A new coach for the Hawks? Be careful what you wish for
He might not be the greatest coach, but he's not the worst, either. (AP photo)
Mike Woodson is a free agent at season’s end. He says he wants to stay, but he has been nettled by Rick Sund’s refusal to offer an extension. And if the Hawks crash out in Round 1, Sund’s hesitance might turn out to be sagacious. For all the good work Woodson has done here, wouldn’t a loss to the understaffed Bucks suggest that this team and this coach have gone as far together as they’re going to go?
But know this: Woodson is respected around the league. He’ll be a head coach somewhere next season, and he might well get a better offer than a re-up from the Hawks. Already the annual Larry Brown rumors have commenced, the latest ticketing the nomad’s nomad for Philadelphia, where he’ll become team president and hire his buddy Woody to coach the 76ers.
So now, as the Hawks face a rather enormous Game 5 tonight, we must ask: If not Woodson, who? The drums will beat for the usual suspects — Avery Johnson, Byron Scott, Eddie Jordan, even Sam Mitchell — but I can’t see any of them as an upgrade.
Johnson presided over one of the biggest flops in NBA finals history, taking a hugely gifted Dallas team and losing to Dwyane Wade. Scott had the benefit of coaching two of the finest point guards of the era — Jason Kidd and Chris Paul — and still contrived to get fired by both the Nets and the Hornets. Jordan, seen as the brains behind Scott with New Jersey, has been fired three times and his most recent team, the Sixers, quit on him. Mitchell, who grew up in Columbus and played at Mercer, had one winning season over four full years before being dumped by Toronto.
If the Hawks indeed wind up searching for a coach, they won’t be seeking someone to preside over a rebuilding team. This is a gifted roster that’s getting close to what should be its peak years. (This applies even if Joe Johnson flees, which I don’t believe he will.) The next coach should be someone who could take what Woodson has done and lift it higher.
To be frank, there aren’t many available coaches who fit that bill. Gregg Popovich isn’t walking through that door; Doc Rivers isn’t, either. And the biggest name on what some believe to be Sund’s wish list — meaning Doug Collins – isn’t all that big.
Doug Collins has coached three NBA teams over eight seasons. He hasn’t taken a team to the NBA finals. He has won a total of three playoff series, all with Chicago in the ’80s. He was fired by the Bulls to make way for assistant coach Phil Jackson, who started winning titles by the bushel. Collins has since been canned by both Detroit and Washington.
He’s a high-profile guy because he’s on TV, but so is Jimmy Fallon. Besides, Collins keeps turning teams down. What about Atlanta would make him want to do it again at age 58?
If there is to be a Woodson replacement, it’s apt to be a current NBA assistant. Tom Thibodeau is Rivers’ defensive coordinator in Boston, but would he have the cachet to make a roster of guys now making huge money listen? (Maybe.) And don’t the Hawks need a guy to redesign the Iso-Joe offense more than another defensive-minded man?
Were I Sund, I’d target Dwane Casey. He was a head coach in Minnesota, where he was fired 40 games into his second season. But the T-Wolves have become an example of how not to run a basketball operations, and Casey has worked alongside two of the best in business — Nate McMillan in Seattle and now Rick Carlisle in Dallas. Casey is smart and personable and good with his players, and he has the added benefit of having served under Sund with the Sonics.
I know what you’re thinking: Dwane Casey isn’t a household name. That’s the point. The Hawks aren’t going to land one. (Would Rick Pitino leave Louisville to work for the Atlanta Spirit?) And honesty compels me to report that, as much as I like Casey — he’s a Kentucky guy, too — I don’t know for a fact that he’d do better than Woodson.
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161 comments Add your comment
Peter
April 28th, 2010
12:46 pm
YES the Spirit…is hardly an intelligent organization !
ATMDAWG
April 28th, 2010
12:54 pm
Woody is over rated. I think the only reason Joe has not signed yet is because he wants Woody gone. The Hawks have improved because of new draft picks not coaching! We have no offensive plays, and Woody can not make adjustments (like changing up the defense in this series). I would like to see some zone played against the Bucks for example. Unless we make it to the finals, it’s time for a change.
ChippersLoveChild
April 28th, 2010
12:56 pm
I have never understood the love for Doug Collins, please someone explain it to me. I vote Terry Stotts.
Ron Jirsa
April 28th, 2010
12:57 pm
What about me?!?
El Bravo
April 28th, 2010
12:58 pm
If we don’t make it out of the first round (and even if we have another poor showing on the second round) then we must make a coaching change. The new coach may be better or worse than Woody but we should not settle for the status quo. I would rather be in the lottery than be a perennial “also ran” in the playoffs…
gcs
April 28th, 2010
1:02 pm
Go get Lakers coach Phil Jackson. He has got to be getting sick of Kobe by now…
.
TONE
April 28th, 2010
1:06 pm
I have only been able to see a few of the games this year and they were mostly road losses but i noticed that sometimes woody will not call a timeout when things go south the hawks may trail by 4 or 6 and when he finally calls a timeout or there is a tv timeout they are down by 15 or more , I was just curious if this is the way he coaches or if I just happened to see a few games where he tried to let the players play through and stop the run . I am not a pro I have only coached young kids but I would always use a timeout to stop another teams momentum if they were on a major run and I have seen good coaches do the same . so i was just curious about this part of Woody’s gameplan
El Bravo
April 28th, 2010
1:07 pm
And say what you will about Avery Johnson but he did coach under Don Nelson and if someone knows offense is Nellie. Don’t forget that Dallas was his first venture as a head coach and not many coaches are able to win a championship with their first team. Also, Avery was a very intelligent point and we definitely need someone to develop Teague (I do know that Woody is not the man for that job)…
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
April 28th, 2010
1:08 pm
wasn’t there a story about Doc Rivers maybe leaving boston after this year ? Why wouldn’t he consider Atlanta other than they won’t pay him what he can get somewhere else
RomeDawg
April 28th, 2010
1:11 pm
I don’t know if anyone can do more than Woody with the team and I can’t believe any coach worth having would come to work for the dysfunctional Atlanta Spirit. What is Joe Johnson’s relationship with Woody and would that make him more or less likely to resign?
F-105 Thunderchief
April 28th, 2010
1:11 pm
Terry “Tater” Stotts. Actually, Doc Rivers sounds pretty good. Woody isn’t necessarilly awful, I just think there are coaches who could have accomplished more with the same rosters.
PlusSizeModel
April 28th, 2010
1:12 pm
I always find the notion that qualified coaches are rare to be laughable. It’s not brain surgery, it’s coaching basketball. I’m sure there are plenty of assistants working their way up that are of above average intelligence who would do just fine as head coaches. Frankly, I think most ex-NBA players are the worst choices. If they were bright to begin with they’d take their millions and do something else with their lives besides the grind of an NBA season.
gtm
April 28th, 2010
1:13 pm
The tunnel vision in coaching hires is getting really old. I’d prefer the thought process be similar to yours regarding Casey. Why is being famous a prerequisite for being a good coach? And determining whether a coach is good or bad based solely on his record or playoff history is ignorant of the effects of the players, owner, organization, etc. on the team’s performance.
Let’s find someone with the right coaching skills and ignore the noise.
PlusSizeModel
April 28th, 2010
1:14 pm
And for god’s sake, NOT DOC RIVERS! He was a big reason the 80’s Hawks never cracked the ceiling—he never figured out how to be an effective point guard.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
April 28th, 2010
1:16 pm
Mark
get the coach for TC williams High on the Phone (yes its a real school not just a movie school ) (remember the Titans)
Mr. king is a basketball genius
Greg
April 28th, 2010
1:21 pm
Game 5 tonight is only enormous in the small scheme of this particular series….the outcome of which no one will particularly care about or remember. It’s hard to convince anyone to care when these two teams are merely playing for the right to get squashed in the 2nd round where a sweep is likely and 1 win would be a “moral victory”.
That’s not acceptable. If Woodson can’t take them to the next level(and he most certainly can not), then they need to at least give someone else a shot.
atlienforlife
April 28th, 2010
1:23 pm
The obvious choice, with a little forward thinking is Lawrence Frank. He is an excellent coach who squeezed the most out of a New Jersey team, who by the way didn’t have much more than Jason Kidd. Kenyon Martin, kerry kittles, please!!!
Mr. Phil
April 28th, 2010
1:28 pm
How about that got from Butler? Brad Stevens. Not that I will choose him over Woody. But as reported before, it may not be in Rick Sund’s hands to decide.
Ted M
April 28th, 2010
1:28 pm
Paul Hewitt that would be the only way to get him out Tech.
Mr. Phil
April 28th, 2010
1:30 pm
there is a historical basis for what I am proposing. Usually when you can not get a real quality coach, NBA teams just hire a hot name. Stevens is pretty hot.
TONE
April 28th, 2010
1:31 pm
No to Hewitt he already underachieves with NBA talent
KennyD
April 28th, 2010
1:32 pm
Yep ! the coach with Bibby (couldn’t guard his front door), Evans (Not a clue when he’s in the game), Joe Smith (Brings NOTHING) and Williams(Why the hawks didn’t get Chris Paul CP3, we blew that one, YOU THINK). It’s going to be HARD to keep Joe Johnson in Atlanta (Prime fit with the LAKERS)
By the way, do the Hawks have a Center ?
I will always be a True Hawks Fan ! Go Hawks!
SWAT Native
April 28th, 2010
1:32 pm
Mark,
Does it also strike you as odd that this rumor surfaced the day after the Hawks most disappointing loss of the season? I smell a rat.
kent
April 28th, 2010
1:33 pm
ur a freaking genius! You say the Hawks in five, the braves are contendors and the Falcons based on the draft will make the playoffs. What qualifies you to write about sports?
TONE
April 28th, 2010
1:35 pm
woody is using the rumor for a bargaining chip just like hewitt did years ago with st johns , I wonder if woody will get an automatic rollover contract with the hawks .
Will
April 28th, 2010
1:35 pm
Woodson gets on my nerves too!!! but we don’t know the whole story and we will not get anyone better. I second that motion….be careful what you ask for.
Mr. Phil
April 28th, 2010
1:35 pm
@kent: Hey Mark ain’t so bad. AJC’s had much worst in the past. I won’t bring up former employees, just saying.
C'mon Hawks
April 28th, 2010
1:41 pm
Kareem Abdul Jabbar has always wanted to coach a team, he already works with Josh Smith i believe. Who ever we get needs to be offensive minded-we could easily have a high octane offense.
Run things thru horford and smith
@DanWeiner
April 28th, 2010
1:46 pm
Anybody with half a brain who has watched this team knows Woody needs to go. Just watch them. Lazy, unmotivated, unwilling to work, it’s an indictment of the coach and his staff.
Here’s the catch, I don’t think Woody’s necessarily a bad coach, but this group of players tunes him out. They’ve been with him for so long without great success, lets remember the team’s win improvement each year has as much to do with roster improvements as anything, and you see that it’s time for both parties to go in different directions. It’s time. The Hawks are never going to win with Woody as coach. Will they win without him? Maybe, maybe not but it’s time to find out.
moorman
April 28th, 2010
1:46 pm
well, like i said in another column, the hawks problems STARTED when they hired a GROUP of investors to buy the team. this put them in the original position of NOT being all on the same page when it comes to the direction of the team. like u said above mark, the hawks dont have direction. no defense, no particular kind of offense, no identity, just a assemblage of players who couldnt help but win games because of the number of times they been in the lottery. lots of people keep saying avery johnson, but dallas got tired of his whiny mouse voice after a coupe seasons, how you think the youngsters in atlanta would put up with it, lol. there are TWO coaches i would hire to fix this mess, larry brown and doc rivers and neither is headed this way.
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
1:48 pm
THE HAWKS OWNERS ARE SO POOR THEY HAVE TO LOWBALL A !@#$%Y HEAD COACH AND SELL A PICK JUST TO RESIGN A PLAYER WHO ISN’T EVEN A SUPERSTAR!
LOL
CJ
April 28th, 2010
1:48 pm
I don’t know why questions about why Woody hasn’t gotten a new contract keep coming up. Sund clearly deals with things in the offseason. We’re still an elite team in the East and have bigger things to worry about like making the Finals.
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
1:51 pm
Sam Mitchell is underappreciated. He has been out of coaching long enough. How about Paul Silas?
Surely a black coach wants to coach this squad. OMG JEJE ARE YOU RACIST?
Chris
April 28th, 2010
1:51 pm
Mark….WHY ARE WE EVEN NAMING CANDIDATES?? Are people Blind??
Woodson took this team when the roster was nothing….nobody else wanted to coach the Hawks, no players wanted to come here and we won 13 games in a season. Now we are the #3 seed in the East and a Contender. Players consider coming here because they view the Hawks as a team that is not far away from winning a championship. ISN’T IT TIME WE GIVE WOODSON CREDIT FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE HERE???
Give the guy his due…..He paid his dues by taking this team when it was crap and building it to what we see on the floor today. It’s time to show him our appreciation. Give him the contract extension…let”s quit with the finding a replacement chatter, and let the guy finish what he started.
Co Co
April 28th, 2010
1:53 pm
I’m going to go ahead and assume he didn’t watch Game 4 before he wrote this. (just as one glaring example of the shortcomings of one Mr. Woodson) Don’t tell me Mike Woodson is the best the Hawks can do. I tend to think that a coach who makes no adjustments, doesn’t develop rookies, and thinks the only reason his team ever loses games is because of their effort, is not irreplaceable.
NC Braves Fan
April 28th, 2010
1:53 pm
Mark – your post brings up the dilemma the Hawks face this offseason. Woody may well have gotten this team as far as it can go with him at the helm … but who out there is equipped to help the Hawks take the next step (if not Woody)?
It’s the devil you know vs the one you don’t scenario.
And as much as I or enyone else would care to complain about the Hawks’ performance in the playoffs – things could be much, MUCH worse than they are now with this team (is most of the past decade not a reminder of this?!).
Kem
April 28th, 2010
1:54 pm
Mark,
You are way off on Avery Johnson. He was the main reason Dallas had the record they did that year.
They have been average at best since he got canned.
Their squad was suspect- including Dirk N. (MVP who did not show up when needed in the Finals).
D-Wade was the main cog, but MIA still had a pre-Phoenix/pre-Cleveland Shaq who still had something left in the tank. Also had a competent supporting cast- James Posey, Haslem, Zo, etc.
UGASlobberknocker
April 28th, 2010
1:55 pm
I have to disagree about Avery Johnson..I didnt think he was at all responsible for the Dallas flop. In that series his best players couldnt throw it in the ocean. Plus I feel that after a while, even the best coach’s message gets stale..Woody’s is not only stale but moldy too. Johnson would light a fire..I think he is the obvious choice and the best coachj out there right now (not employed).
PMC
April 28th, 2010
1:55 pm
This is what people say all the time about the Braves… but how many corporations do you know that have the same CEO for 20 years and continually succede?
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
1:55 pm
WOODSON SAID HE OVERPLAYED JOE LAST YEAR SO HE’D GET AN ALL STAR BERTH
ALL WOODY CARES ABOUT IS REGULAR SEASON RECORD
HE HAS NO DEFENSIVE SCHEMES, BUT CLAIMS TO BE A DEFENSIVE COACH. WATCH HOW MANY PLAYERS WERE OPEN IN GAME 4 ON P&RS. YOU HAD GADZURIC DRIVE TO THE AIRPORT AND BACK BEFORE A HAWKS DEFENDER REALIZED HE WAS OPEN
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
1:56 pm
“and let the guy finish what he started.”
aND WHAT’S THAT?
FIRE WOODY
Peter
April 28th, 2010
1:56 pm
I think the Spirit ownership sits in a room, and wonders how much are we going to Loose Money wise each season, each year……
Rock Preston
April 28th, 2010
1:56 pm
@Dan Weiner …..u hit it on the head. Woody has taken them as far as he can. Thats not saying he is GARBAGE (close to it though) but sometimes a new voice is needed. Cuban did it in Dallas….Avery shouldnt have been fired but the team tuned him out. There is a difference.
PMC
April 28th, 2010
1:57 pm
it doesn’t really matter anyway because they need a lottery pick to get a point guard.
Marvin Williams and his horribly average/below average play killed this team. It may be the worst pick in franchise history even worse than Konkak because of when it came.
UGASlobberknocker
April 28th, 2010
1:58 pm
I always wonder why the Bradley bashers continue to come on this blog. If you dont like Mark,,then dont read him…and then we wont have to read your crap on his blog.
Its kinda like when you tell the doctor” it hurts when I do this”..and the doctor says “well then dont do that”. If you dont like Mark..then read somebody else.
Harry Hawk
April 28th, 2010
1:59 pm
I think Bob Weiss is available
Co Co
April 28th, 2010
1:59 pm
Also, it would be different if Woody had taken this team to the ECF or heck if they’d won at least one game in the second round, but he hasn’t. Why are we acting like he’s irreplaceable?
Marcus
April 28th, 2010
2:03 pm
MB,
I feel ya. This is my post from 4/27 on Schultz’s blog on the same topic:
—————-
See multiple problems here …. we basically hit the the ‘reset’ button if that yahoo! scenario goes down:
1. This Hawks team, clearly talented and clearly flawed, needs its 2010 1st round pick to get a player in here to address our obvious defensive shortcomings.
2. If we are that cash-strapped such that we have to sell our 1st round pick to keep JJ, then we likely don’t have enough money to pursue a defensive difference-maker in FA (our only other option) … which means this team doesn’t REALLY improve. We basically repeat 2008 and 2009.
3. If Woody goes ……… who is to say that the new coach will want to have the same roster makeup …. which means we just re-upped some expensive contracts over the last 2 off-seasons (Marvin, Bibby, Zaza, Smoove) and some upcoming contract extensions (Horford) that we will have to eat or trade if the new coach decides to blow things up.
If everything goes down like that, we basically become the FL Marlins of the NBA…minus the fire-sale after a World Championship.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/04/27/report-mike-woodson-could-leave-hawks-for-sixers/#comment-144245
Mark Bradley
April 28th, 2010
2:06 pm
Thanks, Slobberknocker, for the ringing defense.
ATLANTA TEAMS SUCK
April 28th, 2010
2:07 pm
LOL
Reid Adair
April 28th, 2010
2:08 pm
OK, Mark, so you think Woodson should be kept? I just don’t see it at this point. The last two playoff games have been disastrous, and the ability (or lack thereof) to properly prepare the team rests with the head coach.
wxwax
April 28th, 2010
2:08 pm
The Hawks win the next two series and all this talk begins to look silly.
Which is what I think will happen.
NEW CARS
April 28th, 2010
2:11 pm
I’ve wondered about Avery Johnson as well. My biggest problem with Woody is he has been given all these players to blend and develop. I just don’t see that he’s done a great job at that. I didn’t like some of the picks that Billy made through the years, but Diaw has shown that he can play and Shelden could do certain things okay…Law, Mario West, Teague, Randolph Morris are all examples of guys who may have been able to help, but our coach would rather wear the starters out all season. The key is to win and develop your young players and depth.
TONE
April 28th, 2010
2:14 pm
what about the czar he is probably good for two or three more years.
C'mon Hawks
April 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
MIKE WOODSON = CHAN GAILEY
Both are good men, men that have great attitudes and mean well, but don’t have the fire to win championships!
Mark Bradley
April 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
I think, Reid, that Woodson has weaknesses. But I also know he won 53 games without having a real superstar. At this moment, I’d say the Hawks aren’t apt to find anybody better.
C'mon Hawks
April 28th, 2010
2:18 pm
NEW CARS is right, he doesnt try to develop draft picks or role players!
We have so many bench players that could contribute or at least try to contribute, but we just ride the normal players no matter what! I don’t get it!
tony
April 28th, 2010
2:20 pm
We need to hire Avery Johnson before some other team gets him. He is a proving winner and is capable of getting the most out of his players. This is a no-brainer.
Keith
April 28th, 2010
2:20 pm
This organization had better learn from their mistakes of the past. They are where they need to be at the moment, fans need to remember just a few years ago where they were. Woodson is part of the reason they are a solid team right now in the playoffs and competing each season…why start over with a new coach & new philosophy? Sign Joe Johnson as quickly as possible, get Josh Smith to keep his emotions in check and search for a solid legimate center so that Horford can play his natual power forward position.
Armond Hill
April 28th, 2010
2:20 pm
We’re seeing what good coaching can do in this very series. The Bucks with far less talent are making this a competitive series because they are well coached and motivated. Just think what the Hawks could do if we could combine their talent with a similar level of coaching..
C'mon Hawks
April 28th, 2010
2:22 pm
Mark, we won 53 games because we have some serious ballers that need an offense that will work to their strength’s! Our team works best when we RUN, when we are running we WIN. When we slow it down and play half court ISO-Joe we lose! Plain and simple. When people talk about basketball players they always bring up Kobe, Lebron, D-Wade, Howard, Etc. Maybe I am a homer, but I love our guys and our team! Our guys are as good as anybody and I guarantee in the right offense they could win a championship!
Mark Bradley
April 28th, 2010
2:26 pm
Avery Johnson hasn’t coached since 2008. It’s not as if teams haven’t had openings.
O'Brien
April 28th, 2010
2:29 pm
Mark
Do you think Rick Carlisle is a good coach? How is he doing with that very talented roster in Dallas? Possibly losing in the first round (although losing to the spurs is different).
I am okay with Woody staying, but I would like to see him bring in a new coaching staff. I have little confidence in Larry drew and ty hill.
zymoedoo
April 28th, 2010
2:30 pm
Enter your comments here
Keith
April 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
I’m with you C’mon Hawks…use the unused lame bench players as trade options. You’ll probably lose somebody like Bibby or Marvin Williams but attempt to keep the core group and find a center. The Hawks are a solid team ( 53 wins) with a good coach working with what he has…keep the faith, their 2 players away from a championship!
zip eddie doodah
April 28th, 2010
2:33 pm
i believe strongly woody should either go or stay. if he goes a great replacement would be dimey simelowe of puget sound community college. hes 53-98 and has 5 straight 5th place finishes. that kind of consistency is hard to find. hes only making 23 thousand so money shouldnt be an issue. his wife is getting out of prison in july so hes free to pursue other opportunities.
JJ
April 28th, 2010
2:33 pm
Why wouldn’t Doc come back here? Not sure I understand that. If we’re operating under the premiss that the ASG have no money, they how can they afford to pay Woody?
Dr. Warren
April 28th, 2010
2:34 pm
7 syllables: Kevin Michael Loughery. Bring him on back.
Am I Just Dumb?
April 28th, 2010
2:36 pm
In watching the Hawks, for the life of me I can’t remember seeing them run a set offensive play — like a pick and roll (leading to an easy lay-up). What I see over and over is 1 Hawk player going one-on-one (even when double teamed) with a mind set of “Through my athletic ability I am going to beat you straight up”. At the college level especially with teams not having “great athletic talent” but doing well (Butler, etc.), I see a lot of offensive play coaching. Am I just “dumb”? Just seems like other NBA teams (Celtics come to mind) run offensive plays and the Hawks don’t.
Jt
April 28th, 2010
2:43 pm
ATMDAWG- I think you have it backwards. I think Joe wants Woody back. Why would you not want back a coach who insists that you are the focal point of his offense. Woody has been overly supportive of JJ- never saying a negative thing about him. I bet JJ does not sign until he knows Woodson’s fate and if Woody leaves, Joe is not far behind
heartofdarkness
April 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
Looking for an NBA coach? Find a successful herder of cats.
J-bone
April 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
If there was a coach available who had done what Woodson has done with the Hawks, I’d hire him. Anybody know of a coach like that?
C'mon Hawks
April 28th, 2010
2:47 pm
Would either one of the lopez brothers fit in with our team or even be possible? I still think Camby would have been a solid pick at center. We could tailor and offense that has 2 power forward that way we can have Al and Josh on the floor at the same time
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April 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
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Mavis Beacon Teaches Grammar
April 28th, 2010
2:53 pm
RE: “A new coach for the Hawks? Be careful what you wish for”
Mark,
Didn’t anyone ever teach you that you absolutely should NOT end a sentence with a preposition?
(Child, don’t even get me started on your missing punctuation.)
Keith
April 28th, 2010
2:53 pm
Woody has the players believing in themselves and playing for more than just a pay check. The issue here in Atlanta is and always will be as an organizaton they are penny pinchers who don’t want to come off that cheese for legimate star players so that our city can enjoy solid competitive teams season after season. You’ve crossed a threshold lets keep the negativity out and build for a championship caliber team..keep Woody!
Mark Bradley
April 28th, 2010
2:56 pm
Why wouldn’t Rivers come here? Because he’s under contract through 2011.
Dr. Warren
April 28th, 2010
2:56 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Loughery
Loughery has made the playoffs everywhere he’s coached. Jordan loved playing for him. Sure, he’s 70, but look what Hubie Brown did for Memphis a few years ago. Some old school tutelage might be what this spoiled group needs.
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
2:59 pm
“At this moment, I’d say the Hawks aren’t apt to find anybody better.”
LOL. The reason nobody has signed Avery is because he is getting paid BIG BUCKS by Dallas to NOT coach. So why would he come here for $2-3M/yr when he can make 4.5-5M to sit in an ESPN studio? There are plenty of coaches out there.
With this pathetic ownership that has no money, we won’t get anyone
C'mon Hawks
April 28th, 2010
3:00 pm
Keith, I think you are partially correct-”Woody has the players believing in themselves…” , Becuase they sure don’t believe in him or his playcalling. Next time they call a timeout, watch how many of them listen to him. I swear they have a look of apathy when he calls them over to go over strategy. Most of the players have that look like, ok coach we know we need to give Joe or Jamal the ball and watch them score.
C'mon Hawks
April 28th, 2010
3:02 pm
I think they should just move Bibby over to head coach, I think he knows what is going wrong with the team.
allan in texas
April 28th, 2010
3:04 pm
I believe that if the Hawks lose this series Coach Woodson will be gone. However, I do not believe that Joe Johnson will be going anywhere.In the end the money will talk and though the Knicks can offer the money they do not have the talent.The Bulls do have a couple of pieces that are comparable to the Hawks,but, besides the Bulls I cannot JJ leaving.Players do not leave money on the table.
DAGUMMIT WOODY!!!
April 28th, 2010
3:09 pm
BRING THE “LITTLE CZAR” BACK!!! KING OBAMA’S GOT CZAR’S & IT SEEM’S TO BE WORKIN’ FOR HIM!! THAT IS IF YOU LIKE/WANT CHANGE!!!
Gamer
April 28th, 2010
3:14 pm
The Hawks are one play away at crucial junctures of the game to put the Bucks away in six games..which should’ve happened in five games for sure!!!
What is that play? Man to man defense without Bibby on the floor at crucial junctures in the game, especially when a quick offensive guard like Jennings is on the floor. Where is Jeff Teague?
Why haven’t Jeff Teague confidence been coraled and developed by coaching staff?
When Teague is in the game, sometimes he look shell-shock. He look afraid to get scored on. Soon as he get scored on he looks over at Woody, as if he waiting to get immediately yanked or spanked by Woody.
Teague got the speed needed to guard quicker point guards. But does he have the discipline to keep the quicker guards from blowing pass him?
This is where good coaching come into play. Hawks coaching staff had EIGHTY-TWO REGULAR SEASON GAMES TO GROOM THIS ROOKIE CONFIDENCE BY ACCENTUATING HIS STRENGTHS TO HIM, BUT FAILED TO DO SO.
Somewhere, Woody got to take responsibility for having players with good game potentials going undevelop.
Although it playoffs time, it’s not too late to start playing Teague to develop his confidence(defensively and offensively). Because the deeper the Hawks go into the post-season, they will meet quick, speedier guards. And Jeff Teague is the only real answer other than Joe Johnson.
But do you really want to over play Joe Johnson on both ends of the floor for forty plus minutes? I don’t think so.
WOODY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS!!!! GROOM YOUR POINT GUARD CONFIDENCE, JEFF TEAGUE.
WHERE IS MARVIN WILLIAMS BASKETBALL TALENTS?
HAWKS MAKE BEDLAM!!! STRIKE FRIGHT INTO YOUR OPPONENT!!!
ntrigue
April 28th, 2010
3:20 pm
Hire Steve Smith!!!!
Dr. Warren
April 28th, 2010
3:23 pm
The OK Thunder have done in two years what took the Hawks five. They’re already the better team–and younger, too. Is it the coaching? A bit, perhaps. But mainly it’s the talent. Face it: the Hawks lack the talent to get past Round Two or to blow away a gutsy sixth seed.
siskel_god
April 28th, 2010
3:28 pm
This is stupid. Woody, like Cox wins when he has good players. Everybody has the Cavs pegged to duke it out with the Magic in the finals so if the Hawks don’t make it, is that really a disapointment? Give Woody LBJ or Kobe and he’ll get you a ring. Give him Marvin Gaye Williams and he’ll get you to the second round.
Westurd
April 28th, 2010
3:29 pm
FRATELLO………
Brett
April 28th, 2010
3:36 pm
It may be time for a change. Bobby Bowden, Bobby Cox…….. sometimes you just need a change. same reason they change up school principals, preachers, CEOs often
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
3:37 pm
I TOLD YOU ALL. WOODSON PLAYED TEAGUE 48 MINUTES IN THE REGULAR SEASON FINALE AS A WAY OF SAYING “HERE YOU GO. YOU WON’T BE PLAYING IN THE PLAYOFFS.”
WOODSON DOES NOT USE THE BENCH IN CLOSE/PLAYOFF GAMES
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
3:39 pm
To contact the main offices of Atlanta Spirit LLC, please call (404) 878-3800.
EVERYBODY CALL THIS NUMBER AND TELL THEM THAT WOODSON SUCKS AS A COACH
Rainy night in Ga.
April 28th, 2010
3:41 pm
While we wont get a Pat Riley or Phil Jackson, should we settle for “cant winna road game to save my soul” Woodson? there is an old sayin that applies……Just because you cant soar like an eagle, its isnt okay to swoop like a buzzard.
ntrigue
April 28th, 2010
3:41 pm
Fire Woody!!! Hire Steve Smith!!!
JeJe
April 28th, 2010
3:41 pm
lol @ BIBBY TRYING TO GET SHOTS OFF BUT BEING COVERED TIGHTLY.
THE OPPOSING TEAMS KNOW HE HAS NO SPEED, ATHLETICISM, OR HANDLES, SO THEY JUST COVER HIM CLOSE TO PREVENT HIM FROM TAKING HIS “DEADLY” 3 PT SHOT
Reid Adair
April 28th, 2010
3:42 pm
Mark, thanks for the response. I guess, compared to what Hawks fans have endured in the not too distant past, winning 50-53 games and getting to the playoffs will have to do. I just don’t see them taking that next step with Woodson.
GT Alum
April 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
So basically what your saying siskel is that Woody doesn’t really bring anything appreciable to the table? You’re right, he might be able to win with Kobe or LeBron, but I don’t see haw you can argue that he gets the most out of his players. This team shows what they’re truly capable of from time to time, but there’s too many games where they don’t really look into the game and don’t seem to be trying to execute any kind of game plan. I’d rather take a risk of finding a coach who can get more from these guys than settle for a coach who doesn’t really seem to be in control of the team.
And I’m tired of everyone using this team’s improvement as proof that he’s a good coach. Here’s the win differential for each year with the major personnel changes that were made. Seems to me like the win differential each year is about even with the improvement of the talent on the team.
2005-06 +13 Added Joe Johnson, ZaZa, Marvin and Salim
2006-07 +4 Traded Harrington, but got more production from JJ, J Smooth, Marvin and Chill
2007-08 +7 Added Horford, then added Bibby late
2008-09 +10 Replaced Chill with Flip and Mo; first full year with Bibby
2009-10 +6 Added Crawford
cdog
April 28th, 2010
3:48 pm
KEEP MIKE WOODSON. HE’S THE BEST COACH.DON’T SIT BACK, GRINNING.WHAT HAS HE DONE WRONG EXCEPT WIN?THE NEXT COACH IF THERE IS ONE, YOU WILL HAVE BAD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT HIM ALSO.NO COACH IS PERFECT.IF WOODSON LEAVES, THE TEAM WILL IN A LOSING TRANSITION FOR YEARS
MitchC
April 28th, 2010
3:51 pm
Mark, I dont know if Woodson should necessiarlly be fired if the Hawks lose this series. As you pointed out, who better than him? Sometimes, as we know, teams with lesser talent can prevail in a short series. It’s happened before.
Of the names you mentioned, the one name I do not want to see coaching the Hawks is Pitino. Did you ever read his “Born To Coach” book, which was written in the late 1980s, when he coached the Knicks? He came out of college, and basically used a Pat Riley like approach, to bring the Knicks from a doormat his first year, to the playoffs, and then coached them to the Atlantic Divison title the next year, before fleeing to Kentucky. The second time he coached in the NBA, in Boston, he fled again, back to college. The guy is a rah, rah, yell at players college type coach, who is not suited to coach a professional basketball team that is solid, and has designs on a championship.
As to whether Woodson should go: I’m really torn on that. Yes, it would be very disappointing if the Hawks lose to the Bucks, but, this team has improved each year Woodson has been here. From a 13 win doormat his first season, to the playoffs his third season, and a 53 win solid team this season. If Bobby Cox wasnt fired when the Braves kept messing it up in the playoffs, then why should Woodson be fired if the team has improved every year.
Maybe I’m over simplfying it. I dont know. All I do know is, of the names you mentioned. Not Pitino, please. Anyone else. I really dont know if they can, or will, take this team to the “next level”, whatever that is.
MustangSalley
April 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
Woodys future should be crystal clear regardless of whether the hawks win the series with the bucks or not. Woody has guided his troops to elite status in the eastern conference of the nba. That has not gone unnoticed. I know that Hawks dont get much media attention but its mainly because of their inconsistent play and woody cant take the shots for the hawks. Woody cant come out on the floor and play defense, prevent turnovers or make free throws. Woody has done a decent job. Its obvious hes not a great coach, but he too has room for improvement. I think if woody were to study the great coaches: Larry Brown, Greg Popovich, Avery Johnson, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkins, Phil Jackson and Red Aurebach, Im sure Woody can improve dramatically and learn to be more effective.
Eraserhead
April 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
Woody’s a good coach. No matter how this series plays out, he should be back.
UGAKev
April 28th, 2010
4:13 pm
Get a big man!!!!!!!!!!! Get rid of Marvin Williams who is a bust who has never really improved. Play teague more often!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woodson never plays first year drafted players. Teague shows me something everytime he is in the game. He can run with younger athletic players in the playoffs. The Hawks players shouldnt have to be reminded this is the playoffs. If that is the case then we were doomed from the beginning.
WOODY=0 WINS
April 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
Mark, can you honestly say Woody has done anything to maximize the talent on this team or is he simply getting the bare minimum amount of wins with his talent? Everyone talks about how he improves every year in wins but why is that? Lets take a look
2004-05 13 wins
2005-06 26 wins (addition on Joe Johnson)
2006-07 30 wins (departure of Al Harrington team basically stayed the same anyway with only 4 win improvement)
2007-08 37 wins (addition of Al Horford and Bibby half way through the season)
2008-09 47 wins (Bibby plays and entire season, addition of flip murray and mo evans)
2009-10 53 wins (addition of Jamal Crawford)
HOW IS MIKE WOODSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THESE WINS, improvement is basically the minimum considering huge upgrade in talent year to year
Sharrieff
April 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
MB, let me break it to you gently. . .coaching is the difference at every level, Pop Warner to the pros. Look at what Mike Smith has been able to do with a franchise that never had back to back winning seasons. It was the COACHING. The man for the Hawks is now announcing on FSS. . .yes THE HUMAN HIGHLIGHT HIMSELF, Dominique Wilkins!!! Listen to his analysis every time the Hawks are playing. He dissects the game as it’s going along and you have to wonder why Woody can’t see what ‘Nique is pointing out. Doc took the cursed Celts to the title and ‘Nique could do the same with his beloved Hawks (give him a legit center. . .trade Marvin for a draft choice). And we’d finally right the wrong done by Babcock and Wilkins!!! Plus, it’d fill up the stands!!!
Mark
April 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
Eraserhead….I agree with you….Look where the Hawks were before he arrived…I guess you just can’t please everyone….Good Luck Woody in what ever happens!
MikeMitchell
April 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
Definitely get rid of marvin williams. Marvin Williams has “LITERALLY BEEN THE WRECKING BALL THAT HAS RUINED THE SUCCESS OF THE HAWKS.” Williams has single-handedly CRUSHED the hawks chances by being a total non-factor and being completely invisible in the playoffs. Marvin has almost been like a ghost out there on the court. He wont guard anyone close enough to create turnovers or block shots; Marvin continues to turn the ball over as soon as it is passed to him or as soon as he makes his lame moves towards the basketball. MARVIN IS THE “RYAN LEAF” OF THE NBA. MARVIN WILLIAMS IS A COMPLETE BUST AND HIS BASKETBALL IQ IS -1000.
WOODY=0 WINS
April 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
Mark, are u really going to say Avery Johnson’s a bad coach cause he lost in the finals?
We can’t even win a road playoff game
GeneTenace
April 28th, 2010
4:27 pm
MikeMitchell: I agree with you. You’re right. Marvin has definitely been the wrecking ball thats about to smash the success of the hawks as soon as the hawks get eliminated by the Bucks.
i_am_soulstar
April 28th, 2010
4:32 pm
Is it just me or does Woody seem like he feels the Hawks are entitled to a win just because they’re playing at home. Please get rid of that attitude man.
Mike Fratello
April 28th, 2010
4:32 pm
Go get Mike Fratello!!
JASon
April 28th, 2010
4:34 pm
Its a good point, Mark: Is this the type of situation we can expect no matter who is in charge? Then you always have to worry about resentment and losing solidarity when you let your coach go. I don’t know all of the coaches out there, but I think there are other better candidates you didn’t mention. We need someone who is going to be a little more demanding of the team mentally, while not sacrficing what we already do good: knocking down shots and not turning the ball over.
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April 28th, 2010
4:53 pm
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#1 GT fan
April 28th, 2010
4:58 pm
KEEP WOODY! get read of Marvin. And get a big man, so you can put Al at 4 and Josh at 3! I say keep Joe, unless DWADE becomes a free agent. Then maybe get red of Joe. But not until then.
Freddo
April 28th, 2010
5:04 pm
Bye bye Woodson.
JuliusCesaer
April 28th, 2010
5:05 pm
Dont get D-Wade. Wades game is very predictable and stale. All Wade does is drive hard to the basket every time like a wild bull. When you seal off the painted area he then starts hoisting 3s and shoots them for a low shooting percentage. NEWSFLASH: Joe Johnson is a much better player than Dwyane Wade. I guess that shocked you but its true. Joe is deferring his skills to the other stars on the Hawks. Keep in mind: if joe wanted to he could get 50 points each and every night.
Freddo
April 28th, 2010
5:06 pm
Actually, everyone needs to go. A complete housecleaning, including the owners. Fire them all and stop the bleeding.
Jay
April 28th, 2010
5:30 pm
Your straw-man article won’t protect Woodson. There are plenty of examples where someone made your straw-man argument, but then the next coach turned out to be much better. Ask Alabama fans if they regret firing Shula for Saban.
KB
April 28th, 2010
5:32 pm
I never liked Woodson as a coach. Good player though when he played for the Kansas City Kings back in the day (I am from Kansas City.) I still think that his greatest weekness is that he doesn’t know how to develop young players. This season proved it with the lack of development of Jeff Teague. This team gave Acie Law the hook before he got started, M. Williams is nowhere near where he should be, and Al Horford is going to be burned out before his time.
We should have acquired Paul Silas instead of Mike Woodson. Silas would have shaped the men to be the best they can be. That was then, and this is now. This teams need to get Avery Johnson now. This team needs a coach who can show them how to get to the big game. People don’t follow titles. People follow people has been to the promise land. Johnson as a player has been there and won it. Yes, you can see his team choked against the Miami Heat, BUT HIS TEAMS WAS AT LEAST THERE!!!
Look, this team could do great things. But if it is held back by ill-suited management, then this team will be a team will be known as bunch f of should have, could have, and would haves.
KB
April 28th, 2010
5:35 pm
Sorry about the typos.
JC
April 28th, 2010
5:40 pm
Can we please get someone who’s not afraid to yell at Josh Smith?
J-Smoove
April 28th, 2010
5:44 pm
#1 GT Fan… I agree! Marvin is just another lottery bust and we need a solid center so Horford doesn’t have to play out of position. Joe Johnson is solid and I think we would regret letting him walk. D-Wade would be nice, but I don’t see him leaving Miami. Good luck Woody and GO HAWKS!!!!
R.U.KIDDIN-ME???
April 28th, 2010
5:47 pm
ASG,PICKUP THE PHONE & MAKE THE CALL NOWWWW!!! TO WHOM YOU SAY??!! NONE OTHER THAN MIKE FRATELLO THAT’S WHO!!! WHY YOU ASK??!! B/C WOODHEAD CAN’T GET IT DONE!!! THERE IS GOOD ENOUGH TALENT HERE SO THAT THIS SERIES SHOULD BE WRAPPING UP TO NIGHT BUT NOT WITH WOODY PECKERHEAD AT THE HELM!!! THREE THING’S YOU CAN BE ASSURED OF WITH THE LITTLE CZAR,THE TEAM WILL PLAY DEFENSE,THEY WILL DEVELOPE A BENCH & THEY WILL WIN!!! I WISH JOE SMITH WOULD TALK AT THE END OF THE SEASON BUT I KNOW HE WON’T B/C HE’S A CLASS ACT BUT I BETCHA’ HE’S PISSED AT THE WASTED SEASON HERE!!! ASG,MR.SUND,GET TO IT BEFORE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND’S & RUIN ANOTHER SEASON!!! THE CLOCK’S A TICKIN’ BOY’S….GET TO IT…. NOWWW!!!
Dr. Dave
April 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
Mike Woodson consistently shows that he does not give the Hawks an advantage coming after the first gahlf and rarely after a time out. The loss to the Bucks in game 4 is just further proof of that. The team defense was non-existant, with Jennings, Salmons and Ilyasova getting wide open looks because we were consistently not handling their picks/screens properly, if at all. ZaZa spent too much time in the game and was for the most part a defensive liablity. Jennings is too quick for Bibby, but Jeff Teague was not given adequate run during the season and Woody has never trusted rookies as much as he should. Furthermore, Marvin Williams is underperforming not because of a lack of talent, but because Woody does not ever make him a first our second option on any plays down the floor. He is a last option or a place to dump the ball off when Joe or Bibby pick up their dribbles. He has no confidence and I guarantee if he is ever traded he would likely become an 18 to 20/ 10 rebound guy.
I think Kenny Smith or Avery Johnson would be good solid replacements. Kenny has never coached in the NBA, but he is smart, personable and would gain the respect of the players and fans quickly.
Not Drinking the Kool Aid
April 28th, 2010
5:57 pm
Mark, Are you kidding? Avery Johnson and Byron Scott not being good enough coaches? I don’t know much about Dwayne Casey or even Lawrence Franks? What I do know: 1) Mike Bibby should not be the starting point guard for the Hawks especially in the playoffs and I think we all know why. 2) Jeff Teague should have been developed better over a full season and I put this directly on Woodson (for reference see Acie Law); for proof that it can be done see Russell Westbrook, Tyreke Evans, C.Paul, Darren Williams, Stephen Curry, etc. etc. 3)For a team that has been together five years there is no reason to have stupid turnovers, defensive lapses, stagnant offense, and players who don’t know their role on the floor. All of these are coaches problems. The coach clearly defines offense, defense, and what and where each player should be and what each player should be doing? Avery Johnson got the most out of Dirk Nowitzki by challenging him to lead by example instead of being tissue paper soft. Dirk wants to shoot jumpers. Avery made him tough as hell in those playoff games by backing down opponents Dirk was pretty much unguardable. Since then Dirk has regressed. Mike Woodson does not develop talent, and has no offensive schemes, and really no defensive philosophy. If Woodson did we would see it on the court. A team will only go as far as the coach takes them. He is a babysitter for an NBA team. Now its time for the team to get a teacher and a coach.
TruthSeeker
April 28th, 2010
5:58 pm
Avery Johnson would be a HUGE upgrade over Woody. In Avery’s WORST year he won 51 games in the Western Conference. In Woody’s BEST he won 53 in the East. He has the disciplined approach and analytical mind that the Hawks need from the head coach.
I like Woody, but he’s served his purpose here. He stabilized the organization and got us back to being a perennial playoff qualifier. But the novelty of just getting to the playoffs has worn off. We need a guy who can lead us deep into the playoffs, and Avery is that guy.
DawgBoi
April 28th, 2010
5:59 pm
Mark Bradley,
Terry Stotts and Tim Floyd got fired and found another job in the NBA. Getting hired by an NBA team doesn’t mean anything. Winning does. Woodson will never have a team that can win on the road. Scotty Brooks has a young team that finished the regular season above .500 on the road and they play out West. Those are credentials that mean something. Slightly in Woody’s defense (he’s still garbage), OKC has a true Superstar in Durant. ATL does not. Have I mentioned there’s a guy named Wade that has some nice credentials of his own (NBA Finals MVP and he was the best player on that gold medal winning Olympic team IMO).
Einstein
April 28th, 2010
6:01 pm
Mark, if Woody leaves, why do the Hawks have to select from recycled trash for a coach? I bet there are several assistant coaches that are better qualified than half of the current NBA coaches. A good organization will identify them…do you think the Hawks front office fits that bill?
Avery Johnson
April 28th, 2010
6:01 pm
@ Ron Jirsa – I ain’t no dog on bad coach neither . I want the job too…I’m better the coach than you would’ve be.
Not Drinking the Kool Aid
April 28th, 2010
6:02 pm
Also, why not sit J-Smoove when he makes a bone head play? Joe wants to win period, he is not vocal, he leads on the floor. Spirit Group do us all a favor and get a coach in here before you lose the few fans and more money than you can ill afford to lose!!!!
TheAntiMe
April 28th, 2010
6:07 pm
Can Woody and bring in Jeff Van Gundy.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 28th, 2010
6:09 pm
If I’uz paid to blog, I’d prefer that most folks like me, (most folks like Mark I believe) but hey, a page-hit is a page-hit.
Harry Hawk
April 28th, 2010
6:11 pm
OK if not Bob Weiss, bring back the Wizard
chris
April 28th, 2010
6:18 pm
Jeff Van Gundy he is the man
K-FREE1
April 28th, 2010
6:18 pm
I think Woodson has done a fantastic job has head coach. He isn’t the one who made those horrible picks doing the Knight regime. This man has came out a terrible situation and made it a good one. We don’t have a true center something we really need a beast of a 7-footer, if we had that piece we would be talking about our first championship in the Atl. People talk about Chris Paul we still wouldn’t be championship caliber, so people let that go Marvin is doing fine he will be alright. Until we
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 28th, 2010
6:30 pm
I recently tried to swear-off the Hawks, but I’m like a sobering Lindsay Lohan stumbling upon an eight-ball of blow.
The blow, in my case, is the damn TV.
I’m all for the Fratello thing. If they bought into his system and brash coaching style, they would be an awesome bunch. The defense would vastly improve, guaranteed. BUT, they’d have to buy-in, hook, line, and sinker. With today’s players, that’s kinda iffy.
BirdDawg
April 28th, 2010
6:35 pm
People still saying that getting a “real” center is the key to this team winning a championship, huh? Great, let’s go out and get Shaq. With Woody’s switching defense, he’s sure to be the key to stopping Jennings or anyone else from driving the lane. It’s obvious that a great center like Shaq is the key to improving the perimeter defense of our big men. Of course, there is another alternative. The team could get a real coach that employs a real defense that keeps the big men near the basket for help defense. Now, I understand how tempting it would be for any coach to take a shot blocking monster like Josh Smith and stick him on the perimeter to defend point guards, that’s why Power forward/point guard matchups are so prevalent in the league. But maybe, just maybe, we should defy conventional wisdom and keep our shot blockers near the lane to block shots. Just a thought.
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Tim Tebow's Tears
April 28th, 2010
6:38 pm
If woody’s the ceiling we were doomed from the start…..
MitchC
April 28th, 2010
6:40 pm
Chris brings up a good name that I didnt even think of. Jeff Van Gundy might be a good fit. Actually, he’s been in this situation before.
Does anyone remember the Knicks of the early and mid 1990s, when Pat Riley resigned in 1995, following the Knicks taking a step back, after their 1994 Finals appearance? Don Nelson was hired briefly, and, after he resigned, the Knicks hired Van Gundy. While they didnt win a championship with him, they were consistently a solid team that made the playoffs, and they did make a Finals appearance in 1999. This all happened when their best player, Patrick Ewing, was on the decline. Van Gundy is a good coach, whose teams know how to play defense, and, he has already been to the Finals, both as an assistant to Riley, and as a head coach.
In my mind, if Woodson goes, Van Gundy should be a name that should be at the top of the Hawks list. I dont know why I didnt think of him myself.
Thanks, Chris!
O'Brien
April 28th, 2010
6:45 pm
K-FREE1
Did you ever consider that when the GM is making a pick, he will talk to his coach for some input?
Woody is on record saying he didnt think that highly of Chris Paul, so maybe him and Billy Knight were on the same page.
Ultimately, the GM makes the call, but he probably got input from Woody on the picks.
WTF
April 28th, 2010
6:48 pm
Eddie Jordan?? Are you serious?? Why would anyone hire a coach who’s been fired THREE TIMES.
While we’re at it, how about signing PJ Carlismo (also fired three times) to be our head coach, and go out and sign Kwame Brown, Darko Millicic, Tim Thomas, and Luke Walton. NBA Finals every year with those guys haha.
MrHughes
April 28th, 2010
6:56 pm
Bring on Avery Johnson! I’ve been wanting him for years here in atlanta! If not JVG!
Sweet Lou
April 28th, 2010
6:58 pm
As long as its not Bob Weiss or Mike Fratello…well, Fratelllo I could live with
NY Hawk
April 28th, 2010
7:00 pm
If the hawks lose this series or don’t represent in round 2, Woody has to go. Replacement needs to be Mark Jackson if he hasn’t been snapped up by then.
OldTimer
April 28th, 2010
7:05 pm
The Hawks are not a marketable product. So, it doesn’t matter.
champ
April 28th, 2010
7:08 pm
mike woodson should be replaced at the end of the year.
BirdDawg
April 28th, 2010
7:09 pm
Mike Woodson should be replaced tonight. Harry the Hawk can coach in the interim.
BirdDawg
April 28th, 2010
7:11 pm
Mike Woodson should be replaced tonight. Harry the Hawk can coach in the interim!
tdog
April 28th, 2010
7:12 pm
I keep hearing from the players the reason they lost was a lack of effort and concentration. Isn’t that the coach’s job to motivate these guys and keep them focused?
rob graner
April 28th, 2010
7:14 pm
Woody is horrible…needs to find one of his 8 assistant coaches that can help put a motion offense in. I can go and watch an AAU tourny and see all the one on one I want too…at this level you need to fall back on something to get some movement from your team
Mark Bradley
April 28th, 2010
7:25 pm
If you’re inclined, here’s the live chat from Game 5. With video of a dunking deer.
MC
April 28th, 2010
8:23 pm
Only one team can win it all. As long as I see consistent progress, and I have, I give my vote to Woody!!!!
Hawker
April 28th, 2010
8:24 pm
Woodson doesn’t want to leave atlanta, but will use the threat of a new job to score another mil from the morons who own the franchise.
Mr. Hawk
April 28th, 2010
8:27 pm
How about Pat Riley? He wants back into coaching and will work for $10 mil per year.
houstondawg
April 29th, 2010
12:08 am
Mark, why didnt you mention Van Gundy as well, he did a good job at Houston.
houstondawg
April 29th, 2010
12:27 am
Van Gundy or it would be great to see Fratello get another chance to take the Hawks to the finals.
Mike
April 29th, 2010
3:57 am
Interesting how all of the coaches you name are African-American coaches (Johnson, Jordan, Casey, Mitchell, Rivers) who have failed (except for Collins). When, in actuality, we need a coach that can implement a system and get more out of his players (see: Jackson, Phil; Poppovich, Gregg; Adelman, Rick; Sloan, Jerry; Van Gundy, Stan).
And even though Mike Brown has got to go, Rick Sund wasn’t exactly the best hire. Why didn’t we go after a disciple of one of the aforementioned coaches? Instead we hired Rick Sund. The right hand man for Clay Bennett, aka Darth Vader, in Seattle. What’d he do in Seattle? Oh, nothing except murder the Seattle Supersonics by means of ineptitude. Yes, if not for Rick Sund, the Seattle Supersonics would be in Seattle, not Oklahoma City, and they wouldn’t be the Thunder; and Kevin Durant might be wearing a Supersonics jersey.
Anyways, go after someone that’s been a part of a winning program, someone that’s shown a track record of success. This city needs a winning basketball team. All we’ve ever been is slightly above average.
Also, Mike Bibby is done. Does he have osteoperosis? Ridnour and Jennings have had their way with him this series and he’s not putting up anything on the offensive board, either. It reminds me of last year, against Cleveland, when Mo Williams and Delonte West made him a non-factor (0 points in Game 4).
Ok, I’m a little drunk. Wait, pretty drunk. It’s almost 4 am and the Hawks just lost IN ATLANTA to MILWAUKEE without BOGUT. I hate my life.
Big Money
April 29th, 2010
8:03 am
Woodson will be expecting a huge raise after getting to the playoffs—if he doesn’t get it, he’ll take the philly job–the hawk owners better come up with the some big time cash!
BYC
April 29th, 2010
9:45 am
I have never heard a Woodson supporter actually give any argument for keeping him besides “he’s improved the regular season record every year”.
Tell me how specifically is he a good coach? Has he developed his players? Does he make good adjustments in-game and game-to-game? Does he manage timeouts and substitutions well in game? Does he have the respect of his players? Can he control his players and make them play intelligently? Does he ever draw up any plays coming out of timeouts? Is his team mentally focused in the 4th quarter? Is his team overachieving for their talent level? Is his team able to close out games? No,no,no,no,no,no,no,no,no.
Would you be surprised if the Hawks could play just as well with literally no one coaching?
Sadly, no.
David Wheton
April 29th, 2010
12:28 pm
I think that the Hawks are best to keep Woddy. For the simple fact that Woddy has helped this team mature and the only reasonable coach who would come to Atlanta is Doc Rivers who has proven if he doesnt have three superstars on his team then he cant win.
Mike
May 5th, 2010
12:16 am
It’s funny how everyone blames the coach. The team quit, not the coach. He helped the team to overachieve this season. The team has no depth or size. Jamal is the only decent bench player they have.
Give Orlando props!! They have not lost since March. The have now won 25 of 28 games and are on their way to a title.
Mike
May 5th, 2010
12:24 am
Regarding a possible upset….
Teams that get upset usually get upset for one of the following reasons…
1) They don’t match up well (for example last year when Orlando beat the Cavs)
2) They did not respect their opponent and did not prepare because they thought they would coast through the series (Golden State Vs Dallas is a great example)
3) The team was playing bad heading into the playoffs
Orlando is not exhibiting any of these typical factors for a team to get upset.
1) They matchup great against the Hawks in every position
2) They are prepared and focused
3) Orlando closed out the regular season winning 9 of 10 games
Orlando is not going to get upset, they are prepared and ready and the Hawks are over-matched in every position