Anyone interested in winning this thing?
Who wants it more, Joe Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks or Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat? We'll find out Sunday afternoon in Game 7 at Philips Arena.
HAWKSVILLE - So it’s come to this.
Game 7 (Sunday afternoon at Philips Arena) in a series where neither the Hawks nor Heat has shown anything in the way of true desire to snatch this thing up and finish it.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock Friday night in yet another blowout – Game 6 looked like Games 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 – it started to make sense.
These two teams don’t know how to win in the playoffs (duh, news flash huh?). They’re simply not capable. There aren’t enough seasoned NBA playoff veterans on either roster to put the finishing touches on a series of this nature.
Joel Anthony and Solomon Jones. Mario West and Mario Chalmers. No offense to these fine young warriors, but there aren’t more than a handful of truly battle tested performers between these two teams that you could point to and know that you’re going to get a playoff-worthy effort from them night after night.
Injuries certainly have played a part in this series moving on to a seventh and final game. From Marvin Williams (doesn’t look good for Game 7) to Jermaine O’Neal (no way he sits another one out) to Al Horford (he’s a go) to both Dwyane Wade (name that bump or bruise) and Joe Johnson (I have a sneaking suspicion that the right ankle he tweaked twice in Game 5 has been bothering him much more and much longer than he’s willing to admit), a key player for either side has been missing basically every step of the way.
In the end, it won’t matter who suits up for Game 7, because someone has to go home after it’s all over. And someone has to move on to face LeBron James and his band of merry men. Someone HAS to, because the NBA will not wait for the Hawks and Heat to figure out if they’d both like to play their best on the same night. They need a winner Sunday so the world can move on.
The lack of killer instinct on both sides has been nothing short of deplorable. I couldn’t believe the emotionless performance the Hawks delivered in Game 6. There’s no way you expect a team to saunter onto the floor in a close out game with that kind of attitude (or lack thereof). Aside from Mike Bibby, there wasn’t a single player in a Hawks uniform that seemed interested in leaving AmericanAirlines Arena for Cleveland.
Whichever teams wins this series can rest assured that the Cavaliers will have no problem asserting themselves, be it in Atlanta, Miami or Cleveland, in the same situation. They made quick work of the Pistons and will do the same to either one of these teams if they can’t rise to the level of the moment and the competition.
The Hawks remain steadfast in their belief that the home court advantage they earned this season is going to be their saving grace. Could be. But I’d be nervous about resting my entire season on the percentages (the home team wins Game 7 a whopping 80 percent of the time in a seven-game series).
SO INSTEAD OF PLAYING MY OWN HUNCHES, I reached out to a couple of friends in the scout world for their opinions about this series, and particularly Game 7. They didn’t have a ton of praise for consistency of either team.
I asked for the Game 7 key for both teams and here’s what I got:
Mike Bibby has been the Hawks best and most consistent player in this series.
For the Hawks - It’s all about their defensive coverages. They switch almost everything, rotating guys and they can get away with it because of all their length and quickness. They’ve done a great job in the games they’ve won of closing out shooters and not allowing Wade to the turn the corner and drive to the lane and finish in his sweet spots. They haven’t allowed him to kill them at the line and they’ve done a good job of forcing the Heat to play them in transition. And that’s a game the Hawks win against almost anybody in the league when they are on top of their game. The problem has been on the offensive end more than anything. When they don’t move the ball, they leave Joe on an island with two and sometimes three guys closing in on him. And he’s not passing out of the traps and double teams fast enough, if he passes out of it at all, to make the defense rotate. That means the Hawks get one shot and they’re done. Because they are clearing out the lane for Joe to drive and work on his guy but he’s not driving. He’s settling for jump shots instead of forcing the issue. When he does that, their entire offense grinds to a halt and they don’t have enough good shooters to scare you in the half court. What they’re missing is their two-man game with Joe and Bibby on the left wing. They’ve run that to perfection at times this season, forcing whoever is guarding Bibby to switch off and guard Joe and vice a versa. They’d honestly be better of playing through Bibby in Game 7 and letting Joe work his man on the block and use his size to attack the Heat from a different angle as opposed to off the dribble. Bibby’s been their best player in this series. And that’s a wrinkle that works in a one-game set like they’re in now, because it causes the Heat to adjust on the fly. And if they get it right, that’s fine. The Hawks can go back to their default setting that’s worked well for them in three of the games and ride that. But whatever they do, they better feed those kids in the frontcourt, because they always play better when they are involved in the offense. They block more shots and rebound the ball better when they know they’re going to get fed a little bit on the other end. That’s always the key with your bigs. But if they get in iso mode and each guy tries to do it on his own, and that includes Flip Murray and Zaza Pachulia off the bench, they’re in trouble. So they have to careful about spreading that thing around and keeping everyone involved. They’re not a one-man team like Miami. They don’t have to play that way.
The Heat has been the more physical team in this series, win or lose!
And for the Heat - It’s all about Wade for them on offense. If he’s on and he’s creating as well as getting his shots and drawing fouls, he makes them an impossible cover. The Hawks don’t have anyone that can contain him one-on-one. Joe’s done the best job of anyone, but only when he’s using his hands and actively trying to deny Wade the dribble drive game that makes him so dangerous. If Wade is creating and drawing defenders into the lane on his drives to the basket, that leaves wide open shooters around the 3-point line. If they make those shots the way they did in Game 2 and 3 (the Heat sank a whopping 27 shots from beyond the arc in those games), it’ll be lights out for the Hawks. Because those shots are as demoralizing as anything. Being a split second late on a rotation can sink you when they’re hitting 3-pointers. There’s no secret what they’re going to do offensively. It all starts with Wade. It all flows from him. Where they’ve really been successful is on the defensive end. They’ve really neutralized Johnson with those traps and double teams. They’re bringing a third defender, too, when he heads to the lane and they’re cashing in because he’s not moving the ball. When he does get rid of it, he’s throwing it to guys like Josh Smith, who is shooting 15 percent (2-for-13) from 3-point distance, so it works out perfect for the Heat. And you can tell their guys have read the scouting report and understand how to bait the Hawks into those bad shots. They’re backing off Smith on the wing and daring him to shoot from out there and he’s taking the bait every time. If he dives on those double teams and gives Johnson the option of splitting the floor on the double team with a cutter to the basket, then the Heat has a little more trouble trying to cover the entire floor. But he hasn’t done that and that allows the Heat to really lock down on Johnson and make things tough on the Hawks. They’ve also been the more physical team, even in the games they’ve lost. They’ve been the team playing more physical around the basket in particular. Joel Anthony was the key in game 6. With O’Neal out he, Udonis Haslem and Jamaal Magloire owned the paint. They controlled the lane and kept the Hawks off balance the entire game. That’s the way they’ll have to play it in Game 7 to be successful. While I assume O’Neal is going to play, they at least have the horses to handle things on the defensive end if he doesn’t play. But if they can defend like they have on their best nights, they’ve got a chance to win the game because Wade is going to bring the offense with him.
THE GAME 7 X-FACTOR is likely to emerge early on. It could be several players, depending on how things go. I watched the Celtics’ Game 7 win over Chicago Saturday night and from Stephon Marbury to Eddie House to Brian Scalabrine, Boston got huge efforts from their bench in a must-win game. And we’re talking about guys whose roles have fluctuated throughout the season, depending on the Celtics’ injury situation.
I’m wondering who is going to be the guy in Game 7 here. Michael Beasley stepped up in Game 6 to help lift the Heat to a win. Flip Murray did it for the Hawks in Game 5. You figure one of those guys is going to have a huge Game 7.
Just like basically everything else about what’s going on with this series, it’s a toss up as to who the real X-factor is going to be. There’s no telling until game time. See you there.
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309 comments Add your comment
mountain_jim
May 3rd, 2009
12:37 am
Go Hawks! Please bring it Joe and Smooth!
mykhalc
May 3rd, 2009
1:34 am
sooooo glad to know coachin’ is not involved!!!whew!!!!
MAC-TOWN
May 3rd, 2009
1:55 am
Put it like this, I wish the hawks as a collective…had the heart, energy and effort of a Mario West all game long. If we do that we win. Unfortunately we have too many cryers, and we are a team with a superstar who apparently likes to to take the “back seat” in big games.
Just based on what I have saw this series…I have to assume we are going to need another
dunk-a-thon from Josh Smith…..or Bibby/Flip is gonna have to lite it up from deep….maybe Mo Evans can step up
mark
May 3rd, 2009
2:00 am
Go hawks!! Don’t screw this up!!
hawksweak
May 3rd, 2009
2:12 am
I would like the previous two commentors and everyone that follows to leave their home address so I can personally send you all a copy of the 06 SI nba championship video. Sorry fellas but game 7’s are made for legends, best of luck controlling the beast
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
2:26 am
“The problem has been on the offensive end more than anything. When they don’t move the ball, they leave Joe on an island with two and sometimes three guys closing in on him. And he’s not passing out of the traps and double teams fast enough, if he passes out of it at all, to make the defense rotate.”
Co-f*cking-sign.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
2:27 am
“Put it like this, I wish the hawks as a collective…had the heart, energy and effort of a Mario West all game long. If we do that we win.”
If they do that, half the team fouls out within one quarter.
I love watching Mario West play in spurts, but if the Hawks gave him meaningful minutes, he’d foul out before the first quarter was over.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
2:27 am
Also, why the hell is this game at 1 PM? I have a feeling that’s really going to neutralize the home court advantage in the first half…
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
2:32 am
One more question: why the HELL is the NBA so damn lazy about setting their schedules? A lot of people don’t have the ability to rearrange their personal schedules 24 hours in advance to be able to watch these games. If the Hawks win tomorrow, they could very well be playing Game 1 in Cleveland on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, who knows, and none of us would have any idea until the day of the game. Atlanta and Miami are both in the same time zone… would it really be that hard for them to figure this out a couple of days in advance?
GA Bulldawg
May 3rd, 2009
2:34 am
MACI agree with you except for where you said JJ was a superstar…he aint a superstar. He’s a great player and an all-star but thats where you draw the line. Superstars (Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant..) have a killer mentality and know how to take over games…THAT’S a superstar
Ariose
May 3rd, 2009
2:37 am
Kick azz hawks.Pleease!!! WTF is wrong with Marvin?
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 3rd, 2009
3:09 am
Wow 1 pm. That’s noon my time. Gotta rearrange some things to catch this game.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 3rd, 2009
3:17 am
Najeh. I agree with your sentiment about the home court advantage being neutralized. JJ and Smoove must bring it regardless of biased officiating and tip-off time. This is why J Smoove got the big contract. He better show up or he owes the team, fans and front office an apology-damn a spolestra apology.
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
8:10 am
and for you mario west fans! if i played 3 to 10 mins a game i’d be hyper too! anyway today is the day, that you find out i have “SOMETHING TO PROVE”
doc
May 3rd, 2009
8:34 am
najeh, agreed with the planning thing. it seems only the nba, sponsors and tv have a life. feel mighty manipulated on this end.
MsDee
May 3rd, 2009
9:00 am
Looks like we might need another team motivational meeting to help us win this game 7 cause it sure isn’t the coach motivating this team!! Coach Woodson is cool and all but this team is so much better than they are showing us. Woodson never has any good plays coming out of a time-out…why is that?? Why is it that Woodson allows Joe to just hold the ball and waits til the double team comes instead of pulling Joe over on the side to tell him to drive the ball b/4 the double team comes or at least pass it quickly so that the ball can swing causing the Heat to swing too, to allow someone an open shot either for a open shot or open around the basket!! And why is it that we have nobody on our team that will quickly give Joe BACK the ball when he does pass it out of the double teams to get his game/shot working for him? When Kobe or Lebron needs to take over a game and ends up getting doubled team, their co-players knows to give him right back the ball to make his move to the basket..our players (Josh Smith & Flip) just thinks Joe is giving them the ball to create for themselves when really Joe wants it back to make his move!! Why don’t Woodson realize that and demand his team to play smarter?!?!
Lacsho
May 3rd, 2009
9:07 am
Well which JJ do we see today. Will he finally arrive, or will he play the background and watch Wade preform? Will Smooth drive to the hole or will he settle with that wide open jump shot? Will we see the Hawks who played the first six games of the season, or will we see the ISO Hawks who never play team defense?
Lastly do I go to the game, or do I watch it downstairs?
Questions, Questions, Questions
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
9:17 am
We need JJ to try not to force the issue today. Today is all about rebounding and Mike Bibby.
J-mo
May 3rd, 2009
9:35 am
The schedule for next round was set on Friday (just not posted in Atlanta cause we’re still focused on this round. Check out Cavs sites. Games 1 & 2 are Tuesday and Thursday. Games 3 & 4 are Sat at 8, and Monday.
Go Hawks!! I’ll be at game supportin’!!!
doc
May 3rd, 2009
9:43 am
sekou, i have got another sore point with the polarizing event of the miss and how it “embarrassed” the other team. this is what i wrote to your partners in hacks with some editorial revising to clean it up:
josh does so much for those guys and gets thrown under the bus. he is their only true enforcer. woody should have been talking some trash back but i think he feels josh brought it on himself and refuses to be the protector. wants the kid to learn by hard knocks. josh is so sensitive and emotional he should be defusing it to get to the next round rather than make it a learning experience. leaving josh out there alone could affect him in the short term like we saw when he became a head case with every foul shot. we may have already seen that effect in miami in game 6. woody, doesnt get it is my thought. woody somehow hugs on sheed every frigging time they come into town, the greatest free spirit selfish coach killing player in the game who hasnt attacked his coach, missed practice or quit on an organization. i would expect he would give his one and only high flying warrior the second guess or some room and tell wade and spoelestra to grow up and play basketball rather than ask for apologies. silence and the BWAF is all that is heard is my guess. where was jj? man it is war now and nothing is personal and as the leader of this team he should have said so to the media, so back off write something real and get his back. it could have been by saying only that “i put down a slam right afterward which is out of character for me to emphasize things and if he could have had the skill to put it through his legs on top of it he would have, too.” geez.
yeah, i said it, where were the coach and the so-called leader of this team to get josh’s back and say it isnt that big a deal to the world, just shut up, grow up and play the game. that is what i would call protecting their big man that stirs the drink. they can counsel him quietly behind the scenes but publicly get his collective back. personally, i will have josh’s back because there is no one person who has taken this team to where they are than josh. he is that valuable to this fragile team. if he is not here and they play without him they go down quicker than the absence of any other player. we have seen bibby, jj, al and marvin have off nights and not miss a beat. funny when josh has an off game it is very obvious because we frigging lose …… and we yell mightily about it. that is why he is the lightening rod he is. he sticks out like a sore thumb for all the right reasons because when he is on the team will be on the win side 7-8 of 10 times. when he is off it works the other way being lucky to be 50% successful.
Lacsho
May 3rd, 2009
10:02 am
Nice post Doc!!!
Why in the hell did they let Smoove apologies to the Heat’s scrub azz coach? I almost started to throw up. This is playoff basketball; Smoove doesn’t need to apologies to anyone. Then the Heat’s coach and Wade spit in his face as they run up the score!!!!
mountain_jim
May 3rd, 2009
10:16 am
I sure hope the Hawks can overcome the league and officials Wade-love but its not going to be easy. Some one pointed out what I saw in game 6, every time the Hawks got screwed on a give-it-to-Wade call they refused to show the replay….
I am not ready for the long wait until NFL season, don’t give a crap about baseball, so please win it Hawks and keep the season alive!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
10:42 am
Najeh.. from the last blog you spoke about JJ’s assist being down… not passing out the double team quick enough…
well.. i disagree… i believe Joe has gotten it out of his hands, and has chosen not to force anything… truth be told… if this was hockey were you are credited an assist if you pass it to the teammate who, passes it to the scoring teammate he would be double figures in assist… nobody is moving when Joe get doubled. so the only way he will get an assist is if someone who is watching makes a jump shot (not likely). i remember one time Joe was getting doubled and Stinger referenced that Flip needed to come over to not make the pass as tough for Joe… that doesnt happen. other players are allowed to rack up the assist because once Joe has passed out the double, they are either open for a 2nd or not seeing double teams. therefore able to penetrate the d, and possibly kick to an open man…
his assist numbers are skewed…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
10:57 am
then again.. just read the article… i dunno… maybe he could get it out quicker.. maybe as soon as the ball is passed to him…
geesh…
to me it looks as if Joe catches, and analyzes… looks to see if they are sending the double and where its coming from, if not he is trying to score/create 1on 1…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
10:58 am
so we’re basically asking him to become more passive… i hate that as a team our scheme or lack there off is “reactive” to what the opposing coaches are doing to us, instead of “proactive” instilling our will on the opposing defense…
Robert Yates
May 3rd, 2009
10:59 am
The most accurate analysis I’ve read of the whole Josh Smith saga I’ve read is here: http://freedarko.blogspot.com/2009/05/he-was-born-in-hell.html#comments
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
11:01 am
TODAY IS THE DAY I PUT YOU HAWK FANS OUT OF YOUR MISERY! MIAMI HEAT HAS “SOMETHING TO PROVE”
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
11:09 am
MAN I LOVE MY TEAM BUT IT’S CORP. AMERICA, WE NEVER ASKED JOSH TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE DUNK, IT’S WHEN YOU HAVE SOME OL FART IN A SUIT WHO SAY HE DOESNT LIKE IT THEN THAT’S WHERE THE PROBLEM BEGINS (JUST LOOK AT THE NFL). THE SUITS=MAINLY WHITES AND A FEW BLACKS DONT LIKE IT BUT TRUST ME IF JOSH WOULD’VE MADE IT THAT WOULD’VE BEEN FIRST IMAGE SEEN ON ESPN THAT NITE. ITS A BUNCH OF BULL
Volman
May 3rd, 2009
11:14 am
Josh Smith better dunk on their asses today. I swear. 360s, through the legs, windmills. I want it all.
Take no prisoners, Hawks.
Beautiful post DOC, I agree with everything.
honest_abe
May 3rd, 2009
11:20 am
where are you joe??? please show up today.
Gilley
May 3rd, 2009
11:22 am
Hawks still don’t know how to pass out of the double-team. Good point on the pick and roll with Bibby and Joe. When we get a rebound we should run automatically. Make the Heat defense scramble.
doc
May 3rd, 2009
11:56 am
robert yes said it didnt it.
RISE UP HAWK FANS AND IGNITE!
JOSH = MVP
BRO, GOT YOUR BACK WHEN YOU PLAY LIKE YOU DID IN GAME FIVE! DO IT AGAIN!
no apologies to play like a wimp in game 6 dude. dont let woody do you in and ground you like what happened to the spirit hawk.
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
12:06 pm
I wonder if Josh Smith’s dad has ever pulled him aside after a game and been like “JOSH STOP BEING A CRYBABY AND GROW UP”
SERIOUSLY JOSH. GROW THE HELL UP. STOP WHINING AND SCREWING US OVER
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
12:07 pm
DOC,
JOSH HAS AN OFFGAME 7/10 TIMES. HE HAS THAT 20 PT 12 REBOUDN 6 BLOCK GAME VERY SPARINGLY. I HOPE I AM WRONG
Da Real Real
May 3rd, 2009
12:34 pm
I’m thinking today’s game will be decided on which team has enough gas left in the tank. What is this…the 4th game in 7 days??? So whoever has enough gas in the tank will win. Hopefully that’s the Hawks…especially since the game in on their court. LETS GO HAWKS!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
12:38 pm
Did anyone else saw the week in review on sportcenter this morning? Well I did and I didn’t know that the Hawks only had one game this week. They recap every NBA Playoffs game this week except for the Hawks 2 wins this week. They did showed the Hawks lost on Friday. They even showed Mike Golic getting a hair wax removal which occurred on the same day the Hawks beat the Heat. Talking about irrelevant.
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
12:41 pm
wow ABC, “what is the key to a Heat win in game 7″… i guess their the only team of interest…?!?!?!
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
12:51 pm
LIKE MAGIC SAID ” YOU KNOW IM (D-WADE) GONNA SHOW UP AND JOE JOHNSON SUPPOSE TOO!!! NOW THAT’S TELLING
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
12:54 pm
ABC LOVES ME!! I’LL BE BACK GOTTA TALK TO MEDIA
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
12:56 pm
WOW! WAS THAT ME
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:02 pm
Congrats to the Hawks fans. Philips looks pack… not sure why we dont have a white going… Lets Go Hawks…
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
1:06 pm
I LIKE THAT
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
1:07 pm
JOEL HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:08 pm
Joe looks tight….
understand greatness!!!
May 3rd, 2009
1:08 pm
DAMN JOE
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
1:11 pm
bibbbbbbbbyyyy!!!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:12 pm
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAH…!!!
ACTIVE EARLY…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:12 pm
Lets GO HAWKS…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:13 pm
Sekou mentioned that ankle Melvin, what you think…?
at least he’s swinging the ball early…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:14 pm
I meant to say “not sure why we dont have a whiteout in Philips”
ABC is not biased
May 3rd, 2009
1:15 pm
Honest!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:19 pm
Comeon. We are letting them get too many offensive rebs and we need to double Wade when he has the ball in the paint…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:24 pm
Beasley clearly knock that ball out of bounds.
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:25 pm
My gosh DWade gets away with carrying the ball….
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:26 pm
C’MON Za Za…!!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:26 pm
Bibby… Josh.. and Joe active early… good sign…
C’mon guys..!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:30 pm
D’ED YOUR PUNK A** UP WADE…!!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:30 pm
DWade didn’t want any part of Mario as he was force to make a bad pass…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:31 pm
LOOKS GOOD… LOOKS GOOD…!!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:31 pm
bigdave, looks like me and you have to hold the blog down….
Sautee
May 3rd, 2009
1:33 pm
Good sign that we’re winning so far without JJ scoring.
We need at LEAST an average game from Joe (22/6)
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:36 pm
its whateva Melvin…
LETS GO!!! IM AMPED…!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:36 pm
GOOD ACTIVE HANDS JOE…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:37 pm
AGREED SAUTEE…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:38 pm
I think Woody should give Joe a rest while DWade is on the bench…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:42 pm
ZaZa may needs some of that Lebron powder on his hands as he’s already fumble the ball a few times this half….
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:42 pm
id think about giving Solo some of Al’s mins… doesnt look sharp, but we need him on the defensive end…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:42 pm
WOW.. WADE FOULED JOE ON THE 3… NO CALL!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:43 pm
JJJJJOe for 3…..
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:43 pm
YEA… BABY… LETS GO…!!!
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
1:44 pm
Finally, Joe hits a big one! Hawks up 8!
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
1:44 pm
back 2 back 3s!! go hawks!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:45 pm
GOTTA LEAVE HIM OUT THERE COACH… HE JUST HIT A BIG SHOT… LEAVE HIM OUT THERE WHILE HIS CONFIDENCE IS UP… TO SEE IF HE CAN FIND A GROOVE, HIT A COUPLE MORE SHOTS.. THEN REST HIM.. JOE TENDS TO SCORE IN SPURTS… HE CAN GIVE U LIKE 8 STRAIGHT…
woo lord
May 3rd, 2009
1:46 pm
Did JJ just wake up? Time to bring out those coffin nails, Miami
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
1:47 pm
Give Solo some PT. Al doesn’t have any lift..
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:47 pm
HOE DOING A HELL OF A JOB ON WADE…
BALL DENIAL.. LEAVE HIM ON HIM…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:48 pm
YEA…!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:48 pm
WOW…!!!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:48 pm
Where is the foul on Joe shot…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:48 pm
AND 1…!!! JOE READY…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:49 pm
JOE CAN GUARD WADE… WADE CANT GUARD JOE…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:49 pm
Even Van Gundy said that should have been a 4pt play… BS refs. Then they gave Wade a touch foul after he miss a layup…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:49 pm
GET SOLO IN THERE…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:50 pm
ALL BALL… BS!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:51 pm
SHUT UP MARK JACKSON!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:51 pm
I like the ESPN crew. They are calling it right down the middle… They said it was a clean block for Horford.
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:53 pm
I love it. Van Gundy is all over the REFS… Said Wade should have been call for the offensive foul….lol
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
1:53 pm
biiiiibbbbbyyyyyy!!!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:53 pm
Let’s Go Hawks….
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:53 pm
WADE CANT DO NOTHING ON JOE… ALL SERIES…!!!
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
1:53 pm
Go Hawks, Go! Up 13! Heat 4 teams fouls!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:54 pm
YEA THEY ARE VAN GUNDY SAID THAT THAT SHOULDA BEEN A CHARGE ON WADE.. LETS SEE FOULS JOE.. CHARGE.. HE SHOULD HAVE 3 FOULS…
LEAVE JOE OUT THERE HE SHOULD GO 40+
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:55 pm
LETS PUT EM AWAY..!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:55 pm
That was a first. Miami sent the double on Josh leaving Bibby open for the 3. If they are going to start doubling the Hawks in the post then our shooters have to be ready…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:56 pm
JAMES JONES A DIRTY BIT$$ HE CAME DOWN HARD AGAIN WITH THE ARM…!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:56 pm
DITTO MARK JACKSON…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:57 pm
And we still talking about the Josh dunk attempt 2 games later….
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
1:58 pm
Yes sir Joe got it going today…..
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:58 pm
AND 1…!!! JOE CANT GET A CALL!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
1:58 pm
JOE GOT THAT KILLA IN HIM TONIGHT!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
2:00 pm
I noticed that too bigdave. It was a dirty play by James Jones but the best thing that happen was Josh didn’t let it rattle him. He calmly made his free throws after it….
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
2:00 pm
Twice Joe has been fouled shooting the three, twice he got no call. Anybody remember the 2 4 point plays for Heat in game 5?
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:01 pm
PLEASE PUT JOE BACK ON WADE…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:02 pm
I ONLY TRUST MARIO AND JOE ON WADE… PLEASE TAKE MO OFF!!! JOE CAN REST AT HALF TIME..
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
2:03 pm
The ESPN crew mention the no calls on Joe 3pt attemps as well… They noticed that Miami is getting the favorable calls as well
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:07 pm
HE WILL KILL MOE EVANS…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:08 pm
MOE EVANS IS ONE DUMB DEFENDER… I HATE HIS OVER AGGRESSIVE STYLE…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:09 pm
GOTTA COME OUT AGGRESSIVE… ON BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR… NO HALF TIME LET DOWN…!!!
LETS GO!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:11 pm
IM SEEING SOME THINGS FROM BIBBY THAT MAKES YOU THINK.. U GOTTA KEEP THIS GUY…
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
2:12 pm
Still a lot of ball to play, but I am liking Hawks energy so far.
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
2:12 pm
Beautiful move by Joe to end the half.
Hawks are flying high! Keep the foot on the gas pedal in the second half!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
2:13 pm
Yep. I think Bibby has definitely earn his contract extension… We have to keep the pressure on coming out of the half. No 3rd qtr let down… LET’S GO HAWKS
kirkinga
May 3rd, 2009
2:13 pm
The Hawks are once again doing what they need to do. They aren’t playing as well as they are capable, but they are getting it done nonetheless.
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
2:14 pm
Have always said Bibby was keeper, BigDave, for less money, though.
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
2:15 pm
Good defense in the perimeter. heats 0/7 from the 3pt.
Pachulia should start for Al. they’re killing the hawks on the boards. Give solo PT coz Al clearly doesn’t have any lift due to the ankle injury.
Go hawks!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:16 pm
BARRY PLEASE… U F-IN SCRUB!!!
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
2:16 pm
Well gosh golly gee darn it. Where are all those Heat fans that we usually hear from?
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:18 pm
yea i know Blast.. but its like his game has gone to another level.. he’s more of a pg now than he was all regular season.. his defense is even looking like it has a little more effort behind it…
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
2:24 pm
D.Wade will not pass once in the 2nd half.
And yes James Jones is a dirty player. He and D.Wade (who swung at Al’s neck) injured Al on that play in game 5, and if Al played on Friday, we’d be playing Cleveland right now in round 2
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
2:27 pm
I would let ZaZa play at least 17 minutes in this half. He has earned it. if Al is not producing, you will see ZaZa the rest of the half.
kirkinga
May 3rd, 2009
2:33 pm
Where are all those Heat fans that we usually hear from?
Ray I believe they are lying in wait. We’ll no doubt hear from them should the Hawk’s lead shrink or go away.
Otherwise they are no doubt wringing out the squish so as to not be too heavy to jump back on the bandwagon when the Hawks win.
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
2:36 pm
good time out woody..
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:36 pm
why is Joe Johnson not on D Wade…
Moe… Flip… etc… cant guard him… Joe has done a great job on him.. WTF?? are we going to let him kill us?
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
2:38 pm
Miami has made the adjustment on offense to put Bibby’s man in the screen and roll. Bibby is playing too far off the pick allowing DWade to turn the corner. Bibby needs to play up on the pick to deny DWade the opportunity to turn the corner…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:41 pm
touch fouls…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:43 pm
Wade is a completely different player with Joe on him…
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
2:44 pm
Go Hawks, Go! Beat The Heat!
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
2:45 pm
better ball movement for the hawks…
mykhalc
May 3rd, 2009
2:46 pm
WTF!! was that a drawn up play???? Big RAY…call the paramedics for me…i’m dyin’ out here in the BAY!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Josh is playing a great game…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:49 pm
great look.. great play…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:50 pm
Flip has missed 2-3 wide open 3’s… gotta hit those…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:51 pm
OMG FLIP..!!!
kirkinga
May 3rd, 2009
2:51 pm
Jackson and Van Gundy with a little credit to Coach Woodson for letting JJ “facilitate” the offense.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
2:54 pm
16 pt lead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
2:54 pm
AND THEY CALL MY BOY SOFT…
GET OUTTA HEYA…!!!
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
2:55 pm
Basketball world! That is OUR Joe Johnson, and OUR Atlanta Hawks!
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
2:55 pm
If we score twenty that would force the heat to score 36. Let’s take it on home.
Sautee
May 3rd, 2009
2:56 pm
LOL, myk, you sound like Fred Sanford!
OK, no letdowns, no prevent defense, we need to attack!
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
2:57 pm
Out of the 101 game sevens played in NBA playoff history, Hawks have been in two of them.
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
2:57 pm
D.Fake (whining after obvious offensive foul) is getting a little desperate right here. Let’s get this lead up to 25 in the next few min!!
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
2:58 pm
Ray, Miami fans hideing out next to the crying towel.
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
2:58 pm
This game makes it 102 game sevens.
Sekou Smith
May 3rd, 2009
2:59 pm
Hawks are playing together on both ends and the Heat can’t solve it. When they play like this, they are unstoppable on this floor.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
2:59 pm
Joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
3:01 pm
Nasty dunk by Josh! Hawks up 20! Do you smell blood?
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:02 pm
these Hawks would be an issue for anyone…!!!
great TEAM basketball today…
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
3:04 pm
AMEN SEKOU, MY BROTHA.
JOSH STAY COMPOSED, AND BIBBY AND JOE BE AGGRESSIVE AND NO ONE CAN STOP US. THROW IN THE PHILLY BALLER FLIP MURRAY AND WE ARE GONNA SHOCK THE CAVS.
JOSH, YOU KNOW YOU ARE UNIQUE, BUT DONT BE IMMATURE, MAN. WAY TOO MUCH TALENT THERE
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:05 pm
Lets push this lead up to 30 and send Dwade fishing….
WHO DIED...?
May 3rd, 2009
3:05 pm
i concede ya’ll are better
mykhalc
May 3rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Sautee, LOL bro!! 2 drawn up plays in ONE f’n game??!!!?? un-freakn-believable!!! WOODSON had a labotomy right before tipoff!! gotta be!! he has LDREW’s brain for this one!!!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Here we go with James Jones and the imaginery contact on the shot attempts again….
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
3:08 pm
bibby playing PG today… nice..
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:09 pm
BS FOUL…!!!
LOCK DOWN D… LOCK DOWN…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:09 pm
The Heat players can’t get it done so the Refs are gonna help them…
Sautee
May 3rd, 2009
3:10 pm
Hey Myk, even a blind squirrel can find an acorn every now and then.
heh heh
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:10 pm
No way Miami comes back from this. Woody wins anouther 2-3 year contract. Do we have the money to resign our players and get a big. It will be hard for the owners to say no to Atlanta when we have come so far.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:12 pm
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Joeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:12 pm
JOE JOHNSON THE BEST SG ON THE FLOOR…!!!
I MEAN THAT SHYT DAMMIT…
NAYSAYERS BACK UP…!!! BACK UP…!!!
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
Joe is answering his critics in big game 7.
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
Why dont Miami Superstar (D-FADE) defend our so call superstar (Joe)??? Just as I type this, Joe hits a 3 over D-FADE….lol
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:13 pm
I will celebrate with you bird hating peta hating jive turkeys. Even when your wrong were still all Hawk fans.
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:14 pm
WHERE YOU DADE BOYS!!!?? GET OUTTA HERE.. HAVE FUN WATCHING US SUCKAS…!!!
WE MOVING ONN…!!!!
HAHA!!!
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
3:15 pm
Joe is way too strong and talented to not have games like this more often
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:16 pm
hotytoleeto, are we sending a message to Miami?
mykhalc
May 3rd, 2009
3:17 pm
re-signing FLIP better be a no-brainer organization…
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:17 pm
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT PUSSS…!!!
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:17 pm
Put the bench in. they can handle it
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
3:17 pm
I’d say that JJ 3 at 8:21 was the KO punch. Just like the quick left hook by pacquiao that made hatton take a long nap. hehe
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
3:18 pm
This is great and all, but I’m worried we will lose 97-70 in game 1 vs. Cleveland. Must be focused for that game
mykhalc
May 3rd, 2009
3:18 pm
JOE’s heat-check made me forget to type helf my sentence!!!LOL s/b no-brainer for this organization
mykhalc
May 3rd, 2009
3:18 pm
s/b half……damn
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:19 pm
DITTO PINOY HAWK…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Run the score up please….
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Joe definitely has that killa going today. Here’s to hoping it carries over to Cleveland. Josh finishes with more lay ups than dunks this game-you don’t wanna hurt Spolestra and Wadeypoo’s feelings.
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
3:20 pm
Put Mike Bibby back in the game, and keep moving the ball!
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:21 pm
Solo, Mario, and Marvin if he can play a little. Bring-em in.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:21 pm
Acie could use the minutes, heck there fresh.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:22 pm
Melvin lol
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:22 pm
Make that 3 drawn plays fellas… I think he stay at a Holiday Inn last night….
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:22 pm
THIS WAS THE MOST MOVEMENT OF BALL AND PLAYER THAT IVE SEEN ALL YEAR…
COACH LIKE THIS EVERYGAME WOODY…!!!
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:23 pm
ZA ZA has to catch the ball…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:24 pm
ZaZa show have drop the People’s Elbow right on DWade’s back…
kirkinga
May 3rd, 2009
3:24 pm
There is way too much time remaining to go into “cruise” mode. Hawks need to step up their sense of urgency.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
SouthAfrican09 , we don’t have tall enough bigs for Clev and no answer for the best player in the NBA. Next year maybe.
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
Comeon, he should be ejected for that….
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
They should have thrown his Jersey back at him….lol
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
LOL UDONIS U DIRTY PIECE OF TRASH. HOW CAN U BE SO DIRTY AND DENY IT
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Haslem clothslined Zaza! He deserves to be tossed. Heat wilting under pressure.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:27 pm
ZaZa loves it. Stud of the hawks. Some say Al is the leader, I say ZaZa shows it on the court just as much or more. Heart and soul.
atlrayzd
May 3rd, 2009
3:27 pm
When Joe Johnson gets his head right see what happens. It’s not about him playing to many minutes or getting doubled teamed all the time or any other excuses that have been made for Joe’s poor showings. When talented players make there minds up to compete they are almost unstoppable, that’s what makes them special.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:28 pm
Where is the bench.
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:30 pm
Even Mark Jackson/ Van Gundy said they should have thrown his Jersey back at him…lol
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:30 pm
Why is Josh in there.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:31 pm
Congrats to the Hawks. This series has been great stuff.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:33 pm
They should not run down clock, just run normal plays.
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
3:33 pm
MARVIN WE NEED YOU IN THE 2ND ROUND
COME ON
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:33 pm
BS call
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
3:34 pm
Solo got that lil shot…
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:34 pm
Dang, can we end the game with a made dunk….
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:36 pm
Who died…? = The DWADE Gang…..lol
mykhalc
May 3rd, 2009
3:36 pm
BIG CONGRATS TO THE HAWKS!!!
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
3:37 pm
CELEBRATE, ATLANTA! Bring on the Cavs! Hawks gave Heat another good old fashioned butt kicking. Dead Man, we accept your surrender.
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
3:37 pm
BIBBY = TRUE LEADER (DOESNT TALK A LOT)
ZAZA SHOWS LEADERSHIP THE MOST
HORFORD MAKES SURE EVERYONE GIVES 100 % EFFORT
GO HAWKS
kirkinga
May 3rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Well Done!
Hawks pass their 1st Round exam.
Now back to the “learning process” on Tuesday.
Go Hawks!!
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
3:38 pm
Heats scoring the first quarters. 18 18 16 – that is winning basketball.
Not Disappointed
May 3rd, 2009
3:39 pm
<———– “Great Game Atlanta Hawks! I hope you win it all!”
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
May 3rd, 2009
3:39 pm
4TH SEED IN THE PLAYOFFS AND NOW MOVING ON TO 2ND ROUND TO LEBRON,NOW WHAT DO THE MIKE WOODSON HATERS HAVE TO SAY NOW?
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN
May 3rd, 2009
3:42 pm
D.WADE IN PLAYOFFS WITHOUT SHAQ NO RING,AND CANT EVEN GET OUT OF THE 1ST ROUND GO BACK TO MIAMI AND CALL CHARLES BARKLEY CAUSE YOU GOIN FISHIN BUDDY.
pinoy hawk
May 3rd, 2009
3:44 pm
Double happy for me this weekend! my boy pacquiao won over hatton and now the hawks going to the 2nd round vs the cavs!! yeah baby!!
btw its 330am here @ manila and gotta go to work @6am! No sleep yet but all worth it!! Go hawks!!
MAC-TOWN
May 3rd, 2009
3:46 pm
Good win…if we play smart we can challenge the cavs
A Thinking Fan
May 3rd, 2009
3:46 pm
Good Win ATL HAWKS in a tough PLAYOFF series!
Melvin
May 3rd, 2009
3:47 pm
Lets see what the TNT crew have to say now that we put one of their poster child out of the playoffs…
Ernest
May 3rd, 2009
3:49 pm
Great win by the Hawks! Now let’s see if we can win at least one game in Cleveland!
Da Real Real
May 3rd, 2009
3:49 pm
Nothin’ like watching the Hawks crap on the DWades…if our offense can ever continue to play like this we’d be a very scary team! Congrats to the Hawks and us Atlanta fans…after all these years we’ve earned and deserved this one!
WE MADE OUR GOALS THIS YEAR!
UGA
May 3rd, 2009
4:03 pm
Congrats to the OWNERS and SUND. We do not need to fire Woody! Yes, we beat a one-man show and yes, we should be in the 2nd round. But, what improvement and strides we have made. My only complaint is for Smith to quit shooting jumpers, that does come through coaching. But in basketball, your either on or you’re not or you have the players or you don’t. Great job HAWKS and to you Woodson!!
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
4:14 pm
BREAKING NEWS ON ESPN!
Hawks defeat Heat 91-78!
ProudTechFan
May 3rd, 2009
4:16 pm
funny how the tides turn at home, i have a feeling we will play better on the road against the cavs. Not saying we will win, but i dont think we will get blown out in Cleveland. I think the games will be closer the next series on the road than in this one. hey we handled our business at home and thats what it is about, being able to take care of a team at home when you are the better team.Good game, Josh, Bibby, and great game Joe. Please carry some of this momentum into the next series. This PROUDTECHFAN, is also a PROUDHAWKSFAN..
GO HAWKS!!!
PMC
May 3rd, 2009
4:19 pm
Awesome, Well done Hawks. All that matters about this series now is the result. 2nd round and meaningful basketball in Atlanta.
Way to step up Joe Johnson.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 3rd, 2009
4:19 pm
Great game from JJ. Let’s see him carry this play over to Cleveland. Congrats to The Hawks.
Blast,
The Hawks have played in more than 2 game 7s
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
4:21 pm
looking ahead…
personally i feel we defense Lebron James better than anyone in the league… the person that kills us in that match up has consistently been Mo Williams. the only off game he had was the night in Atlanta where he hit the 3 that tied or put them up from the corner. other than that… if we can contain Mo who knows… however, we need ALL HANDS ON DECK!!! Marvin Williams does a good job on James…
Hey Sekou
May 3rd, 2009
4:25 pm
WTF is up with that Bradley dude??? Live From Game 7 its the man who hasnt gave a zhit about the Hawks till they started winning. Tell em to step OFF. The HAWKS have a BEAT writer. Next thing u know they will be trying to double him up. 2 fer 1. Let him blog from the Nascar speedway
or the Pride Festival.
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
4:26 pm
Hawks matched or set all sorts of records this season.
Season sweeps over teams, winning in gyms they never won before, holding opponents to playoff lows in halves and quarters, achieving a winning season in decades, winning a playoff game on the road, and the biggest one of all?
Winning a Playoff SERIES in Game 7 AT HOME!!!!! Go Hawks, Go!
Joe on the podium
JM
May 3rd, 2009
4:30 pm
Great game Hawks and Hawks fans but it ain’t over – steal one and clevland and we could really shock the world. lets go Hawks!!!
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
4:36 pm
Fan From New Orleans, I believe you are right. That would be the old Hawks team with Nique, Mookie and the rest. The last time Hawks made any noise in the league. Is there a record in that itself? How many teams have played the most game 7 in the NBA? Win or lose?
Cavs beat Hawk 3-1 in the regular season, but they were all close games, and Hawks were clearly robbed in at least one game when the refs gave Lebron two free throws at the end of the game to ice it. If we don’t have superstar style phantom fouls called on the Hawks, and they play like they did today, Hawks can make that series competive. Cavs should be rusty the first game, and game 1 is Hawks best bet to steal.
Consdering how good Cavs have been at home, though, winning there will be difficult.
Da Real Real
May 3rd, 2009
4:42 pm
Yeah I agree Dave….now that we’ve sent Wade home to play video games with “Chuck” its time to focus on the Cavs. I agree with you…I think we’ll have to pay a lot of attention on Mo. I think I’m more worried about that guy then I am Lebron. Woody’s going to have to use Mario and Acie more in this next series. Here’s to hoping that we will have Marvin during this series as well. We’re going to need all of our bullets in this series.
I honestly think they’ll take us in 6 but I hope we can make it competitive, maybe even stretch out to 7 like we did the Celtics last year. If this team can play offense like it did today – with swinging the ball, running plays, we can compete with anyone, but if we play defense like we did in our wins….we can beat anyone.
DavidT
May 3rd, 2009
4:50 pm
I’ve been posting on ajc site during the series. I am a HEAT fan for life. I did my fare share of trash talking on here. I do not take anything back. BUT, I have to give respect where respect is due. CONGRATS to the Hawks. They totall whupped Miami and DESERVE to advance to the next round. I believe in taking my medicine when it is due. Atlanta was simply the better team. Hopefully we have a nice, intense rivalry going on now with the ATL and Miami in the future. AGAIN, congrats to the city of Atlanta and all Hawks fans!! Way to step up and show support for your team.
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
4:51 pm
agreed Real Deal…
doc
May 3rd, 2009
4:53 pm
finally one of josh’s team mates gets his back, quote from yahoo sports:
“Mike Bibby might have been the Hawks most valuable player in the series. He scored 11 points, including a couple of 3s, and doled out six assists. He even stood up to Woodson when the coach complained about Josh Smithputting up an errant 3-pointer from the corner.
When Woodson called his point guard over, Bibby shot back with an expletive. “Y’all tell him to move,” Bibby growled. Woodson simply turned away, rubbing his goattee and smiling slightly.
Smith played well despite the occasional gaffe, finishing with 21 points and, as usual, a couple of thunderous dunks that brought the less-than-sellout crowd to its feet.”
also the comment on less than sellout crowd did not say how loud it was. the placed roared.
heat showed true colors as bad losers after making such an issue with josh. i wonder if haslem will send flowers since he cant apologize up close and personal since there is no other game coming. like haslem a lot but cheap shot to do more than just collar the guy as described above as he threw him down like it was live atlanta wrestling instead of bball. our guys play hard without the thuggery.
my son who doesnt follow sports closely but is becoming an avid hawk fan commented on the one sided media after watching game 1 blow out only to hear only talk of wade. he said it even pizzed him off the lengths they took it. refs tried their hand at it in the fourth quarter as the tick tack one sided calls continued including the tech on zaza who just flung his hands out at no one.
good season became grand with the win. heat get squishy and we get labron. we want bron bron. saturday at 8, monday at 7. no excuses atlanta to not be ready to rumble.
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
4:55 pm
There goes Baldie Barry punking Hawks out again, predicting a Cavs sweep vs Hawks. Magic called it more like it was.
KevinA
May 3rd, 2009
5:05 pm
Rebounded better, fewer turn overs, great team defense and good shooting percentage with Josh and JJ. The cream rose to the top. By the way we shot 88% in free throw shooting – wow. The rest of the team struggled on shooting % but it just didn’t matter.We still have room to improve. Time for the Cavs.
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
5:05 pm
what he say?
Macaroni Tony
May 3rd, 2009
5:22 pm
he said that the hawks have better enjoy our four games, because that all that we’re going to play. the cavaliers in four. Magic said that we want get swepted…
Blast
May 3rd, 2009
5:23 pm
Magic said Cavs in six, since the Hawks play so well at home.
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
5:24 pm
hmm… what Wilbon say? he raised the issue at the half…
Barry
May 3rd, 2009
5:26 pm
Hey Y’all:
“SHOCK THE WORLD!!” “SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!”
Our Hawks are at it again. “SHOCKING THE WORLD!!!” to the naysayers around this camp. These young “ballers” are calling the shots and they are getting better every game. This first round win has put hair on their chest and they are going to be hard to intimidate throughout these playoff. Our “NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK” are the new stars in the NBA. The country is now seeing them. What makes it so good is that Marvin was not in the mix and we still won. This is a witness to how strong the bench has gootten this year. With the additions of Flip Murray and Moe Williams, we do not miss a beat when we spell Joe and Bibby during games. The offensive and defensive intensity remains in tack throughout the games. That is more than a good sign for these playoffs. Now it is off to Cleveland were we stood “toe to toe” with the Cavaliers during games this year. The nation has not seen that and they are going to be very surprize when they see how these nitty, gritty young bunch of ballers handle themselves against the Cav’s. Yes. They are going to “SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!” I’ll say it again. YES, THEY ARE GOING TO “SHOCK THE WORLD!!!”.
So sit tight and enjoy this fight. Because if you blink too quick, you may miss how the Hawks put out the Cavs light in a lick.
So Now, ARE YOU READY TO RRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMBBBBBBBLLLLLLLEEEE!!!!!??
LET’s GO HAWKS!!!! LET’s GO HAWKS!!!!! LET’s GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……………………..”ATLANTA HAWKS, BOOM-BYE-YEAH!!!”…………
…………………………”SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!!……………….
doc
May 3rd, 2009
5:45 pm
oh yeah, nice to see jj threw away the collar, hope it is for good.
Rick Sund
May 3rd, 2009
5:57 pm
Woody will stay because our team goal is accomplished!
BosnianBaller
May 3rd, 2009
5:58 pm
Let’s hope LeBron gets injured.So we can get the sweep instead of winning in 6 w/Lebron in the line up.
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
6:32 pm
Kirk,
Well Done!
Hawks pass their 1st Round exam.
Now back to the “learning process” on Tuesday.
Go Hawks!!
I think you said that best. Very happy with this win, as this is another leap forward. As you say, the next round is a learning process. Very balanced way of looking at it. Of course, we wouldn’t be a collective group of Hawks fans if we didn’t do our gratuitous whining about the usual things that go wrong, when they inevitably do, against a team that may be good enough to win it all…
doc
May 3rd, 2009
6:43 pm
how many folks here think like we did last year against the celtics ….. the hawks dont have a chance in this round coming at us?
Macaroni Tony
May 3rd, 2009
6:55 pm
doc
I do think that we have a big chance. Anything could happen, but I know one thing for sure the cavaliers would beat me and not LJ
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
7:05 pm
Doc,
Great post. Good to see Bibby doing his thing as a veteran. He has also been the one throughout the series to keep a hold on Josh at times, when he needed it.
Mykhalc,
Hey, it was good to see Woody succeed. I have to admit, it was nice seeing them run good, effective plays coming out of a timeout. Everybody’s learning, even Woody. Just have to retain that, and come up with more.
EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN,
I didn’t hear anybody calling for Woody’s head this time around. Instead, we all got behind the whole team. Nobody’s talking about “haters” because we had enough of those coming at us from South Beach. This team made it to the second round. I’m very pleased. Got no time for local haters…
The Truth
May 3rd, 2009
7:08 pm
Such a satisfying win on so many levels:
1) We sent the great D Wade and Company packing for an early fishing exploration.
2) We put a pacifier in the mouths on those rude Miami fans and finally got theirs asses off our blog.
3) Kenny and Barkley will now look like a joke when trying to evaluate this game and JJ performance.
Great Win Hawks!!!
Dan
May 3rd, 2009
7:23 pm
I can only hope today is the last I have to sit and listen to how Joe Johnson is not a superstar. No one that has watched the team play for the last four years agreed with that.
F the Heat, by the way. Nice a$$hole way of just walking off the floor at the end of the game, instead of shaking hands. Notice D(bag)-Wade was not staring anyone down today like he did in Game 6. Have a nice offseason F-face.
Boys, what a day! To my fellow season ticket holders and Hawk fans, enjoy! We’ve earned this!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
7:24 pm
Great game all around by the entire team. For those of y’all complaining about the crowd being short of sellout level, you can be sure that the place was as loud as it’s ever been. Who would have thought four years ago that Zaza Pachulia would be arguably the most popular Hawk in 2009. Philips just goes crazy every time his name is mentioned.
And y’all can be sure the first home game against Cleveland will be packed. I had to wait in line for 20 minutes after the game at the Philips box office to get tickets to that game.
LongLive21
May 3rd, 2009
7:28 pm
I wish we could play ORL or BOS instead of CLE. They are just too good, but hopefully we can get at least one. LeBron just plays too good in the Playoffs for us to have a chance, it’s amazing to think he has a next level. Our players just don’t have that, Smith lacks the focus necessary and Bibby is starting to age. Hopefully Horford will be ready to go. Unless we can shoot 60% from the field every game it is going to be difficult. We have not committed to the defense needed to stop the Cavs and Woodson needs to address this. You can’t block every shot and when we try we fall for pump fakes and get beat off the dribble. But, let’s give it are all.
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
7:40 pm
You could say “great to see JJ show up”, but that would be snide and unappreciative.
While he hasn’t played well in most of this series, he certainly was on the ball (no pun intended) in game 7. And the best part isn’t that he “showed up.” It’s that he “showed Wade up,” by shooting more efficiently, more effectively, and by playing a better game overall.
Good job, Joe.
I also think Sekou said it best: “When the Hawks play like this (together), they are hard to beat.”
And that REALLY is what it comes down to on the court, for any team, but certainly for this one. A masterful (or simply solid) coaching job only goes so far. Playing with energy only goes so far. The coach can’t play the game or execute anything for the players on the floor. And the players can’t just play with a mindless, reckless, chaotic energy.
We know that different guys bring different energy levels. We know that different guys have different skills, abilities, and specialties. But playing together. Well, that’s a blend of everybody’s talents and contributions.
And that’s how we won. That’s how we ever win. These have to be paying attention, understanding how to play together, so they can win together.
Nobody wins by themselves. Ask Dwyane Wade. Heh, heh, heh…I know…so wrong…but I’m a Hawks fan.
And Wade is not in my Fave Five.
doc
May 3rd, 2009
7:40 pm
long live 21, you dont know where you stand until you play the best. it is our best opportunity to get ready for now and the future. i also selfishly prefer labron than paul pierce and the whining celts. we also have matched up well against the cavs this year than either the celts or the magic. if marvin can play 25 minutes it will help our chances significantly. bring those guys on.
you know, i dont see d wade as cute anymore rather a spoiled and petulant child. just didnt see the class one would expect of a guy with an olympic gold and the gold cup from the nba.
Josh Smildress
May 3rd, 2009
7:42 pm
Sekou – come on buddy where are your thoughts on the game and the next series against the “mighty” cavs?
Not So Hot Heat
May 3rd, 2009
7:50 pm
Whatsa matter? Josh Smiths failed dunk only enough motivation for one game? Suckas! Where yall is, South Beach punks? Go on a cruise or play some video games cuz its a long summer and you wont have a high draft pick either.
In Da House
May 3rd, 2009
8:19 pm
When Woodson called his point guard over, Bibby shot back with an expletive. “Y’all tell him to move,” Bibby growled. Woodson simply turned away, rubbing his goattee and smiling slightly.
what veterans can do that young players cannot altho at least one teammate taking the side of another
niremetal
May 3rd, 2009
8:21 pm
I loved this. Check out the Q&A at 2:06:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1dgp-lOoJE
D-Wade made a mental mistake, and he STILL blames it on the refs. One of many great plays by Zaza in the series. He knocked the ball out of bounds, burned 2 seconds of clock. D-Wade didn’t look at the clock when the ball was inbounded again. And he wants to blame it on the clock and the refs? Or is he saying “My bad” there and I’m just not realizing it?
Onto Cleveland.
beau gust
May 3rd, 2009
8:25 pm
The crowd may not have been a sellout, but they were so loud that the ESPN analysts were hard to hear. At first I was annoyed at not being able to hear them, then I was annoyed at being able to hear them at all. It was like being at the game, and having some jerk yakking into his cell-phone. Still, when I could hear them, they seemed pretty fair, unlike the sorry crew from TNT!
Cavs haven’t played for a long time (seems like weeks). Hawks best chance to steal home court advantage is that first game. All they have to do is play like they did today!
The Truth
May 3rd, 2009
9:11 pm
I think in this next series, the Hawks has the table set in their favor:
1) There is absolutely no pressure on them to win; they have already met their goals for the year.
2) Cleveland is expected to sweep the Hawks so we will be the underdog favorite
3) The Hawks play their best basketball when the odds are against them (remember the Celtic series last year). They will be loose will nothing to lose in Cleveland
4) Cleveland has been idle for a while and may be rusty
So us fans can just sit back and enjoy the games. A word to the bloggers in advance; no drama please!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
9:21 pm
I somewhat agree with The Truth. Hawks-Cavs is going to be a lot like Hawks-Celtics as far as the way it’s covered and the general expectations from the media. All eyes are going to be on LeBron and the Cavs’ size advantage across the board. The Hawks may be a legitimate playoff team now with a winning record, but they are going to be written off in this series from day one. If they can pull the upset it would obviously be incredible, but I think losing in six is a realistic expectation.
The main sign of growth we should be looking for in this series is whether they can be competitive on Cleveland’s home floor. They stunk it up in all four road games last year, as well as in two of the three road games this year. They made the jump from last year to this year by becoming nearly unbeatable at home and becoming a great defensive team. The next step is to become a competitive road team, and what better place to start than at Cleveland which only lost two home games all season.
bigdave
May 3rd, 2009
9:29 pm
exactly Truth& Najeh…
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
9:31 pm
1) We need Marvin for this coming series. He guards LeBron well (LeBron “only” averaged 26 ppg against us this year). Mo is not big enough to consistently start at SF and got burnt by Beasley in game 6.
2) Last year’s Boston team > this year’s Cleveland team. This Cleveland team is not the best team in the league. LeBron gets away with a lot and only makes layups. If Bibby can keep Smoove composed (NO JUMPSHOTS) and Joe shows up every game, we’ll be in for a long series.
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
Hah! How dare D-Wade throw the refs under the bus? They’ve been in his Fave Five all series long…
Da Real Real
May 3rd, 2009
9:40 pm
It’s starting to become really easy for some folks in the media to call out Atlanta crowds…”short of sellout”? I was at game 5 (couldn’t make this game, but I plan on making it to a game in the next series) and that place was loud. It looked crazy in there today and it sounded extremely loud on TV. The people talking about “short of sellout” is taking a real cheap shot at Atlanta fans on a day where the only thing they could do was that since we put THERE guy out.
Astro Joe
May 3rd, 2009
9:41 pm
Najeh, I whole heartedly agree with you. If the Hawks take yet another step during these playoffs, it will come in the form of playing competitive ball in an arena where the home team only lost one game with LeBron starting. If LeBron is still on the floor at the end of games played in Cleveland, then we know that we have played competitively. Needless to say, it sure would be nice to have Marvin in this coming series.
Oh yeah and I’m DAMN proud of my boys. I don’t cae what else happens with my team and my coach this season, I’m DAMN proud of them. And if ya’ll don’t like it when I try a between the legs, windmill slam of excitement for my team (including my coach), well, KMA!
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
9:44 pm
Truth,
I agree. But there is one very unrealistic thing that you’re asking for. “No Drama?” Come on man. You should know better than that.
SouthAfrican09,
I heartily agree with #1. We need Marvin in the worst way. He does tend to play well on defense against Lebron (i.e, Lebron works for what he gets, and won’t score 50 on him).
As for #2….Well, if you thought Wade got some calls, just you wait. And while Bibby has been instrumental in helping Josh keep his head in the game, it’s going to come down to Josh in the end. I’d like to see him average something along the lines of what he gave us in today’s game. 7-12 shooting with 20 and 9 or 10? Suit me just fine.
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
LOL @ Astro Joe. Good one.
How about JJ draining those long 3s in Wade’s face?
I can see repeats of those with the wonderful piano interlude in the background….played only in Miami….”How disappointment happens”…
heh heh heh…
Big Ray
May 3rd, 2009
9:48 pm
AJ,
Seek, they don’t do things like that in Miami. In Miami, they tear their shirts off and throw them. That’s what they do in Miami. ROFL…
Who Died...and went back to South Beach
May 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Whining all the way. Barkley gonna call DWade and tell him he made him look stupid on TNT halftime. I had yo back Wade! You let me down!
SouthAfrican09
May 3rd, 2009
9:50 pm
Definitely, Big Ray.
How the heck can DUCK’s wrist injury be so bad? Every time this guy falls, it’s something new.
At this point, I just want to resign Flip and ZaZa first, and then Bibby.
What contracts you think these guys will get?
Flip 9 mil/3yr
ZaZa will get a TON of interest (top backup center in NBA)
Bibby 21 mil/3 year?
Bibby made Wayyyyyyyy too much money these past few years, so maybe he takes less (I doubt it).
Idk what to do with Marvin. If dude demands over 8 mill/yr from us, he’s out of his mind.
These home playoff games should help our owners on the financial side, but we have like 209 free agents this summer + Joe’s extension…ugh
The Truth
May 3rd, 2009
10:11 pm
Big Ray
OK: I’ll make the exception to you. At least your brand of drama has rational.
The Truth
May 3rd, 2009
10:28 pm
Who Died…and went back to South Beach
My sentiment exactly; I can’t what to listen to Kenny and Barkley tap dance during the upcoming Hawks discussions. These guys are a Joke. I didn’t know how bad they were until I compared them to the ABC crew with Magic Johnson and company during the analysis of the pre-game and halftime show today. The ABC crew is in another league compared to these clowns on TNT.
kwooden1
May 3rd, 2009
10:32 pm
I’m late to the Blog, but not to the game!!! JJ shooting over Wade put a smile on my face!!!! GREAT WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bullhorn
May 3rd, 2009
10:33 pm
Read this and tell Terence Moore where to go:
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/05/03/hawks-better-than-heat-but-so-what/#cont
Poor Terence, he just can’t get over being canned by the AJC.
kwooden1
May 3rd, 2009
10:34 pm
Truth your spot on about TNT, they actually seem a bit unprepared. We all know they’ve played basketball before and Barkley is a household name, BUT have some sore of basketabll analysis PLEASE!!!
kwooden1
May 3rd, 2009
10:41 pm
I like the HAWKS chances against Lebron and Co. They do match-up pretty well, if Marvin plays like his old self before the back injury. The HAWKS have improved their half court offensive, Horford and Smith can beat Big-Z and Shaggy on the break. I think Flip and Zaza have to be big coming off the bench, but we really need Marvin to play and play WELL!! My main problem with the Cavs has always been the size advantage and JSmith not getting rebounds. We need all 5 guys crashing the boards in this series.
GO HAWKS!!!
Astro Joe
May 3rd, 2009
10:48 pm
I’ve read several posts suggesting that Bibby has earned a new contract from the Hawks (for less money obviously). And Flip even had Sekou dedicate a blog to his contract status next season. But has anyone mentioned another UFA who has seemingly earned a contract offer from Sund? What is Sund going to do about Zaza? Dude may be a true “big game” player. I recall that he did his lunch-pale thing last year against the Heat and easily could have been our MVP of the Heat series. He’s not a shot-blocker and will surely struggle with the other Z in the Cleveland series, but dude brings a toughness that is needed on this finesse-first squad. What do ya’ll think should happen with Zaza when free agency begins in July?
doc
May 3rd, 2009
10:49 pm
aj that is just not a pretty image but go for it bud you deserve it. grand year!
dont forget kenny smith predicted the heat if wade was healthy …. dumb frigging azz.
i quit reading t moore about two years ago so i wont start again now. glad the guy got a job though.
kwooden1
May 3rd, 2009
10:58 pm
Astro, I hate to say this but the last time I looked at the numbers I thought that Zaza was gone. The HAWKS may not have enough money to pay Flip, Zaza, Marvin and Bibby. Another team is going to offer Zaza decent money. What might save us is the end of the collective bargaining agreement. Teams may not be willing to give out big contracts to FAs because of how things might change.
doc
May 3rd, 2009
11:00 pm
i misremembered why i quit reading t moore, now i know:
“They did so in their home building, where the only thing more wretched than the play at times of both teams was the sight of all those empty blue seats.
Did anybody deep in the heart of Dixie get the message that the Hawks were hosting their first Game 7 within these city limits? Guess not. As a result, there was much less (much, much less) than the announced crowd of 18,864 watching the Hawks advance this far in the postseason for the first time in more than a decade. Those present were loud and appreciative. But those who gathered to see the victorious Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden were loud, appreciative and plentiful.
Nobody ever will confuse Celtic Pride with whatever you describe the frequently lethargic environments around the Hawks and the Heat in recent years. Still, if you’re associated with either of these young teams, and if you have a desire to improve, your renaissance has to begin somewhere.”
what a piece of crap!
sekou do you claim this guy as a colleague?
there were few seats available down low and they filled up in the uppers. folks there made more noise than in the celtics series if that was thought possible. gonna be crazy for labron. didnt i hear the sixes had trouble filling and many seats empty in miami. 5 straight sell outs and then a nose factory and he tries to make it about the crowd. knew he was a hater; NOW WE KNOW!
Da Real Real
May 3rd, 2009
11:04 pm
I agree with what’s being said about TNT. I think they’ll just ignore the whole subject of what the Hawks did to the Heat and just focus on how badly the Cavs will supposedly beat us down. I give Chuck a lot of credit because he usually mans up and admits when he’s wrong…I just don’t think Kenny or Chris Webber have enough guts to mention that they were wrong about that series and like I said they’ll ignore it and try to make fun of the Hawks in this match up.
Bullhorn…I don’t know how you made it pass the first paragraph of that Moore article…I can barely make it pass the title of his article nonetheless try to read the whole thing
kwooden1
May 3rd, 2009
11:09 pm
Bullhorn the article was irratating at best.
The Bullhorn
May 3rd, 2009
11:15 pm
doc – I didn’t realize that Moore had composed that pile of feces until I finished the article. When I finished, I looked to see what idiot had composed it, then I saw, now I know, it was none other than Terence Moore.
At the beginning of the game, there were empty seats. However, as the game progressed, Philips filled up. I guess Moore left early, as in, he was out to lunch.
ClutchCity
May 3rd, 2009
11:21 pm
Congrats to the Hawks for ending their first round drought. My Rockets got that same monkey off their backs Thursday night, so I know how gratifying today’s win must feel.
Good luck against the Cavaliers. They’re gonna be a tough out. Your team played some competitive games against them during the regular season so it could shape out to be a great series.
BTW, that Joe Johnson is a stud. Dude knows how to ball.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
11:38 pm
I think the Hawks can do a lot in free agency as far as keeping their own players if they trade Marvin in the offseason. I’m not dissing Marvin by any means — I think in an offense that features him he can score 20 points per game easily — but I don’t think his scoring and defense are nearly as essential to the Hawks’ success as Bibby’s leadership and clutch shooting, Flip’s instant offense off the bench, and Zaza’s toughness inside. I think the Hawks would be just as good with a Trevor Ariza type starting at small forward at 1/3 the cost. Getting Marvin’s salary, which could exceed $8 or $9 million, off the books would go a long way towards freeing up cap space to keep the other three free agents while leaving some room open for re-signing Joe Johnson and Al Horford in the coming years. And depending on who the Hawks receive in return for Marvin (and/or the rights to Childress) in a trade (maybe another instant offense guy or physical big man), such a move could make Flip or Zaza expendable.
Put it this way — if you trade Marvin for someone similar to Joel Anthony and a couple of filler contracts, and use your first round pick on someone like Tyreke Evans or Patrick Mills, you have instantly acquired two players who more or less fill the roles of Flip and Zaza while still retaining the possibility of Childress either returning or being dealt for a small forward to take Marvin’s place. This is just off the top of my head — obviously that’s nowhere near a perfect scenario and the Hawks would lose a lot replacing Flip with a rookie, but it’s just one possible example of what the Hawks could do to fill the Flip and Zaza roles on the team while having enough money to keep Bibby.
The bottom line is Marvin is their most attractive trade chip and the single easiest way to shed salary without hurting the overall chemistry of the team.
One thing is for sure though: if the DASG wants to keep this team together, they are going to have to be willing to pay around $70 million a year. The Hawks’ current team salary of $68 million puts them in the bottom third of the NBA.
I was never the Terence Moore hater most other AJC readers apparently are, but that article was all over the place. Forget the unnecessary hating on the Hawks — after reading it I still don’t get the point he’s trying to make.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 3rd, 2009
11:48 pm
Of course, if some idiot GM decides to take Speedy Claxton’s deal off the books, everything I said above doesn’t matter. I wrote all that assuming the Hawks are stuck with Speedy until next February, when he suddenly becomes an attractive expiring contract at the trade deadline.
Ryder
May 3rd, 2009
11:59 pm
This was a victory not only for the Atlanta Hawks franchise, but for all of us in this blog who supported this team when they traded Rasheed Wallace, Antoine Walker, Jason Terry, and continued to support them when they began the Billy Knight process…..
….for all of those fans who (myself especially) that Woody must go (thanks Clyde for all of those t-shirts).
….for Sekou becoming one of America’s best writers and dealing with all of the Atlanta Spirit mess.
……for everyone who has dealt with empty seats at Phillips Arena and watched this team grow into a playoff contender.
The next level is here, and the Hawks are growing up!
CONGRATULATIONS ATLANTA! KEEP IT GOING!
louhudson
May 4th, 2009
12:47 am
First, great win! Next, Lebron is Lobron, but he does not beat us. It’s big Z ;and more importantly, Mo Williams is too quick for Bibby. Woody must play both Acie and Mario more they both are very good on ball defenders. Also, use Solo’s 6 fouls! This series will require Woody to go 9 to 10 deep in order to win.
Now free agency, sign and trade Marvin with Moe Evans for Portland’s Pyrzilla(center), Flip 3yr/9 million, Bibby 3yr/21 mil(his last NBA contract – nobody going to pay a 32 yr old point guard more), bring back Chill (6 yr/36 mil is already on the table. Zaza’s gets 4yr/25 mil. Finally, the Hawks with their 1th round pick; draft the biggest big man available. After next season, the Hawk are in great shape to package players in order to resign JJ and pay Horford.
Make these moves and the Hawks are an extremely strong defensive team with scoring Punch.
Good points Big Dave!
darrell starks
May 4th, 2009
1:21 am
lou you absolutely right Woody was lucky this series because the HEAT had no one but DWADE and they played the same style as the hawks with a 7man rotation there is no way your going to even have a chance against the CAVS with a 7man rotation because of the intensity level of the playoffs one playoffs game is like 5 regular season games in order for the hawks to have a chance WOODY have to have a least a 9 man rotation.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 4th, 2009
1:25 am
GOOD WIN HAWKS THE GAME WAS PACK AND I INJOY BEING AT THE HIGHLIGHTS FACTOR WOODY DESERVE TO BE HERE NEXT SEASON GREAT JOB WOODY.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ed
May 4th, 2009
1:44 am
We need to bring back J-Chill period.
Clyde
May 4th, 2009
3:04 am
Good Win For The Hawks. Let’s see if Woody will open up the playbook against the Cavs.
I thank the Lord for TNT and ESPN broadcasting the games. I need a break from Nique.
Samuel
May 4th, 2009
6:51 am
Woody=COY
doc
May 4th, 2009
7:05 am
cavs in five with no disrespect. if it was a 2-3-2 arrangement than it would be 6. just dont think we can win there and will only get one of two at home.
SouthAfrican09
May 4th, 2009
8:07 am
How the heck can DUCK’s wrist injury be so bad? Every time this guy falls, it’s something new.
At this point, I just want to resign Flip and ZaZa first, and then Bibby.
What contracts you think these guys will get?
Flip 9 mil/3yr
ZaZa will get a TON of interest (top backup center in NBA)
Bibby 21 mil/3 year?
Bibby made Wayyyyyyyy too much money these past few years, so maybe he takes less (I doubt it).
Idk what to do with Marvin. If dude demands over 8 mill/yr from us, he’s out of his mind.
These home playoff games should help our owners on the financial side, but we have like 209 free agents this summer + Joe’s extension…ugh
Dan
May 4th, 2009
8:31 am
Bibby made Wayyyyy too much money? What the f*ck team have you been watching? I think he is worth every penny. Not sure if he will be resigned or if he should be resigned, but don’t try and spin that he has not earned his keep. That’s just stupid. C’mon, SouthAfrican09, youi know more about this game than that…
cee
May 4th, 2009
8:31 am
i got my tickets fo saturday section 214 baby cant wai to see the game
D.Carter
May 4th, 2009
8:39 am
I must admit i am and have been the biggest woody basher all season long!!! The biggest difference in the game was MIKE WOODSON and heres why….
ON OFFENSE; Finally!!!! We abandoned the 100 dribble offense and went with a more traditional high ball screen offense, which CREATED penetration from BIB and forces help to the middle of the floor which creates space for the wings to either shoot open jumpshots or open driving lanes….
Now the real genius of Woody must have figured out that when you make JOSH SMITH the ball screener when he rolls he is a great option because it keeps him away from the dreaded 3pt line… and also makes him an offensive option because of his ability to finish around the basket and catch the alley-oop…. With Joe and MO and hopefully Marvin this series will create floor space and less turnovers…. Marvin must play this series because it creates the Delonte West vs Joe Johnson matchup that really favors us……We must set ball screens on secondary fast breaks before the cavs are able to set up defensively…. While Illguskus and side show bob are big they are poor in transition defense…. Al , Josh , and Za ZA should beat them down the floor consistantly… This will require a great rebounding effort from Joe, Marvin, and Mike Bibby…
ON DEFENSE: Continue to force the other players to beat you…. Make Lebron shoot jumpers we an live with that….. Everyone get a foot in the paint on all dribble drives and make your fouls count…. Be aggressive and physical with cleveland aside from lebron they arent a physical team… We must rebound, rebound , rebound, dont give up extra possesions…..
terrell barron
May 4th, 2009
8:45 am
My Hawks offseason plan is to #1.Re-sign Bibby(lowest amount possible. He’ll probably take it. He seems happy here). 2.Resign Flip Murray(mid-level. He’s an excellent 6th man). 3.Trade Acie Law and possibly Marvin, for a big body pf/center who can backup Horford in the middle.(Varejo, Brandon Bass, Chris Anderson, Melvin Ely, Leon Powe, Aaron Gray, etc..(I just dont see a center worth taking in the 1st rd). I like Marvin, but he’s a little injury prone(back, wrists, etc.., and can be replaced with a guy making less money. And I hate to say it, but Acie isn’t the long term solution at pg, especially with Woody at the helm. (Sorry Acie. I wish you well, wherever you end up). 4.Draft the best available pg in rd 1.(Mills, Lawson, Flynn) and either a backup pf to Smoove(Pendegraph, Taj Gibson), or another scorer/slasher to take some pressure off of JJ in rd. 2(Tyler Smith, Danny Green),etc… With all that said, unless Lebron decides to leave Cleveland for the lowly Knicks or Nets, it’s going to be extremely difficult to win the East for years to come, no matter what we do this summer. And oh yeah, let Woody retain his Head Coaching job until his contract ends, UNLESS, we get out to a horrible start. He’s earned it. I guess. lol!! Just my 2 cents.
nunna yo bizznezz
May 4th, 2009
8:45 am
big z will be a force,and you have to put A big body on him like randolph morris..but woody won’t..
i agree with super lou hudson that mo williams is too fast for bibby,and putting in mario and a.c.law would help,but woody won’t..
we will win 1 out of the 1st 2 games,because of the cavs time off and rustiness,and their timing will be off as well,despite our coach…
and,if its 5 or 7 games,the cavs will win..
but if its 6,the hawks will win..
i see it 2-2 after the 1st 4,with us winning game 5,but,if we lose game 6 and have to go back to cleveland,then its over…
and for the rick sund poster on here who is supporting woody,ha ha,only in your dreams buddy…
sund knows talent,and he didn’t make a trade before the deadline because he was letting woody know that he has his team already..but,sund is no happy with woody sitting out morris,hunter,gardner at all..
he brought these guys in,knowing they would get playing time,and would be ready to step into the mix come playoffs time..And we have horford,and williams hurt,they are dressed,and the ones he brought in to fill in just for cases like this,are dressed in suit and ties,and are on the bench..
rick sund is not happy..And lets not forget his press conference at the beginning of the season when he said that last years excuse of woodson not having the talent to bring in off the bench would not be an excuse this year!!! and,he is talking about more than just mo and flip people..
nunna yo bizznezz
May 4th, 2009
8:55 am
why am i so high on rick sund??
lets take a look at his track record of knowing talent,and seeing what happens to the players he bring in when they get playing time..
Sund began his managerial career in 1974 with the Milwaukee Bucks after graduating from Ohio University with a degree in sports administration. Source
The expansion Dallas Mavericks hired him in 1979 at 28 years of age, making him the youngest general manager in the NBA’s history. He helped assemble the first ever Mavericks roster, and for the remainder of his multiple-year tenure around the organization, brought in Brad Davis, Rolando Blackman, Mark Aguirre and others. His 1986-87 Mavericks won a then-franchise record 55 games and took home the Midwest division crown. SourceMavericks history They reached the Western Conference Finals the next year, but fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.
He aided the then-rookie general manager of the former Seattle SuperSonics, Wally Walker in 1994. Source
He moved on to the Detroit Pistons in 1995-96, a rollercoaster five seasons at the helm of a talented team holding a young Grant Hill. They made the playoffs four of six seasons Sund ran the front office, and while they did so, Sund traded Hill, Allan Houston (to New York), and acquired Ben Wallace, setting up a pillar for Joe Dumars to build the team on in 2001.
Sund then left for the old Sonics, running the team for six seasons until the total revamping of the club by new owner and presumed “bad guy” Clay Bennett. Before any of the fracas that Seattle was involved in occurred, Sund traded for Ray Allen (using franchise figure Gary Payton), drafted talented young players like Nick Collison, and built his Sonics around Allen and fellow sharpshooter Rashard Lewis. Unfortunately, the SuperSonics made the playoffs but twice, although they captured the inaugural Northwest Division crown in the 2004-05 NBA season.
ILL-logical
May 4th, 2009
9:01 am
First, congratulations to the players,management and staff as well as the fans for an important milestone in franchise history.You got it the old fashioned way; you earned it!
Now, some observations:
After following this blog and local press accounts from a distance this last week a couple of things are clear.Several of the “fans” on this blog are fact challenged and let their emotions overule reality.Everyone is entitled to their opinion(s) but it is hard for me to continue to see point after point being made with little or no factual support. And with all of the data available on the net from the NBA, there is no excuse for willfull ignorance.
In my opinion, the Hawks as a team and an organization have come a long way in a relatively short time however many of their shortcomings are ones that could have and should have been corrected some time ago. That is why there is a general lack of respect in the national media about the team.Can they prove the doubters wrong? I doubt it because the same rope that pulled them up is going to hang them: poor coaching; players playing out their natural postion and getting into mismatches that do not favor their abilities and last but not least, a dysfunctional, financially challenged organization that cannot seem to get itself together.
A MODEST PROPOSAL:
In order to form a more perfect team that can and will contend for a championship this decade: Trade Joe ; Calvin Claxton and Josh Childress’rights to New Orleans for Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler.Let Bibby go and re-sign Flip,ZaZa and Solo. DO NOT extend Woodson until he demonstrates the ability to adapt to a system that favors up an tempo offense and ball movement while retaining defensive intensity.
This dream team-my dream- would start Chandler ,Al ,Josh ,CP III and , surprise -Marvin at the 2.
But the real key is that this line up permits rotating ZaZA for chandler; Marvin for Josh; Solo for Horford ,Flip for Marvin and Acie for CP III. And there are several other combinations that would have a great blend of young and experienced talent that can play several styles successfully and compete with anyone-for at least 4 years! The numbers work: Joe + Josh Chilldress+ Calvin Claxton= $24 million. CP III ( who has been a Hawks fan since his childhood in North Carolina) + Chandler( a legit 7 footer wjho can run the floor and block shots when healthy) = approximately $23 million.And let’s face facts: Bibby ain’t coming back here because he can get more money from a contender and have a better chance for a ring AND Joe ain’t re-signing for similar reasons( noone outside of 285 believes that he is anything more than a very good player who would be a great 3rd option on a championship team). So why not go for the gusto and build for a future that builds on a momentum that all of the guys ,staff and management deserve credit for. But now is the team to use some fact based decisions and not get lost in emotions.
twocents
May 4th, 2009
9:02 am
Through the regular season games vs the Cavs out the window. The biggest advantage that the Cavs have in the series is LeBron’s playoff experience. While the inexperienced playoff teams are panicing, he is in control of the game. He steps his game up big-time in the playoffs, which is why they have gone deep into the playoffs for 4 years now. If you really want to see the difference between LeBron and Wade, watch how LeBron is able to control and dominate the games in this series, albeit with a better supporting cast.
yessir
May 4th, 2009
9:03 am
Smartyguy = dumbguy
SouthAfrican09
May 4th, 2009
9:07 am
Dan, Bibby has made 15 mill/yr the last few years. Surely his performance in 1/3 of the games this season does not merit that. While Bibby brings great leadership and 3 pt shooting, sorry if I’m not jumping out of my seat about a guy making 15 million to average 13 & 5 or whatever he makes. bibby should be making about 11 mill/yr, not more than Joe or Iguodala or even Smoove
Mike is back
May 4th, 2009
9:32 am
GREAT WIN HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’M PROUD OF THE FANS THAT SHOWED UP FOR THE GAME…PHILLIPS WAS ROCKING…THEY CAN TALK ABOUT ALL THE EMPTY THEY WANT…THAT PLACE WAS ELECTRIC…YOU COULD SEE THE PLAYERS APPRECIATION…EVERY TIME THEY MADE A BIG PLAY!!!!!
Doc, no disrespect…but we can win all our games at home. If I was Woody…I would ride ZAZA BOW BOA…THE REST OF WAY!!!!!!
Woody’s needs to keep rotating Zaza and Solo in at the pivot…The Cavs are so BIG AND LONG…Woody should consider bringing Morris in the Mix for this series…we will need his five fouls in the posts.
Samuel, congrads for sticking wit ya boy…HE QUIETED ALL HIS DETRACTORS BY GETTING THIS TEAM TO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PLAYOFF. I seen him rise to the moment over the course of the series. CONGRATULATION TO THE COACHES, PLAYERS, AND THE FANS FOR MAKING THIS CITY SHINE BEFORE A NATIONAL SPORTS AUDIENCE…we knock one of their boys out…they CAN’T ignore us now!!!!!!!
GO HAWKS…LETS SHOCK THE WORLD AND STEAL GAME ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excuse me for my exuberance…I’m still buzzing from the game!!! Heh heh
dre76
May 4th, 2009
9:34 am
PLEEEESSSEE stop jsmoove from shotin 3s but overall the game was great …go hawks
Astro Joe
May 4th, 2009
9:40 am
doc, I just heard our coach interviewed on 680 (also heard the 790 interview but the 680 one had a highlight for you). Chris asked Woody about the incident in the game when Smith took a 3-ball and Woody said something. Bibby fired a comment back to Woody and Woody turned and laughed. Woody immediately began to laugh again on the radio. He said that “for the first time, Bibby went off on me. So I had to chuckle and turn and go back into my little corner”. Again, he seemed genuinely amused as he recounted the story.
I think I saw you mention the specifics, but what I found interesting was the way Woody reacted to it then and 18 hours later. I also was reminded of the “drill instructors” I have worked with in my career. A lot of them would keep pushing and pushing until they either achieved the team result or the team pushed back. But most of those drill instructors rejoiced when “the team fought back” because the whole point in being a jerk was usually to create a unified & high-performing team. And it takes unity to tell the boss to go f himself. I just thought it was cool that Woody essentially seemed to be saying “yeah, I can be a jerk sometimes and Bibby finally called me on it” and that his reaction was genuinely positive. I think that is a really, really good sign of the team dynamic that exists (that we may not fully understand nor appreciate).
Oh yeah and during the 790 interview, he blasted Jon Barry. They played a clip of Barry essentially dissing the Hawks and saying that the Cavs would sweep them. Woody insinuated that he does not care what Barry has to say, that he has no idea what Barry did in his NBA career and that his opinion is meaningless. I don’t think he was saying that the opinion of talking heads is meaningless, just that Barry is not in a position of “authority” to speak about the ways of exceptional play in the NBA based on his personal career. It was just a little mean-spirited, the way he trashed Barry’s NBA career. I LOVED IT!
calico cat
May 4th, 2009
9:46 am
ILL-logical.
You are clueless !!
Astro Joe
May 4th, 2009
9:48 am
Mike is back, don’t apologize. ENJOY!
Sekou Smith
May 4th, 2009
9:57 am
New blog is up folks. Let’s get this next round cracking baby!!!!!!!!!
CheshireCat
May 5th, 2009
12:58 pm
The Hawks can most certainly beat the Caviliers in the next series. As has been stated before on many media outlets, the Cavs are still basically a one-man band (Labron James), not taking anything away from Mo Williams, Delante West and the rest of the King James’ deciples. There is no way on earth that the Cavs will beat the Hawks if the Hawks play up to their potential. The Hawks have potentially the best team in the league and Ill try to break it down so that people will understand what Im talking about. Ok in game 7 against the Heat, the Hawks defense was so steller that Joe Johnson collected 5 steals himself in addition to his outstanding offensive game. There were blocked shots by the Hawks and their was extremely tight defense against D-Wade. For sure, when the Hawks are playing in total rhythm, there are at least 4 shot blockers on the team: Smith, Horford, Pachullia and Marvin Williams. There are plenty of energy guys that come off the bench and give the team a spark. In addition, the Hawks are a fabulous 3-point shooting team when they are hot. Earlier this season, the Hawks for a good stretch of games led the league in 3-point accuracy (percentage of 3s that were good), which I have NEVER seen in any previous Hawks team going back to the days of Lou Hudson, “Pistol” Pete Maravich and Walt Belamy. We have great shooters which is why we just missed winning 50 games this year (47 victories is a steller season). Plus, we have a true point guard in Mike Bibby who can orchestrate all the plays when he is on. You add that up (shot blockers, guys who can steal the basketball and create turnovers, athletic athletes who can dunk the basketball) and guys who can create their own shots for themselves, which I believe gives the Hawks the best all around talent on any individual team with basically the same team from last year with a much improved nucleus from last year. Although we lost Josh Childress, but we picked up Mo Evans and Flip Murray to compensate for the loss, which actually makes the team much stronger. All this being said, I feel confident that the Hawks will win the title this year. The Hawks have nothing to lose because they will go home for the summer if they play poorly anyway, so they might as well play their best basketball, capture the NBA title and hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in Phillips Arena. If the Hawks win the championship, hopefully, the Hawks will finally get the attention of the NBA. Most media outlets are prediction that the Hawks will get swept by the Cavs. I think that the Hawks will sweep the Cavs becuase of the disparity in talent between the Cavs and the Hawks (meaning the Hawks have overwhelming better talent than the Cavs).
Super Lou
May 8th, 2009
12:05 pm
The Atlanta Sparrows, er.. Hawks. What a boring, lifeless team. What’s up with a nick-name like J Smooth?! WTF. Sounds to me like some pretty, little b***ch. Someone soft and flashy. The kind of person who’d were a Jheri Curl instead of a Philly Fade. LOL
Ain’t quite like being called the Diesel or Black Mumba huh?
Hawks er.. Sparrows get swept in 4! HA HA HA.