Atlanta Hawks: The doubters are back
The Hawks are a hard team for their own fans to trust even when they are going good. So it’s not surprising that the first sign of the Hawks going bad again brings out the skeptics among NBA watchers.
The Hawks had a sample of that doubt placed in their lockers today: Printouts of this column from the Orlando Sentinel’s Mike Bianchi. The more inflammatory passages were underlined for effect.
First, understand that caustic columns are part of Bianchi’s schtick. He’s a funny dude whose goal is to write provocative columns that generate buzz. And he’s not above making a full flip-flop in advancement of that goal.
For instance, before the playoffs started, Bianchi wrote the Magic should “Beware of the Hawks.” After Atlanta won Game 1, he wrote: “This was not a fluke, ladies and gentlemen. This is a trend. The Hawks have now beat the Magic four of five times this season. And let me tell you something: The Magic are in trouble. Big trouble. . . . In fact, a case could be made that the Hawks are simply better than the Magic and should be favored in this series.”
And, finally, after Atlanta’s W in Game 5, Bianchi wrote: “The Magic are now down in this series 3-1 and it’s all but over. Does anybody out there really, honestly believe the Magic can rally back from 3-1 against a talented and athletic Hawks team?”
Apparently Bianchi now thinks they can.
Jamal was the only Hawks player still around when I noticed the printouts. He was more amused than annoyed. He also apparently already is familiar with Bianchi’s flexible opinions.
“He changes with the wind,” Jamal said.
Jamal also was not impressed with the “Birdbrains” insult: “That’s a good one, huh?”"
Now all of the Hawks have heard it.
“It wasn’t my idea but I heard the article got passed around,” L.D. said. “Certainly we can use bulletin-board material. But at this stage of the game it’s just about us coming ready to do battle. I told the players after last night’s game we are still in a great position.”
It seems there aren’t many outside of Philips who still believe that. When I got home from practice, I flipped on the television to find the PTI guys doubting the Hawks.
Wilbon set it up the segment by noting that Dwight promised that if the Magic won Game 5 they would go on to win the series:
Wilbon: The Hawks appeared to treat this game like one in December. Now that’s it’s 3-2 and Atlanta has reverted to its dog form from last year’s playoffs, do you think Dwight Howard is right about that?
Kornheiser: I really don’t know about that. I am struck by the oddity of Dwight’s Howard’s performances. His team is 18-3 in games where he takes 10 or fewer shots. He took four shots last night. Then he goes and has a Wilt game with 46 and 19 and they don’t win. So I can’t get a handle on what Orlando can do and can’t do with Dwight Howard. I don’t get it.
Wilbon: That is a crazy stat and is hard to explain. But here is what matters with Orlando: They give effort. They might not play well, they do something that infuriates their coach, Stan Van Gundy. But they are paying attention and they give effort. And the Atlanta Hawks, last night, where was the effort? What were they doing? Is it because they get a home game in Game 6?
Kornheiser: Do you have them done? Do you have them losing?
Wilbon: I had Orlando winning the series and now, more than ever, I have them going to Atlanta and winning Game 6 and then taking the series.
For my blog people who also may be losing faith that the Hawks can close out this series, take solace in history–and not just that only eight of 194 NBA teams have come back from down 3-1.
Mike Prada of SB Nation says just because Game 5 was a blowout doesn’t mean the Hawks will lose the series. In fact, recent playoff results suggest they will win Game 6.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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198 comments Add your comment
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
12:12 pm
“News flash, not every player in this league has flaws, some more than others, but sometimes you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone. Sometimes I wish that guys like Al were traded to another team so you could see what it would be like without them.”
AL for NENE
Al for DeAndre Jordan
Al for Derrick Williams
Al for ______________fill in the blank……..Scottie Make is so….AYE Captain…..
heartofdarkness
April 28th, 2011
12:25 pm
Professional basketball playoffs, IMHO, have always been about the adjustments that are made during the course of the series. The Hawks were in the position of having to absorb Orlando’s adjustments in the last game. Orlando changed their offense, in a manner that was predictable, in the last game. The Hawks were not able to adjust well enough to make it a close game, which I would think is a characteristic that has plagued this team for a number of years. Orlando also seemed to have their frontline play with a lot of zone characteristics down low, funneling attempts to get at the basket into Howard, who did an excellent job defensively. Now the ball is in the Hawks’ court, and the key to the series will be how they counter the changes Orlando made in the last game. If they can pull Howard out of the paint to defend and get the ball to their cutters when he does, the Hawks should get more high percentage shots. One problem is that the best big man shooter from 15 feet, Horford, is also the best big man cutting to the basket. Maybe we will see Josh fill this role in this game, but this has not been a significant feature of his game during the season (i.e, interior passing, cutting and the 15 foot jumper. If the Hawks defend well, forcing Orlando to miss jumpers coming off screens, and rebound the miss, they could get some breakaways and force Orlando to adjust.
JeJe
April 28th, 2011
12:26 pm
YESTERDAY I SAID THAT THE ARTICLE SHOULD BE PUT ON THE PLAYERS’ LOCKERS.
IT WAS PUT ON THE PLAYERS’ LOCKERS
THANK ME LATER
YAGA.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 28th, 2011
12:32 pm
Da Bulls!
Carlos Boozer felt something pop in his toe
Carlos Boozer (F) – Chicago Bulls
(Wed, Apr 27 – 9:07am ET)
Carlos Boozer has been diagnosed with turf toe after feeling something pop during Tuesday’s win over the Pacers.
X-rays taken after the game were negative, but Boozer is set for further evaluation Wednesday. It’s especially concerning for the Bulls considering Boozer’s checkered history with injuries. The good news is that Game 1 of the second round won’t be until Monday. We’d expect Boozer to be ready by then, but Kurt Thomas and Taj Gibson may end up being called upon.
Source: ESPN Chicago
____________________
Is anyone surprised? This guy is reminiscent of the Chris Chandelier led
Super Bowl bound Falcons in the early ’90’s.
If DRose still has the lingering sore ankle sprain, coupled with Carlos Boozer’s turf toe? Tonight would be ideal for the Hawks to wrap up the Magic and head to Chi-Town on Monday. IF only IF wasn’t a part of that scenario.
northcyde
April 28th, 2011
12:33 pm
JeJe
April 28th, 2011
9:38 am
Horford said he doesn’t feel pressure tonight, but feels a sense of urgency.
He must think that if we lose tonight, we’ll win game 7
I hope the players aren’t too tense tonight
This game is on LD finding a way to contain the P&R because I doubt the Magic go to Dwight in the post.
If they do P&R and Collins is in, we are screwed because he cannot move AT ALL
***************************
I agree.
And Drew’s response can’t be to go with Zaza either. And he bet not go with Powell. He has to go with Horford at center.
And once that happens, the next adjustment by the Illusion will be for them to go back into the post to Howard . . with Horford on him. That’s when Horford simply has to man up, and try to do the best he can do to slow Howard down.
Hopefully our guards will be on tonight, so that the chess match that will materialize won’t hurt us as much.
J
April 28th, 2011
12:37 pm
Have to agree w/ Najeh, put that column on seats in Philips for tonight. If we have to carry the team tonight and fire them up, so be it. Let’s get loud, rowdy & crazy tonight! Everybody stand up!
Daniel
April 28th, 2011
12:40 pm
“The Hawks are a hard team to trust even for their own fans even when things are going good.”
MC- You have summed up the entire 2010/11 campaign in one sentence.
tidog
April 28th, 2011
12:41 pm
1st team to 4 wins = series winner. I’d still prefer 1 more win vs 2 wins. Who among you would prefer the Hawks being in the position the Magic are in. Tuesday night they had 0 choice but to get their act together or go fishing with Kenny the Jet. They still need 2 wins, I like the Hawks odds better.
BYC
April 28th, 2011
12:53 pm
EARN YOUR MONEY JOE!
ant banks
April 28th, 2011
12:53 pm
vegas has atl +2.5 at home. i would take this bet.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2011
12:54 pm
Consider my mind blown. Slimjr picking the Hawks to win is like Marvin’s granny calling Marvin a bust.
What’s next, Clyde calling for Woody to be re-hired?
drmaryb (*_-)
April 28th, 2011
12:54 pm
MRI
“X-rays taken after the game were negative, but Boozer is set for further evaluation Wednesday. It’s especially concerning for the Bulls … ”
___________________
X-rays would only reveal a fracture or dislocation of the bone or joint.
Carlos will need an MRI to evaluate the ligaments, tendons and muscles of his toe. I haven’t heard anything about any MRI findings.
Let’s Go!
TheAntiMe
April 28th, 2011
12:55 pm
These talking heads are totally worthless. They never give the Hawks any chance in Hades of winning games and when the Hawks do win, these same talking heads get mad and start bad-mouthing the team that they choose to beat the Hawks as if it were just a totally shameful collapse by said team and the Hawks were just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
I have no use, whatsoever, for these so-called experts as they never take accountability when they are wrong. Instead, they blame it on any and everyone else but their useless selves.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2011
12:58 pm
“And Drew’s response can’t be to go with Zaza either. And he bet not go with Powell. He has to go with Horford at center.
And once that happens, the next adjustment by the Illusion will be for them to go back into the post to Howard . . with Horford on him. That’s when Horford simply has to man up, and try to do the best he can do to slow Howard down.”
And this is why the more I think about it the more I’m with Section 303. If I had to put money on it, I don’t see the Hawks winning tonight or on Saturday.
The Magic now have two ways to beat the Hawks. They can either a) dump it down to Dwight when he’s being guarded by Al, Powell, Etan, or Hilton, knowing that none of those players can effectively guard him for long stretches, or b) run the high pick and roll when Collins or Zaza is in the game, knowing that neither one of them is mobile enough to effectively defend the pick and roll.
At any given time, the Hawks have the personnel to guard one of those plays. They do not have the personnel to guard both at the same time. So if the Magic just go with the play that the Hawks at any given time are not equipped to defend, theoretically they should be able to score at will.
Bottom line is this: LD is going to have to earn every penny of his paycheck tonight. Because if he doesn’t come up with a new defensive wrinkle to neutralize this advantage for the Magic — and let’s face it, we can scream until we are blue in the face that Al needs to man up but the chances of that happening are slim — the Hawks are going to be on the ol’ fishing boat by Sunday.
Worldwide Clyde
April 28th, 2011
1:07 pm
Hawks in 6.
The Real Mandingo
April 28th, 2011
1:16 pm
I read all this criticsm of JJ’s contract and I agree he’s overpaid. To be honest, JJ does average at or around 20ppg, 5rpg, and 5apg. With that being said, his contract is still not the worst in the history of the ATL Hawks franchise. That dubious distinction belongs to Jon “Contract” Koncak when he signed his contract back in the ’80’s that paid him more than Magic Johson, Larry Bird, and, I think, Dominique Wilkens. Giving Koncak that contract in present-day times would be like giving Zaza Pachulia a four-year deal worth between $64mil. and $80mil. Let me quit while I’m ahead; I don’t want to give Hawks mgmt. any ideas with respect to renegotiating Zaza’s contract.
MistaGamer
April 28th, 2011
1:16 pm
SteveW:
That is exactly my point with Al and everyone saying that he needs to play is so-called “natural” position of PF. Al is an Allstar at center because their, he is a match-up problem for I’d say 90% of the centers in the league.
At PF he is just not that big of a match-up problem. In all the games he plays at PF is not like he gives you anything more than what you can get from Josh at the position or more than what he gives you at center.
But, when he is at C, he can give you things there that %90 of the centers can’t. Al’s problem, which is also Josh’s problem, is two-fold. Number one, this offensive scheme does not cater to feeding the bigs in the low post. Number two, they don’t play along side a penetrating point guard that will open up lanes and allow both of them to use their above average athletic abilities.
Free Jeff Teague…
MistaGamer
April 28th, 2011
1:23 pm
TheReal:
Way to stretch that 18ppg to 20 and that 4apg to 5 lol. And for the playoffs it’s even worse, combined with a 39% field goal pct and 79% FT pct. That being said, can the Hawks get a refund for services not rendered? lol
vava74
April 28th, 2011
1:23 pm
JeJe,
“If they do P&R and Collins is in, we are screwed because he cannot move AT ALL”
Actually you are dead wrong, IMO.
Collins may not be fast but he moves his feet and shows his hands in the right defensive postures a lot better than most players in the whole league.
That is why he got more charges called in our favor than all other Hawks put together before the Hinrich trade (who is the close second).
If correctly assisted by the Guard who is playing with him the pick and roll D he is not such a liability that justifies him not being on the floor at all out of being afraid of the PnR.
drmaryb (*_-)
April 28th, 2011
1:26 pm
Slimjr!
I got 5 on it.
______________
I hope northcyde and his family are ok, word on the street is that
TN got rocked by that tornado last night. Hope Alabama-ians are safe too. To all the lost – RIP.
I won’t be able to see most of the game, I have to go to the Kingdom Hall @ 730 … I’ll be praying for a win, I hope the Lord forgives me, because I’ll have to peek @ my B-Berry in silent mode. I just have to.
____________________
Let’s Go!
If slimjr picks a winner, I’m all in – up to $5.
LOL!
MistaGamer
April 28th, 2011
1:27 pm
Najeh:
You are absolutely right on what the Magic will do to us now. Especially since the one option we do have in Jeff Teague will sit on the bench all night. I would play Jeff and force them to beat us by relying on the offense going thru DH and take away the pick and roll option. And if DH scores 40 who cares, we’ve alreay proven that plan of attack won’t win games against us.
Hollywould
April 28th, 2011
1:30 pm
I got 5 on joke johnson giving up more 3’s than going to the foul line. Any takers?
MistaGamer
April 28th, 2011
1:31 pm
Maybe Damien can get in the game. Hell we used him all season as a defensive specialist and soon as we get to the playoffs we go with a plan to outshoot the Magic using Jamal instead of stiffling the Magic with our defensive stoppers.
Free Jeff Teague…
MistaGamer
April 28th, 2011
1:32 pm
Hollywould: I’ll see your 5 and raise you 10 in agreement with you.
Free Jeff Teague…
drmaryb (*_-)
April 28th, 2011
1:35 pm
I got 2 words!
DE FENSE
Same as I had for the last game. I don’t give a rat’s tail about the offense. Just score one point more than them. I’ll take a 45 – 44 Win.
That’s just me.
James on Pharr Rd
April 28th, 2011
1:40 pm
Section 303 ….Najeh-on Magic reviving the offensive edge on the post
If LD doesn’t strictly run to a conservative plan, we have a good shot. I say the notion of saving players “AL” for the 4th quarter has to end. Every possession counts and the last time I checked when shots are not dropping for the Magic early in the game-they fold like a cheap suite-almost like when we go down by 15+ which is what we are avoiding.
We lost on Defense, not Offense: the team just called it in on O once the lead was too big. Why are we in such a rush to get Jamal in the game? LD can earn his 1.2 million tonight by switching it up and going big off the bench with Marvin and Teague first. Joe has to play 45+ minutes and Kirk should play 35 as well.
Daniel
April 28th, 2011
1:43 pm
Najeh
The Hawks have proven that Howard going off is not a hinderance to the Hawks winning. Don’t switch on the P/R with Collins or Za, stay with Nelson or Riddick. However, ultimately the isssue isn’t the Hawks defense, the issue is the offense, will Crawford and Joe hit their jump shots? Will Horford get his mid-range going? Can we get some paint points from Josh and Za?
The way to combat the Orlando offensive wrinkle is to give them more to deal with defensively.
UGAKev
April 28th, 2011
1:44 pm
How about we all go to philips arena tonight and give our full support to these guys for atleast this one game. If they let us down tonight then we can trash them or whatever. But, I am fixing to buy tickets for 8 bucks on stubhub to the game tonight…you can print them off your computer. You cant beat 8 bucks!! Let’s go Hawks!!!
mykhalc
April 28th, 2011
2:05 pm
unless i’m usin’ other people’s money, there is NO WAY i’d bet on this incarnation of Hawks!!! regardless… GO HAWKS then KA BOOM after the season!!!
James on Pharr Rd
April 28th, 2011
2:11 pm
drmaryb (*_-)
Cosign on D ALL DAY,
We fall into droughts on OFF all the time, and will do so this game, but thats fine if the Magic aren’t scoring either.
Daniel
April 28th, 2011
2:12 pm
“GO HAWKS then KA BOOM after the season!!!!”- that makes absolutely no sense, is totally crazy and is probably the only honest way us real Hawks fans can feel. At least I’m not alone.
mykhalc
April 28th, 2011
2:23 pm
“and is probably the only honest way us real Hawks fans can feel.”….a lot of that bein’ thrown around lately…SMH
The Real Mandingo
April 28th, 2011
2:30 pm
I love all y’all on this blog(lol); it’s great. I think I’m officially addicted for now. With that being said, let’s not overcomplicate this series matchup. The Hawks just need to play like they have all year against the Magic except for Game 5’s blowout loss. The Hawks should muck it up, slow it down, grind it out, keep the Magic’s field goal shooting percentage low, and make the game ugly. Outside of Game 1, when the Hawks have defeated the Magic this (regular and playoff) season, the Hawks held the Magic point total below 90 points. Even in the first regular season matchup this year between the Hawks and the Magic, I believe the Hawks lost 93-89. The Hawks just need to get control of the tempo and slow down the pace of the game. This formula has proven to be successful. I know my game plan suggestions seem very general/generic but I’ll leave the game plan specifics for you experts. In conclusion, if the Hawks shoot well from the field (50+%), this further increases ATL’s chance to be victorious.
Sautee
April 28th, 2011
2:36 pm
“However, ultimately the isssue isn’t the Hawks defense, the issue is the offense, will Crawford and Joe hit their jump shots? ”
Daniel, that’s just what I was thinking. If those two are on, we’ll likely win. They were a combined 4-20 in Game 5. If they are not “on”, we lose unless Josh or Al go crazy.
Speaking of Al, I’m shocked that he has shot SO poorly in this series. He needs to step it up to take some pressure off JJ and JC1.
mykhalc
April 28th, 2011
2:36 pm
@Daniel…just re-read your post…my bad…think i mis-interpreted. i think i follow u now…need that 2nd cup of coffee…still early out here in the Bay…
Mama Says
April 28th, 2011
2:37 pm
just stop J Smooth from shooting those stupid 3’s and we MAY have a chance. I still have to say trade Smith and Williams for one big center, put Horford at power forward and sign a mid level point gaurd. In the meantime if Smith takes one long range shot tonight I bench him. PERIOD !
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
2:46 pm
Najeh got jokes!!! LOL
Yeah Hawks will wrap it up tonight!! Section 303 and thousand of others will energize these cats at home!!
drmaryb its a lock!! LOL
Allstar Al earn YOUR MONEY TONIGHT AND ATTACK THOSE SCRUBS DEFENDING YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SHOW YOURSELF AND OTHERS YOU’RE A FREAKING ALLSTAR!!!!!!!!!!
AT THE FIRST HINT MAGIC JR HEAD’S IS NOT IN THE GAME,BENCH HIS AZZ…..
FREE TEAGUE. USE DAMEIN…ESPECIALLY IF MARVIN PUT ON HIS INVISIBLE CLOAK ONCE AGAIN…..
TEAGUE NEEDS TO GET WARMED UP FOR ROSE!!
OH AND ONE MORE THING, LEAVE IT ALL ON THE FLOOR TONIGHT!!!!! WE’LL KNOW IF YOUR FRONTIN OR GIVING IT ALL, IT WONT BE HARD NOT TO SEE…..
NO AND 1′S FOR THE MAGIC.A FOUL MEANS NO MADE BASKETS!!!!!!
yeah………………………………………..
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
2:53 pm
@Sautee
“Speaking of Al, I’m shocked that he has shot SO poorly in this series. He needs to step it up to take some pressure off JJ and JC1.”
Why are you shock about Al’s play?..He’s playing like he’s intimidated, hence his #’s reflect it just from eyballin his body language on offense. He’s passing up a ton of opportunity on the low blocks…
Dude needs a handle in the worst way……….
iam shock this dude made the Allstar team 2 yrs in a row and LaMarcus Aldridge has not?????????
Daniel
April 28th, 2011
2:57 pm
mykalc- yeah, I meant I agree with you. (just show’s you how crazy this team makes us).
Sautee- I think we will need Josh and Al to go off to beat Chicago (if we get there). Joe and Jamall HAVE to score for us to beat Orlando.
Sautee
April 28th, 2011
3:13 pm
Slim,
I think you are WAY off base when you talk about Al not having a handle. Najeh has attempted to tell you this a few times but you ignore it.
Al’s handle is NOT the problem when he posts up. His biggest problem (like Joe) is his indecision. When he gets the ball and immediately turns and drives, he does great. Do you not remember the final play against the Clippers when he drove for a dunk and got smashed by Griffin? How was his handle then?
He has a weak post game, yes, but he has one of the better handles of any big short of Lamar Odum. How many big men in this league can get a rebound, turn, and dribble up the floor without turning it over? Answer: NOT MANY. His assist to turnover ratio is the best for his career. Slim, do you know how many big men in the league have a better assist / to ratio than Horford?
One. Chuck Hayes. Horford is second among all Centers and Power Forwards in assist to turnover ratio. SECOND, Slim!
http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/Turnovers.jsp?league=00&season=22010&conf=OVERALL&position=0&splitType=9&qualified=Y&yearsExp=-1&sortOrder=4&splitDD=All%20Teams
Now tell me HTF he does that with a poor handle?
I know you are trying to stir the pot, but at least TRY to be real in your criticisms if you want to be a valid part of the blog. There are LOTS of things to criticize about Al, but his handle would be near the bottom of my list.
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
3:31 pm
News Flash Sautee, I am not looking for validation from you or anyone else on this awesome blog….
Tech Sucks
April 28th, 2011
3:32 pm
Hawks are going to crush Orlando tonight.
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
3:36 pm
throw all the stats you please out there on Al and any of the other bigs on this roster..This playoff run will only goes as far as ISO and JC1 will take it………..
Chuck Hayes, btw took our whole front line to school at 6′6′..I am glad you mentioned him…
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
3:37 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^wtf^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^at Chuck Hayes destroying our front line!!!!!!!!
drmaryb (*_-)
April 28th, 2011
3:39 pm
new blog!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2011
3:53 pm
“However, ultimately the isssue isn’t the Hawks defense, the issue is the offense, will Crawford and Joe hit their jump shots? Will Horford get his mid-range going? Can we get some paint points from Josh and Za?
The way to combat the Orlando offensive wrinkle is to give them more to deal with defensively.”
This occurred to me too, and in theory you are right. The most reliable way to beat the Magic to me is to get Dwight in foul trouble and then incessantly attack the basket and win the game at the free throw line. The problem is, the Hawks are so undisciplined on offense that the only thing they can consistently do is shoot mid range jumpers. In Game 5, they got Dwight in foul trouble in the first quarter and could have probably made a run of their own when he went to the bench, but they elected to shoot jumpers instead and the Magic ended up being the team that went on a run in that situation. If they were capable of playing disciplined and efficient enough on offense to dictate terms to opposing defenses, they probably would have won a lot more than 44 games.
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
3:56 pm
every once in a while a squirrel lucks out finding his nuts(ref. Allstar Al taking the ball to the rack)…..Yawn..
Slimjr
April 28th, 2011
4:07 pm
if your a big man for the Hawks and you got guards who shoot the ball pretty good, than a guy like AL will get a ton of assist while camped out on the low block and throwing the rock back out to his shooters to hoist em up…..DUH…………………….