We’re LIVE from Hawks-Magic: Can they make it a series?
Mike Woodson's Hawks have been inconsistent in the playoffs.
There’s a saying in sports that a playoff series doesn’t really begin until a team loses a home game.
It’s understandable if you’re not feeling that way after seeing the Hawks dismembered in Game 1 and fizzle in Game 2 against Orlando, losing two games of this playoff series by a combined 57 points. But back now in Philips Arena, where all is usually well, this is the Hawks’ last chance to show a pulse — and maintain it for 48 minutes.
It has been stated enough times in this corner but here we go again: The Hawks are at the point in their evolution where they shouldn’t be defined by the regular season (53-29) but by the postseason (4-3 over undermanned Milwaukee; 0-2 against Orlando).
Granted, only the most optimistic of folks projected them to beat Orlando in this series. The Magic reached the finals last year. They may win the championship this year. They’re superior at basketball’s two key positions: center and point guard.
But what you wanted to see from the Hawks this series is passion, intelligence and consistency under fire, and too often that hasn’t been the case.
Can they win tonight? Absolutely. In a 2-0 series, the trailing home team tends to play its best game, knowing at 3-0 the series probably is over. (For what it’s worth, Las Vegas has this as a close game: The Magic are favored by 2 to 2 1/2 points.)
The Hawks’ objectives shouldn’t change: pound Dwight Howard inside as much as possible with rotating hackers (Zaza Pachulia, Joe Smith, Jason Collins). Play pressure defense to try and force turnovers. Hope Orlando doesn’t get hot from trey-range. See where you’re at in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks are 37-8 at home this year (34-7 in the regular season; 3-1 in the playoffs). However, Philips Arena is not a cure all. We saw Milwaukee win Game 5 here to push the Hawks to the brink of elimination in the first round.
In fact, since winning four straight home playoff games in 2008 (3-0 vs. Boston) and 2009 (first game vs. Miami), the Hawks have gone only 5-4 at Philips. The breakdown: 2-1 in the rest of the Miami series, 0-2 vs. Cleveland, 3-1 vs. Milwaukee.
So what do you think. Can the Hawks make a series of this? We’ll be here blogging live during the game, but let’s hear your predictions now.
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484 comments Add your comment
Tony
May 8th, 2010
8:57 pm
The only players on this team worth keeping is J-Craw, Josh (yes I still believe in him), and Al. Bibby can’t guard anyone. Joe is always missing in the playoffs (for the most part-just do some research). What is up with Teague? Why is he not in there?
Brownie
May 8th, 2010
9:03 pm
OK, obviously the Magic are better than the Hawks, but not THIS much better. Losing by this much just shows 2 glaring weaknesses: horrible coaching/leadership and no heart. Not only will they get swept, but I’ll bet it’s by over 20 pts in game 4.
So, what’s next?? I’m not so sure bringing in a superstar (BTW JJ is NOT a superstar, as he has just so aptly proven) will make the difference with this current roster. Besides, why WOULD a superstar want to come here to this group of quitters?
Sund needs to blow this team up. Start with Woody (nice guy, did a good job getting them to playoff caliber, barely, but he is definitely NOT championship level). In fact Sund may decide to axe him right on the floor immediately after the final horn on Monday. Now, with the ASG’s very limited, nearly bankrupt, budget they just might decide to keep him if only to save money – what a mistake that would be.
Next, JJ: they offered $15 mil and he turned it down (he’s making ~ $14.9 this year) thinking he can get more elsewhere. After his playoff performances, he make get NO offers. The Hawks should offer him $11 mil, (that would be fun to see) and then let him walk or do a sign and trade if they can find a desperate partner.
Whomever the hire as head coach, he needs to have job 1 be to get inside Josh Smith’s head and get him to give a professional effort.
Get rid of Bibby, whatever the cost, and either give Teague a chance to play or bring in a top PG (won’t be able to afford that so it looks like it will be Teague). BUT what this team needs most is NOT a big center like so many are crying for after watching Dwight Howard dominate…they need a great point guard (ghost of Billy Knight just won’t go away, eh?).
Now, if all of you fans are satisfied with just making the playoffs and getting embarrassed when it counts, then by all means plead for Sund to maintain status quo or just “tweak it”.
gotten older
May 8th, 2010
9:04 pm
I can’t boo this team because it’s over. this team has to know that when they play their last game Monday night, it will be their last game together. Many of the coaches and players will be gone to other teams or other places next season..
In a way it is the sad end of not only a season but a dream of what this team could have been.
To those who monday night will be the end of the road for you as an Atlanta Hawk I wish you well on your journey.
Mr. Sund the makeup of the Atlanta Hawks next season is on you. I truly hope you are up to the job and the challenge. This team has to change. Not only coaches but there has to be a change in players also.
They have become much to comfortable with losing.
Lamback
May 8th, 2010
9:05 pm
We need to look at the big picture. I agree, next year, no Woodson, NO Johnson, No Bibby (buy out his year or trade him for a pic) Al Horford and J Smooth play the same position. Both have to play the four spot. Jsmooth is not a small forward, he doesnt have the handle or the jump shot. So package JSmooth and Keep Horford. Then hire a new coach, and quickly. Then build a team around Horford at the four.
Maggie May
May 8th, 2010
9:05 pm
I agree with the person who recommended that everyone stay home on Monday. I know the tickets have already been bought, but it could send a message to owner and manager that people aren’t going to continue to waste their hard earned dollars to watch these worthless azzholes play.
Mike Woodson
May 8th, 2010
9:08 pm
Im getting the feeling there are some of you unhappy with my coaching? Leave me alone,. Im shaving my eyebrows
Will
May 8th, 2010
9:19 pm
@Vick Supporter- Please don’t get the Vick issue going again. Support the Falcons not ONE player. Who cares about “exciting”…WIN games. That’s all that matters. Yes Vick is a very gifted athlete & fun to watch but that’s over now. Move on.
truthspitter
May 8th, 2010
9:25 pm
The Falcons are a bigger fraud than the Hawks. Matt Ryan is a joke, I agree Vick was a bigger winner the guy got the job done when it comes to winning.
Maggie May
May 8th, 2010
9:26 pm
Not a single player on the Hawks is worth a dime. The NBA has turned into a big joke, with tattooed goons making more money in one season than most fans will make in a lifetime.
Fans should stay home and boycott them even on TV to make the point.
Who would really care if there was no NBA?
Seriously, how many people out of 300 million Americans would even notice.
Will
May 8th, 2010
9:28 pm
Yeah Vick got the job done alright. He was 7-9 & 8-8 in his last two seasons LOL.
John
May 8th, 2010
9:31 pm
wow cant believe what i just read…JJ just said “we could care less if they show up” (the fans)…first off, how can he speak for the team and say “we”? Then next, what does he expect..this was the biggest game of the season and he CHOKED!!!….i hope he leaves..im officially starting the “JOE HAS TO GO” movement
brody
May 8th, 2010
9:32 pm
truthspitter yea right he did the same thing Joe Johnson and Woodson did which is get us in the playoffs and then choke up at some point. Like one fellow blogger said, I hope Teague is the one who fires Woodson, Vince McMahon style: You’re Firrrrrrrrrreddddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Name that Joe.
May 8th, 2010
9:33 pm
Joe couldn’t care less? Get a clue, Joe the Jack@ss; the saying is you couldn’t care less. Which just about sums up the feelings of Hawks fans about your immature outburst.
Joe Average. Joe Loser. Joe Dirt.
dawginDC
May 8th, 2010
9:36 pm
hey Brian, the Atlanta Knights won the turner cup, that has to count for something doesn’t it? lol…you are right though, atlanta is loserville usa in terms of pro sports….sad as it is
DHD
May 8th, 2010
9:37 pm
Goodbye, Joe.
truthspitter
May 8th, 2010
9:38 pm
The Hawks suck and they are too cheap. Watch the bum they bring in here to replace Woody will be way worse
dawgma
May 8th, 2010
9:38 pm
Woodson & Johnson – we don’t care either!
The Hawks aren’t really that close – just a good team with no point guard and no clutch coaching.
They failed to take the next step which means they fell backwards in 2010.
Danny Boy
May 8th, 2010
9:39 pm
Put these worthless jerks and sorry excuses for athletes on the back of a garbage truck and let them earn a living. Then start over with some players who care.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
9:42 pm
Hey folks, I know there’s a lot to vent to about. But here’s one more thing. When asked about the booing, Joe Johnson basically said he doesn’t care what you think. Check out the game column, which is now posted:
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/05/08/hawks-quit-on-season-and-joe-doesnt-care-what-you-think/
Vick Supporter
May 8th, 2010
9:43 pm
Hell, JJ is right about the fans here….barely support the team unless LeBron or Kobe comes to town, then when they lose in the playoffs, bad mouth the team. I don’t blame him one bit and it should have been said a long time ago
Alex
May 8th, 2010
9:46 pm
Got a question for you Hawks fans. Why were fans at the arena booing Dwight Howard? He’s a home town guy. I think the energy would’ve been better used trying to cheer on your team. Oddly enough by halftime, the boos were redirected to your own team.
Now to the actual games. The problem with the Hawks is there’s just too much 1 on 1 and not enough team ball. Whether that’s the coaches offensive scheme or what the players do when things don’t go right, I don’t know. Unless they can figure out how to move the ball, the Hawks will always just be a decent team, not an elite & will never make noise in the playoffs.
Illegal in Arizona
May 8th, 2010
9:47 pm
The following statement is for Joe Johnson. Shut up and leave already. You are over-rated and over paid. The sooner you leave and take that idiot high school coach with you the better this team will be. Jamal Crawford is twice the player you are and I look forward to him starting in your spot next season while you suck in big games for whatever stupid playoff contender will have you. The fans boo at you because you and your Hawks teammates continue to be an annual disappointment. You had to fight to get by an under-manned Milwaukee team and then laid down against Orlando. The Hawks have looked like they didn’t even belong in the playoffs. Since jumping out to a 2-0 lead against Milwaukee you all are 1-6. Pitiful showing so go whine about the fans all you want to but the fact remains you have failed to show up in this series or the last four games against Milwaukee. Good Riddance to you!
Hawks quit on season (and Joe doesn't care what you think) | Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2010
9:47 pm
[...] ♦ We’re live from Hawks-Magic: Can they make it a series? [...]
D Hawks
May 8th, 2010
9:47 pm
So MC just posted a story with JJ saying that he “could care less” (incorrect use of the phrase, JJ) if fans show up for Game 4 because it’s only about the guys in his locker room. This is the perfect example of what’s wrong with this guy and so many athletes. The superstars never say that even it may be their true thoughts. JJ, do you realize that without FANS there is no need for anyone to pay you the Max Money you strongly desire??? Where is the leadership on this club?
Inside Information
May 8th, 2010
9:48 pm
Let Joe Johnson and coach Mike Woodson go and Sign Chris Bosh and hire Avery Johnson as the coach.
R.U.KIDDEN-ME???
May 8th, 2010
9:57 pm
IF I MAY BORROW A FEW WORD’S FROM THE GREAT DR.SEUSS,IN WHICH HE DESCRIBE’S “THE GRINCH” & AS I SEE THE HAWK’S THE LAST THREE GAMES’……STINK,STANK,STUNK!!!! NUFF SAID!!!
oldmikey
May 8th, 2010
9:59 pm
Not Woody’s fault Joe and others don’t do what he asks. Go after D Wade.
Justin
May 8th, 2010
10:03 pm
Thanks Jeff for that article. You summed it up. I’ve been a big Hawks fan for years. I went to the game tonight. I definitely booed the team. There was no intensity, no effort. They obviously didn’t care. Joe’s words about not caring about the fans sound accurate. They’re getting their paycheck one way or another. I wish I hadn’t bought the tickets and I won’t be buying any more tickets for the forseeable future. I think I’m going to file a class action lawsuit to get a refund for the game. Fraud is the allegation. Because if this wasn’t fraud, what was it?
tony
May 8th, 2010
10:18 pm
vick supporter, I totally disaggree with you young man. Fans will fill the stands every night if you put the right product on the court. To be honest with you, Al Horford and the Jamal Crawford are the only two players on that team I care to watch. Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Marvin William are all low IQ basketball players and I could careless if they came back next season.
It’s about time for this organization to start bringing in high IQ basketball athletes and coaches who has been part of a championship organization. I prefer a coach who played on a championship team as a player(Avery Johnson or Byron Scott). We neen to draft smart atheletes(Paul George-SF, Gordon Haward-SFand Luke Babbitt-SF). NO MORE LOW IQ BASKETBALL PLAYER.
tony
May 8th, 2010
10:25 pm
By the way, that silly comment Joe Johnson made about the fans will follow him whereever he goes. No fans around the league will put up with his nonchalant attitude.
Hawks fans time to send Joe a message
May 8th, 2010
10:29 pm
At least, if you still insist on going to the game since you spent your hard earned money, at least have the sense to boo Joe during the pregame introductions.
Cheer Al. Boo Joe. Send a message.
Inside Information
May 8th, 2010
10:30 pm
Dwayne Wade is not leaving Miami they can offer he more money than any other team can so he’ll be back with the heat. The Hawks can get Chris Bosh though I’m sure he would be welcome in Atlanta and he would like to play in Atlanta cause he is already familiar with the city since he played college basketball at Georgia Tech.
Dr. Truth
May 9th, 2010
4:04 am
The hawks need to break the bank and bring in d-wade and bosh. With those 2, they should be a lot better next year.
slimjr
May 10th, 2010
6:21 pm
Hawks lose by 45 tonight! They should call the game by the 3rd quarter…Stick a fork in it. It’s a RAP! Hawks are out gunned at the 1,2,3,4&5. Coaching is even…….