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
Mike Woodson
April 30th, 2010
8:58 am
“One-on-one basketball? It’s what we do.”
Mike Woodson
April 30th, 2010
8:59 am
“Playing my starters without rest? It’s what we do.”
Mike Woodson
April 30th, 2010
9:00 am
“Refusing to call a timeout when momentum turns against us. It’s what we do.”
Mike Woodson
April 30th, 2010
9:02 am
“Scowling at my players as they approach the bench? It’s what we do.”
Mike Woodson
April 30th, 2010
9:03 am
“Making no in-game adjustments offensively or defensively? It’s what we do.”
Bill
April 30th, 2010
9:12 am
Coach Woodson has done a good job of carrying the Hawks this far, but doesn’t have the coaching and leadership ability to take them any further. His team’s basic fundamentals are awful. It’s defense is bewildering. Hawks running around looking for men. Failing to make good switches. Letting Milwaukee Bucks drive to the basketball without challenge. This young team could be destined for greatness but not with the current coaching staff on hand. The ability is there. The quality coaching isn’t.
.
April 30th, 2010
9:22 am
Woody when you leave take Paul Hewitt with you. Both need to go!
gatorhater
April 30th, 2010
9:24 am
Looks like Woody is gone…Farewell to a good, but not great coach. But first things first. DO NOT GIVE UP ON OUR TEAM!! A good performance tonight could get it to game 7. And we would win that game in all likelyhood. Then who knows what happens against the Magic.
As far as the future, we have to sign an elite player for a change. With the supporting cast the Hawks have, I think D Wade might actually be a possibility. Lebron would be great, but I doubt he is coming south. Take Wade and let Joe go do whatever it is that he apparently wants to do outside of ATL. Free agency has changed all of pro sports. If we get a top notch coach and D Wade, we would be an immediate title contender. But they have to be aggressive in the offseason. Who Knows?????!!!
Go Hawks!!!!! Win Tonight Baby and lets shock the world against Orlando!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Woody Rules
April 30th, 2010
9:47 am
Woody should be given a big bonus and fat raise for getting this young team into the playoffs. It will take a few years for the players to learn to play together. Plus, the hawks have no offensive superstar like the cavs, lakers or heat. They need D-Wade to be the final piece of the puzzle, but the hawks owners are too cheap to pay the $20 mil / year asking price.
jg
April 30th, 2010
9:49 am
maybe, just maybe they’ll show some pride tonight. i’m certainly not giving up on the hawk players–as for woodson–i hope you enjoyed getting paid for impersonating an nba coach for so long. BYE BYE WOODY!!!!!!
I’m sure you are a great guy and all–but heck i am too and i don’t get to coach an nba team. go back to being an assistant somewhere–but when you do–go back and talk to bobby knight and ask him how to teach someone how to box out on defense, how to box out on a free throw, how to defend the pick and roll, how to create atleast one go-to “set play” on offense and finally ask him how gain the respect of your team. nice knowing you punk–this team could have and should be doing so much more.
hawks win tonight for each other and in spite of the coach–you’ve already won 55 games in spite of him. stand up for yourselves and all of us hawk fans–refuse to lose to these guys and bring it back to atlanta and demolish them one last time.
JEWELL
April 30th, 2010
9:59 am
“THAT’S THE FUN THINGS ABOUT SPORTS?’…..IS GEARON ON CRACK? MIKE….WINNING IS THE FUN THING ABOUT SPORTS, AND WOODY AND THE HAWKS ARE NOT GETTING IT DONE………
RT
April 30th, 2010
10:14 am
“What will happen next” How about loss number four. Hawks Stink. They will get clobbered…….again!
FromUpNorth
April 30th, 2010
10:41 am
@Akron Atlantan: ‘Sup? I see you are also a refugee from the “Rubber Capital”.
Back to the subject, though: Although ASG has demonstrated some absolutely horrendous decision making in the past, I’m pretty confident that they/Gearon can NOT be dumb enough to extend Woody’s contract after this season. If they keep him it would hurt them financially (by keeping paying fans out of Philips Arena), so if for nothing but $$ reasons, I’d expect Woody to be gone.
To those of you clamoring for Dwayne Wade: How do you really see that happening? When was the last time ANY Atlanta sports team put up big money for a superstar player? I just don’t see the Hawks organization willing to make that kind of payout. Think about how much Wade could command in the market…I don’t even think ATL would be a contender if the fans chipped in donations.
N.B.
April 30th, 2010
10:48 am
DO WE HAVE A SOCCER TEAM?
N.B.
April 30th, 2010
10:49 am
O O O…DO WE HAVE A LACROSSE TEAM?? MY 14 YEAR IS GREAT!
N.B.
April 30th, 2010
10:49 am
POLO ANYONE?
N.B.
April 30th, 2010
10:50 am
SURELY WE CAN WIN THE KICK-BALL TITLE!
N.B.
April 30th, 2010
10:51 am
HEY, WHAT ABOUT THAT GAME WHERE YOU HOLD THE EGG ON SPOON AND RACE??? CAN WE DO THAT?
N.B.
April 30th, 2010
10:53 am
STARE CONTEST
Rick (Sund) Shady
April 30th, 2010
11:00 am
Rick Sund, I lay this crumbling season at your feet. This TEAM is lacking confidence; its players, its coach, and YOU. Its clear decisions have already been made and mentally, individually the coach and players are moving on. Even if WE rebound against the BUCKS. You are Atlanta’s next big thud- the next BUST!!
Woody – THANKS! You deserve better.
Manny
April 30th, 2010
11:37 am
Let me make the case for Dwayne Wade, because I think Wade coming to Atlanta makes sense.
First up, Atlanta is a rising competitor and is better than the Heat on paper. There are plenty of playmakers, but no really strong leader. Wade can step in and immediately expect to go to the playoffs next year.
Next, the Atlanta Hawks’ salary costs are relatively low. We have the space to accommodate a big-time player. If we let Joe Johnson go, that will certainly free up enough money to afford Dwayne Wade.
3rd, he’s a Guard. He is a natural replacement for Johnson. Plus, you really wouldn’t have to change anything in terms of scheme.
Dwayne Wade can possibly win a ring in Atlanta. Sounds weird, but he actually can because of the people surrounding him. If Wade came to Atlanta, our only issue would be in the middle. I can say this, though: If Horford can eat at more buffets and get nasty in attitude, he may be a good answer. He has the tools. If he bulked up more and picked up a little bit of Zaza’s nastiness, we might have an answer.
It makes a lot of sense. Atlanta is a perennial playoff contender. Atlanta is attractive and isn’t married to Joe Johnson right now. And Atlanta is a good team. He can win now.
But here are the issues as to why he may not be coming here:
Miami Heat will do EVERYTHING to keep Wade. They need Wade more than we do. Wade IS the Miami Heat. Without Wade, they might as well go away.
Dwayne Wade playing for Mike Woodson? I don’t think that will happen. Mike Woodson is a great coach for a young team that is trying to make the playoffs. The Milwaukee Bucks looks like a Mike Woodson team. As teams mature, I think that Mike Woodson’s coaching becomes less effective. Bottom line is this: If you even want a shot at Wade, you gotta get rid of Woodson. (But I wouldn’t worry about Woodson, either. Woodson will find another head coaching job in the NBA really quick. And he’ll be an absolute scary beast if he decided to coach a college team!)
The bottom line to this whole thing is that if the Hawks allows Joe Johnson to go away, you better go get a guard that will lead this team. The best guard out there in free agency is Dwayne Wade. So you should at least give him a call. And Dwayne Wade needs to put the Hawks in his 5.
JM
April 30th, 2010
12:20 pm
Second Manny.
Hate Wade as a Heat, but makes a lot of sense to replace Joe. In fact, I think its an upgrade. Only problem is that window for the ring is much smaller since wade’s knees aren’t getting any yonger.
Go Hawks, bye bye Woody!
Thoughtful
April 30th, 2010
12:48 pm
This will be an interesting/fun 6 months or so with 3 out of 4 new head coaches in Atlanta pro sports.
Hawks: Byron Scott, Avery Johnson or Lawrence Franks
Braves: Don Baylor, Scott Ullger or Brad Mills
Thrashers: Ken Hitchcock, Bob Hartley or John Stephens
Hawks down 3-2 but Skiles hardly looks satisfied | Jeff Schultz
April 30th, 2010
1:43 pm
[...] ♦ Gearon is mum on Woodson but expects Hawks ‘to go far’ [...]
Jamone X
May 1st, 2010
12:51 am
After getting the hawks to the finals of this series, Woody should be getting a huge raise and bonus, especially since the team is young and doesn’t have a superstar like other teams. The hawks owners need to break the bank and bring in D-Wade, even if he wants $25 mil per year—he’s worth it and more!!!
Hawks show their best side in desperate times again | Jeff Schultz
May 2nd, 2010
5:58 pm
[...] ♦ Gearon is mum on Woodson but expects Hawks ‘to go far’ [...]