Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Woodson was expected to be fired following the season, but that became a tougher move after he guided the team to the playoffs and pushed the Boston Celtics to Game 7 in round one.

Instead, the Hawks have rewarded Woodson with a new two-year contract.

The team’s new general manager, Rick Sund, said it took only two weeks for him to become convinced that the team is moving in the right direction.

As the youngest team in the playoffs, the Hawks showed the talent and heart that could make them a force in the Eastern Conference in the coming years.