Hawks GM Danny Ferry’s efforts to move the franchise’s player development program forward will include a reach back to the team’s past.
Former Hawks coach Bob Weiss is set to join Larry Drew’s staff as a coach and consultant. Weiss will be heavily involved in developing players and will sit behind the bench during games.
Drew said he had considered hiring an assistant with previous head coaching experience when he got the Hawks job in the summer of 2010.
“Somebody who could really watch and look at the big picture of the team, be that birdie on my shoulder as far as suggestions and ideals and what he sees,” Drew said. “I started interviewing and compiling a list of guys. I met with Bob for a second interview and I thought he was the perfect guy from a consultant standpoint.
“He will be sitting behind the bench, looking at things and giving me ideas and giving me opinions about different things with the team as a whole. I’ve always admired him from afar–didn’t know him personally–but watched from afar, even he when played. He has a wealth of knowledge.”
Weiss coached the Hawks from 1990-91 to ‘92-93 and also was head coach for the Spurs, Clippers and Sonics. He most recently was a head coach in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Weiss’ hiring is one of a few Hawks staff moves announced today.
Kenny Atkinson has officially been hired as an assistant coach. He’s a former Knicks assistant who earned notice when Jeremy Lin credited him with helping his development.
“Kenny came highly recommended as a guy who not only had experience as an assistant but also phenomenal player development guy,” Drew said. “I did a lot of research on him talked to a lot of people. I interviewed him a couple times and thought he was a great candidate to be that third assistant coach and a player development guy.”
Assistant coaches Kenny Gattison and Tyrone Hill will not return.
“I thought Kenny Gattison and Tyrone Hill did a really good job but, like with anything else, you are always looking to enhance what you have and try to make a situation you feel can help the ball club,” Drew said. “I felt it was time for a change.”
The Hawks hired Jeff Watkinson as the strength and conditioning coach. Watkinson worked at Indiana University before leaving in 2010 to take a job as Eric Gordon’s “personal development basketball coach.” Watkinson replaces Chattin Hill, who was with the Hawks for seven seasons.
Former Hawks GM Rick Sund, who has remained on staff during Ferry’s transition, will take on a new role as a senior adviser to the basketball operations. Sund’s duties will include scouting and he will split time between Atlanta and his permanent home in the Seattle area.
“Rick has been helpful during the changes and I think it’s a good situation to still have him available as a sounding board,” Ferry said.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
516 comments Add your comment
steven a smith
September 1st, 2012
10:05 am
Ray Ray down at the YMCA can give the Atlanta Hawks the same production, or more, than Al Horford,( ‘If not for his probation and felony arrests,”)
Ken Strickland
September 1st, 2012
10:08 am
Like I said earlier, All these damn trade rumors and press reports about Al being shopped is wrong. Sautee and I will continue to deny it even After Al is traded you anal minded MORONIC A S S HOLE YOU ARE ARE LIABILITY TO OUR DEFENSE OF AL !!!
And to prove just how stupid he is THIS ANAL MINDED MORON JACKASS IS no press is in the conference room when the trade discussions took place and there is no way any GM is going to make any talk details known public,, he shoots himself in the foot by presenting something that can not be prove so it just goes to show STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES, STUPID. YOU CAN LEAD A JACKASS TO WATER, BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM THINK.- (i thunk that up by myself sautee)
And 1 more thing, Al is not the new Marvin and you cant prove that either. A s s hole
I – HEART – Al Horford
steven a smith
September 1st, 2012
10:22 am
Otis
August 31st, 2012
9:20 pm
I absolutely agree with this post. Otis, my man, you are spot on. You nailed it! You hit the proverbial “nail on the head” if you will. Al Horford is the new “Marvin”. Next season, Al will make 13million dollars. Just 4million less than Lebron James. Are you kidding me??? If Al makes 13million. then lebron should make 39million!!!!!!!!!
D12
September 1st, 2012
10:22 am
NBA Draft Rumors: Bobcats-Hawks Trade Could Include Al Horford …
kansascity.sbnation.com/…jayhawks/…/nba-draft-rumors-bobcats-ha…
NBA Draft Rumors: Bobcats-Hawks Trade Could Include Al Horford, Thomas Robinson. Jun 28 8:06a by Matt Conner. Read More: Al Horford (C – ATL), Charlotte
Jimmy Mack
September 1st, 2012
10:23 am
TO MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM:
IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE MULTIPLE BLOGS? ONE FOR THE EXPERTS INSULTING EACH OTHER(KEN STRICKLAND, ROD FROM CP, SAUTEE, ETC) AND ONE FOR THE “REAL FAN” (THE ONES WHO WOULD LIKE TO READ BEHIND THE SCENE INFO AND DON’T TAKE THIS BLOG AS A JOB).
D12
September 1st, 2012
10:25 am
Horford may return to Florida if Howard returns to Atlanta | Gators …
progators.blogs.gatorsports.com/…/horford-may-be-back-in-florida-…
Jul 4, 2012 – The Atlanta Hawks are said to be “in the mix” for Magic center Dwight Howard. Al Horford was rumored to be a trading piece for the superstar …
Jimmy Mack
September 1st, 2012
10:27 am
Expert Trolls like me, sautee and Ken Strickland need to be able to cup Al’s nuts expertly. Can you help us?
US news & World reporte
September 1st, 2012
10:35 am
Time For The Hawks To Turn The Page? « NBA.com | Hang Time Blog
hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2012/…/time-for-the-hawks-to-turn-the-pag…
May 7, 2012 – The pieces that should go are Horford and Marvin in a trade. Josh has proven this year how expendable Al Horford is to this franchise. Josh has …
Ken Strickland
September 1st, 2012
10:39 am
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1315305-breaking-down-how-lou-williams-will-thrive-with-atlanta-hawks
This is a must read about LWilliams and how our backcourt will function effectively as a rotation. It’s also informative reading for those who still feel we don’t have anyone to take the big shots in JJs absence.
Roger That !!!
September 1st, 2012
10:41 am
Co-signing
TO MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM:
IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE MULTIPLE BLOGS? ONE FOR THE EXPERTS INSULTING EACH OTHER(KEN STRICKLAND, ROD FROM CP, SAUTEE, ETC) AND ONE FOR THE “REAL FAN” (THE ONES WHO WOULD LIKE TO READ BEHIND THE SCENE INFO AND DON’T TAKE THIS BLOG AS A JOB).
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
September 1st, 2012
10:43 am
“Correction! IDIOT. Clint Eastwood is now officially an Idoit! Clint probably believes that Al is a top 10 Center…”
So is an idoit a new Mac product? LMFAO. No irony quite like a misspelled insult.
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
11:01 am
T-s,
Maybe you are turning a new leaf.
Why just night before last, you showed us all how Horford’s best season measured up to Josh’s career numbers which you call “championship caliber”. That is, without meaning to, you acknowledged Horford’s 2010-11 season to be “championship caliber”.
And now in your attempt to convince the blog that “Horford was turned down by 4 GMs in the last 2 1/2 months” – (your words) you repost a story which IN IT’S VERY FIRST SENTENCE says that it is a “trade possibility”. Not a trade offer. Not a trade proposal. It’s a writer filling space with his conjecture.
But here’s the good part. Within his discussion David Aldridge says this: “I don’t expect Robinson to ever be as good as Horford — who is probably the most underrated player in the league — but he certainly could end up getting there, or close to that level.”
So, there you go T-s, giving credibility to the idea that Horford is the most underrated player in the league. Whooda thunk it?
I’m glad to see that you have begun to turn around.
wordsmithtom
September 1st, 2012
11:28 am
Ken, good post on Lou W. Agree with you that Hawks guard play should be much better this year. One more trade to make, once the holding period expires on the players obtained in the earlier trades. Need another bench big, IMHO. Having too many shooters is a luxury, for once.
Benjeman
September 1st, 2012
12:27 pm
championship calibre 12pts 9 rbs
Benjeman
September 1st, 2012
12:28 pm
a pig with lipstick is still a pig.
Al Horford is the new Marvin Williams
sam'l
September 1st, 2012
12:43 pm
Um guys, when we start our first losing streak, we will probably need each other’s support…….
steven a smith
September 1st, 2012
1:07 pm
Benjeman
September 1st, 2012
12:28 pm
a pig with lipstick is still a pig.
Al Horford is the new Marvin Williams
Ditto!!! We need to start a “Trade Al Horford Movement” with signatures or something. First there was Al Harrington, then Joe and Marvn, Now Al “new Marvin” Horford. and trade the Al Horford fan club as well. President and CEO of the Al Fan Club=Ken “clueless” Strickland.
Ken Strickland
September 1st, 2012
1:10 pm
WORDSMITHTOM-I agree, especially if we go with the frontline I suggested of Josh, Zaza and Horford. Right now, the only Bigs we know will be in camp are JWilliams, JPetro, and maybe KBenson, assuming none of them are included in a trade.
I don’t see Teague and Harris battling for the starting PG position. They will both start, which will give us the best OFF and DEF backcourt we can put on the floor. Their collective speed, quickness, athleticism, passing and ball handling ability, along with their respectable 3pt shooting, will give us a definite advantage against most backcourts.
Having 2 starting PGs with the ability to consistently penetrate and dish will definitely make life a lot easier for our frontline players. Having a backcourt with that kind of speed and quickness will definitely make it much easier to facilitate an effective help DEF. With LWilliams, we now have the kind of scorer we thought we had in Jordan Crawford.
With Horford and Josh on the wings, we’ll have solid help DEF along the frontline as well. Adding Ivan to the mix makes it even better. Josh at SF compared to JJ will actually give us an overall advantage, except for outside shooting. Otherwise, he’ll give us more blocks, steals, deflections, almost as many assists, just as many PTS, and more than double the rebounds we got from JJ.
The Horford, Zaza, Josh frontline would end up putting our 3 best and biggest interior players at the positions they are best suited for. We know how easily Josh can prepare himself, both physically and mentally, for whatever position he’s asked to play. How many SFs can anyone name that can match his combination of size, athleticism, and strength?
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
September 1st, 2012
1:53 pm
Lou Williams and Bow Wow single release party at Life Nightclub tonight.
O'Brien
September 1st, 2012
2:21 pm
Slimjr,
If I saw All NBA start bringing up the ball with his one handed dribble and totally ignore my point guard, his azz is sitting on the bench next to me…
We do not need a point 5…..C’mon man[Larry]!.
We don’t need a point 4 either, but for some reason, LD is ok with Josh and Al bringing the ball up. I don’t know why.
O'Brien
September 1st, 2012
2:22 pm
Roger that!
Yea, Al is foul prone, injure prone,.
Prior to this year, Al played in 92% of the Hawks games. But you call that injury prone? And you wonder why you have no credibility on this blog. Because nothing you say is supported by facts,just opinions and rumors.
O'Brien
September 1st, 2012
2:23 pm
Steven A Smith,
Clint probably believes that Al is a top 10 Center….
In your opinion, please list 10 centers that you believe are better than Al.
Leaning toward the upside of Detroit’s Austin Daye 6″9″.75(without shoes). A guy who may grow into the role of Adequate scorer and Defensive Stopper. He may be our long term answer at the 3 or 4..
I think Daye could be our answer at SF, especially if Detroit will take one of our SGs in a trade.
river king
September 1st, 2012
3:33 pm
I agree. Al gets injured when the season is on the line. Like that playoff series where he ripped an ankle out of socket to keep from playing. We lost that series too. Thanks Al.
Last year Al detached a chest muscle while trying to catch a simple rebound….That mother fcker sat out the whole damn season only to come back to pick up a playoff check while committing 7 turnovers in one game, wasting the hard work and effort off Josh, Zaza and Ivan.
That Mother fcking Al’s 7 turnovers cost us the season. He could have kept his sorry as s on the bench for that s hit.
No wonder we cant trade Al No team is going to put up with that s hit. How in the Hell can your center commit 7 fcking turnovers when they arent suppose to dribble the ball Horford apologist?
How in the fck can your center turn the ball over 7 times in a pivot playoff game when his sorry as s is supposed to be right under the basket?
Yeah, Im on board, Al Horford is the new Marvin Williams.
river king
September 1st, 2012
3:40 pm
“but for some reason, LD is ok with Josh and Al bringing the ball up. I don’t know why.”
He should be. Josh finishes a very high percent of his breaks and has a very good turnover to assist ratio. Idiot. Josh should handle the ball.
Marvin Horford is a turnover waiting to happen. Hes clumsy awkward and has very limited offensive skills. He should have his butt standing right near the basket at all times, that is when he is allowed to play. Id rather have Ivan on a break with Josh and Harris than Marvin Horford.
Let Marvin Horford come off the bench and let Zaza start until we trade Al and can find a real center
Javale McGee is better than Al
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
3:48 pm
As O’Brien posted earlier:
“In 2010, Dwight Howard averaged 4 turnovers per game. In fact, he had games in which he had 6 turnovers against Utah, 6 turnovers against Detroit, 6 turnovers against Atlanta (in 2 different games), 7 turnovers against Cleveland, 7 turnovers against Memphis, 6 turnovers against the Lakers, 7 turnovers against Chicago, and 9 turnovers against the Lakers.”
“Yeah, Dwight Howard must really suck to have all those turnovers.”
LMFAO. The player most say is the best center in the game has MULTIPLE GAMES with more turnovers than Al had in Game 6.
So, T-s, if multiple turnovers makes one a poor center, then what do you think of D12s multiple turnover games? Is he a poor center as well?
LMFAO.
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
4:04 pm
“Josh finishes a very high percent of his breaks and has a very good turnover to assist ratio” – T-s
“Marvin Horford is a turnover waiting to happen.” – T-s
Here’s to keeping it real:
Josh career A / TO ratio: 1.25:1
Al career A / TO ratio: 1.52:1
Funny how Horford is a “turnover waiting to happen” with a better ratio than Josh.
Hey, T-s, if you think Josh has a “very good turnover to assist ratio” at 1.25 assists to every TO, then what must you think of Horford’s ratio of 1.52 assists to every TO?
By the way, I wonder who led the league in A/TO ratio for centers in 2011?
Oh yeah, it was Al Horford. One of 7 categories in which he was in the top 5 centers in the league.
An inconvenient fact for some.
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
And T-s, notice that I only brought Josh into this AFTER you did. I’m not one of those who likes one OR the other. I’m a fan of BOTH.
They are both Hawks players, so I cheer for both equally. Along with the rest of the roster.
Buddy Grizzard
September 1st, 2012
4:33 pm
“Al is foul prone”
Why do you guys keep chatting on this blog with people who know nothing about basketball? Al for his career has one of the lowest foul rates for any power rotation player.
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
4:34 pm
the only thing I left out was that josh handled that ball 4 times as much as Al so my stat is really irrelevant
but any thing I can do to help al break his mavin complex im for it
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
4:36 pm
Why do you guys keep chatting on this blog with people who know nothing about basketball?
You are right ..FROM NOW FORWARD PLEASE NO ONE TALK TO IDIOT BUTT GIZZARD
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
4:43 pm
So, T-s, if multiple turnovers makes one a poor center, then what do you think of D12s multiple turnover games? Is he a poor center as well?
again i live in a denial world and post the most idiotic stats D12 is triple teamed almost always. Al only draws flys so I can see d12 having a 6 turn night. (incidentally notice i had to go back to 2010 and to make Marvin Horford look decent i have to quote from his one average year. If you see me quoting more irrelevant stats dont be surprised.
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
4:45 pm
T-s, why are you posting as me at 4:34 and 4:36?
Are you threatened by the knowledge I’m bringing?
It just seems that if you are so sure of your arguments, that you wouldn’t need to try and bring down those who disagree by stealing their handles and posting things they would not.
Maybe you’re not so sure of those arguments.
Roger That !!!
September 1st, 2012
5:11 pm
Sautee I would not have to do that to make you see how ignorant you are. You intentionally miss the points and to defend Marvin Horford.
The 7 turnover point about Al was that he ruined the whole season by producing that funk in the playoff on a pivot game and ended the heart filled and hard work of Zaza Ivan and Smoove.
That was the point.
You took that and twisted it to make a comparison to Josh to help Marvin Horfords name be mentioned with the excellent work of Josh.
Then you tried to act as if Marvin Horford handles the ball as much as Josh or D12 and he doesnt. D12 is tripled constantly, Josh is doubled and is the point forward on this team.
So Josh and D12 are the stars they are because the teams offense pivots around these guys
Now heres a more accurate comparison:
Who is the greater disappointment to the fans? Mavin Williams , Jon Koncak or Al Horford.
I vote Marvin because he was a # 2 pick and then Al because he hasnt produced very much and is not a really good asset. Jon Koncak was never really good or expected to be great. He was just well over paid. Kind of Like Al horford.
So which of those three do you think is the biggest non producer Jon Koncak, Marvin Williams or Jon Koncak?
Roger That !!!
September 1st, 2012
5:13 pm
*So which of those three do you think is the biggest non producer Jon Koncak, Marvin Williams or Al Koncak?
Sautee
September 1st, 2012
5:33 pm
Nice try, T-s.
But here’s the thing about assist to turnover ratio: It’s a ratio.
A ratio is a ratio whether for 5 minutes per game or 40 minutes per game. It’s a ratio.
A ratio is a ratio whether for 15 touches per game, or for 60 touches per game. It’s a ratio.
The A/TO ratio measures the number of assists against the number of turnovers. It measures your ball security. Number of touches doesn’t matter with a ratio. It’s STILL a ratio. No more, no less.
Ken Strickland
September 1st, 2012
7:11 pm
IGNORANCE is a commodity that every human possesses, and is usually the result of a lack of exposure or access to knowledge. When one is granted access and/or exposure to knowledge, yet steadfastly rejects or refuses to accept it, then that’s called STUPIDITY.
When they continuously reject or refuse to accept that knowledge, no matter how many times or different ways it’s presented, and they hide their DELUSIONAL BS by using multiple names, yet continuously repeat the same STUPID DELUSIONAL BS over and over, then that’s called EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED, or INSANE. We definitely have at least 1 or 2 who fit this definition on these blogs.
We’ve all seen children who crave attention, and love being around other children, but no one wants to be around them because they are psychologically damaged and just don’t know how to act. We’re seeing more and more of that type of mental deficiency being played out daily on these blogs by STEVEN A SMITH, and all of the various TS manifestations.
Only an extremely sick and immature mind could consistently derive any pleasure or satisfaction out of such a childish endeavor. It’s been said that there’s a thin line between genius and insanity, but these insane morons prove that’s NOT always the case. They’re truely insane, but they’re also dumber than 2 dead gnats.
Why Johnny cant read
September 1st, 2012
10:05 pm
“But here’s the thing about assist to turnover ratio: It’s a ratio.”
What the hell does that have to do with this statement?
The 7 turnover point about Al was that he ruined the whole season by producing that funk in the playoff on a pivot game and ended the heart filled and hard work of Zaza Ivan and Smoove.
Some people just dont get it. Actually they do but they just chose to ignore it because they have no answer.
It would have been easier to say ” hey yeah, Al fcked up; again.”
Why Johnny cant read
September 1st, 2012
10:09 pm
Al committed 7 turnovers I a pivotal playoff game costing the hawks the season and ruining the heart filled and hard work of Zaza Ivan and Smoove.
To which sautee replied
“Nice try, T-s.
But here’s the thing about assist to turnover ratio: It’s a ratio.
A ratio is a ratio whether for 5 minutes per game or 40 minutes per game. It’s a ratio.”
See why Johnny cant read?
Ken Strickland
September 1st, 2012
10:17 pm
IGNORANCE is a commodity that every human possesses, that’s called STUPIDITY.
+ you are an anal minded moron
When they continuously reject or refuse to accept that knowledge, no matter how many times or different ways it’s presented, and they hide their DELUSIONAL BS by using multiple names, yet continuously repeat the same STUPID DELUSIONAL BS over and over, then that’s called EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED, or INSANE. We definitely have at least 1 or 2 who fit this definition on these blogs. because they are psychologically damaged and just don’t know how to act. We’re seeing more and more of that type of mental deficiency being played out daily on these blogs by STEVEN A SMITH, and all of the various TS manifestations.
Only an extremely sick and immature mind could consistently derive any pleasure or satisfaction out of such a childish endeavor. It’s been said that there’s a thin line between genius and insanity, you anal minded moron. as s holes only sautee and I are geniuses the rest of you are truely insane, but they’re also dumber than 2 dead gnats.That is TS and Steven A. Smith and any other Anal minded as s hole moron psycho muther fcker who is not a fan of Al horford Fck you. Get some help you sick anal minded MORONS!!!!!!
and another thing go see a psycho doctor like me As s hole. Me and Sautee are the only smart ones and we are Al horford fans right Sautee?
Why Johnny cant read
September 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
*Al committed 7 turnovers in a pivotal playoff game costing the hawks the season and ruining the heart filled and hard work of Zaza Ivan and Smoove
Buddy Grizzard
September 1st, 2012
10:37 pm
Ivan Johnson DNP CD in Game 6? What hard work? Know anything about basketball?
Also, posted this yesterday for fun:
http://repatl.blogspot.com/2012/08/fun-with-lists-comparing-stats-and-eye.html
Ball Handlers Gazette.
September 1st, 2012
10:54 pm
“A ratio is a ratio whether for 5 minutes per game or 40 minutes per game. It’s a ratio.”
Who is the idiot that said that? Ratio’s like A/TO are impacted by the number of controlled touches not by time. If I handle the ball a hundred times as opposed to 3 or 4 times that then has a significant Impact. Its not a metric whose value is based on quantity. of opportunity not how long you played the game.
This is an uneducated blog page where people post stats that arent relevant to the issues.
Buddy Grizzard
September 1st, 2012
10:58 pm
Oh and let’s talk about Josh’s “hard work” in game 6 that included 3-for-11 shooting on jumpers. But he really broke a sweat tossing up all those bricks. Meanwhile Horford shot 6-for-9. He had 9 fewer shot attempts than Josh and scored only 3 fewer points. Also, Horford was one of only two starters with a positive +/- in Game 6. That means the Hawks outscored Boston while Horford was on the floor, in spite of his 7 turnovers. Josh was a team-worst -9.
#hardwork
Buddy Grizzard
September 1st, 2012
11:00 pm
Al Horford with 5 4th-quarter baskets in Game 6.
Josh Smith? 1
Joe Johnson? 0
#hardwork
Buddy Grizzard
September 1st, 2012
11:02 pm
Hawks lost Game 6 by 3 points. Josh cost the Hawks a point with a stupid tech while he was at the scorer’s table, not even in the game. Then he allowed Garnett to hit an uncontested jumper because he was arguing with refs and didn’t run back on defense.
#hardwork
MsDee
September 1st, 2012
11:16 pm
Ready for the season to start already!! Cant wait to see Horford prove his haters wrong this season!!
Buddy Grizzard
September 1st, 2012
11:30 pm
You see I think the only way to lift Al from his s hit is to tear Josh down.
Now who has the fattest dick I can suck?
Casey
September 2nd, 2012
1:41 am
Man! What a bunch of loud mouth morons! You people think you know something about basketball. You know absolutely NOTHING! The team we have to beat to get to the Finals, obviously, is Miami. Do you really want to tell me that Joel Anthony is a better center than Pachulia or Horford? It really doesn’t mean $HIT who plays center or who plays SF or PF. To beat Miami you have to play 5 on 5, team defense. You have to be able to score and rebound as a TEAM. Right now, the best 5 guys we can put out there include Josh Smith, Horford, and Pachulia. So, we put those guys out there. It doesn’t matter whether you call Josh a SF or Al a PF or Pachulia a PG. The important thing is who do they match up against on the other team. I could give a rat’s a$$ who guards Joel Anthony. We have to stop Wade, Lebron, and Bosh.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
September 2nd, 2012
2:17 am
Braves collapsing again. Falcons can’t win in the postseason. Hawks are the only team in Atlanta worth a dam.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
September 2nd, 2012
2:19 am
BIG IVAN FOR PRESIDENT