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
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180 comments Add your comment
{MAC-Town Georgia 478}
February 9th, 2011
2:58 pm
LMFAO@Rick Sund poster.
Chic-Fil-A.
ryan
February 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
I guess nothing will change Hawks probably do nothing at the trade deadline what is there to hope for if ASG does not care Atlanta fans has had it we at the same level Cleveland is i have had it .
slimjr
February 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
Scoop take your cool-aide else where… The Hawks are and have been a dysfunctional franchise for 43 years dude.. The fans are fed up with this garbage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fix is in. Thanks to Sund and ASGEEmen…No Championships in this the 9th largest City in the USA!
Walker
February 9th, 2011
3:00 pm
The hawks starters should’ve been made to play the entire 4th quarter last night as punishment for not showing up in the 1st and 2nd. Letting them sit and “rest” in the 4th gave them exactly what they wanted – they didn’t have to play, try, etc. Pathetic.
Mr Mojo
February 9th, 2011
3:04 pm
People stop hating on Josh he isn’t the problem. The problem is the owners and GM. The owners don’t want to spend any money to be better and the GM is even worse. Every NBA fan or analyst knew for 2 years hawks have no PG or inside toughness. This franchise is a joke. This team has 3 all star caliber players and the NBA’s best 6th man. Any other team would add the right pieces around them but this ownership just doesn’t give a crap. Sund hasn’t made one trade since he got Crawford handed to him on silver platter. And I dont give credit for Sund for that one GS was looking to dump him and he fell on our laps. The Hawks had the lowest payroll out of all 16 playoff teams last year that says it all. Then although I don’t blame him for all our problems LD should have never been hired. They needed a new experienced voice and they also needed to add a couple of pieces (role players). As this season unfolds you can clearly see Bibby is completely finished he can’t do anything but hit open shots and even those aren’t going in lately. There has to be a deal out there that can help us without trading our top 3 players. All other teams find a way to do it we just got bad owners and a terrible GM that is why we have these problems. What happened on draft night when the Hawks sold their 2nd rd pick and the owner claimed that money will be used to pay for luxury tax if they go over it which was never really a thought it was to pay a small portion of the contract Joe fleeced them for. You trade Josh and they will have even bigger problems in interior defense. The idea is to put right pieces around your core not guys like Mo Evans, D. Wilkens, Jason Collins ETC.
Doug
February 9th, 2011
3:06 pm
I have been more supportive of Sund than most but…this has reached an obvious point where something must be done. When you are bounced from the playoffs in an embarrassing and non-competitive fashion and THEN have such inexpicable meltdowns AT HOME the following year you simply have to do something. What that something is is the question…but it seems that it would have to involve the expiring contract of JC. Who wants Marvin and Bibby?? JJ is untradeable…Horford is rightfully almost untouchable and Josh…well…he might be the only other tradeable piece that could change the face of this team appreciably. Good luck with interior defense if he goes though
{MAC-Town Georgia 478}
February 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
Good Post@Mr. Mojo.
Especially not LOSERS like Zaza Pachulia.
Mr Mojo
February 9th, 2011
3:09 pm
I am a Hawk fan that lives in NYC (dont ask me how that happened) lol. But seriously even on the radio here on WFAN the announcers say no one takes the Hawks serious cause there ownership is terrible and they have a half empty arena on most nights. And yesterday they had a good basketball show duirng the afternoon and they had a few different analysts that all said the Hawks should be pursuing a Carmelo rental to go for it this year. The Knicks are offering garbage Chandlker, Curry and a 1st. The Hawks can top that easily if they wanted to. Marvin, Crawford and a 1 would be alot better. Even if Carmelo wouldnt sign with us we would free ourselves or Marvin’s burdersome contract aft er the year. And who knwos maybe he would I know I much rather player with Joe,Josh and al than just playing with Amare.
{MAC-Town Georgia 478}
February 9th, 2011
3:09 pm
We need a PG that can put pressure on the defense by penetrating and then kicking out or even finishing. Bibby can do neither.
I thought Teague could be that guy, but he plays like he has ovaries.
Jeffresha Teague
{MAC-Town Georgia 478}
February 9th, 2011
3:10 pm
Zaza plays like he has on oven mitts
Ramon
February 9th, 2011
3:11 pm
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4jb8ee2
ag
February 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
Mojo, the Hawks have not had a point guard since Mookie left town. They did experiment with J. Terry, but the Royal Ivey’s, Anthony Johnson’s and Speedy Claxton’s have been the norm around here. Heck Bibby is an upgrade, but certainly not the answer. Imagine a real point guard who can penetrate.. imagine how much better Josh and Al will become.
Rev in Tampa
February 9th, 2011
3:32 pm
northcyde,
I was tempted to re-post your assessment of the game from the previous blog, but I felt it would be a bit presumptive. Since MC posted this new blog so quickly I don’t think it got the wide readership it deserved. Would you please re-post it?
northcyde
February 9th, 2011
3:33 pm
And trading for Biedrins would be the worst move in Hawks history. What the fascination with that guy is, I do not see. He’s not good offensively and vastly overrated defensively. Hawks fans would hate that dude after 5 games.
Steph Curry is a baller. He’d be an instant offensive upgrade to the team. Golden St, in my opinion, would be crazy to trade him right now. They should at least wait a few years, in which they could execute a sign and trade and get more for him. Plus, Monta would be the guy I’d trade anyway.
I still say the mistake this team made, was not trading for Andre Miller, and instead trading for Jamal. Jamal has been great for us . . far better than I expected. But he’s not the PG that we needed. The PG that could’ve made some of our main guys even better, while being able to defend the position.
The other mistake was not acquiring Shaq, even if we had to give up on Marvin and overpay for Shaq. Even if Shaq would’ve been available for 50 – 55 games during the season, that would’ve given us the big body to put in the middle, and allowed Horford to be “a beast” ( as Drew said he’d be if he played PF full time. )
This team has to play defense and make shots on a nightly basis. We’re not equipped to pound it inside or have the players to constantly drive the ball ( mainly because they’d all rather shoot jumpers ).
Lose Horford and Smith for any length of time, and this team can’t overcome their loss in the frontcourt, unless the guards and Marvin really have good games. Our backup bigs are simply that sorry.
ag
February 9th, 2011
3:36 pm
Mojo, cosign with the rental of Carmillo. The stands would be full and the Nuggets will get another young playerwith upside? (Marvin), expiring contract in Jamal and a #1 pick. They will continue to win, but those other trades appear to be a disaster about to happen. If he leaves, it gives us more room under the cap because we don’t have Marvins contract. Heck, start Mo Evans
G.Rhone
February 9th, 2011
3:36 pm
It’s obvious to me that Horford is the glue and keep things in order. That’s why he’s called “The Boss.” That last beat at the Arena: Wasn’t Horford out as well?
dukester
February 9th, 2011
3:38 pm
It is what it is.
drmaryb (*_*)
February 9th, 2011
3:39 pm
Tyger said this:
“This is what happens when u just tryin to get by…ASG did nothing to improve this squad and Thank God it’s imploding at home right in front of their faces and everybody else’s. As long as they could continue to squeak out wins, ASG was satisfied. They could tow the line and hold out for playoff and luxury tax disbursements. Afterall, an ugly win is still a win. But Now?”
__________________________
You stole my Thunder!
__________________________
But, then tyger said this:
“Joe has repeatedly said he does not care about the fans!”
______________________
This is a “Pants on Fire” – LIE!
Joe NEVER said this – Much less, repeatedly?
Go back to you tube and LISTEN to what the man said! Stop making stuff up and putting your personal spin on this LIE!
Puzzled
February 9th, 2011
3:43 pm
Mr Mojo,
Good Points!!! But there’s no the players are not to blame for the way they were handled last night by Philly, at home.
The Hawks need some upgrades, their big men are Collins, Thomas, Powell, and Zaza, who has taken a step backwards. Don’t know if it’s the lack of playing time or what, but he’s not the same player he was 2 years ago.
Lionhearted
February 9th, 2011
3:48 pm
Someone needs to be traded. Im not pointing fingers at anyone.
*Points finger at Josh Smith*
early exit
February 9th, 2011
3:55 pm
the atlanta chumps will go out easy in round 1 of the playoffs—bank it.
Mr Mojo
February 9th, 2011
4:28 pm
I just dont get as an owner how you can just settle for being mediocre and having a half empty arena every night. The shaq signing was such a no brainer for them and they couldnt see that. Even knwo hes injury prone these days he would of given them toughness and a true leader who is a winner in that locker room which is needed as well as selling many tickets and making them alot of money is made so much sense for them in many ways and they still didnt see it or they did and are just to stupid to think its the right move. If they got a Melo rental the arena would be sold out every night. and no you cant trade Josh smith for a Melo rental. If he signed an extension with us thats another story but that isnt happening.
JeJe
February 9th, 2011
4:37 pm
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THIS LINEUP CHANGE COULD POSSIBLE BE? I WANT TO SEE SOMETHING DRASTIC. LIKE BIBBY NEVER PLAYING A GAME AGAIN FOR THIS TEAM.
MARVIN SUCKS AND STILL PUTS UP 6 POINTS, EVEN IF HE GETS STRIPPED 5 TIMES A GAME
BIBBY DOES NOTHING FOR THIS TEAM.
AT THIS POINT HE’S THE MOST USELESS PLAYER ON THIS TEAM
LOL @ AN OVERWEIGHT, TIRED, 32+ Y.O. MIKE BIBBY
MIGHT AS WELL GET MATT FREIJE TO RUN THE POINT
Mr Mojo
February 9th, 2011
4:45 pm
There big change will be Evans in Starting lineup and marvin coming off the bench. That might be the biggest move we make the rest of the season. I Hate ASG
It was not a bad pick
February 9th, 2011
5:17 pm
Wabe
“Marvin’s had every opportunity to prove himself since the day he got here. He didn’t rot on the bench like most of our rookies nowadays tend to do. He’s been playing meaningful minutes for much of his career, and he’s yet to show anybody that he was worth the pick (aside from you at least).”
Have you watched the Hawks the last 5 years? Even though he started, his game was reduced to standing in the corner watching Joe Max..Do you want Marvin to F$%^ the hawks like Josh Smith..He has always took LONG bad shots and missed most, but for some strange reason fans on this blog continue to ignore it, and focus on Marvin, even though he gets no plays ran for him…Martell Webster,Sheldin Williams,Yi,etc..those are bust all drafted in the first round..Marvin has always average 10 or better on a iso Joe team on playoff teams..HE IS NOT A BUST…Cp3 has not won a damn thing,Dwill has won 0..Not like we passed on MJ..When Joe Max or Jamal are hurt, Marvin always gets 16 or better..Just start paying attention to the game ….
O'Brien
February 9th, 2011
5:44 pm
northcyde,
I think not signing Shaq was a big miss by the ASG. And I think they could have gotten Shaq w/o giving up Marvin. We could have given Shaq the full Mid-Level (almost $5+ mil), and promised him some starts and consistent PT. But they didnt.
I think its because they were afraid he would rock the boat. So now when Al is out, we are stuck with ZaZa/Collins/Etan.
I also think one of the reasons why they hired LD is because he would not rock the boat. Last year, he was a go-between with Woody and the players, so they knew he would be happy with the players on the team.
And he gets paid probably the lowest salary in the NBA, so i think LD is just happy to be a HC.
The Atlanta Hawks are bit of a mess | ProBasketballTalk
February 9th, 2011
7:31 pm
[...] totally comfortable with where we are after 52 games. We have had some bad losses here at home. That may be a sign, I don’t know. I never want to throw out the possibility of making our team [...]
Tate
February 10th, 2011
12:33 am
Who ever said trade everyone but Horford for draft picks I agree but instead of just building through the draft. I say draft some pecies and save money for 2012 and make a run at chris paul and ATL native dwight howard
yodaddy
February 10th, 2011
8:34 pm
Marvin Williams = Jamal Mashburn without “the dog”
yodaddy
February 10th, 2011
8:55 pm
I don’t know how the Hawks are 4th in the conference….they have way too many embarrassing losses; NO & PHI, Boston & Bucks at home, Bucks collapse on the road, collapses against Suns and Mavs at home.
This team really could be the best team in the NBA but they just don’t get it. Effort is the key. Look at the Celtics…so many injuries yet they all play the same way. There’s no holes on defense…there’s no excuses.
“I don’t care how many injuries we have, when we step on the court we expect to win” Paul Pierce
and I think that’s the Hawks problem….they hope to win…they think they can win….but they don’t EXPECT to win at least not as a collective team.
With that said…they don’t have the talent on the bench to get anything significant done. Marvin may not like it…but he needs to come off the bench….not because of talent but because we need an extra punch off the bench.
Bibby (until someone takes us all out our misery)
Johnson
Damien Wilkins
Josh
Al
Crawford
Marvin
Mo Evans/Teague depending on matchups
Zaza
Collins (when we need defense)
Drew needs to forget the offense….the offense will come…it’s the defense that’s alarmingly (Doug Gottlieb voice) ineffective and inefficient. It’s awful. It’s unacceptable. It’s bull$hit. If Eddie House and Carlos Arroyo can d up then why can’t Bibby or Jamal??? I’d rather Bibby go underneath a screen and see if his man can consistently shoot threes off the dribble…not many have that ability.