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
Dyan
April 11th, 2011
6:35 pm
First
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
6:36 pm
Kudos to Dyan, whose last name might or might not be Cannon.
JeJe
April 11th, 2011
6:38 pm
FIRE LD
jbdrs
April 11th, 2011
6:41 pm
The Thrashers have a better chance of winning the Cup.
Benjamin
April 11th, 2011
6:42 pm
Top three? I was gunning for my second first in two days.
The Hawks are toast. They’ll win a game or two, but don’t stand a real shot at winning the series.
Najeh Davenpoop
April 11th, 2011
6:45 pm
If there was any chance of the Hawks pulling the first round upset, they are now officially gone thanks to the Bradley Curse.
Benjamin
April 11th, 2011
6:47 pm
I have something else to say, too. A two-fer, if you will…
I don’t mean this as a knock against Drew, but I never understood how, with all the coaching possibilities on the table this past offseason, we fired a guy and hired his top assistant. If you’re wanting to reshape the way your coaching staff looks at a team, don’t hire the man who helped put it all in place. Common sense would tell you that, no?
I didn’t disagree with Woodson’s firing at the time, in spite of the crazy streak of consecutive improving seasons he’d amassed, in large part because every time I saw Atlanta play the past couple seasons, it didn’t seem like they were winning games because they were the better coached team. Instead, Iso-Joe and Smoove-for-three drove me nuts.
I think we’re a seed — maybe two seeds — higher if we land Thibodeau as our guy the past offseason, and I think we’re a better team with Avery Johnson. Drew is just Woodson in a softer shell, and that’s not what we needed.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
6:47 pm
I like the Thrashers to win two rounds, BTW.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
6:48 pm
Can’t argue, Benjamin. I disagreed strongly with this hire. As strongly as I’ve ever disagreed with any hire. (Except maybe June Jones to succeed Jerry Glanville. Or Glanville himself.)
Benjamin
April 11th, 2011
6:57 pm
Lon Kruger was a worse hire, then and now, in my opinion than Drew, but that’s not saying much.
One was a D, the other a D-minus.
Beast from the East
April 11th, 2011
7:01 pm
I can’t watch this team anymore. I gave up when THEYcontinually gave up time after time during the season. If they want me to attend games or even watch on television then just blow the whole dang thing up and start over. At least I would have some hope for the future. With the contract they gave Marvin and now Joe this franchise is TOAST and coached by a cheap hire that was made soley with a budget in mind.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:03 pm
As I noted, Beast from the East: This is a difficult team to watch.
Dyan
April 11th, 2011
7:05 pm
Same old Hawks can’t beat the elite teams come playoff time
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:10 pm
Imma start it off, PLAY JEFF TEAGUE LOL
James on Pharr Rd
April 11th, 2011
7:11 pm
The Cox Family should reinstate the drug testing policy at AJC in regards to Mr Bradley-with all due respect.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:12 pm
Watching Heat games are kinda boring because all they do is get alot of call and get too many FT attempts, but yet they get to be extra eggressive on Defense because of their status.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:12 pm
Mike Bibby starts for Miami.
Beast from the East
April 11th, 2011
7:12 pm
Mark,
I know you did. Just venting. I won’t pretend to know near as much about hoops as you do so I’ll ask your opinion. What must this franchise do in order to put together a team that can compete for a title? I know that it’s not realistic to expect a dynasty, but every fan wants to know that their team can compete over a 7 game series. Your thoughts?
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:13 pm
sorry about the typo’s, i’m at work sneaking peeks at the game lol
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:13 pm
Well, actually they’ve won two seven-games series over the past two years. We tend to forget those, though.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:13 pm
Bibby?? Cmon Kirk
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:14 pm
But to the bigger question: They have to find a point guard. (They’re not going to find a true center because they’re aren’t any available.)
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:15 pm
LOL, same ole refs when the Heat play
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:16 pm
Good Hands
Beast from the East
April 11th, 2011
7:16 pm
We sure do when they get their @$$e$ handed to them like they did last year and they have several times this year. Can anyone ever remember a playoff team that lost by over 30 that many times in a season? I can’t.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:17 pm
Question is Mark, would LD shorten up his bench even more than he does now in the playoffs?
Beast from the East
April 11th, 2011
7:17 pm
Kimba?
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:18 pm
Be hard to get any shorter, Luke C
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:19 pm
At least these guys look more active with more energy
Ole Hawks Fan
April 11th, 2011
7:20 pm
Capt Kirk get abused By BIBBY! Come On MAN!
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:20 pm
The Hawks actually seem to be trying here.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:20 pm
Bibby hits a 3 off a Big Z pass
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:21 pm
Phillips Arena fans suck lol
Ole Hawks Fan
April 11th, 2011
7:21 pm
Teague should have started this game in place of Kirk. Push the ball and use old man Bibby.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:21 pm
I wanna see Teague, is that wishful thinking?
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:21 pm
And now LeBron hits. Miami up 12-7.
Joe11
April 11th, 2011
7:22 pm
We want Teague, We want Teague, We want Teague, We want Teague!!
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:22 pm
Place isn’t nearly full, I must note.
Ole Hawks Fan
April 11th, 2011
7:23 pm
Mark what is the Deal with Atlanta not playing young player? Woody didn’t believe in the younger guys nor do LD> I said last year if Rondo was on the Hawks, he would be DNP-CD!
James on Pharr Rd
April 11th, 2011
7:23 pm
Again, as crazy as this sounds, The Magic are a better team than the one that swept the Hawks last year. Dwight is more dominant and disciplined, Jameer has improved his game management, and Bass who many believed should have played instead of Lewis last year is putting up decent numbers. I hate to say it, but if the Hawks win 1 game and stay close in a few other games, they can count the series as a success.
Also, expect the Magic to be in the Eastern Conference Finals, not the Bulls.( The Bulls are where we were as a regular season machine 2 years ago) with a better coach.
LD sounded prophetic in describing our league reputation: we fold when the pressure is on us, it will be interesting to watch how things unfold.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:24 pm
I’m not as high on Teague as others are, let me say. I think he’s too sloppy with the ball to run a team — at least at this stage.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:25 pm
If the Hawks lose in five to Orlando, this season will have been a flop.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:26 pm
I agree Mark with your assesment on Teague, but I like his Defense way better
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:27 pm
An idea that I’ve been thinking about for the Orlando series is why not use Wilkins on Nelson at certain times in the game? A tough & bigger defender that will stop him from breaking down the D.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:30 pm
Not sure Wilkins can guard Nelson. He’s about a foot taller and much quicker
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:30 pm
LeBron scores on a break. Pumps his fist
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:31 pm
Mark, what if the Hawks lose to Orlando in 4?
old devil
April 11th, 2011
7:31 pm
I have not been able to watch these individuals play more than three quarters at a time this year. Call me when they get a TEAM…just sayin
Brandon
April 11th, 2011
7:31 pm
At what point do we stop blaming the coaches and start on the players…two coaches, same problem and the players are the same means that’s where the blame lies. Aside from Horford this team just has no heart and you can’t coach that.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:32 pm
If the Hawks lose to Orlando in four, they’ll have repeated a non-feat.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:32 pm
That’s another key question: If the same players did worse with a different coach, when do you get new players?
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:33 pm
Hawks have no starters in the game. Magic have two.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:34 pm
I said the Magic. Meant the Heat.
James on Pharr Rd
April 11th, 2011
7:34 pm
Benjamin and Najeh on LD Hire:
My disagreement is totally from a non fan perspective: The Hawks were in between a rock and hard place-we all know about our limitations financially, in trade options or draft picks, and yet MIA/CLE, ORL,BOS and CHI were getting better. Against this, we had to cut down expenses on all fronts (not including the irony of the JJ Contract) and hiring LD to baby sit the team for 2-3 years while we regroup sounded like the most financially feasible option. All the other options that were flaunted were more expensive and that’s why LD is the cheapest paid coach in the league.
old devil
April 11th, 2011
7:34 pm
Sorry, Mark. I’m gonna skip it tonight.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:34 pm
The Hawks trail some team from Florida 26-17.
J.J.M.
April 11th, 2011
7:34 pm
here comes the typical blowout
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:35 pm
Dwane Casey would have taken this job for not much more than Larry Drew was offered.
bgdawg
April 11th, 2011
7:37 pm
i may be late on this but did anyone see that sorry transition defense by the hawks? we had 3 guys jogging up the court and bron gets an easy and one
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:38 pm
We are used to that Mark lol
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:38 pm
Hawks down five after one. Zaza with six points
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:38 pm
After reading your logic about the Hawks I placed a call to Bellevue hospital and the men in the white coats are on their way to Phillips.
Football Guy
April 11th, 2011
7:39 pm
Yearly Hawks agenda:
Finish 4-5 in the conference.
Get swept in the 1st round
Draft as many forwards as possible
Ignore all centers in the draft.
Convert forwards over 6′9″ to center
Convert forwards under 6′9″ to guard.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:39 pm
I get the corporate rate at Bellevue.
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:39 pm
But not before i placed a call to Papa John’s. heh
bgdawg
April 11th, 2011
7:39 pm
@ brandon in the beginning of the season i would say you are right, but right now every starter for the hawks including horford is acting as if they have no heart and no spine.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:40 pm
You know, the Hawks haven’t gotten swept in the first round this century. Just to be factual. They’re actually 2-1 in first-round series.
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:40 pm
I understand that special rates are available for frequent patients.
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:41 pm
It would sound even more impressive if you said they havent been swept in the first round in this millenium.
James on Pharr Rd
April 11th, 2011
7:42 pm
Mark, we are talking about 200-600k, right? That is a lot of money for ASG, and we were going to have to give Casey at least 3-4 years vs 2 years for Larry-That is at least 2 million on the books
bgdawg
April 11th, 2011
7:42 pm
teague with the pass!!
S'paw_99
April 11th, 2011
7:42 pm
My boy Mario West would start for me over anyone on the Hawks team except for Horford. He’s the only starter that has any heart at all, Joe just cares about the $, Marvin hasn’t gotten any better, & Smoove is an immature baby that will not listen to a coach. At least Mario will give U 100% every minute he’s on the floor, & he’ll guard somebody.
bgdawg
April 11th, 2011
7:44 pm
is larry drew still gonna be the coach after this year??
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:44 pm
speaking of guarantees, i can guarantee the Braves wont lose tonight.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:44 pm
Hawks haven’t been swept in Round 1 in the history of the world.
Not true, but impressive-sounding
TruthSeeker
April 11th, 2011
7:44 pm
The only way the Hawks have a chance is if they steal game one in Orlando. If they lose that one they’ll probably lay down and lose the rest of the games by 25+.
This team is terrible.
LakeDawg
April 11th, 2011
7:45 pm
My prediction: Hawks don’t win another game this season.
bgdawg
April 11th, 2011
7:46 pm
teague is a one man wrecking crew right now…
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:46 pm
I didn’t guarantee a victory over Orlando. I predicted one. Difference there.
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:48 pm
Mark, tv just had a shot of Phillips parking lot, and i’m afraid i saw some dude breaking into your car.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:48 pm
Didn’t know that stat, figured Nique did it every year outside his 1st
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:49 pm
i understand, but i can guarantee the Braves wont lose tonight.
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
sigh, another uninspired performance.
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:51 pm
hawks looking comical
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:51 pm
Dwyane Wade has gotten the ball stolen on consecutive excursions. First by Teague, then by … somebody.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:52 pm
Heat only up six on the JVs
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:52 pm
Oops. Lead’s 10 now. Two D-Wade hoops
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:52 pm
its gotten even funnier
Devin Thompson
April 11th, 2011
7:54 pm
In order for Atlanta hawks to take to the next level in the eastern conference. They need to trade josh smith and marvin williams. In order to have a true center like a greg oden, robin lopez, ryan hollins from cleveland. in order to move al horford to his natural poistion of power foward. and try to trade for a devin harris or barron davis
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:56 pm
I think there’s a chance Joshua Smith — that’s his given name — gets traded soon.
MitchC
April 11th, 2011
7:56 pm
Mark, while I dont follow the Hawks as closely as I do the Braves, what you mentioned about the Hawks winning three of four against Orlando this season.. is.. to me.. immaterial. As we know, everyone starts the playoffs zero and zero.
I’m reminded of teams. in every sport.. that dominated a team in the regular season, and then lost to them in the playoffs. While I know this isn’t baseball, I think of the 1988 Mets, who dominated the Dodgers eleven wins to one in the regular season series, and lost to them in the NLCS. I think of the Braves.. who many times lost to teams they shouldn’t have.. during their 14 division title run.
My feeling is: Based on what I’ve been reading, and seeing you guys say over the past few weeks, I think the Hawks are going down in this series. I will be surprised of Orlando sweeps them. It might go five games.. or six.. or seven.. but.., if I was wagering money, which I’m not.. my money would be on Orlando. I will also be very surprised if the Hawks win this series, in spite of what you have been writing in recent days.
Sorry.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:56 pm
Hawks bring the starters into play. And give up another bucket.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
7:58 pm
Well all these guys wanting Joshua Smith traded better hope we get great value in return
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
7:58 pm
a recent hawks game i attended as i was parking a very nice gentlemen came up to me and said he would watch my car for only $50. i asked him why should i pay him for that, and he kindly offered to break out all the windows at no charge.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
7:58 pm
That’s not true, Mitch. The team that wins the regular-season series is given a one-game lead to open the playoffs. Didn’t you know?
IceColdATLien
April 11th, 2011
8:00 pm
The better question is, “What if they beat Orlando and then take Chicago the distance before losing in 7?”
Do they stand pat with this squad and say “we almost got there, so we’ll just see if we can grow even more.”?
It’s totally expected, but it would still be devastating to real Hawks fans (the prospect of ANOTHER year of this nonsense).
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
8:00 pm
Wade PALMS the ball everytime??
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
8:01 pm
is a palm violation like a balk?
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
8:02 pm
why do they leave LeBron open like that?
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:03 pm
Miami up a dozen. Hawks aren’t playing terribly, either.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
8:03 pm
Heat are just the better team
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:03 pm
Everybody palms it every dribble
IceColdATLien
April 11th, 2011
8:05 pm
Yeah, we can’t complain ’bout palming with JJ
south25
April 11th, 2011
8:06 pm
The Hawks are run by a ship of fools including the GM. Great trade a midseason trading Jordan Crawford. Why was he on bench and never played. Now we don’t have a first round pic and nothing to look forward too. Just a thought maybe Joe Johnston will play like a superstar that he is being paid as. Until the Hawks change all management we will a team with no hope and no future.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:08 pm
D-Wade with a jam so cool the Heat guys are laughing
IceColdATLien
April 11th, 2011
8:08 pm
Can’t even make a simple pass without it turning into a breakaway dunk
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:08 pm
It was pretty neat. Kind of backhanded it through
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
8:09 pm
Guess I may as well go on back to work, Hawks are bout to get run
IceColdATLien
April 11th, 2011
8:09 pm
It’s funny because we don’t have the sack to foul one of those fools when they come traipsin’ down the lane
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:10 pm
By Hawks’ standards, this is a pretty good first half.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
8:11 pm
Ya know Hawks if you play DEFENSE you may win, Its D-E-F-E-N-S-E, I may be wrong but I doubt it!!!
IceColdATLien
April 11th, 2011
8:11 pm
Ouch, MB… ouch
IceColdATLien
April 11th, 2011
8:12 pm
OH my, DWade… Oh my
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
8:12 pm
how could that not be traveling?
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:12 pm
D-Wade ends half with splendid drive. Hawks trail only 16. Progress!
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
8:12 pm
63% shooting!!!! Thats XBOX stats!!!!
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
8:13 pm
the guy walked all the way from the world congress center.
IceColdATLien
April 11th, 2011
8:13 pm
Well, that’s a wrap folks! Just play the scrubs (starters, that is) in the second half and save the bench players for the playoffs
Nunna!!
April 11th, 2011
8:18 pm
I noticed Nique didn’t say anything about the drive at the end of the half that Wade got on Damien.
He even said that after his neph was pulled that the he didn’t like the matchup of Horford on James,like Damien is a King James stopper..Earllier he got on Teague about not playing up on defense and said thats what the hawks coaches get on him about when he actually does get in the face of the offensive player game after game.
Is it me who’s paying wayyyyyyyyyyy too much attention to what seems to be Nique favoring his nephew during his calls of hawks games or is it that plain obvious?
Mark Bradley is a hater
April 11th, 2011
8:19 pm
Do u ever go to a game that is not a laker, heat, ny, or boston game u r pretty much like alll the other groupies in the city huh??@ Mark Bradley
Neki E.
April 11th, 2011
8:24 pm
I am think they are going to blow this thing up, no matter what
Lets get CP3 and D. Howard (if we can find money)
AG
April 11th, 2011
8:27 pm
Nique is one of my favorite people, but he does give his nephew a pass. He is extremely critical of Teague. He has not said one good word about him all night. KH is a non-factor, but our stupid coach continues to play him.
I have posted this a couple of times and maybe you will respond Mark. LD should be fired because of his refusal to play JCII and JT. That should have been our starting backcourt all season. I heard JCII scored 30 in preseason against the Wiz. JJ should be our SF. If LD would have done this, we would expect to win 44-46 games this season. Yet, we would know what we have and potentially have one of the fastest back courts in the league.
I think JCII will be a poor-man DWade. He is fearless and drives to the basket. JT does also.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:28 pm
Hawks start the first five in second half.
AG
April 11th, 2011
8:29 pm
JT 6 points -4; KH 0 points -10…..INSANITY… A good coach would have started Teague after trade (a la Geore Karl
AG
April 11th, 2011
8:33 pm
3 on 1 and he goes to the hoop..really KH?
O'Brien
April 11th, 2011
8:35 pm
Mark,
How would you compare Kirk’s performance this game to Teague’s performance this game?
Col. Angus
April 11th, 2011
8:37 pm
Hawks are quitters. Horrible team. A complete do-over is needed, starting with ownership.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:37 pm
Mike Bibby scores underneath. Kirk Hinrich hasn’t made a basket.
AG
April 11th, 2011
8:38 pm
r u kidding me…Bibby blowing by KH..
FIRE WOODY LITE
START JT
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:38 pm
This has not been Kirk Hinrich’s finest hour.
O'Brien
April 11th, 2011
8:39 pm
Kirk – 0-6 FG, 0 points, 3 assists, 2 turnvovers.
Bibby: 3-6 FG, 8 pts, 2 assists, 2 turnovers.
Who would have thought Kirk would be outplayed by Bibby…
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:41 pm
Kirk Hinrich is going to the locker room. Apparently he’s injured.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:43 pm
Bibby drives again. Gets fouled.
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
8:44 pm
Bibby is laughing at these clowns at the FT line
Luke Cage
April 11th, 2011
8:44 pm
Lets keep try to keep it under 30pts fellas!!!
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:45 pm
Bibby on a scoop. Has 10 pts
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:46 pm
Miami leads by 17. Was 20 before Smith hit a three.
AG
April 11th, 2011
8:47 pm
LD does not give us the best chance to win. Why is JT going to play in garbage time? I though he did well…. he certainly outplayed KH
AG
April 11th, 2011
8:48 pm
Celtics scrubs are beating Wiz
AG
April 11th, 2011
8:49 pm
Take starters out..
AG
April 11th, 2011
8:49 pm
So trading Joshua Smith will make this team better… things that make you go hummm.
Dawgfan0711
April 11th, 2011
8:49 pm
This team needs to be blown up! They have no respect for Larry drew as a coach. He needs to take out everyone that isn’t giving it 100%. Horford always plays hard, JT seems to give it everything he has but that’s about it. JJ, and JS need to go but I doubt we could give JJ away with the crazy contract management gave him. Since it is doubtful that we can really blow this team up, they should bring in a coach who demands respect and will bench the guys that won’t play hard every night. I would rather get smoked with five rookies playing there tails off then sit and watch a talented group give a half a$$ effort and get beat down by far lesser teams. The sad part is if this team gave a sh!t they could challenge any team in the east but it’s the same story every year with this immature group. Please go out and get a coach who will demand his players give him and this franchise 100%.
J-Man
April 11th, 2011
8:50 pm
From now own please dont speak any positives about our teams because the Bradley Jinx has hit again lol………..this is amazing your 8 reasons curse took a few days and weeks to take effect but this one was completed in minutes……. you cant deny it now lol Bradley Curse > Madden Curse
Not A Hewitt Fan
April 11th, 2011
8:52 pm
OKAY….Ive got an assumption of my own. Cox Publications/Enterprises/Inc/whatever does NOT drug test. Otherwise MB wd be unmplyed. J. Nelson is right on about this team.
Dawgfan0711
April 11th, 2011
8:54 pm
Drew is a lame duck coach! You never hire the assistant coach that the players want hired. No respect for drew by this team. No effort on a nightly basis. Horrible is the only way to describe the effort this team gives.
Dawgfan0711
April 11th, 2011
8:56 pm
Bradley: why have my post been getting blocked? Let me know what is wrong with them. I never intended to put anything in them that is offensive.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
8:57 pm
D. Wilkins hits at buzzer. Hawks within 12 with 12 remaining
Dawgfan0711
April 11th, 2011
8:58 pm
I can’t say drew has no respect with this team and they give no effort?
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
9:01 pm
Zaza slices lead to 10. Then LeBron scores underneath.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
9:04 pm
Lead’s at eight. Miracle in the A-T-L.
AG
April 11th, 2011
9:06 pm
It is his fault he gets no respect. Look at the stats across the board and the Hawks are worse. Then the treatment of JCII and JT and I am sure many of the players feel Woody Lite is an idiot.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
9:13 pm
Now within five. Getting interesting
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
9:14 pm
Hawks will fine a way. to lose.
O'Brien
April 11th, 2011
9:15 pm
Mark,
Our bench unit (including Jeff) is playing well
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
9:15 pm
LaBron seems to draw phantom fouls.
todd grantham
April 11th, 2011
9:16 pm
Mark, would it be legal for a basketball player to get a Bud Lite tattoo?
Jesse
April 11th, 2011
9:17 pm
If the Hawks have stopped caring, why shouldn’t we?
AG
April 11th, 2011
9:18 pm
In the playoffs, Teague, Wilkins etc will not be rewarded for this fine effort… watch and see.
FIRE LD
START JT
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
9:18 pm
Heat is flustered. Who are these guys, they’re wondering.
ThaDon06
April 11th, 2011
9:22 pm
Mark, why are Hawks so afraid to build a great team? Why is JJ the highest paid player in the NBA? He’d be a Scottie Pippen at best on any other team…This team has the same chemistry as last year’s…at least they didn’t give up…well, as much…last year…First round and out…
:awks Fan In New Orleans
April 11th, 2011
9:23 pm
Why cannot the starters scrap like this? Scrappy pestering defense. Opportunistic offense. Fun to watch!
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
9:24 pm
Zaza scores. Big Z throws the ball and him and gets ejected. Tied at 88
:awks Fan In New Orleans
April 11th, 2011
9:26 pm
Big Z get outta here. Zaza handling him.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
9:26 pm
One of the odder games I’ve seen. But a lot of fun
tom
April 11th, 2011
9:28 pm
why can’t these hawks show this amount of energy and effort more consistently?
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
9:34 pm
Hawks down eight, 47.1 seconds to go. Gave it a go, the subs did
M10
April 11th, 2011
9:40 pm
I think Ld is a little to soft to be the Hawks coach,this teams need someone who can tell them like it is, and maybe get a couple of techs here and then.
M10
April 11th, 2011
9:41 pm
And by the way I think Jameer Nelson is right this team will not get past the first round.
papason
April 11th, 2011
9:49 pm
The bench didnt pull it off but a heck of an effort…Starters need to take a note…Show heart,even if u win or lose…At least u played like u cared…
Where's Cliff Levingston when you need him?
April 11th, 2011
9:50 pm
The Hawks should just save everyone the time and effort and literally phone it in against Orlando. We don’t want to watch them barely go through the motions and have ESPN once again bash ATL fans for not showing up to the Human Disappointment Factory. Just give the series to Orlando so they can blow this team up as soon as possible.
Mark Bradley
April 11th, 2011
10:05 pm
Above post has been updated with game details, FYI
just a thought
April 11th, 2011
10:34 pm
Remember when the Bulls had all their youth in 2006-08 and made a run, only to eventually blow everything up. They kept Deng and Noah and basically started from scratch again by letting Ben Gordon and others go. Look at them now.. What the Hawks need to do is keep Horford and maybe one other guy .. AND BLOW THE DANG THING UP.. I vote to keep J-Smooth, but he’s the only asset we have worth anything. Joe Johnson and his contract won’t get squat on the open market. Oh and fire BOTH Drew and Sund.
James on Pharr Rd
April 11th, 2011
11:19 pm
Just a thought
Al is ot the guy to build this franchise on-he’s overrated. I say this with all due respect to his professionalism, but on Defense and Offense he does not have the talent and size to succeed as a no.1 or 2 go to guy on a team. In all honesty, AL overachieved as a part of s successful team, but he would otherwise not shine on a different one.
And with the Power Forwards in the East overwhelmingly better than him, I would think we are better of starting with Josh Smith who can potentially develop into Lamar Odom-not a franchise player, but equivocal part of a team that can bolster us forward. Professionalism can be developed with the right coach, and that’s why my vote goes to JS.
James on Pharr Rd
April 11th, 2011
11:21 pm
I should have mentioned that this is strictly from the perspective of starting from scratch with what we have. Josh>Al
Dwayne C
April 11th, 2011
11:27 pm
So how’s getting rid of Mike Woodson looking now? The Hawks won 53 games last year. This year they’ll win what? 44 or 45 games? They’re obviously regressing. Considering how the Hawks are floundering and the Thrashers are flounder again, for the tenth time in eleven seasons. The plight of these two teams, in large part facilitated by an ownership group of village idiots, makes me ill.
WHY THE HAWKS CAN WIN A PLAYOFF ROUND | Club DINO
April 11th, 2011
11:34 pm
[...] Read More… [...]
Nunna!!
April 11th, 2011
11:49 pm
1st,James..Horfords style of play is more in a run and gun attack but he does have a nice 13ft and in jumpshot..And,he is playing out of position and its of no fault of his own..Its his coaches..From woody to drew,he is a power forward who excels in a fast past running system..
2nd,James,it boggles my mind that we got away from the iso for most of the early part of of this year and yet,we lost more games..I was one who was tired of woody and his iso offense and now i see that he was protecting his players deficiency on offense..
I seen the excitement of the hawks post game crew on tv tonite about the play of the bench and how maybe we might see more of these guys in the playoffs..Ha Ha,it will never happen..Drew will keep the starters in no matter how sh—y they look and still will go with a 6-7 man rotation with Teague spilling kirk for maybe 3 minutes a half..
LD…
He just don’t get it!!
KevinM
April 11th, 2011
11:50 pm
Woody was a problem like Drew is currently a problem. Neither have e
MaxxHawk
April 12th, 2011
12:49 am
The Hawks can definitely win the 1st round this year because they actually do match up well against Orlando, as long as Big Twin is healthy. A worrisome issue is injuries. The aforementioned Twin, Al, Josh, and Joe are are all knicked up, so we will need our bench to step up. Hopefully the Playoffs will inspire these guys to play hard. Not playing hard for 4 quarters seems to have been the root of many blowouts this year. I know if I was LD, I’d have this team fired up. I mean Orlando blew the Hawks out historically last year. Jameer Nelson clearly thinks the Hawks are terrible. If they can’t get up to play this series, I don’t know what to tell you.
Mark Bradley`s Booster
April 12th, 2011
5:48 am
Mark: Why do most Hawk fans think Woodson was not the right coach? He started with nothing and won 53 games last year.
just wondering
April 12th, 2011
5:51 am
Jason Crawford…. wow did we make a mistake! The old ‘mortgaged our future for the present’ and there is no present.
59bulldawg
April 12th, 2011
7:44 am
Once again the Hawks are going nowhere. No heart, no pride, no effort. Like other talented Hawks teams of the past this team could be very good. But they peaked a year or two ago and have since stopped working hard. I’m not talking every player but there are definitely enough to retard the team’s continued progress. They are now on the down hill slide to mediocrity or worse.
Jim
April 12th, 2011
7:50 am
“One flew over the cuckoo’s nest”…The Magic will sweep the Hawks again, the Magic got better over the off season the Hawks got worse. Dude you are truly cuckoo!
ken
April 12th, 2011
9:12 am
The Hawks new starting point guard is giving them nothing. He is playing worst than Bibby in my opinion. Sund also made another huge mistake by including JCrawford in that trade as has already been proven. Management and coaching is really where the problems lie with this organization.
PMC
April 12th, 2011
9:16 am
I disagree about consistancy. Over thier history and especially the Joe Johnson years….. this team mails it in like no team in the history of basketball.
They quit with the best quitters in history.
Kelvin
April 12th, 2011
9:16 am
Mark, didn’t you also say you like the Bulldogs chances against Washington in the NCAA tournament or was that Jeff? Either way, the batting averages of predictions from the AJC sportswriters coming true are below average at best. There is a difference between regular season and playoffs and the Hawks, who barely got by an injured Milwaukee team in round one of the 2010 playoffs, I say will be exiting in round one of the playoffs this year.
PMC
April 12th, 2011
9:18 am
Sure glad we brought in Hinrich to improve that wretched defense………………. wow is that working out.
Nothing like picking up average players off terrible teams for the playoffs.
BALI ..
April 12th, 2011
9:25 am
hawks got what they wanted when they got woodson fired…now woodson s assistant is the head man..only play when they want to..who wants to see that…when players run the show time to blow team up and start over…seems like their are alot of college coaches that might be able to teach the hawks how to play basketball…know several high school coaches who could get more effort out of this bunch
Blue
April 12th, 2011
9:25 am
Orlando in 4
Joey
April 12th, 2011
9:31 am
Wow. Josh Powell got to play?
It’s funny, the 2 man off the bench for the Lakers last year rides the pine for the Hawks.
GaDawg
April 12th, 2011
9:51 am
Dwight,
Please come home.
All Set In The East | Basketball Online
April 12th, 2011
10:08 am
[...] in the conference semifinals and from locals who refuse to believe the Hawks’ hype. HT fave Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution details all of the things he doesn’t like abo…, (something about not liking Larry Drew as Mike Woodson‘s replacement, the team tuning Drew [...]
truth
April 12th, 2011
10:51 am
its sad that the bench gives more effort than the starters last night.
joe johnson is a cancer to this team and state
bascogcjs
April 12th, 2011
11:16 am
How many times can the color analyst, Wilkins exclaim, “you’ve got to give credit to
the second team”. He must have said something similar to this over 20 times in
the fourth quarter. He never gives ANY insight.
Gator Man
April 12th, 2011
11:38 am
How stupid is Mark Bradley? this team is not even worth mentioning , Once again in Florida all the Marks would be in the unemployement line, Mark Bradley, Mark Richt”
NO WAY OUT
April 12th, 2011
12:04 pm
Hawks will go one series, and be done. When it comes to any pro sports team in Atlanta. When playoffs roll around.They will CHOKE.
frank
April 12th, 2011
12:06 pm
can but wont.. Joe Johnson is a loser and will never win anything except the Jon Koncak overpaid loser award.
Jimmy Jam
April 12th, 2011
12:43 pm
I stopped caring after they fired Woody and brought in a guy that had absolutely no experience. If you agree Woodson cannot take you to the next level, then you go and get a guy that has proven he can; not a rookie. So now I just resell my season tickets every game and make money off them clown. I am actually mad they finished 5th and not 6th, they get Orlando instead of Boston, less money in Orlando…Laughing all the way to the bank!
BobStevens
April 12th, 2011
12:53 pm
THE HAWKS SHOULD INTERVIEW AND HIRE FORMER JAZZ COACHING GREAT JERRY SLOAN. Jerry Sloan is a great teacher AND a great coach. Sloan is exactly what the hawks need. The Hawks need a hard-nosed coach who is no-nonsense and doesnt put up with the crap and the mistakes that the Hawks are delivering night in and night out. The Hawks continually getting out to slow starts where they are buried by halftime will probably end under the Sloan regime. Sloan right now is available because he currently does not have a coaching job. If the Hawks hire sloan as their head coach, I guarantee they will start a dynasty and will probably get a three-peat (three titles in a row) over their next 5-7 years. GUARANTEED.
larry luv
April 12th, 2011
1:02 pm
We got kirk for defensive reasons because biby couldnt stop anybody on defense.. but last night Bibby took Kirk to the basket like 3 times and finished KIRK cant stop BIBBY on a drive??? what good is he? i understand having trouble aginst the elite but bibby?
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. [...]