It’s show and tell time Hawks
CHARLOTTE – Hawks coach Mike Woodson tried to send one to his team early Friday morning.
He warned them that the time for resting on what got them to 34-27 is officially over.
It should have been over weeks ago.
But now that the Hawks have put themselves in a position to either finish what they started or wilt under the pressure of trying to hold on to the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff chase, we’re going to find out what they’re made of.
Charlotte and Detroit are going to provide just the right amount of pressure on these Hawks in the next 48 hours, enough to make them bend and break or stand up and fight for what they’ve been saying for weeks is theirs (home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs).
There’s no reason to do anything other than let them prove it on the floor the next two nights. I’m tired of hearing tough talk about what’s going to happen. They need to show me, and you and everybody else that they’re serious. Shoot, they need to show themselves that they believe all their tough talk.
Because they’re no longer “right where they need to be” and in “a position to handle our business at home” and all those other cliches that have been offered up to explain away their uneven play of the past two months.
It’s show and tell time for the Hawks.
Show us you’re for real and then tell us about it later!
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233 comments Add your comment
rms
March 6th, 2009
9:06 pm
where the heck is sameul and his woodson-loving behind at? come defend ya boy!!!
Mike is back
March 6th, 2009
9:07 pm
Dam otrhawksfan, we call it. How the H do you take Moe out they way JJ and Bibby is playing.
otrhawksfan
March 6th, 2009
9:07 pm
my life line to the game got cut off. well seems like we cant get a rebound tonight so i guess i’m not missing that much.
Clyde
March 6th, 2009
9:09 pm
FIRE WOODY
Rollins Tree
March 6th, 2009
9:10 pm
I have been a Hawks fan for a long time and have to admit that if the front office doesnt make a head coaching change next season Im picking a new team. this is crazy! Stop pretending there is not a problem Hawks nation. Its called WOODSON!!!!!!!!
welikebaseball2
March 6th, 2009
9:10 pm
See? It’s not all on Joe. They’re not running him off any screens. He’s forced to create every shot he gets. Woodson could stand to add a page or 3 to the offensive playbook.
welikebaseball2
March 6th, 2009
9:11 pm
Wow…yet another road loss and down to a half game lead on the Heat…
terrell barron
March 6th, 2009
9:11 pm
It’s over. And Miami is winning. 1/2 game ahead. Uh oh. Fire Woody!!!!!
niremetal
March 6th, 2009
9:16 pm
Sekou,
Heh. Yeah, he went in 30 seconds after I made my post. He was only in there for 3 minutes, got an assist, and then got benched for the rest of the game. But I’m tired of this completely inflexible 8-man rotation that Woody uses regardless of what the exigencies of the game call for. It sounds insane to insist on firing the coach of a team that exceeded expectations, but I still can’t shake the feeling that the Hawks are being set up for a breathtaking collapse at some point – either because injury, fatigue, or failure to make necessary adjustments – unless Woody 1) starts tweaking the rotation, or 2) gets fired. And since we all know 1) isn’t gonna happen…
Tris
March 6th, 2009
9:17 pm
is it me or have you ever seen any player on the hawks run off a screen? bibby made a name for himself in sacramento runnig off screens. woody never put that in his one line of offensive plays.
otrhawksfan
March 6th, 2009
9:19 pm
you are right welikebaseball2, it the same thing lebron does. take the ball off the wing and tries to give him a shot/ hold it hold it hold it now pass off. lebron is so strong that he can pass it across the d. we dont see that here.i want a coach from utah that will bring that tough and gritty o.
Mike is back
March 6th, 2009
9:19 pm
Same ol Hawks, playing with a sense of urgency when the game is out reach, GO FIGURE.
We are back in the game playing great with JJ and Bibby on the bench. Then our coach bring out guys hustling making plays, and put his boys in. They playing worst than Josh, but they get back in the game. The dam Minute Man is killing the team, did anyone see the play when Moe was wide open under the basket, and never looked his way.
Woody propensity for relying too much on JJ and Bibby is sucking the life out of this team, not Josh!!
Tris
March 6th, 2009
9:19 pm
woody can’t coach, but there’s his part-time job. subing as mr. potato head
PD
March 6th, 2009
9:20 pm
I hope these losses are temporary
PD
March 6th, 2009
9:21 pm
Might be time to see what maybe Avery or Saunders or some new guy is doing? Woody can’t draw up a scribble.
Da Real Real
March 6th, 2009
9:22 pm
I hope that the ASG was checking out these last two games. Hey ASG do you see what real coaching can do for you? The Hawks just faced two teams that on paper they are clearly better than and the Hawks not only got out played but we also got OUT COACHED in both games. Doesn’t help that the game was ref’d heavily in favor of CHA but we can’t use that as an excuse anymore. It appears the “Me First” team showed up tonight – can’t wait to see what team shows up tomorrow
jt in dallas
March 6th, 2009
9:23 pm
Why didn’t we just Iso Joe for the last 28 seconds. That’s the regular offencse isn’t it?
rms
March 6th, 2009
9:25 pm
Yes, I am calling you out! If you gonna post you COY banners all over the blog, ya gotta take the heat even when the losses come. Dont just show up when they win!
JM
March 6th, 2009
9:25 pm
Can’t blame this game on Josh, 13pts on 6-10, 4 reb, 1 asst, 2 blks and 2 TO in 22 minutes.
Woodson MUST go!
O'brien
March 6th, 2009
9:27 pm
JJ…41 minutes, 12 points, 5 assists.
Bibby…35 minutes, 14 points, 6 assists.
Not to mention that we play Detroit tomorrow. Why so many minutes Woody? Why?
Rollins Tree
March 6th, 2009
9:27 pm
Cavs and Celtis are on ESPN for those who want to watch some real basketball tonight. Im more ticked off at Hawks front office than anything else. FIRE WOODSON!!!!!!
cp
March 6th, 2009
9:28 pm
I hope I don’t see any more crap about Woodson being C.O.Y. This guy has to go. I guess since him and Josh got into it again that Josh will be sitting in the dog house with the other regulars. I have never seen a team go away from whats working as much as the Hawks. It feels as if Greg Knapp has taken over as the offensive coordinator for this team. Joe got owned tonight by Bell. Marvin looked like Duck tonight. The bench, well the few guys we did use off the bench was whatever. Horford came to play but he couldn’t handle all the size the Bobcats were throwing at him. Pachulia might be the worst defensive player I have ever seen in my life. Miami is winning and Detroit has found their swagger. If we keep this up we might lose this 4th spot.
TskOoOo
March 6th, 2009
9:33 pm
Forget Josh Smith for a second–what the heck is Mike Bibby doing for this team?
When he misses his wild contested shots, he is absolutely useless for this franchise.
We don’t run the break anymore, he can’t make jack!@#$, and thus is the biggest waste of $15 million in the NBA. Step your game up and lose some weight
TskOoOo
March 6th, 2009
9:36 pm
Woodson: “This isn’t about this coaching staff or ownership or anybody else. This is about 15 guys and the commitment they made to each other to come out this year”
He’s right. When we lose, it’s never his fault.
LOLOLOL
Sautee
March 6th, 2009
9:36 pm
It’s about 1:25 to go and we’re down EIGHT and Joe pounds the ball and pounds the ball… we’re down EIGHT… and pounds the ball, and pounds the ball, and eventually gets caught up in traffic and in total desperation flings the ball in Flip’s direction (I guess Bibby wasn’t near) and luckily for us, Flip bails Joe out with a 3.
This was the at least the FOURTH time in this game alone that Joe was bailed out by one of his teammates. What has happened to his decision making?
Down EIGHT, you need the first good shot you can find. Not pounding the ball like it’s the second quarter. Where is the urgency from our All-Star leader?
O'brien
March 6th, 2009
9:37 pm
Felton had 17 points, 10 assists. He outplayed Bibby, but Acie only had 4 minutes.
And Stinger said Diaw was the best player on the floor. The same Diaw who never played well in Woody’s sytem, but yet he played well in Phoenix and is playing well in Charlotte.
And Flip is playing well, but Woody takes him out. So predictable.
Ramon
March 6th, 2009
9:41 pm
For what it is worth, Josh did hit one of his two attempts from beyond the arc. And many of you say you trust Bibby’s judgment. Well, I’m curious to know why during the ESPN interview, the first comment Bibby made about Smooth was that he can hit the 3. Why would a smart, well-coached (B.W. – Before Woody) point guard make a comment like that, if he didn’t think he could. For the the most part Smoove’s 3pt attempts are down, and not killing the team. Smoove takes fewer bad threes than Bibby, JJ, Evans, and Flip. Yet he is criticized the most by bloggers.
Part of Smoove’s frustration comes from JJ and Flip (the primary ball handlers lately) never finding him (with exception to JJ finding him periodically when 3 seconds are on the shot clock) when he’s actually open. The front court are often times put in a position where they have to create for themselves, because the back court never creates for anyone but themselves, except for Bibby. Flip and JJ only sees the need to feed the post when they’re in need of a ‘bailout’. Marvin, Al, or Smoove can score 3 possessions in a row, yet, JJ and Flip will still come down and play one on one for his own shot.
By the way, on many plays when the Hawks are in Iso Joe on the left wing (like they run 30-40% of the game), there’s no other place for Smoove to be but on the perimeter. Horford is taking up the right block, with Bibby at the top of the perimeter, Marvin in the right corner, and Smoove is often times on the right elbow. So after JJ dribbles for 12 seconds, and passes out to Bibby, Bibby is no longer open because the defense recognized that as JJ’s only possible play. That leaves Smoove with the ball in his hand and 2 seconds on the shot clock, many times. Many times in those occasions when he has time, Smoove still swings it to Marvin in the corner. The only person who doesn’t miss more jumpers than Smoove is Marvin. And to make many of your arguments even further unjustified is the fact that Smoove is 2nd of the starters in FG% (and from 3pt land he’s only a few points behind Lamar Odom, Andre Igoudala, and many other players who don’t have to deal with the ‘fans’ the Hawks have). Michael Jordan shot under 30% from 3pt territory in NINE of the seasons he played.
I agree, he should rebound better (although he is averaging 7 boards a game), but how good does his coach do of putting him in a position to rebound, especially when he’s the only player who truly plays transition defense. But his 7 rebounds per game, is only one shy of Brad Miller’s average, and 2 shy of Kaman’s average when he’s been healthy. Yet many of you would trade Smooth for them in a second. Yet everyone fail to acknowledge the fact that Kaman and Miller combined have only played in 78 or more games ONCE.
Many of you place Smooth under the microscope, because we all know he should be the best player on the team. The Hawks have a harder time winning when he’s having a bad game, than when JJ is having a bad game. But I assure you most teams in this league would love to have him. Many say he’s crazy or stupid. But he’s under 25, a multi-millionaire, gets paid to play with a rubber/leather sphere object for only 82 days a year, and then leave thousands of grown men and women conversing about what he did 2 minutes after he did it. No matter what order I say that in, or no matter how I add that up, it doesn’t equal stupidity in my equation.
Harpie
March 6th, 2009
9:42 pm
A pox on the idiot(s) who kept Mike Woodson as coach! All that youthful athleticism going to waste because we have an idiot for a coach….
TskOoOo
March 6th, 2009
9:42 pm
The ASG is a freaking joke. The other night, Mark Cuban calls out his entire team and threatens to get rid of them all if they turn in anymore pathetic performances.
Do our owners give a d@mn about this team? Do they call out players who are detrimental? Does Woody? Is there accountability?
No. This is the most frustrating thing I’ve ever dealt with in my 20 year life.
Mike is back
March 6th, 2009
9:42 pm
Tris, you was right on point with your comments about Woody being out coached. They trapped JJ and attacked Bibby on defense. It’s easy to say the interior defense was weak, but that’s got a lot to do with out weak perimeter defense.
I’m sure coaches around the league love Woody, he’s so predictable on offense. Any wonder why we looked so disjointed on offense.
Now that the Hawks have to win, Maybe we will see some sign of life out of this team.
Hawk73
March 6th, 2009
9:43 pm
Folks, another sad testimony to the inconsistent Hawks. The funny thing is, is that the Bobcats seem to be the better team moving in the right direction at the right time…sounds crazy but that team is on the upswing and the Hawks are just a bunch of passionless fools without a desire to progress. You are viewing regression not progression of this team. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out. Make a change…PLEASE!
Clyde
March 6th, 2009
9:44 pm
The only thing missing from this blog tonight is a nice long post from my boy Ken Strickland. Ken I want you to give me 5 reasons why Woody should get fired.
Looks like the Fire Woody train is running on full steam.
FIRE WOODY
CDawg42
March 6th, 2009
9:45 pm
Maybe someone should start holding HA (Hawks Anonymous) meetings. I’m the ultimate homer and feel like the Hawks are a bad habit I just can’t shake.
Da Real Real
March 6th, 2009
9:47 pm
The usual type comments from Woody after a pathetic game. I said this during the first half when the Hawks were 11 over that Woody was safe but now this team and that team look completely different. This Hawks team would get waxed by the one that started the season. You’re suppose to get better during the year. Why is our guys on offense NEVER end up in a mismatch. Why is it that nobody on the team can get easy opportunities? Then there’s the minutes guys play and the lack of bench. This team is inconsistent we know but we’re inconsistent because this coach of our is inconsistent. Woody can say whatever he wants up by the guys commitment but where is his commitment towards the team???
cp
March 6th, 2009
9:47 pm
Woodson has got to go
Clyde
March 6th, 2009
9:53 pm
I feel your pain CDawg42
FIRE WOODY
CDawg42
March 6th, 2009
9:54 pm
Woody is killing the team’s passion. They know he can’t coach but don’t want to rock the boat so thye keep quiet. Their frustration is starting to show on the floor now in that they play for the most part like they don’t give a d@mn. Seems as if they feel like why give the extra effort when their coach is not holding up his end of the bargain and putting them in a position to be successful on the floor.
Dan
March 6th, 2009
9:57 pm
**Ramon**
Stop it….I am so tired of reading/listening to people defend Josh Smith. I like it when he blocks shots and dunks, too. He has, however, rarely done any of that this season.
HIs jumpers, that you are implying he can hit, miss almost all the time. Plus, I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but I am willing to bet that he is under 30% from three.
The Hawks have wasted so many chances because “Smooth” (I think the nickname should be “Clank”) has to shoot a jumper (which, by the way, he can’t hit) with 15 + seconds on the shot clock.
So, watch the games, man! Josh Smith has been awful this season. He has had his random moments of looking good, but he is not even close to living up to his huge contract.
You know he lost his cool, again, at the half. He is a punk making too much money and he continues to hurt the Hawks way more than he helps them.
Dan
March 6th, 2009
9:58 pm
Sekou,
Are you going to bother to report anything from the locker room tonight? Or, have you already gone home? Would be nice to get some actual enlightenment from the team’s beat writer every now and then…
tired of the childishness
March 6th, 2009
10:00 pm
How long do we have to put up with ‘J Smoove’? Trade the guy, he is an immature, inconsistent, selfish
destroyer of team chemistry. Get rid of him and bring in a true center, if able, so Big Al can move to ‘4′, his true spot.
CDawg42
March 6th, 2009
10:09 pm
Josh is at fault too but I’m telling you guys, Woody is the MAIN problem here. Look at his track record. Guys who stink under him go elsewhere and become consistently good players.
Jamal
March 6th, 2009
10:11 pm
If I was a pigeon I wouldn’t even sh!t on Woodson’s head. He is not even worth it.
dozer
March 6th, 2009
10:12 pm
Will somebody please say it – Josh Smith is a dog with fleas. He’s a head case & a cancer. Everyone needs to get past his so-called talent – he’s a loser and always will be. How many games has he ever taken over?? How many offers did he have in free agency?? Memphis?? What does that tell anyone – he’s been overrated from day one. Show some backbone Woody & sit his butt down.
Jamal
March 6th, 2009
10:13 pm
fire woody
TskOoOo
March 6th, 2009
10:15 pm
While I dislike Smoove, how can you possibly get into an argument with him when he had 13, 4, and 2 in the half?
CDawg42
March 6th, 2009
10:15 pm
FIRE WOODY
Jamal
March 6th, 2009
10:18 pm
Josh is not the reason they lost THIS game.
MAC-TOWN
March 6th, 2009
10:22 pm
The only things that I REALLY enjoy about the hawks now
1) Flip Murray – I like how hard he goes to the hoop and just how hard he balls around, nice solid player
2) I like Horford’s strength and quickness as a PF (not center) …and I believe he could be a force offensively with more touches and confidence
3) Marvin and Acie…I somewhat feel pretty good about them (and their potential)
for everybody else I could careless….just give me a real #1 scorer and a big, good center and I’d be straight.
Da Real Real
March 6th, 2009
10:23 pm
CDawg I agree with what you’re saying about Smoove, especially on a night like tonight. If he was playing that badly why not just sit the rest of the team because the guys played poorly tonight.
The problem is that you’re asking not only Josh, but you’re asking the rest of the team to play in a system that doesn’t fit them and doesn’t put them in a position to do what they do best and succeed. For all we know, we don’t really know what Josh can do because he’s in an offensive system that he doesn’t fit into, the same can be said with Horford, and Marvin.
Harry Hawk
March 6th, 2009
10:25 pm
The fact is that Mike Woodson has probably taken this team as far as he can. If this season ends with a mediocre finish and a first round exit, Woody is gone. There can be no question about that.