Despite strong start, no contract talk for Woodson

By Ken Sugiura

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hawks coach Mike Woodson says he is comfortable with his contract status.

Said Woodson, "I have no choice."

Woodson is in the second year of a two-year deal granted him in June 2008 by general manager Rick Sund shortly after Sund's hire. While the Hawks reached the second round of the playoffs last spring for the first time since the 1996-97 season, Woodson went into this season with no talk of an extension.

The Hawks, who play Memphis Wednesday night at Philips Arena, have since gotten off to one of the best starts in team history. However, indications are that any new contract talks will still wait until season's end.

"Am I happy about it? No," Woodson said Tuesday. "But it is what it is. But I'm not going to sit here and complain about it by any means. I have this year on my contract and then I'm a free agent. They have not approached me, so obviously we're going to play it out."

Sund said that has been the plan from the beginning.

"It's been a good situation for Woody as ownership and the organization stood by him and supported him in the rebuilding years," Sund said. "When I suggested a new contract for Woody, the owners embraced the recommendation and I told Woody's camp that after two years, we'll evaluate it at that time and it seems to be working well."

Woodson, in his sixth season and the most tenured coach in the Eastern Conference, is not alone in his situation. Denver coach George Karl and Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson are also in the final years of their contracts, though Karl and the Nuggets have had discussions of an extension and Jackson would surely have far more security than Woodson.

Woodson has led the Hawks to an improved record in each of the last four seasons after the team went 13-69 in his first year, 2004-05. Last year, he led the Hawks to their first winning record in 10 years. The Hawks are 17-6, which was the third-best record in the Eastern Conference and fourth best in the NBA entering Tuesday night's play.

"I've still got a job to do," Woodson said. "That's the approach I'm taking."

His situation doesn't appear to be an issue with the team. Forward Marvin Williams said the contract status of both Woodson and guard Joe Johnson, who is also in the last year of his deal, has even had a galvanizing effect.

"I think everybody understands the situation, even Joe's situation," Williams said. "I think everybody knows what's on the line. Guys on the team are kind of playing for those two guys right now."

Woodson has the support of players.

"He's all in all a great coach as far as getting the game plan ready and preparing us day in, day out, for battle," Johnson said.

Said forward Josh Smith of an extension, "Any time a coach can be successful every season and improve his winning percentage, I think that he deserves a shot."