Paying the price for a big win
Zaza Pachulia and the Hawks soared Monday night over the Heat in Miami. Now all they have to do is produce an encore Wednesday night at home.
MIAMI - Mike Bibby got cracked in the nose and poked in the eye.
Josh Smith got the skin on the side of his face scratched off in three places.
Joe Johnson finished the game hobbling and was later spotted with his right foot in a bucket of ice before he was sent off to get examined to determine the extent of the damage.
Everyone saw Zaza Pachulia’s right eye, darkened around the edges by an unidentified flying object (or an errant elbow) that he doesn’t remember connecting.
Even Hawks equipment man extraordinaire Zac Walsh went down during the game (food poisoning) and was reportedly left behind at a local hospital to recover.
Oh, yeah, the Hawks paid the price for their monumental 81-71 Game 4 win at AmericanAirlines Arena a couple hours ago.
They paid dearly.
And they’d gladly do it again and again and again, if it means snatching back home court advantage in their first round playoff series against the Miami Heat every time.
Things got physical Monday night and the Hawks rose to the challenge, leading from start to finish in a wild game that could eventually define their season.
Obviously, there’s plenty of work still to be done.
But none of it would be possible without what on Monday night.
“Well, it’s 2-2 in the series and you say that we have the home court advantage now,” said Pachulia, the Hawks’ Game 4 hero, “but we did have home court advantage after Game 1 and everybody thought we were going to win two games at home. But we lost [Game 2] at home. We still have to win two more games. We have to use our advantage and play the same way we played [to win Game 4].”
If that means sacrificing their bodies again, so be it.
“Well, it wasn’t obvious when it happened,” Pachulia said of his black eye, “and it happened in Game 3. I just felt it burning during the game and then I touched my eye and it was already swollen. But watching the tape I think happened on the rebound when me and James Jones were fighting for it. It happens, though, I look like Rocky Balboa.”
Pachulia set the tone with his rugged play early. And the Heat felt it, particularly Heat center Jermaine O’Neal, who couldn’t push the bigger Pachulia around the way he did Al Horford in Games 2 and 3.
“He was tough down there,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Pachulia. “He was pretty much doing everything in traffic. Bodies were flying. Loose balls, he seemed like he came up with every one of them. He had a major impact on the game. Eighteen rebounds … he played very well.”
Well enough to help the Hawks’ bench crew outscore the Heat’s reserves a whopping 25-2. This after being outscored 37-20 in Game 3.
“They made all the plays,” Jones said. “Zaza was the guy who every time they needed a big play, he made it. Whether it was a rebound, a tip or a layup, he was the momentum breaker tonight and i think he kind of sealed our fate.”
NOT THAT THE HAWKS DIDN’T TRY and give this one away with their inexplicable power failure just before halftime.
Leading by 21 points (44-23) with 4:37 to play before the break, the Hawks watched the Heat go on a 19-2 run to pull to within four points, 46-42 at halftime – and that includes those crazy four-point plays in 11 seconds by Jones to energize the crowd and frighten Hawks fans around the globe.
But the Hawks never surrendered their lead. They kept their composure in a hostile environment, showcasing a mettle and maturity that had been lacking previously.
“We played defense like we did in Game 1,” Smith said. “We just got after them the whole game. We took control of the game from the tip and we had to do that to get the fans out of it early. Fighting through adversity shows the character of this team. That was a big win for us.”
BACK-TO-BACK wins for Wade’s team produced back spasms for the Heat superstar Monday night.
That might explain his 9-for-26 shooting effort, and yes, it was as dismal as it looked on the stat sheet. But how bad was Wade’s back if he could find a way to launch 26 shots?
As bad as his back was, the Hawks’ defense on Wade was that sound.
“We just switched off the pick-and-rolls,” Johnson said. “We even had our [centers] out there guarding him at times.”
Now comes the hard part, doing it again Wednesday night in Game 5.
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756 comments Add your comment
Reality
April 28th, 2009
11:13 am
With all that being said, the Heat have bounced back all year after tought losses and I don’t expect that to change during the most important time of the season. They’re resilient (and inconsistent) as they come.
doc
April 28th, 2009
11:13 am
reality, yes the tables are turned. as far as the argument that wade isnt right so we are a a huge disadvantage i hope you understand that our jj is not doing what he usually does as our star and hurt us in game three as much as wade hurt you guys last night with his performance.overall his lack has taken a huge bite out of our team as a whole for the series. no excuse any more than what you are saying, just er, reality, and an observation. it may not be about the superstars at this point which will make it interesting. it will also maybe depend on who heats (man i hate that word today) up first jj or wade going forward. yup advantage hawks now but it is a series that should bring out the manhood in one or both of these teams. this is like a heavy weight fight.
reality, also we miss marvin, seems like he can subtly go to his coach and say “you know coach i cant shoot now but i might be able to do better with one arm than mario or solo can do with their whole bodies, play me”. he has to realize no one is 100% or even close. it hurts us and helps you that he is not on the floor even if it is to fall down a few times. shoot he might land on wades leg or something and be a hero. heh heh rod, might even applaud marvin for that for once!
Often Disappointed/Never Surprised!
April 28th, 2009
11:14 am
Saw a lot of standing around on offense last night! I guess it is to be expected when you don’t have consistent outside shooting. Other than Bibby, we looked terrible. Too many guys that require one-on-one dribble moves to get to the basket. Ball movement, passing, screening, this stuff still works. Look at the great teams, movement is paramount.
Finally, Josh Smith continues to be “Feast” or “Famine” from the outside. He should take a page out of Boston’s Big Baby’s book. Practice, practice, practice. Shooting is about muscle memory and repitition.
Dan
April 28th, 2009
11:15 am
Reality,
That’s true. The crowd is similar to Atlanta’s I guess. It is more reactive than proactive. If the team is not performing, then the crowd is usually not able to get itself going.
Sounds like Wade might really be hurt. I know you guys love him, but he has always struck me as the type that likes to milk injuries. Not that he is faking. I just think he likes to act more hurt than he is for the cameras. He, like LeBron, is well aware that the cameras are on him. He will probably still get his 20 +, though…
I feel like this is the first time I have watched the Hawks in an actual series. Last year with Boston was amazing, but we never touched them in Boston. This year, have more of a legit chance to win. As a 5-year season ticket holder, it is about time get to experience this stuff..
doc
April 28th, 2009
11:15 am
similar teams with similar personalities, reality. glad we arent playing philly though.
pinoy hawk
April 28th, 2009
11:25 am
I don’t agree with this JJ is tired due to heavy minutes during the regular season crap! These guys are professional BB players and they’re trained to play this number of minutes especially during the playoffs.
Please stop making excuses for JJ’s poor performance in the playoffs. He doesn’t have the BB IQ that we expected when ajc signed him as a “superstar” for this team. He’s just a jumpshooter who tries so hard to penetrate the paint but can’t finish. He can hardly get to the foul line because his too soft! So overrated!
jacket3
April 28th, 2009
11:26 am
Come to Jesus….GO HAWKS!
Dashizz357
April 28th, 2009
11:27 am
Ref’s suck, let’s start holding them accountable for missed & bad call’s, it’s unexceptable!!!!!Bottom line. What is the retirement age for a ref, some of these guys were out here when Wilt was playing, DAMN…
Ken Strickland
April 28th, 2009
11:34 am
Very impressive win last night Hawks. The only thing I have an issue with is this. WE’VE ALL SEEN HOW WOODSON WILL IMMEDIATELY YANK PG ACIE LAW FROM THE GM AND BERATED HIM ON THE SIDELINES FOR MAKING A MISTAKE. IN LAST NIGHT’S GM, IT WAS OBVIOUS PG MBIBBY LOST HIS COMPOSURE AND CAUSED US TO LOSE MOST OF A SIZABLE LEAD. YET, HC MWOODSON DIDN’T TAKE HIM OUT OF THE GM OR CALL A TIMEOUT TO CALM HIM DOWN UNTIL THE LEAD WAS ALMOST LOST. WOODSON DOESN’T WANT TO DO A LOT OF IN GM COACHING SO HE TOO OFTEN LEAVES THE FATE OF THE TEAM IN THE HANDS OF HIS VETERAN PLAYERS. WHEN YOUNGER PLAYERS, WHICH HE DOESN’T TRUST, MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES, HE JUMPS ON THEM IMMEDIATELY AND THEN IGNORES THEM BECAUSE, IN HIS MIND, THEY MAKE HIM DO SOMETHING HE DOESN’T WANT TO DO, AND THAT’S MAKE COACHING DECISIONS AND/OR ADJUSTMENTS DURING THE GM.
OTHERWISE, THAT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE WIN ON THEIR HOMECOURT.
Darrin "The Vent King"
April 28th, 2009
11:39 am
All these bump, bruises, and scratches the Hawks suffered and all ESPN wants to do is talk about how “Wade is injured and can the Hawks take advantage of that” bull. Look, I like watching D-Wade play and all, but seriously dude is a drama queeeeeen! That one play where he is on the floor (yet again-this ain’t a commercial, get yo butt up), laying there for nearlt two minutes burns me. Everyone out there was getting hit left and right, but when the Miami Diva gets it, he has to act like that? C’mon, grow some already dude. ESPN acts like the only reason the Hawks won was cause Wade wasn’t 100%. They did the same thing when we beat the Lakers a few weeks ago with Kobe Bryant. They are always discrediting any A-town victory in anything and its past annoying. The Falcons win, oh its because the other team sucks, and now the Hawks win on the road just because Wade is off. I wonder what spin they’ll put on Game 5 when the Heat get blasted by the Hawks (yeah, I said it!), oh yeah if Wade only scores 19 points, it’ll be “Hawks take advantage of another sub-par night by the gloriously gifted almighty and only reason we’re even covering this series D-Wade” -like the Hawk’s defense will have nothing to do with that. What bull. Anyway, crush them Hawks and force ESPN to love you!!
kevin
April 28th, 2009
11:48 am
Hey east Atlanta Hawks fan…..Woodson should be gone if they can’t advance to the next round. I don’t love him or hate him but games 2 or 3 were an embarassment. And everyone knows he and Josh(the real “big baby”) Smith don’t see eye to eye. We know who wins that if push comes to shove.
jc_dawgs
April 28th, 2009
11:49 am
Great and badly needed road win. Props to Pachulia….he really has raised his level of play. It’s easy to see it. Also….Flip and Bibby are playing at elevated levels.
When those 3 are on the floor…the energy is there. The composure stays in tact….no matter what happens.
tiger woo
April 28th, 2009
11:49 am
Joe Johnson is not playing poorly.
If you are really watching the action, you will see that the Heat are throwing double teams (most of the time J.O’Neal) at him as soon as he touches the ball – giving him little room to operate. To JJ’s credit in game 4, he wasn’t trying to force the action like he did in game 3. JJ was content to move the ball around and pick his spots when he had opportunities.
I will admit he’s not shooting as well as he could, but he’s definitely contributing.
Dirk
April 28th, 2009
11:50 am
To East Atlanta Hawks Fan – Get off the white bashing. Your racial prejudice and low-level intelligence are showing. Everyone was clamoring for Mike Woodson’s head several years ago,including blacks, whites, reds, greens, and yellows. And rightfully so, I would like to add. I hope your statement isn’t indicative of the way other East Atlantans think.
Reality
April 28th, 2009
11:57 am
Yea, Wade always stays on the ground as long as possible “to rest whenever he can” he has said in the past. It’s a little trick of his.
I don’t like it. And when we’re losing like yesterday, it frustrates me big time. In those situations, he certainly milks it.
But the back spasms have to have been legit. I get them sometimes when I play and it’s HORRIBLE. Wade can be a drama queen, but he’s a tough, fearless muthaf*#^@r. He almost always bounces back and doesn’t let us down. His pride is unlimited.
Stat Man
April 28th, 2009
11:59 am
General observations:
1) When Pachulia is given the opportunity, he is the spark plug
2) Josh Smith needs to be fined $1000 for every missed shot taken from outside 10 feet
3) For you Woodson lovers – please explain to me how we can go the final 3:42 of the half without a single basket, see a 21 point lead dtop to 4, and all “Woody” does is call ONE 30 second timeout during that disasterous period? I’d also really like for him to grab a copy of “Coaching NBA Hoops for Dummies” and learn the value of calling a play late in a period that will create a 2 for 1 posession situation. True, the players have to execute, but play calling comes off the bench as does stradegy.
4)Why do the Hawks have 126 assistant coaches?? None of whom can teach the players how to shoot a freaking free throw??
All this said – I’m a Hawks fan, been one since 1969, and not a bandwagon jumper. Just calling it like I see it – GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dirk
April 28th, 2009
11:59 am
To D Reel Deel – Stop with the screaming capital letters. You’re correct about the undercurrent of racial prejudice in sports, and in life. Unfortunately, your prejudice has developed into a river. Why don’t you say something about racial prejudice by African Americans against Caucasians, Asians, Middle Easterners, etc. I feel sorry for you. Why do sports blogs, at least in Atlanta, always become forums for spouting racial prejudices?
Steve
April 28th, 2009
12:00 pm
I’d feel better about our chances to win if our players didn’t effectively foul out with only 4 fouls…
Miami Heat Fan
April 28th, 2009
12:01 pm
The heat are going to win the series ppl face facts the hawks just can’t do it. They need a few more years, D-Wade is coming to town piss off and he’s going to have a monster game win it and finish off the series in the MIA. GO HEAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
RickNole
April 28th, 2009
12:01 pm
Darrin, you hit the nail on the head. Its amazing how ESPN and the TNT annoucers have made this serise all about D. Wade. I also have to turn the TV during commercials to not have to see all of the D. Wade commercials. Now its all about how hurt he is and thats why we won. I guess ZaZa and Josh had nothing to do with us winning.
KWUHG
April 28th, 2009
12:02 pm
as a side note: the only thing worse than the hawks beating in games 2 and 3 , is the beating the english language takes every time wilkins does commentary
RickNole
April 28th, 2009
12:03 pm
Another thing. Why does race seem to come up in every blog? I mean let it go people. There are just as many racist blacks as there are whites. Lets talk about basketball.
Barry
April 28th, 2009
12:04 pm
Hey Y’all:
Our Hawks fought like a world champion boxer last night. they took the hits and gave most of theis hits back last night. As I said before, this is marathon withour Hawks in great shape to fininsh this fight. We are saving the “BOWLOW” hit for Wednesday. It loks like our Hawks have awawened and the HEAT created a monster. They are through for this series. Our Hawks took their best shot after going ahead by 20 and maintaining the Heats rally to get back in the game. These hawks this week are going to “SHOCK and AMAZE YA” when they end this series against the Heat. And guess what? WE HAVEN’T EVEN DONE THE SHUFFLE YET!!
LET’S GO HAWKS! LET’S GO HAWKS!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
SEE Y’ALL AT PHILLIPS!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWKS FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………….”ATLANTA HAWKS, BOOM-BYE-YEAH!!!!…………
…………………………”SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!!……………….
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 28th, 2009
12:12 pm
I SPEAK THE TRUTH,THE SAME FAIR WEATHER FANS THAT CHEER FOR THE BRAVES FALCONS AND HAWKS ONLY WHEN THEY ARE WINNING.
NOTICE THAT YOU DUMB HICKS DONT SAY THAT IM LYING OR IM NOT TELLING THE TRUTH,BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT BEING IN THE SOUTH WITH YOU DIXIE LOSERS,IM GLAD SHERMAN CAME AND BURNED DOWN THE STATE OF GEORGIA NOW I SEE WHY GEORGIA IS 50TH IN THE NATION IN EDUCATION.
DANNY HEATLEY KILLED A TEAMATE NO JAIL TIME FOR THE THRASHER.
MIKE VICK KILED DOGS AND THE RACIST WHITES SAY LOCK HIM UP.
P.S. IF MIKE WOODSON WAS WHITE MIKE WOODSON THE RACIST WOULD BE SAYING GREAT JOB MIKE WOODSON MOVING THE HAWKS FROM 8TH SEED TO 4TH SEED,BUT SINCE HE IS BLACK LOOK AT ALL THE RACIST WHITES SCREAMING FIRE HIM.
SAME PEOPLE WHO ARE HATING ON OBAMA,BUT DIDNT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT BUSH BREAKING THE COUNTRY ALL THE WAY DOWN.
Da Real Real
April 28th, 2009
12:16 pm
After thinking about the game last night and the games we’ve seen so far this series I can think of only one constant thing that has caused these poor, no effort showing performances…….THE REFS! Most will say that we’re most of the calls called against us but there have been some poor calls going to the Heat as well. The refs blowing every ticky tack foul call they believe they see soaked a lot of the energy out of the game last night. It was an odd and boring game to look at last night because the refs aren’t letting guys play in this series like I’ve seen in other playoff matches this year.
The REALtor
April 28th, 2009
12:24 pm
Good game, however i do expect some more changes..I would like to see Josh Smith go 0-0 on 3pt field goals, would greatly benefit the team as well as the city.. also i would be nice if Joe Johnson spoke on the court instead of acting like a mute,exuding some emotion as well..he needs to prove that the allstar game performance was a fluke and not just result of a fluking all-star which he is beginning to play like..and how about Mario West getting more minutes, its a positive everytime he steps on the court. Not trying to bash Joe and Josh, ima Hawks FAN, these are just things that have to change if we want to win the series, and compete with the Lebrons next round..ima REALtor
Truth-serum
April 28th, 2009
12:25 pm
Like ive always said, you cant became a finalist in the NBA without a Bonefied center. Za played a career game and I will acknowledge that, as ive always been very critical of him. If he could CONSISTANTLY DO THAT,rebound and intimidate and KEEP HIS TURNOVERS DOWN AND HE MUST FINISH IN THE LOW POST, NOT TURN OVER, then perhaps we could raise a flag in the atlanta.
GOOD GAME Z, STEP YOUR GAME UP AND WE WILL BECOME AN ELITE TEAM. WITHOUT A CENTER THE HAWKS ARE GOOD BUT NOT GREAT. IF Z STEPS UP THEN WE CAN GO BIG OR QUICK AND WOODSON HAS MORE OPTIONS!
TOAST TO FLIP,WOODSON,JJ, JOSH AND HORFORD- DO US PROUD GUYS.
THE DAY BELONGS TO WOODSON AND Z CONGRATS GUYS!
Atl Resident
April 28th, 2009
12:26 pm
Miami Heat Fan really thinks that the Heat will no doubt take series, but whoever that is don’t know sports, cause we all know in playoffs it can’t be just one man show and this series proves that.
darrell starks
April 28th, 2009
12:27 pm
Woody have to understand that 1 playoff game is like 5 season game because of the intensity level in the playoff so you have to increase your bench rotation in order for you to succeed in the playoffs if woody continue to have a 7 or 8 man rotation i gurantee the hawks will get blown out in the next series its not hard to go to a 9 man rotation MARIO, SOLO, FLIP, ZAZA you will see better performance from the hawks.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zack
April 28th, 2009
12:27 pm
east atlanta hawks fan… unless you wanna talk basketball just leave you my friend are the exact reason why the city of atlanta is looked down upon
tiger woo
April 28th, 2009
12:28 pm
Dang EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN – you sure are bitter! Somebody burned a cross on your lawn or something?
Can’t you find a Falcons blog or something? Your rhetoric is so old and tired!
J
April 28th, 2009
12:32 pm
everybody has been on coach woodson for awhile … it doesn’t make a difference if it’s a white or black perosn saying it … i’m sick of this racism stuff, just stop it and get back to basketball … we’re all here enjoying the Hawks run, lets talk basketball
Eric
April 28th, 2009
12:32 pm
Win or loose Woody has to go!!! He’s improved his record every year, only because the record was awful to begin with. The job of a head coach is to motivate players to show up every night, and to develop young players. Was anybody watching TNT the other night when Barkley and Kenny Smith were talking about how terrible the Hawks half court offense was??? Let’s get a real coach in Atlanta, black or white!!!
Stat Man
April 28th, 2009
12:39 pm
East Atlanta Fan:
You continued on your racist rant, but you failed to answer my two BASKETBALL questions that have nothing to do with race. What coach that deserves to keep his job, regardless of color, (1) doesn’t know that you have to use your timeouts during a 17 point meltdown and (2) that when you can get 2 possessions to the other teams 1 with a little sideline coaching, you do so?
Forget the race part – Just answer my questions.
tiger woo
April 28th, 2009
12:39 pm
Eric,
What exactly do you want?
Woody had led the team to 47 wins – 4th in the East – on the verge of advancing in the playoffs – yet he should be fired? Makes no sense to me.
If Barkley and Kenny Smith are so knowledgeable, why don’t they become coaches? It’s easy to criticize behind the microphone.
shresee2
April 28th, 2009
12:40 pm
Has anyone read the comments from the Miami Herald. I was pissed to say the least. Our writers will give credit where credit is due even to the opposing team, but the column for the Miami Herald wrote, Do not panic this is just a set back. this is the Hawks we are talking about. they are a coach’s worse nightmare up and down. The heat will win the series and go on to play the Cav’s which everyone wants to see anyway.
Come one Hawks. I hope you read this stuff it is time to take over and stand up like you did last night. The team has come a long way and playing hard, and defense, which I have to credit Woody (for preaching to the team)is key. Josh and Zaza have play like that and allow the shooters to be able to get their shots off and rebounding for second chance points like they did last night. Great job Guys!!!
YaDaddy Dawg
April 28th, 2009
12:45 pm
East Atlanta Hawks Fan- You’re a racist douche, and a shining example of all that is wrong with Atlanta. GFY.
JPfromtheA
April 28th, 2009
12:47 pm
EAST ATLANTA FAN. I’m a Black man and I think you are WAY OFF BASE about this. It won’t matter what color the coach is. If he is not improving the team then he needs to be fired. I know racism when I see it and this has nothing to do with that. Mike Woodson has done an “ok” job so far, but we need him to be doing a “GREAT” job. Hell it’s been 5 years bro!!!
Tree Rollins
April 28th, 2009
12:48 pm
East Atlanta Hawks Fan-
Your were right earlier…you are an idiot. Im black and I think Woodson is a terrible coach. Barkley and Kenny Smith are black and all they talk about is how we have the worst half court offense they have ever seen….that is a direct reflection off Woodys terrible coaching. And as for your suggestion of Josh to stop hanging out with TI i believe your basing that off of seeing him on TI’s tv show where which Josh and myself attended and they seemed to be acquaintances so dont knock on a guy for giving back to the community…especially when he is leading the team in points in the playoffs.
Tree Rollins
April 28th, 2009
12:50 pm
also the fact that you basing your comments off a mtv show displays how clueless you are
Tyger
April 28th, 2009
12:57 pm
Bear witness to the Ascension…
This has to go down as one of the biggest wins in recent Hawks history!
Snatching back home court from a surging DWade is indicative of the internal growth that people talk about. BKs philosophy counted on internal development rather than big name free agents, outside Bibby.
BK knew that Smoove, Horford, JJ, Marvin, ZaZa all have/had plenty upside, but you have to be patient. He had a core of 5/6 very talented players that had the potential to ascend to the highest levels. Some would/will become Allstars, others complimentary players on a championship contending team.
Last night, the Hawks decided their own fate and willed themselves to victory. That’s evidence of the necessary mental toughness and internal fortitude required at the next level.
Now, summoning it without your neck being in the guillotine is next.
Cardog10
April 28th, 2009
12:57 pm
EAST ATLANTA FAN- GO KILL YOSELF.
I’m white as hell.
Woodson should be fired. 8th to 4th seed isn’t enough… the team did that, imagine if we had a better coach to take us ALL the way.
I voted for Barack Obama.
You are making other black people look bad… YOU are what is wrong with society. This is why you get a bad rep.
Cardog10
April 28th, 2009
1:00 pm
… and you, your friends, family and neighbors are why we are 48th in education.
Fred
April 28th, 2009
1:01 pm
Who the hell is James Jones and why does he keep making threes?
When will Josh stop taking jumpers?
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2723-Atlanta-Hawks-Examiner~y2009m4d28-Hawks-win-game-4-series-tied-22
HawksFan
April 28th, 2009
1:03 pm
A few thoughts:
Joe Johnson is what he is. A very good basketball player but not a superstar.
Why?
Because he’s not an elite athlete. He simply doesn’t have the athleticism to run and jump like D.Wade, Lebron, Kobe etc… He’s a highly skilled guy but yet he’s used in isolation plays instead of coming off screening actions where he can get his man either trailing off a screen or trying to cheat over the top.
The actions that we use on offense are catastrophically bad. This is definitely Woody’s weakness as a coach.
We won Game 1 and Game 4 because those are the only 2 games we actually played with effort. In game 2 & 3 we acted as if we were in game 52 and already had a playoff spot which is disgusting considering we’re in the playoffs. At least they righted the ship last night, but it would be nice to see them show some maturity and realize time and place and the fact they don’t need to prolong this series any longer than they need to if they have any shot against Lebron and Co.
The Hawks are at their best in transition. The only way to do that is to play with effort, and get the job done defensively in order to create turnover or take advantage off long rebounds. We got some of that last night. I’d still like them to see them play with the kind of energy they played with in Game 1 in more spurts. It’s literally as good as I’ve seen them play and it was all because of effort.
BTW, Effort is something that they can control. It’s just a mental decision.
Thought the help defense last night was much better and I also thought we completed posessions by gang rebounding. We swarmed to the ball well last night and got most of the loose balls. Also known as hustle stats.
Atlanta is a team devoid of a superstar so they have to win collectively. Everybody has to fill their role and do their job and it should be no surprise that on given night it’s someone different putting up big points. If the Hawks will simply focus on the details of the game and execute as high of a level as their effort will allow them then they could easily finish this series out in the next 2 games and get ready for Lebron’s “High Wire” act waiting to come to town.
In the offseason, if Woody is still our coach, then he and his staff have got to revamp their 1/2 court offense. It more resembles Friday afternoon traffic on I-285 than an offense installed and run by professionals.
tiger woo
April 28th, 2009
1:03 pm
I just don’t get it . . . .
Here we are – in one of the most successsful Hawks seasons in years – 47 wins – 4th in the east – 2-2 in the playoffs with home court advantage – - – and all I hear about is how bad a coach Woody is and how he should be fired.
You may not like his coaching style, but you can’t deny his success this year so far. Stop all the hatin’ – will ya?
To the Miami fans who basically said the series was over before last night’s game – let this be a lesson to you – winning 2 games in a best of 7 series is just that – 2 wins.
Let it be known that the Hawks will fight to the end and the better team will ultimately prevail! The Atlanta Hawks!
Jeffrey
April 28th, 2009
1:04 pm
WAY TO GO HAWKS!! I CALLED YOU OUT IN YESTERDAY’S BLOG IN YOU RESPONDED WITH THE SAME FIGHT I KNEW YOU WERE CAPABLE OF..NOW FINISH THEM OFF!! YOU HAVE THE TALENT TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL..GO OUT AND PROVE IT..WIN THE NEXT 2 GAMES AND DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT FORCING A “WINNER TAKES ALL GAME 7″..GET IT DONE!!!!
JM
April 28th, 2009
1:05 pm
Two observations from last night.
1) Mo Evans is probably trying to be a leader (and possibly could be a good one) but I doubt JJ, Bibby or Josh are listening. He’s new and comes off the bench.
2) Smoove has the passion and drive to lead this team but still makes too many bad decisions to garner respect from the vets. You can tell the games when he focuses in and says to himself, “I’m not letting my team lose, ” see Game 1.
Which leads to the point that SS stated on the last blog, there is a leadership void that will need to be addressed before next season. Lets hope JJ can finally get that aspect of the game quick, like NOW, because we will need it to beat the Cavs. And if Johnson is not going to be that man, he should have Woody assign a co-captain and defer to that person. Go Hawks!
f.i.l.a.
April 28th, 2009
1:06 pm
Anybody who says Joe Johnson is not a top 10 player in the nba is LOST and doesn’t know basketball..Joe lacks tenacity..The difference between joe johnson and let’s say kobe is this..When kobe smells blood and its time for him 2 take over he’s going to take over and he’s not gone stop..Joe hasn’t got that attitude just yet..Every player has bad games,whether its jordan or kobe(utah series for example) don’t get it misunderstood great players have bad games..Also kobe and the rest of the crew ge
f.i.l.a.
April 28th, 2009
1:13 pm
Anybody who says Joe Johnson is not a top 10 player in the nba is LOST and doesn’t know basketball..Joe lacks tenacity..The difference between joe johnson and let’s say kobe is this..When kobe smells blood and its time for him 2 take over he’s going to take over and he’s not gone stop..Joe hasn’t got that attitude just yet..Every player has bad games,whether its jordan or kobe(utah series for example) don’t get it misunderstood great players have bad games..Also kobe and the rest of the crew get rest joe plays 40 min night in and night out..Joe has superstar talent he just lacks the superstar tenacity..
Also…..Joe doesn’t have the coaching the other guys do,they actually have plays that can get them open instead of 1 on 1 and having 2 create everytime so u guys need 2 know the game before u speak on it..loook at what he did 2 boston last year in game 4 and tell me he’s not a top ten talent lol because if u can like I said your lost bottomline!!!!