….just not on this post. over at hoopshype he has an interview

It’s so hard to predict. The three teams that finished ahead of us were bona fide contenders and elite ball clubs. I mean, they were really good. We did beat Cleveland once in the regular season, and we beat Orlando at their place, so we had our moments.

We just need to make sure we keep the teams that are behind us back there, and make strides to catch the ones in front of us. All the teams ahead of us have league MVP candidates on their ball club. Their payrolls are so much higher than ours, and they’ve all used the summer to get better.

But again, we just need to make strides and keep improving from within – because once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen if you get some momentum. The Knicks did it (in 1999), when they reached the Finals as a No. 8 seed. So for us, this season will be another step in the growth process. There’s no telling how good it might end up.

is no one going to go public with their vote? is it just me and Rick?

I think that the regular season is a better barometer of of good we are for next year. At this point we are not good enough to take winning a playoff series for granted, although that could change by the end of the season. Of course if it does than that would mean that we took a major stepfoward that would probably be enough to keep woodson.

Personally I would need the Hawks to at least equal last seasons win total to make it a tough decision on whether or not to retain Woody. Realistically he probably just needs to not implode.

I’ve never hidden my views of Woodson and his coaching and I feel as though I have stated very clearly where I stand on him and this team. But, to recap, I firmly believe we have the talent to in the least contend for a conference championship, I firmly believe that Woodson’s offensive and defensive philosophy cost this team a lot of close wins and is easily negated by by equal or better teams (and as has been shown, even lesser teams, i.e. Miami, Clippers, Charlotte…), and I would have no problem keeping Woodson around if he showed some aptitude to adapt to changes in game situations and personnel changes.

Again, here is a poll that I would really like to vote on a couple of the listed items. While Keeping the fourth seed and making the second round are important goals, what is even more important is how they play to achieve them. Getting pantsed in the first round by an inferior team and swept in the second round doesn’t cut it. We should easily be able to contend for a conference title, even in this defunct system, so that’s where I went. I don’t believe that under the current circumstances we could possibly contend for a finals appearance, but I will not stop disliking Woodson’s coaching until he proves that he can advance his game past six years ago. We can not hold the players accountable for progressing their games and not do the same for the coach.

So, if making the playoffs was the bar two years ago, and the second round was the bar last year, then the bar has to be the third round this year. Please Coach Woodson, go back through the tapes, but instead of asking what the players could have done differently, ask yourself what you could have done differently, then this time do it. I want nothing more than for you to succeed and take this team to the finals and bring us a ring.

I think of myself as neither a Mike Woodson hater or lover. I’m glad Rick Sund didn’t give him a contract extension yet. Why? Because there have been a number of coaches fired from teams who in my opinion were a lot better and had winning records. Mr. Woodson has had five seasons to produce results, with 2008-09 being his only winning season. I’m not convinced yet as to whether or not he should be fired or rehired. I do know this 2009-10 is the season for Mr. Woodson to convince everyone that he should be rehired. All the teams in our division are now healthy. Most are predicting big things for the Wizards and Orlando. It should be a very competitive and an interesting year.

I look at this topic from a progressive perspective. The Hawks have continually made progress throughout his five years, with the best being 07-08 and 08-09! Okay not really that much in 07-08 record wise but getting to the playoffs wise. Getting to the playoffs in 07-08 and going 7 games with the eventual champs is good. Making it to the playoffs a second year in a row, in fourth place, securing homecourt advantage, and winning the first round is great. Now 2009-10 the Hawks should take the next step in progress, another winning season, 3rd place in division, 2nd round victory, trip to the conference finals. If this doesn’t happen then the Hawks have taken a step back.

So my answer to defining success or Mike Woodson’s bottom line is a conference finals appearance. If this doesn’t happen, then consider me among those who think Mr. Woodson should be fired. Point blank, period.

This is what I meant to type: Now 2009-10 the Hawks should take the next step in progress,and that is another winning season, 3rd place in the conference which means 1st place in the SE division, 2nd round victory, and a trip to the conference finals. If this doesn’t happen then the Hawks have taken a step back.

Again I wanna stress, it’s all about progress, and if that doesn’t happen, then it should be bye bye Mr. Woodson.