Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson to return to lineup as Hawks look for ‘mental edge’ over Magic
J.J. practiced today and said he “definitely” will play against the Magic after missing a game with a sprained right thumb.
“A little sore but it will be all right,” he said. “I have had a couple days to rest so I am sure it will be ready to go.”
Joe said he would probably wear some kind of protective device on the thumb. He said he was able to shoot the ball without problems while participating in the full session.
“He was actually pretty good,” L.D. said. “I asked him how the thumb was and he said it was much better than a couple days ago. That’s good to hear. I thought he shot the ball pretty good today.”
Smoove missed the final portion of practice to get treatment on his sore right knee. He’s not listed on the injury report.
If Joe returns to the lineup and if Jameer Nelson (knee) is able to play, it would be the first Hawks-Magic this season in which both teams had all their regular starters available.
Nelson sat out the Magic’s 93-89 victory on Nov. 8 at Amway Center. J.J. and Nelson sat out the Dec. 6 rematch in Orlando won 80-74 by the Hawks (a game in which several Orlando players were getting over a virus). The Magic had just added Turkoglu and J-Rich to the lineup when they lost 91-81 on Dec. 20 at Philips.
As Chicago, Boston, Miami fight it out for the top three spots in the East and Philly and New York meander at six and seven, it looks like the Hawks and Magic will tangle in the first round of the playoffs. John Hollinger’s latest playoff odds projections have it that way.
“It’s highly probable they will be our first-round opponents in the playoffs and I am sure they are looking at it the same way,” L.D. said. “They’ve always been a tough team for us to play, going back to what they did to us last year. So the energy is going to be there, the energy and the intensity. I think there will be a sense of urgency on both team’s parts to establish themselves.”
L.D. said he probably would again use the Twin lineup again Orlando. With Gortat gone the Magic now are forced to play small with Brandon Bass or Ryan Anderson at center when Dwight goes to the bench. That lack of front court size, in addition to Hinrich now checking Jameer instead of Bibby, theoretically makes Orlando a more favorable matchup for the Hawks.
Of course the Hawks can’t think about match ups when they have yet to prove their worth against the league’s best. Getting a W tomorrow would be a good start.
“We feel confident going up against any team,” J.J. said. “But I think we understand the significance of this game and the psychology of it, as far as this is more than likely be our first-round opponent. This is definitely a statement game, a game that we really need to come out and take seriously. We can go up 3-1 and have the mental edge on them as well. It’s definitely important.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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175 comments Add your comment
Rufus1
March 29th, 2011
2:47 pm
One
Mr. Phil
March 29th, 2011
2:58 pm
“mental edge” ? so many jokes so little time.
Mr. Phil
March 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
I hope L.D. means twin lineup in terms of subs. Otherwise, it is another poor decision by an all together useless numb skull.
O'Brien
March 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
LD: “So the energy is going to be there, the energy and the intensity. I think there will be a sense of urgency on both team’s parts to establish themselves”.
Knowing these Hawks, will anyone be surprised if the energy and the intensity is NOT there? I won’t.
With Dwight in the frontcourt, he has the ability to slow down our bigs, and to discourage our guys from driving into the paint (which isnt hard to do). Therefore, for the Hawks to win, we need good game from JJ, and a good game from Jamal.
I just hope LD does not play Jamal at backup PG (although my gut feeling says he will, because if he doesnt play Jamal at backup PG, he will have to play Teague, and Teague is not a part of his playoff rotation).
Mr. Phil
March 29th, 2011
3:03 pm
We have got to go with our real starters…whoever they may be. (I know, I know…L.D. has not chosen them yet…with less than ten games to go).
JohnGTFan
March 29th, 2011
3:12 pm
Well, let’s see…my guess…JJ goes 6 for 20 from the field, scores 15 points (might be too much for him, but we’ll see). Come on LD…show you got some guts….BENCH JJ for the rest of the season. Show you got some guts/heart/something. JJ will never change now…he’s got his 120+million coming in…he doesn’t have to care.
JohnGTFan
March 29th, 2011
3:13 pm
Oh yeah, Atlanta loses by 21
DAChef
March 29th, 2011
3:19 pm
We shall see Mr. Johnson if your heart is where your mouth is…
Grandad
March 29th, 2011
3:20 pm
My apologies if someone has already posted this link.
*[I disagree with writer's assessment of Teague]
** However, very much on point !
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=19269
Hollywould
March 29th, 2011
3:21 pm
“Mental Edge” WTF Do we have new players?
JohnGTFan
March 29th, 2011
3:24 pm
“Hollywould”…unfortunately no, still have the same one’s. I think it was put out there for jokes.
ClassicHawks
March 29th, 2011
3:25 pm
Hawks will lose, because they will only play hard for three quarters and then QUIT! This is the Teams M.O. This Year… Why would it change tomorrow?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
3:25 pm
From the previous blog…
“I was on board with resigning JJ, mainly because I had no confidence in the ASG and Rick finding a way to rebuild on the fly.”
This is exactly how I felt. As much as I disliked the idea of Joe Johnson getting paid the max for the next six years, the odds of him lifting this team to greater heights seemed (and sadly enough, continues to seem) more likely than the odds of the DASG and Rick Sund replacing him with a better star player and/or better supporting pieces. With the right pieces in return, dealing Joe could have had a very similar effect to what dealing Melo has done for the Nuggets. But does anyone really have the confidence in the Hawks’ brass to have made a move as successful as Masai Ujiri and the Nuggets’ brass made? I certainly didn’t and still don’t.
The “sadly certain” future to which LaGree alludes will continue to be sadly certain irrespective of where Joe is, as long as the eight feces-throwing orangutans own the team and Sund is making personnel decisions.
Grandad
March 29th, 2011
3:29 pm
How does Twin stay in competitive shape and maintain his skills
if he only plays once in a blue moon ?
honest_abe
March 29th, 2011
3:34 pm
grandad: those kinds of skills need little maintaining.
ICECOLD
March 29th, 2011
3:37 pm
as long as Teague gets at least ten minutes… this game is going to tell me if the hawks actually have a chance this first round.. if they lose by less then 5.. they have a chance.. if they win at all.. i feel pretty good about this first round playoff matchup.. if they get blown out.. LD is going to look stupid …
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
3:38 pm
Also, a big motivation behind the timing of LaGree’s post seems to be the explosion Marvin had against the Cavs and the possibility that it was more than just an isolated good game against an awful opponent. I’ve seen the same sentiment expressed by several posters on the previous blog. Let’s not get carried away here. The Cavs are not only one of the league’s worst defensive teams, but also, Marvin has had games like this before only to shrink back into his shell the next game. Let’s see him string together 5 games like this before we start getting our hopes up about him.
jgsbirds
March 29th, 2011
3:38 pm
maybe an injured shooting hand (thumb) will bring joe’s shot back! we sure need it!
magic 91
hawks 94
i hope any way!
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
up next magic by 15!
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
3:45 pm
Al and his side kick Marvin become the invisible men!! Then Josh will start jacking up brick 3’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sautee
March 29th, 2011
3:46 pm
test
Rod from College Park
March 29th, 2011
3:47 pm
One thing we can’t accuse these guys of being is slow healers. Joe, Josh, and Al all come back a little fast from their injuries, which sometimes is actually detrimental to the team. Only guy who stays out for extended periods when injured is Marvin, and that’s probably becuase of his back problems from falling all the time.
I really don’t see the need in rushing Joe back. We need to make sure he is 100% healed for the playoffs, so there will be no excuses when he comes out and lays an egg, as usual. Use this time to let Marvin and Jamal try to get their confidence back, and let Teague play against some of these playoff teams to get his confidence up as well. If Joe can’t hit a shot with nothing wrong with him, what makes you think that he will make shots with a sprained thumb?
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
3:49 pm
Maybe Marvin can step up so his trade value will skyrocket!!!!!!!!!!!
We can dream, cant we? LOL
Rod from College Park
March 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
“Also, a big motivation behind the timing of LaGree’s post seems to be the explosion Marvin had against the Cavs and the possibility that it was more than just an isolated good game against an awful opponent. I’ve seen the same sentiment expressed by several posters on the previous blog. Let’s not get carried away here. The Cavs are not only one of the league’s worst defensive teams, but also, Marvin has had games like this before only to shrink back into his shell the next game. Let’s see him string together 5 games like this before we start getting our hopes up about him.”
CHURCH!!!!! TABERNACLE!!!!! Marvin is the only guy in the league, who gets his fan base excited by having 3 outstanding games per year. Let’s not even mention the fact that he was drafted and resigned with the expectation that games like that would be the norm not anomolies.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 29th, 2011
3:53 pm
ÃWord on The Street!
Just out of curiosity … I googled a question and here are the answers:
My question was worded: What NBA players are rumored to be gay?
(my question was changed to the one below:)
___________________
Who are the gay nba basketball players?
In: Football – American, NBA Playoffs, NBA Finals [Edit categories]
A:
Chris Bosh
Marquis Daniels
Aaron Brooks
Baron Davis
_______________________
Allegedly these brothers are “in the life” and were seen drinking the Brown Kool-Aid!
(that’s what color kool-aid turns when you mix orange with grape.)
Somebody put their business out there!
A jilted lover? An unpaid trick?
_______________________
-drmaryb-
The Entertainment Reporter
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
3:54 pm
Yea but AL aint NENE
Arron Afflalo G 6-5 215 10/15/1985 UCLA 3
11 Chris Andersen F-C 6-10 228 07/07/1978 Blinn Junior College (TX) 8
21 Wilson Chandler F 6-8 225 05/10/1987 DePaul 3
34 Melvin Ely C-F 6-10 261 05/02/1978 Fresno State 7
20 Raymond Felton G 6-1 205 06/26/1984 North Carolina 5
0 Gary Forbes F 6-7 220 02/25/1985 Massachusetts R
8 Danilo Gallinari F 6-10 225 08/08/1988 Milan, Italy 2
7 Al Harrington F 6-9 250 02/17/1980 St. Patrick’s HS (Elizabeth, NJ) 12
41 Kosta Koufos C 7-0 265 02/24/1989 Ohio State 2
3 Ty Lawson G 5-11 195 11/03/1987 North Carolina 1
4 Kenyon Martin – C F 6-9 240 12/30/1977 Cincinnati 10
25 Timofey Mozgov C 7-1 250 07/16/1986 St. Petersburg, Russia R
31 Nenê C 6-11 250 09/13/1982 Sao Carlos, Brazil 8
5 J.R. Smith F-G 6-6 220 09/09/1985 St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, NJ) 6
Hawks aint Denver by any Stretch!!!!!
Al for NENE yesterday…………
Marvin for Al H.
etc…………………………We’ll take the whole roster of Nuggets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
3:58 pm
Cavs= Pickup game!! Right up Marvins alley………….LOL
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
4:00 pm
drmaryb-
The Entertainment Reporter
Hey drmaryb, I thought that was El Duncans job?????????? HAHA..
Who Cares
March 29th, 2011
4:11 pm
Marvin Williams is a “MENTAL” giant. This guy plays as dumb as he looks, and that is sad. The Hawks and this pathetic owner group=Dumb&Dumber. Wish someone would buy this team and move them out of atlanta. The team and the ownership is a disgrace to the city. The head coach is a direct reflection of the ownership. Best coach you can get with no money, and no quality owner, and no qualtiy general manager`
Double Zero Eight
March 29th, 2011
4:14 pm
We will see the real Marvin tonight!!!!!!
Will the real Joe Johnson please stand up???
What we see tonight is a precursor of what
to expect in the playoffs
drmaryb (*_-)
March 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
SlimJr
Naw man .. She quit her job. She in the NFL now, doing The Falcons
Pre and Post Game radio gig with Chris Damino.
That’s my gig now. LOL!
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
4:28 pm
I hear you drm. Yea she hangs out on the Frank Ski &Wanda show too..That 27 year old comin up!10pm nightly on the CW….
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
4:32 pm
drmaryb, 91.9 “soul of the city” playing Donnie Hathaway….What a talent he was?
W.R.Terrell
March 29th, 2011
4:37 pm
Well we all got a look at Marvin and what he could possibly be for the “SOFT’S” as a go to kinda guy. That is all but over now. ISO Joe is ready to go POUND…POUND…POUND. So between ISO Joe and the Launching pad (smoove) 0 for 9 means he’s just getting warmed up, or he’s fantasying about making the great point guard play, the ball will not move as it should to the person with the best look at the basket. Marvin’s timing will be off and so will everyone else (Al, and Heinrich). Can we beat Orlando? Yes we can, will we beat Orlando? Have you ever shot craps before, then you know it’s a crapshoot. Cleveland was not a grand win, so don’t fool yourselves and if you get that urge for a fantasy, go see a shrink.
W.R.Terrell
March 29th, 2011
4:52 pm
I jusr remembered reading that the “SOFT’S” are looking for a “mental edge”, now if that’s not “SICK”, I don’t know what is. You have to play basketball first. Now they are into “EDGE” play. Why they are looking is news to me. They do everything except balling. Maybe THAT’S WHY THEY ARE ALWAYS LOOKING. No matter what kinda edge they look for, have, own it’s a DULL EDGE!!!!!!!
O'Brien
March 29th, 2011
4:58 pm
Rod,
If Joe can’t hit a shot with nothing wrong with him, what makes you think that he will make shots with a sprained thumb?.
Good point. Also, I think a big part of his problem is mental. He takes too long to pass when the double team is coming (mental), maybe he is letting Josh and Jamal get to him (also mental), and sometimes he hesitates with his shot (also mental).
I’m not sure about a “mental edge”, but I know this team has “mental issues”.
As for Marvin, the funny thing too is you never hear one of the players say “We can’t wait for Marvin to get back” or “we need marvin out there”. Those comments are only reserved for Joe, Josh, Al and Jamal I guess.
prison mike
March 29th, 2011
5:07 pm
If Al would have demonstrated his ability to hit that deadly mid range jumper and Josh’s overall improvement, everyone would have felt better letting johnson go. Howard and paul have gone on record saying they wanted to play for the hawks.
Without that sea monster contract, the teams payroll heading into july 2012 would have been 38.7 million. 18 million under the current salary cap.
Mr. Phil
March 29th, 2011
5:08 pm
Ok after seeing what JC@ is doing in D.C. and seeing what L.D. has done to and for Teague, who here thinks the coach has a clue. I keep reading that Jeff has not progressed as he should or that he hasn’t shown whatever it is Drew needs to see. Maybe the coach just needs glasses.
No Woody for Me
March 29th, 2011
5:16 pm
MC – can you give us Marvin’s stats over the past 3 years in games Joe does not play? My anecdotal recollection is that Marvin often has these explosive games when Joe is down. For this reason, I thought LD’s motion offense might lead to a breakout year for Marvin, but that obviously has not happened. Still curious as to what his without-Joe stats are.
prison mike
March 29th, 2011
5:24 pm
This was a realistic “worst case scenario” 2012 roster.
Teague
Marv
Josh
Al
Dwight
Without Joe we finish “around 500″ this year and next. Finally considering our own mid 1st round picks for 2011 and 2012, Phoenix’s 2012 second round pick(mid 30s). Young core with younger, better, and more talented bench compared to now.
Double Zero Eight
March 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
@ Mr Phil
You bring up an excellent point. LD needs more
than glasses. In my opinion, he must be “legally blind”.
Apparently, he does not see what we see on the court
during the games, based on his lineups and playing time.
moha
March 29th, 2011
5:33 pm
can we star talk what next for hawks next year…….this is not going hawks year i am sure
Peter
March 29th, 2011
6:00 pm
Going to the game…..It will be fun to watch the Orlando play “Team Ball “. We shall see how the jump shooting team fairs.
Seems the Crawford we should have kept had 25 points last night for the Wizards….. I wonder how many games it will take JJ to score that many ?
ga peach
March 29th, 2011
6:04 pm
@ Michael Cunningham I understand the the critisizm but are you upset that you are not writing for the Miami Heat or Lakers because everyday you talk about how many WINS the hawks have against over 500 teams. I’m and not blind to the fact that the hawks have not played as well as they have in previous years,but please Real FANS understand that a team will have its growing pains. If the hawks win 2morrow you will have another negative report like its only one win they can’t do it in the playoffs. There are lot of people on here who have lot of courage behind a keyboard. I will support the hawks now and in the playoffs and you Miami, NY, and laker BUTT INHALERS can stay home. LET’S GO HAWKS
Michael Cunningham
March 29th, 2011
6:14 pm
@ ga peach: “@ Michael Cunningham I understand the the critisizm but are you upset that you are not writing for the Miami Heat or Lakers because everyday you talk about how many WINS the hawks have against over 500 teams.”
i wouldn’t want to write for any team. they tend to not like it when their own reporters fairly and truthfully criticize the team, haha . . .
the Hawks’ record against better teams is, i think, a legitimate subject of inquiry and discussion. it was legit before the schedule got tougher and it certainly is legit now that the Hawks have struggled against the tougher schedule. and if the Hawks beat the Magic i can’t see how i would have a “negative report.”
it’s nothing personal. as a fan, you are of course free to maintain your optimism and support the Hawks through their growing pains.
ShtUpHaters
March 29th, 2011
6:18 pm
I agree with ga peach.
Why is everyone in this city (or who lives within 200 miles of Atlanta) so negative? Everyone just whines on every single message board (Hawks, Falcons, Braves, UGA, GT, etc.). All of the bandwagon fans and haters need to stop reading the AJC articles about ATLANTA teams if you hate them so much. Or better yet, move out of Atlanta (or the remote suburbs where you actually live) so you stop showing up to the Lakers and Knicks games acting like you’re from those cities. No, you’re not. I bet all of you became Falcons fans this year because they had a great year and probably will jump on the Braves bandwagon since they are picked to win the division. If you like New York, etc. so much, why do you live in Georgia of all places? That’s what I thought…Shut up.
Michael Cunningham
March 29th, 2011
6:18 pm
@ No Woody: “MC – can you give us Marvin’s stats over the past 3 years in games Joe does not play? My anecdotal recollection is that Marvin often has these explosive games when Joe is down. For this reason, I thought LD’s motion offense might lead to a breakout year for Marvin, but that obviously has not happened. Still curious as to what his without-Joe stats are.”
hmmmm . . . trying to think of a good way to figure this. will see if i can gather it for the blog tomorrow.
terrell
March 29th, 2011
6:34 pm
JJ back = ball stops moving, Al deferring, Marvin disappearing act, and Josh turns into Paul Pierce again. Hope I’m wrong.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
6:37 pm
“This was a realistic “worst case scenario” 2012 roster.
Teague
Marv
Josh
Al
Dwight”
I don’t think getting Dwight is a “worst case” anything.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
6:39 pm
“Why is everyone in this city (or who lives within 200 miles of Atlanta) so negative? Everyone just whines on every single message board (Hawks, Falcons, Braves, UGA, GT, etc.). ”
Braves: 1 title in 45 years
Hawks: 0 titles in 43 years
Falcons: 0 titles in 45 years
Thrashers: 0 titles in 12 years
I think Atlanta sports fans have pretty damn good reasons to be negative.
doc
March 29th, 2011
6:46 pm
suh, atlanta is seriously ranked second as the worst sports city of frustration and losing out only to seattle who got their distinction because they lost an nba team. article out not too long ago.
prison mike
March 29th, 2011
6:52 pm
You take my comment out context ND. Through the draft and possibly exceptions, we could easily upgrade the point and off guard position to further increase the awesomeness of the starting five.
Gotta stop fantasizing, it makes me more depressing I among others would have been a much better GM than knight or sund.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
7:05 pm
“My anecdotal recollection is that Marvin often has these explosive games when Joe is down.”
Joe missed 9 games in December. Here were Marvin’s stats in those games:
Points: 15, 22, 5, 2, 7, 15, 10, 6, 26. Average: 12 ppg on 8.8 shots per game (season: 10.7 on 8.5 shots per game)
Rebounds: 4, 2, 4, 1, 4, 7, 0, 5, 5. Average: 3.6 rpg (season: 5.4)
Assists: 3, 0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 2, 3, 1. Average: 1.4 (season: 1.4)
Steals: 1, 4, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0. Average: 0.9 (season: 0.6)
Blocks: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1. Average: 0.2 (season: 0.4)
FG%: 55, 58, 22, 17, 33, 50, 67, 25, 60. Average: 46.8% (season: 45.7%)
3’s: 6/21, 28.6% 3pt% (season: 32%)
FTA: 4, 8, 0, 1, 4, 4, 2, 4, 9. Average: 4 (season: 2.8).
FT%: 78% (season: 84.4%)
Offensive rating: 127, 133, 60, 29, 119, 110, 122, 121, 119. Average: 104 (season: 111)
Defensive rating: 121, 91, 105, 92, 118, 120, 91, 121, 121. Average: 109 (season: 107)
Sure, stats never tell the whole story, and nine games is a small sample size, so take from that what you will. His performance fluctuated wildly over that period — he had 2 really efficient games against Boston (in a blowout) and Philadelphia, and several poor games mixed in there as well. If there’s anything to draw from his performance during that time, though, it is that he is more aggressive getting to the line with Joe out of the game. Aside from that, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence that Joe being out is going to result in Marvin performing all that much better.
ga peach
March 29th, 2011
7:09 pm
@ Najeh then get out
O'Brien
March 29th, 2011
7:12 pm
MC,
I dont think JJ has missed that many games prior to this season, so hopefully it wont be too hard to find Marvin’s stats in those games.
What I think will help Marvin is that if I’m not mistaken, the games JJ missed were against bad teams, so it was easier for Marvin to go off (like he did against the Cavs, for example).
It will be interesting to see what the numbers say…
O'Brien
March 29th, 2011
7:15 pm
Najeh,
To increase the sample size, maybe you will get a chance to look at the last 2 seasons as well.
And do you know what the Hawks record was in those games?
Section 303
March 29th, 2011
7:18 pm
Larry Drew talking about how the Hawks will play with a sense of urgency tomorrow….yeah, right…..what a load of bullsh#t that is.
We all know the Hawks will show up tomorrow night and get their heads kicked in. There will be no fight from them, per usual.
Blast
March 29th, 2011
7:31 pm
Another test.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
7:32 pm
“To increase the sample size, maybe you will get a chance to look at the last 2 seasons as well.
And do you know what the Hawks record was in those games?”
It took too damn long to even compile the information for that post, so I’m probably not going to go back over the last few seasons to do the same. A very superficial glance over last year’s games that Joe missed seems to reveal more inconsistency from Marvin — several solid games mixed in with several underwhelming games. Two years ago, of course, Marvin went off in the two games Joe missed, as noted by Bret LaGree in his post, and three years ago Joe played every game. I don’t think Marvin’s stats from four or five years ago are relevant since he was still developing at that point.
The Hawks were 5-4 in the games Joe missed earlier this year. The quality of opponents was pretty solid in those 9 games, too: the Hawks faced Memphis, Philly, and Indiana at home as well as Boston, Orlando, San Antonio, and Miami on the road within those nine games (all playoff teams). Of course, one of the other two games was the game at Detroit where the Hawks lost by 23 points, and given the quality of opponent and the margin of defeat you could make a reasonable case for that being the Hawks’ worst loss of the season, even more so than the Hawks’ set of blowout losses at home.
JSS
March 29th, 2011
8:06 pm
Atlanta Sports fans are not “negative.” Detroit Lions and Cleveland Indians fans are negative. You’ve never seen anything close to how the fans of those teams rip their franchises from top to bottom… I thought I was in a death camp when I was in college as people waited for the Lions to find a way to self-destruct every year…
Pessimism is a totally different animal from being negative. A pessimist holds out a tiny ray of hope. A negative person says it is never possible. As much as I talk badly about the Falcons, I do understand that they have a possibility under the absolute perfect set of circumstances they can win. The Hawks, you just never feel that they’ve given you their absolute all with the dedication of a group of players who should have had it sink in by now… Thus, they are rightfully discounted, it is a “prove it” world.
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
8:09 pm
“Braves: 1 title in 45 years
Hawks: 0 titles in 43 years
Falcons: 0 titles in 45 years
Thrashers: 0 titles in 12 years
I think Atlanta sports fans have pretty damn good reasons to be negative.”
I co-sign @ Najeh
That is down right pathetic!!!! If Glavin did not pitch the game of his career( A GAME SIX SHUTOUT) Bobby Cox would have figured out a way to lose that series like all the other one he’s blown!!!!!!!!!!!!..It must be something in the water down here?????????????
1 Championship in a hundred and forty seven seasons….PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike is back
March 29th, 2011
8:11 pm
Section 303, hopefully we are wrong this time…and these guys with play with some heart.
I definitely don’t expect nothing different from LD…dude just ain’t the one.
If you are riding Marvin and Jamal’s improve play…instead of trying to coheirs your team to commit to playing tenacious defense for the rest of the season…sh&t…you ain’t gon do much…LD GOT TO SHOW ME!!!!!
I say those stats against quality opponent ain’t no fluke…and if LD has accomplish any this season…that is…spending that weak repetitive chatter… talk is cheap…put up or shut up.
So JJ looked real good shooting with a sore thumb…with no one guarding him…does that mean you finally found away to get JJ to show TF up in Big Games…if not…why you so fing happy.
Is there any risk to rushing JJ back with the playoff looming…let’s see that kind of reminds of the seven man rotation after a back to back…dang.
I guess LD said the Heck with playing Armstrong…Hey, it only cost us JC2 and a 1st round pick…again Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez.
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
8:18 pm
Orlando will be at full strength and it would be safe to say they are far superior to the say the Pistons who beat the crap out of the Hawks at Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look out here it comes………………………..
Blast
March 29th, 2011
8:34 pm
Check out Bibby helping Miami get back in the game vs the Cavs.
Astro Joe
March 29th, 2011
8:39 pm
Considering that tha Hawks have onky produced 10 wins against winning teams (with the season about 2 weeks from concluding), they could have NOT signed Joe, traded Jamal and dumped a few other guys and likely would have come close to a similar 10 wins against winning teams. Of course, hey would not have been so dominant against the scrub teams, but it likely would not have been much less satisfying than this debacle of a season.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
8:42 pm
“@ Najeh then get out”
First let me see the DASG get out (insert winking smiley face here)
Blast
March 29th, 2011
8:45 pm
These are the same Cavs that Hawks demolished a couple of days ago. Now they are taking Miami to school?
The Cavs color commentators are rather childish.
Blast
March 29th, 2011
8:47 pm
Do the Cavs hate LeBrat that much?
I guess so.
Melvin
March 29th, 2011
9:13 pm
Just saw the worst piece of officating in the Cavs/Heat game. Lebron hits a half-court shot after time expired b/c the time keeper started the clock early and the initial call was the shot was no good. After the officials look at the replay that counted the shot instead of replaying the final 2 seconds… SMH
ant banks
March 29th, 2011
9:14 pm
DAILY JC2 REPORT: jamal crawford hit 25 points AGAIN. how do the hawks scouts keep jobs after whiffin’ so many times on so many sorry azz players? then miss on the good ones? smfhid
W.R.Terrell
March 29th, 2011
9:17 pm
I think someone mentioned growing pains concerning the “SOFT’S”. My question is, how long do they have to grow the pains. Five years of growing is not be enough?. LD had no clue as to what he had in Jordon Crawford or what he has in Jeff Teague, the man is simply a bad coach. We may win against Orlando but the “SOFT’S” maintain a losers mindset. True fans for those that are unaware do get pis’d when their team continues to falter because that team becomes a part of their daily entertainment. If you’ve played in some sport then losing graciously only means 2nd or 3rd place. Real simple, the reason Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordon were winners is because they could not stand to lose. The “SOFT’S” can stand losing and that’s not a good thing, that’s a cancer and unacceptable to REAL FANS. Hell, I was with the Braves when winning a game was luck, same with the Falcons but the HAWKS always, always fought when they did not have anything to fight with. That’s why the “SOFT’S” pisses me off. They have plenty to fight with and WON’T!!!!!
O'Brien
March 29th, 2011
9:25 pm
Lets not forget this is the same Cavs team that is 3-0 against the Knicks.
I do think the best thing about playing the Magic and not the Heat in the playoffs is that Wade and LeBron will get the benefit of every call. Against the Magic, only Howard will get the benefit of the calls.
Najeh,
We appreciate the work..
ga peach
March 29th, 2011
9:29 pm
Y DONT ALL YALL FIND A TEAM YOU DEEM WORTHY OF SUPPORTING!!!!! It makes no sense that u spend all day bashing a team that you hate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
9:31 pm
The Heat may very well end up winning this game at Cleveland, but they have some problems with mental toughness of their own. Without Bibby hitting key 3’s they may have been blown out already.
James on Pharr Rd
March 29th, 2011
9:33 pm
Najeh
Please stop with the legitimization of anything Marvin has done because at best his statistics cannot justify his total body of work and overall shortcomings. At best, Marvin can only be developed into a solid defensive player who knocks down the mid range jumper period. He may be able to look good against bad teams, but thats it. Maybe, a good coach comes in and mandates a specific role for him-sort of like Udonis Haslem save for the position.
We have to stop clinging onto a bad overall product-this team is broken and it is time to fix it for short or long term success.
W.R.Terrell
March 29th, 2011
9:36 pm
I don’t think we are bashing a team we hate, I think we are bashing a team we have learned to love and hate what is happening to it. There’s a difference.
B-Balla-Val-Halla
March 29th, 2011
9:41 pm
I’m just not impressed with JJ at all. When he came over from the Suns I thought he might be a player that scored 25 to 30 every night. But what he has become is a 25,9,14,17,12,25,8 scorer. And yes, the games he scores 25+ the Hawks win. The problem is in the games he scores 9 in he shoots 4 for 25. And of course, they lose. Will the real JJ stand up ?
B-Balla-Val-Halla
March 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
Lay off MC. You can’t argue the fact that the Hawks beat the Cavs,Bobcats,and Kings but lose to the Magic,Heat,Bulls,and Celtics. The won-loss record proves this. And its a fact that the latter are the teams they will face in the playoffs. But many of you losers still argue with actual won-loss records.
B-Balla-Val-Halla
March 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
MC speaks da truth !
Sautee
March 29th, 2011
9:46 pm
“Real simple, the reason Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordon were winners is because they could not stand to lose.”
Well, that’s ONE reason.
It didn’t hurt that each of them had Hall of Fame teammates. If the Hawks had multiple HOF players, they would win more too.
O'Brien
March 29th, 2011
9:54 pm
Sautee,
Another reason is they played for very good coaches…
James on Pharr Rd
March 29th, 2011
9:57 pm
Come on Now:
JJ is our franchise guy, but he only averaged close to 25 a game in his contract year and the other times he was close were when he got 30 shots a game. He has to GO or we have to change in many ways our players
James on Pharr Rd
March 29th, 2011
9:58 pm
Help please: What is a good website to follow trade propositions besides ESPN?
bgdawg
March 29th, 2011
9:59 pm
this season was over when we got blown out by the hornets. the playoff destruction will just add to that
Melvin
March 29th, 2011
9:59 pm
watching the cavs/heat game made me sick. We should have signed a young Big like Ryan Hollins. He’s a very atheletic and good defensive player…
B-Balla-Val-Halla
March 29th, 2011
9:59 pm
All those teams had multiple stars. The Lakers had Kareem & Magic,Kobe & Shaq. Others were Penny & Shaq,Bird & McHale,Jordan & Pippen,Olajuwon & Drexler.
Hawks vs. Magic – Playoff Preview, part I | Atlanta Hawks: Fan Nest
March 29th, 2011
10:00 pm
[...] when the playoffs start. What it hopefully does do, is help stabilize this team’s shakey frame of mind. Orlando hasn’t enjoyed the historic-level blowouts against Atlanta as they did last season, [...]
B-Balla-Val-Halla
March 29th, 2011
10:00 pm
Sautee is correct.
UGATrueBlood
March 29th, 2011
10:02 pm
Haha. Just watch the game to see Joe “Big Talk” Johnson go 6 for 16 for 13 pts for the whole game or go 6 for 8 for 12 points before getting hurt in the 2nd quarter. Either way, this soft SOB will score less than 15 and screw this team (once again) out of a win.
UGATrueBlood
March 29th, 2011
10:05 pm
Bench JJ. Stop using the “twin” lineup, put Teague at PG with Kirk at SG. Drew won’t do any of this plus with this team having the self-esteem of a battered housewife, I say Magic win by 32
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
10:14 pm
“Please stop with the legitimization of anything Marvin has done”
Try reading my post again.
W.R.Terrell
March 29th, 2011
10:20 pm
It’s in the heart. You can’t coach that, good team, bad team, good coach, bad coach. You gotta want it and want it bad and as far as Hall of famers, I remember when Chicago only had Michael and you would still sit in front of the t.v. and watch a ball player ball, same with Atlanta when we would have a player here, a player there and guess what…they played ball. It’s in the heart. No Hall of famers in Chicago now except Derrick Rose and he’s carrying the team. Heart man, and we have no one that has that.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 29th, 2011
10:23 pm
Beat Biter!
“The “sadly certain” future to which LaGree alludes will continue to be sadly certain irrespective of where Joe is, as long as the eight feces-throwing orangutans own the team and Sund is making personnel decisions.”
_____________________________
(the eight feces-throwing orangutans own the team )
Hey! Najeh stole my line. I am the original author of this depiction of
The ASKG. Hey Najeh, write your own material!
So, “You Got Jokes” now?
drmaryb (*_-)
March 29th, 2011
10:35 pm
Cavs beat Heat! WOW!
LeBron was not on the court for his pre-game introduction, he said he was using the facilities / the john / the urinal?
Yeah right, mmmh hmmm, OK.
___________________
Hey worldwide clyde! The Cavs beat the Heat. Didn’t we do that without Joe even on the bench.
_______________________
Hey! Who is messing with Najeh? Yall better be glad I was at the Mall while that was going down. I gotta’ go back and read all these posts now, I gotta see what all the discrepancy is about. I know Najeh can handle his business, and I’m sure it’s some fake named blogger doing it too.
______________
I’ll be back, once I get a handle on the talking points.
Somebody better get off Najeh’s back, tho, I’m just saying.
-wink wink -
James on Pharr Rd
March 29th, 2011
10:46 pm
Najeh,
I stand by my post: we need not put up Marvin stats period.
JSS
March 29th, 2011
10:58 pm
@ Sautee…
How do you explain Magic and the Lakers in 1990-91?
doc
March 29th, 2011
11:33 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
March 29th, 2011
9:31 pm
The Heat may very well end up winning this game at Cleveland, but they have some problems with mental toughness of their own. Without Bibby hitting key 3’s they may have been blown out already.
hmmmm, seemed like the guards for the cavs had a very good game with davis and sessions getting 13 dimes and 21 points between them along with parker having a very good game, too though i doubt he was the guy bibby was on. i didnt see the game just inferring on the box score. i think we had a few of those types of games with bibby didnt we?
Ken Strickland
March 29th, 2011
11:41 pm
yall probably think im stupid, and am. I just run my mouth to be heard. I know it was idiotic of me to call for woodson ouster. Now I have to find a way to save face. I know most of you see right through me but hey, stupid is as stupid does.so there…. FIRE MIKE WOODSON!!
DAM IM STUPID, would you agree?
Another thing, when I called for the team to rally around my beloved Larry Drew most of you thought I was stupid, now look, see what I mean? Itjust goes to show you exactly how hopeless this has become. Has anybody got a cigarette?
Alot of yall heard me bragging about this Princeton offense and how it would take the hawks to the next level, some of you guys did not believe that it would. Its ok because sometimes you have to see these thing with a trained eye…like mine. I knew the Princeton offense was deadly. and I was right it did take the hawks to a new level….
Ok I already told you I dont know WTF im talking about but even a broke clock is right twice a day. so wtf I just keep right on chitting out of my mouth….
some body get some tolietpaper quick
Rev in Tampa
March 29th, 2011
11:43 pm
I’m trying to think through how the hawks will likely play tomorrow against the magic, but what I’m finding is that I know less about the hawks now than I did before Christmas. I don’t know which team will show up. I really want to look forward to the game but recent evidence tells me that they will come out flat, be down by a few points at the end of the first, down by 15 at the half, and blown out by the end of the third.
To add to my frustration Teague won’t play and I will have to listen to the arrogant orlando commentators call the game
drmaryb (*_-)
March 29th, 2011
11:45 pm
Blow the Hand!
SlimJr, what you know about Donnie Hathaway and 91.9 CLK?
That’s “grown folks” radio. That’s that undiluted – Miles Davis Jazz, maane! You know you too young for all that Jazz. -smiles-
_______________
Najeh! Fantastic comments as always, with the banter, camaraderie and swift come backs! That 45 year visit down memory lane was unbelievable, when you see it in print? That’s real saad! Borderline depressing. I’m surprised some group hasn’t been massacred.
Just WOW! Sometimes you don’t realize what you’ve been through until you step away and look back at it. Damn.
Thanks for all the hard work on researching those Marvin stats w/o Joe playing. You and northcyde are really appreciated for keeping us fed with the real Stats and Facts. It helps to filter/muddle through all the BS proclamations that fly around here so freely,(like feces from 8 orangutans). I got my HASMAT gear on at all times! You never know where it’s coming from or when it’s gonna’ hit the fan(s) -wink- pun intended. LOL!
_________________
This blog doesn’t need my two cents worth today.
My work here is done.
________________
Sianara Fellas … That’s G-Night if you slooow. -smiles-
frank sinatra
March 29th, 2011
11:47 pm
then git the puck on beitch
slimjr
March 29th, 2011
11:54 pm
A STATEMENT GAME WED NIGHT!!!
drmaryb (*_-)
March 29th, 2011
11:56 pm
Blow The Hand!
I’m sorry, that was for SlimJr and Najeh. Blow your typing hand fellas – ’cause you HOT!
_______________
Looks like TS jacked Ken Stricklnad’s I’d tonight.
So, it’s definitely time to log off. Coward on the Board.
frank sinatra
March 29th, 2011
11:59 pm
Youll blow anything mary.
JSS
March 30th, 2011
12:05 am
@ DrMaryB…
Don’t worry, it is endemic across the AJC blogs today… The jackyouknowwhats are just gone straight daffy…
I had to bring my Flamethrower out retirement on the Schultz blog today…
JSS
March 30th, 2011
12:08 am
I have 400 pages of breakdowns to read to tonight until Noon… Enjoy the game Wednesday night, I hope the Hawks do the right thing!
Ole Hawk's Fan
March 30th, 2011
2:22 am
If we had a REAL NBA COACH…………………Teague would start @PG to combat Nelson…………Capt Kirk @ SG………………..JS……………Twin and Al. Let JJ, Marvin and JC1(Not @ Point) come off the bench………….. But with a coach with NO BBIQ………………TEAGUE will get a DNP-CD! With LD on the sideline, MAGIC by 20 or more.
Worldwide Clyde
March 30th, 2011
3:15 am
*yawn*
I need to Trademark that phrase.
FIRE LD
vava74
March 30th, 2011
6:49 am
The hawks’ brass are insane.
Building up tonight’s game publicly is the precise opposite of what they should be doing.
They should be saying that it would be good to win tonight’s game but that it does not matter towards the playoffs.
Even if they win they should play possum. Our guys don’t play well under pressure, they are too soft to react well to these brash statements.
JustAThought
March 30th, 2011
7:02 am
Ken S. no apologies needed bro, we all get some wrong. I’m glad you “man-up” and admitted it. I myself is at wit’s end with this whole hawks situation. The Majic will be ready tonight, if only to send a message to the hawks………
tremaine
March 30th, 2011
7:31 am
First off “GIVE TEAGUE A CHANCE!”
Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson to return to lineup as Hawks look for ‘mental edge’ over Magic
Tomorrow is April Fools Day.
joewhite
March 30th, 2011
8:43 am
Hope joe went to see the wizard cause howard is home tonight. Go Hawks
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
8:59 am
No Parking!
Allegedly, LeBron’s home boys (30 ppl deep), from Cleveland pulled up to the arena for the game and hollered, “we’re LeBron’s guests! Can me park in our usual spots?” The valet crew said, “move along! No paoking here.”
Looks as though there were no premuim parking passes for these clowns!”. Now, had they been at Philip’s Arena? They probably could have parked curb-side and got FREE LeBron Jerseys.
____________________
ASKG would have called it – Southern Hospitality!
Anything to sell a ticket. With this group, it’s all about ticket revenue.
SMH
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
9:22 am
Dan Gilbert
Oh yeah! Allegedly, LeBron’s 30 people did show up in two Limos.
But, Mr. Gilbert was not impressed. He had seen all these people before, in fact 6 years straight. Word is, part of the issues with LeBron’s tenure in Cleveland is he routinely had key people in the hallways, locker rooms, team facilities and some even traveled on the team plane to various games and what not.
Dan Gilbert was really glad to see them all go after The Decision was aired. Allegedly, Dan instructed his security and parking attendants
to cut these people off at every turn.
No Access is the new rule of the day, in Cleveland.
__________________
I sure wish we had an owner like Dan Gilbert in Atlanta.
Dan Gilbert does not drink “Brown Kool-Aid”! Not a drop of it.
He doesn’t need money so bad, that he will accommodate those fans who cheer for the opponent. See ASKG for all that noise.
_____________________
I’ve been surfing the net, but there is no information re: the sale of this franchise. I just pray those wheels are turning.
Grandad
March 30th, 2011
9:53 am
For the ” JC2 Fan Club ” :
Yawl need to check out his shooting %’s.
Seems we keep getting reports on how well the young lad is doing.
In his last 5 game he had two 25 pt games. *sounds good, but wait;
* [combined 3 for 19 from behind the arc in those two games]
* [combined 19 for 50 overall in those two games]
* [last 10 games 37 % overall FG%]
* [last 5 games it dropped 33% overall FG%]
* [ Last 5 games 21% from 3 pt line]
Sure he’s putting up points, but he’s jacking up mucho shots !
JC2 is the “poster boy” for volumn shooters.
Trend = the more he shoots the lower his %’s get.
Just the facts ma’am.
Grandad
March 30th, 2011
10:08 am
What if Josh Smith were launching (9 or 10) 3 pointers every night?
—And—
What if Josh were shooting 21% on those (9 or 10) 3 pointers ea. nite?
—Whewee—
Yawl would want to hide strap Josh’s ass to a pine rail and send him up
the Monon Line.
editors note:
*[above post .....^..... r.e. JC2]
Barton
March 30th, 2011
10:09 am
Noooooooooooo!
Rufus1
March 30th, 2011
10:20 am
Grandad- Josh is not a rookie or shooter.
Sautee
March 30th, 2011
10:32 am
JSS,
about this: “@ Sautee…
“How do you explain Magic and the Lakers in 1990-91?”
Why do I need to? My post was about the fact that the great players mentioned not only had mental toughness, but had HOF teammates. I expressly did NOT say anything about that guaranteeing a title because you have multiple HOFers..
My main point again: If the Hawks had multiple HOF players they would be winning a lot more games. I’ll stand by that. Duh!
Sautee
March 30th, 2011
10:33 am
Grandad,
Good point about Josh.
JeJe
March 30th, 2011
10:34 am
FIRE LD
FIRE WOODY
FIRE JOE
lewis
March 30th, 2011
10:42 am
we’re screwed.
orlando, boston, houston, san antonio, indiana, miami, lol
Joey
March 30th, 2011
10:48 am
Howard in the middle?
We may set a record for jump shots in one game . . .
Rufus1
March 30th, 2011
10:56 am
The playoffs start today….
This is the 1st game of the series and LD should coach the game that way. If Jamal isn’t scoring, he shouldn’t play.
doc
March 30th, 2011
11:04 am
grandad had to call rev on jc2 hysteria yesterday
agree as we cant stand a vet doing it better in jc2 or lesser extent jj
doc
March 30th, 2011
11:06 am
meant jc1
slimjr
March 30th, 2011
11:14 am
“orlando, boston, houston, san antonio, indiana, miami,” WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you Spell 0 for 6?????????????????????????????? SHOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a way to fininish the season……………………..
slimjr
March 30th, 2011
11:15 am
^^^^^^^
finish……..
Marcus
March 30th, 2011
11:27 am
Question: Is Dwight ballin’ tonight?
Dwight Howard’s tech upheld by league
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6272222
“Howard was called for his league-leading 17th technical Monday with 1:17 left in the Magic’s 113-106 loss at New York. After fouling out while going for an offensive rebound, Howard tossed the ball into the backcourt.”
“…Howard already served a one-game suspension once he accumulated his 16th tech. Players are then suspended another game for every other technical received after that.”
Marcus
March 30th, 2011
11:31 am
nevermind …. I got giddy and read it too fast…….. he only will get tossed after the 18th tech (e.g every “other” technical after reaching No. 16)
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
11:40 am
Winnable Games!
orlando, boston, houston, san antonio, indiana, miami:
Orlando L
Boston W
Houston W
San Antonio W
Indiana W
Miami W
___________________
Orlando – we don’t play well at home. No fans.
Boston – ZaZa will, will us to victory.
Houston – we owe them one.
San Antonio – they’re hurt bad. (No Tim, Manu)
Indiana – child please!
Miami – we owe them one.
Think positive people! We like our position. We got these wanna be winners right where we want them! -wink-
Mike is back
March 30th, 2011
11:43 am
Ken Strick, if that is you…don’t feel bad bro…Ole FlipSide got a lot of us. lol
Now if only the D/BASG could come to the same conclusion…and sell the fing team already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
11:54 am
Mike is Back!
He’s back! And, I for one, am glad.
Man that’s not Ken Strickland. Content reveals character, in this case a lack thereof. Once a troll, always a troll. Anyway, how are you baby?
Are you ready for some B-ball? Let’s Go Hawks!
I hope the bench come to play and we go 10 deep.
Maybe we see some: teague, damien, armstrong and thomas?
O'Brien
March 30th, 2011
12:10 pm
Josh is a PF, whose best position is in the post. JC2 is a SG, so it is more acceptable when he is jacking up shots instead of a PF.
That being said, so far, JC2 has needed tons of shots to get his points, and he takes alot of bad shots on offense, while not giving much on defense.
However, the guy is a rookie who is just getting consistent PT, playing on a bad team, so it will take time (and coaching) for him to be more selective with his shots. But he has more “inner dog” than Teague has, and he has shown potential in year 1.
Assuming he works on his shot selection and improves his defense, he can nice be a nice role player in a couple years (imo) while still on a rookie salary.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
12:31 pm
OB
You just described 3/4 of all the players in the NBA.
That’s the equivalent of a white woman saying she was carjacked by a black man, about 5′8″ and 185 LBS, wearing a black hoodie, black face mask, with a white “wife-beater” (I.e. a tank top), and pants on the ground.
Oh yeah, and Timberland Boots. LOL! Come on OB, can you give us a better, more colorful description? That lady just described 3/4 of every black man in Atlanta. The APD will round up the whole south-side over in SWATS.
_____________________
All jokes aside, that is a fair description of Jordan. At least he has heart and like many rookies is not afraid to shoot the damn thing. He has to
be willing to learn how to fit that aggression into a team’s concept.
Or, he will be packing his bags every six months and living out of hotels eating so called “Back Yard Burgers” from room service served by a gay man on the daily.
Too many shots, not enough balls. Can he do it? That’s the real question.
IDK.
The Truth
March 30th, 2011
12:35 pm
vava74
“Building up tonight’s game publicly is the precise opposite of what they should be doing”
Agreed
They’re definitely hyping this game LD could lose the war for the sake of winning a battle. Why play JJ now and risk further injury since it is highly unlikely that the Hawks can catch Orlando for the 4th seed. Why show all your cards for the sake proving a point that really has no value? They have a very soft schedule ahead. If we win tonight, it will mean nothing if we are subsequently swept by them in the playoff or even lose in a tough series.
LD needs to show us he has some balls and demonstrate playoff gamesmanship. Playing possum may indeed be the best move tonight.
JeJe
March 30th, 2011
12:44 pm
Why exactly does Joe wear the headband? Did he get hit in the head a few weeks ago?
Hawks Hack
March 30th, 2011
1:16 pm
@Najeh Davenpoop… perfect post. You have summed up the suffering all ATL sports fans have suffered over the years. Thats all tha matters to me. I have experience nothing but losing by supporting my city. I will never stop my support which realistically means I will never stop suffering
Catch 22!!
ROBERT
March 30th, 2011
1:37 pm
LD,wake up.Tell Joe to quit dribbling the ball for 20 seconds,tell Josh to quit shooting 3’s and put Teague in the game,he is the only one fast enough to break down the defense.
ROBERT
March 30th, 2011
1:39 pm
get rid of LD in the off season and hire Mike Fratello again.
pierre Reeves
March 30th, 2011
1:44 pm
I BELIEVE IN MARVIN WILLIAMS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHEN JOE IS NOT PLAYING
Daniel
March 30th, 2011
1:46 pm
OH, how has this blog not lit up with jokes about Joe Johnson using the statement “mental edge”?
Could the fact that the clearest and biggest issue with this collection of players (not fit to call a team) is their “fragile psyche” be so misunderstood by the team’s highest paid player? Does Joe think we are dumb or is he really that dumb? I used to think he was stoic, then maybe he didn’t “let things bother him”, then he wasn’t interested in pandering to the fans, but now I wonder if he really IS as clueless as he sounds?
Talk about sports misery!!!
Hawks Hack/Najeh- great posts, I am right there with both of you. Hey, at least baseball season starts tomorrow.
BillS
March 30th, 2011
1:47 pm
with all due respect — why does any of this make any difference??? The Hawks will lose in the playoffs, management will make few changes, and next year will be much like this one. Bottom line: Why should anyone care. Hawks who????
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
March 30th, 2011
1:56 pm
That’s The Truth! Why play JJ tonight when we are likely catching the magic in the standings. Once again WED, MAR 30, 2011 putting the regular season pride over post season legacy. Joe needs to sit his arse down. ASKG is probably forcing him to play and earn his excessive pay.
Booo!
March 30th, 2011
2:07 pm
True Hoop Network Talking about the wort signings and trades of this season. Guess whos 123mill contract made the list lol.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6272339
Now I was FOR the JJ signing as it really doesnt make an impact for another couple of years. Just putting that out there.
Booo!
March 30th, 2011
2:14 pm
Free the Teague!
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
2:16 pm
Coach Em’ Up!
The only problem I have with The Mike Fratello Coaching Style?
Well, at least in Cleveland they played at a snail’s pace, I could run to Wal-Mart and back two times and I wouldn’t miss not one possession of the game.
The game scores were typically in the 50’s. Scoring on that team was the equivalent to 12 innings of baseball with the score tied at 1!
To be fair to the Czar of the Telestrator, maybe it was a reflection of the talent level he had. But his PG’s (and Doc Rivers can attest to this) would look more to the sidelines for step by step instructions before bringing the ball up to half court in 8 seconds.
IDK if I could tolerate that here and perhaps is why Mike is still working that Telestrator. I hear he will be coaching in Finland? Somewhere, this Summer. He must really be desperate to coach again.
__________________
I like Jeff Van Gundy myself! He would be perfect for this team!
What is he: Hofstra or Rutgers pedigree? I know he hails from NY.
I like him for a million different reasons.
Mike is back
March 30th, 2011
2:17 pm
Drmaryb, what’s going on folk…sorry to say…I don’t expect to see much of Teague and Armstrong…maybe Damein…I think ole FlipSide got his rotation set…However, I do think the Hawks will/might pulled out a win tonight.
Heck, LD is just the FlipSide of Woody…daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
2:33 pm
People still don’t get the REAL REASON why JJ got that contract.
It was not only to keep a guy who had just made All-NBA 3rd team, it was prevent him from going to one of our contenders . . namely Chicago. That was the real reason.
You let JJ go to one of our rivals, and we don’t get anything in return ( because we didn’t have the money in free agency to re-sign anyone of significance ), we STILL don’t win a damn thing.
In essence, Jamal Crawford would’ve have to been the “go-to guy” on this team, because he’s the only one who could’ve consistently created his own shot.
Meanwhile, we give a team like Chicago JJ, to pair with Derrick Rose. That would’ve been the nightmare scenario for the Hawks. We would’ve instantly given them the best backcourt in the NBA, with JJ playing the so-called “Robin” role alongside Rose. But in reality, it would’ve been Batman ( Rose ) and Green Lantern ( JJ ) playing.
Or he goes to NY, with them having enough room to get JJ and Amare . . which may have ended up being a better mix for them, seeing that they’d get to keep all of the guy that they traded in the Melo deal ( minus Raymond Felton . . if they couldn’t afford to give him 7.5 million . . but maybe he accepts less ).
So instead of people talking about the Hawks being the 5th seed, we’re probably the 7th seed, seeing that we’re probably hovering around being a .500 team without one of our top players.
The fact is that the Hawks STILL wouldn’t have been a bad enough team to secure a top lottery pick, even if JJ wasn’t re-signed. The Hawks minus JJ, probably would be a 37 – 42 win team, that would pick somewhere around #14 – #18 in the draft.
And to get the cap room we’d desire, we’d have to STILL let go of Jamal Crawford at the end of this season, and HOPE that a decent free agent would want to come to Atlanta.
The 2011 – 12 roster:
PG – Teague
G – ???
F – Marvin
PF – Smith
C – Horford
PG – Bibby ( because he would not have been traded )
G – Jordan
F – ???
PF – ???
C – Zaza
When people say that they don’t have enough confidence in the ASG/Sund to improve the team without JJ, this is what they’re talking about. Viewing the moves this team has made in free agency, that didn’t involve the trade of expiring contracts, do people REALLY think the Hawks would be better in the short term . . or the long term, for that matter?
Instead of overpaying for JJ, maybe we give Jamal a 4 year – 70 million deal.
Or we fill those spots with journeyman vets, and hope that Horford and Smith can become the offensive stars of the team.
Don’t get it twisted folks. While JJ didn’t deserve the monetary deal that he got, it was a deal that kept us at least in the playoff conversation for the next 2 – 4 years.
Without doing what we did, we risk becoming the Charlotte Bobcats. A bad team that isn’t good enough to draft an impact player. And not under the cap enough to bring in an impact free agent ( unless we jettison one of our best players like Smith and Horford . . . like what they did with Gerald Wallace )
sam'l
March 30th, 2011
2:35 pm
Where’s Mcunningham and Ga Peach when you need ‘em?
After a slow start and total lack of empathy, MC learned that the Hawks are a talented bunch of guys with a terrible mental dysfunction. Now he reports as honestly as he can and that is cool.. Way cool! I even get the feeling he would like to see them succeed. Plus I suspect he now understands what we have put up with for years. Hey MC…who’s buying the club…and are they leaving for sure or what? Ask Mike Fratello when you see him.
GaPeach…..I could see your point but obviously you haven’t been following very closely. We ain’t just whistling Dixie. The Hawks will drive you insane if you start caring about them. Hard to explain it, but after a while, you just want to shake these players and tell them what to do because they just don’t know. Watch a few years; then blog us from the asylum.
Who else…no that’s it….. damn, still a Hawks fan……but if they get down by 30, I’m out!. .
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
2:36 pm
Flip Side!
Mike is Back! And, you guessed it:
“He Got Jokes!”
Flip-Side! LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Funny!
That is just wronge – Mike. Is that like my blind Stepfather’s, (no joke, dude was blind), he loved making those flap jacks (he was from NY), down South? We called them pancakes!
Funny thing is, one side would be black as tar, the other side light.
All, I had to do was flip it over and cover with syrup, depending on my mood that day. You now, some days seem brighter than others.
Holler back, and Let’s Go Hawks! We can win this game, just keep the score close and try to win it in the 4th!
sam'l
March 30th, 2011
2:37 pm
Comeback player of the year……MIke Bibby.
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
2:41 pm
Even in a sign and trade scenario, all Chicago would’ve given us, was a huge trade exception. They wouldn’t have to give up a single player in order to get JJ. Maybe they give us a 1st round pick. Oooooooo . . a pick in the high 20s is really going to help us.
That would’ve not been a scenario that played out like in Denver. It would’ve played out more like what happened in Phoenix with Amare.
Personally, I’d rather the Hawks go back to what they were throughout the 1990s ( a perennial 5 – 8 seeded playoff team ) . . than to not make the playoffs at all for multiple years, like what we saw throughout the 2000s.
Unless you win that lottery, or get a top 2 pick in a real good draft, you’re not getting that all important impact player through the draft. And if your organization isn’t willing to really open up the pocketbook to bring in the RIGHT star, we’re in the same situation.
But I guess Marvin would blossom into the star without JJ here. I guess that would be the hope. Or Teague turning into a 16 ppg – 8 asst type PG.
Keep it real folks.
The Truth
March 30th, 2011
2:56 pm
northcyde
Nice work!
Blue
March 30th, 2011
2:58 pm
Jordan Crawford …….. 24 points last night
Blue
March 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
Enter your comments here
Rod from College Park
March 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
“But I guess Marvin would blossom into the star without JJ here. I guess that would be the hope. Or Teague turning into a 16 ppg – 8 asst type PG.”
Could you imagine Marvin drawing a double team. LOL
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
People should still be pizzed at the fact that we could’ve added a coach like Avery Johnson and a big man like Shaq to the team. Even if Shaq played in as many games as he had for Boston, the fact that you’d have him in the middle during the playoffs, would do nothing but bolster the potential of this frontline overall.
The dude still managed to average 9 ppg and 5 rebs in 20 minutes of playing time, while shooting 66% from the field. That would’ve instantly made him our best TRUE center. That shows you just how bad our backup centers are.
And if the price to add that on this team, was to give up Marvin and overpay Shaq for a year or two, that would’ve been the type of “hope” to pay for.
Instead, people want to blow the entire team up . . win 20 games . . boycott Philips Arena ( because none of you are going to watch a 20 win Hawks team ) . . and hope we get lucky enough to get an impact player in a good draft.
Yeah . . that’s a plan alright.
brigadierjerry
March 30th, 2011
3:00 pm
northcyde,
agreed with your 2:40pm post
brigadierjerry
March 30th, 2011
3:02 pm
northcyde,
a question for you.Who would you say since watching the Hawks have been their best coach in your mind?
drmaryb I pose the same question to you and others who do you think was the best hawks coach and why?
Booo!
March 30th, 2011
3:04 pm
LD II transferring to UCLA
http://www.carolinamarch.com/2011/3/29/2078006/larry-drew-ucla-transfer
Rufus1
March 30th, 2011
3:05 pm
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
2:33 pm
GREAT POST! If JJ played with the Bulls, they could have reached 65 wins and be serious title contender for the next 5 years.
Rufus1
March 30th, 2011
3:11 pm
Dwayne Casey..
We have a defensive roster, so we needed a defensive coach. I think LD has cost the games, because of his love for Jamal and Bibby. I don’t think a defensive coach would have played Jamal or Bibby so many minutes.
A True Hawks Fan
March 30th, 2011
3:12 pm
This game is important for several reasons. One is that this will be our first round match up in the playoffs. Another interesting thing to keep an eye on is who in our line would create mismatches for the Magic. The magic have gotten weaker in perimeter defense since last year by losing Matt Barnes and Mikel Peitrus. Also we dont have to worry about Nelson beating Bibby on dribble penetration since we have Hinrich now. Since Marvin doesn’t create mismatches for the other team, JJ and JC will need to have good games to be successful in this game and in the first round. I believe we have a better chance in the series than we did in last years series.
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
3:13 pm
LOL @ Rod . . I mean damn. Imagine if teams started gameplanning to actually STOP a Marvin, or a Josh Smith, or a Horford. Are any of those guys versatile enough offensive players to actually counter that and keep playing at a decent level?
Could Smith elevate his offensive game to a LaMarcus Aldridge level, if JJ wasn’t here? How about Horford? Especially without a high assist type PG?
On this team, even a mediocre playing JJ takes pressure off of the other guys. Not because JJ is that good, but because teams gameplan to stop JJ like he’s that good. This is what MC alluded to last week, and asked the question why are teams still doing this, but leaving Horford open>
It’s because they don’t want JJ being that dual scoring and passing threat. They can live with Horford taking and making jumpers, if it’s keeping JJ’s scoring numbers down. What they don’t want, is for JJ to kill the opposing guard in a one on one situation, then getting his assists once they decide to double.
Teams would rather live with other guys making plays, and taking the ball out of JJ’s hands, than to have him keep the ball and make plays.
That’s why I think the tweak that JJ has to make offensively, is for him to simply look for his shot early on. Don’t play that passive role right off the bat, look to score first and foremost. Then when the heat turns up, pass out of the double team and see if the others can convert.
Rufus1
March 30th, 2011
3:21 pm
New Blog
northcyde
March 30th, 2011
3:25 pm
brigadierjerry
March 30th, 2011
3:02 pm
northcyde,
a question for you.Who would you say since watching the Hawks have been their best coach in your mind?
drmaryb I pose the same question to you and others who do you think was the best hawks coach and why?
**************************
My Hawks watching experience goes back to 1984.
In that time, the best coach was Lenny, because he emphasized defense and team play. And he would not hesitate to give his better defensive players playing time. His only flaw was that he couldn’t stand Nique’s “I gotta get mine” type mentality.
In a lot of ways, Lenny wanted everyone on the floor to be a threat, much like Drew does. The difference is that Lenny would always reward his defensive players before his offensive ones. But in the NBA, sometimes you simply have to ride your star player and let him carry you.
I think that’s why Lenny was all for the Danny Manning trade. Manning had put up incredible numbers before the All-Star break with the Clippers. But the thing he was missing was that “it” factor. You have to have that “it” guy to go deep in the playoffs.
And that’s what the current Hawks are missing . . that “it” guy.
But my vote would be for Lenny. I mean, Lenny tried his best to develop Dikembe into a low post scoring threat, when he was mainly known as a defensive player. I wish Drew would do that more for Smith and Horford.
K-Dogg
March 30th, 2011
3:32 pm
I got a sure fire bet for Floyd Mayweather!!!! Put 50k on the Hawks getting beat by 10plus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
K-Dogg
March 30th, 2011
3:37 pm
Teams dont have to game plan to stop otehr guys b/c they stop them selves Joe is the only one with a high basketball IQ and if you let him he can get 30 on you!!! Josh is self check b/c he will jack up jumpers and not go to work and use his footwork and speed on the block and Big Al is self check b/c one he refuses to work on going to his left in the summer on the block!!!! Thats wahts so said about Josh b/c all he has to do is make up his mind he is going to work out on the block a full game and he would really put up aldrige like numbers and if Big Al works on going to his left!!! Anybody that really watches other NBA teams will see that Aldridge use to shoot 80% jumpers and now he is one the block 80% of the time and only shooting 20% jumpers!!!!!
brigadierjerry
March 30th, 2011
3:38 pm
northclyde,
Yes Lenny was a very good coach for the Hawks.Hated the Manning trade. Manning was always hurt and underachieved that is why when Nique came back he killed Manning.What did you think of Mike Fratello as coach?
When you think about it with the right coach there isnt any reason why the Hawks ceiling cant be what the Mavericks are. The Hawks are equal to the sum of their parts. I would love to see Josh Smith play the same way Zach Randolph plays with the boards but the problem is and I think will have to be addressed is that Smith and Horford play the same position and it is my belief that one of them will have to be moved for the Hawks to get further
Rusty
March 30th, 2011
5:04 pm
I liked mike fratello. He always had the hawks playing good basketball as a team,they never would roll over & quit like they do now. He had a super star in nique who would play his heart out & the rest of the team was on the same page with him. I think even now he would be a tremendous improvement over Larry drew.
drmaryb (*_-)
March 30th, 2011
5:23 pm
North-Cyyyde!
And to add to that stellar post, Mr. Johnson picked The Hawks – The Hawks did not pick him! How flattering was that to an 11 win team coached by
Lon “Freddie” Kreuger and Terry Stotts?
Then Eric Daimpeer and Kenyon Martin only came to be recruited by
The original Afro – Billy Knight. They only came for the steak dinner at Bones and to see the girls at “Magic City”. We were spurned by B-Level FA’s.
Joe came here to build his own team and be the man! We haven’t had anything close to getting that Super-Star! We just are not that attractive as an organization. We don’t need a team filled with B-Level talent, we need a block buster player now, a HOFer player now.
Maybe we can get Dwight under a new owner? If he would come, I honestly believe ASKG would go into the Luxury Tax to keep the main core. It’s our only hope now.
hbcuclassics
March 30th, 2011
7:04 pm
HBCU Classic Sports Draft Board 2011 (11-21)
11. Jason House 5′11,185 FS Southn 10 ints 2009
12. Chris Adingupu 6’0, 189 FS PView All-SWAC
13. Phillip Sylvester 5’9, 185 RB FAMU All-MEAC, 4.39/40
14. Ray Webber 6′2, 218 WR UAPB FCS All-American
15. David Mims 6’8, 348 OT VA Union 3x All-CIAA
16. Josh Harrison 6’4, 285 OG SC State All-MEAC, 3x MEAC Champ
17. Dejuan Fulghum 6’0, 220 OLB Tx South 2010 SWAC Defensive POY
18. DeAngelo Branche 6′0 220 RB Norfolk FCS All-American
19. Andre Carroll 6’4, 280 DT Del St. FCS All-American
20. Frank Kearse 6′4, 302 DE Ala AM 2x All-SWAC
21. Marshall McFadden 6’1, 230 LB SC State All-MEAC,3xMEAC Champ
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
jlewis
March 31st, 2011
12:45 pm
Northclyde, drmaryb, k-dogg…Finally some basketball knowledge and logic displayed on this site.
ShempHoward
March 31st, 2011
5:11 pm
Najeh Davenpoop: I know many fans are negative about Atlanta sports ineptitude and their almost certain collapse whenever they are in position to do something great. Over my 20-30 years as a sports fan in atlanta, I look at the titles that the atlanta teams, could and should won had it not been for “AWEFUL”, “INEPT” coaches who ruined the teams chances:
Braves: could have won 4 titles in 45 years
Hawks: could have won 1 title in 43 years
Falcons: could have won 3 titles in 45 years
Thrashers: could have won 2 titles in 12 years
This makes me feel much better because my atlanta teams have been in position to win 10 titles across the four major sports. Unfortunately they were only able to pull out 1 title, with the Braves winning the city’s lone title in 1995. Knowing that the Thrashers could have won 2, the Braves should have won 4, the Falcons should have won 3, and the Hawks should have won at least 1 MAKES ME FEEL MUCH BETTER AND IN MY MIND CHOKES OFF THE EMPTINESS, THE RESULT OF ME LIVING IN AN IMAGINARY WORLD.