We’re LIVE from the Hawks’ . . . final game?
This series has been a laugher for Orlando, while the Hawks ...
We’ve all witnessed playoff disappointments before. Two weeks ago, I listed what I believed to be the seven greatest postseason flops in Atlanta pro sports history. The Hawks were on the verge of joining the infamous group at the time, only to show some resolve when down 3-2 against Milwaukee and win the next two games to make it to round two.
This second-round series against Orlando isn’t a playoff flop. It’s just an embarrassment. It would leave fans with an ugly hangover, sort of
like when the Falcons made their
... are hiding their faces after losing three games by 87 points.
miracle run to the Super Bowl, only to have Eugene Robinson get arrested on the eve of the game.
Nobody — at least no rational thinking person — really believed the Hawks would defeat the Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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.
Tonight at Philips Arena, there’s a good chance it will end. The Magic have won the first three games by deficits of 43, 14 and 30 points. The Hawks are only the fourth team in NBA playoff history to lose two games of a playoff series by 30 or more points (nobody has suffered that distinction three times).
Tonight could be Johnson’s final game as a Hawk. It also could be Mike Woodson’s final game as head coach.
What happens? Do they get blown out again, or do they show a little pride — and possibly lose any way? And is it in them to actually win a game?
When asked how difficult it would be to rebound off a game like Saturday’s 105-75 loss, guard Jamal Crawford said bef0re the game: “It’s hard. It’s harder the same night because you can’t sleep and the game just replays in your head. After you see the tape, you feel a little bit better but it still lingers with you. This game can’t come fast enough.
“We just have to have some pride. This is not a No. 1 vs. No. 16 seed in the NCAA tournament. This is a No. 2 seed and No. 3 seed. We knew we were on a possible collision course. We just have to go out and play hard.”
That would be a nice change.
How hard do you believe the Hawks will play — and do you think it would make a difference in the result?
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492 comments Add your comment
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
8:09 pm
Jeffrey, you forget the gunman on the grassy knoll. That was actually JJ and he missed.
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
8:09 pm
Well, Joe was booed the first two times he handled the ball — but cheered when he hit a 3-point shot.
Barney
May 10th, 2010
8:09 pm
I told you, guys, Joe Johnson for MVP of the Finals!
OrlandoFan
May 10th, 2010
8:09 pm
Orlando in 7…
7 days that is!!!!
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:10 pm
Tonight is a contract try-out night for Joe “XBOX” Johnson. He is auditioning for the rest of the league……..so please don’t be fooled by his extra hustle tonight
Lee Harvey
May 10th, 2010
8:10 pm
Jeff Schultz: “And Oswald acted alone.”
I’ve always believed that, but some of the conspiracy theories make interesting reading.
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
8:10 pm
OrlandoFan — Good line. I may steal that.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
8:10 pm
Get Joe out of there!!! Send him to the locker room!! And he can take Smith with him!
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:10 pm
Lets Go HAWKS!!!!
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:11 pm
Hey TNT…….is it possible to show the replay of the SUNS-SPURS game from last night in place of the Hawks game tonight?
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
8:13 pm
co-sign there Mac!
James
May 10th, 2010
8:13 pm
Jeff,
At least this series has proved that it’s not just Mark Bradley and his bad luck–as some of our posters believe– that cause the hawks to lose.
It must just be something about being an Atlanta team. Oh well. You have done a great job covering this series. Too bad you didn’t get to write about anything exciting…
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
8:13 pm
Why are they showing a D-League game during the playoffs? Did they lose the contractual rights to the NBA?
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:13 pm
Woody, please put Teague in
Jim Jones
May 10th, 2010
8:13 pm
I TOLD ‘em it was only coolaid!
wordy
May 10th, 2010
8:14 pm
oh that was pretty
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:14 pm
We cannot play with these guys
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
8:14 pm
Maybe the Hawks caught the offensive disease the Braves have.
Noah
May 10th, 2010
8:14 pm
I know i’m supposed to take 2 of everything, but i think i’ll just let the Hawks become extinct.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:15 pm
Josh Smith already has his crying towel out. He knows!!!
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
8:16 pm
I heard Joe Johnson was all set to go on the grassy knoll, but Josh Smith insisted on trying a three from Austin, and then Joe said “I could care less” and went home.
Well I did hear that.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:16 pm
Josh Smith and reserves going to locker room early to get a jump on cleaning their locker out…….so they can get home and watch Lakers and Jazz
Moses
May 10th, 2010
8:16 pm
The Eleventh Commandment: Always bet against the Hawks. Heavy!!
wordy
May 10th, 2010
8:16 pm
stop bitching or go Dancing with the Stars. Jeff gets a pass cause he is at work.
Dead Hawk
May 10th, 2010
8:17 pm
Can we get ANYTHING of value in return of Josh Smith?
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:18 pm
Joe “XBOX cookie monster mumbling” Johnson said he could care less if fans showed up
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
8:18 pm
when is anyone going to learn that Magic has good perimeter shooters that need to be defended???
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
8:18 pm
Lee Harvey — I hear ya. You know, Pete Babcock was big on conspiracy theories.
Methusalah
May 10th, 2010
8:18 pm
Never, in 946 years of life, have i seen a worse playoff team than the Hawks.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:19 pm
Dead Hawk – an empty roster spot is good enough as a replacement for Josh Smith
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
8:19 pm
The Hawks keep layin’ bricks at this rate and they’ll be getting union cards.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
8:19 pm
@ Dead Hawk
Sure … a box of tissues!
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:20 pm
Stan Kasten……..I now forgive you for trading Dominique for Danny Manning.
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
8:20 pm
The NBA just issued a retraction concerning the All NBA teams. They said they meant to say Joe Johnson was one of the 15 best Hawks, not one of the 15 best NBA players.
Josef Stalin
May 10th, 2010
8:20 pm
Amerikan Comrads, vy vaste your time and dollars on zis capitalistic game zat exploits ze masses ?
Steve
May 10th, 2010
8:20 pm
Jeff, how is the crowd now? Still about half empty?
Barney
May 10th, 2010
8:21 pm
Howard is not that good. Joe Johnson is a million times better!
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:21 pm
looks like we’re going to build a mansion tonight
Jesse
May 10th, 2010
8:21 pm
Do we really want this to go 5 games anyway? I mean if they pull this out they’ll go back to Orlando and get demolished. This team can’t build on anything…. and has no trust in each other. It’s all about “me,” in their minds.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:22 pm
my goodness. everyone on their team is open
Steve
May 10th, 2010
8:22 pm
Didn’t take long to be down by 10.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:22 pm
Hey TNT………..okay is it possible for us to watch the Lakers and Utah warm up before their game. Where is a Braves rain delay Andy Griffith episode when you need one?
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
8:22 pm
Joe Johnson was offered a seat on the Trilateral Commission but he thought try lateral meant he’d have to move his feet on defense so he turned it down.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
8:23 pm
wasn’t there a rule in the NBA there have to be 2 teams on the floor to play a game?? Why is only Orlando out there?
Oh wait… those white spots are a team too??
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
8:23 pm
Thanks James — I actually feel good about the Falcons next season.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:23 pm
why double Vince Carter? Why!!! Why switch on every pick and roll unless bibby is in the game?
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:24 pm
@Alien in ATL………nice
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
8:24 pm
This series is not unlike the “wood chipper” scene in Fargo. And Frances McDormand is nowhere to be found.
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
8:24 pm
Hey Josef, go tell that to the guy who just bought the Nets!
wordy
May 10th, 2010
8:25 pm
vick supporter- shouldn’t you just change your name to vick fan at this point? I think he is doing ok now. Could be Eagles starter if whats his name doesn’t work out.