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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > May > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USYoung Hawks handling things better than coach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In more ways than we ever could have guessed, say, a week ago, this season has been an unexpected gift for the Hawks.
They have re-ignited this city’s pro basketball fans. They have seen what Joe Johnson can do when a team really needs him to do it. They have identified a young player who is a certain building block for the future (Al Horford) and another who may have significant issues (Marvin Williams). It doesn’t matter what happens tonight or for the rest of their playoff lives. None of that is going away.
The problem is the undercurrent. Mike Woodson can be a nice enough guy. He just hasn’t been a particularly smart guy of late, in large part because of speculation on his job security.
This isn’t a subject that ever should come up in the middle of a playoff series, let alone a franchise’s first playoff series in nine seasons. It wasn’t a subject any member of the media likely would have ever broached Wednesday when the Hawks, in the most remarkable story of this or most postseasons, were coming off consecutive wins over the 66-win Boston Celtics and were preparing for Game 5.
But Woodson, even if unintentionally, kicked open the door to the subject. Responding to a question about Josh Smith’s future, Woodson, for no apparent reason, began, “At the end of the season, if I’m the coach …”
Oops.
Now. Why are we going there?
This was sort of like a prosecutor hearing a defense attorney mistakenly bringing up an issue in a defendant’s past and thinking, “Well, now I can ask about it.”
The next few questions focused on Woodson. Not the Hawks, not the two wins in Philips Arena, not any of his suddenly resilient players — unless you count the time Woodson responded to one question with: “You guys think this team should be the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I don’t see it that way. We’ve got some good pieces but we’re young.”
First of all, I don’t ever remember anybody in this town drawing parallels between the Hawks and sliced bread. Stale bread, maybe.
Secondly — huh?
I’m trying to recall the last time the Braves were wrecked by injuries or considered an underdog in the postseason and Bobby Cox saying, in so many words, “You know, we’re really not that good.” Or, “We’re kind of lucky to be here.”
He might think it. But he wouldn’t say it — certainly not when his team was coming off two dramatic victories and, as an unexpected bonus, had panicked the sports fans of Boston.
But Woodson has been doing this sort of thing for weeks now. As the focus on him has increased, he has increasingly alluded to the Hawks’ youth and personnel deficiencies, indirectly pointing the finger at general manager Billy Knight. (Safe to say both sides have ammunition in that debate.)
In one recent radio interview, Woodson remarked, “Personally, I think I’ve done an unbelievable job,” strange words from a man with a four-year regular season record of 106-222.
Woodson fumed Thursday when he read media accounts of his comments in Boston.
When asked Thursday — by a reporter he likes — if he could clarify his remarks, Woodson gave an angry, “No comment.”
A few minutes later, he was asked by somebody he doesn’t like (me).
Question: “I understand you’re upset about …”
Answer: “I have no comments. Turn off your recorder. I’m done.”
Question: “Are the quotes accurate? Were they misrepresented in some way?”
Answer: “I have no comment.”
Question: “I’m giving you a chance to clarify your …”
Answer: “No, I’m not gonna give you a chance. For what? I’m done. Thank you.”
Lost on Woodson: If he hadn’t opened the door, nobody would’ve walked in.
Oddly, those young, inexperienced Hawks players Woodson has alluded to are handling the post-season far better than their coach.
Josh Childress (granted, well-schooled at Stanford) said: “Stuff like that shouldn’t come up in the middle of a playoff series. But I don’t think it’s a distraction to the players. Maybe coach is thinking about it a little more than we are. The focus should be on us trying to win, it shouldn’t be on: Is he secure in his job for next year? This is a big time for all of us in the organization.”
Yes, it is. It was a wonderful way for Childress to answer a question and yet defuse a topic. Woodson might want to take notes.
Friday night, the Hawks play Game 6.
A win would be even bigger than Game 4, which was even bigger than Game 3.
A loss, and this still would have been a sweet ride.
Would’ve been a nice thing to focus on.
Permalink | Comments (70) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks/NBA
Comments
By Bob Sacamano
May 1, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
Marvin Williams is the Generation Y Sam Bowie.
He is, bar none, the worst draft pick in the last 20 years of the NBA draft. And that falls to the moron Billy Knight.
He isn’t even a reliable 6th man, Childress is, but that idiot Woodson keeps on giving Williams too many minutes.
I don’t care what’s happened this postseason, Woodson and Knight BOTH need to have their @$$es fired.
Then again, Don Waddell needed to have his retarded @$$ fired, too, so with this joke of an ownership group, the only thing we do know as a fanbase is that they will continue to make the worst decisions possible.
Meaning that next year, we’ll continue with Waddell, Knight, and Woodson.
God, why didn’t you let the used car dealer from Dallas buy these teams… it couldn’t have been any worse than this!
By mike
May 1, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
you’re a bum schultz. we got game six to win and you write about this crap. No one cares now, wait till we’re done before focusing on the coaches future. Always trying to create a stir.
By Harry Hawk
May 1, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Amen, Jeff. I appreciate this column.
mike,
You didn’t have a comment earlier. Why comment now?
(Heehee.)
By Mr C.
May 1, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
No matter the outcome of the series, i think Billy Knight and Mike Woodson should be let go. I will hope they decide on a GM soon and go after Avery Johnson.
As for Marvin Williams, he’s awful. His hands leak like a sieve. He’s a decent defender but he should be coming off the bench. He might be the worst 2nd pick in the last 15 yrs.
By Dr. Dave
May 1, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Mike Woodson is a mediocre coach whether or not the hawks take another game with Boston or not. He never gives the Hawks an edge coming out of a timeout, or at halftime. He has some very talented players, but does not fully take advantage of their skill sets. You guys need to go easier on Marvin. He is only 21, and would be coming out of college this year if he had stayed in school. He admittedly has poor hands, but it is rare that you can find anyone in the NBA who can shoot a midrange jumpshot like him. Think of him as a draft pick this year. Not everyone can come into the league at 18 and dominate like LeBron did.
By el el
May 1, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
I think some people need to lay off of Woodson.
I mean he’s not the greatest coach in the world, but I feel he’s done a pretty good job despite the record. Look at the circumstances before you judge him.
First of all, he was handed the youngest team in NBA history. The average age of the team given to him was around 22 years old. That’s a college team. During his time as coach of the Hawks, look at all of the things he’s had to deal with. The death of Jason Collier, the ownership feud, drafting Marvin when (though he will never admit it) the player he wanted was Deron Williams, a GM trying to fire him midseason, and a fan base that only sells out when Kobe or Lebron are in town, and more than half the crowd are rooting for the other team(I’ve been a season ticket holder for years, so don’t anyone try disagree with me on that).
So, how has he dealt with all of this adversity. He’s handled it with dignity and class. He’s taken the majority of the blame for the team’s shortcomings and has never pointed fingers at his players, his GM, or the ownership group. He’s earned the respect of his players (they might play young, but they play hard) and has developed players like the Joshes into strong NBA players (Please, don’t bring up our lack of a bench, our bench has only two first round draft picks and quite honestly, with the exception of Childress, isn’t really better than the NBDL all-star team).
Coach Woodson has the hardest job in the NBA (maybe the hardest coaching job in all of sports) and all he’s done is help them improve every year. Besides, if we did replace him, who would we replace him with? Do you think any prominent coach would even touch our team with a ten foot pole given the current ownership situation? Woodson deserves one more year at least.
By Fade
May 1, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
I question the whole idea of sitting Joe for 10 minutes. Just doesnt seem right, stay with the celtics, and deal with the ramifications if they come. Marvin, well, I have wanted to loike Marvin, but Childress is obviously a much better baller.
By Jeff Schultz
May 1, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
Just thought I’d check in early. Mike — you sort of made my point. I — or anybody in the Atlanta media — was never going to make Woodson’s future the focus in a story during the series, certainly not after the Hawks won two games. It would be completely unfair. That’s what made his original UNSOLICITED remark so strange. I think he goofed and he knows he goofed. Either way, that’s why I went out there today — to give him a chance to clarify, back-track, dig himself out of a hole, or maybe even say, “You know. Right now I just want to worry about beating the Celtics and I never should have said anything.” That would’ve been perfect. Instead, he just got angry and seemingly blames everybody but himself for what happened. But when I basically gave him three chances to dig himself out of a hole and he didn’t do it, I think that says something. It’s unfortunate because, really, these players deserve better than a coach suggesting during a playoff series that they’re really not all that good (whether it’s true or not). …. I’ll try to check in later tonight or tomorrow, but I promise no musical lyrics like O’Brien. ….Jeff
By mykhalc
May 1, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
el el, all you say is true. but the problem is that MOST know WOODSON has more of a team than he realizes and DEFINITELY MORE than he utilizes!!! and that is one of the MAIN reasons he needs to go!!! well that and the fact that he just can’t coach effectively at this level!!!
By Jeff Schultz
May 1, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
By the way: El El. I have no idea where you’re getting your information from, but you have several inaccuracies in these sentences: “….He�s handled it with dignity and class. He�s taken the majority of the blame for the team�s shortcomings and has never pointed fingers at his players, his GM, or the ownership group. He�s earned the respect of his players…” JS
By Mike
May 1, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
My apologizes for the bum comment, no point in that. Just want the hawks to win, and thought the story was bit negative. Need to think positive and write positve. Go hawks!!!
By Hawk in NC
May 1, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
I agree Jeff. I think Woody is a great guy and a decent coach, but we need someone who is really going to push and mold these young guys. can you really say that Woody has had an obvious impact on the development of Horford, Marvin, and J. Smith…not especially. I think we need a coach with more experiences molding younger players.
With that said, I hope that the ATL crowd represents tomorrow night as it did in games 3 and 4. As a lifelong Hawks fan, it was great to see the energy and its obvious impact on the team.
By MIKE VICK
May 1, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
mike woodson and billy i need 2 pick my afro knight need 2 be fired. bring in billy king and avery johnson. also, see what it’ll take 2 get gilbert from washington or trade with denver for iverson this town needs a superstar and ai would bring the best out of joe. also, trade marvin and a number 1 for elton brand. i know horford is playing center but there no 5’s in the east outside of howard. also, sign a couple veterans 4 mid level exception like a pietrus and donyell marshall for scoring off the bench. josh childress will want 2 much money u could do something with him for a draft pic and a veteran. then u have a 50 win team for the next 5yrs with plenty of cap space 2 tweak a player or two. these are options unlike the sorry falcons who’ll never win nothing under this regime. i’m out gotta mop the floor…lol
By russ
May 1, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
my only problem is that if you don’t use the extra guys that sit the bench all season long how do you expect those guys to mature into good players and be ready for the playoffs. I see potential in salim,he is still a raw talent that needs minutes in order to become a contributing factor.
By gdg73
May 1, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Now give us your hypothesis on why the “golden boys” over at Turner Field SUCK!!! Let the Hawks and Woodson bask in their glory. Nobody thought they would be playing a Game 6 Friday. Let the team finish the series before you start burying the coach. Then come back with one of your p** poor articles. I notice that the AJC’s reporting is less than favorable when reporting on the Hawks and Falcons when YKW was playing. The Braves have always been the media darlings. I just hate how the loca media just drool over that old a* money grabbing Tom Glavine like he is some typr of god. The human crutch Mike Hampton. This guy has made roughly $40 million without doing ish. Glad he’s not black.
By Enough
May 1, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
One of the rare times I agree with Schultz on this one. Woodson pretty much made and makes himself the story. He tries to insist that this team is void of talent but any one watching can see the talent, the motivation at times is whats lacking and that falls squarely on the coach. Woodson is putting Marvin in a position to fail, its easy to see that his confidence is void. See his rear end down and let Chill or Richardson log those minutes. I guarantee that he will stop settling for that jumper and take the ball to the rack. He shows potential at times but he is a weak link at the moment. Bibby needs to step it up as well. The lack of development of the bench is mind-boggling. Those guys when given the chance seem to do okay most of the times, no worst than Marvin or ZaZa. Solo, Law, Salim and West at key defensive possesions could be contributing more if Woodson had used them right. This team should have been in that 45 to 50 win range with possible contention for that fourth seed. I would say give Woodson a chance, but he seems stubborn and gives excuses before hand that allows his players to lean on a crutch. They no there is no consequences unless you are a bench warmer anyhow. With that said, at least for one unexpected pro basketball night in the ATL, lets worry about this stuff when the season is over. For one day, lets bask in the national spotlight that these young Hawks have despite the challenges, given the so called best team in the NBA a run for the money!
By Miles D
May 1, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
We should get rid of Woody regardless of the accomplishments we have made this season. I’ve noticed that he just doesn’t prepare well. He doesn’t play to our strenghts, he doesn’t have us ready for every possible scenario, he doesn’t understand personnel matchups to utilize what we have in order to get the most out of EVERY man on our roster. And the players are not developing like they should under his supervision. But its not all on Woody! We also need to get rid of Billy Knight! Everyone knows about the draft blunders. His time is hopefully up! He tries to be too clever and doesn’t do enough of the smart things like bringing in solid vets that can help our young guys mature. We just have too many young guys that don’t have basketball smarts! We have talent but were not smart except for JJ, he is awesome.
By Reggie
May 1, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
Please grow up. You sound like my 8 year old daughter. “He (Woodson) doesn’t like me. Could you please speak on “sport” issues?
By Miles D
May 2, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
We would win if coach played Acie instead of Bibby! We need someone who can create for other as well as for themselves. Acie can penetrate, pass, and finish! That opens it up for everybody. I think we should start Law, Bibby, Joe, Josh, and Al. That line-up would give the C’s fits because with Joe in at the three he could shoot or pass but they also got to respect Bibby’s range and Joe is just too strong for those guys. He would get them in foul trouble and some three point plays! His presence in that spot would also open up the boards for Al and Josh to clean-up!
By Doug
May 2, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
We need to play Acie! I have noticed that because of his quicks on the ball as a defender he can foil the C’s from getting into their sets quickly.
By BA
May 2, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this
Why WOULD Woodson “like you” when all you’ve done all year is write articles calling for his head? So because the guy slipped up, he owes you some sort of explanation? Why? Is there any discussion of YOU getting fired, Shultz?! Maybe there should be. I’m sick of these stupid blogs calling for coaches, managers to be fired. This is two this week. You people need to be more creative. 106-222? Phil Jackson couldn’t have done much better with the rosters the Hawks have had in recent years. Has this guy (Woodson) ever complained? No. He may not be a great coach. But he’s handled this thing in a classy manner. Unlike some hack at the paper who probably saw four Hawks games all year.
By BA
May 2, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
By the way, leave O’Brien alone. He gets seven times the readers you get. You could stand to learn something from him.
By Brandi
May 2, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Jeff, Jeff. Stop it already! You are such a negative person. All season long you have been trying to find things wrong with the Hawks. They have won two games in this series(far more than most people expected) and you still can’t give them credit. Every slightly positive comment is followed with a extremely negative comment! Get over yourself and give this entire organization some credit for once!
By fanothebartster
May 2, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
We need to get a real center so we can move Horford to the 4 and Josh Smith to the 3 along with Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby, and Childress coming off the bench. Suddenly Woodson would be a genius. We are that close, if we can keep those five players.
By old white guy
May 2, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
Woodson is a “template coach”. His template said Joe had 2 fouls in the 1st qtr. so bench him. He ended up with 3 fouls…why sit him? We lost the game because he was on the bench. It doesn’t matter if someone is hot…if the template says it’s time to substitute, Mike does it…He has no judgment…and if he did he doesn’t use it!
By Harpie
May 2, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
The Hawks have won 2 games against the Celics In Spite of Woodson, not because of him. He knows how to act like a coach, but he doesn’t know how to coach. Bring in Avery Johnson or some other good coach, and the same roster would kick some booty next season.
By Bravesfan79
May 2, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
Both this terrible GM and coach need to go. Theres no reason Mario, AC, Salim, and that Jones (i think) kid off the bench shouldnt be playing more. A 7 man rotation just dosent make sense.
Anyways Go ROckets!! Diek and TMac are my favorite players hands down. The next Hawks GM could learn from the Rockets on how to put together a team!
If Mike Antonie of the Suns somehow gets fired…..THATS who the hawks should go after as coach!
By Bumpy
May 2, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
Wow, “Schultzie” as Buck likes to call you, I appreciate the topic because it is certainly on my mind as it is anyone with any common sense that has followed the team closely during Woody’s tenure. I think you may have been a little “forward” to bring this up to Woody at a Q&A but whatever, drama is good. It is a little sad and awkward to listen to Woody try to defend himself, but this team would make great strides forward were we to hire a top notch coach, which Woody is certainly not. He may be a nice guy, but your pointing to his desperation is certainly applicable. When he shaves his head because of a bet the players made with him LAST SEASON, you have to sense he is desperate for some sort of connection to the players. Truth is, I think they know he is incompetent, Knight knows he is incompetent (tried to fire him three times w/o owners’ consent), but our owners have been unwilling to cut him loose as of now. Hopefully they wise-up in the offseason. If Woody is extended, we are in for some underachieving years.
By mt
May 2, 2008 3:13 AM | Link to this
gdg73 i like that. the line about mike hampton was hilarious.
By Najeh Davenpoop
May 2, 2008 3:17 AM | Link to this
“As the focus on him has increased, he has increasingly alluded to the Hawks’ youth and personnel deficiencies, indirectly pointing the finger at general manager Billy Knight.”
Exactly. Thanks for bringing this up. I think a lot of the weird sh-t that’s gone on recently with the Hawks can be explained by this. Marvin remaining in the starting lineup is one. As bad a coach as Woody is, I refuse to believe he’s really that stupid to where he can’t see that Childress is clearly better than Marvin. The only reason I can see that he would keep starting Marvin is to stick it to Billy for drafting him ahead of CP3 and Deron Williams, because the more Marvin plays the more the national media wonders what the Hawks could have been with CP3.
By nahjay davnpooh
May 2, 2008 4:08 AM | Link to this
RONNIE RAMOS, THE BLOOD OF THIS ARTICLE IS ON YOUR HANDS.
YOU ARE NOTHING BUT AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY HIRE.
TO LET (I TAKE THAT BACK, ASSIGN) JEFF SCHULTZ TO WRITE THIS INFLAMMATORY GARBAGE MAKES YOU, NOT ONLY A PUPPET FOR THE “MAJORITY’S” VOICE, BUT MAKES YOU WEAK FOR NOT SEEING A LESS TRANSPARENT POINT OF VIEW.
I ASSUME YOU WERE THE ONE THAT TRIED EXTRA HARD TO “FIT IN” IN ATHENS.
By Maxx
May 2, 2008 4:22 AM | Link to this
This column obviously makes it seem like the Hawks are winning in spite of Woody, which I agree with. I think that the Avery Johnson would really propel us into being an elite team. I hate how Woody uses a 7 man rotation with the talented role players we have on our bench. That being said, the only reason that we should keep Woody is because he looks hilarious with the bald head-mustache combo and the ridiculously huge ring. I mean, in our first nationally televised game, when the entire country essentially sees us for the first time, in the playoffs, he comes out looking like a clown. Hilarious, gotta admire that on some level. On to Billy Knight. He has made some great moves and some terrible moves. He drafts Childress with the 7th pick. I thought at the time 7 was a huge reach, but he is getting better and Im happy we have that guy on our team. He is a great finisher around the basket, deceptively athletic, active, smart, good rebounder and a decent defender. Elite 6th man, Terrible shooter. Then he drafts Josh Smith later in the round, a great pick. One of the elite defensive players in the NBA, whose offensive game is getting better. Knight picks Marvin “The Duck” Williams over Chris Paul, then picks Sheldon Williams over Brandon Roy. Still kills me to this day. Then he makes the Diaw for JJ and 1st rd pick trade, which turned out to be a very good trade. Then he makes the Bibby for dead weight trade that includes Sheldon “Gentile Giant” Williams, great move, except I was hoping that Acie Law would take over the PG spot next year, and it appears Bibby will be the man for now. Horford was a great pick, he is going to be a force to be reckoned with when we get a real big man. Bottom Line: Fire Woody and keep Knight, because Knight is getting better at his job, while the team is winning in spite of Mike Woodson.
By cashmere
May 2, 2008 4:49 AM | Link to this
MIKE WOODSON COULD BE REPLACED WITH D’ANTONI OR AVERY JOHNSON AND ID KEEP KNIGHT HE PROVED HE CAN BUILD A TEAM AND HE MAKES BOLD MOVES AS WELL MAYBE TRADING IS HIS THING N NOT DRAFTING BUT THEN AGAIN WE ALL WANTED MARVIN OR PAUL BACK THEN TOO SO HINDSIGHT IS 20/20. AND WE HAVE NO DRAFT PICKS THIS CUZ CENY AND ANDERSON’S CONTRACTS ARE UP THIS YR TOO SO IF WE BRING THEM IN THEN BYE ZAZA AND MAYBE MARVIN BUT WE GET A C,AND PG/SG. SO IF THATS HIS PLAN THEN THATS JUST TALENT.
-BESIDES HES THE ONE WHO PULLED PAU GASOL AWAY FROM US BACK IN THE DAY.
By bob
May 2, 2008 5:29 AM | Link to this
Jeff-Woody’s made plenty of mistakes but in general, his coaching in the playoffs has been fine. You’re a dick. Leave him alone.
By krib
May 2, 2008 6:16 AM | Link to this
Comon Guys!! Who was the starting point guard of the hawks at the beginning of the season?? Anthony Johnson!! This guy will not start on ANY TEAM in the NBA. Yet Woodsen was able to keep the team in the playoff hunt. THE GUY HAS DONE A GOOD JOB and SHOULD KEEP HIS JOB. At the begginng of the season, all the so called sports analyst and writers gave the Hawks NO CHANCE OF making the playoffs. Why cant we just judge him against expectations. ?? This is a YOUNG TEAM.There is a reason why all the so called great coaches like Brown and Phil Jackson DO NOT like young players .IT is extremely difficult to win with a Young team yet he has won with the youngest team in the NBA. Isnt it funny, no one gave Woodsen credit when the Hawks won 2 games at home. Yet they blame him when we lose. THE GUY DESERVES TO STAY. The team will have a break out season next year and it will be unfortunate not to give Woodsen a chance. LET HIM FOCUS ON THE GAME TODAY….WHY ALL THIS USELESS ARTIClES. IT IS AS IF WE ARE WAITING FOR HIM TO MAKE A MISTAKE.
By krib
May 2, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
RESPONSE TO SOME OF THE WIERD COMMENTS N THIS BLOG 1.CASHMERE, MAXX ” The team is winning in spite of Woodsen”??? WHat does this mean …The team loses because of Woodsen and the team wins in spite of him?? Wow !! Wasnt it Woody that noticed that the guy guarding Mike Bibby was not coming over to double team Joe and told Joe to take control in the 4th quarter??? ( See the post game comments by Joe Johnson). 2. NAJEH “I refuse to believe he’s really that stupid to where he can’t see that Childress is clearly better than Marvin”?? …..Marvin is the best mid range jump shooter in the team yet you want us to start him over Childress?? Strange… We will now have a starting line up with no legit mid range jump shooter. 3. “There no reason Mario, AC, Salim, and that Jones (i think) kid off the bench shouldnt be playing more”. What do you want? A team that wins or a team that develops players. We have spent 4 years of development now is the time to win!.
By krib
May 2, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
RESPONSE TO SOME OF THE WIERD COMMENTS N THIS BLOG 1.CASHMERE, MAXX ” The team is winning in spite of Woodsen”??? WHat does this mean …The team loses because of Woodsen and the team wins in spite of him?? Wow !! Wasnt it Woody that noticed that the guy guarding Mike Bibby was not coming over to double team Joe and told Joe to take control in the 4th quarter??? ( See the post game comments by Joe Johnson). 2. NAJEH “I refuse to believe he’s really that stupid to where he can’t see that Childress is clearly better than Marvin”?? …..Marvin is the best mid range jump shooter in the team yet you want us to start him over Childress?? Strange… We will now have a starting line up with no legit mid range jump shooter. 3. “There no reason Mario, AC, Salim, and that Jones (i think) kid off the bench shouldnt be playing more”. What do you want? A team that wins or a team that develops players. We have spent 4 years of development now is the time to win!.
By RB
May 2, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
el el must be Woodson’s son. I have never seen so many pro Woodson comments. I hope that Dominique is talking to Avery Johnson off the record. With Avery this team can get to the next level. He will develope our point guards. Woodson never will.
By Larry
May 2, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
What a useless article on Mike Woodson,he deserves better
By coastal jim
May 2, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
Maybe we should call up New Orleans and offer Marvin Williams for Chris Paul, straight up. You know, since Marvin was the higher draft pick, and had the greater “upside”. I say fire Knight and Woodson. There’s some pretty good unemployed talent available right now.
By JSS
May 2, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
How Angela Tuck won’t do her job and call you sorry butt on the carpet amazes me. I’m no Woodson apologist, but you (JEFF SCHULTZ) continue to defy so many of the “canons of good journalism on a daily basis. Mike Woodson’s shortcomings are not the issue any more. You made it PERSONAL with this man. Jeffrey Denberg made the same mistake with Fratello from 1987 to his firing. It diminished both men, but no more than Denberg. It tarnished his star, and he became just an afterthought amongst NBA journalists. I applauded Woodson’s shooting you down as the playoffs loomed, you have continued this childish vendetta regardless of the inappropriateness of the stage.
I have constantly pointed out this out many times that any team that does not defend on the wings is doomed on any level in the game of basketball. Mario West is the best on the ball defender that this team has, however he is so deficient in all other facets of the game that you can not give him extended minutes. The Hawks are already playing 4 on 5 on the offense because Marvin refuses to work on his game. When you put Solomon, Mario, or Solomon on the floor for extended minutes this is the case, you are playing 3 on 5 on the offense end. Team’s shut that down in the playoffs, just go ask the Raptors and the Sixers. The reason Chills is this team’s 6th man is same one James Worthy was the force on the Lakers in the 80’s… Your 2nd unit has to have a scorer, and that is point blank. Do you really want to see Marvin as your first option off the bench? Some people are under the delusion that a couple of the members of this team are somehow reincarnations of Kurt Rambis, Norm Nixon and Michael Cooper in their skill set. Down the road they may be. I will not address the need for 6 members of the Hawks to actually work on their games this off season. I have already posted on this, but it makes no sense for anyone with ties to North Carolina Basketball not to call on Vince Carter or any of the past UNC alumni and pickup his game in their summer workouts at Carmichael.
On a closing note, JEFF SCHULTZ, you are a NO TALENT HACK!!!! I’m just a blogger, I have no ethical responsibility to not make it personal…
By GT80
May 2, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
As I watched Game 4 I actually started thinking maybe the best thing for this team is to keep the coach in place and have some long term stability. Then came Game 5 and a glimpse into the locker room and Woody’s motivational talks. I wasn’t inspired. And now this strange interview where he is clearly pleading his case to try and save his job. I wonder if you took a secret poll of the players on whether Woody should still be the coach what the vote would be.
I harken back to what Bill Parcels used to say about his football team…”We are what we are, if we hadn’t gotten some bad calls, or not made a few mistakes, we’d be 13-3, but the reality is we’re 9-7.” In reality Woody is a coach with 32% winning percentage. Not good. A good coach takes young talent and gets them to play over their heads, at a rate higher than 32% of the time. He takes all star talent and figures out how to best utilize it, and exposes the other teams weaknesses, at a rate higher than 32% of the time.
Now BK needs to be fired for the simple reason he drafted Shelden Williams with the #5 pick. I can almost give him a pass on the Marvin pick if it was his only mistake, but the Shelden pick cemented his record. Plus he’s now made it impossible to keep JSmoove on the roster for anything less than a max contract. He should have done everything to get him signed before this season.
But I will be cheering tonight hoping we send it back to Boston for Game 7. Then we can see if Woody can really save his job.
By Keeping It Real
May 2, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Why turn on the coach because he thinks you are a prick? You have trashed the Hawks all year. I guess that Childress is good now because he gave you a comment for this useless article. I guess you are saving him from your bashing until the right time comes up. At least these guys are paid well and can isolate themselves. I think that you are jealous. What a jerk you are.
By UGA81
May 2, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
I’m not crazy about Woodson or Knight either, but beep in mind when you talk about getting rid of them, who in their right mind would want to come work for this messed up mgmt group? Doubt any of the marquee names mentioned above.
By UGA81
May 2, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
I’m not crazy about Woodson or Knight either, but beep in mind when you talk about getting rid of them, who in their right mind would want to come work for this messed up mgmt group? Doubt any of the marquee names mentioned above.
By oldmike
May 2, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Jeff Perry on the Rude Awakening (680) was bashing you for this post. But as is usually the case he ranted out of context. Woodson doesn’t need to be fired. Not necessary. Just don’t extend his expiring contract. Regardless of how this team has performed in the playoffs they still are exposed because their bench has been neglected and their rotations miniscule.
By Todd Lindsay
May 2, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
As ill-timed as it may seem, you are right on point Jeff. To me, the worst thing about this amazing run that the Hawks have made, is the fear that Mike Woodson may get to keep his job. Marvin Williams is looking more and more like Kwame Brown and Woodson keeps starting him. Not only that, he is telling him to shoot more!! He obviously has some personal issue with Salim Stoudamire because he never plays even though he is the best shooter on the team. And don’t tell me it’s because of his defensive ability or lack thereof….has anyone seen Joe Johnson stop anyone…ever? When his team is on the court, either they don’t care or don’t care to listen because I keep seeing Josh Smith attempting jump-shots instead of putting the ball on the floor, or trying that same bounce pass in the middle of the lane that NEVER makes it through. Marvin is satisfied to shoot 20 footers instead of driving, and watching him drive makes me understand why. Our defense leaves something to be desired with the exception of Smith and Mario West. These things CAN be corrected…with the right coach. Mark Cuban said it best…the pieces have to fit and if they don’t you have to make a move. I just hope we part ways with Woodson and get ourselves a coach!!!!!
By Forrest, Forrest Gump
May 2, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Woodson remarked, “Personally, I think I’ve done an unbelievable job.”
Yeah, unbelievably bad.
By DNo
May 2, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
The only thing that gets me through this is if we didn’t pick Marvin we wouldn’t have Al. Plus, as I recall, everyone had Marvin as the consensus #2 pick that year—how many times did we read “MW is potentially the best player in this draft.” How he was graded that way, I will never know.
By C. Collins
May 2, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
WOW!!! Whats going on? There are alot of mixed opinions about what should and shouldn’t happen….Here’s the real deal….Coach should make a decision on how to attack a opponents offense and defense, Mike Woodson is not capable of doing this or hes is trying to embarrass his GM, if you double team JJ, put shooters on the floor..Richardson and Salim…make the opposing team differ from there plan..but this jackass just continues to do the exact same things while the other teams makes adjustments…Play Mario and Solo they both have 6 fouls right? utilize them to disrupt KG and RR and make these guys uncomfortable….Mike Woodson if your listening!!!! PLEASE TRY SOME DIFFERENT THINGS, AS A DIE HARD ATLANTA FAN ALL THREE MAJOR SPORTS WE NEED THIS TO GET EXCITED, WE CAN BEAT THESE GUYS, PLEASE PLAY TO OUR STRENGTHS AND MAKE THE 3 AMIGOS RUN… THANK YOU AND GO HAWKS!!!!1
By ATLplayer
May 2, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
JEFF you have an axe to grind. Let it go! If you think it was a none issue then why write the article? I know why…you have an axe to grind. Don’t make excuses about he opened the door. If it wasn’t an issue you didn’t have to walk in. If the Hawks can get one of these 1st line coaches meaning Avery or the Suns coach I’m all for it. If not give Woodson another year.
By VickBeliever
May 2, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
I hate to say it but this article is dead on. THe only thing holding the Hawks back is Woodson he does not have the ability nor the confidence in adjusting to the Celtics success. There are times the Celtics play t othe strengths of the Hawks. If they decide to double and triple team Joe Johnson why he does not put Salim in the game to get some of the open looks that Marvin gets. Salim is a much better shooter than any other option we have on the team. Stubborn Woodson will not give him a chance.
By UGA81
May 2, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Wake up - they aren’t getting Avery Johnson or Dantoni! Or anyone else we might want who really has a choice …
By CIty Loyalty
May 2, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Atlanta has never been a city of support when it comes to sports. We love the teams AND the coaches when they’re winning and we show absolutely NO support when they’re loosing. Success doesn’t happen overnight and other citites understand that and never stop believing. Take Chicago, it took them years to be decent again and they haven’t been the same since Jordan but they still have support from their city. Boston, until recently hasn’t been the same since Larry Bird and that was the 70’s. Shut up and show your support for the HAWKS:the team AND the coach. knowing the city was behind them contributed to more than half of the HAWKS 2 victories. Like JJ said after his 35pt. game:”I just did what the COACH told me.” Its a team effort and we’re apart of that team!
By Myron Jackson
May 2, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
The Hawks should trade Williams & Stoudemire for Brandon Bass. Brandon Bass is going to be a beast. He was SEC player of the year after his sophomore year and Dallas doesn’t know how to use him. They are going to be making a youth movement because they kept giving the ball to all those old men instead of Bass and still got ousted in the 1st round.
The Hawks don’t use Salim and Marvin is the worst number 3 pick ever. But Dallas doesn’t know that. They will get a backup for J Kidd & J Terry and a backup for Dirk and Josh Howard and give up what they obviously don’t realize is a beast.
Bass will go to the hole with authority and be the other scorer we need. No one is giving up their center so put him with Horford and Josh Smith and see the Hawks take off!!
By Tyger
May 2, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
It’s clear to everyone that reads trash, that your opinions of the Hawks are very biased, so it doesnt surprise anyone that you get dissed more often than not.
By and
May 2, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
The owners have divorced, the gm and the coach are now trying to get each other fired, the players are unreadable, the coach cant/wont play to his teams strengths or the opposing teams weaknesses, the media has an axe to grind and the “fans” are incoherant. And this is the positive highlight of the last 9 years. Weee!
Heres my bit of incoherancy…Woodson cant coach. The only reasons that the Hawks are in a game 6 is the pathetic state of the East, the gigantic bal..um muscles on Horford and the fact that Doc is another very bad coach. Go Hawks!
By Geo
May 2, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
I hope the brass realizes that given the tools Woodson had to work with, he gave them what they gave him. This season the over/under was 40 wins for the Hawks. Sure they were barely under that, but they came on hard at the end of the season and now confidence is high. If the brass fires Woodson this year, it’ll be a mistake. Keep Woodson!!!
By bigeasy830
May 2, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Terrible article. On the day of the biggest NBA basketball game in this city in 10, you write this crap. Damn, I see why T. Moore have a job. If they keep you on it would be dead wrong to fire him. Even he has been up-beat and positive about the team. Woody can’t help but respond to questions in that manner with all the controversy around him and Billy keeping their jobs. He has done a great job in this series. I want to keep him for 1 more year, and I have been screaming for his head all year but I got to give the man credit he has hung in there and for the most part out coached Doc.
By Najeh Davenpoop
May 2, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
“2. NAJEH “I refuse to believe he’s really that stupid to where he can’t see that Childress is clearly better than Marvin”?? …..Marvin is the best mid range jump shooter in the team yet you want us to start him over Childress?? Strange… We will now have a starting line up with no legit mid range jump shooter”
Would you start Salim Stoudamire because he’s our best 3-point shooter? Marvin may be a good mid-range shooter (he hasn’t even been good at that this series though) but he doesn’t do ANYTHING else. Josh Childress provides a lot of things for this team when he’s on the floor. Don’t take it from me, though, just go to ESPN.com or watch Inside the NBA and see what they think.
By ashe
May 2, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
I hope they win. Just for the fact that it would go to a 7th game. But, if they don’t it’s alright they have done a lot this year to make it. Should the coach go? Well, I don’t know. I must more would get rid of Billy Knight than the coach. He has made a lot of blunders in the draft that someone with his “knowledge” should know. Sheldon…….. Chris Paul ….. et al. Avery would be a good coach if they decide that he has to go. But, I would much rather get rid of the owners and gm. I think we need one guy who knows a little about basketball .. has deep pockets .. and has the patience to build a good team for the ATL. Peace.
By Charles
May 2, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
To say Mike Woodson is mediocre coach is a bit simplistic since for the first time during his tenure that he has had a legitimate point guard. Comments suggesting that he is some incompetent coach that accidentally designed the defense that helped the Detroit Pistons’ lift a championship banner. But the Pistons built their team with quality parts. The Hawks had Tyronne Lue. Give the man the tools to work with, then give him time. Who the hell is Zsa Zsa? (Whatever is last name is)
By Cory Dalessandro
May 2, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
Marvin Williams is a wonderful guy who is very nice, but thats about it. He has a good share of break-out games, but he should be more of a guy to come in when Johnson is in foul trouble, I wouldn’t mind that. In fact, Marv might be a great bench player.
By Cory Dalessandro
May 2, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
Marvin Williams is a wonderful guy who is very nice, but thats about it. He has a good share of break-out games, but he should be more of a guy to come in when Johnson is in foul trouble, I wouldn’t mind that. In fact, Marv might be a great bench player.
By JSS
May 3, 2008 5:16 AM | Link to this
Let’s try whistling for that mangy dog Here NO TALENT HACK, where you hiding? Come on out… Time for your shots and enema!!!
You’re always wrong, how does it feel to always be on the wrong side of every thing? Come on and speak up comb-over, and you KNOW if you come at me the wrong way I’ll make you regret it!!! So lets see if you have some gonads that aren’t ovaries…
I hate cheesy slgans but SHOCK THE WORLD!!!
By nahjay davnpooh
May 3, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
haha najeh, they refer to you as #2. loser.
no one respects a falcons fan who jumps ship to jacksonville for drafting ryan and moving away from a damn dog-murdering thugh.
loser.
By Connie Lingous
May 3, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Sorry that Woody doesn’t “like” you, Jeff Schultz. It obviously hurts.
By billy
May 3, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
NOOOOOOOO to Avery Johnson, might as well keep Mike Woodson, unless D’Antoni is fired and we could get him I see no reason to barely upgrade to the offensivly challenged and control freak Avery Johnson.
By Ken Strickland
May 5, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
It appears Woodson has been placed in an uneasy situation by his young Hawks team. Before they went on their playoff run, Woodson pretty much had an idea of his ultimate fate as HC. But now that his team has electrified this city and shocked the NBA by taking the Celtics to the brink, he’s suddenly not so sure.
The question that one has to ask is did Woodson contribute anything to this sudden surge. Did he make any personell or strategy changes or revise his personal approach? The answer is a resounding NO! He simply road the backs of 6 players and let the chips fall where they may. He used NO strategy, didn’t use or develop his bench and didn’t employ an OFF system that increased the contribution of certain key players(Marvin). He didn’t put his team, especially his starters, in a position to play the type of gm they’re best suited to play(no bench use and no rest for the starters equals no uptempo OFF).
The truth is, the Hawks succeeded in spite of Woodson. His comments suggests he knows what his fate should be, but isn’t certain it will happen that way. After all, his employers did prevent BK from firing him on 3 separate occassions prior the teams playoff run.
As far as a new HC is concerned, my preference would be Mark Jackson. I don’t think he’ll be available because the Knicks, his former team, have him at the top of their coaching list. Forget D’Antoni because his OFF is too PG and 3pt shooting dependent(and we don’t have the type of shooters and PG he needs to run it)and he doesn’t place any value on DEF. Avery Johnson wouldn’t be a bad choice. He took the NBA’s softest team, and one that thought DEF was a disease, and successfully changed their approach. It’s not his fault his key players(Dirk primarily)always choke when faced with playoff pressure.
By Yossarian
May 6, 2008 3:04 AM | Link to this
I agree with the point this column makes. Woody’s unsolicited mention of his own future with the team was unnecessary and distracting in the midst of an improbable run. Coaches complain about the media and then turn right around and use it as a bully pulpit.