Where ridiculous happens!
Dwyane Wade doesn't like to see Mario West dancing! (This fine photo is courtesy of my main man Curtis Compton of the AJC)
MIAMI - I know what the NBA’s slogan is supposed to say.
But after two weeks of great basketball in most cases, and relentless dramatics in others, the only thing that seems to be rising from the dust right now is foolishness.
From griping on and off the floor (more on that in a minute) to tough-guy antics (from as far away as the radio perch) in almost every single series to the continued assault on the game by an army of awful game officials, the playoffs seems more like where ridiculous happens?
At a time when the NBA game should be on full display for all to see, everything else is getting in the way.
I dare anyone that’s watched any of the Bulls-Celtics series to tell me they’ve seen more intense playoff basketball anytime recently. That’s what real lovers of this game deserve to see.
But it’s not happening these days.
Good luck focusing on what should be a frantic and fantastic Game 6 tonight between the Hawks and Heat here at AmericanAirlines Arena. Good luck enjoying yet another entertaining playoff series that’s being marginalized by the news of the weird that seems to be the flavor of every day this time of year.
And in true ridiculous fashion, verbal shots are being fired across the floor before the opening tip (and no, I’m not talking about the faux furor over Josh Smith’s missed dunk at the end Game 5).
Apparently Heat star Dwyane Wade didn’t appreciate Mario West’s version of the Ray Lewis dance at the of the possession just before halftime of Game 5. He lit West up to my man Mike Wallace of the Miami Herald and the rest of the assembled media here after practice Thursday. Here’s Wade going off on our man ‘Rio:
His celebration for his one stop? What is this game coming to? One thing I go back to is something my high school coach always told me. Act like you’ve done something before. He used to hate when I used dunk and pound my chest all the time. He used to tell me to act like I’ve been there before, act like I’ve done it. Win lose or draw, you have to be classy. There are some unprofessional things that they have to take care of. On the court, you show emotion, and that’s great. But celebrating after one stop, that’s funny.
The HP (Hypocrisy Police) might point out that Wade doesn’t seem to have a problem with jumping up on the scorer’s table and pounding his own chest after hitting game-winning shots or staring Joe Johnson down after making a deep shot off the glass in Game 2 or screaming for one of his teammates take Flip Murray out on a baseline drive for a dunk late in Game 5. But you be the judge? But Wade wasn’t done.
It appears Dwyane Wade has a few celebratory moves of his own!
He had more to say about not only Wade but the Celtics and Bulls, too: I don’t know what it was a sign of. I was laughing after the fact because I’ve never seen that before. Tony Allen did that the other night when he stopped Ben Gordon from hitting a shot to win the game. That’s what you do. When it’s going into halftime and you stop somebody, that’s a little different. But we’re not here to point out every little thing they do, you know. Who cares? It’s about what we do. And that’s the only thing we can control.
He said all that to point that there’s no bad blood brewing between he and ‘Rio and certainly nothing personal between these two teams (before all but instructing his teammates to stir it up):
First off, I have nothing simmering with Mario. He’s not been a factor in this series. It’s irrelevant to me. I have nothing brewing with him at all. It was one of those games, one of those playoff series. It’s just about do we have the team to come back and fight as much as they’re going to fight. Zaza Pachulia is knocking people out. It’s simple as that. I’m not telling my teammates to knock him out. But when he comes down the paint, just make sure he feels us, on offensive rebounds. We’re not the team that’s playing dirty. We’re the team that wants to play smarter and protect ourselves as well.
THE HAWKS’ CAMP IS FAR FROM INNOCENT when it comes to baiting the other side. It seems Hawks radio announcer Steve Holman has enraged the masses here in South Florida with some of his in-game rants, so much so that the folks at deadspin.com have taken a liking to him.
I’ll let you judge the for yourself whether or not Holman’s calls were out of line. It hasn’t nearly the firestorm in Atlanta that it has here, where it’s been dominating the airwaves. But I imagine it will be one of the underlying story lines from tonight’s game, particularly if the Heat wins and forces a Game 7 Sunday back in Atlanta.
PETA says lay off Spirit the Hawk! (This photo is another C.Compton special)
Apparently PETA WANTS A PIECE OF THE ACTION, TOO. The recent flap over Spirit The Hawk prompted this email (below) from the fine folks at PETA.
And we all know that they don’t need GPS to find their way to Atlanta since the Michael Vick story dominated the sports landscape.
PETA didn’t appreciate seeing the Hawks’ Hawk ridiculed after that unauthorized flight before Game 2.
In fact, they don’t want Spirit victimized at all, per the email they sent the other day (they also sent a different letter to Hawks’ part owner Michael Gearon Jr. expressing similar sentiment):
Good afternoon.
After learning that a live hawk used as a mascot for the Atlanta Hawks got loose in an arena, which forced a game to be temporarily stopped, PETA has sent a letter to Hawks owner Michael Gearon Jr. urging him to implement a policy to prohibit the use of live animals at Hawks games.
PETA points out that the bright lights, screaming fans, and loud noises (such as air horns, music, and amplified sound systems) that make sporting events exciting for fans can be terrifying for animals. Appearing at games can be frightening and disorienting to birds and potentially dangerous for birds and fans alike. The hawk is also subjected to the stress of transport to and from games.
“If the Hawks want to increase fan support, they don’t need cheap gimmicks—they just need to start winning games,” says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. “The only place where ‘birdies’ belong in sports is on golf courses, not at basketball games.”
Game 6 can’t get here fast enough for me. I just want to get back to basketball for a little while.
SPEAKING OF BASKETBALL, both Al Horford and Marvin Williams will watch Game 6 in suits. Neither one of the Hawks’ starters is healthy enough to play tonight.
Horford’s sprained right ankle will force him to sit while Williams remains sidelined with that sprained wrist on his shooting (right) hand.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
594 comments Add your comment
O'brien
May 2nd, 2009
2:39 pm
Can somebody explain to me why Josh whines so much during the game? if he gets called for a foul, he whines. If he thinks he is fouled and didnt get the whistle, he whines. He makes his emotions get the better of him time and time again (especially on the road). Seriously, it’s been 5 years Josh. Just shut up and play ball.
And I still dont understand how Spoelstra’s defensive scheme has taken Joe out of his game, but yet we cant slow Wade down? He is averaging about 28.5 points per game. Where is our defensive scheme?
Big Ray, I agree with you completely. Whenever we lose, all you hear about is how we didnt play with any energy or intensity. And I think thats because we have no offensive identity, no offensive system. We keep doing the same thing over and over, running the same plays over and over. Coach and the team must think that as long as there is energy, the plays will work.
(For the record, even if we win game 7, I am still not a fan of Woody).
gusman354
May 2nd, 2009
3:02 pm
O’BRIEN YOU ARE THE ONLY SMART GUY ON THIS FORUM .THANK YOU.
Mark
May 2nd, 2009
3:07 pm
Glad to see others saw what I saw last night. Posted immediately after the games in one of the other blogs. Not a Hawks fan, and also work a basketball official. What I saw last night was a disgrace to the game.
Clearly, the refs decided early on that they were going to give the Heat every advantage possible. Said it last night, when one player shoots more FT’s than the entire opposing team. IT IS A BADLY CALLED GAME. Like the hold in football, there is a foul committed on every play. It’s just a matter of which ones get called and when they call them. The referees controlled that game from the start, and was clear to me, as a unbiased observer, that the Heat were allowed to play one way while the Hawks were held to a different standard.
You know, they never did really do much when that Donaghe guy got caught betting in Vegas. My guess last night is either A – the word came down from up top they wanted Miami to advance or B – this set of refs had a bunch of money riding on the game last night.
Vava74
May 2nd, 2009
3:37 pm
Right on Mark
I don’t discuss Wade’s pure talent vs our guys own talent (JJ is notch below).
What I do discuss is the added help he gets: on game 1 with a decent officiating we creamed the Heat and with an acceptable officiating on game 5 we did it again.
niremetal
May 2nd, 2009
3:53 pm
Bigdave,
Right on bro, I have nothing to add.
Whoever is posting as “Rick Sund”,
Wise up, dude. No one thinks you’re funny. And I realize that since you’re about as clever as Dubya, you’ll probably just come back with another post that reads the same as your last 30 posts. But seriously, no one thinks you’re funny. No one.
Blast
May 2nd, 2009
4:23 pm
Personally, I believe the FBI needs to investigate David Stern and the entire NBA refs for possible game tampering!
Then Josh Smith must apologize to us fans for apologizing to Heat coach. Josh owed him nothing!
understand greatness!!!
May 2nd, 2009
4:24 pm
how many times joe attacked the rim in game 6, i attacked quite often and got the calls, how many times my boy beasley attack the rim and not get a call. i guess any excuse is better than none at all
SouthAfrican09
May 2nd, 2009
4:51 pm
WHY IS NO ONE MAD ABOUT D.WADE SWINGING AT HORFORD’S NECK ON THAT PLAY THAT INJURED HORFORD?
WHY IS MARVIN ALWAYS F********IN INJURED?
WADE INTENTIONALLY HORF AS DID JAMES JONES [WHO?]
mark
May 2nd, 2009
5:09 pm
Why are people so surprised at what is going on in this series. Isn’t this the same team that was embarrassed twice in NY by the Knicks. Wasn’t this the same team that lost to Golden State or went WINLESS on the Texas trip.
Let’s say we win tomorrow, SO WHAT!!! We will be lucky to win one game against the Cavs. Joe sucks right now, but you all know this man lead the league in minutes. Josh has been shooting bad all year from the outside. This team as presently CONSTRUCTED will never win a CHAMPIONSHIP!!! This series is an image of our season one good, one bad game. Win by 20, lose by 30. There is a reason why they say your weaknesses are exposed in the PLAYOFFS.
Josh basically wrote a check that he isn’t good enough to cash. This is why I love listening to commentators not named NIQUE and RATHBURN. They tell it like it is. Josh is just being Josh, a man who thinks he is a star, but really has a lot learning and WORK ETHIC to add.
Joe is who Joe is, a player that is passive and nothing more than a COMPLIMENTARY PEACE. This team nor this series should shock you.
There should be some changes made to this roster starting with Marvin and Josh.
Rick Sund or whoever you are, what you’re saying is true but now is not the time. Save it for the offseason.
mark
May 2nd, 2009
5:14 pm
Will people stop blaming the refs. Yeah they suck, but that has nothing to do with poor shooting in the third quarter and a lack of ball control with all of the turnovers. Refs are being complained about all over the league not just this series. This is a team that needs to be evaluated and if they come back with this same lineup plus Childress or something expect the same results. Playoffs and that is it.
niremetal
May 2nd, 2009
5:49 pm
Mark, you just outed yourself as “Rick Sund.” Just sayin.
fed up hawks fan since the '90's
May 2nd, 2009
6:02 pm
If the Hawks lose tomorrow, I’m officially a Bulls fan. At least that team has heart, talent, and execution. Oh, and a passionate fan base that 1) is in their seats before tip-off, 2) doesn’t dress like they’re going to the club after the game, and 3) UNDERSTANDS BASKETBALL.
I’m from Atlanta, and I finally realize how much a of a joke this city’s sports fans are.
yo mtv raps
May 2nd, 2009
6:04 pm
When does the real playoff basketball start? Game 6 felt like the preseason, or at least the Olympics.
atlrayzd
May 2nd, 2009
6:12 pm
Big Dave…. You say the offense does not cater to Joe’s strengths. Well name one of his so called strengths that you have seen with any regularity (Oh but it’s the Heats great defense). Guys with his talent if you’ve watched other series show they only need minimal daylight to produce. Big Dave in closing how many timeS has Joe Johnson passed out of a double team and commanded the ball right back or went quick before the double team came or split the defense. That’s not coaching that’s a player allowing the defense to totally dictate his game or like was has been stated by others on this blog many time before to PASSIVE.
Artie Blank
May 2nd, 2009
6:13 pm
Don’t worry Hawks fans, I’m negotiating to buy this team.
Right after we win that Super Bowl.
runandgun
May 2nd, 2009
6:16 pm
Fact: Joe Johnson is SOFT!!!!!
He just wants a comfortable place to land and cash his checks. Why not Atlanta? No basketball fans will hound him in public. No basketball fans at all, for that matter.
Atlanta bball fanatic
May 2nd, 2009
6:17 pm
I resent that remark. Who is Joe Johnson anyway?
mark
May 2nd, 2009
6:27 pm
OK Niremetal, you got me. Please!
doc
May 2nd, 2009
7:14 pm
najeh i agree and was thinking just that, josh didnt need to be concerned about their feelings. they just used you psychologically and you went for the bait. did d wade send mo a forgiveness card from whitman?
Chop It Up All-star
May 2nd, 2009
7:47 pm
Joe Johnson is a Scotty Pippen in search/need of a Michael Jordan.
Big Ray
May 2nd, 2009
8:28 pm
I agree with anybody that says Josh didn’t need to apologize for the dunk attempt. But, I think he was doing what he thought was the right thing. And who knows, maybe he was encouraged to do so.
And before you go on bashing him, consider also what Woody said in his interview, when questioned about the dunk attempt. If you missed it, I’ll summarize it for you: Woody didn’t appreciate it, didn’t like it, and basically was trying to wash his (and his staff’s) hands of it altogether. He said he spoke to Smith about it, as well.
So. Maybe the “knucklehead’s” coach told him he didn’t think that was such a hot thing to do. And maybe that’s why the “knucklehead” went and apologized to Spoelstra. I’ll tell you what I think: I think he was trying to do what he thought might be the right thing.
But there’s hope: if you read YahooSports writer Adam Wojnaroski’s article, in which he tries to filet Josh….Josh says he can make that dunk. And if he gets the chance, he’d do it again.
I say dunk on them every chance to you get, Josh. Dunk hard.
Just make sure you make the dunk…
niremetal
May 2nd, 2009
8:29 pm
Chop,
I agree, we’d win multiple titles if we had an MJ (read: LeBron) alongside JJ. I also think that with a coach whose offense relied more on motion (which maximizes JJ’s skill sets) and less on isolation (which minimizes it), we could “get by” (read: contend for 1-2 titles) with someone who could play the Jalen to his Reggie.
As an aside, Smoove has all the physical tools that LeBron does. But their basketball IQs and focus levels are just so far apart that it’s weird to even put them in the same sentence.
Big Ray
May 2nd, 2009
8:38 pm
I don’t believe Joe Johnson is “soft.” I also don’t believe he’s the kind of leader and player that people want him to be. It’s just not him. But he was proclaimed as that kind of guy. And as I recall, SOOOOO many people felt like Billy Knight didn’t give up too much to get him. Yet here so many of us are, bashing him right into the ground.
Now I’m not going to get all self-righteous and say that he doesn’t deserve the pressure. He does. He’s “the man.” He came here to BE “the man.” And management paid him “the man” money. Yeah, I know. Josh Smith just got a contract last summer for $58 million. And he’s not lived up the money. Joe got $70 million. And he’s getting the heat, too.
The issue can be argued a number of ways. I still believe that a big part of the problem is recognizing what a guy can do, and putting him in the best possible situation to get the most out of him. Somebody asked Woody one time why he played Joe so hard, for so many minutes. He said he wanted him to make the all-star team. Oh yeah, that came out of HIS mouth. Huh? That’s how you help a guy to make the all-star team? By playing him 40mpg? How about running a series of screen plays and opening up other offensive options, so he doesn’t have to face double teams all night, EVERY night?
I am disappointed in Joe Johnson’s performance, particularly in this year’s playoffs. And he’s shot a rough percentage from the field all year long. But it ain’t because he’s soft. It’s because he isn’t always as aggressive as his counterparts. And it’s because he rarely takes a shot or even a dribble that’s not contested by two or three defenders.
Joe rarely gets to play one-on-one, like Wade does. If he got to play like that more often, he’d probably manage close to 28ppg, too. Seriously, think about it. When’s the last time you saw Joe against a single defender? How OFTEN have you seen that? The only time he can expect to face only one defender is when he’s outside the arc.
Just sayin’…
Big Ray
May 2nd, 2009
8:58 pm
Niremetal,
Josh Smith doesn’t belong in the same sentence as Lebron. But guess what? How many can you think of that do? I’ll say it for the upteenth time (not to you, but to people who still don’t get it). Lebron came in the league with great handles, great athleticism, and great court vision. He could do it all, and all the skills were there (except maybe 3-point shooting).
Josh Smith came into the league knowing how to run, jump, and dunk. Since then, he has been learning (albeit very slowly) how to do just about everything else. And the NBA is the worst place to have to learn that. Am I making excuses for Josh? No. I’m separating the difference between “physical tools” and “skills.” The tools are there. The skills to use them? He has to learn those. I don’t know why it’s not obvious to all who have eyes that work. Learning how to do the most basic of things on the highest level of competition? Gotta be an uphill battle…
Not an excuse. A reality.
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
May 2nd, 2009
9:15 pm
JOE JOHNSON DIDNT PLAY LIKE THIS IN ARIZONA WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO GET 70 MILLION FROM THE HAWKS,ONCE HE GOT IT HE HAS SINCE DISAPPEARED,IT LOOK LIKES THE HAWKS ARE NOT GOING TO THE SECOND ROUND UNTIL THE REAL JOE JOHNSON SHOW UP AND CARRY HIS TEAM LIKE D.WADE,HE MAY BE A CRYBABY BUT AT LEAST HE COMES THRU WITH THE CLUTCH SHOT AND NOT JOE JOHNSON YET.
Rollins Tree
May 2nd, 2009
9:20 pm
So the Hawks are playing a game 7 in the playoffs and the Braves are a game under 500. BUT the blog for Braves have double the post as this one. Whats up with that?
GO HAWKS!!!!
Astro Joe
May 2nd, 2009
9:41 pm
Big Ray, afte reading your posts last night, I hope that you never call anyone else on the blog “sarcastic”.
I agree that this team has long since needed veteran leadership. Sund claims that brining in Flip & Mo was done at the expense of Chill. Somehow, Sund or the owners must figure out a way to keep our younger players (especially someone like Chill who played without ego, without a need to start and without a need for plays to be run for him to be ultra-efficient) while adding some experience. Some of you likely read the article about Juwan Howard’s impact on the Bobcats. Supposedly, he was the one who became a “big man coach” for that team and provided invaluable leadership to the locker room. He was available to the Hawks. But we invested in Gardner, Hunter & Morris at the end of our bench. Sund needs to find the next vet who is willing to take a vet’s minimum to stay on an NBA roster before exiting the league. Someone like Kevin Ollie, Theo Ratliff, Juwan Howard, Malik Rose, Lindsey Hunter, the Collins Brothers or Michael Ruffin need to be high on Sund’s list this summer. Those guys won’t solve the “quest for a vocal leader” but they will likely bring much more value for a team seeking a third consecutive playoff appearance than an undrafted free agent.
runandgun
May 2nd, 2009
9:43 pm
Big Ray: your argument has been heard and summarily ignored!!
Fact: Joe Johnson is SOFT!!!!!
Big Ray
May 2nd, 2009
10:06 pm
Astro Joe,
I saw your comparison of Joe and Josh, stat-wise. It is quite interesting. Of course, there are some specific details that explain a lot more. But then, they also raise more questions. And what kind of conclusions should we derive from what we see? A number of observations:
1) Josh started off with a bang (games 1 and 2), then went downhill from there (games 3 and 4), went back up in game 5, then back down in game 6.
2)Joe Johnson did not start well at all, and didn’t have a “good” game until game 5. Game 6 was as bad as the first 4 games.
Now, let’s compare playoffs vs. regular season. Statistics that are 1 or 2 percentage points apart may as well be the same:
1)Josh Smith in the playoffs: Rebounds (up from 7.2 to 8.8), Scoring average (15.6 to 15.5, same), Assists (2.4 to 2.2, same), Turnovers (down from 2.33 to 1.83), Blocks (up 1.6 to 2.0), Steals (1.5 to 1.4, same), FG% (down 49.1 to 40.0), 3 point % (down 29.9 to 15.4), FT% (up 58.8 to 69.7)
2)Joe Johnson: Rebounds (4.4 to 4.3, same), Scoring average (down 21.4 to 15.5), Assists (down 5.8 to 3.0), Turnovers (up 2.47 to 3.33), Blocks: pretty much N/A, Steals (down 1.1 to .3), FG% (down 43.7 to 39.1), 3 point % (down 36 to 26.7), FT% (down 82.6 to 63.6)
Highlights/Lowlights of significance:
1)Josh Smith lowlights: drastically reduced FG%, including from the arc. Highlights: ups rebounding, lowers turnovers, significantly ups FT%.
2)Joe Johnson lowlights: significant reduction in ppg, assists, 3 point %, and FT%. Minor reduction in steals and increase in turnovers. Highlights: None.
So Josh shoots worse than ever, but hits from the charity stripe a lot more, and what we end up with is the same scoring we got all season with a small decrease in turnovers, with an increase in rebounds. Joe pretty much has played worse all the way around, with the most serious decreases in scoring and assists.
What gives?
Josh is the so-called knucklehead with limited skills that can’t get it straight. Joe is the all-star, best player on the team, and most skilled.
Interesting stats indeed. I think this is not just a tale of two players, however. It’s gotta be bigger than that…
cdog
May 2nd, 2009
10:23 pm
THE OFFICIATING WAS ATROCIOUS FRIDAY NIGHT PLUS THE HAWKS DIDN’T HELP THEMSELVES BY SHOOTING JUMP SHOTS ONLY ALL NIGHT.THEY NEED TO COME OUT AND ATTACK THE BASKET DESPITE TERRIBLE OFFICIATING. ALSO, IF THEY WOULD STOP LISTENING TO OUT SIDE SOURCES AND PLAY THEIR GAME, NOT ONLY WILL THEY WIN SUNDAY, BUT THEY CAN BEAT THE CALVALIERS ALSO.I REMEMBER THATS WHAT KILLED DOMINIQUE WILKENS AND THE HAWKS SEASON WHEN MOSES MALONE, THEUS,AND KELVIN WILLIS PLAYED HERE. THEY WOULD LISTEN TO THE MEDIA.BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED, INSTEAD OF THE PLAYERS GET EXCITED ABOUT THE SEASON, THE MEDIA BEGAN TO SAY, IS IT GOING TO BE ENOUGH BALLS TO PLAY WITH?THE PLAYERS LISTEN TO THAT AND GOT OUSTED IN THE FIRST ROUND BECAUSE THEY LISTEN TO AND BELIEVE WHAT THEY HEARD. JOSH SMITH DIDN’T HAVE ANYTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR.TELL THE HEAT TO GET THEIR TEAM READY AND THEY WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A HAWK PLAYER SHOWING THEM UP.LOOK OUT CLEVELAND, THE HAWKS WILL BE THERE.DESPITE THE NBA TRYING TO MARKET JAMES AS MICHAEL JORDON, THE HAWKS WILL KICK BUTT.
Big Ray
May 2nd, 2009
10:23 pm
Astro Joe,
What, me sarcastic? I was hoping to reach YOUR level of potency.
Actually, my thinking is much more along the lines of yours, though you probably didn’t get that from what I had to say. I believe that energy alone won’t get it done. But that seems to be the theme in way too many circles, and I’m not talking about this blog. Energy has to have a direction, a guide. It works best within a system. Look no further that Mario “Mad Dog” West for an example. But a system is no good if it has parts that aren’t as well oiled as others.
I never forgot all the times you called for a big man coach. How many years has it been, 2 or 3? Never forgot. Your idea was Clifford Ray. I remember. And that is one of the things killing this franchise/team. Woody can’t teach Josh, Marvin, Al, etc how to play in the post. He doesn’t have time to do that. He doesn’t know HOW. The man was a combo guard, for crying out loud. And while his mentor gets mucho credit, the man had horse-blinder vision for ONE position: pg.
You’ve called for a specialist, and we never got one (sorry, Ty Hill, but I’m just not seein’ it). So who do these young guys get to learn from? Nobody. Woody and his staff? These guys have neither the experience, the expertise, nor the time. Larry Drew is a guard-oriented guy, too.
I agree that the Hawks MUST play with energy, but I think it’s unrealistic to expect that sort of intensity all the time, and that a team has to have a base structure to work with. But the base structure is no good without the right parts.
As you say, that’s where Sund’s job starts. I think your comments about a veteran at the minimum are VERY MUCH ON TARGET. Couldn’t think of a better way to say that at all. I’ve made much over having a vocal leader, but the reason why is because of what you said: we invested in a pile of free agent youngsters. Nothing against them, but this doesn’t fit to me.
For one thing, this is what you put at the end of Woody’s bench? I’m not knocking Woody, but if you’re going to give the man a 2-year extension, then how about putting some guys in that you KNOW he can make use of. He’s not real big on youngsters that have a lot to learn, but he would probably be just fine with them as long as he had some experienced vets to take them under their wings.
But he doesn’t. Why? Because his three of his starters are young guys who still have a lot to learn (like it or not, 5 yrs of NBA experience + 23 yr old forward does not = polished product, unless his name is Lebron). And the vets he has are two guys who are just too busy trying to do what Woody wants them to do on the court.
You’re right. Sund needs to do a better job. And he needs to do it quick (this summer). I’ll always say that if you’re going to give a coach the benefit of the doubt, a chance, etc….then give him the tools that work for him. Woody deserves that.
Astro Joe
May 2nd, 2009
10:28 pm
Ray, the most interesting thing to me in the playoff stats was FGAs. Joe is the All-Star but he’s not taking a ton of shots. Hard to score if the defense forces you to pass the ball. His assists are down which suggests that he isn’t passing to an open player capable to taking the pass and scoring. More likely he is passing to someone who is either missing the shot or needs to pass again. Smith is taking 2 more FGAs a game then in the regular season. And he has taking almost as many 3-point attempts as Joe. Joe is taking about 4 fewer FGAs per game in the playoffs vs. the regular season. By the way, Bibby is down about 2 FGAs/game as well.
I think it speaks to the Heat’s defensive plan… don’t allow our backcourt to beat them.
I see my guy Hinrich is having a nice 4th quarter in Game 7. Man, I wish we could trade for him this summer.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 2nd, 2009
11:11 pm
I admire Joe Johnson as a player and as a model nba citizen but you gotta admit he lacks the killer instinct this team desperately needs. He is a very passive-aggressive leader and that trickles down to the younger players (not Horford.) He does not ADVOCATE for himself nor his players when they are victims of unfair officiating. Maybe he will develope this during his contract year. Maybe HE’LL never get it…Who convinced Josh Smith to apologize to Spolestra? Softness…Win or lose, we need to sign some heart this off-season…There needs to be implementation of some oversight over the NBA officials.
Joe Johnson
May 2nd, 2009
11:16 pm
I am a model citizen of the NBA: I collect my checks and fade into obscurity when the game is on the line. Thanks for subsidizing, er I mean supporting the Hawks this year, Atlanta!!!
Big Ray
May 2nd, 2009
11:22 pm
“I think it speaks to the Heat’s defensive plan… don’t allow our backcourt to beat them.”
Absolutely. You’re on the money. Which leaves us with two options: beat their defensive gameplan by somehow managing to impose our will, forcing the issue from the backcourt…or modify/change the gameplan. And that is precisely what a lot of this banter has been about. We’ll see what happens. Looking forward to 1300 hrs, tomorrow.
Yeah, I’d like Hinrich, too. Wonder if we can make something like that happen? A story for another day…
Big Ray
May 2nd, 2009
11:41 pm
Hawks Fan in New Orleans,
Read Adam Wojnaroski’s article. Josh says he apologized. Guess what else he said? He said he’d try the dunk again if given the opportunity…in game 7, no less. Does that sound soft to you?
My advice to Josh: Dunk on the Heat every chance you get. Just make the dunks.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 2nd, 2009
11:54 pm
Wojnarowski’s article was the weakest, most rambling piece of garbage I’ve read in a while. There are plenty of legitimate ways to criticize Josh Smith’s development as a player, but he touched on none of them, instead focusing on this dunk attempt and failing miserably to turn it into a metaphor for his career.
UGA
May 2nd, 2009
11:56 pm
Is Jermaine O’neal playing tomorrow?
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
12:18 am
“His assists are down which suggests that he isn’t passing to an open player capable to taking the pass and scoring. ”
That’s been my biggest disappointment with him in these playoffs, and it was on full display in Game 6 — when the Heat bring the double team, he doesn’t pass it quick enough and doesn’t get the ball to someone in scoring or assisting position. He just seems too indecisive in every way imaginable with the exception of Game 5.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 3rd, 2009
12:50 am
Big Ray,
If Josh Smith said that and tries it again he’s not soft – he’s a ballsy renegade. Maybe he just felt like clarifying his intentions-nothing Wrong with that. Spolestra and D Wade poured it on at the end of game six. Will Wade apologize? We just need to bring it to them 1300 hours. Silence this series once and for all if we slip, it should force Sund to make some tough decisions this off season.
cdog
May 3rd, 2009
12:50 am
HOW CAN THE ANNOUNCERS ON TNT AND ESPN SAY WHAT JOSH SMITH DID WAS BAD SPORTSMANSHIP? WHAT ABOUT LeBRON JAMES WHEN THEY WERE UP ON TEAMS SUCH AS THE CELTICS START ASSIMULATING HITTING BASEBALLS,TENNIS BALLS ETC.I DIDN’T HEAR THEM SAY ANY THING ABOUT THAT.ITS JUST A CONSPIRACY AGAINST ATLANTA. DON’T LISTEN TO THOSE IDIOTS, WHIP THEIR BUTTS HAWKS.JOSH TURN UP YOUR GAME AND TAKE DOWN THE HEAT AND THE CALVALIERS DESPITE CHEATING FROM THE NBA
go heat
May 3rd, 2009
6:23 am
what are the headlines in sundays ATL paper,tickets still avalible,for a game 7what a loser town.,i guess those fans in the front rows didnt get prision release for sunday.
Hawksgirl
May 3rd, 2009
3:51 pm
And miami lost…….so where are the heat fans now? No matter florida thank god! On to cleveland
MAC-TOWN
May 3rd, 2009
6:19 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMZZxAB6SKw
Flip Murray crosses up Lebron