5 reasons the Hawks will reach the Eastern finals
Jeff Teague: More help off the bench. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
1. They can match depth with any team anywhere. The Hawks didn’t change a starter, but they redid their bench almost completely. Zaza Pachulia and Mo Evans are still around, but Jamal Crawford represents an upgrade over Flip Murray and Jeff Teague seems more NBA-ready than Acie Law was. And even if Joe Smith doesn’t have much left, Jason Collins could be the hidden hinge to the second unit.
2. Mike Woodson has no choice but to deploy his subs. Contrary to popular belief, the coach isn’t a fool. He saw how Joe Johnson wearied at the end of last season, and he concedes he ran his starters too long. But Woody, like most coaches, trusts experience over youth, and that means he’ll give Crawford and Smith and Collins longer looks than he gave Law and Solomon Jones. And Woodson appears to have warmed to Teague already, which never happened with Law. (The feeling was mutual.)
3. Johnson won’t have to play as long or do as much. The Hawks are tinkering with a lineup that deploys Johnson at small forward, which means he won’t be asked to distribute and score — just to score. The belief around the team last season was that Al Horford didn’t the get the ball nearly enough, which could change if Joe agrees to delegate more responsibility. Which he must. He’s one of the league’s 20 best players, but he’s not LeBron James.
4. The teams above the Hawks in the East geared up but didn’t necessarily improve. Shaquille O’Neal will slow Cleveland and clog the lane for LeBron, who operates best in the lane. The Magic lost more with Hedo Turkoglu’s departure than they gained with Vince Carter. And the Celtics, who were already old, got older still with Rasheed Wallace.
5. It’s time to take the next step. The Hawks have improved over each of the past four seasons, and when last we saw them they’d grown from an eighth seed with a sub-.500 record to a 47-game winner that advanced to Round 2. Round 3 is the Eastern Conference finals. The Hawks will win 54 games, claim the East’s No. 3 seed and upset Boston in the second round.
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122 comments Add your comment
TheDream
October 27th, 2009
1:30 am
First? And I want whatever you were smoking on your vacation.
3 seed? Not without a big man!
Mark Bradley
October 27th, 2009
1:31 am
Horford. Zaza. Smith. Collins. How many big men do you want?
BravesFan79
October 27th, 2009
1:46 am
Atlanta is the 3rd best team in a tie with Orlando. As a Hawks/ Celtics/ Rockets fan i gotta say that hands down the Celtics will be the best team in the league and will again dominate the Lakers in the finals.
BugKiller
October 27th, 2009
1:56 am
I know you disagree Mark, but I along with many others believe that Horfy is being misused.
The man has the ability, as shown at Florida, to be a DOMINANT power forward in this league.
We’re talking Karl Malone-Charles Barkley dominant.
A guy who can pull 20 and 15 EVERY night.
Instead, he’s stuck at center, an undersized center.
Yet more proof that Mike Woodson doesn’t have a clue about how to best deploy his players and capitalize on their talent.
#21=Top50,1stBallot
October 27th, 2009
2:34 am
Mark,
I agree that Boston may not be better- STILL have no backup PG and a Powe/Shelden Williams tradeoff is dubious at best, but Orlando added Bass to their subs which exacerbates the down-low problems the Magic present (saying nothing of the fact that Vince is a more efficient scorer than Hedo). The Cavs added Powe and Parker to provide inside/outside help. They definitely got better.
Hawks can compete with ANYONE in a any particular game, but the the matchup advantages posed by having to win 4 games (at least one on road most likely) seems tough. I think/hope, but let’s not delude ourselves that two of three got markedly better on their benches too- on paper at least .
RISE UP
Mark Bradley
October 27th, 2009
3:00 am
Horford would never be a 20 point a game scorer at power forward. He’s not quick enough or explosive enough. He’s better with his back to the basket. And that’s not just Woodson’s opinion. That’s Rick Sund’s, who didn’t draft Horford but inherited him.
And I don’t know how much you saw Florida play — I saw the Gators in person a dozen times over their two championship seasons — but when they needed a basket they didn’t throw it to Joakim Noah. They gave it to Horford on the low block.
lawton
October 27th, 2009
3:34 am
40 plus reasons WHY the hawks are still scrubs: 40 plus years in atlanta, no eastern conference championship, lol.
tim
October 27th, 2009
3:41 am
do you think the hawks may trade JJ if the season starts going bad?
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 27th, 2009
4:04 am
I like your optimism MB.
Perhaps this could happen – if JJ steps up in crunch time on PRIMETIME. This team lacks a consistent ‘heartbeat’ that elite players provide. Until JJ or Crawford provide that, we will continue to see occasional meltdowns in the big games.
tony
October 27th, 2009
4:07 am
Hortford needs to move to pf to avoid getting in foul trouble like he did in college. Crawford need to start at point guard instead of Mike Bibby.
DeepDiver
October 27th, 2009
4:26 am
Horford’s offensive game is not nearly developed enough to let him be a consistent 20/10 guy. The fact that he is playing as an undersized center instead of the 4 does not affect this. He should be able to face up his bigger defenders and either hit a mid range jump shot or go with one or two hard dribbles to the rim. Instead we see him hesitate, unsure what to do, and then pass back out to a guard. People who say Horford could be another Karl Malone aren’t watching the games.
Whopper Dawg
October 27th, 2009
4:31 am
Mark,
You may be right, they have the best team they have had in years. I think the heart and effort will be there too, Woodson is still a little light though.
I actually predicted this first, Mark!
October 27th, 2009
5:04 am
I couldn’t agree more – the Lakers showed the world how to spank the Cavs and Shaq is just old, slow and still can’t shoot free throws – the Magic lost their most versatile player in 7 footer Turkoglu and we’ve already shown the world that we can go toe-to-toe with the C’s – the Sixers, Heat, Bulls and Pistons will be competitive but not deep enough to hang with the Hawks – doubters need only to go two-deep into our depth chart at each position and compare
Some Sense
October 27th, 2009
5:18 am
Mark,
I’m like a lotta people…tryin’ like h… to be a fan of this team, BUT maybe you missed the beat-down in Orlando Friday night. No matter that it was preseason…that was brutal. Showed the Hawks up as a bunch of stiffs who are average shooters at best. Fourth in east is only reasonable goal.
MitchC
October 27th, 2009
5:29 am
First, welcome back from vacation, Mark.
Now, as you what you said about the Hawks. Hopefully you will be right. The Celtics are old, and the Magic may not be as good, but Cleveland is still one scary team. Shaq may be old, but he can still score, and Lebron is the co-best player in the game, aside from Kobe. As we all know, the pressure is on Lebron to win a title this year, because its highly likely he wont be with the Cavs next year.
What you didnt say is who you think the Hawks will face in the Eastern Finals, and, whether you think they have a chance to upset that team, and reach the NBA Finals this year.
mick
October 27th, 2009
6:07 am
Enter your comments here
mick
October 27th, 2009
6:12 am
Enter your comments hereI guess we will see what kind of coach Woodson really is. He has the tools. Let’s hope he goes at least 9, hopefully 10 deep to keep these ‘mostly’ young legs fresh. The Celtics will have trouble staying healthy, the Magic screwed up their chemistry, and Cleveland will be tough if they jell with Shaq, and he stays healthy.
13 on roster , we have room for 2 more
October 27th, 2009
6:16 am
I imagine that carrying only 13 players is a cost-cutting move by the Atlanta Spirit but I think the addition of Mario West would be good for the team for the following reasons: he’s an absolute beast on D who can come in and harrass the best 2 guards we will face and give up fouls in the process, he’s a hometown kid and crowd fave, he gets the team and the crowd fired up with his hustle and dunks & he comes at a very, very low price
hatin' on the stupid
October 27th, 2009
6:21 am
Mark, you must have missed the Hawks’ dismanteling at the hands of the Magic. I’m with the dude above who wants some of whatever you were smoking on vacation. And, just curious, do you keep a lifetime record of how many times you’ve actually been right? My guess is it ain’t pretty.
lawton
October 27th, 2009
6:44 am
if you take that david justice swing away from that cleveland, atlanta world series, atlanta has ZERO championships in any sport. lol, hawks pushing the celtics or magic, polease.
JustaThought
October 27th, 2009
6:45 am
Mark, I see you trying to to get as many “FREE” perks as you can from the Hawks.
Manny
October 27th, 2009
6:47 am
I don’t know about this. See, the Celtics are old, but not old enough this particular year to not go all the way. Rasheed is definitely an upgrade, and he can play strong on the low post, the high post, and the wings. So he is a threat everywhere on the court. He doesn’t have to do as much as he needs to, so going to the Celtics preserves his career a few more years. We don’t match up well against them, but we can use speed against them.
With the Cavs, they have Lebron. That’s a bad matchup right there. I also do not believe that Shaq and Lebron would work on the offense as-is, but I think they will tweak the offense to allow a slashing player to play with a big man. That’s a minor fix.
And the Magic? Giving up the Turk and picking up Vince was brilliant. Remember when Vince played with the Nets last year? He beat the Hawks with clutch (really clutch) shooting. Vince Carter is an automatic 25 points when he walks on the floor. So you think that having Carter and Howard on the same team- along with that point guard they have, isn’t scary?
Bottom line: The Magic is the team to beat in the East.
So here’s my issue… The Hawks will be good this year, but they are probably the 4th best team in the East. We aren’t better than the Celtics, Cavs or the Magic.
So we’ll end up in the playoffs. And if we do our job in the regular season, we will play either the Bulls or the Heat. And we should beat them. And then we pray for the Celtics.
Why? Because if we get the Celtics, we have a pretty good chance of stepping up and playing over our skill level to beat them. Or they can be beat up and tired going to the 2nd Round and we can take them.
But is we get the Cavs or Magic? Play hard and I wish them well, but I can’t see the Hawks going past either team.
Melvin Flowers Macon Georgia
October 27th, 2009
7:13 am
It’s going to be a long season for the Hawks. It just not there, they look the same as last year, they don’t move and they stay lost on the court.
Maybe next season.
Required Reading | Hard Knox Sports
October 27th, 2009
7:24 am
[...] 5 reasons why the Hawks will win the East. [Bradley] [...]
dap01
October 27th, 2009
7:55 am
Good article Mark!
DeepDiver
October 27th, 2009
7:56 am
The Hawks will be hard to watch as long as Woodson has his “Go Joe” offense in effect. I think they are firmly locked in at the 4th slot in the East provided they play to potential. If they play a competitive 2nd round series with one of the “big 3″ that will be a successful season in my opinion.
Then we will have the Joe situation to deal with. This team is nearing its crest and we are right where we were when we undertook the roster implosion a decade ago – fourth best in the East with a lot of separation from the teams above us, but not so much from those below.
If we retain Joe we may dislodge Boston next year as they are on the decline and who knows what will happen with Bron Bron and the Cavs, but the Magic look like they are here to say (although I think the Hedo – VC swap was a backward move).
Greg Norton Is HOT!!!
October 27th, 2009
8:01 am
indeed what were you smoking on vacation??
j
October 27th, 2009
8:02 am
wow, the Hawks got blown out in a pre-season game … that really means that the Magic are going to blow them out during regular season games … give me a break, bunch of negative nancies
ltdbrave
October 27th, 2009
8:11 am
I hope the Hawks do well this season however I do not think that is going to happen. Unless Josh Smith matures and plays the way he is capable of playing and Zsa Zsa plays like he did in the one playoff game, they will not do it. Seems there is a motivational factor that is lacking in these 2 players and I am very surprised that Johnson and/or Bibby have not raised the issue. They have the players but the question is, will ALL of them step up and perform.
Chris
October 27th, 2009
8:23 am
Among the top 3 in the East, the Celtics are the only team that might be vulnerable. I agree with Manny – the Majic are the beast in the East.
Atlanta Fan
October 27th, 2009
8:33 am
What happened to Garret Siler?
Daniel
October 27th, 2009
8:37 am
Mark!!!- Way to go. I love it. I predict the same win total, but I am not as confident in the 3 seed. I do think that Boston is the most likely of the three to slip a little this year. You are right about VC and Turk, but Orlando added Bass which is great upgrade, plus a healthy Jameer Nelson. None of us know how this Clevland expierment is going to work, but it feels like Barkley in Houston to me. An ECF appearance will be outstanding for this team. I hope you are right.
roan st
October 27th, 2009
8:40 am
I guess you were still on vacation when the Hawks were absolutely dismantled by the magic last week. The hawks were exposed in that game offensively. They have no inside offensive game and Horford IS NOT A DAMN CENTER!!!! Marvin Williams is obviously never going to take the next step. Here’s a recent quote from marvin, “I’m just trying to keep doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I’m not trying to do too much. Does that sound like a guy with a burning desire to take his game to the next level? Josh Smith is close to his ceiling, which is not bad, but I don’t really see him as a star. We have already seen the best Joe Johnson has to offer. Sure our bench is deeper and we should secure that 4th spot in the east but we are NOT going to the Eastern conference finals. No way this team gets past Cleveland or Orlando! The bench depth is nice and will help but when those two teams have played their best they have throttled the Hawks.
Buzz Capra
October 27th, 2009
9:07 am
Virginia Tech and Frank Beamer are a bunch of cry-babies
STRETCH
October 27th, 2009
9:07 am
MR. Bradley, in reference to your 3am post. Horford was also playing in the NCAA not the NBA.
mountain_jim
October 27th, 2009
9:23 am
Welcome back Mark! Add my voice to the chorus here who watched (part of – could not stand it for too long) the Orlando game and saw that Woody still has no offensive plan in place – just stand around and go one on one. This team needs to run and gun with Orlando, they can not play half-court with them.
I think the talent to do what you predicted is here, but not the coaching, unfortunately.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
October 27th, 2009
9:34 am
Mark, Hawks make the Eastern Conf. finals right after me and Scarlett Jo become a couple and we are known by our cute couples name of ScAnk.
MyView
October 27th, 2009
9:52 am
lawton….If you take Jim Leyritz swing away, then the Braves win back to back championships. If John Elway got caught soliciting prostitution instead of Eugene Robison, then the Falcons win a Super Bowl. You sound silly!!!!!
doc
October 27th, 2009
9:56 am
a line up i am interested in seeing on the floor is teague, crawford, jj, al and zaza. for brief spells but could be deadly. do agree with crawford jj will be at 3 more this year and was effective there last.
Glitchy
October 27th, 2009
10:19 am
MB, you forgot the most important reason. Billy Knight is no longer in the organization…..
Ron E.
October 27th, 2009
10:27 am
1 reason the Hawks will not reach the Eastern finals:
1. They can’t beat good teams on the road (see that recent Orlando game) and they won’t have home court if they even make it to the second round. Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston certainly haven’t taken large steps backwards which is what would be required for the Hawks to move up in seeding. Their ceiling is the 4th seed which also means their ceiling is a 2nd round exit unless one of those other teams has a major injury to a star in the final game of the first round.
CLEsportsfan
October 27th, 2009
10:32 am
Blahhhahaha
http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2009/10/post_50.html
Ron Roberts
October 27th, 2009
10:34 am
Ron E. the Orlando game was a pre-season game. Just saying…
jg
October 27th, 2009
10:34 am
I hope the Hawks win that many games Mark. But until I see Woody design some sort of designed play that works–I don’t see them going too far in the playoffs. They have no set plays–the offense just stands around! But I can turn on any other NBA game and watch teams run set plays every time down. I wish Woodson would watch some tape of the Utah Jazz and watch their plays. The set meaningful screens, they go back door and they continually move the ball around. We do the same thing down every time. It’s someone trying to pick and roll or pick and pop. The only play I’ve ever seen Woody draw up is the “jump ball lob to Josh Smith.”
The Hawks needs some structure on offense everyone knows it–OR just let them run and gun. I’m not a fan of that type of basketball really–but I believe the Hawks have the type of team to be successful with that style.
Prove me wrong Woody–I’m watching and pulling for you regardless.
Go Hawks.
G-Money
October 27th, 2009
10:46 am
I feel as though you make a compelling case for this years team. Too many times we look at the headline grabbing names in acquisitions, as opposed to where individuals are in their careers. The majority of the big off season moves in the east consisted of potentially chemistry changing, aging veterans. like what the Hawks have done and I eagerly await the commencement of this season.
MAD-DONNA
October 27th, 2009
11:00 am
Hey Mark, big men yeah, but it’s about quality not quantity!
Mychelfromatl
October 27th, 2009
11:01 am
Wow Mark,
Looks like they clownin’ you in Cleveland man!!!! In the famous words of the “Bad Boys” tv show….Watcha gon do????
Mychelfromatl
October 27th, 2009
11:08 am
Quote from Cleveland.com:
Comedy Central – Everyone knows that the favorites to win the Eastern Conference title are the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic. But some homer in Atlanta gives us five reasons why the Atlanta Hawks will win the conference crown.
AJC.com reporter Mark Bradley writes:
4. The teams above the Hawks in the East geared up but didn’t necessarily improve. Shaquille O’Neal will slow Cleveland and clog the lane for LeBron, who operates best in the lane. The Magic lost more with Hedo Turkoglu’s departure than they gained with Vince Carter. And the Celtics, who were already old, got older still with Rasheed Wallace.
Mark this is your chance man, strike back!
Darrin "The Vent King"
October 27th, 2009
11:20 am
I would like to agree MB, but I still am wary of the coach’s decisions. He seems to not know how to rotate players or motivate them at times. How many times we have to see starts like this past one against the Magic b4 we all understand this? I’ve never seen a team with this much talent start off games 20 points down 5 mins into a game. That is not a good look at all…
Tech sucks
October 27th, 2009
11:30 am
Horford definitely needs to play the 4. We have got to get a real center.
new cars
October 27th, 2009
11:31 am
Every changing of the guard is a suprise until it happens. The Hawks certainly have the talent and depth to accomplish this. Still not sure about Woody at the controls. In this league to win at that level, you have to have at least one superior player or a superior coach and that’s where we might come up short. Give us a Rick Adelman, Jerry Sloan or Pat Riley and I would like our chances.
DeepDiver
October 27th, 2009
11:38 am
That cleveland.com link is silly. Where does Bradley say the Hawks will take the Eastern Conference? He’s giving 5 reasons for the Conference Finals.
O'Brien
October 27th, 2009
11:39 am
Mark,
I agree that the Hawks will have 50-55 wins. However, I also agree with those who say that for the Hawks to make it to the ECF, they would have to play the Celtics in the 2nd round.
I dont see the Hawks beating the Magic 4 games out of 7, and Cleveland will be tough too.
Seven
October 27th, 2009
11:49 am
MARK BRADLEY,
i am a hawks fan first and foremost
BUT
did you pay ANY attention to how the hawks got their butts handed to them on a platter by the magic???
that was NOT a fluke so you’re point about Orlando in point is at best RIDICULOUS
Harry B
October 27th, 2009
11:53 am
Mark, good overall stuff, but I think you really made some sweeping generalizations without giving enough analysis. The Hawks dont necessarily have great depth by league standards, I would argue Orlando, Boston, and San Antonio off the top of my head have way better depth!
Also, Vince Carter was a huge upgrade over Hedo Turkoglu, who had a peek year and will not be the same in Toronto.
All I'm Saying Is...
October 27th, 2009
11:53 am
Since I’m tired of re-stating the obvious — Horford is not a NBA Center b/c he cannot match up with the premier centers in the league be it Nene with Nuggets, Bynum with Lakers, Howard with Magic, Shaq/Z with Cleveland, or whoever is playing center for the Celtics — since Bradley still doesn’t get it and persists in trotting out his tired lines about what Horford did in college (like that matters in the NBA) and how Rick Sund thinks Horford is a center (like Sund has never been wrong) and how we now have Joe Smith and Jason Collins (JC I like and would prefer him and ZaZa manning the post with Horford at PF), then let me say this: If we become a running team, exploit our strengths at the guard position, and go with a three guard line-up, then we can also negate the size advantage in the center spot that the Cavs and the Magic have and make it to the ECF….and NBA Finals too!
LET’S GO HAWKS!
Mink
October 27th, 2009
11:55 am
Boston will be banged up all year. Wallace is old and vulnerable. Garnett’s knee problem will linger with his age, and Paul Pierce seems to have finally lost half a step. Ray Allen will have more trouble getting open looks, and will play a similar offensive role that Mike Bibby plays. Hang out and wait for the kick-out.
1) Orlando
2) Cleveland
3) Atlanta
4) Boston
KevinM
October 27th, 2009
12:03 pm
Mark, you have stirred it up, that’s for sure…..You predict the Hawks out of the East? You think the Hawks can beat a team with a higher seed in a 7 game series?
I don’t think the Hawks hold up. Last year looks to me that they are at their peak. All the same faces remain. Yes, they may be able to ‘finally’ hold their own at home. The road is unkind to say the least about the Hawks.
Give me a 4 seed again for the Hawks at best. Their inside game is limited, their defensive presence is limited. We are a jump shot team and our shots have to drop at a high percentage.
Bibby will not be better this year than last, probably the same for JJ.
That is our main offensive threats. Not gonna happen unless we get a defensive presence inside.
Chief Nock A Homa
October 27th, 2009
12:22 pm
MB:
Seriously???
The Hawks look good, but have you seen the team from central Florida???
They improved drastically with VC, and their depth is unbelievable…
BTW – undefeated pre-season (I know – it’s just pre-season)…
Just sayin’….
Magic
Cavs
Hawks
Celts
T.C
October 27th, 2009
12:25 pm
Mark,im not buying your 4th reason not saying im not buying it for the hawks not to make the playoffs but those teams you named will be the very ones hard to beat in the regular season and playoffs.They said vince carter was a step slow but i could’nt tell friday when he drilled the hawks every time he touched the ball.The hawks will make the playoffs but will not beat orlando,cleveland,or boston.Those very players who you mentioned slow ect…will be the main reason they will win and are better teams.The hawks can’t do nothing with a slow shack,vince carter or rasheed wallace.
lexluther
October 27th, 2009
12:26 pm
I strongly believe we will see a lineup that has
1. Teague
2. Crawford
3. J. Johnson
4. A. Horford
5. J. COllins
This is a legitimate starting 5 and if the Hawks utilize this lineup, it will send a strong message that the interchangeable parts on this team is better than everyone else in the league.
I agree that the Hawks will win 50 plus games and be a dominate player in the playoffs. MARK my words…
Sautee
October 27th, 2009
12:26 pm
Mark,
How about ’splainin’ why Miami won a Championship with DWade who “operates best in the lane” and somehow Shaq didn’t clog the lane there?
Boy, I’ll give it to you. When you are convinced of an idea, you’ll stick with it.
You’ve opined on this “clogging the lane” idea over and over, but you’ve YET to face up to Miami’s success in doing just what you claim CLE can not.
I’m neither a MIA or a CLE fan. I’m Hawks all the way since ‘68.
But I’m afraid that you are mistaken on this. The Hawks are “the best of the rest”, but sadly no more unless they have secretly re-tooled their entire offense and are just waiting for the regular season to spring it on the league.
Yeah, right.
T.C
October 27th, 2009
12:34 pm
Mr mink,Celtics and lakers in the championship.Then everyone will see old and wise will beat youth and inexperience any day.
Negative Nancy
October 27th, 2009
12:34 pm
All of you who are writing that brutal beat-down in Orlando Friday as “pre-season” are sorely kidding yourselves.
Just watch.
Benjamin
October 27th, 2009
12:34 pm
We are a slightly improved team from last year, and I think the Magic actually lost more than they received — why are people talking about how they’ve “improved?” — but the two studs in the conference are still the Cavs and Celtics, and it’s really not that close between two and three.
We have a shot at the Southeast. We don’t have a chance at the Conference Finals. Yet.
Robert
October 27th, 2009
12:56 pm
Hey Mark I hope your right I would love to see that happen
T.C
October 27th, 2009
12:59 pm
Thats true benjamin.Im a die heart hawks fan but im not gonna say they have arrived because there my team.I would be decieving myself when you have 3 power house teams(boston,cavs,magics)in the east.I even think chicago is gonna surprise a lot of people even without gordon.Im hoping the hawks can rise above expectations and do the unthinkable but winning against good teams on the road will be the key.Yea they took boston to 7 games but look at the average they lost by in boston.If we can get a little better on the road we will have a chance to go beyond the 1st and second round.But if not,well you know the rest.
Rufus1
October 27th, 2009
1:00 pm
Hawks 3RD in East
Last year the Hawks were not expected to make the playoffs, and the Magic were picked 3rd in the east …WE SAW HOW THAT WORKED!! When the Hawks played Orlando on a BACK TO BACK…they had plenty of open shots, they just weren’t falling.
Orlando is the best team in the east, but the rest is up for grabs. The NBA is a WAR OF ATTRITION , and we have one of the youngest and deepest teams in the league…THAT MATTERS.
Jamal average 19pts a game…THIS IS NBA SCRUBS DON’T AVERAGE 19PTS. When he finds his place in our offense, we will be a much better offensive team and that will lead to road wins.
Question?
Who is the better offseason acquisition
Shaq
Wallace
Jamal
I believe Jamal is the better aquisition….So I agree with MB, based on the attrition of the season and adding Crawford, we will make it to the conference finals.
Mark Bradley
October 27th, 2009
1:05 pm
I can’t control what someone in Cleveland writes, however erroneous it might be.
And if we’re going to take preseason results as gospel, shouldn’t we also note that the Hawks were 5-2 to Cleveland’s 3-4?
Mark Bradley
October 27th, 2009
1:06 pm
And let me note this: I didn’t say the Hawks would win the NBA title. I didn’t say they’d win the East and play the Lakers for the championship. I said they’d reach the Eastern Conference finals.
PD
October 27th, 2009
1:14 pm
Mark I guess you did not see the Hawks get destroyed by the Magic friday night. Preseason or not you don’t get beat like that. 4th seed at best!!!!!!!! They just have to stay healthy going into the postseason and make some noise. The top 3 teams in the east did improve the Magic improved considerably. They have versatile bigs and Vince Carter that has a big man that will rebound all of the threes he will be shooting this season.
j
October 27th, 2009
1:16 pm
oh yeah, pre-season games really count so we should just write the Hawks off after losing to Orlando … or how about we just write them off for the whole year b/c they lose 5 games in their first 15 … Atlanta really does have the worst “fans”
I like the optimism, we need some in these hard times
T.C
October 27th, 2009
1:18 pm
O.K Mr bradley,if the hawks reach the conference finals,i will blog on your colum everyday and greet you with king bradley and a picture of coffee and doughnuts every morning in 2010.Look at my signature now,T.C.
j
October 27th, 2009
1:21 pm
Mark, I’d make the same case about Cleveland’s record in the pre-season but half these idiots on here will just make an excuse for Lebron not playing up to his talent level or come up with something else ingenuis b/c they’re all experts
theZaZaGuy
October 27th, 2009
1:26 pm
Mark Bradley has been known to be right. Once in particular was back in 1991 when he said that if we lost the World Series, we could always blame it on Lonnie…
I agree with Mark about our prospects. This is a young team, and young teams like to have fun on and off the court. I honestly think that the nights they fall apart are the nights that they are all hung over, particularly on the road.
T.C
October 27th, 2009
1:28 pm
Mr j,im a real fan im just keeping it real.Boston,Cavs,and the magics to me are better teams from the players they picked up.Nothing is impossible meaning the hawks can get it done.but from what i see from the big 3(boston,cavs,magics)starting 5 and bench,its like saying mini me can slam on shack.
theZaZaGuy
October 27th, 2009
1:31 pm
Mark Bradley has been known to be right. Like in 1991 when he predicted that if we lose the world series in 1991, we could always blame it on Lonnie…
JeJe
October 27th, 2009
1:43 pm
You did not do your research at all for this article
“Jeff Teague seems more NBA-ready than Acie Law was”
Not really. Acie seemed as NBA-ready as anyone. He stayed in college 4 years.
You say the big 3 haven’t improved. Have you looked at their depth? The Cavs are STILL signing players. Orlando’s 2nd unit could beat our 1st unit on an offnight.
Weak
Rufus1
October 27th, 2009
1:43 pm
Agree with J
Some Hawks fans would not know what to do if the Hawks were really good. I think they enjoy being miserable. They always find a reason why the Hawks can’t, even if there thoughts are flawed(i,e preseason games)
The Hawks won 47 games, added a 19pts scorer and size off the bench, and they say we have NO CHANCE. Anything can happen injuries, the Hawks could mature, Josh or AL could have a break-out year.
I choose to believe in the possibilty of greatness..that is why I am a FAN!!!
hatin' on the stupid
October 27th, 2009
2:11 pm
The preseason game was important because Woody was going longer with his starters and they were playing the eastern champs. If you want to make a statement that you’re legit you don’t mail it in like the Hawks did. The statement was made… by the Magic. I’m pulling for them, too, but predicting a visit to the eastern finals coming out of training camp is a wee bit over the top IMHP. Let’s tip it off and let them prove it. I hate it when glib sports writers predict success based on nothing but a few whiffs of what might be possible. Mark is right less often than the weatherman.
hatin' on the stupid
October 27th, 2009
2:12 pm
Had the Hawks routed the Magic like they did us would it have been seen as an irrelevant pre-season game?????
ILL-logical
October 27th, 2009
2:21 pm
First, a bit of perspective is in order. The Hawks ownership has just stabilized; this time last year there was talk of the group being forced to sell to one or more of its partners. Now,if they can sell the Thrashers and take on another partner( I’m looking at you Chris Bridges), they may be able to attract a NBA superstar to the team.
The GM ,Mr. Sund , was a third choice of the ownership after two candidates took a look at the situation and ran for cover. However, he has kept the core gruop intact.
The coach,who has one of the worst records in professional sports, had no head coaching experience and has not earned any acclaim for his strategic or tactical abilities from his peers or the press. However, he has kept the ship afloat and improved every year.
My point? It is almost a miracle that we are even debating playoff status and 50 win seasons given the recent history of the organization and staff. In the words of the old prayer We ain’t where we ought to be ,but thank God we ain’t where we used to be.
BTW, I don’t believe that MB’s predictions are going to happen as long as Al plays center and Bibby is the starting point guard(and that doesn’t mean starting Teague-he is a rookie and is no Chris Paul).
Ariose
October 27th, 2009
2:24 pm
MB, I’m with ya despite the pessimists. Hawks in ECF…If we stay healthy and Crawford/JJ/Bibby get hot at the right time….we can make some serious noise.
Scotty Thurman
October 27th, 2009
2:44 pm
The Cavs will slip this year from last year. They do not have any viable guard play. It is going to have to be the Lebron show even more this year. I think they will drop to 2nd or 3rd in the East. The Magic are the team to beat.
True Hawks Fan
October 27th, 2009
2:53 pm
I like the way you think Mark Bradley. That is the way to support your team!
theZaZaGuy
October 27th, 2009
3:52 pm
Mark, What ever happend to your Fro?
brent a.
October 27th, 2009
4:01 pm
I like the thought of a Cavs v. Cleveland 2nd round match-up.
The Cavs got older up front, and the Hawks could try to wear them out.
At the end of the day, though, the Hawks lack the star power needed to get calls in the play-offs.
The best place to upgrade may be at head coach.
brent a.
October 27th, 2009
4:02 pm
“Had the Hawks routed the Magic like they did us would it have been seen as an irrelevant pre-season game?????”
Yes.
TJ
October 27th, 2009
4:27 pm
Any chance of a play for Rajon Rondo next summer?
uberVU - social comments
October 27th, 2009
4:28 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by RealEst8Buyers: 5 reasons the Hawks will reach the Eastern finals http://bit.ly/4l61ee…
Boneyard Randy
October 27th, 2009
4:41 pm
Hawks can take BOS all day…we’ll run them up and down the floor this year. CLE and ORL are top in the East. Hawks to Eastern Conf Finals. Everyone on the Hawks gets better this year except for maybe Bibby…everyone on BOS is a year slower and a year more injury prone. Shaq will not play more than 50 games this year. Fun year…almost there.
JustaThought
October 27th, 2009
4:51 pm
Hey Mark! You are right! The Hawks will make to the ECF………but only as popcorn venders!
O'Brien
October 27th, 2009
5:06 pm
Mark,
Although this is a basketball blog, I wanted to point out that your pick to replace Bobby Cox (Mills, the Red Sox bench coach) has been hired as the Astros manager (although Manny Acta was their first choice). Cross him off the list of Bobby replacements. My pick is Freddie Gonzales.
Earl
October 27th, 2009
7:28 pm
Mark, I happen to agree with you on the Hawks. Celtics will be limping into the playoffs and Carter will take way too many missed shots in Orlando.
wink
October 27th, 2009
7:45 pm
Mark,
No way the Hawks can reach the ECF, they will peak at a 4 seed and make a 2nd round exit, it’s ordained.
The big 3 of the East have all improved. The only thing we have over those teams are youth, speed, and the same starting five, I guess continuity. That continuity got beat pretty bad by the import from New Jersey now playing with Orlando.
Most Hawks fans would have supported us gaining the older Shaq /Wallace to man our center position instead of younger Collins/Joe Smith. Age would not have been such a big concern. Surely we would have taken a Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson both would have been an upgrade over Marvin Williams at small forward.
My point is those team were already better than the Hawks before these upgrades…we should have been so fortunate.
If we make the assumption that the Hawks play up to their potential, that still will only make us a 4th seed. Should the big three advance as expected, we will not have home court advantage in the 2nd round.
Without a star player the equal of LeBron/Shaq/Mo Williams; Wallace/Pierce/Allen/Garnett/Rondo; Howard/Lewis/Carter/Nelson…only thing we can count on to advance is an injury to star opponent & good health for the Hawks, even then we will be hard press to beat the worst of the Big 3 in the East.
The team has a cancer that needs to be removed:
A bad coach in Woody…no team identity; no in game adjustments and the worst plays out of time outs…nothing!
A reluctant superstar in Joe Johson…want seize the moment or take charge of team
A undersized Center in Horford, but plenty of heart & BBall IQ
A under achieving small forward in Marvin Williams…content to be average
An overrated powerforward in Josh Smith…lacks fundamentals & in game IQ…very intelligent in interviews.
A point guard in Mike Bibby that can’t defend his position & can not penetrate the paint for easy assist or buckets.
This is your starting lineup for the last two years and they struggle with the rest of the Eastern Conference. However, the continuity may allow them to remain the 4th seed, but NO EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Mark!
Stop smoking that stuff…
WCJ
October 27th, 2009
8:13 pm
IF the hawks don’t get pass the second round mike woodson is done.
so with that in mind it’s the Eastern Conference Finals or bust.
Football Fan
October 27th, 2009
8:16 pm
Detroit Pistons anyone??? The Hawks can win the championship just like the Pistons did when they had no stars and several above average players. Chauncey Billiups was not Chauncey Billups before they surprisingly knocked the Lakers off.
kick the puppy when its down
October 27th, 2009
8:37 pm
i dont see why everyone is all on shaq in cleveland. hes ancient and he hasnt done anything good since he had dwayne wade win a title for him. hes been dissapointing since L.A.
vince may be a much better scorer that hedo, but hedo was never a scorer. he can easily give you a triple double plus, hes got a good 4 inches on vince carter.
we all saw the dismantling boston experienced w/o garnett. hes old and he its nearly impossible to get back to 100% after an injury that cut his season short especially at his age.
and wink, dont base your projection for the season on ONE PRESEASON game. we were absolutel 100% NEVER going to get shaq. he was traded. he wouldnt have come to atlanta. phoenix wasnt going to let him come to atlanta. we werent going to sign a rasheed wallace or a richard jefferson. we dont have that kinda money. do you honestly think woodson is a bad coach? he only improved the dismal hawks record each of the 4 seasons in atlanta. if jj was so reluctant to be a leader, dont you think he would get up outa here? he wont sieze the moment? since when! we only put the ball in his hands in every game changing moment. since when is josh smith overrated? nobody calls him good! if you listened during the playoffs, you would have learned that he is an inside scorer, not a jump shooter. dont try to say that the same starting lineup means the same result to the season. they improved the bench which, if you payed a little attention last season, is where they struggled the most. they can put jamal crawford in for the “under achieving small forward” or they can go big and play with a 6′4″ point. if you are going to continue to be ignorant but try to sound smart by just talking about what any monkey in america knows, then dont come on here and let everyone know your an idiot and keep your moronic comments to yourself.
preston
October 27th, 2009
9:04 pm
I dont know Mark. I will be rooting for the Hawks too, but this will be a very interesting, and pivitol season for this team, and the coach. My biggest concern starts with Woodson. I recall him expressing the exact same sentiments prior to the start of last season about not wearing out his starters especially Joe J., but once the season started there were no adjustments or improvements made by him in that area. How will he handle Teague? As a poster commented earlier, wasn’t Law supposedly NBA ready as much as Teague, but Law became the the 2nd consecutive guard who landed in Woodson’s doghouse to see the door ( behind S. Stoudemire). I still have questions concerning M.Williams game and his ability to stay healthy. Contrary to what you say about Orlando and Cleveland, I actually think that both teams improved. Vince Carter absolutely demoralized the hawks last year, and no one one the team could guard or stop him…….put him on a team with D. Howard, Stoudemire, Lewis and you have a yery potent and unstoppable force. I also think that Shaq gives cleveland a very physical team which the hawks will want no part of. Remember how Lebron just ran thru the hawks players last yr in the playoffs? Well Shaq will add that extra intimadation factor to the Caveliars, and the hawks will be run over like bowling pins when they play. Granted that Boston is getting older, but they still have a very quick Rondo, who ran circles around the hawks last yr…..and as long as they have a healthy Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, then they will still be good enough to beat the hawks. Having said all of that, I think that at best the hawks can come out of the east as a number four seed.
wink
October 27th, 2009
9:08 pm
kick the puppy when its down
Let me not be moronic or smart, just clear!
First, Mark stated the other team did not really improve themselves with the additions they made. One of those team just kicked our butt with those new additions (Carter, Anderson), even if it was preseason. Just happens that is one of the Big 3 teams.
Second, all 3 of those teams have a player or players who have won MVP trophies and could be considered for an MVP trophy this year. Who would you select on our team that’s worthy of consideration for an MVP trophy?
Thrid, those teams coaches are talking about competing for a Championship, not to just make it to the EFC final!
Fourth, my comments may be moronic, but improving the team 4 consecutive years (you & I could have improved the team from 13 to 27 wins). They backed into the playoffs with a losing record in 2007 ( 37 wins out of 82 games).
My final point, to summarize my earlier comments… was to say you keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result is insanity…ie same player get same result assuming they play to potential…result would be 4h seed and 2nd round exit against one of the Big 3 (Celtics, Cavalier, Magic)… now go watch TNT and compare the Hawks to what you see before your eyes…Celts vs Cavs…lol