<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class="bi">Woodson Not Scared</div> <div> <span style="font-style: italic">Nov 6</span> - Mike Woodson's response so far has been to stare into the bright light of expectation without blinking. There are no playoff guarantees -- Lon Kruger found the trap door in that gimmick. But neither does he dodge the basic premise that there is less room to hide behind this team's youth.</p> </p> "I can't call these guys young players anymore," he said. "Some have been with me three, going on four years, so I expect them to play like veterans. Have I been still tough like I was a year ago, two years ago? Sure I have. But players have a little more freedom now to play."</p> </p> A slightly lighter grip on the reins may well be the single most noticeable element of Woodson's evolution as a head coach.</p> </p> "He's letting them figure some of it out," nine-year veteran Tyronn Lue said. "By the fourth, fifth year in the league, it's time for you to start figuring it out on your own." -- <font color="#000000">Atlanta Journal-Constitution</font></p></div></div>
