Atlanta Hawks Squawks Game 5: Bucks 91, Hawks 87
Woody didn't help his case in Game 5.
– So it’s come to this for the Hawks: Woody invoking his days in Detroit, when the Pistons won a Game 6 at New Jersey and then clinched the series at home in the East semifinals. “We’re a long ways away from Detroit, I know,” he said. “But that’s how guys have got to think.”
– They can think it, and maybe that’s all they have to go on right now, but it doesn’t make it true. That Pistons team was led by tough-minded veterans. They’d already been to the East finals. They played defense with zeal in a system they were committed to. They shared the ball on offense and didn’t have a star who dominated the ball.
– The Hawks are nothing like that. They are facing elimination by a six seed missing its two best players and run by a rookie point guard. And they got to this point with a collapse that I’d call incredible except I saw similar Hawks folds so many times down the stretch.
– The only remarkable part about this one was it happened at home, where the Hawks usually pulled out these kind of games. Not this time. “This is like a bad dream,” Jamal said while slumped in a chair in the locker room.
– The Hawks led by nine with four minutes to play, and then they fell apart. “I thought we shot jumps shots and I thought we didn’t execute,” Woody said. “We really had control of the game. Our composure down the stretch, we really just let it get away.”
– Again, this is nothing we haven’t seen before from the Hawks.
– Now the Hawks go back to the Bradley Center, where they were blown out in Game 3 and couldn’t defend in either game. “We’re going to go win,” Al said. “No question about it. That’s the bottom line. We have to bring it back to Atlanta.”
– The Hawks fell into a trap with all their talk about earning home court advantage during the season and now using it in this series. I mean, they were talking that way after Game 3. Now they don’t have that advantage and face an elimination game on the road.
– Home wasn’t so great for the Hawks, anyway. There was a palpable nervousness in the arena throughout the first half and the Hawks looked tight. “Didn’t appear either team had the normal intensity for a Game 5,” Scott Skiles said. “I attribute that to we haven’t been in a game like this before.”
– In other words, the Bucks are relative playoffs neophytes. The Hawks aren’t. So why does this make two games out of five where the Bucks played with more poise when things got tight?
– The Hawks finally carved out some space from the Bucks in the third quarter, when Al made 4 of 5 shots and Marvin scored nine points while making 3 of 3 free throws. But then the fourth quarter came and the Hawks went back to their usual panicky offense.
– “We really weren’t getting good looks,” Al said. “We were forcing some stuff and got away from some of the things that were working for us earlier in the game. We kind of got exposed on the offensive end.”
– Not to be redundant, but we’ve seen this from the Hawks before.
– Probably if the Bucks hadn’t lost Bogut to an injury they wouldn’t even be the six seed. But if they had him in this series, it would be over already. “He’s an all-league caliber defender,” Skiles said. “We miss his ability to plug the middle. His shot-blocking, his rebounding his back-to-the-basket game. We don’t have that. But we are finding a way. We have to do it by committee.”
– Remember, Bogut wasn’t injured until April 3. The Bucks had to scramble to patch things together. They did it well enough to finish the seasons strong and put the Hawks on the ropes. “We didn’t have a lot of time to get continuity and a feel for each other,” Skiles said. “These guys just keep battling and going on.”
– It’s such a stark contrast to watch the Bucks, lacking the Hawks’ depth of offensive talent, quickly work the ball around the court until they find a gap in the Hawks’ D and get off a good shot. Then the Hawks pound the ball, stand around, force bad shots and generally have no offensive flow when they are met with resistance.
– Marvin scored 22 points and it didn’t matter. That’s because Joe, Bibby and Jamal combined to shoot 11 of 49.
– Jamal is having a bad series. He’s not the only one, of course, but he just hasn’t looked the same in his first postseason. “”It was good shots,” he said of his 4 for 14 night. “I was just short all night.”
- Joe fouled out for the first time since Jan., 2008, a span of 229 games. He’s fouled out in three of 699 regular-season games and never in the playoffs. Crawford missed all four shots after J.J. was gone with 2:15 to play. “We depend on him down the stretch but that’s no excuse,” Woody said. “We’ve got other guys that can score.”
– Woody’s future with the Hawks is in doubt. ASG’s Michael Gearon Jr. has made it clear that the team is being judged on its performance in the playoffs. I tried to talk to Gearon at halftime but he begged off and headed up to his suite.
– If the Hawks lose this series, chances are he’ll have something to say. Even if the Hawks advance to meet Orlando is anyone expecting them to suddenly figure things out?
– “It’s win or go home,” Jamal said. “That’s the slogan. That’s what it is.”
– I’m out, Hawks fans.
MC
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287 comments Add your comment
Wabe
April 29th, 2010
12:35 pm
Thanks for that link.
darrell starks
April 29th, 2010
12:39 pm
Brevin23 what wrong with you joe want max money do you tie up your roster for a player who can’t get you past bucks? He!! no joe is not a super star.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
Wabe
April 29th, 2010
12:51 pm
They’re right…
The Sekou interview = great stuff
Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
12:53 pm
Why the Hawks lost the last quarter:
1. Turnovers….Bucks 0, Hawks 4
2. Free throws…..Hawks 0
3. Hawks fouls…
4. Rebounding….the Bucks got key offensive rebounds and capatalized on them when it mattered the most.
5. Hawks crowd at Phillips Arena…..really…ya’ll can’t do better than that in a playoff game….watch how it’s done Friday night back in Milwaukee where the Hawks will lose this series.
lewis
April 29th, 2010
12:55 pm
skip bayless is a whack job. he also has a keen ability to see right through things and call them like they really are. hawks have no leader
Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
12:55 pm
*capitalized
Hollywould
April 29th, 2010
12:58 pm
Sekou was dead on. What a great interview. Perhaps he can coach. This (team) is the pits. Athletic ability can only get you so far. They look like they are playing at Grant Park. ‘course, there are some guys down there that would put them to shame. The hell with the hawks.
BubbaWheeler
April 29th, 2010
1:07 pm
Should the Hawks win the next two games, ALL WILL BE FORGOTTEN. The Hawks will then advance to the next round, upset either orlando, boston or cleveland; knock off one of these 3 teams in the eastern conference and win the nba title in June. Its ok to dream but I think the hawks can pull this off. First, they have to get past those pesky bucks. Im still counting on the hawks hanging their first nba championship banner at phillips arena. I live for that event to take place along with a championship victory parade downtown. Atlantas air force will get the job done.
Milwaukee Fan
April 29th, 2010
1:14 pm
I am a Bucks fan. With that said, I would love to have Joe Johnson on our team. He can flat out shoot it. He would play the tough D that Skiles demands. Milwaukee would fall in love with a talent like JJ. Don’t blame the player blame the system. Joe would challenge Carmello and LeBron for the scoring pct. title if he played with a team that moved the ball like the Bucks do. We’ll take him!
Milwaukee Fan
April 29th, 2010
1:21 pm
Are you the same Michael Cunninham that used to write in Milwaukee? Is D. Orlando still writing in the ATL?
darrell starks
April 29th, 2010
1:23 pm
Okay woody if you want go 2 the next round you must listen very closely, play your dam second unit and play joe smith and mario west and put west on jenning you must match up now there is no tomorrow, if so you choose 2 listen you will go 2 the next round, if not it’s over for you in the ATL.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
April 29th, 2010
1:23 pm
JJ had a bad game. But I just think he needs a coach with a system who can get him some easy shots. it would also help if he had a PG who can penetrate and dish, because that would also set him up for some easy shots, or one on one plays.
In Woody’s system, quite often he ends up going 1 on 2 (or 3).
Hawks also lack leadership and accountability. And Sekou mentioned it in his interview, that the Hawks dont hold each other accountable, so everybody just does their own thing.
Section 303,
One of the things McHale said when the Hawks were destructing down the stretch was “Here they go again”. And its the same thing that Jon Barry has said all season about the Hawks. They are too much like Jekyl and Hyde.
Clyde
April 29th, 2010
1:27 pm
“Hawks also lack leadership and accountability. And Sekou mentioned it in his interview, that the Hawks dont hold each other accountable, so everybody just does their own thing.”
This should not be happening if a coach has been with a team 6 years.
FIRE WOODY
fan
April 29th, 2010
1:27 pm
Hand down…Man down.. Woody has to go. Will he consider playing ZONE, against the ‘FEAR THE DEER’ jump shooting team?
lewis
April 29th, 2010
1:30 pm
if it involves change, Woody won’t get it done
darrell starks
April 29th, 2010
1:32 pm
Okay woody here we go if jenning starte mario starte no switch with him let him man the man on jenning the hole game, the same with joe johnson on salmons no switch with them 2 let joe D him down.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 29th, 2010
1:36 pm
Woody listen very closely IF JENNING STARTE MARIO STARTE
STARTE MARIO,WITH JOE AT POINT, MARVIN, JOSH, HORFORD.
when jenning come out mario come out when salmons joe come out.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
Wabe
April 29th, 2010
1:38 pm
Three things stood out to me in Sekou’s interview:
1. Younger guys vs. the vets – he brought up the Childress situation and really explained what Chills felt, and no doubt what other youngsters on our roster probably feel.
2. 100% of the responsibility belongs to Mike Woodson.
“They run what he wants, they play the way he wants them to play…”
“People moan and groan about J.Smith standing at the 3-point line, if Smith was playing for the Bucks, do you think Scott Skiles would have him standing beyond the 3-point line?
3. According to Sekou, Jennings would not have had the type of season he had in Milwaukee if he were in ATL.
All are telling.
darrell starks
April 29th, 2010
1:38 pm
BIBBY MUST COME OFF THE BENCH, IF WOODY MAKE NO DEFENSE ADJUSTMENT IT’S OVER.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 29th, 2010
1:45 pm
OKAY woody yo can’t have this 7man rotation in the second half like last nigh what kind of bull crap is that 9men rotation is the minimum.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
drmaryb
April 29th, 2010
1:48 pm
TOUR GUIDE from FUR BUS INDUSTRIES
What To Do in Milwaukee?
How about winning a basketball game?
I could go on a sarcastic diatribe but, I’m just too tired from playing a basketball game? Last Night.
Let me sleep it off & I will definitely bring some heat, fire and passion when I can get to my PC.
This blacberry is a pain in the azz to type from.
I got some hot sauce on my azz today & its on fire! This razor-sharp thong I’m we3ing doesn’t make it any better. I thought I had donated that thing to North Fulton Charities. But, when I awakened this morning?
There it was – hanging from the ceiling fan! A reoccurring-sp nightmare from the 13 win season.
drmaryb
April 29th, 2010
1:50 pm
To say the least – my azz is irritated
darrell starks
April 29th, 2010
1:50 pm
STARTER MARIO, JOE, MARVIN, JOSH, HORFORD.
BENCH BIBBY, JAMAL, MOE, JOE SMITH, ZAZA.
RESERVE TEAGUE, COLLINS
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
April 29th, 2010
1:55 pm
DEFENSE WIN CHAMPIONSHIP BOX OUT REBOUND AND PUSH BALL UP COURT.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!
northcyde
April 29th, 2010
1:56 pm
Wabe
April 29th, 2010
9:50 am
Northclyde, you said that it’s on the players for making the same mistake game after game going down the stretch?
They execute what they practice. And when you see players constantly hollering at each other with their hands up looking for the ball, it’s obvious they’re just taking turns trying to get buckets. Just think about it, with 18 seconds or so left, we call a timeout, and Jamal comes down the floor and tosses it to Horford for a 3 at the top of the key? That’s what Woody drew up? That’s the best shot we could get? Credit Horford for making it, but that wasn’t a good look, and I’ll bet Woody told Jamal to look for his own shot at the top of the key. Hell, the Bucks knew that themselves, why do you think they doubled down on Jamal?
When you have a trend (a pattern) that indicates we tend to stagnate in the 4th quarter, and you see little to no tactical change from *coach* to help address the issue, you can’t help but point to the *coach’s* approach. The Hawks half-court offense is “atrocious” as Charles Barkley said, and it’s been that way for quite some time. Yet, we still see the same showing game after game. Nothing changes, from coaching to the players execution. I don’t think you can lose 3 games straight in the playoffs and come out and *hope* to execute a little better in the next game. Sad to say this, but, that’s what we’ll end up seeing…
“Switching is what we do…”
“ISO-JJ is how we go out…its worked well for us in some games…”
Are you kidding me?
“We just have to figure it out…”
Have you figured it out yet?
*********************************
Wabe . . . it’s kind of like typing my name without the L. The name is n-o-r-t-h-c-y-d-e . . . not n-o-r-t-h-c-L-y-d-e. As an individual, if you don’t pay attention to detail or even give an effort to pay attention to it, that’s on YOU as an individual. There are people on this board that CONSTANTLY spell my name with an L . . . just like they do with Al Horford’s name, by putting that T in his name . . . calling him HorTford.
The same goes with basketball.
You can place blame on the coach . . . fine. That’s cool. But the coach does NOT have an X-Box controller, making the players execute the play or play hard, or do simple things like box out for a rebound. Paying attention to detail.
As a basketball player ( which I used to be one in high school and one year in college ), YOU as an individual have to do basic fundamental things to help your team win a game. And if you don’t pay attention to the little details of the game, you’ll put yourself in position to lose. Coaches need to pay attention to these details too, which I’ll admit that Woody does NOT do a good job of. But these players do a lot of things that lead to their own self destruction.
As I said . . . Scott Skiles didn’t do a dang thing scheme-wise in those last 4 minutes to help those guys seal a victory. Every play the Bucks made down the stretch was either a result of a hustle play, or a smart play.
So the coach is responsible for us not making plays like that? Man . . . that’s a lack of heart and desire what you’re seeing there.
- if Josh Smith makes his lay-up . . . we’re up 9 with with about 3:30 to go
- if Jamal Crawford makes his WIDE OPEN lay-up . . . we’re up 7 with about 3 minutes to go
- if JJ doesn’t jump all out of control at Brandon Jennings after he pump fakes a shot with 5 seconds left on the shot clock, he’s probably forcing up a shot that he’s not going to be able to make. Secure the rebound, and we’re STILL up 4 . . with the ball . . with under 3 minutes to go.
- if Smoove boxes out on a FT, we’re up 3 with the ball . . and Salmons never gets the ball back to shoot 2 FTs to cut the lead to 1.
- if JJ doesn’t drive out of control to get into the lane, he never commits that offensive foul . . which was a strange play anyway, because he almost ALWAYS settles for the midrange jumper in that situation . . not drive out of control into the lane.
- once again . . a hustle offensive rebound by Ilyasova ( a rebound in which Marvin, Bibby and Horford were all under the rim, but Ersan STILL got to the ball ), leads to him passing to Delfino in the corner, who shoots right over top of Mike Bibby.
So while you guys definitely have a gripe with the lack of play calling on the offensive end . . or a gripe about the switching defense ( which did work in that game after Jennings initial hot streak ), the fact is that those players MENTALLY MELTED DOWN in that game. That’s not coaching. That’s a lack of testicular fortitude on the players part.
And that’s why Barkley called the Hawks “Denver East”, because it’s the same thing you see with that team.
There is NO DENYING that because these players didn’t do FUNDAMENTAL basketball things . . things that they’ve been taught ALL OF THEIR LIVES . . it was the main reason why they lost that game.
Period.
Make a friggin lay-up or box out . . and we win the damn game.
Anon Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
2:19 pm
It was interesting to watch the huddle during the 3-point review late in the game: was anyone paying attention to what Woody was saying/diagramming? Everyone looked disinterested and more interested in what the refs were doing with that single point in question. I thought that was pretty telling.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2010
2:22 pm
“Should the Hawks win the next two games, ALL WILL BE FORGOTTEN. ”
No it won’t.
FIRE WOODY
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2010
2:23 pm
“You can place blame on the coach . . . fine. That’s cool. But the coach does NOT have an X-Box controller, making the players execute the play or play hard, or do simple things like box out for a rebound. Paying attention to detail.”
If the coach doesn’t pay attention to detail, the players won’t pay attention to detail.
It starts at the top.
FIRE WOODY
Anon Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
One Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writer wrote that the Hawks have a knucklehead to talent ratio of 1:1 – funny stuff.
Sick & TIred Of Being Sick & Tired
April 29th, 2010
2:27 pm
The coach is not out on the floor playing the game (however – with that said), he is responsible for the strategy, the team being prepared and also to make adjustments during the game with the personnel that he has.
So….to net it out…….FIRE WOODY!!!!! when the season is over.
Also, during the off season the Hawks need to recruit a 3-point shooter from one of the European leagues. A player that can come off a screen and let it fly. At least then they will have a player that can consistently hit the 3-point shot…..Mike Bibby is not it!!!
JackClark
April 29th, 2010
2:27 pm
What the Hawks have done in the Milwaukee series is EXPOSE THE BEAST OF THE EAST. Right up until the playoffs started you really didnt know who was the best team in the eastern conference, which teams were the deepest and who represented the best chance of winning a title. Everybody just assumed it was either (Orlando, Boston, Atlanta, or Ceveland)and now everybody who has been watching the Hawks/Bucks series know the truth about which is the best team in the Eastern Conference. Newsflash: THE BEST, DEEPEST AND MOST DANGEROUS TEAM IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE IS THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS, HANDS DOWN. The Bucks will be representing the East in the finals this year and i think they will win the nba championship. It was by no mistake that they had the nbas longest winning streak of 14 games this season. I had wondered why but after watching them up close and personal for the last two weeks, i realize now that they are the best team. They will win the nba title this year as soon as the playoffs are over.
JeJe
April 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
WHENEVER JOE CALLS OUT THE TEAM, IT’S ALWAYS “WE.” FORGET THAT HE FOULED OUT OF A HOME PLAYOFF GAME. IT’S NEVER HIS GODDAMN FAULT — IT’S ALWAYS THE TEAM’S FAULT. HE DOESN’T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR !@#$
AND WOODY IS A MORON FOR NOT USING TEAGUE DURING THE YEAR. THE GUY HATES ROOKIE GUARDS
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2010
2:33 pm
These Bucks fans are hilarious. Orlando is going to murder them. Don’t get distracted by our team’s suckiness.
FIRE WOODY
South ga boy in the atl
April 29th, 2010
2:34 pm
Northcyde and Najeh have made a lot of great points over the last 14 hrs on this blog. As a lifelong Hawks fan, there are some hard truths t have to face at this point. While I like Woody, I think we all have to admit that he doesn’t make adjustments on the fly, which can be pivotal in the playoffs, and he just can’t seem to make this collection of talented players unite with any kind of cohesion or symmetry. Our players really really really lack mental toughness, especially the most talented. (Smoove, who is my fav player, being no. 1 on the list) And like Northcyde basically said, is that Woody’s fault. It’s not an Xbox game where he can push a button or pull a trigger, and yet they lack it. It’s hard to blame it on in-experience anymore. I don’t think that dog hunts and it’s a weak excuse anyway. B Jennings lacks experience but he doesn’t use it as an excuse. It seems to me that we have a bunch of round objects and square holes. JJ is said to be the leader of the team but his body language is more of a follower. When he tries to say something that appears to be taking charge it always seems to be forced and just “not real” “not him.” And I don’t think his teammates put any stock into what he says because they see it’s not him. Smoove is the real engine for this team. He’s been here since he was 18. He’s, naturally, more vocal, more passionate, but he has a “cry baby appearance” all throughout the game whether it’s with the refs or teammates or coaches so teammates see him as whinny I think. Then there’s Al and Bibby who are quieter and more or less followers. Jamal just got here. Marvin seems to be beleagured because he is so berated by everyone due to where he was drafted vs his accomplishments. So where does leadership come from in times of crisis. Answer: NOWHERE. And that’s sad for a team that has gotten it’s diehard fans so pumped since tha Celtic series 2 yrs ago. If only Smoove could be passionate but with an adult-like attitude, I believe the team would follow. If…… I’m afraid a big train wreck is coming, if not already happenning
JeJe
April 29th, 2010
2:38 pm
ACCORDING TO SEKOU SMITH, 2 TOTAL HAWKS SHOWED UP FOR JAMAL CRAWFORD’S AWARD RECEPTION YESTERDAY.
WITH THAT SAID, JAMAL PLEASE SHOW UP TOMORROW
Anon Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
2:41 pm
@ Najeh… agreed, not sure how the bucks are going to solve the Dwight Howard problem with no true center. Given the season series of 0-3 for the Bucks v Orlando (L 98-100, L 92-117 & L 82-99), the series would be an almost insurmountable obstacle.
Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
2:42 pm
Najeh Davenpoop…….the Bucks were supposed to be ‘murdered’ by the Hawks also. They were also predicted to finish last in their division. And had about as much of a chance to make the playoffs as the Hawks did winning an NBA title.
Anon Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
2:42 pm
@ Je Je, I wonder why (honestly) that only two showed up; could the entire team have shown up?
JB
April 29th, 2010
2:43 pm
Can we at least put SOME of the blame on the players? Reading these last two threads it makes it seem like Woody reincarnated to destroy the team. Where was the leadership from Horford and Josh last night? Why did only two guys show up for the 6th man ceremony? Why has this team always lacked vocal leadership? It’s not 2nd grade. The coach doesn’t have to designate leaders. They should just step up themselves. This same offense won 50 games in the regular season. That’s not the issue. You just have to be mentally prepared in the playoffs and that’s more on the players than the coach. Stop babying them and put the onus on them because it looks like they’re never going to grow up at this rate.
LucasWilson
April 29th, 2010
2:46 pm
I know why only two hawks showed up for jamal’s sixth man award ceremony. Other than those two players, the rest of the team is insanely jealous of his skills that he has gotten so much attention and now is the most skilled and sharpest shooter on the team. Most hawks think of the team as joes team and not jamals team. But jamal has had a better season than joe and has been more mature and more responsible. The hawks are jealous that jamal is getting national recognition for having great basketball skills and using them properly. Hopefully this “infighting” amongst the hawks will end soon so that the hawks can go back to winning and stop all this bickering amongst them.
terrell
April 29th, 2010
3:04 pm
The Hawks are never on ESPN, until they lose. They’re all over the place today.
Section 303
April 29th, 2010
3:06 pm
O’brien,thanks. I have the game DVR’ed, but do not have the stomach to go back and watch again. Not going to do it to myself.
Whenever I hear national guys, like McHale and Berry, give these takes on the Hawks it kind of annoys me. The national talking heads spend the entire year discussing about 4 teams (Lake Show, Celtics, Cavs, Knicks). Now, come playoff time, they are suddenly experts on what problems the Hawks have? At best, they’ve seen the Hawks 4 times during a season. I give little regard to their opinions.
Now the Sekou interview…that was great stuff. Check it out, if you have not already.
Anon Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
3:09 pm
I think it is amusing that this Series was called by all the pundits as the least sexy in the first round, but it has turned out two of the best games of the first round, and it could be the only series to go 7. @Terrell, you’re right, both teams have gotten little coverage, the Bucks however, got lucky with Brandon Jennings dropping the double nickel on Golden State, that has gotten them more attention than normal during the course of the year.
doc
April 29th, 2010
3:13 pm
dmb who got your azz in a swivel?
magic must be licking their chops by now. 4 quickies then watch the c’s and the cavs duke it out in 7.
sad only two stand up guys in the locker room are subs in zaza and jamal. sad also jamal is the one offering something positive.
Section 303
April 29th, 2010
3:14 pm
Anon Bucks Fan, you didn’t just start being a Bucks fan this week, did you? Not trying to pick a fight, seriously curious. Have some questions if you are a die hard.
northcyde
April 29th, 2010
3:15 pm
LOL @ Lucas . . . . somebody better tell Jamal to showcase those skills then.
Player A is shooting 19 – 37 in the playoffs ( 51.4% FG )
Player B is shooting 21 – 64 in the playoffs ( 32.8% FG )
But Player A has drawn the wrath of the fan base all throughout the playoffs.
Player A is MARVIN WILLIAMS
Player B is JAMAL CRAWFORD
So if people are jealous, they’ll rapidly become un-jealous of that dude. He has been STRAIGHT GARBAGE during the playoffs . . . even worse than Flip last year ( which I didn’t think that was possible ). Crawford took the absolute worse time to revert back to the horrible Crawford-type player that he was known for in the last 9 years
It’s a reason why that dude hadn’t made the playoffs, until he got here. People blamed the talent around Crawford. Well . . as you’re seeing right now, he had a LOT to do with that as well.
Anon Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
3:19 pm
@section 303; Been a Bucks fan since the days of Ricky “The Sixth Man” Pierce, Paul “Point Forward” Pressey, Big Moe, TC, Sir Sid & the great Randy Breuer. Why?
Sautee
April 29th, 2010
3:22 pm
A coach cannot play the game for the players. No X-box, it’s true.
However, a coach CAN pull players off the court if they are not playing the right way. Playing time can be used as a reward, and lack of time as a penalty.
One can say: “but what about winning the game?” In my opinion, if the coach loses some games by pulling starters who are not playing the right way, then he is creating a culture of “play the right way, or don’t play at all”. If he does this from the very first game, then you’d see some results by December. And fewer late losses, because they would have learned some discipline.
I gave Woodson a B- for this year, and thought he improved some during the season. However, the culture he has created in his 6 years here is one of “laissez faire” on offense. This lack of structure is likely LOVED by the players, who are given chances to freelance more than they would under other coaches. But it has proven to have very little resilience when the chips are down. Yes, we won 53 games with freelancing, but I just HAVE to wonder how many close losses could have been wins with a structured offense?
Here’s hoping the Hawks can win Friday and Sunday. But with this group, absolutely nothing would surprise me.
b.j.
April 29th, 2010
3:32 pm
i havee to say it and i acuttly wanted to be wrong but the problem is woodson they might as well just fire him now
T-Bone
April 29th, 2010
3:33 pm
Why are earth is Mo Evans getting limited playing time. Mo was instrumental in helping us get win no. 50 against the Raptors. Now that the playoffs have started Mo is getting about as much respect as “Mo” of the three stooges. Mo is a lethal talent and could have compensated for joes and jamals demise last night. Mo could have put up 18-20 points last night and allowed the Hawks to breeze to victory. Whoever is penciling the lineup (Woody) is making a horrible mistake of the minutes he is distributing thoughout his roster. Mo evans is a player and needs playing time if we are going to win, particularly if Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are in shooting slumps. I guess I have to point it out since woody is too dumb to realize it.