A wonder: The stubborn Hawks are finally figuring things out
This is a Josh Smith happy face. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
They’re two games from the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1994, and even then they weren’t that close. (They trailed 3-1, won Game 5 here but returned to Indianapolis for Game 6. The end.) For a real antecedent, we flash back to the most famous playoff series in Atlanta Hawks annals, to Round 2 in 1988.
The Hawks trailed the Celtics 2-0 and appeared bound for the usual Boston beatdown, whereupon they won Games 3 and 4 here and, wonder of wonders, took Game 5 in the old Boston Garden. They had two chances to win once, and they lost each — the first, at the old Omni, was a whiff; the second, back in Boston, was a classic — by two points.
Twenty-three years later, the Hawks again have a real Round 2 shot. They’ve surprised the No. 1 seed twice already, first by stealing a march in Game 1, again by refusing to succumb in Sunday’s Game 4. Coming into the series minus Kirk Hinrich, winning one game seemed the most anyone could expect. Four games gone, it would be no great shock if the Hawks stole this.
Back to the late ’80s: The Hawks kept stumbling over the Celtics and the Pistons, both of whom were really good, in Round 2. But at least with those Hawks we knew what we were getting. They had a style, and they played hard every time out.
These Hawks, by way of contrast, spent a regular season dropping hints that a wall had been met. They won nine fewer games. They lost 17 times at Philips Arena. They were outscored on the season. When the Hawks say, “Nobody gave us a chance in the playoffs” … well, there’s a reason nobody did. This team was all over the map.
To look now is to see a team unlike the one we’d seen this season or any season this century. We see a team figuring things out on the fly, which is frankly incredible: These Hawks had become infamous for never figuring out anything. (Indeed, when Al Horford spoke those words — “We’re starting to figure it out” — after an April Fools’ Day victory over Boston, only fools were surprised to see the Hawks lose their next six games.)
Somehow, though, the can’t-do kids have reconfigured themselves. Handed a gift excuse with Hinrich’s absence, they’ve rendered it a strength. “It’s all about matchups,” Joe Johnson said Monday. “I wish Kirk was out there, but it’s almost a blessing in disguise. Jeff Teague is so quick he’s able to match Derrick Rose.”
Here Johnson paused. Then he said: “Funny how things kind of work out sometimes.”
Work out? For these Hawks? Since when?
Since now. Note the difference between Mike Woodson, the former coach, and Larry Drew, the former Woodson assistant now in charge. Woodson sought to guard Dwight Howard the same way four consecutive games in Round 2 last season, the result being four record blowouts. After the Hawks lost meekly in Game 3 here Friday, Drew redrew his starting lineup to include Jason Collins, who brings effort if nothing else, and it yielded the needed flying start.
Johnson: “Coach Woodson tried, and he’d make changes here and there. With LD it’s not just one adjustment — it’s four or five. We’ve just bought into it.”
Loading ...Yes, if grudgingly. Josh Smith needed four games in this series to play the way Josh Smith should, but his performance Sunday made us remember why it was we’d gotten excited about this guy in the first place. Even as we wonder why it took so long, we must credit him for getting it right at the right moment.
Johnson again: “We’re maturing as players and coaches.”
Maybe they are. They’ve thrown a scare into Chicago, which won 18 more games this season but sits one home wobble from elimination. We’ve all been frustrated by this team’s inconsistency and intransigence over time, but in the here and now they’re two games from Round 3, where the Atlanta Hawks have never been.
“You can’t get to the rainbow without going through rain,” said Jamal Crawford, who’s from Seattle. So he should know.
By Mark Bradley
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140 comments Add your comment
Ted M
May 9th, 2011
7:14 pm
I hate it when my posts don’t show.
Mark get IT to do some tweaking on your filter.
More Love for the Hawks | From the Highlight Factory
May 9th, 2011
7:26 pm
[...] To look now is to see a team unlike the one we’d seen this season or any season this century. We see a team figuring things out on the fly, which is frankly incredible. Mark Bradley, AJC.com Read the Full Article [...]
The Falcon Jedi
May 9th, 2011
8:21 pm
Thanks for the Optimism. Now the Hawks will lose. Every time you write stuff like this Atlanta teams always lose.
Double Zero Eight
May 9th, 2011
8:22 pm
The million dollar question is which team
will show up tomorrow? The hawks are a
Jekyll and Hyde team!
MitchC
May 9th, 2011
8:26 pm
Mark, usually, I always razz you about being “Mr Negative”. (You know I like you, but..) Now, I have to ask.,. are you being “Mr Unrealistic?”
With as poorly as the Hawks played in Games 2 and 3, what makes anyone think they can win another game in Chicago? Game 1 was simply incredible, Game 2, not surprising, and Game 3, underachieving. All the Hawks did, was to win a game, Game 4, to even a series, on their home court. They could have put themselves into position to finish the Bulls in six, if they had taken both games in Atlanta. Good teams should be able to win playoff games on their home court. The Hawks didnt, in Game 3.
I think that a very angry Bulls team will show up tomorrow night. The Bulls won 62 games. They know they have two home games to play with.
We know that anything can happen in a short series. I know what happened to the Lakers. I know that “Cinderella” teams win championships.. but…
I think the only way that the Hawks will win this series.. is if they beat the Bulls tomorrow, and finish them in Atlanta in Game 6. I do not see them dropping tomorrow’s game, and being able to win Game 7 on Chicago’s home court.
My unfortunate prediction: Bulls in seven. Bulls win tomorrow, Hawks win Game 6, Bulls win Game 7.
I will post, and admit eating crow if I’m wrong, but.. what happened in Games 2 and 3, just doesnt have me sold on this team.. Sorry.
BAMA dude
May 9th, 2011
8:44 pm
As a kid I was at that game 6 vs. Boston, sitting right behind the very basket that Cliff Levingston attempted and missed his little running hook shot. I remember vividly watching the back of Dennis Johnson’s jersey as he dribbled out the clock pointing to the sky. It’s sad that a losing series against an aging Celtics bunch who would go on to lose handily in the next round would be a signature moment for the Hawks franchise. Such is life as an Atlanta sports fan, I guess.
ProudTechFan
May 9th, 2011
9:41 pm
its so hard to get a feel for this team, but i have to support them no matter what. i remember going down to Phillips not too long ago and being able to sit pretty much anywhere i wanted to because no body was at the games. i am very proud of this team… and its got to be frustrating to hear chant of MVP in your own building for another player…
with that being said i am a realist and i dont think this team has the mental strength to win this series….i really hope i am wrong but i dont see this thing going in our favor. i think we have the better talent overall all except at point guard although i give teague all the credit in the world for the way he has played… i just dont see them getting a win tomorow nite in chi-town.
the one thing that works in our favor is that we do have the experience, we won a seven games series two years ago against Miami and last year against Milwakee. this Bulls team hasnt won a series like this and thats the only edge i give to the hawks…
GO HAWKS!!!
We'll See
May 9th, 2011
10:00 pm
They won a game. Wake me up after the series. JSmith still doesn’t see anything wrong with shooting J’s.
ATL_Doug
May 9th, 2011
10:05 pm
Enter your comments here
ATL_Doug
May 9th, 2011
10:12 pm
Man! We could’ve made some runs deep into the playoffs 3 or 4 yrs ago if Josh and Williams and Joe showed up in the playoffs like they have been doing lately. Keep up the good hustle! GO HAWKS!
rick
May 9th, 2011
10:17 pm
This has to be the slowest team in terms of brain development. You could argue this is the most brain dead team in the history of the NBA. You couldn’t ensemble a more immature team even if you skillfully & artfully selected the players. It’s just a crying shame that these guys have had to reach a near “alcoholic bottom” to see their inner soul. I figured they were gonna quit as usual but it looks like some PRIDE finally showed up instead of the usual CRYBABY tactics…..
tom
May 9th, 2011
10:17 pm
you don’t have to be sold on this team to be a fan of this team. the hawks need to try and finish this series in the next two games. Winning 3 games in chicago is a tall order (counting the first win).
Not A Hewitt Fan
May 9th, 2011
10:21 pm
Hawks lose in 7 because J Smooth forgets to stay in the paint….You heard it here. “Stupid is as stupid does”…..F. Gump
Kaye
May 9th, 2011
10:27 pm
LET’S GO HAWKS!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTY074F6Oio
duh
May 10th, 2011
12:13 am
I dont even read Bradley anymore.. i only read schultz and DOB. hopefully they replace you soon Bradley.and to answer your question other people i didnt read this boring article. please new blood at the ajc sports desk..,
Teaguefan#1
May 10th, 2011
12:41 am
What type of a chance do we have at trading Marvin willams If we gave all his minutes to Damien and put the num 2 overall pick on the bench!!! At least if he does something well on the floor it adds value on trading him…
Do your thing Jeff Teague time to show off your three point skills too!!!!
odogg32
May 10th, 2011
3:13 am
Will someone please explain to me why coaches do not make major adjustments during the game? Game 3. He calls a timeout 49 seconds into the game. The team has no energy, only Josh and Jeff. Immediately, why not put Jason and Jamal into the game. Rose drives through the paint like he’s going to a MacDonald drive thru. Again, if Al won’t knock him down, put in somebody who will, Jason. Why give up the game and make the change the next game?
ATL!!!!
May 10th, 2011
3:46 am
the hawks havent figured anything out!
We shouldnt even be talking about this.
The only thing the hawks have to do is focus on game 5 with the even more energy and hustle.
Its gonna take quite an effort to win game 5 in chicago, but its not impossible…
JASon
May 10th, 2011
5:15 am
Mark,
Enough with the southern hospitality. I think that the hawks success this year in the playoffs is due in part to the attitude of the local fans, who are finally letting the team know we are tired of the same old playoff flop. I mean, look at josh smith. You cannot tell me that his performance in game 4 was not due in some part to the deserved boos he got in game 3. This stuff affects these players, whether they admit it or not. It gives them motivation to perform at a higher level. I think this contributed to joe johnson’s performance in game 1 as well, after being booed last year. And I think its great that finally our local fans are holding our team accountable for past failures. This is the way it is in other major cities such as boston; they let their teams know when they are failing. Consequently, they are working harder and playing better. And in return, we are rewarding them.
Hawker V
May 10th, 2011
6:45 am
The hawks upset the bulls in game 5 and finish them off in game 6—mark it down. Chicago’s a 1 man team.
woody
May 10th, 2011
8:30 am
rainbows can’t be gotten to. so I stay out of the rain if possible.
M
May 10th, 2011
8:34 am
If Atlanta stops Rose, they will be in the next round my friends…., Jordan, Pippen and Rodman are not on the floor, go get it Hawks, don’t screw this up. Please!!!!!!!
M
May 10th, 2011
8:39 am
Rose is all they have Man, the other guys are Punk B##ches!
LawDawg
May 10th, 2011
9:24 am
I just cannot see the Hawks winning the series. You know they are going to roll over in at least one of the final three and lose by 20+, which means they have to win both of the games in which they show up, which is a pretty tall order against Rose and Co.
LawDawg
May 10th, 2011
9:26 am
JASon: Ah yes, the narcissistic fan theory: It’s not that they are playing well, its the FANS who are winning this series. We are so important and special. Sure, we are paying and the players are getting paid, but we are the sixth man, dang it! Please.
Gambler’s Lounge
May 10th, 2011
9:32 am
[...] Understandably so. The Hawks were inconsistent most of this season, then lost point guard Kirk Hinrich to begin their second-round series with the Bulls. Nonetheless, Atlanta is starting to figure things out. [...]
feudfinder
May 10th, 2011
10:12 am
Will the real Hawks please stand up tonight?
feudfinder
May 10th, 2011
10:22 am
Will the real Hawks please stand up tonight ?
ZelmoBeatty
May 10th, 2011
11:22 am
Josh Smith = Girl with the curl:
There was a little girl, who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead,
And when she was good, she was very, very good,
But when she was bad she was horrid.
Dr. Warren
May 10th, 2011
11:26 am
This is an inconsistent team. It’s coded in their DNA. Stop the talk about them “coming into their own now.” It’s a broken-record observation, fool’s gold. Expect them to lose badly in Game 5 or Game 6. If they get to Game 7, expect them to lose either very badly or by one or two excruciating last-second points. Franchises rarely change.
PaulCrieder
May 10th, 2011
11:45 am
THE HAWKS ARE FINALLY AT THE CROSSROADS OF THEIR FRANCHISE. THEY CAN GO IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE HAWKS CAN TAKE A QUANTUM LEAP FORWARD BY WINNING TWO OUT OF THE NEXT THREE GAMES AND CLOSING OUT THE BULLS–THEREBY CATAPULTING THEM INTO THE FRANCHISES FIRST EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS AND FINALLY AFTER 50 YEARS OF BASKETBALL, PUTTING THE HAWKS ON THE NBA LANDSCAPE AND MAP. IF THE HAWKS MAKE IT TO THE ECF, THEY WILL NOT BE DISRESPECTED ON ESPN AND OTHER SPORTS OUTLETS. IF THE HAWKS GET KNOCKED OFF BY THE BULLS, THE DISRESPECT WILL CONTINUE AND MANY HAWKS SCORES WILL BE IGNORED BY THE NATIONAL MEDIA. I REMEMBER WHEN THE HAWKS DEFEATED ORLANDO AND MADE THE MAGIC DISAPPEAR, MANY SPORTS OUTLETS REFUSED REFUSED TO ANNOUNCE THE SCORES. THEY FELT THE HAWKS WERE NOT GOING ANYWHERE SO WHY GIVE THEM ANY PUBLICITY. THE WAY I FIGURE IT, SHOULD THE HAWKS WIN THE NBA TITLE, IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED AND THE HAWKS TEAM WILL BE PRESENTED THE LARRY O’BRIEN TROPHY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY WANT TO OR NOT. EVEN THOUGH DAVID STERN HATES THE HAWKS HE WOULD HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD AND THOSE GREAT SOUNDS WILL RESONATE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR UNTIL THE NEXT OFFSEASON.
Terrell
May 10th, 2011
11:47 am
truth
You’re right about other teams, but other teams have fans that support them no matter what. When it comes to the Atlanta base, the fans are few and far between, one reason why big time athletes don’t want to play in Atlanta.
L.A. Mont
May 10th, 2011
12:28 pm
In the wins, Hawks figure things out and know what it takes. In the losses, they need to stick together and be consistent. Until we see this over the course of several games, the talk is not convincing. The first quarter is always a sign of now the Hawks will play. Let’s see which Hawks teams comes to play.
ClownStephenson
May 10th, 2011
12:34 pm
I always felt that when Chief Architect Billy Knight and Hall of Fame coach Mike Woodsen assembled the Hawks, they were destined for greatness! I never thought that they would ever come within 2 games of playing in the Eastern Conference Finals. Folks if it happens, give a SHOUT OUT PLEASE to chief architect Billy Knight and Hall of Fame coach Mike Woodsen. THEY DESERVE ALL THE CREDIT IN THE WORLD FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THIS INCREDIBLE MIRACLE!
tom
May 10th, 2011
12:40 pm
this is the year the hawks have to go as far as they can. As long as their inconsistency doesn’t cost them the series i’ll have to live with that. GO HAWKS!
Daddy Long Long
May 10th, 2011
1:01 pm
Call my crazy, but Marvin Williams may have something up his sleeve in the next game or two.
Hang in there Messy! ;- ) Some of us Hawks fans still got cha back bro.!
papason
May 10th, 2011
1:02 pm
Atlanta isnt Atlanta anymore, So many people arent from here… Its sad, Go to a Bar here anywhere they will be playing games for other teams in the bar and the local game will be put on the small screen.. How pathetic.. Nothing wrong with loving where u came from but if you move somewhere support the city where you currently live …
JanisButler
May 10th, 2011
1:26 pm
I echo the sentiments of the blogger who said the Hawks need to go as far as they can. I feel that one reason is that both the Lakers and the Celtics wont pose a potential roadblock for the Hawks. The Lakers are done from the playoffs and the Celtics are not far behind from being eliminated. With those two MOST SUCCESSFUL NBA FRANCHISES gone from the playoffs who should the Hawks fear: Memphis Grizzles, OKC Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat. I dare say the Hawks are as good as any of those. I think Chicago is the only other team left and we are trying to dispatch of them. If we couldnt beat Chicago, I would say Chi-Town can handle any of those other teams I mentioned. But we are in the process of eliminating the Bulls and if we get past the Bulls, THIS THING IS WIDE OPEN. We should try and win a championship because God knows this town is starved for one. LETS WIN THE NBA TITLE AND FINALLY GIVE THE HAWKS THE RECOGNITION THEY DESERVE. Go Hawks, crush Chicago in 6 quick games.
Rahm Emanual
May 10th, 2011
6:02 pm
Bulls will win!
hawk time v
May 10th, 2011
8:30 pm
the hawks winning 2 games against a #1 seed is like a moral victory for this series. This hawk team will dominate the league next year–mark it down. They need to keep josh and JJ happy with some huge money in the offseason.