After an egregious loss, we ask: Have the Hawks hit a wall?

Bradley hits joe in his post and in his several comments. Always bashing joe but not a damn word to stay about the idiotic shot josh took with more than 9 seconds left on the clock, or the fact that joe was the ONLY one hitting shots down the stretch.

HATER AND A FOOL. That’ bradley for u.

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Are u kidding me? We lost to Golden State? Wow is all i can say. Bibby, Marvin, and zaza simply need to put up more pts if the hawks want to win the southeast division. As for Jamal… shame on him a technical with 30 secs left. Careless, simply careless!

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Sautee –, damn good point about Horford being the second best center on the All-Star. My However, I think the point half the people are trying to make is that Horford is not a true center. Offensively, I really don’t have a problem with Horford at center, especially in the East. But defensively, looking towards the playoffs, Horford is not the ideal situation. The most ideal situation would be to have either a taller person that can block shots straight up or a bigger person that can clog the lane. All championship teams have this type of center and you can not deny this. You can not honestly tell me that you can see the Hawks getting past Orlando with Dwight Howard at center or even Shaq. Especially when you consider the fact that Bibby can not stop anyone from penetrating. Again, no one is saying that Horford is a bad option at center, what I am saying however is that the Hawks will never go past the 2nd round of the playoff if they think they can use him as a center. At least not with their current team. Do you remember how beat up Horford was at the end of last season. Horford being voted as the second best center in the East is just as much as testimate to the lack of big men in the East. He sure would have not been put over Tim Duncan, Stoudumire, Marc Gasol. And going back to the East if you want to consider David Lee a center, (same size as Horford), production wise Horford is no where close to David Lee. Again, I am not taking anything away from Horford. I’m just tired of the Hawks settling on using him that way, when we would probably score 17 or 18 points a game if he was match up against other PF.

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Did Mike Woodson attend a coach’s clinic held by Paul Hewitt last week? His offense looks similar to what is ran on the flatts. Watch the guy with the ball dribble until he has no where to go or nothing to do but put a poor shot. Way too many black holes on this team. Hawks moto “I need me to mine frist screw the rest of you.” Even Al Horford has caught this attitude.

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ELMER FUDD SHOOTS BETTER AND MORE CONSISTENTLY THAN ISO-JOE

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Am I the only one that thinks Woody needs to keep Teague in the game more than he does so he can keep pushing the offensive tempo?

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here

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sorry but this team maybe will go to the second round i said maybe.

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Marvin Williams is a bust. Mike Bibby is washed-up. Besides Crawford, the bench isn’t good enough. Don’t blame Woodson for not using the bench, it sucks.

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Mark, I have been saying the same thing with each blog…the Hawks need a big man. It really does not matter what Perkins is to Boston, because he fits their program. We do not even have a big guy to effectively bang against Shaq and Howard. That is the issue. Horford is holding down the 5 remarkably considering his size. Tim from EP is correct about him giving up a lot of pounds down low. I have said this repeatedly. Not only that, the Hawks are having a problem stopping penetration, i.e. Stephen Currie, Montae Ellis. The Hawks have 2 choices: 1) grab a center, or 2) keep the current team and hope to get lucky with the matchups during the playoffs. Also, maybe they should start Pachulia, and put Marvin on the bench. Surely, Morris and Collins can bang up enough teams in the middle coming off the bench. If not, why are they there? Let’s Go Hawks…come on man!

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I wish people would stop telling the lie about us having a decent bench. Please . . . just stop.

I said on one of the Hawks blogs back in early January that NONE of our guys 7 – 12 would be a main rotational player on ANY of the current playoff teams. I’m talking about Zaza, Evans, Teague, Joe Smith, Collins West, and Morris. Not a single one of those guys could get playing time on one of the other 15 current playoff teams.

That’s how weak our bench is.

Just go through the box scores of past games, and look at the +/- numbers of our bench players. They almost ALWAYS post a negative number . . . even if we win.

Zaza was flat out horrible last night. And honestly, with him being a big man, we need for him to play somewhat decent.

Crawford had his worst 4th quarter ( offensively and defensively ) of the year. He took 9 threes ( missed 6 . . . including a big one he received from a JJ pass in the corner ).

Teague actually played well, especially at the end of the 3rd. But when everything started to fall apart, Woody subbed Teague for JJ.

Mario is Mario. No offense . . . while tries to play defense.

So I guess now we lost because Woody didn’t play Joe Smith or Mo Evans? Is that the reason now? Those guys have played sorry most of the year too ( especially Evans ). Evans has played so bad, that even the people that wat Marvin benched, don’t even cal for Evans taking his place.

This bench is sorry folks. If we played the bench more, we’d actually lose more games. But we have to play at least SOME of them. So if we can’t get expected production out of at least our 6th, 7th, and 8th men, it forces the starters ( mainly JJ ) to do that much more extra work.

We need 2 other guys on that bench, besides Crawford, to STEP UP and give us CONSISTENT play off the bench. One of them has to be a big man. The other has to be a guard. I don’t care which one it is . . . it needs to happen in order for Woody to properly play an 8 – 9 man rotation, without the team suffering.

Because last night, the minute JJ went to the bench to start the 4th, was the moment everything started coming apart. Meanwhile, the 3 bench guys of Golden St. ( Watson, Hunter, and Morrow ) were the ones who scored 13 of the first 15 points in the 4th quarter for Golden State.

And it’s been happening ALL YEAR, with the opposing team’s bench outplaying our bench and even some of our starters.

Check the game logs and the box scores. You’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

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Longwinded to say the least. Broken down in section for the sake of your eyes…

Last night’s loss was one of the most frustrating in years. In spite of that, the Hawks remain an above-average team, but not much more than that. We have a lot of things going for us, but there are a host of deficiencies this team must address to take the next step, and a lot of it starts with leadership and lately, focus. Let’s start at the top:

The ASG-

These guys have been notorious for infighting ever since the whole Belkin dilemma, and it’s never been viewed as a good thing to have an ownership by committee. The Gearons seem to be the only members committed to providing a winning atmosphere in Atlanta, and that often goes hand in hand with getting support for the local team from the community, which has been paltry at best. It may seem contrite, but it is inexcusable that the Hawks’ only radio broadcast is on 790, a station that pretty much kills its bandwith after dusk. I live in the city limits and I can only pick up a scratchy reception. We’ve got some of the most enjoyable homer commentators around (Rathbun and Holman), but one of them is restricted to catering to an audience of about 1,000. Can we not get onboard with V-103? Ryno as a PA announcer is one of the few things the ASG has going for it in the way of garnering fan support. Last night was Exhibit A: a team with 15 wins has an arena twice as full and as raucous as any typically listless Philips crowd. We are a good team, and I’m sick of people coming out only to watch the guys on the other team play (i.e. LbJ, Kobe). Either way, it is evident that putting a winning team on the court (or on the rink) is a secondary concern to the entire ownership.

Sund-

This guy appears to know what he’s doing, but it’s a tall order to make what many would call genius moves, given what he’s got to work with (see above). The importance of acquiring Jamal in the offseason cannot be overstated, and nobody questioned the resignings of a few core players over the summer. Depth in the frontcourt is a constant concern, and Ilgauskas would definitely provide some extra interior presence (but of course, we’re not gonna get him because David Stern is going to do everything in his power to help his newest Crown Jewel aka King James make it to the Finals), not to mention invaluable insight on one of our chief conference foes.

Woody-

Like most people on this message board, I don’t agree that he is much of a coach in the way of X’s and O’s (nor does he do much from a motivational standpoint). That being said, it’s pretty tough to support firing a coach who has improved the team’s win total every year he’s been here. Our continuity as a team is what has gotten us here, and I like to think there’s nobody out there who knows the strengths and weaknesses of our core players better (although I question this often). This is where the issue with hitting the ceiling comes in. Woody seems like the only adjustments he is capable of making are follicly related. I can’t count how many times the Hawks have made a brainless error, and the camera cuts to Woody, arms folded with a dumbfounded stare on his face, saying absolutely nothing. We almost never have successful offensive trips on inbounds after timeouts, and our patterns of play are far too predictable, allowing any coach in the league to make the necessary adjustments after a little scouting. If we get bounced in the first round or have a second round showing similar to last year, you gotta think he’s on the outs…

Joe-

Personally, I don’t think there’s any question he’s still the best player on this team. He has the ability to create for himself, and his defensive prowess (and willingness) is often overlooked, especially with how much we ask out of him on the offensive end. The gripe on Joe remains his lack of vocal leadership. How much did his bashfulness stand out amongst every other (household name) starter in the Allstar game? He seems uncomfortable as a leader; like he is waiting for someone else to assert himself. It is his prerogative (and clearly in his nature) to remain silent at times when the team hits lulls, but if he wants us to advance any further than the experts are prognosticating, he’s got to come out of his shell and say something to get the team fired up every once in a while. It might be out of character for him, but he has to look at himself and ask why a gap still exists between himself and the superelite players in the league. There are times when it looks like he is about to break through, but he gets fired up and internalizes his emotions, resulting in him trying to take the game over on the offensive end. His teammates look up to him, and I’d like to think they would respond to the call if he got in their faces every once in a while.

Smoov-

I don’t list him ahead of Al solely because of his tenure; his attitude is a microcosm of the team’s state. When he is focused, playing within himself, and hustling night in and night out, the Hawks are playing their best basketball. When he doesn’t get a few calls, starts dribbling too much, hoists jump shots as the entire arena groans, his defense suffers, his attitude sours, and the team becomes infected with a false sense of being wronged in some way. Josh’s scowl is as telling as Woody’s Terri Schiavo stare, when it comes to identifying the state of the team in a snapshot. He is one of the most athletic players in the league, and when he harnesses his talents, he is capable of playing with anybody. As things stand now, he is the Andruw Jones of the Hawks: limitless defensive abilities, vast offensive potential, a questionable work ethic and a tendency to go for the home run at inopportune moments. Another parallel- Andruw’s strikeouts to Josh’s free throw woes.

Al-

Nobody on this team puts in a greater effort on a consistent basis more than Horford. Any scout in the league will tell you he’s gotten where he is now (an All-star) by outhustling his man and tirelessly honing the skills he’s been given. I’m increasingly impressed with the improvements of his offensive game. His jump shot gets better with each game, and he adds a move to his offensive repertoire every month. It is obvious he puts in work in the offseason and in practice, and he is emerging as the vocal leader I have long wished Joe would become. With a work ethic like his, the sky is the limit for Al, and he is the one player on our roster that I believe is truly indispensable.

The Bibbster-

Mike Bibby was the reason we made the playoffs two years ago. That was two years ago. He is not the same player he once was, but I don’t understand why he still hesitates to take open jump shots, as he is our third best shooter (behind two outstanding ones), and Joe is constantly double-teamed by his man, leaving him open for a kick-out three on the perimeter. His defense has become his achilles heel, as his age shows when younger, quicker guards beat him to the basket. As much as we abuse Joe minutes-wise, Bibby would benefit more than anybody from a reduced role. We need a healthy, rested Bibby as much as we need anybody in the playoffs, not to mention the betterment it would provide both Jeff Teague and the rest of the team if he were to get more reps with the first unit. His value to the team these days doesn’t extend much beyond his playoff experience and his shooting ability (which is restricted now to wide open looks off passes), but both are crucial.

Marvin-

Okay, so Marvin was picked a little too high at No. 2 overall a few years back (a little?!?!?!). We drafted him based purely on upside; he wasn’t even a starter at UNC. Needless to say, the pick hasn’t materialized the way management had hoped, but even more disheartening to see is how Marvin has regressed based on improvements he made before last year. He’s less confident with his jumpers, maybe because he gets less looks, and his defensive game sags when he struggles on offense, a trait that the whole team is frequently guilty of adopting. Marvin is still a young and athletic basketball talent (23), but his lack of confidence this year has affected too many assets of his game. More than anybody Woody needs to light a fire under Marv’s butt (doubtful) to get him to work a little harder to earn back the trust of his teammates. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his game blossom in another system, or perhaps even under new coaching. Although it feels like we haven’t seen it at all this year, he’s still capable of being a go-to guy on offense and a solid defensive stopper, if he ever gets his swagger back.

JamCraw-

Aside from the uncharacteristically boneheaded “T” (that should not have been called, but still) that changed the complexion of last night’s game, it’s hard to find much negative to say about the Sixth Man of the Year. Jamal is one of the few players who goes out there every night with something to prove, more than likely a result of never having been to the postseason. He’s the least afraid (and most qualified) to take the big shot in the fourth quarter, and he’s close to automatic when he gets an open look. Like Joe, he can create off the dribble, and he can score from anywhere on the court. Due to his quickness, he’s a better defensive stopper than Bibby, and he forces teams to respect another pure scorer when paired with JJ in the backcourt. It’d be great to see him get involved in more pick ‘n rolls with Smoov. If Josh’s guy hedges, which he has to, that gives us a major mismatch with Josh down low, depending on who is guarding Jamal.

Zaza-

Everyone in the NBA knows what Mr. Pachulia’s role with the Hawks is: ruthless enforcer. His fearless attitude has endeared him to the fans here in Atlanta, and he is second on the team only to Smoov when it comes to getting the Highlight Factory involved. You can tell he goes out there every night with the intention of leaving everything on the floor. However, his role has definitely diminished offensively this season, and he’s been plagued with the Marvin syndrome of being less confident with the ball. Zaza is relentless on the glass, and if he could just be stronger with the ball in his hands and not put it on the floor, he’d get a ton of garbage buckets in his limited PT. When he’s out there with the first unit, it’s obvious a lot of the guys aren’t comfortable giving him the ball, even when he’s got a clear path to the hoop, but Zaza has to show that refusal to be denied when he gets the ball, instead of hesitating, then panicking, then turning it over out of bounds. He’s got a decent short range jumper, and teams would have to respect that and box out other guys when we go big with him, Smoov, and Al out there. Compared with the talent level of the rest of the bench big men, Zaza is a solid player who gets maximizes what tools he has, and refuses to be outworked.

Mo-

Mo is having a bit of an identity crisis this year. I thought him and Flip more than compensated for the departure of J-Chill to Greece, as Flip surpassed Chill’s offensive output, and Mo was just as versatile on the defensive end and on the boards. Even though I’ve seen him do it 100 times, I’m always surprised to see how quickly Mo can elevate to the basket and finish. I’d love to see him lower his head the way Smoov does (as he is a better dribbler and in much more control) and take the ball to the rack once a game. He’s also got a pretty good outside stroke that teams have to deal with when we’ve got other shooters on the court. After writing these profiles for the last few players, it appears there is a recurring theme that is an aftereffect of Woody’s reluctance to go to our supposedly strengthened bench (besides Jamal): lack of confidence. Like Marvin and Zaza, Mo seems more content to swing the ball around when he’s got decent looks, because he fears his playing time may suffer if he makes a bad play or forces one up every once in a while. When he does have an opportunity that’s too good to pass up, it’s like he deflates when it doesn’t turn out how it should, because he knows he’s going to get yanked. It is outrageous that he didn’t get in the game last night, as he can contribute in various ways on both ends of the court.

Jeff Teague-

I haven’t been as high on Teague as everyone else seems to be on this message board, but he really looked good last night. There’s no question he’s an explosive guard with great quickness and defensive skills, he just sometimes plays a little outside of his game and tries to do too much. I like the fact that he is trying to prove himself, but it’d be much more prudent of him to drive and dish than try to finish at the rim (which he can do at times). He’s definitely a step up from Bibby defensively, as his youth allows him to stay in front of some of the better blow-by guards in the league, but he still has a lot to learn. You rarely see him on help D, and he needs to figure out (like he did last night) that he is in the game to push the tempo, but not to play out of control. There is more potential in Jeff than there was in Acie IMHO, but he’s going to be another squandered pick if we don’t focus on developing his good habits and weaning him of the bad ones. Playing time would benefit him tremendously, as it would our 7th and 8th men.

Joe Smith-

Our best offensive option off the bench among big men. Also provides very necessary playoff experience. I’m hoping Woody is keeping him fresh for when we need him in the stretch run (and that Joe “senses” it), as I have a feeling he will contribute more than he has thus far. His age shows on the defensive end, as he has trouble matching up against the inside-outside PFs of the league. Like Mo, Joe should be seeing more playing time when some of our bigs get into foul trouble. He’s a smart player who knows his job, and is going to make everyone around him a little better. It’s hard for a guy to do much though when he’s forced to spend his time chillin with Wally Blaze and Larry Drew.

Gandalf Morris-

One of the greatest mysteries of our time. Once considered a virtual equal to Dwight Howard during his days at Landmark Christian, Randolph has never materialized, and doesn’t look like he’s making any strides. He was a solid player at UK, but his game has hardly translated to the NBA. He always seems like he is out of place when he’s out on the court, and he pours in as many fouls as he does field goals. Once in a blue moon, Randolph may have a nice up-and-under or show some flash of offensive adeptness, but his only real duty is to play physical D against the other team’s second unit big.

Jason Collins-

If Shaq is still Superman, he’s our kryptonite. That one series of plays against Cleveland a couple of months back was by far Jason’s most impressive performance. He is far-removed from his days at Stanford and starting over Deke for the NBA Finals Nets, but he is still a little more than a massive figure at the end of the bench. Regardless, like any tested veteran he has value in the postseason, and his big(ger) body has been proven effective against Shaquille in the deep post.

Mario West-

When I said way back when that nobody puts in more work than Horford, Mario may be the lone exception. Just look at what he has done to get to the league and still be here, after walking on at Tech. To be frank, Mario is not used enough. He is a defensive stopper who will shamelessly harass the stars of the league like a one-man Paparazzi. When we play the D-Wades and Kobes and even LeBrons of the league, I don’t see why we don’t put Mario on them for just five minutes a game and tell him “you don’t leave him, not even on offense. I want you to tell me what kind of gum he’s chewing and when it’s lost it’s flavor.” He is an absolute pest who could wear down a team’s best offensive weapon before the stretch run. Nowadays, Woody doesn’t even sub him in for the ceremonial 8 seconds before the end of the quarter. Mario’s also probably the second best athlete on the team to Smoov.

So what do we need to fix: For this season, it’s the mental lapses that we are virtually guaranteed to go through at least once a game. I’ve heard it often, but the Hawks have no real killer instinct. When the game is about to be put out of reach, that’s when they have to step on the other team’s throat and let them know that they won’t let up until the final whistle. In reality, I don’t see this happening as long as Mike Woodson is our coach. I don’t doubt Woody is a nice guy and an okay coach, but our team has taken on his relaxed demeanor at times when we should be as urgent as ever. If we want to lay any sort of claim to being one of the elites in the East, we have to want it more than the other teams that have already proven themselves, and I don’t think we even want it as much as those guys. I believe that we are as talented as anybody in the league, but with the exception of a few players, our hearts aren’t in it.

In the future, it all starts with ownership. As much as it is a bastardization of the tenets we have always been told are necessary to succeed in sports, pro sports is invariably a business, and the guys in charge can obstruct any amount of talent and desire to win by withholding some essential elements.

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Last night’s loss was one of the most frustrating in years. In spite of that, the Hawks remain an above-average team, but not much more than that. We have a lot of things going for us, but there are a host of deficiencies this team must address to take the next step, and a lot of it starts with leadership and lately, focus. Let’s start at the top:

The ASG-

These guys have been notorious for infighting ever since the whole Belkin dilemma, and it’s never been viewed as a good thing to have an ownership by committee. The Gearons seem to be the only members committed to providing a winning atmosphere in Atlanta, and that often goes hand in hand with getting support for the local team from the community, which has been paltry at best. It may seem contrite, but it is inexcusable that the Hawks’ only radio broadcast is on 790, a station that pretty much kills its bandwith after dusk. I live in the city limits and I can only pick up a scratchy reception. We’ve got some of the most enjoyable homer commentators around (Rathbun and Holman), but one of them is restricted to catering to an audience of about 1,000. Can we not get onboard with V-103? Ryno as a PA announcer is one of the few things the ASG has going for it in the way of garnering fan support. Last night was Exhibit A: a team with 15 wins has an arena twice as full and as raucous as any typically listless Philips crowd. We are a good team, and I’m sick of people coming out only to watch the guys on the other team play (i.e. LbJ, Kobe). Either way, it is evident that putting a winning team on the court (or on the rink) is a secondary concern to the entire ownership.

Sund-

This guy appears to know what he’s doing, but it’s a tall order to make what many would call genius moves, given what he’s got to work with (see above). The importance of acquiring Jamal in the offseason cannot be overstated, and nobody questioned the resignings of a few core players over the summer. Depth in the frontcourt is a constant concern, and Ilgauskas would definitely provide some extra interior presence (but of course, we’re not gonna get him because David Stern is going to do everything in his power to help his newest Crown Jewel aka King James make it to the Finals), not to mention invaluable insight on one of our chief conference foes.

Woody-

Like most people on this message board, I don’t agree that he is much of a coach in the way of X’s and O’s (nor does he do much from a motivational standpoint). That being said, it’s pretty tough to support firing a coach who has improved the team’s win total every year he’s been here. Our continuity as a team is what has gotten us here, and I like to think there’s nobody out there who knows the strengths and weaknesses of our core players better (although I question this often). This is where the issue with hitting the ceiling comes in. Woody seems like the only adjustments he is capable of making are follicly related. I can’t count how many times the Hawks have made a brainless error, and the camera cuts to Woody, arms folded with a dumbfounded stare on his face, saying absolutely nothing. We almost never have successful offensive trips on inbounds after timeouts, and our patterns of play are far too predictable, allowing any coach in the league to make the necessary adjustments after a little scouting. If we get bounced in the first round or have a second round showing similar to last year, you gotta think he’s on the outs…

Joe-

Personally, I don’t think there’s any question he’s still the best player on this team. He has the ability to create for himself, and his defensive prowess (and willingness) is often overlooked, especially with how much we ask out of him on the offensive end. The gripe on Joe remains his lack of vocal leadership. How much did his bashfulness stand out amongst every other (household name) starter in the Allstar game? He seems uncomfortable as a leader; like he is waiting for someone else to assert himself. It is his prerogative (and clearly in his nature) to remain silent at times when the team hits lulls, but if he wants us to advance any further than the experts are prognosticating, he’s got to come out of his shell and say something to get the team fired up every once in a while. It might be out of character for him, but he has to look at himself and ask why a gap still exists between himself and the superelite players in the league. There are times when it looks like he is about to break through, but he gets fired up and internalizes his emotions, resulting in him trying to take the game over on the offensive end. His teammates look up to him, and I’d like to think they would respond to the call if he got in their faces every once in a while.

Smoov-

I don’t list him ahead of Al solely because of his tenure; his attitude is a microcosm of the team’s state. When he is focused, playing within himself, and hustling night in and night out, the Hawks are playing their best basketball. When he doesn’t get a few calls, starts dribbling too much, hoists jump shots as the entire arena groans, his defense suffers, his attitude sours, and the team becomes infected with a false sense of being wronged in some way. Josh’s scowl is as telling as Woody’s Terri Schiavo stare, when it comes to identifying the state of the team in a snapshot. He is one of the most athletic players in the league, and when he harnesses his talents, he is capable of playing with anybody. As things stand now, he is the Andruw Jones of the Hawks: limitless defensive abilities, vast offensive potential, a questionable work ethic and a tendency to go for the home run at inopportune moments. Another parallel- Andruw’s strikeouts to Josh’s free throw woes.

Al-

Nobody on this team puts in a greater effort on a consistent basis more than Horford. Any scout in the league will tell you he’s gotten where he is now (an All-star) by outhustling his man and tirelessly honing the skills he’s been given. I’m increasingly impressed with the improvements of his offensive game. His jump shot gets better with each game, and he adds a move to his offensive repertoire every month. It is obvious he puts in work in the offseason and in practice, and he is emerging as the vocal leader I have long wished Joe would become. With a work ethic like his, the sky is the limit for Al, and he is the one player on our roster that I believe is truly indispensable.

The Bibbster-

Mike Bibby was the reason we made the playoffs two years ago. That was two years ago. He is not the same player he once was, but I don’t understand why he still hesitates to take open jump shots, as he is our third best shooter (behind two outstanding ones), and Joe is constantly double-teamed by his man, leaving him open for a kick-out three on the perimeter. His defense has become his achilles heel, as his age shows when younger, quicker guards beat him to the basket. As much as we abuse Joe minutes-wise, Bibby would benefit more than anybody from a reduced role. We need a healthy, rested Bibby as much as we need anybody in the playoffs, not to mention the betterment it would provide both Jeff Teague and the rest of the team if he were to get more reps with the first unit. His value to the team these days doesn’t extend much beyond his playoff experience and his shooting ability (which is restricted now to wide open looks off passes), but both are crucial.

Marvin-

Okay, so Marvin was picked a little too high at No. 2 overall a few years back (a little?!?!?!). We drafted him based purely on upside; he wasn’t even a starter at UNC. Needless to say, the pick hasn’t materialized the way management had hoped, but even more disheartening to see is how Marvin has regressed based on improvements he made before last year. He’s less confident with his jumpers, maybe because he gets less looks, and his defensive game sags when he struggles on offense, a trait that the whole team is frequently guilty of adopting. Marvin is still a young and athletic basketball talent (23), but his lack of confidence this year has affected too many assets of his game. More than anybody Woody needs to light a fire under Marv’s butt (doubtful) to get him to work a little harder to earn back the trust of his teammates. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his game blossom in another system, or perhaps even under new coaching. Although it feels like we haven’t seen it at all this year, he’s still capable of being a go-to guy on offense and a solid defensive stopper, if he ever gets his swagger back.

JamCraw-

Aside from the uncharacteristically boneheaded “T” (that should not have been called, but still) that changed the complexion of last night’s game, it’s hard to find much negative to say about the Sixth Man of the Year. Jamal is one of the few players who goes out there every night with something to prove, more than likely a result of never having been to the postseason. He’s the least afraid (and most qualified) to take the big shot in the fourth quarter, and he’s close to automatic when he gets an open look. Like Joe, he can create off the dribble, and he can score from anywhere on the court. Due to his quickness, he’s a better defensive stopper than Bibby, and he forces teams to respect another pure scorer when paired with JJ in the backcourt. It’d be great to see him get involved in more pick ‘n rolls with Smoov. If Josh’s guy hedges, which he has to, that gives us a major mismatch with Josh down low, depending on who is guarding Jamal.

Zaza-

Everyone in the NBA knows what Mr. Pachulia’s role with the Hawks is: ruthless enforcer. His fearless attitude has endeared him to the fans here in Atlanta, and he is second on the team only to Smoov when it comes to getting the Highlight Factory involved. You can tell he goes out there every night with the intention of leaving everything on the floor. However, his role has definitely diminished offensively this season, and he’s been plagued with the Marvin syndrome of being less confident with the ball. Zaza is relentless on the glass, and if he could just be stronger with the ball in his hands and not put it on the floor, he’d get a ton of garbage buckets in his limited PT. When he’s out there with the first unit, it’s obvious a lot of the guys aren’t comfortable giving him the ball, even when he’s got a clear path to the hoop, but Zaza has to show that refusal to be denied when he gets the ball, instead of hesitating, then panicking, then turning it over out of bounds. He’s got a decent short range jumper, and teams would have to respect that and box out other guys when we go big with him, Smoov, and Al out there. Compared with the talent level of the rest of the bench big men, Zaza is a solid player who gets maximizes what tools he has, and refuses to be outworked.

Mo-

Mo is having a bit of an identity crisis this year. I thought him and Flip more than compensated for the departure of J-Chill to Greece, as Flip surpassed Chill’s offensive output, and Mo was just as versatile on the defensive end and on the boards. Even though I’ve seen him do it 100 times, I’m always surprised to see how quickly Mo can elevate to the basket and finish. I’d love to see him lower his head the way Smoov does (as he is a better dribbler and in much more control) and take the ball to the rack once a game. He’s also got a pretty good outside stroke that teams have to deal with when we’ve got other shooters on the court. After writing these profiles for the last few players, it appears there is a recurring theme that is an aftereffect of Woody’s reluctance to go to our supposedly strengthened bench (besides Jamal): lack of confidence. Like Marvin and Zaza, Mo seems more content to swing the ball around when he’s got decent looks, because he fears his playing time may suffer if he makes a bad play or forces one up every once in a while. When he does have an opportunity that’s too good to pass up, it’s like he deflates when it doesn’t turn out how it should, because he knows he’s going to get yanked. It is outrageous that he didn’t get in the game last night, as he can contribute in various ways on both ends of the court.

Jeff Teague-

I haven’t been as high on Teague as everyone else seems to be on this message board, but he really looked good last night. There’s no question he’s an explosive guard with great quickness and defensive skills, he just sometimes plays a little outside of his game and tries to do too much. I like the fact that he is trying to prove himself, but it’d be much more prudent of him to drive and dish than try to finish at the rim (which he can do at times). He’s definitely a step up from Bibby defensively, as his youth allows him to stay in front of some of the better blow-by guards in the league, but he still has a lot to learn. You rarely see him on help D, and he needs to figure out (like he did last night) that he is in the game to push the tempo, but not to play out of control. There is more potential in Jeff than there was in Acie IMHO, but he’s going to be another squandered pick if we don’t focus on developing his good habits and weaning him of the bad ones. Playing time would benefit him tremendously, as it would our 7th and 8th men.

Joe Smith-

Our best offensive option off the bench among big men. Also provides very necessary playoff experience. I’m hoping Woody is keeping him fresh for when we need him in the stretch run (and that Joe “senses” it), as I have a feeling he will contribute more than he has thus far. His age shows on the defensive end, as he has trouble matching up against the inside-outside PFs of the league. Like Mo, Joe should be seeing more playing time when some of our bigs get into foul trouble. He’s a smart player who knows his job, and is going to make everyone around him a little better. It’s hard for a guy to do much though when he’s forced to spend his time chillin with Wally Blaze and Larry Drew.

Gandalf Morris-

One of the greatest mysteries of our time. Once considered a virtual equal to Dwight Howard during his days at Landmark Christian, Randolph has never materialized, and doesn’t look like he’s making any strides. He was a solid player at UK, but his game has hardly translated to the NBA. He always seems like he is out of place when he’s out on the court, and he pours in as many fouls as he does field goals. Once in a blue moon, Randolph may have a nice up-and-under or show some flash of offensive adeptness, but his only real duty is to play physical D against the other team’s second unit big.

Jason Collins-

If Shaq is still Superman, he’s our kryptonite. That one series of plays against Cleveland a couple of months back was by far Jason’s most impressive performance. He is far-removed from his days at Stanford and starting over Deke for the NBA Finals Nets, but he is still a little more than a massive figure at the end of the bench. Regardless, like any tested veteran he has value in the postseason, and his big(ger) body has been proven effective against Shaquille in the deep post.

Mario West-

When I said way back when that nobody puts in more work than Horford, Mario may be the lone exception. Just look at what he has done to get to the league and still be here, after walking on at Tech. To be frank, Mario is not used enough. He is a defensive stopper who will shamelessly harass the stars of the league like a one-man Paparazzi. When we play the D-Wades and Kobes and even LeBrons of the league, I don’t see why we don’t put Mario on them for just five minutes a game and tell him “you don’t leave him, not even on offense. I want you to tell me what kind of gum he’s chewing and when it’s lost it’s flavor.” He is an absolute pest who could wear down a team’s best offensive weapon before the stretch run. Nowadays, Woody doesn’t even sub him in for the ceremonial 8 seconds before the end of the quarter. Mario’s also probably the second best athlete on the team to Smoov.

So what do we need to fix: For this season, it’s the mental lapses that we are virtually guaranteed to go through at least once a game. I’ve heard it often, but the Hawks have no real killer instinct. When the game is about to be put out of reach, that’s when they have to step on the other team’s throat and let them know that they won’t let up until the final whistle. In reality, I don’t see this happening as long as Mike Woodson is our coach. I don’t doubt Woody is a nice guy and an okay coach, but our team has taken on his relaxed demeanor at times when we should be as urgent as ever. If we want to lay any sort of claim to being one of the elites in the East, we have to want it more than the other teams that have already proven themselves, and I don’t think we even want it as much as those guys. I believe that we are as talented as anybody in the league, but with the exception of a few players, our hearts aren’t in it.

In the future, it all starts with ownership. As much as it is a bastardization of the tenets we have always been told are necessary to succeed in sports, pro sports is invariably a business, and the guys in charge can obstruct any amount of talent and desire to win by withholding some essential elements.

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I think the Hawks ran into the rookie of the year in Stephen Curry (13 for 18) and weren’t prepared. Curry has been a 30 point scorer since Ellis was injured. Now that they are both playing, GS is an offensive machine at guard. Chalk this one up to bad scouting against a team nobody ever sees play

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I just wish we could sign Ivano Newbill to a 10-day…

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Why are you fans expectations so high? It takes time to build a championship. As soon as Marvin, who I entrusted with a 5 year 40 million dollar contract, comes around we will definitely WIN ONE OR TWO GAMES IN THE SECOND ROUND.

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Tony, I appreciate your concern but a REAL fan wouldn’t criticize the team. We are meeting our standard. We have the POTENTIAL and the UPSIDE to get to the East Finals. As long we have Mike Bibby, who I gave a 3 year 18 million dollar contract to, as our floor general we will be alright. We have a GREAT OFFENSIVE SCHEME in place and don’t worry JOSH will hit that GAME TYING THREE POINTER SOMEDAY. Tony all we need you to do is come and support us for CHIK FILA FAMILY NIGHT.

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phony az sund wanna be looooooool @tony 4 believin its him

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Yes, the Hawks have hit a wall. It’s called the SOS wall (Same old Sh…). On this wall are the usual problems:

1) Leadership. Joe doesn’t provide enough of it, Bibby has lost his ability/desire to provide it, and Horford is only a third year player, so too many of these “older” guys aren’t listening to him at all.

2) Woodson has a vested and painstaking interest in the defense. He is far from having the same attitude about the offense. Good coaching comes on both sides of the ball. This is why he made an excellent assistant, but cannot take a team to higher levels as a head coach. The solution is to either get a better and more balanced head coach (not so easy), or get a very well-versed-in offense assistant coach….then let him do his job unimpeded (easier solution).

3) The locker room is divided. As much as we don’t want to think this, it’s becoming more and more apparent. It’s not split in a way that you see on bad teams, but it IS split. Don’t ask me to prove it, just watch games and pay attention to post-game quotes.

4) Woody lets his veteran guards do as they please, mostly on offense. Sorry Woody, but they still need some guidance. And while JJ is a damn good player, he’s not Kobe…who, by the way, still needed guidance.

5) Woody always knows what went wrong AFTER the game. He never knows what’s going wrong (or rather, how to fix it) DURING the game. His post-game comments following a loss are absolute contrition. But they do nothing for the win-loss column, or the continuation of the same bad habits game after game, after game, after game…

6) Josh Smith and Al Horford can be having the game of their lives. In the 4th quarter, the guards will begin shooting and stop sharing the ball. Sorry for die-hard JJ fans, but he’s the worst about this (though Jamal can be a close second). By the time they realize shots aren’t going down, and they start passing the ball…it’s too late. Here is the residual effect:

When the “ball-hogging” starts, the other players automatically begin to sour on the idea of hustling, rebounding, and playing tough defense. As a result, the missed shots turn into scoring opportunities for the other team, while we continue to NOT score. This is how we lose big leads. Players who are doing well on offense (particularly Josh and Al) recognize the formula every time: Joe and Co start chucking up shots, and it is hard to maintain intensity on the other end of the floor while the big men are 1) Not getting the ball, and 2) Constantly having to try and defend the guards who are penetrating at will against OUR guards. You know, the ones who are hogging the ball. If your teammates are doing that, how well would YOU play?

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Northcyde ,

If you were blacklisted, then nobody would know who you were, as none of your posts would ever make it to the blog pages. Sorry to ruin your cross-climbing adventure…

Our bench is sorry, eh? I love these arguments. I keep waiting for explanations of why it is that bench players perform well early in a game, then never make it back into that game for the rest of the night.

Explain why Woodson stated two years ago that he alone shortened his rotation all year long, and he fought his assistant coaches on this issue all year long. And that was when our bench looked much worse than it does now. I can understand if this is an inconvenient fact…

I like the whole thing about “our bench players couldn’t crack the rotation on other top teams”. Really? Which crytal ball told you that? Our bench is sorry because they don’t play. Force them to perform, and they will. Or they will get shipped out. And as I recall, it was Woody who endorsed bringing back guys like Zaza and what not. It was Woody who endorsed the roster we have now, saying all the pieces were there.

Don’t you just hate it when the guy you’re so adamant about defending, keeps opening his mouth and making you look crazy? ;0

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“these illiterate and often degenerate beasts”

Larry, those are college men you’re talking about there. If not for the wondrous opportunity to reach for the stars with the benefits of higher education, they would probably be sanitation workers. Or ballplayers.

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All of those comments about the bench playing more, and look what they did in a mere 3 – 4 minutes of playing time in that 2nd quarter. That was basically our 2nd unit vs their 2nd unit . . . and we got ran completely off the damn floor.

16 – 2 run in a 4 minute timespan?

Yet, some of you are asking why doesn’t Woody play more of the bench?

Cause they suck, that’s why.

The more Woody subbed in that 1st half, the smaller the lead got. Then when Woody put the entire unit in to rest the starters, the entire thing just fell apart.

Then the CAPTAIN comes right back in the game, and continued to carry this team on his back. Thanks to the starters, and Crawford making a few threes, we now lead by 3 at halftime.

Now you tell me . . . . who should Woody put back in that game in the 2nd half?

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GA native & lifelong Hawks fan living in the Bay Area. I went to the game, and we looked completely lost in the 4th quarter. Offense stagnant and relied on Joe too much. Soooo disappointing. But looky here, we just beat Utah, who was 17-2 lately. That makes up for my disappointment.

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Hit a wall, MB? What do you have to say now that we went into Utah and won there for the first time since ‘93?? Yeah, the Jazz were missing key players, but they were still the hottest team in the league coming into this one and have been dominant at home… Bouncing back from that epic 4th quarter collapse last night with a huge win tonight shows nothing but character. This ain’t the same Hawks we’ve seen over the last decade. And they have not a hit a wall. They’re just getting going.

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