Atlanta Hawks Squawks: Hawks 105, Wizards 99
– After the game the Hawks were pumping up the Wizards as tougher than they seem because they had been competitive in losses lately. “We’ll take it,” Horford said. “They’ve been struggling but I’ve seen them play close games against good teams. We weren’t taking anything for granted.”
– I understand the Hawks taking a victory any way they can get it against whichever opponent, especially after what happened at Miami and New York. And I know all heck would have broke loose with a loss so give the Hawks credit for surviving.
– But come on, man. It’s getting a little late for that “all teams are tough, sometimes you have nights like this” stuff. The Hawks got outworked for most of the game by a team headed for the lottery. They let a bad offensive team have an easy time scoring for long stretches and let a so-so rebounding team dominate them on the boards.
– How does that happen considering what’s at stake? “It is disappointing,” Woody said. “We can’t rely on just mSmoove and Al to get rebounds. They were lacking in that area tonight (too). Blatche and McGee had their way on the boards. We’ve just got to get better.”
– The Hawks had to sweat out a victory against the Southeast’s last place team when they supposedly are trying to win the division. It’s one thing to have a bad shooting night but Woody stressed defense and rebounding and then got neither.
– Woody is putting together a video highlighting his team’s problems in those areas so he can see show his players how they need to pick it up. He will need to splice in plenty of new footage from this game.
– How bad was it? Rookie Alonzo Gee, recently signed to a 10-day contract by the Wizards, got his first NBA basket on a dunk in the second quarter. He should know it’s not supposed to be that easy against good teams.
– But was that easy for the Wizards. They shot 53 percent and scored 28 of their 51 points in the paint in the first half while taking a 19-11 rebounding advantage, including nine on offense. How can the Hawks come out with that kind of effort?
– OK, don’t want to be too negative here. The Hawks forced 21 turnovers with 11 steals so they were active at times. They survived the Wizards’ final surge while reducing their head-scratching offensive plays even when Washington played zone.
– “Good teams find a way to win,” Al said. “We lost the last two close games so it feels good to come out on top like this.”
– The Hawks can thank Jamal’s hot shooting and aggressive drives to the basket for this one. He made two 3-pointers to start that 19-7 run that gave the Hawks some breathing room. He also made 9 of 11 free throws, all in the second half, when nobody else was making them.
– “At this point of the season everyone understands what they are supposed to do,” Jamal said. “When they make a run, it’s up to certain guys to step up. That’s a part of my job description.”
– Good thing because J.J. had another off shooting night (8 of 19) and Josh wasn’t doing it all like usual (noticed a few times he didn’t seem to have the same energy). Also big that Bibby came through with 16 points and 7 of 11 shooting. Zaza made a couple big shots, too.
– But, man, I keep coming back to Washington’s 49.4 percent shooting and 42-29 advantage on the boards. I can’t stop thinking about how listless the Hawks looked most of the night when they were supposed to be desperate. It’s like they think they are much better than they are despite plenty of evidence they aren’t as good as they can be.
– And I don’t care how many close games the Wizards have been playing. They are headed to the lottery and after that trade have maybe three guys who could get major burn for the Hawks.
– Dang, there I go getting negative again about a victory. I think J.J. feels me, though. “Our effort defensively has to pick up for the playoffs,” he said “We’ve been to pretty much the highest level and we know what it takes. We have to come out and execute and play with effort.”
– Iso-Joe in the fourth: missed fadeaway jumper, missed straight-up jumper.
– 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
160 comments Add your comment
northcyde
March 13th, 2010
2:38 pm
LOL you guys are crazy.
….can anyone tell me one time Woodson has ever had a bad game of coaching?
….We are THIRD in the East right now. We ARE winning the championship….
You guys are crazy
And this pathetic post is a fake.
LOL . . see . . that’s what I’m talking about. Instead of addressing me HEAD ON about the FACTS that I state, some of you kiddies would rather make fake posts of people.
That’s why I “LOL” all the time.
The fans under 18 on this board should DEFINITELY be more appreciative of this 2010 Hawks team, seeing that none of you can’t even remember the last time the Hawks won 50 games in a season. That’s how long it’s been since we’ve even been remotely a very good team.
northcyde
March 13th, 2010
2:46 pm
LOL you guys are crazy.
….can anyone tell me one time Woodson has ever had a bad game of coaching?
….We are THIRD in the East right now. We ARE winning the championship….
You guys are crazy
And this pathetic post is a fake.
LOL . . see . . that’s what I’m talking about. Instead of addressing me HEAD ON about the FACTS that I state, some of you kiddies would rather make fake posts of people.
That’s why I “LOL” all the time.
The fans under 18 on this board should DEFINITELY be more appreciative of this 2010 Hawks team, seeing that none of you can’t even remember the last time the Hawks won 50 games in a season. Dominique is nothing more than an urban legend to you guys. Most probably don’t even remember the “Master of the Take and Give” gigantic Nike ad that used to be on one of the sides of a downtown building.
Hawk fans . . Can you name who the “Master of the Take and Give” was . . . without Googling it?
That’s how long it’s been since we’ve even been remotely a very good team.
All I know . . is that for all of you who constantly rip into this team, the coaches, and the players . . don’t act like you were down with this team from Day 1, if we DO pull off a 2nd round upset over Orlando or Cleveland.
It’s all good though. We “Hawks Supporters” will save a seat on the bandwagon for you.
Sautee
March 13th, 2010
4:05 pm
LOL at Northcyde thinking that his viewpoint has a monopoly on “Hawks Supporters”.
We all have our own ways of fanhood. Some have unrealistic expectations, but that doesn’t make them less of a fan. Some would think that having too high of expectations is actually a sign of GREATER fanhood. And that would ALSO be a valid way of being a fan (for them). That’s not how I feel, but obviously many do.
There is an entire continuum of fanhood and it’s not just at one point along the continuum that is where “Hawk Supporters” reside.
Northcyde, you have good points, but please don’t try to claim fanhood for yourself and those who share your viewpoint. It’s bigger and broader than that.
Wabe
March 13th, 2010
4:11 pm
I don’t think anybody hates Mike Bibby. He’s played a major role in the Hawks turnaround. I think what you often hear from people on this blog is the frustration of Woody’s inability to have enough confidence to play any meaningful minutes in games. Let’s be real, you’re big on Woody. Or at least it seems that he has your support. But, when Mike Bibby clocks 21+ minutes in a game and registers 1 point and 1 assist, and Woody doesn’t do a damn thing to make an adjustment (EVEN THOUGH BIBBY’S DOING NEXT TO NOTHING) is what irritates me. I think that if you’ve gone as far as to say you see JT0 being the future at PG for the Hawks, then you should portray the confidence you have in the kid by INCREASING HIS PT ON NIGHTS WHERE BIBBY’S MEANINGLESS.
This right here is my biggest gripe with Woody. Acie may or may not have been a great PG prospect, but we would’ve never known here because he never really had a SOLID OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY HIS ABILITIES. I was just as frustrated with the ACIE situation as I’m becoming of the JT0 situation. The only difference between then and now is that Bibby was much more capable a couple of years ago as opposed to what he’s shown us this year. I think if Woody seriously thinks JT0 is the future for the Hawks at PG, then give him the PT.
Wabe
March 13th, 2010
4:23 pm
And some may suggest that we don’t know the what goes on off the court or in practices, and those of you who say this are exactly right.
But we do know that Mike Bibby’s best years are behind him, and if we’re serious about developing our young PG, then we should be giving him minutes consistently. JT0’s shown flashes, and he’s clearly got a skill-set that we don’t utilize. His ability to penetrate should be able to do things for us, but it’s as if we’re too scared to experiment with it because we’re having a “great season” according to some. I think great teams understand their deficiencies, and play to their strengths. We’re clearly hurting at PG right now, yet we see absolutely no indication that this is the case from Woody based on how we see him coaching-out these games.
Ken Strickland
March 13th, 2010
5:38 pm
NORTHCYDE-If only you had the ability to think beyond your flawed emotions. The only way for any team or individual to get better is by expecting more than the status quo, and working toward a higher goal. If you’re willing to accept the status quo and not strive to do better, your progress will end there. HOW INTELLIGENT DOES ONE HAVE TO BE TO FIGURE THAT OUT?
WHY BE A COMPLETE HYPOCRITE BY CRITICIZING THOSE FANS WHO WANT AND EXPECT MORE FROM THEIR TEAM, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME YOU’RE GLORIFYING WOODSON FOR EXPECTING AND GETTING MORE FROM THE TEAM EACH YR? If the team and all of its fans were as limited in their thinking as you are, we’d all be satisfied with wanting nothing more than finishing 3rd or 4th in the East, winning 50 gms, making the playoffs and getting bounced in the 2nd rd, while never considering the possibility of wanting or expecting the Hawks to compete for an NBA title.
Dezz Nuttz
March 13th, 2010
7:13 pm
“we’d all be satisfied with wanting nothing more than finishing 3rd or 4th in the East, winning 50 gms, making the playoffs and getting bounced in the 2nd rd, while never considering the possibility of wanting or expecting the Hawks to compete for an NBA title.”
WE DO! BUT WE ARE REALISTIC NOT RADICAL. WE KNOW THAT WE CANT WIN IT WITHOUT A CENTER! GET REAL!
Dezz Nuttz
March 13th, 2010
7:19 pm
SHAQ WAS INJURED, DUH?
drmaryb
March 14th, 2010
8:48 pm
Bill Parcels…
Said it Best, “I didn’t buy the Groceries!”
It is not Woody’s fault that B-Knight didn’t draft a Point Gaurd – Billy passed on Chris Paul & Deron Williams.
Woody has to cook what’s in the fridge! So, if you don’t like Bibby? Then call Billy – he’s at home pruning his trees for the wife! & If JT0 was such a phenom then why was he sitting there at the 19th pick? Or whatever pick he was.
Get a point people. If we played JT0 heavy minutes this year we would not be the #3 seed. How do I know, because we are the #3 seed!
Ken Strickland
March 14th, 2010
11:40 pm
DRMARYB-You’re wrong, it was Woodson’s fault. It was Woodson, not Billy Knight, who publically stated his doubts about the ability of both PG’s to be successful at this level. He basically claimed CPaul was to frail and DWilliams was too fat. It was Woodson’s insistence on having a veteran PG run his team, rather than a rookie, that caused the rift between the two, and prompted BK to try and fire Woodson.
Haven’t you noticed how Woodson embraced and gave extended mins to every veteran PG that’s been on his roster, no matter how limited he is, and basically ignored every rookie or young PG that’s been on his roster? Also, your flawed attempt at logic to justify not playing PG JTeague is extremely weak at best. IF WE MANAGED TO MAINTAIN THE 3RD SEED WITH PG MBIBBY BUTCHERING ANY ATTEMPT AT PLAYING DEF, AND THE WAY HIS OVERALL OFF PRODUCTION HAS DRASTICALLY DETERIORATED AS THE SEASON HAS PROGRESSED, WE SURE AS HELL COULD’VE MAINTAINED THE 3RD SEED WITH THE ADDITION OF TEAGUES SPEED, QUICKNESS, PENETRATING ABILITY, DEF AND IMPROVED CONFIDENCE, EXPERIENCE AND PRODUCTION.