Horford’s already a leader in the clubhouse
There’s a problem with combines and scouting reports. There’s a problem when teams are swayed by 40 times and vertical leaps and resumes that read, “Four-time All-Global,” and they’re moved to scream on draft day: “We’ve found our savior! Get me marketing!”
Nothing can tell you what’s in a kid’s cranium.
The 199th selection turns into Tom Brady. The No. 1 pick mutates into Kwame Brown. The best general managers have to be lucky.
The Hawks are fortunate. They guessed right two years ago with the third pick in the NBA draft. It turned out to be Al Horford.
Who imagined Al Horford could be a centerpiece -- and a leader -- so quickly?
“Only a very small percentage of young guys can come into this league and lead,” Joe Johnson said. “The ones who do usually are the focal point of their team. Al’s different.”
Horford is different because he’s leading and he’s not the Hawks’ offensive centerpiece, like Chris Paul in New Orleans or LeBron James in Cleveland. He’s different because he’s 23 years old, and not nearly acting his age.
He’s different because he’s a second-year pro and leading this team — often by example, sometimes by his words, even in the face of a veteran teammate.
Yes, that has happened.
How many second-year pros do that?
“I did it at Florida when I felt I had to,” Horford said Thursday. “I did it in high school. Here, I’ve done it a couple of times.”
Anticipating the next question, he quickly veered left: “I’m not going to name names. But if I see that somebody is not necessarily putting in the effort or is slacking off and it’s noticeable, I’m going to say something. Usually I’m very mellow. But sometimes I think something needs to be said, even if I put it out there in front of the whole team, even to the point where the guys might be mad at me for a day or two. I think it’s for the best.”
It’s dangerous to make such proclamations so early in a player’s career. But in terms of having the whole package — maturity, leadership and athletic ability at such a young age — Horford is for the Hawks what Matt Ryan is for the Falcons. The franchises will go as they go.
After extended mid-season hiccups, the Hawks are rolling again. They won their seventh straight Thursday night, 95-87 over Dallas at Philips Arena. They are on pace for 49 wins, their most in 11 seasons.
Horford is only the team’s fifth leading scorer at 11.9 points per game. But he has stepped up his offensive game in the post, averaging 16 points in the past 13 games (four times over 20 in that stretch). He also leads the team in rebounding.
Strange. But on a team with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Mike Bibby, Horford has evolved into arguably the Hawks’ most indispensable player. They are 35-19 with him in the lineup, but only 6-9 in games he has missed entirely or played limited minutes because of injury.
“It’s pretty much up to him what he wants to do in this league,” said Bibby, who’s in his 11th season.
Among the team’s young core, there is lingering debate about who Smith is and what Marvin Williams can be. But there is no debate about Horford. He transitioned to the NBA better than most rookies last season, or any season. He credits that to staying at Florida a year longer than he had to.
“I didn’t feel I was mentally ready for the NBA grind,” he said. “Then being part of a championship team, I know what it felt like to be chased all the time. It was good for me.”
Unfortunately in sports, the answers about an athlete don’t come until after direct deposit. With Horford, the answers came early.
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75 comments Add your comment
Rimfire
March 19th, 2009
8:27 pm
Agreed!
Since day One, AL is the real deal.
Instead of HOPING to win, Horford EXPECTS to win!
Big difference in ATL…
DUANE FERELL
March 19th, 2009
9:09 pm
THE HAWKS SHOULD BUILD AROUND MARVIN AND AL I HOPE SUND DONT KEEP WOODSON AFTER THIS YEAR BECAUSE HE IS HOLDING ATL BACK
Ryder
March 19th, 2009
9:39 pm
Um, Duane, I don’t think so.
Horford is the kind of player that leads teams to championships. It’s funny how the media loves to praise Durant and Oden, yet it’s Horford who will consistently be in the playoffs. He was the biggest reason that the culture in Atlanta has changed.
As a matter of fact, I think between Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Al Horford the Hawks have a nucleus that the team can build around to win in the future.
Will
March 19th, 2009
9:41 pm
brilliant analysis from Duane. (yes I am being sarcastic)
Horford has what no other hawk does and that is a pedigree of winning. One of the most impressive young guys in the game. Glad to have him on the team even though he was a gator! Once was lost but now is found…
Baracked the vote!
March 19th, 2009
9:59 pm
Schultz, thanks for stating the obvious and chiming in on what Sekou has been telling us for most of the season..that pulitzer or putzer in your case, is right around the corner.
JustCallMeChamp
March 19th, 2009
10:22 pm
Doesn’t surprise me a bit because Al was a model citizen here at Florida and was the quiet leader on a 2 time National Championship team. Al always played with intensity and tenacity but with a big smile on his face. You could just tell how much he loved the game and his team. EVERYONE here is proud of the person he has become, we really enjoy seeing him when he has that rare chance to come back and we will always love big AL!
brad
March 19th, 2009
10:23 pm
Like I’ve said before, if the Hawks had drafted Chris Paul they would not have been able to draft Al Horford. Not drafting Paul was a blessing in disguise. Unintended consequences!!!
Ted Striker
March 19th, 2009
10:23 pm
I wouldn’t pull for UF if they lost an engine on their team plane — but I do appreciate Al Horford and Erin Andrews.
Truth-serum
March 19th, 2009
10:37 pm
You are the most divisive writer I know. That quarterback who hands off to Norwood and Turner is not in the same league, sport or celebrity as Hartford. The fal… Cons could easily win without him. There are dozens of quarterbacks that can hand off or throw a four yard out to Norwood. You make a poor choice in analogy, Shultz. Oh course I understand why you do it. You are still trying to build some camaraderie for the fal…cons, to recover from the loss of fan base attributed to how they persecuted Michael Vick. Of course you fanned the fire as much as you could and are very much responsible, for the lynch mob that followed.
The Hawks are good and work, play, and socialize well together. They really don’t need a divisive article pitting Harford against the team. They don’t need a king of the hill or an enforcer in the locker room because the play well together and Woodson is great and keeping order and leadership…
Why do you continue trying to divide the Hawks? Are you jealous because your bulldogs with Mark-Glamorboy-Richt can’t win the big games and the fal…cons have loss support since you and the Bubba posse Lynched Vick?
You’ve hated on Woodson so much that he publicly commented about the negative press, now you want to test the testosterone of the young players in the locker room by trying to instigate some king bull attitude.
Dude!
Does it hurt to hate so much?
Give it a rest.
Here s an excellent article with a positive unifying spirit. See if you can t emulate this and learn to build up. You’ve already proven you can tear down!!
Focused Hawks look to extend win streak
By SEKOU SMITH
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Truth-serum
March 19th, 2009
10:53 pm
Hawks Dont need an enforcer in the locker room Shultz, they work hard, not because of being intimidated by Horford, but because Woodson pushes them.They believe in each other and themselves. They want to win, so they work hard for it.
Just that simple.
They do however need a low post enforcer. Did you count the number of turnovers ZAZA made in the Dallas game.Shultz once wrote that time in the league equated to players getting better. What happen to Pachulia? He is just a turnover waiting to happen.
Can we trade him for Marcus Camby?
Can we get SEKOU SMITH exclusive rights to cover the Hawks?
Reggie
March 19th, 2009
10:55 pm
Jeff
What NBA player would you compare Al Horford to?
Truth-serum
March 19th, 2009
10:55 pm
Enter your comments here
Truth-serum
March 19th, 2009
11:23 pm
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle – “[Hawks coach Mike Woodson] has done a great job,” Carlisle said before the Hawks-Mavericks game Thursday night at Philips Arena. “To have come into this at the very beginning of this, when these guys were a completely young group and to still be here four and a half years later and have the team making an improvement on the record every year is a great accomplishment.
“They are a team that’s come of age. They’ve matured. They’ve grown together. They’ve learned about sacrifice and learned what it means to win and how to win. Those things aren’t easy. Mike certainly deserves a lot of credit for it. But the players have stuck together through difficult periods as well. And that’s one of the reasons you do make progress the way they have.”
My point exactly, Jeff Shultz!
Ted Striker
March 19th, 2009
11:26 pm
Mister Truth-Serum: Not sure what else is in your ’serum’ but you may want to ask your doctor to lower the dosage of speed.
Darrin "The Vent King"
March 19th, 2009
11:44 pm
I’m a Gator fan so this is no surprise to me. I saw it in Horf at Florida and felt his spirit for doing what it takes and then some is exactly what this FRANCHISE needs, not just the team. A guy who expects and plays, not hopes, to win. We here in Atlanta have had too much of the latter and we’ve had players AND front office types who were too much worried about their own “shine”. Here with Horf, he is about the “team” shining and he carries himself in that way. So much so, that other players on the team have no choice but to respect that. It was that way in college, probably that way in high school, and now that way here in the pros. He makes the right pass when it needs to be made, he goes after rebounds like his life is on the line, dives after loose balls, and leads by example- not intimidation (whatever that’s about). He is the same cohesive type “glue” to this team he was at UF. While others like Noah, Brewer, and Taurean Green was getting all the pub, he was the one they ALL deferred to when things got hot in the kitchen and they will all tell you that. The Hawks are fortunate to have him and as a Hawks fan I’m glad he’s here!
GO HAWKS!!!
LL Cool Scott
March 20th, 2009
12:35 am
Hahahaha!!! Truth-serum, are you smoking some crystal meth? That was the most rambling, incoherent, nonsensical, and unintentionally hilarious thing I’ve read in a while. Thank you for providing us all with lots of unintentional comedy, my friend.
Wes
March 20th, 2009
12:39 am
Suprise!! The Hawks win 7 straight and Jeff writes something positive about the Hawks. Lest we forget 2 weeks ago it was all doom and gloom, about Josh Smith and Mike Woodson not being best friends. Isn’t it funny how winning cures everything, even nearsighted sports writers.
Hary
March 20th, 2009
12:44 am
Truth Serum: While I think that Schultz is a little obvious in his articles, and quick to criticize local teams, how you gonna say Matt Ryan isnt the man. He does have similar intangibles to Horford in terms of leading a team. The Falcs would definitely NOT have won all those games w/o him (did you catch that Bears game where he did ok?) Like I said, criticize the author, but Matty Ice is your ballin friend!
Vincent Vega
March 20th, 2009
1:34 am
Didn’t Sekou Smith already write this article last week?
Anyway, more Hawks:
http://crashingtheglass.com
Dr. Warren
March 20th, 2009
8:09 am
Let’s see Horford score more before we annoint him such a savior. NBA elite players SCORE, usually 20 or more. The Hawks are still fragile offensively, and Woodson’s stale offensive schemes have a lot to do with it.
mississippi
March 20th, 2009
8:13 am
this was a great article when Sekou wrote it a couple of weeks ago.
StAugDawg
March 20th, 2009
9:01 am
Can you please set this blog up so I can ignore “truth-serum”!
Jim
March 20th, 2009
9:19 am
Horford is the real deal. Sheldon Williams should pay attention to see what could have been.
Hawks will spend the next 3 years undoing the mistakes of Billy Knight and the Spirit group. Idiots!
Truth-serum
March 20th, 2009
9:26 am
The Hawks are an excellent TEAM. Horford is not an enforcer in the locker room. He is a very skilled player and a team player, an excellent power forward. Josh Smith is a great Small forward; JJ, Bibby and Flip Murray give us a formidable back court. THE HAWKS ARE A TEAM EFFORT. They don’t need a bully to make sure everyone is working their hardest in the Gym as Shultz suggested (for those that have limited ability to read between the lines). They have a will to work hard not because they need to be intimidated but because they ALL want to win. Horford, who I think is a great piece, doesn’t want to win anymore that Flip Murray. Joe Johnson wants to win just as much as Josh Smith and Mike Woodson wants to win just as much as Al Horford. What makes this team a winner in addition to talent is the camaraderie. Unity. What would make this team a super team is the addition of a low post presence that could be an enforcer against other teams. Pachulia is a liability as center.
Yes! Sekou has written a slew of inspiring articles about the hawks. I’ve counted two this week. I tell you he writes with wisdom, and inspiration. Clearly he knows basketball and how to unite a city behind a team, Shultz.
Hary
March 20th, 2009
12:44 am
I appreciate your view. Some others think that way also. The reality is when you have an inexperienced quarterback with limited talent or ability, you play ball control offense. That means running the ball and quick five yards outs. That insures you will be in just about every game. Did it escape your knowledge that Turner was runner-up to league MVP….Reality is it doesn’t take much talent to hand off to Turner and Norwood and throw the five yard out. Check that guy’s yard per pass completion ratio and perhaps you will see past your emotion. He’s not the talent Michael Vick was or is. As for the Chicago game, even a broke clock is right twice a day….and no, I did not watch the game because like many falcons fans, the persecution of Vick saddened me. Like many fans I feel betrayed by the NFL, who put gage orders on the team as they tried to stand behind Vick. They should have let the players speak their mind. Author Blank prove to me a lack of loyalty and integrity. The press, particularly Shultz, kept fanning the devisive flames of hatred and unforgiveness. There is nothing he can do to make me drop my loyalty and act as if the falcon organization showed class during the situation. No, they did not. I did however enjoy the falcons going BELLY-UP in the first round. No super quarterback there!!
But the Hawks are a very good team that the city is behind; they have no skeletons in their closet. They have a class staff and team, great announcers and in Sekou a great writer.
LL Cool Scott March 20th, 2009
12:35 am
Ted Striker
March 19th, 2009
11:26 pm
I wanted to comment on your references but I could not find any substance to what you were saying. I understand your perspective; you find it difficult to communicate with limited education and resources. You have so much hatred bottled up in a dysfunctional mind; my prayers go out to you. If I don’t respond to you futuristically I am not ignoring you, I’m just holding out a moment of silence in hopes that you might be healed.
Have a nice day.
Jeff Schultz
March 20th, 2009
10:12 am
Baracked: Sorry, next time I’ll try to state the non-obvious. Maybe that will get me closer to the Pulitzer.
Just Call Me Champ: Al is a great guy. Regarding Florida, it was kind of funny in the locker room yesterday when he was telling me how upset he is about the NCAA tournament because Florida’s not in it and he can’t talk smack.
Brad: I’m not sure I would want to go down that Chris Paul road. But I get your point.
Ted: Sorry, I’m not posting any pictures of Erin Andrews.
Truth: You have a nice day.
Reggie: Good question: The thing about Horford is that his game is still evolving. His offensive game is at another level this year compared to last year and you’d think it’s only going to improve. The only problem trying to find a comparable is he’s really playing out of position at center. I know somebody the other day compared him to Buck Williams, who had a great career at New Jersey (after Maryland). I like that one. Buck actually was greater scoring threat early in his career, but he ended up average 12.8 pts and 10 rebs and he was a solid guy.
Wes: I didn’t write doom-and-gloom. I wrote that if Mike Woodson and Josh Smith kept feuding, it was going to hold this team back. Do you dispute that? Both obviously have put their differences aside since the last blowup and the team has moved forward. They haven’t had a blowup since. The team has won. That’s not just a coincidence. You have something else you want to say now, big guy?
Truth: You still have a nice day.
JS
Jeff Schultz
March 20th, 2009
11:07 am
*** Repeating Posting Standards To All Readers *** I’ve had to delete a comment because of profanity and/or innuendo that won’t be tolerated. All comments, whether they’re positive or negative, whether they’re attacking me or each other, will stand. This is an open forum. Debate is good and healthy, even if you disagree with somebody. But there is a line and I’m pretty sure you know where that line is. Profane comments will be deleted, and if they persist, a reader can be blocked from posting. Thanks. Jeff
Tron5000
March 20th, 2009
11:33 am
Only an individual with a very low level of intelligence would try to use an article about Al Horford as an excuse to berate the Falcons for drafting a QB since their previous QB was incarcerated on felony charges. Nice job, genius.
jg
March 20th, 2009
11:56 am
I’ll be the first to admit that I wanted Noah instead of Horford two years ago. What in the world was I thinking???? Since Al’s first few games last year I knew I was very wrong. Horford plays ball the way I like it—fundamentals, fundamentals and more fundamentals. The only thing that makes him happy is a win–he rebounds like a mad-man, makes the right pass virtually every time, can get a rebound and dribble to the middle on a break as good as any big man I’ve ever seen, his 10 to 12 foot jumper is getting better every game and he is always encouraging his teammates while he’s in or out of a game. I would say he’s the best basketball player (MVP) on this team hands down. He has a tremendous basketball IQ and rarely makes the same mistake twice.
I do think he is playing out of position like many of you–but for playing out of position he;s playing center better than most true centers in the east. Other than Howard in Orlando and maybe a couple of others–I would take an out of position Horford any day.
Our team is so freaking good at home that I know we can beat anyone in Philips. But Saturday’s game with the Cavs will be tough. I hope the Hawks don;t sweat a loss too much if it happens–but if they some how find a way to win this game it could really springboard them into something really big. Never the less, this seven game home win streak was great to watch–I’ve been watching them since the early 80’s and seen some good stuff–but this streak at home ranks up there with just about any other moment in Hawk history for me…they beat some really good teams and showed to me that they probably won;t get to the Finals this year–but they’ve got a lot heart and fight in them and they’ll truly be a tough out in the Eastern Conference.
First the Falcons, now the Hawks playing really good–can the Braves carry over a great spring into April? I hope so….GO HAWKS.
JG IN CHATTANOOGA
Nick
March 20th, 2009
12:13 pm
I don’t know why the conclusion has to be that the Hawks were lucky. Maybe this time they should get some credit for doing a good job. At the time, they certainly took stick from some quarters for taking Horford–why were they taking yet another power forward? why weren’t they taking a point guard? why didn’t they pick Conley? Maybe on this occasion management actually did better than all those “experts”.
Submariner683
March 20th, 2009
12:14 pm
Mr Shultz,
Horford was a very solid pick. No doubt about that. I think the Hawks are the last team in professional sports that should get a pat on the back for one good pick out of the last 24 years. When I think of Hawks’ first round picks, it’s like the who’s who of what the heck were they thinking. Let me see some names of first round picks since around 86. Dallys Comegys, Roy Marble, Ed Gray, Adam Keefe, Priest Lauderdale, Rashown Mccleod, Rumeal Robinson, Douglass Edwards, Sheldon Williams. Those are just the names I can think of off the the top of my head. Of course you have Marvin Williams instead of Chris Paul or Deron Williams and the Sheldon Williams instead of Brandon Roy. After the early 80s picks of Doc Rivers, Kevin Willis and Dominique Wilkins, the Hawks franchise went through a quarter century of ridiculously horrible picks. I grant them that for much of the time between the mid 80s to late 90s, the Hawks had decent to good teams and were usually picking mid to late first round or had no picks due to trades. But still.
I can really only look at three picks that were solid picks over the last 25 years. One was Jason Terry, Josh Smith and Horford. Well, I’d probably put Josh Childress as a decent pick as well.
The Hawks drafting isn’t their only problem. They get dominated in every trade they make recently. In the 90s they actually did a decent job. Rumeal Robinson for Mookie Blaylock was a steal, Kevin Willis for Steve Smith and Grant Long was great deal for the Hawks. Those two deals gave the Hawks one of the best backcourts of the 90s.
Their recent deals have been so lop sided it is folly. The Shariff Abdur Rahimm deal has to be one of the worst ever. They give up their first round pick (Pau Gasol), Lorenzen Wright, who they gave up a first rounder to get and another guard who I can’t think of the name but was first rounder they Hawks had picked up. So, three first round picks for Shariff Abdur Rahimm. Really bad. Now, I really like Joe Johnson, but how many 1st round picks did they give away to sign a guy who was a restricted free agent? Two or three? The Suns were not going to re-sign him for the huge salary the Hawks were paying. That would have made him the highest paid player on the Suns over Stoudamire and Marrion and their PG. If you thought they still might match the offer, go up even more and put it out of their mind. The Suns played the Hawks and got first round draft picks for a player they were going to have to let go.
I guess I am raining on the parade here about the Hawks pick. Horford was a solid pick but, in my opinion, the obvious one for the draft position they were at. I’m not going to pat a franchise on the back for one great 1st round pick out of 25.
Mr Shultz simply put, if you wrote one good to great article out of every 25 and the rest were below average to completely horrible, do you think you’d be a sports writer for very long?…:)
JSS
March 20th, 2009
12:27 pm
You are such a coward, never willing to stand behind what you have written… Delete that… Block that…
scott
March 20th, 2009
12:32 pm
JSS, I got your Oscar Mayer weiner right here. Bite it.
Rock on, Schultzie. Al is the real deal and thank goodness they got him. I agree that he is their MVP (they also need Bibby and heaven help them next year if they lose Bibby this off-season).
BattlestarGalactica
March 20th, 2009
12:51 pm
Im a very knowledge Hawks fan and I know a ton more than the average Hawk fan out there. Ive been following the team since the days of PISTOL PETE MARAVICH. I know this may come as a shock to some, but if it happens you can say you heard it from me first, I BELIEVE THE HAWKS WILL WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR. They came real close last year but couldnt close the deal because of lack of focus in game 7 against Boston. This year, the Hawks are sprinting through the last phase of the NBA schedule. They just breezed through their homestand at 7-0. Of course, they will be thoroughly tested in the last few weeks of the regular season as they will have to face Boston twice, Orlando, Lakers, and Cavaliers surely the cream of the crop of the NBA. Now watch the Hawks as they (the cream) will rise to the top. I believe that the Hawks will show the NBA starting this Saturday at 1:00 against Cleveland at the Q, which team (Atlanta) has been lurking in the shadows ready to strike quickly, early and often as they send shockwaves through the league. Here they come, the Atlanta Hawks are ready to make their move on the league and on the Larry O’Brien trophy. See you at the Highlight Factory!
Truth-serum
March 20th, 2009
1:13 pm
Tron5000
March 20th, 2009
11:33 am
I appreciate you for….Voicing your opinion. Perhaps you should read the article and see that Shultz drew a reference to the Quarterback position with the falcons and the success of Horford and the Hawks. I know its easy to not read, respond with your emotions and be adamant with your view. Let me encourage you to read.
I do however agree with you that Vick was incarcerated for a felony, although the crime was a misdemeanor 2 months before Vick was arrested and the laws measure had changed. Most people, agree that the punishment did not fit the crime. It was his first conviction. I think Vick has served whatever punishment levied against him and deserves a shot at his job back. I believe he is now 28 or 29 and a better talent than that guy that hands off to Turner and Norwood. Vick still has a very strong fan and support base here and could easily sell out the stadium unlike what’s his name. That is if the haters don’t flame the fire of hatred, and condemnation, mercilessly.
Vick is loved and deserves a second chance. I hope you are not offended. If you are…I understand why.
The Hawk sucess is based on a class organization, contrary to the falcon’s.
Go Hawks!!
Shultz thanks for the shout out. You are right I don’t agree with your politics or your version of morality, but I do respect you as a person. I commend you for your civility. You have a nice day as well. JSS is right. You dont stand behind what you write. You wrote divisively about Woodson and the Hawks but your point proved to be false. Now you try to save face.
Prov 14:34
Righteousness exalted a nation KJV
AceDawg
March 20th, 2009
1:30 pm
He was a beast in college, and I felt good about picking him right away. I’m glad it’s working out. Marvin remains a good pick too, considering most picks don’t pan out into solid starters. Even if a couple picks close to him have been superstars, he could be a longer term impact player than the others too.
Alpharetta-bound
March 20th, 2009
2:27 pm
I think the Marvin pick hurts because the Hawks had such a huge need for a PG and missed on possibly the best one in the league now in Chris Paul. Yea William is a solid player, but they already had plenty of bodies like him. Mind-boggling drafts by the former GM.
whammer
March 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
J.S. you STINK !!! You have been appealing to your fellow racist bubba fans for a long time now. Writing your hateful thoughts about the Hawks and Thrashers due to your personal hate for the owners is unprofessional and wrong – SHAME ON YOU!!!!
Now the Hawks catch the sports world attention and you jump on the bandwagon. Give me a break you self indulgent jerk. I know you, I know the owners and the players – you have zero street cred.
I am a professional and work with many of these people through my job, and they are all good folks who want to win.
YOU COMMENTS ON WOODY AND JOSH ARE BS – they get along fine and have since Josh came to the team. In fact they are very close. The blow up as you call it on the court was two professionals and friends having a heated moment and nothing to do with their relationship, professional or personal. I have talked to both men and seen them together on and off the court and your crap is just that.
As far as the owners, “ATLANTA SPIRIT”, during a very public law suit these guys have still managed to support and build the best NBA team this town has had in a long long time. These self-made, generous, charitable men want to win and are proving it despite your efforts and others. ” HATS OFF TO THE SPIRIT AND THANKS FOR THIS WONDERFUL – WINNING -TEAM” So for those jealous haters including you J.S. – time to realize what this ownership, managers, coaches and players have given this town in the past two years.
The economy is hitting all pro sports very hard. I am proud of this ownership and team for putting a quality product on the court during such hard times for all.
I work very hard, and even harder now due to the economy. Being able to watch this Hawks team grow and improve has been a great help in dealing with the stress of the times.
THANKS SPIRIT AND THANKS HAWKS
virgil leonard
March 20th, 2009
4:13 pm
DUANE FERELL
March 19th, 2009
9:09 pm
THE HAWKS SHOULD BUILD AROUND MARVIN AND AL I HOPE SUND DONT KEEP WOODSON AFTER THIS YEAR BECAUSE HE IS HOLDING ATL BACK
Marvin williams is only good for trade bait. I wish all our fans would get this right. Williams is too slow to be a 3 and too small to play a 4. he needs to go so we can bring in a legitimate big man so we can slide Al to the 4 and J-smoove to the 3. then we can contend. and coach woodson does need to go he has no concept on how to use his bench. Championship teams have always had a dependable bench.
chip woodson
March 20th, 2009
4:45 pm
michael vick would be second team qb on the falcons. he has a lot of ability, but he should be a running back or wide receiver. i’m glad he is gone. i’m sorry the way it went down. but he made some bad choices of friends and cohorts. he has paid the price and now should be able to play in the nfl. but thank goodness, not with the falcons.
chip woodson
chip woodson
March 20th, 2009
4:51 pm
al, is a great player with great work habits. if you have watch professional sports as long as i have you would of seen his type of player on every championship team there has ever been. steve young, joe montana, johnny untias, etc. al, will join them on a championship team in the future.
chip
Mychelfromatl
March 20th, 2009
4:54 pm
Welp!!!! Looks like ESPN has decided to join the bandwagon.
Heres the link: http://espn.go.com/nba/
Kennyd30720
March 20th, 2009
5:05 pm
Could you imagine the type of player Josh Smith would be if he played with Big Al’s Heart and Desire? Now that’s scary.
Jeff Schultz
March 20th, 2009
5:28 pm
NICK: It was a great pick and great decision. The point is that there’s always luck involved with any draft but it’s a guessing game. Any GM in any sport will tell you that. You try to minimize the guessing as much as you can, obviously, but you never know how kids grow up, what happens when they make money, etc.
JSS: What don’t I stand behind? And I’m sure you can keep it clean if you try hard. There’s lots of words in the Engish language. You should try a few new ones.
BATTLESTAR: You’re first in the clubhouse with the championship prediction, and if they do it you’ll get full credit in my book.
TRUTH: For what it’s worth, and I’ve stated this several times before, MV has served his time and has every right to resume his career. How that career goes, I’m not sure. He’s got a lot to overcome and he’s going to have to be mentally tough – tougher than any of us can possibly imagine – to endure what’s going to be thrown at him. … On Woodson-Smith: I said what I said and nothing has changed. If they’re together, everything’s fine. But 10 days ago (or whenever it was) they were not together and everything on the team was not fine. I know what happened in the locker room but sometimes certain things are said off the record and/or in private. It’s not worth going into. But for anybody to suggest that the coach and player have had a healthy relationship for five would be ignoring all of the evidence to the contrary. The good news for the team is that they apparently have put their differences aside now, as evidenced by the team’s play.
ALPHARETTA: The Hawks have an interesting call to make on Marvin after this season, with his contract up. He actually was playing his best basketball of the season just before he got hurt.
TRUTH AGAIN: Bubba squad? That’s funny. Dude, I’m from West L.A. (Los Angeles, not Louisiana). I’m so non-Bubba, you wouldn’t believe it. And Scott, much like you or Battlestart or JSS or any other nicknames above, I have no idea who most of you people are, other than through your posts.
I’ll try to check back again. Have a good weekend, folks.
Jeff
Scottbravesfan
March 20th, 2009
6:18 pm
Dr. Warren,
You ever heard of Bill Russell? He didn’t score 20 points a game and he dominated.
Truth,
You are a crack head if you think that Vick is a better quarterback than Matt Ryan. Vick could run the ball that’s it. And he fumbled all the time when he did that. Vick’s hype is so high because he would go off and have these insane days. Like he did in that overtime game against the Vikings and like he did against the Packers in the playoffs. But then he would come back down to earth like he did both times in the playoffs against the Eagles. Matt Ryan just had the best rookie year for a quarterback in the history of the modern day NFL. Quarterbacks like Ryan win super bowls. Quarterbacks like Vick don’t. They end up in prison for a year because they killed dogs and for betting on dog fighting even though they are multi millionaires. You can take the kid out of the ghetto but not the ghetto out of the kid, right? His brother is another one that has just thrown his life in the garbage can. Good job. Their parents must have been awesome. But the good thing for Michael Vick is that he was born black so the fine black population of Atlanta will always worship him. Must be nice. If you are white and get in trouble with the law they just throw you under the bus and try and forget about you.
Jeff Schultz
March 20th, 2009
6:43 pm
SUBMARINER: Missed your post early. I don’t think anybody’s suggesting Horford compensates for all the years of bad Hawks draft picks. But they deserved to be praised for the pick they made.
Which leads me to this for anybody who wants to jump in. When’s the last time the Hawks had a better draft pick, in your opinion? Was Josh Smith a better pick? Or do we have to go back to Kevin Willis? Doc Rivers? (Don’t shout “Nique!” The Hawks didn’t draft him.)
If you’ve got some time, I’ve copied and pasted Hawks drafts. Look it over and weigh in.
2008 DRAFT
(no pick)
2007 DRAFT
1 Al Horford Florida 3
1 Acie Law IV Texas A&M 11
2006 DRAFT
1 SheldenWilliams Duke 5
2 Solomon Jones South Florida 33
2005 DRAFT
1 Marvin Williams North Carolina 2
2 Salim Stoudamire Arizona 31
2 Cenk Akyol Turkey (Efes Pilsen) 59
2004 DRAFT
1 Josh Childress Stanford 6
1 Josh Smith Oak Hill Academy (HS) 17
2 Donta Smith SE Illinois JC 34
2 Royal Ivey Texas 37
2 Viktor Sanikidze * SAOS JDA Dijon (Georgia) 42
* On draft night,Sanikidze was traded to the San Antonio Spurs
for a 2005 second-round pick and cash considerations.
2003 DRAFT
1 Boris Diaw Pau Orthez (France) 21
2 Travis Hansen Brigham Young 37
2002 DRAFT
2 David Andersen Kinder Bologna (Italy) 37
On draft night,the Hawks acquired the draft rights toDan Dickau (selected in the
first round,28th overall by Sacramento) in exchange for a future first-round pick.
2001 DRAFT
1 Pau Gasol * Spain 3
1 Jamaal Tinsley ** Iowa State 27
2 Terence Morris Maryland 34
*On draft night,Gasol was traded to the Grizzlies,along with Brevin Knight
and Lorenzen Wright,in exchange for Shareef Abdur-Rahim and the 27th pick
in the draft.
*On draft night,Tinsley was traded to the Indiana Pacers for a future first-
round pick.
2000 DRAFT
1 DerMarr Johnson Cincinnati 6
2 Hanno Möttölä Utah 40
2 James “Scoonie”Penn Ohio State 57
1999 DRAFT
1 Jason Terry Arizona 10
1 Cal Bowdler Old Dominion 17
1 Dion Glover Georgia Tech 20
1 Jumaine Jones * Georgia 27
2 Roberto Bergersen ** Boise State 52
*On draft night,Jones’ rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers
for a future first-round draft choice (via Toronto).
**On draft night,Bergersen’s rights were traded to Portland for
cash considerations.
1998 DRAFT
1 Roshown McLeod Duke 22
2 Cory Carr * Texas Tech 49
*On draft night,Carr’s rights were traded to Chicago,along with two
future second-round draft picks,for the rights to Shammond Williams.
1997 DRAFT
1 Ed Gray California 22
2 Alain Digbeu Villerbaune,France 50
2 Chris Crawford Marquette 51
1996 DRAFT
1 Priest Lauderdale Central State (OH) 28
1995 DRAFT
1 Alan Henderson Indiana 16
2 Donnie Boyce Colorado 42
3 Troy Brown Providence 45
4 Cuonzo Martin Purdue 57
1994 DRAFT
2 Gaylon Nickerson NW Oklahoma State 34
(Atlanta’s first-round position belonged to the LA Clippers as a result
of the Dominique Wilkins/Danny Manning trade).
1993 DRAFT
1 Doug Edwards Florida State 15
2 Richard Manning Washington 40
1992 DRAFT
1 Adam Keefe Stanford 10
2 Elmer Bennett Notre Dame 38
1991 DRAFT
1 Stacey Augmon UNLV 9
1 Anthony Avent * Seton Hall 15
2 Rodney Monroe N.C.State 30
* Avent’s rights were traded to Denver on 6/26/91.
1990 DRAFT
1 Rumeal Robinson Michigan 10
2 Trevor Wilson UCLA 36
1989 DRAFT
1 Roy Marble Iowa 23
2 Haywoode Workman Oral Roberts 49
1988 DRAFT
2 Anthony Taylor Oregon 44
3 Jorge Gonzalez Argentina 54
3 Darryl Middleton Baylor 68
First round pick and Randy Wittman to Sacramento for Reggie Theus 6/27/88.
1987 DRAFT
1 Dallas Comegys DePaul 21
2 Terrance Bailey Wagner 42
2 Terry Coner Alabama 44
3 Song Tao China 67
4 Theo Christodoulou Greece 90
5 Jose-Antonio Montero Spain 113
6 Ricardo Morandoti Italy 136
7 Franjo Arapovic Yugoslavia 159
1986 DRAFT
1 Billy Thompson * Louisville 19
2 Cedric Henderson Georgia 32
2 Augusto Binelli Italian Nat’l. 40
3 Dave Hoppen Nebraska 65
3 Jim Les Bradley 70
4 Efram Winters Illinois 88
5 Nicky Jones Virginia Commonwealth 111
6 Alexander Volkov USSR 134
7 Valery Tikhonenko USSR 157
* Thompson was traded to L.A.Lakers for Ken Barlow 6/17/86.
1985 DRAFT
1 Jon Koncak SMU 5
2 Lorenzo Charles N.C.State 41
3 Sedric Toney Dayton 59
4 Arvydas Sabonis USSR 77
4 John Battle Rutgers 84
5 Larry Hampton F.D.U. 100
6 Tony Duckett Lafayette 123
7 Bob Ferry Harvard 146
1984 DRAFT
1 Kevin Willis Michigan State 11
3 Bobby Parks Memphis State 58
4 Dicky Beal Kentucky 81
5 Terry Martin NE Louisiana 104
6 Jim Master Kentucky 127
7 Vince Martello Florida State 150
8 Robert Brown Long Island 173
9 Fred Brown Georgetown 185
10 Doug Mills Hofstra 217
Second round pick (#35) to Golden State for Rickey Brown on 2/15/83.
1983 DRAFT
1 Randy Wittman * Indiana 22
2 Glenn Rivers Marquette 31
3 John Pinone Villanova 58
4 Harry Kelly Texas Southern 81
5 Charles Jones Oklahoma 104
6 Tom Bethea Richmond 127
7 Lex Drum UAB 150
8 George Thomas Georgia Tech 173
9 Will Cotchery Livingston 195
10 Ronnie Carr W.Carolina 216
*Wittman acquired from Bullets for Tom McMillen and future pick 7/5/83.
1982 DRAFT
1 Keith Edmonson Purdue 10
3 Joe Kopicki Detroit 56
5 Mark Hall Minnesota 102
6 Jay Bruchak Mt.St.Mary’s 126
7 Horace Wyatt Clemson 148
8 James Ratiff Howard 172
9 Pierre Bland Elizabeth City 194
10 Ronnie McAdoo Old Dominion 216
Second round pick to New York for Mike Glenn 10/24/81.
Fourth round pick to New Jersey for Rory Sparrow 8/11/81.
1981 DRAFT
1 Al Wood North Carolina 4
2 Clyde Bradshaw DePaul 38
3 Durand Macklin LSU 52
4 Kevin Figaro SW Louisiana 75
5 Steve Krafscisin Iowa 98
6 Darryl Warwick Hampton 121
7 Kevin Vesey Iona 144
8 Gilbert Salinas Notre Dame 167
9 Howard Thompkins Wagner 189
10 Mike Frazier Georgetown 209
1980 DRAFT
1 Don Collins Washington State 18
2 Craig Shelton Georgetown 28
5 Mike Doyle South Carolina 110
6 Mike Zagardo G.Washington 133
7 Charles Hightower Dillard 156
9 Stan Lamb Steubenville 195
Third round pick to Utah.
Fourth round pick to Los Angeles.
Selected ineligible player in eighth and tenth rounds.
1979 DRAFT
2 James Bradley Memphis State 35
2 Larry Wilson Nicholls State 38
3 Don Marsh Franklin & Marshall 57
5 Tiny Pinder N.C.State 101
6 Dwight Williams Gardner-Webb 121
7 Tim Waterman St.Bonavent. 141
8 John Goedeke Maryland (Balt.) 160
9 Cedric Oliver Hamilton 178
10 Chad Newlson Drake 196
First round pick to Pacers as compensation for signing of free agent
Dan Roundfield.
1978 DRAFT
1 Butch Lee Marquette 10
1 Jack Givens Kentucky 16
2 Rick Wilson Louisville 25
3 Steve Grant Manhattan 54
5 Chris Potter Holy Cross 98
6 Gerald Glover Howard 120
7 Jim DeWeese Gonzaga 141
8 Ed Murphy Merrimack 160
9 Maurice Robinson W.Virginia 177
10 Marshall Lester Florida Southern 192
Fourth round pick to Buffalo.
1977 DRAFT
1 Wayne Rollins Clemson 14
3 Sam Smith UNLV 48
3 Eddie Johnson Auburn 49
4 Dave Bormann Gardner-Webb 70
5 Bill Gordon UTC 92
6 Calvin Crews Northwestern 114
7 James Holliman Arizona State 135
8 Vern Thompson Brigham Young 155
Second round pick to New York for Tom McMillen.
1976 DRAFT
1 Armond Hill Princeton 9
2 Bob Carrington Boston College 28
3 Larry Cooke VPI 46
4 Tom Barker Hawaii 53
5 Ron Davis Washington State 70
6 Pete Padgett Nevada-Reno 88
7 Carl Gerlach Kansas State 106
8 Doug Terry Utah 124
9 Bob Kovach San Diego State 142
10 Mike Dickerson S.Florida 160
1975 DRAFT
1 David Thompson N.C.State 1
1 Marvin Webster Morgan State 3
2 Bill Willoughby Morrow (NJ)High 19
4 Monte Towe N.C.State 57
5 Wilbur Holland New Orleans 75
6 Danny Williams Mississippi 93
7 Gus Johnson Winona State 111
8 Oscar Jackson Duquesne 129
9 Dave Schlesser Morningside 146
10 Vic Kelly Hawaii 162
1974 DRAFT
1 Tom Henderson Hawaii 7
1 Mike Sojourner Utah 10
2 John Drew Gardner-Webb 25
3 Darrell Elston North Carolina 43
4 Ed Palubinskas Louisiana State 61
5 Tyrone Medley Utah 79
6 Sammy Hervey So.Methodist 97
7 Greg Lee UCLA 115
8 Bill Butler Louisville 133
9 Lon Kruger Kansas State 151
10 Brendy Lee Nebraska 168
1973 DRAFT
1 Dwight Jones Houston 9
1 John Brown Missouri 10
2 Tom Inglesby Villanova 27
3 Ted Manakas Princeton 36
3 Leonard Gray Long Beach State 45
4 James Brown Harvard 62
5 Dave Winfield Minnesota 79
6 John Williamson New Mexico State 96
7 Pete Harris Stephen F.Austin 113
8 Tim Dominey Valdosta State 130
1972 DRAFT
2 Steve Bracey Tulsa 21
4 Reggie Bird Princeton 55
5 Bob Lackey Marquette 71
6 Randy Knoll Marshall 88
7 Billy Pleas Detroit 105
8 Oscar Evans Butler 121
9 Larry Strozier Morehouse 136
10 Jim Clesson Tulsa 149
11 Charles Allen Texas Southern 160
12 James Green Paine College 169
1971 DRAFT
1 George Trapp Long Beach State 5
2 Ted McClain Tennessee State 22
3 Jeff Halliburton Drake 39
4 Jim Welch Houston 56
6 Willie Humes Idaho State 90
7 Mike Jordan Savannah State 107
8 Jim Smith Kentucky Wesleyan 124
9 Ernie Fleming Jacksonville 140
10 Ron Rippicoe Lipscomb 156
11 Levi Wyatt Alcorn 172
12 Roger Moore Columbus 186
13 Ed Jenkins Michigan Lutheran 198
1970 DRAFT
1 Pete Maravich Louisiana State 3
1 John Vallely UCLA 14
2 Dan Hester Louisiana State 31
4 Fred Davis Howard Payne 65
5 Bob Riley Mt.St.Mary’s 82
6 Dave Parker Windham 99
7 John Shinall Jackson State 116
8 Herb White Georgia 133
9 Larry Jackson Sul Ross 150
11 Dino Meneghin Italy 182
1969 DRAFT
1 Butch Beard Louisville 10
2 Wally Andrezunas Creighton 25
4 Billy Hann Tennessee 53
5 Mike Mitchell West Texas State 67
6 Guy Mackner South Dakota 81
7 Bob Bundy Vanderbilt 95
8 Bob Christian Grambling 109
9 Pete Gayeska Massachusetts 123
10 Dick Stewart Rutgers 137
11 Loran Bracci SF Valley State 151
12 Dave Jones LaVerne 164
13 Dick Barton Riverside 176
14 Mike Dahl Oglethorpe 185
15 Norm Carmichael Virginia 193
16 Buddy Cornelius Jacksonville (Ala.) 199
17 John Tolmie Navy 205
18 Cliff Parsons Air Force 210
19 Grady O’Malley Manhattan 214
20 Carl Rodwell California-Riverside 217
1968 DRAFT
1 Skip Harlicka South Carolina 13
4 Bob Warren Vanderbilt 47
5 Rusty Parker Miami 61
6 Phil Wagner Georgia Tech 75
7 Oscar Smith Elizabeth City 89
8 Martin Baietti Manhattan 103
9 Mack Daughtry Albany State 117
10 Dwight Waller Tennessee State 131
11 Henry Watkins Tennessee State 144
12 Bill Harris Texas Western 157
12 Frank Standard South Carolina 169
13 George Hicker Syracuse 180
14 Bernie Foster Pasadena 188
15 Terry Allerton Baldwin-Wallace 196
truth-serum
March 20th, 2009
7:35 pm
Scottbravesfan
March 20th, 2009
6:18 pm
I appreciate your views. I definite don’t think the current starting qb for the falcons is better than Vick. Vick has exceptional talent that does also include being very fast. He also has a strong arm and posse’s problems for defensive co-coordinators.
The best thing that could happened to unify the city, (I agree with you that it’s torn among racial lines for the most part, but there are also many whites who support Vick), would be for a fair competition during training camp and let the best talent win. Along as Vick had a fair chance most blacks would accept that.
You are right Vick has had a ghetto upbringing and has not been as fortunate as you and I. I disagree with you on people’s ability to change, however. I don’t consider myself better. He has a right to seek God just like I do, by the grace of God go I.
Jeff Schultz
March 20th, 2009
5:28 pm
You have stated many things and there are a lot of people, (even here on this site) that think your word is mud. You do change your position with the wind. You misinterpreted Josh and Woodson by not understanding a fatherly coach and a young man’s maturing. Woodson has done an excellent job with the team. Woodson himself also referred to the negative divisive press. I copied and paste that to you, but you went into denial. It seems many people agree that you were very negative and unfair toward Woodson, yet continue to deny responsibility. The Hawks growth refuted your position and showed that Woodson took the right approach in pushing Josh to play the game with in his and the teams limits. He was right also to bench him, and they are better for it. You and the Bubba squad were calling for his head. The coach’s chastening wasn’t the problem with the Hawks slump. It was Josh shooting threes and bricking, Josh shooting air balls at the top of the key. That’s what the problem was. Josh’s game is going to the hole, blocking shots, and dunking!! Not going coast to coast. That was the problem. Not the fact that the coach stood up to him. That’s why you and the Bubba crew were wrong!
I do find myself in agreement with you that if Vick is given a second chance, he would have to overcome immeasurable odds. What a story that would be. I agree that he does deserve a chance to try. I’m sure if he was given the chance you’d write stories to encourage unity and hope.
I know you are from LA. I know LA very well myself. Your mentality, based on your writing, appears to me to be southern redneck. That’s why you have so many redneck supporters. I’m glad you got a laugh from the Bubba squad. They are very funny, mental slapstick comedy. The only problem is they are serious and thinking to the maximum of their ability. The article from Scott made me laugh too.
March 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
Shout out to Whammer you are a true fan of the Hawks and the Game.
scott
March 20th, 2009
10:17 pm
Hello “Truth -serum” (an ironic moniker, that): I was born and raised so far north of the Mason-Dixon line that half my lineage is in fact of French-Canadien (spelled with an “e”) extraction, so if you are gonna place me in the league of the so-called “Bubba Squad” please spell it with a french accent (”le bubbah squad-ah”, perhaps?). Vick sucks. Ryan rules. And yes I did type that just to piss you off. And the fact that it’s true.
Schultzie, reading that list of past Hawks draft picks made me weep just a little bit inside. Then I considered gouging out my eyeballs to make me forget what I had just read, until I remembered that this weekend is the best weekend of college basketball all year! So perhaps come Sunday night I will have forgotten reading that sad list of pathetic picks and thus save my eyes for a brighter day (OMG where is Sheldon Williams now? I have already wiped his memory from my synapses. And did you have to remind me that we drafted Gasol only to trade him for Shareef an hour later?)
truth-serum
March 21st, 2009
10:31 am
scott
March 20th, 2009
10:17 pm
El capitone’ le bubbah squad-ah – A pig with lipstick is still a hog.
truth-serum
March 21st, 2009
2:53 pm
The game is in the third quarter but the out come is pretty evident. They have a bona fide center that alters shots and finish in the low post. Our center ZaZa “Mr. Turnover” Paschulia is on the bench. Shultz and the journal constitution are concentrating on Woodson and Josh. Neither is the problem with us advancing in the playoffs. The lack of a center is. I don’t recall us beating any time this year with a bona fide center. If we did I’ll bet we can’t do it twice. I’ve said this for a while and I’ll say it again and again. You can’t compete at the next level without a center. Period. Don’t beat up on Woodson…. Get him the tools necessary to take to the next level.
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2009
11:01 am
Good Sunday morning: Since the Woodson-Smith relationship still is generating interest (even on an Al Horford column), I thought you’d be interested: Sekou wrote a great piece in Sunday’s paper summarizing things. Here’s the link: http://www.ajc.com/hawks/content/sports/hawks/stories/2009/03/20/josh_smith_woodson.html …. A few things we already knew about the two men were made clear in the story: Both want to win, both are stubborn, both are thin-skinned. But Sekou wove the story very well and I thought the final comment from Josh was pretty telling: “These past few games,” Smith said, “if you notice, a lot of that hard stuff hasn’t been said, and you see the results. That’s all I ask for. I know you’re going to get on me when you need to, because I’ve still got a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do. But if you leave me alone a little bit … it’s just easier to do your job that way.”
I was out with family yesterday and didn’t get a chance to see the Cleveland game. Was it as bad as advertised (40-16 at one point?). Ouch.
And now for something completely different: I need to write a column on Andruw Jones.
Submariner683
March 22nd, 2009
12:22 pm
Good morning. Great research on all those old draft picks. The Hawks didn’t pick Nique, but they got him before through trade before he every played an NBA game.
I’d have to go with the 1983 draft, getting Randy Wittman and Doc Rivers. Those two formed one of the top backcourts of the mid 80s, in my opinion.
You have proven my point, that list is one pathetic tale of drafting ineptitude. You have Kevin Willis in 84, solid player. 1985 you have Jon Koncack or as they liked to call him back then, Jon Contract. John Battle was a solid reserve guard. They draftd a bunch of NBA nobodys until 91, even then Augmon and Rodney Monroe were huge NBA disappointments for me. Augmon played several years, but was never the dominate player he was in college or I thought he could be in the NBA. Monroe was as good a guard in the ACC that there has been over the last 25 years. I don’t know what his deal was, if he was too short, had a bad attitude, or what. In 1995 the Hawks drafted Alan Henderson, who was a solid back up at best. He had a lot of health issues, but did a good job for the Hawks. Jason Terry a few years later, who is doing a great job for another team.
So, Mr Schultz, I can’t give them credit for making one smart pick out of over 20 years of drafting mediocrity. I know all teams miss on players, players just don’t pan out, etc. But you have to admit that the Hawks’ overall grade for draft day performance has to be an F. I’ll give the Hawks management, coaches a tip of my hat that they were so competitive from the mid 80s to the late 90s. A couple of solid trades helped them. Imagine how good the Hawks could have been had they actually added NBA talent to their roster all those years, instead of at best bench players or players who did not make it and were simply not good enough.
I of course don’t follow any NBA team as closely as I do the Hawks. Is there a team in the NBA that has drafted as poorly as the Hawks over the last 20 plus years?
Truth-serum
March 22nd, 2009
1:16 pm
Mr. Shultz, most realistic and progressive people already read Sekou. We’ve compared his view and yours all season long. Almost all of your blogs cells that reference the Hawks have writers who have tried to get you to adjust the divisiveness of your view to one more accurate such as Sekou’s. Yeah… we all know (i wrote you a lengthy piece detailing it a week or two ago) that Josh has a lot of growing up to do and Woodson takes a fatherly disciplinarian stance for the better of the team. It’s nice to see you’ve learned to appreciate that and accept the article as being good. Good for you. I can tell that this is revelation to you. It’s all so nice to see you and the Bubba posse have stop calling for Woodson firing.
Did you see how many long range jump shots Josh took and missed in Cleveland’s game? Yeah lots of growing to do. Any time you want to discuss getting a bona fide center feel free to chime in…The rest of us already now that what the Hawks need. There seven foot center denied us in the low post, which forced us from our game. Our 6’11 I/2” center demonstrated new ways to commit turnovers.
It’s nice to see that you can grow. It can’t be pleasant to write so much racial divide as you did in Michael Vick’s persecution. I think that’s why your following is mostly Bubba based rednecks. They gravitate to the racial hatred and divisiveness subliminally generated in your writings. Sekou’s writings draw more realistic, insightful thinkers, more progressive.
The bottom-line is I’m glad you’ve learned where Sekou’s link is. Anyone who checks your blog cells will find we’ve asked you and others to read his writings.
Truth-serum
March 22nd, 2009
1:19 pm
Kudos to you! You’ve got to the point of reading and acknowledging Sekou’s writing.
Shout out to the WHAMMER. The Snowman is MIA
pokey
March 22nd, 2009
1:31 pm
well the only thing i got to say about the 07 draft..i didnt like that the hawks DID NOT show more love for roy hibbert before draft to keep him in the draft…thats who the hawks number 11 pick should of been…
JSS
March 22nd, 2009
4:23 pm
Jeff Schultz, When you stop posting pictures, lies, and innuendo about teenage girls and barely legal women on your profile, then try slamming me… Your April 2006 Final Four Column bordered on the profane, you need a self-check… Still slamming the looks of teen-age girls (i.e. the Georgetown female cheer squad)? Does that make you feel manly? You’re no better than the Kapo’s who saved themselves at the expense of the lives of others… That is why you’re a coward!!! I told the truth about you… You did what you always do, crawl on your belly and throw firebombs from behind the bushes… A coward!!! When Woody wouldn’t address your foolishness and called you out and took your manhood in front of all to witness; you crawled away like an idiot… Your musings about the Spirit Group and the franchises that they own are borderline garbage… You name any organization with a legal fight and of course there will be chaos… You moron, that’s why we have courts…
Every time you post that lie (your comment) about once Michael Vick is released that you hold no animosity against him is just that, A L-I-E!!! That photo of the dog attacking him shows what kind a man you are, will be, and shall die as… He made his bed, and despite your reference to the contrary, he owned up to it and has taken his punishment (State prosecution not withstanding) and has taken it as accorded… I don’t care if he played for the Falcons again, I’d long given up on that franchise because of the divisive nature of it…
I’ve lived a lot of places and had the good fortune of reading great columnist: Povich, Murray, Falls, and McDonald… They knew and respected the athletes… If they didn’t like them, it never came across in their articles unless it was a matter to what was happening… Your writing is devoid of all of those qualities… That is why I call you a HACK!!!
Now you are such a Bad Man, bring it, but don’t and hide like a coward when comes back at you in the appropriate venom!!!
Jeff Schultz
March 22nd, 2009
4:43 pm
SUBMARINER: I haven’t researched other team’s drafts to that extent. Obviously teams like the Clippers and Cavaliers had years (decades?) of problems, but those weren’t limited to bad drafts. A lot started with ownership (Donald Sterling, Ted Stepien, respectively) and trickled down.
TRUTH: Sekou and I are co-workers. I’ve read him from day one and we’re good friends. So I hope you’re not suggesting that I’m just now starting to read him. We’re actually on the same wavelength on most things. The difference between Sekou and I is, as a columnist, I’m asked to give my opinion, whereas as a beat writer he can’t. But if you value his knowledge of the Hawks and the NBA and all things in general, and you believe we diverge that much, you can always ask him his opinion of me.
POKEY: When the Hawks made the decision to go with Horford at No. 3, it would’ve been tough to go for a center (Hibbert) with their next pick, given all the complaints about not having a point guard. Remember, Bibby wasn’t even here at that time. Whether Acie Law pans out or not, we’re still waiting for the answer.
JSS: Feel better? Hope so. I’m worried about you.
Snowman
March 23rd, 2009
5:17 am
…”Hawks most indispensable player”?…W-H-A-T?…”After an extended Mid-season hiccup”?…W-H-A-T?…1st of all Truth-Serum, Whammer, JSS and Wes big props to you all for “keeping it real”. I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond to Jeff’s non-sense. You want Woodson to be replaced it’s obvious and if the ownership is watching closely, it will not happen for a long, long time especially with all the progress that is being made. Well, you and I have that phrase in common because I WANT YOU REPLACED!!!…It is unbelievable to me that the Hawks and coach Woodson could be having the season they are having on the floor and the way they carry themselves off (no police blotters, nightlife drama, etc.). In fact, I am ALWAYS impressed the couple times I have stayed after when the Hawks have come to Washington D.C. how they take the time to sign autographs and pose for pics etc. I have a 10 and 13 year old and they have been spectacular and patient with them win or lose, after the game.
Now, about your latest article, the MOST indispensable player on that team is JOE JOHNSON period (and I LOVE AL HORFORD, Big-time!). You again are trying to be divisive in a passive aggressive sorta way. trying to stir it up in that locker room. Here is the point you have missed (surprise, surprise), everyone and I mean, everyone in that locker room knows Joe is the undisputed leader and MOST VALUABLE and MOST INDISPENSIBLE player on the team!!!
You made another back-handed put down in the article (What is your frickin problem Jeff???…You just can’t say positive things about Coach Woodson and the Hawks team?…did he take your girl or lunch money when you guys were kids or something? Maybe you played Tunk with him once and lost money to him…GET OVER IT!!!) when you said “after extended mid-season hiccups”…c’mon, those were road trips out west plus two losses to the Knicks and Charlotte, who by the way, are trying to make the playoffs themselves and I would not consider hiccups.
Truth-Serum is right, you have “hated” on coach for so long he had to make a comment about the negative press. I surely didn’t read about this sorta negativity in light of the success of the Falcons (even though I hate the Hawks/Falcon analogy) from you.
This Hawk team has been through allot over the last 5 years–a death of a team mate several years ago, front office turmoil, bad draft pics, bad free agent signing/s (Speedy Claxton), GM being replaced, no daft picks last year and in spite of it all, have gotten better and better and better each year while representing the city of Atlanta with class and dignity!!!!
As a writer, there are so many feel good angles you could go with however you ALWAYS take the negative and have been advocating (maybe subtly if not overtly) the removal of coach Woodson. I wonder how John Thompson, Bob Knight, Larry Brown would handle Josh Smith? The feud or the lost of Marvin, or the lost of Childress or anything else has not slowed down the progress of the Hawks one bit!
Finally, coach Woodson (in my humble opinion) has patterned this team after the Pistons (which he was the #1 assistant to Larry Brown in Detroit the year they won it). What that means is they play tough, tough defense, SHARE the basketball, have BALANCED scoring, REBOUND the basketball, work hard in a BLUE COLLAR sorta way. This means if you look at how many times they hold the opposition under 100, and their record when they do that, is terrific.
Woody worked with Ben Wallace in Detroit to bring out some of his offensive skills as he and his current coaching staff has worked with Al to bring out some of his offensive capabilities that others thought he did not have. Woodson and his terrific staff ( Drew, Bender, JT, Ballard, and Ty Hill) have done a great job coaching ‘em up (smile).
If the current Hawks had the bench that the Piston team had, Corlis Williamson, Elden Campbell, Mehmet Occur, Mike James, Lindsey Hunter, and even Darvin Ham we would be in the mix for a NBA title here in Atlanta this year.
They were a veteran team, and not a young team like the Hawks are currently. It is so hard to win in this league (virtually impossible on the road) when you are as young as the Hawks. However great progress is being made year after year!!!
In conclusion, coach Woodson keep up the good work, no, great work you are doing, Sekou keep writing your uplifting and balanced articles, Josh, listen to the coach, and AJC please go get yourself a better Columnist, one who supports the Hawks and not constantly tries to tear them down. When you do then you can move Jeff over to the Garden section (as previously suggested. smile)…I just feel so sorry for the Azaleas in April at Augusta National (smile)!!!…By the way, I have or had two columnist here in Washington named Tony K. and Michael Wilbon, you would be Jr. Varsity to their Varsity…Nuff said!!!…Please let’s get Jeff and his bad Karma away from our Hawks as they make a push to win the east. Jeff are you sure there is NOT a newspaper in L.A. you don’t want to go write for and leave the fickin Atlanta sports scene alone?…I’m just asking…
Keep up the good work Truth-Serum!!!…
Snowman
March 23rd, 2009
5:20 am
Jeff, I do think you and Sekou are night and day when it comes to writing about and feelings about coach Woodson and the Hawks. Your writing indicates that, BIG-TIME!…Do you agree?…
truth-serum
March 23rd, 2009
8:56 am
Snowman
March 23rd, 2009
5:17 am
BULLSEYE!! SNOWMAN!!
I hope the AJC sends you an application for Shultz’s job.
The two things keeping Atlanta from having any world championships (or national titles Bulldogs), is the negative divisive press from destructive writers like Shultz and racial hatred from the Bubba posse. Those two thing will never allow us to get and keep the type of talent necessary, nor the allow us to sustain an environment long enough to build, unite and develop a team and city to championship level. A team needs a city and a city needs a team.
The fal…cons are pretenders who played ball control offense to prevent turnovers. Norwood true enough, was runner up league MVP but I’d like to have a quarterback who’s a weapon and can do more than hand off to Norwood and throw a five yard out. How boring!! The falcon’s current qb may be a nice person but he’s not a defensive coordinators nightmare. He’s actually very bland and generic, boring. That type of quarterback will never win championships. Yes, you can run your way to the play-off with fresh runners like Norwood and Turner, ball controlling, but you will never win once you get there. The CONS went belly up in the first round, how boring was that? To win a super bowl you need super talent. It definitely did not inspire or unite a city that needs to heal, a city that Shultz help divide with his writings.
The only real contenders we have are the Hawks. Looks like Shultz is searching for a way to ruin them before they can get a center to stop teams from crushing us in the low post position. Shultz brags that he’s from Los Angeles which may be a clue to where his loyalties lie. I don’t think he is trying to build up the ATL. The braves are a joke and bubba base, they haven’t seriously competed since Chipper “Bubba” Jones said trade me or David Justice. The Dog will always be good because of the level of talent that runs through there but they will never win a national title because glamour boy Mark Richt is only average as a coach. You need superstar talent in the critical positions to compete for a title, falcons. The Dog are content to just compete in the SEC east and don’t have national aspirations. What a sad waste of talent.
It is nice to hear from the Snowman again. Good Writing.
Jeff Schultz
March 23rd, 2009
10:41 am
Maybe Truth Serum, JSS and Snowman should start the “I hate Jeff Schultz” club. I’ll make up T-shirts. Hey, if I can make a few bucks off of this – I mean, these days anything helps.
Snowman: Welcome back. I didn’t know you were up there near D.C. Is Kornheiser still writing? I thought he was just TV now. Funny guy. Say hi to Wilbon if you see him. Great guy, great writer. If I thought I looked as good bald as him, I’d shave my head.
On hiccups: I don’t think that was overstatement. The team started 21-10, then went 13-18, before the recent win streak. Even with some injuries and road games, I think 13-18 after a 21-10 start qualifies as hiccups. Even players in the locker room – and Mike Woodson – alluded to issues about defense, etc. But maybe you prefer another word. I dunno.
On Woodson: I will REPEAT now what I have said all season: He will be judged on what the team does in the playoffs, and that’s how it should be. I think Rick Sund made the same determination when he gave Woody a 2-year contract. Would you dispute that? If the Hawks do well in the playoffs, Woodson would – and should – get credit. Yes, the team’s record has improved every season under Woodson. But so SIGNIFICANTLY has the talent. No, he doesn’t deserve no credit for the record. He does deserve some. Overall, coaches should be judged on whether they are getting the maximum result from the players they are given, and that will be determined in the post-season. Let me ask you this: Is your opinion of Woody unchanged, whether the Hawks win no rounds in the playoffs, one or two?
If you’re going to quote me, quote me accurately. I wrote “arguably.” Obviously, without Joe the Hawks would lose their biggest scorer. But Al does so many things (as evidenced by team’s record without him) that I brings as much to the table. They obviously aren’t the same team without him.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks
JS
scott
March 23rd, 2009
11:23 am
I have printed the aforementioned t-shirts. I am selling them right now for $129.99 ($139.99 for XXL and XXXL) at “IHATEJEFFSCHULTZ.com” and if you buy now, you’ll receive a free SHAM-WOW! with your order. It appears I will make at least $389.97!!! Wooo-whooooo!!!
Sorry, Truth Serum, I have spelled Jeff’s last name correctly on the t-shirts. For an additional $19.95, I could print one that reads “I HATE JEFF SHULTZ” if you’d prefer your spelling of his name to appear on the t-shirt, as opposed to the correct spelling. Man, if you are gonna rip the dude a new one, can you at least spell his name right? I mean, how would you like being called “Truth-serem”?
I guess I should now go back to the Andruw Jones column to post on that topic.
Seriously, you haters ought to get a real job. Like my man Jamie “B-Rad” Kennedy said, “Don’t be hatin!”
BA
March 23rd, 2009
11:27 am
I’m seeing a lot of “bubba” stuff on here- guys are quick to point out that they’re NOT from the south. I don’t begrudge anyone’s pride in their roots. But being from the south doesn’t make you an automatic moron.
Woodson deserves far more credit than he gets here or nearly anywhere else. People don’t like the “boring” gameplan that he employs- they think we should just run like Phoenix. But Phoenix hasn’t won anything. Niether has the current installation of the Lakers. It takes defense, and the Hawks might be 50% of the defensive team they need to be to win it all.
To anyone that thinks Woodson hasn’t excelled, I’d point out that even the Sacramento Queens have an abundance of talent on the roster. Woodson has done the nearly impossible- he’s got a group of lottery picks (essentially a bunch of 20 year-old millionares)playing (for the most part) as a unit within a system.
It’s a similar thing with Billy Knight. Article after article (from Schultz and everybody else) about how foolish Knight was. We have a 50-win team now, so how foolish was the dude? It’s a media thing- kick ‘em when they’re down. Doubt we’ll see any of these columnists retracting anything around here.
Also, I didn’t get the impression that there was a “fued”. It’s basketball, on the highest level- I’d be shocked and dissapointed if guys weren’t yelling at each other. Smith and Flip Murray had an on-court blow-up early in the year, and now appear to fully support each other.
Now I’ll end this, ala Schultz, like a sixth-grade love letter-
Thanks, BA
BA
March 23rd, 2009
11:32 am
Truth serum is right- Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have never won anything with their bland, boring style of play…wait a minute…
And when did Chipper Jones demand that the Braves trade Justice? Is Serum breaking a huge story, or just pulling stuff out of his azz irresponsibly?
Hugs and Kisses,BA
BA
March 23rd, 2009
11:37 am
JSS, Vick didn’t “own up” to anything until a couple of his buddies had already turned on him.
Fascinating QB? Yes.
Did his time? Yes.
Responsible and forthcoming? Hardly.
Yours forever, BA
scott
March 23rd, 2009
11:50 am
I’m way ahead of you, Jeff. The “I HATE JEFF SCHULTZ” t-shirts can be had for $129.99 at IHATEJEFFdotcom ($139.99 for XXL and XXL sizes). Truth-serum, if you want Jeff’s name spelled incorrectly, like “Shultz” instead of “Schultz” I can print those for an additional 20 bucks. Order now and receive 2 free Sham-wow! rags with your order!!
scott
March 23rd, 2009
11:51 am
yeah, you dont sale and you dont sell either
BA
March 23rd, 2009
11:56 am
Also, Schultz- I heard your grandma’s cooking is awful. And your b.o. is killing AJC readership.
truth-serum
March 23rd, 2009
12:24 pm
scott
March 23rd, 2009
11:51 am
Guys like Shultz use that to sale papers without consideration of its effects. How base and untalented.
My bad Scott. Thats sell not sale. Thanks for catching that . What a great proof reader you are.
truth-serum
March 23rd, 2009
12:31 pm
scott
March 23rd, 2009
11:51 am
Scott this excerpt is from the Shultz writing above.
But Al does so many things (as evidenced by team’s record without him) that I brings as much to the table.
I know what a wonderful proof reader you are, but when did Shultz play for the Hawks? Is he competing against Al?
I understood his point. Hopefully you understood mine.
scott
March 23rd, 2009
1:21 pm
Can you at least spell the guy’s name write, I mean rite, I mean correctly, if you are gonna rip him a new one every time you post to this page? Good Lord I hope they don’t fire him, what would you do with your free time?
truth-serum
March 23rd, 2009
3:23 pm
scott
March 23rd, 2009
11:50 am
I’m way ahead of you, Jeff. The “I HATE JEFF SCHULTZ” t-shirts can be had for $129.99 at IHATEJEFFdotcom ($139.99 for XXL and XXL sizes). Truth-serum, if you want Jeff’s name spelled incorrectly, like “Shultz” instead of “Schultz” I can print those for an additional 20 bucks. Order now and receive 2 free Sham-wow! rags with your order!!
I C.
I don’t think he’s worth that…unless you are trying to belittle the resentment that’s accumulated against him. Oh that’s a wise idea… a diversionary tactic. You are so smart. You are just like Schlitz.
Snowman
March 23rd, 2009
10:02 pm
The Hawks are up 58-36 at the half…W/OUT MARVIN AGAIN AND YOU DON’T THINK WOODY IS COACHING ‘EM UP????…H-E-L-L-O???…this is the Atlanta Hawks NOT the LA Lakers, for Pete’s sake!!!…This win would give the Hawks 42 wins and make them 28-7 at home this season. The ONLY two teams who have had a better home record in the Eastern Division is Cleveland and Boston…that’s the list!!!…By the way, when was the last time the Hawks were relevant…seriously, when???
Here is my major rub about you Jeff…In the BIG PICTURE, turmoil in the front office, no draft pics 2008, no money to sign a player or two at the trade deadline, the injuries not just to Marvin but to Josh earlier this year, the no signing of an adequate BIG this summer to help Al and Zsa, Zsa (we all saw how we got beat on the boards in the Celtics series last year by those Celtic young-ens, Powe and Perkins), because we changed GM’s the philosophy’s have to be different, the expectations were higher given the performance against the Celtics this season, Acie’s development has not happened as fast as everyone would have liked, and the fact coach wanted a longer contract than the one he received last summer…the Hawks, with that as the back drop keep working, keep playing hard, keep winning, staying positive and make no excuses…it’s re marketable!!!…Look these guys still listen, don’t quit, keep getting better and better (there have been 12 coaches fired this season and Vinny is next…smile).
Like Saturdays game against Cleveland, the 31-1 at home Cleveland, an after Woody was tossed and they had been down over 22 points or so they never quit and loss by ONLY 6!…they could have mailed it in but did not…now that’s character and these have allot of it!!!…Now that is coaching (period!!).
Coach Woodson has managed these professional basketball players (and their egos) with respect and firmness and they trust in Woody. He has managed his way NO MATTER WHAT THE ISSUE is with a stunning and blue collar brilliance based on his core value of how things should be done and how the game should be played…
And so Jeff, you come at Wood with this narrow view of wins or losses in the playoffs. Look if dude wins 48/49/50 games and wins the 1st round of the Playoffs you should write an open apology (if you still have a job) to him for the city of Atlanta…but you won’t or will you?…Just wondering because if he doesn’t do those thins you will definitely ask for his head on a platter.
Coach plans the work and then works the plan…and finally in the city of Atlanta, the Hawks are relevant and have incredible possibilities with one of those possibilities being an NBA Championship!!!!…
Coach Knight and Larry Brown have to be so proud to see there student reflect and believe and trust what he has been taught about how the game should be played and how to play the game the right way.
Oh, and one last small fact, Cleveland was 18-23 on the road last year and there are ONLY 8 teams currently in the league with a winning road record. Again Wood’s formula is let’s win at home first and then as we continue to mature and we will learn how to win on the road. it is a process and I’m glad coach Woodson is directing that process!!!….By the way Hawks win 109-97, now 42-29 (smile)…Go Hawks and Go Woody!!!…Jeff has the talent gotten better really or is it the coaches (including the assistants, who have coached ‘em up and they have worked out hard during the summer season)?…
I am not as edgy tnight, what’s up with that?…smile…Truth-Serum, JSS, Whammer, and RA keep after him, please!…
Truth-serum
March 24th, 2009
11:01 am
Hey, Schultz, Scott the spelling police has been on me about your name. I sorry if I offended you it wasnt my intention, just an oversight. Next time you are offended please dont sic your hate captain on me. Just point out the error. I ll correct it. My bad. I hope you guys dont lynch me like you did Michael Vick.
Oh speaking of Micheal Vick, heres something I found that might make you feel good… Like Woodson makes you feel….
I thought I’d give you some basic material so you can put a positive and uplifting perhaps unifying spin to it, here goes:
By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, March 23, 2009
New counsel says book by Falcons QB possibly ‘in the making’
Embattled quarterback Michael Vick, with his potential release to a halfway house looming, has switched criminal defense attorneys.
Daniel Meachum, an original member of Vick’s defense team, has signed an exclusive three-year contract to represent Vick.
“Yes, I’m representing Mike again,” said Meachum on Monday, adding that he “withdrew” from the case and was not fired from the original defense team.
Billy Martin of Washington, D.C., and Lawrence Woodward of Virginia Beach had been making court appearances for Vick in criminal matters. Martin and Woodward did not immediately return phone calls.
Meachum, of Atlanta, has represented high-profile athletes before. Joel Segal, Vick’s agent, will continue to represent him in football matters.
“My concern is helping Michael get back to his family and surround him with people like Julius Erving, Tony Dungy and Bishop T. D. Jakes. We need people around him who can help him and his family get back on the right track. I’m more interested in that than anything else.”
Vick may be released from federal prison to a halfway house in late May. His scheduled released date from federal custody on dog fighting charges is July 21.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has refused to comment on Vick’s potential re-instatement.
“He has served his time,” Meachum said. “He’s remorseful for his mistakes. I hope they give him another opportunity, but football will take care of itself.”
Vick allegedly has written a book while in prison and is seeking co-authors and a publisher.
“That may or may not be in the making,” Meachum said. “That would too premature right now. But I’m committed to helping Mike get back on his feet.”
It’s nice to see that there are caring people whose nature is to help someone who’s on the wrong track. It’s so easy and base to choose to hate, condemn, and divide.
Shout out to the Bubba posse.
El capitone’ le bubbah squad-ah – A pig with lipstick is still a pig.
Jeff Shultz, is Scott an honorary member of your BUBBA SQUAD or a hate captain?
P.S. Woodson has his Hawks…rolling now hate up on that!
Snowman
March 24th, 2009
8:54 pm
Happy Birthday Coach Woodson (smile)!!!…
truth-serum
March 25th, 2009
9:35 pm
San Antonio is dominating in the paint!!! Led by 6′1″ Tony Parker the Spur runs right down the Hawks throat. Parker Kills them in the paint for 42, most of which were lay ups of the dribble.
I’ve got an Ideal, let’s ignore the fact that our center Pachulia is on the bench watching.
Rather than try and get someone to stop other teams from driving down our throats, lets attack Woodson. Yeah that’s the ticket. It s Woodson’s fault, fire the coach. Right, Schultz. What type of professional analysis is that Jeff?
Every good team knows that the way to beat the Hawks is attack the middle, not the coach.