Atlanta Hawks: Captain Smoove (!)
L.D. wants Josh to tone it down as captain.
It probably comes as no surprise that L.D. named Al one of his three team captains. He’s a mature guy with some natural leadership qualities, won two championships at Florida and already started down that path when he called out teammates for poor effort during the Orlando series.
J.J. is an obvious choice, too. He’s Atlanta’s Alpha Dog, the leading scorer, a four-time All-Star and the team’s highest-paid player.
But Josh Smith?
The erratic, emotional forward prone to demonstrative outbursts when things don’t go his way? The first Hawks player who came to mind when you heard about the league instructing officials to crack down on expressions of displeasure? The player who sometimes gives up on plays when he’s frustrated by officials?
Josh Smith as captain?
“That was something that was concern of mine, as well, then I was thinking about it,” L.D. said. “I had a conversation with him about that. He told me, ‘Look, Coach, I spent time this summer talking to myself about that. I know I have to do a better job in that.’
“I’m hoping that with this responsibility that he will look at things a little differently. It puts him in a different light. Some of those behaviors that he has had on the floor, you just can’t do that anymore. I am hoping that giving him more of a responsibility will steer his thinking in a whole different direction.”
If you are looking for some early specifics about the difference in approach between L.D. and Woody, this is a big one.
In my time on the beat, Woody never publicly rebuked Smoove for his outbursts. His style was to instead handle such matters internally during film sessions and in private talks. When public criticism of Josh reached a pitch after Hubie Brown’s comments about Josh during the Orlando series, Woody vehemently defended Josh.
By naming Josh captain and saying he needs to change his on-court demeanor, L.D. is putting very public expectations on him. Smoove said he’s ready for the responsibility.
“I have to take a different approach to this season,” he said. “I definitely have to carry myself in a whole different fashion because when you are captain you have to be more of a leader. I have to lead by example.
“I am an emotional player, obviously. Everybody knows that. But [I] just kind of have to hold my emotions together and just play basketball and stay positive throughout the game, no matter what happens.”
J.J. and Bibby were the team captains last season. Al was just in his third season and Josh still had some maturing to do.
“I think it’s time, both he and Al,” L.D. said. “They have been in this thing long enough. Certainly they have shown areas of growth in that [leadership] department. I just think it’s time for both of them to take a step. I am going to expect some certain things from them being the leaders.
“Along with being captains comes responsibility. Their teammates look at them in a different light, the public looks at them in a different light with those titles. You have got to live up to those titles.”
Smoove certainly has the basketball credentials to be captain. He’s pretty outspoken, too, unafraid to voice his opinion. Shoot, he’s been around longer than any Hawks player so he can stake a legitimate claim to this team.
And it’s not that he’s shown no leadership ability at all. He might have been the most frustrated player when the Hawks bogged down in isolations last season, and I still vividly remember him imploring his teammates to share the ball during that stirring W at Utah.
Smoove won’t be 25 until Dec. 5, but he’s much older in NBA years. He’s a grizzled vet, an established guy in the league. Now he’s a team captain.
“This is my seventh year, man,” he said. “I’ve been through the ups and downs. I have experienced it all. I just want to get deep in the playoffs so I can say I’ve experienced that [too].”
L.D. is counting on Smoove to help lead the way.
MC
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222 comments Add your comment
SLAM ONLINE | » Josh Smith: Captain
September 29th, 2010
10:20 am
[...] Drew, Atlanta’s new head coach, named Smoove one of the co-captains on the Hawks, because Smith promised to behave going forward (following a little pep talk … [...]
vava74
September 29th, 2010
10:20 am
Section 303,
You said “I would pay for the chance to tell Joe what I think of him to his face”.
Since there nothing physically preventing you from doing it apart from eventually being scared of his reaction, your words are little more than “hot hair”.
Michael Cunningham
September 29th, 2010
10:23 am
@truthspitter: FYI, if you put more than one link in your comment the blog monster will eat it.
Section 303
September 29th, 2010
10:30 am
vava74, you’re making no sense and trying too hard to make a point that is not there. I’m done with the conversation.
Section 303
September 29th, 2010
11:04 am
Teezo, you’re a much more evolved human being than me when it comes to this Joe Johnson issue (seriously, you are). I just can’t let it go. Thought I could, but can’t. Need an apology. That’s all I ask.
I am usually full of nothing but positive vibe at this time of year, right as camp starts. The “I could careless” comment makes me do a 180. Forget just paying for season tixs….I think about all the nights of adjusting my schedule, sitting through a lousy games, defending the team when others rip them….P#sses me off that the team’s best player could “careless” that I (and others) did that. F him.
Mike is back
September 29th, 2010
11:23 am
MC, from the start…I have stated that I was impressed at the way LD has handled this entire process. I like the choice of JJ, Al, and Smoove as captains of the team.
No sense canniblogging…I think everyone has done a great job of articulating the risk and reward of LD’s decision…however despite the trepidation of Smoove’s ability to be a leader…You have to admire the boldness of LD’s decision. I think he is immediately getting buy-in from three guys…that are critical to the success of the team.
Section303, so you want to talk to JJ face to face. After you get through giving him a piece of your mind… while you are at it…don’t forget to thank him for helping the Hawks…break that dreaded ten years drought…from making the NBA playoff…and logging more minutes per game than any player in the NBA…the last couple of seasons…and playing injured on a regular basis.
It’s a new season…move on bro…geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez. Just saying.
GeeMack
September 29th, 2010
11:35 am
Ken Strickland
That Detroit Piston model is an exception to winning in the NBA. The Lakers, Celtics, and Heat have the neccessary personnel to win titles consistently.
Building a team like the Pistons is not a good model to follow for a team with Champioship aspirations.
Astro Joe
September 29th, 2010
11:35 am
Section 303, do you want the Hawks to individually play hard on a Tuesday evening against the Pacers with 8,000 fans in the arena? Should they play harder when there are 20,000 fans in the arena against the Heat? If Joe is of the opinion that players should bring their “A games” regardless of fan attendance, then he may say something like “I don’t care if the fans show up”, not because he is indifferent about the fans but because he believes the players need to perform regardless of the attendance in the arena. I think that there is a good chance that his statement was intended for his teammates (i.e. do your job regardless of fans cheering, booing or whatever).
Honestly, I want players who perform their best regardless of who shows up and how they react. Fans are moody, I don’t want players reacting to the mood swings of fans. Heck, in Atlanta, if the players are responding to their fans, they would likely not start playing until 20 minutes after game time, because that’s when half the crowd arrives.
In the final analysis, performing in a manner that is indifferent to fan support is far better than performing because of fan support. Because fan support is a roller-coaster ride and performance should be consistent.
ILL-Logical
September 29th, 2010
11:38 am
MC: have there been any discussions that you are aware of concerning a marketing campaign for the 2010-11 seson? Now that the captains have been identified-the key players- how are they going to be sold to the public?
Section 303
September 29th, 2010
11:43 am
Astro Joe, I understand and agree with everything you wrote. My problem, though, is that Joe has never clarified. You, me, and anyone else does not really know what he intended to say. He has just said nothing. And, he cannot be unaware as to how some (like me) took his “I could careless” comments.
You don’t have to agree. I just need an apology, or at the very least, “this is what I intended to say…” from the guy. The acting like it is no big deal is not good enough.
Astro Joe
September 29th, 2010
11:51 am
Section 303, in lieu of a deposition explaining the original comments, I look at the circumstances, which (as I recall), came immediately after a beat down by the Magic in Philips Arena. And a few weeks later, Horford suggested that the players quit during that series (or something to that affect). So for me, it doesn’t seem far-fetched that Joe’s comments came out of frustration with his teammates. Joe may be of the opinion that the guys who quit are the ones who should be apologizing to the fans.
Section 303
September 29th, 2010
12:00 pm
Astro Joe, I would have no problem with that. If that’s what he was saying, fine. I don’t think that is what he was saying, though. When asked about the fans booing, Joe said, “I was just frustrated.” Ok, with whom? Fans booing? The way the games were going? What? He can’t be that stupid to just let this simmer, can he?
Anyways….way too much energy wasted on this. It still bothers me. Not that anyone cares (Joe apparently doesn’t), but I’m no fan of the guy until I hear some clarification or an apology. I took the comments personnally, in case you couldn’t tell.
O'Brien
September 29th, 2010
12:17 pm
Another thing I like about camp, is they have a theme. “Hard Work.” I know its simple, but it gives the players something else to buy into.
Hopefully that mantra will stay with them throughout the season, because they will need a lot of hard work.
One interesting note from MC’s article;
Drew said all of Atlanta’s power forwards and centers met his requirement to finish in less than seven minutes. Not all of the smaller players made their mark but Drew declined to reveal specifics..
My guess is that Bibby did not finish in less than 7 minutes.
Astro Joe
September 29th, 2010
12:17 pm
Section 303, clearly… I’ll add this and then I am done. Joe was part of a historic playoff beat down. Lost by epic proportions. On the other hand, he has witnessed varying degrees of Hawk support over his first 5 years in Atlanta. So when he says that he is frustrated… is there really a question if he was referring to being abused by the Magic, having teammates quit or frustrated with the inconsistent support of the city for the Hawks? I’m guessing that the Magic foot in his behind (and lack of focus from teammates) was infinitely more frustrating than what fans were saying or doing during the butt-kicking.
darrell starks
September 29th, 2010
12:18 pm
I have no problem with drew motion offense, but he need get this team more focus on defense, let not forget even woody with a defensive mind set couldn’t get these guys on the right path, LD focus more on defense.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
darrell starks
September 29th, 2010
12:20 pm
Defense create easy basket with teague at point, but with no defense half court set is harder 2 score im sure LD no this.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
SteveW
September 29th, 2010
12:21 pm
Josh is doing things leaders do. He was horrible at the 3 pt shot – so he just had the largest decrease in 3 point attempts from 1 season to the next in NBA history (fact). He worked with an NBA guru -wants to become a student of the game. And maybe more importantly than anything, he lost weight. Man, I was concerned last year – high flying coupled with upper body “thickness” (not cut and muscle, just thick) is a recipe for ankle/knee injuries. So I’m glad he’s thinner this year.
vava74
September 29th, 2010
12:27 pm
Lebrat: what a *#%& idiot (report on the Heat’s first practice session):
“He pumped his fist after passing over a double-team and setting Joel Anthony up for a dunk. He got wide-eyed after breaking free in a defensive drill for a thunderous slam that left teammates more than impressed.”
SteveW
September 29th, 2010
12:28 pm
Doing my NBA roster checks – man, the Bulls sure look stout! I hope all you guys know what your talking about by saying we’re still better than them. I know they have a rookie Head Coach, but so do we.
PG – Rose and Watson – Pretty good I’d say
SG – Brewer and Korver – not bad, probably weakest postion of the team
SF – Deng and Johnson – Again – pretty good
PF – Boozer and Gibson – Solid
C – Noah, Thomas, and Asik – Again pretty solid.
And if the Bucks get Dampier, they may be that solid also – but regardless – GO HAWKS!!!!!
vava74
September 29th, 2010
12:32 pm
Section 303,
You miss interpreted the whole episode.
It’s true that JJ could have clarified his words but he is clearly a PR disaster and the Hawks’ franchise are close behind.
It’s up to us to correctly frame what happened.
JJ has been a workhorse for us and in general we cannot complain at all of him not doing what he was supposed to do as Hawk.
This issue is so clear cut that you managed to get two of the most polarized bloggers around here agreeing to something (me and Astro).
SteveW
September 29th, 2010
12:32 pm
Stat I like the most about the Hawks – if Teague beats out Bibby at PG:
PG – Age 22
SF – Age 24
PF – Age 25 (Dec 8th)
C- Age 24
We’ve got some young guns for a few years, ya’ think?
i_am_soulstar
September 29th, 2010
12:33 pm
I understand frustration with the perception of the comments when you’re a fan spending your hard earned bucks to support this team. But, everyone says something that they regret or don’t mean. Only difference is unless your name is Kanye West or Joe Johnson, you don’t have millions of people throwing it back in your face. Still, different people will forgive at different rates depending on who they are, as well as their emotional and/or financial investment in the team.
cp
September 29th, 2010
12:34 pm
Why are some on here so worried about where the media thinks the Hawks will finish or what they think of the Hawks? They have been wrong about this team for about 4 years in a row now. Those so called experts just go with the popular opinion. When their predictions on the Hawks don’t go as planned they just find a reason to short change the team. At the end of the day the games have to be played on the court regardless of what ESPN or any other experts think.
darrell starks
September 29th, 2010
12:35 pm
Joe is not a super star he is a complimentary 2 a super star, but if you can add another score at the 3 then the hawks are in business.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SteveW
September 29th, 2010
12:37 pm
Vava74 – I wanted to compliment you on the blog you wrote about Marvin being a gym rat. How that violated blogger orthodoxy and dogma around here. That was probably the 2nd best post I’ve ever read on here.
The best post ever (to me), and I wish it would be reprinted, was a Northcyde (I think) parody of Sund, Horford and I forget who else, when Horford asked for another quality big and we re-signed Jason Collins. That was hilarious! Professional quality – and high selling professional quality at that. Just Awesome. Would love to see him do a weekly on that. Classic.
i_am_soulstar
September 29th, 2010
12:40 pm
cp
I agree. Screw the experts. They seem to sell us short every year. I could’ve burned my Chris Webber jersey and posted the video on youtube after he said we wouldn’t make the playoffs this season. Yup, I kinda took it personal.
DevN
September 29th, 2010
12:43 pm
Cosign with Vava74 @ 9.07am and Astro Joes comments defending JJ.
Section 303 – watch this actual video of JJ’s interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u01z0bbfPXg
It was clearly taken out of context by the media and if you are pissed off as a season ticket holder, it should be against the ASG and their PR dept who should have made sure their customers are not hurt on basis of twisted reporting.
All Joe was saying(trying..) was he and the rest of the hawks team should show up irrespective of the fans showing up.
So before you all jumb the bandwagon of believing the media reports see for yourself.
vava74
September 29th, 2010
12:50 pm
SteveW,
Thanks for the props!
That northcyde post was indeed hilarious!
Rev in Tampa
September 29th, 2010
12:58 pm
I find it interesting that Drew is willing to tell the media that not all the smaller players made their mark in the mile run. Drew really seems to be an open book. None of us on this blog are left wondering what Drew thinks or is planning. And he does not shy away from holding the players accountable in his public statements, while at the same time not shaming them. How refreshing!
Furthermore, Drew is consistent in his every utterance. In other words, he is not saying what he thinks the media & fans want to hear. He is speaking about what he really believes and thinks.
\
September 29th, 2010
1:07 pm
Enter your comments here
Sautee
September 29th, 2010
1:07 pm
Ramon,
Here’s what you said first that I responded to:
“Section 303, is Al whining when he states (over and over) that he can’t win without playing the PF position, when he knows he’s not the best PF on the team? Is that doing what’s best for the team?”
I asked you when did Al ever say that he can’t win without playing PF?
You said this as an explanation:
“Sautee, on a couple of interviews (radio and television) Al has repeatedly stated that he wants to play PF and he’s playing out of position. Is that not publicly questioning the coach and direction of the team? And is that not also saying that he should be playing PF instead of Josh, even though Josh is rated as the best defensive PF in the league?”
First, you failed to answer my question. You claim that he “states (over and over) that he can’t win without playing the PF position”
I’ve never heard him say that. Can you tell me (or provide a link) when and where that was said?
Next, if he is asked a question about his “natural position” do you expect him to lie? He has stated many times that he is fine with playing major minutes at the 5 and that he thinks that he and Josh have a quickness advantage against most 4s and 5s. And after making the All-Star team there, why wouldn’t he be fine with it? And how is this WHINING? It’s not like Al has made an issue of this, ever.
Unless, once again, you have access to information that the rest of the blog does not.
Did you ever hear Al say that he wants to play PF INSTEAD of Josh? If so, please show us.
Did you hear Larry Drew saying that Horford WILL get more minutes at PF this year? How then is what Al said “publicly questioning the coach and direction of the team”?
I need further clarification, please. These are some very negative accusations.
HawkZ
September 29th, 2010
1:09 pm
I just saw a video on hawks.com titled “larry drew on training camp starting” and I saw smoove shooting 3’s in the background…. LOL NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Tyger
September 29th, 2010
1:28 pm
5 Real Questions for the Hawks
1. How long before JJ abandons new system and goes solo?
2. How long before Jamal Crawford quits?
3. How long before Teague’s confidence is broken?
4. How long before Bibby’s legs die?
5. How long before Horford is beat down?
vava74
September 29th, 2010
1:30 pm
http://www.nba.com/hawks/video/originals/
JeJe
September 29th, 2010
1:31 pm
Clyde – my brother – man how are you?
It’s been way too long, AJC:
FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY FIRE WOODY
Astro Joe
September 29th, 2010
1:37 pm
Some of y’all are ready to give Drew credit for using basketballs during practice.
I remember when Chris Mullen was the GM of Golden State, he was extremely media friendly and was lauded for virtually every move/decision. Yet, under his watch, the Warriors were essentially a perrenial lottery team(other than the fluke playoff victory against Dallas). Being media friendly does not translate into being effective.
I expect Drew to deliver a better offense and more wins. If an incompetent coach can reach 53 victories with this roster, then Drew should deliver how many more?
cp
September 29th, 2010
1:38 pm
Exactly i_am_soulstar thats why I dont even pay the so called experts predictions any attention.
Mz. Hawkdafied
September 29th, 2010
1:40 pm
LOL! I just wanted to say one last thing on the JJ fan comment. I mean seriously now. When you buy tickets to the game are you buying the tickets because YOU want to go or are you buying the ticket because Joe wants you to? So really I don’t care if Joe cares if I come to the game or not cause I decide what I want not Joe or anybody else for that matter. Point blank, period.
I chose to be a Hawks fan and I chose when and if I go to the game. I refuse to let others control what the heck I want to do with my time or life (as long as I’m not breaking any laws or impeding on the rights of others).
Joe Johnson doesn’t owe me anything and I don’t owe Joe Johnson my fandom. But I love basketball. And last time I checked it goes down at Philips Arena in my hometown. I ain’t missing what’s happening at the Highlight Factory. I think I need to be checked into Highlights Anonymous cause wins are great but those highlights be amazing. LMBO!
Be there or be square, fellow Hawks fans. Just kidding! The choice to be in the arena is up to you.
Peace out. Go Hawks!
Teezo
September 29th, 2010
1:42 pm
If Drew is holding each player accountable, then all this needs to stop…
-JJ can’t drain the shot clock and do some mess that we can’t believe
-Smith can’t quit on plays when he feels like it
-Crawford can’t be trigger happy and shooting just b/c he thinks every shot will go in
-Bibby can’t quit on defense just b/c he knows Al and Smith got his back
-Al can’t be so timid to where it leads to a TO
-Marvin…WOW, what is there not to say about him, lol, just play with confidence plz
-All other role players can’t play scared and stop relying on the big dogs
If all this can happen, we will the most dangerous team in the NBA I think…Im ready for them to prove everyone wrong, including myself b/c at one point this summer I felt as this this team has hit its ceiling, but they are young enough to improve so much more, Im ready to see if the way last season ended gave them all the motivation they are saying…Peace…
Teezo
September 29th, 2010
1:47 pm
Oh and every player needs to really concentrate on DEFENSE…We all know the saying…Peace…
Mz. Hawkdafied
September 29th, 2010
1:49 pm
I don’t know why Chris Weber thinks them Hawks won’t be in the playoffs. I didn’t see it. What reasons did he give? I disagree. What team in the east is supposed to take their spot or knock them out of the top 8?
Even with the changing in the east I still don’t see the Hawks not making it to the post season. Oh well whatever.
I believe them ATL Hawks gonna make Chris eat his words/pick his face up.
northcyde
September 29th, 2010
1:52 pm
Section 303 . . . were you upset when the “fans” literally WALKED OUT on the Hawks in late February in a Sunday afternoon/evening game vs Milwaukee, simply because we let the game go into overtime? 3,000 to 4,000 “fans” walked out on the Hawks.
Were you uspet that ANOTHER 1,000 or so “fans” walked out on the Hawks during the OT, because they felt that the game was over when we fell behind by 5 points, but still had over 3 minutes to go in the game?
By the end of that game, there were only 7,000 of us in that arena that gave the Hawks love after getting their act together and winning that game. But damn near 40% of the “fans” never saw the concusion. They were probably shocked that the Hawks even won the game.
**********
Did you see the comments that two of the Tampa Bay Rays players made on Monday and Tuesday about their “fans” not showing up to games? They have the best record in the American League, and are trying to fight off the Yankees, yet, the fans don’t come out to see them.
You know why? It’s because most people in Tampa, despite that team going to the World Series a few years back, could give a damn about the Rays in that town. There is no loyalty whatsoever in Tampa, when it comes to the Rays.
And the exact same thing can be said about the Hawks in Atlanta.
So when the players see this on occasion, especially against weak, non-popular teams ( whether it be in Tampa or Atlanta ), they wonder why they can’t get more support when they’re playing that well. And they may say something out of frustration.
It’s funny. I briefly heard the Braves pre-game broadcast yesterday for about 4 minutes ( the Braves radio network is all over the Southeast . . . take note at that ASG ). And they were discussing the Rays situation. One of the commentators said . . “Criticizing fans for not coming to watch games has NEVER worked.”
And maybe he is right. Fans don’t like to be told what to do and what not to do.
But on the flip side, excessively booing a team has never encouraged a team to play better either. They may play harder, but they usually play out of control, or try to do too much, which makes the situation out on the field or on the court worse.
If the Hawks players can get over all of those nights in which Philips Arena was only half full . . . or those nights in which 1/2 of the arena was cheering for the OTHER TEAM . . . or those times in which the fans walked out on the Hawks prematurely . . . surely a person like you can get over ONE somewhat negative comment that JJ made at the heat of the moment.
But don’t act like the majority of Hawk supporters are loyal to this team. As a season ticket holder, you are loyal. But even you know that you are one of the few. So if you’re going to take a general statement about the “fans” to heart, I guess there’s nothing anyone can do about it but let you sulk.
Their comments weren’t directed toward the fans that actualy show up, but to the ones that don’t.
Mz. Hawkdafied
September 29th, 2010
1:55 pm
Okay one last comment before my breaks up. Pape Sy is starting to give cause for concern with these injuries. That makes two since the Hawks decided to make him a part of the team.
MC, any info on how Pape acquired the back injury?
_sturt_
September 29th, 2010
2:02 pm
MC > So we add two and subtract one… what do you make of the fact that Bibby gets subtracted, particularly when Smoove was just recently quoted in something I read (NYT article?) about how fundamental Bibby’s leadership has been?… what went into Drew’s decision to remove him from the captain role, and how do you anticipate Bibby is receiving that?
Astro Joe
September 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
While we continue to beat the ish out of this dead horse, you either believe that your fandom drives player performance or you believe that your fandom is insignificant to player performance. Given that Joe is one of the few Hawks whose road performance is better than home stats, I think it is clear that Joe doesn’t require fan support to perform his craft. Maybe that’s one of the reasons opposing coaches give him so much love… performance irrespective of fan support.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/splits?playerId=1007
Sautee
September 29th, 2010
2:39 pm
AJ,
First of all, thanks for using “irrespective” (correctly) instead of the odious, non-word “irregardless”.
But next, about your 1:37 post regarding LD….. would you rather that he had said all the WRONG things this offseason?
I just don’t get how saying a lot of good things is somehow a negative? What would you have expected Drew to say that he hasn’t to make you doubt him to such a large degree BEFORE seeing any of the changes he proposes?
Rev in Tampa
September 29th, 2010
2:54 pm
northcyde, regarding the Tampa Bay Rays attendance. The regularly have sellouts when the Yankees and Red Sox are in town because everybody down here in Tampa is from New York & Boston. Talk about demoralizing – the fans turn out in droves only to cheer for the OTHER TEAM!
The Rays do not play in Tampa. They play in St. Petersburg, which is 15-20 miles southwest of Tampa. I live in the Brandon/Valrico area, a bedroom community of over 200,000 ten miles east of Tampa. To get to a Rays game I have to drive through Tampa at rush hour, across Tampa Bay (the 7 mile long bridge seems to make the drive seem longer – a psychological barrier) and then through St. Petersburg game-time traffic. Its exhausting. They need to build the new stadium in Tampa to draw from the greatest population base. They would even draw some from the Orlando area as well (hour and half away from Tampa).
Tonight the Rays are giving away 20,000 FREE TICKETS to the game just to get a full house. Its going to be a zoo in St. Pete tonight.
But even with the geographical hinderances, the biggest reason that attendance is down is the economy. The housing market has hit us hard. Even the Buccaneers have not sold out either of their two home games thus far. Doesn’t help that the team stinks. But since the games are blacked out, I can’t even see the Falcons game highlights at halftime.
Astro Joe
September 29th, 2010
3:22 pm
Sautee, I don’t think that I suggested that his comments were negative. His comments have been very consistent with blog chatter for the past 2-3 years. If he ever calls Randolph Morris RandMo, then I will begin to suspect that his speech writer resides amongst us
I guess I find it interesting that he could say so much right and yet not be held to more wins with the same roster as the previous coach. (And I don’t think that you specifically have praised the words but predicted fewer wins… but others have and that makes ZERO sense to me).
And the use of the non-word “irregardless” also bothers the heck out of me.
Ramon
September 29th, 2010
3:26 pm
Sautee, Horford stated this right after the season even before LD was named the coach, and before Woody was ‘not re-signed’. You’re asking me to go find links of radio interviews and other interviews of where Horford stated he would like to play PF primarily? And also to find interviews where he stated the Hawks needs another center so that he can play PF? That’s the entire reason he’s stated he wanted the Hawks to acquire another center so he can move to his natural position.
How can he play major minutes at PF as long as Josh is still a member of the Atlanta Hawks? Any common sense minded person know the Hawks are a better team when Josh and Al are on the court TOGETHER. So Al playing major minutes when Smoove isn’t on the court is something that won’t be happening.
Also you asked should Al lie about his true feelings. Well, doesn’t being a leader include biting your tongue many times in public? I’m not saying Al isn’t a leader or he’s a bad guy. But I don’t subscribe to the belief that his intangibles are that much more important than Josh’s. Because there have been many games where Al wasn’t hustling on defense. And Josh would be the only one on the Hawks hustling in the first and second quarters. And if anything Al should be the one hustling the most on the team. His defense is good/solid not great, and his offense is suspect/good not great. From an offensive standpoint and defensive, Josh provides more production.
And I guess Josh shouldn’t be a captain because he argues with the Refs, even though Kobe and Duncan argue just as much if not more as Josh.
Astro Joe
September 29th, 2010
3:28 pm
Rev., last year the Hawks were tied for the 2nd best home record in the NBA yet finished in the bottom 10 in home attendance.
http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/homeWinPercent/group/1