Another double-shot weekend
The Hawks' welcome home gift is a Saturday night date with Dwight Howard and the Magic!
BOSTON - Live from the Hawks’ second home the past year … seriously, has any team spent more time in another team’s town the past 11 months than the Hawks have here in soggy Boston?
It’s ridiculous.
Another couple of days here and the Hawks will need to start paying taxes.
Lucky for them this is probably their last tryst with the Celtics until next season (no more Duck Tours or Big Baby Davis for at least a year).
Coincidentally, this is their last weekend to try and climb off the mid-major express and move over to the predatory side of the Eastern Conference.
Tonight’s game against the Celtics and tomorrow night’s home tilt against the Orlando Magic presents the Hawks with two final opportunities to knock off the big boys.
Another inspired defensive effort like the one against the Lakers last Sunday and the Hawks might finally get the leprechaun off their backs or pay back the Magic for those back-to-back beatdowns administered a couple months back.
Another eyes-wide-shut showing like the one given in Philly Tuesday night and someone better find the map back to sanity for as one of one of our regulars likes to refer to them, “Team Fragile.”
I believe in embracing a challenge, however daunting it might seem. That’s why this second straight double-shot weekend looks more like a monster opportunity to me than it does a major hurdle.
If the Hawks are serious about being a player in the playoffs – and despite their continued inconsistency on the floor, they remain steadfast in their comments to the contrary off the floor – they can go a long way towards making sure their actions and words are in sync with some stellar play in the next 36 hours.
HOT TOPICS
1 - One thing that keeps coming up this time of year for playoff bound teams is who they might face in the postseason.
That means the Hawks spend as much time worrying about the team’s directly below them in the standings as they do worrying about themselves.
A good friend and advance scout from an Eastern Conference team that’s been in the playoffs the past few years warned me this afternoon that there is no more dangerous development for a team still in the shallow end of the playoff pool.
“We wasted a lot of time and energy on that very thing a couple years back and almost lost our spot in the standings the last two weeks of the season because we were locked in stuff that was out of our control,” he said. “You can tell the teams that lost focus this time of year by the fluctuations in their play. One night they look great and the next you wonder how it he world they’re even in the playoff mix. That’s the sign of a team that isn’t totally licked in on the task at hand. And that’s a team that’s vulnerable now and in the playoffs.”
I can think of five or six teams, the Hawks, Heat and 76ers included, that fit that mold these days. All three of those teams are busy jockeying for position, hoping to land the seed they think allows them the best first round matchup.
My scout friend makes a great point. The more time you spend foolishly spying on the competition, the less time you spend focusing on finishing the season with a bang.
2 - The back bug continues to bite the Hawks on the backside. No Acie Law IV again and no Marvin Williams anytime soon, per Hawks coach Mike Woodson at shootaround today.
Woodson has maintained a positive stance in regards to the lower back injuries that both players are dealing with. And to be fair, Williams wasn’t expected to return anytime before the final week of the regular season and the start of the playoffs (at best).
Acie Law IV isn't smiling a whole lot these days.
Law’s injury, though, is starting to worry me if only because there doesn’t appear to be anything that can be done to expedite his recovery at such a critical time for this team. You remember the Hawks’ struggles in the playoffs last year at the point guard position don’t you?
And for all the work Flip Murray has done in relief this season, his attention needs to be on scoring above all things, particularly with the playoff matchups looming (I’m predicting Flip has a field day against Philly or Miami in a series).
A change-of-pace point guard could be the difference in a seven-game series, just ask the Celtics if it made a difference against the Hawks last year when Rajon Rondo became the Most Important Player in the series.
With Law nowhere to be found, or at least not in a uniform, that leaves the Hawks vulnerable at that crucial position once again this weekend and going forward.
3 - So let me get this straight, the confidential drug screening that goes on during the NFL combine every year has turned up yet another handful of transgressors?
Just exactly what qualifies as confidential in NFL circles anyway?
I’m sure Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji would love to hear how that supposed to work since he’s been identified as one of the alleged transgressors.
Since there’s no way Raji or his representatives are going to engage in any air-clearing discussion about it, the kid is automatically considered guilty by the public without anyone knowing what actually took place and why someone chose to make it public. (I know this is off track from our normal conversation but indulge me for a minute, please.)
4 - Lost in the hoopla surrounding his explosive offensive night against Philly (some video evidence here courtesy of our friends at YouTube) was Josh Smith keeping his 100-block season streak alive for another year.
And while his block numbers are way down this season compared to his totals from the past, he collected 200 or more in each of the past three seasons, he remains one of the league’s most unique stat stuffers.
His two blocks against the 76ers gave him 101 for the season, giving 100 or more for five straight seasons.
In addition, Smith is one of only four players in the league to pile up at least 85 steals and 85 blocks this season. Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Denver’s Nene are the others.
5 - You are not alone Hawks fans. You’re not the only group of fans out there doing the Watchmen routine on your own team.
My main man Broderick “BT” Turner from the Los Angeles Times has a fan Q&A on the paper’s website right now that is a must read for fans of teams whose teams aren’t on track for 60-wins this season.
Silly me for thinking our priorities were out of line around here for questioning how the bench is used and why Solomon Jones doesn’t see regular rotation minutes on this team. The Lakers are the second best team in the league and their fans are worried about the same sorts of things.
Maybe we’re on the right path around here after all.
Don’t forget, Hawks-Celtics at 7:30 live from TD Banknorth Garden. Chop it up with the rest of the blogfamily here now all the way through the final buzzer.
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272 comments Add your comment
Sautee
April 3rd, 2009
4:02 pm
Sekou,
Any news on the nature of Law’s injury? What’s the diagnosis?
And did it happen on the court?
For us to have ANY chance of winning tonight, Horford will have to raise his game back up to where it was LAST week. Dude’s disappeared for a couple of games.
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
4:21 pm
Sekou, you hinted at a return of Speedy a few blogs ago and now you’re saying that the Hawks don’t have a change of pace PG (with Acie’s injury). I assume that means that Speedy will stay in the enclosed glass as Woody does not believe he is yet in emergency mode (break glass in case of emergency).
I MUS.WRITE
April 3rd, 2009
4:39 pm
MVP ….. Pulleeze
Ken Strickland
April 3rd, 2009
4:43 pm
RICHBRAVE-this is from the lzst blog. I apologize for using your name. I was addressing ASTRO JOE, but after watching the Wizards defeat the Cavaliers, I had you on my mind.
Sekou K. Smith
April 3rd, 2009
4:46 pm
No Speedy Joe. You have a better chance of seeing the floor tonight (tomorrow or beyond) than ol’ Speed-O!
And Law’s back injury wasn’t a contact situation Sautee. I was told he woke up one morning and his back had locked up on him. There’s nothing they can do but continue treatment until he gets better. Strange huh?
calico
April 3rd, 2009
5:32 pm
We have to get big al the ball early and i find it funny you didnt mention the two usc linebackers who tested positve for performance enhancing drugs.(Clay Mathews & Brian Cushing) But you mention Raji’s mary jane offense thats crazy. Lets Go Hawks
Ron E.
April 3rd, 2009
6:06 pm
Acie Law? Who cares? The only playing time he’d get in the playoffs is when the Hawks are down 20 every single road game.
The Truth
April 3rd, 2009
6:09 pm
The timing of Ace injury still seems strange to me. Even after Sekou’s explanation of how his back went out, I’m baffled even more so. That’s an explanation a 70 year old man gives to his doctor trying to describe an unknown illness. Normally, you would expect a certain relationship between the coach utilization of his players and their frequency to injuries. Since Acie has seen limited minutes and still a young NBA player, his injury to me seems out of the ordinary. I think of all the bandwidth been spent talking about Acie needing more playing time to developed and for the second time in his brief NBA career he gets an untimely injury when his team needs him the most. Is he snake bitten with bad luck or what? Or maybe Acie has pissed off a fine voodoo woman from New Orleans while perusing her tail. What-even; in either case, in addition to a back specialist, perhaps he needs to visit a Karma doctor or exorcist. If a bad contagious Karma thing has run a muck, maybe that would explain the Hawks recent struggles; just a thought. At least this wild idea gives the Hawks an excuse for their sub par performance.
O'brien
April 3rd, 2009
6:19 pm
Sekou, you talk about not having Acie for the playoffs? Does it matter?
Last year, Bibby was injured, and he struggled against Rondo in the playoffs. During the halftime interview (of game 2 I think), Woody admitted that he needs to play Acie more because he is bigger, faster, and a better defender. And what happened for the rest of the series? Acie got very little PT.
In the regular season, Acie got very inconsistent and little PT, so why would you think Woody would give him valuable minutes in the playoffs, even if he was healthy?
Ken Strickland
April 3rd, 2009
6:25 pm
Sometimes I wonder if Acie’s injury is just a way of sending a message to Woodson for his uneven treatment of him over the last 2 yrs. With Marvin out and the team being in the stretch run, and knowing Woodson isn’t going to play him anyway, this would be a perfect time to pull it off.
I guess Acie feels if Woodson can put his personal issues, wants and desires ahead of what’s best for the team, he can do the same.
Shaunty
April 3rd, 2009
6:46 pm
They need to let the brother Claxton play. Dude is healthy
Sekou K. Smith
April 3rd, 2009
6:50 pm
Good points O’brien. You’re right, there’s no guarantee that a healthy Acie would see any more playing time than the injured Acie, so we might as well just talk about something else right … nah, I plan on beating that horse (it’s a figure of speech PETA folks, just yapping) into an early grave – which, if things don’t change dramatically, could come before the end of the playoffs. Remember, rookie deals are no longer the five and six year affairs (because of changes to the last collective bargaining agreement) that they used to be. A guy has about three years now to establish himself or he’s trade bait. Simple as that. And Acie hasn’t (for obvious reasons, injuries and inconsistent playing time) established himself yet on this team.
Sekou K. Smith
April 3rd, 2009
6:53 pm
And if Acie’s injury was some kind of hoax by either side I’d let you know. But dude was walking like a 90-year old man as recently as two weeks ago. He was hunched over and walking slowly through the hallway outside the locker room one day and I asked him what the deal was with his back. It’s not a fake thing by any stretch.
Sautee
April 3rd, 2009
7:03 pm
Maybe we need to get doc to stick some needles in him!
The Truth
April 3rd, 2009
7:06 pm
Sekou
Then I am convinced; If Acie’s injury is not a hoax, then it must be from that fine voodoo woman from New Orleans he was chasing
Blast
April 3rd, 2009
7:07 pm
I’m very worried about this game. Sekou said a lot of nice things about the Hawks wanting a chance to prove they can beat Boston this year, but it’s easier said than done. The Celts have beaten Hawks the last four times, and Hawks would have to play above, beyond themselves, beyond the Celtics, the crowd and the refs to even have a shot of winning tonight. They would have to play perfect basketball. They don’t rebound, they turn the ball over, they foul a lot, they miss free throws, they start from behind, Joe and Bibby don’t play great, shots don’t fall, and they can forget about winning this game. My heart hopes they win, but my mind says they won’t.
Wouldn’t mind seeing the last of Boston this season anyway. After the game tonight and with Orlando, Hawks can win most of the games left in the season, since they won’t be meeting the best teams anymore.
Acie Law. Not sure what’s wrong the that dude, but Truth might have called it. Maybe he’s just jinxed, or getting back at Woody. I wish him well.
Where is Big AL Horford the Boss Man? Has anyone seen him lately?
Last few games, Bibby’s shots have been rimming in and out.
Hawks be at least competitve, even if you lose, though we are sick of seeing you guys lose on the road, and lose to the good teams. If y’all suck it up tonight, well, Cleveland/Orlando looks like a good one!
Go Hawks!
Hawks73
April 3rd, 2009
7:09 pm
Some awesome points in regards to Woddy,and Acie’s strange back injury. The fact remains (as stated several times above) coach dic!head wouldn’t play Acie anyway. He is by all accounts the most stubborn SOB that I have ever seen coach a team. He is constantly fueding with Josh Smith and immediately pulls Acie when he does ANYTHING wrong (Not to mention keeping Solo, West, Randolph in Wax). Why in the he!! did Sund go out and get Randolph & Hunter if dic!head isn’t going to let them play. It truly amazes me how Woody can constantly put personal fueds ahead of the team and winning. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, dic!head will be using his same old excuses for the Hawks losing tonight & in the 1st round of the playoffs…it will go something like this, “We fought hard, but ultimately the lack of having guys like Marvin and Acie caught up to us”…mark my, I mean dic!heads words.
Samuel
April 3rd, 2009
7:27 pm
Just glad it aint JJ. We’d already know the reason, right guys. So much for that theory.
Woody=COY
ant banks
April 3rd, 2009
7:47 pm
i don’t have cable. is there anyway to watch the game on the net?
ant banks
April 3rd, 2009
7:48 pm
Enter your comments here
Blast
April 3rd, 2009
8:04 pm
Celts lacking big men in this game. Hawks have a shot at taking it.
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
8:06 pm
Solomon, Mario and ZaZa in the game at the same time… Oh my, did somebody kidnap Woodson…
niremetal
April 3rd, 2009
8:13 pm
Hilarious. League Pass has the Celtics feed and their guys are complaining that the officiating are letting the Hawks get away with fouls.
Man. What a joke.
Sautee
April 3rd, 2009
8:25 pm
Al is back tonight if Joe will just share.
Sautee
April 3rd, 2009
8:31 pm
ISO Joe strikes again. At least he won the jump ball.
Sekou K. Smith
April 3rd, 2009
8:32 pm
niremetal, I would advise against watching the Celtics’ feed with the sound up. Because they haven’t seen the Celtics foul anyone in about 14 years.
Sekou K. Smith
April 3rd, 2009
8:36 pm
Big Baby is still playing like it’s last Friday night. Since when do the Hawks no one that can guard Big Baby? This is shameful.
niremetal
April 3rd, 2009
8:38 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA! This was the Celtics announcer, talking about Paul Pierce:
“He’s not a complainer.”
Yeah. Ok. Wow…
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
8:38 pm
Big Baby is having a field day….
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
8:47 pm
So if Acie would fake an injury so that he can show the rest of the league that he’d rather hurt the team than do what other professionals do and compete for playing time, well, never mind. Much too stupid of a theory to discuss further. It’s mostly an incredible insult to Acie… and I’ll end it at that.
Sautee
April 3rd, 2009
8:48 pm
Horford looks a LOT better. 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists, and a block. Nice half.
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
8:50 pm
Hawks are competing well tonight. Only 2 turnovers on the road is a great way to play. Now let’s see if we can make some shots while still protecting the ball.
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
8:55 pm
I’m going to take a page out of Acie’s book… the guy who is allegedly faking an injury in protest to his coach. I’ve decided not to pay my taxes in protest to all of the money going to fund the space program. That will show them how bad I am.
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
8:58 pm
If we can control Big Baby in the paint, then the Hawks have a good chance to win this game…
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
9:03 pm
Bibby’s finally playing well against a quality team.
Sautee
April 3rd, 2009
9:06 pm
Jeez….’Nique comments on the first half…
“We picked up the defensive intensity in the second quarter”. Yeah, Nique that’s when they scored 30! after only 21 in the first quarter. D’oh!
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:06 pm
The Hawks doesn’t even look like a team right now. They look like 5 guys on the court just happen to be wearing the same uniform…
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
9:14 pm
Better, Melvin?
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
9:20 pm
Perkins may be the biggest whinner since Laimbeer.
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
9:28 pm
I like the way the Hawks are playing. They may lose but they are competing and playing hard. Attacking the rim and not settling in this 3rd quarter. They’re attacking the Celtics’ bigs.
Get mad, Flip. Let’s see how you play when you’re mad. (Stupid foul).
Sekou K. Smith
April 3rd, 2009
9:28 pm
For every bucket Bibby gets he’s giving one up to Rondo. The Hawks have to find a way to slow Rondo down or it’s going to be another loss on this floor for the boys in blue.
Blast
April 3rd, 2009
9:29 pm
Aw! Come on Flip! Those 3 free throws hurt!
niremetal
April 3rd, 2009
9:29 pm
Dumb play by Murray, but still a bad call by the ref. Rondo creates the contact more than Murray did.
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:31 pm
Not better Joe. 1st half it was Big Baby. 3rd qtr it was Rondo. Watch them go to Paul in the 4th to put the nail in the coffin…
We better find some heart between quarters…
dmortone
April 3rd, 2009
9:32 pm
I’m tired of other team’s point guards consistantly going nuts on us
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
How many dunks/lay ups has ZaZa miss tonight….
O'brien
April 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
I agree Sekou. At first glance, it looks like a big game from Mike Bibby. So far, Bibby has 20 points, 6 assists. But Rondo has 20 points, 4 assists.
Defense needs to pick up. And we need to stop shooting so many jump shots
trint
April 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
So any of you still confident these hawks can advance to the second round by winning at least one road game. Because they are sure to lose at least one at home
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
This team has no heart… We need some toughness…
trint
April 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
Well loss tonite, win tomorrow because they are in atlanta. The dumbest excuse I’ve heard for a team in all my time watching sports
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
Trint they went undefeated at home in the 1st round of the playoffs last year. Why should we believe they’re going to lose there this year… Show us..
trint
April 3rd, 2009
9:45 pm
No free throws by Joe, and no second half points. What a leader Joe.
TheHawksFan
April 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
The Refs have ruined this game. Granted the Hawks have shot more fouls shots, but just let them play IMO. They are making a ton of “Make Up” calls. The NBA needs to fix this ref stuff ASAP. Bibby is trying but his D does not exist. Woody is on the 7 man route again 6 if you are counting Mo Evans non production. If he is going to do this, hell just cancel the rest of the season. Even if Marvin and Acie come back they need at least a week to get into playing shape. Mario should get at least 10 mins a game. More so when Evans is off like tonight. I have watched Acie on the bench. He isnt humped over to me. He was smiling juking and jiving. Come on home Hawks and get ready for the Magic. Goooo Hawks!!!!
fresh
April 3rd, 2009
9:48 pm
LET ME SAY AGAIN, JOE JOHNSON IS A 2 NOT A 1. NO POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF. EVEN WITH RONDO AND PIERCE ON THE BENCH. I BET KOBE OR L JAMES WOULD NOT GO POINTLESS.
atlrayzd
April 3rd, 2009
9:48 pm
Enter your comments here
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
Down by 15pts with 5min left. It’s time to throw in the towel and get ready for Orlando tomorrow. By the way, the Magic is up by 40pts on the Cavs….
trint
April 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
Melvin, Why should you believe they wont lose there this year. This is not a good team, and as much as it hurts me to say it, it is what it is. It depends who the first round competition is. If we meet philly, they will win at least one in Atlanta, simply because they played the exact same game Tuesday as they did in Atlanta in January and guess what. They won both, and we all know Mr. Potato head does not make adjustments
O'brien
April 3rd, 2009
9:49 pm
Hawks are 4-19 in threes. Why are we shooting so many of them when they are not falling? And JJ has not scored the second half (he is struggling). What’s wrong with him? Can’t we design a play to get him an easy shot?
Oh I’m sorry. That would require Woody having a clue
niremetal
April 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
FIRE WOODY
JJ
April 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
I told ya’ll this team would be terrible if we keep Woody the potato head. Good teams compete on the road not this team.
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:51 pm
Too Much 1 on 1 play. We’re not going to beat the Celtics like that…
Ken Strickland
April 3rd, 2009
9:53 pm
I have to admit, I allowed myself to get excited when I saw Woodson play MWest, who made a definite impact, and Solo, who helped us control the boards, early. Then, he once again became a spectator and allowed Boston to use their size and depth to wear our limited rotation down. Coaching plays a very important roll in winning in the playoffs and on the road, and we’re a HC short.
Eman
April 3rd, 2009
9:54 pm
Maybe it’s best if they lose complete control of the 4th spot and end up becoming a 5th. Maybe it’ll teach them something.
Right now it’s hard to watch them play any of the teams ranked 1, 2, or 3. And it’ll probably be just as bad tomorrow.
Dan
April 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
No hustle,no intensity and no extra effort. The Hawks played like bums tonight. Has nothing to do with Woodson. This is all on the players. By the way how is it that a 6′11″ guy like Zaza, can’t dunk the ball.
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Trint, last I check that game Tuesday night was in Philly. Keep in mind, the World Champs sweep us in the regular season last year only to go winless in the ATL in the playoffs… Bring on Philly…
.EternalOptimist
April 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Outscored at the end of each quarter. Backcourt disappearing in the 4th quarter. This team looks like it’s given up on the season. No passion, no communication. Nobody is taking control. I paid $50 bucks for tickets to tomorrow nights game and I’m almost scared to go. It really sucks right now to be a Hawks fan. And before anyone reminds me “I know we’re still in fourth place”. It’s hard being the .EternalOptimist these days.
Blast
April 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
Called it. Even with a depleted front line, Hawks cannot beat Boston. Boston has the Hawks number. They play Orlando next. Orlando is giving Cleveland (best record in the league) a good old fashioned butt kicking right now. Hawks think they can beat that crew even at home?
fresh
April 3rd, 2009
9:55 pm
THE HAWKS DON’t want to face PHILLY, OR MIAMI
JJ
April 3rd, 2009
9:56 pm
the way the magic are whooping the cavs the hawks are gonna get embarrased badly 2mmorrow.
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
9:57 pm
Amen, Ken…
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
9:58 pm
Oh well, I like how they were playing in the 3rd quarter. Hard to beat a team with only 7 competent players. All of those games we were winning without Marvin were at home and against teams that didn’t have scoring SFs. Evans is simply not big enough to do anything with guys like Pierce.
trint
April 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Melvin, you are right my point exactly the game tuesday was in Philly but the game in January was in Atlanta and Philly weren’t playing nearly as well as they are now. A lost tonite and tomorrow along with a philly win will have philly only 1.5 games out of 4th. And how many more home games do we have?
O'brien
April 3rd, 2009
10:01 pm
From Sekou’s article. “Salim Stoudemire signed a multiyear deal with Milwaukee”
atlrayzd
April 3rd, 2009
10:02 pm
Time to pull the covers back. Joe Johnson is becoming a non factor. If his play, intensity and leadership do not improve the Hawks playoff run will be short. Time to stop making excuses for this guy he has to much talent to be looking average on a consistant basis. Never thought I would say it but Joe Johnson is looking expendable. Keep Marvin,Josh, and Al.
Say it ain’t so Joe.
.EternalOptimist
April 3rd, 2009
10:02 pm
True center, point guard that can guard the one and two, penetrate and dish and new coach. If you’re wondering I’m putting my wish list together…..And if Joe keeps it up I’m gonna add young shooting guard to that list….C’mon Hawks this is embarassing!
Astro Joe
April 3rd, 2009
10:03 pm
So let me get this straight, Bibby allowed Rondo to score 20 points. Does that mean that Rondo allowed Bibby to score 20 points?
Melvin
April 3rd, 2009
10:04 pm
Trint, you are aware that Philly has to play Boston and Cleveland twice.
fresh
April 3rd, 2009
10:06 pm
WHAT HAS HAPPENED AT PHILLIPS ARENA. THE HAWKS CAN’T WIN, AND THE THRASHERS CAN”T LOSE.
KevinA
April 3rd, 2009
10:10 pm
We will win at least 3 out of the last six. 46 wins and 4th seed. At the beginning of the season I think we would take that. I thought we might get 42-45. We are exceeding expectations. First round win would send us packing with dreams of the future.
UGA
April 3rd, 2009
10:11 pm
Milwaukee, Toronto and Memphis left on the road. I just do not think we can win those. I’d be shocked if we win a road game again this year.
Why can the Hawks not stop “Big Baby”?
O'brien
April 3rd, 2009
10:12 pm
Jerome Jurenovich said it looks like the Hawks didnt make any adjustments based on what they learned from the last time they played the Celtics. Is that a subtle shot at Woody?
For this loss, I blame Woody and the players.
They have lost 8 out of 9 on the road. But hey, it’s all good, because the Hawks are 4th in the east, and will have homecourt advantage in the first round.
Sautee
April 3rd, 2009
10:14 pm
Road wins are like GOLD!
Unfortunately the Hawks on the road are tarnished brass.
UGA
April 3rd, 2009
10:18 pm
Has anyone noticed how much Boston moves the ball on offense, and we don’t (just try to go one on one with the “mis-matches” we have)?
Sautee
April 3rd, 2009
10:28 pm
Actually UGA, while you are generally correct, Bibby ran a pick and roll several times in the first half with both Josh and with Horford tonight. Why we went away from that, I don’t know…..
Oh yeah, I know. Gotta get JJ his.
Maaannn
April 3rd, 2009
10:37 pm
We are talented enough…….at this point it’s gotta be coaching. I’m just being honest……Woodson shouldv’ve told Joe to stop holding the ball so much in way before the 4th quater.
Big Ray
April 3rd, 2009
10:40 pm
Nothing has changed. The Celtics are better than we are, no matter that they are missing players (and so are we). Better coached, deeper, more developed. They can shut down one of their top two players and still win 60 games. We cannot. It’s that simple. Not complaining, just saying…
Astro Joe has a point when he says that Rondo allowed Bibby to get 20 points. Yeah, looks like he did. But that is hardly the point.
Look further and realize that Bibby was one of the few effective guys over the course of the full game. Everybody else shot under 50%. Flip managed 21 points (but shot 5-13), but our current “big 3?” JJ got 15, Al 14, and Josh 13.
It’s called a gameplan. Shut everybody else down, and let Bibby get whatever. It’s not like he can take over the game (what a laugh), and 9 times out of 10, he’s not going to shut down his opponent (he gave up 20 to Rondo, so his own 20 is already neutralized). So we have one guy in our rotation that shot 50%. The rest didn’t come too close.
The Celtics had three starters shoot 50% or better. I’d say their gameplan worked. Ours didn’t. Next…..
I’d like to see us beat Orlando at home tomorrow night.
So how many wins will we end up with? 45, 46? We’ve got 6 games left. Hmmph…
UGA
April 3rd, 2009
10:43 pm
Right Sautee, I’m just saying consistently it seems like we stand around more than Boston does on offense.
They play too good of defense to just stand and watch.
Also, is Glenn Davis and Perkins that much better than Horford and Smoove??? They have outplayed them the last 2 meetings.
SalimFan
April 3rd, 2009
10:44 pm
Ummm……I think it might be time I came out of retirement……..;-)
Big Ray
April 3rd, 2009
10:49 pm
On the subject of Acie, I don’t believe that he is fooling around. He’s probably really hurt.
Having said that, he may not be long for this part of the world. It’s a question mark either way, and I can understand people who say “well if he gets hurt this much when he’s not getting much PT, then what will he do if he IS getting the PT?” My answer is: I don’t know. The problem is all the lack of playing time when he WAS healthy. There were so many times he could have played meaningful minutes, and he could have proven himself a bit more either way.
But no. It didn’t shake out that way. So now the Hawks don’t even have a guy they can say “Hey, he’s injured, but we can’t wait for him to get back, because he really does some good stuff, and may have a really bright future.”
Nor can they say, “Ok, this guy isn’t what we need. He is woefully inconsistent and just doesn’t have what we’re looking for. We need to move on.”
Instead, there will be nothing but question marks at the end of the season: Bibby, Flip, Acie, Speedy. Heh. Who takes responsibility for this, because it shouldn’t have happened this way.
As for the Hawks not having Acie’s services when they may be needed most? I hate it. But every time I hear Woody’s mouth open up on the subject, the words “poetic justice” come to mind…Too bad it hurts the team.
Ariose
April 3rd, 2009
10:53 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzy_ja_9yLM
Yup…..i’d say he does some pretty good stuff lol.
Big Ray
April 3rd, 2009
10:57 pm
Hum. Well, that’s 40 wins for Miami. Give ‘em a few more, considering the fact that we may not get more than 45-46 ourselves, and which guy would you give COY to? Woody or Spoelstra?
I think Chicago edges Charlotte out for the 8th spot.
Harry Hawk
April 3rd, 2009
10:58 pm
It’s hard to win on the road when you have no semblance of an offensive scheme.
Big Ray
April 3rd, 2009
10:59 pm
Aw hell. Is that a SalimFan sighting??
Big Ray
April 3rd, 2009
11:00 pm
Watch it Harry Hawk. COYs ALWAYS have an offensive scheme. So what if we poor peons can’t figure it out anymore than ‘Nique can call a game?
Samuel
April 3rd, 2009
11:13 pm
Cuz,
This blog is really depressing. Also, is there any way you could pull the plug on Ray’s “shaded” post? I thought you were the author here. Doesn’t he have a blog?
Ray, get your own ratings and stop “riding coat tails”.
Woody=COY
Ariose
April 3rd, 2009
11:17 pm
I think SalimFan was just passin’ thru, but you never know with that guy. Depending on the circumstances he may come back Hehehehe…..
Ariose
April 3rd, 2009
11:30 pm
…..With the Bucks signing Salim and Rindnour injured….I think they might be ready to trade Luke. An article from Milwaukee said that Sessions is their point guard of the future(stated by the Bucks owner). A Point guard trio of Bibby, Law, Ridnour would be nice….
Ariose
April 3rd, 2009
11:34 pm
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Salim Stoudamire to a multiyear contract.
The 6-foot-1, 175 pound Stoudamire averaged 8.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 157 games with Atlanta.
The Hawks drafted Stoudamire, 26, out of Arizona with the 31st overall pick in the 2005 draft. He is the team’s career leader in free-throw percentage at 88.2 percent.
The 6-foot-1 Stoudamire was in the San Antonio Spurs’ training camp last fall but suffered a serious groin injury and was released. He has not played in the NBA this season.
Stoudamire was signed for the rest of this season and the 2009-’10 season, but the Bucks’ intention is not to play him during the remaining five games of the current season.
Bucks general manager John Hammond said Stoudamire’s injury was checked out thoroughly and he passed all medical tests.
Information from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel was used in this report.
Ariose
April 3rd, 2009
11:40 pm
What about using our MLE on a guy lake Marion? He can play the 4(Situational) and he will defenetly add to our up-tempo scheme(i’m using “scheme” VERY loosely) Him and joe reunited again could mean good things….maybe. He could be our version of Orlando’s rashard lewis stretching the Bigs all the wa out to the line….this opening the paint up for Joe, Josh and Horford.
kwooden1
April 3rd, 2009
11:56 pm
That game was just depressing!! Good defensive teams aren’t going to let JJ beat them. We really need a health Marvin back soon! Someone who can drive to the basket and get to the free-throw line. This game they just didn’t shoot the ball well, which is hugh because their a jump shooting team. I’m going to bed depressed!
GO HAWKS! beat Orlando!