Atlanta Hawks: Inside ‘Camp Drew’
L.D. (seated on right) as Spike Lee
Dropped in to Philips yesterday for the last day of Larry Drew’s “clinic” for his assistants. He took five days to school them on the finer points of his offense so they’ll have it down by the start of training camp. The Hawks also will run some “traditional stuff,” L.D. said, but the goal during this camp was to work on Atlanta’s motion stuff.
The lineup: Bob Bender as Bibby, Lester Conner as J.J., Duane Ferrell as Marvin, Kenny Gattison as Smoove and Tyrone Hill as Al. L.D. filled in for Conner late in the session.
(Not exactly the Hawks but, shoot, I wouldn’t mind taking that squad down to the rec league.)
L.D. recorded the session on video so he could show it to his players when camp opens Sept. 28– he said he felt like he was directing a movie, and Conner called him “Spike Lee. There were lots of cracks from the coaches about getting clowned by players once they see their old bodies working this hard. L.D. had to tell his assistants to take it easy a few times.
L.D. (understandably) didn’t want any video in the public domain. So I’ll try to explain what I saw even though pictures would do the job much better than words (also keep in mind the coaches were working against air). . . .
There was lots of motion and ball movement, yes, but what stood out was how much of the action had players cutting to the basket. It seemed there always was an option for the next man in the sequence to either accept the ball while moving to his position or reverse field and look for a cut to the basket. Not everything happens on the strong side, either, so ball-watching and inattentiveness by defenders can mean backdoor baskets.
“It’s very difficult to guard,” Conner said. “You have to be precise in your defensive schemes. You can be beat at any spot on the floor at any time. NBA teams don’t like to guard a lot of movement and screens. I’ve heard the guys [Hawks players] are all for it and are excited about it.”
For weeks L.D. has said his system would “force the ball to move” and I get that now. Things happen so fast there’s not much opportunity for holding the ball. The screens and cuts happen quickly and if the first option is not there then the ball quickly swings the other way, leading to move movement.
Not much possession time is spent on the one- or even two-man game. Each guy gets a chance to touch the ball at different spots on the floor. Decisions must be made quickly for things to flow correctly.
Some of my notes: “pindown screens with curl to free-throw line. . . dribble hand-offs, sometimes with roll man. . . backdoor cuts. . . high-post pick-and-pop. . . flare screens with roll man. . . ball reversal to quick weakside seal post-ups. . . high-low post-ups. . .”
L.D. has some philosophical principles to go along with the Xs and Os. He said he believes his system will work because the Hawks have so many “interchangeable pieces” to work with. Al will play some power forward with Zaza or Twin at center but Drew said the combinations won’t end there.
“We have the luxury a lot of interchangeable positions. We’ve got twos that can be play 3, threes that can play four, fours that can play five. We can even move Josh to the five against certain matchups. You might see the five at the three. You might even see the five at the one. [Regardless of lineup] nothing changes as far as the action on the floor. I want to utilize our abilities as interchangeable pieces.”
Such an approach could make the Hawks less predictable. It’s theoretically tougher to hone in on a player who is deployed at multiple positions and can be used multiple ways within the offense.
L.D. said his emphasis is on exploiting Atlanta’s strengths rather than covering for its weaknesses. For example, here are his views on Smoove playing minutes at small forward:
“He has the ability to erase a lot of defensive mistakes because of his athleticism. I won’t match him up against a lightning-quick guy where he would have to defend multiple screens. But he certainly will be able to play some 3. At the same time, he can be a tough matchup at the 3 as well. You play him at some 3, there is a high probability he is bigger than that three man, stronger than that three man. Certainly the way to take advantage of that matchup is to post him up. We will certainly try to utilize his ability against a smaller guy. It won’t necessarily be about us adjusting to what the other team does. We want to put the opponent in a position where they have to match up with us.”
It’s an aggressive approach. There certainly will be more turnovers. Theoretically there should be fewer isolations and long jump shots. I figure L.D. will have to use his bench liberally, too, if he wants the Hawks to run a lot of motion offense and while also becoming a bona fide defensive team. He’ll have to make lineup adjustments on the fly.
The Hawks are going to have to be in good shape to run this stuff; L.D. said conditioning would a “top priority” early in training camp. The Hawks also are going to have to be precise, unselfish and persistent. L.D. has some work to do with that Woody had a lot of stuff he wanted to run too but he never could coax guys to do it consistently. Things got tough and the Hawks freelanced.
Drew is going to have to break the Hawks out of their iso offense, sometime-y defense mold. It will be interesting to see how he manages it and how the players take to it once it’s time to do the work.
MC
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329 comments Add your comment
Rufus1
August 12th, 2010
1:56 pm
We are as talented
I Watched every game that was on TV and don’t remember any game we lost because of talent.
I watched the Hawks blow a 17pts lead in Cleveland.
I watched Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson look like allstar, while Woodson looked like a BAFOON in the post game
I watched the Hawks swept the Celtics in 4 non-competative games
I watched the Hawks blow an 18pts lead to the Warriors
I watched the Hawks DEMOLISH the Jazz
I watched the Hawks Beat the The Blazers twice
I watched the Hawks blow and 20pts lead to The Magic on Thanksgiving.
BUT DON’T REMEMBER A SINGLE GAME WE LOST BECAUSE OF TALENT…NOT ONE.
IF IT AIN’T TALENT….
dap01
August 12th, 2010
2:03 pm
Would this offense need the traditional PG role less than before the change?
Big Ump
August 12th, 2010
2:15 pm
I co-sign Daniel and Fundamentals @ 12:13 & 12:18
ntrigue
August 12th, 2010
2:15 pm
I’ve been saying that we need to try running different combinations of players in our lineup for certain situations in games. I’ve always said try Josh Al and Zaza in the gm at the same time or move joe to to sf and have teague and Jamal or Month running the 2! I’m glad Zaza will hopefully get more tick he’s the type of player that’s not good with playing with small mins did we forget Zaza almost made all star team before Al came!
Rev in Tampa
August 12th, 2010
2:20 pm
dap01, my understanding is that everything begins with the point guard. And the deeper he is able to penetrate toward the basket the better. I believe the Celtics run some kind of motion offense and look how important Rondo is to the team. He is so important he even tends to overshadow the big three at times.
jss
August 12th, 2010
2:20 pm
@Dap…
Teams tend to try to trap the motion offense early so the point guard main responsibility is to get you into the offense. If the ball stalls, get the reset and reverse ball… Bibby did this really well when Divac and Webber made the right decisions.
Daniel
August 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
fair point rev
I would not expect Drew to come in and publicly trash the players. But, I would expect that he explain his own role or lack thereof. I would expect managment to describe the quitting of the players and demand better. And, at least from Drew acknowledge (without necesarrily specifics about each player) that the team failed, why it failed (beyone Woody) and how it will change. This is a different situation because Drew has been a part of this team all along. He is not an outsider with a fresh voice. So more has to be done to address this issue.
Grandad
August 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
dap01;
check out my post on:
August 11th, 2010
10:31 pm
Rod from College Park
August 12th, 2010
2:35 pm
Daniel,
I’m about 90% with you also.
HoosierHawk
August 12th, 2010
2:38 pm
What do yall think Joe’s PPg will be without running all those ISO’s to him? I can see this offense dropping Joe and maybe even Jamals ppg but raising Josh’s, Al’s, and Marvin’s.
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
2:42 pm
I still feel like motion will allow Teague to distribute the ball with purpose and he’ll know where to go with it. Most of his turnovers come from “trying to create”. Same for Josh, Marvin, Al and even Joe.
I can’t see how running plays where Joe, Jamal and Bibby can catch and shoot won’t be helpful. I think Mo and Marvin will respond as well if they know when and how their number will be called.
In addition Smoove, Marvin and Horford can rebound if they know from where and when shots will come from the sets. It can only make us stronger.
I think each player should become more efficient to the point where it’ll offset the turnovers. We might not’ve turned the ball over alot, but how many crucial sets ended with a bad shot or dumping the ball off for a terrible shot at the shot clock last year?
Defined offense leads to predictable rebounding which leads to easier defensive transition.
I think the D fell apart when folks got a little tired of not getting to shine on Offense. The backcourt repaid the favor by giving anyone who drove the bucket or pressured the perimeter a free drive to the hoop where Smoove and Al got punished while trying to help. If everyone’s accountable and the switch is gone we can defend most anyone…including Miami.
Rev in Tampa
August 12th, 2010
2:42 pm
Daniel, I came to my present pastorate after a very unpopular pastor. But the lay leadership enabled his unwise decisions. I did my homework and found out where all the problems were and continued to be. I have never said a poor word about my predecessor, nor did I demand an accounting from the lay leadership. But I did make major changes upon coming to the church. They were the polar opposite decisions that those same people had made in the previous years and the people followed joyfully BECAUSE they knew what the problems were without stating them..
Drew is eloquent in his silence about the past. His decisions are the polar opposite of Woody’s decisions. In other words, in my humble opinion, Drew is exercising great leadership. His decisions so far and his attitude toward personal responsibility speak very loudly about his feelings about the past.
I wish the ASG and Sund would be more forthcoming generally, but there is nothing to be gained by even glancing backward. Onward Ho!
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
I think Joe and Jamal will put up similar if not better, more consistent stats if they’re getting the ball and using their strengths instead of trying to be supermen.
I don’t think anyone will care about stats if the efficiency and win totals rise. Each player will have their opportunity. Only this time hopefully they’ll feel included, they’ll feel respected and they’ll be ready…instead of standing and watching someone pound the ball fruitlessly.
truthspitter
August 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
Hawks will show everyone that they are same team in GM1 against Memphis as they lose on the road to Memphis who is deeper than the Hawks
dukester
August 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
You can run any offense you want? Im gonna keep saying it. Until you get CENTER that can control the paint with defense you will not win the big games. Yes you need other players to compliment him but that is basic defense. Look at all other sports that has a net or a goal.
Hockey- Goalie sits right on top of the goal
Soccer- same thing.
Other sports
The NT is the anchor of the defense in football
Baseball has a catcher he will block that plate at all cost.
Wake up Hawks management we need a real center to compete for a title. I wish Larry Drew much success but he better have find a way to stop penetrating players on our defense.
JoJo the Godfather
August 12th, 2010
2:59 pm
question for the masses…when dampier gets released in the next week or so, would you advocate signing him to say a 2-yr deal starting around $4M for the first year?…it would throw us in to the luxury tax if another move wasn’t made, but is he enough of an upgrade over collins to take on that extra money?…he’s still a pretty good defender and only takes shots when he knows he can make them (usually 60+% in fg%)…35 yrs old i think.
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
3:01 pm
dukester – you just said we have to stop the penetration to win? Doesn’t that come from the perimeter? If we could stop them there or at least slow them we have 2 of the best help defenders on the planet in Josh & AL. Yeah Al wants some help for Dwight, but saying we can’t win at all is shortsighted.
Who do you suggest we get in a realistic sign and trade right now?
My only thoughts before were Okafor from NO? Would they do it for cash, Bibby or Mo and the TPE?
Rev in Tampa
August 12th, 2010
3:04 pm
JoJo, I would like to see what we can shake loose with a trade a little later. If you have to ask us, “is he enough of an upgrade over collins…,” you have answered your own question.
Ken Strickland
August 12th, 2010
3:05 pm
After 6 long yrs of MWoodson, and what amounted to a player rebellion, we suddenly have fans coming out of the woodwork pretending they have concerns about PLAYER ACCOUNTABILITY, OR THE PLAYERS BUYING INTO LDREWS SYSTEM UNDER LDREW? Even if the players don’t buy into Drew or his system, how will that be any different than what they did under Woodson?
HAVE ANY OF YOU WHO STILL INSIST ON MAINTAINING A NEGATIVE/CAUTIOUS, OR WAIT AND SEE ATTITIDE TOWARDS LDREW AND HIS OFF/DEF SYSTEMS, HEARD OR READ A SINGLE COMMENT OR REPORT THAT WOULD EVEN REMOTELY INDICATE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A SINGLE HAWK PLAYER THAT MIGHT BE HESITANT ABOUT ACCEPTING LDREW AND/OR HIS OFF/DEF SYSTEMS?
If not, why insist on continuing to whine, cry and complain, like little children afraid of the dark, about nonexistent issues?
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
3:11 pm
I’ll back the team 100%, but it is an issue till they put it to rest. Sorry Ken. I’m 90%+ glass full, but I can’t lose all reality in your hopes of all positivity.
Would you say Smoove’s development and maturity is still an underlying issue that may involve LD? Should we be children or are we to assume he’ll come out this year a bonified man who takes care of business and snatches his All-Star bid like a champion on the way to successfully competing in the 2nd round? I want the latter, but won’t believe it till I see it.
Too many years of the same ole same ole. Woodson wasn’t the only problem here. LD just can’t turn the light on to scare away all the monsters in the closet and under the bed. We need solid proof to sleep soundly at night.
JoJo the Godfather
August 12th, 2010
3:16 pm
Rev…I’m wanting your thoughts on Damp’s ability over Collins…my thoughts are that he is a much better player than Collins…he runs the floor better, defends better, much more active on the offensive boards (not as much on the defensive boards where his back is to the basket)…at $4M, or less, he is a very good value for a big man…i’m not getting a check either way, so i say go over the luxury tax, but the ASG probably see it differently.
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
3:25 pm
Dampier would be a serviceable center that might meet Al’s needs. I’d say he’s worth that price. Better than Twin.
Rev in Tampa
August 12th, 2010
3:25 pm
Fundamentals, where are the facts for assessment. The facts are: Smoove has improved his performance every year since he came into the league, he stopped shooting threes to help the team, he did not go to college and came into the league when he was only 18. He has grown in maturity from year to year. His improvement in every area has been easily noticable by everyone. And yet you are focucing on his his development & maturity as if he has not grown at all. Smoove has said nothing negatively about Drew. And every report from the players is positive about their feeling toward Drew
AtlSouthside
August 12th, 2010
3:31 pm
#1 who is Twin? Josh Powell?? I hope not, because he needs to earn a nickname…
#2 I like everything I just read abou LD’s offense, sounds like the exact opposite of Woody’s offense…which has to be a good thing.. Hawks are very athletic team, and which is why I never understood the
i-so offense…if you have mobile guys, why force them to stand still on offense??? That serves the defense better if they only have to defend 1 or 2 players…
Rev in Tampa
August 12th, 2010
3:36 pm
JoJo, I don’t follow the Western Conference enough to comment intellengently or fairly on Dampier. My assessment is driven by the desire for the Hawks to find a legit center who can at least make D. Howard work hard in the post without needing double-team help. Otherwise, the Hawks have already demonstrated that they will be successful with Horford & Smith in the frontcourt.
I want the Hawks to find a center, but I don’t want them to unnecessarily limit themselves in the future by making opportunistic decisions now.
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
3:39 pm
Rev I’ve labored how I think Josh is on the cusp of being an All Star who should be on the Def 1st team every year. Don’t jump on me like I just started blogging today.
Would you say Josh still has a tendency to check out on either end when he’s not happy with his touches, the refs, Woodson, some girl in the stands, etc? Is that mature focus on the team?
I don’t think it’s a Drew thing. I just asked Ken if he thought all the issues would just go away b/c Woodson is gone?
Trust me I’m positive. I’m on board. I want them to succeed, but we can’t just ignore the past. We have to learn from it. Josh hasn’t in all repects.
Is shooting 1-2 feet inside the line enough to say you don’t shoot 3’s anymore? All he needs is say a 10-12′ jumper, not one out at the edge of the line. Focus, mature, use your God given talents for His glory and to help others, not for your own personal gain.
It’s like the Christian walk. Yeah, maybe he’s saved, but everyone is not perfect and need of growth, maturity and excellence as they walk. He’s not there yet. Everyone can see it. Everyone can see the potential. Everyone can see the skills. He’s just gotta use what he’s been blessed with.
Daniel
August 12th, 2010
3:39 pm
Ken Strickland- I have certainly not just “come out of the woodwork” about player accountability and buying into the system. See the last 5 years of blogs.
I do have reason to be concerned. 1) We are talking about a former assistant who was on the staff that “the players rebeled against”. It is completely irresponsible to suggest that Drew is clear from that because “Woodson didn’t listen to him.” Also, Drew has blame shifted onto the former head coach, which really sets a great standard for his new regime. And four, what you call bemoaning a system, I call not being fooled into believing that a new system is the answer to all the Hawks problems.
Let me state for the record again, that regardless of whatever system the Hawks run they will not get out of the second round (or even win a second round game) until the players play with more accountability.
This is not based on a team that played tough and just came up a little short. We are talking about the exact same team (including coach) who were responsible for THE WORST PLAYOFF SERIES IN THE HISTORY OF THE NBA!!!
We have to demand more than some bs motion offense smoke screen.
northcyde
August 12th, 2010
3:44 pm
LOL @ Fundamentals . . . well said man.
It’s kind of like believing that a President, Governor, or Mayor can come right in and change the world overnight, just because he has good ideas. You have too many entities in the governing body that may prevent even a good leader to bring about effective change to the system.
Drew has my full support. He can only work with what ownership provides him. So if the ideas he has in place doesn’t work, and we can see WHY it isn’t working, then you have to put the majority of the blame on ownership/management.
If it does work, Drew needs a hefty raise, and management can say that they were right. But they’re not going to convince many people that they did all that they could to upgrade the team.
If Teague, Zaza, and Mo are going to be our 7th – 9th players, they MUST play more consistent basketball, especially Zaza and Mo. Even if Teague isn’t ready, we have enough players here to possibly compensate for that. But a guy like Zaza is under the gun this year. He cannot play like he did last year.
People despise stats . . but here’s another one for you.
We only had 6 players last year to post a positive +/- number. ( Horford, Smoove, JJ, Bibby, Marvin, and Jamal ). The rest of the team posted a negative number. For a 50-win team, that’s almost unheard of. That’s a clear illustration of how ineffective our bench was last year.
truthspitter
August 12th, 2010
3:50 pm
Why is Marvin Williams still on this team? The Hawks got the bad taste of Sheldon Williams and Acie Law out of there mouths. They let Childress go in a stupid move because they got nothing for him, the guy was a lottery pick and they get a freaking trade exception, but letting him go was the correct thing because he wanted to go. There is one bad taste still around and that’s Marvin “the Bust” Williams. Why is this guy still a Hawk? Trade him for anything.If Cleveland still has interest and wants him do this trade now.
Cleveland gets: Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby
Atlanta gets: Jamario Moon,JJ Hickson, and Mo Williams or Moon and Mo Williams plus 2nd rd pick.
Rev in Tampa
August 12th, 2010
3:53 pm
Fundamentals, I have only been on this blog since mid July so I am still getting to know the personalities.
I have also taken Josh to task pretty harshly in one of my first posts. It was occasioned by MC’s question to Josh about what he was working on this summer. Josh simply said he was watching videos to decided what he needed to work on – and this was mid-July.! Yes, there is room for growth in Josh’s maturity, but, as you say, we are all a work-in-progress. So the question becomes, “Is the trend upward, downward, or flat?” My point is that it Josh is trending significantly upward and there is no evidence that he will regress or stagnate.
I apologize for jumping on you.
northcyde
August 12th, 2010
3:53 pm
Come on now truthspitter. If you were Cleveland, would YOU do that deal?
Big Ray
August 12th, 2010
3:56 pm
Larry Drew wanted Shaq. Love to say more, but that would require revealing a source. As it is, Shaq ain’t here. End of story.
Big Ray
August 12th, 2010
3:58 pm
We only had 6 players last year to post a positive +/- number. ( Horford, Smoove, JJ, Bibby, Marvin, and Jamal ). The rest of the team posted a negative number. For a 50-win team, that’s almost unheard of. That’s a clear illustration of how ineffective our bench was last year.
Whether or not you like stats has nothing to do with just how revealing that little piece of information is. I’m guessing the front office spin doctors don’t like to talk about it…
Big Ray
August 12th, 2010
3:59 pm
…Except of course, to say how that is solely Woody’s fault, of course.
truthspitter
August 12th, 2010
4:01 pm
@northcyde: If I were Cleveland would I do what? Yes, I would trade Mo, Moon and 2nd rd pick for Marvin and Bibby. There is no clear winner there.
Mo better than Bibby
Marvin better than Moon
add 2nd rd pick because of Marvin’s potential, furthermore, you get 2 of our starters and we only get 1 of yours, that’s why I would ask for JJ Hickson as a sweetner
Melvin
August 12th, 2010
4:01 pm
I wouldn’t mind trading Mo Evans for Corey Brewer. Seem like he may be the oddman out in Minny with the arrival of Wes Johnson and Martell Webster…
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
4:01 pm
Rev – we’re together then. I’d say he’s trending tremendously upward but still thinks it’s a joke. He’s that gifted. When he turns it on defensively and plays within his talents he’s unstoppable. It’s a gift. As with all gifts we usually take them for granted or take time to realize all that we’re blessed with. I have but one humble opinion. I feel like he was limited by Woodson’s ISO offense. He needs to catch and finish like Nash & Amare. He needs a short jumper from just outside the lane, not far out. He needs more focus to stay invovled for the team. If he’d do those minor things he’d be a definite super star in this league. It’d come with more respect, adoration and $$ than he can imagine. It’s in his grasp, only problem is he has limited himself out of selfishness, immaturity and laziness at times. Get all in w/ Drew. Develop a short jumper by shooting them all summer and we’ll see you at the All Star game in Feb!
hopespitter has dreams but no, Cleveland wouldn’t do that.
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
4:07 pm
Mo and ZaZa responded every time they got significant minutes last year. I feel like with a defined role and real minutes both will be valuable. My issue is Mo will most likely get lost in the shuffle or put in at SF where he’s undersized. It ain’t his fault, he’s out of position.
Daniel
August 12th, 2010
4:08 pm
Big Ray- nice post.
truthspitter
August 12th, 2010
4:10 pm
I guess missing wide open layups down the stretch is responding if you say Mo responded, and Zaza showed up 1 out of 5 games at best. My problem with people that defend guys like Zaza and Marvin is that they always want you to give them something. Give Marvin more shots and a bigger role. Give Zaza more playing time. How about they earn it or take it? Most of you guys don’t have the mindset of a champion that’s why you make excuses for these guys
Fundamentals
August 12th, 2010
4:26 pm
truthpitter – I can take that. How did Mo do at SG when Joe was out? How does he do when he’s actually playing his position? He doesn’t fit in here unless we trade someone.
Doesn’t ZaZa always plays harder when he knows he’s going to get minutes. Would you say Woodson purposely relegated him to having no role. He fit in great early and against the C’s the first run cause we depended on him. As his role on our team developed he got sullen and yes sorry. We need to involve him and use him or deal him.
Marvin get real – I’ve begged for him to go to the 2nd unit where he could be a feature. He has no niche, he doesn’t fit in, we’re forcing him. He needs to prove LD can use him or we need to deal him.
No excuses here for them. I just think each are viable pieces…maybe just not here unless LD can prove different. That’s why I keep harping Feb, Feb, Feb!
Rod from College Park
August 12th, 2010
4:59 pm
truthspitter,
CHECKMATE. Beggars gets nothing. Only Earners.
Hmmm
August 12th, 2010
5:18 pm
Truthspitter speaks the truth, Mo sucks. He misses wide open layups, he can’t dribble & has the nerve to pout about PT and whine about $$$ when he isn’t even worth what he’s already getting paid. Ship him outta here. He’s a stand still shooter but he’s not even that great at that. He’s supposed to be a great defender but dude has poor footwork. For somone whose supposed to be a great defender he sure gets blown past a lot. The only time he plays like a man is when Kobe is in town. Unfortunatly, we don’t play the lakers all that much. Get him outta here.
Hmmm
August 12th, 2010
5:22 pm
Bibby sucks, why are we still talkig about him like he’s apart of the team! If he doesn’t get passed in the depth chatrts by Teague and Jordan Crawford then somthing is teribly wong with this team. TRADE HIM!
We were warned by kings fans that he only showed up one out of every five games but we chose to ignore it. After Bibby got his 18mill it was a wrap, the fat slob. I haven’t seen him show up since.
Samuel
August 12th, 2010
5:23 pm
Ray,
That doesn’t surprise me at all. I don’t listen to all that BS about Shaq being over the hill and the reason why his teams got beat in the playoffs. People who actually know basketball know what that man can provide to a team, consequently one of the most successful franchises ever signs him. If that’s true, it does make me have a little more confidence in LD.
Hmmm
August 12th, 2010
5:30 pm
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16934
doc
August 12th, 2010
5:33 pm
thanks ray for settling that. hope the shaq doubters and trashers are reading, some of whom like the drew thing but decried shaq wouldnt fit into the drew schemes. heh heh
Ken Strickland
August 12th, 2010
5:42 pm
DANIEL-LDrew made player accountability a primary issue, especially in regards to DEF, shortly after he was named to replace Woodson. Do you really think he’d be dumb enough to repeat Woodson’s obviously stupid mistakes, or allow the same negative behavior to be repeated by his players, that led to Woodson’s departure?
Do you really think that after 6yrs of working with Woodson, and experiencing the result of his stubbornness, inflexibility, and attitude towards vets and rookies first hand, he doesn’t know what needs to be done? After all, didn’t JJ and Teague state that players chose him as their sounding board when they became frustrated with Woodson.
Don’t you think Sund, and at least a few members of the ASG, formally interviewed most of our players before making their decision to replace Woodson and hire LDrew? Isn’t it rather obvious from the hiring of LDrew that most, if not all, of the players that were consulted approved of both decisions? We’ve heard several players endorse both LDrew and his OFF system, but not one(1)hint of a negative comment from anyone that’s familiar with LDrew or his OFF.
The problem I have is the number of fans having issues with LDrew, and/or his OFF/DEF systems, that are basing those issues on what they DON’T KNOW rather than what they DO KNOW. Therefore, their opinions are what is know as UNINFORMED OPINIONS rather the INFORMED OPINIONS. If all you’ve seen or heard about our new HC, as well as his OFF and DEF, is positive, and there hasn’t been as much as a hint of concern from anyone that’s directly involved, especially the players, why automatically take a negative position when there’s nothing to support that opinion?
RUFUS1-EXACTLY!! We have fans who are quick to believe the hype about how talented the Bulls and Bucks have become, but can’t accept that the Hawks current roster is one of the NBA’s most talented. We know that Marvin, Smoove, Horford, JoCrawford, Teague and JPowell can and most likely will improve and progress talent wise. And while JJ, Bibby, Zaza, JaCrawford and Collins aren’t likely to improve talent wise, they can certainly become more efficient and productive.
Sund and the ASG hit a home run, not because they let Woodson go, but because they hired LDrew. Hiring him allows the team and organization to retain all of the positives that Woodson brought, as well as eliminate most, if not all, of the negatives he brought as well. He also eliminates most of the adjustment problems and issues that both players and coaches go through when bringing in a new HC, coaching staff and OFF/DEF systems.
darrell starks
August 12th, 2010
5:53 pm
I LOOK AT THE WIZARD TEAM
STARTER WALL, ARENAS, AL THORNTON, BLATCHE, MCGEE
BENCH HINRICH, YOUNG, HOWARD, YI JIANLIAN, ARMSTRONG.
That a pretty good team.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
August 12th, 2010
5:58 pm
Charles, that’s Mr.Barkley to you Queen James…
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/08/12/charles-barkley-rips-lebron-miamis-big-three-as-punks/