A fresh start
I know you didn't see enough of rookie point guard Jeff Teague against Portland. Who wants to be their lunch money that he plays big minutes against Sacramento tonight?
SACRAMENTO – Before you finish your sentence complaining about Jeff Teague not playing against Portland and Joe Johnson playing too much, chew on one thing.
What if you are not alone? What if you’re not the only fan base whose general manager, coach, star player, sixth-man and last man on the roster drive you crazy?
What, you thought you cornered the market on being ticked off?
You are not.
Our good friend Nire passed along this message earlier today (or last night or whenever, being out west throws off my equilibrium, even after all these years of covering the league):
It’s always funny to me reading Blazers fan blogs and seeing how not alone Hawks fans are in our neuroses. Blazers fans have their own Mike Bibby (Andre Miller), JJ (Brandon Roy), Josh Smith (Travis Outlaw), Marvin Williams (Martell Webster), Teague (Jerryd Bayless), Al Horford (Greg Oden), and Zaza Pachulia (Joel Przybilla). They even talk about Nate McMillan almost exactly like we talk about Mike Woodson. Seriously, it’s uncanny. I just emailed Big Ray a series of blog posts from BlazersEdge where you could just substitute in the Hawks’ player’s names and it would be a typical comment section in your blog. My favorites:
“Brandon has dribblexia”
“Oden needs to be further integrated into the offense—immediately!”
“This team has needed a defensive-minded off guard — not a floor general (i.e., Miller), midget shooting guard (i.e, Bayless), or athletically challenged off guard (i.e., Steve Blake) — so Kevin Pritchard not trading for Kirk Hinrich midway through last season is inexcusable in my opinion.”
But why be like everybody else when you can move on? This is the time for a fresh start for your team and for you as fans. The Sacramento Kings await tonight at Arco Arena. They’re a new challenge, something else to focus on.
Win another game out here and then you can really start getting crazy about what could be in this first month of the season. Either way, I’m moving on tonight. No more griping about Mo Evans seeing limited minutes against the Trail Blazers after playing so well up until that game. I’m done taking shots at Marvin because he can’t seem to find his groove.
It’s time for a fresh start (tip off is at 10 p.m., don’t be late).
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861 comments Add your comment
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
9:51 pm
Al Horford with 5 dimes…
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
9:51 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Al.UPcxVHVZFwH2pOHERsN45nYcB?slug=mc-iversonleaves110709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
9:53 pm
wow the knicks are garbage…
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
9:53 pm
THE STINGER AND S.S. ARE SIGNING WOODSONS PRAISES. SAYING THAT HES MAKING EXCELLENT SUBSTITUTIONS AND HAS THE HAWKS PLAYING UNIFIED.
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
9:54 pm
WOULD K. MARTIN HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE TONIGHT?
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
9:55 pm
If you think Iverson was a great idea to bring here, read the link I posted above. Dude can’t get it together over there in Memphis.
I applaude Lionel Hollins for the way he has handled the situation. Instead of immediately screwing with the chemistry and togetherness that the fledgling Grizzlies are trying to build, he has stayed the course by saying “team first.” All that , and he never insulted or disrespected Allen Iverson once.
Don’t know about y’all, but I’m happy we got Crawford. He fits. Iverson? Heh….
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
9:56 pm
I wonder if Joe feels like the guys played their roles tonight ?
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
9:57 pm
Truth-Serum ,
I have to say, he definitely did. These guys were ready, and they showed it. You can’t NOT give the coach credit for that.
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
9:57 pm
JJ IS EXPLAINING HIS COMMENTS
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
9:58 pm
man Joe telling it like it is… folks wanna make a big deal about it…
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
9:59 pm
co sign Joe Johnson…
Ken Strickland
November 7th, 2009
10:02 pm
Now that was a well played, well coached gm on the part of the Hawks. It was a total team win and showed what we’re capable of when all cylinders are clicking. GOOD WIN TONIGHT OUR HIGH FLYING HAWKS!!!!!
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
10:02 pm
Interesting post game interview with Joe Johnson.
He talks about a lot of assignments being blown tonight, and I’ll assume he’s talking about defense. Okay, with this switching defense, which assignments are being blown by whom? It’s chaos and confusion. Joe has a point, but I’m not sure how this can be remedied.
Say what you want, but it doesn’t sound like he’s pointing at Woody. Sounds like he’s pointing at his teammates. To be continued…..
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
10:05 pm
FOLLOW UP RAY, THE STINGER WAS SAYING WOODSON WAS BROUGHT HERE AS A DEFENSIVE COACH AND THE HAWKS IDENTITY HAS BEEN FOR THEIR DEFENSE.
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
10:06 pm
DITTO ON THE CO SIGN FOR THE TEAMS CAPTAIN.
Shawn
November 7th, 2009
10:06 pm
Hey Sekou,
Good job not telling any of us you’re leaving. Can’t even post an article.
Way to be classy
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
10:10 pm
why does it have to be a blame thing… or a finger pointing thing… is this not what he is supposed to do as the best player/go to guy? if Joe says nothing its a problem.. if he says something its a problem. if Josh Smith made the comments, or Mike Woodson (would it be heard on deaf ears) would it be an issue? sounds like to me he wants this team playing on both ends of the floor at the level that we are capable of playing night in and out, regardless of opponent.
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
10:13 pm
Undisputed Champ ,
I hear you. The only problem is, this team has been giving up quite a few points. 100+ a game, to be more exact. So they’re not doing what Woody wants in large part. But they ARE doing it in spurts, and it’s been enough to win games (well, with help from our offense, that is). I think that is what Joe is talking about. But he also has to consistently lead on defense himself . His comments about defense aren’t bugging me at all. It’s true. The other stuff is another story altogether.
wtf JJ
November 7th, 2009
10:15 pm
bigdave-
What your best player is supposed to do is talk to his team first not the media. He is captain say something during the game or after to the team. If he thinks it is necessary say something to the media then. This guy never opens his mouth during the games but recently know he wants to talk about his team. First of all practice what you preach. When I think selfish on the Hawks he is definitely first in line. How many more times do you need to see him force a shot?
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
10:16 pm
Bigdave ,
Put your “defend Joe” banner down for just a second, will ya? I’m responding to comments on both blogs where Joe is concerned. Some have said that Joe seems to be pointing at Woody with his comments. I merely pointed out that he seemed to be talking about his teammates (who by the way, are responsible for blowing assignments).
And to be clear, you KNOW if Josh or Woody had said something like this, much would have been made about it. Unless you haven’t kept up with the blog, you KNOW this has happened plenty of times in the past.
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
10:18 pm
I wasn’t getting mad at Joe for saying something. And I DO recall saying that he had a point. Don’t know how that extrapolated into a Joe bash. Oh wait, yes I do…..
Ken Strickland
November 7th, 2009
10:20 pm
BIB RAY-Woodson obviously made some positive adjustments in that switching DEF. I noticed Bibby stayed with his man, which explains his numerous fouls, and didn’t get caught in mismatches with PF’s and centers. I saw Marvin, Smoove and Horford switch among themselves, which doesn’t create mismatches. We should allowing Bibby to continue playing straight up DEF, and if he gets into foul trouble, we have Crawford and Teague to take up the slack.
Did you notice how we attacked the basket throughout the gm? That was a complete reverse of last nights performance when we reverted back to the permeter jumpshooting team of the past. Let’s see if we can build some momentum going into NY.
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
10:21 pm
And I’m sure what Sekou (who by the way, has had all the inside insight any person could want) had to say on NBA TV has rubbed JJ fans the wrong way. Something fierce, I might add.
At the same time, Jurenovich and “The Stinger” gave Joe props for being a leader by pointing out what the Hawks needed to work on, instead of just basking in the glow of a 20-something point victory. They were right. And so was Joe. Everybody is happy when we win. When we lose, everything goes to hell in a hand basket really fast.
That’s indicative of some things I’m going to leave alone for the moment, that have been discussed here for years.
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
10:25 pm
wtf JJ
what did he say that was so malicious…? are we that sensitive of a team/fans…. please… dont take for granted how close this team is on and off the court. you hear it time and time again how they can say something to one another and it isnt taken personal but constructively. so i guess after the performance last night, a mic was thrown in his face, he voiced his opinion as any Hawk should especially Joe who is really learning on the fly how to be vocal cut some slack. if there is any division created in this group it will be done by overblown comments. nobody is being thrown under the bus, etc. etc. as far as him forcing shots.. Joe has the green light, he has earned that, and showed he is capable of making tough shots. every shot in the NBA will not be easy or uncontested. on every team someone is given the duty of taking and making shots in traffic. on ours it Joe and Jamal. live with it..
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
10:28 pm
Ray…
wasnt taking shots at your comments, just begging the question of why it has to be a finger pointing thing… giving my take on it… i dont mind comments like that from any Hawk..
Truth-Serum
November 7th, 2009
10:28 pm
Bottom line Big Ray is the Hawks responded to JJ. Woodson has anointed this a JJ team, Crawford knows it and Josh co-sign JJ too. Right or wrong a leader has to speak up when the teams dont show up for games. Im with you on the JJ has to play”D” too. Every leader has some flaws but Im not sure this team is as good as it its with out a leader to stand tough.
I know this is going to draw heat but woody doing a very good job.
Truth-Serum
November 7th, 2009
10:30 pm
bigdave I agree Big Dave, you got to draw the line some where and let the chips fall where they may. You cant win for long without leadership no matter how provocative.
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
10:33 pm
Good insight Ray. I hope they give you the keys to the locker room.
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
10:36 pm
wtf JJ is paid to shoot the ball. Thats his role on the team. Whenever he want a shot he can do that. I cant say hes making bad decisions. The three time all star and Olympic team member is a very smart player. Like him or not. He has also done a beautiful job for the Hawks and carried them for years. He can jack it up when ever!
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
10:37 pm
Ray…
i keep up with the blog bruh… at least this one… my point is from the angle of the player and teammate if Woodson made similar comments it would just look like the head coach critiquing the team. Joe being the main guy, you gain the attention of the guys who are in the trenches with you which exceeds the reach of a head coach.
as far as Sekou he’s doing what a journalist does, especially one who is looking to make a splash/headway at his new gig… i mean given him once exclusively being apart of the Hawk team to an extent he is just as guilty as Joe, if we’re blaming Joe for going to the media…
wtf JJ
November 7th, 2009
10:40 pm
bigdave-
You better go check JJ’s history. He complained in Phoenix and left. He is doing the same thing here before he leaves. If the Hawks had any sense they would move him before Feb. My point is very simple. Teams keep things in their locker room. Only the head coach should be speaking like that about their team. Maybe he had a valid point but talk to his team privately. Maybe this is a better way of explaining what value do you get by speaking publicly.
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
10:43 pm
BigDave ,
No worries. I mistook what you said. Joe has it right, and I’m glad he recognizes what we have to work on. I say he has to work on leading the defense, and he damn sure did that in Portland. It was a thing of beauty, because his teammates rallied behind him.
Undisputed Champ ,
Yeah, I don’t want to put it all on Joe, and I probably came across that way. It’s still Joe’s team, he just has to adjust to having some serious help. Crawford pretty much brings that every night. Josh brings it when he plays with more maturity and does what he does best. If he gets to a point of consistency, that will be pretty much all the help Joe could need or ask for. Another backcourt killer and a frontcourt assassin? Doesn’t get much better than that.
Ken Strickland,
I hear you. I definitely liked that Woody saw that. Bibby doesn’t fit the Detroit model by any stretch of the imagination, therefore he cannot survive in the switching defense. Same goes for Zaza, actually. And you’re right on about the attacks on the rim. We’ll need to do that against NY, who can’t defend the rim, but will only be too glad to oblige you if you want to get into a shootout.
bigdave
November 7th, 2009
10:47 pm
aight Ray… im joining your party over at the other blog.. had no idea about it…
I MUS WRITE
November 7th, 2009
10:48 pm
Does anybody know what Sekou said?
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
10:48 pm
Bigdave,
I hear you, but I don’t know. Woody gets bashed quite about around here, and I can’t recall a time he said anything critical about the team that didn’t get him a punch in the face around here. I think it’s to the point of where people are used to it, LOL.
Still, you are dead on about JJ’s comments going beyond the reach of the coach. Now…will the team rally around him on defense, as they did in Portland? I sure hope so.
As for Sekou….well, I agree about making the splash. At the same time, I talked to him after that. More there than meets the eye there, and it’s not necessarily what you might think. But I’ll let him speak for himself on that one.
Undisputed Champ ,
I appreciate the vote of confidence. But I’m not a writer. It would be fun I’m sure, but Sekou is on a level many writers don’t reach. That, and it would involve pushing aside the 10+ years in my own profession.
Big Ray
November 7th, 2009
10:50 pm
Bigdave ,
Hell, I thought you were boycotting me, lol! Been doing this gig going on the second year now. Last year, it was called “The Hawks Hack.” Was doing it with HB Ando. He’s around…somewhere…
ufo
November 7th, 2009
10:57 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBVI0YinGQw
57 known types of aliens
including big foot
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
10:59 pm
Big Ray I feel you. I guess you could step your game up if you had too…. Woody has to be like a kid in a candy store being able to play an in/out game with Josh and Crawford. I do like it when Joe and Crawford are on the floor at the same time…Chaos for the other team. choose your poison. I haven’t backed away from saying we still need a power center in the low post. This team kind of reminds me of Dallas Maverick and the phoenix suns. Good but no dominance in the low post.
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
11:02 pm
Big Ray I’m not sure you need a writer as much as a moderator. LOL
Ken and Truth Serum keeps it heated up. You seem fair and impartial to them both.
ufo
November 7th, 2009
11:08 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SQrL0Sc6ZQ&feature=related
cool
Shawn
November 7th, 2009
11:14 pm
Where is Big Ray’s blog? As lame as that guy is, he has a working blog, not our departed overweight former beat-writer, who Petrino’ed us all
ufo
November 7th, 2009
11:15 pm
ufo will come in 2012
Undisputed Champ!
November 7th, 2009
11:15 pm
Big Ray I remember Hawks Hacks. Been there a time or two.
ufo
November 7th, 2009
11:31 pm
did anyone see the video?
truly1
November 7th, 2009
11:34 pm
truth-serum just responding to your last post reguarding me and bubba talking about flip look at his numbers tonight 7 points 3 of 12 shooting and crawford 25 points. We had a whole conversation on that topic you came in at the end and Bubba is right. I take it you would rather have flip that crawford based off your comments. Flip had motivation and he did not kill the hawks Raja Bell did (the starter).
Ramon
November 7th, 2009
11:42 pm
I don’t have a problem with JJ taking a lot of shots. But I do have a problem with JJ being THE offense as he was for the last 4 seasons. JJ reminds me a lot of Mitch Richmond in his younger days. Mitch was a great player, but he didn’t make anyone around him better. Has JJ not learned from Kobe and Lebron, that until you build your teammates up to be better, you will not have much success in the playoff. I think now, the Hawks are a guarantee to be in the playoffs. So why not take the first part of the season to try NEW things on offense and defense. Last night while watching the Spurs game, Hubie Brown was constantly saying how Pop always experiment with the lineup, roles, and more in the first part of the season. There’s no reason now to play each game like a playoff game. That alone will wear this team out before the post season begin.
cp
November 8th, 2009
12:09 am
Great win. Teague was fouled on at least 3 of his drives to the basket but didn’t get the calls. Crawford with another great game. Marvin was solid. When Josh plays like he did tonight its hard to beat us…
What Sekou said might be found online by googling I don’t know. I don’t remember what he said word for word but he pretty much said that if Joe had a issue he should have voiced it to his teammates and coaches after the game or during the game or whatever instead of saying nothing at all to them but as soon as a reporter asked him something he voiced his displeasure. And that was not fair to the players because they found out about it just like we did. Its not word for word but that’s what he pretty much said . He was also saying Joe has to trust his teammates and might have to adjust his game some because its not like before when it was him and just a bunch of young guys on the floor. He has to learn to trust these guys because they have grown and become better players. I cant remember everything he said I wish I would have paid more attention to it but that’s pretty much what he said. Ill see if i can find anything online about it.
Ramon
November 8th, 2009
12:36 am
CP, I’ve tried hard to find Sekou’s interview! I really want to see it also.
ufo
November 8th, 2009
12:42 am
Enter your comments here
bigdave
November 8th, 2009
12:54 am
Ramon…
i said Joe reminded me of 97′ Mitch…