Will Hawks Fans Pack it in for Larry Drew?

Using phrases like "ball movement" will help. There are some other phrases that won't...

For instance, "Joe Johnson" and "max player" in the same sentence will not prove to be helpful to long term job security but let's start with the good news, as told to "Mayhem in the AM" on AM 790 in Atlanta:

"There are just some things that we need to clean up. I made reference to Josh (Smith) on the perimeter. He came into my office after the press conference with a little smile on his face but he understands what his strengths are and I don't think it'll be a problem at all putting him in a position where he can be more successful."

This is the benefit to hiring a new head coach who just has to slide over one seat on the bench if the guy sliding over can truly diagnose the issues and bring proper solutions. Drew seems to be that type of coach.

And it's a good thing he can coach, because he may not have much a future as a general manager.

"Joe (Johnson) obviously is a big priority this summer, with the free agency, and we're going to do everything in our power to try to get him signed back here to be a Hawk."

A fine sentiment. Johnson is a very good player and someone who can help you win. But here comes the problem when asked if Johnson is a "max contract" player:

"Under the system, he is. He's certainly a guy that falls right in there with a lot of these top ball players and with the way the new collective bargaining agreement is, certainly he falls right to that category."

Here's the problem with considering Joe Johnson a "max contract" player. Do you consider him your most valued player? If you're picking teams with Al Horford and Josh Smith also available, do you ever pick Joe Johnson before them? Are any of those players worthy of "max" contracts?

If you said yes to any of those questions, that's why you're the Atlanta Hawks.

On a lighter note, Drew has a rather intense long distance relationship with his wife and children. They love Atlanta so much that they live in California. To make up for it, the father watches every basketball game with his kids on the phone:

"We actually get on the phone and put our DVDs in at the same time and we watch the games together. And I critique them on some of the things about the game. My boys are very receptive and they really enjoy that. Some nights we'll sit on the phone for four hours just going over one game, hitting the rewind button, fast forward, but that's how we've made it work and thus far it has worked."

Four hours? Sounds like his assistant coaches will be earning their keep this season.

One son is still in high school while the other receives fairly competent instruction at the University of North Carolina.