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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 113
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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Archives | Email | RSS
New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer (left) and new GM Danny Ferry share a deep San Antonio bond
Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points ofSpurs Way
Posted Aug 7 2013 1110 AM
If Mike Budenholzer wasnt comfortable in his own skin and wasnt well prepared for the task ahead the prospect of
what hes facing as the new coach of the Atlanta Hawks might have rattled him
But you dont spend nearly two decades in the championship bubble that is the San Antonio Spurs and not gain a
measure of unmatched confidence in the NBA
Sure the Lakers have won in the same fashion during that two-decade stretch and other teams have popped on and off
the championship radar during that time But no one has done it as consistently and with the same internal continuity as
San Antonio And Budenholzer Gregg Popovichs self-proclaimed right-hand man for so much of that time brings an
edge to training camp that some of his first-time contemporaries wish they had
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 713
Were going to find out whether the Spurs Way works without Tim Duncan Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili at the
controls Budenholzer takes over a Hawks team that had its roster gutted by free agency at the end of last season and
will work with a largely new cast of characters Its a roster he helped craft alongside his good friend and former co-
worker in San Antonio Hawks general manager Danny Ferry
That relationship with Ferry is what helped lead Budenholzer who had turned down countless opportunities to leave the
Spurs over the years to the Hawks
Having someone I can trust and work with who sees the game the way I do and who wants to work collaboratively
was a huge part of why I wanted to be here Budenholzer said Someone to hear all of my crazy ideas someone who
to argue with and who will argue back at me and we can agree or disagree and its not the end of the world all of that
is critical for me Ownership here is really strong and with Dannys influence all of those are the things a coach should
want in an opportunity
It certainly didnt hurt that the Hawks had basically a blank slate -- Al Horford Lou Williams and John Jenkins were the
only players with guaranteed contracts for the 2013-14 season when free agency began on July 1 -- to work with After
years of being intimately involved with the team-building process in San Antonio Budenholzer knew he needed the
same sort of input with Atlanta if he was ultimately responsible for the teams performance
The $30 million in cap space the flexibility that creates made this opportunity really attractive Budenholzer said I
knew I could help build the team from the Draft and in free agency but I also wanted to be able to have input on putting
this group together And that was the case
The Hawks fortified the roster with a number of moves none of which would be considered offseason home runs They
added Paul Millsap to replace Josh Smith and veterans Elton Brand and Gustavo Ayon to solidify that rotation They
also re-signed Kyle Korver drafted point guard Dennis Schroeder and acquired the Draft rights to center LucasNoguiera and got second-year shooting guard Jared Cunningham (from Dallas) Restricted free agent Jeff Teague
signed a four-year $32 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks which the Hawks matched That gives
Budenholzer another young point guard to work with much as he did with Parker years earlier
Mike Budenholzer InterviewHaw ks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks about Atlantas future and the
Spurs coming up short to the Heat in the NBA Finals
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 813
Bud is going to be great for Teague and their point guards because hes been in there shoes and been doing this for
years Parker said during The Finals when Budenholzers move was first announced He was always in my ear andalways on me about making the [changes] to my game that needed to be made Im going to miss him being here every
day Hes going to be great for that team and franchise
The Hawks missed out on the big prizes (and their top targets) of the summer Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) So the big-name sizzle the Hawks were hoping to add never happened
Budenholzer doesnt exactly bring the name-recognition hype other candidates might but he more than makes up for
that often useless trait with a wealth of experience that few assistant coaches could match He not only served as
Popovichs lead assistant during a four-for-five championship run in San Antonio he also has an extensive scouting and
film work background including serving as the advance scout for the 2004 US Olympic team
Ferry wanted a coach who was more substance than style more hard work than hype He got that in Budenholzer a
coach whose basketball IQ is matched only by his world-class pedigree And as coach Budenholzer was determined to
find players with the same traits this summer
We wanted to put together a group that is really first and foremost great competitors Budenholzer said You have
to have guys that will compete every night every possession Bringing in a guy like Paul a guy with a really high
basketball IQ and how hard he plays was big In Paul and Elton and Gustavo Ayon we feel like were adding guys
who check all of those boxes and will play together as a group Theyre better as a group than they are individually
Ferry on BudenholzerDanny Ferry joins to GameTime to talk about the recent hire of new Haw ks
coach Mike Budenholzer
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
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Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
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Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
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HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
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Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
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impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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2013 NBA Draft2013 All-Star
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2013 Summer LeagueBlogs
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All Ball Blog
Ten Before TipCharlesBarkleycom
MikeFratellocom
NBAcom Ladders
Rookie LadderDunk Ladder
Top Plays Ladder
Kia MVP Ladder
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Highlights
Playoffs 2013
Top PlaysNBA TV
Editors Picks
TNT OT
Video RulebookMore
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NBA Rooks
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Players
Players
CoachesTeam Rosters
Free Agent Tracker
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 313
NBA Rooks
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MoreLegends
Historical Player Search
Standings
By DivisionBy Conference
More
Streaks amp Last 10
Ahead amp BehindMargin amp Stats
2011-12 Standings
2010-11 Standings
Season RecapsStats
NBAcom Stats
Sortable Player Stats
Sortable Team StatsCategory Leaders
Scoring Leaders
League Lineups
MoreEvery NBA Box Score (1946-Present)
Complete Franchise History
Shot Charts
Stats BlogMobile
NBA Mobile Products
NBA Game Time Connected
LEAGUE PASS MobileMore
Custom Covers amp Cases
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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Archives | Email | RSS
New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer (left) and new GM Danny Ferry share a deep San Antonio bond
Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points ofSpurs Way
Posted Aug 7 2013 1110 AM
If Mike Budenholzer wasnt comfortable in his own skin and wasnt well prepared for the task ahead the prospect of
what hes facing as the new coach of the Atlanta Hawks might have rattled him
But you dont spend nearly two decades in the championship bubble that is the San Antonio Spurs and not gain a
measure of unmatched confidence in the NBA
Sure the Lakers have won in the same fashion during that two-decade stretch and other teams have popped on and off
the championship radar during that time But no one has done it as consistently and with the same internal continuity as
San Antonio And Budenholzer Gregg Popovichs self-proclaimed right-hand man for so much of that time brings an
edge to training camp that some of his first-time contemporaries wish they had
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 713
Were going to find out whether the Spurs Way works without Tim Duncan Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili at the
controls Budenholzer takes over a Hawks team that had its roster gutted by free agency at the end of last season and
will work with a largely new cast of characters Its a roster he helped craft alongside his good friend and former co-
worker in San Antonio Hawks general manager Danny Ferry
That relationship with Ferry is what helped lead Budenholzer who had turned down countless opportunities to leave the
Spurs over the years to the Hawks
Having someone I can trust and work with who sees the game the way I do and who wants to work collaboratively
was a huge part of why I wanted to be here Budenholzer said Someone to hear all of my crazy ideas someone who
to argue with and who will argue back at me and we can agree or disagree and its not the end of the world all of that
is critical for me Ownership here is really strong and with Dannys influence all of those are the things a coach should
want in an opportunity
It certainly didnt hurt that the Hawks had basically a blank slate -- Al Horford Lou Williams and John Jenkins were the
only players with guaranteed contracts for the 2013-14 season when free agency began on July 1 -- to work with After
years of being intimately involved with the team-building process in San Antonio Budenholzer knew he needed the
same sort of input with Atlanta if he was ultimately responsible for the teams performance
The $30 million in cap space the flexibility that creates made this opportunity really attractive Budenholzer said I
knew I could help build the team from the Draft and in free agency but I also wanted to be able to have input on putting
this group together And that was the case
The Hawks fortified the roster with a number of moves none of which would be considered offseason home runs They
added Paul Millsap to replace Josh Smith and veterans Elton Brand and Gustavo Ayon to solidify that rotation They
also re-signed Kyle Korver drafted point guard Dennis Schroeder and acquired the Draft rights to center LucasNoguiera and got second-year shooting guard Jared Cunningham (from Dallas) Restricted free agent Jeff Teague
signed a four-year $32 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks which the Hawks matched That gives
Budenholzer another young point guard to work with much as he did with Parker years earlier
Mike Budenholzer InterviewHaw ks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks about Atlantas future and the
Spurs coming up short to the Heat in the NBA Finals
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 813
Bud is going to be great for Teague and their point guards because hes been in there shoes and been doing this for
years Parker said during The Finals when Budenholzers move was first announced He was always in my ear andalways on me about making the [changes] to my game that needed to be made Im going to miss him being here every
day Hes going to be great for that team and franchise
The Hawks missed out on the big prizes (and their top targets) of the summer Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) So the big-name sizzle the Hawks were hoping to add never happened
Budenholzer doesnt exactly bring the name-recognition hype other candidates might but he more than makes up for
that often useless trait with a wealth of experience that few assistant coaches could match He not only served as
Popovichs lead assistant during a four-for-five championship run in San Antonio he also has an extensive scouting and
film work background including serving as the advance scout for the 2004 US Olympic team
Ferry wanted a coach who was more substance than style more hard work than hype He got that in Budenholzer a
coach whose basketball IQ is matched only by his world-class pedigree And as coach Budenholzer was determined to
find players with the same traits this summer
We wanted to put together a group that is really first and foremost great competitors Budenholzer said You have
to have guys that will compete every night every possession Bringing in a guy like Paul a guy with a really high
basketball IQ and how hard he plays was big In Paul and Elton and Gustavo Ayon we feel like were adding guys
who check all of those boxes and will play together as a group Theyre better as a group than they are individually
Ferry on BudenholzerDanny Ferry joins to GameTime to talk about the recent hire of new Haw ks
coach Mike Budenholzer
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
RELATED CONTENT
Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
NBA Draft 2013
Summer League
Free Agent Tracker
Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
Shop for NBA Gear Now
About
About the NBA
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Closed Captioning
Advertise on NBAcom
Important Dates
NBA
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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Archives | Email | RSS
New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer (left) and new GM Danny Ferry share a deep San Antonio bond
Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points ofSpurs Way
Posted Aug 7 2013 1110 AM
If Mike Budenholzer wasnt comfortable in his own skin and wasnt well prepared for the task ahead the prospect of
what hes facing as the new coach of the Atlanta Hawks might have rattled him
But you dont spend nearly two decades in the championship bubble that is the San Antonio Spurs and not gain a
measure of unmatched confidence in the NBA
Sure the Lakers have won in the same fashion during that two-decade stretch and other teams have popped on and off
the championship radar during that time But no one has done it as consistently and with the same internal continuity as
San Antonio And Budenholzer Gregg Popovichs self-proclaimed right-hand man for so much of that time brings an
edge to training camp that some of his first-time contemporaries wish they had
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 713
Were going to find out whether the Spurs Way works without Tim Duncan Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili at the
controls Budenholzer takes over a Hawks team that had its roster gutted by free agency at the end of last season and
will work with a largely new cast of characters Its a roster he helped craft alongside his good friend and former co-
worker in San Antonio Hawks general manager Danny Ferry
That relationship with Ferry is what helped lead Budenholzer who had turned down countless opportunities to leave the
Spurs over the years to the Hawks
Having someone I can trust and work with who sees the game the way I do and who wants to work collaboratively
was a huge part of why I wanted to be here Budenholzer said Someone to hear all of my crazy ideas someone who
to argue with and who will argue back at me and we can agree or disagree and its not the end of the world all of that
is critical for me Ownership here is really strong and with Dannys influence all of those are the things a coach should
want in an opportunity
It certainly didnt hurt that the Hawks had basically a blank slate -- Al Horford Lou Williams and John Jenkins were the
only players with guaranteed contracts for the 2013-14 season when free agency began on July 1 -- to work with After
years of being intimately involved with the team-building process in San Antonio Budenholzer knew he needed the
same sort of input with Atlanta if he was ultimately responsible for the teams performance
The $30 million in cap space the flexibility that creates made this opportunity really attractive Budenholzer said I
knew I could help build the team from the Draft and in free agency but I also wanted to be able to have input on putting
this group together And that was the case
The Hawks fortified the roster with a number of moves none of which would be considered offseason home runs They
added Paul Millsap to replace Josh Smith and veterans Elton Brand and Gustavo Ayon to solidify that rotation They
also re-signed Kyle Korver drafted point guard Dennis Schroeder and acquired the Draft rights to center LucasNoguiera and got second-year shooting guard Jared Cunningham (from Dallas) Restricted free agent Jeff Teague
signed a four-year $32 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks which the Hawks matched That gives
Budenholzer another young point guard to work with much as he did with Parker years earlier
Mike Budenholzer InterviewHaw ks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks about Atlantas future and the
Spurs coming up short to the Heat in the NBA Finals
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 813
Bud is going to be great for Teague and their point guards because hes been in there shoes and been doing this for
years Parker said during The Finals when Budenholzers move was first announced He was always in my ear andalways on me about making the [changes] to my game that needed to be made Im going to miss him being here every
day Hes going to be great for that team and franchise
The Hawks missed out on the big prizes (and their top targets) of the summer Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) So the big-name sizzle the Hawks were hoping to add never happened
Budenholzer doesnt exactly bring the name-recognition hype other candidates might but he more than makes up for
that often useless trait with a wealth of experience that few assistant coaches could match He not only served as
Popovichs lead assistant during a four-for-five championship run in San Antonio he also has an extensive scouting and
film work background including serving as the advance scout for the 2004 US Olympic team
Ferry wanted a coach who was more substance than style more hard work than hype He got that in Budenholzer a
coach whose basketball IQ is matched only by his world-class pedigree And as coach Budenholzer was determined to
find players with the same traits this summer
We wanted to put together a group that is really first and foremost great competitors Budenholzer said You have
to have guys that will compete every night every possession Bringing in a guy like Paul a guy with a really high
basketball IQ and how hard he plays was big In Paul and Elton and Gustavo Ayon we feel like were adding guys
who check all of those boxes and will play together as a group Theyre better as a group than they are individually
Ferry on BudenholzerDanny Ferry joins to GameTime to talk about the recent hire of new Haw ks
coach Mike Budenholzer
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
RELATED CONTENT
Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
NBA Draft 2013
Summer League
Free Agent Tracker
Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1213
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Copyright copy 2013 NBA Media Ventures LLC All rights reserved No portion of NBAcom may be duplicated
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1313
redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
Help | Fan Relations FAQ | Career Opportunities
Turner
NBAcom is part of Turner Sports Digital part of the Turner Sports amp Entertainment Digital Network
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 413
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Like 17m
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 513
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24M
Store
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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Archives | Email | RSS
New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer (left) and new GM Danny Ferry share a deep San Antonio bond
Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points ofSpurs Way
Posted Aug 7 2013 1110 AM
If Mike Budenholzer wasnt comfortable in his own skin and wasnt well prepared for the task ahead the prospect of
what hes facing as the new coach of the Atlanta Hawks might have rattled him
But you dont spend nearly two decades in the championship bubble that is the San Antonio Spurs and not gain a
measure of unmatched confidence in the NBA
Sure the Lakers have won in the same fashion during that two-decade stretch and other teams have popped on and off
the championship radar during that time But no one has done it as consistently and with the same internal continuity as
San Antonio And Budenholzer Gregg Popovichs self-proclaimed right-hand man for so much of that time brings an
edge to training camp that some of his first-time contemporaries wish they had
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 713
Were going to find out whether the Spurs Way works without Tim Duncan Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili at the
controls Budenholzer takes over a Hawks team that had its roster gutted by free agency at the end of last season and
will work with a largely new cast of characters Its a roster he helped craft alongside his good friend and former co-
worker in San Antonio Hawks general manager Danny Ferry
That relationship with Ferry is what helped lead Budenholzer who had turned down countless opportunities to leave the
Spurs over the years to the Hawks
Having someone I can trust and work with who sees the game the way I do and who wants to work collaboratively
was a huge part of why I wanted to be here Budenholzer said Someone to hear all of my crazy ideas someone who
to argue with and who will argue back at me and we can agree or disagree and its not the end of the world all of that
is critical for me Ownership here is really strong and with Dannys influence all of those are the things a coach should
want in an opportunity
It certainly didnt hurt that the Hawks had basically a blank slate -- Al Horford Lou Williams and John Jenkins were the
only players with guaranteed contracts for the 2013-14 season when free agency began on July 1 -- to work with After
years of being intimately involved with the team-building process in San Antonio Budenholzer knew he needed the
same sort of input with Atlanta if he was ultimately responsible for the teams performance
The $30 million in cap space the flexibility that creates made this opportunity really attractive Budenholzer said I
knew I could help build the team from the Draft and in free agency but I also wanted to be able to have input on putting
this group together And that was the case
The Hawks fortified the roster with a number of moves none of which would be considered offseason home runs They
added Paul Millsap to replace Josh Smith and veterans Elton Brand and Gustavo Ayon to solidify that rotation They
also re-signed Kyle Korver drafted point guard Dennis Schroeder and acquired the Draft rights to center LucasNoguiera and got second-year shooting guard Jared Cunningham (from Dallas) Restricted free agent Jeff Teague
signed a four-year $32 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks which the Hawks matched That gives
Budenholzer another young point guard to work with much as he did with Parker years earlier
Mike Budenholzer InterviewHaw ks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks about Atlantas future and the
Spurs coming up short to the Heat in the NBA Finals
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 813
Bud is going to be great for Teague and their point guards because hes been in there shoes and been doing this for
years Parker said during The Finals when Budenholzers move was first announced He was always in my ear andalways on me about making the [changes] to my game that needed to be made Im going to miss him being here every
day Hes going to be great for that team and franchise
The Hawks missed out on the big prizes (and their top targets) of the summer Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) So the big-name sizzle the Hawks were hoping to add never happened
Budenholzer doesnt exactly bring the name-recognition hype other candidates might but he more than makes up for
that often useless trait with a wealth of experience that few assistant coaches could match He not only served as
Popovichs lead assistant during a four-for-five championship run in San Antonio he also has an extensive scouting and
film work background including serving as the advance scout for the 2004 US Olympic team
Ferry wanted a coach who was more substance than style more hard work than hype He got that in Budenholzer a
coach whose basketball IQ is matched only by his world-class pedigree And as coach Budenholzer was determined to
find players with the same traits this summer
We wanted to put together a group that is really first and foremost great competitors Budenholzer said You have
to have guys that will compete every night every possession Bringing in a guy like Paul a guy with a really high
basketball IQ and how hard he plays was big In Paul and Elton and Gustavo Ayon we feel like were adding guys
who check all of those boxes and will play together as a group Theyre better as a group than they are individually
Ferry on BudenholzerDanny Ferry joins to GameTime to talk about the recent hire of new Haw ks
coach Mike Budenholzer
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
RELATED CONTENT
Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
NBA Draft 2013
Summer League
Free Agent Tracker
Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
Shop for NBA Gear Now
About
About the NBA
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Closed Captioning
Advertise on NBAcom
Important Dates
NBA
One Store Every TeamShop NBAStorecom now
The Official Store of the NBA
NBA TVTune in for the latest
NBA New s and Updates
Follow NBA on FacebookClick here to join the conversation
and connect w ith other fans
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1213
WNBA
NBA D-League
Ene-be-a
NBATicketscom
NBPAUSA Basketball Youth
NBA City Restaurant
NYC Store
Events
2013 NBA Playoffs
2013 NBA Draft2013 All-Star
2013 Hall of Fame
2013 Summer League
NBA 101
NBA OfficialHistory
Rules of the Game
Officials amp Rulebook
Video Rulebook
NBA Guide
NBA Register
NBA Initiatives
NBA Nation
Jam Session
NBA Cares
NBA Green
NBA FIT
Basketball Without Borders
All-Star Vendor Diversity
NBA Kids
All-Access
Member Center
NBA LEAGUE PASS
Summer League Live
Fantasy Games
NBA Deals and Discounts
HOOP Magazine
Copyright copy 2013 NBA Media Ventures LLC All rights reserved No portion of NBAcom may be duplicated
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1313
redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
Help | Fan Relations FAQ | Career Opportunities
Turner
NBAcom is part of Turner Sports Digital part of the Turner Sports amp Entertainment Digital Network
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 513
Follow Follow NBANBA 78M fo llowers
24M
Store
Jerseys
Mens
KidsNBA4HER
Custom Shop
Headwear
Basketballs
Footwear
Whats Hot
Auctions
NBAGameworncomShop Photo Store
NYC Store
Text Size
Standard
MediumLarge
Main content
NBA news
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TweetTweet 3
Sekou Smith
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer (left) and new GM Danny Ferry share a deep San Antonio bond
Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points ofSpurs Way
Posted Aug 7 2013 1110 AM
If Mike Budenholzer wasnt comfortable in his own skin and wasnt well prepared for the task ahead the prospect of
what hes facing as the new coach of the Atlanta Hawks might have rattled him
But you dont spend nearly two decades in the championship bubble that is the San Antonio Spurs and not gain a
measure of unmatched confidence in the NBA
Sure the Lakers have won in the same fashion during that two-decade stretch and other teams have popped on and off
the championship radar during that time But no one has done it as consistently and with the same internal continuity as
San Antonio And Budenholzer Gregg Popovichs self-proclaimed right-hand man for so much of that time brings an
edge to training camp that some of his first-time contemporaries wish they had
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 713
Were going to find out whether the Spurs Way works without Tim Duncan Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili at the
controls Budenholzer takes over a Hawks team that had its roster gutted by free agency at the end of last season and
will work with a largely new cast of characters Its a roster he helped craft alongside his good friend and former co-
worker in San Antonio Hawks general manager Danny Ferry
That relationship with Ferry is what helped lead Budenholzer who had turned down countless opportunities to leave the
Spurs over the years to the Hawks
Having someone I can trust and work with who sees the game the way I do and who wants to work collaboratively
was a huge part of why I wanted to be here Budenholzer said Someone to hear all of my crazy ideas someone who
to argue with and who will argue back at me and we can agree or disagree and its not the end of the world all of that
is critical for me Ownership here is really strong and with Dannys influence all of those are the things a coach should
want in an opportunity
It certainly didnt hurt that the Hawks had basically a blank slate -- Al Horford Lou Williams and John Jenkins were the
only players with guaranteed contracts for the 2013-14 season when free agency began on July 1 -- to work with After
years of being intimately involved with the team-building process in San Antonio Budenholzer knew he needed the
same sort of input with Atlanta if he was ultimately responsible for the teams performance
The $30 million in cap space the flexibility that creates made this opportunity really attractive Budenholzer said I
knew I could help build the team from the Draft and in free agency but I also wanted to be able to have input on putting
this group together And that was the case
The Hawks fortified the roster with a number of moves none of which would be considered offseason home runs They
added Paul Millsap to replace Josh Smith and veterans Elton Brand and Gustavo Ayon to solidify that rotation They
also re-signed Kyle Korver drafted point guard Dennis Schroeder and acquired the Draft rights to center LucasNoguiera and got second-year shooting guard Jared Cunningham (from Dallas) Restricted free agent Jeff Teague
signed a four-year $32 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks which the Hawks matched That gives
Budenholzer another young point guard to work with much as he did with Parker years earlier
Mike Budenholzer InterviewHaw ks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks about Atlantas future and the
Spurs coming up short to the Heat in the NBA Finals
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 813
Bud is going to be great for Teague and their point guards because hes been in there shoes and been doing this for
years Parker said during The Finals when Budenholzers move was first announced He was always in my ear andalways on me about making the [changes] to my game that needed to be made Im going to miss him being here every
day Hes going to be great for that team and franchise
The Hawks missed out on the big prizes (and their top targets) of the summer Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) So the big-name sizzle the Hawks were hoping to add never happened
Budenholzer doesnt exactly bring the name-recognition hype other candidates might but he more than makes up for
that often useless trait with a wealth of experience that few assistant coaches could match He not only served as
Popovichs lead assistant during a four-for-five championship run in San Antonio he also has an extensive scouting and
film work background including serving as the advance scout for the 2004 US Olympic team
Ferry wanted a coach who was more substance than style more hard work than hype He got that in Budenholzer a
coach whose basketball IQ is matched only by his world-class pedigree And as coach Budenholzer was determined to
find players with the same traits this summer
We wanted to put together a group that is really first and foremost great competitors Budenholzer said You have
to have guys that will compete every night every possession Bringing in a guy like Paul a guy with a really high
basketball IQ and how hard he plays was big In Paul and Elton and Gustavo Ayon we feel like were adding guys
who check all of those boxes and will play together as a group Theyre better as a group than they are individually
Ferry on BudenholzerDanny Ferry joins to GameTime to talk about the recent hire of new Haw ks
coach Mike Budenholzer
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
RELATED CONTENT
Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
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Summer League
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Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
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Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
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impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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Archives | Email | RSS
New Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer (left) and new GM Danny Ferry share a deep San Antonio bond
Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points ofSpurs Way
Posted Aug 7 2013 1110 AM
If Mike Budenholzer wasnt comfortable in his own skin and wasnt well prepared for the task ahead the prospect of
what hes facing as the new coach of the Atlanta Hawks might have rattled him
But you dont spend nearly two decades in the championship bubble that is the San Antonio Spurs and not gain a
measure of unmatched confidence in the NBA
Sure the Lakers have won in the same fashion during that two-decade stretch and other teams have popped on and off
the championship radar during that time But no one has done it as consistently and with the same internal continuity as
San Antonio And Budenholzer Gregg Popovichs self-proclaimed right-hand man for so much of that time brings an
edge to training camp that some of his first-time contemporaries wish they had
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 713
Were going to find out whether the Spurs Way works without Tim Duncan Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili at the
controls Budenholzer takes over a Hawks team that had its roster gutted by free agency at the end of last season and
will work with a largely new cast of characters Its a roster he helped craft alongside his good friend and former co-
worker in San Antonio Hawks general manager Danny Ferry
That relationship with Ferry is what helped lead Budenholzer who had turned down countless opportunities to leave the
Spurs over the years to the Hawks
Having someone I can trust and work with who sees the game the way I do and who wants to work collaboratively
was a huge part of why I wanted to be here Budenholzer said Someone to hear all of my crazy ideas someone who
to argue with and who will argue back at me and we can agree or disagree and its not the end of the world all of that
is critical for me Ownership here is really strong and with Dannys influence all of those are the things a coach should
want in an opportunity
It certainly didnt hurt that the Hawks had basically a blank slate -- Al Horford Lou Williams and John Jenkins were the
only players with guaranteed contracts for the 2013-14 season when free agency began on July 1 -- to work with After
years of being intimately involved with the team-building process in San Antonio Budenholzer knew he needed the
same sort of input with Atlanta if he was ultimately responsible for the teams performance
The $30 million in cap space the flexibility that creates made this opportunity really attractive Budenholzer said I
knew I could help build the team from the Draft and in free agency but I also wanted to be able to have input on putting
this group together And that was the case
The Hawks fortified the roster with a number of moves none of which would be considered offseason home runs They
added Paul Millsap to replace Josh Smith and veterans Elton Brand and Gustavo Ayon to solidify that rotation They
also re-signed Kyle Korver drafted point guard Dennis Schroeder and acquired the Draft rights to center LucasNoguiera and got second-year shooting guard Jared Cunningham (from Dallas) Restricted free agent Jeff Teague
signed a four-year $32 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks which the Hawks matched That gives
Budenholzer another young point guard to work with much as he did with Parker years earlier
Mike Budenholzer InterviewHaw ks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks about Atlantas future and the
Spurs coming up short to the Heat in the NBA Finals
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 813
Bud is going to be great for Teague and their point guards because hes been in there shoes and been doing this for
years Parker said during The Finals when Budenholzers move was first announced He was always in my ear andalways on me about making the [changes] to my game that needed to be made Im going to miss him being here every
day Hes going to be great for that team and franchise
The Hawks missed out on the big prizes (and their top targets) of the summer Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) So the big-name sizzle the Hawks were hoping to add never happened
Budenholzer doesnt exactly bring the name-recognition hype other candidates might but he more than makes up for
that often useless trait with a wealth of experience that few assistant coaches could match He not only served as
Popovichs lead assistant during a four-for-five championship run in San Antonio he also has an extensive scouting and
film work background including serving as the advance scout for the 2004 US Olympic team
Ferry wanted a coach who was more substance than style more hard work than hype He got that in Budenholzer a
coach whose basketball IQ is matched only by his world-class pedigree And as coach Budenholzer was determined to
find players with the same traits this summer
We wanted to put together a group that is really first and foremost great competitors Budenholzer said You have
to have guys that will compete every night every possession Bringing in a guy like Paul a guy with a really high
basketball IQ and how hard he plays was big In Paul and Elton and Gustavo Ayon we feel like were adding guys
who check all of those boxes and will play together as a group Theyre better as a group than they are individually
Ferry on BudenholzerDanny Ferry joins to GameTime to talk about the recent hire of new Haw ks
coach Mike Budenholzer
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
RELATED CONTENT
Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
NBA Draft 2013
Summer League
Free Agent Tracker
Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
Shop for NBA Gear Now
About
About the NBA
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Closed Captioning
Advertise on NBAcom
Important Dates
NBA
One Store Every TeamShop NBAStorecom now
The Official Store of the NBA
NBA TVTune in for the latest
NBA New s and Updates
Follow NBA on FacebookClick here to join the conversation
and connect w ith other fans
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1213
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2013 NBA Playoffs
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Rules of the Game
Officials amp Rulebook
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Basketball Without Borders
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Summer League Live
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NBA Deals and Discounts
HOOP Magazine
Copyright copy 2013 NBA Media Ventures LLC All rights reserved No portion of NBAcom may be duplicated
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1313
redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
Help | Fan Relations FAQ | Career Opportunities
Turner
NBAcom is part of Turner Sports Digital part of the Turner Sports amp Entertainment Digital Network
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 713
Were going to find out whether the Spurs Way works without Tim Duncan Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili at the
controls Budenholzer takes over a Hawks team that had its roster gutted by free agency at the end of last season and
will work with a largely new cast of characters Its a roster he helped craft alongside his good friend and former co-
worker in San Antonio Hawks general manager Danny Ferry
That relationship with Ferry is what helped lead Budenholzer who had turned down countless opportunities to leave the
Spurs over the years to the Hawks
Having someone I can trust and work with who sees the game the way I do and who wants to work collaboratively
was a huge part of why I wanted to be here Budenholzer said Someone to hear all of my crazy ideas someone who
to argue with and who will argue back at me and we can agree or disagree and its not the end of the world all of that
is critical for me Ownership here is really strong and with Dannys influence all of those are the things a coach should
want in an opportunity
It certainly didnt hurt that the Hawks had basically a blank slate -- Al Horford Lou Williams and John Jenkins were the
only players with guaranteed contracts for the 2013-14 season when free agency began on July 1 -- to work with After
years of being intimately involved with the team-building process in San Antonio Budenholzer knew he needed the
same sort of input with Atlanta if he was ultimately responsible for the teams performance
The $30 million in cap space the flexibility that creates made this opportunity really attractive Budenholzer said I
knew I could help build the team from the Draft and in free agency but I also wanted to be able to have input on putting
this group together And that was the case
The Hawks fortified the roster with a number of moves none of which would be considered offseason home runs They
added Paul Millsap to replace Josh Smith and veterans Elton Brand and Gustavo Ayon to solidify that rotation They
also re-signed Kyle Korver drafted point guard Dennis Schroeder and acquired the Draft rights to center LucasNoguiera and got second-year shooting guard Jared Cunningham (from Dallas) Restricted free agent Jeff Teague
signed a four-year $32 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks which the Hawks matched That gives
Budenholzer another young point guard to work with much as he did with Parker years earlier
Mike Budenholzer InterviewHaw ks head coach Mike Budenholzer talks about Atlantas future and the
Spurs coming up short to the Heat in the NBA Finals
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 813
Bud is going to be great for Teague and their point guards because hes been in there shoes and been doing this for
years Parker said during The Finals when Budenholzers move was first announced He was always in my ear andalways on me about making the [changes] to my game that needed to be made Im going to miss him being here every
day Hes going to be great for that team and franchise
The Hawks missed out on the big prizes (and their top targets) of the summer Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) So the big-name sizzle the Hawks were hoping to add never happened
Budenholzer doesnt exactly bring the name-recognition hype other candidates might but he more than makes up for
that often useless trait with a wealth of experience that few assistant coaches could match He not only served as
Popovichs lead assistant during a four-for-five championship run in San Antonio he also has an extensive scouting and
film work background including serving as the advance scout for the 2004 US Olympic team
Ferry wanted a coach who was more substance than style more hard work than hype He got that in Budenholzer a
coach whose basketball IQ is matched only by his world-class pedigree And as coach Budenholzer was determined to
find players with the same traits this summer
We wanted to put together a group that is really first and foremost great competitors Budenholzer said You have
to have guys that will compete every night every possession Bringing in a guy like Paul a guy with a really high
basketball IQ and how hard he plays was big In Paul and Elton and Gustavo Ayon we feel like were adding guys
who check all of those boxes and will play together as a group Theyre better as a group than they are individually
Ferry on BudenholzerDanny Ferry joins to GameTime to talk about the recent hire of new Haw ks
coach Mike Budenholzer
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
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SEARCH NEWS
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Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
NBA Draft 2013
Summer League
Free Agent Tracker
Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
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Bud is going to be great for Teague and their point guards because hes been in there shoes and been doing this for
years Parker said during The Finals when Budenholzers move was first announced He was always in my ear andalways on me about making the [changes] to my game that needed to be made Im going to miss him being here every
day Hes going to be great for that team and franchise
The Hawks missed out on the big prizes (and their top targets) of the summer Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) So the big-name sizzle the Hawks were hoping to add never happened
Budenholzer doesnt exactly bring the name-recognition hype other candidates might but he more than makes up for
that often useless trait with a wealth of experience that few assistant coaches could match He not only served as
Popovichs lead assistant during a four-for-five championship run in San Antonio he also has an extensive scouting and
film work background including serving as the advance scout for the 2004 US Olympic team
Ferry wanted a coach who was more substance than style more hard work than hype He got that in Budenholzer a
coach whose basketball IQ is matched only by his world-class pedigree And as coach Budenholzer was determined to
find players with the same traits this summer
We wanted to put together a group that is really first and foremost great competitors Budenholzer said You have
to have guys that will compete every night every possession Bringing in a guy like Paul a guy with a really high
basketball IQ and how hard he plays was big In Paul and Elton and Gustavo Ayon we feel like were adding guys
who check all of those boxes and will play together as a group Theyre better as a group than they are individually
Ferry on BudenholzerDanny Ferry joins to GameTime to talk about the recent hire of new Haw ks
coach Mike Budenholzer
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
RELATED CONTENT
Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
NBA Draft 2013
Summer League
Free Agent Tracker
Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
Shop for NBA Gear Now
About
About the NBA
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Closed Captioning
Advertise on NBAcom
Important Dates
NBA
One Store Every TeamShop NBAStorecom now
The Official Store of the NBA
NBA TVTune in for the latest
NBA New s and Updates
Follow NBA on FacebookClick here to join the conversation
and connect w ith other fans
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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WNBA
NBA D-League
Ene-be-a
NBATicketscom
NBPAUSA Basketball Youth
NBA City Restaurant
NYC Store
Events
2013 NBA Playoffs
2013 NBA Draft2013 All-Star
2013 Hall of Fame
2013 Summer League
NBA 101
NBA OfficialHistory
Rules of the Game
Officials amp Rulebook
Video Rulebook
NBA Guide
NBA Register
NBA Initiatives
NBA Nation
Jam Session
NBA Cares
NBA Green
NBA FIT
Basketball Without Borders
All-Star Vendor Diversity
NBA Kids
All-Access
Member Center
NBA LEAGUE PASS
Summer League Live
Fantasy Games
NBA Deals and Discounts
HOOP Magazine
Copyright copy 2013 NBA Media Ventures LLC All rights reserved No portion of NBAcom may be duplicated
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
Help | Fan Relations FAQ | Career Opportunities
Turner
NBAcom is part of Turner Sports Digital part of the Turner Sports amp Entertainment Digital Network
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 913
That said there is still the issue of that 18-inch slide from the lead assistants chair to the coachs chair that has to be
managed And no amount of watching and learning on the job will change that Budenholzer might have learned from a
master in Popovich who handpicked Budenholzer for this life years ago when he recruited him to play at Pomona
College But he has to craft his own style and create a niche for himself in a league filled with dynamic personalities and
accomplished coaches
Based on his experience working with both men Popovich believes the Ferry-Budenholzer combination could be a
powerful one for the Hawks provided they stick to the fundamentals that have helped the Spurs thrive
If everybody feels empowered that they can without fear give their opinion on something and it doesnt affect their
position he said now you have something powerful working for your organization and now those ideas are out there
and they can be taken and they can be used and we dont give a damn where the idea came from I know Bud and
Danny will do it exactly the same way
Even after working in the collaborative environment used in San Antonio where a group of nine or 10 people (coaches
executives owners scouts video guys etc) would discuss and debate any number of team-related topics Budenholzer
assumes a totally different role in the Hawks war room
As a head coach you have to think about the entire group with every decision you make he said Up and down the
line front and back it has to be about the entire group and the bigger picture As an assistant you have lots of ideas andsuggestions that might be perfect for that moment and time but you dont think through all of the ramifications down the
road As a head coach its about being conscious of the whole group and whats best for us long term And thats on and
off the court
Life off the court might actually be a tougher transition for Budenholzer this season than anything hell deal with inside the
Hawks hoops cocoon Hell adjust to a new team franchise and city while his wife Mary Beth and their four children
remain in San Antonio this year
Ill adjust quickly Budenholzer said adding that the initial conversation about leaving San Antonio after 19 years was
filled with mixed emotions all around There is some excitement and nervousness and sadness particularly from the
family Theyre really excited for me but a little nervous about what lies ahead and what the future holds But the idea of
leaving that cocoon and home base naturally there is some uncertainty there But I couldnt be more excited and Im
looking forward to what were going to build here in Atlanta
Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and the author of NBAcoms Hang Time blog You can e-mail him here
Budenholzer IntroducedMike Budenholzer is introduced as the Haw ks new head coach
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
RELATED CONTENT
Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
NBA Draft 2013
Summer League
Free Agent Tracker
Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
Shop for NBA Gear Now
About
About the NBA
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Closed Captioning
Advertise on NBAcom
Important Dates
NBA
One Store Every TeamShop NBAStorecom now
The Official Store of the NBA
NBA TVTune in for the latest
NBA New s and Updates
Follow NBA on FacebookClick here to join the conversation
and connect w ith other fans
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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WNBA
NBA D-League
Ene-be-a
NBATicketscom
NBPAUSA Basketball Youth
NBA City Restaurant
NYC Store
Events
2013 NBA Playoffs
2013 NBA Draft2013 All-Star
2013 Hall of Fame
2013 Summer League
NBA 101
NBA OfficialHistory
Rules of the Game
Officials amp Rulebook
Video Rulebook
NBA Guide
NBA Register
NBA Initiatives
NBA Nation
Jam Session
NBA Cares
NBA Green
NBA FIT
Basketball Without Borders
All-Star Vendor Diversity
NBA Kids
All-Access
Member Center
NBA LEAGUE PASS
Summer League Live
Fantasy Games
NBA Deals and Discounts
HOOP Magazine
Copyright copy 2013 NBA Media Ventures LLC All rights reserved No portion of NBAcom may be duplicated
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
Help | Fan Relations FAQ | Career Opportunities
Turner
NBAcom is part of Turner Sports Digital part of the Turner Sports amp Entertainment Digital Network
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1013
and follow him on twitter
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA its clubs or Turner Broadcasting
SEARCH NEWS
RELATED CONTENT
Meet the Coach Sacramentos Michael Malone
Meet the Coach Phoenixs Jeff Hornacek
Meet the Coach Bostons Brad Stevens
Meet the Coach Charlottes Steve Clifford
Meet the Coach Denvers Brian Shaw
Meet the Coach Brooklyns Jason Kidd
FEATURES
NBA Draft 2013
Summer League
Free Agent Tracker
Hang Time Blog
All Ball Blog
HEADLINES
Whats New
Report Blazers to sign guard Williams
Its official Oden signs his contract with Heat
Heat-Bulls Lakers-Clippers on NBAs opening night
Muhammad sent home from rookie transition program
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
Shop for NBA Gear Now
About
About the NBA
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Closed Captioning
Advertise on NBAcom
Important Dates
NBA
One Store Every TeamShop NBAStorecom now
The Official Store of the NBA
NBA TVTune in for the latest
NBA New s and Updates
Follow NBA on FacebookClick here to join the conversation
and connect w ith other fans
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1213
WNBA
NBA D-League
Ene-be-a
NBATicketscom
NBPAUSA Basketball Youth
NBA City Restaurant
NYC Store
Events
2013 NBA Playoffs
2013 NBA Draft2013 All-Star
2013 Hall of Fame
2013 Summer League
NBA 101
NBA OfficialHistory
Rules of the Game
Officials amp Rulebook
Video Rulebook
NBA Guide
NBA Register
NBA Initiatives
NBA Nation
Jam Session
NBA Cares
NBA Green
NBA FIT
Basketball Without Borders
All-Star Vendor Diversity
NBA Kids
All-Access
Member Center
NBA LEAGUE PASS
Summer League Live
Fantasy Games
NBA Deals and Discounts
HOOP Magazine
Copyright copy 2013 NBA Media Ventures LLC All rights reserved No portion of NBAcom may be duplicated
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
Help | Fan Relations FAQ | Career Opportunities
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NBAcom is part of Turner Sports Digital part of the Turner Sports amp Entertainment Digital Network
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1113
Thunder sign veteran forward Ryan Gomes
LATEST VIDEOS
Whats New
Top 10 Career Plays Brandon Jennings
Count down Brandon Jennings top 10 plays up to this point in his careeer
Miller on Opening Night
Reggie Miller joins GameTime and talks about opening night and the teams who will have an immediate
impact in the 2013-14 NBA season
GameTime Heats 3-Peat Chances
GameTime discusses the Heats chances of winning another championship for the third consecutive time in
the upcoming NBA season
2013-14 NBA Schedule
GameTime unveils the 2013-14 NBA schedule and discusses several marquee matchups for the upcomingNBA season
Rookie Debuts
GameTime talks about the top five NBA Draft picks and when their teams are scheduled make their season
debuts
Shop for NBA Gear Now
About
About the NBA
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Closed Captioning
Advertise on NBAcom
Important Dates
NBA
One Store Every TeamShop NBAStorecom now
The Official Store of the NBA
NBA TVTune in for the latest
NBA New s and Updates
Follow NBA on FacebookClick here to join the conversation
and connect w ith other fans
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1213
WNBA
NBA D-League
Ene-be-a
NBATicketscom
NBPAUSA Basketball Youth
NBA City Restaurant
NYC Store
Events
2013 NBA Playoffs
2013 NBA Draft2013 All-Star
2013 Hall of Fame
2013 Summer League
NBA 101
NBA OfficialHistory
Rules of the Game
Officials amp Rulebook
Video Rulebook
NBA Guide
NBA Register
NBA Initiatives
NBA Nation
Jam Session
NBA Cares
NBA Green
NBA FIT
Basketball Without Borders
All-Star Vendor Diversity
NBA Kids
All-Access
Member Center
NBA LEAGUE PASS
Summer League Live
Fantasy Games
NBA Deals and Discounts
HOOP Magazine
Copyright copy 2013 NBA Media Ventures LLC All rights reserved No portion of NBAcom may be duplicated
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
wwwnbacom2013newsfeaturessekou_smith0806new-coach-series-2013-mike-budenholzer-atlanta-hawks 1313
redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
Help | Fan Relations FAQ | Career Opportunities
Turner
NBAcom is part of Turner Sports Digital part of the Turner Sports amp Entertainment Digital Network
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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WNBA
NBA D-League
Ene-be-a
NBATicketscom
NBPAUSA Basketball Youth
NBA City Restaurant
NYC Store
Events
2013 NBA Playoffs
2013 NBA Draft2013 All-Star
2013 Hall of Fame
2013 Summer League
NBA 101
NBA OfficialHistory
Rules of the Game
Officials amp Rulebook
Video Rulebook
NBA Guide
NBA Register
NBA Initiatives
NBA Nation
Jam Session
NBA Cares
NBA Green
NBA FIT
Basketball Without Borders
All-Star Vendor Diversity
NBA Kids
All-Access
Member Center
NBA LEAGUE PASS
Summer League Live
Fantasy Games
NBA Deals and Discounts
HOOP Magazine
Copyright copy 2013 NBA Media Ventures LLC All rights reserved No portion of NBAcom may be duplicated
8813 Budenholzer hoping Hawks learn finer points of Spurs Way | NBAcom
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redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
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NBAcom is part of Turner Sports Digital part of the Turner Sports amp Entertainment Digital Network
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redistributed or manipulated in any form By accessing any information beyond this page you agree to abide by thePrivacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use bull Ad Choices | Advertise on NBAcom | NBAcom
Help | Fan Relations FAQ | Career Opportunities
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