As the Hawks approach a new season, the buzz is long gone
Jamal Crawford and Larry Drew: Why aren't they smiling? (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
There was a time when the Hawks were coming off a 13-win season, but that was in 2005. These Hawks are coming off 53-29, which represents the third-best mark since the team moved here from St. Louis. So why does it feel as if last season was an epic dud?
Because the season ended with a playoff series that was an epic dud, and the summer was worse. The Hawks underspent for a coach and overspent to keep their best player, and their solution to the annual plaint of we-need-a-real-big-man was to sign the journeymen Josh Powell and Etan Thomas.
Getting swept by Orlando by an average of 25.3 points set the Hawks, who’d been clambering ever upward since the 13-69 nadir of Mike Woodson’s first season, back years in the eyes of its constituency, and the double move of promoting Larry Drew and making Joe Johnson the highest-paid free agent simply underscored the long-held notion that this club doesn’t know what it’s doing. (Never mind that losing Joe Johnson would have issued a similar message.)
The result: The team that finished third in the NBA East will open its season next Wednesday, and there’s no buzz of anticipation. There’s only a rumble of discontent.
“I’m not oblivious to what people are saying and feeling,” said Jamal Crawford, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year and the happiest story of what should have been a happy season. But Crawford contributed to the fractious summer by demanding that the Hawks sign him to a new contract or trade him, neither of which has happened.
“Everyone has an opinion [as to how these Hawks will fare],” Crawford said, speaking after Wednesday’s practice. “It remains to be seen. We’ve got a whole new offense, a whole new system. I hope we’ll be able to take the next step. But you never know.”
Note the contrast. This time a year ago Crawford was as happy to be a Hawk as a 5-year-old running loose in Toys R Us. And now? “You never know.”
Exhibition games don’t mean much in any sport, but it’s worth noting that the Hawks have lost four of five, the most recent being another ritual drubbing by Orlando. On Thursday LeBron James will bring his talents to Philips Arena, and that could get messy, too. Indeed, this whole operation has the capacity to go really bad really fast.
Five of the first eight regular-season games are on the road. Said Drew, speaking of his retooled offense: “I see guys starting to pick it up. I was aware it was going to take some time. But the guys have bought into it, and what’s more important is that the main guy, Joe Johnson, buys into it.”
The proof of this purported buying-in, however, won’t be found in any preseason game. It will come in the final two of minutes of the games that count. Only then will we see if Johnson, who’d grown accustomed to taking nearly every key shot under Woodson, will be willing to defer to Crawford and Josh Smith and Al Horford. Only then will we see if Drew is up to the task.
Woodson was never popular with Hawks fans, and replacing him with just about anybody should have yielded a PR boost. Instead the Hawks replaced him not just with a man who hadn’t been a head coach but one who had been Woodson’s aide-de-camp for six years. (And who, not incidentally, came cheap.)
It was clear the Hawks had gone as far as they could under Woodson. Unclear is whether a guy who has been around this team — the starting five of which has remained unchanged since February 2008 — all along can be an agent of change. It’s possible Drew could represent an upgrade; it’s also possible he could be to Woodson as Ron Jirsa was to Tubby Smith at Georgia.
I take no pleasure in being so downbeat so soon, and I’d love to tell you I’m expecting nothing but great things from these Hawks. But I’d be lying through my teeth if I did.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
159 comments Add your comment
Pepe
October 20th, 2010
2:57 pm
That’s what she said…
J.J..M
October 20th, 2010
3:02 pm
I have sold my season tickets
Ugghh...
October 20th, 2010
3:04 pm
2nd
UGABugKiller
October 20th, 2010
3:07 pm
Until the DisSpirit are GONE, there won’t be an ounce of goodwill coming from any basketball or hockey fan in Atlanta.
I love the Thrashers because I love hockey. I’d like to at least like the Hawks, because basketball is (usually) fun to watch (Iso-Joe is NOT fun to watch).
But like I can’t and won’t support the DisSpirit with my money by buying hockey tickets, there’s no way in hell they’re getting my money for a Hawks team that will be lucky to finish 6th in the East, and will probably finish 7th or 8th… by default and not due to any talent.
And that sucks, because I really like Horford (who is miscast as at the 5). But one guy out of 12? That’s not going to excite anyone.
DawginLex
October 20th, 2010
3:07 pm
This team won’t win 45 games. They will struggle to finish 6th or 7th in the East and will be 1st round playoff fodder for Orlando, boston or Miami.
Inept management is the correct term.
What an awful thought...
October 20th, 2010
3:07 pm
…an anology involving Ron Jirsa to Tubby Smith…that is REALLY a downer, but you did apologize for it…
DawginLex
October 20th, 2010
3:08 pm
Mark,
You coming home this weekend to cover the Dawgs?
Who told those NBA players...
October 20th, 2010
3:09 pm
…including Jamal Crawford, that it was cool to make your skin look like a cologing book done by 3 year olds…
OOPS...
October 20th, 2010
3:11 pm
…”cologing” = coloring – my bad…
wxwax
October 20th, 2010
3:13 pm
I hope the Hawks play pretty offense.
Because it seems almost certain that they’ll play ugly defense.
They fired the coach who preached defense. They hired a coach a only wants to talk about offense. And since the team has never demonstrated a taste for playing tough in their end of the court down the stretch, I expect a lot of matador defense.
I agree, this could get ugly fast.
A friend
October 20th, 2010
3:22 pm
I think they will win no more than 38 to 40 games. What’s to get excited about?
Dirty Pimp
October 20th, 2010
3:22 pm
Can we please trade for Melo? Or at least try? He’s there for taking, why are we not making a move? We have expiring contracts, Bibby, Jamal, and Mo, a servicable small Forward, Marvin and as many draft picks as it takes. I would love to see us trade all the aforementioned pieces for Melo, Chauncey and Nene. I think it’s a win-win for both teams. We get a superstar plus a pg that can get to the hole and defend, plus the true center that everyone says we need, although I think Al has been one of the better centers in the league that last few years. The Nuggets would get three expiring contracts plus Marvin and draft picks to re-build with. What say you fellow Hawks fans?
ATLBQ
October 20th, 2010
3:23 pm
Pepe is right
DogTheMan
October 20th, 2010
3:27 pm
The Hawks are run on the cheap. We will never be more than a playoff team who kicks punched in the kidneys in the first round. We hired a coach because he was cheap. We kept Joe Johnson because we know no other high profile player would come. We need an infusion of SPIRIT (NO PUN INTENDED) . And more guts from the fromt office..
dreamteam
October 20th, 2010
3:27 pm
Bradley, the hawks did not go 53-39….
Denver Hawk
October 20th, 2010
3:28 pm
I wasn’t sure whether it was just me getting older, or the accumulated wear of so many clueless franchise moves, but this Hawks season ticket holder from the 80’s just doesn’t care anymore – how depressing…
Will
October 20th, 2010
3:29 pm
Same ole teams in NBA always win it. Miami, LA(of course) blah blah….why even watch it when you know who will win before the season even starts?
Westurd
October 20th, 2010
3:30 pm
Trade Jamal and Marvin for some fish tacos!
Tweets that mention As the Hawks approach a new season, the buzz is long gone | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
October 20th, 2010
3:30 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, iiNDiiA.mermaiD™, Jamal Crawford Fans, Roy Harris, Hot About Google and others. Hot About Google said: As the Hawks approach a new season, the buzz is long gone | Mark Bradley http://safe.mn/14Ke [...]
gadawgs
October 20th, 2010
3:31 pm
I no longer care about the Hawks. As a matter of fact I think I will make a point to make this my only entry onto a thread concerning them for the rest of the year. They are irrelevant until they get new ownership.
RAD
October 20th, 2010
3:34 pm
I was at the game Monday night. It was obvious that the Hawks were very bad. The sad thing to me was the fans didn’t seem to care enough to express their displeasure in the team’s performance. I concur that the buzz is gone!
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
October 20th, 2010
3:37 pm
I hate to admit it but i am expecting these hawks to miss the playoffs , or either slide in as a 6 or 7 which is about the same thing . i think Miami, Boston, Orlando, chicago,and the bucks are clearly going to be better just to name 5 .
but go hawks anyway prove me wrong
allan in texas
October 20th, 2010
3:37 pm
I know that it was just a preseason game,but that was such a depressing game to watch the other night against Orlando. I hope that the players pick up on the offense fast! I would rather see the Hawks lose big and get a top five pick than go to the playoffs and get your doors blown off again!
Mark Bradley
October 20th, 2010
3:39 pm
I’m sorry. The Hawks were 53-29 last season. I’ve corrected my egregious error above.
Bobby Coccyx
October 20th, 2010
3:42 pm
Even I don’t care about the Hawks, and they’re all good kids…
Andy
October 20th, 2010
3:43 pm
The Hawks are DOA this season. They have no chance of winning the title so what’s the point? Attendance will be worse than ever this year except when Kobe and Labron come to town. I’m not much of an NBA fan but I have zero interest in this team.
some sense
October 20th, 2010
3:48 pm
Monday night was it. As Mark says, “…another ritual drubbing….”
Over before it even begins.
Just watch.
The Real Hawk
October 20th, 2010
3:50 pm
Useless!
TM
October 20th, 2010
3:56 pm
The problem with the Hawks:
1. same ol’ song and dance.
2. iso offense with players who don’t get better.
3. NBA is rigged.
Other than that, i can’t think of why people aren’t interested.
Hot Dawg
October 20th, 2010
3:58 pm
Hawks are doomed to utter failure…………….say goodby Coach.
Russ
October 20th, 2010
3:59 pm
The NBA only wants teams with superstars to win titles. The Hawks, along with 80-90% of the teams in the NBA, don’t have a superstar, so their season is essentially over before it begins.
Hankie Aron
October 20th, 2010
4:02 pm
Mark,
It’s sad to see this team. Max contract for Joe is sickening but unfortunately as you noted they had to do it to stay competitive. After the 102-73 beatdown they took the other day by Orlando, I just can’t find a reason to pay any attention to the Hawks. You would think although it’s preseason that there would be some fire in their belly to beat the Magic even if it was live from YOUR backyard. You know Mark
Russ
October 20th, 2010
4:10 pm
Maybe the NBA should make that their new marketing slogan: 90% of our teams’ seasons are over before they start. Might not generate much fan support, but at least it would be true.
Bradleyisalwayswrong
October 20th, 2010
4:21 pm
Even your loyal blog fans — all 15 or 20 of them — don’t care.
shawn
October 20th, 2010
4:21 pm
This team is a joke becasue AS (their owners) are a joke. I watched Them the other day and this team does not excite me at all. Defensively, they are small and not good. Offensively, I have no idea what LD is trying to implement. Anyway, as I said before, I do not see an upgrade when you hire LD as your coach.
Chris
October 20th, 2010
4:22 pm
Teague and Marvin have got to step their game up for the hawks to be better this year than last.
GT Alum
October 20th, 2010
4:27 pm
wxwax -
And how much good did all of Woody’s talk do? It’s not like they’ve been a top defensive team the past few years.
TommyJack
October 20th, 2010
4:32 pm
With respect, I couldn’t care less.
JTH
October 20th, 2010
4:34 pm
Last season was the peak. They’ve done nothing to actually improve the team. Wake me when they’re sold.
Auburn Fan
October 20th, 2010
4:34 pm
The NBA is the real problem. Playoffs only part of the season to get excited about and Hawks have never been good enough to beat Boston, Chicago or now Orlando and Miami. We are not stupid and don’t want to waste money on a team that can’t win.
SR
October 20th, 2010
4:34 pm
“It’s possible Drew could represent an upgrade; it’s also possible he could be to Woodson as Ron Jirsa was to Tubby Smith at Georgia”.
….or more likely, he could be to Woodson as Pat Peppler was to Marion Campbell…
GT Alum
October 20th, 2010
4:36 pm
Fire Rodney Ho -
How about blaming the players – only one of them seemed as frustrated with their postseason performance as fans were. The rest were either just despondent or were more worried about their contracts and expressing their frustration with how fans expressed their frustration.
Or how about blaming the people running the team. What have they done to build excitement in the community? Their star player basically said he doesn’t care if anyone shows up to watch this team, and ownership seems to share that feeling.
Born2Buzz
October 20th, 2010
4:49 pm
Mark, by now you should know that Atlanta takes a wait and see approach to the Hawks. The Spirit Group has done nothing to build the fan base. They are apparently just trying to make as much money from the product (or not lose as much) as they can…witness the ridiculous ticket pricing structure where they are gouging fans to see the teams that really try to field a winning product.
By January we will know whether this team is going to be worth watching for the rest of the year or whether we should start wondering about the Braves and spring training.
Rufus1
October 20th, 2010
4:54 pm
The Hawks will be better…
The Hawks will be better with one simple move that LD has already stated will happen….Teague will get the bulk of the minutes a PG or Better stated, Bibby’s minutes will be reduced.
NO team in the NBA that won 50 games last year made BIG changes… A negative outlooks causes so many of you to forget that obvious fact.
Talent wins in the regular season and coaching wins in the playoffs, that is why Woodson was fired. We had and still have the TALENT that won 53 games. Also, their is only one Orlando Magic team in the NBA, SO PLEASE STOP GIVING THE MAGIC’S CREDIT TO EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.
NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS… That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard. We swept the Celtics, Blowout the Bulls twice and beat the Bucks with Bogot twice. Please don’t tell me the Bulls have Boozer(Boozer’s # against the Hawks 9pts, 8rbs).
The season wouldn’t look so grimm, if you didn’t every team in the east the Magic’s Credit….
Go Hawks
Rufus1
October 20th, 2010
4:55 pm
Enter your comments here
RealSquawk
October 20th, 2010
5:01 pm
Mr. Bradley
Thank-you for your honesty.
observation
October 20th, 2010
5:06 pm
Meh, basketball is a worthless garbage sport anyways….
n
October 20th, 2010
5:12 pm
The NBA is painful to watch every year because you know who 3 of the final 4 teams will be before the first tip. The Hawks lack the elite player to make a serious run at a title. Only 3-5 teams have one of those players and until we get one, we have no chance. As much as I hate to say it, might as well have another fire sale and start praying for success in the lottery. At least with Billy Knight and Pete Babcock gone we won’t end up with more Williams (Sheldon and Marvin) and Ryders.
Brett
October 20th, 2010
5:20 pm
I was at the disgraceful showing Monday and I have a real bad feeling that they are going to get off to a bad start.
Rufus1
October 20th, 2010
5:30 pm
The Hawks will be better with one simple move that LD has already stated will happen….Teague will get the bulk of the minutes a PG or Better stated, Bibby’s minutes will be reduced.
NO team in the NBA that won 50 games last year made BIG changes… A negative outlooks causes so many of you to forget that obvious fact.
Talent wins in the regular season and coaching wins in the playoffs, that is why Woodson was fired. We had and still have the TALENT that won 53 games. Also, their is only one Orlando Magic team in the NBA, SO PLEASE STOP GIVING THE MAGIC’S CREDIT TO EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.
NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS… That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard. We swept the Celtics, Blowout the Bulls twice and beat the Bucks with Bogot twice. Please don’t tell me the Bulls have Boozer(Boozer’s # against the Hawks 9pts, 8rbs).
The season wouldn’t look so grimm, if you didn’t every team in the east the Magic’s Credit….
Go Hawks
Rufus1
October 20th, 2010
5:31 pm
The Hawks will be better…
The Hawks will be better with one simple move that LD has already stated will happen….Teague will get the bulk of the minutes a PG or Better stated, Bibby’s minutes will be reduced.
NO team in the NBA that won 50 games last year made BIG changes… A negative outlooks causes so many of you to forget that obvious fact.
Talent wins in the regular season and coaching wins in the playoffs, that is why Woodson was fired. We had and still have the TALENT that won 53 games. Also, their is only one Orlando Magic team in the NBA, SO PLEASE STOP GIVING THE MAGIC’S CREDIT TO EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.
Rufus1
October 20th, 2010
5:31 pm
NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS… That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard. We swept the Celtics, Blowout the Bulls twice and beat the Bucks with Bogot twice. Please don’t tell me the Bulls have Boozer(Boozer’s # against the Hawks 9pts, 8rbs).
The season wouldn’t look so grimm, if you didn’t every team in the east the Magic’s Credit….
Go Hawks
Albany229
October 20th, 2010
5:46 pm
And you wonder why the media calls Atlanta a bad sports town. Atlanta fans don’t even give their teams a shot,who expected the 07-08 team go to the playoffs and go 7 with the Celtics? Who thought the 06-07 Thrashers would have won the Southeast division? Who thought that the 98-99 Falcons would have gone to the Super Bowl. So Atlanta please give the Hawks a chance, you never know what can happen.
juice sourcer
October 20th, 2010
5:49 pm
You said exactly what I feel….blah….this team has no mojo…major step back and really I don’t care because they don’t care…can’t wait to see how the 120M $ man or whatever JJ is being paid packs the house…I think not…place will be 1/2 empty most nights…mark it down
JD
October 20th, 2010
5:55 pm
Rufus1 – what are you smokin’? this team will struggle mightily. They don’t respect the coach now, what makes you think they’re buying into his new O? Wait til they struggle scoring points and see how quickly they revert to iso-Joe….
Sorry, can’t buy into it, won’t spend the money to see the product as it stands today.
Otis
October 20th, 2010
5:57 pm
My 5 least favorite things in sports:
1. NBA Players
2. The NBA
3. The Hawks
4. Rythmic Gymnastics
5. Curling
juice sourcer
October 20th, 2010
5:58 pm
What a pathetic franchise…no passion at all…will not go to one game and the NBA is great fun live…Hawks don’t care why should I. And paying Joe Johnson 100M + is just sick.
JD
October 20th, 2010
6:04 pm
@Otis – you’re kidding me right? I’d pay to see curling….LOL. How can you not like a sport where you drink before after AND during the game??
Jesse Stone
October 20th, 2010
6:07 pm
The parity of the NFL has been joked about since Pete Rozelle was in office. The NBA is the exact opposite. Most sportsfans know that there are only about 4 teams that have a real shot at winning the NBA title. The Atlanta Hawks are not one of those teams.
Bob Pettit
October 20th, 2010
6:13 pm
This team will never go anywhere as long as that looser J-Smooth is on the team – he was overwhelmed in the Orlando series last year & showed his true character……..
Concrete Pete
October 20th, 2010
6:23 pm
The NBA, along with it’s business plan and grossly overpaid brats that care ZERO about winning have run their course. The people that like (teenage city kids) the NBA can’t buy tickets. Until Atlanta is home to 20k platinum rap stars that will payto go to Phillips, the Hawks won’t matter.
KevinM
October 20th, 2010
6:27 pm
For someone to watch last season unfold, then come back to moving out the head coach and replacing him with his lieutenant, how excited should we be Albany? This is a joke; they were overmatched 2 straight years in the playoffs.
They looked like a team not on the same level as their opponent. Could it be because of one PG who hasn’t seen much time this preseason? Not possible…..
The best analogy would be a coach who was fired and replaced by his assistant….Tubby moved up and Jirsa was sitting and waiting for his opp.
The Hawks have been bad for so long, never making a serious threat, no one should be surprised by the turn of events. Its like waiting for the Braves to not let a visiting team clinch a series on your home field…..after so many times, you become numb and you look elsewhere.
Perhaps if this ownership group would be honest for a change and do what they said they would do which was do whatever it takes to win….instead, they give #2 who by the way, is a #2 in the best way possible, 25% or more of their salary structure. In the NBA, you better make that choice the right choice, because you don’t get a lot of do-overs when you lock someone in for that long.
And there is no excuse for not going after Carmelo Anthony because our current constructed lineup is not irreplaceable. Especially Bibby and Marvin.
Peter
October 20th, 2010
6:35 pm
Well Mark, back to a small front court and way over paying for JJ…they should finish above .500 but I suspect they do less than last year.
You stated last year they didn’t need a legit Big, and they had the size up front to compete.
I am again saying that is incorrect, and I wish JJ was gone, and some young talent took his place, or a trade for a viable small forward, cause Marvin is not the answer.
Kapoonka
October 20th, 2010
6:37 pm
I’m stil curious to know what team was willing to pony up the money for JJ? I almost would have preferred them call this season a wash, and save the money for Carmelo (too late now). Carmelo, Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford and Horford would have been a great foundation to build on. I’m not looking forward to the season. I think the Hawks will be the team every other team looks forward to playing. Drew’s lack of salary will be offset by the mega contract his son will eventually earn. More than anything, I feel sorry for the core players like Horford, and Josh Smith who will have to languish in mediocrity and have the marquee impact of their efforts slighted. Marvin Williams and Bibby should have been dealt a while back, and I’m still waiting for what seems to be a fragile and injury prone Teague to show me something.
Flying Tigers
October 20th, 2010
6:40 pm
Come on Mark, really, as long is this pitiful do nothing ownership is in place why bother? I have over the past 5 years attended maybe 7 Hawk games per year and 8 or 9 Thrasher games a year. Not this year, and not until new ownership that wants to try and win is in place. I know you have written about these guys before, but they are lucky to be in Atlanta as they would be run out of real die hard sport towns. Now I am a native Atlantian, and not trying to take shots at the fans, quite the contrary. If you are rich and have nothing better to do then by all means blow your money on some of these games, but if you are like me and work hard for your money and a single dad with a 15 year old son at home and bills to pay, well, lets just say I want be Gearon’s or the ASG’s patsy or chump anymore. One team will be lucky to sniff the playoffs and the other will get swept in round one or two. How the hell do you get excited about that. I would rather watch moss grow than the pitiful teams this organization throws at us. My money and time are more valuable to me, and this group that refuses to do the right thing for this city should either put up or sale the teams, because they are first class LOSERS!!!!!
Greg Kite
October 20th, 2010
6:43 pm
The NBA is Fantastic!
Dwight Schrute
October 20th, 2010
6:45 pm
When the NBA is locked out next year will anyone in Atlanta notice or care?
Naboo the Enigma
October 20th, 2010
6:50 pm
Two words… Joe Johnson
truthspitter
October 20th, 2010
6:53 pm
When is this garbage squad getting moved to Vegas so they can point shave every night and make the NBA into even a bigger mockery than it already is? Rick Sund is one DumbSundofaGM. Trade Smoove today please.
truthspitter
October 20th, 2010
6:54 pm
Hawks suck bad
Joe Johnson is a BUM
October 20th, 2010
6:54 pm
My 5 year old nephew during an easter egg hunt has more heart than Joe Johnson. Way to reward him with a contract after laying down during the playoffs. I hope the Hawks lose every game.
truthspitter
October 20th, 2010
6:54 pm
Over/Under 10,000 fans for opening night? I say under.
Naboo the Enigma
October 20th, 2010
6:55 pm
Why are all my posts getting filtered…
JSS
October 20th, 2010
6:55 pm
Niremetal will qualify this as a AJC Drive-By Blogging! Stop worrying about people “loving you” or “liking you.” Learn and execute your new offense. For goodness sake, it is spelled D-E-F-E-N-S-E! As long you’re indifferent to it, you will never, ever, ever win a series of any important nature/ The Magic sent a straight shot across the bow last game… Sooner or later, you have to get the message!
I sure wish the “Willie Martinez is the root of all evil” blogger would get another bone to gnaw on…
Sanford Drive
October 20th, 2010
6:56 pm
Atlanta has a NBA team? What did we do wrong? How do we get rid of it?
jay
October 20th, 2010
6:59 pm
lol @ observation in a basketball blog saying basketball is a garbage sport……
as for the Hawks they needed a big body and Shaq/Dampier were available. they got neither. Soooo, Orlando will continue to crush them. Esp since the Magic are going to start using Brandon Bass more. it’s sad because this team has talent. they just can’t be physical enough to win in the playoffs.
hopefully LD will let this team run so we can try to outscore teams like Phoenix does.
truthspitter
October 20th, 2010
7:06 pm
Rick Sund and the ASG are garbage they are worried about luxury tax instead of the quality of product on floor. The Hawks will not have 10,000 fans opening night at the Lowlight Factory.
AK
October 20th, 2010
7:27 pm
i was a hawks fan all my 29 years, until they gave JJ that ridiculous deal. that sucked the $ out of the next decade of chances to sign great free agents. so i’m never looking back. the team is boringly average, with no heart whatsoever. the franchise is almost the biggest joke in the NBA and the NBA is the worst major sports league. too many greedy, fame-seeking thugs for me.
jojatek
October 20th, 2010
7:39 pm
In a city that has consistently managed to redefine the yardstick by which poorly managed professional sports franchises are judged, this year’s version of the Atlanta Hawks is destined to join the Pantheon of the most disappointing Atlanta professional sports franchises of all time. Who are we kidding here…??!!! There is absolutely no way that this team is not eliminated from playoff contention well before the end of the season, with plenty of finger-pointing and BS along the way!!! The off-season was an absolute embarrassment. No “buzz”??? That’s because we’ve all seen this movie before…
TS
October 20th, 2010
7:49 pm
I agree with everyone else that the Hawks appear poised to take a big step backwards. Marvin would be the best athlete on the floor if he weren’t too busy being a fly on the wall. There is no basis to believe that Teague is ready to elevate a playoff contender (or that Bibby can defend a point guard). Joe Johnson’s contract is going to cripple the franchise for YEARS. For all his talent, Josh Smith is never going to be a superstar or a guy who puts the team on his back. I do, however, love Al Horford’s game.
TM
October 20th, 2010
7:49 pm
The Hawks could leave this city for another… and 95% of the people here in the ATL would care less.
What does that say about this team? ahhhhhhh, not much.
REAL ATL fan
October 20th, 2010
8:01 pm
AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY ATLANTA IS A BAD SPORTS TOWN…. THESE HORRIBLE FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NCBravesFan
October 20th, 2010
8:35 pm
Mark: I think you’ve nailed it here. The Hawks really had a mandate to do something bold after their Orlando debacle in the playoffs. They talked the talk about spending money but when push came to shove, the ownership group went cheap again.
The Joe Johnson signing only made sense if the ownership was willing to spend money to address the true weaknesses of the team. If they weren’t (and time has shown they aren’t), the better move would be to let him walk, take a step back in the short term and look to improve a year or two down the line.
I don’t know much, but I do know the old saying about the definition of insanity. The Hawks look to be trying the same thing and expecting a different result …
Dawgs suck...
October 20th, 2010
8:35 pm
I’d rather watch ANY NBA game than watch or talk about the over-rated Georgia Bulldogs at ANY sport. Bunch of redneck loser is what they are…
SR
October 20th, 2010
8:36 pm
TS, that is as accurate a summary as anyone could offer. The reason there is no buzz for this franchise is because they set a record for getting their collective arses beat in the playoffs, hired a stiff for a coach and sat on those beaten duffs in the off-season and failed to add one meaningful player.
moorman
October 20th, 2010
8:42 pm
the hawks aint been right since they got rid of dominique.
I am finished with the Hawks.
October 20th, 2010
8:45 pm
For the last few years, i have watched almost all of the hawks games every year. I have attended at least 10 every year, and made room on my schedule to watch the rest of the games on Fox Sports South/Sports South. I literally cried out off excitement when we took Boston to game 7 in 08. I have always seen the “upside” in Marvin Williams. I have always defended my favorite NBA player, Josh Smith, no matter what. I have all of the starting five’s + Crawford’s Jerseys. I have spent THOUSANDS of dollars on the Hawks. I was a TRUE fan.
I was until May 8th, 2010. I was done with the Hawks after Joe Johnson said that he could careless is the fans showed up of not.The Fans are the ones that pay you the ridiculous amount of money. I felt sick, I couldn’t believe that the man i cheered for through the good times and bad, didn’t even care! I would have rather taken all those thousands of dollars that i spent over the years and shredded them.
Just to add to the misery, the ASG rewards him with a max contract? WHAT HAS HE DONE TO EARN A MAX CONTRACT? NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
As a previous comment already stated, this will be my last post about the Atlanta Hawks. Good Day to all!
And GO FALCONS! (the only Atlanta team worth spending time/money on)
Mark Bradley is a hater
October 20th, 2010
9:13 pm
This is y sometimes I wish the Falcons will fail. Im from Atlanta only bcuz Matt Ryan and the falcons get praised for doing exactly what?? Getting to the 1st round of the playoffs and losing,the braves get praised for getting to the 1st round and loose. But the hawks get to the 2nd round twice and loose yea its bad and i was pissed to but the players have no decision making in front office. I love my hawks and i will continue to root for them so cmon play like a chip on your shoulder and shake the damn haters off OH YEAH AND Mark get off RYAN JOCK UNTIL HE WINS A PLAYOFF SERIES
Da Analyst
October 20th, 2010
9:22 pm
Trade Josh Smith , Marvin Williams and a 1st round pick for Anthony and Nene. Instant offense and a center so Al can play power forward and the people will come , trust me they will come…..I am Da Analyst.
5150
October 20th, 2010
9:25 pm
jUST MORE BS! hawks are dead in the water…….Jamal looks like a freak in a side show……………
matt r
October 20th, 2010
9:26 pm
This may be the most pessimistic season preview from Mark Bradley I’ve ever read. Even the year of Petrino you were talking yourself into it.
Knockahoma
October 20th, 2010
9:36 pm
I’m a huge basketball fan and have been behind the Hawks since I was old enough to understand that trading Nique for Danny Manning was stupid. However, it wasn’t nearly as stupid as this ownership group.
They should have let Joe walk and realized that building around Horford was the way to go. Especially since a step back this year was inevitable. Maybe Smith finally learns to contribute athletically the best way he can which is with hussle. That would include him in the “build around” talk along with possibly Teague.
However, the asses known as the Atlanta Spirit only saw Joe as a way to sell tickets and were too stupid to realize that most Atlanta Hawks fans are educated and realize that Joe took this team as high as he could.
Lil' Barry Bailout
October 20th, 2010
9:41 pm
Hawks–boring.
When do pitchers and catchers report?
IlliniBrave
October 20th, 2010
10:07 pm
Go Hawks! And take the Trashers with you!!!
The town has three sports franchises: the Falcons, the Braves, and the Bulldogs. Everything else is and forever will be irrelevant.
Dballer
October 20th, 2010
10:12 pm
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
40-42
Dballer
October 20th, 2010
10:13 pm
NO PLAYOFF FOR ATL…
NO PLAYOFF FOR ATL…
NO PLAYOFF FOR ATL…
NO PLAYOFF FOR ATL…
NO PLAYOFF FOR ATL…
NO PLAYOFF FOR ATL…
NO PLAYOFF FOR ATL…
NO PLAYOFF FOR ATL…
d
October 20th, 2010
10:28 pm
I watched this team for 3 years week in and week out. Only to hear one of their players after laying an egg say he doesn’t care what fans think…also watching players who get paid millions of dollars loaf around and whine during a playoff game. It was embarassing and by no means something I want to waste more time watching. Then no followup by team management or players to make ammends to fans. Pretty sad…
TROTTINGHOME
October 20th, 2010
10:45 pm
this offense will be in shambles by february
niremetal
October 20th, 2010
11:08 pm
I’d love to tell you I’m expecting nothing but great things from these Hawks. But I’d be lying through my teeth if I did.
I’d love to tell you that I expected Mark Bradley to write an intelligent, thoughtful article about NBA basketball. But I’d be lying through my teeth if I did.
Whopper Dawg
October 20th, 2010
11:17 pm
In the NBA especially, teams have a life cycle. The Hawks had a chance to create a great team, and came close, but blew it on the latter drafts, specially Marvin over the point guards. In the NBA, one huge mistake can and does change a franchise. The signing of Joe to a long term contract, continued mismanagement of the draft and the lack of franchise appeal to free agents have pretty much sealed the deal on this run of players, management and owners.
The only chance this franchise has is to get new ownership and management and maybe they can salvage this deal, but unless there is change that drastic, expect a continued downward spiral for this group of “actors”.
I.MUS WRITE
October 20th, 2010
11:44 pm
5th place in the east……2nd round loss- Nothing to see here people keep it moving
Pinky AKA Tomahawkin
October 21st, 2010
12:05 am
Seems Like There are more Bandwagon Heat Fans In Atlanta Now than Hawks Fans…? Go Figure?
No wonder why Atlanta Fans are considered America’s worst when it comes to supporting its pro teams…
Not to Mention since the fact that the NBA is rigged its starting to lose fans to the NFL/NCAA Football as did the MLB did after 1994.Sure some came back because of the roid era but they are going back now because that is over
Pinky AKA Tomahawkin
October 21st, 2010
12:08 am
Whats Sickening is The Blatant Hype that 103.3 gave the Heat they Hype since they are coming out here rather than hyping up the Hawks…Pathetic!
scottbravesfan
October 21st, 2010
12:09 am
I like both teams but there is really no reason for the Hawks and Thrashers to stay in Atlanta. The owners don’t care and this makes the fans not really care. Neither team draws well and neither team really has much of a following like the Braves and Falcons. It’s a shame but it’s the truth. I wish someone would step up and buy them and buy the Braves while they are at it.
scottbravesfan
October 21st, 2010
12:16 am
Pinky,
baseball has tons of fans. That’s why they have 6 billion in revenue every year and attendance at minor league stadiums is through the roof during the Great Recession. Attendance at major league parks is high as well with only the two Florida teams and Oakland not drawing well. What hurts MLB is that most baseball fans don’t really care about other teams that they don’t follow and the fans don’t watch the playoffs once their team is eliminated. I watch about every Braves game every year but I could care less about the playoffs now because the Braves got eliminated. And most baseball fans that I talk to agree with me. Once the Braves are eliminated I switch over to football for the rest of the year.
As for the NBA, that’s how the game is marketed. It’s not the team’s that are marketed it’s the players. The NBA thrives on bandwagon fans. The people that wore Jordan jerseys in the 90s, then bought Kobe jerseys in the 00s and now they are buying Lebron James jerseys this decade. The NBA doesn’t have a problem with it because it is a revenue stream for them. Fans jumping from team to team means they have to go and buy new jerseys, hats, t shirts, etc to make it seem like they are real fans. The only downside to it if a team somehow makes it to the finals without a popular player the ratings are non existent and are closer to hockey. Look up the ratings for the 2007 NBA finals between the Spurs and Cavs. Lowest ratings ever with 5 million people watching, with no competition from other TV shows because the finals are during the summer when other shows are on re runs. Notice the last two years the NBA made sure that didn’t happen again, got the Lakers and Celtics back in there quickly.
Chokeville
October 21st, 2010
12:30 am
I gave up my tickets 2 years ago after all these chokes. These millionaires will make the playoffs and probably lose in the first round, then complain about money the whole time. I’ll just use my cash and go somewhere entertaining.
Pinky AKA Tomahawkin
October 21st, 2010
12:36 am
ScottBravesFan
Good Points on all regards in that last post, especially bandwagon fans…
Not To Mention Going to an NBA costs WAYYYY more Than Going To A Braves Game…
I can Tailgate/Buy Dollar Seats and Hangout and Drink at the Chophouse and I’d still spend less money as opposed to going to the “Highight Factory”
blonju
October 21st, 2010
12:49 am
MB with the truth serum as always.. i can’t help but echo the same sentiment for the upcoming season because of the aformentioned moves of the summer.. it feels like basketball in atlanta will be crippled until joe is gone.. it was a great run, but unless the players find some new magical chemistry that make them care enough together and to consistently play at a high level, every possession, every night, then a downturn is entirely inevitable this season.. Joe and LD are the ones who will have to prove as all wrong.. i wouldn’t say that it’s impossible, but i’d be 100% happily suprised.. if such a stubborn fan regardless so gooooooo HAWKS!! see ya at the game tomorrow!!
Lol @ the Hawks
October 21st, 2010
12:51 am
The only buzz that hawks will be getting will be the buzz of the flies in Phillips on gamedays. They peaked last year and its all downhill from here. They wont even get home court adv in the playoffs. We will be lucky to get 5th seed. The Bucks and Bulls are better than us. And don’t forget about the Griz. With that being said, i will still root for them, but i wont go to anymore games, and i wont clear my schedule to catch the games on tv. I used to go to 10-15 games and watch the rest on tv. But im sure i can find better things to do.
keith butts
October 21st, 2010
12:52 am
Why all the fuss…just let the Lakers and Heat play and be done with it all!!!
Willy
October 21st, 2010
12:55 am
You have to admit, it would be hard for any team to have much of a buzz after Bosh, James, and Wade teamed up on Miami.
Hawks Fan
October 21st, 2010
1:00 am
The Hawks owners suck bad they bid against themselves for Joe Johnson, why do you think he took their offer so quick nobody else really wanted him. Shaquille O’Neal showed interest in coming here but the owners stayed cheap and insulting Shaq with minimum wage but they signed two big stiffs to clog up the bench. The Hawks owners are so cheap they sell Josh Childress for nothing and draft players and sell them for money they never spend. I hope the Hawks owners read this when you look into the stands and see no one don’t be mad at anybody but yourself. The Hawks ownership will threaten to take the team somewhere else to play that will be the best day for basketball fans in the city of Atlanta.
Lol @ the Hawks
October 21st, 2010
1:01 am
Man I wish there could be some way to make sure that not a SINGLE person is in the stands of Phillips during a few games. Maybe that would freak out the ASG and they would sell the team to someone who cares about winning it all, lets say Arthur Blank. But there is at least one idiot fan that would still spend money on these hawks.
JSS
October 21st, 2010
1:27 am
@ Niremetal…
See the first line of my 6:55PM post…
Harry from da Burn
October 21st, 2010
2:23 am
This is going to be one of the most exciting regular seasons in the last decade in any sport, and the playoffs will be even better.
6-1-3
Lake show
Celtics
Knicks (when they get Amare)
even orlando.
Dr. Warren
October 21st, 2010
3:12 am
Two bad seasons, and I predict the Hawks could end up in Kansas City. They have a new arena that needs an NBA team. That playoff debacle against Orlando was huge–it seems to be carrying over to this season in the team’s attitude. And Joe Johnson, in a contract year, played mediocre basketball down the stretch. Now that he has the fat contract, does anyone expect that he’ll make the All-Star team?
Billy Bob
October 21st, 2010
7:03 am
So that Hawks are going to leave a big city to go to a smaller one, that also won’t care about them? Yeah, the Hawks will suddenly be relevant in KC……not.
Who cares about the NBA regular season. Boring! We already know which teams matter, There are about 6 teams that matter, and everyone else is an also-ran. What a broken league.
Atticus
October 21st, 2010
7:14 am
The Atlanta Spirit Group is a joke. Until they sell the teams, I no longer go or even watch any games. And I have lived in Atlanta all my life and loved the Flames and the Hawks of the 80s. So pathetic this ownership group.
sal
October 21st, 2010
7:18 am
Prices are too expensive. No one has any discretionary income. Republicans have destroyed the middle class so no one has any extra money to spend on leisure activities.
Med
October 21st, 2010
7:31 am
My God, who cares???
JustAThought
October 21st, 2010
7:54 am
Hey Mark, tell the ownership to staying in hiding, cause no one wants to hear the BS they are spouting……..especially about the hawks.
S(n)oaring Hawk
October 21st, 2010
8:05 am
This team sux. If the atlanta spirit can not make the right decisions, then they need to hire somone that does!!!!
Wolverine
October 21st, 2010
8:08 am
Why would you hire the assistant of a coach you fired ? In politics, that’s like voting out a politician and then voting for his wife to replace him. The pre-season sometimes is a preview of a team though. And I think it is in the Hawks case. Most teams improved in the off season. All the Hawks did was resign and overpaid JJ and add two European talented little bigmen. The Heat resigned Wade and added LeBron & Bosh in comparison. If the argument is still “The Spirit group has no money” then sell the team to someone who ain’t broke. It is amazing that the Braves and Hawks operate on modest budgets but the Falcons spend like crazy to win. Arthur Blank clone can you buy the Braves & Hawks please ?
Wolverine
October 21st, 2010
8:24 am
Hey Mark, why don’t you ever interview the ownership of the Hawks and ask them if they are competent enough to own a team ?
Wolverine
October 21st, 2010
8:27 am
After this 40-42 season the team will have a new name. My name…
Atlanta Buzzards
October 21st, 2010
8:27 am
No this name…
dap01
October 21st, 2010
8:59 am
We pay JJ to be an anchor like Kobe, Shaq, Wade, Lebron. The problem is he is not. He is a great second level player. The rest of the lineup is poorly constructed. The draft picks were made with no regard to our needs. Compare Oklahoma’s rebuilding to the Hawks. We did nothing right.
Championship teams are strong in the middle and strong at the point. We are weak at both. We pay our $ and our top draft picks on forwards (which are the easiest position to fill).
We did nothing right in the long and painful rebuilding process.
Sund – Average, it is hard to be excited. Jamal stinks.
Bandwagon Detective
October 21st, 2010
9:00 am
This group of comments is the worst I’ve ever seen. Once this team makes the playoffs (and they will make the playoffs), this same group of fans who blabber about not paying another dime for tickets will be scrambling to the phones about playoff tickets. Stop acting like nobody would care if this team left. You really think the people working the concession stands and the guest services staff would be alright with the team leaving? Give me a break. Oh, and to the guy who said under 10,000 opening night? I’ll take the over. Call it a hunch.
JSS
October 21st, 2010
9:01 am
There goes the “Tenured professor” again, imposing his lifestyle on everyone else again! Man, when can the New Madrid Fault shake some sense into his mental dystrophy? Braves and Bulldogs? You are a self masochist!
Larry
October 21st, 2010
9:26 am
The buzz can’t be long gone because it wasn’t here to begin with. If I get a bad case of insomnia I’ll watch the Hawks and will be asleep in minutes.
JSS
October 21st, 2010
9:27 am
Arthur Blank, the local billionaire who is actually losing money? No thanks, please don’t clone him! He’s like early Ted Turner, the exception is he’ll never get it right! Bernie Marcus was the brains of that duo… Just look the results, Blank: Falcons and ABF, both have lost value… Marcus: The Georgia Aquarium, go look at the true economic impact on our town! It ain’t even close, and Bernie is not being subsidized by the taxpayers of GA either!
Carlos Turner
October 21st, 2010
9:30 am
It amaze me how everyone is down on the HAWKS…. When actually they are Atlanta Sports most consistant team. They continue to get better every year no matter what the so call Pro Experts predict year after year a less winning team. So until the Falcons who I love , the braves who I always cheered, the Thrashers that I never understood, the Bulldogs who breaks my heart and the Jackets who some how always let me down, untill all of these teams get their acts together. Neither can say they had any consistance compared to the Hawks in the last three years……
Hoops
October 21st, 2010
9:46 am
Don’t you just love it when your own local writers beat down your local team instead of building them up. It makes you wonder who they are really cheering for!
GO HAWKS!!!!!!
niremetal
October 21st, 2010
10:40 am
JSS, you know me too well
Rufus1
October 21st, 2010
10:44 am
Not make the Playoffs…
If you think the Hawks won’t make the Playoffs you are either crazy, stupid or both. Please stop pretending you have any basketball knowledge…. Why not just say Durant will only average 10pts a game… that is just as crazy thinking a team that won 53 games last, won’t make the playoffs this year.
1st you have to name the 8 teams that will be better.
2nd What majors changes have occured with that team(i,e. Lebron leaving the Cavs)
“anger clouds a reasonable mind”
JSS
October 21st, 2010
11:28 am
@ Niremetal…
I bow to you sire!!! Wonder when Schultz is going to take his shot?
ward
October 21st, 2010
12:43 pm
how good are the hawks this year! i;m afraid they didn;t do enough.
ward
October 21st, 2010
12:44 pm
it would be nice to see them in the play offs again. Go!!!! Hawks!!!!
Don't let us down JJ
October 21st, 2010
12:47 pm
I don’t care how good JJ is or how far it would have set us back as a franchise; the hawks should have never resigned a player that shows more disdain for the fans that have cheered for him than an opponent on the court. MC your right this can go bad and I have a strong feeling that it will. I don’t think JJ or the team is ready for what will happen if they take even one step backward.
JeJe
October 21st, 2010
1:25 pm
WHY IS THERE ONLY MENTION OF THE ORLANDO SWEEP.
WE GOT SWEPT BY CLEVELAND 2 YEARS AGO. DOES NO ONE REMEMBER THAT?
NO – NO ONE REMEMBERS IT
THIS TEAM STINKS
4TH BEST TEAM IN THE EAST….IF LUCKY
FIRE SUND
jay dubu
October 21st, 2010
3:09 pm
If this team comes out of the gate strong, and plays well, the buzz will be there. If Marvin, Teague, or any other player comes out and sets the nets afire, the buzz will be there.
Something unusual needs to happen to stir a buzz around this team. As of now, there’s a new coach, who doesn’t have a NBA reputation, so we don’t know what to expect. A new offensive scheme, and a new defensive scheme, both of which the players are working to pick up, but the early results have not been positive.
It looks as though the team has taken a step backwards. If it takes 10 – 15 games into the season for the new schemes to settle in, in a competitive Eastern Conference, it may very well be too late for the Hawks to position themselves for improvements over last season.
jay dubu
October 21st, 2010
3:21 pm
Whopper Dawg, I think drafting Sheldon Williams with the 5th pick in 2006, compounded the error of taking Marvin at #2 the year before. They had a chance to build a team through the draft, and failed to take advantage of it.
Never the less, that’s water under the bridge now. With the budget constraints, who knows when they’ll have another opportunity to become an “elite” team.
Hawksareclueless
October 21st, 2010
4:00 pm
I have no words for this team. I’m sure the Hawks will disappoint the fans again. Just sell this team already!
Buddy Grizzard
October 21st, 2010
4:15 pm
“5th place in the east……2nd round loss- Nothing to see here people keep it moving.”
Who are we going to beat in round 1? We wouldn’t have made it out of the first round last year if Andrew Bogut didn’t get hurt.
Buddy Grizzard, President and Founder, The Rick Sund Glue Factory Committee
“It’s time to put this horse out to pasture.”
Decatur Native
October 21st, 2010
4:55 pm
welcome to Atlanta where we have all major sport teams with no hardware to be proud of, FYI fans don’t spend money if we get embarissed in historic fashion, look at our list of failures…
Hawks…ASG
Braves…13 straight trips=1 ring
Falcons…they never had a real shot till Authur Blank
Thrashers… see Hawks
Historic letdowns in grand fashion
Hawks… record playoff felony ( Orlando should have a warrant for their arrest for killing they Hawks)
Braves… Going up two to Goose eggs on the Yanks only to come home and never win again
Falcons… only trip to the big game blown by a player trying to get blown
Thrashers… give them time their due to add themselves to this list
Welcome to Atlanta
JeJe
October 21st, 2010
5:21 pm
WHY IS THERE ONLY MENTION OF THE ORLANDO SWEEP.
WE GOT SWEPT BY CLEVELAND 2 YEARS AGO. DOES NO ONE REMEMBER THAT?
NO – NO ONE REMEMBERS IT
THIS TEAM STINKS
4TH BEST TEAM IN THE EAST….IF LUCKY
FIRE SUND.
Come on Man!
October 21st, 2010
5:36 pm
At least let it be Mid-season before you start putting the Hawks down. I know that we didnt have the best offseason, in terms of roster changes. But we did take care of a BIG problem by firing woody. We (the Fans) need to give Larry Drew a chance before we start saying things. We also need to see how the players work out in the new scheme.
Last year the fans were crying about Iso-joe, the lack of plays for Josh, Al, and Marvin and the lack of motivation late in the game. Maybe Larry Drew can fix that.
My point is that we need to give the Hawks a chance before we start making Judgments. Last year the biggest problem in the fans’ eyes was woody. Now hes gone, so lets see how it works out. We won 53 games last year, despite all the Woody problems. Its a new season with a clean slate. This article was not needed, alteast not now.
Carlos
October 21st, 2010
6:44 pm
Like I said before the Hawks are the only consistant winning team in Atlanta and surrounding area… So Ya’ll just leave them alone… when they don’t make the Play-Off Then what you going to say…. Ya’ll some spoiled ass folks… Damn we only been wining for 3 years… Please! Stop acting like we always been a good team……… SMH!!!
exchange student
October 21st, 2010
8:01 pm
In 87 i took part in a Student exchange program and beeing a baller i observed the hawks ever since.
Back then i saw ´Nique and his Hawks getting whupped by Michael in the Omni.
While this might be something of an unfair comparison (because of you know who) things haven´t really changed to day. This franchise has been stuck in mediocricy ever since (as it has been before obviously), sometimes slightly better and often worse than the mass of NBA teams.
If the organization really wants to go for that jewelry it needs a complete overdo (again)
That means loosin´, top draft picks and a management, thats able to make some moves in the offseason. This summers free agent market was hotter than ever, and the hawks came up with…
Then they hired the assistant of the former coach (who has yet to buy himself a suit that fits him).
These are somewhat questionable moves that will ensure another 40 wins season, a bad draft position and another year in mediocricy.
40 wins max, because i don´t think they underachieved in postseason, they overachieved in the regular season and will not surprise anyone this time around.
This all looks like another disappointing year for the hawks!
greets from germany
Gtfan11
October 22nd, 2010
9:09 am
fractious, nadir, purported, aide-de-camp ? Who really uses these words. Mark you might want to put down the thesaurus and sit in the stands. See if anyone in the entire facility will use just one of these words at any given time. Remember, you are writing to sports fans.
Hawks Fan
October 22nd, 2010
9:15 am
So, that was an exciting game last night…
Hawks Fan
October 22nd, 2010
9:18 am
So, that was one exciting game last night.
P Rose
October 22nd, 2010
9:44 am
The NBA sucks. Only two or three teams have a chance to compete in the finals, and we have to sit through nine months of boring games to see who it will be. It won’t be the Hawks. The only way the Hawks will ever contend for the title is if they finish with one of the lowest records in the league, win the lottery and pick a true superstar. That’s the way it works in the NBA.
Ben
October 22nd, 2010
10:08 am
There is no buzz for all the reasons you wrote Mark. The people aren’t stupid. I’d actually like someone from The Spirit sell me on this team. We are a 2nd tier team in the East. With the moves that were made why should fans think things will end any different this year?
Hope I’m wrong but if the NBA is anything, it’s 90% predictable as to who will be in the Conference Finals.
vava74
October 22nd, 2010
1:02 pm
It’s bewildering how Mark Bradley gets paid to write the rubbish he posts around here.
Earl Weaver
October 22nd, 2010
2:39 pm
@PRose: Dead on correct. NBA is a crappy product. Like you said, we already know the three or four teams that will be there in the end. It’s not like baseball or football where you can actually have teams surprise people with a remarkable and unexpected season. The Atlanta Hawks literally have no chance whatsoever, so what’s the motivation to watch them?
I Heart Atlanta
October 26th, 2010
1:19 am
Full of negativity……
You have no idea what your talking about, do us a favor and let MC handle the hawks
I Heart Atlanta
October 26th, 2010
1:23 am
I Heart Atlanta APPROVES of vava74’s Statement
Ryan
October 26th, 2010
7:02 am
Check out my thoughts on the Hawks and the rest of the NBA http://ramsonsports.blogspot.com/