Why the Atlanta Hawks’ future is, in a word, questionable
Kirk Hinrich waves goodbye to the first-round draft pick that became Chris Singleton. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The NBA draft is behind us, and all the Hawks have to show for it is Keith Benson, a skinny center of some promise who might not play a significant minute next season. But there are greater issues facing this team. To wit:
1. Having all but admitted they’d like to trade Josh Smith, don’t the Hawks now HAVE to trade Josh Smith?
Yes. Some players could shrug off being shopped as the price of business. Smith isn’t so thick-skinned. He really wants to be appreciated as a great player, and he can’t understand why Atlanta fans cringe when he rises to shoot a 20-footer. If the Hawks were willing to dangle Smith in the attempt to land the draft’s No. 2 pick and the Turkish center Enes Kanter, they shouldn’t pull back now. A disgruntled Smoove would be a greater distraction than he already is.
2. Does the Kirk Hinrich trade look even worse with time?
Yes. It’s one thing to deal away a draft pick, quite another to realize that pick could have yielded Chris Singleton, the forward from Florida State who’s an Atlanta native and who could have stepped into the Hawks’ rotation on defensive prowess alone. The Washington Wizards now have a shooting guard (Jordan Crawford, also included in the Hinrich deal) and a swing forward (Singleton) who came gift-wrapped from the Hawks, who — and this is the real kick in the head — might not have needed Hinrich at all.
3. Speaking of whom … is Jeff Teague the real deal?
He was terrific against Chicago as an emergency starter, but it bears repeating that he worked just under 10 minutes in the Round 1 series against Orlando. The Hawks went to training camp last fall hoping that Teague would show enough that Mike Bibby could be phased out, and that didn’t happen. If you’re counting, that makes two Hawks coaches — first Mike Woodson, then Larry Drew — who have praised Teague’s talent but haven’t trusted him enough to put him on the floor.
4. We’ve been told all along that the Hawks are “athletic.” Why did they turn into a bunch of jump shooters?
Actions have consequences. By giving Al Horford more minutes at power forward, Smith was pushed to the perimeter. The shifts turned two of the league’s more dynamic talents into standstill shooters. The damning numbers, courtesy of Hoopdata: The Hawks took fewer shots at the rim than any NBA team but hoisted more from 16 to 23 than any club save the Wizards. This is simply a poor bit of asset allocation.
5. Can Jamal Crawford be retained?
It’s hard to see how. The Hawks have nearly $67 million committed for next season, and Crawford is going to command upwards of $10 million as an unrestricted free agent. There’s also this: Of that $67 million, almost $30 million will go to guards Hinrich, Teague and Joe Johnson. Do you really want to pay $40 million for your backcourt?
6. Is Joe Johnson’s contract worse than Jon Koncak’s notorious deal?
Yes. Koncak re-upped for $13 million over six seasons, which was big money in 1989. Johnson stayed for $123 million over six seasons, which is huge money now. Koncak was 26 when he signed his new contract; Johnson had just turned 29. The Hawks will have little wiggle room so long as Johnson is a Hawk, and he’s under contract through 2016. Whoa.
7. Is there any hope here?
Sure. Horford and Smith and Johnson are good-to-excellent players, and Teague shows promise. If the Hawks make the right trade involving Smith, they could remain one of the better teams in the East. But the core, which has existed since 2007, needs to change. They didn’t sink from 53 victories in 2009-2010 to 44 last season because a bunch of guys got hurt; they got worse because the guys on hand stopped playing as well together. It’s up to general manager Rick Sund to rearrange the elements.
8. Is Sund capable of such alchemy?
Good question.
By Mark Bradley
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177 comments Add your comment
mountain_jim
June 28th, 2011
10:02 am
I the team sold yet? Is Sund gone yet?
Because I would not allow Sund to trade Josh, he will underperform just as badly as he did getting Hinrich.
I bet he loses his shirt playing poker too.
KevinM
June 28th, 2011
10:06 am
Let me understand this….we have in this town an ‘all-star’ center…..yet, we have to have a 4-5 rotation at that same position….Zaza, Collins, Thomas, Armstrong and now Benson. Does anyone else see the hypocrisy in all this? Now we have 6 centers for a max 15 slots? What is this, a Guiness Record Book contest to see how many 7 rooters fit on one roster?
Label Al what he is, a PF who doesnt want to or won’t defend the other team’s best interior player.
2 years ago, Josh Smith took how many 3 pointers? How many last year? Now tell me where the best position is for Josh? Is it Larry or are the players able to dictate where they play? It’s hard to
tell….
So here we are with one, maybe 2 outside shooters for the current roster…Kirk and Joe.
We have a PG and a half, Kirk being the half.
Our agenda this off season is to fill slots behind these guys? If we sign JC1, we kiss any smidgen of flexibility we have. Sund plays coy, saying we will do our best to sign JC1 when you know he doesnt have the cash…..
Someone from another blog was impressed at the mini camp roster we put together, but truly, how many playoff teams find contributors from a mini-camp? And with no summer camp, less time to impress the Hawks’ brass. We have to get vets, we have to upgrade 1 or even 2 starting positions from the opening roster last year.
How will Larry justify giving Teague limited minutes without Bibby as his rock? That decision right there should have had him fired after one season……he’s at best a #2, but if you ask Woody, you apparently can’t trust him in that role.
Get another coach in here before Drew II decides to apply for the draft. We are finished at that point.
KevinM
June 28th, 2011
10:09 am
If Sund had any guts, he would have cleaned house after that 2nd disaster against Orlando..instead, he shows his average skillset still waiting on Marvin, Joe, and Al to earn their salaries in the playoffs.
Astro Joe
June 28th, 2011
11:25 am
KevinM, Collins, Armstrong and Thomas are all free agents and only one of those guys will likely return.
I wonder why Sund is wishy-washy about Damien?
Malcolm Thomas- Granger
June 28th, 2011
11:54 am
Wow does anybody else buy the Danny Granger-Malcolm Thomas comparison?
I did not know those guys were all that big. 6′8.5
Another guy that tall at the 3 is Richard Jefferson. How has no one ever notice the similarities?
If Granger is 6′8.5 that explains why he can shoot so many shots that easily. The Malcolm Thomas kid is the same way.
Has anyone seen this guy. He moves exactly like Granger.
I did the draftexpress research:
6′ 8.5″ + 220
arm size
Malcolm Thomas 7′2
Danny Granger 7′1.5 size
Richard Jefferson 7′0.5 size
Tracy McGrady 7′2 size, 6′7.75
Can you picture Kyle Korver trying to guard any of these guys on the Hawks? Rick Sund finally has an easy choice to make.
If teams would have seen this kid as a small forward who can block shots then he wouldn’t have slipped out of the draft.
Can’t blame teams for wanting younger players and guards.
But if we sign Thomas we can rectify Williams inability to get a shot by playing him with Malcolm Thomas. His perimeter shot blocking will dominate second units as will Marvin when faced with 2 guards and not having to defer to his starter caliber teammates.
Opinions?
Eric
June 28th, 2011
12:02 pm
Trade, Mark Bradley he’s an idiot!!! The two players I would’ve traded Josh for are both in New York. Bradley probably thinks the Jason Terry for Antoine Walker trade was good, or how about Nique for Danny Manning, and lastly Steve Smith for Isiah Rider really good trades for Atlanta.
DinasaurFenton
June 28th, 2011
2:29 pm
The Hawks future is indeed questionable, but they can adjust their future status from QUESTIONABLE to GREAT if they go ahead and do the right thing and hire JERRY SLOAN for their head coach. I take nothing away from Larry Drew but Larry Drew is an IDIOT for SITTING Jeff Teague when Teague was discovered to be the SECOND BEST POINT GUARD IN THE LEAGUE after he managed to get some playing time after Hinrichs injury. HAD HINRICH STAYED HEALTHY, TEAGUE WOULDNT HAVE GOTTEN ONE MINUTE OF PLAYING TIME and that can be attributed to the ineptness of Larry Drew. Larry Drew is a BAFOON and should be replaced immediately by the legendary hall of fame coach Jerry Sloan. Jerry Sloan knows how to deal with the modern day problem athletes such as Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford and Josh Smith. Jerry Sloan can handle punks like them and will not tolerate anything less than WINNING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Jerry Sloans Jazz teams made the playoffs for a record of eighteen (18) consecutive seasons in a row. Jerry Sloan will go down in history as the greatest coach of all times if he could just get the missed coveted chhampionship ring that he is desparate for. Bring Sloan in and watch him thrive in Atlanta and deliver to the Hawks a world championship title.
Submariner683
June 28th, 2011
2:46 pm
Face it, this has been one of the worst run franchises period over the last 25 years, especially when it comes to personnel decisions.
Over the last quarter of a century, I can only think of two trades the Hawks have made that were really good and made Atlanta a better team. Mookie Blalock for Rumeal Robinson. The Hawks got real solid PG for the better part of a decade for a player who as a 2G trying to be a PG. Steve Smith and Grant Long for Kevin Willis. With Steve Smith they had an excellent 2G with that was a miss-match in the post for most guards and a serviceable replacement at the PF for Kevin Willis.
Outside of those two, it’s been a nightmare of trades and draft picks. Take out Horford, Smith, and Jason Terry (of which goes part of the nightmare trades), name another draft pick of note for the Hawks. I’ll admit that Al Henderson was a decent pro, but was a good bench guy at best. Without the successes of Horford and Smith, Henderson is the Hawks valedictorian of summer school for draft picks. 1st round picks like Dallys Comegys, Ed Gray, Roy Marble, Priest Lauderdale, Reshown Mccleod, Douglas Edwards, Adam Keefe, the list goes on and on. At least those picks have some reprieve since they weren’t very high picks and usually the talent can seem slimmer, although other teams drafted players after those that turned out to be NBA-caliber players. The worst of the worst is Marvin Williams with all the talent that was available at the 2nd pick. Especially when the Hawks seemed to have plenty of players at the 2G/SF position with the Joshes and JJ.
The exact same could be said of the Shelden Williams pick. A high pick with lots of real talent around and the hawks pick that.
Giving up Gasol for Sharrif Abdur Rahim, while also throwing in Lorenzen Wright (rest his soul), who by the way, the Hawks gave up a 1st round pick to pick up Wright from the clippers, and the Hawks threw in another 1st player, so three 1st rounders, two lottery picks, one of which a super star for Rahim. Granted, at the time, Rahim was becoming one of the 6-7 best players in the league, but even if he’d remained on the level he was with the Grizzilies, which he didn’t, that was too expensive a trade.
And Joe Johnson, love the guy, but didn’t the Hawks have to send two first round picks to Phoenix to get him because they were afraid that the Suns were going to match the over-the-top elite restricted free agent offer? At the time they still had Amare and Shawn Marion and were presumed to actually want to keep those players with Nash, so how were they going to afford Johnson? They weren’t, and as it turns out, don’t mind letting high dollar players go unless their name is Steve Nash.
Face it, when you go 25 years and can only name a 2-3 picks that were good NBA-caliber players, one of which earned a ring for another team, the Atlanta fan base should be delighted that they’ve ever had a competitive team.
B.O.B
June 28th, 2011
3:56 pm
You HAVE to make a run at Dwight Howard, and do it in a trade that does NOT include Josh Smith. Since they are already friends and they wanna play together. Send a package with Al Horford and some other pieces, maybe Hinrich’s expiring contract and Marvin/Zaza would be enough. If Howard is gonna walk away like they think he will, what better replacement to Howard than an ALLSTAR in Horford. Makes sense to me…
Malcolm Thomas- Richard Jefferson
June 28th, 2011
4:46 pm
Wow does anybody else buy the Danny Granger-Malcolm Thomas comparison?
I did not know those guys were all that big. 6′8.5
Another guy that tall at the 3 is Richard Jefferson. How has no one ever notice the similarities?
If Granger is 6′8.5 that explains why he can shoot so many shots that easily. The Malcolm Thomas kid is the same way.
Has anyone seen this guy. He moves exactly like Granger.
I did the draftexpress research:
6′ 8.5″ + 220
arm size
Malcolm Thomas 7′2
Danny Granger 7′1.5 size
Richard Jefferson 7′0.5 size
Tracy McGrady 7′2 size, 6′7.75
Can you picture Kyle Korver trying to guard any of these guys on the Hawks? Rick Sund finally has an easy choice to make.
If teams would have seen this kid as a small forward who can block shots then he wouldn’t have slipped out of the draft.
Can’t blame teams for wanting younger players and guards.
But if we sign Thomas we can rectify Williams inability to get a shot by playing him with Malcolm Thomas. His perimeter shot blocking will dominate second units as will Marvin when faced with 2 guards and not having to defer to his starter caliber teammates.
Opinions?
If anyone disagrees I’d like to see because the video evidence is pretty compelling that we may have found a diamond to rectify Williams
tdub
June 28th, 2011
5:07 pm
some of u guys need to get off Joe Johnson’s back. Yes, he had a bad year, yes he got a major deal, and yes he is probably overpaid. What yall fell to realize is where would this Atlanta Hawk team be if we did not have him for the last 5 years. This guy might not be a number 1 option but he surely can’t do it by himself. Lebron couldn’t in clev, Wade couldn’t in miami, and I could go on and on. He plays pretty good defense and he can still help you with his overall game when he is struggling. The bottom line is this: He will make less money than Gilbert Arenas, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Rashard Lewis, Zach Randolph, and many more and will make 2 to 3.5 million more than Lebron and Wade. Guys give me a break. People in general always focus more on what they don’t have then what they do have. Joe Johnson has given this city a reason to be proud in his on quiet way. Give this man some help, a true number 1 option.
FlashGordon
June 28th, 2011
5:31 pm
I agree that you have to make a run at ATLANTA NATIVE Dwight Howard. Superman might want to come back home to atlanta and he would make the hawks DOWNRIGHT LETHAL. Howard can easily be obtained by trading Kurt Hinrich, Marvin Williams and Josh Smith. I know that is giving up a lot because Smith has the potential to be BETTER THAN LABRON JAMES, but the old adage is you must give up something to get something. We no longer need Hinrich because we have our point guard of the future in Teague. This trade would allow us to dispose of some excess baggage in Williams who really doesnt contribute much of anything. That trade would make the Hawks an elite team.
yodaddy
June 28th, 2011
5:47 pm
Josh Smith will not be getting traded. You bloggers and journalists need to quit trying to run him out of town. Josh Smith is a great player.
Boo hoo we traded our first round pick in a weak draft. Next year the draft will be stronger and we will still have a pick and an opportunity to choose a better player.
Yes Kirk Hinrich was needed because his rugged style rubbed off on the team, particularly the backcourt. Even Jamal Crawford looked inspired to play defense in stretches (even though he doesn’t have the ability). Kirk Hinrich is also efficient and can shoot.
With Mike “The Hobble” Bibby we would have been bounced in the first round because he plays no defense, lost his shooting ability, and can’t even run the ball up the court.
Kirk Hinrich is a proven elite NBA defender (not saying Singleton can’t get there but he’s a rookie and he can’t score) and is on record that he seriously bothers Dwayne Wade on defense and can make it hard on Derrick Rose.
Jordan Crawford was redundant FOR THIS TEAM because obviously had JC1 (reigning 6th Man of the Year) and perennial All Star Joe Johnson. He wasn’t going to play much. In essence you have to give up something to get something else. Remember Kirk Hinrich was a lottery pick and has had a worthwhile career thus far.
yodaddy
June 28th, 2011
6:03 pm
Jeff Teague is the real deal….I don’t know what else you need to see from him.
On the biggest stage, under dire circumstances and through adversity Jeff Teague delivered. He didn’t deliver in one game…..he delivered in 6 games against the league MVP and the #1 ranked defense in the league. He gave Derrick Rose all he ever wanted to handle on both ends of the floor. He remained focused and ready even though Larry Drew couldn’t see what every Atlanta fan and outside commentator could see. He didn’t pout or cry….he patiently waited.
The only thing the Hawks need to do is add another SG to replace Jamal Crawford (preferably J.R. Smith bc at least he will play some defense) and a SF better than Marvin (which is pretty much anyone currently available).
Hell J.R. Smith could start. Teague, Johnson, Smith, Smith, Horford. We’d REALLY be the highlight factory then.
nique
June 28th, 2011
7:31 pm
You forgot to mention Larry Drew as to why the Hawks present and future are questionable….
Baby Mamma Drama of J-Stupid
June 28th, 2011
9:54 pm
They have to trade J-Stupid. His babies mommas keep coming to the home games and distracting him. He either has to stop having so many kids with multiple partners, get a restraining order on the ones showing up, or get outta town.
E43
June 29th, 2011
12:04 am
Joe wasnt paid 120 million to be a superstar. Joe was paid that money but i dont think it was because of his skills as a ball player. IT was probably to keep him long enough to build a stronger market over the years. Possibly become a free agency haven based on the success they had with him. Joe has done alot over the years but i refuse to believe that the money they gave Joe was based on Joes success as a player but the fear of letting him go and have the team on a downward spiral similar to when Nique left.
Mark, you're just a little off here
June 29th, 2011
9:53 am
1. until he matures a lot, Josh Smith will ALWAYS be a malcontent 2. Hinrich was the difference in the Orlando series and could have been in the Chicago series 3. despite the ugly stroke, Jeff Teague is the real deal 4. coaching, or a lack thereof 5. conventional wisdom says it will cost too much to retain Jamal (we traded away his heir apparent, but he has a son here and who knows what the new CBA will glean) 6. Joe is a stud and once we get squared away at the 1 and the 5, it will become glaringly apparent 7 and
see my responses to 1 thru 6
DinasaurFenton
June 29th, 2011
10:16 am
Mark, you’re a little off here: I DISAGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY. JOSH SMITH WILL NOT ALWAYS BE A MALCONTENT. IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT COACH WHO CAN GET IN JOSH’S GRILL AND MOTIVATE JOSH TO GREATNESS. THERE IS ONLY ONE COACH OUT THERE WHO I KNOW WHO IS EQUAL TO THE TASK. I HAVE BEEN REPEATING IT FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND NO ONE WILL CHALLENGE ME ON IT. THE ONLY COACH (who incidentally is a HALL-OF-FAME coach) who I KNOW WHO CAN GET JOSH TO PERFORM BETTER THAN LABRON JAMES IS FORMER JAZZ GREAT AND LEGENDARY HALL-OF-FAME COACH JERRY SLOAN. YOU SEE, JOSH SMITH IS A PUNK, AND PUNKS NEED SOMEONE TO STAND UP TO THEM OR THEY WILL CONTINUE TO RUN ROUGHSHOD OVER THEM. NO ONE CAN RUN OVER SLOAN. YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN DERON WILLIAMS AND SLOAN HAD THEIR DISAGREEMENTS. SLOAN WOULD RATHER STEP DOWN THAN TO BE EMBARRASSED BY ANOTHER PLAYER. SLOAN IS, IN MY OPINION, THE GREATEST COACH IN THE HISTORY OF THE NBA. JERRY SLOAN SHOULD BE THE NEXT COACH OF THE ATLANTA HAWKS. IF THAT HAPPENS, JOSH SMITH WILL BECOME THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA, UNDER SLOANS TUTORING, MENTORSHIP AND STERLING TEACHING. SLOANS RESUME INCLUDES GUIDING KARL MALONE (THE MAILMAN AND ARGUABLY THE GREATEST POWER FORWARD TO PLAY IN THE NBA) AND JOHN STOCKTON (PERHAPS THE BEST POINT GUARD TO EVER PLAY IN THE GAME). SLOAN COULD TAKE SMITH AND TURN HIM INTO A BEAST IN THE PAINT AND A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL WHO WILL BRING HIS LUNCH PAIL TO WORK EVERY DAY AND PERFORM WITH EXCELLENCE. JERRY SLOAN SHOULD REPLACE LARRY DREW AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
FriendlyFreddie
June 29th, 2011
2:07 pm
Everybody keeps referring to Josh Smith as J-Stupid. However, when Josh had his mammoth game in the playoffs (game 4) against the Bulls where Josh was the leading scorer for the Hawks (26 points) with 14 rebounds 3 steals, 8 assists and 4 blocked shots–there is only 1 guy in the league who can have a comparable stat line [LABRON JAMES]. When Josh’s game is on–JOSH SMITH IS AS GOOD AS LaBron James. When Josh is reverting to his old habits–Josh doesnt even look as good as a high-school player. When Josh is playing his “A” game–Josh Smith is an all-star in the NBA. When Josh is playing his “F” game–Josh doesnt even look good enough to make an NBA roster. Its either feast or famine with josh smith. Either he is dominant or he looks even worse than Marvin Williams. JOSH SMITH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE GREATEST NBA PLAYER OF ALL TIMES.
JewelNelson
June 29th, 2011
2:48 pm
Josh Smith IS A COMPLETE MORON. But he wouldnt be that if Jerry Sloan challenged josh to a fight in the locker room. Slaon would do that if he had to to tame josh smith and get him playing beyond his potential. Of course, eight years into the league you would think that josh shouldnt still be a project and joshs skills should be more polished than they have been. But that is because there is no JERRY SLOAN out there to punch out josh smith and keep josh in his place. JERRY SLOAN SHOULD BE THE NEXT COACH OF THE HAWKS FOR TWO REASONS. #1:LARRY DREW IS SO BAD AS A COACH THAT HE WILL GET THE HAWKS SOLD AND MOVED OUT OF TOWN AND WE WILL LOSE THE FRANCHISE.#2:JERRY SLOAN IS THE GREATEST TEACHER AS A BENCH COACH IN THE HISTORY OF THE NBA. HIS TWO STAR PUPILS–MALONE AND STOCKTON WERE THE BEST EVER AT RUNNING THE PICK-AND-ROLL, AND THOSE TWO GREAT PLAYERS WERE THE GREATEST EVER AT THEIR POSITION. That is a direct result of having an awesome coach at the helm. JERRY SLOAN SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE IN ATLANTA TO SEE IF HE CAN MAKE JOSH SMITH, JAMAL CRAWFORD, AL HORFORD AND JOE JOHNSON FUTURE HALL OF FAMERS. I THINK SLOAN CAN MAKE ALL FOUR OF THOSE PLAYERS FUTURE HOF’ERS IF SLOAN GETS THE CHANCE TO COACH IN THE ATL. ENOUGH SAID. FIRE DREW AND SIGN SLOAN TO A CONTRACT TODAY.
Thunderdoom
June 29th, 2011
3:43 pm
Don’t think Sloan would work. Good friend told me Smith doesn’t like taking orders from white people.
DinasaurFenton
June 30th, 2011
10:07 am
Sloan’s hiring to head coach of the atlanta hawks would literally GUARANTEE THE HAWKS A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. Here’s why: (Sloan)
HALL OF FAME COACH + best talent in the league = gold ball
VernFlemming
June 30th, 2011
12:05 pm
If the Hawks dont get a qualified, high-profile coach like a JERRY SLOAN, the current group of hawks misfits: joe johnson, jamal crawford and josh smith will continue to TRAMPLE ALL OVER LARRY DREW. Al Horford has nevere had a problem with authority, but most of the others have no regard for Drew or anyone else for that matter. JERRY SLOAN WILL NOT PUT UP WITH THE CRAP FROM THE HAWKS PLAYERS.
FerrociousTiger
June 30th, 2011
12:07 pm
Josh Smith doesnt realize it, but he has the POTENTIAL TO BE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE. KOBE will be retiring soon, as well as Dirk and Josh Smith should take over the reins as top player in the league, provided Smith will work hard to realize his potential every night. Smith is capable, but he will have to work extremely hard to pull it off.
POTENTIAL
June 30th, 2011
2:56 pm
Malcolm THomas + Josh Smith
JewelNelson
July 1st, 2011
11:26 am
I really dont know why the Hawks brass havent contacted the GREATEST BASKETBALL COACH IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS–JERRY SLOAN. SLOAN WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING FUTURE HALL OF FAME STARS DERON WILLIAMS, KARL MALONE AND JOHN STOCKTON. Sloan can do the same thing for Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Jeff Teague and Al Horford and can develop all 5 of those guys into sure-fire hall of famers. THAT IS WHAT JERRY SLOAN CAN DO FOR THE HAWKS, NOT TO MENTION COACH THEM TO AN NBA TITLE.