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
Slimm K
May 11th, 2010
4:20 pm
I agree the Coach has to go, Sorry Woody. J. Smoove stays, Jamal Crawford stays, Marvin bench him or trade him, he hasnt lived up to the hype being drafted where he was drafted. Avery Johnson can lead and is all about defense. Jeff Van Gundy maybe he will fit maybe not. We need a Coach who will command his players attention all year long. I’d rather watch fishing than the Hawks next year if Johnson stays or Woodson, or Crawford leaves, honestly.
smh
May 11th, 2010
4:21 pm
Hockey Fans in Atlanta you lost credibility when you said Teague cant play defense and he is whiny. Kid didn’t complain the whole year although the guy in front of him was flat out terrible. Not one time did he complain about minutes or his opportunities.
Eric Daniels
May 11th, 2010
4:23 pm
Final answer. Get rid of JOE and WOODY. And some of the comments being posted are just straight dreams. We will not be getting Wade or James. We won’t be getting Iverson. So lets put an end to all that rubbish. Hire Avery Johnson before the draft so he can have input of the make up of the team. And once again Get rid of JOE and WOODY. While you are at it make sure you pay Crawford his worth. And for the record a true Hawks fan would have said we lost not the Hawks lost.
Ted Striker
May 11th, 2010
4:26 pm
Whatever JSS says, I ditto. Dude is solid.
Emm. G
May 11th, 2010
4:29 pm
You are so on point with the intangibles! That’s goes for teams across the board but definitely a good point on the Hawks… To me the Hawks over acheived this year. They have several people playing out of position with sub-par coaching. Joe Johnson isn’t going to be happy hear after making that statement. Woodson isn’t head coach material. So there has to be some changes on the floor and the bench! Should be interesting to see what moves are made! Chris Bosh? Hmm, I don’t think we need 2 power forwards. We must think bigger!
JSS
May 11th, 2010
4:32 pm
Thanks Ted Striker… Be careful, talk like that will get you cursed out by a Crack Head or a Bayou Dawg
It’s going to be a LONG SUMMER!
ben
May 11th, 2010
4:37 pm
Van Gundy is the right choice. But, it sounds like you don’t have any idea what this team is all about. That’s tough after a 50+ win season to want to get rid of everyone. But, Van GUndy will instill a defensive mindset and never lose by 40.
HAWKS#1FAN
May 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
@JEFF SCHULTZ- PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW SOME OF THESE PEOPLE COULD SAY THAT JOSH SMITH IS A TEAM CANCER OR HE GAVE UP? PLEASE ANSWER THIS BECAUSE TO ME HE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT BROUGHT ANYTHING TO ALL THE GAMES. I NEVER SEE HIM BAD-MOUTHING HIS TEAMMATES AS JOE OR SOME OF THE OTHER PLAYERS HAVE DONE PUBLICLY. I REALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW THESE PEOPLE COULD PUT THIS UP THAT ARE NOT CREDIBLE AT ALL. TO ME THEY ARE SHOWING THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE GAME OF BASKETBALL.
AND FURTHERMORE, HE STARTED OFF HIS CAREER PLAYING THE 3, YES HE HAD A PROBLEM GETTING TRIGGER HAPPY WITH THE THREE-POINT SHOT, BUT HE HAS SHOWED THAT HE CAN BE DISCIPLINED ENOUGH TO NOT TAKE UNNECESSARY SHOTS BY HAVING A BETTER FG PERCENTAGE; SO THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FACT THAT WOULD LAUNCH NOTHING BUT THREES. BUT I DIGRESS COULD YOU PLEASE ANSWER MY INITIAL QUESTION AS BEST AS YOU CAN PLEASE SIR.
kb
May 11th, 2010
4:57 pm
Trade Josh Smith for a player with a brain.
Ken Strickland
May 11th, 2010
4:58 pm
Before everyone gets carried away with JEFF SCHULTZ’S idea of Smoove playing the 3, remember, he played it his rookie yr. Also, while I understand your sentiments about his jump shooting issues at the 3, it can be overcome. Let’s say we acquired CBosh in a sign and trade for JJ. With the outside shooting ability of Horford @ PF and Bosh @ C, Smoove would be one hell of a load down low for most of the SF’s in this league.
And before you start crying about him having to defend other SF’s on the perimeter, don’t forget, he was forced to defend PG’s and SG’s on the perimeter the last 2yrs in Woodson’s switching DEF. Some of you are thinking just like Woodson, and focusing almost exclusively on what you think a player can’t do, rather than what he can do.
Besides, what makes you think his jump shooting will be more of a liability playing SF than PF? One thing is certain, his post ups will certainly improve playing against smaller, shorter and/or weaker SF’s. Also, with the jump shooting abilities of Bosh and Horford, there will be more room in the paint for Smoove to operate at SF than he’s had at PF over the last 2yrs.
Add PG JTeague’s speed, quickness, athleticism, penetrating and DEF ability, along with Salmons’ solid overall gm, and you have a team with a solid combination of OFF and DEF. A front line of Bosh @ C, Horford @ PF and Smoove @ SF would certainly be a load for most teams on both the OFF and DEF boards.
Smoove can pull it off, provided we surround him with the right players and talent. Bring JCrawford, MWilliams, MBibby and Zaza off the bench, and you have the makings of a solid experienced bench.
JFF SCHULTZ-your suggestions are valid, and I embrace them wholeheartedly.
Agree with Barkely
May 11th, 2010
4:59 pm
I think Charles Barkley said it best during the post game show on TNT… This particular group of players have peaked as a unit. They’ll be no better then a 52-win team and 2nd round playoff exit. That’s fine, I can accept that. We need to make changes to get better, but I’m a proud Hawks fan and the city should be proud we’ve maximized the talent we have in the last 5 years. It’s time to change though and build a team that can win a championship. Congratulations to Coach Woodson and Joe Johnson, as they started with nothing and turned our franchise into winners once again. Now we need to take the next step and build a championship caliber team
Agree with Barkley
May 11th, 2010
5:00 pm
And now someone shoot me for actually agreeing with Charles Barkley…
robdawg08
May 11th, 2010
5:01 pm
Why can’t the Hawks get a premier star player ? We once had Dominique Wilkins. Why wouldn’t Bosh,Stoudamire,Wade,or anyone else not want to come to Atlanta and play alongside Horford and J.Smith ? Use J.J.’s money to sign either a point guard or center. Woody is a memory I hope.
robdawg08
May 11th, 2010
5:02 pm
Zaza is useless…
Steve
May 11th, 2010
5:05 pm
Please lord no. NOT Chris Bosh. Stay far away from him.
He is another Sharif Abdur Rahim (sp? .. just go with SAR for short), maybe a fraction better, bit a small one. I know, all you Tech fans will disagree, but a few years ago everyone loved us getting SAR and he turned out to be a major flop. Bosh is VERY similar. He is a very good complimentary player (just like Joe Johnson whom everyone wants to leave town). He is not the ANSWER, and I will be willing to be that he never plays for a championship team because he will soak up too much money and too many shots for whatever team he plays for to be able to build a strong team around him.
Just say no to Chris Bosh. I would much rather give a younger Marvin Williams the opportunity to become the man on offense without Joe Johnson and Mike Woodson blocking his growth.
Mitch
May 11th, 2010
5:09 pm
1. New Head Coach: Tom Thibodeau, Defensive Genius, Boston Celtics. Want to finally slow down the Magic and one day overtake them? This guy is the answer. Defense wins Championships and he’s already helped the Celtics win a ring and now has incredibly found a way to slow down LeBron and Mo (man, have the Hawks ever guarded him? Does he ever miss against the Hawks? LeBron is one thing…but Mo is lights out every time we play him…how Woody allowed this guy to shoot is mind-boggling) and Thibodeau is doing it with a lineup as ancient as the Rolling Stones.
2. Trade Josh Smith for a center who can muscle Dwight Howard off the low block…like Al Jefferson, for example. We’re set with Horford at PF. He will dominate there.
3. Bring back Childress. He’s a defensive coach’s dream with his length, tenacity and smarts. No more easy three for Lewis and Pietrus.
4. Trade JJ in a sign and trade…John Salmons would be nice.
5. Go with Jeff Teague as the starting PG. Thibodeau will make him our version of Rondo….maybe not as blazing quick, but close, and Teague will be a stronger defender and deep threat.
6. Draft the best perimeter defender on the board—or the best defensive big man.
King of Stone Mountain
May 11th, 2010
5:11 pm
Any reason why RANDOLPH MORRIS can’t get any playing time??? Dude was a BEAST, every year he played for UK. Just consider the talent they let slip away…A.C. Law, Salim Stoudamire, etc., & for what…the likes of Bibby & Marvin Williams? You GOTTA be kiddin me. Tired of seeing ZaZa Pachulia out there too, with his Rocky Balboa lookin self. He has NO GAME either. Just like the 2010 Braves (minus Heyward + a select few), they just plain ole SUCK.
John Smith
May 11th, 2010
5:15 pm
Keep Woody!
JSS
May 11th, 2010
5:16 pm
Acie Law is lucky to still be in the NBA, he has absolutely no self motivation to get better. Salim, what do they say, if you don’t have anything good to say… Randolph Morris was a college star, enough said…
Hmmmmmm
May 11th, 2010
5:20 pm
Ken Strickland,
“And before you start crying about him having to defend other SF’s on the perimeter, don’t forget, he was forced to defend PG’s and SG’s on the perimeter the last 2yrs in Woodson’s switching DEF.”
Yeah, and we all saw how well that worked out.
eturn
May 11th, 2010
5:20 pm
Ok ppl here is the deal..I was born in Atl. Have been a fan of Atl sports for 30+ years. Have you all noticed that the teams in Atl wait till you can get nothing for a player, then want to release them. Here we go with the Hawks. Its time to get rid of Joe… Bibby..Marvin.and probably Josh while we can get a good return. And bring motivated team players who want to win. Instead of just getting a paycheck. Josh never got the college experience to hone his game..he is straight out of high school…he dont know any better.
Jeff Schultz
May 11th, 2010
5:21 pm
Mike – Oh no! Slammed on Hoopinionblog? There goes my career.
Einstein
May 11th, 2010
5:24 pm
Jeff you’re correct about everything except keeping Josh Smith. The Hawks have too many “projects”…Smith, Williams…they need players. Let another team try to coddle a complete game from these bums, especially when there is no financial incentive.
lou hudson
May 11th, 2010
5:25 pm
Jesse!
Your trade suggestions have most logical and sensable written. First, in any trade the money has to be correct so all these Wade, Lebron, or Bosh trades make absolutely no sense. The Bosh deal is the most doable, but also, the worst because it weaken the Hawks. The Hawks have three main issues: No true center, no scoring from the 3, and no lead point guard. If the Hawks are to improve and have a chance to win a championship, they address the above mentioned areas. Perkins is a solid big defense/rebounding center, Devin Harris is a lead PG, and JJ can score at the 3. Moreover, Al is a future HOFer at the 4. People forget how solid a player Chillz was. Also, resign Filp for off the bench scoring.
Perking
Horford
JJ
Crawford
Harris
Bench
Bibby
Flip
Chillz
ZaZa
draft pick PF
This is a team who can compete for a champsionship!
truthspitter
May 11th, 2010
5:45 pm
Blow it up, simple and plain, plus the only way it will really work in the long run
DeepDiver
May 11th, 2010
5:46 pm
You are really showing your unsightly backside today Schultzie.
John Smith
May 11th, 2010
5:51 pm
Bob Weiss
C. Moore
May 11th, 2010
5:51 pm
What is up with all the hoopla over Jogn Salmons? The guy who hasnt done anything in the league untill now…which is his contract year? Not to mention he is 30 or 31…I am not a big Joe Johnson fan however he is 29 and a better scorer than Salmons, Salmons is a good peice but to replace Joe with Salmons is not an upgrade. Joe has trade value that can give us a “solid” big man and another player or draft pick.
Hawks face uncertain future after blowout loss
May 11th, 2010
5:52 pm
[...] Fixing the Hawks: fire Woodson, trade Joe, keep Josh Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) – May 11th – 09:32 [...]
jo
May 11th, 2010
5:58 pm
100% agreed with everything you said Jeff. Spot on.
C. Moore
May 11th, 2010
5:58 pm
Eric Daniels- Avery Johnson? We are talking about a Hawks management team who dont want to spend money! I am sure they dont want to spend more than 2mil on a coach. The ownership group does not show the motivation to win a championship….POINT…BLANK…PERIOD!!!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
May 11th, 2010
6:09 pm
“FIRE WOODSON, TRADE JOE”
The same should be said about “Smitty and the CHOKE”.
I’m all for taking out the garbage.
At least the Hawks are consistently making the playoffs.
truthspitter
May 11th, 2010
6:11 pm
It’s easy
Woody stay or Fire doesn’t matter, If he goes get Laimbeer, Mark Jackson, or Patrick Ewing. You absolutely need young blood to intrigue the fanbase. I like the Tom Thibodeau idea but he has never played in NBA and you think a team full of guys who don’t listen are gonna listen to a guy who they can always push aside by saying he has never played in this situation is gonna work?
1. Sign Rudy Gay to a contract similar to Josh and Granger, you will have the money. Best case scenario Memphis takes Marvin and a future 1st round pick in a sign and trade.
2. Resign Joe Johnson. Yes it can be done because the rule states you can go over salary to re-sign your own free agent. On the other hand, if he wants more than 5 yr 75 mill, let him walk, Carmelo makes 5 yr 80 and Joe is not Carmelo.
2B. If Joe wants more than 5yr 75 mil, let him walk free unless you can get Devin Harris and a piece or maybe Rudy Gay and Conley for Joe and Teague or Joe and 1st round pick, but you must get a guy that could sniff or has already been a superstar in sign and trade situation or just let him walk.
3. Must draft really good and with a plan in place. For instance, you should already have under the table deals done with Joe before July 1st, so that you will know which way to go in draft. The 2nd round is important and treat it that way, I looked it up 15 of the 30 2nd round players taken last year made rosters. The great thing about 2nd round is you can offer them what salary you like and I dont think contracts are guaranteed.
4. Lastly, if we get Gay and Johnson resigns that will mean that we need to cut some payroll. So, management must earn there keeps in making shrewd moves like trading Jamal’s expiring $10.8 contract or ridding themselves of Zaza and Marvin for basically nothing in return.
5. Management must stop putting out a obviously flawed product then getting mad or giving away tickets when people dont show.
collegedude
May 11th, 2010
6:19 pm
Not too much to disagree with here, basically the same things I’ve been saying about the Hawks this year. Bring in Avery Johnson & Chris Bosh & see ya later Joe. That’s a major improvement right there.
Mystikal
May 11th, 2010
6:24 pm
truthspitter, I’m intrigued by your lineup
Jeff Teague
JJ
Rudy Gy
Smoove
Horford
Who do you think would be good coach for this group?
Mystikal
May 11th, 2010
6:42 pm
If Mark Cuban is tripping in Big D, how bout we try to get Haywood on a 2/3 yr deal or maybe Jermaine O’neal if he’ll take a cut. Trade Marvin away for draft picks and cap space. Either resign Chillz cheaper than Marv, or get Ronnie Brewer or Travis Outlaw.Then trade Bibby for whatever we can get (if anything) and sign Flip Murray for cheap.
Starters:
Teague
JJ
Smoove
Horford
Haywood
Bench:
Murray
Crawford
Chillz/Brewer/ Outlaw
Zaza
Best case scenario of course.
Mystikal
May 11th, 2010
6:52 pm
Bibby and Marv are good guys and ppl you want on your team. But both are too inconsistent and make too much for what they do, or should I say don’t do! Someway, we have to get rid of one or both of them to free up some money.
messin with sasquatch
May 11th, 2010
7:01 pm
hire paul hewitt
chile..boO
May 11th, 2010
7:21 pm
dtc has the most logic point….
tony
May 11th, 2010
7:22 pm
This is what I would do if I was in Rick Sund’s shoes. I’m going to draft and sign high IQ basketball players only. No more low IQ basketball players. I will hire a hc who has played on a championship team or someone who has had some kind of connection with a championship caliber team. I will not do the same thing that the hawks organization have done in the pass. They should at least have won 1 championship since moving to Atlanta. Below are 6 things I will try to do to make the team better with the resources that were handed to me by the owners.
1) Avery Johnson – He played on a championship team and he helped the Mavericks get to their first nba final. He has a wonderful demeanor which I believe will help him connect with our young men.
2) Andre Miller – I am sending Marvin Williams and Jeff Teague to Portland for Andre Miller. Andre has a very high basketball IQ and he is a true facilitator.
3) Brendan Haywood – I will push hard to get Haywood to come to the ATL. He will give us a true center so that Al can move to his natural position.
4) Nate Robinson – I really like Nate. He will give our bench a huge boost.
5) Gordon Hayward – I know this is a long shot but I am going to draft Hayward. This has a very high basketball IQ. He plays smart fundamental baskball. If he doesn’t slip to us I draft Paul George or Luke Babbitt. Both of those guys have a very high basketball IQ.
6) Omar Samham – I am taking Samham in the second round if available. This is a smart kid. He will created havoc in the paint against the opposition. He is a true center.
I couldn’t afford to bring Dwyane Wade to Atlanta and I didn’t resign Joe Johnson but I was able to convince Josh Childress to come back to Atlanta. Starting lineup for the 2011 season.
1) Andre Miller-pg…………………….Nate Robinson
2) Jamal Crawford-sg………………..Mike Bibby
3) Josh Smith-sf……………………..Josh Childess
4) Al Hordford-pf……………………..Joe Smith
5) Brendan Haywood-c……………..ZaZa
If JS doesn’t work out at the 3 he will get bench and Josh Childress will take over.
truthspitter
May 11th, 2010
7:23 pm
Mystikal: I have no idea, I like the possibility of Laimbeer but that does not look like his type of team, neither does it look like a Ewing team, that’s a newblood coaches team, such as Mark Jackson, or maybe a PG like Avery, Coach Cal would be good for that team, but he makes more at Kentucky then we would pay. Maybe even a guy like Mark Price if he wouldn’t to jump into it full fledge or if Mike Dantonio gets booted he would be good for that team.
ListenUp!!!
May 11th, 2010
7:30 pm
We were the 3 friggin seed in the EAST. The only way you get BETTER is to grab some of the players that are STILL in the PLAYOFFS. That means no Bosh Wade Gay Salmons. That Also means no has been coach. Scott Johnson Del Neggro Mitchell. If you cant get BETTER… CANNN Josh
Marvin and Bibby. There is no way you can OVERLOOK they way Josh acted during this post season. Bring in a new coach and he gets BENCHED SUSPENED anddd TRADED all during NEXT season, BET ON IT!. The Hawks should BREATHE Stoudemire until he signs another CONTRACT. S/T Amare for Josh n Marvin. Bibby and Zsa Zsa for Billups. Get Ray Allen for 1 year 8 mil and Shaq for 1 year 8 mil. Fill in the gaps with min. deals. Billups Joe Amare Al Shaq Jamal Teague Evans – he is not opting out West J oneal Leon Powe anddddd Tracy MCgrady he could be our answer at small forward. Yeah these are some big names. But there is no way these guys get more than the vet min after making 20 17 18 21 mil this season. Damn do I have to do everryythinng???
WJ
May 11th, 2010
7:31 pm
Fire Woody. Resign and trade Joe. Keep Josh. Sounds like a plan to me. For those who are suggesting trading Josh at this point I suggest to you that he is a player that ATL needs defensively. Keep him. If he can’t adjust to a new coach then there is time to trade him before real damage could be done. Oh, yes, get rid of Marvin. He just isn’t consistent enough to be a difference maker. If keeping Marvin then let him come off the bench only.
WJ
May 11th, 2010
7:33 pm
ListenUP: Are you serious?
Dooley
May 11th, 2010
7:33 pm
These Blog cats on these comments dont know what there talking bout.Josh was a 3 when he came in the lead.And anybody can improve there shot.Where are the Die-Hard Fans?Getting rid of Joe is another thing because he is selfish.But look at offense and defense wise and joe is the best thang we got.These fans don’t know what they want.If we can get a Coach to use the hawks as there strong points and run the floor josh wouldnt have to shoot.Yall are crazy.Josh is young and has a lot of potential.He wants to wen bad and they don’t listen to Woody because he talks crazy.If we get a team we wouldnt have to worry bout a superstar.Like the Pistons wen they were good.That was a team not about one person.GET AVERY JOHNSON
Kem
May 11th, 2010
7:37 pm
Too many fantasyland comments on this post.(especially the John Wall/Demarcus Cousins proposal made by some crackhead earlier) No ,Chris Paul is not on the trading block. D-Wade nor any top tier free agent is coming to Atl next year. Micheal Beasley??? WTF. Do I need to continue?
WJ
May 11th, 2010
7:43 pm
Aren’t we just great at fixing what is wrong. What don’t we all apply for Sunds job. Maybe between us we could really screw everything up.
King of Stone Mountain
May 11th, 2010
7:45 pm
Whatever it takes to bring in an elite CENTER, get the deal done…asap. What we’re witnessing is the result of drafting far too many FORWARDS from the entire DECADE: 2000 thru 2009.
Shawn
May 11th, 2010
7:47 pm
What the Hawks need is a proven coach, BYRON SCOTT, then we need to get CHRIS BOSH, and start developing Jeff Teague to be the point guard he was at Wake Forrest, or (better option) go get COLLISON from New Orleans, this is how we can keep up with the rest of the league and P.S. Somebody go get Josh Childress from Greece we need him back desperatley. Thats the gameplan, somebody forward this to Sund.
smoove over....
May 11th, 2010
7:55 pm
The lack of energy was incredible during the Orlando series…including that of the fan base. Anyway, it probably is shake up time. Joe Johnson, the quiet leader, just doesn’t ignite passion; and his offense lacks a certain dynamic quality (eg = Kobe ??). Marvin Williams is not a 2 or a 3….so what is he? If Bosh would sign with Atlanta, and Avery Johnson came in as the head coach, perhaps we are moving in the right direction….but if Cleveland doesn’t make it to the NBA finals, Lebron will be in NY….and so will Chris Bosh. And a Knicks dynasty will be built. But Orlando looks pretty bad-ass right now…they are the team to beat.