HoopsHype.com Rumors

Chris Vivlamore: No indication that the Hawks will make a decision on head coach today. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Larry Drew 

The Sixers, Detroit and Charlotte are the only teams with coaching vacancies. However, the Atlanta Hawks will likely replace Larry Drew, who is interested in the Sixers job, as soon as the Hawks are eliminated from the playoffs. There could also be openings in Brooklyn, Memphis and with the Los Angeles Clippers. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Larry Drew, Atlatna Hawks 

The lineup change also meant that George had to guard Smith. It’s another battle won by the Hawks. Smith has been able to post up George almost at will. When the Pacers tried to give George help, as they did in Game 4, it opened the Hawks’ outside game. The 11 3-pointers in Monday’s 102-91 win tied for the second-most in Hawks playoff history. They made 12 against Orlando on May 13, 1996. “Yeah, I do wish,” coach Larry Drew on whether he should have made the change earlier in the series. “We’ve been aware what the big lineup has meant for us, and it certainly has had its good moments. It hasn’t always worked out that way. Certainly, in making that adjustment, it’s had an effect.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Larry Drew 

There is more statistical evidence of the stark contrast of the Hawks’ play since the lineup change. In Games 1 and 2, the lopsided Pacers victories at home, Smith had a combined plus/minus rating of minus-29. In Games 3 and 4, the one-sided Hawks wins, Smith had a combined plus-34. “Josh has not done a good job; he’s done a superb job in defending Paul George,” Drew said. “Paul is still going to score because he’s that good, but the thing is you have to make him work. I think Josh is doing a good job with that.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Paul George, Larry Drew 

If the Atlanta Hawks part ways with coach Larry Drew when the Hawks are bumped from the NBA playoffs, Drew would be interested in coaching the 76ers, a source with knowledge of the situation said on Saturday. Philadelphia Inquirer

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Larry Drew 

Drew is in the final year of his contract. The Hawks hired Danny Ferry as the general manager last summer, and there has been speculation ever since that Ferry would look to hire his own coach. There have been no discussions between Ferry and Drew concerning an extension, according to the source. Philadelphia Inquirer

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Danny Ferry, Larry Drew 

"Larry loves coaching, and he wants to continue as a head coach," said the league source. "He's in a difficult situation, and it's hard to say what will happen in Atlanta." Philadelphia Inquirer

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Larry Drew 

There used to be a time when a coach, who led his team into the playoffs, would be in line for a contract extension. Not anymore. There’s a legitimate chance five coaches with teams in the playoffs could be jettisoned. They are Atlanta’s Larry Drew, Brooklyn’s P.J. Carlesimo, Vinny Del Negro of the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis’ Lionel Holllins and Milwaukee’s Jim Boylan. Another coach, Keith Smart of the Sacramento Kings could also lose his job as part of a front office purge. Racine Journal-Times

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Keith Smart, Larry Drew, Jim Boylan 

The Hawks will use the same starting lineup in Game 2 of their playoff series with the Pacers. The first unit will be Jeff Teague, Devin Harris, Kyle Kover, Josh Smith and Al Horford. “I think after every game, particularly a game where things don’t go as well (you consider change),” coach Larry Drew said Wednesday. “It’s not time for us to panic. From a lineup standpoint I want to stay with what has been good for us. Obviously, through the course of the game we’ll make changes. At times we’ll be smaller. At times we’ll be a little bigger. It’s definitely not a time to panic and shift things around. “In going back and looking at our first game with them, we didn’t do enough things well. If we correct a few things, it puts us in a better position.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Devin Harris, Kyle Korver, Al Horford, Josh Smith, Larry Drew, Jeff Teague 

Hawks management has not approached Drew about his contract, which expires at the end of the season. General manager Danny Ferry has previously stated that he will use the season to evaluate all aspects of the organization. Drew is in the final year of his three-year contract. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Danny Ferry, Larry Drew 

There were bright spots for the Hawks, who continued to fight despite not defending the dribble, iso-game very well. Mike Scott scored 19, Anthony Tolliver was 4-7 from three-point range and Jeff Teague was somewhat effective in a 17 point, seven assist effort. Josh Smith played directionless offensively without his 6'10 partner in frontcourt crime Horford and seemed to be the target of some comments from Hawks coach Larry Drew afterwards, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Josh Smith, Larry Drew 

Drew said the Hawks’ issues were again compounded by poor shots. “If you are not taking good shots, it’s as good as a turnover,” Drew said. “That is not anything we’ve haven’t talked about every road game we’ve played. We talk about our shot selection. We talk about not turning the ball over. We talk about limiting them to one shot and coming up with the rebound. When you take bad shots it’s as good as a turnover and tonight we took quite a few.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Josh Smith, Larry Drew 

“Our best wishes are with the cheerleader who had the incident on the court,” coach Larry Drew said to start his postgame press conference. “She is doing well, from what I’m told. We are hoping that she is OK and are keeping things in perspective.” NBCSports.com

Atlanta Hawks, Larry Drew, Cheerleaders 

Devin Harris started a third straight game at point guard Sunday against the Nets. According to coach Larry Drew the decision is based on Harris’ recent play and the condition of Jeff Teague’s sprained left ankle. Harris averaged 16 points, 6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in the previous two games, victories over the Lakers and Suns. Harris started against the Lakers as Teague missed the first game of his pro career due to injury. “He really starts the game with a lot of energy, which I really like,” Drew said. “He really pushes it and attacks the rim. So, we are going to stay with it for right now. I’m not saying it’s going to be permanent but for right now we are going to stay with it.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Devin Harris, Larry Drew, Jeff Teague 

Chris Vivlamore: Hawks coach Larry Drew joked that Jeff Teague better not come back without All-Star Skills Challenge win. #ATLHawks Twitter @ajchawks

Atlanta Hawks, Larry Drew, Jeff Teague, All-Star 

There is an opening on the Eastern Conference All-Star team as it was announced Sunday that Celtics guard Rajon Rondo was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Hawks coach Larry Drew made a case for Al Horford or Josh Smith to be named his replacement. “No doubt about,” Drew said before Sunday’s game against the Knicks when asked if he thought his two stars should get the call. “I think both of my guys have been overlooked. It’s unfortunate what happened to Rondo but certainly my guys should be in strong consideration.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Al Horford, Josh Smith, Larry Drew, All-Star 

The one game suspension Jan. 16 didn't sit well with him. But what upset him more was that word of Drew throwing him out of practice, following an argument, leaked out publicly. "You have blowups and disagreements but in most championship-caliber organizations they keep it internal," he said. "They don’t try to broadcast a situation, as far as putting a player out there. That’s a problem." Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Larry Drew 

Complicating matters, to a certain extent, is the fact that Drew is in the final year of his contract with the Hawks. General manager Danny Ferry has said the team will re-evaluate the situation following the season after he has been through his first year in Atlanta. Ferry did give his blessing on the Hawks picking up the final year of Drew’s contract after he took over for Rick Sund. I asked Drew Wednesday if, considering his contract status, it has been hard not to look over his shoulder considering the team’s recent slide. “I made up my mind going into the season that my focus was just to do the best I can,” Drew told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The normal thing would be to look over your shoulder but I made up my mind, given my situation, that I’m just going to go out and coach every game. Just do what I can. If it works out, it works out. If it does not, it does not. I’ve been in constant talks with my agent about everything. The way we are looking at it is, we’ll just see what our options are at the end.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Larry Drew 

Marc Stein: Last remaining NBA coaches operating on last-year deals are Vinny Del Negro (Clippers), Larry Drew (Hawks) and Lionel Hollins (Grizzlies) Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Larry Drew, Lionel Hollins 

According to a person familiar with the situation, Smith was thrown out of practice Tuesday. The Hawks held a lengthy practice one day after losing in franchise-worst fashion in Chicago Monday. Following Wednesday’s shootaround, coach Larry Drew would not confirm he dismissed Smith from practice. However there clearly was an issue during the workout. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Josh Smith, Larry Drew