Hawks have (internal) moves to make
New York – Joe Smith. Drew Gooden. Luther Head.
With all these players suddenly showing up on the waiver wire, someone emailed today asking where the Hawks were in their pursuit of one of these soon to be (they have to clear waivers first) free agents.
Maybe someone lost the memo, but it’s the same situation as before the trade deadline last month, the Hawks are simply not in a position to make any moves.
They already have 15 men on the roster and under contract, so there aren’t any moves to be made. The team that took the floor against Cleveland Sunday night and then again last night in Washington will be the same one that hits the floor come playoff time.
Whether or not that’s good enough to get through a first round playoff series against the likes of Miami, Detroit or Philadelphia remains to be seen. I don’t know why it wouldn’t be, especially if those teams are set roster-wise, as well. But no one can be sure right now.
That means the Hawks (Hawks coach Mike Woodson to be exact) have to find some ways to tinker and tweak what they already have to give this team a boost. It certainly helps when they can fend off teams like Washington with a shift in production like they had Monday, when Marvin Williams assumed the alpha-dog role normally played by Joe Johnson.
But what about when the big dogs come calling, as will be the case in later this month? Solid playoff teams and playoff contenders won’t be as easily vanquished as the lowly Wizards were at Verizon Center.
Over the course of the next six weeks it would be nice to see Al Horford, Josh Smith, Mike Bibby, Flip Murray and even Mo Evans or Zaza Pachulia try that costume on for a night or two. Anything to throw off the masses before the playoffs, when a team’s every flaw is magnified a million times under the spotlight of the postseason crush.
The more the Hawks spread the wealth the better. And is it me or does Johnson always seem more effective when someone else cranks it up and he can sneak up on a team and smash them with big shots late (as he did to the Wizards)?
There are just too many defenses designed to stop him these days. The two- and three-man pressure sets like Denver used last week are going to be the norm between now and April 15. The Hawks’ best recourse is to spread the responsibility around and allow Williams and others to assume more of a scoring load or at least run the offense through someone other than Johnson for stretches.
The best move the Hawks can make at this point is to stretch that roster out (I know teams normally shorten the rotation this time of year, but the opposite could work in this case) and throw a few trick plays at teams scouting them.
Because up to this point they’ve been an open book. Teams know it’s Joe Johnson left, Joe Johnson right and Joe Johnson up the middle on nearly every play. An advance scout for a team the Hawks could meet in the playoffs told me as much before Sunday night’s game against Cleveland.
“They’re like one of those three yards and a cloud of dust football teams,” my scout friend said. “Clear out this side and clear out that side and we’re going to run that sucker right up the middle and dare the other team to stop us. That’s the way they play offense under Woody. When it works, you can’t do anything to stop them. But when it doesn’t, they have a hard time. And in the playoffs, teams are going to do whatever they can to take away your main stuff and try and force you into your alternative options. Right now, I really can’t tell you what those other options are. When they’re at home they feed off their crowd and they run more, they share the ball more and they play more up-tempo. But on the road, it’s not as easy. And correct me if I’m wrong, they beat Boston all three games at home during that series last year but couldn’t find their footing on the road, right?”
That’s exactly right.
So it turns out that the Hawks do have a few moves to make. Just not the kind that seem so sexy right now with all the talk about contenders adding players for the playoff push.
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263 comments Add your comment
Harry Hawk
March 4th, 2009
10:39 pm
This explains how to link a page on here.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 4th, 2009
10:39 pm
Oh snap! I can bold and italicize again!
‘Preciate it, Harry.
Harry Hawk
March 4th, 2009
10:40 pm
Here’s a site with the bold and strong tags explained.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 4th, 2009
10:42 pm
Link
bigdave
March 4th, 2009
10:43 pm
cosign jt…
Bibby is a shooting guard at this point in his career…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 4th, 2009
10:43 pm
What if i try to link, bold, and italic at the same time?
tiger woo
March 4th, 2009
10:44 pm
bigdave,
It’s not Miami’s offense that is the difference – it’s Dwayne Wade. 35 pts. 16 assists tonight. Talk about taking over a game! Penetrate – dish off or finish with authority. Forget it – I don’t know why I’m comparing Joe and D-Wade anyway – no comparison.
Harry Hawk
March 4th, 2009
10:46 pm
As you can see, Najeh, it works.
cp
March 4th, 2009
10:47 pm
I had the Knicks feed and the commentators were saying the same thing many have said on here. Joe tends to dribble too much and hold onto the ball. This has been said by a lot of guys on here so I don’t see why a few guys are taking offense to it. It is true. When Joe over dribbles it does hurt our offense. Tonight we were at our best when attacking the rim but once again we went away from that and started launching jumpers. Woodson will find another reason not to give Law significant minutes in the next game. If Bibby is still sick or hurt then it makes no sense not to get Law at least 15 to 20 minutes. What did Solo do to get put back in the doghouse?
Reggie
March 4th, 2009
10:52 pm
There is no doubt that Joe dribbles the ball way too much. The problem a lot of the times is that nobody is moving around to let him create something. Why are there no screens or cuts or picks for Joe going on? What is the problem? After a while with Joe constantly having to bang in and in he is going to get tired. The teammates are doing nothing for Joe to make it a little easier on him. I’m not sure if that’s Woody’s fault or the players on the courts fault. That is the main problem with our offense is how stable we are on the floor. It gets frustrating seeing a bunch of guys just standing around until about 6 on the shot clock.
Sekou K. Smith
March 4th, 2009
10:55 pm
Josh Smith was on the training table in the locker room after the game being checked out by a doctor. It appears he might be suffering from the same viral infection that has hit Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby and Acie Law IV already this past month. More craziness. I’m taking some Nyquil and hitting the sack myself. See you all in the morning from practice at the Garden.
Harry Hawk
March 4th, 2009
10:56 pm
Woody’s an ineffective coach. Tonight was a prime, shining example. Either he doesn’t see what’s going on in a game…or he can’t get his players to do what they need to do.
Reggie
March 4th, 2009
10:57 pm
Tiger in part it is Miami’s offense. Now i know Joe is no Wade but Miami’s offense is always setting picks for Wade and having off ball screens and cuts to the middle and opening up a lane for him so he can take over a game. That’s what the Lakers do for Kobe, the Cavs for LBJ, and what the Wizards did so well for Gilbert. Joe isn’t these guys but he can put up a better performance if he had the help. That’s why I don’t see Joe in the a Hawks uni after 2010
otrhawksfan
March 4th, 2009
11:08 pm
okay we will see solo play since josh is sick. is this the 1st time the hawks have played the bobcats since all the trades?
Astro Joe
March 4th, 2009
11:09 pm
I don’t want italics and I certainly don’t want to bold.
tiger woo
March 4th, 2009
11:14 pm
Reggie,
It’s very simple – Joe is not athletic enough to do the things offensively that D-Wade, Kobe, and LeBron can do, even if the lane opens up for him. Joe would be a good # 2 guy – like Scottie was to Michael. He simply doesn’t have the tools necessary to take over a game and go crazy and drop 40 at any given time like D-Wade, Kobe, and LeBron can do.
rms
March 4th, 2009
11:38 pm
I just got home and heard the Hawks just got it handed to them! I figured they were going to lose. We should be used to this by now. Our offense is just shooting jumpshots. We look like a good team when we are hitting the 3 and nailing the jumpshot, but look awful when we are missing the shots. Why is a sick and ineffective Bibby playing almost 40 min. and your healthy backup PG comes in a does better in 3 minutes than Bibby does all game. Thats our Woody. COY, right Samuel!!
Da Real Real
March 4th, 2009
11:38 pm
Viral disease huh? Boy I tell you it keeps better and better for these Hawks. I don’t care what the Knicks commentators were saying because they know that we’re better then what we showed tonight and the last time we played up there….has the Knicks played in Atlanta yet??? I’m pretty sure that the Hawks would knock the Knicks around if they played in Atlanta, but it’s time for this team to grow past that point. They go around talking about that #4 seed like it’s an major accomplishment in a way I guess it is, however there’s no reason this team should go out and lay an egg the way it did tonight against a team like the Knicks who were supposed to be a “depleted” team.
rms
March 4th, 2009
11:39 pm
Whats up with this funky new blog site. Where is Sekou hiding anyway?
rms
March 4th, 2009
11:41 pm
Just got home and can see the Hawks just had it handed to them. Where is our beloved Samuel with his Woody=COY banner?
Big Ray
March 4th, 2009
11:41 pm
Reggie, if Josh is stupid for charging to the basket against three defenders when he can jump over most of them, then what does that make Joe for doing the same thing…when he can’t jump over much of anybody?
Big Ray
March 4th, 2009
11:42 pm
Clearly, I have NOT figured out this bold and link stuff
Big Ray
March 4th, 2009
11:43 pm
dadgummit
Big Ray
March 4th, 2009
11:44 pm
Meant to say bold and italics
Big Ray
March 4th, 2009
11:45 pm
With the playoffs on the horizon, Woodson said there’s no way he can run his players into the ground with so much basketball still to be played.
Now how many times have we heard this?
“Josh really has to start thinking about double digits every night. And there is no reason that he can’t or shouldn’t be grabbing that many rebounds a night.”
In a nutshell…
dmortone
March 5th, 2009
12:07 am
Is it just me or does it seem like every other week some player is getting their season highs against us? Gallinari, I think Bellinelli from GS got his, did JaVale McGee get a season high boards against us? Chauncy Billups got his second highest point total of the season against us.
That’s all I can think of off the top of my head, but I know there are other examples. Good work for our defensive-minded head coach.
kirkinga
March 5th, 2009
12:57 am
Disappointing loss for the Hawks tonight. The Knicks simply are not a better team and the Hawks should’ve won this game.
March is upon and the Hawks have to start playing better. I’m concerned, but not overly worried;then again I predicted 35-45 wins so they are still on target to meet my preseason expectations.
I think the players “are feeling it” a little bit and are sluggish. I also believe they will play their way out of it and will end up in descent playoff position. But unless they start playing better on the road it’s not going to matter.
Yuck, that’s really all I can say to describe tonight.
Go Hawks!!
Harry Hawk
March 5th, 2009
12:57 am
Just imagine if Bargnani, Belinelli and Gallinari were all going up against us. We’d be like the heads of the Five Families. Not pretty.
Rollins Tree
March 5th, 2009
1:28 am
Nuh nuh nuh nuh. Nuh nuh nuh nuh. Hey hey hey. Goodbye!
We are going to be booted first round of the playoffs yall!!! Im picking a new team to cheer for if Woodson is back next season. Too much talent here to be wasted like it is. I stand by what I said in December…… new head coach and we are the number two or three seed in the East next year. AND WIN ON THE ROAD!!!!!!
Hms
March 5th, 2009
3:22 am
35-45 wins is a big gap. That is two totally different teams. Talk about a safe prediction.
dap01
March 5th, 2009
8:23 am
What kind of ailment does Woody have? The Hawks are dead in the water.
Sautee
March 5th, 2009
9:04 am
italics bold
Sautee
March 5th, 2009
9:06 am
So does using italics and bold slow down the post?
Sautee
March 5th, 2009
9:07 am
Apparently it does, but only momentarily.
Daniel
March 5th, 2009
9:07 am
Alright, I gotta vent.
Horrible game last night…
Nobody played with any defensive intensity, Josh has become a turnover waiting to happen. He honestly looks like the rest of his teamates have lost confidence in him. If gets the ball, it goes nowhere.
Hey, Flip! If you get the ball at the end of a half or quarter can you do something besides driving and losing the ball?
Gee Acie, maybe if you played like those garbage minutes a little more, you might be a little more valuable.
Woodson, why do you not dress down your team? Pull all the starters in the 3rd quarter. That was an embarassing coaching job.
To the team as a whole, you represent not just yourselves, but a city and its fanbase. Show a little more respect to us.
Right now, none of you are worthy of our city’s name.
Punks!
ps. I love the Hawks and tend to be an apologist. I am just mad as heck and I don’t want to take it anymore
Sautee
March 5th, 2009
9:13 am
Hms
I agree,although I thought I remembered that Kirk’s predicted range was 40-45 games. Maybe that changed since October. No wait, Kirk wouldn’t have changed, it wouldn’t be fair.
Just stick pokin’ there Kirk. Glad to see you’re still out there. I guess you’ve been hanging with DOB lately.
Sautee
March 5th, 2009
9:16 am
Well obviously, the bold didn’t work like I thought it might. I was trying to just bold Hms.
This may take a little work.
Astro Joe
March 5th, 2009
9:23 am
I heard your coach on the radio this morning being interviewed by the 680 The Fan crew. Among the highlights… he and his coaching staff don’t want to put too much pressure on the guys regarding free throw shooting. They want them to feel confident when they go to the line. They work on it in practice but it sounds like no one is yelling at them about being the second-to-the-worse team in the league in that ctaegory (anyone thonk that will bite us int he playoffs?) He mentioned that the team is losing the rebound battle most nights and that all 5 players on the court have to focus on rebounding and not just 1-2 guys. And he talked about how well Marvin has played this season. Oh yeah, he did one of his famous “I could have done better” lines when talking about using his bench last night. “Some of the starters looked spent and I could have done a better job of using Solomon and Acie in last night’s game”.
As sure as I need to lose a few dozen pounds, Woody is going to do whatever is neccessary to retain that #4 slot… even if he has to go with a 6-man rotation. He has a singular focus on that goal and if Miami/Detroit pass us by even a half-game, expect Joe and Bibby to start having 45+ minutes games.
terrell barron
March 5th, 2009
9:35 am
Hey Smoove, I learned this concept from an old b-ball coach back in the early 80’s. Maybe it will work for you?? It’s called the B.E.E.F concept.
Astro Joe
March 5th, 2009
9:35 am
Sorry, some tools shouldn’t be put in the hands of amateurs… like italics. My bad.
Melvin
March 5th, 2009
9:36 am
Astro,
the sad thing about your statement is that playing Joe and Bibby 45+ mins doesn’t guarantee us a win anyway..
terrell barron
March 5th, 2009
9:39 am
Hey Smoove, I learned this from an old coach back in the early 80’s. It’s called the B.E.E.F concept. Here we go: Balance, Eye on target, Elbow in, Follow through. Again: Balance, Eye on target, Elbow in, Follow through. Got it?
Astro Joe
March 5th, 2009
9:42 am
<strong?Melvin, true that. But we remember what happened last year, Woody went with Chill and Zaza and pretty much nothing else to get the team in the playoffs. The good news, I guess, is that he is more likely to go with 8 and not 7. But it sure would be nice for him to think “I will play 9 guys every game and the 9th guy will be based on the game situation. If we’re getting out-rebounded, Solo may get some run. If we need better on-ball defense on the PG, Acie (or Speedy) gets some love. He needs to view the 9th guy as a specialty player… someone who addresses a specific issue.
terrell barron
March 5th, 2009
9:46 am
Miami hs Toronto on Friday, and Detroit has GS. 5th or 6th seed here we come.
Hms
March 5th, 2009
9:48 am
Yet it is likely to happen all the same. 4th seed or bust.
, I am not sure of what the original prediction was but 35-45 wins is as safe a prediction as there is.
35 or 36 wins is a team that is worse than last year. 37 wins is a team that is the same as last year. 38-40 wins is better than last year but not a winning record, 41 wins is a team with a .500 record, and 42-45 wins is a winning team and more or less significantly better than last year.
So you see, predicting between 35-45 wins is no different than saying that the team will be worse, as good, or better than last year. What sort of prediction is that? One that covers most, if not all the bases. In other words not a prediction at all, or a straw one at that. A clever but transparent move. Heads I win, tails you lose and that sort of thing. This blog is entertaining.
Hms
March 5th, 2009
9:49 am
Last comment directed to .
Hms
March 5th, 2009
9:50 am
Last comment directed to Sautee.
terrell barron
March 5th, 2009
9:50 am
7th seed here we come.
Hms
March 5th, 2009
9:51 am
Sautee. This forum is difficult to deal with as far as the features it uses.
Daniel
March 5th, 2009
9:53 am
Terrell,
I am very disappointed with this team right now. see above comments, but they will hold onto the 4th seed. They have the easiest remaing schedule and Miami and Detroit are not any better.