Hawks Squawks: Heat 100, Hawks 94
Wade soared past the Hawks for 38 points. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami–A D-Wade surge in the third, a couple bad possessions, a Michael Beasley eruption . . . just like that, the Hawks lost a game they once controlled. They can’t let road games slip away like this if they really want to win the Southeast.
– Josh and Jamal both tried to throw passes into the teeth of the Heat’s zone. “We had too many turnovers,” Woody said. “Blind passes when nothing was there. They capitalized on it.”
– The Hawks had seven of their 13 turnovers in the fourth quarter and made just 6 of 20 shots in the period. Once again they appeared baffled against a zone defense. “I can’t fault the effort,” Woody said. “The effort was great. We got the tempo the way we wanted it. But then their zone slowed us down.”
– Wade went off with 14 points in the third quarter, energizing his teammates and the fans. The Hawks controlled him in the fourth but then Beasley took over with 14 points on 6 of 7 shooting and a key steal. “We tried to post Smoove from the backside of the zone but Beasley did a hell of a job in getting to the spot,” Woody said.
– Beasley had seven straight points as the Heat turned a 92-91 deficit into a 98-92 lead. “We know he is capable of doing that,” Al said. “He was able to get two good looks from the corner. Wade had it going at that time so we thought we would get it out of his hands.”
– Beasley’s 3-pointer with 46.8 seconds to play was the dagger. “Honestly when it left my hand it didn’t feel too good,” he said.
– The Hawks still had a chance when they were down 98-94 and Carlos Arroyo missed a jumper. But Udonis Haslem rebounded. “That was pretty much the game,” Woody said.
– J.J. missed 12 of 15 shots in the second half after making 5 of 8 in the first. A tight deadline didn’t allow me to wait around and ask him if he still felt ill tonight.
– Joe Smith took a shot to the nose and didn’t return to the game. He still was available to play but Woody didn’t use him in the second half after he had eight points and made 3 of 3 shots in seven minutes of the first. He helped the Hawks bench players outscore the Heat reserves 20-10 in the first half.
– The game was delayed for several minutes at the start of the fourth quarter due to scoreboard and clock malfunctions. At first the operator couldn’t take a point away from the Heat’s tally after a 3-pointer was changed to a 2. Then the clock didn’t start to begin the half.
– “Both teams had an opportunity to rest,” Woody said. “That had no effect on what happened.”
– Smoove wasn’t so sure. “It let ‘D Wade’ get a longer rest and we didn’t want that to happen. They know what they was doing. They’ve been working at that scorer’s table for years and they don’t know how to count it down? It’s a smart move by them, though. Maybe we should try that.”
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
MC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
142 comments Add your comment
Green Tinted Sixties Mind
March 6th, 2010
11:47 pm
These fourth quarter meltdowns are troubling
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2010
12:05 am
MC, please ask Woodson what he plans to do about the zone problem. Until the Hawks show they can beat a zone, every good team will throw one at them, and it will result in the same thing every time.
BONE
March 7th, 2010
12:14 am
hawks suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck assssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think its time to rebuild this team from the ground up around teauge and a new coach
O'Brien
March 7th, 2010
12:18 am
Najeh,
The Hawks still havent figured out this zone. If my memory is correct, they lost to the Knicks when they went to a zone, they lost to Miami who played some zone, and they lost to the Mavericks when they went zone. Woody needs to figure out how to beat the zone, and then the players must be able to execute.
And when will Woody give a s#*t about the offense?
The Hawks had 17 points in the 4th quarter tonight. That makes 12 games this season where the Hawks have scored 19 points or less in the 4th quarter. In those games, they are 2-10.
Grandad
March 7th, 2010
12:28 am
4th qtr. = tired legs.
heavy min./starters = tired legs
trying to shoot over zone with tired legs
having trouble with zone with tired legs
getting late in season = tired legs
too many min./Joe = tired legs
refusal to use bench = tired legs
going into play-offs with tired legs
sh.% vs. Miami, by qtr. 1st-50+/2nd-40+/3rd-30+/4th-20+ = :
tired, tireder, more tired, tiredest legs !
I’m tired !
chuck
March 7th, 2010
12:35 am
Woody will never take this team or any team to the conference finals. He doesn’t have a clue how to rest his guys for the long season. It will only get worse as these young guys get older.
Scoop
March 7th, 2010
12:54 am
This game is a prime example of Woodson’s philosophy. It’s all about the short term. He goes from game to game.
What does he do when Joe is having flu like symptoms, he plays him 37 min and 42 min on back-to-back nights!!!!!!
What does he do with Smoove on the same back-to-back, he runs him into the ground playing an astounding 45 min and 40 min!!!!!!
There is a reason this team is struggling in the 4th quarter and its simply because of fatigue. Consistently, Woodson refuses to use his bench in the 2nd half and its cost the Hawks over and over again, but not just those specific games, also the ones that follow when our starters have no legs to play.
Another thing is I feel like were struggling against team with quickness at the guard spot. Woodson constantly puts Joe onto Rose, Curry, Wade, and either they’re able to penetrate into the lane or our center switches onto the guard from a pick and roll. I would advocate giving Mo Evans more PT and NOT putting him on the SF like Woodson usually does, but let him use his best asset which is his defensive quickness on the perimeter.
Hawks v Heat
March 7th, 2010
1:06 am
On some nights, it truly is hard to tell if losing Joe is a bad thing … or a good. I guess it would depend on how his replacement either does, meaning new guy, or steps up (someone already on the team)
RA
March 7th, 2010
1:07 am
First off, the Hawks were on the business end of a back to back. Secondly, they had won four in a row, and thirdly, and probably most importantly, Dewayne Wade. And before you jump too far down Woody’s throat for losing to Miami in Miami, try and remember that Phil Jackson, possibly the greatest playoff coach in the history of the game didn’t fair any better two nights ago.
hock
March 7th, 2010
1:37 am
Mr. Invisible, Marvin Williams is back after two, rare good games.
Big Ray
March 7th, 2010
1:38 am
Yack. Tough game. Coaching did play a part, but it was a tough game in which a couple of turnovers (back-to-back) gave the Heat all they needed to win.
The Heat didn’t win this game. We lost it by making a few mistakes.
Anyway, I knew the Boo Birds (fake fans, you know who you are) would show up after a loss. It’s the only time you can count on them.
David Smith
March 7th, 2010
1:54 am
Woody will never prosper as a coach until he learns how to use his players effectively. You cannot win games using only a seven man rotation hoping that they will stem the tide of an opposing offense. I hope Sund is taking note of losses like this one where our starters ran out of gas because of their coach’s inability to realize the importance of having role players to give energy off the bench.
BONE
March 7th, 2010
2:52 am
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck these bum hawks
TheAntiMe
March 7th, 2010
2:57 am
Do the Hawks not have any coaching, at all, in practice to teach them how to break down a zone defense? It’s like they totally haven’t a clue what to do when they see the zone D.
Just Saying
March 7th, 2010
2:58 am
Hawks will be ousted second round of playoffs (maybe first).
No coach. No consistency. No heart.
Grandad
March 7th, 2010
3:24 am
Big Ray – you’re absolutely correct. Coaching did not play a part.
When we needed a coach, we didn’t have one, and he didn’t play a part.
Scoop – We have a quick pt. guard,*[DNPCD].
*[did not play coach's decision]
hock – Marv appeared to inj. ankle or foot early. Had the
sound down on TV and did not hear what they said.
Hardly played in the 4th qtr. Only took 3 shots. PT limited.
Marv is not the reason we lost tonight!
H v H – You may be unhappy with Joe but who are you gonna replace
him with. It’s been discussed ad nauseam, but we cannot pay anyone, anywhere near his talent to replace him. (CBA)
Besides, they say he’s sick. Played roughly 80 min. with flu-like
symptoms, last two games, back to back. If true, I sure hope they gave him an IV. Our future is ‘right’ now (please pardon the cliche).
We need to add pieces, not lose cornerstones [Joe]!
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 7th, 2010
3:26 am
all stars Marvin and Bibby = 12pts combined
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 7th, 2010
3:29 am
im so glad i was out and about and didnt stay home and watch the Hawks lose to a team in a struggle to just make the playoffs in the east.
All-Star Kobelite Johnson = 3-15 in the second half??? The Assassin!!!
E43
March 7th, 2010
3:42 am
in 08-09 The hawks were 3-1 with Mario West as a starter. and 18-7 with mo Evans as a starter giving them a 21-8 record. i know i haven’t included zazas starts but 21-8 is pretty good.
I think the hawks should try benching one starter per game until all the starters have had a day of rest and all the 2nd stringers have had a day of action. we know 2nd stringers don’t see action in the 4th quarter anyway and woody will do tons of experiments with the rotation so why not?
Clyde
March 7th, 2010
4:02 am
What’s the excuse tonight Woody?
thomas22
March 7th, 2010
6:43 am
All of you that are posting on this blog-where were you Fri night/Sat morning when we won a game?
You are fake fans-get yourself another team/blog and complain there….
Yes- the Hawks let another one get away, but another team (Lakers) lost to Miami at home as well recently.
Coach W-we need a remedy against the zone…………..
Marcus
March 7th, 2010
7:25 am
Heard Marvin Williams got injured .. to what extent?
I assume his absence impacted the rotation. I see Mo got 4 fouls and was wondering why we were playing what looked like a small lineup when they had some bigs in there. Now, it sounds like both Marvin and Joe Smith were dinged up.
"Now You Know" Nation
March 7th, 2010
7:50 am
When the Hawks lose to average and above teams, those loses are completely offset by victories against teams of the bottom of the pile.
You guys are fake fans. Obviously, beating teams like philly and golden st. proves that we will be successful in the playoffs and deserves high praises. Those wins are much more telling about us as a team and they make you completely forget about road loses to a squad like Miami.
Sincerely,
-Real Hawks Fans
"Now You Know" Nation
March 7th, 2010
7:53 am
Who cares about contending for a title? As long as we make the playoffs it’s fine.
Woodson has increased this teams’ wins in each of his seasons.
Woodson=COY
Sincerely,
-Real Hawks Fans
delo
March 7th, 2010
8:08 am
the hawks are tired. they need some help from their bench because these last two seasons have been long and hard on the starters. their bodies are beginning to wear down. let the reserves get some playing time. this late in the season and on back to back nights you would think the coach would utilize all his players
"Now You Know" Nation
March 7th, 2010
8:14 am
Mike Bibby = Former All Star
Horford = All Star
JJ = All Star
J-Smoove = Should Have Been An All Star
Marvin = All Star potential
this is the team to beat this year in the NBA. An all star starting 5.
Sincerely,
-Real Hawks Fans
"Now You Know" Nation
March 7th, 2010
8:17 am
delo, please remove yourself from this blog. If everything you say isnt complete worship of this talented, young, and most athletic team in the league, then you’re a fake fan.
Sincerely,
-Real Hawks Fans
Benjamin
March 7th, 2010
8:54 am
Tough loss, guys, but seriously, the “Hawks suck ass” routine needs to be reconsidered. We all remember when the Hawks “sucked ass.” These guys have been at or near the top of Eastern Conference standings all year long. If you want to return to the days of Shareef Abdur Rahim, then be my guest. Teams that sweep Boston in a season series and contend with the Magic for a division title need to be looked at a little more honestly/wisely.
Tomorrow’s a new day, and we’ve gradually improved every year now for several seasons to the point of being on the doorstep of a division/conference contender status. Don’t prove all the Atlanta fan critics right by logging in with such idiotic remarks.
HAWKSFANFOREVER
March 7th, 2010
9:01 am
Ok i love the absoluteley a great team with talent, but sometimes they just don’t show it. I mean in games they always let oppsing team catch up them, and win. I think the people who critizied the hawks are wrong, but I argue with them. It seems like they just may be right if they don’t them their pontential. We need face it we don’t have halfcourt offensse, but we need it. We can’t just go one on one all the time. At the end of games teams are going to shutdown Joe by doubling or trippling teaming him so have hafcourt offense that can play through that tough zone. Our defesne is pretty good, but play it the whole 48 minutes. We need to prove to all critics, haters, fans, and all the player in the nba that we are the team that’s going to put up a fight, and aint winning without a battle.
"Now You Know" Nation
March 7th, 2010
9:01 am
I agree with we Benjamin, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this team. All they need is support and faith. Woody and the crew will being us a title this year.
Sincerely,
-Real Hawks Fans
HAWKSFANFOREVER
March 7th, 2010
9:04 am
I mean to me Miami is an ok team, but everything is built around Dwayne Wade. The hawks is a GREAT team that know that they should of beat Miami last night.
ATLFan
March 7th, 2010
9:08 am
I hardly ever blame Woody, this this loss is on him. No other NBA coach abuses starters like Woody. You know Josh, Al, and Joe had to be weak-kneed by all the minutes of Fri and Sat nites, yet he kept them on the court on and on and on. Woody had no answers in the wanning minutes, as usual. When’s the last time anyone saw him draw up a play and it (other than a lob to Josh) and it work?
Section 303
March 7th, 2010
9:16 am
I hate losing to Miami. Can’t stand Wade. As much as I love Joe Johnson, I do not understand how he is nowhere to be found in some games. If he is going to be the highest paid guy on the team, he has to show up, at least a little, in clutch situations. I love him, but he does deserve to take a little heat for the sorry 2nd half last night. I understand no one (not even ESPN’s heros Kobe, LeBron, and Wade) can be the star every night. Can’t just disappear, though.
Sorry D, by both teams late. Hawks just missed open shot, after open shot (looking in Joe’s direction here). Should not have lost, but these sky is falling posts need to stop. I’m p#ssed about the loss, too, but quit acting like the season is over just because you are in the middle of a temper tantrum.
Team is fine, but I’m not so sure these next few games will produce a lot of wins. The games are against lesser opponets, but a lot are on the road. Frankly, the Hawks still do not have the maturity to win a lot of road games. Will be happy if they can split the next 8 games, or so. That is about the best we can hope for.
ken
March 7th, 2010
9:21 am
It is just so fustrating to see coach Woodson continue to make the same mistake over and over with not trusting his bench. JJ was severly tired last night especially in the final 5 minutes. I don’t expect the Hawks to win every game but please stop losing these types of games in the same way because you refuse to learn from your coaching mistakes. As a fan watching the games you can just see it coming because the ball stops moving and its jump shot after jumpshot . Why can’t we change our strategy especially when its so obvious to other teams how to shut us down when the games on the line ?
Josh Fedor
March 7th, 2010
9:23 am
Yes, you’re right about the below. But you have a knucklehead coach running the ship into the ground!
======================================================
Mike Bibby = Former All Star
Horford = All Star
JJ = All Star
J-Smoove = Should Have Been An All Star
Marvin = All Star potential
this is the team to beat this year in the NBA. An all star starting 5.
Hawk n the Ham
March 7th, 2010
9:24 am
Woody can’t keep saying, “the offense will take care of itself”, when the offense goes dead whenever the other team goes to zone. There is a problem there Woody, earn your money and create some offense.
Go Hawks!
Hawk n the Ham
March 7th, 2010
9:34 am
And, if you can’t pass inside the zone, put the ball in the hands of Teague or Crawford, and have them penetrate inside. Go for the foul, or work inside out from penetrating.
But then again, you would need to have someone at PG on the floor that has the speed and handles to penetrate from the dribble. How many minutes did Teague play last night? Anyone? Anyone?
Sautee
March 7th, 2010
10:08 am
Bibby has been a good player in the league, but he has NEVER been an All-Star.
Look it up.
niremetal
March 7th, 2010
10:40 am
Bibby shoulda been an All-Star a few times back in Sac-town (esp ‘04-’05, where he led an aging and injury-ravaged Kings squad to 50 wins). But yeah, he’s never actually gone. Commentators used to say that he was the best player in the game to never have an All-Star appearance…pretty dubious distinction, if you ask me.
ProudTechFan
March 7th, 2010
10:51 am
i love the reactions after a loss, its classic. get rid of Joe, get rid of Bibby, get rid of Marvin, blah blah blah, someone even mentioned to start from scratch and build the team around Teague. I like Teague but e not ready to take over a team. Trust you build the team around Josh, Joe and Al, Woody can handle it, its just a loss. Its frustrating, dont get me wrong, but its not the end of the world. THE ATLANTA HAWKS ARE 3RD IN THE EAST. lets not ever forget how far this team has come.
one last thing, getting rid of Joe is not the answer, he will consistently be an allstar and will help this team get over the hump. yea he;s not Kobe, Lebron or Wade, but they are in a league of there own. I promise there are a boat load of teams that would love to have Joe. Be careful what you wish for hawks fans, you just might get it. And i have no interest in being the laughing stock of the league again.
I love the Hawks, but . .
March 7th, 2010
11:02 am
What do Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, & Kobe Bryant have in common . . .they’re teams have dominated the Hawks this season beating us in 11 out of 12 games.
They’ve averaged 27.4 pts against us, which suggests were doing OK defending them, but they’re also creating opportunites for their teammates.
On a positve note, we only play the above 4 more times this season & 3 of the 4 at home. Which means we have a legitimate shot at 50 wins.
Jose
March 7th, 2010
11:02 am
I am looking for a kind word to use. A team that loses when you expect to win and wins when you expect to lose. I N C O N S I S T E N T !!!!
also. . .
March 7th, 2010
11:05 am
Je Je had it dead on yesterday. Woody could have spread out some bench minutes against GS & we still would have won, & then maybe Joe wouldn’t have gone 0-for in the 4th against the Heat.
Jose
March 7th, 2010
11:10 am
ProudTechFan, they are 4th in the East and may as well settle there. Have you seen our schedule going forward? Boston seems to be have an easier schedule. We may have to keep praying for our Hawks. But again, nobody guarantees that we will make it to the 2nd round come playoffs. I N C O N S I S T E N T !!!!
Philly Fan
March 7th, 2010
11:13 am
wow, this blog is amazing. I’m from the Northeast, Philly to be exact, and the vast majority of you Hawks fans are way too soft. You act like “team moms” for little league baseball teams.
In places like Boston, Philly, and NYC, we keep a foot in the backside of our players, teams, and organizations, regardless of W-L records or how well they are playing if they arent appearing to be championship caliber. This is just very tough love. The region demands championship caliber play much more than you guys, and WE GET it. (atleast from one of the pro sports..if not more)
When guys are hard on the Hawks around here, a crowd of “team mom” type of dudes gang up and say they arent real fans. You dudes should stop being so soft around here and expect more from your teams and organizations and demand better!!
Hawks73
March 7th, 2010
11:18 am
Who would have ever thought that a PROFESSIONAL basketball team would be undone by a ZONE defense. Is that coaching or what?
Sautee
March 7th, 2010
11:22 am
How’s that “tough love” for the Sixers working out?
jerrywest
March 7th, 2010
11:22 am
Bibby played the entire 4th without a point, assist or rebound.
Did we play 4 on 5 in the 4th quarter?
northcyde
March 7th, 2010
11:30 am
LOL @ the typical knee-jerk reaction posts. So typical after a loss.
All I know is that when your star player misses 12 of 15 2nd half shots . . . and all 6 of his 4th quarter shots . . you’re probably going to lose.
I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again. Teams go zone to take away the inside, and force you to beat them from the perimeter. You still have to try to go inside, but you also need to make open shots, especially the wide open ones.
Most of our 4th quarter turnovers resulted from trying to get the ball inside to Horford. But we simply can’t miss wide open jumpers in a situation like that. Against a zone, you attack the open spots, which are usually seams down the middle, on the wings, and along the baseline. When the ball is moved around, and a player gets the ball in one of those open areas, he has to take advantage of the opportunity. We didn’t, so we lost.
This team, as a whole, has been a streaky jumpshooting team all year though. As much as I give JJ props, I’ll also place blame on him for that 4th quarter effort. He’s our shooter, and our shooter has to make shots, Smoove’s turnovers didn’t help one bit either. But in the end, JJ has to make those open shots.
He always makes up for it, so I’m not concerned about him. But on a night like tonight, he just can’t go 2 – 11 from three when he’s getting wide open looks. If he goes a mere 4 – 11 from 3, ( especially if he hits the early 3s in that quarter ), we probably win that game.
Beasley and Arroyo made shots at the end. We didn’t. So we lose.
The Hawks have to discuss the game sometime today, and maybe guys like JJ and Marvin may want to take some extra shots during the day today or tomorrow. Then you wipe the game from the memory bank, and prepare to play the Knicks tomorrow night.
That’s life in the NBA.
Hawk n the Ham
March 7th, 2010
11:31 am
How’s that “tough love” for the Knicks working out?
How’s that “tough love” for the Nets working out?
Philly Fan
March 7th, 2010
11:40 am
@Sautee
yeah….when was the last time the city of Atlanta had a pro sports championship? Or even a team that was a real contender??? I’m pretty sure the Phils just brought one to Philly not too long ago.
I’m also pretty sure the Flyers, Eagles and Phillies are better than Thrashers, Falcons, and Braves. I’m also pretty sure the Flyers, Eagles and Phillies are usually contenders too..and we still stay on their azz because that’s what real fans do, instead of being a pansy and accepting mediocrity like the vast majority of Atlanta fans. So that’s why ATL is the gayest city in America.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain/article/0/1/1601738/Atlanta/Atlanta.‘Gayest’.City.in.the.US
You dudes act like team mothers or actual mothers of the players with that soft “aww come here sweetie everything’s going to be alright -kisses-” mentality
Philly Fan
March 7th, 2010
11:42 am
lol I’m pretty sure the cities of NY and PHILLY have saw championships alot more recently than GAY-T-L.
Rick Sund
March 7th, 2010
11:46 am
Since our goal last year was to make the playoffs with a winning record, our goal this year is to make the playoffs with a winning record and win 1 game. We realize the series victory against the Heat last year was a fluke, so we don’t want to set our goals too high.
For the offseason, our goal is to retain every player on this team, to not make any trades to make the team better, and to not pursue free agents who cost more than the veteran minimum.
We realize this is a YOUNG team with a lot of potential, so we plan to offer every player, regardless of age, a 5 year extension. Marvin is YOUNG with POTENTIAL, and Bibby is a top 5 point guard so we are very optimistic.
Best,
Rick
"Now You Know" Nation
March 7th, 2010
11:54 am
I agree@Rick Sund
I think I can speak for myself and other real fans such as northcyde, Big Ray, etc. and tell you that all real hawks fans approve of your post. There’s so much negativity surrounding us here. It wasnt that long ago we were winning 13 games a year. Let’s just ride this rollercoaster out and get to the playoffs as many years as possible, regardless if we get beat in the first and second rounds each time. If we could go under .500 and still make the playoffs in the weak east, then that’s all that matter.
Sincerely,
-Real Hawks Fans
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2010
11:55 am
Buried in the depths of this column is this little gem about the Denver Nuggets:
Nuggets’ missed opportunities
Chauncey Billups
(NBAE/ Getty Images)
At 40-21, the Denver Nuggets have one of the NBA’s best records and have tied the best start in franchise history since moving over from the ABA in 1976. Even so, the Nuggets are kicking themselves because they know their record could be even better if not for their numerous letdowns against weaker teams.
The Nuggets have a dominating 25-11 record against teams with winning records, including two victories against the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers and one against the Orlando Magic. Denver, however, is just 14-10 against teams with losing records. With the margin of error slim in the West, those losses could hurt the Nuggets’ playoff seeding.
“Our [focus] is getting better,” Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups(notes) said. “It has to be. We have [21] losses and really we should have 10.”
EVERYTHING in that passage could apply to the Hawks. I would love to see one of the Hawks’ team leaders own up to that reality like Chauncey Billups did. Right now I don’t see the Hawks having much of a sense of urgency to try to fix this problem.
Ken Strickland
March 7th, 2010
11:58 am
Let’s face it, the Hawks do a good job of winnning during the regular season, but they’ve done absolutely nothing during the regular season to prepare themselves for the playoffs. There’s no way ignoring your bench during the 2nd half of gms, especially close gms, playing your top 6 players into exhaustion, especially on back to backs, and going three forths of the season without having figured out how to attack a zone DEF, is going to get it done in the playoffs.
Woodson takes the cowards approach to coaching. He simply can’t bring himself to get beyond his personal issues to do anything different that might help the team. He’s simply going to stick with his programed approach regardless of the outcome and blame the players for what he can’t or won’t do, which is going to get us creamed in the playoffs.
We’re not simply getting outplayed, we’re getting out coached. In previous seasons, when our bench was limited, teams knew to stay close and play for the 4th qtr, because they knew Woodson would play his starters into exhaustion. Well, our bench is no longer limited, but Woodson has certainly limited our bench, and we’re now seeing teams once again sucessfully use that same 4th quarter approach.
WHAT DUMBASS EXCUSE CAN HE COME UP WITH FOR PLAYING JOSMITH ONLY 6:44MINS THE ENTIRE GM, AND ZERO MINS IN THE 2ND HALF, AFTER GETTING 8PTS AND 2REB IN THOSE 6:44MINS? On the other hand, this DUMBASS COY candidate played MBibby 30:17mins and got 6 PTS, 1 REB AND 1 AST and NO DEF, while giving TEAGUE a DNP CD.
Our DUMBASS COY candidate didn’t have sense enough to adjust to how Miami was deliberately attacking his BELOVED SWITCHING DEF and taking advantage of Bibby getting switched off on either Haslem, Richardson or Beasley. They also took advantage of him by consistently getting Arroyo, Wade, Chalmer and Cook into the lane, although it wasn’t all his fault either.
Bibby lacks the quickness and speed to recover on switches and get back to his man, which is why he ends up in mismatches against PF’s and C’s more than any other guard. YOU DON’T RUN A SWITCHING DEF WITH BIBBY ON THE FLOOR WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO DEFEND PLAYERS LIKE DWADE, KBRYANT, CPAUL, LJAMES, TPARKER ETC. That’s the main reason we routinely get our butts kicked by those teams, and those players have big gms against us.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2010
12:02 pm
Philly Fan makes the common fan mistake of assuming that his opinion as a fan has any impact whatsoever on the fortunes of his favorite team. As long as your team is getting nice, fat TV deals and the season ticket holders renew, they could care less whether you cheer or boo. You Philly drunks can go boo McNabb, Iguodala, Santa Claus, and whoever else, but if you think that makes an ounce of difference in your team’s record you are delusional.
One more thing — I’d rather live in a city full of homosexuals with no championships than freeze my balls off for 8 months of the year. F-ck the Northeast.
"Now You Know" Nation
March 7th, 2010
12:03 pm
Najeh Davenpoop, why be so negative and focus on the point that you could have about 10 losses if you fix your problems and just be happy that you’re several games over .500. You guys arent real fans. All my fellow real fans, come, and sing peaceful praises to Buddha with me.
Sincerely,
-Real Hawks Fans
Philly Fan
March 7th, 2010
12:08 pm
Najeh Davenpoop writes “I’d rather live in a city full of homosexuals with no championships”
and thats why Atlantans are Atlantans, desiring to live with and be homos and cheer for teams with no back bones.
You guys are bigger fans of RuPaul than your sports teams. No real fan accepts mediocre play, or anything less than championship caliber performance.
Wabe
March 7th, 2010
12:09 pm
I wasn’t too sure if I saw this correctly, but if I’m not mistaken, Woody played the same lineup the entire 4th quarter. It’s as if we play 4th quarters as if we’re in the last 2 minutes of the game. We see no rotational changes and we go one on one to get buckets. The only times we moved the ball were when Crawford was spotting up from beyond the arc against that zone. We hurt ourselves with the turnovers as well.
I honestly feel Woody gets too tight too quick. On some nights, Woody brings his starters too quick in the 4th. Guys like Joe Smith could’ve played some minutes in that 4th quarter. Same with Marvin Williams. I don’t understand why we get so tight with the rotation, because it does appear that guys get tired and stop moving. I also think we don’t run enough toward the end of games. We’re working so hard to execute out of the halfcourt that we don’t get any fastbreak points. Whatever it is, we need to figure it out and get it fixed.
Joe
March 7th, 2010
12:14 pm
I agree this Hawks team is light years ahead of past versions but these 4th quarter melt downs are depressing. Talk about having your heart ripped……………and they are clearly better than the teams that are beating them. On another subject, somebody should make Jsmoove watch tapes of J. Havilchek, can u imagine how awesome he’d be if he hustled even half as much. MVP here we come.
Philly Fan
March 7th, 2010
12:15 pm
Atlanta isn’t even a real city anyways. It’s a city of about 500,000 plus with the other 4.5-5 million people that arent even natives of Georgia living in sprawling, suburbania. No real urban characteristics, such a car dependent society. The city population density is laughable. It has no identity, no heart, no backbone, no population density…….much like it’s sports teams and fan attendance. The Northeast just has way more to offer than small southern cities that call themselves big because over sprawling suburbs. It’ll always be outclassed by Northeastern (and Midwestern) cities.
Hawk n the Ham
March 7th, 2010
12:25 pm
Since when did we start getting high school kids from out of town mingling amongst us?
SWAT Native
March 7th, 2010
12:51 pm
Philly Fan,
As we like to say in Atlanta, Delta is ready when you are.
BONE
March 7th, 2010
1:07 pm
philly is full of bum azz ni66z n scullys n somis, dirty azz city looooooooooooooool, and when has our city wony anything??? how many word series do the braves have? o and tell will smith i said what up….o i forgot HE LIVES HERE now along wit alot of ur other bum azz celebs, dont nobody wanna live in philly ni66a
Scoop
March 7th, 2010
1:28 pm
@ northcyde
These arent knee-jerk reactions.
Simply stating the obvious that there is a reason this team consistently struggles in the 4th quarter to produce offense and the reason is because of fatigue. Woodson consistently panics in the 2nd half when the game is close and runs his starters and JC into the ground. As a result they’re running on dead legs and guys will miss those open opportunities facing the zone, like Joe’s 2-11 last night. You get better by analyzing you mistakes and correcting them, not chalking it up to randomness and moving on.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2010
1:41 pm
Honestly, none of us can respond to Philly Fan and his ilk as well as Bill Burr already has.
The best thing about your city is Michael Vick, and we gave him to y’all.
sam'l
March 7th, 2010
1:52 pm
That guy from Philly has a point. The large industrialized cities of the East have coherency and a collective brain and a sense of pride connected to their sports teams. Maybe the boys from Boston go into Cheers and down a few talking about Kevin Garnett’s heroics while Atlantans sip Chardonnay on the couch occasionally breaking from their sexual embrace to glance at the mayhem on the TV.
Yeah…it’s a team that wins 2/3 of its games,.but no other team at this level has such a sad sense of total disarray when things start to go wrong. You can admire a team that prepares itself for combat, goes out and gives an honest effort for the entire game and uses common sense to spot errors and correct them. You can respect that even if they lose. But the Hawks just seem to…..fall apart. , When the shot clocks start spinning and the superstars start drawing non-existent fouls….the Hawks don’t get a break because they have fits of dumbness, even if they are the superior team..
.
I would think a real fan would be able to spot consistent problems that maybe need fixing with just some common sense and I think they do. Follow the patterns..We have zone problems. It is not our job to fix this. It is Woody’s job to fix this…
How about it you crazy guys who are defending mediocrity? Your cover is blown anyway if you are responding to “Rick Sund.” , .. . .
As for that guy from Philly…he better watch out before some southern he-man dusts him with a polka dot hanky.
TheBark n' TheBite
March 7th, 2010
2:53 pm
Okay ya’ll it’s real BONE here I’m not using BONE anymore becuz someone has stolen my moniker. He can have it.
O'Brien
March 7th, 2010
3:27 pm
Ken S,
One good thing about the playoffs is the games will not be back to back, so Woody will be able to ride his 7-9 rotation (as most coaches do in the playoffs).
northcyde,
I agree that JJ has to make those shots, but he has been under the weather, and he went 3-14 the night before, while playing 37 minutes. In the Miami game, he played 42 minutes, and missed 12 of 15 in the second half. I just think its a combination of him being tired and under the weather.
One issue I have with Woody from last night’s game is Josh played 46 minutes against Miami, and played 42 minutes last night, while Joe Smith played really well in the first half against Miami (8 points, 2 rebounds in 7 minutes), but did not see the court the second half.
If Woody wants his starters to be fresh to play the entire fourth quarter, then he has to find more rest for them during the game.
Najeh,
I dont think the Hawks will make a comment like what Chauncey said, but it doesnt mean that they dont feel that way. Most teams in the NBA probably feel that way.
Hawks need to beat the Knicks, becuase now is not the time for losing streaks. Plus we are 15-15 on the road, and their goal is to have a winning record on the road.
joBjo
March 7th, 2010
3:39 pm
do you think Woody has lost the team? Hawks players seem to have given up on the D being the way to the promised land. All Woody is interested in is rebounding and defense and yet the Hawks defense has gotten worse as the season has progressed. its as if the guys have tuned Woody out. or r these new American millionaires too preoccupied to have to bother with defense, esp while they are working so hard on fun stuff like their offensive game? Like humpty dumpty, we r left to hope they can put it all together again before the playoffs hit
joBjo
March 7th, 2010
3:49 pm
I’d rather live in Atlanta area. But there is so much to do and such good weather that the poor ol Hawks take a back seat. That’s just the way it is, but that doesn’t mean the team can’t entice the area to pack the stands. It’s just a little harder here than in iceburg city or where ever philliphan prefers. But it is going to take more than playing basketball. gonna have to do a little more PR type stuff. The leaders of the team [whodat?] have to connect with the city better. I give Jamal credit for picking it up in that category for Atl.
northcyde
March 7th, 2010
4:00 pm
And this is what I’m talking about when I say reactionary comments.
We had just won 6 of our last 7 games before last night. How in the world does a loss @ Miami = Woody losing the team? The guys haven’t turned Woody out. They simply need to play better defense and rebound the basketball.
And make open shots.
And Philly fans still suck.
big worm
March 7th, 2010
4:11 pm
joe smith 8points in 7 min 1st half 2nd half i don”t remember him playing woodson might be worst coach in nba he’s just lucky he has a talented team.
Grandad
March 7th, 2010
4:16 pm
Philly Fan = Jon Kincaid:
Ditto SWAT Native!
Also I-85 runs north.
‘How ’bout them Temple Owls’…Go Dawgs!
joBjo
March 7th, 2010
5:30 pm
well the Hawks didn’t play any D against the Warriors either, nsyde, it’s not just Maimi. and the fact is our defense is giving up more points as the year goes on despite that being 1st, last and in the center for Woody.
delo
March 7th, 2010
5:40 pm
“now you know nation” i must have told the truth. sometime the truth hurts. you know when you tell the truth some people get mad. remember the first amendment.
vava74
March 7th, 2010
5:44 pm
Northcyde, those wins came mainly against sub-par teams and the losses came against playoff teams.
Miami lost O’Neil right at the begining and we let -AGAIN- the opposing team torch us from the 3point land at stiffle us with a zone.
We keep on loosing games exactly the same way and Woody never makes ANY adjustments.
It’s like watching a car crashing off a curve exactly the same way over and over with driver continuing to drive the car the same way.
Clyde
March 7th, 2010
5:50 pm
FIRE WOODY
Da Truf
March 7th, 2010
5:59 pm
Recent wins against Minnesota, Chicago, Philadelphia, Milwaukee,and Golden State gives some fans enough room to talk about how ‘hot’ the Hawks are, and leads them to believe they’ll be above to beat the elite in the east in a 7 game series? LOL delusional.
Hawk n the Ham
March 7th, 2010
6:01 pm
vava74….. Albert Einstein defined “Insanity” as, insane is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.
Da Truf
March 7th, 2010
6:03 pm
The Hawks next four games are against NY, Washington, NJ and Detroit. Even if they go 4-0, the comp is so awful that it doesnt give you any reason to believe the Hawks can win a 7 game series against any of the playoff teams, but I’m sure some delusional ‘real fans’ will beat it in the ground about how ‘hot’ the Hawks are after that 4-game stretch, even though in reality it would have proved nothing. That’s just real.
JeJe
March 7th, 2010
6:06 pm
LOL The Hawks will be the one team in the SE division that DOESN’T beat the Lakers at home. Lakers are getting owned by our division. Why can’t they stop in ATL now?
MARVIN AND BIBBY ARE THE 2 WORST STARTING SFS AND PGS IN THE GAME. THINK ABOUT IT. BESIDES RAYMOND FELTON AND CONLEY, NO OTHER STARTING PG COMES CLOSE TO BEING AS BAD AS BIBBY.
OTHER TEAMS’ BACKUP PGS ARE LIGHTYEARS BETTER THAN BIBBY: GEORGE HILL, MARCUS THORNTON TO NAME A FEW
LOL WE HAVE 6 YEARS AND 40M+ left in THESE 2 SCRUBS. MARVIN HAS NO HEART, HAS THE MOST AWKWARD LIMP EVER, AND FLAT-OUT SUCKS. BIBBY IS HORRENDOUSLY OVERWEIGHT AND CANNOT GUARD 1 PLAYER IN THIS LEAGUE. HE PROBABLY COULDN’T EVEN DEFEND A MARIO WEST 3 POINTER
GOOD JOB SUND
JeJe
March 7th, 2010
6:16 pm
LOL Matt Barnes has the nerve to confront Kobe. We have Marvin Williams, who probably has never shoved a player in his life. What a joke. No one on this team will commit a hard foul, besides ZaZa who plays 10 mpg these days.
WAY TO BUILD A ROSTER
Da Truf
March 7th, 2010
6:21 pm
Truf is, the Hawks are puss and so are most of their fans, not all of you though. Just those ‘real fans’ who get mad if anybody says anything that isnt a complete jock ride of the Hawks, especially of JJ, Woodson, Smoove, and Horford Disciples.
Point out the inefficiencies with the team and all of a sudden you are ‘arent real fans’ to them.
Section 303
March 7th, 2010
6:36 pm
Da Truf, just remember that ripping players/coaches does not always make you insightful. A lot of times it makes you a total d-bag. So, try and keep that in mind.
JeJe
March 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
HAWKS HAVE 7 COMBINED LOSSES BETWEEN THE HEAT, KNICKS, AND THUNDER (4 OF WHICH ARE AT HOME). WOW WHAT AN ELITE TEAM! LOSING TO THOSE 3 TEAMS 4 TIMES AT “THE HIGHLIGHT FACTORY!”
WE ARE GOING TO THE ECF, EVERYONE~!
Clyde
March 7th, 2010
6:42 pm
Jeje just snapped lol
FIRE WOODY
Da Truf
March 7th, 2010
6:42 pm
Section 303, if the players and coach perform like d-bags at times, then they deserve d-bag treatment.
Clyde
March 7th, 2010
6:43 pm
MARVIN AND BIBBY ARE THE 2 WORST STARTING SFS AND PGS IN THE GAME. THINK ABOUT IT. BESIDES RAYMOND FELTON AND CONLEY, NO OTHER STARTING PG COMES CLOSE TO BEING AS BAD AS BIBBY.
OTHER TEAMS’ BACKUP PGS ARE LIGHTYEARS BETTER THAN BIBBY: GEORGE HILL, MARCUS THORNTON TO NAME A FEW
LOL WE HAVE 6 YEARS AND 40M+ left in THESE 2 SCRUBS. MARVIN HAS NO HEART, HAS THE MOST AWKWARD LIMP EVER, AND FLAT-OUT SUCKS. BIBBY IS HORRENDOUSLY OVERWEIGHT AND CANNOT GUARD 1 PLAYER IN THIS LEAGUE. HE PROBABLY COULDN’T EVEN DEFEND A MARIO WEST 3 POINTER
FIRE WOODY
Thomas Freeman
March 7th, 2010
6:46 pm
Hey Philly Fan, congratulations on having “real fans” that beat each other to death in parking lots. Also, gotta love the fact that your response to every criticism is the classic and intelligent “Oh yeah, well, um…you’re gay!” The sixth graders at Nazareth Academy Grade School want you to stop using their comeback. You stay classy, Philadelphia.
Sautee
March 7th, 2010
6:51 pm
Philly Fan,
I noticed that you ignored my question.
How’s that tough love working out for the Sixers?
rusty
March 7th, 2010
7:10 pm
northcyde, you are so lame all of your excuses for woody,jj & the hawks. woody does nothing for the team,truly a horrible coach. i am so sick of the excuses for jj. you can never really depend on him. he is what is wrong with our offense. get smart you fans you all cant be blind
northcyde
March 7th, 2010
7:25 pm
Hawks record vs winning teams: 22 – 16 ( 7th in the league )
. . . only 8 teams have winning records vs teams over .500 ( the top 4 teams in each conference have winning records vs teams over .500 )
The good teams feast off of the teams with below .500 records, and mainly battle each other to the death when it comes to teams over .500 records.
The only thing about the Hawks, is that they continue to be Jeckyl and Hyde on the road. Having said that, we’re one win away from equaling our road win total of last year.
Hawks just simply need to make open jumpshots. From Bibby to Marvin to JJ . . . making the jumpshot ( and/or rebounding the miss ), plus playing solid defense, is what got us to where we are as a team today.
It’s not rocket science.
kwooden1
March 7th, 2010
7:35 pm
Didn’t see the game, but listened to it on the web. I was fully confident they we’re going to lose this game after the tough game against GS. This was a tough loss because it was another winnable game. Woody has improved this season when it comes to using his bench, but he’s still a slow learner. I can only assume that Joe Smith was hurt the entire 2nd half and that is why he didn’t play. I will also assume that Bibby was playing so well that it made Woody forget about Teague. For years I’ve believed that Woody has a good plan and then forgets it the minute the game gets tight. Now I’m realizing that Woody doesn’t forget his plan he just can’t help himself. He doesn’t trust his own principles. I know he has a rotation in mind before the game, but he just decides not to go with it. He believes that his gut will tell him the way to go during the game, and it works out sometimes. He has to realize that it’s his job to put his guys in the best position to win, not try and win the game with his decisions. Joe is a great a shooter, when he has his legs. The HAWKS are a good rebounding team when Josh has his legs. Woody has to learn to keep those guys fresh. When those guys aren’t 100% we’re a 500 team, but if those guys are rolling we’re elite!
Last nights game came down to execution in the 4th and our offensive failed. But I believe if Woody stuck with his rotation through all the previous games, along with adding more time in the 2nd half for the bench, then the starters would have had more legs for the 4th quarter last night.
GO HAWKS!!!
northcyde
March 7th, 2010
7:37 pm
Well stop watching the team then Rusty. If the coach and our star player and the rest of the team disgust you that bad . . . don’t watch us. Follow another team.
For every bad shooting game that JJ has had, I can list a great shooting game he’s had. Woody will make a bad or questionable decision, but get no credit whatsoever for a good decision he makes.
But if you, or the rest of the people around here, expect me to overanalyze every win and loss we have around here, it’s not going to happen. Every game around here . . somebody is a “hero” or MVP one game . . . and a bum and an idiot the next.
That’s what’s truly lame. The way opinions swing from game to game about our players.
This is a good team. But we have flaws. You all know what they are. Some believe it has everything to do with the coach, even when guys miss wide open shots. The coach isn’t absolved from blame though. He’s a part of the problem. But he’s not what is holding us back from being “great”. You could easily list about 5 – 10 things keeping us from being great.
But he . . and the rest of the players people bag on all the time on here . . are also part of what makes us real good as well.
The only argument that people can say about the Hawks, is that we’re not an elite team on Cleveland’s or the Lakers’ level. The rest of those teams around the 40 win mark, play very similar to how we play, from a consistency standpoint.
It simply is what it is.
As I told JeJe . . . if you don’t believe this team can get it done, you may be better off watching another team. I don’t know what else to tell you.
niremetal
March 7th, 2010
7:56 pm
Philly Fan,
I live in your hometown. I found this highly amusing:
The region demands championship caliber play much more than you guys, and WE GET it. (atleast from one of the pro sports..if not more)
You do realize that until 16 months ago, Philly hadn’t won a major pro sports title since 1983, right? And that in the interim, the Phillies, Sixers and Eagles had only been to 1 championship series each? In the interim, Atlanta’s major pro sports teams won 1 title and went to 5 more championship series?
That being said, I commend Philly for having fans that will support their teams even if they do suck. Sadly, Philly is the only city I know where “support” includes going to games and booing the team if it loses. Real classy.
rusty
March 7th, 2010
8:02 pm
northcyde can you really tell me woody is a good coach,do you like our iso-joe slowdown offense with little ball movement. joe is a really streaky shooter & i dont think his over dribbling eating up the time actually helps our offense. you say for every bad shooting day joe has that he has a great shooting day. if he is he has to do better than that.we have a lot of great atheletes on this team we need to play an uptempo game.
will woody ever develope a point guard,will he ever stop over using our first team
Banks
March 7th, 2010
8:08 pm
I have been a hawks fan for a long time. The problem I see is that Woody is always berating his players. He never praises Teague for making a good play but always jumps on his azz for mistake. He does this to all of the players. For a young player this can destroy his confidence just like he destoryed Acie Law IV conindence. I think this negative attitude is what makes the hawks tight in 4th. We need to use Joe Smith moore I don’t know if him getting hit in the nose was the problem. The Hawks also seeem to be a jump shooting team and refuse to go to the basket or attack. Until these problems get solve the hawks will not be successful. I think we have come a long way and I am proud of the strides we have made. But in order to go to the next level we need to be more aggressive in the 4th and not have a coach who panics and does not have a since of calm in crunch time
Phillysucks
March 7th, 2010
8:22 pm
As for PhillyFan. Philly is the fillthiest most miserable city in the world . I also belive that Phillyfan has latent homesexual tendicies. Philly is the closest thing we have to a third world country in the US.
TheBark n' TheBite
March 7th, 2010
8:24 pm
wtfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff this some bullshat, the hawks suck
richbrave
March 7th, 2010
8:41 pm
Clyde
March 7th, 2010
6:43 pm
“MARVIN AND BIBBY ARE THE 2 WORST STARTING SFS AND PGS IN THE GAME…..”
Uh-h-h, NORTH CLYDE FORTY:
You could honestly say with a straight face that they are worse than RANDY FOYE and MIKE MILLER?
For the 13.325 million the two WIZARDS make, I would trade you for both straight up right now.
Section 303
March 7th, 2010
8:42 pm
Banks, Woodson is the guy you can thank for Josh Smith becomming the player he is today. A lot of NBA coaches would have either let him run wild or traded him during his idiot days. Woodson stayed on him, took no crap, and Josh is a better man/player because of it.
Woodson is a tough man. I don’t agree he never praises his players, though. I go to almost all the home games. I’ve seen him give plenty pats on the back over the years.
Blast
March 7th, 2010
8:48 pm
Hawks lose a tough one on the road vs Heat that just beat Lakers, and all of a sudden, Hawks, sucked. Roof is falling down. Tank the team and start all over. Who are these people? Hawks aint gonna win every game down the stretch. Once I saw Miami beat LA, I knew Hawks were in for a dogfight. Wade was a monster, and Beasley a beast. They did what they had to do to pull off that win.
Now, I blame Woody for not using his bench in the 2nd, but ultimately, it wasn’t Woody that caused the two turnovers in the 4th that clinched the game. It wasn’t Woody that made Joe shoot another bad %. If guys are tired from playing heavy minutes the night before, or are sick, then they need to tell the coach so. They are not supermen. If you cannot perform at a high level, then sit your butt down.
Woody has his faults. I’m not a big fan of his, but Woody does not play the game. His players do. Now if they are not listening to him, that is a different storry altogether……
JeJe
March 7th, 2010
8:57 pm
Northcyde,
Since you keep saying that: Do you think we can beat Orlando or Cleveland in a series?
northcyde
March 7th, 2010
9:00 pm
northcyde can you really tell me woody is a good coach,do you like our iso-joe slowdown offense with little ball movement. joe is a really streaky shooter & i dont think his over dribbling eating up the time actually helps our offense. you say for every bad shooting day joe has that he has a great shooting day. if he is he has to do better than that.we have a lot of great atheletes on this team we need to play an uptempo game.
will woody ever develope a point guard,will he ever stop over using our first team
*************
Is Woody a good coach? Yes. He teaches them the right things ( defense and rebounding ). He’s developed the right people ( not the scrubs, but the key players ). The players respond to him on most nights. He doesn’t waste minutes giving them to sorry bench players. He runs a low-risk offense that relies on his best players making the plays. If I were to give him a grade on the year, he’d get a B from me. the Hawks are 40 – 22 and still in the divisional race . . . not 22 – 40, battling for a lottery pick. If you’d asked people if they’d take us being 40 – 22 with 20 games to go in the season, you would’ve gotten a HELL YEAH from EVERYBODY!!
Do I like ISO-Joe? Yes. When ISO-Joe has it going, it’s the best thing for the offense. Last night we actually moved the ball and relied less on ISO-Joe. Joe just simply missed open long jumpers when people threw the ball to him in catch and shoot situations. But ISO-Joe not only enables JJ to be assertive as an offensive player, it allows people like Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams to get wide open shots. I tell you this . . it will be ISO-Joe that will save us come playoff time, whether it be via his shooting or passing. The best player on the team has to be able to score in ISO situations in the playoffs.
We need to play uptempo We need to play uptempo when it is there. Get the defensive rebound and go. But pushing the ball just to be pushing it, is a bad idea, beacuse we don’t have a quick penetrating PG to take advantage of that. People want to play like Golden St., but playing like Golden St, and not having the right personnel, would be playing inefficient basketball . . that’s why they’re so inefficient as a ballclub, even if they did beat us once.
Will Woody ever develop a PG? I don’t know. But it would help if Woody could ever get a PG that could make a lay-up or an open 18 footer. Woody can’t shoot for the PG that’s for sure.
Will we ever stop using our 1st team? Why should we? Our 1st team is ranked #3 in the league. JJ, Smoove and Horford are playing better than they did last year. And even though Marvin and Bibby are struggling, the overall chemistry is still there.
Our bench, on the other hand, is ranked #26 in the league. On our bench, we have one player who can create a shot for himself and make it ( Crawford ). But Zaza is one of the worst shooting centers in the league ( 43% FG ), with even worse defense. Teague is one of the worst shooting PGs in the league ( 36% FG ). Mo Evans is having his worst shooting year in his career ( 43% FG – 33% 3FG ). Joe Smith is having his 2nd lowest shooting year in his career ( 42% FG ), and can’t go every game. Jason Collins is useless. Mario West hustles, but people cry every time Woody plays him, instead of Teague.
*****************
See . . a lot of things people say around here would be all well in good, if they didn’t flip out over every single loss. Fact is, if Woody tried to develop the 7 – 10 guys on the bench, this team would have less wins than it currently has right now. Why? Because those guys, on most nights, are sorry. If Woody did like other coaches, and reduce his rotation to 8 or 9 players, he could develop those 7, 8, and 9 guys a little more.
northcyde
March 7th, 2010
9:28 pm
JeJe, I need to see how we match up against Cleveland with them having Antoine Jamison. But while the odds are in Cleveland’s favor, we could beat them in a series if we played our A-game. We match up well against Cleveland, and we have the length to somewhat slow down Lebron, and turn him into a jumpshooter.
With Orlando, Smoove and Horford have to be willing to all out battle Dwight Howard on the boards the entire game. And JJ needs to step up against them offensively, even willing to take 20 – 25 shots if need be.
Truth about our troubles with Orlando, is that we’ve had one bad stretch do us in, in each game.
Game 1 vs Orlando – we had a double digit lead at halftime . . then collasped in the 3rd and let them back into the game, when we went ice cold and they went exclusively to Dwight. In the 4th, “Dad” kills us by scoring 15 pts in the quarter, while we only scored a total of 16.
Game 2 @ Orlando – our bench came in and got destroyed by their 2nd team at the end of the 1st quarter, and their 2nd team was on fire. They never looked back after the 2nd quarter.
Game 3 @ Orlando – we play then toe to toe until midway in the 3rd quarter, when JJ continued to try to play team ball and pass to the open man. Horford, Smoove, and Bibby go a collective 0 – 5. while Orlando didn’t miss, and they blew the game open, going on an 11 – 0 run.
Basically against Orlando, it comes down to Horford and Smoove battling Dwight on the boards and defensively, and JJ and Crawford doing enough offensively to sustain the offense. Like Cleveland, they have the advantage. But to say that they’ll automatically beat us? No. Play the dang series and let’s see what happens.
That’s the same way Boston feel about us, even though we swept them.
JeJe
March 7th, 2010
9:39 pm
northcyde,
While I agree when we are on our A-Game we are tough to beat, we just do not have the depth to handle those teams in a series. Orlando has a million guys (literally) who can contribute and put up numbers.
Barnes, Pietrus, R.Anderson, Redick, JWilliams, AJ (who killed us on Thanksgiving). I’m not even talking about their big 4, all of whom are All-Star level! Cleveland is not quite as deep with true talent, but LeBron is not going to lose a series to Atlanta, especially going into FA July 1
JeJe
March 7th, 2010
9:39 pm
Orlando has Gortat and Bass (who they don’t even use). Their depth is sickening.
TheBark n' TheBite
March 7th, 2010
10:16 pm
watchin the celtics get smacked by washington, the hawks need macgee
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2010
10:26 pm
“I have been a hawks fan for a long time. The problem I see is that Woody is always berating his players. He never praises Teague for making a good play but always jumps on his azz for mistake. He does this to all of the players. ”
As much as I criticize Woody, I can’t agree with this. Woody’s biggest strength as a coach has always been his tough-love approach and his ability to keep this young team in line emotionally and mentally. He kills the confidence of young players by denying them playing time, which is related to his inability to manage a bench, not his temperament. I haven’t yet heard one player — including Josh Smith, who supposedly hates Woody if you believe the bobbleheads at ESPN — take even a subliminal shot at Woody through the media. He’s not a good X’s and O’s coach by any stretch of the imagination, but he has always done a good job keeping players motivated, especially during the years when the Hawks sucked.
JeJe
March 7th, 2010
10:50 pm
Woodson’s biggest problem is NOT USING HIS BENCH in the 2nd half AND STICKING TO HIS STARTERS+JAMAL NO MATTER HOW BADLY OR POORLY THEY PLAY.
HE DOES NOT EXPERIMENT WITH NEW PLAYERS OR TRUST PLAYERS LIKE MO OR TEAGUE TO PLAY EXTENDED MINUTES (ZAZA TOO). THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST HALF-DECADE AND HOPEFULLY SOMEONE ELSE SEES THIS BESIDES ME BECAUSE IT SEEMS MYSELF AND 1 OR 2 OTHERS ARE THE ONLY PPL THAT SEE THIS
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 7th, 2010
11:06 pm
The hawks have the talent, but the basketball IQ of the team and coach is just not up to par.
Everybody knows Woodson is poor at in game adjustments, offensive strategy, bench utilization, etc.
So thats 1 strike against us.
The players know that Woodson sucks at all of the above as well. They basically know it’s “all on them” to get it done out there late in ball games. Knowing this, are you telling me that this team amungst themselves couldnt come up with SOMETHING thats better than what we see out there in 4th quarters???
Joe acting like he’s in someone’s backyard. They allow Josh Smith to get the ball many feet away from the basketball and try to create his own shot. wdf???
I mean, even if I’m just hooping with guys in the gym, if we have some big dude with an advantage down low we are dumping it to him, and we arent allowing cats that cant dribble to try and shake people. Despite the horrible coaching, these professional basketball players havent figured some of these things out on their own?
If Woodson and/or the team as a collective just were smarter we’d be much better.
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
March 7th, 2010
11:11 pm
i mean come on people, we’re in close games deep into the 4th, and the best thing we can come up with on several possessions is giving the ball to Josh Smith many feet away from the basket..for him to try and take some guy off the dribble or take a jumper (two of his weaknesses).
It’s horrible to see stuff like that.
JeJe
March 7th, 2010
11:12 pm
“We can’t be the hunted any more. We got to be the hunters,” Barnes said. “We got to go at people and take it at people, no matter who it is.”
Who on the Hawks has this mentality? I thought Woodson was an assistant for those rugged Pistons of 2004. Where is the fire in this team?
Marvin and Bibby are 2 soft players and don’t bring anything to this team. They are bottom 5 if not the worst at their positions among starters in the NBA
sam'l
March 7th, 2010
11:48 pm
Is it safe to come out again?
((((Go Hawks!!!)))
Big Ray
March 8th, 2010
2:58 am
Too funny.
So if you criticize the team but SUPPORT it, people want to bash that and say you’re supporting and encouraging mediocrity.
But if you’re bashing the team, never have anything good to say about it, and don’t do anything but point out what people are doing wrong, then you’re grounded in reality.
Wow. I guess those people are perfect at their jobs, too….
Big Ray
March 8th, 2010
3:02 am
Woody is a good coach. You don’t get to 47 wins (or more, like we will have this season) by being a totally bad one. Does that mean he’s as good as we need him to be? No, it doesn’t.
At the same time, the argument can be made that Woody doesn’t have the most talented bench in the business. News flash: to get that, you have to shell out the dough. We don’t shell out the dough. So, we have to make do in other ways.
Now before you get all caught up in that, remember that we’ve suffered no major injuries this year. Houston and Portland HAVE. Look what Nate McMillan and Rick Adelman have done with their respective teams and tell me could Woody do the same?
There’s your answer as to how good of a coach Woody is…
Clyde
March 8th, 2010
3:48 am
We will see how good of a coach Woody is when the postseason starts.
terrell
March 8th, 2010
6:18 am
If it were any other team besides the Hawks, I’d say we have a easy schedule to finish the season. Never know with this group though. Btw, tired legs = blown leads.
Parvati
March 8th, 2010
7:24 am
Seriously, who cares what these overpaid NBA thugs do?
O'Brien
March 8th, 2010
8:05 am
Ray,
Another answer to how good of a coach Woody is; Look at Scott Brooks and OKC. 38-24 in the tough western conference, with a first time head coach in first full season with the team, and the team is also very young. Also, Look at Scott Skiles and what Milwaukee is doing.
That being said, Woody is a good coach, but it would be nice to see him step his game up some more. And for those who want to fire Woody, the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Hawks need to beat the Knicks tonight, and I’m looking forward to what TMac can do.
doc
March 8th, 2010
8:28 am
o’b the okc thunder is 18 and 6 in the east. they are our equals if not better than us at this point. they only blew up their team 3 years ago and it took us six. hmmmm
O'Brien
March 8th, 2010
9:31 am
doc,
OKC drafted better than us too. We ended up with Marvin, Josh Childress, Shelden Williams, and Acie Law.
Is it wasn’t for JJ, I dont know where the Hawks would be (actually, we’d probably still be rebuilding).
The Truth
March 8th, 2010
9:31 am
My two cents (keeping it real):
The Hawks has way too many BUTS to be considered a serious contender. For example:
The Hawks will make the playoff BUT
The Hawks can beat any team in the East BUT
The Hawks is one of the top teams in the NBA BUT
The Hawks is a talented team BUT
The Hawks is a “Well” coached team BUT
The Hawks has a strong bench BUT
Joe Johnson is an elite player BUT
Mike Bibby is the savvy veteran PG for the Hawks BUT
Al Horford is one of the best centers in the league BUT
Marvin Williams has recently had 2 of his strongest games BUT
Woody is the right coach for the Hawks BUT
Sund has assembled the right talent for the playoff run BUT
The ASG has demonstrated financial support of the Hawks BUT
The Hawks fan base is excited about the prospect of winning a title BUT
Too many Buts = pretender (not contender)
IT IS WHAT IT IS!
JeJe
March 8th, 2010
9:54 am
richbrave,
I would take Foye over Bibby any day of the week. Have you seen his game logs? He was the only reason the Wizards were close in the Boston game yesterday. He is just a little inexperienced and the team has no chemistry at this point since they have been thrown into the line of fire
Najeh Davenpoop
March 8th, 2010
10:01 am
Yeah, drafting is the single biggest reason the Thunder are where they are already. Imagine if they had gotten the number one pick and taken Oden. Where would they be now? Not where they are, I can tell you that much.
Wendell Thomas
March 8th, 2010
10:03 am
Woodson is probably the worst coach in the NBA! Correction…he is the worst coach in the NBA. Does he really think he has earned a contract extension!!!? This guy is horrible. Why, why, why won’t he use the talent on the bench. Are the starter running the team and rfuse to come out of the game or is Woodson really this darned dumb!!? His coaching has lost game after game! With the talent on this team they should not continue losing games like these! Every team in the NBA will use the zone against the HAWKs in the future. They will also push the ball because they no that our five starters will play the entire game and will be so fatigued by the 4th that they can’t rebound, pass, or mmake shots! It is so frustrating watching this team and that dumb look on Woody’s face!!!!
It does not matter how many games they win in the regular season! They will never win the Southeast, East, or any other championship until Woody is fired and Josh Smith matures! They will win quite a few games based on talent alone but does anyone really think this team is capable of winning a championship with woody as the coach!!?
N-Trigue
March 8th, 2010
10:06 am
I dont understand why we dont use Mario West more when the opposing teams back court players are killing us!!! What is he here for if your not gonna use him in these situations???
Wendell Thomas
March 8th, 2010
10:11 am
Blast…
The coach should realize how many minutes the payers have played. The players have gorgantuous egos and will never admit that they are tired. Do you really think the HAWKS can beat any of the elite teams with a 6 player rotation? Josh Smith contiues to takes outrageous shoy but never gets benched. Miami might have beat LA but when they played us they were one game above .500. If we cannot beat these teams or a zone defense we will never be anything but a good team zero championships!!
O'Brien
March 8th, 2010
10:14 am
JeJe,
There is a long list of PG who I would take over Bibby. There is also a long list of SF I would take over Marvin.
Najeh,
Agreed. OKC should have some money to sign somebody this offseason too, so I look for them to continue their climb.
What’s the bigger mistake so far? Us taking Marvin over CP3 and Deron or Portland taking Oden over Durant?
Fundamentals
March 8th, 2010
10:18 am
Bad decisions at the end and we ran out of gas. Miami turned it on in the last 4-6 minutes and our mistakes cost us. Not a good win, but nothing to lose our heads over.
I still want to know why we can’t impose our will and defense on teams like New York & Golden State? We can’t outshoot them. When will we learn not to try?
JeJe
March 8th, 2010
11:46 am
I AGREE WITH WENDELL.
Woodson messes up so many close games that we lose track. He has lost us so many games by not running an offensive plan that will KEEP US SCORING IN THE 4TH QUARTER. THE GUY DOES NOT CARE ABOUT OUR OFFENSE. HE SAID IT WILL “TAKE CARE OF IT SELF.” HE SAID HE DOES “NOT GIVE A !@#$ ABOUT OFFENSE.” THAT IS WHY WE GO ICE COLD EVERY 4TH QUARTER. WE RELY ON 1 ON 1 AND ATHLETICISM ONLY.
HORFORD RUNS STUPID ISOS AND TAKES HORRENDOUS FADEAWAY SHOTS. WHY DOES HE KEEP DOING THIS?
doc
March 8th, 2010
11:56 am
interesting story brewing in l a land:
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/03/07/gasol-has-inside-perspective-on-lakers-recent-woes/
sounds a bit too familiar, no?
doc
March 8th, 2010
11:58 am
yeah o’b i know how it happened.
Nacho
March 8th, 2010
12:21 pm
Banks: I agree. When a person is always responding only to the negative and not to the positive, it is a sign that he or she really don’t have anything to add. That fits with Woody.
O'Brien
March 8th, 2010
12:22 pm
doc,
Thanks for the link.
“Gasol believes the defending NBA champions have been thrown out of sync because one guy again has become too dominant in the offense. And guess who that guy would be?
“Kobe is a great player, the best offensive player out there … but at the same time, we need to find some balance with our interior game, develop it a little more, moving the ball and changing sides,”
Gasol said gingerly, knowing he was treading on sacred territory by questioning Bryant and the offense of coach Phil Jackson. “We need to get focused on that a little more, to find balance, to find some flow.”
The key for JJ is to know when he is needed to dominate. Sometimes, he can be a better facilitator.
The Truth
March 8th, 2010
12:35 pm
doc
Yes; the story is very familiar indeed. Perhaps this style of offense is becoming “Old School” and fading with an Old (injured) Kobe vs. a young Kobe. This featured and constant diet of ISO offense may have been invented for the Great MJ, it has also proven to backfire if the team chemistry is not in place. Since JJ is not in the same league with MJ and even Kobe (at least not yet), this whole ISO offense design the Hawks features with JJ may already have a verdict.
JeJe
March 8th, 2010
1:31 pm
Kobe is not “fading.” He has been tearing it up lately. Any shot he gets off in the 4th he makes, with the exception of yesterday. He is a deadly shooter, just not playing with his team cohesively.
Expecting one of the resident AJC geniuses such as Big Ray to research Kobe’s game log, to show me that he has NOT in fact made every shot he has taken
terrell
March 8th, 2010
1:42 pm
Obrien, It could be us taking Sheldon over anybody. lol! Coulda had Roy, or Rudy Gay. That was a horrible draft talentwise though, so taking Marvin is probably worse since there were so many talented players still on the board(Paul, Williams, Bynum, Granger, etc.. Then we had the nerve to take Salim over Monte Ellis. Ouch! How bout Charlotte taking Adam Morrison at 3, Chicago trading Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas, or McCale trading Roy for Foye? Wow! But at least they didnt tell the world they’d take him, like we did with Shellhead.
terrell
March 8th, 2010
1:43 pm
I meant Salim over Ellis in the 2nd.
DemondWilson
March 8th, 2010
4:42 pm
Banks: you are exactly right about Acie Law. Law was unbelievable at driving to the basket and making the layup. He could do that in almost any situation, whether he was pressured or not. That is an incredible ability to be able to do that under pressure when you need a deuce. However, Law was never given that role to drive to the basket during crunch time and get two points either at the charity stripe or making the layup. Instead law was relegated to the end of the bench (probably the 12th player) and he could never get enough playing time to score the basketball. Law could have been an invaluable weapon for the Hawks but instead was shipped out and put in the pile of undeveloped talents. The Hawks (or I should say MIKE WOODSEN) WASTED LAW’S TALENTS.