Atlanta Hawks Squawks Game 5: Bucks 91, Hawks 87

The one big game in which Marvin steps up and plays his azz off, he sits on the bench for half the fourth quarter while Jamal Crawford, who has struggled THIS ENTIRE SERIES, is shooting brick after brick.

FIRE WOODY

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I tried my best to get the FIRE WOODSON (clap clap clapclapclap) chant started… a couple of people picked it up, but I think most of them were too disgusted to join in.

I threw my free jizz towels provided by DASG as far towards the court as I could. I wasn’t alone.

FIRE WOODY

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Yes, Josh made several dumb plays. Yes, Jamal and Joe took several bad shots and didn’t take over the game like the 6th man of the year and a guy looking for a max contract should. Yes, Al Horford looked overmatched trying to post up Kurt Thomas. Yes, Bibby failed at his one key role, to stretch the defense with his 3-point shooting. Yes, they all collectively failed to focus and make key plays in crunch time, despite having a terrific sellout crowd cheering their every move.

That doesn’t change the fact that none of them would feel the need to force the issue like they did if the Hawks ran a working offense. Ball movement is nonexistent with the Hawks. With the athletes and versatility they have, if they ran even the same offense that Skiles runs (which is nothing amazingly innovative or spectacular) they would be impossible to guard.

FIRE WOODY

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Just so nobody forgets, the Hawks are at full strength and have been all season, while the Bucks are missing their two best players and are playing a rookie at point guard.

Before you try to make excuses for the Hawks, ask yourself how this series would have gone if the Bucks had Redd and Bogut and the Hawks were missing Joe Johnson and Al Horford and were starting Teague at point guard.

FIRE WOODY

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Trust me Hawks Fans, this too shall pass…

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Before you say the Bucks players just have more heart, keep in mind that many of these players were irrelevant before Skiles came to the Bucks.

Good coaching beats atrocious coaching.

FIRE WOODY

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And keep in mind that even if you don’t think Joe Johnson deserves the max, the Hawks don’t have cap space to sign a free agent (like Wade) outright if they let Johnson go. The only chance the Hawks have is to sign-and-trade Joe for someone, and the chances of getting someone of equal value for him are slim to none.

In other words, if they let him go, they would have to take a significant step back before they return to the 50-win level, which may take several seasons.

Joe may be flawed, but he is still a top 10 wing scorer in this league, and if he got to play in an actual offense he (along with the rest of the roster) would only improve.

FIRE WOODY

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Only way this team is gonna get better is if Woody kicks rocks, and we can possibly send Marvin , and one of Smoove, or Horford to Phoenix for Amare Stoudemire. Of course we’d also have to re-up with JJ.

But this is just a dream it would never happen.

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FIRE WOODY

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Oh yeah, and I’ve seen some people complain about the officiating… don’t even bring that sh-t in here. Yes, the refs were bad, but they are not the reason for the Hawks’ collapse.

FIRE WOODY

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If I was Michael Gearon, I would walk into the locker room before Friday’s game and tell everyone loud and clear that they are playing and coaching for their jobs. If that doesn’t light a fire under them I don’t think anything will. F-ck a pep talk, this team needs an alarm.

FIRE WOODY

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I feel a great disturbance in the force. Yes the tide has shifted but don’t forget the story of “The Turtle and the Hare”. The Hare was so much quicker and was so sure of the outcome of the race; he decided to catch a nap during the race only to lose in the end. The moral of this story: IT AIN’T OVER UNTIL IT’S OVER!!!

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That said, and I edited myself to stay within limits…..

That said, the commentator deserves credit for chasing Gearon down and trying to get him to talk. and also for writing what he saw, which won’t necessarily make him the most popular columnist in town.

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The Hawks are 22nd in the league in salary for this season, but they are only $3 million away from the median salary. The cumulative effect of everything the DASG has done results in me not liking them much, but I can’t deny that they have accumulated enough talent on this team for them to do much better than get upset in the first round. They are not at fault here.

FIRE WOODY

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“The Hare was so much quicker and was so sure of the outcome of the race; he decided to catch a nap during the race only to lose in the end. ”

The Hawks sound an awful lot like the hare to me. Kurt Thomas is a damn tortoise.

FIRE WOODY

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THE BRAVES ………. SORRY AS HELL

THE THRASHERS……..SORRY AS HELL

THE FALCONS………..SORRY AS HELL

GEORGIA TECH……….SORRY AS HELL

SOUTHERN POLY………SORRY AS HELL

GEORGIA BULLDOGS……….SORRY AS HELL

ATLANTA DREAM………SORRY AS HELL

ATLANTA HAWKS………..SORRY AS HELL

FIRE WOODY

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GET STEVE SMITH ON THE LINE SO HE CAN COACH US NEXT YEAR

FIRE WOODY

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TYRONE CORBIN BEEN SITTING UNDER JERRY SLOAN FOR YEARS CALL HIM UP

FIRE WOODY

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HAWKS ARE AT FULL STRENGTH AND THEY STILL CAN’T BEAT THE BUCKS. WHAT THE EXCUSE THIS YEAR WOODY. YOUR TEAM AIN’T YOUNG ANYMORE.

FIRE WOODY

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The Hawks build a lead playing team basketball and then try to protect it by going one on one with pull-up jumpers. When they pass and run a real offense, they are fun to watch. when they go one on one, they are painful to watch.

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IF WOODY WAS SMART HE WOULD START LOOKING FOR A GOOD REAL ESTATE AGENT

FIRE WOODY

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If the Hawks were smart they would invest in some high quality fishing equipment. I hear Lake Michigan has some mighty fine marine life this time of year.

FIRE WOODY

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WOODY = COY

FIRE WOODY

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If you stretch out all the FIRE WOODY’s on this page in one line, you could probably reach from New York to San Francisco.

FIRE WOODY

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Denver showing how to take care of home court when the pressure is on. I can’t WAIT to hear what Kenny and Charles have to say about the Hawks.

FIRE WOODY

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WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
told u people earler, Bucks gonna win the game
what an awesome game
i was at the first 2 games at the Bradley Center in Milaukee, and the fans were great
it was loud, it was crazy
i’ll be at the game on firday, when the Bucks beat the Hawks
wow
if the Bucks pull this off, u guys need to fire the coach
dont re-sign JJ
trade Js and anyone else of value
rebuild with teague and horford, and new draft picks
FEAR THE DEER

BUCKS WIN BUCKS WIN BUCKS WIN

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PANDEMONEUM YOU MESSED UP OUR STRING OF FIRE WOODY

FIRE WOODY

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WE JUST GOTTA KEEP FIGHTING

FIRE WOODY

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This is a re-post from the other blog.

**********************************************

Let me ask some of you a question:

What did the Bucks do, scheme-wise in those final 4 minutes, to help them get a victory?

A: NOT A DAMN THING

*************

They won that game, simply because the players kept scrapping and they made plays.

- Salmons taking a standstill 3 and making it, because JJ backed off of him

- Kurt Thomas drawing an offensive foul ( charge ) from JJ on that out of control drive

- Jennings doing a Chauncey Billups-esque pump fake on JJ, to draw a foul . . 21 feet away from the basket

- Salmons drive to get to the FT line after Ilyasova got to a missed FT before Smoove did . . . ( because Smoove didn’t box him out )

- Delfino taking and making an early in the shot clock standstill 3, after Ilyasova got an offensive rebound. . . which was the DAGGER, because it put them up 4

Those are all either heads-up plays . . or hustle plays . . plays that their PLAYERS made. Meanwhile, we’re running into people, blowing wide open lay-ups, taking wild jumpshots, and ironically . . looking like a (( bleepin )) deer in headlights.

And I’m pizzed at JJ for what he DIDN’T do.

You CANNOT take 2 shots total in the 4th quarter of a playoff game, and commit all of those turnovers . . plus break down defensively. I don’t care if he was having a bad shooting game. or not. He’s the floor leader in that situation. Get your damn shots up or get to the line. But don’t defer. Don’t play that passive ish like you played during last playoffs. And if a dude is playing you too tight, just shoot over him.

And those defensive breakdowns . . . wow. I expect that from Mike Bibby, not JJ. For all the good JJ did in that 3rd quarter to help build the lead, he was a huge culprit in the disintegration that lead in the 4th.

********************

As for Woody . . my stance has always been that you can’t solely give credit to the players if we win, but solely blame Woody if we lose. Woody has a hand in ALL LOSSES, but so do these players. When you see a team make mistake after mistake coming down the stretch of games, you have to put some of that on the players.

A lot of it actually. Especially the mental errors. And in a game like this. These players had a complete mental breakdown. And the reason you know that, is because it happened on BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR . . . not just the offensive end.

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“THEY DON’T LIKE EACH OTHER”

FIRE WOODY

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The Chuckster’s take was mind-boggling, but I can’t say I disagree with any of his reasoning.

Do the Hawks actually dislike each other? I’d love to find out.

Maybe they just dislike the fact that their scheme, or lack thereof, makes everything ten times as hard as it needs to be.

FIRE WOODY

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Woody has no offensive game plan…so the Hawks run playground offense. Woody has no control or authority…so the Hawks do whatever the hell they want when they want(i.e. Iso Joe, Jamal bricks, Smoove threes, etc.). No coaching leads to no execution. No execution leads to helter skelter offense. Helter Skelter offense leads to breakdown after breakdown at the ends of games.

FIRE WOODY

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I know I dont write on here much, but I will go ahead and say I am a loyal fan of all things atlanta. I have been to every hawks playoff game since we made the run the past three years and average about 15 hawks games a year. I also reminisce with the jax and rider days. Tonight at the game though was just unspeakable. When I have a hawks fan trying to fight me in the fourth quarter for standing up and rooting the JJ less hawks when he cant see cause he refuses to stand up an do the same. Having a hawks fan throwing punches at me because I am loyal enough to stand up at games speakes volumes of this fan base. I dont even hardly blame the team or the coach. I am a poor GT student who manages to secure tickets to at least 15 games a season and hasnt missed a playoff game since the Woodson era began. If I cant stand up and cheer on the hawks in the upper deck then what can I do. Screw the guy who is responsible for my blackeye and called security 3 times because my friends and I were standing and trying to will this Hawks team to a game 5 victory… The fourth game against the Celtics this season when we were going for the sweep I had similar yet more docile fans telling me to sit down. This is why the arena is empty cause a fan cant stand up, cheer, and have a good time. Peace b*tches. I’m out. I would love to attend a game 7 but I feel like the team is much like the d*uche sitting behind me tonight. Unwilling to get up when it matters the most.

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“As for Woody . . my stance has always been that you can’t solely give credit to the players if we win, but solely blame Woody if we lose.”

I know you’re not addressing me directly, but let me respond regardless. I gave Woody credit throughout the regular season for keeping the Hawks winning, especially when they beat good teams like the March 24 game against the Magic. Woody still retains the solid B he earned for the regular season.

Unfortunately, he is an F- in the playoffs, and Scott Skiles is straight up embarrassing him. I can’t rationalize keeping him around after being this overmatched in the most important games of the season.

FIRE WOODY

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I didnt get kicked out Im just tired of dealing with these fair weather fans who think a basketball game is the ballet and they can not stand up when the team needs our support the most

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dacheesecakeman

wow, just got through listening to Charles Barkley on TNT. He labeled the Hawks “Denver East”. I took out of that: Great talent, but still losing. He points out how the players don’t like each other and not paying attention to Woody. Can’t argue wit that

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They’re definitely DENVER EAST. I’ve said all year that they play EXACTLY like the Nuggets.

And the Nuggets coach is head and shoulders better than ours. Yet, they do the same things and have the same mental breakdowns that we do. They don’t collapse like we do. They simply go through games in which they just do a lot of stupid stuff that causes them to lose games.

Utah plays like that too, even though they have better fundamental structure than both Denver and Atlanta. Utah is a totally different team on the road, but can beat anybody at home.

But the Hawks twin brother is definitely Denver. And like Barkley said Monday night after Denver lost . . . people can’t blame the George Karl sickness and him not being there, on why Denver is down in that series. Denver has played like that ALL YEAR, even with Karl running the show.

That’s why I say that people better start taking a long hard look at these players, and see how they play in certain situations. Coach can’t go out on the floor and hold their hand. They can call better plays and direct the ball be thrown to different people.

But the coach can’t execute the play . . . or have that player box out for a rebound . . . or have that player pass the ball before the trap comes . . . or make that player make a wide open lay-up . . . or make that player hustle after a loose ball.

That stuff is on the players. And if they don’t do that, then that’s on them.

Blame the coach for the play-calling and personnel. Blame the players for the execution and the desire to win.

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If we don’t stand something, we’ll fall for anything. STAND TOGETHER AND FIRE MIKE “HELL NO GOODY” WOODSON.

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I whole page full of Fire Woody. I never thought this would happen 6 years ago. I feel special.

FIRE WOODY

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I’m reading through the posts here and have noticed complaints about Al shooting too many shots tonight. How can you people think he’s taking too many shots when he is shooting at 50+% from the field? What the Hawks did with Al Horford tonight was great. They made an effort to get the ball inside and let Al take advantage of mismatches and get high percentage shots. That was one of the positives from this game. Horford is the most efficient scorer on the team and when he is getting high percentage shots and converting them, there is no need to complain. He definitely had the best all-around performance of any player on the court tonight.

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@ northcyde

but then again, maybe the Hawks are progressing. A few years ago we used to be “Clippers East”, now we’re Denver East. Get a better coach and system and we’ll maybe be “Lakers East”, lol

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lol @ dacheesecake . . . that is true. We were definitely CLIPPERS EAST for a good while there.

If we lose JJ, we might become MINNESOTA SOUTH.

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TIME TO START THE INTERVIEWS FOR HEAD COACH. MARK JACKSON IS FIRST

FIRE WOODY

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Momma, there goes that man!

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Charley Rosen @ msn.foxsports.com:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Atlanta-Hawks-have-talent-but-Milwaukee-Bucks-have-guts

Enjoy everyone! I particularly love the last sentence!

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Keep Joe and we remain the Denver of the East (while everybody is catching and passing us).

Lose Joe and become the Minnesota of the South (hello lottery land).

It’s all up to Joe and his agent. I’ll roll with the punches.

Joe stays, how do we get better than this? Joe goes, how do we rebuild?

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I heard y’all need a coach. Mr. Sund, may I have this dance!? I know it’s Sunday, but the bank is open! (Obviously, it’s not really Sunday.) . Lets settle this. Mr. Woodson, meet me at the rim! Outta my way, it’s time to dance! You think the Hawks are going to take a step back and regress!? Not on my watch! You know the rule..hand down, man down! It’s time for the Hawks to make a grown man move! Don’t take your frustration out on the refs, take it out on the rim!

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Looks like it’s just you and me left here, Big Ray. Come on Hawks, you’re better than that! May I have this dance!?

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Why do the people here act like they deserve better? Face it, Atlanta is nothing but rednecks that like NASCAR and the Bulldogs. You haven’t ever really attended Hawks games so quit acting like you care now. Every team should be pulled from Atlanta because the city of ATL does Not DESERVE a franchise.

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Big Ray, no one here even listens to Anthony. He made it clear long ago that he has no idea what he’s talking about and no statistical support for anything he says. Don’t even waste your time reading his garbage.

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I was going to say Bone’s was one of the best posts ever but once was enough!

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Your honor, I present Exhibit A:

Date/Opponent/Hawks 4th quarter points/Result

11/6/2009 Bobcats 14 (L)
11/26/2009 Magic 11 (L)
12/5/2009 Mavericks 16 (W)
12/29/2009 Cavs 10 (L)
12/30/2009 Cavs 16 (L)
1/4/2010 Miami 17 (L)
1/18/2010 Thunder 16 (L)
1/27/2010 Spurs 16 (L)
2/10/2010 Miami 12 (L)
2/19/2010 Suns 14 (L)
2/21/2010 Warriors 14 (L)
3/6/2010 Miami 17 (L)
3/24/2010 Orlando 18 (W)
4/3/2010 Pistons 17 (W)
4/7/2010 Pistons 16 (L)

That is 15 games this year in which the Hawks scored 18 points or less in the fourth quarter. Their record in those games? 3-12.

Whenever we mentioned these kinds of droughts, some people were quick to point out how the Hawks were 4th in offensive efficiency. Well, where has that offensive efficiency gotten us? On the brink of elimination to a team with a first year HC, a rookie PG, and missing its 2 best players.

(By the way, which Bucks starter would start for the Hawks right now?).

From Rosen: “And exactly how did the Hawks try to manifest their spectacular advantage in talent? By running an endless series of isolations — 42 to be exact, which accounted for nearly half of their 83 total shots, which produced 40 points”….”Compare this situation with the Bucks, who ran 17 isos that generated only nine points”.

When the going gets tough, people resort to what they know. When the game gets tight, the Hawks go back to what they do, which makes me think is also what they practice. And when something happens that often, the HC ultimately takes the blame (although JJ and Crawford stunk it up tonight).

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* Correction: This is actually Skiles’ second year as HC of the Bucks.

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How the hell does ZaZa commit those great hard fouls in the 2nd qtr and DOESN’T play again?

WOODSON U !@#$ING SUCK

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Woody have 2 go period i don’t care if the hawks do get past the bucks, how in the h you lose 2 a team with 2 of there best player out and hawks have a full roster with no injury.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

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There’s a reason people around the country call Atlanta LOSERVILLE—the city sucks in all sports. that 95 title in baseball was a fluke—won in a strike year. Atlanta is just a big urban ghetto with overpaid players on all 4 teams that don’t win anything. Come to New York–that’s where it’s at baby!!!

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Woody is a dumb coach.

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Hey BONES suck a D!!! I thought the Bucks fans would have nothing to cheer about as your said

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Loserville:

I have a name for New York as well.
But I think it’s rude to talk filthy on the blog.

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JeJe, I agree with you. Yes, I said it! I agree with you. There is no urgency with these guys. Really, they need to grow a pair of balls. I hate the word choke in sports, but that is what the Hawks are doing.

I thought I had grown up past the point where my sports teams winning or losing had an impact on my mood. I haven’t. I am just sick to my stomach today. As someone who was there on the ground floor of this rebuilding process, I feel like it was all for nothing. This organization is going to be blown up when, not if, but when the Hawks lose on Friday.

And, I think all of these guys are expendable. There is not one player on that roster who we can’t live without.

Wondering if anyone can help me out with this….is there a way to get out of season tickets, even if you have already paid? I really do not want anything more to do with the Hawks.

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Marc Stein: Fans of free agency rooting for Bucks to finish off Hawks to increase odds of Joe Johnson being in play for Knicks, Bulls, etc. Right?

Read more: http://hoopshype.com/twitter_media.html#ixzz0mUbTxvHa

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The fans need to relax. The hawks just showed up flat, expecting an easy win at home. Now that they have to win, they’ll step it up big in milwaukee, then finish it off in atlanta in a game 7 blowout. I think the hawks can beat orlando if they play to the max. orlando’s overrated, with 1 star.

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Relax, none of that is going to happen. This thing is over.

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Woody’s still talking bout the Pistons. lol!

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You know what’s the biggest difference between those Pistons teams and this Atlanta team?

Woody wasn’t the head coach of the Pistons!!!!

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Wow, SEKOU confirmed everything this morning. Finally, somebody in the media has put Woodrow on blast. He stated only two players showed up to see Jamal receive his 6th man award and neither player was a starter. He stated the older players (JJ & Bibby) don’t trust the younger players. There’s a disconnect between Josh and the team.
When asked if Jennings would have the same rookie season in Atlanta, Sekou stated NO. Woody does not believe in playing rookie pg. He stated Teague should have gotten major burn. Furthermore he stated this team was divided. When asked about Woodrow’s replacement, he stated Larry Drew was a different coach.

Hmmmm, now we know THIS IS WOODY BALL FOLKS.

AJ,NORTHCYDE, AND THE QUACK “HOW YOU LIKE YOUR BOY NOW”

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CAN WE SAY ADJUSTMENTS!!!!!!!!
CAN WE SAY ZONE DEFENSE!!!!!!!
CAN WE SAY THIS TEAM HAS NO HEART!!!!!

LASTLY, CAN WE SAY THIS TEAMS PLAYS LIKE THEIR COACH!!!!!!!!

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“When asked if Jennings would have the same rookie season in Atlanta, Sekou stated NO. Woody does not believe in playing rookie pg. He stated Teague should have gotten major burn.”

We all already knew this, it’s just some blame JT0’s “lack of skill” of being the culprit for his limited minutes, which is a joke. You had Mike Bibby clock 25+ minutes last night, but he had very little to show for it.

Remember Luke Ridnour? His 15 points hurt us last night. Funny thing is, JT0 ripped him in his 60 or so seconds on the floor yesterday. Did Woody not want to even TRY and let the rookie get in front of the guy. Nobody else was…

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Holy Crap!!! How many times can you run an isolation play??? Good luck on getting that new Max Contract Joe, you suck. What a friggin embarrassment this team is. Blow it all up except for Horford.

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Sooooo disappointed in last nights lost. I may sound crazy for this, because if you have an opportunity to win a championship, you go for it. With that being said, I believe Joe’s fourth quarter meltdown was all apart of the plan. If we made it to the Eastern conference champions or potentially to the Finals, would Rick Sund FIRE WOODY? I highly doubt that the hawks organization would do that. These players know they won’t go anywhere with Woody. the plan is on, we will lose to the Bucks! if woody goes then JJ stays. these players recognize the lack of talent they have as a coach.

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Damn!

My post last night was so RAW, it was obliterated by the BLOG Po-Po and never saw the light of day!
But they let that guy post the same 2 Words 3 thousand times? Didn’t he already say that?

Man, I don’t even care if we win this series or the next – I am just to tired & disappointed to care.

I called the last 6 minute game plan: Line-Up & Simple strategy – but my coaching was ignored, because we did the opposite & lost.

YOU PLAY TO WIN – The Game!
We played to NOT lose the Game –
How you play? Is what you are. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose – it’s HOW you play the game.

IF we had DWade? Then we would be Boston & have the Big 3.
But, IF my aunt were a Man? – She would be my Uncle.

Peace! & I’m Gone! (I have better things to do today.)

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I’m at work, but I can’t WAIT to hear this Sekou interview.

FIRE WOODY

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Sorry, I forgot to add FIRE WOODY. I’m kinda new to this thing.

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Venom, thanks for that link to Sekou’s interview. I’m going to listen to that as soon as I get a chance.

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No problem 303

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Section 303, I’m not saying any of those players will carry the Hawks necessarily, just that it’s not accurate to expect that this team can’t and won’t improve significantly from where they are.

As far as them being head cases and having trust issues, that can be solved with veteran leadership and a coach that knows what he’s doing. If Rasheed Wallace and Stephen Jackson can win titles, so can Josh Smith.

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I don’t have confidence in Sund. Look at his track record.

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I’m tellin yall, if JJ walks and he’s out of the picture, JT0 will get his chance to GO, without being held back. Wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out to be a 20 points/10 assists type of guy.

I seriously think the kid is a walking double-double. He’ll get better offensively with more PT, and he’s already pretty good at finding people. He just needs his chance to let-loose without worrying about making mistakes, something he hasn’t been able to do in all but one game this season.

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“Coach”, you seem to be the only “coach” in the league that truly believes that his 4’s and 5’s can check 1’s and 2’s on the perimeter!! I mean doesn’t that effectively take away your size advantage on the post when your big men are trying to check guards out on the perimeter? Doesn’t that take away from your rebounding? Doesn’t that negate Josh Smith’s shot blocking help defense in the paint?

How can your “superstar” end the game on the bench, fouled out, with 13 points? And why does your “superstar” insist on dribbling the ball til 4 seconds left on the clock. Haven’t you drawn up a play he could be running?

Hey “superstar” aren’t you 6′8? Why do you play like you’re 5′6? Why so many floaters? Ever thought that may be the reason you don’t draw fouls?

Hey “Coach”, how many times did you ignore the isolation post play with Rignour trying to match Marvin Williams? Did you not find that match up enticing?

Hey “coach” wasn’t Marvin your hot man? When the team went through a scoring drought of Iso-Joe’s did you not have a play to get Marvin the ball? Maybe Horford the ball in the post?

Hey “Coach” what is your offensive identity by the way? Bet on a run out off a defensive play? What exactly are you doing during those timeouts when you’re drawing on that court board?

Hey “Coach” since game 3 have you not recognized that Skiles has made an adjustment against your collegiate switching D?

Hey “Coach” maybe you should employ your most effective coaching strategy yet and cut your eyebrows off again. I mean, that was a stroke of coaching genius.

Hey “Coach” Jennings is a pretty fast guy. Bibby and jamal have feet of cinder blocks. I know you have a pretty good disdain for rookies BUT…. do you think that Teague just may be able to ride Jennings enough to upset the flow of the Buck’s offensive?

Hey “Coach” ever heard of an adjustment? You might want to look into it because the NBA does allow those. You won’t get fined for it.

Hey “Coach”, ever wonder why Josh is hanging out by the perimter? Well when your offense consists of ISO-Joe (and whoeverelse) because as you said, “That’s what we do”. That dictates that Josh and other bigs must back out of the lane to try to draw the other team’s big men out of the lane to create space. The problem with this is that when the other team helps, they usually leave Josh, Zaza, and Al Horford open. Thus the long jumpers from Josh, Al, and Zaza.

Oh, and getting back to your response about your switching D and reliance on ISO-Joe/Jamal saying “That’s what we do”. If i ride motorcycles and it’s pouring raining outside, do I ride anyway because “That’s what we do”? If i’m a swimmer but i look and see there are sharks in the water, do i swim anyway because “that’s what we do”?

Hey wait a minute, what exactly is it the YOU do? I mean, i know your title says “coach” but what exactly do you do?

Hey “Coach”….”Coach”???? Anybody home? Guess you’ve gone fishing… for some reason you seem to always checkout in crunch time. I guess I know where your players get it from!

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Mista Gunner,

I said it yesterday after I read your post, and I’ll say it again.

Post of the post-season.

Co-sign.

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I’m a Bucks fan and I just gotta say it seems like the Hawks do the same offensive play every time. They either dump it down to Horford for a hook shot (which was actually going in the first 2 games) or they give it to that ball hog Jamal Crawford. Then Crawford just lets the shot clock run down then he drives and takes an unreasonable looking shot. The only time the Hawks offense looks good is in transition. Also, the Bucks aren’t that bad of a team. We all know with Bogut the Bucks would have dominated this series but he wasnt the entire team. Delfino and Jennings were scoring a lot of our points all year. Even without Bogut theyre still pretty good. I gotta say though when Al Horford cant dominate Dan Gadzuric and that Brezec guy thats pretty sad

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Hey everyone, you guys are all welcome to move on up to Milwaukee. The Bucks and the Packers are both at the start of some great years to come. The Brewers on the other hand….well we still have Braun. Also I don’t know what Josh Smith is talking about; ya I understand ATL is bigger then MKE, but there is plenty to do. Tons of events on Lake Mich and of course there is tons of night clubs.

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Know for decades we will have to wonder what if the Hawks actually had an offense to go with this talent?

All this talent wasted with Woody’s lack of coaching

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Mista Gamer,

“Oh, and getting back to your response about your switching D and reliance on ISO-Joe/Jamal saying “That’s what we do”. If i ride motorcycles and it’s pouring raining outside, do I ride anyway because “That’s what we do”? If i’m a swimmer but i look and see there are sharks in the water, do i swim anyway because “that’s what we do”?”

Excellent post. This just about sums it up.

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WE need a coach who knows how to make adjustments. Woodson has not made that accomplishment. Same plays over and over again, no surprises. B ucks made adjustments after the 1st two games. Good luck Hawks!!!!!!

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i clicked that link, how do i find the interview?

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Najeh, I hope you are right. I have lost my faith in a lot of these guys, though. And, I have my doubts on the ability of the ownership to pay enough for good vets and for Sund to choose the right vets.

But, we all remember the dark days of 20 or so wins…I know no one wants to go back to that. So, hopefully, you’re right on this one.

Angus, the Hawks are really a 1.5 favorite? Sometimes I wonder how Vegas has so many big buildings. That is a stupid line.

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When Joe Johnson makes comments like the reason they lost last night again was because of effort and toughness, who is he referring to?

When Josh shoots a jumper with 3 seconds left on the shot clock, because you turned into HOT SAUCE for 20 seconds, and then passed him the ball on the perimeter, whose fault is that? That has nothing to do with effort or toughness. Marvin is the only guy who normally falls in those categories, and he played well last night. Horford certainly played with toughness and effort. Because Bibby or Jamal were not making shots should you question their effort? This double talk and finger pointing kills me. Horford and Josh both have their flaws, but effort and toughness are two things that I would never question about them. Maybe that is why they can’t win, they have no clue what the problems are. Joe, maybe you should try Coaching and selfishness (ballhogging).

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The one, two or three games Joe/Jamal did not play, we looked phenomenal.

Teague looked great on defense for 30 seconds last night.

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Can someone post the link to the Sekou interview?

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I was at the game last night and was probably as disgusted as everyone else was. But this morning, I’m trying to look at it this way. Tha Hawks still have a chance to win the series. If they can’t go up to Milwaukee and win a game 6, what would have been the point in advancing and playing Orlando anyway? It’s like Pat Riley likes to say, the playoffs don’t really start until a home team loses.

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Now I have to blame us fans.

My Favorite quote:

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results!!!!

We had the nerve to think the Hawks would suddenly transform into this great team, once the playoffs started. Hey Guys we are not the Lakers, the hawks can’t turn it on and off at the flip of a switch.
Not these hawks, and definitely not with this ignorant azz coach.

True Insanity!!!!!!!

Fire Woodrow!!!!

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Random Thoughts……..

Amazing stat from last nights game — not one of the Bucks frontcourt players scored in double figures. 70% of their points came from the backcourt…..

Hawks Roster – All-Star Center and Guard (Al Horford and Joe Johnson), NBA Sixth Man of the Year (Jamal Crawford), NBA All Defensive Team Forward (Josh Smith – not announced but a lock since he was number two in DPOY voting) What would a good coach do with this roster?

Everyone complaining about the three pointer Josh shot shot and missed in the 4th quarter but no one mentions that Al got the rebound and missed a point blank putback……….

ZaZa – It’s sad when the best thing about your game is the fact that you make hard fouls. Please don’t mistake hard fouls for good defense. Multiple hard fouls in limited minutes only puts the opposing team closer to the bonus.

Marvin – chances of him having another 20 point game….well, there is a chance despite the fact he hasn’t scored 20 points in back to back games this season and none of his 20 point games were on the road. Oh yeah he only accomplished that feat 4 times prior to last nights game.

Hope to see you guys on Sunday.

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Just saying…

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The Sekou interview was great stuff.

I go to almost every home game. After listening to Sekou, I feel like I have totally misread the way the Hawks players get along. Sounds like there are some problems in the locker room.

Jamal Crawford pointed out that Morris and Zaza were at his 6th Man Award presentation. Didn’t really register to me that the other guys should have been there, too. Now that I think about it, the fact that the other guys did not bother to show up is telling.

What did Kevin McHale say last night? Sekou and the 790 guys both referenced something McHale said during last night’s telecast.

This will all be over soon, I’m afraid. Less than 48 hours from now, the season will be over, and the remaking of the Hawks will begin.

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I feel sorry for you Hawk fans. I’m a Bucks fan and our team is embarrassing you without our top player. If we had Bogut in this series, the Bucks would have taken the Hawks out in 5 games. You should be ashamed of the way your team plays. They have one of the most talented teams in the league and they play like a bunch of nancy boys. The Hawks are a joke. The Bucks are a TEAM. FEER THE DEER !!!!

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Skip Bayless is a nu+ sometimes, but he’s right to say the Hawks have no leadership from neither their “superstar” JJ or from head coach Mike Woodson.

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These players quit in the last 2 games and have packed in. They are all ready for expensive vacations with their entourages to the Caribbean baby!!! So turn out the lights and make sure they get their last million $$$ checks before cleaning out their lockers, packing up their Escalades and heading to the airport—they’ve got lots to do!!!

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For some strange reason i think joe johnson is jealous of jamal do any one think this is true? I never seen joe walking up 2 jamal at the games caring a conversation, maybe it’s just me.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

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ROD FROM COLLEGE PARK feel free to use a FIRE WOODY at the end of your posts.

Its bad when your team wins 53 games and they are hatin on each other.

FIRE WOODY

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We have 2 see what do with joe, the hawks have 2 get something for him before he walk a way for nothing.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!

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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!!!!!!!!!

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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.

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*capitalized

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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.

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Are you the same Michael Cunninham that used to write in Milwaukee? Is D. Orlando still writing in the ATL?

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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.

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Hand down…Man down.. Woody has to go. Will he consider playing ZONE, against the ‘FEAR THE DEER’ jump shooting team?

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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!!!!!!!!

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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.

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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!!!!!!!!

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To say the least – my azz is irritated

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DEFENSE WIN CHAMPIONSHIP BOX OUT REBOUND AND PUSH BALL UP COURT.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

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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.

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“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

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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!!!

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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

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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

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@ 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.

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@ Je Je, I wonder why (honestly) that only two showed up; could the entire team have shown up?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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Najeh…have you flushed your clothes basket lately?

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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.

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Try being an original!!! DON’T STEAL OTHER BLOGGER’S NAME!!!!

the gamer 10, WHAT A JOKE…..

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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.

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FIRE WOODY!!!

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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.”

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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

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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!!!

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JOE JOHNSON SAYS “WE” NEED TO EXECUTE AND THAT “WE AREN’T INTENSE” INSTEAD OF “I”

IT’S NEVER HIS GODDAMN FAULT

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dmb,

Many thanks.

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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.

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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. “

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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’.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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