The Atlanta Hawks

Now, most everyone knows my favorite squad in the NBA is the Atlanta Hawks. I love them despite being made fun of constantly. As most of my friends know, I am working towards one day being an NBA GM. So, I of couse believe I would do a better job. The Hawks will probably the topic which i touch on most often. Now, for the business part of this entry.

First off, I would like Mike Woodson fired. I don't like him. He doesn't know how to run an offense except for "Give it to Joe and move." Which isn't always a terrible offense but as the only offense, its a bit lacking.

Plus, I no longer thinks he knows how to coach defense. Just look at the Cleveland Series. How do you justify letting Mike Bibby (who would have trouble guarding a chair at this point) guard LeBron at any point with no double? Let alone 6 straight plays. I don't get it. Makes no sense. I love Bibby but he cannot guard anyone, least of all the best player in the game.

Finally, there is the issue of him and Josh Smith. They don't get along. They never will. Sure in spurts they're cool, but not for any period of time. If the current Hawks roster is going to get past the second round, its gonna be because of Smith. Joe Johnson is not getting any better. He's my favorite player but he is who he is. Smith still has potential to get better. But he won't without a new coach.

That is all the evidence I have against Woodson. The hypothetical stuff is more chancy. For example, I LOVED the Acie Law IV pick two years ago. But Law has been either injured or ineffective, something I think is completely due to poor coaching.

The Hawks also have one of, if not the most athletic squads in the L. Why do they not fast break? Not only would it boost offense but it would help reduce Bibby's terrible defense a la the Suns of D'Antoni. Just look at the team. Bibby is Nash, Joe is, well, Joe. Marvin Williams is way better than Q-Rich, Josh Smith could be better or as good as Marion and Horford is worse on offense but better on Defense than A'Mare. Off the bench, Murray is born this system and Mo Evans is similar to Raja Bell although worse. Of the current Hawks rotation, only ZaZa (Who I love for his toughness) wouldn't perfectly fit. And he may. I don't know but at worst, one player can't fit? Thats not that hard to change a back-up center. Plus, Childress would work in an energy role, assuming we get him back.

But no. We have Mike Woodson. And Rick Sind says he is not firing Woodson, which as much as I don't like him, doesn't deserve to be fired. He improved win totals every year, made 1st round last year and 2nd round this year and won against what I consider the best team in the league. That's not terrible. Still, I think we would be better off with another coach.

I planned on writing moves to do this summer but I'm tired of writing. I'll get to it later.