Why, it’s a birdbrain migration: The Hawks fly into Round 2
The series was there to seize in Game 6. The Hawks seized it. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
They’d been the better team through four games, and then they lost Game 5 and folks started talking about how lousy they were. An Orlando Sentinel columnist called them the Birdbrains, which sounded a bit strange: If the Hawks were such plods, why were they still leading?
The same scribe predicted the Magic, having won one game in a row, would outsmart the Hawks and win the series. And maybe if this were “Jeopardy” they would have. But this is basketball, and at last check MIT hasn’t been to the Final Four lately. And Orlando won’t be going to Round 2 of these NBA playoffs.
The Atlanta Birdbrains will.
No, they don’t always appear to know what they’re doing, and there are times when they don’t appear to care. But in this series we saw the tenacity that was missing during the regular season. Yes, they were lucky in that they drew the one decent team they’d proved they could beat, but they took their break and ran with it.
They beat the Magic three times in one-possession games, which says much about their resourcefulness, and Thursday’s clincher came down to one tiny-but-gigantic play, a play we can only call … well, smart.
Inside the final 10 seconds, Hawks by a point, shot clock near its end. Jamal Crawford fed Marvin Williams on the left wing, and Williams launched a trey that looked good but clanged long. All the Magic, the team with the world’s best rebounder, had to do to steal this game was to grab the ball and hit a shot.
Then Joe Johnson stuck out his hand.
Joe Johnson has been criticized for just about everything — for not being LeBron James, for not being worth $120 million (as if anyone is), for not playing big in big games — but on this night Johnson not only played big but smart. He took and made good shots in the fourth quarter and helped the Hawks fight back the staple Magic rally, and when the game was there to be seized, he seized it.
Actually, he didn’t so much seize it as he punched it. Johnson smacked the rebound toward Crawford, who claimed it and got fouled and made two free throws.
Yet again, a game in this series came down to Orlando having a 3-pointer to win or tie. Yet again, the Magic failed. J.J. Redick missed one you’d have sworn he’d make, and Josh Smith swatted away Jason Richardson’s last-gasp cast.
Birdbrains prevail.
Said Smith afterward: “We came in after practice Wednesday, and there were sheets of paper at everyone’s locker. And you could see everybody’s expression as they were reading [the Sentinel column]. They called us ‘birdbrains’ and ‘dummies’ — that really got us going. We felt disrespected. We came out and tried to shut that guy up.”
We can carp that Game 6 was, as happened in Games 3 and 4, closer than it should’ve been. But how much carping can be done when the lower seed essentially dominates the series? In three games here, the Magic led for a total of two minutes.
Said Crawford, the MVP of this series: “We showed a lot of confidence, a lot of resolve. We beat the same team that took us out by 25 last year. We couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Before the game, Hawks coach Larry Drew was asked if his team was indeed as, ahem, mentally fragile as has been suggested. “When it’s time to step up and turn it on, they’ve done that,” Drew said. “We’ve got some quiet personalities, but they’re strong in their own way. Deep down within, we’ve got some strong personalities.”
So what if three of the Hawks’ four victories in this series were hairbreadth things? This is the NBA, folks. Games come down to the end. What matters is that the Hawks stared last-minute defeat in the face three times and won every time. Crawford banked home a trey. Horford poked the ball from Hedo Turkoglu. Johnson punched a long rebound to the right man.
Maybe they’re not the smartest kids in the class, but they can play a little basketball. And now we get to witness a rare bit of migration. We get to watch these Birdbrains fly north for Round 2.
By Mark Bradley
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140 comments Add your comment
Remarkable
April 28th, 2011
11:50 pm
Keep up the good reporting Mark. Tell it like it is, not like the owners wish it were. Next we want to hear HOW the Hawks can win the next series. Thanks.
JASon
April 29th, 2011
12:06 am
Mark, many of us, including you, were correct after game 3 when we said the Hawks are simply the better team. Chris Webber stated after game 4 that the Celtics are the only team left in the East that can beat the Hawks in a series. I don’t know about you guys, but I am excited. This is a different Hawks team. Hinrich is the X factor this year: I think he has brought an element to the team that really gels everyone together. This is really a different team, better focus. Go Hawks!
DHunt
April 29th, 2011
12:06 am
It’s been amazing to me to read the comments locally and nationally about how truly horrible the Hawks are. only one player has had much good said about him, and even when they praise Jamal, it’s always backhanded with the caveat “streaky shooter”, or “lousy defender”. And yet they won the series against a higher seed, and arguably better team. As putrid as the hawks appear to many, they still managed to win.
What if they actually started living up to their potential. What if shots start falling, backup PG finds his triple double mojo (he’s gotta get some playing time now right? he’s got the freshest legs in the league of any former 1st round draft pick), team defense starts clicking? The Hawks match up well against every team in the East. The Bulls are a one man show, much like the Magic, and Rose might be easier to stop than Dwight was.
We’ve seen the Hawks play solid basketball, we know they are can; we just wonder if they will? What if these Hawks get good for a while; get on a hot streak?
U Hoe
April 29th, 2011
12:11 am
Al horford has got to be the weakest defender on the hawks. I dont want this guy on the court with the game on the line. You might as well give the basket to the other team. Ok now lets see what happens When the hawks play a contender not a 1 player pretender……
NorCalHawk
April 29th, 2011
12:14 am
As a Hawks doubter since midseason, I congratulate them on a job well done. Glad they rose to the occasion and proved me wrong. Really hope Hinrich is ready to go against Bulls.
el
April 29th, 2011
12:16 am
Enter your comments here
el
April 29th, 2011
12:19 am
let’s give larry drew some credit. he kept howard confused. took smith out when it was right. taught the team to fight through picks instead of stupid switch on every pick. finally his demeanor seems to work for a team fragile to criticism good job lare.
Patrick
April 29th, 2011
12:27 am
I read that guy’s blog for the first time. He’s a big fan of the “Single Sentence Paragraph For Emphasis” technique, a telltale sign of a hack. What a surprise.
-Patrick
Dirty Jacket
April 29th, 2011
12:38 am
Can we trade Josh Smith for a box of towels before the second round? At least the towels won’t think they’re premiere point guards and will get passed around a little bit
jgsbrids
April 29th, 2011
12:53 am
congrats hawks on a great series win. sometimes hard to watch–but i managed to watch every minute. one bandwagon team down and three more to go!
woody-daddygearon
April 29th, 2011
1:06 am
My apologies, Mark. Sure the one that yelled at you used to sit on my lap and cry during the Rollins’ era.
Atlanta’s Game 6 win proves words don’t trump desire – CBSSports.com | Free NBA Videos
April 29th, 2011
1:33 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
G. Tampa Bedwetter
April 29th, 2011
1:41 am
Who is Mark Richt? ……………. Hire Bobby Cox
Najeh Davenpoop
April 29th, 2011
1:57 am
MB can you not share which owner yelled at you?
That is so typical of the DASG. “Look at us, we won a playoff series. What now bitch?”
If I were you I would write a negative column about them just for the hell of it.
rudy
April 29th, 2011
2:02 am
chicago is nothing but a THANG!!!!…..LETS GO HAWKS…..
bigstack19
April 29th, 2011
2:15 am
It worked before this series so I will try it again. The Hawks will lose in 5 games.
bigstack19
April 29th, 2011
2:17 am
That said…I would crap out a golden biscuit if the Hawks beat Chicago in this next series.
honest_abe
April 29th, 2011
2:17 am
great job hawks!
jermaine
April 29th, 2011
2:23 am
when did chris webber say celtics the only team hawks cant beat in the east? thats crazy
hawktown
April 29th, 2011
2:40 am
JJ is carrying the team in the playoffs—the hawks will need more isos for JJ against the bulls to have a chance.
Whopper Dawg
April 29th, 2011
2:51 am
I freely admit that I did not think they would beat the Magic, color me happily wrong – Congrats Hawks, way to go. Good luck with Chicago. I do think you can beat them.
SKEE
April 29th, 2011
3:12 am
On to Chi-Town!!!
TheAntiMe
April 29th, 2011
3:30 am
I followed the link to the Mike Bianchi column. After reading the comments generated from the column it was sort of obvious that most of the Magic fans who commented loathe and despise Mike Bianchi much more than any of the Hawks fans who posted a comment. Not surprising though, if I had to read that garbage on a regular basis I would be much less impressed than I already am.
From the best that I can tell, dude seems to be seriously jealous of the Hawks because at least they do have brains and much more class than he will ever have. Maybe if this Scarecrow travels to Kansas he can get Dorothy to lead him on a much needed journey to see The Wizard.
MsDee
April 29th, 2011
4:27 am
We might have an advantage over Chicago. Just like Jameer ASSUMED they would have been in the 2nd round right now, with Kirk hurt or maybe out for a few games, they TOO will ASSUME they can walk right thru us in the 2nd round. But Teague will and should be comfortable out there now since he knows he wont be pulled as quickly as he normally is. This should be a great opportunity for Teague to play with the starters and play the DEFense we know he could play against Rose!!
BOB
April 29th, 2011
4:37 am
the orlando writer was referring to smith, atlanta’s thick-skulled birdbrain. the one that thinks he is a point guard and watches the action from 20 feet out.
TheAntiMe
April 29th, 2011
5:27 am
I’ve just read Mr. Bianchi’s column for tomorrow. He gives the Hawks their due:
They used to run with Lakers and Celtics; now they can’t even hang with the Hawks.
So where do they go now after this devastating 84-81 season-ending loss to Atlanta?
Where do they go now that they have become lost on this highway to nothingness? – Mike Bianchi
Uh, yeah, Mark, that really sounds like he’s giving the Hawks their due. That is, if they were the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
4/29/2011 News Update « B-Ball
April 29th, 2011
6:38 am
[...] scoreUSA TodayLakers, Mavericks, Hawks All Wrap Up First-Round NBA Playoff Series WinsBloombergWhy, it's a birdbrain migration: The Hawks fly into Round 2Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Newsday (subscription) -NBA.com (blog) -ESPNall 325 [...]
wr29te
April 29th, 2011
6:54 am
Rat face has done this before and I wonder why the OS keeps him on staff. He is a big fan of Urban Cryer, read some of his work and look at him and you will see the nickname fits
RMikel58
April 29th, 2011
6:54 am
Yep so i got EGG on my face, probably the 1st time i didnt mind that happening to me. Congrads to the HAWKS who i thought were gonna go to game 7 and blow this whole thing. Now onto Chicago with the best record in the EASTERN CONFERENCE and best HOME RECORD.
I think CRAWFORD deserved MVP during the Orlando Series and he played better than JJ. Its gonna take some work against Chicago to be victorious but you know i think they have a better chance beating Chicago than they did against Orlando and the Miami Heat.
Either way it goes it can only get tougher and hopefully they are starting to put things together with a decent run.
If the Hawks are on they can beat anybody including the Lakers but they will have to get hot and bring alot better Defense against the Bulls and Rose. But good luck to those players and hopefully we can more scoring off the bench.
NCAA makes rules changes – ESPN | Bet 2 Fat
April 29th, 2011
7:02 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Beast from the East
April 29th, 2011
7:18 am
I’m from Florida and very familiar with Bianchi’s “work”. He sucks and that’s being kind. All he does is take pot-shots at anyone he can. He wants to be the Howard Stern of sportswriters. He’s more like the Paris Hilton……all flash and no substance. Go away little man, go away.
Youalreadyknow
April 29th, 2011
7:29 am
Now it’s time to give them credit, you won four when your needed four. Great job, you guys stood up to guys that bullied you last year and got your revenge. Hopefully, the culture of Atlanta sports will turn the corner soon, congratulations Hawks.
No Woody for Me
April 29th, 2011
7:46 am
Did anybody see JJ REDDICK PUSH JAMAL? I wondered how he was so open for that trey. Rewound the DVR and watched JJ shove Jamal with two hands into Dwight. Deserved to miss that shot. Dirty Dukie.
JROLL1
April 29th, 2011
8:04 am
THE CROWD WAS FANTASTIC! CONGRATS HAWKS! ON TO CHI-TOWN, AND BEAT THEM TOO!
snoopy
April 29th, 2011
8:11 am
Congratulations Hawks!!
Let’s see all the “loyal fans” come outta the wood work now…
I told ya, a loss by 1 or 31 is still a loss… Actually, a loss by 1 & it hurts for days… A loss by 31 & you can throw the film outta the window & start a totally new game plan…
So I told ya the Birds would “Git er Done” in the ATL!!
Westurd
April 29th, 2011
8:15 am
Where is the story on how sorry Josh looks out there? He is lost all the time. LOST
Sir Slamalot
April 29th, 2011
8:27 am
Joe Johnson should be more of a scorer. That’s why he gets paid $120 million. He needs to average 25 points and 10 assists every night. Mark, you claim that no player earns a contract like $120 million in the NBA. I beg to differ and I think Kevin Durant,Chris Paul,Dirk Nowitzki,Kobe Bryant,LeBron James,Dwyane Wade,Derrick Rose,Dwight Howard,and others do earn their money. JJ scoring 11 points with 4 assists sucks every night. He gets paid that money to be the leading scorer, the star.
Dawg Gone
April 29th, 2011
8:27 am
Great article Mark…..Congratulations Hawks!! Outstanding! Best of luck in the next round !
Sir Slamalotz
April 29th, 2011
8:32 am
Mark, you know there are players that actually earn their $120 million like Derrick Rose,Dwight Howard,LeBron James,Dirk Nowitzki,Kevin Durant,Dwyane Wade,Kobe Bryant. If Joe Johnson earns their kind of money then he needs to put up their kind of production. 11 points and 5 assists ain’t earning that money. JJ needs 25 points and 10 assists EVERY night to deserve that kinda money !
JAP
April 29th, 2011
8:50 am
Good job Hawks!! As good as Chicago is, the only thing that can keep the Hawks from beat Chicago is the Hawks. They have beaten Chicago already in the regular season. They have to play defense, they have to rebound, and BELIEVE!! I believe in you.
Tick
April 29th, 2011
9:00 am
We don’t win this series if not for the Hinrich/Bibby trade. Our “D” would not have been nowhere near as good. Better give Sund some credit.
BALI ..
April 29th, 2011
9:04 am
who woulda thunk it…great series for the hawks and their coach
BullsFan
April 29th, 2011
9:05 am
I have news for you Hawks fans, even if Hinrich was healthy he couldn’t defend Derrick Rose. You have to play defense in the postseason to get far. The Bulls do. EVERY NIGHT. Your beloved Hawks don’t. Bulls in 5. God Bless..
Harvey Updike
April 29th, 2011
9:10 am
Roll Damn Tide
BulldogBen
April 29th, 2011
9:15 am
<—–Here is one of the JJ haters
He had a game he's SUPPOSED to have every night but he still completely disappears for huge games and huge moments. Jamal Crawford was the series MVP. That tells you everything.
The Magic are not the same team they were a year ago. That whole team is about to get blown up.
I actually think we match up pretty well with the Bulls and we've shown we can play with them. But, who are you taking in a one game, winner take all, Joe Johnson or Derrick Rose?
Hilton Head Island
April 29th, 2011
9:15 am
. . . . . . . . Go Hawks !
Mutumbo
April 29th, 2011
9:17 am
The Bulls are totally B.S.
ATLtodolavida
April 29th, 2011
9:22 am
If Heinrich is hurt or not, Zaza, Al, Marvin, and Josh need to step up. Teague will have to rise to the occasion, and Joe and Jamal can take no nights off.
JOSH SMITH FOR 3!!!
April 29th, 2011
9:28 am
A few hard fouls by Zaza, and Rose will crumple like a leaf.
Noah is as overrated as he is hairy.
Hawks in 4.
DawginLex
April 29th, 2011
9:31 am
Hey HT, Coach Richt talk to you last night in Macon??
http://www.macon.com/2011/04/29/1542331/richt-gets-feisty-at-tour-stop.html