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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
87 comments Add your comment
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!