Atlanta Hawks: Game Matters (Update: Hawks Clinch Third Seed)

Brian Asselstine

April 13th, 2010
5:39 pm

First??!!

Tim Tebow's Tears

April 13th, 2010
5:44 pm

Deal is legit. I bought a couple tix for first two games

UGA

April 13th, 2010
5:54 pm

MC:
If Boston wins tonight, wouldn’t it be very important to beat the Cavs to avoid Miami??
I’m also assuming Boston will beat Milwaukee tomorrow as well.

I really like Mo and wouldn’t be surprised if he left. How would a Mike Miller fit in here? Not the defender but can score.

terrell

April 13th, 2010
5:55 pm

Same ole Hawks. Can beat anyone, but can lose to anybody. And I have to agree with Mo Evans comments last night. “This team has underachieved”. I said it a while back, and the Woody lovers started that “He’s won more games every year” crap. I commend Woody for what he’s done, but I dont think he can take us to the next level. He’s maxed out imo. Hope I’m wrong. And I know, I know, he’s won more games every year. Bla bla bla!

Daniel

April 13th, 2010
5:56 pm

Thanks for the link Michael. I might have to pick up another game or two.

Daniel

April 13th, 2010
6:05 pm

UGA- I LOVE the idea of a Mike Miller here. He would be a great SF off the bench (or starter if Marvin never shows up). He has a high BBall IQ and good team guy. I was really hoping Washington was going to buy him out this year and we could have picked him up.

Terrell- I don’t think that steadily increasing the win total is “crap”. I am not saying Woody is perfect, but Woody “can’t take us to the next level”, but Stan Van Gundy or Mike Brown can?? C’mon I would take Woody over either of those guys. Unless you are Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich, Larry Brown (sorta), Doc Rivers (sorta) then you can say that about every coach. How would you feel about Jerry Sloan?

Ian

April 13th, 2010
6:16 pm

The Hawks still have a team here? I find it PATHETIC that there will be a playoff game either Saturday or Sunday and the game is not sold out. In fact they had a promotion that took 40% off of the price of some seats. How sad is that! Thank goodness we have the Braves and don’t have to deal with only this thug sport. Yes, the Braves have had issues at times selling out playoff games but at least they still had 45,000 or so. The Hawks can’t even fill up a 19,000 seat arena? Pathetic. Maybe giving tickets away or the promotion will help. Sad that the demand is so low.

terrell

April 13th, 2010
6:17 pm

Daniel, we actually had a better year last year imo, considering all the injuries. No injuries this year, the addition of Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague, and Joe Smith, Josh Smith maturing, Horford getting better, and all we can muster up is 5 more wins? Please! I stand by Mo’s comments. “This team has underachieved”. But I guess Mo doesn’t no what he’s talking about. I know how you feel about Woody, and you know how I feel. So I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

terrell

April 13th, 2010
6:19 pm

Ian’s an idiot! Thug sport? Wtf is that supposed to mean?

Section 303

April 13th, 2010
6:19 pm

Tim Tebow’s Tears, glad you will be there for the games this weekend. Philips needs to be rocking like it was the ‘08 series with the Celtics, again. Not sure I have ever been in a louder arena than those games.

Not sure where I stand on Mo Evens possibly leaving. I like him. He plays really hard. He’s tough. Guess I would rather have him than not have him, but not sure the Hawks will be willing to pay him as much as some other teams. He seems to be following the money (which I have no problem with), so there will be no loyalty to the Hawks discount, probably.

I am ready for the playoffs. Go Bulls! Would rather tomorrow night be just a formality and not a game with anything on the line.

UGA

April 13th, 2010
6:19 pm

Daniel:
Thanks for commenting.
Only other options I see at SF are Damien Wilkins, Rasual Butler, Travis Outlaw and maybe Jarvis Hayes.

I also wonder if Teague will get more PT/be improved or if we should get a Ridnour or Chris Duhon since they are Free Agents at year’s end.

I could just see this team being dangerous with Crawford and Mike Miller on the floor with Joe.

lewis

April 13th, 2010
6:22 pm

it doesn’t matter who plays for us if we can’t figure out how to use them. Guys who know their value don’t want to sit on the bench when they know they can have a bigger impact than the starters if given ample playing time. Mo Evans has proven himself on playoff teams over and over. He wants to be in a locker room where guys are more serious and consistent. (either that or he knows JJ is leaving). I for one, will miss his fearless attitude. He’s a very young 31, seems to be in great shape, and will almost definitely be valuable for several more years. That said, he’s such a pro that despite being under appreciated and under used, I have no doubt he will contribute all he has to offer in the playoffs.

Doug

April 13th, 2010
6:22 pm

Ian,

You are clearly an idiot. The Hawks have averaged more than 16,000 this year in a 19,000 seat arena.

The Braves (for the past several years) have averaged less than 30,000 in a 52,000 seat venue.

Gwinnett Fred

April 13th, 2010
6:23 pm

Folks need to quit thinking the importance of a #3 seed as the path to a weaker 1st round opponent.

The key to finish #3 is a second round opponent of Orlando instead of Cleveland! Given we beat the Magic the last game and the Celtics went 2-2 against the Cavs this year – it wouldn’t be out of the question we could be playing the Celts with HOME COURT for the East Finals!!!!

This team is good enough for fans (and them) to start thinking big picture, not 1st round opponents.

GET THE #3 SEED – YES, IT’S THAT IMPORTANT!!!!!

Section 303

April 13th, 2010
6:24 pm

Ian, I’ve been to a lot of Braves playoffs games where there were not “45,000 or so”. Remember that the ‘02 Game 5 with the Giants was not a sellout.

It is sad that demand is so low, but that is just Atlanta. I love living here and hate that the city gets ripped for low turnouts at big games. Have no problem with the Hawks trying to pack the place. Even though it undercuts season ticket holders who are paying full price (like me!).

I’m betting, depending on the weekend day, Game 1 is a sellout (thanks to walkup crowd). Doubt that Game 2 will be, though. Not on a week night, with the Bucks in town. Hope I’m wrong about that.

Ian

April 13th, 2010
6:24 pm

Oh yea Doug, then why are tickets available for this weekend? If close to 30,000 people go to 81 Braves home games, why can’t 19,000 go to 41 Hawks home games? Nice try loser.

Ian

April 13th, 2010
6:25 pm

And Doug, go ahead and Google NBA attendance this season. Check out some of the BAD teams who have much better attendance then Atlanta.

doc

April 13th, 2010
6:26 pm

terrell, not disputing you or mo; i dont think the team has underachieved but it definitely didnt exceed expectations. to win say 56 to 58 wins would have been special as they would have been in the race for division champions all along whether they won it or not. i have been saying your comments during the year that with the injury situation this year they could have maybe done better. the execution and desire was missing some during the year.

i guess if they make it to the finals then they can say it was a special year as was last year. if they dont and dont press someone to say 6 or 7 good games in the second round then good year and leave it at that.

Seattle Hawks Fan

April 13th, 2010
6:26 pm

Maybe the Cavs lay off and not try to win tonight. Wouldn’t it be in their intrest to play Boston in round 2 rather than face the athletic, deep benched Hawks? Maybe Lebron sits for most of the game along with Shaq, Jamison, and Williams. Wouldn’t them winning this game kind of hurt their overall playoff picture if they had to play the Hawks before facing Orlando in round 3?

Section 216, Row B 1-2

April 13th, 2010
6:27 pm

So Ian – how many tickets you have for Game 1???

Doug

April 13th, 2010
6:28 pm

All I know you stupid idiot (and probably racist) Ian is that the Hawks regularly sell 85-90% of the tickets in their venue, whereas the Braves regularly sell less than half of theirs.

Section 303

April 13th, 2010
6:29 pm

Ian, why are you so intent on ripping Hawks attendance? I don’t need google to know that the Braves attendance is not that great, either. What’s the point?

Bottom line…city’s best team plays in Philips arena this weekend. Don’t give a F if there are 2 people there or 20,000 people there. Can’t take that away from the Hawks. Class of this town. No debate.

Rod from College Park

April 13th, 2010
6:34 pm

Mo Evans should be the team leader. He is the only one I have heard this year who answers questions truthfully. No doubt he will opt out, as he is in the same position Chills was in. No player wants to sit on the bench, when they can bring more to the table than another guy who is starting. It hurts their value when the become free agents, and any person who is a competitor wants to start. Jamal has thrived in that situation this year, but I would be shocked if he does not change his tune next year when his deal will be up.

Ian

April 13th, 2010
6:35 pm

In the end, it does not matter. Everyone knows they can’t get past Cleveland or Orlando regardless. They get past the 2nd round, which they have NEVER done, I will be the first one on here saying I was wrong.

Section 303

April 13th, 2010
6:38 pm

Gee, Ian. That’s mighty big of you. Have fun rooting against them this weekend. And, let me know if you get any extra Braves World Series tixs.

Ian

April 13th, 2010
6:38 pm

For the record, some of the teams who have better attendance then the 3rd place in the Eastern Conference Hawks: Houston, Chicago, Portland, NY, Golden State (really?), and Oklahoma City The Hawks are 19th in attendance. Sad. The CLIPPERS are only 230 on average behind Atlanta.

Section 216, Row B 1-2

April 13th, 2010
6:39 pm

Ian – you STILL haven’t answered (or lied) about the question:

How many tickets have you bought for game 1?

If the (true) answer is zero (which I’m sure it is) – then you have ZERO legitimacy in talking about attendence figures.

Now go suck your thumb on the sofa you couch potato fair weather fan.

JeJe

April 13th, 2010
6:39 pm

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?

terrell

April 13th, 2010
6:41 pm

Agreed Rod.

JeJe

April 13th, 2010
6:42 pm

Can someone please explain why Woody sticks with the SAME starting lineup for 3 years? If Bibby and Marvin suck, WHY are they not BENCHED for other players to START the game? Bibby had his 13 early points yesterday — what’d he accomplish after the 1st quarter? Woodson is such a damn idiot. God. I won’t even get into how bad Marvin is

Greg

April 13th, 2010
6:42 pm

Seattle Hawks Fan, it’s just the opposite. If the Celtics beat the Bulls tonight, the Cavs will try very hard to beat the Hawks tomorrow night so they can play the Hawks in round 2(making the big, probably incorrect, assumption that the Hawks would beat the Heat in round 1. The Celtics are getting older, but they have the same nucleus that won a title a couple of years back and the experience and confidence to compete with anybody when it’s playoff time. By contrast, the Hawks don’t believe in themselves enough not to lose 6 straight road games versus mostly mediocre competition as we came down the stretch of this season….and they’ve won only one playoff series in 6 seasons withDeadWood at the helm.

Gwinnett Fred

April 13th, 2010
6:44 pm

Ian, let’s look at your list:

Houston – no hockey team to compete with
Chicago – last census had SIX times the population of Atlanta
Portland – exactly what is there to do in Portland besides the Blazers?
New York – last census had SEVENTEEN times the population of Atlanta
Golden Sate – no hickey team and SF TWICE the population of Atlanta
OK City – no hockey team (or anything else for that matter)

So your comparisons are pretty lame. Just like you appear to be.

JeJe

April 13th, 2010
6:53 pm

JJ said last year we thought we could beat Cleveland in a series rather than “believed” we could beat them in a series. What has happened since then? We’re 0-3 vs. Cleveland.

Woody better hope for the 3 seed, so we can win 2 games max vs. Orlando and he’ll get his !@#damn extension he doesn’t deserve

Woody

April 13th, 2010
7:01 pm

MJ called me about coaching the Bobcats……..If Joe leaves hmmmmm Im OUT!!!!

cdog

April 13th, 2010
7:02 pm

the hawks need o ready some ofthe bench players like randolph morris and collins for the playoffs.if the bulls beat the celtics tonight i would give these young men along with teague and mario west plenty time agains the cavaliers in the final game.hpoefully, rick sund will seriously look at adding a quality center after the season is over but first things first. the hawks need to come out and play tenacious defense in the playoffs.this year joe johnson can’t go into the playoffs talking about how tired he is.the games he fail to show up in this season should have given him enough rest for him to be wide open in the playoffs.josh smith is going to be the keys along with al horford and bibby.overall the hawks has a great chance to get to the conference and then who knows what can happen then.

Big Ray

April 13th, 2010
7:16 pm

Yes, the third seed is important.

Cleveland is posturing. One regular season game is not going to change how well Shaq and others are worked back into the rotation. If Mike Brown can’t figure that out, then he is three times the idiot that many think Mike Woodson is. At least Mike Woodson can make up his mind. Mike Brown should take notes from Stan Van Gundy’s idiot move to put Jameer Nelson back into the starting lineup last season, late in the playoffs, when it was Rafer Alston they were winning with. Nelson stunk it up, and the Lakers won it all.

Having to depend on Boston to lose one of their last two games is partially the result of the Hawks not winning some of the games they should have won earlier in the season, back when “losing focus” was en vogue. In this way, the team has underachieved.

On the other hand, having a healthier team, the maturation of Smith, and adding a more potent scorer does NOT guarantee that your team will win 8-10 more games the next season. The new player has to gel with the old guys, and when said player is getting around 30 mpg, that’s a big change. The coaching has been roughly the same (though I’d say better in some areas) as before. Marvin has regressed, and that hurt. The defense has gotten worse. Other teams have gotten better, and have proven it by not getting beat by our superior athleticisim alone. In other words, failure to execute, which happened much the same way it did last year, has cost us this year in what should have been simple wins, particularly on the road. Hence the remark above about underachieving. Took the team a while to “get it”, and that cost a few wins. Winning 55 games would have been more on the mark in my opinion, but it’s just my opinion. There were a lot of 4th quarter meltdowns and the reasons/excuses/whatever are always debatable.

Saying that Woody cannot take us to the next level is an attempt to predict the future, and I mean that exactly the way I said it. Woody has yet to be given the chance to prove that he can or cannot “take us to the next level.” Two main things have to be considered before making such a proclamation. One, do we truly have the personnel it takes to compete at the highest level, or do we need an upgrade here and there?

Two, how many tries at getting out of the second round should a coach get before he gets the heave-ho? In judging this, must we not take into consideration things such as injuries? If that is the case (and I believe it is), then we can discount last year to an extent, as this team was not nearly healthy enough to compete in the second round, and didn’t have the personnel either (again, just my opinion). This time, the personnel are better/upgraded, but is it truly enough to compete with Orlando or Cleveland in a 7 round series?

Those of you who have been around for a while know that I don’t have a gushing/glowing opinion of Woodson, but he does deserve more credit than we are often willing to give. Fair is fair, right is right. I am no more inclined to believe that Woodson cannot get us to “the next level” than I am inclined to believe that he CAN do it. I just don’t know, and don’t think it can be judged until we are certain the group of players we have is capable, and/or until Woodson has had the opportunity to prove himself in this category.

Our first trip to the playoffs ended in a first round knockout in game 7. Our second trip ended with us having won the first round in game 7, then swept in the second round. That is natural progression. Woody’s first true proving ground in this next level will be this year. After this postseason is over, we’ll probably have a better gauge of what he is truly capable of.

Or….I could be dead wrong about all of it. Wouldn’t be the first time, won’t be the last….

Big Ray

April 13th, 2010
7:20 pm

JeJe ,

An extension is not a promise of employment until the contract is up. And extension is “You get to keep your job until it’s decided that you cannot do what we want you to do.”

Woody could get extended this offseason, then fired in the middle of next season. Seen it happen before. He deserves an extension, unless management is absolutely sure they have a better candidate waiting in the wings. But does he deserve to work through the entirety of the extended contract (assuming he gets one)? That is yet to be determined.

The idea is to keep someone around who won’t make the team worse , if nothing else. Unless you can get (and are willing to pay for) somebody that you are darn sure will be better, then you stick with the devil you know. Right now, I have no good ideas on a replacement.

Do you? I’d be curious to hear, at the least.

Big Ray

April 13th, 2010
7:22 pm

cdog ,

Collins is gone for the season (injury) and Morris won’t likely see the floor in the playoffs unless at least two or three of our power forwards/centers are injured. Seriously. Woody will play Marvin at the 4 and play JJ 48 mpg before you see Morris.

Jeff

April 13th, 2010
7:26 pm

I hope they can hang on to the 3rd seed, but I don’t think it really matters at the end of the day. Does anyone remember 1994 when they were the NUMBER ONE seed and then lost in the semis to Indiana (Rick Smits, Reggie Miller, Detlef Shremph and company?). I mean we had the NUMBER ONE seed and STILL couldn’t get out of the second round. Although that was the same year they traded ‘Nique for Manning…huge mistake.

Then there was 1988 when they came within a game of beating the Celtics in Game 7 in that memorable Dominique VS Bird classic…once again in the second round. Bottom line is this is the same ol’ Hawks. I just can’t see them getting past the 2nd round at this point. The Magic and Cavs are just better and have had their number. They need another dominant post player to add to the mix and then they might be viable contenders. Until that happens, I think the best they can hope for is the Conference Semis.

Grandad

April 13th, 2010
7:36 pm

Thug is a legitimate word but the way [*'Ian'*]
uses it makes it sound racist.
Now if used in conjunction with a certain “Big Orange” University;
located just north of us then, it’s okay.
However, Ian, you insulted my sport. That was rude.
I don’t tolerate rude behavior.
I guess I sorta’ insulted ‘The Big Orange people’.
I was just joshin’.
I suspect Ian, was serious.

Grandad

April 13th, 2010
7:38 pm

*Okay to say thug, not to be racist. sorry!

O'Brien

April 13th, 2010
7:45 pm

I dont think Woody underachieved. I think the team (players and coaches combined) all underachieved together.

Although I blame Woody for not using Bibby more effectively, it is not Woody’s fault that Bibby has regressed. Although there MIGHT be things that Woody can do to help Marvin, its not Woody’s fault that Marvin has regressed.

Although the switching gets abused sometimes, and Woody fails to adjust, sometimes, the players dont give the effort and focus needed, and thats not Woody’s fault. So it would be unfair to put it all on Woody.

I would be surprised if Mo does not opt out. If JJ goes somewhere else, then Hawks might give Mo a bigger and/or longer contract to be the backup SG (behind Crawford).

If JJ resigns with the Hawks, then Mo might get a bigger and/or longer contract to play backup SG somewhere else. The guy is a winner. Started at SG for the division champs Orlando Magic 3 seasons ago, and for the past 2 seasons, has been an important cog on the Hawks, despite playing out of position this year.

And I’ll be happy for him. But I hope he stays with the Hawks, I hope JJ stays with the Hawks, and I hope we bring Chills back. And although I like Teague, I love the Hawks, so if there is a more solid PG that we can bring in to help the team out, then I am okay with that.

If Boston loses tonight, I think Woody should play his starters tomorrow, but only for 20 minutes or so in the first half.

Ray,

We might need RandMo when we play the Magic (assuming we get the third seed), because Al and ZaZa will get a lot of fouls called on them.

sam'l

April 13th, 2010
7:55 pm

I now post serious blogs just before I know they’re going to be erased……..I can say what I want to and no one knows about it….so I don’t get stabbed in the back.

It looks like Chicago needs this game against the Celtics tonight. The Raptors have better division wins…if I’ve figured this out,tie goes to the Raptors.

I think Chicago may put up a really good game tonight. I think they’ll win.

Have the Champagne ready…..or at least the popcorn. .

Second point……No one in their right mind wants any NBA player to get injured (except I thought Woody should have punched Kidd). Anyway, clarification, I don’t want anybody to get hurt,

However, these supposed shoo-ins Cleveland and Orlando are in the same boat as everyone else…..they are one turn of an ankle away from going home. I think if the Hawks play to the best of their ability and never give up (a la the Phoenix and San Antonio victories) good things will happen for them.

Don’t the Atlanta Hawks after half a century of futility deserve a few lucky breaks? (And no, I’m not hoping Lebron or Dwayne or Howard get injured…I’m just saying the Hawks got a chance for many reasons).

sam'l

April 13th, 2010
8:02 pm

Enter your comments here

sam'l

April 13th, 2010
8:07 pm

Mo Evans has played well in the past…..He’s playing well in the present. Why would we let him leave ? Give him Mo’ money if he wants it. Hey I’d take Flip Murray back too…and Chills. Pack the bench.

lewis

April 13th, 2010
8:18 pm

glad to hear that I’m not the only one who feels this way about Mo

BravesFan79

April 13th, 2010
8:21 pm

Daniel: “Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich, Larry Brown (sorta), Doc Rivers (sorta) then you can say that about every coach. How would you feel about Jerry Sloan”

Wow… did you really put Woody/Doc in the same greatness category as Larry Brown and Jerry Sloan!?? Are u KIDDING ME!?? Larry Brown and Jerry Sloan are the top 2 coaches in the NBA… hands down! Give those 2 coaches the same talent that Phil and Greg have had, and they would have won just as many titles.
The Jazz of the mid/late 90’s would dominate this years crop of Western playoff foes… i have great memories of them sweeping the Lakers with Shaq/Kobe, and making their way to the Finals where they met Jordan. If Jordan didnt get every call, the Jazz would of won one.

VenomSpitter

April 13th, 2010
8:27 pm

come on bulls

BravesFan79

April 13th, 2010
8:31 pm

Our best shot is if Boston takes out the Cavs in the 2nd round, and we beat the Magic, then beat the Celtics…. then were in the NBA Finals! Hey.. its possible.

lewis

April 13th, 2010
8:32 pm

d rose looks good early

Cannon

April 13th, 2010
8:38 pm

FYI Just realized that the Bull-Celtics game is on TNT tonight. Boston is up 14-13 late in the 1st. GO BULLS!!!

BravesFan79

April 13th, 2010
8:40 pm

Gwinnete Fred: Metro Atlanta has over 6 Million people!
So your saying that Chicago has 36 Million people? And SF has over 12 million people? And according to you…. New York City has 102 Million people in it! Wow… you must be a math genious! Are you a product of the Clayton county school system by chance? lol

vava74

April 13th, 2010
8:53 pm

Incredible how sentimental my fellow bloggers are… And what reaching 50 wins makes to the minds of people… Ray, OB, you are flip flopping!

We clearly underachieved! Yes 51 or 52 wins is pretty cool and Woody also has his share of te laurels, but he is the single most important reason preventing us from winning 57 / 60 games this season, probably the last with JJ in our ranks making it a particularly important season since it smells like our best oportunity at making a splash (reaching the ECF) for at least 2/3 years.

Najeh Davenpoop

April 13th, 2010
9:02 pm

The Hawks won’t realize Mo Evans’ value until they let him leave. You can never have enough savvy veterans who are always in the right place at the right time. I don’t know how much he would command on the open market, but if they can give Marvin $7.5 million per year, they should do everything they can to find enough room to keep Mo. Easier said than done, with Joe’s contract situation, but the Hawks should try as hard as they can.

bigdave

April 13th, 2010
9:09 pm

Steve James
No Crossover:
The Trial of Allen Iverson

quality television…

Blast

April 13th, 2010
9:11 pm

Loving Bulls energy vs Celtics tonight. Bulls REALLY want to make the playoffs. Hope they do. No one wants to see banged up Toronto get swept by Cleveland. Then I do not want to face Heat in the first round, so I’m rooting for Bulls like never since the days of Air Jordan and Lord Scottie.

Najeh Davenpoop

April 13th, 2010
9:23 pm

By the way, my previous post is not a suggestion that the Hawks should pay Mo $7.5 million per year, for those who choose to read it that way. I’m just saying they should do everything in their power to keep him around.

Najeh Davenpoop

April 13th, 2010
9:25 pm

This Celtics-Bulls game is just as entertaining and back-and-forth as their series last year. Hope the Bulls can pull it out. As much as I’d love to see the Hawks close the regular season with a win, this is still the Hawks’ best chance at securing the #3 seed.

Najeh Davenpoop

April 13th, 2010
9:26 pm

Thank you Charles Barkley. For the FIRST TIME THIS YEAR, someone is calling out this Celtics team for what it is — a washed-up pretender. The sports media is always slow to react to changes, and that has never been more apparent than in the coverage of the Celtics this year.

Blast

April 13th, 2010
9:44 pm

Bulls need a timeout to regroup.

N-Trigue

April 13th, 2010
9:44 pm

If Mo is gonna leave we need to try and make a deal for Rudy Gaye he’s in his last year I would try to trade Mo and Marvin and maybe draft pick for Rudy! We would be unstoppable Teague, Joe Johnson, Rudy, Josh, and Al for the starters that’s the would be the most athletic lineup in the league. Any thoughts MC?

DawgNole

April 13th, 2010
9:48 pm

Jeff’s right. NEVER past the second round in 40-plus years in Atlanta. Don’t see it happening this year either, although the team has promise and some talent. It’s the losing mentality that has permeated the city’s major pro sports teams for almost half a century. One championship (’95 Braves) in all those years. Will 2010 be different? Not a chance with Orlando and Cleveland around.

O'Brien

April 13th, 2010
9:53 pm

Najeh,

If resigning Evans becomes a money problem for the hawks, then that would mean even bigger issues for resigning Chills.

As for calling out the Celtics for the pretender they are, its not just media. Woody and hawks players have hyped them up too, talking about how these guys were champs 2 years ago.

The Celtics are old and injured. And that’s a tough combination to overcome. Yes, they are very experienced, but experience alone is not enough.

JeJe

April 13th, 2010
10:00 pm

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?..

Hawks vs the Waiting Game

April 13th, 2010
10:08 pm

Chicago only down a point as the third qtr closes out

Najeh Davenpoop

April 13th, 2010
10:16 pm

LOL @ Rasheed Wallace putting it in his own basket. I wonder if he has some money riding on this game. Never seen an own basket that blatant before, not even in a pickup game.

northcyde

April 13th, 2010
10:39 pm

No matter what people say JJ will be worth, there is NO WAY IN HELL that the Hawks can let Chicago get their hands on JJ.

You team JJ up with Rose and Noah, and they instantly become a top 3 team in the East . . surpassing both us and Boston.

I could also see Chicago possibly making a play for Marcus Camby to pair with Noah on the frontcourt ( if they can’t get a Wade or Bosh . . and opt to go after JJ + a post player ).

Rose looked like a 8 year vet tonight.

Hawks vs the Waiting Game

April 13th, 2010
10:43 pm

boston within 6 with about a min and a half left

VenomSpitter

April 13th, 2010
10:43 pm

Rose is a beast

Najeh Davenpoop

April 13th, 2010
10:43 pm

Derrick Rose is the man. Chicago has played a great game. Hope they can close it out.

Hawks vs the Waiting Game

April 13th, 2010
10:46 pm

nice, timely 3 for Chicago

Nique's Revenge

April 13th, 2010
10:48 pm

how can we get rose in a hawks uni?

Cannon

April 13th, 2010
10:49 pm

@Nique’s Revenge haha keep dreaming

Hawks vs the Waiting Game

April 13th, 2010
10:50 pm

7 point lead with 43 seconds left!

Nique's Revenge

April 13th, 2010
10:50 pm

and hinrich too please

VenomSpitter

April 13th, 2010
10:50 pm

yea the bulls wouldn’t trade Rose for anyone on the Hawks

Hawks vs the Waiting Game

April 13th, 2010
10:52 pm

and that should be game, hawks get the 3rd!

Cannon

April 13th, 2010
10:52 pm

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to OUR Atlanta Hawks #3 in the eastern conference!

VenomSpitter

April 13th, 2010
10:53 pm

Yes

Nique's Revenge

April 13th, 2010
10:53 pm

GRATZ HAWKS!!!!!!!!!

Najeh Davenpoop

April 13th, 2010
10:54 pm

Thank you Chicago!

Hawks can comfortably rest their starters tomorrow. Let Joe, Josh and Al get some much-deserved rest before the playoffs begin. As long as New Jersey doesn’t screw things up by winning tomorrow, the Hawks-Bucks 3-6 matchup is secure. Can’t wait for the playoffs.

mark

April 13th, 2010
10:54 pm

3 Seed!!!!!!

Melvin

April 13th, 2010
10:55 pm

Thank you Bulls…. Hawks have the #3 seed…

Freshmaker

April 13th, 2010
10:57 pm

Whew! Now we can rest JJ and Bibby and get healthy.

Cannon

April 13th, 2010
10:59 pm

Really hoping Miami doesn’t throw the game. If they lose to New Jersey at home then we all know something fishy is going on.

UGA

April 13th, 2010
11:00 pm

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only problem: Boston will rest players, Miami will rest Wade. Bucks could win, Heat could lose, then…………..

JeJe

April 13th, 2010
11:01 pm

DO NOT PLAY THE STARTERS TOMORROW. WE WILL NOT LOSE TO MIL RD 1.

REST EVERY DAMN STARTER. DO NOT LET BIBBY PLAY. REST HIM. DO NOT LET JOE OR CRAW PLAY

REST THE DAMN STARTERS AND LET TEAGUE PLAY 30 MINUTES DAMNIT

Gilley

April 13th, 2010
11:03 pm

Well we have the 3rd seed after all.

northcyde

April 13th, 2010
11:05 pm

Here’s the deal:

Now that Boston has no shot at the 3rd seed, they will completely lay down tomorrow night in Milwaukee. Doc will probably rest the vast majority of his starters, or play them very limited minutes.

Which will mean that Miami will control their destiny.

- Do they go ahead and beat Jersey to keep their winning ways going . . and face “the old guys” in a 4 vs 5 matchup?

- Or do they rest Wade ( which will be the first signal of them tanking the game ), lose the game, and play the Hawks in the 3 vs 6 matchup?

If you see Wade in street clothes tomorrow night, then you’ll know what’s up.

Stat Man

April 13th, 2010
11:06 pm

1- I agree with the Miami lay down conspiracy theory. They lose and their path is ATL then Orlando. They win and it’s Boston & Cleveland in the first 2 series. I think I need to get to Vegas and lay something down on the Nets plus the 15 or so they will be getting.

2- Way to go BULLS!!!!!!!!!!

3- Someone needs to slap some sense into Rondo. What kind of a message was he trying to send wearing his headband upside down all game. What a punk.

4- Can’t wait for tomorrow night. Always wanted to see what Teague could do with 44 minutes of playing time!!!

VenomSpitter

April 13th, 2010
11:07 pm

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.

Wabe

April 13th, 2010
11:07 pm

Pretty crazy to have locked up the 3-seed.

We should get the Bucks in the 1st round, which is by far the better matchup for the Hawks considering Miami’s 3 wins against us this season. Also, we just beat a Bogut-less Bucks team on their home floor yesterday minus Jamal. This should be a good 1st round draw for our Hawks.

Wabe

April 13th, 2010
11:09 pm

Hopefully we get the Bucks.

Stat Man

April 13th, 2010
11:09 pm

Of course everybody is wondering if Miami lays down tomorrow night. Exactly what desire does Milwaukee have to win? You think they’d rather play BOS & CLE in first 2 rounds than ATL & ORL – I doubt it.

J.J.M.

April 13th, 2010
11:10 pm

bobcats will upset the magic. I thnk jordan will prepare them well. He will give them some kind of heroic speech and flash his championship rings around…that will motivate them lol

JeJe

April 13th, 2010
11:10 pm

DO NOT PLAY JOE, CRAW, OR BIBBY TOMORROW. NOT EVEN FOR 20 MINUTES. WE COULD BE PLAYING ON SATURDAY. THAT IS VERY CLOSE TO NOW. REST YOUR BIG GUNS. LET TEAGUE PLAY EVERY DAMN MINUTE IF U HAVE TO

Nique's Revenge

April 13th, 2010
11:13 pm

just put in the whole bench the whole game tmw

Stat Man

April 13th, 2010
11:13 pm

I say the only starter going tomorrow should be Williams. He’s healthy and probably more expendable than Evans should one get hurt.

Teague for 40 minutes sounds right. NO WAY does Crawford play at all.

It might me OK to let the starters tip it off to allow them to come out one by one to a standing ovation though – figuring since it is the Cavs in town, the game will be sold out or close to a sell out.

Section 303

April 13th, 2010
11:16 pm

Get to watch some basketball tomorrow night that means nothing! Excellent! Big thanks to the Bulls!

UGA

April 13th, 2010
11:17 pm

Is the Hawks game at 7 or 8 tomorrow?

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.

Atlsouthside

April 14th, 2010
11:03 am

The starting line-up for CAvs game should be:

PG – JT
SG – Mo Evans
SF – Marv Williams
PF – Joe Smith
C – Zaza

Woody would be a plum fool to play Joe, Josh, Crawford, or Horford tonight

Atlsouthside

April 14th, 2010
11:05 am

Joe Smith’s game is tight… but he missed a huge amount of time and he’s older… but i’ve seen flashes that have impress me… his jumper is still there, and he has good lateral movement…. he’s like Zaza but with range…. and better handles

ChuckWDawg

April 14th, 2010
11:16 am

The Hawks have clinched third. The Hawks have clinched third. The Hawks have clinched third. Boston can’t catch the Hawks regardless of tonights outcomes. In terms of the standings tonight’s Hawk- Cavs game is meaningless. What Woodson does with the line-up is a judgement call. If he want to rest his starters and risk losing the game it has no bearing on playoff position. For the last three days I’ve heard radio and read print that constantly misinforms the status of the Hawks current playoff positon relative to Boston. It was finally settled when Boston lost last night. THE HAWKS HAVE CLINCHED THIRD.

Section 303

April 14th, 2010
11:20 am

lewis, I see the guys during timeouts and it is really no different than any other team. In fact, I would say the Hawks huddle is way more focused than most. Most coaches have to spend a timeout talking to the their staff and then, by the time they are in the huddle, they have 5-seconds to speak. Woody wastes no time. He gets right into it and, despite what you say, the players are focused on what is being said.

Can’t even count how many times watching at Philips or on TV I have seen players stay behind to clarify what Woody had said. Hardly an example that players do not listen to him.

JeJe

April 14th, 2010
11:47 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. ”

Yeah, since this has a great chance of happening. Thanks, Nosebleed fan!

Section 303

April 14th, 2010
11:58 am

JeJe, ever get the feeling no one listens to you?

doc

April 14th, 2010
12:12 pm

samuel you are a stand up guy. i know you dont bet so the “money” comment was a figure of speech. again congrats to coach and players on their accomplishments. i hope they continue with their success.

darrell starks

April 14th, 2010
12:12 pm

STARTING LINE UP
BIBBY, MOE, MARVIN, JOE SMITH, ZAZA,
BENCH TEAGUE, WEST, MORRIS, COLLINS
STREET CLOTHES JOE, JAMAL, JOSH, HORFORD.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!

Rod from College Park

April 14th, 2010
12:19 pm

terrell,

I agree. If I am Miami, I am losing this game. I would want to play the Hawks in the first round. Especially knowing that Woodson won’t double team Wade.

JeJe

April 14th, 2010
12:24 pm

Section 303,

Not really. I’ll see you from my lower level seats in the playoffs. Maybe I’ll let you sit with my crew for a few minutes…If you’re lucky

GeeMack

April 14th, 2010
12:34 pm

Atlsouthside

Why would he be a plum fool?

You act like the Hawk are gearing up for a championship run.

As a Hawks fan you should already know how this song ends….Second round and out.

They will have more than enough time to rest in the offseason.

Section 303

April 14th, 2010
12:35 pm

JeJe, you really have a crew? God help us all.

jerrywest

April 14th, 2010
12:41 pm

We need to lose tonight

If we lose we have the 23rd pick. (We have 52 wins)
If we win we could have the 26th pick. (3 teams in the West have 53 wins)

No reason to exhaust Josh’s groin, JJ’s legs, Bibby’s body, Craw’s toes, Zaza’s old hip.

Kiki

April 14th, 2010
1:04 pm

Truth-Serum:

Just because you don’t see my name often it means that i am a regular blogger assuming another identity (as you usually do). I have read this blog for years, but i post very little.

Remember that the reserve positions are picked by the league coaches to add some equilibrium to the elections of the players (the fans put Iverson in the starting 5!!). If Shaq was not available because of injury, how can you explain that he WAS playing on thursday 2/11, 3 days before the ASG? He WAS available at the time of the selection, and, if elected, he WAS going to play, but the guys who know more about this game than you and I saw that the undersized-center of the Hawks was the best choice for the back-up center position and they selected him right away.

About the defense presence in the post, guess what: Hawks play SWITCHING DEFENSE!! Horford is not the one to blame when he is forced out the post to the top of the key and end up one-on-one against a PG or SG (remember Horford vs Nash against Phoenix). Don’t you think, maybe, that Woody is trying to cover up for Bibby’s liability on defense instead? If Hawks play zone or one-on-one more often, you would see different results (more rebounds, more block shots, less PG penetration in the middle). Back in college, Horford was known because of his defense and his rebounding skills, not his mechanic offense. At this level, he is recognized because of the same as well.

I agree with you in that the man is NOT a center, and the Hawks need one. But you have to realize that the kid is soooo good that, even that he is out of position, he has exceeded the expectations and has established himself among the top centers in the league, like it or not. But i guess it requires a certain level of objectivity to see this facts, and obviously you are not in this matter.

Kiki

April 14th, 2010
1:07 pm

JeJe: that was not me.

BA

April 14th, 2010
1:14 pm

” I said it a while back, and the Woody lovers started that “He’s won more games every year” crap. I commend Woody for what he’s done, but I dont think he can take us to the next level. He’s maxed out imo. Hope I’m wrong. And I know, I know, he’s won more games every year. Bla bla”

Since so many of you follow this kind of logic, explain to me exactly what you want from this team other than steady improvement every year in the win column. Remember when the used to advertise “come to the Hawks game- watch them play Kobe! D-Wade!”?

This is the same s*&^ that you see on the Braves blog about Cox- you don’t like Woodson’s smile, or (like me) maybe your sick of his attitude with the officiators everynight, or maybe he looks like your mean old dad and that’s why you hate him.

But the Hawks win games. Can they win it all? Doesn’t seem likely even this year with the Lakers and their twin towers or the Magic and Howard or LeBron standing in the way. But can you honestly say that they aren’t a hell of a lot closer now than they were before Woodson?

phar71

April 14th, 2010
1:32 pm

Announced on ESPN.com that the Cavs will sit LBJ and Shaq, hopefully woody will follow. Lets go Heat

Terrell

April 14th, 2010
1:47 pm

I think Mo should be the team leader as well but you can only do so much coming off the bench where people will actually listen to you, and on top of that have you heard him talk? Sound’s like Mike Tyson.

On terrell, now you know “thug” is the new word to describe us black people. In Ian’s sport they don’t have “thugs” playing because the MLB is just like the PGA they really don’t want anybody different unless they become a “Yes” man.

kwooden1

April 14th, 2010
2:04 pm

Rod from College Park I hear what your saying but you can’t say that Miami would rather play us. The Celtics aren’t playing well and the Celtics don’t play a fast pace. The games we lost against Miami were on back to backs, when we didn’t have legs to run. When we run and hit our shots Miami doesn’t even have a chance to win, they don’t have enough scorers. Hopefully we’ve solved a lot of the 4th quarter execution problems, but if not Miami could look to that. But wouldn’t Miami, like to play a team that plays at their pace? I’m not sure any team wants to play Atlanta, because no one has seen Crawford in the Playoffs!

GO HAWKS!!!!!!

terrell

April 14th, 2010
2:09 pm

Lets see Josh 6 years + Horford 3 years times 2 = 18 years. Lewis, Joe Smith hasn’t been in the league for 18 years. Only 15. lol!

theZaZaguy

April 14th, 2010
2:10 pm

So the hawks are allowing season ticket holders to buy upper level seats for $10. Anyone else take advantage of this offer?

Rod from College Park

April 14th, 2010
2:31 pm

kwooden1,

Can’t say that I agree with you, but you are entitled to your opinion. I think Miami would much rather play us than Boston. I think they will give either team problems in the first round. I also think Charlotte will give Orlando hell, if not win the series.

T.C

April 14th, 2010
3:13 pm

Ian,why would you call the NBA a thug sport? And you mention thank GOD for baseball,you mean the sorry braves? baseball is full of surprises like 110 players on steroids and they only exposed 7 players out of 110.Technically baseball is a fake juiced up sport full of players who admit they used steroids after retirement stealing all the fans money to watch steroids instead of talent perform.

Grandad

April 14th, 2010
3:16 pm

Tiger Woods:
[Jim Nantz on WFAN NY speaking about Tiger Wood's course language]

If I said what he said on the air, I would be fired.
I read in the USA Today and it was called “mild language.”
“How about the father and son who are standing right there by the tee? How about the hundreds of people who are around that tee who hear that? How about the hundreds of letters I’ve gotten through the years from people who have been outraged at the language they’ve heard there and have written me and said, ‘Why don’t you guys ever say something about that?”
He also said that there are people watching the telecast that shouldn’t be subjected to such profanities.
What are the parameters between what’s right or wrong?
He [Nantz] mentioned that he doesn’t speak perfectly.
But when the red light is on, he has things he cannot say.

Kiki

April 14th, 2010
4:22 pm

TS:

Shaq was able to play, and he wanted to. If you want to denied that fact, is your issue. The undersized center has outperformed almost all centers in the league, including the man the press wanted to go to the ASG: David Lee.

Why don’t you do this exercise: next time the Hawks play, grab a pen and write where is Horford in every defensive posession (top of the key, paint, perimeter), who is he guarding, and what happened. Although, i have realized that no matter what you won’t slow down your attacks even if the Hawks pull an upset in the playoffs.

Josh is playing PF because he can’t play SF. If he had the ability to guard the SF position i am sure Woody would had him at the 3, Horford at 4 and Zaza at 5. But of course, If it were your call, Horford would be coming from the bench right? incredible. It’s worthless to keep discussing this topic with you.

Atlanta Hawks: Game Matters (Update: Hawks Clinch Third Seed)

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Atlanta Hawks: Game Matters (Update: Hawks Clinch Third Seed)

175 comments Add your comment

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About Atlanta Hawks

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