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
Brownie
April 29th, 2010
5:56 pm
I’ll have to read a few more blogs here, but I’m starting to get the impression that the fans don’t think much of Woody!!
Hawks fans….take a close look, because you’ve just been witnessing the pinnacle of Hawks basketball the last couple of years. This team has NO chance of winning an NBA championship. Now if the ASG’s goal is just to barely win enough to make the playoffs, then by all means resign Woody and open the bank for JJ.
They can’t improve the team thru the draft because they’re winning too much to get a high lottery pick. And when they did have their lottery chances, Billy Knight was out to lunch…Sheldon, Marvin at #2, and NO point guard (you think Jennings has exposed that weakness enough?). Some mistakes you pay for for a long time.
They can’t improve the team thru free agency because everyone knows Woody is a weak coach, and they will have handed over the armored car keys to Johnson.
SO…..time to break it down and try again. A sign and trade for JJ would be the best possible scenario, but other teams are getting a first hand look at him and won’t commit max money to him – he is NOT a superstar, in attitude, leadership or talent.
An earlier poster was correct…they won’t fire Woody, they just won’t give him a new contract right away and he’ll go somewhere else to run “iso-player dujour”.
Sund has done a very good job under the budget restrictions of the ASG. He really had no great options other than the resign Bibby and Marvin, but you can see how devastating those deals are going to be for this team’s future.
Final point on Woody and his future here: if you can’t absolutely see him leading this team to a championship, let him go. Do not resign him as a reward for the past 6 years of steady improvement.
shannon
April 29th, 2010
6:02 pm
@ jeff teague: No u cant play i want you to become the next Acie Law lol… Mike Woodson
shannon
April 29th, 2010
6:04 pm
Mike Woodson: Thanks to me Acie Law is the best bench rider in the Freakin League, I am Mike Woodson
Bob M
April 29th, 2010
6:15 pm
Milwaukee has outcoached us and outplayed us. They play with tenacity and keep us on our heels… The Hawks run too many isolation plays, get caught in mis-matches due to our switching defense, and we are pressing and forcing shots instead of creating movement and finding the open man… They also are setting solid picks to free up their shooters… bottom line is we are getting our butts kicked due to superior coaching not superior talent.
shannon
April 29th, 2010
6:24 pm
Maybe if I stand here with my arms folded and mouth open things will get better!! Yes thats what I will do!!! I am Mike Woodson
Authur Blank Fan
April 29th, 2010
6:27 pm
Hell sell the team to Authur Blank.
Mike Woodson
April 29th, 2010
6:29 pm
Hey stop making fun of me or i’ll shave my eyebrows again!!!!!!!
jfreak13713
April 29th, 2010
6:33 pm
Unless Woodson gets this team to the finals he will be fired and not just because he a bad coach but more so because this team has really reached it’s potential. I would love to see Jeff Van Gundy have a chance with this team assuming he take the job??
The only bright spot for this team is Horford. He plays hard and for the most part he plays smart. Josh Smith decision making still needs improving but he made huge strides this year. Joe Johnson will be gone after this year and Bibby may simply retire. Marvin Williams should be cooking french fries somewhere not playing basketball in the NBA.
The Hawks will bet bounced in the first round and it’s well deserved! They haven’t earned the right to play on. Besides if getting knocked out in the first round means Woodson gets fired then I’ll take it!
Stuart
April 29th, 2010
6:42 pm
Get rid of Woodson… even if the Hawks somehow advance to the Finals… don’t bring him back…
FUZZUP
April 29th, 2010
6:47 pm
gOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK wOODY!!!!
Rod
April 29th, 2010
6:55 pm
PTI on espn just said the Hawks players have the basketball IQ of 8oz bottle of water! LOL, if that doesn’t make them feel like a team full of retards I don’t know what will.
RT
April 29th, 2010
7:08 pm
We need a true number 1, let Joe go!!
Clueless in Atlanta
April 29th, 2010
7:09 pm
The morons who own the hawks will make another dumb move, whoever they hire. These people are total morons–a bunch of rich people who have no idea how to run a real business.
RT
April 29th, 2010
7:11 pm
No one could coach this team they are way too soft.
LouFan
April 29th, 2010
7:21 pm
An ability to inspire people and engage hearts is a key trait of an effective leader as in basketball there is no such thing as an unmotivated person, only an unmotivated player.
Leadership guys. That is all it is. A lack of leadership.
When crap hits the fan it is up to the leaders to step up and keep the people focused. Did you see the game on TNT? They were not even listening to Woodson after Al’s three point play… They were bickering and arguing on the bench earlier.
Woody is a joke. Where is the adjustments? Switch D still? Also… Why is it that you leave out cold players and bench people who are hot. AKA (For once) Marvin Williams vs Jamal Crawlunderabedandchokeford. Where is the heart Woody? Stop trying to be coach cool and light a fire under their asses. Bench people. Show some cajones… or some brains for that matter. Good luck with 76ers.
Joe Johnson is not better in this… Where is his leadership? He was out for fouls and did not once step in a pep the guys up. Joe is NOT A LEADER, he is a number two guy.
Time to rebuild. Starting with our leadership. I rather watch a 13 win season with a guys that have heart than this 53 win crap.
BD Wood
April 29th, 2010
7:36 pm
Josh Smith, hear me out: There are some things you need to know. First, I watch you play and at times your out there, but your not in the game. Mookie Blaylock, is one of my favorite ball players. He wasn’t the best, but he was relentless. Josh, be relentless! Second, you will have to realize that the game of basketball is always going to be played against yourself – forget the other team. You have to take a couple of deep breaths and know you can win; one step / basket at a time. Next, keep the game simple and work two man plays (pick and roll, give and go, etc..). Don’t be afraid to pass more – u have a good eye for players in good position. So, don’t be afraid to turn the ball over a couple of times (you’ll make it up with your blocked shots). Use at least five ball / head fakes during the game to get some easy opportunities. Michael Jordan had two things that made him the best 1) Athleticism (you have it too) and 2) He already beat the game in his head – he knew. Work on 2. (Sorry Woodson) Ignore your coach he doesn’t have the attitude or the ‘attack mentality’ to coach you all. Trust your team mates and know there only a pass away – don’t force it (you too Joe Johnson). Some of Michael Jordan’s biggest blows to teams was the pass to the other guy (John Paxson – ‘I think – against Phoenix – Barkley days’) Anyway, hope the pep talk helps and I cannot wait till you really start playing ball. – ATL Fan since the 80’s
LouFan
April 29th, 2010
7:45 pm
BD Wood gave me a wood after that speech and probably better than any speech Wood – y gave.
Chris Brown
April 29th, 2010
7:48 pm
problems: I must admit that Woodson has to go. He clearly has lost his ability to lead, or motivate his players. On a good note, he has improved wins over each of the past 3 seasons, but we fans are expecting more.
Solution: It’s so obvious that Woodson is not the current ownership’s guy. So, hire ‘fiery’ Vinny Del Negro to motivate these players. Woodson deserves some of the blame because he is the leader, but what about the veterans players: Bibby and Joe J?
HAROLD
April 29th, 2010
7:54 pm
I HAVE SAID ALL SEASON LONG THAT THE COACH WAS NOT PLAYING ENOUGH PLAYERS OFF THE BENCH. SO THAT BY NOW THOSE PLAYERS WOULD HAVE SOME PLAYING TIME. IT IS NOW TO LATE. HE COULD HAVE PLAYED COLLINS AT CENTER FOR AT LEAST A FEW MINUTES A GAME. IT IS NOW TO LATE.THE GUARD TEAGE DID NOT GET ENOUGH PLAYING TIME.COACH WOODING CAN NOT COACH IN THE LAST OF THE THIRD OR START OF THE FORTH QUARTER.THE WORST COACHES IN THE LEAGE OUT COACHES HIM.
truthspitter
April 29th, 2010
7:57 pm
You people are slow and know not of what you type. The Hawks cant sign a max guy other than there own which is Joe. There only options to rebuilding or continuing the process are re-signing Joe or trades including a sign and trade. As for Woody I took up for him until last night, but we are done and it is unacceptable.
MrHughes
April 29th, 2010
8:01 pm
Come to Atlanta Dwayne wade! We already have pieces set up for a championship run! All we need is you!
1) We’ll fire woody and get Jeff VG or Avery Johnson
2) We’ll let Joe walk
=)
Name Citizen
April 29th, 2010
8:01 pm
Al Horford was scared of Thomas. His penetration to the basket was most successful when Thomas was out. His shots were not made when going to the basket against Thomas. Josh cannot stnad back and let someone shot 5 feet away from him. He and the other players need to challenge every shot. Get a hand up and do so closer to the shooter. Marvin finally had a decent game. Since neither Josh nor Horford could stand around the basket waiting for a pass, Marvin was able to play big man basketball. Why didn’t they think of that earlier. Joe was doing some nice things, but a usual, he misses more shots when they count than he makes. Jamal has played better after game 3, but is still missing too many shots he would normally make. The Hawks played good in game 4, but still had not worked out all the issues and they were on the road. They played much better in game 5, but the Bucks have their number now and the Bucks have always been capable of beating the Hawks as they split the wins and loses throughout the season. How can a team look so good in games 1 and 2 and just become almost an embarrassment to watch after that?
MrHughes
April 29th, 2010
8:05 pm
Name Citizen,
A team with bad coaching.
east cobb dawgs
April 29th, 2010
8:35 pm
what about Dominique as the next Hawks HC? Isn’t that what he’s been groomed for the last couple of years…and he can do better than Larry B. he’d be able to caoch a post season series. if not Dominique then Rivers..who you know who wanted in the first place, but no longer on ASG!
win !!
April 29th, 2010
8:49 pm
Bad night last night for sure. Woodson lives or dies based on Hawks winning THIS series…they will not beat the Magic. But no doubt, Brandon Jennings is like no other PG in the NBA right now, and he’s much better than John Walls is. He played like a seasoned guy last night, it was something to watch…you could see the (lowly) BUCKS respond to his confidence, and they got intense as a result of it; whereas the fairly basic/boring/aging Bibby brought nothing last night…..although he should have been in during the 4th period when Crawford was in free-fall. But I’m no Woodsen hater…I think he is a pretty good coach. I hope Joe stays; it’s time to move a young/dynamic/energetic PG onto the court (ie. Teague). Go Hawks….kick some butt tomorrow night !!
"Chef" Tim Dix
April 29th, 2010
8:51 pm
Nique works for a check.
His mother bounces checks at Kroger.
You want him scheming plays?
Mystikal
April 29th, 2010
8:54 pm
FOOLS GOLD
The hawks are fools gold. They look like something they really aren’t, a contender. They
are argueably the most athletic team in the league but have no dynamic player.
Mike Bibby is old and slow. He cannot keep up with the new class of athletic point guards,
and has become a defensive liability. He can hit big shots occasionally but with him being
small and slower they are far and few between. He would be bet served coming off the bench
like Santonio has done with Tony Parker and George Hill.
Joe Johnson is an above average basketball player and a guy you want on your team, but he
cannot lead a team anywhere. Most of the time he is a great shooter but too often disappears
in the clutch. To be one of the bigger 2-guards in the league he rarely takes his man in
the post and doesn’t drive to the basket or get to the free throw line nearly enough. And
to be on such an athletic team he slows the ball down way too much.
Marvin Williams is a well rounded player, but is forever cursed by the Chris Paul curse. Bad
enough to be judged as a #2 pick, but to be known as the guy taken a head of Chris Paul is
more pressure. He could still be a good player if he could just show up consistently. He
often flashes moments of what he can be, but just as often disappears. And what happened
to that 3pt shot he developed last year?
Josh Smith is the closest thing this team has to a dynamic player with his athleticism,
probably top 5 in the league. But that is negated to an extent because he’s an undersized
power forward. Beyond that he has no goto move in the post, will make you cringe if he tries
to put the ball on the floor, and make you throw things if he attempts a jump shot. Most of
his points come on putbacks and in transition, where the entire team accels. He his the
backbone defensively and makes big impact; just often isn’t enough against good teams.
Al Horford is the throw back bring your hard hat and lunch pail to work every day. He put
this team on another level when he began anchoring the post. He to is undersized as a center
having to battle the likes of Dwight Howard and Shaq, who sadly are both in the east. This
sucks cause he’d be better to center the offense around with his good passing and high
basketball IQ. With this only being his 3rd year he going to get a lot better too!
Jamal Crawford is a great scorer and a pure scorer. The role he provides for the hawks suits
him perfectly, give him the ball and get out of the way. He masks the bench problem though.
When he comes in with that second unit instead of iso-Joe it turns to iso-Jamal (even though
he goes to the whole more). But just like when Joe has the ball too many other ppl are just
standing around watching. No offense is being run, things quickly become stagnant and can
easily be contained.
Which brings us to the coach, good ol’ Woody. There’s nothing wrong with being known as a
defensive coach, but somewhere down the line as assistant coach or someone has to know some
offense. The hawks do not have an offense. They go out and try to turn you over on defense
to get their transition game going. This is good but when that’s not working and things slow
down (ala playoff basketball) you have to be able to execute. Last year they would try to
keep the ball in Bibby or Joe’s hands(play makers) and teams would just key on them. This
year they added Crawford to the mix but still no offense is being run. You can’t win that
way in playoff basketball. When talent gets neutralized the team with the best execution
has the advantage. Think Woody has taken this team as far as he can.
"Chef" Tim Dix
April 29th, 2010
8:57 pm
Problem in a nutshell:
Say I’m a superstar NBA player. I sign with the Hawks. I have a gripe with management. How many meetings do I have to schedule to get a single point across? Monarchies were invented for pro sports ownership.
nside hawkfan
April 29th, 2010
9:10 pm
Marvin played great because he was AGGRESSIVE! Josh moped around the court most of the night. BD WOOD was right above, Josh has a great eye for the passing game. He needs to get down low and stay there. Did you see his shooting percentage past 15 feet? I think it was 22%. DUDE REALLY? Love your game, glad you re here, but seriously GO TO THE HOOP!
When the hawks crash the boards on D and swing the ball around on offense, they can play with ANYONE. It seems they forget this every other night.
Teague CAN guard Jennings. Hawks announcers commented in games down the stretch that Woody was giving the rook more minutes because he will DEFINITELY need him for the playoffs. I guess they overestimated Woody’s intelligence. Woody is too stoopid to give the kid substantial playing time. Look how it worked out for Skiles / Jennings! Woody just refuses to trust the kid because he was trained to lock up rookies on the bench for 1 year. Please, please, PLEASE play the kid!!!!
Teague looked explosive running the team when he has more than the last minute of a quarter to do so. Woody needs Bibby’s shooting and Jamal has’nt been right, so play the rook and give some of jamal’s minutes to Bibby, so you still have a chance to make some three’s.
For crying out loud, get your heads out of your AZZEZ!
another season of excuse's
April 29th, 2010
9:12 pm
well wonder if josh smith mouth will run now sayin Milwaukee has no talent here.they were bickerin at end n show’s woodson lack of control he be gone but since owners own hockey team n u see what we have.A GM now President Don(teflon)waddell worst GM now in charge which means he run it,Any way back to The Larks un hawks coach i like see is Ronald Mcdonald with those clown clothes he make other team laugh so bad we win 70 games next season!
nside hawkfan
April 29th, 2010
9:13 pm
Oh Yeah, & Mr. Sund ( respectfully) PLEASE at least call Dwyane Wade…
4 Jacks
April 29th, 2010
9:43 pm
Wish we could fire Gearon and the rest of the ownership along with Woody. That is the only way that the Hawks and Thrashers will ever sniff being a true contender.
Snowman
April 29th, 2010
9:56 pm
Jeff, we FINALLY agree on something (I called him a dope in a previous entry). So let me start out by saying you are right (so here it goes, big gulp)!!! I should not have called you a “dope”. So for that I apologize. Now to your point, how can you NOT put any of this on Rick? The Bucks GM was exec of the year because he added pieces to the Buck team (Stackhouse and Salmons to name a couple), who are contributing, bigtime. Look, we did not have a draft pick in 2008 and in 2009, Jeff Teague has not worked out exactly. Except for Jamal (and he has been great in the regular season however he has never played in the playoffs and how about the layup he and Josh both had inside 4 minutes last night and missed them both), and please don’t say Joe Smith. We have not tried to improve this team (why should Joe Johnson stay if the organization is not committed to winning?) If we had added a couple of pieces (just for example and I have not figured out salary cap ramifications or anything like that) Camby, Brendan Heyward, Caron Butler, Ben Wallace or a Tayshaun Prince, even a Heinrich to name a few and I am sure you could come up with one or two others. How much better would this team be? Mo Evans, ZaZa, Josh Smith, Teague, Marvin (although he had a great game last night)…these are not “smart” players. I mean Charlie Bell and Royal Ivey (he started for us not to long ago….laugh out really loud) don’t even get off the bench and Bell would play quality minutes for us. We need more, better and “smarter” players…period (but just 2)!!!
It is the GM’s JOB to get the coach a piece or two, c’mon!!!? For whatever reason you NEVER criticize him, why? I have listed below the fact that coach Woodson was picked 9th “BEST” coach of the year and Rick was not even mentioned in the GM balloting. He did NOT GET A VOTE…NOTE ONE!!!!
In closing the Hawks this season were 53-29, swept the Celtics 4-0, beat every team in the NBA including Lakers, Cavs, and Magic, were a 3 seed in the East, has improved their record (not team) every season for 5 consecutive seasons and had no contributions from any draft picks in two years and had one free agent that helped (Jamal). Oh, and if coach has had so many great “prospects” on the bench over the years, when they left Atlanta, have they ever been heard from again? (just name one, I could ONLY think of Boris Diaw and that’s a reach). As Chad Ocho Cinco would say, “Child Please”…Hawks and coach Woodson deserve an “A+” if you handed out grades. Now would Rick deserve an A? I want you and the bloggers to hand out grades on both coach and the GM. I would like to see what folks think after really thinking about it.
So the Hawks had a bad night, haven’t we all, so let’s ignore coach Woodsons complete body of work…you folks kill me. If Woodson and Joe Johnson leave, welcome back to “LA Clippers South” and you will wonder, hhhmmmm coach Woodson was pretty frickin good huh? (smile).
The Hawks will win in Milwaukee Friday and close out the series on Sunday…GO Hawks!!!!
NBA Executive of the Year Voting
4/24/2010, 2:29 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
John Hammond, Milwaukee 12
Sam Presti, Oklahoma City 9
Danny Ferry, Cleveland 2
Rod Higgins, Charlotte 1
Mark Cuban, Dallas 1
Chris Wallace, Memphis 1
Jeff Bower, New Orleans 1
Kevin Pritchard, Portland 1
Geoff Petrie, Sacramento 1
Kevin O’Connor, Utah 1
Coach, Team 1st 2nd 3rd Pts
Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City 71 39 8 480
Scott Skiles, Milwaukee 26 54 21 313
Nate McMillan, Portland 9 9 35 107
Jerry Sloan, Utah 10 9 21 98
Alvin Gentry, Phoenix 4 5 11 46
Larry Brown, Charlotte 1 2 12 23
George Karl, Denver 1 1 3 11
Rick Adelman, Houston – 2 1 7
Mike Woodson, Atlanta – 2 1 7
Lionel Hollins, Memphis – - 6 6
Stan Van Gundy, Orlando 1 – - 5
Mike Brown, Cleveland – - 2 2
Rick Carlisle, Dallas – - 1 1
Erik Spoelstra, Miami – - 1 1
Paul Hewitt's Agent
April 29th, 2010
10:01 pm
Anyone want to solve two problems with one contract?
UKUGA
April 29th, 2010
10:03 pm
Two big decisions:
1) Mike Woodson
2) Joe Johnson
Eric C.
April 29th, 2010
10:13 pm
Thank you Jeff…great column!
Not Joe
April 29th, 2010
10:18 pm
This team is a study in underachievement. Talent enough to win 58-60 games, no chemistry, no plan, no teamwork. Smoove is a great athlete, could be a great basketball player, but he’s unwilling to reign in his ego enough to realize that he’s got to give 100% EVERY game. Joe is apparently under the impression he’s a max contract type player…he’s not. Very good, but NOT great. Horford’s a worker, solid, still inconsistent. Marvin…why we resigned him I know not. Bibby’s best days are behind him. Woody? If you can’t get your team to plays its best in the playoffs, then it’s time to leave.
hammer
April 29th, 2010
11:36 pm
Whats next for Woodson? Unemploymenet one would hope
Dominiques mom
April 29th, 2010
11:54 pm
My boy can’t manage his checkbook and you want him to manage a team? Put the crack pipe down and step away from the table
Peter
April 29th, 2010
11:54 pm
Fire Sund……..he put this team of Pre-Madonna’s together …….Please tell the Spirit to sell….they suck as owner’s………..this is a reflection of them.
MitchC
April 29th, 2010
11:55 pm
For all you guys on the “Fire Woodson” bandwagon, let me ask this: Althought baseball is not football, why was Bobby Cox not fired, when the Braves blew a two game to none lead in the 1996 World Series, after winning the first two games in NY, and then losing four straight, including three games in Atlanta? Why was Bobby not fired all the years that the Braves had Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz, et al, and lost in the first round of the playoffs?
While I realize that baseball is not basketball, the problem I have with not retaining Woodson is this: The Hawks have improved in the regular season, dramatically, in each of the years he’s been here. They have gone from a 13 win joke of a team, up to 26 wins, 37 wins and the playoffs, 45 last year, and 53 this year. This year might well be one playoff hiccup. How do we know that if we retain all of our superstars, that next year won’t be the year we stare down Orlando for the Eastern Conference title?
Maybe Im oversimplfying it, but, to fire a guy who has coached a team to improvement in wins each of his years here, for one playoff hiccup, to me, seems not right.
I’m sure I’m going to get razzed for my support of Woodson. If it was me, I’d stay the course, and say this is a playoff hiccup, if in fact we lose, and we still retain a solid roster, and have the ability to be a contender again next year.
MitchC
April 29th, 2010
11:56 pm
I meant to say, baseball is not basketball, sorry! Duh on me, it’s late, and I’m tired!
Peter
April 30th, 2010
12:08 am
Bobby wasn’t fired because he is a Corporate team first guy…….and he has basically a clean image, dispute taking a few whacks at his wife while drunk…..Special his mom would be proud.
Which come to the point……. all kiss his butt, and for what reason……..I have zero idea.
Bobby is too old, and too slow for today’s game…and his record in big series is dismal….thus the Braves suck as well.
The Brave’s are proud owner’s of a 9 game loosing streak…….. last place in the National league doesn’t just happen by accident………please note no one got hurt that changed the chemistry of the team.
MitchC
April 30th, 2010
12:13 am
Everyone might think I’m crazy for what I’m about to say, and I dont know if we could afford to do this, but..
I just read in the NY Daily News that if the Lakers fall short in the playoffs this season, and dont win the NBA championship, there is speculation he could leave LA. His girlfriend, Jeanie Buss, daughter of Laker owner Dr Jerry Buss, said she has every reason to believe Phil will coach next season, but doesnt know if it will be for LA.
Maybe I’m really reaching for it here, but.. if the Hawks could, or would somehow afford it, might it make sense to hire Phil Jackson? On two occasions, he took teams on the rise, and made them into champions. In Chicago in the late 80s, the Bulls had stagnated to a certain level, even with Jordan and Pippen. Phil comes there, and they win six titles in nine years. Then, after a year off, he does the same thing in LA. Kobe and Shaq had seemed to stagnate at a certain playoff level for the Lakers. Phil comes there, wins three titles, leaves for a year, and then, even though it takes him a few more years to do it, wins another title, this time with only Kobe, and not Shaq.
Fine, so, if it’s all Woodson, and we’re going to get rid of him. Why not go for the gold in NBA coaches if we’re going to have a new boss on the bench? Jeff Van Gundy hasnt won a title. Pat Riley isnt coming here, neither is Doc Rivers.
As I said, I dont know if we could do this economically, or if Phil would do it. I’m just looking at the similarities between the last two teams hes coached, to this Hawk team, and wondering if he might be the last piece that could make the difference.
JASon
April 30th, 2010
12:36 am
If you read between the lines just a little bit, Gearon is being very dark, actually. “That’s the fun thing about sports” was a very dark quote. Gearon getting a little goth on us. But the truth is, he has every reason to be frustrated. The talent is there, and the coaching has dropped the ball with this team’s talent. Pathetic.
BIG PLAY RAY
April 30th, 2010
1:46 am
RELEASE THE KRAKEN !!!!!
Poll time: Where would Hawks' collapse rank in history? | Jeff Schultz
April 30th, 2010
7:01 am
[...] ♦ Gearon is mum on Woodson but expects Hawks ‘to go far’ [...]
Manny
April 30th, 2010
7:41 am
I am NOT someone who has ever asked for the Hawks to fire Mike Woodson, period. And I still don’t think he should be fired, yet.
But let me say this: If the Hawks lose this series to the Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Woodson should be fired. Point Blank. Let me tell you why-
First of all, the Atlanta Hawks is a much more talented team than the Bucks. They have no inside presense, with the exception of a thug in the middle. There should be no reason why we shouldn’t penetrate every offensive series and look to score. That last game, I just didn’t get. I didn’t see that slashing offense.
Next, Josh Smith melted down the last game. And he knew it. And the worst part is that Al Horford knew it and they almost got into it on the bench. Josh was just planted around the perimeter. He didn’t establish himself at all in the post. He looked lazy. And he attempted some horrible jump shots. I was angry at Josh Smith. So was Al Horford. And Mike Woodson should have been.
The bottom line is that Mike Woodson should have sat Josh Smith down for his lazy play. And he should have called him out during the post-game interview. It would have been good for Josh Smith because he went back to that 2007 version of himself the last few games.
See, Josh Smith is the heart and soul of this team. If Josh Smith plays horribly, the Hawks lose. If Josh Smith plays well, the Hawks win. It’s that simple. Mike Woodson should know that. And he should have corrected that weak play during the game by getting into him. Josh Smith is the kind of person that needs to be coached up hard every now and then.
Another thing against Mike Woodson was the fact that he didn’t coach up Al Horford regarding Kurt Thomas. Kurt Thomas is a hired thug whose only job was to freak out Horford. And he did a good job doing just that. Mike should have coached him up and played chess with him. Every time they put in Kurt Thomas, Woodson should have put in Zaza. Zaza don’t play that! Plus, Zaza has the experience to put some fouls on Kurt Thomas so he can sit on the bench.
But here’s where I felt the worst about the situation: I kept thinking “What would Avery Johnson do?” I know for a fact that Avery Johnson would have called out a bunch of players for buckling under. I know he would have sat Josh Smith down and dared him to say something smart. I know he would have somehow rallied them so they wouldn’t have melted down like they did the 4th quarter. I know this because he did these kinds of things with a team not as talented as the Hawks are right now.
Maybe the owners knew what they were doing when they decided to wait until the end of the season to decide on what they want to do with Mike Woodson’s contract. If they beat the Bucks and move on, then the decision is more difficult. But if they lose to the Bucks, the decision to end Mike Woodson’s tenure- along with Joe Johnson’s, is easy.
(And enter into the Dwayne Wade sweepstakes.
MitchC
April 30th, 2010
8:00 am
Jeff, proving my point that the NBA playoffs is a roll of the dice, and any team is capable of winning a given series. Everyone is ripping the Hawks about their play in this series, and saying Woodson should be canned, but.. if playoff basketball is so predictable, and favored teams are expected to win, how then, do you explain the Western seventh seed Spurs beating the second seeded Mavericks? Granted, San Antonio does have four NBA titles since 1999, and Milwaukee doesnt. I just think that, while the Hawks have played very poorly in the last three games, especially in Gamve Five, nothing about the playoffs surprises me.
The playoffs is a whole different season. Everyone starts 0-0. One poor performance by a team, or one hot week by a team, can make all the difference between a favored team winning, and going down. The Lakers problems against OKC in their series illistrates this point as well.
Boooooo
April 30th, 2010
8:50 am
I really do not care. Sports is for “losers”