That time of year
It's that time of year again for the Mike Woodson and his Hawks. Training camp is just weeks away and the coach and his team are in the crosshairs.
HAWKSVILLE - For those of us pro basketball loyalists, we always know when it’s time to readjust the schedule to get ready for the NBA season.
Labor Day is my reminder.
I know that in the days immediately following the holiday players will start trickling back into town and showing up for voluntary workouts (go ahead and get your jokes about my Wolverines out of the way now so we can move on to basketball matters) on the track and at the Hawks’ practice facility.
It’s as much as a part of my late summer/fall routine as watching football on the weekend. So I’ll be making my way downtown all week to see who shows up and what kind of work they’re doing in anticipation of the start of training camp, which believe it or not is just roughly three weeks away.
The prognosticators already have an idea of what things will look like once the season starts and how the Hawks will do, for example, our friends at HoopsHype have the Hawks pegged for a return to the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
I prefer to wait until I actually see someone on the move before offering up any sort of hypothesis about where this team might be headed. So while I was standing over my grill Sunday afternoon, basking in the glory of a decisive win for my team Saturday and enjoying the neighborly ambiance of the world’s greatest bedroom community (neighbors bring over steaming hot crawfish pies and ice cold Arnold Palmers when they see the first sign of grill smoke in Smyrna), the conversation turned to the Hawks.
Specifically, the Ridge Road crew wanted to know who has to have the biggest year for the Hawks to continue their climb up the conference ladder and back into the playoffs and perhaps beyond the second round?
It’s a question, I explained, best answered by those of us that spend far too much time worrying ourselves with these things on a daily basis (if you’re reading this, you know who you are). So before I ask for your take, please allow me to offer my five-point answer:
MIKE WOODSON - the Hawks’ sixth-year head coach has weathered every storm that’s come his way thus far, which is a testament to not only his team’s continual improvement but also his ability to compartmentalize during tough times and rally his troops. But this season will provide perhaps the harshest spotlight he’s faced during his tenure. In each of his five previous seasons few people – fans, pundits or anyone else outside of the city of Atlanta – viewed his team as a playoff player. All that has changed in the past 16 months. Woodson’s entering the final year of his deal, which always adds a little extra drama to the situation, with oversized expectations. The roster is 11-deep with proven NBA players (Randolph Morris is still waiting on the chance to prove himself), the deepest the Hawks have been since Woodson arrived. The bottom line, this team goes where Woodson leads them.
JOE JOHNSON - In the same situation as his coach, in terms of heading into the final year of his deal (until further notice, of course), the Hawks’ captain and All-Star faces an interesting dilemma this season. As his younger teammates have matured and the veteran cast been upgraded, Johnson will have to decide how much of the burden he is willing and able to shoulder this season. Physically, the extended minutes have taken a toll the past two seasons, when his playoff performances weren’t consistently up to his own lofty standards. Crazy as this might sound; if his numbers decreased across the board (especially his minutes) I could see him having a better season than any of his first four with the Hawks.
JAMAL CRAWFORD - Anytime you fleece a team the way the Hawks did when they snatched Crawford from the Golden State Warriors for Acie Law IV and Speedy Claxton, folks expect big things. And Crawford has to deliver, whatever his role ends up being. If he “leads the league in scoring off the bench” as one Hawks’ staffer joked to me in the hours after the deal went down, we’d have some story. But if he just maintains his nearly 20-point scoring average this season he’ll make that deal worth it. Any concerns about Crawford’s fit on this team have been assuaged by multiple in-house sources this summer that insist Crawford developed an instant chemistry with everyone within the organization that’s dealt with him. If the on-court chemistry comes as easily, this could wind up being one of the Hawks’ best personnel moves in years. If not …
RICK SUND - You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone that isn’t convinced that the Hawks’ GM has done a masterful job in his first 13 months on the job. He’s made all the right moves and steadied the organization through one of their best seasons in years. But the toughest challenge comes this season. Sund will have to gauge the Hawks’ progress by the February trade deadline and decide if this team, as presently constituted, provides the best chance for long-term success or not. If not, he’ll have to pull the trigger on the right deal to push the Hawks over top (sort of like his predecessor did two years ago when Billy Knight pulled the trigger on the Mike Bibby deal). Gone are the days when the Hawks’ GM could simply suspend the franchise in rebuilding mode or just maintain. The next step is moving upward and onward, and that almost always requires a deft personnel move one way or another.
JEFF TEAGUE/JOE SMITH/JASON COLLINS - These three guys represent everything the Hawks have needed in the form of depth at their two most crucial positions the past five years. Just a rookie, Teague’s ability to adapt to the NBA game and assume a position backing up Bibby is crucial. If his assimilation comes off without a hitch, and we honestly have no way of knowing how it will go, the need for that third point guard won’t be nearly as urgent as it might be otherwise. Smith and Collins are known commodities in the NBA. You get a versatile scorer and defender in Smith, a veteran frontcourt performer that’s always played much bigger than his listed size. In Collins, the Hawks have a 7-footer capable of lending quality minutes in a situational role, particularly on the defensive end. They have to be the support system, along with Zaza Pachulia, that Josh Smith and Al Horford have had to work without the past two years.
You know what I think.
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532 comments Add your comment
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
1:52 pm
LOL@ TB, Marvin is the one who needs to watch out. I hope Rod never gets courside seats at a home game. We may need exrta security for Marv!!!
Hawksgirl
September 7th, 2009
2:00 pm
I agree with you ramon. Smooth does have a “bit” of potential on the perimeter. When he is fired up he can drain the threes and perimeter shots but if he has mere seconds to shoot he has to rush it. I say keep shootin the threes but not all the time and not when another player is open obviously.
As for marv, everytime he gets a good streak going an injury seems to pop up(you guys dont notice that?)
I like marv as a player and starter. He defends well in my opinion. Woody has to step up his rotation game too! If he rested players at the right time then we could win more games. If jj is obviously tired rest him like he rests bibby.
Just my thoughts…………………
The Flash
September 7th, 2009
2:05 pm
It is not the reduced minutes that JJ will have to buy into, it is the idea, contrary to Samuel, that he has to be double-teamed, or wait for the double-team, before giving the ball up. He needs to give it up when the flow of the offense demands it, when one can feel that others will get the advantage if the ball pops rather than stops. That will bring down his stats, but bring up this team’s potency. If, I am wrong, and such play would not bring up this team’s potency, then the improvement everyone sees is an illusion. Sure, this team needs JJ to pick his spots and to carry it sometimes. But, he needs to be the Kobe of last year, not the one of years past, in my opinion.
Ramon
September 7th, 2009
2:10 pm
Hawksgirl, I understand what you’re saying. But Smooth probably had less than 15-20 3pt attempt last season when someone else was open and he had time to pass it. Smooth rarely takes a contested 3pt attempt. And I would venture to say Flip, Bibby, Evans, and Joe had more ‘bad shots’ from behind the arc than Smooth had during last season. People see that he should be the best player on the team, so all he does gets magnified negatively. He shot 30% from deep (or .299) in 87 attempts. Rasheed Wallace had 319 3pt attempts just last season, and Smooth shot .80 higher than Sheed total. I’ll live with those numbers any season.
Hoops
September 7th, 2009
2:26 pm
HEALTH! I think the Hawks have to stay healthy to have a great year. Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando probably have better talent, but the Hawks can compete with them and actually win their share over those three teams in a 82 game schedule if they can stay healthy.
I also think the Hawks will have great chemistry and that will carry them past the Magic. The Magic have a lot of new faces to jell together to get back to the level that they played at this past season. If Boston and Cleveland have injuries, that could give the Hawks the opportunity that they need!
If the Hawks could swap Smooth for Al Jefferson, we may be talking Championship! That’s how close the Hawks are!
Ramon
September 7th, 2009
2:27 pm
I think we will see many stretches when its Crawford, Joe, Smooth, Smith, Horford finishing out the game next season. That would be my 4th quarter line up.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
2:44 pm
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/top_plays/2009/09/07/nba_20090906_hawks_top10.nba/
Some Sense
September 7th, 2009
2:53 pm
Sekou,
Nice job covering the Techmites Saturday.
RA
September 7th, 2009
2:57 pm
I’ve got to second HOOPS. The Hawks have got to stay healthy. They’re deep enough to where they can sustain for short periods after an injury to one starter, but if they should have injuries to two or three or if any of the starting five should go down for long period of time…
Samuel
September 7th, 2009
3:07 pm
Flash,
I don’t think I said wait for the double team. I said pass the ball out of the double team quicker. Make no mistake about it, he will be doubled and there is nothing wrong with that. All good players get doubled. That can be a positive if you utilize it correctly.
And I still think he will have to buy into his reduced minutes. It’s easier said than done to ask a guy to possibly get left out on All Star weekend. I believe he can still make the AllStar game even with a reduced scoring average if the Hawks really improve. Somebody has to come from here.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
3:09 pm
Guards: Mike Bibby, Jeff Teague, Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford
Wings: Marvin Williams, Maurice Evans
Bigs: Josh Smith, Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia, Joe Smith, Jason Collins, Randolph Morris
We are defenetly lacking in the Wing dept. Siler seems like a lock at this point. I’d go with Mario and Carney for the wings and just take the roster to 15. It looks like its going to at least 14 w/Maio and at least another big…
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
3:13 pm
Smoove for Al Jefferson is a horrible idea….sorry.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
3:15 pm
If we WIN, Joe and possibly some other Hawks will get the All-Star nod. Regardless of MPG.
Sautee
September 7th, 2009
3:17 pm
Hoops,
If you were The T-Wolves would YOU do that trade?
Smoove alone is not NEARLY enough to get Jefferson.
Ramon
September 7th, 2009
3:28 pm
I wouldn’t trade Smoove for Jefferson. Not with Jefferson coming off an injured season.
Ramon
September 7th, 2009
3:28 pm
I would trade Horford and Williams, but not Smoove.
Smitty
September 7th, 2009
3:29 pm
It is amazing to me sometimes that fans do not see Josh Smith for what he is. he is a gifted athlete with superior leaping ability ie. shotblocking and rebounding. He is not a 3pt. shooter although he can be hot. he is, or has been immature and selfish. He is just the kind of player who can get a coach fired cause fans love his sensational plays but ignore the stupid things he does. Discipline is tough at the pro level. often, after 4 yrs. it is the coach that has to leave
Nick Henry
September 7th, 2009
3:31 pm
What’s a Smoove?
nside hfan
September 7th, 2009
3:32 pm
Can we run the pick and roll ourselves a little bit? If woody can make it happen, Hawks Soar.
cornpone, i know.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
3:33 pm
Michael Jordan Vs. Real Defenses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5auPSMaD3vE
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
3:40 pm
Sautee, you can’t be serious…Seriously??? NO
Rick Sund would Laugh at you. Maybe for Amare but jefferson dude? The only other PF on the trade market that may give KG trouble is Amare. Jefferson is Shelon with better skills and a bum knee.
Hoops
September 7th, 2009
3:52 pm
Sautee,
I don’t believe for a second that the Timberwolves would take Smooth for Jefferson. I was just using that illustration to show how close, one player away, the Hawks are to being a REAL CONTENDER!
If you think the Timberwolves would even consider that trade, we could throw in Morris to make it happen!!! HA
By the way, the salaries will work and the ESPN Trade Machine says that this trade would add 7 wins to the Hawks.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
3:54 pm
This time theres footage of ‘Nique and the Hawks trying to stop MJ. JJ, take notes..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xJJNUkrdyQ
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
3:56 pm
WOW…..Idiots…tch..
Sautee
September 7th, 2009
4:02 pm
Ariose,
We’ll have to agree to disagree. Dude went for 23 and 11 last year before he got hurt. Don’t think Sheldon will EVER do THAT, do you?
23 and 11 for the same salary as Smoove. And he’s only 25.
The only other center with comparable stats was Howard.(20.6 and 13.8)
I think the T-Wolves would be the ones laughing, but that’s just MY opinion.
I’d LOVE to have him here, but we’d have to give up too much, IMHO.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
4:08 pm
JJ ad Bibby are soft. They need to hit MJ up for some advice it’s just sad nowadays…MJ never ran out of gas in the playoffs…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du-C-TvHqzA&NR=1
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
4:10 pm
But Jefferson, like Horford, is really a PF….and we have enough of those + he’s not athletic and is not a shot blocker. Whos going to clean up Bibbys spilled milk?
undisputed champ
September 7th, 2009
4:11 pm
swatguy
September 7th, 2009
1:52 pm
LOOks Like my TV is watching the same game as yours!@! In order for the Hawks to compete they must have a solid, assertive and intimidating post.You also need the ability to score in the post; otherwise the other 5 will rotate out to your perimeter and force guys like josh to the trey line. Hard to do that with ZAZA 3 in vertical leap and who 2008 field goal pct was 49%.I thought the dunk was the hightest percentage shot in the NBA,and lower the ball got in the post the higher the percentage.
There is not much difference in Collins and ZaZa except the price tag.
I also agree that the real leadership on this team has come from Woodson who has protected this team and applied authority when needed. He has also kept moral high and weathered the wave of immaturity from Josh. Yes He a pro coach no doubt, but with out that extention, as you mentioned his capacity to assert rule is diminished.
Yes. Im watch the same game youre watching.
undisputed champ
September 7th, 2009
4:12 pm
morale
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
4:12 pm
With Sheldon, I was just comparing the similar build(hight etc..) although Jefferson is a little bigger. He’s also only like a career 65% Ft shooter. Josh is at 70% for his career I beleive.
Benjamin
September 7th, 2009
4:22 pm
I honestly believe we’re a better coach away from contention in the Eastern Conference. While we’ve only got one star-quality player, we’re as deep 2-12 as anyone in the league in my opinion, and I still believe Horford and Josh Smith can become stars in their own right.
We need someone to come in and instill floor discipline, though. These Hawks, under the current regime, are too prone to making mistakes, and they don’t have an offensive system to work with unless they’re scoring buckets in transition. I put both of those at Woodson’s feet and feel like our success from the past couple seasons came largely in spite of the man rather than because of him. It’d be very hard to fire a person whom we’ve improved record-wise under the past several seasons, but I don’t think he’s the one to guide us to the next level.
O'Brien
September 7th, 2009
4:29 pm
Ariose,
If you ask all the GM’s in the league, would they rather have Al Jefferson or Smoove, I think most of them would choose Al Jefferson.
Samuel,
I agree with your points. And along with JJ buying into the reduced minutes, Woody has to buy in as well. It was Woody who said he knew how important it was for JJ to make the All Star team. Even if JJ doesnt buy into the lesser minutes, I hope Woody will do whats best for the team (and give JJ some much needed time on the bench).
Josh needs to give up the ball on the break. Give it to JJ or Bibby, and let them decide what to do. Too many times, the Hawks end up with a bad shot because Josh was leading the break, and he ends up making a pass that somebody wasn’t ready for, or he makes the wrong read.
Josh also needs to work on a mid range jumper (leave the 3’s alone). KG/McDyess are 2 guys who can hit that midrange jumper. Duncan can be unstoppable at times, especially when he is hitting the bank shot off the glass. If Josh masters the mid range jump shot, maybe it would then be easier for him to extend his range.
KevinA
September 7th, 2009
4:30 pm
The idea Crawford will avg. 20 pts a game is a little far fetched. For those who think Marvin can’t defend wait till you see Craw at the #3. When he plays he will get JJ back up minutes. Teague/Crawford will fight for the Bibby back up minutes.
For Crawford to score 20 pts he will need at least 1,000 attempts and play 35 minutes. Ain’t going to happen unless we sit Bibby a whole lot more. I don’t see him playing more than 20 minutes unless Teague flops. If Teague plays really well look for less than 20 minutes. Bibby is still the man in the house. He will get his 30 min.
If Al, Josh and Marvin have good years look for the more shot attempts to go to the front court. One more reason Crawford will not get as many attempts as he is used to. Nothing against Crawford, just saying.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
4:44 pm
O’Brien, That may be true(I seriously doubt it though), but swapping Al Jefferson for Josh Smith doesn’t make the Atlanta Hawks a better basketball team, It makes us worse in my opinion.
KevinA
September 7th, 2009
4:47 pm
Unless our offense changes Josh, Al and ZaZa end up wide open just below the key. How do you stop this? Make the shots.
I love Josh but Jefferson is better. He has a well developed post game. Josh in two years? I hope so. Thats when Josh will be 25.
Smitty
It is amazing to me sometimes that fans do not see Josh Smith for what he is. he is, or has been immature and selfish. Discipline is tough at the pro level. often, after 4 yrs. it is the coach that has to leave.
How about the missed shots of JJ and Bibby. Discipline is tough at the pro level.
How many games do we start 7-12 points behind because the back court is jacking up jumpers and can’t convert.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
4:49 pm
“Josh needs to give up the ball on the break. Give it to JJ or Bibby, and let them decide what to do. Too many times, the Hawks end up with a bad shot because Josh was leading the break, and he ends up making a pass that somebody wasn’t ready for, or he makes the wrong read.”
I want examples from last season. The date the game was on and who we were facing. Like I said, It didn’t happen more than a handful of times last season.
Check the #1 Play in my 2:44pm post. THATS what happend most of the time. Like I said, Josh lost the ball posting up in the half-court twice as amny times as he did on the break.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
4:57 pm
I love Josh but Jefferson is better. He has a well developed post game. Josh in two years? I hope so. Thats when Josh will be 25.
KevinA, True, but like I said, That doesn’t make Jefferson a better fit on this team. On this team Jefferson is redundant at this point. We’d just be swapping our shot-swatting hyper-athletic forward who’s only 23 for and unathletic forward with knee problems and occasional weight-loss issues…Jefferson is not a true center, so how does he solve any of our problems? Smith does a lot of things on the defensive end that Jefferson cannot do. Moving his feet and not being a liability on a pick n’ roll just happens to be one of them. Cleaning up for Mike Bibby is another…
KevinA
September 7th, 2009
4:59 pm
Instead of trashing Josh for missing 3 pt shots why don’t we heae some trash on Bibby and JJ not driving to the hoop or getting the ball to the bigs in a position they can score. Seems like thats what the best teams do.
Da Analyst
September 7th, 2009
5:02 pm
Woody need to improve his half court offense, which now its let Joe create his shot. Marvin is a pretty good jump shooter and is better creating his own shot off the dribble than Josh, so Woody need to call his nbr at the half court set-up more often. The JJ and Crawford sounds pretty good when Marvin or Josh gets into foul trouble or late into the 4th qtr. Teague is just what the doctor ordered for Josh and Big Al on the fast break. This could be the year Hawks make the eastern conference finals.. Daaaaaaaa Analyst
KevinA
September 7th, 2009
5:05 pm
Ariose,
I am with you. I would not trade Josh for Jefferson. I would Harford for Jefferson though – thats another discussion.
Ramon
September 7th, 2009
5:07 pm
KevinA people don’t trash Bibby and JJ for that because they say that is in the ‘game plan’. So they’re not hurting the team.
By the way, just 2 seasons ago Matt Barnes shot just .293 from beyond the arc. Now everyone considers him a good perimeter threat, interesting.
cp
September 7th, 2009
5:14 pm
It’s a few things to me.. First Woodson has to install a better offense and learn to make adjustments.. Too many times teams would dictate how we play or abuse us on the pick and roll and there was never any adjustments made. Woodson always had the answers after the game but rarely during the game did he know what adjustments to make. We have to get some type of offense this season. I truly don’t know what offense we have been running other than ISO Joe.
Marvin has to get a mean streak. Dude is talented but seems to nice on the court. He has to show some fire as one poster said. Josh needs to work around the basket more and stop complaining after every call.
I would love to get another sf in here and Mario is not the answer. Carney can be had for a cheap deal. I think he would fit in perfectly here. Nice defender, athletic, and can hit the 3.
Ariose
September 7th, 2009
5:20 pm
Mike Bibby: Team Jordan Interiew(2008):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCJcwRZ7N8U
Ken Strickland
September 7th, 2009
5:21 pm
REAL#1HAWKSFAN-with Woodson publically questioning CPaul’s size, DEF skills and ability to hold up in the NBA, as well as his negative attitude toward rookie PG’s, what makes you think he wouldn’t have suffered the same fate as ALaw? Also, how can anyone make an issue of Marvin’s DEF ability with Bibby in the starting lineup?
ARIOSE-your 4:10pm post is sooooo on point. Look at the overall improvement of the Nuggets when they got rid of the scoring, ball hogging and NO DEF of AIverson and added the DEF and unselfishness of Chauncey Billups. I can see the same type of overall improvement taking place with the Hawks if we got better DEF and more OFF versatility from our starting PG. That would be a lot more effective in making us a better team than getting improved DEF play from Marvin.
There are many that feel we need a bigger, taller center with postup skills in order for the team to be more effective. Well, what good would it do if we continue running the same limited guard oriented OFF that places most of it’s emphasis on outside shooting instead of inside scoring?
The Truth
September 7th, 2009
5:23 pm
Sekou
It’s September: I haven’t gotten about your earlier comment regarding JJ contract extension. You said no need to get concern unless we get into September and we haven’t heard anything. Well we are going into the 2nd week of September and we haven’t heard anything. What’s up!!
KevinA
September 7th, 2009
5:27 pm
Ariose
JJ ad Bibby are soft. They need to hit MJ up for some advice it’s just sad nowadays…MJ never ran out of gas in the playoffs…
We don’t talk about this much. I agree with you 100%. Woody needs to a better job on pulling players for a breather anytime anyone takes a play off on defense. We have a bench now, no more excuses.
KevinA
September 7th, 2009
5:30 pm
Ken Strickland,
I can see the same type of overall improvement taking place with the Hawks if we got better DEF and more OFF versatility from our starting PG.
Agree on defense. Since JJ gets the ball most of the time are you really talking about JJ when it comes to off versatility?
Bill Heller
September 7th, 2009
5:34 pm
This team could make us forget about the Tree, Wilkens and Willis for a while.
Tony
September 7th, 2009
5:34 pm
What is wrong with people? Anyone who would suggest trading Josh Smith is an IDIOT!!!!!!!!!! There are only a couple of players I would hold onto:
Josh Smith-He is the most talented/gifted hawk we have. PERIOD!!!
Marvin Williams- If healthy, he provides you with stability and performance and still has reached his FULL potential.
Jeff Teague- He is the future point guard!!!!
Everyone else (yeah, that’s right!! That’s includes you Joe) you can get the heck out!!!!
Joe Johnson is not a star. Lebron, kobe, and D-wade are stars. You switch Joe with any of those guys and you tell me he would carry there teams?
Joe/Miami: They would have been an eight (maybe seven seed). With D-Wade they were fifth.
Joe/Lakers: Playoffs, yeah maybe the last seed if that. With Kobe world champs.
Joe/Cavs: C’mon people. You think Joe is a star. Lebron carried the cavs on his back to the nba playoffs. Joe/cavs would have beat the pistons that year.
You can get mad all you want. But Josh is the future not Joe. I have been a hawks fan all my life but I just don’t think we can win it with just Joe. Josh Smith is the key people not Joe Johnson, Sekou. Josh can control the entire game on both ends. Joe CANNOT DO THAT. Nuff Said!!
Holla atcha boy!!!!
Tony
September 7th, 2009
5:35 pm
I meant Marvin has NOT reached his full potential