Hawks quit on season (and Joe doesn’t care what you think)
If one picture can say it all for the plight of Joe Johnson and the Hawks, this is it. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Let’s start with the obvious: The Orlando Magic are better. They have a center. They have a point guard. They have a roster of players with complete sets of working organs, and isn’t that a novelty?
But sometimes things happen in sports that make you declare, “Push the button and blow the whole damn thing up.” This was one of them.
In a home playoff game, in an obvious desperation game, in a game where the Hawks had an opportunity to show us what substance they were made of, they collectively screamed, “Goo.” They didn’t score. They didn’t defend. They didn’t rebound. They didn’t compete.
We saw better performances when bodies were being jettisoned and the roster was all about 10-day contracts and cap space.
Down 2-0 in their second-round playoff series against Orlando, the Hawks tossed on a little seasoning, propelled themselves onto a rotisserie and told the Magic, “Flip the switch.” They trailed by 10 points after one quarter, 19 after two and 24 after three. A small gathering of fans at Philips Arena stuck it out until the end of Saturday’s 105-75 loss, perhaps hoping it would earn them some sort of refund.
Sorry. Payback will have to come in the afterlife. If you need to know what that’s like, just ask the Hawks. They’ve flat-lined. They’re down 3-0. Their backs aren’t against the wall. They’re on the floor.
Wait. It gets worse.
Al Horford, the best hope this franchise has for a leader, openly questioned his teammates’ heart.
“Effort. Effort — that’s all it is,” he said. “Guys can say all they want about coverages and all this. But it came down to effort — [not] going for loose balls early in the game, missing rebounds when they missed shots.”
And then: “It’s frustrating. I’m not the kind of person who’s going to go out there and point people out. I’ll let them know. But you’re not going to see me cursing somebody out. They know what they have to do, and it’s frustrating when the effort is not there.”
Wait. It gets even worse.
Joe “Max Money” Johnson might have permanently torched bridges with both the Hawks and the city of Atlanta. On the court, he shot only 3-for-15 and scored eight points. In the past six games, he has shot 31.2 percent (30-of-96) and averaged 11.5 points. His scoring totals in the last half-dozen: 13, 22, 8, 8, 10, 8.
“These guys look to me for guidance, and when you’re playing like that, it’s almost impossible for us to win,” Johnson said.
He was half-right. Pretty sure his teammates stopped looking to him for guidance long ago.
Before these playoffs, Johnson was determined to prove he belonged among the NBA’s elite players. He certainly has removed all doubt, but not in the way he has hoped. Even Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said, “Yeah, we’re double-teaming him some in the post, but he’s getting shots he would normally make.”
How does Johnson follow this performance? He basically tells Hawks fans that he doesn’t care what they think.
The Hawks were booed often, including as they were leaving the court at halftime and after the game. When asked about this, the “team leader” unloaded this gem: “They don’t bother me. It’s about us in this locker room. We could care less if they showed up or not.”
Good news, Joe. The arena might be half-empty for Game 4 on Monday night.
It’s the Hawks’ worst home loss of the season.
It’s their worst home playoff loss in franchise history.
If nothing else, coach Hawks coach Mike Woodson gets points for best summation: “Tonight was just non-existence.”
He looked defeated afterward. He looked like he knew the end was coming — for both his team and himself.
If Johnson has made a loud statement in this postseason about what he is worth, what kind of statement has Woodson made? He was outcoached by Scott Skiles in the first round and so far by Stan Van Gundy in this round, if for no other reason than Van Gundy is getting maximum effort out of his players.
Do Hawks’ players look like they’re fighting to save their coach’s job?
It doesn’t matter that Orlando is better. It matters that Orlando is the only team that showed up. The other one has checked out.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
♦
Earlier Hawks posts
♦ We’re live from Hawks-Magic: Can they make it a series?
♦ Thumbs up or down: Josh Childress a Hawk again?
♦ Hawks show their best side in desperate times again
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
591 comments Add your comment
theight
May 9th, 2010
1:55 pm
this is another reason why players today shouldn’t be given max money because they don’t play the game at the best of their ability every game. There are people in the real world that are working their asses off for minimum wage but these soft ass basketball players can walk up and down the court and still make millions. Woody is to blame for all of this. He see these players playing with no effort but have guys on the bench such as teague, west, and joe smith that will come in and work their butts off for the little amount of money that they get. I fault josh a little in this because he lets his emotions get in the way of him playing an entire game as he should but a positive is that he is into the game. I want to see woodson try to defend his players after watching this game. I don’t understand why players think they earn the money that are given to them and that the owners just have the money to give to them. Its the fans who bring the money to the franchise, not the players. Basically we pay your asses
HSOL
May 9th, 2010
1:58 pm
The Hawks are a disgrace. I’m absolutely embarrassed to be rooting for this team. It’s one thing to lose to the Magic (which I expected) but it’s another to be completely blown and embarrassed by them every night. They have all that talent but they still can’t muster up a single decent showing. The least they could do is pretend to care about the fans and not say something as idiotic as Joe Johnson did. To Joe, if you’re a max contract guy and you’re averaging under 10 points a game in the series, you deserve to be booed and you should be obligated to care. The Hawks need a makeover this offseason. Get rid of Woody, Johnson and Williams.
#1 Hawks fan
May 9th, 2010
2:02 pm
Fire Woody. Re-sign Joe but not to a max contract. Gosh I’ve never seen fans act like a big bunch of babies like this.
james
May 9th, 2010
2:03 pm
what r u people complaining about when they win u dont complain when they loose u complain alright please atlanta spirit listen to these people they want joe johnson out josh smith out and mike woodson please grant them their wishes.i predict next season the hawks wont be in the play offs if all this three people r gone and i wont be going to any hawks game next season now i see what kind of fans we have
Pete
May 9th, 2010
2:03 pm
For over 43 years Atlanta sports fans have been insulted in too many ways to list here. It would take half the day to illustrate them all.
Saturday was just the latest chapter to an all too pathetic book titled “Loserville USA – Atlanta”.
WHY decent hard working people pay money they earn to support such nonsense and waste is beyond understanding of human nature.
Thank God for Arthur Blank, Thomas Dimitroff, Mike Smith and The Atlanta Falcon franchise. Something Atlanta can finally be proud of.
After all these years.
theight
May 9th, 2010
2:04 pm
The Jazz and the spurs are all down 3-0 but their fans are appreciative of them because they compete the entire game in all 3 games and their fans are going to come out to support them in game four as well although they know that their team is not going to win the series. Everybody criticize Marvin all the time because of him scoring around 11 point per game but marvin does show effort most of the time. Marvin gets criticize more because of when he was drafted but its not his fault that the team decided to draft him as high as they did. Not every player turns out to be worth the number 2 pick. Hell if the team wanted to draft me as the number 2 pick im not going to try and convince them not to do it. All I can say is Josh, Joe and Bibby really let this team down.
plussizemodel
May 9th, 2010
2:09 pm
This game was high comedy. As an aside: why did the Hawks give Marvin a five year deal again?
theight
May 9th, 2010
2:14 pm
@ james:
People like you are just satisfied with just winning and making it to the playoffs but most of the real fans want more. we want a championship team or a team that at least competes. 3 years ago when the hawks played the celtics, everybody loved the team and appreciated the effort they gave eventhough they lost the series. they competed and the fans got what they paid to see. If Joe thinks fans don’t have anything to do with teams winning, that series would have been over with in four games and they probably would have blanked miami last year and milwaukee this year if their fans didn’t come out to cheer for them.
theight
May 9th, 2010
2:16 pm
I forgot to mention, did you forget when the eagles and Mike Vick came to town and whipped up on the falcons. Vick had a very good game because the fans came out to support and cheer for him.
buick59
May 9th, 2010
2:31 pm
if Johnson thinks the fans here are tough can’t wait to see what the New Yorkers do to him. they’ll chew him up and spit him out.
buick59
May 9th, 2010
2:33 pm
Well said Pete. When Vick was here we all know who cheered for him and who did not.
Patrick
May 9th, 2010
2:49 pm
“Fans quitting on a team” is such a strange expression to me. Sports seem to be the only place where support for a product isn’t expected to be predicated on quality. If “Atlanta Company X” put out a horrible product, you wouldn’t be scolded as “failing to support your city”, unless it’s one of your sports teams.
I think terms like heart, chemistry, quitting, etc, are overused in sports. Usually one team is better than the other, and we use these terms to describe advantages that teams have but we can’t see or articulate. But, the Atlanta Hawks quit during (possibly before) Game 3, and they have no heart. I will be happy when Joe and Woodson are no longer parts of the organization, and I look forward to re-building around Josh Smith, Al Horford, and about 10 million dollars in cap space.
If the Hawks win 43 games next year, but play hard, play smart, and have a future in front of them, even if they get bounced in Round 1, I will be much happier than how I feel right now. I am absolutely disgusted by what I’ve seen in the playoffs this year, and I am done with this team if the principle parts of this travesty (Woodson and Johnson) are anywhere near this organization next year.
Time
May 9th, 2010
2:56 pm
This Vick Supporter guy is right. Sometimes it’s embarassing to call yourself a Atlanta fan. And not always because it’s the team. The fans here are about as fair weather and nasty as they can be.
That being said. Joe has been the problem all year. His performance, effort and now aftergame comments cement that fact. No blowup is needed though, just let him go. And whether it’s fair or not, it’s time for Woody to move on. He’s done a good job to get a bunch of young players to improve each year. But sometimes a shakeup in coaching and styles are needed.
Go hire Fratello. Take Joe’s money and lock up Horford long term. Teague starts at point with Bibby backing him up. Crawford starts at the 2. My money says that without Joe that our big 3 young guys all get better and step up. Marvin Williams becomes a 20 point a game scorer. Hawks become 5-10 games better. Easy.
Tdawg
May 9th, 2010
3:00 pm
Curious, you say that where there is life there is hope. You mean to tell me that you actually saw some life in this bunch? Shoot they looked DOA to me.
Unreal
May 9th, 2010
3:45 pm
If Mario West doesn’t start over JJ, Woody should be fire!!!
Not only that, JJ should’nt even play a minute or wear the Atl jersey tomorrow.
Woodys No Goody
May 9th, 2010
3:55 pm
Oh and FIRE WOODY!!
tony
May 9th, 2010
4:13 pm
Jeff Schultz, why are you allowing people to call these black athletes thugs on these blogs? There havn’t been 1 player on this team to get in trouble with the law. I remember 1 of ajc editor banded bloggers for using the term redneck on ajc message board. Why havn’t you band them for using the word thug towards black athletes and other bloggers when no crime was committed by them? I take offense when the word thug is used against my race when no one has committed a crimminal act. I own my own business and I have 2 sons, 1 is still in college and the other1 has graduated from Savannah State; does that makes us thugs?
mikey
May 9th, 2010
4:52 pm
Tell Joe he can go waste some other franchise’s money. He has never been, nor will he ever be, among the elite in the NBA. N-E-V-E-R. Not even close.
mikey
May 9th, 2010
4:53 pm
They definitely aren’t thugs. They’re just sorry.
Bill.S.
May 9th, 2010
6:20 pm
I have been trying to become a Hawks fan ever since I moved here from Dallas about 9 years ago. I still recall my impression of the fans the first year, including the game the Hawks came from behind to beat the prihe fans.or year Detroit champions. It was a really exciting game, but you couldn’t tell by the fans. The PA system and sounds effects people had to keep blasting everyone with “make noise’” and “”thiunder sticks.” It was like the fans didn’t know how to be fans and you had to shout instructions at em. Not sure it ever changed much. I have hope in Sund doing the right thing.
Jeff Schultz
May 9th, 2010
6:20 pm
Folks, cut the black-white, thug-non-thug (whether you perceive that as racist or not) talk now, or this commenting will be closed. I’ve already deleted dozens of comments since last night and banned a few more people. Not in the mood to be pushed. Thanks.
Bill.S.
May 9th, 2010
6:28 pm
Thanks Jeff, good warning. I wish more writers with sports blogs would take a stand against that kinda junk.
Amahd
May 9th, 2010
11:00 pm
to me Joe Johnson is an elite in the NBA everyone wil have their slumps it just unfortnate that it is happening during da second round of the playoffs n personally i think he should stay wit da hawks and work more on other players like josh smith and his shooting. but i would like if he stayed in atlanta but if he do leave i hope he not with the cavs or the knicks i hate them both
CJ
May 10th, 2010
9:19 am
I believe that the Hawks should do the NBA and its fans a favor and just forfeit the last game. Why suffer more humilation? Also, I’ve never seen a team that was in desperate need of a team leader and chemistry. Joe Johnson has the personality of a cold and dead fish. No wonder the Phoenix Suns shipped him out of town. And the Hawks should think about shipping “Cry Baby” Josh Smith out of Atlanta too. He spends to much time crying and complaining about his team role and confronting the coach. He obviously should have attended college to learn the definition of the word “TEAM”. He will NEVER EVER measure up to Lebron James or Dwight Howard (because they are dedicated to their teams). So Joe, Josh, and Mike, (aka The Three Stooges)- GET TO STEPPING & don’t look back!! Please send a fat contract to Dwayne Wade. He is better than all three of the beforementioned stooges. Thank you!!
CJ
May 10th, 2010
9:39 am
And Marvin Williams should be called “Mr. Invisible” because the Magic players and the fans aren’t aware that he’s on the floor. What is he being paid for? Bye Mike W. Better luck the next time. Any one who tries to coach this bunch of stooges is asking for trouble. You can’t make gold out of mashed potatoes.
CJ
May 10th, 2010
9:57 am
Send Mayor Reed, Governor Perdue, and Arthur Blank to Miami and BEG Dwayne Wade to sign a contract with the Hawks. DWADE is a TRUE Super-star. Atlanta needs real basketball player (not Dead Fish or No-Show Joe).
CJ
May 10th, 2010
10:01 am
Replace Cry-Baby Josh Smith with Josh Childress (an excellent team player). The Hawks let the wrong Josh get away. Please resign Childress.
no mo iso-joe
May 10th, 2010
10:20 am
vick supporter, i hear what u sayin, and me being an atlanta native, it is so frustrating to cheer for atlanta sports. for one most of these ppl here are not atl fans they cheer for whoever they cheered for b4 they moved. the games have an LA feel a lot of times. we come out for superstars. joe is not the reason we they come out. vick = sellout. deion = sellout. nique = sellout (sometimes). the hawks overall have a sorry ownership which does not instill confidence for the future. i agree with part of what joe said but i will need him to play all out and show some heart b4 something like that comes out of his mouth. keep al, josh, jamal, and teague(only cuz woody never played him and we dont know what he can do). dont resign woody and let joe go. lets get a coach who can maximize his roster some smart drafts picks. we may have to take two steps back next year but its for the best.
Port arthur's Finest
May 10th, 2010
1:22 pm
Wow!! I’m stunned at my Hawks performance. They layed down and died on national t v. Woddy lost his job and Joe might be outta here. Crawford has to statrt next year and I wish we could get bbosh. I’m still stunned that we didn’t show up to that game. when you go out unprepared and get hammered like that you are not being coached and its time for a achange Bring lenny back
Tee Ball
May 10th, 2010
2:10 pm
Why would you expect Joe Johnson to be your leader. He was the fourth (4th) option in Phoenix behind Nash, STUDmaire, and Marion! You pick the wrong free agent to be a leader. He’s a sixth man, not a first option!
DEADRED
May 10th, 2010
4:01 pm
JOE JOHNSON……….GO TO NEW YORK YOU BIG BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josh Smith………..Grow the F UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Bibby…….Retire Already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woody…….You’ve been FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
feudfinder
May 10th, 2010
5:42 pm
Did Joe Johnson actually say that? Whaoo!!! Way to succeed in life Joe.
feudfinder
May 10th, 2010
5:50 pm
Joe, please remember these are the fingers that are still feeding you. Do not bite them. Take your frustration out on the games not on the fans. You have the best fans in the NBA.
slimjr
May 10th, 2010
6:29 pm
The HAWKS ARE STUNNING!!!!!!
We’re LIVE from the Hawks’ . . . final game? | Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
7:20 pm
[...] But most of us figured they would at least compete against the Magic and had a chance to win one or two games. Instead, they’ve played hard for three quarters in Game 2 in Orlando and were comatose for the other nine. They’ve not only have been blown out twice, including Saturday’s Game 3 at home, but Joe Johnson showed little concern for the Hawks’ disgruntled fan base. [...]
Hawks make quick exit against Orlando, change is a must | Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
11:30 pm
[...] ♦ Hawks quit on season (and Joe doesn’t care what you think) [...]
slimjr
May 10th, 2010
11:56 pm
Barkley said tonight on TNT, just break up this team. This is all your going to get!! He’s right the gig is up…..
Kenny Smith says heads should roll because your HAWKS just broke an NBA record in history for most combine point loss total of 101 in a four game sweep!!!!!! Just sorry,rediculous………………..Ouch……………
Marvin Wiliams and gang just refund the fans your money cause you guys done ripped the people off………. You are lousy baskeball players.. Your fundametals are lacking BIG TIME. You guys need to take basketball 101 courses. Now I know why you sat on the pine at Carolina…Bye Joe,dont walk,run!!! And take Josh Smith and Marvin “tin man” Williams with ya…
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » Compare & Contrast: Joe Johnson and Arthur Blank
May 11th, 2010
1:02 am
[...] – Joe Johnson [...]
Me Me
May 11th, 2010
7:44 pm
I am a native of Atlanta as well as a season ticket holder. I’ve followed the Hawks all of my days. I am with them whether they win or lose. I must say that Mike Woodson has really helped this team alot, especially being that they were the number 3 seed. They have won many games, during the regular season, but could not hold it together for the playoffs. So, yes I do believe that Mike should take some blame, but he also brought alot to Atlanta as well. Josh Smith have got to learn to stop whining and looking for Joe Johnson to bail him out; in terms of winning the game. He has so much talent & he refuses to use them. Joe just wants to win, he cannot do it by himself. Yes, I heard what he said about us fans, but honestly, I do believe it was said out of anger and frustration. We all know how the media can be. Marvin Williams have his moments, but he can’t seem to stop falling every where on the court. Mike Bibby don’t have it no more, back in the day (when he was w/Sacramento) he was money, now I know neighborhood guys that can play better than him. Al Horford should stay, I like his game, he just need help. Atlanta needs a new strong center. ZaZa should stay. I would like to see DeWayne Wade to play for the hawks, and that will require trading several.
Larry Drew's first issue: What to do with Joe Johnson? | Jeff Schultz
June 13th, 2010
10:07 pm
[...] another disappointing postseason by Johnson — and his less-than-brilliant decision to give a verbal backhand to fans following a second-round, Game 3 loss to Orlando — he is the team’s leading scorer. [...]
Drew finally speaks to Joe Johnson, and he wants him back | Jeff Schultz
June 25th, 2010
11:03 am
[...] He is aware that the fan base is somewhat divided on Johnson, given some poor playoff performances and his comments following a loss during the disastrous Orlando series. Johnson and the team were booed loudly during a Game 3 blowout at home, setting up the likelihood of several empty seats for Game 4 and prompting Johnson’s comment: “We could care less if they showed up.” [...]