Dec 31, 2002 11:00 AM EST
Michael Lee of the AJC writes that so much appeared to be changing in the short regime of coach Terry Stotts. The Hawks took good care of the ball, their defensive intensity was high and so was the morale.
But in Stotts' third game, they looked like the same old Hawks. They reverted to old form Monday night, leaving the Miami Heat with easy lanes to the basket, wide open perimeter jumpers and a tasty assortment of turnovers. It all amounted to a 93-84 loss, the Hawks' 10th in a row on the road.
Via Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat
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In the NBA, it's about respect. To follow, players have to believe in the man leading them.
Not that the players didn't respect Lon Kruger, but on one level, Terry Stotts has an advantage that Kruger could not claim.
"He's been with winning franchises for a decade. You can't knock that type of experience," said Hawks reserve forward Darvin Ham, who spent the past three years in Milwaukee, where Stotts was an assistant for George Karl. "He's a big part of the success [Karl had]. A lot of times George relied on him for support in tough times -- I'm sure in Seattle and I know for sure in Milwaukee. Lon was a phenomenal college coach, but the college game and the pro game are two different things.
Via Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Hawks
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Coming back from celebrating Christmas in the northeast Georgia mountains with his wife, Jan, new Hawks coach Terry Stotts had his whole day planned Thursday. He'd work out. Watch game film. Practice at 6 p.m."It got shot," Stotts said of his plans. Shot, in a good way.
Hawks general manager Pete Babcock fired Lon Kruger and promoted Stotts for the duration of the season, in hopes that he will fulfill Kruger's guarantee and lead the Hawks into the playoffs. Stotts said he was disappointed to see Kruger dismissed after an 11-16 start -- "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Lon," he said -- but he has desired to be an NBA head coach for years.
Stotts was assistant under George Karl in the CBA and NBA for 12 of the past 13 seasons, following him from Seattle (1993-98) to Milwaukee (1998-02) before parting ways this summer. On Friday, Stotts discussed his plans for the Hawks.
Via Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta Hawks
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Hawks Dec 2002 Archive
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Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 28, 2002
His first day on the job, new Hawks coach Terry Stotts proved that he could make a tough decisions -- Jason Terry is his point guard .
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Jeff Denberg/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 27, 2002
Lon Kruger was convinced he could win in the NBA with a smile and an easy manner, and get the best out of his players with a positive attitude.
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Jeff Denberg/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 27, 2002
Terry Stotts parted with veteran NBA coach George Karl after a 14-year association because he was no closer to being a head coach than when he started with him.
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Jeff Denberg/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 27, 2002
The coach has changed, but the ambition remains the same, according to the one player who performed at maximum level under Lon Kruger.
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| Dec 26, 2002
RealGM.
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| Dec 22, 2002
Michael Lee of the Atlants Journal-Constitution reports that Saturday was a good news/bad news day for The Hawks’ Emanuel Davis.
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Jeff Denberg/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 20, 2002
It has been three months -- Sept.
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Jeff Denberg/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 20, 2002
Yao, as in wow.
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Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 20, 2002
How many Hawks does it take to fix a faulty season? All of them.
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| Dec 18, 2002
Picture it, Michael Jordan floating through the lane then casually flipping the ball high in the air.
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Jeff Denberg/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 18, 2002
The Hawks happened to catch Michael Jordan two nights after His Airness had the worst game of his career.
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| Dec 16, 2002
Michael Lee of the AJC writes after the Hawks soundly beat the Milwaukee Bucks at home 10 days ago, Hawks coach Lon Kruger said with a laugh, "All of a sudden, it looks like we know what we're doing.
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| Dec 13, 2002
Coach Jerry Sloan cared deeply about the Jazz's 93-88 loss to New Orleans Thursday night.
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| Dec 7, 2002
Some nights you win going away, others you’re never in the game, and some are closer than they should be.
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Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 7, 2002
It was about survival.
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Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 6, 2002
Glenn Robinson didn't go upside Ray Allen's head.
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Jeff Denberg/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 6, 2002
They aired their differences on an off-night, then Glenn Robinson got the best of former teammate and friend Ray Allen in Philips Arena Thursday night as the Hawks broke out of their recent slump.
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| Dec 5, 2002
There is no place like home.
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| Dec 3, 2002
Michael Lee of the AJC writes that Glenn Robinson said he is "open" to reconciling with former Milwaukee Bucks teammate Ray Allen when the Hawks play the Bucks Thursday -- but on one condition.
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Michael Lee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 3, 2002
Barely three minutes into the game, Jason Terry was on his back, covering his eye.
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| Dec 2, 2002
When the Hawks landed their newest toy and starting small forward, Glenn Robinson, this offseason for Toni Kukoc, Leon Smith, and a first round pick, immediately the bad blood began to flow between Atlanta and Milwaukee.
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Jeff Denberg/Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Dec 1, 2002
Jeff Denberg of the AJC writes that a year ago, Tracy McGrady got under the skin of Hawks players by calling them a "cupcake" team.
