Atlanta Hawks: Former coach Bob Weiss returns as adviser
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
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516 comments Add your comment
AG
August 28th, 2012
4:55 pm
Wow, how canned was that quote from LD. I think it is really funny now that DF is in charge LD was “thinking” about it the entire time. I do understand the value of having a former head coach with you – BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HIRE HIM AS AN ASSISTANT! In a adviser role, he will be micromanaged and his actions reported directly back to DF! Worse, I would not be surprised if BW became the next Atlanta Hawk head coach.
Ra'mon
August 28th, 2012
4:56 pm
Big Ray, you’re actually wrong about some of that. Many of the people who are saying those negative things about Al didn’t start saying negatives things about Al until 2011 playoffs. Before that time, Josh was those same bloggers whooping boy for a while. Mike Woodson’s last two seasons you didn’t see hardly any one on here suggest trading Al. The only player they were trying to blindly trade them was Josh. I know you remember the countless Josh for Biedrins posts or Josh for Scola posts that used to eat up space on the blog. You say guilty dog, but I’m one of the main one who have been objective about Al for quite some time now. So if asking someone about their post makes someone guilty, then oh well. The same way I wouldn’t trade Horford for Jefferson or Josh for Gasol. Is the same way I would trade either or both for the top pick in next season’s draft. I’ve never said Ferry isn’t considering anything. Instead its been Buddy and others who act as if everyone isn’t on the table. And that was the point of my statement. However, you been the scholar blogger you are, you didn’t comprehend that.
W.R. Terrell
August 28th, 2012
4:56 pm
Ferry is a smark basketball man, to 2nd guess his decisions before we can ascertain an outcome is ludicrous. He brought in a wing player who can play defense and talented that may need a change of scenery. Changing assistant coaches is not going to make me lose sleep and for those who do not remember Bob Weiss may not be a flashy coach but he does have a way of getting the most out of young and gifted players. I’m gonna sit back and watch because I think the show has not even started yet.
AG
August 28th, 2012
4:57 pm
MC, is VanExel still part of the staff? Also can you confirm the rumor on Arthur Trishe.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
5:10 pm
Ramon, you have to remember Manic BRay is a [LEGEND] in his own mind……
He’s part of that Fal-con Fanatic Delusional club.This group of proud and arrogant son of a guns believe that their squad is Supebowl bound with Melt as the QB and Wade Phillips Jr as the HC…
12-4 has been posted out there by one of their Experts[Bradley]
Super Bowl or Bust…
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
5:12 pm
Weiss is coming. Hey Larry your bags packed yet?
jhan
August 28th, 2012
5:15 pm
Bynum & Josh are in the same boat this year. We’ll see how they handle the “Joe Johnson” treatment every night. Should be very interesting to watch!
jhan
August 28th, 2012
5:20 pm
If Josh is the full time SF won’t it be very easy for teams to neutralize his defense & rebounding? How can he focus in the paint if the guy he’s guarding is playing 22′ from the basket?
doc
August 28th, 2012
5:25 pm
buddy, i disagree. if phil had a hard time with bynum which most accounts suggest, i expect collins will too but will push more buttons inthe mean time. if it goes bad, one or the other or both will have probs. also your comments seem contradictory, collins is either a good coach or not. good coaches dont turn into de facto gm’s somehow they can draw the line.
Sautee
August 28th, 2012
5:25 pm
“Ra’mon, forget trying to reason with the Al Horford [Fan Club] with acting President and CEO Sautee..”
OK slim, you’ve finally pissed me off. Did you not see my post last blog, where I AGREED with Just Joe’s trade proposal including Al to ORL with us getting Nicholson, Vucevic, and particularly important: the ability to swap 1st round picks?
So tell me slim, if I’d be OK with that trade, just how am I being “unreasonable”???????
Your attack is unwarranted, just like a few blogs ago when you called me “one of the biggest apologists on the blog”. BS. Find just one post where I’m “apologizing” for the Hawks. Just one.
Lots of luck, bucko.
Cut the crap, slim. Sorry, but I don’t fit the characterization you have in mind. But there’s NO NEED to try to paint me as something I am not.
You have gone too far. But perhaps, on your judgement day (that you keep saying to others) you’ll be reminded about that commandment: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Or if it’s not false witness, then PROVE what you have claimed.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
5:39 pm
Sautee, settle down.. Take it Easy. My bad dude..
doc
August 28th, 2012
5:40 pm
r’amon,
Big Ray, you’re actually wrong about some of that. Many of the people who are saying those negative things about Al didn’t start saying negatives things about Al until 2011 playoffs.
objective on al? has one bad series as you say, i guess, though we got into the second round against a supposedly better team, gets injured early in a season, comes back early and was not too far back on the numbers between the big dogs jj and josh and people decry al? you and everyone jumped off at that? kidding or you think you are objective?
meanwhile jj has series after series of underperforming, has his overall numbers go down signs a crippling contract no fault of his own and people are teary eyed he is now gone? objective? puhlease.
r’amon no, dont forget the “soft al” started before the playoffs and even before that, right vava, et al? he seemed to redeem himself for the soft accusations in his play right off the injured list on coming back way before it was expected with more to lose than gain personally to help the team in a season probably going down the drain. still not good enough.
by those comments, i will be pressed into a corner i am not in but so be it because of all the “objectivity” here.
Jay Dubu
August 28th, 2012
5:41 pm
The Hawks are mirrowing the out-sourcing of jobs in their approach. Your replacement gets to look over your shoulder before they take your job.
SteveW
August 28th, 2012
5:42 pm
Doc – When the rumor of obtaining Anderson came out, I googled James Anderson – and then when somebody on here mentioned his broken foot, I googled that also – and that’s where I found out about what bone – on a Spurs blog somewhere.
I’d say most Spurs fans really liked Anderson judging by the blogs I read, but some thought he was garbage after the injury. Probably 80-20 split in favor of liking him though. They say Summer League showed he’d regained at least some of his lost explosiveness.
SteveW
August 28th, 2012
5:45 pm
Doc – This from 48 minutes of hell – an espn truehoop blog:
“Anderson was diagnoses with a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal, a cumulative injury that typically builds up over time. He was off to a good start to his rookie season, averaging seven points in his first seven games while making half his 3-point shots “
SteveW
August 28th, 2012
5:49 pm
Yeh, I could deal with obtaining Wilson Chandler – now how to do it? Preferably Korver and Morrow straight up for Chandler. I have no idea if Denver does that deal or not.
If I could get away with Korver and Stevenson – I’d do that. Give them a Rockets 2nd pick that we own to sweeten the deal.
Probably takes at least Morrow and Korver to get Chandler however. Maybe more.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
5:49 pm
Tell ya what Sautee when you jab me everyday on this blog I’ll be sure to test the scroll key..
Good plan? Yes….
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
5:53 pm
Its a two way street dude. Nice try Shortie..
Melvin
August 28th, 2012
5:54 pm
Why do they continue to keep Sund on the payroll? This guy has been collecting checks from the NBA for over 30years and no NBA championship to show for it… Let this guy go to the retired old folks home. I rather see that monies be sent on someone else or entity… My Goodness
SteveW
August 28th, 2012
5:54 pm
I’d love to do Morrow, Korver, Stevenson, a 1st pick and a couple of 2nd picks to Denver for Iggy. A Frontcourt of Al, Josh, and Iggy, with a backcourt rotation of Devin, Lou, and Jeff – with ZaZa, Ivan, and Petro still in the frontcourt rotation, would be a very, very competitive team.
And you’d still have the cash for a frontline FA next year, even re-signing Josh. Put Harden or Jefferson alongside of Al, Josh, Iggy, Lou, and Teague and you’ve got a quality team – maybe a contender.
Again – probably no way Denver makes that trade – but stranger things have happened.
steven a smith
August 28th, 2012
5:57 pm
Ken Strickland and all the other Bloggers with an unhealthy “ManCrush” on Al Horford, need to Understand that “Change gonna come.” All Atlanta teams are cleaning house, Scrubs gotta go!
See Chris Redman and John Bob Parker getting CUT. New sherrif in town for the Atlanta Basketball Hawks, will not put up with the “Underchieving Al Horford.” I Love Al Horford as a Back-up Center/Power Forward..Love him in that role. He just cannot be my starting “5″
I like Al, just not as a starter Kenny.
SteveW
August 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
I think with Lawson and Miller – Denver doesn’t need Devin Harris – which is the most obvious contract to swap for Chandler.
But if we could get Iggy – that’s the deal I want right there.
Iggy, Josh, Al, and Lou would be a tough top 4
Teague, ZaZa, Ivan, and Jenkins are a good 2nd four as well.
And yes, I know of Iggy and Lou’s friction – but hey, making several millions of dollars, you can work with another human being.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
5:59 pm
doc you realize its a fair assumption that Al Horford was offered up as trade bait already by Danny when he was engaged in trade talks with Orlando for D12 services?
Al’s an Allstar with good trade value.. He will be offered up again down the road sometime for sure.
So be it…
Sautee
August 28th, 2012
6:02 pm
slim, I hope that scroll key thingy works for you on your judgement day. Best of luck with THAT.
You who speaks of accountability… well maybe you are not holding yourself to the same standard you seem to be holding for others. A common sin, as well I know.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
6:08 pm
Lighten the load dude.. Your not the innocent lamb you are trying to paint a picture of..
Good evening..
Ra'mon
August 28th, 2012
6:14 pm
Doc, I didn’t change my opinion of Al because of a series. I was saying the same thing about Al BEFORE the series. I’m saying majority of the people on here now who are saying trade Al, they previous weren’t. And compared to his rookie season, Al does play less physical basketball. THAT has always been my number one complaint. And number two was the lack of ability to fluidly create a shot for himself. Those two things were before and after the series. I have never said just give away Al. But my trade value for him is lower than some on here, and higher than others.
H-Fan
August 28th, 2012
6:17 pm
Always liked Bob Weiss. I remember watching him steal the ball from a whirling Earl the Pearl. As a player, he made efficient use of his talent. He has a good sound basketball IQ.
Sautee
August 28th, 2012
6:19 pm
“Your not the innocent lamb you are trying to paint a picture of..” – slimjr
Maybe not, but also you say I “can’t be reasoned with” and that I’m “one of the biggest Hawks apologists on the blog” and I disagree vehemently. You don’t bring a single thing to support either of those statements. As usual.
I never said (as your straw man argument would suggest) that I was an “innocent lamb” now, did I slim?
In fact, I said in my last post (if you read it carefully) that I was just as guilty of holding others to a higher standard.
But that is what you now seem to be doing. Unless you’d like to repent your statements??????
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
6:22 pm
does Al = the WHOLE HAWKS TEAM???????????????????????????????????????????????
Scroll engaged
I MUS WRITE
August 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
“Audience of One”…….I Getting a Copy today!!!. I hear there a line around the corner at Barnes and Noble.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
6:39 pm
DONT PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH DUDE.
WE HAVE HAD OUR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION BASED ON AL’S GAME NOT THE WHOLE DARN TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DONT GET IT TWISTED AND SAY IM CALLING YOU THE BIGGEST HAWK APOLOGIST..YOU GOT IT WRONG MISTER!
NOW IM PISSED OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sautee
August 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
“does Al = the WHOLE HAWKS TEAM????????????” – slimjr
What a silly statement slim. Once again, I’m a Hawks fan. if Al played for another team, he’d just be another NBA player to me. Which is why I said, as always, that if trading him made the team better, I’d be all for it. Some folks conveniently ignore that message. And the trade that Just Joe proposed, in my opinion, would have improved the team.
That doesn’t mean I’d give him away like SAS would. But I’m a fan of Hawks players first and foremost. Unlike you.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
6:53 pm
Sautee your assessment of that statement is worth what? A Rats azz?
It’s not silly anymore once I followed up in caps..
Hey you go back to your corner and I will go back to mine..Take it easy
KevinM
August 28th, 2012
6:55 pm
Bob Weiss is 70 years old…he hardly sounds like a threat to LD IMO. He is recovering from prostate cancer, so congrats to him and his new role as advisor.
Now, why Sund is still part of the picture is like sending out a previous boss without acknowledging his time has passed.
We definitely will have enough opinions to go around. Danny has his hands full trying to get a 45 year franchise to begin thinking championship contender.
Will next year’s roster of coaches/players resemble anything close to what we have today?
brigadierjerry
August 28th, 2012
6:59 pm
if jenkins gets the playing time i think he will end up being a better pro than jordan crawford
KevinM
August 28th, 2012
7:00 pm
Wilson Chandler is owed 26M the next 4 years….there is no way I touch him for those nimbers. IMO, another Marvin Williams scenario at the end of that deal. Denver overpaid.
majortee
August 28th, 2012
7:03 pm
YEAH, BUCKO!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!! HAVEN’T heard that word in a while
vava74
August 28th, 2012
7:26 pm
KevinM
That’s cair Price for Chandler’s game.
He’s incredibly more talent on offense and decent enough on D to deserve 7 million per which the normal price for a player in his pecking order.
vava74
August 28th, 2012
7:29 pm
Than Marvin.
Jae Evolution
August 28th, 2012
7:38 pm
“Wilson Chandler is owed 26M the next 4 years….there is no way I touch him for those nimbers. IMO, another Marvin Williams scenario at the end of that deal. Denver overpaid.”
Jeff Green – 36M 4 years
Gerald Wallace 40M 4 years
Luol Deng – 26M 2 years
Tayshaun Prince – 22M 3 years
Danny Granger – 26M 2 years
Thaddeus Young – 35M 4 years
Trevor Ariza – 14M 2 years
Those are just numbers for guys on the East…I’m sorry but did you even see some of the SF contracts handed out to guys OLDER than Chandler who do LESS than he does? The guy is only 25 and most people forgot about him while he was in China then got injured, but for what he produces when on the court he is the friendliest contract out there, the numbers speak for themselves.
Hawkfan
August 28th, 2012
7:39 pm
Weiss was the worst all time Hawks head coach and that’s saying something. Hope he’s a great consultant. Wasn’t he a consultant on the Olympic team?
Ken Strickland
August 28th, 2012
7:43 pm
SLIMJR-I’m in the fan club of any Atlanta Hawks player that’s a 2 time All Star and 1 time All NBA in his first 4 seasons any day of the week. If you were a Hawks fan that’s concerned about the team, rather than your own personal BS, you’d feel the same way. I support all of the players on my team as long as he contributes, and Horford has consistently contributed on an All Star and All NBA level.
It’s too bad that you and certain others are too full of your own personal BS to realize and/or accept these FACTS. But at least you are capable of contributing something intelligent when it doesn’t involve Horford, which is waaaay more than anyone can say for STEVEN ASS SMITH.
Sautee
August 28th, 2012
7:54 pm
“DONT PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH DUDE.”
“WE HAVE HAD OUR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION BASED ON AL’S GAME NOT THE WHOLE DARN TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DONT GET IT TWISTED AND SAY IM CALLING YOU THE BIGGEST HAWK APOLOGIST..YOU GOT IT WRONG MISTER!” – slimjr
So you never said anything like that, eh, slim?
Slimjr
August 10th, 2012
11:10 pm
“Sorry Sautee [one of the expert apologists] on this blog but 44 years of futility is way beyond unacceptable.”
“This Allstar 5 will not change that streak by any stretch….”
Still think I’m putting words in your mouth, slim?
You owe me an apology.
doc
August 28th, 2012
8:04 pm
slimj, not sure what is relevant about a statement or question like that. dont you think at this stage of the game for df there are no untouchables? seems josh’s name has come up in as many trade rumors as al has, so big deal. josh for gasol or did you forget? al for d12? i would have taken that one if d12 signs on the line but he wasnt. josh for gasol, uh no, not right now.
i say df is going to hold his hand with what trade bait he has and both al and josh and jeff for that matter are all fair game depending on the circumstances. you arent foolish enough in making your statement to think josh wasnt shopped or discussed as was al and there are untouchables? so what is your frigging point my friend.
if we get quality then fine and al for d12 would have been a coup. i wont cry if we get quality for him but i am going to laugh my azz off at all of you who want him gone if he and josh finally get the op to play a different game and excel which i hope for as fans of them and a fan of the hawks. i do feel it is possible. if the team falters it will be on josh and al so easily josh could go first. that would be a real smack down wouldnt it? reality check, it is very possible.
now, how would that feel but it is a very rational position for df, if josh cant do it and he has worth in the marketplace knowing if he suffers his detractors will be back moaning at every shot outside 12 ft. he wont sign here period. so why dont we all rest on it and pray they both perform well, because if we dont see that, final kaboom!?
brigadierjerry
August 28th, 2012
8:05 pm
stephen a smith,
how many centers better than horford?maybe 3? and why r u so hung up on horford coming off the bench?u make it seem horford isnt any good. as i said he is what he is. u think he is a scrub but u want him to be better but ithought to u he sucked?
just u suggesting trading deng for horford is comical?unless u telling me u trading horford for howard or bynum and maybe chandler or if hawk getting multiple 1st round picks if hawks want to tank why would u make that trade horford for deng?it is hard having decent centers in a league moving away from big men.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
8:11 pm
Reading is fundamental Sir…
[one of the expert apologistSSSSSSSSSS][Plural=more than one Dude] where does is say [the biggest Hawks apologist]? Hmmmmmmmmm
I lumped you into a group. You were not singled out! Stop twisting it dude..You want your way.Dont you?
I singled you out for the Al Horford fan club on a day when you where just irritating me.. And it stuck..
Tell ya what I’m gonna do. I will cease from involving you in that line of diatribe.
Good evening..
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
8:15 pm
KS. thanks for the back handed compliment!! Hehehehe
Sautee
August 28th, 2012
8:22 pm
LOL, slim. You are playing dodge ball again. The issue – since apparently I must spell it out for you – is NOT the exact wording you used. It’s the fact that you call me an apologist. I’ll say again, if that’s what you insist, then go and find me evidence of my apologies.
If I am, as you say “an expert apologist” then surely there must be hundreds of examples for you. Else, why would I be such an “expert”?
Just find one. Or go ahead and apologize to me for a false accusation. Your call.
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
8:28 pm
doc, yea Josh for Gasol was discussed quite a bit on this site..Glad that did not go down or we would have seen this @ Phillips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzxFJa6rfsg&feature=related
Slimjr
August 28th, 2012
8:38 pm
“slimj, not sure what is relevant about a statement or question like that. dont you think at this stage of the game for df there are no untouchables?” -doc-
exactly doc, we agree..Everyone can be shopped for the right deal to take this franchise to new heights.