Fixing the Hawks: fire Woodson, trade Joe, keep Josh
In my six-point plan to fix the Hawks, Josh Smith stays but Joe Johnson goes. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
It’s the offseason. I’m cracking open a six-pack for the Hawks – not for celebration but for reconstruction.
The Hawks don’t need to strip everything down after getting swept out of the second round for the second year in a row, but they clearly can’t thrive as currently built.
Here goes:
♦ 1.) Make a coaching change. Hawks general manager Rick Sund has doubts about Mike Woodson. Otherwise he would not have given him only a two-year contract two years ago, or he would have extended him before (or during) this season. The Hawks have improved in many areas under Woodson, most notably the win total. But the team’s half-court offense has been an issue throughout Woodson’s tenure. Creativity is not his strong-suit. It also became clear in this postseason that players have stopped listening to him. Being stretched to seven games by Milwaukee (which lost its best player, Andrew Bogut, three weeks before the playoffs) was a warning sign. Getting smacked by Orlando by embarrassing margins reaffirmed either poor preparation by Woodson or that players were tuning him out. A head coach needs to get a team to play a certain way, with a toughness and resolve that we saw from the Bucks. Woodson hasn’t done that. Conclusion: This is as high as the Hawks will go with him. If he gets fired, don’t be surprised if he is replaced by assistant Larry Drew. There will be a push for a high-profile replacement, like Jeff Van Gundy, Avery Johnson or, in a dream world, Doc Rivers. But if the Hawks can’t lure one of them, and if ownership is resistant to spending big money, hiring Drew can be easily rationalized. He is liked and respected by players. He would bring more creativity to the offense. He is in-tune with the team’s problems, its strengths and weaknesses. The risk is that Drew never has been a head coach before. But regardless of who would get the job, a new voice is needed.
All of the Hawks' problems are not Mike Woodson's fault, but a new voice is needed to get team to the next level. (AP photo)
♦ 2.) Sign-and-trade Joe Johnson. I thought it was at least 50-50 Johnson would re-sign with the Hawks until his comments after Game 3. He has proven himself to be in that second tier of stars, which is fine. But his lack of leadership and three years of mostly dreadful playoff performances have damaged his reputation. Even worse, Johnson seems to have checked out mentally. He still has value on the open market. There are enough teams out there who are looking for a scorer and have money to spend. A sign-and-trade could net a nice player in return: whether a shooting guard, point guard or starting caliber center. Among the backup options at shooting guard, one name that already has popped up as a possible replacement is Milwaukee’s John Salmons. He obviously isn’t the scorer Johnson in, but he averaged nearly 20 per game in Milwaukee after a trade from Chicago this year.
♦ 3.) Don’t trade Josh Smith. Yes, this postseason was a microcosm of what’s wrong with Smith. He took over Game 2 against the Bucks, just as he took over so many games during the season. But he was awful in too many games and justifiably was criticized nationally for loafing it on defense. During a time out in Game 4 Monday night, Smith was paying more attention to the “Kiss Cam” on the Philips Arena scoreboard than Woodson during a time-out, and a fan yelled, “Pay attention, Josh!” But remember two things: 1) For most of this season, the commentary about Smith was positive – how much he had matured and how he deserved to be in the All-Star Game; 2) He has had only one head coach since leaving high school: Woodson. There’s a great danger in trading Smith if another coach in another city helps him become the player he can be. Even after six seasons, it’s too early to give up on him. His potential is too great.
♦ 4.) Acquire a center (or Chris Bosh): A strong defensive center would give the Hawks the physical presence they desperately need in the post and allow them to move Al Horford to power forward and Smith to small forward. Marvin Williams can take a seat on the bench, or on a plane out of town. Bosh, who will be a free agent and also could be part of a sign-and-trade, is a tantalizing alternative. First, he would love to come back to Atlanta (where he played at Georgia Tech). He is not a true center but he is 6-10 and would bring some offense to help compensate for Johnson’s loss. A front line of Bosh, Horford and Smith certainly would rank among the league’s best.
♦ 5.) Bench Mike Bibby: There’s no nice way to put this: He got his new contract and then took a significant step back this season. His scoring average dropped from 14.9 to 9.1, his shooting percentage from 43.5 to 41.6, his assists from 5.0 to 3.9. Woodson correctly chopped down his minutes (34.7 to 27.4). Bibby is too much of a liability defensively. With two years left on his contract, he’ll be difficult to trade. But at worse he’s a shooter to bring off the bench. Who to start? If Sund can’t acquire a veteran point guard and leader, take a look at Jeff Teague. He was mostly buried on Woodson’s bench, averaging 10 minutes a game, but we know he can bring speed to the lineup. Leadership? Those answers will come. But he can’t possibly be worse.
♦ 6.) Get tougher: This sort of goes back to coaching and a team’s identity. “Talent” doesn’t pertain only to a team’s skill level. Talent can be intelligence and physical and mental toughness. Talent can be heart. Too often, the Hawks have lacked that. Horford called out his teammates for it and he was dead on. Those intangibles can help a team overcome injuries and adversity. Milwaukee was a difficult team to play against. Charlotte was a more difficult team than the Hawks for Orlando to play against — not because of “skill” talent but because of the other kind of talent. There needs to be an in-house mandate by the Hawks of playing to a standard. If that exists now, they’re clearly ignoring it.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
♦
Recent Hawks posts
♦ Hawks make quick exit against Magic, and change is needed
♦ We’re LIVE from the Hawks’ . . . final game?
♦ Johnson, Woodson get hammered by national media
♦ Hawks quit on season (and Joe doesn’t care what you think)
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
390 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
10:24 am
Taco Bell — Joe can walk. But in complex NBA salary cap world, there’s a chance he can actually make more money if the Hawks sign him and deal him than if he goes somewhere else and signs as a free agent. So you tend to see more sign-and-trades than guys just walking.
Jerry West
May 11th, 2010
10:25 am
We’re complaining about guys giving max effort, but then want to acquire Rudy Gay? Gotta love it.
Hawks 2010
May 11th, 2010
10:25 am
I agree with this whole article and do need to keep Josh I just think Josh isn’t really trying because of the fact that their coach was Woody and he and Woody have never really got along so this is pretty obvious that a new coach will push him and Josh is young and has a lot of potential as fans I want someone who is young who has talent Josh just needs heart and a new coach can do that as far as Joe, I think his time has come & it’s time for him to go…
El Bravo
May 11th, 2010
10:25 am
Woody has to go but I think you try to resign JJ. Josh can’t play the 3. You need proper spacing to effectively run an offense in the NBA. That being said, I agree that you do not trade Josh. I think he can be a great piece on an outstanding front court rotation. You do need is to add a solid center to split minutes. I’d say you try to trade Zaza and Bibby and bring someone like Brendan Heywood (UFA). He can provide the size needed to guard against the bigger centers in the league while you distribute minutes between Al, Josh, Marvin, Brendan and Maurice at the 3, 4 and 5. I think Marvin can still flourish in the right system. He was asked to stand around too much in this offense while running ISOs or pick and rolls for other players. He was the last option on the floor at all times and it’s tough to develop any offensive rhythm that way. Finally, you hand the point to Teague and bring a veteran backup such as Luke Ridnour (UFA). Now you have two points that will push the pace and play aggressive defense.
Mr. Phil
May 11th, 2010
10:26 am
Ok. Here it is one more time for those who are not seeing the genius.
Starters
Devin Harris
Courtney Lee
Rudy gay
Josh Smith
Al Horford
Bench
Jamal Crawford
Marvin williams
Mike Bibby(if not dropped or traded)
Jeff Teague
ZaZA P
and spare parts
Coach
Avery Johnson.
German accent
May 11th, 2010
10:26 am
“Josh Smith is a loser – can anyone ever imagine any of the greats loafing like he did in the middle of a PLAYOFF series??”
See Jabbar, Kareem-Abdul
Rufus1
May 11th, 2010
10:26 am
Trade Josh
JOSH is a QUITTER, he has proven it on multiple occasions. Mental toughness and focus are what you develop as a child…NOT 6 YEARS INTO YOUR CAREER!!!!
KEEP JOE
6′7 240 lbs 21pts 5rbs 5ast and our best perimeter defender…YOU DON’T GET RID OF GUYS LIKE THAT. GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR BUTTS!!
PLUS…If Josh leaves Al will assume he place as the leader of this team..JOSH WILL NOT BE LEAD…we have 6 years of proof.
JOSH TRADE…could equal Monta Ellis, Devin Harris or Tony Parker. My choice is Parker…Contract is shorter and the(Spurs) may have to take Bibby to get it done.
Tweets that mention Fixing the Hawks: fire Woodson, trade Joe, keep Josh | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
May 11th, 2010
10:28 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Andrew Rosenberg and freehawk, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: My six-point plan for fixing Hawks starts with firing Woodson, dealing Joe, keeping Josh. http://bit.ly/bo4q85 [...]
lazydawg
May 11th, 2010
10:29 am
Hawks Suck!!!! Fire,trade everyone time to start from the begining and by the way, Joe will not help any team in the NBA,so over rated.
Mr. Phil
May 11th, 2010
10:29 am
@Jerry West
I am saying Gay from a talent perspective and luckily because of his reputation of not being an effort guy he can be had comparitively cheap.
But I think the right Coach can change that about Gay (the same type that can get the most out of Josh). If we assume Avery Johnson is that kind of coach. We have to believe he can get maximum effort out of both of them. Remember Gay is still very young.
MarkS
May 11th, 2010
10:30 am
Wow – Bosh would be a fantastic fit. I loved watching this team develop the past few years, but I have to admit that they’ve gone about as far as they can go without some major shape ups. I also don’t think I can stick up for Woodson much anymore. I think the lack of creativity hits the nail on the head pretty well (along with not being able to get these guys motivated).
jojosunshine
May 11th, 2010
10:30 am
Do you see what Orlando did? They have a young nucleus of talent and then brought in Vince Carter. The Hawks need to sign and trade for the #1 draft pick and get John Wall. They need to package Bibby and Williams and whoever else not named Horford and Smith and get the #2 or #3 draft pick and get Evan Turner or Demarcus Cousins (Turner because he can score and will be the next Kobe or Demarcus because he is big and plays great defense and can score around the basket). THEN GO GET TRACY MCGRADY. Imagine a team with the line-up of:
1-John Wall
2-Evan Turner
3-Tracy McGrady
4-Al Horford
5-Demarcus Cousins
2nd Group
1- Teague
2- Jamaal Crawford
3- Maurice Evans
4-Marvin Williams/Josh Childress(if we could get him back it would be nice-he has great bball IQ)
5-Zaza
WOW that would be a great team.
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
10:32 am
S Hawk Fan — I don’t know Drew real well, we’ve spoken a few times. Definitely a different demeanor than Woody. … Who would I go after? Jeff Van Gundy.
BBgenie
May 11th, 2010
10:32 am
Damm! Hurt Don’t It? Yes!!!
Just Being Real
May 11th, 2010
10:32 am
keep Josh Marvin Teauge Crawford Horford & ZaZa, Put Horford at the 4 spot, let Josh and Marvin have the three together, let teauge start, and bring Crowford off the bench, find a center and a shooting guard and put them all on ten day contracts.
Mr. Phil
May 11th, 2010
10:33 am
@jojo There is no way in God’s green earth the Hawks will have the first three picks in any draft in ours or anybody else’s lifetimes.
Jerry West
May 11th, 2010
10:33 am
Also, Najeh makes a great point, Josh is NOT a 3. If you’re gonna slide Al to the 4, Josh has to go.
To that end, if I talk to Golden State, I’d see if I could do Monta for Josh. Or maybe Josh for a package including Anthony Randolph (along with Turiaf, Biedrins or whatever contracts to make it work).
In all honesty
May 11th, 2010
10:34 am
I totally agree. I said before this series that Zaza should be moved to center, Horford to power and Josh to small. There is no chance you can beat Orlando leaving Horford at center. Josh is a definite starter in this league with a lot of potential. Woodson is not that coach. I am an ex-season ticket holder moved to the 15-game package. I have watched them since Woodson got here. He yells at the players like they are children. There’s obviously nothing in his playbook because they do not run plays. He misuses timeouts. He certainly can’t handle a strong personality like Josh Smith has. The objective is to win a championship. It has to go through Orlando, a team they cannot beat. Adjust!!! Woodson is slowly growing. Do you want to wait? Don’t just settle for being better than the previous season. Actually, since they were swept in the 2nd round both this season and last, technically they were not better. The team doesn’t suck; they’re almost there.
Mr. Phil
May 11th, 2010
10:36 am
@Schultz: You stealing my ideas? I said Jeff Van Gundy over a week ago.
And now you suddenly want to get rid of Joe Johnson days after I register the domain number2sucks.com? I am flattered.
Now if I can get you on the Devin harris, Courtney Lee, Rudy Gay train we will be just peachy.
Mr. Phil
May 11th, 2010
10:36 am
Enter youAlthough I did switch to Avery Johnson from Van Gundy. Keep up will ya.
clay
May 11th, 2010
10:38 am
I agree on not signing woodson and letting joe walk and even also keeping josh. I just think josh needs a different coach, the right coach to straighten him up a little bit more. look how far he has come, he will only get better. Statistics have proved that. I would love to see tony parker come in because we are missing that superstar at point. We wont be able to get cp3 because we will have to give up to much. The one thing that I do not agree with is signing chris bosh and not getting a legitamate 7 footer. If we sign bosh we are still in the same boat we are in now and thats nobody to guard howard or any other big man in the league. That means you still leave horford at the 5 spot. Everyone needs to give sund a chance because as any true atlanta hawk fan would know we are still trying to overcome all of the bad moves that billy knight made. Sund is on the right track and this will be his 3rd season coming up so this one is very important since there are some key moves that need to be made. He knows just like we all do what needs to happen with some things, im sure he gets on here or hears some of the stuff that we say on here. Trust Sund, he will make the right moves.
#1 Falcon Fan
May 11th, 2010
10:39 am
Hello HAWKS..look at what the Cavs did last year after they loss in the eastern conf finals..they brought in Shaq because they had no answer for Dwight Howard. We had no answer for Howard either, so we do need a true center. Horford needs to be moved to the 4 spot, fire Woodson, let Johnson go…sign Ray Allen (he is a free agent at seasons end), and then offer a big contract to amare stoudemire (he can opt out with the suns after this season) Stoudemire can be your true center and he can deal with Dwight Howard. we are not gonna get Lebron or Dwayne Wade so we can stop dreaming. My starting 5 for the 2010 season would be Crawford, Ray Allen, Horford, Josh Smith, and Stoudemire with Bibby and Marvin Williams coming off the bench! Bring in Avery Johnson or Jeff Van Gundy as the coach!
ATLborn
May 11th, 2010
10:41 am
Get a new coach get rid of Woodson. Joe can sign and trade. “No.4: Hawks get Michael Beasley, Miami’s 2010 first round pick and a couple of future first rounders, Heat get Joe Johnson.”
Dr. PHil dont do it Beasley has no work ethnic. Keep Josh see if a vetern coach can get something out of him if not look to trade next year mid season. As for point guard sit Bibby look to develop Teague also bring in a guard but its a known fact Woodson doesnt like playing rookie. We are the four best team in the east but it is a large gap between us and the top 3. Start with the Head coach and when you hire a new one let him help you decide what we need to do. But go for a vet first whos been in the league and knows basketball. not a group of people that just tired of us losing
S Hawk Fan
May 11th, 2010
10:42 am
What type of coach is Jeff Van Gundy? How would the players relate to him? And I am fine if he kicks them in the butt! But he has to be able to relate and get across to them!
The Larry Drew thing just seems too close to Woody! Afterall he did work for him!
MannyT
May 11th, 2010
10:43 am
You skipped the real first 2 steps.
Sund needs to figure out the best style of play for this team. Then he makes roster assessments on who is a keeper and who is the subject of well placed trade rumors within the media.
After that, you get your new coach.
Personally, aside from Al, I doubt I would say anyone is untouchable. However, some are more likely to stay than others. Keep in mind that Joe didn’t play ISO Joe until he met Woody. They didn’t play all dribble no drive in Phoenix.
Somewhere in your plan, you need to allocate space for a shooter. If Joe leaves, while Bibby & Marvin hit the bench, then you either need an Okur type shooting center or a new SG who has range. Otherwise, everyone will pack it in and let Josh fire up 3s.
FUZZUP
May 11th, 2010
10:44 am
74th ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Kelvin
May 11th, 2010
10:46 am
I agree with a lot of the comments already posted. Josh Smith cannot play the 3 position. NO seems to have fell in love with Darren Collison, so they may be open to trade Chris Paul. Al Horford needs to be moved to the 4 position. Josh Smith will either have to come off the bench or package him in a trade to bring in a Center or PG.
MannyT
May 11th, 2010
10:48 am
…and if Jeff van Gundy and that 68-66 final score style of play comes here, they can have my season ticket. These players are not physical enough to play that wrester defense. You eliminate the value of being very athletic. Sund would need to do a major overhaul of the roster. People don’t buy tickets to see defensive scrums in most pro sports. I see no revenue improvement and ugly basketball if JVG coaches here.
He’s much more interesting as a TV personality.
Tweets that mention Fixing the Hawks: fire Woodson, trade Joe, keep Josh | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
May 11th, 2010
10:48 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tony Simmons. Tony Simmons said: Fixing the Hawks: fire Woodson, trade Joe, keep Josh http://bit.ly/b2e6Rd [...]
christopher palmer
May 11th, 2010
10:49 am
dont trade joe thats just stupid
Casual Basketball Fan
May 11th, 2010
10:51 am
Let Joe go and sign Wade. Then sign Allen Iverson for some major scoring punch! Mutombo could be coaxed out of retirement for a bargain. Trade Josh Smith + Jeff Teague for Dwight Howard and Marvin Williams for Brandon Roy. Package Bibby, Randolph Morris, and Zaza for Nowitzki. Get Marbury back to the NBA. Steve Smith still works out and practices at small forward now, so we might as well take advantage of that. Penny Hardaway is probably cheap now too and he can come off the bench. Then get Viliu Roskanovich from the Russian League who has been lighting it up. Keep Jason Collins who showed some great D in the playoffs. Brad Stevens will come here to coach and get control of these players.
Iverson/Marbury
Wade/Roy/Penny
Steve Smith/Roskanovich
Nowitzki/Collins
Dwight Howard/Mutombo
Coach Brad Stevens
Is no one else seeing the genius in this?
Jerry West
May 11th, 2010
10:51 am
Folks, we ain’t getting Chris Paul. The Hornets new owner is a billionaire La. guy who is not letting his franchise player go. He actually has the $$$ to exceed the luxury tax and try to get CP3 more help. The more realistic option is Collison, maybe for the rights to Childress or a resigned Childress and a bad contract (MoPete or James Posey).
ATLborn
May 11th, 2010
10:52 am
MannyT if that is the case about Sund if he does it the way you said then when a new coach comes in his hands is tied as to how to run his offense and defense. and that will put the hawks behind a year. Bring coach in first and coach and Sund sit and decide together whats the next step.
Clay
May 11th, 2010
10:52 am
Jeff, wouldn’t you like to see Doc Rivers taking charge of Teague’s development? Maybe it’s not dream world for it to happen. It’s now or never for Doc to win another title with the Celtics. After this season he may tire of the pressure Ainge is heaping on him…
If not Doc, maybe his top assistant?
clay
May 11th, 2010
10:52 am
just read a rumor on espn.com nba’s home page that joe johnson might be doing a sign and trade with dallas which would be great. If they want him bad enough dallas will give up some pieces. That means you get a legit 7 footer in brendan haywood and a good scorer in caron butler. That would be a great trade. You answer one of your holes you have and everyone will get to see horford go to his natural 4 position.
clay
May 11th, 2010
10:55 am
as far as the coach goes I dont see why doc rivers is out of the ? why would he be a legitmate shot for the coaching spot. Look at some of the great things he did here as a player. Now imagin what he could do as a coach.
JSS
May 11th, 2010
10:55 am
@Jeff Schultz…
OK, I told you last night I wanted to hear “specifics.” There were some, but I still see a lot of “ifs.” That is not a criticism, it is a point.
So let me go through this, from the bottom to the top, so indulge me…
You call it getting “tougher.” Michael Cunningham calls it “basketball intelligence.” I call it “athletic accountability.” Self awareness is the most liberating thing in the creation. It keeps one from lying to one’s self… This team lacks this in truck loads. If they had it, they would have been driving to the basket, cutting through the high and low posts and having 4 players crushing the defensive boards from the opening tip of game 1. It is no secret why this team has regressed as Mike Bibby’s skills have deteriorated. He (and Horford) is the only player on that roster who have inkling of on the court basketball sense. Unfortunately, he is now Craig Hodges, Steve Kerr, Sidney Moncrief at the end of his run, just a shell of what he was, a 19-20 min. hired gun who should float into the offense but can not defend any more. In the best of all worlds, you have a Lamar Odom at 3/4 or Derek Fisher that can stabilize you when your star is off the floor. Childress can’t do that, Flip Murray can’t do it and sure enough Marvin Williams has never warmed to it… Only two players on the current roster have any basketball IQ, and they both over the hill (Bibby and Joe Smith).
Coaching is study, preparation, teaching and in-game execution. Look, Al McGuire couldn’t coach offense to save his life. He was a demon of a defensive coach but his offensive accoutrement was zero. He had the good sense to hire Hank Raymonds who was this side of Tex Winter a offensive flow genius. Players must become extensions of what you plan. This team has never appreciated that driving to the basket is an art. There 3 things that Hawks GM and owners need to demand of whoever they bring in as a coaching candidate. 1. Have them sit in a 1 hour tape session with Jeff Teague, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams individually and collectively. In that session make those players breakdown what is happening on the floor and their responsibility, their teammates job and what went wrong or right on those plays. After that, if that coach can’t tell you how to work with those 3 players, move on to the next candidate. 2. Any candidate must have a bench coach with NBA head coaching experience or extensive D-1 head coaching success. I don’t care if it is Terry Porter, John MacLeod, anybody but Fratello. A great candidate would be Ritchie Adubuto simply because he knows the Magic inside/out since he been doing radio color for them. 3. Hire Mark Price as your full time shot coach, no outside consulting, strictly Hawks and make him your offensive asst. head coach.
Finally Organization….
This team must reevaluate, what are we? How did we fail so badly? Where do we plan to be at the end of 1st mini camp?
There is so much more, but that is where I’d start…
bigboi
May 11th, 2010
10:57 am
77th zzzz
Let him Joe
May 11th, 2010
10:58 am
Coach – Doc Rivers, he said he is leaving boston.
Center – Horford he is a future Tiny Tim almost as good size matters only against Howard
Power Forward – Josh Smith, Maybe being beat by a friend and seeing how listening to a vet (Ewing) and working on his game has taken that friend to another level may wake him up. (Howard did’nt listen at first) OIA shh noly in Atlanta.
Small Forward – Marvin Williams, If Kobe only got 10 shots a game and no plays his avaerage might be the same.
Shooting Gaurd – Jamal Crawford, let’s get someone that can be groomed to start and let them come off the bench for at least half the year.
Point – If we can’t get a pure point that can start let Teague try it.
Bench – Pa P’U’ la must go and find a real center to back up Horford and play alongside him in certian situations.
Spot up shooter like Mark Price and Kerr to stretch a defense (deadly accurate)
Defensive specialist and banger.
These are your tools to succeed
GT Alum
May 11th, 2010
10:58 am
OK, Jeff, yeah, playing Josh at the 3 doesn’t mean he has to jack up jumpers, but it will move him further away from the basket, which will put Josh in a position to take more outside shots, and I think the only way a coach could keep Josh from hoisting a bunch of jumpshots if he plays on the perimeter is if he uses a cattle prod on Josh every time he launches a shot from out there.
Plus, moving Josh away from the basket would also have a negative impact on his blocks and rebounds. I’m beginning to think that moving Josh to SF would turn him into Marvin and agree with the school of thought that the Hawks need to trade Josh to open a spot for a true center. The problem is how do you get even value back for a guy who still has as much unrealized potential as Josh does.
Hockey Fans in Atlanta
May 11th, 2010
10:59 am
Too bad the ASG doesn’t have enough money to actually afford guys like Rudy Gay or Devin Harris to play with JJ and J-Smoove. They’d be better off getting rid of JJ and letting Crawford play the 2. Teague, while defensively weak, can push the tempo and get teams on their heels, which will open things up on the perimeter for Crawford, Evans and Bibby off the bench. Bring in some defensive minded types who will commit to playing an up-tempo, pressure the ball style of b’ball. Force teams to play at your speed and hope for the best. Dwight Howards and Stoudamires don’t grow on trees so you’ll be forced to do things a different way. But the Orlando Magic don’t exactly rely on Howard to dominate a game. The biggest difference is their commitment to defense and the ability to SHOOT THE BASKETBALL CONSISTENTLY.
So, in other words ASG, you are better off in investing in a quality puck mover like Gonchar and a true pivot like Plekanec to take your team to the playoffs and get yourself some of that NHL playoff money. You will have guaranteed sell-outs without having to discount your lower level seats…hardy har har!
tidog
May 11th, 2010
11:00 am
This problem dates back to the quierky draft strategy of Bill Knight. The sequential drafts of 6′8 to 6′9 guys with the same abiltity. Now if one or two of the guys had Magic Johnson skills it makes sense but the don’t. So you have this log jam at the 4 position with Josh and Al, good young talent that you don’t want to leave your team. It’ll be interesting to see how Sund goes forward with the team. He’ll probably send a well liked player or two packing. A new coach may need to have a current starter come off the bench if a true post man can be found.
Hockey Fans in Atlanta
May 11th, 2010
11:00 am
Jeff Teague should’ve taken care of his own development…
…BY STAYING IN COLLEGE FOOL!
Then again, Gaudio couldn’t coach is way out of a paper bag.
K-Dub
May 11th, 2010
11:03 am
No way can Josh Smith play the #3 SF..Can you imagine him chasing around the Paul Pierces, Vince Carters, and Danny Grangers of the world? LOL..
SaintsLSU
May 11th, 2010
11:03 am
The Hawks are a nice young athletic team with no real center. Al Horford would be a great PF, but to put him up against D-Howard is not fair. The Magic was the worst possible matchup for the Hawks. The Magic are for real, and the Cavs/Celtics better beware.
MannyT
May 11th, 2010
11:04 am
@ATLborn–Do you really think that Sund would not factor the style of play into the hiring decision?I think that some of the questions he uses in interviews will give him insight into the style of play that the new coach will use.
Thus I can make my Jeff van Gundy comments. If he (or someone who uses his style of play) is the choice, you have much more roster overhaul to do.
The planning happens first, but I would expect the coach to be hired before the draft. Thus the player movement probably comes after the new coach is hired. The feelers for some of those moves can happen before the coach is hired.
ladyhawksfan
May 11th, 2010
11:07 am
I like most of the ideas here.Bringing in Haywood and Ridnour would be good moves.I love the idea of Bosh coming here,but there is o way Josh can play the 3.We dont have the cap space to sign Bosh.The only way to pull that off would be sign and trade.Who should we give up Josh or Joe.Jeff says let Joe go and keep Josh.If Josh could play the 3 i would agree,since he cant u have to keep Joe.Therefore trade Josh,Bibby,and Childress for Bosh and Calderon.If that cat be done then maybe they should put together a package and go after a pg like Harris,Parker or Paul.It is not time to break the team,but a few tweaks cant hurt.
JSS
May 11th, 2010
11:07 am
I said it last night, I’ll say it again, NO Jeff Van Gundy, Avery Johnson nor Byron Scott! If sitting in front of a teleprompter or monitor made you wiser, Mike Fratello would have developed into John Wooden! It ain’t gonna happen!
SCAR Fan
May 11th, 2010
11:09 am
New coach, No more Joe, Give Josh another chance with a new coach, bench or fire Bibby, Bosh would be SWEET and definitely give Teague his shot at running the team. Nobody has any idea what he can do yet because Woody didn’t let him play. At least give him the ball and see what happens. It can’t get worse at the point than what it is now!
MannyT
May 11th, 2010
11:11 am
@tidog–BK’s drafting implied a style of play that was similar to Illinois in the late 1980s with (former Hawk) Ken Norman & Kendall Gill. Similar sized players that had physical advantage on the perimeter and quickness, but not size on the inside.
You can disagree with it, but there was a stream of thought that matched the drafting. Over time you have to make adjustments, but put Chills back on this team and you have a guy that provided good movement w/o the ball and got most of his points due to his activity and offensive rebounding. That would have been very useful while other guys were watching Joe dribble.
If we don’t run and use that athleticism, you are not taking advantage of the personnel. That is another reason why Woody got himself in trouble. When this team was more active, they played better. If you don’t move, it cuts the value of being athletic.