He doesn't want to be a "career dictator" but he's quoted as what JR's career should be.
He wants good relationships with players, but he doesn't say anything about communicating to players through the press.

Classy.

Ty Lawson is trying to re-up

Nene re-upped

Afflalo re-upped

Camby re-upped

Andersen re-upped

J.R. re-upped

A.I. wanted to re-up

Miller signed there as a free agent and welcomed being traded back there

K-Mart signed there as a free agent

Gallo signed a new contract

Chandler signed a new contract

Javele signed a new contract

Anthony Randolph signed as a free agent

If he's such a prick why have all these players tried to come there or remain a part of their organization?

Karl was pretty spot on about J.R. during his time there.

Who are we trying to KID here? Before J.R. was a Knick this is what 90% of the fan base thought of him...referring to him as someone with horrific shot selection, low IQ thug.

Remember the Gigitty Ganster Sign gif?

And then went to town on him when he did this....

That in of itself is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen during a basketball game. Not only was he playing 1 on 5, he didn't care that Melo(his teammate) was laid out on the court supposedly hurt. Yeah great maturation shown here as this only happened 2yrs ago. J.R. wanted to remain a Nugget. He resigned with them once when he didn't have to and could have went to Chicago. It wasn't until he got the msg last off-season he wasn't in their plans he went elsewhere. This guy also wasn't handling himself professionally when he was in China last year.

Look have players like J.R. matured to some degree, maybe so but it's so small in comparison to how bad they've been throughout their careers. Then his dad has the nerve throughout the whole article without hiding anything stating his son should have been CODDLED. Please give me a break. You think Doc/Pop/Phil Jackson/Thibs/JVG and the likes CODDLE insanely immature players?

His immaturity led to some fatal consequences(this is what probably helped him grow). Shouldn't take the cost of someone's life to get to that point

I wonder what his dad thinks of a Man publicly talking about another Man's contract in the press. I wonder if that's akin to a coach saying to the press a player will shoot a team in and out of a game? This is exactly what J.R. did to us in the Heat series. I wonder if his dad agrees about the clout these players hold with their agents/possees and whatnot as it pertains to J.R. signing with us and his brother...(J.R.'s other son) who showed very little in SL represented by CAA?

Let's hope Earl shows up this year as a real Duke and not the continual enigmatic Fluke he's been.

misterearl wrote:Surrogate Father

Carmelo's Dad was gone by the time he was two years old.

Amar'e Dad, Hazell Stoudemire Sr, passed when Amar'e was only 12 years old.

JR Smith's Dad is described as selfish. He can also be cited, based on his sons off court juvenile antics, for not having passed along much about maturity.

Tyson Chandler's biological father did not have a hand in his upbringing.

Notice a pattern?

Enter Head Coach Mike Woodson. Woodson brings a rare ability to empathize with his players and their need for guidance. He also is unflinching with his critique. Woodson motivated shot-happy JR Smith to play defense. Impossible. He also strongly suggested that Carmelo work on his conditioning, put Amar'e in the hands of Hakeem and now has Tyson Chandler being tutored by Hakeem to polish his raw offensive game. These multiple bold moves speak volumes about Woodson's impact on the mindset of his players.

I think your stretching this into a feel good story. The fact is melo, Amare and Tyson have made it this far and build 50 million dollor+ net worths is by itself a very good measure of how far they have come. Woodson's job is not to mentor these men but get the to play basketball together.

JR's father has been very instrumental in his development at been an enabler at the same time.

JR has been a complete immature little boy whose only failure in his fathers eyes has been to get a big contract.

If you read up on his car accident you'll pretty much be disgusted by what happened. There was no evil intent but it was just an egocentric immature act that killed a friend of his.

Just because some of these guys become knicks don't mean we have to like them or forgive their past regressions.

Fact is JR is an idiot and nobody wants to give him good money on a long term deal. I will root for him to succeed here but lets no forget who he is and why he is here.

Bashing Karl to elevate JR's stature as a knick is kind of silly. Karl is a very good coach in the vein of Don Nelson, Dick Motta and bunch of other guys who can't quite get over the hump. There are more of these guys than championship ring wearing ones!

In Denver they have cleaned house. Gone is a roster of malcontented egos and underachieving players. What remains is a good coach.

IN NY they change coaches because its thought you can't change the players!

Denver since coming into the league in 1977 has the same amount of championship banner as the knicks in the same time.

I give them credit for the manner by which they have transformed their roster and giving Karl the chance to continue coaching after his health problems the last few years. Dolan can learn a few things from other owners.

Nalod - Woodson's job is not to mentor these men but get them to play basketball together.

Nalod - You are missing a HUGE critical point. In the same manner another Red Holzman disciple, Phil Jackson, understands a coach cannot maximize the collective output of individuals without prodding them to work on their weaknesses, Mike Woodson understands you cannot begin to think championship by focusing only on basketball.

Do you really think Hakeem and Amare only talked about basketball during meals in Houston?

Your point that Stoudemire and Carmelo have fattened their bank accounts means absolutely nothing in terms of professional achievement. No one cares how much money you made, unless they are hung up on envy. The only thing that matters is "Did you win a ring?" They both know that and desperately want to win. But development as a basketball player does not happen apart from personal development. Why else did Phil Jackson hand out handpicked books for his guys to read?

Hubie Brown is one of the greatest basketball tacticians on the planet, However, you do not get the modern (black or otherwise) athlete to run through a wall for you by calling them "egg sucking dogs." Yes, that is a direct quote.

The four players I noted have come a long way. Other than Tyson Chandler, they still have a long way to earn the respect of a champion. Basketball theory is less important than getting inside their heads to find out what makes them a better person and teammate. It's only a feel good story if they win. Lose and it is a sadder story than the divorce of Bob McAdoo and Spencer Haywood.

Which brings us back to Mike Woodson. Woodson is a mentor, role model (especially as an African American coach), surrogate father, distributor of minutes and task master all rolled into one.

Woodson understands that. That is how it works. Going 18-6 was not a misprint.

It was just a start.

Well let's see what the temperament was when "father Woody figure" was replaced by Larry Drew

"Woody has been here six years and had basically been the only voice that many of these players had heard," the GM said at the time. "The shelf life for coaches and management in the NBA is short, particularly for coaches, maybe two or three years. In Woody's case, he has gone six. The compelling thought for me was maybe it's right for a change."

Sund believes a new coach might be able to take the Hawks to even higher levels, though he acknowledged it was a risk to dump someone coming off a playoff appearance.

"Sometimes in professional sports, change is good -- not only for the individual, but for the organization," he said. "Hey, it was a tough decision any way you go. If it doesn't turn out, it's the wrong decision. If it turns out, maybe it was the right decision, I don't know."

The hiring of Drew will surely be popular with the players, and the Hawks may be hoping that keeping a familiar face on the sideline will help them re-sign Johnson and smooth the transition for the rest of the roster.

and

The Hawks have decided to hire Larry Drew as their next head coach, people with knowledge of the decision said today.

Drew was Atlanta’s lead assistant for six years under Mike Woodson, who was let go last month. Drew and the team are working out the details of a contract this evening and the official announcement of his hiring is expected on Saturday.

Drew, 52, emerged from a group of finalists that also included Avery Johnson, Dwane Casey and Mark Jackson. Once Johnson agreed to coach the Nets early in the week, that left Atlanta’s ownership group and GM Rick Sund to choose from among the other three candidates.

This will be Drew’s first head-coaching job after he’s been an NBA assistant for the the last 14 seasons. He worked for the Lakers, Wizards, Pistons and Nets before joining Woodson’s staff for the 2004-05 season. Drew played 714 games over 10 NBA seasons from 1980-91.

“He’s very experienced, just being around the game,” Hawks guard Jamal Crawford said. “He’s very knowledgeable. I think he is prepared for a lot of different situations.”

When Sund decided not to retain Woodson, he said the team needed “another voice” after the team lost in the second round of the playoffs the last two years. The Hawks apparently decided Drew will have a leadership style distinct from Woodson while also having the advantage of established relationships with players and familiarity with the team’s issues.

“He knows the faults of our teams,” Crawford said. “It’s not like we are a bad team. Now we can continue to build; we don’t have to start over.”

Drew inherits a team that won 53 games next season and, among its core players, has all but Joe Johnson under contract for next season. But he will face some challenges as the Hawks look to break through after getting swept in the second round of the playoffs in consecutive years.

Drew is popular among players but now his role changes from sometimes-confidant to the person in charge of their playing time and involvement in the offense. He also will have to reprimand players for their mistakes while trying to maintain relationships and team chemistry.

“Everything is going to be a first for him,” Crawford said. “But I think it will be a little bit easier transition because he knows our team. He doesn’t have to come in and learn the different personalities, what makes people tick and how to motivate them.”

When the Hawks let Woodson go, among the concerns expressed by players and management was what they considered Woodson’s differing levels of accountability. They said Woodson didn’t rebuke certain players as often as he did others, leading to some resentment in the locker room.

The Hawks also want to move away from an isolation-heavy offensive approach that was influenced by guard Joe Johnson’s playing style. Johnson is eligible to become a free agent next month, and the Hawks still want to re-sign him.

A person with knowledge of Johnson’s plans said he’s still open to returning. But the person said the new coach would have to sell Johnson on relying more on his teammates in the offense and ensure him that locker-room chemistry would improve.

Doesn't this mimic what has taken place here?

3G4G wrote:You gotta love how things are perceived when changes are made. Woody "father figure"?

Well let's see what the temperament was when "father Woody figure" was replaced by Larry Drew

"Woody has been here six years and had basically been the only voice that many of these players had heard," the GM said at the time. "The shelf life for coaches and management in the NBA is short, particularly for coaches, maybe two or three years. In Woody's case, he has gone six. The compelling thought for me was maybe it's right for a change."

Sund believes a new coach might be able to take the Hawks to even higher levels, though he acknowledged it was a risk to dump someone coming off a playoff appearance.

"Sometimes in professional sports, change is good -- not only for the individual, but for the organization," he said. "Hey, it was a tough decision any way you go. If it doesn't turn out, it's the wrong decision. If it turns out, maybe it was the right decision, I don't know."

The hiring of Drew will surely be popular with the players, and the Hawks may be hoping that keeping a familiar face on the sideline will help them re-sign Johnson and smooth the transition for the rest of the roster.

and

The Hawks have decided to hire Larry Drew as their next head coach, people with knowledge of the decision said today.

Drew was Atlanta’s lead assistant for six years under Mike Woodson, who was let go last month. Drew and the team are working out the details of a contract this evening and the official announcement of his hiring is expected on Saturday.

Drew, 52, emerged from a group of finalists that also included Avery Johnson, Dwane Casey and Mark Jackson. Once Johnson agreed to coach the Nets early in the week, that left Atlanta’s ownership group and GM Rick Sund to choose from among the other three candidates.

This will be Drew’s first head-coaching job after he’s been an NBA assistant for the the last 14 seasons. He worked for the Lakers, Wizards, Pistons and Nets before joining Woodson’s staff for the 2004-05 season. Drew played 714 games over 10 NBA seasons from 1980-91.

“He’s very experienced, just being around the game,” Hawks guard Jamal Crawford said. “He’s very knowledgeable. I think he is prepared for a lot of different situations.”

When Sund decided not to retain Woodson, he said the team needed “another voice” after the team lost in the second round of the playoffs the last two years. The Hawks apparently decided Drew will have a leadership style distinct from Woodson while also having the advantage of established relationships with players and familiarity with the team’s issues.

“He knows the faults of our teams,” Crawford said. “It’s not like we are a bad team. Now we can continue to build; we don’t have to start over.”

Drew inherits a team that won 53 games next season and, among its core players, has all but Joe Johnson under contract for next season. But he will face some challenges as the Hawks look to break through after getting swept in the second round of the playoffs in consecutive years.

Drew is popular among players but now his role changes from sometimes-confidant to the person in charge of their playing time and involvement in the offense. He also will have to reprimand players for their mistakes while trying to maintain relationships and team chemistry.

“Everything is going to be a first for him,” Crawford said. “But I think it will be a little bit easier transition because he knows our team. He doesn’t have to come in and learn the different personalities, what makes people tick and how to motivate them.”

When the Hawks let Woodson go, among the concerns expressed by players and management was what they considered Woodson’s differing levels of accountability. They said Woodson didn’t rebuke certain players as often as he did others, leading to some resentment in the locker room.

The Hawks also want to move away from an isolation-heavy offensive approach that was influenced by guard Joe Johnson’s playing style. Johnson is eligible to become a free agent next month, and the Hawks still want to re-sign him.

A person with knowledge of Johnson’s plans said he’s still open to returning. But the person said the new coach would have to sell Johnson on relying more on his teammates in the offense and ensure him that locker-room chemistry would improve.

Doesn't this mimic what has taken place here?

Pretty sure Woody never backstabbed D'Antoni to get the job, so don't think it's similiar at all. Woodson and Drew were very close, before Drew went behind Woody's back to get the Hawks job.

ChuckBuck wrote:Ehh it's been known that George Karl is a collosal prick coach, and feuds with star players, opposing coaches, and management alike. I know JR is no saint, but let's not pretend George Karl has a halo around his head. Besides Ray Allen, Melo, and JR, he's feuded with:

Kendall Gill
Kenyon Martin
Doc Rivers
Isaiah Thomas
Wally Walker
Glenn Robinson
Tim Thomas
Joe Barry Carroll

Among others. Even if you take Isaiah Thomas off this list, it's more an indictment of Karl being a coksucker than it is for JR being a bonehead(JR is a bonehead by the way). There's just more proof for the former than the latter. George Karl is a fuktard.

+1
I don't think anyone's going to make the point that JR hasn't acted out like the most mental of midgets at times.

ChuckBuck wrote:Now we're resorting to tabloid headlines and conspiracy theories instead of known truths?

Correct me if I'm wrong, didn't Woodson win more games each year in Atlanta and Larry Drew did the reverse?

Mike Woodson:

2005 - 13
2006 - 26
2007 - 30
2008 - 37
2009 - 47
2010 - 53

Larry Drew:

2011 - 44
2012 - 40
2013 - Lottery??

Woodson simply didn't get along with ATL management, which happens, and Larry Drew took advantage of his buddy. Woody, so far, seems to have a great relationship with Knicks management. Until Zeke is officially on the payroll or on the Knicks staff homepage, then any mention of his involvement is just pure bullshyt.

Sure I'll correct you

As if you have any evidence of Drew actually backstabbing Woody, but instead going off conspiracy theories and tabloid fodder. Were you employed by the Atlanta Hawks and did you work with their coaching staff? I'd wager any amount evidence of Isiah's backstabbing in this organization to the very minute second of this post drawfs anything you can bring to the table in regards to Drew backstabbing in ATL.

First of all in 2012 the Hawks won 40gms in a shortened season without Al Horford or did you black out or faint from this?

That's a pace of 50gms on a regular 82gm season. So that's 44gms to 50gms(no Horford) improvement for Drewy this with a team that peaked right as he took over.

And lol at bringing up what Woody did in the regular season. We didn't put this team together for regular season honors per say. We have much bigger fish to fry correct?

Here's a daily standard reminder for you.....

Much like the Celtics motto..."WE DON'T HANG DIVISIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BANNERS WE HANG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BANNERS ONLY"

But back to you chronicling Woody's regular season success. I'll 1 up you and provide more evidence as to why he's no longer there....

Shall we look at Post-Season success come on let's dance

2007-2008 season Playoffs

Hawks vs Celtics(Celtics win 4-3)

Game 1 score 81 to 104 Hawks lose by a 23pt margin

Game 2 score 77 to 96 Hawks lose by a 19pt margin

Game 5 score 85 to 110 Hawks lose by a 25pts margin

Game 7 score 65 to 99 Hawks lose by a 34pts margin

2008-2009 season Playoffs

Hawks vs Heat(Hawks win 4-3)

Game 3 score 78 to 107 Hawks lose by a 29pts margin

Game 6 score 72 to 98 Hawks lose by a 26pts margin

Hawks vs Cavs(Cavs win 4-0)

Game 1 score 72 to 99 Hawks lose by a 27pt margin

Game 2 score 85 to 105 Hawks lose by a 20pts margin

2009-2010 season Playoffs

Hawks vs Bucks(Hawks win 4-3)

Game 3 score 89 to 107 Hawks lose by a 18pt margin

Hawks vs Magic(Magic win 4-0)

Game 1 score 71 to 114 Hawks lose by a I can't even do the math here

Game 3 score 75 to 105 Hawks lose by a I can't even do the math here

So in pretty much 50% of the games they played in the playoffs the Woody led Hawks were getting obliterated. Ironically under Drew they were much more competitive in Post-Season registering a couple blowout losses across 3 series.