Game 3 in Philips Arena: It’s last-stand time for the Hawks
Orlando – The Hawks led the Magic by two points after 35 minutes and 59 seconds here Thursday night. They trailed by 19 points barely eight minutes later. The visitors had gotten almost everything they could have hoped from the first three quarters, and yet, once again, they weren’t close at the end.
There was about Game 2 a sensation of a best shot having been delivered and parried — a chilling thought. Asked if that was his impression, Josh Smith said: “There’s a better shot still to come. We have to play the full 48.”
Maybe those long-awaited 48 minutes will come at Philips Arena on Saturday. If not, that’s it for this season. The team that won 53 games is down to its last real chance. That said …
The Milwaukee Bucks were down to their last real chance not two weeks ago, and they won Games 3, 4 and 5 and had a chance to close out the Hawks at the Bradley Center. The old playoff axiom: A series doesn’t begin until the road team wins. The road team hasn’t yet won in this series.
As suggested last night, there’s every chance the Magic could be too stout for the Hawks. “They’re good,” Mike Woodson admitted in a candid moment, staring at the box score in the locker room. Also this, regarding his team: “They’re going to have to have a defensive mentality.”
The Hawks have played five road playoff games. In four of them the opponent has scored more than 100 points. The exception was Game 6 against Milwaukee, in which the Hawks limited the Bucks to 69 points. Woodson took great pride in his team’s defensive efforts — Milwaukee averaged 71.5 points over the final two games — to close out that series, but the Magic are a different kettle of fish. They scored 114 points in a laugher and 112, after a 28-point fourth quarter in which Dwight Howard made only one basket, in a tight game that became a laugher.
“We’re good enough to play with anybody,” said Al Horford, who had one of the finest games of a stellar career (24 points, 10 rebounds). “We’ve got to keep improving and building on what we did the first half. We’ve got to put in a full game.”
If you’re into trends, you’re slightly encouraged. The Hawks played one good quarter in Game 1; they played three in Game 2. They were where they needed to be the second time around, and then they started lofting jump shots and the game got away. The Magic went from one point ahead to 11 points up in three minutes and 10 seconds, which shows Orlando has a separation gear its opponent lacks. The trick is to keep that gear from being engaged.
And that won’t be easy, not even at Philips. The one time the Hawks beat the Magic this season, they led by 11 points late but needed Smith’s follow dunk at the horn to win. The Magic have so many options: Jameer Nelson had four points in the first half Thursday, 13 in the third quarter; Vince Carter had four points in the first half, 11 in the fourth quarter.
Loading ...Came the final period, Mike Bibby was long gone. There’s nobody for him to guard in this series. (There aren’t many people for Bibby to guard in any series.) What people say about the playoffs is true: Matchups become paramount here, and the longer a series goes the harder it is for the Hawks to hide Bibby. Imagine trying to win in postseason with your starting point guard not playing a fourth-quarter minute.
“We have to put in a full game,” Horford said. “We tried to get a full game together and couldn’t do it.”
And now it’s down to one last stand. Game 3’s are often last stands for the team trailing 2-0, but that doesn’t mean Game 3 can’t have a transforming effect. The Hawks were just looking for respectability headed into Game 3 against the Celtics in 2008; they wound up taking Boston to a Game 7.
As ominous as it seems, this series isn’t over. The Hawks play better at home, and they’ll have to play better than ever if they plan to give Orlando a real run. “You’ve got to play the full 48 to beat these guys,” Smith said, and the Hawks managed three-quarters of that in Game 2. Either they go the distance in Game 3, or they prepare to go home for the summer.
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167 comments Add your comment
Rick Sund
May 7th, 2010
2:49 pm
Will you UNGRATEFUL fans realize that we gave a GREAT effort last night. Our organization is about PROGRESS not CHAMPIONSHIPS right now. All we have to do is win ONE GAME in this round and that will be better than last year’s team. Rome was not built in a day. You have to crawl before you can walk. You fans just have TOO HIGH EXPECTATIONS for this team. We have already reached our ELITE status because we won over 50 games. Being ELITE is not based on the PLAYOFFS, but the REGULAR SEASON. The real fans are SATISFIED with where this team is. People like BIG RAY knows that it TAKES TIME to win a championship. You people are just UNREALISTIC about this team. It’s about PROGRESSION right now. As long as we have a NUCLEUS like J-SMOOVE (because of his great ball handling and pure shooting), MARVIN “GREAT POTENTIAL AND UPSIDE” WILLIAMS, and AL HORFORD, and last but not least JOE “I WILL CARRY THE TEAM WITH ISOS” JOHNSON, the future looks bright. Well see you real fans tomorrow at the PHILLIPS ARENA for a special CHIK FILA FAMILY NIGHT!
Grove
May 7th, 2010
2:52 pm
Actually when it comes to Heart of the team there is I see only one player starting that has heart and that is Al Horford, he is really getting after it. I agree with Hubie he was point a few things out and he all but said that Woodson was not and is not coaching. Josh was clearly loafing and a good coach would have nipped that in the bud by yanking him. That what he did is cancerous it spreads and he really should have pulled.
Time
May 7th, 2010
3:03 pm
I’m a guy that typically stands behind the home team guys, no matter what. Too many around here are too quick to just hate on players because things don’t go the way they think it should. 99 percent of the people doing that have probably never spent a second of their lives playing a competitive sport. But that’s a different rant. So I digress.
The problem is and solely is Joe Johnson. And I don’t think it’s as some have theorized that he’s really lost a step. He may have, but his game has never been about explosiveness anyways so any lost step effect should be marginal.
The problem is Joe Johnson is playing for a contract. He clearly think he deserves a max contract and has changed the way he played this year because of it. It’s like he keeps trying to show the league he is a true superstar on the lines of a Kobe. Problem is Joe, you’re not. What you are, or atleast used to be, is a first rate shooting guard. A step below the levels of the Kobe’s, but still, a great player.
So, trying to prove this to get his deal, he keeps going into iso dribble show mode. Of course, when he does it leaves everyone else just kind of standing around. In fairness, alot of times he beats people in his iso’s, gets in the lane and either hits a little floater. If he misses, most of the time it’s going to be because he’s not Kobe and doesn’t get the “superstar” respect from the awful NBA officiating and gets clubbed with no whistle.
I remember when Joe used to be one of the more feared “shooters” in the league. Used to be if he’d catch the ball and was open he shot it. Just rise up and shoot in rythm. He NEVER does that anymore and it’s killing his game. He’ll catch, have space to take a rythm jumper, but doesn’t. Instead dribbling around, giving the defender time to drape himself all over him. And it breaks down into iso Joe with 5 seconds left on the clock.
That’s why Atlanta can’t, and I predict won’t even attempt, to resign him. I think Jeff Teague is more than ready to run this team from the point and provide our athletic bigs just what they need. A running PG in the mold of Chris Paul to ingite the break, break down halfcourt defenses quickly with the dribble and create open shots for Al and Josh. Then they should resign Crawford, who gives you essentially the same game as Joe, but will come much cheaper.
The team automatically becomes much better right there in my opinion. The biggest beneficiary will be the maligned Marvin Williams. Who many rip. But I think it’s just a case of someone has to take on lesser roles with a team laden with such talent as the Hawks have. Let’s face it, in the order of things right now, Marvin is maybe option 5 or so for scoring. No Joe I believe will elevate his game, because he will become more of a primary option and will know on a night in and night out basis he will have a chance to excel. Right now, someone has to cede their ego’s for the betterment of the team as it stands now. And I think Marvin has been that guy.
Cali girl
May 7th, 2010
3:04 pm
it seems to me that Joe Johnson just does not care anymore like none of the players are hungry enough for a championship cause if they wanted it they would go out every night regardless of the matchup problems or how good the Magic is play their hearts out
they don’t have a leader a player who is going to say give me the ball or somebody is willing to step up talk to the team regardless of how they feel and give them motivation energy even at home games we need a leader that will tell josh stop walking up and down the court or tell him to stop making jumpshots we need a leader
Hopefully we can work up some magic of our own this saturday and win at home but i still think the hawks played a good game they just went away from what worked
Time
May 7th, 2010
3:04 pm
I’m a guy that typically stands behind the home team guys, no matter what. Too many around here are too quick to just hate on players because things don’t go the way they think it should. 99 percent of the people doing that have probably never spent a second of their lives playing a competitive sport. But that’s a different rant. So I digress.
The problem is and solely is Joe Johnson. And I don’t think it’s as some have theorized that he’s really lost a step. He may have, but his game has never been about explosiveness anyways so any lost step effect should be marginal.
The problem is Joe Johnson is playing for a contract. He clearly think he deserves a max contract and has changed the way he played this year because of it. It’s like he keeps trying to show the league he is a true superstar on the lines of a Kobe. Problem is Joe, you’re not. What you are, or atleast used to be, is a first rate shooting guard. A step below the levels of the Kobe’s, but still, a great player.
So, trying to prove this to get his deal, he keeps going into iso dribble show mode. Of course, when he does it leaves everyone else just kind of standing around. In fairness, alot of times he beats people in his iso’s, gets in the lane and either hits a little floater. If he misses, most of the time it’s going to be because he’s not Kobe and doesn’t get the “superstar” respect from the awful NBA officiating and gets clubbed with no whistle.
I remember when Joe used to be one of the more feared “shooters” in the league. Used to be if he’d catch the ball and was open he shot it. Just rise up and shoot in rythm. He NEVER does that anymore and it’s killing his game. He’ll catch, have space to take a rythm jumper, but doesn’t. Instead dribbling around, giving the defender time to drape himself all over him. And it breaks down into iso Joe with 5 seconds left on the clock.
That’s why Atlanta can’t, and I predict won’t even attempt, to resign him. I think Jeff Teague is more than ready to run this team from the point and provide our athletic bigs just what they need. A running PG in the mold of Chris Paul to ingite the break, break down halfcourt defenses quickly with the dribble and create open shots for Al and Josh. Then they should resign Crawford, who gives you essentially the same game as Joe, but will come much cheaper.
Section 303
May 7th, 2010
3:04 pm
Mark, you’re writing some good stuff, lately. Keep it coming.
northcyde
May 7th, 2010
3:04 pm
JJ has to be more aggressive. Everybody is talking about how ISO JJ lost the game . . . but in the 21 – 3 run the Magic went on, JJ took a total of ONE SHOT.
So JJ . . . give this fan base what it wants . . or doesn’t want.
Because half of them are wishing that you’d take over the game ( or at leas try to )
And the other half want you to pass the ball to set other people up.
So how about just doing the first. Let them call you selfish. Let them call you a ball hog. But to me, you HAVE to get up 20+ shots in order for us to have a shot to beat this team. If you’re 4 – 14 . . KEEP SHOOTING.
You can still play the team game. You can still be the playmaker. You can still be the guy who chases Nelson around, because we have no one else who can do it. But you need to get those shots up.
Don’t be afraid to put up an 8 – 22 FG game, if it will help your team get a victory. Maybe your teammates can continue to do what they do real well . . and that’s grab offensive rebounds.
That’s one thing I can say about Jamal Crawford. No matter what the situation, or how horrible or difficult the shot, he’s going to keep firing without any conscious. He’ll get a pass from this fan base, until he assumes your role as the perimeter go-to scorer. Then they’ll turn on him too.
So in the meantime JJ . . . GET YOUR SHOTS UP. Shooters shoot themselves out of slumps. Don’t dribble to try to draw a double team to set your teammates up. Just GO . . create some space . .and TAKE YOUR SHOT.
Timmy
May 7th, 2010
3:05 pm
Totally agree, Grove…though I might add that with a good, tough coach like Popovich, it’s unlikely we would even see antics like those of Josh last night.
Al is the only guy in our starting lineup who is a keeper to me. All the rest can be dealt provided we receive comparable value in return. It’s kind of sad that for a team that won 53 games there are only two players (Horford, Crawford) who should definitely remain. Josh would be the 3rd if not for his constant self-handicapping. He takes himself out of the game by allowing his emotions to negatively impact his game. We will never be successful as long as we have a guy playing 35 minutes a game in the playoffs who can’t keep himself composed.
N.B.
May 7th, 2010
3:10 pm
PLAYOFFS!?!?! PLAYOFFS?!?!? DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT PLAY–PLAYOFFS!?!? THEY ARE EXACTLY WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE AND WE LET EM’ OFF DA HOOK!!!
PLAYOFFS?!?! PLAY–PLAYOFFS?!?!
Timmy
May 7th, 2010
3:10 pm
northcyde,
The problem is that when we go iso-Joe it’s either Joe Johnson making a jump shot with under 5 on the shot clock or bust. Sure it’s great when he’s making it, but he’s not Lebron. He can’t will the ball into the basket nor does he get to the line like a superstar to compensate for his misses.
For me personally, it’s more of an issue that Joe so frequently dribbles around for 15 seconds before advancing towards the basket. All ball movement stops and our chances to score go down considerably. Again, he is not a superstar and we are not a one-man team. We need constant ball movement to win games because we don’t have any one player who is overpowering enough to win the game by himself when the defense knows he’s the only option we’re banking on.
PaulieOldSchool
May 7th, 2010
3:20 pm
This series is another Dead Man Walking.
htwo0rider
May 7th, 2010
3:32 pm
Mark,
You’re very positive, but the Hawks are done.
northcyde
May 7th, 2010
3:37 pm
Timmy . . and we don’t have enough reliable shooters on this team that we can count on them to make shots. Bibby is arguably one of our best outside shooters on the team, but we can’t even play him these days, because he’s so horrible defensively and can’t even get enough space to get his shot off.
Horford is a good midrange shooter, but needs ball movement to set his shot up. Against Centers, Horford isn’t a good scorer. Against PF’s, he’s much better.
Josh Smith usually excells on offense, when we’re in transition, or if he’s grabbing offensive rebounds. Sometimes he has the advantage in the post, and can score there.
Marvin is hit or miss . . . literally
Bibby is becoming more miss than hit
I think we had 9 or 10 assists in that 1st half. 4 of them were to JJ ( 3 jumpers and 1 lay-up ). The adjustment JJ needs to make, is to simply make the quick decision to score off of a pull-up jumper, instead of trying to get into the lane to set up his floater all the time.
If he catches the ball, and he has some space, he should simply let it fly. Don’t dribble. Don’t waste time. Just let the shot go. If he misses, see if the frontline can grab an offensive rebound to give us a 2nd chance.
Regardless . . . JJ is the one that needs to increase his shots. In the last 5 games, he’s had shot attempts of 16 – 24 – 14 – 11 -16. That can’t happen on a team in which you’re look at as the main shooter. In the first 4 games, he had shot attempts of 21 – 23 – 22 – 22.
And even if JJ increased his shots, the main problem with this team is still the defense. As much as there was a 4th quarter breakdown on offense, the defense for the entire 2nd half broke completely down. The Magic shot over 60% in that 2nd half and scored 63 points.
JeJe
May 7th, 2010
3:42 pm
RESIGNING JOE JOHNSON DOES NOT MAKE THE HAWKS ANY CLOSER TO COMPETING WITH ORLANDO OR CLEVELAND FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP. EITHER SHAKE UP THE CORE O S&T JOE FOR DWYANE WADE AND OVERPAY IF U MUST
LEBRON AND DWIGHT AREN’T GOING ANYWHERE
LucilleBoris
May 7th, 2010
3:48 pm
I used to defend joe johnson but it looks like he is clueless out there as to how to get his game off and score points. When he is defended well he immediately goes into his ISO routine where he does a drop step (almost like a dance step) then fades away and tries to launch it over some defender. That move is as old as dirt and I cant believe for an all-star player that he wont commit himself to improving his game. Joe has enough natural talent to be one of the top 5 players in the game, which he used to be. Now I think there are at least 20 players better than Joe Johnson.
big shocker.
May 7th, 2010
3:51 pm
i agree with all of the iso joe dribbling comments. Move the frickin ball around joe. the you can hit your floater jumper. we were right in last nights game until,yeah,big shocker, we grow cold from our 20 ft jump shots. hubie brown was right, move the ball side to side, and find the open look. And Josh smith, quit your pouting and get up the floor. man, if you want respect and kudos, shut up your baby squinch face and crying,and get down the floor to slam it in someones face. Dude,if your tired, sit down and at least let someone else try. Oh, and Woody, How about getting into these guys the fact that they can beat orlando. I don’t know how many slams the magic had down the lane, and no one even challenged them. Al has had a great year and a boatload of effort. how about rubbing off on the others(joe johnson, josh smith, and the invisible marvin williams.)Marvin, you are such an enigma. some games unstoppable, and most others, no where to be found. you will hit a few jumpers like you can’t be stopped, and then fade like a fourth grader playing with seniors in high school. Hawks, put on your big boy pants and get after the magic. This is the last dance,Go Hawks.
Noshaun
May 7th, 2010
4:48 pm
Everybody is over-analyzing the series. Orlando is a better team. Chill out.
papadawg
May 7th, 2010
4:51 pm
NOT even in the same class as the Magic. Maybe time for coaching change.
eddy
May 7th, 2010
4:57 pm
Watching the Hawks is the most frustrating thing ive ever done, except for maybe watching Tech basketball. How does Mike Woodson not get fired? Does he not know how to draw up any other play besides Iso Joe? He gets no respect from the players, especially evident during the playoffs. He doesn’t play Teague at all, when everyone knows he should at least try and see if he could slow down Jennings first, now Nelson. And last night was the last straw for me. After seeing Josh walk up and down the court, make just horrible turnovers, and complain to everyone in sight about fouls, he never even takes him out of the game. Any other coach would have sat his ass on the bench and chewed him out. Not Woody, I think he is scared to do anything like that which is why he should be fired. I read on SI that during the end of game 5 vs the Bucks, Josh and Joe basically ignored and cursed Woody when he was trying to talk to the team. Pretty sad. We have gotten this far on talent and with Woodson’s horrible coaching but now it all gets exposed in the playoffs. Playing Smith, Collins, Zaza, and Marvin together in game 1 then doing nothing in game 2 just shows how bad he really is. WHY DO YOU KEEP PLAYING MARVIN AND MO EVENS?? THEY DO NOTHING! Do something that shows you care, like benching Josh even for a posession when he does his stupid crap. Did anyone see Woodson after losing by 43 points in his press conference? HE ACTED LIKE IT WAS NO BIG DEAL! REALLY?!!! I will gladly drive him and Joe to the airport when they leave. I don’t even want to get started on Joe wanting max money. LMFAO!!!
PANDEMONEUM
May 7th, 2010
4:59 pm
i dont think the Bucks would have lost as bad as the Hawks did in Game 1
if the Hawks keep JJ, they only have $ to upgrade their bench
if the Hawks dont keep JJ, they should also trade JS and start the rebuild
in 4 years, the Hawks should be back to a 4 seed and improving
JeJe
im in agreement with james and howard r NOT going anywhere
so, by keeping JJ, at least the Hawks will be in the playoffs for another 3 years
the main concern is miami and chicago
if each team acquires a top free agent, that could bump the hawks lower in the playoff standings
cavs and magic r 1 and 2 for the next 4 years
atl can be 3 or 4 for the next 4 years
boston should be dropping, lots of old guys
bucks, about the same for 2 more years but on the + side
toronto should be dropping, without bosh
chicago and miami, depends on free agents
charlotte, who knows
Carl- still a loyal Hawks fan!
May 7th, 2010
5:02 pm
I have enjoyed watching the Hawks all year and greatly appreciate their steady improvement over the last five years. I understand that we don’t match up with elite teams yet… and we probably won’t until we acquire a legitimate center. Imagine our front line with a good center and Al and Josh at forward.
You see how good Joe and Jamal are when they get open shots. The problem on offense is obviously the lack of ball movement. It’s not just iso Joe! It’s also iso Jamal, iso Al and iso Josh! And yes, Marvin looks lost in this stagnant isolation offense. But when the ball is moving, he’s contributes at a high level. The isolation offense too often means there are a lack of rebounders when iso xxx finally launches a shot.
My question is… who’s running this never-ending isolation game? Woodson or the players. While the hawks are rebounding well, the fast breaks are so infrequent in the playoffs.
Mark, with the athletically gited players on this hawks team, why do they persist in this isolation game (which is so ineffective against good defensive teams) and why have we stopped running?
Go Hawks!
JCANELAKES
May 7th, 2010
5:41 pm
It would have been nice if the article had the F!@#$%^&*G SCORE LISTED!
Greg Norton
May 7th, 2010
6:36 pm
Question…announcers keep telling us Hawks have nobody that can stop Howard….who the heck did Charlotte put on him?? Far as I can tell, Hawks look very afraid of challenging Howard…..but hey, what do I know, I’m just a stud pinch-hitter!!!!
Harry The Hawk
May 7th, 2010
6:38 pm
Besides getting their arses kicked on national TV the Hawks are taking a constant beating in the press outside of Atlanta as doormats and, worse yet, quitters.
For all the talk of attracting big-time free-agents, I doubt that they’ll want to come here without major changes regarding the above.
This starts on the sidelines with Mike Woodson…as the guy who sets the tone, the negativity rests on his doorstep. Allowing Smoove to sulk on-court– with no reprecussions—on national TV, signals a team and franchise that are out of control. In short, with an unhappy All-Star and two crushing defeats under their belts, Atlanta comes across as a destination that may be a closer distance to self-destructing than a championship.
Wade,Bosh et al may relish the thought of a big paycheck to end up in the ATL…..but not without the leadership/guidance/mentoring of a coach who can put a stop to any immaturity, while commanding the player’s respect.
Woodson has already proven this is out of his realm……..if ownership cares about how they (and the franchise) are perceived by fans and players around the league, Mike has to go
Hawksfan1990
May 7th, 2010
7:05 pm
Mark, you’ve lost a lot of credibility with the last few articles you’ve posted. I used to enjoy reading your articles, but after the overconfidence and lack of new information, I feel as though you’ve exhausted your knowledge and are just publishing articles to try and stay relevant.
EM
May 7th, 2010
7:33 pm
Josh Smith was the reason the Hawks lost game 2. He was too busy pouting and throwing the ball away at the beginning of the 2nd half.
Rick Sund
May 7th, 2010
7:39 pm
Will you UNGRATEFUL fans realize that we gave a GREAT effort last night. Our organization is about PROGRESS not CHAMPIONSHIPS right now. All we have to do is win ONE GAME in this round and that will be better than last year’s team. You have to crawl before you can walk. You fans just have TOO HIGH EXPECTATIONS for this team. We have already reached our ELITE status because we won over 50 games. Being ELITE is not based on the PLAYOFFS, but the REGULAR SEASON. The real fans are SATISFIED with where this team is. People like BIG RAY knows that it TAKES TIME to win a championship. You people are just UNREALISTIC about this team. It’s about PROGRESSION right now. As long as we have a NUCLEUS like J-SMOOVE (because of his great ball handling and pure shooting), MARVIN “GREAT POTENTIAL AND UPSIDE” WILLIAMS, and AL HORFORD, and last but not least JOE “I WILL CARRY THE TEAM WITH ISOS” JOHNSON, the future looks bright. Well see you real fans tomorrow at the PHILLIPS ARENA (aka “highlight factory”) for a special CHIK FILA FAMILY NIGHT!
Rick Sund
May 7th, 2010
7:40 pm
Will you UNGRATEFUL fans realize that we gave a GREAT effort last night. Our organization is about PROGRESS not CHAMPIONSHIPS right now. All we have to do is win ONE GAME in this round and that will be better than last year’s team. Rome was not built in a day. You have to crawl before you can walk. You fans just have TOO HIGH EXPECTATIONS for this team. We have already reached our ELITE status because we won over 50 games. Being ELITE is not based on the PLAYOFFS, but the REGULAR SEASON. The real fans are SATISFIED with where this team is. People like BIG RAY knows that it TAKES TIME to win a championship. You people are just UNREALISTIC about this team. It’s about PROGRESSION right now. As long as we have a NUCLEUS like J-SMOOVE (because of his great ball handling and pure shooting), MARVIN “GREAT POTENTIAL AND UPSIDE” WILLIAMS, and AL HORFORD, and last but not least JOE “I WILL CARRY THE TEAM WITH ISOS” JOHNSON, the future looks bright. Hope to see you all for a special Chik Fila family night.
Rick Sund
May 7th, 2010
7:41 pm
Joe has POTENTIAL to be a SUPERSTAR.
MitchC
May 7th, 2010
7:43 pm
Mark, I’m very surprised that 56% of the people in the poll think Orlando will win Game Three. I guess those people are thinking sweep.
I think the Hawks will win Game Three. They will bring a much more sustained effort, and their crowd will help them.
My belief is that the Magic will ultimately win the series, in five games, as I’ve said before, but, as for Game Three, my call is a Hawks win.
#Just a thought
May 7th, 2010
7:58 pm
the magic have a really arrogant coach and so r they they aren’t just that arrogant they really do believe they can beat anybody in this league but u know they may have yet to lose a playoff game but a team is not going to win every playoff game
Billy
May 7th, 2010
8:50 pm
The little Hawkhorn….
Whopper Dawg
May 7th, 2010
9:34 pm
All of those years of high draft choices have gotten the Hawks some good players. But they need a leader on the floor and a leader on the bench (coach). I would call Skiles and see if he likes the south.
BTW CLASS OF 90
May 7th, 2010
11:33 pm
I am a Hawks fan and I have watched this team grow. And Coach Woody been the Coach the whole time. YEAH WE KNOW WE GOT. Let’s not forget we third place in da East this year. Y’all jump ship if you want to. YEAH WE GLAD TO BE HOME. Listen to that Goodie Mob Still Standing Number Fo. FILA We straight.
ktown hawker
May 7th, 2010
11:35 pm
Woody deserves a huge raise for getting this young hawk team into the second round, without a legit, big time scorer. The hawks owners need to step up in the offseason and pay d-wade whatever he wants, even if it takes $25 mil per year.
BTW CLASS OF 90
May 7th, 2010
11:40 pm
Let Teague play.
Greg
May 7th, 2010
11:41 pm
The reason the Hawks haven’t drawn more interest despite their 53 wins is due to the fact that it’s been apparent since early in the year that this is exact playoff scenario(whether the opponent was Cleveland or Orlando) would play out in the 2nd round. Nobody needed to wait until the last couple of games to figure out the Orlando was just better(and certainly better coached) than the Hawks, Mark.
With a better coach, the Hawks would at least have a puncher’s chance in the series. With their current coach, they have a puncher’s chance…..to win one game.
tree rollins
May 8th, 2010
12:26 am
Love the improvement I saw in the Hawks from Game 1 to Game 2. They’re going to rip the Magic a new one in Game 3 – expect similar in Game 4. Then we will have some kind of series on our hands. Expect JJ to begin dominating the smaller Jameer Nelson.
tree rollins
May 8th, 2010
12:30 am
I suppose I agree Mike Woodson isn’t the world’s greatest coach. But doesn’t he deserve something for sticking with this horrible team through the Billy Knight (Knightmare) years! He was a good foot soldier when there was nothing to work with and built this team into a playoff contender. Now you want to dump him in the nearest sewer – c’mon folks – where’s your loyalty. Think about and you’ll see why the Spirit owners will bring him back next year.
tree rollins
May 8th, 2010
12:33 am
Even if Woodson isn’t the world’s greatest coach – he deserves to coach the team because he was coaching it during the Knightmare years when nobody wanted them. Now that the team’s good (with his solid work) you want to dump him in the sewer. Think about it and I think you’ll see why the Atlanta Spirit owners will bring him back next year – it’s called LOYALTY.
Orlando Magic News & Notes: Series Shifts To Atlanta | Howard the Dunk | An Orlando Magic Blog
May 8th, 2010
2:10 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has that story here. [...]
Ted M
May 8th, 2010
4:25 am
What a freakin wuss!
Josh Smith was the biggest wuss in the world when he didn’t get down court to defend after Carter accidentally slapped him in the face. What a freakin wuss, he was barely hit. The Magic drained an uncontested 3 and it was all down hill from there. That’s where the game was lost.
What a freakin wuss!
Jeremy
May 8th, 2010
5:46 am
As a Magic fan i must say, i dont understand why the Hawks keep saying we palyed good in game 2 up till the 4th quarter, last time i checked they didnt give out wins for playing well for 36 mins. Yes you played better than in game 1, and yet you still lost by 14, i’m not saying that the Magic will sweep, although if they win game 3, then a sweep is more likely to happen, and does Joe Johnson always look so unintrested, he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but in the game….
ktown hawker
May 8th, 2010
7:47 am
Woody will rally the troops, circle the wagons and get these young hawks to play at 110%–they’ll give it their all and leave nothing on the court—there is no tomorrow!
S.U.P from East Atlanta
May 8th, 2010
7:59 am
Here’s my thoughts: I’ve grown up my entire life watching the Hawks so please believe you’re reading from a die hard Atlanta, GA sports fans. Hence, “GA sports fans” because I love all of my GA teams. Moving along, I’m really starting to feel like Joe Johnson is not the answer. If I’m Sund, I don’t try to re-sign JJ. I save the money and try to lure Chris Bosh back to the city where his college career took off along with getting rid of some excess baggage like Bibby. He’s a disgrace on defense, which we all know wins championships. We sign Bosh now he’s our 5, Big Al at 4, Smoove moves down to play the 3 putting Marvin on the bench (He was never a starter at UNC), insert Jamal Crawford at 2, and find us a solid point guard via sign and trade or for cheap in free agency. In the meantime, we allow Teague to continue to grow into his role. Although I do question drafting Teague when I think we should have went after Ty Lawson, IMO. Looking at that starting lineup, you could possibly have 3 all-stars including Smoove making it next year. Along with a solid bench, especially if we can get Chills back. Just the thoughts from a tru Hawks fan.
An Adult
May 8th, 2010
9:17 am
F-105 Thunderchief — wow first again…I guess the 8th grade pizza party was too dull for you so you hung around on line — again
Atlanta Hawks - Page 43 - iSTORYA.NET
May 8th, 2010
10:01 am
[...] [...]
Willy
May 8th, 2010
10:18 am
Woodson needs to chew some fanny IMMEDIATELY when he sees anyone half-fannying it on the court tonight.
D-Wade Now
May 8th, 2010
11:42 am
D Wade is the answer—with a superstar like him, the young hawk team will add the final piece to the puzzle—they will be in the NBA finals in 2 years! Mark it down!!! Pay whatever his agent says–he’s worth it.
Mikeeeeeeeeeeee
May 8th, 2010
12:12 pm
Why does everyone blame the coach?
Can the coach make Al Horford 40ibs heavier and 2 inches taller? No one on this team can defend Dwight, he is too big of a mismatch?
Can the coach give a heart to heartless players that give up and start playing 1 on 5 players?
The Hawks are too small for Orlando and they play together like a team, which the hawks rarely do.