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
juvenal
May 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
Enter your comments here
juvenal
May 9th, 2011
1:42 pm
took a few days off?
SABER
May 9th, 2011
1:44 pm
I am so tired of losing. I really do hope the Hawks find a way to pull this off.
SABER
May 9th, 2011
1:48 pm
juvenal – You wasted the 1st reply! Bradley would have showed you some love.
Kevin
May 9th, 2011
1:49 pm
first
Mark Bradley
May 9th, 2011
1:49 pm
Kudos again, juvenal. And yes, I did. I’d worked 18 consecutive days.
Aaron
May 9th, 2011
1:50 pm
First time I have ever felt this with the Hawks: Hope.
Gwalk
May 9th, 2011
1:52 pm
Can’t wait! Let’s do this! Go Hawks! !! !
juvenal
May 9th, 2011
1:53 pm
gotta act like you’ve been there before, SABER……actually the quickest way to nab the 1 spot……going to take a day off & go to Lexington next weekend for a family wedding, looking forward to it…….
Hankie Aron
May 9th, 2011
1:53 pm
Nice piece. These Hawks are nothing if not an interesting little basketball team.
SABER
May 9th, 2011
1:54 pm
juvenal – Well played my friend… very well played.
NCBravesFan
May 9th, 2011
1:54 pm
It has been an amazing playoff run when you consider the 30+ game run that preceded it in the regular season. Frankly, I’m shocked it’s happened the way it has.
I wouldn’t bet on the Hawks closing out the Bulls but then again, I wouldn’t bet money against them either at this point.
Hankie Aron
May 9th, 2011
1:55 pm
If they can get more consistent performances like last night MB, how far do you think they get?
Mark Bradley
May 9th, 2011
1:56 pm
Beats me, Hankie.
Gwalk
May 9th, 2011
1:56 pm
Hey Bradley, Did you like how ESPN asked Josh on National Television if he was going to play like he did last night or if it was just for one game? Maybe the question in front of a national audience will help him get over the hump and become the star player that he really is. This team is his for the taking!
jon
May 9th, 2011
1:57 pm
C’mon hawks… you can do it!… and you can own the town for now!
Hankie Aron
May 9th, 2011
1:58 pm
Mark,
How far do you think they get? I think you are on record as saying the Bulls survive right?
Gwalk
May 9th, 2011
1:58 pm
Hey Bradley, Did you like how ESPN asked Josh on National Television if he was going to play like he did last night or if it was just for one game? Maybe the question in front of a national audience will help him get over the hump and become the star player that he really is. This team is his for the taking!!
Hankie Aron
May 9th, 2011
1:58 pm
I believe IF they get by the Bulls, they can handle the C’s but not the Heat.
jon
May 9th, 2011
1:59 pm
Mark if i remember corectly the 88 team really didn’t start playing well until the playoffs. Don’t forget if doc hits those free throws in game 6, we had a good chance to beat Pistons that year!
Hankie Aron
May 9th, 2011
1:59 pm
Sorry for the redundantcy
Paul
May 9th, 2011
1:59 pm
Great game 4 from the Hawks. Would anyone be suprised if we lost game 5 by 30?
homer
May 9th, 2011
2:01 pm
I hate getting my hopes up. This team can look so good one game and so bad the next.
Hankie Aron
May 9th, 2011
2:01 pm
The big difference is Teague overall. For last night, yes it was Josh Smith but overall I think the emergence of Teague is fascinating.
JeJe
May 9th, 2011
2:05 pm
Won on April Fools Day, then lost 6 straight
LOL!!
Damn did anyone else on here know that? I didn’t
tom
May 9th, 2011
2:07 pm
at this it’s best to forget about trying to figure this team out and just enjoy the ride. Seeing this team finally start to show signs of maturity when the games count is awesome. GO HAWKS! Represent the A-T-L!!!
Biff Pocoroba Fan Club
May 9th, 2011
2:13 pm
The Atlanta Hawks: On any given night they can win a game by 3 points or lose a game by 30 points.
nola hawk fan
May 9th, 2011
2:14 pm
Great to have you back MB… missed your thoughts on these schitzo hawks. But hey, always glad to hear a man gets some needed time off.
Question – looking ahead to 2011-12, do you see Jamal leaving and have a 3 card rotation of JJ, Kirk and Teague? To me that actually might be an upgrade seeing how well JT has played. A dime for your thought sir…
Nate D
May 9th, 2011
2:15 pm
I think if we can beat the bulls we can beat the celtics or bulls. Why cant josh play like this evernight when he does this it makes me not want to trade him. Still trade marvin willams for Bynum.
jfreak13713
May 9th, 2011
2:16 pm
I should have my head examined for saying this but the Hawks seem to have the mojo right now and “sometimes” that can carry an underdog further than expected. I think the Hawks do have a real chance to beat Chicago not because they are better but because they are playing better right now. Good luck guys make us proud!
Time
May 9th, 2011
2:18 pm
I’ve defended this team over the years. Kept believing that eventually they’d all figure it out, play smart basketball, and win a bunch of games, maybe even a championship. They’re talented enough.
I hope I’m wrong. Last night was really some impressive basketball by the Hawks. Problem is, we’ve seen this before. A great win, moving the ball, defense, rebounding. And every time we fall into the trap of thinking that they’ve “finally” started to figure things out. I fell in the same trap as recently as the Orlando series.
Again, hope I’m wrong. But I think this team is just being Lucy again, telling us she’ll hold the ball all the way through the kick, we believe, then right as we kick, she rips it away and we end up flat on our face.
Harry Hawk
May 9th, 2011
2:19 pm
As nice as it was to see the Hawks put it together last night, how do you forget the previous two games? This team is Team Sybil. You cannot trust it.
That being said, I have to admit that the Hawks would have a great chance to win this thing if we could count on them. The Bulls have been pretty disappointing this postseason. It could be because they are going through the growing pains of learning how to win big at this level. I don’t know, but the Hawks have a real opportunity to put away childish things and really do something special.
truth
May 9th, 2011
2:20 pm
its sad that we are happy that the Hawks won 2 games in the 2ND ROUND!!!
Other cities would view anything short of a Final Appearance or champioship a disappointment
mountain_jim
May 9th, 2011
2:21 pm
Mark, folks around here are spoiled. They expect you to keep writing and posting these blogs everyday. After all, we are here wasting time and adding to your page views every day.
DCBrave33
May 9th, 2011
2:23 pm
Mark, are you going to be in Chi-town for the game tomorrow night? Also, knowing how unpredictable the Hawks are, could you venture a guess on how likely the Hawks springing the upset is? 30%, 40%? I am just hopeful that they give themselves a chance in each of the remaining games. If they do that, and still lose, I can live with the result just fine.
DCBrave33
May 9th, 2011
2:28 pm
If the Hawks were able to do the amazing and upset the Bulls they would make the first ever franchise Conf. Finals. Would they then, by default, have to be considered the best ATLANTA Hawks team ever? It makes me a little sick in my mouth thinking we havent seen a team better than this in our fair city, but is it true?
Frank White
May 9th, 2011
2:29 pm
Mark, this is a really great analysis of what is now happening with the Hawks. I have been a devotee of Hawks basketball for a long time and I can’t remember when I have seen such a tremendous example of fine basketball as I saw last night. When a club can come up with powerful defense like this it is a terrific experience for all of us. Bless you…for this great piece.
realsquawk
May 9th, 2011
2:30 pm
Proud of Josh for playing well, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he reverted back to his old ways.
Frank White
May 9th, 2011
2:31 pm
Mark…great work on summing up the Hawks and their super play right now.
Barry
May 9th, 2011
2:32 pm
I’m a sucker for the Hawks. I can’t help but root for them, even though this group is not easy to root for. But I don’t have a lot of confidence in them. When they play hard and share the ball (and Josh Smith actually plays around the basket), there isn’t a team in the league they can’t beat in a series, including the Heat. But I don’t think they have it in them. I hope they prove me wrong. I did like LD calling out JJ on being tougher, though.
BjohnDawg
May 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
To the Hawks……Just win the whole damn thing!
To Josh Smith…..keep that backside in the paint, and you will be able to practice your Jump shot and three point range at the Next All star game.
RIP BRUCE
May 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
SO f***ing happy for my HAWKS!!!! Cant believe they are still fighting. Cmon ROUND 3!!!!!
steve brown
May 9th, 2011
2:37 pm
One game by Josh and you love him again. What a joke. I would move the smooth so fast it would make his head spin. And Mr. Bradley you should know better.
J "Moo"ve
May 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
Mark,
Where did you go for vacation? We have missed you dearly.
TheAntiMe
May 9th, 2011
2:40 pm
I’m not so sure that they are just now figuring it out, Mark. I have to believe that they must have had some clue that giving effort and helping your teammates out on defense, along with sharing the ball on offense shows much better results than doing the exact opposite. I mean, over the last couple of years, most of the games that they have won against quality opponents entailed doing these same things that they managed to get right last night.
I hate to say it, but especially after watching these guys play in the second half of this season, it seems to me that these Hawks are constantly fighting their own team chemistry issues. The core of this team has been together for so long now that it seems to me that they are constantly battling the ego demons. It sometimes appears to me that certain players are prone to be jealous of each other and want to show that they are the man on this team.
So certain players who make up the “core”, far too often seem to fall into the trap of competing with each other to be the man instead of assisting and complementing each other to be the team. When these dudes are successful in checking their egos at the door they are capable of some very fine play. When they fail to do so, it all too often gets very ugly.
I’m not trying to judge anyone as a person because we are all prone to those same shortcomings but hopefully the Hawks will see on a much more regular basis that the greater good of the team is much more satisfying than outshining your teammates.
steve brown
May 9th, 2011
2:41 pm
On the racial front 2 Laker thugs take their “frustration” out on 2 light skinned Maverick players (one the smallest on the floor) and Barkley blames the white Indiana coach. Come on Charles get real, that was Ghetto hoop!
ncb34
May 9th, 2011
2:41 pm
i hate to look ahead, but this team matches up well with the heat if you ask me.. and this celtic’s team is a little older than the one the hawks took to game 7 a few years ago.. too optimistic?
Rodney King
May 9th, 2011
2:42 pm
Wait, did someone bring up the race card? Let me call Jesse
Ryno
May 9th, 2011
2:43 pm
Three very quick points:
1. I have to admit, when watching the games at home I almost always chuckle when I hear the 15,000 people groan whenever Josh Smith shoots outside of the paint. I can’t remember hearing anything like that for any other player.
2. It’s time to give Damien Wilkins 10 more minutes a game and Marvin Williams 10 less. At least Wilkins will rebound like a man
3. PAY JEFF TEAGUE, NOW!
TheAntiMe
May 9th, 2011
2:44 pm
Enter your comments here. I’m trying to:
I’m not so sure that they are just now figuring it out, Mark. I have to believe that they must have had some clue that giving effort and helping your teammates out on defense, along with sharing the ball on offense shows much better results than doing the exact opposite. I mean, over the last couple of years, most of the games that they have won against quality opponents entailed doing these same things that they managed to get right last night.
I hate to say it, but especially after watching these guys play in the second half of this season, it seems to me that these Hawks are constantly fighting their own team chemistry issues. The core of this team has been together for so long now that it seems to me that they are constantly battling the ego demons. It sometimes appears to me that certain players are prone to be jealous of each other and want to show that they are the man on this team.
So certain players who make up the “core”, far too often seem to fall into the trap of competing with each other to be the man instead of assisting and complementing each other to be the team. When these dudes are successful in checking their egos at the door they are capable of some very fine play. When they fail to do so, it all too often gets very ugly.
I’m not trying to judge anyone as a person because we are all prone to those same shortcomings but hopefully the Hawks will see on a much more regular basis that the greater good of the team is much more satisfying than outshining your teammates.
mountain_jim
May 9th, 2011
2:46 pm
I can’t be too optimistic after seeing how Rose gets a foul called everytime he drives, but Josh and Teague get killed under the basket with no call. Over and over again.
cowboys67
May 9th, 2011
2:47 pm
There will be no inbetween tomorrow they will either win or get smoked by 30. It is all up to the 2 J’s Joe and Josh if they are aggressive without being reckless they win if not it will get ugly fast.
TheAntiMe
May 9th, 2011
2:49 pm
I’m not so sure that they are just now figuring it out, Mark. I have to believe that they must have had some clue that giving effort and helping your teammates out on defense, along with sharing the ball on offense shows much better results than doing the exact opposite. I mean, over the last couple of years, most of the games that they have won against quality opponents entailed doing these same things that they managed to get right last night.
Decatur Native
May 9th, 2011
2:50 pm
BjohnDawg
May 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
To the Hawks……Just win the whole damn thing!
To Josh Smith…..keep that backside in the paint, and you will be able to practice your Jump shot and three point range at the Next All star game.
SO TRUE I had to Re-post!!!
Lee Corso
May 9th, 2011
2:51 pm
MB
NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND! Let’s see them play like that in back-to-back games first.
steve brown
May 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
Thanks Rodney!
Blue
May 9th, 2011
2:58 pm
From SI.com
“Honestly, yeah I did think that,” said Drew, an assistant under Woodson from 2004-2010. “But we have been able to maintain open lines of communication so that when I do correct him, we are OK. The thing about Josh is he is his worst critic. I get on him and he’ll jar back but I don’t mind that. That tells me his heart is pumping. For the most part, he respects me. When I get on him and I chastise him, he may not like it but at the end of the day he will come back and say ‘Coach, you were right.’ And I believe in him.”
He respects me “for the most part”. Smoove is uncoachable??? Nawwww, you don’t say!
Redneck Hawk
May 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
These birds are SO hard to watch. Get blown out one game then turn around and blow the team out in return. If they’re consistent they can win the whole thing. But everyone here knows that the Hawks’ Achilles Heel (or Achilles torso, more probably) is consistency. But I’m too stupid to not believe in them. Hope you guys can play your best, most consistent basketball every game for the rest of this postseason! Go Hawks!
FACTS
May 9th, 2011
3:04 pm
Can’t see why LD continues to even give Marvin Williams any minutes & yet was forced to play Teague due to an injury. This team & coaching staff just leaves Hawks fans shaking their head at times….about 90% of the time!!!!!!
Acie Law
May 9th, 2011
3:12 pm
How come the Hawks didn’t play me ? I was s’posed to be the Hawks point guard of the future – Actually, Teague is just doing all this by default – he got some minutes during the Bibby/Hinrich trade and after Hinrich got hurt otherwise he woulda languished on the bench like I did
Ry
May 9th, 2011
3:15 pm
Can’t see Josh Smith putting up those kinds of numbers again in this series. He is too dumb. How many games has he had like that throughout his career, only to revert back to his old ways again the very next game. His basketball IQ is very low and I don’t think he will ever get it.
FACTS
May 9th, 2011
3:15 pm
Josh has been in deep denial for the past 2 seasons, when he uses what God gave him correctly ( athletism & leaping ability ) this creates major matchup problems around the basket for any team the Hawks play against. This type of play gives the other players a boost & gets us out on the break more where Teague can use those young fresh legs to put pressure on any opponent. What is the purpose of running a slow break style of offensive basketball…when you have youth on your side???
Wait a Minute
May 9th, 2011
3:16 pm
Wait a minute, I thought you were “mad” at Josh Smith…like you asked, ‘what is he doing?’ in your last blog…remember? Over Reaction is your middle name. No wonder you can’t make management. Let the cooler heads prevail and have a grown up conversation. At least you are not like FAT HEAD Steak Stephan Shapiro and the rest of the radio hacks who want everyone fired.
Vick Supporter
May 9th, 2011
3:20 pm
I love the Hawks, but I just don’t feel confident that they are going to win most of the time. I watch every game, and I’m at home acting a fool screaming at the TV for some of the dumb plays we make…and then out of the blue…Josh Smith starts playing the way he supposed to play and we win. Why can’t we do this all the time? It’s frustrating as hell. As for the writers….one day you’re saying that we should blow up the team…the next minute you talk about how much they’ve grown. i guess that goes with the up and down nature of the team, but that get tiresome also.
As i said before, if we could get lucky and get 15 to 20pts from Marvin (which would be a miracle by the way, Kyle Korver of all people was shutting him down,lol) and the same effort we showed last night, we could win another in Chicago. Just a hope as far as Marvin…that dude sucks and Wilkins should be getting his minutes.
Go Hawks
enz
May 9th, 2011
3:22 pm
Steak Shapiro sucks…I mean I think…No one really listens to that station I don’t believe…
elroy
May 9th, 2011
3:24 pm
right on WAIT A MINUTE, Steak shapiro is a fat d-bag. Bradley is pretty bad but not as bad as steak.
Jason
May 9th, 2011
3:24 pm
We all know how this will end.
Blowout loss tomorrow. Nail biter game 6. If they win then it’s another blow out loss Game 7
Mark Bradley`s Booster
May 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
The Hawks played so inconsistent during March/April that I though
they would not win even 44 games. Now they play like a team that wants to win (well in most of these playoff games). Hard to figure but no
complaints from me. Hope they can keep the good games going and forget the blowouts.
FD
May 9th, 2011
3:27 pm
teague playing this well and marvin sucking like he always does just shows how clueless our mgmt and coaching is
Joe11
May 9th, 2011
3:30 pm
Trade Josh and Marvin for Bynum!!
Manny
May 9th, 2011
3:32 pm
Herein lies my biggest problem with the Atlanta Hawks:
They are more athletic than most of the teams that they will face, but they sometimes play like the Celtics. I mean, I want to bring some coffee to the bench before games, sometimes. Starting with Josh Smith. That guy shouldn’t get out of the box on offense. He is the highest jumper you can ever see. The guy is pure athleticism, but he wants to be a jump-shooter!
And Jeff Teague! Hi, Jeff! Welcome to the NBA! He always had it in him, but he’s so inconsistent. Cmon Jeff! Keep it up!
But my favorite Hawk (besides Jamal Crawford), is Zaza! I love it that the Hawks have an enforcer! I love it that people don’t like him and that he plays dirty! Oh, I love it all!!! I think that Zaza shines best during playoff games! And Zaza and Jamal are the reasons why I watch the Hawks.
b
May 9th, 2011
3:43 pm
FD is right.
Hawks have played Marvin forever and sat Teague.
The ONLY reason Marvin is playing over Damien is because he was the second pick of the draft.
Well, not the only reason, but it’s a factor. No way for LD to justify Marvin playing over Damien
this series. At least DW battles.
captguitarman
May 9th, 2011
3:46 pm
Dallas just strung four fantastic performances together – saving the best for last. The lesson is that you can’t do that every other game uneless the series started at home. If they can duplicate Sunday’s effort in Chicago, and win, that would be a huge step in the right direction for them and their confidence — and then why not speculate about where they might go beyond Chicago. Even if they put out that type of effort and lost by a few points, it would be a good sign, and still a chance for seven games to decide the winner. But, being a little jaded now, I couldn’t vote for a winner. I just don’t have full confidence that Sunday’s team will show up again, as much as much as I hope that it does. But, a win there would be fantastic, giving them a real chance to win it here in six games. Fingers crossed.
LakeDawg
May 9th, 2011
3:50 pm
The Hawks made a Smoove move last night.
bigeasy830
May 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
I was at that game last night. It was a great game. Teague is giving the Bulls all kinds of trouble. They have to set picks to free up Rose to make his own shot. But Rose can’t really create for others when doing this. When Teague has him one on one he is right in front of Rose. Rose needs help to shake Teague. Last night LD put Teague on Korver when he was in the game and Teague shut him down.
Jake
May 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
Hawks are going down hard the next 2 games. Cindarella is over with!
Rodney King
May 9th, 2011
3:54 pm
@Jake
Do you mean Cinderella? Maybe Spindarella? Maybe Alex Lindarella?
Rodney King
May 9th, 2011
3:54 pm
Dave Campanella?
conference finals?
May 9th, 2011
3:54 pm
Time to exorcise the demons of 1988!
Rodney King
May 9th, 2011
3:55 pm
Bella? Maybe Penn and Tella? Old Yella? Do you Smella what the Rock is cooking?
Kareem Abdul
May 9th, 2011
4:09 pm
The Bulls probably couldn’t play any worse than theyhave in three of the 4 games (none due to the Hawks) so keep dreaming Hawks reality ill really suck when the tease is over
tyger
May 9th, 2011
4:12 pm
tyger
May 2nd, 2011
3:19 pm
Hawks in 7, here’s why?
1. LD will devise a D to neutralize Rose. I suggest a zone blitz.
2. Hawks mentally/physically/spiritually tougher after Magic series.
3. Individual matchups are pretty even overall.
4. JJ’s playing better, his domination of Korver/Brewer is key.
5. Teague contributes after watching Rocky I, II, III, IV.
6. Damian ain’t scared to throw ‘dem bows.
7. Smoove/Deng is a good matchup, younger legs prevail in 7.
8. Horford has Noah’s number.
9. Big lineup will neutralize Noah, Thomas, Boozer.
10. Watson scares me.
Link Report this comment
Sir Charels
May 9th, 2011
4:12 pm
Did y’all catch me on TBS with the Josh Smith test dummy helmet??? LOL I meant to cross of the word test but forgot to -new craze Josh Smith dummy helmets!! get one now, JM dumber than a rock -what the hell does he keep trying to smell up on his upper lip?
joey1
May 9th, 2011
4:14 pm
hawks played with such energy and heart last night. if they play like that josh driving to the whole the hawks can be a elite team, but the need to be more consistent.. hawks like i said in 6 ..hawks against boston east con . finals what a rematch that will be….
Pelican Brief
May 9th, 2011
4:17 pm
Guys the HAWKS are a very talented bunch. A few years ago we were a 3 seed with thoughts of competing for the Eastern Conf Championship. The only major thing that changed from that group is the coach and we got rid of MB. Obviously, its turning out to be the right move. Its time for the players to grow up in the playoffs, and actually compete for the Eastern Conference. Hawks in SIX….
Pelican Brief
May 9th, 2011
4:20 pm
@Sir Charels …Man, thats turrible…
boots
May 9th, 2011
4:21 pm
This is a strange series and a strange place for the city of Atlanta to find itself. Apart from 1991 when the Braves began their own domination, the city has always had time to prepare itself for its teams to do well. We can see the Falcons building a playoff team, and the Braves have made it so routine, that we are not surprised when they make it to the post-season. But for the Hawks, this is new territory. It is like they flipped the switch, and the city has yet to notice the energy flowing through the team. I am thinking most sports fans are reading the scores and saying, “The Hawks? Really? When did the playoffs start, anyway?”
However, if the team can win in the windy city, a new breath of fresh air might just blow in to Phillips Arena, and this team can catch the city on fire like no one has since Sherman (or the Braves).
tyger
May 9th, 2011
4:27 pm
No time to get giddy…
Certainly, it feels good to hold serve, but the enigmatic Hawks haven’t completed the mission. They’ve held serve, that’s all. They have to fight their native instinct to win one, lose two.
Unfortunately, that’s their MO. They are not front-runners, they cannot put teams away. They take games off! History tells us that they WILL take Friday off.
That’s the challenge, that’s the victory, that’s the mission – to come out Friday, on the road, and make the Bulls spit the bit. That’s progress, to date, they have just gotten lucky seeding and not rolled over, yet.
I hope LD is just kidding about the BIG line-up, how more obvious can it be, that the winning formula is BIG, BIG, BIG.
I would even go bigger for spurts: Collins, Pachulia, Horford, Smoove, JJ – own the boards and the paint – and get your 1st trip to the Eastern Finals since 1989.
BulldogBen
May 9th, 2011
4:38 pm
“We’re maturing as players and coaches”. Are you kidding me?? Johnson is on his THIRD contract now. Smith and Johnson have yet to show they can have more than one, MAYBE two good games a series. Kobe already had 3 rings by the time he was Johnson’s age. Can we please shut up about maturing?
If history holds, we’re due for an EPIC beat down in Game 5.
Mutumbo
May 9th, 2011
4:45 pm
The Bulls really are B.S.
Najeh Davenpoop
May 9th, 2011
4:56 pm
“Drew redrew his starting lineup to include Jason Collins, who brings effort if nothing else, and it yielded the needed flying start.”
Collins brings a lot more than effort. He understands defensive positioning as well as any center in the league and is the most fundamentally sound player on the Hawks defensively. Don’t be fooled by his lack of athletic ability or ball skills. Collins is a perfect example of someone making it in the league solely on basketball IQ.
Boricua Hawk
May 9th, 2011
4:56 pm
Great article Mark! I was just talking to a friend about the difference LD is showing during the playoffs. Every night, they’ve come out doing things different vs. same ol’ stuff that didn’t work the game before. Great perspective on the old vs. new Hawks. I remember those fun days in the late 80’s. They made me a Hawks fan for life….even through the 11-game win season.
I’m excited about this series but unfortunately, I know how my Hawks go. Only as good as the last game. Killed Friday and bounce back big time last night. Here’s to keeping the momentum!!! Go Hawks!!!
papason
May 9th, 2011
5:19 pm
@ Najeh Davenpoop, totally agree with you about Collins.. We play better when we go with a big lineup plus Marvin is a waste of space anyway.. Doesn’t score, doesn’t rebound, only thing he does is collect a hefty paycheck
SWAT Native
May 9th, 2011
5:48 pm
As everyone else has noted, the Hawks are a funny team. One thing that I think has escaped most people’s attention in looking at the regular season is that they very nearly had a winning record on the road, which to me is the sign of a veteran, mature team. They would have had it had they not tanked the last six games after they realized they had nothing to gain in terms of their playoff standing.
In a way, it’s like the Celtics last year – I believe they even had a better record on the road than at home (which is bizarre). Everyone thought the C’s would not make it out of the first round, but they made it to the finals and really should have won had Perk not gotten hurt.
Road records are a good way of telling how tough a team is. That’s the one area where the Hawks did improve.
tom
May 9th, 2011
5:48 pm
some people are saying hawks in 7. hawks have to close this out in 6. getting 3 wins in chicago is a tall order. But maybe so is winning 3 games in a row (including last nights win).
DHunt
May 9th, 2011
5:54 pm
Just love it when know it all fans say Josh should stay in and around the paint on offense. Guess you forgot that Joe and Jamal, who are the primary focus of the offense whenever they are in the game, need the middle of the floor open to try to create. If Josh is standing around down there, where do you think his defender is? So when Joe or Jamal pounds the ball for 15 seconds and then get tied up and have to drop a pass to an open player, who has gotten to an open space? Why it’s Josh, with 4-6 seconds left on the shot clock, with a wide open 17 footer. And the home fans booed and screamed NO just as he went up for the shot. Thanks fans. People should remember that shot was falling with some regularity early in the season.
And the only thing that has ever been inconsistent about Jeff Teague is his playing time. This team needed better coaching than Woodson to get past Orlando, and LD has been slightly better. I just hope it doesn’t need even better coaching to get all the way to a championship. I was one of his biggest supporters coming in, mostly because I thought as a former PG he would develop Teague (and boy was I wrong about that), but I’m not sure if LD is up to the challenge of coaching this team to the Finals and ultimate victory.
Loving it while it lasts
May 9th, 2011
6:03 pm
Great game last night and everyone played well. Teague looks like the real deal, Josh finally went inside where he can be the man, although the outside shooting is still nerve racking. Why doesn’t the coach just get Josh inside and leave him there as a true power forward, play like Rodman getting mega rebounds, short jumpers, lay ups and slam dunks? Also, has anyone else noticed that Marvin gets his shot blocked inside more than anyone else in the NBA. He has obviously been figured out and he needs some help to alter how he goes to the basket to help him get his shot off. Coach, get the kid some help!
Ted M
May 9th, 2011
6:50 pm
I watched the Braves Sunday night, who are lookin pretty good, I would have watched the Hawks if they weren’t so pathetic in game 3.
It would still be a big surprise if they take this series as the Hawks have proved over and over… a lot of times they just don’t care.
bfred
May 9th, 2011
6:53 pm
My question is why the guy should ever, EVER settle for an outside shot. He is stronger and more athletic than just about any player in the league, the few exceptions being obvious monsters like Howard. Set up some penetration plays for him where he’s already moving toward the basket when he gets the ball. Who’s going to stop him? Noah? Give me a break. He’ll either score or get to the line every time. Once the double and triple teams come you have Horford at 8 feet and Joe and/or Jamal behind him. Marvin stands in the corner so he doesn’t mess things up.
ATLtodolavida
May 9th, 2011
7:02 pm
Hey Mark, what do you think about this article some guy wrote six weeks ago saying the Hawks have quit on Drew? http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2011/03/22/another-home-blowout-tells-us-the-hawks-have-quit-on-drew/
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.