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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
287 comments Add your comment
tyger
April 29th, 2010
3:43 pm
Transformers…
What a sad footnote to an otherwise great season. 53 wins and instead of breaking out brooms and confetti falling to the floor, we pray for a Hail Mary to get out of the 1st rd.
The real question is are the Bucks, whomever the personnel, better than the Hawks? Certainly not on paper, but this series shows how addition by subtraction can improve a ball club.
They wouldnt have Selmons if they had Redd and Kurt Thomas wouldn’t be getting major minutes if Bogut was available. Those are two strong lunch pail veterans that are beating our high-flying, fundamentally flawed upperclassmen at every phase of the game.
It may be a blessing in disguise, they finally blow this thing up and build it properly, sans Bibby, Marvin, JJ. Dwight Howard and Lebron aren’t leaving the East so there’s a Chinese Wall that has to be crossed before reaching any promised land.
Bigger question is whether Jsmoove’s electrifying dunks and blocked shots are more valuable in the long term than acquiring a true center and moving Horford to PF to stay.
Smoove proved he’s no go to guy – his brain froze as the clock dwindling away. How far can he carry us?
And is that Woody’s fault or his nemesis? Is Smoove a coach-killer?
sam'l
April 29th, 2010
3:46 pm
It’s only a game okay…..
But let’s get something straight.
“Najeh . . . I’d be a fool to say that Skiles isn’t outcoaching Woody in this series. You’ll never get me to say that he isn’t.”
NorthClyde….that’s the point….We need a coach that doesn’t get outcoached. Get it?
Melvin
April 29th, 2010
4:02 pm
Did anybody else caught the graphic last night during the game where they showed the coaches who have COACHED UP their team this year? Needless to say Woody was not on their list. McMillan, OKC coach, Sloan and Skiles may the list.
Prison Mike
April 29th, 2010
4:03 pm
Buck fans: at this point I could live with giving us Salmons the 5 year MLE and giving you Joe the 5 year max.
Joe gets mentioned in the same breath with Lebron and Dwayne but it’s alot closer to 1a. Joe, 1b. Salmons.
O'Brien
April 29th, 2010
4:06 pm
Northcyde,
JJ played horrible last night. But what also disappointed me was his comments (or lack there of) after the game.
I wanted him to come out and say “I lost this game”. Or “as the captain, its on me to lead the way, and I did not do that tonight”.
I wanted to hear him say “when we go to Milwaukee, I will do my best to lead this team to a victory”.
But all he said was “we’ll just have to go up to Milwaukee and see what we come up with”.
I want my best player and leader to help me believe that we will win game 6. I did not get that feeling of confidence from JJ.
Magic
April 29th, 2010
4:10 pm
Najeh…have you flushed your clothes basket lately?
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2010
4:17 pm
“Najeh…have you flushed your clothes basket lately?”
My clothes basket? You really think I would use my own? I prefer the clothes baskets of unsuspecting college students…
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
From Bill Simmons’ column today…
199. Everyone on the Atlanta Hawks (tie)
Hang your heads in shame. You had home-court advantage, as well as six of the best eight players in the series (including the best three), and yet, you turned off your fans completely and totally and now need to win on the road to survive? You know it was a three-game bender when people from Seattle start sending me “You think we can get the Hawks?” e-mails.
Anon Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
4:22 pm
@O’Brien, I thought JJ played well on the defensive side of the ball, he had a poor shooting night though.
Gamer
April 29th, 2010
4:27 pm
Try being an original!!! DON’T STEAL OTHER BLOGGER’S NAME!!!!
the gamer 10, WHAT A JOKE…..
Gamer
April 29th, 2010
4:30 pm
the gamer 10, TRY BEING AN ORIGINAL!!! DON’T STEAL OTHER BLOGGER’S NAME!!!!
the gamer 10, WHAT A JOKE….
JoeKapp
April 29th, 2010
4:47 pm
The Hawks had the worst playoff game in atlanta in about 23 years. Meanwhile, Marvin Williams was having his finest playoff game as a professional. I know the bloggers were bludgeoning williams so he decided to show them that he is still the second player selected in his draft. Everyone knows the hawks made a mistake when they drafted marvin williams. The Hawks should have drafted either Deron Williams (unrelated to marvin) or Chris Paul (future hall of fame point guard) instead of the clumsy Marvin. But Marvin got the last laught last night with the finest game Ive seen from a hawks starter in the playoffs in about 20 years. In my opinion, marvin has finally silenced all critics and those folks should wash their mouths out with soap the next time they scream obscenities about marvin saying what a lousy player he is. Marvin proved last night that he is capable, hes just too lazy and uninspired to do his job. The Hawks are still, and will always be, the laughingstock of the NBA. You cant blame ESPN for one second for refusing to show Hawks highlights.
Big Ray
April 29th, 2010
4:59 pm
You’re going to want to listen to this. Trust me.
http://www.790thezone.com/instantreplay/Episodes.aspx?PID=1345
Decatur Native
April 29th, 2010
4:59 pm
FIRE WOODY!!!
beone
April 29th, 2010
5:04 pm
Earth to Woody, Earth to Woody. Anybody home?
drmaryb
April 29th, 2010
5:11 pm
SAUTEE me a T-Bone!
Fantastic recent posts! I could not have said it any better! I am so speechless right now & YALL know that aint me.
Grand-Daddy
I need to sit on my Grand-Daddy’s lap & just cry me a river! Grand-Daddy will give me a popsicle, rub my head & tell me – “THIS TOO SHALL PASS.”
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 29th, 2010
5:11 pm
Rumor has it that Hawks ownership made a phone call to Woodson, but when Woody picked up all they did was play Erykah Badu’s new song “Window Seat”
“So can I get a window seat
Don’t want nobody next to me
I just want a ticket outta town
A look around
And a safe touch down
Window seat
Don’t want nobody next to me
I just want a chance to fly
A chance to cry
And a long bye bye..”
Woodson was astonished
O'Brien
April 29th, 2010
5:20 pm
Every time the Hawks have the chance to prove the national media wrong, they fall on their face.
A couple years ago, when they tied Boston 3-3, they got blown out in game 7.
Last year, they beat Miami in the first round, only to get blown out in the second round against Cleveland (although the Hawks were injured).
Earlier in the season, they were #1 in the power rankings. What happened? They got outscored 29 points by Orlando in the second half, on TNT at Thanksgiving.
Here we are, in the playoffs, a chance to beat up on the Bucks, but we struggle on the road, and then choke away game 5 at home.
By winning game 6 in Milwaukee, the Hawks will go a long way towards winning some fans back, and possibly saving Woodson’s job.
Lets go Hawks
Kitis
April 29th, 2010
5:24 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MaJy7LH5js
I find y’all’s lack of faith disturbing. Skiles=Vader
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 29th, 2010
5:32 pm
It’s troubling to learn that only 2 people from the team came to see Crawford accept his award, and those 2 people being ZaZa and Randmo (only becasue they dont have lives or groupies like the rest) . So, it’s really like NO OTHER PLAYERS but things aside to come out and celebrate with their boy. PATHETIC!!!
Eric
April 29th, 2010
5:34 pm
PLEASE FIRE MIKE WOODSON.
HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BRING TEAM DEFENSE, THAT HASN’T HAPPENED. OUR “OFFENSE” IS ATROCIOUS.
FIRE MIKE WOODSON.
JeJe
April 29th, 2010
5:41 pm
JOE JOHNSON SAYS “WE” NEED TO EXECUTE AND THAT “WE AREN’T INTENSE” INSTEAD OF “I”
IT’S NEVER HIS GODDAMN FAULT
JeJe
April 29th, 2010
5:42 pm
“That’s what sports is about. We’re up two games, you and I are sitting here and I’m all positive and we’re having fun conversations. Now we’ve lost three in a row and we’re going, ‘Holy [crap], what do we do?’ That’s the fun thing about sports.””
SORRY IF I DON’T FIND LOSING 3 STRAIGHT AND BEING ON THE VERGE OF ELIMINATION TO THIS UNDERMANNED TEAM FROM A !@#$HOLE CITY “FUN”
Sautee
April 29th, 2010
5:49 pm
dmb,
Many thanks.
Bucks Fan
April 29th, 2010
5:50 pm
A!@#$HOLE CITY??? Classy….
Ken Strickland
April 29th, 2010
6:20 pm
NORTHCYDE-every Hawk player has a defender, sometimes 2, standing in front or behind him trying to prevent him from doing what he wants to do. These players often have to make split second decisions and adjustments with someone contesting their every move. All players have off gms and stretches, which is to be expected. But what dumbass excuse can anyone offer for what Woodson has refused to do in light of what’s happened over the last 3gms?
I’m sick and tired of hearing about us not having a team leader and then pointing to certain players. Hell, the foremost team leader in any sport is the teams HEAD COACH, and if there’s a need for a player to step up and become the team leader, then it’s time for a new HC. If a team doesn’t have a viable leader on the court, then it’s up the #1 leader, the HC, to get done what needs to be done.
There is absolutely no one standing in Woodson’s way, or preventing him from using his bench, or making obviously needed adjustments and changes, giving his starters a rest, holding his starters accountable for poor play or using some form of strategy. This is Woodson’s limited OFF and DEF systems we’re using, not the players, and he has both the ability and responsibility to make certain every player runs it to his satisfaction. If they don’t, and he does or says nothing to stop or correct it, it’s on him.
How do you blame Horford, Smoove or Zaza for being unable to stop BJennings in the backcourt after being forced by design to switch off their man? How do you blame Bibby or Crawford for being unable to defend the oppositions tallest and biggest players under the basket? They aren’t deliberately putting themselves in these situations, WOODSON IS.
If the DEF is overplaying and you can’t get the ball to to an open player, and if there are no backcut options built into the OFF scheme, what else can you do but go ISO, one on one or hoist an illadvised jumper? It basically the same as a player running the clock down and at the last second passing the ball to a teammate at the 3pt line with a defender on him, and he ends up shooting an airball. Who do you blame for that situation and that shot? Remember, your beloved Woody is the one PASSING THE BALL(BUCK). The players are to blame for a lot of what has or hasn’t taken place, no doubt. But the ultimate responsibility for making certain the players, OFF/DEF, and team overall, functions at a level commensurate with the talent is the HC, not the players.
JaBe
April 29th, 2010
6:36 pm
Last………………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fire Woody
sleepy
April 29th, 2010
7:04 pm
Northcydes is back to his normal self bashing Crawford.I guess It was to be expected .
Why does everyone keep posting numbers from game one and two which we won in blowouts because that stuff is irrelevant . Its like hey if you played good in game one you get a pass for playing poorly in game 5 ? BS
Yet another game where this starting unit who has been together for years plays like they just met. As I said before doing the regular season its getting to the point where now Crawford is expected to come in off the bench and save us . How many times is that gonna work in a playoff series ?
When you have a starting lineup who has been together for 3 consecutive seasons they should be able to run any set at any time during the game the fact that we cant is disturbing and should pretty much create a situation where every player is evaluated and then moved depending upon the next coaches preferences.
They all played like crap and I was especially ticked at Crawford simply because I expected more but after finding that none of the starters even came to his ceremony I would say he maybe effected by that when he gets on the court. One of the keys to this entire thing working was that Jamal thought his teammates were behind him but if they are not and are mad hes stilling some of the limelight then that explains a lot and pretty much backs up a bunch of things posters here have said in the past .
This is turning into one big clusterfluck .
Did anyone notice jamal at the beginning of the game over passing even the announcers mentioned the over passing makes you wonder .
The most disturbing thing about last game as all the talk about how bad Crawford and Bibby was defensively and yet in the 3rd Crawford had Jennings locked up pretty good because were not switching so it makes you wonder why we didnt go to it sooner .
now even after all Ive said I fully expect them to win Friday and close it out at home .
As my dad said. “They are fully seasoned as a underdog but are totally new to the role of playing the favorites” . This is them taking there lumps just as all good teams before them teams have and these next one/two games will define this current group. “
o.O-Mac-Town -Macon, Georgia- Westsider-O.o
April 29th, 2010
8:16 pm
sleepy ur right, they looked confused in crunch time.
Grandad
April 29th, 2010
8:43 pm
Alot to get to, so here goes:
drmaryb – It will pass my dear. Unfortunately it is going to pass after we lose our next game & the Wdsn era ends. (I’ll return to you in a moment, as I have to address a few things)
Bubba Wheeler – Even if the Hawks win the next two games, ALL WILL NOT
BE FORGOTTEN ! I apologize for raising my voice.
darrell starks – I hate to disagree with you, as you and I see
eye to eye on many issues, but we must keep Joe.
*I’ll explain in a moment.
Sautee – You addressed Najeh’s statement:
“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.”
And I agree with everything you said, but Najeh also said:
“If the coach doesn’t pay attention to detail, the players won’t pay attention to detail.”
It was Najeh’s last statement that I would like to enhance:
Having coached for over [30] yrs. & contrary to ‘TS’ assertion
that my career was spent in *Sat. morning youth leagues.
If you don’t stress the little things [detail/Najeh] the players will develop bad habits.
I’ve watched numerous video of a Wdsn practice & it absolutely drives me crazy as there is no [none,nada,zilch] correction for sloppy play.
I’ll cite a few examples: laziness running drills, allowed to travel when handling ball, non-fundamental footwork, “LACK OF CONCENTRATION”,
improper shooting techniques, and I could go on.
Have you ever heard the axiom:
“You play like you practice”
If you noticed above, quotes + all caps; “L O C”.
How many times have we heard that one after a game?
Najeh & Sautee / both respected & both dead on target!
About Joe:
I was very disappointed to hear what Sekou had to say this AM.
[concerning Joe & Bibby] / It’s no wonder he can’t lead.
It’s also enlightening to think about Marv.
We all have wondered about Marv regressing, now perhaps we know why.
Joe and Bibby may have unintentionally pulled a “Kucoc” on Marv.
Remember how Jordan & Pippin beat down Tony Kukoc both
mentally & emotionally. I don’t think they did it on purpose as did
Jordan & Pip but something has happened to Marv and after Sekou’s statement it makes me think. [Marv & Childress were very close]
We can’t lose Joe:
He is a complete player.
A ‘real’ profesional basketball coach with a real philosophy & system might just set him over the top. Not to mention one who understands the psychology of dealing with players and developing a real team concept.
drmaryb – I said I would get back to you…I hope as you read through
“War & Peace” (above) [if you didn't get bored and quit reading]
you found a few tidbits to make you feel better and I sure hope
my dissertation didn’t make you feel worse.
The convention of circumstances and events leading toward new leadership for our Hawks, may just be better news than advancing one series only to lose to a superior team. Everyone keeps saying we are superior to the Bucks, well I’m not so certain. Being an advocate of Team play above all else; it appears to me, they actually are the superior ‘TEAM’.
ladyhawksfan
April 29th, 2010
8:44 pm
It makes no sense 4 a team of jack asses 2 not have heart.Al is the only starter that has it.Off the bench Zaza and Mo has it,but how can they help these buzzards on the bench.How can Josh lack heart being that hes from Atlanta.Jamal has heart but dont know how to use it,so he jacks up dumb shots and hope they go in.We might as well use Mario on Friday and see if he can inspire the rest of his groupie teammates.Maybe he can teach them how to fight over a pick and make them earn some baskets,rather then get open shots for a change.Hell maybe we should run those plays 90% of the time ,let them see how it feels to damn near break ur neck to get open or create a match up that works in their favor.Why not try a zone and stick with the shooters.Make them make contested shots.Stop making it easy for them.Josh stop whining so much and man up.Theres no way Delfino should be able to guard u.And Joe stop allowing Salmons to hand guard u,your a much better offensive player than that,stop trying to force your way in the post,the other guys just stand around and watch,how stupid.We have one more shot at this series,please dont disappoint us die hard hawks fans.
BirdDawg
April 29th, 2010
9:39 pm
Wow, Grandad is the zen master.
That was one of the most impressive and accurate posts I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. You should do this professionally.
BirdDawg
April 29th, 2010
9:41 pm
Oh yeah, I forgot…
FIRE WOODY
Blast
April 29th, 2010
10:01 pm
Wow! Atlanta Hawks cannot top this. Lose to the Bucks at home in a crucial game 5. I kind of saw it coming halfway to the 4th, when Bucks were gunning and Hawks were choking. It did not come as a surprise to me. Hawks have been blowing 4th qrt leads and losing games to inferior teams all year long. Last night came to bite them in the butt. They deserved to lose.
1st blame goes to Woodson. He did what he’s done all year. Make no adjustments and continue switching, which works with some teams but does not work with the Bucks.
Then he kept Marvin out too long.
Joe screwed up. So did Jamal. It was a shame only two bench players were there when Jamal got his award, but Jamal has sucked in the playoffs, man, except for game 4, where he had a little impact, but Hawks still lost. Is Jamal sucking b/c it’s his first playoff games or b/c he’s not feeling any love from his teammates?
I used to give Woodson the benefit of the doubt, but I think game 5 kind of exposed him for what he is. A coach with limited, unimaginative offensive philosophy. If Hawks can keep Joe without maxing out, fine, but that has to happen only if Joe adopts a more better offensive scheme than what he has now. I see Joe open early in the clock, but he won’t take that shot, preferring to pound and pound the ball until he loses it, or take a bad shot. Meanwhile, Bucks are pulling up, sharing the ball, and taking the first shot they get!
Joe might have been the man years ago, but if he is playing selfish, freezing out Jamal, playing like he does not want the franchise to succeed, then get rid of his ass.
I don’t see the Hawks winning tomorrow. Their habit is too ingrained to salvage in 48 hours. Hope they can pull it off, but I doubt it really seriously.
Sigh. Waiting for next year with no Joe or Woody.
I think Hawks can actually be a better team without those two cats.
Tony Johnson
April 30th, 2010
1:28 am
For someone who has covered the Bucks, he is making a lot of excuses for the Hawks. There is only one excuse that can be made and that is that the BUCKS are the better team. FEER THE DEER
phantom
April 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
worst offense ever. Find a small guard that used to play in the nba to be coach. They seem to know how to play the game; scott skiles,scott brooks, avery johnson. copy the utah jazz, do something. No postup player; Horford needs to catch and face. either shoot the jumper or head fake and drive, do not play with your back to the basket. Most highschool teams run better offense than the hawks. 1 pass ball to the post, 2 guard cuts to the hoop, not slowly like i see with hawks players. Cut hard and try to beat your man, if you do the big will drop the ball off to you. That is how it should start then keep moving. It is hard for teams to play defense and move for 20 seconds if the offensive players are continually moving. Play Teague, let him put some pressure on the defense. He will be able to beat his man and finish or drop the ball off to Horford or Smith for a few dunks. Bibby can only play if he is hot shooting the ball and when he is cold or misses a couple get him out quickly. I’m not going to another game until Woodson is gone and they move the ball like a real team.
Julia Smith
September 20th, 2010
7:12 am
Pretty nice blog you’ve got here. Thanks for it. I like such themes and anything connected to them. I would like to read a bit more soon.
Julia Smith
escorts travel