Woodson running his new offense: Pick-and-whine

MightyQuinn

August 31st, 2009
8:11 am

Could it be?

MightyQuinn

August 31st, 2009
8:12 am

Yes! First!

MightyQuinn

August 31st, 2009
8:15 am

I still would have rather won the mega-millions, but this will do. On topic, I still can’t help but wonder if success found Woody (and the Hawks) by accident and he survived due to the soap opera that is the Atlanta Spirit.

smartguy

August 31st, 2009
8:20 am

Excellent stuff! My distain for this junk of a coach is well known, but the best point is:

“You know what’s not right? A coach who goes 106-222 in his first four seasons and doesn’t get fired.”

Amen.

Can I get an ‘Amen.’ Clyde?

Chris Murphy, Atlanta, GA

August 31st, 2009
8:26 am

Pick and whine? At least Woody has finally come up with an offense that is more complex than: “Pass the ball to Joe Johnson, then stand around and watch. Complain if he has to force a shot as the shot clock goes off.” Give credit where it’s due, Jeff, the man has worked hard to improve himself this summer.

doc

August 31st, 2009
8:37 am

not surprised at all. didnt he essentially do the same thing during the playoffs with boston? after a losing season and several blowout losses in boston didnt he bring up the idea that since they had pushed the c’s into a deciding game he deserved more time as a head coach after delivering 37 wins and got there because of a point guard named bibby?

this also may turn out to be the theme of the season as well. it could backfire on woody as he might not pull out of the station according to expectations and be out on the street waiting for another chance to build a team where he is given/has less including ownership patience to turn it around. the owners like he has kept his mouth shut and have that as one of the primary reasons he is still around. guess woody didnt get the message.

Khao$

August 31st, 2009
8:45 am

He has a legit 10 man rotation now:
Bibby/Teague
JJ/Crawford
Marvin/Mo
Josh S./Joe S.
Horford/Zaza

While I don’t expect us to win a championship, I do expect for us to be competitive. That said, I don’t trust that Woody can manage the talent. Sure, we’ve improved each year. I’d chalk that to have several #1 draft picks and their naturally maturation. Iso Joe is our only offensive play it seems. I’ll give him a pass for the 13 win season. That said, nothing else he’s done would support him demanding a new contract. If he can improve from last year AND come up with some sort of offensive creativity, re-sign him. If he’s not capable of that, let him walk.

Al Beeski

August 31st, 2009
8:47 am

Schultzie, I usually disagree with you & your sarcastic point of view, but I must agree witcha on this one. Of course, if this were just another coach in the ATL, you wouldn’t of wrote this article. But everyone knows you and Woody are “best friends” who just can’t seem to get enough of each other. I agree with you 100% on this one, but write the article because you are a journalist not because you and the guy hate each other. He DOES NOT deserve an extension b/c he made the 2nd round of the playoffs, he is lucky to have a job after his first four years.

mountain_jim

August 31st, 2009
8:52 am

“For us not to be extended is not right”

If I am Sund, that’s a BIG black mark against Woody right there. He now may have to win a second series to save his job. Personally unless he does that and hires an OC and has a team with a decent offensive plan to match his talent, Sund should replace him after this season. He also carries no weight with the refs, who always screw his team.

Good column to point this out, Jeff.

Mitch C

August 31st, 2009
9:00 am

Jeff, I agree with your assessment about Woodson. I’ve never particularly been a fan of his, and, to be honest, I thought he should have been fired the season before the Hawks made the playoffs the first time.

One has to wonder if the Hawks need to win 50 plus games, and have to get to the conference finals, for Woodson not to be fired. The Hawks have greatly improved, but I still think that they are a bit below the Orlando-Boston elites of the conference.

I think the Hawks can win 50 plus games if everyone stays healthy, but, as we know, the playoffs is a gamble. There will be a lot of pressure on Mr Woodson this season, and I wouldnt be a bit surprised to see the Hawks have a new head coach come next May or June.

Mitch

Herschel Talker

August 31st, 2009
9:13 am

Schultzie – writing about this clown is as bad as writing about the WNBA (or Elmo, as you would say). This guy is a joke. The Hawks will take a step back next year because of this turd.

Jesse Jackson

August 31st, 2009
9:30 am

Has to be racism. You know, black coach, white GM, etc., etc….

Joey

August 31st, 2009
9:32 am

It’s hard to get excited about the new additions this summer when everyone knows Woody will play all of 6 players night after night.

The General

August 31st, 2009
9:48 am

“You know what’s not right? A coach who goes 106-222 in his first four seasons and doesn’t get fired, only to then ask for a new contract after his first — first — winning season before the existing contract has expired.”

You nailed it Schultz. The Hawks should achieve at a slightly higher level than last season. The biggest upgrade they can make is at head coach.

Astro Joe

August 31st, 2009
9:49 am

Woody puts it out there, for better or worse. He said that the team would shoot for home court advantage and 50 wins when the AJC ignored them (while Falcons fever was running rampant last October) and while he was dealing with a new boss. And he delivered. Someone stuck a tape recorder in his face and asked if he wants an extension… what is he supposed to say “Why should I be concerned about the ASG’s ability to make a decision about my long-term future?” Raise your hand if you think that ASG is going to hire Jeff Van Gundy, Doug Collins or Mike Fratello to take this team to this next rung. Sorry, Sam Mitchell, Bob Hill or PJ Carlesimo aren’t likely to do more (and likely less) than Woody.

PMC

August 31st, 2009
9:50 am

Recruiting doesn’t exist in professional basketball so I’m not sure why the Hawks would be inclined to extend him after they stuck with him for this long until the contract is almost up. Where else is he going to get paid more or receive more respect. He’s done an ok job but nothing mind blowing, I don’t see why the Hawks would just sign him to some new long term contract but I definately get why he’d want it.

Blindog

August 31st, 2009
10:06 am

With the talent on this team anyone could get them to the play-offs,Woodson can EARN his money by taking them deep into the play-offs

Blindog

August 31st, 2009
10:08 am

Jeff even you could coach this team to the play-offs what do you think?

dap01

August 31st, 2009
10:09 am

I like Woody, I pull for Woody to have a great year. But I have no confidence in him being to make in game adjustments, have a offense, or make any player better.

Iblameurparents

August 31st, 2009
10:10 am

Although I agree with some points made here particularly as it pertains to Woody’s lack of offensive creativity and 80’s style isolation plays. The teams biggest weakness may be their lack of team defense allowing the James and Wade’s of the world to get to the basket from the top of the key with no help, but I digress. I am not sold on Woody’s genius as coach but how quickly we forget what this man inherited when he was hired. NBDL quality players or CBA at that time or vets with overblown contracts at the end of their career which were impossible to move thanks to the Pete Babcock era. He had a completely blown up roster yet there has been progress each year. The Terry Stotts and Lon Kruger’s of this franchise inglorious history were give passes without the demand for their heads.

Perhaps if Woody was given a sense of security we can really see what this team could become. Each year he has had to show he belongs at the helm, thus Joe Johnson will continue to lead the league in minutes played and be worn out come playoff time. A coach fighting to keep his job will generate wins anyway he can if that means riding his stallion until he becomes a mule or letting his enigmatic power forward have delusions of grandeur as a jump shooter without recourse to prevent the yearly dust ups.

If this team is to organically grow into a championship team you have to make the commitment to Woody now or get off the ride while this team still has momentum to get down the track. As it remains the point can be made that Woody deserves a new contract. If a move was to be made it should have happened by now, the ASG created this monster.

SWAT Native

August 31st, 2009
10:10 am

I’m not a big Woodson fan either, but I think that Sund may be doing the team a disservice by not extending him. Woody coaches like he knows he’ll get fired any day, so he shortens his rotation, won’t take much of a chance on developing rookies and runs Joe Johnson into the ground by playing him too many minutes. I think that the year that people say he should have been fired, he had a key player die during minicamp that it took more than a month for the team to recover from and a bunch of injuries during the season. His performance last year should have earned him an extension of at least two years (remember, most “experts” had the Hawks falling back out of the playoffs and imploding from the friction between Woody and J. Smith). Instead, they win 47 games, host and win a first-round series.

As for the overwhelmingly losing career record, remember he had to build a team around a bunch of raw high school and one-and-done college players and journeymen; the core of his team (other than Joe) was 21 or less when he started. I remember the Hawks being broadcast on national TV for one of their pre-season games back when Woody started, and Doug Collins (who some around here would make a good replacement for Woody) commenting that he hoped that the Hawks could be patient with Woody because looking at the players he had, it would take a few years before they would be any good. Seems like Woody was right on schedule.

Also, I think that coaches are a fraternity and they pay attention to how their brothers are treated. If Woody does get fired, it may be harder to attract a good coach because ths may not be seen as an attractive job.

Khao$

August 31st, 2009
10:28 am

IMHO, Woody has whined about what he doesn’t have ever since he got here. The thing is, he knew he inherited a reclaimation project when Billy Knight hired him.

Ever since we let bonafied head coach. We’ve had college coaches (Kruger), interims (Stotts), and assistants (Woody). At some point, I’d like to see what our team could do with a coach that actually implements an offensive style of play that suits the players on the roster.

jhay610

August 31st, 2009
10:40 am

To be fair, Woody coached some absolutely horrible teams that were not fit for an NBA schedule in accumulating that eyesore of a record.

He has done just enough to keep his job each year, never exceeding expectations but always just meeting that minimum threshold to keep hanging around.

If I wasn’t a Hawks fan by birth I couldn’t stand watching this team, despite its stock of exciting young players, because of how poorly coached they are on offense. No wonder Charles and Kenny gave us the business at every opportunity in front of that national television audience. It is appalling to watch top level professional players stand around dribbling the basketball until the end of the shot clock and then attempt to go one on five. We have no sets and hardly any plays – how many times have you seen the team come out of a timeout and get an easy bucket off of something that was drawn up in the huddle? Does that ever happen?

I also think Woody is quite possibly the worst game manager in the NBA. Though he has improved marginally in this regard, his use of timeouts always baffles me.

His constant whining and image positioning in the media always rubs me the wrong way – in the series with Miami when the Hawks went down 2-1, the Woodster went into spin mode, talking about how the Heat were such a great team with all these playoff veterans and how his Hawks were still learning. Nevermind that the Heat won, what, 15 games or so the year before while your team pushed the world champs to the brink?

I don’t think this guy could ever win a championship – he will always be exposed against the better coaching staffs in the league, and therefore would require a significant edge in talent. There is not a wide enough talent gap in the NBA to cover that weakness.

He’ll probably win another 1st round series and a couple games in the 2nd round and hang around for another one or two year extension; then we can hear him whine some more about not getting his long-term deal.

Astro Joe

August 31st, 2009
10:40 am

Jeff, was he asked about his contract situation or did he proactively “whine” about his contract situation?

Ariose

August 31st, 2009
10:44 am

Woodson can go Kick Rocks…

I posted this on Sekou’s blog last night:

Woodson needs to stop Crying. IT’s his fault that his team is developing faster than he is….PERIOD. Harsh, I know; but it’s so true. He’s had a better squad each and EVERY year. And every year his player rotations have gotten worse and Worse. At MOST he deserves a little mid season bonus for coming up with a solid defensive “scheme” last season, but thats about it. He still doesn’t make good in-game adjustments, and the only reason were not calling for his head is because our General Managers are getting him better players which, makes him look like a better coach.

Make no mistake about it though. Better coaches have done a lot more with FAR LESS talent(Larry Brown last season almost had the cats in the playoffs).

Like I said, out team is out growing him. Were getting organically better AND adding better talent, but woodson’s coaching hasn’t changed. This is what I personally wanted to see though. I wanted Rick Sund to give Woodson a LOADED roster to see what he was really made of. We’ll this season; seems like the right time to find out, we’ve got a nice roster shaping out…..oh yeah!! His offensive schemes(does he have any?) SUCK!

A.W.

August 31st, 2009
11:14 am

I think that Mike Woodson needs to forget about the contract extension for right now and just focus on the season ahead. What I think Rick Sund wants to see is consistency, and improvement. The hawks just had their best above .500 season sense a decade. They have a chance to be even better this year and could surprise folks if they beat out the magic for the southeast division crown. All Mike Woodson has to do is improve his team better than last year, have a better record than this past seaon, make the playoffs, and play better in the playoffs this season because they looked inconsistent and horrible this past playoffs. If Mike Woodson and his team can accomplish these things which I think they could if they avoid season long injuries, Mike Woodson WILL get the contract extension that he deserves.

Chef montuer

August 31st, 2009
11:16 am

Should have signed Mike Vick

swatguy

August 31st, 2009
11:37 am

Rubbish.
Shultz, what coach would have won with an AAU team in the NBA?
With the AAU team put together 5-4-3 years ago, what do you seroiusly expect more than 106-222? Are you kidding? The Hawks have not had the talent to win until Bibby got here. Woody has actually coached this group up. We have had guys getting better but we have nowhere near the talent most of you speak of.
Of course Woody is pissed. If Sund does not extend Woody, the next coach will demand a lot more.
Integrity/Continuety counts Sund, extend him and establish integrity from the top down without the drama coaching the team.

Ben

August 31st, 2009
11:47 am

I think the opinion of vets like Bibby, Johnson, and Crawford in the summer 2010 will be key to whether he stays or goes. They’ve all played for much different (better) coaches and need to speak up if they don’t like what he’s doing, because it’s their careers that will be judged by the success of this team.

The Truth

August 31st, 2009
11:52 am

I have been trying to avoid the Woody bashing train (for now), but I will say this:

Woody runs his PR Stunts like he runs his offense, VERY PREDICTABLE. Lately he’s been low balling expectations to set us up for a marginally improved season. We’ve seen this trick before. Since the pressure is clearly on him with a perceived improved roster against an even stronger competitive east, this offensive PR blitz was expected. It’s called CYA. If you notice, he is trying to build talking points if he comes up short:

“I’m not saying we’re the Bostons or the Clevelands, but I know we’re deep enough to compete with those teams on a night-in-and-night-out basis. I think we proved that last year. Boston and Cleveland are the top two teams with Orlando being right there as well in the East.”

Translation: We are going to lose to Boston, Cleveland and Orlando but we will compete. “But we will compete” is like saying we will show up and play an entertaining game and then lose. There is no other way to spin this. How can he motivate and inspire his players to win against these teams with that kind of pep-talk? If you think you dare not, you don’t.

Since we finished the 4th seed behind these teams, according to Woody in an underlining way, there is no place to go but down or hopefully maintain the 4th seed which is what he counting on.

George Holman

August 31st, 2009
11:53 am

Woody needs to appreciate the loyalty that the team gave him during the horrible years. Few franchises would have stayed with anyone that long given the circumstance. So, I say shut up and play and everything else will take care of itself.

Spud Webb

August 31st, 2009
11:56 am

lol, keep it up woody. they’ll fire you quickly this season anyways & should’ve done it a while ago. The ONLY thing that’s going to keep this team from becoming elite, is WOODY.
So keep crying about your contract, you’ll be an assistant in the WNBA next year. ahhahahhahaha

Yunel Asscobar

August 31st, 2009
12:00 pm

Jeff – excellent article and perspective. Very few people in the real world are allowed to show the ineptitude this coach/staff have displayed over the years, and still retain their job [along with a two-year parachute]. The classlessness speaks volumes and merely draws greater attention to the 106-222 record. My advice? Shut up and coach; win and show improvement; the let the chips fall where they may. It’s not as if this ownership group has not shown immense patience.

welikebaseball2

August 31st, 2009
12:12 pm

Well-said Jeff!

swatguy: Are you serious? There was certainly enough talent before Bibby got here to do better than 116 games under .500. 116 games under .500! I submit that you’re contradicting yourself. Now tell me, did they finally put together winning seasons because Woody “coached this group up” or did they finally put together winning seasons because of the Bibby acquisition? I’d say it’s the latter. I’d say they made the playoffs the last two seasons because of the addition of Bibby & the NATURAL progression of some of the younger players. I’d say their improved record has little, if anything, to do with Woody’s “coaching.” Really, shame on the coach of any team that misses the playoffs after adding Bibby to the mix of Johnson, Horford, & Smith. How can you credit Woodson with coaching any team up or anything associated with player development?

jeffrey d

August 31st, 2009
12:15 pm

Jeff – THANK YOU! This man has made a lot of questionable decisions, and when we finally have a winning season, you still only felt like the Hawks were in the middle of the pack. At the upper end of the middle, but still. He’s done little to prove himself and plenty to get fired, and has never really caught on with the fan base (at least that’s what I get from reading the blogs).

Thanks Jeff. It’s good to see somebody call Woody out.

jeffrey d

August 31st, 2009
12:17 pm

Well….it’s good to see somebody important call him out. It doesn’t do much good when one of us just posts an all caps “FIRE MIEK WOODSON!”

Bravedawg

August 31st, 2009
12:28 pm

I can’t believe this guy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Hawks are winning IN SPITE of Woodson, not because of him. What did he do with Acie Law, a lottery pick who everyone said had a bright future? He let him flounder on the end of the bench – he almost never saw the light of day. Any NBA personnel guy will tell you you can’t learn everything about a guy by watching him in practice – yet, Woodson never let Law play in games.

Josh Smith is an absolute athletic freak – yet, Woodson can’t get along with him long enough to tell him to quit shooting 18 foot jumpers. Smith should be much further along than he is, but as it stands, he’s getting by on athletic ability alone. He has virtually no basketball IQ, and while that is his fault, a large part of the blame lays at Woodson’s feet. Woodson’s the coach, and he’s supposed to coach his players to be better players, and put them in situations where they can succeed. He is not doing that.

Unbelievable. He’s had ONE winning season – ONE!! In a conference that, up until just recently, was WEAK. Unbelievable.

Paddy

August 31st, 2009
12:30 pm

The real good ones never have to ask for an extension now do they?

GeeMack

August 31st, 2009
12:33 pm

Jeff great article as usual.

I think that that Woody might have sealed his fate with the contract cry through the media.

I must say I have supported Woody throughout his tenure with the Hawks although I don’t always agree with his coaching moves.

However I don’t think his coaching record of 106-222 is all on Woody. You can’t name 20 coaches in NBA history that could have done a better job with the horrible collection of talent he’s been given since he’s been here.

This summer was the first in which the ASG decided we needed more than a 3rd tier all star(JJ)to compete in this league. Even with the move we’ve made we are still several steps behind Cle Bos Orl and I would even throw Wash in that group as well.

My question is how will success be measured this season? We are not as good as Bos Orl & Cle, and I believe Wash made better moves than the Hawks to better postion themselves for the 4th seed. So if we finish 5th with 45 to 50 wins I think he deserves an extension. Clearly the sealing for this current roster is the second round max.

Don B

August 31st, 2009
12:34 pm

Take the roster you have for the coming season and show what you can do. You could not have asked for a better situtation. The first couple of years you could have excuses. Not the same with this year. Produce and the contract will come. If not, we will see who is available.

NoleRick

August 31st, 2009
12:34 pm

Gotta agree with this article. Josh Smith is the epitome of what little coaching Woody has done. JS is still the same player he was when he came into the NBA.

Mike is back

August 31st, 2009
12:35 pm

Shultz, I agree with you on Woody’s coaching record…he is truly fortunate to be still coaching any NBA team with those poultry numbers…and I will admit…I wouldn’t have lost much sleep if Sund had went in a different direction at HC…but I’m not at all surprised about Woody’s comments…he is just saying what he feels.

What coach in his right mind is not going to be disappointed in Woody situation…that’s the only point I’m making…his statement shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. He wants an extension…wouldn’t you…in that situation…jeez.

I’m not Woody’s defender…but I don’t see how this all correlate with him lacking confidence in coaching the most talented group of players he had since he became the coach of this team????????????????????????????????????????

Pistol Pete

August 31st, 2009
12:36 pm

Awful NBA coach.

Avery

August 31st, 2009
12:45 pm

i can see where he is coming from because athletes do it. Look at Roddy White. Had one great season after he couldnt catch anything and wants a raise. He got it. But there are way better coaches out there and the Hawks are now an interest to coach and to play for. We can get better now.

j

August 31st, 2009
12:50 pm

woody doesn’t deserve a contract extension for now … you’re spot on, he’s lucky he didn’t get fired after the 4 seasons. What Sund did was the right thing to do given the situation. Just b/c you win and get into the playoffs, does not guarantee you’ll have long-term tenure w/ a team .. just ask Avery Johnson or Coach Curry. Woddy is VEY lucky to have a job at this moment and i think this team would succeed under anyone

Some Sense

August 31st, 2009
12:56 pm

Gotta get one in for Woody. Yes, I wish he would just cool it w/ talk of (no) contract…he signed a two-year deal w/ a very pragmatic GM.

BUT, all the Hawks’ owners, and the GM, are very successful businessment, and they, if anyone, appreciate CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, just what Woody has brought to the franchise.

bowman

August 31st, 2009
12:58 pm

Hey, Woodson, there’s the door. Hope I don’t see you later.

With better coaching, with more intelligent use of the tools on the court, with advanced development of the young talent on the bench, the Atlanta Hawks would be much further along today.

Focusing on his own insecurities, Woodson is distracted from the task at hand. I foresee a midseason coaching change. Can I get a hallelujah?

bowman
– -
“Art will always be Art.” – Goethe

dap01

August 31st, 2009
12:59 pm

Woody want veterans (translation: He can’t develop squat). He love Bibby and Joe (translation: They can shoot without an offense)
Woody has a blank look on his face during games (translation: He is trying to remember offensive play #2 after ISO Joe). Woody don’t play AC the night after having 7 assist to 1 turnover in limited minutes the night before (Translation: He can’t remember anything concerned with coaching or developing except, ISO Joe and shoot Bibby). He constantly is upset with Josh being at the 3 point line at the end of the 24 second clock (translation: Has Woody ever said where Josh SHOULD be).

Yunel Asscobar

August 31st, 2009
1:04 pm

Bowman – hallelujah!

Prestoni

August 31st, 2009
1:08 pm

Enter your comments here
Mike Woodson is a COUNTERFEIT Head Coach–he really has no business occupying this Lofty Position. All you really have to do is just sit behind the Hawks Bench and observe this man in action or really pay close attention to the so-called Offensive Game Plan. For him to think he deserves a Lifetime Achievment Award for his performance to-date is really a Sick Joke. If he is really unhappy, it would be better for all concerned to start the Season with a New Head Coach–why wait and possibly ruin what could be a Promising Season.

Darrin "The Vent King"

August 31st, 2009
1:09 pm

This is the Mike Woodson I was waiting for- for all the complaints about J-Smoove’s attitude, I more than believe Woody’s attitude has a LOT to do with that. He just has the ability to appear more professional about it in public that J Smith. It is widely known that Smoove is not the only one on the team that fees this way towards Woodson, just the youngest and thus the least mature about it. The team tuned this whine bag out a lonnng time ago and GM Sund knows this. We need a coach that’ll do more than be the whine to all these guys who have more than enough cheese. I know the players get paid a lot and expected to be professional, but there’s nothing wrong with getting a coach who can inspire, motivate, and actually teach them how to be better ball players, than *itching all the time and standing on the sidelines with that stupid look on his face like he’s constipated which Woody does so well. Can anyone say Avery Johnson?

Will

August 31st, 2009
1:23 pm

Woody has improved this team year to year, but he has not been a GM’s friend. He allows the back of his bench to rust. Woody needs get the first team need to get off to big starts…then showcase his second team without losing focus or momentum. They have the 10 man roster to do it…if Woodson can create value in players for the GM to have trade value to work with.

Hoops

August 31st, 2009
1:23 pm

Jeff,

If I am Woodson:

1. I would be thankful that I still am the Hawks head coach.
2. Be greatful that Sund put together a great roster for the 2009-10 season and allowed me to have input.
3. Be humbled by the fact that I have been given a chance to overcome the first 3 years as the Hawks coach.
4. Be quite and let my hard work and team improvement do my talking. My players have already backed me and I will earn their respect again this season!

Daniel

August 31st, 2009
1:25 pm

So a coach who has a losing record, but also has been at the helm of turning around a franchise that was completely imploded 5 years ago and in that space of time won more games each season, and got his team to the second round of the playoffs shouldn’t feel like he deserves a contract extension? Say what?
Sund has made it abundantly clear the plan for reevaluation at the end of the season. Fine. Sounds reasonable here, but that doesn’t meant that Woodson can’t have feelings about the plan and/or express them. He certainly doesn’t come across as whining to me.

I do agree with other posters that you(Schultz) have an agenda here. All you have to back up your argument is spin, which can go either way, just as I proved.

Who do you want to be the coach then Jeff?
Avery Johnson? (hmmm?) Three years ago, Doc Rivers was a “terrible coach” that everyone in Boston wanted gone. Now, he is the second coming.

The Truth Hurts

August 31st, 2009
1:36 pm

Please, please don’t bring race into this. I would let this guy go two seasons ago. He ain’t got it man. Jesse, give it a break Bro.!

kdsf

August 31st, 2009
1:36 pm

i just hope they got wilkins some grammer lessons in the off season

Harpie

August 31st, 2009
1:40 pm

Woodson is not a good coach, and if he’s not gone after this season ( barring a miracle turn -around on his part ), I’m never watching the Hawks again!

lexluther

August 31st, 2009
1:42 pm

I agree, what type of coach concedes to being number 4 in a division. I don’t care if I had a bunch of high school kids, my stance as coach is that we are the best team out there,,,period. You can’t win if you’re always undermining your group of guys. He should have been fired after the first season. This group of Hawks have talent and skills and should win their division. The bottom line is WIN!!!!

Large in the Pants

August 31st, 2009
1:43 pm

Hey, Schultz, I normally hate your guts, but that photograph caption made my day.

I’ll return to hating your guts tomorrow, you cheeky SOB.

Ken Strickland

August 31st, 2009
1:47 pm

It appears our boy Woodson doesn’t have as much confidence in his coaching ability as some of his fans. His team won 47 gms last yr and advanced to the 2nd rd of the playoffs, and GM RSund has worked hard this offseason to give him by far the most talented and versatile 12 man roster he’s had during his tenue with the Hawks. He now has the oportunity and the talent to prove he’s worthy of being the Hawks HC of the future by following up on last yrs success.

However, instead of accepting the challenge and proving his abilities, he’s chosen to -itch and whine in an attempt to force the team into making a longterm committment before everyone finds out what he can’t do. This idea that he deserves an extension based on his past accomplishments is bull. Didn’t he get his last extension based on the team making the playoffs and taking the Celtics to 7gms? We all know that wasn’t the result of anything he did during the season. It was made possible by the addition and outstanding play of rookie Center AHorford and the midseason addition of PG MBibby.

It looks like Woodson is trying to pull the same crap against GM RSund that he successfully pulled against former GM BKnight. After 5yrs, and all of the lottery, 1st and 2nd rd picks, he’ll go into his 6th season with only 3 drafted players remaining on his roster. NOW THAT’S SOME SORRY A– PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND RETENTION.

CHRIS

August 31st, 2009
1:49 pm

Woodson is a good coach. Are there any examples of any one player that has left our organization, and did anything in the NBA (Diaw doesn’t count)? Let’s see how Acie does in GS before we say the coached messed him up. Flip had his best season here. No one know how Josh would do anywhere else. No one knows if BK didn’t want Chris Paul, or if it was Woodson. No one knows how good he would have been here. He should not be whining, but he has done a good job given the situation. Let see what he can do this year.

Darrin "The Vent King"

August 31st, 2009
1:50 pm

The Hawks won more each year despite Woody cause of the talented roster they acquired over those same five years, NOT because of some great coaching job Woody has done. That- “well, he has improved each year he was here” crap gets old. I mean really, how can you NOT go up from 13 wins dude? Then 20 something? You think its an agenda, please- they are more people I know that want Woody gone than wants him to stay. It is NOT just this columnist. Just because it is not the same opinion as yours doesn’t qualify it as an agenda. Don’t believe me, read the majority of these posts. Woody stinks.

Dos Hawkquis

August 31st, 2009
1:51 pm

Okay, I get that a lot of people are not enamoured with one, Michael J. Woodson, but if you can him, who you going to bring in and at what price?

Someone please elaborate on this. I hear a lot of banter about getting rid of Mike Woodson, but no one every say who you going to bring in.

Avery Johnson wanted 6mil per. ASG won’t pay this. Van Gundy? Yeah, he will surely want 6 mil. Mike Woodson is the cheapest way out for ASG. 4.5 mil for 3 years

“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends.”

Native Georgian

August 31st, 2009
1:55 pm

Woody never achieved ANYTHING until he was given a starting lineup of all-stars.

Doesn’t take a super coach to back into the playoffs when all you’ll do is overwork the all-stars and ignore your bench.

FIRE HIM NOW AND THERE WON’T BE A CONTRACT SITUATION. I’ll overwork Bibby, Joe, Al, Smoove, & Marvin for 1/2 the money!

mykhalc

August 31st, 2009
2:00 pm

if Sund extends Woodson at ANY point, he will then have proven to me that he’s in the same he as him…INCAPABLE of leadin’ this team for the longterm. WOODSON flat out sucks as a headcoach…PERIOD!!! change is long over due IMHO.

kirkinga

August 31st, 2009
2:01 pm

106-222, to be completely honest, includes improvement in the team’s record each year he has been the Head Coach. That should have been included somewhere in the comments. I am not going to try and defend Coach Woodson, but I think he deserves fairness just like anyone else in any other job deserves to be dealt with fairly. Fairness in this case dictates that a decision be made one way or another. Woodson should have expected something like this when he was only given a 2-year extension and he willingly stepped into the breach.

Yes Coach Woodson’s public outburst are unseemly to some, but I like how he includes his assistants and not just himself. He gets points for not being selfish.

But his public begging reflects poorly not only on him, but Sund and the organization. It tell me that they have a question and don’t know the answer despite years of information. It also tells me that they are willing to hang a cloud of drama over the team this season. We see it nice and dark now with all of Woodson’s public statements. The players see it too.

He has zero authority, he knows it, and he’s letting the NBA community know as well. He is already marketing himself for his next job. This is wise because head coaches with no authority rarely survive for very long.

The team is hurt by this indecision and that is on Sund and ASG, not Coach Woodson.

Big Man

August 31st, 2009
2:01 pm

Woody is “turrible” as Charles Barkley would say. I don’t even want to waste anymore keystrokes on this joke of a coach. I’ve done enough ranting about him the past few years. 3.5 years ago a friend of mine who worked for the Hawks gave me a clipboard he used during a game. It still had a play on his. I was coaching a rec team at the time and i erased the play on sight. No way I would teach my team any so called play this clown drew up.

Shaft

August 31st, 2009
2:02 pm

U damn right! Pay them!

Will

August 31st, 2009
2:03 pm

Heck, Pat Ewing would do as good a job…but, Mike Woodson should be developing a couple top assistants for NBA positions if he were doing his job.

tim

August 31st, 2009
2:04 pm

Right on Jeff Schultz! I hope that Woodson tapes your article to his mirror and reads it everyday.

Kevin Willis

August 31st, 2009
2:09 pm

I heard we were looking for a big man. Id be happy to suit up for my 37th season.

Football expert

August 31st, 2009
2:15 pm

Time to let Woodie go and become an assistant scout!
Woodie does a horribly job at developing talent.

Retired on the Lake (formerly cityofdecatur)

August 31st, 2009
2:15 pm

The real whiners are the ANTi- Woody writers. Man has IMPROVED each and every year. Now to the playoffs 2 years running after a 10 Year absence You are all impatient basterds get off the man’s ass.

T

August 31st, 2009
2:16 pm

Woody is a joke of a coach. One of the worst coaches in the league (RECORD WISE) and should have been fired 2 years ago but his job was spared b/c of the Hawks players(not the coaches) taking Boston to 7 games. Here’s my question…. Where was that kind of play in the Boston series during the entire regular season??? If Woodson could coach worth a damn and motivate his players that team could have played to 10-15 games over .500 instead of 8 games under. The reason for the teams improvement lately is due to the fact that the Hawks have kept the same core group of players and everyone is comfortable with one another and knows each others game. The sky could be the limit if we had a competent coach but b/c of Woody the most success we’ll have is a 1st round playoff birth. Fire WOODY!!

Blast

August 31st, 2009
2:16 pm

Woody needs to stop whinning and just coach. Said it before, will say it again. How the Hawks perform this season will decide whether he gets extended or not. Stop moaning in the press, coach, and just COACH!

Bernie Matt

August 31st, 2009
2:21 pm

Not that I’m a Woody fan, but I’m amazed at the sly reference to Sund somehow improving the team. Give me a break. Sund swapped Flip’s numbers for what he expects to be Crawford’s numbers. That’s not improving. You can fool some people with this BS, some of us on the other hand know how to do some real analysis. One need only use the tool provided by ESPN. com and assess Flip’s numbers over 48 minutes to see that he was very effective and was infact the second leading scorer on the team (if you look at production over 48 minutes).
Now, as for the money, Crawford’s money is more the triple what Flip was asking for. All Flip wanted was to double his salary and get a little more than Mo Evans, since he meant more to the team than Mo.
So please tell us informed readers how Sund has improved this team and why he is held in such high regard, contrary to most of the local media’s assessment of the previous GM.
I think we already know the answer.

Reid Adair

August 31st, 2009
2:22 pm

You’re exactly right, Jeff. Coach Woodson seems to have short-term memory only because he does not seem to remember his first four years at the Hawks’ head coach.

The Truth

August 31st, 2009
2:28 pm

Dear Woody

Please, for your sake, follow the golden rules:

Rule #1 – Never draw too much attention to yourself (in a negative way) if you are the head coach in the final year of your contract and under great pressure to improve over the previous year.

Rule#2 – Never forget rule #1

Jus Sayin....

August 31st, 2009
2:30 pm

Woody needs to stop whinning and just coach. Said it before, will say it again. How the Hawks perform this season will decide whether he gets extended or not.

Uh, yeah, well he’s been “coaching” for 5 years now. What makes Season 6 different than Season 5, or 4, or 3? Will someone please explain that ? Mr. Schultz? Hello? Anyone?Like someone said earlier he can’t “coach” when the players know he’s on his way out. Sooner or later this will blow up as sides will be chosen and not every player will want to “rally around coach”.

Tech75

August 31st, 2009
2:31 pm

Kevin Willis – The first time Horford gets banged up, we’ll be looking for you.

I just read a very apropos saying:

“Sometimes the squeeky wheel doesn’t get the grease – sometimes it gets replaced.”

FreeMikeVick

August 31st, 2009
2:35 pm

Let me guess….You all want a white coach instead.

TenaciousD

August 31st, 2009
2:47 pm

Do not let the door hit his arse on the way out. There are many better coaches out there.

ramrod

August 31st, 2009
2:48 pm

Jeff van Gundy will be the Atlanta Hawks head coach before the start of the season.

Trust me.

Chris

August 31st, 2009
2:50 pm

FreeMikeVick – you can’t possibly be that obtuse, can you?

alex

August 31st, 2009
2:51 pm

jeff i am admire you. show me you enemy and i’ll tell you who you are. as i now 2 biggest proven losers with unacceptable lenthy tenure on job exist in our city under umbrella ASG. both DW in hockey and
MW in basketball not your best friends. by the way mention to cheap owners, my resume is ready can do
both job. they going to save tonn of money with same results.

SEC

August 31st, 2009
2:51 pm

let dom wilkins be the coach

Ariose

August 31st, 2009
2:59 pm

CHRIS, Actually Flip had his best season in Seattle. Check the stats…

GeeMack

August 31st, 2009
3:02 pm

Wow! The hate for Woody is outrageous. You would think he had the Lakers or Celtics roster. Never mind this is the first year we have decided to bring in talent outside the draft. Even then we are still bringing bottom feeders at the end of their careers and calling them roster upgrades. Hey Woody go out and perform a miracle even though you don’t have the necessay talent to make to the next level. Woody the only way you can get an extension is win a championship with some the worst talent of any serious playoof team.

Dashizz357

August 31st, 2009
3:04 pm

I think coach should get an extension, just think what he’s done with the bs & disfunctional management we’re dealing with. When are going to hold the players & owners responsible for the way they’ve played and the way the owners have wasted their money!
I’m sick of the coach always taking the hit for the whack draft picks the management team drafted, and for them not going after an all-star player. Joe is good but he’s not that good.

Coach is doing an hell of a job for what he has to work with & there isn’t another coach the Hawks have had in the last 10yrs that can match it! 106-222 would be Phil Jackson’s record also,if he had to come in here and clean up this mess.

So all you fantasy want to be coaches and rec-league coaches, get of Woody’s nuts!

Jeff get a life, you haters! Write something about Bobby Cox……

Let’s go Hawks.

Ariose

August 31st, 2009
3:07 pm

Bernie Matt-I Agree with you sir. Exactly. Crawford+Flip would have been an improvement though.

GeeMack

August 31st, 2009
3:09 pm

Ramrod
JVG is the same guy that couldn’t get out the 1st round with T-Mac and Yao Ming wow that’s a serious upgrade!

GeeMack

August 31st, 2009
3:11 pm

Dashizz357

I agree with you homie!

Dashizz357

August 31st, 2009
3:20 pm

Dan & GeeMack

Thanks guys! I refuse to buy into the bs Jeff has created on this blog!

Jeff should be ripping the management, not coach & his staff!

I don’t heard him ripping any other coach in the Atlanta market except Woodson & those other teams really suck, except for the Falcons.

Stop drinking that hater aid, and support Atlanta sports! Buster……

jwilli120

August 31st, 2009
3:23 pm

hello eveyone! I agree with most on this subject, woodson should keep
quiet and let the team’s end of the season be his judge, Woodson should let these HAWKS RUN WILD ON THE NBA because i believe only a hand full
of teams can RUN WITH THEM and let iso joe be his last play to win a game not get them back into a game, he should develop the young guys
and not let them rot like AC did (watch AC become a superstar on another team). Teach josh about spacing and where he is suppose to be on the offensive end of the floor and josh will surprise this year, Jeff
Teague is goona be a good guard for this team of young talent, with that
being said GO HAWKS and WOODSON(say less show more….we will get it)

jake

August 31st, 2009
3:26 pm

Dashiizz…finally somebody other than me….Woody’s been as good as we could ask for considering what the roster looked like, how soon we forget that he has had virtually nothing, pre-bibby(anthony johnson, ty lue) the joshes( one is in greece, the other was what 17 or 18 when drafted) marvin( just learned to shoot the 3, which extends the defense and creates opportunities for others) Big Al (great addition, 2 years ago, he’s no tim duncan just yet) and we still do not have a center…bad picks, salim the dream stoudamire, shelden, a.c-might have worked if he was ever healthy….guys we passed on CP3, Darren, Loul Deng, the list can go on….don’t blame Woody for Billy Knight’s mistakes….give him an extension!!!! Finally got some talent, and now u want to get rid of the guy who has been putting up with the dysfunction and building a winner…..azz backwards!!!

GeeMack

August 31st, 2009
3:33 pm

Jake

I could not have said it better myself.

GeeMack

August 31st, 2009
3:37 pm

Never mind that CP3 Jsmoove & JJ was suppose to be the big 3 that we build a champioship around, but BK ignore the golden rule of the draft; 1) Draft for need 2) Draft the best player available & Marvin Williams was neither. That set Woody 2 more years. That aint coaching thats Management.

jake

August 31st, 2009
4:02 pm

@GeeMack…I’d be willing to bet that most of the kill Woody cats have done a 3man down or suicide ever, if you have some basic basketball IQ, u can see the problems with the rosters over the years just sticking out….Woody’s actually done a dayum good job regardless of what that record says…as you pointed out, BK drafted the same guy like 6 time ..long and lean..marvin, both joshes, lets not forget that Al Harrington was here too, as well as the late great Antwan Walker (my bad he ain’t dead) who shot his way out of BOS, ATL, DAL, and MINN, and is now out the league….it was a clown show when he got here…not to mention that the only guy interested in defense has been Josh Smith (NBA’s best weakside helper), but he light in the pocket and playing out of position, (he is a SF with great hops, not a PF), the Hawks are on their way, if we change coaching staff’s, its like starting over. Recent changes that have amounted to nothing, every team in the league, success comes from consistency on the bench and talent on the floor, see Lakers, Spurs, Bos…Woody is Doc Rivers before Garnett/Allen showed up, check his record before the last two years.

DW

August 31st, 2009
4:06 pm

Maybe Dennis Felton can sign on to be the Hawks’ next coach. I hear he’s available.

Good, solid defensive coach. I hear he likes jazz and is a snappy dresser, too.

JSS

August 31st, 2009
4:54 pm

Six words… Lon Kruger… Terry Stotts… Bob Weiss…
Never should a Hawks fan complain about “bad coaching” and the lack of “offensive imagination” after living through those episodes of complete coaching foolishness…

AVERY JOHNSON!!! Are you kidding me, how many jobs have opened up since he was let go in Dallas? Think!!! And nobody has drank the kool-aid yet…
JEFF VAN GUNDY!!! He had Yao Ming, T-Mac, and Battier and didn’t get out of the first round, that is why he’s behind a mic today…

Folks, we’ve been down this road before. We had a beat writer in this town who hounded a coach unmercifully until the GM bit the bullet. Result Bob Weiss… We had another set of columnists who declared one player plateaued and the team stagnant… The result Danny Manning-D. Wilkins trade… We had another set of experts who did not take the real culprit for multiple Hawks playoff failures to task (see Pete Babcock) and the result: Kruger,Stott, and the Billy Knight era)… And I did not even mention the greatest failure of all… Columnists of the AJC and a then 11Alive sportscaster relentless campaign against Hubie Brown. The result: Kevin Loughery and the years in the wilderness…

Once again we have a columnist beating the drum… We have a coach lobbying for his future and that of his staff. Look, Steve Harvey Lite (AKA Mike Woodson) will get paid if he’s canned, his staff won’t. I don’t think he’s great or more than average. Still, I’ve seen bad, and around here it elevates certain mediocre coaches to legend (see Dooley, Butts,, Richt and Cremins*). I don’t want any person working for me who can not say they want the job; and that they don’t have the chops to do it…

Steve Harvey Lite will always have may respect because of these April 2007 post game remarks:
Jeff Schultz: Coach Woodson
Steve Harvey Lite: “Next Question!”
It is another gift that keeps on giving, and it never gets old….

Bobby Cox

August 31st, 2009
4:58 pm

Hey, where’s my long-term contract?

I got the Braves to the post-season a few times!

Dshep

August 31st, 2009
4:59 pm

Someone needs to teach the Hawk players to not stand around on offense.

Dshep

August 31st, 2009
5:00 pm

I bet J Smoothe would hate to see Woodson go!

GeeMack

August 31st, 2009
5:23 pm

jake

Man Homie I can’t find one thing I disagree with, it’s like I wrote the blog.

Ken Strickland

August 31st, 2009
5:53 pm

How many NBA HC’s can anyone name that couldn’t have taken talent Woodson’s had over the last 5yrs and increased the number of wins each yr after starting out with a near NBA record low 13 wins? How many could have increased their wins every yr and still end up with only one (1) winning season?

I think the Hawks have 1 or maybe 2 assistants that could take over the team and do a better job. All it would take is the ability to employ gm time strategy and adjustments, and the confidence to give young developing players enough consistent mins to work through their mistakes and gain confidence in their abilities. It would also be a tremendous advantage if he used his bench to rest his starters and coached his team to be ready to go all out in the 4th qtr. And most importantly is the need for an OFF philosophy that takes full advantage of the teams speed, quickness, athleticism and versatility, rather than one relying mostly on jumpshooting.

mudfoot

August 31st, 2009
6:08 pm

ken, you know soo damn much about the hawks and coachin’, what the hell are you doin’ runnin’ the krystal’s on candler rd? take that silly hat off and apply for a coachin’ position, boy. you missed your calling.

Beau1966

August 31st, 2009
6:58 pm

Good article. Here’s another point to address … Had Woodson been replaced, might Childress have come back?

Ken Strickland

August 31st, 2009
7:57 pm

MUDFOOT-every good football or basketball player don’t automatically make a good HC, and every good HC wasn’t necessarily a good player. I’ve done some coaching, and I’ve been told many many times that I missed my calling. When I played high school and college ball, I didn’t have the benefit of good coaching, and it bothered me. I saw far less talented players do well because they didn’t have to rely on natural ability as much as I did. As a result, I have a very special problem when I see someone sith a golden opportunity as a HC and they relentlessly allow their personal issues and hangups to hamper the overall ability of the players and the team to reach maximum potential.

It’s obvious BK had a vision for the type of team he wanted and that he wanted it to be uptempo, therefore he drafted and signed the quick, fast, versatile and athletic players necessary to play his preferred uptempo style. I have no doubt he relayed that message to Woodson during the interview process before hiring him. And I’m also certain Woodson lied and told BK what he wanted to hear to get the job.

At this point, I think it’s obvious that Woodson’s idea of what style he wanted the team to play was completely opposite what BK wanted and discussed before hiring him. Absolutely no one can say this team isn’t at its best when it runs. The same holds true for Smoove, Horford, JJ, Acie, Salim, Solo, Chills, Diaw and Marvin. Yet, we continue to feature a limited halfcourt OFF which features a butt load of ISO JOE, one on one play and jump shooting. Even the run and gun Suns had a more versatile OFF and inside gm than ours. All of the Woodson lovers are all excited about us winning 47gms last yr and getting to the 2nd rd. Well, we could have done that the yr before if we had better decision making, utilization of players and their mins and a committment to playing an uptempo style of play. That’s not because playing uptempo is the best way to win gms, it’s just the best way for the Hawks to win gms.

Sund might end up extending Woodson’s contract, but at least he won’t make the decision without making sure he can pass the test. And the test is whether he can take a deep and talented team and consistently win without running his starters into the ground, again. And, can he make decisions and use strategies that will make his team more competitive during the playoffs.

cdog

August 31st, 2009
8:24 pm

ALL ARE PUTTING DOWN WOODSON BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THE MAN HAS PRODUCED BACK TO BACK PLAYOFFS WITH A TEAM THAT WAS LEFT FOR DEAD. ANYONE WHO IS CRITICAL OF WOODSON ARE JUST PLAIN LOWDOWN RACIST. WHEN HE TOOK THE HAWKS THEY WERE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE NBA. ALL HE DID WAS GET BETTER EACH YEAR. YOU CAN’T ASK FOR A BETTER PERFORMANCE. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH WOODSON? NOTHING.ACIE LAW WAS GIVEN A CHANCE HE JUST DIDN’T PAN OUT. MAYBE HE WILL IN ANOTHER SYSTEM. THAT HAPPENS IN BASKETBALL. THAT’S NOT THE COACHES FAULT. MANY ARE NOT MAKING SENSE IN THEIR STATEMENTS ABOUT WOODSON. LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE, WOODSON HAS WON AND MADE THE PLAYOFFS.BRING IN ANOTHER COACH AND IT WILL BE NO BETTER. GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE AND HIS DUE. IF YOU WANT TO BE CRITICAL OF SOMEONE IT SHOULD BE RICK SUND. HE SIT ON HIS TAIL FOR A YEAR NOW AND LET THE TEAMS ABOVE GOT BETTER WHILE HE DIDN’T DO ANY THING TO COUNTER THEM. A GM WHO MAKES A STATEMENT, YOU DON’T TRADE FOR STARS YOU DRAFT THEM CAN’T BE ALL THERE.

RA

August 31st, 2009
9:26 pm

I’ve said it many times, Woody has done about as well as one might expect with the materials on hand, and time after time I’ve backed his play when most of the known universe wanted his bald head on a silver platter, or a pike. But even I have to say that I am terribly disappointed. No job is guaranteed for anyone, ever! What you do, and sometimes all you can do, is make sure that at the end of the day, if you’re not asked back where you’ve been, you can have a fighting chance to catch on somewhere else. As many of you have pointed out, Woodson doesn’t have a glittering resume. He is beginning to establish himself as a coach that can coach a playoff team, but even that’s going to go out the window if he keeps acting like someone that’s going to be a pain in the rear end for ownership and management.

Now, he can say what he wants about Sund, but let’s be honest. That golden run against the Celtics that won Woody a contract extention was what it was, a pat on the back and a reprieve from the gallows. Sund was not going to give a long term contract to a coach just because his team (which finished that regular season under .500 by the way) had moments of greatness in a playoff series that they eventually lost. Then last year, the Hawks were over .500, fourth in the east, but how many more games would they have won if Woodson had managed his talent better? How much better would players like Acie Law IV and Solomon Jones have been if Woodson had truly developed their talents? How many more games would the Hawks have won if teams would have had to guess about where the ball was going in the final seconds instead of double and triple teaming Joe Johnson as a matter of course? And then there was our playoff win against a Heat team that was almost as hobbled and beat up as we were, having one good player and a few fair ones. A team that it took the Hawks seven games to beat, and then there was the second round demolition at the hands of the Cavs. Now that might have happened regardless, but if the youngsters that the Hawks had to play because of injuries had gotten a little more playing time in the regular season, they might have at least had a chance to present themselves well, maybe. And then there was this summmer, when everyone, including myself thought that the Hawks were going lose their core and have to start the long painful task of rebuilding, again, but no, for the first time in more summers than I can remember, the Hawks did exactly what they had to do to give themselves a fighting chance in a conference that, let’s face it, is top to bottom stronger than it was last year. So, my advice to Woodson is this. Instead of griping about what Sund should have giving you, you might want to thank him for what he did. In either case, September is here with October and November following close on it’s heels. Get ready to coach some %#?! ball.

dos hawkquis

August 31st, 2009
9:36 pm

KEN,

Thanks for the bio. I hold you in a different category now, since you obviously have a pedigree. I never played or coached basketball, but I play football and was pretty damn good. Anyway, I know see how you approach the critique of Woodson. Thanks.

Two question for you:

1.Who out there do you propose the Hawks get as a coach, if Woody is canned? Would you trust this team to an unproven assistant? No big name would come here for less than 6 mil. You may as well keep Woody for 4mil.

2.Run and gun teams play poor defensively. In the past 10 years, all of the NBA champs have been defenesive, half-court stalwarts: 3years of San Antonio, ‘03, ‘05, and ‘07 far from run and gun. Boston ‘08 wasn’t running, Detroit ‘04, nope. Laker, ‘00, ‘01, ‘02 and ‘08 were not “running and gunning teams. Maybe the Heat in ‘06

KEN,
I hear you calling for an “uptempo” team, but again look at the past 10 years and you would be hard pressed to find a team like the Suns style of offense winning a championship. I think that Woodson’s request for defense is the way to go.

“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends!”

J.C.

August 31st, 2009
9:44 pm

All of you who have such strong opinions are hypocrites. “NONE” of you could do half the job Coach Woodson has done. You don’t have a clue what it takes. I doubt “ANY” of you even played basketball beyond the backyard.I know most of you did not even make the Jr. High Team let alone High School , College or Pro.

I am sure if Coach Woodson was to watch you do your job ( whatever it may be ), he could point out your areas of opportunity. If you were half the professional Coach Woodson is, you would not be still doing the same job that you have been probably doing for years ! When was the last time “ANY” of you received a pay raise based on performance.No I am not talking about a “Cost of Living Raise”. Most of you dummies have to work overtime to pay your bills ! Has your boss come to you recently and said “I really think you deserve more money !” I doubt it.

Be Real !

Truth-serum

August 31st, 2009
10:44 pm

Hhahahahah..!!

Well, I see why he wont do an interview with you. I dont blame him. Cant we go back to your hate Vick campaign…Ill bet you voted for MCShame….

Yeah, thats why my compliments to you are rare…you are rarely worth complimenting. I not suprised that you would use your print and position to levee hatred against a man whos done an outstanding job. He will get a good contract. Here or else where. As coaches go… theres not a lot of talent available and he is a top ten talent. Hed have no problem getting a job else where. Unlike you Schlitz. If you get out of redneck country youd be unemployed and void.

Vick-tory LOL!!!

DNo

August 31st, 2009
10:46 pm

A ham sandwich would be a better in-game coach than Woody, but I’ll give him this–he’s got stone.

Truth-serum

August 31st, 2009
10:49 pm

J.C.

August 31st, 2009
9:44 pm

Yeah, I agree. Most of the scrubbs like Booty breath Ken the Grand dragon of the hate possese would probably have his parents get the coach fired at the park and recreation level because little kenny couldnt play and the coach kept him on the bench. Instead of getting better he and his family whined together. He never got better and to day as head dragon all he does is whine, while Woodson keeps winning. Go figure.

Truth-serum

August 31st, 2009
10:52 pm

JSS

August 31st, 2009
4:54 pm

DAMN RIGHT!!! YOU TELL EM!

PD

August 31st, 2009
10:56 pm

Whining sucks

Truth-serum

August 31st, 2009
10:59 pm

PD

August 31st, 2009
10:56 pm

GOOD POINT!

Truth-serum

August 31st, 2009
11:08 pm

Ken Strickland

August 31st, 2009
7:57 pm

OTHER THAN WEARING YOUR BOXERS WITH THE HOLE TO THE REAR, WHAT CREDENTIALS DO YOU HAVE? WHAT PRO OR COLLEGE…FOR THAT MATTER HIGH SCHOOL TEAM IS ASKING FOR YOUR ANALYSIS? REALLY.. YOU TALK A LOT OF S..T BUT ALL EMPTY WAGONS MAKE A LOT OF NOISE… WHAT HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED? HOW ARE YOU REPRESENTING? WHERE I COME FROM IF A MAN TALK THAT KIND OF S..T HED HAVE THE MANHOOD TO BACK IT UP WITH SOMETHING… A THIRD GRADE MVP TROPHY SOMETHING…

AND WHY DO THEY CALL YOU BOOTY BREATH? NEVER MIND I KNOW.

Truth-serum

August 31st, 2009
11:10 pm

PICK AND WHINE, KEN AND SCHULTZ!

truth-serum

August 31st, 2009
11:27 pm

Hey Schlitz, heres something else you can hate on, and its a black man too…youll love to hate on that.

Vick’s Eagles jersey a top-seller
It’s particularly noteworthy considering the measurement period began April 1 and ended Friday, giving the Vick No. 7 jersey only a couple weeks on the market.
Loser Ryan’s No. 2 Atlanta Falcons jersey is 18th.

Ken Strickland

September 1st, 2009
12:10 am

DOS HAWKQUIS-I wouldn’t go outside to hire a new HC. I’d hire assistant coach Larry Drew. He’s been the one to handle the summer league teams and conduct the player tryouts. He probably knows our players better than anyone. He was a NBA PG the relied on speed, quickness and penetrating ability to carve out his career. He’s obviously considered an asset by other organizations since they tried to hire him away from the Hawks, but Woodson denied him the opportunity. I’m certain he’d be an asset in the on court development of our younger players, especially our PG’s.

I’m also certain he recognizes the Hawks are a far better team when they are allowed to play uptempo. Now I didn’t say run and gun, I said uptempo. The SHOWTIME Lakers played uptempo and they were a pretty good DEF team. Even the LBird led Celtics played uptempo, but they could also kill you with their halfcourt OFF. And don’t forget, the Spurs have TParker and MGinobili, two of the most uptempo players in the NBA, and POP definitely encourages them to push the ball. I believe they prove you can play uptempo and stil play good DEF. And don’t forget, the run and gun Suns were only an injury to JJohnson and AStaudamire away from possibly winning 2 NBA titles.

I don’t see the advantages of an OFF that ends up with one of its guards pounding the ball on the perimeter until the shotclock is about to run out and then launching a jumpshot. I’d much rather see us push the ball and attack a teams transition DEF rather than their halfcourt DEF. All transition DEF’s use their guards to cover the backcourt when they shoot. Wouldn’t it be a tremendous advantage if we attacked their guards with JJ, Smoove, Horford, Marvin, Crawford, Bibby and Teague? That would limit or eliminate the DEF presence of players like Shaq, DHoward, Ilgoukas, or most of the Bigs in the league.

Whenever we’ve gone on a winning streak, it’s was when we ran. Each time we defeated the Celtics in the 07-08 playoffs, we attacked their transition DEF, and we won. Each time we played them in Boston, Woodson went conservative and forced us to play his preferred halfcourt style, and we got creamed each time. Woodson made it easy for them to double JJ and pressure Bibby, which killed our OFF. When we ran, they couldn’t keep up, let alone double team anybody.

WE NEED A CHANGE IN OFF PHILOSOPHY, AS WELL AS THE WAY OUR PLAYERS ARE UTILIZED MORE THAN ANYTNING ELSE. IF WE CAN’T GET THAT FROM WOODSON, THEN WE SHOULD GET SOMEONE ELSE.

3rd Seed

September 1st, 2009
12:14 am

Maybe race has something to do with it, I don’t know. But, I’ll bet “The Race Card” has very little to do with Woody getting an extension. I agree, Jeff Schultz. A real coach wouldn’t whine about an extension, they just would do their job and not worry about it. Personally, I found it very unprofessional for him to talk about the situation, especially to the media. Maybe Mike Woodson will walk out on us, since we’re so dumb to fire him. That would be great news for me to hear, with his mediocre ass.

Ken Strickland

September 1st, 2009
2:20 am

JAKE-you and a lot of others keep blaming BK for passing on PG’s CP3 and DWilliams. But it was Woodson, not BK, who publically stated his concerns about their size, DEF ability and ability to hold up to NBA competition, especially CP3. He’s the one that’s insisted on having veteran PG’s. He used injuries as his excuse for basically ignoring ALaw, but he didn’t let injuries prevent TLue from playing heavy mins, even when he was injured, which was often. Injuries didn’t cause all of those DNP coaches decision that appeared next to Acie’s name.

When you add young talented players each yr over a 5yr period, as well as a sprinking of veteran players, and those young players get progressively better each yr, why wouldn’t your team be able to increase their win total? Especially when you start out with a NBA near record low 13 wins. All of that got him his last contract extension.

All of you Woodson lovers are too willing to accept whatever you get, rather than what the team is really capable of accomplishing. You also keep making the excuse that he hasn’t had any talent. Are you saying AHorford, JSmith, MWilliams, JChildress, MBibby, JJohnson, FMurray, BDiaw, ALaw, SStaudemire and SJones had or have no talent? It’s not a matter of what he didn’t have, it a matter of him not taking full advantage of what he had.

tbhawksfan

September 1st, 2009
3:54 am

If Woodson is so good, why isn’t he ready to go with his improved team and show what he can do ?

What’s up with the argument that a coach on a short contract will coach to win. Does that mean that a coach on a long contract doesn’t ?

My thought is, if the length of your contract is interferring with your performance, your not the guy for the job. Either leave or prove it.

If the Hawks let Woodson go, do you think another top 4 team would want him? I think not.

I also don’t thik Woodson’s D is all that. When I watched CLEV clamp down on us, now that was D.

Woodson should have consulted before opening up about his feelings. Any decent consultant could have told him that this would blow up in his face. Doesn’t Woody know he’s not very estimed in ATL ?

Unfortunately, this is salt on the wound of any flare-up with his players and that could prove to be a big distraction.

Dam, Woody even makes bad coaching moves in the off-season….

J.C.

September 1st, 2009
5:02 am

Jeff Shultz , you are a loser !

Most of us were taught how to write in the second grade. Boy, you really have a skill. And who made you the expert, I have never heard of you. Why is it that the chumps who never had any basketball skills are the so called experts. How long is your contract with Atlanta Constitution Journal ? Why don’t you post your resume and be honest about why you are not with your previous employer ? When was the last time your boss came in and gave you a raise ? As a matter of fact, when was the last time your “wife” told you that you were the best ?

NineOhTheRino

September 1st, 2009
7:50 am

AJC writers all have an agenda.

GeeMack

September 1st, 2009
8:18 am

Hey Ken

What would you consider a successful season with this team?

I agree that uptempo style better fits this personnel, but thats not how you win in the playoff with limited personnel. Your are correct the Laker Celtic & The current Spurs team plays up tempo. The hawks have 1 player that could possible crack the starting line on one of those teams and that’s JJ. It still goes back to personnel.

Willie Coyote

September 1st, 2009
9:03 am

We’re lucky we didn’t lose 250 during that stretch with the roster implosion that occurred. I’m not saying that he is a championship caliber coach (only championships determine that) but to blame him for losing with a team that was comprised of rookies, has-beens, and never-has-never-will-beens it a bit unfair.

tbhawksfan

September 1st, 2009
10:04 am

The thing with Woodson is that good coaches can make mediocre players look good and Woodson makes good players look mediocre. ISO JOE with the talent of last year is a shame.

Let Woody earn his extention. He has a contract, he has a team that SHOULD finisf fourth in the East. Why is he whining? Is he scared that this team will indeniably show his coaching limitations?

Mike

September 1st, 2009
10:07 am

I am not a fan of Coach Woodson. I do not see any resemblance of an offense during the last two minutes of a game he coaches. It’s always one on one and poor Joe is not the best creator off the dribble. Just pass the ball around and find the open shooter, don’t have four guys standing around while one player gets double teamed.

Oz

September 1st, 2009
10:12 am

I have a question for the Atlanta Sports Fan? What do you expect from your coach’s? He has coached the talent he was dealt with..I think he has done a pretty good job and most of the players are developing into fine NBA players..Ok, Acie did not work, Sheldon Williams did not work out. I ask you did he choose those players? Come on AJC family..He has given us two seasons back to back of meaningful basketball on the NBA Leve. He has and should be rewarded for that.. He took the job thinking it was going to be a long journey and now we are starting to see some rewards and ALL THE FANS CAN SAY IS HOW SHORT HIS BENCH IS AND ETC….Joe has not played well in the playoffs not because he is tired..If you follow the league defenses get stinger that time of the year…Teams that win it all NORMALLY PLAY VERY GOOD TEAM DEFENSE..

Jeff, I don’t agree with your take and I think it is a little unethical to take shots at a man because you don’t like him…I feel sorry for the readers because you are totallu biased..If we were to win the NBA Championship YOU AND YOUR CHLONIES would still find something to grip about….

Big Ray

September 1st, 2009
10:35 am

Uh, did I miss something? Is Woody out of a job this summer?

Life is so unfair to Woody, huh? Oh, let us count the ways:

1) Billy Knight tries to fire Woody. ASG says “no.”

2) Billy Knight tries it again. ASG says “no”, again.

3) Billy Knight trades for Mike Bibby. Tries to fire Woody. ASG says “no” yet again.

4) Billy Knight leaves. Rick Sund is hired. Sund offers Woody a two year contract, presumably so he has sufficient time to let Woody do his thing, and properly evaluate him over a reasonable amount of time. Woody signs the contract. We’ll assume he knew what he was doing when he did it.

Okay, so where is all the unfairness? If I recall correctly, it was a 2 year contract. Year one has past, and year two is coming up. So why the b!tching and whining halfway through? That’s strange, Josh Smith gets slammed everytime he whines. I guess it’s okay if you’re a head coach with one winning season, who has survived turmoil and change within the front office and ownership.

Something about this is rubbing me all wrong. Getting to keep your job, and being asked to prove yourself (while being paid, no less, what an insult!) by a new employer, instead of being let go and replaced by his own personal pick, is unfair?

Woody knows how the head coaching thing works in the NBA. Or at least he should have known before stepping into this pool of sharks. No sense in whining about it NOW. How many first-time head coaches can boast that they’ve survived what HE has survived? Not many, I’ll wager.

So he still has a job, and he’s got one year left to prove himself. If I were him, I’d rather have that paid year to pad my resume at the very least. He could be staring at trying to get an assistant’s job somewhere else, but he’s not. And this is unfair ? I think there are a lot of people out there without jobs, who did nothing to deserve it, who would disagree. Many of them have likely proven over much more than 5 years that they are good at their jobs. But because of economical issues, they are now jobless. Right now, Woody isn’t one of those people, and he’s only got one winning season on his resume.

Lastly….

Sure Woody deserves some credit for the turnaround of this franchise. But there are a few points to consider:

1) How hard is it to be better than 13 wins? Or 26? This team could have only done one of two things: get better or stay the same. They got better. Most teams do.

2) Woody was a part of the turnaround. You can say he was at the helm, but didn’t somebody bring in the players that are on this team? Woody wasn’t the person who did that. In addition, players (particularly young ones) generally get better each year. It’s called experience. So each year, you have a GM bringing in more talent, and players getting better with experience. If you’re going to give Woody all the credit for the turnaround, you’re crazy. And if you’re going to say he was saddled with a lack of talent, then recall that he’s the guy who took the job, knowing what the situation and the gameplan was.

3) Mike Bibby is/was responsible for much of what changed with this team in the last 1.5-2 years. Who brought Bibby here? Not Woody. Who made Bibby the kind of player he is? Not Woody. Something tells me Bibby would have the same effect on this team regardless of whether Woody was here or not. And oddly enough, Woody, with his own mouth, has given both the win totals and playoff appearance credit to….none other than Bibby.

Woody can say what he wants. We’ll see what he can do with his best roster yet. Do well, and he can whine next summer with more credibility than ever. In the meantime, he might want to be thankful that he’s getting paid to be a head coach for an NBA team. There are several guys who wouldn’t mind having such a job.

Big Ray

September 1st, 2009
10:41 am

One more time for those who claim the ASG is experiencing indecision where Woody is concerned:

The ASG decided to not let Billy Knight fire Woody.

The ASG decided to let Rick Sund sign Woody to a two year contract.

The ASG essentially decided to keep Woody in a paid job for 6 years. Where’s the “indecision?”

Was there “indecision” when they told Childress and Smoove to go find offers from other teams? Oh noooo, that was labeled “good business.”

Seems to me that the term “indecision” is one of convenience, and nothing more.

Chea

September 1st, 2009
11:30 am

Maybe Woody should have included in his contract “I will get an automatic extension for X dollars over Y years if the Hawks get to the 2nd round of the playoffs after a winning regular season.”

Good call Sund; no need to talk to the man about his contract until the season is over.

Big Ray

September 1st, 2009
12:17 pm

Truth Serum,

I hear there’s a cure for angry black man syndrome. ‘Cuz brotha, you got it something fierce!

Chea,

Yeah, Woody signed that 2 year contract. I’m sure he read it before he did. What was he expecting? Personally, I’d rather have the full 2 years to prove myself. Anything could have happened in that one year, and he’s lucky the injuries didn’t take a bigger toll.

Ken Strickland

September 1st, 2009
12:55 pm

GEEMACK-last yr was a successful season, but I think you’ll agee that it could have been more successful. Name one HC with confidence in his coaching abilities, and who’s team just finished as the 4th seed and advanced to the 2nd rd of the playoffs, that would be publically whining and crying about a contract extension instead of savalating at the chance to take the most talented, experienced and versatile 12 man roster he’s ever had into the upcoming season. Woodson, like his supporters, has used injuries, inexperience, the lack of a veteran PG and a perceived lack of overall talent as excuaes for lowering expectations and team achievements. Sund wants to see what he can do with all of the excuses removed and has presented him with the talent, depth and experience he amd his supporters claim has been missing. WHAT IN THE HECK IS WRONG WITH THAT AND HOW IS THAT SO UNREASONABLE. HE SIGNED A 2YR CONTRACT AND HE SHOULD COACH THIS TEAM FOR 2YRS BEFORE COMPLAINING ABOUT AN EXTENSION. IF WOODSON AND HIS SUPPORTERS FEEL HE’S DONE SO MUCH WHILE COACHING WITH LESS, THEN WHY IS HE WHINING, -ITCHING AND BALKING AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO COACH WITH SO MUCH MORE?

cdog

September 1st, 2009
12:56 pm

rick sund should take a page from thomas dimitroff. if there is a need, he don’t on his tail and admire what other teams has done, he goes out and fills the need unlike sund who just sits and keeps a cell phone stuck in his ear and does nothing. this blog should be about whether to give sund a contract instead of woodson.

GeeMack

September 1st, 2009
3:26 pm

Ken you gotta a point there! I will say this….If the Hawks wins 3 more games, but loses to a team like wash. in the 1 rd (4th & 5th seeds are generally very close teams). Is that still considered a sucessful season, and worthy of a contract extention? Although I generally root for Woody I do think he sealed his fate yesterday with the contract complaint. But who do we bring in I saw someone mentioned Larry Drew, but for some reason he doesn’t strick me as HC material.

3rd Seed

September 1st, 2009
4:38 pm

cdog,

If Thomas Dimitroff was the Hawks GM Woodson’s ass would have been out of here!

Ken Strickland

September 1st, 2009
5:22 pm

GEEMACK-What constitutes a winning season is determined by an organizations expectations. In the 07-08 season, everyone thought we had a successful season when we made the playoffs with a losing record and took the Celtics to a 7gm series. Woodson got a 2yr contract extension off of that season. Do you think the Celtics would have been satisfied with those accomplishments? IT’S ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE.

We have a roster that’s comprised of young, experienced players with lots of room to grow and get better. We’re added speed, quickness, versatility, depth, youth and experience to our guards unit. We’ve added experience, maturity, versatility, talent, size and depth to our frontline unit. Based on what we’ve seen over the past 2-3yrs, we can expect to see marked improvement from our young starters. We’ll also be returning a very important element in making a good team, and that’s CHEMISTRY.

With all of these attributes and additions, why would anyone that’s interested in winning and moving forward be satisfied with just making the playoffs, or settling for what we did last yr or the yr before?

I was the one that mentioned Larry Drew. I’m certain Mike Woodson didn’t srike a lot of people as HC material before he was hired, and still don’t. I just think LDrew has a fresh perspective and knows Woodson is a control freak with problems. He would also cause minimal disruption as far as HC player adjustments are concerned. He and a couple of other assistants wanted to leave a while back and applied for other coaching jobs, but Woodson refused them permission to seek interviews.

This team doesn’t need coaching as much as it did 2yrs ago, it just needs direction and some adjustments. Bring in an OFF minded assistant to install an effective halfcourt OFF and increase the tempo. Expand the use of the bench and play the starters fewer MPG so they will be ready for 4th qtrs and the playoffs. If a HC doesn’t try to place limits on everything to make it easier for him to have absolute control, he won’t have to make so many excuses and place so much blame on everything and/or everyone else. AND HE WON’T HAVE TO PUBLICALLY CRY AND WHINE ABOUT GETTING HIS CONTRACT EXTENDED. This is the 2nd GM Woodson has had, and he’s had issues with both. At some point, one has to recognize the one common denominator when there are constant problems, especially when they are simular, and Woodson is that common denominator.

cdog

September 1st, 2009
5:35 pm

gee mac, this would not be going on if woodson was a white coach. people who probably never stepped on a basketball court suddenly become basketball coaches. woodson deserves a contract extension for the great job he has done. you put these critics on the sideline and let them try to coach, they couldn’t coach their way out of a paper bag but thy can find fault in woodson. how funny and sad they are.

Truth-serum

September 1st, 2009
5:39 pm

Big Ray

September 1st, 2009
12:17 pm

Im Chinese. idiot. My girlfriend and her daughter are black. How long have you been a member of this hate club?

M45

September 1st, 2009
6:29 pm

H## I dont blame Woody but I understand why they didnt extend him and his staff.Woodys record was not the best when he first got to Atlanta but H## the best coach in the Nba couldnt do nothing with that sorry A$$ team.Give him a break there finally putting a Quality team together on the court so give Joe an extention first then take care of him and his staff.

Ken Strickland

September 1st, 2009
7:50 pm

CDOG-if Woodson was White, it’s very likely he would have been fired by now, and I say that as a Black man. This might come as a shock to someone who’s mentality is still based on BLAMING EVERYTHING ON THE MAN, but White HC’s get fired and denied contract extensions too.

Has anyone heard any of the Hawk players offer their public support for Woodson and his public campaign for a contract extension? Also, what does it say about a HC that thinks he deserves a contract extension before his star player? Wouldn’t you want the team to get the teams best player signed before campaigning for your own extension?

In Woodson’s quest for a contract extension, it appears he’s using some of the same flawed strategy and logic he uses during the season.

truth-serum

September 2nd, 2009
6:20 am

Ken Strickland

September 1st, 2009
7:50 pm

You did not even play little league. You, like all empty wagons, make a lot of noise. You are a loser. You remind me of the guy at the party who cant get a date, so he starts a fight or gets drunk. loser.

Dont hate! congradulate, Woodson on a fine stretch that turned the Hawk from doormats to playoff competitive! He can get another job. Your career is to be a Blog site jockey and if you leave redneck Georgia neither you are schultz would have a job.

truth-serum

September 2nd, 2009
6:22 am

Ken Strickland

September 1st, 2009
7:50 pm

QUIT WHINNING!

truth-serum

September 2nd, 2009
6:24 am

cdog

September 1st, 2009
5:35 pm

ON POINT!!!

Ken Strickland

September 2nd, 2009
9:39 am

TRUTHSERUM-normally I treat clowns like you the same way I treat dog shi!, I don’t step in it, I step over it. But you have become rather amusing in your increasingly repetitive derogatory and rather childish attempts to gain some measure of recognition by getting my attention. You’re too stupid to even realize how you’ve demonstrated to everyone just how delusional your thought process is.

You make negative comments about my character as if you know me personally, and you’re actually stupid enough to think people believe you. You refer to me as being negative, but you’re so clueless you can’t even recognize you’ve made me your personal obsession and the comments you direct toward me are all negative personal attacks.

Your approach is based on the old saying, “IF YOU CAN’T DISCREDIT THE MESSAGE, DISCREDIT THE MESSENGER”. You go out of you way to attack anyone you disagree with and openly embrace anyone you feel might share your limited concepts. And when your limited mentality has run its limited course, you resort to race as your last line of defense, which is the refuge of an attention starved, insecure coward with serious selfesteem issues.

I have some news for you and clowns like you. THIS COUNTRY HAS JUST ELECTED A BLACK PRESIDENT, SO THE REFUSAL TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT OF A MARGINAL BLACK HC IS HARDLY A RACIAL ISSUE, IDIOT.

BC

September 2nd, 2009
11:36 am

Woodson blows, the hawks have improved despite him, not because of him. His defensive schemes are decent, but his offense sucks, and he may be the worst head coach when it comes to developing talent. Josh Smith has regressed and Horford hasn’t gotten much better from his amazing first season. I hope he doesn’t hold back Teague’s progress like he did to Acie. The one thing I give him props for was that I heard Woodson really wanted to take Brandon Roy, but Billy Knight’s dumb ass insisted on Shellhead. Now he’s adding whining to his head coach resume. Fire Woodson and take the Hawks to the next level!

Atlanta Hawks Thread - Page 3 - iSTORYA.NET

September 2nd, 2009
11:40 am

[...] permalink They’re chasing gold baby. Wish them luck. ———— Woodson running his new offense: Pick-and-whine Most coaches would embrace a strong off-season like the one the Hawks have had and try to use it to build some momentum and excitement for the upcoming season. But Mike Woodson is not like most coaches. He prefers to whine. Woodson is entering the final year of his contract. He apparently wants to make sure everybody knows that. I guess the hope is, I dunno, somebody starts a Save-The-Woody write-in campaign. The combustible one spoke about his situation again this weekend to Yahoo Sports. Most of the comments echoed those he told our premier hoops writer, Sekou Smith, three months ago. But Woodson turned up the rhetoric, saying: “Am I a little disappointed that none of my staff and I were extended contracts this year? You’re damn right I am because we deserve it. … Any other coach probably would’ve been extended, without a doubt. … For us not to be extended is not right.” You know what’s not right? A coach who goes 106-222 in his first four seasons and doesn’t get fired, only to then ask for a new contract after his first — first — winning season before the existing contract has expired. The Hawks won a playoff series last year. Woodson wants to cash in. But the Hawks aren’t exactly in contract extension mode right now. General manager Rick Sund didn’t even give an extension to point guard Mike Bibby before last season. Why would he do that for Woodson, who doesn’t nearly have Bibby’s career resume? (Bibby got his extension after the season). Sund could’ve fired Woodson when he was hired as GM last year. He didn’t. He gave him a two-year contract. He basically told the coach: “I think you deserve a chance to come back but I’m not committing to you long term. Let’s re-evaluate in 2010.” It’s 2009. If Woodson really felt as secure as he claims he is, he would coach the team Sund improved this off-season, take the Hawks to the next level and then use that as leverage in negotiations. Then again, maybe he’s just not as confident as he says he is. Link [...]

BC

September 2nd, 2009
11:58 am

Ugh, reading through these comments made me remember all the in-game reasons I don’t like Woodson: Not keeping track of timeouts, questionable substitutions, never having any good plays coming out of timeouts, never getting any love from the refs, and, worst of all, failure to make in-game adjustments.

cdog

September 2nd, 2009
2:35 pm

LIKE WOODSON OR NOT. HE IS A GOOD HEAD COACH. I JUDGE A COACH BY HIS TEAM. PAT RILEY.PHIL JACKSON AND THE AUERBACHS HAD TALENTED TEAMS AND PLAYERS. WITH A ROSTER THAT WOODSON INHERITED, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE FARED ANY BETTER. WOODSON HAS TAKEN A BUNCH OF NOBODIES AND MADE WINNERS OUT OF THEM REGARDLESS HOW YOU LOOK AT IT. ANY BODY CAN WIN WITH A TEAM OF SUPERSTARS BUT WHAT ABOUT A TEAM WHERE YOU HAVE TO DEVELOPE THEM. REGARDLESS OF YOUR RACIAL HATE FOR WOODSON, HIS PERFORMANCE HAS SPOKEN FAVORABLE OF HIM.DESPITE AN INCOMPETENT GM, WOODSON AND THE HAWKS WILL BE EVEN BETTER THIS SEASON.LIKE ONE BLOGGER SAID, IF YOU DON’T LIKE WOODSON, DON’T FOLLOW THE HAWKS THIS SEASON. FIND YOU ANOTHER TEAM TO FOLLOW SUCH AS THE UTAH JAZZ. THEY HAVE A PREDOMINANT WHITE TEAM AND COACH.

Greg

September 2nd, 2009
4:51 pm

Ken Strickland,

No need to even amuse that individual by acknowledging their existence you do more damage by doing what you have been doing all along…ignore them!

We will continue to have healthy hoop conversations about our favorite team until we see a championship. I like the blogs even when we don’t express the same opionions we do it with intelligence and class. That’s the American way. I look forward to your next blog homie!

GeeMack

September 2nd, 2009
5:04 pm

Ken Strickland,

No need to even amuse that individual by acknowledging their existence you do more damage by doing what you have been doing all along…ignore them!

We will continue to have healthy hoop conversations about our favorite team until we see a championship. I like the blogs even when we don’t express the same opionions we do it with intelligence and class. That’s the American way. I look forward to your next blog homie!

Ken Strickland

September 2nd, 2009
6:01 pm

Until reecently, I actually believed Woodson would do a much better job of managing our current roster then he’s done in the past. But his latest self serving outburst has given me reason to doubt that will happen. Training camp hasn’t even started and this fool has deliberately made himself a distraction by making his contract an issue. You would think he’d have enough sense to realize that getting JJ’s contract extended is far more important to this franchise than getting his extended. He’s so self centered and egotistical that he doesn’t realize he’s far less important to the success of the Hawks than most of the players, especially JJ.

This fool doesn’t seem to realize the he can, and at this point, likely will be replaced. If you were the GM, how many of you would you want to rehire a HC that’s already forced your predessor to leave the team and is starting to play the same gms with you.

WEIGH IT !

September 2nd, 2009
7:18 pm

Hey Ken,

Ive been reading your blogs for a while too. It seems to me that while this truth-serum guy is pretty hard on you, it seems his questions are valid. Example. You fling a lot of venom at Woodson with your analysis but when Mr truth-serum questions you about you experience or coaching background you dont seem to have an answer which make it seem that you dont have any more knowledge or experience than the next guy and that would by default make you attack on Woodson personal. I understand that he and Mr Schultz dont get along and Woodson wont grant him an interview, but you seem relentless in your attack and tirade against Woodson. Now that the sixth youngest team in the NBA is beginning to mature can we at least have a couple of losing seasons before you engulf this site with so much hate and anti Woodson posting. Id like to just be able to come to a site and have positive feed and support towards the Hawks. This is my team and atlanta’s team and like it or not Woodson is the coach. You do turn me off (and im sure lots of fans who would like to get in the excitement of the hawks) with your non stop sprewing of hatred. Please let those of us who like the hawks and think woody is a fine coach enjoy this site. Cant you just write Woodson a letter and tell him you hate him and leave the rest of us alone? Can you and your racist friends take your stuff else where….Please?
We just want to root for and support the Hawks. My friends would like to share this blog sight but get turned off by your hatred. OK you hate woodson. Everyone knows it. Can we change the subject so that the true fans can build excitement about the up coming season.

We all have an opinion of how to coach a team, and we all have our favorites players and coaches. Youve made clear your opinion. Thank you for sharing. Most of us have an different opinion than yours. You have no more knowledge and or experience than the rest of us. Please sit down and be quiet.

Thank you.

Just-checking-in

September 2nd, 2009
7:24 pm

cdog

September 2nd, 2009
2:35 pm

Excellent post!

truth-serum

September 2nd, 2009
6:20 am

Good points. Keep the word soldier!

NineOhTheRino

September 1st, 2009
7:50 am

You are right. I just wish it was building the team, community and city.

Ken Strickland

September 1st, 2009
7:50 pm

QUIT WHINNING

J.C.

September 2nd, 2009
7:31 pm

Ken,

My question to you is, why does he have to be a fool to pursue job security.

Let me ask you how well you could perform if you went to work daily not knowing if you will have a job next year.

I am a now auto worker and I know the stress of several years of not knowing if the plant would close or if there would be major layoffs.

School teachers across the U.S. have to deal with either short term contracts and in many cases, no contract.

I lastly ask you, What makes you the expert on Labor Relations. Is your job guaranteed ?

Do you have a family ? Quit being so judgemental. Everyone can tell the other person how to live ! Is your life perfect ?

Same question I asked Jeff Schultz, When was the last time your wife said you were the best.

I beleive I could change her opinion !

onemoretime

September 2nd, 2009
7:34 pm

WEIGH IT !

September 2nd, 2009
7:18 pm

I agree with you. I wish there was a hate Woody blog site so the rest of us pro hawks fans could connect on this ajc site. Ive never seen a person so obsessed with hatred for a person. I would definitely put a restraining order on this Ken Guy. He should be investigated. Ill bet hes a part of some right wing radical organization.

Just-checking-in

September 2nd, 2009
7:41 pm

Ken Strickland

September 2nd, 2009
6:01 pm

Ken who do you coach for? Who have you coached for? What is your record?background?qualifying experience? Are you a scout for the Hawks? the Celtics? Lakers? Pistons? any pro team? college team? High school? Park and rec?

Then do us a favor…. Shut up!

truth-serum

September 2nd, 2009
7:49 pm

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truth-serum

September 2nd, 2009
8:09 pm

J.C.

September 2nd, 2009
7:31 pm

Ken is so over whelmed by hatred that you cant expect him to be rational. Its very human to tried to do better and get security in business for your wife and children and for your own sake. There is a saying ” why should my good be evil spoken of” I really dont think kenny can do any better.

WEIGH IT !

September 2nd, 2009
7:18 pm

In a perfect world! Wouldnt that be nice!

Just-checking-in

September 2nd, 2009
7:41 pm

Amen!

BC

September 2nd, 2009
11:36 am

Your thinking is B.C.

Ken Strickland

September 2nd, 2009
9:39 am

You reap what you sow. The same thing you say that I attack you unfoundedly is exactly what you do to woodson. Deal with the man in the mirror. Heheehhe Billy Jean!

Im sorry you regret that we now have a black president. You cant change that. The majority of the people dont think like you do.

The only message you carry is one of hate. Messenger? You are a joke man. Discredit you? You have no credit idiot! Dont you get it? You are just a blog site Jocky armed only with an opinion and fueled by hate. You have no professional experience. You have no amatuer experience. You are just a blog site jockey living a lie and being jealous of the real thing who is a pro coach and has amatuer and college and professional experience and is now the leader of a fine atlanta hawks team. Im talking about the number 9 coach in the Coach of the year polls. Im talking about MIKE WOODSON. SO LIKE JUSTCHECKINGIN SAID. SHUT UP!

truth-serum

September 2nd, 2009
8:22 pm

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truth-serum

September 2nd, 2009
8:26 pm

I COULDNT AGREE MORE GUYS!

onemoretime

September 2nd, 2009
7:34 pm
WEIGH IT !

September 2nd, 2009
7:18 pm

I agree with you. I wish there was a hate Woody blog site so the rest of us pro hawks fans could connect on this ajc site. Ive never seen a person so obsessed with hatred for a person. I would definitely put a restraining order on this Ken Guy. He should be investigated. Ill bet hes a part of some right wing radical organization.

Big Ray

September 2nd, 2009
11:28 pm

Truth Serum,

1) I’m black. Sorry, but the only hate club I could realistically belong to isn’t the one you suggest.

2) You don’t have to be black to have angry black man syndrome. You just gotta be angry….and make angry comments about stereotypical white people.

3) I didn’t say you’re black. I’m glad you don’t have an issue with interracial relationships. A lot of people do, and I hate that.

4) I think most people will see the similarites between you, “just checking in”, “JC”, “Weight It”, and “one more time”, even if they’re wearing a blindfold. I mean, they all seem to have a problem with Ken, and they all sound like you. Gee, I wonder what that means? Still, it was kinda funny. Sort of like those “Scary Movie” movies. You know it’s stupid, but you laugh anyway. You kinda can’t help it.

5) Okay, can we call it angry Chinese man syndrome? Or would that make you mad, too? Just askin’….

Big Ray

September 2nd, 2009
11:30 pm

“why should my good be evil spoken of”

Okay, what was that? One of Master Yoda’s sayings ?

Ken Strickland

September 3rd, 2009
12:13 am

WEIGH IT-why should I feel obligated to provide information about my coaching experience to an idiot that has yet to provided any information about his? I could tell you anything you might want to hear, and you still wouldn’t have a clue about my experience, and the same hold true for anyone else for that matter. SO BEFORE QUESTIONING ME, YOU SHOULD FIRST CONSIDER THE SOURCE.

J.C.-you don’t secure job security by using the media to whine, bi!ch and create distractions by calling your boss out for not making a premature decision on your next contract. The best way for him to persue job security is to keep his mouth shut, fulfill the remainder of his contractual obligation and quietly go about taking the most talented 12 man roster he’s ever coached and improve on last yrs successful season.

What Woodson is doing, and the way he’s going about it, won’t get him any type of job security, it will come closer to getting him fired. AS AN AUTO WORKER, HOW MUCH JOB SECURITY DO YOU THINK YOU’D CREATE FOR YOURSELF IF YOU STARTED CREATING A DISTRACTION BY OPENLY CALLING OUT YOUR BOSS FOR HIS UNWILLINGNESS TO GUARANTEE YOU JOB SECURITY OR GIVE YOU A RAISE EXACTLY WHEN YOU WANTED IT?

GM RSund has given Woodson everything he needs to improve upon last yrs accomplishments. His current roster is bigger, taller, quicker, faster, deeper and more experienced than any roster he’s coached so far. All he has to do is complete the remaining yr of his current contract and PRODUCE, and he’ll get his extension no questions asked. WHY IS THAT SO DIFFICULT FOR HIM AND OTHERS TO UNDERSTAND?

Big Ray

September 3rd, 2009
12:38 am

Ken Strickland,

Come now, don’t encourage him. If you talk to all of the personalities, they will keep coming back. Come one, man. I know you see it. Five names. One keyboard. Too obvious.

gasportsfan

September 3rd, 2009
1:20 am

I’ve always thought Woodson should have been given a chance to turn this thing around because he basically inherited a college team when he took over. But for him to come out in the media and complain about his contract is not a way to get an extension. Just win (especially in the playoffs)and the contract will take care of itself. I equate this to some of these athletes coming into the league and commanding big time money when they have not proved themselves at this level. A 106-222 record after four seasons is not gonna cut it especially after you just got swept in the 2nd round of the playoffs this season.

cdog

September 3rd, 2009
5:34 am

gasportsfan, do you think you would have a great record if you unherited a bunch of misfits from the start of your 4 years? definitely not. look what he has done the last two years.plus how many teams such as washington, the golden states and others who did not the playoffs?you judge him on what he has done lately not because he is a black coach and most hate him because of this. look at the vicious attacks on vick and dj shockley. all because they were black. the first two rebuilding years is the reason his record is the way it is.of course you wouldn’t know nothing about that being you are looking at skin color of woodson.if this was pat riley most will be dancing in the street calling for him a contract extension.

Truth-serum

September 3rd, 2009
7:04 am

Big Ray

September 2nd, 2009
11:30 pm

Its from the bible idiot, something you clearly dont read.

Let me help you little ray

Romans 14 vs16
1 cor 10 vs 30
1st peter 4 vs 14
2 peter 2 vs 2

cdog

September 3rd, 2009
5:34 am

Good Job!

Ray its the man in the mirror that you really hate.

Ray, Read your bible. It would help change your lying ways.

Sope Creek

September 3rd, 2009
7:05 am

Jeff, you’ve ripped on Woody every chance you’ve had. You’ve never recognized what Woody has accomplished with, in the early years, virtually no talent with any experience. You’ve constantly refuse to acknowledge that Woody has grown the good talent into effective individual players who contribute within their roles effectively to (now) produce a winning team despite holes that have continued to populate the roster. The notion that anybody – Red Auerbach included – could have done any better than 106-222 with the rosters Woody’s had to deal with over the years is silly. So my sense is that (a) you don’t know much about basketball, and (b) you don’t like Woody because he doesn’t toe your line about a coach being a “great guy” to interview, whatever your criteria for that might be.

Woody’s finally got a roster with size and depth in the front court, talent and depth at the point and a plausible backup for Joe. The only question that I have is how well Marvin is going to handle the 3. Otherwise I’m convinced Woody will be able to manage games very, very effectively with this roster. So I’m going to bet that when the season’s over Woody’s record and reputation among players and other coaches will cause general managers around the league to wonder why the Hawks didn’t wrap him and his staff up this summer when they had the chance to . . . .

Snowman

September 3rd, 2009
7:41 am

Hello all, I have been away since basketball season ended and thought I would check in to see how the Hawks have done this summer and what free agents have they signed. I hope the Atlanta Hawk Nation had a great summer.

So first of all, Jeff, you are still working for the AJC??? Seriously…how can that be? Who do you know?…What pictures of what executive do you have at the Newspaper?…no seriously…whatever…if “Hawk” nation is cool with Jeff being the “authority” on everything Atlanta Hawk so be it. However I think it’s RE-DUNK-ULOUS!!!! (no applause required).

Ok, ok, ok (seriously Jeff you are still with the Journal huh?…hhhmmmm). If there is a report to be written from the summer, it is why did the Atlanta Hawks NOT have a summer league team and how many pro teams did not enter a team that are contenders (what’s up with that Hawk Nation?)

I have more to say and will later however I thought it was September and that means “Lord Football” has returned especially in Georgia. Why is Jeff writing about the Hawks in the 1st week of September is “very” puzzling…oh, I got it…Jeff does NOT work for the Journal but for Rick Sund. At least to this reader he appears to be doing that. Which is fine however he should acknowledge that in the article. I AM PAID BY RICK SUND AND NOT THE AJC.

It is NOT very becoming of a “newspaper” guy NOT being objective, personal and petty which appears you are being in your dislike for coach Woodson. I live in Washington DC and the Wizards fired Eddie Jordan who had guided the Wizards to the playoffs every year when prior to him arriving they NEVER made it and guess what the Wizards had one of the worst records in the NBA last year if not the worst. Please let’s al not take what coach has done with this team for granted. He has done a great job and the Hawks have carried themselves professionally and scandal free during the season and the off-season (applause, applause, applause to the players…bravo!!!…and they have been great in the community as well…which I don’t think has just been by accident either).

Enough, it’s football season so good luck to the Falcons, Georgia and Georgia Tech this season. I am also pulling for Mike Vick (and I know that may not be popular in Atlanta). However I believe in 2nd chances and it appears he is really, really trying. Jeff, congratulations on your new job working for Rick Sund.

Finally, Congrats again to the Hawks and coach Woodson on a FANTASTIC 2008/2009 season despite very little moves made in the off season of 2008 to help (although that Flip Acquisition was a great one that summer). I’ll check back during the BASKETBALL season and GO SKINS (smile)!!!.

P.S.- Who in Atlanta has Wood’s back?…c’mon, speak up y’all (that was Atlantan right…y’all…smile)…and I know there are allot of you out there. By the way, a “shout-out” to the great job Bob Bender, Larry Drew, Ballard and JT have done as well. The results speak for themselves!!! (smile)

Snowman

September 3rd, 2009
7:45 am

What’s happening Truth-Serum and I hope you had a great summer (smile)!!! By the way, I thought this was a good article about the Hawks for those with short memories. Thanks God you are in Atlanta to keep an eye on things and fire back at folks…

http://dberri.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/

welikebaseball

September 3rd, 2009
10:24 am

Ken, I agree with Big Ray. Don’t feed the schizo!!!! LOL. Just-checking-in = truth-serum. I know you see that. They’re obviously jealous that you can lay your argument out in such a logical, intelligent fashion. You never claimed to be any expert analyst. They’re the ones suggesting that. You’ve simply stated your opinions & extended yourself enough to share some of your background. I bet they wouldn’t share any of their backgrounds. LOL. Keep blogging man. Don’t mind “them.”

welikebaseball2

September 3rd, 2009
10:35 am

Hey, it’s me. Same as “welikebaseball.” Somehow, forgot the 2. Not using multiple screen names like some of you guys. LOL. Anyway, I find it amusing that a journalist isn’t allowed to write an article critiquing an athlete or coach regarding their ability/inability to do their jobs. Sorry, but I just don’t see the “pettiness” or “personal attack” in Jeff’s critique. So what, is every journalist supposed to support every coach? Now, don’t get me started on Jeff’s personal attacks on Vick, but here he’s guilty of nothing more than performing his job by analyzing Woodson’s job performance.

Oh yeah, FYI: Players “working in the community” have nothing to do with the coach & everything to do with the Community Affairs Department. Darnit, guess that just leaves Woodson’s X’s & O’s for the critique. Not looking good for the coach with one winning season.

Mookie Blaylock

September 3rd, 2009
10:48 am

For all that say the fans negative approach towards Woodson is racist act, get a life, hey im as black as Manute Bol, and Woodson sucks, he is the worst coach in the leauge. any coach that has 5 former lottery picks should be able to win games..but with his horrible offensive sets, swicthing defense, and letting personel reasons dictate playing time, he will never take the hawks to the promise land….Damn in wonder why Sund didnt fire this dude…look at all the talent he has wasted Diaw, Salim, Acie and now randolph morris…for people who say these guys couldnt play are full of it, hil Jackson won a championship with Luc Longley..U HAVE TO PLAY PLAYERS IN GAMES TO GET THEM EXPIERENCE

Big Ray

September 3rd, 2009
2:24 pm

Jeff,

Thank you, sir!

Truth Serum,

Please don’t quote anything from the bible. You are the most hateful person on this blog (or the others). You can’t even come on here without spewing your hate for other people. I think it is you who hates the person in your own mirror. Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t hate myself. And I don’t hate you either, which is something you can’t say for yourself, because you clearly hate anybody that you don’t like (including an entire race, if not several) or don’t agree with.

Quoting bible verses is great. However, if you truly believe what you say you do, then you would apply it to your life. But you can’t. Because you are the real liar. You have posted as yourself and other people, saying ill things about others, especially Ken (though you have other targets). You’ve called people names. Tell me, what Bible verses support that?

…and I’m not done by a long shot, since you want to enter the realm of theology and religion. You have no clue how to navigate these waters….

Big Ray

September 3rd, 2009
2:49 pm

Truth-serum,

If Jesus said turn the other cheek, then what do you call yourself doing?

I could have sworn that a certain verse reads “Vengeance is mine, saith The Lord.”

It doesn’t say “Vengeance is mine, saith the Truth Serum.” So you can’t claim retaliation, now can you? I mean, since you believe in the Bible.

By the way, this is what you quoted to us:

“why should my good be evil spoken of”

That was your exact typing. Strange, because my Bible says “Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil.” No wonder I didn’t recognize it. Perhaps you should read your bible while you type, instead of modifying the verse to your own version of “english.”

Some corrections and tranlations are in order here:

I Corinthians 10:30 refers to giving thanks for food, regardless of who set it before you (believer or non-believer), except in cases that cause or initiate a stumbling block. You must read verses 23 through 33 to understand the full context of the passage. It has nothing to do with the subject matter we were previously discussing. The gist of the passage is seeking the well-being and edification of others, something you don’t seem to have a very good grasp on, unless of course they agree with your point of view.

As to I Peter 4:14, what is your point, exactly? You have neither invoked the name of Christ, nor are you reproached or villified in His name. Again, read the full passage that you might understand the context, lest ye make a fool of yourself for no reason, and only be a stumbling block to others.

2 Peter 2:2 is a verse you need to read again. Once more, picking a verse out of the air and using it for your own purposes is folly. READ THE ENTIRE PASSAGE. You are not describing anyone here with that passage.

Understand something. I do not say these things to appear arrogant or condescending. But you come on basketball blogs with religion, but you do not even know what you speak of. You insult people in various ways, calling them names, posting with their names and making references to sexual orientation, and then accuse them of being racists, or members of racist groups. On top of all of that, you want to spew forth Bible verses. That is hypocrisy of the highest level I can think of. I would suggest you keep it to basketball and name calling. You’re the modern day version of a Pharisee or Saducee, only worse. Leave the Bible out of it. You give any sort of religious individuals a bad name.

…. rant off

GeeMack

September 3rd, 2009
3:24 pm

Guys I got a question…my homeboy and I were ranking the Hawks bench earlier. With addition of Jason Collins where would you rank them? I said top 5 behind 1. Lakers 2. Boston 3. Clev. 4. Spurs 5. Hawks 6. Orlando. My homeboy said top 3. What yall think?

Ken Strickland

September 3rd, 2009
4:13 pm

BIG RAY-BRAVO MY BROTHER, BRAVO!! I wanted to address this clowns misuse of the bible as well, but I decided to take your advice and cease and desist. Idiots like him often operate on the premise of assumptions. Therefore, they assume everyone else is as stupid, ignorant and uninformed as they are. So, they feel confident that they can get away with saying almost anything about anyone.

The approach he’s using reminds of the term ARRESTED ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT. Only a truely underdeveloped mentality could find so much joy while indulging in such a childish endeavor over such an extended period of time.

GEEMACK-that’s a very good question, and it will be pivotal in determining whether Woodson gets his extension. With the addition of JSmith and JCollins, our frontline has definitely gotten taller, bigger, deeper, more versatile and experienced. With the addition of JTeague and JCrawford, our backcourt has definitely gotten quicker, deeper, faster, more versatile and talented. They also increase our one on one, penetrating and outside shooting ability.

Only the Spurs have someone(MGinobili)that can match JCrawford’s production and versatility. On paper, all of these teams would be hard pressed to match JTeague’s talent off the bench. JSmith, Zaza, RMorris and JCollins can match the experience, versatility, size and talent of most of the bigs on these teams’ bench. So far, every player on our bench, except RMorris, can effectively start if necessary. There’s no doubt we are now in the top 3. I know someone is entertaining the question, HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TEAGUE. Well, that was the same question teams asked about CP3 and DWilliams, which is why teams other than the Hawks passed on them, and look at how that’s turned out.

Truth-serum

September 3rd, 2009
6:44 pm

Snowman

September 3rd, 2009
7:45 am

THE MAN! I thought about you just yesterday. I figure you be itching to get this season start, lots of moves in the off season. The cancerous bubba crew has step up their Hate campaign. I agree with some of the other bloggers and wish theyd sit down and let us true fans enjoy our season with out the negative, hate woody lynch program.

Ive got a fly swatter around here some where.

OH well, its nice to hear from you and Im looking forward to checking in with you this season.

Thanks for the shout out.

Ray and Ken…Yall sit down and shut up. Go bark at a cat or something. Dont you guys have a house you can haunt?!?

Snowman is back so sit back and learn, take your hoods off and have a slice of love….Jerks

Snow I couldnt have said this any better. It wont be long before Vick fan, and JSS get this thing crunk! Had to republish this openning to schultz. Touche’

Snowman

September 3rd, 2009
7:41 am
Hello all, I have been away since basketball season ended and thought I would check in to see how the Hawks have done this summer and what free agents have they signed. I hope the Atlanta Hawk Nation had a great summer.

So first of all, Jeff, you are still working for the AJC??? Seriously…how can that be? Who do you know?…What pictures of what executive do you have at the Newspaper?…no seriously…whatever…if “Hawk” nation is cool with Jeff being the “authority” on everything Atlanta Hawk so be it. However I think it’s RE-DUNK-ULOUS!!!! (no applause required

Truth-serum

September 3rd, 2009
6:50 pm

Hey schultz did Woodson grant you an interview yet? Well, why dont you and your blog site pit bulls ken and Ray ask him if hed attend one of your Go Hawks and Go Woody fan club events?

Truth-serum

September 3rd, 2009
6:52 pm

Big Ray

September 3rd, 2009
2:24 pm
Jeff,

Thank you, sir!

Truth Serum,

You are welcome Ray. I hope you get better and disassociate your self from Ken and the Bubba squad.

Truth-serum

September 3rd, 2009
6:58 pm

Sope Creek

September 3rd, 2009
7:05 am

Jeff does realize. The hate in his heart wont let him honor woodson for the outstanding job hes doing. He realizes. Woodson refuses to grant him an interview until he changes his ways but we are all waiting for hell to freeze over. It just aint happening.

Im glad you noted it and there are a lot of true Bird fans here. Jeff and his pit bulls will continue to attack Woodson.

Just-checking-in

September 3rd, 2009
7:06 pm

J.C.

September 1st, 2009
5:02 am

Bulleye!

Truth-serum

September 3rd, 2009
7:04 am

You must have hit-em with some truth. They sure hate you brother! Is everyone that sees them for who they are going to be called Truth serum. Dudes. Im my own man. I just happen to agree with the Truth. You guys are haters!

Bob Weiss

September 3rd, 2009
7:10 pm

Ken, Ray, Help me get my job back.

Ken Strickland

September 3rd, 2009
9:01 pm

BIG RAY-this fool just might legitimately have multiple personalities and they’re all carrying on a silly conversation with each other. The truely sad thing is, they’re all stupid and focused on us, WOW!

Tell me, what do you think of the additions to our bench and what impact do you think they’ll have on our starters and the team overall? Woodson will definitely have to do some serious player management and expand his rotation if he intends to give Zaza, JSmith, JCrawford and JTeague consistent mins. Also, how will JCollins and MEvans get consistent mins? RMorris might end up going the entire season with DNP coaches decision next to his name.

Big Ray

September 3rd, 2009
10:22 pm

Ken Strickland,

Thanks. Normally, I don’t like to get into religious topics with people, but that misuse was just too much. I can deal with the name-calling and statements that show a lack of cognitive development or capability. I deal with that every day on the job. What gets me is how you or anyone else can be a racist because we aren’t in love with Woody….when we’ve openly campaigned for guys like Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, etc. Correct me if I’m wrong…but aren’t those guys black as well? And I don’t know about you, but I’ve had this dark skin since 1977, when I was born with it.

One of this country’s founding fathers said something that applies here: “A fanatic is a person who won’t change his mind, and won’t change the subject.”

I think we’ve both established that while we don’t like everything about Woody, we would still rather see him succeed with this team, than fail with this team. The failure of one is a failure for all. And we’ve also both stated that Woody more than deserves an extension if he can continue to experience success this season, particularly if this team narrows the gap between us and the Big Three. Only a person both blind and consumed with hatred would miss all the things we’ve discussed on that subject.

And I think you’re right: a true multiple personality doesn’t have any idea about their other personalities.

That would explain the post by “Just checking in”, now wouldn’t it? Strange how they both post exactly the same way, context, form, and everything.

I’ll bet if you looked at the IP addresses of both posters, the number would be the same.

As for Snowman, well…everybody needs friends. Even crazy people.

Big Ray

September 3rd, 2009
10:23 pm

Bob Weiss,

Sorry, no can do. But you can contact Truth Serum. He might be able to help. But don’t tell him you’re white. You might get gibbered at, then chased around the yard with a sharp stick.

WEIGH IT !

September 4th, 2009
12:30 am

Hey Ken, and big ray, Ive listen to you guy and truth serum. Like just checking in, I feel that you guys have been very cruel and unfounded in your attack on Mr Woodson and Mr Serum. Sorry guys I would also like to just enjoy the Hawks and move on from the consistant attacks on Woodson. Does me having a opinion similar to Truth-Serums also mean that Im truth-Serum? Are all these guys that disagree and are tired you your attitudes truth serum? I see how you deal with your problems. Get real.Im sorry if you disagree. But you guy have been spewing this garbage for over a year now. Its old and it stinks. Lets move on.

Shout at cha onemoretime
thumbs up truth-serum. Keep your head up!

J.C.

September 4th, 2009
6:44 am

Jeff Shultz, I am still waiting for you to post your resume. Be truthful on why you are not with your previous employer. I would also like for you to list your salary for each job and tell me about any accomplishments and achievements. Please note any recognitions . Let’s even discuss how you received your job at AJC. (Probably networking with a friend or another former co-worker. I doubt very seriously that AJC recruited you and said ” Oh please Mr. Jeff, will you come and write stupid things to spread poison and negativity in the community. We need someone to be as disruptive as possible because foolishness is what we want to market.

Sure , I would love to have lunch with you. I just so happened to solicit a pay raise and a job committment based on what I did last year and guess what “I GOT A RAISE AND A COMMITTMENT !!!” GO FIGURE !

Bob Weiss

September 4th, 2009
5:51 pm

Bob Weiss

September 3rd, 2009
7:10 pm
Ken, Ray, Help me get my job back.

Big Ray

September 3rd, 2009
10:23 pm
Bob Weiss,

Sorry, no can do. But you can contact Truth Serum. He might be able to help. But don’t tell him you’re white. You might get gibbered at, then chased around the yard with a sharp stick.

Look smart alec, I understand that you are a fake black man who pimps racism to get your jolly on. Im white and I know that counts for something with you. I just want my job back. Keep up the hate on Coach Woodson and then when guys like Mike Vick or O J ask you who do you think should be the coach you plug and play my name see. Its a complicated scheme that can be between you and me see…

Truth-Serum

September 6th, 2009
12:03 am

Now I am posting as Bob Weiss. Not that anybody can tell. Uh oh there goes one of the voices in my head telling on me again. I wish my other voice JC would stop posting on this blog when my main personality is asleep.

Truth-Serum

September 6th, 2009
12:06 am

“We need someone to be as disruptive as possible because foolishness is what we want to market.”

Truth-serum

September 4th 2009
12:00 a.m.

Wow, that description fits me to a “T.” That describes me in a nutshell.

jt in dallas

September 6th, 2009
1:51 pm

Dos Hawkquis, the Hawks could replace Woodson with a high school coach for a lot less than Woodson is costing them now. ANY coach can tell the players to just give it to Joe. Maybe, Sund should trade Woody for a player to be named later.

rusty

September 6th, 2009
10:51 pm

if this was new york the ny post would have drove him out 2 years ago,last season was his first winning season. he doesnt get along with his players except jj. his offense is pathetic,the one thing i hate is getting blown out of a game early which happens way to much & i blame him for this. our offense has no flow,no ball movement. i dont think our defense is much better.we win because we have good players. i do not think that jj is an allstar, i think he has to play within the flow of the team. i think in the last two seasons that he has regressed. i also blame woodson for this. i cant stand how we play offense with no ball movement

HawkFaninMiami

September 13th, 2009
6:09 pm

Sports Fans of Atlanta, find another sports writer to follow. As this writer knows nothing about the game. Or if he does know the game, he must have a hidden agenda. I am an avid NBA fan just visiting your wonderful city. But I made the mistake of reading this newspaper article that was criticizing the past years performance of Mike Woodson. I was shocked. In my opinion, Woodson has done an outstanding job and here is my opinion, why I think so. Simply said, his record has improved every year, from not making the playoffs (which the Hawks did not do for many years prior to his arrival) to round 1 last year (taking Boston to 7) to making the 2nd round this past year.

Now here the most important part, he has accomplished these successes with basically the same team. In fact, very possibly, they could have gone further had not been for the injuries suffered last playoffs, most notably by Marvin Williams.

So what does this idiot reporter expect, to go playoff-.less one year and directly to the finals the next? Woodson is a seasoned NBA coach whose training came from over a decade in the NBA and who was trained by some of the most prestigious basketball minds ever in basketball (Bob Knight, Larry Brown) not to mention the various coaches that Mike Woodson has worked or played for in the NBA.

So Schultz sports readers, you should find your basketball news from another source. A source that is willing to give you an unfiltered version of Atlanta pro basketball. This Schultz guy has either been jilted by the NBA or Woodson and is willing to further his own personal by writing articles that further his own personal agenda. Or he is simply just another idiot that has no knowledge of the game.

Just before I sign off, I will give you another example of why this guy Schultz doesn’t know his business. During the year last year, there was a well publicize spat between Woodson and his star but young player, Josh Smith. This spat was basically a minor incident that should never had made the news. But that being said, this idiot Schultz took the position supporting the young Josh Smith. What is really lacking on the Atlanta team is team leader within the players themselves. What would have happened on a Lakers or Bulls or Celtic championship team of years past, is that the team leader (player, not coach) would have nipped that conflict in the bud very early and basically told Josh to bluntly “put a cap on it”

But the current Hawks players are silent leaders, as a result this conflict made it to the public. But how do you take the side of a player with only a couple years of NBA experience, no college experience, fundamentally challenged and immature over that with Woodson credentials?

I’m not saying the Hawks should trade Josh, but please recognize, he needs many years of training and gametime experience to develop. Also keep in mind, he is very inexperience and does not yet know what is needed to win an NBA championship. Championships that Mike Woodson has already accomplished in his basketball career.

So, as I said before, I was just passing through your wonderful city, and read this silly article. Shame on Shultz.

I hope you Atlanta Fans can see that Mike Woodson is doing a good job. And now I frequently go and see Hawk games on my visits when possible. And today the games are good games because the Hawks now can play with any other team in the league.

So distance yourself from taking the views or reading the articles of this guy. Remember, it’s one of 2 things that are behind these articles. He simply doesn’t know the game or he’s just another bitter jilted member of the press and is not willing to give a real and fair assessment on Hawks Basketball. He is a fiction writer. Either way, he cannot provide you real and actual information on Hawks basketball, because he is not an insider. That may be why he is angry.
Regards, MikeVan

Woodson running his new offense: Pick-and-whine

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Woodson running his new offense: Pick-and-whine

207 comments Add your comment

About Jeff Schultz

We’ve Moved!

One Subscription. Total Access.

Search this blog

Recent Posts

Archives

More from the AJC

Categories

Blogroll

All AJC blogs »

Tell us what you think about the site

Subscribe »

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Advertising

AJC Sites