Hawks Squawks: Hawks 102, Rockets 95
Absurd Twitpic courtesy @hawksPRMan
– Maybe it was the eyebrows.
– Woody showed up in the locker room before the game with his eyebrows shaved off. His players fell out clowning him but he kept a straight face and ignored them when they kept asking him what happened.
– “Nobody knows,” Jamal Crawford said. “You should get to the bottom of it and let me know.”
– “He claimed his barber did it on accident,” Smoove said.
– — Woody still wasn’t talking after the victory: “They got me doing all kinds of crazy stuff. There is no story. It’s just a win.”
– Smoove pasted some Velcro strips in the form of eyebrows on Woody’s head, and the coach came out for the pregame meeting looking redonkulous. So it was all fun and games beforehand. But then the Hawks went out and took care of business.
– It had to be a misdirection move by Woody, who didn’t want his guys to be too tight. “We wanted to have a happy-go-lucky atmosphere,” Smoove said. “I think he didn’t want to come and tell us how much he really, really wanted this game. I think it went over well with the guys. But we knew in the back of our minds how important this game was.”
– The Hawks played like it. The Rockets’ overachieving stuff is no match for the Hawks when they are scoring and swarming like this. This one had the look and feel of a Hawks team that knew it was better than the Rockets and was determined to come out and prove it.
– That’s three straight and eight of 10 for the Hawks since they lost four in a row. “When we play up to our ability, we are one of the elite teams in the league,” J.J. said.
– The Hawks won at Houston for the first time since Feb. 25, 1999, ending a 10-game losing streak here. “We’re growing as a basketball team,” Woody said. “It’s nice to see because we’ve had games here where we were not within 30.”
– “We wanted to get that monkey off our back,” Smoove said.
– The Hawks overwhelmed the Rockets with their talent. That’s how they stayed in the game despite not recording an assist until 9:53 of the second quarter.
– The Hawks dominated the second period with 12 of 23 shooting, 32 points, and an 18-7 advantage on the boards.
– That was the cushion the Hawks needed. “They ran the floor and at the end of the second quarter they made a run on us,” Houston’s Kyle Lowry said. “We didn’t need that and it seemed like we couldn’t get back after that.”
– Not when the Hawks are this determined. When the Rockets pushed back in the second half, the Hawks kept grinding. “That’s a sign of maturity,” Crawford said. “We don’t panic when we take a team’s punch.”
– After the Rockets made some 3-pointers early, the Hawks extended their defense to take it away. The Rockets were 3 of 8 on 3-pointers in the first quarter, 2 of 13 after that.
– There was nothing for them at the rim, either, except lots of long arms. Those seven blocked shots are just the beginning. “They blocked a lot of shots and changed a lot of our attempts,” Lowry said.
– The Hawks’ switching D was working. “We have each others’ backs if guys switch out,” Crawford said. “If somebody gets beat, we know we have help.”
– Once again when things went right Smoove was in the middle of it. Not even his dope stat line (22 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, four blocks) fully told it. “He did everything,” Woody said.
– Also, have you noticed lately that when Smoove gets ticked about a call early he doesn’t let his emotions take him out of the game? Forget Smith’s growth over the years, you can see it from week to week.
– The Hawks kept coming out on the wrong end of calls but they just kept playing. It was a very professional effort.
– Al Horford had to get stitches on his left thumb after a first-quarter whacking from Chuck Hayes. There was no foul called on the play.
– Horford came back for the second quarter. While he was out, Zaza and Joe Smith held it down.
– Joe Smith had his second consecutive solid effort. The old pro knows how to stay ready. Remember that come the postseason. Hey, he did it for the Cavs not too long ago.
– Speaking of vets coming up, Mike Bibby made two 3-pointers late to put the Rockets away. If he does that against the Thunder the Hawks are on a seven-game winning streak. As it is, they are still rolling.
– Now the game at San Antonio Wednesday won’t seem so desperate. The Hawks haven’t won there since Feb. 15, 1997, an 11-game streak. Lose it, and at least they beat the Rockets. Win it, and damn.
– By the way, I’m 4-1.
– Then again, Woody is undefeated post-eyebrows.
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
MC
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98 comments Add your comment
SWAT Native
January 26th, 2010
11:53 am
It looked like to me that Woody’s face might have been burned, too. I think he may have leaned over some sort of fire (maybe he leaned to close to his grill) and singed his eyebrows off and now he just doesn’t want to go into it. No way he shaved them to motivate his team or his barber slipped.
Astro Joe
January 26th, 2010
11:55 am
It was interesting to be reminded that it was only two seasons ago that Bibby was our second option. And now, he has taken the 5th most attempts on the team. He has embraced the role of Elder Stateman. And sure, the elder part can be problematic but this team has not yet showed the consistency (or maturity) that allows the spotlight to shine more on Biby’s shortcomings than his qualities. I suspect that day may be fast approaching… but it isn’t here yet.
SLAM ONLINE | » Links: Mike Woodson is a Smooth Operator
January 26th, 2010
12:03 pm
[...] Cunningham asked Jamal Crawford, who said “Nobody knows. You should get to the bottom of it and let me [...]
Ken Strickland
January 26th, 2010
12:05 pm
Over the last few gms we’ve consistently played good Hawk OFF/DEF basketball, which is important considering our next 4 opponents. These next 4gms represent another reality check in gauging our progress at this point in the season. When the Hawks play up to their potential and ability, they are really an exciting team to watch, and the rest of the NBA seems to share that feeling.
We seem to have righted the ship and are performing at a high level, and that includes on the sidelines as well. CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY and more CONSISTENCY is my focus. All we need in order to be more competitive against elite teams that play good DEF is improve our halfcourt OFF and execution.
I, along with anyone else, can always find something to be negative about during any gm. But I’d much rather see the Hawks shut me up completely by playing the kind of ball they’ve played lately. I actually feel good about the potential outcome of the next 4gms. How we actually perform, as well as the overall outcome, will be entirely up to us. If we continue running, using good ball movement, playing good DEF, and not regress back to relying on ISO’s, one on one and jumpshooting for our halfcourt OFF, we can sweep these 4 gms.
Fundamentals
January 26th, 2010
12:12 pm
We need Bibby’s veteran leadership on our bench. He proved it by giving us something AJ & Lue couldn’t – a winning, professional attitude and solid PG play.
I can admit I’ve been critical of Bibby during his slump, but his knowledge, leadership are needed at least for the next two years to get this team where it needs to be.
Bibby seems to be relaxing into his role. As the other players do as well we’ll be set for years to come.
Definitely nice to see players like Marvin, Horford and Smoove coming along this year. As they continue to improve we’ll see a lesser and lesser role for Bibby, Joe and Crawford. We become more dangerous every day.
Our next real test is to prove: Whether ZaZa, Horford, Collins & Randmo can “Hack a Dwight” effectively enough to control the game. I think they can…test will be wether they do. Duncan should give them a good primer on defending the post on Wednesday.
Section 303
January 26th, 2010
12:16 pm
Ken, this season is not going to be judged by the outcome of the next four games. The Hawks could lose all four, but if they win their next 10 who really cares?
I think some are making more of this run of games than needs to be made. A good test, yes, but hardly the make or break point in the season.
Fundamentals
January 26th, 2010
12:31 pm
Ken wants to know are the kids going to bring it every night. The next 4 will prove alot about focus and professionalism. It’s not about wins and losses, but how they play the games. Next 5-6 are a great barometer. I’ve got the feeling we’ll do very well.
ant banks
January 26th, 2010
12:33 pm
should the hawks do anything before the trade deadline? has anyone heard of any big splashes for any teams? i am concerned about our moves, as well as other teams that we may face in march or april after the move.
Hawksfanatic
January 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
Hey MC, sorry if I missed this but what is the connection between you calling your post game articles Hawks Squawks and http://www.hawksquawk.net ?
O'Brien
January 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
I hope Hawks go 3-0, which would mean we finally beat Orlando, and sweep Boston. Plus 3-0 would get Woody into the All-Star game, which would be a great learning experience from a coaching standpoint. (It would also help his contract demands).
ant banks,
There are rumors that Cleveland is looking to make a move (trade Big Z and his expiring), and rumors that Boston is looking as well.
But for the Hawks, I’m not sure if there is any deal out there that would benefit the Hawks short term and long term (they need financial flexibility to resign JJ this offseason). And even if there was a player out there, I dont think the Hawks have anything to offer anybody.
If the Hawks can focus every night, and defend, rebound, and run, they will be hard to beat.
Section 303
January 26th, 2010
12:51 pm
Fundamentals, there have not been many games this year when the team has not come out and taken care of business. I have no doubt they will come up ready to go in these next 4 games. Actually, I think it will be easy for them to do that. They know, just as we all do, that these next 4 are tough games. They happen to come one right after the other…they will be ready.
These conversations (and no offense intended) annoy me. Can we just accept the fact that the Hawks are a good team? Good teams do not use 4 games as a barometer of anything. The Hawks should not, either. These games are games against tough competition. Really, in this league, there is tough competition every night. Even the “bad teams” can rise up and beat you. No one losses them all. Though, the Nets seem to be trying to…
SGT CHRIS
January 26th, 2010
1:05 pm
What the hawks need is a shot blocking big man…why not go spend some money and somehow get marcus camby!!!!!
also the hawks need to beat up on the sub 500 teams they should beat every night. that would help
Gwalk
January 26th, 2010
1:13 pm
It’s really nice to see things come to fruition when we hired coach Woodson in 2004. This is an extract of an article I found. Pretty neat…
“ATLANTA, GA (July 8, 2004) —– The Atlanta Hawks have named Mike Woodson as the team’s new head coach, it was announced today by General Manager Billy Knight. Woodson, who becomes Atlanta’s tenth head coach since the franchise moved to the Atlanta area in 1968, spent this past season as an assistant on the staff of the World Champion Detroit Pistons. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not released.
“I am very excited about hiring Mike as our new head coach,” said Knight. “He has paid his dues and is very deserving of this opportunity. Mike has all of the qualities I was looking for in a head coach as we went through this process. He possesses a tremendous work ethic and he’s an excellent motivator, something that is very important to our franchise and ownership group as we move forward. As a former player who has worked tirelessly as an assistant for several years, learning from a couple of Hall of Fame coaches along the way, Mike will be able to handle the transition of his new position and bring a passion of winning to the Hawks.
“Fans will see the same level of intensity he displayed on the court as an opponent of mine, a teammate of mine and as an assistant coach. We’ll be well prepared and compete hard every night on both ends of the floor as he takes our team to another level. Mike will represent our organization very well and I look forward to working with him.”"
Congratulations Coach Woodson, I beleive we have reached that next level.
Scotto
January 26th, 2010
1:23 pm
Tone-Loc without eyebrows – hilarious.
Dominique = Worst Commentator in the World!
January 26th, 2010
1:24 pm
Is there any possible way we can get someone….ANYONE…else?!?!
Westurd
January 26th, 2010
1:24 pm
There is a lot of talk (not so much anymore) of firing Woody……but let me ask you this: If we hired a new coach and he led us to the one spot in our division and third in the Eastern Conference at midseason would you not be throwing him praise? I think I would, even though I have called for Woodys head the past few seasons
Dominique = Worst Commentator in the World!
January 26th, 2010
1:24 pm
“Heat Check” on Nique!
Neal Kelley
January 26th, 2010
1:31 pm
i think he never had any.. because the eyebrows in the picture makes him look like groucho marks. I would cut them off also… he looks better that way..
Leroy
January 26th, 2010
1:38 pm
68rd
drmaryb
January 26th, 2010
1:40 pm
Hey Good-Fellas!
You guys especially “T-Shirt CLYDE” sound like a room full of “horny-biatches” Coach Woody was never the Hawks- Nemisis?
You have to have talent and money to win! “THIS IS THE nba MAN!” JJ said it BEST! You want to laud a COWARD – AZZ coach like a “PHIL JACKSON”? He ain’t never built nothing…He only takes the JOB if it’s EASY!
Hell, I could coach MJ & KOBE and win! Hell, “FIRE_WOODY – CLYDE” could stop selling T-Shirts today and WIN with “MJ” & KOBE?
“Prosperity conceals CHARACTER & Adversity reveals IT!” Give me WOODY and I will give you CHARACTER! Plain & Simple – It takes TALENT to WIN! “THIS is the NBA man!”
Congratulate WOODY & dem’ HAWKS! stop hating on the Home-Team! This message does not apply to the obvious and ignorant racists who post on here! This message goes out to the Losers & CLYDE’s in cyber-space! Like “Mel” from Atlanta has been saying for years….”We don’ t need no Losers in Atlanta, we need a WINNER!” well folks – We finally got us a WINNER! Let’s Celebrate & stop bitching, picking & whining!” Geeezzz!
-signed- a real woman.
BBgenie
January 26th, 2010
1:44 pm
Hawks in 7!!!!! Hurt Don’t it! Hawks Haters.
That Dude
January 26th, 2010
1:45 pm
I know you tried Woody but you still look like Steve Harvey
BBgenie
January 26th, 2010
1:49 pm
Damm! Coach the East All stars, Coach of the year, Eastern Conf Champs,
6th man of the year, Most Improved player. WOW. Hey? Fire Your own Ass.
Hawks in 7!!!
Miss Hip hop
January 26th, 2010
1:56 pm
Coach need to take those eyebrow off and put them in the trash.
Hawksfanatl
January 26th, 2010
2:00 pm
The Hawks need to try to get Marcus Camby before the trade deadline or Chris Kaman from the clippers they need a legitimate center going into the playoffs and slide Al Horford back to his right position which is power forword.
Hoosier Aaron
January 26th, 2010
2:01 pm
As a long-time fan of Mike Woodson, it’s nice to see some good things being said now.
My dad took me to see him play at Broad Ripple High School in Indy and then at Indiana University.
I was Mike Woodson many, many times on my driveway hitting shots (off the glass, of course) while beating Purdue and Kentucky.
My all-time favorite Indiana player was Randy Wittman – Hawk fans might remember him too…he’s why I started following the Hawks…….I’ve always been a Braves fan, though.
JOE BLOW
January 26th, 2010
2:02 pm
THE HAWKS ARE AWFUL, decent at best.
JOE BLOW
January 26th, 2010
2:10 pm
YOU ALL BETTER PRAY JOE COMES BACK, cause if he doesnt, REBUILDING time.
mr. potato head
January 26th, 2010
2:24 pm
I have found my long lost cousin!!
C BROW
January 26th, 2010
2:31 pm
He just moved them down after his barber miscut his mustache!!
Go Hawks Go!!
Matt the Brave
January 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
And your Atlanta Hawks head coach….GUMBY!! ;D
Shamus Thacker
January 26th, 2010
2:52 pm
Woody has kind of a Groucho Marx thing going-on with those brows.
Nice look…
Monster
January 26th, 2010
2:54 pm
Looks like he took his eyebrows and put them between his mouth and nose and made a mustache.
He a silly man.
Kim
January 26th, 2010
3:09 pm
Looks like his eyebrows were moved to the mustache area…lol
Matt Gossett
January 26th, 2010
3:11 pm
Check out this music video parody of Empire State of Mind, called Peach State of Mind! It’ all about Georgia and very well-done!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbg8-DwNDwM
Ken Strickland
January 26th, 2010
3:28 pm
SECTION303-please reread my post and see if you don’t get a slightly different on what I meant, or read the response that followed by FUNDAMENTALS. The next 4gms certainly won’t determine the seasons outcome, but it will help how far we’ve progressed at THIS POINT IN THE SEASON, which you seem to have overlooked.
I also made a clear and unmistakable effort to emphasize my focus on CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY and more CONSISTENCY, which you also seem to have overlooked. I broke our season down into 7gm increments, starting with our 7gm win streak, to show how inconsistent we’ve been, and compared the results to the NBA’s 2 top teams with won/loss records, LA and Cleveland. After going on a 7gm win streak, in consecutive 7gm blocks, we went 3-4, 6-1, 2-5, 5-2 and are current 2-o. THAT’S NOT WHAT I CALL CONSISTENCY. Cleveland was 4-3 twice in their worst 7gm stretch, and has lost consecutive gms(2gms)once all season. LA was 4-3(twice) in their worst 7gm stretch and has lost consecutive gms(2gms twice) so far this season. NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL CONSISTENCY!!!!!
Sure, we have a winning record and are leading our division, but it’s only because the team we’re leading, who’s kicked our butts so far this season, has been even more INCONSISTENT that we’ve been. It can almost be said we’re leading by default. Anyone that ignores our inconsistency and the obvious shortcomings that are causing that inconsistency, while just being content to point to our midseason accomplishments, have nothing more than a cheerleaders mentality rather than a players mentality. For us to get better we have to become more consistent.
For us to become more consistent, we have to address the shortcomings that’s holding us back. We have to:
(1) Get better and more consistent overall production out of our PG position, on both OFF & DEF. Woodson needs to do a much better job of developing PG JTeague and taking better advantage of his skills to get more production from him. We need to do that while continuing to get consistent production and leadership from Bibby.
(2) Get better and more consistent overall production out of our halfcourt OFF, especially down the stretch. I don’t think it would be a good idea to hire a fulltime OFF coordinator, because I don’t think Woodson would be secure with that. However, I do think he might accept a temporary OFF consultant, who could install a more effective halfcourt OFF, and leave, while letting him run it.
Correcting these issues falls directly in the lap of HC MWoodson.
Ramon
January 26th, 2010
3:29 pm
SGT CHRIS, you do realize Atlanta is the FIRST team to reach 20 double digit wins this season right? The only sub-par team the Hawks have struggled with was the Knicks at home and a slip up with the Pistons. The Hawks had a letdown against the Heat the other month, but the Heat are still a playoff team, who JUST gave the Cavs a run for their money. The Hawks aren’t losing any more winnable games than any other NBA franchise.
Gwalk
January 26th, 2010
3:33 pm
JOE BLOW…Have you watched a single game the Hawks have played this season? The hawks are not awful. They are playing with more passion and game than I have seen in the last several years. Why don’t you go back to being the bandwagon fan you are and root for the Cavs or someone else… See you in the playoffs!
Ken Strickland
January 26th, 2010
3:38 pm
Woodson looks like a basketball that’s been dipped in chocolate and had a nose, eyes, lips, mouth and ears painted on it.
Ramon
January 26th, 2010
3:40 pm
Ken Strickland, as it stands (unfortunately) the Hawks are a jump shooting team. Although Horford and Smoove can give you 18 -25 ppg if called upon, the team still end up shooting more jump shots than anything. Any time you have a jump shooting team, the word ‘inconsistency’ is going to be used to describe that same team. Orlando, the same team you mentioned, will always come up on the wrong end of things as long as Howard doesn’t get 10-15 shot attempts a game. If you remember last season in the playoffs Orlando was so closed to losing in the first round, mainly because of that inconsistent jump shot. The thing that changed for them in the playoffs was the fact that Pietrus perimeter defense, and Howard’s presence stopped Lebron from being able to drive any time he desired.
The scary thing going forward about this team is, do they realize the team that usually shoots the most jump shots in a playoff series generally loses that very same series. If Horford and Smoove could both average 10-12 attempts from in the paint, I think you will see this team start to become even more dangerous and ‘consistent’.
enz
January 26th, 2010
3:41 pm
so proud of our Hawks! Atlanta needs to represent and start supporting the way this organization deserves!
The Clevelands, CAVS
January 26th, 2010
3:50 pm
All hawk players should wear a bald head…
Sporty Black
January 26th, 2010
3:51 pm
The fact that you can count on one hand the number of ‘bad games’ the Hawks has had season is evidence of a good season. I expect Woody to get Teague more minutes to begin to save the legs of Bibby for the playoffs.
All the seeding crap really don’t matter… Remember what the Hawks did as an 8 seed two years ago
. To be the best, you have to be able to beat everybody. They are figuring it out, no one wants to play the Hawks come playoff time…
Adam Brush
January 26th, 2010
4:13 pm
Looks like a “Mr. Potato head” wanna-be if you ask me!
Traceman
January 26th, 2010
6:15 pm
Ken,
CLE and LAL are on pace to win 62 games. They also happen to have two best players on the planet leading their teams. Of course they have been more consistent than we have. Do you think we are a 62 win team?
In addition, you can make numbers say whatever you want them to say. You said that you broke our season down into 7 game increments to show how inconsistent we’ve been starting with the 7 game winning streak. Well, if you break the season down into 7 game increments starting with Game 1, it looks like this:
5-2
6-1
4-3
5-2
3-4
5-2
1-0
We only had ONE block of 7 games (out of 6 blocks) with a below .500 record (3-4)and that was the block where we had 2 tough losses to CLE, a road loss to MIA and the loss to NY where Nate Robinson was simply unconscious. If we had won just one of those four games, we would have had a .500 or better record for each 7 game stretch this season. That sounds pretty consistent to me unless you are comparing it to the consistency of a team on pace to win 62 games.
KevinA
January 26th, 2010
7:13 pm
Fundamentals
January 26th, 2010
12:12 pm
Our next real test is to prove: Whether ZaZa, Horford, Collins & Randmo can “Hack a Dwight” effectively enough to control the game. I think they can…test will be wether they do. Duncan should give them a good primer on defending the post on Wednesday.
That’s a great idea but Woody has yet to try it. I don’t recall Collins or Rando having much a chance to hack anyone except in a blow out.
Fundamentals
January 26th, 2010
12:31 pm
It’s not about wins and losses, but how they play the games. Next 5-6 are a great barometer. I’ve got the feeling we’ll do very well.
For me this is how it has always been. The last few games the Hawks have involved more players with better passing. When we feed Al and Josh the floor opens up for the rest of the team. How many games have we lost when they get 25 attempts. If we can take that Cat game to the Spurs/Boston/Orlando I like our chances. Marvin is shooting over .470 in the last 10-11 games and gives us yet another option for a diversified attack. Will the guards give up the rock?
Ken Strickland
January 26th, 2010
12:05 pm
I, along with anyone else, can always find something to be negative about during any gm. But I’d much rather see the Hawks shut me up completely by playing the kind of ball they’ve played lately. If we continue running, using good ball movement, playing good DEF, and not regress back to relying on ISO’s, one on one and jumpshooting for our halfcourt OFF, we can sweep these 4 gms.
We have done a much better job lately getting into our sets quicker and the guards have been very efficient with better passing. When we regress is when the Jumpers are not falling and then for some reason the pace slows and there is less passing. If anything we should pick up the pace and feed the big’s. The main complaint is our failure to adjust when things go stagnant. To get more CONSISTENCY the guards need adjustments that feed our strengths.
RLP
January 26th, 2010
11:19 pm
There was a point this season when I thought this team was capable of winning more regular season games than any Hawks team in the history of the franchise. If memory serves correctly they were on pace to win 62 games at one point during the season. But then they had a stretch when they fell back. It was during this stretch that they had their four game losing streak. Based on their current winning percentage they are on course to win 55 games. But I am really encouraged by the way this team played against Houston. How many times in the past when they were on the road did they lose winnable games because they could not sustain the intensity to put away a good team on the road? This year on Monday night they played like an elite team. I do not think they are an elite team. MC compared them to the Shaq-Wade championship team and did not see that this team held up. I agree. However, miracles do happen. And I can see the possibility of a miracle happening with this team.
Normally I am one to try to hold down expectations. And I really do not think it will happen this year. I am content with a team that improves incrementally as this team has done. I believe that the model for this team achieving success is the to develop like the Pistons did where there is no one superstar like a Kobe or a Wade or a LaBron. But sometimes miracles happen and how I would love to see it happen here and watch all of the naysayers who seem to enjoy finding reasons why the team cannot win rather than finding reasons for enjoying this team try to explain why they were so negative when this season is over.
I actually agree with Ken Strickland on this next few games. A successful outcome in these next few games could propel this team into the realm of the truly elite in this league this year. For all of my fears there is also an anticipation that maybe good things will happen. Bring on the Spurs.
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January 27th, 2010
1:52 am
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