So much for home court advantage!
Are Josh Smith and the Hawks ready to fight Dwyane Wade and the Heat to keep home court advantage? We're going to find out tonight at Philips Arena.
HAWKSVILLE - One by tragic one they fell Saturday.
Boston started it early, with a dazzling assist from Chicago rookie point guard Derrick Rose.
San Antonio kept it going, unable to keep the pace with an equally elderly … er, experienced Dallas team.
And Portland finished off the hat trick late last night, taken apart from start to finish by Houston’s Yao Ming and his crew.
So much for home court advantage, Hawks fans.
Your team has to come and play or all that hard work for home court could be gone in an instant if they allow Miami to steal the edge with win tonight in Game 1 at Philips Arena.
I’m not making any predictions and I’m certainly not trying to scare you (I’d think Saturday’s pillaging of home teams was sufficient), I’m only pointing out that there’s no time to rest for the home team.
Come out sluggish early all you want in the playoffs and see what happens.
Because if you don’t the Heat is thinking “steal Game 1 and turn this thing upside down” is a very real possibility, then you’re crazy. I know that’s all I’d be talking about to my team or teammates this morning.
THE REAL X-FACTOR?
I picked Michael Beasley. Two other writers I know are convinced it’s Flip Murray.
But might the true X-factor in this Hawks-Heat series be veteran Heat center Jermaine O’Neal?
My main man Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald made a case for just that with his story on O’Neal out this morning.
Having known JO for a number of years now, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see him rewind the clock a bit in this series and give Al Horford and the Hawks fits in the post.
His injury issues have certainly dealt a blow to his game compared to where he was when we were both in Indiana (I was writing and he was playing, of course). Back then he was in the conversation about the best big men in the league, a national team member and in the top three of three of the MVP race one year.
No doubt, times have changed. He’s been shuffled around from Indy to Toronto and then to Miami all in the past couple of years. Now that he’s got a chance to perform on the big stage again, after watching the playoffs the past couple of years, I can’t see him fading into the background in this situation.
COMING UP ROSES
The next time anyone wants to debate you about drafting an elite point guard over an elite big man, just mention the name Derrick Rose over and over and over again.
Like many others, I wrote before last year’s draft that he had to be the Bulls’ pick at No. 1 overall. And he did nothing throughout what is sure to be his Rookie of the Year campaign to change my mind. But watching him destroy the Celtics yesterday in Boston was beyond my wildest imagination for a point guard barely old enough to vote.
Rose did what he wanted to out there and proves my post-CP3 and Deron Williams theory that if there’s a transcendent point guard talent in any draft, you have to take him above any swingman or big man that excites you. The position is just too important in today’s game to ignore, particularly when you have a chance to get a young one that will play at an elite level on a rookie scale contract (as opposed to overpaying for one later, as the Hawks did once, when you consistently ignore point guard talent in the draft).
HAWKS IN SIX
At least one person in South Florida is willing to say it out loud and pick the Hawks to win this series against the Heat.
Greg Stoda of the Palm Beach Post made a strong case as to why Dwyane Wade and the Heat could pull the upset, only to trash that thought at the end by predicting the Hawks in six.
Mr. Stoda comes to the same conclusion my photo-taking colleague and Smyrna neighbor Mark Bradley came to days ago, when he made his own case for the Hawks to take this thing in six.
I haven’t expressed an opinion publicly about where I think this series is headed. But six games sounds like a careful and accurate approximation of where we’re going.
TIMES ARE CHANGING
In a chat with Hawks part owner Michael Gearon Jr. earlier this week, we visited on several topics about this team that have changed as the wins have piled up, relatively speaking, in each of the past two seasons. He said something interesting to me about one of the barometers he uses for the change is that his son’s friends are now wearing Hawks jerseys and not those of stars on other teams.
I can’t think of a more grassroots way of gauging whether or not your team has “arrived” on the local sports scene. The only Falcons game I’ve been to since I’ve lived here was against Pittsburgh a couple years back and I was stunned to see all the Steelers fans (in their jerseys) filing through the doors at the Georgia Dome, only to be told later that “that’s just Atlanta.”
Well, according to one of Gearon’s partners, the Hawks are turning the tables beyond the metro area.
“I’m hundreds of miles from Atlanta in a suburb of Washington called Gaithersburg,” Hawks part owner Bruce Levenson said by phone the same day I spoke with Gearon. “And earlier this year I was leaving this office to go to the airport. And I got about four blocks from here and there was a guy standing at the bus stop in a Josh Smith jersey and it was really shocking to see, but a pleasant shock, if there can be something like that.”
That’s not the only subtle (or not) change Levenson has noticed in the Hawks’ profile the past couple of years.
“I’m usually there an hour or an hour and half early for home game,” he said. “And in past years when we were playing teams like the Celtics or the Lakers there would be hundreds of people watching the visiting team warm up and nobody watching our team warm up. It was interesting to see that start to change the second half of this year. To see the fans coming together, watching our team warm up … it’s just the little baby steps that are encouraging.”
Indeed. I still get questions to this day about the “notoriously” bad home crowds that are supposed to be so common here. I can honestly say it’s gotten a lot better. Philips Arena might not be the Staples Center or TD Banknorth Garden just yet, but it’s no better or worse than a number of other venues around the league.
And I’m expecting the playoff posse to be out in full effect tonight. Hawks-Heat Game 1 at 8 p.m.
But we’ll be here all day.
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280 comments Add your comment
Blast
April 20th, 2009
12:02 pm
Astro Joe. ESPN and TNT has always been biased towards the Hawks, even though TNT is right here in Atlanta. Webber, Barkley and Kenny Smith don’t want to say anything good about Josh because they know they could never have his hops in their best days. Kenny managed to win a ring with Hakeem, but Webber and Charles never won anything, so they are carping on this young fella that sent the whole city into a frenzy last night with his ferocious dunks. Hate on haters, can’t wait to see y’all send Wade fishing!
Josh could potentially be Hawks leading scorer in this series. Heat can’t stop him. ESPN highlights of Hawks game ALL showed Josh dunking over some sucker. All of them were of Josh. What monster dunks! Joe had some nice drives to the rim, and he didn’t even get any cover.
How about Hawks blow out Miami and Joe only scores 15 points?
I think Heat needs to go out for some brew after that game to wipe the sour taste off their mouths. They should go out and get stinking drunk in other to forget the lowest franchise points scored in a playoff game.
Bibby is the MAN. Now, that’s how a point runs a basketball team. 9 assists, and 2 BLOCKS! Did you guys see Bibby block his man’s shot? That was hilarious.
Of all the top 8 teams in the playoffs, only Lakers, Hawks and Cleveland has dominated their opponents.
Can’t wait till game 2. Go Hawks, GO!
JM
April 20th, 2009
12:07 pm
I don’t know how this blog came to this, but TI has said he tried to purchase the guns for protection as his best friend was killed as TI and others drove down the highway after leaving a Ohio club where a fight broke out. They were doing the right thing and trying to leave the situation and someone followed them and shot up the SUV. Why he choose to buy guns instead of hiring more security is a bigger social question not suited for this blog.
Please read the article Sekou posted a link to a couple blogs back about how Black athletes and entertainers are being targeted by thugs, it’ll give you a little insight.
What TI is currently doing should be applauded. More people need to stand up against gun violence and show these kids there is another way. MV7 should be doing more of the same and come out and be more vocal against dog fighting. Trust me – they can change lives. Someone did it for me and I was able to leave that bull behind go to college, law school and start my own firm. Just imagine how many people TI or even Vick can influence.
With that said, lets go Hawks!
Daniel
April 20th, 2009
12:09 pm
Astro Joe-
I think that we did see a very well executed game plan drawn up by Woody. He has this team playing like a real group of professionals. I know he has his flaws, but honestly I think we overlook how good a job he has done for the most part. I know you have defended him, also. Woody has this team right where he said he wanted them to be at the begining of the year. He has the balls to face down his star players without the benefit of a stable ownership or long term contract. He has instilled a strong defensive mindset. He too is learning with this team and the next step for the team next year is to win on the road. This is the progression all teams must make.
As for now, the Hawks are in the playoffs and off to a great start. We don’t get the love nationally, but that will come in time.
Let’s Go Hawks!!!!
Westurd- did you catch sportscenter? they showed more of that Harry the Hawk/ Beyonce dance than they did the game!!! Yeah, not a lot of noise from Heatnation today.
Daniel
April 20th, 2009
12:10 pm
BTW- does anyone know what is the fewest points scored in a playoff game?
SouthAfrican09
April 20th, 2009
12:15 pm
Anyone else at the game notice Speedy somewhat distant from the huddle?
Why wasn’t the arena 100 % full? Why do those corporate seats across from the benches never fill up/
SouthAfrican09
April 20th, 2009
12:16 pm
Sekou: If Speedy plays over 10 games do we have to pay him?
Volman
April 20th, 2009
12:19 pm
Astro, good observations. I hate to say it, but Woody and his staff definitely outcoached the Heat staff. The defense was SPOT ON last night. All the switches were there.. people were helping the helper. It was perfect. There was that intensity out there from the Hawks side, and it definitely was not there from the Heat. They looked scared.
I just hope this Hawks team isn’t intimidated when they go down to Miami for the “blackout”. We all know how well “blackouts” have gone recently! Just ask those UGA fans!
Go hawks!
Al
April 20th, 2009
12:21 pm
Blast, I agree with you. Wade needs to take Beasley out for some underage drinking.
BTW, the Nuggets also crushed the Hornets late last night.
Daniel
April 20th, 2009
12:25 pm
Volman why do you hate to say it?
Blast
April 20th, 2009
12:35 pm
Orlando lost because they went away from what was working: Dwight Howard. It was really painful watching Hedo and the rest jack up missed jumper after jumper while ignoring their big man in the middle who was manhandling Philly, and making his free throws. That’s why they lost, and playing complacent because they were at home. Now Philly has a dose full on confidence, so Magic better watch out.
Top seeded teams in trouble: Boston Celtics. Celts need to be cautious with the Bulls, or we might see an upset in these series. Ray Allen cannot shoot 1-14 or whatever and think his team will win a series without KG. Not when Derrick Rose is playing the best ball of his career. If Bulls win game 2 also, Celtics are done. Orlando, as noted above has to be careful too.
San Antonio Spurs: Dallas is playing inspired basketball right now, and we could see Spurs getting knocked off in the first round.
Portland lost home court to Houston. But then, seedings in the West could have gone either way. If Blazers cannot find an answer to Yao, they’re going fishing.
Al
April 20th, 2009
12:36 pm
Volman, I agree with you. Our coach was a deer in the headlights last night. Beasley, who’s been playing amazing ball as a starter lately gets benched in favor of Haslem, who has stitches in his hand and hasn’t played in weeks. Then he puts in Beasley for O’Neal and moves Haslem into the 5? He puts O’Neal back in at the 5 and moves Beasley to the 3, even though he hasn’t played that position all season. Meanwhile, Jamal Magliore is sitting on the bench as the Heat is getting outrebounded and outhustled. And Joel Anthony plays instead. I really don’t know what happened to Spoelstra last night.
On top of the horrible coaching, no one else is able to drop a shot in so the Hawks are free to quintuple-team Wade, who is too busy arguing with the refs to make adjustments. I expect them to be pissed and come out with more effort and energy on Wednesday, but if the coaching strategy is screwed from the start, what good will that do?
Da Real Real
April 20th, 2009
12:47 pm
To add on to what you said Blast. You’d think that after seeing each other 4 times this season (being in the same division) that these two teams would know each other better than any other team. Granted the Heat have a different offensive scheme and a couple of new guys than years past it looked like Woody and the team KNEW the Heat better than the Heat knew us last night. I really think that made a huge difference as well because I believe the Hawks already feel that they are better and can beat this team because they’ve already done it this season as well as last.
Volman
April 20th, 2009
12:47 pm
Daniel, my fault. I do not hate to say it. I am happy to say that Woodson was the better coach last night. He usually gets outcoached by the likes of Greg Poppovich, Sloan, or Phil Jackson. Last night, however, he was the better/more experienced coach, and anybody could see that. Spoelstra might come from Riley’s crop of coaches, but he looked like he didn’t know what he was doing last night.
Nice points, Al. He had some interesting moves out there.. I kept looking for Maglore to come out and start some “playoff business” with hard fouls and scuffles, but he was a no show. The Hawks completely dominated the boards as well, and the Heat did not get many second chance attempts.
Beasley will be good against Josh Smith in this series only for the fact that he is a lefty. He needs to drive every single time on Josh Smith because when Beasley finishes with the left hand it takes away Josh Smith’s shot-blocking hand (his left) and he has to reach across and possibly get a foul to even make him adjust his shot.
Dwyane Wade was not his normal self last night. He looked like he was going to be Mr. Flash from the get-go, but he definitely cooled off for the rest of the game. You have to give kudos to the Hawks’ defense as a unit. They truly played like a TEAM out there.
Whoever plays as a TEAM will win this series. I think the Heat just found that out.
Daniel
April 20th, 2009
12:57 pm
Volman- nice points. But, who doesn’t get out coached by Jackson, Pops, or Sloan?
Al
April 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
The Hawks played better TEAM defense (and by that I mean the whole TEAM covers Wade) and the credit goes to that strategy. Though its really a no-brainer to do that vs. the Heat. Which is what makes the Heat’s complete ineffectiveness more inexcusable. They should have known exactly what the Hawks would do and thrown them off. For instance, I would have started Beasley and began the game by running the offense through him mainly. It would have thrown off the Hawks’ entire defensive strategy (assuming he was able to score a couple times). With Haslem in there instead, the only strategy we really have is to give Wade the ball and get out of the way. Which results in 19 points and 8 turnovers against a team that’s ready for it like the Hawks were last night (and will likely be again on Wednesday).
GuntherWilson
April 20th, 2009
1:12 pm
Great game guys! Lets get 3 more wins against Miami and go up against King James, Mo Williams and the overconfident Cleveland Caviliers. We will beat them too!
FILL THE EMPTY SEATS!!!
April 20th, 2009
1:15 pm
Atlanta Spirit needs to let people move down after the first quarter or something. THAT WAS NATIONAL TV FOLKS! And we wonder why we never get any pub. Also, another point to be made. BE IN YOUR SEATS BEFORE TIP OFF! If everyone wants the Hawks in the spotlight and wants regular season games broadcast nationally we have to act like we care. Why is it so hard in Atlanta for people to get to their damn seats before the game starts? No other city has that problem. Falcons games are half full until the end of the first quarter. It’s insane. What are people doing? “Well game’s at 8pm and it’s 9pm now so I guess we should head on in to the arena”. “Well kick off is at 1pm so we should probably be at our seats by 2pm”…..I don’t freakin get it!!!!
Astro Joe
April 20th, 2009
1:23 pm
I’m not bumping to put Woody amongst the coaching elite. I was just thinking how you always hear “don’t let the star beat us” and Woody (and/or his staff) exploited the heck out of the Heat’s focus on Joe and Bibby. And when you consider that they have the luxury of an ex-Hawks assistant in their planning room, it makes it that much more impressive (IMO). Again, it doesn’t mean that Woody will nail every coaching decision from here on out.
Plus, I was afraid that we would tranistion from the TI reality show to Rock of Love or Ray-J. UGH!
Daniel
April 20th, 2009
1:24 pm
Hey guys, I believe that Miami’s 64 points ties them with the third lowest score in NBA playoff history. In 1955 Milwaukee scored only 57 points (the first year of the shot clock, but obviously before three point line), and Indiana only scored 63 in 1972 against the Knicks. Was the three point line in play then?
I think there was a record set by the Atlanta defense last night for fewest points allowed in the post three point/ shot clock era for a playoff game.
Can anyone confirm or deny this?
If I am right why is no one talking about it nationally?
O'brien
April 20th, 2009
1:27 pm
Great game by the Hawks, and great job by the coaching staff. I think we will carry this energy over into game 2, but I would love to see us do the same things on the road. When we are on the road, if we defend, and play uptempo, and share the ball, we can hang with anybody (even Cleveland).
bigdave
April 20th, 2009
1:30 pm
dont even wanna comment on the TI comments just know that this is a new day and time, and i concur with those who defend the man… kudos to you…
but to the Hawks… im still amped about our performance… and was watching 1st and 10 (ESPN) after class and the guys are giving us lots of acclaim… and there were no doubts that we could contend with QUEEN James in the 2nd rd. this was good to see after i aired out my feelings about the media coverage last night.
one thing i would like to see the Hawks doing is not allowing the easy buckets.. hammer the opponent and make them earn it at the line.. this is the playoffs and nothing nice…
LETS GO HAWKS…!!! LETS GO HAWKS…!!! LETS GO HAWKS….!!!
Blast
April 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
You right Da Real Real. After seeing Hawks play Heat 4 times this season, I was salivating at the idea of playing them in the first round. Hawks dominated them this season, except for the one game they won. I knew we had their number. Hawks are one team that has defended Wade well this season, and I expect more of that.
Yep, Heat coach did not do a good job with his lineup. Beasley should have started. Magliore should have played. O’Neal and Udonis should have been warming the pine. But then, he is a rookie coach in his first playoff series.
Astro Joe
April 20th, 2009
1:34 pm
Funny, Al basically is stating that Spoelstra should have run his offense thru his front-court to trick the Hawks… which is exactly what Woody did (Heat likely expected Hawks to continue to run things through our shot-happy backcourt).
The other chess move I liked was when Spoelstra went with a front line of JON, Beasley and Moon against Zaza, Smith & Marvin. Woody immediately put Horford in the game and then posted Big Al against Beasley. Spoelstra had to quickly take Moon out of the game and bring back Haslem. The Heat tried to go with a quicker line-up but Woody decided to play power-ball and Spoelstra had to back-off and counter Woody’s move. That happened in the second quarter.. when the Hawks took off.
Blast
April 20th, 2009
1:37 pm
This season, 1st game versus Hawks, Wade scored 35 points. The next two games he scored 21 both times. 4th game he sat out. Now 1st game of the playoffs he scored 19 points. Is he regressing, or are Hawks just playing him better each game?
niremetal
April 20th, 2009
1:38 pm
That’s definitely wrong. I remember one game in the ‘98 Finals where the Jazz scored only 54.
niremetal
April 20th, 2009
1:41 pm
I also remember several games during the post-lockout ‘99 playoffs where teams were held under 70. I figure at least a couple of them scored less than 64. No time to check though.
It was a phenomenal defensive performance by the Hawks, no question. But let’s not belittle it by making it into more than it is (and yes, the choice of words there is intentional).
Samuel
April 20th, 2009
1:52 pm
My DVR freaked out so I only saw the first half. I understand that I didn’t miss much the second.
Things that stuck out for me.
1-The playoff intensity level and crispness on offense and defense was serious. I believe I told yall that Woody was a stretch run and playoff coach. For some reason he really knows what buttons to push to get these guys there.
2- JJ played as well as i’ve seen him play since he’s been here. Did he score a lot,no. But he had that fire in his eye and he took the ball to the rack early. He passed the ball early and played tremendous defense. He continues to play that way and we will be hard to beat. Cleveland and LA included.
3- The team really believes they can win it all and they really can.
I don’t think ill weigh in on TI or MV. I’ll save that for another time.
Woody=COY
Ken Strickland
April 20th, 2009
1:59 pm
WHERE ARE ALL OF THE JOSH HATERS AT, WHERE THEY AT, HEH, HEH, HEH. EXCELLENT DOMINATION LAST NIGHT HAWKS, JUST EXCELLENT. When these young, quick, fast, athletic Hawks are ALLOWED to consistently run and attack the basket, they usually dominate, get excellent ball movement, get contributions from the top 6 players, play excellent DEF and go on extended winning streaks. When they are controlled, and forced to slow the tempo and play halfcourt ball, they usually end up playing a lot of Isolation, one on one, exhibit limited ball movement, play lousy DEF and rely to much on shooting jumpers, especially 3’s. We also become very inconsistent.
The Hawks have demonstrated repeatedly they can win, and win big, playing uptempo fast breaking ball. It has to understand they will also lose gms playing an uptempo style of ball, but not often. Uptempo shouldn’t be used only when the team is in desperate need of a win, after becoming inconsistent while playing Woodson’s preferred slowdown halfcourt style.It should be our signature or identity. Besides, when the Hawks play uptempo it’s just down right exciting and the players respond to it on both ends of the court.
After saying all of that, I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO HC MIKE WOODSON FOR A WELL COACHED, WELL PLANNED, WELL EXECUTED AND VERY WELL PLAYED GM. THAT’S ALL I’VE EVER ASKED FROM YOU AS OUR HC.
terrell barron
April 20th, 2009
2:52 pm
Enough with the T.I. nonsense. OMG!!!!!!
bigdave
April 20th, 2009
3:12 pm
congrats samuel…