1. Danny Ferry
Agrees With Me – Most weeks, I’m going to be more interested in
what the organization is doing to remake itself into a first class organization
than I am interested in the short term implications of this season. Wins and losses are desired on game day, but
ultimately the success of this season isn’t defined by records, seeding, and
playoff results. The success is based on
pointing this organization’s trajectory on a path in the upper tier of
organizations on the order of Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, Dallas, and the New
York – Knicks & Nets (yes, I said Nets).
Therefore, it was good news to hear that planning for upgraded locker
rooms, new practice facilities, and even spending money on training for
coaching, trainers, and staff to help them do their jobs better strikes the
right chord with this fan. All
indications that I’ve received is that there is no mandate for this year, no
expectations for our team. And there
shouldn’t be…9 new faces; 11 up for new contracts, and 1 coach who has no
guarantee he’ll be back next year all line up for Truth #2
2. The Season
Is An Audition – This season will be one for patience. It’ll take until Game 30 or so to get a true
read on this team. It’ll be a season
where the Hawks can get roasted by James Harden on one night and defeat his
former cohorts a few nights later WITHOUT their best player. It’s the reminder that this team is not
talentless. It’s just
chemistry-less. That chemistry will be tested
from the GM to the coach to the players.
Chemistry that leaves Ivan Johnson and Anthony Morrow on the bench one
night and puts them on the floor the next in crucial situations. Be ready for guys to start one night and
DNP-CD the next. So, be assured that
it’s audition time. Some for other teams
and others for a future with the Hawks.
Either way, we should be clear to not let panic set in as it’s important
that we all support the process that the team is embarking upon and that’s to
remake the organization and figure out who fits and who doesn’t.
3. Rookies
Stand Down – Of course, missing from this audition are John
Jenkins and Mike Scott. Now, we knew
that Mike Scott was unlikely to see some time this early if at all, but when
you’re the 1st round pick of a team that’s in transition (pun
intended) – you probably want to get the 1st round pick some
experience for when he’s actually called upon in the future (i.e.
2013-2014). Now, it’s Game 2, so there’s
nothing to panic about here…unless you were expecting to see him in the
preseason or to even hear his name from anyone these days. If you’re looking for the first chink in the
armor that Danny Ferry has put on as the general manager, not seeing him even
close to a minute could be cause for criticism.
He certainly shouldn’t play before Lou Williams, but otherwise, there
are no special players ahead of Jenkins that mandate that he should be bolted
to the bench. In this case, I always say
follow the money – the guy who has a contract beyond this year should
ultimately play more than those who don’t.
For context, there are the 40 rookies who have played so far. How many were selected after Jenkins? 25. How
many are playing for teams in the tier of the Atlanta Hawks (mid-range, but not
a contender)? Maybe 6 have played real
minutes in every game (3 play for the Dallas Mavericks), so I only mention this
for those who will reflexively respond with – “rookies shouldn’t play, need to
earn time, etc.” This is true for teams
that won’t be radically different and are building toward or contending for a
title. The Hawks do not qualify for this
designation just yet. Play the kids…
4. The
Darkhorse Is Still Buckin’ – This little ditty
came across my RSS feed this week and I think it gives more fodder to my dream
that Howard and Paul are not against playing for the same team (and this team
should be the Atlanta Hawks). Now,
there’s a LOT that can be read into this article, but my red, white and blue
colored glasses came away with three things.
A) Paul & Howard would like to play together, B) the assumption that
it won’t happen came from the WRITER and not that it can’t happen at the end of
the season, and C) that the faulty assumption that players won’t come to a
destination because of the previous year’s team (see Heat, Miami from 2009-2010
to 2010-2011 OR Celtics, Boston ’06-07 to ’07-’08). So, again – we’re the darkhorse, but I’m
still unconvinced that a Josh Smith prodded, Danny Ferry overhaul and updated
organizational structure can’t pull this off.
Journey said it best – Don’t Stop Believin’
5. Extend Larry
Drew TODAY – Lastly, if I’m only taking the temperature of the
Hawks fan room, Coach Larry Drew is not winning any fans in Atlanta. Let me just put up the 3rd quarter
of the Indiana game as an inexcusable and unacceptable excuse for coaching. I’ll
attempt to blame many things that I don’t like about Coach Drew on his lame
duck status, but that quarter isn’t one of them. That said, maybe it’s his way, his rotations,
the team’s lack of identity, but I have heard some rumblings in the Hawks
organization that it’s possible that if the team doesn’t look good through the
All Star break that he could be fired.
So, when there’s no strong indication that he’s not coaching for his job
(i.e. an extension), you’re coaching for your job. But if the Hawks are more flush with cash
(and I’ve heard that the days of saving staples and paper – true stories – of
yesteryear are over), while I strongly believe that Larry Drew should no longer
be the coach, he can’t coach this group effectively without an extension. I’ve said this for 2 seasons now – extend the
man so he can coach knowing that a) the players can’t effectively submarine his
efforts as easily and b) if unsuccessful, his paper won’t be affected for at
least a hot minute. There’s no way he’s
asking John Jenkins to enter a game when he can ask Lou Williams. No way he’s
asking Josh Smith to rest that ankle an extra day when he can NOT and hopefully
win an extra game. So, that’s a
problem. So, it’s worth whatever his 1
year salary extension is to make this season useful. GM Danny Ferry, make it happen.
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