Atlanta Hawks: Larry Drew studying with Euro coach David Blatt
Back when Hawks coach Larry Drew added assistants Kenny Atkinson and Bob Weiss to join Lester Conner and Bob Bender, Drew said his staff was “set” for 2012-13.
But, according to a report out of Russia that was translated by Eurohoops.com, Drew is in Israel to meet with Maccabi Tel Aviv coach David Blatt. According to Eurohoops, Blatt recently signed a three-year contract with Maccabi but has a “turbulent relationship” with the club’s management.
UPDATE: Hawks GM Danny Ferry confirms that Drew is not seeking to add Blatt to his staff but went to Maccabi’s camp to observe, learn and share ideas with Blatt.
“Larry respects the international game and is enjoying the opportunity to share ideas with David Blatt,” Ferry wrote in a text message. “David is a heckuva coach and I know that Larry appreciates that David has been so open. I know Larry is enjoying the opportunity to closely watch [Maccabi's] program. It is a highly respected program.”
Blatt is an American native who played at Princeton. He coached the Russian national team to a bronze medal finish at the 2012 Olympics.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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371 comments Add your comment
MsDee
September 14th, 2012
11:12 am
Rod, its funny how u can post West’s youtube videos but none of Horfords TOP 10 plays of 11-12 seasons nor his AlHorford/Boss video nor his NBA Journey video. Horford is just as skilled just in different ways. There was a couple of games, can’t remember which or who we were playing but if u are truly a Hawk fan, u will have a clear mind and see where im coming from. In those few games, Horford was having a heck of a game scoring the ball in like 4 or 5 possessions in a row and/or getting fouled for an AND1 when of course Joe or Josh stopped going to him. In those possessions, ROD, Horford was posting up and actually making plays u so kindly forget. Jhan made the point earlier how it IS important how and where the guard passes the ball into the post. U not gonna see as many balls going down low to AL cause the guards (Joe and Josh) very seldom passes down to him on a CONSISTANT BASIS. Only reason Teague didnt throw down low cause he was used in pick and pops plays.
“On the David West situation for instance he averaged 12.3 ppg during the regular season on a new team, but then in the playoffs his ppg averaged went up to 15.3. The reason that happened is because he became more of a primary scorer for that team in the playoffs because he has the ability to create his own high percentage shots out of the post, and he has the ability to get to the line and shoot a high percentage from the free throw line.”
Funny how u only look at the strengths of West but very few comments on his weakness but have a million & 3 things to say about Horford weakness but very few things about his strengths.
“Also his team scored a lot off of transition points during the regular season, which is not one of his strengths, but when the game slows down (in the playoffs), his skill set becomes more valuable.”
Case-in-point, u make an excuse for West numbers to be down and now b/c his team scored a lot off transition pts which isnt his strength but guess what, IT IS A STRENGTH FOR HORFORD. Horford does well running the floor in transition for a nice bounce pass or finish to the basket.
I just cant wait til Horford Haters are proved wrong this up coming season!!
Ken Strickland
September 14th, 2012
11:12 am
MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM-Why are all my posts suddenly being blocked?
Astro Joe
September 14th, 2012
11:25 am
Any player who receives individual accolades without a championship will always be subject to undue criticism. Like I heard someone say recently, his isn’t tennis or golf. Hard for a QB to win independent of his teammates and the same is true in baseball and basketball. It is almost like players who receive individual honors with a championship should deny the honor. For example, Derrick Rose should have refused the 2011 MVP award.
Ken Strickland
September 14th, 2012
11:26 am
MSDEE-What else can you expect from a NARROW MINDED HATER, especially when he’s hating on a player with such distinguished accomplishments and awards. If your sole intent is to tear down a player, you certainly can’t expect anything else but negatives, even if the bulk of them have to manufactured. The same has to be done when it comes to embellishing a favored player.
Instead of being able to put on a pair of glasses and look through both lens’ simultaneously, he has to close one eye or the other before looking through the glasses. Therefore, he always get a view and focus that’s truely limited. You can see that in just about everything he says about any player that he likes or dislikes.
doc
September 14th, 2012
11:29 am
slim jr dont know why you bring mv7 to the conversation who almost undid your beloved franchise. ken s can attest that i was a huge mv7 fan in his time though, preached to let the process carry through before declaring him guilty, wanting to believe in his honesty and integrity. time proved me wrong, so be it.
sad truth is, mv7 stole your money and your heart with his cavalier attitude, lack of any preparation and immaturity. you should be asking for your money back rather than give your bleeding heart to him.
though many moments of brilliance that captivated my emotions, i also believe mv7 was stoned several times on the field, specifically, a game with san diego where he thew an awful intercept for a return td, supposedly to the tight end. on a camera close up, he had that familiar far away look of the stoner he was. he pretty much did a mea culpa there too, admitting substance abuse on the field. sorry, no excuses for mv7, is more the cry i think a rationale true and fervent falcon fan might have. he was and is so flawed it makes no sense. live and let live when it comes to mv7 in my book, chapter closed.
it you want to see and cry your heart out at what mv7 could have been if with an unclouded brain and values to go with his innate abilities look at rg3, the real deal. bleed on slimj, bleed on, as that is all it is, no roar to that mouse.
MsDee
September 14th, 2012
12:17 pm
KenS, yeah I know what u mean but like I said, I just cant wait til Horford has the same opportunity that Josh had when one of the big 3 is out. With Joe gone, we shall see exactly what I expect to see out of Horford and thats his “A” GAME!!
Rod from College Park
September 14th, 2012
12:58 pm
“Ryan is 0-3 in the playoffs. Manning didn’t win his first playoff game until his sixth season in the league, when the Colts routed the Broncos 41-10 in the wild-card round after the 2003 season.”
Manning never got shut out in the playoffs with 2 of the best receivers in the game, a top 5 running back, and a hall of fame tight end, against a terrible defense.
Rod from College Park
September 14th, 2012
1:02 pm
“Funny how u only look at the strengths of West but very few comments on his weakness but have a million & 3 things to say about Horford weakness but very few things about his strengths.”
I have never said anything bad about Horford except that he has no post game, his defense is questionable and he is not a better PF than Josh Smith. Those are facts. Not speculation. It is what it is. Call me a hater if you like. I can take it.
Ken Strickland
September 14th, 2012
1:17 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6TmJcd30II
ROD FROM CP-Watch these highlights of Al Horford and tell me what you see.
Where's the Logic?
September 14th, 2012
1:20 pm
Ken Strickland
September 14th, 2012
11:12 am
MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM-Why are all my posts suddenly being blocked?
Leave out Anus and Anal. Filters are working.
The Truth
September 14th, 2012
1:23 pm
MC: I’m faster than you with the news break!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Former Duck Ivan Johnson re-signs with Atlanta Hawks
Chris Haynes, CSNNW.com Trail Blazers Insider (@ChrisBHaynes)
The final restricted free agent left in the 2012 NBA free agent class is off the market.
Power forward Ivan Johnson has agreed to re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks, CSNNW.com has learned.
The undrafted forward who played one season at the University of Oregon before transferring to Cal State-San Bernardino, agrees to the Hawks’ offer of one-year, $962,195″
http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingblazers?Former-Duck-Ivan-Johnson-re-signs-with-A=1&blockID=773269&feedID=5212
Jay Dubu
September 14th, 2012
1:32 pm
What took Johnson so long to sign? Was he looking for a better dal somewhere else?
The Truth
September 14th, 2012
1:35 pm
After this season, the Hawks will have Ivan’s bird rights. If he continue to play well, Danny could sign him long term as a serious backup to Josh.
Checkmate to the Hawks
Astro Joe
September 14th, 2012
1:36 pm
Ivan is back? Cool, let me secure my spot on the parade route.
The Truth
September 14th, 2012
1:37 pm
“What took Johnson so long to sign? Was he looking for a better dal somewhere else?”
Yes, no doubt infuence by his agent.
MsDee
September 14th, 2012
1:48 pm
KenS,
Good luck with Rod watching ANYTHING GOOD with Horford on them!!
Rod, I just cant help but laugh when u say u had nothing bad to say about the guy but then say “except that he has no post game, his defense is questionable and he is not a better PF than Josh Smith”.
I guess I should ask, what is good about Horford?
The Truth
September 14th, 2012
1:49 pm
As I previously mention about the possibility of Ivan signing, makes signing Benson extremely difficult. I thought Benson showed a lot of promise during the SL. He has attributes the Hawks could use.
Too many shooters and not enough frontline depth will be problematic for the Hawks in an 82 game season.
Hawkeye
September 14th, 2012
1:50 pm
Can’t blame Ivan and his agent for checking out his market value
doc
September 14th, 2012
1:51 pm
aj, ill make sure too not mess up your view by standing in front of you when i get there. glad he will be back and hope he has worked on his game from head to toe.
also seems like LD may have been right about the gas left in tmac’s tank. like zilch. seems he is struggling to find a job having to do what chills has done with the nets. all tmac might be offered is a non-guaranteed. he didnt go down hill in a few months and it isnt about LD.
MsDee
September 14th, 2012
1:55 pm
“not a better PF than Josh Smith” Really??
So, is what make Josh a better PF is the fact that Josh takes matters into his own hands at the wrong time of the game to throw up some wild shot in the lane that just happens to go in every now and again?? Or is it the fact that Drew babies Josh and create more post plays for him JUST TO KEEP HIM from being out behind the 3 pt line ready to hoist up a wild jumper?? ummmmmmm, I wonder if a REAL coach allowed Horford THOSE SAME OPPORTUNITIES with multiplies post plays WHO WOULD REALLY BE THE BETTER PF??? I guess we will never know, at least not this season, since Drew is still the HC.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Ivan Johnson will sign the one-year qualifying offer with the Atlanta Hawks. He was the last restricted free agent to sign.
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About damn time. This dragged on longer than the Al Harrington trade.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
Wow, OK, I see I was beat to that by like 80 people.
Astro Joe
September 14th, 2012
2:00 pm
doc, yeah, Father Time remains undefeated.
Astro Joe
September 14th, 2012
2:01 pm
doc, although Chipper is giving Father Time one heckuva battle this season.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 14th, 2012
2:01 pm
“Manning never got shut out in the playoffs with 2 of the best receivers in the game, a top 5 running back, and a hall of fame tight end, against a terrible defense.”
He did, however, lose 41-0 to the Jets with Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Edgerrin James as teammates.
Falcons fans should hope Ryan is the next Peyton, because literally every other great QB won a playoff game by this point in their careers.
Buddy G
September 14th, 2012
2:03 pm
Props to The Truth:
http://repatl.blogspot.com/2012/09/ivan-johnson-signs-for-qualifying-offer.html
Just Joe
September 14th, 2012
2:04 pm
Glad Ivan is back. LouWill, Ivan & ZaZa are the start to a great bench.
Astro Joe
September 14th, 2012
2:07 pm
So unless there is a 2-1 trade, Anderson and James (along with any other camp invite) will be battling for the last roster spot. I’ve got my money on James.
Guaranteed deals (14): Josh, Al, Zaza, Ivan, Petro, Jordan, Scott, Korver, Morrow, Stevenson, Jenkins, Lou, Teague & Harris.
doc
September 14th, 2012
2:14 pm
Yes astro, chipper has played this year with grace and aplomb. Quite a year. Best ever going out were musial and williams.
doc
September 14th, 2012
2:16 pm
Najeh at least you didnt start it off by saying first. Heh heh
Slimjr
September 14th, 2012
2:37 pm
Okay doc, MV7 had his faults and they are well documented as you so well explained.
MV7 in his 3rd season, still took the Falcons to an NFC Champion with all of his faults and a fraction of the talent today…Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Ryan got shutout/zipped by the 27th ranked defense. Had two 4th and inches and @ 6′5″ could not make a 1st down? That’s is inexcusable…
That never happens in the playoffs[SHUTOUT]. PLAYOFFS? THAT’S just down right brutal..
This guy is 4-10 against the winners the past two years.. He still has a long way to go to right the ship..
10-4= Contenders
4-10= Pretenders
Slimjr
September 14th, 2012
2:39 pm
IVAN THE TERRIBLE FOR PRESIDENT!
Power and Grace! Oh what a combination!!!!!!!!!!!
Ken Strickland
September 14th, 2012
2:49 pm
WHERE’S THE LOGIC-Appropriate name, because if the filter is working to block anything with the words ANAL and ANUS, then why did your post get through?
MsDee
September 14th, 2012
3:14 pm
Now that Ivan is back, I can see Drew maybe starting Ivan at SF when he wants to have a small line-up.
Teague (6′2), Harris(6′3)
Harris (6′3), LouWill(6′1)
Ivan (6′8), Morrow(6′5)
Josh (6′9), Ivan (6′8)
Horford (6′10), Zaza(6′11)
The Big line-up looks like this:
Teague(6′2), Harris(6′3)
Jenkins(6′4), LouWill(6′1), Morrow(6′7)
Josh(6′9), James(6′7), Stevenson
Horford(6′10), Ivan(6′8), Scott(6′8)
Zaza(6′11), Horford(6′10), Petro (7′0)
hawksfancents95
September 14th, 2012
3:21 pm
IVAN JOHNSON SIGNED HIS QUALIFING OFFER
HAWKS ARE NOW A TOP 5 EAST TEAM
Astro Joe
September 14th, 2012
3:44 pm
If Ferry is going to make a trade, it will likely come next week, now that all of his guaranteed players are in the fold and he knows exactly which assets he has locked-up as well as which assets can be traded (now that the holding period has expired from the Nets trade).
DS
September 14th, 2012
3:44 pm
Aren’t the players acquired from the JJ trade available for trade now? I expect at leat 1 more trade any day now..
The Truth
September 14th, 2012
3:45 pm
The Hawks just doesn’t have too many shooters. They have too many shooters making too much money to be wearing suits on any given night:
Devin Harris – $8,500,000
Kyle Korver – $5,000,000
Louis Williams – $5,000,000
Anthony Morrow – $4,000,000
DeShawn Stevenson – $2,240,450
John Jenkins – $1,204,560
From a dollar standpoint, only the “new JJ” salary is relatively modest enough to seat, watch and learn. The ballers from this list must play.
The Truth
September 14th, 2012
3:47 pm
“The other ballers from this list must play.”
Slimjr
September 14th, 2012
4:05 pm
doc, Kansas City was 7-9 in 2011 and yea they beat Greenbay but their defense this pass Sunday was removed of 3 starters? [I know this is the NFL and everybody has injuries]. Lets see them dominate a winner for a change…
Slimjr
September 14th, 2012
4:06 pm
[past]^^^
Slimjr
September 14th, 2012
4:09 pm
Think Jenkins is gonna be a good one! Hope Larry gives this guy some burn. He will knock em down in the crunch. His jumper is the real deal!!!!!!
Slimjr
September 14th, 2012
4:11 pm
Buddy G, you must be very pleased that Ivan has signed?
Keep it coming dude.. We need more Ivan’s on this team…
Buddy Grizzard
September 14th, 2012
4:19 pm
I was with Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde on the Ivan signing… if they didn’t get him under contract I was about to turn in my pacman logo.
Buddy Grizzard
September 14th, 2012
4:59 pm
Profile talking about how Jordan Williams showed up to camp out of shape last year:
http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2012/09/13/atlanta-hawks-2012-13-player-profile-fc-jordan-williams/
Jae Evolution
September 14th, 2012
5:06 pm
Good to see Ivan come back, that makes 14 spots filled.
Wish we would trade Jordan Williams for a 2nd rounder to any team who would take him and sign BOTH Anderson and James.
Also I think with Danny bringing both these guys in, trade talks will be cooled until the deadline.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
September 14th, 2012
5:16 pm
BIG IVAN FOR PRESIDENT
The signing of Big Ivan was the best thing I heard all day. We had too many pretty boys on the roster.
The Truth
September 14th, 2012
5:18 pm
Buddy G
One option Danny has if Jordon Williams proves to be unsatisfactory
According to the CBA:
A “buyout” is actually a combination of altering the players contract to change the guarantee and/or payment schedule, and waiving the player.
I would think Williams contract of $762,195 could be bought out for a modest amount.
steven a smith
September 14th, 2012
5:28 pm
Great news that Ivan is back. One of the few NBA forwards who can effectively guard Lebron James. He seems to have the foot speed and athleticism to stay in front of James as well as block his shot here or there.(really?) Did i just write this?
doc
September 14th, 2012
6:57 pm
slimj, though the bar is low, as a fan there for the first now get this, preseaon game with norb hecker leading us onto the field, the last four season have been the only time they have had winning seasons in a row. no, ryan nor mv7 has a super bowl appearances. by that standard then chris miller should be the bar to judge him by and the standard for all qb’s in falcons history. it just aint that simple.
i prefer not to make excuses like all those that being em when their guy is being criticized. before you go much further i am not a ryan guy and though flacco should have been the choice especially with the line ryan has. baltimore plays smash mouth on both sides of the ball and was designed to be a grind it out team, which is where the falcons were without the offensive line and the ofc calling plays without that beef up front. it is like putting a cow in the kentucky derby the plays that were called last year. you will lose every time and get shut out.
just the same ryan may prove us all wrong in spite of it with different play calls, for the line he has in front of him arent that good. he does well as i dont see a hof left tackle protecting him like many of the great qb’s have known to have as body guards.
as for me, i dont watch too much football anymore and think it may become too brutal of a game to watch due to the head injury issue which is real. helmets cant help because the damage is done inside the head with the sudden deceleration forces onto sharp boney surfaces of the interior skull. ultimately smart folks will pull their children from the game. soccer or even baseball will have greater interest for anyone interested in not becoming a vegetable in later years.
but really this bleeding heart stuff is for the birds, mv7 lied and quit on the organization and let everyone of us with even a passing fancy of caring jack about the falcons from every perspective you could ever know. sorry, it sounds as obtuse as the sad lot in university park pa., who still dont get the crimes that were perpetrated on children as part of their program not much below that of what mv7 did. get over it is what i say to them. i was proven wrong about joe pa as i was about mv7. my bad. what is the saying about protecting children and animals, folks let them down.
really slimj, i expect better of you as a human being to recognize the atrocity that mv7 and his deranged merry men perpetrated on mammals without any social redeeming features and not bring it up with every breath about ryan. sad indeed.
mv7 served his time and i wish him well but just like i dont think there is a legacy anymore at penn state i dont see mv7 as a legacy here either and no justification of any kind for how mv7 let down this organization, town and fans, none. he was in fat city and failed to uphold his end.