Bradley’s Buzz: Is there hope for the Hawks? Next question
How to stop LeBron James
Here, from ESPN.com, is the most fascinating nugget from a series so devoid of fascination that some bloggers have taken to writing about me: In Game 3, the Hawks fared best against LeBron when they didn’t guard him.
According to ESPN, LBJ made five of six shots against Mo Evans, five of seven against Joe Johnson, three of four against Mike Bibby … but only one of five when uncovered! So there’s your answer, Woody. Forget matchups. Forget double-teams. Just let him go. Really, how many more points can he score that way? Didn’t he just get 47 of his team’s 97?
From Paul Newberry’s Associated Press game story — I’ve said it before, but here it is again: Newberry, based in Atlanta, is the best AP writer in the country — is this priceless quote from LBJ: “There’s only a few guys in this league that can get into a zone like that, and I’m blessed to be one of those guys.”
For the record, LeBron is not the best player I’ve ever seen. But he is the second-best player I’ve ever seen. The best would be Zaza Pachulia. (OK, I’m lying about that.) Speaking of whom:
On his highly recommended Hawks blog Hoopinion, Bret LaGree assigns the blame for Zaza’s Game 3 ejection squarely where it belongs — on Zaza. Writes LaGree: “Pachulia’s reaction was completely uncalled for. Saying the right things after the game does not have anywhere near the equivalent value of doing those things during the game.”
(Speaking of Zaza: Perhaps he was just in a rush — the link is from Waiting For Next Year, a Cavs’ blog — to get to this postgame party. And what is it about Atlanta and postgame parties, anyway?)
More LaGree: “I suspect [Saturday] was Atlanta’s best chance to win a game.”
On SI.com, Bill Trocchi offers the same grim outlook: Cavs in four.
And this sobering Game 3 truth from The Human Highlight Blog: “[James] and his teammates came into the ATL and took everyone’s best shot — and still won by 15.”
Not everyone, however, is impressed by Cleveland’s utter domination of these playoffs. As you might expect, the contrarian is Gregg Doyel of CBSsports.com, who believes the Cavs aren’t good enough to win the NBA championship. I would respectfully disagree. I believe these Cavs are better than last season’s Celtics. I believe these Cavs will indeed win it all. But don’t tell any of my friends in Cleveland I said that.
OK, enough about the Hawks
On ESPN.com’s Insider (requires registration), Jay Jaffe of Baseball Prospectus offers a bunch of numbers that suggest the Braves aren’t going to make the playoffs. And which team, per Jaffe’s cipherin’, is apt to take the NL East? The Mets? Nope. The Phillies.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.From whom the Braves just took another road series. Whom the Braves, for all their early underperformance, trail by one game.
And here, from ESPN’s Inside Edge (link requires registration), is a scouting report on Derek Lowe, who’ll pitch against the Mets, who chose not to sign Lowe over the winter, tonight. The Inside pitch: Lowe is inducing fewer ground balls than in seasons past but is striking out more batters.
OK, enough about the Braves
Covering the Falcons’ minicamp for CBSsports.com, Pete Prisco offered this prognosis for the new man Tony Gonzalez: “[He] will win his first playoff game with the Falcons, and he just might help them do more than that.”
More from Pistol Pete, as he’s known in the trade: “I don’t usually condone trading second-round picks for 33-year-old players, but this one I can understand. Gonzalez is a weapon in the middle of the field, which will help [Matt] Ryan grow, but he’s also going to help show the right way for a young team.”
“Nerdish-looking writer” (i.e., me) gets linked!
Take it from a semi-professonal aggregator: It’s a strange sensation when you boot up the ol’ laptop in Cleveland’s ramshackle ritzy airport to find you’ve been aggregated.
Apparently my on-air appearance with the self-appointed Mayor of the City of Champions — I now know his name to be Bill Martin, though I assume he isn’t the Bill Martin who played for Georgetown in the ’80s — was deemed noteworthy by a host of Web sites. I was edified to see myself described as “a nerdish-looking writer” on BallHype and to find the video itself on The Big Lead and CursedCleveland.com and Deadspin, and to find links to said video on SI.com, Fan IQ and USA Today.
I even found my name on the Washington Wizards’ blog Truth About It, which also provided the video found below. A little history: It was compiled by Cleveland comedian Mike Polk, who, according to Cleveland Magazine, received death threats. So apparently I got off easy.
Watch Polk’s video. I think you’ll enjoy it. I know I did.
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108 comments Add your comment
Cuz
May 11th, 2009
12:31 pm
Think I will watch 24 tonight instead of the game. I have no idea how 24 will end.
ChamberMaid
May 11th, 2009
12:37 pm
The Hawks have EMBARRASED the entire NBA and the Atlanta area with their listless performance on Saturday night. The Hawks showed no heart at all and settled for being down 3-0 when they were on their home floor and could have gotten back in the series. The Hawks are completely out of it now because they are going against history now to climb back in the series with Cleveland. Its not impossible for the Hawks to win the series because all they would have to do is win four straight games, one at a time. If the Hawks did that, irrespective of the fact that it is LaBron James and the Cleveland Caviliers (the team in the NBA this season with the best record) THE HAWKS WILL ADVANCE to the Conference Finals. Im so glag that the Lakers lost to the Rockets yesterday because that took some of the focus off the Hawks ugly performance on Saturday. All NBA fans would have focused on the Hawks loss but instead focused on the Lakers loss, whichi deflected a great deal of attention. I think the Lakers loss was more embarrasing because the Rockets were completely depleted of all their superstars and still beat the Lakers handily. The Hawks are not mature enough to advance to the next round.
Larry
May 11th, 2009
12:46 pm
Mark,
What do you think about signing Raymond Felton, he is a restricted free agent and the Bobcats have DJ Augustin. Then packaging Marvin Williams and Speedy’s contract for Tyson Chandler. I know it would be sad to give up on Marvin or the rights to Josh Childress. I would like Josh C to return, he would have atleast gave Lebron some trouble with length.
Skeezix
May 11th, 2009
12:48 pm
Hawks: Forget it; they are toast.
Braves: Long shot to make the post season; but both pitching and hitting is looking better.
Mac
May 11th, 2009
12:52 pm
Sure Horford is a center, but I sure wouldn’t mind seeing someone as big as, and as good as Robert Parrish in that spot. Seems like there used to be more of those, n’est pas?
Bravedawg
May 11th, 2009
1:03 pm
WHY WOULD WE TRADE ACIE LAW??? Because if one thing’s for sure, he hasn’t gotten the chance to exhibit whether he’s a capable NBA point guard or not. Mike Woodson has hamstrung this organization for what I can only hope is the last time (although I am certain it won’t be) by not playing Law enough and getting him some minutes. It would’ve been the perfect set up for him to back up Bibby for his first two years, getting some crucial on-court experience and playing behind a solid NBA PG. Then, in year 3 (this upcoming season), Acie could be given the starting PG role and Bibby would not be re-signed. Of course, this now won’t happen, because Woodson was too much of a dimwit to actually give the guy some time to show what he could do. Great job, Woody! You’re one heck of a coach!! Idiot.
championshipnow
May 11th, 2009
1:04 pm
We need a big who can play and intimidate (Shaq)!!! Trade for Shaq!!! He would be a great duo with Joe, not only will it help Joe’s game, but refs will give Joe his due calls with Shaq on the team. 1 collision in the paint and Labron will become a jump shooter and easier to defend!!!
sidewalk74
May 11th, 2009
1:18 pm
The Hawks are over matched on the floor, on the bench and in the coaching box. If we plan on beating teams like the Cavs any time soon things need to change. We need a true post player and a point guard that brings more to the game than the ability to hit a spot up 3.
homer
May 11th, 2009
1:19 pm
HAWKS IN 7
Dan
May 11th, 2009
1:20 pm
The day people stop dropping the asinine “We need a point guard and a post player” stuff will be a great day. Those guys don’t grow on trees. They aren’t readily available. Get over it.
Hohnson
May 11th, 2009
1:25 pm
Shaq won’t help. Did you not see how many jump shots Lebron hit on Saturday?. And besides, in his last game against Shaq, Lebron had 34 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. The only chance the Hawks will have of going anywhere in the near future is if Lebron does stop accidentally in East Cleveland and is murdered.
George
May 11th, 2009
1:27 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-Tf8ppM0m0
Love the you tube video you posted Mark. You’re quite the character!
However, I don’t think I will be visiting your city any time soon!
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
1:50 pm
I’ve been disappointed in Raymond Felton as a pro, I have to admit. (I also have to admit I thought he’d be a better NBA player than Chris Paul. Whoops.)
I don’t think Shaquille O’Neal has much left. Sorry.
Mark (not Bradley)
May 11th, 2009
1:55 pm
The Hawks HAVE improved every year. They finished 4th in the East and lived up to their seeding by beating Miami. It’s no disgrace to lose to Cleveland (or any other team seeded higher than them in the playoffs). They have NOT disgraced themselves against Cleveland.
Injuries to several starters have weakened them, but they probably would lose to Cleveland anyway. Having said that it’s my opinion that the one thing they could have done to make the games closer was accept the fact that superstars and their teams get the breaks on calls, especially at home. Sour grapes? Some, yes. But consider this – during one ten-game stretch this season Lebron James was called for ONE foul in a total of TEN games! And he was voted to
the NBA’s First team All-Defensive squad. Well, Mark Bradley could make that team if you never called him for a foul. And on offense during this series James CONTINUALLY pushes away Hawk defenders with his left arm whenever they try to play him tight, a tactic that often draws an offensive foul call on just about anyone else. The Hawks (like many other NBA players) get frustrated at the lop-sided officiating and let the frustration affect their play. This is quite a human reaction but one they need to train themselves to avoid or minimize if they want to advance deep into the playoffs against ANY team with a superstar.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 11th, 2009
2:01 pm
If Gregg Doyel says the Cavs won’t win the Finals, you might as well hand them the trophy and call it a day now.
I saw that Cleveland tourism video for the first time last week. This is probably the 50th time I’ve seen it and it still makes me laugh out loud.
Blackwell
May 11th, 2009
2:08 pm
It’s way to soon to break up the core. They’ll be ok after they bet a 7 foot shot blocker.
Blackwell
May 11th, 2009
2:09 pm
Enter your comments here
My bad. I meant get not bet
keno
May 11th, 2009
2:20 pm
I don’t think trading Johnson is the answer. He’s a very good versatile player; he’s just not a vocal leader. I noticed that when Lebron or KG is not happy with something their teammate does on the floor, they get all up in their face and let them have it right then and there. Johnson waits to the post game to voice his issues but he always says “we” and never “I”. We don’t have someone like that. I think Bibby can go because he is too much of a defensive liability and Johnson creates his shots for him. I’d like to see more of an Andre Miller type point guard-aggressive and can really run the offense and read the defense. I’m not particular about Josh Smith. I don’t think he gets and I doubt he ever will as long as Woodson is the coach. It’s a shame that the whole arena is screaming at you because you are taking ill-advised jumpers. And I’m not buying the excuse that he’s getting it late in the clock. I saw that happen once and all the other times, there were at least 8 seconds. That’s enough time to drive to the basket or make the extra pass. Marvin is a toss up because he does have some range. He just needs to make a commitment to work on it during the off season. We really need a center and then Al can move to the 4. At least he’s shown a little more offensive range. I like Flip coming off the bench but I am not that impressed with Mo. It seems he has mental lapses on defense and he commits “dumb” fouls. ZaZa and Mario provide good energy off the bench. As for the rest of the team, they can kick rocks. Just wanted to leave my thoughts.
Blair Rasmussen
May 11th, 2009
2:23 pm
i have 2 questions:1. why is every one on this blog so high on Felton..He has been a complete bust..I would be pissed off if he is given a chance over Acie Law..
Blair Rasmussen
May 11th, 2009
2:24 pm
Mark Bradley, will Woodson be back next year?
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
2:28 pm
The only way Woody wouldn’t be back is if he takes another NBA job.
AtlFlavor
May 11th, 2009
3:11 pm
The Odds are this Series will carry on. The King sat out for 8 Days while the Hawks battled the Heat. Thats A Big Loss for the League. Celts and Magic are looking to head to a 7th game showdown which will idle the King for another 4 or 5 days. The Cavs want to END it tonight. But the King is no fool either. This is HIS league. You have to make Money. So a game 4 Win. No surprise. Hell Ill take it, for what its worth.
Blair Rasmussen
May 11th, 2009
3:18 pm
Mark, do u agree wit the majority of ATL, that woodson is the problem?
All I'm Saying Is...
May 11th, 2009
3:23 pm
The cure to the Hawks ills in 2009 is to trade for Tyson Chandler right now—it’s obvious that the Hornets don’t want him and he is exactly what we need.
I don’t care how much basketball knowledge there is between Bradley and Sund, Al Horford is not the answer at Center for the Hawks (and I love Al). He cannot match up with the top Centers (based on who is left in the playoffs) in the East (Howard, Ilglauskas, Perkins) or West (Gasol, Nene, Dampier, Yao) UNLESS THE HAWKS TURN INTO A RUN AND GUN, MIKE D’ANTONI STYLE TEAM and we all know that’s not going to happen.
The second thing we must do is get a point guard who can defend and one who can come in and run (like Spud use to do when subbing for Doc Rivers) giving us a change of pace from our starter. I like Bibby and think we should keep him and sometimes go with a three guard offense especially if we open it up on the offensive side.
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
3:43 pm
Not anymore I don’t, Blair.
morris
May 11th, 2009
3:51 pm
hawks need to fired woodson and hire a coach that will get the hawks to that other level. 4 years and tnt barkley, barry, and countless of others saying the hawks dont run plays, the obvious weakness (josh shooting, vocal leader, meranstreak, etxc) is not addressed. when the coach is praising lebron and not be mad in public demanding more, and no one on the team check players amiring lebron, you have aproblem. hawks should get coach johnson who played for the spurs, he wouldnt be praising lebron so much, something need to be done. being sweep in the second round isnt an accomplishment!!!!
bakerman
May 11th, 2009
3:53 pm
Running game starts with defense and Hawks don’t defend.
Rollins Tree
May 11th, 2009
4:01 pm
ESPN said three times this morning the Hawks have no heart. Ouch. Very ouch.
David Smith
May 11th, 2009
4:09 pm
The hawks had a golden opportunity in this series to show that they belonged on the national stage as a team on the rise. We now have the dubious distinction of being the only team in playoff history to be blown out by 20+ points within two years (just horrible). This team needs a new identity from the owners on down to the players because as a long time supporter of this team i have never been more embarassed to be a hawk fan. I hope we can avoid being swept on our home floor to spare us the sight of seeing cleveland celebrate going to the conference finals while our players have to explain what went wrong yet again (and the sight of seeing our “statue” of a coach look dumbfounded once again). GO HAWKS!!!
All I'm Saying Is...
May 11th, 2009
4:09 pm
Woody is not the problem but he does need to prove that he can effectively coach Josh Smith —not by yelling etc.—but by sitting his arse on the bench when does not play ball the right way.
As for the sparkling free agents in the class of 2010, all the Hawks need to do then is re-sign JJ and see if we can get Bosh to join up. And we can do both if we trade for Tyson Chandler now. Send them Marvin and Randolph Morris.
s to do some dealing/tweaking going into 2009…I know most people don’t like him, but why don’t we go after Rasheed Wallace—-his days are done in Detroit and he can play Center.
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
4:10 pm
The Hawks actually do defend.
And that’s an easy thing for ESPN to say, and goodness knows that with all the talking heads on ESPN pretty much everything gets said at some point. But if the Hawks have no heart, what does that say for Miami?
Sometimes the other guy is just better. This seems that time.
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
4:11 pm
Tell me again: When has Rasheed ever been a center?
j.carter
May 11th, 2009
4:17 pm
LMAO that video at the end of the page article was HILARIOUS! we all know we like and hate our cities, so why tak e it seriously, youkno. Im native born Atlantan and can say the Hawks are good, they’re not overrated, they’re just getting better. I like who the Hawks got but personally I find some of coaching suspect. Woodson is good but we need something else..
a1andonly
May 11th, 2009
4:18 pm
Well said CUZ. I love 24. Thats my $h*t!!
scott
May 11th, 2009
4:24 pm
If they want to trade Acie Law that is fine by me. He is a poor man’s Jason Terry, and I never liked Jason Terry’s “shoot first, pass later” style of play either. The Hawks need a point guard and they have one in Bibby. Keep him.
Keep Joe at 2 guard.
Keep Al at Center.
It is J Smooth that has got to go. When he hit the jumper in the first half of Game 3, I wanted to cry because I knew he’d take more ill-advised jumpers. And he did. we need to play as a TEAM, and as gifted as Josh is, he just cannot adjust to what is needed at the moment very often–he wants to do his thang. Let him do it elsewhere.
I also used to be in favor of getting rid of Woody, but not after this year. They proved that last year’s Celtics series was no fluke. give Woody another year. Maybe even two. He has slowly molded this team slowly into a a playoff winner. He deserves more time here.
K
MrHughes
May 11th, 2009
4:32 pm
Tyson Chandler couldn’t pass a physical earlier this year for the Thunder. And, he’s the answer? Tyson makes $12.75 million this year. Is Chandler really a better player than Tony Parker ($12.6)? Solomon Jones could spend a little time in the weight room and take alley oops from Chris Paul. It ain’t that hard. He’s a bad defender too. I’ve been mostly dissapointed in Chandler. If you are going to spend that kind of money, then you better get an impact player. That’s better than someone stealing money. Solo could do most of what Tyson does for over $12 million less as he still has stuff to prove. Greg Oden and Lamarcus Aldridge will make a little more than a 3rd of what Tyson makes next year. Younger players are the key. Felton makes twice what DJ Augustin makes. Who would you rather have? Don’t go for overpriced albatrosses like Felton and Chandler. The Hawks need to keep building around their youth. I expect Childress to come back as he likely misses playing in the NBA. Marvin will continue to develop and JJ wants to earn his next contract. They will resign Zaza! He’s earned that. Mike can go unless he takes a 75% paycut.
And, Amen to whoever said that about Josh taking 3s and long jumpers. He takes his shots at the worst times. No INgame IQ at all!!
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
4:35 pm
I agree on Tyson C., Mr. H. The Hornets liked him so much they tried to dump him.
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
4:37 pm
It’s odd. People say, “If only Josh could shoot a jump shot he’d be Julius Erving.” But then they go nuts when he takes (and misses) one.
I guess the solution is to learn to shoot jumpers in private. And then never to miss in public.
O'brien
May 11th, 2009
5:03 pm
Mr. Bradley, I think Woody has taken the Hawks as far as they will go. 2nd round of the playoffs. One big reason is his inability to make adjustments.
“In this series we just haven’t made the adjustments,” Woodson said. “And you can blame it on the coach. I’ll take the heat for that. I think a lot of time it comes down to who wants it the most. And right now they’re beating us to the punch on pretty much everything that they want to do and what we want to do.”
A Tribe Called Quest
May 11th, 2009
5:03 pm
Why are we not doubling LeBron? Leaving Mo 10 feet back on him and everyone else standing around is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
Mark, any word about us signing The General Avery next year? Someone needs to step up and do what Ron Artest tried to do–sacrifice salary in order to retain/sign someone (Wiki that!)
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
5:07 pm
Woodson doesn’t like double-teaming as a general rule. But LeBron is such a deft passer and he’s so big and so strong he defies double-teams.
Give the Cavs credit. They’ve built the ideal team around him. A shooter in Mo Williams, a slasher in Delonte West, a banger in Anderson Varejao, a big man in Zydrunas Ilgauskas. And what a bench!
MrHughes
May 11th, 2009
5:08 pm
Thanks MB!
I’d have no trouble with Josh taking jumpers if he tried to drive to the basket aproximately 2-3 times for every jumper he took. His first year with the Hawks Josh was much better at that. He needs to use all the tools [athletic skills] in his tool box. That’s what gets you to the line. Look at what the other stars we’ve seen in the playoffs do. Johnson, Wade, and Lebron all get to the freethrow line off the dribble drive. Draw the defenders and kick it out like Johnson does. If we had another player (Josh) that did that consitently Johnson would get more open looks. That’s the key!! That’s when you can say he’s grown as a player. Moreover, Josh doesn’t draw the fouls that he should on the opponents big men and isn’t as good a defender as he should. Blocking shots is great, but now you [opponents] know that you should use your body to sheild him from blocking the shot because Smooth can’t guard people one on one. Al has a drastically better post game offensively and defensively. He did the little things better at Florida than Josh does now. If Marvin and Joe can drive to the hole with bad wrists and ankles, then why can’t a healthy Josh? If he’d work on his shooting like Marvin and actually got better, then I would be okay with it. If Josh can dribble into the paint on the fast break like he’s Magic on Xbox, then why can’t he do it out of a half court set.
What’s worse is that he take the long shots in bad situations.
Imagine Steve Holman’s voice.
LBJ makes a 3, Cavs up 5.
Bibby crosses half court, passes to Joe. Joe passes to Josh on the wing. Josh looks, fires a 3 from the corner. Clang. Long rebound goes to Mo Williams who throws and outlet to James who slams.
Cavs up 7…
Time out Atlanta…
That’s a four point swing on foolishness. It’s a very common tale and classic Josh.
All I'm Saying Is...
May 11th, 2009
5:09 pm
If you all don’t like Tyson, suggest someone else. I’m a bit surprised at y’all’s comments, though, because Chris Paul was pissed when they tried to trade Tyson and was glad to take him back. And Tyson did not have any physical problems pre- or post-trade. And the fact that NO does not want him makes him available to us. You folks don’t know how to make deals.
And come on Bradley, Rasheed has played Center in Detroit’s rotation as well as when he was with Portland and Sabonis was out. Your ignorance is starting to worry me.
Josh needs to be able to make a jump shot consistently from a certain length (say, 12 footer) and not take any 3s period and then people would not be upset with him.
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
5:12 pm
See, I see the upside in Josh more than the downside. (I’m a famous optimist, as you know.)
That’s the thing, All. There aren’t many centers. And Rasheed is, at least to me, much more of a power forward than Al Horford. Horfy plays with his back to the goal. Rasheed shoots 22-footers.
Mark Bradley Supporter
May 11th, 2009
5:14 pm
MB, loved the interview with the Cleveland news team. I think it’s funny how that guy wanted you on the air so he could attempt to roast you and yet the joke was on him. The Braves lucky in ‘95 world series? They just didn’t get it did they? I could sense the sarcasim throughout the entire bit, but I bet they thought they put you in your place, LOL. You rock Mark Bradley!!
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
5:16 pm
Aw, shucks, MBS. I’m blushing. But thanks.
Cuz
May 11th, 2009
5:24 pm
Mark, you and Spirit blogging tonight?
Jeff D.
May 11th, 2009
5:47 pm
Look, I feel Zaza’s pain here. He takes a beating EVERY night but this erruption started building from the tip off. He gets called for simply standing in Mo Williams way after a basket, meanwhile he’s been watching LeBron work the refs while lighting up the Hawks for 47. Hell yeah I’d be frustrated over a questionable call.
A Tribe Called Quest
May 11th, 2009
6:05 pm
ZaZa had a right to be mad. Joe Smith elbowed him, and Varejao was holding his jersey. That LeBron no-call on charging Bibby was a joke. You could see LeBron stop after running over Bibby. At that point he was thinking “wait? Is that a charge on me? No–wait, I’m LeBron. Fouls aren’t called on me” and then scored on the other end
Mark Bradley
May 11th, 2009
6:17 pm
No, I’m not, Cuz. Can’t speak for my avian amigo, though.