Atlanta Hawks: Game Matters (Update: Hawks Clinch Third Seed)
Shaq is back just in time for the Hawks. Well, maybe. (John Kuntz / The Plain Dealer)
(Edit: The Celtics lost at Chicago Tuesday, so the Hawks clinched the third seed in the Eastern Conference. If the Heat beats New Jersey at home tonight, then the Hawks would face the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. If the Heat loses and the Bucks win at Boston tonight, then the Hawks would face the Heat. If both the Heat and Bucks lose, then the Hawks would face the Bucks.)
So Shaq is cleared to play for the first time since Feb. 25 but that doesn’t mean he will return against the Hawks. Coach Mike Brown is tempted to play LeBron James, too, but that doesn’t mean he will give in:
“They probably wouldn’t play the whole game on Wednesday, so are we going to be that much better because they played 20 minutes together?” Brown said. “Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. I keep going back and forth.”
If you’re wondering why Brown would even consider sending out either guy when the Cavs long ago clinched homecourt for eternity, the AP story sums it up nicely:
The Cavaliers have made major adjustments to their starting lineup twice this season—both spawned losing streaks. They lost their first two games of the season while working in newcomers O’Neal, (Jamario) Moon and Anthony Parker. They lost their first two with Antawn Jamison after he was acquired from Washington at the trade deadline.
Cleveland doesn’t have time for extended losing streaks in the playoffs while working O’Neal back into the rotation. The starting lineup Cleveland plans to use for the playoffs—Parker, James, Jamison, O’Neal and Mo Williams—were together for just three full games before O’Neal tore a ligament in his thumb on Feb. 25.
After the Hawks beat Milwaukee last night, Woody said he was inclined to send out his full lineup. But if the Celtics lose tonight and thus can’t catch the Hawks for the third seed, he’d have to reconsider, right? There’s the idea of taking momentum into the playoffs and also ending that nine-game losing steak to the Cavs, but the former is overrated and the latter wouldn’t mean very much if LeBron and/or Shaq doesn’t play.
Stay tuned, Hawks fans.
– I asked Mo about a DraftExpress.com Twitter post about him likely opting out of the $2.5 million he’s due on his contract next year:
“Obviously my focus right now is on the playoffs, and I’m excited about where we are headed as a team and looking forward to it. At the same time I’m excited about the possibilities of this summer. I’ve been on six different playoff teams where I’ve made an impact.”
Translation: Of course he will opt out. Why wouldn’t he? There certainly will be a market for a reasonably-priced player who might be undersized for forward but who can defend, likes to mix it up inside and has no fear of taking big shots. Mo, 31, most likely can get a longer deal on the market, if not from the Hawks.
– Ken S. sent me a link for discounted playoff tickets the other day. I never got the chance to check it out to see if it’s legit and forgot about it (sorry) but I see super commenter Najeh Davenpoop and others also have found the deal. It must be for real, so here it is.
MC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
175 comments Add your comment
rusty
April 13th, 2010
11:19 pm
joe & marvin for rose . ha ha ha ha but wait we can also throw in the woodpecker
JeJe
April 13th, 2010
11:20 pm
Haha Venom we had clinched 4 seed last yr for a while, so Woody wanted our starters to play together that last game to get some chemistry.
I don’t really care about the first rd matchup. Crawford owns anyone on the Heat when it comes down to it. He dropped 55 !@#$ing points on Wade. Do people not know this? Miami is rugged as hell and I’d much rather play Milwaukee, but we just need to rest our main guys tomorrow.
DO NOT LET JOE, BIBBY, OR CRAWFORD PLAY
N-Trigue
April 13th, 2010
11:23 pm
Woody start Teague, mario,Mo,Randolph Morris and Joe Smith
JeJe
April 13th, 2010
11:23 pm
Need Teague and RandMo to get minutes tomorrow.
We all know Woody will use 7.5-8 players in the playoffs unless someone gets 2 fouls in the first 5 seconds (starters + Craw + ZaZa + Mo = 7.5 or so), but might as well see RandMo play, even though WOody said “rotation gets smaller in playoffs but he will count on Joe Smith and Collins…”wtf?
UGA
April 13th, 2010
11:28 pm
Tomorrow: Go Heat, Go Celts.
Stat Man
April 13th, 2010
11:29 pm
All NBA games start at 8pm local time tomorrow.
League mandate to prevent any team from “scoreboard watching” to determine if/when to play players.
JeJe
April 13th, 2010
11:34 pm
FIRE WOODY
DO NOT PLAY THE STARTERS BESIDES DUCK TOMORROW
FIRE WOODY
RLP
April 13th, 2010
11:51 pm
Just for the record:
The Hawks franchise has been in the league for 60 years. During those 60 years the team has won more than 52 games in only four seasons – 67-68; 86-87; 93-94; and 96-97.
I agree with Mo that this team has some question marks because there were a number of games that the team let get away that should not have happened.If they are able to maintain their core players for next year AND if there is more growth by Al and Josh and the Rook AND if there is not a significant decline in the play of the older players then next year could be very promising.
BUT this is not the time of the year to be thinking about next year except in terms of the regular season ending. Right now we should be appreciating the fifth best regular season in 60 years of existence.
For those who don’t think this team is capable of getting beyond the second round maybe you should just quit coming to this blog and stop paying attention to the team. As for me I am hoping for lightening in a bottle and surprises equaling that achieved two years ago when no one gave the team a chance against the eventual league champion Celtics. I don’t mind as going on the record saying this team has a chance to get to the ECF’s and beyond.
northcyde
April 13th, 2010
11:59 pm
From Venom:
I remember last year Woody’s dumb self still played everybody long mns for some reason in the last game. Damn he pissed me off.
LMAO . . . you must be suffering from Alzheimer’s or took a hit of LSD or something . . because JJ, Horford, Marvin, and Bibby DIDN’T EVEN PLAY IN THE FINAL GAME. Smoove played, but he only logged 10 minutes of PT.
Your starting lineup:
Flip – Mario – Evans – Smoove – Zaza
Guys like Othello Hunter and Thomas Gardner logged 20+ minutes in that game.
Even in the game before, where JJ, Horford, Marvin, Bibby, and Smoove did play . . none of those guys played over 20 minutes that night.
HAHAHAHAHA . . . I love how people just like to blame Woody, simply to say something negative about him.
- Woody told Michael Vick to fight dogs for a hobby
- Woody guarded the door where Big Ben was assaulting that young girl
- Woody is enabling Iran to stockpile nuclear weapons material
- Woody caused the brakes on the Toyotas to fail.
LMAO . . it’s hilarious, but sad at the same time.
northcyde
April 14th, 2010
12:01 am
Now watch JeJe play it off. He believed that dude . . . hahahaha.
northcyde
April 14th, 2010
12:10 am
If we rested the starters + Crawford, here’s what we would have available:
Guards: Teague, Mario
Fowards: Evans, Joe Smith
Center: Zaza, Morris
That’s it.
So seeing that lineup, I say that Marvin should play tomorrow, and use him at either the starting or backup 3 man. We need at least 7 to go.
Starting lineup:
Teague – Mario – Evans – Joe Smith – Zaza
Marvin and Morris as the reserves. And they may have to play 20 minutes each at least.
*********
LOL . . as for the final game last year . . . even SPEEDY played in that game. And that fool was supposedly mad because Woody played the starters long minutes?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!
Clyde
April 14th, 2010
12:18 am
FIRE WOODY
doc
April 14th, 2010
12:31 am
samuel, well if you remember i said we should and could be expected to stay in the race for the number three spot in the east and you scoffed at it. good season but not special yet. woody did well but still not coy after how portland kept it together to win 50 while having the injuries it did, nor after the thunder come from 26 wins to close to 50. it wasnt all about durant and we never came close to that kind of a turn around.
just a reminder you wouldnt quite put your money on woody nor the expectation that we should make the three spot because you didnt believe. maybe next year.
overall, i am pleased for woody and his team, job well done. now be special and turn things upside down in the playoffs for good measure.
on another front i will say it loud, big ben needs to go down hard with a stiff suspension from goodell. he and his posse had to hide a girl in a bathroom and block entrance to a mens roo, and not allow friends to help the girl out. beyond shallow to the perverted and predator status in my mind. he should be tarred and feathered for such behavior. his cop buddies surely covered up everything they could once the sh!t hit the fan. goodell has it in his capacity to make it stick as i am sure he shouldnt be fooled by such shenanigans. tragic if he does as nothing else will ever be able to be dealt with. me i favor 4 to 8 games watching and the steelers sit on the sidelines during the playoffs because of their investment in him.
Big Ray
April 14th, 2010
12:32 am
It’s truly amazing what some people will use to bolster their opinion or argument. So it’s 40 or 60 years of history that determines whether the Hawks will make it out of the second round this year?
Gee, I thought maybe it would have something to do with facing one of two teams, both of which feature a superstar player and an expensive supporting cast that includes talented players in their own right. Silly me, what could I have been thinking…
Vava74 ,
Call it what you want. I give Woodson his due credit, and I stand by my statement that he has yet to actually prove that he cannot take this team any higher than he has. You know I’m not a Woody supporter by rote, and I am brave enough to change my mind about him in some areas.
I still don’t like how things run on offense. As far as defense goes, there are two gaping holes in our perimeter defense, and both of them play roughly 30 mpg. Enough said. I’m not entirely sure coaching can overcome that, but if you want, you can get your crystal ball out and tell me which coach in the hypothetical future will or would have made both Bibby and Crawford defensive dynamos. While you’re at it, consult that ball and tell me which coach we should hire after Woody is fired, who will guide us all the way to the Larry O’Brien trophy. You might want to send a note to the ASG and Sund as well. I hear their crystal balls are broken.
In the meantime, I’ll reserve my personal judgement on Woodson until the Hawks are done in this postseason. Then and only then will we have any evidence or proof that he can or can’t get a team to do better. Having a healthier, more mature squad should mean a far more competitive and dangerous team. I’d say the odds are stacked in his favor in a lot of ways. So, if he doesn’t get it done, he takes the rap.
At the same time, and while I like most of our bench, we don’t strike fear into anybody in that segment with the exception of Zaza’s head-butting and offensive rebound skills, and Crawford’s quick strike scoring. We don’t have a backup pg because the need to develop one was not made a priority. Crawford does that job (not really, but he subs in for Bibby all the same). It is what it is.
I want to see what Woody can do with a healthier, more dangerous squad. Until then, you can call it flip-flopping if you want. No skin off my back…
i_am_soulstar
April 14th, 2010
12:33 am
let Teague get 30 minutes tomorrow. Randolph Morris should get 15, go hawks!!
Big Ray
April 14th, 2010
12:34 am
Doc ,
Agreed on all of your points. Also, I see you weren’t fooled by our old pal Samuel either. Or should I call him by his abbreviated name. Heh.
josh
April 14th, 2010
1:10 am
get me some playoff tickets – you guys get em yet?!
Cali girl
April 14th, 2010
1:19 am
I think that Miami wouldn’t mind going up in the standings, so they are going to make sure they put their starters in for the #5 seed than #6. Besides they know the Hawks are much better than the Celtics, so they’d rather play someone who is aging & not playing well, they are going to want a better record than last year so they are def. going to make sure they put Wade in.
I’m going for the Heat tomorrow & a Bucks lost.
Thanks to the BULLS for their win cause its not guaranteed that we will win tomorrow & I know that the Hawks will take that game cause maybe they will feel less pressured so they won’t be too energetic! But a win vs the Cavs will be a great note to close out the season instead of a loss to a team we could match up against in the Eastern Con Finals
**good luck Hawks**
northcyde
April 14th, 2010
1:40 am
I’m like the others . . . the Cavs game is meaningless now, whether we beat them or not. They won’t treat it like a regular game, so it means little if we win or not.
Expect a preseason-like game tomorrow night. If the starters play at all, it won’t be for very long. Marvin is the only starter, in my opinion, that should log decent minutes tomorrow.
The Collins injury, and the lack of another reserve guard or forward, will force one or more of the core players to play tomorrow.
Clyde
April 14th, 2010
2:54 am
The last game of the year last year Woody put his starters back in the game with 6 minutes left.
FIRE WOODY
Najeh Davenpoop
April 14th, 2010
3:13 am
I can see the Celtics resting their starters tomorrow knowing that they have the #4 seed locked up. But I would be very, very surprised if Miami tries to intentionally get a lower seed. I can’t remember a team ever tanking to get a lower playoff seed, and more importantly, I would be licking my chops at the prospects of facing a listless, old Celtics team if I was Dwyane Wade.
Billy Knight's Ghost
April 14th, 2010
4:58 am
Derrick Rose is an example of when you ignore the talented forward with the so called upside and go with the FRANCHISE LEVEL POINT GUARD. Michael Beasley is an example of yet another #2 pick forward who isn’t the promised star that the pundits said he would be. John Paxson screwed up a lot of stuff, but he did not set the franchise backwards by miles like Billy Knight did. Enjoy Mike Bibby collapsing during the playoffs.
northcyde
April 14th, 2010
5:28 am
The last game of the year last year Woody put his starters back in the game with 6 minutes left.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=290415029
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!
O'Brien
April 14th, 2010
6:56 am
Clyde,
To make things easier for you, I’ll post the important notes from the Hawks last game of the regular season last year. This is from the link northcyde posted.
“Starters Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, Al Horford and Marvin Williams sat out for the Hawks. Josh Smith played only 10 minutes in the first quarter.”
It’s okay not to like Woody and his coaching style. But at least keep it real.
Thanks to the Bulls for making tonight’s game meaningless. That way Woody can rest his guys.
I feel bad for the Hawks fans who bought tickets for this game though, because they might not se JJ, Al, Josh or LeBron play.
I think Marvin should start tonight, and be the featured scorer whenever he is in the game. Go to him early, and often.
vava,
Woody has his faults, and I think the team underachieved. However, I am excited about winning 51 or 52 games, and I will reserve judgement on Woody until after I get a chance to see how we look in the playoffs.
We have no way of knowing for sure, so what if this team finds a way to win 2 or 3 games in the second round? Then what? However, if the Hawks lose in the first round, then Woody has to go.
Samuel
April 14th, 2010
7:03 am
Doc,
You know i’m not a betting man. Remember Ando basically tried to wager his whole farm away? Darn, i’d be rich. Maybe I did underestimate Woody a little bit. Sure OKC improved but they still don’t have a better record nor does Portland so I can’t give COY to a coach with a worst record. Injuries don’t count in the NBA which is kind of ironic since most here like to bash Woody for playing his starters too much.
Woody
Gentry
Sloan
Woody=COY
J
April 14th, 2010
7:44 am
Might want to update your article … if the Bucks win and Miami loses, the Hawks would face the Heat in the first round. If the Bucks lose and Miami wins, the Hawks would face the Bucks. If both teams win, the Hawks would still face the Bucks. Me, i’m hoping for the Bucks
J
April 14th, 2010
7:46 am
All of you have the seeding wrong .. if Miami tanks it, they will face the Hawks first round. Geez … Bucks own the tiebreaker
jr
April 14th, 2010
8:09 am
THE PROBLEM IS THE CELTICS WON THEIR DIVISON SO THAT MEANS THE HAWKS WILL BE THE 4TH SEED
Section 303
April 14th, 2010
8:13 am
Stat Man, that’s good info about the 8PM start. I didn’t know it was a league mandate. Thanks.
Looking forward to the game tonight, even though it does not mean anything. Always interesting watching guys who do not get major minutes play major minutes. Teague, in particular.
Thinking play the regulars about 10 minutes, just to get them some work. Bench takes the remaining 38 minutes. Joe and Jamal should sit, though. Another night to rest injuries will not hurt.
Ree Roe
April 14th, 2010
8:27 am
For tonight I expect a starting lineup of:
Big Ray’s BFF: Jeff Teague, Mario West, Mo Evans, Joe Smith & ZaZa.
-REEpo of Roe!!!
TigerWoods
April 14th, 2010
8:31 am
Taking a break from golfing, need to comment on Hawks and Grand daddy.
First congrats on job well earned to Hawks. Hawks EARNED the number 3 spot. Congrats to my brother Wooden. Another year. Another feather in the cap or hat?? not only more wins (AGAIN), but a better seeding than last year. EARNED….
Grand daddy, I know you are getting old and my last reply was too long for you to remember all of it (old age and all). One thing, look at Hawks, are any of the kids in trouble. Smoove could very well have been Tyler Thomas. But Wooden rode him hard. And look at Smoove now. Same for Teague. If Teague hangs in there, he will be better for it. You as old timer should relate to that, right????
I am not comparing Wooden to the Great John Thompson, or Cheney of Temple, or Nolan Richardson of Arkansas. But…. he is of the same mold of tough coach, getting the most out of their kids. Most kids, African American kids, lack discipline coming out of high school, lack father figures. They need a tough coach, who also loves them in a John Thompson. Look at Ewing, Alonzo, or Dikembe now. Who can say they do not LOVE John Thompson. Now college is a different environment, but Wooden is the same way. I relate being from mixed heritage. Wooden = Great Discipline and love.
Je Je you were doing good, and were being productive. No need to put venom out there. Otherwise you and Venom should change names. Clyde, come on man, be serious, and productive. We need all the fans now to be on same page.
i gotta start my next 18 rounds of golf to kick some a (oops sorry i can’t get Jim Nantz upset, who is Jim Nantz again???) when i play next major. Later….
Section 303
April 14th, 2010
8:34 am
Also, heard from someone who listened to 790 TheZone this morning. I guess word is that Game 1 will be on Saturday, either 5:30PM or 8:00PM. Was not confirmed. I guess the announcers just said that is “the word”. So, take it for what it’s worth.
JeJe
April 14th, 2010
8:49 am
FIRE MIKE WOODSON
DO NOT PLAY JOE, BIBBY, CRAW, OR EVEN HORFORD TONIGHT. LET DELONTE WEST BEAT US. WE MUST GET OUTTA RD 1
JeJe
April 14th, 2010
8:50 am
Why doesn’t ASG just go ahead and give Woody an extension? 50+ wins, and moved up 1 seed. That’s all Woody is probably thinking about right now
JeJe
April 14th, 2010
9:00 am
I can’t believe more people don’t call out Bibby for being overweight.
The guy does NOT use his size to his advantage at all on the court.
1) He cannot post up players a la Baron Davis. B.Diddy uses his SIZE to post up SMALLER players. Bibby doesn’t do this
2) Because he is so big, he is too slow and immobile to GUARD other players. Seriously, someone faces him up, takes one dribble, and Bibby looks like the damn Statue of Liberty after the player has taken one dribble –> !@#$ing joke
So can someone tell me why Bibby feels the need to be so big??
lewis
April 14th, 2010
9:26 am
for some reason bibby put on a little muscle instead of slimming down like older players who are slowing down should do, especially PG’s. Shaq just dropped 20 lbs for the playoffs.
Kiki
April 14th, 2010
9:28 am
Truth serum: a fill in all-star? your delusional status is now telling you that Horford was not elected by the coaches, but he was elected by Stern to fill in for an injury? dude, really, get some psychiatric help quickly!!! You have taken sports-hate to a sick level.
terrell
April 14th, 2010
9:30 am
Wonder if Woody will still take Teague out if he makes a mistake tonight? Let the kid play through his mistakes tonight Woodrow. This is a great chance to give Jeff and the rest of the bench(including Marvin) some signifigant minutes. Dont let me down Coach.
terrell
April 14th, 2010
9:35 am
And play Mario West 20 + min. so I can try to figure out why we used up a roster spot on this cat. Is he really an NBA player? Seriously. I know he hustles and gives his all and everything, but we could have Stackhouse in that Jersey for crying out loud.
terrell
April 14th, 2010
9:45 am
Miami tanks tonight, so they can face the Hawks. I see it coming. Dwade will probably sit out. He knows Boston will play better in the Playoffs, and so does everybody else. They’re getting old, so this is probably their ONE LAST STAND. And didn’t Miami go 3-1 vs the Hawks this year?
section118 row H seat 4,5
April 14th, 2010
9:50 am
My season ticket rep expects saturday monday playoff dates. Look no doubt the team’s record has improved but i in close proximity to the bench and over the last 3 years especially these guys do not have the amount of respect for Woody you would expect. They pay more attention to Jamal and Joe Smith when they are talking. There fundamentals stink at times, and trust me he his not enlightening them at all. Go Hawks!! Glad to be winning 50 not 13. Loyal season ticket holder (even with the $500 price increase) by the way IAN see you there, kick rocks
O'Brien
April 14th, 2010
10:01 am
Have you heard the reports that Paxon and Del Negro got into it in Chicago? As bad as BK and Woody were, at least they never got physical.
Benjamin
April 14th, 2010
10:05 am
Good deal, Hawks fans!
gregg
April 14th, 2010
10:19 am
Redneck Hawk fans said “Fire Woody he is a bad coach ”
Fact Check:
Hawks finshed with the 3rd seed in the eastern conf.
Hawks won 12 last home games in a row.
Hawks in playoff for the third year in a row
Hawks had lowest turnover rate in the NBA this year
Hawks won 53 games this year
Hawks have a BLACK Coach…….get over it
Section 303
April 14th, 2010
10:28 am
gregg, save your energy. To some, Woody could have an 82-0 regular season and win the title and he still would suck. It will never change.
For some reason, he is to blame for every problem the Hawks have. Although, must be good problems considering the 52 wins. Some just need to learn to enjoy this while we have it.
gwite
April 14th, 2010
10:32 am
Gregg, don’t get too carried away. They have not won 53 games, yet.
The Truth
April 14th, 2010
10:32 am
Can someone tell me when was the last time Joe Smith made that pick and pop jump shot? I mean really, the last game of the season and I am still waiting on him to find his rhythm. It is apparent that preserving him for the playoff to do lofty things for us may have been a bit overblown. To the contrary, perhaps Woody is preserving him instead to be fresh when he files for his new AARP card after postseason. Seriously though, maybe my comic jab will motivate him to at least perform to his expectation. Perhaps the spin of acquiring him is more to blame for these high expectations. Recalling the monthly drama-watch of Joe Smith during last year off-season is still fresh in my mind. As I have watched Joe Smith play during his entire career, I can’t remember a prior time when he has played so poorly. His effort is there but he has been so inconsistent it is baffling.
lewis
April 14th, 2010
10:46 am
Joe Smith still plays better defense than any big on the Hawks. Like Evans, he wasn’t given any consistent minutes. Joe Smith is never a liability in the court, what he misses in terms of youth he makes up for in knowledge and experience. It’s a shame Woody failed to figure out how to use him.
Joe Smith knows how to play big guys who Horford and Josh struggle with. He’s been in the league over twice as long as both of them combined. They could learn a thing or two about boxing out and rebounding from him….oh wait…he never plays.
lewis
April 14th, 2010
10:53 am
I like Woody but he doesn’t demand enough respect from the players. Hawks need someone to step up and be a leader quickly. I’m putting it on JJ. Lead by example.
I guarantee you most of the guys on Orlando hate the fact that Stan Van Gundy, the pain in their ass, holds them accountable for all of their actions on the court. I can also guarantee you that though they might not be best friends with the guy, they respect him.
Most teams are focused on their HC’s during timeouts. The Hawks don’t seem to give a rats a… about what Woody has to say. He doesn’t have the right mentality to be a head coach. You have to reach out to your players, somehow enable them to dig down deep and give it their all. The Hawks are physically as talented as any other team, but they’re mentally flawed.
O'Brien
April 14th, 2010
10:56 am
Truth,
Joe Smith’s jumper has been MIA. Is he out of his range, is he not fully recoverd from an injury, I dont know what the problem is. But we will need him for a few minutes here and there in the playoffs.
I too remember when we waited anxiously over the offseason, wondering when will Joe Smith sign, and thinking about how he would be such a great addition to the team. However, his impact on the court has been a letdown (in my opinion).
I expect more out of him in the playoffs though, and Woody has said he will be calling on him more. I think he will step it up in the playoffs.