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
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2009
7:29 pm
HawksFan at 1:03 PM, outstanding post. I agree with every word.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
Before the Hawks made the playoffs last year, I thought Woodson should have been fired. Although he’s still far from perfect, I think he has earned the right to stay with his work over the last year. He has glaring flaws, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good things he does.
There are a lot of legitimate examples of racism that occur in the sports world. Criticism of Mike Woodson is not one of them. Keep the racial sh*t on the Falcons blog where it belongs.
WEST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 28th, 2009
7:40 pm
Forget the white racism that kept shouting TAKE Blackman dismissed. THIS IS WHAT TO DO WHEN WORKING IN Blackman white racism does a good job, are in one way or another is that in order to obtain human embryonic stem cells fired when doing a good job.
If we went from 8th place in the position to last in the NBA, I would say, the fire, but when it goes from 8 to 4 th place, nothing more than their white racism WHO DONT EVER please Blackman in rule POWER, THATS RACISM Hicks Yall why vote for McCain-Palin.
And bloggers who claim to be black, whether you are an uncle Tom House PECKERWOOD BLACK or state that are colored black.
STOP HATING FOR MIKE WOODSON I. ATLANTA NATIVE, I REMEMBER, AS A WHITE RACIST BOOED DAVID JUSTICE IN 1995 UNTIL THE WORLD CUP SUCCESS HOMERUN GAME VICTORY, SO I KNOW FIRST HAND FAIR WEATHER FANS RACISTS IN ATLANTA, REMEMBER IN 1989 WHEN WE ARRIVED DEON SANDERS FOR HIS CURL GOLD CHAINS OF RACISM NOT LIKE IT AT FIRST YOU DONT LIKE YOU NOW AND MIKE WOODSON
tiger woo
April 28th, 2009
7:56 pm
When I see the name, WEST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN, I just bypass the nonsense . . . some people have no life.
Sautee
April 28th, 2009
8:37 pm
I think you are wrong, Tiger Woo. It’s a life but it’s apparently a bitter, spiteful life with no joy for the very team he SHOULD be here to talk about. Sad.
Samuel
April 28th, 2009
8:40 pm
WOW,
East and West are ruffling some feathers. You guys are comming on kinda strong. A while back, I was considered the racist on the blog during the Mike Vick and Barry Bonds sagas.
Much of the stuff yall are saying is definately true but just hold your peace til these Hawks, led by Mike Woodson, spank some as_ and make some people mad.
You think they are fair weather now, just wait til we whoop LeBron and Company.
Woody=COY
Rollins Tree
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
I love watching the stupid Celtic fans sit there all quiet as the Bulls pour it on tonight. Go Bulls!!!
Ken Strickland
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN-you have a serious problem my friend. You’re allowing your life and your thinking to be influenced by the same type of racism you’re exhibiting. There seems to be a lot of facts, truths or realities that you seem to be unable to grasp. That’s not surprising because people who embrace a racist ideal always fail to acknowledge facts, truths or reality when they don’t conform with their own preconceived racially inspired ideals. HERE ARE SOME FACTS FOR YOU.
FACT 1-racist Whites once went to extremes, including murder, to prevent Blacks from voting. However, millions upon millions of Whites provided money, support, campaigned and voted for Barack Obama, the 1st acknowledged Black president of the United States of America. YOU OBVIOUSLY PREFER TO DWELL IN THE “FACTS” OF THE PAST RATHER THAN THE “FACTS” OF THE PRESENT.
FACT 2-White people didn’t force MVick to finance, support and participate in illegal dog fighting. It wasn’t a White person that got caught dealing drugs, which led to law enforcement officials discovering the illegal activitY, it was his Black cousin. It wasn’t White people that gave the Feds the info that allowed them to send Vick to prison. It was the very friends and relatives he supported in their illegal dogfighting business that stabbed him in the back, AND ALL OF THEM WERE BLACK.
LET ME SUGGEST THAT YOU STAND IN FRONT OF A LARGE MIRROR AND TAKE A LONG LOOK AT WHAT YOU SEE. IF WHAT YOU SEE ISN’T WHITE, THEN WHITE PEOPLE AREN’T THE PROBLEM. STOP LOOKING TO BLAME OTHERS FOR YOUR FAILURES.
darrell starks
April 28th, 2009
9:29 pm
TELL HIM KEN GET OF SEKOU BLOG EAST ATLANTA FAN WITH THAT BULL CRAP I DONT CARE IF YOU WHITE BLACK GREEN OR PURPLE LEAVE THAT BULL CRAP AT HOME,
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bigdave
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
Ryan Stall….
i read the article my friend… and boy… though im critical of some of the senior sports writers of the AJC, this ISRAEL GUTIERREZ character makes them look award winning…
ive seen this guy on ESPN’s “Around the Horn” and Jim Rome’s garbage.. he’s definitely a head case.. doesnt look like he gets much praise from his readers either, judging from the comments posted below the text.
Big Ray
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
“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.”
Good point, Hawksfan. That’s pretty much all I’ve been trying to say this whole time. It’s kinda pointless to have this team playing in a set that doesn’t maximize their abilities. It actually makes execution pointless, as the offensive scheme has little rhythm. And because of this, playing with energy is all we have. So if we don’t have the energy, we don’t have as much of a chance at competing, much less winning.
But hey, we don’t need all that. We just have to play with energy. Chaos is the path to winning. Somebody tell me again why we even need a head coach if energy is all we need…
Sautee
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
Ken,
I admire your forthright post. Thank you.
cdog
April 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHAT ARE YOU DRINKING AND SMOKING?. COACH WOODSON MAY NOT BE A ‘FANCY DAN’ BUT ALL HE HAS DONE IS TOOK A FRANCHISE THAT WAS THE JOKE OF THE NBA AND BUILT THEM INTO A PLAYOFF TEAM. GIVE THE MAN HIS DO. HE MAY NOT LOOK PRETTY BUT HE GETS THE JOB DONE.THE HAWKS WILL ONLY GET BETTER UNDER THE COACH IF MANAGEMENT AND UNKNOWLEDGEABLE FANS WOULD LEAVE HIM ALONE AND LET HIM COACH.LOOKING GOOD NEVER WON A CHAMPIONSHIP
Big Ray
April 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
On the flip side of the coin, the players know what the deal is. After all this time, they know that if they don’t “bring it,” then they don’t win, and that can be the case against even the worst teams.
Unfortunately, there are few on the roster that bring it all the time. And so many things affect their mental toughness and control.
It’s easy to say “play with energy.” Look who does, and who doesn’t. Mario West does, but he doesn’t get to play much. Why? Can’t hit shots, and can be foul prone. Zaza has played with fire all year long. Kudos to him (even the resident Euro hater(s) has to give him credit for his performance). Flip Murray never comes off the bench slow. He may miss shots, but no one can ever accuse him of not being aggressive.
Josh Smith usually does, but there have been times where he hasn’t, and it has really hurt the team. The ironic thing is, when he has played with energy, he’s continually criticized for trying to do too much. And sometimes he HAS tried to do too much. He makes plenty of mistakes, but they sure aren’t LAZY mistakes. They are usually “crimes of passion.” Except for the not-getting-back-on-defense-on-time-because-I’m-busy-whining-to-a-ref issues. I HATE THAT. As for why it hurts the team so bad when he DOESN’T play with energy? Well, he’s one of the main spark plugs for a team that must play with energy, in order to win. Oh, the irony is just too much….
JJ has not played with much energy lately. He has in spots, but this season was a revelation, or should have been, and the post season even moreso. We need to quit treating him like his name is Lebron, Kobe, or Wade. But then, last I looked, THOSE guys needed a Robin to their Batman, too. Where’s JJ’s Robin? Oh, you mean Mike Bibby, who’s older, slower, and even less capable? Bibby plays with some energy when he can, but he’s not the same guy he was a few years ago…and it shows. That, and 90% of what he DOES have is expended on one end of the floor. You can guess which end that is.
Sure wish Marvin was available. He was energetic enough before he went down. His replacement, Mo Evans is kinda on the fence with that. He has his moments, but we’re missing some things with him. I still don’t see (on a consistent basis, that is) the defensive energy and prowess we signed him for. And while he is good for an open three pointer or 2 here and there, he’s no baseline bandit or all around hustler like a guy we used to know around here…
Horford is an energetic player nearly all the time. He gets ignored too much (and for long stretches) from game to game on the offensive end, so his level of energy is often wasted. On defense, he’s usually having to deal with the biggest guy the opposing team has to offer. Still, he plays hard nearly all the time, despite having one of the tougher jobs on the court.
Acie? Energy when he is healthy and/or when Woody has let him play.
Solo? Doesn’t get to play. Plays with a good bit of verve when he DOES get minutes.
Hunter and Gardner? Well, Gardner can’t stop shooting, and Hunter seems to be fine with running around all over the place. I think he’s better than we know.
Morris? Don’t ask. He doesn’t really belong in this conversation.
So when Astro Joe and others say we must play with energy, he/they are right.
Lord knows, that’s ALL we’ve got…
richbrave
April 28th, 2009
10:10 pm
It’s refreshing to see race brought up only once this year on this blog-if I remember correctly. Think back 18 months to two years; doc, HB, flash, ray, terrell b et. al…. We used to crusade against this idiocy all the time back then didn’t we guys? HATERS, quite being so retro and get with the program. BTW, MV7 and VICK 2 have been banned from the FALCONS blog, and its really refreshing to have intelligent discourse regarding football in general and ATLANTA in particular there now. Thanks to D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER.
NORTH WEST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
April 28th, 2009
10:11 pm
You’re all RACIST!!! RACIST, I TELL YA!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EAST COBB HAWKS FAN
April 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
Is everyone that goes downtown for basketball gifted in the pants?
Big Ray
April 28th, 2009
10:38 pm
RichBrave,
It’s been great on the Falcons blog. Especially all the time leading up to the draft. And in spite of those who can’t get out of the past, the Falcons are on the rise, and it’s great to see. I’m looking forward to visiting the Dome again this year!
Big Ray
April 28th, 2009
10:40 pm
Ken Strickland,
Good post. You know I got your back. I see the racially motivated guys who have most recently come here have found themselves a friend in one of our residents. Sad. But not unexpected.
Samuel
April 28th, 2009
10:56 pm
I wouldn’t say that im a friend. I just said that much of what they said was true and that a few weeks ago I was the racist.
Personally, I find it kinda funny. I few comments got everybody squirming and rushing to the defense. Rushing to put out massa’s fire. Too funny.
I too would really rather talk about hoops, however, I do agree that you guys still give Woody no respect and you know that. That team could have easily folded had they not had a “cool” leader like Woody. You guys were ready to throw dirt on the Boys and call for the “rope”(analogy) for Woody and you know it.
Yes, most of you are fair weather, bandwagon fans who on the one hand want us to lose so that you can regurgitate the Fire Woody song and on the other hand want us to win so you can claim to be loyal Hawk fans.
Woody=COY
Russ
April 28th, 2009
11:08 pm
East Atlanta Hawks fan I agree with you 100%,I’ve been Atanta all my life (46 years) and its a bunch of the same old crap,anyone who knows an iota about NBA basketball knows Woodie has done a hell of a job considering what he walked into and what he has acomplished Everybody seems to forget this is the guys first coaching job,Mike Fratello was praised for more than a decade when he had one of the deepest rosters in the NBA and he didn’t win jack, these Hicks didn’t want Woodie from the jump but this team has been completely dismantled and he has still improved the record every year ,If he was WHITE he’d already have a key to the city…
kwooden1
April 28th, 2009
11:33 pm
JJ did an interview John Thompson before game 3, which I just heard today. I live in the DC area and I think John Thompson’s show is only broadcasted in my area. You might be able to find it on ESPN980’s website, but couldn’t. It sounded like JJ was about as fired up as he could be. He definitely hears the talk about him not being a vocal leader and I got the impression that he definitely wants to be that. Listening to that interview helped me understand why the HAWKS missed so many shots (several were blocked) in the first quarter of game 3. They were so jacked for that game, they rushed everything and tried to dunk every opportunity. The HEAT responded well and we all saw the results.
Overall JJ gave a lot of standard responses but it was a good interview. Though, I really got the feeling that JJ was putting everything on himself in terms of game 3. John Thompson also had an interview with JJ and Horford, but I didn’t hear that one.
I believe JJ hears the talk about him and he’s not scared to try and live up to it. I think JJ has to stay within himself and pass out of the doubles. He has so many ways to score that one-on-one he can’t stopped, but he’s not as athletic as Kobe, Lebron or Wade.
I really think the HAWKS took a step forward during game 4, just in terms of executing their offensive. I’m not saying the offense is Jazz like, but for them it was an improvement. They might finally understand how important it is to make the extra pass.
Shout out to Clyde – Noah is looking!!
GO HAWKS!!!
Samuel
April 28th, 2009
11:34 pm
We can officially lay the “Spurs Dynasty” to Rest.
Big Ray
April 28th, 2009
11:39 pm
I like men.
beau gust
April 29th, 2009
12:02 am
Guess the multi-directional Atlanta Hawks Fan has not noticed the frequent calls for Bobby Cox to be fired, even when the Braves were in the midst of winning their division for 14 straight seasons, since they didn’t win a bunch of World Series. Is Bobby Cox secretly black? It’s in the nature of fans to be dissatisfied – has nothing to do with race. Get over it.
I’m not saying race is not an issue anywhere, but it’s not an issue with calls for Woodson’s firing.
Personally, I don’t care if Woodson gets fired or not. He’s (and the team) have improved every year, but there’s not much question that the half-court offense doesn’t work, that he doesn’t motivate the team with any consistency, he doesn’t develop young players well, and that he doesn’t use his bench well. What I want is to see improvements in these areas. IF he had shown any signs of improvement in these areas over his 5 years in town, then I’d be all for giving him more time. Since he hasn’t, it’s pretty frustrating to watch this team a lot of the time (like games 2 and 3 for example).
Big Ray
April 29th, 2009
12:16 am
Samuel,
Just saw your post. Sorry, wasn’t referring to you. Talking about some of the fools that typically inhabit the Falcons blog (though not so much lately).
I don’t know what the big deal is. I think people don’t want to talk race issues here, they just want to talk basketball. That’s why I left the whole thing alone. I agree Woody doesn’t get a whole lot of respect here, and the reasons have been outlined a million times. Really, it’s not the respect that he’s not getting. It’s the love that he’s not getting. People show their frustration based on their opinions. Same thing is happening to players (hmm, you haven’t suggested we trade anybody lately, have you?).
And as another blogger has noted, Bobby Cox gets the same treatment with the Braves. That takes the “race” issue right out of there. But not for some people. For them, it MUST be about race, or they just aren’t happy. I’ll be quick to recognize that some of it IS race, for some people. But I’ve seen too many comments regarding opinion on performance to pretend that race is what it’s mostly about. But that’s my take.
Last I looked, people were calling the ASG everything but bible names. And last I looked, every last one of those guys…..is white. Perhaps our East and West ATL fans could explain that one. An inconvenient point, I’m sure.
Big Ray
April 29th, 2009
12:28 am
Samuel,
A couple more things. You might want to paint all but yourself as a bunch of fair weather fans, and that’s your right to an opinion. As far as calling for his job, let me remind you of something. It was none other than the same guy who hired him (Mr. Billy Knight) that tried to fire him 2 or 3 times. Yep. Reported by none other than your cousin. I freely admit I’m not impressed with Woody, and get frustrated with some of the things he does. That’s my right to an opinion. But nothing I or anyone else here can say compares to that brotha actually tryin’ to fire his a$$, repeatedly. Again, reported by your cousin, so call him a liar if you wish. Seems to me that the all-white ASG came to his rescue, and Sund gave him a 2-year extension. Now I know ol’ Rick is yo boy and all that, but I wonder what the truth-speaking East and West ATL fans think of that? An inconvenient truth, methinks.
“Yes, most of you are fair weather, bandwagon fans who on the one hand want us to lose so that you can regurgitate the Fire Woody song and on the other hand want us to win so you can claim to be loyal Hawk fans.”
I have to laugh at that one. I think you will say that of anybody who doesn’t chant Woody=COY. But hey, they say everything has it’s opposite. I guess Clyde found his….lol…
Big Ray
April 29th, 2009
12:30 am
Russ,
Funny. Which hick tried to fire Woody? Oh, it was that black hick Billy Knight. Which Hicks kept him around and gave him an extension? The white ones. You’re so confused….
niremetal
April 29th, 2009
12:33 am
Man. Doesn’t look like I missed much in the way of intelligent conversation in the past few days.
I hate to do this, but the only thing I have to say is not about basketball. Anyone who thinks that the reason a lot of people around here question Mike Woodson’s skills as a head coach is because this is a racist blog…you’re more wrong than you realize. I’ll confess to being white, but I devoted my master’s thesis to attempting to expose the systematic racism that keeps African-American and Hispanic students from aspiring to, attending, and graduating from college. I also wrote an op-ed last year pleading with people to not fall into the trap of thinking that electing Obama president would somehow move this country into a post-racial world. And I am about #253453456 on the list of people who have done the most to attempt to stamp out racism in America.
There is still a LOT of racism to stamp out around America – way more than most people realize. There are many people, including some of my closest friends, who are out in the real word every day trying to fight the institutional racism that still is holding America back from being the country we all know it can be. But it belittles those people who are out there fighting for racial justice on a daily basis to cry “racism” at people who have doubts about Mike Woodson being a good head coach.
That’s all.
DeadManWalking
April 29th, 2009
12:40 am
Samuel keeps on saying woodson is coach of the year. Like Dorothy clicking her heels together and hoping something will happen. Maybe one day when he learns to do more than just get guys to play hard. I dont think Joe can play any harder he led the league in minutes thanks to woody woodpecker who says the reason he did that was so Joe could make the allstar team. Woody is as bad as Nique. Every time somebody puts a microphone anywhere near his mouth you count on a stupid statment coming out. Fratello knew how to do more with what he had. No such thing as a deep roster unless you use it so stow that nonsense about Fratello having such deep rosters. Woodpecker loves his seven and eight man rosters and doesnt matter if he had eleven good players. Sure say he had crap for players all this time but dont speak the name of who gave him these rosters or its more hater talk. Hilarious to watch the pro Knight crowd talk about how he built this great team of athletes then wat the pro Woody crowd say he never had anything to work with. Make up your mind or stfu I say as you cant have both which is what people keep trying to do. Oh Woody never had the right players and he does such a good job. Oh Billy wasnt such a bad gm after all look what he put together. I cant stop laughing at some of you because both statments coming out of the same mouths.
Samuel
April 29th, 2009
12:54 am
I don’t like white people.
big rays gay stalker
April 29th, 2009
12:55 am
he gets me hard
stendec
April 29th, 2009
12:56 am
Same old Hawks! They suck and they always lose! What’s that, we won? My bad I’ll come back when we lose again. Which will be soon!
Russ
April 29th, 2009
12:58 am
I meant to use my real name, which is Samuel.
Big Ray
April 29th, 2009
12:58 am
Im really gay as hell
bigdave
April 29th, 2009
1:07 am
good stuff kwooden1… saw the same thing and i agree… Woodson was interviewed too…
frankly i think Joe is one of the top 5 hardest players to defend 1on1… too much skill… but ive been saying it all along that though Woodson has been with the guys from the start, i think he’s maxed out his potential; simply cause he doesnt show the ability to max out the potential of the talent on the floor… ya know if our offense wasnt predicated on individual iso’s from every position you would be able to see some of the advantages we have on the floor… youth, length, explosiveness, speed, shooting ability, intelligence, tenacity, hustle, ball handling ability… all traits of players on our depth chart; however, besides Mario West, you’d be lying if you could match the skill with the players based on their on court conduct. why, cause nobody has a definitive role, everyone on our team who gets regular burn (which is a problem within itself) tries to do it all, when they dont have it all… i have to put this on Woodson because he should have his players in positions to maximize there strengths not play to weaknesses…
Niremetal… well said…
Samuel
April 29th, 2009
1:50 am
Y’all just need to quit hating on Woody. He has outperformed everybody in this organization. I say trade Joe Johnson and keep Woody. Joe don’t want to be the leader. Let him go. But keep Woody because he has done more than any coach in the history of the NBA has with such a sorry roster for 5 years. Y’all just can’t recognize that because y’all are all ignorant. Maybe if you had coached junior high kids like I have you would have all the NBA professional knowledge and experience that I do. Y’all never walked anybodys sidelines like I have. You don’t know.
Woody=COY
Samuel
April 29th, 2009
1:55 am
I likes me some Woody but I knows Rick Sund is the massa.
Personally, I find it kinda funny. I few comments got everybody squirming and rushing to the defense. Rushing to put out massa’s fire. Too funny.
I be the first in line to put out massa’s fire.
darrell starks
April 29th, 2009
3:14 am
People have to understand that the system is set up for failure thats part of the game if you notice every time you get a check you never is able to keep it because everything is divided up in to 2SSSSSSSSS that why you have everyone fighting each other because of religion, race, sex,and other agenda its call divide and conquer intill we understand that the world will never change.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Warrior
April 29th, 2009
5:55 am
HERE IN THE AJC ARTICLE, HEAD COACH WOODSON ACKNOWLEDGES HIS ROLE AND JOB. AT LEAST WE KNOW THAT HE KNOWS WHAT IT IS AND CAN OWN UP TO THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT HE HAS. THAT’S CERTAINLY MORE THAN JOE JOHNSON IS DOING. BUT THIS ENDS THE DEBATE ABOUT PLAYERS PLAYING HARD. THE HEAD COACH IS THERE FOR A REASON, AND ITS NOT TO JUST STAND THERE.
“They are the players, but I’m the one to push the right buttons and get them to play,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “I understand that.”
THERE IT IS IN BLACK AND WHITE, RIGHT FROM THE COACHES MOUTH. IGNORANT PEOPLE CAN KEEP PLACING ALL THE BLAME AND RESPONSIBILITY SOLEY ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE PLAYERS, BUT AT LEAST THE HEAD COACH KNOWS BETTER. I’M SURE GLAD SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS BLOG ARE NOT COACHING THE TEAM. THEY WOULD DRIVE THE PLAYERS CRAZY BY CONSTANTLY TELLING THEM EVERY THING IS THEIR FAULT AND THEY HAVE TO RUN THEMSELVES.
Samuel
April 29th, 2009
6:40 am
Funny stuff guys. I’m up now. Yall can got to bed.
doc
April 29th, 2009
7:22 am
this is not about basketball scroll if you want.
quote;”Personally, I find it kinda funny. I few comments got everybody squirming and rushing to the defense. Rushing to put out massa’s fire. Too funny.”
i guess you dont get it, still dont get it. i grew up in the south and saw many that didnt object or thought it was funny when people ran around in white hoods burning crosses on lawns indiscriminate of color to intimidate those that didnt agree, did worse to those that didnt agree as whites were abused as well in the fight for equality. maybe these types of folks attacked people that were gay, called it rolling or discriininated against people for many other reasons and laughed. i guess they call it intolerant a soft expression of them and it wasnt about race as it could be about religion, only then it is called persecution which it all is. they are all of the same ilk; the ones that just watched were as guilty as the ones that did it. there is nothing funny about it, nothing cute and to condone it is tragic.
yes, YOU wanted to make bonds into a racial issue, others didnt. when i said it wasnt because the rocket was doing it too and i felt it as contemptable, in either case, you werent able to hear it. you didnt see it. is it that you wanted in to be about race only? you couldnt justify it otherwise. years later the rocket got his, not about race. it isnt about race nor is the discussion of woody about race as you know. since you dont agree you want it to be that? it is only about competence agreed or disagreed. people still cant stand bobby cox, not about race. in some of these it is doing what comes within the law as that is in the steroid issue and why it is the offense. it is also about lawlessness in vick’s case as it is in the many cases, like madoff and the pyramid schemes who happen to be white and chased down by the feds and sent to jail.
yeah, you are totally right, people see things in technicolor and are free to slam others and talk about it in this society, cool, only to think it is funny? what they want to see, if you think it is funny, to see people squirm as you say it, then fine. only, you are right there with them watching the cross burn just as so many were when they ignored it or quietly voiced their support or laughed when they talked about it. same caliber person of the same ilk belonging together only never seeing it. your choice for sure.
now on to basketball:
kwooden1 .. ” I believe JJ hears the talk about him and he’s not scared to try and live up to it. I think JJ has to stay within himself and pass out of the doubles. He has so many ways to score that one-on-one he can’t stopped, but he’s not as athletic as Kobe, Lebron or Wade”…
exactly! since he isnt as athletic he has to play on other parts of his game, let the game come to him, as josh doesnt as well sometimes, and continue to play in the team concept. someone has to tell him as they do josh to stay in the team concept as well when things are not going well.
Fritz
April 29th, 2009
7:48 am
“Y’all just need to quit hating on Woody. He has outperformed everybody in this organization. ”
*Samuel”,
I’m not on the Woody COY bandwagon, and I’ve been a vocal critic of him, but I’l admit he’s done some good things. One thing he is not is a good game coach, and if we’re honest we’ll agree that his in game adjustments……well he doesn’t make in game adjustments.
The best thing that happened to us in game 4 was Horford getting in early foul trouble forcing Woody to play Z. With Horford unable to manage JON it should have been obvious to Woody that Z should have been in the starting lineup to begin with. That’s the lkind of thing Woody doesn’t do and it hurts. He sets his mind and doesn’t react to what’s happening in front of him.
Da Real Real
April 29th, 2009
8:11 am
Ray, man I that 10:00 pm post was on it, and that’s what I’ve been trying to say for a week or so now. All that energy and effort talk can only go so far if the coach isn’t putting you in a position to succeed. I could be the energizer bunny but if Woody posts me to run in a wall all I’m going to end up doing is bumping a wall repeatedly. I also agree with the other posts here about Woody still being here next year…he’s definitely got to make drastic changes to his offense. If Marvin is still a Hawk, he’s got to find ways to get the ball in his hand to take some of the pressure off of Joe. Josh, like Barkley said, needs to take hundreds of shots a day in the off season because there’s a threat there in him. I’d much rather him work on his low post game, but I also realize that the guy needs to have a mid range jumper. I’d much rather see him and Horford work out together on the same things….but that talk is for after the season, its game time tonight. Gotta get the ol’ vocals ready for what should be a good time in Phillips
dap01
April 29th, 2009
8:13 am
Name calling does not belong on this blog. Hick is a racist remark. Look in the mirror. Let’s talk about the hawks. My opinion is that Woodson is not a top level coach. He has no offense, he makes no adjustments.
He get’s credit for playing tough defense but in my opinion he is not the coach to take us any higher.
What has race to do with the playoffs. I don’t like Woodson but I am pulling for him and the Hawks like crazy.
Daniel
April 29th, 2009
8:52 am
Wow! The blog really went through some dumb conversations last night and this morning. During the season, it seemed that the prevailing discussion on the blog was Woodson’s poor coaching. Often started by Sekou, now if you have an issue with Woodson you are a racist?
Woodson and the Hawks are both very difficult to evaluate. They won 47 games, have a 4th round playoff spot and at times play/coach like they are on the door to the next level. Then the team/coach will get blown out by 20 and look like complete chumps. Josh Smith’s game also has that huge up/down nature to it. Like Dennis Scott calls him “mixed emotions”.
I do think it is important to recognize how Woody made great game adjustments in game 5. Going to the bench early, allowing Zsa Zsa to play when he was tearing it up.
I used to get flack for defending Woody, when everyone was saying he needed to play Acie more. They are both black so which side makes you less racist?
What we all want to see is more consistency from this team. They can go along way toward that tonight. Hope to see you all at the game.
Let’s Go Hawks!!!!
Astro Joe
April 29th, 2009
8:58 am
I heard Eric Snow on NBATV a few weeks ago mention that Larry Brown “refuses to coach effort”. You may recall that Snow was on the Philly team that LB and AI took the The Finals a few years ago. He said that Brown doesn’t believe it is a coach’s job to discuss effort with professional basketball players. He’s about plays & strategy. Players need to bring the effort.
I agree with doc, Joe needs to do his thing within the flow of the team. I know all around are calling for an offensive storm from him. I’m hoping for that 18 points & 10 assists game. We have 6 guys who averaged 10+ points during the season. You usually don’t find that “share the wealth” type of scoring from teams with a truly dominant scorer. Hawks won 2 games in this series with a bunch of guys scoring more than 10 points in a game. We have a formula for winning. No need to deviate from that formula to please the media/public. I’d venture a guess that more teams win in a playoffs with 4-5 players scoring 10+ points than teams with a player who produces 35+ points. Joe made better decisions in Game 4. That’s what we need our leader to do. Play smart ball, get your teammates involved, and let the offense come to you. Oh yeah, and play with crazy intensity on the defensive end (without silly fouls). Stop asking Joe to be something he isn’t.
Lacsho
April 29th, 2009
9:35 am
Woody sucks, the Hawks had a 21 pt lead with 3:47 left in the half. He watched the lead dwindle down to 6 points before calling a timeout. I guess you call that great coaching. A decent coach brings stability and consistency. Woody needs to coach a team full of vets; this is not the team for Woodrow.
The Basg suck too. THis has to be the worst ownership group in NBA history. I rank them up there with the clippers debacle.
JJ is a know show. Do we blame Woody for running JJ into the ground, or do we blame the 70 million dollar man. When you get paid the big bucks, you’re expected to produce under any kind of circumstances!!!!
I’m not a hick; I’m a man.
Rise Up Hawks!!!!!!!!
Hmmmm where’s Banks?
Dan
April 29th, 2009
9:54 am
This has been a good, tough series. There are a couple of things I am tired of hearing about, though:
1. Some of you really need to lay off Joe Johnson. Are you kidding me with this stuff?! I have listened to local sports radio clowns (790 guys) get all over him for not being an “elite player”. Implying that he does not “step up”. Schultz writes a similar take today, but brings in his salary. Now, here I am with fellow hoops fans, and I am reading the same crap….
First off, there are maybe four “elite players” out there. I would say Kobe, LeBron, Wade (I’ll admit it), and Tony Parker…outside of those four I do not see anyone else that really qualifies as “elite”.
Joe Johnson is an All Star and is the number one reason the Hawks have gotten up off the mat in the last few years. You really think there would be a game 5 to look forward to tonight without him? Me either.
So, lay off. Joe is fine. He has played better, I agree. But, this idea that he is some chump that should be traded or that he is not contributing anything is just not true. Let’s not get carried away. Hawks are looking forward to the lottery without Joe.
2. Who really gives a sh#t if Game 4 was “ugly”. I have not read many say that on this blog. On the local talk radio, however, that is all I hear. F that! Just win baby! 790 The Zone is reminding me why I usually listen to my SIRIUS Radio. The collection of douchebags on that staition is staggering…
That’s all….Can’t wait for the game tonight! Let’s get there early. Be loud. Be angry. Tough, loud, vicious crowd tonight…
Samuel
April 29th, 2009
9:55 am
Joe,
That’s why Larry Brown is responsible for the biggest waste of talent in the history of the league in 2005-06. You got to coach according to the players you have. I lost all respect for him as a coach during that season.
He really is in no position to criticize considering his recent history.
I totally agree on Joe.
Also, funny you mentioned us having a balanced scoring attack considering the fact that our coach doesn’t know how to coach offense.
Guys, please stop quoting Charles Barkley on half court offense. The guy is a “drunk” and the biggest “ball hog” in the history of the game. Check out the players he has played with and still has no ring.