive about his interview.

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I feel as though I traded in my Camry for an Accord.

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Congratulations Coach Drew. You are embarking on a challenging journey that offers a great risk-reward ratio. The next couple of years will be a trying time for you and your family as you make the adjustments to your new status and its attendant responsibilities and demands.However, the success that every Hawks fan desires is within reach as well. Best wishes and good luck!

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Truth Serum ,

I don’t know for sure if this was even Sund’s decision. I know Avery was talked to about the job three times (reportedly). I know that all of the candidates were put in front of the owners by Sund. This likely came down to what the owners wanted, not what Sund ultimately wanted, but it’s Sund’s job to take the heat.

I can’t say that Drew will fail or succeed, I can only watch. What I do like is that he knows this team, and a stranger wouldn’t have that advantage. As for Sund, he has his work cut out for him this summer, ESPECIALLY if Joe Johnson does not stick around.

I don’t think promoting Drew was necessarily a step backwards, but time will prove that to be wrong or right. We shall see. However, whether or not Joe re-signs, and what Sund does to offset that if he doesn’t, will have a huge impact on whether this team goes backwards or forwards. Not to say that Drew won’t impact this as well, but you just can’t replace on court production.

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O’brien ,

A 3 year deal is the norm, the median, the average. You don’t see 4 and 5 year deals happen all that often. Not even with the bigger guns, sometimes. The deal for Larry Drew is two years guaranteed, with an option for the third year.

Is he getting paid a few bucks less than the other guys (Thibodeau, Izzo if he signs, and some others)? Yeah. Should that be the focus? No. I’ll say it again: Scott Brooks won Coach of the Year. It got him a 2 year extension and probably not a top 10 paycheck. This is the nature of the business. While a coach’s salary doesn’t count against the cap, it still counts against the budget of the ownership.

The day I start complaining about a coach’s salary is the day we lose a good coach because we don’t pay him enough. Until then…I’m more concerned how much we spend for a good player. If you ask me, there wasn’t a single coach out there that was available, that was worth big money. That includes Avery Johnson, who IMHO owes part of his winning record to inheriting a very talented team with a superstar already on it….

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Big Ray, if the budget for coaching staff is $10 mil, I’d rather have the HC take up as least as possible, so the assistant staff can be as good and deep as possible. Maybe now the Hawks can afford that advance scout that they haven’t had.

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“Marvin was both Woody and Billy’s pick. Back when they were agreeing on things, that is. CP3 was considered too small, Deron too slow, and Rondo without a jumpshot”

Rondo wasn’t in that draft.

Every coach needs to look at what Doc Rivers is doing. His BENCH was playing well so the STARTERS requested for the BENCH to stay in. When was the last time Joe or Josh did something like that?

I really want to see an article about Drew’s philosophies and what he plans to do. he is not making any money as a coach (1.3 is garbage money for a coach) so I hope he still works hard

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Melvin, that was a good link. Great read.

I’m firmly in the group that does not care if Joe Johnson resigns or not. If the organization has to “sell him” on Coach Drew, then he can just leave. And, if he does come back, he owes season ticket holders an apology. I won’t get past the comments that retard made until I hear “I’m sorry” come out of his mouth.

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wuffe, good post. Don’t know if I agree on Rudy Gay, but don’t know if I disagree, either.

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drmaryb: I saw you on board & I needed to ask;
Have you read “The Shack” yet?
Let me know when you finish…Love, G-dad.

I also need to clarify my remarks from yesterday:
I wish LD all the success in the world.
Just as I did Woody [when he began].
My disappointment was not from the hiring of
Larry Drew but the entangled way that it came about.
The poor guy could not even get his 1st job, being promoted
by the home team with trumpets sounding. Only bickering
followed by crickets chirping just before the collective – Huh?.
I truly want the man to succeed.
But I’m puzzled:
owners – He’s our Alvin Gentry ???.
Alvin Gentry had the opportunity to fail [HC] , learn, fail again,
learn again under D’Antoni before he was given a 3rd chance in PHX.
LD learning what [?] under the master [ahem] Woodson.
Big Ray & Sautee I want you to know that I am pullin’ for ‘Larry’.

2 yrs. guaranteed @ 1.2 easily bought out if Doc is available after
a 1 yr hiatus. Or even as a 1.2 mil. asst. to Doc in his [LD's]
(yr.2) pre-arranged ??? something to chew on.

*Hatter* – you perked me up, my friend !
“But then reality sets in and I realize that this is a ‘BRAIN FART” OF GASTRIC PORPORTIONS!” * that was funny *

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The Hawks won 53 gms last yr, finished 3rd in the East and swept the Celtics. The Celtics won 50 gms, finished 4th in the East and was swept by the Hawks.

I want all of you delusional WOODY LOVERS to be honest with yourselves and answer honestly.

(1) Would you rather settle for what the Hawks accomplished during the regular season compared to the Celtics, or

(2) Would you rather settle for what the Celtics are currently accomplished during the playoffs?

I don’t see how you can configure your mouths to say you want the Hawks to be an elite and/or championship caliber team, and at the same time say we should have rehired HC MWoodson, after 2yrs of seeing his gross incompetence as a playoff caliber HC.

Woodson is gone, and LDrew is our new HC, so get use to it. Woodson will eventually get another job with a team that wants to rebuild, and he’ll take them as far as he can. Hopefully, he’ll learn from his mistakes and become a better HC, I certainly hope so.

Under LDrew, the Hawks will be committed to running the ball. They will also be committed to developing and playing young, quick, fast and athletic PG’s, and won’t make stupid, bone headed excuses for not doing so. You will see us use more than a 6-7 man rotation, and probably more pick and rolls, rather than ISO’s. We’ll certainly be a better DEF team, and there will be more imagination and options to our half court OFF.

Now, some of you are probably asking yourselves, how in the hell does he know all of this. Well, common sense tells me that Sund and the ASG discussed this with Drew. And since these were some of the Hawks primary problems, a solution to these problems had to be mandated before any decision was made on who they hired.

Everyone but Woodson and his WOODY LOVERS knew the Hawks were at their offensive best when they ran, and were at their defensive worst with Bibby at PG. Making Teague the primary PG, getting Marvin back on track, upgrading our half court OFF, and developing and utilizing our bench more effectively, will automatically make us a much much better team overall.

When we get JJ resigned, we’ll be the team to beat in the East. And all of you negative minded haters, who want the team to fail just because the ASG didn’t hire the HC you wanted, I hope you suffer throughout the entire season. Larry Drew might not be an entirely different voice, but he’ll present an entirely different mindset and way of getting things done. He’ll also bring with him the positive things the team had become accustomed. I think the players had a lot to do with why LDrew was hired.

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Congratulations! I wish him the very best of luck… cuz he’s gonna need it.

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Truth serum,

When you are grooming somebody, you give them more responsibility, like what doc did with thibodeau in boston. Not only was thibodeau responsible for the defense, he also shared some of the coaching duties.

When you are grooming somebody, you give them more input, use some of their suggestions.

It is widely reported how stubborn Woody was. And Woody himself sad he ignores his assistants advice.

Does that sound like grooming to you?

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[...] staff for the 2004-05 season. Drew played 714 games over 10 NBA seasons from 1980-91.Read more HERE. (No Ratings Yet)  Loading [...]

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count cadence, count ….triple to the rea…rr M A R C H!!

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This reportis perhaps the most damaging indictment against JJ to date as we enter into the FA season. I knew his stock would fall some from the sub par playoff performance but the suggestion here is that he should now be replace from the upper-echelon FA class. Forget about Lebron and Wade, according to this report, JJ name should not even be in the same conversation with players like Chris Bosh or A’mare Stoudemire. It is one thing when the FA player takes a popularity nose dive from unsubstantiated things but JJ shortcomings are well documented. The world has witness him laying eggs in the playoff on too many occasions. The word seems to out and his agent can’t spin this thing as a bad fit. The Hawk’s offense was tailor-made for JJ and he “stanked” it up. If this is truly the perception around the league about JJ, then he should check is ego at the door and rethink the Hawks last offer. That is if the want to offer the same amount of money. Maybe it’s time for Sund to play hardball or shall I say “Low-ball” here.

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Now, some of you are probably asking yourselves, how in the hell does this woody hater continue to put his foot in his mouth and talk at the same time. Sir, Do you mind taking your foot out of your mouth while you are talking. You are scaring the kids.

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Great Post Ken..1:29pm

If the only change Larry Drew makes is at the PG, then it was worth firing Woodson.

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The hiring of Drew lets me c that i need to change how i look at my job.U know what, im going to start kissing more butt and dry snitching on my fellow employees then i can b the man one day.Now i see that its ok to have a little brown on ur nose as long as you r getting ahead.Thank u Sund and ASG for my new motivations!!

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This is crazy. If you wanted the same results, why not just keep Woody? Drew learned under Woody and their coaching styles (and end results) will be the same.

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I now hate this management. Born and bred, I gotta find a team with management that knows how to hire winners. Go Spurs, Lakers, Celtics, etc.

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I agree, we should not show Kobe or Lebron Wade Bosh or JJ any more favor than we show the guy just signed from the D league.

If fact scew lebron lets build around sammy sausage head. Lets give Sammy lebrons chair.

NO team ever plays favorites.

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Atlanta for life-Didn’t the Spurs get swept in the first round by the Suns.The Spurs organization is on the decline the hawks r on the rise.

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Rondo

Not really. We could replace: Collins, Morris, West, Smith … Crawford, Teague & Zsa are good!

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The greatest 6 man in the nba crawford is tradeable come on Good Doctor.

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Hey Parker Lewis how is Jamal going to play power forward!!Your Fired!!

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Ken Strick,

Great post. I endorse all you said. I can’t imagine why the majority of us would have a problem with Drew when we have not even seen him coach a game. Can’t say I am surprised as history is replete with examples of “fair-weather” ATL fans in all sports. Just look at 2 years ago with the Falcons and what are we saying now about Mike Smith and the Falcons? I guess the expectations have risen to the ceiling there.

I wish Drew and the Hawks nothing but the best for the future and you can bet I’ll be cheering and supporting them for all 82 next year and into the post season. We have a relatively young and athletic core of players and we have not used our strongest feature to our advantage because of the philosophy of our previous coach. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate what Woody did for us but he was clearly unable to take us to the next level and we had to move on.

I also challenge anyone who is going to judge Drew because he worked under Woody. I certainly hope for their sake that if they are up for a promotion in their own jobs, that they will not be evaluated based on their previous supervisor and or manager’s performance.

I honestly think it will be a new approach by Drew and after 14 years of learning in the “catbird” seat, he can bring a lot to the HC’ing position for the Hawks. I am also sure he will utilize his assets in a much better way.

I am looking forward to the new season and hope we can get a good centre and one more dead-eye shooter.

Go Hawks!!!!

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HIGH PROFILE! HIGH PROFILE! Thas all everybody keeps saying. How do you think they became HIGH PROFILE!. You just dont wake up one morning & become HIGH PROFILE! I guess all the HIGH PROFILE coaches are going to split the trophy this year. Just because you have a HIGH PROFILE coach does not mean you are going to win the trophy. Give the man a shot..I went to 36 out of 42 home games last year & it sure look like Woody was calling all of the stupid calls in the heat of the moment. He decided to keep running ISO Joe not Drew. Now to the 26 year Hawks fan that is a fan no more because of the coach that has not coached a game yet!… you must of lost your job or something & can’t afford to go to the games anymore & need a good excuse to tell your friends why you dont go to the games anymore. I think you guys want a HIGH PROFILE! coach more then you want to win.

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Sorry Good Doctor don’t sic the old man on me.

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Jamal inconsistently scores 18 points a night in an ISO offense that caters to him.
Jamal consistently plays questionable defense.
Give me Tony Allen’s defensive stoppage over Jamal Crawford’s instant offense any time, any day.

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Ken Strickland,

Co-sign 1:29 post.

Truth serum,

How did the aggressive post presence of Dwight Howard work against the Celtics? The same Celtics who were who were swept by the hawks.

As for the JJ article, it will be interesting to see what his price demands are. I hope he is not holding out for a 6 year contract from the hawks.

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This statement by JJ is also interesting (to say the least); in light of his preceived falling stock price:

A person with knowledge of Johnson’s plans said he’s open to returning, but the new coach would have to sell him on trusting his teammates more on offense and ensure him that the team’s chemistry would improve.

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Grand-Daddy

I forgot the central question! I bought The Shack this Tuesday, but got food poisoning later that night.
Uuggh! Went to Publix & bought a rotisserie chicken and a fresh pineapple, oh yeah!
I returned it three days later after I felt better. However, I will read it tomorrow, probably in one sitting!

Thanks for asking again & I will let you know how it helped me out! -smile-

I can’t believe you said, ” Mary Ellen & Pearl” in the same sentence. People who know me, know that wearing
Pearls? Well that’s my trade mark! That’s what I am FAMOUS for…ever since 2 years old when I sneaked
Into my Mom’s (RIP) jewelry box and put on the earrings, necklace and cameo broaches to sleep in!
(Feels like you’ve known me all my life). … OK, I’ll stop from tearing! -smile-

Ok: Luke Babbit 6′9″ of Nevada under Mike Fox… I will google him! The Hawks could use a guy like that!
Looks like the consensus is not very high on Joe Johnson looking for Max Money.
In this fleeting economy, he may never see 4 years @ $60 Milly again….(Somerhing about looking a gift horse in the mouth?). That arrogance may come back and bite ole boy on the azz! Heh!

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JJ says the new coach needs to sell him on trusting his team mates more on offense; and this guy was the Hawks team leader. This is how you spell “Hog Ball” If JJ is resigned; Coach Drew job just got harder.

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Rondo

Every team needs a Tony Allen to lock down a Black-Mamba on the perimeter!
1 ball 10 hands – Everybody can’t be shooting! Tony is the biggest reason Celtics win game 4!
Are you sure your name is Rondo? Or an impersonator?

The Lakers got Ron Artest for the same role!

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IF management allow Larry Drew to trade and draft the players he will need to win a NBA champtionship, he will be a success, however if management continues to try win cheaply it will be a short Head Coaching career.

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THE ASG COULD SAVE EVEN MORE MONEY AND HAVE DREW ALSO COACH THE HOCKEY

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Starting 5

PG- J. Teague
SG – J. Johnson
SF – J. Childress
PF – J. Smith
C – A. Horford

Bench:
PG – Mike Bibby
SG – Mo Evans
SF – Marvin Williams
PF – Please trade Jamal for a legitimate 25 mpg backup big.
C – Zaza Pachulia

does this look like a championship roster?

NO but It should at the least make the playoffs as a 7th or 8th seed.

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The Truth!

Wow! Thanks for that awesome link from the bleacher report on Joe Johnson!
Like I said earlier last week, in this economy? Joe may Never see 4 & 60 Milly ever again in his career.
(See maurice Williams logic to opt in!) At 2.5 Milly.)

Also from that same link re: dirk nowitski? He has led Dallas to 10 straight years of 50 wins & playoffs!
That is relevant because he did it with a Carousel of different coaches (in spite of the arrogant lil’ general)
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!

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Hawks are cheapskates.

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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!

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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)

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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.

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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!

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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!!!!!!!!!!

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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

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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.

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pretty much.

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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.

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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

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drmaryb abosolutely!! Go Doc!

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*absolutely the Dr’s on fire!

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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!

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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…

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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.

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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

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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!!!!!!!!

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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.

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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….

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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….

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sorry about the duplicate post I didn’t think the 1st one took…

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Interesting POV:http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/larry-drews-path-to-547783.html

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Good point Ken…That what the young hawks were missing exitement and production from their bench.With or without JJ the hawks will be stable.

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Why do some of you fans feel that success of a team only mean winning championships.The Knicks haven’t won a title since the 70’s and they are still a top ten team in revenue and fan attendance.Something got to change hawks for the past few years management has put a good product out there for you fans to go see.Stop complaining fans and acting like a sidity woman that thinks she is all that.This how some of you sound “you gotta do this for me, you got do that for me Ooooo I want to see Lebron, I want to see Kobe,if you don’t do this you can’t get none”.Just Stop It Fanatics!

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HARD TIMES

You know it’s SO easy to spend other people money. For all the CHEAP accusers on the blog here,
HOW much mula dop you have. If you have $100.OO in your checking account? You are past broke and will more than likely be warming the couch on a Friday night. If, you are fortunate enough to own a couch.

Does that make you cheap or just broke? As a business owner, and many of you who support families can attest to this: it ain’t easy being resposible for all the bills!

Please be careful with all the personal attacks and name calling. Maybe ASG is really struggling to pay all the bills – yet we still have a very excitoing and competitive team. We should be thankful for that.

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since the sports culture of Atlanta and fan base is soo horrible and flawed, why do you “out-of-towners” “support”, cheer, route for the team that represents it?

folks love to hate and critique Atlanta, and usually know nothing about it.

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follow..

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drmaryb:

Bein’ a tad bit on the jealous side,
I don’t know if I can tolerate other
bloggers callin’ you Mary Ellen.
We may have to reserve that one for
yore kin. Respectfully, G-Dad.
*[especially not ol' Hatter]

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One thing i don’t like about Atl is it’s transplants from other cities they are always hating on Atl Sports and their attitudes are rubbing off on some of Atl true fans.Cities like Detroit or Clevelad have the right to complain because some of their teams stink.I just can’t understand WHY most of you fanatics complain about teams that are pretty successful and make the playoffs.

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Its said when you can put the truth in people’s face and they look the other way…Sautee, Im only going to show you this one more time. Then I will respond to the sane people Shaq was the number 2 Center behind Howard and announced that he would not play because of a thumb injury that he wanted to let heal. That opened up a spot to which Horford was selected. Hoford was next in line by voting but was better than a half million behind shaq and more closer to the middle of the pack among center during the voting. Here is the final voting. you can argue allnight long. The first two players in each category are usually a shoe-in to the allstar. But being third is not a lock. Especially since there wasnt much difference between the 3 place voting and 7th place (less than a hundred thousand. )

Now I know you have AL Horford curtain towel and drawls, but the reality is Hes was on the team because the coaches had to name a center to back up Howard and Shaq was next but thumbed out.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 2,360,096; Shaquille O’Neal (Cle) 856,056; Al Horford (Atl) 270,532; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 265,024; Brook Lopez (NJ) 223,246; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 202,072; Jermaine O’Neal (Mia) 159,327; Rasheed Wallace (Bos) 131,084; Brad Miller (Chi) 102,994; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 90,278.

Read more: http://www.insidehoops.com/all-star-voting-results.shtml#ixzz0qhGaXxax

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? 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?

They should!

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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?

You still did not answer the question. What was Phil’s record with out kobe and Michael?

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n.d.t.k.a

Chicago,LA,Boston and New York are corprate cities also.All sports franchises are corporate.Why do you think all these arenas in basketball are named after some corporate sponsor.The problem in Atl is that you guys don’t want to see the hawks play against teams without a superstar.Atl is a new city compared to Chicago,LA,Boston, or New York.Atl has 4 or 5 different downtown skylines and has one of the largest metro areas in the country.With a city with almost 5 million people in metro atl it is a shame that every game isn’t sold out.Who cares if you have to sit in nose bleed seats all nba ticket prices are high especially if you want good seats.You should just enjoy the nba experience.Stop making excuses and show up to your games.The hawks for the past few years have had better seasons then the knicks and bulls but those teams still outdraw you guys.Just show up and enjoy the games where ever you sit.

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WE NEED A NEW STARTING 5 (ADJUSTMENTS) AND BETTER ASSISTANT COACHES. TYRONE HILL AND JIM TODD ARE USELESS. LET’S NOT FORGET BOB BENDER (ALL THE GUY DOES IS CHEW GUM AND WATCH KISS CAM. SERIOUSLY I HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM DO ANYTHING PRODUCTIVE OUT THERE).

CAN WE GET A LEGIT BIG MAN TO WORK WITH HORF AND SMOOVE? NO MORE OF THIS TYRONE HILL OR THAT SCRUB WHO SHAWN KEMP DUNKED ON

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Truth – 102-62.
Michael & Kobe still never won without Phil.
What’s your point?

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DO DO BIRDS

The Bible describes an Ostrich as the dumbest bird that ever lived – along the beaches.

This bird cam out run a team of thorough bred horses, and when it gets to where it’s going – what does it do?
That’s right! It buries it’s head in the sand!

That’s what a running team looks like to me on a fast break, when it gets to the basket and turns the ball over or make a bad pass!

Careless ball handling is negated when you have a great PG! That is how important it is to have great guard play! The Hawks haven’t had that in 11 years, since Mookie left! Speaking of Mookie – he’s probably sitting home fat as hell. from smoking blundts and eating the munchies. LOL! I would love to hear what he’s up to?

I remember him getting arrested on a return flight from Toronto, Canada with an ounce of weed!
Man, those were the good ole’ days of Deke, Smitty, Grant Long, Mookie and Hindu and Lenny!
We haven’t balled like that since we had a PG & a Center!

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Mary Ellen:
Call Dr Pigeon in Douglasville. (@ his business)
[chiropractor]
I don’t live there but he’s a friend.
You said you were a chiropractor – as is he.
Leave your business card/address/phone/E-mail;
not all just one or the other.
Don’t say for whom as anyone could pick it up.
He will know it’s for me as I’m his friend.
I would like to share my story.
I’ll be in touch, G-dad.

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MARC STEIN, ESPN

“But hanging on to Johnson is not Atlanta’s sole goal. The Hawks know they’ll have trouble spots to address even if Johnson stays this summer, judging by their embarrassing surrender in the second round against Orlando, when they absorbed a four-game sweep by a combined 101 points.

Pessimism reigns leaguewide about the Hawks’ ability to hang onto their All-Star swingman this summer, but I’ve been repeatedly told that there are folks in the organization that matter who would not be crushed if Johnson moved on, taking the fresh-start vibe to another level.”

The future could still be bright down the road without Mr. Johnson around. It seems that some in the Hawks organization believes so as well.

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FORK TONGUE REVIEW BOARD

June 13th, 2010
4:55 am
There are times when arguments are clearly lies being spewed forth from the serpent like tongue of an emotionally charged blogger who owns a draw full of Horford Panties…

This almost certainly is referencing and describing the “TRUTH SERUM” person, who has yet to speak one bit of truth since I have been reading these blog posts. Never have I seen such an ill fitted name. This person would be better off naming themselves “LIE JUICE.”

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For goodness sakes Ayatollah……Atlanta’s media has always been small town. especially for its population. The announcers have always sucked…..look at Skip Caray and Steve Holman…….the Hawks could’ve been beaten by college teams in the past. Try to turn in an Olympic bomber and they accuse you of being the bomber….child killers….The friggin Housewives……violent senseless crime after violent senseless crime…the guards posted outside a multitude of city buildings…….mIchael dog killer vick……CNN…..i would be tempted to name Coca Cola a success story but is that stuff really healthy for you?

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Truth-serum,

Since you don’t seem able to understand, I’ll try again. The “voting” that I referred to (and that the article in Shaq’s team’s town – Cleveland referred to) was the COACHES vote. Even most casual fans realize that ONLY THE STARTERS are voted in by the fans. You keep posting the FAN vote like that matters. If you put so much stock in THAT vote then you obviously think Allen Iverson was the best PG in the East this year.

But the COACHES are the ones who vote ALL the reserves on the All-Star team.

And the COACHES voted Al ahead of Shaq.

How about a link to this “thumb injury” story. Odd that his hometown newspaper NEVER MENTIONED a “thumb injury” in the story about Shaq being left off the team. You’d THINK that would be prominent in their story, since….according to you…. that’s the reason for Shaq not playing.

I gave YOU a link to back up my post. Now how about a link to this “story” about a thumb injury keeping him from playing in the ASG. Show me and I’ll hush about it. Otherwise I’ll assume that it’s another lie from you.

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Sautee ,

Yep. The NBA coaches vote the reserves in. Al Horford was voted in by the NBA coaches, who respect his game big time. But I thought everybody knew that…You don’t get to the NBA all-star game by being horrible on defense while playing out of position. I thought everybody knew that as well…

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All this noise about the fans. Are we here to blog about the fans or the team? Tried following some parts of this conversation and just couldn’t…

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lewis ,

Why not? Tom Izzo won’t make up his mind (not that I blame him, a lot of risk involved) and the two hottest names in the assistant ranks are already gone. On the flip side, if the Cavs are worried about better ball and personnel movement…

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Sam’l,

Our fellow blogger OK just showed above what Drew made which was incredible in his interview:

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/06/11/hawks.drew/

Just punch play on the video.

I am sold. A guy that goes the distance knowing that he is the underdog and uses all his resources like this is a guy hungry for the job and a guy who has the players behind him in the right way.

For the lazy guys around here:

Drew’s interview process was simple: he took 5 guys, including Tyrone Hill and Teague and showed in diagrams AND ON COURT his OWN offense and how it contrasted ISO-heavy Woody.

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Lewis ,

On second thought, is Woody really a lesser coach than Mike Brown? Woody never had Lebron. Or a frontcourt featuring three serviceable seven footers. Or a fairly deep backcourt.

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Vava

Yes, I’m the lazy one, so thanks. I tried to view that video from my blacberry and it wouldn’t upload anything.

So, again … Thanks! Now, I am really impressed that he showed a live demonstration, to me that shows creativity _ something severly lacking as of late with our offense in general.

Reminds me of how Rookie prospect: Jim Mora, JR (I know he’s not literally a jr), wowed – then GM Rich MaCay for the Falcons HC job, when he rolled up like a trial lawter with volumes of reference books and inspirational qoutes from historical great coaches to get that Job.

Unfortunately, he chose to coddle Mike Vick & well, we know the rest!

But, my point is creativity in an interview was probably what put him over the top of Casey, regardless of the fact he came in with a low salary demand. To me that was prudent for the hawks to hire him in a WIN – WIN scenario for both sides:

Impressive & Affordable hire!
I like it – a lot!

Let’s Go!

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Lewis

The major complaint all year long was Offense – hello?
The defense was gimmicky! Why not just man up, like the rest of the NBA. Defense is only played when motivated and comitted to… That’s a HEART & MOTOR issue! That is a given!

Offense is more strategy, schemes, coaching, game plan adjustments and intensity level!
That’s on the PLAYERS! If they don’t defend? Glue their azzes to the bench & that will get their attention moreso than anything else.

In your question – that should be put to the Players moreso than coaching! At what point are the Players responsible and accountable for anything? After all – isn’t this a players league?
That should actually be learned in college – what exactly is college sports for? Certainly not a formal education.

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Bench Bibby and find a replacement for Marvin as the starting sf, and I’ll be the biggest Drew fan in Atlanta. Everybody and their Mama knows that those two bums shouldn’t be starters. D-League maybe. But in the NBA? Please!

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Thanks Vava, I got a laugh out of that photo.

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Bibby

I have never seen Bibby sucking sour grapes for being benched. That’s a Coaches decision! And, part of Woodsons dagger, but in all fairness … Mike did set the Tempo with his Shooting to start games.

Given, that Teague has no Jumper? That probably had more to do with the SMOY relieving Bibby moreso than anything else. Give Woodson credit for using smoke & mirrors. He was forced to do that ever since he came here. You can’t cook a steak if all you got is ground beef!

Moving on, JT0 will get his crack at it next season.

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Report: Wade talks with Bosh, Johnson

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ESPN.com news services

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has spent some time talking to fellow free agents about the future, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported on Saturday.

Wade, who made an appearance at a charity event in Plantation, Fla., said he talked with Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh and Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson in Los Angeles this week.

Wade told the newspaper he had dinner with Bosh and saw Johnson at a Brand Jordan event.

Wade has made it clear he would like to return to Miami and bring another big-name free agent with him. But he insisted to the newspaper: “I haven’t started recruiting yet.”

“My friends are the guys that are in the league,” Wade told the Sun-Sentinel. “Some of my closest friends in the NBA happen to be certain guys that are up in this free-agent market. Yeah, it’s going to be like that. Like I said, I don’t worry about it. I smile and I keep on going with my day.

“Me and Chris have been friends since we came into the NBA. We signed with the same agent. So we can’t eat together? It’s all good. We understand what’s going to come about from anything that goes on. But, no worries, it’s just friends eating dinner.”

The free agency period begins July 1. Wade, Bosh, Johnson, LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire are among players who could be changing teams.

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