Hawks Squawks: Pistons 90, Hawks 88
Austin Daye is one of the Pistons fill-ins who beat the Hawks. (AP)
Auburn Hills–No excuses for the Hawks this time. The Pistons saw the Hawks missing their leading scorer (J.J.) and raised them their top three (Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey, who left the game early).
– In 15 road games since the All-Star break, the Hawks are 5-8 when they either had a lead or a tie in the fourth quarter. Of those games, tonight was the fifth time the Hawks blew a lead in the final two minutes.
– After this latest collapse the Hawks sounded much the same as they did following the others. “Same thing,” Mo said. “We just relaxed a little bit and got careless and thought we had the game in the bag and we let it slip away.”
– “We self-destructed again coming down the stretch,” Woody said. “We’ve got to figure it out.”
– And it’s not simply a matter of getting one of their closers back in J.J., who after all was on the floor for six of those eight blown road losses. “(Even) when he was here, we had to figure that out,” Jamal said.
– “Joe is a big part of what we do,” Woody said. “No doubt we are better with him on the floor. But we controlled this game until the end tonight. We didn’t make the plays we needed down the stretch.”
– Since the Hawks say these things over and over and yet still keep blowing these leads on the road, could it be they simply aren’t good enough? Because the Cavs, Magic and Celtics close out opponents on the road and they are 1-2-3 in the East. The Hawks are good enough to dominate at home and almost always give themselves a chance on the road but they can’t put up consistent Ws, so they are No. 4.
– The glaring number was the 16 points the Hawks scored in the fourth quarter. That’s the fifth time the Hawks failed to break 20 points in those eight blown road losses.
– The Pistons shot just 8 of 21 in the fourth quarter but were 7 of 7 on free throws to 3 for 8 for the Hawks had no turnovers to the Hawks’ three.
–”We missed free throws, we missed shots we normally make, we had turnovers,” Bibby said. “We were up one with the ball and it just didn’t go the way we wanted it to go.”
– That’s because with the Hawks leading 85-84 they threw the ball away and Bibby was called for a foul while trying to get it back. Good start for Bibby but a bad finish. “It was our veteran guards that turned it over,” Woody said. “That just shouldn’t happen.”
– Bibby then had to rush a 3-pointer after Ben Wallace deflected a pass that went into the backcourt. How does that happen on such a crucial possession?
– Before that, Josh missed two big free throws. They’ve become a problem. He’s down to 61.2 percent for the season. He’s also still taking (and missing) long jumpers. If one or the other keeps happening, then maybe it’s OK because of the many good things he does. If both continue, especially in fourth quarters, it could mean trouble.
– It seemed like it took two seconds for Austin Daye to collect Smoove’s second missed free throw and give it to Will Bynum for a ridiculously easy and-1. It actually took 6.5 seconds so I guess that means the Hawks offered resistance by their standards.
– Jamal was just 2 for 7 in the fourth quarter and missed all four 3-point attempts. He probably will benefit the most from J.J.’s return.
– The Hawks were outclassed by a young, ragtag group of Pistons. Daye, Bynum, and Jonas Jerebko all made winning plays. “We just gave this game away, I thought,” Woody said.
– Ben Gordon has done a little something in the league, at least, but then doesn’t that make it worse that the Hawks left him open at the 3-point line when they were up 84-78? Of course, losing shooters in crucial situations is nothing new for the Hawks, either.
– “Ben hit some big threes for them because we were hugging on the weak side because we didn’t rotate,” Woody said.”Those are things we have to clean up as we come down the home stretch and start thinking about playoff basketball.”
– “It’s turnovers, missed free throws, a lot of things that happen that let leads get away from us,” Smoove said.
– “We’ve got to figure it out,” Jamal said. “We play good for 3 1/2 quarters on the road and then we fall apart late.”
– It’s starting to feel like the Hawks will be saying the same thing after they are dismissed from the playoffs. Man, has any 50-win team (probably?) ever had so many issues? Or are these things really correctable and I’m just making too much of it?
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
MC
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215 comments Add your comment
O'Brien
April 8th, 2010
4:38 pm
northcyde,
I will agree that our bench play/performance has not been consistent all year. But how often have we seen Woody stick with the starters when they are sucking it up out there?
Or even when the starters are tired, Woody will still play them the entire fourth quarter (his only change is Crawford will be in to replace Bibby or Marvin), and act surprised when they falter down the stretch?
There have been games when the bench plays well enough in the first half but don’t play again in the second half (Joe Smith and Teague usually). Instead, they sit on the bench while starters are struggling, and Woody just stands there with his hands folded looking on in disbelief.
Overall, I think Woody does not have a good feel for when and how to mix and match the bench players with the starters. Players don’t do a good job of feeding the hot hand, and they dont execute when the game gets tight. But Woody does not do a good job of pulling the right strings either.
And I would not say we need 20+ shots a game from JJ. Good teams will force him to give up the ball or take a tough shot. I would like to see us do a better job of using JJ as a decoy, or capitalizing when JJ is doubled.
But our floor spacing is bad, our ball movement is bad, and we revert to jump shots too easily. It’s not all Woody’s fault, but as the HC, he has to figure out a way to help these guys get over the hump.
And he has not done that, because its deja vu all over again.
Grandad
April 8th, 2010
4:39 pm
Thanks northcyde for bringing up the topic. *DRAFT*
This is not a spoof. I’m completely serious.*OPINION*
new draft philosophy for our [1st round]
draft pick for this summer 2010: (NOT a JOKE)
It is an amalgam of stategies which I read from [2] fellow bloggers.
[given the fact we are drafting low in the 1st round]
*AJ [1st] – “the ‘niche’ player”: a player who exhibits a
specific skill that can immediately be put to use, therefore
helping the team compete for a championship.
*northcyde – reaching for said ‘niche’ player in the 1st round,
regardless of how ridiculous that pick may seem.
(making sure THAT player is not gone when we/Hawks select in 2nd rd.)
I’m now making my case for…’Brian Zoubek’ !
*[7-1; 260, & Duke definitly has a wgt. rm.]
*best offensive rebounder in the nation [by a wide margin]
*Did I say he is 7-1 ?
*excellent passer
*most fundamental Big to come from the college ranks lately
[Kevin Love don't count, 6-7 & 1/2 sans shoes]
*7-1
*He’s big & strong enough to battle D.Howard.
*Joe’s not gonna let him shoot anyway, so scoring is irrelevant.
*less expensive than ‘Cheeseburger’
*He’s 7-1
**more to come**
[I am now on the 'Zoubek' express]
AG
April 8th, 2010
4:41 pm
Okay, have not heard this. We are down 3 points with 18 seconds. Why do we shoot a 3 point shot? We made several mistakes prior to that, call a timeout, and diagram a 3 -point shot? Take an easy 2, then foul and pressure them to hit both free throws. Also, Detroit wanted it more than the Hawks. They did not miss a free throw all game.
AG
April 8th, 2010
4:48 pm
In the end, Strickland made great comments. The second game of a back to back, you must go deep into your bench. Chuckie Adkins got run last night for Detroit and he is buried on the bench and gave the Pistons quality minutes. No matter how great shape these guys are in, they do get tired. Woodson has to use his bench. I give Bibby some heart to play with that toe nail problem, but coach should have limited his minutes. Nevertheless, the guys just don’t have heart – especially on the road. After the game, I saw Josh hugging and laughing with a former player. Me, I would have been mad as hell!
Dan
April 8th, 2010
4:53 pm
I really do not see how Woodson gets much blame for last night. This is a player issue. Bibby, as well as he shot at the beginning, was a main reason why the game was p#ssed away at the end. The lazy pass, the foul, and the missed wideopen three…I’m officially on the boat calling for more Teague minutes. I’m done with Bibby…can’t play D and now he can’t perform down the stretch of tight games.
AG, I’m with you on Josh Smith. I am so sick of players turing every game into a lovefest. I’m not the biggest Kobe fan in the world, but I will give him one thing. You don’t see him loving on players from the other team. It is refreshing.
And, Josh Smith is starting to revert back to his old jump shooting ways. I can live with 2 or 3 a game, but he is starting to jack 7 or 8. Total regression from a player that is better than that. Right when I think that guy has turned the corner, he makes it clear he hasn’t.
Awful loss. This one is on the players, though. I stand by something I wrote after the GS loss…Hawks are out in the 1st round. Put it in the bank.
DawgNole
April 8th, 2010
5:02 pm
Didn’t say you weren’t gracious to him, Grandad, but quibbling with–and flinging bible verses at–an angry/disturbed individual like Anthony at 3 a.m. lumps you in with him, which means you (like him) have issues. You’d do better to spend your time dealing with those issues than wasting it on a blog in the wee hours of the morning. In Anthony’s defense, he certainly has the Hawks franchise pegged far more accurately (loser mentality) than you and many others on here.
DawgNole
April 8th, 2010
5:10 pm
I see from AG’s 4:48 p.m. post that I’m not the only one who noticed Josh Smith shuckin’ and jivin’ with a former acquaintance after the latest loss. Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser. This is what Atlanta professional sports franchises have always (for nearly half a century) been about; i.e., satisfied with (and eternally rationalizing/excusing) anything less than a championship. Thus the sad but accurate label: “Losersville.”
Sleepy
April 8th, 2010
5:14 pm
Ok Ive just gotten back from the run I started last night and all Ive got to say after many mumbles of SERENITY NOW as I ran mile after mile is that its a long season. This team has never been in this position and so youve got to keep some perspective its an entirely different animal to play as the favorite and not the underdog.
My major concern is we have paid these young guys a ton of money and Im not seeing the energy level or emotion I need to see from them .
I get the “Weve made it ” vibe from them as opposed to the “I want to a win every game and a title thats why Im here vibe” .
I just dont see the chip thats needed maybe its just too much good press and a good media slap down will wake them up
But Im hoping they use the next week to get back into the groove .
SERENITY NOW !!!!!!!!
cdog
April 8th, 2010
5:26 pm
i agree 100% with capedcrusader. the players have to be the one to turn this around if they are going to go far into the playoffs.this is the pros , not high school or college.we have our so called best players out with a little thumb injury and he fails to travel with the team, wow! the coach can only put them in position, theplayers have to execute and be focused.i agree, its as though bibby ,marvin williams, pachalia and joe johnson don’t care.jamal crawford plays and acts retarded on the floor.a pro coach does not have the full power as a college or high school coach.thats why the little brainy offensive genius minded coach won’t make it with this bunch.woodson is the only coach to handle this bunch.the players on this level must decide if they want to win or go home when the playoffs start.
northcyde
April 8th, 2010
5:43 pm
O’Brien . . . if we try to use JJ as a “decoy”, and not take advantage of the fact that he’s the one guy on the squad that can take and make tough shots, this team will be dead in the water.
It was him deferring to guys like Flip, Evans, and Horford, that got us in trouble in last year’s playoffs in the first round. But when JJ was assertive, he scored 25 in Game 5 and 27 in Game 7.
On the road, our complimentary guys can’t be counted on to come through in pressure situations. JJ is going to have to assume all of that responsibility, whether it be with his shotmaking, or his passing, or his defense.
A lot of you may beg to differ, but I trust a contested 18 footer by JJ, more than I trust a wide open 18 footer by Marvin or Smoove or Joe Smith. No way I want JJ deferring to those guys, especially if JJ has it going.
That’s not to say that JJ shouldn’t pass the ball. He can still play the team game. But he’s going to have to not be afraid to take shots, especially if we’re struggling. And on the road, he has to put the team on his back.
Defer? . . . No way. He needs to come out with guns blazing. Brandon Roy isn’t going to defer, so I don’t want to see JJ deferring.
cp
April 8th, 2010
6:05 pm
Crawford is starting to play a lot like Flip from last year. Coming down and chucking up shots on consecutive possessions without even looking for a teammate. I know he is here to score but when he is cold it makes it worse.
O'Brien
April 8th, 2010
6:19 pm
northcyde,
I trust JJ to know when to defer. I would rather him pass to Horford for that (open) jumper that Horford makes, instead of JJ taking the tough contested shot.
Plus when other guys are involved in the offense, I think that translates to more energy on defense. That should not be the case, but I think it happens.
I agree though, that on the road, JJ has to carry the load, and he has to find the right mix of scoring and passing, depending on the flow of the game. And bench players tend to play better at home, but they struggle on the road.
JeJe
April 8th, 2010
6:23 pm
Fundamentals,
Read that post by 117lady (forgot the name–sorry).
The guys are tired. No other team burns out the players with minutes besides the Warriors (haven’t looked at their minutes, but I know Nellie keeps that rotation short) and the Knicks. We are a legit contender if we play the right way. We are not a 7 man rotation athletic machine like so many people want us to be.
Woodson said “I don’t give a !@#$% about the offense–it takes care of itself.” He said this TWICE to the media!!!
Grandad
April 8th, 2010
6:37 pm
DawgNole:
Now, you’ve pissed me off, with your five & dime psychology.
What I’m doin’ in the wee hours of the AM is none of your business.
How I best recreate is also without concern to you.
As my good friend ‘drmaryb’ would say: scroll on.
However I did ask what were my issues; I’m still waiting.
The young man was having a bad day, or so I thought.
I was not flinging Bible verses @ him per se, only trying to offer
encouragement. Those verses were no more than uplifting axioms.
I can handle criticism, but you, youn man, have yet to say what my issues are. Plus he was on line @ that hr., so was I.
RSVP. DawgNole
[Anthony], as I stated, had an opinion, and deserving of one as much
as myself. Quite frankly all I was saying is I can go back to when the Hawks had good teams in the mid to late 60’s. Study your Hawks
history since you did not observe it and find out how the league*
*[northern oppressors] would not allow ‘Dr.J’ to sign with us pairing him with Pistol. Try and ‘understand’ why instead of just presupposing
based on misinfomation. Check on the David Thompson / Marvin Webster draft and what all transpired behind the scenes before you jump to conclusions.
Now, my issues, I’m a right nice fella.
Have a good day.
Go Dawgs! Noles…I’ve known leonard Hamilton since the early 70’s.
Got a good story if the opportunity ever presents.
G’day.
Harpie
April 8th, 2010
7:38 pm
As a person, Mike Woodson might be ok; but as a coach – HE STINKS!
Tom4AU
April 8th, 2010
8:32 pm
Bibby and Marvin both need a new home. Can anyone else imagine what might have been with Chris Paul running this team. The lack of execution by Bibby is inexcusable! Marvin will go down in Hawks lore as another “never lived up to potential’. It is hard to believe that Knight and Woodson both thought that Williams was a better choice than Chris Paul. On that alone, they should both be gone.
kwooden1
April 8th, 2010
8:53 pm
I’m extremely disappointed in last nights game. I didn’t see the game so I can’t really comment on the flow of the game or the substitution pattern, but from what I heard on the radio and read in the blog there is plenty of blame to go around. Smoove was turning the ball over and missed key free throws. Jamal was 0-7 from the 3. I know that we have problems guarding small quick guards, but we still should have won this game.
What bothers me the most about this game is the poor finish AGAIN! I know that guys are tired because Woody still hasn’t figured out how to get the 2nd Unit consistent time in the 2nd half, but that’s a different issue. In this game the guys had a lead and but didn’t had the killer instinct to put the other team away. That attitude starts on the defensive end and should start at the guard position. The guys have to take it upon themselves to get stops to put teams away. All to often the guys rely on their offensive to bail them out of games and you can see how many times that has failed. The offensive should always start with Horford or Smoove, but those guys should never lead the team in assists. (Horford did last night) They should be drawing defenders in the paint, but passing the ball when doubled. The second pass out of the double team should be to the open shooter, not the first.
HAWKS GET YOUR MINDS RIGHT!!!
GO HAWKS!!!
kwooden1
April 8th, 2010
9:07 pm
This next game is going to be extremely tough, because Toronto is fighting for a Playoff spot. I actually hope that JJ and Bibby don’t play, because I want to see if Evans, Crawford and Teague can redeem themselves. I know that Smoove is going to play better and I suspect that he’s going to start making his free throws also. But we need to see more Joe Smith/Collins. Zaza also needs to come in games and start dominating the boards! Right now we’re talking about either playing the Heat, Bucks or Bobcats. Clearly the Bucks are the weakest, but they could beat us just like the other two can. We need to constraint getting all our guys ready for the Playoffs, (not some kind of win total) so JJ/Bibby need time to heal. I want to see the bench guys get a lot of burn and our coaches start earning their salaries and getting the guys ready to play.
GO HAWKS!!!
NUNNA YO BIZNEZZ
April 8th, 2010
9:29 pm
Northcyde said:
“I’ve been watching Woody coach enough to kind of figure out what he was thinking. When we finally started to stretch the game out, he wanted to keep those guys in there long enough to build a 12 to 15 point lead . . then take them out and play the other guys the rest of the way.”
My friend,if that was what he was truly thinking,that was the dumbest move he could have ever thought of!!
JUMPMANJUMP
April 8th, 2010
9:45 pm
Please stop it with the fire Woody stuff. Im here to read about things that are relevant to right now because its right before playoffs and lets face it, he is getting an ext. He deserves it even though I dont agree with his offensive sets, he is a good coach that has shown improvement. How you think you become a good coach? Phil Jackson and Pat Riley werent great their first few coachings gigs either….
Big Ray
April 8th, 2010
9:48 pm
Northcyde ,
I figured out why your posts weren’t coming through. It’s because you were criticizing Woody, and the system said that this must be an imposter.
No seriously….I think you’re right about JJ and how we need him to do in the playoffs. It all starts with him being healthy, though. I’d rather him miss the remainder of the regular season (and us end up a 4th seed even), than have him coming into the postseason at 75-85%. That’s how he was last season, and it got even worse in the second round.
As for his teammates not being guys that can be counted on to come through in the clutch, that’s what we needed out of Bibby (but can’t always get). Here’s the thing though: I think those days are coming to a close after a fashion. I think the guy who will become Joe’s compadre is Al Horford. He hasn’t shown it just yet, and we may or may not get that glimpse in the playoffs this time around.
But Horford has many of the tools that are needed. No, he doesn’t match up the best against all opposing big men, but he matches up quite favorably against most. He doesn’t have an unstoppable post move, or even a solidified array of post options…yet. But He can hit the 15-18 foot jumper consistently. He does good things with the ball in his hands. And he’s a decent free throw shooter. He’ll never be Tim Duncan (I have yet to see the guy who is), but he’s an all-star already, and can be a solid option in the frontcourt for years to come.
NUNNA YO BIZNEZZ
April 8th, 2010
9:51 pm
Northcyde,
i normally don’t question your thinking a lot..i might disagree and my view but,this is too far for me,lol..
if he would have subbed these guys with another attacking squad,like bibbs-sg/teague-pg/joe smith-pf/randmo-center/mario-sf-junkman..
Options would be:#1 he could have teague drive and kick off to bibbs or joe for the shot as one offense..
#2.then have both randmo and joe smith down low for pounding it in and working it out to bibbs if the pistons went small..
#3.eat time off the shot and shoot and run your offense with under 5 seconds..
My thinking is,if we’re up by 13 and that group that you mentioned got a good 6 gametime minutes of rest which may be about 10-12 minutes in real time,that would have well enough to time for them to all catch their collective breath and came back in for the last go round..
Regardless of what most might think,randmo is a decent scorer..
NUNNA YO BIZNEZZ
April 8th, 2010
10:06 pm
i know its old footage,but i bet some of this is still in this guy..
this is the randolph morris that i want to see!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXVL2PEpiTg&feature=PlayList&p=628B40B733B9F67C&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=23
O'Brien
April 8th, 2010
10:09 pm
northcyde,
If the guys on the court built up a 12 point lead, why should woody make a sub to bring Bibby (who plays no defense, and was laboring) back in?
Its not like the guys seemed tired. And Bibby was missing shots.
Woody should not have a struggling bibby back in the fourth unless the other guys were struggling.
But typical woody always goes with his vet, regardless of. Game and situation. And we have lost games because of his inability to adjust
chocochip
April 8th, 2010
10:11 pm
If the hawks hadn’t choked away these 4th quarter leads they’d handily have the 3 spot or southeast division title.
Astro hit it right on the head…..Josh makes both his free throws, hawks go home with win 50.
Grandad
April 8th, 2010
10:12 pm
JUMPMANJUMP:
If I had more than a nickel, I would wager you on Wdsn
bein’ re-signed/getting ext. whichever.
No hard feelings, just a dif. of opinion.
darrell starks
April 8th, 2010
10:18 pm
Woody have the talent he just confuse as a coach, nunna yo biznezz i like that vid, i no it’s just high school but im telling you guys when morris and howard played against each other at tech coliseum morris dominated howard down low.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 8th, 2010
10:22 pm
This off season i would like 2 see morris work with hakeem olajuwon.
GO HAWKS!!!!!
DawgNole
April 8th, 2010
10:22 pm
Grandad, it doesn’t appear you handle criticism well at all, based on your reaction to my observations. You asked for a response and I gave you one. Now you’re all “pissed off”? Then don’t ask for a response. And Anthony made it all too clear that he didn’t want to read your drivel; you should’ve dropped him then instead of persisting. Again, if you have nothing better to do at 3 a.m., then you have issues. Deal with them. As far as the Hawks’ history, you’re just like the rest of the fans I described–always making excuses. The bottom line is that the team has NEVER (during its 40-plus years in Atlanta) made it past the second round of the playoffs. That’s not “five & dime psychology”; it’s simply the way it is, and it’s unacceptable–unless you’re a loser. Making excuses for them and describing them as a “good” team doesn’t change that one iota. And it’s that very mentality–from ownership on down–that has ensured they likely will never get past the second round in our lifetimes. It’s all part of what defines professional sports in Atlanta–always has been. Now go to bed.
darrell starks
April 8th, 2010
10:26 pm
Woody just have no idea on how mismatch players 2 his advantage, the whole six year he have been coaching i have never seen woody make and adjustment 2 his advantage, he always depend on individual performance.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!
AG
April 8th, 2010
10:31 pm
Looking at the play by play, Evans played about 20 seconds in the fourth quarter – with all the minutes going to Crawford and Bibby??? Josh took about a 2 minute break..everybody else played the entire quarter. Now a couple of you saying it is not coaching? Playing back to back away games, the entire 4th quarter? I am a big Josh fan, so he has to shoot and hit that shot to get respect in the NBA.- although only two or three a game is good enough for me!
Ken Strickland
April 8th, 2010
10:36 pm
Some of the players should be held accountable for some of our problems. However, I’ll bet if we hired a HC that isn’t a stubborn bonehead that’s filled with fear and apprehension, and gives a damn about OFF, most of those player driven issues would disappear.
A competent HC would be able to:
(1) limit our dependence on ISO’s as our primary OFF weapon down the stretch,
(2) force the players who control the ball and the OFF to increase and/or maintain ball movement,
(3) get all players to step up defensively, both individually and collectively, without relying on gimmicks like the switching DEF Woody loves so dearly.
(4) prevent fatigue from factoring into the outcome of any of our gms.
It’s just plain stupid to see the Hawks consistently struggle protecting leads down the stretch, while Woodson steadfastly refuses to utilize RMorris, one of the teams biggest players and definitely our most polished and prolific inside scorer. We even see the same thing when it comes to JoSmith. This fool will play MWest first.
AG
April 8th, 2010
10:42 pm
The question that I have asked on several occasions is even though I have never seen a Hawk practice, Teague has to demolish Bibby!!! He has to get more burn. I also believe Joe Smith outplays Marvin. Woodson needs to give his players tough love. If you are not performing, sit on the bench!
Grandad
April 8th, 2010
11:52 pm
DawgNole:
I acknowledged that I asked you a question, which you still have not answered to my satisfaction.
However, You talk big young fella. Once again, what I do with my time is no business of yours.
I’m not sure if you read my entire post but I tried to end on a positive note.
This time I’ll just apologize for your father. Since he didn’t
spank your butt & teach you to respect your elders.
I do apologize for not handling your criticism as well as you would have liked. It’s that I didn’t ask for analysis [hence the 5&10 psych].
I asked: what are my issues?
If you are Anthony…then I apologize.
If not, the I don’t.
If you are sybil…Dang good job.
If you are really DawgNole, remember:
“It’s better to be pissed off than pissed on”
Now play nice.
Big Ray
April 9th, 2010
12:09 am
Games like this won’t be what Woody is judged by.
Woody will be judged heavily in the playoffs. The Hawks will have to show out better than last year, and since they’re healthier and more potent…they should.
Joe is dang good, but he won’t get better. Sign him for more money, and you better be able to afford a better supporting cast as well.
If Teague doesn’t need minutes behind Bibby, then what rookie gets minutes behind Horford/Smith? SMH…
Big Ray
April 9th, 2010
12:10 am
LOL@ Grandad…
Big Ray
April 9th, 2010
12:21 am
I keep hearing all this noise about Jarvis Varnado, so I read up on him. Long-limbed, 6′9″, roughly 230 lbs. Can’t shoot outside of 5 feet, is a shot-blocker, rebounds pretty well. Lacks strength and fluidity.
Funny. I thought we already had Solomon Jones, and let him go to Indiana.
Then we kicked Othello Hunter to the curb to sign Mario West back, so he could play 20 minutes total for the rest of the season.
Varnado. Sounds like a good opportunity. With a team in which he’ll actually see the court, that is. Call his name on draft day, then listen to Woody talk about bringing him along slowly, but needing to be ready anytime there’s 17 seconds left in a blowout.
Sorry, I’m just not optimistic about the situation…
Grandad
April 9th, 2010
12:25 am
Big Ray:
It’s past midnight.
Evidently there’s a new rule about posting after 12:00 AM.
All senior citizens have gotta put on our jammies & hit the sack.
Grandad
April 9th, 2010
12:33 am
Big Ray:
Vanardo – closer to 210 lbs. [Sherron Collins / 5-11 / wghs. 215]
6-9, tremendous wingspan.
great kid
very good comparison to ‘Solo’
probably wouldnt play much for @ least 2/3 yrs.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2010
1:08 am
Watching this Nuggets-Lakers game makes me wish the Hawks were in the West. Not saying they would definitely beat either of these teams (I realize the Lakers are minus Kobe) but I think they would match up much better with either one over a 7-game series than they will with Cleveland or Orlando. If the Hawks were in the West I really think we could feel a lot more optimistic about their ability to go deep in the playoffs.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 9th, 2010
1:10 am
I see y’all kicking around this guy Varnado’s name on the blog pretty frequently. I’ve only see Youtube highlights, but the dude is a 6′9″ rail-thin shot blocking specialist… I thought we needed size? Varnado is not going to guard Dwight Howard any better than Horford does. I’m with Big Ray. Dude seems like the poor man’s Solo to me.
For a team that will head into the draft not knowing whether their leading scorer will return, the Hawks should focus on accumulating as much talent as possible, at any position. Reaching for a guy whose ceiling is Keon Clark just to fill a need would be a terrible move.
DecentJ
April 9th, 2010
1:27 am
“We’ve got to figure it out”…….Woody let’s rephrase the response to ” I’m the head coach so I will figure it out before Friday and we won’t have that breakdown again!”….I know, wishful thinking at least LOL
STRETCH
April 9th, 2010
2:37 am
Looking at all the blown leads this team has somehow seemed to accomplish, they may not make it out of the first round.
Josh Smith(as good as he is), really needs to raise his B-ball I.Q. and hit the free throw line after practice. These guys make millions but cant make 1 free throw???!
Dont even get me started on the wasted roster spots that the big men take up. Jeez…i would have offered Motumbo some money to come back!
Blowing leads against the Suns, Golden State, Dallas, Detriot, OKC, Toronto and losing records to the Knicks (1-3), and the Heat (1-3) just shows that this team is not ready.
Woodson is stubborn when it comes to managing his players minutes. He still hasnt figured out that the more you play guys the less energy they are going to have late in games.
Theyve got some more work to do and while im still a big fan, i just dont see them making any more progress than they did last season. Time to go hard in the free agency market and drop Woody. Nice guy, but sometimes too nice, needs to learn how to coach his team to finish teams off.
northcyde
April 9th, 2010
3:52 am
Varnado will be the replacement for Joe Smith ( because he’s gone this summer ). I’d much rather have a defensive specialist at the PF position, than a wannabe jumpshooter like Joe Smith.
Shoot . . I said from the beginning of the season that I’d rather have Solo here, than Joe Smith. I pretty much knew he wouldn’t help us nearly as much as people though.
Personally, we wouldn’t need Varnado to score one bit ( only off putbacks ). Just have him be our energy guy coming off the bench. While Crawford and Teague are taking the shots, let Varnado defend and rebound . . two of the things we need most on this team.
He’s a 10 – 14 minute role player at best . . but a much better option to put into a game than Joe Smith
northcyde
April 9th, 2010
3:54 am
LOL . . I wonder what this fan base will say, if the Hawks get to the 2nd round in 5 games?
Big Ray
April 9th, 2010
4:46 am
Northcyde ,
If the Hawks get to the 2nd round in 5 games, all I have to say is “Yeaaahhhh Baby!”
As for Varnado, Solo, and Old Joe….what can I say? Solo was given away for free, allowed to walk. Apparently neither Sund nor Woodson had a problem with that. Varnado sounds like someone this team could use if the coach was willing to play him enough to let him do what he can do. It didn’t happen with Solo, didn’t happen with Hunter. Unlike the “young point guard” situation, there isn’t much I can say in Woody’s defense, unless he begged Sund to keep Solo (way I heard it, Solo wasn’t in the plans).
It’s a shame. The kid even had a nicer looking jumper than anybody else in the frontcourt (before Al developed his). I’d take another chance on another youngster like that, but only if he gets to play.
Grandad
April 9th, 2010
5:57 am
I’ve been trying to post this for several days & the blog monster has
been eatin’ it.
This is not a spoof! Since the talk tonite has been draft related.
New draft philosophy for our [1st round]
draft pick for this summer 2010: (NOT a JOKE)
It is an amalgam of stategies which I read from [2] fellow bloggers.
[given the fact we are drafting low in the 1st round]
*AJ [1st] – “the ‘niche’ player”: a player who exhibits a
specific skill that can immediately be put to use, therefore
helping the team compete for a championship.
*northcyde – reaching for said ‘niche’ player in the 1st round,
regardless of how ridiculous that pick may seem.
(making sure THAT player is not gone when we/Hawks select in 2nd rd.)
I’m now making my case for…’Brian Zoubek’ !
*[7-1; 260, & Duke definitly has a wgt. rm.]
*best offensive rebounder in the nation [by a wide margin]
*Did I say he is 7-1 ?
*excellent passer
*most fundamental Big to come from the college ranks lately
[Kevin Love don't count, 6-7 & 1/2 sans shoes]
*7-1
*He’s big & strong enough to battle D.Howard.
*Joe’s not gonna let him shoot anyway, so scoring is irrelevant.
*less expensive than ‘Cheeseburger’
*He’s 7-1
Blast Away Guys.
Marcus
April 9th, 2010
7:09 am
Like I said on many blogs last week: I am feeling Vanardo (Miss. State), Ekpe Udoh (Baylor), and Omar Samhan (St. Marys) and Scottie Reynolds (Villanova). Remains to be seen if they are on our list and available. A lot of mocks have us getting a SG, including a FR guy from Texas (forgot name).
Now, with a boatload of underclassmen declaring this week, including basically the entire 2009-2010 talent pool at Kentucky (John Wall and Demarcus Cousins were expected to jump, others not so much), a few more FR and half the talent pool at Kansas, it should be interesting to see who is available when we pick, which is expected to be the mid-20s draft slot.
terrell
April 9th, 2010
7:37 am
Might as well just lose out. Dont want no part of DWade and the refs in the 1st rd. Only problem is, with Bogut out, we’ll probably think we can just show up and win a series vs. the Bucks.
O'Brien
April 9th, 2010
7:51 am
northcyde,
I would love to see the Hawks get to the second round in 5 games. But even if it takes them 7 games, I’m okay with that too, as long as they get there (which I think they will, regardless of who they play).
For me, what I am looking for is how do we perform in the second round, because even if we win 4-0 in the first round, and then lose 4-0 in the second round, that will be a disappointing season.
Ray,
Solomon Jones was not the rebounder and shot blocker that Varnado is (although Solo has a better offensive game). But Varnado has put up great shot blocking and rebounding “nimbers’ in the SEC for the last 3 years. And rebounding and defense is what we will need mostly from him off the bench.
As far as Woody playing him, I agree with you there, because I also think Joe Smith deserved more PT this season (although his jumper was MIA for most of the year).
And be careful in your admiration for Solo and your talk about Sund letting him go for nothing. People will ask what has Solo done since he left here? And if the answer is not much, then clearly Sund and Woody know exactly what they’re doing…