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)
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390 comments Add your comment
DP
May 11th, 2010
11:12 am
Amare Stoudemire can’t guard centers and he gets most of his offense off of great passes from Steve Nash. If Al Horford and/or Josh Smith got the chance to play with a great point guard like Nash or Chris Paul or Deron Williams, they’d look like much better offensive players than they do when they’re standing around watching iso-Joe.
And K-Dub, Najeh and others are right about Josh Smith. He can’t play the 3 on either end. The TNT crew pointed out last night how his shot blocking had been taken away in the Orlando series because they pulled him away from the basket. Not that he figured out how to go out as far as the 3 point line to defend Rashard Lewis. Josh can’t guard a perimeter oriented 4 like Lewis or Nowitzki and some people actually think he can guard 3’s?
hawkfan
May 11th, 2010
11:12 am
This article is HOGWASH!!!!!!!!!!!
cloudy
May 11th, 2010
11:13 am
Jeff I’m not sure this ownership group will be able to get us to the next level. The Hawks have improved that’s for sure but they haven’t been too open to opening their wallets to buy some proven talent. I remember well the Falcons and what it took to generate a winning team and mentality-new ownership.
Jeff
May 11th, 2010
11:14 am
I agree with most of your suggested changes. Problem is the Hawks did not hussle one bit. My son and I laughed at their effort. It was from the first game against Orlando. Hawks literally walked around and could never complete a fast break. We need a big talent/money elite center and same elite point guard. The Hawks never have spent the money. The last big time player we had was Dominique. That was 20 years ago. Not one franchise player since ‘Nique!
n2u1989
May 11th, 2010
11:14 am
first hire head coach who can coach. Sign Dwayne wade.trade bibby for point guard. if we cant sign D wade go after A.Stoudemire or Bosh. then find some pure shooter to come of the bench.
tom
May 11th, 2010
11:15 am
Hiring the asst coach is a major mistake. Get someone who has been a head coach and has credibility. Spend some money.
shannon
May 11th, 2010
11:15 am
I say keep johnson and get devin harris.. Get Avery Johnson who has coached Harris in the past.. Add Brandon Haywood and you might have a better team!!!! Trade Bibby and Marvin for Harris
BBurch
May 11th, 2010
11:16 am
Spot on in this article. Hawks need some major changes to get away from this pure talent and nothing else team and move towards a team that has heart and can go deep into the playoffs.
tom
May 11th, 2010
11:17 am
When Woodson was hired he was a nobody and still is. There were three coaches available at that time that had Championship experience. They went the cheap route. Yes Hawks have gotten better. To get sweeped two years in a row. Hello, wake up. Get a real coach.
Hollywould
May 11th, 2010
11:18 am
I just heard the ASG is hiring one coach to coach the Thrashers and Hawks. No free agents in either sport will come here so the rosters will stay the same. Might as well lose with one coach than 2. Save some money and maybe fix some t’v’s at Philips.
John Koncak
May 11th, 2010
11:18 am
ok….ok….ok….i got it….here we go….
1st: IMO get a new management team…ASG just sucks big time.
2nd: Get rid of Sund. Horrible GM so far… The Jamaal signing was a GIFT from an old friend.
3rd: Get rid of Woody. Nuff said.
4th: Joe has got to go. Obviously.
5th: Marvin’s time has run out.
6th: Bibby’s days are numbered. Release him.
7th: Josh is the only player with any trade value. Sorry Josh. See ya.
8th: Everyone on the bench is worthless except for Jamaal and Teague. Get rid of the rest.
9th: KEEP AL!!!!
So…..lets see….that leaves Jamaal and Teague and Al and infinite possiblities.
GO HAWKS!!!!
Now you see em, now they burnt off!
May 11th, 2010
11:18 am
Maybe Potato Head can shave his eyebrows off again and everything will be fixed.
Paul Hewitt
May 11th, 2010
11:20 am
Hey, I can coach both. We run the same offense.
AG
May 11th, 2010
11:21 am
I agree, Josh at 3 does not work. Also, take a couple of days to determine the type of team you want. People keep saying get a big center, but they slow you down and don’t make you better (except for Howard, no good centers left in playoffs – second best Bynum.). We are a running fast break type team and you need a point guard to push the ball (Teague) and an athletic small forward who will dunk in your face on the break (Dominque)…oh my bad, anybody but Marvin. I would love Amare here and can be the answer. I would love Devin Harris here and Courtney Lee.
CRACK HEAD
May 11th, 2010
11:22 am
YEAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
96!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 11th, 2010
11:22 am
By the way, if the Hawks get Bosh like many of you want, Horford will still be guarding Dwight. Both in terms of skill set and body type, Bosh is a lot closer to Smoove than he is to Horford. Don’t get fooled by his height. Bosh is rail thin and Dwight would dominate him. Sh-t, even Horford dominates him.
K Dent-
May 11th, 2010
11:24 am
I think the Hawks should keep Woody he is a great coach and you need consistancy with the coaching staff and get a Center. Get rid Joe Johnson and a real team leader who can tell thst young team some on the court toughness in the 4th quarter. AGain KEEP WOODY!!!!!!!
Hatfield Geoff
May 11th, 2010
11:25 am
This sounds good Jeff.
Definitely fire Woodson, I am glad the Hawks gave him the last two years because he did coach this team when the talent wasnt there and he deserve a shot when the talent developed a little. But the Milwaukee series is all I needed to be sure the coaching was not good. To have a team vastly outmanned and still be taken to 7 games is bad coaching. If Skiles had been our coach I’m sure the Hawks would have swept the series. If a sign and trade could be worked out fine, but it if can’t don’t sign Joe even for the $60 million they have already offered. He proved in the playoffs that he is not a player that can lead the team to the 3rd round or a championship. Joe needs to be on at team that already has a superstar whose shadow he can move in and out of, scoring 25 one night and not showing up the next. I don’t hold his comments after Game 3 against him; he was frustrated. But the Hawks need to let him go and use his salary to help acquire a star that can be a leader as well. As for Josh Smith I still think the right coach could harness his skills and make him a great player and not just a great athlete. And the one need above all others is a strong point guard. Someone to drive the lane and dish off to Smith and Horford for dunks and pass back out to Crawford for 3’s. Bibby on the bench you bet. Marvin in a package deal with Joe Johnson would be nice. (That Billy Knight, what if we had Chris Paul instead of Marvin Williams and Brandon Roy instead of the ghost of Sheldon Williams. As Furman Bisher would say, Selah!
HAWKS FAN
May 11th, 2010
11:26 am
@K-Dub: I totally agree with you…That would be horrible to see Josh out there chasing the Paul Pierces, Vince Carters, and Danny Grangers of the world. It is obvious that Josh could NEVER be able to play the 3. I mean, there is real problem, when, you’re on the perimeter, no one is even attempting to go guard you because they know you’re not going to make it and the whole arena is yelling “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO JOSH!” LOL. You would think that, for someone who has been in the league as long as he has, he would have developed some kind of jumpshot…It’s time to trade Josh.
Tha Real Hawk
May 11th, 2010
11:27 am
Everything here is what I posted 2 days ago. Glad someone was listening. Not if only the ownership was…
Yup!
May 11th, 2010
11:31 am
Exit: Woodson, Bibby, Mo Evans
Enter: Avery Johnson, Travis Outlaw, Brendan Heywood, and A.J Price
Draft: Gordon Heyward or Gani Lawal
Re-Sign: Joe Johsnon
GET ER’ DONE SUND!
ntrigue
May 11th, 2010
11:33 am
I agree with everything except move Josh to 3. I would put Bosh at 3 when josh and Al are both in but would move him to 4 if 1 of them are on the bench!
Here and Now
May 11th, 2010
11:34 am
Since Atlanta won’t want to spend money on a big name coach, if they were smart they would look down the bench of the team that just smacked them upside their heads. Patrick Ewing has been waiting for a head coaching spot for years and is chomping at the chance. Plus he’s the one that works with Howard on a regular basis. What better seneraio could you ask for, you get a cheap coach that knows your main divison competition inside and out, and you get to cripple that team and their best player. Sounds like a no brainer to me.
moorman
May 11th, 2010
11:35 am
i agree with what marcus said. johnson stagnated the growth of the post players. its plain to see. couple that with bibby not being a true point guard, you have the half court issues the hawks have.
Larry
May 11th, 2010
11:36 am
.
.
.
#7) Disregard #’s 1-6 above and cease to participate in this madness!
Really, does anyone reading my words right now truly believe that in today’s modern world we need to be financing a bunch of illiterate, tattooed goons run up and down a wooden floor to put a round ball inside a larger round circular device in exchange for millions upon millions of dollars? Hey, I’m all about free enterprise and all but buying tickets to sit in tiny little chairs and contributing to this silliness just doesn’t strike me as an intelligent use of my time and money.
The answer for this is the same for most of us reading this. Stop awarding these uneducated and ungrateful taller men and their sleaze agents with enormous, guaranteed multi-year contracts and place all of them on a $100,000 base salary with performance incentives that could yield up to $500,000. All of the same players you watch would still be there as none are capable of or smart enough to make this anywhere else and never again will you have to watch a player loafing or staring at something other than his coach during a timeout. If they get it, they will have earned it!
ntrigue
May 11th, 2010
11:36 am
Forget Avery and Jeff Van Gundy both don’t have coaching styles fit for our team. Hire Steve Smith as our new coach!
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
11:38 am
Mr. Phil — Pretty sure folks have been bringing up JVG’s name for a while, but I’m not holding out much hope. … I haven’t seen that website. I’ll check it out.
Sam H
May 11th, 2010
11:39 am
Loved everything you suggested. I definitely think Johnson and Van Gundy are great choices but I don’t think there is any chance Drew gets the job. A back up center is definitely a big need, similar to how the Magic have Gortat and giving Teague a chance is big issue. Otherwise he will turn out like Acie Law.
BASH
May 11th, 2010
11:40 am
I agree with the decision to get Doc Rivers… He could develop Teague into a Rondo-esque player. Not to mention his demeanor of actually caring would help gain the confidence of his players. The only thing Woodson developed was that nasty looking goatee.
Joe missed his big pay-day by turning down Atlanta’s offer earlier this season. He definitely won’t get the kind of money he was looking for now; especially going “O”-for…
I say we keep Josh Smith and just have Doc busts him in the mouth the first time he whines or has an outbursts. Woodson was so passive that disrespect and discord was obvious on the team. These guys are young men and boys and they need leadership that sometimes calls for tough love.
I like Zaza because of his work ethic and hustle, but he needs to develop a jumper in the off season. Horford could also practice his vert in the off season. I’ll never understand why someone that big will settle for a 1 foot jumper??? Trade Marvin Williams, M. Bibby, Jason Collins, and Joe Smith for a true center (Tyson Chandler??).
Blue
May 11th, 2010
11:40 am
The ASG is broke so Amare, D-Wade, Chris Paul, Bosh or any other prized free agent is not walking through that door.
There are rumblings in Dallas that the Mavericks could look into a possible sign-and-trade for Joe Johnson. They want more offensive punch to help Dirk. However, I would not do that deal unless they were willing to part with Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood.
Either way, Joe has to go.
DO NOT …………. I REPEAT …….. DO NOT offer the head coaching job to Larry Drew. Drew seems like a nice enough guy, but hiring him would be more of the same. We need new blood … And it doesn’t have to be a big name. Just someone who can design a REAL half-court offense, teach fundamentals, and DEMAND respect (Scott Brooks anyone – OKC Thunder head coach). No one even knew who this guy was prior to last season. This next coaching hire is a huge test for Rick Sund.
Lastly, I would offer up anyone on this roster sans Al Horford for possible trade. Sometimes, it’s imperative to take a step back before moving forward.
Spud Webb
May 11th, 2010
11:41 am
All good points, nice blog. I think a new coach = Josh Smith being a better player. He hates woody & so do I!! Lol, what a freaking train wreck that series was. But the Hawks are NOT that far away, have talent but need exactly what you said Shultz. Now the reality of actually doing a sign and trade with Joe, in my opinion, isn’t likely. I think he has KILLED himself with this post season.
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
11:41 am
Clay — Would LOVE to see Doc here, and I’m sure vast majority of fanbase would love it too. And yes, Celtics associated head coach Tom Thibodeau is getting some attention. Read where Hornets are interviewing him.
Bobby Cox
May 11th, 2010
11:42 am
Shultz, Van Gundy is a loser in the playoffs also why would we want him? Maybe he can hold onto Howard’s leg to slow him down?He also had one the 50 greatest players of all time Mr. Patrick Ewing, who is helping Dwight Howard to be a player and still lost in the playoffs. Woody needs to change his staff up, get a big man and a point guard coach to work with the team Woody has loser assistants around him what have they won on any level, I think we’re find as far as a coach but If we do need a new coach I think it should be Mo Cheeks, he has won a title as a player, he could bring in Moses Malone(winner) to work with the big men, and Andrew Toney(winner) to work with the wing players. Drew can’t lead this team, nor could Van Dummy! In closing when Terrence Moore call Bobby Cox’s job years ago the rest of you guys (media) swept in under the rug. Bobby Cox had the best pitchers Money could by for 10 yrs or longer, know ones was calling for his job but Mr. Moore! Stop asking for a new Coach, we need a 1 and a 5 in The ATL.
Scoots
May 11th, 2010
11:42 am
Some of the proposed trades on this blog are laughable. I don’t think we’re going to see a wholesale replacement of the team – that’s unnecessary and hard to pull off. I think you look at who you want to keep for sure – which should be Smith, Horford, Crawford and Teague. That’s a good base of young or fairly young to build the team from.
Signing and trading JJ for a center/Bosh and a good, veteran point guard that can split time with Teague and mentor him would hopefully take care of the rest. And you’ve still got Marvin, Mo, ZaZa, maybe J-chill as reserves.
Oh yeah, and a new coach.
Simon says he has a new identity system | Find Tech News
May 11th, 2010
11:43 am
[...] moves were anticipated as much as that of Simon Phipps (above). You might call him the Joe Johnson of Sun open source. So far he has gone all Matt Asay on us with a blog, and announced he is joining [...]
Jamar
May 11th, 2010
11:44 am
I love how everybody wants to point to coaching. Basketball and baseball are two sports where coaching matters the least. And this is coming from someone who has coached 5 state champions. Talent wins games. Coaching makes a little difference, but it boils down to talent
John Koncak
May 11th, 2010
11:45 am
Larry: I’m all for it as long as you force the executives of all the major corporations do the same. You see, they have ripped the American people off for BILLIONS AND BILLIONS of dollars.
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
11:48 am
JSS — Terrific post. You particularly nailed it on Marvin Williams. For the last two years we’ve heard whispers about him being soft, or whatever word you want to use, and I agree. It’s unfortunate because he has great skills. … Also good call on the bench coach. I would think if Sund hired somebody inexperienced, a wise vet in the mold of of a Tex Winter would be ideal. I think we agree this postseason was revealing and there are a lot of big picture issues that need to be addressed.
Paddy
May 11th, 2010
11:48 am
Jeff, all great points. Will you be addressing the ASG as part of the equation in upcoming articles? Maybe there is nothing left to say about this merry band of owners that the fans of bb & hockey have not already figured out.
Scoots
May 11th, 2010
11:48 am
Jamar, it seems to me good coaches get the best out of their talent by motivating them. I saw a Hawks team that completely gave up in the playoffs. To me, that falls to the coach. You being a coach know better than I do, but that’s my take.
JC
May 11th, 2010
11:48 am
Jeff, whose team does this become if Joe is traded for role players, draft picks and/or expiring contracts? Is it possible for Josh Smith or Al Horford to be the man in ATL?
Nate ArchiBALL
May 11th, 2010
11:49 am
On moving Al to the 4 spot – Move Al Horford to the PF and he still isn’t going to drive to the basket with Dwight Howard in the middle. Plus, Al will not get the same open 15 foot jump shots at PF that he gets playing center. (Shots he didn’t make in the Orlando series)
Last night, the Hawks played the entire first quarter without scoring one basket in the paint.
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
11:50 am
Let him Joe: For what it’s worth, Doc said he was considering stepping away from coaching in general for a year, he didn’t say specifically he wanted out of Boston. But I understand that position can change, and Atlanta gets him closer to his family (in Orlando).
Larry
May 11th, 2010
11:51 am
…and I meant to add…take the 75 million or so save in absurd player’s compensation and agent’s commission and use this money to retrofit all arenas down to about 5000 large, comfortable leather seats with built in massage and equipped with a personal monitor for TV and instant replays. Combine this with superior food and drink with in seat service and your well on the way to pampering those individuals who are responsible for funding the game, not just those goons running up and down the wooden floor.
Scoots
May 11th, 2010
11:52 am
I think Horford should be the captain/leader of the team. He’s showing he’s not afraid to be vocal, and he’s the most consistent and level-headed of the starters.
rickyRook
May 11th, 2010
11:53 am
For all the crap they put us through in this so called Playoffs run, I have five words for the Hapless Hawks – AL HORFORD DESERVES MUCH BETTER! I’m sure this just has to chap his @$$ coming from such a winning background. Above winning, there was effort in Gator land. Where’s the effort been in the last eleven games? Huh? Gimme a freakin’ break!
hawkville
May 11th, 2010
11:55 am
Bosh at center, he’s a power forward, that’s the problem now. How about coaching the two they have, Haywood was giving a chance to play and he’s improved. Coaching and a chance to play could do wonders
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
11:55 am
Ntrigue — There you go on Josh to 3. Guys can move around. People shouldn’t get so caught up on “He’s a 3, he has to do this or that.”
Larry
May 11th, 2010
11:56 am
Jonh Koncak,
In either case, the NBA or Executives from major corporations, we can excercize the choice to support their businesses or not. What is your choice?
Besides, I know of no “executive” that has a 6 year contract for 20 million a year to play about 40 minutes of round ball 3-4 times a week! Do you?
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
11:56 am
Ntrigue — I don’t know that Steve Smith wants to coach. Always considered him more with GM potential.