Knicks 92, Hawks 79
Greetings, all-
Pretty lousy game. I feel for you fans who invest so much of yourselves to have to watch your team struggle like this.
- Larry Drew kept the team in the locker room for a lot longer than normal. He came out to talk to reporters about 20 minutes after the game ended, which I’d guess is about seven or eight minutes longer than usual. The only thing Drew said he’d said to players is that every team is physically and mentally tired and that they have to grind it out.
“It’s not a situation of coming out and hoping that the other team is not on,” he said. “You’ve got to come out and you have to establish yourself and we have not done that.”
Other Drew quotes: “Right now, we’re in disarray. We’re not playing with the type of confidence and the type of swagger we should be playing with at home. And that’s a very disturbing thing.”
“The disappointing thing is that we didn’t play with that toughness that needs to be played at this particular time of the season.”
- The thing is, I actually thought they played pretty well defensively for the first three quarters. New York was on pace for 82-83 points through three quarters, more than 20 points below their season average. The Hawks were challenging shots, not getting beaten that often in transition and keeping the Knicks off the free-throw line.
(Two grains of salt: Carmelo Anthony was way off his game – more below – and the Knicks also didn’t have Chauncey Billups.)
The fourth, of course, was a different story. The Knicks loosened up offensively and started making everything. They made 10 of 15 shots, four of six from 3-point range and went to the free-throw line eight times after seven trips through three quarters.
Al Horford: “They moved the ball well, making big shots. I think we became real stagnant on offense. I think it carried over to the defensive end.”
Asked about what he meant by “stagnant,” he quickly replied, “No movement. No movement and a lot of isolation.”
An interesting moment in the fourth. Jamal Crawford was dribbling on the left wing with Kirk Hinrich towards the corner. Crawford kept dribbling and Hinrich threw his hands up. Ironically, that turned into a 3-pointer for Hinrich after Crawford threw into Horford, who passed back out to Hinrich.
- Horford had one shot in the fourth, although I wouldn’t put it on all on a lack of ball movement. He seemed hesitant throughout the game and missed pick-and-pop shots he normally makes.
Horford: “I just couldn’t get it going on offense.”
Drew said he didn’t have the energy he had against Chicago (which, in fairness, was statistically perhaps the best game of his career).
Drew: “I thought he did a good job of getting into the post, but I thought he was quick in his shot instead of getting into a nice rhythm and getting his shot off.”
- Offensively, it was a wreck. Mike D’Antoni has coached the Knicks for 224 games and this was the second first time his team held its opponent under 80 points.
Distance of first-quarter makes, in feet: 2, 3, 3, 5, 12, 25, 26.
Distance of misses: 7, 9, 15, 19, 20, 20, 22, 22, 22, 24, 25.
Joe Johnson was off, Horford was off. Plus, 21 total turnovers, which New York turned into 24 points. Not much flow.
You would never guess this, but the Hawks actually were 10-for-17 in the fourth quarter.
- Drew mentioned that he is going to keep searching for players who will bring toughness of the bench, which I imagine is partly why he gave Hilton Armstrong a shot (and also because he matched up better with New York’s athletic bigs than Jason Collins would have). He put in Zaza Pachulia at the start of the second quarter and pulled him after 65 seconds. Pachulia was pretty steamed coming back to the bench.
- I thought Damien Wilkins played tough, physical defense and gave the team a boost again. Anthony got his points off of him, but Wilkins, if memory serves, also drew two charges on him.
- Anthony said following the game he had migraines and blurry vision after getting poked in the eye by Hoford in the first quarter, which is why he took his headband off (because the headband was so tight, he said). Anthony was 6 for 18 for 14 points, although he had seven rebounds and seven assists (with five turnovers).
I’d say, too, Marvin Williams played pretty energetic defense on him, though who knows how things would have turned out of Anthony weren’t waylaid with blurry vision.
- One thing about Josh Smith’s 3-point shooting. He’s been pretty off this month (7 for 32), but he’s shooting 33.6 percent for the season. That’s better than Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams, as well as Derrick Rose (barely), Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant.
It can certainly be argued if he best serves the team being out there, but I don’t think it can be argued he doesn’t make a decent amount of them. (He was 1-for-2 against New York.)
- About Hawks fans – I do find it peculiar in a market this size that there wouldn’t be more fans who would be willing to pay to see the team play, but it’s obviously the reality of the market. It happens with all four professional sports teams here. I can understand where diehard Hawks fans could be disenchanted but I’d think the average sports fan would want to see a team that has a winning record and exciting players. I’m not blaming them – people are free to spend their money how they want – but it does surprise me a little the team doesn’t draw better.
This isn’t a groundbreaking observation, but I think part of it is the long record of futility and the effect that’s had on where each team is on the radar. Atlanta is a transient city, but I think that only goes so far. If a championship-caliber team played in this city, I have to believe it would win over a lot of those transient fans. It happened with the Braves in the 90’s, and I think it’s happening with the Falcons.
Other quotes:
Smith on his knee: “It felt good. I think I thought about it too much, but it’s going to be happen like that until I get the rust off.”
Drew: “We’re not playing with that sense of urgency. We’re not playing with this swag that we talk about coming back home and being on our homecourt and playing energized and with a sense of urgency. The minute we get out there, that’s not happening.”
Smith, on Drew’s comments about the Hawks lacking swagger: “Those are his words. You ask me, it’s just a lack of consistency.”
Horford: “It was just a lot of isolation. On the break, we had to try to get layups. I think we were forcing shots.”
Horford: “I think it’s a rough patch. We’ve had those before this season. It goes back to us playing with a consistency that I’ve felt we’ve lacked this year. We’ve got to get back on track.”
On fans cheering for the Knicks: “It is frustrating. But we can’t get caught up in that. We have to keep coming out and playing and playing for our fans.”
Amar’e Stoudemire, on the “MVP!” chants: “I thought we were at home for a second. It felt like a home game.”
Stoudemire: “We can become a great tea. It’s just a matter of us being willing to bring the effort every night.”
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287 comments Add your comment
Jae Evolution
March 7th, 2011
8:33 pm
Looks like the Knicks will gain even more ground on us along with Orlando. They are up big in Utah and Orlando is without Howard tonight.
O'Brien
March 7th, 2011
8:34 pm
Najeh,
Plus the Pistons players bought into whatever Larry Brown was selling. he got them to “play the right way” (whatever that means).
LD can’t even get Josh to tone down his erratic shots, much less get the whole team to buy into a motion offense. Too often we go back to ISOs and get jumper happy.
As for JJ’s contract, I dont know what the Hawks are going to do to improve. They will have to make smart basketball and financial moves, and convince the right players to play here. I just dont see them doing that.
I think we will be a consistent 45-53 win team for the 4 years, and we will always be a threat to get to the second round.
O'Brien
March 7th, 2011
8:38 pm
dmb,
I think Pat Riley will let the Heat coach finish out the season, and let the chips fall where they may. If the Heat get to the ECF, I think Riley will bring him back next year. But if the Heat dont make it to the ECF, I think he will be fired.
IMO, Pat Riley does not want to coach this team, because they are not constructed very well. Their PGs are Chalmers and Bibby, and their centers are Joel Anthony and Big Z.
Udonis Haslem is injured, and they have very little depth. So I think Pat will try and make some more moves this offseason, and then get a new coach for next year if Spoelstra continues to falter.
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
8:38 pm
Monique, is a stunning model from the left coast that makes us guys drool………………….LOL
SteveW
March 7th, 2011
8:39 pm
O’Brien – Maybe – but I think it may end up being like 9 years at 134 mill. JJ doesn’t want to be a 35 year FA making the vet min. his last couple of years, so teams expand the deal, throw a few more mil in and it’s a win win.
But you could be right. And if you are, we may be watching the Hawks play their home games in Las Vegas.
SteveW
March 7th, 2011
8:45 pm
Last night, Josh shot 8 jumpers. He made 2.
The Hawks turned the ball over on 24.1% of their possessions. That is staggering!
northcyde
March 7th, 2011
8:47 pm
truhawkfan
March 7 th, 2011
3 :26 pm
This where the problem comes to play with the fans they have no faith in home team and but yet they want a so called superstar to come here why so they could do the same thing to them. These are nothing but bandwagon fans they with the team when they win but soon as they start to lose they are know where to be found. There are far worst teams in the NBA then the Hawks and they get support from their city look at the Cavs, T-wolves,and Raptors. But there are teams in the NBA that have superstars and are struggling not just the Hawks and let some of these fans tell it we don’t have a superstar but yet we still in the top 5 and believe it or not we might can still get that 4 seed. Truhawksfan GO HAWKS there are still some real fans that support you.
*******
Best post of the thread.
Just a mere 6 days ago, the majority of these fans were giddy about beating Chicago, and saying things like “I’m not worried about Orlando or Miami or Chicago in the playoffs”.
Now .. a tough loss to OKC and a bad loss to NYK, and some of those same fans are jumping off the cliff again.
And to me, it’s mind boggling that fans who supported this team when they were horrible, would now abandon the team when they are good ( but not elite ).
I guess some fans would rather root for a sorry product that they can hope can get better in the future . . than to root for a good product that they know deep down, isn’t good enough to win a title.
There’s no way in hell I’d trade this team for what the Twolves, Warriors, and Clippers put on the floor . . even if they are more “exciting” to watch.
SteveW
March 7th, 2011
8:47 pm
Hoopinion gives a unique look at the Hawks Inside rotations:
“The post rotation provides the best evidence of top-to-bottom disarray by a wide margin. Jason Collins doesn’t play unless he starts, Zaza Pachulia’s production and playing time have become dissociated to near-Teaguian proportions, Josh Powell is brought off the bench about once a month to remind Drew that he can’t play, a process Hilton Armstrong likely (hopefully?) began last night.”
Interesting to say the least.
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
8:49 pm
Sure I’d save the ASG some green backs and take half what Etan gets to ride the bench drmaryb….LOL…
SteveW
March 7th, 2011
8:51 pm
Northcyde – “Just a mere 6 days ago, the majority of these fans were giddy about beating Chicago, and saying things like “I’m not worried about Orlando or Miami or Chicago in the playoffs”.
That would be me. I thought Sund ditching Mo and Bibby while acquiring Hinrich would be enough. I didn’t think LD could botch the rotations now. And I thought, more importantly, that somehow Hinrich would help with shot selection with the remainder of the team.
I’m afraid I am wrong on both accounts. I think Jamal keeps being Jamal, which has turned into a problem on most nights.
And I still don’t trust LD’s rotations.
But you won’t see me jumping off the Hawks bandwagon. Been with them since ‘69 or so. Not leaving now, and want them to win every game. But I do have to call them as I see them.
Mike is back
March 7th, 2011
8:53 pm
KenSug, your recent article on the Hawks Chronicles a man who is either in a sad state of disbelief…or has severe case of amnesia…CUZ he keeps saying the same…six years of hearing excuses from Woody…and now appears we are in store for two more with LD…Geeez!!
Whether is was intentional or not…your article highlighted the biggest problem with this team…First Off the ship is sinking…and your captain don’t think it’s time to panic.
However, ultimately I don’t think anything will change until the Hawks trade JJ…if you can’t lead…than get out the way…dude just admitted he haven’t a clue on how to lead this team…he want somebody tell him…dang.
Hopefully, if we loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong suffering Hawks fan are afforded new owners…maybe something significant will change.
JOneal had a contract like JJ’s and he’s has been traded what three or four times…Hey, anything possible…I understand we had to resign JJ…now we have cleared that obstacle…now we need to get what we can for him.
Let JC1 contract come of the books and Trade JJ…keep Captain Kirk and Armstrong…and add some more pieces…then watch this team flourish…they want have a choice but to rely on each others…they want have a choice but to Grow TFU.
I’ll take RIP from Detroit with some parts, or some first round picks…as bad as thing are in Detroit…they will be looking to deal.
Hey, I’m just calling it like it is…word up!!!
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
8:54 pm
Tell me True HAAAAAAAAAAWKS fans as of today would rather have the Miami team or the Hawks team playing in Atlanta right now??
FYI, the Hawks are playing like the 7th seed and in a couple of weeks that may be the case…..Fans are not the reason this dysfunctional franchise has never been to an NBA finals..Heck MIAMI won a Championship just 5 yrs ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
8:56 pm
Quote from Micheal Ray Richardson of the NewYork Knicks “THE SHIP BE SINKING”
That fits the Atlanta Hawks…………………………….
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2011
9:05 pm
“I guess some fans would rather root for a sorry product that they can hope can get better in the future . . than to root for a good product that they know deep down, isn’t good enough to win a title.”
Actually, yes. In the absence of a team that has a realistic shot at winning a title, I’d say most fans would prefer a team that they know has room for improvement, as opposed to a team with a very clear ceiling well below championship contention.
“There’s no way in hell I’d trade this team for what the Twolves, Warriors, and Clippers put on the floor . . even if they are more “exciting” to watch.”
Seriously? You wouldn’t trade this team for the Clippers?
I’d take Griffin/Bledsoe/Aminu/Jordan over Joe/Smoove/Al in a heartbeat. More exciting now, higher ceiling later. That’s a no brainer to me.
drmaryb (*_*)
March 7th, 2011
9:12 pm
Hey, I will always support this team. I have been a season ticket holder for many years since 1989. I didn’t renew this year because I am building a new office location here in Roswell, GA. That is a 24/7 job 365.
I have been to about 15 games this season and have enjoyed myself. All the games were competitive and we won most of them. But, I will continue to hold the ASKG feet to the fire, until they commit to building this roster the right way. Buy some groceries and stay out of that:
Dollar Tree Bargain Bin …. Scraping the bottom of it looking for items
@ 2 for $1.00. Come on “Norty”, you got to spend money to make money! Everybody knows that.
northcyde
March 7th, 2011
9:13 pm
To me, the true barometer of a fan base, has always been how many fans go to see the their team when they play a “bad” team.
If you’re really a Hawks fan that doesn’t mind going to games, you’ll go to see them play ANYBODY . . not just the elite teams.
God Bless the season ticket holders that go out to see the Hawks play Detroit, just like they go out to see them play the Lakers.
And for those of you concerned about ticket pricing, those are the games to go to. The same 200 level seat that may have cost $80 for the Knicks game, is $25 – $30 for the Pistons game.
I’m just tired of the excuses. Either you’re down for this team, or you’re not. Don’t jump on and off the bandwagon everytime the Hawks go through a tough stretch.
If you jump off now, stay the ( bleep ) off.
I really could care less who that offends either. Because the fact that people jump on and off the wagon, is the main thing that makes us look like a bad fan base. It’s the reason why the Knicks fans can take over our arena.
Kentucky fans do the same thing in basketball, when their fans could care less about their team. They will literally take over your home arena, if you’re not careful.
The biggest stretch of games the entire season, and even the “true fans” are ready to bail on this team after 2 damn losses.
THAT’S why places like ATL and Miami and even Philly, are bad fan bases. The fans of all 3 cities will bail on their team in a heartbeat.
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
9:14 pm
“we don’t have a superstar but yet we still in the top 5 and believe it or not we might can still get that 4 seed. Truhawksfan GO HAWKS there are still some real fans that support you.”
99 years after the Titanic hit the one lone rogue Iceberg that was siting there waiting, there’s still that mentality that it wont sink.. At that time only a few knew the real deal..The ship was going down in about 2 hrs…It sunk in 2hrs 40mins.. The ASG know whats up. That’s why they want outta here yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its taking on water….Abandon Ship Scottie, Jettison the core………..Yes Captain………….
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2011
9:15 pm
Sh-t, I didn’t even mention Eric Gordon, who has arguably had a better all around season than Joe this year.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2011
9:19 pm
The Knicks are wasting the Jazz right now. They are up by nearly 30. Toney Douglas is winning the point guard battle 20 points to 0 against Devin Harris.
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
9:22 pm
Okay I have to reedit my prediction.Knicks wont take 3 weeks to catch the Hawks.How bout next week!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2011
9:25 pm
New blog up
SteveW
March 7th, 2011
9:29 pm
Northcyde – To show you what a fan I am, I have been to I don’t know how many games against bad teams, because that is usually the affordable games. I have less traffic to fight, I like the feel of the arena when it is less full in the regular season also. I enjoy the stars and electricity etc. but sometimes it good to just go the games and chill. Sit in the nosebleeds usually.
Now I have been to a few playoff games, and they are electric. But I have supported the Hawks even when we were really bad, and still do.
As far as seeding, I still say we could go on a 16-3 tear and end up as high as 2nd seed. i doubt it.
I also see where we could stumble at like 7-12, while NY and Philly get hot, and end up a 7th seed. It really is irrelevant to me, as long as we win in the playoffs. Anybody but the Celtics appear beatable to me right now in the playoffs for us.
And man, folks were skewering DRose on a sports talk radio here today. In the Heat game, they said even though the Bulls won, in the last 2 minutes they said:
1) Rose shot an airball with alot of time on the shot clock
2) Ross shook off TT and called his own play
3) Rose made a bad turnover.
So if your looking for a perfect PG, I guess he doesn’t exist. So ya’ll go easy on Teague when he makes an turnover or two. Even the elites one do.
drmaryb (*_*)
March 7th, 2011
9:33 pm
Financially Strapped!
“I’m just tired of the excuses. Either you’re down for this team, or you’re not. Don’t jump on and off the bandwagon everytime the Hawks go through a tough stretch.”
_______________________
The best fans are not necessarily the most endowed fans. This economy will dictate where discretionary dollars are being spent.
I pay over 100.00 per month for Direct TV to see my Hawks play. The NBA rakes in Billions from televised games based on Nielsen Ratings. So, if I watch a game from home? That is not FREE entertainment. I just gassed up at 3.75 per gallon. My V8 Lexus takes 78.00 to filler up and I haven’t even left the pump yet. So, the way I see it, I don’t have to pour my money into ASKG and the Millionaire’s pockets.
It’s not always about loyalty. Its about allocating funds to entertainment versus discretionary income to payroll, vendors, taxes, medical supplies and food, electricity, fuel, clothing, tithing and bare necessities.
News Flash! America is bailing out Banks and Insurance Companies because the FREE World is flat broke! These are hard times to deal with.
If THE ASKG opened their wallets a little more, they will make a little more. Why should we pay to see NO PG and NO Center year in and out?
We are not Lamont Sanfords. As far as Kentucky Basketball? Those tickets are $5.00 to $10.00 per game and the Cokes are $1.50. Student games are student rates. Sorry Norty! It’s all about Supply and Demand. Economics 101 are hard at work here.
___________________________
I still love you though.
northcyde
March 7th, 2011
9:38 pm
So what’s the guess for tomorrow night? A sellout crowd, with about 8,000 Laker fans in the building?
I wonder if the “early” start time and the traffic will prevent people from getting to the game on time for a Tuesday Laker game?
Doubt it.
Because it’s a “big” game.
Meanwhile on a Sunday afternoon with no traffic and dirt cheap tickets ( for an NBA game ), they’ll be no more than 11,000 in the building for a game that the Hawks may desperately need.
That regular season game vs Milwaukee about this time last year, in which 3,000 of our “fans” literally walked out on the Hawks . . despite the game going into overtime . . told me all I needed to know about a good chunk of our fan base.
No loyalty and no faith whatsoever.
I was so pissed being at that game and seeing that. I’m just glad that 7,000 of us stuck around to see the Hawks pull the victory out.
I can’t imagine any other fan base in the NBA that would literally have 30% of the crowd walk out on their team, despite the game not being over yet.
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
9:41 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
drmaryb you are off the chain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL………………….
…
northcyde
March 7th, 2011
9:43 pm
The Sunday game I’m referring to . . is the game on March 20th vs the Pistons . . the game after the arena will be sold out the previous Friday vs Miami.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2011
9:44 pm
“I can’t imagine any other fan base in the NBA that would literally have 30% of the crowd walk out on their team, despite the game not being over yet.”
Take a look at the stands. There’s a good view at 0:16.
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
9:44 pm
By 2015 America will be broke…
Debt= GNP!!!! Pride comes before a fall……..Keep voting these same clowns in…Basketball will be a distant memory where this country is headed………………………….
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2011
9:45 pm
Faith and loyalty are for God. Realism is for the DASG, and any other money-making corporation for that matter.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 7th, 2011
9:45 pm
Anyway, new blog up.
slimjr
March 7th, 2011
9:46 pm
prediction: a gallon of Gas in Atlanta will be about 5.50/gallon by December !!!!!!!!!!!!OUCH…………………………
drmaryb (*_*)
March 7th, 2011
9:49 pm
Will the real Slim-Shady – Please stand up?
“99 years after the Titanic hit the one lone rogue Iceberg that was siting there waiting, there’s still that mentality that it wont sink.. At that time only a few knew the real deal..The ship was going down in about 2 hrs”
________________________
Fantastic Analogy!
Last week a political pundit was on the News Network discussing:
“The State of The Union”. The Ed Show on MSNBC was talking about the governmental rift between the Republicans and Democrats.
Ed said this, “The Tea Party and Republicans infighting are like The Titantic is going down and they are fighting over the bed sheets!”
Imagine that, The Governer of Milwaukee wants to snuff out the labor unions to trim the National Debt of a Trillion Dollars by reducing 45 years worth of employee contributions to their pension payments that are now due them and the caveat is they also want to reduce Health Insurance Benefits on top of it all? They want School teachers, Firefighters, Policeman and all the other Public Servants to leave 10% of their salary on the table in addition to that?
Why not just hire Worldwide Clyde and Jeje to FIRE everybody and replace them with Mexicans and Homeless People? They will do half the job for pennies on the dollar. Outsourcing work right here in America?
_______________________
What is this world coming to? The End!
___________________
I’m gonna’ make like a baby and head on out.
G-Nite Yall!
northcyde
March 7th, 2011
10:43 pm
@ drmaryb . . . I understand all of that. It just from my perspective, people look for reasons to not support the Hawks. And after a while, all it looks like are a bunch of excuses. Especially when people will break their necks to see some games, and not others.
And that’s because they like to go see the Hawks play good teams . . not go to see the Hawks. There’s a difference in that mentality.
It’s like when Drew talks about the Hawks not giving “effort”. Why don’t they give effort every game? The fans have a legit gripe about that issue.
So then turn the question around . . why don’t fans give a better effort?
I mean . . it’s OK to criticize owners and players . . but as soon as someone says something about the fans . . here come the list of excuses.
What if management and players did that, to justify their “lack of effort”
PLAYERS AND COACHES
- we starters can play to the max every game. we need help from the bench
- us bench players don’t get enough minutes, so why even bother to play hard all the time
- us coaches know that certain players won’t or just can’t give us the effort, so we play the “effort guys” heavy minutes.
MANAGEMENT
- we don’t get enough revenue at the gate, so we refuse to pay out of our own pocket for the Luxury Tax
- the court battle took money out of our pockets
- because we’re not a championship level team, it makes no sense to us to spend “championship money” on a coach, or a big name but past his prime player, or a competent GM
Then the fans counter with their “excuses”.
That’s another reason why the players, the city, the fans, and the management get clowned by the national meda.
Just a lack of “effort” all around.
Dukester
March 8th, 2011
9:02 am
I agree Northcyde well said. But I am born and raised in Atlanta and It seems all of our teams have a “core” (no pun intended) fan base. It seems like we can fill maybe 60% of any sports arena during the season. Of course when the playoffs come and if the team had a good season we can fill the place up. But just look around no one here is from atlanta. And I can say as a life long hawks fan I dont feel good about this team, coaching staff, or ASG.
I think this team is still built around Billy Knight and Woodys dream of a bunch of 6′ 9″ players. I never liked that tyle unless you can shoot from the perimeter and play good perimeter defense.
LuckyStrike
March 8th, 2011
12:53 pm
The reason why I think the Hawks can win the championship this season is because there are players on the Hawks roster who are not being PUSHED AND CHALLENGED. The Hawks need a coach like Pat Riley who will drive his players to be productive and will teach them fundamentals in areas in which they are weak. Larry Drew is a weak coach who allows anything on the court, whether his players are producing or not. Larry does not know basketball well enough to be a head coach. For all the garbage that the Hawks are giving the fans of Atlanta on the floor, I know there are at least five players who are taking nights off while they are still in uniform on the court. Al Horford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Jamal Crawford, although they take nights off from time to time while still in uniform, they are usually reliable and steady, but they have been known to be careless on the floor with many turnovers and have been known to have lapses in judgement due to lack of effort and recklessness. From what I can see, Joe, Al and Josh are trying hard and playing hard MOST OF THE TIME; Marvin is clueless as to how to utilize is skills, and Jamal, although he is helping us with his scoring punch occasionally, Jamal should be in the starting lineup and he should give up the basketball as soon as his shot stops falling in. What Jamal does most of the time is attempt to shoot 3-pointers for the entire evening. A 3-point shot is a very low percentage shot, but Jamal thinks he is PISTOL PETE MARAVICH and continues to hoist them up regardless of whether he is throwing bricks for the night or not. Marvin lately has given us a key rebound or a key block, but for the most part throughout Marvin’s career, he has given us absolutely nothing since we drafted him and he is just a skeleton on the Hawks roster.
LuellaPatterson
March 8th, 2011
3:40 pm
THE HAWKS ARE COLLAPSING JUST ABOUT THE SAME AS THE MIAMI HEAT. OVER THE LAST 15 GAMES, THE HAWKS ARE GETTING POUNDED IN THE FIRST QUARTERS AND THIS HAS PRODUCED AN UPHILL CLIMB FOR THE FOLLOWING 3 QUARTERS. WHY CANT THE HAWKS GET OUT TO A 15-POINT LEAD THEMSELVES OVER THEIR OPPONENTS WHEN THEY COME OUT OF THE GATE IN THE BEGINNING QUARTER? THE HAWKS FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE INFERIOR EVERY OPPONENT THEY FACE. IN FACT RIGHT NOW I DONT THINK THERE IS A TEAM OUT THERE THAT THE HAWKS CAN BEAT. THAT IS SAD BUT TRUE. THE HAWKS STINK AND THEY SHOULD SELL THE TEAM AND GET THEM OUT OF TOWN.
PerryHenderson
March 8th, 2011
4:39 pm
Najeh Davenpoop: You are wrong about the Hawks lacking enough talent to win the world championship this year. I really don’t think you realize how much parity there is in the NBA. I know it looks as though its the same few teams who are making the playoffs each year, but teams like the Lakers and Celtics were seiously tested before they won their NBA crowns. In case you forgot, the year the Celtics won the title OUR ATLANTA HAWKS PUSHED THE C’S TO 7 GAMES IN THE OPENING ROUND BEFORE THEY EVENTUALLY WON IT. IN FACT THAT SEASON THE CELTICS WON THEIR TITLE EVERY CELTIC OPPONENT IN EVERY ROUND PUSHED THE C’S TO 7 GAMES IN THE PLAYOFFS THAT YEAR. LAST SEASON, THE LAKERS SURVIVED A SCARE IN THE OPENING ROUND BY THE UPSTART OKLAHOMA THUNDER. I heard on ESPN that the reason why the Thunder lost to the Lakers by one point last season in the playoffs in game 7 was because the Thunder were OUTREBOUNDED by one rebound by the Lakers in game 7. Thats why the thunder went out this year and acquired former Celtics greats KENDRICK PERKINS and NATE ROBINSON which automatically makes the Thunder in the western conference the favorites to win the NBA title this year. The Thunder are very close; the Hawks are very close but from the blogs that most fans are writing you would think the Hawks are several years away from winning a title. I think the Hawks are going to win the NBA crown this season and I dont think anybody will stop them once they get it going.