Pump your brakes!
Hawks point guard Mike Bibby is preaching caution!
HAWKSVILLE - You’ve got to love Mike Bibby.
Aside from being hilarious, no player in a Hawks uniform is more likely to surprise you with what comes out of his mouth than the savvy point guard.
While most everyone else roaming the bowels of Philips Arena last night was either dazed and or confused as to what had just transpired (the Hawks’ 90-64 thrashing of the Heat in Game 1 of their first round playoff series), Bibby was already pumping the brakes.
That’s what veterans do, even after blowout wins. They provide gravity that others might not realize is needed.
Bibby surely remembers the talk in Boston last year after the Hawks were routed in Game 1. People there were proclaiming the series was over and the Celtics would sweep the Hawks.
Six games later the series was over. But it was much harder work than anyone could have imagined after Game 1.
Bibby is well aware that the Hawks need to pump the brakes today. Game 2 is Wednesday night and it’s every bit as crucial to the Hawks’ chances of winning this series as Game 1.
“This series is 0-0 as far as I’m concerned,” Bibby said. “It’s a brand new series Wednesday night.”
JOSH SMITH IS …
I stopped reading my text messages and emails midway through the third quarter. I didn’t think there was any other way people could express to me how stunned they were to see Josh Smith’s high-flying act.
My best friend, Ivory “Twit” Brooks (a Seattle native and school principal in Oakland with a basketball jones like many of you here) hit me repeatedly with messages like, “Josh Smith is a #$%&! beast,” and “this is ridiculous, truly.”
And his notes were just the beginning. The onslaught came from every direction. It was hilarious reading the reactions of people watching all this stuff in HD while also seeing the reactions of the folks in the arena who were watching it live.
Like many people, Twit rarely sees the Hawks (when the Hawks play the Warriors in Oakland or one of the rare occasions when they’re on national TV. So he’s always taken aback by the Hawks’ wicked athleticism and penchant for alley oops and spectacular plays.
“Why don’t they play like this all the time?” his final text read.
If he only knew how many times that phrase is uttered around here.
SOUTH FLORIDA REPORT
Mark Bradley has whipped up enough links and polls to make your head spin in the latest installment of Bradley’s Buzz (I was still snoring when he did all that work).
I’ve got a couple more interesting things you might want to read from our visitors from the MIA.
My man Chris Perkins caught up with Heat owner Mickey Arison and team president Pat Riley before the game, and as you might expect, they were still optimistic then.
I didn’t realize just how poorly Dwyane Wade played Sunday night until I read Mike Wallace’s story in the Miami Herald a few minutes ago. Wade had nearly half of Heat’s 19 turnovers. That’s crazy.
Ira Winderman highlighted former Hawks and now Heat assistant coach David Fizdale and the unique role he’ll play in this series going forward. Fizdale left the Hawks last summer after being one of the key figures in the development of many of the Hawks’ young players that abused the Heat last night.
Orlando is actually in “Central Florida,” but they’re in much the same predicament as their neighbors down South Beach way after Sunday’s humiliating home loss to the Andre Iguodala and the 76ers.
Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi let the Magic have it after they blew not only home court advantage but also an 18-point lead.
FOR YOU STAT GEEKS OUT THERE
Much will be made about the Hawks’ balance in this series, and rightfully so.
It was on full display in Game 1, the folks at Elias Sports made sure of it with this little statistical ditty: The Hawks got double-digit scoring from all five of their starters in their 90-64 victory over the Heat. It was the third time in Atlanta’s last eight playoff games (dating back to last year’s series against the Celtics) that Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford and Mike Bibby each scored at least 10 points. Prior to last postseason, the Hawks didn’t produce double-digit scoring from all five of their starters in a playoff game since 1999 (Steve Smith, Dikembe Mutombo, Grant Long, Tyrone Corbin and Mookie Blaylock).
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192 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
April 21st, 2009
6:48 pm
Clyde, oh ye of little faith. But that was funny.
Raj, I’d be ALL over Gortat. He is a good player with above average shot-blocking skills. He could give us solid low post defense off the bench.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 21st, 2009
7:11 pm
Enter your comments hereVolman
April 21st, 2009
7:56 pm
Astro, does Clyde still come around with the FIRE WOODY talk? I really have not seen him lurking around here much.
Al, most of us bloggers on here are either season ticket holders or go to the majority of games, so you’re more than welcome to meet us up here in Atlanta and we can get you a nice jersey for your dad
SouthAfrican09
April 21st, 2009
8:16 pm
1) We need Woody to talk to Larry Brown about how to beat the Cavs round 2.
2) Cannot be complacent tomorrow
3) Smoove needs to settle down. he has these monster games every 3 weeks or so…We know you’re athletic, young guy. Just keep your head on and don’t take jumpshots.
4) Bibby needs to work over Chalmers. Dude is scared to death of these playoffs
5) I’m ready to see a showdown between Wade/JJ. You could tell the crowd wanted to see that so bad
Blast
April 21st, 2009
8:18 pm
HA! Really funny stuff on the blog tonite!
Blast
April 21st, 2009
8:27 pm
What’s up Reality?
You are a Heat fan and I am a Hawks fan. No one can blame each other for that. I saw all games Hawks played this season, just like I’ve done since coming to the ATL 11 years ago. So I know my team, and I’m sure the same applies to you. The difference is, I’m almost positive I’ve seen more Heat games (courtesy of their darlings, the national media) than you’ve seen Hawks play. All I’m trying to say is I know my team better than you do, while I know your team almost as well as you do. Hawks will win game 2, and take one in Miami. We won there this season, remember?
It’s all good, though. The games will be played and decided. Glad to have you on the blog. Stay around after we knock off your boys and maybe we can convert you into a Hawks fan.
Nate ArchiBALL
April 21st, 2009
8:42 pm
Top Five Point Guards
1. Chris Paul
2. Deron Williams
3. Chauncey Billups
4. Tony Parker
5. Andre Miller
doc
April 21st, 2009
8:44 pm
volman, clyde is a man of his word as he proved last year. got to admire him for it, he said he would be positive until the playoffs are over and he has held onto than except for his severe man love with sean williams as a potential presence in the middle for the hawks. down right crazy if you ask me. sean and him must have met up in rio and had a good time to be so insistent the guy can play.
Blast
April 21st, 2009
8:50 pm
Cleveland is just toying with Detroit right now.
Lots of NBA teams play a terrible offense. Take Chicago last night. When the game grounded to half court in the second round, Chicago started playing two-man basketball. It was just a matter of the point bringing the ball up, then bouncing, dribbling around the perimeter while the shooter runs from side to side trying to get free on a screen to get a shot off. You get that more with jumpshooting teams, Detroit doing the same thing tonite. Whatever happened to team basketball? Moving the ball, let every man touch it before shooting?
Ben Gordon was the designated gunner in the Bulls example above. And he was the reason Chicago almost won it. They wouldn’t have come close if Gordon hadn’t been super hot.
Brad Miller put up a poor performance last night. He scored some points, but blew two layups at the rim. If he had more lift, or was Josh Smith, those would have been thunderous dunks.
Volman
April 21st, 2009
9:05 pm
Doc, SEAN WILLIAMS? Haha…. You have GOT to be kidding me!
Hawks Fan in New Orleans
April 21st, 2009
9:14 pm
Its nice to have a vet like Bibby putting things in perspective and keeping the younger guys grounded…That being said I don’t see anyone stepping up to be D Wade’s ‘Robin’.
J Oneal is like a beached whale, washed up on Miami Beach…When D Wade “willed” his team the championship in 06, he had a better supporting cast.
Clyde
April 21st, 2009
9:16 pm
Sean Williams had more blocks than Al Horford last year. Look it up Volman
Clyde
April 21st, 2009
9:21 pm
Horford Lost The Battle 106-76
Horford averaged 31 mpg Sean Williams averaged 17 mpg.
kwooden1
April 21st, 2009
9:25 pm
I will throw this out on the blog -
I think to many people tell JSmoove he’ll be great if he only does ….. better. We all see potential, but it was actually very irritating to hear Barkley, Webber and Smith say JSmoove’s play on Sunday wasn’t impressive because he needs to learn to shoot then he will be Special/Great. It sounded like they were saying if he shoots better he’s going to be Lebron or Kobe. I get the feeling that he’s been hearing that kind of talk for years and either he ignores it now or has taken it to much to heart. I would say just improve your all around game. My issue with him shooting is that the team doesn’t need it. The team needs people to play there roles. A team needs a Creator, Scorer, Shooter, Rebounder and a Low Post Presents. Its obvious from that list the JSmoove should be the Rebounder! He can alternate with Horford, but that’s what the team needs. It seems that to many people are waiting for JSmoove to all of sudden become Odom, but his team doesn’t need it. If he was the man on a team, I think he’s got the focus to play more dynamically like Odom. If he shoots when he’s open and when he has too, I’m fine. Otherwise he needs to play he’s role just like everyone else. Just my thoughts!
As for PGs
1)CP3 (plays he’s role better than anyone, he would have 3 rings with Duncan and Ginobili
2)DWill (next best at playing he’s role)
3)Parker
4)Nash/Davis(when health)
5)Rondo
Kidds still got something also!
GO HAWKS!!!
Hoops
April 21st, 2009
9:39 pm
Several Hawks fans are still talking about the Hawks taking a point guard in this draft. There seems to be less debate about the need for a 5 player. It seems that most fans have accepted that Horford fills our need as a 5 with Smooth filling the need as a 4. Are there any opinions out there about the future direction of the Hawks?
I think this debate will take on a new interest if the Hawks beat the Heat and then defeat the Cavs. Then people will realize how close the Hawks are with their current roster and coaching staff! GO HAWKS!!!
doc
April 21st, 2009
9:55 pm
volman, told you, those blocks, a lot of weed and one broken computer, greeaat year. sitting at home with us watching nba basketball. no, i doubt he is doing that at all. he has only proved to be a loser being sent back to the d league wasnt it?
btw clyde, you broke your promise to not say anything negative about the hawks until the summer starts and horford is still pretty important cog blocks or not.
Eman
April 21st, 2009
9:59 pm
Everybody, why are people hating on Billy Knight? People say that he missed on Chris Paul, Brandon Roy and Darren Williams; who in the world knew that CP3 and Darren Williams were going to be that good!! BK passed on Brandon Roy because we had an all- star player named Joe Johnson and that would be a wasted pick on the same position. Anyway, Marvin Williams was projected to be a beast by everyone in the league!!! I like Mar- Will (Marvin Williams) because he will be an all star in this league just watch!!! This team is going to be great one day because our young team will grow up and with some new pieces here and there; we will be champions in the next couple of years!! BK may have missed on a pg but he has created a team that will be a powerhouse in the near future. The key is Josh Smith progression!! If he becomes an all star player who gives us 20 and 10 each night along with AL this time will be an unstoppable team. True Atlanta fan needs to stand up and be glad for what we have because it could be worst we could be The T- WOVLES!!
Hawks Lets Go!!!!!!!!!!!!
Volman
April 21st, 2009
10:02 pm
Clyde, is Sean Williams still in the league?? I would not have known if he were still in the NBA or not… He’s such a nonentity.
I didn’t realize that how many blocks per game you had shows how good of a player you are. Horford can actually score (which Williams cannot), defend (Williams can jump..but what does he weight, 195?), and he is a NATURAL leader and brings a winning mentality to this Hawks team. I’d rather have that than the guy who can take the longest tug from the bong.
Doc…just read your post… He’s in the d-league? Ouch. Maybe he’s lighting it up and blocking shots on the “Antz” or whatever team that is!
doc
April 21st, 2009
10:11 pm
volman he made it back then ran into probs with the law,
doc
April 21st, 2009
10:22 pm
let us check out this year clyd, you know one more year of maturity. here is your guys stats, read them and weep:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4295/gamelog;_ylt=Ahk0S_Em4EiieInK6H9jZsCaPaB4
what it says volman that you clyde and i could put all our hands together and count more fingers on our hands than sean had blocks this season, 29. also for the record horford had 80 and about 800 points to sean’s 80. that is a ten to one ratio clyde … THIS YEAR. get over it, down right silly.
Jody
April 21st, 2009
10:33 pm
My take on the hawks is while they’re playing well now, they’re not going to be an elite team until they get a legitimate 5. It won’t really be much of an issue this series but if they get to round two, against a team with legit bigs, they’re going to struggle BIG TIME.
Jody
April 21st, 2009
10:54 pm
Also, considering the chatter that the Hawks were in talks to try to aquire Chris Kaman at the deadline, I’d say the new GM considers getting a true center to be a priority. GOOD FOR HIM!
KevinA
April 21st, 2009
10:56 pm
The Hawks are not going to win a championship this year or next. We have time to wait deep into next season to see how Speedy and Acie will work out. Bibby’s contract gives us three directions. Keep him, let him go and have plenty of cash for another pg or get us another first class big. I think we gotta keep Marvin, Al, JJ and Josh. Ya don’t trade your core, you add to it.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 21st, 2009
10:57 pm
“who in the world knew that CP3 and Darren Williams were going to be that good!!”
General managers get paid millions of dollars to know who will be good in the draft. By not knowing that CP3 and Deron Williams would be great, Billy Knight failed at his job.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 21st, 2009
11:00 pm
“Sean Williams had more blocks than Al Horford last year.”
Joel Anthony averaged the same number of blocks this year as Sean Williams did last year. Surely this means he’s a lock down defender. Wonder why the Heat don’t play him more?
Big Ray
April 22nd, 2009
12:32 am
I see Clyde has re-opened old wounds.
Clyde, I didn’t figure you for a masochist…
Kwooden1,
I agree. Josh needs to play his role. Now, if only this team had defined roles. And there, my friend, lies the issue…
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
12:33 am
Doc, NICE!!!
Clyde
April 22nd, 2009
3:39 am
Doc how was that negative? All I did was give a stat and that that’s it. Take it how you want but I wasn’t being negative. And S Williams finished the year with the Nets.
Najeh Davenpoop averages are different that totals
Clyde
April 22nd, 2009
3:45 am
Doc weed is a powerful drug. It makes you do crazy things. If S Williams can stop smoking he could be a strong defensive player in this league. And for the record yall keep bringing this up not me. Check the blog records.
Samuel
April 22nd, 2009
7:08 am
Ray,
Was that a sneeky “hate” on Woody? Face it man, you and many others were dead wrong about Woody. The guy is here to stay.
Woody=COY
doc
April 22nd, 2009
7:32 am
clyde, come join us at the pretzel stand after you get your jack daniels if you are in the building tonight.
clyde as far as the idea of our continuing to bring it up …. i wont go back and research it but sean williams was brought up by you on more than one occasion (like a continuous thread) this year as a “need” that he could fill for the hawks and how he was more a center than horford. if you want to say he hasnt lived up to the expectations and may be a lost cause then most of us will agree with you. sean and marcus williams were the guys with the most potential and biggest names that fell from a fairly high position in the draft because folks were afraid of their past. it seems like it was worth the concern because they have proved folks right in holding off on picking them high because their work ethic was suspect. both may have to work hard to get back into the league or a place of stature, i doubt either has the drive to excel and that was seen before they left college.
samuel, you are right if woody continues to get us unto position to play the cavs on the big screen and gets a couple of wins against them then folks had better get ready to see an extension this summer for the man. woody = top ten coy this year but may be climbing especially if sund can keep his team together and bring in another “piece”. if not he should maybe hold out for a better offer from another team as he is job secure for a while in the league. that is for real, only heh is still a work in progress like his players. the basg have a decision to make and maybe sund can remind them how seattle let mcmillan slide out from under their fingers to go elsewhere and move a lot smoother into the lime light. must say you have rallied back from the man love days of curry and isiah.
woody is looking better and better.
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
9:45 am
Are we talking Mike Woodson contract extensions on this blog? Blasphemy!
Sautee
April 22nd, 2009
9:47 am
I’ll defend Clyde here. Yes, he brought up Sean Williams a million times or so early on. But since the trade deadline, (and Williams’ trevails)vhe’s hardly mentioned him, unless another blogger brought it up first. Which, of course I DID, along with Ray, doc, and others.
It’s what we do here. We make sure that you don’t forget.
But Clyde’s been a fount of positivity lately, and only brought up Williams today from doc’s stick poking, and Volman not knowing the whole story.
peace!
SouthAfrican09
April 22nd, 2009
9:50 am
I feel so bad about Mutombo’s injury. Anyone know if the hostile Portland crowd applauded him as he was taken off the court?
O'brien
April 22nd, 2009
10:14 am
I said this before. What Woody needs is an assistant coach (with a system) to be in charge of the offense, and Woody can be in charge of the defense.
Mike Brown in Cleveland has one assistant in charge of defense, and another in charge of offense. Doc Rivers has an assistant in charge of defense, Phil Jackson has Tex Winters and his triangle offense.
As good as the Hawks have been, if we had an offensive identity, we would be even more dangerous.
That being said, Let’s go out and put another whipping on these Heat. The bad thing is despite game 1 blowout, the media refuses to acknowledge the Hawk’s dominance in that game, so we need to do it again tonight.
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
10:49 am
O’Brien, you have to realize that this “team has many deficiencies”, per Kenny “The Jet” Smith. He DID win a ring while being carried by guys like Hakeem The Dream.
Astro Joe
April 22nd, 2009
11:16 am
Sekou, can you weigh in on this “offensive coordinator” issue? Does Woody have assigned roles for his coaching staff?
JuniorBridgeman
April 22nd, 2009
11:34 am
NEWSFLASH EVERYONE. We now have an emerging star in Josh Smith. In game one against Miami, the basketball world watched Josh Smith transform into the NBAs version of the “Incredible Hulk”. Before that game, Josh had had repeated run-ins with Mike Woodson during the regular season, tons of mental mistakes such as shooting 3-pointers on fast breaks before the offense catches up with him, just a slew of bonehead mistakes. However, in game one on the NBAs biggest stage, the playoffs, Josh Smith played so well that his steller play even caught the attention of Hall of Fame legend Charles Barkley. I heard Barkley say on TNTs inside the NBA on the wrap up show that if Josh Smith would learn to shoot jumpshots by going into the gym and practicing shooting around 400 jumpshots a day, he could become the NBAs best player. Thats quite a compliment coming from a hall of fame legend. Joshs talent has been in incubation mode for quite sometime since he came into the league. But in game one against Miami, Josh became as I said earlier like the Incredible Hulk and was totally unstoppable and gave the Hawks a weapon that is almost darn near impossible to stop. If Josh continues to play like this from now on, the Hawks may end up as World Champions before the sun has set on this NBA campaign. What an incredible bliss to be a Hawks fan these days.
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
12:33 pm
Junior, I assume I’ll see you in Philips Arena tonight waving your Hawks towel?
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
12:34 pm
Typo, sorry.. “waiving”.
O'brien
April 22nd, 2009
1:04 pm
I loved the effort from Josh Smith in game 1, but like Sekou said… Pump your brakes. Let’s not forget that Josh played well at Phillips against the Celtics in the playoffs last year, and what happened when he went on the road? We’ve also seen Josh have his ups and downs during the season as well. We all know he has the talent. The question is his consistency, especially on the road.
On the TNT broadcoast, did anyone hear Dick Stockton refer to Zaza as “Pachula”? I thought that was funny. It reminded me of Nique and his pronounciations…
Mike is back
April 22nd, 2009
2:35 pm
Doc, I stop by the spot at half time for a sec Sunday…I’ll try to catch-up with the crew again during the playoff…I let my pumpkin hustle me out of my tix for tonight’s game. Where did they get that one weak looking cat in the black tights dancing during intermission…he had my wife cracking up.
I Think DWade will do his thing tonight, but the Hawks will get the victory. Glad Woody decided to play up-tempo ball…that was the difference in the game. If this is part of the Hawks strategy for the remainder playoff…then look out Cavs here we come.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!