<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>By SEKOU SMITH The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 06/12/08 A two-year contract for Hawks coach Mike Woodson has been extended and awaits only his signature to be completed, according to two people familiar with the situation. Woodson's current deal expires June 30, as do the contracts of his entire staff. But after two weeks of evaluations, new Hawks general manager Rick Sund has decided to stick with Woodson by offering him the new deal. New contracts for Woodson's staff have not been finalized. Woodson answered his cell phone Thursday morning but declined to answer any questions regarding a new contract or make any comments on his job status. Woodson's agent, Joe Glass, could not be reached for comment. "When we have news to report regarding our coaching staff we will [release] it," Sund told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The decision to keep Woodson, wraps up a strange affair that began with the February revelation that Sund's predecessor, Billy Knight, tried to fire Woodson at the trade deadline, a move that was rebuffed by Hawks ownership. Woodson's team weathered that storm and went on to capture the final Eastern Conference playoff berth, the franchise's first postseason bid in nine years. The Hawks pushed Eastern Conference champion Boston to seven games before losing the first-round series. Knight resigned two days after the Game 7 defeat in Boston, setting off a flurry speculation about Woodson's future that has lasted until now. In four years at the helm Woodson has compiled a 106-222 regular-season record, surviving seasons of 13 and 26 wins before guiding the Hawks to 30 and 37 win season in his last two years.</div> http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports...=7&cxcat=21
Not a bad idea. I mean, he did lead the Hawks to 7 games with the Celtics. However, my main problem is this: He has no offensive creativity. He doesn't know how to utilize guys like Smith and Johnson and Horford to their full potential. Why does he think that Smith plays poorly at the end of the season? Cause he isn't having that coach who can bring a new dimension to his game. On the plus side, he knows the group and they respect more than before. I'm sure Sund won't hesitate to fire his ass if the season goes array.
I don't think he does a good enough job getting this team to get out and use their athleticism, and I don't think he's the right coach for the Hawks. They have nothing but athletes on their team, and have a fantastic team for a fast paced type game, unfortunately they only scored 98 points a game, and playing at the 18th pace of play in the NBA is not good for a team full of athletes. There is no reason for it, and they should be playing much much faster. I think because of taking the Hawks to 7 games, he is getting an extension that might not be as well deserved. Luckily it's only two year's, so they don't have to put up with him for long if he stinks it up with his coaching.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Master Shake @ Jun 20 2008, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Not a bad idea. I mean, he did lead the Hawks to 7 games with the Celtics. However, my main problem is this: He has no offensive creativity. He doesn't know how to utilize guys like Smith and Johnson and Horford to their full potential. Why does he think that Smith plays poorly at the end of the season? Cause he isn't having that coach who can bring a new dimension to his game. On the plus side, he knows the group and they respect more than before. I'm sure Sund won't hesitate to fire his ass if the season goes array.</div> I agree on pretty much everything you said. He's horrible at adjusting, substitution patterns are horrible. But what he has going for him, is he knows these players better than anyone. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think he does a good enough job getting this team to get out and use their athleticism, and I don't think he's the right coach for the Hawks. They have nothing but athletes on their team, and have a fantastic team for a fast paced type game, unfortunately they only scored 98 points a game, and playing at the 18th pace of play in the NBA is not good for a team full of athletes. There is no reason for it, and they should be playing much much faster. I think because of taking the Hawks to 7 games, he is getting an extension that might not be as well deserved. Luckily it's only two year's, so they don't have to put up with him for long if he stinks it up with his coaching.</div> The Hawks play at a good pace imo. They have tried to play a low and fast pace, but there defense isn't suit for either pace.
