Moving to a new location
AJC blogs are moving to a new technical platform. So check out Terence Moore’s new blog home and bookmark it.
Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > November > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWoodson vindicated, but won’t say ‘told you so’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rarely in the history of the earth has a coach or manager taken as many sucker punches as Mike Woodson.
Throughout his four seasons with the Hawks before this one, media types kept jabbing him. Some of his players did the same. Even the guy who hired him suggested to his bosses last season that they should throw him out of the Hawks’ ring sooner than later.
He’s still standing. He’s still the same regarding X’s and O’s, the handling of various locker-room personalities and operating as a person in general. Mostly, he’s still significantly better than his detractors thought, which is to say he’s pretty good.
That the Hawks entered Saturday night’s game at Philips Arena against the New Jersey Nets among the NBA elite was surprising only to those who haven’t been paying attention. Despite all of those issues that Woodson had to ignore or overcome (I’ll explain in a moment), his Hawks nearly kept Boston from its world championship last season by battling the Celtics dribble for dribble in a seven-game series.
Now, even with an ugly 119-107 loss in this one, Woodson’s maturing team has spent the early season flashing signs of remaining a significant force down the stretch of the Eastern Conference. As a result, Woodson has every reason to scream the truth from the top of his lungs: I’ve been vindicated, and my Hawks will only keep improving at an even quicker pace, and it’s time for my critics to shove some dirty sweat socks down their throats.
“Nah, I would never do that,” said Woodson, shaking his head. “I’m too professional to do that. Telling them ‘I told you so’ would be winning an NBA title. That’s telling them so. We’re not in that category yet.”
Take the Hawks’ past three games, for example. They were all losses, and they were all winnable — if you’re at least within a fastbreak of that “category.”
Let’s start with Wednesday night in Boston. Until Paul Pierce’s improbable game-winning shot near the end, the Hawks had the Celtics beaten, but here’s the bottom line: The Hawks failed to resemble a truly elite team by closing the deal.
Then you had their trip to New Jersey, where they were pushed around by a couple of rookies with much help from a lack of energy. The Hawks were at the close of a four-game road trip. It’s just that truly elite teams discover that second, third and fourth wind during such times.
That led to Saturday night, when those among the sellout crowd of 18,729 were as lethargic as the Hawks. The loudest cheer was for hip-hop artist Ne-Yo, famous for a song called, “Make Me Better.” And, no, it wasn’t about what each of the Hawks players has whispered in Woodson’s ear since he came to town. Then again, it could have been, because he has helped them improve as a whole.
Despite court battles among team owners, a key player dying before the start of a season, management failing to acquire a true point guard until earlier this year or a bench until recently, Woodson kept to his plan that helped the Hawks improve in victories at the end of each season from 13 to 26 to 30 to 37.
And that plan? “Defend, rebound and run,” said Hawks splendid guard Joe Johnson, who trusted Woodson from the start. “That’s the only thing he keeps stressing to us, and until we consistently do it, he’s going to keep stressing it to us.”
Exhibit A: The improving Hawks. And hear that sound? It’s the silence from Woodson bashers.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Services »
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Edo River
November 15, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
100% right Mr. Moore.
By Gray Mule
November 15, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Not as bad as we looked tonight. Missing Zaza and Josh hurts. 8-8 from downtown in the 3rd by Nets hurt. Hawks need old man Deke Mutumbo for some inside help. Gray Mule
By Najeh Davenpoop
November 15, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Woodson has a much more realistic view of where he stands than you do, Terence Moore. Woody hasn’t proven a damn thing yet until this team can improve on last year’s record and carry this early season momentum into the playoffs — preferably into the 2nd round. Yeah, he has been better than in years past, I’ll gladly give him that. But it’s still way, way too early to be talking about vindication.
Oh yeah, by the way, Ne-Yo is a R&B singer, not a hip hop artist.
By Jermaine Burkes
November 16, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
Mike Woodson is a bad coach because he has guys the bench and will not play them at all we need to waive speedy claxton and trade Bibby ,Jones and Marvin Williams for a big man we need one bad and if Woodson dont get better fire him and get Mark Jackson lets stop playing games and try too win big for these fans.
By Casey
November 16, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Why would Woodson say “I told you so” when he’s got Terence Moore to do it for him? So the Hawks have won a handful of games. Let’s not get carried away. I personally will not watch another Hawks game until Woodson is gone. We got rid of Billy Knight. We’re halfway there. DON’T STOP NOW HAWKS!!! Thankfully, the Hawks have already come back down to earth. Maybe Woodson will be fired before the season is over.
By Herschel Talker
November 16, 2008 4:01 AM | Link to this
The team is 6-3 and you’re writing about vindication??? How about we wait 50 games, you idiot.
By Chris
November 16, 2008 5:36 AM | Link to this
Well let me go ahead and break that silence. I’ve never liked Woodson and continue to think the Hawks would be a far better team with a different coach.
By Peachtree John
November 16, 2008 6:52 AM | Link to this
I’ll admit to being a bit confused. In the past, when Woodson would have the blank stare on his face, I thought it was due to the fact that he was without a clue. This year, he has the same blank stare on his face, but has a much improved team. Possibly the stare comes from the players not having a clue? Hopefully Josh can come back soon and recharge the troops. They need it. PTJ
By Eric
November 16, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
Celebrating a little early, aren’t we? Six wins in a row is nice, but it’s not vindication of anything. Win 45 games this year. Win a playoff series this year. Then we can talk vindication.
By smartguy
November 16, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
I still think Woody sucks. You’re not far off, either, TM.
A three game losing streak is a great time to write an article about how good the coach is. Only you, TM.
By Derrk
November 16, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Regardless the Hawks are gonna be alright. I believe they were fatigued the last few days. With Smith already being out and to lose Pachulia too had to been tough. So overall these were just let down games and they’ll bounce back from them. Go Hawks!
By The Grinch
November 16, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Wrong, Terrence. Woodson’s a nice guy and a class act, but he sure as heck hasn’t been vindicated. Rick Sund’s been vindicated for bolstering a bench with players all the talking heads thought were garbage and turned out pretty good. Now Woody’s playing 7 guys instead of 6 and they might even last half the season. While all teams win some and lose some, the same team that played so fabulously the first few games couldn’t play as poorly as the last two if they were consistantly coached and motivated. Woodson is about as motivating a speaker as the science teacher from “South Park,” mm-kay? Glad they’re improving, though, and hope they keep winning despite his “set the bar so low we’ll HAVE to improve” methods.
By How Long--Too Long
November 16, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
HAWKS DROP THIRD IN A ROW,—same Ole Woodson. Futility Rebounding Again.
By Jed
November 16, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
You forgot to mention that he CONTINUES to display class by STILL refusing to diss his former GM. Woody’s detractors’ recent silence says a lot about their lack of prophetic skills. Woody’s recent silence says a lot about his security in himself.
By jt in dallas
November 16, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
For sure the Hawks are doing much better. However, I still think Woody has lots to learn about substitution patterns. He still is reluctant to ride a hot hand unless it belongs to a starter. I noticed that Acie Law was 4 of 5 in 10 minutes of play, but he still rode out the game on the bench. What a great chance to develop a player and maybe win a game with a hot player who hasn’t had a chance to get tired.
By Lee Corso
November 16, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Not so fast my friend! Are you kidding me? Let’s see if Woodson can get his career winning percentage back anywhere close to .500, then we’ll talk about redemption. We still have no identity on offense, and the defense, without Josh Smith, looks leaky over the last three games. Write this article when another postseason berth is secured. As of now, the jury is definitely still out on Woodson.