Crazy, man: Why the uninspiring Hawks can win in Round 1
Jeff Teague was among the Hawks' JVs who scared the Heat. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
This is the strangest Hawks’ team I’ve ever covered, and I’ve seen some doozies. It got the head coach it wanted — Larry Drew, who’d been Mike Woodson’s kinder, gentler assistant for six seasons — and has performed as if it wants him to become an ex-head coach very soon.
Example: On March 2 the Hawks surged from 19 points down to beat Chicago. Afterward they spouted the usual this-proves-we-can-beat-anybody platitudes. They lost their next four games.
Another: On April 1 the Hawks beat the Celtics, prompting Al Horford to suggest his team has started to “figure things out.” They’ve since lost five in a row, the latest coming Monday against the star-spangled Miami Heat in a game the Hawks didn’t try to win but almost did anyway.
Did I mention that this is an odd team?
The playoffs begin this weekend. Drew acts as if he doesn’t know what to do with his club, which isn’t surprising. Dr. Jack Ramsay crossed with Dr. Sigmund Freud wouldn’t know, either. The Hawks have suffered so many egregious losses — Saturday’s loss to 22-win Washington was the fourth of the season by 30-plus points — that you’d swear they can’t play a lick. But sometimes, for reasons unclear, they do.
This is essentially the same team that won 53 games last season. It’s 44-37 with one to go, and even near its end Drew has seemed unsure how to proceed. Speaking before Monday’s game, he said: “When we got in the situation of being locked in as the No. 5 seed, I had every intention of limiting guys’ minutes.”
On the other hand: “I don’t care who the opponent is — I want to see us come out with energy and focus after the way we’ve played the last two games.”
On yet another hand, regarding the riddle of how a resting team can then re-light its fire: “I don’t know if we are good enough to do that.”
Maybe Drew found what he sought in Monday’s fourth quarter. The Hawks’ B-team — no starter worked a fourth-quarter minute — surged from 12 points down and rattled Miami, which was obviously trying to win. (LeBron James played the entire second half.) With 3:28 left the game was tied. Was this VCU-Kansas or what?
Nope. James Jones converted a four-point play and then made a trey. The Hawks lost again. But can you begrudge such an effort from the likes of Josh Powell and Damien Wilkins? Which prompts another question: Why don’t all the Hawks play this hard all the time?
It’s clear that most of whatever message Drew has sought to impart as head coach hasn’t gotten through. He inherited a roster of gifted players, and under his stewardship this has become just another bunch of jump shooters. The Drew-designed cutback on isolations for Joe Johnson have seen the $120 million man go from being the NBA’s 11th-leading scorer last season to 26th-best now.
Worst of all, there has been no consistency of effort. The Hawks can still play when they’re of a mind, but their response to Drew — or, more precisely, the lack of same — is indicative of a team that has tuned out a long-time head coach, not someone who has worked only 81 games.
And yet … Drew has done one thing that gives this uninspiring and uninspired team a chance to play beyond Round 1. He has done what Woodson would not: Chosen to guard Orlando’s Dwight Howard one-on-one, the result being that the Magic’s gaggle of shooters remains covered. “We’ve kept ourselves out of so many rotations,” Drew said.
As luck would have it, the Hawks will play Orlando in Round 1, and this Magic team isn’t half as potent as it was. (Orlando dismissed the Hawks by an aggregate 101 points over four games in the 2010 playoffs; the Hawks won three times in four this season.) Jason Collins isn’t much of a player, but he doesn’t need to be. He just needs to pester Dwight Howard so the other four Hawks can keep guarding the other four Magic men.
This will likewise make no sense, but here it is: There’s not much about these Hawks I like, but I like their chances of beating Orlando.
By Mark Bradley
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226 comments Add your comment
Wink
April 12th, 2011
2:06 pm
What you are seeing now is what you would see in Corporate America when a team is up for sale…the bottom line is all that counts to perspective buyers!!
You have seen the SALARY DUMP…2 first round picks taken off the payroll (JC2 & 2011 pick), and Bibby’s & Mo Evans contracts…for what Hinrich & Hilton Armstrong(who want be retained).
You have seen the HORDING OF CASH…we sold a 2nd round pick for $3mil which has not been spent on talent, The Mid Level Exemption went unused and we only paid NBA minimums to most of our bench and by signing some of these veterans the league picks up half their salary.
You have seen the SECURING OF PERCEIVED ASSETS…locking up JJ for 6 years as Franchise Player to entice buyers with JJ spin (5 time all star, top 10 Two Guard, Top 15 NBA in scoring, 2nd team all NBA, & led his team to 5 consecutive playoff appearances) and Future secured with signing of Horford and a few core players; so contracts not a concern for 3 – 6 years for new owner.
You have seen the ACTIVE REDUCTION OF MAJOR EXPENSE…Bargain Hire Coach in LD, PaSy to development league, leaving one roster spot unfilled, no major acquisition of talent (Powell, Etan, minus Shaq(did not use Hoarded Cash), just got Magnum from D-League & total reluctance to enter the LUXURY TAX…I believe heads would roll with that one!!!
You have seen dysfunctional management, from the Spirit Group , GM, Coach…like Corporate America…you see management leave the company for new opportunities else where…couple of the assistant gms have left the company…management tries to present united front to employees & customers that all is good with the company…so they peddle catch phases like Elite Team or Highlight Factory to keep fans coming & sell opposing teams JERSEYS at concession stands…but what you see now
You see the employees (players)…going through the motions and the better your contract the less you do…ie Joe Johnson is augurably the 3rd best player on this team right now. Now the employees are aware of the sell, the ambitious one may continue to perform, the butt kisser stops kissing butt because he is no longer sure the butt he is kissing is the right one, morale suffers and people are concerned about their futures…thats players & coaches…they can see the hand writing on the wall…FIRST ROUND EXIT!!!
reality
April 12th, 2011
2:09 pm
it was great to see some effort last night. congratulations to the reserves who played great defense,played with heart and determination. but like most big games, we could not close it out. Shot selection,no dead eye shooters on our team,missed free throws all led to the end. If teague’s jumper did not look like a twelve year olds, and he could hang onto the ball in traffic, he might have a chance. And would someone please tell teague to use the backboard when in close instead of trying that prayer floater. great job zaza,great intensity bench. Best of luck keeping the focus and passion. Play ball.
showme714
April 12th, 2011
2:16 pm
The Hawks are horrible. I can see why playoff tickets are starting at $11.00. They aren’t going to be able to give them away. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawks get swept again. And by the way I would have let Joe Johnson walk last year. They could have done this well without him and proved it during the time he was out after elbow surgery. He may have been the 11th leading scorer last year but he always, always disappears in the playoffs!
heartofdarkness
April 12th, 2011
2:33 pm
Very perspicuous, Mark. Seizing on the fact the Hawks players have a lot to play for in the upcoming playoffs,… like becoming the Vancouver Hawks.
Choke Johnson
April 12th, 2011
2:34 pm
Ya’ll know me…I’m Ch Ch Ch Choke Johnson! And I make over $200 K a game, so why should I care about you fans. Im rich, biatch!
doc
April 12th, 2011
3:49 pm
wink you got it right bro, been saying it for weeks on the bibby trade on the residuals. paid too much but the lack of fixed assets perfect.
joey1
April 12th, 2011
4:08 pm
hawks will win the series in 6 games they win 1st game losse secound game win both at home and the next on the road…………..we have the blueprint to beat orlando now thats one thins ld has done good this year
Ken Strickland
April 12th, 2011
4:44 pm
Earlier in the season, when I was calling for LDrew to start and play Teague more, some of the same people who are calling for him now jumped all over me. And some of you made as many excuses for keeping him benched as LDrew made.
nique
April 12th, 2011
6:32 pm
Can one of the AJC writers please do a story on Jordan Crawford’s success on the Wiz? Please? It would also be fun to compare his stats to Heinrich’s of course.
Tell the truth
April 12th, 2011
9:01 pm
Playoffs are different from the regular season. I don’t think the Hawks can beat Orlando in the playoffs.
Magic in 6.
JOSH SMITH FOR 3!!!
April 12th, 2011
10:19 pm
Hawks in 5, then they run into a buzzsaw.
FREE SALIM!!
BlackMoses
April 13th, 2011
8:09 am
Welcome to Loserville. The hawks will lose to Orlando in 5.
Peter
April 13th, 2011
9:53 am
Mark……As a Jump Shooting team that won’t defend, and has a lousy offense, they can win…they have to shoot 60% from the field hit 90% of all free throws, then they have a chance.
Other than that, go back to 2 years ago, when you said the Hawks were big enough up front…….which they are NOT…..and they still don’t have any team chemistry.
The reality will be….the ball will stop with JJ….. the rest of the pissed off team will throw up long range misses, watch Josh S. get frustrated and not defend.
Let’s see….. we lost by over 20 points a game to the Magic last year……What has been the big improvement since last year ?
Wait they have gotten worse…..so yes that means they can win ? HA HA HA. Sure !!!!!!
DHD
April 13th, 2011
11:07 am
Ain’t happening. Don’t even waste time watching the games. The ownership saved money on a head coach and it shows big time. No heart. If THEY don’t care while making millions, why should I care by spending money to go to the games?
Joycee Banicheck
April 13th, 2011
11:39 am
Is the heartless Joe Johnson still on the roster? They’ll be lucky to take 1 from Orlando…
Sid
April 13th, 2011
11:39 am
Rest in Peace Jesse Outlar, God speed
Sleepy
April 13th, 2011
1:11 pm
Hawks will make the ECF and then all you fairweather fans will try and jump right back onto the bandwagon….pathetic excuse for a fanbase
Chuck
April 15th, 2011
12:22 pm
This team, with a couple of notable exceptions, cates nothing about anything other than continuing to get million-dollar checks to show up, make a token playoff appearance, get annihilated by record-setting margins by one team or another, then enjoy an off-season in a town where it’s great to be rich.
Then they can watch their favorite NBA team in the playoffs. If they made it – they must enjoy some team, because it’s obvious they don’t give a crap about this one.
They have it good. Atlanta fans are boned as usual.
The Red Clay Hound
April 15th, 2011
2:06 pm
This could be a good series. That is…if Joe Johnson and Josh Smith don’t quit again in the face of adversity. And don’t depend on LD to keep them from quitting…thats the real problem.
black1
April 15th, 2011
3:20 pm
what I dont like is, our fans dont have any real superstars here in ATL to watch. ATL teams just take our money. We go to see the other team. How many players from Hawks have the top 50 highest selling jersey. Please uniforms are ugly. MG, Milton, and Fc have better looking uniforms than hawks
Kareem
April 15th, 2011
5:15 pm
Puh leese The Hawks couldn’t guard a cemetery with a 6 foot fence around it.
Don Neslon
April 15th, 2011
5:16 pm
Ok so does Orlando match up with in the 2nd round?
metismo
April 15th, 2011
5:18 pm
Mark isn’t there some kind of rule at the AJC about doing drugs while you are working? Hawks –victors ????LOL LOL LOL Put down the crack pipe and step away from the computer —now Mr. Bradley—
John Wilkes Booth
April 15th, 2011
5:20 pm
Atlanta has an NBA team????? When did that happen?
Craig
April 15th, 2011
7:57 pm
We are talking about a team, Hawks, on a six game losing streak and no heart. They lose in 5 and go home. Wait till next year will be the battle cry in the locker room after they are done. Same team, same result.
Hawks vs. Magic Playoff Series: Predictions Around The Web « Soaring Down South | An Atlanta Hawks blog
April 16th, 2011
1:46 pm
[...] Mark Bradley (AJC): Atlanta Hawks win the series. Unknown how many games it will take. “As luck would have it, the Hawks will play Orlando in Round 1, and this Magic team isn’t half as potent as it was. (Orlando dismissed the Hawks by an aggregate 101 points over four games in the 2010 playoffs; the Hawks won three times in four this season.) Jason Collins isn’t much of a player, but he doesn’t need to be. He just needs to pester Dwight Howard so the other four Hawks can keep guarding the other four Magic men. [...]