Atlanta Hawks: Will they come to praise the Lakers at Philips?
Will they clap for Kobe at Philips? (US Presswire)
I’m curious what my blog people think about Woody’s pretty forceful comments about Hawks fans showing too much love for some visiting teams. If you are reading this then you probably aren’t a casual fan; I doubt any of you are heading to Philips in your Kobe jersey. So since Woody probably isn’t talking about you, can you get on board with his view that Philips needs to be more hostile to visiting stars or do you think he’s off base?
Woody first mentioned the topic a few weeks back because he thought support for visiting teams at Philips had increased even though the Hawks are better. I kept the angle in the back of my mind and planned to address it when a marquee team came to town. Well, the Lakers are here and obviously they fit that description.
There’s just something about the Lakers, and I think it goes beyond winning. I spent a decent amount of time reporting on the Lakers in 2004-05 season because they’d traded Shaq to the Heat the previous summer. That was the year it was basically Kobe surrounded by nondescript guys. The Lakers won 34 games and missed the playoffs. But what struck me after following the team was how they still got so much support even though they were also-rans.
I remember going to a shooataround in Orlando and there was a crush of fans in Lakers jerseys trying to get close to the team. At the arena before the game there was a group of probably 200 fans hanging around the tunnel during warmups hoping to get autographs. When I interviewed fans at the Staples Center, they were all so sure (or smug, depending on your perspective) that the Lakers would be good again soon because, as one guy said, “We’re the Lakers.”
At the time, Lamar Odom said he was at first disappointed to get traded to the Lakers from the Heat but eventually embraced the move because of the increased opportunities for exposure in LA. I silently scoffed at that because, well, he was only Lamar Odom. But now I see him in Taco Bell commercials and hugged up on a hot Kardashian and it turns out dude was right.
And, oh yeah, Odom also got a ring.
– Hoopinion looks at USA Today’s story on Josh Childress’ options this summer. In the blog comments, Brett Lagree opines on whether he thinks Woody and J.J.’s futures are tied together:
“I do think that the playoffs will determine whether or not re-signing one or both would be a positive or negative PR move for the organization. I think the very public show of interest in Ilgauskas from an organization that typically doesn’t announce whether they give restricted free agents qualifying offers shows that they’re fairly concerned about appearing* to compete. Ultimately, the decisions on Johnson and Woodson may not entirely be informed by basketball concerns.”
*I’m skeptical they’re interested in the risk and/or cost of actually competing.
MC
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184 comments Add your comment
Haywood Jablome
March 31st, 2010
3:15 pm
atlanta loves the larger-than-life superstars – sports stars and other.
atlanta has serious envy and 2nd-rate town jealousy.
Big Ray
March 31st, 2010
3:22 pm
Sautee ,
That’s a hard, tough question. For some folks, it’s a concept that they cannot even imagine. Many stories will be told in the playoffs, which is where I believe all of our truths will be revealed. About the team, the coaching staff, etc.
JohhnyWalking
March 31st, 2010
3:28 pm
I don’t mind the Love for Kobe or Lebron. They are the best. How can you not like them?? The thing people dont understand is that THEY love Atlanta. Atlanta is on the TOP list of every NBA player. They Love coming here. The NBA being 83% Black has a little to do with it.
i_am_soulstar
March 31st, 2010
3:30 pm
Thanks GeeMack.
And Junior, I don’t quite agree with your “analysis” of Al Horford, but I will go out on limb and say that he really is one of the most consistent players in the league.
Call me crazy, but I can’t remember more than 1 or 2 games during the season that he didn’t hit 75% of those little outside jumpshots he loves to take. It’s so methodical, but it falls almost everytime.
Reminds me of Tim Duncan in his heyday..
1968-69 Hawk
March 31st, 2010
3:30 pm
This is a very large money day for Atlanta, which helps our city, so lets now, go beat the defending champion, Los Angeles Lakers.
GeeMack
March 31st, 2010
3:31 pm
CherryBlossom
You must really hate the Lakers? Wasn’t Kobe accused, and the charges dropped?
Jay Dubu
March 31st, 2010
3:33 pm
Winning will make the difference on who’s in the seats, and who they cheer for. It’s already been said that the game has been sold out for a while, so now, the Hawks need to come out and drop one in the “L” column for the Lakers.
If they do this when the big boys come to town, the seats will be filled with more and more people cheering for the Hawks, and booing the visitors.
An aside: Management just wants the tickets to be sold, they don’t care who buys them. “It’s all about the Benjamines!”
Daniel
March 31st, 2010
3:34 pm
Sautee- Easy answer— YES!!! a six year deal at max money will still make Joe only around the 20th highest paid player in the league. A 20,5,5 guy who is coming into his prime with a young improving nucleus, not the time to be shy of committing for 6 more years. Plus, his contract only counts against the cap at years of servic rate not actual salary, which allows us flexability with re-upping with Horford. No other free agent contract gives that flexability.
The real long term plan for this team is to be competing for championship for the next 2-3 years. Remember no one is giving Joe 23-28 milion dollars a year, which is Kobe, Lebron, Wade money, we are talking 16-18 mil per for six years that is very reasonable for a player of his talent, age and attitude (even if he has another bad playoff series).
Bradley and unknowledgable fans will say not to resign him, but they don’t understand the game or the economics of basketball.
Daniel
March 31st, 2010
3:36 pm
Gee- I am not calling for calls of “rapist”, but yeah, the charges got mysteriously dropped after a large out of court settlement that required the defendant to remain silent publically. I’m just sayin’
JeJe
March 31st, 2010
3:47 pm
“I was at the Hawks vs chartlotte bobcats game a very close and exciting game. The majority of the fans just sat there making no noise. I was sitting in the 100 section of phillips arena and as my 9 year old son and myself stood up to cheer on the last seconds of a close game, people behind me was telling me to sit down so they could see. I told them to move farther up, but these are the type of fans we have. ‘
EXACTLY.
I’ve been saying this: NO ONE CHEERS AT THE GAMES UNLESS IT’S TIED IN THE LAST MINUTE, A MEGA SUPERSTAR IS IN TOWN, OR BIBBY/SMOOVE/JOE ARE GOING APESH!T.
WHY DO PEOPLE NOT SEE THIS
Atlsuperman
March 31st, 2010
3:50 pm
Who is to say that everybody in Phillips is a Hawks Fan? Every Good team has Fans Every where. they are called Roadies. That doesnt mean the hawks fans are cheering for the other team that means the other team has fans in the building.
DCHawksfan
March 31st, 2010
3:50 pm
I do not buy any of the arguments that Atlanta has alot of “transplants” from other cities. I have lived in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Washington DC and EVERY city has transplants. In fact, Los Angeles and DC have many more transplants but that doesn’t stop most of their sporting events from being sold out and fans from going to support the home team. I really hope this city will finally embrace the Hawks and fans will stop using that as an excuse for cheering for the Cavs or Lakes. There really aren’t that many Los Angeles or Cleveland natives in Atlanta. Just give it a rest. And Go Hawks!
Atlsuperman
March 31st, 2010
3:52 pm
Not To mention basketball is not the most exciting crap in the world. . . WHOOOOOO u shot the ball and it went in the hoop. . . big balls. Who Really cares? the only time i watch basketball is if its the Hawks because unless u are a big fan of the game or like a specific team. .. Wat is there to cheer about?
KEEPING IT REAL
March 31st, 2010
3:53 pm
Don’t blame the fans, blame the city and the organization. The city does a very poor job marketing the team. We don’t see any Hawks players on TV commercials, no radio adds, no guess appearances, etc… We have 2 ALL-STARS in the city and you can’t even tell. Spend the money and put the time into showcasing the team.
Atlsuperman
March 31st, 2010
3:54 pm
Are u cheering about the man with the ball had the aim to hit the shoot.? if thats the case, do u cheer when u dont get any piss on the floor?
Westurd
March 31st, 2010
3:54 pm
I’ve been told to sit down a few times by dudes trying to impress their girls…..so lame, if you want to sit down watch the game from your couch you losers! GO HAWKS!
Atlsuperman
March 31st, 2010
3:54 pm
o yeah i for got. GO HAWKS!!!! GO FALCONS!
KEEPING IT REAL
March 31st, 2010
3:56 pm
We have HOLLYWOOD FANS.. everybody in ATL want’s to be the Sh%?! Everybody is to pretty to get up yell and make noise. ITS A GAME FOLKS STAND UP AND CHEER FOR YOUR TEAM…
magic johnson
March 31st, 2010
4:01 pm
i have been a lakers fan since childhood…we lived in LA for a few years. So even tho i have been down here since ‘96, I am & will always be a Lakers fan. I like the hawks too…they are my 2nd favorite team, but when the two teams meet, i will have on the purple & gold baybeeee!
Mike is Back
March 31st, 2010
4:04 pm
@MC, I would also like to note that it doesn’t help when you have a major network that covers the NBA, and is based in Atlanta…that spears no end to hackling and jackeling at the Hawks…it is not hard to understand why some fans still have a door mate mentally about the Hawks.
I know Ernie Johnson grew up a Braves fan…so did I…but Dang…you would never know he had any affiliation with the Hawks. At times, he speaks of the Hawks as though they are beneath the teams that are show cased on TNT. Well, at lease ESPN is starting to come around. With the increased exposure comes increased fan base.
BEAT LA…BEAT LA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lou Hudson
March 31st, 2010
4:04 pm
DAM RIGHT, even tho I left to be a Laker!
Rick Day
March 31st, 2010
4:13 pm
No surprise here
Flashback: last fall. Falcons/Eagles
Mick Vick returns
No doubt, ATL has way too many low-class ‘fans’
JF
March 31st, 2010
4:15 pm
The Hawks coaches have them headed in the right direction. They just need to develop a desirable and appealing team personality that will attract fans and retain them.
cp
March 31st, 2010
4:19 pm
Lets hope the first unit actually comes out with some type of energy and intensity tonight. They have been starting off slow lately and I don’t want to see that happen tonight. Its going to take a good team effort to beat the Lakers so I want to see the guys sharing the ball and hitting the boards.
dram
March 31st, 2010
4:24 pm
Laker fan here…since 1977. All the Hawks have to do is win some championships and they will get the support from the city of Atlanta! Key is they have to win, not one, but a few titles! That’s why Laker fans are all over the place and they have tons of haters….they have an owner who loves to win (as well as young women) and that’s what we do win like you know what!!! If the Hawks win championships and stay competitive people will start supporting the Hawks & hating the Hawks like they do the Lakers now!
Big hawks fan
March 31st, 2010
4:28 pm
I think in this case Woody is right…I will cheer for the Hawks riogorously and boo the arrogant Lakers…it is quite irritating to see a bunch of yellow and purple jerseys in our house. These guys are the enemy and I would love nothing more than to send them home a big fat loser.
Atlive
March 31st, 2010
4:28 pm
Transplants being the cause…blah blah blah as Kiesha would say.
Most of the big rivalries in the NBA have started due to talking smack and shoving wars. As others have said, this is what gets fans so riled up. Think Boston vs Lakers, I can’t count how many times they fought in the 80s. Yankees vs Red Sox in the 00s. Duke vs UNC, all the bloody Montross and Hansbough pictures. Hawks need to get physical, the fans will follow.
I’m Hawks all the way… either way! Go Hawks.
Larry
March 31st, 2010
4:32 pm
The Hawks are a joke because of the Atlanta Spirit organization. The team may be good, but the appeal of the organization and the venue has been destroyed by those incompetent morons. As long as they are running the show I will never support the Hawks or Thrashers.
AtlSouthside
March 31st, 2010
4:34 pm
Born and raised in Atl… the city is full of transplants, thats why there is no loyalty to the team. You also have to consider the population/demographics of the CITY of Atlanta. Most people in the Metro area dont live downtown or anywhere inside of 285. Philips Arena is like 30+ minute commute from everywhere. Games start at 7. People work overnight…. Its more complex then simply loyalty… Its the culture of the city….
SN: STATEMENT GAME FOR JOE JOHNSON, JOSH SMITH & JAMAL CRAWFORD!!!!!!!!
Annette
March 31st, 2010
4:36 pm
I don’t cheer for any of them. The NBA is mostly made up of grossly overpaid thugs. If you give a thug a lot of money, all you get is a wealthy thug.
Annette
March 31st, 2010
4:40 pm
I forgot to mention that if it wasn’t for basketball, most NBA players would be digging ditches or begging on the street.
So no, I don’t cheer for the Hawks or any other team.
Westurd
March 31st, 2010
4:40 pm
HAWKS VICTORY TONIGHT……Wish I were going to this one so I can throw verbal assaults at Kobe and his Hollwood Homotrons!
O'Brien
March 31st, 2010
4:40 pm
Daniel, Sautee,
My answer is yes. But its not an easy Yes for me.
According to one of our resident blog/cap experts (I think it was Manny T), a max salary for JJ will be approximately 6 years, $119 mil (taking into account annual raises), and keep in mind that the salary cap and luxury tax level will decrease.
And Josh will be up for an extension in 3 seasons, we need to find money to resign Crawford after next season, plus Horford’s big extension, and we need to upgrade our bench (no Collins and RandMo). We do have some guys coming off the books, so there will be options for Rick Sund and the ASG to make it work financially.
However, given the option of signing JJ to a max, or losing him and be forced to sign someone for $5 mil – $8 mil, the better option is to resign JJ. Otherwise, we take a step back.
My only concern is if he gets hurt during year 4, 5 and 6 (once he gets to 32, you never know). Plus he has logged a lot of minutes. I wish we could get year 6 as a team option.
Andrew
March 31st, 2010
4:41 pm
I went to a falcons game about 2 years ago when they played the Colts on thanksgiving, I cheered for the falcons all the way. But it was still pretty cool to see Peyton Manning in person, Thats like going to see Michael Jordan it might be a once in a lifetime thing.
Diego
March 31st, 2010
4:47 pm
Haven’t read the rest of the posts, but I will.
Most casual sports fans are frontrunners–just cheer for LeBron, Kobe, the N.Y. Yankees, Red Sox, etc., etc. So pathetic. So there will be a lot of Lakers fans present. But let’s be real, there will be a lot more Hawks fans. (I know; I’ve been to oodles of these marquie (sic) Hawks games.)
And by the way, the Hawks security runs a very tight ship; you are too negative to individuals on opposing team and security may send you packing. Detroit Pistons fans generally are classless; you can’t behave like them in Atlanta. From my seats near the visitors’ bench over many years, I’ve seen a lot of fans get tossed from Phillips.
(Annette apparently just does not like black folks who make a lot of money in sports. I’ve met most of the current Hawks, and they are all pretty nice, good, down-to-earth guys.)
Truth-Serum
March 31st, 2010
4:51 pm
“Everybody loves a winner!”
It doesn’t really matter what city you are in or what region. If you win championships you will grow fans, it is a side effect of being a champion.
I’m sure of this, if owners spend the money to get the necessary talent here to win games you will pack the house consistently. Woodson has brought the hawks along way from the 13 win season.They are fun to watch and exciting. Josh, JJ and Crawford put on a very entertaining show. They are good enough to tease us in the play offs but not strong enough in the middle to get us over the hump…
The Hawks aren’t losing money. They are turning a profit. Like any good business they are keeping the lights on, paying salaries and putting something in the bank. The “wins” to “paid salary” ratio puts the hawks easily in the top ten teams. In this market, for what our salaried expenses are, you are getting a good bang for the buck.
The Hawks are a good value for the money,however, if you want to increase the earning potential you will have to invest more in salaries, target specific needs, maintain the core of what you have, including retaining JJ and Woodson’s services. Both of these are do-abl.e
You give the Hawks a quantifiable chance to win by upgrading key positions through roster acquisitions and the fan base will increase. No matter how many times the stinger and the Hawks organization attempts to deceive the fans by trying to convince us that we are going to compete for a championship with a power forward at center, the nonchalant attitude will remain. Fans aren’t stupid. Thats the reality.
Teams that compete, for championships will have fan bases every where. Atlanta is no different. We too, love a winner.
GeeMack
March 31st, 2010
5:02 pm
Daniel,
Say a few cheers for me tonight. I gotta a major project that won’t allow me to leave the office until 7:30pm.
Mr. B
March 31st, 2010
5:04 pm
There sure are a lot of kids posting on this site. Most don’t know what they are talking about. It has already been said that the Internet is becoming the playground of the kids and idiots and the smart people no longer bother to read the comments section. Living in the LA area and one of those true honest fans, I had to take a look and see what the ‘ locals ‘ had to say about their team. Well, I fond them telling lies and hating on the Lakers so I never finish.
Here are some facts.
The Lakers are the number one draw in the NBA and the world. More people come out to see the Lakers then any other team. These stats be the way comes from NBA themselfs. They have been this way for years. Kobe sells more shirts than any other player here and abroad. I can lay more stats on you but I have to go. I have a flight.
Westurd
March 31st, 2010
5:45 pm
Mr B..
Who cares about you? You don’t play for LA, probably never met Kobe, and wasted all your money fronting on jerseys so you can feel “connected” to the number one team in the universe. Lets be real, you’re not number one, the team you root for is………and how easy is it to root for number one. LAME
Westurd
March 31st, 2010
5:49 pm
Mr B,
All those kids and idiots on the internet that you are talking about have probably heard of spell check…….Have You?
Retad! LayKerz Suk! GO HAWKS
Hawk n the Ham
March 31st, 2010
5:55 pm
LOL….spell check.
Hawk n the Ham
March 31st, 2010
5:56 pm
Of course if you are a true Hawks fan, your computer should also come equipped with a ‘Heat Check’ too.
drmaryb
March 31st, 2010
5:58 pm
I will be at the Phillips Arena tonite & I will definitely be making some noise for the HOME team!
Boooooo KOBE & Nem’….Those cats are trying to steal a win and win that Trophy….
But, not in my house!
J-Smoove will get 5 block tonight, don’t even bring that junk in here!
Go Hawks! “Sick – Em’” like a mike vick dog!
Freshfromatl
March 31st, 2010
6:03 pm
Hawks,
This is your chance to convince me to purchase season/ playoff tickets. Don’t blow it!!!!!!!!
Hawk n the Ham
March 31st, 2010
6:04 pm
I’m going to go ahead and call it now. Durant and the Thunder take the Celtics down tonight. Mark my words……
Sautee
March 31st, 2010
6:19 pm
Truth-serum,
Although I disagree with PART of your post (you can probably guess which part), that was the most cogent, well thought out post I’ve seen from you.
Nice writing.
Now can you tell us exactly what it is about Horford that makes you react so vehemently against him?
I mean, I understand that he doesn’t block enough shots for you, but that doesn’t seem to be the kind of thing that would make you totally disparage the PERSON the way you do. Can you clue us in?
JeJe
March 31st, 2010
6:23 pm
FIRE MIKE KNAPP
Sautee
March 31st, 2010
6:47 pm
OK, we’ve lost 2 of the last 4.
I want to see some of that Hawks resiliency tonight.
cdog
March 31st, 2010
6:53 pm
LET THEM PRAUSE TYHE LAKERS ALL THY WANT TO, AS LONG AS THE ATLANTA HAWKS WIN THE GAME.
Taylor
March 31st, 2010
6:56 pm
Looking forward to the game tonight. I can’t stand all the front runners, pathetic. Probably could not point out LA on a map