The Hawks have options now, but they still rely on Iso-Joe
Joe Johnson goes one-on-one. Sometimes that's OK. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
I heard an amazing thing Friday night at Philips Arena: The Hawks’ best player got the ball with the game on the line, and some in the crowd groaned and started yelling, “Pass the ball, Joe!”
I’ve never considered Joe Johnson a selfish player. I’ve noted many times how well he and Mike Bibby play off one another. But things are changing, and Bibby isn’t on the floor as much. (He worked nine minutes and made one basket in Friday’s victory over the Celtics.) More and more it’s Johnson and Jamal Crawford paired at game’s end, and there are times — against Oklahoma City on MLK Day, against the Celtics over the weekend — when Johnson ducks his head and goes one-on-five.
It didn’t work against the Thunder. Johnson took eight of the Hawks’ 23 fourth-quarter shots; he missed five of the eight. (He had one assist — it went, naturally, to Bibby.) The Hawks lost. Against the Celtics he took nine of the Hawks’ 19 fourth-quarter shots; he made seven of the nine. The Hawks won.
When in doubt — most NBA games are in doubt — the Hawks revert to Iso-Joe. Against the Celtics it made sense: Ray Allen cannot guard Johnson, and Paul Pierce doesn’t do much better. And when Joe’s hitting the end justifies the means. But Joe doesn’t hit them all, and the day is long past when he was the only Hawk capable of scoring.
Al Horford just made the All-Star team. Josh Smith should have made the All-Star team. Crawford could have made the All-Star team. Trouble is, when Johnson goes into his back-’em-in-and-shoot-the-turnaround routine he’s not apt to see anyone else. (Unless it’s Bibby. He sees Bibby. But Bibby didn’t play in the fourth quarter against Boston.)
It’s weird, though. Even as the Hawks are becoming a fleshed-out team, Johnson is shooting slightly more. He’s averaging 18.4 shots, up from 18.0 last season. He’s playing two fewer minutes per game and averaging one fewer assist — but he’s shooting more. This isn’t necessarily a good thing.
In the Hawks’ emphatic first half against the Celtics, Johnson made one basket. (Took eight shots, though.) It didn’t matter because the ball was moving. (Ten assists on 20 first-half hoops.) In the fourth quarter the Hawks made 11 baskets and had one assist. (Josh Smith made it.) Put simply, Joe stopped the ball. He sealed the game by making seven fourth-quarter hoops, but what if he’d made only four?
Understand: The Iso-Joe stuff isn’t a matter of Joe calling his own plays. Mike Woodson is trying to exploit matchups, and against the Celtics it worked. But with all the players the Hawks have now, Iso-Joe seems as cutting-edge as the Betamax. It’s a throwback to the days when this team had nowhere else to turn. It has options now.
There will be times when the new Hawks still need Joe Johnson to win them a game. They no longer need him to win every game. They’ll require something more than the old fallback to get them to the Eastern Conference finals.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
129 comments Add your comment
Brandon from Warner Robins
February 1st, 2010
12:05 am
Evening Mark,
I think Joe forgot how to pass. Trying to do too much heading towards free agency.
Brett
February 1st, 2010
12:15 am
spot on
TheAntiMe
February 1st, 2010
12:26 am
I wonder if Joe Johnson, at least subconsciously, is worried that Jamal Crawford is stealing his thunder?
Reid Adair
February 1st, 2010
12:28 am
I have to agree with Brandon. I think “Iso-Joe” is coming around as Johnson nears free agency. Like you said, Mark, I don’t think this is a good thing for the Hawks.
Mark Bradley
February 1st, 2010
12:29 am
I hope it has nothing to do with Crawford. Or Joe’s contract. I hope.
P C
February 1st, 2010
12:30 am
You know the tendency is becoming bad when everyone (myself included) notices it. You cant’ help but wonder if it’s maybe a reaction to now having Crawford (instead of Joe) taking more and more the meaningful shots at the end of the game.
Wes
February 1st, 2010
12:33 am
Kobe Bryant does the same thing. Joe’s no Kobe, but he needs to pass quicker when he’s doubled, because you are right that the Hawks now have too many options to go iso every posession with 8 minutes left in the 4th.
D Wade 2010
February 1st, 2010
12:34 am
Later Joe, Bring on D Wade so we can actually win a championship.
D Wade 2010
February 1st, 2010
12:35 am
Always thought JJ was overrated anyway.
P C
February 1st, 2010
12:35 am
If it has anything to do with Joe’s contract, it certainly isn’t helping him on that front.
P C
February 1st, 2010
12:36 am
On another front, if Woodson is actually calling for that play (”iso-joe”) over and over at the end of the game, we might have the answer for why his contract hasn’t been extended as of now.
Mark Bradley
February 1st, 2010
12:37 am
That’s the difference, isn’t it? If it’s LeBron or Kobe stopping the ball, you figure it’ll work out.
D Wade 2010
February 1st, 2010
12:40 am
Mark.
Do we have enough money to lure D wade to Atlanta if we don’t resign Joe?
Gilley
February 1st, 2010
12:40 am
Chuuuuuuch! Its almost as if that’s the only way for Joe Johnson to get his points or to score. He plays one on one and dribbles too much and we are stagnate. And he takes way too long to make his move. I’ll see of he moved quick and penetrated and drew the double and gave Horford and Smith easy lay-ups but he doesn’t do that. He gives the opposing teams time to double him and see what he is going to do instead of making his move. Now he does pass because he leads the team in assist and is a great passer but like you said Mr. Bradley, he forces when he doesn’t have to and still shoots when he is obviously not having a good game. Work in progress. But great blog. Keep holding players accountable. Good Work!
Mark Bradley
February 1st, 2010
12:42 am
I don’t think the Heat will let Wade leave, D Wade 2010.
TheAntiMe
February 1st, 2010
12:42 am
I think Mark did make a good point. It seem’s that anytime the Hawks are running the half-court offense, you never see the pick and roll, and seldom do you see anyone without the ball cutting to the basket.
The only play the Hawks ever run in their half-court offense is the good ole islation play for Joe. I honestly wonder if Woody knows any other plays on offense? It really makes me wonder.
P C
February 1st, 2010
12:43 am
With the addition of Crawford, I have to admit I’m not as concerned as I was about re-signing Joe. Also, the more Joe has these extended stretches with lack of production (or perhaps “forced attempt at production” to the detriment of the team concept), the more replaceable he looks.
D Wade 2010
February 1st, 2010
12:44 am
I don’t know, I’m sure he is tired of being on a very average Heat team. They better do something or he is gone.
P C
February 1st, 2010
12:45 am
I’m not the biggest fan of Wade, but at least we’d get some calls if he played for the Hawks.
Gilley
February 1st, 2010
12:55 am
I don’t want to lose Joe Johnson as a player because he is a very good player and has done a lot for us but he is hot and cold and not hot enough when he is hot and too cold when he is cold. Plus his personality rubs off the wrong wat. I get excited even seeing him fuss at the refs but he has to learn to work them. You dont have to be loud and get technicals to do that.
Mark, how many technical fouls does Joe Johnson have in his 9-year career span? I will say no more than 10
HawksFan24
February 1st, 2010
12:56 am
Mark,
Are you just now realizing that all Woodson knows how to do on offense is get to ball to Joe either give him a pick and roll or Iso him. Hes been doing this for three years now and you just now notice. Its been a problem with this team for a while that Woodson cannot come up with something other than that.
Outsider
February 1st, 2010
12:56 am
I have been saying this for years. JJ also dribbles too much and it makes our other guys complacent. Woody has no idea how to teach offense. We have too many weapons to strictly depend on JJ. Woody wonders why he hasn’t got an extension yet. In all likelihood JJ will be going to Chicago this summer. I don’t think he wants to be here any longer. He isn’t worth a max contract.
IlliniDawg
February 1st, 2010
12:58 am
Just now noticing this Bradley? Geez, this is why I all season long I have enjoyed this version of the Hawks a lot less than the version of a couple years ago. Too many isolation plays – which are boring no matter who is being isolated, too much Joe and Jamal, not enough inside (which is why we suck against teams like Cavs and Magic), and zero imagination. And Joe is making noises about playing the free agent market? Why have we just handed him the keys to the car here? I still don’t get the Hawks front-office.
Tuco
February 1st, 2010
1:05 am
Another thing for a guy his size he sure hates contact. Has he even dunked the ball 5 times since he has been in Atlanta. Has he ever dunked on somebody.
15.8 ppg
3.2 apg
0.423 fg%
71% free throw
4.3 rpg
These are JJ’s playoff numbers. Yes these numbers are worth 20+ million a season. LOL!!
Dr. Warren
February 1st, 2010
2:47 am
Let’s get to the real question: how will we beat Orlando?
DeepDiver
February 1st, 2010
3:50 am
Even with Joe’s contract off the books the Hawks will not have the cap room to be players in the free agent market. Remember Al’s rookie contract comes up and he will be in line for a raise.
It is in the Hawks’ best interest to resign Joe because they have his Bird rights. If Joe walks this is a 40 win team at best.
The Go Joe offense is Woody’s thing, and it has been that way since day one. It will lead to problems come playoff time, but it is what it is. Woody confirmed as much in Lang Whitaker’s insightful piece when he was embedded with the team for a weekend, as he was quoted as exclaiming “I don’t give a s— about offense!”
On the other hand, the Hawks average the fewest turnovers in the league and the gap from them to he 2nd place team is wide. This is a by-product of an offense that doesn’t move the ball all that much, especially in the 4th qtr — at least they get a shot every time down. It’s just that teams with good perimeter defenders and a legit big man to swallow up all the rebounds (Magic) will eat the ISOs for lunch.
"Chef" Tim Dix
February 1st, 2010
5:41 am
When backs in, it cuases everyone to stop. No cutting to basket, nothing. Everyone prepares to go to the other end or catch the iron clank. If he can’t run with the boys Woody needs to pull him then.
He is the mo stopper.
deja vu
February 1st, 2010
5:50 am
Woody has always ”coached” offense this way, and he always will. That’s his bandwidth. They’ll never make it to the finals with no movement in the 4th quarter. Every time I see them cut and move and blow doors early in the game, and then revert to isojoe, I look to the coach. HE”S NOT JORDAN OR KOBE OR LEBRON! And even Jordan passed to his teammates in crunch time when he got doubled. The Hawks need an offensive coordinator.
timbo
February 1st, 2010
6:31 am
They proved in the Houston road game, they can move the ball and win. Shane Battier held Joe in check, they had to move the ball and did.
hawkman
February 1st, 2010
6:49 am
This is exactly why Woodson may no be our answer. We have a team that is capable of running a motion offense with a cast of characters scoring. Yet we rum the ISO time after time after time. Me thinks it’s coaching. Even if Johnson just has a blind eye, then run plays for different players. Instead Woodson runs the Johnson ISO play. When he is hot it works – when he is not it doesn’t. Nevertheless, the Hawks biggest issue may be an inability to stop a star like Dwight or Labron. THey have a good team but they have a hard time keeping those two from eating them up. I still like the Hawks
Big Daddy
February 1st, 2010
7:13 am
I have been saying this all year. When Joe does the isos he has to use up a lot of energy because it is done over and over again. When he does that he then has to go back and play defense at the other end. By the 3rd quarter he has to be tired and if he has not been called upon to do many isos before then because they have been able to run, that is when they start. No wonder he is low on energy at the end of the season.
Plus, when they run those isos the other players have spots they go to on the floor which is suppose to give him room to drive. What it does is put them in a position not to get a rebound or sometimes even a pass.
We are not going to get pass the 2nd round with an offense like that. What happens if Joe goes down with an injury. Woody has worked so hard to stress team ball, why would he put himself in a position where is his star guard goes down that his offense is going to suffer.
We always do better when we pass the ball around. Horford is a good passer and Josh can be an excellent passer. If we set one of them in the low post and use cutters through the lane we can have people coming off of screens and going to the basket for shots at the rim. This would not only get everyone involved and make us a more balanced team but also really get the crowd in the game.
E43
February 1st, 2010
7:13 am
many points to point out
1) the fans are chasing joe away. i dont think the fans in atl know that joe leaving leaves a big void to be filled either on the bench or on the floor. a guaranteed 15 points essentially is erased of the table and replaced with a question mark. many want joe gone but the only close to better or upgrades include kobe-wade-monta ellis-brandon roy-gil arenas*. the only upgrade to our team without loosing anywhere else is D-Wade via free agency. you can want joe gone but fact is no one will replace him. jamal crawford at best is not a 20 5 5 guard maybe 20 1reb 4
2)back to 1; if joe leaves knowing the chances of an upgrade are slim the hawks will resort to jamal crawford as a starter but who will take jamals place?
3)the new jersey nets are about to break a record with the departure of vc and its not a good record
4) do we even have a point guard that gets significant minutes? jeff teague vanishes and bibby goes to the bench early and is the last guard option in the 4th quarter.
5)bibby hasnt really played horrible and stats show that he has missed approx 1 more shot than he did last year average wise.
6)bibby defense may not be great but not much improves when hes out of the game unless mario west is in
7)back to 6 jeff teague is dependable deffesively… from the little ive seen.
8)theres alot of one on one with the hawks but fact is theres not a single point guard that gets his one on ones going or plays significant minutes to reduce the one on one. i cant be the only one that has seen increased one on one outside the sg position or namely joe
9)jamal was a 4 assist guard when he played 24mpg in chicago hes barely at 2apg 30mpg.
10)joe(18att/g) is the man. the only players(g) with less attempt avgs to score more points than are kevin martin and brandon roy at about 16 att/g. this teams offense will improve but it all depends either deploying point guards or jamal gettin that career 4.1 apg hes used to making. the future will handle itself but our best combination possible is already in our hands.
Dr. Warren
February 1st, 2010
7:34 am
Again, the only question that matters right now is how do we beat Orlando? If we don’t figure it out and/or do something, there’s a good chance we’re gonna lose in the quarterfinals.
JoBjo
February 1st, 2010
7:46 am
Do you think the Hawks will trade Joe before the trade deadline or risk losing him to free agency with no return on investment?
O'Brien
February 1st, 2010
7:48 am
Mark,
Although I agree with most of your article, there is one thing you forgot to mention.
I haven’t looked at the numbers, but I would not be surprised if these Hawks are scoring more points, and playing uptempo will provide them more shots. Plus Crawford probably takes more shots than Flip did, and Josh and Al might also be taking more shots too.
I’m just wondering if everybody (except Marvin and Bibby) is taking more shots because we have extra possessions.
FunkyBobbyJ
February 1st, 2010
8:06 am
You guys, Joe is a great player. No he is not D-Wade, LeBron, or Kobe – but considered a great player by his peers and other coaches. He is really solid on both sides of the ball. I have no doubt that he is doing what Woody wants him to do most of the time. The ISOs can produce ball movement if Joe is doubled, but like most of you I am really frustrated with the Hawks’ stop and stare offense as well as their uneven efforts. Anyone else noticing that Josh is hoisting a few more jumpers, that the starters are getting more tick, and the rookies not being developed? I think that it’s time for a coaching change. I think that Woody is not more than adequate. With adequate, we can take our chances elsewhere. I feel like we should be further along than we are. Good article MB – I think that the Hawks have the talent to be an elite team; they need a coach to take them to the next level – just not sure who that coach is (probably the one coaching the Bobcats).
Wordy
February 1st, 2010
8:09 am
Mark, I know the season is not over and the Hawks and JJ have alot of basketball to play, but realistically he aint coming back next year. Do you know of any free agents the Hawks are high on?
Iblameurparents
February 1st, 2010
8:21 am
I cringe at the iso because it is an antiquated concept put in to exploit mix matches. At the same time I realize you can not have it both ways. For years people have complained about JJ not being a true “superstar”, not having the right personality, not having the fire etc. but when he attempts to exert himself late in the game of which he did with success against Boston albeit awkward everyone complains about the iso. I would ask you to ask yourself this, if Crawford is being denied as he was late in the game against Boston who else would you have take the big shots? JS?, MW?,AH? Now I would ask you this, take JJ off and insert D Wade, Lebron, Kobe (three player we have little to no chance of getting I might add), deny JC at the end of the game and who do they kick out to if the defense collapses? Same difference, my only problem with JJ on the iso in contrast to the three aforementioned is he does not have that athletic explosion or burst that they have and it takes too long for him to get to his shot, he needs to go quicker. But do not tell me about his personality, chest pumping, technicals and standing on scorer tables have never been a prerequisite for championships. I will take his quiet confidence and focus any day. JS can give you all of that. Subtract JJ from this equation if you will and nothing will add up.
F-105 Thunderchief
February 1st, 2010
8:22 am
Excellent piece. In all fairness, the Betamax was a fine machine. But, then so was the Bell rotary phone.
Tremaine
February 1st, 2010
8:34 am
I would have no problem with the Iso-Joe if Joe Johnson passed the ball more. Its clear Marvin and Al have improved there jump shooting and Josh Smith is always cutting to the basket. He would not get double or triple team as much if he was making plays for everybody else. That is what separate Joe from the Kobe’s and Lebron’s. Also, is me or has Joe spot up shooting fell off in the past couple of seasons?
dap01
February 1st, 2010
8:36 am
Joe wanting the spotlight (contract year), Woody not knowing an offensive game plan, make for a perfect ISO Joe scenario.
Joe is an excellent player, he simply needs to help utilize the other good talented players on his team.
Besides, don’t you remember how worn out Joe was at the end of the year last year, he was flat in the playoffs. Come on Woody, Come on Joe!
atl teams fan
February 1st, 2010
8:37 am
Even though I don’t like it, he’s just running the play called(he does dribble with his head down,and no one ever cuts to the basket though). Mike Woodson is the problem. Why, with the roster we have,are we still playing a half court game,and not running more(ala lakers of the 80’s)? Play Jeff Teague a little more with Crawford,Joe,Josh and Al. Mo and Marvin would benefit more as well.Play Mike at the two sometimes and run him off some screens. Run Mo off of screens. We have four or five good shooters who we never run off screens in his beloved half court offense. I never see these things while watching the Hawks. All the switching on defense cause a lot of Matchup problems. We arn’t winning because of him,but in spite of him. COME ON MAN!
dap01
February 1st, 2010
8:40 am
Does anyone out there get the sinking feeling the Jeff Teague is slipping in the same direction as AC Law? Woody inspires no confidence in his ability to coach UP anyone.
Chef Mentuer
February 1st, 2010
8:44 am
GOOOOO SAINTSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 1st, 2010
8:52 am
I don’t think Iso-Joe is contract related, since he’s been doing it his entire time as a Hawk. I don’t think it’s always bad either — in the Celtics game I was OK with it in the 4th, because after he hit those first couple of tough shots, you could tell he was feeling it. I have no problem with feeding the hot hand, whether it’s Joe, Bibby, or Crawford. But let’s face it, if we had a coach who gave a sh-t about offense, we wouldn’t see so much Iso-Joe (or Iso-Crawford for that matter). As long as they continue to have no real offensive system, Joe will try to shoot himself out of a slump just like any other volume scorer. (Ask a 76ers fan how often AI did the same thing). Bottom line is it comes down to the system, and untIl Woody hires an offensive coordinator we’ll have to deal with it.
Najeh Davenpoop
February 1st, 2010
8:58 am
I agree with all of atl teams fan’s ideas, and I’ll add one more — give Josh and/or Al the ball in the high post and let them either create a shot for someone else or drive it to the hoop. This was a play the Kings used to run a lot with Chris Webber. I’ll repeat something I’ve said before — the Kings’ early 2000s offensive scheme under Rick Adelman would be ideal for these Hawks.
Steve
February 1st, 2010
9:17 am
They should call this month back to back month. The next 6 games are all back to back games. 8 games this month are back to back. We always struggle with those games.
Sautee
February 1st, 2010
9:17 am
Najeh,
I know you’ve heard me say “high-low” for a couple of years now.
Big co-sign
Ellis St. John
February 1st, 2010
9:27 am
I think it’s a fore gone conclusion that Joe Johnson is history after this season. The fact that he turned down the extension in the off season, coupled with his overall body language leads me to believe that he’s moving on to greener pastures.
That being said, I have compiled a list of unrestricted free agents that will be available this summer (minus Lebron and D-Wade, who we all know are not coming to Atlanta). Think we should target any of these guys? I’ve put stars by the guys I think make sense in a Hawks’ uniform.
Ray Allen**
Eddie House
Tony Battie
Rafer Alston
Jared Jeffreis**
David Lee**
Nate Robinson
Chris Bosh**
Michael Redd**
Luke Ridnour
Raja Bell
Derek Fisher
Shannon Brown**
Amar’e Stoudemire
Josh Howard**
Manu Ginobili**
There are of course several more guys that will be unrestricted. Should Rick Sund go after anyone on this list? What say you?
Alan
February 1st, 2010
9:33 am
I double checked the games played back to back for the year. The hawks play 44 games, more than half the schedule back to back or 22 times. The other top 3 teams in their conf are as follows
Cleveland 18 back to back times or 36 games. Orlando 19 times or 38 games. And boston the same as cleveland 18 times. This is no doubt an unfair disadvantage for the hawks to have to play 6-8 more games back to back than your competition. I can see this being a swing of 3-4 games. Which will likely keep us under orlando by season’s end.
Now you see em, now they burnt off!
February 1st, 2010
10:07 am
Are you trying to say Mr Potato Head doesn’t have a good offensive game plan?? Nonsense! The power of the eyebrows!!!!!
gabellhawk
February 1st, 2010
10:24 am
i like when joe shines,but i don’t like not trusting his fellow players,his moves should be first to get someone else open,other teams are scared when the hawks share,because they all can shoot.the team,when he’s in the me mode just don’t move.i hope the coach gets away from only joe can get it done.
hatfieldgeoff
February 1st, 2010
10:59 am
Mark, I couldn’t agree more. The whole offense just went stale against Orlando as the rest of team stood around while joe worked. And then later when they went to these guys they were cold and out of rhythym. On rare occaisions Joe one on one may be needed but not most of the time. The other problem I see, is calling plays for Josh Smith in the late going. An alley-oop, sure, but giving the ball to Josh at the top of the key and expecting him to make a moved to the hole or drop in a shot is a low percentage play. Perhaps he will develop those skills over the next few years, but right now he cannot finish unless it is a dunk. Other guys should get the ball in these situation and Josh should do what he does best, look for an opportunity for an offensive rebound and slam home any misses, or at least kick the ball back out to set up another play. Finally we are never going to beat Orlando until we get a true center to battle Dwight Howard. Horford is a great player but he is a power forward not a center.
THE FEELING
February 1st, 2010
10:59 am
I get the feeling when watching the Hawks still, and for a long time watching the Falcons that they are always on the verge of imploding at any moment . is it the coaches , the players , the city ? who knows but that thought is always in the back of my mind watching any game. True it is not there as much with the falcons anymore sure they still lose quite a bit but they battle thanks coach Smith.
I may have answered my own question the hawks need a coach ?
C-Webb-NoT.O.
February 1st, 2010
11:02 am
Joe’s style does not lend itself to passing. He does 1 of 2 things. 1 – tries to back in & out muscle. 2. tries to drive to within 3-6 feet by muscling & then shoots a floater. why not let him catch it in the post & then he can react to the double team. that would make a difference. He is not really given the opportunity to kick out. (only when he decides that he can’t get the shot.) Also, what does Woody have against screens & rolls – Bibby to JJ? And, why not a little high post action with Horford. He can pass & has a decent 10 footer. he has the quickness to spin & drive on his defender and the hands to pass to a cutter (ie J Smooth, Marv, etc).
PMC
February 1st, 2010
11:16 am
Vastly inconsistant player. Joe is frustrating becauase sometimes he’s awesome and then sometimes he’s just non existant.
falcon fan
February 1st, 2010
11:17 am
Right on Mark!!!
I’ve been saying this for awhile, and you cited the stats to prove it!!
hawks fan
February 1st, 2010
11:19 am
Good ideas C-Webb!!
jlewis
February 1st, 2010
11:28 am
People, D-Wade plays the same way, top of the key Iso, so does Lebron, walks it up, top of the key Iso, Kobe is in the triangle, the only one in a steady ball movement offense. You are all forgetting, Jamal Crawford is successful at the end of games because Joe is on the floor and Jamal gets to play ISO, he goes one on one or off the pick. I would like an answer to two questions Bradley, who on the Hawks can get their own shot? 2nd, who would you suggest the Hawks replace Joe Johnson with, you know Kobe, D-Wade and Lebron are not coming, let’s get some realism into this and not just create a problem and controversy, solve some for a change.
James
February 1st, 2010
11:45 am
Interesting, Mark. A lot of people have been saying this for a while–it’s good to see it in print. I like JJ and I want him back next year. We can’t get Wade, but based on how he acted during the playoffs last year, I don’t know if I want him anyway. It is a very positive thing for the Hawks to be contending without a superstar.
Now, on another note, one of the high points (only one?) against Orlando was little Mario West going up and grabbing a rebound from Dwight Howard, who has got to have 4 feet on the kid.
He plays with intensity, and you can tell he feels lucky to be back on the team. Good luck, Mario!
Ken Strickland
February 1st, 2010
11:49 am
NAJEH DAVENPOOP-one of these days you’re going to say something I can actually disagree with. You’re absolutely correct when you say Woodson doesn’t gave a you know what about OFF, because it shows. He won’t make a single move to improve his limited OFF, nor will he make any adjustments that will include or increase the OFF output of any other starter.
When we’re unable to run and get easy fastbreak baskets and the OFF boggs down, which happens far too often, Woodson just stands by with arms folded and allows Bibby and JJ and/or Crawford to become our OFF. If he had anything intelligent to offer, you’d think he’d make it an issue during timeouts. Yet, after calling a timeout and drawing whatever on his chalkboard, all we see is more ISO Joe, one on one Crawford and jumpshooting, nonpenetrating Bibby.
Any HC that has 3 players refusing to do what he wants done needs to be relieved of his coaching duties, because his key players are definitely no longer responding to him. I doubt very seriously if Woodson would be on board with hiring an OFF coordinator. He’d likely see it more as an insult and challenge to his authority than an overall benefit to the team.
What benefit can be derived from punishing and jumping down the throat of a young PG the moment he makes a mistake, while refusing to say one damned thing to a veteran player that repeatedly makes the same mistake while trying to go 1 on 5? How many times have we seen the starting 5 start out playing poorly and not get an early hook and we end up in an early hole. Then, if the bench manages to pull us back into the gm, we see them immediately pulled and the starters put back in.
Hiring an OFF coordinator won’t resolve the issues of limited strategy, adjustments, bench use and development of young players, expecially those that pose a threat to his beloved PG MBibby. Why not resolve most, if not all of our coaching issues, and save money to boot, by just hiring an all in one HC?
A Rod
February 1st, 2010
11:50 am
contract year for Joe so he’s trying to put up big numbers. thing is, crawford is better (especially under pressure, when joe likes to disappear). Hawks need to let joe walk, trade marvin williams (lol wont happen) and get a real center so you can move josh to sf and al to pf. Backcourt will be a problem with bibby since he cannot play defense but I say we throw teague in there. no way teage can be a worse defender than bibby, at least he’s taller. let woodson go too. he does not believe in double teaming the opposing team’s star. he did it last year against lebron and i never see DHoward with two guys on him either. they need to do what the lakers did: foul his ass. he cant hit free throws.
jmarable
February 1st, 2010
12:05 pm
i’ve said it b4 iso joe will b the death of this team.we need bibby 2 penertrate more,if he cant use teague more.look how other teams point guards break down the defense.when we iso joe ,there are no back door cutters or no one going down the lane.then a dish to jsmith 4 a wide open jumper,instead of driving to the hoop,he shoots that weak jumper.we dont go to the basket enough.where is jteague.give him more minutes to penertrate and break the defense down.im tired of m williams missing jumpers instead of driving.iso joe is getting old.
Vs5109
February 1st, 2010
12:27 pm
Spot on Mark!! And, I’m sorry, but this is Jamal Crawford’s team now. When he’s on the floor for the Hawks, he’s the best player with a bird across his chest. Iso-Joe (a much better nickname for him than my “Number 2″ as in sometimes he plays like crap) is very frustrating to watch at times. He’s a solid player, but NOT the superstar that I want with the ball when the game is on the line – that honor goes J. Crawford!!
NC Braves Fan
February 1st, 2010
1:09 pm
I’ve wondered lately, and a few others seem to be thinking, if there might be some sort of issue between Joe & Jamal. I thought the team’s response in terms of post-game quotes was pretty muted after Jamal hit that game winner against Phoenix the other week.
nique
February 1st, 2010
1:19 pm
Mark, great post as usual. I like Joe a lot, but bottom line is we’ll win more games regular and post-season if Joe dishes when the defense collapses on him. Bibby please retire.
No Woody for Me
February 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
I wish we had gone after Mike D’Antoni before the Knicks got him. Imagine this team with him running it. Now that would be fun to watch!
EW
February 1st, 2010
1:33 pm
One note about your assesment of the Boston Game MB… We had the assists going in the first half because we got out in transition. When the game got tight in the 4th and we got into running half court sets we didn’t look crisp at all ( could be that the rest of the team knew iso-joe’s plan to shoot or that we just aren’t that good of a team in a halfcourt offense). In the playoffs we will be exposed if we can’t execute our sets and move the ball. It may work sometimes to let Joe ice the game but it’s no way to survive a series.
Mark Bradley
February 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
Every team looks better when it runs, EW. Teams tend not to run late in the game because they get cautious.
EW
February 1st, 2010
1:55 pm
I also think Joe is catching a lot of flack because Bibby isn’t explosive enough to offer any dribble drive threat. When Joe and Bibby are on the floor I’d take Joe iso over whatever it is Bibby does anyday.. ..I mean look how often Jamal Crawford breaks down his man and gets that free throw line floater/runner. Bibby never does that! We can say all we want about iso-Joe but the real red flag is our point guard play. Again, going back to my earlier point, this will be exposed in the playoffs because we don’t do a good enough job in the half-court O. Someone needs to step up and run the show (Jeff Teague are you listening, you don’t even have to shoot….look at Rondo, he drives to pass 95% of the time and if Rasheed didn’t have one foot in the retirement home we would have got our butts kicked the other nite)
Jerrywest
February 1st, 2010
2:21 pm
This blog should get the Hawks Pulitzer Prize this season. The last season’s Pulitzer went to the article about Josh Smith’s awesome 3 pointers.
Strategically the worst part of Iso Joe is when we are down at the end of the game, Iso Joe eats up 20+ seconds. Even if the shot goes in, the waste of time still gives our opponent a huge advantage.
Joe>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jamal
but
Iso Jamal >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Iso Joe.
Dark Knight
February 1st, 2010
2:31 pm
I can’t believe what I am reading. For those of you that are hung up on numbers, the only numbers that matter 30 – 16. Hawks fans can’t remember the last time we have had such a record. Joe’s numbers are down? Who cares! What we need to focus on is supporting the winning team that we have. For those of you who believe in showing Joe the door, open your eyes. JJ remains the only top Free Agent signing of this franchise in the past 5 years. JC is a great addition, but I don’t remember him buying his own ticket to come to ATL (we traded for him). Before you run Joe out of town, you better make sure you can get something better in return. I’m going on record here and now, if Joe leaves town, I’ll never be at another Hawks game.
Dwayne
February 1st, 2010
2:33 pm
Bradley, did you see the Orlando game? We had a 10 point lead and Joe kept penetrating a dishing to wide open teammates, and they keep missing wide-open shots – Marvin & Bibby from the outside and of course Horford and Smith can’t score against dominate centers (Dwight Howard & Tim Duncan). Games like that we need iso-Joe & iso-Craw to win, point blank period. They are the only two who can consistently beat there man off the dribble and take and make tough shots. If both are in the game, one of them will be open. Can’t double both.
All I'm Saying Is...
February 1st, 2010
2:45 pm
JJ can’t win: during the playoffs last year, he was criticized for not taking enough shots especially during crunch time and now we get this blog saying he is going one-on-one too much.
Obviously, what is going on is that someone is putting JJ in this position and Bradley dances around it throughout the posting (with a couple of references to Bibby being on the bench during crunch time).
Why don’t you make your point plainly Bradley (Woodson needs to stop calling for JJ to go one-on-one) and then go and ask Woody if he is the one making this call or better yet, ask Woody why he sits Bibby during crunch time?
You might get an explanation for the former and we all know the explanation for the latter (Bibby is too much of a liability on defense and unable to dribble-drive and dish to make up for his jump shot making propensity).
As I have typed many time, the Hawks will not be able to beat Orlando or Cleveland without spreading the floor, running the floor, and use a three guard line-up to go uptempo.
LET’S GO HAWKS!
G-Money
February 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
Be careful what you ask for Joe you just might get it. You requested “Help” in the form of additional scoring, and overall better players. Now that you have received it, your tendency to take unwarranted shots has increased. Personally, if I were some of your teammates I would be very insulted. You banging the ball in the floor, and forcing shots through double and triple teams is in no way a better option than Crawford having a wide open jump shot, or Horford or Smith slashing to the basket for an open look at the rim. You should become subservient to team play and keep the ball moving, surprisingly enough it will come back to you.
DunwoodyHawk
February 1st, 2010
4:04 pm
I think Joe’s playing for a contract elsewhere, but … where? What contender — a contender with a better shot at the championship than Atlanta — has need or cap space for Joe? Spurs? Dallas?
I wonder if Sund wouldn’t be willing to let Joe walk, give Jamal his starting spot and bring in … Chris Paul? Isn’t his contract up as well? I always thought that Sund getting Jamal wasn’t just about upgrading over Flip — it was about giving him an insurance policy in the event Joe walked after this season. And if he can basically swap Joe for Chris Paul, then that’s a deal I’ll take. Paul will immediately make every player better with his passing — and his style of basketball will sell more seats than Iso-Joe does.
DunwoodyHawk
February 1st, 2010
4:08 pm
I also think Woody wanted the Magic win more than anyone. That would have given him the slot as All-Star coach — and I have to think he thought that would make it more difficult for Sund to let him walk after the season. Be just that much tougher to let the All-Star game coach walk…
O'Brien
February 1st, 2010
4:12 pm
Ken S,
The problem with letting Woody go is who do you bring in to replace him?
niremetal
February 1st, 2010
4:17 pm
Incredibly, I agree. I still wish you’d watch more of the regular season games, though.
My only quibble is that while JJ is shooting slightly more, that is partially because he has been getting slightly better looks this year (which is why his shooting percentage is the highest it’s been since ‘06-’07, the first year of the ISO-Joe era).
O'Brien
February 1st, 2010
4:25 pm
And to be fair to Woody, the Hawks are 30-16, and competing for the #2 spot in the East, despite spending $15-$20 mil less than the Cavs, Magic and Celtics.
Unless the Hawks fall apart in the playoffs, Woody will be back next year, and despite his shortcomings, its hard to argue with the results this year.
Mark Bradley
February 1st, 2010
4:42 pm
Woodson will be back next season — unless someone else makes him a nicer offer. And that could transpire, folks. He’s well regarded around the league.
AG
February 1st, 2010
4:47 pm
Mark great column. I did a little research. When Joe leads the team in scorings (or tied), the Hawks are 12-11,Crawford 11-6, Hortford 4-1, Smoove 3-2, Marvin 1-0, Evans 1-0. Looking at Hortford’s development, he should get more plays ran for him. Hortford should take at least 15 shots per game. If that happens, Joe will be more effective. Joe can carry the team when he is hot, but when he is cold the Hawks fate is sealed. I also notice a lot of games if a Hawk other than Joe scores three baskets in a row, he will not get a chance to score the forth. Many times Hortford is one- even Josh, but they go away from him.
MitchC
February 1st, 2010
5:00 pm
Mark, the way this team has played this year, it can reach the Eastern Finals, but one thing has to happen.
I think if we stay on course, we can beat anyone we face in the first round. The key will be who we face in the second round.
If Boston is our second round opponent, I think we can beat them. We’ve already done it three times, and even though I know you throw regular season out the window, the Hawks match up better with them now then they did in 2009 or 2008.
I think that if we run into Orlando, we will go down. We just dont seem to have an answer for them.
I’m also very concerned about how the team has played against Cleveland. Not well at all.
My guess, if we can avoid the Cavs or Magic until the Eastern Finals, we get there, and lose to one of the two. If something happens where we get one of those two in an earlier round, like the Eastern Semis, it will be over.
This is a good team, but I dont know if we are realistically in the elite three.. yet.. Boston looks bad now because of their slump, but two months is a long time to go yet.
dub366
February 1st, 2010
5:48 pm
It not JJ it Woody we need a coach to go to the next level. this been going on for a while now .Woody don’t have an offense . We got to much talent for this team to be playing like it is
BosnianBaller
February 1st, 2010
6:05 pm
RE-SIGN JOE JOHNSON
FORGET THE HATERS
Ken Strickland
February 1st, 2010
7:26 pm
OBRIEN-I’m not advocating we get rid of Woodson before the end of the season. It just wouldn’t be in the best interest of the team or his replacement. A new HC, even if promoted from within, would inherit Woodson’s limited halfcourt OFF system, a major part of the problem, and it’s too late to add a new OFF system.
EW-DITTO on recognizing Bibby as our major weakness. On OFF, teams know he’s only effective if he’s hitting his jumper, because his lack of speed, quickness and penetrating ability makes him extremely limited otherwise. Teams no longer fear him and they always use his man to double JJ or Crawford. On DEF, he presents an easy path to the basket, or an excellent mismatch when switched off on a bigger and/or stronger player.
We’ve had BIBBY LOVERS who claim Teagues lack of an effective jumpshot is the reason he’s not getting any consideration from Woodson. Y,et we hear absolutely nothing from them about MWest getting meaningful mins despite his awful looking, totally ineffective jumpshot. Everyone seems so enamored with his hustle and energy, but they’re getting more sizzle than steak.
The real reason he’s getting burn over Teague is because he poses absolutely no threat to making Bibby’s OFF/DEF limitations and recent poor play an issue for Woodson, and JTeague would if given a decent chance.
Blast
February 1st, 2010
8:07 pm
Joe is a ball hog, and his hoging has increased this year. The iso plays are not so bad if he is hitting his shots and going QUICK! That is the difference between iso Joe and iso Jamal. Jamal does not waste time. He is gone like a flash the moment he gets the ball. But Joe holds the ball, and seems to invite 2 more defenders to swarm him. When he sees he’s trapped, he reluctantly passes the ball to Josh, who has to put up a clanger with shot clock at zero. Lots of Joe’s turnovers happens when he tries to pass out of the double. He has better help now. It is so clear that Hawks play better when they share the ball. I’m so sick of yelling at my tv: PASS THE BALL, JOE!
The crazy thing is when Hawks move the ball around the arch and everyone touches it, by the time the ball swings back to Joe, he is usually open, and gets a wide open shot which he usually makes!
Love Joe and all, but he has to play with a better team concept. Blame Woody too for a not so stellar effort on offensive coaching.
ILL-logical
February 1st, 2010
8:09 pm
O’Brien
February 1st, 2010
4:12 pm
Ken S,
The problem with letting Woody go is who do you bring in to replace him
O’Brien
How about Larry Drew?
Ken Strickland
February 1st, 2010
10:34 pm
ILL-LOGICAL-Thanks for addressing the portion of OBRIEN’S response to me that I obviously missed. There’s no way anyone can believe Woodson is so unique and has done something so fantastic that it can’t be duplicated. There are those who still feel he did something fantastic by increasing team wins each yr he’s been the HC, although it couldn’t have been that hard when you start out at a near record 13wins.
Former GM BKnight should get as much of the credit, if not more, for drafting and trading for the core of this team, and current GM RSund should get credit for adding depth, versatility and experience to that core. It would be stupid to think their efforts weren’t a major contributing factor in Woodson’s ability to get the Hawks on the winning road. Just like it would be just as stupid to say Woodson had nothing to do with our successes. The concern now is the team seems to have progressed beyond Woodson’s ability to contribute enough to make itas good as it’s accumulative talent, experience, versatility and depth would indicate.
Bringing in a new HC with a concern and an IQ for OFF, an ability and willingness to make changes, adjustments and utilize strategy, as well as show an actual concern for the development of young players, would make this team head and shoulders above what it is right now and in the future.
cdog
February 1st, 2010
11:36 pm
three teams the hawks tuck their tails for, the majic, cavs and now, oklahoma city. rick sund, we need another BIG body who can contribute and help horford out. pachulia, joe smith,jason collins and randolph morris is not the answer.let break the losing to oklahoma city.the celtics, finally won so let’s not blow opportunities to pad the lead against them and the majic by being stupid at the GM position as well as the head coach.
cdog
February 1st, 2010
11:40 pm
IF THE HAWKS LET WOODSON GO, IT WILL BE BACK TO MEDIOCRETY AND LOSING ALL OVER AGAIN. RICK SUND SHOULD HAVE SIGN WOODSON ALREADY BY NOW.WOODSON HAS TRANSFORM THE HAWKS INTO A POWERHOSE TEAM.WE COULD BE LIKE NEW JERSEY, MILWAUKEE AND ALL OF THE OTHER LOSING NBA TEAM. WHY HAVEN’T WE GOT HIM SIGNED YET?
rusty
February 2nd, 2010
12:25 am
we need to resign woody like we all need a hole through our heads. with woody &jj going
we would have to get better.
Ken Strickland
February 2nd, 2010
2:11 am
CDOG-you obviously don’t realize how rediculous you sound at times. Tell me how many rebounds, points, blocks, steals and assists Woodson has accumulated over the last 6yrs? Unless he’s somehow been producing on the court, this team won’t revert back to its losing past without him, no matter how you try to fantasize it. As often as this team has won in spite of Woodson, they can certainly win without him.
With a new HC, we’d stand a far better chance of getting more production out of our bench, upgrading our PG position, installing an actual halfcourt OFF, employing strategy and making timely adjustments and changes. A new HC would definitely have enough intelligence to understand the importance and long range benefit of developing and getting production from our younger players as well.
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
5:42 am
I’ve never seen JJ take and make tough shots like he’s been doing this year. And this article was OBVIOUSLY written before the Orlando game, seeing that there’s no mention of that game. JJ played exactly how people wanted him to play in Orlando, by passing the ball and looking for his teammates, and the team flat out didn’t step up AT ALL. People hate Iso Joe, but how many games has ISO Joe won for us this year? Even in some of the games we lost, Iso Joe was the only thing going for this team.
The offensive strength of this team is having JJ with the ball in his hands, and either shooting or creating for others. His assists are down because Bibby, and especially Marvin, aren’t making jumpers.
He’s averaging 18.4 shots per game, but considering that he only gets to the FT line maybe twice a game ( 4 FTs ), means that he’s only actually shooting the ball maybe 20 times a game. His usage rate is less than the vast majority of lead guys around the league.
People want the offense to change, so that our less skilled offensive players get more shots? Even if they got better looks, they still may not make the shot, unless it’s at point blank range, like in the Orlando game.
I guess people want JJ to play like JJ Redick, instead of Kobe. Joe Johnson is one of the most skilled 2-guards in the league with the ball in his hands, yet, people want him to be a catch and shoot guy?
It’s amazing that people have a problem with our captain, simply because he’s looking to SCORE the basketball to help us win games, instead of trusting some of his teammates who don’t make open shots.
God forbid that he takes the mindset of the other stars in the league and tries to play like a superstar at times.
What’s not surprising, is that Mr. Bradley writes yet ANOTHER hater type article about the Hawks, despite their enjoying their best season in 13 years.
Here’s some facts for people:
* Al Horford is a good face-up shooter from midrange, but he is a slightly below average post scorer ( as seen vs Orlando and San Antonio ).
* Josh Smith’s post game is improving, but he’s still a slightly below average post scorer ( as seen vs San Anto.
* Marvin Williams has seemed to completely lost his midrange jumper, making him less effective than ever.
* Mike Bibby is in a slump shooting-wise, and is too slow to get to the rim with the ball.
* Marvin, Bibby, Horford, and Smoove are not good shot creators. All of those guys see over 60% of their field goal makes being assisted.
( yet people complain about ISO JJ, even though he’s just as likely to hit a tough shot, than those other guys will hit an open shot. )
A lot of you, including Mr. Bradley, just don’t pay attention to how NBA basketball is played and won on a high level. The most successful teams absolutely live and die with their star player. And they trust their star player to make the right decisions with the ball.
* Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford are the ONLY Hawks that can create their own shot at any time.
d.carter
February 2nd, 2010
9:33 am
Against teams like Orlando the hawks need to put Josh in the Pick and roll because he will give you a much more potent threat around the basket when he rolls, Let Al spot up for the 15 footer at the top of the circle trailing the roller (in this case JS).. We should be a constant pick and roll team like the SUNS… Also our helpside defense stinks.. Joe and AL are the worst help defenders in the NBA… Al never leaves his man to help and constantly watches as the opposition shoots unmolested dunks and layups…Joe is a good 1 on 1 defender but is like a fish out of water when it comes to help and recover defense…
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
11:18 am
d. carter, I’ll address your post first, because the following rant I’m about to go on is not about you. I’ll think I’ll save the rant for the next post.
But for the Hawks to run constantly run pick and roll against Orlando, you need 2 things:
1) a great penetrating PG who can get to the rim.
2) a big man who can finish in traffic when receiving the pass off the pick and roll
When Bibby is in the game, the 1st option goes out the window, because Bibby isn’t quick enough to get to the rim. With Teague, he’s definitely quick enough to run pick and roll, but he is having major difficulty finishing at the rim in traffic. So the only option is to run pick and roll with Crawford. Problem is, Crawford loves using the pick to set up his midrange jumper, which isn’t a bad thing, because it’s a shot he can make. But it defeats the purpose of running pick and roll, if the guard is looking for his own shot, rather than to set the big man up.
We can definitely do what you said. But the problem is the personnel. We don’t have Steve Nash running the point, and we don’t have a good finisher in traffic like Amare Stoudamire. LOL . . and we don’t have the plethora of shooters that surrounds Nash and Amare, for Nash to pass the ball to.
But I’ll tell you what the Magic would do in that situation, because I’ve seen them do it before. They would actually try to double the smaller ballhandler, with Nelson fighting through the pick, and Howard shadiing toward the ballhandler, to make any pass to the big man extremely difficult.
The teams that have been effective against Orlando, are the teams that can actually make Howard work as a post defender. And since Smith nor Horford are skilled enough post players to draw fouls against Howard, he gets to roam the lane on defense. Also, no one on this team looks to draw contact to get to the free throw line.
Against Orlando, we simply have to start making our open jumpshots, or simply give the ball to our star offensive players ( Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford ), and tell them to try to win the game offensively, while the others assume a lesser complimentary role.
Maybe the way for us to attack Orlando, is for JJ to take 25+ shots ( like other star players do at times ), and have Jamal take up to 20 shots as well. Then you instruct Smith and Horford to RELENTLESSLY crash the offensive boards, and try to get us 2nd chance shots. Cause the fact is that when Horford and Smith try to score against Howard, and they are unsuccessful, there’s no one to gobble up their missed shots.
bjrufino
February 2nd, 2010
11:31 am
if Joe leave ATL via free agency? (that I hope not) who will replace him at the starting lineup?
he is my favorite player among all! Joe is so cool and he’s the best
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
11:37 am
Now for my rant.
LOL . . I mean . . . don’t get me started on this.
It’s almost like some of you fans and a few sports media writers are trying to PURPOSELY run Joe Johnson out of town. We’re 30 – 16, and yet people constantly bash JJ and Woody, like they’re doing a C+ job this year. It’s amazing.
Could the offense be better? Of course it could. But normally, great offensive teams have great offensive players . . or at least one DOMINANT offensive player. Mike Woodson realized a long time ago, that in order for this team to win, they have to REBOUND AND DEFEND, before they do anything else. When we do that, it enables us to get into our running game. This makes Josh Smith a lethal threat on the offensive end. It also enables Horford to get out and run as well. The truth though, is that Smith is not a good halfcourt offensive scorer, and Horford is still a work in progress when he goes up against good defensive big men. So we need our running game to get going, to maximize the talents of our smallish and “not so rugged” frontcourt.
But I’m baffled at the criticism thrown JJ’s way these days. All of the names like “ball hog” and “selfish”. Yet, like I said, this is the best Hawk team in 13 years. JJ is a BIG REASON for that. And Jamal Crawford has been a tremendous addition as well. I know what the names are about though. People are still sore at JJ for turning down that extension. People are like (( gasp )) “how can he turn down 60 million dollars? Who does he think he is? He’s being SELFISH by turning down that money”.
No people. Joe Johnson made ( he hopes ) a wise business decision, to secure more years and more money. A decision that every other star player in the league who will be an unrestricted free agent has done this season. Yet, it’s Johnson that is viewed as “selfish” by our bandwagon-esque fan base.
And how about this Mr. Bradley. How about writing a piece saying how Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford may arguably be the most DANGEROUS DUO IN THE NBA? How many games have Joe and Jamal COLLECTIVELY won together? People are trying to create this Joe vs Jamal thing, but I’ve never heard anyone mention them as a duo. It’s always JJ is trying to outdo Jamal, instead of BOTH GUYS just doing what needs to be done to win the game. So I wonder why 95% of the fans, and none of the AJC sportswriters mentions these two as a duo?
Is it because people want Joe Johnson out of town?
That they love Jamal Crawford’s game so much, that they’d rather go with him as the leader of the Hawks ( even though the guy has been nothing more than an inefficient volume chucker when he’s forced to be the lead guy? Or I guess people have forgotten that already? Check Jamal’s career numbers if you don’t believe me. )
I don’t live in the Atlanta metro area, but I’ve been a fan of the Hawks since 1984. I remember watching the Hawks as a kid, when Ted Turner used to show all of their games on TBS. I remember all of the good times in watching this team, before the infamous JR Rider trade seemed to put us in the NBA Dungeon.
With all of the suffering that this franchise endured once the new Millennium got here, it’s strange to see the fan base ( and a few media writers ) actually complain about what looks to be one of the best Atlanta Hawks teams in franchise history. Is the memory of the 13-win season just a mere 6 years ago, that far gone? Is the fact we won only 37 games in a season as recent as 3 years ago, just a memory in the past?
The Hawks are still a work in progress. We’re a good team, but not a great team. People just need to be patient, and see if this team can really get things going. As tough of a January schedule that we had, no one is talking about the fact that we went 9 – 6 this month. No . . . the focus is on ISO-JJ, and how its supposedly not needed as much anymore. It may not be needed as much against the lesser teams, in which Smith and Horford have an advantage against their man. But it’s definitely needed when Smith and Horford go up against good defensive frontlines. At that point, the game must be put in Joe Johnson’s and Jamal Crawford’s hands.
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
12:19 pm
You want to know why JJ and Jamal should be viewed as a Dynamic Duo?
These are the combined point totals of JJ and Jamal in some of our wins this year vs current playoff caliber teams:
NOVEMBER GAMES
@ Portland – 47 points ( JJ – 19, Crawford – 27 )
vs Denver – 47 points ( JJ – 22, Crawford – 25 )
@ Boston – 42 points ( JJ – 24, Crawford – 18 )
vs Portland – 41 points ( JJ – 35 )
vs Miami – 40 points ( JJ – 30 )
vs Houston – 40 points ( JJ – 19, Crawford – 21 )
DECEMBER GAMES
@ Dallas – 37 points ( JJ – 31 )
vs Chicago – 41 points ( Crawford 29 )
vs Memphis – 38 points ( JJ – 26 )
JANUARY GAMES
@ Boston – 53 points ( JJ – 36, Crawford – 17 )
vs Phoenix – 40 points ( JJ – 19, Crawford – 21 )
vs Boston – 55 points ( JJ – 27, Crawford – 28 )
And this list doesn’t even include the games that we’ve lost in which JJ and/or Jamal have had huge games.
Johnson:
- 27 pts, 9 rebs @ Lakers in 3rd game of season
- 29 pts, 8 asst vs Knicks in early December
- 40 pts in mid December @ Chicago
- 35 pts in late December @ Cleveland ( in arguably his best game of the year ) . . the shot clock game
- 31 pts @ San Antonio about 6 days ago
- 19 pts, 7 assists @ Orlando last Saturday ( in a game in which he probably should’ve had 12 assists if not for Marvin and Crawford missing wide open jumpshots )
Crawford:
- 20 pts in late November @ Detroit
- 24 pts in late December @ Denver
- 26 pts in late December vs Cleveland
- 25 pts @ San Antonio 6 days ago
So instead of the fans trying to create storylines about how JJ is trying to outdo Jamal, how about viewing them as a Dynamic Duo?
It would be unfair to Jamal if JJ was called “Batman”, and Jamal was called “Robin”. This is more like a union between Iron Man ( Johnson ) and Green Lantern ( Crawford ).
Brotha J
February 2nd, 2010
1:38 pm
Joe’s lack of desire to go all the way to the cup is the only beef i have with his game. I feel the Hawks are better when the ISO goes through crawford for that specific reason. Crawford faces the Defense and his team in the ISO. where Joe may turn his back. And unless he is having a hot day…. Joe’s game is not that good when his back is to the basket.
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
1:47 pm
from AG:
“Mark great column. I did a little research. When Joe leads the team in scorings (or tied), the Hawks are 12-11,Crawford 11-6, Hortford 4-1, Smoove 3-2, Marvin 1-0, Evans 1-0. Looking at Hortford’s development, he should get more plays ran for him. Hortford should take at least 15 shots per game. If that happens, Joe will be more effective. Joe can carry the team when he is hot, but when he is cold the Hawks fate is sealed. I also notice a lot of games if a Hawk other than Joe scores three baskets in a row, he will not get a chance to score the forth. Many times Hortford is one- even Josh, but they go away from him.”
********
Mr. AG . . here’s a challenge for you. Go back again and SPECIFICALLY look at the games in which JJ has led the team in scoring in. Matter of fact, I have a little time . . . I’ll do it for you. And I’ll attack this from the standpoint of Horford’s production, since you’re an advocate of him getting more touches. If Josh Smith has a good game, I’ll mention him too. I’ll specifically look at the 11 losses the Hawks have had when JJ led the team in scoring:
LOL . . all I’m going to say, is that perception is sometimes NOT REALITY:
- Nov 1 @ Lakers: ( JJ – 27 points, 8 – 16 FG, 9 rebs ) . . . ( Horford: 3 – 8 FG, 6 pts . . Smith: 7 pts on 3 – 10 FG )
- Nov 6 @ Charlotte: ( JJ – 13 points, 5 – 12 FG ) . . . ( Horford: 4 – 9 FG, 10 pts . . Smith: 13 pts on 5 – 13 FG )
- Nov 26 vs Orlando: ( JJ – 22 points, 9 – 21 FG ) . . . ( Horford: 1 – 3 FG, 2 pts . . Smith: 13 pts on 6 – 17 FG )
- Dec 4 vs Knicks: ( JJ – 29 points, 12 – 24 FG . . also had 8 rebs and 8 assists ) . . . ( Horford: 5 – 11 FG, 17 pts & 14 rebs . . Smith: 10 pts on 4 – 8 FG )
(( LOL . . do you see a pattern developing? OK . . let’s continue. ))
- Dec 19 @ Chicago: ( JJ – 40 points, 16 – 32 FG ) . . . ( Horford: 6 – 10 FG, 15 pts & 12 rebs . . Smith: 8 pts on 2 – 12 FG )
- Dec 30 @ Cleveland: ( JJ – 35 points, 15 – 25 FG ) . . . ( Horford: 4 – 8 FG, 10 pts . . . Smith: 11 pts on 4 – 11 FG )
- Jan 1 vs Knicks: ( JJ – 28 points, 12 – 30 FG, 8 rebs, 5 asst ) . . . ( Horford: 11 – 14 FG, 22 pts & 19 rebs . . . Smith: 24 pts on 8 – 14 FG ) . . . . this is the Nate Robinson game
(( Still see the pattern? Let’s continue on. ))
- Jan 18 vs Thunder – ( JJ – 23 points, 10 – 23 FG ) . . . ( Horford: 6 – 12 FG, 13 pts . . . Smith: 18 pts on 6 – 11 FG )
- Jan 27 @ San Antonio – ( JJ – 31 points, 15 – 26 FG ) . . . ( Horford: 2- 10 FG, 4 pts . . . Smith: 14 pts on 3 – 9 FG )
- Jan 30 @ Orlando – ( JJ – 19 points, 8 – 16 FG ) . . . ( Horford: 2 – 7 FG, 4 pts . . . Smith: 16 pts on 6 – 13 FG )
(( So . . . did you see the pattern? Did you see it? ))
* JJ has had some MONSTER GAMES in our losses
* Horford excells against smaller frontlines
* Horford struggles against big frontlines
* Smith was either very good or very bad ( usually bad against the bigger teams )
Or, to drive the point home further . . .
In those 10 losses ( I counted 10 ) in which Joe Johnson has led us in scoring, he averaged 26.7 ppg and shot 110 – 225 ( 48.9% FG ) . . both totals well above his season averages.
In those 10 losses, Horford averaged 10.3 ppg and shot 44 – 92 ( 47.8% FG ) . . both well below his season averages.
Also in those 10 losses, Smith averaged 13.4 ppg and shot 47 – 118 ( 39.8% FG ) . . . with the FG% well below even his season career average.
But ISO-JJ and ISO-Crawford is such a horrible thing huh?
People better start REALLY watching these games, especially when we lose. When you see that JJ’s numbers are close to SUPERSTAR level in these losses, and the other guys numbers are way down, the proper blame needs to be placed on the complimentary guys.
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
2:20 pm
Brother J . . . I’ll agree with 1/2 of your point. The major weakness in JJ’s game ( the only thing keeping him from being a SUPERSTAR ), is his inability ( or unwillingness ) to draw fouls, especially when driving to the hole. The top level scorers in this league will drive to the basket at times, specifically to draw contact and go to the free throw line. Dominique used to LIVE at the line.
JJ doesn’t do that. He loves his floater in the lane. So he’d rather take an 8 foot floater going to the basket, than to go all the way to the hole and draw a foul. But he rarely draws contact on his floater. And even if he does, the refs don’t call it like they would a guy driving hard to the hole. If JJ could get to the line 6 – 8 times a game, the guy would average 25+ ppg and probably see some of those misses that are counted against him, be taken off the board . . thus, raising his overall shooting percentage.
Saying that Crawford goes all the way to the hole is another one of those peception vs reality things. Crawford averages 13.5 shots per game. And according to hoopdata.com , 2.7 of his shot attempts are at the rim. Another 1.2 are within 10 feet. So 20% of Crawford’s shots are at the rim, and if you add the 1.2 attempts within 10 feet, it means that 28.9% of Crawford’s shots are within 10 feet.
JJ averages 18.4 shots per game. And according to hoopdata.com, 3.5 of his shot attempts are at the rim. Another 3.4 of his attempts are within 10 feet. So 19% of JJ’s shots are at the rim, and if you add the shots within 10 feet, 37.5% of his shot attempts are within 10 feet.
What I wish JJ could “borrow” from Crawford, is his ability to draw fouls off of his jumper. Crawford is one the best I’ve ever seen in drawing a foul while shooting, especially while shooting long jumpers.
But the reality with Crawford . . . is that he LOVES his long jumper.
8.6 of his 13.5 shot attempts coming from 16 feet and beyond ( 63.7% of his shots ). JJ also loves the long jumper, but not as much. 9.7 of his 18.4 shot attempts come from 16 feet and out ( 52.7% of his shots )
northcyde
February 2nd, 2010
2:30 pm
When this is all said and done, JJ could very well be a 3rd team All-NBA selection this year, if the Hawks continue to do well. But people don’t even realize that.
1st team will be Wade and Kobe
2nd team may be Nash and Roy
and that 3rd team may very well be Rondo ( or Deron Williams ) and JJ
Some of you are so wrapped up in this “I Hate Woody’s Offense” and the “JJ vs Jamal” campaign, that you’re not even realizing that your Captain is having an All-NBA caliber season. If we win 55+ games, JJ will even get a few MVP votes.
don
February 2nd, 2010
5:24 pm
@ northcyde i agree with the numbers that joe is putting up but joe is a selfish player in my opinion. He doesn’t pass the ball to make those guys get easier shots. He suppose to be the facilitator but when a player holds the ball for 20 secs. of the 24 shot clock and nobody else touches the ball unless he has no other choice but to pass it to them with maybe 3 seconds on the shot clock yea i guess they would shoot bad percentages being rushed. Josh is a scrappy player who hustles and has improved on his rebounding. He needs the fast past game for his offense to be affective. Marvin i really think he hasn’t completly got his swagg back from that wrist injury last season. Marvin will be the key to how far we go into the playoffs. Joe and Jamal will continue to score but Marvin will be the guy to come through when they’re having off nights.
The Hawks need to look to get into the superstar chase with Lebron and Wade i think thats what we need to WIN a championship! These two guys are FACILITATORS they will put us over the hump and Atlanta is a good city and i think we need to make that push. If we can offer Joe 15 mil. than we have enough to bring one of these guys in and guess what? THEY ARE FREE AGENTS AFTER THIS YEAR WOW! HOW LUCKY ARE WE! GM FOR THE HAWKS LETS GET IT!
don
February 2nd, 2010
5:30 pm
HA HA
don
February 2nd, 2010
5:32 pm
Joe out wade or lebron in the atl 2010-11 season= NBA Championship for the Atlanta Hawks!
northcyde
February 3rd, 2010
2:22 am
Don . . first off, we can’t offer Lebron or Wade big money because we won’t be far enough under the salary cap, even if we let JJ walk next summer. The reason why we can offer JJ big money, is because we own his Bird Rights. If you don’t know what that is, please Google it to see for yourself what it is.
Second, all JJ does is get guys easy shots for other guys, because the opponent is almost solely focused on JJ ( and Crawford, if he’s in the game ). He got a ton of open looks for guys in that Orlando game, but they missed a plethora of shots. When JJ gets doubled, and he swings the ball to Marvin or Bibby, they are wide open. When you see JJ hold the ball like that, it’s to either draw the double team so he can find the open man, or is to size his man up, to take the shot.
People keep calling this guy “selfish”, but he leads the Hawks in assists . . and has done that for 4 out of the 5 years he’s been here. He is our best offensive option, so he should look for his own shot. That’s not being selfish. That’s playing your role as the main scorer on a basketball team.
If JJ is selfish, then Kevin Durant is extremely selfish, because he takes 20 shots a game and only averages 3 assists.
Once again, JJ has a MONSTER GAME ON THE ROAD. 37 points on 13 – 20 shooting . . . at one point, he made 11 out of 12 shots in the 3rd and 4th quarters. But the Hawks didn’t secure defensive rebounds, and let Russell Westbrook look like Dennis Rodman, so they lost.
Mr. ISO-JJ more than did his job tonight.
NASH
February 3rd, 2010
10:53 am
the hawkare a solid team and Joe does something that very few stars in this league. He guarde the other teams best player the thing that is kill the hawks right now is one they don’t get anything from the 3 spot at all and two they need a 4 or a 5 that comes off the bench and can give them 10 pt and acouple rebs everynight
Tweets that mention The Hawks have options now, but they still rely on Iso-Joe | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
February 3rd, 2010
1:54 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Scott Freeman. Scott Freeman said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC The Atlanta Hawks have options, but they still rely on Iso-Joe. http://bit.ly/cm2UQv .. JJ ain't MJ. iso=no imagination. [...]
Tweets that mention The Hawks have options now, but they still rely on Iso-Joe | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
February 3rd, 2010
2:50 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Michael A. Giarrusso and ReidAdair, S Dot Gilley. S Dot Gilley said: Preach Mr. Bradley!! RT @MarkBradleyAJC The Hawks have options now, but they still rely on Iso-Joe http://bit.ly/9AqTU2 [...]
northcyde
February 3rd, 2010
3:27 pm
You can post all of those tweets from your colleagues all you want. The numbers speak for themselves. JJ is having SUPERSTAR-LIKE games on the road, but the Hawks still lose them because the complimentary players aren’t doing their jobs.
Coach Woodson is proven right on nights like last night. We lose because we don’t 1) REBOUND and 2) DEFEND. As he said in the Slam Magazine article . . he doesn’t give a (( blank )) about the offense, because he knows the Hawks usually lose games when they don’t rebound and defend.
JJ may not be MJ . . . but he’s arguably one of the top 5 ISO players in this league today. And when you have players who aren’t real good halfcourt offensive players, or players who are streaky shooters, you’re better off running ISO-JJ and ISO-Crawford at times.
As ESPN routinely says . . . JJ is the quietest superstar in the league. But the dude doesn’t get the credit he deserves, especially in the city of Atlanta, who would rather root for “flash” type players, than “fundamentally sound” type players.
“Flash” ain’t ever won the people in Atlanta anything.
Eric C.
February 3rd, 2010
3:58 pm
I agree Mark…great article!
The Flash
February 3rd, 2010
7:10 pm
I have disliked ISO JJ from the beginning. If I were going to ISO anyone, it would be Crawford, who can and does get inside the defense almost at will, and sees the floor well. Will give it up to someone open with a good look. I blame this on Woody, who has been wedded to this JJ thing from the beginning to the detriment of the offensive attack of the team, in my opinion.
George Wallace
February 3rd, 2010
7:13 pm
Otherwise shoot me and don’t forget the t-shirt.
George Wallace
February 3rd, 2010
7:22 pm
Roll Tide.
northcyde
February 4th, 2010
2:45 am
Some of you still don’t get it I see.
JJ: 11 – 21 FGs. . . 9 – 10 FTs . . 34 points
And ISO-JJ was BRILLIANT down the stretch of the game, with JJ getting layups in the 4th quarter. And Crawford did his job, especially in that 3rd quarter, to help get us back in the game.
56 COMBINED POINTS BETWEEN JJ AND CRAWFORD TONIGHT . . . They’re becoming a lethal combination. Now, all we need is for our young guys to do their jobs defensively and on the boards. Write about how they’re a great combination Mr. Bradley.
JJ’s last 5 games:
29.8 ppg
4.2 rebs
3.4 asst
54.3% FG
52.4% 3FG
92% FT
Those are SUPERSTAR numbers folks.
RESPECT YOUR CAPTAIN, HAWKS FANS!!
hawkfan
February 4th, 2010
12:27 pm
Joe Johnson is NOT the problem. Anyone who remotely plays, watches, and undertands basketball on a consistent basis knows it. He is a borderline superstar player with great size and excellent 1-on-1 scoring ability, a solid defender, and above all, a professional who works hard every night. If he leaves the Hawks WILL NOT be a better team, unless by some miracle they manage to bring in Wade, Lebron, C PAUL, or Kobe, which more than likely WONT HAPPEN.
ISO-Joe is caused by WOODSON and his LACK OF HALF-COURT OFFENSE. He is a limited coach who prides himself only defense and yet the team still struggles to defend on a consistent basis. Let’s please get rid of him. I dont care if MB says “he is well regarded around the league”
HAHAHA … are you kidding me? I am glad if that is true that way somebody else offers him a lucrative contract.
The Hawks constant improvement record-wise is a result of the development of their draft picks, primarily JSmith, Horford, and MWilliams, and then the additions made by the GMs (Joe, Jamal, Bibby).
But consider this: If a 12 year old basketball player with great skill practices really hard every day with his dad for 3, 4, 5 years, dont you think that player would improve? Of course he would! That doesnt mean his dad would be the best HC or even be a HC. My point is that when starting from almost zero (i,e 13-69), improvement is the only logical trend if you keep the same player(s), assuming hard work and sacrifice are involved. This is why I think nobody should over rate Woodson’s record improvement.
former hawkfan
February 4th, 2010
12:36 pm
J Johnson is NOT the problem. Anyone who remotely plays, watches, and undertands basketball on a consistent basis knows it. He is a borderline superstar player with great size and excellent 1-on-1 scoring ability, a solid defender, and above all, a professional who works hard every night. If he leaves the Hawks WILL NOT be a better team, unless by some miracle they manage to bring in Wade, Lebron, CPAUL, or Kobe, which more than likely WONT HAPPEN.
ISO-Joe is caused by WOODSON and his LACK OF HALF-COURT OFF. He is a sub-par coach who prides himself only defense, and yet the team still struggles to defend on a consistent basis. Let’s please GET RID OF HIM. I dont care if MB says “he is well regarded around the league”
HAHAHA … are you kidding me? I am glad if that is true, that way some other sucker offers him a big contract.
The Hawks constant improvement record-wise is a result of the development of their draft picks, primarily JSmith, Horford, and MWilliams, and then the additions made by the GMs (Joe, Jamal, Bibby).
But consider this: If a 12 year old basketball player with great skill practices really hard every day with his dad for 3, 4, 5 years, dont you think that player would improve? Of course he would! That doesnt mean his dad would be the best HC or even be a HC. My point is that when starting from almost zero (i.e 13-69), improvement is the only logical trend if you keep the same player(s), assuming hard work and sacrifice are involved. This is why I think nobody should over rate Woodson’s record improvement.
albrolin
February 4th, 2010
1:14 pm
Bibby and William needs to go(PHX- so bibby can retire at home) . Go after the other bigs out there Bosh and Amar’e Stoudemire and add to the main four Smith,Joe, Crawford and Harford. That five can beat anybody in the nba on any give day. If the coach can not win with that then he needs to go.
northcyde
February 4th, 2010
1:46 pm
albrolin . . . we could definitely use another big man.
One of the gross misconceptions around the league ( especially amongst the sportswriters who only remember the preseason press clippings of the Hawks ), is that we have a “great bench”.
In reality, this bench, outside of Jamal Crawford, has played pretty bad this year. It’s gotten to the point to where Woody can’t even trust the guys that has been with him for a while ( namely Zaza ). Evans’ play is worse than last year. Joe Smith is just too old to give consistent production on a nightly basis. Collins definitely can’t be dependent to give you production on a nightly basis. And Teague simply isn’t ready, mainly due to the fact that he can’t make midrange jumpshots and layups in traffic.
So it would be nice to get another big man. We may not even need a star caliber big man like an Amare or a Bosh to stabilize this rebounding thing. Even a lesser player like a Ben Wallace coming off the bench, may do the trick.
The Flash
February 4th, 2010
3:22 pm
I agree that the problem is basically Woodson, but I also think that JJ’s style is to occupy the ball way too much. I far from confident that he’ll ever alter that style, which might well make him less attractive as a free agent than you’d expect based upon his other considerable talents.
In other words, you put him on the Lakers instead of Kobe and I’m far from sure the Triangle works. While in the abstract one would think that the Lakers would still be the power out West with JJ instead of Kobe, I doubt it. I do not think that the Zen Master could get through to him.
Why do I say this? Why was he left off the Olympic squad and, if he tries, I believe he’d be left off again.
I think that Lebron is freer to give up the ball than JJ, which is saying something.
That is not to say that I think that the Hawks can improve if they let JJ get away. If they were to land Bosh (the others I don’t see as a viable chance), then I’d let him go in a heart beat. Otherwise, I think that you have to stick with him, and hope that a coach with a more engaging approach to the half-court game will catch JJ’s imagination. If the latter were to happen, and JJ would give up the reigns some, this team’s upside could improve dramatically, in my opinion.
northcyde
February 4th, 2010
10:29 pm
We don’t have a chance to land Bosh either, unless we do a sign and trade. When we made the move to get Crawford, that was our big move. He’s panned out very well, and the addition should help us in the playoffs, when the games get extremely tight and loosly-called.
At that point, 2 good ISO players like JJ and Crawford are going to come up big for us.
It’s funny. People ( including myself ) thought JJ played way too passive in last year’s playoffs, with the way he was deferring to people. This year, he’s selfish . . . lol . . . even though his shot attempts are up only .5 a game and he’s shooting 3% points higher from the field.
The JJ you see now, is the JJ we’re going to need show up in the playoffs. Those other guys, outside of Crawford, do not have the offensive skills to be counted on as a vital scorer in playoff basketball. So the stars must step up to the challenge and take the shots.
oaktown
February 5th, 2010
6:48 am
snap– when Hawks were winning 13 games folks love Joe — now look at this Joe hate– All I have to say is 20-5-5 — there are few people who average those numbers like Joe– and tho he may hold on the ball a little two much — he still has great assist numbers– always– Yall are spoiled– I am from Oakland where we have to watch Nellie play 4 guards and a power forward all night– The Warriors would love Joe– shoot he would play Center for us– Ha
JJFAN
February 5th, 2010
4:59 pm
from AG:
“Mark great column. I did a little research. When Joe leads the team in scorings (or tied), the Hawks are 12-11,Crawford 11-6, Hortford 4-1, Smoove 3-2, Marvin 1-0, Evans 1-0.
This was some lazy and bogus research, especially if you consider the fact that when we were winning big, the starters, specifically Joe would sit out the entire 4th quarter.
lj
February 5th, 2010
8:54 pm
wade lebron Kobe bosh handle’s the ball to much and of coarse Jamal is playing outstanding ball but if got as much pressure as Joe does you’ll see the same mistakes from Jamal. Marvin and Bibby needs to play anyway nothing wrong with putting yourself out on the market i say get Joe and Jamal back next season trade Marvin Bibby Zaza and try to get Chris k. from the clippers brook lopez….doubt wade lebron will come to Atlanta maybe melo or bosh
lj
February 5th, 2010
9:15 pm
get back to reality name a 2 guard better than him other than wade THAT’S ON THE MARKET!!!!..lol..if we had Chris Paul we wouldn’t be talking about this.LOOK…trade marvin and bibby AND ZAZA!!!! lol for Danny Granger
killa bee
February 6th, 2010
2:25 pm
I was at the Cleveland game in the House of Lebron, and I was quite upset afterwards at the outcome of the game. We were up by 17 (i think) in the 3rd quarter but still lost the game.
Joe was hitting big shot after big shot, Bibby was draining 3’s, we were moving the ball and our dynamic frontcourt was doing their thing of rebounding and getting easy hoops in the lane.
And then it all stopped. Iso Joe started missing shots. Crawford started missing shots. Lebron got all the foul calls. I blame Woody for the loss:
1) Playing Bibby, Crawford at the end instead of Marvin kills us on defense – which allowed guys like Anderson Verajao to get offensive rebounds and make that open 3.
2) On offense, I don’t mind Joe or Crawford taking the shot, but at least move the ball around for the best high percentage shot. The inside outside game that gave us the huge 17 point lead was nowhere to be found.
3) Instead of focusing on moving the ball and playing good D, Woody started yelling at the refs (albeit he had beef to b/c of the shot clock issue). But because of this so did Josh Smith and others and our composure totally fell apart.
In order to hang with Cleveland and Orlando, and the Lakers even, we need to be able to get to the line more. Right now, the only way to do that is with a quick PG. Why not play Teague more?
Keep Joe, play Teague more, run, run, and run some more. Get another strong perimeter or post defender and we can and will win our first NBA title.
Obviously, Woody has shown no ability to do this, so bring in someone who understands that our strength is in our ability to run and give open looks to our good shooters.
HAWKS FAN
February 6th, 2010
7:59 pm
KEEP JOE JOHNSON!!! WHY MESS UP THIS GOOD TEAM WE GOT NOW
Say Joe Johnson leaves the Hawks. You OK with that? | Mark Bradley
February 26th, 2010
3:21 pm
[...] has been, I submit, something of a Joe Backlash this season. (I’ve contributed to it, I’ll admit.) The Hawks’ best player has been scrutinized in a way he hasn’t [...]