Hawks ‘desperately' wanted Cleveland-bound Ilgauskas

By Ken Sugiura

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Coach Mike Woodson was disappointed, but not surprised, by the news that center Zydrunas Ilgauskas intends to re-sign with Cleveland. The Hawks pursued Ilgauskas after Cleveland traded him to Washington and he reached a buyout agreement to become a free agent.

"He was a guy that I wanted desperately and [team owners] listened and they pursued, but he decided to go back to Cleveland, which we thought he would," Woodson said. "We've just got to continue with what we have and see what happens with our ballclub."

• Awaiting word: Woodson said he hopes to hear from the NBA regarding the technical foul assessed him in the Feb. 26 loss to Dallas by Monday. Woodson was given a technical when Dallas guard Jason Kidd dribbled into him, which was a key moment in the Hawks' loss, though it appeared Woodson had gotten off the court when the contact occurred. If the league rules in his favor, he would not be required to pay the fine accompanying a technical.
• White House visit: The team has set up a visit to the White House when it travels to Washington to play its makeup game against the Wizards next Thursday. Other NBA teams have also visited this season. Team public relations vice president Arthur Triche said that the Hawks could meet President Obama, a noted basketball fan, if his schedule permits.
• Milestone: By bouncing in a free throw in the second quarter, Joe Johnson scored his 12,000th point, in his 684th career game. He ranks 32nd among active players.