Show Flip the Money
Rod Tidwell and Hawks sixth man Flip Murray both rolled the dice and won.HAWKSVILLE - Flip Murray's made his case.
HAWKSVILLE -Flip Murray’s already made his case.
The Hawks aren’t yet done with this regular season or even the playoffs.
But one thing has become clear, the Hawks’ sixth man of the present needs to remain their sixth man for the future.
Flip MurrayMurray is the Rod Tidwell of this Hawks' season and they'll have to show him the "Quan" this summer.
Someone just jokingly asked me if I was Murray’s agent for writing something like this. Of course, I’m not. But if I were, this would be one client I wouldn’t be worried about heading into the summer.
Some team will show Murray the “Quan” this summer. And the Hawks need to be that team.
After all, Murray’s performance this year isn’t that of some mercenary on his latest job. I asked him after his season-high 30-point night against Minnesota Monday if he was upset about coming out before he could get one more bucket and set a new career high.
He gave me an are-you-serious look I wish I could have frozen and shown to you.
“I don’t care about nothing like that,” Murray said. “That wasn’t about me showboating or trying to get stats. We were trying to win that game and take care of our business. That’s all.”
Murray’s affinity for this team and for Atlanta has been obvious from the start. He was on his way to Russia before the Hawks had to scramble for replacements when Josh Childress bolted for Greece (they got Murray and valuable veteran pick up Mo Evans).
Murray’s history with Hawks GM Rick Sund (in Seattle, which isn’t nearly as colorful as his rise from Philly playground legend to NBA regular ) no doubt played a role in his choosing to remain stateside and play on a one-year deal (at a bargain basement price of $1.5 million). But give Murray credit for making the most of the opportunity.
And as for this summer, when suitors will be lining up to inquire about his services for the future, the Hawks will have one major chip on their side (not that these things are always valid once negotiating time begins).
There weren’t 29 other teams calling him and asking him to delay his departure for Russia.
There was only one.
HAWKS AND SPURS GO AT IT LIVE HERE IN JUST MINUTES
No Tim Duncan for the Spurs as the Hawks try and extend their home winning-streak to nine games and clinch a playoff berth on the same night against the four-time champs.
Duncan is sitting out the second night of a back-to-back for the second time this season, per my Spurs counterpart Mike Monroe. Something about resting the big fella to make sure he’s feeling just right come playoff time.
What a novel approach!
Game time.
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262 comments Add your comment
Reggie
March 25th, 2009
10:05 pm
Mark: Why do you bring up Homer every time you talk to me or Ray? What does me telling you things have to do with being a Homer? Flip had a good first half but was ice cold in the second half. He had about 4 BRICKS in the 4th quarter. Flip drives okay but it is usually out of control. Joe is smooth and has the balance and control to get it back out. Joe had nobody else in the 4th quarter and that is why HE decided to take over in the 4th quarter. The problem wasn’t offense in that quarter cause he covered it. the problem was we couldn’t get a stop. The few times they did miss Bibby was trying to get the D rebound over Bonner while Smith and Horford were sitting outside. Although Horford was stuck on Parker a lot of the time so he didn’t have a choice.
O'brien
March 25th, 2009
10:06 pm
Mike Bibby, 41 minutes, 13 pts, 4 assists, bad defense.
Al Horford, 41 minutes, 7 pts,
Josh Smith, 40 minutes, 12 pts
JJ 44 minutes (I understand JJ, because he was hot).
Maybe this was the kind of game where Marvin would have helped. But with Josh, Al and Zaza not having their best game, where was Solo?
Smitty
March 25th, 2009
10:08 pm
Having been a b ball coach for thirty years(all High school) I am especially wary of criticizing a coach w/out really knowing what’s going on in the locker room and at practice,but I was very disappointed in Woodson’s lack of any adjustments v. the Spurs. The first rule of defense has to be “take away what the opponent is doing best”. Double team Parker, guard him for awhile w/ Mario.something. We don’t know what the Spurs would do next cause they didn’t have to adjust at all.
Mark
March 25th, 2009
10:09 pm
You are right Patrick, this team has evolved into something. What, I don’t know. All I know is when it comes to the ELITE teams we Lose. Look at the home losses CELTICS, MAGIC, CAVALIERS, SPURS. (probably the Lakers and Celtics Again)
SUNS and NETS got lucky
doc
March 25th, 2009
10:09 pm
you and me nire adoptive parents we are.
we got schooled tonight, even without the big fundamental. seemed like bowen and ginobli didnt have to break a sweat to get the victory tonight against the hawks,
Astro Joe
March 25th, 2009
10:12 pm
Yeah, Ray, that’s me… Josh Basher. My previous post was exclusively dissing our PF. There was nothing balanced in my game analyst. I’m busted.
Anybody who thinks having one less quality player available (Marvn) against the elite teams in the league is straight stupid.
Funny watching the Celtics with Mikki Moore. I’ve probably watched him play all of 6 on-court minutes since he joined the Celtics and everytime he makes a bone-headed play that seems very un-champion like (like fouling a 3-point shooter).
bigdave
March 25th, 2009
10:13 pm
SWAT NATIVE,
your name is fitting bruh b/c i felt we should have adopted the Laker strategy after he got to 15..
I mean Pop had no problem with making sure Josh earned em, and Bonner gave Bibby his issue. The Hawks have to get nastier… i said a long time ago, our team, and our C is too “nice” smiley faces, all that… please.. guys need to get there game faces on..
Boston is going to come in here and try to bully us, and Kobe might try to roll a big number just cause he’s in the A and will have a large Laker turnout. Hawks need to develop a “chip on his shoulder” mentality.. let the lack of respect from officiating, opponents, and other external forces drive them…
Mark
March 25th, 2009
10:14 pm
Reggie what game were you watching in the fourth. Joe scored all of our points because we were running one play. At about the 4 or 5 minute mark, we had only scored 11 points. Yes our defense sucked, but that is a given versus good teams because of Bibby. There was no movement on offense because they were trying space the floor for Joe. The fact is, we need another prolific scorer and we don’t have one. Hell teams know what we are gonna do. Go to Joe. Flip maybe out of control, but usually when he comes in, good thing happen.
Reggie
March 25th, 2009
10:17 pm
Dave: That’s true. I’m not sure why the only time I’ve seen that mentality was in the playoffs last year. We did have the chip and it showed and the result showed. Well Hawks this in kind of like the playoffs right here. These next two game are big to get momentum and it would be huge to win them. If we beat both these teams we would get people talking. But we never seem to have that mentality.
Melvin
March 25th, 2009
10:28 pm
Mark, I said bring on the Celtics b/c there’s no use in dissecting this game…
ValdostaMike
March 25th, 2009
10:28 pm
Mario and Solo should have gotten a taste in the 4th. We got blistered when it mattered. But I still believe this team and this coach can do something special. First, we utilize all the talent we have. Players need to be unselfish, and coach needs to forget about Bibby’s, or Josh’s feelings, and stick the guy in there that is going to get the job done. I am not saying we can win it all, but we can advance. I bet no team wants to play us in the playoffs, especially if we have home-court.
darrell starks
March 25th, 2009
10:28 pm
WHY do WOODY THINK the way he think it makes no sense why is it so hard to bring in FLIP, MARIO, ZAZA, AND SOLO, of the bench and have a nice rotation thats how you devolop strength in numbers your not going to beat the good team especially ON THE ROAD not utilizing your bench when is WOODY GOING TO LEARN. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reggie
March 25th, 2009
10:30 pm
Mark: I agree that we do Iso Joe too much but is it the players faults that they just stand around watching Joe go to work or does Woody really tell them to stand around. If he does then he is an idiot. Tonight though that’s all we truly had though and it was working in the fourth. At about the 8 minute mark Joe was flawless. On most nights we don’t need this. But tonight we sadly had no other choice. I do agree with you though that we just stand around on offense too much. That’s like what rec kids do is stand around and watch the best player on the team score all the points.
Rod from College Park
March 25th, 2009
10:31 pm
Smitty,
It’s amazing isn’t it. All you had to do was double Parker, and make sure you don’t leave Finley.. Woody couldn’t figure that out. WOW. As I see above, the Marvin lovers actually think he would have shut down Parker. (LOL)
Reggie
March 25th, 2009
10:35 pm
Rod: He wouldn’t have shut down parker. But he would have maybe given us somebody else that could actually score the basketball tonight. Maybe he also would have had the guts to try and stop Parker when he went in the lane instead of everybody else playing soft and letting him in there.
ValdostaMike
March 25th, 2009
10:36 pm
I do think Marvin would have made 8 out of 10 free throws.
Melvin
March 25th, 2009
10:36 pm
Rod, I was asking at what point would Woody double Parker all nite… Go figure. How many times did we see Parker run the pick and roll with Big AL’s guy????
ValdostaMike
March 25th, 2009
10:38 pm
I guess they don’t shoot free throws on asphalt. Cheap shot, I know, but we have to develop a half court game if we are going to go deep in the playoffs.
MannyT
March 25th, 2009
10:44 pm
I can only assume that the Hawks were so in love with the idea of not playing against Timmy that they treated Tony like he was handing out autographed pics of the wife all night.
This is the roller coaster ride that we call the Hawks. I suspect that they will play much better against Boston and/or LA even though this was the game they should have won.
On the road, without Duncan, the Spurs play 10 guys and shoot well over 50% from the field. Maybe Woody will go to TX for the summer and get some time at the Popovich School for Coaches. He and Josh can get together on the weekend and have spats just to keep their relationship in mid season form.
BWAF
Sworn Secrecy
March 25th, 2009
10:52 pm
If “Thomas Gardner” gets 30+ mins a game he’ll be a 20 ppg guy.
ValdostaMike
March 25th, 2009
10:53 pm
Tony should have kissed us, as any gentleman should do as he has his way with a ….
Sworn Secrecy
March 25th, 2009
10:58 pm
“Thomas Gardner” is the answer to all of our problems, he has a drive and excellency to his game that only D-Wade, Lebron and Kobe can compare too.
The almighty “Thomas Gardner”
The Bird
March 25th, 2009
11:00 pm
Mark you continue to amaze me with your stupid points and comments.
pinoy hawk
March 25th, 2009
11:15 pm
Defense is a team play. However, in this game there was too much switching on defense especially when AL switched to parker on several occasions. The result easy points by the ultra fast frenchman against the big guy.
With respect to bibby’s deficiencies on defense, he worked like a dog running around to cover parker, mason and finley but I think his age and health (maybe overweight) is catching up on him. Starting flip may be a good option but I doubt if woody would change his starting lineup this late in the regular season.
RLP
March 25th, 2009
11:52 pm
Kudos to the Hawks for being the fifth team in the NBA to secure a playoff spot.
cp
March 26th, 2009
12:14 am
Pop showed us why he is considered one of the best coaches in the game and Woody showed us why he is Woody…. Pop had great plays out of the timeout, made adjustments, saw that we could stop particular plays so he exploited those mismatches all night…..Woodson made no adjustments and looked mad all night…. At least I wont have to hear Nique during the playoffs. I thought he was going to shoot his wad the way he was gushing all over Parker tonight.
Big Ray
March 26th, 2009
12:47 am
Astro Joe,
It was a joke. A JOKE. You know, rhymes with COKE? Otherwise I wouldn’t have said I agreed with you. To hell with it. No more joking.
Big Ray
March 26th, 2009
12:59 am
You know, I thought ol’ ATownDown was trippin’ and my eyesight was getting bad…’til Jerome Jurenovich and the Stinger started talking during the post game show.
They actually talked about he fact that Zaza Pachulia and Al Horford spent large quantities of time guarding Tony freakin’ Parker at the top of the zone, and how that was certainly not a way to be successful on defense.
Ladies and Gentlemen, instroducing the brilliant strategies and tactics employed by your local Coach of The Year…
Oh, and before the excuses start raining down, I know Acie Law wasn’t available, due to back injuries.
Oh wait a minute….THAT Law? The one who can’t make a single mistake on the court or he gets yanked? The one who Woody-philes said wasn’t seeing the floor because he wasn’t GOOD ENOUGH to play? The same guy who Woody refused to develop and groom for the majority of the season? The same guy Woody says he now misses because they need him against the better teams, who have the better point guards?
Surely you jest.
Mark
March 26th, 2009
12:59 am
The Bird, please just be quiet and post your comments on the game, not me. THanks
Ray do you think this team could trade something for Chris Bosh.
We could give resign Joe and give Bosh, Bibby’s money.
What are your thoughts?
Can we win it all with this squad?
Mark
March 26th, 2009
1:17 am
I will admit that Woody makes many questionable decisions, but Rick Sund will look at his body of work this season and say it was a success. He will base it off the fact that this is are first winning season in ten years. He will also look at the fact that Horford, Josh, and Marvin have missed significant portions of the season. Based on that, Woody not going anywhere. This team is OK with mediocrity because based on the last ten years, that is improvement.
I hate Woody’s decisions sometimes, but I also have to look at the fact that this man never really had a chance to build his own team like most coaches. He basically had to try and win with another man’s vision which was Billy Knight. Billy Knight’s vision was terrible. This man blew several drafts (Marvin and Shelden Williams), signed terrible free agents like Speedy Claxton (not to mention he tried to sign Eric Dampier who took less money to be with Dallas which I am glad). Woodson also took a job where there was no promise of winning from the start. He knew when taking this job that it was gonna take BK at least two years to clear off cap space, so I really can’t blame him for the
first two years. Coaches should be given an opportunity to build their own teams. Look at Larry Brown and Dantoni. Both of those guys when given jobs have been given the opportunity to build their teams. When Larry Brown was faced with the situation that Woody was in, he simply quit. He did not let Isaiah give him the players that he wanted him to have. Woody has been forced to try and
teach these players the game and then coach. He has never been given many significant pieces besides Joe. Look at Rivers up in Boston, he was on his way out the door before he was given some real talent. Now he could win two championships in a row. Woodson has had to do it with youngsters the whole way. My point is that these Hawks aren’t gonna get to a finals unless they make some moves. I just don’t feel that are nucleus is good enough.
Mark
March 26th, 2009
1:20 am
correction= our nucleus
niremetal
March 26th, 2009
1:54 am
Probably can’t get Bosh unless we’re willing to give up Horford.
I was the guy pulling for us to make a run at Bosh a year ago in a Smoove sign-and-trade. But Smoove’s stock has come down quite a bit this year, since he hasn’t lived up to the $10M/yr price tag that he carries – indeed, he has regressed in every single statistical category this year, and hasn’t shown a single new wrinkle in his game compared to last year. Now stats lie sometimes, heaven knows, and Smoove brings more to the table than are shown by his stats. But we’ll be hard-pressed to find a team willing to invest in his contract at the end of the year. We might have better luck next summer, using him as bait for the teams that strike out on LeBron, D-Wade, Bosh, etc.
The offseason will be interesting. The most interesting thing will be to see if a team like Detroit, Toronto, or Utah tries to do with Marvin a miniature version what we did (or rather should have done) with JJ – sign him to a higher-than-expected contract that the Hawks will be afraid to match. I use those teams as examples of teams that will have cap room to work with this summer and will be willing to spend it because they realize they have no shot of getting anyone from the elite 2010 free agent class. You heard it hear first – Marvin is the type of player who seems like he’d settle in very well in a place like Utah. And if Boozer bolts and they want a reasonably priced player to replace his offensive production, they may well call up Marvin’s agent and make an offer higher than the Hawks are willing to match.
niremetal
March 26th, 2009
2:00 am
Btw, here are other teams that will have cap space being created by departing players this summer and who might not be afraid to spend it:
Cleveland (Szczerbiak – $13M)
Dallas (Kidd – $21M)
Houston (Artest – $8.5M)
Indiana (Nesterovic – $8,5M)
Lakers (Odom – $11.5M)
Memphis (Antoine Walker – $8.8M)
Minnesota (Juwan Howard – $7.4M)
Fred
March 26th, 2009
6:55 am
Poor coaching killed us last night: http://www.examiner.com/x-2723-Atlanta-Hawks-Examiner~y2009m3d26-Parkers-42-Woodsons-coaching-doom-Hawks
dap01
March 26th, 2009
8:34 am
Bibby would be a very good role player. Someone who could come in an put up a 3. But he does not have enough game to start and play significant minutes.
We need a PG (AC), we need a center, we need a coach.
The Truth
March 26th, 2009
8:38 am
When the Hawks lose, they lose ugly don’t they? I used the word ugly relative to our 4th seed standing. If we were not playing for anything, then this would have been a satisfying loss. Also, this was an easy game to analyze. The players didn’t execute and the coach didn’t coach. At times the Hawks look so mediocre to be a fourth seeded team with poor free-throw shooting, turnovers, defensive break-downs and poor coaching. They still have not learned how to capitalize on turnovers or missed-shot opportunities by the opponents. Flip is the only exception. Even though AL did not score well on open looks, I will give him a slight pass because of his rebounding performance. Other then that, thumbs-down to the other front-court players. For us to have won this game Josh needed a monster night, particularly on the defensive end and it didn’t happen. The coaching strategy for this game should have been similar to the Wade Miami game. Every time the slasher Wade thought about slashing, he saw 2 or 3 defenders in the lane. But that was not the case. Every time Parker thought about finding a lane, he just needed to beat his man and it was clear sailing to the basket. Josh and Al were always a day late (and a dollar short) in contesting his shot and getting goal tending calls. The trick was not letting him see the lane in the first place. Hell, even a few zone looks might have done the trick in this game. I would rather have been beaten with jumpers then easy lay-ups. Once again, Woody didn’t make those kinds of adjustments. Even Mo Evans echoed the point in a post interview.
One more thing that’s troubling; the Hawks don’t typically recover from losses like this very well. So, I’m not expecting a miracle turn-around against Boston or the Lakers. I Hope I’m wrong. Those wins will depend on Josh since he is the enigma on the team. Marvin being out doesn’t help either. Marvin contribution would was missed at least on the free throw line, rebounding and interior play. That presence was missing down the stretch especially with Josh and AL struggling on offense. Other than Joe, we had no interior offense game. So ISO Joe was force to become, well, ISO Joe which is never a good thing for Joe. He doesn’t handle doubles and treble-team defense well at all. Joe reverted by to razor-back hog ball. Despite that fact, however, the margin of defeat was small enough such that a few made free throws, a few dunks, and a few stops could have made the difference in winning this game.
Since I never doubted us making the playoff based on our current record, I’m not that hyped that we actually made the playoff by default. This is how we done it last year even though our overall record is better by comparison. However, the clear mission is to obtain the 4th seed and host the 1st round. The way our temperamental Hawks play, at times, they will surely need the extra help; more than any other playoff bound team.
doc
March 26th, 2009
8:38 am
the hawks were not showing any toughness last night whereas the spurs without tim were. it was like their home game, rather than ours. who was going to swat down little parker? no one seemed to be able to even catch up to him to lay a hand on him as he repeatedly drove through and around guys twice his size for easy layups. on the other end kurt thomas made his fouls count laying out josh on at least two occasions for fouls and having several mix ups where they both ended up on the floor with no calls made. they owned the middle, we went back to the play defense of old, O-LAY.
better get ready to rumble on friday or it is going to be the second of a three game losing streak against the best at home. dont be fooled, it is a strong measuring stick. as bad as they were last night and even though they were tied starting the fourth quarter our hawks were never close to being in control of the game. nicely put manny t.
doc
March 26th, 2009
8:43 am
nicely put truth, as our remarks are on the echo side. you seemed to see the same major faults with the same concerns going forward. this team continues to surprise, i hope it continues.
JMar
March 26th, 2009
9:27 am
We could have the best defenders on the planet, but when Acie is the only player willing to fight through screens (and then get benched for it), we’d be stuck with Al Horford on Tony Parker all night long. Good coaching, Woody.
Elijah
March 26th, 2009
9:29 am
I am !@#$ing pissed.
Play Speedy on Parker last night and we win.
Bibby lose some !@#$ing weight, you fat old fart. You do nothing but shoot jumpers and let other PGs kill you on the court. I can’t even imagine how much Chalmers and Mo will destroy Bib in the playoffs.
Woodson, learn how to coach.
Josh grow up you idiot. You destroy our team and my fantasy etam.
The Spurs players said they are never satisfied even after big games like last night.
I think that’s why we aren’t an elite team.
Ric Roc
March 26th, 2009
9:43 am
Was at the game last night. So frustrating to watch Woody get outcoached by one of the great ones… Like, seriously. Pops out-coached the pants off Woody last night. The Spurs ran the same play offensively for 48 minutes: pick and roll with Parker to create mismatches with the Hawks while they continue to play man-to-man defense and sloppy/slow switches on defense.
How many times was Al or Zaza gonna have to guard Tony? What’s amazing is that Woody finally realized his strategy wasn’t working and opted to go zone late in the third. The Hawks create turnovers and stops and get back in the game to tie it. Woody decides that’s the perfect to back to man defense and the switch. Hawks never get close again.
The Hawks had the more talented team on the floor but could do nothing against the better coached team. The way they looked in the third, I was amazed to see the game tied.
ILL-logical
March 26th, 2009
9:47 am
First(and foremost),congratulations to the Hawks organization for their second consecutive playoff appearance.Many are called but fewer are chosen
Now that that hurdle has been cleared some strategic considerations might be considered:
1. Lost in the bashing/ scapegoating frenzy is the fact that Josh ’s ankle is in very bad shape. Why not rest him until the playoffs because if it gets worse, he may not be able to play at all in the playoffs. Plus he can spend the time working on his free throw shooting and watch game tapes.
2. Solo and Acie need some burn. The road through the playoffs is a long and winding one ; filled with twists and turns,many of them unexpected. Having these guys better prepared for those unexpected events cannot be a bad thing.
3. Give Flip the money. He has done it the old fashioned way: he has EARNED it!
kwooden1
March 26th, 2009
9:52 am
I didn’t get a chance to see this game, but I was looking forward to a win. From what everyone has said the HAWKS were doing their normal defense and the Spurs took advantage of it by ISOing Tony once a forward/center switch off on him. Tony is the best in the business at finishing at the rim for a guard so it’s almost impossible to close down the lane on him. I agree with the post about this being a loss because of coaching, the strategy should have been to layoff Tony so he’d have take a lot jump shots. I would have lived with Tony beating the HAWKS with all jump shots. Bonner, Mason and Finley are very good shooters, so double teaming is very difficult against the Spurs.
Also, our biggest issue is scoring points. The HAWKS aren’t going to be able to hold teams under a 100 every night, they need to have an offensive system that will allow them to score more points.
But I guess I’m just along for the ride like everyone else. Its going to be bumpy. Bring on Boston!! Their coming whether we want them to or not!
GO HAWKS!!!
The Truth
March 26th, 2009
10:09 am
Elijah
Your remarks are the exclamation points.
To steal some lines from the poem entitled, “THE MAN WHO THINKS HE CAN”
If you think you’re outclassed, you are:
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.
If the struggling Hawks, don’t quickly recover from this loss and subconsciously think that they are inferior to the elite teams, they will set the stage for a very disappointing playoff run; even with home court advantage. At the end of today, it is the mental thing that makes the difference.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 26th, 2009
10:13 am
“We didn’t get stops. And at some point you’ve got to make an adjustment. To let a guy get 42 points on a back-to-back, you’ve got to look at yourself. It wasn’t just an effort thing. You let a guy get 42 points, almost all on layups, what can you say?” — Mo Evans
Sounds like a subliminal shot at Woody to me…
O'brien
March 26th, 2009
10:17 am
I remember in last year’s playoffs, when Bibby struggled against Rondo. Acie played a couple minutes, and played well. During his half-time interview, Woody said he needs to play Acie more, because he is bigger and faster, and keep up with Rondo better. And what happened the second half and the rest of the series? Acie still got no playing time.
The Hornets played the Nuggets last night, and George Karl had them trap CP3 from the start, and he ended up with 6 turnovers (although he did have 19 and 10), but Woody makes no adjustments until the 3rd quarter?
Also, the 76ers might overtake the Heat for the 4th seed. Would we prefer to play Miami or Philly? Philly has Andre Miller (who will post up Bibby all night), and Dalembert with his length could be tough. Plus Iggy and Thaddeus Young, they might be the tougher team to beat.
Ric Roc
March 26th, 2009
10:26 am
doc and The Truth,
Both great points made and I echo those sentiments. Marvin was definitely missed for the Cavs and Spurs games. There are guys that say Woody should stick b/c of his overall body of work…when I view his body of work, I see that he has failed to properly develop Acie or Josh Smith; has never effective utilized his bench for any extended period of time; is slow to make in-game adjustments; and despite the Hawks overall record improvement from year to year, they have largely under-achieved during the regular season.
He keeps hanging his hat on taking the C’s to 7-games last year. They don’t give trophies or hang banners for that.
It’s like how Charlie Weiss’ biggest accomplishment in ND thus far is ALMOST winning against USC three years ago…
Ric Roc
March 26th, 2009
10:36 am
O’Brien,
You have certainly given some food for thought…who would make the tougher matchup? Philly or Miami. Philly has always given us fits as they can match our athleticism.
Ken Strickland
March 26th, 2009
10:57 am
In last nights loss, the Spurs were minus Tim Duncan and the Hawks were minus Marvin Williams, Acie Law and a HC. There wasn’t one ounce of strategy used by the Hawks. TINY TIM would have had enough sense to abandon a DEF strategy that consistently isolated TParker, the NBA’s most dynamic penetrating PG, against our C and PF. It seems everyone that attended the gm, everyone except Woodson that is, or watched it on TV, saw the fallacy in switching on Parker.
(1)Why didn’t we double Parker to get the ball out of his hands and limit his scoring opportunities, like they did JJ?
(2)Why didn’t we take advantage of TDuncan’s absence and pound them inside by rotating Zaza, Solo and Morris at C, and Horford and Smoove at PF?
(3)Why did we overplay our key players, Smoove-39.33mins, Bibby-40.41mins, Horford-41.02mins and JJ-44.02mins? The Spurs played 10 men and all except 2 got meaningful mins. We played 8, with only 7 getting meaningful mins.
(4)How stupid does a HC have to be to think he can play his best player 44.02 mins against a solid DEF team like the Spurs and expect him to be the DEF stopper against TParker, provide the bulk of the OFF and take over PG duties?
(5)We saw how effective our fullcourt press was in the loss against Cleveland. So, why didn’t we use it at least once against TParker and the Spurs?
WE PLAYED THE SPURS WITHOUT A HC. WOODSON EXPECTS CONSISTENCY FROM HIS PLAYERS, BUT HIS PLAYERS CAN’T GET ANY CONSISTENCY FROM HIM, UNLESS YOU COUNT HIS CONSISTENT DISAPPEARING ACT AND WITHDRAWING TO HIS OLD HABITS. I WANT TO HEAR FROM ANYONE THAT DOUBTS WE COULD HAVE WON THIS GM WITH A COMPETENT HC AND SOME BASIC STRATEGY.
doc
March 26th, 2009
11:06 am
ill, where is it said josh is injured. i said long ago he was coming back too early for the injury he has and suspected we wouldnt, couldnt and shouldnt expect him to do or see him do night in and night out what he did last year. tell me your sources. there are some hatas that need to wake up to reality.