Hawks’ constant Sybil act reaffirms changes are needed
There were too many times in the game when this reflected the Hawks' interest level.
Welcome back to the tin-foil hat brigade. Hawks players don’t just show up for games — they wait for signals from their home planet (where unicorns and perfect Billy Knight-drafted point guards frolic in the fields).
Shouldn’t they be past this by now?
“I thought we were,” Jamal Crawford said. “But I thought we were past it before Game 5 [in Orlando], also.”
He speculated it was part of the “growth process.” It would be a wonderful theory, except for that there are 3,000-year-old giant sequoia trees in California with shorter growth processes than the Hawks.
At some point, you come to the realization that certain teams don’t grow, they just forever mutate into a new, unexpected and possibly really ugly life form.
The Hawks resume their playoff series against Chicago on Sunday night. They could win by 10 or lose by 30. There’s something wrong with that. Just when you allowed yourself to think that the first-round series win over Orlando — despite a 25-point loss in Game 5 — was a sign of some long-awaited maturity, they came out Friday night against the Bulls looking like catatonic wildebeests.
A coach should not have to feel the need to call timeout only 49 seconds into any game, let alone a playoff game … at home.
Crawford again: “That’s never good.” (On this theory, we agree.)
Whenever this playoff run ends for the Hawks, and it could be soon, change is needed.
Joe Johnson is asked to lead. He comes up big in Game 1 against Chicago with 34 points. Then he fades to 16 in Game 2 and 10 in Game 3. Afterward, he complains about the offensive game plan. Says he is “buried in the corner” on pick-and-rolls. Says this: “Honestly, I’ve just got to force the issue. … Coach wants me to give up the ball at times, but I can’t give it up every time.”
On Saturday, when the media was allowed into the locker room, Johnson already was long gone. It officially extended his streak of disappearances.
There are things about this team that can’t be fixed without trades. We’re past the point of film study and psychotherapy. Josh Smith is asked, implored, begged, to stick to his strengths and not fire up jump shots. He cooperates for all of a quarter.
Question: Does Smith even realize he is 0-for-17 from beyond 15 feet in this series, and 5-for-33 in the playoffs? Conversely, he is shooting 60 percent from nine feet and closer (38-of-63). The lesson there should be easy to locate.
Most seem to believe the Hawks lost Game 3 99-82 because Derrick Rose scored 44 points. Suddenly, everybody forgot the Hawks beat Orlando in a playoff game when Dwight Howard scored 46.
The Hawks are asked to do a few simple things: defend, rebound and give some semblance of an effort. They went 0-for-3 in the last game. Chicago aced all three. There’s the game.
Coach Larry Drew was asked Saturday if he ever has been a part of such schizophrenic team as a player or coach. He smiled.
“I will admit — I do have an interesting group,” he said.
Everybody laughed. It was as if Sybil had just been described as having an interesting personality.
“What happened [Friday] night, it did catch me off guard,” Drew continued. “I really thought we would start that game too energized. I was expecting a lot of early turnovers. I thought we would be too hyped and have too much energy. I thought I would have to find a way to tone my guys down.”
There are only so many times a coach should have to threaten to use a cattle prod. Concepts such as competitive instincts, professional pride and even the motivation generally associated with earning a seven- or eight-digit salary should take over.
But too often with the Hawks, that’s not the case. Something is missing in their DNA. And they are way past their growth spurt.
By Jeff Schultz
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175 comments Add your comment
Trapper John
May 7th, 2011
11:42 pm
I wish I knew the guy, speaking of Dwight here, but he seems to be amorphous! No respect or caring from the state in which he was born! Money, money, money! I am getting sick to my stomach here…..
roadrunner
May 7th, 2011
11:46 pm
I think the hawks are the dumbest team that I have ever seen in sports.
TheAntiMe
May 7th, 2011
11:51 pm
Cool link, Najeh. lol – Harry better stop trying to show off for those Hawks cheerleader ladies and stick to that sidewalk because if he keeps taking that motorized Bigwheel on the street someone driving a UPS truck just might turn poor Harry into a pile of feathers. That would definitely not help his trade value (were he to even survive) and the Hawks would then be lucky to even be able to trade him for the purple Teletubby.
nique
May 8th, 2011
12:09 am
Al has not been good this series, but he’s one of the pieces that needs to stay. He actually shows effort on the court ALWAYS, unlike these other guys (excluding Zaza who also works hard on the court). He’s playing out of position against one of the best defensive centers in the league. They need to start Al at PF, Zaza at C, Teague, Joe and I guess Josh Smith.
NorCal Brave
May 8th, 2011
12:12 am
Jeff, thanks for voicing my frustrations. I think the Bulls are the better club here, but the Hawks ought to be doing more than showing glimpses of competitiveness. They have talent, no excuse for not being “up” every game in the Playoffs.
Slim
May 8th, 2011
12:34 am
@Nique yes we need to return to the Orlando defense-rebound-Smith post up lineup and rotation
Joakim Noah is on pace to (offensively) outrebound Dwight Howard.
sorry Damien is not as good a 3 as Smith. His defense on Rose and 1 bucket a game is little better than Marvin. And I prefer Marvin because he can shoot the three ball when we want to go big.
Joe Johnson
May 8th, 2011
12:52 am
Holding out for another mill. If the city of Atlanta wants to see a title, I suggest the Spirit Group adds another dollar. Leaders cost money. Swish!
Kobe Bryant
May 8th, 2011
12:57 am
Hey Joe! You like golf?
Harpie
May 8th, 2011
1:17 am
djthescorpion – I think you were spot -on with what you said about Al. This dysfunctional team and it’s crappy coach have taken the heart from Al. For his sake, I hope he goes to a team with a decent coach.
we all agree
May 8th, 2011
1:48 am
yea, The strategy is let teague and hoford get all they want, they cant beat you. Put a stop to the 3 J’s Jamal Joe and Josh and you win. Easy
I think Al gets paid to let guys get to the rim. Is he allergic to defense or what?
Why did we fire woodson ? His teams would have beat this one and probably Chicago too.
What happened to the magnificent Princeton offense ? LMAO
Like Ive been saying for ever. Fire Sund, now fire Drew, trade Horford for a real center.
we all agree
May 8th, 2011
1:50 am
Hinrich teague
JJ crawford
william player to be named
Josh Collins
Howard zaza/
Mike Smith
May 8th, 2011
1:55 am
Right on, Jeff! This team is just doesn’t have it. The crowd even gasps very audibly when Smith takes a jumper, yet he still doesnt get it. These guys dont seem to have the collective basketball IQ to get further than second round embarrassment.
Johnson might be the most overpaid player in sports. Out of all the top free agents this past summer, he was the one given the biggest contract, and he has made the least contribution. The Hawks were better off letting him go. Why? Because now even if the let Smith go, they arent under the cap enough to sign the center they dearly miss. They should have let Johnson go, and then Smith. Crawford can take up the scoring slack of Johnson, and then we could get a legit Center moving Horford to Power Forward.
Johnson needs to step up and earn his paycheck or be the Eric Dampier of this team.
Eric C.
May 8th, 2011
3:42 am
Jeff, yes! Excellent commentary…thank you. Crawford, Teague, Hinrich, Horford, and Pachulia all give 110% – these are the players to build around!
Eric C.
May 8th, 2011
3:45 am
Some of the goofiest moments in the history of the Atlanta Hawks include Marvin Williams running the fast break and Josh Smith lofting up brick after brick. Ugly, ugly, ugly…
Flint Tropics Ball Boy
May 8th, 2011
4:06 am
Josh, let me help you out, view the basket and the lane which it resides like a woman, and PENETRATE, maybe that is something you can relate to…Now understand your role..
Atlanta Deserves Better
May 8th, 2011
5:55 am
Great Article Jeff,
if the Hawks lose out to the Bulls, I hope they move to Winnipeg.
GSUEagle
May 8th, 2011
7:53 am
JJ is an a**. Always deflecting responsibility. Belkin was right. Never should have brought the guy here.
BOB
May 8th, 2011
7:55 am
smith can’t concentrate on his game, he is too busy sniffing the dog crap on his upper lip while walking between the two 3-point lines. everyone else is running 80 feet and blockhead smith moves 60 feet.
Mid Town Joe
May 8th, 2011
8:03 am
Chicago will win this series, folks. D Rose is a great player that the Hawks have no answer for.
Howard
May 8th, 2011
8:20 am
Everyone has heard the phrase the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I means that an object is greater when the pieces are together because of a synergistic effect. The Hawks are the opposite. As a whole they are less than the sum of the parts. We can blame J Smith for his long shots, etc. We can blame each player by picking out their weaknesses. We can also say “break up the team” and maybe the next group will have a sum that is greater than the parts. That is logical but only so long as you get rid of the parts that are causing the problem. I am not ready to say it is or it isn’t Josh Smith. I really don’t think it is Horford. Unfortunately I think the problem is Joe Johnson. He thinks he is what the Hawks paid him. the best NBA player. He isn’t in the elite level. He cannot beat a double team as the true stars like Coby, Derrick Rose, Wade, or Lavon can. But he tries. And that is the problem. His statement that he can’t always pass the ball out indicates that he sees himself as needing to get “His points”. That would be okay if he did and if he were capable. but he is not. I have been a Hawks fan for a long time and from time to time lose interest. When they signed JJ to that contract last year I lost interest. I got more interested in the playoffs this year, but now I am losing interest again. The problem is that I have sort of lost hope. The Hawks are now stuck with a contract no one wants. We will not be able to get rid of JJ unless there is a team more foolish than the Hawks out there. The best think we can do now is not what fans want to hear but realistic. Trade every player of value for something in the future. #1 picks in two years for example and keep JJ. Let him do his thing night after night and we can go back to winning 13 games a year. Keep your payroll low with second rate payers. Have 2000 at the games and bite the bullet for the stupid mistake you made. then when his contract is nearing the end and you can better afford to eat it. Use those draft picks plus your likelihood of being in the lottery to get some great players in. Hopefully, since Knight won’t be picking we won’t end up with 5 players six feet nine who all play alike. Oh, and there is another alternative.as one who would really like to be a Hawks and Thrashers fan I beg ownership to sell. Sell to anyone. Anyone but you. Please if you have any love for Atlanta sell and give us a chance. Another idea for ownership. The value of your teams has to be diminishing because of your foolhardy management. Sell while you can still not lose too much because the way you are going you are going to go bankrupt. There will be no fans at either team’s games and no one will want to buy the teams at what they should be worth. So, if you don’t sell for the sake of Atlanta sell for the sake or your self.
B Real Hawks
May 8th, 2011
9:13 am
If Al brings in the right talent and all I am fine with trading him, BUT I would never do it. This is just a small sample size of how Al has played, he has had a bad series offensively and when people look at the box score thats all they look at is the points. Josh needs to go for more than just basketball reasons. Al is the leader of this team and is 99.9% of the time the model of consistency 15 ppg and 10 rbg. A switch to his natural position would also improve those numbers.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2011
9:22 am
O’Brien — I don’t know if Sund failed to admit players quit on Mike Woodson. I think it was pretty clear in the playoffs that they had. But we agree the roster needs changing. As for Drew, I think his future is up in the air, as, for that matter, is Sund’s.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2011
9:23 am
NorCalBrave — “Jeff, thanks for voicing my frustrations. I think the Bulls are the better club here, but the Hawks ought to be doing more than showing glimpses of competitiveness. They have talent, no excuse for not being “up” every game in the Playoffs.”
… I think that sums things up perfectly. And thanks.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2011
9:24 am
Eric C — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2011
9:25 am
Atlanta Deserves Better — Hawks to Winnipeg? Hah, that’s a new one.
phillip
May 8th, 2011
9:32 am
This group plays with very little heart in my opinion.
Austen
May 8th, 2011
9:37 am
Even though criticizing Joe might seem like the obvious thing to do, its really not his fault. You guys have to remember that Joe is being doubled teamed every time he touches the ball and when he gives the ball up Josh, Al, and Marvin aren’t making the bulls pay when he passes the ball out of the double team.
yodaddy
May 8th, 2011
9:38 am
You can’t trade Josh Smith….the reason being that you cannot get the proper value for him. Plus the more you watch the Hawks the more you realize that it isn’t Josh Smith…..it’s the highest paid player JOE JOHNSON.
When Johnson decides to do things the way he’s paid to do them the Hawks win. Period. When Joe Johnson scores 22 points the Hawks are winning that game. So they are getting a little physical with him….well….you’re 6′8 235 lbs….get physical back and get to the line. Letting Keith Bogans and Deng guard you….put your elbow in his chest and take it to the rim….I don’t care if you get 6 offensive fouls and foul out in the 1st quarter.
He needs to take his frame…just one time….and just barrel into a defender like LeBron James does. Just run him over. When he’s getting screened he needs to turn and run the screener clear over like Derek Fisher. Get physical.
Coach Drew needs to insert Jason Collins into the starting lineup. That bone crushing screen he set in the first game set the tone for the way Chicago defended the perimeter. Al & Josh can’t set those type of screens and that’s why Luol Deng and Keith Bogans are so close off those screens. the more you run into those screens the less aggressive that defender will be…guaranteed. Put him on his back.
The same thing goes for Al Horford and Josh Smith and even Marvin Williams. I’m tired of that soft “we shoot jumpers” mentality.
The Bulls get physical but when you push back we see how they respond. Indiana did it they just didn’t have the wherewithal to finish them off bc they were up in the 4th quarter of every game. You start knocking them on their a$$ and elbowing them in the face they will back off of that physical stuff I promise.
TheAntiMe
May 8th, 2011
9:41 am
The Hawks are now stuck with a contract no one wants. We will not be able to get rid of JJ unless there is a team more foolish than the Hawks out there.
There’s no doubt about that. The best we can hope for is to try and convince Joe that this is actually the regular season from last year when he was playing for his free agent max contract. What I wish Joe could realize is that last season he did great passing the ball out of the double-team and even though he would give the ball up in those situations, he still managed to average something like 8 points a game – or something like that – more than he did this season.
All of these dudes need to get their heads out of their tail feathers and try and remember how much easier it is for everyone to score points when you share the ball.
Festus
May 8th, 2011
9:51 am
Trade Josh Smith for who? Nobody is that crazy. Joe Johnson is making how much money for how many years? The only players we have that anyone wants are Jamal Crawford, Al Horford, and now Teague. without them this team is lost.. and Horford sure looked lost on Friday. Where did his shot go? Does anyone else remember the last time this team started over at the end of the Lenny Wilkins era? I will not live long enough for this cycle to repeat!
Chris
May 8th, 2011
9:56 am
Well Said…….Can you make sure the Hawks trade Josh Smith in the offseason. I am not sure I can watch him play much longer. I get to frustrated and its just old
dawg150
May 8th, 2011
10:01 am
These “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” Hawks are a real mystery? They’ve been doing thisall season. Maybe its their attention span…….no consistency…..except being inconsistent. Josh shooting 3-ptrs is like trying to win with Shaq on the foul line…….aint gonna happen! But after da bulls end this series (in two more games) we’ll get to read about how theyve progressed from last season…..lololol…..seen this movie…..wont enjoy ending…..AGAIN!!!
we all agree
May 8th, 2011
10:05 am
Al has always been soft on defense. This is nothing new. Its just being show cased. Al has one of the lowest block shot percentage among starting centers over the years.Hes averaged about # 25 the last 3 years He is frequently forced off the post. He has a better than 64% rate of allowing shots attempted to be complete against him when hes in the low post. His weak defense is nothing new. He has never, ever, been on a nba all defensive team, not on any string or level. The dude is allergic to defense, which is why he begs out of the center position and changes the chemistry of the Hawks. When he moves to PF he forces Josh the the 3 where its bombs away from the perimeter, which is what you want your 3 to do(but not josh). Josh is a excellent defender particularly in the paint at the 4 where he belongs… going to the rack with impact, not on the perimeter playing the 3 shooting bombs. But that where he is whenever Al forces a move to the 4 because Al is an ineffective defender in the paint or post. Al is an average offensive player but a weak defender, a lot of which could be improved if he gave a full effort against bigs, however his unwilling attitude wont let that happen. It was sad to me to see 6′9″ Josh playing Howard in the post while 6′10 1/2 Al moves to the 4. How stupid is that? John Drew stupid, thats how stupid. Josh aint no center. Its his athletic ability that makes him a top level Power Forward but he is not tall enough nor strong enough to be a center. Al is. he just does have the heart for the post game. Hed rather let some one else do the work while he runs his mouth to the press and emulate Dirk Norwitzki on the court.
Al you aint Dirk brou.
Trade Al while he still has name recognition, get a real center and take the confusion out of the front court. Id rather Al be on the other team in the low post and let the Hawks be the ones attacking the rim against him. Let us be the one with the advantage.
TheAntiMe
May 8th, 2011
10:06 am
Trade Josh Smith for who?
Why for Dwight Howard, of course. lol – Haven’t you been reading these previous posts, Festus? Although, I’m sure that if the Hawks did not have such a glaring weakness at Center then the answer to your question would be LeBron James.
And hey, if we went that way instead, maybe we could get the Heat to throw in Dwyane Wade if Rick Sund were to sweeten the pot and add Marvin Williams to the deal.
soothsayer
May 8th, 2011
10:06 am
Horford is a 4, not a 5. Ask his dad Tito who is tired of the Hawks playing him out of position. It’s been apparent for several years now that Atlanta has needed to acquire a quality center to get to the next level, yet management has done nothing. In this series the Bulls have racked up a +33 rebounds on the Hawks in the past two games. This is why they’re losing – not because of Rose or Horford’s lack of O or even Josh Smith’s low basketball IQ. Drew needs to shuffle the lineup and start either Zaza or Collins. Both or mediocre, but we have limited options at this point. Wake up Larry Drew before it’s too late.
we all agree
May 8th, 2011
10:10 am
*Al is. he just does NOT have the heart for the post game. Hed rather let some one else do the work while he runs his mouth to the press and emulate Dirk Norwitzki on the court.
we all agree
May 8th, 2011
10:10 am
Id rather have Josh at the four than defenseless Al
Whizbang
May 8th, 2011
10:23 am
The Lakers have problems of their own, and are likely to trade one of their bigs, but are there really people out there who think they would trade Andrew Bynum for Josh Smith? Even for Smith and Marvin Williams? NO WAY. What good would that do the Lakers? None. It would honestly help that team in no way. In giving up a big, the Lakers are going to want to get faster and pick up — whether in that trade or other moves — at least one very good jump shooter. Smith nor Williams fit that bill at all.
Greg
May 8th, 2011
10:25 am
The Hawks need a leader. Teague has obviously matured since they drafted him and maybe he can be that person…with a different supporting cast. Josh Smith has been in the league for 7 years and is a microcosm of the entire team – really good one minute, really bad the next. Joe Johnson is the same way. Both are selfish players with a low basketball IQ. I’m expecting to be turning the game off by halftime tonight. The Hawks aren’t going to learn to play as a team and develop some character overnight…but we can always hope they’ll get hot and rain in 20 or so fall away jumpers as the shot clock is expiring.
Whizbang
May 8th, 2011
10:26 am
I could see the Lakers being willing to trade Bynum for Horford, though. Maybe. They’re more likely to try to trade Gasol, though, and keep Bynum at C and pick up a PF while adding the speed/shooter component through other deals. To make it work salary-wise, it’d have to be Horford and ???? for Gasol. Who else would the Lakers want off ATL’s roster? I see no body. Maybe, just maybe Teague for speed, but I doubt it. Too small.
we all agree
May 8th, 2011
10:30 am
Why would you trade a center for a power forward? That sounds more like hate or defense of Al than rational thinking.
Perhaps We can get Bynum for Al… Or Al for Howard. Why would you want to keep Al? You think alot like Larry Drew and Rick Sund. Not the brightest bulbs in the room.
we all agree
May 8th, 2011
10:31 am
Id take Gasol over Al any day.
we all agree
May 8th, 2011
10:33 am
Josh is a 5 tool player, he may not be the best shooter, from the perimeter but what he brings to the table is part of the reason we are in the playoffs.
Wolf tickets
May 8th, 2011
10:41 am
Joakim Noah is on pace to (offensively) outrebound Dwight Howard.- Gee, who da thunk it? Way to go Al, now even your college buddy best you. Noah is the new Dennis Rodman.Al horford is the new Jon Koncak.
Wolf tickets
May 8th, 2011
10:48 am
Al horford picture of consistency?
NBA career 12.8 pts per game 9.6 rebounds
Josh? 14.6 pts per game 7.7 rebounds.
Josh is more consistent.
manny pacquiao
May 8th, 2011
10:51 am
I would have looked better last night if Id had my steroids. If I fight money Mayweather I will take my roids believe that !
DWIGHT OUT
May 8th, 2011
10:58 am
I agree with Jeff! Great article. This nucleus has had 7+ yrs and their ceilling is winning one playoff series while suffering embarrassing loses along the way. We need to give up whoever Orlando wants for D. Howard. With Howard and Johnson playing together we could be a force if we could surround them with team guys and a good coach. You can offer Orlando whoever they want. Smooth and Horford would be fine with me. I don’t like Marvin but you could hold on to him for his hustle and your lineup could look like this.
PG-Hinrich
SG Joe
SF Marvin
PF Free agent- who’s serviceable. Just needs to rebound and knock down open shots.
C Dwight Howard
I don’t know if we can stay under the cap by adding D. Howard and dropping Smooth and Horford’s contract. Hinrich makes a lot of money and he would have to take a discount. I know this is wishful thinking signing D. Howard but man talk about an overnight fix. That’s the easiest way to become a contender by next season.
against the wall
May 8th, 2011
11:07 am
There’s nobody on this team that is “untradeable” at this point. It would behoove all of them to play their a$$es off for the rest of this series.
Slim
May 8th, 2011
11:11 am
Dwight Howard does not want to come to a losing franchise. We don’t need Dwight Howard in 2012. We NEED Jason Collins in the starting lineup NOW.
Go back to the DEFNESE and REBOUNDING lineup. Joe Johnson is not a small forward, Al Horford is not a CENTER. Josh is NOT a POWER forward.
Stop trying to sabotage your own team Drew. Go back to what got us here and play Smith as a post up SMALL FORWARD to draw doubles for our shooters. Deng and Bogans can’t switch to defend JJ.
5-Jason Collins
4-Horford
3-Smith
2-Joe Johnson
1- Teague
bench: Crawford, Marvin, Pachulia, how does Damien see the Small Forward before Josh when he didn’t even sniff the floor last series???
Damien is 6′6 Josh is 6′8 come on Hawks dont do this
Slim
May 8th, 2011
11:22 am
“Joakim Noah is on pace to (offensively) outrebound Dwight Howard.- Gee, who da thunk it? Way to go Al, now even your college buddy best you. Noah is the new Dennis Rodman.Al horford is the new Jon Koncak.”
If you haven’t noticed Josh is guarding Noah. To show you how incredibly stupid this is, it’s like putting Josh on Dwight Howard last series.
Rebounding is a team effort. Marvin is not quick enough to the ball or strong enough to box out or coordinated enough to score if he gets the ball.
Failed production put him on the bench and go back to Collins AND Smith AND Horford at THE SAME TIME.
Horford is 6′10, Josh 6′8, Marvin 6′8, Joe 6′8, Teague 6′2
Noah is 6′11, Boozer 6′10, Deng 6′8, Bogans 6′5, Rose 6′2
Memphis has
7′0 Gasol, 6′9 Randolph, 6′9.5 Battier (3 6′10 rebounders are better than 1)
Oklahoma has
6′10 Perkins, 6′10 Ibaka, 6′10 Durant
Atlanta had (vs Orlando)
7′0 Collins, 6′10 Horford, 6′8.25
Josh may be short and light for a power forward but he has the advantage versus Deng, Horford over Boozer and Gibson and Collins strength will negate Noah to 10 rebounds like the March 3rd game.
For crying out loud there power forward outweighs our center b y 20 pounds and our power forward by 30 pounds. (and theres no height/speed difference so don’t give me that Dennis Rodman stuff)
We got beat in Orlando last year “no energy” lmao. This year Jason Collins was the hidden “energy” come on this team always plays even-keeled and they always lose when they play small.
Last year Milwaukee could have beaten us because of Bibby being a liability and our lack of a small forward and size at the 4 and 5.