Mark Bradley

By fred

May 8, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Fire Woodson. The young Hawks have not developed due to gross lack of fundamental basketball. Woodson might know x’s and o’s, but does not know how to teach the basics…the young players have to figure the game on their own…

By jim

May 8, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

no!!!

Woody better be gone too. I can’t take this coach any more. We need a coach with an offensive mind. We also need a couple veterans off the bench to fill the voids when guys are resting. Watching Bonzi Wells, Melvin Eli, etc. come off the bench for NO p** me off. We have ZaZa and solomon jones.

I also like the idea of Smitty as GM. He is fresh from the game, young and smart enough to make a real difference. Let him decide the coach.

By jeff

May 8, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

The Spirit group is the worst thing thing that ever could have happened to the city of Atlanta. All the goodwill the Hawks built up in the playoffs will be ruined this offseason due to ineptness. Woody’s unimaginative offense lives another season.

By firemikewoodson.com

May 8, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

bradley, We’ll I think this 8 headed monster that is our ownership group doesnt know which way is up. Fire woodson, bring in kenny smith as gm and d’antoni as the coach and let him run these guys. Woodson continues to try to make the players fit his system instead of his system fitting his players. Three games shouldnt make up for 222…

By McRly?

May 8, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

I’ve been dogging Woodson for days, but I do have to take exception to the way the AJC writers as a whole keep throwing up Woodson’s win-loss numbers with this team. Do you guys remember the team he started with? Fellas, that WAS a NBDL team. If Antoine Walker is your leader and best and only veteran? Sheesh. He didn’t have anything to work with before Joe Johnson was brought here; you can’t count the Josh’s because, even though Childress was ready, they were still rookies (and Josh Smith was an absolute RAW talent). His starting Center passed away for crying out loud, and Billy Knight to this day has not replaced him. Zaza is a nice backup, and Horford is a PF, so don’t try to sell me either one of those guys (love em, just calls it likes I sees it). I’ve been watching the Hawks since the Mookie/Smitty days and into the JT days, so I feel like I’m entitled to say this: You writers have an obligation to guide these new fans the Hawks created this year with an ACCURATE portrayal of Woodson’s coaching career here in Atlanta, and that includes all the rebuilding days and the Jason Collier loss along with his win/loss record, if you’re gonna mention the win/loss record at all. Woodson is better than his record, but his faults remain overusing his starters, not developing his young bench (Acie, Salim and Solo) and not being able to make quality offensive adjustments in games where his one-trick-pony offense(not meaning JJ, just meaning his ‘one’ offense, the ‘if it don’t work I guess we loose’ offense) doesn’t work. Woodson’s got potential, as do his young Hawks, but like them he must improve and he shouldn’t get a long term extension until he can show it next year IN THE PLAYOFFS. And develop your talent dude!!! Acie MUST play, at least consistent backup minutes!!!

By Marky Markerson

May 8, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

Keeping Mike Woodson on board is akin to the Clampett’s (Smiths) keeping Dan Henning a year too long, or bring back Marion Campbell.

Do what’s best for the team Woody – leave!

By Derrick

May 8, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

Seeing Mike Woodson on the sideline with his arms crossed with that “look of no idea what the frak I’m doing” is enough to make me gag!

We all know exactly what look I’m talking about.

I’m certainly not investing my money for season tickets. For me…Its a wait and see. Game to game decision.

There is NO excuse to not use the guys on the bench (regardless of who’s on the bench). They should have been used more so that they can get better.

You DO Not have to have an All-Star cast of players on the bench to use them. His bench rotation is unacceptable. Period. Point. Blank!

By RA

May 8, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Well, Mark, the reason that it was kinda sorta held against BK that he took so long to find a guard was because you media types kept bringing it up, that and the ghosts of Chris Paul and Deron Williams… Here’s the thingy, had the Hawks had Bibby from the beginning of the season, their ending record would have been a lot better than one game under five hundred, but here’s thing, he might not have been available then. What will always be ignored is the fact that BK is responsible for a couple of the biggest coups to happen over the last few years. One the Joe Johnson trade which everyone condemned as the ruination of the franchise turned out to be Joe Johnson, two time all-star for Boris Diaw, a talented young player and a mid first rounder. Not bad. Then Mike Bibby, a bonified starting point guard for two second string guards, an over the hill powerford, and a young man who was tried and executed in the court of Atlanta public opinion before he even played one game and is now desperately trying to make a name for himself with a new team. What I’m saying is yes, BK made some bonehead moves, but he also made some great ones. It’s best that he’s gone, but give credit where credit is due.

By McRly?

May 8, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Right on Derrick

By Darrin "The Vent King"

May 8, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

It’s not weird, it’s called “dumb”. This is why you have a hard time building a fanbase here in Atlanta. People aren’t stupid. From Pete Babcock to Bob Weiss to Terry Stotts to Billy and Woody, just one nauseating move after another over the years. Now they’re talking about keeping Woody “at all costs”? I wonder if Woody has some dirty picks of Geardon or something. What in the hell has Woodson done to warrant their loyalty? Players can’t stand him and they won the games they did in the playoffs despite him. A two-foul rotation rule in Games 3 and 4? I’ve never seen a coach do that. He got away with that on pure luck. What GM worth a pot of beans is going to want to come in here and have the Spirit hanging over them telling him he can’t do his job? If the GM wants the coach gone, and I didn’t like Billy much either, he shouldn’t have the owners telling him no. That’s the GMs call period and if they won’t allow that, why don’t they forget hiring a new one and just be the GM themselves. The way they run this franchise is a complete joke and the fans the Hawks do have only support the players themselves, but poor management decisions are stunting their growth IMO. Woodson should be fining J Smith for every three he puts up. How is it that he keeps shooting them? Hasn’t the coach shown him all the bricks he’s laid on film, hasn’t he talked to him about this? Get real. Geardon, Billy, and Woody all need to leave together; none of them are worth a bucket of rocks.

And people wonder why the fans here are fairweather, look what they have to deal with year in and year out. What a joke.

GO HAWKS (despite management!)

By Jose

May 8, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

I think we are doomed again. It’s an “evil spirit”. Why do they think Woody should stay? He will continue to turn young players into cheer leaders on the sideline. Is the “spirit” there are no good coaches. Why are they satisfied with mediocrity? FIRE WOODY NOW!!!

By Jose

May 8, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

I think we are doomed again. It’s an “evil spirit”. Why do they think Woody should stay? He will continue to turn young players into cheer leaders on the sideline. Does the “spirit” think there are no good coaches? Why are they satisfied with mediocrity? Please revive this “spirit” to open their eyes. FIRE WOODY NOW!!!

By falconfan42

May 8, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

I will no longer watch these teams!!!! This ownerhip is pitiful. WHAT A F@#$%%KIN JOKE!!!! We will see how long Woodson lasts when the team starts out 0-6. They will probably give him a 10 extension on the contract. ASG has no clue. I will never pay to see this franchise again….. Until they get rid of Woodson. !!!!!!

By falconfan42

May 8, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

I will no longer watch these teams!!!! This ownerhip is pitiful. WHAT A F@#$%%KIN JOKE!!!! We will see how long Woodson lasts when the team starts out 0-6. They will probably give him a 10 yr extension on the contract. ASG has no clue. I will never pay to see this franchise again….. Until they get rid of Woodson. !!!!!!

By St. Bernard

May 8, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

What gm wants to come into this mess? You have no draft picks. You can’t pick your own coach. You have to resign several players in the next three years who will demand more money than ownership is willing to spend.

That’s a job I think most quality gm’s will pass on.

By joker

May 8, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Funny how everyone wants Woodson to develop a bench and win at the same time. You can’t play guys that can’t make any other roster in the NBA and expect to compete. Make up you minds. He tried to win. Jones, Zaza, etc can’t compete against the league’s best….give me a break. You also can’t make a deal for Bibby at the trade deadline and expect to win. It takes a while to mesh, and by the way, they did.

By milledgevilledawg

May 8, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

PLEASE GET RID OF WOODSON!!!

he only managed to win 37 games with a team that took the likely eastern conference champs to 7 games.

i actually swore off the hawks several times this season.

how bout the loss to the bobcats right before the all-star break???

how bout the loss to the clippers when they dressed 8 players???

the hawks’ ownership should strike while the iron’s hot and go after a great coach. the hawks would be very attractive to avery johnson or mike fratello or maybe even da’n’t’o’ni.

By Jim

May 8, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

I was really rooting for Knight to succeed, mainly because I want to the Hawks to win, but also because much of the vitriol that has been directed at Knight on the radio has less to do with his performance in actual GM duties than it does with his refusal to suck up to local sports radio personalities. I even thought there was something admirable about his unwillingness to schmooze with Steak, Buck, and the rest. If he had assembled a better team we might even have viewed his crustiness as a positive thing. As it is, it is just another reason he had to go.

By EJH

May 8, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Billy is gone and Woody is still here. That tells me that ownership let Knight make the call for himself. It seems as if ownership told Billy we were bringing Woodson back, and probably asked hime if he and Mike could repair there relationship. Billy probably said no. Also I believe Billy Knight leaked to the media that he wanted to fire Woody back in february, which means you do not let in house business like that get to the public, unless it is actually done. That show a lack of trust and judgement based on going behind the owners and coaches back and putting them on frontstreet. And you just can not do that.

Now as far as Woodson keeping his job, I do get frustrated with woody at times, but all fans get frustrated with a coach’s, GM, or ownership’s decision at some point and time. But I must be fair in my criticism. The obvious is this team has improved in wins every year since Woody took this job. The young players are developing, and they all play hard for the coach. That is something that people fail to realize. Take some of these examples; 1. How about Horfords emotons during the playoffs, from dusting off the ball off of Smooths block to jawing with Pierce, the coach stood behind his player, while other national NBA analysts and coaches critizied Horford for that move. 2. The hard foul on Rondo by Williams, again Woodson came to the aid of his player saying this if playoff basketball they are going to be hard fouls, but not intentionally to hurt somebody. 3. Josh Smith, he lets Josh continue to take threes and not take him out because he knows once this guy get that part of his game down he is going to be usnstoppable. 4. Acie Law, Early on he gave Law plenty of run, but when he got injured, he was away for a while and never really got back in rhythm. And plus he did not want to ruin a young guys confidence, and damage this kid for a long time, and have this kid doubt himself and his abilities to play in this league, ala Chauncey Billups. I could go on and on, but the bottom I think the Hawks may have found a coach that is just going to get better and better, and you can not say that about two many coaches in this league.

By Bob McAdoo

May 8, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

In response to Teri Moore, who’s too gutless to allow comments on his Woodson column – Yeah, retaining Woodson makes sense … if your IQ is 40.

By Realist

May 8, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

I’m still rooting for Belkin. And with the next court date scheduled for February 2009, I am hoping that he wins this dispute sometime between now and when my 11-month old son goes off to college.

By Bk Hawk

May 8, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Its their money, they can do as they please but we don’t have to go!

By The Flash

May 8, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Several years ago, when Billy Knight created that false crisis by insisting, against all reason, that the Calangelos would match what the Hawks were willing to pay JJ, and therefore that Diaw and two number ones were required, I wrote that he wzs doing Gearon et al’s bidding—that is, he was creating a false confrontation in a move to oust Belkin, who being a sane and principled guy would never go along with throwing all those assets to make a deal after he (the Hawks) had already bought the pot.

Then, when Billy refused to shake Belkin’s hand, that solidified in my mind that he had sold his soul for three pieces of silver. I wrote here, on Sekou’s board, repeatedly that Billy should beware, “that he who lies down with wolves, … .,” that getting to “call the shots on the JJ deal was the last shot he’d get to call, except maybe whether to call his MaMa.”

Mr. Bradley had a decidedly different take on the whole JJ thing, the Spirit, Gearon, and the guy that everybody in |Gearon’s pocket, which included Mr. Bradley at that time, loved to hate.

Seems that I was exactly, 100 percent right. That became apparent to me when they didn’t resign Al or trade him, but rather let the season ride out without making a move.

People will still disagree with me about the lack of trust that the Spirit infuse into the teams that Gearon runs, that has its roots in the manipulations to oust Belkin and the cost to the Hawks’ franchise that needlessly giving away assets cost the Hawks and will for years to come.
People will still say that the issue of TRUST, the one single ingredient that you MUST have to have a TEAM (even Kobe will say that now), is absent from the irronically named Spirit and the teams that they run; people will say that, everyone around here except Billy—having lied down with wolves, Billy, like Kobe, now gets it too.

By LAC

May 8, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

How these MORANS ever got the $ to buy these clubs is in itself… Amazing.

They have to be the DUMBEST owners in ALL professional sports, just true to the core dumb !

Look at theproducts they putforth, look at the records and the continue to allow the GM’s to stay, guess one got the message the other (waddell) is too much into self glory to admit he is a COMPLETE failure at every aspect of being an NHL GM.

This whole circus has to end and the sooner these… out of their league owners, sell out the better ALL Atlanta fans will be, until then the EVIL SPRIT will continue tohaunt the teams they own !

By McRly?

May 8, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Come on Joker.

Acie Law is not capable of playing in the NBA?
Salim can’t be used for 4 minutes of instant offense and rest for the starters in the NBA?
Solomon Jones can’t play in the NBA?
Mario West can’t play, can’t learn how to be an adequate defender in the likes of an Ira Newble (oh yeah, I went there haha)?
Truth is, under the plan I saw executed by Woodson this past season, those questions will NEVER get answered because they’re not allowed to play long enough minutes or consistently enough to EVER find out.
Yes, all of those guys can be roll players, and in Acie’s case, he’s a future starter who missed out on almost an entire year of experience (yes, he had injuries, but he also recovered from them and STILL rode the pine, for whatever reason).
I Ain’t telling you you gotta go home, but you gotta get up outta here with that junk bro. All those guys can be role players, no doubt. And even if they never get it together, you still gotta rest your starters man. You’ve got to. 45+ minutes a night for another season on Joe Johnson is unacceptable. It ain’t right, not with his big body. Iverson can pull it off because he weighs a buck-0-5, but not JJ.

By Ken Strickland

May 8, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Well, the SAASG has lost their scapegoat and now have to come out of hiding. How can any of these clowns complain about BK’s combative attitude towards the media when they’ve been a constant embassassment to the city and the NBA with their infighting and legal and financial troubles. DO THESE FOOLS ACTUALLY THINK THAT ALL OF THEIR ISSUES AND FOOLISHNESS HAVE SOMEHOW BEEN GOOD FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS?

By RA

May 8, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Joe Johnson believes in Woody. That HAS to count for something. Now, listen, the Hawks got outclassed every time they went up to Boston, bottomline, but there was something about that man that got his team up to play beyond themselves in Atlanta. Now, as for using the bench. Yea, Acie Law IV and Salim should have gotten a lot more time, but that’s about it folks. There were times this year when Za Za was God awful and for all his promise Solomon Jones is still fairly green, and they were in a playoff run. Woodson did what he had to do. Now, he’s been there four years, but TO BE FAIR, the first two years of his tenure, he had nothing. The last two years, the team has been just too plane green. Now, it’s not that he can’t coach, he can, but you have to have a product that can contend. Up until now, he hasn’t. There’s your win/loss record. Now, could another coach have brought them along faster. Maybe. But could another coach have done in the playoffs what he did with that team, I don’t think so. And for all you “We want Avery” folks out there, remember, our team hung around two full games longer than Dallas in this year’s postseason. I’m just saying that you might want to throw the Woody bashing into neutral and think things over…

By Bob

May 8, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

It is mind boggling that Waddell still has a job.

There is a mass exodus of season ticket holders who know that Waddell is simply incapable of building a winning hockey club. How can the owners not see this?

By ATLplayer

May 8, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

YOU GUYS DON”T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! You speak as if you were at practice or in the huddle. You act like you are a player under Woodson. You don’t know to include Mark Bradley. Woodson earned an extension in the playoffs. That was the youngest team and least experienced in the east. The team is flawed with no REAL center. Get Woodson a true center and backup PF and seee what he can do. To the people that matters THEY KNOW Woodson earned an extension. Had Mike Bibby showed up the Hawks might still be playing.

By priest

May 8, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

i feel like Woodson is one year away. He has grown as the team has. No one else hires him as a head coach, you throw a 1 yr extention at him. if he beleives he can win and EARN an extention, then he will accept it. if not, and he balks at 1 yr, let him go because i think that would mean he doesn’t beleive he can get it done next year. e has earned another year, had we had bibby from the begining i think we would have been a better team. But you can’t give him a big extention yet.

By NASCAR Dave

May 8, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

It is mind boggling that Waddell still has a job.

There is a mass exodus of season ticket holders who know that Waddell is simply incapable of building a winning hockey club. How can the owners not see this?

I AGREE 100%… Don FRAUDell is COMPLETELY INCAPABLE of handling his job!!! He has had a DECADE to get this team “Moving In The Right Direction”… and he has FAILED to do so!!! FAILED MISERABLY!!!

ENOUGH is ENOUGH!!! END the INCOMPETENCE!!!

FIRE WADDELL!!!

FIRE WADDELL!!!

FIRE WADDELL!!!

Come on ASG… It is NOW time to make Don FRAUDell become DONE Waddell!!!

NUFF SAID.

By ATLplayer

May 8, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

You know I was mad too when Law didn’t play much, but when he did get in HE WAS NOT AGGRESSIVE enough. Chris Paul, Brandon ROY, Derron and other young PG plays aggressive. next year Law has to play aggressive and get it done. I can see Bibby coming off the bench if Law works on his aggression. Bibby is too slow and getting slower!!!!!

By Alex Little

May 8, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Hawks only made it to the playoffs by backing in with other teams losing and because of the raw talent. Since Woodson has been here we have lost entirely to many games to worse teams/rosters and to many big a(* blowouts. I was tired of Knight also, but he is responsible for the current roster which is the strongest since the mid 90’s. Let’s fire the Hawks ownership. Even with these young horses (the bust that is now Marvin Williams withstanding) we may not be so lucky in 08’.

By Brendan

May 8, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Woodson has lost 222 games, 226 if we count the playoffs. But it’s all okay, because three (3) playoff wins make up for the 222 losses? Hmmn.

Well … I’m trying to be fair about this. The Hawks were “rebuilding” during all those losses. And, no doubt, the ASG fans will cite “incremental progress,” one of their favorite “buzz words,” to defend the ASG. But really. Where ELSE were they going to do? 13 wins? Then 26 wins? Then 30 wins? Then finally, 37 wins? It’d be different if the Hawks finished 50-32. Okayyy. Then we could make “some argument” for retaining Woodson. The Hawks made the playoffs eight (8) games under .500 because the EAST was just that weak.

Do I blame Billy Knight for wanting to fire Woody? No. Do I think Billy Knight is a good GM? HAHAHAHAHA. Mercy.

Couldn’t these “Spirit” fellows have bought a soccer team instead? They had to take the Hawks and Thrashers? This was all just about money, anyway. When the ASG sells the Thrashers, they’ll average about $10 million profit-per-year off the sale. Good for them! That’s shrewd business!! None of my investment ever produced such a yield. I’m only sorry that they couldn’t have found a soccer team to mismanage instead.

Don Waddell has more than had his chance. It’s at the point where BETTER GMs are getting fired and casting a disgruntled eye at our situation. Had the fired GMs landed the Atlanta gig, instead of the Vancouver or Dallas gig, they’d still have a job today. Heyyyy! Maybe that’s a new selling point!! Come to Atlanta, where the word “accountability” is absent from the dictionary.

By Mark Bradley

May 8, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

A couple of things: I’m all but certain the Spirit would have moved to bring Woodson back even had the Hawks been swept in Round 1, and the talk now — from Gearon Jr., prompted by Craig Custance’s question Wednesday — is that the Thrashers are seeking “something like” a director of hockey operations to serve under Waddell and, I would assume, direct the operations of the hockey club.

By Bowdler for 3

May 8, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Nice, huh? His coaching isn’t nice, do they factor that into the equation?

I guess we can expect a few more years of horrible 3rd quarters, no OFF creativity, DEF in disarray, overplaying of starters, nonexistent youth development and DNPs for anyone who looks at Woody the wrong way. Nice! Way to keep the momentum going, DASG! We’re gonna pack Philips to the rafters!!

I love how the DASG completely ignores their (tiny) fanbase. It’s blatantly obvious that 95% of the fans, and 100% of the fans who’ve been paying attention, desperately want The Frown replaced.

“Phil Jackson says you’ve got to win 16gms…”

By RA

May 8, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

ATLPlayer,don’t you think you’re being a little hard. You said it yourself, for whatever reason, Acie Law IV didn’t play as many minutes as he should have, Bibby picked up the slack, a lot of the slack. Now, I’m making excuses for a full grown man, but cut the guy a little slack. With all the games he missed this season, and the nicks and nagging injuries that he got even we got him, he probably was never 100% much less in peak game shape. Bibby is your starter for at least the next year, and if Acie Law IV is as smart as he looked in the playoffs, maybe he’ll learn something and be ready to start in 2009/10. We’ll see.

And don’t fault Bibby alone for not showing up in Boston. There are quite a few guys on that list…

By mookieshoots mookie shoots runnin all off in them mookie shoots

May 8, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Ok Give woody some of the pieces that billy knight refused to like a true center and a point guard (we have it now, lets see how long it lasts) and see what he can do. I say give him 2 years, give him a stable bench and some role players and go. The spirit group is the worst ownership group in the nba, period point blank. There is no was a reputable gm is gonna come in here without being able to pick his own coach and without being able to fire the coach without the wanna be basketball experts known as the spirit group granting their approval. Its ubsurd for them to think this is a good situation. BUT here’s to hoping steve belkin can win it from the other idiots and bring some stability to this organization.

By NASCAR Dave

May 8, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark Bradley… You know what’s funny???

75% or respondents to the AJC poll are voting that they have NO CONFIDENCE in Don FRAUDell making the proper offseason moves.

After a decade of watching Don FRAUDell do the same old S++T, can you blame them???

By BaseballisBoring

May 8, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

FIRE WOODY

By Bob

May 8, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

the Thrashers are seeking “something like” a director of hockey operations to serve under Waddell and, I would assume, direct the operations of the hockey club

If this comes to fruition, it’s better than leaving the status quo intact, but it’s only a half-measure, I’m afraid.

If the new guy has to serve under Waddell, then he’s handcuffed. We need a good hockey guy to come in with complete autonomy (only supervised by the owners) to turn this ship around.

By RealSquawk

May 8, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

well Mike Woodson wiil be here for about half the season if not less. Every team will be looking at us and preparing for us now and we won’t be sneaking up on anyone.

Match that with many of the teams we play will be improved and we might be looking at a rough start

Put this with Salim Stoudamire playing for another team and torching teams on a daily basis

A lot people felt that with an outside shooter we would have been better, but we had outside shooters signed one in Jeremy Richardson after he prove he had the range and fire and then sat him for the rest of the season, set salim had we played them and worked on our spacing Boston’s double teams would have seem a lot less daunting. or

The Hawks play like they actually like Mike Woodson set some proper pick and rolls, stick their screens, and not walk through a play like its practice during a game so we can be competitive.

By Brendan

May 8, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

If real change is desired with the Thrashers, Don Waddell must clear out his desk. He’s more than welcome to join the broadcast crew. And regale us with draft day tales and trade deadline dealings.

NASCAR Dave, who says the players don’t read the newspapers? Or partake in AJC.com online polls!

By NASCAR Dave

May 8, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave, who says the players don’t read the newspapers? Or partake in AJC.com online polls!

Good point, Brendan! If I was a player under FRAUDell, I would be saying that too!

Hey, wait a minute, didn’t Kovy say that too???

By Mark Bradley

May 8, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

I know there’s a powerful lobby out there calling for both Woodson and Waddell to go. (I, as you might recall, am on record as saying I’d have fired Woodson in February. Billy Knight actually tried to do just that.) But I can’t see either going anytime soon. The Gearons like both, and the Gearons are the ones who matter in the Spirit.

By Yeah, sure

May 8, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

And the Gearons stink. To me, they are writing off another season by getting too excited about three wins. Remember when they were trying to clinch a playoff berth and had to back in? Geez. The Gearons are as bad as the Rankin Smith family was.

By Hawksfan

May 8, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Amen, RealSquawk. How in the world could Woodson so underuse Salim all season?

We only have J.J. signed for what 2 more years? Woodson is taking this team nowhere, and we are going to miss out on a nice window of possibility in the next 1 to 4 years.

At what time does youth become unfulfilled promise or just average? (It is great to have young guys with great upside, but if I had my druthers, I’d prefer Portland’s, N.O.’s or Utah’s young guys. The Hawks are young, but remember, there are teams with better cumulative young talent than the Hawks.)

By Mark Bradley

May 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

This just in: Chris Paul made first-team All-NBA. Deron Williams made second-team All-NBA. Anyone recognize either of those names?

By Singindablues

May 8, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

The sad truth is that the Hawks & Thrashers are doomed to mediocrity for the forseeable future due to the ASG. You can spin things all you want, add this player dump that player, fire the coach etc, etc, but it won’t make a difference till ownership changes hands.

By RealSquawk

May 8, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Joker how ya doing buddy?

You said the Hawks players we have now that rot on the bench can’t make an NBA roster? I guess that is fair assessment if you watched the Hawks hmmm. never cause they never get to play consistent minutes, but when they do get in they are productive take Solo and Zaza for example. and keep in mind that was probably the longest Solo has played all season To continue with that point Lets look at Royal Ivey this year. Who killed us in the games he played and was assigned to guard Kobe Bryant and did it this year. He made his minutes on the Bucks. and i am pretty sure when Zaza was playing starter minutes he was in the top 10 if not top 5 for offensive rebounding, which leads to the fast break right?

Now EJH Its really hard to see someone who won’t talk to media period leaking information about a franchise in, which he could have said a lot worse about. Let us remember Knight did his job without using the playoffs as a campaign to keep his job. What did Woody due this offseason? -he shaved his head -started wearing this ring -put up NBA trophies in peoples lockers when it should have been a picture of the Boston garden -and he purchased tickets for the cleaning staff (which was great, i mean he is a stand up guy) so if anybody would have leaked info to the media it would have been him. and don’t think he didn’t know

onward to the next thing The team has not improved we have gotten better players and the players we have play better, but as far as this team being prepared to play every night… nope just hasn’t happened.

As far as point 1 and 2 any coach would do that

and 3 and 4 especially three just lets me know that you have been watching the hawks for um…. maybe half a season am i right? and don’t lie?

Because it clearly hasn’t gotten to the point where Josh Smith throwing up a three midway through the shot clock or him leading the fast break completely vexes you!!!!!!

Why he allows Josh Smith to be reckless and not someone like Salim i have no clue well i know why, but i say at least let them be reckless

and on point 4 lets get into our time machine and go back to salim’s rookie season he plays well has a great attitude has some stuff he needs to work on gets into a game i thought we lost to NO Hornets and tears it up scored like 24 points in less than a quarter

did his play time increase after that? HE!! no he sat him and then salim went off and then everyone was screaming about his attitude

nowoffofyoutwo joe Johnson supporting Woodson has me thinking a couple of things

he lacks the leadership skills to demand a trade the ownership told him to say it or Woodson is a good coach with a bad team

and i am done

By Hawksfan

May 8, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Look, at the time, NOBODY knew/predicted Paul or Deron Williams would be so good. Did anyone in the nation call for the draft of one of them over Andrew Bogut (the no. 1 pick that year)?

Hindsight is 20/20, and I don’t think B. Knight should get continually beaten up on this one (EXCEPT that we already had 3 forwards at the time (including Diaw) and Marvin will never be better than any of them).

By mr. know-it-all

May 8, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

I did.

I predicted Paul or Deron would be so good

By Mark Bradley

May 8, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

I sat on Gearon Jr.’s couch the night of the lottery and said, “I’d draft Deron Williams.” I also wrote it. Not that I’m never wrong or anything …

By Hawksfan

May 8, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Okay, so we have folks that AT THE TIME would have taken Paul and Deron over Bogut, and also at that time predicted first and second team (respectively) all-NBA in the third pro year for the two.

I would have taken a point guard over MARVIN also (although the draft general draft pundits at the time would not have) because the Hawks were stocked at forward. (Diaw got the Salim treatment from Woodson, but had talent—proven in Phoenix.)

Looks like we have at least 2 GM candidates.

By bill

May 8, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Next season will be yet another “We’re a young team and we’re getting better” year…but unless Woodson & Josh S. attend an anger management class together, look for his Smoothness to move on in ‘09 (but perhaps the Gearons, I mean Spirit, will surprise me and sign him to Rashaad Lewis money)!

By mr. know-it-all

May 8, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Hey! No stealing my thunder.

Oh, and Bonecrusher said the Hawks should take Chris Paul. I’m too old to know who Bonecrusher is, but I still believe in providing credit where credit is due.

By jeff

May 8, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Fire Woody.

By Let's hear it

May 8, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Who is this powerful lobby? You don’t mean fans, right. Because it’s obvious as heck the ASG gives not a whit about the fans.

By honest_abe

May 8, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

i’m not going to lie, i wanted the hawks to trade down and get raymond felton. ok so he’s no paul or williams but even he’s a major upgrade over marvin..

look at the rumors of the knicks about to offer d’antoni a huge contract. the spirit are poor (relatively speaking) they’ve shown that they like to operate both of their franchises on the cheap. woody is their cheapest option to coach this team so he comes back. i’m with the other poster, i hope belkin takes over this team.

THE CITY OF ATLANTA HATES YOU ASG.

WOODY SHOULD’VE BEEN GONE BEFORE THIS SEASON EVEN STARTED.

By whit192

May 8, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if woodsen is the right coach for the hawks, offensive execution wasn’t there even at home for the hawks in the playoffs and they take to long to get into their sets often resulting in a contested shot or the wrong guy shooting it.With that said, they are a young team and will presumably continue to get better no matter who the coach is, also here is a link to an article on Billy Knight: http://www.samepagesports.com/eulogy-for-billy-knight/

By whit192

May 8, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

I don’t know if woodsen is the right coach for the hawks, offensive execution wasn’t there even at home for the hawks in the playoffs and they take to long to get into their sets often resulting in a contested shot or the wrong guy shooting it.With that said, they are a young team and will presumably continue to get better no matter who the coach is, also here is a link to an article on Billy Knight: (http://www.samepagesports.com/eulogy-for-billy-knight/)

By Mark Bradley

May 8, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I won’t lie, either. I liked Raymond Felton better than Chris Paul. But not as much as I liked Deron Williams.

By wtf

May 8, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Yea im about done with the Hawks. The DASG are letting 3 wins outweight 4 years of clueless coaching. I guess they forgot the Hawks backed into the playoffs instead of winning games to make it. If the Pacers dont choke the Hawks dont sniff the playoffs. Im pretty sure the Hawks dont make the playoffs next year. Can Blank buy the Hawks?

By CALi

May 8, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

You guys think its so easy. Give Woody some slack. We still overachieved with the talent we had this year. People talk about the Hawks talent but not many in Atlanta mention that it was raw talent. Raw talent and Seasoned talent are 2 different things. Now the Hawks are seasoning. Do I agree with every move Woodson’s made? Absolutely not!!!!!! I felt Salim & AC should have played more. But to make the Hawks a serious contender its going to take more than what we have now. We are still in need of a legitimate big man and another pure shooter besides JJ. I know the Hawks have been bad for a long time but you can’t blame it all on Woody. That’s just being silly.

By huh

May 8, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

How in the world did they overachieve? They won 37 games and had everybody wondering how they didn’t win more. I remember the coach of the Wizards wondering why the Hawks record wasn’t better. The play by play guys during the playoffs were saying they should have won more games ,that their talent is better than their record indicates. Woodson probably cost them a good 9 or 10 wins with his terrible coaching. They guy makes no adjustments and can’t develop talent. So if winning 37 games is overachieving I wonder what this team will look like if it underachieves.

By stevo

May 8, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

i’m nice too. i think there are lots of nice atlanta fans. we see that the team is destroyed by woody and that keeping him probably sets the team back three yearsin their progression (which started with making the playoffs and actually winning at home - they have a home presence RIGHT NOW which will go away with the fans if woody is kept).

so for all of us nice fans, fire woody and do what is best for the team, and for us.

people (myself included) need to be directing this blog energy to the ownership group directly (letters, phone calls, e-mails) making clear we will not support the team with woody at the helm.

it is our only hope.

By kracker

May 8, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

c’mon guys, Woodson shaved his head - what more can he do?

By RealSquawk

May 8, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

So Mark Bradley I have a question. If the hawks start off sub-par or below will Woodson still have the same job security?

By RA

May 8, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Let me put things in simple terms. Woodson inherited a team of Newbies and hacks. Even if the front office had done EVERYTHING right, which they didn’t, it would have been at least three years before they were in playoff contention, starting from where Woodson started from. Does that make sense? Okay, let’s move on to part B of why Woodson should be given a sporting chance. Had the Hawks nabbed Bibby BEFORE FEBRUARY, there would be NO excuse for them finishing with 37 wins. Everybody with me? I’m hoping that the use of capital letters might help the challenged… Anyway, my guess is that with a HEALTHY Mike Bibby, an Acie Law IV that isn’t a rookie, and a Hawks team that’s had a taste of not just playoff experience, but playoff success as well, they’re going to be better than their 37 wins of last year, and trust me, if they’re not, I’ll personally lead the shouts to exorcise the spirit and run Woody out of town on a rail!

By Mark Bradley

May 8, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

If the Hawks start 0-6 next season and Woodson is indeed their coach, I don’t think he’ll be fired. I think the Spirit have had many chances to change coaches had they so chosen, but they haven’t yet. I think these owners view Woodson (and Waddell, too) in a way most folks do not. And these folks happen to own the team(s).

By dxturn07

May 8, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

I defended both Mike Woodson and Billy Knight a few days ago and said they should both stay. Now that Knight has resigned, I agree with the person who said, whoever becomes the next GM should be allowed to run the team as he sees fit. The truth is I am not convinced that the Atlanta Spirit has the competence to interfere with the next GM. If we are to hire a quality GM, that GM must be allowed to build the team the way he sees fit.

If the new GM sees fit to fire Mike Woodson by not renewing his contract, then good. This might be the best time for Coach Woodson to go. He would be leaving on a high note. Somebody will hire him as a coach either at the pro level or the college level. He took a bad team to the playoffs. He made the most of what little he had. I would not feel too sorry if he leaves on a high note now. If nobody hires him, then maybe I was wrong the other day. It might actually mean that people who know more than either I or the Spirit know that Coach Woodson does not belong in this league.

Consider this: the best GM the Hawks had for the past 30 years is Stan Kasten, and he wasn’t even a basketball man. He was a lawyer who was luck enough to have Dominique Wilkins jump right into his lap when he refused to play for Utah.

Atlanta Spirit, if you hire the best person available, let him do his job, even if he doesn’t re-sign Mike Woodson.

By Bob

May 8, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

I think these owners view Woodson (and Waddell, too) in a way most folks do not. And these folks happen to own the team(s)

Quit p** in my Wheaties, Bradley!

Man, that’s some info I did not need to know, but explains a lot. Waddell’s a nice guy. Really. A good guy, he handled the Snyder tragedy with class and handled the subsequent Heatley trade demand the best he could. But beyond that, I have a hard time giving him credit for anything else over 9 years, except being a nice guy.

By Brendan

May 8, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

At the end of the day, Mark Bradley, the Gearons will live with their decisions. They will own those decisions. Quite literally. And they just may not like them so much, after all. Bygones.

When Joe Johnson and Ilya Kovalchuk are gone, people will ask why. They’ll want some answers about how that happened. And what will the Gearons “spin” as an answer? Oh wait! I think I’ve got it!

“It’s a well-established fact that ALL teams have to learn to accept losing players via free agency. It’s the reality of the sport(s) today.”

Allrightee then. And that quote will apply to the “faces of your franchise, too?” Bygones.

Sayy, raise your hand if you’re up for buying some tickets to reward these Gearon decisions?

PUT … YOUR HAND … DOWN. Beeee honest. You’re going to take that $2,400 per seat … and go buy a big screen TV, with all the bells and whistles. Then, with whatever’s left over, you’ll buy the NBA League Pass or the NHL’s “Center Ice” package, and never look back. Well, nobody’s blaming you. I know who I’ll blame: The Gearons. The mystery, as they say, “she is a sol-ved.”

By Juice

May 8, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this

Man!! We really need a new blog. We’ve beaten this dead horse after the buzzards have left.

By RealSquawk

May 8, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

thanks for the response Mark Bradley

I had some of those same feelings after hearing how Gearon was possibly turned off by Knights refusal to openly communicate with the media.

( Even though that was probably a great trait I don’t really see the Spurs GM talking that much or the Pistons just to name a few of the more successful stable franchises.)

And Woodson ability to really say the right things so yeah i see where you are going with that and appreciate the response!!

By Ken Strickland

May 8, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

Let’s hope the SAASG allows the new GM to decide Woodson’s fate. It’s only fair to allow the GM to pick the HC he wants to work with and coach the players he acquires. After all, it would look awfully stupid of them to fire him now after preventing BK from doing it on 3 separate occasions earlier. WE CAN ONLY HOPE.

By Mark Bradley

May 9, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this

When a sports administrator speaks to the media, he/she isn’t just speaking to a particular reporter: He/she is talking to the public. And the public buys tickets. (Or doesn’t buy tickets, as the case may be.) Most professional sports figures understand that, and it’s why they put up with us. We in the media don’t pay their salaries, but we’re the conduits to the folks who do.

By Michael Guillemette

May 9, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

I think Mark brings up a good point about the Waddell’s like-a-bility, and that being part of the reason he’s still here. I met Don briefly when he was walking in Philips Arena during a game and he came off as a really nice guy. And he’s also on 680 the Fan a lot. I do feel for the guy as he had to play GM AND coach this year. That being said, he brought the problem on himself and I do believe the Tharshers would do better w/o him (or at least with him and a NEW GM).

By Remembering Roundfield

May 9, 2008 4:30 AM | Link to this

If Knight wanted to fire Woodson and wasn’t allowed then he really wasn’t in control anymore anyway, so he served himself well by moving on. If Doc Rivers says we ought to keep Woody as coach then I am inclined to give him at least one more year(and the pieces he asks for) to see what he can do. If the Celtics don’t win the whole thing they will probably fire Doc Rivers and then we can have him as our GM.

By Nikki

May 9, 2008 6:47 AM | Link to this

Knight deserved to be gone. It didn’t matter if he resigned or contract was not renewed. Woodson should be gone. His playcalling is questionable at best. He just doesn’t motivate the players. I can see where Waddell should have been history as well.

By Barry

May 9, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

Hey Y’all:

First of all Mark Bradley, you are the most hypocritical person in local sports writing history. You play mind games with the readers at inopprotune times. During the Hawks playoff run, I will never forget your trying to down the team when they were going for game six here in Atlanta. You were ready to gloat in that lose. However, the Hawks won. Then I stated you need to get out of Atlanta due to you are not in tune with the local sports fan in Atlanta. You speak of Knight not being nice to the press, well, hell, I would’nt be nice to you to considering the spirit of your pessimistic reporting and other on your staff. I tell you I would notwant any of you guys with me if I was in a fight. You guys would be the firsrt to run. You would run just like you did before game 5 here in Atlanta. But we won and you exposed your sorry, weak self. it is a shame have been hired by the AJC to speak to the Atlanta community aboout local sports. You and others like you at the AJC is the problem with our local sports team more tha the team records show.

Now speaking of Woodson, he should be fired. Woodson was not the motivating force too help us get to the playoff. It was Mike Bibby’s leadership and play on the floor. Bibby is a good but not great point guard. He is better than many in the NBA. However, he showed what this team could to with an effective point guard who runs, shoot and play defense on the floor. In my opinion, Bibby stopped the bleeding. However, he is not the cure. We stll need a great, young, fast, physical point guard to rest Bibby. This guard has to be much more than a leader on the floor. He has to be a scorer, a slick passer, a shooter, and a defender. We must still look for that quality in this upcoming draft. I really like the kid Curry from Davidson. He would be a great complimen to Bibby. sorry Acie Law. Woodson, on the otherhand, needs to be replaced. We need a coach who will let these guys play when they come to the team. I do believe Woodson is a control freak who like to intimidate and threatens his young players when they try to do creative things with the basketball on the floor, especially the youg point guards who were drafted. I say when you draft point guards, you got to let them play. You got to let them run. You got to let them get comfortable with the flow of the game to get their creativity flowing. That’s what point guards do. They are artists with the basketball. They are the start to making everything click on the floor. They are the quarterback of the team. If you get a slick, quick, nasty, shooting point guard, you will be in most games. Especially with this group of Hawks. Also, of course, we need a good, physical center.

All said and done Mark Bradley, you need to find your self another city to write sports columns. You are not with the local sports fans, team, or city. Call Boston, maybe they will have you. You cheered more for them than the Atlanta Hawks.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! This is a SECRET from a Atlant Hawks fan Tell EveryBody!!!

Ringold

By Midfield

May 9, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Bradley is on to something. Sometimes I wonder if the Spirit Wives (sounds like another movie title) actually run the show. I may have even read their entries here: much more interested in smiling athletes giving away souvenirs to kids in practice than those who try to dig in and win something. I think Spirit should run figure skating shows, not sport franchises.

By _sturt_

May 9, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

I’m so tired of the whining about BK’s lack of courtesy to you media types. And… do you REALLY WANT a general manager who DOESN’T think he knows better than you or anyone else does???

Sheesh. Stop the whining. All that matters is results. I don’t really care that BK didn’t help you fill up your column with nifty quotes and quips.

By steve

May 9, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Listing to Power Play on XM and a rumor that Bob McKenzie has heard is that the Spirit is going to promote Waddell to be in charge of both the Thrashers and Knights…….

By steve

May 9, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Listing to Power Play on XM and a rumor that Bob McKenzie has heard is that the Spirit is going to promote Waddell to be in charge of both the Thrashers and Hawks…….

By steve

May 9, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Listing to Power Play on XM and a rumor that Bob McKenzie has heard is that the Spirit is going to promote Waddell to be in charge of both the Thrashers and Hawks…….

By Mark Bradley

May 9, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

I’ve heard the rumor. Don’t know anything about its veracity.

By Brendan

May 9, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

If Don Waddell gets to control the next hockey GM, nothing will change.

By JF

May 9, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

So what happens to all of the “other” front office people? As I look through the media guide: Gary Fitzsimmons? Scott Wilkinson? Mike McNeive? Harold Ellis? Greg Ballard? Stephen Giles? Terry Knight? (assume he’s gone) Herb Livsey? Mark Crowe? Ron Meikle?

???

By FUNK DAT

May 9, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

FIRE THE ASG!!!!!!

By don pardo

May 10, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

So now we are told that the Spirit is considering a “promotion “for Don Waddell. What are they going to do if he is ever successful, give him the franchise?

By RA

May 10, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

Now, maybe it’s just me, but does anyone else think that it’s a really good thing for Boston that they got home court advantage through the playoffs. I don’t think they can win anywhere else…

By Shawn

May 12, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

The Hawks need a big man Al Horford is a power forward. Bibby was a great addition to the team but Al can not stay out of foul trouble as a center and he can’t show us his full range of offence because he is using to much energy on the defensive side. Trade Marvin williams and go after a big man.

By Patman

May 13, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

So Mark “Give Up Three Players For Rex Chapman” Bradley is basically saying that Knight deserved to be fired because he wouldn’t kiss hte media’s tail. I can think of a million reasons to get rid of the underperforming Knight but not suckng up to a bunch of self-important hacks who call themselves journalists isn’t one of them. The fact that you’ve been employed by this rag is by the grace of God only and certainly not due to any journalistic skills which, in your case, are minimal to non-existent.