Joe Smith out, and some tidbits
Hello, Hawks fans-
Hope you are all well. A few things.
1) Joe Smith won’t be making the trip to Toronto. He’ll stay home for treatment, and Othello Hunter will be activated in his place. It’s possible Smith could play Sunday against New Jersey, but it would seem like that’d be an outside shot, perhaps somewhat dependent on what Hunter does against Toronto. Mike Woodson said Marvin Williams could be an option at 4 behind Al Horford if he doesn’t get what he wants from Hunter.
Smith had his hand in a wrap Thursday. He said the thumb was very sore.
2) A quick thought on Wednesday’s game:
They got a lot of help from the Bulls (Kirk Hinrich, playing after missing the last six games with a sprained thumb, missed all nine of his shots) but the Hawks played pretty tough defense for the second game in a row. They held Dallas and Chicago under 40 percent shooting and, if the fourth quarter hadn’t turned into an AAU game between the backups, they would have held both teams to their season lows for points.
I asked Joe Johnson if this was a turning point, defensively, for the team.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I hope so. We’ve been pretty good.”
3.) I think someone might have posted this already, but the Hawks reportedly lost $2 million last season, according to Forbes magazine. The report also said that the team is worth $306 million, which is 21st in the league.
4) To move along one of our favorite topics, Marvin Williams. Woodson on No. 24, from before Wednesday’s game:
“He’s still young. … When we got him, he was only 18, 19 years old. (He was 19 on opening night) He played on a national title team and played 20 minutes a game. He hasn’t played much ball is kind of how I look at it. He’s still learning.”
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439 comments Add your comment
RLP
December 11th, 2009
11:29 pm
Tomorrow night’s feature game is no doubt between the Celtics and the Bulls. The Bulls are 6-3 at home while the Celtics are 10-1 on the road. This is a chance for the Celtics to be defeated, Right now however, they are playing with a lot of confidence and have won nine in a row.
Chicago playing at home is tough. They are one of the three teams I predicted to defeat the Hawks during the 10 game span Ken S. has set for our predictions. In one way it would be nice to see Chicago end the Celtics win streak. In another way one wishes that the Bulls would lose at home to allow the Hawks to go into that game with a bit more confidence against a team that is suddenly struggling to win at home. How many on this blog prefer a Chicago win? Count me as one. But if the Bulls lose to the Celtics and the Lakers and then defeat the Knicks so that they enter the game against the Hawks with a 7-5 w/l record will that have any effect on how they play the Hawks? Will it help the Hawks if they defeat Nets and enter this game on a five game winning streak? I think all of these other games factor into how the two teams fare when they meet next week.
Of course the Hawks need to defeat the Nets and the Grizzles who have a 3-9 W/L record on the road this year. If they do and which they should do then that might give them a boost in that game as well. Let us hope so.
JB
December 11th, 2009
11:38 pm
You know what, I think this hyped up summer is going to be a huge letdown for anyone expecting superstars to move everywhere. I bet nothing major happens and Joe will re-sign with the Hawks. If anything, I think we might actually be the ones to attract one of the superstars. Why would they want to play for New York, Chicago, or New Jersey when they can actually WIN here. If Sund can make some space we could attract Wade and become unstoppable.
Samuel
December 11th, 2009
11:38 pm
Durant is a guard who happens to be 6′10″. Will go down as one of the best ever. Nuff said. Charlie V is soft, Jeff Green plays hard and is a good young wing player, Ryan Anderson is soft but that’s what they want from him(not much room for him on the blocks), Troy Murphy is Soft, Ryan Gomes(haven’t seen enough of him), Antwan Jamison is a good player(maybe a little soft but an All star when healthy), Lamar Odom is one of the most versatile players in the game. He can play inside and out.
Samuel
December 11th, 2009
11:42 pm
JB,
I agree. A couple of summers ago I was debating with some people(Ando) about free agents coming here. I think we may pick up somebody next year.
RLP
December 11th, 2009
11:43 pm
Samuel :
You are spot on with your observation about Lamar Odom. Which is one of my biggest complaints about the NBA. How can the Lakers afford a player of Odom’s ability to be a sixth man?
Having said that however I just realized that the Hawks have achieved something similar with Jamal Crawford as this team’s sixth man. And the Hawks do not have the financial resources of the Lakers! Here is at least one shout out to Mr. Sund.
niremetal
December 11th, 2009
11:44 pm
Samuel,
It was me you were after re: the ‘08 Finals, not Najeh. And you’re just making stuff up if that’s your account of those Finals. The Lakers offense averaged 94.3ppg, which is admittedly way less than normal but also significantly more than what the Celtics gave up on average. The Celtics were the NBA’s best defensive team. The Lakers simply had trouble executing against them. The result was exactly what most people expected going in – the Celtics and Lakers were the NBA’s two best teams, but the Celtics were deeper and tougher.
Phil and Doc both coached that series very well. And the players all played quite well. The Celtics simply were a better team.
And if a team is only as good as its players, why should we give Woody an extension? Why can’t we just hire my ten year old brother and put him out there?
But I actually agree with you re:Teague. He looks like a slightly more athletic version of Speedy.
Samuel
December 11th, 2009
11:49 pm
“simply had trouble executing” that’s funny.
Samuel
December 11th, 2009
11:56 pm
Yea RLP, the salary cap is a joke but I believe we can get a true star here.
Sorry guys, I gotta go. i got a road game tomorrow about 3 hours away ,in a big yellow bus, in 25 degree weather. Fun!!
Alien in ATL
December 11th, 2009
11:59 pm
Big Ray.
Your 10:10 PM comment:
I love 16-6, but it’s too early for me to give the man that plaque. Besides, I think he wants a contract more …
So the man has to coach like you bloggers think he should coach and not think of his future? Is that the way you act in your job? Your comment makes no sense at all, unless you want to keep your backstabbing plan ready for the next game the Hawks will loose. Give it up and recognize a coach doing a good job., using his team as he knows them best and giving some players enough time to gain confidence in games they fit at moments they fit. I am waiting on all your comments the first time he plays Teague 20+ minutes and the Hawks loose the game!
niremetal
December 12th, 2009
12:07 am
You do realize that it was the Lakers’ defense that was the bigger problem, right Samuel? The Lakers allowed the Celtics to score 103.3ppg. That was actually more than the Lakers gave up during the year and more than the Celtics averaged over the course of the year. But hey, if you want to blame the failure of the triangle because that helps you prop up your boy Woody, be my guest. Ask your cuz sometime about that one, though.
JB
December 12th, 2009
12:10 am
Come on, everyone knows the Lakers lost because they had too many soft Euros!
European in US
December 12th, 2009
12:13 am
What is up with all those comments against Europeans (and please, for me the term “Euro” is just as bad as using the “N”-word in the US! For all you ignorant bloggers: the Euro is the currency used in Europe. Would you like it if we called you “Dollars”?
Secondly, in Europe, the referees at least still follow the official basketball rule book. The NBA is only refereed as a showcase for not knowledgeable hamburger eaters.
A European game is honestly more likable from a sports perspective than the sold show cases that are performed in the NBA. Your referees don’t have the slightest knowledge of the most simple rules like travel, double dribble, offensive foul, etc. They only blow their horns for the “big payed” so called super stars that wouldn’t see a lot of playing time the first year they would go over to Europe. If the NBA is so good, why don’t they win every World Championship or Olympic? By the way, we don’t call the winner of the European League the “World Champion” because in Europe, we realize the world doesn’t end at our borders!
niremetal
December 12th, 2009
12:15 am
If the NBA is so good, why don’t they win every World Championship or Olympic?
Because the NBA isn’t a country.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 12th, 2009
12:33 am
LMAO @ niremetal…
Mychelfromatl
December 12th, 2009
12:46 am
Damn White Amerericans beefing with Europeans SMH. Who wudda thunkit?
Strangely enough, I was having this same exact conversation today with one of my co-workers. Basically I was surprised that there is probably more International players in the league than White Americans. I’m not gonna front, its weird to see, I don’t even know of a young, White-American up-and-coming All-Star. I mean what happen to the Bird’s, Stockton’s, Majerle’s, Laettner’s, etc. I know the NBA is the league of ultimate athletes (6-9, 250 pound players that run like gazelles, and jump like pumas; but damn. What the hell happen?
Its really is an interesting topic nontheless.
Mychelfromatl
December 12th, 2009
12:47 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
**Americans**
Alien in ATL
December 12th, 2009
12:49 am
Funny how some of you on the blog have a lot to say when the game just starts and it isn’t yet going as they would like. All the hate on the coach and the core players because one player they like isn’t playing yet. Blind for the contributions that Joe J. or Mike B., even Marvin W., are giving that don’t show always in the box! But once they have to acknowledge the coach is doing a great job, they disappear! Only to come back when their player is out of the game for a couple of minutes!. Pathetic!!
If you really believe that a team can depend on a rookie PG you bluntly show you don’t know a nickle of what the game is about! Of course, not one coach is perfect, and every game the team looses, he has made bad decisions like why didn’t player Z play more than player X, and why did he leave player Y in the game while player Q seemed to be hotter. But I honestly believe the coach knows his team better than any one of you on this blog! He works with them, every day of the season. Anyone is entitled to his opinion, but give kudos’s to the man that leads a winning team.
A lot of you claim he doesn’t develop enough his young players. Well, maybe he wants to protect them from being thrown out there and be destroyed. Maybe he wants them to gain confidence in the easy games so they can grow and be ready when needed. Maybe he wants to protect them of being burned out after 5 years in the NBA?
In my honest opinion, he’s doing a lot better job than some of the other coaches throwing their rookies in the arena. And don’t forget, every player is different! Some young guys can take it in their rookie year, some can’t. Compare Al Horford and AC Law: both drafted the same year. I was at their first game. Al was good, making a lot of mistakes in his first game, but good. AC was pitiful! Al worked himself in the starting rotation after a couple of games – AC didn’t work and got injured and never even tried to come back! JT has more potential, and is working hard, that is why he gets more minutes AC wouldn’t even have got if he wasn’t traded away! But of course, it’s all Woody’s fault if a player doesn’t want to work and prove he’s worth of playing time.
BTW: I get offended too with those “Euro” remarks. What would Dallas be without Dirk? What would San Antonio be without Tony? And a lot of other teams are using Europeans (the Lakers even use a “black” European, but none of you would know of course, because there could only be “white” Europeans, right?).
I agree with the shout-out Mike Woodson = COY
European in US
December 12th, 2009
12:55 am
Niremetal:
Oh soooooo funny!!! Just proves your ignorance!
But at least, most European players, even those playing in the NBA for American teams, are still proud to represent their country! Unlike some of your stars that don’t’ want to get their shirt wet if they don’t get millions! (BTW – you might start seeing more US players moving to Europe because the Euro is worth a lot more that your Dollar!)
European in US
December 12th, 2009
1:00 am
And if you are soooo smart: Why you call the NBA Champion a “World” Champion? to my knowledge, the NBA only consists of 29 US and 1 Canadian team. Hardly a representation of the world, is it?
JB
December 12th, 2009
1:01 am
That’s another myth. NBA players aren’t going to flock to Europe en masse for money. The best players in the world want to play in the best league, which is the NBA, period.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 12th, 2009
1:08 am
The NBA has the best basketball players in the world, so its champion is the world champion.
The MLB has the best baseball players in the world, so the winner of the World Series is the world champion.
The day European powerhouses like Maccabi stop getting blown out in exhibition games against NBA laughingstocks like the Knicks, we can change the conversation. Until then, the NBA is the best league in the world with the best players in the world.
European in US
December 12th, 2009
1:12 am
JB – don’t confuse “Best League” with”Most Paying” League! As a European, I acknowledge that more money is spent in the NBA (and other sports like the world famous baseball or American football that are basically only played in the US, but still call their champions “World Champions”!) than in countries outside of the US. Your market is bigger, and you have the advantage of companies stupid enough rather to pay millions of dollars to get some commercials in during a game than paying their employees a fair salary. But that is your way of freedom – who am I to object to it? Just stay honest and accept that other opinions exist and that you don’t have to start calling names to someone expressing a different opinion than yours.
European in US
December 12th, 2009
1:16 am
Najeh – you just said it – it are only exhibition games! So who cares??! They are comparable to the pre-season games in the NBA: getting your team some “game” practice, but not much more worth than a line in the TV Listings.
European in US
December 12th, 2009
1:24 am
And by the way Najeh – LMAO about your comments about MLB!! Where else than in North America is baseball considered a real sport??! Sure, there is some baseball in South America, and Japan is getting an interest in it (more because of gambling opportunities than something else in my opinion). But in all of those South American countries and even in Japan, it is a marginal sport, way behind other (real) sports. So it is easy to call yourself “World Champion” if you are the only country playing it!
Alien in ATL
December 12th, 2009
1:26 am
Still anyone around wanting to discuss the Hawks?
Wabe
December 12th, 2009
1:30 am
Suns just beat the Magic.
Good stuff.
European in US
December 12th, 2009
1:34 am
JB – btw, the last comment in my 1:12 post was not directed to you – I just wanted to express a feeling to other posts I have been reading – bloggers calling names to someone with a different opinion. I should have made that more clear in my post – my apologies for any misunderstanding.
Alien in ATL
December 12th, 2009
1:35 am
Another Magic loss is GREAT!!!
European in US
December 12th, 2009
2:00 am
JB – one last comment before I go to get some sleep: most of your NBA players don’t want to go play in Europe, because they know they wouldn’t get much playing time their first months of playing – they would have to learn almost from scratch how to play according the real rules of basketball! Not according the NBA copy of rules that is only in place to sell it to the public and to advantage your “star” players! LBJ wouldn’t hold a quarter before being fouled out of the game – he wouldn’t be able to perform his “dancing with the stars” move on the way to the basket as much as he is allowed here. How can you explain that it are your so called 2nd rank players that are able to perform on the international level, while none of your “stars” really come through? A Paul Gasol or Tony Parker get better ratings in those kind of games than a LBJ or Kobe B., simply because they don’t get the same “protection” as they do here. That is why they don’t want to represent their country as a real “superstar” as they claim to be! They are afraid of making themselves a laughing stock!!
Mychelfromatl
December 12th, 2009
4:26 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
SMH.
Fritz
December 12th, 2009
5:58 am
Ken Trickland,
Let’s hope Woody is noticing what happens when he uses his bench because he’s the only one that matters. We are so much better when everyone’s involved and the ball is moving on offense, Let’s hope he notices that too and loses tolerance for those that dribble the cloock away and go one on one against double and triple teaming defenders. There’s a time and place for ISO-Joe, but not when it’s the foundation of our offense. It’s so difficult to defend us when everyone touches the ball.
Clyde
December 12th, 2009
6:56 am
FIRE WOODY
Big Ray
December 12th, 2009
8:26 am
Alien in ATL ,
Maybe if you knew what I was talking about, my comment would make more sense. I gave Woody plenty of credit for the team’s record in my previous post, which I had cut and pasted. The only thing I said is that I didn’t endorse giving the man Coach of the Year award (hence the reference to the plaque) for being 16-6. They don’t give out awards for the season when you’re only 22 games into it. MVP, DPOY, COY, MIP, and such awards are given at the end . Furthermore, I stated that Woody is most likely far more interested in a contract extension than he is in winning Coach of the Year.
That was an endorsement of Woody, not an indictment .
Here’s another excerpt from an earlier post: As for Woody’s offense….I agree that there are some problems there. I don’t want to get into too much detail on that opinion, but I will say this: We just took over third place in the Eastern Conference standings, ahead of the Cavs. Yeah, THOSE Cavs. The guys with Lebron and Shaq. Mo Williams, etc. That’s THREE all-stars. Our offense may not be as good as we want it to be, but 21 games in, and this is where we are.
Not only that, but we’re 6th in the NBA in points scored per game, trailing only Phoenix, Denver, Toronto, Golden State, and the L.A. Lakers. That puts us ahead of some pretty good teams and pretty good coaches. Out of those teams, only L.A. is clearly better than us. Phoenix is debatable, and Denver is too, if you ask me. Hey, we may not like everything we see, but something must be working, at least for now.
Of course, the other way of looking at it is to say “call me back in another 20 games, or after a key player goes down with injury.” Well, last I looked, that hurts most teams. Ask the Spurs. I don’t like the ISOs, but when we share the ball, we’re VERY hard to beat. That, and not everything is Woody. Sometimes our guards get too shot happy.”
NOW you know. Your back-stabbing comment is off base. But keep your knife. I’m sure you’ll want to try and use it again.
Stanky leg
December 12th, 2009
8:38 am
European in US ,
Wow that is funny. I wonder how you’d explain Kobe Bryant leading our non-real basketball playing stars to Olympic gold in the summer of 2008? Let me guess, Tim Donaghy was the lead ref in all the games, and the whole thing was fixed.
Maybe the money, benefits, and endorsements are what keeps our stars from going overseas. Or maybe it’s because the USA is still the place to be. I mean, you’re here, aren’t you?
JeJe
December 12th, 2009
9:02 am
Hawks are playing well but Woodson has to use Teague and Collins more in CLOSE GAMES and not just stick to a 6 man rotation
newkid
December 12th, 2009
9:30 am
Who would have thought that one might find on a basketball blog – and post-midnight – such an interesting ‘verbal clash’ in national/continental perspectives? And this on the heels of having just listened to a 30-minute C-SPAN segment comparing/contrasting French and US health care systems. Coming up to the end of 2009, hardly anyone can be excused for being ignorant, can they?
Not to discourage that dialogue (actually I rather enjoy that sort of interchange), but I’ve got a Hawks basketball question. I’ll need to tee up my question with a few observations.
So, as we see the early signs of the gradual emergence of JQuick (Teague), I’ve wondered if Sund (and if he’s presumptuous, maybe Woody as well) is beginning to have thoughts about how best to complement his talents on the floor. JQuick features a different skillset than Bibby. For example, JQuick’s dribble drive ability is already demonstrating that it will create HUGE (deference again to Woody) opportunities for sharpshooting 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s (and even 5’s who can step out on the floor and shoot from range with accuracy). If JJ decides he would rather be in Hawks blue in future, then JQuick’s ability to create for others might well argue against Woody continuing his love affair with isolation plays, as is the case primarily with JJ. Unless there’s a significant change in the CBA, the Hawks will have ‘control’ of JQuick for the next 8+ years.
So, here’s the question: How should Sund’s future personnel decisions (both coaches & players) reflect an appreciation for differences in the PG skills of JQuick versus those of any other PG we’ve had in the ATL in more than 30 years?
Rufus1
December 12th, 2009
10:13 am
Great Discusion
The development of Teague as a legit PG would go a long way to change my perception of Woody.
Rufus1
December 12th, 2009
10:18 am
2nd unit
Our second unit is very talented…they could probably could win 20 games in an NBA season and most are free agents.
Woody did not develop them.
RLP
December 12th, 2009
10:52 am
With a win against the Nets on Sunday the Hawks will be tied for first in the Southeastern Division. They currently have the fourth best record in all of the NBA. They have the third best point differential of all teams in the NBA. They are on a pace to win more games than at any time in franchise history. I have been following the Hawks since their move to Atlanta in the 1960’s. I cannot think of a time during their tenure here that is more exciting than what is happening right now. My question – given all that I stated above why was the write-up of last night’s game found on the lower half of page six of the sports page in the AJC? (Ken S. – this is NOT directed at you.)
In this blog there is room for discussions as to the quality of the coach, the value of individual players, the type of offense and/or defense the team plays, the development of players. Heck we even debate US versus world basketball. But why is everyone so willing to accept second class status for our team when they are playing at this level?
That was really all I was going to say in this post. But after completing the post I sat here and reflected on the question I asked. I guess I really should give a little of my view although what I think is probably best left unsaid.
I think one problem for basketball in Atlanta may also be related to the discussion of US versus European basketball players. In the US, especially in the South, basketball is perceived as the sport of black men. I think that perception has something to do with the fact that there are so few white Americans at the pro level. I do not think that white males all have the “white man’s” disease of slowness and lack of jumping ability. But good white athletes have a plethora of other sports to draw their attention. In Europe however basketball does not have to contend with superior black athletes who would discourage their participation and therefore they are allowed to develop better skills than whites in this country. Based on the influx of white athletes from Europe I would say that basketball produces a better product when there are new strains introduced into the game. It is sad to me that there are so few white bb players from the US in the game only because the game then loses another source of strength for the game itself. But when it comes to coverage of the game we should realize the harm to publicity this aspect of the game creates.
newkid
December 12th, 2009
11:05 am
RLP,
Gotta leave for the library for a few hours, but can’t wait to see the reactions to the last paragraph of your last post upon my return. WOW!
MyView
December 12th, 2009
11:08 am
Those of you who keep bringing up all the mid-season trade scenarios are just dreaming. There is absolutely no way the ASG or Sund will change anything about this team given the current position in the Standings and the pace they are on. Two games off the conference lead and 1/2 game off the division lead after 1/4 of the season. Who in their right mind would tinker with that, unless pre-season expectations were higher. Especially now that the team is starting to gel. Maybe the first 20 games were the rough draft and not the final copy. If that is the case, then the end result could still be a trophy.
Some of you are more impatient than my 10 year old daughter.
Big Ump
December 12th, 2009
11:12 am
Alien in Atl
Your post at 12:29 was right on point, except for what Big Ray said.
I understand what Big Ray was saying. One thing about Big Ray is that he will give credit when due. Here is another example of some of these bloggers comment. If the 2 unit play bad, then it’s HC fault,and if they played good then HC don’t have anything to do with it. Which one is it? You can’t have it both ways.
Ken Strickland
December 12th, 2009
11:47 am
BIG RAY-Before the season started I predicted Cleveland would have problems when everyone else was lauding them for acquiring Shaq, Moon and Powe. They added Shaq to solve their inability to play DHoward without double teaming him. However, they did nothing to solve their biggest problem, which was their inability to defend the pick and roll with Ilgaukas. In that area Shaq is actually worse than Ilgaukas.
I said they would have problems at the start of the season with:
(1) Chemistry issues
(2) OFF issues with Shaq playing inside, especially with the outside shooting of Ilgaukas going to the bench.
(3) Neither Powe, Moon or Shaq would be able to replace the outside shooting they lost when they replaced Ilgaukas a starter and lost Szczerbiac and JSmith.
(4) Teams would start the season using the same pick and roll strategy against them they failed to address and that Orlando used to embarrass them when they eliminated them from last yrs playoffs.
We are a good team with Woodson as our HC, but we would be a much better team if he’d commit to consistently doing the things that’s best for the team, and the things the team is best suited for, and failing that, if he was replaced.
Samuel
December 12th, 2009
1:05 pm
Ken,
So you are saying that we would be better than the Lakers, Celtics, magic and Cleveland with this phantom coach that you nor anyone else has identified yet?
Rufus,
You are comical my friend.
RLP, I agree that the lack of white American players hurt the game from an “image” standpoint. People are always quick to degrade the NBA and it’s players simply because it’s a black man dominated game. There are definitely double standards compared to Football and Baseball.
I’m not sure I agree that having more white players will help the game itself though. What source of strength are you talking about. Please elaborate. Good post though.
Woody=COY
O'Brien
December 12th, 2009
1:13 pm
Great win for the Hawks. But lets keep it in perspective. It was the Raptors, the same team against who we scored 146 pts earlier in the week.
That being said, lots of positives. The bench play, and our defense. I hope the team (and Woody) can keep it going for the next few games. And I dont care which team we’re playing, Teague should get minutes.
And I agree with nire. I would not give Woody a new contract until after the playoffs are over. When you’re playing the same team 7 times, adjustments are made from game to game. That is when I want to see some consistency from the Hawks.
But I will enjoy the regular season. Over 50 wins, and the 3rd/4th seed.
cp
December 12th, 2009
2:44 pm
Who has blamed the coach if the second unit has not played well? I have yet to see a blogger blame Woodson for the bench not playing well. I have seen bloggers blame Woodson for not using the bench but not because they did not produce. Some of you cats are really reaching on here with these comments… If Woodson handles his business then he will get an extension. How hard is that to understand? You keep saying if certain players produce they will get minutes well how come the same thing cant be said about Woodson. If he does his job this season I don’t see a reason why he wont get extended.
ncat96
December 12th, 2009
3:14 pm
Hello everyone. I have to say that in reading some of your comments in this blog . . . it’s a wonder that we can’t fill the Philips Arena. If the naysayers are as prevelant as the ones on this blog then Philips Arena will never be full consistently. The Hawks will never be good enough for the half of you who blog. There will always be something that you will find wrong even in blowout wins. You remind me of Philly fans who always have something negative to say even in the midst of winning. It’s as if the Hawks have to win in the style that you see fit before you will ACCEPT them or the coach to be good enough from your perspective. GEE . . . just enjoy the fact that they are doing very well a quarter of the way into the season. They are playing more consistent this year than the previous years. Can they make the finals . . . I don’t know. But they sure look like they can. I am just so excited that they are even at this juncture as a team. We as fans can be critical without being dismissive about the nature of the team, the coach, and the whole Atlanta Hawks franchise. To me this is the best that I have seen the Hawks play since the Wilkins days. So lighten up fellow Hawks fans and enjoy the ride. Just think of where we were at five years ago . . . how soon we forget about those dog days . . .
Rufus1
December 12th, 2009
3:30 pm
Doc Rivers syndrome
Who gets more credit fpr the recent Celtics championship…Ainge or Rivers. You have to give Doc some credit for managing them to a Title but Ainge made the team a contender. We have had atleast 12 draft picks since Woody has been our coach..we have 4 on the roster.
Portland has 11 of there draft picks on the roster in the same 6 years. My problem with Woody has always been, player development. Look at OKC, all there stars were drafted.
Woody’s Offense
I don’t have any problems with his offense…except is was designed for a player like Teague and not Bibby. When Teague runs the offense it looks aggressive. When Bibby runs the offense it looks slow.
Samuel
I simply believe our coach is more Wade Phillips than Bill Belichek. I think he has wasted talent over the years and if we don’t play better in the playoffs, I would have problem with his return. My expectations match the talent that I see on this team. If we hadn’t aquired Jamal and Joe Smith, I would be happy with 50 games.
Rufus1
December 12th, 2009
3:39 pm
CP
I agree 100% if he produces he will get his extension.
I will be happy to eat crow if woody produces…I already eaten crow about Josh Smith.
Daniel
December 12th, 2009
4:24 pm
FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON FIRE MIKE WOODSON