This is a lesson on how not to close the deal
Dwyane Wade (41 points) was at one level Friday night, and the Hawks were significantly below in a 98-72 loss to the Heat.
MIAMI — It really doesn’t matter what it was the Miami Heat finally zeroed in on Friday night as a source of motivation. Pretty much everything had been thrown out there — an “insulting” showboating dunk attempt by Josh Smith in Game 5, an excitable turbo-lipped broadcaster, possibly even global warming.
Here’s the only real question that matters: What happened to the Hawks’ motivation?
With a chance to clinch their first playoff series in 10 years, they instead reminded everybody why it has been 10 years.
They lost 98-72. That’s really only an assumption because most people stopped paying in the third quarter.
“I didn’t have a good game, and a lot players on the team didn’t have a good game,” said Josh Smith. If nothing else, he gets points for his ability to summarize. (And there is nothing else: He was 3-for-13 for eight points.)
The Hawks shot 37 percent. They watched Dwyane Wade score 41 points and rookie Michael Beasley add 22 points and 15 rebounds. If the first is forgivable, the second isn’t. They were outworked on the boards. They didn’t play defense, constantly allowing the Heat to drive into the lane.
Instead of knocking Miami players down, they held up traffic for them.
The Hawks had mused over the Heat’s seemingly artificial motivation techniques. Maybe they should’ve been more concerned about their own — artificial or otherwise.
They led only once — at 8-7. They trailed by 14 points in the first quarter, nine at halftime, 21 in the third and by then everybody in blue stopped watching, not that their eyes seemed open to begin with.
This was not how a team closes out an opponent in the playoffs
Mike Bibby actually was the only Hawk who acted like he was ready for LeBron James and Cleveland in Round 2. He had 20 points by halftime, and that’s about the only thing that created any second-half suspense, such as it was. But when Miami scored the first 10 points of the third quarter, that was gone, too.
Had the Hawks won Friday, they would’ve flown to Cleveland after the game. Instead, it’s quite possibly the strangest 3-3 series in NBA playoff history. The final point spreads have been 26, 15, 29, 10, 15 and 26.
“This series has been a little bit schizophrenic,” said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra.
Certainly, the Hawks have. They had better hope they have at least one road trip left in the season because now they’re going to a seventh game with Miami. It will be at Philips Arena on Sunday. Home-court advantage is what the Hawks worked for all season.
That should be a comforting thought for Hawks fans. But after what we witnessed Friday night — not so much the loss but the lopsided nature of it — can we possibly know what to expect?
Can home-court dominance (33-11, including the playoffs) trump a team that shows it’s capable of shooting 37 percent in a potential clinching game? Joe Johnson had two fouls in the first two minutes and struggled to get back into the flow of the game in the second quarter. Smith was alternately invisible or out of control.
Worst of all, the Hawks lacked any sense of urgency, particularly on defense. Miami players were left wide open for easy jumpers. Beasley and Joel Anthony controlled the boards.
We could’ve figured the Hawks would be hurt by the absence of Al Horford, who rapidly has become one of the team’s more indispensable players. But that doesn’t explain everything. And the Heat was missing Jermaine O’Neal.
What was it Flip Murray had said before the game? “We want to end it tonight. We want to come out strong and execute, take their crowd out of the game early and end this thing.
What was it Bibby had said? “In this series the main thing has been who hits the other team first. That’s the team that comes out on top.”
Miami hit. The Hawks forgot to duck.
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127 comments Add your comment
irishmafia
May 1st, 2009
11:02 pm
Worried? LOL apparently the Heat weren’t worried about the Hawks. The vastly overrated Hawks, one of the worst franchises in the NBA, led by the worst coach in NBA history (apoligies to Isiah Thomas) . CMON be real the Hawks are a mentally challenged unmotivated teamwork lacking bunch of misfits.
Anthony
May 1st, 2009
11:03 pm
They should have stayed home. No passion at all. I don’t understand how they can decide to play hard or not to. I blame it on each player to be accountable, the coach to get them motivated. Also, Wade got all the calls. Pitiful referees calling the game. And at every break showing a Wade highlight. If you noticed whenever we got fouled or there was a question if we got fouled or not you never saw a replay, except when Wade got fouled. I hated this game. I hope somebody will light a match under their tales.
Left to Right
May 1st, 2009
11:08 pm
Trade Joe Johnson.
JK
May 1st, 2009
11:08 pm
Maybe Schultz needs to call out Joe again. He played pretty good in game 5. I directly attribute that to the Ordinary Joe article.
JK
May 1st, 2009
11:11 pm
Here’s the problem. There have been no close games in this series. If game 7 is a close one, Bibby is the only player that’s playing clutch right now. D-wade will get all the calls. The Hawks better come out to play and keep command of the game. If it’s close late, it’ll be JJ’s last chance in my book. Losing this series would be a huge step backward.
Heat Fan!
May 1st, 2009
11:11 pm
Hello My Feathered Friends – Game 7 – Should be fun, huh?
lawton
May 1st, 2009
11:12 pm
mark bradley said the hawks were a force. lol 40 years, and they still rebuilding, scrubs. even if they win, cleveland gonna mop them up.
Heat Fan!
May 1st, 2009
11:20 pm
Anthony (Tony), do i hear whinning? Maybe if the hawks had a superstar, calls would go your way. Johnson had a great season, but has disappeared in the playoffs. Superstar? hardly
Anthony
May 1st, 2009
11:21 pm
Heat Fan,
Not much to say here. We never showed up. Very pitiful. We’ll be lucky to win #7 if we don’t come with more passion and attitude. Heat did whatever they wanted. I’m a hawks fan but I’m not stupid. You can brag all you want with the way it went down tonight
Heat Fan!
May 1st, 2009
11:24 pm
been following the NBA long enough. bragging does nothing. honestly this series is actually a joke. i’ve never seen two teams be so inconsistent. it’s scary. hopefully both teams show up sunday. gotta give some props to Joel Anthony though. unbelievable filling in for JO
J.J.M.
May 1st, 2009
11:33 pm
This has been a horrible series. Games are not even close. refs seem to let the crowd controll the game calls. game 6 Wade Ft 16-17 hawks 11-18. i mean come on How you shoot more free throws then an entire team. Other that Heat wanted it more and smh @ the hawks assumin that they will win game 7. Anybody knows whats up with joe johnson?
Ariose
May 1st, 2009
11:40 pm
Words cannot express my anger right now. Marvin, Al, and Acie have let us down with their stupid a$$ injuries, Joe refuses to attack and the bench is a no show. I don’t even want to talk about the whack azz refs GIVING the game away with their biased calls.
We’ve waited ALL SEASON for our team to get back to this point and I am EXTREMELY dissapointed. I don’t care, trade marvin’s soft azz. I bet Rudy Gay or even Wade would’ve played with those injuries man(Actually Wrist inuries can be very painful, i’ve had one before but it’s the playoffs man, such that Shyt up and ball). This postseason has been a HUGE DISSAPOINTMENT…PERIOD. This series’ should’ve been over TWO GAMES AGO man. This is just stupid.
Joe needs to stop acting like a BI@#$%ch and attack that damn doubleteam. Wade does…
JayRoot
May 1st, 2009
11:41 pm
.
Another so-called sports pundit. Ha!
Are you not the same guy who said the Hawks would win this game … on the road no less.
What a joke. The birds are missing a superstar who can put “they foot in they hin parts, yo”. Man I so hoodish and I don’t even know it.
.
The Truth
May 1st, 2009
11:43 pm
Heat Fan
As much as we love our Hawks, we know good and bad basketball when we see it. Tonight, the Hawks played very bad basketball with the series on the line. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Even though the ref played a role in the outcome, we’re not going to whine about it. See you again in the ATL.
Jim
May 1st, 2009
11:48 pm
This TEAM WILL NEVER win anything with Woodson coaching– no guts whatsoever– Johnson is a joke for what we pay him, and Marvin has no guts to play.
Jim
mykhalc
May 1st, 2009
11:48 pm
when the HC cannot command then he cannot demand. and when he does not demand then he cannot command!! and that’s exactly why no one OTHER than BIBBY knows how to win. BIBBY does not rely on WOODSON for anythin’ other than PT. everybody else on this team is a direct relection of WOODSON (FLIP and MO not as much as the rest tho) simply put…WOODSON’s GOTTA GO…PERIOD!!!!
mykhalc
May 1st, 2009
11:49 pm
s/b reflection
Heat Fan!
May 1st, 2009
11:54 pm
The Truth: if you’re a fan of the NBA, doesnt’ matter which team you pull for. this series is horrible! home court – means nothing – it’s who shows up, plain and simple. Your superstar JJ has disappeared in the post season. Wade has had what 3 good games. Let’s hope for a good game sunday. And the subtle comment about the refs, does still sound like whinning. – just had to add that in there
FrenchyFries
May 1st, 2009
11:56 pm
New look Hawks road map to win the finals!
- started last year when the goal was actually making the playoffs.
this year is making it to the 2nd Round.
a year from now it’ll probably be not getting swept in the 2nd Round.
2 years from now it’ll be making it to the finals.
3 years from now it’ll be not getting swept in the finals.
and finally 4 years from now, when all the pieces are in place, the hawks win the finals.
shannon
May 1st, 2009
11:56 pm
Please add more refs to games. This was a joke. I watch Wade elbow Evans and knock him down and the foul is called on Evans. Then, I see Josh Smith get hammered by two guys, and no foul called. A foul is a foul. Period. If Wade can get a call 90% of the time he drives to the basket, but JJ gets it called 30% of the time, we won’t win.
shannon
May 1st, 2009
11:57 pm
S**w Wade.
DrewCat
May 2nd, 2009
12:00 am
OK seriously Schultz, how long`before we start hearing trade rumors for JJ? His disappearance in this series is inexcusable, which makes him dispensable. And his defense on Wade is just as bad as any other Hawk player. He has had almost no impact on the entire series! He makes 14 million. can we at least get some leadership from the $14 mill dollar man? I DON’T THINK SO!!! Let him go for a player with heart.
Hell we’ll take A.I. LOL
DavidT
May 2nd, 2009
12:01 am
Hi everybody. Wanted to ask a question to all on this thread. Of course the Hawks have the advantage with the decisive game in their building. Aside from that,what team do you think has more pressure on them? Who is more apt to cave and wilt if things don’t go there way Sunday?
Ben
May 2nd, 2009
12:04 am
Both of these teams are an inconsistent joke. This is a battle for who wants to lose to the Cavs. The only person who wins in this series is the owner(s) who will get to sell a few more tickets to the next round. Worst series I’ve ever watched. As a Hawks fan I say Go Hawks? I guess? whatever.
frank
May 2nd, 2009
12:10 am
Everybody wants to see D-Wade – Lebron in the second round of the playoffs. who wants to see Lebron – Hawks?? give me a break. The heat will win on sunday and move on, while you guys can start watching some braves games. GO HEAT!!!
Ben
May 2nd, 2009
12:15 am
What does that have to do with ANYTHING frank? Who cares what “everybody” wants to see? What makes you think the Heat will win on Sunday? Was it the win in Game 2? Or was it the blow out, never within 14, loss in Game 5? Kill yourself.
DavidT
May 2nd, 2009
12:17 am
Agreed, whoever advances come Sunday will be surely bounced by Cleveland in round 2. As a HEAT fan, I want as many playoff games as possible for the rookies, Beasley and Chalmers. The experience will only make them better down the road. Imagine the starting 5 on come 2010:
Mario Chalmers PG
Dwayne Wade SG
Michael Beasley SF
Chris Bosh PF
Any center will do……
Heat Fan!
May 2nd, 2009
12:19 am
Miami is a nicer city then Atlanta and the Heat will win this series in 7 !! It is because the Hawks don’t have a superstar like Wade who is NOT a prima donna!!
DavidT
May 2nd, 2009
12:24 am
As for you Hawks fans complaining about the refs whistle, go check the boxscore. 24 personal fouls called against Atlanta and 21 called against the HEAT. Oh yeah, big advantage there, getting 3 more foul calls. Give me a break. Hawks were completely outplayed. Enough said.
Scot
May 2nd, 2009
12:26 am
Regardless of the outcome Sunday, this series is a step backward and a huge disappointment. Last year the Hawks took the NBA champs to 7 games with a healthy KG. This year they go 7 with a mediocre 5 seed.
DavidT
May 2nd, 2009
12:33 am
Forget everything else, Sunday’s Game 7 comes down to the simple question of which means more: Having homecourt advantage or having Dwyane Wade?
The Truth
May 2nd, 2009
12:35 am
Heat Fan!
Just to show you that I am a good sportsman, I will give you that little jab. Also, I must agree with you, if you are a spectator with no emotional ties to either team, then yes this has been a horrible series to watch. Regarding JJ, I have to differ somewhat, As much as I am disappointed with his performance tonight, I also understand how the defense is playing him compared to D Wade. Our defense is playing Wade one-on-one while the Heat defense is constantly double and treble teaming JJ. His only best option is to pass off. The problem tonight was that his supporting cast was not making those shots. However, D Wade, the superstar that he is, has been free to go one-on-one with his defender and has had his way. So it’s unfair to compare Wade and JJ offensively. Having said that, however, what I am disappointed in JJ is not his offense production but is lack of energy and leadership. He’s got one more game to show up or else he’s going fishing early.
Birddawg
May 2nd, 2009
12:38 am
The truth of the matter is, the only thing missining from this team is leadership. There’s not another team in the East except for maybe Boston and Chicago that has as much talent top to bottom as the Hawks. Unfortunately, the Hawks are also the only team that is totally devoid of any leadership whatsoever. Why doesn’t anyone screen for JJ like the Heat do for Wade? Because there is no leadership from coaching. Why does a team with a chance to clinch a series come out with no emotion or drive whatsoever? Because there is no leadership among the players. This is just pathetic. The answers seem so easy, yet no one on the Hawks’ team seems to be able to figure it out.
Paulie
May 2nd, 2009
12:38 am
Someone once said that really good teams hate to lose. I mean really, really hate to lose. Can’t imagine themselves losing. I think, by definition, that means that they can only imagine themselves winning. The Hawks can’t imagine themselves winning, therefore, they will not win. They didn’t win when it mattered last year in the playoffs; they didn’t win this year during the season when it mattered; and they won’t win Sunday.
Paulie
May 2nd, 2009
12:45 am
Sorry, hit the wrong button before I was quite done. I blame the coach and, especially the GM. What the hell has the GM done since becoming GM? Not a damn thing, far as I can tell. Get us some help inside. Get us some help outside. Get rid of an ineffective, uninspiring coach. Bench players for poor play (J Smooth, my ass), and MOTIVATE. Maybe I’m just an old, white guy who used to play some back in the day, but, damn, I can’t imagine sitting out a game with a wrist injury (after participating in shoot around that a.m.–are you kidding me???) Anyone remember Willis Reed, dragging his leg out of the locker room to lead the Knicks against the Celtics? Even freaking Wilt played hurt. I could go on, but you get all my points, I’m sure. Very, very disappointed. Not a team at all, just a group of overpaid, stupidly dressed wannabes.
GOHAWKS
May 2nd, 2009
12:47 am
PLEASE MIAMI……… sell out your playoff game and then talk to me about a bad franchise…… THERE WERE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF EMPTY SEATS IN THAT CRAP ARENA
Ariose
May 2nd, 2009
1:04 am
I’m tired of the media bashing J-Smoove. When we had only 13 wins in a season, Smoove was the ONLY reason to show up. I’m tired of idiots from ESPN like Mark Stien reporting false information and dragging his name and reputation through the mud. Then he doesn’t even give a formal apology on national T.V. He just says that his information was false!
Then Stupid azz Fratello says that that was an immature move with the dunk? What? Bit@!#ch his is an entertainmet industry hoe, everyone and they mama wanted to see Smoove do something spectacular and i’m sure Josh knew it too. He wanted to oblige the fans like we’ve supported him. Shut tha f@#$ck up stupid media idiots.The FANS cut that check home, hell Fratello without the fans you’d be out of a job. Fan support is the most important thing and it wasn’t even a close game, what better time would there be to do it. If that was Kobe, LeBron Or Vince you wouldn’t have said shyt. You watch ONE Hawk game all season, then you spout your false information like you know something. It was a CRIME that Josh hasn’t made sportsenter’s top 10 since the playoffs started. Especially after game one…..all of the top 10 should’ve had him in it. They continue to try to paint one of the nicest and most passionate players you’ll ever meet as a sehlfish, brainless village idiot……I’m sick of it!
Your ruining the mans reputation for no reason. While you pump up guys who i’m sick and tired of heaing about like Lebron. He’s not 280lbs!!!! Zaza wighs 285lbs and he can barely get off the ground. Smoove is WAY bigger than Lebron and he aint 275….stop this stupid crap!!!!
And why the hell are they tAlkin’ bout’ Wades back While he’s droppin’ 29pts on our home floor? Funny how his back only hurts when their getting blown out or the calls arent going his way.
We’re down TWO STARTERS and all they do is bash us. How about some REAL COVERAGE? How about some detals on the severity on Marvin’s injury huh? What about Acie’s Back? Al’s Ankle? They don’t care. But they can talk about how bad Wades back is scrwed up while he’s dunking his way to 29+ points while mugging the crowd…..whatever…
I was watchin Sports south at the same time BTW….they should just broadcast our local telecast throught the whole United States b/c i’m tired of this biased and spineless national coverage.
They don’t kow shyt….and F#@$ck Jeff Van Gundy!! Thats why you don’t have a job anymore dude. What did J-Smoove do to you? How is being engaged in the game and ACTUALLY CARING about the calls and your play immature? Josh had a bad game but at least he cares. He takes shots becaus he knows the team needs a jumpstart. Hell, Joe’s not gonna do it, so somebody has to try.
I don’t understand why it’s so hard fo Joe to understand that YOU CAN’T WAIT FOR THE DOUBLETEAM TO COME TO YOU!!!!!! Just F-ing catch and go man damn!!! You’ll get fouls that way because you’ll be suprising the defense and catching them off-balance. Alsoo, YOU CAN”Y MAKE ANY SHOTS OF YOU DON’T TAKE ANY MAN……..JOE STEP THA FU%@$CK UP AND PLAY BALL MAN…..DAMN. ATTACK THE DAMN DOUBLETEAM AND GOT TO THE DAMN LINE BRUH!!!!
Brian
May 2nd, 2009
1:05 am
It doesn’t matter who wins game 7. Hell, you could take players from both squads and make one team and they would still get beat by LeBron in the 2nd round. Neither of these teams deserve to win this series.
BarkingBulldawg
May 2nd, 2009
1:12 am
Hopefully this is a lesson for you on the Hawks. Nothing new. We didn’t get it doneon the road. SOMEONE told you so much in your last column where you proudly declared we would win Game 6.
Leave the Hawks to Sekou, Schultz. The Falcons could use you though.
james
May 2nd, 2009
1:18 am
I hate to admit it but Brian (above) has got something–whichever team wins this series doesn’t deserve it…
Hawks, lets put a game together for the home crowd on Sunday… You guys have only gotten better for the past few years, let’s show it!
DavidT
May 2nd, 2009
1:28 am
To GOHAWKS above, the game was sold-out. Just thought you’d like to know. I don’t see what that has to do with anything. Glad you weren’t on my debate team in high school.
BigHawk
May 2nd, 2009
1:32 am
To the Joe Johnson haters out there:
I am a die-hard Atlanta fan, have been all my life and will always stick by my teams in the best and worst of times.
I am getting really upset seeing all the comments on JJ. He is an all-star. What some of you may not get is that Joe is being double-teamed EVERY time he touches the ball. Therefore, Joe is not going to force the issue and jack up a bad shot. What he is doing, rather, is finding the open team mate and creating offense that way.
Where is the talk about Josh Smith taking all the outside jump shots and missing time and time again. We all know J-Smoove can’t hit from that range, but when he plays with the inside mentality and drives to the basket, he is one of the best in the league and can hardly be stopped. The difference in these games that the Hawks have won is smart TEAM basketball and playing with intensity and urgency. It’s not fair to blame one player for what he does on the floor. THe Hawks lose as a team, not just by Joe, Josh, Al, Marvin, Bibby, Mo, Flip, or Zaza.
GO HAWKS!!
GOHAWKS
May 2nd, 2009
1:33 am
DavidT did you even watch the game,,…… anyway Hawks win Sunday……. hopefully
Dadddy Long Long
May 2nd, 2009
1:35 am
Gotta call out Josh and Avg. Joe. 013pts a game in the playoffs? PLAYOFFS? Wow, hard to imagine lack of production your team captain.
Tech sucks
May 2nd, 2009
1:35 am
Can ANYONE get Josh Smith to stop shooting jump shots? He is so terrible at shooting.
Whopper Dawg
May 2nd, 2009
1:40 am
Coaching. Up and down, no consistency, no D, no half court, the Hawks have good, maybe real good athletes – but don’t play as a team by and large and it is due to coaching, coaching, coaching.
chris
May 2nd, 2009
1:57 am
As much as I’m loyal to the team, I’d like whatever has to happen to happen so that Woody is canned next year. They have no plays and absolutely no clues what they are doing on the court. They have the worst movement w/o the ball and the worst screens I’ve ever seen. if they luck out tomorrow and take the game because they shoot a little better or the heat shoot a little worse, it doesn’t matter. They needs leadership.
Joe
May 2nd, 2009
2:02 am
Woody, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease put a shock collar on J. Smith. Watching him shoot from the outside is unbearable.
G. Tampa Bedwetter
May 2nd, 2009
2:10 am
how stupid do you have to be to not realize the Hawks are “coaching impaired”?
Dr. Warren
May 2nd, 2009
2:11 am
MY COMMENT THURSDAY TO MARK BRADLEY’S BLOG:
Let’s not ignore the pattern. Every time the Hawks look superior, and a cinch to win the next game, they don’t. That is their identity–a frequently good team that loses focus and intensity at potentially transcendent (for the franchise) moments. They’ll lose in Miami, Horford or not. But they’ll probably win game 7. If it sounds like I’m contradicting myself, I’m not. They’ll win because it’s at home
BBall Wise Guy
May 2nd, 2009
2:29 am
All I got to say is the Hawks don’t play with no Heart or Passion on the road like they do at Home. They are easily to get rattled, always complaining about every call, and play lost on Defense. I grandamnteed you if they somehow win this game 7 the CAVS. will kill they a$$ in Cleveland. They should have had the killer instinct and won this game tonight but instead they want to relay on a game 7 against D. Wade who has championship experience with single handily destroying the Mavericks in 06 Finals.
uga sucks
May 2nd, 2009
3:28 am
Hawks will come out fired up and win game 7. That’s just how it’s gonna be. And Heat fan, are you really bragging about being on the debate team? I’m glad you weren’t on my football team…
uga sucks
May 2nd, 2009
3:28 am
my bad its davidT
IlliniDawg
May 2nd, 2009
3:42 am
As a Brave, Falcon, & Dawg fan for almost 40 years, I’m just amazed that anybody really cares about how the Sparrows (or the Trashers) play. Seriously, both of these franchises totally suck. Both are a joke – neither taken seriosuly by anyone. I gave up caring about 7 or 8 years ago. Until we get players who have some guts to go with their skill, like Dominique and Kevin Willis, we will continue to wallow in mediocrity.
ken
May 2nd, 2009
4:33 am
they played horrible basketball, the refs cheatin like hell. i couldnt watch the 4th. the refs did the same in the last miami game, but the difference the hawks played sound basketball all the way through. team basketball.
ken
May 2nd, 2009
4:35 am
its crazy how heat fans come to our blog to talk crap. i be visiting after sunday. GO HAWKS
bob
May 2nd, 2009
5:56 am
heat fan – will your momma be selling t-shirts with your picture and a zero near the arena again?
Big Daddy
May 2nd, 2009
6:17 am
I have read the commments and nobody seems to be addressing the elephant in the room. Why, when Miami’s bigs are crashing the boards, and defending in the paint is Josh Smith standing at the foul line. And why is Woodson keeping him in when as big as he is and as high as he can jump doesn’t he become a force in the paint. Josh should spend the whole summer developing post moves. And Woodson should bench him when he won’t go into the paint on offense. Also, it is like no one wants to get hit going to the basket. I know there have been some fouls that have not been called, but on the replays, both teams are getting away with fouls that aren’t called. I won’t belabor what everyone else has said for JJ. However, the Miami coach has come up with plays where key screens are set for D Wade to get through a crowd and to the basket. We are not. They are attacking the basket when we are throwing up three’s. They are passing the ball around when we are going one-on-one. The good teams and coaches adjust when the refs don’t seem to be making the proper calls, we are getting technicals and flagrant foul calls. Finally, I hope Josh get fined, by the league or the team, for trying to bait the Heat player into a fight. Young player or not he should know better than to do something like that. If a fight does happen he would have been watching game 7 from the locker room. I have been following the Hawks as my team since they moved from St. Louis and I hope, with such an opportunity that they have, the team comes out with defensive intensity and doing what has become a cliche “take what the defense gives them” and wins this thing. GO HAWKS!!!!
NCBravesFan
May 2nd, 2009
6:21 am
Most likely, the Hawks will close it out tomorrow at Philips – but if they do notch a win, who can feel good about the way they will have done it?
No-one expects them to beat Cleveland, but if they don’t pleasantly surprise in that series (should they make it), the Hawks will have taken all their hard work and good will from last year and promptly flushed it down the toilet.
eturn
May 2nd, 2009
7:07 am
Ok just because you criticize a player dont make you a hater. It means you can see the flaws in their game. JJ is just a good player, JS is young player who can be good with better coaching. Woodson gotta go. If you actually watch the hawks play, they are not very fluid on the court. They seem to play jerky style, like a car that needs a tuneup. Other teams have the fluid style. Ball moving ,players moving, everything fluid. The Hawks players dont seem to mesh at all times..Back to coaching. Im a Hawks fan..been watching them since Sweet Lou Hudson. But when i see bad play I criticise. Rick Sund wake up.
RA
May 2nd, 2009
7:14 am
Alright, please allow me to preface the brutal truth in mitigating nicities. First, in the first quarter, a quarter that ultimately has indicated who would win the games in this series, the Hawks were down three starters, two with injuries, the third with foul trouble. Second, at a point in the game where it truly mattered, the heat were the beneficiaries of some horribly lopsided officiating, nothing being more obvious than the “foul” call on Mo Evans off the Wade charge. So much for mitigating nicities, the Hawks just didn’t show up. They were much more concerned with how the Heat felt, and what the officials were doing than what they needed to do to close out the series. By not showing hard on the pick and roll (Miami’s only successful offensive play, and the only one they would need I might add) the Hawks let the Heat roam the middle at will and either get fouled or take point blank shots. That might have been forgivable if the perimeter defense had been anything better than terrible. Atlanta lost by, well, whatever they lost by (I don’t remember anymore) but they could have lost by fifty if the heat had connected on every open shot they had. Bottomline, our boys just didn’t show up on a night when, in order to win, they had to show up. Now, let’s be clear on one fact, if Atlanta loses this series, it won’t be because of their road woes, the injuries, not even D-Wade. It’ll be because they didn’t show up for game seven, the way they didn’t show up for games 2,3, and 6.
Btw, Heat fans, the biggest favor that the Hawks can do for you is to put your team down tomorrow. If you do scratch through to Cleveland, it’s just going to be a blood bath, and the blood will be yours.
Dr. Warren
May 2nd, 2009
8:01 am
I hope along with everyone else that they win Game 7. They have a good chance. Either way, the Spirit Group will likely give us what THEY want: a team that fights for the 4th to 8th seed for the next 4 years. Nothing better than that.
Baba O'Riley
May 2nd, 2009
8:15 am
I’ve seen better officiating from Scrappy McGowan on Georgia Championship Wrestling.
RA
May 2nd, 2009
8:18 am
Yea, I’m pretty sure that if Wade had cracked a chair over someone’s head Scrappy might have picked up on that. These refs…
DaTruthofHeat
May 2nd, 2009
9:10 am
It’s funny how some you Hawks fans are saying officiating was horrible. Did any of you see game 5? Did you notice that NBA rescinded flagrant foul that officials called on Wade Game 5? Obviously he wasn’t trying to hurt anyone but officials heard the crowd and blew the call. Don’t get me wrong, Heat didn’t show up Game 5 just like Hawks didn’t show up Game 6. But people need to stop blaming officiating.
Let’s see what team shows up Game 7…but stop that officiating crap.
Last thing, classless move cheering for a player that’s on the floor. You never know the severity of injuries.
danc56
May 2nd, 2009
9:23 am
Truth be told:
1) Neither team in this series is going to get past Cleveland
2) Joe Johnson is not a superstar player and will not get the benefits that come with that designation. He is at best a good player that is not the vocal leader that qualifies you as a superstar player. All of the great “superstar” players past and present are vocal get in your face type of personalities that generally get other players on their respective teams to become better players.
3) And my last point is when you only aspire to only reach the 1st round as your goal; then that’s usually as far as you will get because once attained you have no other goals to reach out for. Not come into training camp declaring among yourselves that nothing short of reaching the championship finals is acceptable will generally get better results because reaching the 1st and 2nd rounds would be a given. If you shoot low….well you get the idea.
RA
May 2nd, 2009
9:33 am
DaTruthofHeat. I’m not blaming the officiating. I said it plain, the Hawks didn’t show up. They don’t win that game even if all the officiating breaks go their way, but I do want to be clear on a couple of things. One, D-Wade charged Mo Evans and most of the fouls on Wade were initiated by Wade himself. Second, Evans landed on his neck in game five and Wade’s foul had everything to do with that. Now, maybe the most dedicated of Heat fans can imagine a universe where Wade blocks that shot without fouling, I can’t. So, was the contact necessary, no. By definition, it was a flagrant foul. I don’t care what the NBA says. Oh what the heck, I’ll bring up a third thing. Do you notice how after the Heat lose EVERYONE is crying over D-Wade’s back despite the fact that he still scores well over twenty? But when they win, you just don’t hear much about that back. Stop with that.
But you’re right, this series isn’t going to be won or lost by officiating. It’s all about who shows up for game 7.
RA
May 2nd, 2009
9:39 am
Hawks fans! We have a million and one reasons to be frustrated, not just about last night but about the last ten years, but none of that matters. All that matters is that game seven is tomorrow, the Hawks are our team, and on the other side of D-Wade is the second round of the NBA playoffs. For the next twenty four hours, our team needs all the help and support that we can throw behind them. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m willing to throw the last ten years right out the window and say without reservation, GO HAWKS!!!
ET
May 2nd, 2009
9:42 am
I watched the first quarter and within 5 minutes realized that the fix was in for Miami to win the game. The ref’s really did throw this game. When you call the 1st quarter so horribly one sided as they did it takes the targeted team out of the game. The ref’s control who wins the big games. It has never been more obvious than last night. The no calls on our players and the phantom calls for the Heat were so obvious that they had to make up for it in the second half to get the stats back in line…but by then the game was over.
The NBA is fixed. The one ref that got caught throwing games was only the tip of this iceberg. Stern covered it up with his “investigation”. The whole thing is a farce.
PMC
May 2nd, 2009
9:53 am
This series is or should be depressing for both teams and the NBA itself. This could not be a more dull and boring display of basketball… and endless series of appeals on death row while either team awaits destruction in Cleveland.
I don’t know enough about basketball to say why this happens… I just know that Celtics/Bulls is a great series and this is just like getting actupuncture in the eye. Two horribly flawed ugly teams that can’t win on the road.
Do we REALLY need this round of the playoffs David Stern? Do we REALLY need to drag this out from April to JULY!!!???
PMC
May 2nd, 2009
9:54 am
Anyway Go Hawks…. this one is in your building because you worked for it and earned it all year… finish the drill!
SouthAfrican09
May 2nd, 2009
9:55 am
MARVIN GET HEALTHY U U CLOWN
midtowncowboy
May 2nd, 2009
9:58 am
Does Joe Johnson still play for the hawks? Superstar? HAHA.
PMC
May 2nd, 2009
9:58 am
This loss had nothing to do with officiating. The Hawks couldn’t throw the ball in the Ocean on the offensive end…. kind of like game 5 for the Heat.
Like I said, I have no Idea why this happens. I don’t know that it is talent, or coaching, or readiness.. I have no idea… The Celtics and Bulls is about refusing to give up…. this series is about who is least terrible on a given night.
RA
May 2nd, 2009
10:03 am
I remember when I was a boy, I failed math. Now, it was a much different era, and I knew that when my dad got home from work, I was going to meet the business end of a leather strap. Well, he got home and my mother handed him my report card. My dad sad, as he always would, “explain yourself son.” Well, I went into this spill about how the teacher didn’t like me and had it in for me. Then he asked me a series of questions. He said, “was the teacher supposed to do your homework for you?” I said no. He said, “was the teacher supposed to pay attention in class for you?” I said no. He said, “was the teacher supposed to take your tests for you?” I said no sir. He said, “Well it sounds to me like you’re the one at fault.” I think we all know how the story ended. I say all that to say this, the refs weren’t the ones that didn’t show hard on all those pick and rolls. The refs weren’t the ones that should have been guarding the perimeter because the heat didn’t have a thing inside. The refs didn’t make Hawk players take their attention off their jobs and bark at them. The Hawks played without focus and they ended up on the business end of a basketball beatdown. It’s unfortunate, but let’s put the blame where it is.
ricky martinez
May 2nd, 2009
10:10 am
what a bunch of crying whinning fans in atlanta.you get your ass kicked by almost 30 points and want to blame it on the referees.quit your crying you team sucks i do not even know how atlanta even has a nba team.for years you have ranked at the bottom in attendance look at your arena thats always half empty.that just shows you that you atlanta fans do not know anything about the nba.you will never be on the the miami heat is on.miami is the greatest city in the world to live.go heat
Cuz
May 2nd, 2009
10:16 am
One game series starts Sunday at one, be there.
ricky martinez
May 2nd, 2009
10:18 am
we got the greatest player in the world that won the gold metal for team usa and the best person in basketball operations.d-wade and pat riley.atlanta you do not come close to level of miami as a basketball team or great big city.go heat
gusman354
May 2nd, 2009
10:19 am
HAHAHAHAHAAAAA.THE GAME WAS FIX , THE REF,DAVID STERN,D-WADE IS A PRIMA DONNA.STOP WITH YOUR EXCUSES WE LOST 3 GAMES AND NEVER SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE REF OR DAVID STERN.REALITY IS THAT D-WADE BAD BACK IS BETTER THAN ANY OF YOUR STARING PLAYERS AND YOUR SUPERSTAR J-SMOOVE GOT SCOOLED BY A ROOKIE NAMED MICHAEL BEASTLY THAT IS 20 YEARS OLD , IN 2 MORE YEARS HIM AND D- WADE ARE GOING TO GIVE THE HAWKS AN ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET IN THE PLAYOFF.ARE YOU GUYS READY FOR D-DAY ON SUNDAY ? I DON’T THINK SO.
eturn
May 2nd, 2009
10:26 am
Like i said in the earlier post. It all boils down to COACHING….. WOODSON gotta Go. Simple as that.
D.Carter
May 2nd, 2009
10:30 am
The bottom line is watch when joe gets the ball he gets doubled…. The other 4 guys need to move and stop standing around as spectators and instead of dribbling out joe needs to find them… we need to double wade and force him to pass off out of the pick and roll
Big Money in South Florida
May 2nd, 2009
10:31 am
THE REFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bravesfalconhawk
May 2nd, 2009
10:37 am
no fire in this team except for when josh smith is dunking…i absolutely hate it when he shoots jumpers
kevin owen
May 2nd, 2009
10:47 am
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, BLAME ON THE REFS. WHEN YOU LOSE BY 26 POINTS, YOU HAVE TO STEP BACK AND LOOK IN THE MIRROR. ATLANTA WAS LOOKING AHEAD TO CLEVELAND AND FORGOT THAT D-WADE WAS PLAYING FOR THE HEAT. JOE JOHNSON IS GOOD BUT NOT IN THE SAME BOAT AS LEBRON AND D-WADE, CARMELO, KOBE. ATLANTA’S HALF COURT GAME IS TERRIBLE. BELIEVE ME GAME 7 WILL BE THE BEST GAME OF THE SERIES AND COULD GO ANYWAY. FORGET ABOUT HOME COURT ADVANTAGE WHEN YOU PLAY A GUY LIKE D-WADE. HE ‘S PROVEN THAT IT DOESN’T MATTER. I.E. 2006 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT VS MAVERICKS.
Heat Fan!
May 2nd, 2009
10:47 am
Oh “Bob” we gonna play that game again!
Gumbo
May 2nd, 2009
10:51 am
The WORST half-court offense in the HISTORY of the NBA. Not surprising that a Team from the ATL is full of high-flying prima donnas who could care less about the fundamentals of basketball. I am a native Atlantan who will pull hard for Miami. I hate to see this kind of basketball have any sort of success.
Maybe the NBA will swith to a “21″ format next year. THe Hawks would instantly become favorites. Why? Not teammates to worry about in that game.
Woodson, you should be ashamed. Either you know NOTHING about basketball or the inmates are running the asylum.
GO HEAT! You deserve it.
Heat Fan!
May 2nd, 2009
10:55 am
“Bob”: No, she won’t be selling t-shirts, she’s too busy taking care of the refs repaying them for fixing the game for us. LOL Take your lumps Hawk Fans. You were flat out – out played. When a team has no superstar (or at least disappears for the whole post season) this is what happens. Hey, our superstar was off and look what happened in games 1, 4 & 5. Heat was outplayed in those games. No other reason. Grow up you ref hating fans.
Heat Fan!
May 2nd, 2009
10:55 am
Sometimes calls go your way, sometimes they go against you. it all balances out
HEAT FOR LIFE!
May 2nd, 2009
11:08 am
GOOD LUCK HAWKS IT HAS BEEN A CRAZY SERIES AT LEAST MOST OF YOU FANS ARE CLASSY WIN OR LOSE AND AS HEAT FANS WE WERE NOT BEING CLASSY BUT WHAT WE WERE READING WAS PEOPLE SAYING THAT THE HAWKS WERE WAY BETTER THAN THE HAET WHICH ISNT TRUE THE TRUTH IS WHICHEVER TEAM WINS TOMORROW WILL HAVE NO CHANCE AGAINST CLEVELAND
Reid Adair
May 2nd, 2009
11:10 am
There’s a good chance this is the worst collection of comments on a Jeff Schultz column that I have EVER seen – and not just because of childish taunts from the Miami fan(s).
People need to get a grip. They need to realize that this organization has been around more than just five or six years. It has seen better days, and it has seen much, MUCH worse days.
anotherHeatFan
May 2nd, 2009
11:14 am
wow imagine how much more Atl fans would complain if they play against Lebron James and Co. Im hoping there’s a good crowd of Heat fans tomorrow…i know i will be there!
eturn
May 2nd, 2009
11:16 am
You people are blaming the Refs, JJohnson, JSmoove . Watch the game people its the COACH. He is the one that calls the plays,,determines who play and who doesnt,motivate the players..and make sure he have the right mix of players..This guy is lost. No half court game…no passing..cant even make free throws. Pitiful..I enjoy the Hawks but its hard to watch them coached this way.
Hawks73
May 2nd, 2009
11:18 am
I am really not at all shocked about the outcome of this series. Both teams are severly lacking in terms of consistentcy, intensity, and poise. How can we take either of the two serious with such lack luster game by game performances (or lack thereof). I see two young, lazy, undeterminded clubs that only play up when they seem to have a chance in the game. (The only real players with championship pedigrees are playing for the Heat in Wade, Haslem). If I am a betting man (which I am not), then the Heat will probably advance due to the lack of television appeal/TV ratings the Hawks will draw. I can’t conceivably see the ref’s giving Joe Johnson calls over Dwayne Wade in game seven…I mean really, do any of you think that either team has a snowball’s chance in he!! against the Cavs?
On another note, what the heck was Woodson thinking with starting Solo over Pachulia in last night’s game? Has Solo started in any games this year where Horford was hurt? I like Solo a lot, but he should have been coming of the bench…that easily is one of the worst decisions I have ever seen.
DavidT
May 2nd, 2009
11:27 am
For those of you complaining about the officiating, 24 personal fouls were called against Atlanta versus 21 against Miami. Now, can somebody on this thread tell me how a difference of 3 fouls could be such an advantage??? I’ll give you this, they got the call wrong on Mo Evans. That WAS a charge on Wade. But that said, you are looking for excuses when blaming the officials.
DavidT
May 2nd, 2009
11:39 am
As an outsider (a HEAT fan), let me give you an honest assesment of the Atlanta Hawks. Joe Johnson is not a “go to” superstar. He can be the perfect 2nd option on a good team. While Bibby is a free agent and a great shooter, you guys need a point guard who will penetrate, draw defenders, and kick it out to the open man. That would compliment JJ’s game. Bibby doesn’t attack the rim. It would be a big mistake to nring him back for nig money unless there are no other options. Al Horford is good and a nice player inside. He is more of a PF than a center. Pachulia is awesome coming off the bench giving you toughness, boards, and points. Josh Smith can only jump and that’s it. Opponents are delighted when he puts up jumpers, that is what they want!! It was a mistake matching the offer sheet Philly signed him to. They would be a better team spending that money elsewhere. Marvin Williams leaves alot to be desired. Mo Evans and Flip Murray are nice players coming off the bench. The Hawks need to make a few changes here and there and they could be serious contenders. you have a good nucleus. The hardest thing will be attracting that big superstar free agent to Atlanta. The Hawks best bet is to let Bibby leave and get that driving, playmaking PG. Easier said than done, but you don’t want that money locked up with Bibby over the next few years.
Concerned BB Hawks Fan
May 2nd, 2009
11:46 am
David T: it is not so much how many fouls each team got, but what type of fouls got called, and more importantly NOT called. If the refs would have called all Mi(M)ami fouls, they would have ended the game with the coaching staff on the floor playing!
ricky martinez
May 2nd, 2009
11:55 am
D-WADE WILL SCORE 50 PLUS POINTS SUNDAY AS MIAMI WILL CELEBRATE ON THE HAWKS HOME COURT IN FRONT OF 10,000 PITIFUL HAWKS FANS
Hawks73
May 2nd, 2009
12:25 pm
Ricky Martin(ez) – Are you still around…thought you disappeared after living la vida loca? Guess you’re back with a vengeance and in BOLD PRINT…TRULY AWESOME!
To your “10,000 PITIFUL HAWKS FANS” comment…can you honestly say that Miami fans are really and truly die hard fans and that you really support your team? I THINK NOT (to use your bold print eloquence). Here’s a little trivia for your HEAT knowledge. In what year did the HEAT enter the NBA and who was there coach? I’ll await your BOLD PRINT response…
GOHAWKS
May 2nd, 2009
12:31 pm
After tommorow the heat will need to make some decisions, like which player that never played for their team jersey to retire. Not only will your season be finished but you will deciding amongst which player Magic Johnson or Larry Bird neither which played for Miami. Retiring michael Jordan’s jersey was laughable he played for the bulls you idiots not the heat. Haha
‘Net reaction: Hawks at Heat, Game 6 | Lancilo USA
May 2nd, 2009
12:35 pm
[...] Jeff Schultz, AJC: "It really doesn’t matter what it was the Miami Heat finally zeroed in on Friday night as a source of motivation. Pretty much everything had been thrown out there — an ‘insulting’ showboating dunk attempt by Josh Smith in Game 5, an excitable turbo-lipped broadcaster, possibly even global warming. Here’s the only real question that matters: What happened to the Hawks’ motivation? With a chance to clinch their first playoff series in 10 years, they instead reminded everybody why it has been 10 years." [...]