Hawks must remain hotter than Heat in the belly
Winning always trumps losing, and maybe you heard: The Hawks used incredible energy to rip the Miami Heat on Sunday night at Philips Arena during the opener of a first-round playoff series.
Yeah, well.
Flukes happen.
To prove that Game 1 wasn’t just the figment of everybody’s imagination, when the Hawks won by 26 points and made the mighty Dwyane Wade meek, they must realize something.
They must show it, too. They must realize and show they understand that to prosper in the NBA’s postseason, you have to keep hustling at a wild and crazy pace until the other guy drops.
Take it from Hawks point guard Mike Bibby, who told us Tuesday after practice, “We’ve had second halves when we’ve had [a lot of energy]. There have been times when we’ve done it at the beginning of games. But there also have been times when we’ve missed shots, and then we’ve given up easy baskets. We don’t want it to be like that. You know what I mean?”
Yep. It’s called a lack of focus, which leads to less than the intensity the Hawks had in Game 1, which leads to something like continuing to go more than a decade without winning a playoff series.
Given that, the Hawks must spend Wednesday night’s Game 2 on their home court with greater fire than that of the Heat in consecutive games. It also wouldn’t hurt if they find more ways to keep Wade from sizzling when it counts. Then, after the series moves to south Florida for two games, the Hawks must transfer the game-long vigor they’ve often shown at home this season to the road, where they’ve been splendid, but only as corpses.
The point is, the Hawks have traveled far since their 13-victory season of five years ago. Even so, despite winning 47 times this past regular season, we still don’t know where they are along their journey from goodness to the elite.
This will tell us. That’s because the elite teams give you multiple games with energy during the playoffs. The elite teams do such things at home and on the road.
The elite teams operate similarly to Al Horford’s Florida Gators along the way to their consecutive national championships through the 2007 season.
Then again, maybe not.
“It’s a little different in college with this situation compared to the pros,” said Horford, in his second NBA season, but already evolving into the leader of the youngest playoff team in the Eastern Conference. “In college, you’re focused, but your confidence level goes up, and you even see it at mid-major schools. You see it in their faces that they feel they compete and that they can play with anybody.
“In the pros, you’re always on edge during the playoffs. You’re focused. Every possession counts. In college, you can maybe deal with a few mistakes here and there, but at this level, everything counts.”
It did for the Hawks during Game 1 against Miami, and nothing changes along their way to the second round. That is, if they make the second round.
They will. They get it.
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52 comments Add your comment
Gerry
April 21st, 2009
7:39 pm
Good column Terence I heard you got canned if that is true then I wish you well.
BWD
April 21st, 2009
8:29 pm
If you got canned, good riddance!
Terence Justice
April 21st, 2009
8:37 pm
“Flukes happen”. You getting hired by the AJC in the first place proves that!
O'brien
April 21st, 2009
9:50 pm
We saw how the Hawks played at home against Boston in last year’s playoffs. But we also saw how they played in Boston, and it wasn’t even close. And they’ve done the same thing during the season. That being said, I expect the Hawks to run away from the Heat again.
I’ve always heard that bench players play well at home, so I expect Miami’s players to help out Wade a lot more.
jake
April 21st, 2009
10:25 pm
Y’all should show a little more respect..Because at the end of the day this is how he feeds his family and you cannot hate on a man doing his job..good work terence!!
Najeh Davenpoop
April 21st, 2009
11:03 pm
I never was the Terence Moore-hater that most AJC readers apparently are — in fact he’s written a lot of really good articles — but ever since this buyout rumor every T-Moore column has a kind of half-a$$ed feel to it, including this one.
The Money Ball From Money Town!!
April 21st, 2009
11:04 pm
D-Wade scoring less than 20 isn’t a fluke. In Philips Arena, we call it DEFENSE!!
Are you trying to be funny, or did you forget which city you work in?
RickNole
April 21st, 2009
11:18 pm
You gotta be kidding me Terence? Is this the best you could do?
I mean I could have written this…
Josh
April 21st, 2009
11:24 pm
I didn’t think it was possible to write column with a negative tone after the home team won Game 1 of a playoffs series by 26 points but wouldn’t you know it, Mr. Moore pulled it off!
Green Tea
April 21st, 2009
11:44 pm
I know you read these blogs Terry, please let us all know when we can expect your departure. Your faithful readers await your response…
Volman
April 22nd, 2009
12:42 am
Moore has some decent posts, but I HATE how most of his posts have a negative undertone to them.
You don’t have to always give back-handed complements to the Atlanta Sports teams. Seriously.
evil breeds evil
April 22nd, 2009
12:54 am
BWD:
I hope you realize the danger in wishing failure upon any human being. Good riddance? Wow. Hmmm, it sure would be sad if you got canned from your job. Whatever a mans sows…
TERRENCE JUSTICE:
And what paper are you currently writing for?
JAKE:
I completely agree.
Dr. Warren
April 22nd, 2009
1:16 am
Give him a break. The Hawks have been inconsistent all year. They would win 6 straight, then lose the next 4, etc. He knows their psychology better than most because he’s watched them up close and gotten to know them. He’s a writer, not a cheerleader.
merbertmoover
April 22nd, 2009
2:06 am
hey t-bone, your columns stank like a turkey sandwich on a tuesday! and i know about tuesdays….i been to arkansas, know what im sayin? hey, how bout showin da hawks some love baby? i think da hawks gonna take it in 5….then beat the cavs….its gonna be hawks/rockets in the finals….lake show aint nothing but a puddin pop….you heard it hear first
WR
April 22nd, 2009
2:39 am
Terrance this is the first I have heard of your rumored departure, is there any truth to it. If so I would like to say, yes you have written some controversial articles, yes I am one of the people who would say I can’t stand Terrance Moore, but as any wise person would do, after a while you begin to understand that your articles make a person think. Think about not only what you said but what a person is truly thinking themselve. This article is a great example, the hawks beat the crap out of miami and all of a sudden a sweep seems possible, but wait, they have only played one game of a seven game series. This team is rather young and its understandable to wonder if they truly get it, for the people who bash you on this blog, read the whole blog and if you didn’t get it the first time, read it again. Terrance makes good points, points that should make you think, points that you may not want to hear but points a good writer puts on the table. Notice that he makes the points but in the end he expresses his feelings toward the Hawks and their chances, and if you read carefully he expresses that he believes their chances are good. People whether within this article or life in general, stop taking the negative at face value without noticing there’s a positive reason or meaning behind the negative.
jj
April 22nd, 2009
3:26 am
Mr.Moore,I guess i’m in the minority,I read your work and although I don’t always agree.I respect your work.I guess if all of you writers had the same voice and style ,there would be no reason to read each work.I agree that the Hawks haven’t proven anything because they should beat a inferior Heat team and if they come out and play this next game like they have tended to do this season you will hear a lot of concern from fans tomorrow nite.I know this is a Hawk blog but TM I sure wish you would give an enlighten view of the Braves and explain their decision on playing some guys that are maybe playing because of the managers favor and not because they are the best.I would like to know why Escabor has not been extended as Frenchie and Mac were?Also why are guys from the latin countries having a hard time getting past this sub label?I remember Sheffield saying these guys are less likely to complain because of where they come from so they may not get the same treatment as say if they were Black or White.Glad you are still WORKING and God Bless.
BarkingBulldawg
April 22nd, 2009
4:33 am
i wish you got canned, you racist.
Terence sent back to MInors
April 22nd, 2009
5:50 am
WHERE HE BELONGS
Caleb
April 22nd, 2009
7:24 am
Terence, Great column as usual. Many of these folks are calling you all sorts of names and saying they hate your articles. However, they are obviously still reading your stuff because they keep blogging. That shows interest on their part. It’s amusing. If you are leaving, I will sorely miss your articles. If not, I look forward to many more.
TROTTINGHOME
April 22nd, 2009
7:28 am
Uncle Tom Terence never wrote an article without cut and paste.
Even before the rumored buyout
Bailer
April 22nd, 2009
7:59 am
I am a white guy that wishes you well. I didnt agree with many of your articles but that what makes a writer.Best always Also a man that will hurt a dog is nothing but scum.
Terence Moore
April 22nd, 2009
8:30 am
To WR and others: Thanks for the ability to read, think and comprehend.
Marco Polo
April 22nd, 2009
8:46 am
Anyone who values a humans life the same as a dog is special ed
The Money Ball From Money Town!!
April 22nd, 2009
8:56 am
merbertmoover: I like that prediction. Rockets beating the Lakers would be something special.
And then a Finals between two teams that haven’t sniffed the Conference Finals in ages.
A battle of underdogs: that’s what I wanna see!!! LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
Meat Rabbit
April 22nd, 2009
9:00 am
Mr Moore, I have always believed…and continue to believe that a good columnist can provide a consistent opinion and provoke his readers. You, sir, are the benchmark. I appreciate reading your columns, and I love reading these guys rip you to pieces….in my mind it just means “job well done”. I see the rumors that you might be gone from The AJC. If that is true, then I wish you nothing but the best. If not, then I can’t wait for your next column. God Bless!
bigjohnhawksfan
April 22nd, 2009
9:02 am
The real issue isn’t that journalists shouldn’t be objective, it’s that Atlanta sports get no respect from the national media, so at least our LOCAL NEWSPAPER should celebrate our victories. We get enough negativity to keep us grounded by ESPN and TNT. AJC: time to hire some Atlanta sports fans!
Al Beeski
April 22nd, 2009
9:03 am
Terence, I respect your opinion as a human being, but in my humble opinion you have really written some HORRIBLE articles over the past few years. I am a young educated black man who grew up in the deep South, so I see racism everyday & still see it on my job. But I wish you wouldn’t play the race card as much as you do and focus on writing articles of substance. Clearly over the past few years it seems as if you write articles only to agitate people & receive hate mail via these senseless blogs that idiots like me continue to reply to. Honestly, think back to when you began your journalism career & compare your articles of 30 years ago to now. You KNOW there is noway in Hades you would have written such non-substance articles or editorials and kept a job. Technology has ruined the newspaper business as we know it, I remember as a kid I couldn’t wait to walk up to the corner store here in Albany and buy a fresh copy of the AJC. Now, the internet has completely destroyed the relevance of the newspaper and it’s really sad a professional journalist like you must use buffoonery to get his point across.
Walt
April 22nd, 2009
9:07 am
Come to think of it, you BELONG on a big network. They like snarky non-believers and bandwagoners on ESPN. Then you can rip Atlanta sports all you want. When you’re not felating the Celtics, Cavaliers, Red Sox, Lakers, and Yankees, that is.
Ralph G.
April 22nd, 2009
9:12 am
Terence,
YOU ARE “WR and others”. Who are you kidding?
CSK
April 22nd, 2009
9:19 am
Terence,
Thanks for the ability to drop names, promote raciscm and get a well deserved pink slip. Box it up, leave town and STFU!
swatguy
April 22nd, 2009
9:32 am
When does a “buyout” mean “canned”. You guys can’t really be that simple. Or can youse?
Terence, there will be a lot less balance in the AJC Sports department as you depart. I hope you do contribute occasionally (at least). Some of us understand the nature of journalism in the 21st century (print vs else) and the need to evolve towards the next. I look forward to see your offerings in the future.
Sure, the Hawks have to step up and remain on the level of elite or they will struggle against a “not very good” Miami team. If the Hawks are very good, the series will be done in no more than 5 games.
CSK
April 22nd, 2009
10:12 am
Just because Terence received a severance package (by law) does NOT mean that he was not shown the door! His writings cost the AJC (and their advertisers) money that they could not afford to lose any more. “A lot less balance in the AJC sports department” to a reader named swatguy means more balanced bottom lines in the business world.
CSK
April 22nd, 2009
10:53 am
LOL
Chris
April 22nd, 2009
12:16 pm
yeah, Terrance does not really add anything to me watching the Hawks game tonight or the sports section of the newspaper. Terrance should go and take Cynthia Tucker with him. AJC subscriptions are down, and they both add to that cact by the way they turn people off.
Chris
April 22nd, 2009
12:17 pm
yeah, Terrance does not really add anything to me watching the Hawks game tonight or the sports section of the newspaper. Terrance should go and take Cynthia Tucker with him. AJC subscriptions are down, and they both add to that fact by the way they turn people off.
3Gamma92
April 22nd, 2009
12:44 pm
I had to comment on the “affection” given to Terence Moore. As an African-american who grew up reading the Journal and the Constitution, wondering how could they allow Furman Bisher the space to write certain articles, I laugh out loud on how Mr. Moore has replaced Mr. Bisher has the most polarizing columnist in the sports section. Some of the comments are well articulated while others make me scratch my head. In the end, both men have served both the readers and newspaper well. They have spurred debate and raised the interest level of certain topics. I believe that some articles are postings for the “Master of the Obvious” pageant. However, these columnists put their work out consistently to be scrutinized by the rabid faithful of Atlanta/Georgia sports. I still long for the day for my beloved Falcons to post back to back WINNING seasons. I still cannot believe that we only won one World Series during one of the most impressive runs in professional sports. The eastern conference semi-finals with Boston STILL bother me…there should not have been a Game 7! Jim Craig could not save hockey in Atlanta- wonder how many remember that? Charlie Criss before Spudd Webb…the Gritz-blitz lunch boxes…Bob Horner loving to eat and refusing to go to the minors…Marion Campbell being hired AGAIN…trading ‘Nique for Danny Manning. All this, and now we get to ramble on in cyberspace about a single voice. If Terence Moore no longer will have a column, thanks for the memories and the debates sparked. If he does, let’s dig in when we disagree…scream loudly when the work product doesn’t meet our standard…but most of all, let’s get a Super Bowl victory to our Falcons, another World Series to the Braves, the Larry O’brien trophy to the Hawks…and even Lord Stanley’s Cup to the Thrashers.
Jabrai Jefferson
April 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
As an African American let me say that I am also glad to see Terence Moore leaving the AJC. Frank Robinson, Alan Page, Wilt Chamberlin, Joe Lewis, Calvin Peete etc., were all great players that also happened to be black. Terence has always appeared to me to be the opposite when it comes to sportswriters.
the real OLD GOLD
April 22nd, 2009
2:13 pm
They can, but will they?
Daniel
April 22nd, 2009
3:00 pm
Terrence,
This is a tired and weak column. Maybe tomorrow you can count how many black players are on the braves. That has to be good for at least one more go, you have only used it 3,456 times. I also appreciate that you compliment the guys who support you by applauding their “ability to think, read and comprehend.” Nice shot. So since I didn’t like your article I cannot read, think or comprehend? Have you really been reduced to name calling your critics? Weak my friend, very, very, weak.
Braindawg
April 22nd, 2009
5:06 pm
You people just dont get it do you? TM doesnt really believe everything he writes. His job is to tick off readers, fans and anyone he can get to buy a paper, so they can read his article. His job is to sell papers, period.
That being said, he writes some of the most ignorate things ive ever read, but I do admit, every time I buy an AJC paper, or read the AJC on line, I always read his article. So from the AJC’s standpoint, job well done. And I’m not a big fan of his. Which speaks more to my point of he sells papers.
As a man I dont want to see anyone lose their job, that just wouldnt be right. But like every movie needs a bad guy, every Georgia/Florida game needs a Florida, Thanks Terrence, for playing the part of the bad guy/Florida, on purpose or not, you’ve sold papers. Your job, and for that you can be proud!
Zep
April 22nd, 2009
5:29 pm
Yeah Terence, Great plan trying to sell papers by ticking off the people who buy them. LOL. This ain’t New York dude. I cancelled my subscription about 5 years ago because of you. I will re-up the day you officially leave.
MikeJones
April 23rd, 2009
9:35 am
LEAVE ALREADY
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 23rd, 2009
9:52 am
Me too Zep. I wish the AJC would can Luckovich too.
All I can say is Thank God and the Greyhound!!!
Wes
April 23rd, 2009
10:45 am
I’m not a big fan of Terrence, but he was right on the button about Hawks. Very predictable performance by the Hawks – 3 days to hear about how great they were and 3 days for D Wade to hear how bad he was. It takes more than one half of one game to win a series. Where are all those who thought Terrance was wrong?
Braindawg
April 23rd, 2009
11:35 am
I thought Terrence was wrong. With a little fact sprinkled in there, just to keep it real. Look its like you said Wes, they read there own press clippings, and the Heat had to listen to all the bad press about there not showing for game 2. As a Hawks fan I hope that they can now have their heads screwed on straight, understand no matter the talent you have you have to earn every playoff win.
I still think the Hawks are better than the Heat if they play with passion. Oh no I just said what TM said yesterday in his article. Play with heat or fire in their belly, passion, so maybe we should give him more credit……Nah!
Seriously, lets hope that the Hawks learned their lesson, because now we have to win one in Miami to get through to the second round. Go Hawks!
JOE BLOW THE ANY SHOT JOHNSON
April 23rd, 2009
1:36 pm
JOE JOHNSON WILL EXPLODE ON MEMPHIS TORONTO OKL.CITY BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE BIG STAGE HE DISAPPEARS IN THE ALL STAR GAME,LOOK AT THE PLAYOFF GAME LAST NITE HE WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.
JOE JOHNSON IS A SLOW DOMINIQUE WILKENS WATCH HIM IN GAME THREE. HE WILL NOT BE FOUND,LOOK AT D.WADE WHO COMES TOATL AND TAKE OVER JOE JOHNSON COURT SINCE HE IS THE HAWKS ALL-STAR.
Counting Down
April 23rd, 2009
3:49 pm
Hey Terence,
When is your last day?
Zach
April 23rd, 2009
4:25 pm
Terence, just heard your days were over at the AJC. You will be missed.
Ha! Just kidding. Don’t let the screen door hit you on the way out!
Jarkavius
April 23rd, 2009
4:35 pm
Same as what Zach said.
Doremus Robinson
April 23rd, 2009
5:23 pm
terence:
Thanks for the ability to “read” our minds, “think” for us and “comprehend” what we really meant. You speak for yourself only and certainly not for all African Americans. LOSER!
Stephen
April 23rd, 2009
11:15 pm
Lots of nasty comments folks. It’s much more effective to negatively comment on TM when you use arguments not insults.
My argument: Since when is it the mission of a columnist to incite readers? I think we’ve all bought into this myth that a “good writer” is one who fans flames and provokes readers. But that myth is the reason we have poor writing and lazy thinkers who are the sports equivalents of Rush Limbaugh and Jim Kramer. If you listen to those people (or read a lot of AJC columns), they literally say nothing. They add nothing to the reader’s knowledge. They don’t shed new light on anything. They’re just ranters.
Ranters are boring. Writers are not.
I hope TM’s replacement is not an agitator or ranter, but rather a gifted writer who makes insightful comments about these subjects.
Best of luck at your next destination. If it’s still up in the air, tell the AJC that I’d make a great columnist.
TROTTINGHOMETUDD
April 24th, 2009
3:21 pm
Hopefully this is Uncle Tom Terence’s last article I WON’T have to read.