The Hawks proved they aren’t a mess, but they lack a mesh
Al Horford wasn't himself in Round 2. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The fun part ended four minutes into Game 6. The serious stuff starts now. The Hawks must decide if 12 playoff games, half of which they won, were enough to override a regular season of diminishing returns. They must decide if winning two games in Round 2, as opposed to getting swept, constitutes the kind of progress that can be sustained.
The Hawks did a nice salvage job. Had they bombed out in Round 1, there’d have been no compelling reason to hold this team together or to keep this coach. Larry Drew’s job now seems safe — he did all he could in the playoffs, and much of what he did was inspired — but the question of the Hawks’ core remains.
Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford and Marvin Williams have been together since 2007. They’ve won three playoff series but never two in one spring. When they play well, as happened against Orlando and for three of the six games against Chicago, they’re an imposing group. (”A quality team,” Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said Thursday, speaking of the Hawks.) Alas, they don’t play as well as often as they should.
The unscheduled emergence of Jeff Teague gives the Hawks hope that next season, with a real point guard, might be better. (Still at issue is whether Teague is as good as he looked against the Bulls, and if so, why both Drew and Mike Woodson failed to play him before this.) But the Hawks didn’t lose to Chicago because they had lesser players; they lost because their players don’t complement one another the way the Bulls do.
Said Horford: “They were more solid, more consistent.”
Said Smith: “They know their roles. They fit together so well.”
Said Jamal Crawford: “They play hard every second.”
Can we say any of that about the Hawks? The playing-hard part doesn’t fit: The Hawks mailed in Game 5 and Round 1 and Game 3 of Round 2. And we couldn’t really call a team that shoots so many jump shots “solid” or “consistent.” As far as knowing roles: The share-the-ball component of Drew’s offense was taken by too many Hawks as a license to jack up jump shots, thereby lessening dynamic talents like Smith and Horford.
The shifting of Horford from center to power forward and back appeared to affect him. In the six games against the Bulls, he scored in double figures only three times. On Thursday, the day he was named third-team All-NBA — at center, mind you — he made two baskets. For the first time since he became a Hawk, it was possible to be disappointed in Al Horford.
The problem with moving Horford to power forward is that it curtails his back-to-the-basket work, which is quite good, and pushes Smith even further away. It essentially leaves the Hawks without a small forward, which shows us how far Marvin Williams — he had two points in the final three Round 2 games — has fallen.
Loading ...The advent of Teague means the Hawks will have one new starter next fall. To break the staleness that has settled in, they need another. Horford is too solid to trade and Johnson too expensive, and nobody wants Williams. (And Crawford is no lock to be re-upped as a free agent. The Hawks are perilously close to the luxury tax.) By process of elimination, that leaves Smith.
The reason not to trade him is that he’ll go somewhere else and make All-Pro. The reason to trade him is that he has become a hugely gifted distraction. He played very well in Games 4,5 and 6, but it took so much coaxing and prodding from Drew that you had to ask: Should a guy who has been in the NBA since 2004 not yet know where his strengths lie?
Late Thursday the Hawks’ general manager offered this appraisal. “We had a chance to go from good to great and we fell short,” Rick Sund said. “We made some progress, but we didn’t finish it.”
With these same players, is an Eastern Conference finals run likely? The answer, I submit, is no. The talent is here, yes, but the blend — the attribute the Bulls have and the Hawks lack — isn’t apt to form with guys who’ve been together so long. The Hawks don’t need to blow up their roster, but they do need to change it. Even if it means sacrificing a talent of Smith’s magnitude, they must find a mesh.
By Mark Bradley
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274 comments Add your comment
GT
May 14th, 2011
8:35 am
JJ is right on the money. Cut the walking the ball up the court, this is pro basketball there is a time clock ticking stop being so cool.
Darian
May 14th, 2011
9:17 am
Trade williams smith Crawford for Dwight howard.
maddawg913
May 14th, 2011
9:40 am
I disagree with what seems to be the consensus. I think Drew made great strides with this group and needs another year to continue the change in mind set from selfish individual play to “team” ball. In past years under Woodson all I saw was 4 guys watching one guy try to score. Game 5 in the Bulls series tells the whole tale….the first 3 quarters we had great ball movement and got good shots and played outstanding defense; we were right in the game. Then came the 4th quarter and we went right back to selfish shoot it up style basketball. Drew made changes to the mentality but he needs more time and this is a very talented group if they play team ball.
playmeortrademe
May 14th, 2011
10:05 am
I really hope management isn’t fooling themselves into thinking this team is capable of going any further in the East with this ownership, GM, coach, and core players. It all has to change. To base improvement on a series win over an untalented and uninspired Orlando team, and then 2nd round series that should have only gone 5 instead of 6 if not for a fluke game 1 win where the Hawks couldn’t miss and the Bulls could not have played worse. This team may luck out like OKC this year and get a good draw to get to the East finals, but they don’t have the stuff to get to an NBA Finals, much less win a title, unless they luck out like the East winner this year and catch a 4 or 3 seed in the finals.
Un-fair weather fan
May 14th, 2011
10:12 am
Late Thursday the Hawks’ general manager offered this appraisal. “We had a chance to go from good to great and we fell short,” Rick Sund said. “We made some progress, but we didn’t finish it.
Isn’t it nice to see bluntness of this sort. I don’t recall hearing anything equally blunt from the Falcons brass after their humiliation in January.
In general, this series showed the ghosts of Loserville don’t necessarily still have to pull an ATL franchise under right from the get-go, in the most pathetic fashion, like they did in January, but they’re still there and they linger on. Complete playoff collapse for a team in this city is always just lurking out ahead. Hence, we natives will always be un-fair weather fans.
playmeortrademe
May 14th, 2011
10:13 am
And the main thing they need is floor leader who expects nothing less than 100% at all times and can carry the team when others are struggling. It’s obvious Joe Johnson is not that guy. As a rookie, I thought Horford would be that guy but it is apparent he is not happy playing on a team that he knows is not capable of contending. Josh Smith, he takes plays, quarters, nights off so he’s not the guy. And don’t get me started on the #2 overall pick…possibly the worst draft pick in the HISTORY of the NBA.
playmeortrademe
May 14th, 2011
10:27 am
Management deserves a lot of blame, but winning a title in any pro sport also takes a measure of luck. In the end, good management, talent, and some luck wins championships, unless you are so overwhelmingly more talented than the competition that luck becomes a non-factor (i.e. Bulls and Lakers dynasties, Yankees 2000s run, 49ers, Cowboys, Patriots, Steelers). Atlanta teams, in addition to having historically poor management, just seem flat unlucky. Jim Leyritz? Eric Gregg’s diminishing strikezone? Eugene Robinson? Michal Vick? 80’s Hawks catch Celtics, Pistons, and Bulls at their peak? Only 1995 had the right mixture, with luck being the shortened season and drawing inexperienced Cleveland in the WS.
cdog
May 14th, 2011
12:07 pm
FIRST, BRING IN A GM FOR RICK SUND.IF SUND STAYS, HIS EXCUSE FOR NOT BRINGING IN DWIGHT HOWARD WILL BE SALARY CAP LIKE THE OTHER GM, PETE BABCOCK.BRING IN A GM WHO WANT A CHAMPOINSHIP AND NOT WORRY ABOUT MONEY WHICH EVEN IF HE HAD IT, WOULDN’T STILL USE IT TO BRING IN A HOWARD OR LEDBRON.SUND IS TOO STUPID TO BE A GM.LY DREW EW UP AS A COACH IN THE PLAYOFFS.HE NEED A CHAMPOINSHIP GM TO SUPPORT HIM.SUND IS NOT THE ANSWER.
Samuel
May 14th, 2011
12:15 pm
I think you package Josh Smith and Marvin Williams together to bring in a real center. Who can score and play defense. You have to bring in a Super star preferably one who has won a title.
john
May 14th, 2011
1:30 pm
just keep the team. if we had hinrich this could have been a completely different series. and the way the hawks performed in these playoffs is more than enough evidence of progress. Just picture it next year with the new found depth in teague. there’s hope hawks fans.
Ted M
May 14th, 2011
1:30 pm
I think Suud should Marvin Williams for Kevin Love. Why doesn’t he pull the trigger?
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Ted M
May 14th, 2011
1:31 pm
should trade Marvin Williams
Ted M
May 14th, 2011
1:33 pm
“just keep the team.” thats probably the only option. Then just hope the player have an epiphany.
Coop
May 14th, 2011
11:50 pm
You know what. I think the trade again was the worst in history. I have know idea what that was all about . Now, again we have former players laughing @ the the d a organization. We are a d-league for the rest of the NBA professionals…I do not get it ? Why keep doing this non sense. Wake-up!!!!! This has been going on for years…Really? you spent $$$$$$$on one man name Team. LOL. please I hope that when you go thru the draft for next year . PLEASE, use some common sense. Tickets are not cheap. I expect the team worth at least that!
Stupid is as Stupid does
May 15th, 2011
9:56 am
Stupid is as Stupid does
Get real guys.
Yes Al is 6′ 10 1/2 ” but he plays 6′ 5″ maybe 6′4″ with a wing spam of 7 or 8 inches
Some of you have notice that Al doesnt like to block shots or get physical under the basket. As Slimjr pointed out Al seems to be an escort or a valet for players going to the rim. Choosing to get a up close view of the dunk rather than try to stop it with a block or a hard foul. The consensus is that Al is a very weak defender. So here are 2 questions that you should ask yourself:
Is AL soft?
Does a wild bear chit in the woods?
For the intellectually challenged let me help you, the answer is the same for both questions.
KevinM in my opinion has come up with a realistic base in which to build.
Its quite clear that this bunch will never get past the second round. Alot of you whined about ISO Joe ISO Crawford, not understanding the game. Outside of JJ JC and JSmoove nobody can create much offense. Al Horford needs to be set up to get a shot off which stagnates things further.In fact most of Al’s career 12 ppg average comes from garbage plays, like josh blocks a shot and finds that Al, who wasnt down on the defensive end (cherry picking) is standing by his self under the basket. Or 3 guys attack JJ or Josh and nobody is playing horford and josh finds him out of a triple team. Those type of garbage plays can be done by almost any body. Heck Sautee can do that. The hawks need defensive play makers first and offensive play makers second. Thats Chicago’s model with 5 players in the top 40 for block shots during this playoff run. Blocking shots and getting it done should be a team effort not a Josh Smith Jeff Teague effort. Where the puck was AL?
Hawks need the right attitude. Guys like Al Horford who refuses to gain weight get stronger and more physical for the sake of the team is not only wasting his 6′10 1/2″ frame (his 7ft daddy should be ashamed of him), but breeding a Me Me Me attitude.
All this whining about being given responsibility to take over the center position is sick. Real leaders rise up to the challenge and lead by example which encourages everyone. Thats leadership. Boston players except the challenges with out whining and thats why they are always serious contenders. This Al whining is affecting the team and moral. The attitude is “if Al is looking out for Al why shouldnt I look out for me?” Hes not giving it up for the team so why should I? This cancer has attached itself to the Hawks and only the youthfulness of Jeff Teague and Josh Smith has kept hope Alive.
So as I was saying earlier. KevinM is absolutely right. This team is not going anywhere. They changed directions alright. Now they are going down Build around youth with Josh and Teague, the only 2 guys that showed up in the playoffs, and the two youngest. Josh has an attitude of “no matter where you put me Im going to give it my best” He and Teague have have tremendous upsides and are hungry. Everybody else have been over come with selfishness, particularly Horford who, when not begging for the ball on offense is doing his prima dona act before the press running his mouth and begging for brownie points. JJ doesnt go to the rack anymore and is bitter about not being featured in Drew’s Princeton offense what ever the hell that gimmick is.Crawford is playing like his already on another team and just trying not to get hurt. He felt that its was either Him or Al for the contract extension. I did not see him going to the rack either but choose a lot of lazy jump shots. Like I said before The only two that showed up was Josh and Jeff.
Cut fire trade or demote everybody else and lets build about Josh and Jeff. Go after D Howard who would love to play at home and with his buddy Josh. One thing you can count on, is Josh Teague and Howard would show up! Teague will drive the ball Josh will pass,dunk,block and slash with intensity. Howard would also block and dominate the paint. Between Josh and Howard every opposing team would become Jump shooters.
If you want to get the fans back (how can you not sell out a pivotal playoff game at home?) make these moves.
Otherwise you are just pissing in the wind.
T. S.
Jon
May 15th, 2011
1:20 pm
come on guys.. Marvin Williams is the Hawks krypotinite (definetley not spelled correctly).. Trade him and a backup center or two (Thomas) for a quality backup guy
Gamer
May 15th, 2011
2:04 pm
IF I TOUCH ON WHAT COST THE HAWKS GAME 6 LOSS, IT WON’T SET WELL WITH LD….
I NEVER REALLY EXPECT THE HAWKS TO WIN THE SERIES VS. THE BULLS BUT I DID EXPECT THEM TO PLAY GAME 7…..LD’S LACK OF VISION AS A COACH IS WHAT COST THE HAWKS A LOSS IN GAME 6….
WHEN A TEAM HAVE SHOOTERS AND SCORERS AS JOE JOHNSON, JAMAL AND JEFF TEAGUE THEN THE COACH MUST INSTALL 12-16secs OFFENSIVE SETS…ESPECIALLY WHEN THE OPPONENTS STRENGTH IS DEFENSE; AS IT IS WITH THE BULLS.
THE HAWKS SHOULD HAVE PLAYED GAME 6 TO THEIR STRENGHT BY USING LESS TIME ON SHOT-CLOCK FORCING THE BULLS TO PLAY AN UP TEMPO DEFENSIVELY AND OFFENSIVELY…..LD LACK OF VISION AS HEAD COACH COST THE HAWKS GAME 6.
WHAT DOES LD REALLY HAVE AGAINST JEFF TEAGUE?
AND WHY DOES HE CONTINUE TO PLAY MARVIN WILLIAMS MORE THAN DAMIEN WILKENS?
THE FAN-BASE CAN POINT OUT THE HAWKS PLAYERS WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS, SO I CAN’T EXCEPT LD NOT SHOWING THE INSIGHT TO DO THE SAME….ESPECIALLY DURING GAMES……
THE HAWKS ARE A CENTER-PLAYER AWAY FROM CHALLENGING FOR EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP…..THE PLAYER DON’T NEED TO BE DWIGHT HOWARD BUT HAVE DWIGHT HOWARD LIKENESS……THEN NO TEAM COULD FORCE THE HAWKS HAND TO PLAY ONE WAY OFFENSIVELY OR DEFENSIVELY…..
SOMEWHERE OUT THERE IS A YOUNG PLAYER BITING AT THE BIT, WAITING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE HIS TALENTS…..
Gamer
May 15th, 2011
2:16 pm
CORRECTION(para,6)I CAN’T ACCEPT LD NOT SHOWING THE INSIGHT TO DO THE SAME…
Joe Mama
May 15th, 2011
4:49 pm
THE HAWKS ARE A CENTER-PLAYER AWAY FROM CHALLENGING FOR EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP…?
Thats were they were last year. Duh? What ever happened to the Princeton offense? I wonder whats the next gimmick.
This franchise is going backwards. Woodsons teams would have crushed these guys
MCD
May 15th, 2011
5:28 pm
Smith and Teague were the only players who even cared about that game. I’m sick of watching JJ pout about not getting to take every shot. Trade Johnson and Williams for a center and draft pick(s). Smith should be an all star but needs a real coach.
dh89
May 17th, 2011
1:41 am
u cant trade smith because hes the key to getting howard to come play in ATL there best friends..n that would make ATL a solid FC..but i think we need a tru small F..which smith is not.so that leave hawks kinda mess up..but vs the bulls joe n jamal was a noshow so maybe go out on the line trade joe, teague for pual in which u free up cap room n hope smith talk howard to come play in ATL..maybe try to pick up jr smith in a trade so the lineup would look this
paul
jr
josh
hartford
howard..but the only thing about we need somebody to step up n be a leader on the floor
Charles
May 17th, 2011
9:54 am
Teague didn’t play because Mike Woodson din’t give him a chance. As soon as he made an mistake or missed a shot he came out the game.Who doesn’t make mistakes or miss s shot. If he would had played this year , he would have been starting long ago.
John
May 17th, 2011
12:34 pm
Where are all these “real centers” that everyone has been talking about for years. There are like 4-5 impact centers in the league and we are not getting any of them.
SpackDaddy
May 18th, 2011
10:43 pm
Lot of people on here thinking Teague is the pg of the future. I am not so sure after just six games but maybe some GM out there agrees with the masses on this board. If so, I say we dump him while his value is what I think the future will show to be it’s all time high.
We got talent. Let’s get somebody who can coach it!