Legitimize your rise Hawks!
HAWKSVILLE - The Hawks are running out of chances to show everyone and to prove to everyone that they are the team they think they are, the team we thought they were a couple weeks ago.
It's show and prove time for Joe Johnson and the Hawks with Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers in town.
Three losses in their last four games, all three to teams among the NBA’s elite, have stirred up the doubters. And rightfully so.
So what can the Hawks do to legitimize their rise?
Just beat the Los Angeles Lakers today.
That’s all.
Just knock off arguably the best team in the league with the best player on the planet (according to most folks that would be one Kobe B. Bryant, though the LeBron James camp has a convincing argument for their guy these days).
In losses in Cleveland and to San Antonio and Boston in the last week, all the Hawks did was prove their doubters right about their inability to rise up to the challenge of facing the league’s best.
They were running on fumes minutes into the game in Cleveland last weekend. And they haven’t played their best since then, not even in a win over Minnesota Monday night and certainly not in the momentary spurts of quality play against the Tim Duncan-less Spurs and Kevin Garnett-less Celtics.
So what happened to the team with all that swagger we saw during that seven-game homestand?
“We’ve got to get that back,” said Hawks swingman Mo Evans. “Because if a team with Kobe on it smells any fear or lack of confidence, Kobe’s going to pounce. He won’t hesitate to take the game over anyway. But for a team that’s trying to stomp with the big boys, he’ll take that as a challenge and try and destroy ‘em”
Evans knows that as well as anyone. He played with the Lakers and saw Bryant’s drive first hand. He also started on an Orlando team last year that made the difficult climb from postseason dreamer to legitimate elite team.
That gives him a unique perspective on the Hawks’ current predicament.
Evans knows it takes a collective mettle that the Hawks have yet to display consistently to join the big boys, having played with a little bit of everyone during his time in the league.
Mo Evans knows it takes toughness to play with the big boys.
There have been spurts, and nobody can argue with a winning season after a decade of ugliness, but never enough of it on a daily basis to warrant their inclusion into the conversation about the league’s very best teams (and yes, a 3-12 record against the top three teams in the Eastern and Western Conference qualifies as the empirical data needed to prove that point).
Mike Bibby insists that Friday’s game against the Celtics wasn’t a statement game or anything of the sort, because the Hawks want to “win every game.” His reasoning: “We’re are still in the fourth spot and we can’t hang our heads. We just need to keep playing and try to keep the fourth spot.”
That’s exactly why these games against the Cavaliers, Celtics and Lakers are “statement” or “message” games. You win those games and you lock up the fourth spot and legitimize your rise all in the same stroke.
UNDER THE LIGHTS
For those of you that just can’t get enough for these Hawks, there’s an interesting show airing tonight on Fox SportSouth at 6:30, after the Hawks-Lakers game.
It’s a 30-minute snapshot of a NBA life called Under the Lights-Hawks Road Trip. There’s footage that is well worth watching (I know, I saw an advance copy Friday afternoon courtesy of the fine folks – namely Kate Hart – at Fox).
The cameras had access to some things I never get to see in person, like breakfast meetings on the road trip and locker room access at halftime and pregame, long after they jettison those of us in the media.
I spoke Saturday with Keith Wetzler, the producer of original programming for Fox (and also the man who produced that special on Joe Johnson, Dominique Wilkins‘ Hall of Fame induction show and those very helpful A-Town Dancers shows), and we talked about the delicate dance of trying to get behind the scenes without crossing the line.
“We were trying to take the fans into the places they’ve never been before,” Wetzler said. “Fans don’t get to see what goes on in the locker room, on the charter flights and in the breakfast meetings. We were a fly on the wall for the fans. The goal was two fold, take them into the places they’ve never seen before and show them personality they’ve never seen.”
Johnson showed off more of the personality we see from him at practice and in the locker room that is rarely on display during games (when most fans get their only glimpse of him). It’ll be surprising for some people to see him like that.
When I asked Wetzler if he was surprised at all by how comfortable the players were with the cameras constantly in their faces, he said he was not.
“I pretty much knew what to expect,” Wetzler said. “And it wasn’t a ‘get out of my face’ type deal. I explained to the [Hawks] what we were trying to do and they responded. We were there to show the entire experience and to bring the fans along for the ride.”
MS. KERI’S DEBUT
Before I depart for Philips and today’s game, I have to sell out for the First Lady of the Blog (for 2009) and give a rousing endorsement to Atlanta’s own Ms. Keri Hilson.
Her debut CD came out this week and It’s worth the purchase.
The First Lady's debut CD is in stores!
I’m an 80s baby and child of the Hip-Hop era, but an unabashed lover of R&B music. And while others love to proclaim most anything new DOA, I happen to dig a lot of the new stuff.
If you drive around this town as much as I do, you’re always looking for something new to listen to (when you’re not on your cell phone like all the thousands of folks that make my back and forth a chore), you’re always on the lookout for something good to listen to.
You might want to check her out, so your next drive to a Hawks’ game is enhanced by her beautiful sounds.
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206 comments Add your comment
Elijah
March 29th, 2009
11:27 am
first
rms
March 29th, 2009
11:51 am
Does this mean Speedy is playing or do he get to sport a new suit.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
11:54 am
The Hawks absolutely have to feed Josh Smith and Al Horford the ball today. The Lakers’ biggest weakness right now is their interior defense, with no Andrew Bynum. Joe Johnson is going to have a tough time getting open shots with Kobe Bryant and Trevor Ariza alternately guarding him. Asking him to get shots in isolation every play is going to result in a predictable 30-something percent shooting night and another loss. Let Josh and Al attack Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom off the dribble and get them into foul trouble, and you can then turn the tables on the Lakers by making them a perimeter oriented team.
Sure, that could just mean Kobe Bryant goes off, but Gasol has been on fire offensively recently (62% shooting and 21 ppg in March) and allowing him to get going will make that team impossible to defend. Kobe is always going to be a player that you can only slow down, never stop, but with his ankle injury there’s always the chance that if you make him work hard for his points he won’t play with his usual efficiency.
Other than that, the Hawks have to make sure they box out and defend the 3 point line in this game. Easier said than done, but the Lakers’ success stems in large part because their role players knock down open 3’s in rhythm and their front court dominates the boards.
terrell barron
March 29th, 2009
11:54 am
Can you say 6 game losing streak? Hey Sekou, Hansborough? Please! I guess I’d be o.k. with Tyreke Evans or Johnny Flynn, but I’d rather have Patrick Mills. And is Mullens any better than Solo? WHY NOT JUST DEVELOP HIM? Oh, I forgot who the coach was. With that said, why draft a pg or a center when they’ll just ride the bench? I’m sorry man, but I just cant get excited about this years draft, knowing old stubborn ass will still be here. I just cant.
terrell barron
March 29th, 2009
11:59 am
Come on Najeh. None of that really matters. We’ll be overmatched and extremely outcoached today. It’ll take a miracle for us to pull this one out. This team wins all of their games at home, and MOST of their games on the road. Tough task today. Kobe Bryant is on a mission, while we’re already satified that we clinched a spot.
Blindog
March 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
Until the Hawks get a ligit point gaurd and cfnter they will never reach the next level.As much as I like Hansborough he is not what this team needs.Woodson has proven he can’t develop nor coach young talent. He has got to go!!
SWAT Native
March 29th, 2009
1:13 pm
This is a crazy two weeks. The Hawks will play every team that is a legitimate contender for the championship: Cavs, Spurs, Celtics, Lakers and then the Magic. I was sitting next to a couple at the Celtics game Friday night and the wife kept trying to tell me that the game didn’t matter because both teams had already made the playoffs. I kept trying to explain to her that they were still fighting for seeding and it was important for the Hawks to show these kinds of teams that they can’t just come in our gym and win, but she didn’t get it. Fortunately they left at halftime.
I finally found a ticket for today’s game. so I’ll be there. Sekou, any word on whether Kobe will play?
Joe's place Joe speaking
March 29th, 2009
1:54 pm
If the sorry a$$ sixers can beat the lakers at home then I say we definitely have a shot! But it takes confidence, something the hawks lack, so let’s just watch and see what team comes out today before we judge.
oh and Sekou where the he!! Is your picure up top ?? And why do you think the hawks can play so well on week and terrible the next?? Who’s to blame in your opinion??
Today’s Links 3/29 at New England Sports 24/7
March 29th, 2009
1:58 pm
[...] Draft profile: Tyrese Rice Red’s Army Two teams, two decisions Stay positive people AJC Legitimize your rise Hawks News OK Top seeds have an advantage in the NBA Playoffs Hoopsworld 5 things we learned in the [...]
terrell barron
March 29th, 2009
2:03 pm
Damn, we could’ve used Ryan Hollins. He’s been buried on a few benches for years.
O'brien
March 29th, 2009
2:13 pm
When the Hawks won those 7 games at home, Woody was doing a good job of playing his bench (especially Acie and Mario). But since then, Acie has been hurt, and Mario hasnt got enough PT, and Solo gets no PT. The starters have been playing extended minutes against good defensive teams, and that is not a formula for success.
Joe Step Up!!!!
March 29th, 2009
2:22 pm
It’s your time Joe, Right Now. I want a Career High MJ Stle 55 Points. Straght Beast Mode on KB24. If ever you were going to legitimize being one of the best guards in the world, now is the time.
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
2:32 pm
TB, Thats Right.
SEKOU,What do you have against Patrick Mills? Did you see this guy own Deron Williams, CP3, and Kidd in the olypics? You didn’t see St.Marys Vs. Davison last week when he one-upped Stephen Curry with 26pts and 11 assists? Not to mentinon the “W”. Sekou……you slippin’…..
~Sir Links A Lot~
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
Errors: Olypics and Davidson…heh…
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
olympics….
Elijah
March 29th, 2009
2:38 pm
There’s no way in hell Woodson uses the bench today in such a high-profile game. If Solomon Jones and Mario get minutes as part of the regular rotation for more than 1 minute each, I will be shocked
Sekou K. Smith
March 29th, 2009
2:48 pm
I like Patty Mills just fine. He just didn’t make the list.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
3:26 pm
Other than his weird shooting form, Mills is nice. I don’t think Maynor, Lawson or Flynn are realistic targets where the Hawks will draft, and on the 2nd tier of PGs Mills is probably the best.
But I’m still not a fan of targeting a point guard. I think the Hawks need a big body — even if it’s not a true center like Mullens — more than they need another young point. Acie Law will do just fine given playing time, and more importantly none of these PGs in the draft is such a sure thing that they will immediately come in and outperform Law. I’d love to see someone like Hansbrough or Patrick Patterson on the Hawks if they are the best big man available in the early 20s where the Hawks will pick.
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
3:27 pm
Sekou, So you don’t think he’s a good fit for the Hawks or he’s just not one of your top five Hawk prospects?
bigdave
March 29th, 2009
3:30 pm
maybe i missed it, but coach mentioned after the lost to the Celts that they would practice Sat. and some of the guys that were a bit, “nicked up” are going to have to tough it out,and give it a go…
does that mean Acie is available…?
Blast
March 29th, 2009
3:35 pm
This will be a tough game for the Hawks, and since they’ve been losing to all the good teams coming to town so far, I expect them to lose to LA. Unless, as Sekou said, they come out with pride. Show the league you can beat the elite teams. Hawks win this game, they make up a little for the recent loses. They lose this game, and they just confirmed that they are nothing else but a 2nd-Tier team.
No question. The bigs have to be fed toniight. Constantly. Hawks cannot pound the ball. One play early quarter last game, Joe drew a triple team. Horford was open for one brief second. All Joe had to do was toss him the ball, And AL would have had a dunk. Joe held the ball, AL was cut off, when Joe finally passed the ball to AL, he was forced to take a quick jumper wheich he missed. Joe has to trust hie teammates. He cannot win ball games himself.
No slow start. Too much of that lately.
Bibby must play great.
Ho Hawks, show me something!
Big Ray
March 29th, 2009
3:37 pm
Samuel,
In the last blog, I meant to say Jermaine O’Neal, not Marion. Don’t know what I was thinking about at that particular moment.
Elijah,
You went for the old misdirection play. I accuse Sam of being my doppleganger, and you speak up almost immediately. It’s okay, youngster. You’ll get better at being a clown. I have faith in you. Heh….by the way, writing is a hobby, not something that goes on a resume. I don’t expect you to understand, but even a blind squirrel with two broken legs can find a nut. Whether or not he knows what to do with it afterwards is another deal altogether….By the way, you set a rather attainable goal for Woody against the Lakers. 1 minute each for Mario and Solo? I’m holding you to EXACTLY that. And I’m no Woody fan.
Clyde,
Blogger of the Year is a one-time thing. I’ve moved on, bro’. What’s the new t-shirt slogan these days? Come on now, you gotta have something to get you back to Rio!
Big Ray
March 29th, 2009
3:47 pm
I have a very bad feeling about this game. It’s not like I had a good one to begin with. The Hawks are already jacking shots from the perimeter, including an early long bomb attempt by Josh.
Based on that sight alone, we’re going to lose. Playing like that against THE best team in the NBA? Yeah, that’s a loss. I sure hope we cut this foolishnes out…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
3:50 pm
Considering how badly the Hawks started the game, I’m actually kinda happy with the 8-6 score.
2 fouls on Kobe — that’s a huge break.
bigdave
March 29th, 2009
3:51 pm
should be 3 on kobe but they letting him hound joe as always…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
3:54 pm
2 fouls on Fisher too. It would be nice to see an effort to attack either Gasol or Odom and get one of them into foul trouble. After the early terrible start the Hawks are making a nice effort to get inside now.
Blast
March 29th, 2009
3:55 pm
LA might not kill you with the first shot, but they surely will hammer you on the offensive glass. Hawks must rebound.
Like Hawks energy right now. I think Joe is trying to prove something today.
Elijah
March 29th, 2009
3:57 pm
JOSH SMITH WATCH:
1 FOUL
BRICKED JUMPSHOT
2 WILD AIRBALLED LAYUPS.
WILL KEEP YOU POSTED
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
4:00 pm
Bibby on Farmar is how the Lakers started their run back in LA. Woodson needs to get Bibby outta there ASAP. Flip nees o get in there pronto.
bigdave
March 29th, 2009
4:04 pm
thats aight Josh… u were trying to send it in with some authority…
Elijah
March 29th, 2009
4:04 pm
Kobe with 2 fouls probably is not good. Hawks will go complacent and will be down 7 at halftime.
I hope I am wrong
Blast
March 29th, 2009
4:04 pm
That’s the 3rd dunk Josh has missed this season!
O'brien
March 29th, 2009
4:06 pm
So Woody takes a 20 sec timeout with 0.9 seconds left. I sure hope we run a good play
bigdave
March 29th, 2009
4:06 pm
another wasted time out by Woody… make or miss…
O'brien
March 29th, 2009
4:07 pm
Since Kobe has sat for so long, Woody needs to make sure JJ is rested, because I think Kobe will be fresh in the 4th.
Big Ray
March 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
Heck yeah, this is more like it!
Now extend the lead!
Blast
March 29th, 2009
4:08 pm
Enter your comments here
cheese
March 29th, 2009
4:09 pm
its all woodys fault! hawks are winning so far 20-13 after 1st.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
4:13 pm
The Hawks’ defense has been outstanding over the last 10 minutes or so, and one of the main reasons, oddly enough, is Zaza Pachulia. He’s been great on the glass and in denying Pau Gasol post position.
Blast
March 29th, 2009
4:16 pm
That was a BS call on AL.
Sekou K. Smith
March 29th, 2009
4:17 pm
Kobe seemed like he wanted out of this game. He was playing like a man on a mission – to foul out of this game with his aggressive play early on. He seems to be resting just fine now over there on the end of the bench.
Sautee
March 29th, 2009
4:17 pm
Joe makes a LOT of his shots SO much harder that he has to. It’s like he WANTS to make a more difficult shot, rather than take an easy one.
bigdave
March 29th, 2009
4:19 pm
No Sekou its just that they usually let him get away with assault and battery…
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
4:23 pm
Mike Woodson takes takesthe dumbest timeouts sometimes……
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
4:30 pm
Ummm……I Want Mario in the rotation all the time.
Blast
March 29th, 2009
4:35 pm
Gasol and Odom in the game and Hawks go small? Now Zaza, who has played like a warrior has three fouls. Hawks must stop fouling.
Gp Mario!
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
4:38 pm
We haven’t scored in a while. We need to get our offense going.
Blast
March 29th, 2009
4:42 pm
Well, Hawks make it more interesting for themselves.
Kobe isn’t happy about Mario’s defence. Watch Kobe try to take over in the second half.
Refs straight up killing us. As usual.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
4:43 pm
The front court foul trouble really hurt the Hawks in the last six minutes of the half. With a lack of size and no scoring from the front court the Hawks had to rely too much on the guards to carry them offensively and weren’t able to control the boards like they did in the 12 minutes before that. Josh, Al, and Zaza have to make sure they don’t commit unnecessary fouls in the 3rd quarter, or else the Lakers will be able to continue their run.
I posted this a couple of blogs ago, but I’ll say it again — if Mario West works on his outside jumpshot in the offseason, he will be a really valuable asset for this team next year. His inability to contribute offensively in the half court is the only thing keeping him from regular minutes right now.
AL
March 29th, 2009
4:47 pm
I hope Al gets going, he has not played well lately (Matt Bonner and Glen Davis).
If we do play Miami, at least we know Mario might be able to somewhat contain Wade.
Elijah
March 29th, 2009
4:49 pm
I don’t understand how Mario’s offense is still so awful? Does he figure that he’s buried in the bench, so he doesn’t need to work on his shot? We know he’s athletic and can make layups. Now work on your jumpshot
Blast
March 29th, 2009
4:53 pm
Hawks must rebound defensively, Lakers killing them with second shots. Good thing AL only has 2 fouls.
Mario is a gammer.Just love his energy and defence.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
5:13 pm
Dammit… Josh Smith was wide open for the alley oop and Bibby totally missed him…
bigdave
March 29th, 2009
5:23 pm
YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Nate ArchiBALL
March 29th, 2009
5:27 pm
Najeh,— Joe ” Ballhog” Johnson had him open for an oop earlier in the quarter but was too busy dribbling.
bigdave
March 29th, 2009
5:29 pm
Za Za can give u this consistently…
Blast
March 29th, 2009
5:34 pm
Bibby and Flip are hugging the ball too much in the 4th. And they are playing hesitant. Now is not the time to let down. Game ain’t over yet. Keeping driving and shooting. I haven’t seen them run many plays for the bigs yet. Joe needs to be back in the lineup.
Finish the 4th strong and take this game, Hawks
dmortone
March 29th, 2009
5:34 pm
Hawks playing with energy from the opening tip, along with the Lakers forcing up way too many outside shots means the Hawks are in good shape. Just gotta keep up the intensity for 9 more minutes and we get a good win.
kirkinga
March 29th, 2009
5:35 pm
Well it looks like we’re ending the month the same way it started, with the naysayers in full effect. At the start of the month it was an open question for some if the Hawks could manage 3-17? Now it’s, if the Hawks (who are missing their starting 4 and blog-favorite Acie), can’t beat the best team in the West, they aren’t “legit”?
I’m not buying that,sorry.
Is Miami legit? The Sixers? How about the Pistons everyone was so mindful of at the start of this month?
The Hawks are losing to teams, deep down in your Hawks heart, you know are better. I hope they pull out today’s game, but I’m not ready to invalidate the season if they don’t.
The Hawks are going to be the 4th seed. That means they are legit, they aren’t sliding into the 8th seed with a losing record.
No more fantasy land. We know what the Hawks are and what they aren’t. They are legit. But they aren’t better than the Celtics, Cavs, Spurs, Lakers, or Magic, but those are the teams that were on their schedule at this point in the season. At 14-22 on the road,they will also have a tough time winning on the road in Philly.
This is no time to get squishy. Holding on to the 4th spot isn’t going to be easy or pretty.
Go Hawks!!
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
5:37 pm
Hopefully we can get to the 5 minute marbefore josh is neede again.
niremetal
March 29th, 2009
5:38 pm
Huh? What’s with Woody calling another timeout right after the TV timeout?
Sekou K. Smith
March 29th, 2009
5:40 pm
Mario West to bird dog Kobe for the next two minutes, just to see if it works.
niremetal
March 29th, 2009
5:42 pm
GREAT sequence by Bibby. I still don’t get the people who think that his defensive lapses outweigh his great court vision in transition and the fact that he’s at his best when it counts most.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
5:45 pm
Haha nice 3 Bibby… used up the rest of your luck today on that one…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
5:55 pm
Ugly game… probably would have been somewhat different if Kobe was at 100%, but still nice to see the Hawks take care of business, especially with Joe Johnson having one of his worst games of the season.
terrell barron
March 29th, 2009
5:55 pm
I’m impressed. JJ looked awful today, btw. Still impressed though.
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
6:01 pm
Sekou, I guess the hawks are legit now huh? lol Nice win by the guys. We neede this one.
Mike Woodson
March 29th, 2009
6:03 pm
My job is safe! Lakers fans be damned!!
Ernest
March 29th, 2009
6:03 pm
Good win by the Hawks this afternoon! It was ugly but a ‘W’ nonetheless.
mike
March 29th, 2009
6:03 pm
bout time we beat an “elite” team.. proud of the defensive effort.. al needs to step up his game seems like he’s been in a slump recently. go hawks.. we need that win in philly desperately
Ariose
March 29th, 2009
6:04 pm
Kobe wasn’t much better. He had a crappy night too.
kirkinga
March 29th, 2009
6:05 pm
Great win today for the Hawks!
The Hawks beat a better team today at home at something less than full strength.
Hopefully we all know now that the Hawks are a legitimate team. The Hawks are 6 games above .500 since their 6-0 streak. 8 games to go and looking pretty descent.
Go Hawks!!
Gilley
March 29th, 2009
6:05 pm
Great Win Hawks! If the Hawks played defense like this every night and Mike Bibby shot lights out like this every night, we woulud be alright! To all you Kobe fans and Hawks haters, “Now you know!”
Blast
March 29th, 2009
6:05 pm
Sweet win!!!!!!!!!
Now maybe the Hawks can get that monkey off their back and reclaim their home court. Wasn’t the prettiest game at all, but I’ll take the win.
Hawks are legit, they just are not elite. That’s the difference. The elite NBA teams this year are Cleveland, Boston, LA, Orlando, and San Antonio, teams that have a really good shot at winning the title. Hawks fall on the next level with the likes of Houston, Portland, Denver, Utah, etc. But with shrewd picks and some key additions this summer, Hawks can potentially reach that level.
Mike Bibby. How do you love me now?
Go Hawks! Take it to Philly!
Gilley
March 29th, 2009
6:07 pm
Great Win Hawks! If the Hawks played defense like this every night and Mike Bibby shot lights out like this every night, we would be alright! To all you Kobe fans and Hawks haters, “Now you know!”
"Big Baby" Davis
March 29th, 2009
6:10 pm
Call my agent NOW!!! I can’t wait to finally play on a winning team. Oh wait…
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2009
6:16 pm
Blast @ 6:05 PM, great post.
Blast
March 29th, 2009
6:20 pm
8 games left for the Hawks. Not looking at whether the game is away or home, here are the Hawks next opponents. Philly, Boston, Orlando, Toronto, Milwaukee, Indiana, Miami and Memphis. Looking at the schedule, I feel the Hawks have a good chance of going 5-3 at worst or 6-2 at best, if they continue with their good defence. The first three games will be the hardest, but thay can steal that Philly game, and let’s say they lose to Boston and Orlando, Hawks take care of business, don’t see why they cannot win the last five games of the season.
Do that, and Hawks have a chance of closing out the season with 48 to 49 wins. Again, not elite, but completely legit.
Sautee
March 29th, 2009
6:24 pm
So kirk, when exactly IS a good time to get “squishy”?
Blast
March 29th, 2009
6:28 pm
Thanks, Najeh.
I love Mo Evans interviews. He calls it as it is, and he talks like a coach. He seems to understand the Hawks better than Woodson.
Big Ray
March 29th, 2009
6:50 pm
Man, I was completely glued to the tube by the second half. Heh…with the way both offenses were playing, it was like watching a train wreck.
Fortunately, the Lakers disrespected us just long enough for our defense to get going, Bibby to hit some shots, and our bench players to give us a lift.
I don’t think I can imagine a prettier ugly win than this one.
Big Ray
March 29th, 2009
6:54 pm
42 wins should have been enough to let anybody know this team is legit. Winning games like that shows this team still has some competitive fire. No, as Kirk says we are NOT better than the elite teams. With some of the known issues that we have, that should not come as a surprise to anybody.
I just hope we can keep things going, and be just as competitive next year, and so on.
Somebody tell Elijah that Mario played over 6 minutes, and Solo played over 2 minutes. Told ya….
Big Ray
March 29th, 2009
6:58 pm
Blast,
Agreed about Bibby. He’s still a liability on defense, but like has been said earlier: his shot-making ability will be needed come playoff time. And it was never more apparent how he can make up for not being a defensive stalwart than against a team like the Lakers, where the pg position is not that much of a threat. Thing is, we need him to come up big against teams that DO have good pgs. And since hitting bit shots is what he does best, we need to find ways to spring him for open looks, like they did today. Otherwise, his presence is nullified.
kirkinga
March 29th, 2009
7:14 pm
Sautee-I think you’re old enough to know that by now.
Sautee
March 29th, 2009
7:17 pm
Kirk,
Hey, no age jokes. I’m kinda sensitive you know.
kirkinga
March 29th, 2009
7:23 pm
Ray, I agree. The Hawks need to continue to build. This is not a finished product and shouldn’t be evaluated as such.
It is quite possible, with free agents and a bad economy, that we are still 2 seasons away from seeing the process began under Knight, completed.
I think you also raised a very good point about Bibby. Even against a lock-down elite defense, he can still manage to get his shots, maybe they aren’t the flashy-quick moves of a Parker, but they are darn effective just the same.
I can’t decide. Is it a good thing or bad thing that ZaZa alone had about the same amount of points and rebounds as Horford and Josh combined?
Go Hawks!!
Big Ray
March 29th, 2009
7:24 pm
LOL @ Kirk and Sautee…
doc
March 29th, 2009
7:25 pm
missed the game. great to hear the guys stopped the skid they were on. they deserved one. sounds like there was nothing pretty about it. a win is a win is a win. felt we let down the last two games, had san antoine where we wanted them and playing against big baby instead of kg only to not compete in either game.
resolute effort and zaza is the man for a day! get down on your knees zaza hatas.
KevinA
March 29th, 2009
7:32 pm
About the only thing that can reverse expected mind numming losses is the unexpected wins. Our Hawks are not as good as the elite teams but todays game shows if you hustle, bang bodies and give effort anything can happen. You gotta love-em.
Big Ray
March 29th, 2009
7:35 pm
Kirk,
You could be very right about that. I think that one of the things that will hinge on is how much Sund wants to make his own impression on this team. He said/did the classy thing when he first got here, by giving Knight credit for the talent he accumulated. But he’s “the man” now. Does he have more, less, or exactly the same amount of rein as Billy did? I’m curious to see just how much rope he’s got to work with (and money as well), and how shrewd he turns out to be with it. This summer will begin to answer some of our questions, but I agree that another 2 years is a reasonable expectation, given the economical issues that clearly exist.
As for Bibby, I know I dump on the guy a lot for his defense. And his offense has been off more than on here lately. But I would be very much remiss if I said it was all on him. An offense that stands around seriously kills his effect. Not setting enough picks (or doing it in the right places) kills his effect. The guy is 6′1″ and doesn’t have a lot of lift, but we see what he can do when he’s in rhythm and get can a good look at the basket for a second.
This what Woody needs to recognize, enforce, implement, implore, do whatever he MUST to put Bibby in a position to succeed. And guess what? Bibby’s teammates are every bit as responsible for this. We had much better ball movement when Bibby came here, especially through the first half of the season. These guys have destroyed that at times. And they’re going to need his shooting so badly in the playoffs. Guys are used to seeing JJ take, and make tough shots.
But if you think a 6′7″ 240 SG/SF has a tough time when he’s not open, what would we expect from a smaller, less athletic guy? It really shouldn’t take a coach to tell these guys that, though. They should know. Get the man open, and he will kill defenses. Stop standing around…
And I think we’ll have to just take the sunny side of this one, Kirk. THIS time, anyway. Zaza came up big, even if the guys playing in front of him didn’t. We still won, and that says something, though I wouldn’t bank on it happening more often than not when Josh and Al play like that, even against lesser teams than the Lakers.
otrhawksfan
March 29th, 2009
7:53 pm
good game for the hawks on another win! I am glad mo hit some shots in that 3rd. He let jj off the hook today. Does anyone know what our magic number is for home court?
Da Real Real
March 29th, 2009
8:21 pm
GOOD WIN HAWKS! Always good to have a full house down at Phillips…it sucks when at least half the crowd there is pulling for the other team…but it REALLY felt good to wave good bye with a big smile on my face at the losers today as they made their way to the exit.
As for the legit thing, Sekou – I’d say the Hawks sealed that during that 7 game home win streak. We’ve been beating some quality teams all season and I don’t think there is a team in the league, right now, that takes our Hawks lightly this year (and that includes the “ELITE” ones). Like many have said here we’re on the tier with those teams knocking on elite door (Rockets, Hornets, Jazz). Heck, the way the East look we have a good chance, next year, of being an elite team in the eastern conference. Other than that really good game today, some folks will say it was ugly, I will say it was absolutely beautiful – had a really good time down at the arena today.
J.J.M.
March 29th, 2009
8:24 pm
awww look at the fans jump right back on the wagon
Freshmaker
March 29th, 2009
8:37 pm
OTR, I believe the magic number for clinching the 4 spot is 5 games (either Hawks wins or Miami losses). We’ve got 8 games left, and we’re up by 3.5
falcon21
March 29th, 2009
8:48 pm
Don’t jump on the wagon yet, Woody is still the coach. My bad, not a coach but he is still here.
sansho1
March 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
Some things are only obvious in retrospect. But from now on, I’ll do my best to remember one steadfast rule — always take the Hawks at home on Sunday when the opposing team arrives the day before. Saturday night in the ATL is nothing but trouble!!
cheese
March 29th, 2009
8:58 pm
who cares about kobe not being 100% and the game would be different if he was. we dont have marvin williams so are we all going to question all of our previous losses? lets give our hawks some credit now people. no wonder the hawks community is always the laughing stock in the nba. too much negativity even though the teams wins.
nj faithful
March 29th, 2009
9:11 pm
GOTTA LOVE THE CONSTANT 7 MAN ROTATION! THESE GUYS WILL HAVE NOTHING LEFT WHEN THE PLAYOFFS START! GIVE EM’ A REST WOODY!!!!!
Sautee
March 29th, 2009
9:19 pm
Kirk,
About this comment you made to Ray:
“I think you also raised a very good point about Bibby. Even against a lock-down elite defense, he can still manage to get his shots, maybe they aren’t the flashy-quick moves of a Parker, but they are darn effective just the same”.
Kirk, you likely know that I’m a big Bibby fan from way back. But I cannot say that I saw the Lakers playing “lock-down elite defense” today. Mike played very well and we desperately needed him to, since Joe was so off. But the Lakers, except for Ariza, looked a step slow much of the game to me.
I’d say that Cleveland indeed played that kind of D last week against Bibby.
And we saw what happened then.
But for today, hooray! Let’s go clinch 4th.
Mark
March 29th, 2009
9:43 pm
Great Game Today Hawks!
They still should not rely on those three pointers. They played great defense today, but it could have been that the Lakers just missed shots. Heck I don’t know. I’m not sure if we are that legitimate. I can’t wait until the playoffs start so we can hopefully win the first round. I just hate that if we do that, we would be accomplishing our goals for this year. We still have to make some major changes to this roster, if we hope to win a championship someday.
We may be legitimate, but we are still pretenders rather than contenders. I am glad we won today, but unfortunately the NBA playoffs aren’t like the NFL or NCAA. In a series an elite team would beat us in four to five games.
GO HAWKS!!!