We’re live from . . . a wake?
Here's the Hawks' Joe Johnson looking down in Game 3. It's kind of hard to lead that way, isn't it? (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
Before getting to some pre-game thoughts, let’s talk about what’s really important.
As far I know, LeBron James has not booked any restaurants for a post-game party tonight in Atlanta. I’m not sure if that’s because he figured “24″ would hold down the crowd, or simply because the Cavaliers have a charter flight taking them back to Cleveland immediately following the game.
I mention this only because word of James pre-booking a party at Trois in midtown following Game 3 Saturday night sparked quite a bit of reaction in the blogosphere, and some even in the locker room. Al Horford was stunned, and even said after the Game 3 loss, “I wish I had known that before the game.”
Question: Would it really have made a difference? I mean, would that little bit of extra anger have carried the Hawks over the top in Game 3, setting up the possibility of them evening the series tonight?
Uh, no.
Which leads to tonight. I’ve covered several potential sweep-completing Game 4s before, and in three difference sports — basketball, baseball, hockey. There’s one common thread: The team on the verge of being swept ALWAYS comes out playing hard. The vast majority of professional athletes have a ense of pride and they don’t like being associated with a playoff sweep.
But what tends to happen is, the moment the team that’s up 3-0 punches the 0-3 team in the mouth, things quickly unravel. Negative thoughts creep into players’ minds. A sense of, “Just get me to the end of this game,” takes over.
That’s my concern about the Hawks tonight — not that they won’t play hard at the outset, but how’ll they’ll react when James basically says, “OK. Enough of this. Take that!”
And how will Joe Johnson react? The playoffs the last two years have revealed more bad than good about him. That’s something I might get into more in tonight’s game column. It’s not always about scoring for a star player, it’s about leadership, and Johnson hasn’t provided it. What he shows tonight could impact how he’s viewed by fans, media and even the organization. Remember: he only has one year left on his contract.
Josh Smith sometimes says one thing and does another. But at least he said the right thing after today’s shoot-around: “It’s all about pride, not giving up, not throwing in the towel. Even though they only have one more game to win, you don’t want to just roll over and give them that win, without at least giving them a fight.
”It left a sour taste in my mouth how the season ended last year. I don’t want to go through another summer of having nightmares of not performing the way I know how to perform.”
A CAVS LETDOWN? Not likely. I just asked Cavs coach Mike Brown if he would feel the need to talk to his players about not giving the Hawks life in the playoff series. “I’m not a big cliché go or anything like that. This team has been very good the entire year in terms of focusing just on the next game because it’s the next game and hopefully this game is no different. I have not told them that. I’m sure I won’t tell them that. I have heard them say it, led by LeBron.”
Now that’s a leader.
LIVE FROM PRESS ROW: Had some wireless issues in Game 3, causing hiccuping in responses to reader posts. But technical issues aside, we’ll try it again tonight.
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205 comments Add your comment
NoleRick
May 11th, 2009
11:02 pm
J.J.M. you gotta be kidding right? A.I.? maybe 10 years ago. A.I. and Josh should never be on the same team.
Patrick
May 11th, 2009
11:06 pm
I think either Woodson or Josh needs to go. Outside of the feuding, they don’t make sense as a pair. Mike wants to play slow, grinding Pistons basketball, and Josh was meant to play in a fast system. Either let Mike go and get a coach who is willing to run, or ship Josh to Golden State for Andris Biedrins, who is young, talented, and an actual center.
NUNNA YO BIZZNEZZ
May 12th, 2009
12:03 am
hey..we could have done better,but,we went into the 2nd round this time..am i satisfied,heck no!!
do i want more?? i wanted to go to the finals!!!
we faced the best team in basketball tonite..
i just wanted to say to the hawks,i really enjoyed this season,thank you for getting as far as u did and taking the city with u..
im pissed,cause i thought u could have gotten further..
i don’t want to go Any further because my heart And emotions for the hawks would get in the way,and i would say things i would regret later..
so,i’ll reserve my comments until i have time to cool down..
A few things i heArd on 790 that i know im agAinst is..
1.i dont’ wAnt to get rid of bibby,i’d like to keep him for our half court gAme that will pick up stArting next year..
2. i do,do,do wAnt woodson out of here..
3. i made A comment on one of mr.bradleys blogs before the season started, about how the players go elsewhere with other coaches to work on their games during the off season..this should tell us all something about our coach and his staff..true some players do this on other teams,but,we had everyone who did do some kind of workout during the offseason,doing it with someone else..thats not good..
4.i want to keep josh, flip,bibby,joe,horford,marvin-only if they get him more involved into the offense when joe is also on the court..
And especially gardner/hunter and they have to play more!!!
And,unlike most of u,i think randolph morris would be a good sub for the center position,i would keep him..
mario west-no shot whatsoever but good defense/solo-because he is too soft to play center/mo evans/speedy-bless his heart/marvin williams-only because he is injury prone but i think he will be a good player and come close to being an all star for someone,and head coach mike woodson all have to go…every last one of them..
i see the starters And subs as
bibby-law
jj-flip
horford-power forward from draft
josh smith-othello hunter
center from free agency-randolph morris
gardner has to be put into the mix,i don’t care how u do it,at the sg position..he is that good..
the biggest question mark is acie law..next season,will be the year he comes in as the no.2 point guard and spell bibby..regardless of injuries in the past,we will know what he made of come this november..
we’re gonna need 5 players..2 free agents at center and power forward..And,3 more rookies to draft to take over as replacements for bibby,joe,and either flip or josh smith after come at the end of the ‘09-’10 season..
wanna know who i like??
1.At power forward–
One of the more improved prospects in the country as far as production goes, Gani Lawal is having a strong season for the Yellow Jackets, leading his struggling team in scoring, rebounding, and field-goal percentage, while more than doubling his production from last season. The 6’8 athletic power forward’s offensive role has expanded, and while he still would be described as raw in many areas, he’s shown improvement in quite a few from last season. There are not many players in college basketball who offer his combination of length, athleticism and activity level at the power forward position, which makes it fairly easy to envision him developing into a useful complimentary NBA player as he develops down the road..
2.At shooting guard–Robert Vaden-UAB
Birthday: 3/3/85 NBA Position: Shooting Guard Class: Senior Ht: 6-5 Wt: 205 Hometown: Indianapolis, IN High School: Cathedral Team Site Profile Statistics
NBA Comparison: Keith Bogans
Strengths: Deadly three-point shooter with quick release … Unlimited confidence from beyond the arc. Gets in a zone and is truly unconscious … Can catch fire very quickly and is hard to cool off, just ask Kentucky who he scorched for 28 second half points including seven 3-point field goals en route to a 79-76 win at Kentucky Has a solid midrange game and uses pumps and fakes well to free himself up Terrific free-throw shooter at >80% for career Has solid size for his position Field goal percentage is in low 40’s but because over two-thirds of his field goal attempts are 3-pointers, its not a major concern Moves well without the ball and gets to areas in which he can get a solid look at the basket Has a calm demeanor. Plays very mature, composed, not easily rattled … Has some leadership skills … A solid athlete though nothing off the charts …
–Weaknesses: Can be too reliant on the 3-point shot, making him too predictable and easier to guard Should improve his ball handling skills and look to attack the basket more Needs to cut down on turnovers Developing a balanced attack of an inside/out game would be beneficial and would enhance his great shooting abilities….Plays in the lackluster Conference USA which besides Memphis doesn’t really have a high level of talent to challenge him Lacks great foot speed both laterally and his first step off the dribble His lack of great lateral speed could inhibit his ability to guard shooting guards on the next level At 23 years of age is two years old for his class (mainly because of year he had to sit out because of transfer rules) As a shooter he is definitely NBA caliber, he just needs to work on rounding out his overall game to maximize his potential for the next level…
THATS ALL I GOT..
WHO WOULD U LIKE TO SEE IN A HAWKS UNIFORM NEXT YEAR???
SomeOfThesePost
May 12th, 2009
1:08 am
Make me think of Robert Deniro in the Fan. Yoooo Bobbby. Its just a game people. Hell we made it to the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs. Got beat down by the LEAGUE and the BEST PlAYER in the LEAGUE. The Hawks have been in the gutter of the NBA for the last 12 years. Now with a LITTLe success you get all these NUT jobs, saying the TEAM or the coach aint this or that. Take Pill n chill. If ur typin NOVELS on a blog you really need to Evaluate who you should take out of YOUR OWN LiFE..GEEEZZZ.
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