Look who’s talking …
SAY IT LOUD! SCREAM, if you have to. Hawks' captain and All-Star Joe Johnson has suddenly become a Twitter machine. But he's not the only resident of our tight-knit community in a talkative mood these days. Hawks coach Mike Woodson is, too.
HAWKSVILLE - Whoever thought that late August and early September would be a quiet time for the Hawks didn’t count on Twitter changing the game.
Hawks captain and All-Star Joe johnson, known around the NBA as one of the league’s more subdued stars, has suddenly taken the gloves off on his Twitter page. He hasn’t mentioned anything about that extension the Hawks offered and whether or not he’ll be agreeing to sign on for another four years after this one, the final year of a five-year, $70 million deal.
But he’s sharing plenty of other things with anyone interested in following him. In fact, he’s sharing more than I can remember him giving up at anytime before now (and he might be sharing a bit too much for some of our more sheltered members, so be warned). I’m still scratching my head over this one, what with all the work it takes some days to get JJ to open up.
Maybe he’s shedding that hard shell of his and taking some steps in the direction of being a more vocal and engaged leader, which I’d argue is a blessing in disguise of peculiar Tweets (or whatever I should call them) from a usually reserved man – he went almost two months, from late June to late August, without a single update. I’m just saying … (scratching my head), something has changed.
JJ isn’t the only member of the family talking these days. You might remember the ditty we had with Hawks coach Mike Woodson way back when detailing the fact that he would head into the final year of his contract without an extension.
Well, Woody spoke about it again late last week in an interesting story by my main man Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports. I don’t expect this story to move the needle at all on the non-existent extension talks for Woodson and his staff.
We’ve had the Woody debate around here for pretty much every day of the past five years (or so). And the sides never seem to give much ground. The Woody supporters (Steamboat has been relentless from the outset) have campaigned for him without fail, through good and bad times. The Woody detractors have been equally steadfast and resolute in their belief that he’s not the right guy for the job.
The anti-Woody camp was winning the debate his first three years on the job. But the pro-Woody crowd is crowing a bit these days (with the pro-Rick Sund crowd soul-clapping their guy into the discussion as well).
As far as I can tell, the general mood of the partisan divide at this time was captured best by our good friend RA, who fired off this email late last week after the Hawks finished up Joe Smith’s paperwork:
“This summer can only be summed up in one word, brilliant. Everything that the Hawks usually don’t do, Sund managed to pull off. He managed to get marquee talent while at the same time giving up very little. He managed to keep the core of the team together, something that I would have thought was impossible going into this summer. He’s also managed to bring in a veteran, that the young fellas are going to listen to. All I can say is that regardless of what else happens this summer, Sund has done EVERYTHING that he could have been expected to do. The question now is whether or not Woody can handle the arithmetic?
Whatever side you’re on in this thing, one thing is certain. When the season starts, the pressure is all on Woodson (who, by the way, has been asking for a roster like this since he took the job) and his staff. Because for once, the summer has gone just as about as well as it possibly could have for the Hawks. The expectations from last season to this one couldn’t be higher. And with so many familiar faces returning and so few new additions (four might seem like a lot, but when three of them are seasoned vets like Smith, Jamal Crawford and soon-to-be Jason Collins, along with rookie PG Jeff Teague, a rugged transition is not expected) folks won’t tolerate a slow start.
The Collins tidbit, which was folded into Sunday’s Hawks’ Insider, is proof that these guys aren’t finished filling out this roster. The frontcourt could see the addition of at least one more player after Collins. And said player could punch his ticket for the season with a strong training camp showing. That means a host of guys, including Garret Siler, Othello Hunter and perhaps even Mario West (should he decide to attend) could crank up the tenor of what should be an otherwise business-like training camp.
Hunter and West (twice) have already shown that they are capable of making the team with strong camp showings. The dynamic changes a bit this year, though. If the Hawks plan on keeping the roster at 13 players, which according to most of the folks I’ve spoken to seems to be the way they are leaning (in an effort to maintain roster flexibility should another player shake out of the league’s training camp covers later on), they’ll have to make a tough choice about that 13th man.
Do they want a third point guard as security for Mike Bibby and Teague? – And yes, Crawford can play the point in a pinch but is better off playing at shooting guard.
Do they scour the landscape for a utility player that won’t rock the boat if he’s in a suit most nights as opposed to a uniform?
Or do they go the safe route and locate one more big man as injury insurance, in case they suffer through the wave of injuries again up front like they did last season (when Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams all succumbed to injuries at one time or another)?
The pickings are slim everywhere but point guard, where journeymen always seem abundant. But a third point guard isn’t specifically necessary unless someone higher on the depth charts hits a snag (injury or otherwise).
Still, I think the smart play here is keeping a spot or two clear for the best-player-available in late October.
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444 comments Add your comment
richbrave
September 6th, 2009
6:39 pm
BIG RAY:
Still fighting the good fight against the mindlessness of bigotry? Sorry to see it’s still a necessity. With the exception of RICHMOND CITY, up this way, the local suburban school districts have all decided not to air the presidents talk to school children live. It’ll be censored for “political content” then released as the districts see fit. Don’t remember any such problems when RONALD REAGAN and GEORGE W. BUSH did that.
Of course this has nothing to do with basketball. The WIZ fans are all agog over AGENT ZERO’s return. According to most posters on the D.C. blogs, the HAWKS may as well accept eighth place again because the misanthropes from WASHINGTON are taking back what’s rightfully theirs, 4th place.
richbrave
September 6th, 2009
6:43 pm
doc, KEN STRICKLAND, BIG RAY:
I’ll be in attendance at VCU for some of the WIZARDS training camp games. Will provide full details. I’m looking forward to seeing how JaVARIS comports himself with GA back and MILLER and FOYE in the fold.
vava74
September 6th, 2009
7:50 pm
richbrave,
Is that a fact? what a disgrace!
All that conversation about socialism to scare people off is so idiotic… unbelievable. Obama, like any Democrat would be considered far-right in most of Western Europe!
vava74
September 6th, 2009
8:10 pm
If you want a scouting report, Al Horford finished the FIBA tournament with:
G8 Min265 MPG 33,13 FGM/A 47/88 FG%53,4 FTM/A18/26 FT%69,2 OR33 DR49 TotReb 82 RPG10,2 ASS22 APG 2,7 PF27 To13 St9 BS8 Pts 112 PPG 14
Sautee
September 6th, 2009
8:14 pm
undisputed champ (and all the other names),
You said this: “Horford is not nor will ever be a center. Hell always be a pf masquerading as a center.”
Maybe you missed this a few blogs ago, so here you go:
truth-serum,
You said this: “As it was last year so it will be this year… with out a center the Hawks arent going to the finals.”
Hey truth-serum (or should I say undisputed champ?),
We actually have a Center. His name is Al Horford and here’s how he ranked last year in some stat categories for Centers:
Scoring: 19th – despite the fact that he shot the fewest attempts of any starter.
Rebound: 8th – better than Shaq, Pryzbilla, Perkins, and LOPEZ. You know, players who LOOK more like a center than Al.
Blocks: 16th – better than Noah, Chandler, Nene and Dampier – you know, “defensive stoppers”
Assists: 2nd – better than all but Brad Miller
Efficiency: 8th
Dbl-dbl: 9th – and after the All-Star break, he was THIRD behind DHoward and Yao. So much for getting worn down.
Steals: 9th
AST /TO: 5th
Gee, looks to me like he was in the top ten in most categories. And just 23 years old and in his second year. No wonder Woody loves him playing Center.
Yes, we HAVE a Center. Even if he has a PF body. I’ll take THAT kind of masquerade any day.
I’m not saying we’re going to the Finals, but we indeed have a Center, even if you would rather have him at back-up PF
And, once again Woody LOVES Horford as his center. Don’t you trust your boy?
richbrave
September 6th, 2009
8:16 pm
Well I’m not scared, are you?
Sautee
September 6th, 2009
8:45 pm
undisputed champ,
You also said this about Woodson: “There are many professional analysts who such as Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Organizations like Espn and TnT have sang his praises.”
Maybe they said he overall did a good job BUT, they also excoriated the Hawks for their lack of offense repeatedly (Kenny and Charles, I mean). They actually were ridiculing our lack of offense. I was embarrassed, but had to admit they were correct.
You also said this: “but 99.9 percent of the time you CANT win an NBA title with out one.”
I’ll call you on that one. The Spurs have won four championships in the last 10 years, and only ONE of the 4 teams had a dominant center, David Robinson. The OTHER 3 teams had Nesterovic, Nazr Mohammed and either Elson or Oberto. I’ll take Horford over ANY of those except the Admiral. Even in a masquerade.
3 out of 10 looks like maybe 70% instead of 99.9%. At least for this past decade.
Big Ray
September 6th, 2009
9:02 pm
Sautee,
Good point, as Tim Duncan has been playing PF his entire career. That an I’d argue that the Pistons had two power forwards in their starting lineup, and no real center.
Big Ray
September 6th, 2009
9:11 pm
RichBrave,
What’s good, my man?
Yes, unfortunately fighting the good fight never ends. As for Obama, like you…I’m not going to get into it here, as this is a basketball blog. All I can say is that while I think he knew that this new path wouldn’t be easy, there’s no way he could see certain things coming. And you’re right, this apparent “censorship” isn’t something that ever happened with Bush, Reagan, Clinton, and you can go back as far as you want. Of course, there are some fundamental differences in what was being said then, and what is being said now, but enough of all of that.
If ever Javaris Crittenton thought he had his work cut out for him, it’s now. Dude seems to get thrust into one up-hill situation after another. No matter where he goes, he ends up with a whole stable full of guards who are either already established, or otherwise expected to establish themselves. He always seems to be the odd man out. We’ll see what happens.
Let us know how it goes!
Ariose
September 6th, 2009
10:03 pm
JJ’s agent died apparently?? Jeff Wernick??
Ariose
September 6th, 2009
10:15 pm
Maybe he’s like a marketing agent? B/C Arn Tellem is his NBA agent….
Big Ray
September 6th, 2009
10:16 pm
Who knows, although I was about to say that maybe this explained JJ’s silence on the contract extension….
niremetal
September 6th, 2009
10:17 pm
Sautee,
You know I’m not ever one to agree with that guy, BUT…
Ever since Robinson started slowing down, Tim Duncan basically has played the exact same role that is normally assigned to the center on most teams – he gets the most low post touches, is assigned to the opposing team’s best post player, and patrols the lane when necessary. With a “power forward” like that, you can afford to have Bonner, Oberto, Kurt Thomas, or Drew Gooden playing “center.” And I’d argue that there isn’t much basis for labeling Duncan the “power forward” instead of the center when guys like that are on the floor (which, again, has been most of the time since The Admiral got moved off the front lines).
What IS a good point, however, is that you don’t need a dominant “center” to win a title. What you do need is a game-altering defensive presence down low, be it a PF (like Grant, Rodman, or KG), a C (like Hakeem, Shaq, or The Admiral), or a PF/C (like Duncan or the Wallaces). But really, it doesn’t matter what positional label you give him as long as he gets the job done. And Al Horford sure as hell gets the job done.
And now, I’m gonna go cheer for Taylor Dent.
Ariose
September 6th, 2009
11:02 pm
LOL@ Ray hehehe!!!
Ariose
September 6th, 2009
11:06 pm
….I was thinking the same thing….I can’t even lie.
Ariose
September 6th, 2009
11:26 pm
http://www.comcast.net/articles/sports-nfl/20090906/Merriman.Arrested/
Must be all the ‘Roids he’s on…yup that’ll do that to ya
Samuel
September 6th, 2009
11:55 pm
Clyde,
Got to give it to “Yo Boys”, the Tide looked dam good. VT did too. Id like to see them play Bama with their best player though. Any way, I can’t take nothing away from the Tide, they look as good as anybody I saw this weekend. They still got to come through OXford though.
“My Boy” Chad Bumphis scored a TD on his first career reception. Not bad even if it was against Jackson State. He’s gonna be a good one.
Clyde, Ya Boy Ken is smoking some good stuff. Did you hook him up with some of that RIO bud?
You can add Connie Hawkins and whoever else you want. D Wilkins is the best player to ever “step between a jock” in Atlanta. It aint even close.
Mystikal
September 7th, 2009
12:01 am
Just checked out the hawks schedule, I have them going:
24-18 on road
26-15 at home
It wasn’t by design, but it does put them at 50 wins. I do believe they will be comparable to last year and maybe slightly better. Will this get them a top 3 seed, that’s a different conversation.
Big Ray
September 7th, 2009
12:01 am
Ariose,
All I can say is “another one bites the dust.” Eh, the whole case won’t last long, I figure. And dude won’t lose as much as Chris Brown has, hah! Now what’s HIS excuse? Can’t be ‘roids…
E43
September 7th, 2009
12:03 am
i cant wait for the season. all the new faces and weapons to utilize… it will be crazy im sure joe johnson will be glad to come back, the hawks did everything he asked for and still let him be “THE MAN.”
Big Ray
September 7th, 2009
12:04 am
Mystikal,
A dead-even road record would be an improvment over what we had last year. A better than .500 road record is even better. The question is, is it worth the expense of a few more home losses, or should we look to at least hold serve (do as well as we did last year) at home, and then improve the road record by a few?
Mystikal
September 7th, 2009
12:11 am
I feel you Ray, but bigger than that may be their record vs other playoff teams? That could give a better indicator of how well they will fair in the 2nd rd matchup. Enough to make series intersting, perhaps?
The Flash
September 7th, 2009
12:19 am
Old home week. Thinking man, doc, Astro, and da man hisownself, Ando, and now me. I like Joe Smith alot and I like Collins. I can see an interior passing game with any number of combinations on the court that can hurt people off of all types of short shots, even little baseline 10-12 footers. I also like Teague alot, an awful lot. With Crawford, if I’m management, I lock Herb in a room with a lot of coffee for a couple of weeks, maybe with Drew for a while as well. If they don’t kill one onother, and keep it simple, could be some interesting half court offense.
Defense can present in any number of ways too, and I rhink can produce some easy baskets and make this team much more formidable when offense stalls.
Now, if JJ just doesn’t hold onto so often and so long.
Big Ray
September 7th, 2009
1:15 am
Mystikal,
Agreed. We need to do two things: stop playing down to teams that we can/should be able to beat, and get after playoff teams a lot harder. I think winning more on the road is a big key to how you do in the playoffs. And finding the winning formulas against playoff teams is key, too.
Flash,
Good to see you around, bro’. I am excited about the idea of seeing Teague play. I’ll temper such excitement for obvious reasons (he’s a rook, and we have a few good veteran guards), but I hope this kid makes it VERY HARD to not play him.
As for JJ…with this new roster, there should be less reason than ever for him to hold onto the ball so often or so long. If this doesn’t change, then the common denominator will be all too easily revealed.
vava74
September 7th, 2009
5:49 am
Here’s my take on Acie’s failure as a Hawk: he has the same nose type as Shareef
Shareef was a nice player, but lacked size and killer instinct. Acie lacks the hunger.
It’s all about the nose.
vava74
September 7th, 2009
5:50 am
yes, I had a tough weekend… my brain feels like mashed potatoes…
Big Ray
September 7th, 2009
7:29 am
Vava74,
Been watching too many Kellogg’s Fruit Loops commercials? Sounds like you’ve been talking to Toucan Sam…..
vava74
September 7th, 2009
7:40 am
Hi Big Ray,
I’m afraid that this is where our “cultural differences” make me lose out on the sense – or lack of it – of your reply!
vava74
September 7th, 2009
7:43 am
the beauty about the internet is that we can be “on the same” page almost instantly…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AfBXyH3eSo
I must say that you were right on the money!
Clyde
September 7th, 2009
8:07 am
Samuel excuse Ken. Following the Hawks makes you go crazy sometimes. That’s why I gave this blog up for a minute. Why follow a team that doesn’t look to improve.
vava74
September 7th, 2009
8:42 am
Clyde,
To improve, you need an action plan that fits the capabilities and characteristics of the organization.
The Hawks franchise has severe limitations in many aspects essential to achieve success:
a) there is a limit to what the ownership will be willing to go to cash wise (remember, they are losing money already as we are);
b) there is not sufficient support, locally, regionally and nationally and the Hawks compete for the spot light with too many franchises and college teams.
c) the Hawks are not perceived as solid and appealing to most free agents (we are slowing changing this).
Finally, sometimes it is better to take small evolutionary steps than to try and try and take a guge leap and repeat mistakes of the past (getting Mo Malone and Theus should be a good example of what should not be done).
Melvin
September 7th, 2009
9:43 am
Here’s Hoopshype analysis of the Hawks…
http://hoopshype.com/previews/atlanta.htm
Clyde
September 7th, 2009
9:44 am
I hear you vava. I’ll just root for the Crimson Tide and make my cameos on the blog until the Hawks are ready to compete for a ring.
richbrave
September 7th, 2009
9:55 am
CLYDE:
Why are you still dogging the HAWKS, man? You could have the WIZARDS to root for. Count your blessings. Besides where did the HAWKS finish in 2006?
vava74
September 7th, 2009
10:08 am
Hi Clyde,
I think you have just lost your “FIRE WOODY” license.
To hold one you must qualify for it.
To qualify for it you must root for the Hawks AS THEY ARE, regardless of them contending.
I know that winning feels nice, however, to be the underdog waiting for that elusive title makes it even tastier when it comes (if it comes)… and in the process, you take the almost the same amount of pleasure when you win something which is routine for others, like a 7 game 1st round playoff series…
richbrave
September 7th, 2009
10:09 am
Do any of you bloggers know where or when IVERSON is meeting HEISLEY today in HOT-lanta?
Samuel
September 7th, 2009
10:23 am
Clyde,
I think we are improving. Just not enough to win it all. We’re not the only game in town(ie: Tuscaloosa). Atlanta can’t use the whole City Budget to buy players.
richbrave
September 7th, 2009
10:28 am
Yes, bloggers, the BRAVES are toast, and I’m ba-a-a-c-c-ck!!!!! Aren’t you just thrilled to death? I’m nothing if not a one trick pony. Good luck to my adopted round-ballers this season. I think they moved ahead with JOE SMITH in the fold. And I think he’s pleased as well. I’m not sure what COLLINS brings other than insurance in the front-court. But SMITH should draw important minutes in the season coming up. I’m also not sure what JEFF TEAGUE brings to the court, but am looking forward to see his play. Be interesting to see how his talents mesh with MIKE BIBBY’s and the team. MB’s past his prime, but still effective if used properly. Maybe TEAGUE’s strengths are the ones that BIBBY doesn’t possess anymore. Does anyone know if JEFF defends well on the perimeter?
Samuel
September 7th, 2009
11:07 am
I really wish we would sign AI. I know some here think it would be too much of a gamble. Supposedly he has all this baggage but he “could provide” that missing piece to put us into the big three. I don’t see how he could hurt us enough to drop us out of the middle tier.
Plus, he will add much needed revenue to the ASG and put “butts in the seats”. I for one would be OK with the move.
vava74
September 7th, 2009
11:25 am
Samuel,
Stay off the pipe man. AI is a loser. A guy with tremendous talent but no respect for one of the fundamental aspects of the game: team play.
Look at how Spain and Argentina won those international BBall medals: team play, not with individually talented stars pilled up and playing on their own.
Only when the USA reverted back to a team concept (with players of different characteristics, some stars, some utility players) their natural talents shined together and produced a winner again.
Don’t come and talk about how close AI was to win it all with Philly: that was a small period in time in which he did a fraction of what he should have done throughout his career (listen to his coaches, respect his colleagues and practice). Give Larry Brown the merit for almost pulling that out!
A BBall player who publicly and repeatedly says that he doesn’t need to practice or that practice is not important is, by definition, AN IDIOT.
It’s a real shame since, even so, there is a sort of likability in the little fellow (a David and Goliath kind of thing), however, his minuses always out weighted his pluses and he has not showed, at all, any change to this bad attitude.
Ken Strickland
September 7th, 2009
12:02 pm
SAMUEL-you need to limit your comments because the more comments you make the more you demonstrate your severly limited basketball IQ. The Hawks are already having trouble with a limited OFF that far too often featured one on one play and ISO Joe, Flip and Bibby. And here you come with your mindless suggestion that we consider signing the ultimate one on one ISO ballhoging AIverson. And you make this dumb suggestion despite the fact his last 3 teams, Philly, Denver & Detroit, all improved after getting rid of him. You’re not a basketball fan as much as a fan of certain high profile players. You really know very little about basketball, and it shows. So, let me suggest you seriously read VAVA74′S 11:25am post and try to learn something, PLEASE!
You certainly aren’t gaining any points with your mindless attacks directed at me. It’s like using spitballs to sink a battleship.
Sautee
September 7th, 2009
2:56 pm
new blog up
Romblurbamoli
November 26th, 2009
7:20 am
Activision denies Modern Warfare 2 Russian ban: reghardware.co.uk/2009/11/17/russia_mw2/
Romblurbamoli
November 26th, 2009
7:25 am
I just received a bluetooth headset and cannot get it to turn on. I have it charging and connected to the playstation. It shows that it is charging by flashing red but when I try to turn the power on nothing happens. How do I fix this? Thanks!