Are you ready for opening night?
Al Horford and the Hawks insist they are ready to get things cracking in the Eastern Conference this season. We'll all find out soon enough. Horford and the Hawks face the Pacers Wednesday night at Philips Arena.
HAWKSVILLE – Answer the question.
Are you ready?
Are you ready for more of the craziness that is the NBA season and the Hawks’ role in it?
Are you ready for the season you love to hate, the team you love to hate and the game you just love to love?
Of course, you are.
You’ve been waiting what seems like forever, just like me and everyone else around here.
You couldn’t wait until the Hawks’ opener against the Pacers tonight at Philips Arena, could you?
We understand. Cleveland and Boston was a fine way to open the season, what with Rasheed Wallace posing a most frightening sight out there stroking shots from deep with the for flowing and sporting that classic Celtics uniform (and yes, that was Shelden Williams logging quality minutes for the Celtics early on, so maybe we were all wrong about the man some of you affectionately refer to as Mr. Parker?).
Not much else has changed for the last two teams to dispatch the Hawks in the playoffs. Kevin Garnett is still a monster. Same goes for Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, when the Celtics knock the dust off those old legs and get up and down the floor. The supporting cast looks rejuvenated and hungry.
LeBron James is already in MVP form. But the Cavaliers remain the flawed team we witnessed in that conference finals series against Orlando last year. They can bust out of the gate and build a double digit lead faster than any other team in the league. But they’re almost guaranteed to lose it just as fast when they’re dealing with another one of the league’s elite (and this is my formal challenge to Shaq and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to a foot race. Give me a month and I’m doing my Usain Bolt on those cats).
Seriously, the stuff we saw from Orlando in that preseason game last Friday reminds me of the same things we’ll see from the Magic and Celtics all season. They have the kind of talent across the frontline that will give everyone else in the East, the Hawks included, fits on most every night. They’re just too good, too deep and too versatile for most teams to handle when all things are equal.
Before the Hawks can worry about any of those teams they have to deal with the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center Sunday (at least they weren’t invited for Tuesday’s ring and banner raising ceremony). And that’s after they tussle with the Pacers and Washington Wizards (Friday at Philips) first.
Are the Hawks ready?
Are they ready for the season that seems like it never ends; the roller coaster that always seems to be their season?
Jamal Crawford (back), Kasim Reed (middle) and Ludacris (right) get it in during a recent fundraiser for Reed, the Atlanta mayoral candidate.
We’ll get our first real glimpse soon enough.
POLITICALLY CORRECT
Jamal Crawford political activist has a different ring to it.
It may be a bit of a stretch for the Hawks’ guard with the rapid-fire handle and endless bag of offensive tricks.
But Crawford showed off a different side earlier this week when he helped host celebrity fundraiser for Atlanta mayoral candidate Kasim Reed. Crawford joined Grammy award winning artist, actor and philanthropist Ludacris, music mogul and philanthropist Chaka Zulu and several others in throwing their public support behind Reed.
“Hey man, I’m all over, man,” a smiling Crawford joked when asked about his political activity. “A lot of people in his position talk the talk and promise a lot of stuff. I just like that he’s doing it. He cares about people. And I know how important some of the stuff he’s talking about doing is for the kids in this city, especially the recreational activities for young people. That’s where I lived when I was growing up. Things like late night [basketball] programs, that’s what kept me out of trouble when I was growing up. I was always in the gym. He wants to take it a step further with technology and education along with the sports programs and I think that could literally save a lot of kids’ lives.”
We’ve always stayed away from politics in this space and I’d suggest we continue that practice (Blog-Z does not endorse any of the candidates since he can’t vote in that election anyway and plans on running in the next Smyrna mayoral election). But I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised that a player is plugged into the local political scene, particularly one that has only been in town for a few months.
“The thing about it is, you can’t please everybody,” Crawford said. “You just have to do what you think is right. And I think he’s the best candidate.”
VICTORY
Count Hawks coach Mike Woodson among the growing legion of fans of veteran power forward Joe Smith’s lyrical alter ego, Joe Beast.
Woodson got his first listen to Smith’s Hawks’ anthem (”Victory”) after Tuesday’s practice and offered to sign Smith to his record label, which we all know doesn’t exist.
“Did you really make this?” Woodson, doing the worst impersonation of a hip-hop impresario ever witnessed, asked Smith. “That’s unbelievable that you could come up with that stuff. Unbelievable.”
Smith said he planned on doing something along the lines of the playoff anthem he did for Cleveland last season anyway, but he sped up his process at the behest of an unlikely source.
“That intro music would come on at the start of our preseason games and Jeff Teague would look at me every time we played and say, ‘come on Joe, what you gonna do?’” Smith said. “So you know I had to go into my lab and come up with something.”
Smith has been dabbling in music for more than a decade, since the early days of his career. It’s only recently, he said, that the finished product has caught up with his ambitions.
“When I first started I really wasn’t that confident in what I was doing,” he said. “But lately, I’ve been getting better and better and more and more confident in what I’m doing. I’m getting close to being ready to putting something out there. I’ve got my own equipment. And the technology is so good now that I’m able to tote some of it on the road with me and I write [lyrics] on the plane on road trips and other times when I have a little solitude and time to myself.”
Woodson was genuinely impressed.
“He’s got a talent that not everybody has,” Woodson said. “He’s worked at it, too. That’s not amateurish stuff right there. That’s impressive stuff.”
If you’re at Philips 90 minutes before the tip of the Pacers game, you might want to listen for the song. It’s full of interesting stuff about Smith and his teammates, including a shout out to Teague.
“I’ll take that,” Teague said before breaking into a dance move in front of his locker as Smith recited lyrics. “I’ll take that”
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306 comments Add your comment
Ariose
October 28th, 2009
12:40 am
FIRST!!!
JeJe
October 28th, 2009
12:49 am
This is the same average team from last year.
We let average players have monster games. Tomorrow (today) you will see TJ Ford drop 28+ points on us. This is the first to come of many outbursts. Except the usual players like Thadd Young, Thornton, Vince Carter, etc. to make us their bytches when we play them.
See my post from the previous blog for the true fire though
1) NO SHOT BLOCKING
2) NO INTERIOR DEFENSE
3) MARVIN AND HORFORD DO NOTHING FOR US. MARVIN IS AWKWARD AND CAN’T INITIATE ANYTHING IF GUARDED. HORFORD HAS NO OFFENSIVE PROWESS AND IS THIN
4) NO HALF COURT OFFENSE
4 Seed, lose in 2nd round in 5 games as stands
Benjamin
October 28th, 2009
1:03 am
The same average team from last year, JeJe? We were a fourth seed, weren’t we?
I don’t understand the lack of love for the Hawks. Do people want them to go back to the glory days of Glenn Robinson and Antoine Walker? We’ve finally got an exciting team to watch, and people expect the Lakers or something.
Atlanta will compete for the Southeast Division crown this year because we’ve got one of the best starting fives in basketball and some depth behind that on the bench. We’re a good coach — which, in my opinion, Woodson isn’t — and a breakout year from Horford, Smith, and/or Teague away from real serious contention, but regardless, this team is going to be fun to watch. Plus, much as I don’t like the prospect of him leaving, we’ve got Joe Johnson playing for money this year. That alone could be worth the price of admission.
I think Atlanta wins 47-50 games and finishes in the 3-5 seed range again. Though they’ve looked really impressive so far in the preseason, I don’t think Orlando’s going to be as good as they were a year ago. Losing Turk is going to have an effect on them, and VC, for all his talent, has always had something missing even when healthy, which hasn’t been a guarantee in and of itself.
Time will tell.
richbrave
October 28th, 2009
1:10 am
I saw a totally different team than any I’ve seen since the playoff teams in the seventies. OBERTO, MILLER, FOYE, HAYWOOD, ARENAS, and SAUNDERS have transformed the WIZARDS. These guys might actually win 45 this year. They shut down DALLAS going away. Nowitz et.al. shot 27% in the fourth, and only pulled in three offensive rebounds for the game – if I counted correctly. Heads up guys. Be ready to play on the 30th.
Benjamin
October 28th, 2009
1:16 am
The Wiz have improved, I believe, but I still think they’re a little way away from being relevant, even in the East. Time will tell.
Ed
October 28th, 2009
1:51 am
The Hawks have a tough 2 game stretch for opening week after they open the season against the Pacers. The Wizards got off to a flying start, and the Hawks have to be thinking about Sunday’s matchup against the Lakers, which makes the Wizard’s contest a trap game. If they stumble out the gate against Indiana then we will really be up against it.
Last year the Hawks started out playing every game like it was the seventh game in a playoff till the loss to Boston. This was a carry over from the 7-game series in the playoffs against the Celtics the year before. Don’t look for Atlanta to come out the same way this year. Hopefully they take a more workmanlike approach and come to play every night.
Gilley
October 28th, 2009
2:04 am
Lets not look past the Pacers and Wizards…..But beating L.A. @ home would make up for our dismal preseason outing against Orlando. I mean we have beaten them at home before but it was dismissed and overlooked but if we do well and do well on the road we can get the respect. But yes, I am ready for the season to start. I wont be able to make ot to the game but I will be in front of the tv, no doubt!
Ramon
October 28th, 2009
2:38 am
It 2 AM so I get to dream for a moment. If the Blazers would take Bibby, Williams, and Horford for Outlaw and Oden, how many of you guys would be for that deal?
PD
October 28th, 2009
3:01 am
Ramon I think Oden is too injury prone…….Also I don’t think the salaries match
vava74
October 28th, 2009
4:47 am
Ramon, no way!
JustaThought
October 28th, 2009
6:25 am
You Hawk optimist are a joke. It’s always the “if and but” with you guys. Then you crucify the national media because they won’t “give” the Hawks no respect. They must really be hurting for ticket sales.
I tell you what, if Oden don’t make better progress by the trade deadline, I think the Blazers would be willing to make a trade. But I’m still not sold on this guy, for all the hoopla surrounding him in my opinion he’s been a major disappointment.
JeJe
October 28th, 2009
7:13 am
4th Seed….Who Cares? Most of the 4-last teams in the East are OK / Average / Bad
We let players have career games, we have no shotblocking, no interior defense, our half court offense looked just as bad last Friday as it did 2 years ago (no improvement). I don’t care what anyone says about our record — we have no shot of competing with the big 3 and you will see me in April saying this
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:27 am
Ramon,
Salaries aside, that deal wouldn’t help either team. The Blazers already have too many 2s and 3s and are actually playing Outlaw at PF most of the time now. And No. Way. they give up Oden. He looks iffy now, but you don’t give up #1s just 2 years after you draft them. And why would they want a 3rd point guard who’s making $6M a year? The Hawks’ defense would crumble to dust after that trade because Outlaw is a terrible defender at any position and Oden is still a walking foul machine. That also leaves the Hawks without a proven PG. So neither side would be interested in that trade.
Richbrave,
Wiz didn’t look good last night so much as the Mavs looked really bad. Terry was missing everything even when he was getting open looks. I still say they’ll struggle to make the playoffs in the East.
Craig
October 28th, 2009
8:23 am
Sekou –
Any idea where an out-of-towner can download or listen to a copy of Victory? I checked out Joe Beast’s myspace but that cut is no where to be found…
Samuel
October 28th, 2009
8:44 am
Isn’t Sheed one of those “malcontents”? The Celtics are doomed. LOL!!
vava=zaza
Willie Coyote
October 28th, 2009
8:51 am
Alright fine, call me an optimist but the Hawks take the Southeast. No “ifs” or “buts” there.
You people who come on the Hawks blog when you don’t like the team are the ones who trip me out. Even more funny are the ones that do it at between 1am & 7am. Why are you up so early/late thinking about a team you don’t care for?
Sekou Smith
October 28th, 2009
8:58 am
Joe hasn’t hooked it up on YouTube yet. He said that’s on the way. I’m working on getting a copy of it uploaded here.
Sheed played his role to perfection last night. It was something to see. I wonder what he’d have looked like in a Hawks uni (again), had their pursuit of him produced anything.
The Truth
October 28th, 2009
9:04 am
Willie Coyote
Good Point
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
9:09 am
be careful Sekou some might thing you have a “man crush” on him b/c you think he could(ve) help the the Hawks.
me and you both though…
Mike N.
October 28th, 2009
9:25 am
And Sekou…we also got to see what an extremely thin bench Cleveland has. Moon, Hickson and Boobie Gibson is not scaring anyone. Thats why it was so good to see us add Jamal, Teague and Joe Smith to go along with Z and Mo Evans. I am sure Cleveland won’t admit it and it is only the first game but this has to be a concern for them.
This work day cant go fast enough…I am ready for the game tonite. Ready to see if Marvin can step up and be that 17-18 point scorer we need…Ready to see if Josh gets 10 boards and 4 blocks and no shot attempts outside the paint…ready for Al’s improved offensive game…and ready to see if Woody will play Teague and not pull him after his first turnover.
O'Brien
October 28th, 2009
9:27 am
Tim Legler talked about the Cavs offense down the stretch (against the Celtics), and it reminds me of the Hawks. The Cavs stand around on offense a lot, and just wait for LeBron to do something. And when LeBron is out of the game, the Cavs struggled.
The Hawks tend to do the same thing. Stand around and wait for JJ to do something. While teams like the Celtics, Magic and Lakers, have good ball movement. I hope thats something the Hawks will improve on this year.
ILL-logical
October 28th, 2009
9:28 am
After last night’s exhibition of professional basketball being played as it should be in the Celts -Cavs contest, I had a dream. I dreamed about how the Hawks could compete/beat either team : 5) Jason Collins was my center. He banged with both Kendrick Perkins and Shaq with equal outcomes and he set great picks as well as played the pick and roll to perfection. Plus he got 7 boards in 20 plus minutes.4) Calypso Al didn’t fare as well against KG as he did against Varejoe. KG kinda dogged him but Al wore Varejoe out on both ends of the floor. When he took a blow, Joe Smith handled his business against both KG and Rasheed but had some problems keeping up with JJ Hixson.3) Josh stayed on the block and wore Paul Pierce out and prevented him from grabbing some key rebounds.Against LaBron he had to have help from Marvin because of foul trouble but had major boards and blocks to excite and ignite the team.2) Joe played Ray Ray to a draw and poste the Cavs guys at will.1)Jamal was the difference maker in both contests. he handled Rondo on the offensive end and stuffed his penetration on the defense side. Mo Williams got schooled and didn’t get the open shots that LBJ normally sets him up for because we didn’t have to switch as much on defense because Bibby wasn’t on the court a much. Speaking of Bibby, when he did play he really lit up Eddie House and was able to keep him from going off; JTO put the breaks on Booby Gibson and had his time breaking down the Cavs D ala Rondo.
Zaza and Mo played key roles as well.
But then I woke up and realized that it was all a dream.
Mz. Hawkdafied
October 28th, 2009
11:04 am
Hellz yeah I’m ready for opening night! Can’t wait to hear Joe Smith put the flow to a beat for the Hawks.
LOL @ ILL-logical! Agree with O’Brien the Cavs were kinda looking like the Hawks offensively. The part that tripped me out was when Mo Williams tried to dunk on Sheldon Williams. Had that ball went in it would have been fly. That would have made the highlights I’m sure. Oh and I’ve always thought the Cavs and Hawks were similar on offense, which is why I felt the Hawks could have beaten them more last season. I saw the Lakers get their rings, loved the way Derek Fisher presented the banner, 1, 2, 3 tah dah. Missed the Wizards in action but from Inside the NBA I gather Arenas is back. So our Hawks need to be on it dog gone it.
Ramon
October 28th, 2009
11:15 am
Niremetal, I totally agree. Its funny that if the Hawks would’ve had the number 1 pick, that they would be the one with Oden now instead of Horford. I will say if there was anyway the Hawks could trade for Oden without giving up a starter, I would be all for that. Since the beginning of the preseason, Oden has already been showing more mobility than I’ve seen from him since Ohio State.
Doug
October 28th, 2009
11:41 am
Sekou: Good stuff…except…Shelden Williams?? I agree with Foxsports analysis that he was “horrible at both ends…an unmitigated stiff” He is playing only because of Baby’s idiocy and he is still brutally bad
Dos Hawkquis
October 28th, 2009
11:55 am
Is anyone else out there paying attention to how Lebron is being “catered too?”
Here me out:
Breylon Edwards is involved in a fracas with one of Lebron’s buddies, in Cleveland, and he is shipped out within a week, off of a Cleveland Brown’s team that could use him. A 1st rounder was traded for a scrap pile.
The league officially acknowledges that 2-steps will be allowed after receiving the ball. I felt that it was in response to Lebron’s “crab-dribble.”
These 2 incidences, in particular, has me scratching my head, not to mention that Stern DID NOT fine Lebron after he showed poor sportsmanship after losing to the Magic. Would Stern have done that same thing for Artest or Rasheed?
The league is working overtime to keep Lebron in Cleveland. Please pay attention to how he is treated throughout the season.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends.”
Ken Strickland
October 28th, 2009
11:57 am
I’M DEFINITELY BOTH READY AND EXCITED ABOUT TONIGHTS OPENING GM!!! Starting tonight, all of the things that’s been said about the Hawks and MWoodson, both good and bad, will playout. I JUST WANT TO SAY GOOD LUCK TO BOTH HC MIKE WOODSON AND ALL OF THE HAWKS THIS SEASON. I hope you and the Hawks make liers out of all that have voiced doubts about you and the team, including me. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today’s Celtics Links 10/28 « Flceltsfan’s Weblog
October 28th, 2009
11:58 am
[...] 95-89 PBN Wallace’s contributions off bench help Celtics send Cavs a message AJC Are you ready for another ride on the Hawks’ roller coaster? Epoch Times Celtics Beat Cavs in Season Opener Big Green Machine C’s Clip Cavs On Opening [...]
JerryWest
October 28th, 2009
12:06 pm
Teague needs to observe Ford very carefully tonight. Much to learn.
Hoops
October 28th, 2009
12:51 pm
GO HAWKS!!! YOU BE THE BEST IN 2009-2010!!!
Dos Hawkquis
October 28th, 2009
1:36 pm
Yes, the Celts looked good last night, but I wonder how Rasheed and Rondo are going to play out during the course of an 82-game season. Both are malcontents.
Yes, Orlando looks helluva, too. But I wonder what their chemistry issues will look like over 82-games.
“I don’t always watch basketball, but when I do, I prefer the Hawks. Stay thirsty my friends.”
2 FOR JOHN DREW
October 28th, 2009
1:52 pm
I’m pumped …… Would love to see attitude, agressiveness, energy, & swagger.
JJ is quiet we know, but give me some kinda emotion. remember when KG brought all that stuff to BOSTON, even Ray Allen, & Paul Pierce perked up & played w/ purpose. Speaking of Boston, what happened to that round bald spot Rasheed had on his head. Nice ‘Fro Sheed !! Let’s do it HAWKS !!!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 28th, 2009
1:55 pm
Am I ready for tonight’s game? – HECK YEAH!
Am I ready for the rollercoaster ride called NBA action (via Atlanta?) – SHOW YOU RIGHT!
Hopefully there will be longer peaks and fewer valleys for The Hawks this season.
Its impressive to see Jamal Crawford (or any athlete for that matter) express there concerns for the community and political views unabashedly – JC attaching himself to the pulse of the city so soon is equally impressive – Warrick Dunnesque.
I too look forward to hearing Joe Beast’s jam although I must say that Coach Woodson signing him to Woody Records would ruin Joe’s budding music career due to the fact that Woody would shelve his album just because he is a rookie artist! jk
Go Hawks!!!
I MUS WRITE
October 28th, 2009
2:03 pm
Ditto Obrien……. Stand around and wait,wait for a pass from a guy thats double and trippled teamed.I really would like to see more movement tonight and less standing.
Joe Smith,Chris Webber,Ron Artest are all expirements gone wrong, Stick to hoops and leave the rap for Soulja Boy and the other 19/20 year olds. I dont understand the love fest between the Blog author and Joe Smith….Who the hell cares about his raps he’s rich….HELLO
If we gonna talk about Hoopers that do music. Wayman Tisdale had real talen and his albums were pretty good,RIP big fella
GeeMack
October 28th, 2009
2:16 pm
The Lakers and Celtics looked impressive last night. Time for the Hawks to do their thing tonight. Go Hawks!
Melvin
October 28th, 2009
2:27 pm
7:00 can’t get here fast enough. I’m ready to see the Hawks lay the smack down on Indy tonight. I’m predicting a 50-55 win season. Hopefully I’m wrong and they win more than 55 games…. Go Hawks..
richbrave
October 28th, 2009
2:42 pm
niremetal:
Don’t take the ‘ZARDS for dog-meat. They look like a real NBA team not a D-league cellar dweller. One game does not make a season. I’m just sayin’ be ready with the heavy ammo. Concentrate on BLATCHE, and make OBERTO beat you at #4.
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
2:50 pm
Aight Hawks, let’s do this thang!
FGH
October 28th, 2009
2:52 pm
WE R THE WORLD
2 FOR JOHN DREW
October 28th, 2009
3:11 pm
Here’s a question ? How many double-figure scorers will the HAWKS have tonight & who will have the most dimes ?
theZaZaguy
October 28th, 2009
3:23 pm
Who dat say gonna beat them Hawks!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 28th, 2009
3:35 pm
theZaZaguy
PLEASE no Saint’s references on this blog. I live in Nawlins and get enough of the Who Dat noise down here – lol.
Mz. Hawkdafied
October 28th, 2009
3:37 pm
Hip Hop/Rap doesn’t have an age limit I MUS WRITE! Music period has no age limit. Pretty sure Joe Smith doesn’t let the music interfere with the b ball. It’s okay for the team to have a life other than basketball. It’s a surprising thing to learn about Joe Smith, he can play basketball and rhyme. Don’t get mad with him cause his skills got him paid. DON’T HATE, CONGRATULATE.
ATL Hawks squad in action on the real tip 2nite. Another season (offseason has passed, preseason is finished, regular season as commenced) for the Hawks time to turn the intensity up another notch. GO HAWKS, NO EXCUSES, JUST MAKE IT DO WHAT IT DO!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 28th, 2009
3:38 pm
I MUS WRITE
why cannot the old heads indulge in Hip Hop? – Its the young guys like Soulja Boi, etc who are killing it. Its Ron Artest’s right to rap about QB just like it was Tisdale’s(R.I.P)right to play jazz.
Pacers/Hawks ESPN Live Chat Tonight at 7:00
October 28th, 2009
4:13 pm
[...] offers some more insight on his Hawks [...]
26 years of ATL Hawks
October 28th, 2009
4:14 pm
I’ve watched the Hawks for most of my life. This year has to be our best shot since 1987 to really shake things up. We have our flaws, but if folks play their roles we can be in the top 3. It all starts with interior defense, Josh’s rebounding & shot blocking, and motion on offense. We’ve got alot of tools on offense if we use our strengths. We can’t just randomly shoot the 3. We need ball movement and shots in the flow of the game. When it’s in the flow Bibby, Marvin, Joe and Crawford can be assassins, when it’s not they’re all masons. Use your size inside to control the paint, use Teagues speed like Spud in the old days. We’ve got potential. We just have to stay focussed and use it. I pray each player looks deep tonight as the season starts and plays with 10% of the heart Mario West showed them each and every night. That’ll be enough to lock up a 3 seed and compete for a chance at the Eastern Finals. If we played w/ all of Mario’s energy and heart we’d be visiting LA in June.
Nothing but love…win or lose. I just pray we use what we have to it’s maximum potential. Few teams rival us if we do. No one can argue that. It’s all about consistent, intelligent effort.
reedeak
October 28th, 2009
4:17 pm
nice post 26. I agree totally
theZaZaguy
October 28th, 2009
4:29 pm
“who dat” was what we did in high school back in the 80s at Decatur(oops, gave my age away). I also think we should bring back the tradition of Boodiehead and “Go back to….Foot locker!”.
Big Ray
October 28th, 2009
4:35 pm
IMUS ,
Woop! Woop! Pull it over.
Sir, do you know why I stopped you? I paced you for about 4 sentences, and noticed some serious deviation on the Joe Smith music issue. Have you been drinking hater-ade today sir?
You do know that hater-ade is a controlled substance, and that drinking and blogging is a serious offense, do you not? Normally, I would stroke you a quick citation for BUI (Blogging Under the Influence) and take you in for intox. However, on account of the fact that you exercised due dilligence in mentioning Wayman Tisdale and his soulful contributions to music, I’ll let you off with a warning this time. Try to keep it on the road, sir. Blog safely, and leave the hater-ade alone.
A Thinking Fan
October 28th, 2009
4:36 pm
Put-up or SHUT-UP time for the HAWKS whole organization! No excuses from the COACH, OWNERSHIP, PLAYERS, MASCOT, CHEERLEADERS, ETC.
theZaZaguy
October 28th, 2009
4:41 pm
Randy Wittman had a 56 percent shooting percentage. Why? Because every time he got a midrange jumper, he ran past 2-3 picks set for him while he ran across from one side of the court to the other. This was good for 15-20 points a game. If we could do that with an un-atheletic aging second round pick, we could surely do that with Marvin, Joe, Bibby, Crawford……….
jerrywest
October 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
Remember how we came out like gangbusters last year? That’s when Smoove got injured. Any paricular reason we should come out worse than last year?
Ken Strickland
October 28th, 2009
4:44 pm
Rap isn’t new. If fact, it’s been around for quite some time(remember LRawls(Tobacco Road), JBrown, IHayes, BWhite, The Sugar Hill Gang, Last Poets, etc). It was also a method often used to present poetry and it usually had a socially and/or politically redeemable message.
Unfortunately, it has morphed into what currently passes itself off as Rap, which is more closely related to CRAP than anything else. The vulgar, demeaning and degrading lyrics, and what attempts to pass itself off as a message, has no meaningful or redeemable social, political or moral value whatsoever. It’s meerly a glorification and reflection of the moral, spiritual and social decay we’re seeing everyday on the streets and in the neighborhoods of those who embrace that RAP CRAP. JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION!
26 years of ATL Hawks
October 28th, 2009
4:49 pm
Whitman comment is classic. Definitely got my ideas pegged there. Oh the days of Nique, Battle, Rivers, Spud, Tree, Levingston, Kontract, Carr, Whitman. Things that got a little kid going back in the day. We gotta hit the ground running tonight. Start a few 50+ win seasons to really remember. Whitman used his strengths. He didn’t try to be someone he wasn’t. Every one of our kids have the talent. It’s all in how they use it.
What’s with the music bashing? Has anyone really listened to the crap we play at our arena? I think some Joe Smith grooves would pump up the fans and the team. It’s gotta be better than some of the stuff we already play. We used to roll out to House of Pain at our games. That’d get everyone bouncing.
Traceman
October 28th, 2009
4:57 pm
Let’s get this party started! I am very excited about the start of the season and I look forward to seeing what we can do. All I ask is that the guys play hard every night and that they play as a team. If they do that, they will win their fair share of games and it will be an exciting season.
There are those who feel that we can’t compete with the so-called “Big Three” in the EC and that may prove to be true. It also may prove to be way off base. That is why they play the games. That being said, There is no shame in not being as good as those teams (or the Lakers for that matter). LeBron and Kobe are the best players in the game and both have stellar supporting casts. ORL has the league’s most physically dominating big man surrounded by 3 other players who have played in the All Star game. BOS has 4 players who have played in multiple All Star games and a 5th (Rondo) who may yet play in one. Those teams are all special.
For us to compete with those teams, more than one of our still young guys will have to take their games to another level. Will that happen this year? I don’t know. But I sure look forward to finding out. Go Hawks!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 28th, 2009
4:57 pm
theZaZaguy – thanks for clarifying that my man.
Officer Big Ray – couldn’t have said it better.
Ken Strickland – good looking on the references to Last Poets and James Brown etc as true artist they were.
Ken Strickland
October 28th, 2009
5:12 pm
THEZAZAGUY-Bobby Knight, Woodson’s college HC and mentor, was very successful using baseline cuts, backcuts, having players continuously cutting to the basket and attacking the basket. Larry Brown, his NBA employer and mentor, employed an almost identical system for RHamilton, as the one you described for RWhitman.
I mentioned a couple of yrs ago that I believed Woodson wants to separate himself from his mentors and establish his own destinctive identity. He’s trying to accomplish this by putting in HIS system, which bears no resemblance or contains no components of either of the systems used by his mentors. Even though his system isn’t getting the most out of the talent of his player, or the team as a whole, he refuses to accept that failure as the result of his system, because he sees it as a direct negative reflection upon him. That’s also why he blames the players, or lack of talent, experience, vet PG etc. It’s also why he refuses to take advise from his assistants or employ any outside help.
Despite all of that, I hope we get off to our usually good start and maintain it throughout the season. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JustaThought
October 28th, 2009
5:38 pm
I didn’t relize Rondo was a malcontent for the Celts……..He seems to run that team fairly well, as a matter of fact if he was to go down by injury, I think we all will see how improtant he is to making the Celts flow.
cp
October 28th, 2009
6:18 pm
We have a better team than the Pacers. I hope the guys come out focused and put them away early. The Hawks are known to play down to their competition so I hope they are focused tonight. I hope to see something new with this offense. If the game against Orlando is any indication of what to expect on the offensive side of the ball then its going to be a long season. Woodson needs to look at some better basketball tapes or something and open this offense up. I’m sick of the ISO and stand around and hope somebody makes a shot offense. Get some motion going , set some screens, some pick and pop, some pick and roll, something period.
rms
October 28th, 2009
6:42 pm
They wont be focused. Their excuse will be “We just werent ready to play! They played with more energy and focus. We just have to correct our mistakes and get better. Its only the first game. We’ll be okay”. Typical Hawks. The most consistent inconsistent team in the NBA.
vava74
October 28th, 2009
6:48 pm
just a few minutes to go…
cp
October 28th, 2009
6:54 pm
And please no heat check tonight from Nique
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
6:59 pm
LETS GET IT!!!
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 28th, 2009
6:59 pm
Rondo is no malcontent – he plays with a maturity beyond his years. Rasheed is no malcontent, as long as he is winning.
Melvin
October 28th, 2009
7:01 pm
The Hawks 2009-10 season has officially started. Lets get ready to RUMBLE.
MyView
October 28th, 2009
7:21 pm
Is anyones tv showing a college football replay instead of the hawks
Melvin
October 28th, 2009
7:31 pm
Joe and Bibby are having a terrible first qtr….
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:31 pm
Josh looks like an all-star, Joe looks bad early
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
An All Star? How many points has Murphy burned him for? Come on.
fudd21
October 28th, 2009
7:34 pm
Joe and Bibby aren’t looking too good right now. Josh has energy and is attacking the basket.
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:34 pm
I won’t reserve my venom for Josh. JJ is shooting like crap and Marvin is playing crappy D too. But Josh has played amazingly lazy D. He got one steal but has been incredibly slow closing out on Murphy – who has already hit two shots before Josh even got back on D.
This is eerily like the inconsistent Hawks we all know and love/hate. The good (Josh’s thunder dunks and some nice passes by Bibby) and the bad (see above).
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:36 pm
I’m not gonna bother. Pretty clear people are only seeing the things they want to see.
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:38 pm
Nire…
mainly on the offensive end sir… though he does have a steal… and it was quite the exaggeration… its game 1…
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:39 pm
i think the rotating d has been lazy… Bibby’s been late.. Joe… Marvin..
clearly Josh has been the best Hawk on the floor…
fudd21
October 28th, 2009
7:39 pm
Nire, I’m just glad to see him attacking the basket. but you are right they arent guarding granger or murphy at all.
Melvin
October 28th, 2009
7:40 pm
Nire,
How can you single out one person for the team defensive lapses when the Hawks are switching defenders on defense? How many open shots have Granger gotten?
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:40 pm
Foster in the game… someone alert the APD…
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:40 pm
oh yea.. he’s playing laaaaazy alright…
pff…
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:42 pm
he did something like that at G-St…
my goodness… he’s in the building…
Melvin
October 28th, 2009
7:43 pm
Great steal and shot to end the 1st qtr. Good or not that was a great shot… Welcome to Atlanta J Crawford…..
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:45 pm
well NY…
1st highlight out the gate…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loOQJOwr2uw
Big Ray
October 28th, 2009
7:45 pm
Heh. I knew Josh would get the first barb….
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:45 pm
Melvin,
I already said Marvin’s played lazy D. Marvin’s been the worst player out there tonight. But Josh’s D on Murphy has been atrocious, and you’re just making stuff up if you’re blaming it on switching. Not one of Murphy’s shots has been when someone had switched off onto him. Sorry, but they haven’t. Every single one was Josh not getting back on D, not respecting Murphy’s range, or otherwise not watching his man.
Josh is attacking the basket. And that’s gotten us 10 points. But his lazy D has cost us 11. That’s not a net good thing.
fudd21
October 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
wow! woody using a 10 player rotation already. now that is something new
Big Ray
October 28th, 2009
7:48 pm
Solo sighting this early in the game? Oh wait, he’s playing for Indiana now….
DawgHaek
October 28th, 2009
7:48 pm
I have att-uverse and am getting the Al-Tenn. football replay and not the Hawks!
WTF!
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:49 pm
I’m just getting tired of this. People only notice the flaws in the players they don’t like and ignore the ones in the players they do. I know that’s par for the course, but it’s getting tiresome.
And no, I didn’t ignore my favs’ flaws. JJ and Marvin have both played quite badly tonight – Marvin has frankly been atrocious, two backcourt steals notwithstanding. Horford has actually looked pretty good in general, but he hasn’t been playing good help D.
Why is it so hard to remove the filter when watching the game? I’m just getting tired of people only seeing what they want to see.
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
goodness i like what Joe Smith brings us…
Big Ray
October 28th, 2009
7:53 pm
Getting outrebounded like this is not going to work. I sure hope the bench can help here, but as usual, the problem remains with the starters.
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
wow… Woody letting em’ rest…
Najeh Davenpoop
October 28th, 2009
7:56 pm
Jeff Teague and Joe Smith look like they already have a nice chemistry working. Teague already has two dimes to Smith, and set him up with another wide open shot that Smith bricked.
Unfortunately on the defensive end and on the glass the Hawks are getting outworked. They need to step up the effort on that end.
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
Don’t get too excited yet, bigdave…let’s see if Woody can keep them out past the 7:00 mark.
Najeh Davenpoop
October 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
Teague has a lot of work to do on the defensive end. The steals are nice, but he’s letting his man get by him way too easily, and that’s where he has the most potential to help the Hawks since Bibby has a hard time keeping his man in front of him as well.
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:58 pm
gotta get around that screen young fella…
Big Ray
October 28th, 2009
7:58 pm
Joe sets up Teague for the three. VERY nice….
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:58 pm
Teague playing PG
Najeh Davenpoop
October 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
But on the flip side I guess I should be happy just to see Teague on the floor, after Acie Law rotted on the bench during his entire Hawks career.
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
Nope. Heh.
niremetal
October 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
The Hawks’ D is just nonexistent tonight, though.
bigdave
October 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
Nire…
thats like putting my dinner on the floor and my dog not eating it… but it was progress…