hazer

If Larry Drew actually implements an effective offense with plenty of movement and passing, do you think this lineup can make it to the Eastern Conference Finals?

PG: Teague/Bibby

SG: JJ/Craw

SF: Chillz/Marv

PF: Smoove/Horf

C: Horf/Zaza

I've got a feeling that the simple re-addition of Chillz and a new approach on offense could make a big difference :rap:

don't forget that It was the Smith family that got the Falcons to the Super Bowl.

It was also the ASG that got the Hawks back in the playoffs. We all love to hate them, but just sayin' :newspaper:

So he showed Gearon and the boys some plays and got them to consider him because they are all basketball gurus and knew they were great plays. The favorite play Drew showed them was called the " Work Dirt Cheap " with " Kissin Arse " following a close second.

Lame intellectual laziness :jeer:

The interesting dynamic here is something I was talking about during the coaching search. For the past 3-4 years, Atlanta Hawks fans have desired getting a coach that will have a defined offensive system and will allow the team to utlize its athleticism by employing an up tempo style. All indications are pointing towards Larry Drew actually bringing that to the Hawks. He's already talking about the offense looking very different than last year's offense, and those close to the team have talked about Larry's desire in the past to have the team push the tempo more - a desire that went largely ignored by the head coach during that time span.

However, Hawks fans have mixed feelings on this hire. I feel that these mixed feelings stem mostly from the idea that since he was on Mike Woodson's staff, then by default, he will be nothing more than another Mike Woodson. Of course, as has been pointed out, the idea that an assistant coach will always or even mostly have the same coaching style as the head coach has been completely debunked. You think Doug Collins ever considered running the triangle offense in Chicago? They ran it when little known assistant Phil Jackson took the job.

Some of those mixed feelings stem from nothing more than the superficial desire to get someone that is considered a name brand though. Why do you think so many supported Avery Johnson? The support for Avery Johnson was mind boggling considering that his style is exactly the opposite of what Atlanta Hawks fans have wanted over the past 3-4 years. Avery Johnson is not an up tempo coach, and he runs the same kind of isolation heavy offense that Mike Woodson favored. Despite that, some Hawks fans overlooked that because they saw his face on ESPN and knew his name.

David Aldridge stated in the video that is accompanying the article at NBA.com that Larry Drew deserved this shot 10 years ago. Like Tom Thibodeau, Larry has paid his dues and has earned this opportunity. Both coaches deserved it, and I'm glad both coaches caught on with young, playoff caliber teams instead of a team like the one Mike Woodson inherited in Atlanta. Brent Barry stated that he is excited about the move because it brings new blood to the NBA coaching ranks, something that I have been saying this league has needed for a while now. I agree with Brent on the idea that it is better to hire someone who has never failed at the job before than to hire someone that has failed 3-4 times already. Even then, there are exceptions such as Alvin Gentry, which should show you just how much of a players league this is.+10

Many are upset that the Hawks didn't go out and spend $4 million a year on a coach. To that, I will just say Scott Brooks. Scott Brooks was the lowest paid coach in the NBA this past season, and he won NBA Coach of the Year. Alvin Gentry is also one of the lowest paid coaches in the game, and a case could have been reasonably made for his candidacy as a COY candidate.

+10

We have talked about Money. I believe Money plays a role.

But what about Time?

Think about this. Drew coaches the Hawks 2010-2011. Doc Rivers goes home either this year or when his contract is up next year.

To make it plain, Doc Rivers will be the next coach of the Atlanta Hawks.

This is like a waiting move in chess. Since we are waiting for Doc to get his situation straight, we give Drew his chance to do his thing. In the meanwhile, ASG prolly runs the team on the cheap and get rid of some bad contracts (Marvin). Doc takes over with Horf, prolly Smoove (or whatever we get for Smoove), and several Million Dollars. We prolly let Sund draft some studs. I would not be surprised to see us trade players for draftpicks and rebuild and give Doc a coronation either in 2011-2012 or 2012-2013 season.

I said the same thing in another thread earlier today :saythat:

I've been using that Marc Stein/ESPN.com quote a good bit today, too. He makes a great point in the previous paragraph as well:

Although he's well-liked and well-respected in the Hawks' locker room, Drew is bound to be dismissed by the Atlanta public as a coach too closely connected to the Woodson era, even though Drew was a respected NBA assistant long before he landed on Woodson's bench.

Those who know Drew best say he'll inject the built-for-speed Hawks with some needed offensive creativity and get them playing faster than the stubborn Woodson ever did. They also say he'll reach Josh Smith and Marvin Williams like Woodson never could and that knowing Atlanta's personnel so well gives him a head start no one else could enjoy

I'm crossing my fingers that Drew utilizes the Hawks speed by running more, and is more creative in half-court sets. Sounds like he will.

Slightly off topic: A former 1st round pick, PG, played 10 seasons, respected assistant with the Lakers and Pistons. Gets my vote simply for the looks he used to give Woodson. Woody V2.0? Naaaaaa :no-no:

I voted yes because I think this could really work out. Marc Stein of ESPN.com makes some very interesting points:

"Although he's well-liked and well-respected in the Hawks' locker room, Drew is bound to be dismissed by the Atlanta public as a coach too closely connected to the Woodson era, even though Drew was a respected NBA assistant long before he landed on Woodson's bench.

Those who know Drew best say he'll inject the built-for-speed Hawks with some needed offensive creativity and get them playing faster than the stubborn Woodson ever did. They also say he'll reach Josh Smith and Marvin Williams like Woodson never could and that knowing Atlanta's personnel so well gives him a head start no one else could enjoy."

Drew is not the sexy hire, but seems like the perfect fit. And I read somewhere that's it's a 2-year deal with an option for a 3rd. That lines up pretty well with Doc Rivers' schedule :saythat:

I like it. And here's why, from Marc Stein at ESPN.com:

"Although he's well-liked and well-respected in the Hawks' locker room, Drew is bound to be dismissed by the Atlanta public as a coach too closely connected to the Woodson era, even though Drew was a respected NBA assistant long before he landed on Woodson's bench.

Those who know Drew best say he'll inject the built-for-speed Hawks with some needed offensive creativity and get them playing faster than the stubborn Woodson ever did. They also say he'll reach Josh Smith and Marvin Williams like Woodson never could and that knowing Atlanta's personnel so well gives him a head start no one else could enjoy."

Drew is not the sexy hire, but seems like the perfect fit :helpsmilie:

Let's not forget that Phil Jackson was just Doug Collins' little assistant once upon a time.....

Woodson stays: I don't attend or watch next year...

No, it is not valid. That one player is Al Horford.

I planned on going, but I'm working out of town for 3 days and will have to miss it. Saw QOTSA at Tabernacle in 2008.

I have 3 friends who used to dance there. All very classy women :line dance:

Meh, not really a big deal to me:

UNCF

Okay, who wants this one ? :help wanted:

Miller Lite man here, or Yuengling draught. Plain yellow mustard for the corn dogs...

Thanks again, coach!

Rathbun calls a killer game. Except he's a big free throw jinxer :no-no:

Pursuit of Happyness was killer, as was Enemy of the State. And the Sandler movies Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, Spanglish, Click, and Reign Over Me were all awesome yet WAY different from each other :conversation:

The Hawks are on pace to win 56 games :hush:

Hiccups are cause by too much CO2 in the bloodstream. Adding more oxygen to the balance is the only cure. Holding your breath works best, but only after you hyper-ventilate for about 10 seconds first. Then, suck in the deepest breath you can muster, until it practically hurts your ribs. Then hold it until you're about to pass out. Exhale until it hurts again, hiccups gone. Works every time for me :thumbsupsmileyanim:

Hello gang, Captain Obvious here. The Browns were named after a person, not a color :doh:

I'd ask him does he intend to switch up what he's smoking come playoff time again this year, like he did last :saythat: