The Hawks’ road flops: ‘Unacceptable’ and ‘embarrassing’
Mike Woodson is partly to blame for this road ineptitude. But only partly. (AP photo)
Milwaukee – There’s a belief within the Hawks’ organization — not a pipe dream, but an actual belief — that this is one of the half-dozen teams capable of playing into June. On talent, it is. But even now, in this third playoff run, there’s something missing.
Over the past 25 months, the Hawks have played 10 road playoff games. They’ve lost nine. As egregious as Saturday’s performance was here, it was the closest of those nine defeats.
That’s correct. An 18-point loss was, by Hawks standards, a tight road game. The average margin of those nine losses is 25.6 points. Only by the loosest possible definition can such showings be called competing.
Granted, six of those losses — four in Boston in 2008, two in Cleveland last spring — came against the overall No. 1 seed. The Hawks were too raw to handle the champs-to-be Celtics on the parquet and too injured to match up with LeBron’s crew in the Q. But what was Saturday’s excuse?
The Hawks are demonstrably better than the Bucks, yet they let the home side be the aggressor. They invariably do. They were 19-22 away from Philips Arena this season; by way of contrast, the callow Oklahoma City Thunder was 23-18.
“We struggled on the road this season,” Joe Johnson said Saturday. “We’ve got to try to find a way to change that. It’s unacceptable to get blown out the way we did.”
The Hawks will win this series because they’re the better team and they have the homecourt edge, but they won’t have it much longer. And if you’re losing to the Bucks-minus-Bogut in Round 1, what happens when you play Orlando in Round 2? (Average margin of the Hawks’ two losses in the O-Dome this season — 20 points.)
Said Al Horford: “If we’re going to be one of the top teams and get where we think we’re going to go, we have to start handling our business on the road.”
Well, yes. But it isn’t as if the Hawks keep getting undone by last-second shots. They’re not close enough for the fourth quarter to matter. Even the one Hawks’ road playoff victory this century wasn’t a function of endgame precision: They beat Miami by 10 in Game 4 last year.
The easy excuse is to pin everything on Mike Woodson. It is, after all, a coach’s job to prepare his men. That said, those men have to follow through. There’s blame enough on both sides: Woodson has enough players to win, but all the strategy in the world counts for nothing if you’re down 17 after 12 minutes.
Asked why the Hawks settled for jump shots in Game 3, as opposed to scoring on the break, Johnson said: “We couldn’t get out in transition because we weren’t getting any stops. We were taking the ball out of the net.”
Loading ...We can quibble with Woodson’s switch-on-every-screen defensive scheme, but the same defense works in Philips. His players simply didn’t switch fast enough in Game 3. When Josh Smith was slow to close on Ersan Ilyasova, who sank the Bucks’ fifth trey of the first 11 1/2 minutes, the Hawks’ coach mouthed one word. The word cannot be reproduced in a family publication.
Said Woodson, speaking before his team’s practice at Marquette on Sunday: “I said worse than that in our film session this morning.”
Say what you will about Woodson, but he has a feel for what winning in postseason requires. He was an assistant when Detroit took the title in 2004, and the Pistons had to win Game 6 in New Jersey to survive Round 2. “The good teams, they figure it out,” he said. “We’ve been a growing team, but we’re not where I think we should be. Knowing you can go get one on the road — that’s the next major step.”
Perhaps it will come Monday in Game 4. It needs to come soon. There’s no excuse for losing this badly this often just because the crowd is against you. And for what transpired Saturday, Woodson had another one-word verdict, this one printable but no less damning.
The word: “Embarrassing.”
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120 comments Add your comment
Woodson must go
April 25th, 2010
12:38 pm
The hawks may win this series, but will go out quickly in round 2. Woodson–not a big game coach.
MannyT
April 25th, 2010
12:40 pm
There is something about the mental make up that needs a shock. It’s one thing to lose, it’s another to get blown out when the Bucks are missing Bogut.
The Hawks need to make a stand in Monday’s game to prove something to themselves and to stop the Buck’s momentum. Woody may need to shake things up in the 1st quarter. The team is getting whipped at the beginning of the game and then it gets worse.
Next addition to the staff–Dr. Phil
BWAF
Mark Bradley
April 25th, 2010
12:45 pm
I think they got a shock Saturday, MannyT. We’ll see what comes from it.
Section 303
April 25th, 2010
12:46 pm
Exactly, this is a player problem. No NBA team has ever had a bigger collection of headcases.
Mark Bradley
April 25th, 2010
12:47 pm
Actually, Section 303, many NBA teams have had bigger collections of headcases.
Jim
April 25th, 2010
12:51 pm
Smooth should have never said there was nothing to do in Milwaukee. It seems like get ready for the game should be enough to do.
Kane337
April 25th, 2010
12:56 pm
The Hawks have consistently played poorly on the road this year. To have a losing record on the road and earn the #3 seed is unbelievable. They lose to teams like Detroit on the road. Yet they play terrific basketball at home and dominate most games. I have no idea what the Jekyll and Hyde syndrome is all about in this team. It’s like some sort of curse.
Saint Richt
April 25th, 2010
12:57 pm
same old Hawks…..will be the same until they FIRE MIKE WOODSON……………when? please, when?
heartofdarkness
April 25th, 2010
12:57 pm
“The Bucks know they cannot hope to beat the Hawks by playing conventional basketball. “. I would be interested in Mark Bradley’s definition of “conventional basketball”. Seems the Bucks played a very traditional game for an undersized team with quicker guards than the opponent. Nothing prevented the Hawks from changing the way they were playing the pick and roll or slowing the game down and feeding the post, playing inside out or crashing the boards harder on offense and over-powering the smaller Milwaukee bigs.
I am willing to surmise there is a better than 50 percent chance the Hawks game four strategy will be: “Jennings and Salmons cannot shoot that high of a percentage two games in a row. Just keep doing what you have been doing.”
Mark Bradley
April 25th, 2010
12:57 pm
You see the Hawks at home, Kane337, and you think, “This team is for real.” You see them on the road and you think something else.
Kane337
April 25th, 2010
12:57 pm
I guess there was nothing to do in all the other cities they got blown out in. There have been many.
Mark Bradley
April 25th, 2010
12:58 pm
That’s a good point. They got blown out twice in Cleveland last spring.
Kane337
April 25th, 2010
1:00 pm
Mark, why is it so difficult for NBA teams to win on the road? Compared to the other leagues the NBA has the highest home winning percentage. Even the Thunder can win 2 at home vs the Lakers.
robdawg08
April 25th, 2010
1:15 pm
What should “Nothing to do in Milwaukee” have to do with winning a basketball game ? Do the Hawks play the game for the traveling nightclub life or to win a championship ? That is the question. They are paid to be athletes not club-hoppers.
"Chef" Tim Dix
April 25th, 2010
1:16 pm
perimeter d was non-existant.
S Uga Fan
April 25th, 2010
1:18 pm
Wow!!! Still afraid to blame the main reason!!! Fire Woody! Seems like everybody gets it except MB!
TheAntiMe
April 25th, 2010
1:19 pm
The Hawks must miss that home cookin’ when they go on the road.
Matt
April 25th, 2010
1:26 pm
It’s all about Josh Smith. He’s the emotional compass of this team. He was unenergetic, slow, and pathetic. He didn’t block out, he showed no initiative on offense, and he was slow to switch on defense. When the emotional leader is as pathetic as Josh sometimes is, the team gets their doors blown off. The Hawks are the only team that does this. Either Josh Smith has to grow up or this team will continue to be a one round and out team in this league, if they’re lucky, because JJ is leaving this summer.
Hawks2010
April 25th, 2010
1:30 pm
Maybe it is tougher because the fans are closer to the event which also can influence the refs more.
Way to bring it today, Mark.
You may be more passionate about basketball than other sports.
Hawks2010
April 25th, 2010
1:33 pm
Josh should keep his stupid mouth shut.
Real smart to walk into a town and insult them before the game starts.
Made the other coach’s job easy.
No trouble at all with motivation after that.
show me state
April 25th, 2010
1:36 pm
As long as i’ve been watching the hawks…they just don’t play with the same effort and passion on the road…..it’s like their lethargic sometimes on road games….the way they started on saturday just had da feel like it was gonna be a blow out….when they played against boston and cleveland on da road….they played with more passion….dats da type of effort they need…it really starts with josh, al, and marvin…if they can get it going…then it makes it easier on joe, mike, and jamal….and like joe said before, at home they do all the misc. things to get a win like….diving for loose balls, 2nd chance points, defensive intensity, and forcing turnovers…i seen it in spurts last night….but they got to do it for 48 minutes….basically the keys to winning game 4 is…Jump on them early by getting Josh and Al going early…Don’t be lethargic…(act like u want da game)…..Turn up the defensive intensity….(by not allowing Salmons and Jennings to do what they were doing)…Don’t allow second chance points…..Force turnovers to lead to easy transitional baskets….and last but not least just play Atlanta Hawks basketball on the road….The biggest key is da first one tho….get Josh and Al going….because we know what Joe, Jamal, and Mike can do…..Go Hawks 4 life………
Dawg Dominance
April 25th, 2010
1:49 pm
The Eastern Conference will be decided by who shoots the best 3 point percentage, there’s no mystery about it. Cleveland, Orlando, everybody’s doing it! It’s live by the 3 or die by the 3, the Hawks need to prepare with that type of mind set, or continue to be exposed, and embarrassed.
J.J.M.
April 25th, 2010
1:51 pm
the funny things is that im not shock that this happened last night…i mean its the same ol hawks that only scores off the home crowd
Deano
April 25th, 2010
1:51 pm
Jump shot, after jump shot, after jump shot. The Hawks have a size advantage at almost every position and yet they refuse to try and get the ball in the pain. Joe played a good game last night, but he’s as guilty as anybody, because he has to put on a dribbling expedition everytime he touches the ball. This causes the other players to stand around and become spectators, and then they get nothing going toward the basket, so they have nobody near the basket to rebound all these jump shots. But ultimately, it does come down to coaching, because he is the one who allows these guys to do whatever it is they want to do on the court instead of jumping on their asses about defensive effort and working the ball into the paint. It’s pathetic and embarrassing.
O'Brien
April 25th, 2010
1:52 pm
Mark,
If the hawks played the bucks at a neutral site, who do you think would win the series?
And although the players have to be willing to execute woodys game plan, I still wonder why 3 years later, he still can’t get through to them.
If the players are not closing out on switches, then maybe we should have defended them man to man.
I look forward to a much better effort tomorrow. In my opinion, its not about winning tomorrow. Its about giving a better effort, and giving ourselves a chance to win in the fourth.
MaryM
April 25th, 2010
2:04 pm
Isn’t it obvious that when you pay millions of dollars to lazy, semi-talented bozos, all you get are very wealthy bozos. These jerks only move their azzes when it’s time to collect their paychecks.
MaryM
April 25th, 2010
2:07 pm
I know of no other occupation other than professional basketball where people who are hopelessly inept and lazy make so much money.
cdog
April 25th, 2010
2:16 pm
THERE’S PLENTY OF FACTORS OF PLAYING ON THE ROAD.THE HAWKS SEEMS TO EXPECT TO GET BEAT.THEY ARE JUST LIKE THE BRAVES.WHEN THE GAMES START ON THE ROAD ITS LIKE THEY TELL THEIR OPPONENTS GO AHEAD, GET OUT OF THE GATES FIRST, WE’LL FOLLOW AND IF THE HAWKS GET OUT OF THE GATES THEY SEEM TO WAIT FOR THE OTHER TEAM TO MAKE THEIR RUN THEN WHEN THEY DO THE HAWKS NEVER RECOVER.HOW DO YOU CONQUER THIS? HAVING FAITH IN YOUR TEAMMATES AS A TEAM NOT INDIVIDUALS AND PLAY AS A TEAM.ITS NOT ABOUT ONE MAN BUT THE WHOLE TEAM.THEY PLAY AS A TEAM AT HOME BUT ON THE ROAD THEY SEEM TO BE WAITING CERTAIN PLAYERS TO GET GOING INSTEAD OF PLAYING AS A TEAM(5 ON THE FLOOR)THE TEAMATE WHO THEY LOOK TO NEVER GET GOING UNTIL ITS TOO LATE.THATS WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM ON THE ROAD.
NCBravesFan
April 25th, 2010
2:16 pm
I give Woodson credit for calling it what it is – a lack of commitment and focus. The players, on the other hand, seem to want to dance their way around the issue in their comments. That says a lot about where the problem lies.
cdog
April 25th, 2010
2:19 pm
IF WOODSON IS FIRED THE HAWKS WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER WINNING TEAM IN A LONG TIME TO COME.THATS RIDICULOUS TO KEEP SAYING THIS BUT ITS SOMEONE ONCE SAID, WHY TRY TO CONVINCE A FOOL, HIS MIND IS ALREADY MADE UP.
Shane
April 25th, 2010
2:25 pm
Go Hawks !!!!
and take the Braves with you …..
mark
April 25th, 2010
2:34 pm
it’s a wait and see playoff run in my opinion, i see a couple of things need to take place. i think woody has maxed out with this team, we need fresh ideas. to much talent to be so up and down. you can’t get rid of all the players. i don’t make sense when you have a major advantage inside and the opposing have no answer for it and you come out and play an entirely different game plan. see you later coach woody. he won’t be around after the playoof run ends.
Harpie
April 25th, 2010
2:34 pm
Woodson stinks! The Hawks were playing like idiots, 17 points behind, and he’s telling the interviewer, ” We’ll be all right…” He’s a complete idiot. We need a coach who knows what’s happening….
DawgNole
April 25th, 2010
2:55 pm
I’ve tried to post three times; none have shown up. This is a test.
All I'm Saying Is...
April 25th, 2010
2:59 pm
Getting blown out in the first quarter is the part that is embarassing and is the complete fault of the players. (Not being prepared for what the other team does would be a mistake due to poor coaching but that was not the case in this game).
We’ll see what the coaches and players are made of in Game 4 for if they lose that one then its a three game series. By the way, good, mature teams took care of business as Orlando and the Celtics won game 3 on the road. However, this didn’t happen with every team as even the Lakers lost game 3 on the road (but they are the defending champs and long ago proved themselves worthy of the benefit of the doubt).
I still believe in this team, our players, and our coach. Was hoping for a sweep but I’ll take winning in five.
LET’S GO HAWKS!
[By the way, MaryM: You are an idiot. They may have stunk up the joint against Milwaukee but the Hawks and NBA players are not 'hopelessly inept and lazy'---you don't get a job or keep a job in the NBA if you are either one of those two characteristics because there's so much money at stake and because there are so many people available to take your job.]
ATLFANSTUCKINTEXAS
April 25th, 2010
3:01 pm
Mike Woodson has never played a minute for the Hawks. So we can ONLY blame him for NOT taking Josh Smith out of the game if he is NOT going to give the team the emotional lift they need. The coach is responsible for making sure the right players are on the court to determine the outcome of the game. This is WHY Mike Woodson will be FIRED because he is STUCK in his Larry Brown self-centered coaching philosophy.
cdog
April 25th, 2010
3:07 pm
MIKE WOODSON IS NOT THE PROBLEM.HE IS THE REASON FOR THE HAWKS WINNING AND HAVING PLAYOFF TEAMS THE LAST 3 YEARS.IF WOODSON LEAVES, THE HAWKS WON’T HAVE ANOTHER WINNING SEASON FOR YEARS TO COME
Floze
April 25th, 2010
3:14 pm
For the life of me – I don’t know why we don’t use Rio when we have these lazy starts. That man will run through picks and will the team to a better effort.
DawgNole
April 25th, 2010
3:21 pm
I’m trying again–for a fourth time–to post successfully. No profanity or threats in previous tries. Not sure what the problem is. My “test” went through fine. Here goes:
“The Hawks are demonstrably better than the bucks . . . .”
“The Hawks will win this series because they’re the better team . . . .”
________________________
On paper, yes, Mark, but you know what they say: “You don’t play the games on paper.”
I respect your confidence, and I certainly hope you’re right, but I wouldn’t be so sure of victory here. Butt-kickings like last night’s have a nasty way of getting in your mind and undermining your efforts and goals. Championship teams respond with ferocity and determination; we’ll see how the Hawks respond.
In any event, unfortunately, they’re not likely to go much further–thus preserving their 40-plus-year tradition of NEVER (since moving to ATL) having made it past the second round of the playoffs.
DawgNole
April 25th, 2010
3:24 pm
Posts aren’t going through, Mark. Tried four or five times. Only the “test” (above) made it. Not sure what the problem is. No obvious reason for it to be snagged. Have to give up, I’m afraid, and that’s disappointing. Really wanted to join this conversation.
Bobby
April 25th, 2010
3:25 pm
I agree with “Matt” in his post… I grew up in the Phila area and we always had an enforcer on the road like Malone, Chamberlain, etc… Josh Smith had to come out big on the road and enforce the action for the Hawks to win… He is a big time game changer and has to show up especially after running his mouth…I would also have Teague in the game as Bibby cannot keep up with Jennings…. Woodson should have pressed some after what few baskets we did have so the Bucks could not just waltz up the floor and get easy transition Baskets…. Mark, Thoughts????
Steve
April 25th, 2010
3:25 pm
As much as I would like to blame Woodson .. the Hawks players just got beat. I have never seen such a change in players. The Hawks starters absolutely dominated the first half in both games here, then they go to Milwaukee and look like the Nets.
You can blame coaching for some of it, but the players need to get their head out of their collective rear ends.
I wonder … is this the Tiger effect? At home, they have more time for a little fun .. but on the road they have less time to squeeze in that fun and it leaves them lifeless. Maybe it’s just hanging out in the hotel playing video games, or cards, or maybe it’s far worse things that the shouldn’t be doing with a big game a day away .. clubbing and … cough cough .. Tiger Timin’.
DawgNole
April 25th, 2010
3:29 pm
I’m trying again–for a sixth time–to post successfully. No profanity or threats in previous tries. Not sure what the problem is. My “test” (above) went through fine. Here goes:
“The Hawks are demonstrably better than the bucks . . . .”
“The Hawks will win this series because they’re the better team . . . .”
On paper, yes, Mark, but you know what they say: “You don’t play the games on paper.”
I respect your confidence, and I certainly hope you’re right, but I wouldn’t be so sure of victory here. Butt-kickings like last night’s have a nasty way of getting in your mind and undermining your efforts and goals. Championship teams respond with ferocity and determination; we’ll see how the Hawks respond.
In any event, unfortunately, they’re not likely to go much further–thus preserving their 40-plus-year tradition of NEVER (since moving to ATL) having made it past the second round of the playoffs.
chris g
April 25th, 2010
3:34 pm
I am a big Hawks fan but they showed no heart. I wanted to strangle Josh Smith for walking up the court repeeatedly after everyone ran by for layups. Joe was the only person who seemed to care and it made me sick. We shot jumper after jumper instead of pounding it inside. It’s too late to start going inside when your down by 25. I’m convinced that if Bogut was healthy and Redd was good to go we would probably be down in the series. They have to have a killer instinct. The Bucks are not handicapped they are short handed. Don’t feel sorry for them because they are professionals that make alot of money and want to win just as bad. Grow a pair Hawks real quick or Barkley and Kenny are going to get the fishing poles ready. It’s just so frustrating because I have watched 99% of the games this year and there is no shortage of talent on this team. I see Oklahoma City just running past our progress and that raises alot of questions. Go Hawks prove me wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!
S Uga Fan
April 25th, 2010
3:37 pm
Cdog….. you have got to be kidding!!! I bet you are one of the people I see scrapping bumper stickers off your car now, too!
HRR
April 25th, 2010
3:46 pm
Where is Jamal Crawford, I have not seen him in the playoffs, his production haven’t been seen or heard. Honestly I had the Mavs and Hawks going to the finals but after what I saw yesterday, I really don’t know now.
Biggdawg33
April 25th, 2010
3:53 pm
I am so sick and tired of the Hawks looking like pigeons when they play. I guess the plane ride to Milwaukee was too much for them, so they decided to take the time off on the court. Don’t they realize that if they can go ahead and sweep this team they would get some more days off.
They have the talent to be a Lakers or Cavs. They just need to decide when they are going to give the effort and keep it up.
braves choke again
April 25th, 2010
4:11 pm
The problem is there is no player-leader. Someone has to snatch a knot in their a$$ and it has to come from a player, not Woodson. Woodson spent the past five years being patient with a young team as he should. Woodson can’t all-of-a-sudden do a 180 and go from patient father figure to butt chewer. It will backfire.They’ve shown progress each year, but to take the next step someone has to demand accountability/maturity.
LU
April 25th, 2010
4:15 pm
Joe will be gone after Orlando puts us out in a few weeks. Did you D Wade today. Bring that kid to the ATL..
The Hawks' road flops: - Unacceptable' and - embarrassing' - MajorWager Forums
April 25th, 2010
4:19 pm
[...] points. Only by the loosest possible definition can such showings be called competing. read more:The Hawks' road flops: 'Unacceptable' and 'embarrassing' | Mark Bradley __________________ We're not tough we're just crazy Terry Noonan in State of [...]
RAWLO
April 25th, 2010
4:25 pm
I am a die hard fan of all Atlanta sports. It hurts to go year after year of dissapointments. The hawks have a great team its just a shame to watch all that talent put together go to waste. My opinion i think MW needs to be relieved of his duties. He dosent have a clue how to manage all the talent the the hawks have on this roster. He dosent utilize the bench enuff especially when we’re down and the other teams favor the momentum. Its like Woodson dosent have a clue sometimes.
HawksHeroZero
April 25th, 2010
4:25 pm
No Wade.
Don’t expect much..
The Hawks are probably saving their $$$$ for Horford next deal because some team will over pay, and move him to PF…Probably The Pistons (after the looming NBA Lock-out).
Wade and Crawford cannot play together..
Mad Hawk Fan!!!!
April 25th, 2010
4:26 pm
If this post play from the hawks keeps up I think Joe Johnson wont be as motivated to resign with the hawks in the off season. I think the hawks have some real bad issues other than the poor coaching staff!!!
HawksHeroZero
April 25th, 2010
4:26 pm
There is nothing to do in Milwaukee, but lose…
HawksHeroZero
April 25th, 2010
4:27 pm
…and extend the series so… there will be a return to Milwaukee for one more game…
Jesse
April 25th, 2010
4:37 pm
You can still push the ball and run the break after a made basket. PHX does it and CHI is doing it to Cleveland right now. They should run ALL THE TIME, make or miss, or stop.
JASon
April 25th, 2010
4:42 pm
Is anyone surprised at what happened yesterday? NO! Because we know the type of team the Hawks are! Plain and simple, this Hawks team significantly raises their level of play at home. If that gets them into the playoffs as a 3 seed, past the first round, or to a championship, then so be it! Quit complaining!
Dawg in the Northwoods
April 25th, 2010
4:58 pm
I was unfortunately in the Bradley Center last night with my son for his first NBA playoff game. In the words of a SIX year old, “The Hawks played Stupid”. And this is coming from a Hawks fan. I have never seen more afraid of the paint that the Hawks did for long stretches last night. It appeared every defensive rebound by the Bucks, and there were many, had four of them surrounding the ball while the Hawks stood in place on the outside. Can the Hawks play better, Yes. Should they play better, Yes. Will they play better, only time will tell. Here’s a thought, instead of dancing around in the tunnel before the game lets realize this is the playoffs and its time for business. Otherwise, maybe Josh can come up to explore the Northwoods next week and see what their is to do in the Greater Milwaukee area.
freshd
April 25th, 2010
5:24 pm
Its time for WOODROW to play Jeff Teague more against Jennings. Bibby is showin his age against young fast guards. He should also mix it up and play Teague, Joe, and Jamal together with Teague running point.
Willie
April 25th, 2010
5:25 pm
With all of the comments, I’m surprised no one has mentioned that Marvin Williams continues to live up to the label of a wasted pick. He has no confidence and honestly seems overwhelmed at times. In addition, the isolation playground ball we play will always doom us against a good team.
Robb Cohen
April 25th, 2010
5:36 pm
I’d love to see the Hawks move to that next level but its never going to happen as long as management and the city think Josh Smith and Marvin Williams are blue chip players. Neither can consistently hit a jumper and neither would be starters on any of the handful of elite teams. They are totally overrated!! Also, the Hawks need a legitimate starting center so Horford can finally play his natural position of power forward.
Jeff P
April 25th, 2010
5:39 pm
SPOT ON. I still follow my ATL teams out here in sunny N CA as I relocated our here a few years ago(saw Lincecum pitch Friday again – man he is a one of a kind). I flip this game on and they are 17 pts down in the first qtr and I was done.
ATL teams and organizations will always be a joke (except for the Falcons) because they just won”t COMPETE.
This Hawks team “talks” about “being elite” (at least three quotes from this article) but seriously????? SHOW ME that you little boys are ready to take it to the next level. We shall see…..
Thrashers are a joke – never get the most of their talent and Waddell was clueless.
Braves are also wasting pitching with God awful hitting and plate discipline – Is it the players? Is it Pendelton? WT heck? Does Chipper simply need to retire because of his injuries? If so, let’s put Prado at third and go get Uggla. They have the talent to be a Wild Card team this year and you would think the players would want to put everything out there in Cox’s last year.
Falcons are the only true “professional” team in town now – from top of the organization downward. We just have to follow the process and be patient as they will get there.
Ok, back to the Hawks. Let’s see if these dudes can “COME WITH ENERGY, MATCH THE OPPONENTS ENERGY AND COMPETE” as D Wade did today, as OKC is doing every game, as Chicago is doing, as Utah is doing with 2 players injured, as Portland is doing with B Roy injured and as Orlando is doing (closed the game out with Howard on the bench yesterday).
SHOW ME SOMETHING ATL HAWKS – OTHERWISE YOUR TALK IS CHEAP!
Brad
April 25th, 2010
6:06 pm
lol Robb Cohen. I agree about Marvin, but you are very wrong about Josh. Also, Horford was an All-Star CENTER and he is still improving. He is not the reason the Hawks won’t go far in the playoffs.
cdog
April 25th, 2010
6:08 pm
s uga fan, what is there to kid about? how in your right mind can you blame woodson?he has transformed the hawks into a winner and playoff team.think of the coaches before him, lon kruger, terry stotts, bob weis etc.what did these coaches do that woodson didn’t do? answer turn the hawks into a winner and a playoff contender.we all know why you are against woodson.had he been one of those coaches he would be getting praises as the toast of the town.you have a problem with woodson because of his race and demeaner.well his record speaks for himself.the hawks are leading in the series 2-1 and will beat milwaukee to move on to the next round and every one is talking negative about the coach.if you want to see bad coaching and management, go to the braves.they are losing and you don’t see any talk or columns about bobby cox.like him or not woodson will be the coach for years to come with the hawks.the braves don’t win at home or on the road but you don’t see anyone write negative columns about that.they even blame terry pendelton for the same reason they do woodson even though he doesn’t make personnel and coaching decisions.what idiotic people we have.
R.U.KIDDIN-ME???
April 25th, 2010
6:16 pm
IT’S BEEN SAID BEFORE & IS WORTH REPEATING…. A TEAM OFTEN IS A REFLECTION OF THE COACH!!! THE ASG NEED’S TO FINISH WHAT WAS STARTED WITH THE “other” TEAM THEY OWN!!! IT’S WAY OVER DUE TO FIND SOME ONE WHO HAS WON & KNOW’S HOW TO DEVELOPE YOUNG TALENT THAT CAN WIN “IT” ALL!!! THE SOONER THE BETTER!!!
JSS
April 25th, 2010
6:21 pm
Told you so!
Heart
April 25th, 2010
6:22 pm
HELLO, HERE I AM!!! I heard the Hawks were looking for me. I am humbly requesting that Coach Woodson send me a plane ticket to join the team in Milwaukee so they can play with me. I figured they would keep me with them but I guess they thought they could play without me against the “inferior” Bucks. I’d just like to remind them that my services have been used by teams with far more talent who still realized they could fall short of their goal if they played without me. I feel like I’m rambling so I’ll go back to my locker here in Phillips Arena.
Vick Supporter
April 25th, 2010
6:24 pm
I’m getting so f’ing tired of getting hyped up to watch the Hawks om the road and they come out and give a shit effort.
ITS NOT COACH WOODSON, FOLKS. ITS THE PLAYERS.
They wouldn’t rotate on defense, and all of a sudden, they become a jump-shooting team when they have the size/talent advantage.
These guys will never win anything. i give up
Vick Supporter
April 25th, 2010
6:26 pm
And what the hell is wrong with Marvin Willams? I forgot, he sucks. All that talent and we get 4 points from him. WOW
Cali girl
April 25th, 2010
6:28 pm
@Mike Is Back I agree! People act like just because we lost one game, the series is over and we’re down. Good thing for home court advantage because if we did NOT have it, I don’t know what the Hawks will do. Notice how the Hawks play well against better opponents than weaker ones. I believe the break kind of threw ATL off a little.
I know you can not make excuses esp. for a 3rd seed team, but it’s the NBA playoffs. A team is going to at least try to win. No team is going to just let you sweep them unless you just say there’s no hope. HELLO: Did anyone see the Heat/Celtics game 4 earlier. The Heat did not give up. The Bucks did the same.
Only thing that is difference in the Hawks loss last night is that we didn’t fight back cause once we got the lead down to 9 we did not hold onto it like the Bucks did. When the Hawks are down, they need to continue to play. If they get down like this again by 20+ points, I seriously think they need to just call timeout & just continue to play HARD, DETERMINED, FOCUSED, COMMITTED & FOCUSED!! They need to play like there is no tomorrow because if they don’t, then Orlando nor the league or commentators will take them seriously.
We need to take game 4, so we can go home to Philips and take game 5 & let it be instead of taking it to 6 games because we need all the rest we can get it. Besides we need to get 5 games cause Magic just may sweep the Bobcats if not, they will take game 5.
We are a veteran playoff team, the loss was unacceptable, passed embarrassing. We need to play like we did in game 1 & 2. Get back to that cause thats what got us our two wins. If we play like we do at home, then we will be 3-1. See how the Cavaliers bounced back from their game 3 loss to the Bulls. We need to do that.
I still believe in the Hawks, BUT does anyone else? Make people who don’t believe in you do! We need this game tomorrow & give us hope. And no one needs to stay focused on this loss esp. Hawks, they need to think about and be ready and just stay calm for tomorrow’s game. And don’t think about Game 5. The Hawks need to think about game 4 ONLY!!!!!!!!
blonju
April 25th, 2010
6:59 pm
last nite was a joke.. monday we will get serious.. and everyone on here will be saying “hawks in 5″ & “bring on orlando” .. anything can happen in the playoffs .. if jamal gets it going, you will see the team that won 53 games .. if mario is used for 8 minutes a night to keep the defensive energy up, we will triumph over anyone .. everyone wants to blame some one for such a heartless effort last nite, but i would say, that the entire team is collectively responsible, even JJ, for not laying it on the line .. brandon jennings called us “cocky” in the milwaukee paper today and that’s exactly what it was .. hawks need to be humbled by this loss and come back monday night to show us all why they are the #3 seed – i’m going to pull a ’sheed and say, “i guarantee victory on monday night at the bradley center” – hawks will be up 3-1 .. jamal will break out of this minor slump with 17, marv will go for 12 and 7, josh will have 15 and 9, big Al will go for 18 and 10, while JJ seals the deal .. remember, Denver is considered an “elite” team at times, and they posted a meager 19-22 road record this season … sound familiar? are you a Hawks FAN or a Hawks HATER? i support these guys regardless of their inconsistency at times .. anyone else see the lakers mail it in last nite? S*** happens .. get over yourselves, and root for your home team!
BIG TUCK
April 25th, 2010
6:59 pm
I cannot watch another game like this. The Hawks better get it together in Game 4 or the Bucks will beat them again
Delbert D.
April 25th, 2010
7:01 pm
“Road flops”
They played like the were wearing flip-flops.
2 Cents Worth
April 25th, 2010
7:03 pm
Mark is right. It is a combination of the coach AND the players. I am perplexed as to why Woody has the Hawks defense switching on screens when Brandon Jennings has the ball. He is much more dangerous as a penetrator than a 3-pt shooter and does not have the size to shoot over tall guards. Instead of switching and leaving Al Horford or Josh Smith one-on-one stranded on an island for Jennings to get nasty, let the defending guard (preferably Joe) go underneath the screen to force Jennings to make a tough long range jumper over the outstretched (if they play with enough heart to get a hand up) arms of the defender. Generally, regular season stats continue their trend in the playoffs and Jennings is a pretty bad long-range shooter. However, mostly any guard in the league can make uncontested wide open shots. Allowing him to be one on one with Josh or Al to do a quick move and then have a wide open three pointer is unacceptable. And I don’t care who we play, we need to be on the floor diving for loose balls and this is the playoffs folks…NO LAYUPS allowed. Get physical!!! Who is the vocal leader on the team?
blonju
April 25th, 2010
7:06 pm
as far as woody is concerned – he’s not dynamic enough to be a “great” coach, but we could do a lot worse when you look around the league… anyone really think flip saunders, or vinny del negro, or alvin gentry, or doc rivers, or mike brown, or even phil jackson could do a better job? stan van gundy, jerry sloan – maybe?! bottom line is that these guys need to be self motivated to win! mike brown doesn’t even coach the cavs – it’s all his assistants, even without kuester (in Det now) .. wally blaze looks like our most competent “assistant” coach and he’s the freakin trainer … we can talk all day about this and really, if you’re a real fan, just go support these guys and see what happens … we’ve come too far for everyone to be spouting the same ole B.S. about woody, josh and marv … Rise up HAWKS FANS and if you are a hater, just don’t watch us … go bandwagon jumping and i’ll see you in the flipside!
MAD-DONNA
April 25th, 2010
7:14 pm
freshd, I concur! Unfortunately, Woodson trusting Teague to run the team is like, Obama trusting his girls to run the states!
MitchC
April 25th, 2010
7:24 pm
Mark, you originally said you thought the Hawks would win this series in five games. Do you still believe that? Also, will you be critical of the Hawks if they end up winning the series in seven games, via winning all four games, at home, and losing all three on the road?
athdog
April 25th, 2010
7:26 pm
We need a Bill Bridges or a Walt Bellamy on the team. Someone who will just physically pound the other teams underneath until the fourth quarter and the opposition decides rebounding ‘just ain’t worth it’.
JSS
April 25th, 2010
7:32 pm
Who is this Robb Cohen. and why is he logged in under WordPress?
northcyde
April 25th, 2010
7:55 pm
Keep an eye on #5 next game.
He got a lot of love, both local and nationally, after the near triple-double game. Even had one of the Hawks owners calling him “the closest thing to a Lebron type player in the league”. Then he even got into a little controversy with his “nothing to do in Milwaukee” comment.
So when you come out in Game 3, and basically FLOP . . pretty much disproving every good thing people said about him all week . . I want to see how he comes out in Game 4.
A lot of people on Michael Cunningham’s AJC blog, and on Hawksquawk took offense to Smoove being compared more to Lamar Odom, than to Lebron ( even if they didn’t believe he was close to being a similar player to Lebron ). But Game 3’s performance was a Lamar Odom-esque disappearing act.
I want to go look up something concerning the production of our star players on the road in those playoff games. I already know what to expect, but I want to see the actual numbers.
LOL . . and even the game that we did win on the road . . Game 4 . . had A LOT to do with Zaza coming up big in that game. I think he grabbed 18 boards and also scored in double figure points.
Mike
April 25th, 2010
8:14 pm
Who cares? Most of the NBA players are nothing but a bunch of high priced street thugs. I quit following the NBA years ago & have now quit following MLB because it has become too slow & is played by a bunch of overpaid mercernaries.
Howard
April 25th, 2010
8:16 pm
I’m no expert in basketball, but it appeared to me that the
Bucks made adjustments and the Hawks did not respond. To me it looked like the game was much more physical and the refs were letting it go and the Hawks did not adjust. Since television started showing (with audio) the coaching during the time outs I am kind of shocked at what is said by the coaches. They sound more like cheer leaders than strategists. Seems like very little coaching.
JeJe
April 25th, 2010
8:26 pm
The Bucks are also MINUS-MICHAEL REDD.
This team lost Richard Jefferson and Villanueva and now has these guys like Delfino and Ilyasova killing us LOL. We lost to this exact same team like a month ago.
FIRE WOODY
JQP
April 25th, 2010
8:43 pm
Hawks got 53 wins and scored the #3 seed. We got crushed in one game against Milwaukee. Woodson has at least done enough with this team to deserve to be judged after the playoff run. If we beat Milwaukee and somehow take Orlando to 7 or beat them, clearly he’s earned another contract.
If not, it could take a couple years before a new coach, even a good seasoned one, gells with this team.
jcw_ATL
April 25th, 2010
8:48 pm
When the Hawks lose like this is make you wonder if the team as a whole does not care about winning a champoinship.
The difference between OKC and the Hawks is that OKC actually run an offense whereas the Hawks rely too much on iso and defense for offense…just imagine if Woodson put in as much energy in offense as he do on defense this team would be unstoppable…when you see some of the plays this team makes at home, they will make you a believer that they are one of the best teams in the NBA…At home it is a highlight reel, it is more exciting than being at the NBA Allstar game…but when they leave home it is almost like they miss being with their mommy…
There is a solution…pay some die hard fans to go to these game and cheer like hell, or carry that same emotional high to road games.
jay in milwaukee
April 25th, 2010
8:50 pm
The Bucks minus our top two players, Bogut and Redd, are not as good talent wise as the Hawks. True. Milwaukee probably doesnt have as much to do in it as the larger Atlanta metro area. Granted. But, the Bucks clearly are the hard working team. Hard work can overcome a lot of deficiencies. Dont count Milwaukee out yet.
northcyde
April 25th, 2010
8:52 pm
LOL . . . yeah . . . I knew this was the case. But I wanted concrete evidence, instead of just saying it. Cause I know people doubt opinions sometimes without facts. So I’ll just post the facts.
JOSH SMITH’S production in the 9 playoff road losses:
— 2008 —
vs Boston:
( Game 1 ) . . 3 – 10 FG . . 0 – 0 FT . . 6 pts . . 7 rebs . . 2 asst . . 3 blks . . 1 stl
( Game 2 ) . . 3 – 13 FG . . 7 – 10 FT . . 13 pts . . 8 rebs . . 3 asst . . 4 blks . . 2 stls
( Game 5 ) . . 4 – 13 FG . .10 – 10 FT . . 18 pts . . 5 rebs . . 3 asst . . 1 blk . . 3 stls
( Game 7 ) . . 3 – 11 FG . . 1 – 2 FT . . 7 pts . . 4 rebs . . 2 asst . . 1 blk . . 2 stls
— 2009 —
vs Miami:
( Game 3 ) . . 4 – 14 FG . . 4 – 5 FT . . 13 pts . . 8 rebs . . 0 asst . . 1 blk . . 0 stls
( Game 6 ) . . 3 – 13 FG . . 1 – 3 FT . . 7 pts . . 10 rebs. . 0 asst . . 3 blks . . 1 stl
vs Cleveland:
( Game 1 ) . . 8 – 15 FG . . 6 – 10 FT . . 22 pts . . 6 rebs . . 2 asst . . 1 blk . . 0 stls
( Game 2 ) . . 2 – 13 FG . . 4 – 4 FT . . 8 pts . . 1 reb . . 3 asst . . 1 blk . . 1 stl
2010 —- vs Milwaukee:
( Game 3 ) . . 2 – 12 FG . . 3 – 6 FT . . 7 pts . . 12 rebs . . 1 asst . . 1 blk . . 0 stls
****************************
****************************
JOSH SMITH’S production in the 8 playoff home wins:
— 2008 —
vs Boston:
( Game 3 ) . . 11 – 17 FG . . 2 – 3 FT . . 27 pts . . 9 rebs . . 6 asst . . 1 blk . . 2 stls
( Game 4 ) . . 8 – 16 FG . . 12 – 13 FT . . 28 pts . . 6 rebs . . 2 asst . . 7 blks . . 2 stls
( Game 6 ) . . 3 – 8 FG . . 5 – 6 FT . . 11 pts . . 6 rebs . . 2 asst . . 3 blks . . 0 stls
— 2009 —
vs Miami:
( Game 1 ) . . 9 – 14 FG . . 5 – 6 FT . . 23 pts . . 10 rebs . . 2 asst . . 0 blks . . 3 stls
( Game 5 ) . . 6 – 16 FG . . 7 – 9 FT . . 20pts . . 8 rebs . . 4 asst . . 2 blks . . 2 stls
( Game 7 ) . . 7 – 12 FG . . 7 – 8 FT . . 21pts . . 9 rebs . . 3 asst . . 1 blk . . 2 stls
— 2010 —
vs Milwaukee:
( Game 1 ) . . 6 – 10 FG . . 0 – 2 FT . . 12 pts . . 10 rebs . . 4 asst . . 4 blks . . 0 stls
( Game 2 ) . . 9 – 11 FG . . 3 – 3 FT . . 21 pts . . 14 rebs . . 9 asst . . 2 blks . . 2 stls
**************
Like night and day folks . . . just like this team. So when you look at the Hawks on the road, look no further to how #5 is playing. Just for a summary:
In 9 playoff road losses, these are his numbers:
11.2 ppg . . ( 32 – 114 ) 28% FG . . ( 36 – 50 ) 72% FT
6.8 rebs
1.8 asst
1.8 blks
1.1 stls
*****************
His numbers in 8 playoff home wins:
20.4 ppg . . ( 59 – 104 ) 56.7% FG . . ( 41 – 50 ) 82% FT
9.0 rebs
4.0 asst
2.5 blks
1.6 stls
This is incredible actually. I know players tend to play better at home . . but damn.
cdog
April 25th, 2010
8:55 pm
mike, why do you describe nba players as street thugs?most of the young men are respectable young men who do alot to help their communities.we all can be a street thug by description.just don’t watch the nba if you feel that way.why don’t you describe the braves players as street thugs?that very racist description.just because most nba players are african american don’t make them street thugs.shows you are lacking in intelligence. you are morer of a thug than the ones you describe
northcyde
April 25th, 2010
8:59 pm
LOL . . . yeah . . . I knew this was the case. But I wanted concrete evidence, instead of just saying it. Cause I know people doubt opinions sometimes without facts. So I’ll just post the facts.
JOSH SMITH’S production in the 9 playoff road losses:
— 2008 —
vs Boston:
( Game 1 ) . . 3 – 10 FG . . 0 – 0 FT . . 6 pts . . 7 rebs . . 2 asst . . 3 blks . . 1 stl
( Game 2 ) . . 3 – 13 FG . . 7 – 10 FT . . 13 pts . . 8 rebs . . 3 asst . . 4 blks . . 2 stls
( Game 5 ) . . 4 – 13 FG . .10 – 10 FT . . 18 pts . . 5 rebs . . 3 asst . . 1 blk . . 3 stls
( Game 7 ) . . 3 – 11 FG . . 1 – 2 FT . . 7 pts . . 4 rebs . . 2 asst . . 1 blk . . 2 stls
— 2009 —
vs Miami:
( Game 3 ) . . 4 – 14 FG . . 4 – 5 FT . . 13 pts . . 8 rebs . . 0 asst . . 1 blk . . 0 stls
( Game 6 ) . . 3 – 13 FG . . 1 – 3 FT . . 7 pts . . 10 rebs. . 0 asst . . 3 blks . . 1 stl
vs Cleveland:
( Game 1 ) . . 8 – 15 FG . . 6 – 10 FT . . 22 pts . . 6 rebs . . 2 asst . . 1 blk . . 0 stls
( Game 2 ) . . 2 – 13 FG . . 4 – 4 FT . . 8 pts . . 1 reb . . 3 asst . . 1 blk . . 1 stl
2010 —- vs Milwaukee:
( Game 3 ) . . 2 – 12 FG . . 3 – 6 FT . . 7 pts . . 12 rebs . . 1 asst . . 1 blk . . 0 stls
northcyde
April 25th, 2010
9:00 pm
JOSH SMITH’S production in the 8 playoff home wins:
— 2008 —
vs Boston:
( Game 3 ) . . 11 – 17 FG . . 2 – 3 FT . . 27 pts . . 9 rebs . . 6 asst . . 1 blk . . 2 stls
( Game 4 ) . . 8 – 16 FG . . 12 – 13 FT . . 28 pts . . 6 rebs . . 2 asst . . 7 blks . . 2 stls
( Game 6 ) . . 3 – 8 FG . . 5 – 6 FT . . 11 pts . . 6 rebs . . 2 asst . . 3 blks . . 0 stls
— 2009 —
vs Miami:
( Game 1 ) . . 9 – 14 FG . . 5 – 6 FT . . 23 pts . . 10 rebs . . 2 asst . . 0 blks . . 3 stls
( Game 5 ) . . 6 – 16 FG . . 7 – 9 FT . . 20pts . . 8 rebs . . 4 asst . . 2 blks . . 2 stls
( Game 7 ) . . 7 – 12 FG . . 7 – 8 FT . . 21pts . . 9 rebs . . 3 asst . . 1 blk . . 2 stls
— 2010 —
vs Milwaukee:
( Game 1 ) . . 6 – 10 FG . . 0 – 2 FT . . 12 pts . . 10 rebs . . 4 asst . . 4 blks . . 0 stls
( Game 2 ) . . 9 – 11 FG . . 3 – 3 FT . . 21 pts . . 14 rebs . . 9 asst . . 2 blks . . 2 stls
northcyde
April 25th, 2010
9:00 pm
Like night and day folks . . . just like this team. So when you look at the Hawks on the road, look no further to how #5 is playing. Just for a summary:
In 9 playoff road losses, these are his numbers:
11.2 ppg . . ( 32 – 114 ) 28% FG . . ( 36 – 50 ) 72% FT
6.8 rebs
1.8 asst
1.8 blks
1.1 stls
His numbers in 8 playoff home wins:
20.4 ppg . . ( 59 – 104 ) 56.7% FG . . ( 41 – 50 ) 82% FT
9.0 rebs
4.0 asst
2.5 blks
1.6 stls
This is incredible actually. I know players tend to play better at home . . but damn. You might see this kind of disparity in a role player, but not usually for a starter. The difference in shooting percentage is mind boggling.
northcyde
April 25th, 2010
9:01 pm
Just for a summary:
In 9 playoff road losses, these are his numbers:
11.2 ppg . . ( 32 – 114 ) 28% FG . . ( 36 – 50 ) 72% FT
6.8 rebs
1.8 asst
1.8 blks
1.1 stls
His numbers in 8 playoff home wins:
20.4 ppg . . ( 59 – 104 ) 56.7% FG . . ( 41 – 50 ) 82% FT
9.0 rebs
4.0 asst
2.5 blks
1.6 stls
This is incredible actually. I know players tend to play better at home . . but damn. You might see this kind of disparity in a role player, but not usually for a starter. The difference in shooting percentage is mind boggling.
Tdawg
April 25th, 2010
9:35 pm
They win at home because they are better than the teams they play. They can’t win on the road during the playoffs because they have no heart.
ksiujgth
April 25th, 2010
10:01 pm
with nothing to do in WI, the hawks should have been practicing foul shots and such.
Jo Bling
April 25th, 2010
10:01 pm
Jeez, I’ve never heard so much moaning and groaning and bellyaching. Yeah, it was a bad loss. But give me a break. The odds of the Hawks winning that game were next to nil. It would have been nice if they had put up a better effort, but they just didn’t have any answers last night. I thought the key play of the game was when the Hawks cut it to nine in the third quarter and had the ball. Joe swings it to Marvin at the top of the key, Marvin makes a pathetically weak move toward the basket, goes up and gets blocked, recovers the loose ball and goes back up with it, this time a step closer to the basket . . . and the gets blocked again! The Bucks push it back down the court and hit a three. Five-point swing. In the next four minutes, the Bucks were up 21. Game over.
Relax folks. The Hawks are going to win this series. I agree with the poster above who asked why, when things are going as bad defensively as they were last night, doesn’t Woodson put in Mario West? Where was Teague last night? Bibby was simply horrid in every possible way, so why not let the rookie get some playoff experience, at least more than seven minutes?
Whatever. That game won’t matter when it’s all said and done. Stick with the Hawks, folks. This team is going to the conference championship.
Joe
April 25th, 2010
10:01 pm
Braves should have showed bobby and tp and the other offensive coaches the door last year. Amazing how inept this team is. Last night was the reason why you don’t give Woodson a new contract. Let’s see how many road games they win. Probably 0 but no more than 1 this entire postseason.
MaryM
April 25th, 2010
10:02 pm
Not one of the Hawks’ grotesquely overpaid bozos could have made an NBA team just twenty or so years ago.
This is pathetic. These jerks don’t care about anything except collecting a paycheck.
Sixer
April 25th, 2010
10:03 pm
Bradley is an idiot. Hawks are fine. They will win in six and move on. Unfortanely they will lose to Orlando b/c they will win it all.
Joe
April 25th, 2010
10:08 pm
Hey the bulls are an 8 seed this year and fare better against the cavs than the hawks would.
Road loss by 13
Road loss by 10
Home win by 2
Home loss by 23
The hawks from the mgmt to the players just don’t play with consistency.
Scott G
April 25th, 2010
10:10 pm
I’m just glad Cuban and his Mavs are almost out. Couldn’t happen to a bigger doosh.
Off topic
April 25th, 2010
10:11 pm
The braves should have showed bobby and the other offensive coaches the door last year. This team is a joke. Who wants to spend their money on that crap? Not me. I don’t even want to watch it on tv.
Muhammad Cali
April 25th, 2010
10:11 pm
The Hawks need to get rid of Josh Smith and Joe Johnson and get some superstar players that are hungry, passionate, and vocal leaders. Joe Johnson is too quite to have much impact in a locker room, and Josh Smith is too inconsistent and immature to be good for a locker room. I say the Hawks should build around Al Horford and bring in other guys who bring every night and play with passion. We need somone like Joakim Noah in the middle. The Hawks need toughness. Joe Johnson – Soft. Josh Smith- Immature. Marvin Williams- Soft and Inconsistent. Mike Bibby- flat footed and old. As you can see we need a different nucleus to win a championship. This group will not get it done. Oh yeah Mike Woodson- Lucky, yet clueless. The Hawks need to phase JOE JOHNSON, JOSH SMITH, MARVIN WILLIAMS, MIKE BIBBY, and MIKE WOODSON out the picture.
Fans Grade the Falcons Draft | Atlanta Falcons: Bird Cage
April 25th, 2010
10:38 pm
[...] Mark Bradley on the Hawks Embarassing Loss [...]
CAVSFAN
April 25th, 2010
11:24 pm
Don’t worry ATL you will win this one out over the deer. We’re even rootin for you versus the Magic> we’d really love to play your joke of a weak minded lineup in in the ECF. Who on your team actually has a pair?
Whopepr Dawg
April 25th, 2010
11:38 pm
I said at the beginning of the playoffs that the Hawks had the sheer talent to go even to the finals, but they were too inconsistent. The great teams, and we don’t have one currently in the NBA, and even the very good teams, don’t get beaten like this. Very rarely if ever in season and never in the playoffs. Not like this. Not by close to 20 points. There is fault aplenty to go around between Woodson and the players, and their are still holes in the lineup, center and PG.
But the real issue is they don’t have a leader on the floor, the guy that drives the team. I don’t see it.
bg3003
April 25th, 2010
11:38 pm
that loss was just sad… i saw the first 3 from jennings and i was worried. saw the second then i knew we lost. saw the third, then i got mad and turned the tv. funny thing is, i wasnt that suprised. atlanta teams will continue to get disrespected if we keep playing this way. for example, during the draft, i did not hear one comment on the falcons picks by the reporters, and on nba commercials, how many times do you see atl on them? almost never.
HawksFan
April 25th, 2010
11:54 pm
We obviously played awfully, but I thought it was abundantly clear that our offensive sets were totally rendered useless.
Woody has admittedly done some really good things during his tenure here, but his biggest weakness is his X’s and O’s on the offensive end. Always has been and always will be.
He as a coach will be fully exposed for that the moment he faces a more complete defensive team. Woody will immediately go to iso plays for Crawford and Joe and when those don’t carry us, along with points off defense, then we’ll be done and back in the ATL waiting on next year.
Steve
April 26th, 2010
12:33 am
I personally think the Hawks tried to win without getting physical. Last year Miami beat us to death physically in the 1st round, and we had nothing left for the 2nd against Cleveland. NBA playoff basketball is all about enforcers and being brutal down low – most teams carry a couple of thugs who barely play during the season, just so they can rough it up during the playoffs.
The Hawks are a very good, young, athletic team – but our starting frontcourt is small, and not physical. Until we play tough up front – ZaZa, Collier etc., we may not go very far in the playoffs.
We may still be a year away from learning this – hope we keep JJ! Also, if Teague doesn’t develop next year, PG is going to be another issue, because Bibby is going down hill pretty quick.
moorman
April 26th, 2010
2:20 am
does it matter? once orlando gets thru with them, and joe johnson leaves next year, the hawks will be back to being scrubs anyway. 40 years in the atl. the hawks will NEVER win a nba championship.
Missisppi Dawg
April 26th, 2010
2:38 am
Coaching “is” part of the problem and even though we have several Big Play Players, we lack the Superstar that every champ Team needs ( D Wade, Lebron, Kobe, KG, etc). Having said all that, didn’t Mark B predict a Game 3 loss but a Series Win in 5? Its going exactly as scripted….
Ted M
April 26th, 2010
6:33 am
I see the Hawks going to the playoffs every year for the next 5, but never getting past the 2nd round and sometimes not getting to the 2nd.
Ted M
April 26th, 2010
6:35 am
The Falcons could win a superbowl in the next 5 yrs. I’m not sure they will but I think the could.
Ted M
April 26th, 2010
6:38 am
Holy Cow the Braves stink. Will have to wait next year to see what happens with the “new era” Braves. The long awaited “new era”.
jfreak13713
April 26th, 2010
8:32 am
The problem with the Hawks is LEADERSHIP. They have talent and Joe Johnson is a very good player but not a leader. Not a leader like Kobe or Lebron but who is right? Well it doesn’t take a superstar to be a vocal leader that the team respects and or “fears” Jordan’s teammates respected and feared him and I assume the same could be said for Kobe and Lebron. Johnson is our star player but he’s not this teams leader. The hawks have no real leader. They have a team full of good and even very good players but that’s not enough to win a championship. That requires good players being lead by great ones.
Hawks win series but lose 2nd round in 6.
Tuned Out
April 26th, 2010
8:46 am
The Hawks players must be held accountable for their lackluster effort on the road. We’ll give Woodson a bye on this one. Tonight’s game is another story. If the Hawks don’t come out with intensity and if coach Woodson hasn’t made some adjustments to counter the moves made by Skiles, then this one will be on Woody.
Gamer
April 26th, 2010
9:16 am
It’s to be expected for the Bucks to play hard on homecourt.
Hawks can still make strong statement with win in Milwaukee.
Inside, outside game. Lean on Joe Johnson on the road.
Play defense. Where is Marvin Williams basketball talents??
HAWKS MAKE BEDLAM!!! STRIKE FRIGHT INTO YOUR OPPONENT!!!
time for a change
April 26th, 2010
9:30 am
the last time anyone really cared if the Hawks win was back when Dominique Wilkens played, fans do however care about the Braves but once again the powers that be cannot make changes because they do not have the kahoonas (for example, firing COX for starters)
Today’s Celtics Links 4/26 « Flceltsfan’s Weblog
April 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
[...] Game 3s USA Today Wade’s 46 help Heat rally in Game 4, stay alive vs. Celtics AJC The Hawks’ road flops: ‘Unacceptable’ and ‘embarrassing’ Sun Sentinel ASK IRA: Did the Heat blow it by not tanking for the Hawks? Miami Heat: [...]
johnboy
April 27th, 2010
2:55 pm
Hawks need to improve on last season’s play off performance, since there is a pretty good chance that Joe J will be heading to the Celts next season
Daily Links 4/26 // Health Blog Digest Behest
April 27th, 2010
3:55 pm
[...] Wade’s 46 help Heat rally in Game 4, stay alive vs. Celtics AJC The Hawks’ road flops: ‘Unacceptable’ and ‘embarrassing’ Sun Sentinel ASK IRA: Did the Heat blow it by not tanking for the Hawks?Miami Heat: [...]