Mike Woodson Calls Out Josh Smith
J-SmooveWhen the Hawks matched the Grizzlies’ offer for Josh Smith this off-season, all of the rumblings about J-Smoove beefing with his coach Mike Woodson seemed to disappear. But their heated relationship is far from over.
Woodson called Smith out individually during a post-practice huddle yesterday, frustrating Smith to the point that he shattered his mouthpiece case against a wall when running towards the locker room. Meanwhile, Woodson was smiling.
“I’m not letting these guys off the hook. They can think I’m tough or whatever, but we’ve got to be ready. We’ve got to be ready.”
Afterwards, Smith cooled down and said that he was on the same page with Woodson about needing to step up.
“Coach is right. I do need to crank it up. And we do need to crank it up as a team. And I understand that when Oct. 29 comes I’m going to lay it all on the line. I’m going to play 82 games as hard as I can and do whatever it takes for my team to win, be it rebounding, blocking shots or scoring or whatever it is.”
If there was no personal history between these two, Woodson’s motivational tactic would look like a slam dunk. In fact, with the Hawks’ team history of playing their best basketball when under fire (playoffs vs. Celtics), Woodson could be trying to recreate some of that feeling from day one.
As long as Smith isn’t thinking, ‘Coach Iavaroni wouldn’t have yelled at me like that,’ Woodson is in the clear. For now.
Source: AJC
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 am
fallinup says:
It’s always great to hear about coaches letting players have it. Players need more of that.
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:45 am
mavid says:
Smoove has a realllll short temper and is still somewhat immature (which has really been the problem between him and Woody).
Woody was in the right here. Smoove (a 6 9´ uber-athletic PF) has tallied a total of 1 rebound in the past 2 preseason games. That´s unacceptable.
Smoove needs to grow up a bit still.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 am
dukesman2000 says:
Woodson should be kissing J-Squared and Josh’s ass right now. If it were for them making that run in playoffs he’d be in the unemployment line right now.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:18 am
GEE...Make um say ugghhhhhh says:
Seems like a great motivational tatic, being that he (the coach) seemed to go right to the line before crossing it. Still, you got to do more than that coaching wise. Calling out one player doesn’t exempt the coach from having his team be more consistent all around and throughout the season.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
Dime Magazine says:
Gee I think that’s perfectly stated. Just because you’re a good motivator doesn’t mean that you’re a good coach.
- AK
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 am
QQ says:
First poster is right. With all these coaches spoiling their millionaires nowadays, it’s good to see one drilling some thought on some punk’s head. (PS: Not hatin on Smoove, though; that sucker can ball).
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:17 am
dapro says:
Fitting that he calls out one player considering the fact he only calls out one play
At least he’s consistent
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 am
mavid says:
lol dapro
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
MAYO~ 4~ROY says:
To be an elite team you’re going to have to bring it every night….learn how to win and close out teams that you should….
A lot of that falls on the coach, having your players ready to play on nights when they think they can coast…
I think going at JSmoove was good, but Woodson needs to find ways to thought the season to motivate, preparation H…LOL
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Sam I Am says:
Anyone seen Tyrone ?
I haven’t seen him Post in a while
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
dagwaller says:
I’m impressed by Smith’s statements. If he shows that passion during the season, he’s picked himself up a fan.
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
Woodson is fucking idiot. Now matter how the Hawks do this season, this chump will get fired for being as dumb as he is.
Coaches like Jerry Sloan, Greg Pop, they deserve credit for keeping their players in line. Coaches like Larry Brown, Mike Woodson, deserve to have their players beat the living shit out of them 2-3 times a year.
Do you think Larry would be talking about the next team he’s gonna coach or throw his players under the bus if he knew Marbury was waiting for him at 3:00 O’clock in the school yard?
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ 12, I thought it was the pick up truck at 3
October 22nd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
jackass says:
tyrone is probably posting under some kinda whitest name we can imagine. damn tyrone, i can’t believe you’d give up this easy.