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
They're too light in the pants
May 10th, 2010
9:30 pm
What this team needs is some dog in them. They run around trying to look pretty too often. They need someone with star power that will do anything to win. These Hawks are more like their coach, dress well, try to look and sound cool at all times. This might work in a press conference but on a basketball court it is not enough. Look at the big dogs, Kobe, Dwayne and yes LeBron. They have style and grace but they will rip your fingers off to get a win. When they reconfigure this team hopefully heart will be considered as well as style points.
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
9:30 pm
Todd the only way the fish are going near the submerged site of the former Philips Arena is if Chik-Fil-A offers coupons.
Luca Brasi
May 10th, 2010
9:31 pm
The Hawks now sleep with the fishes.
What's up with TNT?
May 10th, 2010
9:32 pm
It’s about to get ugly Steve? Heck it’s been Rosanne Barr going on three and a half games hasn’t it?
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
9:32 pm
The Hawks have really mastered working the clock for a bad shot, which leads to an easy score for Orlando. Game looks to be over already on the basis of a few 2nd half possessions.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:32 pm
Did anyone see JJ’s posture leaving the field at the time-out?? A real leader all energized to show the fans what he’s up to? No, didn’t think so, neither did I!
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
9:33 pm
Orlando on 11-2 run to open second half. It seems they have no desire for a Game 5. What a huge advantage that would be going into Eastern Conf. finals coming off 2 sweeps — not that the Hawks would care about that.
Mtn Hawk
May 10th, 2010
9:34 pm
How are the hawks? Can they make history and come back from 3-0??? LOL
Ruben
May 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
Rachel, Rachel,
i’ve been thinking
what a great world this would be
if the Hawks were all transported
forever off of TNT
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
ORL 11 ATL 2 so far in the 2nd. Can we stop the three?
DP
May 10th, 2010
9:35 pm
Nice start to the second half. Great defense.
Mtn Hawk
May 10th, 2010
9:36 pm
JJ sucks..I have stuck up for Joe and Coach all season long. I’ve washed my hands of them. I ain’t gonna lie to ya..they are pathetic…
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:36 pm
another flash from Fox News. Pope Benedick has administered Extreme Unction to the Hawks playoff hopes.
please make it stop
May 10th, 2010
9:36 pm
This is really embarrassing. A real low point for Atlanta sports.
Mtn Hawk
May 10th, 2010
9:37 pm
Josh loves his mouthpiece and his mouth. Stay lazy long enough and it will help ur team cause u will be at their end still.
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:37 pm
check that last flash. The Pope actually administered the Last Rites.
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
9:37 pm
Sorry Jeff, didn’t see your scoring update…
DP
May 10th, 2010
9:37 pm
Which will come sooner, the end of the Hawks season or the Braves first hit of the night? I’d say it’s a toss up at this point.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:38 pm
@ Mtn Hawk – same here, dude, same here!!
Mtn Hawk
May 10th, 2010
9:38 pm
Braves are winning DP!
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:39 pm
All Hawks memorabilia is to be burned and the ashes scattered in Underground.
Mtn Hawk
May 10th, 2010
9:39 pm
Glaus just hit a homer…now they are up 2-0…Mtn Brave is coming soon.
Lewis Grizzard
May 10th, 2010
9:40 pm
Man, I’m glad I didn’t live to see this.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
9:40 pm
cmon hawks!!!
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2010
9:40 pm
65-52 and what’s sad is the way the Hawks are playing offense it would take till the early 4th quarter to get it to 65 points.
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
9:41 pm
Wow, the whistle works on both ends of the floor.
Michael G.
May 10th, 2010
9:41 pm
josh smith…..do us all a favor and shut your dam mouth and play ball! Or else take your pouting away from this team! You are a cancer to this team
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:42 pm
BREAKING NEWS
Post-Game comments:
Woodson: “We came out flat! No energy! It was bad, man!” Translation: “Thank you, Sund for cutting my wings by not extending my contract!”
Players: “We didn’t follow the game plan and we didn’t fight with energy!” Translation: “Why would we get our shirts wet for a coach who’s wings have been cut short and can’t impose his will upon us anymore!”
Steve
May 10th, 2010
9:43 pm
Braves would lose again tonight if it were not for Hanson. That kid is amazing.
DP
May 10th, 2010
9:44 pm
The Braves have a lead on the road? Say it ain’t so.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:44 pm
@ Jeff D.
Why would the refs risk any comments about bad officiating?!! The Hawks don’t need help to embarrass themsleves/
jojatek
May 10th, 2010
9:44 pm
Embarrassing. This team has absolutely no identity. It’s one thing to be over-matched (painfully obvious in this series), but the lack of heart/passion/hustle is simply a slap in the face to all of the fans who wanted to believe in this team. Time to break this group up…
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
9:44 pm
Zaza blows layup that could’ve cut it to 8 and created a little drama.
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:44 pm
*themselves
They're too light in the pants
May 10th, 2010
9:45 pm
Was that really a two inch shot ZaZa just missed?
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
9:45 pm
zaza always puts the ball on the floor…and misses
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:46 pm
(sorry, got distracted by the “Big Bang Theory” – I bet they have more BB intelligence then all of the Hawks together!
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
9:47 pm
Howard loves to use the elbows. Can we break the double digit lead?
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
9:47 pm
the commentators are clowning us
please make it stop
May 10th, 2010
9:48 pm
maybe we can draft another terrible point guard this summer
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
9:48 pm
Jeff…you might have to ban me if I see JJ do one more ISO and no one moves without the ball and stands there and watch him
Alien in ATL
May 10th, 2010
9:49 pm
Whaw – JJ is having his best night of the play-offs: he shoots just under 40% (4 – 11)!
Jeff Schultz
May 10th, 2010
9:49 pm
Vick Supporter — We’ve seen this before, yes? It’s the biggest problem when this team gets into the half-court O.
-_-
May 10th, 2010
9:50 pm
-_-
Jeff D.
May 10th, 2010
9:51 pm
Vince Carter could be the understudy to Paul Pierce in Excruciating Injury Theater.
todd grantham
May 10th, 2010
9:51 pm
Jeff, incentives in contracts?
MenVsBoys
May 10th, 2010
9:51 pm
Hawks are scared. Pure and simple. They want nothing to do with the Magic. Either that or they don’t like the smell of paint. They sure go out their way to avoid it.
Vick Supporter
May 10th, 2010
9:51 pm
I just don’t understand Jeff..why won’t they move without the basketball or take it to the rim? So what if Howard blocks it. They have to make the refs make a call
Charlie Hacker
May 10th, 2010
9:52 pm
Vince Carter is the best NBA player i’ve ever seen.
-_-
May 10th, 2010
9:52 pm
Joe Johnson is KILLING US!!!