Hawks ready for prime time?
Philips Arena better get ready for a few close ups this season now that the Hawks are scheduled for seven nationally televised games this season.
HAWKSVILLE - Mike Woodson has been asking for it since he got here.
He’s was selling the Hawks as a potential prime-time player when they were stuck in the mud of a 26-win season. “Win,” the sixth-year Hawks coach would say often, “and everything else takes care of itself.”
Everything else seems to be falling into place these days. And that includes the Hawks’ position as true “prime-time players” during the 2009-10 season (the schedule was released this afternoon). The Hawks will be on one of the league’s network broadcasts a whopping seven times this season (matching their combined total from the previous 11 years). Six times they’ll play on ESPN and once on TNT.
After going without a single nationally televised regular-season game during his first four seasons at the helm, Woodson’s Hawks clawed out two appearances last season, one that was added after the season was already underway. He admitted to being fired up at the prospect of his team being on display this season. “I do feel a little bit like it’s overdue,” he said. “We thought we were a team worthy last season, but we kept our heads down and kept working. It all comes in time.”
Hawks coach Mike Woodson says any national love his team receives this season and beyond has been well earned.
Woodson relished the opportunity for his team steal a little of the spotlight last year, even if they did lose both of those nationally televised games (to Boston and Cleveland). But anyone wondering what kind of boost back-to-back playoff appearances can have on a franchise, need only check out the Hawks rising profile.
Woodson has been gushing about the Philips Arena crowds and the added advantage those home crowds gave his team since the playoff run against Boston two years ago. It seemed laughable then, when the Hawks were still struggling to fill up the place against the undesirables on the schedule. Yet no one can argue that those playoff crowds lacked any of the fervor needed to rile the rest of the feathered masses.
“The first four years we were here we couldn’t have bought our way onto the air,” Woodson said. “But since we’ve made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons you could sense things were turning around for us. And this is huge. This is a huge turnaround and one that I think goes right along with all the strides we’ve made as a team and franchise.”
The Hawks open the season Oct. 28 at Philips Arena against Indiana. The first nationally televised game is Nov. 13 in Boston, while four of the TV games will originate from Philips Arena, starting with the Thanksgiving night contest against the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic (8 p.m.). In addition to that Thanksgiving night game, the Hawks will also ring in the New Year by hosting the New York Knicks Jan. 1 at 7:30.
“This is a testament to our players and the work they’ve put in,” Woodson said. “When you turn things around and stick to your plan, good things happen. Right now, I think we’re seeing the rewards of all our hard work.”
It’s certainly a good start.
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112 comments Add your comment
bigeasy830
August 4th, 2009
7:46 pm
I was watching highlights of mini-camp. That Russian guy, Yaroslav Koroslev looked impressive. He is a former first round pick that is listed as 6-10 245lbs and very skilled. He looked like he can play the 3 or 4 at times. Sekou what is his chances at making the team also, what is Sundiata Gaines chances. He looked impressive also. I know the Hawks are staked at guard now but I would love to see the former bulldog on the squad.
Anakin Joe
August 4th, 2009
7:51 pm
Blake Griffin has some nationally televised games. And I would guess that the #1 draft pick probably always gets a few marketing opportunities.
I understand that Chick-Fil-A is going to be the featured sponsor of the Atlanta Hawks for the next two seasons. Their slogan will be “The Highlight Factory… No Beef Here”. Harry Hawk will be replaced by a seven-foot Chick-Fil-A cow named “Kobe”… because seven footers are WAYYY expensive, just like kobe beef.
I wonder how much our next head coach will be offered? If they hire Tree Rollins, he can coach the Dream also and the ASG could split the costs with the Dream’s owner.
Aussie Hawks Fan
August 4th, 2009
8:22 pm
Has anyone thought about trading for Stoudmire on here?
Everyone seems to think we need a big man so why don’t we go after one of the top 5 big men in the league. Josh Smith and Marvin Williams, when he resigns, would match the salaries I think and leave us with a starting backcourt of Bibby and Johnson with Crawford and Teague backing up. Front court of Stoudmire, Horford and Evans, backed up by Paachulia and one more player, either FA agent signing or trade.
That would give us a supestar guard (Johnson) and a superstar big man (Stoudmire)and then with that roster we would be able to really challenge for a title.
Big risk brings big reward
Hoops
August 4th, 2009
8:55 pm
Aussie,
You are about 40 blogs too late. It won’t happen!
Shawn
August 4th, 2009
9:28 pm
Sekou, thanks so much for coming back from vacation and telling us of Woodson’s pleasure with this team’s maturity. I am so proud of Woodson! He is a man of brilliance
Hip Hop Is Dead
August 4th, 2009
9:48 pm
After looking at the schedule and analyzing it, I have only one thing to say:
FIRE MIKE WOODSON
doc
August 4th, 2009
9:55 pm
aj i really tried too to like them, maybe next year.
how about a 6 and 4 start to the season? tough road to start on.
kobe?
ILL-logical
August 4th, 2009
10:04 pm
A great former mayor of Atlanta once said that new occasions require new duties. With the increased national profile, the Hawks are going to have increased scrutiny. Coaching, which was roundly criticized during the playoffs; fan support and players are all now under a different standard.A standard that won’t be altered because of advertising or other local relationships. Another statement comes to mind as well: be careful what you pray for, you just might get it.
Aussie Hawks Fan
August 4th, 2009
10:13 pm
Might not happen but it would have to be a good trade for both teams. I love J-Smooth and Marvin but we need that big guy and conversely how much fun would it be to see J-Smoove play with Nash. You think you seen that guy do some highlights in Atlanta, imagine what he’d do with Nash giving him the ball in that offence.
We a bit behind here in Australia mate. We are too busy throwin another shrimp on the barbie!! Hard enough getting a NBA game live here (2 a week) let alone a Hawks game.
Hoops
August 4th, 2009
10:22 pm
Aussie,
This season you are going to get 7 opportunities to see the Hawks on National TV!!! We are finally getting some respect.
Aussie Hawks Fan
August 4th, 2009
10:26 pm
We will see mate. I only saw one of our games last year because they choose the second game of a double header instead of showing the Hawks. I have to listen on the radio via the net for the games. No coverage at all. I mean on cable here they show two games a week. Crazy!!
Anakin Joe
August 4th, 2009
10:29 pm
If any of the Hawks have All-Star game aspirations, they should put in the work NOW to take advantage of the national exposure. Other than Teague and Horford (the only two still on rookie contracts), none of the commentators should be using words like “potential”, “promise” or “upside” when discussing our players.
Anakin Joe
August 4th, 2009
10:31 pm
Aussie Hawks Fan, how did you become a Hawks fan? Are you originally from the Atlanta area? What’s your “Hawks tale”?
The Truth
August 4th, 2009
10:33 pm
This is an excerpt from Woody’s interview back in July:
Q. Free agency is obviously still going on, but how comfortable are you with the roster, as it stands now, heading into training camp?
A. I feel comfortable. I feel like we’ve bettered our team by bringing in Jamal Crawford and Jeff Teague and then keeping Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia in the fold, but we still have a lot of work to do in terms of helping out our [big men]. We need a few more bigs to solidify our team as we move towards camp. We still have the rest of the summer to look at free-agent bigs and figure out who makes sense for our team. That’s of the utmost importance to our team right now, but I love our nucleus.
Even Woody acknowledges the obvious. If Woody does not get what he wants with the acquisition of more help on the frontline, he is building his case early if he falls short of winning more then 47 wins and advancing farther this upcoming season. When you think about it, Woody will have a valid point. How can anyone expect him to break into the elite with a thin frontline based on the eastern conference landscape? As much as we have criticized Woody coaching in the past, he will gain sympathy for being dealt a bad hand by Sund if things stay as they are. If Sund does not realize it already, this drum beat will not end; it will get louder and louder. If he is smart, he would hold a press conference and clear the air; because as things stand now the speculations are running wild. Perhaps this was the mistake that BK made that cost him his job. Yes it was framed that he resigned, but we all know otherwise.
Aussie Hawks Fan
August 4th, 2009
10:43 pm
Mate, I am a born and breed Australian. I was hoping Anderson might end up with the Hawks so there was a bit more coverage or we’d draft Paddy Mills in the draft, but got neither. By the way, don’t worry about losing Anderson, I don’t think he would’ve helped us. He looked terrible in the Olympics. Just another big white stiff.
Hawks story is went to friends house one day and he had a Hawks banner. I decided I would support them and the Braves. Then I actually watched them play and the Human Highlight Film was in action. Wow i was hooked with the Hawks from then on in. Plus everyone went for the Lakers or the Bulls over here so I liked to be a little different. Thats about it mate. Thank god for the internet for the past 10-15 years. Only way I can follow them.
Anakin Joe
August 4th, 2009
10:47 pm
Truth, Woody will need to come up with a better excuse since we may not have a viable back-up big man in ‘10-11 either. If he can’t play this year’s hand, then he likely won’t have success playing almost the identical hand the following season. And hopefully, it will be easier for Sund not to re-sign Woody (if it comes to that) than it was for BK to fire Woody. If nothing else, there won’t be a financial penalty associated with not re-newing his contract.
Anakin Joe
August 4th, 2009
10:52 pm
Aussie Hawks Fan, great story. I was wondering if ‘Nique had anything to do with you being a fan. I hope that you decide to post here more frequently. We’re mostly a cordial bunch. Mostly.
Hoops
August 4th, 2009
10:57 pm
Aussie,
Who are the best basketball players coming along “Down Under” right now that we should keep an eye out for in the future?
MannyT
August 4th, 2009
11:01 pm
Big Wood throws Big talk for Big interview…revisited
Another big man could help this team in epic proportions. Given the large investment we have made in winning, a mammoth opportunity is here for the Hawks right now. The 2009-10 season will require a gargantuan effort from heavy-dutyHorford in the post. We need to add girth and bulk if there is a mountain of a man out there to pick up at this point in the off-season. Our undersized PF, Josh will have to bring a Hurculean effort every night.
This season can play massive minutes with a burly backcourt now that Jamal Crawford is in the mix. The pieces are coming together. If it works, Woody is in line for a collosal commitment from the ASG for the immense improvement over the past 5 years…and possibly a new nickname–Coach Red Wood or Sequoia.
If only he would add Tiny Archibald to the staff to show that enormous efforts can come in creatively concentrated citizens
BWAF
Anakin Joe
August 4th, 2009
11:05 pm
That was HUGE, Manny!
Mystikal
August 4th, 2009
11:17 pm
SEKOU, We waiting to hear the real deal when you ready!!
Aussie Hawks Fan
August 4th, 2009
11:23 pm
Well most of our good young players go to college in the States. There is no college competition here in Oz so they have three options – play here in Oz in our professional league, which seems to go bust every three years. Play college in the states which seems pretty popular. Play overseas in Europe but that really only happens once they older.
I would’ve thought Paddy Mills was our best young player. Watching him in the Olympics he was awesome, even against the States. He should have stayed in college. The other best young players are Joe Ingles, who did summer league with the Warriors or Craig Newley who is in Europe but the Rockets have his rights or Nathan Jahdi, who got traded to the Mavericks and is a big lad. But basketball people here over rate all our players. They say our guys with exceptional physical skills and athleticism are really average in the States. Basketball would be about the 7th or 8th sport here. Very niche.
Hawk n the Ham
August 4th, 2009
11:26 pm
Manny, I like Sequoia…..or Oak Head
Sekou's twitter stalker
August 5th, 2009
1:39 am
In case y’all got confused, “Hip Hop is Dead” is the new handle for “A Tribe Called Quest” – he tweeted it yesterday then deleted it.
Ed
August 5th, 2009
3:46 am
Sekou said on Twitter that the Hawks and JJ’s camp are in contract extention negotiations in California. This is exactly what needs to happen…get it done!
sillent
August 5th, 2009
5:17 am
Seen the schedule and predicting a 34 – 19 record before the all-star break. If we keep Marvin & core of course and maybe add some other favorable options. Not predicting past that currently because of trades and other exceptions(injuries,chemistry,momentum,etc.). If my prediction goes as plan past game 10 I’ll post My win/lost record percentage and my reasoning for the predictions.
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
6:53 am
Truth,
All coaches have expiration dates. As many times as people mention the team improving from year to year, Woody still only has one winning season. Sund does need to add a big man or two to the roster. As has been said too many times already, the offseason isn’t over, and things can also be done during the season if that’s when deals develop. However, I wouldn’t assume that Woody gets an extension and Sund gets walking papers just yet. That might be music to some people’s ears but I just wouldn’t bet on it yet. In fact, both guys may be here for a while for all I know.
I want us to win. If that takes keeping or losing both guys, then so be it, either way.
I guarantee you Sund ain’t worried about all of us locals beating the drum for a big man. He’s much more concerned with how much money he can spend on whom. Like all financial decisions within the franchise, the final one ain’t his.
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
7:19 am
We’ll probably end up with a Stromile Swift, Mikki Moore, or some other bottom of the barrel veteran big man…or two. Unless of course we can offer Smith enough money to NOT go back to Cleveland for the purposes of occupying the bench.
Gosh if only Sund hadn’t traded for Crawford. Now the season is lost.
Hoops
August 5th, 2009
8:07 am
Big Ray,
I feel that after Marvin’s contract is finalized, we will get Joe Smith signed. Sund will know exactly how much money he has available. It sounds like the hold up is not necessarily money but length of contract. They will probably end of agreeing on two years with the 2nd year being a team option. We’ll be fine!
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
8:21 am
Hoops-
I love your optimism. Boy, I sure hope that you are right.
In terms of the national games… ’bout time! Although, honestly they deserve more games, I mean Golden State and the Wizards have more national tv games. What’s up?
The Sunday game against Detroit can still be moved to 4:30, which would only make sense.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
8:24 am
Big Ray- I don’t see the hold up with Smith being the amount of money as much as it is the years. I have a feeling that they have offered 1 year with a club option and he wants two years.
Would you commit two years (with JJ being UFA) to Joe Smith?
Honestly, I think that I would.
Sekou Smith
August 5th, 2009
8:56 am
Big G is coming to training camp
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/08/05/nba_543341.shtml
The schedule doesn’t look any more or less wicked than it ever has. Hawks will have to come out o the gate strong like last year. But that’s what good teams usually do anyway, so …
An extension for Joe is a must this summer. No way you let him get to the summer of 2010. No way!
Melvin
August 5th, 2009
9:08 am
Now that we have Siler coming to camp, let’s go sign Joe Smith…
doc
August 5th, 2009
9:16 am
hoops sounds good and reasonable, however that has not been in high quantities until the last two months around these parts. i would prefer that we hear it from sekou or the man sund himself. yes that is my hope as well, been hoping a long time if you know what i mean.
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
9:21 am
Very good news on Siler. I can’t help but like the kid. Seems like he has a big personailty to go with his size.
I remember those early blogs about contacting Rasheed, Gortat and McDyess. That seems light years ago. Now we’re excited about Skinner, Stromile and Shelden. Oops, I forgot, even some of the celler-dwellers are signing deals. Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock.
Steve
August 5th, 2009
9:21 am
Siler is a PR move….dude is big but can’t play. This is just all media hype, not a chance this guy gets a contract.
Sautee
August 5th, 2009
9:25 am
Sekou,
If an extension for JJ is a must, can those details be holding up the Smith signing?
Sautee
August 5th, 2009
9:28 am
AJ,
Maybe YOU are excited about Skinner or Stromile but (yawn) not me.
PDubATL
August 5th, 2009
9:29 am
I know it was just Summer League, but Siler outplayed Thabeet and BJ Mullens. He impressed in the Hawks mini-camp, and didn’t appear to be too worn down after playing significant minutes in Vegas. There’s definitely a chance that he’ll get a contract.
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
9:29 am
If Sund could trade Mo Evans for a truly decent big like Craig Smith (same salary), then we would be almost set. Just the fine-tuning around guys like Hunter, Siler, etc.
Or maybe the same NBA Governor who approved $20M over 2 years will approve around $3-4M over two years for Joe Smith.
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
9:33 am
Sautee, I mentioned in a blog post yesterday that we will have to find a way to accept whomever Sund gets to complete the roster, even if they are undrafted FAs from local community colleges… or Stromile, Michael Ruffin, Scott Pollard, etc. Just trying to be Mr. Optimistic about the bright future of the remainder of our summer.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
9:47 am
Sekou- I hear you on Joe Johnson, but the smart move would be to see if Lebron, Wade, Bosch, et. al get extended this summer. If they do, then you have to get Joe done, because then he becomes very sought afte. If there are several big name free agents plus shrinking cap room, then Joe is mostly likely to stay with the Hawks even with FA. So, it seems to me that you finish Marvin first, then sign Joe Smith, decide how to round out the roster, then come Sept. depending on how things are shaping up, then deal with Joe.
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
9:48 am
Anakin Joe- who plays SF then?
Daniel
August 5th, 2009
9:49 am
would you rather have Gerald Green/ Craig Smith or Mo Evans/ Joe Smith?
Shon Ka
August 5th, 2009
9:50 am
People are always talking about we need a Big name free agent. No we have guys that are making a name for themselves now. We have the makings of a very good team. I feel that by next year we will be a top three team in the East.
Cleveland has big names, but old talent, Boston has old talent and a weak bench, Orlando picked up a shooter, but no defense.
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
9:51 am
“Young joked with Siler about slipping Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson $50 at the Hawks’ minicamp two weeks ago because Woodson speaks so highly of the 7-foot, 278-pound center.
“(Woodson) liked me a lot,” Siler said. “The assistant general manager likes me. The regular general manager likes me.
Glad the coach and GM feel the same about the guy. Glad to see him coming to camp.
Anakin Joe
August 5th, 2009
10:00 am
Daniel, I like Othella Hunter as a back-up SF. Most likely, Marvin and Joe will easily play 40-42 minutes of the 48 minutes at that position. So Hunter wouldn’t have to do too much. I personally don’t like the idea of Joe trying to guard big SFs like LeBron, Granger and Hedo for more than 2-3 minutes per half. I’d much rather see Marvin and Hunter try to “contain” those guys for the vast majority of the game. But we know that the Hawks have enjoyed success with 3 guards on the floor together, so I know that Joe will surely play more than a few minutes at SF with Bibby/Teague & Crawford/Evans in the backcourt.
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
10:02 am
Sautee,
You just don’t understand. If we don’t sign Skinner or Swift (or somebody like that), the Hawks will lose and Woody will get fired. Seriously. It all hinges on that.
….or so I heard…
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
10:04 am
I don’t want to see Joe guarding the bigger/stronger small forwards in the league either. To avoid that, one simply need to have a firm grasp on in-game adjustments. Heh….
Big Ray
August 5th, 2009
10:05 am
Siler is a PR move….dude is big but can’t play. This is just all media hype, not a chance this guy gets a contract.
…..DING…