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
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
8:58 pm
@ Mac – 8:53
LMAO!! Or better, if you rewind it, it looks like the Hawks are making a come-back!
wordy
May 10th, 2010
8:59 pm
TNT has an ISO graphic. classic
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
8:59 pm
Fitten
May 10th, 2010
8:56 pm
Vick supporter, I’ve been saying the same thing here.
Just drive to the basket. Every time.
————————
Thats what they should do. Make howard commit a foul and get him out of the game. We can’t make a jump shot, so take it to the hole and get to the line
Fitten
May 10th, 2010
9:00 pm
Josh has 10pts. He’s leading the team. Josh is at 50% shooting.
Joe has 8pts on 3/7 shooting.
Cut Joe and Woody and next year start: Teague 1, Crawford 2, Williams 3, Josh 4, and Al at 5.
We won’t win 50, but we might develop Teague into a point guard. Lord knows Woodson can’t develop players
Barney
May 10th, 2010
9:01 pm
The Hawks will win 65 games next year. Woodson is building a dinasty!
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:02 pm
and if you reverse the dvr, the Magic have less and less points!!!!!
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:03 pm
that’s the answer!! Let the Hawks use a dvr when things get going rough!
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
9:03 pm
Don’t know if anybody is paying attention but Hawks have definitely played a stronger second quarter.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
9:04 pm
damn marvin sucks
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
9:04 pm
Joke time:
Three Atlanta Hawks and a duck walk into a bar. The bartender says to the duck “Aren’t you embarrassed to be seen with them?”
wordy
May 10th, 2010
9:04 pm
yeah- they did good
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
9:04 pm
They won a quarter! Cut three points off the lead and trail by 8 at halftime, 53-45. At least they showed a little life in the second quarter.
Fitten
May 10th, 2010
9:04 pm
BS non-call. Marvin got fouled
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:05 pm
Jeff, I can see the title to your game column now: Magic wins despite Hawks best DVR efforts.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:05 pm
I was catching up on posts this afternoon. Someone said Sund was in for a tough summer. No he isn’t!! Get rid of the whole team (well, maybe keep Teague, Horford, Zaza and Jamal) and build a new team. Woodson has shown he can work on a team in progress, so give him 2 years. Then switch him before they get to comfortable with him again.
the other you
May 10th, 2010
9:05 pm
….matt barnes looks like the black johnny knoxville
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:06 pm
how do you take 34 from 53 and get 8?
Barney
May 10th, 2010
9:06 pm
I’m paying attention. I wouldn’t miss a second of the best coach ever!
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
9:07 pm
How odd: the Braves have no hits through 4 innings.
wordy
May 10th, 2010
9:07 pm
the A team and the Karate Kid????
Mac
May 10th, 2010
9:07 pm
Come on Jeff………..after losing by 43 and 30………where else can they go? If the Hawks lose in single digits tonight……………..Mayor Reed has planned a parade for Wed
Hawks vs. Magic
May 10th, 2010
9:08 pm
they’re at least putting up some kinda fight but it probably won’t be enough to avoid the sweep
wordy
May 10th, 2010
9:08 pm
Barney- I have to watch because this def. seems like the end of an era.
Harry The Hawk
May 10th, 2010
9:09 pm
For all of the talk about he and Dwight being childhood friends, you think Smoove would have more of a clue about some of his moves. He always seems to be out of position or getting faked right out of his shoes.
Mac
May 10th, 2010
9:10 pm
BREAKING NEWS!!! Atlanta Mayor is planning a parade for Wed if Hawks lose in single digits!!!
soldierman
May 10th, 2010
9:12 pm
Sorry I’m late. Now if the hawks loose tonight I wont be disappointed at all. They are hustling, and for the most part making the smart play. I just wonder maybe if we would have been able to steal 1 perhaps 2 playing like this from the first whistle in the 1st game
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:12 pm
@ Harry the Hawk
I guess he’s hoping his ol’ friend will push his coach for a contract for him… as water-boy when he promises never to throw the bottle from more than 2 feet away! And if he promises not to whine when he can’t catch the bottle thrown back at him.
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
9:13 pm
The Orlando Magic must be working for Homeland Security because they’ve had the Hawks on the no-fly list for the last four games.
John F Kennedy
May 10th, 2010
9:14 pm
We are confronted with a moral issue. it is as old as the Scriptures, and as clear as the American Constitution. The heart of the question is, should we pay good money to see such a poor team play?
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:15 pm
@ soldierman
What replay are you watching, man? they are giving the Magic offense wide open looks, no defense at all (by most of the Hawks, at least)
Harry The Hawk
May 10th, 2010
9:17 pm
Barkley, Jet and Chris gave JJ a pass….they know his stupid comment crossed the line. NBA’ers rallying around a fellow baller?
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:17 pm
Enter your comments here
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
9:19 pm
They’re playing hard but they aren’t playing especially smart.
Steve
May 10th, 2010
9:19 pm
Anyone want to guess who has no hits as we enter the 5th inning? Anyone know the MLB record for worst team batting average at the end of the season?
Franklin Roosevelt
May 10th, 2010
9:19 pm
The only thing we have to fear is the arrival of the Hawks renewal season ticket invoice!
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:20 pm
@ Harry the Hawk
They already gave him a pass yesterday evening, building his defense. Guess JJ’s agent paid them a commission to save his contract negotiations over the summer/
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
9:20 pm
Okay, plugged in for half two. Lets roll!
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:20 pm
let’s see Steve. the answer to your first question is the Atlanta Braves. the answer to your second questions is it will be the Atlanta Braves.
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
9:20 pm
Hey JFK, did you tell Dirk Nowitzki you were a Berliner, or did you just ask him for the phone number of that batsh-t crazy woman he was dating?
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
9:20 pm
Todd — make that 53-45. That math works.
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
9:22 pm
Some halftime numbers: Magic shooting 65.6 percent. Jameer Nelson: 6 for 8. Hawks 43.6 percent. Josh 4-for-8, Jamal 1-for-8.
LAKE SHOW
May 10th, 2010
9:22 pm
The Dream are taking over 2nd half
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
9:22 pm
Come on now. Homeland Security. Hawks. No-fly list. Get it?
Man, tough crowd.
V-Man
May 10th, 2010
9:24 pm
What’s next?!! 1st request, no more Joe 26 pts in reg season and 13 in postseason every year. Good player not a superstar. CUT!! FIRE!!! GET RID OF!!! Mike Woodson!!!! He cannot lead the team any further than he has. We need a true center so Al can shine and someone please make Josh drive and stop trying those wide open J’s.
sweetness
May 10th, 2010
9:25 pm
Hey Hawks fan, If ownership do not sign Woodson or Joe . Hawks will not WIN 20 games next season.
Steve
May 10th, 2010
9:25 pm
Milwaukee’s starting pitcher started the game with an ERA over 7.
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:26 pm
news flash from Fox: the Hawks have stunk up Philips so bad, it has been placed on the EPA’s Super Fund Site. the whole building is to be dismantled and trucked to Mississippi.
Steve
May 10th, 2010
9:27 pm
About to get ugly.
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:27 pm
then the Philips site will be flooded with overflow from Lake Lanier, never to be seen again but by fish.
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
9:28 pm
Good catch Woody, take the shot!