Cunningham: Larry Drew And Mike Woodson No Longer On Speaking Terms

To add another subplot to Mike Woodson's return to Philips Arena tonight is a Michael Cunningham report that Woodson and Larry Drew are no longer on speaking terms. According to Cunningham's story, Woodson has softened some of the natural hard feelings he had when the Hawks chose not to retain him following the 2010 season. However, the same can't be said for the relationship between Woodson and the man who replaced him on the bench for the Hawks Larry Drew.

When asked about Drew, Woodson only replied that the two hadn't talked and shut down any further questions on the subject.

"We haven't talked," Woodson said. "I just want to talk about basketball. Let's keep it that way."

Cunningham cites sources close to Woodson that suggest that Drew was lobbying for the Hawks head coaching job even before Woodson was let go. Whether that is simple paranoia or if there is something to it doesn't really matter now. Drew is in his second season with the Hawks and Woodson has gotten a second chance as the head man with the Knicks.

Still the story adds yet another underlying storyline to tonight's game and one that will no doubt pop up any time that Drew and Woodson oppose each other.