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
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591 comments Add your comment
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:22 pm
@old man
Thats the best comment on this blog
a drunkards ramblings
May 8th, 2010
10:22 pm
The biggest problem with this team is their top 6 players consist of three guys that are two guards in Joe, Bibby, and Jamal. Two guys that are fours in Josh and Al and a waste at three in Marvin. There is no point on this team and there is no center. Our best option for creating his own shot is the first guy off the bench and there is no one on the floor at any time that gets other players involved. Woody is great to direct the fast break offense but once we go into a half court set there is no leadership on the floor or sidelines.
Dawglasville
May 8th, 2010
10:22 pm
Horford is the only guy to build around. I ragged on Marvin but I think with some coaching he could be a good NBA player. Give Skiles max money and let him get a crack at this team. I’m tired of Iso Joe and Josh a.k.a. Sour Patch Kid We need guys who understand their roles and a coach like Chuck Daley. We need mental toughness.
B
May 8th, 2010
10:24 pm
Woody needs to go and JJ needs to realize who pays his paycheck, albeit indirectly…. This team needs major shake-up and it starts with the coach. He can’t motivate these guys when times get a little tough. If JJ is on Twitter, tell him good riddance!
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:25 pm
@Dawg 93
What I don’t like is how a player can be so “great” one moment, then the atl fans turn on them on a moments notice. I agree that JJ has struggled, but now he’s a “p*ssy”
Thats what sucks about this town and why we can’t win. I fondly recall MANY times the coach and the players asking the fans to show up to the games (other than the Cavs and Lakers).
They never do.
Jeffspanker
May 8th, 2010
10:25 pm
Joe Johnson is the lowest form of scum in the basketball world. I pray to GOD that he is not back with the Hawks next year. I know we went as far as we could with Lanny Wilkens, but this crap would have NEVER happened under his watch!
WJ
May 8th, 2010
10:26 pm
Old man: I agree. We shouldn’t make decisions in the heat of embarrassment. However, Joe has made it fairly obvious that he prefers to be somewhere like Chicago—-remember the article several weeks ago when he wouldn’t deny his interest and intent to leave ATL. Now he is hurting and comment fully is indicative of his decision to look elsewhere. Fair weather fans is a problem in ATL. I’ve supported them all along even when they were horrible. But now I think it is time for Joe to go. I believe he just burned his bridges with comments about the fans. As for Woody-a change is needed if this team is ever going to get on track. Get a center and a good point guard and see what happens.
chas
May 8th, 2010
10:26 pm
As much as I like Joe Johnson as a player perhaps ultimately we will be better off without him. We need to start Teague next year and ideally acquire a center that can post up and play some good D. Horford has performed very well, but he needs to be a power forward. We have some good parts individually, but we need to reengineer this team. Not sure if Woodson is the problem, but I wouldn’t mind a change there either. As young as we are as a team I feel like we should be in rebuild mode. Watch most of the teams in the West playoffs and you will see how far we have to go.
Just Curious
May 8th, 2010
10:27 pm
Vick MURDERED helpless dogs by hanging them from trees and electrocuting them when he wasn’t jumping for joy as they bit each other and tore their flesh off…YOUR HERO, not mine!
If you don’t want to bring him “into the conversation”, then here’s a thought…Call yourself “Hawks Supporter”…Get it? Johnson IS the biggest p*ssy to put on a Hawks uni in the past decade. Just a fact. Howard had to put a towel over his face on the bench today because they were LAUGHING at the Hawks. Normally, that makes a player (or team) dig down and show what they’re made of…In the Hawks case, they dug down inside themselves and only found a bunch of half-eaten waffles and bags full of question marks…Just like last year.
He doesn’t play for PRIDE. Even if you believe they’re overmatched talent-wise, teams frequently win against better talent BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEART…Because they don’t give up…Because they refuse to lose. These Hawks (except for Horford) all EXPECT TO LOSE. It’s what they KNOW. And NOW YOU KNOW. But you should’ve figured it out last year when they gave up against the Cavs.
Johnson says, “I’m worth MORE than $60 Million.” Kovalchuk said, “I’m worth MORE than $101 Million.” They’re both LOSERS and this city will be better off in the long run with them gone. These franchises need to assemble players with INTEGRITY. Players who would give back their game salaries with pathetic performances like we’ve seen recently.
You know, guys who would say, “If I didn’t earn it, then I don’t want it.” Fans would respect that. Fans don’t respect high-paid quitters and guys that look like they’ve been tasered when they hit the court. That’s what these Hawks have shown everyone in the nation.
Woodson is just clueless. Is there a more pathetic coach in the NBA? No emotion. No game plan (except the same one that didn’t work the previous game either). Someone should sneak under his chair and tie his shoelaces together so when he jumps up and bites the hardwood, maybe he’d show a little emotion??!!?
Then again, maybe he’d just shave his friggin eyebrows again, huh?
Dan-O
May 8th, 2010
10:30 pm
Vick Supporter, I would not dispute that the ATL fans quit on the Hawks years ago. Not much question in that. However, the fans pay to go watch a product and it is not their responsibility to pull or push the Hawks to victory. The professional athletes on the team are the ones who are paid to do that. When it all comes together and the team is enjoyable to watch and has a chance to win and the fans are vocal in their support, all is good. In the case of the Hawks, the “Iso-Joe” offense and the lack of effort by our own JSmoove and others, they are often not enjoyable to watch. When their effort is not there and their shots are not falling, they don’t have much chance to win. This is not the fans’ fault. Why blame them for the Hawks’ poor performance? No one is paying the fans to pull the team to victory.
I say, let Woody and Joe walk, try to reclaim Josh’s career with a coach who can relate to him on a different level than Woody has been able to these past several years. I wish they could make a play for D Wade or LeBron, but I think with our current ownership, the chances of that are slim to none. Woody and Joe have brought the Hawks a long way back, but it looks like they can take them no further.
May I also say that I love Joe Johnson. I love his quiet leadership and his game. I am saddened to see that he is not playing well right now, but I put a lot of that on Woody and his play selection. I hope that his comments today were out of total frustration and that he doesn’t really mean them.
Besides a better Hawks team, my wish is for y’all to be nice to each other. Peace out! We all want them to do well!
chillz
May 8th, 2010
10:31 pm
lol..Gilley, i saw Mike Bibby’s son too.
IMO, Joe Johnson is a good player, not great, just good. but i think he would be better as a 2nd option. With him as the first option, the ball stops moving. I also don’t recall JJ trying to get into the paint much tonite. A great player struggling with his shot, would’ve tried to get to the free throw line, rebound, defend, do other things to help the team. Tonite he didn’t do much of that.
Dawg 93
May 8th, 2010
10:31 pm
@vick supporter
I think a lot of the venom about Joe Johnson stems from his comments about playing for the knicks next year. Couple that with a performance that looks like he wasn’t even trying, and you get the current fan sentiment….which is, get out you sorry freaking quitter!!
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:32 pm
“Fair weather fans is a problem in ATL”
You’re damn right it is. Yes, the team has played like sh&t, but these “fans” are people that hardly go to the games.
I don’t blame JJ wanting to leave one bit. This is the worst comment that Joe has made since he’s been here, and now the fans want to run him out of town.
I guess we will never be able to get rid of this “loserville” that we have hanging over our heads. Alot of the hawks :fans” are losers too. At the games cheering for Kobe and LeBron,lol. Worst fans in the country…fair-weather fans,lol
Gwinnett Fred
May 8th, 2010
10:34 pm
PEE-SSS on JJ.
I earn workman’s wages and to BLOW $125 on two tickets to see this group of heartless bush leaguers makes me say the opposite of JJ – I DON’T CARE IF HE SHOWS UP NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dominiques mom
May 8th, 2010
10:34 pm
Joe you need to call Dorothy and go see the Wizard -maybe he has a heart and brain for you
Herschel Talker
May 8th, 2010
10:34 pm
The funny thing is that most of the bloggers here still give a crap about this team. Until management changes and starts demanding change from players and coaches, this team isn’t worth supporting. Woody is the man.
kreedham
May 8th, 2010
10:35 pm
Thanks D Hawks…been waiting for someone to correct Joe’s phrase as well as Woody who said it earlier in the week. It’s, of course, I couldn’t care less….Joe says he could care less…well that would actually mean you care. Joe may just pull a Dave Justice and have a great game 4, the Hawks might win but it’s over on Wednesday!
Get a true center, move Al to forward, trade Marvin, get Childress back, replace Joe with D Wade no matter the cost and GET A NEW COACH.
Trade Bibby and/or Marvin if you can rob someone. Sort of like we did for Jamal!
Keep Zaza, Jamal, Josh, Al, Mario, Teague
Cut loose Joe Smith and Jason
And did I say…GET A NEW COACH!
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:35 pm
Mike Hunt
May 8th, 2010
10:29 pm
Vick Supporter,
There you go again with you ignorance. “I don’t need YOU grammar lessons”. Good luck with your shine stand.
—————–
I don’t need YOUR grammar lessons. Is that better, master?
Hawks fans time to send Joe a message
May 8th, 2010
10:36 pm
Send a message. Cheer Al when players are introduced Monday. Boo Joe.
Repeat, cheer Al, boo Joe.
Pass it on
Herschel Talker
May 8th, 2010
10:37 pm
What are the chances that Vick supporter is white? Between the grammar and the idea of supporting Vick, I’d put the odds at less than zero.
Woodys No Goody
May 8th, 2010
10:37 pm
Thank you Magic for doing what the Bucks could not – GET RID OF WOODY FOR US!!!!
Al Horford deserves better teammates and can’t wait for Johnson to play in Atlanta with whatever team next year. Oh we will be there and if you think today’s boos were loud. Just wait. You boring regular season scab!
TheAntiMe
May 8th, 2010
10:37 pm
Yes, Woody has to go, for a variety of reasons, but the most telling reason was illustrated in tonight’s flogging. During a timeout in the 3rd quarter, Woody was imploring his players to play hard and to not give up. At the same time, most of the players were not even listening and just staring off into space.
As was very much in evidence tonight, Woody has to go because every season his players tune him out more and more. Now it’s to the point where all they hear when he speaks to them is blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Bring in someone such as Jeff Van Gundy or Byron Scott to coach next season and at least they will be able to get the players attention and more importantly, their respect. Of course, I know that I’m dreaming because the ASG is known for being frugal, but with the money they save by letting Joe Johnson walk this summer, they can afford to get a respectable coach. If that isn’t one of their top priorities then just stick a fork in this franchise.
Tellitlikeitis
May 8th, 2010
10:38 pm
Mike Hunt: You wanna-be tough whitey, good luck with your teabag, republican, KKK meeting
BobDog
May 8th, 2010
10:38 pm
HOW SOON WE FORGET. TWO YEARS AGO THIS WAS THE WORST TEAM IN THE NBA. WE’VE MADE THE PLAYOFFS’ 2ND ROUND TWO YEARS IN A ROW. THE CONCENSUS IS THAT ORLANDO IS THE TEAM TO BEAT IN THE ENTIRE NBA. YEAH, I WISH WE COULD COMPETE WITH THEM BETTER THAN WE HAVE, BUT COME ON. PATIENCE, PEOPLE. THE HAWKS ARE MAKING PROGRESS.
What?
May 8th, 2010
10:38 pm
Why in the #$% does a citizen of a particular city have a moral obligation to support a privately owned enterprise, such as a sports team?
Shouldn’t that support be earned, not expected?
TROTTINGHOME
May 8th, 2010
10:39 pm
yep your right …the Hawks quit…Glad I never bought a ticket and glad I didn’t waste to much time watching them.
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:39 pm
I keep seeing comments saying “we need to get a true center”. Wouldn’t we have done so if there was a true center to be had?
Problem is, there aren’t that many “true centers” in college or the pros to begin with.
Gone is the time where you can get a Ewing, Robinson, or Hakeem in the draft. A good center comes along maybe every 5-10 years now…if that
Baller
May 8th, 2010
10:40 pm
LMAO…NBA basketball sucks!
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:41 pm
Herschel Talker
May 8th, 2010
10:37 pm
What are the chances that Vick supporter is white? Between the grammar and the idea of supporting Vick, I’d put the odds at less than zero.
———–
Yes, I’m black. Wouldn’t want to be white..since you’re bringing up race.
Woodys No Goody
May 8th, 2010
10:42 pm
BobDog – It is people like you that make Atlanta fans look bad. Keep your Mr. Rogers jolly gee wiz crap to yourself. The real progress starts this off season with the hiring of a new coach that demands his players pay attention to him and not rent limos for out of town playoff games to get their Tiger Woods on. THEN we will start seeing progress. The point is to win it all. Not just make the playoffs.
Joe Johnson < Joe Dirt
May 8th, 2010
10:42 pm
Isn’t this the second time Joe has made a comment that slammed the fans by saying the only people that matter are in the locker room?
TheAntiMe
May 8th, 2010
10:43 pm
So it seems that JJ don’t like us no more. Wow, I think I’ll cry myself to sleep tonight over that one.
Woodys No Goody
May 8th, 2010
10:43 pm
Are people really on here having comment fights about race? Idiots!
jeffrey d
May 8th, 2010
10:43 pm
Jeff, besides the fact that this playoff flop really upsets me, I want to say that this article is very well-written and clever – kudos.
I don’t think we should take Joe’s comments too seriously. He was asked about the booing and he gave his response. He’s frustrated. He’s upset. He’s human. This stuff affects him.
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:45 pm
BobDog
I agree with you 100%
Harry The Hawk
May 8th, 2010
10:45 pm
Wow….
if it’s “about the guys in the locker room”, why didn’t he motivate them to step up and play with self-respect (and heart) in the biggest game of the year? Turn on ESPN or the NBA Channel….they’ve become jokes throughout the entire sport!
Question for Hawks ownership:
If it’s “about the guys in the locker room”….are Smoove,Al,etc… paying each other’s salaries next year? Are sesaon tickets now free? I’m asking since Joe made it clear that it’s obviously not about Hawks fans who spend their valuable time/money to attend their games and line your/their pockets.
Finally, a suggestion….when you face the inevitable fact that you need to blow up this ‘team’ give LEADERSHIP qualities as much consideration as verticle-jump/x’s and O’s ability. Today’s one-dimensional teams end up ust like this group….floundering and rudderless when it really counts
If you’re serious about championships—-and a return on your investment, make smart decicons and let’s not make the same mistake twice. This has already become a textbook case.
Joe Johnson < Joe Dirt
May 8th, 2010
10:45 pm
We absolutely should take Joe’s comments seriously jeffery d. It’s times like these that reveal true character, and Joe revealed his.
Case in point, if it was total frustration, why hasn’t an immediate apology been issued from Joe?
ATL = Another Terrible Loss
May 8th, 2010
10:46 pm
Schultz has hit the nail on the head. Blow the thing up. This chemistry will never work, not with this coach and not with this collective group of players. It’s been a good solid try, but it’s time to count our losses and move on. Let’s keep the pieces that work – starting with Horford and Crawford, say farewell to Woody and Joe J. and evaluate the rest. I’d love for J-Smooth to stay, but the new coach HAS to take him under his wing and get him to grow up and play like he’s capable. So far, from H.S. to the pros, it’s been a struggle for anybody to succeed with that. Time to find a true point guard and a center and go from there.
kreedham
May 8th, 2010
10:46 pm
Thanks Mike Hunt…noticed you corrected Joe too and then I just repeated you….should read the whole blog first.
Ok…someone mentioned that there aren’t that many “true centers”. OK but get a better 1 so Al can move over.
I think Marvin and Josh can be saved with a new coach.
I think Bibby’s still alright…just a little P O’d with watching a talented team play like they do. I think he’ll be back with a new attitude as long as we GET A NEW COACH!
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:47 pm
Vicks sister
May 8th, 2010
10:44 pm
@Vick Supporter: You sniff vicks jock strap for dinner you freaking idiot
———————-
LOL! that was a good one “Mayberry”
Just Curious
May 8th, 2010
10:49 pm
So VS, you say Atlanta has the “worst fans in the country”, right. Just list for us ALL of the Championships that professional teams have brought to our great city. Put em all down here for us to drink in (Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Thrashers). Here, I’ll make it EASY for you: ONE freakin championship in how many thousands and thousands of professional games played in this city.
1995 Braves
Professional failure breeds fan contempt…..It’s amazing Atlanta fans even go to professional games at all anymore. You should bite your tongue and APPLAUD Atlanta fans for still showing up year after year when all we do is get our hearts ripped out over and over and over. Rick Dudley is this city’s best chance for a Stanley Cup. He’s done it before. The other teams here are just Perennial Pretenders…
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:49 pm
Joe Johnson < Joe Dirt
May 8th, 2010
10:45 pm
We absolutely should take Joe’s comments seriously jeffery d. It’s times like these that reveal true character, and Joe revealed his.
Case in point, if it was total frustration, why hasn’t an immediate apology been issued from Joe?
————————————-
JJ shows great character since he's been here…he says this about the fans (which is true) and now he's man of bad character? Is that correct?
George
May 8th, 2010
10:51 pm
Blow the whole thing up. Until tonight I believed that JJ deserved to be in a Hawks uniform for the rest of his career. Now, I am buying his ticket to anywhere. What a NO SHOW! Woody has lost control of the team and JJ has demonstrated that in the clutch he is non-existant.
Good by Woody and good by JJ. Good riddance to you both!
S Hawk Fan
May 8th, 2010
10:52 pm
You better believe I will be there Monday night to boo both Woody and Joe! They both need to leave and they can go to the same team! As long as it is not here! Last time I checked Joey…. the fans pay your salary!! so yea you need them and us but I suppose you are not smart enough to know that! Just leave both of you!
Joseph Allen McWhorter
May 8th, 2010
10:53 pm
If the Hawks really desire to be in the same league with the Magic, Cavs, and Lakers next season, and go deep into the playoffs, Mike Woodson must be fired! I will give the man credit though. At least he has gotten the Hawks back to some respectability. But this is is the second year in a row which the Hawks have looked totally clueless in the second round of the playoffs and much of that is due to poor coaching. Van Gundy of the Magic has more than outcoached Woody in this series. The Hawks season will end Monday night.
bruce mac
May 8th, 2010
10:53 pm
Why would anyone pay good money to watch a bunch of lazy rich egomaniacs trot around like they matter. What a load of crap, I work too hard for my money to throw it up a wild hogs azz.
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
10:53 pm
Atlanta: Quitter Fans.
Worst in the country.
Joe Johnson < Joe Dirt
May 8th, 2010
10:53 pm
Cheer Al on Monday. Boo Joe.
DREAMER
May 8th, 2010
10:54 pm
IT WILL BE A COLD DAY IN H#$@ BEFORE I BUY ANOTHER TICKET TO A HAWKS GAME. THE TEAM IS FULL OF QUITTERS. THE TEAM IS FULL OF SELFISH PLAYERS WHO ARE GROSSLY OVERPAID.
Joe Johnson < Joe Dirt
May 8th, 2010
10:55 pm
bruce was the wild hog’s a$$ a reference to Joe having attended Arkansas? It should have been.