Hawks Squawks: Hawks 102, Rockets 95

Twitpic courtesy @hawksPRMan

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

98 comments Add your comment

Grip

January 26th, 2010
12:59 am

Woody coaching the all-star team, who would have thunk it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We may be 3-1 after this road trip, and that would really set us up for success. I am impressed, and that is saying a lot, with that summer league offense Woody runs. Let the Hawk fly!!!!!!

da ruler

January 26th, 2010
12:59 am

jerrywest

January 26th, 2010
1:01 am

Thanks MC. That Mr.Potato face will be the most memorable pic of this season.

mmgtfan

January 26th, 2010
1:01 am

Joe's place Joe speaking

January 26th, 2010
1:01 am

First??!! Nice read, thanks MC.

jerrywest

January 26th, 2010
1:04 am

Yes Grip. If we overtake Boston, Woody will coach the all star game. Brown can’t coach because he coached last year. (Pat Riley rule)

Jed

January 26th, 2010
1:14 am

Exactly right, MC, on Josh’s maturity. And for everybody who doubted Smoove & doubted Woody over the last 4 years +….you’ve got to admit not only that Josh has (only begun to) come into his own, but also that Woody played a key factor in his development. Sometimes he gave him a long leash; sometimes he gave him none at all. But the proof is in the pudding. And the pudding is….smooooooove!

Josh

January 26th, 2010
1:14 am

dude, i loved the fight in the hawks today… and like you said MC, the growth in smoove is awesome to see. marvin was contributing as well [that block was sick]. let’s get this in san antonio!

Ree Roe

January 26th, 2010
1:17 am

Good to see the team is loose & having fun right before a crucial road trip. lol @ the Legend of the Mysterious Eyebrows beginning now. Let’s get a win in SA!

-REEcently Roe!!!

tjhook

January 26th, 2010
2:19 am

I thought the team was a little too jump-shot happy but I’m glad to represent the Hawks with a win. San Antonio is going to try to control the tempo, so our main scorers (Joe and Jamal) will need to play with some reckless disclipine. I’m hoping for a lot of offensive putbacks in this one. And also hope Jeff Teague can get some time to take on Tony Parker because TP might break Bibby a new one (backside)

The Grapes of RATHbun

January 26th, 2010
3:24 am

Boy am I glad David Andersen never suited up for the Hawks! That guy is garbage! How about when he got hung up on the wide open dunk in the 2nd quarter? That $hit was hilarious!

Mac-Town'z Finest 478

January 26th, 2010
5:39 am

“He claimed his barber did it on accident,” Smoove said.

LMFAO

Mac-Town'z Finest 478

January 26th, 2010
5:40 am

so woodson was gettin his eye brows lined up? LMFAO

Clyde

January 26th, 2010
5:51 am

How you let your barber cut off your eyebrows? That what you get for letting a blind mind cut your hair.

FIRE WOODY

Benjamin

January 26th, 2010
6:23 am

15th… :)

IF we can come away from this five game run — I know most people have it ending with Orlando, but with a road game at OKC on the end of the stretch, I’m counting them, too — with a 3-2 record, I’m ready to roll going forward. Great game last night, and it’s nice to see Smith get out there and dominate the way he did to help lead the team after a relatively slow first quarter — just another night in the apparent continual progression of Smoove, in my book…

Another thing: Joe Johnson, in my view, is much more valuable than he’s given credit for by the commenters of this forum, and he put in another solid effort last evening. I really hope we can bring him back this offseason…

TheAntiMe

January 26th, 2010
6:41 am

The guys are getting it done on the road this year and that is huge. I might normally be concerned that they were out-scored 3 of the 4 quarters, if not for the fact that they were close on all 3. Unlike when they were in their last slump, they did not take entire quarters off on offense and/or defense.

I think Woody is dead-on when he says that the Hawks are growing as a team. Week-by-week.

O'Brien

January 26th, 2010
7:52 am

Great strategy by Woody, helping the guys to relax and just play their game.

I have been on Bibby the last 2 or 3 weeks because he looks really slow out there, and I also think Teaue should get more PT.

But I also think Teague should get his minutes early on in the game, because down the stretch, we need Bibby. Big shots by Bibby in the 4th (we know that Teague can’t make those yet).

Great team win last night, Hawks and coaches. Now let’s end the SA drought.

Mind over Matter

January 26th, 2010
8:09 am

Wow, what happened to the Bubba crew and the hate factory?

Woody, OOY !!

Fundamentals

January 26th, 2010
8:22 am

Excellent effort, great board work and definitely good team ball on offense. Everyone played their game and did what it took to secure a great team win for the Hawks. Impressive!

Section 303

January 26th, 2010
8:39 am

The Grapes of RATHbun, I’m glad Anderson is not on the Hawks, too. Billy Knight used to always say that the major hold up with bringing Anderson over from Russia was money. Anderson wanted too much of it. That would have been a bad contract to get trapped under.

Sweet win last night. Anyone notice the crowd, or lack there of? Atlanta gets ripped for fans not coming out during the week, but look at Houston and most of the other teams in the league. They are not selling out, either. Really, only about 4-5 teams that can say they pack the place on every game night. Thinking: Lakers, Cavs, Celtics (Boston fans will leave once the team gets bad, though), Spurs, Mavs…can’t think of anyone else.

AlternateReality

January 26th, 2010
8:41 am

Why does Woody need a barber?

Grandad

January 26th, 2010
8:43 am

If he really did it on purpose to relax the guys…well I’ll be darned.

jean

January 26th, 2010
8:54 am

did any1 see when crawford try to bang it on the hole team wit like a minute left?

d.carter

January 26th, 2010
8:58 am

Marvin will never become the player that he can be in woodys offense of 1000 dribbles… So with that being said….Marvin, Bibby and Mo Evans for YI and Devin Harris…. I think the numbers are close enough,

GeeMack

January 26th, 2010
9:04 am

The Hawks don’t need those guys they are winning. Unless it’s a move to make us championship contenders we shouldn’t make a move.

JM

January 26th, 2010
9:08 am

jean, I did. What have been great if he made it.

JM

January 26th, 2010
9:20 am

Would have been…

richbrave

January 26th, 2010
9:30 am

JAVARIS CRITTENTON was given one year’s unsupervised probation and voluntary community service work along with two fines totaling $1250. His duty to the government is over. Now he must deal with STERN and the WIZARDS. He should be playing for someone else next year as the D.C. franchise did not exercise their option on his contract. He currently makes 1.45 million and is being paid. He should make a fine point guard for some team other than the WIZARDS. To me, this is a blessing in disguise because he’s outta’ here and that’s good for him. I predict he will be appearing in an arena near you next year. Also, it will give his foot a chance to full heal.

[...] what is easily the strangest story of the NBA season, Hawks coach Mike Woodson inexplicably shaved his eyebrows prior to last [...]

richbrave

January 26th, 2010
9:36 am

“So it was all fun and games beforehand. But then the Hawks went out and took care of business.”

The difference between the HAWKS and WIZARDS is the D.C. team does the same in the locker-room, but stays in the moment for the game. What an azz-clown “organization.” “I feel like shooting somebody.” For real? “Oh no, I was just goof-ball kiddin’.”

Astro Joe

January 26th, 2010
9:36 am

richbrave, has he (Crit) established a role yet in the NBA? Is he a true back-up PG or a back-up combo guard like Flip or a strong perimeter defender? I agree that he should be provided another chance but he plays an over-crowded position.

Astro Joe

January 26th, 2010
10:00 am

The below is from the Human Highlight Blog:

Mike Bibby is a wonderful luxury to have as a Hawks fan. Not only is he a calming influence on the game and gets the ball into the hands of our finishers so effectively, Bibby is a nice lethal three point sniper to lean on when Crawford and Johnson aren’t open or the ball comes out of the lane and finds the vet teed up and waiting.

Bibby is having a four year high in Assist rate, assist-turnover ratio, and EFG% from 3-pt range. He is also right on his four year highs for EFG% and TS%. That Bibby, who just two and some odd seasons ago was the Hawks #2 option offensively, is now having the lowest Usage rate in his career means the Hawks have grown up on that end of the floor—and that Bibby’s role as a long range sniper and master facilitator can be even more finely tuned and make for a very effective role player along with his role/responsibilities as team leader.

JM

January 26th, 2010
10:02 am

richbrave, feeling you on the Wiz. I was born and raised in NW DC and used to be a big Bullets/Wizards fan, but that team is so screwed up I had to let them go. Still pissed about C Web for Mitch Richmond, wtf. Go Hawks!

AceDawg

January 26th, 2010
10:07 am

Hawks are entertaining and good – it’s still shocking!!

james rudolph

January 26th, 2010
10:12 am

I think a perimeter guy is all this team needs to win the East. (Assuming The Cavs don’t get Amare or Jamison.) Just a guy that hangs out on the perimeter and can shoot the 3 at about 42%. A Kyle Korver type. Anthony Morrow leads the league in 3pt fg% and is in Nellie’s doghouse. Give them a first round pick straight up for Morrow, and figure out a way to cut a little money. This team DOES NOT NEED TO GET ANY YOUNGER through the draft. He would spread the floor and give us about 20 minutes a game. A perfect fit.

richbrave

January 26th, 2010
10:13 am

JM:

You said it. GO HAWKS. I got a feeling they are moving up the pecking order in the east to third. They do have to get the DWIGHT HOWARD monkey off their back however.

‘STROH JOE:

I know, but he showed out running the point for the WIZ late last season and I could see he’s got game. I know those tapes are still around, but it is an overcrowded position except on the WIZ.

The negatives are that 1- he played last summer in the HOTATLANTA – against orders I believe – then got hurt, and 2- He’s let GILBERT’s crap rub off on him.

The better teams will probably say no thanks, but the lesser teams with point problems will give him a chance because he can bring it. He just needs plenty of burn to develop. And he’s still quite young.

doc

January 26th, 2010
10:16 am

rb from two blogs past:

richie, javaris was very naive and got played big time. arenas is a bully not a prankster. it is his mask to hide behind.

james rudolph

January 26th, 2010
10:17 am

Make that 44.3% from downtown. Now that’s filling it up. Every good team has that guy. Not that Woody would draw him up plays, but when Joe is getting doubled…kick out…and there it is. Whether it’s Eddie House, Anthony Parker, JJ Reddick, Kyle Korver, Sasha Vujascic, or anyone…all the good teams have that guy that doesn’t create his own shot, and just hangs out and waits for the double team or an open look in transition. Morrow would be ideal. He played at Tech and is from Charlotte.

richbrave

January 26th, 2010
10:17 am

Bibby’s role as a long range sniper and master facilitator can be even more finely tuned and make for a very effective role player along with his role/responsibilities as team leader.

That’s great as long as him pay is commenserate with that limited role.

Sautee

January 26th, 2010
10:19 am

AJ,

From the last blog: “At least stir the pot with a logical spoon. Although asking me to put down Adelman is a very clever tactic… given my long-standing bromance with the Rockets coach.”

Yes, a dastardly tactic. Joe, I hope you know that I was just messin’ with you.

Of course I remembered your “likings” for Adelman. ;-)

And I was certain that you’d take the bait I put out about Budinger. Was it tasty?

And my reality about Teague…. well I had a lot more attachment to Acie as a player, MAINLY because I thought the front court was starving and he would feed them every time he was on the court. This year, Woody is at least TRYING to have the front court more involved. So I’m less concerned about time for Teague, since my main objective (front court involvement) is beginning to come to fruition without a lot of his minutes.

That said, I’m STILL not a fan of Crawford at PG. Oddly enough, not for any lack of passing, but it seems that when Bibby is not in the game, and Joe IS, it seems that Crawford defers too much to Joe instead of moving the ball.

terrell

January 26th, 2010
10:23 am

Damn Woody! Wtf? Who’s your barber, Stevie Wonder?

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Atlanta Peach Movers, Matt Stroup, Michael Cunningham, Michael Cunningham, john freman and others. john freman said: Hawks Squawks: Hawks 102, Rockets 95 | Hawks Blog: Maybe it was the eyebrows. — Woody showed up in the locker roo… http://bit.ly/7gRIuF [...]

terrell

January 26th, 2010
10:25 am

Oh yeah, great team effort last night. And that includes Marvin, Rod.

Preist Lauderdale

January 26th, 2010
10:55 am

Now you see em, now they burnt off!

Melvin

January 26th, 2010
11:17 am

I read on Hoopshype in an article by ESPN that all non-Tax teams (under the salary cap) receives a 5 million rebate during the summer for not going over the cap. Now we know why the ASG is so adamant about staying under the cap….

KevinA

January 26th, 2010
11:19 am

http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2010/01/25/graphic-offense-a-look-at-usage-and-per-mid-season/

Scroll down to the Par and useage chart. Very telling. Feed a big- get a win.

darrell starks

January 26th, 2010
11:25 am

GOOD GAME BY THE HAWKS WOODY WHAT THE H IS THAT ABOVE YOUR EYE LOOK LIKE MRS POTATOE HEAD.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

Sautee

January 26th, 2010
11:26 am

Bob Rathbun: ‘Nique, this is a tough stretch of games ahead, are you up to it?

‘Nique: Yeah Bob, I’ll just take them one cliche’ at a time.

darrell starks

January 26th, 2010
11:26 am

Woody did a great job coaching last night he use his bench and the team played with energy.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

theZaZaguy

January 26th, 2010
11:29 am

Hey Rich Brave. I think Bibby is priced about right. 3 years for 18 million. That makes him the lowest paid starter except Horford (who I’m sure will get a nice contract next year). Sund did a good job on this one I think.

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.

[...] 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

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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