Watch the NBA finals. You’ll see why the Hawks aren’t there
Westbrook, LeBron, Durant: All of them are better than the Hawks' best player. (AP photo)
I’ll admit it. I thought it, and I even wrote it. With Derrick Rose gone and with Chris Bosh hurting, the Hawks might have had a chance to make serious noise in these NBA playoffs — had they contrived to survive Round 1, which they didn’t. But now I’m watching the Heat and the Thunder have at one another in their made-for-the-Weather-Channel finals, and I’m thinking …
Nah.
I know, I know. The Hawks managed to beat Oklahoma City in their one meeting this regular season, and they even beat Miami in Miami on the second day of the calendar year. But could anyone — and here I’m talking mostly to myself — have seriously seen the local NBA franchise giving either of these a real postseason run? With all parties at full strength, could the Hawks have taken even a game off the Heat or the Thunder?
I know, I know. Here you’re saying, “The Hawks aren’t as good as the teams playing for the NBA title — this is news?” Well, no. But I’m guessing we’ll be hearing very soon that the Hawks have decided to give it one more go with their Core Four, and I can’t see staying that course having much upside. As is, the Hawks aren’t quite talented enough or committed enough to matter.
The Heat and the Thunder are apt to be sorting out championships for a long while. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are 23 — as noted previously, that’s younger than the young Hawks hope Jeff Teague — and LeBron James is barely a year older than Josh Smith. Yes, the Hawks have collected a handful of gifted players, but none among them is a superstar. Miami and OKC have two superstars apiece, and that’s not counting Chris Bosh.
And it’s not just the players — it’s also the organizations. The Heat have Pat Riley as patriarch; the Thunder are run by the rising star Sam Presti. The Hawks … well, they may or may not be in the market for a new general manager. Rick Sund’s contract is due to lapse as month’s end, and nobody’s sure whether he’ll stay in place. If he doesn’t, are the Hawks apt to go hire a hot shot from some other organization?
Let’s ask ourselves this: What happened when this team last had a key opening? They hired Larry Drew, who’d been Mike Woodson’s assistant for six seasons, to replace the fired Woodson. Drew has been neither bust nor smash, which is the story of the Hawks. They’ve settled in as a plus-.500 team, and nothing about this crew suggests that an upward spike is at hand. Yes, they finished with the fourth-best record in the East with Horford gone for 55 games, but that’s also what the Hawks do: They offer hope only to snatch it away.
We saw in Round 1 the difference between the regular season and the playoffs. Doc Rivers didn’t worry about resting his aging Celtics, while Drew left his starters out too long as the lead began to dwindle in the pivotal Game 2. (That was the night Rajon Rondo didn’t play due to suspension.) By Game 4, the Hawks — even with Smith and Horford back from their respective injuries — were back to their wretched habit of getting blown out. They lost that night by 22 points after trailing by 37.
To their credit, the Hawks mustered stouter efforts in Games 5 and 6. But the lasting impression of the Hawks — under both Woodson and Drew — is of a team that never has fully believed it’s cut from championship cloth. It knows it has no LeBron, no Durant, no Dwyane Wade, no Westbrook. The Core Four, together since 2007, knows full well that it’s capable of going so far but no further, and it also knows that its management pales alongside Miami’s or OKC’s or San Antonio’s or Boston’s or Chicago’s or the Lakers’ or …
OK, you get the point. You get the point better than I do. Because there are some nights — like March 3, when the Hawks beat the Thunder without Horford and Joe Johnson — when I think, “You know, if this team played like that every night …”
But that’s the thing: This team doesn’t play like that every night, and as constituted it never will. And I can’t really see this front office, with Sund or without, making the bold moves needed to step up in class. I see only more of the Core, of which we’ve already seen too much.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
159 comments Add your comment
Moobs Johnson
June 18th, 2012
5:43 pm
Only way the Hawks will win a championship is if they switched to the WNBA.
Traci
June 18th, 2012
6:06 pm
Every year we heard we are “rebuilding” that went on fir 6 years. We got Josh#1 and Josh#2 and Bibby and Joe Johnson. Still didnt get any better. The worst part..was this team had the nerve to insult the fans that did come out. ome of the WORST scoring performances in the NBA. Remember the niight they scored 45 points total. Yep an NBA team that can barely score 45 measely points. THAT SHOWED theyhave no pride and no work ethic. And the worst part. The article in the newspaper read: ” We don’t care what anyone says..we only care about the opinions voiced in the locker room..!!!”. Well if that not the inmates running the asylum, then what is! take a hike Hawks..and take thise sorry 1 playoff game winning Falcons with YOU.
Traci
June 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
typed on a iPhone sorry for the typos..but the sentiments the same… I know a LOSER when I see one..Hawks and the Falcons….brand a “L” on your forehead.
Jelly Roll Morton
June 18th, 2012
6:14 pm
I’m hoping that OKC loses and the media pins the entire blame on Russell Westbrook. Can you guys imagine a scenario where the Hawks could make a trade for Westbrook? Russell is not making as much as JJ, but if they throw in a player or two it could definitely work. Ressell Westbrook is a bonafide superstar…with a ton of heart and a killer instinct. Just what Atlanta needs.
No offense against the current Hawks but everyone outside of Horford should be on the trading block.
native atlantan
June 18th, 2012
6:40 pm
A team in the middle of the pack like Atlanta isnt good enough to go far, and not bad enough to begin to get any better. Coaching is middle of the road, and ownership by a committee of 6 or 7 will never, I say NEVER work.
Angry Bird
June 18th, 2012
6:50 pm
We have a superstar…Joe Johnson. He makes over 20 million per year.
Vel Crow
June 18th, 2012
7:02 pm
The Hawks lost in the first round because they were too cheap to resign Jamal Crawford. If they had Jamal, they would have beat the Celtics, and made a run in the playoffs. I think Portland got him for 5 mil.
Slimjr
June 18th, 2012
7:02 pm
This is a players driven league [The NBA]!
Larry Drew would probably be in the finals too if he were the Heat’s head coach..
C’mon Eric Spoelstra is no better?
Why NBA Teams Botch the Last Shot – Wall Street Journal | Football News Pro
June 18th, 2012
7:02 pm
[...] Humility Looks Good on the HeatNew York TimesThunder-Heat PreviewCBSSports.comYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Boston.comall 3,042 news [...]
Why NBA Teams Botch the Last Shot – Wall Street Journal | Sports News
June 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
[...] Humility Looks Good on the HeatNew York TimesThunder-Heat PreviewCBSSports.comYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Boston.comall 3,042 news [...]
Steve
June 18th, 2012
7:09 pm
Enter your comments here
cpsman_atlanta
June 18th, 2012
7:10 pm
Ownership. Bring back the Thrashers. BOYCOTT ATLANTA SPIRIT GROUP!!!
NBA | NewsTrendr
June 18th, 2012
7:13 pm
[...] facing Game 7 in NBA FinalsLos Angeles TimesThunder-Heat PreviewCBSSports.comYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Boston.comall 3,030 news [...]
Steve
June 18th, 2012
7:14 pm
I’m a mad little man
WhoCares?
June 18th, 2012
7:15 pm
Let me be clear, Mark: The Hawks do not deserve local support as currently constituted. Management is pathetic, and the team now inhabits a personality that cannot allow it to be of championship caliber. I’ve been to games in each of the last three years; no more. They need a new coach and an infusion of new players through intelligently managed trades and absolutely NO HOPE of getting that.
Some Humility Looks Good on Heat – New York Times | Basketball Video Zone
June 18th, 2012
7:22 pm
[...] facing Game 7 in NBA FinalsLos Angeles TimesThunder-Heat PreviewCBSSports.comYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Boston.comall 3,059 news [...]
KevinM
June 18th, 2012
7:25 pm
Good thing the Hawks have been successful in the draft. Otherwise, we might have had some serious scheduling conflicts in Philips.
Sports Facts » Heat back in familiar ground, hold 2-1 Finals lead – SI.com
June 18th, 2012
7:27 pm
[...] Harden says Thunder already facing Game 7 in NBA FinalsLos Angeles TimesYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Boston.comall 3,087 news [...]
hawks21
June 18th, 2012
7:36 pm
I understand that everyone want to TRADE Josh! Do you think we can get a TRUE value for him. He has very good numbers, how many PF can fill up the stats sheet? Gasol brothers,Alredge,Blake,etc I like Al but he is a better center than PF!
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
7:43 pm
Matt.A
June 18th, 2012
3:54 pm
It is pretty crazy to see the mistakes this organization has made and I’m sure will continue to do so in the future. Drafting M Williams instead of Chris Paul, trading Jordan Crawford & a 1st rounder for Kirk H, then only to discover Teague can actually play as opposed to ride the bench. Hiring an assistant of the coach that couldnt get the job done to begin with just to save some money? The ownership of the Hawks is satisfied with being average, that just doesnt make sense
________________________
And hasn’t made sense for 44 years.
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
7:54 pm
Brownie
June 18th, 2012
4:54 pm
. . . I’ll offer a different viewpoint for everyone to slam……this team under ASG has shown tremendous success over the past few years!!
1. they elected to tear down the roster to start over – succeeded.
2. they drafted more talented players than previously here – succeeded.
3. they focused on improving their play and record year over year – wildly succeeded.
4. they were driven to make the playoffs – yep, succeeded year after year
5. they wanted to win in the playoffs – another success (although not this year)
_____________________
And what has all this “tremendous success” earned them? Not one iota of progress in 44 years at the only level it counts–the postseason.
You call this success? Your standards are no better than theirs.
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
7:58 pm
Traci
June 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
typed on a iPhone sorry for the typos..but the sentiments the same… I know a LOSER when I see one..Hawks and the Falcons….brand a “L” on your forehead.
___________________
Don’t forget the Braves. And Thrashers. And Flames. See a common thread here?
Some Humility Looks Good on Heat – New York Times | Sports News
June 18th, 2012
8:05 pm
[...] facing Game 7 in NBA FinalsLos Angeles TimesThunder-Heat PreviewCBSSports.comYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Boston.comall 3,050 news [...]
Some Humility Looks Good on Heat – New York Times | Football News Pro
June 18th, 2012
8:06 pm
[...] facing Game 7 in NBA FinalsLos Angeles TimesThunder-Heat PreviewCBSSports.comYahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Boston.comall 3,037 news [...]
Some Humility Looks Good on Heat – New York Times | Free NBA Videos
June 18th, 2012
8:08 pm
[...] Time for LeBron to Heat up in FinalsNew York Daily NewsCBSSports.com -Yahoo! Sports -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 3,054 news [...]
fsubrave
June 18th, 2012
8:14 pm
the hawks arent there because they lost to boston…LOL..no other reason
justahawkfan
June 18th, 2012
9:08 pm
There are 27 other teams not at the NBA finals. The Hawks are more likely to get there than most of them!! Stop compaining and buy ticket so that the broke owners can sign better players. That how this thing work.
BartBuzz
June 18th, 2012
9:28 pm
The Hawks can’t come through when the big games are on the line. Bad coaching and inflated egos have a lot to do with it.
steven a smith
June 18th, 2012
9:33 pm
5. Stoudemire
4. Gasol
3. Ivan Johnson/Metta World Peace
2. Kurt Hinrich
1. Jeff Teague
I know, Iknow, stop dreaming….
Harpie
June 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
This Hawks team might do somethiing if they didn’t have a piece-of-crap coach who doesn’t know what he’s doing. That’s their main problem, and of course he’s been brought back for next season. BOOOOOOO!
DawgNole
June 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
justahawkfan
June 18th, 2012
9:08 pm
There are 27 other teams not at the NBA finals. The Hawks are more likely to get there than most of them!! Stop compaining and buy ticket so that the broke owners can sign better players. That how this thing work.
_________________________
Idiots like you have been saying BS like this for 44 years–with ZERO results. THAT’S “how this thing work.”
ede
June 18th, 2012
9:59 pm
think the celtics would do a josh smith,jeff teague for rondo deal??
youcrazydiamond
June 18th, 2012
10:00 pm
We are so screwed.
I am David Stern
June 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
and I am god of the NBE……uh,NBA! The Hawks are not worthy of my ring because nobody buys their jerseys and Nike and Gatorade lost Josh Smith’s phone number. Oklahoma City is lucky the Supersonics drafted Durant or else I would have let the Lakers back in the finals. I am David Stern, and I will take your money….suckers!
Coach D
June 18th, 2012
10:04 pm
Not only do we need Koncak, but I think Dan Roundfield would be a great back up power forward! Tree Rollins was seen in the gym the other day, hankering Rick Sund for a try-out.
Dawglasville
June 18th, 2012
10:13 pm
moorman – I’m with you. I have never cried officiating in my life. I’ve seen bad calls cost teams I love huge games. Eric Greg’s strikes zone and the Jasper Sanks fumble come to mind. Those were bad call and stupid officiating. But for the first time in my 40 years of watching sports I believe that the fix is in. I have no doubt that Stern is behind it. You can’t sell a bad guy unless he wins it all. In three down to the wire games how many times have you said to yourself, “Man, the Thunder got screwed on that call?” The Thunder will eventually get a few outragous calls go their way, when there is about five minutes left to go in the series deciding win by the Heat, when it is clearly over, that is when OKC will get their make up calls. You watch. What will happen to Stern? Same thing as Clemmens and Bonds…nothing.
Before it starts, don’t ask (or tell) me to quit the Lebron and Wade hate. When they win this, they will go back to being the same jerks they were before Boston took them to 7. This whole, “We are humble. We are a team’” deal will be over. There will be no praise for Battier or Haslem from those three. Back to the same d-bags who mocked Dirks cold. Back to the same 3 coming out who starred in their own party the night after The Decision. (I know that it was ownerships fault, but boy those guys struggled to put on a mack fest.) These guys are going to be even easier to hate as I have to listen to Stan Van Gundy cry for two and a half hours about how unfair Lebron is being treated every game he calls next season.
Back in the day the commissioners had nads. Now we have cereal boxes and scripts. The reak players are being weeded out. For every Ocho Cinco there should be a Lester Hayes. For every Barry Bonds there should be a Bob Gibson. For every Lebron there should be a Bill Russell. The closest I’ve seen to letting a player, actually play, is Hines. I only wish that Deon would have met Mr. Ward instead of Ed Reed.
Beast from the East
June 18th, 2012
10:14 pm
Hawks would go down in either 4 or 5 games to either team in the finals. Plus, at least 3 of those losses wold be by 20+. The inferior ownership group has totally screwed this franchise for the foreseeable future. Re-signing JJ to a max contract sealed the deal.
steven a smith
June 18th, 2012
10:16 pm
Offer Joe Johnson to New York for Amare
Josh Smith and one for Pau Gasol
Steve Nash(F/A contract)
S/F (draft pick)
Jeff Teague(new 2 guard)
Coach of the Thunder Keeps Grinding It Out – New York Times | Free NBA Videos
June 18th, 2012
10:20 pm
[...] admits frustration over benching in NBA FinalsLos Angeles TimesYahoo! Sports -NewsOK.com -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 3,169 news [...]
Sports Facts » Coach of the Thunder Keeps Grinding It Out – New York Times
June 18th, 2012
10:23 pm
[...] admits frustration over benching in NBA FinalsLos Angeles TimesYahoo! Sports -NewsOK.com -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 3,093 news [...]
Eb
June 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
It’s the pitiful ownership here plain and simple. If these guys owned a NASCAR team, they’d hire a cheap inexperienced driver, overpay for a top notch car, and run it on retread tires and low grade fuel. These guys have botched more drafts, trades, organizational moves, and PR decisions in 9 years than most owners have done in 50 years. They have zero credibility with the city due to this ineptness and outright lies to the fans. The ASG must know they have burned their bridges here and will never get any respect in ATL. I suspect they’d sell the team in a second if they could find a buyer willing to pay “their price”. I’m sure these idiots have an inflated sense of what the team and Phillips rights are worth given their total lack of business acumen displayed over these 9 long years. How these dolts ever made a dime in business is the real head scratcher here. People here can talk about dropping JJ, breaking up the core, getting a new coach, new GM, new fill in the blank, and it won’t matter until this group of misfit owners is removed.
Ron
June 18th, 2012
11:17 pm
“With that said they are still sadly the best team in Atlanta until the Braves or Falcons decide to show up in the playoffs.”
Hawks got bounced in the first round just like the others. That little meme died a tragic death.
tony
June 18th, 2012
11:19 pm
I think there is one player in this league who could help this team get to the finals. His name is Steve Nash. With Nash ability to distribute the basketball, this team will become lethal.
My wish lineup:
1) Steve Nash…………………………JT
2) J.Johnson…………………………..John Jenkins-rookie
3) Andrew Nicholson-R…………….MW
4) J.Smith……………………………….Robert Sacre-undraft free agent
5) Al Hortford…………………………..ZaZa
Whopper Dawg
June 18th, 2012
11:32 pm
Yep, Hawks are their usual mess and it is not changing any time soon.
They have their shot with the run of lotto picks and whiffed pretty much. The Thunder on that other hand picked and scored. The Heat is a created team made by egotistical superstars and one I hope hits the trash heap.
Heat back in familiar ground, hold 2-1 Finals lead – SI.com | The Basketball Site
June 19th, 2012
12:14 am
[...] Game 7 in NBA FinalsLos Angeles Times5 things to note from Game 3 of the NBA FinalsYahoo! SportsAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -New York Times -Boston.comall 3,014 news [...]
mdr
June 19th, 2012
12:30 am
The Hawks are not committed to winning championships, therefore they will not win championships. It is just that simple.
gator
June 19th, 2012
12:49 am
This is a no brainer, OKC has been in existence 3 years or less, and are in the finals the hawks have been around what 35 years or more and never been to the finals, hello it could be bad owner ship and managment.
Braves 4 tries 1 title, Falcons 1 superbowl in 40 years and lost that one, UGA last title 1980 before cell phones and faxes, can you say loserville Georgia
buckk
June 19th, 2012
1:25 am
Knew the HATING would surface BUT not on a HAWKS story. What a strange Dawg Hater!
AG
June 19th, 2012
6:21 am
yes, i know the hawks need a center to win a championship – just like the heat and thunder each have a dominate center!
GT
June 19th, 2012
7:59 am
I totally agree. If you could win looking like a basketball player the Hawks are right in there with anybody. It is that panic time at the end of a close game when Smith thinks he can take charge but has no natural talent for spotlight finish ,when the other team cares who wins, that separates this team from a champion. Adult basketball, where the adults take the floor is where they are lacking.