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
Fitten
May 10th, 2010
8:42 pm
Iso- doesn’t work
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:42 pm
jesus christ
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
8:43 pm
The Hawks still get Participation ribbons, don’t they?
wordy
May 10th, 2010
8:43 pm
72% really?
Joe Johnson
May 10th, 2010
8:43 pm
I will never go back to Orlando in this life.
Steve
May 10th, 2010
8:43 pm
I think Snowman needs a hug. Jeff is hilarious Snowdude. Relax.
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
8:43 pm
Iso no
Couch Potato
May 10th, 2010
8:44 pm
We are scared of Dwight; won’t even challenge him in lane
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:44 pm
hawks!!!! move without the freakin ball!! why is everybody wide open!!!!!
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:44 pm
Joe “Rucker Park” Johnson playing for a contract
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
8:44 pm
Snowman — You used a bad word. I unapproved your comment. Try that again and I’ll ban you — for the bad word, not for the senseless ramblings. How’s your agenda going?
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
8:44 pm
Snowman needs a hug.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:45 pm
these dudes is scared of Dwight….funny that the Bobcats can get him in foul trouble with lesser athletes, yet the hawks can’t and are scared
wordy
May 10th, 2010
8:47 pm
Dwight’s shoulders have small objects orbiting them.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:47 pm
how in the hell did we get the #3 seed
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
8:47 pm
whenever the hawks play the magic
the results are often quite tragic
but ole joe said said it best
they are fans only in jest
and i really couldnt care just a lick
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:47 pm
Cool a time out!!! Now we have a chance to catch up on the scoreboard
Steve
May 10th, 2010
8:47 pm
Take that Snowman! Maybe since the Hawks are done for the year they will start a fight or something. That would make this worth watching!
Eric
May 10th, 2010
8:48 pm
Snowman, Woodson is a slightly below average coach. Yes he’s left this team better than it was when he got it, but he’s hit his ceiling as a head coach.
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
8:48 pm
Vick Supporter–May be hard to see now but there is talent on this team, enough talent to beat a lot of mediocre teams in the NBA. But the postseason is about character, chemistry and coaching, not just talent.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:48 pm
WOW!! Where are the strong rain fade showers which knock Direct TV out when you need them?
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
8:48 pm
you tell him, Jeff. guy needs to go off and melt somewhere.
LAKE SHOW
May 10th, 2010
8:49 pm
The jokes are grand in here tonight
Building mansions? Oh and this is just gold:
Methuselah: “Never, in 946 years of life, have i seen a worse playoff team than the Hawks.”
Barney
May 10th, 2010
8:49 pm
I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family…
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:49 pm
no ball movement at all for the hawks
Fitten
May 10th, 2010
8:49 pm
The best offensive Hawk lineup over the season has Bibby, Crawford, Johnson, Josh & Al. He should just leave them in and hope that the Magic brick some 3pters.
We can’t guard them so our only hope is to outscore them
DP
May 10th, 2010
8:50 pm
Could Woodson introduce one of the Hawks defenders to Petreus? I haven’t seen anybody within 5 steps of him on any of his 3 3-pointers.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:50 pm
@ Jeff……….CBA Talent yes. Come on!! The one on one And 1 play led by Rucker Park Johnson is what hurts this team. When they pass the ball……….they compete………….but Rucker Park loses his mind and thinks he is a Kobe, Lebron or Wade
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
8:51 pm
i think that’s the main thing the Hawks lack: chemistry. call it whatever you want, but i’ll bet they never wear a tee shirt that says “TEAM, me”
Barney
May 10th, 2010
8:51 pm
Jeff Schultz, you said postseason about coaching??? Woodson is the BEST! You should be fired!!!
Steve
May 10th, 2010
8:52 pm
Maybe the Hawks should have asked the Braves if they could borrow Jason Heyward during this round? He is a pretty big dude and is clutch. Maybe he could have handled Howard. As shocking as it is that the Hawks are losing, Atlanta has no hits after 3 innings.
wordy
May 10th, 2010
8:53 pm
we are only down by 8
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
8:53 pm
Eric @ 8:48: If Woodson hit the ceiling, why does my head hurt?
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 10th, 2010
8:53 pm
The Hawks play like five total strangers on a pick-up team.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:53 pm
Hey if you have a DVR………I found out that if you rewind back to the beginning of the game and then watch it while pressing fast forward………..the game is not that painful. It actually looks as though the Hawks know how to play defense
Steve
May 10th, 2010
8:54 pm
Wordy, give it time. Orlando will win this one by at LEAST 15.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 10th, 2010
8:54 pm
Bet Jason Heyward would make a fine tight end.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:54 pm
@Jeff Schultz
I’m was talking about how the Bobcats would take the ball to the hole and force Howard to commit. The hawks are just shooting jumpers. Howard has no one to guard because the hawks will not post anyone up on him. Now, Howard is out of the game, and the Hawks are going to the basket. The Hawks have more atletic players than the Bobcats that can go to the whole
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
8:54 pm
The Hawks came to the Arena
Just as well to have sent a ballerina
As anyone can see
It was fait accompli
A disaster on par with Katrina
TheAntiMe
May 10th, 2010
8:55 pm
Josh had Al down low, so what does he do? Throws up a brick.
Fitten
May 10th, 2010
8:56 pm
Vick supporter, I’ve been saying the same thing here.
Just drive to the basket. Every time.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
8:56 pm
Can anyone pls tell me what time and what channel the play-off game is on? TNT is showing a pre-game Orlando practice shoot-out at the moment. When are the Hawks expected in the building?
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
8:57 pm
Jeff, do basketball players typically have incentive clauses in their contracts, ala baseball players?
Barney
May 10th, 2010
8:57 pm
You guys have to calm down. We have them where we wanted them! We are the champions my friend!!
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:57 pm
Hey Jeff start a pool to see how long will it be before the TALENTED Heyward falls through that “Right field trap door for the Braves”. Justice, Michael Tucker, Harris, Jermaine Dye, shall I go on???
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:57 pm
Howard only averaged 9.9ppg against the bobcats because he was always in foul trouble. if we could do that, we could win a game
DP
May 10th, 2010
8:57 pm
Jeff, here’s the link to where I heard the Golf Channel gaffe earlier today, but it appears they’ve disabled the audio. Yes, I heard her say it.
http://deadspin.com/5534625/the-tiger-woods-injury+condition-flub-youve-been-waiting-for-all-day
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
May 10th, 2010
8:57 pm
Hawks making their token second-quarter run.
Steve
May 10th, 2010
8:58 pm
What’s sad is the Hawks will probably be much worse next year. I guess this is the peak. Here’s hoping the Falcons tear it up! Don’t think we will be seeing the Braves in October.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
8:58 pm
Ja Ja Ja JOE!!!!!! RUCKER PARK JOHNSON!!!!!