The Hawks move to keep Larry Drew, and more hope fades
"Run the play where we shoot a jump shot. That'll work." (AJC photo by Hyosub Shin)
The Atlanta Hawks could have changed a lot this offseason without doing very much. They could have said goodbye to both general manager Rick Sund and coach Larry Drew without having to buy either out. By announcing Friday that they’ve chosen to keep Drew another season, the Hawks have again sent the message that they regard being pretty good as good enough.
Sund’s fate — his contract expires June 30 — is still unknown, but it seemed rather significant that he was the only one quoted in the we’re-keeping-Drew release. (Would a GM who’s actually leaving be allowed to vote yea or nay on a coach? These being the Hawks, maybe.) And if you wondered how long Sund would wait to invoke injuries as an excuse for remaining status quo, the answer was 25 words.
Then this: “The Hawks have reached the postseason in each of his years on the bench, and we feel Larry’s experience, expertise and dedication to the game were a key ingredient to our success.”
As we know, the Hawks reached the playoffs in each of Mike Woodson’s final three seasons, but that didn’t keep this crew, Sund included, from dumping him and promoting his longtime assistant. On the record, the Hawks have been worse in their first two seasons under Drew than in their final two seasons under Woodson, but apparently this, to Sund and presumably to ownership, constitutes “success.”
Which only goes to show: No matter how often this organization boasts of its commitment to excellence, all it’s really trying to do is not to look too bad. Would the Celtics or the Lakers — franchises that co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. suggested his team belongs alongside because all three happened to reach Round 2 of the postseason three years running — define “reach[ing] the postseason” as “success”? Could anyone look at the opportunity just wasted against Boston as anything but a reversal?
This offseason could have been — and still might, theoretically — a time for recalibration. The Hawks could have found a better coach (Nate McMillan would have been my first call) and a new general manager (Dennis Lindsey and Troy Weaver, assistant GM’s with San Antonio and Oklahoma City, would have been my starting points) and tried to reshape the prized Core Four to reflect the growing reality that Josh Smith, not Joe Johnson, is the key to brighter tomorrows.
Instead: Eight days after elimination, the Hawks moved to keep Drew. Why? Well, he works cheap. Beyond that, I really don’t know. To say he hasn’t been a disaster as head coach ignores the reason he was given the job: Drew convinced management he could improve on what Woodson had done. Two years later, he hasn’t.
Drew has de-emphasized Joe Johnson without finding a workable replacement for the Iso-Joes. (And the Hawks still do the Iso-Joes — just not quite as often.) One of the league’s better collections of youngish talent has become a crew dependent on the jump shot, which is utterly counterintuitive: You’d want a team so quick and agile to shoot driving to the hoop, not standing 20 feet away.
The most damning number on Drew involves, as do many damning Hawks numbers, Josh Smith: In his final season under Woodson, Smith took 263 shots of 16 feet or longer (this according to Basketball-Reference.com); in his first season under Drew, he took 526. The belief here is that Drew’s way of handling his most gifted player has been to let Smith do as he pleases, which benefits neither team nor player. The belief here is that Smith is less apt to listen to Drew in 2013 than he was in 2004 or 2011. The belief here is that, if the Hawks are ever to maximize Smith, they won’t do it with this coach.
Another sobering truth: The shortened schedule wasn’t exactly balanced. The Hawks played 25 games against the seven Eastern clubs who failed to make the playoffs, all of whom finished under .500. Boston and Chicago and Indiana each played 23 games against those seven; Miami played 21. Among Eastern playoff qualifiers, only the Knicks had so many games against the conference’s bottom tier. The Hawks played the minimum four games against the top four finishers in the West; every other Eastern playoff qualifier except Indiana played more.
The Hawks could have taken their first Round 1 elimination since 2008 as a signal that change is warranted. Alas, it comes as no great surprise that they pointed to injuries as the reason to stay a course that hasn’t really gotten them very far. Maybe they’ll fool us now by letting Sund leave and hiring someone to come in and bust up the Core Four, but in light of this offseason’s first big move there’s no reason to hold out hope. We’ve again been reminded that these are the Atlanta Hawks.
By Mark Bradley
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258 comments Add your comment
ClemsonBrad
May 18th, 2012
4:33 pm
First on a Friday!! Have a great weekend Mark! That’s it for me!
ClemsonBrad
May 18th, 2012
4:36 pm
Good Read. I am bummed about re-hiring Drew as well….but very typical Hawks…I think you are spot on with answering the question, why? Cheap and easy.
This to me also smells like the Hawks won’t be making many changes this offseason. But, with a new GM, I could be wrong. But doesn’t this look like the Hawks are going to give it ONE more year with “everyone healthy” before blowing big pieces of this team up?
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
May 18th, 2012
4:37 pm
Like all Georgia teams, championships are once in a lifetime…
donte080
May 18th, 2012
4:37 pm
Mr Bradley, nice hatchet job on Larry Drew! I sure would like to be fly on the wall if you two ever are in an interview room together
Chris Goltermann
May 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
Ship em all to Winnipeg and give us the Thrashers back.
Reid Adair
May 18th, 2012
4:43 pm
Michael Gearon Jr. and Rick Sund are about as honest/trustworthy as Jonathan Vilma.
Maybe they’ll at least get rid of Sund, but as you said, Mark, that seems doubtful.
tide e bowl
May 18th, 2012
4:44 pm
Hey Bama trash, did you hear Georgia got a new zoo? We put a fence up around Alabama.
Mark Bradley
May 18th, 2012
4:44 pm
Thanks, ClemsonBrad.
Mark Bradley
May 18th, 2012
4:45 pm
For the record, I’ve never had a cross word with Coach Drew. He has always treated me professionally.
Bob in SF
May 18th, 2012
4:45 pm
Thank you once again Atlanta (Dis)Spirit.
TomB
May 18th, 2012
4:46 pm
The Smith family is back running the Hawks this time around. God help us!
TomB
May 18th, 2012
4:47 pm
I say Marion Campbell for head coach.
TomB
May 18th, 2012
4:48 pm
Why not?
prime time
May 18th, 2012
4:51 pm
it only basketball, who care!!!!!
Harry Hawk
May 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
I think you hit the nail on the head, Mark. Drew is cheap. I can’t imagine any other reason why he’s still coaching this crew.
(Then again, I can’t imagine why anyone would look at the core of this club and think it could get better, but I’m not very imaginative, I suppose.)
Don
May 18th, 2012
5:03 pm
“Pretty Good”???? How bout average, at the very best?
donte080
May 18th, 2012
5:03 pm
For the record, maybe you could take a clue on Drew’s professionalism. Hawks won the equivalent of 50 games this season without their all-star center. Josh Smith pushed his game up to another level, and Jeff Teague proved worthy as a starting PG. Despite multiple injuries to key players, Hawks never gave up on their season. Drew deserves some credit for all of that.
Also, Nate McMillian had a losing record as coach of Trailblazers, a team with some similarities to Atlanta. In the 3 seasons in which they did make the playoffs, they had first round exits. Several players including former Hawk Jamal Crawford, wanted him fired as the team quit on him. And you think he is a better solution to Drew? Say what you want, this Hawks team never quit all season long.
Dr. No
May 18th, 2012
5:04 pm
Best franchise in Atlanta, right Najeh Davenpoop?! LMFAO
Dr. No
May 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
LMAOOOOO @ everything Donte80 just posted.
The NBA is LAUGHING at the Hawks, man!
Loki
May 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
Mark,
Theory: Ownership dumps Drew and Josh Smith after next year, then goes after some big name free agents in 2013. Then, they can bring in any coach to placate the player’s massive ego.
Thoughts?
Mike Jay
May 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
I think Sund did a great job shaping the bench this last year while having to stay out of the luxury tax. I also think he was coerced/forced by ownership to give Iso Joe that horrible contract. Sund has been around the game a long time and is not that stupid IMO. Drew also did a great job keeping the team focused and motivated with all of the injuries. They could have easily folded and managed to win a lot of games on sheer talent as there seemed to be a serious lack of X’s and O’s. You know what other coaches are good motivators and keep players focused? Assistant coaches. Why is that? Because the head coach is busy coaching. If only the Hawks had one of those…
cb795
May 18th, 2012
5:16 pm
Mark i agree with you 100%! When Drew was hired I felt the Hawks extended their coaching tree, rather than branching out for new ideals. Drew has not changed my opion on this. They should have kept the original instead of a very poor duplicate of former coach. These Hawks will always be a pertender
Oldmike
May 18th, 2012
5:19 pm
Why do we care? The owners sure don’t. The league cares even less. Blow it up and start over, please. Get rId of JJ.
Jean Claude Killy
May 18th, 2012
5:19 pm
Well thats just great.
Spyro
May 18th, 2012
5:20 pm
Mark, did you borrow those J-Smoove shooting numbers (the ones from his last year under Woody and the first under LD) from the Hoopinion article I linked in the previous article?
donte080
May 18th, 2012
5:45 pm
Dr No….what kind of name is that? FYI, NBA is too worried about Heat getting their arses handed to them by Indy to be worried about Hawks.
And we both know this…..Neither you nor Mr Bradley would have been touting Pacers head coach Frank Vogel before this season.
chuck
May 18th, 2012
5:45 pm
The best two players on the team by far are both PF and neither should be playing anywhere near big minutes at another position. I have nothing against Josh Smith BUT he is the one that needs to go. The best thing that could happen to Josh is to get traded to a team with some veteran leadership. Smith needs a head coach and a teammate enforcer that will tie him to the basket and not let him get away. What could we expect to receive for Josh Smith? We need to hopefully get a small forward and a legitimate center thru a trade for Josh and the draft. Play Marvin off the bench.
W.R. Terrell
May 18th, 2012
5:47 pm
So tell me, will the JOSH improve under LD’s 3rd year? I think not.
WooYeah
May 18th, 2012
5:51 pm
Mark: good article, but I don’t completely agree. “Donte080″ makes some pretty valid points.
Here’s my take:
–Hawks lose their only viable big man, yet stayed competitive. That is coaching.
–Joe Johnson showed his age; Josh Smith, for a moment, grew up; Jeff Teague shows he can start. At the end, Horford showed why he’s the guy to build around.
What needs to happen:
–Admit we’ve maxed out and retool.
–Trade Josh Smith: His value has never been greater. He does not know how to win (see the end of last game).
–Keep Horford and Teague. Everyone else is trade bait.
–Do not dwell on Joe Johnson’s contract. We are stuck with him, like it or not.
The right move:
–Keeping Drew. He is not the problem. Believe it or not, the players responded to him.
Harry Hawk
May 18th, 2012
6:02 pm
Josh Smith has played in 646 regular season and playoff games. I can’t imagine him improving as a player. He has one year left on his deal. He has to go.
STRETCH
May 18th, 2012
6:03 pm
“The Hawks could have taken their first Round 1 elimination since 2008 as a signal that change is warranted. Alas, it comes as no great surprise that they pointed to injuries as the reason to stay a course that hasn’t really gotten them very far.”
Mr Bradley…your best article….EVER!!!
smitty derf
May 18th, 2012
6:04 pm
As much as I find Josh difficult to coach, he did make some improvement under Drew. However I don’t have much faith that it will continue. he is the quintessential, superstar athlete who gets you beat and the coach fired. He led the team in turnovers, more than teague or heinrich . There is no excuse for that from coach or player. I also dont have any faith in ownership that includes Michael Gearon, he showed why. Historically the hawks have suffered from any guidance from him or his father, who wasnt worth the One dollar a year. There is reason to listen to all four of the TNT crew
who continually scoffed at the Hawks attitude and inconsistency.
abby normal
May 18th, 2012
6:10 pm
Bradley, old boy, did you really expect anything else from this management group? Drew was the cheapest and easiest option.
jfreak13713
May 18th, 2012
6:12 pm
To suggest that a coach who has gotten “less” out of the same players than the previous coach should retain his job is silly. To suggest that coach Drew is the right fit for this team is stupid! I don’t blame coach Drew because its not his fault that his has a really low basketball IQ team but I also will not give him credit for getting less out of the same team. Josh Smith is talented and likely the best player on this team but isn’t that the problem? If he were with a true star who wouldn’t mind getting in his immature face at times his game might get to another level. But here in Atlanta with a no leadership on the coaching staff or in the locker room Smith has a limited ceiling.
Joe Johnson is the Joe Mauer of basketball. Average player with superstar contract and will hurt this team for years to come. Not his fault as he did what we all would have done and that is take the money but the end result is what we have today. A team good enough to be 4th – 6th seed but likely gets bounced in 1st or 2nd round because they don’t have THAT GUY on their team and no Phil Jackson to demand respect from the players.
I would trade Josh Smith if I could get a true center but its likely you would not be getting equal vaule back. However, sometimes less is more. Teague was good and should bet better. Horford will not likely miss so many games and Jonhson is still 20 point scorer in the right system. They will not beat the Heat, Bulls, Pacers, or Celtics as they currently are.
Go Hawks!
beone
May 18th, 2012
6:26 pm
Three chances to make a difference for next season – GM, Coach, Player(s). One is now blown. Just shoot all the fans now and put them out of their misery. You can start with me.
Matt
May 18th, 2012
6:39 pm
I am so glad I’m more of a baseball fan than a basketball fan.
Are you serious?
May 18th, 2012
6:39 pm
Bummed – YES. Surprised – OH HELL NO!
As long as the ASG has ownership, the only surprise will be if they do something RIGHT!
Whatever
May 18th, 2012
6:43 pm
You first have to have hope in order for it to fade.
Larry
May 18th, 2012
6:46 pm
Mark,
Spot on!
And anyone that posts an opposing view here don’t give them a second thought. They either possess a double-digit IQ or they have been asked to come here by “the little birdie on their shoulder.” Larry Drew. And there’s only one person more dumb and ignorant than they…whomever buys Hawks Season Tickets for next season!
Jimmy Crack
May 18th, 2012
6:48 pm
Drew is a players coach, and he probably plays a fine rendition of Great Balls of Fire.
I hear after he retires Drew is going to write a book entitled “Innocent Bystander”.
Jesus Christ
May 18th, 2012
6:52 pm
What’s with the LeBron hype? He is a nice player but nowhere close to being among Jordan, bird, magic, Moses, Duncan, Kobe and Shaquille. Lebron is more in a category with Iverson, Nique, Barkley, etc. Not a bad category to be in, but he and Dwight Howard have to be among the 2 most overrated players of all time. In 2001′ Iverson took Eric Snow, Ty Hill, George Lynch and Deke to the finals. Don’t know if Jordan could have accomplished that.
Stinger 2
May 18th, 2012
6:53 pm
So Mark, you and Coach Drew have had a professional relationship up to now.
How about after these two blogs today? Do you think it will remain the same?
Runner-
May 18th, 2012
6:53 pm
Great stat on the jump shots Mark, we need to either trade Josh or get a tougher coach, and since the latter isn’t going to happen, the trade does
Harpie
May 18th, 2012
6:58 pm
Larry Drew sucks!
go-BRAVOS
May 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
The Atlanta Hawks are a joke of an NBA franchise. Excuses are all this franchise are good for, oh and absolutely choking in the playoffs.
Beast from the East
May 18th, 2012
7:20 pm
Even though I think Drew did an admirable job holding things together with all the injuries, he will never take them past the second round. At this point, I am hoping Horford gets traded to a franchise that doesn’t just spew BS, but truly puts forth the effort to win championships. This bunch ain’t it!
Hasadiah Jones
May 18th, 2012
7:23 pm
LD did a good job this year and last.joe is the problem.
UGAGOLFER
May 18th, 2012
7:31 pm
Laughable. Someone dare take a poll of who attends Hawks games. Bet you couldn’t find 200 people from outside the Perimeter. Call me racist (the usual response) or whatever, but we just don’t care, and that will be reflected by ticket sales for 2012-2013. They can move the team and we STILL won’t care. In fact, why did I bother to read this story?! LOL. Would be nice to see an organization committed to winning something for a change. The Hawks need an improved bench and a belief they can actually win SOMETHING.
Disgusted
May 18th, 2012
7:43 pm
LD was not the problem.
He has gotten as much out of this team that was injury riddled most of the season. He also got them to the second round last yr.
I do want to see what they can do with everyone reasonably healthy next yr.
This is not a likable team, with even more unlikable owners. Maybe they too can go to Canada and for my liking I would take the Thrashers back. Yea, fat chance.
They did play a competitive series vs the Celtics save for one game, but Hawks fans are tired of that.
We are stuck with the unlikable Joe Johnson for 5 or 6 more yrs, and that is not good.
Disgusted
May 18th, 2012
7:45 pm
I wonder what kind of player and guy Josh Smith would be if he went somewhere that had a true commitment to winning and an ownership that had a clue.
I would like to see Al Horford and Teague get a shot going somewhere where they had a real chance to make a long playoff run.
Joe Johnson keeps this team down.
Disgusted
May 18th, 2012
7:50 pm
“Michael Gearon Jr. and Rick Sund are about as honest/trustworthy as Jonathan Vilma”
Oh, but they are such wonderful owners to work with (so said Dim Waddell when the whole thing went down with the Thrashers last summer).
Anyone have any idea what Teflon Don is doing these days? I think he was with USA hockey but I don’t know what he is doing now?
Man, are the sports fans of Atlanta ever going to have something good happen to them.
falCANS
May 18th, 2012
8:08 pm
Dammit. Man noooooo!! Lets just hope he keeps his nose outtaa Joe Jonson sorry ass and recognize theirs only one star on Da Hawks. #InJoshWeTrust
Billy
May 18th, 2012
8:17 pm
Damn good job Mark..Hawks owners are so stupid they stink…to blank with them till they wake up and get a real Coach and GM.
Billy
May 18th, 2012
8:22 pm
Second thought, What do u expect from a group of losers? More of the same BS.
falCANS
May 18th, 2012
8:26 pm
Only Atlanta natives should be allowed to post on here!! Trade Josh?? Idiots HES CLEARLY TGE BEST PLAYER WE HAVE, A NATIVE OF OUR CITY, AND WOULD BE NO LESS THAN #2 IN ANY OTHER TEAM!!! Management. Coaches and fairweather fans are responsible for not allowing Smoove to grow and flourish. Real fans love ya Smoove!! And not because your our most reliable player REBOUNDS POINTS ASSIST BLOCKS STEALS LOL AND TURNOVERS. Hey everybody can’t be freaking lebron
Sage of Bluesland
May 18th, 2012
8:38 pm
If you want change, then stop subsidizing the incompetence of this wretched organization and its inept ownership. That is the only way to have your dissatisfied voice heard.
To give them any of your money is simply throwing it away. They do not deserve it.
It’s such a shame, as the people/fans of this city deserve so much better….but, then again, maybe they don’t if they don’t stand up and vote together with their wallets.
joebama
May 18th, 2012
8:47 pm
Oh “falCans” how many all-star games has he played in…lol
tyger
May 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
Guess who Hawks not listening too???
Excellent decision…should’ve gotten 3 years
LD led his troop of wounded warriors to a 40-26 record…
He never let them quit, despite dressing only 8-9 players…
He never knew weekly or daily who was available…
Oftentimes, many were game day decisions….
Drew knew after season 1, what this team needed…
Repeatedly identified shooters…Sund responded…
Vladi, Green, Pargo, TMac…
He championed Jason Collins…he knows hoops…
He knows game not played in stat book, but in paint…
Jason not flashy but reliable and sound – responded…
Playoff is what it is…LD didnt lose games down stretch…
Lack of on-court leadership from PG, $21M, Smoove…
Even the game we won, Smoove threw ball to Rondo???…
Smoove, JJ, 6′9, 6′8 respective, but play on perimeter…
Teague simply overmatched, only a backup…
Conversely, Boston down the stretch…
Paul Pierce bullies his way to point blank range…2
Rondo finds KG in sweet spot…5 ft turnaround…2
Meanwhile, we jack up airballs, fadeaways…Game over…
He’s criticized for substitution patterns, but he’s the Coach…
I wanted alot more TMac and Ivan, but he’s the Coach…
LD has to run his show and live with the consequences…
If he doesnt win, he’s fired, doesnt matter what we think…
Kudos to ATL Spirit for bringing closure to this quickly…
Now, lets get ready for draft…not sure if we need GM…
LD knows what players we need…let Asst. GM crunch #s…
Gearons calling the shots anyway…
Sellitnow
May 18th, 2012
8:52 pm
SELL THE TEAM!!!!!
Hawkfan
May 18th, 2012
8:52 pm
As much as I think he is not a good enough Coach you had to know they would keep him and I even have to admit his record his year was good when you consider the injuries. For all who say we should have beaten Boston answer me this. Who were the 3 best players going into that series and what team did they play for?
Disgusted
May 18th, 2012
8:53 pm
They did the same thing with the hockey team Sage and look how that went down.
Fans cannot win one way or the other–You don;t go you lose your team, if you get bad ownership its something you are stuck with and you wind up subsidizing a mediocre product.
For me, I will not ever spend a dime in the Phillips Arena again until I get NHL hockey back and that is not happening in my lifetime. I mean one one dime and that includes non sporting events.
That arena is getting old before its time—Those blank TV sets got to be an eyesore, don;t know what is up there now.
What is sickening is the way they painted over that mural that commemorated the 2008 NHL All-Star game. Could they have not kept that momento of a Phillips Arena event?
Not with these guys. Deal with IT????
fbGuy
May 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
Anyone who wastes money supporting this miserable fanchisr is a half wit.
Dave
May 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
When Drew leaves, Atlanta will have been to the playoffs every year of his tenure and reached the second round two or three times. This for a team that was considered up-and-coming three years ago.
This is the high water mark with Drew. He promised bigger and better things. He has not and will not produce those results. His teams consistently do not play with much focus or intelligence in key game situations, which always reflects preparation and coaching (in this case, poor preparation and coaching). They show flashes, and we’re supposed to believe Drew’s genius causes the flashes and the player’s shortcomings cause the failures.
That’s exactly backwards. This team succeeds in spite of Drew, not because of him. It has potential. Drew has proven he cannot tap that potential. Time to move on.
RollDog
May 18th, 2012
9:27 pm
As a 23-year season ticket holder, I was waiting to see what Hawks would do with Drew. Now that they chose to keep him as HC, it made my decision easier-if I chose to renew. I will not. Goodbye Hawks. I say this as I sit in a hotel room watching Celtics/Sixers game.
I LOVE the NBA game. The Hawks organization could’ve sent a message to the fans that they are trying to improve by bringing in a hard-driving, tough minded HC instead of just hoping they’d improve with the same ol crew. No more checks (large checks too) written to the Atlanta Hawks.
BravesFan79
May 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
LOL talk about a bust… Evan Turner is AWFUL! 2 for 14? The Hawks would of smoked the 76ers in the 2nd round!
BravesFan79
May 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
That 2001 76ers team was really led by Mutombo. Without his dominant defence, they dont beat the Bucks in the ECF, and dont beat the Lakers in game 1. That was without a doubt, one of my favorite teams of all time because they played smartly (Larry Brown as coach) and had players who played with straight heart and intensity in Deke and Iverson. If it wasnt for overrated shaqs elbows and non-called fouls, they might of won the finals.
Whopper Dawg
May 18th, 2012
10:03 pm
It really is amazing that after all these decades of mismanagement the franchise still exists.
While I know it is not winning a championship, we need some sort of award like, say, “Kings of the Highest Futility” or made an annual award given to the team whose management and coach screwed up the worst, like “The Hawk”.
Ed
May 18th, 2012
10:03 pm
Am I the only one who watched the Boston series. Atlanta clearly should have won that series if not for Josh Smith throwing up his bricks at crritical moments. I don’t know what MB thinks can be built around this bum. Had he not put up that brick and Al Horford could hit a free throw the Hawks would now be in a very winable series with Philly and on the conference finals. You people want to crucify the coach at start over. The root cause is Josh Smith cannot shoot the ball yet he continues to fire away. No decent coach would take this job even if they did run Drew out of town.
Sautee
May 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
Mark, thanks for calling their bullsh!t exactly what it is. To call this season “a success” makes the mind reel.
As you asked: “Could anyone look at the opportunity just wasted against Boston as anything but a reversal?”
Only Sund and this pitiful group of cretin owners could. New slogan: We are a decent team!
Not Sund
May 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
I bailed on the Hawks after they traded Dominique, and I’ll bail on them again if they bring back this entire collection (Sund, Drew, and the core four) for the 2012-13 season.
There’s plenty to do around here besides watch the disfunctional Hawks.
robdawg
May 18th, 2012
10:31 pm
Mark, Great column!
You are excatly correct. The Hawks could have made a statement. They actually did make a statement. They are happy being mediocre, middle of the pack, being cheap. Larry Drew is a nice guy, but he is not what this team needs.This team needs a Larry Brown, a Hubie Brown, a ball buster like Chicago has. Someone that will sit Josh down for the rest of a period when he jacks up one of those 20 footers. What we do not need is a “player’s coach” This team will get no better with Lary Drew as head coach unless we get rid of Josh. GREAT ARTICLE!
DetroitBraves
May 18th, 2012
10:36 pm
Between the Braves and the Hawks you are on quite the roll Mark. Good article once again and good call!
bigdawg1
May 18th, 2012
10:49 pm
Larry is a nice guy, but he’s a Malt Liquor coach in a Hennesey league!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 18th, 2012
10:50 pm
“Best franchise in Atlanta, right Najeh Davenpoop?! LMFAO”
The last time the Braves advanced in the playoffs, the War in Afghanistan hadn’t started yet.
The last time the Falcons advanced in the playoffs, Roddy White was in college.
Did the Braves or Falcons advance in the playoffs last night when I was sleeping?
No?
Then yes, the Hawks are still the best team in Atlanta. Doesn’t say much for the state of Atlanta sports in general, but it is true.
Not Sund
May 18th, 2012
11:00 pm
@robdawg, i couldnot agree with you more. if i see one more turnover by Josh when he’s trying to lead a fastbreak, or one more time where everybody swings the ball except for josh smith and Drew doesn’t hold him accountable for his awful decision making, i might hurt my tv and I love my hdtv.
Slimjr
May 18th, 2012
11:02 pm
So you consider Larry Drew @ 28-47 against teams above .500[Winners] these past two years as pretty good?
Let me sell you the beautiful, magnificent GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!
Slimjr
May 18th, 2012
11:04 pm
44
Slimjr
May 18th, 2012
11:05 pm
Gearon Jr has made a statement… FU Hawk fans and the like!
soullrenaissance
May 18th, 2012
11:12 pm
Right on to the real MB. Right on to the real and a big “KICK ROCKS” to the loser that run this organization. These greedy penny-pinching misers would not know a legit pro level coach if Phil Jackson fell into their laps. You get what you pay for and we get a mediocre, at best, observer for run to the team.
Not Sund
May 18th, 2012
11:23 pm
since the spirit gang doesn’t respect the fans maybe they would respect 18000 empty seats at Philips.
and by the way, is the spirit gang cheap or just not rich enough to own the Hawks?
Justin
May 18th, 2012
11:24 pm
Mark, I agree that Drew has done an inadequate job coaching this team. Yet you can’t see their performance this year as a failure or step backward. Even John Hollinger has gone on the record stating that in light of the very significant injuries that they had this year, their regular and post season performance was the best of the last 4 years. Your points about Drew coaching Josh still hold- they haven’t maximized their talent, but this season wasn’t the great reversal that you’re suggesting.
pj
May 19th, 2012
12:10 am
Woodson did pretty darn well in taking over the knicks and as little as Larry Drew “entertains” us ala Stan Van, Doc Rivers or Phil Jackson – he’s a good coach, who won the full slate equivalent of 51 games without his most valuable player for most of the season, a point guard who was basically a rookie and lost their 15 ppg 6th man.
Marvin Williams is and always has been the crappy contract on our roster. Imagine James Harden or Green with the Spurs in his place – and the Hawks – if healthy – are a passable center away from being what the Thunder are.
Wendell Thomas
May 19th, 2012
12:42 am
Right on the Money Mark!
These guys that support Drew, Sund, and the Ownership are probably players, friends of the players, or family members in disguise. This team is a joke and will never come close to winning a championship with the present system in place! Josh Smith is a self centered, egotistical, arrogant, non-team focused idiot. I have been a fan for 30 years with hope that we would finally get over the hump. I have come to accept that it will never happen. The down hill spiral started when they traded our hometown hero, Dominique Wilkins for Danny Manning and has continued since! I cannot stand to watch this sorry exuse for a team anymore. I understnd what Charles Barkley was saying when he criticized this sad, pitiful, exuse for a team when he thought he was off camera. It sickens me to watch Josh Smith and Joe Johnson!! I love Teague but he gets under my craw also. For all his scoring prowess he needs to learn how to set up his big men….pass the dang ball Teague!!!! Drew had a really great bench but he chose to discontinue playing then half way through the season. Say what you please Atlanta faithfuls…truth remains, Drew sucks, Josh Smith is a teenage idiot (Yes he still performs like a teenage, high school draftee!). He is such a crybaby, self promoting idiot!! Look forward to the same next year you Drew, Josh, Joe promoting idiots!!
mdr
May 19th, 2012
1:08 am
Its so obvious why Atlanta, and indeed the state of Georgia as a whole, doesn’t support this team. If the owners don’t care about building a championship contender, why should we as fans spend our money to watch them?
No Sund In The Sky
May 19th, 2012
1:40 am
Its nice to read that you agree that Joe Johnson’s skills have diminished, Mark. I knew this before they gave him that ridiculous contract. You don’t pay a 14 ppg player Kobe & LeBron type money. But they dummernsheet Hawks did just that. Trade JJ to the Mavericks for Lamar Odom. I’m sure they’d do a trade. Lol. Rehiring Drew tells you that they have no desire to be better. Having a healthy Horford & Pachulia doesn’t turn Joe back into a 25 ppg player. It will probably turn him into a 10 ppg player…
waltbellamy
May 19th, 2012
1:51 am
No mas! I refuse to be emotionally invested in this franchise until Gearon Jr. and his band of mental midgets are a distant memory. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Stupid is as stupid does. That would be you ASG.
Dr. Warren
May 19th, 2012
2:47 am
Don’t you think the players themselves have gotten the idea by now that this team, as constituted, won’t go very far? Aren’t they tired of themselves by now and even more tired of their owners? It is like Groundhog Day at Phillips Arena.
niedermeyer
May 19th, 2012
2:47 am
Jeff: Do you ever just want to hit the road because of the frustrations of having to cover the Hawks?
larry d.
May 19th, 2012
3:24 am
Wait…so you guys say that i should be considered for COTY because of how I handled all the injuries, including the devastating Al Horford injury, but because we fell short against the C’s, I should be let go. Nice. I know that coming up short in the playoffs sucks, but when you have a short deck, things don’t go well usually…see the Bulls and their gift from God coach, Tom Thibodeau.
Civil Unrest
May 19th, 2012
6:29 am
ASG = Idiots
Nikki
May 19th, 2012
6:56 am
The Hawks retained Larry Drew because that’s all they can afford. Rick Sund became GM because he was the cheapest. I still blame Rick Sund and ASG for the Joe Johnson OVER PAYING. Sund will be gone. Now if Joe Johnson and ASG will leave Atlanta as well I can stop my strike against the Hawks.
Brian
May 19th, 2012
7:01 am
This team is lacking a leader….Drew is not the leader, he is nice guy coach….they tune him out…the chemistry has got to be changed….we need some players with some fire and passion…we have enough pouty, whiny, moody ball players with little or no accountability…tired of the excuses…the loss of game 2 against the Celtics reminded me of losing to the Heat at home without Wade/Lebron after we beat them in Miami the week before with both of them…def of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results….no changes expect similar results!!!
dap01
May 19th, 2012
7:05 am
Drew was the least expensive option. The Cheapest option available. The GM choice will be the cheapest also.
But we can be happy, we can still afford ISO Joe.
cdog
May 19th, 2012
7:11 am
NOW IF THEY WOULD GIVE RICK SUND HIS WALKING PAPER, IT WOULD BE SOME CONSOLATION. SUND HAS HELP DESTROY THE HAWKS. HE’S TERRIBLE
Zem
May 19th, 2012
7:12 am
Did you ever consider that the problem with the Hawks is a lack of consistency in management?
Big Ol Stinger
May 19th, 2012
7:14 am
“He’s a Malt Liquor coach in a Hennesey league”.
That’s funny right there bigdawg1!
Pinball
May 19th, 2012
7:43 am
WITHOUT YELLING, the Hawks main problem is Josh Smiths basketball IQ. Not Larry Drew…
GTanner
May 19th, 2012
7:48 am
Mark, I think these guys are just broke. They way overpaid to keep Joe (a tremendously dumb move, inexplicably endorsed by you) which has hamstrung them from doing ANYTHING else. They are in a bind and until someone with actual deep pockets wants to buy this team NOTHING will change.
GTanner
May 19th, 2012
7:49 am
Know any Russian billionaires?
dap01
May 19th, 2012
7:50 am
No matter what Larry Drew did good in the year, he still reverted to ISO Joe in the playoffs and the Hawks were easy to defend.
We pay an 18 ppg player $20,000,000 per year yet we can not even afford anyone but Collins in the offseason. Cheap, Cheap, Cheap, Cheap.
B
May 19th, 2012
7:58 am
A Good NBA team that contended would be so much fun. Unfortunately…
Double Zero Eight
May 19th, 2012
8:05 am
“More of the same” as most bloggers anticipated. This
team will be mired in mediocrity for years to come.
blazerdawg
May 19th, 2012
8:11 am
He’s better than Bob Weiss or Woody.
I’ll give this group ONE more year.
Nativebird
May 19th, 2012
8:13 am
Which only goes to show: No matter how often this organization boasts of its commitment to excellence, all it’s really trying to do is not to look too bad. Would the Yankees or the Phillies — franchises that many local apologists suggested their team belongs alongside — define “reach[ing] the postseason” as “success”? Could anyone look at the opportunity just wasted in the fall collapse of last yearas anything but a reversal?
This offseason could have been — a time for recalibration.
Instead: They moved to support their head coach. Why? Well, he works cheap. Beyond that, I really don’t know. To say he hasn’t been a disaster as head coach ignores the reason he was given the job: He convinced management he could improve on what Cox had done. he hasn’t.
Civil Unrest
May 19th, 2012
8:37 am
The only thing ASG are good at…screwing Atlanta
GT
May 19th, 2012
8:45 am
Watching Johnson fool around in iso against the Celtics was like watching a water buffalo being attacked by a pride of lions. Slow tired and the outcome every time so obvious. And Smith sitting off shore watching no closer to one basket than the other. The other three members clustered together on the other side of the half court ,like they are drawing any attention, as four defenders attack slow Joe.
I don’t think this is the way Drew draws it up, but who listens to the coach on this team. When Drew does the autopsy after the losses he is pretty much on the money about what is happening. “Caught my wife cheating last night, not good for the marriage”, then the next game, “caught my wife cheating last night… Gets old doesn’t it. After watching him handle his son’s situation at Carolina I don’t see a disciplinarian in Drew I see a facilitator. Shows up with Smith especially.
GT
May 19th, 2012
8:45 am
Watching Johnson fool around in iso against the Celtics was like watching a water buffalo being attacked by a pride of lions. Slow tired and the outcome every time so obvious. And Smith sitting off shore watching no closer to one basket than the other. The other three members clustered together on the other side of the half court ,like they are drawing any attention, as four defenders attack slow Joe.
dmr
May 19th, 2012
8:49 am
The Atlanta Spirit Group basically makes terrible decisions at the tail end of the season and then hopes that the masses will forget about their shortcomings when the next season arises. The Hawks will have to play a full schedule next year. One radio personality in town loves to jump on the “ATLANTA FANS ARE THE REASON FOR FAILURE” bandwagon many times. It is the fans’ fault because they don’t support the franchise. It is the fans’ fault because they don’t fill the arena. That is pure bologna.
If I spent money at a restaurant week after week and each time I went, the food and the service got progressively worse until it reached mediocre to bad, is it really MY responsibility to support that business or product in the hopes that it may one day get better? Should I waste my hard earned money on a bland product that will produce the same dissatisfaction time after time? Or is it up to the restaurant owner to hire a new staff, new chef, etc. to bring things back to excellent and earn my business?
Ask the ASG to sell a ticket package next year that consists of Round 2 of the playoffs ONLY! Ask that you not have to pay for them until the 1st round is over. My guess, you’ll never have to spend that money and you won’t have loaned money to a group that obviously has no idea on how to handle it.
The Hawks need NEW OWNERSHIP FIRST. Until that time, count me out! Those are my entertainment dollars talking! This is how you bring about change.
HawkFan
May 19th, 2012
9:21 am
who would they bring in as a coach that is better than what we have and will work for cheese?
KBP
May 19th, 2012
9:34 am
You can’t build this team around Josh with his current skill set. He is too limited offensively. Absolutely no right hand and that makes him attack the basket the same way most every time he posts up. Still too enamored with taking long 2’s and he should almost never bring the ball up court. He can develop his right hand, improve his 17 foot mid-range shot, and improve his ball handling but will he?
You can’t build this team around Al. He too, is too limited offensively. He has no left hand and he uses the same move when he posts up. Very good shooter from 17 feet and in, but needs more versatility in his offensive game. He and Josh both are complimentary players and very, very, good ones but not franchise cornerstones right now. Put Roy Hibbert on this team and they are one of the top 3 in the east. Maybe even Chris Kaman and they are top 3.
As this team is currently constructed, building around someone other than Joe is a mistake. While he is not of the caliber of Kobe, LeBron, Wade,Pierce, and Durant. He is certainly the best option as a franchise player in Atlanta right now.
billcanoe
May 19th, 2012
10:02 am
Mark, you are way off base here. Larry Drew did more with what he had than any Hawks coach in a long time. Keep him and get the hell out of the way.
Sideline Dude
May 19th, 2012
10:11 am
Let’s just move the Hawks to another city & be done with them. Heck, just do away with the NBA. Just a bunch of over paid thugs running around in shorts anyway.
Just an observation
May 19th, 2012
10:14 am
Is it possible that the hawks have decided not to make any major changes because of the success we had in the begginin of the season before our most important player (Al Horford) went down with an injury for the entire season. Not to mention the fact that with our most important player on the bench we still had home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Now I think we should have let Larry drew go, but management does have a point.
Coach Hoops
May 19th, 2012
10:28 am
May not like it but this was a good financial decision. Drew coming back for third season is not necessarily that bad. However, this summer you have got to trade Josh for a true 3 perimeter guy opposite of Joe and even get a decent draft pick to aid the frontline. The Hawks need Z at center and move Horford to power forward. Then, bring in a true scorer at the 3, that U got for Josh. Ship Marvin to whoever wants him to move up in the draft to get a solid young center to back up Z. Then see what LD does with that. BTW. Hawks I am available for dat GM job on a 1 year interim basis for real cheap.
Another Steve Smith
May 19th, 2012
10:50 am
#5 is holding the team hostage. Hello…?
David
May 19th, 2012
10:50 am
In my 30 years of Atlanta Hawks basketball watching I have yet to hear a player or coach say they want to come to Atlanta. You blaming Drew for this mess really, its dude second season with Joe(I aint passing, but I dont get enough shots) Johnson. Its been many nights I have seen other players be hot and Joe would just come down a throw up a shot. He wont put his back to the basket to save his life. We need to pay somebody to get Joe out this city Period. If the Hawks were Voltron Josh would be the Head, Horford Arms and Body, Teague and Za Za Feet and Legs. We dont even have a Blazing Sword, and 4 more years of Joe.
B
May 19th, 2012
11:01 am
Reserve you season tickets now. It’s going to be hotter than a Facebook IPO!
Billy (not Martin)
May 19th, 2012
11:13 am
Drew is not the problem with this team.
In fact I think you should give him a gold metal for getting this bunch even close to the playoffs.
WIth Al hurt, Iso Joe continuing to no show in big moments and Josh thinking he’s the next coming of Reggie Miller taking those long jumpers, what chance does he have.
dlh82
May 19th, 2012
11:18 am
You have got to be kidding me. This ownership has no clue. If they bring back Marvin Third Overall Williams I won’t even watch on tv no matter how much lipstick “the stinger” puts on it.
Boo Boo
May 19th, 2012
11:41 am
Using your logic, AJC should have fired Furman Bisher when he turned 65. Being “pretty good” just does not cut it. The NBA is a league where 6 teams actually have a chance each year, and all the rest are like the team that always played the Harlem Globetrotters. The rest are only there to make the winners win. It is like the SEC, where 6 teams win the title, while the rest just boost their record. Geez. Get a real job.
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
11:59 am
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
May 18th, 2012
4:37 pm
Like all Georgia teams, championships are once in a lifetime…
___________________
Not all Georgia teams. The Hawks, Falcons, Thrashers, and Flames all have/had NONE in their Georgia lifetimes.
South Georgia
May 19th, 2012
12:01 pm
The coach did great with players who have little drive to excel. Josh Smith pretends to be a guard when he is a forward and Mr. High salary Joe Johnson disappears in crunch time. Keep the coach and trade those 2 guys for some players who are hungry to win like the players for Indiana Pacers and OK City Thunder!
tmc
May 19th, 2012
12:02 pm
in the grand scheme of things, this organizations problems list in order of importance:
1 thru 10: Owners
11. players.
12. head coach.
Larry Drew is not the best coach in the league, but the owners and the players on this team are farrrrrrrr more a problem than Drew.
Old Hawk
May 19th, 2012
12:04 pm
Been aHawks fan since 1976 walking around in the yard with a transistor radio listening to Skip Caray and others call the games. Since adulthood have had season tickets for several years. I can recall most players on the team since the 1980s.
I went through this year and figured there would be a first round exit like most. I kew in my mind that there will be no changes in this offseason. Its a total joke from top to bottom. The Hawks are good enough to be the sub .500 teams and a good team every once in a while, but they dont have the mentality from ownership down to the players to be a contender for a title.
I am tired of mediocrity and excuses.
Im finally done with this crap, Im taking them out of my daily thoughts and moving on to other things in my life. I will not renwew my season tickets, the Hawks have gotten my last dime.
Good luck to those who are younger and will continue to accept this mediocrity of a basketball franchise.I cant and wont take it any longer.
Paddy
May 19th, 2012
12:06 pm
We had Professional Womens Soccer team in our town for 3 years? Who knew? Darn, I was just thinking about not buying any tickets again this year. When will money folks realize that paying to see soccer is not going to happen in the USA? Some of those investors must have not read a newspaper since 1971?
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:09 pm
donte080
May 18th, 2012
5:03 pm
Say what you want, this Hawks team never quit all season long.
WooYeah
May 18th, 2012
5:51 pm
The right move:
–Keeping Drew. He is not the problem. Believe it or not, the players responded to him.
_____________________
OK, so they didn’t quit and they responded to the coach. How far did that get them in the playoffs?
4 Jacks
May 19th, 2012
12:11 pm
hahahahahahahahaha…Mark you should have seen this coming from a mile away. These owners, and I use the term very loosley, are the biggest effing joke known to mankind, and as llong as all these suckers and idiots are going to keep going to the games and buying tickets why should they change? maybe the people in Atlanta are the dumbest fans inn the world, at least they are the biggest suckers in the world for buying these tockets and supporting this sorry and I mean sorry ownership, if one can call it that. Go to hell Gearon and the ASG…you all suck and are the worst thing that ever happened to Atlanta period.
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:13 pm
Stinger 2
May 18th, 2012
6:53 pm
So Mark, you and Coach Drew have had a professional relationship up to now.
How about after these two blogs today? Do you think it will remain the same?
___________________________
It SHOULD remain the same. Bradley’s doing his job, which is to present his opinions in columns. Drew’s NOT doing his job, which is to at least improve on the previous regime’s playoff failures.
Timbo
May 19th, 2012
12:13 pm
Enough about the Hawks and their inept ownership group. We get it. They suck…Go Braves!
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:16 pm
Disgusted
May 18th, 2012
7:50 pm
Man, are the sports fans of Atlanta ever going to have something good happen to them.
_______________________
Not likely–if history’s any barometer.
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:22 pm
tyger
May 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
LD led his troop of wounded warriors to a 40-26 record…
LD has to run his show and live with the consequences…
If he doesnt win, he’s fired, doesnt matter what we think…
________________________
“A 40-26 record . . . .” But you left out one minor detail: Another miserable playoff performance.
“If he doesnt win, he’s fired . . . .” I think you must mean “If he doesn’t win, he’s HIRED.” Isn’t that what they just did?
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:29 pm
Sautee
May 18th, 2012
10:12 pm
Mark, thanks for calling their bullsh!t exactly what it is. To call this season “a success” makes the mind reel.
_______________________
But it is a success–by ATL’s lofty standards.
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:31 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
May 18th, 2012
10:50 pm
Did the Braves or Falcons advance in the playoffs last night when I was sleeping?
No?
Then yes, the Hawks are still the best team in Atlanta. Doesn’t say much for the state of Atlanta sports in general, but it is true.
_____________________
Did the Hawks advance in the playoffs last night while I was sleeping?
Skeezix
May 19th, 2012
12:34 pm
I was hoping for a change too.
Agreed
May 19th, 2012
12:34 pm
Josh is clearly this season MVP for the hawks. His commitment to winning is the reason the hawk were as good as they are.
Al Hoford caused a lot of disruption in the locker room and has peaked with some very unimpressive number. Hes reluctant to play center or defense (regardless of where you play him.) It time to ship Al for a fresh start.
Teague is a project. He will never be a true point guard and is more a 1 1/2 than a two guard.We can do better than Teague who should come off the bench .
Drew did OK with the Team Woodson developed, but he had the luxury of a bench, something Woodson never had. The Hawk did not get out of the first round which is a continuing slide backwards.
All and All I keep Drew and ship Al and Teague and move forward with Josh and JJ who proved they play well together.
Al messes up the Chemistry of this team so its time for him to go.
BigTimeTECHFan
May 19th, 2012
12:34 pm
out come the Paul Hewitt treatment
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:39 pm
Justin
May 18th, 2012
11:24 pm
Mark, I agree that Drew has done an inadequate job coaching this team. Yet you can’t see their performance this year as a failure or step backward.
______________________
This kind of mentality/culture is the problem here. You don’t see a Round 1 exit from the playoffs as a failure. You probably also don’t see 44 years w/o a championship–or even a playoff series victory after Round 1–as failure.
You (and the Hawks) don’t aspire to much, do you?
Felix
May 19th, 2012
12:39 pm
What? Their keeping Drew?!! Huh??!! The Hawks are forever going to be stuck in medicocrity.
Great, just great!
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:42 pm
Coach Hoops
May 19th, 2012
10:28 am
May not like it but this was a good financial decision. Drew coming back for third season is not necessarily that bad.
____________________
Or that good.
Rick James
May 19th, 2012
12:44 pm
Fish stinks from head down..Somebody please buy this team.
Kelly
May 19th, 2012
12:45 pm
It’s not they need a new coach necessarily. They need new ownership. #Dreamoffairtomiddlinwomen
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:46 pm
blazerdawg
May 19th, 2012
8:11 am
He’s better than Bob Weiss or Woody.
I’ll give this group ONE more year.
_________________
Hey, we’ve already given them 44 years. What’s ONE more?
Bruce
May 19th, 2012
12:47 pm
Sure, fire Drew while the Bulldogs and the Falcons remain in good hands.
dlh82
May 19th, 2012
12:51 pm
Mr Davenpoop-you sir are a moron
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
12:52 pm
Nativebird
May 19th, 2012
8:13 am
To say he hasn’t been a disaster as head coach ignores the reason he was given the job: He convinced management he could improve on what Cox had done. he hasn’t.
_________________________
Didn’t know Bobby was coaching basketball.
Sautee
May 19th, 2012
12:56 pm
You can’t build this team around Al Horford with his current skill set. He is too limited offensively. Absolutely no Lefthand and no attack on the basket.He plays t the same way most every time he posts up. Still too enamored with taking long 2’s and They some times call him Dirk Horford
You can’t build this team around Al. He too, is too limited offensively. He has no left hand and he uses the same move when he posts up. Very good shooter from 17 feet and in, but needs more versatility in his offensive game. Put Roy Hibbert on this team and they are one of the top 3 in the east. Maybe even Chris Kaman and they are top 3.
As this team is currently constructed, building around someone other than Joe is a mistake. While he is not of the caliber of Kobe, LeBron, Wade,Pierce, and Durant. He is certainly the 2nd best option(behind Josh Smoove) as a franchise player in Atlanta right now.
Coach Hoops
May 19th, 2012
1:01 pm
There is no way this team gets out of the 2nd round with Al. PPPPLLLLLLEEESSSSSeeeee trade Al Houdini. Al sucks and is the main reason we wont go far. AL is limited offensively and is a liability defensively.
Time for Al to go.
RPhawk
May 19th, 2012
1:03 pm
as usual, the hawk owners go cheap and keep drew–more of the same mediocrity next year. That’s why alt is loserville–things never change.
donte080
May 19th, 2012
1:08 pm
re: Ok, so they didn’t quit. How far did that get them in the playoffs? (DawgNole)
Just as far as the Bulls and their NBA Coach of the Year Thibodeau got. Your point?
Winnipeg Spirit
May 19th, 2012
1:15 pm
- Hawks are Hopeless
foothills
May 19th, 2012
1:45 pm
Gee Bradley, how many times did you watch the Hawks this year? This is the most flawed roster in the NBA save the Bobcats…No point, no center. No go-to player. No front office committment. The problem wasn’t with Woodson either.
Drew should have got coach of the year to get this bunch to contend.
LETGOJOE2012
May 19th, 2012
1:46 pm
Please let ISO-JOE GOO!!! Whateva it takes!!! Build around Teague & Smith. Joe has slowed the offense and defense isnt up to par. The team played a lot more smoothly with him out! Smith wants to leave because of ISO-JOE.. Teague & Smith can be our version of Westbrook and Durant w/o ISO-JOE…ISO-JOE FOR O.J. MAYO or SOMEONE PLZ BEFORE YOU LOSE THE FANS YOU HAVE!!!
Aint that a b_tch!
May 19th, 2012
2:31 pm
Ditto on the time for Al to go. He disappears in the Playoffs Has very limited offensive ability. Causes fights amongst team mates. Is injury prone and has miss Major portions of playoffs and full seasons after only 5 years in the league. The dude sucks and is lazy, He does not fit on this team and the hawks are much better with out him. Zaza and Ivan replaced him with no problem Dump Al now.
Fan of the Game
May 19th, 2012
2:31 pm
Just another case of a sportswriter sitting behind his keyboad jumping on a coach when he himself has never coached a game or a team in his life. What a loser!
Aint that a b_tch!
May 19th, 2012
2:37 pm
The clear Majority of you guys want Al traded for a center who will defend. We had a chance to go after Hibbert, and D12 but for some foolish reason we held on to Dirk Horford. Like we really needed his 12pts and 8 rebs….
We can do better than Al. Trade Al while some team thinks hes going to get better and be an Impact center 12 years from today….
tom
May 19th, 2012
2:43 pm
LD first year IMO was a progression. The hawks won less games in the regular season, but more importantly they one a playoff series and also had two wins in the second round. This year unfortunately they took a step back. It is what it is, ASG are fine with the status quo which means no hope.
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
2:53 pm
donte080
May 19th, 2012
1:08 pm
re: Ok, so they didn’t quit. How far did that get them in the playoffs? (DawgNole)
Just as far as the Bulls and their NBA Coach of the Year Thibodeau got. Your point?
______________________
Who cares about the Bulls? We’re supposed to be discussing the Hawks here. Besides, the Bulls have won multiple championships. How many have the Hawks won?
A more appropriate question might be “What is YOUR point?
Rob
May 19th, 2012
2:56 pm
You can only do so much with these candy-a$$ players. Joe Johnson is worth about half of what he’s paid. The blame lies with players and the management, not the coach.
DawgNole
May 19th, 2012
3:02 pm
Sautee
May 19th, 2012
12:56 pm
You can’t build this team around Al Horford with his current skill set. He is too limited offensively . . . .
You can’t build this team around Al. He too, is too limited offensively.
____________________
Hm-m-m-m-m-m? Did we have two Als?
dlh82
May 19th, 2012
3:08 pm
The Spirit group already laid the Dr Kavorkian on hockey-why not basketball while they are at it. Why not just hire Don Waddell and be done with it?
S(n)oaring Hawk
May 19th, 2012
3:18 pm
Look the problem is the players, they do not want to play in Atlanta. They are fully rsponsible. Their play in the playoffs is reflective of that. Lack luster, no emotion. They think if they get traded then they will be on a better team…well guess what, you are already on that team…
Who Me?
May 19th, 2012
3:27 pm
It would be great to work for a company that no matter how the people I was responsible for performed I got to keep my job. Suffice to say, the Clampett’s have returned, clad in the ASG mantle….let me make it abundantly clear that my money will not be supporting this moribund franchise. Why should i pay for mediocre, with the one exception being keeping the team in Atlanta another year?
notso fast
May 19th, 2012
3:43 pm
Until we get new ownership, the Coach Drew is not the problem.The team has to start keeping their draft picks, get rid of some contracts, get a real center and then we can worry about a great coach.
CrαZy
May 19th, 2012
4:07 pm
WTF do you expect from Drew when his best player doesn’t show up in crunch time (joe Johnson) his next best player doesn’t understand he can’t shoot worth crap and makes stupid decisions (josh Smith) and the third best player missed most of the season (Al Horford).
todd
May 19th, 2012
4:29 pm
I stopped caring when we didn’t draft Chris Paul when we NEEDED a point guard FOR YEARS yet drafted another forward, Marvin Williams, when we were already crowded at forward. This set the franchise back 12 years. You can’t turn the keys to the franchise over to an IDIOT, Billy Knight, who is “supposed to be the expert.” A layperson with ZERO professional experience could have drafted a better team picking where the Hawks picked. And that’s a fact. When you are in the lottery you have to make the most of each pick or your stuck with a middle of the road team and out of cap space.
Rebellion
May 19th, 2012
4:55 pm
Enter your comments here
JSS
May 19th, 2012
5:41 pm
Being a moron is always better than being a fool!
JSS
May 19th, 2012
5:45 pm
Then down on the bottom of the scale is a “idiot” (see dlh82 and a certain self-professed “Ninja”)!
Vick Supporter
May 19th, 2012
5:53 pm
Everybody wants to blame the players for this. Its the owners and coaches! If Popovich was the coach, Joe and Josh would be on the benh if they start that one on one crap. The problem is, we cannot get a real coach to come here. They should have kept Woodson..at least he would stand up to the players. You notice that Smith and Drew do not have any arguments…while Smith and Woodson used to go at it DAILY.
We need a hard ass coach to come in and lay down the law and put people on the bench if they do not play the right way.
donte080
May 19th, 2012
6:10 pm
“What is YOUR point?” (DawgNole)
Pretty obvious what my point was….that you (nor Mr Bradley) know what the heck you are talking about.
yodaddybrother
May 19th, 2012
6:14 pm
The Spurs are beautiful to watch. On defense they rotate and box out. When Tim Duncan or Boris Diaw get the board they immediately find a guard. They hustle. When they get fouled they don’t say anything and when they don’t get the call they run their asses back down the court. Players cut to the basket on the double team. They dribble a few times and then pass the ball.
Then Coach Poppovich recognizes situations, he’s pacing the sidelines barking out orders. When his team lacks effort he damn near breaks the scorers table. Chris Paul makes 2 jumpers TIME THE EFF OUT….Clips want to play Reggie Evans they foul him every time down the court because he can’t make free throws. They run plays, they execute plays, they make the right basketball plays. Smart rotations, exploits weaknesses and matchups.
Larry Drew has a confused look on his face all the time, thinks ISO JOE is a good play and waits until the team has erased the deficit to call a timeout. He thinks centers and power forwards leading the break is a good idea and yaps about energy yet he has none at all. Fails to make in game adjustments, does not recognize mismatches, doesn’t put his players in position to succeed, doesn’t utilize his bench, can’t motivate the players. We’ve gotten worse in his two years as head coach.
ASG brings this fool back and of course nobody is excited. Put Josh Smith in a Spurs uniform and he is All NBA but now he is FOR CERTAIN 100% won’t be in a Hawks uniform beyond this season. And he shouldn’t be….because the Atlanta Hawks organization is not committed to winning a championship.
They are committed to just getting by and they are completely insane. Every sports writer, commentator, NBA player, and casual fan can see that LARRY DREW has no clue and that the franchise as a whole is a disaster.
That’s why Doc Rivers said Boston didn’t need homecourt, that’s why not one writer picked the Hawks to win the series, that’s why every single time TNT gets a chance they go in on the Hawks and we rarely get National games, that’s why Dwight Howard refuses to even consider his hometown as a possible destination and that’s why Philips Arena is constantly filled with fans of the opposing team.
JaxCurtain
May 19th, 2012
7:22 pm
It’s not so much that I care Larry Drew is coming back as it is the comments from management that just making the playoffs is success. The team will start getting older and additudes will start clashing and then what? Then they get a new coach to coach worn out talent and then attempt to rebuild with a couple drafts and by then 3-5 years will have come and gone and the Hawks still will not have accomplished anything significant. Atlanta lost the Thrashers to much less than this. Go FHawks!!!!
Hasadiah Jones
May 19th, 2012
7:35 pm
marvin williams is the biggest problem
Paul Hewitt
May 19th, 2012
7:36 pm
Forget it Drew. Might as well leave Atlanta now. Once Bradley has written that kind of article about you, it’s all over.
Admiral Obvious
May 19th, 2012
7:53 pm
Isn’t it obvious. The HORRIBLE ownership is still trying to sell the team. Why upgrade the leadership when you’re trying to dump the whole team.
Walt Frazier
May 19th, 2012
7:59 pm
One thing that you cannot teach or learn is what the Hawks-starting from the top all the way down to Marvin’s shoelaces-is h-e-a-r-t. The owners don’t have it, the players don’t have it, and the management-specifically coach Drew doesn’t have it. So yes, I agree with this Bradley article. The whole season was a letdown-compared to what they didn’t accomplish. No BS excuses. The owners want c-h-e-a-p, and don’t want to spend money on a coach who would bench Josh. You are what you get. So no, don’t expect much from this bunch. Just enjoy the regular season games.
Jimmy the Greek
May 19th, 2012
8:08 pm
It’s the NBA. No one cares.
Walt Frazier
May 19th, 2012
8:11 pm
Someone or groups of someone needs to bring back the ABA; at least there would be an alternative. It sucked that the ABA folded.
marcus
May 19th, 2012
8:16 pm
which came first, the chicken or the egg? who’s to blame for the hawk’s failure to lose to an inferior team, the high priced player of the coach who could not motivate him? the hawks screwed their run by not having players who are capable of making the right decision at the right time on the court. josh and his passion for taking inept jump shots and joe for always shying away from taking them when needed.
we have to get rid of joe and get a coach that can coach josh, josh should have been an all-star, he has all star ability. he just takes ill timed shots.
0 Superstar(s) = No Title
May 19th, 2012
8:18 pm
Blame the coach all you want but this Hawks team wouldn’t get past the second round with Phil Jackons, Pat Riley or any other great NBA coach. It comes down to having star players. Period. Miami went from barely making the playoffs in previous years to the NBA Finals last year after adding Lebron. OKC has two superstars in Westbrook and Durrant, and I couldn’t name their coach if my life depended on it. Derrick Rose has led the Bulls to the most wins in the regular season for the last two years–can’t name their coach either (well, yes I can but how good is he without D-Rose?)
ATL needs a susperstar (or two) if they ever want to contend for a title. Joe Johnson is NOT a superstar. Josh Smith is NOT a susperstar. Al Horford is NOT a susperstar. These guys are very good role players, nothing more. There’s a reason the Lakers, Boston, Miami, OKC, Chicago and San Antonio are they only teams with a serious chance of winning the title.
0 Superstar(s) = No Title
May 19th, 2012
8:19 pm
*Jackson*
TomS
May 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
Who really cares?
bro
May 19th, 2012
8:41 pm
THOUGHT; Do you think it may have something to do with the quality of playes and the idiots that are the owners???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Snoop Graham
May 19th, 2012
8:52 pm
Enter your comments here
Snoop Graham
May 19th, 2012
8:54 pm
Can we put it to vote to keep Drew and dump Mark Bradley?
Stoned Mountain
May 19th, 2012
8:54 pm
Larry Drew is a good coach, who got far more than we expected out of a limited lineup, hamstrug all season by key injuries. To replace Drew is to indulge in pure symbolism, the silly urge simply to “do something.” Give Larry some players, and pawn off Marvin. Find a center, move Big Al to power forward. And if somebody makes an offer for Josh we cannot refuse, let’s do it, for talent at center or an athletic scorer. Go Hawks!
indigo
May 19th, 2012
9:14 pm
The AJC keeps Bradley for so many years and hope fades that there will be decent commentary. Why? I guess he comes cheap also.
Capt.Mudd
May 19th, 2012
9:18 pm
@Mark Bradley….What individual with the Hawks franchise has lost or is losing hope…Can you specifically divulge the name or name of those workers, players, coaches and/or management who have used the words “losing hope” regarding the Hawks? The headline is attention getting enough to lead one to assume this article is based in theory…your theory Mr. Bradley.
phillip
May 19th, 2012
9:23 pm
More than anything the Hawks need toughness. They wilted mentally and physically against the Celtics. They need a Lambier, and Mahorn type. They can’t enforce worth a damn.
mr potknot
May 19th, 2012
9:55 pm
no ownership= no hope
Ken Strickland
May 19th, 2012
9:57 pm
MARK BRADLEY-It’s very obvious by this biased artticle that you’re not a LDrew fan. How can you conclude that ownership has given up by the mere act of extending Drew’s contract? If anything, it appears that you’re the one that’s given up because they didn’t fire him like you wanted. How can you be critical of management for citing fact of injuries as extenuating circumstances?
Look at the drastic effect injuries have had on playoff teams like the Bulls, Magic, and Heat. Then tell me why injuries shouldn’t be an issue for the Hawks, even though they lost every player on the 12 man roster to injury except JTeague, and led the NBA in gms lost to injuries. If you’re going to compare Woodson’s won-loss record to LDrew’s, let’s not compare apples to oranges. I noticed you were quick to mention Woodson’s last 2 REGULAR SEASON records were better than Drew’s 1st 2 regular season records.
I also noticed how you conveniently omitted LDrew’s last season involved him deaingl with a lockout shortened training camp, preseason, and the most grueling schedule in NBA history. You know as well as everyone else Woodson was fired because his last 2 playoff teams were totally unprepared for playoff level basketball. We were embarrassed in our 2nd playoff appearance by the Heat, and suffered a total and complete humiliation in our NBA record setting sweep by the Magic in his last playoff appearance.
How in the devil can anyone believe Woodson’s total failure to make it out of the 1st rd in 3 yrs, is somehow better than Drew making it to the 2nd rd twice in 3yrs? Ownership and the underfunding of the team is the biggest reason for the Hawks not being able to take the next leap. How many teams can you name with as many minimum salaried players as the Hawks, especially playoff teams, or suffered as many injuries?
Bill Walton
May 19th, 2012
9:58 pm
“pretty good” who thinks they are even “pretty good” as you pointed out they played one of the easiest schedules in the NBA and if you’ll research you’ll find that when they did play a good team more often than not one or more of their best players sat out the Hawks game with injuries. Face it the hawks are buried in mediocrity with a limited fan base and no hope of going anywhere but down!
superiorblogman
May 19th, 2012
10:03 pm
Good article and I agree. Sad.
I would have hired Jerry Sloan then traded Josh Smith to Portland for both draft picks they have. Then find some way to give Joe away. My team would be.
Teague/Darius Morris/Tu Holloway
Jeremy Lamb/Willie Green
Marvin/Tony Mitchell (Bama)/Jae Crowder
Horford/Ivan
Meyers Leonard/Zaza/Jason Collins
superiorblogman
May 19th, 2012
10:04 pm
Trade Joe and or Josh Smith and fire LD and Sund.
superiorblogman
May 19th, 2012
10:08 pm
My team would be.
Teague/Darius Morris/Ronnie Price
Jeremy Lamb/Willie Green/
Joe/Marvin/Tony Mitchell
Al/Ivan
Meyers Leonard/Zaza/Jason
Trade Josh Smith to Portland for both of there picks
Kyle
May 19th, 2012
10:18 pm
The team from the top down is such a joke. Who are these fools that still spend the money to buy tickets to see this train wreck?
Flav
May 19th, 2012
10:50 pm
There will never be hope for this organization until the ownership changes. It doesn’t matter who the coach is, who the general manager is, what players they have. This organization will never get in reach of a championship with the current owners.
pines 75
May 19th, 2012
10:56 pm
MB-
12 years ago, I thought you were out of it and simply wishing to provoke chatter…..I was younger, so were you. But pal, I so agree with your assessment on this….it isn’t even funny.
Tired Tired Tired
May 19th, 2012
11:32 pm
LD is a nice guy and the perfect coach for Hawks ownership. He is an empty suit that they don’t have to pay much for. The hawhs played no defense under him, none. Josh the wandering gypsy although a forward preferred to hang around the three point line so that he could throw up bricks without having to battle inside. Do you think Doug Collins would put up with that crap in Philly? I doubt it.
Hawks, Owners Losers, Management Losers, Coach’s Losers, Players Losers. Tired Tired Tired
dap01
May 20th, 2012
12:38 am
I am tired of the poor ownership. I am tired of the horrible management. I am tired of the 2nd rate coaching. I am tired of JJ’s iso, Josh’s bone headed plays and constant complaining and poor leadership. I am tired of JJ’s contract and it has barely started. I am tired of being the most hopeless team in the NBA. I am tired of the horrible draft decisions. I am tired of selling draft picks for nothing. I am tired of trading for exceptions that are not meant to be used. I am tired of drafting the Pape Sy’s of the world. I am tired of having to read the AJC’s articles trying to give up information on the Keith Bensons of the world. I am tired of having a coach that not one NBA ref listens to (compare him to Doc Rivers). I am tired of watching Teague defer the ball to JJ who can barely dribble the ball up the court in 24 seconds much less break down a defense. I am tire of being a 2nd rate franchise on our best day. I am tired of having to pull for a team whose most expensive player’s biggest and most used word is “man” (I, you know, man, like you know man, we need to pass the ball, man).
What is ONE reason for optimism.
elroy
May 20th, 2012
12:43 am
& for the keeping bradley, the ajc will be mediocre at best!
DawgNole
May 20th, 2012
1:40 am
donte080
May 19th, 2012
6:10 pm
“What is YOUR point?” (DawgNole)
Pretty obvious what my point was….that you (nor Mr Bradley) know what the heck you are talking about.
_______________________
Wow, that’s pretty specific, you dumbaszz. And you know it all, right? Yeah, thought so. Give us a break with your delusional input. Can you do that? No, didn’t think so.
Edo River
May 20th, 2012
3:14 am
It is easy to criticize but Mark, YOU have no specific person who would take the job and do better,
do you? No I didn’t think so. that would require more effort, right? And you would say it isn’t your responsibility to find someone better whom would agree to the job, AND the players would accept and do better than they did under Drew. Ohhh you have never mentioned the players opinions on who they would prefer, have you? No, again………
that would be too difficult, take you too much time, wouldn’t it? Take away from the barbecue time wouldn’t it
YOU go and get someone and then ask the people who ultimately win and lose the games what they think, and you might get rejected. It’s possible. In your philosophical world, it seems, the players just do what they are told, Win, after you go out and find any ol’ coach whom you guess might do bettter than Drew.
ryan
May 20th, 2012
4:40 am
I am so tired of hearing the excuse of if we had only had Al Horford for the whole season- what would have been different
ATL still would not have had better than a 3 or 4 seed because their record would not have been better than say Chicago or Miami. So the Hawks get the same seed for the playoffs, well maybe with Horford they would have managed home court….wait a minute they did have home court. And Boston played the entire season without Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and Jermaine O Neal but they are not running around saying if only
Hawks fans that believe if only Al had been healthy are deserving of the Gearon-Seydel clownish ownership
Coach
May 20th, 2012
6:06 am
Never did understand the hire in the first place….N$B$A$
melhawk
May 20th, 2012
7:29 am
more of the same from the incompetent, cheap owners—just put average stuff on the court and expect fans to show up. I’ll go to 4-5 games as usual and buy tickets on the street for chump change like last season. rise up!
tony
May 20th, 2012
8:05 am
Complaining about the way ASG runs their business should of ended back in 2010 when they didn’t hire a quality coach. You can’t blame ASG if the fans are willing to pay to watch mediocrity. Getting mad with the owners is like putting the cart before the horse.
I probably watch ten games all season long(including the playoffs) and the reason why I watch more games last season was because of Jamal Crawford. Jamal brought excitement to the game. I can’t recall of missing too many games back in the 70s and 80s because there was no drama going on in basketball plus the players went about their business in a professional manner – unlike todays players.
I think LD would be a better coach if he spent the majority of their practices on fundamentals especially on their passing technics. With this team, passing remains one of the most under-taught, under-emphasized, and under drilled skill by a professional basketball team.
In the upcoming draft, there is one guy who I will pay my money to see. His name is Andrew Nicholson. If the hawks can draft this young man, he will go down as the best player to be drafted by an Atlanta Hawk’s team. Andrew Nicholson reminds me of Len Bias who can hurt you in the paint and from the pereimeter . He has a very high basketball I Q and he is a good free throw shooter. He already have skills that JS is trying to incorporate into his game. Nicholson is just too valuble to pass over if he fall to us. http://youtu.be/L66QmiB0xj4
Jackie Chiles
May 20th, 2012
8:19 am
Mark, why don’t we do somthing out of the box……..such as make the highly paid adult professional ball players responsible for not getting over the hump.
BubbaDaBaller
May 20th, 2012
8:43 am
Hawks Marketing pitch for 2012-2013 “Come watch us get knocked out in the second round (again)”…
gtfanfrom1951
May 20th, 2012
9:03 am
The NBA is bad for basketball. They walk all the time and its just like WWA( or what ever its called now) It will always be a west coast (L.A.) and some one from New England in the finals. So why call it a sport?
Sid
May 20th, 2012
9:16 am
B team players, B team coaches, B team owners……………….whadda you expect?
Maybe I didn’t read the article close enough, who did you say would come in to coach and send the Hawks to the NBA elite?
The Hawks don't have the talent
May 20th, 2012
9:16 am
It doesn’t matter who coaches this team. The Hawks don’t have one superstar that can take over a game. This team could be coached by the second coming of Phil Jackson and they still wouldn’t make it past the second round. Unless we can land a major free agent ( a real one, not of the Joe Johnson variety) or somehow get lucky and draft a superstar, it will be more of the same going forward.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 20th, 2012
9:31 am
ClemsonBrad
” But doesn’t this look like the Hawks are going to give it ONE more year with “everyone healthy” before blowing big pieces of this team up?”
____________
Before this year, wasn’t the core healthy already? Where did all that health get them?
Answer: A 4-2 exit the previous post season.
This post season was paved very well for The Hawks to make the ECF for the first time in their 45 now 46 year history. But this year’s locker room mantra of “NO EXCUSES” became just an oxymoron of that: “MORE EXCUSES”.
Don’t blame the fans for finding better forms of entertainment in the City of Atlanta where, there are so many others ways to spend hard earned money. Most fans simply went out and purchased 70″ flat screens to sit at home and channel surf the Lakers and Heat.
How entertaining! And, what a better use of Hawks Season Ticket money.
About Right
May 20th, 2012
9:49 am
would rather spend my money on kids sports as they put forth more effort than go to a Hawks game where their overpaid players look like death warmed over.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 20th, 2012
9:58 am
Andrew Nicholson
He is rated as the #30 pick in the draft on some boards, NBA DRAFT.NET show the Hawks take him @ #23. I wouldn’t be mad if this happened one bit! But, will Mr. Drew play him or bury him on the bench?
I would be surprised is Andrew Nicholson is not gone by pick #15 though. He got game! He nice! He good. He looks like Joe Johnson but, balls like Kobe. Top 10 pick, maybe. I would move a core piece, move up and go get this kid @ #15, 14 or, 13. But we Hawks, will probably sell that #23 pick to save money or stand pat and pick Tony Wroten, Jr if Sund is still here – so so sad!
Beaan Counter
May 20th, 2012
11:07 am
In the East Division the Hawks have been passed by the Pacers and the 76′ers. In order for us to grow we need to either trade Josh Smith or find a coach that can control him. Josh needs to be under the boards and not bringing the ball down the court and shooting 25 to 30 foot jumpers. Drew has proved that he is not the one to control Josh.
DawgNole
May 20th, 2012
11:31 am
Ken Strickland
May 19th, 2012
9:57 pm
Ownership and the underfunding of the team is the biggest reason for the Hawks not being able to take the next leap.
_______________________
For 44 years?
Please. Spare us the endless excuses. We’ve heard them all–too many times.
Old Hawk
May 20th, 2012
11:43 am
dap01
May 20th, 2012
12:38 am
Good Post. It about covers everything Hawks.
BravesFan79
May 20th, 2012
12:15 pm
I saw the Andrew video posted above, good looking kid. Hes got a great hook shot, and great footwork. I wouldnt mind the Hawks taking him at all. Maybe as a replacement for Smith, and trade Smith halfway into next season.
Tommy
May 20th, 2012
1:06 pm
Just think–all of this mediocrity only cost us our status as a 4-sport town.
Atlanta Spirit = criminals
will
May 20th, 2012
1:22 pm
THE HAWKS HAVE BEEN IN THE ATL FOR 43 YRS
and the 43 yrs they have been here, they have never made it pass the 2nd rd of the playoffs or ECF. There is a lot of transplants that live here now that may or may not know all of this
For many yrs the ATL Hawks was the only nba basketball team in the entire southeast, except for a short lived or stay of the New Orleans Jazz. No Miami, Orlando, Charlotte, or New Orleans Hornets.
Miami, since becoming a franchise much later has played in several ECF and won NBA CHAMPS, Orlando has won several ECF and played in two NBA FINALS.
The point that I am trying to make is, that it is the consistent history of this franchise that have turned off 5.5 million people in the ATL, and the commentors from ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, they have nothing good at all to say about this team or franchise.
The only thing this team or franchise could do, to win people and the media over, is to win the ECF and win NBA FINALS.
So when Josh Smith, starts talking about we still have empty seats in the arena, he needs to know the history!!!
When part owner M. Gearon, starts talking about he knows that it is a problem w/fans and hawks, he needs to understand the history. We know that the spirit group has not owned the hawks 43 yrs, But we the people and media see the same old hawks.
You want fans, respect, increase team finances WIN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!
CeeJay
May 20th, 2012
1:23 pm
IF Miami fails to advance, and IF Pat Riley decides to move one of the big 3, and IF that person is Dewayne Wade, then IS it conceivable the Heat would be interested in a role player like Joe Johnson and the Hawks take Wade??? Salaries are similarly ridiculous, close to same age, but Wade would come to ATL with a chip on his shoulder and likely play with the attitude and leadership that won the Heat and NBA Championship. I’m just asking IF…..
Fan of the Game
May 20th, 2012
1:48 pm
What is Bradley’s record in the NBA. That is what I thought. He is noting but a coach basher.
Fan of the Game
May 20th, 2012
1:49 pm
Nothing but a coach basher!
DawgNole
May 20th, 2012
2:42 pm
will
May 20th, 2012
1:22 pm
THE HAWKS HAVE BEEN IN THE ATL FOR 43 YRS
and the 43 yrs they have been here, they have never made it pass the 2nd rd of the playoffs or ECF . . . .
The point that I am trying to make is, that it is the consistent history of this franchise that have turned off 5.5 million people in the ATL, and the commentors from ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, they have nothing good at all to say about this team or franchise . . . .
You want fans, respect, increase team finances WIN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!
_________________________
Agreed. Win, and they (fans and respect) will come. I don’t believe that’s an unfair request after waiting this long (44 yrs).
DawgNole
May 20th, 2012
2:47 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
May 20th, 2012
2:15 pm
I am DONE with these losers.
___________________________
Which ones?
Otter
May 20th, 2012
2:49 pm
Thanks Mark for the feel good story of the Summer. Lots of fun.
Dave
May 20th, 2012
10:35 pm
So… if Atlanta can find a superstar or two through the free agency or the draft, and the current players will just listen to their genius coach, well then, we’ll know Drew’s not the problem! Brilliant!
The Hawks have talent. What that talent does not do well is play together or within a concept that allows their talents to complement each other. Most people call that coaching, or a lack of it. But apparently the Hawks have a genius coach and middling talent.
You want to know why that’s complete nonsense? No one else in the basketball universe has come to save Genius Drew from his underachieving front office or roster. I guess only Genius Drew and Spouse Sharon truly appreciate what the man accomplishes in spite of the incompetence surrounding him.
Whiner family. Loser coach.
Yikes
May 20th, 2012
10:41 pm
Until incompetent owners sell team, the results will not change. Only thing different from year to year are the excuses the ASG uses to justify the sub par outcomes.
Great Effort!
May 21st, 2012
12:09 am
Under the circumstances, the Hawks had a great season! Sure, I would have loved to see them win it all, but so many things have to work in your favor for that to happen. As for the Hawks, it just did not happen. Maybe next year! I believe they are so close to making it happen. Perhaps, a little more patience and support and we will have the ultimate prize!
Hawker1
May 21st, 2012
12:18 am
rise up! making the playoffs is a huge season for the hawks and their fans, even if they lose every year in round 1! rise up!
toepro
May 21st, 2012
3:48 am
The Falcons are very consistent at being eliminated in the 1st round but I hear no one calling for their coach to be fired????????
OK
May 21st, 2012
7:35 am
@disgusted. especially with his comments during the playoffs.
OK
May 21st, 2012
7:35 am
@disgusted. especially with his comments during the playoffs.
PureEvil
May 21st, 2012
8:07 am
Not really sure what’s worse the ASG for keeping Larry Drew around or the AJC for keeping Mark Bradley around?
Najeh Davenpoop
May 21st, 2012
8:09 am
The Hawks, ASG, and all the morons still buying tickets and keeping them rich.
Double Zero Eight
May 21st, 2012
8:24 am
Larry Drew is a nice guy, but as a coach I would
give him a grade of C-. I know this may appear to
be “grade infaltion” to many of you.
Larry Brown left the Bobcats as he demanded more
of the players than they were willing to give. He would
have been an excellent coach to instill the discipline and
basketball IQ needed for the 2012 roster of Hawks players.
Yikes
May 21st, 2012
8:31 am
KBP=Sautee. Why use multiple aliases on an anonymous board?
DogTheMan
May 21st, 2012
8:56 am
maybe we could bring back John Drew, Dan Roundtree, Tree Rollins, Steve Hawes, Armond Hill, Eddie Jhnson, Tom McMillian, Kenny Charles, Charlie Chris and all those guys.. This team we currently have will never win a championship and never really compete for one. We are our signature moments. This team is a .500 club.. Nothing more nothing less..
PMC
May 21st, 2012
9:16 am
Here’s hoping Phillips is completely empty of paying ticket holders for at least the opener next season.
Double Zero Eight
May 21st, 2012
9:31 am
Analoogy
The CEO of an Insurance company is not ususally
a good choice for the CEO of an air carrier.
Reasoning
The leader needs to know how to utuilize the employees
of the respective industries in order to maximize their
skills and potential. A specific skill set is needed based
on the performance of the insurance company or air carrier.
Translation
The Hawks needed a proven coach and disciplinarian to
mold this core and roster into a winner. ASG’s approach
was “one size fits all”.
DawgNole
May 21st, 2012
9:44 am
Great Effort!
May 21st, 2012
12:09 am
Under the circumstances, the Hawks had a great season . . . .
Perhaps, a little more patience and support and we will have the ultimate prize!
___________________
Another Round 1 exit is a “great” season?!
A “little more patience and support” after 44 years of failure to win a championship?!
This is why we have a problem, ATL. The culture and mentality of losing.
J.R.
May 21st, 2012
10:04 am
Mark you nailed it!
J.R.
May 21st, 2012
10:06 am
Mark you nailed it! Hawks owners still don’t want a “Championship”!
jj
May 21st, 2012
10:13 am
The only reason he is back is he comes Cheap!
Why don’t other players wish to play in Atlanta..because they know Hawks are not going to do what it takes to win.
jj
May 21st, 2012
10:18 am
The poll 60% go and 40% stay.
Whiskey Breath
May 21st, 2012
10:55 am
Nice job Mark. I will be the first to welcome the Old Mark Bradley back in town.
Seems like old times. Keep up the good work.
GwinnettDad
May 21st, 2012
3:40 pm
Mark Bradley has provided us, inadvertently, I imagine, a prime example of classic egocentric liberalism that plagues the Main Street Media. and even a news source as trivial as the AJC. Pompous blowhards such as Mark actually believe the selfish, myopic and often cruel judgments that they write. He sits on his fanny judging others sipping from his favorite alcoholic beverage, and thinking himself smarter with every sip (wonder if he’d take a drug test?). A plague on the AJC who employ so-called journalists that disgrace the written world and embarrass Atlanta. Larry Drew at least has a real job. If Mark Bradley lived in Roman times, he’d be the wild pain-the-rear drunk in the first row cheering the burning of the next Christian while being so fat he’d probably have to be carried in there by slaves that he also despised.
Jay Dubu
May 21st, 2012
4:10 pm
The commentary on the Hawks expands beyond this blog. The so-called experts/analyst have come to the same conclusions as many on the blog.
I realize that you never truly know the entire situation unless you’re involved in it, but where there’s this much smoke, there has to be some fire.
THe Hawks have to make some changes. Just Al Horford coming back is not going to make them be a team ready to challenge for the title.
More needs to be done, and with owership not willing to pay lux tax, we’ll be right back here next year this time.
Jay Dubu
May 21st, 2012
4:22 pm
How can Atlanta be the City where a lot of players choose to live, but none of the big time free agents want to play here. That tells you that there is something wrong in the organization.
donte080
May 21st, 2012
6:43 pm
re: the culture and mentality of losing (Dawghole)
As if you know anything about having a culture of winning? Why don’t you just STFU, and quit whining?
Ken Strickland
May 21st, 2012
7:14 pm
DONTE080-Well said young man, well said. If DAWGHOLE didn’t have something to bitch and whine about, he wouldn’t have anything to say. You can’t get intelligent and diverse discourse from an extremely limited and narrowly focused negative minded mentality.
DawgNole
May 21st, 2012
10:02 pm
donte080
May 21st, 2012
6:43 pm
re: the culture and mentality of losing (Dawghole)
As if you know anything about having a culture of winning? Why don’t you just STFU, and quit whining?
Ken Strickland
May 21st, 2012
7:14 pm
DONTE080-Well said young man, well said. If DAWGHOLE didn’t have something to bitch and whine about, he wouldn’t have anything to say. You can’t get intelligent and diverse discourse from an extremely limited and narrowly focused negative minded mentality.
________________________
Not surprising, donte080, that you resort to vulgarity when you have no appropriate answer. That’s what losers do.
As for you, Ken (donte080 worshipper), where are your answers to my questions from yesterday? If you’re so intelligent and diverse, quit hiding from the truth–both about yourself and about the long shameful performances of this city’s pro teams.
You two run along to bed now–it’s getting late–and no hanky panky.
Dave
May 21st, 2012
11:03 pm
Gwinnett – circular, hypocritical, and arrogant, all at the same time. That takes some serious self-absorption right there. Do you spend all day listening to Bortz and patting yourself on the back for being such a smart man?
Sounds like you took Rush’s Verbal Advantage sponsorship up on their offer. What they didn’t tell you is that big words are most effective in small doses. Otherwise, you just sound absurd.
Big bad Hank
May 22nd, 2012
1:07 am
Wake up oh delusional ones…..
Big bad Hank
May 22nd, 2012
1:11 am
Bradley is on point as usual…
MMHawk
May 22nd, 2012
11:41 am
clean house–dump josh, joe and marvin, get melo from NY and a real point guard.
Hawks Fan Down Under
May 23rd, 2012
8:33 am
This ownership is a total joke. They have ZERO commitment to winning a title.
Just embarrassing!