Got it out of your system?
Somewhere over Alabama or Mississippi – I’m on my way to Dallas. It struck me as odd that I’ll be in Atlanta and Dallas today, but am covering neither the SEC or Big 12 championship.
Anyway, my quick take on the New York loss. Obviously, losing Josh Smith was huge, in that the starters burned more minutes than they would have, and the Knicks went at the basket with relative impunity. The Knicks shot 30/41 in the lane for 60 PIP – tying the season high against the Hawks – and the Hawks only blocked two shots, a season low. I don’t think it’s beyond the scope of reason to say that the Hawks would have won with Smith but I’d also say the Hawks still should have won anyway. They realized a little late that Al Horford and Joe Johnson were the answers offensively.
I don’t have an answer about how the Hawks could have protected the rim better. You’d think Woodson would have tried Joe Smith in the middle or Jeff Teague on Chris Duhon. I didn’t get to ask Woodson last night, but my suspicions would be that he’d say that Smith would have been a matchup problem against New York’s small ball and that he’d rather have Bibby than Teague in against the Knicks because he wanted to control the pace and Teague can’t do that like Bibby can and that Mo Evans was his attempt to slow down Duhon. Hopefully I can get an answer about that this evening.
As far as the various complaints about the switching defense, I’m not so sure it’s as easy as saying, “O.K., let’s stop switching and play straight up.” Maybe it is, I don’t know, but I wouldn’t think so. I think maybe the answer Friday wasn’t the defensive system, just the way it was executed. (which isn’t exactly comforting, either.)
I forget who said this in the game thread, but whoever said that this maybe is just who the Hawks are may be on to something. They may just be a good but not great team. That said, the Knicks beat the Suns earlier this week and they nearly beat Boston, and the Dallas team that everyone expects to pound the Hawks lost to Memphis Friday. That doesn’t exactly justify the Hawks losing to New York, but if you’re going to say “The Hawks are terrible; they lost to New York, New Orleans and Detroit,” how do you explain them beating Boston, Portland, Miami and Denver?
I don’t like saying this because it’s cliche, but it’s probably also true. The Hawks aren’t as good as some of you thought they were during the seven-game run, and they’re not as bad as some of you think they are now.
One other thing – while I agree to a point with many of you about Johnson’s shot selection, last night it seemed like it was the only thing working in the second half. He was 9 for 13 in the second half. The rest of the team was 11 for 26.
Anyway, let’s see what Saturday night brings. I think what the Hawks are hoping for is that everyone brings their pocket TV’s to the game to watch Texas-Nebraska and Josh Smith brings a full steam of redemption to the arena.
It’s obviously going to be a bear. Jason Kidd-Mike Bibby could be problematic, certainly, though I’m not going to vouch for Kidd’s defensive ability, either.
One other thing that I just find kind of funny – for those of you who lambaste Marvin Williams, here’s what I don’t get: You rip him up and down (which is your right as a fan), but then I read these fanciful trade proposals. I’m not here to stick up for him or attack him, but I’m just asking, if he’s as ineffective as you think he is, what makes you think another NBA team is going to want him? I swear, I think I read someone saying the Hawks should trade him for Chris Bosh.
Lastly, hopefully I’ll get the chance today to check back on all your predictions for the Hawks’ 10-game stretch that ends against Dallas. I’ll try to have something up when I get it done.
Enjoy your Saturdays, everyone.
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377 comments Add your comment
Grandad
December 5th, 2009
6:52 pm
K.S. – I posted this last evening: Notice how Bibby just stands around on offense. He does not run the off. [like a traditional pt. guard] Joe dominates the ball. Bibby doesn’t move w/o ball, doesn’t cut/flash, doesn’t penetrate, and doesn’t set up teammates. With his def. shortcomings…what does he bring to the table ? Leadership ? Where was he last PM when Josh needed a teammate to step in ?
I am now officially, for the 1st time suggesting that a change of coaches is necessary. Also, using Bibby for a trade, while he still holds some value, [good contract] should be an option as well. darrell starks and myself have a solution. Then we would be forced to see if Teague is our answer at [1] before the next draft.
BONE
December 5th, 2009
7:02 pm
And with all the mins woody the genius played the starters I doubt we win 2nite and he’s gonna blame lack of energy. Well of course they would have lack of energy, you keep running them into the ground.
darrell starks
December 5th, 2009
7:07 pm
From here on out every week i will be talking about trading for BIEDRINS.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Melvin
December 5th, 2009
7:13 pm
I’m going to say it with you CLYDE…. ROLL TIDE…..lol
darrell starks
December 5th, 2009
7:33 pm
Clyde im your ban wagon.
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 5th, 2009
7:34 pm
IM TIRED OF FLORIDA THEY BEAT MY BULLDOGS EVERY YEAR.
ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!
Clyde
December 5th, 2009
7:41 pm
HEY LITTLE RAY
GO WIPE THE TEARS OFF TEBOW’S FACE FOR ME. HAHAHA
ROOOOOLL TIDE ROOOOOLL
007
December 5th, 2009
7:51 pm
Woodson honored
On Monday, Woodson was named to the 2010 class of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Woodson grew up in Indianapolis and played collegiately at Indiana, where he was a two-time all-American. He is still the Hoosiers’ fifth all-time leading scorer. Among Indiana legends previously inducted are John Wooden, Oscar Robertson and the 1954 Milan High team, the inspiration for the movie “Hoosiers.”
“It’s a great honor,” Woodson said. “It means I’m getting older, I guess.”
Bob Weiss
December 5th, 2009
7:53 pm
“WHY HAVEN’T I GOTTEN A RESPONSE TO ANY OF MY QUESTIONS FROM ANY OF YOU WOODY LOVERS?”
Almost every sane person I know is ignoring you and praying that you get better.
bigdave
December 5th, 2009
7:58 pm
i guess if they weren’t going to crown Tebow the MVP they figured McElroy would do… SMH…
God Bless the SEC…
Mark Ingram (Heisman candidate)
att:28 yrd:113 td: 3
rec:2 yrd: 76
Grandad
December 5th, 2009
8:00 pm
Houndstooth hats off to you Clyde!
Grandad
December 5th, 2009
8:01 pm
darrell starks – keep on, keepin’ on.
Ken Strickland
December 5th, 2009
8:04 pm
OBRIEN-I appreciate the correction. It’s my fault for not paying closer attention to the spelling.
DARRELL STARKS-you’ve really been on a crusade to acquire Biedrins, but exactly what is the reasoning or motivation behind the campaign? You obvously haven’t done any research or comparisons between the two. First of all, exactly what exactly has Biedrins done to make the Warriors a better club? Consider the following: -Biedrins/Horford-
YR O9/10-PTS 6/13.7, REBS 7.3/9.9, BLKS .8/1.5, ASTS 1.8/2.1, STLS .50/.68
YR 08/09-PTS 11.9/11.5, REBS 11.2/9.3, BLKS 1.55/1.43, ASTS 2/2.4, STLS 1.02 /.79
Biedrins is currently out with a bad back. He’s 6′11″ 240lbs and Horford is 6′10″ 245lbs. Besides gaining one inch, a bad back, and losing 5lbs, exactly what do we gain by trading for him?
Instead of spending the rest of the week talking about trading for Biedrins, you should spend that time coming up with a justifiable reason for doing so.
Ken Strickland
December 5th, 2009
8:15 pm
To the 7:53PM post. Come on SYBIL, the fact that you responded shows you’ve identified yourself as a WOODY LOVER, PLAYER BASHER, or both. I noticed you had to transform into one of your alter egos in order to respond. Was that due to recognition of your previous stance of ignorance/stupidity, embarrassment or both? Don’t answer. Why not carry on a running conversation with yourselves, you PSYCHO.
darrell starks
December 5th, 2009
8:26 pm
Ken marvin for biedrins is a no brainer, with the current roster the hawks dont have a chance contend against the big 3, before i was on the bandwagon on keeping horford at center but the more i watch the hawks they are lacking in side presence bad and biedrins give us that with his rebounding and scoring around the basket.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 5th, 2009
8:30 pm
Ken josh playing the 3 horford playing the 4 and biedrins playing center will make this team much stronger on a defense presence against the big three.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
December 5th, 2009
8:35 pm
KEN dont get me wrong i agree with you on a lot of the issue the hawks have specially this switching defense that woody like this is horrible and it hurt us bad when bibby on the floor.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
Mr. Lau
December 5th, 2009
8:44 pm
I feel sorry for Acie Law. He will be playing in europe next season.
HE'S NOT BUT I AM
December 5th, 2009
8:54 pm
Ken Sugiura
December 4th, 2009
5:12 pm
ken strickland, i’m not saying you’re wrong, but the panel was, according to Sporting News, “107 Hall of Famers, major award winners, executives, current players and coaches and other basketball experts.”
that said, those 107 probably don’t watch Josh Smith as much as you do. On the other hand, they probably do watch Manu Ginobili, Vince Carter and the others a lot more than you.
Joe Mama
December 5th, 2009
8:57 pm
You know ken, I thought I d list the hundreds of post that have ask you to STFU this year, and I thought I’d mention how many hawks fans have went elsewhere to appreciate the hawks season rather than continue to accept you and your few loud vocal Bubba Crew members who ignore facts and perpetuate your agenda of getting Woodson fired. Then I realize you can’t help yourself at this stage of your sickness.
The enjoyment of the season gets lost in your agenda of attacking Woodson relentlessly and you ask “why do none of the Woodson supporters answer you?”
Most of them are hawks fans and understand basketball, something you do not and are not. You continue to argue the same tired point over, and over, and over again. Like Ken Sugiura previous article “Move on”, there’s a message there if you can hear it.
Most of them are productive citizens in the community and have more important contributions to make than to address your maladjusted behavior and ignorant rants. That’s why you are likened to Rush Limbaugh. We have jobs, careers, families and communities where we are involved.
THE REASON’S MANY HAWK’S FANS DON’T RESPOND TO YOU?
Woodson has done, and is doing a fine job, so there is no need to respond.
The hawks are right where the experts said they would be. In fourth seed and will win between 47-51 games. Why should we ignore what the experts are saying and give your angry regurgitations more merit?
Although you and the bubba crew may have deceived Ken Sugiura into thinking your views are indicative of a synopsis of this blogs views what he doesn’t know is that most sane and legitimate Hawks fans have left realizing that you and your gang of thugs, have one mission in mind.
Like most of the guys I will go back to ignoring you and your posse, some of which are fictional characters you’ve created.
You have stolen a lot of joy out of this season already. It’s been a good season so far but you can’t tell listening to your negative mouth. In the last week countless people have ask you both gently and harshly to shut up.
You are unable to neither receive correction nor accept that you are wrong, so why bother?
You ask “why do none of the Woodson supporters answer you?”
Perhaps you should ask a psychiatrist.
Truth-Serum
December 5th, 2009
9:06 pm
darrell starks I normally dont agree with many things you say, but I must commend your view on moving a more imposing center to the hawks middle. I agree almost 100% percent. I think we keep josh at the 4 where his shot blocking will matter and we let horford back up either josh or the new center that way Horford will be rested in the playoffs and not damage his frail frame or tear a ankle out of socket trying to play with the big boys.I agree will get us in the big three circle.I also agree that we are not there and the weakness in the middle is the reason.
bigdave
December 5th, 2009
9:08 pm
LETS GET IT…
Blast
December 5th, 2009
9:11 pm
Josh better not say a single word to the refs in this game! Just play ball!!!!!
Grandad
December 5th, 2009
9:11 pm
Ken Strickland: Let me answer for ds if he does not mind. 1st of all, I was not aware that he was injured. However, the premis does not involve a comparison between Al and Andris. Instead, it is a way to enhance Al’s production. AB is a high motor 7 ftr. [drft express] with a defensive mentality. Al is generously listed @ 6-10 [6-8 and fraction sock ft.]. According to niremetal a marv trade does not work. My idea, now, is why not Bibby as a lead in. AB is signed for 9 mil. per for four yrs. [I think]. I’m certain on the 9 mil. Once again I have no idea concerning the extent of his inj. He seems to be a perfect fit, high energy, defender, good teammate and only 23 yrs. old. In no way am I slamming Al.
Think – LAL, Gasol is essentially a [4] paired with Bynum, with Odum available @ the [3] or [4].
bigdave
December 5th, 2009
9:13 pm
if Mike doesnt wanna play d dont give him the ball!
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:15 pm
Their starting fast but lets see if the mavs adjust and embarass the hawks like the knicks did
Wabe
December 5th, 2009
9:15 pm
I know we’re all down on the Hawks after last night’s loss, but truthfully, we look like we’ve got some favorable matchups against the Mavs.
Big Ray
December 5th, 2009
9:18 pm
Joe having a nice game so far. Nowitzki heating up. Hmmmm.
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:18 pm
Oh time to give up 3’s again
Truth-Serum
December 5th, 2009
9:19 pm
Its a great point the pregame show made that the Hawks lost the game in the paint with 30 lay ups against them. My question is why is it take Sund and the Bubba crews so long to address it since its clear horford aint the answer.
The game is already going out to the perimeter because we are intimidated to go inside. I hope that changes.
Big Ray
December 5th, 2009
9:19 pm
That’s how you neutralize Nowitzki. Make him defend.
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:19 pm
Josh closed his mouth on that one
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:20 pm
didn’t I tell everybody. HAWKS CAN’T DEFEND THE 3
bigdave
December 5th, 2009
9:20 pm
glad to see Joe has gotten out of his slump..
Wabe
December 5th, 2009
9:20 pm
2 on Marion early here.
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:21 pm
Damn Teague woulda dunked that
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:22 pm
Here we go with that switching sh*t
Wabe
December 5th, 2009
9:22 pm
Switching again…
Truth-Serum
December 5th, 2009
9:23 pm
When did the Mavs get Dampier? I guess you cant pick up a decent center nowadays,
Grandad
December 5th, 2009
9:26 pm
TS – If you eat at a restaurant and the soup makes you nauseas, should you complain about the chef.
bigdave
December 5th, 2009
9:27 pm
the push Joe off his spot and they call a travel…
Blast
December 5th, 2009
9:27 pm
Joe holding the ball too much again, resulting in another turnover. Berea is gonna guard Crawford?
bigdave
December 5th, 2009
9:27 pm
*they
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:28 pm
Josh needs to calm down
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:30 pm
has zaza ever hit a jumpshot?
Truth-Serum
December 5th, 2009
9:30 pm
The only thing z and dirk have in common is they are both white
Blast
December 5th, 2009
9:30 pm
Once Josh goes out of the game, the Hawks results to jumpshots.
BONE
December 5th, 2009
9:31 pm
No offensive scheme whatsoever
rms
December 5th, 2009
9:31 pm
Dang man you fo’ real! Law will be playing in Europe next season. Thats sucks. I do feel sorry for him. If he was drafted by a sorry team that didnt have a point guard and he could have played for a long time then maybe he would have gotten better but oh well!!
Truth-Serum
December 5th, 2009
9:31 pm
Z has made a lot more of the 12-14 footers and I am ok with him taking those shots.