AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > October > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTimetable for Hawks begins to accelerate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
There has been so much positive written and said about the Hawks of late that it’s almost easy to forget the team hasn’t played a real game yet — and, yes, you would be correct in assuming that one might have something to do with the other.
For as even coach Mike Woodson pointed out Monday night: “It’s just exhibition season. We played pretty well in the exhibition season last year, too.”
Seems to me the other Philips Arena tenant also flew through the preseason. That meant so much for Thrashers coach Bob Hartley that he lost his job last week.
Hartley’s firing did not go unnoticed by Woodson. There is a kinship among coaches, particularly when they are friends, particularly when they have offices and locker rooms across the hall from each other, particularly when they share the same bosses.
If Hartley leads a hockey team to its first playoff berth and a division title, and then loses his job six games into the following season, what does that say for the job security of a basketball coach who is 69-177 in three seasons?
“I thought he did an excellent job last year,” Woodson said of Hartley before the Hawks’ final home exhibition Monday night against Washington. “You hate to see things like that happen to any coach on any level.”
Did Woodson hear of Hartley’s fate and suddenly think, “0-6 and I am toast”?
“Hey, the bottom line is you’ve got to win — I understand the dynamics of it,” he said. “This is a year where we’ve got to win as well. I can’t look in the mirror, or look over my shoulder, and worry about something like that. I feel for what happened to Bob, because I don’t wish that on any coach. But it happened. What are you gonna do?”
Billy Knight once fired Terry Stotts, whose biggest problem was being an innocent bystander while the general manager gutted the team for salary cap purposes. Don Waddell fired Hartley at least in part because he thought the coach had lost the team’s core group of veterans. Built-in was an assumption that said core group of veterans, which was put together by the GM, is not deeply flawed to begin with — both as players and, appearances now suggest, as leaders. But Hartley goes.
If sheer effort defined a coach’s success, Woodson would be NBA Coach of the Year. Personnel issues in three seasons have caused him to go through far more Tylenol than wins.
But by year four, there needs to be a playoff race to go with that effort. He knows that. Hartley’s firing just hammered that home.
“We all work for the same ownership group and we all wish each other the best,” Woodson said. “This is all about trying to bring a sports town back on its feet. I took this job to get this team in the playoffs, get our fan base back and give them something to really cheer about. That’s what this is all about at the end of the day.”
It’s early — so early that technically it’s not even early yet. You have to pass the start line first. But Al Horford looks like an NBA-ready player, Josh Smith has taken a leap in maturity, Acie Law IV looks viable as a point guard. Joe Johnson, we know about.
There are times when players talk about playoff aspirations but it’s an empty confidence. “Sometimes that can just be talk,” said guard Anthony Johnson, a link to the Hawks’ last playoff team in 1999. “But the actions of a lot of guys around here have us on that path. That said, you still have to go out and play the games.”
He added, “I’m sure a lot of people in the organization will be watching us closely. It’s going to be important for us to get off to a great start.”
Woodson believes last year’s team (30-52) was submarined by injuries. Rotating lineups led to a lack of chemistry, something he has tried to build in the preseason. “It’s nice to see how we’ve come together,” he said. “We’ve grown as a basketball team.”
For another 10 days, it’s all good. But there’s an empty office in Philips Arena that serves as a reminder how much this really counts.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Jeff Schultz, Thrashers / NHL
Comments
By Herschel Talker
October 22, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
First?
By Bryant
October 22, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
good article, it’s up to woodson to get this team ready to win. he’s done his part so far, but like you said, the real games haven’t begun.
By kgod999
October 23, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
who gonna play center?
By Mr. Gilley
October 23, 2007 2:37 AM | Link to this
Go Hawks.. I just hope everyone is healthy because beating Dallas would start the season off great and give the team confidence. I need to get some tickets from my old job..ASAP
By JSS
October 23, 2007 4:55 AM | Link to this
Goodness, once again the moron comments!!! Terry Stotts was fired because he could not motivate or coach basketball players when it counted. Look at the talent that he wasted, Jason Terry etc…
Beat Dallas, even without Josh Howard, you must be out of your mind.. Baby steps, compete, beat the teams that you’re suppose to beat and no more losses to the Bobcats and other bottom dwellers.
Jeff Schultz, you bottom feeding comb-over no talent hack, stick to trolling playgrounds… Freak!!!
By Joey Harrington
October 23, 2007 5:26 AM | Link to this
Hawks have a chance at 2nd or 3rd in their weak division this year. No one aside from Miami is good—and Miami will stink till Wade gets back. Orlando has Dwight Howard, and that’s about it. The Bobcats just lost Morrison for the season. They were counting on him for 14 to 16 points a game. The glory days will be back soon for Atlanta—and look for Acie to be a taller, more clutch Mookie Blaylock. Mark my words here: 42-39.
By JohnGTfan
October 23, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this
42 - 39??? Are the Hawks only playing 81 games this year? lol
Anyway, I do believe, barring numerous injuries, ATL has the “potential” to be a 6, 7 or 8 seed, but certainly playoffs. The talent and depth is all there. The motivation is there. However, there is one thing that IS NOT clear. How will Woodson direct this team. Will he finally learn to play to everyone’s strenghts? Will he let them get up and down the floor? We’ll find out soon enough. As always, I’m optimistic and hoping for a nice start.
By eric
October 23, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this
Hey joey 42-39? what happened to the last game? i’d say 48-34 if rick carlisle replaces woodson.
By Hawksville Resident
October 23, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
I went to the game last night and It was actually a great game! The Hawks team did impress me even with Joe Johnson sitting most of the forth quarter. I’ll be there Nov. 2. I hope it’s a sell out!
By clint
October 23, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
I do think beating Dallas will be key to the teams psyche for the first couple of weeks and the tough schedule that they start out with. Im not so sure that beating other teams second best with our players having big minutes is a big reason to be excited though. While I do think this team will win more games than a year ago, I am far from sold on them making the playoffs. Please sign the Joshes now. They have improved every year and have never embarrased the organization off the court.
By no_id
October 23, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
for some reason i’d rather here about the hawks from sekou smith, not by some writer who’s been riding the vick thing for the the longest and just all of the sudden wants to cover the hawks…just my thoughts..besides that i think the hawks have a chance to prove people wrong this year depending on how woodson is able to coach them..if not, this will be a long season again
By matt r
October 23, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
Wow! What a novel ideal to draft a couple of experienced college players who have had a few extra years to develop and actually played for coaches who demanded effort!
By Ryder
October 23, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Joey there’s a certain team you forgot with a player named ummm, Agent Zero and the Wizards lol? They’re winning the division easy with all the injuries to Miami.
As for the Hawks 43-39 is realistic only if the team can play well through injuries. We’ve already seen Law, Speedy, Zaza, and others get sidelined early, so it will be up to Woodson to take advantage of the sudden depth this team has at core positions.
Without question the three people who must be healthy throughout are Josh Smith, JJ, and Al Horford, who is well on his way to being a double-double player the Hawks thought they were getting in Shelden Williams (oops). I know that Anthony Johnson or Tyronn Lue will start the season as pg until Woodson sees fit to bring Acie Law around.
However, Jeff is right on one thing: there is pressure on Woodson to get the job done now. No excuses about injuries or youth. They have their pg of the future and the big man they’ve lacked for some time. These guys are ready to contribute now.
I can guarantee that if the Hawks aren’t still in playoff contention by the beginning of April then no one will ever have to talk about Mike Woodson’s status as coach, because he won’t be here (right Clyde?).
Also, SUPPORT SEKOU’S BLOG!
By LL Cool Scott
October 23, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
I was one of the 2,000 people at the game last night. Don’t laugh - my office is less than a block away and I get free parking. Bought the 10 dollar tickets and easily moved down to the lower level at midcourt.
Anyways, this team shocked me. Josh Smith has developed into a legitimate low-post threat. He was the best player on the floor last night, edging out Agent Zero. Al Horford held his own against Brendan Haywood. He demanded a double team every time we got him the ball (so did Smith, was is huge). Marvin attacked the basket ferociously and hit the open jumpers when he had them. I think he and Josh Smith are going to have break-out years. We still need a point guard, hopefully Acie is as good as advertised. We also need another spot up shooter, maybe Salim can fill this role.
I am usually very pessimistic about my childhood favorite team (for good reason, thanks to Billy Knight’s horrible personnell moves) - but I was genuinely shocked by how promising the Hawks looked last night.
ps - Jeff, keep up the good work - you’re the only writer for this paper with a sense of humor. Despite the opinions of the local rednecks…
By William
October 23, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
LOOK FOR MARVIN WILLIAMS TO BE THIS YEAR’S LOUL DENG. Deng brokeout in his third NBA season after playing one year at Duke. Marvin played one year at Carolina and is ready to step up in his third year.
By bali
October 23, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
what is wrong jeff. the last few articles that you have written have been really good . keep up the good work.
By Russ
October 23, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
37-45, which probably won’t be good enought to make the playoffs.
By kaz
October 23, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
terry stotts has been fired twice. don’t make it seem as if he was a good coach. no problems with the rest of the article