Hawks plagued with too many issues, from owners to Joe
Whether it's Larry Drew or another coach, Hawks have problems that can't easily be fixed.
In many ways, the Hawks are no different than other organizations. They end the season with a loss and for several weeks plot their makeover.
Maybe they need a new coach. Maybe they need a new general manager. Maybe a star player who can be the rose one minute and the thorns the next needs to be traded. Or maybe a dysfunctional ownership group comes to the realization, “This isn’t working. Let’s go back to selling cellphone towers and newsletters. We’re outta here.”
But in at least one way, the Hawks so often are different from other organizations: No matter what decisions we logically think they can make this summer, it’s difficult not to come away with the belief that they’re still going to be in trouble when next season opens.
Most franchises give you hope. The Hawks give you hangovers.
The Braves missed the playoffs and did little this past winter to improve themselves, but one could reasonably believe they wouldn’t be subjected to a similar string of injuries and improbable slumps again. The Falcons were one-and-drummed in the playoffs again, but they have since filled two needs with a Pro Bowl cornerback and two offensive linemen in the draft. They are sufficient teases.
The Hawks just finished a season that was part impressive: 40-26, mostly without Al Horford. Also part depressingly reaffirming: They won their playoff opener against Boston, only to inexcusably lay an egg at home in Game 2 when Rajon Rondo was suspended, look catatonic in Game 4 and ultimately had too many brain lapses against a veteran team, losing the series.
The spin from franchise officials will be: “Next year, we’ll be healthy. Next year will be different.” Really?
The Atlanta Spirit tried to sell the team, had a deal fall through, then tried to convince everybody they were suddenly reborn and committed. Even if we bought that as truth (work with me here), the owners couldn’t make it through the playoffs without another goof. Michael Gearon Jr. called out Kevin Garnett and referees before a potential elimination game in Boston, and then blamed the Journal-Constitution for reporting the comments. Garnett’s response included 28 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and this verbal knockout: “I want to say thank you to the [Hawks] owner for giving me some extra gas. My only advice to him is next time he opens his mouth, actually know what he’s talking about — X’s and O’s versus checkbooks and bottom lines.”
Success and failure in every business always starts at the top, so an ownership change could only help. But the Hawks aren’t an enticing product. Think of them as a house with several cracks in the foundation. Most potential buyers say, “No thanks. I’ll bid on the place down the street.”
General manager Rick Sund doesn’t love it here. If we needed reminding of that, his contract is up but he doesn’t know if he wants to come back. If Sund (also among the lowest paid) leaves, it’s difficult imagining that an established GM would want this job because of the ownership’s reputation and the inherited roster issues.
Coach Larry Drew, one of the lowest-paid coaches in the NBA, is waiting to see if the team brings him back. The guess here is that the option in his contract will be picked up, but he won’t get an extension. It’s the cheapest, safest route for ownership.
The core of this roster never has won more than one round of playoffs and, regardless of who the owner, general manager and coach are next season, there are two major issues: Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.
Johnson reaffirmed in the playoffs that $20 million a year doesn’t buy heart or courage. His playoff shooting percentage: 37 percent, a career-low as a starter. He had games of 11, 9 and 15. He complained about not getting enough touches and double-teams. Rondo, Garnett and Paul Pierce stepped up at key moments for Boston. Stars do that. Johnson disappears.
Smith was the team’s best player this season. He helped bring the Hawks back late in Game 6. But when the Hawks trailed by a point with 10 seconds left and a play set up for Johnson broke down, Smith forced a 20-foot jumper and we slapped our foreheads again.
Where is the hope?
Drew was asked about his future Friday. But he looked like a man who cared more about his next two aspirin.
“It’s not something right now I’m going to worry about,” he said. “It’s been a long season. I just want to take a step back.”
If he returns, the view may not get better. This isn’t a simple makeover.
By Jeff Schultz
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
224 comments Add your comment
bigcalidawg
May 12th, 2012
6:09 pm
We are completely hamstrung by JJ’s contract.
I see our nucleus as Smoove, Teague, Horford, ZaZa, T-Mac, Pargo, and Ian….stuck wit the contract…..can’t make any changes, unless we luck out via draft
mock1
May 12th, 2012
7:00 pm
Now is the time to blow this team up!!! It is what it is,Joe Johnson,Josh Smith& especially Marvin Williams has to go & now is the time!!! Try to build around Al Hartford & Jeff Teague,we need players that can score in the post to fill in with these two YOUNG players.Rebuild mode needs to be in effect like
Najeh Davenpoop
May 12th, 2012
8:50 pm
“But if you ask some of these clowns, they’ll tell you the Hawks are the best franchise in town weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”
Did the Falcons or Braves advance in the playoffs in the last five years?
No?
Then yeah, the Hawks are the best team in Atlanta.
Says more about the Falcons and Braves than the Hawks, but it is what it is. Until those teams beat someone in the playoffs, they haven’t passed the Hawks yet.
Teezo
May 12th, 2012
8:55 pm
I just sit back and think about 2005 when the Hawks could have built a championship contender…Drafted Smith and Childress (should have been Iggy or Deng) and traded for JJ…The next season we draft Williams instead of Paul or DWillz…I think right now in 2012 our core could be JJ JSmith CPaul and Iggy/Deng not JJ JSmith Williams and Horford…My point is that ownership and management has to look at themselves before thinking about moving players b/c clearly they don’t know talent…
vjmaxx
May 12th, 2012
9:33 pm
My wishes for the Hawks:
1 – Get a power Center that can score somehow / move Halford to forward
2 – Make Josh watch Labron James’ game film!!!!! Josh could dominate if he put his mind and heart to it
3 – Stop making Joe go 1 on 1 at the end of games (it forces the other 4 to just stand around and watch; no back picks away from the ball). If you did #1 you wouldn’t put the pressure on Joe – (great open shooter)
4 – Attack the basket – take the ball to the rim strong!!! (Josh, Joe, Jeff) watch game film; you’ll see what I mean…..
5 – Start playing a consistant uptempo game – they should be running teams out the gym!!!
6 – Fine a bonafide leader who will get in someone’s az if they’re not giving it their all on the court!!!!
Atlanta Spirit: PLEASE JUST GO AWAY!
May 12th, 2012
9:35 pm
Sports Illustrated snapped this AMAZING photo of Joe Johnson during Game 4 of the playoffs…Or was it game 6? Doesn’t really matter…I’ve seen him do this same move during the playoffs for the past 4 seasons!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1169477/7/19/index.htm
boxxiethebull
May 12th, 2012
10:19 pm
We have a chance to change our team for the better…but we wont…we need Arthur Blank in basketball… new gm? Sunds’ not bad but how about Larry Brown as gm/coach…Kenny the jet as coach?…jeff van gundy?….Jerry Sloan as gm/coach?!….but gearon would never pay for him….jj is a good scorer, but not a good leader…hawks need a leader….trade jj out west(we dont wanna see him all year long), and turn the team over to Horford/Smith and Teague and ZAZA and Green and Pargo and Ivan and mabey McGrady and get em some help….man, im trying to be a fan but you just wont lemme….
Pink Pony
May 12th, 2012
10:47 pm
ASG and Joe Johnson = horse crap
Pink Pony
May 12th, 2012
10:49 pm
I love Geron was fined $35k -that little botch will have to ask his daddy for a loan
Pink Pony
May 12th, 2012
10:54 pm
ASG = JERKS
New Orleans 'Inhales'
May 13th, 2012
3:05 am
If Atlanta Spirit sells the team — for real — that would be the best offseason move of all….
Jesus Freakin Christ
May 13th, 2012
6:56 am
Asante Samuel WAS a Pro Bowl player. Today his value is a 7th round pick. Samuel is crap. Falcons will continue to suck.
Jesus Freakin Christ
May 13th, 2012
6:58 am
The Hawks overachieved with their injuries. Fans in every city think their team is better than they really are. Remember, no one is better than me.
Zeke!
May 13th, 2012
8:33 am
Hire Isiah Thomas as coach and GM—get a couple of new players and the Hawks will be back!!! Zeke knows his stuff.
Chuck
May 13th, 2012
9:59 am
Keep Larry Drew, do whatever we need to do to move Joe Johnson; there has to be some team that needs a perimeter scorer as their 2nd or 3rd “star” player, and Joe is wasting everybody’s time here, including his own.
Wash the clothes now
May 13th, 2012
10:03 am
Ah to Buball baller It was Japs who did pearl harbor u dumb bell…..and as for Hawks same ole song that why since atlanta sprit group leaves atlanta sales team never see a world championship Banner ever…why simple GM who is Hired by the Marx brothers the city of atlanta mayor who said thrashers who cares…..let them go we keep hawks so we can get money under me desk for free tickets….Only way win is that Pizza guy trys again buy team and arena too…Other wise they go 52-30 again and get Sir charles to fuss and espn to Gaged and a early exit n raise ticket prices for Us great Fans again!
Wash the clothes now
May 13th, 2012
10:16 am
First we have idiots who not know Pearl harbor was HIT BY Japs now…..Hawks new slogan for 2012-13 season….This is are year rise up atlanta Fans,,,,be new hit by 790 the Fan Kincade n friends n ASG alike…and to show it Atlanta sprit group will raise price of tickets to show they care…and Mindless idiots will show up again see NBA action even if other team playin..well hawks will have some there sittin on thorns n gettin mild case of rash after see price of food!….Never aless a great season follow 1st round exit and a new slogan,,,,,,See u in seattle in 2013-14 season will show!
Week
May 13th, 2012
10:23 am
Why not have some guts and publish something like this before the season ends. As predictable as an Atlanta sports teams’ future outcome in the playoffs. This kind of writing is like a broken record…may as well republish the same the next year with new names/teams.
Al
May 13th, 2012
12:56 pm
Come on people, cant you see that being sarcastic about Pearl Harbor being bombed by Italy or North Korea is just that, sarcasm.Of corse the Japs did the bombing, and they paid for it by being bombed on a bigger scale.
Will
May 13th, 2012
1:39 pm
Trade Josh Smith for piston big man Monroe. Draft a good “6 8″ to “6 10″ swingman at no. 17, who plays hard and understands team concept, and make sure you are active in free agents, early.
If this team could somehow get Monroe as the hawks new center, they immediately move up to another level.
Delbert D.
May 13th, 2012
1:54 pm
@Al “Of corse the Japs did the bombing, and they paid for it by being bombed on a bigger scale.”
Fixing the Hawks should not require an effort on the scale of the Manhattan Project. One dedicated owner is probably the answer.
dub366
May 13th, 2012
2:52 pm
i was all in for Larry Drew for the next Hawks coach,but after this season i don’t have no respect for him. when he let Joe Johnson iso with 4 min left in the game an almost lose it when he hasn’t done nothing all night long. what do the other players on the team think when LD calling a play for him JJ. he is over pay for his talent he a differ basketball player now what kind i don’t no he not an allstar player which should have went to josh smith. i’m not crazy about what Josh do at time but he give you effort at both end of the floor. you lose Josh the hawks are threw. what happen to 9 to 5(I. Johnson) in the playoff . now you going to lose your bench behind this. player that need to go J johnson , hingrich, M william,Collin. coach LD need to go bring someone in with balls to stand up to the players.
JM
May 13th, 2012
4:07 pm
Will,
You are a dumb azz! Monroe is a PF! The Hawks need another PF like they need a whole their head. Dump MW and free up cap space. Forget the past, the Hawks have made numerous stupid choices, but the focus must be the future.
Fire Sund, LD, and dump MW!
l jones
May 13th, 2012
4:35 pm
If Gearon can’t or won’t do anything else for Hawks’ fans, at least he can put his silver spoon in his mouth and shut up. I heard him actually cry on the radio after he and the rest of the Spirit Group sold the Thrashers, completing their long, painful screwing of Atlanta’s hockey fans. He made me want to puke. Why can’t these born-rich, imcompetent brats buy expensive toys that don’t affect the economy of all of metro Atlanta?
rally
May 13th, 2012
4:36 pm
Adolph Hitler couldn’t fix these Hawks even if he tried. There that bad….well wait a second he could. Just throw them in the gas chamber and start over. How about roasting and toasting for a change. Let some heads roll in all of Atlanta’s Sports franchises. I wish someone would please take down who ever is in control of alot of it. I mean the media never goes straight to the ownership….why is that??? Bought and paid for shills that control the gates. Your gatekeepers and th
at’s all the people in journalism is now. Gatekeepers to keep the truth hidden from the sheeple.
l jones
May 13th, 2012
4:37 pm
I mean “incompetent.” Sorry, Mike.
hawk21
May 13th, 2012
4:43 pm
I have a idea that may solve some concern. 3 team trade Atl, LAL,Orl. Josh to Orl, Howard to LAL, then Byrum to ATL!!!
Pink Pony
May 13th, 2012
6:15 pm
Just saw a piece on ESPN calling Gearon an idiot. LOL.
phil
May 13th, 2012
6:24 pm
A pathetic, moribund bunch.
Sad.
Fire and release everyone!!
Big Ray
May 13th, 2012
7:21 pm
Yep.
The one thing that needs to go above all others is the one that is most likely to stay – Mike Gearon and his band of retards.
Joe Johnson with a max contract was a mistake from the very first thought of letting him do it. We should have let him go to New York, where they would have dysfunctionalized themselves anyway, and then Joe could get the New York style heat from the fans that he so richly deserves. Instead, he’s the one guy in the entire organization who is laughing his way through all of this, regardless of publicly whining about how many shots he gets to miss…er, I mean…take.
Josh is who he is. Forcing a bad jumper at the wrong time was something he had started to get away from, but guess what? The Playoffs bring out all of your bad habits, as well as your good ones. One of Josh’s bad habits (the bad jumper timing) is attached to another one – competing with Joe for shots and “save the team” moments.
Likely, we’ll end up keeping one of the two. Give us Josh. Joe needs to go.
Sund will hopefully retire back to the west coast. Drew needs to go work behind somebody else’s head coach. Is Dwayne Casey still available?
Here’s what’s going to suck, though. Josh will want out, and we’ll trade him. We’ll get peanuts and bad contracts, and single ply toilet paper in return. We’ll still have Joe because no one will want him after that horrid playoff appearance. Soon enough, Horford will want out as well….
tyger
May 13th, 2012
7:28 pm
Off-season issues are many:
1. Rick Sund – not impressed, aloof; hamstrung by ownership; did not advance team.
2. Larry Drew – impressive; clever; resilient; good first/second year coaching job.
3. JJohnson – $21M limits flexibility; but good, not great, outside presence.
4. AHorford – Allstar C-F is future; do we move him to PF permanently now?
5. JSmith – Time to part ways with gifted F while value high, not champion-smart.
6. ZPachulia – Starting C alongside Horford or do you trade him now for value?
7. MWilliams – Inconsistent, available, but absent JSmith, does he rise? Good Game 6.
8. JTeague – Improved, but worst PG in playoffs, weak link. Desperately need upgrade.
9. KHinrich – Overall dissapointment, did not provide needed vet leadership in backct.
10. TMac – When given opportunity, still playmaker, minus Josh then what?
11. WGreen – Athletic but streaky scorer, LD seems to favor him.
12. IJohnson – Good rookie season for 28 yr. old, suspect character issues benched him.
13. JCollins – Good depth at center, 7′0, 15 yr. vet can still play, good value.
14. EDampier – Even better depth at center, 7′0, 15 yr. vet can still play, good value.
15. VRadmanovic – Early season success, streaky shooter, injuries derailed campaign.
16. JPargo – Early season success, but horrid playoffs, injuries affecting him???
1. Where does Horford play next season C or PF?
2. If PF, trade Josh for best player available or Top 5 pick.
3. Move ZaZa to starting C position, contract expires next season.
4. Keep or Trade Marvin? Probably can get a late lottery pick – 15/16.
5. With 2/3 1st rd picks target: 1. 6′11, PF, Perry Jones, Baylor 2. 6′9, G/F, Quincy Miller, Baylor 3. 7′0, C, Fab Melo, Syracuse
6. Acquire Free Agent veteran point guard – Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Chauncey Billups…
2012-2013 Hawks
JTerry JTeague JPargo
JJohnson WGreen _______
TMcGrady QMiller IJohnson
AHorford PJones JCollins
ZPachulia FMelo EDampier
Disgusted
May 13th, 2012
7:59 pm
I wish this franchise and ownership would leave–then maybe we would have a chance at an NHL team again.
Gearon Jr is such as excuse making joke.
Sund is not that bad a basketball guy, and Drew is a pretty good coach, and I wish them well–elsewhere.
I really want this team to fail as long as these ownership people are around. Levinson is the worst but you do not hear much of him–after what happened with the team I cared most about, I could care less.
I would have fun with them gong back to 26 wins. It would be a laughing joke.
And Joe Johnson is just not a likable guy. Marvin Williams is someone no one wants.
Not a bad team, but I hate the front of the jersey because of thw owners. Feel the same about the arena too.
Disgusted
May 13th, 2012
8:00 pm
Joe Johnson is a two time mistake. Do U get it Gearon, we don;t like him.
Disgusted
May 13th, 2012
8:41 pm
Jeff—Truth be told is that there is nothing that can be done about the ownership or Joe for the next few yrs.
The ownership got what they wanted and they are staying and as for Joe, with that max contract he is fossilized here until the 2016-17 season whether we like it ot not. (I think he is under contract until then)
Disgusted
May 13th, 2012
8:45 pm
tyger–Rick Sund has not really advanced the team but has not really done anything to hurt the situation either.
I can take or leave him–who bette rwould we get?
I agree with you on Larry Drew. He did better than a good number of fans give him credit for.
Harpie
May 13th, 2012
11:34 pm
How in the world can anybody think that Drew is a good coach?! He is an IDIOT, and the worst coach EVER. He’s what’s wrong with the Hawks!!! Why do you think they keep doing the same old stupid stuff over and over and over? Because their idiot coach does nothing to teach them to do the right things, and does nothing to help them correct their mistakes. Drew SUCKS!
OldTimer
May 13th, 2012
11:42 pm
The Hawks need new ownership. If you stop going to the games then this will happen. It’s really that simple.
Tennis Rodman
May 14th, 2012
6:45 am
ESPN is killing Gearon for his comments on KG. Fire ASG.
Greg M
May 14th, 2012
7:39 am
Stop downing the Hawks, Falcons and Braves! At least Georgia have a professional team in basketball, football and baseball. If all teams move away like the Thrashers did, we all will be disappointed. It could be worse, ask the Pittburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs!
Greg M
May 14th, 2012
7:43 am
@Tennis, why? Just because Garnett had a good game 6 doesn’t mean he is not a dirty player. Look back at the film, game 5 and 6 and see how many times ATL got a call going to the basket compared to when Boston did, especially Pierce. Look at the last play of Game 6, our player was clearly fouled, not to mention the missed call on the inbound play.
The Man
May 14th, 2012
7:54 am
Very easy to see the problems, too difficult to do anything about it. Marvin Williams is basically a spot up shooter who can’t shoot. THe main problem is Joe Johnson. He is no more than a third option on a good team. Might be better to amnesty him and get moving on. SHoot, if the hawks can trade Joe Johnson for a low first round pick, or even a second, I’d jump on it. Addition by subtraction…
Admirable SnAckBar
May 14th, 2012
7:58 am
trade Josh for Love.
Hog Wild Boars
May 14th, 2012
8:12 am
Ant player making $24 million per year like JJ better be the best player and scorer. He’s the 3rd best behind J.Smith & Horford. There’s your reason for losing.
Hog Wild Boars
May 14th, 2012
8:13 am
Garnett commits illegal picks every play on offense and its not called.
Hog Wild Boars
May 14th, 2012
8:15 am
I saw Josh Smith drive the lane twice in game 6. He had a dunk and two free throws (drew a foul). Then he never drove the lane again. All while Rondo,Pierce,and Garnett owned the paint & lanes on offense.
Peter
May 14th, 2012
8:36 am
The Hawks didn’t have a clue wasting all the additional money on Joe Johnson, is just the tip of the iceberg…..Marvin, and Sheldon Williams both busts, and how many other good players did they draft then trade ?
A 6″9″ center is not going to cut it these days ion the NBA either.
Al Horford should be able to play power forward…..what do you do with Josh then ?
Ever since the Hawks organization ripped me off in business….. I won’t spend a dime at their stadium.
Parade of Knuckleheads
May 14th, 2012
9:34 am
It would be great to see new ownership for the Hawks
PMC
May 14th, 2012
10:01 am
Mark you have essentially laid out why in this article it is fairly crazy for anyone who enjoys sports in this town to EVER go into Phillips Arena for any reason.
That the ASG owns the building is enough of a reason for me to never darken it’s doors no matter whom is performing there.
As far as I’m concerned it’s rustier than the Omni. Done with the building until they sell.
Trade
May 14th, 2012
11:41 am
Roster Moves:
Teams:
Hawks
Lakers
Raptors
Rockets
Hawks trade w/ Lakers
Hawks get: Gasol
Laker get: Josh & Marvin
Hawks trade w/Raptors
Hawks get: DeRozan
Raptors get: Zsa-Zsa
Hawks trade w/Rockets
Hawks get: Kevin Martin & Dalembert
Rockets get: Joe
Hawks Projected Lineup:
PG: Jeff Teague
SG: Kevin Martin
SF: DeRozan
PF: Al Horford
C: Pau Gasol
Mike
May 14th, 2012
11:46 am
Jeff, This Hawks team doesnt lay down like the teams under Woodson. That’s why there is cause for hope if healthy. Chicago was flat better than them last year, but Drew managed to find a solid point guard in Teague. That was after dismissing Orlando in six. Get a healthy lineup of Teague, JJ, Smith, Horford, and Williams/Hinrich and you have a lineup that should be 3rd in the East next year, provided Boston doesnt sign Howard this offseason.
Now you look at this series. This is a very successful and veteran Boston club. The Hawks played the whole series without backup center Pachulia. They played the first 3 games without Horford, their 3rd leading scorer. They played the end of game 2 and all of game 3 without their second leading scorer in Smith. All this and they still had a chance to win the series. In fact, if the owner didnt shoot his mouth off at Garnett, the Hawks take this series in 7. No way the Celts beat the Hawks without an inspired Garnett in game 6.