Woodson-Smith feud keeping Hawks from moving forward
Sixty-two games into the season, Mike Woodson and Josh Smith got into another spat the other night. We have watched this for five years. If their relationship were any more dysfunctional, they would be in the ownership group.
Hmmm. What do these three photos have in common?
This is March, not November. The playoffs start in six weeks. This is when NBA coaches are supposed to be finalizing rotations and good teams should be coming together. This generally is not when a head coach spontaneously combusts at halftime and benches one of his best, even if impetuous, players for the next two quarters.
Notwithstanding Saturday’s 87-83 win over Detroit, the Hawks remain too inconsistent for us to assume they’re coming together. More often of late, they look like they’re coming apart. They have several issues, but the biggest is Woodson’s and Smith’s inability to coexist.
They both arrived here in 2004. It hasn’t been a marriage. It’s been a pie fight.
One of two things happened Friday night in Charlotte: Either Smith committed a violation so egregious late in the 
first half that Woodson felt the player had undercut his authority and was ripping the team apart.
Or Woodson overreacted to something, anything, a noise in the ventilation shaft.
I lean toward the latter.
Regardless, this can’t happen now. The team is 14-18 since a 21-10 start. Even with the win over the Pistons, they’re only 6-6 at home in that span. Bottom line: They can’t assume Philips Arena will solve their problems. Or their wars.
“The past is the past and the future is now, and everything is good,” Smith said.
Thank you, Annie.
It’s not unusual for coaches and athletes to feud. It’s worse when both are stubborn. Woodson too often acts like his mentor, Bobby Knight, except without the resume. Smith too often plays like he’s tired from carrying his resume, and passing out copies.
Five years.
Five . . . years.
Fact is, neither guy has developed that well.
One can’t play for a coach.
The other can’t coach a player.
Pick your poison.
Last Sunday against Cleveland, Woodson benched Smith for the entire fourth quarter. Smith probably had it coming. He had only eight points and three rebounds. The Hawks lost 88-87. Five nights later, Smith was having a strong first half against the Bobcats (13 points, four rebounds, two blocks). Then he missed a three-point shot with two minutes left in the half and a lay-up in the final seconds. Clearly, tempers flared between the two at halftime, because the next time we saw Smith on the court was Saturday.
He bounced back with a strong game: 19 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks. He and Woodson say they’ve cleared the air. They say all is well. Start the clock.
When Woodson was asked what he has learned after five years with Smith, he said: “I’m a coach and he’s a player. The bottom line is he gets paid to play and I’m paid to coach.”
I’m not sure. But isn’t that old news?
Why still feuding?
“It happens,” Woodson said. “As a coach I think I dealt with it the best way I can and now it’s time to move forward. I’ve never held grudges against my players.”
Not for more than a half, anyway.
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87 comments Add your comment
Reggie
March 7th, 2009
9:43 pm
Jeff
Give Josh Smith credit for this. After the spat he had with Mike Woodson. He had arguably the best game he’s had in weeks.
Kurt
March 7th, 2009
9:59 pm
Smith could use some coaching. Sometimes he’s amazing and wows everybody with is talent. Other nights, he plays like he doesn’t care.
ozhawk
March 7th, 2009
10:11 pm
I am a big Smith fan,but he does have a bit of a attitude sometimes, that being said for the last few years it is so obvious that Woodson should not be coaching this team!If we had a real coach running this team to its strengths we would be AOT better, and the players wouldn’t get so frustrated.
Nice win against the pistons tonight, lets keep that 4th spot!
spotts
March 7th, 2009
10:35 pm
“I get paid to coach.”
Does that mean Woodson’s not getting paid?
Ryan Trice
March 7th, 2009
10:50 pm
if woody plays acie and mario west a lil more this team could go far FIRE THIS LOOSER WOODSON
jds
March 7th, 2009
10:57 pm
Playing Law and West more is about the only thing Woodson could do to be more of a looser [sic]
Peter
March 7th, 2009
11:30 pm
Who isn’t weary of the entire Hawks/Thrashers mess? You’re not going to fire all of the players. So do Woodson now. Entirely too much talent on the team to go through this time after time after time. Does anybody really think they’ll go anywhere in the playoffs? It’s going to be worse because when the season started we expected more. Good teams don’t play as poorly with regularity as it seems Atlanta does. I’m sick of the whole mess.
MNH
March 7th, 2009
11:33 pm
Woodson, Has reached his plateau as a coach. J. smoove Has yet to reach his. True smith shouldn’t be taking three point shots. However to bench your most athletic player and best defender in a close game against Cleveland. Is just stupid. Then to bench him again and lose again. That ought to be an indicator to Woodson that he needs smith as much as joe johnson. Woodson has cost us at least 7 games this season in which he pulls players out at the wrong time or leave them on the bench too long. However, he would be a great college coach (georgia is hiring) He has already peaked at this level (game 7 first round) We now need a coach to get us to the next level. Sometimes J. Smith isn’t into the game and it’s one or two reasons this is happening. 1. He won’t run through a brick wall for woodson because 2. woodson don’t run plays for josh smith. He is like the no. 4 option and prob. 5 most nights. Another thing Josh Smith came straight out of High school as a friggin shooting guard. He is playing power foward in the nba better than some guys that played that position their whole life. Woodson you got to go. it’s time for change and Smoove ain’t going nowhere.
ray
March 8th, 2009
12:09 am
“One can’t play for a coach.”
Uh, Jeff…just how many coaches have had issues with Josh Smith? I’m sorry, but which other NBA coaches has he played for?
Josh has played for one guy. Woodson has coached several guys. Case closed. Look at Diaw. Blossomed the minute…I’ll say it again…the MINUTE he left here.
And how did the night end against Detroit? Woodson walking out on the floor to offer public lovey dovey to Josh. Why? Because of his immature reaction to Josh the night before. How many times have we seen Woody do that with Josh, or others?
Exactly…
ray
March 8th, 2009
12:10 am
Yes, Josh has some issues. Yes, he needs to learn more, and faster. But he’s not a bad guy. I doubt that he’s causing the team problems.
You want to talk about causing problems, how about Joe Johnson going from someone who might be able to take over a game singlehandedly to someone who is as likely as not to bog the offense down singlehandedly. Just how stellar has HE been, eh?
lawton
March 8th, 2009
12:19 am
i cant believe people still take up for josh smith. he is not a chemistry player on offense, cant dribble to his right, i mean, im tired of it. he represents the dysfunction that is atlanta sports.
Harpie
March 8th, 2009
12:34 am
Woodson might be a nice guy ( I don’t know ), but he’s an ass as a coach.
DirtyDawg
March 8th, 2009
1:35 am
How many coaches has Smith played for? Enough to know that he’s been a petulant pissant his whole life. I don’t know if it’s him or his parents but somewhere along the way he decided that a lousy attitude went with outstanding talent, and he hasn’t changed much – if at all. All you have to do is talk to anybody that witnessed the high-school all-star gathering in Knoxville following Smith’s senior season. He spent the entire time acting like a punk…of course it probably had something to do with another attendee that was showing everybody that Josh Smith wasn’t the best in the land, shoot he wasn’t even the best from Atlanta. That young man, who came away with their version of the MVP of the camp, is playing a little ball down in Orlando these days, is probably the best big man in the game, and has ten-times the class that Josh Smith has… Dwight Howard.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
March 8th, 2009
3:11 am
They would never admit it but its apparent that their beef is having a negative effect on the team. Woodson seems to make emotional and compulsive in-game decisions that lead to negative outcomes. J Smoove on the other hand sometimes does the exact same thing as a playef. Unfortunately, we may never see his full potential until a coach plays to his and the teams strength-Woodson is too stubborn to be that one.
Ted Striker
March 8th, 2009
3:57 am
Jeff: “Their relationship hasn’t been a marriage.” You ain’t usin’ the Al Bundy, Paul McCartney, or Donald Trump scale.
jt in dallas
March 8th, 2009
5:32 am
“The other can’t coach a player.”
Great statement, Jeff. It’s very apparent that Woody can’t coach. Let’s get the bum outta here.
Thomas didit
March 8th, 2009
6:21 am
I am not shocked by all the dislike of coaches these days. We are downing a coach, who to a nothing team in the 2004-05 season of washed up finished players and a batch of unproven rookies and played his hand. (check the rooster from those years to now). Good players on a team has nothing to do with the coach, it is all up to the owner and his hired team of gogetters. How high you jump and dunk, does not mean you are a quality NBA players. Some guys should only be in AND1 videos and not on a NBA court. The Hawks made the playoffs last year, not Josh Smith. He might have helped, but it took the whole team to make it. I remember all those layups he missed and unwanted 3 pt shoots that he missed. When you miss 10 shoots, 1 ESPN high flying dunk does not make up for it. Maybe Josh should let himself find a mentor to relize that this game takes more people to win a championship than himself and some whining reports and critiques.
Ask the leadership coach » Woodson, Smith keeping Hawks from moving forward | Jeff Schultz
March 8th, 2009
7:31 am
[...] . posted a noteworthy aricle today onHere’s a small snippetSixty-two games into the season, Mike Woodson and Josh Smith got into another spat the other night. We have watched this for five years. If their relationship were any more dysfunctional, they would be in the ownership group. … Why still feuding? “It happens,” Woodson said. “As a coach I think I dealt with it the best way I can and now it’s time to move forward. I’ve never held grudges against my players.” Right. Not for more than a half, anyway. … [...]
smartguy
March 8th, 2009
7:39 am
FIRE WOODY NOW!
FIRE WOODY NOW!
FIRE WOODY NOW!
BravesFan79
March 8th, 2009
8:38 am
Josh Smith is lucky hes blessed athletically because in the Real World…. someone as inmature as him would bounce around from job to job….flipping burgers.
golt73
March 8th, 2009
8:51 am
Smith is immature. But that’s not saying much. Over half NBA player are. Woodson however, is blessed with a roster full of talent and almost all of the pieces necessary to make a run. Flat out this team should be miles better than where they are now.
In other words .. WOODSON SUCKS! Get rid of his butt now before we waste another season of mediocrity. There’s too many coaches out there who could do heads better with this talent.
Saint Richt
March 8th, 2009
9:08 am
PLEASE fire Mike Woodson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This team is SO much better without him at the helm.
And Joe Johnson is making next year’s decision about his future real easy with his play.
Hawk73
March 8th, 2009
9:18 am
Why do these things continue to happen…because Sund and ASG can’t make a very clear and concise decision…make a coaching change. You can’t blame Coach Woodson for every problem this team has, but he certainly is not contributing the progression of this club. When I mean progression, I am talking about the direction this team is headed (chemistry, desire, hustle, BENCH DEVELOPMENT) not record. We can all see that this team has talent, but the lack of the above stated is glaring. They have tuned Woodson out (hence the lack of effort in games they should clearly win) and are only TOLERATING him because they have no choice. It’s childish to bench a guy when he is performing on the court and you as a coach can’t handle the off court objections (at halftime). I can’t remember the last time a coach put himself above the team…I guess he got his point across, oh and a loss. GO WOODY!
wr
March 8th, 2009
10:04 am
Jeff, I have a hard time agreeing with everything you say but in this case you make a great point about Woodson’s demeanor. He acts as though he not only has the resume of Bobby Knight but also the credentials of Larry Brown. Who cares about Mike Woodson’s dog house and why should Josh. Woodson’s like a drill sergeant who has never been in combat, yes he has player experience, and obviously he’s a disciplinarian, great assistant work there buddy, but we need someone to design actual plays, develop players, and give the team some sort of identity. I understand that coaches shouldn’t always bear the blame because players have to execute and want to execute the game plan, but I ask anyone reading this blog including you JS, when is the last time you actually saw designed plays by the hawks, even a play as simple as a pick and roll, a give and go, something, this team just appears to run up and down the floor. On the nights there hitting their unorganized shots they win, when there not or a team gets in their face they lose, this has been the case all season long. Josh Smith could be awesome down on the block although he apparently has no desire to play down there, as athletic as this team is, they could back door, pick and roll, and shoot wide open jumpers all day if there was some form of real coaching going on.
wr
March 8th, 2009
10:12 am
Mike Woodson’s resume
X’s and O’s —-nope
Player development—-not so much
Bench development—–yeah right
Coaching credentials–stop playing
Championship quality–Hell nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Dawgtime
March 8th, 2009
10:21 am
Smith’s actions are typical of these young punks that think they are above coaching. They have been taught to resist authority. They believe bucking authority is a means of gaining respect, when in fact that mindset is what destroys their reputations. Smith is a great talent, but a spoiled brat mentally. His thug mindset will hinder him until he finally grows up. Check out Allen Iverson. Great talent with no maturity. This is a reflection of young males growing up without fathers in the home. If you want to improve society, demand males to be more than sperm donors. In terms of basketball, I believe I would trade this kid. The Hawks have a nucleus of great players, but a kid with an attitude will destroy the chemistry of the team. Move him to the Lakers for Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odum.
wr
March 8th, 2009
11:52 am
Dawgtime, why is it that the first time some people, such as your self, observes a person that may have qualities of immaturity, first reaction is that the person is a thug and lacks a father figure. Man get out of the media and the rap videos and try to actually understand what a person actually needs or is looking for. I actually went to school with Josh, believe it or not he actually has a father that is in his life and he comes from a good family. Let’s try your theory though, Larry Bird grew up in a dysfunctional family with an alcohol abusing father who eventually committed suicide, now how did he turn out. I won’t pull the card because I don’t know you, I will state that in a world where an 18 year old can come out of high school have millions of dollars threw in his face and expectations that you nor anyone else can imagine who’s not in his position, sometimes you need guidance. Family guidance can only go so far, they can’t hold his hands and they to have trouble understanding the complexities of what goes through the mind of a youth in this situation. Yes Josh does have some issues, but just like the problems we deal with everyday in society, you are yet another person who thinks lets get rid of the problem instead of trying to understand or gain some sense of what truly is the problem. Hope you don’t have kids, or at least I hope if you do your kids don’t show any form of behavior that fails to appease the public, they might be considered thugs and you could just be considered a sperm donor and whats the best option after that, ” Lets get rid of it”
James
March 8th, 2009
12:16 pm
Smith is a basketball player that want to play at both ends of the court, play team ball Joe, we know you can dribble, but please pass the ball man.
Snowman
March 8th, 2009
12:24 pm
I am so confused!!!…Woody is a terrific coach and a better person (world class person…ask the many, many people who he has helped and befriended…quietly I might add!)!!!…look, the team has gotten better and better every year…When he came from Detroit, where they had just won a NBA title, with coach and his mentor Larry Brown, Woody knew how to handle players like Rasheed Wallace and that entire crew to get the most out of them. That is why when he plays Detroit all of the guys hug him when they come by to say-hello even Rasheed!). They had a plan and worked it. they had a great owner and a ok GM (he took Darko over Melo, Wade and Bosh…c’mon).
Amongst the chaos in the Atlanta front office he has bought this team along wonderfully. they did not win their 35th game last year until April 10th or so. They are in the 4th spot which last year they were in the 8th. I am in DC where Eddie Jordan was fired after leading the Wizards to 4 straight playoffs…prior to Eddie they have not sniffed the playoffs!!!, So like the young people say to me all the time…how’s that working out for the Wizards? (smile)
Jeff, I just don’t see why you “Hate” so much (and your followers on this site)…I thought after that fabulous series against the Celtics last year you would calm the heck down but apparently you haven’t. I also thought there would be more defenders writing on the blog…(where are you people?…smile)…
Coach has learned at the lap of Sir Robert Montgomery Knight (who would make a very good UGA basketball choice by the way) and Larry Brown (two Hall of Famers I might add)…and I can’t think of two better mentors. Woody loves Josh however he needs Josh to play the way Woody wants him to play, to better the team. You never, ever, ever see or hear Joe, Al, Mike or Marvin say nothing but great things about coach and support him 200% and they really, really play hard for him!!!…Which in the ego crazy world of the NBA that is re-marketable (by the way, Childress took an occasional shot at coach, how’s that working out for him in Greece currently…c’mon!!!)…The Hawks will win the 1st round of the playoffs this year and probably the 2nd (and by the way, they could win the East…Boston is ailing and Cleveland, though very, very good…is not overloaded with allot of talent that scares anyone…ok, ok I have drank the Kool Aide…smile…but I do believe it). With the talent Woody has and has bought along, given the front office situations over the years, I think it is re-marketable what he has done…I love the Hawks and coach and in him I trust (I remember the bad times before him as you all must have forgotten)…BACK OFF JEFF or find something else or someone else to kick around. Go Hawks, Go Woody and Go Josh!!!…Oh, and one last thing, you like to mention Acie Law and Boris Diaw all the time…however I never hear you mention Sheldon Williams…who based on playing time, I guess coach did not seem to think allot of…I think he just recently got traded for Calvin Booth (see…even you had to laugh at that!!!…smile)…Let’s defend Woody and our Hawks more against all these haters who write on these sites (smile)!!!…Jeff, if you need something to do…go see if we can get Chill back for the stretch run…we could use a tad more productivity off the bench…
James
March 8th, 2009
12:35 pm
Josh Smith is one the most talented player in the N.B.A, his talents to put it simply far exceed the
abilities of Woodson as a Coach. Why have all these
talented low post player and Joe Johnson and Bibby shooting the ball all the time. How can you develope as a player in a system like that coach. look man in your set offense play inside outside ball, other than that run all the time man, if you have horse’s run them man.
ValdostaMike
March 8th, 2009
1:21 pm
It takes more than talent alone, you have to have brains. Josh played a great game last nights, most notably zero three point attempts. There is more to basketball than dunking. When Josh plays his role, the Hawks are successful more often than not. When Josh only cares about making highlights and threes, the Hawks lose more often than not. Josh is not our go-to guy, and he will not be the go-to guy on any other team. Josh is a great shot blocker, plays well in transition and can rebound. He is not the guy to break a defense down with the dribble. Just check his turn over numbers. Josh needs to play in the paint, not around the three-point line. Woody was right to bench him. If the player will not listen to the coach, how are we to know if the coach is right or wrong. The successful teams in the NBA do not play street ball.
ET
March 8th, 2009
1:29 pm
You guys who want to fire Woodson are the same guys that wanted him out at the end of last year. The coaches you wanted who got hired elsewhere (like Terry Porter) have done nothing or been fired. Woody has out coached all of them. But you guys won’t let facts get in your way…not when you can make another comment about firing Woodson. As our infamous leader refers to cable talk shows as “cable chatter”, I refer to your silly little asinine coments as “Blog BullSh*t”.
Darrin "The Vent King"
March 8th, 2009
1:43 pm
This relationship between Josh and Woody is getting borderline ridiculous. Look, Josh is only reacting the way the rest of the team feels about Woody- he has lost them. Josh isn’t the only guy on that team that despises Woody, he is just the only one unable to hide it. I know Josh has that money now and an attitude and believe me that is annoying sometimes too, but he is young and their is still hope for him. With the right coaching and leadership he can be transformed into a great player, but Woody is not that coach. Woody is too set in his ways, too hard and pissy on the young fellas and needs to take his act to college or something. He does not possess the pedigree to demand the type of respect he is demanding the WAY he is demanding it. He’s no Larry Brown or Chuck Daly, but he constantly brow beats these guys from the sideline like he thinks he is and I for one am tired of seeing his twisted up-look like he has to take a dump-all the time grill on the sideline. This team’s inconsistency is attributed to one thing and that is coaching- it is PAST obvious Woody has lost these guys, they are not motivated by him and this will continue until a new coach is hired. As long as he is the coach this roller coaster ride will continue and no progress forward will be made. Josh is just saying what the other guys are too professional to say…
Truth-serum
March 8th, 2009
1:44 pm
Shultz is repulsive in his desperation to get his column read. I only had to read the title to realize that he is one of the forces that wants Woodson gone. Woodson has done and WILL do a great job. These young boys are growing to manhood and are wrestling with things like ego’s and ambitions. Woodson deals with this as would any father or coach. The bottom line is to harness Josh’s energy into positive directions which was clearly demonstrate in last nights pistons game….Gold star to Woodson for handling an inciteful situation and putting the team back on point. Hey Shultz… you are negative, devisive and spiritually blind, definitely lacking wisdom. Woodson-Smith feud keeping Hawks from moving forward? Naw, that would be the lack of a center keeping the Hawks from moving forward. I certainly hope no one asks you for advise..I like to see a winner not another Bubba based loser!
Darrin "The Vent King"
March 8th, 2009
1:48 pm
ET – is all that necessary? Just cause your opinion is different than others doesn’t make it right or no less “cable chatter” or blog b.s. than anyone else. Who died and made you God? Facts? I tell you a fact- I wanted Woody gone and it had nothing to do with wanting Terry Porter. Outcoached? Please- no one could do anything with that roster Phoenix has so comparing that to what is going on here is b.s. itself and shows you are just another over opinionated blogger yourself. That “fact” you refer to has nothing to do with anything so please stop trying to sound as if you’ve proved something cause you didn’t.
#1Hawksfan
March 8th, 2009
2:13 pm
First Josh Smith is one of the best if not the best Samll Forwards/Power Forwards i’ve seen in Atlanta in a while. Yes he may have an attitude but i think thats because he never had a vet Forward to learn from, but you have to give it to Smith, if it wan’t for him have of the games we won would be in the L postion. Now Woodson has done a ok job but honesty if we wanna get a Championship in Atlanta we need a real coach, not some jerk who thinks he all that. Matter of fact the Hawks could be at the top 5 i the NBA but some coach name Woodson don’t ueses his bench. West, Law, Jones, Hunter, and Garnder are all great players, so use them. Mo, Za-Za, and Filp are great too, but if you wanna winning team you have to use all of your players. So next season the Hawks say bye bye to Woodson and Speedy because there not doing anything and bring in a center so Al can play PF. Thank and Josh if you read this am one of your biggest fans and your my favortie Forward in the NBA.
wxwax
March 8th, 2009
2:16 pm
The Hawks have improved every season under Woodson, haven’t they? Surely the man is doing something right.
I have no idea what the issue is with Josh Smith. Does he refuse to play within a team concept, a concept that’s presumably designed to maximize his strengths? If so, is a coach within his rights to determine that playing Smith hurts the team more than it helps it, not only on a given night but also into the future? I’d say so.
If the point of this column is to say that this isn’t the time of year to be having internecine fights, of course we all agree. But don’t we also all agree that if there’s a problem on the team, then it needs to be addressed now, rather than in the playoffs? You know, like Coach Karl benching Carmelo Anthony the other night.
Piston Powered » Blog Archive » Professional Game Coverage: Atlanta 87, Detroit 83
March 8th, 2009
2:24 pm
[...] “Woodson-Smith feud keeping Hawks from moving forward,” by Jeff Schultz [...]
Dr. Warren
March 8th, 2009
2:47 pm
I went to the NBA STORE in Shanghai, China today. There was Lakers stuff. Celtics stuff. Cavs, Hornets, Suns, and Rockets stuff, of course. Pistons stuff. Magic stuff. And lots of Heat stuff. Warriors. Blazers. Bulls. Wizards. Nets. Bucks. Mavs. Almost everyone’s stuff. But when I asked for my hometown NBA team, Yatalanta, there was nothing but blank stares. Finally, a little man came out and led me to a glass-enclosed case with 30 silver lighters, including one with a little red bird logo. His shrug told the whole story.
BravesAreDone
March 8th, 2009
3:29 pm
Why exactly is Woodson still the coach of this team?????
Jeff Schultz
March 8th, 2009
4:34 pm
The clock says 4:20 already.
Why does it feel like 3:20?
## Peter: I have no idea what’s going to happen after the season, and I’m sure that decision hasn’t been made yet. I think it’s safe to say both Woodson and Smith are being analyzed. But if the Hawks do flop in the playoffs and Woodson is let go, it’s hard to imagine management wouldn’t want to at least see how Smith looks under a different coach.
## Ray: You’re right about Joe. Something’s off, and people in the organization have recognized that.
## WR: Yes, there are problems with the half-court offense. And for that matter, how often are plays run through Josh? Probably not often enough. I’d love to see somebody work with him to develop a low-post-game.
## Snowman: Don’t take this to mean that I hate Mike Woodson (I don’t). But the fact somebody is popular and even loved as an assistant doesn’t mean he’s popular and loved as a head coach. They are two completely different situations. The sport world is littered with tremendous assistant coaches who weren’t cut out to be head coaches, particularly in football. How often have you see great offensive and defensive coordinators who could not win as a head coach? It’s a different job. The fact that Woody worked for Bob Knight doesn’t automatically make him a great HC.
vtfalcon
March 8th, 2009
4:47 pm
Jeff, please at least try to add some optimism to your articles.
O'brien
March 8th, 2009
4:53 pm
We know that Josh can be immature sometimes, and he does make mistakes, but he doesnt get in trouble off the court, and I think he is very coachable. I just wonder about Woody’s approach. The problem might be that it takes a real coach to get the most out of Josh. And I dont think Woody is the guy.
Obviously, you wouldnt change coaches because of one player, but Woody has been here for 5 years, and we have no offensive system, an under utilized bench, and no consistency. Plus he consistenly gets outcoached. And he always talks about “I have to find a way to run some plays for JJ”, “I have to do a better job of helping Acie develop”, “I have to find a way to get the bench some more minutes”.
And then what does he do? He makes the same mistakes again. Regardless of the Hawks win-loss record, I dont think Woody is a good fit for this team. I look forward to the offseason to see what Sund does after analyzing this season.
ray
March 8th, 2009
6:40 pm
Hmmmmm…..
So what do people have to say now that Josh has led the team to victory (in tandem with Al Horford) in a critical game against Detroit?
Nothing. See? It’s all just hate. I suppose it was pure, blind luck that it happened that way. Sure. Haters.
And oh yeah, I recognize that he didn’t shoot well from the field (6-17). But how many times does Joe Johnson do that, eh? (Speaking of which, what was the Golden Boy’s line from last night?)
truth-serum
March 8th, 2009
7:01 pm
Mr Shultz must have some lobbyist trying to get Woody’s Job….. How many of you father’s had disobedient son’s and had to ground them though high school and college? Should you have been fired for being a poor dad because your son did not like your instuctions or discipline? Let Woody coach his team. Theyve done nothing but get better. The two limitations the Hawks have is at the 5 position(no center in Zaza) and in having a unwise divisive sports writer named Shultz, either Shultz isnt very learned or he is trying to control the hawks brain trust…
Maybe he should be fired for antagonistic sports writing!
ray
March 8th, 2009
7:04 pm
Josh makes up for bad shooting by going 7-9 from the line. Eat that.
Jeff,
I think part of JJ’s problem is the way he’s approaching games. Another part is the way the offense is run. A couple things to think about here:
1)Bibby is not a pure pg, and with him having lost a step, the situation is magnified. He does better just shooting the ball, whether it’s taking a step or two inside the arc, firing from the arc, or coming off of screens. It’s all about the jumper for him (mostly), and that means someone else has to facilitate. Guess who? Yep, the same guy Billy tried to run at pg a few years back. Why did it not work? Simple. Joe was the only reliable scorer at the time, all the guys he would be passing to were very young/immature, and Woody couldn’t teach offensive tricks to save his life. Oh, and Joe’s not a pg…
2)Joe doesn’t know what to do in the position he’s in. He’s trying to take over games, trying to shoot his way into contributing. It’s not working. He’s got a pg who MUST shoot, and three very athletic forwards who can/need to score in a variety of ways. And yet, the offense is still run through him. So what does he do, pass or shoot? Well, from the way he’s playing, you’d think he was trying to figure that out while he dribbles 15-20 seconds off of the shot clock.
3)Teams are doubling up on him all the time. Which means few, if any, good looks at the basket. Which means more of those 4-12 shooting nights. They’re keeping him from driving to the basket and either converting or drawing fouls.
So, it’s not like it’s ALL Joe’s fault. The decision-making? Yes. The design of the offense? No.
Joe can, however, solve the problem independently of Woodson. He has to get his teammates the ball early and often, making credible, consistent threats out of them. Then, and only then will the double teams stop.
Then he can work his magic one-on-one where few, if any, can guard him.
ray
March 8th, 2009
7:07 pm
truth-serum,
It’s called organic growth. Or perhaps you’d prefer “experience is the mother of all teachers.”
I wouldn’t say that Woody has NOTHING to do with this team getting better each year, but I’d certainly not give him full or even half credit for it. So Woody says “rebound and play defense.”
Last I looked, rec league coaches say that too. What’s special about it? The players do it, and it works most of the time. What has made these guys better from year to year is mostly their own growth, through experience.
truth-serum
March 8th, 2009
9:54 pm
ray
March 8th, 2009
7:07 pm
I appreciate your need to dismiss Woodson’s leadership with the Hawks by denying he has demonstated the skills needed to guide young men. Fact is your comment is irrevelant Organically (as you put it), growth is measured in terms of the physical. Experience being the mother of all teachers (as you put it), only applies to learning the routines of how to play the game….
HOW TO BE A MAN, CONTROLLING AN EGO, BEING THE BEST ONE CAN BE, ACCEPTING ONES LIMITATIONS, ARE SPIRITUAL CONCEPTS THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ORGANIC OR THE EXPERIENCE TAUGHT BY DRIBBLING A BASKETBALL FOR 3 YEARS IN THE NBA.
THE WORST ENEMY A PERSON HAS IS THE ONE IN THE MIRROR.JOSH’S ENEMY IS NOT WOODSON….ITS JOSH, AND HIS JUMPSHOT!!! WOODY BRINGS TO THE TEAM DISCIPLINE AND FATHERLY LEADERSHIP….NOT ABUSIVE, PROFANITY TIRADES LIKE BOBBY KNIGHT….THATS NOT A GOOD COACH OR LEADER. WOODSON IS! WHY DO YOU THINK NOBODY ELSE WANTS BOBBY,EXPLOSION,KNIGHT? LIKE SHULTZ,KNIGHT DOESNOT HAVE THE PATIENCE OR WISDOM TO GUIDE YOUNG MEN TO GREATNESS. WOODSON IS DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB…I WISH I COULD SAY THAT FOR SHULTZ
HB Ando
March 9th, 2009
12:14 am
Jeff, I had a perplexing sense of deja vu reading this article in today’s Sunday paper. Then I realized that it was essentially a recap of the Hawks’ Hacks blog I posted late Friday night, on the AJC.com, sans the clever ‘Bachelor’/Joe Johnson analogy I rolled into the back end, and the insider quotes.
I guess great minds think alike (or you don’t frequent our humble fan blog)……..
Chris Broe
March 9th, 2009
12:44 am
Jeff Schultz is trying to get a story going so the Hawks sell some tickets. Let’s hope The Woodson/Smith feud erupts over and over and gets more and more entertaining. Basketball stinks without drama. Hawks need a great story like what Jeff Schultz just wrote about. some drama. I’d go to see a feud. I’d watch to see the hate. Give me some reason to go. or watch.
By the way, I like the way the photos and text blend to become some cool performance art in this blog. Something a little different. Good job.
Ted Striker
March 9th, 2009
1:34 am
Jeff: “The clock says 4:20 already.” Yeah, I’ll bet it does. I had one of those ‘It’s always 4:20′ clocks back in college too, buddy boy.
JSS
March 9th, 2009
8:33 am
The only thing I’ll twitter you about is my foot meeting your arse!!!
Little Benny the Beaver, Haven’t you tired of trying to implode locker rooms yet?
Jeff Schultz
March 9th, 2009
8:34 am
## HB Ando: I do read a lot – but I didn’t read your blog from Friday. However, I now plan to read all of your blogs in the future and possibly even steal from you every five minutes or so. Where do I send the payment.
## Chris Broe: You lost me at hello. “Jeff Schultz is trying to get a story going so the Hawks sell some tickets.” (But, yeah, everybody likes drama.)
## Striker: Isn’t that a CW song? “It’s always 4:20 somewhere.”?
SLAM ONLINE | » Mike Woodson vs Josh Smith
March 9th, 2009
9:29 am
[...] the AJC:Related StoriesLinks: Game Notes: Pistons at [...]
Chris Broe
March 9th, 2009
10:20 am
Jeff. Find all the Woodson/ Smith standoff-photos and then do a “Find what’s different in the photos” game thing like the AJC’s been doing. The head band is a different color. ditto the jockstrap. The coach’s tie is crooked. The mascot is beating up a fan in one. The Hawks are winning in one…..etc.
whammer
March 9th, 2009
11:07 am
OK I AM SICK AND TIRED OF J.S. AND ALL HIS LITTLE A KISSERS. I do not live in ATL, but have in the past and follow the teams. J.S. hates the ownership of both teams, and has made it personal. This is not what he is paid to do, and all you haters are pathetic for agreeing with him. He has had run in’s with some of the owners and is using his the AJC as a forum to get back. I have a few friends who work for the teams and arena and his very public personal views are well known.
Now let’s break this down. The Hawks are having one of their best years since the 90’s, they are a fun team to watch and compete with many of the NBA’s best (owning Detriot, one win and one 1 point game against CLE), and who can forget the 7 game series last year. That was some of the most exciting ball I have seen out of ATL in any sport. They played the NBA champs better than the Lakers. This same team is that much better this year. Why does J.S, and his little kiss A’s fell is so important to just find the bad. How sad of lives you all must have if you only see the bad in things and not the good.
I know it is the goal of every city to win a championship. But having a team that gets better every year and wins more games is rare and that is just what the Hawks are doing.
GO HAWKS, GO THRASHERS, GO BRAVES – my teams win or loose – that is a fan.
OH YEA – IF ANYONE DOES NOT SEE THAT J.S. IS A RACIEST JUST READ A BUNCH OF HIS PAST STUFF, IT IS PLAIN AS DAY. HEY DID HE NOT WRITE CRAP ABOUT TIGER AS WELL.
ANOTHER OH YEA – THESE SAME PATHETIC HATERS WRITE ALL THIS HATEFUL CRAP ABOUT THE SPIRIT OWNERSHIP, THESE ARE THE GUYS THAT HAVE BUILT THIS TEAM. THEY PUT A TON OF MONEY ON THE LINE TO GET JOE, GAVE JOSH A FAIR CONTRACT, WENT OUT AND GOT SOME QUALITY BENCH PLAYERS WHEN CHILDRESS WENT TO GREECE (WHAT A GREAT MOVE).
I HATE THE SPIRIT, I HATE THE OWNERS, EVERYTHING IS THEIR FAULT !!!!!
I AGREE, LAST YEARS EXCITING SERIES WAS THEIR FAULT, THE BEST HAWKS RECORD IN OVER TEN YEARS IS THEIR FAULT, THE MOST FUN TEAM THIS TOWN HAS HAD IN A LONG TIME IS THEIR FAULT.
whammer
March 9th, 2009
11:13 am
wow I post an honest comment and you all are that sad that you can’t take the truth.
Truth-serum
March 9th, 2009
12:38 pm
whammer
March 9th, 2009
11:07 am
I appreciated your post. Yes the Hawks are fun to watch and they are maturing to manhood. Ive never seen soup made with out boiling water….Woodson is a good chef!
This is a pro’s game and handling ego’s and attitudes comes with the turf. Gold Star to Woodson in his handling of this matter, and the negative press from Shultz. Hawks are tough but need a intimidating center in the middle. Not a turnover prone, non finisher like ZAZA Paschulia.
DITTO on the Shultz is a racist….quite obvious to me too. I mentioned it a couple weeks back but his Bubba crew went on the attack mode. The Bubba factor is part of the reason we cant get a champion to stay here. Thats why Ken Griffey did not come and David Justice left. They crucified Micheal Vick. Shultz caters to that type of Bubba mentality. Instead of writing about us getting a NBA center he attacks Woodson who has done an excellent Job and with superstar boys reaching manhood while being handicapped at the 5 spot. I like this crew and its coach who is also a budding superstar.
The bottom line is NO ONE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH OUT A NBA TRUE CENTER!NO ONE! So tonight Ill sit down and have a bowl of Woodson soup and enjoy the game. I hope you will too!
Spud Webb
March 9th, 2009
2:59 pm
Bye woody, the time has come. He has peaked as a coach. I’ll bet any amount of money woody wouldn’t coach anywhere (as the head coach) again if he were fired from here. He’s just not that good. I’m NOT knocking the guy, he is what he is & that’s all. We need a late push BADLY here. We need Josh Smith for the rest of this long contract and playing at his best.
Joel in ATL
March 9th, 2009
5:06 pm
Once again somebody has got to stand up for the coach in this Town and I’m glad to do it. Mike Woodson isn’t scared to bench a guy who is halftailing around on the floor. Yes Josh Smith is talented but he does have that “I’l play when I want to attitude” and that is going to fly with a defensive minded coach. I’m an NBA guy and halways has been and always will be but Mike Woodson has high expectations especially on the defensive end, Josh Smith is a spoiled papmepred from birth athelete. If Smith were smart he would listen and play to the best of his ability evrynight. Coaches and players having spats yea is nothing new but for ALL you guys who keep blasting Mike Woodson you don’t knwo how much the guy has done for the ATLANTA HAWKS of all teams. 13, 26, 30,37 (first round exit in 7 games) you can’t inore that. Yes they are inconsistent and that is bothering to me (even though I’m not a fan I just live here) but I think it’s more to do with not wanting to play defense. Mike Woodson has done more for the Hawks that ANY coach could have done witht e hand he was dealt from 2004. Funny how this city is going to miss him when he’s gone, watch. and to you Schutlz, continue to side with Josh Smith, he’s use to it.
James
March 9th, 2009
5:52 pm
Hey Mike you are right man, you just prove my point.
It take more than just one part of the game to be call a bon_fide Nba star, what other player on the hawaks team, that do more to achive a win than Josh
Smith, and on Offense, Josh not playing on the blocks is a coaches decision. when you have a player
like Joe Johnson, Allen Iverson and Coby Bryant, it just hurt team play man, but it take a basketball player to understand that. Just study the history of basketball and notice the team that win championships, the game is simple man, its a team sport. Somebody please tell Woodson and dribbling Joe that.
Michael
March 9th, 2009
10:22 pm
I’m honestly not the biggest Hawks follower (nor NBA for that matter), but I’m willing to bet the fact that Josh came straight out of high school had something to do with it. If you’re that good at basketball, you probably haven’t heard the word “no” too much. But you get to the NBA and you have struggles unlike what has ever happened before. These are also professional coaches, not your English teacher who gets an extra $10,000 for doing this after school.
I would also blame the NBA’s personality marketing department for this. It abandoned the team concept many years ago, which is why it’s always a big deal when Shaq or LeBron come to town, not the Suns or Cavs.
HB Ando
March 10th, 2009
12:01 am
Dang, Jeff, I was hanging on ‘great minds think alike’, rather than the suggestion that I had an epiphany regarding the juvenile dysfunction of the coach/players. I went ‘Bachelor’, Sekou went ‘General Hospital’, and you went ‘blunt assessment’. The fact that almost everyone watching came to the same note-worthy conclusion, in real time, is less a matter of ‘follow the leader’ than a disconcerting state of affairs. So definitely miscommunicated (is that a word?) if it sounded like I was suggesting you needed my opinion to craft your own.
To be honest, I was more interested in ’stealing’ some of your readers, who might not know about the Hawks’ Hacks forum, and who might appreciate the discovery of an alternative site to speak their minds about all things basketball, than developing paranoia about a legitimate sports writer simultaneously arriving at a similar conclusion, regarding the head-scratching slap fights that have been recurring through out the season.
I’m a big fan of your sense of humor, and appreciate the levity of your in-kind response.
You’ll waste incomprehensible time checking us every five minutes. But even an occasional drive-by, complete with irreverent feedback, would be much appreciated.
We’re not called the ‘Hacks’ for nothing, after all………
Snowman
March 10th, 2009
12:59 am
Well, well, well “Woody Nation”!!!…smile…I am very, very proud of you standing up to Jeff (by the way Jeff, have you ever been to their practices, spoken in length to Woody, spoke to Bibby, Marvin, Joe, Al, Zsa Zsa, etc.?…Just wondering…hhmmmm?). I want o CONGRATULATE ET, Truth Serum, JoelATL, and though I disagree with you WR on Coach Woodson I loved your stance against Dawgtime. The team has gotten better every year and believe me this team is not that talented especially on the bench compared to some of the other top flight teams in the NBA. They play well together but come on…they are not that talented…So it’s good to know that as a Hawk fan living in DC and not able to follow everything all the time, it’s good to now that Woodson supporters and Hawk lovers are watching his back for him…by the way, Hawks beat the Pistons and now New Orleans and Josh has played well and outstanding defense in these two games…Go coach Woodson I guess you do know what you are doing…as my momma once said if you don’t STAND for something you will FALL for anything…So Jeff just continue to rip and hate and scratch at ole coach…however it appears he has a ton of defenders and his own Secret Service in Atl watching his back!!!…it appeared there were more Woodson appreciators than Haters in this blog exchange…thanks Hawk Nation for watching Woody’s back!!! (smile)…Jeff, can I use your 2nd round and East final playoff tickets? (smile)…
Terence Mooron
March 10th, 2009
2:29 am
Speaking of stealing Schultz readers, there’s a more lucid take on Smith and all things Hawks here:
http://crashingtheglass.com
maybe
March 10th, 2009
11:15 am
Until the Hawks’ ownership buffoons work out their mess, which hopefully will have the league taking their toy away from them and selling it to a worthy owner, we will have mediocrew basketball in this town. Or until we trade J Smoove for Lebron.
whammer
March 10th, 2009
11:57 am
Maybe your just one more hatter, the current ownership has given us an improving fun team to watch. You must be one of those J.S -Bubba’s – have to be. You can’t be a fan, period.
I too am glad to see that people see J.S for the racist he is and is Bubba Red Neck supporters who will never be happy until an all white Boston team comes back to power.
Let me finish with, I was born and raised in the south, lived in ATL for many years and now live in the North East (god help me).. And I am WHITE, so don’t even try. Hey Bubba you must love our new President
Keep Woodson FOREVER
March 10th, 2009
1:49 pm
AS, LLC, please keep Coach Woodson. He is my favorite sports quote machine. In August of 2005, Coach Woodson once said, “Records are records. I’m not concerned with our record. We can’t control our record.”
And I’m sure Woodson will come up with a few more gems, like that one, UNLESS you fire him. So, please don’t! I want Woodson 4-EVER!
PBR=America in a can
March 10th, 2009
2:15 pm
**Jeff** where is the Tuesday Countdown? i have been waiting on it all day
Big Ray
March 10th, 2009
9:16 pm
“Woody Nation?” Sheeesh…That’s nearly as ridiculous as suggesting that Jeff Schultz is a racist. Funny how people are so ignorant that they take disagreement and pull that tired old race card when they can’t come up with a set of cohesive, intelligent thoughts to back their opinions up.
Let’s see, is it Schultz’s fault that they only regularly recognizable white people in the organization are Rick Sund, Mark Price, and Zaza Pachulia. If he does an article on them, making one of them look bad, will he then no longer be a racist?
Big Ray
March 10th, 2009
9:23 pm
Whammer,
You’re delusional.
Truth Serum,
Normally, I’d agree to disagree with a sensible person. After all, differing opinions should not make enemies. But you take things to the Nth degree of less than blissful ignorance. So David Justice left because of the Bubba factor? Ok, the explain why Tom Glavine left. Must’ve been those dang Bubbas….right? How about Greg Maddux? By the way, I’m guessing you’re going to tell me that the “Bubbas” made Vick pay for and participate in what the state of Virginia calls a crime.
Oh, and you think that Griffey didn’t come here because of those “Bubbas?” Well, kindly explain why Garrett Anderson DID. He’s black too, ya know. And before you try and accuse me of being white, I’m not. Not even close.
As for teams winning championships without true centers, kindly tell Larry Brown to return his NBA Championship ring, will ya? After all, he won with two power forwards…both with the last name of Wallace. Neither a true center. Check your facts buddy, check your facts.
Truth-serum
March 11th, 2009
1:16 am
Big Ray
March 10th, 2009
9:23 pm
A Hit dog will holla…… Your attempt to take what is obvious, and obscure it with irrelevancy reminds me of the politics of silly….Why should I expend the energy to follow you into a discussion of insignificant statements? Both Glavine and Maddux had longer careers and were not subject to racism or persecutions. The Bubba factor is ever presence in Georaia sports. I dont think your abstract comment in reference to being able to win a NBA Championship without a center merits a comment…its really a no-brainer….Yeah, clearly racist overtures affect Georgia sports. Its sad, but true. Winning a championship means being a champion…which take character….class.The Bubba factor will never produce a champion…Ask Chipper( trade me or David Justice )Jones how many has he won since David….
Truth-serum
March 11th, 2009
1:24 am
In parting words to you BIG RAY, your living in denial wont change reality for you or the Bubba’s…It was the father’s of the Bubba’s that sent Hank Aaron all those hate messages as he neared and broke Ruth’s record…Like you, most people lived in denial and looked the other way… Hatred is blinding….
Truth-serum
March 11th, 2009
1:33 am
ZaZa brickhands,turnoverprone,I cant finish,pleasegivemeafoul,Pachulia doesnt need an article to make him look bad, Ray. He doing a fine job of that…Regardless of what “color” he is. BIG RAY
Truth-serum
March 11th, 2009
1:35 am
Big Ray
March 10th, 2009
9:23 pm
ZaZa brickhands,turnoverprone,I cant finish,pleasegivemeafoul,Pachulia doesnt need an article to make him look bad, Ray. He doing a fine job of that…Regardless of what “color” he is. BIG RAY
KakNiqueTree
March 11th, 2009
1:29 pm
So it IS true – remember last summer hearing about jsmoove and woodson not getting along. Wonder if woodson would have been broken-hearted if the Hawks hadn’t matched that offer sheet from the Grizzlies? Guessing not.
Snowman
March 12th, 2009
12:46 am
Hey Jeff and Big Ray…hope you two fine and fair gentlemen are doing well (smile). I was just looking through the AJC online sports page to see what you all’s reaction to the Hawks last 3 games (Piston, New Orleans and the Jazz…all playoff teams by the way)?…Well, to my surprise I could not find a word…imagine that!!! (smile)…I guess Mr. Woodson’s little chat with Josh appears to have worked out positively huh? (and this is without Marvin and Bibby going 1-6 tonight)…C’mon they stopped two streaks this week and NO LOVE Jeff?…No article…no footnote to your article on Sunday or words to your blogger buddies who dislike Woody’s coaching abilities?…
I bet you have a story or two to write about how coach Woodson has held this team together for the season and the last 5 years as they get better and better. They don’t make excuses!!!…Finally, I want to acknowledge Flip…who is having a pretty good doggone season…great acquisition!!!…and boy am I glad we did not sign Kwame Brown…which I was for this summer…Keep up the OUTSTANDING work Hawks and Woody!!!…Jeff/Big Ray how would you like your Crow and Hater Aide (smile)…
truth-serum
March 12th, 2009
8:28 pm
Snowman
March 12th, 2009
12:46 am
Hey Snowman you are right it is mighty quiet from team Bubba!! Clearly they have a hidden motive in the slander attack on Woodson. Looks to me like Woodson’s right on point and was able to take Josh’s frustration and point it in the right direction….Thats called coaching.
Snowman
March 13th, 2009
3:39 am
Mr. Serum…you put it so, so well!!!…Thanks…and let’s hope the Hawks can continue to finish the season strong!…By the way, does anyone know how Childress is doing and could the Hawks get him back before the playoffs (i know thatwas a ridiculous question…I was just curious)?…Finally, maybe we should put Jeff’s face on the side of a milk carton, he appears to be missing…has anyone seen Jeff? (smile)…
Snowman
March 14th, 2009
2:00 pm
How bout those Hawks!!! (smile)…H-E-L-L-O???…Is anyone out there?…Tell Jeff Schultz he does not have to hide…that would be 4 games in a row with about 20 to go…they have matched their win total from a year ago…now, since Mr. Woodson’s fatherly (tough love) discussions with Mr. Smith how are the Hawks doing?…Make that 4 in a row!!!…By the way, again without Marvin…coach ‘em Woody…I know the Haters don’t like this at all (smile)…congrats Hawk, keep it up…I am The President of the Hawks Washington D.C. Fan Club…I wonder sometimes if the question should be (not do the Hawks need Woody?)…But does the AJC need Schultz?…Would the paper be better w/out him?…Would the paperssports page readership grow with a better writer?…With papers shutting down and falling on hard times is there a better writer from one of those papers who would love to come to Atlanta…Hey, I’m just asking?…
Truth-serum
March 14th, 2009
8:30 pm
OK Mr. Shultz,Big Ray and team Bubba…look what I found in print:
By SEKOU SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, March 13, 2009
“Even so, Friday’s victory puts the Hawks in unique territory. They join Dallas as the only teams this decade to surpass their previous season’s win total for the fourth consecutive year.
The Hawks have gone from 13 wins in Mike Woodson’s first season to 26, 30, 37 and now 38 and counting. The Mavericks won 19, 40, 53, 57 and 60 from the 1999-2000 season through the 2002-03 season.
With three games left on their homestand and 16 left in the regular season, the Hawks have a chance to push their victory total well over those 37 from last season.
“That means a lot, that means our team is improving year by year,” Woodson said. “And we’ll continue to grow and get better. You know, the media has been so tough on this team and me over the years. But I’m a realist, and I’ve always said it’s hard for a young team to win in this league at a high level.”
“When we started out it was like taking baby steps. It wasn’t easy. But every year we’ve gotten better, and we’ll continue to grow.”
Its nice to know that there is some encouraging, supportive news coming out of the ajc…I hope you guys enjoyed the article. Shout out to Snowman!
Jeff Schultz
March 15th, 2009
9:10 am
Truth-Serum — I know you find this hard to believe, but it’s great news. I’m not rooting against the Hawks or Mike Woodson. Everybody wants winning teams. But even Woodson would tell you that the biggest reason for the improved record every year is better players. The way a coach is judged is he is getting the most out of his athletes. You can’t expect a great coach with bad players to win a championship. But it’s obvious in the past week to 10 days that this team is rolling now and Woodson is doing a great job. The way he and this team ultimately will be judged though is over the body of work of this season, which includes the playoffs. If the Hawks win 1-2 rounds, Woodson will have done his job. If the Hawks don’t win a round, then he and the team will have failed. Do you agree? That’s all I’ve ever said. The above column focused on the Woodson-Smith relationship and how it was holding the team back. That can’t be questioned. But since that blow up both sides have put things aside for the betterment of the team. Would you agree?
Thanks
JS
Snowman
March 15th, 2009
7:13 pm
Truth-Serum – Did the Hawks just win their 5th in a row since coach Woodson had his talk with with Josh? (smile)…I will have more to say later tonight because I noticed Jeff wrote you this morning. P-A-L-E-E-Z-E!!!…it appears he is backing away from his story from a week ago…I wonder why?….
He sid in his article these phrases…”Spontaneously combusts”…”benches one of his best players for two quarters” (as if that is unheard of and in appropriate if a player is not playing the right way)…”Coming apart”…these quotes are from his original article a week ago. Look AI (whi I love shamelessly…smile) and Larry Brown did not always see eye to eye and all they did together was go the NBA league championship. Wilt Chamberlain and Alex Hannum (now, I know this is going back awhile) spats were legandary however they won a title together and when he went into the Hall of Fame he asked Wilt to introduce him….hhhmmm…
“Stubborn”…that is what Jeff said about Woody in his article, no he is committed to doing things the right way…the winning way…Woody gets as much out of this group given the ownership, GM issues, bad draft picks, poor free agent signings (Speedy), injures, than any coach in this league.
I’ll surely will write more later. I wonder why Jeff not just simply say…”man, I guess coach Woodson knows what he is doing” (smile)…oh, am I was so, so completely wrong to question the teacher/coach and the adult against the student/Child and player…(smile)…I wonder if Jeff ges along with everyone at his job?…
Final point, I remember another ctiticism of coach Woodson that people thought Salim should have played more when he was here (like they say about Acie Law)…the last I checked, Mr. Stoudamire is no longer in this league….
Truth-Serum thanks for keeping it real…please keep the “HATERS” in check and allow the Hawks and coach Woodson to continue representing the city of Atlanta with class and dignity like they have been doing so successfully!!!…
Snowman
March 15th, 2009
10:38 pm
…Man, I need to spell check and re-read my stuff before I send sheez!!!!…I apologize to my 8th grade English teacher…that was ridiculous
Truth-serum
March 16th, 2009
10:15 am
Jeff Schultz
March 15th, 2009
9:10 am
“But it’s obvious in the past week to 10 days that this team is rolling now and Woodson is doing a great job. The way he and this team ultimately will be judged though is over the body of work of this season, which includes the playoffs. If the Hawks win 1-2 rounds, Woodson will have done his job.”
I guess this is a concession… (Hopefully a light bulb has come on in that mind of yours). This is definitely a change in your demeanor. Maybe Snowman has been getting to you.
I do agree with you on a couple of points. We are all judged by a body of work and not excerpts, and I agree that Woodson, Smith and the Hawks have moved past whatever growth issues Josh brought to the table.
Reality check. Writing is considered a sword or instrument of battle, hence the adage,” The pen is mightier that the sword. My criticism of the body of your work is that you come across as recklessly opinionated, divisive, and even racist. The story by SEKOU SMITH Friday, March 13, 2009, clearly demonstrates uplifting and inspiring writing. Where does your loyalty lie? Most cities with sports franchises have writers who feel and write as if they are a part of the team and a weapon against the other team. If you want to divide something divide the other team. Over the years you have wielded your pen divisively rather than inspirationally (i.e. your handling of the Michael Vick persecution) Remember he who lives by the sword will die by the sword
The Hawks are a class act! Period. From the coach to the players the Hawks are a turn on, and a drama of hope, ambition, dreams and youth…build from that- UPWARDS!
I disagree with you that the Hawks success will be measure by how far they go in the playoffs. In my opinion the success will be measure by the product. Do the put on a good show? Yes, are the fans supporting them? (This means the product is marketable) Yes. Do they have a salability future? Yes. Have they reached their peak? No!
I think you do not consider how young the Hawks are…Josh Smith is a few years out of high school and never played college, Marvin William just one year of college. Woodson has a tough job and has done it well!
I also challenge you on the issue that time in the NBA automatically equates to victories. Why didn’t Koncak get better with time? Isaiah Rider? The experience of touring the NBA as a player is worth a 1 or 2 game improvement a year, at best. The reason the Hawks get better is because of talent, determination, coaching, leadership and timely trades/pickups; (Bibby, Flip Murray), that is clear. Don’t try to diminish that fact.
Now how about an athletic center that can intimidate and finish in the low post, if you want to go deep into the playoffs. It always comes down to a half court game.I appreciate you taking the time to write me. I’m honored.
I agree with you that if the Hawks stay healthy they should win the first round of the playoffs. I can’t agree with you that they would be expected to beat Cleveland and Lebron James. Not without a center. That’s who they would draw in the second round if everything plays out. I do believe they could beat Boston in the second round.
By the way I’ve notice that Zaza “watch this turnover” no longer starts. Good
In response to your “what do these picture have in common?”…..What do these last five games have in common?
Snowman
March 16th, 2009
7:51 pm
Truth, I’m telling you I LOVE YOUR writing, kudos my friend!!!…My little buddy Jeff is AMAZIN isn’t he? You are so right, that divisive writing surely doesn’t help coach and can be problematic for his young team.
Jeff has been doing this dance since the day coach arrived. Coach said in his initial press conference that it will take time but we will get better and we will play the right way and represent this terrific city of Atlanta the right way. To be honest with you, they have!!!. To continue, Woodson said we will have to learn to crawl, then to take baby steps, then to walk, then do a slight jog and finally to jog and finally to run and fly. I believe they are lightly jogging now and have improved year after year. It truly amazes me how they have over come adversity ALL THE TIME!!!! They never complain at least publicly.
That Portland team literally quit yesterday and that is amazing to see how they have defended their home this year. Again, part of the “Maturation Process”. I have enjoyed the ride…I really have.
Thanks Truth-Serum and I have really enjoyed reading your stuff. I nominate you to replace Jeff Shultz. Jeff, maybe we should boycott your articles until you become more balanced in your writing. I notice even Mark Bradley has come around and more fair and balanced. Just be fair Jeff…just be fair. GO HAWKS!!!!…Keep up the good work coach Woodson and I loved your latest blog entry Truth-Serum!!!
Truth-serum
March 19th, 2009
6:17 pm
Well, Snowman, I appeciate your support. I enjoyed your blogs as well. SEKOU SMITH has another good article about tonights game and the progression of the season. I think hes building on his last article with the Mavericks/Hawks comparison. Nice tie to tonights game. Any good seats left? This has been a wonderful and exciting season for the Hawks. They make be peaking on point as well. Woodson says they are focused. Cool. I hope you enjoy the game, thanks for the support. Go Hawks…Shout out to Shultz!