(free topic) 3 Reasons on why the Atlanta Hawks should fire Coach Woodson (and 3 reasons on why they shouldn't)

I've gotten a lot of feedback from friends and fellow Atlanta sports enthusiasts on their disappointment that the Hawks have nearly choked away a first round playoff series and now many are calling for Mike Woodson's head (or his job which ever comes loose first). A few others point to how much this team has improved under Woodson's tenure and that it would be a huge overreaction to fire him just now. I've sorted through the best arguments of each and will present the top 3.

Reasons why Woody should be canned.






1.) Its seems like he has no idea what he's doing. Hawks fans like to joke that the most game adjustment Woodson likes to make are simply to glare at his players.And as the game goes on (Hawks have been awful in the third quarter by the way) thier turnover and scoring rates rank near the bottom half of the league.What the sam hell is woody doing. To quote an email I've gotten from a friend.

I've been able to incorporate Woodson's coaching technique for my ten year old son's soccer team. When the other team adjusts to our game, I glare at my kids. The further we get behind, the more I glare. It's an excellent strategy. But I gotta tell you, my kids must stink because we keep losing.

That's the perception anyway, maybe we're all wrong but so far Woody has not delivered in the big games.

2.) And to pile on that, in the Woodson era the Hawks have really struggled securing the big game particularly on the road. Hawks struggled mightily in this category during the regular season losing 3 out of 4 to both the Cavs and the Magic. To be fair they did sweep an aging but still potent Celtic squad which in the end helped them secure a playoff spot.

3.) Alright lets talk playoffs. Based on regular season merits alone Woodson would be in very little danger. But in the past 3 playoffs runs the Hawks have lost their road games a combined 2-11 and lose by an average of 22.0 points. In that time the Hawks have advanced to the second round once (only to be swept by Clevland) and in both 2009 and 2010 playoff series the Hawks were pushed to the brink of game 7 elimination by severly overmatched teams.


Reasons Why he keeps his Job

1.) The Hawks were crap before he got here and have vastly improved win totals in each of his 6 six years at the helm. logic says that if trend continues a finals visit or a championship can't be that far around the corner.


2.) If Woodson goes so does Joe Johnson. Johnson the Hawks leader since he got here in 06, has a contract that expires at the conclusion of the season. Currently Hawks ownership is in negotiation to get him a new one but if you cut loose his coach its unlikely that the Atlanta Star would be willing comeback as their are plenty of other teams out there willing to pay Joe far more money.


3.) Who are you going to replace him with. There are few immediate candidates lined up to succeed Woody, and it would do no go to get rid of an established figure if you don't have some one in mid to fill his shoes once he's gone. Phil Jackson's rumored to be leaving the Lakers if they don't repeat but I don't put much stock in that and even if he was that doesn't garuntee that he'd want to come here.





There you have it a few reasons why and why not Coach Mike Woodson of the Atlanta Hawks should be fired. Sunday's game (1p.m ABC) against Miluakee will most likely decide Woodys ultimate fate as I don't see him coming back if the Hawks drop that game.