A Blog-Z state of mind?
NEW HAWKS GUARD JAMAL CRAWFORD HAS BEEN EVERY BIT AS GOOD AS ADVERTISED IN TRAINING CAMP, AND THEN SOME. PLUS, BLOG-Z SPEAKS!
Jamal Crawford's already stirred things up in practice. Hawks fans should expect more of the same all season long from the gifted scorer and passer.
HAWKSVILLE – We’re a week into training camp and one thing is clear, this Hawks team set to take the floor this season is a much improved bunch from the one that left the floor in that series against Cleveland to end last season.
How much better is still up for debate.
But it’s clear that this team has a chance to get back to where it finished last year and perhaps beyond, based on the early vibes emanating from the Hawks’ practice court.
“This is by far the best group and the best first week of camp we’ve had in my time here,” one keen observer noted after Sunday’s practice. “Not since Steve Smith and Mookie Blaylock have we had a group like this that could get it from the first guy through 12.”
Watching Jamal Crawford explode the way he did in Sunday’s scrimmage was the first real indicator of just how deep and potentially explosive this team could be. He didn’t just attack the Blue team (starters and a couple reserves), he went directly at Joe Johnson (haven’t seen anyone do that before now either) with the scrimmage on the line and finished (Joe had an open look from the corner that could have won it for the Blue team but his jumper didn’t fall). While it was a bit of a shock to the system of those that have been watching the Hawks the past few years, Crawford didn’t seem particularly fazed by his performance. I mean, he’s not cocky in the least bit but the man knows he’s good. He knows he can score at will, regardless of who is trying to guard him. I think everyone else knows it now.
“With Jamal and Jeff Teague, we have a dynamic we haven’t had since I’ve been here,” said Hawks forward Josh Smith. “We’re bringing two guards off the bench that can score every bit as good as our starting guards. That’s a nasty group right there, when you can put your backup guards in and still keep the pressure on. If we do it right, we’re going to be coming at you from so many different angles that you’re going to need a while to figure out where it’s coming from. And hopefully by then, we’ll have shifted into another gear on you and made you think it all over again. It’s going to be fun to see us in action once we get this thing cranked up.”
Everyone seems to have an opinion. So what better time to tap our friendly neighborhood Hater of the Millennium for his take on all things Hawks? Blog-Z has been in attendance for all of the portions of camp outsiders have been allowed to view (and thanks to the Mad VP and the media alert being on red, we haven’t seen as much as we’re used to). So we asked him for some quick thoughts on camp and what it’s looked like from his perspective.
Hawks Blog: So you saw Jamal Crawford get loose Sunday, how good was he?
Blog Z: He was crazy good. But the thing he and Jeff Teague bring that no one is talking is about is that they push JJ and Mike Bibby to play at a higher level, even in practice. Bibby’s been as good as anyone in training camp. He’s shooting lights out. He’s defending and finding guys in stride and he’s leading the team the way you’d expect from a seasoned veteran. But yeah, even the hater in me can’t deny that these guards are going to make for an interesting mix. They’re just so explosive on the offensive end. And Crawford’s best and probably most underrated asset is that he’s a much more complete player than he gets credit for. It’s scary how good he is when you consider all the mess he’s taken over the years for being on crappy teams.
HB: So maybe you’re more excited about this team than you were earlier in the summer, when you said you didn’t see any major improvements and that this team has no chance of shaking up the top three of the Eastern Conference?
BZ: And maybe you’re more interested in writing scripts than you are reporting what someone actually said. Read my lips player, I remain committed to the facts. The Hawks didn’t go crazy this summer and find that missing piece to the championship puzzle. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Crawford is a monster addition. he’s going to be great in this town, on this team and in the role they have slotted for him. But he alone isn’t the answer to the bigger question of whether or not this team (as presently constituted) is capable of challenging for a top three spot. I say no.
HB: Will you at least admit that this team has a chance to shock some people this season?
BZ: I won’t admit to anything. And these “people” you’re talking about, where might they be? I saw what the national experts had to say about the Hawks this season. They don’t seem particularly convinced that this team is going to shock the world. Now one of my guys, you all know him as RA, took offense to what the experts had to say. He sent me this email Sunday:
Knocking off Miami in seven games last year wasn't enough for Josh Smith and the Hawks to convince the national pundits that they are for real.
Thanks for showing what the rest of the sports writing universe has to say about our Hawks, but in reading their…appraisals, I noticed several glaring omissions:
Ian Thomsen mentions implies that Hawks ownership is cheap and while he does add that the moves that they’ve made this offseason were all “winning moves” he does not fully explore the impact that those moves can make. For example, what is it going to mean for this team to have Crawford, who can come in and spell Joe Johnson while at the same time being able get his own shot from anywhere and set up his teammates. What is it going to mean to have Joe Smith’s experience and physical play on the roster, and Collins who gives the Hawks another big body off the bench that they just didn’t have before? I feel like those additions were simply dismissed as bargain basement pickups representing an unwillingness (or inability) of the Hawks brass to go out and get front line talent. I feel that his assessment is incomplete, at best.
As for A.J. Adande’s assertions that the Hawks don’t have star power, I beg to differ. Joe Johnson has become a perennial all-star, Mike Bibby was making his bones in the Western Conference finals when Howard was cutting his wisdom teeth, and Josh Smith is pound for pound one of the most exciting players in the game. Now, none of the aforementioned have any championships, but last time I checked neither did [Dwight] Howard or King James. Also, if the Detroit Pistons of the early 90’s taught us anything, it’s that you don’t have to have a “Superstar.” You just need depth, talent, and proper leadership. I feel that Mr. Adande is ignoring the fact that at least two of these factors, possibly three, are in place.
Of all the experts that you cited, I feel that [Yahoo! Sports' Marc] Spears was the most fair. Of course, I think that he should have reserved his statement about the Hawks not finishing strong in the playoffs. The Hawks had three starters who were either out or hobbled in the second round vs. Cleveland. To be honest, they made a much better showing in games three and four than I ever would have expected. Under the circumstances of what they were dealing with, I don’t know many teams that could have done better and very few that might have done as well.
Like I said, I don’t think that the journalism for Atlanta has been fair or balanced, but I do hope that other teams take it seriously because it would be nice to sneak up on a few teams, although I doubt very seriously that that’s going to happen…
HB: Man, you’re a complete hater. You’ve even got RA hating on the national cats. I know Michigan got popped Saturday by Michigan State an all, but can’t you let go of your personal biases long enough to talk Hawks? I mean, surely you’ve seen some things in Hawks’ training camp that please you?
BZ: You would bring up the Michigan game (ya little punk). I ought to slap the … what was the question again?
HB: Some things that please you so far?
BZ: I didn’t say this group wasn’t impressive. It’s clear they’ve got a core group of about 10 players capable of competing against anyone on a given night. They had an adequate group last year and they added a couple of good players to that mix. But I’m not ready to anoint them or anything. I’m just taking a wait and see approach to this season, like most wise observers would. A good first week of training camp has never won anything. In fact, there isn’t much this team can show me in the preseason that will sway me one way or the other. I need to see what they at the end of this season and in the playoffs. That’s when they can prove to me that they’re moving into that upper echelon. Pump your brakes son. Building all these off the wall expectations and feeding all this hype is what will land a team in the hole if things don’t start right once the real games begin.
HB: Well, what about the guys trying to snag that final roster spot. Has anyone caught your eye?
BZ: I could make a reasonable case for just about every single guy. Othello Hunter’s activity and potential make him an enticing candidate. Same goes for Frank Robinson. With Mario West I know what I’m getting, and it’s usually all good because his motor revs at all times. Courtney Sims has the size and skill set you want in a big but I don’t know if he makes sense either. Aaron Miles has probably been the most surprising guy of the bunch for me, only because I didn’t realize he was this good. And what you get in experience with Mike Wilks and Juan Dixon makes up for their lack of ideal size and bulk at the position [point guard]. The one guy that keeps coming back into my head is the big boy, Garret Siler. He’s going to find a spot somewhere, maybe not this year but eventually, and you’d hate to have him now and let him go only to see him show up a year or two now helping some other team. And with all that said, there might be a better player and a better fit that falls through the training camp crack elsewhere. In any respect, this is a good problem to have, watching eight guys scrap it out for one roster spot. Another benefit of having a quality group like this is that if you need a replacement player throughout the season for any reason, you can reach back and grab one of these guys that showed well during training camp.
HB: For some super hater, you’re not nearly as nasty as you’ve been in the past. What’s with nice routine?
BZ: There’s nothing nice going on here partner. I’m just a little under the weather right now. All this rain has me in the dumps. But I’ll be back and hating better than ever before too long.
HB: So we can hit you up in a few weeks for some post training camp assessments?
BZ: There you go making stuff up again. I didn’t say all that chump. Lose my number!
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289 comments Add your comment
Sekou Smith
October 5th, 2009
9:52 pm
As for his handles, Josh had a great behind the back dribble for a stepback jumper today that was as good a move as any player made during today’s scrimmage. He’s got all sort of tools to work with. That’s never been his issue. Deciding what to focus on and maxing it out is the key.
UGA
October 5th, 2009
9:57 pm
Which guard (PG) has the best shot at making this team sir?
Is anyone on our team showing some improved skills on the block? Are we going to try and post up Marvin more this year?
Thanks!
Melvin
October 5th, 2009
10:04 pm
Thanks for the info Sekou. Hopefully Josh can take the next step and become an All-star this year…
Stating the Obvious
October 5th, 2009
10:18 pm
“Josh had a great behind the back dribble for a stepback jumper today that was as good a move as any player made during today’s scrimmage.”
If Josh tries that move during a real game, someone needs to kick his ass.
HYPOCRIT ALURT
October 5th, 2009
10:30 pm
niremetal
October 5th, 2009
7:46 pm
Why don’t you go after the point of my argument instead of the details.
HYPOCRIT ALURT, SOMEBODY SOUND THE ALARM NON MENTAL IS LOOSE AGAIN WITH HIS ONE MAN BUBBA CREW.
Ariose
October 5th, 2009
10:38 pm
Final Eastern Confrence Standings:
1)Celtics
2)Caviliers
3)Hawks
4)Magic
5)Wizards
6)Raptors
7)Bobcats
8)Sixers
Close Miss: Heat, Bulls, and Pacers
Divison Champs get the top seeds regardless, so we really need to come out of the gate strong and snag that SE dvision title. We have to create a sizeable cushon before Orlando heats up. The Magic will suffer early because of the 10 game Rahsard Lewis suspension, The loss of the playmaking ability of Hedo, Chemistry issues because of all the new players, and the fact that Jameer Nelson isn’t who they think he is(they shoulda kept Rafer)…The #3 seed is ours for the taking, we just need to stay healthy and it’s a done deal.
Melvin
October 5th, 2009
10:39 pm
Ariose,
All that smack DWade talk this summer, he don’t want to see Josh after getting block by a rookie…lol
http://www.nba.com/video/games/pistons/2009/10/05/0010900007_mia_det_7play.nba/index.html?ls=gt1hp0010900007
Big Ray
October 5th, 2009
10:43 pm
Uh, Nire ,
Now you know I like Othello Hunter. And I want him to make the team. But doesn’t he fit the description of what you and Truth have been “discussing” for several posts? A training camp invitee. According to you and whatever stats y’all dug up (y’all gotta be bored or something) such players rarely develop into a decent rotational player.
Not only that, but this guy played center in college. Not SF. And unless I missed something, the few times he DID play last year, he wasn’t playing SF. So you’re ready to hand the role of backup swingman to a guy who has never even been played at that spot?
I mean, I’d sooner have Josh play SF, and yes I know how you feel about that. Well, like it or not, he was listed as a swingman type coming into the league and nearly every writer and commentator who has ever done more than mention him in passing has talked about him as a swingman who happens to be playing PF. Just sayin’…
Rod From College Park
October 5th, 2009
10:48 pm
“Josh had a great behind the back dribble for a stepback jumper today that was as good a move as any player made during today’s scrimmage.”
If Josh tries that move during a real game, someone needs to kick his ass.
Why do I get the feeling that if it was Marvin doing this, there would be talk of hard he has worked on his game and how he is going to be an all-star this year. Because it is Josh, he should have his ass kicked. Stating the Obvious nothing has changed about you one bit. You defend marvin like its a job but you’re going to bash Josh. Classic. And let me state something obvious. Only the blind can’t see that you are niremetal. Is this what your lawyer degree got you? What’s your favorite word, syntax? Try changing it before you accuse somebody else of using multiple names. So much for the law degree.
Big Ray
October 5th, 2009
10:51 pm
Man, NBA.com stinks. Yahoosports does a much better job of keeping up-to-date scoring information and what not. What is wrong with those folks at NBA.com?
Melvin ,
Nice link! I love it. Still, almost nothing beats that one Josh Smith did on Wade last year. And Wade thought he had the game-winning layup…heh heh heh!
Jody
October 5th, 2009
10:57 pm
Big Ray,
You make an excellent point. To my knowledge, Josh Smith never played the power forward position full time until his third year in the league (Antoine Walker and Al Harrington played at the four spot). Josh Smith came into the league playing small forward (a slashing small forward). He was asked to play power forward after the Hawks drafted Marvin. It’s amazing to me how so many people continue to criticize him for not being a “true” power forward or post player when he never was that to begin with and when he’s clearly smaller than his opponent on most nights. While I agree that he needs to work on his decision making, I think more people should applaud the efforts of both he and Horford when they’re both clearly playing out of position.
Ariose
October 5th, 2009
10:58 pm
Thank you Ray! I was going to bring it up, but i didn’t feel like putting on the gloves right now lol. What makes Othello Hunter the “Training Campe Invitee” exception? He certainly wasn’t a rotational player last season.
Ariose
October 5th, 2009
10:59 pm
Rod, for once I have to agree wih you. Stop Smoove hatin’ ni….uh Mr.Obvious!
Big Ray
October 5th, 2009
11:14 pm
Jody ,
Thanks, man. That’s just the way I’ve always seen it with Josh. The skills don’t necessarily always tell the whole the story about the player, or I could make a case for why Hedo Turkoglu is more of a pg than Jameer Nelson is. Of course, that’s not the best comparison or analogy for this subject (it’s a broad subject). And chances are, ol’ Nire over there is likely to demand that I post proof of all the NBA types who have called Smith a swingman, then discredit every single one of them the moment I post it.
JUST KIDDING, Nire
I MUS WRITE
October 5th, 2009
11:14 pm
Jerry West there are exceptions to every rule.
Daniel- I think that boston will be either 3 or 4 in a close battle with Atlant….
Cant wait for the Wednesday scrimmage against NO….Man what would i do without my NBA TV
Tony
October 5th, 2009
11:16 pm
I am going to say this again for the last time. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY superstars on this team. Like charles barkley said “Joe Johnson is just a very good player.” Joe is not a star people. Get over it and stop the none sense. He cannot carry this team in the playoffs and even if he does this year where was he in Boston two years ago or last year against Miami and the Cavs.A.I. led philly by himself (and hurt to might I add), King James lead the cavs, D-wade carried miami last year and almost beat us by himself with a bunch of young babes and some washed up has beens. What’s wrong with you all. Every week I hear about Joe this and Joe that. Jordan, A.I., D-Wade, Isaiah Thomas and even other superstars have all played with injuries, have all played sick. So don’t give me the crap that Joe was hurt. I do not care. A superstar gives his best and does not give or let someone else give excuses for their play if they are hurt or sick. A superstar gives everything. A.I. has done that. Kobe has done that. D-Wade has done that. If you are a star Joe, prove it to me. When the pressure mounts we will see what’s more important you or the team. And oh yeah, the clock is ticking.
I MUS WRITE
October 5th, 2009
11:20 pm
Jerry West…… The Truth has assembled a nice little list of undrafted guys that seemed to turn out okay….O wait Ben Wallace was a former defensive MVP and Bowen was as sticky as they come ……
I guess it doesnt matter since they were’nt drafted….. Uhhhhhmmmm Yeah!!!!!!
niremetal
October 5th, 2009
11:21 pm
Ray,
Oh, I agree that the odds are very, VERY likely that Othello will never be a rotation player. If we had 14 roster spots filled, I would be calling for us to cut Hunter along with everyone else at camp. My point was simply that if we ARE going to only take 1 player from these 8, I think that Hunter is my pick. And even that is based less on the probability of him becoming a rotation player than it is a simple necessity given that there aren’t any combo forwards on our roster, and it would be nice to have someone to back up (read: practice against) Marvin and Josh.
And even then, I’ve said before that if it looks as if Othello lacks the skill set needed to play emergency minutes at SF, then we should cut him too. This is all based on the idea that in mini-camp, Othello apparently looked like he had worked hard to develop himself into a combo forward. If I’m wrong about that, then frankly there’s no reason to keep him around.
In any case, I hold no illusions about Othello. Much as I love his motor (as with Rio), I don’t think any of these guys will become rotation players.
niremetal
October 5th, 2009
11:33 pm
Rod, hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but no…that wasn’t me.
Do you know what syntax means? Apparently not if you think you can pick up on similarities in syntax from a two-clause declarative sentence written entirely in the active voice. There are no syntactic kinks in that sentence or any other tell-tale signs of personal writing habits. An example of a syntactic kink would be something like “he needs to have his ass kicked” (passive voice, kind of unusual in that context). And frankly, I tend to prefer the passive voice more than most people, so that’s actually a tell that would lean AGAINST finding syntactic similarities. If I had written that sentence, I would have said something to the effect “If Josh is thinking about trying that move during a real game, he needs to have his ass kicked.” (present tense, passive voice…just the way I like it)
Anyway, I actually agree with you – if Marvin tried that move in a real game, I would be ticked. The only player on the Hawks who has any business trying a move like that is Crawford, and even then I’d roll my eyes.
Clyde
October 5th, 2009
11:45 pm
Jamal Crawford may be good but he ain’t gonna protect the basket. We were a good offensive team last year but our interior defense was our weakness and the reason why we got swept my Cleveland.
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!
Big Ray
October 5th, 2009
11:48 pm
Clyde ,
I don’t suppose having three of our starters injured had anything to do with it. Nawwww….
Nire ,
Hell, Joe does moves like that all the time. We love it. I’m not making noise unless it results in a turnover.
niremetal
October 5th, 2009
11:53 pm
Ray,
Fair enough. But even as a self-proclaimed Joe fan, I can say I’d much rather see Crawford get the copyright on that move
Big Ray
October 5th, 2009
11:58 pm
Wish Hunter had a spot, but to be honest, I have NO idea who makes it from the training camp roster. Heck, maybe NONE of them.
Big Ray
October 6th, 2009
12:04 am
Rod ,
This time nobody said Marvin is going to be an all-star. And unless I’m mistaken, nobody even brought him up. Except you. Strange, huh?
bigdave
October 6th, 2009
12:18 am
that pic of Josh taking that jumper is the definition of talking out your ass… too funny… id be surprised if he doesnt slowly but surely creep closer and closer to his favorite spot on the floor…
i just crack up when looking at it… clear as day.. #5.. jumper… he’s liking it too.. thinks its good.. Sekou did he make the shot?
I MUS WRITE
October 6th, 2009
12:22 am
CAT FIGHT
Rod from College Park
October 6th, 2009
1:04 am
Niremetal and Big Ray,
Actually that was not me either. Notice that the From is capitalized. I am shocked that both of you with your investigative blog skills did not notice that. You won’t win many cases missing obvious things like that.
Rod from College Park
October 6th, 2009
1:06 am
Oh yeah. Marvin can’t dribble behind his back. He can barely change direction. LOL
tyger
October 6th, 2009
1:50 am
Things we know…
1) 13, 14, 15 – will never play.
Deepest Hawks team since…Augmon/Laettner?
2) Crawford, Teague, JJ, Bibby best East backct.
3) Hawks cant lose JJ – anchor.
4) Marvin will miss 15-20 games – just a fact.
5) Woody’s middle name is Lazarus.
6) ZaZa 6th Man of the Year?
7) Stackhouse changes the game.
9) Joe Smith will rebound/score/defend when it counts.
10) Garrett Siler makes the team.
Side note: How many more ticket sales if Hawks sign Stackhouse? Who better to groom Marvin and JSmoove? Isnt that the move of a contender? Arent Hawks birds of prey – or pigeons, flying rats living off scraps?
darrell starks
October 6th, 2009
4:56 am
This year if joe play more than 35min a game woody should be fired by mid season, this is some of the reason for joe failure during the playoff woody dogging him during the season then come playoff he’s burned out.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Ray
October 6th, 2009
6:02 am
Rod ,
Sorry I didn’t know that was NOT you (I guess I’ll just have to take your word for it). I mean, the crack about Marvin, the stab at “Stating the Obvious” and Niremetal , that is totally out of character for you, right? And the name said “Rod from College Park.”
They all seemed like bigger clues than “from” is capitalized or not. But I’m not hatin’, I guess you have a twin.
Oh look. Another crack on Marvin:
“Oh yeah. Marvin can’t dribble behind his back. He can barely change direction. LOL”
Was that you, or did your “fake self” just remember NOT to capitalize “from” this time?
Sorry dude, but it’s just funny. Like I said, I ain’t hatin’ on ya. By the way, I’m a cop, not a lawyer. I don’t win or lose cases. I just put ‘em away. Doesn’t take investigative blog skills to know that. You just have to read….peace out…
Big Ray
October 6th, 2009
6:05 am
Darrell ,
I hear you, but I still think Joe will play over 35 a game. Look at Boston when they won the championship. The Big Three all averaged anywhere from 33 to 36/37 mpg, but nobody averaged more than that. I can see Joe still getting 36 or 37 mpg. If you ask me, it’s Bibby who won’t get as many minutes. I can see him getting cut back to about 27 per game (or a bit less than that), particularly if Teague comes on strong, and Crawford is burning other teams slap silly.
Big Ray
October 6th, 2009
6:13 am
Bigdave ,
So Josh Smith takes one three point shot in training camp and he’s “talking out of his ass”? Wow.
But you’re right. Josh is definitely going to gradually creep back out to his “favorite spot” on the floor. The spot where he took a whopping 87 shots out of his total 849 attempts (that’s 10.2%) last year.
vava74
October 6th, 2009
6:49 am
Tony,
I couldn’t disagree more with your post and I find it to be a particularly annoying type of attitude adopted by some Hawks fans.
Just a couple of years ago we were absolutely nobody in this league, a laughing stock of a franchise with no one giving us any chance of making the playoffs.
Last year we were #4 seed and we are looking to improve on that this year and JJ has been the cornerstone of this progress.
Iverson made a good job with Philly, however, it was not him who carried the Sixers to the finals, it was Larry Brown.
Iverson was the leading instrument, Larry Brown the maestro. After Larry Brown left and with a better supporting cast, Iverson led the Sixers where? And when in Denver? And when in Detroit?
To nowhere that’s where!
Right now, we do not have (yet) Woody coaching at Brown’s level, which means that we cannot yet determine how far is JJ able to carry this team.
If Woody evolves as a coach and expands our offensive repertoire, JJ will prove you and other doubters wrong.
You give waaay too much credit to Barkley and Kenny’s remarks during the Miami and the Cleveland series.
Perhaps you did not notice that Barkley “is in bed” with Wade on commercials and probably in social events and that consequently he feels obligated to pat him on his back, forgetting to be objective. Want another example? Just look at Deron Williams remarks on Wade’s tweeter page.
JJ does not belong to the star system (I believe that due to his own particular personal demeanour) and consequently he does not get the media attention and the NBA/refs protection which other guys do.
As for Wade carrying Miami to a title, as far as I remember, two other major factors contributed to that:
1. Shaq still in his prime.
2. The NBA/refs (you can say what you want, but the Mavs were outright robbed in the finals).
In relation to Wade almost beating us with a bunch of bottom dwellers and “has-beens”, you are wrong: the refs kept Miami in the series throughout and we beat them, nonetheless.
The true measure of the two teams quality was game 1 and not the rest of the series since the NBA was trying their best to have a Wade-Lebron duel to boost the ratings.
Hoops
October 6th, 2009
8:06 am
Sign Stackhouse and Siler !!!
jerrywest
October 6th, 2009
8:54 am
3 American college graduates got Noble prize in physics today. I can give you a list of college graduates who got Noble prize.
GeeMack
October 6th, 2009
9:38 am
I MUS WRITE
I think you are short changing the Celtics by picking them to finish 4th in the East. Also remember the Wizards have averaged 44 wins a season prior to last season. They did this 4 straight seasons. If healthy they are just as good as the Hawks if not better.
Daniel
October 6th, 2009
9:39 am
Jerrywest- that would be cool
Vava- I agree with a lot of your post, but I think that some of the Hawks/Heat series was a reflection of where the Hawks are(were?) as a team. Yes, we won 47 (love it) but when we lost, we got blown out! I cannot remember another playoff calibre team that had as many 20 point losses during the season as the Hawks. I think it was a reflection of the youth on this team, which also showed up in the playoffs.
I feel that the team can win 5 more games this season, but the biggest sign of improvement for me will be how do they play during losses.
Can’t wait to watch a little training camp.
Daniel
October 6th, 2009
9:42 am
GeeMack- I hear you on the Celtics, but let’s say one of the top three falls out, which one do you see and why? I agree with Imus on Boston, not saying it will happen, but if I had to pick one.
Also, dude the Wiz are nowhere to the Hawks. Arenas- who knows, front court?- terrible. Butler and Jamison- are nice, that’s it.
Daniel
October 6th, 2009
9:56 am
Big Ray- good point on Hunter. Honestly, I had been thinking he would make the roster, because he could play the swing position. Maybe, I was wrong on that one.
Sekou, where does Woodson see Hunter fitting in, if at all?
J.J.M.
October 6th, 2009
10:06 am
hawks are live on nba.com
MannyT
October 6th, 2009
10:09 am
The link to live streaming of Hawks Camp…RIGHT NOW
http://www.nba.com/realtrainingcamp/
vava74
October 6th, 2009
10:11 am
Daniel,
I think that last year mentally we were not yet “there” and when this is the case, it is very easy to break the spirit out of a team with a few intentionally bad calls like we had in the Miami series.
There is nothing more poisonous than bad refereeing, moreover on a young team which was already missing a member of its starting 5.
We started fine on Game 1 when we showed our true quality: good defence and a good mix of running and half court offence.
Then on Game 2 it was highway robbery from the first minute with bad calls after bad calls both on the defensive and the offensive ends.
A 20 point margin can be built in 10 possessions. If you consistently have 7 or 8 calls going your favour on the offensive end and 7 or 8 calls in the defensive end it is a piece of cake to win.
The same happened when we faced the Cavs, although then the difference between the two teams was substantial, specially in light of the injuries.
Sautee
October 6th, 2009
10:48 am
vava74,
I do NOT want to start another argument, but I can’t let you make statements like:
“In relation to Wade almost beating us with a bunch of bottom dwellers and “has-beens”, you are wrong: the refs kept Miami in the series throughout and we beat them, nonetheless.”
Understand that I have NO problem if you couch this as an OPINION, (and maybe the language translation is in there), BUT you say this as a statement of FACT. Which it is NOT.
Yes, I saw LOTS of bad calls in that series, but I saw plenty for BOTH sides. And I’m no Heat fan, as Wade’s “drama” turns my stomach.
Your statement also ignores the “fact” (which can be supported by game scores) that we all too often played down to the level of our competition. All year. Which was the point I tried to make to you when we argued a few weeks ago.
We’ve discussed this already, and agreed to disagree about the refs. My point here is, that it’s NOT a “fact” that the refs kept Miami in the series.
It’s your opinion.
And you can call ME out anytime I try to use MY opinion as “fact”. In fact, I NEED you to if I stray. It’s happened before, and likely will again. We all do it at times in our haste to post.
Sautee
October 6th, 2009
11:11 am
Manny T,
Thanks for the link
niremetal
October 6th, 2009
11:26 am
If Courtney Sims is #44, color me underwhelmed. It’s only drills, and he’s looked lost a few times.
Sekou Smith
October 6th, 2009
11:38 am
I’d wait on the scrimmage portion of practice before I get over or underwhelmed about anyone Nire. The drills don’t tell the whole story.
Rod from College Park
October 6th, 2009
11:38 am
Big Ray,
I am aware that you are not a lawyer, but you still have to use investigative skills to be a cop. If one can infer that two people are the same person by the way they type, then surely one should be able to detect from and From. I also don’t curse on the blog, and really could give a flip about Stating the Obvious. Only time his name is brought up in my post is if he replies to me. Maybe this will help you. I guess you won’t find many killers or robbers missing details like that. Is that better? It should be rather obvious who posted that. Maybe I chose the wrong profession. Maybe I should have been a cop(detective).
Sekou Smith
October 6th, 2009
11:39 am
http://www.nba.com/realtrainingcamp/
J.J.M.
October 6th, 2009
11:47 am
mario west has lots of energy