Atlanta Hawks: ‘Good’ teams don’t take ugly home Ls like this
Last night on Twitter during the game and in the post-game blog I mentioned that good teams just don’t take home beatdowns on the regular like the Hawks.
Shoot, remember a few days ago when Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak was talking about shaking up his roster?. That was after the Lakers took a 16-point home loss . . . to the Celtics:
“I try to be as objective as possible, but I’m concerned that our performance is not living up to our talent level,” Kupchak said at the time. “Our record is certainly OK. But we’ve lost a bunch of home games. We’ve lost a couple of big games at home. And to me, those are red flags.”
The red flags are waving for the Hawks after yet another white-flag surrender at Philips. Elias Sports Bureau provides the dirty details (second item, though let the “crowning achievement” in the lead headline serve as a bitterly sarcastic taunt of the Hawks):
There have been three games this season in which the home team lost by at least 30 points, and the Atlanta Hawks have been on the short end of the scoreboard in two of those games.
The Hawks’ 34-point loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday (117-83) is the second-worst home defeat in the NBA this season, trailing only the 41-point defeat Atlanta had against the New Orleans Hornets on Jan. 21 (100-59). The only other team to lose a home game by at least 30 points this season is the Charlotte Bobcats, 93-62 to the Boston Celtics on Dec. 11. . . .
At 33-19, Atlanta has the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference. Should the Hawks finish the season at least 10 games above .500, the Elias Sports Bureau says they would join one other such team in NBA history to lose two home games by at least 30 points. The 1969-70 Baltimore Bullets had 30-point home losses to the Suns and Knicks, yet finished the season 50-32.
Remember, too, there could be another couple historically ugly Ls for the Hawks if not for circumstance and NBA decorum.
The Bucks called off the dogs after they took a 29-point lead into the fourth quarter. They were up by 26 with 7:51 to play when a JC2-led run in garbage time prevented another possible 30-point L. Instead, the final losing margin was a normal-looking 108-91.
The Celtics were up 85-56 near the end of the third quarter when KG and Co. took a seat. Boston led by 31 with 4:31 to play (97-66) and by 29 with 3:31 to go (99-70). Twin and Josh Powell scored for the Hawks and the Celtics failed to score on their last eight possessions. So Atlanta fell 99-76, still ugly but not outrageously so.
As it stands, the Hawks have four double-digit losses at home, all by at least 17 points. The three teams above them in the standings have just two such losses combined among their 13 home Ls: Miami’s 93-77 defeat to Indiana and Chicago’s 107-78 loss to Orlando. And those games were back on Nov. 22 and Dec. 1, respectively, while two of the Hawks’ shellackings have come in the last 18 days. Even Orlando, which has its own issues at home, has just two double-digit Ls there: 104-94 vs. Utah on Nov. 10 and 123-101 to San Antonio on Dec. 23.
So the next time the Hawks say something along the lines of “These things happen” (and we know they will), the retort should be: “No, they don’t. Not to ‘good’ teams.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
180 comments Add your comment
Rumeal Robinson
February 9th, 2011
12:23 pm
I can lead this team to the promise land.
niremetal
February 9th, 2011
12:24 pm
Marvin will go down in Hawks history as the worst #2 lottery pick EVER
Considering that the Hawks haven’t had any other #2 lottery picks in the past 55 years, that’s not surprising. If you mean the worst #2 pick by any team, there are a few dozen guys ahead of him. Just in the past decade, there’s Stromile Swift, Darko Milicic, and Hasheem Thabeet. He’s also no worse than Michael Beasley or Tyson Chandler. Jay Williams is kinda unfair to rate for obvious reasons. Not saying it was the right pick – because it wasn’t – but it was far, far, far from the worst #2 pick ever.
dsee
February 9th, 2011
12:25 pm
Trade Joe to NJ for Favors, Murphy and draft picks. Trade Jamal/Zaza to Orlando for Richardson. We can be major free agent Playrs the next 2 Yrs.
O'Brien
February 9th, 2011
12:25 pm
Good writeup MC.
Is it possible for you to get an interview with Rick or Mr. Gearon? Maybe you could do a piece on how the home attendance has dropped this year, and see what their response is.
Or what they think it will take to bring more fans to Phillips. Because getting beatdown at home is not going to make fans come to watch you play.
And it would be interesting to talk to Rick about his plans for the trade deadline, and if he still thinks this core is good enough.
Because 50 games into the season, we should not be getting this kind of beatdown.
Under Woody, the Hawks lost 17 regular season home games in 2 years. The worst home loss in those 2 seasons was a 24 point home loss to Lakers (in 08-09), and a 17 pt loss to Orlando (in 09-10).
This season, we have already lost 8, including some beatdowns. I cant understand why. I know Horford didnt play in the Philly or N.O. game, but still…Unacceptable.
NBA sux
February 9th, 2011
12:28 pm
Prediction
East 174- West 160
What a great all star game.
superiorblogman
February 9th, 2011
12:29 pm
Al’s dad is making noise about them needing to move Al to the PF spot on a permanent basis. What’s next logically, Al will start to make noise. Kinda like the Larry Drew Jr. situation. The Hawks are not a good team, they are mediocre. Lastly, they human beings not robots. We all have limitations, when they get in the playoffs this year and realize once again that there limitations stem from personnel issues, they will quit again but this time it will be permanent. Meaning, they will just stop caring to the point of even wanting to make it to the playoffs and get blasted. Sund and the ASG are running this team and franchise into the ground purposely. Next stop, Vegas, just like Sund ran the Sonics into the ground.
NBA sux
February 9th, 2011
12:29 pm
What free agents in the next two years can make this team able to defeat Miami? There is none.
ntrigue
February 9th, 2011
12:31 pm
Here go again! We lose big and everybody think the season is over LOL! A loss is a loss! Would be different if the Hawks were playing bad of late but thats not the case! If you want to really measure how good a team these Hawks are well watch and see what they do on this upcoming road trip out west when they face a bunch of over 500 clubs. Then if they come back with less than %500 winning percentage holla at me but its not gonna happen watch most of you all on here dont know anything about basketball LOL!!!
Marcus
February 9th, 2011
12:32 pm
this loss, the NO loss (looking like the hardwood GB Packers, same result) and the brain farts vs. clearly lower teams (DET, NJ twice and nail-biters vs. SAC and LAC) is clearly sending signals that the “core” is flawed.
dunno what Sund is gonna do, but if our team looks the same after the All-Star break, then it tells me that the ownership and GM are just happy with turnstiles turning (albeit slower than other teams) vs. getting within shouting (too far away for spitting) distance of an O’Brien trophy.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
12:34 pm
You people have been looking for me and here I am. As GM it is important not to PANIC and make a move after a 30 point. Losses like this occur if when one of your BIG GUNS is hurt. It’s not like the team came out with NO ENERGY. As long as we have a Mike Bibby who is in the THE PRIME of this career and Joe Johnson as our LEADER we will be a stable team. If you throw in the INTELLIGENCE of Josh Smith and Marvin’s UPSIDE, we have to maintain what we are doing. We are YOUNG and you as fans have to be PATIENT. We are still on our way to 50 wins and another PLAYOFF appearance. In my 30 plus years of experience I have never seen such a team with so much POTENTIAL and PROMISE. We encourage you all to come out for CHIK FILA FAMILY night this week when we take on the Bobcats. Remember hawks Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s all about IMPROVEMENT.
MaxxHawk
February 9th, 2011
12:37 pm
Man, they should refund the fans for last night’s debacle. PATHETIC
Dr. Warren
February 9th, 2011
12:38 pm
The Hawks’ ascent to 2nd round detritus leaves us as empty and frustrated as when they were winning fewer than 30 games each year. Orlando got it right with their recent trades: if you can’t seriously see yourselves in the conference finals or better, then keep making the changes until you can. After all these years of the Hawks not making it into the conference finals–I believe the last time was 1969–the biggest shock is not that the fans don’t show up enough, but rather that so many do show up.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
12:39 pm
MaxxHawk you know that there are times when the other team is on fire and you can’t seem to make a shot. These things happen. Remember the season has many peaks and valleys.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
12:41 pm
Well Dr. Warren I have to disagree because we have GREAT POTENTIAL and if we were to win ONE game in the second round this year, you have to admit that is improvement. Besides ELITE teams are made in the REGULAR SEASON not the PLAYOFFS. There can only be ONE Champion We are still YOUNG.
NBA sux
February 9th, 2011
12:41 pm
ntrigue:
Will the Hawks win a championship with this nucleus?
Will they even make it to the Eastern Conference Championship with this nucleus?
The point is to win it all, right?
ryan
February 9th, 2011
12:41 pm
The only way to get changes is boycott the Hawks and Thrashers don’t go to the games as long as you keep going ASG will still be there they don’t care as long is they make a profit you stand up and make your voice heard for changes .
NBA sux
February 9th, 2011
12:43 pm
You are hilarious Ricky Sund.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
12:44 pm
Nba Sux, you are right and wrong. The point is to win, but it TAKES TIME to build a winner. We want to win it all, but you have to take BABY STEPS in order to do that and we are on our way to that. You also have to CRAWL before you WALK. That is why it is IMPERATIVE to keep guys like Marvin because you can see his GREAT POTENTIAL.
NBA sux
February 9th, 2011
12:46 pm
You don’t play under .500 teams in the playoffs.
wow. I take that back. Ususally the bottom 3 teams in the playoffs have losing records. Makes you scratch your head.
The NBA is so silly.
The Dude Abides
February 9th, 2011
12:46 pm
The only viable options for trade that would work for the Hawks would be PG: Either Steve Nash or Chauncey Billups. And C: Either Chris Kaman or Nene Hilario. You could get both in a package if you go after Billups and Nene.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
12:48 pm
Ryan how could you say something like that. Can’t you be grateful that we at least will win 50 games. I think the fans EXPECT TOO MUCH. If it were about profit, we would not have CHIK FILA FAMILY NIGHT. 4 sandwiches, 4 cokes, 4 popcorns. The fans really do matter that is why we have to keep this NUCLEUS.
NBA sux
February 9th, 2011
12:49 pm
Rick:
It does “take time to build a winner.” I feel that if you don’t do something drastic with this team, then YOUR TIME will be up.
The only person on this team with GREAT POTENTIAL is YOU. Everyone else has hit their respective ceiling.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
12:52 pm
THE Dude Abides why would we want to Steve Nash or Chauncey Billups? They’re careers are almost over. As I stated in the Hoop World’s article, we have Mike BIbby who is in his PRIME leading a YOUNG CAST of TALENT. That trade wouldn’t make any sense. We have our front line with players like AL and Josh Smith who is INTELLIGENT and on his way to being a STUDENT OF THE GAME.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
12:56 pm
NBA sux, this team is still IMPROVING. We can’t make a SUDDEN MOVE just because of a tough loss. You fans have to look at the BIG PICTURE. We have YOUNG guys who are still LEARNING THE GAME. With this NUCLEUS, all we have to do is maybe TWEAK the roster. We are ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THIS TEAM, but for the most part we LIKE our team. The FUTURE of this team is BRIGHT.
Puzzled
February 9th, 2011
12:56 pm
MC,
There in lies the difference between the Lakers’ expectations, and the Hawks’ expectations. The Hawks want to have a competitive team, while the Lakers want a championship team.
The Lakers are not in it just to say they had a good season. Their seasons are measured by championships. The Hawks are content with having a good season….winning 48+ games.
Well, they’ve done that for several years in a row now, so it’s time for the mindset to switch to wanting to win a championship.
The players know with which teams they can compete when the playoffs come around, and I’m sure that the Hawks’ players know that they’re not going to win the Easter Conference title spot with their current roster. There would have to be major injuries of key players on Boston, Miami, Orlando, & Chicago.
SteveW
February 9th, 2011
12:58 pm
Ok LD, you’ve convinced me. We don’t need to develop Teague. We have a very good PG in Bibby. Bibby at 32 seems to be getting stronger as the season wears on. He’ll probably look like Chris Paul by the time the playoffs get here.
Thanks for helping LD.
On a more serious note, if the Bulls can win without Noah, the Celts without Rondo, the Heat without Wade, I don’t want to hear why we can’t win without Al.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
1:00 pm
Puzzled you are wrong. We want to win 50 plus games every season. This team is starting to COME TOGETHER. Remember anything can happen in the playoffs. ELITE teams are made in the REGULAR SEASON.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
1:02 pm
Well SteveW this team is constructed to IMPROVE OVER THE LONG HAUL. We are still DEVELOPING as a team. We need Al because of his TOUGHNESS, but over the next 30 games our SUPERSTAR Joe is going to CARRY us.
Trojan
February 9th, 2011
1:02 pm
Does Rick Sund inspire confidence in any of you?
I wish we had a GM who would actually address major weaknesses in our team. If we had slightly below average PG and C, we would be MUCH improved.
We have the weakest PG in the NBA. I like Collins but he is not anywhere near a starting center in the league.
We went through a long, long, long rebuilding process and we have 3 legit player to show for our CORE. Bless our CORE.
BBgenie
February 9th, 2011
1:05 pm
The” Masters of Quitting” have done it again. Not shocked at all, This is What they do! Over and Over, Again and Again. From the Magic series (2nd rd 09-10 playoffs) until last night vs. 76er’s. Core group got Woodson Fired! And they will get Drew Fired! The problem or missing element is HEART, MENTAL TOUGHNESS & a True Thug! Yes I said Thug! We need a Artest/Flip Murry or I. Rider Type of player. Someone who will Not Stand for this B.S. from the Leaders of the Team. AKA, Joe, Bibby & Smooth. I was at the Hornets game, blow out by 41 pts and I wanted to leave at half time but I didn’t out of respect to the coaching staff. Then I hear Josh Powell get’s Fined & Suspened (1) game for going off and cursing out the DAMM Team after the game! It just wasn’t Right! He’s from the World Champion LA. Lakers. He’s been on a REAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM & has played with an NBA MVP KOBE Bryant! Who would not stand for a (1/2) ASS effort at HOME. Who the F–K is Policeing the locker room???? Who the Hell gives a DAMM if they get Blowed out by 41,30,33???????? The FANS!!!!!! People we are paying TOO MUCH $$$$$$$$ for these tickets to not get an 100 % effort everynight or at least at Home!!!!! Hawks must make a move via TRADE or be prepared to get sucked in again during the PLAYOFFS. Lack of EFFORT Period!!!!!! This issue has Nothing to do with Who the Head coach is.
marcus
February 9th, 2011
1:07 pm
how about working a trade to acquire monta ellis from golden state? the hawks could package marvin williams, mike bibby and josh powell and if that is not enough give them their 1 rounder next year. come on! ellis, johnson in the back court with the frontcourt players they have could compete with miami and boston. come on sund, shine that crystal ball of yours and see the future of hawks basketball.
Puzzled
February 9th, 2011
1:08 pm
So go ahead and win you 48 – 53 regular season games, get demolished in the playoffs (as has happened the past 2 season), then tell the fans why ticket prices will increase, and that the ASG is willing to spend to floor a championship team, but take no actions in personnel.
The Hawks have some bargaining chips this year, and if they don’t make a move, there’s no way to make the fans believe they’re serious about trying to win a title….at least, not this year!!!!
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
1:08 pm
Trojan, I am not sure what you are talking about because I address our weaknesses by being PATIENT, as you and most the fans must be. Our PG is in HIS PRIME and can hit big time shots when you need them. We have more that just three legit players we have 4. That would be SUPERSTAR JOE, UPSIDE MARVIN, INTELLIGENT JOSH, and AL
BBgenie
February 9th, 2011
1:08 pm
I want my REFUND for the Hornets game too!!!!!!!!!!
marcus
February 9th, 2011
1:09 pm
in response to developing teague, he’s okay in spots and may have trade value. but he does not have a strong off hand and teams no this… hell throw him in on the trade too…..
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
1:11 pm
Marcus we LIKE our team and BELIEVE they can make a RUN in the playoffs. Monta Ellis is good, but Mike Bibby who is in HIS PRIME is more of leader. We just need keep the roster and intact and TWEAK hear and there.
MaxxHawk
February 9th, 2011
1:11 pm
Rick Sund- Amazing Post
BBgenie
February 9th, 2011
1:12 pm
Hey, GM Rick, your PG CAN’t Guard, Stop, Trip, or even Grab any starting PG in the NBA currently. DEFENSE Wins Championships!!!! Period! Just ask Josh Powell!!!!!!
Joe T
February 9th, 2011
1:13 pm
It is so obvious how to fix this team!! There is no veteran leadership to hold anyone accountable night after night! The core of this team is still fairly young and there is no veteran on the floor who will garner the other players respect and get in someone’s grill if necessary. They dont have a Scottie Pippen or Joe Dumars type guy! That is all it will take!
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
1:15 pm
Well Puzzled, we are always TRYING TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP, but sometimes to be a CHAMPION you have to take a few bumps. The last two years taught us that we must REMAINED FOCUS and not MELTDOWN during the playoffs.
BBgenie, I understand you being frustrated with last night’s effort but we can’t give you refund. We can make it worth your while if you come this weekend for a SPECIAL CHIK FILA FAMILY NIGHT. Come out and watch a CONTENDER in action
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
Well Joe T, we have Johnson who is a VOCAL LEADER. Josh always shows his INTELLIGENCE and Mike Bibby who is IN HIS PRIME, is CONSISTENT voice night to night.
BBgenie, defense can win championship and that is what my GREAT but CHEAP coach preaches every night. But you know with a YOUNG team, their might be a few lapses here and there. We have the POTENTIAL to play GREAT D every night. Remember we do have Josh.
superiorblogman
February 9th, 2011
1:20 pm
The Hawks are all about the bottomline and they are not even good at that. The bottom line is money, they are not taking back any contracts without sending out contracts. Jamal will not be traded for that reason. They will not send out $10 million from Jamal and take back $10 million on the books for next year. I really believe we could get Devin Harris and Kris Humphries for Jamal, and Jeff Teague, but the Hawks are not taking back Harris contract for next year. Billups and Nene add up to over $20 million next year, they don’t want long term contracts such as Marvin and Zaza and we don’t want contracts either, so forget that. Our best bet is for some of these entertainers in Atl to buy this team before it gets moved
BBgenie
February 9th, 2011
1:21 pm
Hawks are like the old Bufflo Bills of the NFL!!! Oh that’s right the Bills did reach the Championship/Super Bowl game 4 times. We need some inner City types on this team. Too many Powder Springs/ Mesa, AZ/ Little Rock, AR types on Hawks. Hawks are SOFT and the whole NBA knows it. Why you think Shaq picked Boston over Atlanta????????????
falconfever
February 9th, 2011
1:21 pm
IIwith all do respect mr. sund . i have been a hawks fan since the 80’s i have seen the the draft picks that have fizzled. roy marble, priest lauderdale, chris crawford, hanno mottola, rumeal robinson,acie law, shelden williams and the list goes on. be patient we are a young with potential that has been the selling point for the organization for a decade now! we fans just want to have a chance to have the opportunity to say we have a chance to win the eastern conference! we all know filet mignon is top of the line steak, but this organization has only feed us ribeyes at best, we just want to know what filet mignon tastes like. sooner or later the ribeyes start to taste like steak ums
Ramon
February 9th, 2011
1:23 pm
I hate the blog monster.
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
1:23 pm
Well I have taken many of your concerns. I leave you with several things to remember.
First: ELITE TEAMS are made in the REGULAR SEASON not the playoffs.
Second: It TAKES TIME to build a CHAMPION and that is our GOAL, but we first have focus on IMPROVING and being COMPETITIVE every year.
Third: Marvin has UPSIDE, Joe is a SUPERSTAR, Bibby is in his PRIME, and Josh is a STUDENT OF THE GAME
BBgenie
February 9th, 2011
1:24 pm
Dear Rick, Stick a FORK in them! Their DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Veteran Fan
February 9th, 2011
1:25 pm
Enough is enough! Trade Josh to either LA for Kaman or Minnesota for Kevin Love. Al needs someone who will show up and go to the hoop or consistently hit the free throw line jumper every night and help him on the boards. Josh is just not mature in his game to go along with his talent! He never recognizes what he needs to do depending on the game to help the team, he just plays in a vacuum! Next trade Bibby and Crawford to Phoenix for Nash. We need another leader NOW. The ball needs to move and iso-Joe needs his partner in non-movement gone! Finally, Marvin, Zaza, and #1 pick to 76ers for Elton Brand or to the Grizzlies for Mayo. Prefer Brand, but Mayo would work and move iso-Joe to the small forward spot. with Nash team could run, move the ball, and he would be the only defensive liability. Horford and Love or Kaman would flourish and Teague and Jordan Crawford would get some minutes to either shine or prove they don’t belong in the league! Come on Rick, get it done! Otherwise, please talk to the Knicks or Nets about iso-Joe and he can take Bibby with him.
flagger
February 9th, 2011
1:25 pm
How would you have liked paying hard earned money and taking the time to go through the hassle of going to see those lazy bums stink like a dead fish? Never again!!!!!
Rick Sund
February 9th, 2011
1:26 pm
Falcons Fever, we do HAVE A CHANCE to win the EASTERN CONFERENCE. All it takes is MAKING THE PLAYOFFS. That is one of our GOALS every year. I don’t know about feeding you Filet Mignon, but be are having CHIK FILA FAMILY NIGHT this Saturday. That is 4 cokes, 4 popcorns, and 4 sandwiches.