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
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.