Atlanta Hawks at Celtics Game 4: Celtics 101, Hawks 79
Boston–I could sense the anguish among tweeps over this one. Just when they thought they could at least expect the Hawks to compete, they do this. So much for management’s boasts about being in the same league as the Celtics and the Lakers.
- Now comes the mockery from Charles Barkley and every other critic who said the Hawks would eventually go belly up. The Hawks never really surrendered like this all season. So why did it happen now, when they were healthier and the stakes were so high?
- “I really can’t [explain it],” Al Horford said. “I’m trying to sit there and look at it but the only thing that I can tell is that from the beginning of the game, from the jump ball, they established themselves and were way more aggressive. I think we were on our heels from that point on. You can’t do that in the playoffs.”
- “It felt like we was going to do something good, what, the first five or six minutes of the first quarter,” Josh Smith said. “They just went on a run and scored, what, [32] points in the first quarter? That’s giving this team way too many points in one quarter.You catch yourself climbing uphill against a team that’s good like this that knows how to put a team away.”
- “It’s very disappointing,” Larry Drew said. “It’s a playoff game. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be jacked up to play. The fact that we did not respond to their aggressiveness, it just totally took us out of our game. We didn’t respond to it all. We didn’t have the zap, we didn’t have the speed. We were doing everything at about 60 percent. This is the the playoffs. How can you not have it?”
- On a day when Mike Woodson finally managed to end his streak of playoff embarrassments, Drew delivered one of his own. His rotations were out of whack again. Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered if he’d made all the right moves considering his team wasn’t ready to play, but we didn’t get to find out.
- Drew on not playing Ivan Johnson until garbage time: “He was available. I just decided I was going to play Al those minutes.” Ivan wasn’t very good in Game 3 and Jason Collins had been effective in Games 1 and 2, but it quickly became clear this game better suited for Ivan’s energy than Collins’ beef.
- Drew on leaving the starters in through the third quarter, when the Hawks never cut the lead to less than 25: “I was going to try to put a dent in it. We had two or three possessions where we had some good things happen. I just said if we couldn’t close the gap in the third quarter then I would just let the starters” sit.
- I can sort of see why Al continued to play. He needs to knock off the rust and there’s no increased risk of re-injury (though that collision with Ray Allen was a little scary). The counterargument is the Hawks are such longshots to come back and win this series, what’s the point?
- Leaving Josh in is harder to understand. He’s got patellar tendonitis and there’s a chance of re-injury because of weakness in the joint.
- In any event, both Josh and Al made it through the game unscathed. Josh said he would play in Game 5: “It felt OK. Obviously it was a little sore to begin with but when the game started flowing my knee started getting warm and a little more flexible. It will probably feel a little sore tomorrow but that’s how it is when you come back from an injury.”
- Josh clearly didn’t have his same explosiveness and he deserves credit for playing on a bum knee. But I thought his focus was lacking early, too. Those two careless turnovers in transition are nothing new but they ignited Boston’s running game.
- Al: “It’s a different feeling. It’s just exciting to be out there. I’ll be able to tell more how I feel tomorrow. Right now I have the adrenalin going. I will have to see how I feel [for Game 5].”
- Al had gone back-and-forth on whether he’d play in this series. “It was just being able to mentally prepare myself for a playoff-intense kind of game,” he said. “I knew that I wasn’t there two days ago and [also] my body feeling good. After yesterday’s practice I felt good enough and I told myself if I woke up Sunday and felt good I was going to try to give it a go.”
- Drew: “He came in after he warmed up and said he felt good, that he wanted to give it a go. My plan was to play him about five minutes a quarter, just to get his legs, get his wind a little bit longer. In the second half he got into a pretty good rhythm where he felt good.”
- Al looked (understandably) shaky during his first stint. By the second quarter he looked good enough that you remembered how badly the Hawks could have used him to start this series. That’s true even with Al missing his mid-range shots.
- That’s about all there is to talk about with the Hawks in this game. It was pretty much over after Paul Pierce made three Js during that 12-0 run early in the fourth quarter as the fans went wild and Atlanta bumbled through possessions.
- No doubt the Celtics made shots. It’s one thing for Paul Pierce to light it up but when Rajon Rondo, Marquis Daniels and Keyon Dooling are raining down jumpers, it’s not a good sign. But it’s also true that the Celtics played at a pace Atlanta couldn’t match.
- “They shot the mess out of it tonight,” Josh said. “I’m watching it being a real observer on the bench, and they are just running the plays way more harder than we are. Whatever play is called for—Ray Allen is coming off screens 100 miles per hour, Paul Pierce is finding a way to get open. [Kevin Garnett] setting screens and getting the guards open. We have to be able to try to duplicate what they do and get open. They are trying to hard to not let Joe catch the ball and being physical. We have to try to return the favor and see if they like it and stop being so passive.”
- The Hawks were a good transition D during the regular season (sixth in efficiency during the regular season, according to Synergy Sports Technology). The Celtics are a slow-paced team but that doesn’t mean they don’t run: Transition was their third-most used play type, according to Synergy. They ranked just 18th in efficiency but it’s been hard to tell against the Hawks.
- “We came into the series with a mindset of having to get up and down the floor, push the basketball and to make it a game of transition,” Drew said. “But it seems like they are doing it to us, which at the start of this series that would be an area where we should be able to flourish. But we have not done a good job of that. They are dictating the pace and rhythm of the game.”
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
219 comments Add your comment
Tootsi
May 6th, 2012
11:31 pm
No word from Joe?
Tootsi
May 6th, 2012
11:33 pm
After his latest epic no show? Obviously can’t pin a beat down like this on one guy, but it would be nice if he just carried the team for one game and got us a win when we didn’t expect it.
The series was lost when we blew the game 2 lead. Hope changes are coming.
northcyde
May 6th, 2012
11:33 pm
We have to try to return the favor and see if they like it and stop being so passive.”
That is correct Mr. Smith.
doc
May 6th, 2012
11:33 pm
I could sense the anguish among tweeps over this one. Just when they thought they could at least expect the Hawks to compete, they do this. So much for management’s boasts about being in the same league as the Celtics and the Lakers.
heh heh my thought was if we get blown out here then we can at least stop one more of the spin charades the basg throws out there that has no meaning.
Slimjr
May 6th, 2012
11:36 pm
For what its worth: Philly would have dropped kicked the SWANS in 4….Yes?
northcyde
May 6th, 2012
11:37 pm
Tootsi . . the Celtics were shooting 60% FG until they put their scrubs in the 4th quarter. Unless every Hawk came out as hot as Boston did, we still get blown out. Even if you take the 1st half point total that the Hawks had in Game 1, we’d still be losing 64 – 49 at halftime.
The problem was on the defensive end . . . all night. And the possession killing turnovers.
Slimjr
May 6th, 2012
11:38 pm
Prediction:
Sund and Larry Leisure will be back..
The streak will continue.
13-24
bigdave
May 6th, 2012
11:39 pm
Say what you want to say about his shot selection, or errant passes, but the boy knows basketball.
I’ve been stating since game 2 that the hawks have to keep the celtics from getting points from quick hitters.. be it in early offense or the transition game. Make them work to score. They can struggle in the half court…
Adam
May 6th, 2012
11:39 pm
Joe Johnson’s MVP run continued tonight.
He continues to own each and every one of you.
bigdave
May 6th, 2012
11:39 pm
And get a hand up dammit… stop with the lazy half arsed close outs!
bigdave
May 6th, 2012
11:41 pm
Wait, joe had (nothing) to say?
Slimjr
May 6th, 2012
11:41 pm
Woody got a win with his 3 point guards injured? Wow…..Against Miami no less…
christopher mehegan
May 6th, 2012
11:41 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA YOU BUNCH OF WASHED UP REFEREE BIYATCHING DEPENDS SCRATCHING PANTS POOPING FAKE PARQUEE DIVA DIVE ARTIST’S R NOW DOWN TO THE CELTICS 3-1 IN THE SERIES WITH A CHANCE FOR THE CELTICS TO OBLITERATE U GUYS FROM THE 1ST ROUND AND PROVE TO U BUNCH OF ATLANTA PLAYOFF FOOTNOT STEPPING STONE CHOKERS ONCE AGAIN THAT U WILL ALWAYS BE KNOW AS THE NBA’S MOST TALKED ABOUT ATLANTA PLAYOFF FOOTNOTE STEPPINGSTONE CHOKERS HAHAHAH CLOSING TIME ATLANTA TIME TO SAY U QUIT BECAUSE THE 1ST ROUND PLAYOFF EXIT IS CALLING U INTO THE OFFSEASON HOME FOR GOOD HAHAHAHA GREEN & WHITE FOREVER GO CELTICS LIKE THE OLD SPORTS SAYING GOES WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR
Joe for 3
May 6th, 2012
11:41 pm
Apathy.
Joe for 3
May 6th, 2012
11:42 pm
christopher mehegan – moron.
Rod from College Park
May 6th, 2012
11:43 pm
“The problem was on the defensive end . . . all night. And the possession killing turnovers.”
So what should we do defensively to keep Rondo, Pierce, Allen, Garnett,and Dooking from hitting long jumpshots? LOL
bigdave
May 6th, 2012
11:43 pm
Certain shid should just come with 120 big guy.. what’s your take on what transpired?
Rod from College Park
May 6th, 2012
11:44 pm
“Dooling”
Rick
May 6th, 2012
11:45 pm
Ok Hawks when the media dumps on you I got you back. When these so call transplants from other places fill our arena and cheer for the visitor I got you back. When you dont play well I got your back. I am a fan true blue born and raised in the ATL so I got your back. However when you dont compete and QUIT before you start to play tou make it hard for us fans who have to defend you to the likes od those ESPN and TNT host and these so called fake fans here. You OWE real fans some heart in these next 3 games. YES I said 3you because I expect you all to play with passion and with heart. Go Hawks.
Slimjr
May 6th, 2012
11:46 pm
Why the blow out? Look who showed up? Robotus, who has the defensive presence of the former Miss Camel _____.
Was he not a major participant in those massive record setting blowouts last year? Hmmmmmm
Can you say the word “CHEMISTRY”????????
Rick
May 6th, 2012
11:48 pm
Sorry about the typo’s.
HighlightFactory
May 6th, 2012
11:48 pm
Boston fans are so ignorant. The series is not over yet. The celts won three in a row now its our turn. Go Hawks.
Trade marvin and kirk!
NightmareFactory
May 6th, 2012
11:49 pm
Enter your comments here
brigadierjerry
May 6th, 2012
11:51 pm
Question for all hawks fans. Hawks will lose this series whether in 5 or 6 games but my question for all is what moves or who would you look to get rid of as far as the core of Williams, Johnson, Smith Horford. I expect Teague to be around and Hinrich not to be back. The Mcgrady’s, Pargo’s Willie Green will be gone. Ivan Johnson probably 50/50 if he will be back. So what moves would you make as far as the core 4 because this team has peaked. Team is mentally weak. I think it may be better to focus on building around a superstar player and then build with some solid core pieces around them.
Joe Johnsons time should be done here. Same with Marvin. One of them need to be amnestied. If management doesnt want to keep around Smith or Horford trade the one you dont want for picks or some solid role players.
This team needs a new coat of paint. Time for this group to move on to other teams.
I also would take a long look at hiring Jerry Sloan or maybe take a chance on Sam Mitchell or even Mike Dantoni but this group of Hawks players minus a few need to move on.
I would be willing to take 2 steps back to be better off in the future/
Slimjr
May 6th, 2012
11:52 pm
“We came into the series with a mindset of having to get up and down the floor, push the basketball and to make it a game of transition,” Drew said. “But it seems like they are doing it to us, which at the start of this series that would be an area where we should be able to flourish. But we have not done a good job of that. They are dictating the pace and rhythm of the game.” -Leisure-
doc owns Larry Leisure..
doc
May 6th, 2012
11:52 pm
yeah josh the game speeds up in the playoffs. you better tell your teammates to wake up.
brigadierjerry
May 6th, 2012
11:53 pm
christopher mehegan,
Can we make a wager that your team doesnt make the Finals?
christopher mehegan
May 6th, 2012
11:55 pm
HEY,JOE FOR 3 @JOE FOR 3 HAHAHAHAHAHA THE ONLY ONE WHO IS THE MORON FOR POOPING UR PANTS AT THE SIGHT OF SEEING UR ATLANTA STEPPINGSTONE PLAYOFF FOOTNOTE CHOKERS IS YOU PSST UR MUDDER IS CALLING U HOME TO CHANGE UR DEPENDS AND SHE IS ALSO TELLING U TO RACK OUT UR OLD GOLF CLUBS POLISH IT UP REAL NICE MAKE PLANS TO ARRANGE TEE-TIMES AT UR LOCAL OUT HOUSE GOLF COURSE CAUSE COME TUESDAY YOUR SEASON WILL BE OVER JUST LIKE TONIGHT BEFORE IT EVEN STARTED CLOSING TIME ATLANTA PLAYOFF STEPPINGSTONE FOOTNOTE CHOKERS TIME TO RACK UP UR GOLF CLUBS CAUSE THE 1ST ROUND PLAYOFF SERIES EXIT IS CALLING U TO UR OFFSEASON HOME FOR GOOD GREEN & WI=HITE FOREVER BIYATCH GO CELTICS LIKE THE OLD SPORTS SAYING GOES WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR
High-sider
May 6th, 2012
11:55 pm
“…The problem was on the defensive end . . . all night. And the possession killing turnovers.” – northcyde
Here we go with this bullsh-t again. The Hawks only scored a total of 79 points tonight in Game 4 vs. the Celtics and he [northcyde] says the [main] problem was on the defensive end. This motherf-cker is stuck on stupid. I’m sick of your [northcyde's] idiotic a-s. He [northcyde] thinks he knows everything [about Hawks' basketball] and doesn’t know sh-t. This is the same guy [northcyde] who gave Marvin Williams a rating / grade of 81 / “B”- for his [Marvin Williams'] regular season performance. Are you bloggers going to continue to listen to this sh-thead?
Slimjr
May 6th, 2012
11:57 pm
You have to shop Marvin, Josh and All Whatever…
Josh is going to get his 100 million after next season..He’s out of here! Trade him for picks..
Trade Marvin for a 3rd round pick! OOPS my bad, wrong sport…
We are stuck with ISO for at least two more years…
Big Ray
May 6th, 2012
11:57 pm
We have to try to return the favor and see if they like it and stop being so passive.”
No kidding.
Nice to see Horford back out on the floor, not bad work for 20 minutes. Wish he was at full strength, feel the same way about Josh.
We miss Zaza.
The bench didn’t have it….not that Larry Drew knows how to use them. Ivan Johnson is a guy who can light the situation up, whether it’s a hard foul, a jam….something. But he gets 5 minutes….LD is a fool.
Joe Johnson….gon’ and get paid, man. ‘Cause you ain’t doin’ sh!t else…
DDub
May 6th, 2012
11:57 pm
I think not seeing a published comment from Joe Johnson once again makes my point. Over-paid, Over-rated, Under-stated, Under-whelming and apparently not the leader on a team with a leadership problem. 3 more years on that contract and counting…..Wake me up when it’s over :O
HighlightFactory
May 6th, 2012
11:57 pm
Christopher, are you out of breath?
northcyde
May 6th, 2012
11:57 pm
Rod from College Park
May 6th, 2012
11:43 pm
“The problem was on the defensive end . . . all night. And the possession killing turnovers.”
So what should we do defensively to keep Rondo, Pierce, Allen, Garnett,and Dooking from hitting long jumpshots? LOL
************************
The same thing they did to us . . make sure we close out on them.
It’s one thing to make tough shots with a hand in your face. But most of the shots Boston made tonight were wide open jumpers.
This is the playoffs. No way can you allow a team wide open looks like what they were getting. Just a lazy effort by this team on the defensive end.
Fats OKelly
May 6th, 2012
11:59 pm
Followed the Hawks for 30 years and there is no excuse for this. Did they think the tradition rich Celtics were going to treat this like a practice game. Celtics have won many NBA championships and they treated this game like they were going to war. The Hawks just showed up and now I hope the Celtics show them the exit door in Atlanta. I am done with these frauds.
Big Ray
May 6th, 2012
11:59 pm
Slimjr ,
You and I better both hope you’re wrong. I don’t want to see LD with any more rookies/youngster, I don’t care if it’s a lottery pick (which it won’t be).
If Josh leaves and Joe stays, it better be via a trade. But that’s not the way Hawks ownership does things. Nope, they’ll let him walk for nothing like the dumba$$es they are.
Two more years of ISO and no J-Smash/Smoove, and Horford will be trying to get traded as well. The ship is sinking….
najah dappenfart
May 7th, 2012
12:01 am
No outside shooting..no half court offense..ISO Joe..time for Estate Sale…blow up the Spirit Group!
Big Ray
May 7th, 2012
12:03 am
And I’m out….I’d rather talk about the Falcons having nothing to do until rookie camp opens than this BS.
Let’s just get the dang series over with so somebody else can show the Celtics the door like they should be.
Reason why the Hawks aren’t better than the Falcons – when it comes to playoffs, the Hawks beat teams that are ranked lower than them (except last year’s rotten Orlando squad who was doomed to begin with…that was the anomaly in this theory). Never do they beat teams that are ranked higher.
Contrast that with the Falcons, who in their last 3 playoff appearances, have been matched up with the NFC team that went to the SB.
Big difference….
Big Ray
May 7th, 2012
12:04 am
time for Estate Sale…blow up the Spirit Group!
That already happend, via spontaneous internal combustion.
Somebody let the Unibomber out….he missed a couple of guys…
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
12:06 am
High-sider
May 6th, 2012
11:55 pm
“…The problem was on the defensive end . . . all night. And the possession killing turnovers.” – northcyde
Here we go with this bullsh-t again. The Hawks only scored a total of 79 points tonight in Game 4 vs. the Celtics and he [northcyde] says the [main] problem was on the defensive end. This motherf-cker is stuck on stupid. I’m sick of your [northcyde's] idiotic a-s. He [northcyde] thinks he knows everything [about Hawks' basketball] and doesn’t know sh-t. This is the same guy [northcyde] who gave Marvin Williams a rating / grade of 81 / “B”- for his [Marvin Williams'] regular season performance. Are you bloggers going to continue to listen to this sh-thead?
****************
We give up 64 points in the 1st half to a team that can’t break 90 points on most nights . . with the Celtics shooting well over 60% FG . . and you think the problem was OFFENSE tonight?
I see the “little boy” comment got under your skin. Now you’re cussing like an immature “little boy”, Grow up “little boy”, and learn about playoff basketball.
This is the Eastern Conference. Defense has been a staple of this conference for decades. You play defense, or you DIE.
EmirS.
May 7th, 2012
12:06 am
So wtf is this? A 22 point loss in the playoffs?
I couldn’t watch the game, but looking from the outside in:
* Horford comes back and we lose by 22. Now please understand I am not trying to bash Horford or anything, but don’t be surprised when everyone else does.
* Pargo took 11 shots. Joe took 8 shots. What’s going on here?
* Was Bostons Defense THAT good and their Offense THAT on point?
BIG DOG
May 7th, 2012
12:07 am
We complain about the media not giving Hawks respect, HA NOW I SEE WHY.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
May 7th, 2012
12:10 am
No way do Hawks bring coach LD back after this season, if so Highlight factory will be mad empty next year.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
najah dappenfart
May 7th, 2012
12:13 am
Marvin an 81? LMAO! May be his wingspan….Time for this experiment to hit the road,,, with the SPIRIT Group!!!!!
christopher mehegan
May 7th, 2012
12:13 am
HEY,HIGHLIGHTFACTORY @HIGHLIGHTFACTORY HAHAHAHAHAH I AM JUST GETTING STARTED LET’S FACE IT U BUNCH OF ATLANTA PLAYOFF STEPPINGSTONE FOOTNOTE CHOKERS HAVE AN INCOMTEMPT ORGANIZATION AN INCONTEMPT COACH WHO LOOKS LIKE A BLOODSHOT DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS AFTER HE TOOK A HUGE CRAP IN THE ATLANTA PLAYOF FOOTNOT CHOKERS OUTHOUSE NOT TO MENTION AN INCONTEMPT FAN BASE THAT WILL NEVER SEE AN NBA TITLE NEVERMIND THE NBA FINALS HAHAHAH UR MUDDER’SCALLING U TO LET U KNOW THAT COME TUESDAY THE BOSTON CELTICS WILL BLOW U GUYS RIGHT OUT OF UR OWN HOUSE JUST LIKE THEY DID TONIGHT CLOSING TIME ATLANTA PLAYOFF FOOTNOT STEPPING STONE CHOKERS UR SEASON’S JUST ABOUT OVER AND THE 1ST ROUND PLAYOFF SEASON OFFSEASON HOME IS CALLING U IN FOR GOOD GREEN & WHITE FOREVER GO CELTICS WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR
Joe for 3
May 7th, 2012
12:14 am
“So wtf is this? A 22 point loss in the playoffs?”
Emir S. It was far worse than that.
bigdave
May 7th, 2012
12:14 am
I’ve been wanting them to look at Sam Mitchell….
Rod from College Park
May 7th, 2012
12:14 am
Northcyde,
Why is Philly, averaging 92ppg against the #1 defensive team in the league? They played most of the season without D. Rose.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:14 am
“It’s one thing to make tough shots with a hand in your face. But most of the shots Boston made tonight were wide open jumpers.
This is the playoffs. No way can you allow a team wide open looks like what they were getting. Just a lazy effort by this team on the defensive end.”
Hawkie 2012: Ah Houston, we have a problem!
Houston Control: Whats the problem Hawkie 2012?
Hawkie 2012: This coach is in assistant mode not HC mode and we’re losing altitude.. Vertical Thrusters are having no effect!!
Houston Control: UH OH! HAVE YOU DEPLOYED THE PARACHUTES AS OF YET?
Hawkie 2012: Awe Ch$t, we forgot to pack them!
“radio silence” Then you hear crickets……………
jon kontract
May 7th, 2012
12:15 am
LD was an improvement over Woodson…but coached just like him in this series….ouch…Keep him for another yr to see improvement.
brigadierjerry
May 7th, 2012
12:16 am
slimjr,
If you want to shop Marvin and you are successfull, then why not amnesty Johnson and shop Smith or Horford?
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
12:18 am
Big Ray
May 7th, 2012
12:03 am
And I’m out….I’d rather talk about the Falcons having nothing to do until rookie camp opens than this BS.
Let’s just get the dang series over with so somebody else can show the Celtics the door like they should be.
Reason why the Hawks aren’t better than the Falcons – when it comes to playoffs, the Hawks beat teams that are ranked lower than them (except last year’s rotten Orlando squad who was doomed to begin with…that was the anomaly in this theory). Never do they beat teams that are ranked higher.
Contrast that with the Falcons, who in their last 3 playoff appearances, have been matched up with the NFC team that went to the SB.
Big difference….
******************
LMAO @ Big Ray. Come on now. The Packers were the #6 seed in the NFC, going to play the #1 seed Falcons 2 years ago . . and the Falcons got routed.
4 years earlier, they go play a 9 – 7 Arizona Cardinals team who was the #4 seed by default . . despite the 11 – 5 Falcons having the 3rd best record in the conference . . . and the Falcons lost that one.
And last year’s debacle . . . lol. 2 points?
Save that “Falcons are better” stuff for people who simply like football over basketball. The Falcons are even bigger failures than the Hawks. They haven’t won anything since Vick was forced to leave the city and the league.
leear1n
May 7th, 2012
12:18 am
The hawks has got to break up this team they will never amount to nothing. So they win in regular season except when they are on national TV..Sign Gregg Odom he should be cheap what have you got to lose he is a very young man he will get well if you don’t sign him Boston will and you know what will happen.Players with no up side and has to go Marvin Williams,Twin,(Joe need to go but you know that story you can’t depend on him at all he has not been himself for the past 3 years everybody saw that except the hawks.
High-sider
May 7th, 2012
12:19 am
Joe Johnson – 9pts
Kirk Hinrich – 2pts
Jeff Teague – 7pts
Josh Smith [Hawks' leading scorer] – 15pts
Marvin Williams – 8 [empty] pts
Tracy McGrady – 2pts
Willie Green – 4pts
Erick Dampier – [with a shocking] 8pts
Al Horford – 12 [unexpected] pts
Collins – 0pts
Ivan Johnson – 1pt
Jannero Pargo – 11pts
Hey, everybody, our problem is on the defensive end. We need to play better defensively. Offensively, we’re okay. [sarcasm + smh]
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
12:19 am
And even last year, the Falcons had a better record than the Giants, who basically limped into the division title.
Hawks > Falcons . . . for what that is worth.
day old fries
May 7th, 2012
12:20 am
A T-own of L-osers
Harry Hawk
May 7th, 2012
12:22 am
“It’s very disappointing,” Larry Drew said. “It’s a playoff game. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be jacked up to play. The fact that we did not respond to their aggressiveness, it just totally took us out of our game. We didn’t respond to it all. We didn’t have the zap, we didn’t have the speed. We were doing everything at about 60 percent. This is the the (sic) playoffs. How can you not have it?”
I don’t know, Larry. You tell me. You’re the damn coach. I’d rather you go off on these guys and call them out for what they are than just throw your hands up and act like you can’t figure it out. You’ve been around the league a long time. These guys don’t care enough to win big in the playoffs. It’s that simple. Most of these guys are beyond hope. Say that, too.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:23 am
Giants with the #27 rank “d”.. Utterly destroyed the FAL-cons incredibly gifted QB and his band of 1st round and HOF teammates..
Not much relief there Big Ray? Oh did I mentioned they went 1-6 against the winners last season too?
CRICKETS…………
day old fries
May 7th, 2012
12:24 am
Falcons at least got Management going…It all starts from there.
Blank>ASG
Dimitroff>Sund
Smith>Drew
Ryan>Joe
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:25 am
ISO contract too huge too amnesty Jerry…
Amnesty Rick Sund for starters pleeeeeeeease!
Joe for 3
May 7th, 2012
12:26 am
“So they win in regular season except when they are on national TV..Sign Gregg Odom he should be cheap what have you got to lose he is a very young man he will get well if you don’t sign him ”
leear1n – please do tell, is this greg oden, lamar odom, or a combination of the 2.
High-sider
May 7th, 2012
12:28 am
@northcyde
“…I see the “little boy” comment got under your skin. Now you’re cussing like an immature “little boy”, Grow up “little boy”, and learn about playoff basketball.
This is the Eastern Conference. Defense has been a staple of this conference for decades. You play defense, or you DIE.” – northcyde
I’m cool “little girl.” “Little girl” [northcyde], you need to learn about playoff basketball and get out of the “fantasy world” with your dolls and maybe you will find yourself a boyfriend.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:29 am
Mr Blank has not won a playoff game in 8 years….
Gone through 3 Head coaching regimes…. Round pegs and square holes is his formula for success or lack there of…
He sure knows how to pick em? Huh?
BIG DOG
May 7th, 2012
12:30 am
Either brake up the team or change coaches, like they say a Leopard never change it’s spots, JUST DAM.
Next year with same coaches and players will be a management disaster.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
najah dappenfart
May 7th, 2012
12:30 am
Estate Sale: Package Marvin with that “felt” Elvis in the name of phony…Joe J can go with the toothpick container(made of gold) I assure you….Spirit Group can hit the road with the crap left over Monday AM.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:32 am
Dam, Barkley just said “All Whatever kept it close America”! LMAO!!!!!!! Hehehehe
TROLL PATROLL
May 7th, 2012
12:32 am
Arthur doesn’t coach, trollboy!
chuck
May 7th, 2012
12:32 am
I have nothing against Josh Smith BUT either he or Al Horford has to be traded. The play the same position and neither is very effective when both of them are on the court together. Playing Horford out of position at C isn’t fair to him. Smith shooting 3’s is a nightmare. What could we expect to receive for Josh Smith?
day old fries
May 7th, 2012
12:33 am
yeah he went to the billy knight school of foresight
BIG DOG
May 7th, 2012
12:34 am
Bill Laimbeer or Sam Mitchell ?
Sam Mitchell lives in Atlanta, HA
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
south ga boy in the Atl
May 7th, 2012
12:34 am
Lets see the Hawks play better when Josh is on the bench. Hmmmmm Its not always about talent.Sometimes, its about heart and brains, ie see the Spurs. Contrary to what folks like Najeh think. Maybe, just maybe, its time to do what I have been saying for 3 years, do what has been obvious to anyone who doesnt worship at the alter of, OMG talent. Its, past time, to break up this team of “too many forwards’ break up this team of “too little heart.” They could start by trading the talent rich/brains and heart poor J Smooooove.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:35 am
“Arthur doesn’t coach”- Pissed Patroll
He should.. He could do no worse than those stiffs he hired GENIUS!
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
12:35 am
Rod from College Park
May 7th, 2012
12:14 am
Northcyde,
Why is Philly, averaging 92ppg against the #1 defensive team in the league? They played most of the season without D. Rose.
************************
Because Philly is the #3 defensive team in the league, and they have used defense to fuel their offense. If you’ve watched any of the Philly – Chicago series, you’d know this.
And Rod . . they’ve only had one good offensive game vs the Bulls . . Game 2. Sixers haven’t shot over 40% in 3 of those games.
They’re beating the Bulls because of defense. The 109 point outburst simply inflated their ppg average.
TROLL PATROLL
May 7th, 2012
12:38 am
Keep that jig on and that motor roaring slowly..you’ll catch a fish soon, boy.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:38 am
Hawks are getting CALLEDOUT ON TNT! Just brutally telling the truth about this Franchise!
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:40 am
Your boy [the chosen one] will be doing the same thing in December again!!!
ice fishin
0-4
Mac-Town (478)™
May 7th, 2012
12:41 am
Everything Shaq, Kenny and Barkley just said on Inside The NBA about the Hawks is true.
Rod from College Park
May 7th, 2012
12:41 am
The Hawks and the Knicks are the two lowest scoring teams in the playoffs. I wonder why?
Mac-Town (478)™
May 7th, 2012
12:43 am
Shaq: “Somebody tell the GM, the time is up”
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:44 am
The Dream are the only contenders in town! Thats for sure…
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
12:45 am
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
12:18 am
LMAO @ Big Ray. Come on now. The Packers were the #6 seed in the NFC, going to play the #1 seed Falcons 2 years ago . . and the Falcons got routed.
4 years earlier, they go play a 9 – 7 Arizona Cardinals team who was the #4 seed by default . . despite the 11 – 5 Falcons having the 3rd best record in the conference . . . and the Falcons lost that one.
And last year’s debacle . . . lol. 2 points?
Save that “Falcons are better” stuff for people who simply like football over basketball. The Falcons are even bigger failures than the Hawks. They haven’t won anything since Vick was forced to leave the city and the league.
********************
Matter of fact, let’s REALLY keep it real about the Falcons:
2011: New York Giants: 9 – 7 ( 6th best record in NFC playoffs ) . . Falcons 10 – 6 ( 4th best record in the NFC playoffs ) . . Falcons lose
2010: Green Bay Packers: 10 – 6 ( 5th best record in the NFC playoffs ) . . Falcons 13 – 3 ( #1 record in NFC playoffs ) . . Falcons lose
2008: Arizona Cardinals: 9 – 7 ( 6th best record in the NFC playoffs ) . . Falcons 11- 5 ( 3rd best record in NFC playoffs ) . . . Falcons lose
Save that Falcons are better crap. Hawks may choke, but no one chokes like the Falcons.
Rod from College Park
May 7th, 2012
12:45 am
Shaq just said he can give you 9 points right now from the free throw line in a playoff game. The 20 million dollar man scored 9 points. Pargo scored 11 in a lot less minutes.
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:46 am
26 of 27 playoff losses by 6 or more points
12 of 27 playoff losses by 20 or more points
Just brutal!
TROLL PATROLL
May 7th, 2012
12:46 am
Slimejr:’Rollin rollin rollin keep those different post names trollin” Whose your Daddy?
Heinrich
May 7th, 2012
12:48 am
Rod, don’t doubt him, he can! After 50 FT’s.
MistaGamer
May 7th, 2012
12:49 am
Rod,
Shaq also said $120M Sleeping Elephant in the Room has to be addressed
Mac-Town (478)™
May 7th, 2012
12:50 am
Shaq took a good 3 or 4 shots at Joe in that segment lol.
Rod from College Park
May 7th, 2012
12:52 am
“Because Philly is the #3 defensive team in the league, and they have used defense to fuel their offense. If you’ve watched any of the Philly – Chicago series, you’d know this.
And Rod . . they’ve only had one good offensive game vs the Bulls . . Game 2. Sixers haven’t shot over 40% in 3 of those games.
They’re beating the Bulls because of defense. The 109 point outburst simply inflated their ppg average.”
So they are averaging 1 ppg more than they averaged in the regular season, against the #1 defensive team in the league, in the playoffs, but they have only had 1 good offensive game. So I guess the 109 point game does not count. LOL
Slimjr
May 7th, 2012
12:52 am
ISO for Carmelo Jerry…Make it so…
Rod from College Park
May 7th, 2012
12:54 am
“Rod,
Shaq also said $120M Sleeping Elephant in the Room has to be addressed”
No Doubt.
MistaGamer
May 7th, 2012
12:56 am
Shaq on the Hawks:
“Their big money guys don’t step up in big games. It has to be addressed… Nine Points. Nine Points… On the free throw line I can give you nine points.”
Hawks = JOKE
May 7th, 2012
12:58 am
Hate to say I told you but…..
OFFSEASON
1. Hire a real head coach.
2. Break this team up finally. Not going to happen with this hapless bunch EVER!!
3. Trade Josh Smith while his value has peaked.
4. Please get rid of Marvin Williams. Dude is such a bust they kept reminding us on TV tonight just how big of a bust he has been for Hawks. Horrible pick.
5. Teach Joe Johnson to act like he cares to be playing basketball. Dude likes he is playing a pick up game. No emotion for the so called team leader.
The Globetrotter move Rondo did on Hawks tonight was icing on the cake to how bad we are. I actually hung my head down because I was embarrassed. That is twice he got us with that move. Hope some serious moves are made in offseason because another year with these same clowns is proof owners don’t really want to win.
Alonzo Stergis
May 7th, 2012
12:58 am
The HAWKS have 4 starters that would be 6men on any other elite team,except for AL he comes to play each and every night when healthy…
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
12:59 am
26 of 27 playoff losses by 6 or more points
12 of 27 playoff losses by 20 or more points
Just brutal!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
12:59 am
ISO for Carmelo Jerry…Make it so…
Hawks Fan Down Under
May 7th, 2012
1:00 am
Only hope is for a new owner or coach. Otherwise 2012-13 will be the same as all the other years…..
doc
May 7th, 2012
1:01 am
ouch, hawks got roasted bad by tnt, shaq said they are too cool dribbling between their legs, jj doesnt deliver and mocked the 9 points of jj by saying he could get you nine points right now …. from the foul line that got a good laugh. said jj just keeps shooting and does nothing else like going into the lane and being physical like kobe does when he isnt on. charles said it should have been blown up three years ago. then it was said nothing has changed since woody years, too much isolation, not getting back and not enough effort. the analysis of the game was how could they give so much space to these guys showing pp, rondo and kg getting easy looks because of it. hope someone can find the segment and post it.
big ray, the problem is the falcons lose big to the ultimate winners of green bay and ny giants and they should have never lost to arizona due to over confidence. it isnt like it is a close game to suggest they were close. looked similar to tonights game. also kind of hard to lose to the ultimate winner when you play in the east, no?
if these guys get hit hard they quit. simple formula.
BIG DOG
May 7th, 2012
1:01 am
ISO and a first for CARMELO.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
doc
May 7th, 2012
1:02 am
i see gm jeje was watching too.
High-sider
May 7th, 2012
1:03 am
Games 1 – 4
ATL vs. BOS
1. 83 vs. 74
2. 80 vs. 87
3. 84 vs. 90
4. 79 vs. 101
Boston is averaging 88ppg and Atlanta is averaging 81.5ppg. The Hawks need/needed another scorer this postseason. Case closed.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
1:04 am
The Dream are the only contenders in town! Thats for sure…
joe j
May 7th, 2012
1:04 am
TNT must address that Fathead seated left of Ernie because he has zero talent on set.
Grandmaster Slim JeJe Jr (GM)
May 7th, 2012
1:05 am
0-45
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
1:09 am
We may not like what the TNT crew says, but they always tell the truth. It just gets old with them clowning the Hawks.
Honestly, if the team is going to get blown up, you may as well get rid of BOTH JJ and Smith. Because if you keep one or the other, you’re still going to get some of the same things that keep this team from reaching their potential.
- Amnesty Marvin
- Trade JJ to Dallas for Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood ( Cuban would be the only owner who may do this, especially if he can’t get Deron Williams )
- Trade Josh Smith to New Orleans for a re-signed Eric Gordon and Xavier Henry
New Hawks
PG – Teague
G – Gordon
F – Marion
PF – Horford
C – Zaza
G – Pargo ( why not? bring him back )
G – Henry
F – Vet Minimum guy
F – Ivan ( re-sign him to a 2 yr – 4 mil deal )
C – Haywood
1st round pick – Fab Melo
Vet Minimum guy
BIG DOG
May 7th, 2012
1:09 am
doc – Hawks, Falcons, Braves, it’s like something in the air with no national media respect at all, HA
I remember when Falcons 13wins and 3lost played the Packers 10wins and 6lost everybody said the Falcons would lose, me was like what how can that be we have the best record in the NFL AND HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE, JUST DAM
Falcons 21 Packers 48, ATL CURSE IS TRUE
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Sir Charley
May 7th, 2012
1:12 am
Shhhh..Shaq=Emmett!
MistaGamer
May 7th, 2012
1:13 am
It seems like no one in this town wants to address the Joe Johnson issue. It’s almost as if the media in this town has formed some gentleman’s agreement when it comes to Joe. Even in this very blog there is no mention of how much of a non factor $100M guy was, and has been in every playoff series.
People don’t seem to understand. When the leader of your team is made in the mold of JJ your team has no foundation to stand on. It’s one thing to not show up, but when has JJ’s play ever made his teammates better??
Joe Johnson plays like he doesn’t know the double team is coming. I’ve yet to see Joe Johnson, “the leader”, ever take control of the game on the floor and orchestrate on the court. That is what we are seriously lacking and like Shaq said, “It has to be addressed.”
That is our problem. We don’t have a talent problem. We have a team with no chemistry cause we have serious leadership problem. It was a chemistry issue cemented the day they decided that $120M was a sound decision.
The media in this town will never say it. Shaq said it.
Rusty
May 7th, 2012
1:16 am
If only LD &JJ goes,then this team might be worth watching.
Sir Charley
May 7th, 2012
1:16 am
Joe is not the problem!!!!! It’s the use of Joe that’s the problem!!!!
doc
May 7th, 2012
1:20 am
well it seems it is a team that has been together for along while; it has no discipline nor identity of who they are and what they need to do to consistently win at a higher level. maybe the ceiling was hit a few years ago. these guys had a very good season but we were bottom feeders.
0-44 seasons in atl coming soon.
Mac-Town (478)™
May 7th, 2012
1:21 am
☞ “Honestly, if the team is going to get blown up, you may as well get rid of BOTH JJ and Smith. Because if you keep one or the other, you’re still going to get some of the same things that keep this team from reaching their potential.” ☑
SteveW
May 7th, 2012
1:24 am
GM JeJe – Glad Miami lost – just now getting back to you about a question a few blogs ago. If Boston beats us next game, and can dispose of Philly quick, and if NY and/or Indy can push Miami a little bit – Boston may give Miami a run. Boston owned Miami the last two games they played them. Pierce, Garnett and the crowd may want 1 last run.
I’m still anybody but the Heat – but it’s not looking good at this point realistically.
doc
May 7th, 2012
1:24 am
big dog, yes, it is a travesty. i still think the falcons will get there again sooner rather than later. the braves maybe maybe not, the hawks are spinning down as i said at the start of this year. that said they outperformed expectation until now.
doc
May 7th, 2012
1:25 am
anybody but miami.
SteveW
May 7th, 2012
1:29 am
Predictions – LD and Sund will be back.
We will feint, stunt, and “explore every available option to make this team better”, and then we will bring back essentially the same team next season for 1 more run.
Then ASG sells to Seattle, makes an enormous amount of money. And we the fans are left with no basketball team, and the rep as the worst fans in the country, so no one in their right mind would get a team here.
And the ASG will vacation in the Swiss Alps, Monte Carlo, and wherever they want doing pretty much what they please.
Life is tough sometimes.
Rod from College Park
May 7th, 2012
1:30 am
Chicago plays without Rose (allstar) and Noah, they score 82 points. We have the 20 million dollar man, and get a returning (allstar) back and score 79 points. Hmmmmmm……
SteveW
May 7th, 2012
1:33 am
Even if ZaZa made a surprise appearance in Game 5, the chemistry just wouldn’t be there. More players, out of shape, tenative etc.
Time is def. on our side. Win game 5, get ZaZa and Al more healthy, who knows, we may have a chance.
New York beat Miami, so I guess anything is possible. Good job Knicks!
cdog
May 7th, 2012
1:36 am
they need players who want and no how to to win, kirk hinrich,jerr teague, stackhoue,rick sund,za za,dampierall must go now
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
1:37 am
Gamer . the media has been on JJ ever since his “i could care less what the fans think” comment. The local media that cares about the Hawks, want Josh Smith to be the leader. And to a certain extent, he IS already the leader.
The problem is that JJ is PAID like he’s the leader. And as long as he makes that much money, much is going to be expected of JJ.
MC subtly calls out JJ all the time.
Jell Schultz has always backed Josh Smith, while finding reasons to get JJ out of town.
The media doesn’t like anyone on the Hawks, unless it is Josh ( and only because he’s the hometown boy ).
The real issue from a media standpoint, is that enough people simply do not care enough about the Hawks in Atlanta, to really make it a big deal.
Sports talk radio will talk about the Falcons year round, and the Yellow Jackets and Bulldogs in football from Spring to Winter. The Hawks will always play 4th fiddle behind those teams . so people don’t care.
No way could JJ and Josh have some of the games they have in a city like New York or Chicago. Those fans would flood the airwaves and destroy both of those dudes. And no way could this ownership group continue to manage this team the way they do. They’d get ran out of town in a passionate media market.
What you see on this blog toward them would be nothing compared to what they would do.
northcyde
May 7th, 2012
1:46 am
LOL SteveW
If we lose on Tuesday, Drew and Sund being brought back would be a travesty. If this team crashes like that on Tuesday, you have to get rid of EVERYBODY that has made personnel decisions for the Hawks. Bring in someone from the San Antonio front office ( or even bring in former Blazer GM Kevin Pritchard ), and let them re-construct this team.
No way should Drew and Sund be rewarded with new contracts, if we lose on Tuesday.
*******
That’s enough of Hawk talk for the night. SMH @ this team. Reminds me so much of the Bengals.
SteveW
May 7th, 2012
1:47 am
I am officially at the point of not caring who we trade – Keep one of the medium 3, trade the other two for picks/young players. Keep ZaZa and Teague, and 1 of the medium 3. Of course trade Marvin for a scrub.
Start over and get draft picks. Get a coach who develops young players.
But of course Sund will tell us how everybody said the Mavs should be blown up. 4 straight 1st round exits. Then a Championship.
So now it will be the Dallas model. Only without Mark Cuban as an owner.
It was the San Antonio model, only w/o Popovich, Duncan, and Parker
Also the Detroit model, w/o a whole host of characters that won them a championship.
I wonder if our spirit is broken? I’m kinda thinkin’ it is. Just a feel for things I have. A vibe.
Man we were terrible. I predicted a war. I didn’t know it would be the USA vs Granada
SteveW
May 7th, 2012
1:53 am
Rod – For as much abuse as you get on this blog sometimes, you predicted the Celts in no more than 5.
I’m hoping your wrong, but your prediction is looking awfully accurate right now.
I said the Celts in 6, but was of course hoping the Hawks in however many it takes for them to win it.
You also said we would miss Jamal this off season. You were right. No doubt, you were correct on that one. Great regular season team, but Jamal in that Friday nite game makes the Hawks 2-2. No doubt.
But then LD didn’t know how to use Jamal – and Jamal would probably be getting Teagues minutes and starting in the regular season and everything – but a Jamal on the floor that was properly used would’ve been a big help.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
May 7th, 2012
2:01 am
Man I’m so mad right now I can’t even think. Another disappointing loss for the Hawks.
LD has to go. We need a new coach with a different vision.
Right now the Hawks are where they were when Mookie, Steve Smith and Mutombo lost their last playoff series together. Spirit Group has to realize this team has gone as far as it is going to go.
FOREVER I LOVE ATLANTA
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
May 7th, 2012
2:04 am
Can’t blame the fans for not showing up on the road.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
May 7th, 2012
2:06 am
Hate to admit it but that crazy dude Shamrock was right. The Hawks ain’t ready to compete at a championship level.
High-sider
May 7th, 2012
2:18 am
Josh Smith is lucky [fortunate] to be playing for the Hawks and to have been coached by Woody and LD. With Josh Smith’s careless passing, foolish turnovers, unnecessary domination of the ball, continuous bringing the ball upcourt, bad perimeter shot selection, poor free throw shooting, pouting, sulking, and overall immature, bad attitude, he [Josh Smith] would have been benched a long time ago by “certain coaches.” These “certain coaches” are those old school, hard-nosed, no-nonsense, white [male/men] coaches. These “coaches” would not put up with the bullsh-t antics of Josh Smith. Woody and LD [who are black/African-American] didn’t come down hard on Josh Smith [partly] because he is black [African-American] and they [Woody and LD] had sympathy for Josh Smith. I believe the following old school, hard-nosed white coaches that would have benched Josh Smith for his antics and negative play include, but are not limited to, [Jerry] Sloan, Popovich, [Larry] Brown, [Mike] D’Antoni, [Rick] Adelman, [Phil] Jackson, [Pat] Riley, [Chuck] Daly [deceased], [Kevin] McHale, [Tom] Thibodeau, [Doug] Collins and [George] Karl. I would probably also add [Scott] Skiles, Rick [Carlisle] and Scott [Brooks] to this list. If Josh Smith knows what’s best for him, he [Josh Smith] better look to stay in Atlanta for the remainder of his career [and, hopefully, under a black/African-American coach] because he can get “blackballed,” “blacklisted,” and/or “phased-out” in [or out of] the NBA.
If some of you [bloggers] are offended, I apologize but I just call it like I see it. For the record, I’m black mixed with [a significant amount of] Spanish.
Dwayne C
May 7th, 2012
2:28 am
Boston wins this series in six games. For the Hawks this series was lost as soon as they lost game two. The Hawks = outplayed, out-coached and outclassed. Expect head coach Larry Drew and GM Rick Sund to read off index cards to the media stating how pleased they are with the Atlanta Hawks as a whole, their roster and their overall play this past season. Expect more of the same next season and beyond. This team is no better than periodic opening round playoff fodder for some other team.
mykhalc
May 7th, 2012
2:29 am
the make-up of this team will ALWAYS deliver just what they always deliver come playoff time…embarassin’ and pathetic losses…NO HEART…PERIOD!!!
Rod from College Park
May 7th, 2012
2:32 am
“Rod – For as much abuse as you get on this blog sometimes, you predicted the Celts in no more than 5. ”
Preciate it Steve W.
Hoping we stand up at home and make it 6, but with this bunch, who knows. If you look at it objectively, and not as a fan, its really not that difficult.
Rondo> Teague
Pierce >> Joe
KG> Josh
Doc>>>Drew
tyger
May 7th, 2012
2:35 am
It’s not the Pre-season…
In pre-season, you find out who can play or can’t…
In pre-season, you work the “rust” off…
In pre-season, you welcome back walking wounded…
It’s not the freaking pre-season!!!
We were right there with TMac, Damp, Collins, Ivan…
But no…LD reverts to the safety of Josh’s scrotum…
And here we are, facing elimination…
And it’s a good thing, they’ll get humiliated at home…
And finally put this albatross out of its misery.
Mike D
May 7th, 2012
2:46 am
Hopefully the Hawks win game 5 an T Mac can have two good games so he can sign wit a real contender next year. Cuz he should have never came to Atlanta the coaches dont know his skillset therefore dont know how to play him! Trash like Marvin,an Willie Green getting pt before him even tonight Al has not played all year an because he is back Tracy dont get but 9 minutes C’mon man lets be fa real damit LD if you gone lose at least do it wit dignity
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
2:47 am
“It was pretty much over after Paul Pierce made three Js during that 12-0 run early in the fourth quarter as the fans went wild and Atlanta bumbled through possessions.”
It was over loooooooooooong before that, MC. You could pick any particular juncture, but I’ll go with the possession late in the 1st quarter when Pierce came off a curl and caught the ball, Marvin decided he didn’t feel like challenging the shot, and Pierce gathered and drained the jumper. That told me all I needed to know. This team didn’t feel like playing tonight.
tyger
May 7th, 2012
2:48 am
Highsider – your overall point is valid –
Josh is an undisciplined A-hole….
But your point is better made w/o the racist overtones..
Six of the coaches you mention are retired or dead…
The others have bounced around like ping-pong balls…
All coaches have difficulty with todays players…
Lebron got Paul Silas and Mike Brown fired…
Phil Jackson couldnt take anymore of Kobe despite the rings…
Karl survived cancer and Carmelo…
Jazz chose Deron over Sloan who chose the Nets…
Popovich quit until pairing of Duncan/Robinson…
Riley is another fair weather champion…
You sound like George Zimmerman!!
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
2:48 am
Pointguardslim if you can upload the Inside the NBA crew’s postgame comments it would be much appreciated.
What's gone rondo?
May 7th, 2012
2:51 am
Looking at the box score, the difference in Sunday’s game appears to be due to the greater number of 3 point attempts and the greater percentage of them made by the Celtics relative to the Hawks. In addition, the Celtics made more blocked shots than the Hawks and committed fewer turnovers. The Hawks desperately need a true first string center and one or more players that can make 3 point plays. Perhaps the Hawks should package Al, Marvin, and a first round pick for a very high first round pick to address one of their needs through the draft. Although there are a number of talented players, the sum of the parts exceeds the whole, meaning the players talents do not complement one another very well.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
2:52 am
“what moves or who would you look to get rid of as far as the core of Williams, Johnson, Smith Horford. I expect Teague to be around and Hinrich not to be back. The Mcgrady’s, Pargo’s Willie Green will be gone. Ivan Johnson probably 50/50 if he will be back. So what moves would you make as far as the core 4 because this team has peaked.”
Keep Teague and Josh, trade Marvin for whatever you can get as long as it’s not a longer and more terrible contract, try your best to get something for Joe, and depending on what you can get for Marvin and Joe, either keep Al or trade him for a comparable player at SF.
Of course, what will actually happen is that they will keep Teague, Joe, and Al, trade Marvin for an equally bad contract and player, and let Josh walk in free agency. Because this is what the DASG and Sund do.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
2:54 am
“Reason why the Hawks aren’t better than the Falcons – when it comes to playoffs, the Hawks beat teams that are ranked lower than them (except last year’s rotten Orlando squad who was doomed to begin with…that was the anomaly in this theory). Never do they beat teams that are ranked higher.
Contrast that with the Falcons, who in their last 3 playoff appearances, have been matched up with the NFC team that went to the SB.”
The Giants and Cardinals both had worse records than the Falcons going into the playoffs. Gotta beat who you can beat. The Hawks beat someone, the Falcons don’t.
High-sider
May 7th, 2012
2:56 am
@tyger
I’m not [a] racist. I’m [just] telling [you] the straight-up, hard-core truth. I’m keepin’ it real like the “real deal Holyfield.”
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
2:58 am
Oh yeah, so did the Packers, as northcyde so eloquently points out. Forgot about that.
So yeah, each year, the Falcons make the playoffs and lose to a team that was worse than them in the regular season. Kind of like the Hawks are about to do.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
3:00 am
“Dimitroff>Sund”
“Ryan>Joe”
Based on what? Joe has been the best player on a team that has advanced in the playoffs; Ryan has not. And what exactly has Dimitroff done that people love hanging from his nuts? Draft Sam Baker and Peria Jerry in the first round? Trade five draft picks for a deep threat WR that the QB isn’t strong enough to get the ball to?
The Falcons have a rich owner who does a great job marketing the team, and a solid head coach, and people get suckered into thinking they are a good franchise. Until they prove otherwise, they are not.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
3:02 am
“Lets see the Hawks play better when Josh is on the bench. Hmmmmm Its not always about talent.Sometimes, its about heart and brains, ie see the Spurs. Contrary to what folks like Najeh think.”
I see you can’t get me out of your head even after name dropping me on Schultz’s article the other day. Josh has the highest plus/minus on the team, so “the Hawks play better when Josh is on the bench” is just flat out false.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
3:07 am
“Joe is not the problem!!!!! It’s the use of Joe that’s the problem!!!!”
Neither one is the problem. The problem is Joe’s contract, which prevents any possibility of this team improving without getting rid of him. If they are going to keep him around, they have to either trade their best player (Josh) or a younger player who is going to provide more bang for the buck over the remainder of his contract (Al) in order to improve the roster. Neither move is a good one.
If Joe was paid like the complementary player that he is, the chances of the Hawks finding a way to bring in another near-All Star caliber player to complement Teague/Joe/Josh/Al would be pretty good. At his current salary, it is impossible without trading one of Teague/Joe/Josh/Al. If one of those is going to go, get rid of the guy who is paid the most and is most likely to contribute diminishing returns over the remainder of his deal.
Rusty
May 7th, 2012
3:08 am
Coulnt we just give Joe away to any team who would take his contract.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
3:18 am
If the DASG was willing to eat large amounts of salary, this would be much easier.
Let Kirk walk
Amnesty Joe
Dump Marvin’s salary by trading him and the first round pick to a team with cap space
Sign Eric Gordon in free agency
Sign a defensive minded player who can shoot to play SF — maybe someone like Pietrus
Teague-Gordon-Josh-Al-Zaza
Bench Pietrus, Ivan, (I’d prefer to bring back T-Mac), fill in the rest
That team would be at least as good as this one, without the crippling cap problems and inability to improve the team.
But the chances of the DASG eating the $100 million left on Joe’s contract are pretty much zero.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2012
3:21 am
As bad as the Hawks were tonight, things could always be worse. If they had signed Kenyon Martin, maybe crazy groupies would be trying to storm the court at Philips instead of the Pepsi Center.
Harry Hawk
May 7th, 2012
4:24 am
It’s harder to make the playoffs in the NFL than it is in the NBA, so I think the Falcons are doing well. They’re not good enough for us (we want some playoff wins and/or a Super Bowl title right now), but I trust the management of that club much more than I do the management of the Hawks. These owners don’t even want the team. Always remember that.
James
May 7th, 2012
4:36 am
“Of course, what will actually happen is that they will keep Teague, Joe, and Al, trade Marvin for an equally bad contract and player, and let Josh walk in free agency. Because this is what the DASG and Sund do.”
Incorrect, there’s not chance one of Josh Al or Joe is still around next season. moving Marvin won’t bring back enough players to fill out a roster so they basically HAVE to move one of the big money guys. Josh will never reach his potential here. People are talking about MVPs but he still couldn’t avg 20-10… that’s what yall are excited about? Please. As long as he’s here he will continue to bring the ball up, dumb turnovers and immature faces afterwards. Hawks fans need to wake TF up!
TOLD YA
May 7th, 2012
4:40 am
Oh please more than half the team in the NBA make the playoffs and most of the non-contending playoff teams are trash and easily disposed off. In the NFL, playoff teams are MUCH closer together in talent and coaching but it’s still a one game shot. Much harder to succeed in football, anyone who thinks otherwise don’t know sh!t and needs to stick to home shopping network.
TOLD YA
May 7th, 2012
4:47 am
“Save that “Falcons are better” stuff for people who simply like football over basketball. The Falcons are even bigger failures than the Hawks. They haven’t won anything since Vick was forced to leave the city and the league.”
1) Vick was always overrated. Philly has done nothing with him as a starter.
2) He wasn’t ‘forced’ to do anything. Idiot brought all of that on himself.
Bobby
May 7th, 2012
4:56 am
“And even last year, the Falcons had a better record than the Giants, who basically limped into the division title.
Hawks > Falcons . . . for what that is worth.”
Nah, Hawks are a mirage and will never matter in this town. You Vick fans need to accept it. I guarantee you 90% of people would say they trust Falcons front office/ownership over Hawks.
Bobby
May 7th, 2012
4:59 am
A lot of Vick fans in this thread lol, you wouldn’t hear a peep from them if Vick was losing these playoff games. Matter of fact, I remember him leading a few Falcons team that didn’tcome close to making the playoffs — you won’t hear about that though!
Cotton Fitzsimmons
May 7th, 2012
5:02 am
Same story different season…
Cotton Fitzsimmons
May 7th, 2012
5:04 am
Same outcome as always. Why would we think any team from Atlanta would move pass first round ?
hawks D
May 7th, 2012
5:07 am
“They might as well have given the Celtics a first round bye this series is a joke”
read this quote on espn. It pisses me off because right now I cant argue against it.
the hawks failed on all cylinders…so disappointed..
hopefully they make some beneficial moves in the offseason…
Max Joe
May 7th, 2012
5:29 am
Not to worry—next year, Max Joe can carry the Hawks to big things! He’s on a mission!! But, he’ll want a lot more money!!!
brigadierjerry
May 7th, 2012
5:43 am
slimjr,
why would knicks want joe johnson for carmelo. their games are similar but carmelo hits big shots and if carmelo changes his game to similar to Paul Pierce for the team, the knicks are better in the long run. In a lot of ways Carmelo is a better version than Joe Johnson but difference is he will get to the Free throw line
Must win!
May 7th, 2012
6:01 am
I heard that game 4 was “must win!” Therefore, what is game 5?
AG
May 7th, 2012
6:14 am
Rick, you said it all. Record and play what the national media is telling you. Have the picture of Charles Barkley on every locker. If we were playing Miami and LJ got 30… I understand… but Boston? You can run them OUT of the gym! You cannot let them run their plays to perfection. I will visit the Highlight Factory Tuesday… YOU GUYS BETTER SHOW UP TOO (I MEAN THE HAWKS!)
AG
May 7th, 2012
6:19 am
When the Hawks were down big in the third and made and Teague was called for a flagrant – which Hawk huddled everyone together? Just because you are the highest paid does not make you the team leader. That player was Al.
Admirable SnAckBar
May 7th, 2012
6:20 am
can’t blame the Atl fans for this one!
AP ticker
May 7th, 2012
6:21 am
Al turns my stomach. When Josh and JJ went to the bench early in the 1st quarter the hawks were in the mist of the game…leading. Then came Al horford, Boston attacked the rim, Al watched and took pictures and the hawks were down 14 points just like that.
Al Fcked this game up.. yeah Houdini on the scene. Then this *Bytch* finishes with his patent 12 pt 5 reb had his shot blocked and disrupted the chemistry of the team.
I know Josh, JJ, and Teague had to be thinking “WTF?”
This is not the same team with Al Houdini on it as it is with out him.
Al is not good for the hawks, but at least hes shown hes healthy and can now be traded for something worth while.
Id take Marvin over Al although Marvin Al and Teague are All project cases. Al doesn’t have enough talent to be with Josh and JJ
AP ticker
May 7th, 2012
6:31 am
Al is not good for the chemistry of the team. He is talentless so he cant be a leader, No body follows a loser. The players dont get a long with Al because of his selfishness and unwillingness to play with any heart at center.
Al is a hoe, Amare called him out for being a hoe. and then fck Al on national tv. Now WTF kind of leader is that? Whose going to follow? This is a mans sport. This is a much better team with out Al.
Al is no leader. Al is a lazy,whining hoe. And Old as KG pimps his Ass Just like Amare did. Every body knows Al is a hoe except his pom pom cheerleaders on this blog page.
You will never win a championship with a hoe like Al in your front court.
Time to go back to fighting in the locker room. This season is over
Thanks Houdini, We would have done better if you stayed on the injured list.
Trade his ass for Howard now.
AP ticker
May 7th, 2012
6:40 am
early 1st quarter Hawks up 2, game is tight… then stupid ass Drew sends JJ and Josh to the bench, in comes that Houdini hoe and bam Boston attacks the rim, Houdini Al watches and takes pictures while the Celtics run up the score to a 14 point lead.
Josh and JJ sit there watching the stupid ass move wondering WTF is happening to all their hard work for the season, why is Al being allow to ruin it?
After the Al Houdini induced 1st quarter blow out, the teams moral falter and the season long chemistry faded.
Al finish with his trade mark 12 pts 5 rb and had his shot block but did not block any.
The teams moral is now down and the season for the hawks is all but over.
IVAN> al houdini.
AP ticker
May 7th, 2012
6:49 am
“It felt like we was going to do something good, what, the first five or six minutes of the first quarter,” Josh Smith said. “They just went on a run and scored, what, [32] points in the first quarter? That’s giving this team way too many points in one quarter.You catch yourself climbing uphill against a team that’s good like this that knows how to put a team away.” – Jsmoove
EXACTLY!
The hawks were doing fine until Horford entered the game.
AG
May 7th, 2012
7:03 am
Incredible… there is more than enough blame for this loss… yet all the hate on Al. Al is the only player on the team that has won a championship after H.S. Glad you are not running the team.. Marvin over Al.. LOL!!!!
William
May 7th, 2012
7:06 am
I’m not a fan, but I don’t understand what everybody’s that upset about. Were the Hawks supposed to win? Did anyone think that they could beat an old and slow Celtics team? Didn’t the owners try to sell this bunch of losers and had no legitimate takers? They only people showing up to watch this mess are the ones in line to give their money away so my kid can go to pre-school for free…
Thank you from the bottom of my heart .. now I can take a 2 week vacation at Sea Pines .. Go Hawks!
kreedham
May 7th, 2012
7:13 am
Enter your comments here
kreedham
May 7th, 2012
7:15 am
Sorry about that!
It’s easier to say who should stay than who should go……Keep Josh, Teague, Zaza, Ivan…..trade Joe, fire Drew and Sund, cut Marvin……..and ASG please give away, sell, do whatever and let us, most of all, have new owners that care!
RB
May 7th, 2012
7:16 am
Rick Sund has made good moves at times but the one that cancels them all out was signing JJ to a max contract. John Koncak 2.
Bobby
May 7th, 2012
7:17 am
AP Ticker is a clown and doesn’t know sh!t about basketball.
Al had nothing to do with this loss, hell he was out there running harder than everybody, actually trying to score, setting screens and trying to get out on the break. Those #s were on 20mins, half the time of Josh an Joke and the rest. Josh was walking around, making dumb faces and trying to be lebron while turning the bball over every other possession. Joke Johnson, no comment. Marvin, where are the idiots who praised his “improved play”? Still making excuses Billy Knight? What a disgrace. Give me Horford, Pargo, Teague and everyone else can GTFO for all I care.
Bobby
May 7th, 2012
7:19 am
Josh is the best player right? Do any of you think they are winning a championship with that clown leading them? Inconsistent effort every night, whining about trades and all star votes, STFU. Dude didn’t even put up 20-10 and yall idiots act like he’s charles barkley now LMFAO!
Timmy Tooth
May 7th, 2012
7:27 am
How does an NBA team get beat by 30in a playoff game? Bunch of overpaid losers.
Dawg
May 7th, 2012
7:33 am
Someone needs to ask why Alvin got so few minutes. Larry needs to be accountable. Someone needs to ask why Collins 1 rebound and 0 points in 12 minutes is better than Dampier’s 3 rebounds and 8 points in 12 minutes.
Joe is not a superstar and does not deserve superstar money on a cash strapped team.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
7:33 am
*sigh*
Double Zero Eight
May 7th, 2012
7:33 am
Every occupation has a group of employees that merely
“go through the motions” . The Hawks are no different
from corporate America. They are content with receiving
their paychecks.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
7:41 am
Series was psychologically over after we blew the 11 point lead in game 2
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
7:44 am
Enter your comments here
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
May 7th, 2012
7:46 am
We aren’t mentally strong enough to beat anyone but much inferior teams in a series….MIL, MIA, ORL
We were much more talented than any of those teams.
Thought Pierce may suck like he did in game 1 but he has exploded.
Lookin fwd to the q&a we will see with Sund/Gearon in which they claim you can’t judge this team because there were injuries
D Truth
May 7th, 2012
7:48 am
Yea, Al fck up the chemistry and the team. No need hating on Josh for being the great player that he is. This is Josh’s team and if any one has to go its that sorry rascal they call Houdini Al .
Josh and Al on the same team = bad chemistry and Al doesnt have the type of talent you build around, and spend his summer screwing around. What kind of leadership is that. This team had a great year with out Al and both Ivan and Zaza replaced Al with no problem
Fck that Al Joke hoe guy.
D Truth
May 7th, 2012
7:50 am
This game was lost when they took Josh and JJ out (leading) and put in Al who gave up a 14pt lead, changed momentum and by the time the hawks could catch their breaths they were down 31 pts
Al fck that game up, him and Drew. Should have kept Woodson. His team won last night.
Bobby
May 7th, 2012
7:53 am
Josh never won a dam thing in his life… can’t even get to the all star game because everyone sees through his fake stats. Dude is a joke and his fans are dropouts. Go clean up aisle 3.
Section 303
May 7th, 2012
7:55 am
This series officially ended when Willie Green missed the 12-ft jumper, with 3 or 4 seconds left on Friday. Had the Hawks managed to win that game, last night would not have mattered. But, he missed and last night happened…..series over. Only question that remains now is do the Hawks blow things up? This is a crap way to end the season. Something has to change.
No telling what happens on Tuesday. I tend to think the Hawks will get pasted again. Rolling over is what this organization is all about.
BIG HAWKS FAN
May 7th, 2012
8:06 am
JOE IS YOUR BEST PLAYER PUT HIM ON THE CELTICS BEST PLAYER COME ON COACH MAKE A MOVE TO SAVE YOUR TEAM
Kelvin
May 7th, 2012
8:08 am
What a colossal embarrassment! Joe Johnson is a complimentary player, certainly not worth a max deal. Josh Smith, talented but has a low basketball IQ. Marvin Williams, great kid but totally worthless on the basketball court. There are 50 other guys in the league that can give you what he’s giving you. Jeff Teague and Al Horford are the only pieces worth keeping. Unfortunately, because of the max deal you won’t be able to trade Joe Johnson. So it looks like we will be stuck in mediocrity for the foreseeable future.
terrell
May 7th, 2012
8:13 am
With the 2nd pick in the 2005 draft, the Atlanta Hawks select
Chris Paul
With the 5th pick in the 2006 draft the Atlanta Hawks select
Rudy Gay
Ok, dream over.
terrell
May 7th, 2012
8:14 am
Marvin and Sheldon Williams BK? Really?
Greg Carter
May 7th, 2012
8:15 am
Did I not tell you what would happen? Are you all surprised? The Hawks are far and away the inferior team to the C’s. It’s even worse than the 37-point thumping we were giving you until we graciously let you all come back within 20. Atlanta is doomed to another 5-6 years of being bounced in the first round. Now we (Boston) are essentially circling the air port waiting for the ECF. Thank you all for giving us some rest and rolling over.
The Hawk
May 7th, 2012
8:16 am
Fire Woody….
terrell
May 7th, 2012
8:16 am
I guess BK thought he could turn avg college players into good NBA players? Not!.
Double Zero Eight
May 7th, 2012
8:38 am
Over the years, a lot of the Hawks drafting has been
based on how well players performed in the NCAA
torunament (Marvin Williams. Sheldon Willaims).
Does anyone remember when the Hawks used their
first pick on Givens from Kentucky? What about
Rumeal Robinson?
Melo!
May 7th, 2012
8:40 am
In the offseason, can the hawks dump JJ and Josh and get Melo and Amare from the Knicks? NY is ready to get rid of these attitudes, but they would light it up in ATL.
jim
May 7th, 2012
8:43 am
Franchise will never get better with the current owners (draft picks for cash?) Franchise will never get better with current do nothing GM. Franchise will never get better with Marvin and JJ. Josh Smith may be a loose cannon but he is the only guy that makes a difference in big games against good teams. The Joe Johnson contract was as big a mistake as williams/Chris Paul draft. Embarrasing.
Lou
May 7th, 2012
8:49 am
Not one ounce of heart in these Hawks. There is no excuse to be down over 30 points in a playoff game; none. They are a disgrace. Losing game two changed the whole series. They can never get out of their own way. They are in the worst spot to be in. Not good enough to be great and not bad enough to get draft picks and improve. They are just stuck in the middle. I don’t see how Larry Drew and some of these parts can stay together.
Doom and Gloom
May 7th, 2012
8:50 am
Well, it was better to make a first round exit than to get embarrassed in the second round again ( I guess)… Who knows.. perhaps the Hawks would have actually made it into the eastern conference finals if they had had any mental toughness…. trade Josh for Kevin Love, Trade Joe for Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph and Marvin and the Larry Drew for the best anybody or anything possible…..
KCG
May 7th, 2012
8:50 am
Terrell, I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry at your posts. Funny
KCG
May 7th, 2012
8:53 am
I don’t know why, but I think the Hawks are going to surprise us and show us some heart for the rest of this series. They have worked to hard and have overcome too much this year just to give up. Win game 5, try to steal game 6, and who knows. Anything is possible.
rollow lawson
May 7th, 2012
8:53 am
I’m sick of this Joe Johnson this Johnson that B.S. !! The problem with this team is Larry Drew. Why did he have Joe guarding Pierce, chasing him around screens all night? Then when Allen comes in, he’s asked to guard him doing the same thing. What legs does Joe have on the ofensive end after working so hard on defense. None. And the guy only took eight shoots. Just like Doc runs plays to get Paul the ball in his sweet spots, why won’t Larry do the same for Joe? Nobody out in Hawksville can answer that.
In addition, Jason Collins is a major liability. When he is on the court, the Hawks are playing 4 on 5. There was no excuse for Ivan not to get any minutes in the first half last night. Willie Green, Marvin, and Collins are useless. If anything, I would start Marvin just so he could chase Paul Pierce and allow Joe to go against Bradley.
I got a real problem with Larry Drew. When all the calls were going against the players, he never got off the bench to challenge the officials. But Doc was constantly challenging the referees even while being up by 30 points.
Bump
May 7th, 2012
8:58 am
Im in favor for bringing in Jerry Sloan,putting the amnesty tag on joe,trading josh with marvin for a young big and a 2nd rounder this year,letting twin/tmac/green/pargo/damps walk,trading kirk to the lakers for a 2nd rounder,trading zsa zsa and Al for a 1st rounder this year or a 2nd rounder in 2013,all after firing Sund and Drew!
Keep Teague,try and resign Ivan even though he may not want to come back with this coach and this bunch or the organization itself and get young ufa’s in here with young draft picks,guys from the d-league and undrafted free agents..
We have to rebuild this entire team and get a new identity..
Bobby
May 7th, 2012
8:59 am
“Josh Smith may be a loose cannon but he is the only guy that makes a difference in big games against good teams.”
Oh please they almost won Game 3 WITHOUT him. Hell, all of their bigs. Quit hyping up these overrated clowns!
Tdawg
May 7th, 2012
9:01 am
Don’t understand what the fuss is all about. The hawks quit plane and simple. They are ready to go on summer vacation. If one fan in Atlanta shows up and watches these bunch of pathetic loser’s they are dumb as a rock. If you do attend their last game of the year, please do take some rocks. I would tell you what to do with them, but you probably already know.
Big Ray
May 7th, 2012
9:03 am
What? A blowout? I thought this wasn’t supposed to happen until round 2? Ooops….
Eb
May 7th, 2012
9:05 am
The no passion theme, lack of superstars, and big game blowouts come with ATL sports. Braves have always been “businesslike” and are known more for their failures than the one WS title they got. Last year’s meltdown was just a cap on what we’ve been seing since 1996. The Falcons history runs deepest with big game flops to e point that Arthur Blank wrote an apology letter following a Monday night game with New Orleans. The teams last 3 playoff games have been embarrassing at best yet our leader- Matt Ryan- gives the impression nothing’s wrong. The Hawks Problem has largely been poor ownership. I didn’t think any owner could trump Time Warner but then the ASG came along. These ding dongs started suing each other, hired the WORST GM of all time (BK), blew every top draft pick (until Horford), and chose every coach based on how cheap they came. They resigned JJ to a max contract right after he gave the fans his middle finger and said he didn’t care if they came to the games. These owners have no clue about how to build or run a franchise and are completely lost when it comes to understanding their fans. Add in the mediocrity from GT (who used to have a top notch basketball program) and UGA (who has grossly underachieved in an SEC dominated era) and it gets even uglier.
Big Ray
May 7th, 2012
9:05 am
I see the asian troll is back to trying to bone Al in the arse again. Some things never change.
lp
May 7th, 2012
9:13 am
100% agree with rollow lawson, if he is your star why only 8 shots?
why is it so easy to double and take him out of the game?
have the hawks ever made a team pay for double teaming joe?
can we get a real coach this time?
If joe and josh are taking basically the same shots on offense who would you rather have?
Ken Strickland
May 7th, 2012
9:25 am
It appears that LDrew has the same love affair with KHinrich that he and MWoodson had with Bibby. It doesn’t matter whether he’s not scoring, getting assists, playing DEF, or whatever, he gets his mins and gets to start. Now that Horford’s back, I’d hit Boston with a big lineup of SF-JSmith, OC-JCollins, PF-AHorford, SG-JJohnson, and PG-JTeague. It won’t matter if Josh can contain PPierce, since no one has contained him so far. But Josh would be a definite mismatch for him in the post and would require double team help, which would open it up for everyone else. Both he and Horford would create matchup problems at SF and PF, as well as 2 low post threats, and actually 3 if you include JJ at SG.
Hinrich has been so inconsistent on OFF that he’s struggled to match the scoring of Twin or Dampier. He’s no longer able to get to the rim and finish, which leaves him with his jumpshooting. And let’s face it, he’s been anything but consistent with his shooting.
Fireld!
May 7th, 2012
9:28 am
At the end of the day, we know iso joe is a default offense for a coach with no plan. We also no Josh does whatever he wants to do in an attempt to show the world why he should be an all star at the expense of the team (and then makes the dumbest faces when he makes a mistake). Dude by far has the most talent on the team, but the fact is, he is a self serving 19 year old in a 25 year old’s body. Our 2nd biggest mistake after not getting a real coach, would be to make him feel like he is not expendable. IF HE WON’T BUY IN TO THE SYSTEM HE HAS TO GO, POINT BLANK(an untamed force, no matter how great will only destroy all around it) Anyone with the least bit of BBall acumen knows that ball movement is key in the post season, but Joe only looks to dribble and Josh only looks for Joe or to shoot. We can call out players all day but the one move that can change all of this is hiring a competent coach. Moving any player except for Marvin(great guy buy dude just is no good) would be premature. I’ve been saying it for the past 2 years FIRELD!
BulldogBen
May 7th, 2012
9:29 am
Doom and Gloom, why on God’s green Earth would the T’Wolves EVER trade Kevin Love for Josh Smith? That’s laughable. Love is a legitimate MVP candidate that can carry a team and Smith is a schizo athletic role player who shoots too many bad shots. Once his athleticism diminishes he’ll be out of the league.
NO ONE wants to pay Joe for anything. Trade him? For what? We are STUCK with him and the franchise is screwed until his albatross contract is removed.
This was one of the most embarassing losses in Hawks history and that’s saying something.
Please lose in the next game and end this charade.
PMC
May 7th, 2012
9:29 am
I’ve been positive all year, I’m pretty much ready to blow this up now. Yes, in Februrary they can beat any team in the league when healthy.
It’s not going to change with this group. They are just going to come out lackadasical and stay that way in the playoffs.
Every 10 years or so the Hawks have a decent team that goes to the playoffs for a few years and then needs to be blown up because they just can’t progress.
This team has reached that point. It’s time to amnesty Joe, get what they can get for anyone else on the team and completely start over.
Doom and Gloom
May 7th, 2012
9:38 am
HEY!!!! I just had an idea…. Marvin should do a very HARD foul on rondo (knocking him out the game) causing pierce and garnett to respond by charging Marvin, hopefully pierce and garnett will take some swings at the Marvin causing pierce and garnett to be suspended for the rest of the series…. With rondo’s injury, the big three would be out for the rest of the series…. and all we would lose is pointless Marvin in the process……Now that sounds like a great deal!!!
CHUCK NORRIS
May 7th, 2012
9:40 am
This just boils down to ASG not having an idea of how to run a NBA franchise.
Doom and Gloom
May 7th, 2012
9:41 am
BdogBen,
I have my dreams….. I have to fantasize about something since I will not see the Hawks win anything outside of a first round playoff series within my lifetime…….
Heisenberg
May 7th, 2012
9:47 am
I think what the Hawks are missing is a guy with dreadlocks in a pony tail. Seems like every good team has a guy with dreadlocks in a pony tail. Maybe they need to bring back Etan Thomas.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 7th, 2012
9:47 am
WOW!
I was multi-tasking while the game was on. What happened to Joe Johnson? Josh and Al were both playing hurt, just being two warriors trying to help their team win. The supporting cast just went MIA.
This series is not over, bring it back home and just get on track. Play Ivan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Section 303
May 7th, 2012
9:47 am
We should be talking about changes for next year. I’m done worrying about this series. It’s over.
What I would like to see:
1. Get Marvin out of here. There has to be a way. I’ve hit a wall with that guy. He is just a worthless player. I have never seen someone so good at doing nothing.
2. Figure out what to do with Josh. You’re either re-signing him at the end of next season or trade him. I would vote for re-signing, but who knows if the Hawks can or will do that?
3. Find two bench guys to improve on Green and Pargo. Both have been awful in the postseason. Green may have swayed this series towards Boston with the missed 12-ft jumper on Friday.
drmaryb.(*_*).
May 7th, 2012
9:53 am
The Cure!
“It appears that LDrew has the same love affair with KHinrich that he and MWoodson had with Bibby. It doesn’t matter whether he’s not scoring, getting assists, playing DEF, or whatever, he gets his mins and gets to start. Now that Horford’s back, I’d hit Boston with a big lineup of SF-JSmith, OC-JCollins, PF-AHorford, SG-JJohnson, and PG-JTeague. It won’t matter if Josh can contain PPierce, since no one has contained him so far. But Josh would be a definite mismatch for him in the post and would require double team help, which would open it up for everyone else. Both he and Horford would create matchup problems at SF and PF, as well as 2 low post threats, and actually 3 if you include JJ at SG.” – Ken Strickland-
______________
Try this, it may work.
Heisenberg
May 7th, 2012
9:59 am
The part about the big lineup that is good is Joe at the 2. The part that is bad is Josh at the 3 standing around the arc launching airballs.
Chicken Hawks
May 7th, 2012
9:59 am
This just in hawks New slogan……Come to Phillips arena Home of atlanta sprit group own by folks who screwed Hockey////Remember we had chance but with sund and Larry drew in charge they have after the 30pt blow out tomorrow night….they say We had a great season and are Goal is to screw this town so we can Move to Buffalo and be rename the Buffalo Braves and win a NBA title there!…Joe Johnson MVP again voted for leadin team to choke in 1st round as always…..Funny 76ers did not fold and quit when Bulls lost Rose nope there about beat them and move on…..The Bulls went flat n died when derek rose got hurt of course complains coach should rest…But hey he could had and what broke it at half no problem…..I sure they blame coach and he be fired at end of season soon!…Atlanta had chance for conference final since orlando is down be playin Miami for finals..Now May8 be final home game at the Non-Highlight factory at Phillips arena…fans should be wearin all thrashers uniforms tomorrow night and Boo Owners and throw shultz the writer at them!
kwooden
May 7th, 2012
10:00 am
Personally I couldn’t Blog last night after the game because it was an terrible loss and I watched all of it! Since I’ve had a night to sleep on it, I really think Boston played great and we just could keep up. Josh had several bad turnovers and Boston’s defense was good, but really they just shot the ball great. I didn’t think we had a chance in this series without a health Zaza and Horford, which unfortunately is true. I’m glad to see Horford back on the floor, his athleticism is definitely need. I hope the HAWKS win tomorrow night but I’m not really interested in winning this series to then lose in the next series. I think our next moves are to draft a quick SG/SF that can start, which should be possible this year. Hopefully we can find a way to trade Marvin and let Hinich, Tracy and Green go. (I like Tracy and Green though) We need to pick up some more athletic SF and PF in free agency.
GO HAWKS!!
Michael Cunningham
May 7th, 2012
10:01 am
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.