The Hawks lose Game 1 by 43 points, and it seemed worse
The Hawks tried to stop Dwight Howard. Fail. (Photo by Gary W. Green, Orlando Sentinel)
Orlando – The Hawks really believed they had a chance to steal Game 1, but the only crime committed here was fraud. The East’s No. 3 seed performed as if it were back in its glory days of Billy Knight burning lottery picks on guys named Williams.
The Hawks were tied after 14 minutes. Ten minutes later they trailed by 20 points. And it would — oh yes, it would — get doubly worse.
It’s no easy feat to trail a Round 2 playoff game by 41 points having played only 36 minutes, but the proud conquerors of Milwaukee managed it. They were down 85-44 after three quarters. And I say it again: This is why so few folks outside Atlanta, and many folks in Atlanta, don’t take seriously a team that won 53 games this season and has survived a Game 7 in each of the two springs.
The Hawks tried really hard those first 14 minutes. Then the home team got going, and the visitors decided trying to play sound basketball really wasn’t worth the effort. So they ceased and desisted.
Joe Johnson kept losing the ball. (He had four turnovers against five points the first half.) Jamal Crawford looked scared. (His first half: Two points, two points.) And Mike Woodson’s grand scheme to control Dwight Howard worked for a little while, but the sheer weirdness of it — deploying the forgotten Jason Collins before the NBA’s sixth man of the year and the ancient Joe Smith in the first quarter — undid the team it was supposed to bolster.
The Hawks were so consumed by trying to bump and bedevil Howard they stopped running any semblance of an offense. (Collins made a basket and seemed shocked.) They scored 23 points in the first quarter; they managed 21 in the next two. They tried to go Iso-Joe and that didn’t work, so everyone decided to hoist jumpers. And the lead grew — it would peak at 112-66 — and the humiliation deepened, and the East’s No. 3 seed became something a No. 3 seed should never be: pitiable.
Joe Johnson wasn’t the only Hawk lacking this night — the line forms on the left and stretches to Daytona Beach — but he’s supposed to be the go-to guy, and he wasn’t. Not for lack of trying, though. He looked off an open Al Horford on the baseline in the second quarter to take a fadeaway jumper, which missed. In the third, the game long gone, Johnson started to pass to Jeff Teague and then, for the heck of it, shot another. Missed again.
To reiterate: This is the No. 3 seed, not the No. 8. Even if the Magic are superior — certainly a prima facie case can be made to that effect — they shouldn’t be 43 points better. But the Hawks keep going on the road in postseason and laying these dinosaur eggs and then wondering why we don’t give them credit for being a big-time team.
“This was uncharacteristic of us,” Johnson said afterward, but it was perfectly in character. This is a team that has played 13 road games the past three postseasons and has lost 11 of them, 10 by at least 19 points. Even if this was the most egregious, it was simply the continuation of a regrettable pattern.
Just when you think the Hawks have a chance to do something really good, they offer up a loss that makes you wonder if they’re any good at all. Yeah, yeah – it’s only one game and it still could be a long series, but the more the Hawks keep doing this the harder it is to write off one bad loss. Because there have been so many.
“It was frustrating,” Horford said. “Guys were trying, but we got a little distracted. We should be past that. We’re a good team. They’re not 40 points better than us.”
No team should be, the but Magic were in Game 1. Numerically, it was the worst playoff loss the Hawks have absorbed since moving to Atlanta. The only surprise was that it wasn’t the worst loss in the history of basketball. Because that’s how it smelled.
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219 comments Add your comment
Road Dog
May 4th, 2010
11:07 pm
First????
Road Dog
May 4th, 2010
11:08 pm
Wish Hawks could say the same….
Tweets that mention The Hawks lose Game 1 by 43 points, and it seemed worse | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
May 4th, 2010
11:10 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley. Mark Bradley said: Gutty effort by the Hawks to cut it from 46 to 43. http://bit.ly/dfCLI7 [...]
Reid Adair
May 4th, 2010
11:10 pm
Wow. When you said earlier that the Hawks would step their game up for a better opponent, I agreed. Unfortunately, we were wrong.
Mike Woodson should let them all go to Disney World tomorrow instead of practicing. It can’t be any worse than this.
Mark Bradley
May 4th, 2010
11:10 pm
First, Road Dog. Kudos.
Do me a favor. Don’t bother reading it.
Mark Bradley
May 4th, 2010
11:11 pm
Alas, Reid, the Hawks are indeed watching tape tomorrow morning.
GT Trumpet
May 4th, 2010
11:15 pm
I need to move to a different city where the sports teams don’t consistently under perform when it comes to the playoffs (’91-’05 Braves: 1 World Series, Falcons just accomplished back-to-back winning seasons, Hawks tonight)
Herschel Talker
May 4th, 2010
11:17 pm
hahahaha!
In Woody we trust!
You people who continue to support these clowns are laughable.
When’s kickoff?
Herschel Talker
May 4th, 2010
11:17 pm
I guess we’re going to hear how “we weren’t focused.”
Woody is the man!
NightHawk
May 4th, 2010
11:19 pm
After a showing like this tonight, I’m just inclined to get this thing over with as quickly as possible and focus my disappointment exclusively on the underperforming Braves.
Mark Bradley
May 4th, 2010
11:20 pm
Actually, the Hawks came out ready. They led early and were tied two minutes in the second quarter. And they lost by 43, which defies belief.
Hawk Str8Talk
May 4th, 2010
11:20 pm
I just did my blog and all I kept thinking was – 1. it’s not Xs and Os – it’s a heart transplant that needs to occur and 2. I want Coach Woodson to do like George Constanza and simply do the opposite of anything he ever does for this team. Seriously, I do not have an ounce of belief in our coach or an ounce of belief in the constitution of this team. Talented, yes! Individually, yes! But the mix of coach and talent are bad.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 4th, 2010
11:20 pm
It’s pretty obvious why the Hawks got blown out today. Bradley decided to live-blog it. What is it now, 0-4 for Bradley and 3-0 for Schultz?
omar
May 4th, 2010
11:20 pm
Why no Joe at the press conference? Isn’t he the leader of this team?
HawkDawg
May 4th, 2010
11:20 pm
Woah… well we knew when the Bucks could run up the score on us that Orlando could be even worse, but my Lord! As a team, these Hawks are Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. Hopefully Dr. Jekyll will make an appearance in the coming games.
Patrick
May 4th, 2010
11:22 pm
Mark,
What are the odds that the Hawks return to the lottery before making the Easter Conference finals?
Have we hired a new coach yet?
Who will replace Joe Johnson?
Malenkos
May 4th, 2010
11:23 pm
Read earlier here at the AJC that, other than Howard, who on the Magic can play D. Well after scoring 10 in the 2nd quarter and 11 in the 3rd, apparently you have your answer that it’s their whole team.
Hawk Str8Talk
May 4th, 2010
11:25 pm
also, Mark – when do I get to be on the Blogroll – http://www.hawkstr8talk.com
Blast
May 4th, 2010
11:26 pm
Hawks sucks and sucks really bad. And I am a die hard Hawks fan. Lose by 43 points? Unbelievable!
JB
May 4th, 2010
11:26 pm
Mark, the hawks are terrible on the road and given that 4 games are at orlando…Do the math man! These guys i’m sure are the talk of the playoffs all across the nation at work on wednesday. ” Did you see the how bad the magic beat the hawk last night” … Who wouldn’t! You don’t play this bad and claim you have the heart and desire to do something special mark, it’s that simple and these hawks are pretenders not contenders. They have the fire power to hang with anyone but lack the focus and toughness it takes to get it done. I can’t see the hawks winning more than 2 games here and that may be asking too much as well! This team has no real urgency and no real leader! Pretenders mark, pretenders.
patheticatlfan
May 4th, 2010
11:27 pm
Same game we have played in Orlando for 2 years. When you chose to double Dwight, you will pay especially when the Magic are on their home floor. They are way to comfortable shooting the ball on their home floor. Once they got up by double digits, you could see that “oh no! here we go again !” look on our faces. Why doesn’t Woody just play Dwight straight up? If he gets 50 points..then thats less shots for everybody else and it may stagnate their offense. I remember MJ getting 60 on us in Chicago early in his career and we still won the game.
Getaway
May 4th, 2010
11:27 pm
Darn it, I really wanted to climb back on the bandwagon, but the Hawks keep putting a boot in my face every time I try.
I would also like not to be bandwagon fan, behind them thick or thin as I am with the Falcons, but this team just doesn’t inspire that. I can’t tell if they care one bit about winning.
EW
May 4th, 2010
11:28 pm
Milwaukee would not have lost 40 tonight! Josh Smith showed up tonight! He’s was the only backbone on display. MB, the series is the blessing that we all needed. Whatever this team is will most certainly be exposed by mid-May.
LovetheAJC
May 4th, 2010
11:31 pm
Is this the same Mark Bradley that predicted the HAWKS in 7 in todays edition??? And this is why I subscribe to the AJC!!
Ree Roe
May 4th, 2010
11:32 pm
I agree with everything said in the article & all the comments, but it is only ONE game. The 1st Quarter had some positives & then we stopped competing. We can play with this team & beat them. C’mon Hawks, shake it off & come back on Thurs ready to battle. All hope is not lost
-REEady to Roe!!
When do the Hawks and Magic play game 1??
May 4th, 2010
11:32 pm
Joe Johnson is out of here on the first plane after the season ends…why would he come back? We need a better coach but the Spirit are the cheapest owners in sports..
Mark Bradley
May 4th, 2010
11:33 pm
Getaway, you said it well. The Hawks really do make it hard on people to back them. They’re too good a team to be losing like this.
20 year Republican
May 4th, 2010
11:34 pm
Oh,the shame! Hey Hawks – Win or go home!
Mark Bradley
May 4th, 2010
11:34 pm
No, all isn’t lost, Ree Roe. All wasn’t lost after the collapse in Game 5 last week, was it?
Yes, it’s a weird team.
Just So Tired.......
May 4th, 2010
11:34 pm
It makes no sense for anyone to invest time and energy into cheering for this team. There is not another example I can point to in all of sports where a team this good (3rd seed, are you kidding me?) can play such helpless ball. And it happens to this group all the time. The only close comparison is UGA consistently getting tagged by 20-30 points by Florida for two decades. It really doesn’t add up.
I love ‘em both, but tonight I feel like the girlfriend who just got backhanded across the room for the umpteenth time. All I can think is why am I still here putting up with this? Sadly, I’ll probably be sitting here two nights from now hoping it’ll be different, knowing they’re really a good team, that they just lost their composure for a minute….It kills me, it really does.
BugKiller
May 4th, 2010
11:35 pm
Joe Johnson = NO Heart, NO Passion, NO Intesity, NO Will-to-Win.
Mike Woodson = NO Clue when it comes to designing even the simplest offensive sets.
Who is tired of this overgrown approach to AAU basketball???
Who is tired of a Pippen masquerading as a Jordan in Joe Johnson??? Actually, Pippen (second banana) is far too kind for JJ. In the big moments, Joe plays more like a Longly. Or a KONCAK.
Mark, when are you going to call Joe Johnson out for the absolute fraud he is?
Benjamin
May 4th, 2010
11:36 pm
43 points? Who was our top scorer? Ivano Newbill?
We’re not making it to Game 6. Orlando’s got the deed to the Atlanta Hawks….
Anthony
May 4th, 2010
11:37 pm
Somebody please tell Joe Johnson to quit being a ball hog. Tell Coach Woodson to man up and be a big time coach he is supposed to be. They obviously run offense in practice. I know they don’t give the ball to Joe and let him go one on one in practice while everyone stands around and watches. Cmon guys, why don’t some of the players on this team get mad at somebody and do something about it. We’ve been having to put up with this all year and it doesn’t get us anywhere. Will someone besides the fans tell JJ to be a TEAM player and move the ball. I’m sick of it. Can I get a witness??
When do the Hawks and Magic play game 1??
May 4th, 2010
11:37 pm
Lay off of Joe Johnson…He is not playing well but it is not all his fault…team is poorly coached..they don’t run plays
b17211
May 4th, 2010
11:37 pm
Fire Mike Woodson, get rid of Joe Johnson and bring in Dwayne Wade.
IlliniDawg
May 4th, 2010
11:37 pm
Thanks Mark for reminding me, a Souhern transplant up here in the political and economic wasteland known as Illinois, why I do not follow the Hawks (nor the pitiful Trashers). You are right in your statement that “this team is not taken seriously.” No one up here – repeat no one – ever talks about the Hawks (or the Trashers). They might as well be the Clippers or the Warriors or whatever the hell that Oklahoma team is called now. Games like this only reinforce existing beliefs, whether they are accurate or not. But getting utterly spanked by what is essentially a one-man team is pathetic.
Mark Bradley
May 4th, 2010
11:38 pm
Good line, Benjamin. Ivano Newbill.
You might be interested to know that the Hawks brought Zaza Pachulia, and nobody else, to the interview room afterward. After two perfunctory questions, nobody could think of anything to ask. Said Pachulia: “After a game like that, you don’t get many questions.”
magic johnson
May 4th, 2010
11:38 pm
lose by 43 points? they didn’t win one quarter. i like the hawks but c’mon….woody needs to get in they @$$ tonite & tomorrow…he needs to coach like this is his last series…hopefully it is. I think they have reached their ceiling….i bought playoff tik’s so i hope they show up at home…maybe woody needs to show the team clips of the lakers vs celtics series back in 85 when the lakers lost gm 1 on the rd by 30+ points, but came back to win in 6…he needs to try somethin…whateva he’s doin ain’t workin. Go Lakers!
Steve
May 4th, 2010
11:39 pm
Jason Collins is a legit Center – played on the Nets Championship teams (started), so I don’t fault Woody for that move – here’s what happened:
1) The rest obviously helped Orlando immensely.
2) We have no answer to Jameer Nelson to my knowledge
3) Horford always looks woefully overmatched by Howard
4) The Magic are way deeper than the Hawks
5) Crawford is a 10 year vet – but he looked totally freaked out
6) Joe Johnson has been in lala land the last 2 games – sprainded thumb still bothering him?
7) And lastly, Orlando is way older top to bottom. Gotta remember the the Hawks – Horford is 23
Williams is 23
Josh is 24
In two years these guys will still only be 25, 25, and 26 – many NBA’ers don’t really click until 27 or 28 – so we are still very young
And if we do fire Woody – why not go after Skiles? Those guys were smokin’ hot until Bogul got hurt. He seems like a great coach.
P.S. – Blame Billy Knight – when you blow a 6th pick on a dud – an 11th on Acie Law – you don’t deserve to win in the NBA – not when the Celtics are gettin’ Rondo late in the 1st round, Perkins, Glen Davis etc. We stunk at drafting besides Josh, and Horford. Maybe Sund will rectify that.
Road Dog
May 4th, 2010
11:42 pm
Mark. Didn’t you grow up watching Kentucky basketball? For the life of me, I don’t know how you can even sit through something like this debacle. Well before the half, during many of your long silences (”I know, if you have anything good to say — don’t say anything at all.”) — but we Bradley fans are wondering whether you have left the building, are crying uncontrollably into something much stronger than a beer, or laughing out loud so hard — you can no longer see the keys on your keyboard. At least you and the Hawks have all converged onto the right town. We have a Mickey Mouse team led by DUMBO himself!!!
rusty
May 4th, 2010
11:42 pm
i wish the bucks would have beat us,they would not have got destroyed & embarressed like we have.
jj is a choker,he is performing the same way he did in the playoffs last year. he is a ballhog who doent make any one on the team better. he pounds the ball eats up the clock & IS INCONSISTANT.i hope the hell he is gone.what the hell has woody done to this team,after a great start we have not performed up to our capability. this team has no ball movement & plays horrible defense. i think that northcyde is full of shite,just stupid posting
Ree Roe
May 4th, 2010
11:42 pm
@ Mark, much will be said of our inability to win on the road & the spectacular ways in which we can go about losing, but if we get ONE game in ORL all of a sudden we’re in control of the series. I’m personally embarassed by tonight, almost like I feel personally responsible for tonight’s atrocity, but I refuse to get too down on this team now. Folks, we all knew what the Hawks playoff MO was before the game started so while I am disappointed & disgusted by tonight, I hesitate to get too worked up over 1 game. We just gotta figure it out, play with some heart & make some shots
-REEticulate it for Roe!!
Bigstack O' Pancakes. It's an Irish name!
May 4th, 2010
11:44 pm
They lost by 43! That is some funny stuff.
Harpie
May 4th, 2010
11:44 pm
Mike Woodson MAKES ME SICK!!!!!!
Andrew
May 4th, 2010
11:46 pm
Just the sign of the inconsistency is very depressing as a die-hard fan, I am used to seeing this type of thing in young teams but the Hawks are not a young team. When it all boils down you have to go to the top, this all falls in the hands of the coaches. It is a disgrace to have a meltdown like that. They need to figure something out…fast.
Mike
May 4th, 2010
11:48 pm
Everyone acted like I did not know what I was talking about when I said the Magic were going to kill Atlanta.
You can not base one win against Orlando on a miracle last second dunk as evidence that the Hawks can beat one of the best teams in the NBA. Orlando is too good and is probably going to win the title.
Joe and Bibby are bad, bad leaders
May 4th, 2010
11:49 pm
Does anyone else think that some of the key Hawks leaders / players are simply lazy?
Hawks won Game 6 vs. Bucks, but Bibby and Joe created stupid play after play.
Most nights I look at the Hawks and see guys who act the high school jocks who have it easy. There is no heart or hustle shown by Bibby or Johnson. I would shop both around after this series and the summer.
Joe Johnson – show some life on offense by doing something besides standing in front of your man and dribbling.
Mike Bibby – wake up and play defense b/c you do not have too much to offer any more.
The worst part of tonight: Most Hawks looked like they did not care. Kind of like our leader – Joe – when he fouled out of game 5 with the Bucks. The guy did not even stand with the team during a timeout. No words of encouragement, nothing.
Sad leadership from the top to the players.
really?
May 4th, 2010
11:50 pm
none of the players could show their face and take questions after a loss like this besides ZaZa? I guess it isn’t too surprising if you watch this team to know that he’s the only one with any heart and will face the media while the rest hide. ,
Texas Hawk
May 4th, 2010
11:52 pm
Wow!!!!! I am more than disappointed in this team, this was down right humiliating!!! I have been trying to rally support for this team and I continue to get laughed at and right now I should do the same. I should turn my back and walk away from this team. There is no reason we should be this horrible in the Playoffs. I must admit they were giving ticky-tack fouls to Howard but thats no reason to start putting up jumpers all night. This group reminded me of the Dallas Mavs here!! Keep it up and they will be fishing in four games with the Mavs!!!!!!!!!!!
really?
May 4th, 2010
11:52 pm
Is firing mike woodson after game 1 a bad motivational tactic for the rest of this series? What’s the worst case scenario, we lose by 40? Oh wait…
Ben
May 4th, 2010
11:52 pm
Sadly it seems Atlanta’s best shot to win a title these days is a team that missed the playoffs (Falcons).
Point: don’t hold your breath
Rock Preston
May 4th, 2010
11:54 pm
I think we all know what needs to happen with this team in the offseason. We all are tired of this same song and dance mess. These cats never own up to being bad and unprofessional. All starts with the coach since the current GM didnt hire him. Bye Woody and Joke Johnson.
Nite Owl
May 4th, 2010
11:57 pm
phhbbbttt…
grrrr….
ack.
Sigh.
Publix
May 5th, 2010
12:01 am
The game is over, we are back to reality. Woodson is not the coach we need. Joe is not the leader he feels he may be.
What needs to be done, finish this series and then go to work.
Let Woody go! Make Avery Johnson your new coach!
Resign Joe and trade him to Clipers for Kaman and second round draft pick.
Trade Marvin and Bibby to Detroit for Gordon and cash.\
Sign Rudy Gay since he is a free agent!
Sign Garret Siller from Augusta State, he is HUGE and with the right coaching can become pretty good. Hire Davind Robinson as your assistant coach, he can develop Siller.
Now you look like this:
PG- Crawford/Teague
SG- Gordon/Evans
SF- Smith/Gay
PF- Horford/Zaza
C- Kaman/Siller
You still have 3 draft picks, one in first round two in second and West, Smith, Collins, Morris.
CONCERNED FRIEND
May 5th, 2010
12:06 am
O.K, we lost, but somebody tell me what Woodson said the game strategy of the Atlanta Hawks was?
Mark, you watch the Hawks a lot, mention 3, sorry,2, or even 1 GO TO play for this team offensively.
I stupidly expected ‘the coach’ to have a serious strategy, either a strong double on DH or single coverage.
P.S “Guys who usually make shots did not is not a strategy”
freshd
May 5th, 2010
12:13 am
Way to go ISO-JOE. You said during the BUCKS series that you and your team mates were only playing for each other. If that”s so, your team quit tonight. It was so bad TNT wanted to play reruns of STEVE HARVEY but the NBA wouldnt let them. WOODROW should have left everyone of his starters in the 4th qtr, because each one of you laid a rotten egg. JOE can leave tommorrow and take DR. EYEBROW with him.
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2010
12:14 am
I never thought that I could be more disgusted than I was with game 7 against the Celtics. It looks like I was wrong.
Whopper Dawg
May 5th, 2010
12:18 am
Mark,
You nailed it, this game was very characteristic of the Hawks. It looks like this season is a step back regardless of the regular season record assuming that the end goal is to compete for a championship. If the Bucks were healthy, the Hawks wouldn’t even be here. Mental discipline and toughness is what prevents things like this from happening.
gmoney
May 5th, 2010
12:21 am
One word….pathetic…this team will never win with Joe Johnson as the leader making 70 million or whatever…glad he is a free agent…let him go….and Mark is so right about the lottery picks named Williams..can’t overcome these 2 horrible mistakes. Oh sure, I will pay a couple hundred to watch these chumps play.
Bigstack O' Pancakes. It's an Irish name!
May 5th, 2010
12:23 am
Losing by 43 is three steps back.
Tonight's Thumb it in Question . . .
May 5th, 2010
12:23 am
Which +17 point loss to the Magic was your favorite this season?
TheAntiMe
May 5th, 2010
12:24 am
Woody wouldn’t even make a good den mother, much less an NBA coach. He’ll show those underachieving players of his. No milk with their cookies before they go to bed tonight.
The Hawks may as well have Shelly Long as their coach, from Troop Beverly Hills for all the good that their current coach does them.
Tonight's Thumb it in Question . . .
May 5th, 2010
12:25 am
Which +17 point loss to the Magic this season has been your favorite so far?
Blake
May 5th, 2010
12:25 am
I told you so.This team can’t win on the road.So they get caught with their pant’s down again and everyone’s surprised.The hawk’s with Dominique we’re better against Larry Bird and the Celtics than this bunch of clowns.Mark this down:MAGIC IN FOUR!!!!
Blake
May 5th, 2010
12:28 am
It’s time to wake up and come out of your Stupor.This Is the Frigging playoff’s for goodness sakes!
FalconsHawksBravesUGA
May 5th, 2010
12:32 am
This is my 2nd time blogging..
I don’t even know what to say. 43 points 43 points 43 points. There is a classic line in sports that says win by 1 or 20 a win is a win. Well how in the hell do you classify a loss by 43 points???????????? SMH (what up Re)..
I told a friend tonight that me and 4 girls could’ve put up a better effort than this nonsense. Where is the self pride? WHERE IS THIS TEAMS HEART?????? How can you even call yourself a professional after something like this??? Somebody should’ve been in the locker room throwing chairs and kicking trash cans over after this game.. AGAIN I SAY WHERE IS YOUR HEART?????????? Where is the competitive fire??? I guess it’s in the safe deposit box guarding the millions of dollars you make. I stopped watching this game in the 3rd and anyone that knows me knows that’s not even me. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I don’t know man its just disgraceful. I don’t mind a loss but 43 points???? In the PLAYOFFS…. PLAYOFFS………………………………… (in my Jim Mora voice).
Go Hawks!!! We aint dead yet…
Oh one more thing. Can I post my resume on here for the head coaching position???
I love Joe Johnson . .
May 5th, 2010
12:33 am
but he’s played like $#@% the past two games. I know he’s not the vocal leader the Hawks need, but someone (i.e. a new head coach) who might ride his @#$ when he underperforms might be what he truly needs.
sansho1
May 5th, 2010
12:34 am
Man, I knew things were bad…but I didn’t know they were Troop Beverly Hills bad.
urm...
May 5th, 2010
12:40 am
yawn…….
Pell Smells
May 5th, 2010
12:41 am
I suggest we run 4-corners on offense in game 2, don’t even shoot, just run out the shot-clock, only chance to keep under 40….
FalconsHawksBravesUGA
May 5th, 2010
12:42 am
Can I post my resume on here for the head coaching position?
FalconsHawksBravesUGA
May 5th, 2010
12:44 am
This is my 2nd time blogging..
I don’t even know what to say. 43 points 43 points 43 points. There is a classic line in sports that says win by 1 or 20 a win is a win. Well how in the %$#$ do you classify a loss by 43 points???????????? SMH (what up Re)..
I told a friend tonight that me and 4 girls could’ve put up a better effort than this nonsense. Where is the self pride? WHERE IS THIS TEAMS HEART?????? How can you even call yourself a professional after something like this??? Somebody should’ve been in the locker room throwing chairs and kicking trash cans over after this game.. AGAIN I SAY WHERE IS YOUR HEART?????????? Where is the competitive fire??? I guess it’s in the safe deposit box guarding the millions of dollars you make. I stopped watching this game in the 3rd and anyone that knows me knows that’s not even me. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I don’t know man its just disgraceful. I don’t mind a loss but 43 points???? In the PLAYOFFS…. PLAYOFFS………………………………… (in my Jim Mora voice).
Go Hawks!!! We aint dead yet…
Oh one more thing. Can I post my resume on here for the head coaching position???
Big Daddy
May 5th, 2010
12:47 am
Jeff Teague had more points than Jamaal Crawford and Mike Bibby combined. No one is willing to come down the lane and get hit like Charlotte was willing to do to get DH in foul trouble and everyone, Josh included wanted to take jump shots.
If you play organized basketball you are taught at an early age to not rely on your jump shot and when you do attack the rim go into the person trying to block your shot. More times than not they will get a foul or miss the block. When you go in trying to fade from the defender is the time when it is easier for the block.
I expected for the team to compete after they came back in game 6 and 7 and started sharing the ball. They did none of that after the first quarter. It was iso-joe and iso-al and look for Crawford who was hard to find tonight. I kept expecting Jamaal to start to light it up. He has waited so long for the playoff and now that he is here, he has only really shown up in 2 games.
If we don’t start to attack the rim, as we did in games 6 & & with the Bucks, it will be a short series. Play DH straight up, let him get his shots, defend the others, especially Jameer and we have a chance. Keep hoisting jumpshots and not attacking the rim and you will be watching the playoff on TV.
Jason Heyward
May 5th, 2010
12:47 am
The Hawks are the biggest joke in Atlanta sports no matter how you slice it. Pathetic organization. I can’t even watch them (and I haven’t).
Patrick
May 5th, 2010
12:50 am
I’m watching the Lakers and the Jazz right now. When either team has the ball, both players and the ball are moving. I know it’s very late in the season to make huge adjustments like that, but Jerry Sloan and Phil Jackson are both coaches of some note, so maybe it’s worth considering.
Jimmy
May 5th, 2010
12:51 am
I’ve asked this before…why does Joe Johnson think he is worth top money…why does anyone think he is worth top money?
Joe Johnson has never impressed me.
If we had Wade on this team with Joe Johnson…we’d be pretty good.
I just don’t see how we could look like total crap though and get beat like this.
I think we lack a strong leader on the court and on the bench.
JTH
May 5th, 2010
12:52 am
That….was…………..ugly. The nicest thing I could think of to say about the game.
Joe
May 5th, 2010
12:52 am
Charles Barkley said it best. Woody get mad, show some heart. At least act like you care!!
CONCERNED FRIEND
May 5th, 2010
12:53 am
Anybody posting Avery Johnson as the next Atlanta coach should lose their posting rights. How quick you forget how a coach with a 2-0 lead in the NBA finals, game 3, let his team lose an 11 point lead with 5 minutes in the fourth quarter and never won another game.
Avery is a disciplined version of Woody, played the game well, can motivate the players, but cant teach anything to a squad that has lost 6 years of training in fundamentals of basketball: screens, offensive plays……..
Atlanta needs a big time coach,and they will have to pay big bucks for him, his name is not Scott Skiles, Doug Collins, Mark Jackson,Avery Johnson,Del Negro or Del Harris
SUNS are now my second favorite team for showing their LOVE & RESPECT to latinos
May 5th, 2010
12:53 am
I’m a fan of the hawks and i don’t feel sorry for them.
they deserve it FOR GIVING UP.
I blame Joe Johnson for this embarrassing loss, When will people realize he isn’t an all-star?
People keep saying He’s the most underrated player in the NBA but be Realistic he’s freaking OVERRATED!!!
I hope this is the Last season I see Joe Johnson wearing the ATL jersey.
Time to hand DOWN the team to a player that plays with heart,
Its time to give the team to JOSH SMITH!!!
PowerDawg
May 5th, 2010
12:54 am
I said it before the Bucks series ended…the Hawks are an embarassment. They simply cannot win on the road. Why? It’s an enigma. It will be an outright miracle if they don’t get swept. The most pathetic, sickening excuse for a professional sports team I have ever seen…bar none.
JTH
May 5th, 2010
12:54 am
fugly
Jimmy
May 5th, 2010
12:57 am
What big time coach do we even have a chance of getting?
PowerDawg
May 5th, 2010
12:57 am
Pitiful. Embarassing. Pathetic.
JaBe
May 5th, 2010
1:03 am
Hey — Woody try this line-up on Thursday night:
Randolph Morris at center; Al Horford and Josh Smith at power forwards; Crawford, point guard with Teague as backup; Joe Johnson, guard. You’ll never know …. it might work.
No id
May 5th, 2010
1:15 am
Nick Nolte in the movie Blue Chips is a better coach than Woodson in real life
imontheboards
May 5th, 2010
1:17 am
Give it up. Orlando outclasses the Hawks in current form. Sorry. Orlando won the last seven of eight outings – one by a dunk with half a second left.
observor
May 5th, 2010
1:18 am
I previously stated that the hawks could not match up at all with the magic and would be lucky to win two games. At this point I’m going to revive that and say that they will be lucky to even win a game.
I had to laugh at all the delusional homers that actually derided the realists out there for being negative, and then made the absurd prediction that the Hawks would not only play the magic straight up, but would actually have a good chance of winning the series Good call on that one you fools…..
Darrin "The Vent King"
May 5th, 2010
1:26 am
Sign seen on the back of a Hawk’s jersey:
“If found, return to owner- Dwight Howard”
tjhook
May 5th, 2010
1:28 am
the coach that the Hawks need to bring in is Eric Mussleman. Former Hawks’ assistant coach, who also was a head coach who was undone by a DUI charge. Tremendous X and O guy. Father was Bill Mussleman, successful college and pro coach. Mussleman may be willing to come in as an assistant if it will allow him to get his profile back on the map again. Bradley, did you ever meet the younger Mussleman when he worked for the Hawks?
Tweets that mention The Hawks lose Game 1 by 43 points, and it seemed worse | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
May 5th, 2010
1:32 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jeff Emanuel, Mark Bradley. Mark Bradley said: The Hawks lose Game 1 by 43 points, and it seemed worse http://bit.ly/9kCAvO [...]
Dr. Warren
May 5th, 2010
1:34 am
6 more regular season wins this year, but likely the same result in the second round. I’ll be impressed–and I don’t mean this sarcastically–if we do win one game. Let’s face the bleak fact: for the Hawks ever to make it past Round 2, they will probably have to return to the lottery and get very lucky and draft a superstar player. That’s just how the system seems to work. Of course, by the time that player finally appears, they might be the Seattle Hawks.
Darrin "The Vent King"
May 5th, 2010
1:38 am
“Hi, my name is Mike Woodson and I’m here to apply for the position of night manager here at Kroger. Do you all have anymore applications?”
Darrin "The Vent King"
May 5th, 2010
1:39 am
“Hi, my name is Mike Woodson and I’m here to apply for the position of night manager here at Kroger. Do you all have anymore applications?”
Orlando Magic News & Notes: Game 1 Recaps | Howard the Dunk | An Orlando Magic Blog
May 5th, 2010
1:39 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has that story here. [...]
col foot
May 5th, 2010
1:40 am
SWEET!
Ted Striker
May 5th, 2010
1:42 am
Maybe the Hawks should bring in Ken Howard to coach game two of the series.
Tdawg
May 5th, 2010
1:59 am
Is it even possible to lose by 43 points? Football maybe, but in basketball? This one game just undid every thing that they had accomplished for the past three years. At least now the Hawks can’t really expect us to watch them anymore. I mean that would constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
jc_dawgs
May 5th, 2010
2:01 am
When do the Falcons start training camp?…..looking forward to it.
LMAO!!!
May 5th, 2010
2:24 am
I GUESS ITS JOE JOHNSON FAULT, JOE DID THIS, JOE DOING THAT, IT IS NOT HIS FAULT AND BRADLEY WRITE SUMTIN POSITIVE ABOUT THE TEAM, U ALWAYS WRITE SUMTIN WHEN THEY LOSE, AND THEN HATES ON JOE JOHNSON, THIS IS NOT HIS FAULT, ITS A TEAM FAULT, U CAN LOOK AT THE SECOND UNIT THEY WAS ON SOME B.S. TOO, YEAH THEY GOT BETTER OVER YEARS BUT THIS IS NOT THERE YEAR TO WIN, AND YALL KNO THAT, DONT HATE JOE CAUSE THIS IS HIS CONTARCT YEAR AND HE TURNED DOWN 60 MILLION, AND YES HES WORTH A MAX, AND HES GONNA GET IT REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR PUNK ASS THINKS, JUST GET A REAL POINT GUARD AROUND HIM, AND A TRUE CENTER AND LET JOE PLAY HIS TRU POSITION INSTEAD OF BEING THE PG, THE SG, THE SF, AND THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN STOP PEOPLE ON DEFENSE, AND THATS IN HIS BLOOD TAUGHT BY NOLAN RICHARDSON 40 MIN’S OF HELL!!!
braves choke again
May 5th, 2010
2:42 am
The Hawks have no heart and that is because they have no confidence. They don’t have confidence that they have a plan or are well coached enough to beat teams with equal talent in the playoffs. And they’re right.
Bigstack O' Pancakes. It's an Irish name!
May 5th, 2010
2:53 am
Watching Woodson coach makes you miss Paul Hewitt and his bumbling. Hewitt will be back. Hopefully Woodson won’t.
Bigstack O' Pancakes. It's an Irish name!
May 5th, 2010
2:54 am
It is all Bobby Cox and Terry Pendleton’s fault. These Hawks can’t hit.
hot err
May 5th, 2010
3:42 am
This franchise is gonna continue to suck for the next 6-7 years if we give J.J. max money. Clearly he’s not worth it.
Shane
May 5th, 2010
3:50 am
prima facie
Nice. A little Latin. prima facie – or on the face … on the surface
BravesFan79
May 5th, 2010
4:01 am
Im a Hawks/ GT fan, but this was Coach K against Coach Hewitt bad….. just on the pro level!
If we are to compete with Orlando, we must hire a better coach, Jeff Van Gundy is a EXCELLENT coach, and would be my top choice!
jeff
May 5th, 2010
5:57 am
It wouldn’t matter who or what plays were called, ISO JOE is trying to out himself in ELITE company. He won’t pass the ball!! If he shares the ball we have a chance. If he ISO’s 1 on 4 and 5 we will lose big in 4 games straight. Come on- All star or not, it took the other players to help him acheive that status. You have to share the ball, it will open more opportunites for good shots, not fade-aways.
Woodson is goofy
May 5th, 2010
6:14 am
I wish I knew, ……says Woodson.
jo
May 5th, 2010
6:17 am
If we remember the Hawks came unhinged after SEVERAL phantom foul calls against them and the fact that ORL and Howard were rarely caled for anything The Hawklettes then started to play against the bad calls and forgo to play against ORL. The Hawks need more maturity to be sure. They also possibly need beter coaching as the stop Howard game opened up everyone elses game…
76erfan
May 5th, 2010
6:39 am
Yikes! I thought I was tuning into an NBA playoff game last night, but instead of Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks, I seem to have stumbled upon Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Generals. I endured the 13-win 76er season (see pseudonym) and this was still the very worst trashing I have ever seen on a professional basketball court. The worst of it might have been that the Hawks didn’t even use their two periods of trash time to try to develop something that might possibly work against Orlando for the remainder of the series. They didn’t even do a adequate job of going through the motions. Atlanta Hawks, find enough pride to at least be ashamed!
oldfart
May 5th, 2010
6:43 am
To quote the Lynrd Skynrd song:
Ooooh that smell
Can’t you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
ynot
May 5th, 2010
6:56 am
The Hawks should have played at the Punchline. People across the country were laughing all night.
E43
May 5th, 2010
6:59 am
many things went wrong out there and I dont know if its only me but i think that it makes sense to start teague because:-
1) teague forces inside shots rather than mid-long range
2) bibby will be stuck with J-williams
3) the bench can finally have a true point guard with bibby on the court.
I am well aware of the shortcomings of the hawks players but the hawks havent favored well with the current depth chart. i think 43 points are enough 4 a change. im not saying that the change should be permanent.
i think woody uses that switching zone to hide bibby whose offense doesnt quite make up for his poor deffense anymore. at least with teague in there you can scrap the switches outside of the C position.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 5th, 2010
7:04 am
i vomited after seeing the game last night- If Bucks took the Hawks to 7, we’ll be swept in this series. What an embarrassment. Then throw in the fact that the Braves lost to the Nats as well, probably starting another losing streak. Is it fall yet??
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 5th, 2010
7:05 am
Disgusting
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 5th, 2010
7:05 am
Hawks & Braves both lose on the same night- i’m sensing a pattern here.
jeff
May 5th, 2010
7:10 am
Can someone call Delta and ask them where the Hawks got dropped off? It appeared to me the players last night were scrubs.
I don’t think they need to go to Disney world. They looked Goofy enough already.
Willy
May 5th, 2010
7:15 am
I don’t even care how Woodson would explain this, I want him gone.
Ezekiel
May 5th, 2010
7:20 am
If any GM is insane enough to give Joe Johnson a max contract should be horse-whipped. JJ is a “small game” player. He’ll score 30 against the Sacramento Kings on a Tuesday night in February but when the playoffs start he recedes like a worm back into a hole in the ground.
Ezekiel
May 5th, 2010
7:22 am
If any GM is insane enough to give Joe Johnson a max contract he should be horse-whipped. JJ will come up big and score 35 against the Sacramento Kings on a Tuesday night in February but once the playoffs start he recedes like a worm into a hole in the ground.
dean
May 5th, 2010
7:25 am
My son was at the Braves/Nat’s game last night. If that wasn’t bad enough I had to text him that, “…with over 10 minutes left in the 4th qtr, the Hawks are losing by 43 points.” It’s time to break the bags out.
Hawk TT
May 5th, 2010
7:25 am
No Al, the Magic aren’t 40 points better than the hawks. Maybe 20-30—-but who’s counting in loserville. Atlanta pro teams suck again: baseball, football, hockey, basketball. The name fits.
Marvin Mangrum
May 5th, 2010
7:26 am
If what the Hawks have is the best coach available, God help coaching!
NoShamSam
May 5th, 2010
7:26 am
If anybody watches game 2, it will be interesting to see if the Hawks have any fight left, or if they will have just given up
59bulldawg
May 5th, 2010
7:28 am
Unbelievable! Hawks are better than this!
JEWELL ROLLEN
May 5th, 2010
7:31 am
“YOU DON’T LIVE BY THE JUMPER….YOU DIE BY IT!” QUOTE…CHARLES BARKLEY……STOP JACKING JUMPERS AND START TAKING THE BALL TO THE BASKET…..RUN SOME OFFENSE…OH WAIT, WE DON’T HAVE ONE!
BIG BALLER
May 5th, 2010
7:33 am
Embarrassing!! these clowns should be ashamed to show their faces in public. Joe Johnson wants a MAX CONTRACT! are you kidding…these guys are embarrassing themselves and our GREAT CITY of ATLANTA…Woodson..GOODBYE!! don’t let the door knob hit u where the good LORD split u…Joe Johnson GOODBYE…go be somebody’s second or third option…WE need Bosh and Wade….trade Josh Smith…this kid is a HEAD CASE…could be great but will never reach his potential…Marvin Williams…horrible….get him outta here too! build around Al Horford…Jamal will be better without Joe being here…I will not watch another game…they will be done in 4….5 max…this team has no leadership and NO HEART…and no DESIRE TO BE GREAT…..
Required Reading | Hard Knox Sports
May 5th, 2010
7:40 am
[...] Hawks 41 point loss seemed worse to Bradley [AJC] [...]
Mark
May 5th, 2010
7:42 am
You must be kidding…after Sunday’s win, a lot of talk,etc and then…..A bunch of babies, no teamwork,no leadership, just sulk ….Orlando is ready to move on….and find a new coach, Scott Skiles would be on my list
The Cynical White Boy
May 5th, 2010
7:45 am
Yeah, kind of funny to see a latin phrase (prima facie) in an article pertaining to a ’sport’ which decided long ago to ignore the demographic slice of people who may toss around latin phrases.
Maybe you should start writing your NBA articles in tune with the demographic that the NBA caters to. So write your NBA stuff in rap, or gansta code.
d.carter
May 5th, 2010
7:46 am
I HOPE YOU GIVE THE FALCONS AND MATTY POPSICLE JUST AS MUCH GRIEF AS YOUR GIVING WOODY AND THE HAWKS… THE FALCONS HAVENT WON A PLAYOFF GAME SINCE THE PITBULL 7 LEFT…LMAO
Mike Hunt
May 5th, 2010
7:49 am
There’s not much more to say than this team lacks a heart. No effort. No class. Second rate at best. This will be a sweep of epic proportions. Once again, Atlanta will be embarrassed.
JB
May 5th, 2010
7:50 am
Hawks do not match up with the magic at all. cleveland would thump us also but the magic have really made the hawks look bad this season. Hawks have not guts but also have proved that they can’t beat the magic. They did beat orlando on a fluke buzzer shot, but other than that, we have been taken to the woodshed! Orlando could be the only team to sweep it’s way to the conference finals. I think hawks go down 4-0! We damn sure aint gonna win in orlando!!!
All World
May 5th, 2010
7:53 am
This column and subsequent comments are jokes! Hawks fans should be proud. Atlanta is the third best team in the NBA East. Want to be better than Magic? Get a player better than Howard. Cavs? Get somebody better than LeBron. Hawks are going as far as they can with what they have. Get Dwayne Wade.
Wanted 2 Coaches!!
May 5th, 2010
7:53 am
Bobby Cox I mean Mike Woodson needs to go. This town will never wake up!!!!
Roto Rooter
May 5th, 2010
7:54 am
@b17211 – That is the best idea I have heard yet. Wade would move the ball and compete with HEART. Let JJ walk, Get a defensive big man (more on that later), and then hire Paul Westhead so at least we will be entertained.
Joey
May 5th, 2010
7:54 am
What was it Woody said Tuesday morning, Mark? Something to the effect of, “We’ll just have to make adjustments on the fly.”
My answer to that is the same as yesterday: Hahahahahahahahahahahhhahahahahahahahahahahah!!!
jg
May 5th, 2010
8:00 am
two words: totally embarrassed!!!!!!!
have we ever made a legitimate run on a team after trailing by 20 or more. i’m not talking about coming back and winning–i’m talking about getting it back to 10, 5 or even re-claiming a victory. i honestly can’t remember one. however–i can remember several, tons of them that we’ve led by at least 20 only to fumble the lead away and end up in a war or even most times lose the game.
woody says this is not the atlanta hawks! i say it is the atlanta hawks! i’ve seen last night’s game a bunch of times. we get down, we give up, we have no coach that can motivate or more less make any adjustments and finally we have no player with any sense of pride that will step up and get pissed off and knock the crap out of someone to make a statement.
this game was a joke–even orlando’s ball boy was seen laughing at the hawks…didn’t bother the hawks–they still get paid!
woody–bench everybody–if those guys play bad sit them too–unbelievably horrible!
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:00 am
Fear our deer…..
JQP
May 5th, 2010
8:01 am
Why would any top tier player want to stay or come to Atlanta with the complete lack of fan support illustrated by this thread?
They lose one game on the road, against probably the most talented & best coached team in the NBA, badly. One game. They got crushed in Boston the first two games in 2008 1st round and came back in dramatic fashion. I’m with ‘em until they lose 4 and then Woodson’s record can and should be on the block.
5 years of steady improvement and he deserves at least to play out the full season and see what happens.
Joe Johnson is one of the hardest working, underappreciated, humble players in the NBA. Does everything for this team. Defends the toughest players, takes and makes big shots. Led hawks to 53 wins and awesome wins in game 6 and 7 vs Bucks. If we keep bashing our best players like this and offering no support we’re not going to land anyone decent.
Mr. Phil
May 5th, 2010
8:03 am
Simple fix is to stop trying to have Crawford play point. Anybody notice, the jump shots started raining when he came in. First, its one on one with Crawford, then Joe, then everybody. In the end, you get thumped by 43. Sure having Bibby and Crawford in at the same time will hurt defensively, but the main problem last night was the ball stopped moving offensively. I say when Woody brings in JC, he needs to either leave Bibby in or put in Teague. Using them to set Crawford up and then you can take them out once Crawford gets warmed up. Either that or have Joe run point.
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:04 am
I have seen many a blow out in 21 years going to over 1000 Magic games but this one IN THE PLAYOFFS may have taken the cake…I partied with clients and 17,000 close friends last night, the refs let them play and one team did.
AG
May 5th, 2010
8:07 am
When you lose in basketball by 43, it is not the coach fault. The players have no pride!!! They have no fight. Pride should have made the game closer because team’s in the NBA make runs. The next game is a heart check. Josh was the only one playing tonight and even the bench outside of Pacullia played bad as well.
Richard Hamilton
May 5th, 2010
8:08 am
Wow your prediction of the Hawks playing to the level of their opponent went down in flames, just like the hawks. Hawks will be luck to win one at home. Magic take this series 4-2, and that is being generous.
Rex D
May 5th, 2010
8:11 am
It is just one loss Mark. Orlando 1, Hawks 0. Seven game series. First team to 4 wins. And just remember a week ago, after Game 5 of the Hawks-Bucks, you tried to make the game’s result bigger than it really was, basically saying it sure felt like the series was over. And the Hawks won the next 2 games and advanced. Let’s see what happens these next few games . . .
RB
May 5th, 2010
8:12 am
Did someone say Max contract? Whodat??
Paul Hewitt's Agent
May 5th, 2010
8:12 am
My client is interested…
bigeasy830
May 5th, 2010
8:14 am
These Hawks have bounced back before and I have no other choice but to believe that they will bounce back again. The hawks have won 2 play-off series in the last 2 years and made the play-offs 3 years in a row, The Brave nor the Falcons have not did a thing. The Falcons were one and done in their littlee lay-off appearance. So, those who are saying when is kic-off you must be a Tech or UGA fan because those sorry falcons have not done a thing and never will.
Mike Woodson
May 5th, 2010
8:15 am
I promise we will play for two quarters next game.
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:16 am
Rex… it was one massive, hope destroying, humiliating and memorable loss to be more specific.
Gordon
May 5th, 2010
8:16 am
Paul Hewitt would have this mess cleaned up in no time. As a Tech fan, I would hate to lose him, but somehow we would have to get by. I would just be so happy for the Hawks and their fans if this came to be. We all know that Paul is committed to the city of Atlanta, so when the Hawks started winning championships the Hawks wouldn’t have to worry about losing him.
Mike Woodson Agent
May 5th, 2010
8:17 am
Like the Hawks, I quit!
Shug
May 5th, 2010
8:20 am
Big deal what the score was, a playoff loss is a playoff loss. Anyone remember the Memorial Day Massacre between Bird’s Celtics and Abdul-Jabbar’s Lakers? The loser of that creamfest went on to win the series. There’s almost always a blowout or two in every series. Hawks-Magic will go 6 (or 7) games, and nobody will remember or care about the Game 1 embarrassment.
Greg
May 5th, 2010
8:21 am
Like the Bucks game, it took ATL to get their butts kicked. I promise a game 7 win by Atlanta. Mike Woodson should not be gone. He has increased their wins and have taken them to back to back championships. What Atlanta ownership needs to do is employ a power center. Like an article I saw before, we need a Zoe. You can not blame Mike Woodson. Get him a Center. Horford is not a center. Take teams that are in the playoffs now..all have true centers. I do not care for Charles Barkley much, but he was right about one thing..Coach Woodson and team need to get more fire in their step. Go Hawks!!!!
Roto Rooter
May 5th, 2010
8:21 am
MB, when you speak to Woody, please ask him why no one else besides Zsa Zsa Gabor came to the press conference. So unprofessional. Take it like a man.
MagicRocks
May 5th, 2010
8:22 am
You Hawk fans know your team can’t beat Orlando this season. You guys won that one game during the regular season because a dumb move by Rashard Lewis for not blocking out after a missed shot which then led to a buzzer beater dunk by one of your players. Other than that, you guys have nothing against us. I am surprised, though, you guys lost by so much. The lead just came growing and growing and growing, even when our THIRD units went in, the lead kept growing for a little bit lol. Hey look at the bright side, your star players got PLENTY of rest after the second quarter so they should be good for game 2.
Greg
May 5th, 2010
8:23 am
I meant back to back playoffs.
Craig
May 5th, 2010
8:24 am
After this series, the following people need to clean out and clear out. Woodson, Johnson, Bibby, and if J. Smith can’t grow up then bye-bye to you to.
bulldogmaniac
May 5th, 2010
8:26 am
The Hawks should be totally humiliated.
This has to be one of the worst playoff games ever!
Can someone tell me why the hawks always get away from what they are? The have sucess when they pound the ball inside or make 3 to 4 passes on the parimeter and hit a jumper. Last night they were content to driible down the floor and make 1 pass and shoot. They sucked!
dap01
May 5th, 2010
8:27 am
Does the top playoff teams beat every team by 43? Well then why should a number 3 teams lose by 43?
Woody is being exposed by every team we play. He has nothing to offer.
What a joke. let’s face it, he is still here only because he is the cheapest option out there.
What a joke!
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:29 am
What happened to “stealing” last nights game in Orlando….that was a very popular plan yesterday here.
Greg
May 5th, 2010
8:29 am
Also, stop settling for jump shots. Take it to the basket. Howard is a guy that is known for getting in foul trouble. He can’t get in foul trouble by you shooting jumpers. I like what Horford did when he drove to the basket and tried to dunk, but he quit. Keep it going to the basket, get him in foul trouble.. Now you tell me which D should be ran..On offense run..do not walk to the ball around, extra passes creates open shots.
Know that playing a zone defense requires players to play with an even greater commitment than a man-to-man defense does. In the 1-2-2 defense, put your two best interior defenses along the lane about 3 or 4 feet from the basket. These two are responsible for any player who tries to establish position down low in the blocks where the best scoring opportunities usually come from. Two more defenders are at the far points of the free-throw line and the final defender is at the top of the key. The two outside defenders must keep the ball from getting inside and also have to contest any shots within 5 feet of where they are stationed. The defender at the top of the key must keep the ball from getting inside and must defend the three-point shot.
Step 2Use the 2-3 zone. It uses two men at the outside portions of the free-throw line and three men along the base line. This is especially effective against a team with three effective big men. The 1-3-1 zone puts one man on the outside to guard against the three-point shot, three across the foul line and one big man under the hoop. This is a good defense against an opponent that has an excellent mid-range game but is not especially powerful down low.
Step 3Run the box-and-1 zone defense against an opponent with a superstar or great shooter and four solid players. The players forming the box are at the extended portions of the free-throw line on both sides and along the blocks at the lower portion of the lane. The other defender defies the zone and plays man-to-man against the other team’s most effective offensive player.
Step 4Play the most effective defense by having the players in the zone double-team the player with the ball. For example, if an offensive player catches the ball in the low left block, the defender at the extended foul line on the same side drops down to harass the man with the ball. A turnover or a very poor shot is the desired
MagicRocks
May 5th, 2010
8:30 am
To Shug:
There are plenty of people here in Orlando that will remember what the score was in game 1. Plus this is the worst loss in Atlanta Hawk history since moving the team there. I’m sure your main office will keep it in the record books.
Also this won’t go 6 or 7 games. I’ll say 5 games (at most) assuming Hawks don’t suck more than they did in game 1. For their sakes, I hope they don’t.
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:30 am
Zsa Zsa slapped a police officer at halftime….
Greg
May 5th, 2010
8:31 am
Game 7 is a promise
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:31 am
Very true….it is still only one game and good teams can and will come back after a beating like that. I did say good teams right?
Glitchy
May 5th, 2010
8:32 am
If ever a team was a reflection of its City, its this one. All Hat and No Cattle. I say this with much embarrassment as I am a native.
Roto Rooter
May 5th, 2010
8:35 am
@ Shug – “There’s almost always a blowout or two in every series”
Yeah, but they are by 10 – 20 points, not 43. They quit in the game, made excuses in the locker room, and didn’t show up to the press conference. That shows me that this team is not mentally ready to compete at the next level .
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:36 am
The game 7 promise….I promise that there will not be one!
Game 1 Fluke
May 5th, 2010
8:38 am
This blowout was a fluke! The hawks showed up flat and overconfident, but will get it together in game 2 and win games 3 and 4 easily in ATL!!!! Mark this down—this series is going to 7 games!!! Joe Johnson will step it up in game 2–bank on it!!!
Perry West
May 5th, 2010
8:42 am
Byron scott would be an excellent choice to coach the Hawks. He would bring heart, accountabiity, and discipline the traits of a champion.
IlliniDawg
May 5th, 2010
8:42 am
Chris Sheridan of ESPN calls this game “and anhilation” and “a joke”
Wow, ouch!
Can it get any lower than this?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=howardgame1-100504
Dan the Nerd
May 5th, 2010
8:44 am
I thought marvin played well.
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:44 am
Were the 3 losses by 22 per game a fluke also?
do y’all just not get it?
Tell It Like It Is
May 5th, 2010
8:45 am
Getting beat consistently by 30 or more points definitely indicates that the Hawks are no match for Orlando. What bothers me is that this team lays down when things go bad. Obviously Woody cannot motivate them as they are not a good team.I am sure that he will be gone if the team does not turn themselves around. They are good individually but bad teamwise. It’s a shame that they are being embarrassed so badly. Hopefully they can at least be compeititive over the next three games as that is all that is left of the season.
jeff
May 5th, 2010
8:46 am
Joe isn’t worth the money!!! Here are his career playoff stats.
Games- 41, Games started 35
Minutes- 1,539
FGM- 258, FGA 612
3PM- 56, FGA 145
Assists- 148
To- 90
2009-10 Playoff Ranks-
Scoring #12 20.9
Assists #11 5.7
FGP #43 .423
FGM #3 60
FGA #1 142
3PFGM #40 6
3PFGA #26 24
Assists #6 40
Points #7 146
Assists per Turnover #15 2.67
Steals Per Turnover #37 .47
Field Goals per 48 Minutes #16 10.04
AND MORE- go here..
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/joe_johnson/
Barnacle Bill Bavasi
May 5th, 2010
8:46 am
Where does Woody hide his fire?
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
8:47 am
deer in the headlights….scared, nervous, trapped and unsure of what to do
Write it like it's not 1937
May 5th, 2010
8:48 am
Put “because,” in place of your archaic “as,” and your writing improves dramatically.
SC Smith
May 5th, 2010
8:48 am
This was no fluke, I like JJ but he is a number 2 player not a 1 the Hawks do, not have a number 1. No go to guy, every great team in the history of the NBA has one West, Kareem, Magic, Bird, Jordan, Bryant ect… Pay for Wade or Bosh. If they want to go to the next level. And Woody needs to coach to win, play what got you here, regular rotations, where the hell did Collins come from?
News and Notes from the Hawks Game One loss in Orlando | Soaring Down South | An Atlanta Hawks blog
May 5th, 2010
8:50 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC pretty much sums up the Hawks as a whole: Just when you think the Hawks have a chance to do something really good, they offer up a loss that makes you wonder if they’re any good at all. Yeah, yeah – it’s only one game and it still could be a long series, but the more the Hawks keep doing this the harder it is to write off one bad loss. Because there have been so many. [...]
Gen Neyland
May 5th, 2010
8:53 am
I’m not gonna waste time blasting the Hawks. Enough here are already doing so. What I will say is that the Hawks appear not to grasp what they got themselves into by making the playoffs. This is step up time and the fire is missing. Now, one game does not make a series but if the Hawks are serious about the playoffs, they need to put a shot into Orlando’s bow, not across it. Can they find the energy from last years playoff surprises..?
Peter
May 5th, 2010
8:54 am
Joe Johnson wants to look at the tapes he says………. I guess he needs to check out his One on one moves !
jeff
May 5th, 2010
8:55 am
Can someone call Delta and ask them where they dropped the Hawks off? I can’t take watching the scrubs play again… lol
Tell It Like It Is
May 5th, 2010
8:58 am
Write it like it’s not 1937,
Your writing skills advice is under consideration. Thanks.
fanfan
May 5th, 2010
8:58 am
Uncovered weaknesses as before. No real improvement since last year. Magic in four. ASG to look for a real solution? Nah, not in our life time. Welcome to the south!!
Mutley
May 5th, 2010
8:58 am
Now thats what you call an a$$ whooping.
Hawks73
May 5th, 2010
9:01 am
Not surprised at all by the Hawks performance last night. It’s exactly why no one really takes this team seriously. They do just enough to get by with the talent they have, but have not maximized their potential. NO PLAYOFF TEAM SHOULD LOSE BY 43 POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s utterly embarrassing to watch each player just mail it in when they are facing an opponent that pushes them. If they are content with beating the mighty Bucks (in seven games), then I say it’s time for a head coaching change. I would hope that they at least start playing with some fire and passion and make the Magic work to end this series.
Peter
May 5th, 2010
9:01 am
Woody said he wish he knew what happened………Really…….ow about No passing, standing around on offense, Joe Johnson One on Five ? Come on Woody, there is zero offensive flow.
Perhaps he needs to watch the game tapes from TV…..the announcers can then tell him what happened.
Mike Bibby said they “embarrassed US”……..How about you played soooooooo poorly as a TEAM…..you embarrassed yourselves ?
governor404
May 5th, 2010
9:02 am
1pt or 43pts a loss is still a loss, never forget the Boston massacre, true test comes over the entirety of the series, only people who are bagging on JJ, Woody, have been doing it for years and their opinions will not change no matter what. Its time to man up (again!. We are poorly constituted to be a championship, i.e. Josh and Marvin are the same player one or the other needs to be the 3man, Josh lacks fundamentals, Marvin lacks everything else, make one or the other a 3, trade for the odd man out in the New Orleans’ pt guard mess and lets move on. We are still 2 yrs and a player and a half from being true championship material.ASG do not panic and do a total blowup, tinker gently as with a timebomb.
BBgenie
May 5th, 2010
9:09 am
Well Hawks hater’s you do have a reason to be upset! But please remember the Lakers lost to Boston By 48pts in the NBA Finals gm #1 in the 80’s. They went on to win the series!!! Can History repeat it self???? Yes. Maybe the Magic will be over confindent?? The Series doesn’t start until we lose @ Home. Hawks in 7!!!!!!
BBgenie
May 5th, 2010
9:12 am
Enter your comments here
the hawk lose here
May 5th, 2010
9:19 am
hey tonight are tomorrow game will inprove will lose by 20 points friday be down 2-0 come home to a half empty phillps arena sorta like watchin thrashers hockey. after the 38pt game three lost at home woodson say’s We did inprove on screwin up better Joe Johnson died on us Josh Smith is lookin for a hooker.Other wise game 4 we be better then so come n watch us Lose in for.As Woodson gets a free ride on Marta to airport look for a Job!
Akron Atlantan
May 5th, 2010
9:22 am
LOL! I like the comments. “Fire Everyone…get D. Wade…get Lebron…get Bosh” Very intelligent guys.
Dick
May 5th, 2010
9:26 am
How can a team be “distracted” in the 2nd round of the playoffs? Against a team that’s owned them? It’s the same immature crap all the time…middle school level excuses. They may be good guys, but collectively they’re a pathetically immature and unprofessional group. Mark’s right; how can they be taken seriously? The Tin Man team; no heart and all excuses. Have a nice summer, Hawks. Hope the team is somehow reconstituted next year (if they can get out from under those contracts).
KB
May 5th, 2010
9:28 am
If the Hawks wants to beat the Magic in this series, then the following things must happen:
1. Start J. Collins, then bring in R. Morris, then bring in Z. Pachulia, and let A. Horford play in the end of the game. This is why R. Sund will get fired as a GM. He knew he need a big man at the beginning of the season. He coould given M. Williams to the Trailblazers for J. Prizbella long time ago. Horford has been out of position for so long and now he got to guard a real center. He can’t do it.
2. Have a heart to heart talk with J. Johnson. If he jump shot isn’t working, then he needs to go to the hoop. If he is too scared to go hoop, then GET HIM OFF THE TEAM!!!
3. Tell M. Williams to reappear. It makes no sense for him to scored 22 points in the last game and then a turn around and score only 8 in this one.
4.Tell M. Woodson and his coaches to get their act together. You coach a loose way in the regular season. You coach totally different in the playoffs. Check out how P Jackson of the Lakes, G. Pop of the San Antonio Spurs, and G. Sloan of the Utah Jazz how they coach in the playoffs. The playoffs are a total different animal.
I am not worried about J. Crawford for the rest of the series. He can have a mulligan. I am not worried about M. Bibby in this series. He may not can’t gaurd J. Nelson, but he will score more than two points in the next game.
5. Lastly, tell the team that DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!. If the men can’t work together as one playing defense, then they shoud not be playing at all…
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
May 5th, 2010
9:32 am
Between the Hawks & Braves…Folks- it’s going to be a looooonnggg Summer. Bring on Football PLEASE!!!
DP
May 5th, 2010
9:34 am
Was just listening to a Bill Simmons podcast with Ric Bucher of ESPN. Simmons asked Bucher for some observations based on being near huddles while covering the NBA playoffs this year. Bucher’s first observation was about the Hawks. He said that late in a game during the Bucks series when the Hawks were under duress (likely during the game 5 meltdown), Woodson got on Joe Johnson and Josh Smith in the huddle and they told him in so many words to shut up. Bucher said there is obviously a complete lack of respect for Woodson from the players and he sees no progress in the Hawks from last year. He said they should have easily finished off Miami last year and Milwaukee this year.
Kelvin
May 5th, 2010
9:35 am
I hate to say this, but a few days ago I said on this blog that Orlando would win by forty (40) points. No one listens to me. The Hawks are at best an 8 seed if they were in the West and of the 16 teams that started the playoffs I would rank the Hawks at number 12. I am saying this and I am a Hawks fan, but I am also objective and a realist. That’s why I can say that the Hawks have no shot in this series.
N.B.
May 5th, 2010
9:40 am
“PLAYOFFS???? PLAYOFFS??? DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT PLAY–PLAYOFFS?? THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE AND WE LET EM’ OFF THE HOOK!!……
PLAYOFFS??? PLAYOFFS???”
MagicRocks
May 5th, 2010
9:41 am
To Game 1 Fluke:
This is NO fluke. Hawks sucked and they knew it after the second quarter. The only way Hawks win big (or win period) in Atlanta is when 3 or more of our starters aren’t playing. They can’t stop Howard and you guys know that. That joke of a player Za-Za Pa..whatever his last name is can’t do anything other than flop hoping refs will blow the whistle. Hartford…well let just say he’s more of a forward than a center. Like I said before, Hawks lost the regular season series 3-1. It’s going to be the same outcome in this series.
ladyhawksfan
May 5th, 2010
9:41 am
This is one of those performances that really have me scratching my head.The Hawks almost played a perfect 1st qtr.Then what happened next?Let me see here.Well first Jamal Crawford started hoisted up bad shots.Then Howard started to dominate with a few thunderous dunks.At that time we are probably down by 13 or so.Then thats when the same old Hawks begin to show up.Thats when they decided to go iso everything on offense,no ball movement,no screens,no pick and roll,no attacking the basket,and a whole lot of turnovers.Their defensive performance was even worse than their non existent offense.Thats called a snowball effect.When they cant score,they stop competing ,and their defense suffers,Why?Because they gave up.Why havent they learned that no matter how bad youre shooting the ball,when you maintain your defensive intensity and stop the other team from scoring you still give yourself a chance to at least be competitive.This is getting to old and there are no excuses.There is no way Orlando is 43 points better than us.They r deeper.more skilled and more polished.But in no way should they be more hungrier than us.Its all about will and desire and passion and the Hawks dont play with any on the road.In reality we dont match up well against Orlando but thats still no excuse to get ur butts kicked in a playoff game.If Joe continues to play the way he has,this series will be over in the next three games.Woody has got to make some major adjustments.Here is one that i suggest he try.On offense when we post J.J or Smoove,instead of Bibby making the entry pass why not use Hordford.That why maybe u can suck Howard out of the paint.Has he realized that Dwight is coming to double every time and the Hawks have no spacing,so how can they find the open man.If they use Al as the entry passer,maybe they will find some open shots.You will not beat Orlando with stagnant offense.Thats playing right into their hands.And another thing,why not try Joe on Nelson next game.Bibby is no match for him.
dawginDC
May 5th, 2010
9:42 am
joe johnson = overrated ball hog…………………
Roto Rooter
May 5th, 2010
9:47 am
@BBgenie – your name is appropriate. The Hawks need a genie to win. You said, “the series doesn’t start until we lose @ home.” I think you meant, the series doesn’t end until we lose two at home. GTFOH!
Gamer
May 5th, 2010
9:58 am
Only game#1 folks. No surprise that the Magic would take game#1 with a statement to the Hawks of their NBA championship quest…No postseason team would have beaten the Magic last night, not the Lakers or Cavaliers…They made some big shots and they ran the floor like generals…NO TEAM CAN BEAT THEM WHEN THEY PLAY LIKE THAT…
Now the Hawks must bounce back with a statement of their own…that the Hawks are not only here to play postseason ball but to win seven game series to reach Eastern Conf. Finals!!!!
The Hawks big reservemen will figure out D. Howard by game#2..Watch tapes of Howard foot movement…he leans to angle of his movement,,hint hint..
Joe Johnson and Jamal need to staple their midrange and penetrating game, the long ball will be there…Jamal can take his defenders off the dribble…Joe can post-up his defenders…These two must give their defenders difference looks, offensively.
Horford and Josh must continue to take the ball to the rack with strong physical play to make baskets or draw fouls from their defenders…
Bibby is a craftsman, he will find his way….
Woody need to settle down Jeff Teague because the boy got game…He just need to settle down and see the flow of the game with his teammates….
Marvin Williams need to use his atheleticism by not being afraid to take it hard to the rack…
Hawks got what it takes to defeat Magic in Orlando…
HAWKS PLAY STAND-UP STELLAR DEFENSE…LEAVE IT ALL ON THE COURT, HUSTLE, SWEAT AND DOMINANCE….
MAKE BEDLAM HAWKS!!! STRIKE FRIGHT INTO YOUR OPPONENT!!!
Ben
May 5th, 2010
9:59 am
Mark, here are some more supporting facts for people outside of Atlanta not taking this team seriously:
1) 2 games of the Hawks/Bucks series weren’t broadcast nationally (this is before it went past 4 games). They were broadcast regionally but not nationally. That is UNHEARD OF for an NBA Playoff series. Seems they felt there was ZERO interest outside both teams respective markets.
2) The lead story on Sportscenter today was the Lakers/Jazz. THIRTY FIVE MINUTES later, after “Pacman Jones to Bengals”, “Calipari in talk for new contract”, among others, we get the Hawks/Magic highlights. I think that speaks volumes to the national interest.
Most just view the Hawks as something the Magic have to get through to play the Cavs. By last night’s performance, they are 100% correct. This team is CLEARLY not a contender and they don’t deserve contender press.
jeff
May 5th, 2010
10:05 am
Just a thought- Why not use a 10 man rotation ( I know slap me I am dreaming) and sub every 6 minutes to have fresh bodies and JJ can only ISO for 12 minutes a half not 24.
Group 1.
Crawford, Teague or Bibby
JJ
Collins
Smoove
Za-Za
Group 2
Bibby, Crawford or Teague
Horford
Williams
Joe Smith
Evans
Brandon Jennings
May 5th, 2010
10:07 am
My mission was to wear out the Hawks, and I did.
Sav Fan
May 5th, 2010
10:13 am
The problem is not all Woody. Sund did not try to get a big man in the middle. Waiting to see what the guy from Cleveland was going to do and then not go after someone else was stupid. Please give Marvin his walking papers, he has no hustle.
82Dawg
May 5th, 2010
10:19 am
I was hoping this would be good series, but I am now thinking Orlando will sweep, but now I am thinking the Hawks will win one game.
DirtyDawg
May 5th, 2010
10:21 am
Joe Johnson’s head, and, I hope soon, his a$$, will be in New York. And as for his ‘40 minutes of hell’ upbringing, forgetaboutit. He was only there a year – or maybe two, I forget, plus I wasn’t paying much attention. All I do know is that as a freshman at the SEC tourney here, he was smooth and cool – he could put it up from the cheap seats and that’s all that was needed. Now it’s – JJ dribbles for most of the 24 seconds – standing still of course – then either loses the ball trying to penetrate or ‘puts it up from the cheap seats’…and that’s your ‘A’ player.
As for Josh Smith, I suppose you have to say he’s getting better, but I still can’t help but recall his ‘performance’ at an Addidas Allstar week/weekend in Knoxville when he and Dwight Howard were both graduating seniors – JS (and his pretty much his whole family) moped around for the entire time, mule-lip in evidence, pretty soon after they realized that Howard was ten-times the player he was – Howard got the MVP for the event, and Smith got the, deserved, reputation of a petulant punk.
KB
May 5th, 2010
10:36 am
Gamer makes a great point. This one-on-one ball playing is not going to work. Move the ball around to find the open man. Play defense. If you shoot two jumpers that have not gone in, then go to the hoop. You can get the shot blocker in foul trouble and you can get some easy points at the line. This is pee wee rules that these guys should know about. This is not the time to let your ego get in the way of winning. If this team have these selfish members on the team, then the team should get rid of them.
Greg Jones
May 5th, 2010
10:43 am
This was a beat down that no one saw coming. I think the Bobcats played better than the Hawks did. This game was a joke. The Hawks are a talented team and can give any team problems, but they just laid down last night.
Haul Pewitt
May 5th, 2010
11:18 am
Dear Atlanta Spirit Group,
Please accept this post on Mark Bradley’s blog as an application for your head coaching position. I cannot reveal my real name at present, but am head coach at a major university, possibly in Georgia and likely in the nation’s premiere basketball conference. I am successful, send a lot of players to the NBA and am in demand in the New York metropolitan area. But my family wants to live in our current city, which is within commuting distance of Phillips Arena. You can meet me tomorrow at the Varsity south dining room at noon. I’ll be sitting in one of those school desks, wearing gold. Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Haul Pewitt
Eric
May 5th, 2010
12:11 pm
Go JJ and take Woody with you!
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
12:22 pm
“This was a beat down that no one saw coming.” Magic won 3 games this year by 22 plus against the Hawks….was I the only one who saw it coming? My Magic 8 Ball says next time we should buy you dinner 1st.
pluckthehawks
May 5th, 2010
12:24 pm
This just in, Hawks will send message game 2….They will go to tip off waving the white flag.
Top Magic and NBA News: Wednesday, May 5 | Outdoor sports, camping, tenis, golf
May 5th, 2010
1:01 pm
[...] The Hawks lose Game 1 by 43 points and it looked worse, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Mark Bradley The Buzz: Atlanta thought they could win Game 1, but [...]
Suckville
May 5th, 2010
8:35 pm
Which team sucks more: hawks, thrashers, braves??? I’ll have to do some contemplation to discover the answer, while drinking some strong stuff.