Report: Mike Woodson could leave Hawks for Sixers
One report has Mike Woodson coaching again next season -- but in Philadelphia. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
Even before this season began, it was clear the year would be a referendum on coach Mike Woodson. He was entering the last season of a two-year deal (he wanted at least three) and every time he asked management for an extension, he was told, “We’re going to wait until after the season.”
Now that the Hawks are struggling with Milwaukee in the opening round of the playoffs, whether Woodson is re-signed/wants to stay is as big an issue as ever. In fact, some reasoned speculation now has him leaving on his own — to Philadelphia.
There is an increasing belief that Charlotte coach Larry Brown is finally ready to retire from coaching and return to Philly, where he still maintains a home, to become president of the Sixers. According to a story by Yahoo Sports, Brown already has his wish list: Washington Wizards executive Milt Newton would be his general manager. Woodson, his former assistant in Detroit, would be his coach.
To think: Hawks general manager Rick Sund might not even have a decision to make.
Excerpts from the Yahoo story:
Still, the possibility is strong that Brown will coach the 76ers, because Woodson wouldn’t leave an Eastern Conference contender unless the Hawks low-ball him in contract talks at season’s end. His deal is expiring with Atlanta, and several sources familiar with the Hawks’ plans predict an offer that Woodson could easily refuse. …
The possibility of Brown coaching the 76ers could rest largely on how things play out with the Hawks. There’s been a cool relationship between management and Woodson, and sources say that the organization’s priority isn’t to reward him with an expensive contract extension. The Hawks are pooling resources to get maximum money available for Joe Johnson. The message has been made clear to the Hawks: Offer Johnson a max contract extension on July 1, and they’re likely to keep him.
Sources say that this is the reason Atlanta is willing to sell its first-round pick for $3 million this summer, and the reason that they’ll likely offer no more than a three-year contract for $1.8 to $2 million a year to a possible Woodson successor. Woodson could expect a bigger offer to stay on the job, but perhaps not by much. For Woodson, the 76ers could offer leverage to leave, but he would have to weigh leaving a legitimate Eastern Conference contender for a flawed roster in Philadelphia.
Woodson has aired complaints about his contract status and that of his assistants on a few occasions. One would think if the Hawks were overly concerned about losing him, they would’ve attempted to sign him by now. Losing consecutive games to the Bucks in a series doesn’t help his cause, even if the Hawks may still go on to win the series.
OK, let’s open the flood gates: What are you thoughts on Woodson potentially leaving?
♦
Earlier post
♦ TUESDAY COUNTDOWN: L.T.’s boozy draft, Ben’s brain, NHL ‘extraction’
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212 comments Add your comment
ROCME
April 28th, 2010
10:15 am
Avery Johnson is good (defensive minded coach)but finally someone agrees with me, let Johnson go with Free Agency and bring Dwanye Wade to town. Atlanta if you are ready to get to make it to Laker, Cleveland and Celtics status then “MAKE THAT MOVE!!!”
Rex
April 28th, 2010
10:19 am
two words: MIKE FRATELLO
he is the anti-woodson
N.B.
April 28th, 2010
12:14 pm
Umm, I thought the cardinal mark of good coaching was a winning team!?!?! How are we still finding ways to be critical, when we’ve grown each and every year since Woody? Were you guys here when we couldn’t even remotely consider a 20 or 30 game winning season, much less a 50+ wiinning season and respectable reverence from the top contenders in the east?? I am grateful!! Are we that arrogant that we’ve forgotten where we came from and how we longed to just make a contending playoff run. Do we recognize that the energy that comes from these columns, blogs, etc… directly affect the success of our team. You know, the team can turn and be critical of us (fans) and compare us to other REAL sports town, that regardless of what, will always support their team. I mean, we’re in the freakin’ playoffs and can’t pack house! I mean you guys seem to be so evil natured and disloyal…
zip eddie doodah
April 28th, 2010
12:55 pm
i think he should either go or stay. if he goes a good replacement would be dime simelowe of south puget sound community college. hes 54-98 and has led the clippers to 5 straight 5th place finishes. its the kind of consistency you dont often find. his wife will be released from prison in july so he will be free to pursue other opportunities.
Keep it Real
April 28th, 2010
1:07 pm
Let Woodie and Joe goooooooooooooo!
This team needs a new voice from the coaching view point! Also Joe Johnson is a good ball player but not worth a max contract. This is a problem around the NBA too many players getting paid huge contracts and the teams continue to lose.
Joe Johnson needs to go and the Hawks need another leader to get this team to the promise land.
Also Mike. W is a lousy coach, his switching defense approach is terrible. Because of the switching you often leave a big man on a smaller player. How about trap the ball and get the ball out of the players hand!
MARIO
April 28th, 2010
1:55 pm
well its time to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..I have been one of Woodson’s main critics over the past years..I think the Hawks had enough talent to make the playoffs at least a couple of years before they did….Youth was an excuse the past couple of years but this yr its on on the players and woodson..I kow in the NBA its on the players to play well, but the coach does shar a responsibility , a main responsibility to get his tema motivated and it is goin on 3 yrs now and when we need a big win, the hawks have failed….and maybe lets get someone in here who can get the most out of the players while their still is a chance……JVanGundy ot Avery would be great fits…..and both are in position where they cant turn down the low pay to coach in the NBA again…
MARIO
April 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
hey N.B dont bring up the past….I have been a Hawks fan ever since I was little…. Yeah we are doing way better now than when woody first got here…and He has done a decent job in getting his team to a winning point,,but we have way better talent now than in 2006 , so we cant just be happy cause we have a winning team..you have to look at are we gonna reach our potential in the current state, not just coaches but player wise as well….. .. Woodson has had his chance and its time for a change while there is still a chance to become an elite team…..But it is not all woodsons fault….the players have to step up and bringin in another coach is still just a stepping stone to fix the problem….
Thinkin Dave
April 28th, 2010
11:18 pm
I’m thinkin maybe give Tubby a chance, maybe Eddie Jordan, maybe we should really dish out some BIG cash and bring in a coach like Mike Krzyzewski. Hey anything is possible! The problem with our coach is a failure to communicate! Hell i’m Thinkin Dave and I do more thinkin the the Hawks front office. Spirit if you can hear me sell the Hawks and sell the Thrashers before there packed in boxes and shipped to Kansas City!
BYC
April 29th, 2010
9:56 am
What are you thoughts on Woodson potentially leaving?
JACKPOT!!!
BYC
April 29th, 2010
10:16 am
Someone please tell me why Mike Woodson is actually a good coach? I am looking for specifics besides “Our record got better every year”.
Jeff
May 1st, 2010
2:18 am
Sell all of your picks, let Joe go then…
1. Get Dwayne Wade or Amare Stoudemire
2. Get a NEW FREAKING COACH THAT CAN ACTUALLY TEACH OFFENSE THAT IS NOT “Hey everyone just look at Joe Johnson as he takes 5-10 impossible shots every night”
3. GET DWAYNE FREAKING WADE or AMARE FLIPPIN STOUDEMIRE
bwalk
May 3rd, 2010
9:44 am
The Hawks are not a discipline team. He has done with this group when they were a younger team. Look at the bench we have and he does not utilized it. LET HIM GO TO PHILLY! before our window of opportunity closes.