Hawks lose again — and it’s clear they need some help
Joe Johnson and the Hawks have fallen flat the last three games after a 16-6 start. (AP photo)
One week ago, the Hawks won a game by 23 points in Toronto. They went 4-1 on a road trip — their most successful trip in 43 years — and held one of the best records in the NBA at 16-6.
Then the team came home, and it was like watching Sybil change personalities.
The Hawks lost to the 9-14 Phoenix Suns, 99-90, on Monday night at Philips Arena. That makes three straight home losses to Memphis, Philadelphia and Phoenix. They’ve trailed by 20-plus points in all three games.
The one thread in the three losses has been a mixed effort.
There are several reasons why this may have happened. The most obvious: Being undersized without two centers, Al Horford (potentially out for the season) and Jason Collins (sidelined for two weeks), has led to physical fatigue, which has led to mental fatigue.
Players are not nearly as aggressive as they were earlier in the season. They’re not sharing the ball as much. They’ve probably has lost some confidence.
“We didn’t respnd well to their runs,” coach Larry Drew said after the Phoenix game. “I just don’t see how we can respond as if the game’s over.”
Here’s what has become obvious: This team needs some help.
General manager Rick Sund’s ability to make a trade is hamstrung by payroll issues. Any significant acquisition would put the Hawks into a tax situation, and there’s no indication that ownership is willing to pay that premium. But Sund can’t afford to sit back and do nothing, but to assume these problems are just going away is a dangerous game.
The Hawks were just starting to get some deserved attention. But after three straight flat performances at home, they’re threatening to slip off the landscape again.
On that note: pitchers and catchers report in two weeks.
I’ll have more on this tomorrow after speaking to Drew, Sund and some players. But I wanted to get your early thoughts on this team.
The floor is yours.
By Jeff Schultz
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140 comments Add your comment
Big Dawg
February 6th, 2012
10:40 pm
First. About to make a huge turnaround!!!
painter
February 6th, 2012
10:41 pm
Mediocrity fails time and time again.
Buford Pusser
February 6th, 2012
10:41 pm
Can we send them to a new city ?
IceColdATLien
February 6th, 2012
10:42 pm
Unbelievably bad that Sund has done nothing yet.
IceColdATLien
February 6th, 2012
10:45 pm
I understand that Sund’s hamstrung to a certain extent, but isn’t that why he gets paid such a crazy salary? Earn the paycheck by being creative and make something happen.
Derek
February 6th, 2012
10:47 pm
Did we really expect anything other than the fall back to earth w/o Al?! Joe is overpaid, Josh is old yet immature, marvin is young yet old, teague is inexperienced and we dont have a center…Blow it up after this year, and/or go get Dwight
Let's Be Honest
February 6th, 2012
10:48 pm
They’re done.
The emptiest stadium in Atlanta is about to look abandoned!
Let's Be Honest
February 6th, 2012
10:49 pm
There’s not pressure to win. Only one reporter at the game, one columnist asking question, and 11 fans in the stands. What a joke of a franchise.
Winnipeg Hawks
February 6th, 2012
10:50 pm
Hard to win a game when your starting line up is sitting on the bench next to the coach for the final 8 minutes of the game…
Let's Be Honest
February 6th, 2012
10:54 pm
Worst fans in sports.
Nerehere
February 6th, 2012
10:56 pm
The only impetus for the Hawks is to back into the playoffs, period. They’ll probably still get there-unless they go on a thirty-nine game losing streak. They won’t get any help from Detroit, though or Milwakee.
Atlanta Spirit Sucks
February 6th, 2012
10:57 pm
But Gearon said the ASG isn’t cheap. Besides, the losing streak is all Schultz’s fault, just ask Gearon
Atlanta Spirit Sucks
February 6th, 2012
10:58 pm
Besides, the Hawks are just an expensive hobby, just ask Gearon.
Chas
February 6th, 2012
11:03 pm
Let’s be Honest indeed. I think you meant to say “smartest fans in sports” didn’t you? If you beat a dog for 40 years do you expect that dog to be loyal to you? Why should fans support a franchise that has never been to the Eastern Conference finals let alone win a championship. I like our players, but ownership is a joke. It is not about the fans it is about the product. I feel bad for the players though. We need to break this team down and reengineer for the future.
Let's Be Honest
February 6th, 2012
11:08 pm
Yes you’re smart because you stay away. And that strategy worked so well for the Thrashers, right?
tree rollins
February 6th, 2012
11:08 pm
I’ve offered to come back and assist – Dikembe has offered to join me. Without us they have no chance!
Nerehere
February 6th, 2012
11:08 pm
Empty seats are the norm at the Phillips. Who wants to get in their car, pay high gas prices-to drive downtown, pay for parking, spend money on concessions-all to be let down by this mediocre team-the hawks? You don’t even want to think about taking Marta, it’s not SMARTA. Some people may come to see other teams superstars like Blake, Kobe, Lebron, etc., but not the Hawks. Cause they stink. The Phillips may want to try to hold free concert packages like they used to do when they were even more apathetic and sorry than are right now. Nobody is bothering to go to these games anymore. The fan base, (what fan base) is disolving rapidly. Better to stay at home, save gas, and flip the remote control in the comfort of your own home. They should just black-out these Sport South games, and save the viewing public the agony of watching this bull.
tree rollins
February 6th, 2012
11:09 pm
I could dunk over any of those guys they have now…
Chas
February 6th, 2012
11:10 pm
I remember an interview a few years ago with an Asg owner who said, “we are spending money” as if all they had to do was throw money around and they would build a champion. Unfortunately they did not approach building a team the same way one should build any business…with patience and a keen eye for a return on individual investments.
Joe
February 6th, 2012
11:10 pm
What a mess!!!!!! And the sad thing is that unless they blow this “core group” up not much can be done in making this franchise competitive for a CHAMPIONSHIP for many years. The ownership is a joke,the coach appears clueless and you can see these players have all but given up.
It will be interesting Sunday night, in all likelihood the Hawks will be in the midst of a 5 game losing streak, getting ready to face the heat and m. Gearon will be addressing the season ticket holders. Ought to be a blast!
Chas
February 6th, 2012
11:13 pm
Let’s be honest would you go to a crummy restaurant night after night if you hated the food and the staff treated you poorly? If you say yes you are either a liar or too dumb for your own good.
Chas
February 6th, 2012
11:13 pm
Let’s be honest would you go to a crummy restaurant night after night if you hated the food and the staff treated you poorly? If you say yes you are either a liar or too dumb for your own good.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 6th, 2012
11:14 pm
They need a reliable center, more offensive responsibility vested in Teague, and less minutes at point guard for Kirk.
GET A DAMN BIG MAN SUND
leear1n
February 6th, 2012
11:14 pm
Well said Chas the fans does not play the game we pay to see the professionals play
I am not going to pay to be let down.If the owners don’t care why should I.
tree rollins
February 6th, 2012
11:15 pm
Rick Sund has done a nice job with this team – he just can’t manufacture trees out there! Ain’t no cheap big boys. ‘cept maybe me or Chris Washburn!
Chas
February 6th, 2012
11:17 pm
I did have Thrashers tickets btw. I love hockey, but got tired of perennial losers. Fans or lack thereof did not drive away the Thrashers. The owners did. There are many warm weather cities that have hockey so don’t blame the fans.
Jeremy morton
February 6th, 2012
11:17 pm
BLOW UP THE TEAM ALREADY
Perry
February 6th, 2012
11:18 pm
The hawks were fine until Hinrich came back, getting way too many minutes!!!!!!!!!
Chas
February 6th, 2012
11:23 pm
The irony now is that the Asg would be afraid to blow up the team (I.e. see Joe Johnson’s contract) even if it could increase the chance of a championship in the future. They are too concerned with losing fan interest In the short run and are hopeful we are close to a ring. Nothing is more boring to me than an Nba team that is stuck in playoff land with little chance of a great draft pick but no chance of a championship.
tree rollins
February 6th, 2012
11:27 pm
Me and Washburn would give up the ripple and the malt liquor to get back out there! Hinrich ain’t no good – neither is JoJo! JSmoov – that dude can play!
The Truth
February 6th, 2012
11:27 pm
Stop living in “video game world” people. This is REAL LIFE. Trades don’t happen until teams after the All Star Break. The Hawks aren’t getting Howard. They don’t have enough to trade for him and he won’t resign with the team next year if they did. Blow the team up? Start Over? Wow, apparently no one posting here has paid attention to the last 20 years of Hawks basketball. Be happy we are as good as we are right now. To all the Hawks-Haters if you dislike the Hawks so much why are you even reading and commenting on a Hawks blog? Did your xbox break or something?
Pistol Pete
February 6th, 2012
11:29 pm
Lifelong Hawks, Falcons and Braves Fan here. Trying to watch the Hawks used to be entertaining not anymore. The Hawks play with no fire. Plodding up and down the court no emotion. Charles Barkley was absolutely right on his assessment of the team. I guess the Hawks will be the next team to leave Atlanta and to be honest I could care less. Why would anybody go pay good money to watch a group of un-motivated player’s? I know I won’t be wasting my money going to games unless there are major changes. Hell can hardly watch a full half of a game name on T.V.
Off subject Falcons aren’t much better, Braves pushing hard to jump in the boat with the Falcons and Hawks.
BRAD
February 6th, 2012
11:30 pm
IT’S THE OWNERSHIP!!! THE HAWKS GOT SOLD DOWN THE RIVER BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER TO A GROUP AND NO BIG FREE AGENTS WILL COME HERE. IT WILL NOT CHANGE. INSIDER TRADING ALL ABOUT THE DOLLARS AND THE CITY LOSES.
Chas
February 6th, 2012
11:30 pm
Don’t get me wrong though. I like our players and coach, just don’t care for Asg or where this team is heading. I loved the Hawks in the Dominique era and went to all the games. Now that was a product the fans loved. And they did go to games despite a much smaller population in the city. Oh, last comment … Got to change the college basketball one and done so that players have to play 3 years or enter the draft from high school or wherever. The one and domes are killing the NBA and college basketball.
tree rollins
February 6th, 2012
11:32 pm
The Truth is tellin’ the truth! We’re lucky to have this sadsack group. We might be back in the Isiah Rider days and the days of Mookie Blaylock. Wait til Al comes back – then this league will have hell to pay!
The Truth
February 6th, 2012
11:37 pm
Hey look Josh Smith just tried shooting another 3….and brick. Keep it up Josh I here 1 out of every 6 go in. YOU ARE AWESOME!
doc
February 6th, 2012
11:37 pm
jeff, having watched the last tree games live, it is not a pretty sight to behold. this team is better but i remember better games in 06 and 07 than what i have seem the last three games. by sunday they could fall from 10 games over 500 to 4 games. we may have already seen the upside to this season.
we were short before the season and collins is a luxury, not a viable big and everyone except sund realizes this. we are undersized to even the suns and i might add they would be undersized even with al. get busy or give up.
man did the basg ever miss out on the energy that came in 08 after the celts series and we crested in 09. time for the basg to wake up before no fans are there. between the economy crashing, their lack of making changes to balance the team and their pr gaffs, this franchise is done.
Chas
February 6th, 2012
11:41 pm
For anyone that was not living in the city during the mid to late eighties search on YouTube for Dominique 1988. The fans were very loyal to that team and they never got very far in the playoffs. Has the city changed? The team? The Nba? The owners? The culture? Little bit of everything I am afraid.
tree rollins
February 6th, 2012
11:45 pm
Extreme times call for desperate measures. We need to get rid of these big lugs like Marvin and JoJo and his boat anchor of a salary and go with a compact team that’s entertaining. Start with Spud Webb at point, get the Jimmer at the 2, Mugsy Bogues at center, Tiny Archibald at power forward, and Berrea at small forward. Now I’d pay to go see that!
Stan
February 7th, 2012
12:51 am
Never understood why Drew take out the starter why the game in on the line. If the second team is more motivated started themnever seem Kobe or Lebron on the bench the entire forth quarter and game in the line
Eric C.
February 7th, 2012
12:51 am
When Horford went down, the team was challenged and responded with spunk and tenacity and looked great. Passing the ball around, great shooting, great defense on the road trip, but it burned them out…now they come home and hope the wins will fall in their laps. The team is too depleted to keep the fire going and maintain that level…just tough luck. The rest of the season will be a struggle to stay above .500. What else cay you say…there is very little hope left for a successful season without a replacement for Horford.
Eric C.
February 7th, 2012
12:54 am
Chas, great points…the dynamo Celtics were the biggest road block for the Hawks in the late 80s, just couldn’t break through, but that Hawks team was very fun to watch.
superiorblogman
February 7th, 2012
2:25 am
The best thing we can do now is trade Josh Smith for Brook Lopez and Okur since they really want Dwight. Sending Josh to New Jersey and getting Lopez along with Okur’s expiring will give you the chance to just sign Lopez to Josh’s contract this summer.
If that does not work just send Josh to any team that will give up a lotto pick for him.
Then tank. We have either Brook Lopez and 1 Lotto pick and the lineup looks like.
Teague
Joe
Perry Jones III
Horford
Brook Lopez
Or we have 2 Lotto picks.
Teague
Joe
Perry Jones III
Al Horford
Andre Drummond
or
Teague
Joe
Perry Jones III
Anthony Davis
Al Horford
What no saints and packers
February 7th, 2012
3:24 am
Hey Brad first of all ASG had own Hawks and thrashers since 99 u idiot and they still are it was can when the Pizza fellow was voted down for buyin so The Three stooges had keep team along with Harpo as GM….I told u clods that hawks have no class and bad Owners like former hockey team that why ASG Hired Waddell so they could sale there product to winnipeg in 12 years ..So all u AJC writers who hide remember this when next Press confernce by ASG is hawks are goin to Buffalo next season and become the Buffalo braves!
Steck Money
February 7th, 2012
4:30 am
First off, born and raised a Hawks fan……Ownership! Ownership! Ownership! Does anybody remember how bad the Dallas Mavericks were before Cuban? Now they are the champs! When the owner cares he makes better hires. Look at our past and present GM, We had a chance to hire Jerry west! but ownership did not want to pay him 1 million dollars! look who they drafted, its horrible, if we had an owner that cared we could have these players……and if you are standing please sit down! we could have….drum roll………Pau Gasol, Chris Paul, Luol Deng, Rudy Gay. The Hawks have made the worst franchise decisions ever! If anyone can explain what I’m about to say as logical, you should be GM. The Atlanta Hawks Traded Pau Gasol to the Grizzlies for Shareef Abdur Rahim…..thats not the part I’m mad at…then we Hire the Grizzlies GM that just made that trade with us?!? WTF!!! and that clown ruined the Hawks, Will not say his name! The Hawks will never win with this core group, sad to say. Here are the top 5 Hawks franchise blunders, no particular order…….
1. Not Drafting Chris Paul
2. 4 picks 1st round in ‘99 and we get JT (now a champ and could have traded other 3 for a top pick)
3. not hiring Jerry West as GM
4. Hiring Mike Woodson instead of Doc Rivers
That’s why we wont win here is why we have never won
Sheldon Williams, Roy Marble, Adam Keefe, Ed Grey, Chris Washburn, Priest Lauderdale, Cal Bowdler, Demarr Johnson Acie Law XXIVCL. Draft those guys and you might win a NBDL playoff game!
I love the Hawks but I bet there are 10 people on this blog that could run them better!
Jon Konkak
February 7th, 2012
6:21 am
I’m available if the Hawks want to bring in a good big man
tony
February 7th, 2012
6:38 am
Maybe the people in the state of ga need to check themselves if they truely want to know why teams in Atlanta are so unsuccessful. Eventhough I was born in this state, I will never tell anyone to move here because the people are mean and insensitive. I’ve been to many states in my life time but I have never experience as much, separatism, insensitivity and racism(black/white) in other states like I have in my own state.
Evil ways creates misfortune and disapointments. Galatian 6:7,8 James chapter 1. If you want good things to come your way, just be good to all people.
TC
February 7th, 2012
6:41 am
Part of the problem is Drew throws in the towel way too early. Last night the Hawks cut it to 9 with about three minutes to go. That is a very winable game. He had pargo, stackhouse, ivan (which is good) vladovich? and willie green. Is that a line up that you put in to win the game? Absolutly not. Somebody please explain why Drew would have those guys on the court with the game on the line. With the exception of Ivan Johnson of course.
beejayrufino
February 7th, 2012
7:25 am
Trade Kirk now, I’m finally convinced Kirk for Kaman
ekd
February 7th, 2012
7:33 am
who cares. it’s lazy tattoed thugs running around bouncing a ball. with that ball, they would be in that beating video. it should also not surprise anyone that teams in this city often go through choke or suck periods. cause they all suck
Trojan
February 7th, 2012
7:42 am
Other teams are looking to make moves to strengthen themselves, the Hawks don’t even make moves to survive.
This team is almost lost.
Sund: Get a PC.
ASG: Sell the Hawks.
Get Dwight!
February 7th, 2012
7:43 am
The hawks need to break the bank and get Dwight—pay him whatever his people demand! He’s worth it. dump some of this overpaid mediocre talent and make the move, ASAP!
The ATL = loserville
February 7th, 2012
7:44 am
One fluke sports title since 1966! Loserville!!!
Trojan
February 7th, 2012
7:47 am
It’s not the fault of the fans that the Hawks are the most poorly run organization in the NBA. We have the coach that cost the least, we have the GM that cost the least. We have the ownership that cares the least.
Horrible organization.
Joe Johnson
February 7th, 2012
7:51 am
Everyone calm down, I am still making $24 mil this year, I got this……
tony
February 7th, 2012
7:56 am
ekd
February 7th, 2012
7:33 am
who cares. it’s lazy tattoed thugs running around bouncing a ball. with that ball, they would be in that beating video. it should also not surprise anyone that teams in this city often go through choke or suck periods. cause they all suck
__________________________________________________
You prove my point young man. Let me ask you……which player on the hawk’s team is a thug? (Thug means a brutal ruffian or assassin) You said thugs……so give us a list of players on the hawk’s roster that are thugs and give us the nature of their crimes. If you can’t, then you are a racist insensitive humanbeing.
justaverage
February 7th, 2012
7:58 am
Go look at the team’s record, it says it all. They are 12-1 against teams below .500 and 4-8 against teams above .500. Even if they do manage to make the playoffs, which is pretty easy in the NBA, they won’t amount to anything as usual. Just plain average!!!!
Sage of Bluesland
February 7th, 2012
8:03 am
Want real change? Cut the funds.
If they move, it will be a blessing.
Don’t subsidize the incompetence by going to the game….you’re just prolonging the suffering.
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
8:17 am
Pretty stupid not to trade for a center. If its only all about the money then just forfeit the season. Why even have a team ?
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
8:28 am
all players with more than one tattoo is a thug IMO. If you look like a thug,smell like a thug,and act like a thug. You a thug !
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
8:30 am
Go to ANY prison in the USA. I’ll bet you $1,000 someone is in there (everyone of them) with 2 or more tattoos !
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
8:31 am
All the gangs (thugs) have lots of tattoos. Allen Iverson started the thug tattooed look.
Rosy Palmer
February 7th, 2012
8:38 am
Well maybe Dennis Rodman was the first one ?
T Dog
February 7th, 2012
8:55 am
I thought the NBA was on strike. I didn’t realize they had worked that out. Of course I’ve had no reason to worry about it being worked out. I knew what kind of ownership group we had with the Hawks so I wasn’t going to waste money going to see them anyway.
Jake
February 7th, 2012
9:12 am
We def need a big man. I would love Howard and anyone would, but either way we got to have a big man. There is no other way around it.
Starrman
February 7th, 2012
9:23 am
No one seems to notice ever time Kirk return for IR we have a drop off.The Hawks were playing better with Pargo backing up Teague.
Nope
February 7th, 2012
9:35 am
Maybe Drew can’t coach at this level. I understand that the players have to make the plays to win the games, but I never see this team play with consistent purpose or a consistent vision.
CDOG
February 7th, 2012
9:36 am
the suns won’t have another easy game like this no more this season.it was like shooting practice. nobodies on the suns hitting 3pointers whenever they wanted to.everything the hawks took were jump shots while the lowly suns got what they wanted to.they didn’t try to play defense. they made washed up steve nash look like majic johnson.only the hawks will.it’s like i been saying, rick sund doesn’t care.it’s like going bear hunting, rick sund don’t want to shoot the bear, he only want to be one of the hunters.larry drew just sits there and let officials take his game and says nothing.he muted to mike smith of the falcons? it’s not going to get any better but i’m not going to watch josh smith and joe johnson shoot the hawks out of games, and no defense is played plus there’s no inside game on either end of the co only thank you rick sund.someone said, GO HAWKS, ONLY THING, THEY’RE GOING BACKWARDS AND WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS SUND IS THERE.
Sideline Dude
February 7th, 2012
9:42 am
The NBA just needs to shut down. Nothing but a bunch of thugs.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 7th, 2012
9:49 am
Eric Hinske, the most tattooed thug in Atlanta sports.
LakeDawg
February 7th, 2012
9:59 am
Worst bunch of losers I’ve ever seen. For the hundredth time, I thought they might have finally matured and kicked their loser mentality. They were 16-6 and 4-1 on the road trip without Horford. Then, inexplicably, they come home and decide once again that they’re just gonna lie down and quit. I don’t understand what goes through their mind, but if I have to see Joe Johnson sitting on the bench with that glazed loser look in his eyes…..while the Hawks are being blown out by a mediocre team at home…..one more time, well I won’t see it, because I won’t be watching.
tony
February 7th, 2012
10:00 am
Najeh Davenpoop, please don’t be like them. Tattooing does not make person a thug. Tattooing correlates with the word hippie.
Hippie –
a usually young person who does not wish to live by the normal rules of society and who shows his rejection of these rules by his unusual clothes, habits etc
LakeDawg
February 7th, 2012
10:02 am
Sideline Dude
February 7th, 2012
9:42 am
The NBA just needs to shut down. Nothing but a bunch of thugs.
————————————————————————
I agree. It will save more time for your KKK meetings.
Baddabing
February 7th, 2012
10:04 am
Good points Jeff. They are just worn out, maybe even jet lag after that awful road trip. When they play with alot of energy they are as good as anybody in the league but they need another big banger or two to dish out some punishment inside. The opponents big men are just killing us despite good play by Ivan and Zaza. Jason Collins is too soft. Josh is faster and more athletic with his slimmed down body but can’t bully anyone in the paint anymore.
Jerry West
February 7th, 2012
10:06 am
To paraphrase that college football coach in NC, this team doesn’t have enough dog in em. Too many nice guys. You got a supposed score first PG who needs to be coaxed into being aggressive. A “star” who seems reluctant to be one, and gives up when things get rough (see Joe vs. Igoudala). A wild card (emphasis on wild) who may just as soon give you 13 rebounds as 5 – yet you rely on him for rebounding and shotblocking. And a couple nice guys in Marvin and Horford. All of whom also pout when things are going bad. That’s your core. The guy who seems to care the most/ consistently display good basketball IQ is a 27 year old undrafted rookie. What’s wrong with this picture?
NEED MORE DOG!
cdog
February 7th, 2012
10:12 am
only the hawks would make a washed up steve nash look good.the suns won’t have this kind of game no more this season.only against the prideless paycheck cashing hawks.i won’t watch joe johnson and josh smith shoot the team out early while the opposing teams shoot layups after layups.it’s like having shooting practice against the hawks.they don’t attempt to play defense.nobodies hit 3point shots on them.it’s easy as eating pie to score on the hawks.everything is jumpshots for them. they will miss the playoffs.as long as rick sund is GM, they will continue to go backward.in the hunt, sund don’t want to shoot the bear, he only want to be one of the hunters which is sad.larry drew is terrible also. he just sits there and let the officials take his games while he just smiles. he reminds me of mike smith of the falcons.someone said GO Hawks, THEY re except it’s backward.
cdog
February 7th, 2012
10:12 am
only the hawks would make a washed up steve nash look good.the suns won’t have this kind of game no more this season.only against the prideless paycheck cashing hawks.i won’t watch joe johnson and josh smith shoot the team out early while the opposing teams shoot layups after layups.it’s like having shooting practice against the hawks.they don’t attempt to play defense.nobodies hit 3point shots on them.it’s easy as eating pie to score on the hawks.everything is jumpshots for them. they will miss the playoffs.as long as rick sund is GM, they will continue to go backward.in the hunt, sund don’t want to shoot the bear, he only want to be one of the hunters which is sad.larry drew is terrible also. he just sits there and let the officials take his games while he just smiles. he reminds me of mike smith of the falcons.someone said GO Hawks, THEY re except it’s backward.
cdog
February 7th, 2012
10:12 am
only the hawks would make a washed up steve nash look good.the suns won’t have this kind of game no more this season.only against the prideless paycheck cashing hawks.i won’t watch joe johnson and josh smith shoot the team out early while the opposing teams shoot layups after layups.it’s like having shooting practice against the hawks.they don’t attempt to play defense.nobodies hit 3point shots on them.it’s easy as eating pie to score on the hawks.everything is jumpshots for them. they will miss the playoffs.as long as rick sund is GM, they will continue to go backward.in the hunt, sund don’t want to shoot the bear, he only want to be one of the hunters which is sad.larry drew is terrible also. he just sits there and let the officials take his games while he just smiles. he reminds me of mike smith of the falcons.someone said GO Hawks, THEY re except it’s backward.
turbo
February 7th, 2012
10:23 am
This team needs new ownership. if we can’t get new ownership, they need to fire Larry Drew and start making trades to rebuild. 4 PFs playing 4 different positions is not going to get us anywhere. these players are just collecting a paycheck and working on their own personal stats. we know it, they know it, whether or not management has a clue is beyond me, but i for one am no longer supporting this team until something drastic happens. we need a center, we need draft picks, we need a real coach who understands his personell and we need new ownership. and on top of that, Philips and ASG need to work together to create a memorable fan experience for those of us willing to shell out money to go to games. walking the catacombs of philps arena is an embarassment to this city. i’ve been to high school games that were more aesthetically pleasing than that dump attached to CNN center. everyone always complains about the fans yet the owners have never taken any steps to provide us with a quality product. i’ve been a die hard hawks fan since i moved here 4 years ago but i can no longer waste money on guaranteed frustration. i’d rather sit at home and watch other teams play. its not fair to the fans and its not fair to the players, who, while i think are generally lazy and immature, have no reason to change when everyone above them (owners, mgmt, etc) seem to not care either.
falCANS
February 7th, 2012
10:25 am
TRADE EVERYBODY EXVEPT JOSH SMITH AND JEFF TEAGUE
Bill Walton EMC
February 7th, 2012
10:37 am
Like all Atlanta teams (and Athens) always a buch of wannabees, the media portrays all the teams as the next coming when in reality they are mediocre at the very best. Hawks ??? R U kidding me, they beat up on the dregs of the league and you have the fans( the few they have) and media crooning over them, then BOOM they finally play a few decent teams (oops look at the SUNS record) at home no less and aren’t even competitive. No Alice, the Hawks are not very good, but no bad enough to be getting a lottery pick, like Atlanta they are stuck in mediocrity forever!
Drewcat
February 7th, 2012
10:38 am
*In an exasperated voice*
SUND, GET A DAMN BIG MAN!!!
cpsman_atlanta
February 7th, 2012
10:40 am
The issue is obviously. Atlanta Spirit Group, LLC., decided many years ago to buy Phillips Arena, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Atlanta Thrashers. However, out of those three items, they only wanted the Hawks. They proved that time and time again, lawsuit after lawsuit, that it was all about basketball.
They sold one of the only enjoyable experiences at the arena in the Atlanta Thrashers, and then Gearon stood in front of a microphone and put some fake tears together for everyone to view, thinking he actually cared. Those that have followed the situation over the years knew better.
Because of that, thousands of people, including myself, will never step foot inside Phillips Arena again until the Hawks and the arena are sold to another group, and every member of Atlanta Spirit Group is out of the picture. It will be a start of a healing process that will take years to fix, but I believe it will happen soon.
Gary Bettman isn’t stupid. He didn’t want Atlanta to lose the Thrashers. He wanted the NHL to lose Atlanta Spirit Group. This makes him one of the smartest business leaders ever to do business with the city.
The NHL will return sooner than most people think…. All it takes is an exit by Atlanta Spirit Group.
Dr. Einstein
February 7th, 2012
10:44 am
Easy to spot the Hawks problem, they might have the lowest set of IQ’s in the league. Yes Cubbie they are not very bright people, despite the money thrown at them -which they will undoubtebly lose in the future –i.e Look at D Wilkins –broke even while he was still playing–face it the NBA is a collection of athletic, not very smart –no stupid–people, I love it when people sya ohh too many games this week –or ohh jet lag –LOL when tens of thousands of averag joes travel all week, go to work all day -not 48 minutes–and somehow surviveand prosper.. Listen the next time they interview Hawks player –hard to believe they could spell CAT given the C & the T
Max Joe
February 7th, 2012
10:47 am
Max Joe—$18 million, then $19 million.. up to $24 million / year!!! 17 points–YES!!!! Pay Joe more money!!!!
Matt from MN
February 7th, 2012
11:26 am
You know, I used to think I just didn’t care about NBA basketball. But watching Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love bring some respect back to the forlorn Timberwolves, has made me realize I just hate the woeful Hawks.
Jim
February 7th, 2012
11:36 am
Rick Sund should be the one fired–he has a history of “doing nothing” If the owners want to save money get rid of Sund and don’t replace him since he does nothing anyway.
Troy Everett
February 7th, 2012
11:44 am
I don’t think I have ever seen a team lay down like the Hawks lay down. They did it in the playoffs a few years ago against Orlando, from which Woody was fired. They do it often during regular season games. This team only has a hand full of competitors (Teague, Ivan, Green, Pargo). Those guys are not the most talented bunch, but they give 110% each time they’re on the floor.
The rest of the guys have no heart or competitive spirit. They just go through the motions. How on earth can you make millions and give no effort? Teams like the Hornets, Timberwolves, and Bucks suck. However, I see the players on those teams give 110% every night. I’d rather go to battle with guys like that rather than talented guys (Smith, Johnson) who have no heart.
Troy Everett
February 7th, 2012
11:48 am
And Larry Drew …
Why has Teague’s minutes been so spotty since Hinrich’s return? It’s like Drew doesn’t trust Teague anymore. More of that old Woody doctrine of going with the veteran player. Look, Hinrich is a nice player. However, this is Teague’s team. I’m afraid Drew is going to stunt Teague’s growth with these antics.
Common Sense
February 7th, 2012
11:48 am
I am a Hawks fan and have been for years but if you think I’m going to leave the comfort of my recliner and my HD TV with cold beer and a private bathroom mere feet away for a 20 mile (one way) drive to downtown Atlanta for $10 parking, $25 nose-bleed seats and $4 flat beer in order to pay for the ridiculous salaries of NBA players playing for an organization that has very little hope of fielding an elite team then you are out of your freaking mind. And please, don’t tell me I’m a bad fan because of my views. I’m raising a family and I have to make realistic choices as to how to spend my entertainment dollars. I love the Braves and Falcons, too, but actually attending games is probably not going to happen. I’ll watch them on TV and listen on the radio and show my support as best as I can but professional sports have simply priced themselves out of my budget.
Troy Everett
February 7th, 2012
11:52 am
And Lastly … why does ASG have that stupid guy at Hawks games playing the keyboard in the corner? How annoying! Can they not afford to hire a real DJ to play appropriate music at key times of the games? Most other arenas do. Instead of just playing the actual recording of current hits, this poor guy just belts it out on his keyboard. WTH.
Steve Hawes
February 7th, 2012
11:54 am
I can still be a force inside!!!
Arthur Blank
February 7th, 2012
11:57 am
Is the team for sale? I’d like to buy…(winning!).
Double Zero Eight
February 7th, 2012
11:58 am
Looks like we are relegated to playing “Fantasy Basketball”
again. Reality has reared its ugly head….they are a team
mired in mediocrity.
JSS
February 7th, 2012
12:02 pm
Never let an observational point of sarcasm get in the way of seeing the forest for the trees!
Ain’t that right Josh Hamilton and Cherokee Parks! Words that should be dropped from certain silly bloggers lexicon, thug and troll…
Small business owner
February 7th, 2012
12:04 pm
Wow, why don’t we fire Rick Sund and get you bloggers to run the team. I know let’s sign Dwight, Lebron and Chris Paul!
Seriously, do y’all know where the Hawks ranked in the NBA in Payroll? Let’s blow the team up so we can sign Isiah Rider and stink for 10 years…..wait we already tried that. Hawks are a good team having a rough patch.
Snake Bit
February 7th, 2012
12:06 pm
Leave aside (please) the racists and the “no one goes downtown” crowd. The real problem is the Hawks themselves. They never miss a chance to miss an opportunity. The football season ends and it is an ideal time for a team to say – “Hey, look at us!” They come home after a great road trip and crap the bed three straight nights at home. There was a real chance to generate some buzz about this team but it’s all just more negativity. Attendance sucks. I have real doubts that this city – which should be an elite NBA venue – can support this lackluster franchise. All that money for Sleepy Joe Johnson was wasted. Larry Drew? Please. It’s a boring team. Josh Smith gets his sportscenter highlights, so what. The NBA could use some contraction and ATL would be a candidate.
Kurt
February 7th, 2012
12:43 pm
Hawks are pretenders anyway no one in there right mind expects them to be championship contenders so it really don’t matter the Hawks suck plain and simple.
Haileysdad
February 7th, 2012
12:49 pm
Theres no one to blame but Sund. The payroll for this team is hamstrung by JJ’s contract. This is beating a dead horse but theres no other way to analyze it. He shld be fired for such a mistake and not allowed to continue to make more. Its a sad thing to watch right now. This team has played its heart out considering they have known the problem our center position is. Ive followed this team for 30 yrs. Its pathetic to watch a team that was so close ruined by mismanagement! All we needed was a little more flexibility…
osh
February 7th, 2012
12:50 pm
it’s osh smith cause he ain’t got no J!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 7th, 2012
12:51 pm
“Najeh Davenpoop, please don’t be like them. Tattooing does not make person a thug. Tattooing correlates with the word hippie”
It was just a joke dude. Just my way of making fun of them.
Tree Rollins
February 7th, 2012
12:58 pm
Gimme a call Drew, I can still box out round da rim and block shots with my branches !
kbb
February 7th, 2012
1:00 pm
Yea! the NBA is just a bunch of THUGS with tattoos that smoke weed and steal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…….now im off to watch the Angels and Boys Choir laden Georgia Bulldawgs or what will be left of them when the season starts!
*chugs Pabst Blue Ribbon
Anyways as for the topic, the ASG needs to sell. There are like 3005 of them and they are all broke. They are so cheap that we have someone starting who would be a third stringer (zsa zsa) and literally nobody behind him. Even Twin when healthy was pretty much useless.
Dan Roundfield
February 7th, 2012
1:01 pm
I’m the best shooter this team has ever had. Only Dominique was a better Hawks player than me. No team can win starting 1 guard and 4 forwards.
Dan Roundfield
February 7th, 2012
1:03 pm
Shut up Tree ! You barely could run the floor in 1979… Hawks have never had a scoring center like Shaq,Olajuwon,T.Duncan,D.Howard,Ewing,etc. Why the hell-o not ?
Tree Rollins
February 7th, 2012
1:04 pm
Dan, I didn’t know you was still alive ?
NATIVE SON
February 7th, 2012
1:04 pm
AND OFF THE BAND WAGON THEY GO!!!!
Tree Rollins
February 7th, 2012
1:05 pm
I use to put up 2 pts,0 assists,3 blocks,2 free throws a game. I was good.
Dan Roundfield
February 7th, 2012
1:07 pm
Yeah Tree, I used to score more points in first 40 seconds (3 pointer) of a game than you did all game…
Dan Roundfield
February 7th, 2012
1:10 pm
We used to get beat like 107-79 and I’d have 39 points…
Baller4Life
February 7th, 2012
1:12 pm
Jeff, you gonna ask Drew about trading for an impact center ?
The core
February 7th, 2012
1:22 pm
Phoenix is going to win some games this year. Nash is still an mvp type candidate. Michael redd is a key for them. If he can give them outside shooting from guard spot they could make playoffs and make noise.
Al’s injury and this losing streak is perfect cover, an opportunity to blow up this core, get a true superstar in here or get some big guys and a scoring center.
Donald Sloan
February 7th, 2012
1:25 pm
Yall been losing since i got cut, hahahaha
Jarrett Storm
February 7th, 2012
1:28 pm
Why would we EVER trade J Smoothe? Keep him, Teauge, and Horford. Try to unload Joe and Marvin, start over building around Smith, Horford and Teauge. The team is built to make playoffs but not much else.
Hawks2012
February 7th, 2012
1:34 pm
braves will actually be amazing this year. hope hawks can do something…. i’m not worrying yet.
Megan
February 7th, 2012
1:39 pm
Jeff, not only are your columns boring, but they are often fraught with very poor grammar! Please go to a new city!
alashab
February 7th, 2012
1:56 pm
Is it the team or the coach? Larry Drew quit coaching last night in the 3rd period. Alvin Gentry was up & actively coaching his team with a 20 point lead. There aren’t any tax penalties for getting a better coach on board – and that time is now!
Harpie
February 7th, 2012
2:08 pm
This team would be doing great if they had a coach – Drew STINKS!
jase
February 7th, 2012
2:09 pm
lose 3 games and u all start whining and giving up. we’ll be just fine. geez have some faith or just dont watch the games and do something else. but quit crying already.
Kelvin
February 7th, 2012
2:12 pm
As I keep saying this team fails miserably when the face stiff competition. The Hawks have only four wins against teams with .500 or better records. The up and coming team to watch this year are the 76′ers.
tony
February 7th, 2012
2:15 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
February 7th, 2012
12:51 pm
It was just a joke dude. Just my way of making fun of them.
_____________________________________________________
It is wrong dude.
Lil Fawkers
February 7th, 2012
2:16 pm
If our owners were smart they would finally clean house of these bums. They peaked in 2007 against the Celtics and it’s been down hill since. I actually wish they would leave Atlanta so we only have the Falcons and Braves to let us down each year.
Lil Fawkers
February 7th, 2012
2:17 pm
jase – You are the reason why people think Atlanta is a loser town. You accept losing. Good luck with that glass half full logic.
heartofdarkness
February 7th, 2012
2:31 pm
Keep everything just as it is, and bring in Charles Barkley to do game commentary on TV. It will be entertaining and you will learn something about professional basketball. If I am to interpret Coach Drew’s post game comments, I hear him saying the team does not maintain momentum when they are on a run, and they do not effectively break the opponent’s momentum on opponent runs. Last night, the small lineup, largely of reserves, started a run in the fourth quarter by getting high percentage shots, playing zone and changing the tempo. The Suns had to call a time out to break the Hawk’s momentum. The better teams make adjustments at these points and force the opponents find new weaknesses to exploit. Many times, there are players who specialize in running a certain offense, or come in to slow down a player who has gotten hot and raise the energy level of the team defense.
Too often, I see the Hawks revert to one on one offense leading to a fall away three attempt and barking at the ref after the opponent has scored.
They're gassed
February 7th, 2012
2:31 pm
All those tattoos are starting to weigh them down on the court.
They're gassed
February 7th, 2012
2:40 pm
When are they gonna realize, no matter how much you try to forcefeed NBA or hockey, it’s the same results as trying to forcefeed soccer….Most of America doesn’t care and never will. If a local team (anywhere) wins a title now and then it will celebrated as a novelty and then go back to the apathy closet.
How many years have they shoved soccer now?….Only ones watching are all the illegals, and that’s another story in itself.
BillS
February 7th, 2012
2:41 pm
This team has a history of under-achieving, being poorly coached, miserably funded and — understandably — supported half-heartedly. And there’s no change coming in the forseeable future. so what’s the reason to support the Hawks any longer?
stizz
February 7th, 2012
2:57 pm
It’s really painful to see a team with so much potential suffer due to the faults and mishandlings of ownership and managing. Did they not think injuries could happen?
Ted M
February 7th, 2012
3:24 pm
Jeff – What has been the actual attendance of these last 3 games? Thanks, Ted
Wink
February 7th, 2012
3:28 pm
Hawks Management does not want to spend any money, afraid of luxury tax
Hawks Fan should not spend any money, afraid team want compete, waste of wages.
Hawks Coach can’t coach, mess up a winning formula, had bench playing well. Hawks Fan knows that inserting Hinrich has messed up bench production. Pargo, Green, Rad, Zaza, & McGrady were playing well together… the staters would dig a hole & the bench would get them out…fast forward to 4th JJ, Teague, Horford (Zaza after Al got hurt) & McGrady would close game out.
Hawks Players are soft, short, and now complaining about offense or Iso’s. Hawks Fan knows the only Iso play should be for Teague. He has ability to get to rim. Josh wants his shots back and he could get them if he gave the ball to Teague after rebound and run a lane. They can only win if they stay out of half court offense, period.
There is no player development, they are really leaning hard on a 27 year old rookie who taught himself. Ivan is beasting all the time…by the way if Horford was undersized…Ivan is even more so…you would think management would try to get help…Keith Benson is available for 10 day!!
JoJo Dancer is no All Star, he does not deserve to be in Orlando, Josh has at least tried to up his game & control his in game shot selection.
Marvin is a bust…he’s just a backup, but he has always been a 2nd teamer, how we draft him ahead of not only CP3, his entire National Championship team, he was the 6th man!
All this to say…the Hawks, players & management, are exhausting!
Hairy Dugless
February 7th, 2012
3:49 pm
Whoever brought up the ‘08 playoff series against the Celts raises an excellent point in regards to generating fan interest. Ownership has completely obliterated any good will this team built up by opting to flounder in mediocrity and pursuing no one but our own players in free agency. Gearon likes to brag on the Hawks’ top 10 payroll or whatever it is, but that doesn’t mean flip if you can’t spend it wisely. ATL should be a major market in the NBA; all the players love coming to party here, but nobody wants to play for such an incompetent ownership group. And this very newspaper has acknowledged Atlanta is the black capital of America.
Let’s start a petition to get Tyler Perry to buy the Hawks! His pockets are trolling the depths of the Chattahoochee right now, you guys would play for him!
joey gt1
February 7th, 2012
4:11 pm
being a longtime hawks fan is hard… they are so frustrating to watch…one game they look like championship contenders and they other they look like a lottery bound team..al horford being out has been harder for the hawks then expected bc while the hawks were winning it was against smaller teams..look the last thre games we have faced 3 bigger teams as in pf and the c postion and we got dominated.. sund we need to get a competant big in here pronto.. if not this losing streak with the hawks will get worse
tyger
February 7th, 2012
6:28 pm
- I knew February would make or break this team…
- Without Horford, crew abandoning ship…
- 0-3 for the month and no heavy hitters yet…
- Now comes the Heat, Magic, Lakers…
- No leadership whatsoever from our Lil’ 3…
- Jury is in, verdict: Marvin is a bust…
- More minutes, shots, opportunity, he has withered…
- Has the physical attributes, but 10/5 mini-mid-level guy…
- Kirk Hinrich hasn’t bolstered chemistry or second unit…
- Teague’s reverted after couple of good spurts…
- 6′10 Radmanovic plays 5′10…
- Short season limits moves, but this team going nowhere..
- Celtics, Sixers, Heat, Bulls, Magic, Pacers (Hawks, Bucks, NYK, Cavs) for 7/8th spot…
- JR Smith can score on anybody, anyday, anywhere..
- Randolph Morris is a true center that knows team…
chokeville
February 7th, 2012
6:57 pm
like the falcons and hawks, the braves will choke again and not even make the playoffs—book it!
blame game
February 7th, 2012
8:33 pm
i’ll blame another sucky hawks team on the “short season!” yes–that’s it–that’s the ticket.
yodaddybrother
February 7th, 2012
9:23 pm
I’m completely in favor of tanking the season to get a lottery pick and then letting contracts walk and trading our “core”.
Al Horford has to go…Zaza, Marvin, Kirk……all of em get em out of here. Larry Drew needs to be fired….lookin like an old confused Deacon chewing gum and yapping about energy. Hell yeah bring in J.R. Smith
I love Josh Smith but if we can get a lottery pick for him then get him out of here.
spudrick22
February 7th, 2012
9:36 pm
Born in GA…currently rooted in Tampa. I try so hard to represent all GA sports down here but its hard. I’m disappointed in all of our pro and college teams (even the high school teams can’t seem to win outside of the state). We are so mediocre and blah in the pro sports. The Hawks, Falcons, Braves and even the Dream, yea the Dream, get us on a high at the beginning of their seasons but end up disappointing us.
R. Royce
February 8th, 2012
2:08 pm
Back in the day, Clyde and Pearl (Earl) were responsible for bringing the ball up court. Clyde was an excellent ball handler and so was Pearl. The only time other players who were excellent dribblers brought the up the ball to midcourt-was when other teams had the full court press on. We had backup points like Dean Meminger, whom Teague sort of reminds me of. The Hawks have a dreaded history of messing up draft pick status as they did in 2005, when they passed up on and Deron Williams and CP3 for Marvin Williams-can you believe that? This is the reason all Atlanta transplants and basketball spectators who love the game should look up Atlanta Hawks draft NBA draft team history. Atlanta probably would’ve had acquired Lebron James if they were smart enough at that time to build their team around one player. Throughout the Hawks history, they have been known to bungle up their draft opportunities. They passed up on Pau Gasol, David Thompson, Andrew Bynum, Danny Granger, David Lee, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, J.J. Redick, Rajon Rondo, Hedo Turkoglu, Jamaal Magloire, Micheal Redd, Tyrone Hill, Jayson Williams, (well maybe not) Elden Campbell, Antonio Davis, Cedric Ceballos, Robert Horry, Malik Sealy, Hubert Davis, Latrell Sprewell, (maybe not) Chris Mullin, Detlef Schrempf, Charles Oakley, Karl Malone, Joe Dumars, A.C. Green, Terry Porter, Michael Adams, as well.
In one of the best drafts in NBA history, the Atlanta Hawks chose Southern Methodist University’s 7 foot center John Koncak over future Hall of Famers Karl Malone, Detlef Schrempf, and Joe Dumars, along with a host of other All-Star caliber players.
To make matters worse, Koncak was eventually signed to a $13.1 million dollar contract in 1989. At the time, this gave him a higher salary than Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson. Considering that he was averaging a mere 6.2 PPG and 6.1 RPG (and coming off the bench) back then, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who thought he was worth the price the Hawks were paying for him. The Hawks contract to J.J. (Career Earnings: $91,313,901 ) when it’s all said and done will be higher than Miami’s big three, Kobe, and the rest of any NBA player in history that I know of.
Koncak eventually developed a reputation as a reliable defender during his career, but his low scoring combined with his ridiculous draft position and salary gave him an infamous spot in Atlanta Hawks lore than many fans would rather forget. Joe Johnson is the Hawks modern day 21st century Koncak or the modern day Allen Houston. We can see how many years was before the Knicks had any money to draft or acquire quality players in that era. I’d give the Hawks 5 to 6 years from now, if they survive in Atlanta as a franchise-to get to that level of having money to actually get a superstar on the court. Management (a new owner) will have had to change hands, a new arena would have to be built, and maybe, something positive can take place in this non-basketball progressive city called Atlanta.
Fan
February 9th, 2012
1:19 pm
Really? You think the Hawks can’t win because Jason Collins is out of the line up? They took a vacation that’s all. When they want to step up and play they can play with anybody. That is exactly why I don’t spend my time and money going to see them. You never know if you are gonna get an effort or a bust.
Jerry Thomas
February 9th, 2012
9:43 pm
I saw the Hawks for the first time against Indianapolis. They had good game with good effort and won. I can’t put my finger on it but they are not real exciting to watch. Josh Smith can add a little excitement. Is it the NBA in general that is boring? Lack of a big man? Maybe it’ also because Joe Johnson is solid player but not real flashy. Hawks can also upgrade the experience. A couple cheerleaders were pretty hot but the pickings were lean. Funnest part of the night was watching “Kiss cam” and “dance cam” when the camera peered the audience for some excitement.