Gearon is mum on Woodson but expects Hawks ‘to go far’
The Hawks' Mike Woodson has been the lesser of two coaches in this playoff series against Milwaukee and his team is facing elimination. (AP photo)
You can tell a lot about a situation sometimes by the meetings.
Take Michael Gearon, for example. The Hawks’ owner had a five-minute, closed-door meeting with coach Mike Woodson at Philips Arena Thursday. Then he walked down a hallway and had a 30-minute meeting with general manager Rick Sund.
Gearon said he showed up after practice only for moral support, and that his meeting with Sund was about matters other than just basketball. But let’s be clear here. Mike Woodson is in trouble.
Even amid his supportive comments about the team and noncommittal remarks about Woodson’s future, Gearon said this: “It’s our third straight year in the playoffs and we expect to go far. I’m comfortable saying that.”
Sometimes it’s also what you don’t say that’s important. At no point did Gearon say, “Mike Woodson is my guy, regardless.”
With three straight losses to Milwaukee, the Hawks are one defeat away from taking a significant step back. Woodson’s contract expires after this season, and if the Hawks lose to the Bucks Friday night and get eliminated in the first round, there’s no certainty he’ll be brought back, even after a 53-win season.
Why? Because there’s an elevated expectation level among the owners and Sund.
Gearon, however, did his best to not make his coach the issue Thursday.
“We’re focused on winning. The only thing that matters to me is tomorrow night,” he said.
“You know me. I’ve never been a reactionary person.”
When asked if he could understand why Woodson’s status has become such a major issue publicly, Gearon said: “That’s what sports is about. We’re up two games, you and I are sitting here and I’m all positive and we’re having fun conversations. Now we’ve lost three in a row and we’re going, ‘Holy [crap], what do we do?’ That’s the fun thing about sports.”
Does Woodson’s status hinge on the team’s playoff showing?
“No — I’m not going to say anything other than what I said a couple of weeks ago: My focus is the playoffs and nothing else,” he said. “All I’m worried about is a 48-minute game and coming out on top, and then if we [win], I’ll be worried about Sunday. Anything else in respect to the organization is a postseason decision.”
This much is certain. The Hawks have been outplayed in straight basketball, nothing clever, for three straight games. Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles is getting the most out of his players. Woodson isn’t.
“They’re just beating us,” Al Horford said. “Straight up. Tougher than us. Better than us. Just playing better. They’re taking on the challenge, committing to defending and doing the things you need to do.”
And the Hawks’ reaction?
“It’s not at the level it should be,” he said. “We have more to us but we’re not showing it.”
You can put it on the players. But when a team melts down like the Hawks did in the final four minutes of Wednesday’s 92-87 loss, that’s also a reflection on confidence, preparation and coaching.
These last few games have not been Mike Woodson’s best moments.
♦
Earlier post
♦ Frank Wren’s problem: He hasn’t earned benefit of the doubt
♦
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176 comments Add your comment
Dr. Richard Handler
April 29th, 2010
3:59 pm
You could go far with Scott DUI Skiles. I’m sure most of the morons here call the sports talk radio shows and give their opinions as if someone other than the other morons care. Fire Woody, but you better tell the players they’re next. They’re the ones without any heart, they are the guys who could care less about winning. Roll the grenade under the door and start over, oh wait a minute they tried that with Lon Kruger Mellenkamp.
Isaiah Thomas
April 29th, 2010
4:00 pm
I could coach the Hawks team better than Mike Woodson. Am I hired?
NotRocketScience
April 29th, 2010
4:00 pm
Umm gohawx – No kidding he hasnt coached the Rockets. I was being facetious. Think it through next time.
Akron Atlantan
April 29th, 2010
4:07 pm
“Let Joe Johnson walk and get Dwyane Wade.” Um, I don’t think that is happening. Joe is the best player that Atlanta will be able to get. Think about it Rudy Gay, John Salmons, Amar’e (not a 2 guard), Bosh (not a 2 guard), …. Stop whining and let’s think of real solutions instead of pointing fingers.
GOHAWX
April 29th, 2010
4:08 pm
Dr. Richard Handler, the players want to win but they are working in a flawed system. Defense is hard when you are told not to fight through the pick but to switch instead creating incredible mismatches(Horford on Jennings). Their is very little ball movement in our offense-just ISO-JOE aka dribble around for tweny seconds and then brick a shot. We have a significant advantage in the post with Horford and Smith but they dont get many touches. It is the coach’s job to run plays for them.
Just Being Real
April 29th, 2010
4:08 pm
the Hawks could just get an e-mail address and we can send play to their inbox, call time out, check ya inbox, bam, and play to run, so 2010.
Joe
April 29th, 2010
4:10 pm
The Hawks may take a look at GT coach Paul Hewitt.
Akron Atlantan
April 29th, 2010
4:10 pm
We need to trade either Josh Smith or Al Horford for a big man. They both can’t play in the front court together.
Tha Real Hawk
April 29th, 2010
4:10 pm
We are between a rock and a hard place:
JJ is not great enough to get us over the hump to compete for a championship.
If we don’t resign him what free agent star would want to come here?
After we fire Woodson we will have to install a new system. Takes about 25-30 games to gel.
We need a point guard and had a coach who never knew how to develop rookies.
WTF?
Akron Atlantan
April 29th, 2010
4:11 pm
@GOHAWX I agree with you completely.
Rob
April 29th, 2010
4:13 pm
I understand the WNBA is hiring!
Scott Skiles
April 29th, 2010
4:14 pm
Damn if I coached that Hawks team i could sweep those Bucks!
Delbert D.
April 29th, 2010
4:14 pm
That’s a great photo of Woodson evaluating his career prospects.
NotRocketScience
April 29th, 2010
4:18 pm
Akron – Going after Dwyane Wade is a solution. Im not pointing fingers. Im merely stating that Joe Joehnson is not a max contract player – very few players in this league are max players. We have had so many WTF moments with this franchise (Joe Johnson ISO’s, Mookie’s 3’s, Tyrone Corbin’s jumpers from the key when the shot clock is winding down). This team has always been predictable no matter who the coach or the #1 go to player was. You have to have a superstar in this league to win a title – its been proven over and over again for years. With that said, the only immediate solution is to “try” and bring in Wade.
Mike Woodson
April 29th, 2010
4:18 pm
I DONT CARE IF I DONT GET ANOTHER CONTRACT ILL JUST COACH THE ATLANTA DREAM AND GO ISO-…… crap i dont know any of their players.
John
April 29th, 2010
4:20 pm
@notrocketscience the pistons won a championship without a superstar.
VMR
April 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
BRYON SCOTT, AVERY JOHNSON OR FORMER MERCER STAR SAM MITCHELL!
Hawker
April 29th, 2010
4:21 pm
The hawks owners need to pony up some big time cash for woodson, or he may take the Philadelphia job.
Akron Atlantan
April 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
It’s time for a change in coaching for technical and psychological aspects. We are not strong defensively at the 1. We are to small in the front court. The bench needs to be a little stronger.
John
April 29th, 2010
4:24 pm
@Hawker HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
that was funny
bob
April 29th, 2010
4:27 pm
FIRE WOODY….NOWWW!!!!!!!!!!!
Akron Atlantan
April 29th, 2010
4:29 pm
@notrocketscience I agree. You have to try to get Wade or Lebron. I believe Joe is on the step below. This team has to play with that Detroit Team Concept. I think the talent level of Atlanta is better than the Championship Detroit team. I don’t like the defensive and offensive schemes. On defense, we switch everything. That can be exploited by pick and roll. On offense, the ball does not move around. What ever happens this series, I’m still a Hawks fan. This season was way better than 2004-2006.
Delbert D.
April 29th, 2010
4:30 pm
Ga. Tech needs to come up with a scheme to push Paul Hewitt through the NBA. Kind of like laundering money.
Akron Atlantan
April 29th, 2010
4:31 pm
Lebron, we need help. I don’t think Mario West would mind giving up #6 for you. We have good pieces in place.
Harry The Hawk
April 29th, 2010
4:35 pm
The playoffs usually expose all of a teams weaknesses and the Hawks are no exception:
1) Second-Tier Coach—no offensive scheme; poor in-game adjustments.poor motivator. He’s talented but does not possess the qualities of an ‘elite’ coach…meaning, he’ll get you victories but does not have the strategic or motivational savvy to guide a team over the hump against better-coached or more well–seasoned competition
2) Lack Of A REAL Superstar—Last night was a telling game. The ship was sinking; big home crowd; pivotal point in the series. Perfect setting for your best player to step up and save the day and…..NOTHING!
JJ can score and he has the will to win….but you have to ask the question: is he a true LEADER?
Last night was as much about leadership on the court as it was points in the paint and our best guy failed miserably. This was the scenario we ‘ve seen other ELITE players ( Kobe, LeBron, DWade) handle time after time. Adversity strikes late in a crucial game, they sense the situation, put the team on their back and secure victory.
Whe you’re asking for max money, this is what it’s all about. You’re the go-to-guy, the steadying influence, the person who has the right demeanor and presence to save the team during a key situation. Is this who Joe is? Better yet, might he be more of a Pippen to someone else’s Jordan? Time will tell.
3) Team Chemistry–When you hit a brick wall like the Hawk’s have, you have to look at everything. Does this group REALLY trust one another on the floor? Do they really trust—and respect–the coach? Joe’s swipes at his team mates after Game 4 were telling in offering answers to the former. Gearon’s noon-committal answers shed light regarding tht latter.
Again, the pressure and intensity of the playoffs have a way of exposing a lot of ills. If POST-SEASON success (and not just 50 win seasons) is your ultimate goal, would YOU keep Woody and pay JJ max money after reading this?
GOHAWX
April 29th, 2010
4:36 pm
How bout we trade Mike Bibby, Marvin Williams, Jamal Crawford and Mike Woodson for Lebron?
NotRocketScience
April 29th, 2010
4:38 pm
There is always exceptions to the rules fellas. How many teams won a title without a superstar since 1983 Sixers (sorry, but thats as far back as I can remember)? 1 (Detroit Pistons) – That means 26 of the last 27 teams have won with a superstar. See the big picture and not nitpick every little detail. The big picture is that you must have a superstar to win a title. Think about it, our town has had the fewest superstars of any major city in all sports combined. I agree Akron, the coaching is too predictable and I hate the switch and I believe upper management does as well.
GOHAWX
April 29th, 2010
4:41 pm
Harry the hawk- I agree, Joe is more of a Robin figure than Batman yet we treat him like he is a superstar, running endless isolation plays for him.
GOHAWX
April 29th, 2010
4:45 pm
Notrocketscience-The pistons won that title through masterful coaching ,smart players, and great team chemistry. we would have a better shot if we were more like them. Of course having a superstar would make it much easier.
SAM JAMES
April 29th, 2010
4:47 pm
There are 3 types of coaches, a Motivator who can make teams achieve within and beyond their expectation (Scott Skiles, Avery Johnson), a Teacher of the game who grooms talent to excel ( Hubie Brown, Larry Brown), and a tactician whose goal in winning is accomplished by outwitting the other team ( Phill Jackson, Jerry Sloan) Each has their advantages, but it appears coach Woodson is in the Avery Johnson category, and Atlanta needs a teacher for a coach.
Unfortunately, for all the skill the Hawks possess, they lack any structure, and rely on individual talent to wiggle between adversity.
Joe Johnson is no Kobe, but, his skill level in the no. 2 position is arguably top 5 calibre: if you replace him, whom CAN Atlanta attract? The best bet is building structure around JJ, and ending the isolation plays that have clogged the Hawks’ progress.
Look, the components of the team are solid, a system just needs to be developed. Maybe, Atlanta makes 2 or 3 changes and pit their team against Orlando, Cleveland or Boston. Otherwise, its second favorite for a couple of years in the East.
P.S I think Woody’s “press conference” after game 4 cost him between 6-8 million dollars. He was probably going to get between4- 5 million for 5 years in his next job, but will have to settle for 3. Can anybody say, ‘Thats what we do.”
Jeff D.
April 29th, 2010
4:50 pm
I like Woody but it’s not looking good for him here. Guys aren’t responding. Doubt he’ll get re-signed unless we win it all. Fat chance. Maybe he can get Philly going. So who’s out there? Byron Scott, Avery Johnson, (sorry, Phil’s not going anywhere) or another gamble on a first time coach like Laimbeer or Michael Cooper? Let’s see what unfolds tomorrow night. Maybe the Hawks will find a pair.
clarkekent
April 29th, 2010
4:52 pm
coaching options: avery johnson / byron scott/ mark jackson…all of these guys will be great for teague and they all believe in defense.
GOHAWX
April 29th, 2010
4:54 pm
Even if they come back and win this series they will still lose to Orlando.
FalconHawkBravesUGA
April 29th, 2010
4:56 pm
I’ve never posted anything on a blog before but after last night I feel like I have to do this. 1st of I’m born and raised in the great city of Atlanta. I’ve been following Atlanta sports for 33 ½ years now (all my life). Needless to say I’ve dealt with some heartbreak over the years. That game last night had to rank in my top 5 heartbreakers. I really felt like I got a phone call telling me someone very close to me had been shot and killed by 82 rounds from an AR-15.
I’ve never been a big fan of Woody but I’m not going to take up time bashing him. I feel like everyone else on here. HE’S GOTTA GO point blank PERIOD. I’ve seen better coaching in my 5 year old nephews’ basketball league. Since JJ has come here I’ve become a fan of his but last night he showed me that he was nothing but a female reproduction organ. No so called star in the NBA fouls out of a CRTICAL playoff game with 13 freakin points. But that’s not what killed me the most. When he fouled out he was out. No encouragement to his fellow teammates. He just sat on the bench like “I wish they would hurry up and lose, I got somewhere to be by 11:30”. I damn near punched him in the face thru my TV but it cost me $1K and I aint got it like that.
All that being said I’m still going to pull for them to win tomorrow night because I’m not a bandwagon fan like some of you people on here. They just really hurt my heart last night..
Go Hawks!!
SWAT Native
April 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
It’s amazing to think how much the comments on these blogs could swing in the other direction with a win tomorrow night…
F-105 Thunderchief
April 29th, 2010
5:12 pm
Heck, I thought the Haul Pewitt post above was dang funny if I do say so myself.
Harry The Hawk
April 29th, 2010
5:24 pm
SWAT:
Not sure that’s true with the type of l;oss the team had last night….this one will stick for awhile. Fall-out (Woody, Joe, Free Agents) will only increase it
Einstein
April 29th, 2010
5:30 pm
Looks like Woody’s gone. Rather than recycle NBA trash by bringing in a former “head coach”, why not go after a top assistant. (I know Woody was Larry Brown’s assistant and wannabe clone, but Brown and his boys have been last weeks tickets for the past 5 years…there are much better systems). Structure his contract with great incentives as to bring out his leadership skills as well as coaching talents. And, give him free rein for three years. Just my opinion.
calico
April 29th, 2010
5:33 pm
We should hire Avery Johnson but Joe here is your chance 2 carry this team just like u wanted
Mike Woodson
April 29th, 2010
5:35 pm
Im so mad Im gonna shave my eyebrows again
LouFan
April 29th, 2010
5:39 pm
@FalconHawkBravesUGA….
AMEN! Last night showed our true colors.
JeJe
April 29th, 2010
5:39 pm
JOE JOHNSON SAYS “WE” NEED TO EXECUTE AND THAT “WE AREN’T INTENSE” INSTEAD OF “I”
IT’S NEVER HIS GODDAMN FAULT
Mike Woodson
April 29th, 2010
5:40 pm
Hmmmm maybe i should put Jason Collins on Brandon Jennings instead of Al Horford.
JeJe
April 29th, 2010
5:42 pm
“That’s what sports is about. We’re up two games, you and I are sitting here and I’m all positive and we’re having fun conversations. Now we’ve lost three in a row and we’re going, ‘Holy [crap], what do we do?’ That’s the fun thing about sports.””
SORRY IF I DON’T FIND LOSING 3 STRAIGHT AND BEING ON THE VERGE OF ELIMINATION TO THIS UNDERMANNED TEAM FROM A !@#$HOLE CITY “FUN”
Joe Johnson
April 29th, 2010
5:44 pm
(Quite Joe Johnson voice) We need to stop fouling out when we are most needed hmm we need to stop ball-hogging too hmm we need to stop fouling Brandon Jennings on last second three-pointers hmm we need to FIRE WOODY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff Teague
April 29th, 2010
5:47 pm
Please play me Coach I know u hate playing talented rookie guards but I think can guard Brandon Jennings better than Mke Bibby.
GOHAWX
April 29th, 2010
5:51 pm
The Atlanta Hawks….where being eliminated in the first round to a Bucks team without Andrew Bogut or Micheal Redd happens.
Doug Collins
April 29th, 2010
5:52 pm
The Atlanta Hawks have officially tuned out Coach Woodson- trust me, I know from experience.
scott
April 29th, 2010
5:53 pm
go to 790 thezone webpage and hear seku Smith talking about the players and the backbiting and no chemistry. very disturbing.
Jeff D.
April 29th, 2010
5:54 pm
Einstein, any names come to mind? I’d rather not get a recycled guy but these young assistants can be hit or miss. We need to pick up the tempo on offense and let these guys run. They show flashes at times (full moon) but fall back to the iso-Joe. That shouldn’t be the staple of the offense. A dynamic PG could really have fun with these guys. Could Jeff Teague be that guy?