Do they have anything left?
Do Joe, Josh and the Hawks have anything left? We're going to find out in a few hours.
HAWKSVILLE - The clock is ticking on this once miraculous season for the Hawks.
How much time remains is hard to tell, could be a couple games or a couple days.
No one knows for sure.
But one question about these Hawks remains.
Do they have anything left?
Fresh off two straight blowout loss in Cleveland, it’s all come down to this one showing, tonight’s Game 3 against Cleveland at Philips Arena.
If the Hawks can dig down and find something that works long enough to hold off the Cavaliers, maybe, just perhaps maybe, they can stretch this series out a few days longer.
We all know there have been far too many injuries to contend with for the Hawks to actually dream about springing an upset.
But there is still time to save a little face and make the NBA, the city of Cleveland and even the Cavaliers sweat a little bit.
Win tonight and waking up Sunday morning in a 2-1 hole gives people hope. Go to bed tonight down 3-0, however, and Monday’s Game 4 becomes 48 minutes of survivor. And with LeBron James smelling blood and the Hawks smelling vacation … well, it could be just enough to shove the Hawks all the way over the playoff cliff.
I took a seat in my barber’s chair a little earlier today and before he could even get started, one of his fellow barbers stopped him so he could ask the question that I’ve been getting non-stop the past 48 hours.
“Them boys gettin’ swept or what man?”
I’ll tell you like I told him, it all comes down to tonight.
The Hawks have been holding on to the aura of their own home court advantage, and all the cosmic energy that comes with it, all season long.
It worked for them in Game 7 against Miami. But that was a series clincher. And they weren’t missing three injured starters (only Marvin Williams sat that one out, Al Horford and Joe Johnson did not).
Johnson, Horford and Williams might play tonight (all three are officially “game-time” decisions) and it still might not be enough to hold off the Cavs. They’re that good. And that focused. And that serious about doing whatever it takes, whenever they have to and wherever they have to in an effort to win a championship.
I loved Wally Szczerbiak’s quote after Game 2 when he was asked about the Cavs’ six, double-digit playoff wins this postseason – “You haven’t seen the hard work we’ve been putting in,” he said, insulted that anyone would dare to think the Cavs are just good enough to show up and blow teams away without doing any dirty work to make it happen. “There’s a lot of work that goes into playing as well as we’re playing. We definitely put the effort in on the practice floor, in the film room and in the weight room. We’ve done it all season long, so we are going to continue to do that and it’s paying off during game time.”
This from the team’s seventh, eighth or ninth man, depending on Mike Brown’s playing rotation on a given night. That’s what winning big is all about, that attitude, that mindset and that kind of sacrifice.
And while this looks like hard work from the Hawks’ perspective, James is smiling at the opportunity to play in “another hostile environment” – if an arena filled with fans wearing his jerseys and gasping at his every move, from the powder toss at the start of the game to his headband toss to the crowd at the end, and everything in between, can be considered hostile.
“We have a 2-0 lead,” James said. “A series is never won in two games or three games. But Game 3 is going to be really fun.”
We shall see shortly.
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845 comments Add your comment
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
May 10th, 2009
9:57 am
Sekou,
you ask “do they have anything left?”
I say they did all they could last nite and still lost by 15 at home. It looka like our great season is ending on a bad note but Lebron is seems a juggernaut right now and we turned into a disoriented disaster in the 4th quarter…Listening to the ‘wired’ interludes, it became apparent that Coach was saying the right things but even more evident that his is not listening to him and yall know what the great Chuck Daly said about players not letting you coach them.
Rod from College Park
May 10th, 2009
10:00 am
Ken Strickland,
Great points. I totally agree. The coaching aspect is being really overlooked. Anybody who played any form of organized ball, can tell how terrible Woodson’s defensive strategy was. Avery Johnson said a much also.
Najeh Davenpoop,
I have stated over and over again on this blog, that if you continue to wait on Marvin Williams to step up and be anything other than a bag of rocks, you will become severely depressed. The guy is truly a waste of talent. I gave up on him last year, and as far as I am concerned, he will be lucky to become a serviceable NBA player in the future.
jason
May 10th, 2009
10:05 am
There were some biased calls, some questionable calls, blah, blah. The Hawks played as good as they were going to last night. Al, and Marvin hurt and trying to play. If healthy they were not going to beat the Cavs. Did anyone see the look in LeBron’s eyes. They are on a quest, on a mission. Will not stop until they get a ring. I was witnessed pure GREATNESS last night. Unfortunately the poor officiating did take a little shine off of a truly awesome performance. The Hwaks had no answer. Not many teams do. You let LeBron shoot the 3, didn’t miss. You get in his face, takes you to the hole. You have D step in the hole, bounce pass for 2. No Matter what they did, LeBron had an answer. I thought the Hawks did a good job in Game 3 of limiting the other Cav players. LeBron is simply on a mission.
Mike is back
May 10th, 2009
10:23 am
Enter your comments here
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
10:26 am
Part of the key to James’ success was Cleveland’s continued ability to flog the dead horse that is Mike Bibby, who seems unable to defend. In all three games, Cleveland has relied heavily on pick-and-roll plays involving Bibby, and Saturday night’s specialty was having him caught against LeBron on a switch.
——-
SERIOUSLY: LET MIKE BIBBY WALK. LET MARVIN WALK. RESIGN CHILDRESS
le brown james THE KING OF ATLANTA
May 10th, 2009
10:26 am
cry me a river hawks fans. maybe next year your team can get a better player that can play against da king d-wade maybe?in your dreams cuse he is joining his budy the king in cleveland.
RedTailHawk
May 10th, 2009
10:31 am
If Dwade joins LeBron, it won’t be in Clev. It will be in NYC….LOLOL
jason
May 10th, 2009
10:32 am
What JJ did in the 3 period of forcing the action and attacking the rim… Where had that been. Why did he wait until the game was decided to do that. Why didn’t the Hawks attck Lebron to try and get some cheap fouls? As atheletic as the Hawks are, I get stumped. They don’t seem to have a true offensive identity. This series is easy to diagnose. The Hawks inabiltiy to get second shots, and the Cavs getting easy offensive RBs is the main difference. ATL can’t do anything with CLE’s size up front.
NUNNA YO BIZZNEZZ
May 10th, 2009
10:36 am
lets see here..some of u guys got on me last night saying i was downing the hawks when they were ahead and saying how they were gonna lose anyway..well..if u watched this team and coach over the last 2 years,then u should know what i know..
1.woody never makes adjustments..And he plays players who because of injuries can not make any contributions at all because of the loyalty effect,not because they can be counted on to do something,which is very say and will get him fired by friday if not tuesday morning..
2.rick sund did not make any trades before the deadline because woody had his team,and he failed to get them ready for the playoffs..gardner/hunter/morris,riding the bench all season,give me A break!
3.this team is consistently,inconsistent lol..they are!!
4.woody can’t handle josh smith..he tells josh and the team to drive to the basket during a time out thAt hAd woody miked up and the world listening,and u know whAt,they went for 3 straight jump shots..no respect..he is just there..
5.soft in the middle..solo,i like,but,he is too soft..morris plAyed shaq well when cAlled upon earlier this season,and woody bench him the rest of the season,woody does not know whAT he is doing..
6.any fool could see how othello,and gardner plAyed in the summer league.
all they needed wAs to expAnd their gAme during the regular seAson to be reAdy for the playoffs,but,woody benched them too…
7.this josh childress talk is crazy..u get more out of flip,than u did with josh childress..And mo evAns,i don’t know yet…Acie law should be playing more and penetrating the cavs defense,but,woody don’t like to Adjust And he seems not thAt smart..
woody needs to go..solo,so long buddy..mario work on your shooting starting tuesday..horford/joe,get better..marvin,they don’t know how to use u,u can be more consistent by them letting the offense start with u and josh 1st by driving to the hoop then kicking out when joe or bibbs Are open..flip,u are not a pg,so,i don’t know why the ball is Always in your hAnd when bibbs goes out,but,i do wAnt u in As A SG..mo evans,i like your fight,tuggness,and mean streAk,if u were like 7′2 300,we’d be behind u All dA wAy,lol…pAc,u are a decent center,but,i don’t think u will be Around long,they will trAde u..solo,my friend works in An nba scouting depArtment,And their scouts had u listed As A no.2..dAts right A power forward,they sAid u Are too light to be a center,And u don’t play with enuff force in the middle,but they would still grab u..
hunter,they like u alot..u just need playing time..
gardner,your just like joe..u Are A shooter who can score..u Are not a scorer who can shoot..u play excellent team bAll,if woodson is here next year which i doubt,u And hunter need to Ask for your release,he does not know how to play u..
rAndolph,sund likes u,gArdner,and hunter..talk to them about sticking around if And when we fire woodson…
le brown james THE KING OF ATLANTA
May 10th, 2009
10:36 am
le brown say hi is NOT leaving cleveland and d-wade say he wants to play with him so get ready for the best duo ever to play in the nba.
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
10:40 am
It’s pathetic we will get swept without even committing a hard foul.
THESE GUYS ARE SCARED. GET RON ARTEST IN HERE
GET A LEADER
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
10:44 am
LET MIKE BIBBY GO. HE PLAYS NO DEFENSE
Mike is back
May 10th, 2009
10:50 am
Doc, Ditto on not having to cheer for the Hawks in a couple days. My hat goes out to the coaching staff of the Cavs. They made the commitment to attack JJ on offense…and attack Bibby on defense and stuck with it…never mind the score…that was a recipe for success.
Despite the BS calls the Cavs get…you can’t overlook the fact that they are well coached…and have an AMAZING SUPER STAR IN LBJ.
That is the different in the games…despite the Hawks injuries. We was not going to compete with the Cavs using that same predestine offense…and that same switching on defense…I said as much when I was making my bold prediction…we had to come with something new.
It must be awfully difficult to coach in the NBA. You’re down by seven with 4 min left in the game…you been struggling all series to cover for Bibby on defense…but what do you do as a coach…put your weakest defender back in the game…and take out your best shot blocker.
What happens then…your weakest defender ends up having to guard LBJ twice because you are still switching all pick and rolls…now you’re down by eleven…then you put your shot blocker back in…take out another big defender…and you still leave you weakest defender on the floor…WHAT HAPPEN NEXT…the Cavs go up 15…GAME OVER.
DESPITE OUR MISERY SOMETHING GOOD WILL COME OUT OF THIS SERIES FOR HAWKS FAN…SUND AND THE ASG…GOT TO BE SEEING WHAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS SEEING!!!!!!!!!!!
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
10:52 am
Also, what the hell does Mo Evans do for this team? He isn’t even a good defender.
We need to strike gold this summer.
Let Bibby walk, Sign Raymond Felton, trade Marv, Horf, and Acie for Chris Bosh and sign some rugged 7″0 like what the lakers got in Dj Mbenga. We cannot mess up this summer. Toronto did the type of thing we should do, but we don’t want JONeal
RedTailHawk
May 10th, 2009
11:00 am
Of course LBJ saaid he is not leaving Cl. What do u expect him to say in the middle of a playoff run. Enjoy him while he is there….LOLOL
vava74
May 10th, 2009
11:05 am
Hi People, very interesting posts, showing a lot of frustration.
It is pretty obvious that this team has generated a lot of fan support and people are focused on what they do. This is the first positive point and something which should not be forgotten, specially in light of our past.
Remeber, we were 13 and 69 not long ago!
Here’s my take on all things happened so far:
1. The refs have been killing us in the playoffs. No one has any respect for ATL, as a city and as a team. As an european looking from the outside, the “losersville” prejudice is really strong and you can see the pleasure that pleople put in seeing ATL fail (refs, opposing teams, commentators (with the exception of Hubie Brown, we have been receiving an extremely unfair treatment from the media).
It bewilders me, but I cannot remove this thought from my mind.
Apart from this, we faced 2 superstars who are extremely favoured by the NBA, the media and even the fans.
Wade gets away with travelling, whinning, whatever, and if it weren’t for the refs, we would have won the series in 6 games maximum, probably in 5 and maybe even in 4 and we would not have “lost” Al to injury if we had played less games. Game 2 was a disgrace, as were all games in Miami.
Now, LBJ is getting the same treatment. Obviously, the Cavs are much stronger than the Hawks, but we have not been given a fair chance to compete. Some calls are questionable, but too many calls in our favour are not called and too many are called in favour of the Cavs.
Game 2 was again a good example: loosing Josh Smith with his second foul instead of calling a charging foul on LBJ is a momentum turning event and something that messes the team’s composure regardless of having Woody in the bench or Pat Riley, specially with such a young team.
Last night was the same. Yes we settled for jump shots when we were 1 up in the fourth, however, JJ was fouled 2 or 3 times and the refs ate their whistles in a decisive moment of the game.
Also, in many double teams JJ gets a lot of contact and no one calls nothing. How can he split the double teams if the refs don’t call the contact going on? This is not football!
2. Apart from the above, we had a reasonably good season, maybe over achieving a bit here and there BUT also with a lot of nagging injuries. We could easily ended with just 40 wins but we could easily ended with 52.
We lost J-Smoove for a few games and he did not come back exactly the same (I don’t know why but he is blocking less shots and shying away from contact down low).
We lost Al, JJ and Marvin to nagging injuries which limited them. This has caused effects in their games.
Marvin did a nice job in the regular season against LBJ. Now we only got a sample of what he can do (he has good inside and outside game and some defensive skills which Mo cannot match).
Al has been severely limited and last but not the least, JJ has been playing tired and with a bad ankle since mid way the season. He simply does not complain about that as he also does not complain on the fouls that no one calls on him.
He is a great player (not a super star) and we should not put the blame on him. He has attracted the double teams and kicked the ball out effectively.
The problem is that since we have been limited offensively due to injury (we need Marvin’s game clicking), the double teams end up being effective since there are no other players getting the points.
If we had other players producing, the Cavs (and the Heat) would have been less committing to the double team and that would have been less effective for them. Teams know, against this undermanned and injured Hawks that if they double team JJ aggressively, he will get tired and will not get enough help from the rest of the team.
3. The current roster is OK and we should not try to trade anyone due to several reasons:
a) Really good players don’t want to come to Atlanta. Only JJ can fall on the category of really good players who selected to come to ATL.
b) If we try to trade for someone potentially good, you’ll see someone coming with lack of interest and wanting to be traded out.
c) Only exception to this rule was Bibby, who, we must face it, is past his best years. Still productive but, as he always was, a huge liability in defense. Since his offense has slowed down and he is now mostly a spot up shooter, he should be RESIGNED but, at fair price and with the purpose of being one of the BEST PG backups for the next 3 to 5 years.
Personally I would offer him a long term deal, for a relatively low per year cost. He is a good character and I am sure that, if called to be a leader off the bench, he will accept this role.
d) Many of our players have a lot of potential and we should try and exploit it to the end since we will not get “fair price” back if we trade them (including Josh, since everyone knows, after these playoffs, how inconsistent and difficult to coach he is – everyone, from H. Brown, to Fratello, to Barkley, Kenny, whatever, commented on his lack of mental composure).
Teams who do not have a superstar are only successful with a collective effort and that can only be achieved if you keep the core and try to patch any glaring needs or develop the bench (Woody is guilty here).
I hate seeing J-Smoove doing what he does, which is getting us in and out of games with his lack of inteligence, but lets face it, who would accept to come and play in ATL in his place?
I saw some names flying, Amare, Bosh… several flaws on those suggestions: Amare is also a knuckle head: he does not play defense, wants the ball at all cost and is not a hard worker. Bosh is a nice player but also does not command respect on defense and also does not carry a team per se that far (where are his Raptors???).
4. We should sign Childress. We miss his hustle, offensive rebounding and energy off the bench. That would improve our rotation immediately since he could rest Marvin and specially JJ along with Mo, helping him reach the playoffs fresher.
5. Again on JJ, he was one of the 4th quarter ppg leader this season. Give him some respect. They palyoffs are tough and he needs more help and he deserves more respect from the refs. How can he end up games with just 1 or 2 FT attempted?
6. Woody: I am divided here. He has some shortcomings but he has made progress every single year with an unbalanced and young roster.
I really believe that he nshould get an extension, guaranteeing him 2 more years BUT with strict orders to develop the bench, REGARDLESS of an eventual drop in the number of wins.
Sometimes we need to take one step back in order to take two steps forward and it does seem that Woody is so worried about preserving his job that he does not take the chances he even personally feels adequate.
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
11:09 am
The thing about LeBron is he has finally learned how to shoot the basketball, so that makes him yet another threat
TROTTINGHOME
May 10th, 2009
11:10 am
hawks are done and have been since game 2 of miami series
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
11:12 am
vava74,
good post, except the part about how we would’ve swept Miami or won in 5 if it wasn’t for the refs. We got DESTROYED in 2 of our losses
Ken Strickland
May 10th, 2009
11:32 am
ILL-LOGICAL-I don’t know if you remember, but I was making our switching DEF an issue during the regular season. It’s simply stupid to have our BIGS constantly switching and being put in the position of trying to guard much quicker, faster PG’s and SG’s out on the perimeter without any help. That kind of DEF works best when you have a shot blocking BIG to defend the lane. Of course, that’s assuming your HC isn’t stupid enough to have him out on the perimeter trying to guard PB’s & SG’s.
There seems to be quite a number of fans that use the same approach used by HC MWoodson, BLAME THE PLAYERS. If the HC calls the OFF sets and the OFF play, it means he’s the one that’s determining the on court position and roll of each player. Like MBibby said in last gms sideline tirade with Woodson, IF YOU DON’T WANT ME TO PASS HIM THE BALL OR HIM TO TAKE THE SHOT, PUT HIM SOMEWHERE ELSE. I don’t know about any of you, but that makes perfect sense to me, and there in lies the problem, or at least one of them.
When we blew Miami out in the 1st gm of that series, I remember SAMUEL immediately posting and making a point about Woodson being a better HC and strategiet under playoff condidions. I WONDER WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT THAT NOW?
SAMUEL, we’re playing the best team, record wise, with arguably the best player in basketball. He’s killing us in every phase of the gm, and we haven’t attempted to double him once. On the other had, their HC understands the importance of limiting the impact of the oppositions best player, so he’s double teamed JJ since the opening tipoff of the 1st gm of the series. Miami’s rookie HC did the same thing, and so did Woodson by refusing to double DWade and allowing him to perform at a level that could have cost us that series.
COACHING PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL ISN’T AS COMPLICATED AS NUCLEAR PHYSICS, BUT IT CERTAINLY HELPS TO HAVE A CLUE.
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
11:38 am
I told you all.
Our team acted like it would just won yesterday based on what happened to Boston last year.
Idiots.
The Hammer
May 10th, 2009
11:39 am
Hey EAST ATLANTA HAWKS FAN 1971;
Check this out from LeBron yesterday, and find something else to rag about:
‘I’m comfortable with being in Cleveland. I’m excited about it. I’m loving the direction we’re [going] in and I’m loving the teammates I have and the organization. So if that’s any indication of me leaving, then somebody must be looking out the wrong box.” LeBron James
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
11:40 am
Ken Strickland,
I haven’t even thought about that. We haven’t double-teamed LeBron James–wow.
Can we please lose by 40 tomorrow so Woodson can be fired?
Nate ArchiBALL
May 10th, 2009
11:50 am
My Thoughts—-
As long as Woodrow is here, don’t expect to see Josh Childress in a Hawks uniform.
Funny how Josh Smith is considered unstable but ZaZa is the one who loses it during a critical point in the game. I can only imagine the posts on this blog if that was Josh Smith who got ejected.
Marvin Williams didn’t want to look bad in the playoffs because it might hurt his contract numbers. Could have at least been used to help out defensively on LBJ. Hell, we play Mario for a few minutes for D only purposes. Why not Marvin?
Al Horford shouldn’t get a pass on his lack of an offensive game. Much work is needed this off season.(15 foot jumper and a “go to” low post move)
Woody’s thought process — during the second game with the Hawks down by 30 points and struggling on offense, he brings in Mario West, the worst offensive player on the Hawks if not the league.
Is it just me or do the guards on the opposing teams get more layups against the Hawks when ZaZa is in the game…..
Joe is tired – playing on fumes. Thanks Woodrow.
le brown james THE KING OF ATLANTA
May 10th, 2009
11:55 am
2010 the year d-wade joints the king in cleaveland instant dynasty for years to come.
cdog
May 10th, 2009
12:05 pm
GREAT SEASON HAWKS.I REALLY DO MEAN THIS.AS A TEAM THEY GOT BETTER. THEY ARE A DOMINANT CENTER AND A POINT GUARD WHO CAN DEFEND, DISH AND SCORE AWAY. BY FAR JOSH SMITH IS THEY’RE BEST PLAYER HE REALLY CAME TO PLAY IN THE PLAYOFFS. THE REST NEED TO WORK ON STRENGTH, CONDICTIONING AND WEAK POINTS AND NEXT YEAR WE WILL BE IN THE FINALS.
Sautee
May 10th, 2009
12:12 pm
Rod,
About this: “The guy is truly a waste of talent. I gave up on him last year, and as far as I am concerned, he will be lucky to become a serviceable NBA player in the future.”
First off, I congratulate you for inserting the phrase “as far as I’m concerned”. That puts it in the realm of your opinion, which is inarguable.
Second, I KNOW, as the rest of the blog KNOWS that you do not think highly of Marvin, but I’m really curious as to what YOU think is a “servicable” player.
Does averaging 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds as the 4th offensive option NOT make you a “serviceable player”? Tayshaun Prince averaged 14.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. Was he NOT a “serviceable player”?
Yes, I’ll freely acknowledge that Prince plays better defense than Marvin, and I KNOW that one of your hangups is Marvin’s draft position. I had that same attitude about him last year, but I DID see growth, in my opinion. Better driving angles, more finishing at the rim, more effort on D and rebounding. Yeah, he falls down some (so does DWade) but not NEARLY as much as earlier years.
And not nearly 60% of the time LOL!
So, in short, I see him as a very serviceable player already, though I’m disappointed that Billy spent a #2 pick on him, but that’s not Marvin’s fault.
At any rate, what I’m interested in is… what level of production would it take for you to consider him a serviceable player?
And do you NOT consider Prince at least “serviceable?
jason
May 10th, 2009
12:31 pm
I don’t follow the Hawks daily. I live in Texas and rarely get a chance to see them on Tv. I watched the Playoffs and from thata assessnent this is what I think they need. They need a big so Al can play PF. If they do bring back Josh C., then either Josh Smith or Marvin has to go. You all decide. Law has got to play more meaningful minutes or he needs to go. The Hawks have no bench. Just Flip to score. ZAZA tp rebound, and Evans to play D. That is not enough. And frankly I don’t see Flip having this type of year again. So, the starting 5. PG LAW SG JJ, SF Smith, PF AL, C ??? Bench: Josh C., Flip, ZAZA, Solo, Bibby(if you can resign at a discount) Any thoughts ?
LeBron James
May 10th, 2009
12:39 pm
Oh wait, Joe Johnson isn’t TIRED is he??
darrell starks
May 10th, 2009
12:48 pm
Hawks must trade acie if woody is the coach next year i cant see keeping him and wasting his potential.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
May 10th, 2009
12:55 pm
Series is over no way bring back do we bring back bibby if we want to go to the next level he is a liability at the point on defense.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cp
May 10th, 2009
1:00 pm
Great points Ken. I pointed out during the season that good teams were taking advantage of our switching defense to create mismatches. Somehow our coach still does not realize that… I have yet to see him make an adjustment. Its as if we come out with the same game plan night after night… When our shots fall we look good but once the j’s don’t fall its like guys are lost out there… We need a guy who can penetrate and finish strong at the hoop… We have a pg who can penetrate and kick out to our shooters but the coach refuses to play him…. As Nate pointed out, we needed offense yet the coach brings in the worst offensive player on our team in Mario….Then you have Bibby who is getting his lunch money taken on defense but the coach refuses to bring in a better defensive guard…. Our guards keep getting beat which forces our bigs to try and come over and help which then puts gets them in foul trouble. Somehow I see this sorry front office keeping the coach and using us getting into the second round and improving each year as the reason… Forget mediocrity. Get us a proven coach in here.
le brown james THE KING OF ATLANTA
May 10th, 2009
1:14 pm
one more day and your pain will be over hawks fans you can continue with your daily normal life while will be one step closer the championship .
mykhalc
May 10th, 2009
1:15 pm
“Somehow our coach still does not realize that… I have yet to see him make an adjustment. Its as if we come out with the same game plan night after night… When our shots fall we look good but once the j’s don’t fall its like guys are lost out there”
exactly what i’ve been sayin’!! this team has won but they have never been prepared…PERIOD!!! WOODSON should be fired immediately after the season…TUESDAY in the AM!!!
le brown james THE KING OF ATLANTA
May 10th, 2009
1:15 pm
GO HAWKS……………… to a bahamas vacations.
vava74
May 10th, 2009
1:39 pm
Tribe,
Being blown out does not exclude the fact that we were subject to awful pro-wade officiating in the Miami series and now pro-Lebron.
We have failed to compete in many games, specially away from home, however, when you are a young team like ours and mentally still weak (little playoff experience) it is easy to get de-railed by bad calls.
Barry
May 10th, 2009
1:59 pm
Hay Y’all:
These birds are not dead yet. However, it appears the NBA and their refs want these birds dead. I for on am a sports fan. But for the life of me, I have never seen a game so lopsided in refs calls against a team. The problem was the fouls that were not called against the Cavs. They were fouling the Hawks all over the place and were not getting called. When the Hawks touched any of the Cavs, especially LeBron, they called the foul. This took the players and fans out of the game. The referees were dictating how they wanted the game to go and it was too, too obvious. These games are starting to look like professional boxing where the fight is “fixed” to get particular boxers a championship fight. It appears the NBA and the referrees are not pulling of the Hawks in this endeavor. In this case it looks like they want Cleveland, and the NBA’s cash cow, at the dance. In sports, all you ask for is equal treatment and calls by the referees when you play any opponent. In this case, we can actually see, with our own eyes, the “pompous bias” in which these referees are calling the game. They definitely have taken away how the HAWKS regularly play the game, especially on defense, when they call petty fopuls on our players wherein they have to sit out the game with fouls while the other team “hacks the hell” out of our players andd does not get called for a foul. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. By whom, I don’t know because it appears the NBA and their media moguls are involved. I know the NBA is in cahoots with this scheme. This effort, like boxing, will eventually destroy basketball and how look at championship series.
Neverthelees, HAWKS, “FIGHT ON!!”. Play your game and “SHOCK THE WORLD!!”
WE ARE WITH YOU!!!!
LET’S GO HAWKS!!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
This is a SECRET from a HAWK FAN. TELL EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!
………………………”ATLANTA HAWKS, BOOM-BYE-YEAH!!!!”……….
…………………………”SHOCK THE WORLD!!!!”………………..
Ringold
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
2:09 pm
How exactly does getting swept help this team grow? We are going to come back next year with this same lame core of tweeners, no true 25 ppg scorer, no good point guard who can penetrate the lane, no true center, and no bench. And of course, Woodson.
But I cannot wait to hear Gearon Jr. rave about how we won a playoff series, so everything is good. We may finish 4th in our division next year–maybe 5th if Larry Brown keeps growing his young ‘Cats
beki
May 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
I may be less knowledgable about NBA, its coaching,and strategies; but, it is easy to see that the Hawks don’t have either talent,chemistry,or the “hunger” to succeed to the playoff level. Having said that,what is also lacking is a coach who can neither motivate nor adapt to the ever changing defensive schemes of the opposition-whoever that may be. Woodson may be gone before the next season simply because of the flatness of Hawks play. What galled me, however, about last night’s game was LBJ’s arms flung out sideward (as if he were the Pope blessing the crowd)and preening to the crowd while on the court during a time out. Success breeds confidence which births arrogance and —contempt ( perhaps). Childish, very much a schoolboy bully’act.
peeldawg
May 10th, 2009
2:27 pm
Hawks need to get a second all star ala Chris Bosh, Amare stoudimire, to complement JJ. New coach would also help as coach brown has schooled Woodson this series in the the battle of the Mikes. Avery Johnson would look nice for your franchise. Also why the hell did you guys draft Marvin Williams when you needed a point guard ever since Mookie Blaylock retired. You passed up to potential AllStars in Paul and Deron Williams for a player in Marvin thats good at everything but great at nothing. The experienced gained by your club will only help in the long run. Stop blaming the refs and hvae your team take some accountiblity for their shortcomings. Good luck next year Hawks and fans.
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
I don’t understand how Woodson has had the same players (pretty much for 5 years), yet we suck on defense. Why aren’t we doubling LeBron? I think we can leave Delonte West open. If we play LeBron 1-on-1, then we need Joe on him, because Joe has d one a fine job.
We must get rid of Bibby. Get an avg PG. YOU DON’T NEED A SUPERSTAR PG TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP–JUST SOMEONE SERVICEABLE.We should not waste 1/4 of our freaking payroll on a short, fat, old PG who only shoots 3s and plays worse defense than half of us do. And we must get rid of Woodson. It’s obvious Fratello or Avery want to come here.
How about someone on our team does what Artest offered to do and sacrifice salary in order to get someone or to retain someone? Wikipedia Artest if you don’t believe me.
Ken Strickland
May 10th, 2009
2:47 pm
Can anyone tell me of another HC that actually wants his team to depend almost exclusively on jumpshooting? What kind of HC punishes and ignores a quick, fast PG that plays excellent DEF and has the ability to breakdown a DEF by penetrateing almost at will, just because he’s not a prolific jump shooter? WHEN WE NEED OFF, HE SENDS MWEST INTO THE GM. WHEN WE NEED DEF, HE SENDS MBIBBY BACK INTO THE GM. THAT’S NOT A STRATEGY. LET’S HOPE THE SAASG SEES WHAT WE SEE.
As far as our bench is concerned, the only Hawks player I can honestly say doesn’t belong in the NBA is Randolph Morris. Everyone else on the roster seems to have something to offer if given the right opportunity in the right situation. WELL, BETTER LUCK NEXT SEASON HAWKS.
mykhalc
May 10th, 2009
2:59 pm
and after 3yrs we really still do NOT know what SOLO has to offer. WOODSON’s gotta go…PERIOD!!!
EAST MACON FAN
May 10th, 2009
3:39 pm
FIRE WOODSON!!!
A Tribe Called Quest
May 10th, 2009
3:43 pm
I’d rather have Aaron Brooks for 10 million/year than Mike Bibby. At least Brooks can drive the lane and free players up. If we resign Bibby, we’ll win about 43 games next year, finish 7th in the East, and still suck at defense.
FIRE WOODSON, LET BIBBY WALK AND TRADE FOR BOSH
ProudTechFan
May 10th, 2009
3:51 pm
Well, as optimistic as I usually am on here, I have to say its “curtains” for my hawks, excuse me our Hawks. But I am not going to point fingers, lord knows there are plenty of people on here for that. But here is what i would do in the offseason.
First off, i would by no means let Flip sign anywhere else. you dont have to break the bank to keep him. He is the perfect compliment for Joe off the bench, and he has the potential to be sixth man of the year by averaging anywhere from 13-17 off the bench and thats huge.
Mo Evans is a very good piece to the puzzle, a very good defender, i decent 3-pointer shooter and seems to add some emotion to the team. BUT he is not that productive offensively. When Marvin went down, his scoring average didnt go up, i know we have a good record when he starts but, i think when marvin isnt playing that puts pressure on Joe to score and play more.
Here is the tough part, Finding the right big man to play center. If you want to be more of a half court team find a big man that has low post presence and can rebound. I have to admit i dont have a clue who is out there but that piece is essential to the future of this team.
Once we find that piece. let him start at Center, play horford at PF, Marvin at SF, Joe SG and Bibby, yes i say we keep Bibby at least two more years. his shooting this season and in the playoffs has kept us in games. where is Josh, yes Josh is coming off the bench along with flip and giving us a deeper bench with Za Za and Acie Law. I am not willing to give up on this guy yet. I think he can be a pretty good player with more time on the floor to develop.
darrell starks
May 10th, 2009
3:52 pm
I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TEAM WIN A NBA TITLE WITH ONE STAR YOU MUST HAVE AT LEAST 2 STAR PLAYER TO WIN A TITLE EVEN JORDAN NEEDED A STAR PLAYER LIKE PIPPEN TO WIN A TITLE WE WILL SEE HOW GOOD IS KING JAMES IS MAY BE HE BE THE FIRST EVER TO DO SO.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
ProudTechFan
May 10th, 2009
3:57 pm
yes chris bosh would be a perfect fit. he is very athletic, can run the floor, and he played college ball here, he knows the city and i think he would enjoy living in Atlanta. Question is who do u give up for him?
jason
May 10th, 2009
4:06 pm
Delonte West is coming on as that second star for Lebron and the Cavs.
darrell starks
May 10th, 2009
4:07 pm
Who is the next jordan there is no one so far but i do think king james can be closer than any player in the history of the nba.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!