Hawks on a one-game losing streak – where’s the panic button?
Greetings, all-
I apologize in advance. I don’t have a ton of material today (”do you ever?” some of you are asking yourselves). I am not with the team – I am back in Atlanta, and the team went from Chicago to Minneapolis – and have been otherwise occupied with shopping for nephews (Clone Wars action figures) (that is to say, I was shopping for action figures, not that my nephews are four inches tall and made of plastic ) and spending time with my parents, who are here for Christmas.
Commander Cody. This guy was not easy to find.
Anyway, a couple select thoughts on conversation from the last blog. I don’t think Jeff Teague, at this point, would be a good option to play defense at the end of a game. If this were one-on-one, then, yes, Teague is a better option than Mike Bibby and perhaps Jamal Crawford. But he loses his man off the ball often. I didn’t get to ask Mike Woodson abut putting in Marvin Williams over Crawford, but I’d assume that the opinions being posited – defense over offense – make sense. (An aside – for reasons I don’t entirely understand, in the last few days, when Woodson has been asked about the team’s defense, two or three times he’s almost gone out of his way to mention that Teague and Crawford need to play better weakside defense.)
I don’t know, you can make a case for either lineup and, obviously, in hindsight, it looks like a good decision to stick with Crawford. But given that they were up four with two minutes left, I can certainly see why you’d want to go with defense. Williams, for his faults offensively against Chicago, was having a pretty good defensive game. And, obviously, you all know Woodson is a defense-first guy.
As for the iso-Joe stuff, as someone who likes watching team basketball, I’m not a huge fan of it like many of you. But, as I pointed out in a story I wrote today, I don’t think you can make the argument that it hasn’t worked this season. At least by the numbers, in the Hawks’ two other biggest iso-Joe games, Portland (home) and Dallas, they won. If Johnson had made one more basket at the end, it would have worked again. Granted, you could make the case that the Hawks would have won, and by more, if they hadn’t done it.
As for Minnesota, I’d think the Hawks take out their frustations of Chicago on them, but I have been known to be wrong.
A few links:
Derrick Rose wouldn’t mind Joe Johnson as a teammate.
ESPNChicago rated Jamal Crawford one of its top 10 Bulls of the decade. (It states Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said Crawford would never start for a winning team. It was interesting to me that Crawford was booed when he came into the game. Perhaps this is related? I looked for awhile online, but didn’t find a story about what the Reinsdorf quote was about. Does anyone know what the backstory? This doesn’t answer it, but is an interesting look at the post-Jordan Bulls.)
I want you to look at this page and, hopefully, you’ll see the same ad I did. Look at the bottom of the right-hand column. In my ad, it had jerseys of Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, LeBron James and … Al Horford.
No disrespect to Horford – he brings it every night, has All-Star potential and is cooperative to a fault with me and other reporters – but it caught my eye, as you might imagine. I’m wondering if maybe the ad leaves that space blank and fills in the spot according to whatever city it recognizes the computer being from. Or maybe Al Horford is a jersey-selling titan and I’m just not aware of it. Maybe some of you from outside Georgia can click on it and shed some light?
Here’s a question – name your top five Hawks of the 90’s.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
148 comments Add your comment
Daniel
December 22nd, 2009
8:42 am
bfred- I like your 12:29 post. I think you are right on the money. To answer your question is absolutely NOT a forgone conclusion that Joe won’t be resigned. In fact, it is far more likely that he will resign. In the NBA, your team can pay you more than any other team with less of a cap hit (Bird rule), which is why all this hubbub about Lebron and Wade leaving is way over the top. It is smart for a player of Joe’s calibre to go to free agency, they all do. The Hawks made a very strong offer at the begining of the season to demonstrate their interest in keeping him. Now Joe can just work the market to get probably 2-3 milion more per year. I think it is most likely that he resigns with the Hawks, particularly if the team continues it’s winning ways and makes a strong playoff push.
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2009
9:10 am
I believe we’ll sign Joe. My question will be what do we do with our extra $$ when Chills contract drops and it’s time to resign free agents? We won’t have much? All we really need is a good defensive presence at center. I wish we would’ve nabbed Gortat or the Birdman this past summer and we’d be set.
All this talk of Lebron, Kobe and Wade moving around is mostly crap. Maybe Wade & Bosh. 2010 won’t be as big as it’s hyped due to the bad economy. Joe might be lucky to get his original offer if things don’t get better economically. It’s not a knock on him. I just think teams will be alot more frugal than folks think.
Daniel
December 22nd, 2009
9:15 am
Fundamentals- Gortat is WAY, WAY overpaid by the Magic and unhappy as a back up to Howard, why do you think he would want to be a 3rd stringer here? Birdman is not leaving Denver, they believed him and helped him recover his life and career, plus he is a folk hero in Denver. Have to think of someone else.
Daniel
December 22nd, 2009
9:16 am
believed in him
Daniel
December 22nd, 2009
9:17 am
Fundamentals- I hold out hope that maybe Chills will return as a Hawk, maybe I am delusional.
Astro Joe
December 22nd, 2009
9:25 am
Blair Rasmussen? Man, that’s a heckuva pull right there.
newkid, the expiring contracts of Shaw and Z won’t put the Cavs far enough under to bring in Joe? That’s like $35M (I think).
If Joe does leave the Hawks, you simply move Jamal into the starting 5 and bring back Chill. Those moves are salary=cap friendly, as we won’t have enough cap space to make a run at a legit star. Teague, Mo, Chill, Zaza and a serviceable PF (ideally Joe Smith) would be a good bench. And Teague would likely have the freedom to be a little more offensive minded with that squad.
doc, I agree, Marvin’s play is not defensible. But I was speaking specifically about his defensive abilities, which are still good (but not as good as last year).
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2009
9:25 am
Good chance Chills may return. He isn’t exactly lighting it up in Greece. He really should’ve stayed here, but what do I know. He’d be an excellent team piece for us to add back into the fold.
Gortat is overpaid, but what other big was around this past summer? He’s too expensive now. I also hoped Anderson would’ve come, but he let us down too. Birdman will most likely never leave Denver, but he was up this past summer. I like his energy, attitude and D.
I’m pretty happy w/ what we’ve got. I just think we need 1 more solid option in the form of rebounding and interior D to help Horford & Josh. It’s way to obvious that it’s a glaring hole when Josh gets in foul trouble. We desperately need a defensive option for when he’s out.
bigdave
December 22nd, 2009
9:28 am
so wait a minute… you think that Joe should stop driving the ball because he “should be aware of it by now” that he wont get a whistle? malarkey… Joe should continue to attack the basket, and score in the paint. his shot selection has been outstanding… i dont mind missed baskets in high percentage areas. Joe creates high percentage looks, and of course he shows you he can hit the tough ones every once in a while… you would appreciate his game more if he got a consistent whistle. you’re kidding yourself if you think he’s not “physical” enough…
that same night so called superstars like Brandon Roy (who Joe out shinned) in 42 mins can score 33 on 13-27 shooting but hit 6-8 from the charity stripe; 1 assist… im scratching my head here…
df
December 22nd, 2009
9:29 am
best hawk player ever – BIG JOHN K.
Daniel
December 22nd, 2009
9:34 am
Fundamentals- I would say that the answer is Joe Smith. but he is just hurt
Astro Joe
December 22nd, 2009
9:46 am
new kid, Shaq & Z combine for $31M (not $35M as I said previoously). Once LeBron opts out, Cavs will be around $20M-$24M under the salary cap… then they can certainly sign a max player and then give LeBron his max deal. At least that’s how I interpret the attached information.
http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/cavaliers.jsp
newkid
December 22nd, 2009
9:52 am
Don’t think so AJ. Even with Shaq and Z coming off the books, Ferry (unless he makes a few moves before the trade deadline) will be committed to $50+M (which includes the hold for LBJ) starting 1 July ‘10. Unless JJ signs a sweet deal that’ll pay him only $6+M in year one, Ferry will have to go the SNT route. The Nets, on the other hand, will be flush with cap space, the Wall Street ‘green light’ on an existing new facility just across the East River, possibly the draft rights to the most gifted and exciting college point guard in a generation, and soon a multi-billionaire owner who is reportedly ready and able to make the mega investments needed to create a winner.
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2009
10:03 am
BigDave – you just aren’t figuring out what I have said repeatedly. Let’s break it down 1st grade style so you’ll understand.
Joe can drive the bucket. Joe can be physical. Joe can be an absolute superstar. He is almost every night. I love him. I respect him. He is our team captain.
Notice I said TEAM captain. No, don’t go off on a ball hogging tangent here. FOCUS! I said repeatedly that Joe’s teammates essentially hung him out to dry by not being invovled on either end of the court late. We rode Joe, but when he’s the only option every time down the D gets very easy for Chicago.
During the end of the game and in overtime Joe needed support so that we don’t go into the ISO WOODY BALL everyone gripes about. ISO WOODY usually means Joe gets forced into carrying the team against odds that any star would crumble under. He needed help, he didn’t get it.
It’s not Joes fault, it’s not Woody’s fault, it’s the TEAM’S FAULT! We play our best ball when everyone contributes, that way they can’t focus all their defensive effort on Joe. Ref’s aren’t going to give him the whistle when he’s in that situation. Never have, probably never will. He just doesn’t have the starpower magic to have Stern give him the nod. Maybe after we reach the finals that’ll change.
Got it? Now lets play our game and crush MN!
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2009
10:05 am
Daniel, I love Joe Smith for our team. I know he’s going to be available, I just want a little more for situations like this. What happened to ZaZa bagging and fighting on D? He used to be a serviceable option, but not of late on D?
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2009
10:06 am
Jersey’s got some nice pieces going into 2010? It’ll be interesting to see what happens there.
O'Brien
December 22nd, 2009
10:17 am
newkid, is it possible for Cleveland renounce the rights to LBJ to remove his cap hold, sign another big name free agent, and then sign LBJ to go over the cap? And if you’re the Hawks, do you give JJ a 5 or 6 year deal at $18 mil per?
One thing I dont get. JJ does not argue with the refs, he doesn’t show them up, is always professional, but yet he doesnt get any calls. (I can understand Josh not getting as many calls, because he whines too much), but JJ is a bonafide star (not a Superstar), and he gets no respect from the refs. It just doesnt seem fair.
Fundamentals
December 22nd, 2009
10:19 am
It’s definitely not fair that a kid with that much class can’t buy a break anytime during most any game. He’s got to wonder? I hope a trip to the finals will change that for him sometime soon.
Astro Joe
December 22nd, 2009
10:33 am
new kid, thanks, I always forget about cap holds.
bigdave
December 22nd, 2009
10:33 am
“It’s not Joe’s game to drive the bucket looking for fouls b/c he doesn’t ever get foul calls.”
so i guess you favor jump shooting Joe?
i dont disagree or necessarily agree with anything else you said there in your (1st grade) outline. didnt read a comment from you begging that Joe tends to shy away from contact. therefore, no need to feel as if i am directing comments to you. what was directed to you was quoted… from your post.
Astro Joe
December 22nd, 2009
10:39 am
Melky Cabrera? YUCK!
Daniel
December 22nd, 2009
10:47 am
Fundamentals- I don’t know what you are talking about with Za. He has been banging and REBOUNDING all year. The whole team looked lackluster against Chicago. But, I think we have what you are asking for already. Just one mediocre/bad game and a thumb injury to Joe Smith makes you feel like we need another big. I think we are good. Now, if you were to tell me that we could get a Millsaps or Bass to back up Josh, then OK, but that is not going to happen.
newkid
December 22nd, 2009
10:48 am
O’Brien, I’m rapidly approaching the limits of my understanding of the cap rules, so take this with a few grains of salt. If Ferry renounces LBJ, then signs JJ for say 5 years @ $80M ($14M in year one), that puts him at approximately $47M (assuming he doesn’t dump additional salary before the trade deadline). If he then tries to sign LBJ (who’s not now his free agent because of the renunciation) for something starting at ~$18+M (in year one), then he’s again well beyond the likely soft cap for ‘10, which I don’t think he’s allowed to do. Not only that, once he renounces LBJ, I don’t think he can offer him the 6th year in a re-sign.
Sure I’d consider signing JJ at 5 years for $80M, starting at $14M. I’d even add a team option 6th year. JJ would be 33 during his 5th year, and probably well into the downside of his career, so I wouldn’t give him the ‘player option’ for the sixth year without including PRETTY significant performance incentives in year 4 & 5. Wouldn’t want to do something that’ll make JJ harder to move in a trade.
Then I’d look to perhaps use JJ in a sign-and-trade for DHoward when Superman has his option year in ‘12.
O'Brien
December 22nd, 2009
12:06 pm
AJ,
Lose a Garrett Anderson, gain a Garrett Anderson. Yuck is correct.
thanks newkid. With the system set up to allow teams more leverage when it comes to resigning their own FA, it does make it unlikely that we will see big name FA change teams. But I will add, that if JJ decides to leave, I hope Sund can work out a sign and trade, because we can’t afford to lose JJ for nothing.
ILL-logical
December 22nd, 2009
1:07 pm
The Braves trade for Melky Cabrara higjlights the economic challenges Atlanta professional sports organizations face. There is simply no money to attract the requisite super star(s) to launch them into championship contention,so they continue to flounder around seeking a niche where they can afford the players they have and win with those players, if possible.
Regarding the Hawks, the budget forces the team to develop the players they have into stars rather than importing another free agent like Joe.
The inherent challenge in this position is player development is neither a skill set that Woodson posses nor one he aspires to.
newkid
December 22nd, 2009
1:09 pm
Hold it. A new word is up. Marvin Williams is now to ‘definitely’ what Woody is to ‘huge’. Checkout the new Hoops World interview for details.
Boneyard Randy
December 22nd, 2009
1:34 pm
Priest Lauderdale! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH BHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! ok, I’m done. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. for real now.
Reggie (The Bird and Indian)
December 22nd, 2009
1:41 pm
Joe Johnson will likely be resigned if the Hawks continue to have success. I’m sorry I’ve missed a lot of the blogging season guys. Hopefully after Christmas, I’ll be back more. My main thought so far this year: If the Hawks plan on getting to the Conference Finals, we HAVE to trade for a young and quick PG. (Not Jeff Teague) After watching Derrick rose tear us up, I came to the conclusion that we won’t make it with Bibby and Teague. We can’t have Joe always guard their quick PG and Bibby just doesn’t have it in him. I was thinking Raymond Felton would be a good fit if the Cats are out of it by the deadline. I’m not sure if the Nets have any interest in shipping Harris. If we want to make ourselves a true contender, we have to make a deal like this one. There’s my ramble, now back to the Braves blog to figure out what the heck Frank Wren is doing. Back tonight.
90's ROCKS
December 22nd, 2009
1:45 pm
90’s in no order:
Steve “Tricky” Smith
M-M-M-M-Mookie Blacklock
“No Flight In The House Of” Mutombo
Jason “The Jet” Terry
Hall Of Famer, “Human Highlight” Dominique Wilkins
Right Now
December 22nd, 2009
1:48 pm
Why are we talking about the future when we have a great chance to do something now, I only see the Magic as our biggest threat, lets DO IT NOW HAWKS
theZaZaguy
December 22nd, 2009
2:01 pm
DF wrote: best hawk player ever – BIG JOHN K.
John Kontract? Yes his kontract was quite big, but that was about it.
Speaking of obscure hawk centers. I saw Scottie Hastings on TV a few days ago. He’s an announcer for Altitude TV convering Denver games for the local Denver cable market. The only more obscure player I can think of is Dallas Comegys. whatever happend to him?
Now you know!
northcyde
December 22nd, 2009
2:25 pm
all time favs of the 90s:
- Eldridge “DJ Cas” Recasner
- “Plastic Man” Stacey Augmon
- Nique
- Kevin Willis
- Mt. Mutumbo
MGM
December 22nd, 2009
2:26 pm
LAST!!!!
merbertmoover
December 22nd, 2009
3:05 pm
its al horford and im living in hawaii baby….mmmmhmmm
Astro Joe
December 22nd, 2009
3:35 pm
Mass Hysteria is consuming the Braves blog today. Seriously, I think some of those guys are about to implode.
Ill is right, as a city, we just can’t seem to acquire (or maintain) the pieces that lead to us being a legit contender.
SWAT Native
December 22nd, 2009
3:56 pm
Several people have commmented on how Joe Johnson never gets foul calls going to the basket. I think the reason is his style of play. Joe rarely blows by anyone with a big first step, he drives by banging into the defender’s chest. I don’t think you can bang the defender all the way to the basket and expect to get a foul when he hits you going up. Thh refs figure if you’re going to play physical they get to play physical, too.
bfred
December 22nd, 2009
3:57 pm
Atlanta seems like the logical place for Joe to be. I don’t think he wants to be a Dwayne Wade-style one man band in NJ, and conversely I don’t think he wants to spend the next five years in the shadow of Lebron James (although it’s sounding like they may not be able to afford him anyway). With the Hawks he gets to be a star and elder statesman on a young team with multiple years of championship potential. Not to mention that the hometown free agent cap discount means the team can afford to pay the guys around him a little more and keep the quality up. I just don’t see him wanting to be the lone ranger on a mediocre team for an extra $1 million per year.
O'Brien
December 22nd, 2009
4:54 pm
Ken,
I know that we’re only on page 2, but I was wondering if we’re going to get a game blog for tonight.
I look forward to the Hawks putting a beatdown on Minny. I wonder whats the spread? Whatever it is, Hawks cover.
bigdave
December 22nd, 2009
5:03 pm
what do ya say… a little of this tonight fellas?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5lVUZMZetg
Speedy Claxton is a lame
December 22nd, 2009
5:24 pm
top five
steve smith, mutombo, mookie, lorenzen wright, spud web
since speedy is finally gone i watch the hawks a lil bit. when they get rid of marvin williams then i watch them even more.
nunna yo biznezz
December 22nd, 2009
5:29 pm
no panic button for me to push,but,woody pushed it..
i still see no reason to go with what got us into the win streak in the 1st place..
with the rest that the starters get in the 1st half,they play with extra energy in the 3rd period and simply blow our opponents off the court..and they play little or non in the 4th quarter..
they loved it,the bench loved it,i loved it,but,our coach kept them out there longer in the 2nd quarter and all through the 3rd,and even though it was a good close game,we could have blown them out,just like we did in ATL..
i don’t see the reasoning behind,pushing the panic button and not playing your full 2nd unit and letting your 1st unit rest and beat up your opponents in the 3rd and then let them sit out the 4th..
woody is playing not to lose instead of playing to win..
terrell barron
December 22nd, 2009
5:35 pm
Tyreke Evans = ROY
terrell barron
December 22nd, 2009
5:36 pm
Melvin, who in the h… is Dominique Wilkinson? lol!
Speedy Claxton is a lame
December 22nd, 2009
5:43 pm
top 6 of woodson era
josh smith, joe johnson, al horford, al harrington, zaza pachulia, and josh childress
KevinA
December 22nd, 2009
7:54 pm
If JJ has 15 pts and 11 assists we win by 15-20. He is our point guard. We need to play Jamal when JJ is not in the game. Offensive diversivity is the key. Al is like in the top 5 in the league in offensive efficiency, not matter who controlled the ball as pg – give him the rock at least 15 times. Same with Josh. We need to get our bigs off early and often and go back to Hawks ball. Lets push the darn ball. These kids are very good passers so many of these touches will not end up in shots if they recieve the ball early in the shot clock. No more slow motion, walk the ball up the court for a JJ ISO and a shot or pass late in the clock.
Blast
December 22nd, 2009
8:05 pm
Game blog up!!!!
keith
January 2nd, 2010
11:49 am
STARVIN MARVIN
DUMP MARVIN WILLIAMS and bring back JOSH CHILDRESS….
Childress plays defense, rebounds the basketball, and brings intangibles to a team.
Strarvin MARVINs’ INEPTNESS/INCOMPETENCE will be the downfall of this team.
Force Factor
January 6th, 2010
12:50 am
I read the your blog. it is very interesting story and i enjoy this so thanks for the posting this type of story i like very much………………….Force Factor
jean
April 27th, 2010
1:19 pm
jamal crawford named 6th man today at 3pm…http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/jamal-crawford-to-be-announced-as-sixth-man-of-the-year-today.php