Hawks starters good for 20 hot minutes
HAWKSVILLE – So this is what the preseason looks like when your team is good enough to know that it means nothing.
The starters play sparingly. You don’t really care if your team wins or loses. And you get to know the free agent campers and rookies a little more than you probably want to in some cases. But until we get closer to the “real” games, this is it.
With a group of reporters in his office 90 minutes before the opening tip of Monday’s game against Charlotte at Philips Arena, Hawks coach Mike Woodson admitted as much, when asked when he was going to unleash his starters for more than 20 hot minutes (by time you finish here they should be done for the night).
“When we get to Washington (Oct. 19), Miami (Oct. 22 in Jacksonville) and Orlando (Oct. 23 in Dwightlando on ESPN),” Woodson said. “Those last three [preseason games], that’s when we’ll really start to burn these guys, because those a three teams we’re going to see.”
The Hawks are going to see all three of those teams in the Southeast Division race and in the Eastern Conference playoff chase all season long. So there’s logic behind this strategy of picking and choosing when you want to press the issue in the preseason and when you want to pull back.
As recently as last year Woodson was in winning-is-everything-even-in-the-preseason mode, to the eventual detriment of his own team (if you ask me). Guys like Joe Johnson and Josh Smith and Al Horford logged way too many minutes in the preseason last year. But Woodson insisted he was trying to teach his team how to win, even if that meant winning games that essentially meant nothing.
His mood has changed completely since then. Credit those back-to-back playoff trips, and the wisdom that comes along with them, for changing Woodson’s ways. You can credit whomever and whatever you want. Just be glad that you can watch games this time of year knowing that your team has every reason to be confident that wins and losses in October (at least early October) have no bearing on what might transpire over the next six months.
FORMER HAWKS IN THE MIX
Guys who used to wear Hawks jerseys were in the crosshairs Monday night here in Atlanta and elsewhere. Flip Murray rolled into the building with the Bobcats but didn’t play against the Hawks (something about a sore shin). Former Hawks swingman Josh Childress (below talking with my main man Branson Wright) was at the Q in Cleveland with his Olympiacos teammates, playing against LeBron and Shaq and the Cavaliers. Their replacements weren’t on the floor Monday night either. Jamal Crawford (calf) and Mo Evans (bone bruise) are still resting for the Hawks and probably will be until this time next week.
| Branson Wright talks with Josh Childress |
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
243 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
October 13th, 2009
10:32 pm
Melvin ,
Nice link. WHAT?? Chris Paul made the “Franchise Guy” list, but Joe Johnson didn’t? GASP!!
Meanwhile back in Hawksville, word is that Marvin has a new spin move and Woody thinks he might average more than 14ppg this season…heh…
Hey wait a minute…maybe this is why Rod reacts to Marvin the way he does. He doesn’t really hate Marvin, he just really likes CP3.
….. is that Niremetal over there putting gas in his portable flamethrower ? Here we go….
niremetal
October 13th, 2009
10:36 pm
Too busy working the phones trying to sell people on JT-0, Ray…
Big Ray
October 13th, 2009
10:49 pm
Right….
Big Ray
October 13th, 2009
10:51 pm
Samuel ,
The way I see it, Boston is not more talented than we are. But as you say, they are a better TEAM. Definitely more cohesive. We lack the cohesion. Cleveland has it. Orlando has it (though to a lesser degree). Boston has it (probably the most of any Eastern Conference team, in my opinion). We don’t have it. And I struggle with the answer as to why.
niremetal
October 13th, 2009
10:54 pm
Actually, just reading one of Phil Jackson’s books. This man is messed up.
Big Ray
October 13th, 2009
10:59 pm
Yeesh. Y’all see what Orlando did to New Orleans? That was just WRONG.
Oh, and if anybody thinks that Rashard Lewis’ early season suspension is going to hold Orlando down…I have a name for you that says different: Ryan Anderson . Jersey messed that trade up, I tell you…
Big Ray
October 13th, 2009
11:01 pm
Nire , didn’t have to read a book to tell you that one. Yet his hands are covered in NBA championship rings…
Ken Strickland
October 13th, 2009
11:59 pm
TIGER-get a clue before going off on a rant against RSund. Anderson made it clear he wasn’t going to sign with us because the knew he didn’t have a chance to start. He wanted to go where he would have that chance. So, instead of continuing to hold on to his draft rights and getting nothing out of the pick used to acquire those rights, Sund traded him. We have the same situation with JChildress.
SAMUEL-everyone saw LAST YRS gap between the top 3 Eastern conference teams and the rest of the conference. However, my comments and projections are based on the upcoming 2009/10 season, not what happened last yr. I’m surprised you haven’t picked up on that by now.
Your major malfunction is you’re overly star struck. Any team that signs a player that excites you is automatically deemed superior in your mind, especially if that player received some kind of award or recognition. You seem totally incapable of grasping and/or accepting the idea that your star player might end up being disruptive to his new team, like Shaq was with Phoenix and Brand was with Philly. WHAT DID FORMER ALLSTAR BEN WALLACE DO FOR CHICAGO COMPARED TO WHAT HE DID FOR DETROIT? You often go overboard with bringing up the Allstar and All NBA awards when it comes to rating a players value to a new team. The fact Shaq made 3rd team All NBA certainly didn’t benefit the Suns or stop them from becoming a much less productive team. THE FACT IS, PHOENIX WAS A MUCH WORSE TEAM WITH SHAQ THAN THEY WERE WITHOUT HIM, WHICH IS WHY THEY SENT HIM PACKING.
You don’t seem to understand that we are all offering nothing more than our opinions when it comes to projections for the upcoming season and who will finish where. You seem to have this distorted idea that your opinions are somehow factual and can’t be challenged.
Rod from College Park
October 14th, 2009
2:10 am
Big Ray,
Please don’t hold you breath waiting on Marvin. I have heard the same story for the past 3 years. You can’t teach aggressiveness and confidence. He has neither.
Big Ray
October 14th, 2009
2:29 am
Rod ,
No worries. I’m not holding my breath on anyone. The season will be very telling for a number of our players, if you ask me. As long as detractors and supporters alike are around to acknowledge whatever happens, whenever it does, with whomever it does.
I guess the main reason I don’t get upset with Marvin is because I never agreed with the draft pick to begin with, and never expected him to be the superstar many painted him to have potential as. I’m not trying to say I’m smarter than a league full of GMs, but I just wasn’t seeing it. I saw another talented forward and that was it. And I’ll never buy the argument that just about any other GM would have taken him that high. Rubbish.
Big Ray
October 14th, 2009
2:36 am
All the same, he’s here, he gets the job done, and he’s a credit to the team. Somebody has to step it up, and somebody has to make the sacrifice. So far, it’s been Al and Marvin who have done the sacrificing. That may change this year, and I can’t predict how.
Listening during that televised training camp, I heard Eric Snow say that Josh Smith had the most room to grow on this team. I tend to agree. Sit back for a moment and consider what that really means, especially in light of the fact that he is the team’s second leading scorer, second leading rebounder, leader in blocks, etc. Will he realize his potential? Couldn’t tell ya. But it’s there.
And this is no knock on Marvin, but everytime there is an assessment done on Marvin and Josh it’s Josh that they talk about being the difference between the Hawks being a good team or a very good team. Some may not like the sound of that, but it is what it is.
vava74
October 14th, 2009
5:53 am
I am convinced that all 3 of our young guns (Al, Josh and Marvin) will make significant strides this season and that consequently we will see less ISO plays, better ball movement and overall FG% and more PPG (at least 4).
It is also crucial that our defence remains solid – as it was during some stretches last season – and picks up a bit lowering the opposition’s FG% and PPG and raising our Def RPG.
Here Josh has to try to balance his tendency to try to block all shot attempts around him with a willingness to box out opponents and protect the basket more.
Daniel
October 14th, 2009
8:43 am
Thanks for all the support on the JT-0 suggestion. It has grown on me. I do like J-Quick, but I obviously will stick with my suggestion.
Vava- man, I hope you are right.
I still say that of Marvin, Al and Josh. I think Marvin is the one to have the breakout season. Don’t get me wrong I hope they all do. But, I have been saying that if Marvin improves his aggressiveness, which Sekou talks about specifically, he will put up some great numbers. Can you imagine if he goes to the line 8 times a night! That may be the key stat for the season.
Samuel
October 14th, 2009
9:28 am
Ken,
I would never be so distorted. Aren’t you challenging them(my opinions) now.
At least you admitt you saw the gap last year. Now look at the additions these teams made compared to their losses.
As good as you say we are. I don’t think anybody here would say that adding a Shaq,Moon, Parker, and Powe wouldn’t make us better.
Carter doesn’t seem to be “hurting” Orlando so far.
Again, the Celtics may have been the team out of the Big 3 who improved “The Least”, but they still improved.
You keep bringing up Brand. The man played all of 29 games for the sixers. Give me a break.
Again, The Orlando move was risky since they made the finals but considering how bad the Lakers beat them. They probably saw that they couldn’t make that next step without changing their roster. We’ll see.
But by all means, keep challenging my opinions(if you want to call it that). I love a good challenge.
Myrak43
October 14th, 2009
9:42 am
As far as nick names go for Jeff Teague. How about Andele!Andele! or Rapid T? or Tazmanian devil and/or TAZ for short? or RoadRunner or Mr. RR for short? How about accelerate but would be spelled XLO8 or simply XL? How about Speed Racer? or Ricky Bobby? How about Ice T?
terrell barron
October 14th, 2009
9:50 am
Ramon, BK drafted the players he drafted because they were interchangable. Which means they could play multiple positions. What do you mean, “Marvin was drafted to be the pf”? No he wasn’t.
terrell barron
October 14th, 2009
9:56 am
Ramon, there’s only a few players in the entire NBA who have DOMINANT careers. Wtf?? Besides, we dont need Horford to be dominant.
niremetal
October 14th, 2009
9:59 am
Little JT-0
ILL-logical
October 14th, 2009
10:00 am
This season will be the the final one for a key component of the Hawk’s gradual climb out of the celler: Woodson’s “system”.
Woodson has had to improvise and struggle with inexperienced and very young players; washed up, nonproductive players and some guys who just filled out the roster.It is to his credit that the team and its record have improved to this point. However, there is an expectation that with experienced ,talented players(plural) that a system to utilize all of their talents and not just a couple of guys that the coach”trusts” must be in place.
So if present trends continue and absent a complete late season melt down, Woodson will be rewarded with a new deal. A deal that could become a millstone around his neck if the 2010-11 seson doesn’t deliever at least a conference finals apperance at a minimum.
Looking at the current roster, that means some major changes could be in order: Joe is a good player but can he lead a championship team; is Marvin a replacement for Joe at the 2; can Woodson delegate the offensive strategy ; will there finally be a true starting center on the roster-a player who can command the middle on both ends of the court; and ,finally, can woodson go from baby sitter to holding the Larry O’Brien trophy?
terrell barron
October 14th, 2009
10:04 am
The Truth, I told yall about Marvin’s continued improvement. He’s getting better every year. But no, nodody wanted to hear it. They were still stuck on stupid about passing on CP3 or whatever. Marvin’s going to make them all pay for it in a few years. Watch and see. Btw, haven’t seen the name “Duck” mentioned around here lately. Where ya at Rod from CP?
vava74
October 14th, 2009
10:15 am
Daniel,
I also think that Josh will get to line more if he stops jacking up jumpers and drives to the basket or stays under.
Hence, my gut feeling is that our PPG average will increase a lot more than the 4per I mentioned above which I have marked as the minimum.
Sautee
October 14th, 2009
10:21 am
Ramon asked this:
“When it comes to dominance in the NBA, name one dominant player at their position who didn’t have an athletic and physical advantage over their opposition.”
This one’s easy…………….Larry Bird
niremetal
October 14th, 2009
10:32 am
Tim Duncan, John Stockton, Bill Walton, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, Alonzo Mourning, George Gervin, Joe Dumars, George Gervin…all got there by being smarter and more fundamentally sound than they were big or athletic.
niremetal
October 14th, 2009
10:33 am
Whoops, didn’t mean to include the Iceman twice, not that he doesn’t deserve two mentions
Fork Tongue Review Board
October 14th, 2009
10:55 am
ILL-logical
October 14th, 2009
10:00 am
The hawks havent been in the “cellar” since Woodson arrived and have established themselves as a favorite make the playoffs.
Why are there some here who intentionally spread hate and miss-information?
This comment is flag and cited as an out right slander and lie.
Lets keep it honest guys and tone down the hate blogs
Fork Tongue Review Board
October 14th, 2009
11:00 am
Upon further review, the Woodson cellar comment was taken out of context. The statement is accurate and the blog is enlightening. Please accept the boards apology.
Truth-Serum
October 14th, 2009
11:15 am
Big Ray Ive always felt that Marvin will sub-plant J J in the next three year. We often forget that Marvin, if he d stayed in college would be a rookie today. He can drawn fouls better than J J and has a shooters touch. He can play 2 or 3 naturally. The Hawks are so bless to have him and Josh as building blocks. How cool is that?
Samuel If you are saying that having Shaq here would not make us a finalist contender rather than a guaranteed second round fallout, Id have to look a lot closer to the fact. Aside from the prophet wizard guy who has foretasted that Shaq would have a poor chemistry here, I don’t think anyone feels Shaq is done or cant be a first or second option on any team. If you are asking me to choose for three years him or Horford or Paschulia, to win a championship, I think Shaq is still the force in the NBA. Between him and Howard in seven games I can guarantee one thing….Howard would lose 5-10 over that time frame. Shaq aint no joke. Rumors of his demise are GREATLY exaggerated.
Ditto on the Moon, Parker, and Powe wouldn’t make us better.
niremetal
October 14th, 2009
11:25 am
GOT IT. Here’s JT-0:
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4303/littlejt0fkla.jpg
Melvin
October 14th, 2009
11:29 am
Uh nire, can you put a Hawks jersey on him??? lol
Truth-Serum
October 14th, 2009
11:29 am
TIGER, Clearly Sund has made some questionable decisions. Yeah, its fair to second guess him! Good job. I think he could have sat on his hands for one more year until the contracts of speedy and acie, expired, He could have let Zaza roam or sighed him for less than 20 million especially in light of what we paid for Collins, (less than a million) whose career numbers mirror Zaza. I think we could have put ourselves in a better situation financially to pursue low post talent, which would put us in the “serious contender” inner circle.
Yes, feel free to second guess. Ignore the intolerant and verbally abusive comments that come from those whose understanding of the game is base on their feelings, not the facts or knowledge.
Good blog
niremetal
October 14th, 2009
11:34 am
Melvin,
Nah, I had a friend splice the images and I didn’t have a picture of Teague in a Hawks jersey to send. I’ll ask her to update it once there are some pictures floating around of Teague in a Hawks jersey. I should also see if she can change the letters to “JT0″ instead of “GTO.” But I figured that was a good start
Melvin
October 14th, 2009
11:39 am
Nire, cool. Hopefully Sekou will past it along to him.
Acie Law
October 14th, 2009
11:40 am
Guys, you used to be my loyal fan club now you are kissing Teague’s butt. Well, you never really finished kissing mine. So Im going to give you that chance when I finish these beans.Then I want you to hit the spot for me. Let float some images of that around In a Golden State Jersey.
vava74
October 14th, 2009
11:54 am
Does anyone knows who was (maybe everyone knows but me) or accuse himself of being the person who posted in the Hawks Hack blog during our home loss* (game 2) against Miami under the name “Rick Sund”??
* maybe during game 3 loss or in both
Although unfair in the essence, whoever that was, it was hilarious.
Truth-Serum
October 14th, 2009
12:40 pm
Truth-Serum
October 14th, 2009
11:15 am
forecast-ed
That s 5-10 pounds
Ariose
October 14th, 2009
12:41 pm
Rick Marcel, I agree. Watch out or you may get swallowed up in his suckiness…..ewww!!!!
J-Quick
October 14th, 2009
12:44 pm
*Ryan Cameron voice* “J-Smooove!!!!!!!……..from J-Quick!!!!”
I love the sound of exellent theme names in the mornin’!…
Ramon
October 14th, 2009
12:52 pm
Nire, You telling me a 7 footer who could dribble with a great mid range jumper, wasn’t athletic? When Duncan first came out of Wake Forest every one said he was a great athlete and it was proven from his swimming background. Alonzo Mourning, Gervin, Stockton and Nash are all explosive players. I never once said Al wouldn’t improve statistically. I said athletically you didn’t see much difference in his game from year one to two. And I also said there was a greater chance of him becoming an Antonio Davis type player than anything else. And that would be a great career. If you can play for over 12 seasons in this league that’s a great career. I would love to see him have an even better career than that.
vava74
October 14th, 2009
1:14 pm
JTO!… JTO!… JTO!… JTO!…
Can’t you almost hear this chant following the game winning – NBA championship winning lay up + 1 on Game 6 of the NBA Finals?
I think it sounds a lot more “beefy” than J-Quick…
Daniel
October 14th, 2009
1:18 pm
How do we decide a winner? JT0 or J-Quick. I like both, but since I came up with JT-0 then of course I am going with that one. But, then again nobody of any importance will probably care what we come up with. But, it is a fun exercise.
Nire, I couldn’t download the pic for some reason.
Daniel
October 14th, 2009
1:20 pm
Ramon- I don’t mean to sound too over the top hear. But, Al’s game reminds me of Willis Reed. I know he has a long way to go to get there. But, I see him more like Willis than Antonio.
Daniel
October 14th, 2009
1:21 pm
I meant “here”. Good grief.
Daniel
October 14th, 2009
1:22 pm
vava- what year are we going to hear that chant?
vava74
October 14th, 2009
1:22 pm
I think that we should ask Sekou to convey our suggestions to the guys and let them decide if any of the two sticks…
Maybe they have already christened him…
Ramon
October 14th, 2009
1:24 pm
Daniel, I would LOVE to see Al’s game end up on that level. I truly would love that.
Daniel
October 14th, 2009
1:27 pm
Ramon, I hear you. What do you think though. Both undersized, great work ethic, nice mid range game, both winners (you know Horf has two national titles).
vava74
October 14th, 2009
1:28 pm
Daniel, I really think we have a shot to reach the finals next year if Crawford meshes well, Teague is what it seems to be and JJ renews with us.
None of the above premises are anything out of the ordinary.
Next year the Celtics will be extremely old, Shaq will have +2 seasons (by the time we reach the playoffs – if he and Lebron stay) and the Vince experiment will be aborted in Orlando.
I sincerely don’t see anyone in a better position than we here in the East in two years’ time.
Ramon
October 14th, 2009
1:33 pm
Daniel, Willis always seemed like his movements with the basketball was just natural, like he was born with it in his hands. Too many times, Al seems uncomfortable with the ball. He has a long way to go to learning where he is on the court when he’s posting up.
GeeMack
October 14th, 2009
1:34 pm
Ken
What up Homie? Been off the blog for a while doing my homework for the season.
Let me dive right in…I think the Shaq failure in Phoenix is greatly exaggerated. Mainly because Phoenix was run & gun. Shaq will be a better fit in Clevland because they run more half court sets.
I think the gap between the big 3 in the east and the rest is still just as wide as last year. We got to remember teams like the Hawks and Washington got better by filing holes and the young players getting better, but so did Bos, Cle, & Orl. These teams were already better, and they added more experinced and talented player to a Championship caliber team already.
As you’ve pointed out before all star accolades don’t always amount to team success, but all star players that fit a systems does ala Vince.
I got to agree with Samuel. The gap is just as big as last year with Bos Cle,& Orl,and the rest of the east, but the gap between the Hawks, Washington, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto & Miami is closer than we realize.
Daniel
October 14th, 2009
1:37 pm
Did you see Al playing for his national team? He looked a lot more fluid with the ball, when he was the center of the offense.
I mean, of course, I am not saying Al is Willis, yet. But, that is the player his ceiling could be, even more so than Davis.