About the story
For those of you who turned in after the game ended, an interesting thing happened on the blog after I posted my first version of the story. Let’s just say that a handful of posts on the blog questioned my mental acuity and my fitness to cover the team, in large part because the story did not mention the shot-clock situation that happened with about two minutes left in the game. (I don’t think it’s up anymore, as it has been replaced by the later version.)
In the interest of transparency, and because you might find what we do on our end interesting, I hope I can explain what happened.
Basically, I missed it. Here’s why, and hopefully this comes across as an explanation and not me making excuses:
The first story that I posted has to be filed right as the game ends, or shortly thereafter, before I go to the locker room. It’s called the “running” game story. We write them and post them online immediately to give readers the news as quickly as possible before going to the locker room to get comment. It isn’t meant to be the paper’s final word on a game, but the first edition of the news. Generally speaking, I’ll file a second story, with quotes, which is ideally written with a little more perspective and thought, about 90 minutes after the game ends. That’s called the “write-through,” and it’s the version that goes in the paper (provided the game ends in time) and replaces the originally posted online story.
Given that it has to be written as the game is going on, the running game story is generally not the most insightful account of the game, at least when I write them. A lot of times, running game stories end up being a recitation of plays, but what I try to do (though not always successfully, as we’ve all learned) is provide some sort of picture of why the Hawks won or lost and what that means.
In a game like Wednesday’s, whether the Hawks win or lose isn’t known until the very end. So, Wednesday, I was piecing together a “Hawks win” story and a “Hawks lose” story as the game was finishing. In addition, I was trying to follow the action and take notes. And, the kicker, in this instance, was that I was seated a good distance away from the court with no television nearby for replays.
(This is an aside. Please skip if you’re not much for asides.) I don’t know if you’d call it an inefficiency or ironic, but, at least as I’ve found writing a game story on deadline, I often don’t get a complete picture of what is happening at the end of a close game – which is generally the most important part – because I’m trying to write, take notes and observe all at the same time. I think the best example of this that I can give you is a Tampa Bay-Indianapolis Monday night game I covered in 2003.
It started out perfectly for a writer trying to make deadline, as the Buccaneers took leads of 21-0, 28-7 and 35-14, and I started writing by halftime about how the game re-asserted Tampa Bay as the best defense in the NFL, having shut down mighty Indianapolis in Tony Dungy’s return to his former home.
However, Indianapolis chipped away and finally scored 21 points in the last four minutes to force overtime, where the Colts won on a field goal. As you can imagine, all my material about Tampa’s mighty defense didn’t make the final version.
I don’t want to say I have no idea what happened, but I can tell you I didn’t see much of this comeback, because I was having to write, re-write and re-write some more. I am quite sure my story did very little to capture the essence of the game.
(End of aside)
So, anyway, Wednesday, I flat-out missed what happened with the shot clock. When 6the Hawks called timeout and Mike Woodson argued the call, I was probably using that time to write. As I’d mentioned, there was no television near me so I could follow what was being highlighted on the broadcast and, to make matters worse, I wasn’t sitting next to any other writers who might have clued me in, either. The first I realized what had happened was in the post-game interviews. I am grateful for a lot of people helping me understand what happened.
I imagine if you’ve been to a game, you might have experienced something similar, where you come home, or listen to the radio in the car, and everyone who watched on TV is talking about, “Can you believe what happened?” and you have no idea what they’re talking about because you didn’t have all the replays of the botched play or blown call at your disposal from your seat in the stadium.
If you haven’t, maybe you should look into covering an NBA team. (ha ha)
So, that’s it. I sincerely hope this doesn’t sound like me asking for your sympathy, because that is not my intent, as I don’t warrant sympathy. I get to do something I enjoy (most days) for a living, a true blessing. And I also hope I don’t sound like I’m making excuses, because I don’t think I am. I’m trying to explain what happened.
I’m going to say a better deadline writer – someone who can more efficiently do the multi-tasking required for this particular task of our job – would have caught the malfunction. Hopefully the next time, I will.
Hope all this makes sense.
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226 comments Add your comment
Lowenbrau
December 31st, 2009
11:52 am
Big Mone,
I believe in that one specific instance, Atlanta may have been at a “competitive disadvantage”. But I don’t believe it prevented them from winning the game.
Boobie Gibson canned a 3 late in the game but they only gave him 2. (Replays showed it was a 3.) Anthony Parker basically gets intentionally fouled on his circus shot but no call was made. My point is that these types of officiating/scorers gaffes happen all the time in games and they affect both teams. But the team that executes better always wins. That’s what it boils down to.
Big Mone
December 31st, 2009
11:53 am
Not sure if he is a felon, but the official’s name is Ken Mauer or I guess Kenny
FRESH
December 31st, 2009
11:55 am
WOOWWW!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS ON THE LEAD REFEREE OF LAST NIGHTS GAME:
“In 2000, Mauer was convicted of a felony, three counts of tax evasion, and one count of obstruction of justice for not reporting downgraded airline tickets as income to the Internal Revenue Service.”
SMDH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NBA…YOU GOT TO DO BETTER.
Big Mone
December 31st, 2009
11:56 am
Link to story about his conviction ~~~> http://static.espn.go.com/nba/columns/hughes/1141856.html
Looks like this is tied to the airline ticket scandal a few years back with the refs.
TDawg69
December 31st, 2009
11:59 am
Yes, ATL fans have so much class, booing LBJ everytime he touches the ball! Wake up, Hawksfan. This type of “preferential treatment” has been around in the NBA for decades. Jordan got it, Magic got it, Bird got it, Kobe, Wade, Lebron, Howard all get it. It happens and you know it. The Hawks have a decent team, better than 80% of the league, however, they do need to learn how to close out games, AND how to overcome games like last night when the officials are not on your side. It is not impossible. If Lebron gets such favorable treatment from the refs, why have the Cavs not won anything yet? Because other teams (Orlando last year, for example) overcome these favorable calls by MAKING SHOTS and EXECUTING THEIR GAMEPLAN! The Hawks, and their coach, let it get in their heads, and they lost again.
Even after all the non-calls, AND the shot clock issue, it still came down to a 3 point shot by a player who has never hit one before. Once the Hawks learn how to keep their composure, these types of games will be wins. Until then, you will continue to lose to the elite teams.
Big Mone
December 31st, 2009
12:00 pm
Lowenbrau,
I will agree that there were opportunities for the Hawks to win the game after the error, but an error such as this goes beyond the traditional missed call. The initial error occurred by a member of the Cavs organization (timekeeper) and was subsequently ignored by the refs. There are clear parallels to what happened here and in Miami. As I said before, Atlanta could have won the game in spite of this error, but that fact does not mitigate the effect of the error on the game.
FRESH
December 31st, 2009
12:00 pm
Lowenbrau,
I PRESENT YOU WITH FACTS:
1. The lead official of this game is a convicted felon.
2. There was an egregious error during this game. Protests by coaches and players were ignored. Questions about the error by a pool reporter, Chris Sheridan, were ignored.
3. The Cavaliers had a +23 free throw attempted margin in this game.
4. The NBA itself has acknowledged publicly that they will “protect their stars.”
4a. Lebron James shot more free throws than the entire Hawks team.
5. Lebron James is a global icon. It is in the league’s financial interest to have him (and his team) do well.
bigdave
December 31st, 2009
12:02 pm
2 words of wisdom never trust anybody with a big mustache (see the old Ron Artest stache/Arthur Blank) or one that wears their hair slick back like that….
this excludes Hawks trainer Wally Blase when he rocks the do…
Karl
December 31st, 2009
12:05 pm
I don’t understand why you Hawks fans are surprised. This is after all the NBA, National ‘bron Association. I’m sure David Stern will deal out some severe punishment to those ref’s. They had the nerve to call a goal tending on their King. I also saw one of the Hawks breath really hard on him, a flagrant 1 foul should have been called. Face the facts, the commish wants the King vs Kobe finals this year. He won’t let what happened last year happen again. He can’t have the Queen sulk off the court after a loss in the conference finals again.
RealSquawk
December 31st, 2009
12:05 pm
The Hawks should have won this game despite the shot clock and the free throw disparity they were right there in the game with all that stuff happening in Cleveland and lost. They should have won despite all of the stuff that happened. And I hope they know that and are more worried about that fact than anything else.
That being said Lebron James took more free throws than the Hawks. During the comeback there was a good portion of the game where Lebron James drove the ball and got a foul call… stat check…WITH UNDER 8 MINUTES TO GO IN THE GAME THE 7:54 MARK SPECIFICALLY THE HAWKS ATTEMPTED TWO FREE THROWS FROM A FOUL. LEBRON JAMES ATTEMPTED 8 EIGHT 8 FREE THROWS THE CAVS ATTEMPTED 10 AS A WHOLE.
That’s a problem. If the NBA has not figured it out already a way not to increase your revenue is by highlighting a few teams and driving home a few superstars. Favoring Lebron and then having all these post about how HAppy he is on his Birthday with this performance only increases the amount of conspirators. I have tried hard to push it to the back of my mind, but outcomes like this push it to the forefront.
The Real Deal
December 31st, 2009
12:30 pm
I know that everybody is sick of Josh Smith complaining to the refs whenever he is called for a foul. My best guess estimate is that Josh complains about the fouls called on him at a rate of about 90% of the time. Well .. if Josh is at 90% then Labron must be around 98%. Labron not only complains about the fouls called against him, he is quick to play the crowd so they can help him work the refs. Once the whistle is blown and a foul is called on Labron, he frequently sprints down the court with a look on his face as if to say, “Can you believe they just called a foul on me without consulting with me first?” One thing we have to give Josh credit for is, he doesn’t show the players on the other teams the mistakes they make when they are called for traveling. Just like the other night when Jamal was called for traveling as he took that extra little hop to the basket. Labron showed Jamal why he was called traveling. What a gentleman and class-act! As a matter of fact, last night Labron demonstrated that same extra little hop to the basket but the refs dare not call traveling on the King (especially on his birthday). The more that I watch NBA games(like the last 2 games that I saw with the Hawks playing Cleveland), the more that I realize how much NBA games are like reality shows. People get into the reality shows because they want to believe so badly that none of it is scripted. It was obvious to anyone watching the Hawks game last night that Labron’s team would not lose that game on Labron’s 25th birthday. Hail to the King and his 48 points! Happy Birthday Labron! By the way .. the script calls for Labron to be the “next” Michael Jordan. Thank God Michael Jordan didn’t need a script.
Justin
December 31st, 2009
12:34 pm
For all of the talk about the Hawks not executing down the stretch, we should point out that Cleveland won because Andy Verajao hit his first career three as the shot clock expired. Every team in the NBA wants Andy Verajao taking a 3 as the shot clock expires. That’s a succesful defensive possession. To expect a 6′11 who has never hit a career 3 to hit one in that situation is optimism. It’s not what the Cavs wanted, it’s exactly what the Hawks would want. This time it went in. If he misses it, as he usually does, and the Hawks grab the rebound (a bigger if, but Verajao was on the perimeter, giving the Hawks a rebounding edge), the the Hawks hold for one last shot to win the game and if they miss it’s overtime. It’s really hard to score against a good defense when they know that you have to take a 3 to tie it. It’s a lot easier when you can settle for a two.
Benjamin
December 31st, 2009
12:36 pm
….and neither does Lebron, Real Deal. He is, like it or not, an amazing athlete.
(…and if you don’t think Jordan got calls, you’re either nuts, blind, or don’t know anything about basketball.)
Hawks73
December 31st, 2009
12:40 pm
I can’t understand how any reasonable unbiased fan can say that a 38 to 15 free throw attempts isn’t a disadvantage. How can any team play with that a stacked deck against them? It’s why I have trouble buying what the NBA is selling. It’s not about teams, it’s about marketing and how they can get their “superstars” as much of an advantage/exposure as possible. The Hawks are a very solid team, but they have no chance because they don’t have a “superstar” on our roster.
CDWoods
December 31st, 2009
12:45 pm
Where’s the sense of fair play? Maybe the Hawk bench should have pointed out the discrepancy the moment it happened, but it’s the job of the shot clock people to keep track of the time, and of their mistakes. The Hawks put out such a strong effort, they absolutely deserve the benefit of the doubt. I don’t like to see anything “handed” to anyone.
As far as the whole “Labron”/Jordan comment, two things: First of all if you can’t spell someone’s name correctly then maybe it’s time to stop the critical comments and finally achieve that 3rd grade education you’ve been thinking about. Second of all, if the misspelling is meant as an intentional slight, then you need to find your head, because LeBron doesn’t slight people (certainly not you).
It’s time to call this aggression out for what it is: jealousy. I’m sure that if the Hawks have the opportunity to sign LeBron sometime down the road, the fans wouldn’t slight him in the name of spite. This goes for any team and for any player. If the Cavs were to sign Dwight Howard, I wouldn’t go to every game to boo him off the court. So let’s all be a little more pragmatic with our language and a little more honest with ourselves.
Benjamin
December 31st, 2009
12:48 pm
I’ll agree with the Cavs fans — and some Hawks fans, as well — in regard to last night’s free throw disparity. Having watched the game, I didn’t see as much “bad refereeing” as some are alluding to. The clock situation aside, it was just a game where we didn’t do enough to win it down the stretch.
I also believe we need games like last night. I know that sounds silly, but teams often have to learn what it takes to win in those situations, and while some are viewing it as a disappointment we lost — which it is disappointing — I kind of like the trial by fire aspect of the past couple days. Besides, we’ve shown we can play with the Cavs. It’s not like they dominated either game, particularly last night, when we went into their place after shutting down late the night before and took them to the limit. I view it more as a stepping stone than anything…
We’ll see what tomorrow holds. The main thing is we’ve got to build on it and not have a letdown against the Knicks and co. between now and our Boston, Orlando, Boston trifecta next month.
MyView
December 31st, 2009
12:56 pm
Don’t worry about it Ken. Everybody’s got an opinion, but 90% probably could not do your job. They would just like to act as if they could.
As far as the blown call, anybody who does not think that taking a possesion away from the Hawks in the last minutes of a tight game is “game changing” is kidding themselves. Lets see what the NBA thinks. I’m willing to bet that which ever official was in charge of monotoring the shot clock in that game will probably be suspended. Also, I believe that given the circumstances, the NBA will make the two teams replay the last 1 1/2 mins. In any event, its funny how the fans of other teams always think that blatant missed calls should not be mentioned in the final discussion of a game, until it’s their team.
MyView
December 31st, 2009
1:03 pm
As far as the free throw discrepancy, people always say that the whistle is not unfair, the more aggressive team tends to get the calls. Well that no longer holds water with me because the Hawks were every bit the aggressor in the first half at least, and there was still a 20-7 free throw discrepancy then. In the last two seasons, I have “witnessed” LBJ getting treated like a “King” by the refs. Literally. Even I may start calling him King James.
maconga
December 31st, 2009
1:08 pm
I snet the following email to Stu Jackson today. It probably means nothinh but at least it made me feel better.
Dear Mr. Jackson
I am a XX year old white male and CPA that lives in Macon, GA (a demographic I suspect the NBA is happy to have). I have been an underground Hawks fan even when they went 13 & 69 five or so years ago. I have enjoyed watching their steady progress towards respectability and now hope they are close to being a top 5 team with an outside shot at reaching the Conference finals.
Having said that, such a task will be VERY difficult given the current state of affairs with the referees. I went to the Hawks vs Cavs game in ATL Tuesday night. There were a half dozen or so close plays that all went against the Hawks or were “no calls” against the Cavs. THEN last night in Cleveland the Hawks went to the free throw line 14 times vs the Cavs 38 times. There is an obvious slant towards Cleveland, Boston & the Lakers that is VERY frustrating for a fan of another team to deal with. The Cavs with Lebron are hard enough to beat in a fair fight, much less when the fight is not fair. Not to mention the Home Court shot clock malfunction in the last 2:30 minutes of the game in Cleveland. It just seems like 80% of the close calls went against the Hawks, not the Cavs.
I can go on and on about what is traveling for the rest of the league but not Kobe and Lebron. Anything you can do to level the laying field would be greatly appreciated.
Stu Jackson
December 31st, 2009
1:15 pm
Dear maconga,
Play better and the playing field will be leveled in your favor.
Sincerely,
Stu Jackson
Wabe
December 31st, 2009
1:21 pm
Driving to the hoop to create contact? To say the Cavs were physical and the Hawks weren’t when the Hawks were up double digits throughout the game doesn’t seem to mesh with me. I can buy into the fact that the more aggressive team gets the benefit of the whistle. But, how can people suggest the Hawks weren’t aggressive last night when they came out and outplayed Cleveland for 3 quarters?
The Hawks were up the entire game. They were UP 1 WITH THE BALL UNDER 2 MINS when the shot clock debacle took place. I can name a couple of bogus calls right off the top of my head right now.
1 – Bibby drives and hits a layup with plenty of contact – but no foul (watch highlights).
2 – Marvin Williams leaner in the middle of the paint at the start of the 4th quarter – they called an offensive foul – bogus.
3 – Lebron James “blocks” Smoove’s shot – go look at the replay and tell me how many times Smoove got hit upside his head – no call.
4 – Lebron James should’ve been called for an offensive foul in the paint. Smoove had his feet clearly set outside of the restricted area – Lebron still gets the whistle + bucket.
There were so many suspect calls, it wasn’t funny. Despite all of that, the Hawks managed to hold a double digit lead for most of this game. Sure, they lost. But 9 times out of 10, that Varaejo shot clanks and the Hawks are coming back down the floor with 17.2 seconds to break a tie game for the win. As said before, the Hawks played the Cavs tough enough to pull out a W. It’s not fair to completely put everything on the shotclock, because the fact still lies we blew some healthy leads. But, with that said, to deny that the officiating was something that the Hawks didn’t have to overcome is BS.
As hard as it is to put this one behind us, we’ve got to take care of business against our next 3 opponents. I believe we play the Knicks, at Miami, then the Nets. 3 W’s would be great, because that would take us into that Boston-Orlando-Boston stretch with some momentum.
Davis
December 31st, 2009
1:22 pm
By the way, how about Anthony Parker’s circus behind-the-back shot late in the game? The foul there was so blatantly obvious, but the refs let that one go. Maybe in your perspective the refs didn’t see it because they were too busy daydreaming about the next opportunity to screw the Hawks over. (In reality, it was a game with playoff atmosphere and the refs were letting things go on both ends
Like the clock?
RealSquawk
December 31st, 2009
1:27 pm
What’s Stu Jackson’s email?
SWAT Native
December 31st, 2009
1:34 pm
Ken,
Thanks for writing this. I’ve been wondering how an article on a game can be posted a few minutes after it ends. I tink you can see by the responses that people last night weren’t really mad at you but mad over the calls in the game. It’s also good to see that there are so many people passionate about the Hawks now, and I don’t think that was the case a couple of years ago.
This is why I like the online version of the AJC better than the print edition now. It’s real time and interactive. People didn’t like your story, you got immediate feedback from the readers, and you were able to respond within a few hours.
Back to the Hawks, I think these two games may be good for them in the long run. They’re still a very young team, and I think they’ll learn a lot from these two losses. I think we’re going to see a very exciting playoffs this year.
Mz. Hawkdafied
December 31st, 2009
1:35 pm
Enter your comments here
Mz. Hawkdafied
December 31st, 2009
1:39 pm
Dang this blog literally ate up my comment about 2 hrs ago. Is it safe to comment now?
Astro Joe
December 31st, 2009
1:52 pm
Hey Cleveland fans, go check out LeBron’s sneakers that are a tribute to the NY Knicks and y’all have a really nice day. And when there is a controversial play in Orlando, remember everything that was said today.
Astro Joe
December 31st, 2009
2:03 pm
When I look at the shot chart from last night, I find it hard to see how the Cavs were much more aggressive than the Hawks. I see a ton of shots in the lane (where presumably a more aggressive team would drive the ball). If anyone knows where we could find the “points in the paint” stat from last night, I’d be interested to know if that justifies the free throw atempt disparity.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=291230005
Ufo wanna be
December 31st, 2009
2:10 pm
I think all the people of Cleveland Ohio and NBA refs love to ride Lebrons dick.
Sad but true, thats why Cleveland is a gay city and they will never win a tittle even if they have Lebron, just sad.
Volman
December 31st, 2009
2:16 pm
The “Cleveland fans” obviously are a little worried and know they pretty much got a game handed to them… That’s why they’re all on here.
They probably aren’t even from Cleveland or have any ties. They’re poor people in Atlanta that know no better than to cheer for a superstar who gets the treatment.
Get off your knees, bandwagon fans.
And to the ones who put Lebron in Kobe, D-Wade, or JORDAN’s shoes…. LEBRON HAS NOT WON A THING!!!!!!!
Cleveland will be irrelevant when LeBron is gone.
doc
December 31st, 2009
2:18 pm
Truth-Serum
December 31st, 2009
10:49 am
HAPPY NEW YEARS! HAWKS FANS!
truth, here is right back at you, been nice getting to know you and the newer folks that came to the table with the surge in interest in the hawks. nothing but respect though not agreement, heh heh. i feel safe you can take my disagreements, hopefully the respect as well.
i continue to admire the thoughts of my old band of merry men. AJ really glad to see your comments each and every day. offer still stands dude, you dont even have to sit with me.;-)
be safe all, stay awake, be conscious and especially stay away from the amateurs tonight.
Volman
December 31st, 2009
2:18 pm
Another thing…you moronic “Cleveland Fans” who claim that Candace Parker was fouled on that layup…Mike Bibby has a circus shot where he was knocked to the ground and made the layup with no foul… so shut up about that one play.
No matter how many excuses any of you dolts make, the Hawks got screwed over. That’s why you idiots are here trying to defend this whole situation. Quit being so ignorant.
MAD-DONNA
December 31st, 2009
2:27 pm
As pissed as I am about the blatant job of officiating last night, I feel that it was only 25% of the problem the Hawks had! Tell me what you think of this.
1. Woodson is not good at developing talent, e.g. Josh Smith and Marvin Williams!
2. The Hawks only run one set play; the alley oop from Bibby to Smith!
3. The Hawks have absolutely no killer instinct, which is needed to be an elite team! Whole team is
too nice!
4. Woodson will never on a consistent basis, go deeper than the 8th man!
5. At the end of the year, ISO Joe has got to go (along with Woodson)!
6. Bibby can’t defend a blind man in a wheelchair (defensive liability)!
7. The Hawks don’t have a floor general…that take charge guy, that won’t take no for an answer!
We have that in pick-up b-ball!
8. Marvin Williams…nuff said on that!
9. The Hawks are the worst, “good team” in the league!
10. Did I mention Marvin Williams?
doc
December 31st, 2009
2:32 pm
aj we had a significant number of points in the paint by the second quarter something like 28 or so when the cavs only give up 36 a game. the announcer brought that up as an interesting stat. i dont think the effort went south though we only scored ~40 in the second half. good points there. sometimes we dont make as many as we should once in there remembering a couple that joe took within 2 feet that he tried to float in rather than bank. one in particular he made more difficult by his patented maneuver and i cringed. look cavs use iso lebron so it is not unheard of to put it in someone’s hands, just need to get the calls. the cavs were down so they had to do something just call a foul for lebron. he certainly was above his avg on shots at the line is my guess as most stars avg 8-10max.
rather than our not going there or not scoring there was more a function of them playing better or the refs not calling it the same on both ends. i think it was the latter. my opinion. again too many examples of our guys getting trashed and them going scott free to comment otherwise, plenty of examples already given. if you want to say they are fixing games then i am fine with it. i wont say another word.
i dont see that much when we are on our court but i dont have time to check and see if there is any true home court advantage for our guys by a discrepancy of free throw shots. some folks state the thoughts as stats but dont have the ammo to back it up. thanks for your comments.
jerrywest
December 31st, 2009
3:04 pm
Cavs played defense like football players and Hawks played defense like soccer players. That’s how the refs set the rules. The Hawks almost won an unwinnable game.
Rod from College Park
December 31st, 2009
3:05 pm
The referees did have a major effect on the game last night, but as long as we keep trotting this starting lineup with a bum at the three this will be our fate. The Lebron calls are mothing new, it happened in the playoffs all last year against us and agianst Orlando. I don’t expect much more from the NBA. Remember the Jordan rules? I will post this for two of my biggest supporters who continue to throw darts at me anyway they can. These paost were after the first Cleveland game. Shout out to JeJe. Marvin sure can shut down Lebron. LOL.
Mychelfromatl
December 29th, 2009
10:33 pm
JUST GOT BACK FROM THE GAME….
FIRST AND FOREMOST..HATS OFF TO MARVIN WILLIAMS..WHAT HE DID MAY NOT SHOW UP IN THE STAT SHEET, BUT THIS DUDE PLAYED ONE OF THE BEST DEFENSIVE GAMES AGAINST LEBROM THAT I’VE SAW ANYBODY PLAY..NICE WORK MARVIN..AND FOR THOSE WHO WILL SOMEONE GO ALONG WITH THEIR MARVIN RANTS..GO HEAD BECAUSE IT WILL FALL ON DEAF EARS.
Ken Strickland
December 29th, 2009
10:52 pm
ROD FROM CP/SAMUEL-did you see that DEF gem Marvin put on Lebron? THAT’S WHY WE SAY HE’S ONE OF OUR TOP MAN TO MAN DEFENDERS. Lebron was unsuccessful whenever he tried to drive by him or post him up. He finally started passing the ball when Marvin was on him and attacked the basket only whenever Marvin was forced to switch off. Imagine how much worse this loss would have been without his shutdown DEF.
JeJe
December 29th, 2009
10:57 pm
Give me a break on Marvin’s defense. He is not a “great” defender. LeBron wasn’t even trying to score 90% of the time. He forced 2 shots in the 4th. Besides that, he was looking for teammates (10 assists). He knows he can go off on our team any time he wants. He had 6″5 skinny Jamal Crawford on him for 10 minutes for crying out loud.
Rod from College Park
December 29th, 2009
11:14 pm
Was at the game tonight and here are my thoughts…..
I will agree with some of you that Marvin had a good defensive game tonight but that’s not the point. I will say this to all of you who think that Marvin shut Lebron down. Lebron and a couple of his teammates were partying hard at 3am last night at a very infamous club in the A. I left at 3am and they were still going hard. . Lot’s of Patron and bottles of Champagne that I can’t afford anymore were still flowing at 3am. Lebron looked very sluggish and actually looked like he was trying to get his teamates involved as opposed to taking over the game. I would not get to excited about Marvin’s defense tonight as he will have to face Lebron tomorrow on his birthday in Cleveland, with a star studded party planned for tomorrow night. I have made this point for two years. If Joe is off, no one in our starting lineup can create their own shot. Lebron was checking Marvin and leaves him wide open in the corner and is free to roam and help out on Joe. We have to have someone else on the floor who is a scoring threat at the 3 to open the floor up. WE WILL NOT WIN IN THE PLAYOFFS BECAUSE OF DEFENSE. We will have to outscore the Boston’s, Cleveland’s and Orlando’s of the world. They are too big inside, and we can not match up with them in a half court game. Woodson will have to play Teague if Bibby can’t hit the wide open jump shot.
Rod from College Park
December 29th, 2009
11:19 pm
JeJe ,
“Give me a break on Marvin’s defense. He is not a “great” defender. LeBron wasn’t even trying to score 90% of the time. He forced 2 shots in the 4th. Besides that, he was looking for teammates (10 assists). He knows he can go off on our team any time he wants. He had 6″5 skinny Jamal Crawford on him for 10 minutes for crying out loud.”
I would have to agree JeJe. These clowns just can’t see the forest for the trees. Our problem in the playoffs last year was that we could not score. When the game slows down, that three position is vital, and we can never expect more than 12 points from a guy who is not guarded.
EXACTLY, Rod from CP.
We need Antwawn Jamison or Josh Howard at the 3 — players who put the ball in the basket. Marvin was actually trying to take LBJ off the dribble — LOL.
31 Marvin 4-5 0-1 0-0 1 6 7 1 1 1 1 2 -3 8
23 Lebron 15-23 4-6 14-16 3 7 10 6 2 2 3 3 +7 48
jerrywest
December 31st, 2009
3:11 pm
http://www.hoopdata.com/boxscore.aspx?id=291230005
Both teams had 38 shots from less than 10 feet.
Hawks had 15 and Cavs had 17 shots at the rim.
There was no significant aggressiveness difference subjectively or objectively. Data supports what your eyes had seen.
T-Mac is available
December 31st, 2009
3:14 pm
Rick, please go get Mr. McGrady from the rockets. PLLEASE!!!
T-Mac is available
December 31st, 2009
3:17 pm
Start Jason Collins and give Teague more Playing Time.
T-Mac is available
December 31st, 2009
3:18 pm
T-Mac= 13 points in under 30 seconds=BEAST
T-Mac is available
December 31st, 2009
3:20 pm
NOW RICK! RIGHT NOW DAMMIT! DO IT NOW!
Rick
December 31st, 2009
3:22 pm
Look, I’m not one to point fingers at the ref’s… seldom do because I’ve played the game at a high level and know even though ref’s miss calls and make bad calls the balance of the game still must be played and you just simply play harder… finish your play’s and keep the destiny out of the ref’s hand. But last nights game was not winnable for the hawks. They were playing against the Cav’s and an obviously bias group of ref’s caught up in the awe of “King James”. The Hawk’s were the agressor’s and leaders for most of the game and went to the hole as effectively as the Cav’s, but yet the Cav’s were sent to the stripe 38 times compared to the Hawks only 15 times. Go figure that one? If Joe Johnson’s nick name was “King James” he would have lived at the stripe and torched the Cav’s for 40 plus too. But Joe despite all the times he went to the hole and got hacked only gets to shoot 2 free throws, mean while King James gets sent to the stripe a whopping 16 times. Go figure that one out too? Now the shot clock controversy was significant. To me it show’s and illustrates just how deeply the ref’s were bias and caught up in Cav’s provada. You have 3 ref’s and a host of official folks at the clock and scorer’s table and know one see’s the shot clock error at such a crucial moment in the game. Come on give me a break? Every possesion is valuable in a close game down the stretch… don’t believe it, just look at the Hail Mary lucky shot Varijao made. It changed the game and practically sealed the victory for the Cav’s. That possestion should have been stopped then and the shot clock set at the correct time remaining before play resumed…. bottom line! Every possestion is crucial and the ref’s job is to make sure the game is played correctly. There is no greater time than close games like this one when they absolutely have to get it right down the stretch. It’s the only way we know who the true winner is. King Jame’s greatest birthday present did’nt come from his team mates as stated by Lebron. It came from the 3 ref’’s calling the game. Can’t say I’d call them the NBA’s finest.
Botham
December 31st, 2009
3:23 pm
We probably shouldn’t be complaining considering we did it to the Raptors THREE times.
jgsbirds
December 31st, 2009
3:52 pm
Cleveland Bob you are an idiot! The Hawks have a very talented team that is very close to your bunch from Cleveland minus the officials. I hate to blame any loss on the refs but last night was definitely the case. The Hawks drove to the whole a lot last night–especially Josh and Joe–and I don’t think Josh shot ft’s on any of his drives. As for JJ he goes to the goal a lot now-a-days probably more than he shoots from the perimeter. Still no free throws!
Take these two wins and be proud of them–Remember however the Hawks are getting real close, I mean real close to taking the Cavs’ spot in the East. Time and probably officiating will eventually tell–but don’t be surprised if this is the year it finally happens. We have a pretty good team and surely the refs can’t change the outcome of a 7-game series.
CJA
December 31st, 2009
4:07 pm
Hawk fan, make sure you copy some of these post. It might save you some time the next time you need to bring them out after the Hawk choke in the 4 quarter against a quality team that plays defence. You should probably be thanking the clock operator. If not for his error, you Hawks fans would have to explain why on back to back night you got your collective butts whipped in the forth quarter. Instead of protesting the shot clock maybe you should lobby to have games reduced to three quarters so that you can hang with the championship caliber teams.
CJA
December 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
Honestly, I think had there been another 10 seconds on the clock, the Hawks would have still come up with a BS shot.
BYC
December 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
Can’t wait for Cavs-Hawks in the playoffs… it’s gonna be heated
Rufus1
December 31st, 2009
4:32 pm
I WAS HAPPY
I was happy to see a team with pride play last night(Hawks).
I was happy to see the Hawks play suffocating DEFENSE.
I was happy to see them shut Delonte West DOWN.
I was happy to see JJ play like a superstar and take the ball to the rim.
I was to see the team maintain their composure after they lost the big lead.
I was happy to see Bibby be aggressive on the offense.
I was happy to see Woodson do something different buy playing Collins. I WAS HAPPY TO THAT IT ALL HAPPENED IN CLEVELAND…
I was not happy about the refs..BUT
IN THE PLAYOFFS THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING.
MAD-DONNA
December 31st, 2009
4:53 pm
…and to all the idiots that claim the refs miss and make calls for both teams, please explain the 38 to 15 free-throw difference!
Keep it Real!
December 31st, 2009
4:59 pm
Poor Hawk Fan’s that was a very good game against Cleveland last night.
The must feel better about this game then the last game!
THe Hawks will do some damage in the play-offs as long as Woodie don’t blow it!
The Hawks need to push the ball up the court on every play. They also should press they are 10 deep. Use the bench Woodie, Use the bench!