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
NAthan d
May 7th, 2011
4:10 pm
First
Nathan D
May 7th, 2011
4:14 pm
Great point at Josh Smith! This why we need to trade him for a center, Bynum or Bogut. Put Al at the 4 and put marvin on the bench or trade him and smith for bynum teegue and Sy both look good. next year have Teague at the one hinrich 2, joe 3, al 4, bynum 5, pachulia crawford and Sy on the bench.
NAthan d
May 7th, 2011
4:16 pm
Bynum wants the ball and is being more of a leader than before and get a good 2rnd pick!
JIm
May 7th, 2011
4:16 pm
I agree – little leagers get paid nothing – but they leave it on the field and play to win every game.
Ryan
May 7th, 2011
4:25 pm
I used to say trade Josh…but now I’m leaning to keeping Josh and trading Al. Al has gone soft and been near useless. Its sad. What happened to the brawler Al that would go for lose balls and rebound and work? Im so dissapointed with Al. Atleast Josh showed up for game 3 besides the dumb shots. Trade Al and Hinrich for a center. If Al doesnt want to be a center, lets go get one.
Ryan
May 7th, 2011
4:26 pm
Oh yeah, Teague haters, where you at? I’ve been a Teague fan all year and now he is showing up. Point guard of the future.
The Real Hawk
May 7th, 2011
4:28 pm
Got to agree on this one.
Charlie
May 7th, 2011
4:32 pm
Don’t offend schizophrenics by comparing the Hawks to people with a very serious brain disorder. By the way, schizophrenia is NOT the same as multiple personality disorder. Your analogy with Sybil (16 or 17 personalities) is faulty. Get a book on Abnormal Psychology and learn the difference. It might even make you sound more educated.
The Real Hawk
May 7th, 2011
4:33 pm
Nathan D-When I see stuff like this I wonder if you’re talking about soccer.
Hinrich is not a shooting guard. Joe is not a small forward. He’s too soft.
Why would the Lakers trade Bynum? To help us out?
We’re all frustrated but throwing things at the wall to see what sticks will not
a winning team make..
Duck
May 7th, 2011
4:35 pm
If Josh Smith shoots one more shot from outside, LD needs to suspend him for the rest of the playoffs. I am so tired of him just standing just inside the 3 point line. He needs to stand around near the blocks.
The Real Hawk
May 7th, 2011
4:35 pm
Trade AL?
The best player and heart of the team?
Yeah, that’s the answer.
He’s playing against Noah who knows him from FLA.
Tough to beat. But no!
The Real Hawk
May 7th, 2011
4:36 pm
CHARLIE!!!
Duck
May 7th, 2011
4:38 pm
Noah is just a maniac on the court. He is really affecting Al’s shooting.
David
May 7th, 2011
4:39 pm
I said it before and I’ll say it again:
This the most dysfunctional yet fully operational basketball team I’ve ever seen….
Sage of Bluesland
May 7th, 2011
4:44 pm
For some reason, Al Horford always escapes criticism. It’s funny, every time I watch this team, I walk away wholly unimpressed with him.
Trade them all, if you can, and rebuild properly the next time…hopefully…
richie
May 7th, 2011
4:44 pm
i say the hawks clean house and rebuild around teague AL,and Joe. Josh does nothing but hurt our team with his jump shots. THis isnt a YMCA league where u can shoot the lights out and no one care that you miss! its the NBA playoffs for Gods sake. Get rid of Josh and get a real center in here that will crash the boards and play defense.
STRETCH
May 7th, 2011
4:46 pm
I STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW JOSH SMITH STILL PLAYS??? Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Avery, Byron Scott, Popovich, and Scott Skiles, these are the kinda coaches Josh wouldnt be able to play for, cause they would sit his A@@ down on the other end of the bench when he starts jacking up shots!
richie
May 7th, 2011
4:47 pm
anyone notice the resounding BOO last night when Smith took his first jump shot. Youd think he could take a hint
moorman
May 7th, 2011
4:50 pm
The Bulls series is the perfect series to expose EVERYTHING thats wrong with the Hawks. Ok, after game one, in which Johnson and Crawford lit the Bulls up, they have adjusted. They are trapping Crawford and Johnson in the corners, they are letting Smith pop free on the wings, inviting the jump shot and covering everybody else. What does Smith do? We know, he DOESNT drive and attack the rim and cause the Chicago team to start collapsing off of Johnson or Crawford, no, he doesnt do that, soo, Chicago in effect is playing 5 defenders against 4 Hawks every trip down. The reason Teague has found success is because the Bulls arent ready for ANY Hawk to attack the rim because the gameplan is to just shut down the Hawks jumpshooting on the perimeter. If the Hawks played inside out by attacking the rim with Smith and letting him kick out, they would destroy the inferior talented Bulls, but thats not gonna happen and this team needs to be ship everybody but Teague, Johnson and Crawford to Orlando for Dwight Howard.
dap01
May 7th, 2011
4:51 pm
JC sucked because his brand of basketball can not be relied on. Joe sucked because he is not a lead player. Al did not exactly come up big. Josh is showing signs that he is not the greatest, look who has been his coaches in his career. The Hawks need to start ALL over.
Teague looked good.
SPORTSGIRL
May 7th, 2011
4:54 pm
PEOPLE PLEASE STOP GIVING AL HORFORD A PASS BE REAL HE JUST HASNT SHOWED UP!! AMARE TOOK SOMETHING FROM HIM HOPEFULLY AL CAN GET IT BACK BY SUNDAY
DMR
May 7th, 2011
4:57 pm
This is like having a child that reflects certain aspects of one parent and then another. The Hawks resembled the ASG in Game 3. A collective mess. Joe Johnson is no leader. Josh Smith is a hard head. Marvin Williams might be the worst pick this team has ever had; but if Shelden Williams hadn’t left town, we might have a debate.
Teague can play. Horford is your leader. Crawford is a good baller. This is your foundation. Time to get rid of the above mentioned and build something better.
Adam Keefe
May 7th, 2011
4:57 pm
Josh Smith is the poison of this team. We’ve been saying for 5 years “if Josh plays to his strengths, he’d be a star”…..it’s never gonna happen folks. The guy is too stubborn and his huge contract keeps him on the floor and off the bench. And you can tell by the looks from his teammates that they’re tired of his antics and stupid basketball IQ. Get rid of him and the team will prosper….sometimes addition by subtraction is the only way.
Josh Smith
May 7th, 2011
4:58 pm
Smell your upper lip again!
moorman
May 7th, 2011
4:59 pm
keep teague, crawford , heinrich , wilkins , pachulia and by contract default, johnson. ship EVERYBODY else to orlando for dwight howard. we will not have depth, but we will have a nba starting five:
pg teague
sg heinrich
sf johnson
pf anybody
c howard
bench
crawford
wilkins
pachulia
CGThree
May 7th, 2011
5:00 pm
I say find some kind of way to move Joe Johnson and that massive contract. I think the main reason this team is so up and down is because of him they take on his personality. Some nights he looks like an awsome force like game 1 against chicago. Other nights he just doesnt bring it. He’s a slow footed jump shooter he doesnt get to the free throw line he doesnt get easy baskets. So if his jumper isnt falling he’s useless offensively.
moorman
May 7th, 2011
5:05 pm
you can forget getting rid of johnson, he is the termite infested house that nobody wants. you have to find a way to move all the other big contracts and get another centerpiece in ( smith, horford, yes horford, williams and anybody else orlando wants for a howard sign and trade).
Tia
May 7th, 2011
5:07 pm
Funny—as my Dad and I were skulking out of the Arena last night after the beating the Hawks took he also said trade Al. Of course his reasoning is because nothing good is going to come from the Hawks and should have an opportunity. Joe needs to be traded. The AS annointed him the leader of the team and he shirks that responsibility whenever he can. Seriously before starting on what players to get rid of the Hawks need a true KICK you know what coach. Someone different from clueless Woody or babysitter Drew. These guys “match up well” to most teams on paper–why are they not motivated to play consistent ball? Drafting or trading for better players won’t overcome the coaching deficiency.
moorman
May 7th, 2011
5:10 pm
Its funny that the very thing that the Hawks were meant and built to be: a FORWARD DOMINATED TEAM, is exactly WHAT THEY ARE NOT. its beyond laughable. They are a BACKCOURT DOMINATED TEAM, regardless of all the boneheaded moves billy knight made. Horford is showing that he is expendable also. Tear up what the problem is, the forwards, ship all of them for Howard and rebuild around teague, johnson at small forward, crawford, etc.
Nannyrut
May 7th, 2011
5:10 pm
Nice article J Schultz. I think you summarized this pathetic ensemble better than anybody has.
leo
May 7th, 2011
5:12 pm
Man there was a time I would know what to say. Now I just say I am a Hawks Fan and leave it at that. I hope we get a win Sunday, but these guys are taking shots at each other in the media. I just don’t know now. Love the way Teague is playing though.
Tia
May 7th, 2011
5:13 pm
Moorman—I agree with you except one thing: is the players or the game plan? I also noticed the Hawks seem to be avoiding the paint all together, never driving for the score. But they played like the whole game. So either that is the STUPID game plan by Larry Drew and if it isn’t, why is he unable to get this team to play his game plan? The Bulls aren’t as good as the Hawks but we are making them look the part.
RomeDawg
May 7th, 2011
5:16 pm
Once again all the Hawks fans scratch their heads at what we witnessed….Our best player through the first 3 games of this series is an almost never used backup point guard. Why hasn’t he been playing all along? When given the chance Teague almost always delivers. Forget trading JJ and that albatross of a contract…kinda reminds me of Konkac. Marvin Williams..well he’s just not a point guard. A nice complimentary piece that may never find his niche in the NBA. He would make a better 6th man than starter, in my opinion. Al could be one helluva PF, but we let the under whelming Smith keep that spot. I hope Smith has jump shot himself into a trade with another team and I don’t care if we get nothing more than a few new balls and nets for him!
Tia
May 7th, 2011
5:18 pm
Wow RomeDawg. You went back to Konkac. Like the reference.
Not surprised
May 7th, 2011
5:18 pm
The hawks as a whole is nothing but a screw up. Lets start from the top we passed on chris paul, deron williams,rondoover paod josh and joe( over paid joe twice) joe johnson is not a CLUTCH player period and josh well hes jos. If josh not hangin around the rim finishing hes useless. Now this year with new coach and GM WE dROP the ball. We trade jordan crawford which is a baller he didnt play at all after havin a great summer league. We trade him bibby and half the bench+future for hinrich when teague was the future anyway. Should have let joe walk start jamal at 2 bring jc2 off the bench to score traded bibby and marvin for perkins basically thats wat okc gave up.
JJ Time
May 7th, 2011
5:19 pm
It’s time for the hawks to let JJ carry this team. They need to be running isos for JJ every time down and keep the the ball away from ball hog josh smith who will just shoot 3s.
tyger
May 7th, 2011
5:22 pm
Expectations…
1. What did the organization really expect?
2. Certainly, not a championship.
3. Probable good 2nd rd. showing, luckily Eastern Conf. showing.
4. If not, then what?
5. Retool obviously.
6. Then why trade promising Jordan Crawford and 2011 #1?
7. Desperation, didnt think they would make it outta rd. 1.
8. Now, the envitable is upon us and we’re short 2 assets.
9. Blame LD, blame the fans, blame the ballboy…
10. The buck stops at the Top!
Ummm......
May 7th, 2011
5:30 pm
Nathan and Moorman “Smokum good peace pipe” lol….Watch Nba basketball before you come up with inane trades….this isn’t an EA video game we’re talking about…
bigdawg
May 7th, 2011
5:30 pm
I haven’t seen that many boobs at once since I went to The Cheetah!
N.D.T.K.A.
May 7th, 2011
5:31 pm
Bingo! Coaching kills! If these guys are not responding to Drew, why not? L.D. is the coach of the team either they do it your way or they don’t play! Joe Johnson and Jamal pass out of the double team, attack the basket and split the double team, or sit at the end of the bench. Josh Smith plays in the post, attacks the basket from wherever he receives the ball, rebounds, and blocks out on all rebounds, or sits at the end of the bench. Al Horford defends, hustles, blocks out and rebounds, or sits at the end of the bench.
It is the coach’s responsibility to get these guys to play the way they should!!!!
Rico Niles
May 7th, 2011
5:34 pm
RELAX!!!! The Hawks will Rebound… Literally on the court and in the series.
JSS
May 7th, 2011
5:39 pm
You finally stopped the car to shoot the Glock!
There was a quote that use to make the rounds in my youth in sports. I cannot attribute it, but it was: “I’m responsible for my effort; but not the end result.” This Hawks’ team has always chosen to take 3 steps forward, subsequently they’ll run three frantically 3 steps back… It is not “Sybil” like; that is an ailment; it cannot be controlled… She needed diagnosis and a treatment that actually worked. On the other hand, the Hawks roster is filled with individuals who lack recognition skills. It always reminds me of Ralph Sampson. He had every skill needed in the toolbox. However, when the skill of reaching beyond his tremendous athletic ability was needed. He never had that in reserve. People always give Al Horford this benefit of the doubt. This is not college anymore. His career flow is starting to take on the air of David Greenwood with each playoff cycle…
I said earlier in the playoffs, “I’m only worried about the here and the now!” Hinrich gets a pass of his injury. Johnson must realize what he is and get beyond his own inclination. Crawford needs to stop playing junior analyst and try being a catalyst. Smith is playing on one leg. Say this for him, he must be tone deaf! What’s wrong with Horford can’t be cured in a playoff series. He needs a mentor not named “Tito” to get in his ear and in his game and teaching him a post repertoire… Then he’ll have to have the guts to use, not just talk about it!
LakeDawg
May 7th, 2011
5:46 pm
Very well put Jeff. I used to think that the Hawks folded because they couldn’t take the pressure. Now its obvious that they flop because they just can’t be bothered to try. A team with no ambition. They need a leader ( JJ won’t do) and they need to excise the cancer on the team (J Smoove).
Coach D.
May 7th, 2011
5:48 pm
If the Hawks stay true to form, they’ll win by 10 tomorrow, get everybody back on the bandwagon and break our hearts again. Say it won’t be so, JOE!!!!!
dawggone
May 7th, 2011
6:02 pm
this team is not as talented as the media wants you to believe. JJ is not, I repeat, is not an allstar. No chemistry for a team mthat has been together this long. No center to get you 10 and 10, and I’m not talking about Al who is playing out of position. This team doesn’t hustle, go after loose balls like other less talented teams I see. We are who we are and we are average team with average players. And thats the truth wether you like it or not ownership. You had many opportunities to be one of the best but you didn’t know how to draft with the exception of Al. Hawks dont win again, Bulls in 5, mark it down.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2011
6:03 pm
If Al is this team’s leader and heart, and this team so often looks leaderless and heartless, what does that say about Al’s leadership?
Quit letting Al off the hook. Like Joe, Jamal, and Smoove, he’s just another good but not great player who occasionally looks brilliant but is not irreplaceable. And the reality is that offensively he has not shown up in these playoffs, regardless of whether he’s been guarded by power forwards or centers.
Ted M
May 7th, 2011
6:17 pm
I agree w/your assessment Jeff except the stupid JJ contract makes a meaningful trade impossible.
Josh Smith is talented but a major head case. While a trade of him would likely turnout best for him and his new team the Hawks would only get crap in return.
Sadly the Hawks only hope is to wait till JJ contract expires then rebuild. Unfortunately we have the worst owners in pro sports, the prospect of the Spirit successfully rebuilding 5 yrs from now is quite low.
The corporate ownership of the Brave is 100 billion times better then the Spirit.
Ted M
May 7th, 2011
6:20 pm
Najeh Davenpoop do you think the Hawks could improve by trading Al?
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2011
6:26 pm
“Najeh Davenpoop do you think the Hawks could improve by trading Al?”
I think the Hawks could improve by trading any individual player, including Al, if they get the right player(s) in return, but I wouldn’t trade Al — or Joe or Smoove or Jamal — just for the sake of trading them. They are all good but replaceable players.
Woodson Time
May 7th, 2011
6:27 pm
Bring back Mike Woodson! Drew can’t get it done at this level. Woodson can get the hawks back.
LakeDawg
May 7th, 2011
6:31 pm
Clearly the answer to the Hawks problems is….Ray Goff!
Ray
May 7th, 2011
6:36 pm
As it stands out right now Al, Marvin, J-smoove, Joe, and Crawford can all be shipped out.
At least Teague played like he wasn’t scared he got blocked a few times, but kept trying.
I was for Teague starting over Bibby all year, and when it comes time to finally let him do it guess what he goes off.
Still I see one more stupid shot from Smoove who should be going to the RIM THE RIM for crying out loud. I’m just going to say Trade him and be through with it. Joe has reverted to invisible again. We have too many Robins and no Batman. Al is a Robin who could be batman, but doesn’t speak up and lead take a page from Ray Lewis for crying out loud. Joe is even worse he’s a Robin who will never be a batman.
Smoove wants to be batman, but can’t because he makes too many mistakes that would have killed someone by now. JC1 is never going to be batman nor a robin he’s just it doesn’t matter he’s meaningless to everyone now.
hawks4life
May 7th, 2011
6:36 pm
trade josh smith, marvin williams, jeff teague, and pape sy for dwight howard
Ted M
May 7th, 2011
6:36 pm
Jamal is a free agent next year. I’d like to see him stay but he’s gone.
They are all good but replaceable players. I agree but because of contracts and inept management I don’t believe a trade can be made to improve the Hawks.
JJ Contract Will Devastate the Hawks for Next 3-5 Years
May 7th, 2011
6:38 pm
Look folks- its obvious that Joe and Josh don’t like each other, at all. To me, that’s the problem with the team. They refuse to work together as a team. I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe and Josh barely spoke to one another
Have you ever notice Joe’s facial expression when Josh trys to give him kudos on the court? He act like he detest the kid. And I detest his (Joe Johnson) contract because he is the most over-rated, over-paid player in the NBA and in the top 5 for all sports. I never thought he deserved the contract over that he got over the summer, especially after his comments during last year fiasco during the playoffs.
Joe inability to carry this team under pressure caught my attention during several crunch time during the regular season. For example, he missed several free-throws during crucial games, specifically against the Celtics…at that point I knew this guy was not the franchise.
With that being said – unfortunately no GM worth his salt will take on JJ’s contract and inconsistency on the floor…well- maybe NY Knicks. We’ll have to keep our figures cross and hope that they agree on some sort of trade, but I doubt it.
Regarding Josh Smith- this kid has been in the league for several years now and still doesn’t get it. I think the problem with Josh is that he’s from ATL and feels entitled; however, I strongly believe that If he went to a team where he’s not starting or the team’s star ( Lakers or Miami), or a place where the players/coaches/owners would put him in his place, he’ll change his habits and attitude. Right now, JS plays like he’s entitled to do whatever he wants with the ASG and the Hawks. Really sad…
The Horror....the horror...
May 7th, 2011
6:44 pm
Josh Smith issa t a r d and Mucho Macho Man got 3rd! 2 truisms for Sat 5/7/2011.
kirkinga
May 7th, 2011
6:52 pm
Quit letting Al off the hook. Like Joe, Jamal, and Smoove, he’s just another good but not great player who occasionally looks brilliant but is not irreplaceable.
Sadly, this is the present reality. I think talk of further organic growth is now fantasy with the current roster.Hawks fans have been here before; it kind of comes with the territory.
I would suggest that the first, and perhaps most important, question to ask is whether or not Rick Sund is the best choice to reconstruct this roster. Even with his obvious mistakes, we knew what Knight’s vision/philosophy. I do not think we know if Sund has such a vision. If he does, is ASG core-clinging the chief impediment?
Gamer
May 7th, 2011
6:59 pm
NONE OF THE HAWKS STARTERS NEED TO BE TRADED!!!!
THE HAWKS DON’T NEED TO TRADE AWAY STARTERS…THE HAWKS NEED TO ADD A STAR PLAYER IN THE LIKENESS OF DWIGHT HOWARD OR JUST GO GET DWIGHT HOWARD!!!!!!!
JOE JOHNSON MUST GET PHYSICAL WITH HIS DEFENDERS WHEN THEY GET UP IN HIS CHEST!!!!!!!!!MAKE THE REFS CALL FOULS…..
IF THE REFS DON’T START CALLING OBVIOUS FOULS FOR JOE JOHNSON THEN THIS POST-SEASON SERIES WITH THE BULLS IS RIG FROM THE TOP!!!!
BULLS DEFENDERS ARE CLOBBERING JOE JOHNSON….BUT NO FOULS WERE CALL IN GAME 3……..DEFENDERS REPEATEDLY SLAPPING JOES’ ARMS AND HANDS…BOGAN CONSTANTLY BUMPING JOE OFF HIS POST-UP MOVES OR SLAPPING JOE’S ARMS AND HANDS.
NO HAWKS DEFENDER WOULD GET AWAY WITH THAT STYLE OF DEFENSE AGAINST D. ROSE….THE REFS WOULD BLOW WHISTLES ALL DAY..
IF THE REFS CONTINUE TO CLOSE THEIR EYES TO BULLS DEFENDERS CLOBBERING JOE JOHNSON THEN THIS SERIES IS RIG AT THE TOP!!!!!!!!!
HawksGoingBackward
May 7th, 2011
7:04 pm
Imagine if you worked at a job where you made pretty good money produce a product. After your first starting week you see the guy who makes the most money in the building and has the same job you do.
Then you notice that he only works hard 1 out of 5 days a week.
Mentally you may be the type not to allow the lack of production from the most highly touted and paid person in the building to affect you, but in comparison to the Hawks players thats exactly what is going on.
You cant pay a slouch (Thanks Revis) like Joe Johnson that much money to underproduce and not expect it to affect the rest of them team.
You are crazy to think that this team doesnt take after Joe Johnson whether he want to take on that responsibility or not.
This team will always be Joe Johnson team, weather you trade every other person on the team, and bring in totally new players. The new guys will never give you more on a CONSISTENT BASIS than Joe Johnson does. If you dont trade him you are condoning this lack of effort and passion and the 30 point home losses is what you will consistently get.
wxwax
May 7th, 2011
7:04 pm
The only reason the Hawks won Game 1 is because Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford shot better than they’ve ever shot in the careers.
They pulled off impossible shots.
Since they’re highly unlikely to repeat those feats, I can’t see the Hawks winning another game.
brigadierjerry
May 7th, 2011
7:06 pm
You know what is interesting Josh Smith reminds me a lot of what Kenyon Martin used to be in his early days when he was in Cincinnati and his Nets days. Martin is also a unrestricted free agent. Josh Smith in his mind feels he would probably be best playing for Golden State since they like to run up and down and he wants to do that.
I think the bloom is off the rose for Horford.He gets protected a lot here but i think that has changed now. Only way I would trade either one of them if I am getting a good player in return. Chances are that wouldnt happen so i wouldnt trade them to trade them.
tjhook
May 7th, 2011
7:19 pm
The Hawks need a stronger floor general – with more clout than our current group – so the offense can have more structure. I believe we need to pursue TonyParker and pair him with Joe so Joe will not see so many double teams. And Josh Smith is the carrot. Maybe consider Horford in place of Smith as well.
kirkinga
May 7th, 2011
7:20 pm
@Gamer, you add a superstar without getting rid of some starters. There is no superstar in the league available for the price of the Hawk bench.
Also, adding a superstar doesn’t fix the issues of decision-making and lack of effort.
Baton Bob
May 7th, 2011
7:37 pm
Put me on the court. two snaps, and a twist. Y’all are wishy washy fans
HAWKS RENOVATOR 3000
May 7th, 2011
7:56 pm
Here is what the Hawks need to do :
1. Ban DOMINIQUE WILKINS from the organization. The HAWKS have been cursed since his initial departure.
RENOVATOR’s TRADE BLOCK:
1. Trade Josh Smith and his horrible jump shot to portland for NICOLAS BATUM and Greg Oden
2. Trade Powell and Marvin Williams to Denver for JR Smith
3. Try to get the most you can out of Hilton Armstrong by playing him more. Still thinks he is a sleeper.
4. Start Teague. He is the future.
5. Move Horford to the 4 and start Hilton Armstrong at the 5.
New lineup:
C – Hilton Armstrong
PF- Al Horford
SF – Nicolas Batum
SG – Joe Johnson
PG- Jeff Teague
Bench:
C – Jason Collins
C – Greg Oden
C – ZaZa Pachulia
SF/SG – JR Smith
SF – Damien Wilkins
SG – Jamal Crawford
PG – Kirk Hinrich
SF – Pape Sy
FSII
May 7th, 2011
8:22 pm
On Joe forcing the issue. They are coming with the double team when he receives the ball. He should force the issue by immediately (someone mentioned he was slow-footed) going strong to the rack. If not, pass the rock and move/cut/set a pick, anyhting but stand around. And going into dribble-dribble (thinking of his moves) will definitely get him trapped-trapped. Speaking of passing, collectively, they hardly pass then move/cut/set a pick, anything. They pass then stand and watch. Except Smoove. He’s already standing at the arc watching…and waiting.
odogg32
May 7th, 2011
8:33 pm
Al is overrated. He is a center stuck in a in-betweener’s body, 6′8″. He is stiff at the hips. He has no post moves. He is a jump shooter. He doesn’t defend the paint. AND HE PLAYS BELOW THE RIM.
Package Al and Joe for Nene. Nene is an athlectic center to partner with Josh. Hire a coach Josh will respect. We need a Doc Rivers type coach to get in Josh’s face.
Trade a pick and Marvin for OJ Mayo. Jeff and Mayo in your backcourt. Nene and Josh up front. Find you a three who can defend, rebound, pass and PUT THE BALL ON THE FLOOR and drive to the rim. So tired of these jump shooters who hate contact and refuse to go to the rim
FSII
May 7th, 2011
8:35 pm
Jeff Schultz said:
“On Saturday, when the media was allowed into the locker room, Johnson already was long gone. It officially extended his streak of disappearances.”
I think the quotes attributed to our Hawks esteemed team leader/captain below may be the reason he makes haste:
“I don’t get all of the glory when we win, so I don’t get to take all the [blame] when we lose.”
AND:
“Speaking for myself, we are all we’ve got in this room, so we can care less what anybody else thinks about us,” Johnson said. “We are going to move forward. We know we are a pretty good team. We have just got to show it.”
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/joe-johnson-says-hawks-911641.html
Hard to stick around after those comments.
Jeff Schultz
May 7th, 2011
8:41 pm
For those suggesting to trade Al, I say no way. He’s been outplayed by Noah this series but night in and night out he is Hawks’ most consistent player. Any team would take him. Also, he’s playing out of position.
Jeff Schultz
May 7th, 2011
8:41 pm
Nannyrut — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
May 7th, 2011
8:42 pm
JSS — Al’s post game needs to improve, no question, but if it was up to Tito (and Al) he would be at the 4 spot.
Jeff Schultz
May 7th, 2011
8:43 pm
Lake Dawg — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
May 7th, 2011
8:43 pm
Ted M — I think enough teams out there is the talent in Josh and a deal could be made. But longer they wait, the more his value declines. You’re correct about JJ’s contract — it makes a trade nearly impossible.
Bill
May 7th, 2011
9:06 pm
agree change is needed bad..at least two need to go and you all know who those two are.
Ken Strickland
May 7th, 2011
9:09 pm
The Atlanta Hawks is one of the NBA’s most talented teams, but when it comes to playing smart, playing to our strengths, and utilizing all of our available talent, the Atlanta Hawks are one of the NBA’s dumbest teams.
Marvin doesn’t do nearly enough of the things he does best, and Josh does far too much of what he doesn’t do well. JJ feels he has to be in the middle of everything that takes place, and often ends up dominating the ball and the OFF, to the detriment of the team. Horford has started to pull the Marvin and disappear.
PG JTeague, who LDrew went to great lengths to limit his mins and contributions, has suddenly become the teams only consistently productive player. After the season ends, I’d like to see JSmith traded to the Warriors for C Biedrins and PG/SG SCurry. Biedrins can provide most of the DEF and rebounding we’re getting from Josh, and Curry can provide the scoring and versatility we’re getting from Jamal, but with a little better DEF effort.
Josh would thrive in the wide open, undeciplined, run and gun OFF of the Warriors, where he can shoot his brains out as often as he likes.
Another GM
May 7th, 2011
9:30 pm
Ever since Stoudamire called AL out and used him earlier in the year……………Al has done nothing and has been soft. Nothing but the fact in this case.
ROCKMEN1
May 7th, 2011
9:33 pm
The only game the Hawks won in regular season against Bulls was when Josh did not play. Horford led the way. I have never seen an arena tell I player NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO as they recieve the ball on the perimeter. Anybody notice how well the team plays when Smith is on the bench. Marvin if your are not going to score how bout getting your A#S on the boards.
Hollywould
May 7th, 2011
9:33 pm
I have watched and pulled for Atlanta teams for 25 years but this team drives me nuts. Either they are happyjust making the playoffs or they just don’t care. Nothing ever improves. This core for 4 years and they are going backward. It is over for the Hawks/no heart/no brains/no coaching/no pride/boring as hell/ But I will give them this, GOOD DRIBBLERS
JROLL1
May 7th, 2011
9:34 pm
THIS GAME FOR ALL INTENSIVE PURPOSES WAS OVER AT THE 49 SECOND MARK!!!!!
O'Brien
May 7th, 2011
9:42 pm
Jeff,
Last year, Rick Sund thought the problem was All Woody. But what he failed to admit was that the players quit on Woody last year. And for grown men, professionals, to quit like that on their coach was unacceptable (although Woody had to go too, in my opinion).
Regardless of what happens this series, a roster change is needed. I think a HC change is needed too, but given the lockout and the fact that LD is probably the cheapest coach in the league, we will probably be stuck with Uncle Larry next season.
Keith in Macon
May 7th, 2011
10:02 pm
Joe Johnson is a cancer that’s gonna kill this franchise.
ldawg121
May 7th, 2011
10:04 pm
Lets find a way to turn back the clock and draft Chris Paul instead of Marvin Williams…..I haven’t really been interested in the Hawks since that dumbass move….her’s a club that needed,had needed,and still needs a true point and you pass on the best one to come out in years….sorry,I know thats a little off topic but I also still get nauseus when I think about Lonnie Smith and the 91 World Series…..some things you just never forget
Heat Fan
May 7th, 2011
10:06 pm
Come on Hawks fans be realistic, the Bulls beat you guys 2-1 regular season, you guys won the 1st one 83-80, then they beat you 94-76 and 114-81, I keep seeing people saying your more talented then them, but the stats don’t say that. They averaged 96 ppg to your 80 ppg during the regular season. You guys are crazy to think the results were going to be different in the playoffs.
Heat Fan
May 7th, 2011
10:09 pm
@Idawg121 I agree with you,
Marvin was the sixth man on the UNC team and ATL used the 2nd pick to get him. Doesn’t get any crazier than that.
ATL4Life
May 7th, 2011
10:12 pm
Trading Josh or Al is not he answer. Come on people use your brain! Who else could replace Al’s near averaging a double double a game at the value he is put at? Sure he is slumping in the playoffs but look at Joe last year and Jamal during the regular season. As for Josh, it is a coaching problem. When Woodson was coach last year, he took way less jump shots. Drew needs to put his foot down and show the Hawks who is in charge.
chas
May 7th, 2011
10:16 pm
Hawks are less than the sum of their parts while the Bulls are greater than the sum of their parts. Bulls have great role players and a bunch of great pieces that work together. Bulls made an adjustment and have figured out who they need to guard and who they can leave open. Hawks are not taking advantage of who they are leaving open. Hawks need a real post player going forward. I don’t see any way we win this series now and I’d be surprised if we find a way to win another game. JSmooth is beyond frustrating. He is a product of the Nba draft before college system. If I had to reorganize the team I’d hang on to Teague and Joe Johnson and Horford, but the rest would be disposable to me. Horford I like but he simply isn’t a good post player. Bulls in 5
PALM BEACH BARON
May 7th, 2011
10:27 pm
THE PROBLEM IS MARVIN WILLIAMS! 2ND PICK IN THE DRAFT AND HE IS A BRICKLAYER. At one point in game 2 he missed 6 straight shots and 2 free throws. He constantly missed defensive assignments and waves at 3-point shots lazily – starting him is pure stupidity! The starting lineup Sunday should he ZAZA – HORFORD – SMITH – JOHNSON – TEAGUE – CRAWFORD – MARVIN COLLINS – WILKINS (DEFEND ROSE) OFF THE BENCH.
Slim
May 7th, 2011
10:39 pm
Joe Johnson had 2 free throws at the 3 yesterday and only 5 free throws in the win.
Josh Smith at the 3 Al Horford at the 4 and a center who doesn’t shoot as much as Marvin and helps Josh and Horford on the board gives us a chance to win.
Dwight Howard had 25 offensive rebounds in 6 games.
Joakim Noah is on pace for 32.
Might want to help Smith on the boards. And also Josh Smith had a triple double last year before the Bulls got big inside. Luol Deng cannot guard him similar. Joe Johnson will be guarded by Bogans or Rose because Deng will have his hands full with Smith.
Smith playing power forward is just like DWIGHT HOWARD at center. Bulls/Hawks single cover and that way we don’t get threes. Everyone else on the Hawks is disjointed.
Smith had 18 rebounds against Boston as a SF and that was with Bibby.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHl_FxokyS8
The results? Double Teams.
Also on defense: Derrick Rose pulls Josh aka Dwight Howard-lite up with a pick and roll and then he goes past him for the layup. Works every time.
Slim
May 7th, 2011
10:42 pm
@Heat Fan
big lineup = we only lost the rebound battle by 6 and instead of Josh we had a center in the middle.
The result Rose shot 5 for 24.
The next game we played no centers and put Josh at the 4. Rose tries to dunk everything and Josh gets in foul trouble.
Go Small and Rose smells blood. Go big and Josh comes weakside to block shots and get steals when Rose goes out of bounds for those stupid jump passes.
djthescorpian
May 7th, 2011
10:58 pm
Bynum was talking about the Lakers trust issues. Trust issues are whats up with the Hawks. Someone blogged about how Al Horford is playing soft. Yes, he is. Know why? Let’s start with J. Smooth. If I were busting my azz on defense-getting to loose balls and thangz, then give it up to mean mug Josh-only to witness his launching those shi#@y torpedoes-I guess I would’nt try to put in any defensive effort as well. Every effect has a cause. Did you guys see that regular season game against the LA Clippers where Al Horford was playing like a beast-and got fouled by Blake Griffen-made his free throws and the Hawks won the game. That took a lot of effort and Al was hurt physically, but when he healed and came back-he had a different attitude. He saw that he cannot reley on J.J. and no one else for that matter-to pound the boards with him. Mark my words-if Al goes to a western team with some heart and character with other big men-he will be just one of a dozen players that left the dysfunctional Hawks (like Jason Terry, Danny Manning, etc.) that will thrive with different management, players, etc.
djthescorpian
May 7th, 2011
11:07 pm
Too many “nice” azz Hawks players-as it is: I say lets get some players who isn’t so nice-with and attitude. Oh Josh-that ain’t your meany mug-that’s just a front. Ya too soft. I seen you locker room image. You just happy to have a seven figure job. Like they used to say in the hood-you cannot even bust a grape. Crawford is “nice”. Joe is “nice”. Harford is “nice”. Marvin is “nice” as well as docile. It makes me want to puke.
Heat Fan
May 7th, 2011
11:07 pm
@Slim
Rose had a off night that night and you guys still only beat them by 3, I was there, Rose missed every jump shot and even some layups. When he was on they beat you by 18 and 33. You guys were only 6 games above .500 ball. Making it to the 2nd round is more than good. If your honest with yourself you had the 28th ranked offense in the league this year and a fake superstar that has more off nights than on nights. Joe averaged 18 ppg and only 13 ppg against the Bulls during the regular season, he’s averaging 16 for this series, so he’s doing better. I think you Hawks fans are wishful thinking about the Hawks instead of being realistic.
TheAntiMe
May 7th, 2011
11:07 pm
9. Blame LD, blame the fans, blame the ballboy…
Actually, I blame Harry The Hawk. It should be obvious to anyone who has watched the Hawks this season that Harry does not pay attention and refuses to cheer to his strengths. Every time that I see Harry on TV he’s almost never in position to be an effective mascot. Instead, Harry is usually hanging around the Hawks cheerleading squad trying to scoop on those ladies and generally just goofing off.
The only real solution to get the Hawks to the NBA Finals next season is to trade Harry The Hawk to Orlando for Dwight Howard and a mascot to be named later. This trade will go a long way toward curing what currently ails these Atlanta Hawks and may just save this wobbly franchise from total ruin.
Nathan D
May 7th, 2011
11:19 pm
The real hawk and UM…. yall are the biggest idiots who woulndt want a froncourt with Byunum and Al the be the best front. HInrich is a great defender and is 6′3 most sg are 6′4 not bad and stop the league most productive offesvie weapons yall are talking about soccer.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 7th, 2011
11:20 pm
Yes, but can Dwight Howard or a mascot to be named later ride on a moped down the streets of Atlanta in broad daylight?
Nathan D
May 7th, 2011
11:20 pm
Good one antiman lol.
Nathan D
May 7th, 2011
11:21 pm
YOu guys who want to trade Al are idoits.
Trapper John
May 7th, 2011
11:25 pm
I agree with the team chemistry prognosis. 100%. Team is dysfuncional. I’m not sure if anybody on this team even likes each other! I’ve been a fan of Horford for years! Does he even care any more? It appears that he doesn’t. His game has become non-existant. Coach sucks. The warriors on this team are Zaza, Jamal, and Heinrich! Everybody else is a panty waist. Glad to see Teague step up, but isn’t it a little late for that revelation? We need to get an NBA coach in here! Drew’s in so far over his head it’s embarrasing. Hawks can “fold the tent” — or either –”drive down some stakes.” It’s evident someone has to go! Who will it be to win a championship?????
Little Fawkers
May 7th, 2011
11:26 pm
This team needed to be broken up years ago. Time to move on…. again.
co-nun-drum
May 7th, 2011
11:31 pm
Sell the Thrashers and sign Dwight…
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.
SALVADOR
May 8th, 2011
12:01 pm
AS MAGIC JOHNSON SAID ABOUT THE LAKERS…..
The Hawks need a center who can defend and a small forward who can score.
I think Teague has proven in this series that he can be a point guard in this league,and along with Heinrich fill that position.
It is very obvious that Al Horford is not comfortable with the role he is asked to play for the Hawks and I consider him the only real valuable asset for trading that the Hawks have.In order to improve this very unbalanced roster he has to be traded and throw Marvin Williams in that deal.
THEN GET A REAL NBA COACH !!!!!
SALVADOR
May 8th, 2011
12:04 pm
WHAT MAGIC JOHNSON SAID ABOUT THE LAKERS WAS..
SALVADOR
May 8th, 2011
12:06 pm
THIS GROUP HAS BEEN TOGETHER FOR TOO LONG!!!!!!
B'Red
May 8th, 2011
12:23 pm
Trade Joe Johnson to portland. I think they have an overpaid center who was a lottery pick and has not played in 3 years. Maybe they want to unload that contract for Joe Johnson. Marvin Williams has no value and you cant trade him. He should have never been resigned. He cannot play anywhere esle in the NBA. Actually he should be the D league. He might be able to hold his own there.
rollo lawson
May 8th, 2011
12:29 pm
The Lakers are looking to make major changes if and when they lose against Dallas. Look for a Dwight Howard/Pau Gasol block buster trade this summer. If the Magic let him walk next summer, they get nothing. If the Lakers get Dwight, Bynum is gone as well. That’s where the Hawks come in. Bynum for Horford straight up.
Stuart
May 8th, 2011
12:46 pm
I say try to move Joe. I know it’s near impossible with his contract, but if D Williams ends up not wanting to stay in New Jersey, then see if the Russian billionaire will pay for Joe (which I’m sure he’d be open to it). The trade Joe plus Hinrich or Teague to NJ for D Williams. Then trade Josh Smith for a legit center. Then you have D Williams at point, Al at the 4, a legit center, Marvin at the 3, and if you can re-sign Jamal Crawford, he can be your 2. Though, it would be even better if a decent, bigger, better defender can be signed to play at the 2 so Jamal can still come in off the bench.
But yes, some changes will have to be made, maybe even a new coach. It’s not that LD has done bad necessarily, but given that LD is pretty soft-spoken, I don’t think he fires up the guys the way they need to be, especially regarding the fundamentals of the game (i.e. hustling, being aggressive, playing physical, ball movement, movement away from the ball, taking the ball to the basket as opposed to settling for long jumpers, with that, getting to the free throw line, and DEFENSE).
Stuart
May 8th, 2011
12:49 pm
Of course, with the trade, you’ll have to find a way to make salaries match up.
nique
May 8th, 2011
12:56 pm
If Zaza gets minutes this game, he will get into Noah’s head and throw him off. Guaranteed.
hh2
May 8th, 2011
12:57 pm
Nailed It
RAY
May 8th, 2011
2:27 pm
@Trapper John….Dwight had said all along he wanted to bring a championship here to Atlanta, but Atlanta has not one thing to bring him here, his contract is up next year, and ownership is still in turmoil, but why would he come here now, their the one who don’t seem to want him……
JeJe
May 8th, 2011
2:56 pm
So what changes do you suggest?
JeJe
May 8th, 2011
3:03 pm
Marvin, Horford and a pick for Artest and Bynum
I’ll take Bynum’s injury history in a heartbeat
Count me in
May 8th, 2011
3:39 pm
Maybe some of those coaches who keeps putting horford on the allstar team as a reserve may see some value in him bite the Horford bait.
Im on board with the Horford Marvin for Bynum Artest up grade. I d take Gasol as well. We can not tolerate the weakness of what Horford brings defensively whether hes at the 4 or 5. Either way hes a weak defender a an average scorer. Im not into the mediocrity thingy and would like to see the hawks knocking at the door of the top seed rather than the 1 and done further lottery pickers they are and will be. Lets win for a change.
Count me in
May 8th, 2011
3:44 pm
Looks like Manny Pac Man left his Steroids at home last night. That was a very soft unanimous win over a almost 40 year old Sugar Shane Mosley. Money May Weather would take his lunch money if he he doesnt take steroids.
Count me in
May 8th, 2011
3:51 pm
“If Zaza gets minutes this game, he will get into Noah’s head and throw him off. Guaranteed.”
There was a time when Horford could do that. He has always been better than Noah. At lest until this year. They are both power forwards.
Noah is the new Dennis Rodman and Al Horford is the new Jon Koncak.
Count me in
May 8th, 2011
3:58 pm
tonight we saw Pac Man with out steroids The reason the two havent been together is the sides could not agree on the method of drug testing prior to a proposed bout. Pac Man would submit to blood analysis. Tonight he fought with out steroids and it was clear hes not in Mayweather’s league.
Steck Money
May 8th, 2011
4:40 pm
Think about this…..The Dallas Mavericks are in the midst of sweeping the weeping CHAMPION Lakers and they are owned by a Basketball enthusiest who will stop at nothing to win…….and he still has not won, but might this year, we are owned by a conglomerate that knows nothing about basketball and does not care to win, so how are we going to win? We are the worst run orginization in the NBA i would say pro sports but that is a pretty big assumption, would have to do more research. We Draft the worst and make the worst personel moves……Does anybody remember we Drafted Pau Gasol?!? and now look at Memphis, they got his Brother, How is Memphis a better Organization then the Hawks? our parts are better then the sum of our parts. when JJ or JC drive and get double teamed they kick it to WHO for the J?????? anybody…..help me please, how do we not have a pure jumpshooter?!? is Dale Ellis to old? Marvin and Josh have got to be the worst shooting forward tandem in all of basketball, someone needs to go! I was leaning toward Marvin his whole career , but now I know Josh has to go, he is a knucklehead, need to trade him while he has value, Marvin at least plays team ball and would play better with Smith out of the way, Also can move Al to his Natural 4, Al is struggling with all this Switching. The Hawks will win a Championship When…..Never…..wait,wait there is hope! if we get in a time machine,Hire Jerry west as our GM instead of Billy Knight, keep Pau gasol, draft Chris Paul and Luol Deng over J Chill and Brandon Roy or Rudy Gay over Sheldon and Hire Doc Rivers as our Coach, Then the Hawks could win a championship! I am a life long Hawks fan and it is tough…..
ATLER (Ramblin Wreck)
May 8th, 2011
5:05 pm
Nathan D
May 7th, 2011
4:14 pm
Great point at Josh Smith! This why we need to trade him for a center, Bynum or Bogut. Put Al at the 4 and put marvin on the bench or trade him and smith for bynum teegue and Sy both look good. next year have Teague at the one hinrich 2, joe 3, al 4, bynum 5, pachulia crawford and Sy on the bench.
Dude are you a retard???!!!!!! Bynum’s knees are done son!!!!!!! You’d be pulling a Billy Knight power forward draft pick move on that one my friend.
Whopper Dawg
May 8th, 2011
5:45 pm
Q: What do you do if you don’t want the ball back?
A: Pass it to Smith or Johnson
Josh Smith has to go, the Hawks would be better off if they just cut him.
I live outside of Memphis. EVERY player on the Griz fight like a dawg every second they are on the courrt. EVERY one of them. EVERY secondd. The Hawks need to watch the game film for last night’s Griz game, and then watch it again. They are the opposite of the Hawks.
more over
May 8th, 2011
6:01 pm
Al brings nothing to the table. Time for him to Go! Trade Al now, while he has name recognition. You will never win anything with Al in your front court. Offensively hes average. Defensively hes sad. Hes not talented enough to take the 4 away from Josh. He has a non team attitude with this I dont want to play center attitude. He forces every body out of position so trade his anus.
limelight
May 8th, 2011
6:18 pm
Put me in with the many guys who are saying its time for Al to go. Dude is a weak defender from either the 4 or the 5. And his attitude sucks. I love the multi-tool super talented Josh Smith. What a great defender and hes an impact at the 4. Hes a better 4 than Al. Thats a no brainer. Lets get a center for a Center. Since Al dont want to play center lets trade him for one and the problem is solve. Moving Al to the 4 still makes us weak defensively at the 4.
Did you ever notice how many times Al just stopped and watch players Dunk on him with out making a effort to defend? Then he begs to get out of the low post.
Dog fight.
May 8th, 2011
6:20 pm
yeah, Josh is a keeper at the 4. if one has to go its Al.
beets.
May 8th, 2011
6:25 pm
ditto on the its time to trade Al.
Byrd
May 8th, 2011
6:28 pm
Love the stupid headline on the front page of the ajc. Gas prices to drop. Gee really. Oil has gone from 113 to 97 in a week. And what have prices done at the pump? Stayed pat.
Just shows the manipulation by the sellers because they have no problem running it up 5 to 10 cents a day after it rises $5 a barrel but when it falls they take weeks to lower. Based on what prices were last month when oil was 97, gas should sell for about 3.25-3.35 here including the 3 cent ga tax increase. All I see is 3.90-4 around here with the occasional 3.85
Hawks and Smith bounce back in a major way | Jeff Schultz
May 8th, 2011
10:52 pm
[...] Earlier: Hawks’ constant Sybil act reaffirms changes are needed [...]