Home sweet home?
How loud does Joe Johnson have to holler before someone shows up to see the Hawks rock the house at Philips Arena?
HAWKSVILLE - Ask Joe Johnson the difference between the Hawks at Philips Arena and elsewhere and he’ll give you a simple answer.
“This is home for us and we have to act like it,” he said. “So we’re feeding off our fans like anybody would in this situation. Our crowd is where we get our energy. That’s what’s fueling us right now. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
A 25-7 home record can be improved to 26 tonight with a win over Sacramento. That would push the Hawks’ record on their current seven-game home stand to 6-0, one win away from matching the seven they piled up (with just one loss) during a December home stand they used to vault to a 21-10 start to this season.
Still, it’s hard for me to imagine Johnson bragging about the home crowd when there have been so many empty seats lately. So this is what home sweet home looks like?
It’s strange, for all the bellyaching that’s gone on (here and elsewhere) about wanting a legitimate NBA team to root for in this town, it seems few people are actually willing to venture out to Philips Arena to see it in person.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking anyone that roots from afar. In these economic times, watching the Hawks in HD from the crib is every bit as righteous as showing up for games. If the choice is making your car payment or buying those Hawks tickets, there’s really no choice. And unlike Polow Da Don, Jeezy, Dream, Ciara and all the other A-listers that show up most every night, funds for things like Hawks games are limited these days.
It’s just that there have been sellouts for certain teams and then crickets for others. Again, nothing out of the ordinary when the Hawks were a laughingstock. I just thought it would change now, with them being a legitimate playoff team.
Polow and Jeezy are down with the Hawks ...
The Hawks have had just nine sellouts this season. They are averaging 16,494 fans, which is impressive when some of the league’s stalwarts (Detroit and Sacramento) are struggling to put fannies in the seats. I guess I just expected more with all the chatter about wanting a big time team to fit a city that felt it was so deserving.
I’m sure this conversation will be useless next week, when the Celtics and Lakers are in town. But that has as much and more to do with the opponents than it does the Hawks, who are still chasing that 50-win pipe dream like it’s a possibility – even if cats like me abandoned the mere mention of such foolishness weeks ago.
The worst part for local fans who have suffered through years of frustration is that you haven’t had a chance to see your team play lights out basketball the past week. However fantastic it looks on the screen, it looks even better in person. As the Portland game ended Sunday I turned and chatted up some of the regulars who sit behind me every game and they said as much.
... Cici is too!
Once the playoffs start there’s no doubt in my mind the city of Atlanta will represent. That’s never going to be a problem. But on nights like tonight, when the lowly Kings stroll into town, you can count the people in the stands for the national anthem on two hands (this is Atlanta and unless it’s Kobe or LeBron, the crowd will arrive fashionably late as always).
Then again, it’s taken the Hawks the better part of a decade to crawl out of obscurity and back into the realm of the relevant in the NBA. Maybe we should allow the same for the crowds at the building formerly known as the Highlight Factory.
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306 comments Add your comment
BA
March 17th, 2009
3:35 pm
If filling the seats were a priority for Hawks ownership, they would cut ticket, parking and concession prices. The cheap seats look full on most nights.
Willie Coyote
March 17th, 2009
3:38 pm
I come when I can (about 9-10 games this year). I don’t like to get season tickets to NBA games since you never know when you might play Cleveland and have three of LeBron’s biggest fans ref the game…don’t want to spend my money on a league that thinks a dress code is more important than things like that.
That being said, I will likely attend one or two more games and some of the playoffs because I love this team regardless of what the Association does.
Sekou K. Smith
March 17th, 2009
3:43 pm
Your flat screen must really be the lick BA, because those “cheap seats” aren’t full most nights. And I’m with you Willie C. Go when you can and enjoy it to the fullest. Like I said, I’m not knocking anyone that doesn’t show up. I just think it’s interesting, given all the consternation about this team and their performance over the past few years. Now that they’re finally a quality NBA team, it seems like no one is around to enjoy it in person.
ValdostaMike
March 17th, 2009
3:51 pm
Nice article, Sekou. I am one of those FSN/FSS HD fans… But I have to give it to the fans who are showing up. They are very loud and supportive of the HOME team. On TV it looks as if the announced attendance is a joke, with many disguised as empty seats. But those that are there have passion.
Ryno
March 17th, 2009
3:56 pm
I’m saving up for playoff tickets. I know the team plays better when the crowd is going crazy – but i’d rather pay a little more for playoff tickets when the game matters most.
Go Hawks!
Marcus
March 17th, 2009
4:00 pm
Great as always Sekou.
I do lament the few HOME come-from-ahead losses that got away, like CLE (by 1) and BOS (by 1 or 2) and PHX. Like Terrence Moore said in his recent piece, we are working towards building something and we are not completely there yet, but we had a few HOME and AWAY “L’s” over the course of the season that could have put us in position to be breathing down ORL’s neck for the No. 3 spot.
Ow well, I am just glad not to be in contention for the draft lottery. LOL.
Go Hawks.
Lori
March 17th, 2009
4:03 pm
I’m a HUUUUUUUUUUUGE Hawks fan and let me tell you if I lived in Atlanta I would be at every single home game and playoff game. I love my team and I will go out on a limb and say this: Hawks in the finals? You heard it here first. I have so much love and confidence in my team that I can sit here and say we have a quality team with a bunch of heart. Perhaps the most heart out of all of the other NBA teams. Maybe just maybe that heart will lead us to the big dance. I think it is possible. Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, Josh Smith, Zaza Pachulia, Flip Murray, Marvin Williams, Acie Law, Al Horford, Mario West, Thomas Gardner, Solomon Jones, and the rest of the crew, I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for a great season and most importantly a great week. No matter what happens now just know that you have my support. I will be watching tonight with a happy smile on my face. Don’t disappoint me against those Kings!!!
Marcus
March 17th, 2009
4:06 pm
Sekou,
Sidenote: if you were a Hawks scout, which prospects would be on the radar as a potential 1st round selection based on our needs after 3/4 of the season having been played?
Kyle
March 17th, 2009
4:14 pm
I love the Hawks too, but Hawks in the Finals? No way Lori!! It is feasible but I think Cleveland is too powerful. We need a true center. Move Al to PF, Josh at SF.
Mash
March 17th, 2009
4:28 pm
I hear ya about the lacking crowds Sekou. But I think the streaming in late comment has more to do with the early 7:00 start times, especially in the springtime here. The weather’s just too nice here in the spring to tart games at 7:00. They may need to consider going back to a 7:30 start time once daylight savings time hits.
Go Hawks!
ant banks
March 17th, 2009
4:35 pm
i am a season tix holder!! i am goin’ to the game whether they play a big team or not!! i am a die hard ATL fan. i wish more fan would come out but i do understand why they don’t, with the economy in the shape that it is in.
it would be nice if ASG would have $10 uppers and 25 lowers for the rooty-poot games. they would make money on concessions, parkin’ etc.
ValdostaMike
March 17th, 2009
4:36 pm
Kyle,
“Josh to SF”. huh? Our problems begin when he thinks he is a SF. He is too good a rebounder and not a good enough shooter. I believe we need more depth at 4 and 5.
JMHO
ant banks
March 17th, 2009
4:37 pm
BRAVESFAN79… you are on the wrong blog! rush limbaugh’s or sean hannity site wasn’t up today?
doc
March 17th, 2009
4:41 pm
sekou, i have encouraged folks in the past few posts to come out. with that said and even though the crowds have been thin and ba it is even thin where the thin air is, the hawks’ fans have been rallying behind this team with some noise. it hasnt been close to the noise level of the playoffs but it has been raucous for a crowd as small as they have been on some nights. so i agree with joe that there have been folks there that do more than sit on their hands and speak in a whisper.
Gilley
March 17th, 2009
4:42 pm
Personally, I would be at every Hawks game if I had tickets but I have become somewhat comfortable watching it on television and surfing the net and flipping the channels simultaneously. I agree home court is important but its that diffusion of responsibility where we expect those who get the free tickets from their jobs to uilize them or give them out to people when they are not going.
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
4:44 pm
Sekou, I have made that 3hr trip to the ATL several times this season and I will be back for the Lakers, Celtics and Magic games before the regular season is over. And I will be down for the weekend playoffs games as well. Hopefully, we can go deep into the playoffs b/c I dont mind spending more $$$ to support my favorite team. Especially we they are winning….
Go Hawks
Gilley
March 17th, 2009
4:49 pm
If all goes as planned and we see the Dwayne Wade and the Heat in the first-round then it’s going to be a serious need for crowd support. Well that goes for any team but Wade is a superstar and has proven he can carry a team and beat a team by himself. So I can still kind of concerned about the Hawks and the Heat in that matchup but hope the front court duo of Josh and Al continue to thrive and Joe Johnson keeps up his great play and we play defense.
But how do we win on the road? Like what were the common factors in our 14 or so road wins. I would like to say defense but what else because we need to go over these things when we play on the road
Lacsho
March 17th, 2009
5:02 pm
I was just thinking about this the other day. However, I was going in the other direction. I was going to say the season ticket holders are really getting their money’s worth this season. Hopefully I’ll be able to purchase season tickets for the 09/10 season.
Whatz good Banks….
jj
March 17th, 2009
5:08 pm
I would like for the Hawks to do some creative thinking like the Braves where they have special ticket packages that allow you to pay 40 dollars and get a 2 for 1 and also there were 2 free tickets in the package.I know basketball season is different from baseball,but what i’m saying is get creative.Man it’s rough out here for some of us true Hawk Fans. We are living in strange times right now and I for one love what The Hawks bring to my day in HD.
fudd21
March 17th, 2009
5:08 pm
Lascho I’ll go half with you and we split the tickets up 21 apiece.
Bob
March 17th, 2009
5:10 pm
I love to go out and support our Hawks! I just cant. Being 14, living about an hours drive from Atlanta, its hard to get to games. I wish I could go to more! I’m going to try and go out to support the Hawks against the Heat in their final home game!!! And then, maybe the playoffs!!! Let’s go Hawks!!!!
The murf
March 17th, 2009
5:11 pm
What the heck is a Polow and a Jeezy?
Anyway, go hawks, hang onto that four seed!
Astro Joe
March 17th, 2009
5:12 pm
I went to more games during the 13 win season (when I had more money) than in this near-glorious season. I’ll be there next week (I think) and I have started wrapping pennies for a playoff visit. But all you need to see is all of the closed up businesses on the way to Philips to understand that it is less about not supporting the home team as they rise from the ashes but more about being responsible to the priorities of life.
MAC-TOWN
March 17th, 2009
5:29 pm
BravesFan79, you dont want the league to go under do you? All those black criminals that are let free then might break into your home and interfere with your family threesomes and nascar watching.
Arts' Jokers
March 17th, 2009
5:52 pm
I’m sorry Sekou but BA’s screen is “the lick”? Very nice. Oh, it’s good to see a Nascar shout on your blog too!
War-N P 82
March 17th, 2009
5:55 pm
I agree with the last part of your quote Sekou. I think since the hawks have been not a factor for the past decade that’s it is going to take a few seasons of playoff competitive basketball for the fanbase to build back up. Atlanta will always be a football first town, but if the hawks keep the progress and and maintain there is a enough NBA fans in this town to have an INTENSE following
Rod from College Park
March 17th, 2009
6:00 pm
The 7:00 start times have a lot to do with the stands being empty at the start of the games. You can’t get anywhere in Atlanta by 7:00. Too much traffic. The other fact is most of the people, especially in the club section go to the games to be fashionable, and they are not really Hawks fans. They just want to people watch, and mingle. Most of the real fans are at home blogging away incorrect information about Marvin Williams, or watching games on the NBA package. Actually, it might be a good thing that the real fans can’t get to the games, because Mike Woodson would probably need extra security.
Arts' Jokers
March 17th, 2009
6:14 pm
Could be worse. We could be hosting a US World Baseball Classic game.
MannyT
March 17th, 2009
6:16 pm
Here’s where I’ll stand up for the season ticket holder. (In a way it is also standing up for the ASG. That part cracks me up, but they haven’t ruined my interest in baskeetball–yet.)
Let’s look at the least expensive lower level seat in a different way.
It’s not an afterthought for most to justify $2,000. But here’s what you get.
Breaking it into its components, it’s just under $50/game for:
http://www.nba.com/hawks/tickets/09_STH_Renewal_2.html
I like the opportunity for tax write off of the sucky games–turn the tickets in early for charity.
And you can spread the payments out over 8 months, so it’s less of a hit to the bank account.
When they roll out managment for exclusive events, it usually includes decent food.
There will not be a ticket to be had (at face value) for Boston or LA next weekend. Some folks will pay for half of a season ticket just to get into those games. Get the season ticket and sell off the 80% you don’t want. You will come out ahead.
All that said, I do a group thing where several single ticket holders sit near each other. We work out swaps among ourselves as needed.
Sure you can spend a lot on concession food, or you can eat before you go in. Much better dining options just outside Philips Arena than the Ga Dome or Turner Field.
BWAF
War-N P 82
March 17th, 2009
6:16 pm
Yeah good point about the fake fans Rod, Atlanta does kind have that Hollywood of the south think going were people show up late and leave early, which does kind of bum me out. One of the best moves Arthur Blanc did upon buying the falcons was to slash ticket prices right away. This got fans in the gates that couldnt go otherwise. Once the ownership dispute gets settled maybe they could try a similar tactic, and get more REAL fans in the building
Mychelfromatl
March 17th, 2009
6:16 pm
BravesFan79, you’re cleary on the wrong blog dude.
Mychelfromatl
March 17th, 2009
6:18 pm
typo^^^^”clearly”.
Jed
March 17th, 2009
6:24 pm
Too bad they aren’t even filling the cheap seats, b/c those seats are NOT BAD! Better than mid-level seats at the OMNI in my opinion.
Rollins Tree
March 17th, 2009
6:46 pm
The Kings are 14 and 52? Didn’t we lose to them on the west coast trip recently? Daaang!
Make up for it tonight!!!
Rollins Tree
March 17th, 2009
6:46 pm
Omni? Thats old school!!
Blast
March 17th, 2009
6:55 pm
Reasons that stands are not full every game are numerous. First, the fans will attend games againts the elite teams, but they will not attend every game, which could bring us to the next reason, the economy. Times are really hard, people. I work in a service sector, and I know how bad things are for my customers. Personally, I would love to see 60% of the Hawks games, but I just cannot afford it, and the 7pm start time is kind of early for me.
Also fans will come when the Hawks start winning consistently. When fans come fully expecting the Hawks to dominate every night. I don’t want to spend my money to see my team lose. Hawks are not quite there yet.
Lower level tickets are too high. I paid $85 to sit behind the rim the night Hawks snapped Cleveland’s 11 game winning streak. Hawks do offer some discounts, a rep sent me a nice package deal after the game, but there were good chances I would not make all those games. Again, can’t pay for what you end up not using. Hawks need broader discounts.
About the fans and noise, it’s great to know that they give their all everytime no matter how scanty they are. Philips is a GREAT home base when it’s full. That building is electric, and must count as one of the loudest arenas when full. It was mentioned earlier that opposing teams have more fans attending than home fans. That is simply not true anymore. A bunch of folks were flying the Cavs colors that night, but they soon sat down and shut up the moment Hawks began to roll. Home crowd went berserk!
Won’t lie, it’s fun watching at home, though. You can blog, do other stuff during almost 3 hours of basketball. I am commited to seeing more games this season now, and some playoffs too.
Hawks in the finals? Oh, so nice to dream…
BravesFan, you hate black people? You think we are all scrubs? Your president is a black man. Most athletes in American sports that gives you so much pleasure are black. As bloggers have said, you are on the wrong blog. Time for that kind of nonsense is over, dude.
niremetal
March 17th, 2009
7:00 pm
It’s tough to commute to Phillips Arena from Silver Spring, MD
. But I actually have gone to both of the Hawks’ games in DC this year. Next year, I plan to go to any games they play in Philly (which is where I’ll have my first grown-up job…heh).
Blast
March 17th, 2009
7:10 pm
For those who can, it’s far easier, cheaper, and less stressful to take Martha. I parked my car at a train station nearby and paid 4 bucks to ride the train. The train drops you right inside the arena, but bring a book to read, or an Ipod, web phone, whatever. The benefits? No driving, no paid parking, no traffic. Less pollution. We help out the Hawks and Martha, doing our best to contribute to the economic recovery plan, heh, heh, heh…
Games to watch out for tonight. Magic/Cavs. Pistons/Mavs. Philly/Lakers.
Game Time!
mo
March 17th, 2009
7:12 pm
dang, phillips IS empty, good call sekou
rms
March 17th, 2009
7:12 pm
I’m always broke! Thats my excuse!!!! hehe
Astro Joe
March 17th, 2009
7:17 pm
niremetal, cool. My sister lives off Georgia Ave. in the city limits of DC. I’m hoping to get up to visit her this summer…. I need a cheap place for a family vacation. It’s either hang with my sister or drive around 285 6 times and tell my boys that we’re someplac3e new (Six Flags).
Blast
March 17th, 2009
7:19 pm
Hawks need to watch out for Martin and the Kings tonight. That team has nothing to lose and would love to snap Hawks streak.
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
7:19 pm
Hawks down 10 early. They need to step up the intensity….
mo
March 17th, 2009
7:23 pm
this game looks like its being played in SLOWMOTION
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
7:27 pm
Hawks better think twice if they think Sac is going to lay down and take a beating….
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
7:31 pm
Bibby look like he has the touch tonite…
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
7:39 pm
5 turn overs and JJ just won’t quit shooting.
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
7:41 pm
Al and Josh are killing the Kings in the paint…
kirkinga
March 17th, 2009
7:41 pm
Thanks for the new blog Sekou.
I certainly hope that I am not the only one who took a few seconds to click the “Report this comment” link in order to remove BravesFan 79’s vile comments. This is not the first time, nor the second. It is time to take a stand and report his behind.
He gets away with it on the Braves/MIB blog, they just laugh and he continues with his behavior, but here I would like to think people would like to keep this blog free of such mess.
Ok, off my soapbox.
Go Hawks!!
Blast
March 17th, 2009
7:44 pm
How many dunks Hawks gonna get tonight? Kings playing well, but not much defence. All Hawks have to do is crank up the defence and they take this game. Not much defence by either team so far. Hawks too many turnovers. Go Acie! 3!
bigdave
March 17th, 2009
7:46 pm
funny…
glad to see the anti-Joe comments back… knew it wouldn’t be long before Joe had an off to a slow start and folks would be back on his a$s…
Sautee
March 17th, 2009
7:47 pm
Good Job Kirk.
Could Horford have a triple double tonight?
Certainly has a good start.
ray
March 17th, 2009
7:53 pm
I won’t even lie. If I live in, around, or near the ATL, I would probably have season tickets. Complain, gripe, moan, I would have up-close view of Woody’s shining dome.
BravesFan79 must’ve been one of the cops fired from the Rodney King beating. I sure wish he’d stand up tall and proud, wearing one of those signs like Bruce Willis had on in the beginning of Die Hard 3: Die Hard With a Vengeance.
I’d buy tickets to see that one. Difference is the Bruce Willis was forced to do so through a terrorist threat. BravesFan79 has a sign like that at home, no doubt. He’d proudly wear it right up until the first Yukon Denali on 26s pulled over behind him….
Blast
March 17th, 2009
7:58 pm
Kings helping us out with all these tech’s. Hawks need to make the free throws, though. Al is on fire! 7 dunks and counting!
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
8:00 pm
Big AL is killing them….
ray
March 17th, 2009
8:01 pm
Youch. Joe’s a bit cold…but Al and Bibby ain’t!!
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
8:03 pm
Blast I guess Al was having too much fun getting dunks b/c Woody took him out for Solo. Not sure if I would have took his hot hand out of the game although I like to see Solo on the court….
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
8:04 pm
Nice drive to the hoop by Joe…
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
8:05 pm
Solo serves up a Facial…..
Blast
March 17th, 2009
8:11 pm
Al had to get some rest, Melvin, but he’ll be back tall and strong. A triple from him would be nice! And Al said it all. Lock down on defence and Kings not playing any. It’s a Hawk’s dunkfest out there!
Blast
March 17th, 2009
8:18 pm
Joe not scoring much so far, but I like that he’s now going to the hole. Kings will foul you, hence all the three point plays or could have been, the foul troubles and reaching penalty early for Kings. Joe is now racking up the assists, though.
Kings looking to push the ball.
Joe has two field goals and Hawks leading by 9?
Go Hawks, Go!
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
8:19 pm
Dunk fest indeed…. I’m a little surprise Woody didn’t give Super Mario any mins….
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
8:20 pm
Fan and feed the front court. This is what we’ve been talking about. What a start for Al and Josh.
bigdave, Love JJ and Bibby, just think they shoot a higher shooting percentage when they shoot jumpers of the drive and kick. Like it even better when they drive.
Hawksfan
March 17th, 2009
8:23 pm
I wish I lived in Atlanta so I could be a season ticket holder. But unfortunately, I live 2 1/2 hours away and a full time college student. I try to make it up to the ATL for at least 1 game a month. My March game will be against the Lakers. I am so proud of the Hawks this season. There will no problem with attendance when the playoffs roll around. Does anyone know when the playoff tix go on sale?
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
8:25 pm
15/23 for the front court.
Blast
March 17th, 2009
8:29 pm
The refs can’t do that! He got in the way and caught the ball. That’s Hawks ball!!!!!
Blast
March 17th, 2009
8:32 pm
Refs are killing us again. Mike did not touch Martin. Even against the lowly Kings, Hawks can’t catch a break on their own home court?
ray
March 17th, 2009
8:33 pm
Josh and Al show, coming to a court near you!
Blast
March 17th, 2009
8:41 pm
Mike Bibby is back! I think.
How many dunks Hawks gonna get tonight?
Hawksfan, playoff tixs already up for sale, but only if you buy a package this season. It could be as low as 4 or 6 games.
bigdave
March 17th, 2009
8:42 pm
Hawes has a nice offensive game…
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
8:49 pm
My goodness. Kevin Martin has already shot 17 free throws with 2mins left in the 3qtr…
ray
March 17th, 2009
8:51 pm
Kevin,
Have we not been screamin’ that for a long while? Finally, it’s becoming a normal way of life.
Nice of JJ to give his “wild-runnin’ young guys” props for once, instead of roasting them in interviews.
bigdave
March 17th, 2009
8:51 pm
no Mario tonight…?
#21=Top50,1stBallot
March 17th, 2009
8:52 pm
This has to be one of the worst officiated games I’ve seen in a while… Fortunately Hawks persevering
**RISE UP**
ray
March 17th, 2009
8:52 pm
Yeah, the refs suck. More this season even, then last. And the only good ones left are tech-happy. They’ll T you up in a minute.
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
8:53 pm
It must be a blue light special at Philips tonite b/c KMart has shot more free throws the entire Hawks team…
The Bird
March 17th, 2009
8:56 pm
Please no Al
The Bird
March 17th, 2009
8:56 pm
Whewwwwww
*sigh of relief*
#21=Top50,1stBallot
March 17th, 2009
8:56 pm
Al think he was going to dunk that?
RISE UP
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
8:57 pm
Man, that had to hurt.
Reggie
March 17th, 2009
8:57 pm
Yikes
My heart stopped. We can’t loose another forward.
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
8:57 pm
Got dumnit… Somebody need to put the bounty on Hawes head now…
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
9:00 pm
Yes sir. Joe is coming thru during crunch time…
Reggie
March 17th, 2009
9:02 pm
There we go Joseph let’s go ahead and end it. Let’s bring in the bench an a few minutes Woody. We have some big games coming up and none with more than a day of rest.
Reggie
March 17th, 2009
9:03 pm
How about this stat. The 10 minutes Acie has played tonight we are +17 while he is on the floor. Next is Joe and Flip at +11
Blast
March 17th, 2009
9:04 pm
Hawks on the way to 40 wins, people! I’ve been in the ATL for 11 years, and I can’t remember seeing that happen this early in the season, or happen with so much drama. This is great tv! Go Hawks!
bigdave
March 17th, 2009
9:04 pm
Woody says, he better see that last call on tape…
#21=Top50,1stBallot
March 17th, 2009
9:05 pm
Joe getting an early 4th qtr rest, we go straight to post- coaching. Finally.
RISE UP
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
9:09 pm
Time for the bench. The young studs could not be stopped tonight.
#21=Top50,1stBallot
March 17th, 2009
9:09 pm
For future notice, haters please note the quality “IQ” game Smoov has played. There are multiple assists left on table due to misses. He has also been doing a lot of dirt not showing up in box scores. This is a preemptive assertion.
RISE UP
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
9:10 pm
My gosh. Josh looks like Magic on the block with his passing ability…
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
9:14 pm
Why wear out Bibby, Josh and Al. ZaZa, Acie and Solo can take it home.
Blast
March 17th, 2009
9:14 pm
All those teams that beat us on their home court when the Hawks were on the road, are now getting a taste of their own medicine in Philips.
niremetal
March 17th, 2009
9:15 pm
Joe flips a switch and puts the game out of reach (not that the Hawks weren’t already going to win anyway). Thank heavens he figured out that he didn’t have it going after the first quarter – he missed his first 8, then took a breath and hit 3 of his next 4. In the second half, he knocked down 5 of 9.
A year ago, JJ might have just kept shooting. He seems to have a little more trust in his teammates (although I might have stopped shooting early after missing the first 4 rather than the first 8…but the shooter’s mentality is to just keep shooting).
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
9:21 pm
Yes Sir the 2nd unit has came in a put their feet on the Kings necks…
bigdave
March 17th, 2009
9:24 pm
Hawks look real good…
in a real groove right now…
Blast
March 17th, 2009
9:25 pm
40 wins, baby! 27 at home! 6 home straight wins! Go Hawks, continue to go!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
9:25 pm
Hawks held the Kings to 11 pts in the 4th and keep their streak of not allowing their opponent to score 100pts… WOW…
The Bird
March 17th, 2009
9:25 pm
JOE ONLY HAD TO PLAY 36 MINUTES!!!!!
LOW OF THE SEASON
rms
March 17th, 2009
9:26 pm
What the heck happened? I left at halftime to go get some fish and come back home and its a blowout? Dang Hawks!!
Sautee
March 17th, 2009
9:32 pm
Home sweet home, indeed.
Blast
March 17th, 2009
9:37 pm
The NBA thought it was doing the Hawks a disservice by making them play all those road games, but Hawks have persevered, and are now reaping that benefit with all these home games late in the season.
Screw the NBA and the refs, man!
Go Hawks go!
cp
March 17th, 2009
9:38 pm
They started out kind of sloppy but got it together. Good win… I love Nique but I’m glad I will only be able to hear him for only a few more games. With league pass I never know if i’m going to get Nique or the opposing teams play by play guys. I honestly forgot how brutal Nique was. Bob would make a point and Nique would contradict that point with something that made no sense. I love Nique but can we please get the Stinger back in the booth with Bob next season. I hope Marvin will be ready come playoff time. We will need every weapon we have.
niremetal
March 17th, 2009
9:43 pm
cp,
With ya on Nique. Some guys just weren’t meant for the mic. On the various Hawks broadcasting teams, though, no one compares to Steve Holman in my book. I still wish someone could post his “They cannot stop Joe Johnson!!!” call from last year’s playoffs.
Sam from da Swats
March 17th, 2009
9:43 pm
Another win without Marvin….
Ed
March 17th, 2009
9:44 pm
It was great to see Acie get 19 mins tonight & the Hawks were at their best when he & Flip were on the floor…+28 for Murray & +26 for Law.
ray
March 17th, 2009
9:48 pm
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. We beat those guys silly on the boards, which always helps.
Josh and Al continue to rule the hardwood. I thought Al was going to get a triple double for a minute there. It’s nice to see so much of the offense going through these guys, rather than watching them get lost in the shuffle. One of the biggest dividends paid is that this frees up JJ to do his thing one-on-one, and even on a night that he struggles, the team can still win.
It was good to see Bibby getting his stroke back. As I said a few blogs ago, we’re still going to need that from him as the season comes to a close, and when the playoffs start.
Nice to see Woody continuing the prudent use of his bench. Mario provides a spark, and Law looks solid by the numbers alone. Nice to see he has some confidence in his shot. I think the two turnovers he had are the first two he’s had in the last 5 or 6 games, if not more. You gotta love that!
Is it just me, or does it seem like Thomas Gardner has yet to meet a 3 point shot he didn’t like? LOL! Watch him, he’s a gunner, and may well be a guy we can seriously make use of in the future.
Nice win, Hawks. Nice indeed. 40 wins, and 2 more gives us our first winning season in years. Let’s do it!
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
9:53 pm
Lets not forget Evans, 5/7 and 12 points. The depleted bench continues to play well. Flip, ZaZa and Acie went 9/17 and 23 pts. While we miss Marvin it’s nice to see the team effort.
Melvin
March 17th, 2009
9:54 pm
Look like my prediction of 45-50 wins this season is attainable…
doc
March 17th, 2009
9:55 pm
missed most of the game, tuned in at 96 to 88. wow did they blow them out at the end.
got to wonder:
when is woody going to be fired,
bibby traded,
josh traded as well?
JOSH = MVP !
bring on another big one to slay.
Reggie
March 17th, 2009
9:56 pm
Sam seriously come on. Give us your analysis on the game or something. Is Marvin all you care about? If you had any basketball intelligence you would see his improvement in the last few months and what he has done. You listed his last games stats. Did it ever occur to you that’s when he got hurt. I’m sure you wouldn’t mention the other games he became confident and our second scoring option and created all those shots for himself. I don’t think Marvin is a superstar but he is a rising 22 year old forward who will be an established starter for years to come and dare i say a possible future all star. Please just give the guy a break and talk about something else for once.
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
9:57 pm
Not wanting to bash JJ to much but Al may have got that triple double if Joe wouldn’t have taken over that last 7 min. he played. As soon as he went out the young studs took back over.
ray
March 17th, 2009
9:59 pm
Sam From Da Swats,
Give it a rest, will ya? Were you counting when we won games without Bibby? How about Josh? Al? How about Speedy, huh? Come on, man. Even Marvin’s happy we’re winning, I guarantee it. Where were you in those games when either Josh or Al was missing, and Marvin picked up the slack in scoring? Got some stats for you coming right up….
Sam from da Swats
March 17th, 2009
10:03 pm
I’m just saying, another win….great to get another win.
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
10:03 pm
It sure is fun to watch 6 wins in a row at crunch time. We are not backing into this play off run. We charging baby!
Sam from da Swats
March 17th, 2009
10:05 pm
Speedy? Dude don’t even let that name even be a part of this or any Hawks blog ever. Mention him on one of those girly fashion blogs that you like, but not here!!
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
10:11 pm
Doc, lol It seems like a lot of jobs should be secure. Hope the owners will keep this team together, even if it means coming up with a little more jack.
brewdawg
March 17th, 2009
10:13 pm
Sekou,
Correct me if I’m wrong, but to finish with 50 wins, the Hawks would have to go 10-4 to finish right? That’s not exactly a “pipe dream” if you ask me.
wxwax
March 17th, 2009
10:13 pm
40 wins. Outstanding.
Da Real Real
March 17th, 2009
10:17 pm
So this is what it feels like to have a team that wins at home, it almost feels like its an guarantee that the Hawks will win when they play in Phillips. Personally Sekou, I agree with you about the turnouts but its usually like that during the weeks in da A (checkout Turner Field when the Braves have a long home stand…most of the crowd shows up throughout the weekend & that includes Friday). Feels good seeing the team play well at home, and seeing guys pick up the slack.
Oh and another thing…40 WINS!!!!!!!. I know we can get 2 more wins. So much for all those predictions by the so called experts. GO HAWKS!!!
A Thinking Fan
March 17th, 2009
10:28 pm
Good Win! Go Hawks!!!
Reggie
March 17th, 2009
10:39 pm
Kevin he could have gotten the trip-double but you can’t be mad at Joe for taking over because he finally did get hot and pretty much let it get out of hand so the bench could get some time. Joe other than the first quarter still looked solid tonight but didn’t have the intensity from last week. That’s why he made some poor passes. We had an unusual sloppy game with turnovers. JJ had 6 I think. Bibby had about 5. Smith had 3 or 4 and quite a few more. We can’t do that against the Mavs. Good win for the Hawks but we have to bring the energy back for Dallas and AT Cleveland. If we could take these next two down we would get some people talking.
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
10:39 pm
Thank god were on a roll. Let’s see we have Dallas, Clev, Minn, Spurs, Boston, Lakers, Philly and then Orlando. Exciting basketball to come. Tough test for the Hawks.
ray
March 17th, 2009
10:44 pm
Sam From Da Swats,
Here ya go:
Josh Smith went out with injury from 6 minutes into the game against Toronto on Nov. 7th until he returned against Memphis on Dec. 3rd. During that stretch, we won 6 of the 12 games. In those wins (without Josh), Marvin averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds per game. And he STILL wasn’t anymore than the 3rd option on offense, behind Joe and Bibby.
ray
March 17th, 2009
10:45 pm
Reggie,
Smith had 3 turnovers. The starting guards themselves had 10 between them.
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
10:45 pm
I agree Reggie, Joe plugging away hurt us early but it was good to see him get back on track. We just got into a running game that were not suited to. I just hope we rely on Al and Josh early against Dallas. We play better inside out.
KevinA
March 17th, 2009
10:48 pm
Ray, whats your win lose guess over the next 8 games.
ray
March 17th, 2009
10:50 pm
The biggest thing is the differentials we had: Rebounds + 16, Assists + 11, FG% + 16.6
Reggie
March 17th, 2009
10:56 pm
Thanks Ray I was just guessing. Kevin I say we should go 6-2 but possibly 5-3. I see us loosing to Cleveland on the road and L.A. at home. But we could lose to Orlando or Boston.
ray
March 17th, 2009
10:57 pm
Kevin,
I hate making predictions. But here ya go anyway: 5-3…..although I wanna lean towards 4-4. Why? A combination of revenge and the need to hold onto home court advantage.
Samuel
March 17th, 2009
10:57 pm
WOODY=COY
Sam from da Swats
March 17th, 2009
11:04 pm
ray, now give me Josh Smith’s stats while Marvin has been out. Also, we won 6 out of 12. ray, your stats were good. Don’t get me wrong, Marvin stepped up, but we lost 6 out of 12. We are now 7 and 0, basically without him. I count Detroit because he really wasn’t playing most of the game. Good point ray. To everybody here, I’m just saying we don’t totally need him, that’s all. If he comes back, bring him off the bench. ray, get those stats for me.
kirkinga
March 17th, 2009
11:07 pm
Hawks win a tune up game before some tough games ahead on the schedule. 10 players played tonight and made contributions.
Just as important, they gain another game on the Pistons who are now 5.5 games behind with 17 games remaining. I’ll be bold and pick the Lakers tonight over the Sixers and they too will be 5.5 back.It’s starting to look more and more like a 2-team race for the 4th spot in the East.
I’m sure there are more thrills and spills yet to come for the Hawks, but if they can manage to play at least .500 ball the rest of the way they should keep the spot.
Go Hawks!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 17th, 2009
11:18 pm
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that the Hawks’ bench is a lot better and a lot more resilient than many expected. Woody is finally giving them a chance to play and they are making him look smart for doing so.
ray
March 17th, 2009
11:18 pm
Reggie,
You’re even more optimistic than me. I saw us losing to L.A. and Cleveland at home, and Boston on the road. Thing is, we could actually win against Cleveland at home. Or L.A. But those are the two best teams in the league right now (pretty much all season). And they do well on the road. Still….one hopes…
Here’s the bottom line, though. I’d rather we lost a few games like that to the top two or three teams in the league than lose games we should win. Or poop out in the first round of the playoffs.
We’re the 12th best team in the league right now with our .582 winning percentage. Yet, we just beat the 7th, 8th, and 9th best teams. In a row, no less. Continuing to play like this, we should beat Memphis, Milwaukee, Toronto, Indy, Miami, Minnesota, and Philly. All of those teams are worse than us and while they present tough matchups, we’ve beaten them before. That’s 7-7 the rest of the way, and gives us a total of 47 wins. Good stuff in MY book.
The path to 50 wins? Beat Boston when they come to visit. Revenge served HOT! Beat a hurting San Antonio here at home. Beat Dallas here at time. All three games will be tough, but doable.
niremetal
March 17th, 2009
11:25 pm
Ray,
I’ll give you the same advice you gave me almost exactly a year ago, when DecDawg was going around trashing JJ and I kept letting myself get baited into arguing with him: Better to stop trying to teach pigs to sing.
doc
March 17th, 2009
11:32 pm
no najeh he is not looking smart. the blog guys that have been crying for a more creative and versatile coach that used the bench are looking smart. that means about all but one guy. thank goodness josh finally got through into woody’s head.
JOSH = MVP!
ray has just carved out the road to the elite and a few votes for woody as coy. you go guy. seems everything will meet in the middle.
darrell starks
March 17th, 2009
11:40 pm
Enter your comments here
darrell starks
March 17th, 2009
11:41 pm
GOOD WIN DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ray
March 17th, 2009
11:44 pm
Sam from da Swats,
What, you can’t find them yourself? Where were you earlier in the month when I was defending Smith against over half the blog? I had his stats in several of my posts. Smith had a mostly crappy-to-average February and was in the same funk early in March, before turning it on right around the time he got into it with Woody. By the way, he had 19 and 12 WITH Marvin in the game with him. So your point is….
We have a rule around here. You want to talk stats, you do the research. It’s only been five games. Come, on. I’m sure you can do it, playa.
Just consider one thing. When we lost Josh (and later Al), it was much earlier in the season. The team had less chemistry then, and Woody wasn’t using his bench the way he is now. Do you think that makes a difference? I do. Having said that, it is harder to win without your starting center (Al Horford), or a guy who is your 2nd/3rd offensive option and one of your best defenders (Josh Smith).
Again, I feel like we win without Marvin more because we know how to do it this late in the season, and because we never really featured him so much in the offense, not because Marvin doesn’t have the capability. What if we treated him like Indy does Granger (the offense is built around him)? What then? Would it be the same? Careful, as stats don’t tell the entire story.
Sam from da Swats
March 17th, 2009
11:45 pm
Niremetal, sneak dissing is not good for you. Your ignorance is the bait. I’m just making a point. I’m happy for my team. I just hope they see the moves that need to be made for the future. We won’t go far in the playoffs if we have to play Lebron. The NBA gave him another terrible ticky tack call at the end tonight against Orlando. They’re starting that b.s. again. You know he’s going to have a license to do whatever in the playoffs. Thanks ray for the stats, just good analogies.
ray
March 17th, 2009
11:50 pm
Najeh,
It does make him look smarter, even if we’ve been hollering about it all season (and in seasons before this).
Doc,
I finally let the cat out of the bag. I’m definitely a Hawks homer.
Sam from da Swats
March 17th, 2009
11:53 pm
I’ve posted stats ray, and it still doesn’t matter. If the offense was built around Marvin, we wouldn’t be at 40 wins, I tell you that. Please ray, don’t compare Marvin to Granger. It’s no comparison. I do the research now without posting because its no use. Marvin is averaging the same thing as last year, but all I hear is this improvement. I’m done with it. Let’s just keep the win streak going, get to the playoffs, go to the second round, and watch them cheat us right and left on calls for Lebron and watch him whine when he doesn’t get a call.
otrhawksfan
March 18th, 2009
12:09 am
if i wasnt driving this truck up and down the east coast i would be there. Thank god for sirus radio and nba audio league pass. I will be there more and more next year and hopefully for a playoff game. I’m starting to see a lil more out the o lately. maybe woody has been holding back on how the hawks will score or get the mismatches he wants. Go Hawks Go!!!!
otrhawksfan
March 18th, 2009
12:13 am
by the way marvin did shut down lebron the last game with his size.
DecDawg
March 18th, 2009
1:01 am
Matt,
You rang? Don’t blame me for you not being able to take constructive criticism of JJ’s game. He has his flaws just like everyone else on the team. I just realized that you were like a groupie. And we all know groupies find it hard to see flaws in the apples of their eyes…
Ariose
March 18th, 2009
1:37 am
Didn’t see the game. I was too busy failing an Astronomy test…….well, you never know……I get to drop one anyway so it doesn’t really matter………
Anyhoo!!! Nice to see that we blew them out. I’m pretty sure the team has 50 wins on the brain at this point. I say we’re going to beat Dallas and San Antonio for sure…….Boston and LA(Lost to Philly at home tonight) are toss ups but if KG and Big Baby don’t come back, we’re going to murder them lol. Gotta beat the scrubs too, they’re alll hungry for the playoffs but it doesn’t matter we gotta handle our business.
~Sir Links A Lot~
darrell starks
March 18th, 2009
1:59 am
SAM WHATS UP with you and marvin the guy is only 22 years old and he does have potential on the up swing every year he improve his game before he couldnt shoot a three now if you notice he is good at it because in the off season he work on it give him time SAM the guy is still young and he have improve his game. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doc
March 18th, 2009
7:01 am
ray, we win without marvin because there are guys that can step into his position and make up for it. it isnt to say he isnt a good ball player. we dont have that capability on the bench when either josh or al go down. the bench is stronger in the 1 to 3 spots but notoriously weak in the 4 and 5 spot. jj and mo are more than capable at three, marvin is not the same player that josh is at four. you know i wonder how long it is going to take hawks fans to realize there are not many players in the nba that can come close to doing what he can do when healthy, certainly no one on this team. the dude is a bargain. al is a huge bargain. zaza is the most under rated big in the league at his pay and minutes, another bargain. not many teams have three small bigs underneath that go like these guys.
JOSH = MVP!
Macaroni Tony
March 18th, 2009
7:24 am
Hollinger Power Rankings is a big joke. I remember when the season started you had his predictions that the Bobcats would end up with a better record then us(the Hawks). Now in the rankings he still has us in the 12th spot, I don’t understand….
Great Win last night…..
I just don’t understand these writers have there one sided love for certain teams.
Anonymous
March 18th, 2009
7:57 am
I work for the Hawks and can tell you that we have great deals on seats in the lower level. The people who are saying otherwise are making excuses, period. I understand the economy being the way it is, but don’t say we don’t offer fair ticket pricing b/c you obviously aren’t paying attention. Our club seat pricing is one of the lowest in the league, as it is, and we still offer the best pricing on seats close down. Don’t believe me? Check pricing for other teams!
Last night, you could have had seats in the lower level for $35 per person. We even have discounts for concessions vouchers for groups of 10 or more. There are deals to be had, and you need to talk to your rep or call in to the office to find them. Don’t make excuses, and try to pass the blame on something else. This is a team this city can get behind, and you ehard what Joe said about how they feed off the fan’s enegry. All you have to do is watch a game from last season’s playoffs to see what he means by that!
Anonymous
March 18th, 2009
8:05 am
Playoff tickets go onsale March 23rd … we are already selling playoff groups and playoff packages, to answer a previous question.
Anonymous
March 18th, 2009
8:07 am
Not sure if this posted but playoff tickets go onsale March 23rd .. you already can buy playoff groups or playoff packages
Big Ray
March 18th, 2009
9:11 am
Darrell,
People hear and see what they want to.
Doc,
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I was trying to explain, though from a different angle. You said it right: playing without a particular player has a lot to do with who you have that can step into that role.
Sam from da Swats,
You took that how you wanted to take it. I didn’t compare Marvin to Granger. I said “what if” the Hawks ran their offense through Marvin in much the same way Indy does with Granger. Hey, if you’re done with it, then I am, too. You’re the one who couldn’t comment on anything about the team besides the fact that Marvin wasn’t playing…but whatever. I’m scrollin’…
Rod from College Park
March 18th, 2009
10:06 am
Doc,
Thank you for your last post. That is the only point that I was trying to make from the start, and Sam from the Swats understood that. Marvin is replaceable. Remember he is a free agent after this year, and will want Josh Childress numbers at least (money). Can we actually afford to pay our 5th option on offense that kind of money? He was our fourth option, but with his injury, we have seen that Al Horford should get many more touches. Remember most of you were ready to give Josh Smith away for a bag of chips a month ago. Without Marvin, it forces Woody to use his bench and makes us a better team. The team is much more versatile. I AM NOT SAYING THAT HE IS NOT A GOOD PLAYER. He is just the most replaceable. Please stop with the he is young stuff. HE is 6 months younger than Josh. He is what he is, a serviceable NBA player. One other thing, that I have seen you guys say more than once is that his draft position does not matter. That is BS. Tell him that when he goes to the bank. For his first 3 years he made more money than everyone in his draft class that did not renegotiate, except the #1 pick. Tell agents that draft position does not matter. We did not draft Marvin at the #2 pick in the draft to be a serviceable player. I can guarantee that. I’m done. Let’s keep the winning streak going.
Gumby Williams
March 18th, 2009
10:25 am
The Hawks have a golden opportunity to win 50 games, but at this late stage of the season the Hawks will probably have to keep their win streak going in order to win 50. It will be a stretch to get it done, but in order to do it, they will have to beat the NBA’s elite teams in order to accomplish it. I believe, the schedule is in their favor and the odds are with the Hawks. The Hawks are capable of winning 50 and I think they lost their focus from earlier in the season and would have already locked up 50 wins by now. With all that being said, as most of you already know, the Hawks have to win 10 out of the last 14 games to win 50 games, and it is possible provided the Hawks can stay hot and take each game one at a time and not pay attention to whose on the schedule. I also believe that should the Hawks make it to winning 50 games, a world championship title would not be out of the question. Let the games begin from here on. Yes indeed, it looks like former GM Billy Knight left the Hawks in fairly good shape after all. Go Hawks!
Luke Cage
March 18th, 2009
10:30 am
Hawks are just playing better team ball right now, they are playing just like they did to open the season along with getting great play from the bench. The Marvin issue needs a rest, he is an Atlanta Hawk and I will support him, so lets start supporting him more instead or his short comings, each Hawk has an issue, he’s 22 yrs old and is getting better each year, lets worry about the off season with him during the off season. I personally want to see him back with 2 or 3 games left to shake off rust before the playoffs, we will beat the #5 team and face the lebrons in the 2nd round (just hope the refs will let us guard him and not bail him out). Nique is not the greatest on TV but its something he is new at so chill on that also and if you don’t like it, Mute the tv and just watch the game
Sam from the Swats
March 18th, 2009
10:45 am
darrell starks, you’re right, he’s young. That’s a very high pick to still be waiting on upside 4 years later.
doc, excellent point on Zaza. Zaza may be having one of his best seasons. He gives us that banger we need in the paint.
Big Ray, I understand. Just saying, number 2 pick after 4 years and we’re talking about upside. Makes no sense.
Rod from College Park, this is what I’m saying. You’re getting 30th pick production for 2nd pick money. Understand you exactly. I’m going to give a different sport, same city. Look at Matt Ryan. Number 3 pick, and this guy is a superstar already. Its called playing up to your draft money and status. That’s all. Other than that, this I’m done with as long as nobody keeps posting ignorant stuff about improvement and upside. My next rant….the NBA and these b.s. superstar calls at the end of games, noticeably, Lebron. WTF NBA!!!
fudd21
March 18th, 2009
11:47 am
OMG!! Rod, That is the first time you haven’t said anything negative about Marvin. Hell must truly be freezing over. You and Sam have your opinions on a players production based on draft position. I do agree that their first paycheck is based on the draft position, but after that it doesn’t matter. I say again it’s not Marvins fault he was drafted 2nd overall when we should have drafted a PG. Neither is it Darko, Shelden, Morrison or Kwame fault. Blame the GM, scouts, player personnel director or whoever. Dang MJ draft record really isn’t that good.
Sam, you talk about Matty Ice which I will admit he has surpassed even my best expectations for him, but what if he had held a clipboard this year as many 1st year QB’s do. We wouldn’t have any idea what he could produce. He was given the keys to the jeep vrrmmmm (shout out to Missy)and we now see what he is capable of. Marvin only gets the keys for spring dance, prom night and graduation. And I believe when he has been giving the keys (2 games Joe missed and Denver game when Josh and Bibby were out) he has produced.
bigdave
March 18th, 2009
11:58 am
go to Joe early and often in the first few possessions against a defensively challenged Mavs team and we should be fine…
Blast
March 18th, 2009
12:12 pm
The product the NBA is selling to the world has one major flaw. The Refs. The refs are killing the game, and coaches are starting to complain in public. Lebron got the superstar calls last night and Van Gundy didn’t like it. Doc Rivers got tossed and went on tv ranting about a ref. In Hawks game last night, one would think Kevin Martin was paying off the refs. After the gambling scandal, Commish Stern promised to clean up his refs act, but I have yet to see that. In fact, I think the refs are worse than ever, and as the season winds down, as teams scramble to win more games, I forsee more complaints from players and coaches. David Stern better pay heed. Fans have always thought the league rigged, the refs crooked, and after Patrick D. scandal, the Commish has yet to prove otherwise. He better calls his dogs to heel, because they are marring the game.
14 games left for Atlanta. Can they win 50? I really don’t care about 50 wins so long as they hold on to the 4th spot. That is more important. Of the next 14 games, 9 home and 6 away, the most dangerous teams they face are Lakers, Cavs and Orlando. Boston is very vulnerable and beatable right not, especially if they still have injuries come game time. Hawks have two more games vs Boston, one home and the other away. I think the key to 50 wins will be not only beating Dallas tomorrow night, but Hawks need to steal the games vs Lakers and Spurs, since those will be home games, and take one from Boston. So even if they lose to Cleveland away, lets say they lose to Philly away and maybe orlando at home, to win 50 Hawks must beat Memphis, Miami, Indiana, Milwaukee, Toronto, Dallas, Minny, Dallas, take one from Boston, and take one from either LA or San Antonio. Formidable tasks, but not impossible, especially if the Hawks continue to play at such high level.
That said, it would be nice if Hawks can inflict the second home loss to the Cavs, though refs, not Lebron might not allow that to happen. Cavs and Hawks are hottest teams in the league right now with 6 straight, followed by Philly with 4. Lakers are finally on the road, and are a little vulnerable to good East teams, so we’ll see, but Hawks need Marvin back, and big AL to be okay. It’s been a groovy ride all season, coming down to the wire, and I would be the happiest fan in the world if only the refs called the games straight down the middle.
Go Hawks, Go!
Khao$
March 18th, 2009
12:17 pm
Back to the blog topic, economics plays a MAJOR role in me not going down there. With me being the only person working in my household, I have to watch my discretionary dollar so much more. I think that is the case for a lot of people. Best believe I catch every game on TV when I can’t make it down there. That said, I’ve heard more chatter in the barbershop, on the job, and in general about the Hawks than I’ve heard in a while. People are paying attention. People actually know the names of some of the players. That wasn’t the case the last few years. I must digress however and say I wish they were on 750 again. 790 kills me when I’m leaving school late in the evening and I can’t pick up the signal. Another topic for another day perhaps.
JerryWest
March 18th, 2009
12:18 pm
Sekou,
Is Horford’s wrist OK? Any updates on Marvin?
terrell barron
March 18th, 2009
12:19 pm
It’s obvious that when we start Marvin, JJ, and Smith, that there are too many damn forwards on the floor at the same time. Look at JJ’s game without Marvin. Hell, look at Marvin’s game without JJ. For that reason, and that reason only, we should bring Marvin off the bench. He’s a much better player, when he’s being aggressive, and not deferring so much. I said this before the season started. Marvin is the type of team player who wouldn’t mind coming off the bench at all. Mo Evans is a 2, not a 3. JJ is a 3, not a 2. When he’s at the 2, all he and Bibby does is shoot jumpshots. If we do this, our bench would be deadly. Imagine Acie, Flip, Marvin, and Zaza as our 2nd unit. When JJ went out, we would’nt lose too much fire power, because Marvin could come in and do his thing. Marvin Williams should be our new Josh Childress.(If he comes back this year, that is) IMO.
Rod from College Park
March 18th, 2009
12:35 pm
Terrell Barron,
For the first time I think we agree. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
kjsdfg
March 18th, 2009
12:46 pm
there is plenty of room to complain about woodson, but smith sure plays a heck of a game when he does what woodson tells him to do.
RedTailHawk
March 18th, 2009
12:54 pm
Bravesfan79 – You sure are one miserable fellow. You say you risk your lives on the street everyday. Would that be as a police officer? Just curios. Anyway whatever your profession, do us all a favor and eat your gun.
Proud Papa
March 18th, 2009
12:58 pm
Well. The young 4yr old was playing the PlayStation2 NBA Live 2003 this past weekend. He figured out how to run and dribble and shoot on the thing. I picked one of the Hawks as his team. He liked the white jerseys! The Hawks ranking was 24th on the game against the Lakers (then). He would lose by 40 points to the computer-Lakers. The next day he found his Hawks mini-ball from last year “Shock the World Tour”. He hadn’t touched the ball since last year, but Sunday he was bouncing the ball in the house trying to do the spin moves like the game. Well. We made the game last night – decent crowd for a school night and a Tuesday. He was quite with his pizza in hand and scared of the fire at first. He watched as Josh Smith got an Ally-Op pass from Bibby and dunked and he said “Look Daddy…Just like the game!” He was warming up. By halftime the little 7 yrs old boys took the floor and they were playing with such hustle and being care-free with no ref’s calls and mind you the fire above them was not hurting them as they played at halftime. After halftime, the four year old started clapping, he was yelling Defense! He asked as the Sacramento player was shooting from the free-throw line “Why are they yelling”? His mother told him because the sign says too. I told him they were yelling to try to scare the man, to make him miss and not score points. A couple of possession went by and the next thing I knew he was clapping and yelling DEFENSE with rhythm and Yelling in synch “ Let’s GO HAWKS” on offensive possessions!! And Screaming when the purple team was shooting Free-throws. He even got louder after the guy missed the free-throw…saying See Daddy! Are ya crying yet? I quickly went to the concession stand to get another Coke and stop by the bathroom to gain my composure. I was a proud Papa!! Thanks HAWKS! – A seed has been planted! I’m planning on buying tickets to Thursday Game – right now!! Anyone know what section Ciara is setting in?!! For the kid of course.
JerryWest
March 18th, 2009
1:10 pm
Smoove’s passings have looked beautiful lately.
terrell barron
March 18th, 2009
1:16 pm
Rod, the 1st time? Are you serious? lol!!! That’s what I’m here for. To agree to disagree. lol1!!
atlanta hawks 101
March 18th, 2009
1:28 pm
I am very proud of the way the Hawks are playing.Also, I agree with Lori. I think this team can make it to the finals. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Mychelfromatl
March 18th, 2009
1:38 pm
Proud Papa, that’s nice man…sound’s like you have a future baller on your hands!
I MUS.WRITE
March 18th, 2009
1:59 pm
Lets not get carried away here….We were playing a 14-52 team. We’re supposed to look good playing against Sac town. I want to see the same intensity and post play against Boston and Orlando. Marvin vs Smoove -very intriguing….We are 13-1 without Marvin and JJ seems to go off with Marvin out of the line up. Whats going to happen if Marvin wants the same contract as smoove and our owners wont pay up……..
I say we ….send Marvin, Chills rights, Acie to Washington for Javeel Mcgee and there 1st riounder………. Draft the spanish sensation to run the point and pick up a nice SF in the draft
Al Horford is beastn out there.
Dam Sekou……The American Gov found Saadam Hussain in a hole in the country side 10,000 miles away im sure you can edit these postings.
BF79 ` Hates all black men i guess, but he should hate the guy at the gym thats piping his wife down or maybe he’s mad becuz he doesnt fit anymore. Keep talking Shyt dude …im gonna be in front of your home ………….. Im serious fagg i’ll come see you LOL
I MUS.WRITE
March 18th, 2009
2:03 pm
Nice post TB….. i would like to see us run a line up of …. Bibby/ Flip/JJ/ Smoove/Horford
with AC/MO/Marvin /ZAZA off the bench and Mario harrassing anyone thats hot….
doc
March 18th, 2009
2:07 pm
Marvin is “Better” this year but averages the same numbers over the last 3 years. nice
by the way, i am gay
Blast
March 18th, 2009
2:19 pm
Said it before, Terrell. But can Woody make the call and can Marvin accept coming off the bench? Our bench will for sure be deadly if that happens, and Hawks can rotate 11 deep if you throw in Mario and Solo. With Acie pushing the ball, Marvin and Flip designated gunners, Marvin will dominate againt the other team’s bench. He can get his numbers this way, and not compete for shots with Bibby and Joe so much.
I also like the idea better not because of the Hawks record without Marvin or with Mo starting, I like it because it allows Mo to guard the other team’s point or shooting guard, so Joe don’t get worn out chasing those scorers all over the court.
Harry Hawk
March 18th, 2009
4:17 pm
Too bad we didn’t get Sean Williams, man. He’s a real center and a true leader. Al ain’t nothing compared to Sean Williams.
terrell barron
March 18th, 2009
5:04 pm
Blast he accepted it at UNC. And I just cant see Marvin causing any problems in the locker room. He’s a team player. He’ll accept it. Question is, will Woody accept it?
terrell barron
March 18th, 2009
5:06 pm
And if he does accept it, maybe we can keep him on the cheap?? I doubt he’ll opt for the Euroleague like his former teammate did.
RLP
March 18th, 2009
5:09 pm
And I nominate RB97 for the worst post I have ever seen.
Nef in Hawaii
March 18th, 2009
5:33 pm
I wish so bad that I was there. I’ve been a Hawks fan since the days of Nique. Man I wish I was there to watch a game in the Omni before they moved. You guys don’t know how lucky you are to be right there.
Melvin
March 18th, 2009
7:13 pm
D.Wade is sitting out against the Celtics tonite. Hopefully the Celtics will win this game and we will move up another game on the Heat…
ray
March 18th, 2009
7:16 pm
Sam from Da Swats and Rod in College Park,
No hard feelings here. You’re right- people generally expect more from a #2 pick. You can thank Billy Knight for picking him. In the meantime, let’s give Dallas a whoopin’ to take back west with them. I WILL be at this game (thanks to some friends of mine-you know who you are). Hell yeah!!!
RedTail Hawk,
If he’s a cop, then he’s burnt out and needs to quit ASAP or get some serious therapy. I’ve been doing this for 10 years and don’t hate anybody for their skin color or culture. Never have. Never will. Even if they hate me. Hate breeds hate. Recognize it for what it is and move along. Protect yourself, but don’t become what ya hate. BravesFan79 better figure it out.
ray
March 18th, 2009
7:21 pm
I. MUS,
Ha! Come on, man. You know you live better than that. Don’t slum with the hater. Imagine BravesFan79 can’t be much of a braves fan…too many of us darkies on the team!
As for Marvin, no way does he get Smoove’s money. No WAY. Gotta show me more than that, and it’s not gonna happen on this team with the other weapons we have. There will probably be an exodus at some point. The question is, what move makes this team better?
ray
March 18th, 2009
7:24 pm
Samuel,
Posted by me, back to you on the Hacks blog:
Samuel,
Hey, once I saw the “Cuz”, I figured you mistook this spot for Sekou’s, since that’s what you always call him. Not that I can compare to the legendary SS, but you know what I’m sayin’. Hey, post all you can or want here, “COY” and everything. The more the merrier, and all regulars are appreciated, all the time. Funny thing is, if the Hawks finish off the season in extra fine fashion, you might get to serve us ALL a big, steaming plate of a certain noisy, ugly black bird….Na’ mean?
JerryWest
March 18th, 2009
8:51 pm
our PG is a short SG
our SG is an SF
our SF is a PF
our PF thinks he is SF
our C is a PF
our 6th man thinks he is MJ
our coach thinks offense should be on autopilot
terrell barron
March 18th, 2009
9:15 pm
The Celtics look horrible without KG and Allen. Pierce looks avg at best.
Sautee
March 18th, 2009
9:49 pm
Hey “fake” doc, we know you’re not the real thing. And, like an idiot, you used Caps and punctuation, so EVERYBODY knows you’re a fake.
And if doc’s gay, it must not matter to his beautiful (in more ways than one) ladyfriend, who’s a friend of ours!
otrhawksfan
March 18th, 2009
9:57 pm
who does my blogers have in their final four?
rms
March 18th, 2009
10:15 pm
Thats some wishful thinking to say the Hawks make the Finals. And also why I have to put my T.V. on mute just to avoid hearing ‘Nique awful analysis, why cant he be put on mute or just switch with the “Stinger”. so what if he is new at it, HE IS TERRRIBLE! Nobody should have to endure that for an entire season just because he is new at it.
Rod from College Park
March 18th, 2009
10:22 pm
Actually I am the gay one. Marvin turned me down when I propositioned him outside the arena. Im still mad at him for that. He called security and they sure did get there quick. Next time I will have to hide in the cargo hold where they put the bags for the team jet. He will never see me coming. I can’t wait for the next away game!
Sam from the Swats
March 18th, 2009
10:27 pm
What? Rod you can’t be serious. Are you trying to cheat on me with Marvin? That’s it I’m breaking up with you. This is just like last year when you tried to sneak up on Speedy Claxton because he has a bum knee and can’t get away fast enough. If he hadn’t had that cane, you would have had his azz for sure right there in the locker room with nobody around. Stop cheating on me I treat you good.
Rod from College Park
March 18th, 2009
10:44 pm
No Sam you do not treat me good. You are always wanting to try that kinky stuff where I wear the number 5 jersey and you get after me with the whips and chains and clip board and make me call you “woody”. That’s why you call yourself Sam from the Swats cause swatting my butt is what you like to do. I wanna be “woody” next time but you never let me be him. Im tired of this role playing.
Sam from the Swats
March 18th, 2009
10:48 pm
Rod please come back I’ll make you a deal. You can be “woody” and I will buy a number 24 jersey and let you chase me since you like him. I will even stick my butt out like he does so it will look real I promise.
KevinA
March 18th, 2009
11:07 pm
The Heat lost. Ain’t it great? Next game, Dallas. Let’s see if Woody plays Acie more against Terry. Al, Josh and ZaZa will need to rebound. I hope we continue to go inside out early and often. Dirk will get his but if we put the defensive clamp on the rest, I think we can pull it off. Should be a great game. We have always had trouble with this team in the past but times have changed and were looking good. Go Hawks.
niremetal
March 18th, 2009
11:58 pm
Holy Moses….I guess blogtown went quiet after that. Man, that’s a bit more risque than AJC usually let’s folks get away with. But damn…that was funny!
jhan
March 19th, 2009
12:04 am
Sam Swats – “sneak dissing” I like that one!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2009
12:34 am
The Heat lost, the Sixers lost, the Pistons are down 8 with 2 minutes left in double OT… if the Hawks can win tomorrow against Dallas, it will be huge. A full 4 game cushion with 13 games left to play sounds great to me.
Trabb Dabb
March 19th, 2009
1:57 am
I think everyone make good points, but there is more to it. I,m a relly big hawks fan and I,m from GA, but I live in Birmingham,AL now. I watch a lot of the games on TV but I would love to be there every night. And being a fan out of state make it real hard. I hope to be there come playoff time but being apart of the Birmingham PD is going to make that really hard this year. GO HAWKS !!!!!
The Hawksta
March 19th, 2009
8:47 am
Sometimes just reading the blog is more interesting than contributing. Man this was fun. On another note I was down at Phillips on Sunday to watch us smash those Blazers. I recorded the game also. When I got home I watched it again. Boy, I sure was letting the popcorn have during the game(lol)! Didn’t spill a bit according to the tape(damn)!
The Hawksta
March 19th, 2009
8:52 am
Also did alot of hanging out at portal 5. My seats were in section 113 Row G seat 5. I kept trying to ease drop on other conversation checking for my fellow bloggers to no avail. Was anyone else there?
I MUS.WRITE
March 19th, 2009
9:27 am
Whass up Ray…. Its no big deal -I was jus having fun with David Duke….I dont know if we would be better with Marvin,Al and a true center or JS,AL ,True center…….. I wish we could keep them all and add a center but -I know we are financially challenged so i guess we’ll see this summer.
Rod from College Park
March 19th, 2009
9:28 am
First a racist, then a homo. Wow. Yo guys find that entertaining? Maybe I am on the wrong blog.
Daniel
March 19th, 2009
9:39 am
wow guys-
seems like things got a little crazy on the blog.
Anyway, I am going to be at the game tonight. sec103. Unfortunately, my wife is a big Dallas fan, so please take it easy on us. I ,of course, will be rooting for the Hawks. I was also thinking if we could end up with Orlando in the second round….
I am just dreaming
Elijah
March 19th, 2009
9:52 am
After we lose by 1 in Cleveland Saturday on a phantom call in favor of LeBron, I want to see Woody and Joe (who still has never been fined) blast the hell out of the refs in the media and get fined. I would LOVE to see thsi
doc
March 19th, 2009
9:55 am
hawksta, look for a guy with a white goatee white short hair just beyond a buzzz about 6′3″, maybe manny t will have on an outrageous coat, ando is 6′5″ looking haggard at 40 because he has a 10 month old, someone about 5′8″ with a buzz and a 6′2″ cop that looks like your worst nightmare and a goateed grey hair hippie and you might begin to hear some blog talk. usually pretty close to the pretzel stand. if manny t doent have o a coat he has popcorn in his paw. then wade in.
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
9:56 am
Daniel, in order for us to play Orlando in the 2nd round either they would have to move up to the number #1 seed or we have to slip back to the #6 seed. I don’t see either one of those scenarios happening… But I would love to play them in the Eastern Conf finals…
MannyT
March 19th, 2009
10:01 am
I’ll be easy to find tonight…in honor of the best annual 4 consecutive days in sports, I’ll have on a red final four cap.
If I catch up to folks before the game, I might not have enough stomach capacity for the jumbo popcorn
MannyT
March 19th, 2009
10:23 am
Red Final Four hat will be in play tonight. I have to honor the best annual 4 day run in sports!
MannyT
March 19th, 2009
10:24 am
Melvin are you making the trek to the game tonight?
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
10:34 am
MannyT, I do not have my running legs tonite. I will stay with the theme of this blog and use my NBA league pass. However, I will be down next weekend for the CELTICS and LAKERS…. Until then, yall cheer loud for me and keep our boys undefeated until I can join yall next weekend…
Oh yeah, If you happen to see them two HUGE FEMALE Pistons fans again. RUN..
Daniel
March 19th, 2009
11:42 am
Manny what section are you guys in? I am in 103
Sam from the Swats
March 19th, 2009
12:21 pm
Wow, love the attention that someone has to slander my name. Too bad I.P. addresses can be traced. What numbskulls…… The host is laughing at you idiots… Oh well, time to get on the Braves blog about this Chipper Jones guy. $18 million a year and hasn’t played a whole season in 7 years. Hmmmmmm, steroids? Nah, not good ole Chipper!!!
Clyde
March 19th, 2009
12:40 pm
I’m going to the game tonight. Meet me at the Jack Daniels Bar at halftime.
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
12:54 pm
otrhawksfan,
L’ville… Uconn
Duke… Heelz
I MUS.WRITE
March 19th, 2009
1:01 pm
Rod from CP you may be on the wrong blog…. basketball for dummies is on another website.
I MUS.WRITE
March 19th, 2009
1:05 pm
RCP …My fault if i offended you and David Duke – I guees you sweet boiz stick together, do your thing rainbow man.
Mychelfromatl
March 19th, 2009
1:26 pm
Elijah, Lol…I think there’s a BIG possibilty of that very scenario playing out on Saturday. Hopefully we’re wrong but I just got a feeling that’s what gonna happen.
yessir
March 19th, 2009
1:34 pm
Yup, Sam. IP addresses can be traced. Which means that the hosts can see that you and Rod are the SAME PERSON and that you were the one who faked DOC’S post.
Of course, the truth is that EVERYONE not just the hosts/admins are laughing at YOUR schizo azz.
doc
March 19th, 2009
1:56 pm
yessir, seems you speak of cowardice or cowardly motivations. time to put on the scroll folks, isnt it?
Ken Strickland
March 19th, 2009
2:46 pm
I HAVE TO TAKE MY HAT OFF TO HC MIKE WOODSON. HE’S MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND DOING THE THINGS HE’S CONSISTENTLY REFUSED TO DO FOR THE PAST 4YRS+, AND THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. HE SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING THIS AS MUCH AS ALL OF US. I ONLY HOPE HE UNDERSTANDS OUR RECENT SUCCESS HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE VERY CHANGES AND DECISIONS HE’S MADE.
Who would have thought an actual 7 man bench, with talented players that are able to consistently contribute when given consistent mins, was sitting to the left of Woodson all season long. Isn’t it amazing what one can discover when one gets his/her head out of their “A” and faces reality.
The Hawks will play one of the better teams tonight. I know the players will be up for this gm. I just hope Woodson doesn’t panick and revert back to the decisions and habits of the past that’s caused the team to play so inconsistently before this curreent streak. GOOD LUCK TONIGHT HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MannyT
March 19th, 2009
4:27 pm
I knew I should have stopped by Tech before I filled out my bracket.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/gatech/stories/2009/03/19/georgia_tech_ncaa_brackets.html
terrell barron
March 19th, 2009
5:52 pm
Ken, you wouldn’t be giving him any credit if Marvin hadn’t of went down. Trust me. Our bench play would still be the same. (Flip/Mo/Zaza) No winnining streak. JJ and Bibby tired. etc…. I guarantee it. It always takes an injury for Woody to see that the other guys sitting beside him,(Mario, Solo, Acie) are actually on the team.
niremetal
March 19th, 2009
6:03 pm
Hopefully the Hawks recognize that the Mavs are sufficiently dangerous that coming out without energy like they did versus the Kings just won’t cut it. Dirk and J-Kidd might not be the players they were 2-3 years ago, but they’ll still bury you if you give them an opening.
PS, Dallas’s record reminds us that were we in the West, our record wouldn’t be good enough for an 8 seed. I told folks at the beginning of the year that the East was still the East. Can I say “told ya so” yet?
niremetal
March 19th, 2009
6:09 pm
One thing I was wrong about thought – I said Derrick Rose’s rookie numbers wouldn’t be much better than what Duhon put up last year. Heh. Whoops.
Blast
March 19th, 2009
6:42 pm
Sam from swats and Rod from CP are one and the same people. One would think he would be smart enough not to use identical monikers. Dude is just trying to start something and get some attention. I suggest we ignore him.
RMS, I know Nique is an awful analyst. If you can’t bear him that bad, I suggest you mute your tv and get your game commentary from 790AM. Those radio guys are very good, and call the game the way it is.
Wally out for Cleveland. Will that matter for Hawks or not? I think not, Cleveland is pretty deep, just like Hawks have weathered the storm with Marvin out.
Should be a great game tonite.
Go, Hawks!
chuckw/deadjournalist
March 19th, 2009
7:03 pm
big game tonight fellas – real big game
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
7:03 pm
niremetal, dosent the east have a better win/loss than the west?
chuckw/deadjournalist
March 19th, 2009
7:25 pm
A) Get Bibby out of the game
B) Drive to the basket
C) Get a body on a Mav
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
7:27 pm
I am so tired of seeing Mike Bibby not having to guard the other team point guard. Can he guard any other PG in the league besides Luke Ridnour???? Joe is stuck with spending alot of his energy on defense chasing around speedy (not claxton) PG’s…..
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
7:34 pm
I think that was the best qtr of play I seen from Mo Evans this season…
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
7:42 pm
Was AC in the game for more than a min?????? My Gosh…
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
7:48 pm
Flip and ZaZa got us back in the game. Evans playing well. Who says we have a weak bench. Nice job.
Blast
March 19th, 2009
7:49 pm
Whoo. The action is hot, fast and furious! Hawks stepping up defence. Marion chasing Terry all over. Flip owning the midget. Go Hawks!
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
7:53 pm
Lets see if Josh watched ZaZa and brings it.
Reggie
March 19th, 2009
7:54 pm
Sam: Yeah I know that Chipper guy is horrible. He has hit .364, .337, and .324 the last 3 years and has hit over 25 Homers all those years. That guy is horrible. No Sam you are horrible actually you’re an idiot. Nice drive by Flip there 4 on 1. He just holds on to the ball too much sometimes. I guess that whole aggressive thing wasn’t working for Joe so he went back to what he is doing tonight.
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
7:54 pm
lol I like the Flip owning the midget.
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
7:54 pm
Yessir… Here come the Hawks… 16-0 run…
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
7:56 pm
Mario put the clamp on their .ss
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
7:58 pm
The FLIP MO squad got it going tonite….
Blast
March 19th, 2009
7:58 pm
Mavs team, coach cracking under pressure. heh, heh, heh…
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
7:59 pm
Temper temper
Flip = MVP
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
7:59 pm
Get Rick Carlisle out of there.. Hopefully that don’t inspire the Mavs.
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
8:00 pm
Only 6 frigging points for Dallas this quarter. Can you believe it?
Blast
March 19th, 2009
8:23 pm
Dallas Turnover. Nice way for Hawks to start the 3rd. And a basket by Joe!
Blast
March 19th, 2009
8:35 pm
That was a horrible call. They don’t give the Hawks the continuation when they make plays like Dirk just did. Where is the justice? NBA refs sucks, man!
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
8:38 pm
Evans took a mugging.
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
8:40 pm
Smith took a mugging.
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
8:41 pm
“Great play by Josh… even better play by Josh”
-Dominique Wilkins
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
8:42 pm
correction…
“Great pass by Josh… even better play by Josh”
-Dominique Wilkins
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
8:43 pm
We don’t have the ball movement on offense like we did in the 1st half.
Blast
March 19th, 2009
8:43 pm
That was the same play! Joe shooting when Zaza fouled Dallas. Why did Hawks not get that basket, and Dirk did? Why?
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
8:43 pm
To many darn jumpers. Take it to them and atttack the rim.
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
8:45 pm
Blast they call ZaZa for a foul…
Ken Strickland
March 19th, 2009
8:47 pm
TERRELL BARRON-I can’t argue with that. However, I do think the blowup between Woodson and Smoove was a major contributing factor as well.
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
8:49 pm
when they bring that double thats exactly what the Hawks should do, slash to that bucket… good job Josh…
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
8:50 pm
JT doing a job on Mario…
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
8:51 pm
We need to do a better job at the free throw line….
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
8:51 pm
Were going to need that lock down defense and better shooting to pull this one out.
niremetal
March 19th, 2009
8:52 pm
I wonder what Flip’s 3PT% would be if someone subtracted all of his end-of-quarter half court shots. Gotta give someone props for never being afraid to be the one to pull the trigger on those “throwaway” shots, even though it means a hit on their stats.
If Flip doesn’t finish Top 5 in Sixth Man voting…
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2009
8:55 pm
Who’s going to help Joe in the 4th quarter?
niremetal
March 19th, 2009
8:58 pm
Beautiful – an off-ball screen by JJ to set up a pick and roll between Bibby and Horford. That actually looked like a planned play!
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
8:59 pm
Nice mini run. This is play off style ball. Time to seal the deal. Al looking good.
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
9:06 pm
Look like Woodson went back to his 7 man rotation this half..
richbrave
March 19th, 2009
9:07 pm
A little post from one of the WIZARDS’ blogs to remind us HAWKS fans how lucky we are this year and how far the team has come.
NOTES on the MIND-NUMBING LOSS article:
Obviously last night, the CLIPPERS weren’t worse. LOS BARBEROS were dull, but sufficient to provide a shave with their trim. Despite D.C.’s visit to the barber-shop, the LIZARDS still slithered into second place for 25% of the lottery balls in the draft. However, it surely was thoughtless to beat SACRAMENTO. What COULD the club have been thinking? We’re running out of ways to lose on our journey to the top, ARRIBA ABAJO.
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
9:10 pm
they need to turn in this game tape…
horrible officiating…
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
9:11 pm
Lucky for the Hawks the Mavs are missing their free throws..
DUANE FERELL
March 19th, 2009
9:12 pm
WASSUP RAY, DAMN WE NEED A NEW FREAKIN COACH
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
9:12 pm
why does Al do all those head fakes every time instead of going quick. nobody bites those fakes…
O'brien
March 19th, 2009
9:14 pm
Bibby is 4-14 in 29 minutes. Where is Acie, and where is Mario? And why won’t Josh give up the ball on the break? 5 turnovers? Give up the ball Josh!
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
9:14 pm
sekou, tell Jason Kidd i said whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaasupppppppppp….
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
9:16 pm
The Hawks are grasping for air and lucky the Mavs hasn’t taken advantage. Woody should have used his bench early in the 4th so we could finish the game with fresher legs…
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
9:20 pm
Shot their wad? lol.
The Hawksta
March 19th, 2009
9:20 pm
Did Nique just say what I think he said?
mo
March 19th, 2009
9:21 pm
did anyone else catch what nique just said about “dallas has just shot their wad”
The Hawksta
March 19th, 2009
9:21 pm
The Mavs just shot their wadd? OMG!!! Is that FCC cleared?
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
9:22 pm
Nique bringing a little color to the commentary lol.
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
9:24 pm
What a fun 7 game streach. These young guys gotta be pumped. They don’t play perfect but they sure take the other teams out of their comfort zone.
Melvin
March 19th, 2009
9:26 pm
The 2nd half wasn’t pretty but I will take it… Go Hawks… Let’s do Lebron on his floor….
Blast
March 19th, 2009
9:28 pm
7-0! A perfect homestand indeed!
bigdave
March 19th, 2009
9:30 pm
time to watch the works of David Stern, and NBA officiating at its best in Cleavland Sat.
Sam from da Swats
March 19th, 2009
9:41 pm
Hootie Hoo…Hootie Hen… Another win…without Marvin!!!
TheHawksFan
March 19th, 2009
9:41 pm
I know there is NO ONE who loves Nique more than myself. I even get a little ticked when he is picked on for his verbal skills. But if I had heard him call DEREK NOWINSKI 1 more time, I was gonna loose it. LOL . Damn its 1 thing to get a name wrong AND correct it. But My Man said fugg it tonight your name is DEREK No Win Ski. I STILL LOVE YOU NIQUE!!
Did anyone forget to tell the Mavs the Hawks are the HOTTEST team in the NBA??? Where was Cuban???? My HAWKS are flying high. GOOOOOO Hawks!!!
Sam from da Swats
March 19th, 2009
9:41 pm
By the way, can the host please come on here and tell these dummies that me and Rod from College Park are not the same person?
Blast
March 19th, 2009
9:43 pm
If Hawks can defend and execute on the road the way they do at home, then no one can stop them.
rms
March 19th, 2009
9:46 pm
BLAST, you were right, the radio guys Steve Holdman, I think, was excellent. Much better than, well what I was used to on T.V. Hope the Hawks play aggresive and knock down their shots against the Cavs cause you know the regs wont let them just come in there and win.
KevinA
March 19th, 2009
9:52 pm
The young studs didn’t get double double tonight but came close enough. ZaZa had another great game. How much money will it take to resign Flip. I say give the man a raise. Why wait for till off season.
Blast
March 19th, 2009
9:56 pm
Way to go, RMS. I hadn’t tried it out myself, just thought it might work since I listen on radio when Hawks games aren’t on TV, or I go to church those few Thursdays Hawks play. Great win, Hawks! Now, can we beat Cleveland at home? That will solidify our status!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2009
10:14 pm
4 games up with 13 games left. If the Hawks can go .500 the rest of the way I think they have the 4 seed on lock.
rms
March 19th, 2009
10:33 pm
I would like to see how they perform on the road because a thats where they struggle and the refs really work against them. I think now we get to find out what this team is really made of with the likes of Cleveland and a tougher home schedule against the NBA’s true elite. We come outta that stretch with a win streak in tact then we will defitnetly have a bulleyes on our back going into the playoffs.
Ken Strickland
March 19th, 2009
10:36 pm
I was actually hoping against hope. I knew Woodson wanted this gm badly, since it was the end of the homestand and the Mavericks were the opponent. That’s why I mentioned in my previous post that I hoped Woodson wouldn’t revert back to his old habit of overplaying his key starters and ignoring the bench. Well, that’s basically what happened. Woodson used a 7 man rotation with JJ and Smoove playing 43:13mins and 42:47mins respectively, while four others played between 31mins and 36+ mins. Playing Acie 1:04mins and West 4:13mins isn’t utilizing you bench effectively. IN WOODSON’S CASE, YOU REALLY CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS. GOOD WIN HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rod from College Park
March 19th, 2009
10:59 pm
Sam from the Swats,
5+5 = 10 …….. Another Win, without MarVIN!!!!!!!
All you clowns blogging about me and Sam from the Swats,
Stop being lame!!!
Read the article Sekou wrote, spend some money,
And get to the game.
SECTION 105 EVERY HOME GAME
Rollins Tree
March 19th, 2009
11:43 pm
Home be very very good to me.
cp
March 19th, 2009
11:47 pm
Nique is pure comedy. I have never heard one announcer mess up so many players names on such a consistent basis as Nique. Sometimes I wonder if Nique is even watching the game because his so called analysis makes no sense what so ever. That shoot ya wad comment was his best of the season. Good win but I hated the short rotation. Lmao@calling Dirk the name Derrick all night. Man you just have to love Nique.
niremetal
March 20th, 2009
12:20 am
CP,
According to Using English, Dominique’s usage of the term “shot their wad” was perfectly prim, proper, and, appropriate:
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/shoot+your+wad.html
That is all.
otrhawksfan
March 20th, 2009
1:46 am
steve does a good job giving us the word pictures to those who cant make it to the game or away from home. I dont know why they dont pass out the lil radios at the game like they do at the dome. I do miss 3d in the seat next to steve it was great listen.
otrhawksfan
March 20th, 2009
1:51 am
big dave,
i have wake, pitt, okla, mizzu
kirkinga
March 20th, 2009
2:08 am
Good job tonight against another legit team. The Hawks have built a cushion that they will need as they go through a another tough stretch against some top teams. I think it’s pretty safe to eliminate the Pistons and Sixers from contention for the 4th position.
With this win, it’s official, the Hawks will not have a losing season. Congratulations to the team for that.
Go Hawks!!
cp
March 20th, 2009
2:35 am
lol thanks for the link niremetal. I guess Nique was saving that one.
brewdawg
March 20th, 2009
5:22 am
Sekou,
That’s now 9-4 needed to finish the season with 50 wins. Huge pipe dream right? Maybe you need to be “one of those cats” that gets back on board.
O'brien
March 20th, 2009
7:49 am
Ken Strickland, I was thinking the same thing. Woody went back to his old self. And this game would have been much closer if Dallas shot halfway decent from 3 (they shot 6-31), and they had good looks.
The last few games the Hawks looked good when he utilized their bench more, but he didnt tonight, and I dont know why. Bibby didnt have a good game, so he could have played Acie more, and Mario always disrupts the other team’s rhythm, so when the Mavs made a run in the 3rd, he could have brought Mario in.
Ray, what’s up with Josh trying to lead the fast break? I dont think that’s going to work in the playoffs. Too many turnovers.
That being said, great homestand for the Hawks. It’s going to be tough to win in Cleveland playing against Lebron (who gets all the calls), and the Cavs are 32-1 at home. The players need to step it up for Saturday, and Woody needs to step it up.
doc
March 20th, 2009
8:50 am
not enough speed in the lineup to keep up with him o’b. simple equation. he over expressed himself but those types of moments super charge the team only he has to realize he was handicapped by his coach insisting on bibby playing big minutes. acie must have done a very bad thing on the court last night to have gotten the hook so quickly and sent to the gallows. yup woody tensed up and his sphincter tine brought out woody and his best or worst, yes they won so who is to complain right? sometimes i think josh is too talented for this team and coach. that is also the type of stuff that brought out the explosion in josh the the other night. the guy is not a mule but he looks around and there are nothing but mules on the court to play with. he has to realize it and slow down with the rest of them because that is the way woody wants it. woody is a simple farmer wanting to slowly till the land.
JOSH = MVP!
ILL-logical
March 20th, 2009
9:30 am
Reading “Sunshine” Shultz’s column this morning called to mind a trend that has been re-occuring over the last 5 years in the Atlanta media: Francouering young sports figures.
Remember how Jeff Francouer was the second coming of Babe Ruth? well now we know that the kid was and is a decent ballplayer who,now that the pressure to replace Andruw Jones as the statistical leader of the Braves is off,can be what he is: decent.
And remember the enshrinement of Keith Brookings into Canton? Well that certainly turned out well. Of course the motive there was to assuage the anti Vick folks that one of “their kind” was really the star of the Falcons.
Now comes the crowning of second year pro Al horford as “the leader” of the Hawks. First, since there are no home grown talents or “our kind of people” on the Hawks ,someone had to qualify. But the question raised by this pronouncement is compared to who?
Is it the putive hero Joe? Or is it the one who “has lingering questions ” about what he is?
Allow me to cut to the chase: Al don’t fall for the BS; you are a good player in a not good organization located in a town that ,while starved for a winner, still wants a certain look for its heros. The scapegoating of players like Andruw,Vick and now Josh is no accident. You are just a means to an end, a mean and nasty end added and abetted by people like Sunshine because they can’t do any better.
Beware the idiots of March!
I MUS.WRITE
March 20th, 2009
10:06 am
Hawksta… You were’nt hearing things NIQUE actually said “Shot their wadd” Its not the first time either, I pointed that out last year and folks were saying ….”O its just Nique being Nique he didnt mean it like that” Really- How ever he meant it he should clean that up their are little kids watching and I wouldnt want to be the parent that has to explain what a WADD is……..Come on Nique.
While im on the subject If you are getting paid to commentate games atleast try to get the dam names right …..Can sumone tell me who Dirt Nowitsi is jeezuz
Terrel – U right on the muney -if Marvin was’nt hurt Mario and Acie wouldnt even sniff the court.
Sautee
March 20th, 2009
10:16 am
Enjoyed going to the game last night. Great to meet Ando, jhan and MannyT in person, and hang out a little. Big Ray and doc were there as well. A regular “bloggers reunion” at the Highlight Factory.
Clyde, we looked for you at halftime. Maybe Horford had too many blocked shots?
Just kidding, man, sorry we missed you.
Woody DID seem to revert to his old self with the bench (or lack of it). At least we won, but that’s a troubling sign.
We played NO defense in the first quarter. Dallas was going inside and KILLIN” us. Luckily, they started falling in love with missed jumpers.
Yes, we held them under 90 points, but I never saw the defensive intensity I hoped to see. You know, the kind we’ll need to win playoff games.
Ken Strickland
March 20th, 2009
12:10 pm
OBRIAN-I’ve always tried to be equitable and give praise when it’s due, and grief when it’s warranted. That’s why when I feel Woodson has stepped up and performed all of the duties of a HC, I give him praise. As you should know by now, I certainly give him grief when he doesn’t.
But the truth is, he’s a creature of habit and conditioning and just isn’t comfortable operating outside of his comfort zone. So when he’s pressured, or feels pressured, he reverts back to old habits, conditioning and/or comfort zone. That’s the only explaination I can come up with that would explain his unwillingness to maintain a style of play, an extended rotation and strategies that have been proven to benefit the Hawks and has consistently gotten positive results over the last few yrs. He seems far more comfortable operating a slowdown one dimensional style of OFF, favoring and overplaying his veteran players, making limited adjustments, refusing to develop and then ignoring his bench no matter how inconsistently the team might be playing or struggling under his perferred approach.
When the pressure of inconsistent play and team struggles become too much for him to deal with, he blames the players and/or the lack of DEF. He then seems to withdraw and start relying almost exclusively on his preferred veteran players, rides their backs until they’re exhausted and lashes out at the younger players and uses their mistakes to justify his attitude towards them. At some point, the players start to balk at the way Woodson is dealing with them and the situation, and a blowup between he and a player usually occurs, and/or a player only meeting takes place. Player only meetings are called because it’s awfully hard to include your HC in an attempt to correct team problems when the HC is the major problem. IT DOESN’T BODE WELL FOR A HC WHEN THE ONLY TIME HE CAN COACH HIS TEAM TO PLAYING AND WINNING CONSISTENTLY IS IF HE’S FORCED TO COACH OUTSIDE HIS COMFORT ZONE DUE TO THE INJURY OF A MAJOR PLAYER OR TWO, AND/OR THERE’S A MAJOR BLOWUP WITH A PLAYER.