Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

[Unclebuck]

I think Woodson is a pretty good coach, but I'll never understand why his offense was so one-on-one. In fact I think the Hawks halfcourt offensive system was about the worst in the NBA

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/05/14/hawks.woodson.out/?ls=iref:nbahpt1

After six seasons on job, Woodson done as Hawks' coach
By Sekou Smith, NBA.com
Posted May 14 2010 11:52AM

ATLANTA -- The Hawks parted ways with Mike Woodson Friday morning, ending his coaching tenure with the franchise after six seasons.

Woodson was informed in a Friday morning meeting with Hawks' management that that he would not be offered a new contract after leading the Hawks to three straight playoff appearances in his final three seasons.

The team is expected to make an official announcement this afternoon.

Woodson's contract expired Monday, forcing the Hawks to make a quick decision. Woodson is now free to explore his options with a half dozen coaching vacancies around the league, while the Hawks embark on a search of their own for his replacement.

Woodson led the Hawks to 37, 47 and 53 wins in his final three seasons and back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they were swept both times. The Hawks won just 13 games in his first season, 2004-05, but improved their record in each of his five seasons after that. He finished with a 206-286 record (.419).

Woodson's 11-18 postseason record, though, is what ultimately cost him his job with the Hawks. He guided the Hawks to their first playoff appearance in more than a decade three seasons ago, when the Hawks pushed the eventual champion Boston Celtics to seven games in a first-round series.

The Hawks continued to improve in each of the next two seasons, snagging top-four seeds in the Eastern Conference playoff chase and the home-court advantage that comes with it.

But they had to win Game 7s both times, against Miami in 2009 and Milwaukee this season, before being swept in the conference semifinals by Cleveland in 2009 and Orlando earlier this week.

Complicating matters for the Hawks is the impending free agency of four-time All-Star and team captain Joe Johnson, who will join LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the celebrated summer class of 2010.

Johnson has already stated that he will explore his options this summer, with a potential return to the Hawks being one of them. It was under Woodson that Johnson blossomed from a fourth option in Phoenix and into an All-Star anchor for the Hawks, grabbed Johnson in a sign-and-trade deal in the summer of 2005.

Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBA.com's Hang Time blog. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.

[Tom White]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

As if it is Woodson's fault that the team's collective IQ is about 25! Atlanta has put together a team of good athletes, each of whom has talents. I just don't think it is a smart bunch, though. They have gotten by on physical skills, and have improved due to, in no small part, Woodson's efforts.

He is going to be a really good hire for a team that knows what it is doing.

[CableKC]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

Considering ALL the cr*p the Hawks roster and fans went through a few years back with the Ownership group, Woodsen weathered it pretty well while building a strong foundation built on solid defense.

IMHO...he's one of the main reasons why the Hawks built a solid young athletic Team. Maybe this is a turning point in the franchise with the impending Free Agency of Joe Johnson and the dismissal of Woodsen....either for the good or bad of the Franchise.

[Unclebuck]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

The only player I would want on the Pacers is Al Horford, but even he isn't the smartest player around. But he plays hard almost all the time. Even JJ isn't someone I really want, I mean he's an allstar and is a very good player

[Dr. Awesome]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

I think Woodson is a pretty coach coach, but I'll never understand why his offense was so one-on-one. In fact I think the Hawks halfcourt offensive system was about the worst in the NBA.

I think it's impossible to argue that our non-existent half court offense was any better.

[Pacergeek]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

It wasn't Woodson's fault that Atlanta drafted Marvin Williams ahead of Chris Paul and Derron Williams. LOL. Williams didn't even start in college. What a joke.

The NBA is kind of silly with how quickly they cycle through coaches. Woodson got a team to the second round, and lost to a superior Orlando team that may win it all. Not sure what the expectations were for him, but Atlanta reached most rational fans' expectations. And we all know that JOB has done virtually nothing here.

Lets get the local player turned coach back to Indy. Replace JOB with Woodson.

[Tom White]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

I think Woodson is a pretty coach coach, but I'll never understand why his offense was so one-on-one. In fact I think the Hawks halfcourt offensive system was about the worst in the NBA

I think the offense was more the result of the capabilites and mindset of the players, rather than Woodson. As I said before, there are some physically gifted players on that team, but I don't think the players understood anything but one-on-one. You can only teach up to the players' capabilities to understand and learn.

[Unclebuck]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

I think the offense was more the result of the capabilites and mindset of the players, rather than Woodson. As I said before, there are some physically gifted players on that team, but I don't think the players understood anything but one-on-one. You can only teach up to the players' capabilities to understand and learn.

I disagree. But maybe we'll find out with a new coach, assuming most of the players are back.

granted Bibby isn't a playmaker, but he is a great pick and roll player and I don't think they used it enough.

[Speed]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

Can't stand Bibby, don't care for the ATL fans at the games. Josh Smith seemed to quit on his team this year. Joe Johnson is a okay #2 or maybe a #3 guy on a good team, imo.

I would like Horford on the Pacers. I wonder if they do some major reconstruction this offseason.

[thewholefnshow31]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

I am not surprised by this one either. You barely win a series against a team that has no business sniffing a game seven without Bogut and then get totally destroyed in the next round it is hard to justify bringing him back.

Then again when everyone talks about basketball IQ you see what a lack of it does in Atlanta. Those guys just lack any common sense out there on the court.

I think Woodson could rebound if he goes to the right organization that has its head on straight.

[Bball]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

And Jim O'Brien still has a job....

[d_c]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

And Jim O'Brien still has a job....

If Mike Woodson was coaching the Pacers roster and still had a year remaining on his contract, he'd most likely have been retained just like JOB is.

Next year, JOB will be just like Woodson: His contract will be up and he won't be brought back.

[Unclebuck]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

And Jim O'Brien still has a job....

For the record: I think Jim is at least as good of a coach as Mike.

[Justin Tyme]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

And Jim O'Brien still has a job....

When you have Bird as PBO, and too stubborn to admit he has the wrong coach.

[Dr. Awesome]

Re: Mike Woodson out as Hawks coach

For the record: I think Jim is at least as good of a coach as Mike.

For the record: Nobody else does.